That night.
I wrote a letter to Father. Then I called the little one nestled inside my sleeve.
“Geumryeong.”
“Kui?”
“This is a letter for Father. I’m counting on you.”
“Ku…”
“Yeah, yeah. I get it.”
I pulled out a silver tael from my pouch and handed it over. Geumryeong quickly snatched it with its mouth.
Then gulped it down.
“You’ve eaten, so it’s time to work.”
“Kukku!”
Looking pleased after eating the silver, Geumryeong flicked its tail toward me.
I tied the letter securely to its tail. Geumryeong shot out the window faster than an arrow.
The next morning, I received Father’s reply.
[So it ended up like this after all. Then, it’s time to proceed with the second plan.]
The second plan.
That was turning the Migwa Merchant Group into a branch of the Eunhae Merchant Group.
However, we didn’t change the merchant group’s name, nor did we change its outward role.
In other words, it was still one of Guizhou’s herb intermediary merchant groups competing with the Namho Merchant Group on the surface.
[As discussed beforehand, I’ll send Clerk Song Sik as the new Merchant Lord.]
Clerk Song Sik (宋植) was someone I could trust.
A man who’d built his career in the herb trade. Steady, reliable, and excellent at leading people.
[Also, when you return, bring Jo-san’s family with you. I’ve already prepared positions for them here.]
To think Father prepared positions for Uncle and Cousin Ji-seo.
He really is a good person.
Though, honestly, I’m sure it’s more for Grandfather’s sake.
I folded the letter and tucked it inside my coat.
It was time for breakfast now.
.
.
.
Breakfast was just Jin-ho and me.
Up until yesterday, we’d shared meals with Uncle’s family, laughing and chatting together. But starting today, they said they’d eat separately. I told them to suit themselves.
Eating quietly, just the two of us, didn’t seem so bad either.
After finishing his meal, Jin-ho looked at me with concern.
“But, Seo-ho.”
“What?”
“Do you think Uncle… will be alright?”
“You worried?”
Jin-ho nodded.
“Well… he’s still Uncle. I don’t even know if he’s had breakfast. With the way he is… he’s probably sulking and not eating anything.”
Yeah… he probably lost his appetite.
And honestly, it’d be weird if he still had one.
After all, he basically had to watch me take the Migwa Merchant Group from him with his eyes wide open.
“Should we go check on him?”
“I was planning to.”
“Really?”
It’s not that I was worried about whether he’d eaten.
I just figured it was time for a little ‘reality check,’ since he still didn’t seem to fully grasp the situation.
.
.
.
Bang—!
“What did you say?! Work for the Eunhae Merchant Group?! As a low-ranking staff, not even a Clerk?!”
Uncle slammed his fist on the tea table and shouted.
But I’d fully expected this reaction, so I kept my expression calm.
After breakfast, I’d gone to Uncle’s quarters and asked for a conversation.
He tried to refuse, but I simply forced the door open and walked in.
Then I told him to come with me to the Eunhae Merchant Group… and to work there.
That’s where we are now.
I gave him a gentle smile.
But the words coming out of my mouth were anything but gentle.
“So… how are you planning to make a living?”
“What?”
“You already drained your family’s fortune for the merchant group, didn’t you? Got anything left to sell?”
“…”
Uncle clammed up like a mute.
The investigation was already over long ago.
Right now… Uncle’s broke. Completely penniless.
Honestly, if I kicked him out, he’d be living on the streets.
He signed the contract because he thought if he repaid the Eunhae Merchant Group’s investment, he’d regain the Merchant Lord’s seat.
But without the money to repay, the Migwa Merchant Group was handed over instead.
Sure, he got the Merchant Lord seat back… but what’s the point?
The merchant group itself isn’t his anymore.
“Plus, the Eunhae Merchant Group’s sending a new Merchant Lord here. When that happens, you’ll have to vacate this place. So where do you plan to go?”
“…”
“Even to buy a tiny house, you need money. Got a job lined up anywhere?”
Uncle scowled and finally opened his mouth.
