At my words, Warrior Jin Yeong looked confused.
“What kind of question is that all of a sudden? Why are you asking if I can break ice?”
“Because that’s the key to this entire matter. By the way, are you busy right now?”
“I can spare an hour or two.”
“Perfect. Then let’s head to the Yeonjun Merchant Group.”
A short while later,
I arrived in the courtyard of the Yeonjun Merchant Group with Warrior Jin Yeong. While we drank a cup of tea, Palgap prepared various things in advance.
Reliable as always, that Palgap.
“Hmm. What’s this?”
“It’s a model to help explain things.”
It was a model depicting the Yangtze River and the surrounding region. The section shaped like the river had been filled with water the night before and had now frozen solid.
I continued.
“I’ve traveled here and there recently and noticed—it’s much colder than usual this year.”
“Hmm, that’s true.”
“Because of that, even the Yangtze has started to freeze over.”
I went on.
“You’re aware, I’m sure, that the Yellow River often floods downstream when spring comes.”
“Of course I know. Ice melts all at once from the higher upstream regions, and the downstream areas flood as a result.”
“Up to now, the Yangtze hasn’t experienced anything like that.”
“Well, because it flows through a warmer region.”
“But this year’s cold changes things.”
I pointed to the model.
“Water continues to flow from upstream, but in this cold, it keeps freezing… and that results in large blocks of ice forming in the upper reaches like this.”
“…”
“The Yangtze rarely freezes, so there’s little preparation in place. On top of that, the upstream regions are warm, so when spring comes, the ice will melt all at once.”
I picked up the kettle.
“If we think of this as the meltwater…”
“No need. I’ll melt it myself.”
So said Warrior Jin Yeong as he reached out.
Heat radiated intensely from his hand. So he uses Fire Qi.
The upstream ice blocks began to melt in an instant.
“…”
The melted water rushed downstream, overflowing before it could exit through the river channel, flooding the surrounding area.
“If this were real, what do you think would happen?”
“Damn.”
Warrior Jin Yeong cursed under his breath.
Exactly.
A flood. And not just any flood—a massive catastrophe.
In my previous life, such a disaster actually occurred.
Our merchant group took heavy losses, and the recovery effort was a nightmare.
We had to delay my Deputy Merchant Lord appointment ceremony for a long time.
And many others suffered too. Spring, after all, is the lean season.
Some regions reportedly even turned to cannibalism.
We have to stop that from happening again.
“But there’s a way.”
“What is it?”
“We break the ice in advance. If possible, remove it from the river to melt on land, or move it to reservoirs. That would reduce the chances of flooding in the spring.”
“That makes sense. So that’s why you asked me about breaking ice.”
“The problem is, if the Yangtze is like this, then what about the Yellow River, which floods regularly?”
At my words, Warrior Jin Yeong’s face went pale.
He realized just how devastating the damage could be.
The Yellow River floods regularly, but the scale this time would be far beyond normal.
It was a disaster caused by a winter far colder than average.
Maybe we should be thankful there wasn’t much snowfall. If snow had piled up too, it would’ve been catastrophic.
But then again, the lack of snow means drought, so…
Ugh. I don’t know.
While I was lost in thought, Warrior Jin Yeong looked at me and asked,
“Why are you telling me this instead of His Majesty directly?”
“Because I don’t want attention.”
“…What?”
“If I bring this up to His Majesty myself, I’ll definitely attract attention.”
I smiled as I continued.
“I’m a bit faint-hearted. If I start drawing the attention of the high officials in the palace, I won’t be able to bear it.”
“…”
“But if the Embroidered Guard gains recognition from this, isn’t that a good thing?”
“Well… yes, it is.”
Warrior Jin Yeong nodded.
The reason I whispered all this to him was because if I draw too much attention, I might no longer be able to work as a merchant.
They’ll try to drag me into court positions.
But I can’t allow that.
I have a goal.
To make the Eunhae Merchant Group the greatest under heaven and take revenge on the Murim Alliance and the Baekcheon Merchant Group.
Of course, I could do that from a government position too.
But that wouldn’t mean anything.
Since my first target is the Baekcheon Merchant Group, I need to defeat them merchant to merchant.
I’m not like those cowards in Baekcheon.
Also, this plan requires a lot of money and manpower. It’s a matter for the state.
A commoner like me shouldn’t be the one to handle it.
I bowed respectfully.
“So please, I leave it in your hands.”
“Alright. If this works out, it’ll be thanks to you.”
I knew Warrior Jin Yeong wouldn’t refuse.
Especially now, when he felt like the Emperor’s trust was slipping.
.
.
.
And so, I left the flood matter to Warrior Jin Yeong and turned my attention to the next issue.
Seon-mi’s marriage.
There had been talk about her family even before the wedding, but they went through with it because the two truly cared for each other.
For Seon-mi, the time her husband was appointed to a local magistrate post must have felt like a breath of fresh air.
Minister of Rites Yuan…
The Ministry of Rites handles appointments, official recognition, titles of honor, and performance evaluations.
Traditionally, it’s considered the highest among the Six Ministries.
No wonder that household has such a high opinion of itself.
First, I need to investigate.
Through Geumryeong, I sent Father a letter letting him know I’d arrived safely in Beijing and asking for information.
Since the founding of the Intelligence Division, our family has been gathering intel on high-ranking officials in Beijing.
The next day, Geumryeong arrived.
“Kui!”
“Thanks for your work.”
“Kui! Kui!”
Geumryeong shook its head and backed away.
Yes, yes, I get it.
I handed it a silver tael, and it immediately gulped it down.
Then it extended its tail toward me.
I untied the letter from Geumryeong’s tail and opened it.
