I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 41

Jang Cheon-yang spoke calmly, looking at the surprised Jo Gwang-yun.

“Bring him here. If I see potential, I will pave the way for him. I’ll make him my sworn brother.”

“You only want to assess him in person?”

“What else is needed?”

Jo Gwang-yun didn’t delay. He stood up.

“I’ll bring him soon. And please forgive my discourtesy.”

Jang Cheon-yang also stood and returned the gesture.

“Not at all. Isn’t this the fun of negotiation that businessmen talk about? But our family’s genealogy has two copies. I keep one, and the other is at the Hyeon [local administrative district] Office. Even if this friend is added as my brother, the genealogy at the Hyeon Office won’t change, which could be a problem.”

“Even as an orphan without ancestors, I know that much. There won’t be a problem.”

Jang Cheon-yang chuckled, as if dumbfounded.

“There’s no place your hand doesn’t reach. Impressive.”

Jo Gwang-yun, putting on his shoes in the yard, greeted Jang Cheon-yang and said,

“If you get tired of planting beans and chopping wood, come find me sometime. You’ve read so many books; shouldn’t you put them to use? I hope you don’t look down on business too much.”

“I don’t despise commerce. Thank you for your words.”

Looking at Jang Cheon-yang bowing, he felt certain he would come.

Perhaps tonight, what Jang Cheon-yang sold at a high price wasn’t the genealogy, but himself.

* * *

The sound of wood splitting echoed over the low fence.

The old man grabbed a thick piece of wood, twisted it once, and it cracked and split into firewood.

“I don’t know who you are, but you shouldn’t be peeking, even at a poor household like this.”

Jo Gwang-yun quickly entered the house without a gate.

“I have committed a discourtesy, Great One.”

When the old man saw Jo Gwang-yun bowing, his eyes and expression changed.

“Did you come to learn martial arts? I don’t take disciples. But with your skills, you won’t be turned away, no matter which sect you go to.”

“No. I am a merchant who wants to serve you, Great One.”

The old man tilted his head.

“A merchant? Did you come to the wrong place?”

Jo Gwang-yun guessed what path this old man was talking about, but he didn’t want to play along.

“No. I found the right place. I am a merchant who came to serve you, Great One.”

“Just go. Although I am old, I eat a lot. You won’t be able to handle it.”

He didn’t wear silk clothes to meet a retired martial artist to look poor, but to avoid being taken advantage of.

“I can handle not only you, Great One, but also your son. I may look shabby, but I can support at least one family.”

Upon mentioning his son, the hand of Quick Sword Master Kwon Jung-won stopped.

“Do you know my son?”

“Yes. Isn’t he a remarkable young man who dreams of commanding the world as a great general and is diligently training even today?”

The face of Quick Sword Master hardened.

“It’s just… it’s a pity that your son’s dream will never come true.”

“You talk too much for a merchant. Just say what you want.”

A man who roamed the Central Plains with a sword since he was young. An old man who dedicated his life to righteousness and chivalry.

It seemed like there’s no need for fancy words.

“I will take your son to the entrance of a military career. The path that unfolds after that is up to your son’s ability. Of course, if my ability reaches, I will help diligently even after that.”

“You want my son to succeed? Why?”

“Your son’s success is just something I offer to you, Great One; it’s not necessarily what I want.”

“Then what do you want?”

“Your fame and honor, Great One.”

“My name is perfect for scamming people, and honor? What would you use that for?”

“It’s not for using. It’s for throwing away.”

Kwon Jung-won knew that his words meant the same thing. If someone scams using his name, his honor will also be dragged through the mud.

After being silent for a while, he said,

“Tell me where you’re trying to scam.”

“The Murim Alliance [Martial Arts Alliance].”

“What?”

Jo Gwang-yun began to explain the Changryong Gate and his situation to the old man, who was now ready to listen.

* * *

Kwon Jung-won opened his mouth with difficulty to his son, who looked young enough to be his granddaughter.

“From today, erase the surname Kwon from your name.”

“Yes? What do you mean?”

“If you want to hold a government post, you can’t do it with that name. Do you not know that?”

The son was not surprised by his father’s words. Kwon Jung-won had a satisfied smile as he looked at his son.

“Yes. A man must not be frivolous. The surname of a mere commoner, not even a prestigious family, can be discarded at any time. Do not dwell on insignificant things.”

“Yes.”

“From now on, don’t worry about your mother either. She will wear silk clothes for the rest of her life and never get her hands wet.”

“What did you give up in return, Father?”

“My past.”

