The next day came.
After breakfast, I sipped my tea and asked Escort Guard Yeo Eung-am,
“How are those guards holding up?”
He let out a small chuckle at my question and answered.
“They’re practically dying out there.”
What I ordered for the five guards who had skipped duty to go drinking was a three-part basic training regimen.
That three-part basic training is what every Escort Guard in the Eunpoong Division is supposed to do every single day.
Running, push-ups, and holding a horse stance for as long as possible.
It’s training meant to build stamina and raw strength.
All three together are supposed to take about two hours a day, and anything beyond that is up to them.
But among the Escort Guards under me, not a single one stops at just that.
Even after reaching the Peak realm, they still devoted at least four hours a day to basic training when just the bare minimum would have been enough.
Anyway, I did order those five to do basic training, but just doing it normally wouldn’t teach them anything.
So I had them strap about eighty kilos’ worth of iron to their arms, legs, and waist while they trained.
That’s about as heavy as a big sack of rice.
A normal person wouldn’t last even an hour under that, but it’s a different story for Escort Guards who practice martial arts.
You think I’m going too far?
When I was training, I used to carry nearly twice that weight, so I know they won’t die from eighty kilos or so.
“As for how much time each of them has to train…”
But the way they looked at me was like they were staring at some kind of demon.
So I ordered them to do each of the three exercises for four hours.
Honestly, I had been planning to make it three hours each, but I got hurt by those looks on their faces.
I’m a lot more sensitive than I look; things like that really get to me.
Anyway, with twelve full hours of training a day, their lives have become the ideal routine for an Escort Guard: eat and train, all day long.
“Still, after a few days they’ll get used to it and it’ll be manageable.”
“That’s true, but I still don’t understand.”
“Understand what?”
“Why did you give those guards a chance to grow?”
At a glance, what I ordered might look like punishment, but as Escort Guard Yeo Eung-am said, it’s also a chance for them to grow.
From the moment I sent the message until new guards arrive will be about a month.
If they train the way I told them to during that time, they’ll definitely be stronger than they are now.
That’s why Escort Guard Yeo asked me that question.
“What do you think will be going through their heads while they carry out my orders? At first, they’re going to curse me nonstop.”
That much is obvious.
They’re being punished for their own mistake, but when people are struggling they always look for someone to blame, and usually that someone is someone else.
So of course they’ll badmouth me.
“But I don’t mind. Hiring people and then expecting not to be cursed at is just wishful thinking.”
No matter how well I try to treat my employees, it’s impossible to have zero complaints.
Plenty will be grateful for what I do for them, but there will always be some who still grumble and want more.
Still, if those guards have even half a brain, they’ll eventually realize what I was trying to do and feel grateful.
And if they still don’t get it later… well, I can always force them to understand.
“But Young Master, didn’t you extend their training time just because your feelings were hurt?”
“…”
I cleared my throat at Palgap’s comment, and Escort Guard Yeo spoke up to him.
“Palgap, you rascal.”
“Yes?”
“Times like this are when you’re supposed to read the room.”
“Of course. Hehe. I’ll be sure to ‘read the room.’”
Palgap is actually incredibly quick on the uptake, but whenever it’s time to tease me he always pretends he isn’t.
“Anyway, once they go through training that harsh, their minds will eventually go blank, and in the end they’ll start reflecting on themselves.”
“That’s true.”
“Then they’ll become disciplined, elite Escort Guards loyal to the Merchant Group.”
I continued.
“And if they actually see results from that training, they’ll push themselves even harder. A loyal Escort Guard who strives to get stronger is incredibly valuable to any Merchant Group.”
“I can’t help but admire your foresight, my lord.”
“And watching them roll around in misery will serve as a warning to everyone else.”
“And it’ll also crank up Young Master’s fearsome reputation.”
“…”
Palgap…
I was about to say something when Palgap grinned and said,
“It’s about time you headed out.”
Sigh…
I shook my head and stood up, leaving our temporary quarters.
My destination was the Sebin Merchant Group’s annex, where the Merchant Lord’s grandson, Young Master In Gye-seong, was staying.
The Sebin Merchant Group’s main compound was in Beijing, but just like the Hebei Peng Clan, they kept it about a day’s distance away from the Imperial Palace.
