I asked Master.
“Then whose building is it?”
“Naturally, it’s a building we constructed with our own money.”
“…So, will they compensate for the structure?”
Master shook his head.
Of course—that’s why he was so troubled.
“They said that since we’ve been living well on their land all this time, there’s no need to compensate for the building too.”
“What about the land rent…?”
“We paid it on time every year, of course.”
“Did they permit the construction back then?”
“Yes. The previous manor lord—the current one’s father—readily agreed.”
“Could it be they’re taking the stance that since it was under his father, they have no say in it now?”
Master nodded with a surprised expression.
“You’re right… but how did you know?”
“I just had a feeling.”
To be honest, it was an obvious story.
There were plenty of people like that in the world.
Wait a minute…
This was a place that cared for children born to Northern Sea Ice Palace women. So, they must receive some support from the palace itself.
When I asked about it, Master let out a small sigh and answered.
“Of course we receive support. But raising children isn’t cheap; it doesn’t leave us with much financial leeway.”
So that’s why he teared up at the massive operating funds the Patriarch left behind.
Fair enough—there’s nothing sadder for a leader than lacking funds to run an organization.
“If I’d known it would come to this, we should’ve strained ourselves to buy the land from the start.”
“…”
“At the time, we wouldn’t have had enough to build the hall after buying the land, but now… I regret it.”
“That was the best choice back then. Don’t blame yourself too much.”
“Thank you for saying so.”
Master sighed and continued.
“Anyway, we have to relocate… but the problem is we haven’t found a new place yet.”
“That’s a serious issue.”
In my previous life, the Yangyang Martial Hall probably ended up moving anyway.
Back then, there was no sponsorship from me or the Patriarch’s funds, so things must’ve been even tougher.
As I thought that, a question arose.
The Yangyang Martial Hall raised children for the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
Wouldn’t it be better to have it closer to the palace?
Why establish it in far-off Zhejiang Province, away from the North Sea?
“Master, I have a question.”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“Is there a reason the Yangyang Martial Hall was built in Zhejiang Province?”
“Yes. It was far from our Snow Wind Palace’s location—ensuring no connection—yet still provided a good environment for us.”
“What do you mean…?”
“The fiends who destroyed our Snow Wind Palace mustn’t link the Yangyang Martial Hall back to us. At the same time, it needed to serve as another base for the palace.”
Now it made sense.
Zhejiang Province housed Hangzhou.
They said heaven was above on high, and on earth, Hangzhou and Suzhou below—truly a paradise for living.
Plus, as a transportation hub, countless goods flowed through it.
That made it an ideal spot for the Snow Wind Palace survivors to operate.
“But isn’t it too warm there?”
“It’s humid instead.”
“Ah, because of the seas and rivers surrounding it.”
“Exactly. Even surveying the whole Central Plains, nowhere has stronger water energy. Our Snow Wind Palace arts are ice techniques, and ice arts draw from yin energy. If we can’t be in a cold, icy place, then at least one rich in water.”
“That makes sense—it would be good for the children to learn Snow Wind Palace techniques.”
Listening to him, I understood.
In any case, relocating from such a place would cost a fortune.
Land prices in Zhejiang were steep.
In my previous life, Gwak Jun-ha—Master’s second son and my bodyguard—would send over half his salary somewhere every payday.
Yet he lived quite frugally himself.
I recalled a conversation between father and son I’d overheard by chance.
“Are you sending money to Zhejiang again?”
“If it helps even a little…”
“Thank you.”
Back then, I brushed it off as personal matters.
No need to pry into my bodyguard’s private life.
Looking back now, Gwak Jun-ha had been supporting the Yangyang Martial Hall.
“Is what you’re worrying about now where to relocate?”
“Yes. But we’re trying to stay within Zhejiang if possible. Honestly, nowhere else is as suitable for training Snow Wind Palace arts.”
Master wore a bitter expression.
“I’d prefer not to move at all… but that’s impossible.”
“…”
It seemed I’d have to go there myself.
The Snow Wind Palace Patriarch had personally tasked me with rebuilding, and the Yangyang Martial Hall children were the palace’s future.
In other words, they were key talents for the reconstruction.
With winter slowing business, I had the leeway to visit Zhejiang.
“Master, I’ll go to Zhejiang myself.”
“You’re going personally, Department Chief?”
“Yes.”
“It’s fine. We can handle this ourselves.”
“I promised Warrior Yeom that I’d sponsor more in the future, so I should keep my word. Besides, I think I can help somehow.”
“If you put it that way… I understand. And…”
Master clasped his hands in a bow and said.
“I’m deeply grateful for your care.”
I waved it off.
“You’re too formal. Besides, those children are like my fellow disciples. So, allow this disciple to get involved.”
“I permit it.”
.
.
.
I immediately went to Father and got permission for the Zhejiang trip.
He worried the road would be treacherous due to snow, but it was fine.
Snowfall was light this year.
Still, as a Snow Wind Palace disciple, I felt a twinge of regret at the lack of inner energy-boosting snow.
A few days later.
We set off for Zhejiang.
I’d planned to go with just my bodyguard escorts, but Escort Chief Ha and several Changin Escort Bureau guards joined us.
Truth be told, I didn’t know exactly where the Yangyang Martial Hall was, and I needed someone to vouch for my identity.
