I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 199

“You’ve worked hard in the palace, which is like navigating a minefield, for over two years. And you did a great job. It was beyond my expectations.”

The three women bowed their heads at Jo Gwang-yun’s praise.

“Now, there’s nothing more for you to do. It’s all over.”

The faces of the three women brightened at the word ‘over.’

“I will do as I promised in the beginning. Ask yourselves what you truly desire, and don’t hide it, even if it’s something you’re ashamed to say out loud. After you’ve sorted out your thoughts, tell me what you want.”

His words conveyed a sincerity that he would grant them anything.

“You are still young. You’ve even learned martial arts, so you have many years ahead of you. Don’t just live those days aimlessly, but live doing what you want. I will make that possible for you.”

“Thank you, Master.”

“Yes. Rest well for now and think about it slowly.”

The three women bowed and retreated, but Hong-yeon quickly returned.

“Master.”

“Yes, do you have something left to say?”

“I’ve already made up my mind.”

“Already?”

She was the most perceptive and clever of the three, so she must have thought a lot about it.

“Alright, what do you want? Should I give you enough money to live prosperously for generations?”

Hong-yeon shook her head.

“Master, I want to stay by your side.”

Jo Gwang-yun was momentarily taken aback by the unexpected words, but he smiled and said,

“I have a discerning eye for women. Even in a club full of beauties, there are only a few courtesans who catch my eye.”

“No, Master. That’s not what I meant…”

Hong-yeon blushed and quickly waved her hands.

“I’m just kidding. I know what you mean. But I want to dissuade you. I have to live each day as if I could die tomorrow. You’ve already experienced it, so you know. It felt like walking a tightrope where one wrong step could send you falling into an abyss.”

“Yes, Master. I know.”

“The reason you entered the world of martial arts as a woman wasn’t to become a master roaming the Jianghu [the martial arts world]. You joined the Azure Dragon Gate because it provided at least enough money to avoid starvation and support your family, didn’t you?”

Hong-yeon lowered her head.

“I won’t deny it.”

“Then live like that. You don’t have to worry about starving anymore. You’ll only have to worry about when you’ll ever spend all that money.”

“Master.”

Hong-yeon said with a firm expression.

“As you said, I have many days left to live. I can’t just spend those days worrying about spending money, can I? How can I call it living if I’m only worrying about such things? Since I was born, I have to do something, don’t I?”

“All the people in this country live to avoid starvation. That’s enough of that pampered talk.”

“Master!”

Jo Gwang-yun’s expression hardened even more at Hong-yeon’s determined appearance.

“Don’t take lightly the words that you will face death with a single mistake.”

“I’ve already experienced it, and I’m prepared.”

“It’s not just that. If you look like you’re about to make a mistake, I’ll kill you first. I don’t have the *yoyu* [余裕 means leeway or room] to correct my subordinates’ mistakes. If you think you did well in the palace because of your ability, that’s arrogance. It was only easy because Yang Ryeo-cheong’s beauty was so outstanding that the Emperor doted on her.”

She already knew that a single mistake meant death, but she couldn’t respond to the words that her lord’s blade would come first.

Jo Gwang-yun stared at Hong-yeon, who had lowered her head, for a long time before opening his mouth.

“Go see Gu Seung. Gu Seung will teach you. But if that guy says no, don’t dwell on it and live comfortably.”

Hong-yeon’s expression brightened at the opportunity.

“Thank you, Master. I will work hard to never disappoint your expectations.”

“I have no expectations. You’re saying that because you don’t know what kind of person Gu Seung is. If you endure well, it’ll be ten days. Get out of here.”

Tension filled Hong-yeon as she left, and Gu Seung rushed in less than a quarter of an hour later.

“No, Master. Why is that girl Hong-yeon acting like that right now?”

“Why? What did she say?”

“No… She’s asking me to teach her a lot in the future? I was dumbfounded… Seriously.”

