I felt like I understood the full picture now.
The Namho Merchant Group planted people to tamper with the Migwa Merchant Group’s products.
But a question immediately popped up.
Then why didn’t they tamper with the goods sent to the Eunhae Merchant Group? Honestly, that would’ve caused a far bigger impact.
I asked Clerk Jong Gil-dae.
“I have something I want to ask.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“Are the herbs delivered to our merchant group handled by different people than those?”
He nodded.
“Yes. The herbs bound for our merchant group are handled directly by the Merchant Lord and the Chief Senior Clerk.”
“I see.”
As expected.
That’s when a Namho Merchant Group employee walked over and asked,
“Did you check the herbs?”
“Yes. The quality is excellent.”
“Of course. Our Merchant Lord places the utmost importance on quality. Unlike… certain other groups.”
What’s that supposed to mean?
There’s clearly an edge in that comment.
But I kept my smile.
“We’ll take one hundred geun each of this gastrodia, that one, and that one.”
“Understood.”
We returned to the inn.
I called Jin-ho and Clerk Jong Gil-dae to my room. There was something we needed to discuss.
“So basically, the Namho Merchant Group planted people in Uncle’s group to pull off this dirty trick?”
Jin-ho asked, and I nodded.
“Whether they planted them or bribed them, that’s how it looks.”
Clerk Jong Gil-dae agreed.
“I think the same, Department Chief. Otherwise, there’s no reason those Clerks and workers who used to handle packaging at the Migwa Merchant Group would be here.”
“And considering there haven’t been any complaints about poor herb quality for the past three months, I’d bet that’s when they left the Migwa Merchant Group.”
“But how do we prove that? Honestly, they could just say they felt sorry for those workers who left because of financial troubles and hired them out of kindness.”
That’s Jin-ho for you.
He may not be a merchant, but his insight is sharp.
“They won’t just say that. They’ll definitely go with that excuse.”
“Exactly!”
“But, Jin-ho, to be honest…”
“Hm?”
“It’s already too late to claim the rumors are false or fabricated.”
At my words, Clerk Jong Gil-dae added,
“Department Chief is right. Actual victims already exist. Even if we tell them they were deceived by the Namho Merchant Group’s schemes, it won’t matter. They’re already too upset to listen.”
“They’re upset?”
“Because Uncle turned them away at the door.”
“Ah…”
Uncle probably had no choice but to do that.
Something like that would’ve been unthinkable at the Migwa Merchant Group. He must’ve assumed they were trying to frame him.
I sighed.
Uncle should’ve set aside his pride and apologized first, then tried to understand the situation.
But that’s not the important part right now.
“I don’t plan to just sit by and let the Namho Merchant Group get away with this. I think I understand what their goal is.”
“Their goal?”
“Yes. Why do you think they’d go this far—using cheap tricks and slashing prices to the point of cutting their own throats just to destroy the Migwa Merchant Group?”
“Obviously… to gain a monopoly.”
“And once they monopolize the herb trade in this region, what do you think the Namho Merchant Group will do?”
“Ah!”
Clerk Jong Gil-dae’s eyes widened.
“They’ll raise prices.”
“Exactly. And with no other choice, every merchant group handling herbs here—including us—will have no option but to buy at those inflated prices.”
I continued.
“And then… our merchant group will suffer massive losses.”
I said it like it was just my guess, but… this is something that actually happened.
Once the Migwa Merchant Group collapsed, the Namho Merchant Group absorbed the nearby smaller groups, growing rapidly.
Eventually, there were no other intermediaries for herbs left in Guizhou except the Namho Merchant Group.
When they finally secured complete control over the herb supply, they jacked the prices way up.
The merchant groups that traded herbs were outraged, but in the end, they had no choice but to buy at those ridiculous prices.
Our merchant group also suffered through that period.
It took tremendous amounts of money and time to establish a new branch in Guizhou to finally resolve the problem.
