I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 35

“Speak.”

Those were the first words Ok Gang-il uttered after putting down his sword.

“Gather all the records of usury and gambling debts. Return the women who were kidnapped for prostitution, and only keep the ones who came willingly. If the kidnapped women don’t return home, the government troops’ crackdown won’t end.”

“And?”

“Take about half of your most capable men and hide for a while.”

“Until when?”

“It won’t be long. The large-scale crackdown will end once it sweeps through. Then you can start again. Gambling and prostitution will never disappear, right? Someone will always do it. It just happens to be you.”

“What about the inns? The brothels?”

“Give them up. Hide completely in the shadows. That’s the only way you’ll survive.”

“You bastard! Do you know how much our income will decrease?”

“Instead, you’ll be doing what the Nokheulmun used to do, all by yourself. Gambling, usury, prostitution. Weren’t these the most lucrative?”

Ok Gang-il closed his mouth for a while, his eyes darting around. He was calculating the money diligently.

After a long while, he revealed his true feelings.

“If I’m hiding completely in the shadows, why should I have to pay you protection money?”

The guy who’s about to lose so much is only thinking about losing as little as possible, failing to grasp the situation.

“Do you think the shadows are a place no one knows about? The shadows are where everyone knows but pretends not to. Why do you pay protection money? Because it’s thanks to me that everyone knows but turns a blind eye. Without me, the shadows would turn into the light immediately. This time, it won’t be the Changryong Clan, but the government troops who come crashing in first.”

A business that can never operate normally unless a powerful person turns a blind eye. That’s what a business in the shadows is.

Jo Gwang-yun spoke to the dumbfounded Ok Gang-il.

“Do you understand why you have to pay protection money? It’s because I can shut down your money-making operation at any time. If you want to continue living so well, do as I say.”

“You can never stop my business. If my money-making is blocked, do you think the Mukdo Society [a powerful underworld organization] will leave you alone?”

“What? Hahaha.”

Jo Gwang-yun couldn’t help but laugh.

“This guy… he really doesn’t know anything. Well, I guess that’s all you can see.”

“What is it?”

“Ok Gang-il, listen carefully. Do you think you’re making a lot of money? Don’t be ridiculous. Just running two collection points brings in more than what you pay in protection money. And when business starts booming in the Gaebong Central Market, I’ll make your monthly income in a day. If I hint to the Mukdo Society that your business is hindering mine, you’ll be turned into mincemeat that very day.”

The management can destroy the business, and the Mukdo Society can take his life at any time.

Ok Gang-il deeply felt that Jo Gwang-yun’s words could create or prevent such misfortunes at any time.

“Fi, fine. Let’s say that’s true. If you’re making so much money, why do you let me continue working in the shadows?”

“I told you that prostitution and gambling will never disappear, right? Even if it’s not you, someone else will start that business. Why should I let someone else benefit from small change when I can take it for myself? And whether I like it or not, you’ve worked with me, so it’s easier for me to use you.”

Ok Gang-il’s shoulders slumped.

He says those words with a sly smile.

Until now, he had thought of him as just a clever errand boy of the Mukdo Society. He was confident that he could get away with taking care of Yang Cheong, who was smarter and more communicative, by appeasing him appropriately and making more money.

He had even killed Wi Dal and seized the Oryun Clan, dreaming of a bright future, but the sweet time ended in an instant, and he had to live in the dark shadows.

All because of that guy, Jo Gwang-yun. A creepy bastard.

He felt like he was falling further into the abyss, but he had no choice but to hold onto the rope that the guy had thrown him. If he let go of this rope, he felt like he would fall to the endless bottom.

Jo Gwang-yun’s warning echoed in Ok Gang-il’s ears as he turned away powerlessly.

“If you draw your sword in front of me one more time, you and the name of Oryun will disappear from Gaebong. Don’t forget it.”

* * *

The silk merchants who had rented the entire second floor of the inn were grumbling, trying to hide their anxiousness.

“For a young punk to make his elders wait like this.”

“I know, right? As if he’s some great person, acting so high and mighty.”