“Stop complaining and use her as a subordinate. If she shows promise, keep using her, and if not, kick her out. What can I do with a kid who wants to walk the path of hardship on her own?”

“Where would you use a girl? I heard she’s decent at martial arts, though.”

“That’s why I’m telling you to use her appropriately and then kick her out. Can’t you understand?”

Only then did Gu Seung unfold his crumpled face.

“I understand.”

Jo Gwang-yun threw a word at Gu Seung’s back as he bowed and left.

“She’s quite pretty. You’re responsible if you two fall in love.”

* * *

When the first morning assembly was held after the Emperor’s funeral, there was a change on the throne.

The Emperor’s seat was empty, but a screen was hung behind it, and the Queen Dowager sat there, looking down at the officials.

“Everyone has worked hard to carry out the state funeral. Now, we must deal with the treason of the Wei family.”

At the Queen Dowager’s command, Hwang-hyo stepped forward.

“I, Hwang-hyo, will uncover the truth of the treason without the slightest negligence.”

“Yes. In particular, the Empress must be strictly interrogated to find all those involved.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

As Hwang-hyo stepped back, Yoon Ju-seong stepped forward.

“Your Majesty, the country cannot be without a ruler for even a single day. Please issue an edict quickly to allow the Second Prince to ascend the throne.”

“Of course, we must do so. I will prepare the edict today. The Ministry of Rites should immediately prepare for the Emperor’s enthronement ceremony.”

The officials of the Ministry of Rites bowed their heads.

“We obey your command.”

The Queen Dowager thought everything was settled, but the officials still had much to say.

“Your Majesty, the Second Prince cannot ascend the throne as a child born out of wedlock. Therefore, before the enthronement ceremony, he must be adopted by Consort Hyeon.”

“I will issue an edict for that as well.”

“Your Majesty, the Wei family, being a family of traitors, must be stripped of their titles, and Consort Hyeon must receive the title of Empress. Please appoint Consort Hyeon as Empress.”

Consort Hyeon as Empress, and the Second Prince as her adopted son. Next is the enthronement of the Emperor.

“I will issue edicts according to all procedures, so please ensure that the hierarchy of the Imperial family is properly established.”

“You are truly wise. We are deeply grateful, Your Majesty.”

When all of this is over, each person’s status will also change.

Consort Hyeon, who becomes Empress, will become Queen Dowager the moment the Emperor’s enthronement is over, and the current Queen Dowager will immediately be called Grand Queen Dowager.

This means that there will be two women who can rule on behalf of the young Emperor.

However, as long as the Queen Dowager is healthy, the Grand Queen Dowager, no matter how young, will not step forward. The Queen Dowager was well aware of this fact.

However, she believed in Consort Hyeon’s weakness, who had not been able to leave her chambers since entering the palace. She couldn’t possibly cough in front of the court officials and handle state affairs, could she?

The Queen Dowager did not doubt for a moment that she would continue to hold her current position.

“The Chief Secretary and the Vice Minister of Personnel, come to the Euirip Hall. I have something urgent to tell you.”

The Queen Dowager headed to the Euirip Hall with the two men.

Just like an Emperor.

* * *

“What should we do with the positions held by the traitorous family?”

She was referring to the positions held by Wei Chung-hyun’s sons, brothers, and nephews.

All of them were currently under house arrest, so the vacancies in the court were quite noticeable.

Yoon Ju-seong cautiously opened his mouth.

“Shouldn’t we fill them with new people, of course?”

It was the answer the Queen Dowager wanted.

“Then how do you intend to find these new people?”

At the Queen Dowager’s question, the Vice Minister of Personnel stepped forward.

“The court’s high-ranking officials will recommend hidden talents, and local officials will also recommend outstanding talents from their regions.”

With the fall of a great family, there is no greater opportunity for hidden talents. Many vacancies will be created not only in the central government but also in the local governments.

