I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 80

< The Shaking Namgung Clan 4 >

Jo Gwangyun sent Hwangyu back and immediately called Gu Seung to tell him about the rumors, which made Gu Seung’s eyes sparkle.

“Wow, that old man is really something. To have a young concubine at that age…”

“Are you jealous?”

Jo Gwangyun asked playfully, and Gu Seung blushed.

“Ah, no. It’s not that…”

“Alright. You know what I’m trying to say, right?”

“Yes. If the rumors are true, you’re planning to secure that concubine, aren’t you?”

“That’s right. First, have Hao Mun find the maid who takes care of the concubine. Since she’s hidden deep inside the house anyway, it won’t be too difficult if we find the maid.”

“Yes. The rumor that the family is collapsing has spread like wildfire, and their future will be bleak. If we offer her money to change her fate, she’ll become the Lord’s maid from then on.”

A servant is just a servant; there’s no such thing as loyalty. A servant’s loyalty is just the master’s delusion.

The best master is the one who can feed them well. Even a benevolent master with a great personality won’t have servants who will sacrifice their lives for them. Only intellectuals who know that the weight of the word ‘loyalty’ is greater than life itself can offer loyalty that risks their lives. Servants just want to eat their fill and sleep comfortably.

* * *

Hwangyu, who had just left, rushed back in a flurry.

“Lord. The Namgung family’s chief steward just came by.”

“Yes, what did he ask for?”

“He said to send someone around Insi (3-5 AM) today. He said he’ll have all the goods loaded on carts and ready. He wants us to take them secretly.”

“Carts? I wonder how many there will be. And did you mention the instructions I gave?”

“Yes. The chief steward said he would report to the head of the family. He seemed moved, especially when I said we would keep the family tree safe.”

It’s all over.

Now, all we have to do is bring the carts.

“I’ll send someone in the early morning. After you receive the goods together, hand the carts over to our martial artists. I’ll take care of the rest.”

Hwangyu’s expression hardened.

“Lord Jo. Have you changed your mind? Are you trying to kick me out with two gold nuggets…?”

“Don’t jump to conclusions.”

Hwangyu hurriedly lowered his head at Jo Gwangyun’s displeased expression.

“I’m sorry.”

“If I were going to kick you out, it would be easier to have our martial artists silently cut your throat after receiving the goods. Wouldn’t it?”

“Y-yes, that’s right. I apologize again.”

Hwangyu felt as if his severed head had been reattached.

“After handing over the goods, Branch Manager, go straight home. Take only money, gold, and jewelry, and flee to Gaebong with your family.”

“Gaebong, you say?”

“You can’t stay in Hwangsan forever anyway. What if something unfortunate happens? Gaebong is safer. I’ll contact them in advance, so go to Jo Ga Jeonjang in Gaebong. The person in charge is Jang Cheon-yang. He will do everything you want.”

“Thank you, Lord.”

“If you’re interested, you can work at Jo Ga Jeonjang. Of course, you’ll have enough wealth to live comfortably for the rest of your life, so I don’t think you’ll need to work hard.”

Hwangyu nodded.

“Thank you for the opportunity. I will think carefully on my way to Gaebong.”

The easiest and cleanest way is to kill Hwangyu.

Then it would look like Hwangyu stole the Namgung family’s property and ran away, leaving no loose ends.

But this man is a merchant, not a martial artist. Besides, he’s someone who actively cooperated, isn’t he? I don’t need to be considerate to those who cause harm, but I must give generous rewards to those who cooperate.

Over time, it will spread as a rumor.

The evaluation that will always follow Jo Gwangyun’s name in Gangho [the martial arts world] should be that you will never lose if you join hands with Jo Gwangyun, and you will never survive if you cross him.

* * *

Namgung Hyun reassured the nervous head of the Daeryuk Jeonjang [a large trading company].

“Changryong Mun [a rival clan] is still quiet. There’s no need to worry about them suddenly attacking, so rest assured.”

“Ah, yes. I apologize for showing such an unsightly appearance, sir.”

Hwangyu kept bowing. If they noticed that he was nervous for other reasons, he wouldn’t be able to return alive, so this misunderstanding was fortunate.

“Are the people who came with you martial artists?”

“Yes. I brought swift individuals because I thought we might encounter the Changryong Mun.”

“You’re thoroughly prepared. I can trust you to handle this.”

When Namgung Hyun showed Hwangyu’s group the carts, everyone was speechless.

There were more than ten large carts pulled by oxen.

Namgung Hyun handed Hwangyu a bundle wrapped in silk.

“This is our family’s genealogy. Please take special care of it.”

“To keep the history of the Namgung family in my hands… It’s an honor, sir.”

Namgung Hyun held Hwangyu’s trembling hand holding the silk wrapping tightly.

“Thanks to you, I’ve relieved a great burden. If my descendants ever come looking for it, they will reward you handsomely.”

“No, it’s enough to receive the fee set by Daeryuk Jeonjang. But sir, did you prepare an itemized list of the contents of these carts?”

“I packed in a hurry, so I don’t even know what’s inside. Would you be willing to sort it out and bring it to me?”

“Of course. I will write it down meticulously, without taking even a penny for granted. Then, should I give you the voucher at that time?”

“Please do. I’m counting on you.”

“However, since there is such a large quantity, it will take several days just to classify and organize it.”

“Take your time. After all, it’s the Namgung family’s property, and the Namgung family’s bloodline will come to find it. I believe that Daeryuk Jeonjang wouldn’t turn them away just because they don’t have a scrap of paper.”

“Of course not. Daeryuk Jeonjang remembers every single member of the Namgung family. Please don’t worry.”

Hwangyu kept bowing, and Namgung Hyun patted him on the back, expressing his gratitude.