Kwon Jung-won said without hesitation.

“A past where I wandered the Central Plains without taking care of my only child, or even knowing that I had a child, a past where I couldn’t earn a penny in less than five years and made my son’s mother suffer. How is it? I sold such an insignificant past and bought my son’s success… Don’t you think it’s the best deal I’ve ever made in my life? Hehehe.”

The son couldn’t lift his head, hiding the tears that were flowing.

“With your martial arts, you won’t lose your life on the battlefield. But the three-inch tongues of the officials will threaten you, so always be careful in your actions.”

The son bit his lip to hold back the tears that were finally about to burst out.

“Say goodbye to your mother and go to Gaebong [name of a place]. They say there’s a large building selling goods in Gaebong’s market. Find Jo Gwang-yun there. That man will pave the way for you.”

Kwon Jung-won, who had been quietly watching his son’s tears, held out his sword.

“This is what your father used to use. It’s a famous sword that hasn’t been damaged even after a lifetime of use. If you wear it on your waist the day you become a great general, I won’t ask for anything more.”

The son wiped away his tears and barely opened his mouth.

“I will definitely do so.”

* * *

“Your father uses the characters ‘Jung’ and ‘Won’?”

“That’s right.”

“Then your name is… No. Since it’s a name that will be changed anyway, it’s better if fewer people know it. Follow me.”

Jo Gwang-yun took Kwon Jung-won’s son to Jang Cheon-yang’s house.

Jang Cheon-yang asked a question as soon as he saw Kwon Jung-won’s son.

“Since you dreamed of entering government service, you must have learned to read?”

“Yes.”

At the confident answer, Jang Cheon-yang picked out a few books from the pile in the corner of the room.

“Even if you’re a military officer, there are things you must learn. Stay here and study…”

Before Jang Cheon-yang could finish speaking, the young man pushed the books away.

“I’ve already learned them all. I know that military officers shouldn’t be illiterate either.”

Jang Cheon-yang was quite surprised, and Jo Gwang-yun’s eyes also changed at the sight of him speaking clearly.

‘Oh ho. That guy… He’ll be useful…’

Jang Cheon-yang put the books back and took out the genealogy.

“Copy all of this and memorize it. You must be able to recite up to the fourth great-grandfather without hesitation.”

“Yes.”

“I named you Cheong-un. Jang Cheong-un (张靑雲), it means your dreams are high; I don’t know if it’s fitting.”

Jang Cheong-un jumped up and gave a big bow to Jang Cheon-yang.

“I greet you, Brother.”

Jo Gwang-yun, watching this, clapped his hands once.

“Well, it’s all done now. I’m glad it ended warmly. Hehe.”

Jo Gwang-yun took out a few paper bags.

“These are letters of recommendation written by the magistrates of six Hyeon in Henan. Take these and deliver them to the Inner Palace Eunuch [a court official] in the capital. Then you will be able to receive a government post. It will definitely be a low-ranking position, but what can you do? You have to start from there with your own strength.”

Jang Cheong-un respectfully put his hands together and bowed.

“I will not forget your grace, Great One.”

“Of course, you must never forget it. And there’s another gracious thing: I will take responsibility for taking care of your parents.”

Leaving Jang Cheong-un, who was bowing again, in the room, the two came outside.

“Your skills are amazing. Recommendations and even the Inner Palace Eunuch…”

As Jang Cheon-yang admired, Jo Gwang-yun smiled and said,

“It’s not too late even now. If you’re interested, tell me. I’ll write you as many recommendations as you want.”

“I don’t need them. I have neither the talent nor the brains of my sworn brother, so I’ll probably be dismissed from my post soon anyway.”

“Your modesty is excessive.”

As Jo Gwang-yun smiled and took out a money pouch, Jang Cheon-yang waved his hand.

“Didn’t I already tell you? I’m not selling.”

“Don’t misunderstand. This is for the friend’s food expenses while he stays here and for the travel expenses when he goes to the capital. Use it appropriately and pass it on appropriately.”

“Ah, yes.”

Jo Gwang-yun, who handed over the money, bowed his head.

“Then I’ll be going now. Ah, right… Have you thought about what I mentioned the other day?”

“The other day…? Ah… Yes. I haven’t forgotten.”

You have no interest in a government post, but you haven’t forgotten the merchant’s offer?

‘The family’s honor is taken care of by the sworn brother, and the wealth is the sworn brother’s share?’

If brothers have both wealth and glory, the ancestors will come out of their graves and dance.

< Gathering People (2) > End