That is, if the entire clan is exterminated.

The Queen Dowager said to Yoon Ju-seong.

“Chief Secretary, discuss this matter in the court and fill the vacancies as soon as possible. With loyal subjects who will serve the new Emperor.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You may leave now.”

As Yoon Ju-seong bowed his head, the Vice Minister of Personnel also bowed, but the Queen Dowager stopped him.

“Vice Minister of Personnel, wait. I have something urgent to tell you.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Yoon Ju-seong could guess what the Queen Dowager was up to when she told only the Vice Minister of Personnel to remain.

As Yoon Ju-seong stepped back, the Queen Dowager handed a piece of paper to the Vice Minister of Personnel.

“This is a list of talented people who can fill the vacancies. Please take a look and evaluate them.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Don’t think of it as the Queen Dowager’s recommendation, but give the fairest evaluation. Do you understand?”

The Vice Minister of Personnel politely received the list but did not miss the Queen Dowager’s sparkling eyes. Those eyes seemed to be saying that following the Queen Dowager’s will was the very definition of fairness.

As the Vice Minister of Personnel came out, Yoon Ju-seong, who had been waiting, asked.

“Perhaps there is someone the Queen Dowager wants to place in the court?”

The Vice Minister of Personnel nodded his head.

“It seems she has prepared thoroughly. She even made a list.”

“May I take a look for a moment?”

Yoon Ju-seong spoke politely, but the Vice Minister of Personnel firmly shook his head.

“Chief Secretary, this is something that I, who am in charge of selecting officials, must take care of. Even court officials recommend talents, so why can’t Her Majesty the Queen Dowager? If you have any valuable talents, Chief Secretary, recommend them at any time. If they are talents that everyone agrees on, they will naturally be given important positions.”

“Sir, isn’t this a different matter? The Queen Dowager is acting as if she were the Emperor. Although I haven’t seen the list, it must be a list filled with relatives from her family. Isn’t she trying to plant her people in the court?”

“It’s okay for one or two of Her Majesty’s people to be in the court. Chief Secretary, don’t be too harsh.”

Yoon Ju-seong grabbed the shoulder of the Vice Minister of Personnel, who was walking ahead.

“Sir!”

The Vice Minister of Personnel frowned at his aggressive behavior.

“Why are you reacting so sensitively, Chief Secretary?”

“Sir, such an opportunity will not come again. Don’t you understand?”

“What opportunity are you talking about?”

“An ideal government where a truly fair and harmonious court produces outstanding talents who establish and implement policies solely for the people.”

The Vice Minister of Personnel, who had been frowning, changed to a serious attitude at Yoon Ju-seong’s earnest appearance.

“We must serve the newly born Emperor. If a person as outstanding as Maeng-ul teaches His Majesty, he will surely become a wise ruler, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Before he grows into a wise ruler, we must work together to create the foundation.”

“Foundation?”

“The court’s high-ranking officials, led by the Prime Minister, put their heads together to discuss state affairs and come to the most correct conclusion and implement it. If our court’s high-ranking officials are divided for their own interests, this country will become a women’s world. If that happens, even if His Majesty grows up, he will become a puppet due to the rise of powerful in-laws.”

These were words that the Vice Minister of Personnel could agree with.

Even the powerful late Emperor watched Wei Chung-hyun’s faction and engaged in fierce political battles, didn’t he?

“We must prevent the power of the Imperial women from gaining a foothold in the court. We must select talents fairly based solely on ability and learning, and that is what we must do now.”

Having read Yoon Ju-seong’s sincerity, the Vice Minister of Personnel quietly lowered his head.

“Chief Secretary, you are truly a loyal subject. I will keep the Chief Secretary’s opinion deep in my heart.”

Yoon Ju-seong resolved to persuade the officials before the Queen Dowager could act. He blamed himself for being complacent, not knowing that the Queen Dowager would move so quickly.

End