It might sound selfish, but honestly, I’ve always been selfish. My family’s the most important to me.
But unless it’s truly life-threatening, relocating the headquarters would be a terrible move.
I calmly explained my reasoning to Father, and he sighed as he spoke.
“You’re right. We started here in Sunyang County, and it’s thanks to the people here that we’ve grown this far. Yet, instead of providing relief, I was thinking of moving the headquarters because of the plague… How foolish of me.”
Hearing that, I quickly followed up.
“Please, Father. I know your heart. How could I ever blame you?”
“Thank you for understanding.”
Father nodded while looking at me.
“Very well. You may go.”
Just like that, my trip to Yichang was approved more easily than I’d expected.
“But… you’ll have to convince your mother.”
The way he subtly turned his head away reminded me exactly of when he avoided Mother’s gaze back when I told them I was heading out to rescue Jin-ho.
How should I convince Mother…?
But then.
“Go on.”
“Huh?”
“Why are you so surprised?”
“N-no… I didn’t think you’d approve, Mother.”
Mother sighed.
“As much as I want to stop you… you’re the son of the Merchant Lord of the Eunhae Merchant Group. That means you must act not for personal gain, but for the benefit of the group.”
“…”
“In my opinion, the greatest benefit for the Eunhae Merchant Group right now is not abandoning this place and doing everything we can to provide relief.”
“Mother…”
“In the past, I opposed you going because it wasn’t something you absolutely had to do… but this time’s different.”
Mother chuckled softly.
“Look at me. A warrior’s daughter turned Merchant Lord’s wife.”
“You’re still as beautiful as ever.”
“You little rascal… Are you teasing me?”
“How could I possibly? Hahaha.”
Surprisingly, Mother’s approval came easily as well, and preparations for the trip to Yichang proceeded swiftly.
And so, I set off for Yichang with those who volunteered to help.
.
.
.
The boat ride up to Yichang took a lot of time.
We followed the Yangtze upstream.
Thankfully, the river was wide enough for a large vessel.
But once we disembarked, we had to travel by rugged mountain paths.
I remembered clearly… countless people had died in Yichang.
It was because relief didn’t arrive in time, worsening the condition of those already infected.
The mountain paths were too narrow for carts to carry rice or supplies.
So, I carried a sack of rice myself.
Palgap and the two escort guards tried to stop me, but if I couldn’t even carry this much while every extra hand was needed, then I had no right to come here in the first place.
Finally, we arrived at Yichang.
“Halt!”
Just then, the government soldiers stopped us.
“This area’s under quarantine due to the plague.”
I calmly pulled a document from my robe and held it out.
“We’re from the Eunhae Merchant Group. Here’s our special entry permit.”
It was a pass I’d obtained from the Commissioner of Hubei.
When I told him we intended to provide rice and medicine for relief in Yichang, the commissioner gladly issued it without hesitation.
“Go fetch the Chief Flag Officer (總旗) right away.”
“Yes, sir!”
Soon, a man who appeared to be the highest-ranking among them approached, listened to his subordinate’s report, and then addressed me.
“I am the Chief Flag Officer in charge of this area.”
“I’m Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Merchant Group.”
“Show me your permit.”
I handed it over.
After reading it, his gaze shifted to the supplies behind me, and he asked with surprise,
“Is all of that… for relief?”
“That’s right. We’ve brought rice, vegetables, meat, and medicinal herbs. We plan to continue delivering more.”
“The Commissioner will be most pleased. The government thanks your merchant group for this. Please, proceed.”
At his words, we divided the group between those who’d enter with me and those who’d stay outside to handle the supplies.
The area was under quarantine.
Sure, the permit allowed us to come and go freely, but doing so recklessly could worsen the spread of the plague.
I couldn’t allow our mission to become the reason this plague spread across the entire Central Plains.
“We’ll be off, then.”
“Please take care of the rest of the cargo.”
As I bowed my head, the laborers looked flustered, then hurried back to the docks to fetch more goods.
I turned to those entering the quarantine zone with me.
“Alright. Let’s move.”
Led by a signal from the soldiers, we made our way in.
Those who followed me into the quarantine zone were all volunteers.
I asked them,
“Are you really sure you won’t regret coming in with me?”
They nodded firmly.
“No regrets.”
“Very well. I will never forget this kindness.”
One of them spoke up.
“You don’t need to say that. If anything, I’m the one grateful. This… this is my hometown.”
“Mine too.”
“And mine as well.”
“We were so worried when we heard the plague broke out where our parents and relatives live. For the merchant group to come all this way to help… We’re just grateful.”
I let out a hearty laugh.
“So that’s why you volunteered.”
“Apologies.”
“Don’t be. I’m thankful.”
Then, I addressed them firmly.
“Before anything else, I need to make one thing absolutely clear.”
I continued.
“Even if your family and relatives are here… every bit of relief—from food to treatment—will be distributed fairly and equally.”
“Of course.”
They nodded, but… I could sense a hint of disappointment in their expressions.
It’s only natural. I cut off any misunderstanding from the very start.
“If you feel slighted, so be it. But this is actually for the sake of your families and loved ones as well.”
“What do you mean?”
I smiled at the question.
“Do you know where dissatisfaction begins? It starts the moment people compare themselves to others.”
If everyone gets the same number and size of rice cakes, no one complains.
But reality isn’t that simple. It’s impossible for everyone’s rice cake to be exactly the same.
People always think the other person’s rice cake looks bigger.
That’s dissatisfaction.
To me, it’s just another name for desire.