However, since they often needed to coordinate closely with the palace, they maintained a separate annex nearby.
For this Imperial Poetry Competition, the Emperor had roped in the Sebin Merchant Group, but since both the Merchant Lord and the Deputy Merchant Lord were too busy, I heard Young Master In Gye-seong had been put in charge.
Normally, for such a grand event hosted by the Imperial Family, the Merchant Lord would have had to come in person. But thanks to the Emperor’s consideration, outstanding members from the Merchant Lord’s direct line were selected instead.
That order had probably been given with me in mind.
As I approached the Sebin Merchant Group’s annex, an attendant who had clearly been waiting for me rushed over.
“Are you Deputy Merchant Lord Eun Seo-ho?”
“Yes.”
“Young Master ordered that I bring you inside right away. Please follow me.”
The attendant’s attitude was downright reverent.
We followed his lead into the annex.
It was called an annex, but its scale was impressive. Guess that’s what you’d expect from the greatest merchant group under Heaven.
In the reception room, fine tea and expensive snacks were already laid out.
After we enjoyed the refreshments for a bit, Young Master In Gye-seong came into the reception room.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“Not at all! The snacks were so good I didn’t even notice the time passing.”
“I’m glad they suited your taste. I’ll have some wrapped up for you when you leave.”
We chatted comfortably for a while.
The reason we’d met today was to discuss preparations for the upcoming Imperial Poetry Competition.
Of course, the final decisions would be made after talking with the Ministry of Revenue, but it was better if we ironed things out between ourselves first.
There’s nothing more disgraceful than merchants raising their voices and turning red in front of Ministry officials.
“It’s an honor to be working with the hero of the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Gathering like this.”
I quickly waved my hand.
“Come on, Young Master In, not you too. I just happened to be lucky enough to save some lives. You’re praising me so much it’s embarrassing.”
“You’re allowed to be proud of it. Ever since you saved my grandfather’s life, I’ve known what kind of person you are, Deputy Merchant Lord. I also knew you’d one day be famous as a hero.”
He was talking about the incident when Geun-seong had disguised themself as Deputy Merchant Lord Bok Yun and tried to take Merchant Lord In Gang-su’s life.
The culprit back then was the Yeong Family Trading House.
All because of a conflict over an inkstone quarry, if I remember right.
Young Master In Gye-seong went on.
“My grandfather and father also told me to cooperate with you as much as possible, Deputy Merchant Lord Eun. I’m personally grateful to you as well.”
“I only did what I did because that incident involved a close friend.”
At my words, Young Master In laughed and said,
“At this rate we’ll spend the whole day trading compliments and modesty. Hahaha. I’d better be the first to stop.”
A wise choice.
“First, let’s talk about the competition venue…”
Like that, we began carefully working through the details, making plans step by step.
“Our biggest problem really is the judges. Since this is hosted by the Imperial Family, all the so-called top poets from around Beijing will gather here.”
It was the most sensitive part.
They could give higher scores just because someone is their own disciple, or lower scores just because the contestant is a disciple of someone they dislike.
“We need to focus on making the judging as fair as possible.”
“But we can’t ignore their reputations either.”
As we discussed the issue, a clever idea suddenly came to me.
“Ah! How about this?”
“I’m all ears.”
“We turn the judges’ chairs so their backs face whoever is reciting the poem.”
“But they could still recognize who’s who by their voices.”
“I’ve thought of a way to prevent that too. Have someone else read the poems aloud on their behalf.”
“That’s an excellent idea.”
After we finished coordinating our ideas, we went to the Ministry of Revenue the next day.
Ever since the incident when I was left waiting to be ‘broken in as a merchant’ by an official there, the Ministry’s officials had stopped pulling that stunt.
We had the Eastern Depot to thank for that; thinking back on it, I still feel very grateful to them.
On top of that, this business was related to a competition personally ordered by the Emperor. Even if it weren’t me, anyone who tried that kind of trick now would lose their head on the spot.
We followed a Ministry official to a meeting room, and various discussions followed.
The day of the poetry competition was drawing ever closer.
.
.
.
The day of the Imperial Poetry Competition finally dawned.
