Eun Gil-sang still tilted his head curiously as he examined the puppet in the box she’d brought.
The puppet, about the size of his forearm, was crafted with impressive precision. Dressed and adorned with fine silk, it even gave off an air of luxury.
“This actually isn’t the first one he made. He originally made one because he wanted to give it to his little sister. So he made another.”
She smiled and wound up the gears on the puppet.
“Don’t be too surprised.”
No sooner had she spoken than the puppet began to dance on its own.
“Gasp!”
So much for not being surprised—Eun Gil-sang was clearly taken aback.
“I was shocked too, honestly.”
Still smiling, she continued.
“Would this be good enough to satisfy Lord Song—or rather, the Commissioner of Land Affairs’s wife?”
“Of course. And at this level…”
“I know. The potential for this item is incredible. Which means you’ll need to put in some effort, Merchant Lord.”
Eun Gil-sang immediately understood what Pavilion Lord Yeon was implying.
“You mean we’ll need the recipient’s permission.”
“Yes, if possible, we should avoid offending a high-ranking noble’s sensibilities.”
“Understood. I’ll arrange a proper meeting and visit.”
And so, they discussed the steps to follow.
Time passed again, and the puppet began to dance once more.
“Still, I can’t believe a ten-year-old made something like this! He’s a genius, no doubt about it!”
At that, Yeon Dami chuckled.
“Of course the kid who made this is a genius! That’s an undeniable fact. But.”
Her face turned serious.
“In my eyes, the real genius is someone else.”
“You of all people saying that? Now I’m really curious who you mean.”
“The Youngest Young Master.”
“…What?”
She pulled out a contract from her sleeve and handed it over.
It was a contract regarding the puppet—and the signature at the bottom was Eun Seo-ho’s.
“Why does Seo-ho’s signature appear here?”
“He already signed a contract with the artisan. So technically, the Youngest Young Master is the puppet maker’s employer.”
“What?”
Looking at Eun Gil-sang, she continued.
“So I had to negotiate with the Young Master. It wasn’t easy. I had to make a lot of concessions. But once the negotiations ended, a thought crossed my mind.”
Her voice turned solemn.
“If it’s Young Master Seo-ho… maybe he really can turn our merchant group into the best in the world.”
We’d arrived at the Eunhae Merchant Group.
But just because we were back didn’t mean the escort journey was over.
Everyone still had to review, finalize, and report their assigned duties, so things remained hectic.
Thankfully, the Finance Pavilion, which I belonged to, didn’t have too much on its plate this time.
Because the payout to the Changin Escort Bureau was so large, they were coming to collect it themselves instead of us delivering it.
Which meant all we had to do was settle the expenses incurred during the escort mission.
Of course, before that, I needed to report verbally to Chief Administrator Yu, head of the Finance Pavilion, that we’d returned.
Only after submitting the written report as well would the escort mission officially be over.
I chuckled, recalling how, in my past life, I went straight to Father after returning and got scolded for skipping protocol.
“Palgap.”
“Yes, did you call, Young Master?”
“I need to head to the Finance Pavilion, so please escort Artisan Gong’s family to the Guest Pavilion.”
“Understood.”
Within the merchant group, we had a separate building known as the Guest Pavilion for visiting clients and guests.
I wanted to let them stay there until Father was informed and a proper lodging could be arranged.
Leaving them at an inn could risk something unfortunate—like someone shady trying to take them away.
But since I wasn’t yet the Pavilion Lord, I couldn’t make that decision on my own. So I subtly hinted at it to Pavilion Lord Yeon.
“Even if they’re important contributors to the group, putting them up in the Guest Pavilion might be a bit much, no?”
Pavilion Lord Yeon leapt up in protest.
“What are you saying? Of course they should stay in the Guest Pavilion! I’ll speak to the Merchant Lord and Pavilion Lord of Operations myself.”
Pavilion Lord Yeon had the authority, and thanks to her, they were allowed to stay in the Guest Pavilion.
“You’re not coming with us, Young Master?”
Gong Lae looked up at me and asked. I placed a hand on her head and said,
“I’d love to go with you, but I’ve got work to do.”
