I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 92

< Post-War Negotiations 4 >

“Then, as a friend, let me ask. Are you truly not going to align with the Murim Alliance?”

To use the word ‘friend’ so readily is almost endearing.

“Do you have to use the word ‘friend’ to ask that question?”

“I want an honest answer. It’s not right for a friend to lie to another. I believe you’re a man who upholds at least a basic level of integrity.”

Jo Gwangyun gave an honest answer to the Alliance Lord, who invoked friendship and decency. After all, honesty is key when stating one’s desires.

“Then let me ask you this. Honestly, have we ever been true partners? We’ve never even eaten at the same table. We were always treated like afterthoughts.”

“Do you want to share the table?”

“If we are members of the same Murim Alliance [a coalition of martial arts sects and families], shouldn’t we sit at the same table?”

The Alliance Lord couldn’t have missed the meaning—he wanted a seat at the Murim Alliance leadership, traditionally held by the Nine Great Sects and influential families.

“How many seats should we prepare?”

“A balance of three powers (三足鼎立) [a state of equilibrium where three factions hold roughly equal power].”

Moyong Hui’s expression turned troubled at Jo Gwangyun’s words. It was tantamount to demanding a three-way split of the orthodox Murim world.

Moyong Hui could potentially accept this demand, but could the proud Nine Great Sects and influential families ever agree to such a request?

Watching Moyong Hui’s contemplation, Jo Gwangyun brought the focus back to reality.

“Many sects must be in deep thought, observing Anhui Province.”

“Thought?”

“Yes. The direct disciples of the Nine Great Sects may have less to worry about, but it’s different for the collateral branches of the influential families. Until now, they might have seen the Murim families as a strong shield, but they’re starting to realize the opposite.”

When a crisis comes, the influential families, once seen as a reliable defense, are ready to sacrifice them. Conversely, if the influential families were to fall, they could share in the wealth and power that those families had monopolized.

Anyone who is quick to calculate would have already finished contemplating and be filled with dissatisfaction.

Moyong Hui realized that the Anhui Province situation was not a simple conflict between two sects.

This meant that a rift was beginning to form between the majority of minor factions and the minority of influential families, exposing the inherent hierarchy.

“If the Murim Alliance continues to insist on a leadership composed only of the Nine Great Sects and influential families, I will endlessly spread the word.”

“What exactly do you want to spread?”

“Look at Anhui Province!”

“Are you going to incite them?”

“My mouth is open, after all.”

Moyong Hui knew well the turmoil that Jo Gwangyun’s incitement would bring.

If signs of division appeared in the Murim Alliance, the suppressed Four Evil Sects and the Black Faction would start to entertain rebellious ideas. The power of a united orthodox faction is formidable, but the confidence to challenge a Murim family standing alone would also grow.

Moyong Hui, lost in thought for a while, devised an answer to solve this problem.

“Didn’t you say you wanted security?”

“That’s right.”

“I will guarantee that security.”

“I would like to ask how.”

“To be honest, the balance of three powers you want is an impossible demand. The heads of sects, who have been considered subordinates until now, making demands of those above them? The Nine Great Sects alone would immediately abandon their positions.”

Moyong Hui couldn’t ignore reality.

“Your demand is no different from destroying the Murim Alliance. If small and medium-sized factions take seats in the leadership… I guarantee it. Not a single one from the Nine Great Sects and influential families will attend the leadership meetings. More severely, the influential families will try to create their own alliance.”

“Then how can you guarantee safety with the current organization? What’s to say a second Namgung family won’t appear?”

“I will stand on your side.”

“You will, Alliance Lord?”

Moyong Hui nodded.

“The method is what you told me. The Murim Alliance will declare that the safety of small and medium-sized factions is the top priority. The Nine Great Sects or influential families in charge of each region must take responsibility if problems arise in the small and medium-sized factions rooted in their respective regions. They must fulfill their role as protectors.”

“What if they object, saying they can’t take responsibility?”

Moyong Hui looked at Jo Gwangyun and chuckled.

“That’s your limitation. That you’re not a true Murim person.”

“What do you mean? Ah, well, I won’t deny it.”

“Everyone’s forgetting, but chivalry is nothing special. It’s simply that the strong protect the weak.”

“Ah…”

“No one will reject this. If they oppose it, it means they’re leaving the Murim Alliance. How can someone who rejects chivalry be involved in the orthodox Murim world?”

“It’s been like this until now, will it change?”

“It will change. If they fail to protect the small and medium-sized factions, they will be held accountable. That responsibility will be expulsion from the Murim Alliance.”

“That’s a strong measure, but will it really work?”

“Didn’t you say you had a method? If they don’t like my proposal, I’ll present the alternative of putting small and medium-sized factions in the leadership. It’s a choice between sharing the table or chivalry. The answer is obvious.”

Jo Gwangyun wanted to slap his knee.

If you force them to choose between losing face and saving face, as Moyong Hui said, the answer is obvious.

This old man is quite cunning.

“How did you come up with such a brilliant idea?”

“Sit in the Alliance Lord’s seat for a few years. All that increases is cunning and white hair.”

Since he called it cunning himself, Jo Gwangyun felt like his inner thoughts had been exposed.

“How is it? Is this enough to persuade those small and medium-sized faction guys?”

The strongest person in the orthodox Murim world showed great concession in front of a young man. Even if he wasn’t the strongest, it was a proposal from an old man in his seventies. It’s only natural to respond in kind.

Isn’t this supposed to be the land of Eastern etiquette?

“I am deeply grateful for the Alliance Lord’s great decision.”

Jo Gwangyun stood up abruptly and bowed deeply, and Moyong Hui let out a sigh of relief.