Master wanted to come too, but urgent matters kept him behind.
So, I was going with full authority delegated to me…
Why delegate it to me? Escort Chief Ha had years more experience as an escort leader.
And why was Ha going along without protest?
I had many questions, but I set them aside for now.
Then, Escort Chief Ha called to me.
“Deputy Merchant Lord.”
“Ah, yes.”
“Have you ever been to Hangzhou?”
Of course—in my previous life, at least dozens of times.
It was truly beautiful, especially West Lake—the scenery was beyond words.
Not just lovely by day, but enchanting at night too.
That made it a land of opportunity for merchants.
But in this life, I hadn’t been.
“First time. So, I look forward to your guidance.”
“Ahem, of course. At his request, too.”
He meant Master.
“Then, may I lead the way?”
“Yes, please do.”
Escort Chief Ha took the front, and I followed behind.
Following like this was convenient anyway.
The manor lord who ordered the Yangyang Martial Hall’s eviction was one of Hangzhou’s notables.
A tavern, though…
To me, knowing the five-year alcohol prohibition was coming, that tavern venture looked like throwing money into a pit.
Even our Eunhae Merchant Group’s Lotus Pavilion was bustling under my orders, preparing entertainments that didn’t rely on alcohol.
That manor lord was too greedy.
Probably envious of the taverns raking in coin with their claws.
But he picked the wrong time.
Hangzhou’s taverns made big money because out-of-towners spent lavishly there.
The city’s stunning scenery drew crowds.
Literati saw it as a must-visit before death.
So, entertainment flourished.
But with famine looming, food shortages, and rebellions stirring unrest everywhere—how many would visit Hangzhou?
Even if the city suffered less from the famine, under prohibition, what fun was a tavern without drinks?
Once prohibition dragged on, illicit taverns selling booze under the table appeared.
They colluded with local officials to hush it up, but rumors spread like wildfire overnight.
Eventually, the Censorate Inspector investigated, and the taverns and officials faced severe punishment.
After that, no one dared sell alcohol openly, and revenues plummeted.
Despite past earnings, overextended or extravagant taverns couldn’t survive and put themselves up for sale.
The Emperor and central officials must have foreseen this when issuing the prohibition.
But it was unavoidable.
Most alcohol was grain-based, so banning it freed up food supplies, even if just a bit.
It also aimed to calm the furious populace amid rising rebellions.
The state was begging for patience while enforcing the ban.
Years later, exceptions emerged.
To import grain from beyond the Central Plains.
Trade is essentially barter.
We sell what they need; they provide what we need.
And alcohol was among their desired goods.
So, the state commissioned select merchant groups to brew it.
The groups rushed to produce, but the long prohibition had driven away many brewers.
Quality suffered, and output was low.
In short, this famine was my big opportunity.
A chance to bring Hangzhou’s famed taverns and master brewers under the Eunhae Merchant Group.
We’d offer them a lifeline, and in return, reap the profits.
Mutual benefit.
That said, the five-year great famine stemmed from abnormal weather.
Sudden downpours followed by droughts, freak frosts out of nowhere.
Building reservoirs to store rainwater from floods seemed like a good idea…
My chain of thoughts continued until we stopped for lunch.
As we ate steamed buns bought from an inn and rested, Escort Chief Ha called me.
“Deputy Merchant Lord.”
“Ah, yes.”
“How much do you know about the Yangyang Martial Hall?”
I smiled lightly and replied.
“Not much. Just that Warrior Yeom is the hall master, it serves the palace’s role, and recently they were told to vacate by the landowner.”
“You know more than I expected.”
“Do I?”
He glanced around and whispered softly.
“Others just see it as an ordinary martial hall.”
“…”
“Truth is, all the escorts traveling with me hail from there. It’s a special place. So, I appreciate your help.”
Escort Chief Ha sure had a bold personality.
His words were gentle, but the underlying weight was stronger than expected.
Quite resolute, I’d say.
Makes sense for an escort bureau— a chief who stands firm minimizes losses.
Getting swayed by others leads to disaster.
He didn’t become chief for nothing.
It eased my mind a bit.
His daughter was Escort Guard Ha, after all.
He’d look after Brother Jin-ho well.
People like him usually shared one trait.
Tough on the outside, soft within.
Winning their trust was simple.
Show them sincerity, like I would.
I gave a faint smile and said firmly.
“I’ll do my best.”
At my words, Escort Chief Ha nodded and rose, calling out to everyone.
“Let’s move out!”
- * *
Escort Chief Ha eyed the young man riding beside him.
The youngest Deputy Merchant Lord of the Eunhae Merchant Group, Eun Seo-ho—who also served as the Virtuous Wind Department Chief.
‘Is this youth the Little Palace Lord appointed by the Palace Lord?’
He was the one who’d spotted his daughter’s illness before even he had.
‘Hm…’
He recalled what his daughter had said recently.
“In truth, things worked out between Second Deputy Merchant Lord Jin-ho and me thanks to Deputy Merchant Lord Eun Seo-ho. So, I think you can trust him.”
He knew Eun Seo-ho’s abilities were exceptional.
His track record and reputation proved it.
But he wanted to see for himself.
Only then could he fully acknowledge him.
For the Snow Wind Palace’s future, if nothing else.
–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