I continued speaking.
“The numbers don’t add up. I told you, didn’t I? I’m a merchant.”
“…”
“No matter how I look at it, hiring you is way more profitable for me. Does that clear things up?”
“Yes.”
“Then, will you accept my offer?”
At my words, he respectfully dropped down on one knee.
“Understood. I’ll trust you this once.”
He lifted his head and looked at me.
“Honestly, I couldn’t bring myself to trust you, Deputy Merchant Lord Eun. Given my circumstances, you can imagine why.”
“I understand.”
“The people I trusted have betrayed me a few times.”
Probably things like reporting him and turning him in.
“But there’s this one friend. We’re not exactly close or anything. He’s just the kind of busybody who can’t stand by and watch when I’m like this.”
He went on.
“He told me… that Deputy Merchant Lord Eun was someone I could trust. That if you ever offered to hire me, I should accept without a second thought, that I’d earn much more money and be far safer than working as a sailor.”
He let out a breath and continued.
“He said I had to survive to the very end if I ever wanted to go back to my family in my hometown.”
“…”
“I’ve never told anyone my story. But that guy figured it out.”
He kept talking.
“I think he’s too good to stay a sailor as well. I earnestly beg you, please hire him too.”
From the way he described him, the friend sounded like a pretty decent talent.
Someone quick on the uptake who looks after the people around them is never a bad pick.
And if even he, who can hardly trust anyone, is recommending the guy, that says a lot.
Well, I already planned to leave choosing the crew for the trade ship to him from the start anyway.
I helped him back to his feet and said,
“Do as you like.”
“Sir?”
“From what I know, you can’t run a ship unless everyone’s in sync. So I was already planning to leave the choice of crew for the trade ship up to you.”
Just then, I saw Escort Guard Lee Pil and Escort Guard Yeo Eung-am in the distance, walking over with bundles in their hands.
They came back faster than I thought.
“Then there’s only the final hurdle left.”
“What is it?”
“Meeting my father, the Merchant Lord of the Eunhae Merchant Group. So you should wash up and change into fresh clothes to show some sincerity.”
I took him to a nearby inn.
It was a place with private bathhouses where a person could wash alone.
There, I had him wash thoroughly with fragrant oils and put on the new clothes we’d just bought.
“Mm, now you actually look presentable.”
I nodded in satisfaction.
Maybe it’s just that clothes really do make the person, or maybe it’s because he used to be of high status.
“I’m not sure I deserve to wear such fine clothes.”
“This is an investment too, so don’t worry about it. Besides, haven’t you worn silk before?”
“Ah, that’s not it. Before… before my family fell, I wore silk every day.”
“Then what are you hesitating for? Hold your head high and straighten your back.”
I told him firmly.
“We’re not done yet. My father is a good man, but he’s still a merchant. So go in with the mindset of a warrior heading onto the battlefield.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
His eyes hardened with resolve. Good.
“And one more piece of advice: don’t lie to my father.”
“Sir?”
“You can just tell him everything honestly.”
He hesitated, studying my face, then finally nodded.
“Understood.”
“Then let’s go.”
I took him and headed for the Inn.
“Welcome.”
The big doorman at the entrance bowed deeply. The sight made Yong Eung-wan flinch.
“Those same guys who were just now threatening to throw me out…”
“This is the power of money.”
“Ah…”
My father happened to be drinking tea on the first floor, so we walked over to him.
“Father. This is the man I told you about.”
“Mm…”
Father lifted his head, met Yong Eung-wan’s eyes, then rose from his seat.
“Let’s go upstairs.”
“Yes.”
We went up to the second floor and headed for my father’s room.
But halfway there, Father suddenly turned around and spoke.
“Ah, Seo-ho. Do an errand for me.”
“Huh?”
Father took a letter from his robe and handed it to me.
“It’s a letter of thanks for their invitation.”
When the Number One Under Heaven Merchant Group sends you an invitation, it’s only proper etiquette to send a letter of thanks.
But isn’t that the kind of thing you usually send a deputy to deliver?
“I’ll have Deputy Yu deliver it.”
“Deputy Yu is busy right now, so you go yourself.”
“What?”
“Well? Why are you still standing there?”
