I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 203

< Nothing to Fear 2 >

“Lord Jo. Lord Yun Juseong has arrived.”

Did my declaration of war this morning make him anxious? He came as soon as the sun went down.

“Bring him in.”

We’re not in a position to avoid seeing each other. If persuading him is the key to smoothly ascending to the position of Prime Minister, I’ll meet him all night.

Yun Juseong, stepping into the room, was completely different from how he looked this morning. He respectfully folded his hands and bowed deeply.

“I apologize for the late hour, Lord Jo.”

“Don’t mention it. When it comes to serving the nation, what does day or night matter?”

Jo Gwangyun also returned the greeting politely.

“I told you to think deeply about my proposal, but it seems you’ve been too hasty.”

“I committed this discourtesy to think deeply.”

“I suppose you have many things to ask and confirm.”

Jo Gwangyun said with a smile, and Yun Juseong nodded.

“The meticulous Lord Jo wouldn’t have started such a thing without a plan, and I assume you’ve already received the Empress Dowager’s promise?”

“Indeed. Tomorrow, another official will petition once more, and I will refuse. The day after tomorrow, someone else will step forward, and I will decline again. At that point, the Empress Dowager will reprimand me and appoint me as *Pyungsang Seosa* [Prime Minister].”

“Unless all the high-ranking officials oppose it, it’s a certainty that Lord Jo will become the Prime Minister of this nation.”

Jo Gwangyun held up three fingers.

“The Minister of Culture has only three days left. If you can persuade all the ministers within that time, my plan will fall apart. Are you confident?”

Yun Juseong shook his head.

“It would be difficult even if I had three months.”

“Then, will you accept my proposal?”

“Before that, I have something to ask. Will you answer honestly?”

“You know how honest I’ve been so far, don’t you? Go ahead.”

Jo Gwangyun still wore a friendly expression. Remembering the terrifying schemes hidden beneath that expression was frightening.

“Why are you taking such good care of me? If you’ve even brought in the Empress Dowager, you could banish anyone who interferes to the countryside.”

“I recall mentioning it once before… I haven’t recouped the initial investment I made in you yet. I plan to keep you by my side and use you until I break even.”

*I know this isn’t a joke either.*

“How do you plan to use me…?”

Jo Gwangyun held out both palms.

“I plan to divide this nation’s court into two. The remnants of the old Wi Chung-hyeon’s faction and the forces that opposed them. The old senior officials and the young scholars. The old generation and the new generation. It will be divided like that, right?”

“So?”

“They must fight fiercely. To realize each other’s ideals. Well… it doesn’t have to be ideals. Secular greed is fine, and desire is fine too. Colliding, breaking, reattaching, and clashing again. Isn’t that the process of development?”

“Do you truly think about development?”

Jo Gwangyun let out a long sigh.

“It may be hard to believe, but Yun, your intellect wouldn’t understand my thoughts anyway. But my words are not false. I will make this nation incredibly wealthy.”

“Not personal wealth and glory?”

Yun Juseong didn’t even hear Jo Gwangyun’s words that disregarded his intellect. Only the word ‘wealthy nation’ echoed in his head.

“The richer the nation, the greater the personal wealth and glory. How much can you scrape together from a poor country?”

To Yun Juseong, it was truly incomprehensible.

*Does he mean that the purpose of making the country rich is for personal wealth and glory?*

“Don’t try to understand my intentions. The truth that I intend to make this nation incredibly wealthy will not change.”

Jo Gwangyun smiled and said to Yun Juseong, who was still trying to read his thoughts.

“We will implement the civil service examination.”

Yun Juseong had an incredulous expression at the sudden mention of the civil service examination.

Since officials are selected only through recommendations, it is impossible to enter government service unless one is a descendant of a prestigious family. He had argued several times for the implementation of the civil service examination to give talented and capable young scholars a chance to display their abilities, but it was repeatedly thwarted by the opposition of vested interests.

“Most of the ministers will oppose it, will it be possible?”

“The problem with people like you is that you try to overturn everything at once. One step at a time, that’s how change comes.”

“What do you mean?”

“First, we will apply the civil service examination only to the selection of local officials.”

Yun Juseong’s disappointment was evident. It is difficult to expect any change with just local officials.

Jo Gwangyun chuckled at Yun Juseong’s change in expression.