“Then you better go.”
“Hm?”
“The grown-ups said if you want to be a decent person, you have to work.”
Gong Lae spoke firmly, and I laughed softly.
“You’re sharp. Already thinking like that. It won’t take too long. It’s customary to take a break after returning from escort duty to recover from travel fatigue.”
Then I offered a martial bow to Artisan Gong.
“I should be escorting you to the Guest Pavilion, but please forgive me.”
“Not at all. We’re perfectly fine. Don’t worry about us.”
“Then I’ll see you later.”
I then personally thanked Master, Squad Leader Jeong Chung, and the others one by one.
The clerks and low-ranking warriors of the group were startled and flustered.
“The Young Master’s thanking us personally?”
“You don’t need to do that!”
But expressing thanks was necessary.
It might seem small, but neglecting the small things would make for a rough path in business.
“Now then, shall we go?”
“Yes, let’s.”
Gong Lae waved at me.
“See you later, Young Master!”
I headed toward the Finance Pavilion with Clerk Im Gyeong-bin.
“Young Master and Clerk Im, welcome back!”
“Did you just return from escort duty?”
Welcomed warmly by the other clerks, we exchanged greetings as we entered.
“Is the Chief Administrator inside?”
At my question, the clerks nodded.
“Yes, he should be.”
“Go on in.”
We made our way to Chief Administrator Yu’s office and stepped inside.
“Clerk of the Finance Pavilion, Im Gyeong-bin, reporting return from escort mission.”
“Special Trainee of the Finance Pavilion, Eun Seo-ho, reporting return from escort mission.”
At our report, Chief Administrator Yu finally lifted his head and looked at us.
His eyes were sunken with exhaustion.
And beside him, my desk was piled high with work.
Seeing that, I had a bad feeling.
“Well done, Clerk Im Gyeong-bin, and Young Master.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Thank you.”
“Any noteworthy incidents?”
To that, Clerk Im Gyeong-bin responded.
“There are a few things.”
“Report them.”
At that, Clerk Im Gyeong-bin promptly gave a brief account of what had happened during the escort mission.
As he listened, Chief Administrator Yu glanced at me with a peculiar expression.
“So you’re saying you suggested to Chieftain Jang that he clear the snow from the mountain pass and openly collect tolls, and that’s how you earned a merit?”
“It just sort of turned out that way.”
Of course, the real reason I earned merit was something else entirely—but now wasn’t the time to reveal that.
“You brought in an artisan capable of making the puppet Lord Song requested?”
“I was lucky.”
It was the very reason we’d gone to Jiangxi, but publicly, we needed to present it as sheer luck.
“You… swept the Jinkyeon Merchant Group aside, is that right?”
“They brought it upon themselves.”
I may have manipulated things a bit, but if they’d been a righteous group to begin with, they wouldn’t have self-destructed like that.
“Anything else to report?”
Both Clerk Im and I shook our heads.
“No, sir.”
“Nothing from me either.”
“Sigh… In any case, well done.”
Chief Administrator Yu pressed his fingers against his brow and said,
“Go get some rest for today, and submit a written report about the escort mission tomorrow.”
I nearly cheered at that.
But then—
“And, Young Master.”
“Yes?”
“Normally, after an escort mission, it’s customary to rest the day of return and resume work the next day… However, there’s just too much work piled up. So I’d like you to begin now.”
My delight was short-lived.
Why is it that bad feelings never seem to miss?
“Come to think of it, it’s about time we were summoned.”
Just then—
Deputy Jo Yeong-yeong’s voice rang from outside.
“The Merchant Lord requests the presence of Chief Administrator Yu and the Third Young Master. You should head to the Eunwol Pavilion now.”
At that, Chief Administrator Yu rose from his seat and said,
“Let’s go.”
.
.
.
A short while later,
I was seated at the Eunwol Pavilion with everyone’s attention on me.
Father spoke.
“I’ve already heard a rough summary from Pavilion Lord Yeon. You secured an artisan capable of making the puppet and brought him under your command?”
“That’s correct.”