Wait, no, Father…
He clearly wanted to cut off any chance of me eavesdropping.
Can’t be helped. Then I’ll just ask Escort Guard Jin Yu to…
“Ah, and we’re having dinner with your mother tonight. So bring her back with you on the way.”
“Understood.”
“In that case, it’s better to have more guards. Take all six of your escort guards with you.”
“…”
I sighed inwardly as I answered.
“Then I’ll be back.”
I scratched the back of my neck as I left the inn.
Father really got me there. This obviously meant he wanted to talk to Yong Eung-wan alone.
And that I was absolutely not to listen in.
Ugh.
“Hahahaha! As expected of the Merchant Lord.”
At my side, Palgap was grinning like he was enjoying a show.
“Whose side are you on, exactly?”
“Of course I’m on your side, Young Master.”
“Then why is my plan falling apart so funny to you?”
“Falling apart? What do you mean?”
“I was worried Father might not like Sailor Yong Eung-wan. That’s why I wanted to be there to help.”
“No way, that won’t happen. The Merchant Lord trusts you so much.”
Then Escort Guard Yeo Eung-am chuckled and added,
“From where I’m standing, that’s just a father being overprotective of his son. Hahaha.”
At that, Escort Guard Chang Un spoke up.
“Come on, how would you know that, Escort Guard Yeo? Only fathers understand a father’s heart.”
“Why wouldn’t I know? I’m a father.”
“…”
Well, true, only another father would understand a father’s heart.
That’s why they say people in the same situation sympathize… Wait, did I just hear something weird?
Escort Guard Yeo just said it. That he’s a father.
Which means…
My neck creaked as I slowly turned my head toward him.
“Huh? A father? No, more importantly, Escort Guard Yeo… are you married?”
If anything, I was relieved to see I wasn’t the only one stunned.
At my question, Escort Guard Yeo nodded.
“Yes. I’ve been married for ten years. My twin sons are nine, and my twin daughters are seven.”
“…”
“My twin daughters are real blessings! Hahaha! Not long after they were born, I became my lord’s escort guard.”
Palgap, the first to recover from the shock, asked,
“Wait, then why haven’t you ever said anything? I thought you were still a bachelor, Escort Guard Yeo.”
Everyone nodded at Palgap’s question. Escort Guard Yeo scratched his neck and said,
“There wasn’t really any need to bring it up… and no one ever asked?”
“…”
The service records listing the Eunpoong Division warriors’ personal details did not include marital status or family relations.
That was in case the records were ever leaked and used for something bad.
But if I’d really wanted to check, it wouldn’t have been hard to find out.
And judging from everyone’s reactions now, I probably could have learned it just by bringing it up once.
Which means I was being trash, wasn’t I?
Sigh…
Wearing an apologetic expression, I apologized.
“I was in the wrong. I should have asked beforehand…”
“Not at all.”
Yeo Eung-am shook his head as if to say it was fine.
“I’m already grateful you raised my monthly pay last time. Thanks to that, I was able to get a new house.”
Come on, if you put it like that, I… I…
Ugh.
“I’ll be more mindful from now on.”
I looked around at my escort guards and asked,
“There isn’t anyone else who’s married or has children that I don’t know about, right?”
At that moment, Escort Guard Seo Wu raised a hand.
“Go ahead.”
“It’s not that important, but my wife wrote that she’s pregnant.”
“What?”
Wait, so… Madam Hong Geum-so is pregnant?
No, that’s a huge deal, isn’t it?
Then why was I the last to know?
“The baby will probably be due sometime this winter.”
So she must have conceived around the Second or Third Month of this year, and by the time they confirmed it, I was in Nanzhou.
“So a letter came while I was gone.”
“Yes. When I got back, a letter had arrived with the news.”
“Congratulations.”
At my words, the others all offered their congratulations to Escort Guard Seo.
“Thank you, everyone, for the congratulations.”
I once again realized how indifferent I’d been as their lord.
Hoo… I should make sure I stay in Hubei as much as possible this winter.
“First, let’s head to the White Flame Merchant Group.”
“Yes.”
Anyway, Yong Eung-wan will handle himself well, right?
As long as he remembers my advice, he should be fine…
At that time.
