I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 56

Today, I will start a business in the Central Plains – Episode 56

< Bribe 4 >

A fancy carriage, adorned with over a dozen lanterns, screeched to a halt in front of the gate, prompting one of the gatekeepers to rush out.

Normally, the gatekeeper would have been the type to yell, asking if they knew whose residence this was, but upon seeing the luxurious carriage, he adopted a completely different attitude.

“From where does such a distinguished guest arrive…? Do you even know whose residence this is before stopping your carriage here?”

Gu Seung, sitting on the driver’s seat, addressed the gatekeeper.

“Does it look like we stopped here because we were lost? Isn’t this the residence of Go Heum, the Magistrate of the Capital (京兆尹) [the chief administrator of the capital region]?”

“It is, sir.”

Gu Seung leaped down from the carriage and opened the door.

As Jo Gwang-yun, draped in luxurious silk, stepped out of the carriage, Gu Seung spoke to the gatekeeper.

“What are you waiting for? Lead the way quickly!”

“I need to know who you are to inform my lord.”

Jo Gwang-yun took out a gold piece from his pocket, resolving the gatekeeper’s dilemma.

“A whole carriage full of these. Of course, it’s for the Magistrate of the Capital, but do you really need to know who our young master is?”

The gatekeeper’s worries seemed to vanish, his face brightening.

The gatekeeper had encountered countless individuals like this.

There had been numerous people who brought money or land deeds as bribes for favors. Occasionally, some would bring ceramics under the guise of gifts for reconciliation.

However, this was the first time someone had brought a carriage full of gold.

This was undoubtedly a distinguished guest.

“Please, come inside.”

The gatekeeper respectfully escorted Jo Gwang-yun, leading the way.

* * *

Facing Go Heum, the Magistrate of the Capital, Jo Gwang-yun gently blew on the hot teacup.

“The Jo family head from Gaebong… Could you be the merchant who made that department store, or whatever it is, a specialty of Gaebong?”

“That is correct, sir.”

“Do you need my help to do business in the capital?”

“No, sir. How could a mere local merchant dare to ask for your help? The reason I’ve come to see you today, despite my impudence, is simply because I am deeply moved by your noble character and wished to meet you.”

The Magistrate chuckled and said.

“Stop with the nonsense. If you have something to give, give it; if you have something to receive, receive it.”

Jo Gwang-yun almost spat out the tea he had in his mouth.

He couldn’t tell if the Magistrate was straightforward by nature or if he was so used to receiving bribes that he was unfazed.

“I apologize. I’ve come at a late hour and disturbed your time to retire to your chambers.”

Jo Gwang-yun received a silk wrapping from Gu Seung, who was waiting outside.

“This is a small token of my sincerity. Please, do not refuse it.”

The Magistrate unwrapped the bundle without hesitation.

Four lumps of gold shimmering in the candlelight.

“Goodness, what are you trying to get that you’re giving something so grand?”

The Magistrate alternated his gaze between the gold and Jo Gwang-yun, unable to close his mouth.

“The gold is just a small token of my sincerity. The real value lies within this wrapping.”

Jo Gwang-yun emphasized that the owner of the gold and the wrapping were different, handing the wrapping to the Magistrate.

“What on earth is so special about this wrapping that it’s more valuable than gold?”

As soon as the Magistrate received the wrapping, he discovered a painting.

“Isn’t this a ‘Yellow Cat and Butterfly’ painting?”

“It is.”

“What is it? Is the wrapping valuable? Or is the painting valuable?”

“Which is more important, the bowl or the rice in the bowl?”

The Magistrate grasped the essence of the bribe.

“A painting… A young scholar I cherished used to paint these often… Not only was his writing excellent, but his paintings were also superb…”

The Magistrate paused, blinked, and then burst into laughter.

“Oh, my… I see. A merchant from Gaebong wouldn’t bring me such a gift for no reason. Haha.”

The Magistrate re-wrapped the gold in silk and said.

“So, how is that friend of mine doing?”

“He has undergone a great change of heart, enough to build a friendship with a humble merchant. Thanks to that, he seems more at ease now.”

“I’m glad to hear he’s doing well.”

Despite his smiling face, the Magistrate slid the wrapping back.

“Take this back.”

Jo Gwang-yun hurriedly grabbed the wrapping.

“Is it not enough? I can bring more.”

“Do you think I’m that shameless? Since there’s nothing for you to take, I can’t accept it either. It means that person has committed an irreversible act.”

Jo Gwang-yun understood what he meant but was also curious about the opinion of the old statesman who had spent so long in the court.

“You should give this to the eunuch instead. And ask him to at least keep the Gaebong Magistrate’s position safe. Otherwise, he’ll surely be exiled to the ends of the earth.”

Listening to the Magistrate, Jo Gwang-yun realized that Yoon Ju-seong had not only helped him return to central politics but had also prevented him from falling into the abyss of his life.

He had to get a good return for this.

“Actually, I should have come to you, the person in charge of Gye-yang, first, but you are second. I apologize.”

“Second?”

“Yes. So, it would be fine for you to keep this wrapping.”

The Magistrate slapped his knee.

“I see. You met the eunuch first.”

“To add, he was very pleased.”

“Really? What did you give him to make him so pleased? Did you throw chests of gold at him?”

“I believe he recognized my sincerity and the sincerity of Magistrate Yoon Ju-seong.”

The ethics of this world dictate that one should not know how much bribe someone else received.

If you receive less than others, without considering your own worth, you only feel worse.

It’s better not to bribe at all because you spend a lot of money on bribes, but all you get in return is disappointment.

“I’m glad you eased the fussy eunuch’s heart.”

“Then, will you keep this wrapping?”

