Our carriage reached Beijing with surprising speed.
I hadn’t planned on seeking an audience with His Majesty this time, so I’d asked the old man to put in a good word for me… Meeting the Emperor usually required following proper procedures, but as they say, you never know what will happen in this world. That was precisely my situation.
“Welcome.”
Eunuch Jeong, who served the Emperor personally, came out to greet me himself.
“I’m honored that the eunuch has come to welcome me in person.”
Eunuch Jeong smiled slightly at my greeting.
“This way, please. His Majesty is waiting.”
I followed him through the imperial palace corridors.
“Huh?”
“Oh?”
I ran into someone unexpected—my aunt’s son, Cousin Seon-il.
“Cousin Seon-il, are you getting off work?”
“It’s been a while. What brings you to the palace without notice?”
Cousin Seon-il’s expression mixed delight with curiosity.
Eunuch Jeong answered for me.
“He’s been summoned by His Majesty.”
“Ah! Is that so?”
“I sent word to your house in haste. I’ll see you later.”
“Alright, see you later.”
After parting with Cousin Seon-il, Eunuch Jeong spoke as we walked.
“I heard you two are maternal cousins.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Hong Suchan also passed the state examination with highest honors. Your family must be blessed with talent.”
“Hahaha.”
I simply laughed at his words. It wasn’t that I was embarrassed to be called talented—I just had to be careful with my words and actions. Eunuch Jeong was the Emperor’s most trusted confidant. One wrong move and I could find myself dragged away to become the Emperor’s work slave.
Soon we reached the Emperor’s office. I quickly straightened my clothes as Eunuch Jeong announced my arrival.
“Your Majesty, Deputy Merchant Lord Eun Seo-ho has arrived.”
“Let him enter.”
The door opened, and I stepped inside.
“Your humble merchant, Eun Seo-ho, greets Your Majesty. Ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!”
I prostrated myself, and the Emperor’s voice reached me.
“You may rise.”
“Your grace is boundless.”
As I carefully stood, the Emperor studied me intently.
‘Did I do something wrong? Why is he staring at me like that?’
After a long moment, the Emperor spoke.
“The ones you reported—they were the Hwancheon Group. Traitors who sought to usurp my throne.”
“It was fortunate they could be suppressed early.”
“Yes. By the way, as you said, they were trying to use Jiangshi. How did you come to know this?”
“I discovered it by chance. During my travels, I met a Daoist from the Maoshan Sect…”
I explained what had happened. There was nothing to hide.
“Yes, I’ve heard about that as well. It’s praiseworthy that you helped ensure those who died far from home could at least be laid to rest in their native soil.”
The Emperor continued.
“So you followed the traces to fulfill the attacked Daoist’s request and discovered them.”
“That’s correct.”
“Yes, in a way, this incident is typical of you—seeing as you didn’t handle it yourself but reported it to me.”
When I tilted my head questioningly, the Emperor let out a hearty laugh.
“Because you don’t do things that don’t benefit you. It’s hard to refuse a Daoist’s request, but you probably thought it would be too much trouble if you recklessly charged at them. A dilemma, from which you found another way. Am I wrong?”
‘How did he know?’
‘As expected, not just anyone can be an Emperor.’
“Anyway, thank you. If they had continued growing their power, it would have been quite troublesome.”
“As a humble merchant who lives by Your Majesty’s grace, it was something I naturally had to do.”
“Yes, I hear you’re heading to the North Sea?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“It seems you’re not going for trade.”
He was right—this journey wasn’t for business, but for my Master’s commission. But I couldn’t tell the Emperor the truth about that, since it would inevitably lead to questions about the destroyed Snow Wind Palace.
“One cannot become a great merchant by being content with the present situation.”
“Hmm, is that so?”
Fortunately, the Emperor seemed convinced by my vague explanation.
“By the way, I hear you’ll soon be twenty.”
“That’s correct.”
I bowed my head and tensed up, realizing this was the real reason he’d summoned me.
“How about it? When you turn twenty, will you help me and work here in the palace?”
Cold sweat broke out without me realizing it. In words, it was a gentle invitation, but in reality, it was no different from a command.
I cautiously lifted my head.
“Your Majesty, it would be the glory of three lifetimes for this humble merchant to serve you. Thus, I dare to ask—where do you intend to use this humble merchant?”
