Chapter 44. I'll Resolve the Gang Leader's Dilemma for You
Cheon Il-hae was a rough man. He took a liking to the kid's attitude—polite without being servile, treating his elders with proper respect.
"Then why the charade as a strategist?"
Gu Ja-ang asked. His voice was soft as silk, but his eyes gleamed with cunning malice.
"There were circumstances on my end. Cheongsu Gate was bullying folks, so I decided to give them a taste of their own medicine."
Won Seung explained how he'd run into Yong Jo-un's descendant while slurping noodles, leading to Cheongsu Gate's misunderstanding.
It matched the details Jo Bang-un had reported, and Gu Ja-ang's sharp gaze softened just a fraction.
"What's your connection to Seong Wang?"
"He wouldn't like me blabbing about it."
Won Seung cut him off flatly.
It was true enough. Seong Wang had never been fond of him.
With Seong Wang as the excuse, Gu Ja-ang couldn't press further.
"I've heard the Taesu frequents this painting shop."
"He has dropped by. He had a real eye for art."
Won Seung saw through Gu Ja-ang's game. Both Cheongsu Gate and Gwangeonbang stood to gain from cozying up to Sangyang's Taesu.
I thought Gwangeonbang's moves against Cheongsu Gate were cleared with Seong Wang's faction, but maybe they don't have a solid line after all?
Maybe even the rumor of Seong Wang backing Gwangeonbang was something Gu Ja-ang had leaked himself. People flocked to power, after all—if Seong Wang was their patron, everyone would prop up Gwangeonbang.
Won Seung realized his chance to cash in had arrived.
Jackpot with the paintings.
Won Seung suddenly let out a heavy sigh.
"Something wrong?"
"The Taesu really loved that painting when he saw it... I just remembered the look in his eyes."
Won Seung pointed to the Durun Mountain Full Bloom Uprising, and Gu Ja-ang tilted his head.
"Then why didn't he take it?"
"He said a poor official like him couldn't justify spending on art when the people were starving."
"...?"
Gu Ja-ang racked his brain. Was Sangyang's Taesu really the type to fret over the common folk like that?
"As you know, plenty of people here can barely afford one meal a day. If the Taesu splashed out on a painting, what would people say?"
"If it pained you that much, why not gift it to him yourself?"
"I'm just the consignment seller—can't do whatever I want. Truth is... these paintings came from the capital."
"...?"
Gu Ja-ang's mind raced.
A guy from Seong Wang's crew sets up a painting shop to rake in cash?
Something didn't add up... Was this Seong Wang's orders?
"Ahem. How much for that one?"
Won Seung held up two fingers.
"Two thousand nyang?"
"Pfft, at that price, I'd just give it away and eat the loss."
"Hmm. Ten thousand nyang?"
"The Taesu wouldn't balk at ten thousand."
"Gasp! Twenty thousand nyang? For a replica, not even an original? Ridiculous!"
Won Seung's face hardened.
"What if someone took that painting and the receipt straight to Seong Wang's place? What do you think would happen?"
"!"
Gu Ja-ang nearly slapped his knee as realization dawned.
Rumors of Seong Wang's rebellion were swirling. This kid was probably the bagman, using paintings as cover to collect funds for the plot.
Being young, he'd fly under the radar too.
Clever play. Raising money so naturally.
As he eyed the paintings, he noticed numbers tagged beside them.
"Isn't that one seven hundred nyang?"
Won Seung grinned.
"Can't very well label it seven hundred thousand, can I?"
"Gasp!"
Gu Ja-ang sucked in a breath without thinking. Compared to that, twenty thousand was a steal.
"Th-then..."
"Even then, it's just seven thousand nyang in silver—seven hundred in gold. Who knows when I'll sell them all."
Won Seung sighed again.
Gu Ja-ang cursed inwardly.
You little shit, seven thousand nyang in silver is enough to live lavishly for generations. And you call it 'just'?
Cheon Il-hae, who'd been listening, cocked his head.
"That painting's seven hundred thousand nyang? Looks pricey."
Gu Ja-ang turned to Won Seung.
"Mind stepping out for a bit?"
"Of course."
Won Seung rounded the partition to the front room and removed a small scroll from the wall, revealing a covered hole.
He uncorked it, and the voices from the back room carried clearly.
Gu Ja-ang was explaining the situation to Cheon Il-hae.
Won Seung even caught Cheon Il-hae's muttering confirmation.
"So... this painting shop's a front for collecting funds for Seong Wang's uprising? That it?"
"Probably a few spots like this nationwide. Looks like he's here to drain the cash around Sangyang."
"Royalty's a headache. They think the people's money is theirs."
"In my view, buying that painting and gifting it to the Taesu would win favor with both Seong Wang and him."
"Hmm..."
Even Cheon Il-hae's grunt came through loud and clear.
Got 'em hooked.
Won Seung recorked the hole and hung the scroll back up. Now he just had to wait.
Sitting in the front room chair, he gazed out the window and spotted Yong Jo-un hiding in the tree branches. His stealth skills weren't impressive.
Poor owl... Hope he's at least eaten.
A sudden thought struck him.
Hmm. Play this right, and I could tangle them all up.
Then Gu Ja-ang's voice called out.
