I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 75

After listening to Jo Gwang-yun’s plan for a long time, Hwang-yu could hardly believe how he had conceived such a scheme.

The fact that the plan hinged on the lives of countless people made his legs tremble.

Hwang-yu understood what motivated Jo Gwang-yun, who had seized commercial dominance in various parts of the Central Plains in such a short time.

It wasn’t mere brilliance. It was his unrestrained nature, his willingness to do anything to achieve his objectives.

The man before him was not the merchant the world perceived. He was a martial artist disguised as a merchant, a complete martial artist ready to draw his sword at any moment to get what he wanted.

This kind of person was now revealing his entire plan and offering a partnership. Though unspoken, the consequences of refusal were clear.

But the reward for joining forces was the promise of immense wealth.

The temptation shimmered on the surface, while the threat lurked beneath.

“What do you think? Still worried about the fallout?”

“Ah, no, not at all. How could I? I doubt I’ll ever see a more perfect plan than this again.”

“So, you’re agreeing to join me?”

“O-of course.”

Hwang-yu answered hastily, meeting Jo Gwang-yun’s intense gaze.

“Good. Then consider this a token of our agreement.”

Jo Gwang-yun casually handed over two hefty lumps of gold.

Hwang-yu bowed his head.

“I’ll bring the ledgers from the Great War battlefield. Please keep them safe…”

“I’m not entrusting them to you. I said it’s a gift, didn’t I?”

“Yes?”

“A personal gift for Branch Manager Hwang. Even if our plan fails, I wouldn’t want you to end up empty-handed. Think of it as a minimum compensation for your trouble.”

He possessed a brilliant mind, an unrestrained nature, and even a generous streak.

Hwang-yu became convinced that the Changryong Gate would undoubtedly win the war against the Namgung Clan.

* * *

Jo Gwang-yun traveled to Hefei, the capital of Anhui Province.

Anhui Province was governed by both the Administration Commissioner, responsible for civil affairs, and the Regional Military Commissioner, in charge of military matters.

Yoon Ju-seong’s letter of introduction proved to be an exceptional advantage, granting Jo Gwang-yun an audience with the Regional Military Commissioner.

“I offer my respects, Great One.”

Jo Gwang-yun had never been more polite in his life.

The position of Regional Military Commissioner, a Senior Second Rank official, was comparable to a cabinet minister. Such an individual could be promoted to the central government at any time and become a general wielding significant military power.

Regional Military Commissioner Joo Seon (周宣), having already reviewed the letter of introduction, wore a peculiar expression.

“Yoon Ju-seong, the Vice Minister of the Dogwan Department [Office of State Records], has a merchant as a friend? This… I’d heard he’d changed considerably, but it seems true.”

“I am simply grateful that Minister Yoon thinks so highly of me. I only contributed a little to the market’s development when Minister Yoon was the magistrate of Gaebong.”

“Even if Minister Yoon has become more pragmatic, his character remains. He wouldn’t offer insincere praise. He states you are a merchant with deep loyalty and a sense of gratitude, so you must have assisted him greatly. Now, what brings you to me?”

There were only two reasons an official would secretly meet someone privately.

To ask for a favor, or to grant one.

Regardless of the introducer’s stature, the fact that the subject was a merchant suggested he was there to request something.

However, it was natural for a merchant to meet with the Administration Commissioner, who oversaw administrative matters, making a meeting with the military commissioner seem unusual.

“I apologize for troubling the Great One with trivial matters of the martial world, but there are injustices that I wish to bring to your attention.”

“The martial world… Are you referring to the Namgung Clan?”

“Yes. The Namgung Clan and a sect called the Changryong Gate are about to engage in a life-or-death struggle.”

“I’ve heard the rumors. Even if they shed blood in a desperate fight, it’s of little concern to us. We will only intervene if innocent civilians are harmed. But why are you discussing the affairs of the martial world with me?”

“I have a business relationship with the Changryong Gate.”

“They are your backers, then.”

“Yes.”

Judging by his expression, he didn’t seem particularly interested. He likely considered it beneath his station to concern himself with martial squabbles. He simply asked a perfunctory question.

“Who do you believe will win this conflict?”

“The Changryong Gate. The Namgung Clan is headed for destruction.”

It was a question posed out of mere curiosity, but he appeared surprised by the unexpected answer.

As a military officer, he was well aware of the Namgung Clan’s power. He knew they might face difficulties, but they were not weak enough to be defeated by a relatively unknown sect.

“You’re not foolish enough to ask me for troops, so what is it you want to say?”

Jo Gwang-yun answered directly.

“It concerns what will happen after the Namgung Clan is destroyed.”

“After the fight? Why? What do you foresee happening?”

“The Namgung Clan has been a presence in the martial world for a long time. Over that period, they must have accumulated numerous grudges. As a result, many martial arts sects are gathering in Huangshan like a pack of wolves.”

“Like vultures descending on a fallen tiger.”

“Yes. The Changryong Gate will also be weakened after this battle, presenting an opportunity for these wolves. But Great One, in this scenario, who claims the tiger’s skin?”

“What? The tiger’s skin?”

“Yes. National law dictates that descendants inherit their ancestors’ legacy, but the martial world operates under the principle of eliminating future threats. I doubt any descendants will survive.”

“They fear revenge.”

“Precisely.”