That dissatisfaction—desire—drives people to pursue more, to strive harder.
But not everyone in this world has the right mindset.
In extreme situations, people are even more prone to extreme thinking.
“If I gave your family or relatives extra, what do you think others would say when they see it?”
“Hmm… maybe, ‘Guess I should apply to the Eunhae Merchant Group?’”
“I’d be grateful if that’s all they thought. But these are people fighting for their lives. If their own child’s dying right in front of them, do you think they’ll care about someone else’s?”
“Ah…”
A few faces started to harden.
They understood what I meant.
I’d have to remember them.
They’re the ones with the potential to rise to higher positions later.
I should explain this a bit more thoroughly for everyone else’s sake.
“They might hurt your families or relatives out of spite, thinking they’re hoarding more than others, or trying to take the supplies they’ve received.”
“…!”
“Sounds like I’m exaggerating, doesn’t it? But I’m not.”
I continued.
“I understand. Of course I do. You want to give more to your family, your loved ones. And honestly… even if you sneak a little for them, I probably wouldn’t notice.”
“…”
“That’s exactly why I’m warning you now. If your family or relatives ask for more, you must reject it without hesitation. Only then can we prevent misunderstandings. If you can’t do that… then it’s not too late. Don’t come in.”
Then someone asked,
“Uh… what if we just give it to them secretly?”
…Who was that? What kind of idiot asked that question?
“You really think you can keep secrets in a place like this?”
“…”
“Then choose.”
After a moment of deliberation, a few bowed their heads.
“I… I don’t think I can. I’d rather not go in.”
“Me too…”
“My apologies.”
I nodded at them.
That’s fine.
If you can’t follow the rules, going back to the merchant group is the right choice.
“You made the right decision.”
In the end, fifteen employees remained to enter the quarantine zone with me.
I ordered the others to work with the soldiers to move the supplies inside, then headed off with Palgap and the two escort guards.
The first place we needed to visit was the county office.
Even with the Commissioner’s permit, we still needed the local magistrate’s cooperation.
.
.
.
Not long after, I met with the County Magistrate.
I’d long since mastered the art of dealing with government officials.
I knew exactly what they liked to hear and what words they most wanted to hear.
“You’ve had an audience with His Majesty himself? Truly?”
“I’ve met him a few times.”
“Incredible.”
“Coming here, I can see how swiftly and effectively things are being handled. The people here are surely blessed by your wisdom and virtue, Magistrate.”
“You flatter me.”
“Even His Majesty would surely be pleased to hear of this.”
With that, I secured his full cooperation.
Now, it was time to get to work.
I’d heard the Ragged Sage Physician was currently at Jagu County.
It was both the epicenter of the plague and the place in the worst condition.
“Young Master… Are you truly going there?”
“Yeah.”
“But…”
“It’s fine. You know martial artists don’t usually fall ill.”
“I… I know, but…”
That was probably why Mother had reluctantly agreed to let me come here.
“And besides, the man’s busy treating patients. I can’t exactly ask him to come to me.”
Which meant… I had to go to him.
I headed straight for Jagu County.
.
.
.
I’d never set foot in a plague zone in my previous life.
Maybe that’s why I’d always thought of it in vague terms.
Sure, I knew what happened, what it looked like… but knowing something and seeing it with your own eyes are two very different things.
People were lying on straw mats spread in front of their homes, groaning in pain.
Exhausted caregivers sat beside them, their faces hollow, devoid of hope.
Thick, acrid smoke billowed into the air.
I knew this smell.
It was the smell of burning corpses.
The same smell I’d once experienced… when the Baekcheon Merchant Group torched everything to erase evidence after ambushing me and my companions.
Maybe that memory resurfacing… or maybe just the sheer despair hanging over this place… made me feel utterly miserable.
Then again, anyone feeling cheerful here would be a madman.
As I walked, sensing the gazes of the people, I spotted a middle-aged man dressed in rags.
The Ragged Sage Physician.
The moment I laid eyes on him, I was nearly overwhelmed by the sheer Qi radiating from him.
His small, frail frame was deceptive.
He wasn’t just an ordinary physician.
No—anyone called ‘Sage Physician’ was never ordinary. But what I felt was beyond that.
He was a master.
A master of a level I couldn’t even begin to fathom.
He didn’t even bother turning his head toward me.
I was sure he’d noticed my presence… but he didn’t react.
Escort Guard Yeo Eung-am stepped forward as if about to say something, but I quickly stopped him.
Then I stepped forward, cupped my fists respectfully, and spoke.
“Greetings, Elder. My name is Eun Seo-ho, third son of the Merchant Lord of the Eunhae Merchant Group. I’ve brought relief supplies for this place.”
A sharp voice rang out in response.
Even just from that voice, I could hear the ironclad stubbornness in this man. Call it resolve, or call it sheer rigidity.
“Is it free?”
“…Pardon?”
“The relief you brought. Is it free?”
Hearing that, I cupped my fists again and replied.
“Of course… it isn’t free.”
The moment he asked, I understood.
There was no point in hiding my intentions.
Yes, you should always be sincere when dealing with others. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t present yourself carefully.
There’s always a balance between revealing and concealing.
Most people say ‘just be honest’… but get offended the moment you actually are.
But the Ragged Sage Physician standing before me… had already seen straight through me.
“The Eunhae Merchant Group will gain trust from the people here through the supplies we brought.”
“So basically… you’re saying you’re doing this because it’s good business, huh?”
“Have you ever seen a merchant do a losing deal?”
–TL Notes–
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