Jo Gwang-yun subtly pushed the wrapping containing the gold back.

Magistrate Go Heum unwrapped the wrapping again.

“Leave only half. The merchant did all the work, and I’ll just be adding a few words.”

“No, sir. I know very well how important those few words are.”

“Even an old official has some sense of shame. Don’t make me say it twice.”

Even two lumps of gold are too much for just a few more words. But he has a sense of balance to take only half.

People tend to become more greedy as they get older, but this old man knows the meaning of half. This sense of balance seems to be the secret to surviving in the court for so long, which is slightly admirable.

However, he also knows that an excessive gift adds weight to even a few words.

Jo Gwang-yun stood up without touching the gold.

“A merchant also has a sense of shame. I’ve received more than the predicted value, so I would rather give more than take it back.”

“Really? What more did you receive?”

“Wise teachings. And that you remember my existence.”

The Magistrate reached out and placed his hand on the gold.

“So, the remaining half is a down payment. Haha.”

“Please consider it a down payment that I will never claim.”

“A merchant would never take a loss, would he? Tell me what you need later, only within the scope of my capabilities.”

Jo Gwang-yun bowed respectfully and stepped back.

And for the next few days, he visited several other homes of court officials.

The request was for the reinstatement of Magistrate Yoon Ju-seong, but he made it clear to them that the one who had prepared the bribes was Jo Gwang-yun, the wealthy merchant from Gaebong.

* * *

The central market of Gye-yang was much larger than that of Gaebong.

This was partly because it had the largest population in the Central Plains, but also because the wealthy upper class of the country gathered there, so expensive goods were abundant.

Jo Gwang-yun walked leisurely like a sightseer, while Gu Seung, following behind, was on high alert.

“We should have come with Great Master.”

“No. Only we should know about this. By the way, are the children doing well?”

“Of course. Aren’t they all members of the Azure Dragon Gate? They are taking care of him carefully, as if they are afraid of even stepping on Great Master’s shadow.”

The two chatted about this and that, settling down at a humble noodle shop at the edge of the market.

“The Shadow Gate (陰影門) [a clandestine organization specializing in information and assassinations]?”

“Yes. On the surface, they are information brokers, but they also take on contract killings depending on the price.”

The only martial arts organization in the capital, Gye-yang.

According to the Beggars’ Sect, unlike other martial arts sects, most of its members have ambiguous origins.

“But is this the meeting place?”

“Yes. They say if you place the chopsticks like this, they will appear.”

Gu Seung placed the chopsticks side by side on the noodle bowl.

After about this angle, a man dressed like someone commonly seen in the market naturally sat down at the same spot as if joining them.

“Ah, I’m tired. Give me a bowl of noodles here.”

The man, who shouted towards the kitchen, looked back and forth between Jo Gwang-yun and Gu Seung, then spoke to Jo Gwang-yun.

“You don’t seem to be from around here… So, what’s the matter?”

“Are you with the Shadow Gate?”

Jo Gwang-yun asked politely, and the man nodded.

“How far can you go?”

“How far?”

“I mean, what’s the most expensive job you can take?”

The man scanned Jo Gwang-yun up and down, then smiled and said.

“We can do even what you’re thinking.”

“Any repercussions…?”

“We’ll handle it as an accidental death (事故死) [an incident disguised to appear unintentional], so don’t worry about any repercussions. But you don’t seem to know much about us… Who told you about us?”

“The Beggars’ Sect.”

The man frowned.

“You’ve come to the wrong place. We don’t get involved in martial arts matters. Didn’t the Beggars’ Sect tell you that?”

“The request isn’t about martial arts.”

The man’s frown eased.

“Then shall we hear what it is?”

“First, I came to buy information about one person.”

“Who?”

“Maeng Wool, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Taxation (太府寺卿) [a high-ranking official in charge of financial matters].”

The man’s expression remained unchanged.

“What level of information do you want?”

“How far can you go?”

“How many times he poops in a day, what he eats for each meal, how many times he does it with his wife… It’s possible to know his entire life.”

Jo Gwang-yun clicked his tongue as if he was dumbfounded.

“I’m not curious about what he eats… Is that the highest level of information? This is disappointing.”

“Then tell me what you want.”

“I want information about the official, not about the man. What he says in court, who he has secret talks with, what the content of those secret talks is. That’s what I want to know.”

The man’s face, which had been expressionless, hardened.

“Do you know what you’re saying right now? The court is inside the palace. Are you asking us to find out what’s happening in the palace?”

At this moment, Gu Seung said in a low voice.

“Show some respect. He is not someone you can treat carelessly.”

The man smirked as if he found it amusing.

“The kid has bad eyes. Just stay still. You can’t beat me.”

“What!”

As Gu Seung, flared up, was about to jump up, Jo Gwang-yun said quietly.

“He’s right. Don’t cause unnecessary trouble.”

“I apologize, Master.”

Gu Seung lowered his head, and the man looked surprised.

“Still, the owner is better. He looks like a scholar who doesn’t know martial arts… You have great insight.”

“I just said that because you look much bigger and more experienced. More importantly, tell me if it’s possible or not.”

“It’s possible, but the information fee is beyond imagination.”

Jo Gwang-yun smirked.

“Imagination? You’re not even in a position to decide the price. You’ll have to ask your higher-ups, right?”

The man’s face, which had been relaxed until now, turned red.

“I don’t know what your imagination is like, but I can afford three or four times that, so just say yes or no.”

“Y, yes, it’s possible.”

Jo Gwang-yun knew the hidden meaning of the word ‘possible,’ so he threw another request.

“Then, what if I asked you to kill him? Would you accept the request?”

The man couldn’t answer and hesitated again.

< Bribe 4 > End