The Emperor is showing me favor, but having already received two rewards, I couldn’t request something excessive.
If I gave him an opening to hook me by the nose, that’d be troublesome.
So I decided to request something very modest.
“I have a cousin living in Beijing.”
“Right, Hong’s younger sister, correct?”
I was inwardly impressed.
I wasn’t surprised that he knew that—I was surprised that he remembered it and stated it immediately.
With how many people work in the Imperial Palace, he remembers that!
“That is correct.”
The Emperor nodded as if to tell me to continue.
“Please bestow upon my cousin the honor of having tea with Her Majesty the Empress.”
“Hmm, now that you mention it, I hear your younger cousin is marrying Minister of Rites Yuan this summer?”
Wait, Your Majesty. What don’t you know?
“That family’s quite haughty.”
The Emperor’s expression was full of mockery.
Well, from the Emperor’s perspective, they must seem laughable.
“But they’re taking in a daughter from a merchant family… hahaha.”
The Emperor burst into laughter.
“I see what you’re thinking. But isn’t it a waste to use this opportunity for your younger cousin?”
“No. It’s not a waste.”
I answered immediately.
“If my cousin is looked down upon in her in-laws’ home and my aunt grieves because of it, I’ll also grieve.”
“Tsk, such a needlessly sentimental yet cunning fellow.”
“…”
“Still, I don’t dislike it.”
The Emperor continued.
“Very well. I’ll ask the Empress.”
“Your grace is boundless.”
I deeply bowed to express my gratitude.
“By the way, you’re going to the North Sea again?”
“Yes. Due to circumstances, I’m visiting again.”
“Truly a fellow like the wind. Even for a merchant, there’s probably no one who travels around as much as you.”
“It just happened that way.”
Honestly, I don’t want to go outside my house either.
After all, outside the blankets is dangerous.
“Very well. Travel safely.”
When I exited the Emperor’s presence, Warrior Jin Yeong was waiting for me.
If before it had been wariness and curiosity, now it was goodwill and gratitude.
Clearly the previous incident had a major impact.
“Did you see His Majesty well?”
“Yes, Warrior Jin Yeong. I think I can return now.”
“Then go.”
And Warrior Jin Yeong headed outside the Imperial Palace with me, but somehow his steps were hurried.
As if rushing to prevent someone from snatching me away.
I suddenly recalled what he said earlier, that the eunuchs were very interested in me.
Ah, so that’s why.
But I wondered if this had any meaning.
If they wanted to meet me anyway, they could meet me anytime.
Of course, whether I’d help them or not was up to me.
- * *
A night filled with pitch-black darkness.
A commoner’s house in Beijing.
Several men were gathered there, all sharing the common trait of having no beards.
They were eunuchs from the Eastern Depot.
“So, what are those people’s movements?”
“What more would those who retired to their hometowns do? They just read books all day and play go.”
“They’re people who rose to the rank of Minister. They know we’re watching them too. So never let your guard down.”
“Understood.”
“And don’t neglect watching the princes either.”
Recently there had been quite a major incident in the Imperial Palace. Namely, the Minister of Revenue and Minister of Works were dismissed.
In the Imperial Palace, there was an organization called the Assembly of Worthy Ministers composed of high-ranking officials of third rank and above.
Its original purpose was to provide wise answers to those seeking wisdom about various issues.
But at some point, that role began to gradually distort, and now it had become a means to pressure the Emperor.
Those who until recently played the role of leading the Assembly of Worthy Ministers were the Minister of Revenue and Minister of Works.
They expressed negative views on preventing the great flood.
But when the flood didn’t occur thanks to the measures the Emperor took, their position rapidly diminished.
Moreover, another measure the Emperor took—buying and storing grain.
The Minister of Revenue also actively opposed this.
He argued that since the previous year had abundant harvests, there was no way a sudden famine would come.
However, news of poor barley harvests was already coming in.
Furthermore, he ordered those who had taken bribes to voluntarily bring corresponding amounts of grain, but they played dumb.
As various things added up and kept adding up, having sufficiently built justification, the Emperor dismissed them.