“I like your boldness, your drive, and even that personality of yours that doesn’t want to lose out. So I intend to place you in the cabinet.”
The cabinet served as the Emperor’s secretariat, coordinating conflicts between departments and conveying imperial orders. I’d actually expected this—for someone who hadn’t even taken the state examination, there was nowhere else to place me.
‘Haa, the cabinet… the cabinet, he says?’
That meant being ground down by the Emperor and caught between various departments—a place that would make anyone grit their teeth. Of course, I’d gain power, but while being worn down from all sides, my revenge on the Baekcheon Merchant Group and the Murim Alliance would become a distant dream.
Besides, my goal was to make the Eunhae Merchant Group the world’s number one merchant group, not to enter court and seize power. And more importantly, there would be no freedom. Being tied down somewhere didn’t suit my temperament—I wanted to come and go freely and spread my wings. That’s why I’d said I wouldn’t become Merchant Lord.
I took a small breath and addressed the Emperor.
“Your Majesty, I’m sorry to say, but I’m not suited for the cabinet.”
“Hmm?”
“I would like Your Majesty to entrust me with different work.”
I couldn’t simply say, “This humble merchant lacks the ability for such responsibility,” because the Emperor would reply, “You’re not lacking, so just shut up and work.”
“My abilities, which Your Majesty has praised, would indeed shine in the cabinet. But I already have a very respectable and excellent profession in others’ eyes.”
“Hmm, continue.”
“I am Deputy Merchant Lord of the Eunhae Merchant Group, Chief of the Virtuous Wind Department, and though it sounds like boasting, I’m called the Handsome Young Hero by the public.”
It was embarrassing to use my own title, but it couldn’t be helped.
“If I work according to Your Majesty’s will, I’ll have no choice but to throw away these precious things.”
“Certainly, that’s true. The others are one thing, but a title isn’t something easily obtained.”
“Therefore, I wish to help Your Majesty without discarding these things.”
“…”
A blood-chilling silence flowed for a moment.
‘If he’s the Emperor, he’ll know that accepting my proposal is to his advantage…’
“You little bastard, where do you think you’re using that head of yours now?”
At these rough words that suddenly emerged—strangely suiting the Emperor—I lifted my head to look at him.
“So you don’t want to work your bones off next to me, but you want to continue having my backing, don’t you?”
‘Ah, I’ve been caught.’
“But your words aren’t wrong, which makes it annoying.”
“…”
“Alright. I’ll entrust you with the position of Seventh-Rank Censorate Inspector. From now on, you must faithfully serve as my eyes and ears. If you don’t…”
The Emperor pointed at the floor.
“I’ll have you bury your bones in this palace.”
The Emperor knew how to threaten properly. Those words—that he’d make me work so hard I’d die in the palace—were exactly what I feared most.
“But the problem is, if you slip away like an eel, there’ll be no one left to work in this palace.”
I quickly spoke up.
“I believe you needn’t think so hastily, because talents will soon emerge from the Apricot Blossom Academy.”
“Ah! Come to think of it, there was that place. So how are the fellows at the Apricot Blossom Academy? How many do you think will pass the state examination this time?”
“More than half of the graduating class will pass.”
“More than half?”
“Of course, Your Majesty. Most of the teachers there are great scholars whom you personally summoned.”
“Ah! That’s right! I dragged those who were slacking off because they didn’t want to work at the Apricot Blossom Academy.”
The Emperor wore a satisfied expression.
“Well, this is exciting. Since it’s an academy founded by the Eunhae Merchant Group where you serve as Deputy Merchant Lord, it won’t produce any fake intellectuals.”
“Of… course.”
“I’d prefer if they were good at arithmetic too. There are too many bastards who get basic calculations wrong.”
“…I’ll keep that in mind.”
I needed to strengthen the mathematics instruction at the Apricot Blossom Academy immediately. In a way, it might seem like I was pushing the academy students forward instead of myself, but their goal was to pass the state examination and enter the court anyway. The Emperor would probably pay more attention because of me.
‘I’m sorry. But I have many things to do as well.’
Eunuch Jeong, who had escorted Eun Seo-ho from the palace, returned and reported to the Emperor.
“I have seen Deputy Merchant Lord Eun Seo-ho off.”