Clerk Jong Gil-dae spoke anxiously.
“But… it’s already heading that way. How can we possibly stop it now?”
“There’s a way.”
Both their eyes turned to me.
I calmly spoke.
“As the saying goes… plant beans, harvest beans (種豆得豆).”
You reap what you sow.
“They’ve sown beans… so it’s only fair we give them some beans back, don’t you think?”
Selling herbs for less than half the market price?
From where I’m standing, the Namho Merchant Group is overextending itself badly.
And a price war… is a battle of capital.
Capital wars are battles of size against size.
And it’s not bragging to say… our merchant group is one of the top three in Hubei.
Meanwhile, the Namho Merchant Group is nothing more than a mid-level intermediary specializing in one type of product.
If we put our minds to it… there’s no way we lose a capital war.
“They need to learn… what it feels like when money itself strangles you.”
And this… is also revenge.
For the uncle who chose to end his own life in my past life.
I wrote a letter to Father.
It included the results of my investigation, what would happen if we left things as they were, and the support I needed to stop it.
“Geumryeong, come here.”
“Kui?”
Geumryeong poked its head out of my sleeve.
“Do me a favor and deliver this letter.”
“Kui…?”
Its reply was… less than enthusiastic.
There’s a way to fix that.
I held out a silver tael.
“If you do it well… this might be yours.”
“Kuiit!”
Geumryeong immediately stretched out its tail.
Honestly, I’ve never seen a creature so obsessed with money.
But really… a silver tael just to deliver a letter?
Considering a sack of rice costs half a tael, my hand trembled a bit. Still, it’s more than earned its keep by now.
I tightly tied the letter to Geumryeong’s tail.
“Take it to Father.”
“Kuiik!”
With that, Geumryeong shot out through the window like an arrow and disappeared into the distance.
It really is fast.
The next morning.
I received Father’s reply.
[It’s clear things will turn out exactly as you said. In that case, it truly is a big problem. Proceed as you see fit.]
Father had given me permission.
The Namho Merchant Group.
The Merchant Lord was in an exceptionally good mood.
“So, you’re telling me over eighty percent of those who used to trade with the Migwa Merchant Group have now come to us?”
“That’s correct.”
At the deputy’s report, the Merchant Lord of the Namho Merchant Group asked,
“Then who’s left that hasn’t switched over?”
“The Eunhae Merchant Group and…”
The deputy listed a few more merchant groups, and the Merchant Lord nodded.
“Not many left. Honestly, once we deal with the Eunhae Merchant Group, it’s practically over.”
“That’s true… but they’re blood relatives of the Migwa Merchant Lord. I doubt it’ll be easy.”
“Blood ties mean nothing in front of money. If they calculate that sticking with him is a loss, they’ll eventually trade with us.”
The deputy nodded.
“Then… what should we do about them? You know… the ones who, under our orders, slipped low-quality herbs into shipments bound for other groups while still working at the Migwa Merchant Group.”
“They’re working for us now, right?”
“Yes. We do have excuses prepared if anyone questions it… but if they suddenly get guilty and go confess to the Migwa Merchant Group, it’d be a disaster.”
The Merchant Lord thought for a moment, then spoke.
“Dead men tell no tales.”
That was his answer.
“I’ll take care of it.”
At that moment, a voice came from outside.
“Merchant Lord, it’s Chief Administrator Seo.”
“Come in.”
The door opened, and Chief Administrator Seo entered.
“So, what’s the matter?”
“I brought this month’s financial report.”
He handed over the report, and the Merchant Lord opened it.
“Seems the situation worsened rapidly once we started selling herbs far below the purchase price.”
“That’s definitely true.”
He rolled the report back up, placed it on the desk, and asked,
“So, how much longer can we hold out?”
“At this rate… we can last another half a year.”
“Half a year is plenty.”
“But… if anything unexpected happens, I can’t guarantee anything.”
“That won’t happen. The Migwa Merchant Group can’t afford to lower prices any further. They’re probably dying right now.”