Given the situation, even those who supported them couldn’t bring themselves to step forward.
Moreover, having succeeded in using this as an excuse to abolish even the Assembly of Worthy Ministers, the Emperor must feel like a nagging tooth was pulled.
“But this matter isn’t entirely good for us either.”
“True, His Majesty the Emperor’s attention, which was tilting toward us, is focusing on the Embroidered Guard again.”
“It’s still fine for now, but we need to prepare countermeasures. If we’re not careful, we might be pushed back by the Embroidered Guard and our standing could weaken.”
“Countermeasures…”
The Eastern Depot’s leader continued.
“From what I see, these events had a common thread.”
“What’s that?”
“A person named Eun Seo-ho is connected to them. It’s quite coincidental for a coincidence. In my view, this person Eun Seo-ho seems to be the start of these events.”
“Then what should we do?”
Someone offered an opinion.
“How about we kidnap and threaten him to make him join our side?”
“He’s someone His Majesty the Emperor favors. If we do that, our necks won’t survive.”
“…”
“First, win his favor. And above all, be faithful to your duties. If we fail to be faithful to our duties, we’ll also end up in the Assembly of Worthy Ministers’ situation.”
“Understood.”
The Eastern Depot’s leader sighed.
He suddenly recalled what he heard from the Chief Eunuch today.
“You mean Young Master Eun Seo-ho?”
“Yes. How can we bring him to our side? Since you’ve seen Young Master Eun Seo-ho often by His Majesty’s side, I thought you’d have some sense of it.”
“Hmm, what method were you thinking of?”
“Kidnapping him…”
Smack!
“…!”
“Do you want to die?”
“What?”
“Why do you think those ruthless Embroidered Guard members are kissing up and circling around him?”
The Chief Eunuch spoke with a serious expression.
“Win his favor unconditionally. That’s the best method and the only method you can use.”
“Must we really do that? What’s so special about that fellow…”
“He’s someone His Majesty favors. Much, much more than you think!”
“…”
“If His Majesty learns you committed a ruthless act, what do you think will happen? Haven’t you considered you’d end up in the Assembly of Worthy Ministers’ situation?”
“…”
The Chief Eunuch was the leader of the eunuchs.
His wisdom, experience, and worldly ways that brought him to that position were not to be disregarded.
So he decided to accept that advice.
- * *
The next day, we departed for the North Sea.
I judged that since we’re currently receiving attention from countless people, quickly leaving Beijing was the best policy.
Since we were traveling on horseback, we soon reached Liaoning Province.
“It’s getting colder.”
At Jin-ho’s words, I nodded.
“That means we’re getting closer to the North Sea. But compared to the North Sea’s cold, this isn’t even cold.”
Young Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin agreed with my words.
“Young Hero Eun is right. It’s a place where snow is always piled up year-round.”
“Living in such a place… isn’t it difficult?”
At Sister-in-law’s question, Young Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin shook her head.
“I don’t really know others’ thoughts, but I don’t particularly feel that way. Perhaps because I was born there and grew up there.”
She continued.
“And perhaps because everyone’s already adapted to that environment, there don’t seem to be such complaints.”
“Then that’s a relief.”
Sister-in-law was relieved, and Young Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin said.
“North Sea Ice Palace is also a place where people live. So you don’t need to worry.”
“Yes.”
Before departing, we revealed Young Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin’s identity. After that, Jin-ho and his wife acted quite carefully around Young Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin.
Well, she’s the next leader of the place their mother-in-law or mother belongs to, so isn’t that natural?
Just then, I saw an inn ahead.
“Let’s stay there tonight and depart again tomorrow morning.”
We headed to that inn.
And,
“Huh?”
“Oh?”
I met a very welcome face there.
“Oh my! Isn’t it Deputy Merchant Lord Eun Seo-ho?”
“Deputy Merchant Lord Bok Yun!”
We exchanged greetings while smiling broadly.
“But what brings you all the way here? You came last year too.”
It was still quite far from the eight month, so it hadn’t even been a year yet.
“Well, due to circumstances, I’m on my way to the North Sea. Oh! Pardon my late introduction.”
