I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 49

The magistrate began to watch Jo Gwang-yun’s every move with suspicion.

“So, I was wondering if you could prepare something for me?”

Jo Gwang-yun nodded without hesitation.

“Of course. You’ve dedicated your life to serving the people with integrity, so you deserve to live comfortably after retiring. I’ll take care of everything.”

*Isn’t Jo Gwang-yun known for his generosity? Since he’s taking care of everything, there’s no need to pry into the specifics.*

The magistrate grasped Jo Gwang-yun’s hand tightly.

“Thank you. As expected, Lord Jo is a man of loyalty. Heh heh.”

Hiding his true intentions, Jo Gwang-yun subtly withdrew his hand from the magistrate and picked up the liquor bottle.

“Let me pour you a drink.”

Jo Gwang-yun poured the liquor and cautiously inquired,

“When do you depart for your new post?”

“I’ll be leaving in about fifteen days. Yoon Ju-seong, who’s being assigned here, should arrive in ten days, so I need to complete the handover process before my departure.”

Yoon Ju-seong, huh?

“I’m curious to know what kind of person the new magistrate is.”

Magistrate Jin Woo-sang immediately frowned.

“A conceited fellow. He flaunted his brilliance and landed himself in this mess.”

*The magistrate’s displeasure clearly stems from jealousy.*

And ‘ended up in this mess?’

*Clearly, that implies a demotion or assignment to a remote post.*

*If a key location like Gaebong is considered a remote post…!*

*He must be from the central government.*

“Our Lord Jo seems very interested in the new magistrate’s character. Well… depending on his assessment, your business could be impacted, so it’s natural to be concerned.”

The words ‘business could be impacted’ bothered him.

“Is he someone I need to worry about?”

“He’s very upright. His academic achievements are remarkable, but he lacks social grace. Perhaps it’s due to his youth.”

The information Magistrate Jin Woo-sang provided about the new magistrate made Jo Gwang-yun uneasy.

*If the new magistrate investigates the past and questions the favors Jo Gwang-yun received, his foundation could be shaken.*

Magistrate Jin Woo-sang nudged Jo Gwang-yun’s shoulder, who was deep in thought.

“What are you pondering so intensely?”

“Ah, yes. I was considering where you’ll reside after you retire. I was wondering what would be a suitable place.”

*Looking at the magistrate’s smirk, he doesn’t seem convinced.*

“I’ll tell you that. But you…!”

Suddenly, the magistrate’s voice changed, and his eyes took on a different glint.

“Yes.”

“You’re not harboring any ulterior motives, are you?”

“Ulterior motives?”

*As expected, he’s quick to notice when money is involved.*

“You probably think that an official who has retired is useless, right? You’re a merchant, aren’t you? A very talented one at that. It wouldn’t be easy for someone like you to spend money on someone as useless as me.”

“Please don’t say that. Even a merchant adheres to basic human decency. You can trust me.”

“My friend, do I appear that naive?”

The magistrate emptied his glass and said,

“When I retire, I’ll lose the power to help you, but I’ll still retain the power to ruin you.”

*He’s implying his value remains, but his approach is flawed. Threats don’t demonstrate value.*

The magistrate didn’t notice Jo Gwang-yun’s hardened expression.

“I can frequent the department store and the marketplace, share drinks with the local officials, and engage in various conversations. Whether those conversations are beneficial or detrimental depends on you.”

“Oh, Magistrate. Why are you suddenly acting this way? I, Jo Gwang-yun, will respect and serve you as I would my own parents. Please refrain from such harsh words.”

The magistrate’s threat continued.

“Remember, there’s a world that merchants like you can never access. The world I inhabit is that place. A place where a few words can condemn a merchant to hell. Do you understand?”

“I will heed your words as golden rules.”

“I’ll be back in Gaebong in no more than three months. Prepare accordingly.”

Jo Gwang-yun bowed to the magistrate and left the government office.

His face was completely distorted.

“He doesn’t realize that clumsy threats hasten one’s downfall. Well, how would an official comprehend the reality they can never understand?”