“Look at it in the long term. Do local officials stay in the provinces forever? You were also in Gaebong, and even the captain of the Imperial Guard came here from the provinces. That’s how it slowly seeps in.”

Jo Gwangyun picked up his teacup.

“The civil service examination is just a very minor part of my many plans.”

“Can I hear about that plan in detail?”

“You’re still rushing. Let’s take it slow.”

*This is enough. Even if he doesn’t understand after hearing it, and if he only becomes a limb if he likes his lord’s will, there’s no need to use him as a right arm.*

“Think carefully and make a decision. And before you decide, there’s something to keep in mind. My right arm must unconditionally believe and follow me. That’s what a right arm is. I’m not a kind person who explains everything to my subordinates and asks for their consent before working.”

Jo Gwangyun’s words ended with drawing an accurate line in the superior-subordinate relationship.

* * *

As Jo Gwangyun designed, the same advice continued at the morning assembly the next day.

“…The wise opinion of the Minister of Personnel Affairs was flawless. Your Majesty, please issue an edict to appoint Jo Gwangyun, the Minister of Finance, as *Pyungsang Seosa* [Prime Minister] immediately.”

This time it was the turn of Go Heum, the *Gyeongjo Yoon* [Mayor of the Capital], full of white hair. As the old minister knelt and prostrated himself, the younger ministers could not remain still.

“Please issue the edict!”

*I could read the situation at once.*

The difference in the number of those prostrating and those standing.

Yun Juseong had no idea that Jo Gwangyun’s power would be this great. Isn’t it a whopping two-thirds?

The result has come out.

The only thing a person who vehemently opposes Jo Gwangyun can do is submit a resignation and leave the court.

“Your Majesty, please reconsider. I cannot bear the weight of the Prime Minister.”

Jo Gwangyun again showed his intention to decline.

Now the Empress Dowager must leave after saying to discuss it once more. But there was someone who stepped forward before the Empress Dowager. With a big laugh.

“Ehehehe!”

Meng Wool, the Minister of Education, laughed heartily and then said to Jo Gwangyun, who was prostrating.

“Now this nation’s court has fallen into the hands of relatives and merchants.”

He shouted again at the back of the prostrating ministers.

“Aren’t you ashamed! What’s lacking that you line up behind power and money? Is clinging like moths what a scholar should do?!”

Meng Wool’s last words were directed at the Empress Dowager.

“Your Majesty! You must not listen to their cunning tricks. Of the words that have come out of the court now, only one is true.”

He raised his hand and pointed to Jo Gwangyun.

“He himself said that he lacks experience, wisdom, and knowledge, and that he cannot bear the weight. Although it may not be the true intention of the cunning man, the content alone is true.”

“You villain! Meng Wool. How dare you act so wildly in such a safe place! Can’t you stop right now?”

Go Heum, the *Gyeongjo Yoon* [Mayor of the Capital], jumped up and shouted, but he didn’t even look at him.

“Your Majesty. If the Minister of Finance becomes the Prime Minister of this nation, I will resign and return to my hometown. Please forgive my disloyalty.”

Meng Wool bowed deeply to the Empress Dowager and left the palace. As some young ministers followed him, there were not many ministers standing.

“Your Majesty. Punish Meng Wool’s irreverence severely.”

The ministers shouted in unison, but the Empress Dowager had a relieved expression.

“Are there any more objections from those who remain in this palace now?”

The Empress Dowager’s gaze was directed at Yun Juseong. She is asking about his attitude.

Yun Juseong bit his lip and bowed his head, revealing his intention that there were no objections.

The Empress Dowager showed a satisfied smile.

“I have heard that your opinions are united. I will issue an edict today, so the Minister of Finance should prepare.”

No more pretense is needed.

“Thank you so much, Your Majesty!”

* * *

Jo Gwangyun received the edict with the Emperor’s seal at the *Euirip Hall* [Hall for Receiving Edicts].

The Empress Dowager handed the edict to Jo Gwangyun and whispered softly.

“You will keep your promise, right?”

Jo Gwangyun, bowing his head, also said softly.

“Please start coughing tomorrow morning. I will take you to the hot springs.”

The Empress Dowager smiled and nodded.

As he came out of the *Euirip Hall* [Hall for Receiving Edicts] with the edict, many ministers bowed their heads to him.

