I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 52

I Will Start a Business in the Central Plains From Today On – Chapter 52

Jo Gwang-yun began to speak without hesitation.

“Not having to worry about the opinions or reputations of others is a privilege only enjoyed by the ultimate victor, the one who holds all the power. Until then, one must always be mindful of how they are perceived and carefully manage their reputation.”

Magistrate Yun raised the wine cup to his lips, nodding in acknowledgment. It was a signal to continue, showing he was listening intently.

“You, sir, harbored great ambitions, but you were thwarted by the influence of corrupt eunuchs [castrated male servants in the imperial court]. Couldn’t you have exercised a little more patience?”

“Remain silent in the face of injustice? Is that what a true man would do? Ah, you’re not a true man, but a petty one.”

Magistrate Yun reminded Jo Gwang-yun once again of his lowly merchant status.

“A moment of silence is merely a strategic pause to prepare for a greater ambition. To swiftly eliminate the traitors, liberate the people from their suffering, and establish a prosperous Central Plains, one can temporarily overlook the corruption of a few eunuchs.”

“The result of turning a blind eye like that is the current state of the imperial family and court. Correcting injustice cannot be achieved by one person alone. Each instance of injustice must be addressed immediately to prevent its recurrence.”

“The method you propose is arduous and fraught with challenges. The method I suggest is simpler. If there is a single, all-powerful individual at the apex of authority, the corruption within the imperial family and court can be eradicated.”

Magistrate Yun’s face instantly hardened.

“You villain! How dare you speak of His Majesty with your defiled mouth! It seems you have a death wish!”

Jo Gwang-yun responded softly to the magistrate’s outburst.

“This is neither the imperial family nor the court. This is the true Central Plains, where countless people under your care reside. Go to the market street right now and listen to their voices. Disrespectfully, they are all cursing and criticizing His Majesty and the imperial family. Are you planning to execute them all?”

Magistrate Yun, who had been scolding, was silenced by Jo Gwang-yun’s mention of the people.

“And I said the person with the highest authority, I didn’t specifically mention His Majesty.”

“Are you playing with words? Everyone knows that the highest authority is His Majesty…”

“Is that truly the case?”

“What?”

“I apologize. I’ve only heard rumors, so I’m not privy to the reality. The rumors say…”

“Stop!”

Magistrate Yun shouted, fearing an unspeakable name would be uttered.

Most scholars with deep learning are calm, but this man has such a fiery temper that I worry about whether he can survive in the brutal court.

“All misfortune stems from the tongue. Be mindful of your words if you wish to live a long life.”

“Misfortune arises not from the tongue, but from a lack of power and authority. If you wield power in both hands, you need not worry about your words.”

“You villain! Where do you think you are, wagging your wicked tongue!”

Magistrate Yun hurled the wine cup he was holding onto the floor, shattering it into pieces. Jo Gwang-yun picked up the shards and said,

“This is a waste. With the value of this single wine cup, a hundred starving commoners could have a meal. You still can’t control your momentary anger and risk missing out on something significant.”

Looking at Jo Gwang-yun, who continued to speak frankly without being intimidated, Magistrate Yun felt his strength waning. The young merchant’s words struck a painful chord within him.

Jo Gwang-yun gathered the broken pieces of the wine cup and bowed to Magistrate Yun.

“I deserve to die for making you uncomfortable with my presumptuous nonsense. Please forgive me with your great generosity.”

Magistrate Yun closed his eyes and remained silent, as Jo Gwang-yun continued.

“Also, thank you for not yet halting the bill transactions at my department store and the primary examination, and for temporarily turning a blind eye despite knowing the situation.”

“It’s not that I’m being considerate of your situation. I merely postponed it for a few days because there are matters I need to investigate further. The prohibition of bill transactions remains unchanged.”

“So you tolerate not even the slightest deviation. Regardless, I won’t forget your grace.”

Jo Gwang-yun moved the table aside and knelt before Magistrate Yun.

Magistrate Yun was taken aback by the sudden gesture.

“What are you doing?”

Jo Gwang-yun broached the subject he had come to discuss today.

“Sir, until you acquire great wings to spread your ambitions, turn a blind eye to minor injustices and do not hesitate to employ any means or methods to attain great power.”

“What?”

“Until you, sir, possess the unparalleled power to dominate the world, I, Jo Gwang-yun, will not hesitate to commit any shameful act.”

Magistrate Yun Ju-seong understood the implications of these words perfectly.

And at that moment, he also realized that the merchant kneeling before him was an entirely different breed of person, one who had far exceeded his expectations.

Jo Gwang-yun added more words when Magistrate Yun offered neither scolding nor reaction.

“If you require money, I will provide you with a million gold pieces, and if you desire beautiful women, I will procure even a thousand for you. If blood must be shed, I will stain my hands with it. Please, sir, continue to rise endlessly.”

Jo Gwang-yun waited for Magistrate Yun’s response while kneeling, but he remained silent, without uttering a word.

After a long pause, Magistrate Yun finally spoke with difficulty.

“What do you want? Why are you doing this for me?”

A smile spread across Jo Gwang-yun’s face as he knelt.

The first reaction was to ask what he wanted.

This indicated that he recognized it as a transaction, and if it were not a deal he desired, he would have dismissed it as nonsense and stood up.

He knew what he stood to gain, and because his heart was wavering, he was asking what he had to offer in return.

Jo Gwang-yun merely raised his head while kneeling.