* * *

Ten days later, Yoon Ju-seong was appointed as the magistrate, and five days after that, Magistrate Jin Woo-sang departed from Gaebong.

Jo Gwang-yun summoned Da-gyeom.

“Have you ever killed someone?”

“Yes. How could I lack experience in this life of swordsmanship?”

*This guy always gives verbose answers.*

“What were the circumstances? Was it a power struggle or something?”

“Mostly that.”

“Mostly? What were the other situations?”

“A few life-and-death duels…”

“Assassination?”

“I’m sorry, but I haven’t learned that skill.”

“It’s okay. I wasn’t planning on ordering an assassination. I was just curious about your capabilities.”

Jo Gwang-yun tossed a pouch of jingling silver coins to Da-gyeom.

“I need you to go to Yunnan Province.”

Even with the sound of the jingling silver coins, Da-gyeom’s expression remained largely unchanged.

“Yesterday, the magistrate left for Kunming in Yunnan Province. I want you to follow him to Kunming.”

“Just follow him?”

“For now. I confirmed with the escorts that the road is very rough. I want you to carefully examine that rough road as you follow him.”

“Accidents often occur on remote roads with rough terrain.”

*He understands perfectly. It seems that Yi Geon’s recommendation was accurate.*

“When Magistrate Jin Woo-sang travels to Yunnan, he’s still an official. If an accident happens, there will be an investigation. But when he returns to Gaebong, he’ll no longer be an official.”

“Are you suggesting that I carefully examine the terrain on the way there and exploit that terrain on the way back?”

Jo Gwang-yun simply nodded without responding.

“On a rough road, it’s not uncommon for a carriage to plunge off a cliff, is it?”

“Such an accident wouldn’t be surprising at all. But Lord, do you know when he’s returning?”

“It’ll take about two months.”

“Then I’ll have to remain in Yunnan for approximately two months.”

“Yes. Since I don’t know the exact date of his departure from Yunnan Province, you’ll have to maintain constant vigilance.”

Da-gyeom shook the pouch of silver coins and said,

“Lord, this is excessive for the cost of a two-month stay.”

“Didn’t Yi Hyeong tell you? That I’m known for my generosity?”

Da-gyeom quickly bowed.

“Thank you, Lord.”

Da-gyeom, straightening his back, asked,

“Lord, even a magistrate wouldn’t travel alone… What about the escorts?”

“If you can orchestrate a perfect accident, leave them unharmed. For example, the horse gets spooked and bolts.”

“What if that’s not feasible?”

“Do you even need to ask?”

Da-gyeom lowered his head at Jo Gwang-yun’s glare.

“I understand. I’ll depart immediately.”

Da-gyeom, leaving Jo Gwang-yun’s room, recalled Yi Geon’s words.

“Lord Jo is no ordinary merchant. His mind is sharper than a scholar’s, and his nature… is as flawless as a black knight’s, something ordinary gangsters can’t even fathom. If you underestimate him simply because he’s a merchant, you have no idea what awaits you. Always exercise caution and prudence.”

* * *

“Master Jang. Do you know anything about the newly appointed magistrate?”

A writer understands writers well. Jang Cheon-yang was excited just by the name of Magistrate Yoon Ju-seong.

“He’s an extraordinary individual. It’s no exaggeration to call him the greatest genius in the country.”

*A great scholar of thirty who has mastered all disciplines from East to West.*

He entered the central political arena at a young age, but his uncompromising personality always made him appear to be walking on a knife’s edge.

In particular, his intellectual pride was perceived as arrogance, and the sharp criticisms he directed at others, regardless of their status, only created enemies.

Today, he might criticize the weaker party against the stronger, and tomorrow, he might do the opposite. If anything deviated even slightly from his values and philosophy, even friends couldn’t escape his sharp tongue.

The young Confucian scholars were enthusiastic about his uprightness and freedom, showing him tremendous respect and support.

However, seeing him forced out of the court and sent to Gaebong, the young Confucian scholars couldn’t provide the support to protect his position.

