At my words, Shopkeeper Wi Jun-deok blinked in mild surprise, seeking clarification.
“What exactly do you mean by that?”
“I mean that, from my perspective, you possess more than enough ability to navigate deeper waters. In essence, it’s a sort of partnership.”
I continued without pause.
“You get a chance to swim in bigger currents, and I gain someone reliable to entrust with my affairs.”
“Entrust with your affairs… You’re asking me to serve under you as Deputy Merchant Lord?”
“That’s correct.”
“…”
A brief silence settled between us.
His face clearly reflected deep contemplation, weighing the implications.
“If it doesn’t appeal to you, feel free to decline—no hard feelings.”
“I’m still unclear on why you’d extend such an offer to someone like me. I’m already at an age approaching twilight, content to run a modest fabric shop here. How could I possibly be of use?”
“Your years of experience alone would make you invaluable.”
“In that case… could you grant me some time to think it over?”
“Of course.”
Recruiting him wasn’t an urgent matter, after all.
So, while time allowed, perhaps I could seek his advice on a pressing need first?
“Shopkeeper, do you know of any buildings around here that could house about two hundred people? Something with plenty of space.”
I needed a temporary stay outside the hall, until a grand structure rose on the Yangyang site.
For immediate shelter, it had to be an existing building, nothing under construction.
As I outlined the specific conditions I required, Shopkeeper Wi paused thoughtfully before responding.
“Places matching your criteria number around three in the vicinity.”
Three options already?
“If your schedule permits, would you mind guiding me to them?”
“Certainly.”
We departed the pleasure house and followed his lead through the streets.
“First, this one.”
It turned out to be a nearby manor estate, where the son’s gambling debts had forced the owner into desperate need of quick funds, prompting a sale of the property.
“Doesn’t a manor like this come with substantial land attached?”
“They’ve sold off everything else, leaving only the manor building and its grounds.”
“…How did things spiral to that point? What was the lord doing all the while?”
“The lord is said to have a soft heart, and with the son as the sole heir across three generations… Every time he erred and faced punishment, he’d weep and vow never to repeat it. What could the father do but relent?”
“…”
Gambling truly was a vice no one should touch.
The second site lay quite a distance from West Lake—a three-story tavern structure.
One glance revealed why it was on the market.
“What an odd spot to awkwardly situate a pleasure house like this.”
“Precisely. The remoteness and low height make it impossible to enjoy the lake’s famed views.”
“So they’ve put it up for a rushed sale.”
“Indeed.”
To think someone had outdone even Manor Lord Seong in foolishness.
Erecting a tavern farther from West Lake than the Yangyang Hall itself.
If he insisted on such a location, he should have built the tallest one in the area—at least something beyond a mere three stories.
“Then, on to the third property.”
The final option was a building with a spacious courtyard.
“This serves as the base for a small, minor sect. Their numbers have dwindled sharply; now it’s just the sect leader and three disciples.”
“Even so, they’re willing to sell?”
“Yes, to relocate elsewhere.”
“That won’t be easy…”
Starting anew was challenging for merchant groups, but for martial sects, it was even more daunting.
They guarded their territories fiercely, viewing any intrusion as a grave affront.
A territory embodied their very pride.
Even mighty sects struggled to shift bases, let alone one reduced to four souls.
“I don’t know the details, but I hear the Murim Alliance has agreed to assist.”
“The Murim Alliance?”
“Yes. From what’s said, they’ll help by providing space in their headquarters once this building is sold.”
Given my knowledge of the Murim Alliance’s nature, such “assistance” would likely prove more hindrance than true aid for the sect.
“Is the Alliance’s involvement really beneficial? If they’re stepping in, why not just buy the place themselves?”
“Your point makes it sound suspicious, now that you mention.”
Heading to the Alliance with the sale proceeds would almost certainly see the funds vanish into their coffers.
That meant good money flowing straight to the Murim Alliance—unacceptable under any circumstances.
So, choices narrowed to the first or second site.
Though it was only for about a year, selecting with care remained essential; twelve months wasn’t a fleeting span.
I’d consult Hall Master Yeom and Escort Chief Ha as well.
“Thank you for the tour today. If I proceed with a purchase, I’d appreciate your help then too.”
“Gladly.”
“And I look forward to hearing positive news from you.”
As I saw Shopkeeper Wi off, I couldn’t help but smile.
Life’s twists were truly unpredictable.
To think the man I’d spared out of mercy would prove so useful now.
The Dong Clan from Jiangsu had ranked among the larger merchant groups, renowned across the Central Plains for their richly embroidered robes.
Ruin had come from the clan lord’s folly, of course.
In my previous life, the embroidery workshop had gone independent, operating solo as before.
Our Eunhae Merchant Group’s backing played a key role in enabling that freedom.
Now, we enjoyed a close partnership, securing those embroidered goods at favorable rates.
In any case, he’d risen to the level of chief supervisor, if not quite the top.
And carving out a foothold in cutthroat Hangzhou in just four years spoke volumes about his capability.
His familiarity with local affairs made him ideal for handling matters on my behalf.
I sincerely hoped he’d view my proposal favorably.
That evening, I met Chun-il once more.
As always, he appeared in an entirely new guise.
His ability to show up differently each time never ceased to amaze me.
“I’ve looked into the matter you mentioned last time.”
Right—the request to scout relocation spots for the Yangyang Hall.
He’d promised details today, hence our meeting.
“There are three places fitting your conditions. First…”
Listening to his report, I couldn’t suppress a wry chuckle.
The three sites he described matched exactly those Shopkeeper Wi had shown me earlier.
“There are a few others, but they have shady backgrounds or odd complications.”
So Shopkeeper Wi had sifted through and presented only the solid three.