"Hey, come back in."
Won Seung returned to the shop.
"Must be something important."
"I'll take that painting. Twenty thousand nyang, right?"
"That's the starting bid."
"What does that mean?"
Won Seung went to the counter, wrote "two hundred nyang" on a slip, and stuck it next to the Durun Mountain Full Bloom Uprising.
"If no higher bid comes in three days, it's yours. If someone outbids, just top it. Closes in ten days."
"What? It's an auction?"
"A twist on the auction format."
"That's too much. What if someone bids higher? I came all this way for nothing."
Gu Ja-ang protested.
"Unavoidable circumstances—please understand."
"Strictly speaking, what Pung Gongja's doing isn't unrelated to us. Can't you make an exception?"
Eh? What's that about?
Won Seung was startled but kept his cool.
"Which is exactly why we must follow the rules."
Gu Ja-ang scowled, then played his trump card.
"Just let it slide. I'll talk to Yu Chonggwan later."
Yu Chonggwan?
Won Seung blinked, and Gu Ja-ang continued.
"Seong Wang's chief steward, Yu Bul-gun. You know him?"
Gu Ja-ang's eyes narrowed suspiciously. Then it clicked for Won Seung.
Yu the steward. Must've been promoted to chief steward.
He recalled the man from his childhood visits to Seong Wang's place with Won Sochu—the narrow-eyed steward who always smirked in a way that set his teeth on edge. Yu Bul-gun.
"Yu Chonggwan has nothing to do with this."
"Word is he's taken a big role."
"Seong Wang doesn't value strategists. He's a brave general and wise commander himself—who's he gonna listen to? Yu's just an errand boy."
Won Seung stood firm, thinking inwardly,
So your connection's Yu Bul-gun.
As Won Seung dug in, Cheon Il-hae scowled fiercely and slammed his fist on the table.
"So even shelling out twenty thousand nyang, I have to wait? Here in Sangyang? Tell Cheon Il-hae to wait?"
Cheon Il-hae barked, and Won Seung flinched, paused thoughtfully, then sighed.
"Fine. Can't keep Sangyang's overlord waiting. For this painting only, pay now and it's yours immediately. But no rumors. If it hurts business, I'll report it straight up."
Won Seung pointed skyward. Cheon Il-hae got the message.
"Don't worry."
Cheon Il-hae pulled a ledger from his robe, wrote twenty thousand nyang, tore off the bill, and handed it over.
"Cash it at Gwangeon Exchange. They'll pay on the spot."
Won Seung clapped, and Jong Bi rushed in.
"Song Teacher, cash this and deposit at the capital exchange."
He'd never dealt with the capital exchange, but Jong Bi nodded and took the bill.
Won Seung fetched a tube, wrapped the painting with exquisite care.
"This painting will be worth more than twenty thousand soon enough."
He clasped his fists, bowed, and continued.
"You've honored Baekhwa Pavilion by coming and buying—so as thanks, I'll resolve your dilemma."
"My dilemma? You know what troubles me?"
"Of course. I was tangled in it too—how could I not?"
Won Seung gripped the folding fan at his waist, straightened up, and snap—opened it. He looked every bit the strategist now.
"One tiger per mountain keeps the beasts in check. Two tigers snarling at each other? No one survives the chaos."
Cheon Il-hae and Gu Ja-ang's eyes narrowed in unison.
They knew exactly what he meant.
"You've invited wolves from outside, and now the mountain's about to flip. Even if you chase off the rival tiger, will Dosanrim really let you keep your turf?"
Cheon Il-hae's jaw dropped. He'd nailed the gang leader's exact worries.
He'd had no choice but to call in Dosanrim's experts, but serving them was trickier than tending an emperor.
And after dismantling Cheongsu Gate, would Dosanrim just back off? That gnawed at him too.
"Looks like you really are a strategist. So, what's your plan?"
Cheon Il-hae marveled, and Gu Ja-ang's brow furrowed sourly.
Won Seung pressed on.
"Straight talk: Hwa Cheon-gang won't accept Yong Jo-un's challenge because of you, Gang Leader. He fears you'll reap the benefits."
"Fair enough."
"So you propose first. A three-way duel—you, Hwa Cheon-gang, and Yong Jo-un."
"Three-way duel?"
Cheon Il-hae's brow creased. Gu Ja-ang perked up, then scoffed with a tch.
"Possible? In a three-way, who'd agree? The other two collude, and you're dead."
Snap!
Won Seung folded the fan and smacked his palm.
"That's where the clever twist comes in."
"Clever twist?"
"You formally challenge Hwa Cheon-gang. Say, 'Let's settle it all on the duel stage.' Both he and the Yong heir will bite."
"You're naive. From Hwa Cheon-gang's view, me and the Yong kid teaming up is obvious. Why risk it?"
"Hwa Cheon-gang can't stay put. Sangyang's already buzzing he's a coward. He can't show his face. Who'd respect Cheongsu Gate now? Better to end all grudges at once."
"..."
"If it works, you're the final winner. Hwa Cheon-gang and the Yong heir hate each other's guts—they'll fight to the death. You hang back, watch, then finish the survivor with a quick slash."
Won Seung mimed slicing his throat.