“I am also a citizen of the Central Plains. How could I not yearn for a peaceful and prosperous era free from corruption?”

As if time had stood still, the two men stared at each other in silence.

The first to break the silence was Magistrate Yun.

He jumped up, opened the door, and left.

When Jo Gwang-yun hurriedly followed him out, Magistrate Yun said while putting on his shoes.

“Go inside.”

“I will prepare a lamp to light your way.”

“Can’t I find the way I came? I said go inside.”

As Jo Gwang-yun quietly watched Magistrate Yun disappear into the darkness, Gu Seung appeared.

“Master. What should we do? Should we follow him?”

“No. Leave him alone. He will have much to contemplate.”

“Then is there anything I can do?”

“Keep a close watch on that man. You will have much to do for him in the future.”

Gu Seung understood that the magistrate would require much assistance from Master Jo.

* * *

Several days passed without any contact from the magistrate. However, he did not dispatch government soldiers to the department store to destroy everything.

As if nothing had happened, daily life continued as it had before Magistrate Yun Ju-seong’s inauguration.

“Should I go and see him again? I can’t concentrate on my work because I’m so anxious.”

“Leave it alone. A prolonged period of contemplation signifies that he has accepted my proposal. He needs time to concoct a justification that he can live with. He will be troubled by the lack of a plausible explanation. There’s no need to reopen the wound.”

“Is that truly the case?”

“Magistrate Yun is someone who has experience in central politics. He has witnessed the power one can wield in the court, and he has felt the bitterness of being ostracized and distanced from power. That’s why he is so conflicted by the tempting words I have offered.”

Whether Jo Gwang-yun’s prediction was accurate would soon be revealed.

This time, Magistrate Yun summoned Jo Gwang-yun to the government office. Just as before, it was late at night.

When Jo Gwang-yun secretly arrived at the government office late at night, the scene was similar to the previous encounter.

A small table was set with a bottle of wine and two cups, and the only side dish was a plate of vegetables.

Magistrate Yun silently filled the wine cups and drank continuously until the bottle was empty.

It even seemed as if he was using the alcohol to fortify himself before broaching a difficult subject.

“Take it.”

Magistrate Yun handed over a rolled-up piece of paper.

Jo Gwang-yun respectfully received it with both hands and looked at the magistrate, who nodded.

When he unrolled the paper, he saw names and official positions densely written on it.

Jo Gwang-yun’s prediction was incorrect. It seemed that he had taken time not to create a justification that he could accept, but to consider which relationships he needed to cultivate.

It must have been on that day that Magistrate Yun made his decision.

It’s difficult to determine whether he’s bold or simply impulsive.

Jo Gwang-yun carefully read the names and noticed something unusual.

“Do the number of dots next to the name represent their value?”

“Value? Perhaps. Do you only assess people based on their worth?”

“Don’t be so harsh. You have already judged people by their value, as evidenced by these marks, haven’t you?”

Magistrate Yun burst into hearty laughter.

“Haha. That’s right. I was just acting like a merchant after all.”

“Since the items you trade are different, aren’t you a bigger merchant?”

Magistrate Yun waved his hand.

“It’s all the same, is there much difference? Anyway, that mark indicates the price to be paid.”

“Leave it to me. I will ensure that the price is high enough to command their deep respect for you.”

Jo Gwang-yun looked at the list again and realized that one important name was missing.

“The name of the eunuch who drove you out is not on the list. Is that acceptable?”

“There’s no need to give that person money.”

Jo Gwang-yun barely suppressed a sigh that was about to escape his lips.

He still hasn’t overcome his emotions. If he doesn’t grasp the simple truth that he must offer the enemy more money than his allies, Yun Ju-seong is beyond help.

But unexpected words came from Magistrate Yun’s mouth.

“Instead, give him a very beautiful woman. The eunuch values women more than money. He squanders the bribes given by ministers and imperial relatives on women.”

I thought I had misheard. A woman for the eunuch?

“I apologize, but the eunuch lusts after women…”

“Why? Do you believe a man without testicles is devoid of lust?”

“No. A man’s lust never diminishes. Even a eunuch without testicles experiences lust. I was merely surprised that he sleeps with women.”

“Who does he care about? He even kidnaps daughters of innocent people and commits all sorts of vile acts.”

Jo Gwang-yun frowned and shook his head briefly.

It was to dispel the image of a degenerate bastard engaging in perverse acts reminiscent of pornographic films, stripping beautiful women naked.

“He does things that ordinary men can’t do without any hesitation. That’s why it was difficult for me to tolerate him.”

“So the conflict with you wasn’t about selling official positions?”

“The reason I filed an impeachment petition against him was not due to bribes, but because he kidnapped a woman from an ordinary family, abused her for days, and then murdered her.”

Magistrate Yun’s face still reflected his anger towards that bastard.

“Anyway, the ministers on that list will appeal for my reinstatement, and His Majesty will inquire about the eunuch’s opinion.”

“If the woman pleases him, he will expedite your return.”

“Probably.”

“I understand. I will handle it to ensure there are no complications.”

Jo Gwang-yun, having placed the paper in his sleeve, noticed a lingering expression on Magistrate Yun’s face. It was an expression of hesitation.

Jo Gwang-yun lowered his voice even further and asked cautiously.

“There’s someone missing.”

“······.”

The lack of a response indicated affirmation, and Jo Gwang-yun mustered his courage and said.

“Is there someone who needs to be eliminated?”

He still can’t answer.