“Yes, did he say he was staying at his relative’s house?”
“That’s correct.”
At Eunuch Jeong’s answer, the Emperor chuckled.
“The more I think about it, the more audacious that fellow is.”
At his words, Eunuch Jeong cautiously spoke.
“It seems you’re fond of Deputy Merchant Lord Eun Seo-ho.”
“Isn’t he truly audacious?”
The Emperor didn’t answer directly, but Eunuch Jeong realized the Emperor was very fond of Eun Seo-ho.
“If you’re so fond of him, why not make him the imperial son-in-law?”
At Eunuch Jeong’s words, the Emperor’s expression completely changed.
“Am I mad? Why would I make that fellow the imperial son-in-law?”
“…”
“If I make him the imperial son-in-law, I won’t be able to use him as a Censorate Inspector—I’ll have to keep him in this palace. Then he won’t be able to go home often, so the princess will come whining to me that she’s afraid the family line will be cut off. Then I’ll have no choice but to send him home early, and the whole point of making him imperial son-in-law will disappear, won’t it?”
“Th-that’s so. My thoughts were short-sighted.”
“I know Eunuch Jeong spoke out of loyalty.”
“Your grace is boundless.”
The Emperor turned away from Eunuch Jeong and fell into thought.
‘The North Sea… I’ll have to check the warehouse to see if there’s anything suitable.’
As I stepped through the palace gates, Palgap and the escorts approached with relieved faces.
“It’s good to see you came out safely.”
At Palgap’s words, I chuckled.
“How can it be possible for something would happen to me?”
“Isn’t that kind of work like walking a tightrope where one wrong step could be the end?”
As Palgap said, reporting treason wasn’t without risk.
“That’s true, but I’m ridiculously good at walking tightropes.”
At my words, Palgap looked at me with an expression that said he had plenty to say about that.
Escort Guard Seo Wu smiled.
“Then, shall we go to the Yeonjun Merchant Group?”
“Yes.”
When we arrived at the Yeonjun Merchant Group, my aunt came out and greeted us warmly.
“It’s good to see you. Have you been well?”
“Yes. Have you been well too, aunt?”
“Me? I’m always doing well. Seon-il mentioned earlier that he met you at the palace.”
“Yes. Something happened. I’ll explain the details inside.”
“Alright.”
A short while later, I explained everything to my aunt.
“So that’s why the Emperor summoned you?”
“Yes.”
“And there was nothing else?”
“I was thanked.”
Only then did my aunt’s face brighten. Having heard that, there wouldn’t be any other problems. Since my aunt lived in Beijing and had sent her son to the court, she was bound to worry about such things. I was grateful for that concern.
.
.
.
The next day, Palgap called for me.
“Young Master, there’s a guest here to see you.”
“A guest?”
‘Is there someone who would come to see me?’
I rose from my seat and headed to the reception room where the guest was supposedly waiting.
“Ah!”
The guest was familiar but not particularly welcome—Warrior Jin Yeong of the Embroidered Guards, who had come to deal with the Hwancheon Group this time.
“I greet you, Warrior.”
“I come bearing the sacred will of His Majesty.”
At those words, I quickly prostrated myself, knowing what the sacred will was likely for.
He quietly took out a scroll and an identification plaque from his robes and held them out.
Usually, delivering such a sacred will involved some ceremony, but since the position I’d received was what it was, there was no need for others to know.
“His grace is boundless.”
I showed proper respect to the sacred will, received it, tucked it into my robes, and then spoke.
“I’ll bring you some tea.”
“Do so. Since I’ve come this far, I’ll have a cup before leaving.”
If he, visiting as a guest, returned immediately without even having tea, some people might find it strange.
And so we dragged out the time with unimportant small talk. After talking for about one shichen (roughly two hours), Warrior Jin Yeong took out a small box from his sleeve and held it out.
“Take it. It’s a gift from him.”
“Pardon?”
“There were words to be delivered with this. He said, ‘This will be useful to you. Remember that you are my faithful subject every time you use this.'”
“…”
‘Hmph, he’s really persistent.’
–TL Notes–
Tired of seeing Ads? Then please support me on Patreon! Any tier of subscription will make it so you won’t get any ads!
If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at patreon.com/InsanityTheGame
Join my Discord! https://discord.gg/BWaP3AHHpt