“Congratulations, *Pyungsang Seosa* [Prime Minister].”

“You have finally risen to the position of one person above all others.”

Jo Gwangyun folded his hands and bowed his head slightly.

“It’s all thanks to you all. I hope you will support my shortcomings in the future.”

As everyone finished greeting and stepped back, Yun Juseong appeared and quietly bowed his head.

“Congratulations, *Pyungsang Seosa* [Prime Minister].”

“Raise your head, Minister of Culture.”

As Yun Juseong raised his head, Jo Gwangyun pointed to the ministers walking away in groups.

“Who among them do you think is the most incompetent, Minister of Culture? I mean someone who is stupid, thoughtless, and simple but holds a position in the court thanks to his well-born parents.”

Yun Juseong did not hesitate at all.

“It’s Ryu Maeng, the *Muyeongaksa* [Scholar of the Hall of Literary Profundity].”

“I agree with you.”

Jo Gwangyun smiled brightly.

“I’m thinking of appointing him as Minister of State.”

“Yes?”

The Minister of State is the head of the Ministry of State Affairs, a policy institution that oversees civil affairs. It is a key position, so it is clearly a promotion.

“Lord Jo. How can you appoint such a pathetic person….”

“It seems like you agreed to follow unconditionally without question… Did you forget?”

As Yun Juseong closed his mouth, Jo Gwangyun smiled slyly and said.

“You have to throw a rice cake every time a difficult task is finished. That way, everyone becomes obedient horses waiting for their turn. I’m telling you because it’s the first time, so don’t expect it anymore.”

“I understand. But Lord Jo. What are you going to do with Meng Wool?”

Jo Gwangyun glared at Yun Juseong and said.

“Don’t think of him as the same kind of ordinary scholar. He is truly the epitome of *Samusa* [pure thought; without evil thoughts]. He will never refuse His Majesty’s call. Then, see you again.”

Yun Juseong did not move from where he had left, pondering Jo Gwangyun’s words.

Jo Gwangyun went straight to the Grand Empress Dowager’s residence.

“Your Majesty. I, Jo Gwangyun, inform you that I have risen to the ranks of Prime Minister of this nation. All of this is thanks to Your Majesty’s grace.”

The Grand Empress Dowager, who had become haggard over the past few months, hurriedly greeted Jo Gwangyun.

“Lord Jo. I truly congratulate you. Of course, you should rise to the position of one person above all others.”

Looking at her fawning, there was no dog wagging its tail separately.

“The reason I came to see you like this is because I have something urgent to tell you.”

The Grand Empress Dowager moved quickly.

“Everyone, step back. I have something important to share with the *Pyungsang Seosa* [Prime Minister].”

When everyone stepped back and only the two of them were left, the Grand Empress Dowager’s eyes lit up.

“If you have anything to say, please do so without hesitation.”

“Your Majesty. The Empress Dowager is unwell and can no longer take care of state affairs. So….”

Jo Gwangyun’s words were not even finished, but she opened her mouth first.

“The Empress Dowager is weak, and this day is finally coming. Then, of course, the *Pyungsang Seosa* [Prime Minister] should take care of state affairs, right? That is what the Prime Minister is responsible for.”

Jo Gwangyun quickly waved his hand.

“No. The time that Your Majesty has been waiting for so long has come. Instead of the Empress Dowager, Your Majesty should rule on behalf of the Emperor.”

This time, the Grand Empress Dowager waved her hand.

“No. I have felt to the bone how difficult it is for a woman to lead state affairs. Please, Lord Jo, lead this country. I earnestly ask you as an elder of the Imperial family.”

Jo Gwangyun read sincerity in her eyes. As the family was starving, what they wanted was not power but salvation.

“I, Jo Gwangyun, will fulfill my responsibilities without any deviation from Your Majesty’s will.”

Jo Gwangyun bowed deeply and stood up.

“I will triple the budget for the Grand Empress Dowager’s Palace in return for Your Majesty’s grace. Also, I will find a righteous person who will provide practical help to Your Majesty’s family. I believe someone will come forward soon.”

Jo Gwangyun stepped back, looking at the Grand Empress Dowager with a bright expression.

After all, the best way to tame a disobedient dog is with food.

< Nothing to Fear 2 > End