I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 37

“By the way, is this a dried grape?”

Prefect Jin Wu-sang examined the raisin in his hand, turning it this way and that, and asked.

“That’s right.”

“To dry these precious grapes and be able to eat them even in the fall… Amazing.”

“My skills are still lacking, so the quantity is small. Next year, I will prepare enough for you to enjoy.”

Making raisins was an incredibly expensive undertaking. Grapes alone were as expensive as gold, and more than half rotted while drying, so they might actually be more expensive than gold.

It started casually, reminiscent of how a bag of raisins used to cost a few thousand *won* [Korean currency], but it ended up costing a fortune.

However, it seems the value is well worth it.

Isn’t the Prefect more pleased than when he received a gold ingot?

“You are quite the busy merchant. You said you’d take down the gangster gangs, and now you’re building a large building for the housewives who go shopping, and making such delicious things… This is truly something.”

The Prefect chewed on the raisins, his face filled with wonder.

“I am doing this for the development of the Prefect and Gaebong, so please look kindly upon it. I would never do anything to displease you.”

Jo Gwang-yun bowed his head.

“Not at all. It’s not my money, nor is it the nation’s money, so what is there to disapprove of?”

“By the way, have you met the Master of Changryong Gate? How did you know about that matter…?”

“When cleaning up trashy gangs, bloodshed is unavoidable, so they came to me for permission. They mentioned it then, your story.”

“I see. But cleaning up the gangster gangs is the work of Changryong Gate, and I am only providing some financial assistance.”

“Whatever the case, aren’t you involved too? It’s a great thing, so there’s no need to be so modest.”

The Prefect, having eaten his fill, pushed away the basket of raisins and wiped his hands.

“The reason you sought me out must be about the *corvée* labor [unpaid labor owed to a lord or ruler], right?”

“That’s right, Prefect.”

Jo Gwang-yun cautiously raised his head and gauged the Prefect’s mood.

“Cleaning up the dirty market streets so that high-ranking nobles can come and go without worry. How could this be a private matter? Isn’t this a public endeavor to make Gaebong a better place to live?”

“It’s almost the cold winter, so *corvée* labor is usually exempt unless it’s a special case.”

“The farming off-season begins after the fall harvest. Aren’t they just going to laze around at home anyway? Giving them some pocket money isn’t such a bad thing.”

“Ah, you’re thinking of paying wages?”

“Yes, that’s right. If I don’t give them even a small amount, there might be unnecessary complaints, so I will do that.”

“Pocket money, huh…”

“What good would it do to give those guys the full amount? They’ll just squander it all on alcohol and gambling anyway. Instead, I’ll donate that difference to the local government. Then it will be used for national affairs, which is a more rewarding endeavor, isn’t it?”

He changed the wording from Prefect to local government.

Making it sound like a donation rather than a bribe. That way, the Prefect can save face when granting permission.

“Listening to you, every word is right. Good. Let’s do that.”

As soon as the Prefect’s permission was granted, Jo Gwang-yun bit his lip to hide his laughter.

The first time is difficult, but from the second time on, it becomes a matter of course. From now on, even if he undertakes construction in Gaebong, the burden of labor costs has completely disappeared.

* * *

“Brother Jo, do you know what’s happening outside?”

“What is it?”

Lee Geon, who had quietly come in the middle of the night, had a troubled expression.

“They say the Master of Nokheul Gate is dead. Most of his subordinates have been arrested by the authorities.”

“Did the authorities deploy constables?”

“No. Changryong Gate started it with the Prefect’s permission. They handed over the subordinates. They say they’re going to hit the Oryun Sect soon…”

“You don’t have to worry about whatever those guys do.”

“So, Brother Jo, you already knew.”

“Yes. I’ve already taken care of everything, so it’s okay.”

Even with the word ‘okay,’ Lee Geon’s expression didn’t brighten.

“Is there something you’re worried about?”

Jo Gwang-yun asked cautiously, and Lee Geon said.

“It’s because of Yoo Chu-saeng. He doesn’t want to see Changryong Gate running rampant. Ah, of course, the surface reason is concern that our financial backer, the Oryun Sect, might be in danger.”

Jo Gwang-yun frowned. It wasn’t because of Yoo Chu-saeng, but because of Lee Geon.

This guy clearly boasted that he would kick out Yoo Chu-saeng and take the position of head of Gaebong himself. But a long time has already passed, and he hasn’t moved. No, it’s clear he can’t move.

He might be a guy whose abilities don’t match his boasting.

“Didn’t you say you were going to chase Yoo Chu-saeng to Sichuan? It doesn’t seem to be going well?”

“I’m working hard in every way. It would be over quickly with my method, but using Brother Jo’s method isn’t easy.”

Lee Geon’s method is simply killing him.

“The easy way has difficult consequences. Would the Mukdo Association just stand by and watch Yoo Chu-saeng’s death? They might investigate and rummage around here… There’s no guarantee that the new successor will be Brother Lee either…”

Lee Geon, who thought he was being ignored, flared up.

“I agree that the aftermath is difficult, but I am definitely the successor. No one in the main association wants to come here. Ah, I guess you don’t know. Yoo Chu-saeng was also in charge here after being the second-in-command.”

