I realized the Daegun Merchant Group was behind this, and immediately recalled an incident from my previous life.
It was autumn.
Dongting Lake had been full of people trying to enjoy the seasonal beauty.
I remembered it clearly because it had happened right before I was appointed Deputy Merchant Lord in my previous life.
A boat belonging to one of the shops sank less than two hours after it set out.
Thanks to the urgent efforts of those nearby, many were rescued, but sadly, nearly half still lost their lives.
It was such a major incident that the Emperor himself ordered a thorough investigation. The Merchant Lord of the Daegun Merchant Group, which had been operating the boat, and several related figures were dragged away by the Embroidered Guard.
The truth that was uncovered?
They had overloaded the boat far beyond its capacity and had been running it without proper repairs or maintenance, all to increase their profits.
They had sacrificed safety for greed.
Because of this incident, the Daegun Merchant Group’s standing was badly shaken. Eventually, they were pushed out of the Hundred Great Merchant Groups.
With that in mind, I had found Pavilion Lord Yeon’s explanation odd from the start.
At present, the only group running a large boat on Dongting Lake was the Flower Carp Ferry under the Eunhae Merchant Group.
I hadn’t known it at the time, but even then, the Daegun Merchant Group had completely stolen our best business.
Back then or now, the Eunhae Merchant Group couldn’t easily interfere, but one thing had changed.
I was here now.
Anyway, I did a thorough investigation into the boats operated by Shopkeeper Gang Seung and found out that he was extremely committed to safety.
That was a relief, but I still couldn’t relax entirely.
If he ever cut corners, the result could be the same.
At my words, Shopkeeper Gang looked confused and asked.
“Is that really all you want?”
“You don’t know how difficult that is.”
“Of course it’s hard, but…”
“Swear to the Heaven and Earth spirits. If you ever fail to operate safely even once, you’ll retire that very day.”
“Pardon?”
“I’m not joking.”
At my cold expression, he swallowed hard and nodded.
“Understood. I’ll swear.”
“Good.”
“By the way, with support this big, what about the financial side…”
“You still haven’t finished repaying the loan you took from the Eunhae Merchant Group, have you?”
“That’s true.”
“If word spreads that the Merchant Group provided even the premises in that situation, there’ll be talk of unfairness.”
“I suppose so.”
Shopkeeper Gang’s face clouded over.
“So let me say this separately. This is a personal investment.”
“Personal?”
“Just as I said. This is my own investment, by me, Eun Seo-ho, not by the Eunhae Merchant Group.”
It’s a good feeling to be able to use money like this because I’ve earned enough.
And the amount is still growing.
“Is that really possible? I thought it was the Merchant Group’s money, so I was prepared to accept any condition you named…”
“So you were. But it’s a bit much to invest without any return, right? I’ll take one-tenth of the profits.”
At my words, Shopkeeper Gang’s eyes went wide. Honestly, it was practically a gift.
“What I want is for your boat to become the symbol of Dongting Lake. I want it to reach the point where people won’t feel they’ve truly toured Dongting Lake unless they ride your boat.”
“…Why go that far for me? Both of those conditions benefit me in the end.”
“Don’t misunderstand.”
I spoke firmly.
“The more money you make, the more you can send to the Eunhae Merchant Group, can’t you? That way, you’ll also repay the money you owe. This is all for the sake of our main branch.”
Even so, Shopkeeper Gang didn’t look fully convinced.
Not that it mattered.
As long as he did his job right.
“Ah. Start preparing to move into the new location. And at your current place, put up a large notice that says: [Thanks to all of you, we’re expanding and relocating].”
“Understood.”
I smiled.
“On the first day of next month, let’s give out mooncakes and do some promotion.”
“Understood.”
.
.
.
The next day,
Visitors to the Flower Carp Ferry saw a large notice posted at the entrance.
[Thanks to all of you for your continued support. The Flower Carp Ferry is expanding and relocating. The new location is…]
Those who knew where the new premises were were shocked.
“Isn’t that the really big property?”
“They’re moving there?”
“Wow, they must be doing incredibly well.”
“Well, it’s no surprise.”
People all offered their congratulations to the Flower Carp Ferry for its expansion and relocation.
Shopkeeper Gang Seung had always treated customers kindly, operated safely, and had built up solid goodwill in the area.
Meanwhile,
The person who had sold the new premises to the Flower Carp Ferry was flustered.
Rumors had already spread that the Daegun Merchant Group had their eyes on the Flower Carp Ferry, so most property owners near Dongting Lake had tactfully refused to lease or sell to them.
No one wanted to offend the Daegun Merchant Group.
He had felt the same.
But then, out of nowhere, a hammer had struck in the night.
News spread that the Flower Carp Ferry was moving into the very property he had sold.
And then—
“Sir, someone’s here from the Daegun Merchant Group.”
“…”
As expected, someone had come. It was the Deputy to the Daegun Merchant Group’s Merchant Lord.
The Deputy, as soon as he arrived, snapped sharply.
“Do you have some kind of grudge against our Daegun Merchant Group?”
“N-no, not at all.”
“Then why did you sell the premises to the Flower Carp Ferry?”
“I-I didn’t know!”
“You didn’t know? Does that make sense?”
“I sold it through a broker. And the buyer wasn’t Shopkeeper Gang Seung.”
“Then who was it?”
