Episode 45. Betting Shares in the Labor Union
Cheon Il-hae listened with interest, but Gu Ja-ang shook his head, dousing the mood.
"Do you really think that's possible? We're talking about a matter of life and death. There are too many variables. Besides, Hwa Cheon-gang will never agree to it."
He then flashed a sly smile.
"And besides, Hwa Cheon-gang is already in a position where he has no choice but to accept the challenge from the Descendant of the Yong Clan."
‘?’
Sensing something was up, Won Seung asked cautiously.
"Strategist Gu, it seems you have a plan in mind?"
Gu Ja-ang just grinned, refusing to answer. He looked supremely confident.
‘Hmm. This… feels like it’s connected to what happened last night.’
Won Seung’s mind raced.
‘Where did that female assassin come from? The Clear Water Sect? If so, that would mean Hwa Cheon-gang tried to eliminate his challenger by sending an assassin. Would he really be so shameless? If he failed, he could be ruined in Murim.’
He had assumed it was the Clear Water Sect, but after watching Gu Ja-ang’s reaction, he realized something.
‘What if it wasn’t the Clear Water Sect, but Gu Ja-ang who sent the assassin? And if he pins it on the Clear Water Sect… then Hwa Cheon-gang would have to accept Yong Jo-woon’s challenge just to clear his name. But what if the assassin had succeeded? Everything would have gone up in smoke. Ugh, this is complicated. Come on, Won Seung, use your brain!’
Though his head felt like it might explode, Won Seung kept a calm face and spoke.
"How about a wager? I believe this stalemate will continue. So, after ten days, Pavilion Master should officially propose a three-way martial arts duel to Hwa Cheon-gang. I’ll bet that Hwa Cheon-gang will have no choice but to accept."
"There's no need for that…"
Gu Ja-ang waved his hand dismissively.
"If I lose, I’ll give you a painting."
“?!”
Won Seung continued.
"If the Descendant of the Yong Clan fights Hwa Cheon-gang within ten days, I’ll hand over a painting without a word. But if they don’t fight, then you lose, Strategist Gu. I won’t ask for anything in return."
"Are you serious?"
It was an incredible offer.
But Won Seung added one more condition.
"However, if nothing happens in ten days, Pavilion Master must propose the three-way duel to Hwa Cheon-gang. If Hwa Cheon-gang refuses, I’ll consider it my loss and give you the painting."
"You really mean to give me a painting?"
Gu Ja-ang was elated inside. A single painting was worth two hundred thousand nyang—a jackpot.
Unless Hwa Cheon-gang had lost his mind, he’d never take on both Cheon Il-hae and the Descendant of the Yong Clan at once.
Besides, rumors were already spreading that the Clear Water Sect had sent an assassin after Yong Jo-woon. For the sake of his sect’s honor, Hwa Cheon-gang would have to step up.
This was a risk-free, high-reward bet.
Gu Ja-ang thought the young man was just being stubborn. He figured he could accept the bet lightly…
"And if he does accept? Then you’d lose, Strategist Gu. Shouldn’t you put something on the line too, to make it fair?"
Won Seung stared at Gu Ja-ang.
"What will you wager, Strategist Gu?"
Gu Ja-ang hesitated.
"Hmm…"
He was sure he’d win, but he had nothing to wager.
Won Seung was offering a painting worth two hundred thousand nyang, so he needed to match it with something of equal value… but he had nothing that precious.
Just as he was about to give up, Cheon Il-hae stepped in. He, too, was certain Hwa Cheon-gang wouldn’t accept the three-way duel.
"If it comes to that, I’ll buy another painting. I can’t just stand by and watch my man be humiliated over money."
Cheon Il-hae spoke boldly, but Won Seung shook his head.
"One painting is enough. Instead, wager shares in the Sang River North Hyun Pier Labor Union worth two hundred thousand nyang."
"What?"
Cheon Il-hae’s face darkened, but Gu Ja-ang was secretly delighted.
The Heavenly Observation Pavilion controlled the Sang River North Hyun Pier Labor Union, while the Clear Water Sect controlled the South Hyun Pier Labor Union.
The labor unions handled the loading and unloading of goods at the piers along the Sang River and took a cut of the workers’ wages—a lucrative business.
In fact, the income from the labor unions was the foundation of both the Heavenly Observation Pavilion and the Clear Water Sect. Since there was little risk and no real investment beyond labor costs, even local gentry invested for a share of the profits.
The North Hyun Pier Labor Union was worth a million silver coins. The two hundred thousand nyang Won Seung asked for was only two thousand silver coins—a mere drop in the bucket.
Even if they lost and had to give up the shares, a little trickery could easily push him out later.
"Could you give us a moment?"
At Gu Ja-ang’s request, Won Seung immediately got up and went into the inner room behind a partition. He uncorked the listening tube and eavesdropped.
"Don’t worry. We can’t lose. Even if we do, what can he do with two thousand silver coins’ worth of shares? We can just give him a little dividend, then dilute his shares and squeeze him out."
"Hmm. I don’t like this. No one’s ever asked for labor union shares before."
"If it becomes too much trouble…"
The rest was inaudible.
‘That bastard?’
Gu Ja-ang was probably making a throat-slitting gesture.
Won Seung ground his teeth.
‘We’ll see whose neck gets cut.’
A moment later, Gu Ja-ang called for him. When Won Seung returned to the main room, Gu Ja-ang lifted his chin and spoke.
"I know you’re clever, but the world doesn’t always go your way. I’ll accept the bet, if only to teach you a lesson."
"Hmm. You’re going to teach me a lesson by accepting the bet… Is that really necessary? Maybe we should just forget it."