“Still… I was Merchant Lord. And now you expect me to be some low-ranking staff…”
“As you know, our Eunhae Merchant Group treats everyone according to ability. So work hard. Who knows? You might even become Merchant Lord of this place again someday.”
Of course… I don’t think that’ll ever happen.
But there’s no harm in giving a little hope.
.
.
.
Half a month later.
Clerk Song Sik arrived at the Migwa Merchant Group.
“This humble Song Sik greets the two Deputy Merchant Lords.”
I welcomed him with a smile.
“Thank you for coming all this way.”
“Not at all. It’s you two who’ve worked hard. Everyone at the Eunhae Merchant Group is proud of what you’ve achieved here.”
“Is that so? Hahaha.”
“Then… may I proceed to the Merchant Lord’s office?”
“Already? You must be tired from the journey. How about resting today?”
“No need. The task entrusted by the Merchant Lord is heavy. I doubt I could rest properly even if I tried.”
“Then please… just don’t overwork yourself.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve still got enough strength to brawl with the forest bandits.”
“Hahaha.”
Clerk Song Sik originally came from the Eunpoong Division.
But when Grandfather noticed his outstanding business talents, he suggested he walk the merchant’s path instead of a warrior’s.
And slowly, step by step, he rose to the rank of Senior Clerk.
Father really sent someone reliable to serve as the new Merchant Lord here.
Thanks to that, I could finally return to the Eunhae Merchant Group with peace of mind.
“Let’s head to the Merchant Lord’s office. There’s a lot to discuss.”
Once we arrived, I thoroughly explained the situation to Clerk Song Sik.
Of course… I didn’t mention that the Namho Merchant Group agreed to send me 30% of its profits.
That money was going straight into my own pocket.
No reason anyone else needed to know.
.
.
.
When I’d left for Guizhou to handle the Migwa Merchant Group… it was still the fifth month.
By the time I finished and arrived back at the Eunhae Merchant Group’s main branch in Hubei… it was already the sweltering eighth month.
When I arrived, my family was already waiting.
Not just for me and Jin-ho… but also for Uncle’s family, since they’d come with us.
“I greet you, Elder Uncle.”
Uncle bowed deeply to Grandfather.
Grandfather greeted him warmly.
I exchanged greetings with my family as well, then headed straight for the Virtuous Wind Department.
After being away for three months… there was a mountain of work waiting for me.
I still needed to report everything to Father, but… judging by the situation, that could wait.
I’d already given him the gist of it through Geumryeong, so there was no rush.
While I was working late at the Virtuous Wind Department after dinner, I was summoned by Father.
As I followed Deputy Jo Yeong-yeong, a question came to mind.
She wasn’t leading me to Father’s office… but to Grandfather’s quarters.
Grandfather’s quarters had a pavilion set in the garden.
That was where Grandfather and Father were seated.
“You called for me?”
“Yes. Come, sit.”
I greeted Grandfather and sat down beside Father.
A maid placed a cup of tea in front of me.
I quietly waited for Grandfather to speak.
“I’ve heard everything from your father about what you did in Guizhou. And… there’s one thing I wish to ask you.”
“I’ll humbly listen, Grandfather.”
“How did you end up bringing the Migwa Merchant Group into the hands of the Eunhae Merchant Group?”
I answered without hesitation.
“At first, I had no such intention. But as I dealt with Uncle and Cousin Ji-seo… I became more and more certain.”
I paused briefly before continuing.
“I was convinced that sooner or later, the Migwa Merchant Group would fall into someone else’s hands. So… I acted in advance.”
I smiled.
“Before the merchant group that Great-Uncle built with his blood and sweat ended up in someone else’s hands.”
Grandfather stared at me for a moment, then spoke.
“Thank you.”
“…!”
I was startled by those words.
I didn’t expect him to thank me so suddenly.
“I know you did it for my sake.”
I scratched the side of my head.
Sure, I did it because the collapse of the Migwa Merchant Group would harm the Eunhae Merchant Group.
But more than that… it was because of Grandfather.
If the merchant group his younger brother founded ended up in the hands of some random fool, it would’ve crushed him.
Grandfather gave a bitter smile and spoke.