At this point, even the most obtuse person would understand. Jo Gwang-yun observed the Regional Military Commissioner’s expression. He seemed intrigued, his eyes gleaming.

Jo Gwang-yun began to ignite the man’s ambition.

“From my observations, power struggles in the martial world, though seemingly about honor, always involve interests or money. This situation is no different. The Changryong Gate has the justification to claim leadership, but the opportunistic sects have no such claim. Ultimately, they seek to plunder the Namgung Clan’s wealth.”

If he were a purely dedicated military officer without ambition for wealth and success, he would remain indifferent. But his rise to such a high position indicated a considerable appetite for both.

Sure enough, for the first time, he spoke with force.

“Have I ever seen such a disgraceful thing! I believed they pursued martial arts away from the secular world, so I didn’t govern them by national law, but they are blinded by mere wealth and kill without justification?”

The fact that a high-ranking military officer, who had previously ignored martial artists killing and plundering, was suddenly indignant meant that the spark of desire had been ignited.

“So? You must have a plan in mind for bringing this to my attention, correct? What do you suggest I do?”

Seeing the Regional Military Commissioner’s eager eyes, Jo Gwang-yun carefully laid out his proposal.

“The General cannot remain in Anhui Province forever. You aspire to advance to the capital and serve the Emperor, correct?”

What could be more enticing to a scholar than books, to a martial artist than a legendary sword, to a merchant than money, and to an official than becoming a close advisor to the Emperor?

Besides, he would have realized by now that Yoon Ju-seong’s rise from magistrate of Gaebong to second-in-command of the Dogwan Department was not solely due to his scholarship.

“Who can know the will of Heaven? I am simply waiting patiently for the opportune moment.”

He feigned humility, but his gaze towards Jo Gwang-yun was now warm.

“If I may be so bold, Heaven also listens to the collective voice of the people.”

“Of course. A monarch who ignores the voices of the people cannot create a peaceful era.”

“Then what if all the people of Anhui praise the General? Surely Heaven would heed such a unified voice.”

“The praise of the people?”

“Seize the unclaimed wealth, not for those villainous martial artists, but for the General. Distribute it fairly among the people of Anhui Province, and their praise will reach the heavens.”

At that moment, a hearty laugh threatened to erupt from his mouth, but Regional Military Commissioner Joo Seon, barely suppressing it, tilted his head.

“The Namgung Clan has wielded power in Anhui Province for a long time, but have they amassed enough wealth to distribute evenly to the people?”

“There is land. They have lived as rulers of Anhui Province for centuries, so their land holdings must be vast. Is not land a place for the people to live? Its value cannot be compared to a few coins.”

“Land…”

He was almost completely convinced. All that remained was to protect his reputation.

“Of course, it would be impossible for the General to simply confiscate the property of an ordinary martial arts family. But… what if the lost property accidentally fell into the General’s hands, and he attempted to return it, but there were no surviving descendants? What if you then distributed it to the people?”

“Well, what if…”

The Regional Military Commissioner suppressed another laugh.

“If the General does not act, the unclaimed property may fall into the hands of the magistrate of Huangshan, as the Namgung Clan is based in Huangshan County.”

“Oops! That’s right.”

If he wasn’t careful, the wrong people could receive a windfall. It was as true now as it ever was that it’s harder to bear others’ success than one’s own failure.

“So? Do you have a plan?”

It seemed he was completely on board now.

“Give me one hundred veteran archers. In return, I will deliver the entire legacy of the Namgung Clan to the General. I have no doubt that the General, in his care for the people, will use it wisely.”

“Only a hundred archers?”

When the potential return on investment is high, the time for deliberation is short.

Acquiring the Namgung Clan’s legacy with only a hundred archers was practically free.

“Yoon Ju-seong has a discerning friend. How many merchants under the sky can buy the hearts of the people with a hundred soldiers? Hahaha!”

The Regional Military Commissioner, after a hearty laugh, slammed the armrest of his chair and stood up.

“I will grant you a hundred soldiers. Handle the task without fail. Do I have your confidence?”

“How dare I speak falsely when my safety is assured?”

Regional Military Commissioner Joo Seon showed his satisfaction by personally patting Jo Gwang-yun’s shoulder as he bowed deeply.

“Hey! Summon the Deputy General (折衝都尉) immediately!”

Upon receiving the urgent command, a military officer rushed in.

“Which is the best archer unit under your command?”

“The Fifth Unit, sir.”

“And next?”

“The Seventh Unit, sir.”

“Summon the two captains (隊正) of those units.”

Archers were organized into units of fifty, each composed of five squads of ten, led by a captain.

When the Deputy General arrived with the two captains, the Regional Military Commissioner dismissed him with a wave.

As the Deputy General retreated, the two captains nervously shifted their gaze.

“You two.”

“Yes, sir!”

Simultaneously, the Regional Military Commissioner frowned momentarily at their loud response.

“I instructed you to lower your voices.”

The Regional Military Commissioner opened his desk drawer and retrieved a badge (令牌) adorned with a rich gold tassel.

He displayed the badge to the two captains before handing it to Jo Gwang-yun.

“Lead your men and follow this individual. From this moment forward, his words are to be treated as my direct orders. You are to carry them out, even at the cost of your lives. Do you understand?”

“Loyalty!”

“Understood!”

As the two men responded with booming voices, the Regional Military Commissioner frowned again.

“I told you to lower your voices, didn’t I?”

End