“Indeed.”
“So don’t worry, Chief Administrator Seo. Once we’re the only herb intermediary left in Guizhou, we’ll raise prices as high as we want. Honestly, even charging five times the current price… what can they do? They’ll have no choice but to buy from us.”
“You’re absolutely right, Merchant Lord.”
The deputy nodded in agreement.
“Then we can finally get our name on the list of the top hundred merchant groups under the heaven.”
The Merchant Lord clicked his tongue and frowned.
“Exactly. This is why I told them to agree to set prices together. Tsk tsk.”
People from the Eunhae Merchant Group arrived.
Father had sent them to help with my plan—Squad Three of the Eunpoong Division and several laborers.
The first thing I ordered was to purchase a large estate hidden deep in the mountains where few people ventured.
A little later…
“Is anyone here?”
Someone came to the estate, and I quickly greeted them.
“We’ve brought the herbs you requested.”
“Thank you for helping me with this.”
“Hahaha! You’re paying me more than fairly, so I should be thanking you.”
“This job has to remain a secret.”
“Of course!”
I made requests to the merchant groups who came to trade with the Namho Merchant Group.
I offered them more silver than the Namho Merchant Group’s asking price and asked them to buy herbs and deliver them to me.
For them, it was a good deal.
Like that, herbs started piling up in the estate we secured.
I could’ve bought them directly, but that would’ve been suspicious.
That’s why I asked others to do it for me.
“Department Chief… there’s no more space to store herbs.”
“In that case, purchase another estate nearby.”
“Understood.”
One month passed like that.
We filled seven estates to the brim with herbs.
Now… it was time to move in earnest.
“Palgap.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Get ready. We’re going to Uncle.”
“Understood.”
It took about a day on horseback to reach Uncle’s merchant house from where I was.
Since I’d sent a message ahead, Uncle was waiting outside to greet us when we arrived.
“Eun Jin-ho greets Uncle.”
“Eun Seo-ho greets Uncle.”
“Hahaha! Welcome.”
Uncle welcomed us with a hearty laugh.
“You’ve come a long way.”
It wasn’t a long journey at all. Just a day away.
But Uncle didn’t know that and assumed we were tired, so he kindly led us to our lodgings.
As we followed, Clerk Jong Gil-dae whispered to me quietly.
“The roof that was damaged before… it’s still broken. And the Merchant Lord’s belt ornament… it’s the same one.”
“I see.”
After resting for a bit, it was time for dinner.
A servant guided us to the dining hall.
While exchanging greetings with Aunt and my cousins, the food was served.
The moment I saw it… I couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly.
Uncle…
The dishes were quite luxurious.
He was clearly trying not to show that the situation was dire. But sending a letter asking for financial help and then serving this… well, it felt a bit much.
His pride must be the reason.
It was almost pitiful, watching him try to maintain appearances even in front of us.
Still… food is food.
It’s only polite to enjoy it properly.
“Thank you for the meal.”
“Yes, eat plenty.”
After finishing the meal, I spoke to Uncle.
“If you have a moment… I’d like to speak with you.”
“Alright, let’s go to my office.”
“Yes.”
Soon after…
Jin-ho and I headed to Uncle’s office.
Uncle gestured for us to sit, and we settled down in front of the desk.
“First of all… Father was heartbroken after reading your letter. And the Eunwol Council has decided to send financial support.”
I placed a payment note on the desk.
“Here. This is a payment note from the Eunhae Merchant Group.”
It was a note worth one thousand silver taels.
Uncle bit his lip slightly as he looked at it, then sighed.
“Thank your father for me.”
He reached to pick up the note.
But I quickly placed my hand on it and said,
“There’s one condition attached to this note.”
“Condition?”
“Yes.”
I nodded and continued.
“Starting today, for the next six months… please hand over the position of Merchant Lord of the Migwa Merchant Group to me.”
–TL Notes–
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