I quickly introduced Jin-ho and Sister-in-law.
“I’m Bok Yun, Deputy Merchant Lord of Gwangjun Merchant Group and a friend of Deputy Merchant Lord Eun Seo-ho.”
“I’ve heard about you from Seo-ho. Nice to meet you.”
After briefly exchanging conversation like that, I spoke to introduce Young Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin.
“This young lady here is…”
“Gasp!”
But Deputy Merchant Lord Bok Yun’s reaction was different from my expectation.
“I greet the Young Palace Lord!”
Huh? How does he know?
“You know Young Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin?”
“Of course. Among those in the merchant world in Liaoning, there’s no one who doesn’t know the Young Palace Lord.”
Young Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin provided additional explanation.
“Due to North Sea Ice Palace’s geographical conditions, we’d be in trouble in many ways without the merchants. We receive a lot of help.”
Ah…
The situation finally made sense.
Though North Sea Ice Palace is a secluded place, the number of disciples there is by no means small.
Then the amount of necessary supplies wouldn’t be trivial either.
The Liaoning merchants probably purchase these on their behalf.
“So we at North Sea Ice Palace come as far as Liaoning to trade goods.”
Which begs the question.
“Then what does North Sea Ice Palace give in exchange?”
“Well, we pay money.”
“I mean…”
“You’re asking how we make money, right?”
At Bing Hae-rin’s question, I nodded.
“We sell specialties that only come from North Sea Ice Palace, and there’s also income earned through commissions.”
“I see.”
Just then, Deputy Merchant Lord Bok Yun spoke.
“The weather’s chilly. Let’s go inside and have some tea.”
We entered the inn.
Deputy Merchant Lord Bok Yun had come out for merchant business and was on his way back to Gwangjun Merchant Group.
“Actually, my father asked me to deliver a letter to the Merchant Lord, so I was on my way to stop by Gwangjun Merchant Group on the way to the North Sea.”
At my words, Deputy Merchant Lord Bok Yun brightened.
“That works out well. Let’s go together. Since you’d have to stay near Gwangjun Merchant Group again anyway no matter how fast you travel, please stay at our merchant group.”
I readily nodded.
“Then, I’ll impose on you.”
The next morning.
We headed to Gwangjun Merchant Group together with Deputy Merchant Lord Bok Yun.
The journey with him was pleasant.
I suddenly felt someone looking at me, so I turned my head to see Jin-ho looking at me with a pleased expression.
What? Why is he looking at me like that?
I found out the reason when we ate lunch.
“This is the first time I’ve seen you converse so happily. So you do have a friend.”
“Why are you saying it like it’s so novel?”
“Because it is novel.”
Jin-ho smiled and said.
“Since you were young, when you mingled with your peers, you never truly mingled.”
“…”
Well, even if I wanted to truly mingle, they weren’t the kind to do that with.
“But I’m happy you seem to have found a friend you can truly be with.”
Jin-ho’s expression was one of joy at seeing me get along well with a friend.
Is this… a brother’s heart?
.
.
.
We arrived at Gwangjun Merchant Group as the sun was setting.
“A face I haven’t seen in a while. Welcome.”
I politely greeted Merchant Lord Gwangjun.
“Thank you for welcoming us.”
I introduced Jin-ho and Sister-in-law to Merchant Lord Gwangjun. And as for Young Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin…
“What’s this? Isn’t this the Young Palace Lord?”
There was no need to introduce her.
After dinner, I arranged a separate seat with Deputy Merchant Lord Bok Yun to have tea.
It wasn’t particularly intentional, but as the conversation lengthened, everyone had returned to their lodgings.
Ah, there was something very important I almost forgot.
“Deputy Merchant Lord Bok Yun. I’m sorry to ask this favor, but… I’d like to borrow the whistle you lent me before just once more.”
It was a request I made hoping it’d be more comfortable and safe when passing through the grassland region.
But his expression was strange.
“It seems you don’t yet fully understand what the Young Palace Lord means in this region.”
“What do you mean by that…”
–TL Notes–
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If the eunuch’s first thought is to kidnap him,they’re not good enough to be helped