“Then, I will step down now.”

He took all the carts to Daeryuk Jeonjang in case someone was following him. Hwangyu finally relaxed and breathed properly only after arriving at Daeryuk Jeonjang.

“What are you going to do with these carts now?”

Hwangyu asked, and one of the martial artists replied.

“They will go to a nearby pyoguk (courier service) operated by Jo Gajeon. There, the items will be divided and scattered to Jo Gajeon all over the Jungwon (Central Plains).”

“Then, take care of the rest. I’ll be on my way.”

Hwangyu hurried home.

He boasted to his wife, who was trying to pack even one more item, that they would live comfortably from now on. Hwangyu threw away the bedding bundle that his wife had packed with difficulty, put only money and jewelry in his arms, and left Hwangsan as if eloping at night.

* * *

Namgung Hyun, who had sent all his property on carts, began the last of his preparations. He quietly called his third son.

When Namgung Hyowon visited his father’s residence, his father was lighting several flickering candles and writing letters.

“Father, were you looking for me?”

Namgung Hyun opened his mouth without looking at his son’s face.

“I have prepared a palanquin and horses.”

It was a simple statement, but Namgung Hyoshin immediately understood the meaning behind it.

After hesitating about what to say, it didn’t take long to conclude that following his father’s will without saying anything was the best option.

He is a person who goes through hundreds of thoughts every time he speaks. Moreover, the extreme method of eloping leaves no chance to resist or refute.

“What is the reason for preparing a carriage?”

“Take your daughter-in-law and children with you.”

He even took care of the family. It means he can’t let the lineage be cut off.

“I will follow your orders.”

“There is not much time left. Frankly, I cannot guarantee the outcome. You are the last hope. Once you leave Anhui Province, stay somewhere suitable and wait. If you hear rumors that our Namgung family has been defeated, go to Sichuan without delay and entrust yourself to the Tang family.”

Namgung Hyun seemed to have difficulty continuing, and he took a rough breath for a moment.

“And most of the property has been entrusted to Daeryuk Jeonjang. When things calm down, find it and use it to rebuild the family.”

Hiding the property and hiding people means that he has already predicted the outcome.

“Is there anything else you want to say?”

Only then did Namgung Hyun raise his head and look at his precious son’s face for a moment.

“Do not neglect training, and always keep writing close to you. And if there is a child among your children who shows talent in writing, put a book in his hand rather than a sword and help him to sit in a government post.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“Also, do not move rashly to avenge the family. Even when you rebuild the family and have enough power, think and worry again. Move when you can guarantee a 100% chance of winning.”

“Yes, Father.”

“It is said that a gentleman’s revenge is not too late even after ten years. But this saying also has another meaning. If the resentment fades faintly after ten years, you can stop taking revenge. Do not let you and your children live a futile life because of the family’s revenge. If the family that you worked so hard to raise becomes ashes again because of revenge, what could be more futile than this?”

His father’s deep meaning was only accepted in his head. Namgung Hyoshin’s heart was already engulfed in the flames of revenge.

Namgung Hyun put the long letter into an envelope and handed it to his son. Namgung Hyoshin’s hand, which received the letter, trembled slightly.

Namgung Hyun stroked his hand and said softly.

“Survive.”

Namgung Hyowon burst into tears that he had been holding back. He couldn’t make a sound, so he bit his lip tightly.

He gave a big bow to his father and stepped back. The tears didn’t stop.

* * *

As the dark darkness gradually receded, a sound of knocking on the door was heard carefully.

“Lord. It’s Gu Seung.”

“Come in.”

He came in, suppressing the sound of his footsteps, but his expression was unusual.

“I’m sorry to wake you up.”

“It’s okay. It’s funny to sleep comfortably at times like this. What’s going on?”

“A carriage quietly left Namgung’s house a little while ago.”

“What?”

Jo Gwangyun first thought that the owner of the carriage was Namgung Hyun’s concubine.

Whether old or young, the instincts of males are the same. They can never tolerate their woman being touched by another man.

He was sure that he was safely smuggling out his most beloved woman.

“Only one carriage? What about the bodyguards?”

“Only one horse was attached. But the martial artist riding the horse doesn’t seem like a bodyguard. He’s neatly dressed in silk clothes, so he seems like Namgung’s bloodline.”

If it’s blood, who could it be?

“Are you tracking him now?”

“Yes. Fast kids are attached. Judging by the way they are driving the carriage carefully, there must be a woman or a young child inside the carriage.”

Gu Seung said, watching Jo Gwangyun’s mood.

“Should I release the martial artists now and kill them all at once? Aren’t they Namgung’s people, whoever they are?”

Jo Gwangyun shook his head.

“No. Judging by the way they are secretly running away, they must be precious people from that family. If such people die in front of their eyes, their anger will grow even bigger. Even if we kill them, we must eliminate them when they are relieved that they have escaped safely.”

Hiding property and smuggling people is the last action. If this ending goes well, the firm resolution will weaken a little.

“Just follow them without missing them until they leave Hwangsan. Find out their identities inside.”

“Yes, Lord.”

“If it’s the old man’s concubine, kidnap her, or else…”

“Or else, wouldn’t it be clear that it’s Namgung Hyun’s bloodline? Shall we get rid of them?”

The man on the horse will be a husband and a father, and the carriage will have a wife and children.

“That’s enough. Just check where they are going and end it.”

“Lord. It could be Namgung Hyun’s son or grandson.”

“That’s why I’m telling you to leave them alone. We have to save at least one so that they can prepare a memorial service on the anniversary of their death, right?”

He is a ruthless lord, but he leaves a handful of last kindness. Of course, this kindness comes from confidence.

Gu Seung trusted his confident lord.

< The Shaking Namgung Clan 4 > End