Still, the fact that he was assigned to Gaebong offered a glimmer of hope that his political career wasn’t entirely over.

“Then the newly appointed magistrate is likely to be an obstacle to our operations.”

“Yes?”

“Isn’t that right? Investigating the past… No, if he possesses such a strong personality, he must have a great concern for the people… Isn’t our business primarily for the wealthy? If he wants to make an issue of it, there are plenty of things he can uncover, right?”

Jang Cheon-yang’s complexion turned grim.

“But we haven’t broken any laws, have we?”

“If they investigate thoroughly enough, none of us will escape imprisonment.”

Jang Cheon-yang’s complexion turned ashen.

The Jo family embezzled funds from the marketplace and hoarded essential goods in large quantities. This could be prosecuted as hoarding.

And they sold these goods at inflated prices, which constitutes profiteering. Of course, the wealthy are aware of the profiteering, but they consider it the price for providing them with the goods they desire.

But would the newly appointed incorruptible magistrate see it that way?

“Anyway, Master Jang, monitor the magistrate’s movements meticulously. If he exhibits even the slightest unusual behavior, we may have to flee in the night.”

*Of course, even if disaster strikes, he has no intention of fleeing. Instead, he will do everything in his power to drive the magistrate out.*

* * *

The newly appointed Magistrate Yoon Ju-seong toured Gaebong alone from his first day in office, without any guards.

Gaebong is one of the most developed regions in the Central Plains, and he wanted to witness it firsthand. He headed to the central marketplace, the most bustling street.

The first thing that caught his eye was the Jo family’s department store.

He generally disliked luxury and extravagance, so he usually frowned at the sight of opulent houses or buildings.

But when Yoon Ju-seong first saw the Jo family’s department store, he was speechless.

First, he was overwhelmed by the height of the five stories and the grandeur that resembled a massive castle. Only after a while did he begin to appreciate the splendor of the department store’s exterior.

But that wasn’t all.

Across from the department store, a flag hanging from a tall pole caught his attention.

Even Yoon Ju-seong, whose depth of knowledge was renowned throughout the Central Plains, didn’t initially understand the meaning of ‘supermarket’.

Following the pole, he saw an endless wall, and although it was a single-story building, its sheer size was enough to leave him astounded.

A market that transcends the traditional market.

This meaning immediately dawned on him.

“Who exactly is this Jo family to engage in such audacious ventures…”

Magistrate Yoon first headed to the department store, driven more by curiosity than by official inspection.

“I’m sorry, but entry is restricted. I don’t recognize you, may I ask who you are?”

Two men with polite demeanors but sharp eyes and imposing physiques blocked Magistrate Yoon’s path.

Magistrate Yoon, who hadn’t anticipated this situation, hesitated and couldn’t respond.

*It was an unfamiliar term, ‘department store’, but didn’t the character ‘store’ imply a shop?*

*He assumed it was just a large shop… Could it serve other purposes?*

“Step aside. This is the newly appointed Magistrate.”

At the words spoken behind Magistrate Yoon, the two men bowed.

“Magistrate. I apologize for not recognizing you.”

When Magistrate Yoon turned around, a man with a pale face bowed politely.

“I am Jang Cheon-yang, sir.”

“Who are you to recognize me?”

“I work at the Jo family’s marketplace, right over there.”

The place Jang Cheon-yang pointed to was a small building adjacent to the department store.

*There are many merchants in the Central Plains who are involved in both commerce and finance. But he doesn’t recall hearing of such an extravagant establishment.*

“May I enter and look around for a while?”

“Of course. I’ll guide you.”

“No. I’m just browsing, so there’s no need to trouble yourself.”

As the magistrate entered the department store, Jang Cheon-yang quietly followed behind. Knowing the magistrate’s personality, he observed his actions from a distance and avoided unnecessary interference.

But as time passed, Jang Cheon-yang grew increasingly uneasy. The magistrate’s expression, initially full of curiosity, gradually hardened, and eventually he frowned.

End