In Merchant Lord Eun Gil-sang’s room at the Eunhae Merchant Group, there were only Eun Gil-sang, his escort guard, and Yong Eung-wan.
Just the three of them.
In truth, Eun Gil-sang had wanted to speak with Yong Eung-wan alone, but his escort guard refused to give way, so he had no choice.
The reason he wanted a private talk with Yong Eung-wan was, frankly, because he was worried about Eun Seo-ho.
Up to now, Eun Seo-ho’s choices of personnel had been excellent.
But trade through sea voyages was a harsh business. If a bad choice of crew led to Seo-ho’s disappointment…
So he wanted to confirm things with his own eyes.
Besides, there was always the chance this was some force trying to undermine their merchant group…
Lately, factions trying to keep the Eunhae Merchant Group in check had been watching for an opening.
“What is your name?”
“Yong Eung-wan.”
“…You’re not a subject of the Empire.”
At that remark, Yong Eung-wan flinched, but then calmly nodded.
“That’s right.”
He recalled Eun Seo-ho’s advice: don’t lie to his father.
And that he should trust him and answer honestly.
“Where are you from?”
“I’m from the Great Yue Kingdom.”
“The Great Yue Kingdom… I see. Then how did someone from Great Yue come all the way to the Empire?”
“Because I was a slave, and by a stroke of luck, I managed to escape.”
“…”
Eun Gil-sang was silent for a moment before he spoke again.
“A slave?”
“Yes.”
He told his whole story just as it had happened.
“…And while I was waiting for the next voyage, the Deputy Merchant Lord came to find me. He said he would pay the redemption price for my family if I agreed to help him.”
“So you decided to do as Seo-ho said?”
“At first, I didn’t believe him. I’d already been betrayed several times. But… then I learned he was called the Handsome Young Hero.”
At that answer, Eun Gil-sang asked,
“So that’s when you believed him?”
“No, not exactly.”
“Then what?”
“I asked him why he didn’t turn me in, even after learning about me. He asked how much he’d get for reporting me.”
Yong Eung-wan let out a faint, self-mocking laugh.
“When I said they’d give fifty silver taels, he said, ‘That’s all?’ and that going all the way down there just to report me would be a loss instead.”
“And that’s why you decided to trust him?”
“Yes.”
“Doesn’t it anger you that he talked about profit, knowing your situation?”
“He convinced me in the best possible way.”
“…”
“If he’d said something like he pitied me too much to report me, I’d never have believed him. Cheap sympathy and sentiment… profit is much more real than that.”
Hearing that, Eun Gil-sang felt he had a grasp of what kind of man Yong Eung-wan was.
He was colder and more clear-headed than he’d expected.
The years he’d lived through had probably made him that way.
“If someone offered you more money to work with them instead, what would you do?”
“How could I answer that right now? I can’t give you a definite answer.”
“Still, out of courtesy, most would at least say they’d refuse.”
“This meeting wasn’t arranged so you could test my courtesy, was it?”
At that reply, a thought suddenly struck Eun Gil-sang.
He’s a bit like Seo-ho.
Everyone Eun Seo-ho had brought to him so far had resembled Seo-ho in some way.
Do you only bring people like you? Or do they end up resembling you after they follow you?
He didn’t know the answer.
Still, he wasn’t someone with a rotten core, and that was what mattered.
“I see.”
He nodded.
If Seo-ho recommended him so confidently, then his abilities were surely the real thing.
Eun Seo-ho didn’t know it, but in the book passed down through generations of Merchant Lords was a request from the founding Merchant Lord: that they always ask one particular question of anyone entrusted with trade.
[When you give someone ten thousand catties of tea and ask what they will buy after selling it, the answer of a person suited to trade will be…]
Eun Gil-sang asked Yong Eung-wan,
“If I gave you ten thousand catties of tea, what would you bring back after selling it?”
“Your question is wrong.”
“What?”
“You didn’t say what kind of tea you’d be giving me ten thousand catties of, nor did you say where I’d be selling it.”
[He will say that the question is wrong.]
Eun Gil-sang nodded.
As expected of Seo-ho. He really picks them well.
But Yong Eung-wan’s answer didn’t end there.
–TL Notes–
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