“Please wait. I’ll bring the contract.”
He hurriedly brought out the sales contract and spread it open.
“Hmm…”
Sure enough, the buyer wasn’t Gang Seung.
“Eun Seo-ho?”
The name was vaguely familiar, but he couldn’t place it.
Still, that wasn’t the issue now.
“It’s not too late. Cancel the contract.”
“Pardon?”
“Return the money and void the sale. Simple, isn’t it?”
“T-that’s… difficult.”
“Difficult? Are you truly choosing to offend our Daegun Merchant Group?”
“No!”
“Then why?”
“Because of this clause…”
With trembling hands, he pointed to a section of the contract.
[If the seller unilaterally voids the contract, the seller must pay compensation amounting to one hundred times the sale price.]
The Deputy stared in disbelief.
“One hundred times?”
“Yes.”
“Why in the world would you agree to that?”
“They asked for it. And I had no plans to cancel the sale, so I agreed without much thought…”
“…”
“They even bought it for more than double the market price. Who would think of backing out in that situation?”
“…How much did you sell it for?”
“Six hundred silver taels.”
“Then the penalty is sixty thousand silver taels? Hah.”
The Deputy could only click his tongue.
Paying such a penalty was impossible.
The seller certainly didn’t have that kind of money, and the Daegun Merchant Group, already overextended from buying a large boat, couldn’t afford it either.
He glared at the seller, then stood up roughly.
“Where are you going?”
“This isn’t something I can fix by talking to you. I’ll have to meet the one who bought it.”
.
.
.
The highest inn at Dongting Lake.
Here, the higher the room with a view of the lake, the more expensive it gets.
I had gladly paid for the best room so I could overlook all of Dongting Lake.
I wanted to share this beautiful view with Palgap, who had served me with his life, and with the people who loyally followed me.
With a private room secured, everyone could enjoy the scenery in comfort.
Now that I think of it, I should show this view to Escort Guard Jin Yu next time.
“Whoa. It’s incredibly beautiful!”
Palgap exclaimed as he looked out the window.
“If you compare it to the Yellow Lake of Luoyang, which do you prefer?”
“Young Master, what a foolish question.”
“Hm?”
“The Yellow Lake has its own charm, and Dongting Lake has its own. Comparing them insults the will of the Old Man of Mysterious Power who created this world. That’s what I think.”
“Huh…”
I was caught off guard by the unexpected answer.
“What is it?”
“Since when did you get this clever?”
“I’ve always been clever. Isn’t that why I was chosen as your attendant?”
“That’s true.”
I laughed.
“You’re right. Everything has its own beauty.”
Just then, I heard someone approaching the room. Soon, I heard the voice of the attendant who guided us here.
And right after, Escort Guard Lee Pil spoke.
“My lord, someone wishes to see you.”
I had a good idea who it would be.
.
.
.
A little later,
The attendant led me to a small private room on the inn’s second floor.
It was a refined place, clearly designed for quiet meetings.
“This is the guest.”
Inside the room stood a man, who introduced himself as he rose.
“Pleasure to meet you. I am Oh Jin-chuk, Deputy to the Merchant Lord of the Daegun Merchant Group.”
“I’m Eun Seo-ho.”
“Let’s sit and talk.”
Deputy Oh gestured for me to sit, and I took the seat opposite him.
“I’ll be direct. Would you consider reselling the premises you bought to us?”
“No.”
“We’ll pay double.”
At his words, I smirked.
“I’m not interested. If you offer ten times the amount, I’ll consider it.”
“Ten times? You’re speaking without merchant ethics.”
So it was the Daegun Merchant Group’s doing.
Yet when I said I’d only sell it for ten times the price, they had the nerve to talk about ethics.
“You must be new around here. Don’t you know that falling out with our Daegun Merchant Group means trouble?”
“Is that a threat?”
“A threat… yes, if that’s how you take it, then so be it.”
“…”
“The truth is, we plan to take over the Flower Carp Ferry’s business. We believe something this important on Dongting Lake should be run by us, who manage this area, not by some outside group.”
He made it sound reasonable.
But really, they were just greedy for profits.
“So either sell us the property, or block the Flower Carp Ferry from moving in.”
“You’re telling me to go back on my word? I already gave them my word.”
“People only fear breaking promises because of the consequences. Don’t worry. We’ll protect you.”
Protect, he says.
What a joke.
They’ll be ruined in less than a month.
Still, I was disappointed they thought so little of trust.
At this point, I could even use the Emperor’s plaque if I wanted.
“The Daegun Merchant Group takes trust lightly, I see. I think differently. Trust is the virtue merchants must cling to, and the final lifeline that protects us.”
I rose from my seat.
“Let me introduce myself properly. I am Eun Seo-ho, Deputy Merchant Lord of the Eunhae Merchant Group, to which the Flower Carp Ferry belongs.”
Deputy Oh’s face turned pale.
“I thought my name was known, but I guess I still have work to do. I’ll try harder.”
“…”
“And threatening the Deputy Merchant Lord of the Eunhae Merchant Group… How bold.”
“T-that… was…”
“I don’t care for excuses. Leave.”
At my cold dismissal, Deputy Oh hesitated, then left.
I wonder if he’ll report the truth of what happened.
If he lies about threatening me, who knows what punishment he’ll receive.
Not that it matters.
I plan to collect—with interest.
–TL Notes–
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