Won Seung spoke curtly, making Gu Ja-ang anxious.
"The Pavilion Master already agreed. Are you telling me to back out now? A man should keep his word."
Cheon Il-hae nodded in agreement. Seeing Won Seung try to withdraw only made them more confident of victory.
"Ah, I see. Another lesson from you, Strategist Gu. I’ll have to be more careful with my words in the future. Since we’re betting, we should put it in writing, right?"
Won Seung brought out brush and ink, wrote up the terms, and stamped it with his palm print.
Cheon Il-hae frowned.
"I’m the Heavenly Observation Pavilion Master. I always keep my word—there’s no need for paperwork."
"Haha, of course. But I don’t trust myself. I might try to weasel out, so I need proof. And Pavilion Master, all you have to do is transfer the shares. Since the bet is with Strategist Gu, he should sign as well."
"Fine."
Gu Ja-ang agreed readily and wrote his name, stamping it with his palm print.
Just then, Jong Bi returned.
"Everything’s taken care of."
As Jong Bi reported, Won Seung handed the painting case to Gu Ja-ang.
"I’ll let the magistrate know in advance that Pavilion Master will be taking the 'Duryunsan Manpokdongdo.' You can look forward to it."
"Oh, that would be wonderful."
Cheon Il-hae was delighted.
"Take care on your way."
After Cheon Il-hae and Gu Ja-ang left, Won Seung returned to the living room to find Jong Bi dancing wildly.
"What, did you eat something bad? Having a fit?"
"We just made two hundred thousand nyang! Hahaha!"
"Please, that’s nothing…"
Trying to act nonchalant, Won Seung shrugged his shoulders and soon joined in, dancing with excitement.
He did a turtle dance, his head and body moving in different directions.
"Ahahaha!"
Jong Bi burst out laughing at the ridiculous sight.
Outside, hiding among the branches, Yong Jo-woon watched and tilted his head.
‘These guys… are they all a bit crazy?’
In the middle of his dance, Won Seung realized Ohgu was missing.
"Where’s Ohgu?"
"Hiding in the shed."
Won Seung went to the shed and found Ohgu cowering in a corner.
"You can come out now. They’re gone."
Ohgu emerged, still looking anxious.
"Are you really that afraid of Gu Ja-ang?"
"The Pavilion Master is a real master. Someone like me could be killed with a single palm strike."
"Ohgu, fear is inside you. What you’re really afraid of is yourself."
Ohgu looked at Won Seung as if he was talking nonsense.
"Anyway, the Heavenly Observation Pavilion will be finished soon. Then I’ll give you a chance for revenge. Gu Ja-ang’s life is right here."
Won Seung waved the betting contract.
That evening.
To celebrate winning two hundred thousand nyang, Won Seung lit a brazier in the garden and grilled meat.
Jong Bi and Ohgu kept picking pieces of meat off the fire.
The savory smell of roasting meat wafted through the air.
Even the female assassin, lying in bed after being struck by a paralyzing needle, and Yong Jo-woon, who had been starving all day while watching from the tree, had their stomachs rumbling at the aroma.
"Mr. Woo, go get some wine, will you?"
Jong Bi sent Ohgu to fetch wine. Once Ohgu was gone, Jong Bi lowered his voice.
Ohgu didn’t know that Won Seung and Jong Bi were from the Red Blood Mountain Assassin Training Camp. He just thought they were a scholar and his servant from the capital. Sometimes Jong Bi’s rude behavior seemed odd, but he figured it was just because they were close.
That’s why they only discussed important matters when alone.
"So, what did you want to talk about?"
"She must be hungry… Let’s bring the female assassin some meat."
That was the important matter?
Won Seung thought Jong Bi would want to discuss splitting the two hundred thousand nyang, but apparently the female assassin was weighing more on his mind than money.
Won Seung shook his head.
"After surgery, she can’t eat anything until she passes gas."
"Gas? Women fart too?"
"Of course. Aren’t women people? Didn’t you ever hear the girls at the training camp farting?"
"They weren’t really women."
"If you eat, you poop. It’s all the same."
"You always have to…"
Jong Bi grimaced. Ohgu returned with the wine.
After a drink, Ohgu spoke up.
"I heard a rumor at the market. Do you have some grudge with Jong Bu?"
"Jong Bu? Why?"
"I heard his son almost died at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, attacked by an assassin. Now he’s out for revenge."
"Hmm. So he didn’t die? He must have a strong life force."
He’d been stung by wasps several times—his throat would have swollen shut and he should have suffocated.
"They say they cut a hole in his throat."
"What! He survived with a hole in his throat?"
Jong Bi was shocked.
Won Seung was surprised too.
"Tell me more."
"I only heard bits and pieces. The physician cut a hole in Master Jong’s throat and stuck a reed in to save him."
"Hmm… What’s the physician’s name?"
"I don’t know, only that he’s called Physician Gong. He’s famous around here."
When the airway is completely blocked by swelling, one emergency treatment is to cut a hole in the throat and insert a tube to let air into the lungs.
But in the Central Plains, no one does this kind of procedure. Most rely on acupuncture, medicine, or moxibustion. Cutting into the body to treat someone is a technique of the Heavenly Poison Sect.
The Heavenly Poison Sect’s predecessor, the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers, was originally famous for its medical skills. They adopted techniques from both the Western Regions and the Central Plains, developing their own methods and weren’t afraid to cut into the body.
That’s why, in the Central Plains, such methods are considered unorthodox.
‘Could Physician Gong be a disciple of the Heavenly Poison Sect?’