“This was something I should’ve done myself. But… knowing how lacking my nephew is, I couldn’t harden my heart. That’s why things ended up this way. I feel both sorry… and grateful.”
Grandfather took a sip of tea and continued.
“There’s one more thing I wish to ask.”
“Yes. Please speak.”
“I told you to give Jo-san and Ji-seo Clerk positions… so why did you assign them to regular staff?”
At that, I raised my head and looked at Grandfather.
“Grandfather… do you truly believe Uncle and Cousin Ji-seo are fit to be Clerks?”
“…Ahem.”
Grandfather coughed into his teacup. Father sitting next to him had an awkward expression.
.
.
.
On the way back to Silver Dragon Hall with Father.
“That last question… was a little harsh.”
Father’s comment made me chuckle.
“Do you really think so?”
“Of course not. People don’t change that easily.”
Before Grandfather appointed Father as his successor… Great-Uncle and Uncle had also lived here at the main house.
Father seemed to still remember those days vividly.
“My uncle… he was truly remarkable. Pride was his problem… but he had excellent business acumen. But Jo-san…”
Father trailed off but I understood what he wanted to say.
“By the way… what kind of work do you think we should assign them?”
“Father, what’s the busiest and hardest job in our merchant group?”
“Hm?”
“If possible, they should be sent somewhere like that. Somewhere that’ll grind down their pride, arrogance, and hot-blooded foolishness.”
Father thought for a moment, then nodded.
“I agree. And as it happens… there is such a place. A place so demanding… so busy… that there’s no time to even show off temper. A place where pride and arrogance shatter under the weight of labor… and the sharp tongue of whoever runs it.”
“We… have such a place?”
I tilted my head.
Father nodded.
“We do.”
“Where is it?”
“The Virtuous Wind Department.”
“…”
.
.
.
Should I say it’s fortunate?
Uncle and Cousin Ji-seo didn’t end up in the Virtuous Wind Department.
They were placed in the merchant division responsible for herbs.
Even rotten fish still has value. Letting their herbal knowledge rot would’ve been a waste.
A few days later, Clerk Song Sik sent his report.
It stated that both the Migwa Merchant Group and Namho Merchant Group had officially withdrawn from the herb price war.
They’d returned to charging normal prices.
Though there was some confusion at first… soon the herb market in Guizhou settled down as if nothing had ever happened.
And from here on, the Migwa Merchant Group would slowly start generating profit.
In my previous life, when the Eunhae Merchant Group established a branch in Guizhou… it cost an absolutely ridiculous amount of money.
But this time… it cost less than a tenth of that.
And yet… not only did I secure the Migwa Merchant Group, I got the Namho Merchant Group as well.
A completely satisfying result.
.
.
.
Time passed, and before I knew it, autumn had come in full.
Meeting at the Eunwol Pavilion.
Father spoke to us.
“We’ve received a letter from Branch Merchant Lord Song Sik. The Migwa Merchant Group has finally escaped the deficit.”
“Now it’s officially fulfilling its role as a branch in Guizhou.”
“Indeed.”
“With this, the Eunhae Merchant Group’s influence has grown significantly. At this rate… we should easily secure over fifty new members by the winter solstice.”
“I hope so as well. Speaking of… the date for this year’s Hundred Merchant Conference has been set.”
“Really? When is it?”
“The beginning of the tenth month.”
“That’s soon.”
At Pavilion Lord Yeon’s words, Father nodded.
“That’s why… this time, I plan to take Seo-ho with me.”
I blinked.
“Me? You’re taking me?”
“You know… your sister-in-law is pregnant.”
Sister-in-law was indeed pregnant.
It was the first child in nearly three years of marriage, so the whole family was overjoyed.
“In times like this… it wouldn’t be proper for the child’s father to be away. And Jin-ho already went last time. So this time, you’re coming with me.”
“Understood. Where’s the venue this year?”
“Oh, I didn’t mention that. This year’s conference will be held in Luoyang.”
“…”
I tensed immediately.
Because Luoyang… was where the Murim Alliance was headquartered.
–TL Notes–
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