Just as I’d predicted, money was flooding through Beijing thanks to the competition.
In particular, inns, restaurants, and shops selling brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones were booming.
People coming from other regions had to stay in Beijing and eat while they were here, after all.
And many of them were buying high-quality writing supplies specifically for the competition.
Because this Imperial Poetry Competition had been put together in a rush, unfortunately the participants had to be limited to poets from Beijing and nearby areas.
Still, given the purpose of this competition, we had to be satisfied with this much for now.
If this Imperial Poetry Competition ended in success, the next one would be a grand event drawing poets from all across the empire.
And when that happened, our Merchant Group and my master’s escort bureau would both get a nice share of the leftovers…
Just thinking about it made me happy.
There was, however, an unexpected sector also enjoying a golden age thanks to this poetry competition.
The taverns and wine houses.
Honestly, I don’t know if people need a drink first to get into the mood to recite poetry, or if reciting poetry makes them want to drink, but still…
Well, they might as well drink their fill while they can.
Soon enough, a prohibition decree would be coming down anyway.
The famine was already severe, and by this coming spring it would reach a point where the state could barely cope.
I looked over the competition grounds.
Crowds of people were pouring into the venue.
Four contestants would step up at a time to compete, separated from each other by cross-shaped partitions forming a ten character.
That way, they couldn’t see who the others were, though the surrounding spectators could.
And the judges’ chairs were turned so their backs faced the competitors.
Then the host stepped forward and announced,
“First, we give our thanks to His Majesty the Emperor, who has graced this place with his presence…”
That was right.
Not only the Emperor and Empress, but a large number of imperial family members were seated here today.
Thanks to that, this promised to be excellent entertainment.
“Now, allow me to introduce those who will be judging the poetry today.”
The judges we’d chosen were people anyone would acknowledge.
They were eminent Grand Scholars or figures renowned for their poetry.
We had also invited the Zhuge Clan’s Grand Elder to sit as a judge. When I asked, the Grand Elder had been delighted.
He had rushed over from Mount Bokryong without delay.
They paid their respects to His Majesty, then took their seats at the judges’ table.
“Your Majesty, all preparations are complete.”
“Then begin.”
At the Emperor’s command, the host called out,
“Then from this moment, we begin the First Imperial Poetry Competition!”
The first group’s round began.
The Emperor drew two slips of paper from the box beside him—the poem’s themes were chosen randomly.
“The themes for the first group are ‘trees’ and ‘the moon.’”
“Begin!”
A bell rang, and at the same time, incense was lit. The time limit was the length of that stick of incense, about fifteen minutes.
After a short while, the incense burned down.
Daaang—!
At the sound of the bell, the contestants took their hands off their papers and handed them to the assistant hosts.
The assistants quickly skimmed the note written at the top.
Each contestant could choose what kind of person they wanted to read their poem for them.
They couldn’t pick a specific individual, but they could choose the reader’s gender and age group.
Since the mood of a poem can change drastically depending on who’s reciting it, that choice mattered quite a bit.
Once the recitations were finished, the judges gave their scores.
With the Emperor and the imperial family in attendance, the judges didn’t dare assign scores based on personal feelings.
Even if they wanted to, they didn’t know who was who, so it wasn’t possible anyway.
As the competition went on like that, it was finally Chu Il-gong’s turn.
Feeling like an ox being led to the slaughterhouse, he climbed onto the platform and took his assigned spot.
The spectators who recognized him began to buzz with excitement.
“Oh! Even the Graceful Verse Wanderer is competing?”
“We get to hear the Graceful Verse Wanderer’s poetry in person? What an honor!”
Chu Il-gong had earned the title “Graceful Verse Wanderer” for composing beautiful poems, and his fame was steadily growing.
Naturally, the crowd’s interest surged, and their anticipation only grew at the thought of hearing his graceful verses soon.
Chu Il-gong looked out at the audience.
His mouth had gone completely dry.
In the distance, the damned friend who had submitted the application form on his behalf was waving enthusiastically in support.
“You can do it! Go spread your name to the whole world! Hahaha!”
Chu Il-gong bit down hard on his lip.
“Please just shut up!”
He wanted nothing more than to march over there and punch that friend just once.
–TL Notes–
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