The first letter was filled with concern for me and updates on the family’s well-being.
The second contained the information I’d requested.
After reading it all, I smiled faintly.
So that’s how it is? That’s perfect.
I burned the letters and called out to Palgap.
“Palgap!”
“Yes, did you call?”
“Get ready. We’re heading to Apricot Blossom Academy.”
.
.
.
“Welcome.”
The Academy Head recognized me and greeted me warmly.
“My apologies for not visiting more often.”
“No, not at all. I know how busy you are, so I wouldn’t dare ask for more. We’re already grateful for the generous funding.”
The Head of Apricot Blossom Academy was the most senior among the Grand Scholars I had recruited.
“Would you like to take a look around the academy?”
“Yes.”
I toured the academy with the Head.
Seeing students passionately engaged in debates, reading and writing with serious expressions, filled me with pride.
“Come to think of it, I heard the imperial exams are being held this year.”
“That’s right. The exams will be held in the eighth month this year, so everyone’s working extra hard.”
“I’m looking forward to the results.”
“So am I.”
“By the way, how has Lady Hap been lately?”
“My wife is in good health.”
“I actually have a favor to ask of her.”
I explained the situation.
“I see. So it’s the Deputy Merchant Lord’s cousin who’s getting married, and the groom’s family is that of Minister of Rites Yuan. Haha, to think that young Kyung is already getting married!”
“You know him well, then.”
“Of course. We’re technically from the same clan. Our relation’s a bit distant, but when I served in the court, I had him under my command for a while, so we stayed close.”
“Ah, I see.”
I acted surprised, but I already knew all this from the letter Father sent.
That’s why I made sure to visit Apricot Blossom Academy while I was here.
“My cousin comes from a merchant family, so she’s somewhat unfamiliar with etiquette toward elders. I was worried she might bring shame to her new household, so I’d like to ask Lady Hap to help educate her.”
“If that’s the case, my wife will gladly accept. She loves teaching.”
This was the method I had in mind.
If they’re going to judge based on status, then I’d silence them before they could.
The Academy Head had served in court for decades and even held the position of Minister of Rites—the head of the Ministry that oversees all matters of ceremony and etiquette.
Which meant his wife held considerable influence as well.
If Seon-mi received etiquette training from her, it would effectively make Lady Hap her sponsor.
In that situation, criticizing Seon-mi would be tantamount to insulting Lady Hap.
And since she’s an elder in the same extended clan, unless someone was utterly reckless, they wouldn’t dare speak out.
“Come to think of it, I’ve heard that Lady Lim, the wife of Scholar Lim, is very skilled at embroidery.”
“Is that so?”
“And…”
Suddenly, another idea struck me.
Since we’ve come this far, wouldn’t it be even better if several of the Grand Scholars’ wives took part in her education?
“What do you think about this idea?”
Upon hearing my suggestion, the Academy Head smiled warmly and nodded.
“That’s an excellent idea.”
A few days later, I received a letter from the Academy Head.
It said Lady Hap and the other wives had all agreed.
I immediately went to see Aunt.
“Come in. What brings you here?”
“I have something to tell you.”
After I explained everything, Aunt let out a sigh of relief.
“I was worried too, to be honest. But thank you for thinking so much of Seon-mi.”
“Actually, it was Cousin Seon-il who asked me.”
“Seon-il did?”
Aunt looked surprised.
“Yes.”
I nodded and continued.
“And Seon-mi is my cousin. It’s only natural that I help.”
“That makes me even more grateful.”
That evening.
The whole family had gathered for dinner. Aunt nodded to me.
Cousin Seon-il also nodded. I had already told him I would bring it up once he returned from court.
“I have something to say.”
“What is it?”
“It’s about Seon-mi.”
I told them about the arrangement for Seon-mi to receive instruction from the wives of the Grand Scholars at Apricot Blossom Academy.
“I’ve already secured their approval.”
Uncle nodded.
“When it comes to power, you fight with greater power. When it comes to status, you counter it with even greater status. That was a wise move.”
“You flatter me.”
“So, Seon-mi. What do you think?”
At Uncle’s question, Seon-mi answered.
“I’ll do my best to learn everything properly, so I don’t bring shame to either family.”
Her eyes sparkled as she spoke.
Two days later,
Seon-mi departed for the Academy Head’s residence.
She would live there during her training.
It would be difficult, no doubt, but hardship is something you endure when striving for what you want.
Knowing what fruit awaits her at the end, the family willingly sent her off.
And so, Seon-mi’s matter was settled, and I could now return home.
.
.
.
Except—I couldn’t.
“Come with us.”
“Huh?”
It was Warrior Jin Yeong who had suddenly shown up.
I thought the Emperor and the Embroidered Guard would take care of things from here, so why…
“I reported the matter to His Majesty, and he was quite concerned about its severity. He has officially tasked the Embroidered Guard with resolving it.”
“I see.”
“And His Majesty has promised full support. So… we’ve also been told to take your help.”
“…”
“Since you’re the one who raised the issue, His Majesty seems to want you to see it through yourself.”
You really didn’t have to.
I’m sure you all would’ve handled it just fine.
“We leave tomorrow.”
“What?”
“So be ready. Meet me in front of the palace at dawn.”
Warrior Jin Yeong disappeared after saying only that, clearly in a hurry.
“Uh…”
I weakly reached out to stop him, but I had no choice but to lower my hand.
Was that the Emperor’s smiling face I saw behind Jin Yeong just now… or was it just my imagination?
Sigh. Well, now that it’s come to this, I’ve got no choice.
If it’s something that needs to get done properly, putting the pressure on is my specialty. I’ll give it everything I’ve got.
–TL Notes–
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