And… with an awkward expression, he spoke cautiously.

“Hmm, hmm… It’s really… something to say this now…”

Jo Gwangyun nodded as if fully understanding the Alliance Lord’s embarrassment, preventing the Alliance Lord from embarrassingly uttering the word ‘money’ from his mouth.

“Don’t worry. The subsidies will be the same as before. And if you ever have trouble with money, please tell me anytime. Aren’t we friends?”

The word ‘friend’ is convenient in many ways. It seems plausible no matter where you attach it.

“Then I will await news of the Alliance Lord’s new declaration in Kaifeng. And immediately gather all the small and medium-sized factions and convey the declaration that we support the Alliance Lord.”

* * *

Returning to Kaifeng, Jo Gwangyun held a meeting of the heads of the small and medium-sized factions and conveyed the Alliance Lord’s intentions.

“Alliance Lord Jo is running around for our sake; I don’t know how to repay this grace.”

As the heads bowed in unison, Jo Gwangyun feigned modesty.

“No. It was thanks to the support of you great heroes that we were able to win the battle against the Namgung family. Especially since it was a war fought with the sacrifice of your disciples. Rather, I should be the one offering my greetings.”

After spending a pleasant time with laughter and exchanging cups of alcohol, Jo Gwangyun addressed them.

“I have invited you all not only for the Murim Alliance matter but also to offer another proposal.”

At the word ‘proposal,’ the heads perked up. No one has ever lost money by trading with Jo Gwangyun, so it was a natural reaction.

In particular, most of them lost quite a few disciples in the war with the Namgung family. So they thought of Jo Gwangyun’s proposal as compensation.

“Tell us anything. We wouldn’t refuse Alliance Lord Jo’s proposal, who even got the promise that the Murim Alliance would protect us.”

“I am planning to expand my business more actively in the future. But as you all know, the Changryong Clan, which protects the Jo family’s business, has lost a lot of strength.”

A few quick-witted ones were already showing excitement.

“Of course, you should expand. If the Jo family hesitates here, those influential families might look down on Alliance Lord Jo.”

“That’s why I’m saying this. Could it be possible for you great heroes to take on the role of the Changryong Clan?”

Everyone didn’t show it, but they were cheering inwardly.

Even if the Changryong Clan established branches and encroached on their territory, they couldn’t show their displeasure, but to ask for such understanding and even entrust them with the role was something they would welcome with both hands.

“Of course, I will provide sufficient compensation for it.”

“No. What compensation… We should help you.”

Everyone waved their hands, but they knew that a generous reward would follow anyway. Isn’t he thorough with his calculations?

Jo Gwangyun bowed to them, expressing his gratitude.

“I am grateful for showing such great generosity. But…”

When Jo Gwangyun raised his head, his eyes had changed.

“There is one condition.”

“Tell us anything.”

“To prosper by joining hands with the Jo family, you must adopt the Changryong Clan name.”

The boisterous room became as quiet as if cold water had been poured over it.

A sect’s name is like a person’s surname. A surname represents lineage and heritage. No one can easily agree to change their lineage and heritage.

“I am not planning to appoint a Clan Lord for the Changryong Clan in the future. And the Changryong Clan in each region will grow together with the Jo family as an independent sect.”

Everyone tilted their heads at the unfamiliar concept of an independent accounting system.

“What does it mean that there is no Clan Lord?”

“It means that even if you change the name, there will be no one to give you orders.”

“Then why should we change the name?”

“The Changryong Clan serves as a unifying banner and a symbol that showcases our combined power. If you see the Changryong Clan flag spread throughout the Central Plains [the heartland of Chinese martial arts], who would dare to test us?”

They trampled on the Namgung family, which was called the best family in Murim, with a thousand numbers. If all the small and medium-sized factions of the Central Plains gather, even Shaolin [the most famous Buddhist monastery and martial arts school in China] cannot treat them carelessly.

Jo Gwangyun’s persuasive words continued.

“The Changryong Clan, gathered in that way, will hold a grand meeting once a year and project its power throughout the Central Plains. Of course, we will also share and broaden our martial arts knowledge. In short, we will engage in friendly competition under one flag.”

Everything is appealing, but they hesitate simply because they have to change their name.

Confirming the hesitation in their expressions, Jo Gwangyun threw the final bait.

“I’m not saying to change the name right now. Maintain it as it is for the next year and decide a year later. Even if you decide that adopting the Changryong Clan name is impossible at that time, I won’t say anything.”

The year that the heads were thinking of and the year that Jo Gwangyun was thinking of were completely different.

The heads thought that if they demonstrated their abilities to Jo Gwangyun’s liking for a year, he couldn’t help but allow them to keep their name after a year. For Jo Gwangyun, a year was enough time for them to become addicted to the sweet taste of money.

Also, he can assess the abilities of each of these heads for a year. If he is an incompetent guy, he can just set up a branch of the Changryong Clan there and absorb it.

The heads, who did not know Jo Gwangyun’s thoughts, readily took the bait of a year. Even showing off.

“Since Alliance Lord Jo says so, how can we refuse? Although it is a short time of a year, we will do our best to protect the Jo family.”

“If you don’t regret it even if I don’t change the name later, I will also help Alliance Lord Jo with all my strength.”

Jo Gwangyun felt like he was going to burst out laughing when he saw these people.

A deeply rooted tree is not shaken by the wind. This means that a tree before its roots grow deep is easily shaken even by a weak wind.

The sects in this place are all no more than saplings, let alone giant trees.

They are shaken by a gentle breeze and uprooted by a strong wind.

The wind that shakes with money is like a typhoon to them.

< Post-War Negotiations 4 > End