“Everyone, stop it. We’re the ones who asked first because we’re desperate. We don’t even know how much humiliation we’ll have to endure; can’t you even bear this much?”

At the elder’s scolding, everyone closed their mouths. Then, Jo Gwang-yun and Im Bon-jae came up to the second floor.

“Sect Leader Im, please return now. Isn’t every moment precious with a big event right before our eyes? From now on, it’s the business of us merchants.”

Before sitting down, Jo Gwang-yun said politely, and Im Bon-jae put his hands together towards the silk merchants.

“Then, please talk. I hope it will be resolved smoothly.”

As Im Bon-jae left, Jo Gwang-yun put his hands together and bowed.

“I am Jo Gwang-yun. I was late because I had to stop by the Hyeoncheong [local government office] to see Magistrate Jin Wu-sang. I hope you understand.”

Of course, he didn’t meet the magistrate. But the fact that he met the magistrate before meeting them was enough to cause confusion.

“No, it’s enough that you didn’t refuse our request. Come, come, please sit down quickly.”

The old man with white hair treated Jo Gwang-yun with great respect.

‘This old man must be the leader.’

At first, cups of alcohol were exchanged, and the topic was silk. They drank alcohol continuously, using their knowledge of silk and anecdotes from their business as appetizers, but no one got drunk.

The old man brought up the main point first.

“I believe you already know why we invited Master Jo today. What do you think about upholding the path of symbiosis [mutually beneficial cooperation]?”

“If you trust me, symbiosis is no problem. However…”

“However…?”

“It will be very difficult to believe my words.”

The silk merchants who had been silent frowned and opened their mouths.

“Believe unbelievable words…? Ha! Is that even something to say?”

“I heard that guy’s tongue is wicked. Did he deceive the naive magistrate with such words to get a business license?”

“Destroying our silk shipments, that’s not a tongue, it’s an evil deed. That guy’s tongue and thoughts are all lies!”

“Everyone, shut up!”

Feeling the crisis that more harsh words would come out and the negotiation would fall apart, the old man shouted, and the merchants flinched and closed their mouths.

“Please understand. They are still full of energy and not serious enough.”

“I understand. I ruined their business, so there’s no way they’d say good things about me.”

There was a voice fanning the flames, but everyone only looked at the old man and didn’t open their mouths.

“Continue speaking.”

“I have no intention of continuing the silk business.”

“What?”

Not only the old man but everyone’s mouths were wide open.

“Then why on earth did you do such a thing?”

“Do you only do business once or twice? It’s to gain a favorable position in the negotiation. With you, who may or may not be able to resume business in the future…”

Jo Gwang-yun looked at each of the silk merchants one by one and continued.

“Customers are hoarding because of the anxiety that they may not be able to buy silk if not now. Thanks to that, I’m enjoying a boom. It was to create this situation.”

Everyone was about to burst into anger, but they didn’t open their mouths at the old man’s gesture.

Jo Gwang-yun realized the old man’s influence. The only negotiation target today is this old man.

“I understand the desperate feelings of merchants trying to win in the competition, but it seems to have crossed the line of morality. What do you think?”

“If we only look at the situation so far, I won’t deny it. But please consider it as a small sacrifice for the greater good.”

“We are the small? Then what is the great?”

“The prosperity of the Gaebong Market merchants.”

The word prosperity stimulated the old man.

He had been in business for decades, and there were times when the silk quality deteriorated due to the weather, ruining a year’s business, and there were times when he made quite a lot of money, but he had never enjoyed a long-term boom enough to use the word prosperity.

“How?”

“I will build a huge building at the end of the market by next spring. The current plan is to build five floors, and I will invite you all. I plan to dedicate the second floor to silk sales.”

“Building?”

“Five floors?”

“Stop! Everyone, shut your mouths. Why do you keep interrupting Master Jo’s words!”

As everyone’s eyes widened and they muttered, the old man glared at them with a scary look.

“Continue.”

The old man, who had a gentle expression again, gestured to Jo Gwang-yun, and Jo Gwang-yun continued his explanation, not persuasion.

End