At that, Pavilion Lord Jeok of the Operations Pavilion spoke.
“But is this self-dancing puppet really possible?”
To that question, Father nodded.
“Seeing is believing. You should witness it yourself.”
At Father’s signal, Pavilion Lord Yeon took the puppet from the box.
The puppet Gong Mil had made at the inn became Gong Lae’s.
It wasn’t the very first puppet he made, but it was the first created with the intent to make something beautiful. And he’d said he wanted to give it to his little sister first—I couldn’t say no to that.
The one before us now was the second puppet he crafted afterward.
Pavilion Lord Yeon wound the mechanism on the puppet’s back.
“Whoa!”
“Oh-ho!”
“Gasp!”
As the puppet began to dance, Chief Administrator Yu, Pavilion Lord Jeok Byeong-cheol, and External Chief Administrator Go Il-pyeong were all startled.
“What do you think? Will it be to that lady’s liking?”
At Father’s question, everyone nodded.
“Absolutely.”
“This is truly ingenious!”
“But it’s a real shame to offer it solely as a tribute.”
Chief Administrator Yu, who’d recognized the puppet’s value, looked regretful.
Pavilion Lord Yeon nodded.
“I thought the same, and the Merchant Lord agreed with me. So we’re planning to sell it.”
External Chief Administrator Go Il-pyeong looked skeptical.
“The puppet is fascinating, yes, but it just dances on its own… Will it really sell?”
The others seemed to agree, nodding along.
But having lived through my previous life, I could say it with certainty.
It’ll sell like crazy.
“Father, may I say a word?”
“Go ahead.”
“Certainly, the puppet’s only function is dancing. But what if owning that puppet became a matter of prestige?”
“…?”
“That puppet will reach the Commissioner of Land Affairs’s wife through Lord Song. That means other noblewomen will soon see it. And do you think they’ll just sit by after that?”
“Ah!”
“If the puppet gains the reputation of being something all noble ladies covet, what do you think will happen to its value?”
“Indeed! That makes sense.”
Pavilion Lord Jeok nodded.
“But there’s an issue.”
Chief Administrator Yu continued.
“People will try to replicate and sell copies of this puppet.”
“Ah…”
“That would be a problem.”
At that concern, I gave a confident smirk.
“Replicate it? Let them try.”
If even I couldn’t replicate it, who else could?
“Even if someone does manage it, by then a new trend will have already replaced it.”
At my words, Pavilion Lord Yeon’s eyes lit up.
“Which means… that little artisan will make something new?”
“As Gong Mil’s employer, I guarantee it. You won’t be disappointed.”
At that, Father laughed and said,
“Well, that’s an exciting thought. But let’s save that for later. First, we need to settle this matter of presenting the puppet. Summon Lord Song, and we’ll discuss productization tomorrow.”
“Understood.”
Pavilion Lord Yeon nodded.
“And Seo-ho.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Well done. Thanks to you, the Eunhae Merchant Group avoided a major loss and now stands to earn a significant profit.”
“I simply did what had to be done.”
Then Father moved straight to discussing housing arrangements for Artisan Gong’s family.
The conclusion was simple.
They’d be given one of the detached houses on the estate.
“Any other matters to discuss?”
“None.”
“Then we can adj—”
I cut in quickly before he could finish. My business wasn’t over yet.
“Father, I have something to report.”
“What is it?”
“This matter needs to be kept confidential.”
Father looked to the others, and they all nodded.
This included not just him but also Internal Chief Administrator Yu So-ak, External Chief Administrator Go Il-pyeong, and the four Pavilion Lords—they were all deeply bonded. (TL Note: The author keeps using different titles for Yu So-ak, he’s the Pavilion Lord of the Finance Pavilion, but also the Chief Administrator for Eunhae Merchant Group and, finally, he’s also the Internal Chief Administrator… No wonder he died of overwork)
In my past life, not one of them ever betrayed or harmed the merchant group.
That’s why I could speak freely now.
“What is it?”
“The truth is… I made a secret pact with Chieftain Jang of Odon Mountain.”
–TL Notes–
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