Spotting the right ones in under fifteen minutes and tailoring them to my needs? Undeniable talent.
Shopkeeper Wi grew more appealing by the moment.
.
.
.
I shared the details of the sites Shopkeeper Wi had introduced with Hall Master Yeom and Escort Chief Ha.
“…So, between these two, one seems the better fit.”
“You’ve already scouted relocation options?”
“With winter deepening, I figured the sooner we prepare, the better.”
“A sound approach. Your decisiveness is impressive.”
I offered an embarrassed smile at Escort Chief Ha’s praise.
Proactivity was one of my strengths, after all.
Once decided, why hesitate? Action followed commitment.
“I understand your concerns about moving. But even if new buildings rise on the current site, we’d need to vacate it for a stretch regardless.”
“That’s true enough.”
“Still, buying another building just for this feels like excessive waste, doesn’t it?”
I shook my head firmly at that.
“Far from it. We’ll recoup far more than the cost in time.”
They deferred to my judgment.
With Master—the Palace Lord—granting me full authority, and neither being as versed in commerce as I, it made sense.
After deliberation, we settled on acquiring the first manor introduced.
It boasted a broad courtyard and, as a lived-in space, maintained the cleanest condition overall.
The third site shared similar amenities, but I dismissed it without a second thought.
The Murim Alliance’s shadow loomed too large.
The next morning, a letter arrived for me.
[I’d like to meet at the pleasure house where we spoke before. Let me know a time, and I’ll adjust accordingly.]
From Shopkeeper Wi.
I drafted a reply on the spot for the errand boy who’d delivered it.
We agreed on the hour of the monkey (3-5 PM); I headed to the pleasure house to meet him.
“Ah! You’ve arrived?”
Shopkeeper Wi had already secured a quiet corner table.
“You’re early.”
“No, no—I just got here myself.”
We settled across from each other, sipping tea while admiring the view for a moment.
He broke the silence first.
“I’ve… given it some thought.”
“Yes.”
Likely weighing my proposal.
“To be honest, my survival today stems entirely from your grace back then. Following you feels like the right path.”
Was this acceptance?
“So, this Wi will serve under you as Deputy Merchant Lord.”
“Really? I’m deeply grateful.”
“In truth, the time I requested was to wind down my shop affairs first.”
I waved my hands hastily.
“No need for that at all.”
“Pardon?”
“What I’ll ask of you can run alongside your current work. And of course, you’ll receive a separate monthly stipend.”
I explained his prospective duties in detail, and he nodded promptly.
“I see—that’s the sort of role. Understood.”
“To start, there’s one immediate task.”
“What is it?”
“Please handle purchasing some land and a building. From the sites you showed me last time, the first one appealed the most.”
He considered for a moment before replying.
“They’re asking seven hundred silver taels including the land, and I doubt they’ll budge lower. It’s already a fire sale due to urgency—post-debt repayment, they’ll be quite strapped.”
“I’ve no intention of haggling aggressively. Proceed at that price.”
“Very well.”
“By the way, after selling the manor, what becomes of the household staff?”
“Likely, they’ll use whatever remains after settling debts to secure a modest home.”
“You mentioned it’ll be tight post-repayment—perhaps a hundred silver taels left over?”
“About that much, yes.”
That sum would barely cover a hovel, leaving their livelihood precarious.
“In that case, acquire a small nearby house as well. Let the manor’s household occupy it.”
“Huh?”
“Aren’t they being displaced from their home? Providing a place at a fair rental rate seems reasonable.”
“As expected from the Deputy Merchant Lord—you’re a truly kind soul.”
Was I?
Hardly.
This stemmed from calculated intent.
My aim was reputation.
Though the purchase was legitimate and above board, rumors could twist it oddly.
I sought to prevent whispers of the Yangyang Hall ruthlessly evicting a prominent family onto the streets.
Moreover, the manor lord’s kin were local notables.
“It’s merely to avoid ill talk about the hall or myself—I’m no saint.”
“No, Deputy Merchant Lord—you are indeed a good man.”
The acquisition process proceeded smoothly.
Paying in full upon purchase earned heartfelt thanks from the manor lord.
Offering them a new home brought tears to his eyes.
Having watched their fortune squandered and even the family seat lost to the son’s ruin, the lord and his wife bore faces gaunt with unspoken grief.
Children could wound deeper than foes.
I sighed inwardly and asked the lord.
“How old is your son?”
“Twenty-four this year. The second is twenty.”
The gambler was the eldest, so twenty-four it was.
At that age, entry into “that academy” wasn’t too late.
“Any interest in a reform academy specializing in redemption?”
.
.
.
Five days later.
The move commenced.
Since they’d included most furnishings in the deal, I added a hundred silver taels to buy them outright.
“Huh? Are we living here now?”
“Yeah.”
“Wow, this courtyard is huge!”
“Oooh! The kitchen’s massive!”
Fortunately, the new site lay nearby, so despite winter’s chill, the relocation unfolded without undue hardship.
The children dashed back and forth, exploring their fresh surroundings with wide-eyed wonder.
I turned to Hall Master Yeom.
“If you harbor any attachment to the old buildings, I could dismantle and relocate them to the new site intact.”
He shook his head vigorously at my words.
He’d clearly grasped that I’d follow through on whatever I proposed.
“Attachment? None at all. For the children’s sake, a new building beats the worn-out ones any day.”
“True enough.”
“I eagerly await the day their new structure stands complete on that land. Haha.”
I shared his anticipation.
Which made covering the demolition costs a small price to pay gladly.
On completion, Manor Lord Seong would forfeit the grand edifice he’d poured his ambitions and fortune into—intact and entirely to us.
–TL Notes–
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