“Is that so?”

It was the first time he’d heard that.

“Then the predecessor…?”

“Went to the main association. Should I call it a promotion? Anyway, Gaebong’s performance was good, so he pulled some strings here and there.”

He thought they were just debt collectors, but that’s not necessarily the case.

Jo Gwang-yun vaguely felt that he could create a connection at the top of the Mukdo Association. Through Lee Geon right in front of him.

“Brother Lee, do you remember what you told me? That your martial arts are superior?”

“Yes, I remember. It’s also true.”

“Then take this opportunity to eliminate Yoo Chu-saeng and take over Gaebong.”

“What? You just said the aftermath would be difficult…?”

“That’s why I said this is the opportunity. In the midst of a bloody fight outside, who would suspect that one more person died?”

“Ah…!”

“I’ll find out when Changryong Gate is attacking the Oryun Sect. Brother Lee, deal with Yoo Chu-saeng then.”

Lee Geon thought it was definitely the right time, but there was one thing that bothered him.

“Yoo Chu-saeng is not weak enough to lose his life by getting caught up in the fight between Changryong Gate and the Oryun Sect. He will definitely suspect that there is another culprit.”

“Don’t look at that, just look at the facts that are revealed on the surface. This fight is not a fight between two sects. The government is cracking down on *bureong* [delinquent/illegal] organizations in Gaebong. Yoo Chu-saeng didn’t die because he was weak in martial arts, but because he was branded as the head of an organization that violated the law and was killed.”

Lee Geon’s expression brightened rapidly as he listened to what Jo Gwang-yun had thought.

“I’ll arrange for Yoo Chu-saeng’s head to be displayed at the city gate. Then everyone will see him as a serious criminal who violated national law. Just cut off his head and bring it.”

He switched horses once again. How long he will ride this horse depends on the horse.

“By the way, Brother Jo. I heard a rumor… that the wealth Yoo Chu-saeng has accumulated over the years is enormous… Is that true?”

“Why are you asking me that?”

“I heard that Brother Jo is in charge of managing his money.”

“Well… let’s say that’s true, why are you asking?”

This guy seems to be thinking only about money. Is he wanting a price for killing someone?

“Can you tell me how much money there is?”

“Brother Lee, is the reason you’re killing Yoo Chu-saeng just for money?”

Lee Geon hurriedly waved his hand because of Jo Gwang-yun’s raised eyes.

“I think you misunderstood, I’m not asking because I’m greedy for that money. I want to spread that money to the Mukdo Association when the time is right.”

“To the Mukdo Association?”

“Yes. Brother Jo also wants to walk the broad path, and so do I. What if I use that money to create an opportunity for me to go to the main association and further take a key position?”

Jo Gwang-yun’s expression was still not good.

“Even if you use money to get into a key position, you won’t be able to keep it if your skills don’t back you up.”

“Well, if you think the money is a waste, there’s nothing I can do, but I’m a little disappointed that you’re ignoring my skills.”

Jo Gwang-yun’s face, which had been looking at Lee Geon with a dissatisfied expression, gradually relaxed.

“You mean Brother Lee will go to the main association and give me wings?”

“That’s right. Of course, Brother Jo will be my strong support.”

“Good. I’ll be your support. However, I’ve already proven my skills, so prove your skills to me.”

The skill that Jo Gwang-yun was talking about was not martial arts. It is the political power and tact to survive, endure, and rise in the organization.

“Well, I guess I’ll have to go to the main association with my own strength.”

He is a person who understands what I am saying.

Jo Gwang-yun’s face brightened. At this point, he is a partner without shortcomings.

“One more thing. I don’t manage all of Yoo Chu-saeng’s money. According to my calculations, about half? The rest he holds directly.”

“Ah, is that so? Then we’ll have to take it before we kill him, right?”

“What are you going to do? Should I take it? Or should Brother Lee?”

Lee Geon avoided giving an immediate answer and asked back.

“What’s the difference?”

“What else? Whoever takes it gets to keep it. Hehe.”

He said it jokingly with a smile, but it was a test. Lee Geon’s evaluation will change depending on the answer.

“Then Brother Jo, take it and take it. It’s a hundred times better for Brother Jo to handle the money. What would I do with the money? Wouldn’t I just squander it all on alcohol and women? Hehe.”

He spoke jokingly with a smile, but his eyes did not smile. This is a model answer.

He knows that Lee Geon doesn’t drink much alcohol or indulge in women. It was an answer that he would entrust everything to him when it comes to money, and it was also the answer Jo Gwang-yun wanted.

Jo Gwang-yun pushed back his chair, stood up, put his hands together, and bowed his head.

“I, Jo Gwang-yun, will trust Brother Lee from now on and do my best.”

He knows that *gangho* [martial arts world] people like this. Showing a sudden resolution and pretending to be united by loyalty.

Sure enough, Lee Geon *beoljjeok* [suddenly/abruptly] stood up from his seat. His expression looked like the three brothers of *dowon gyeolui* [Oath of the Peach Garden, a famous scene from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, symbolizing brotherhood and loyalty].

“I will never forget Brother Jo’s sincerity, and of course, I will not let you down.”

End