At my words, Shopkeeper Wi Jun-deok blinked a few times, looking like he’d lost his tongue for a moment.
Then he pulled himself together and asked me,
“Did I just hear you say ‘taverns’ in the plural?”
“Yes. You heard right.”
“Then just how many are you thinking of acquiring?”
At that, I smiled as I answered.
“I haven’t decided that yet. It’ll depend on how negotiations go and how things look.”
“As you know, Deputy Merchant Lord, taking over a tavern is a bigger deal than it sounds.”
Shopkeeper Wi went on.
“The taverns here have taken heavy losses because of the prohibition order. And in a famine that no one knows how long will drag on, it also means you’re choosing to shoulder deficits that will just keep growing.”
Just like he said, taking over taverns in Hangzhou right now wasn’t just about signing the papers.
The real problems started after the acquisition.
That was exactly why places that would almost never go on the market were suddenly up for sale.
In other words, this was the perfect time to buy taverns.
“I understand what you’re worried about, Shopkeeper Wi. But it’s not like I’m saying this without thinking it through.”
“Of course I know that. I just can’t help worrying…”
I smiled and spoke gently.
“I’m grateful you’re worried about me.”
“Phew… By the way, does anyone else know about your plan, Deputy Merchant Lord?”
I shook my head at that.
“No one. You’re the first person I’ve told, Shopkeeper Wi.”
At that, he looked moved, then spoke in a solemn tone.
“I must live up to your trust, Deputy Merchant Lord. So, what would you have me do?”
“Just tell me each tavern’s situation.”
I was a merchant who pursued profit to the very end.
So of course I had to buy taverns as cheaply as possible compared to what they were worth.
“First, among the taverns in Hangzhou, which one is in the best shape?”
“Huh?”
Shopkeeper Wi looked puzzled.
“You don’t mean the one doing the worst, but the one doing the best?”
“Right. I’m planning to start negotiations there.”
“May I ask why?”
“The places in the worst shape would be the easiest to buy, but that just makes things harder later.”
I continued.
“No one in Hangzhou is more sensitive to rumors than tavern owners. So if they see taverns being taken over one by one, they’ll start feeling a real sense of crisis.”
“That’s certainly true.”
“Do you think the house masters of the taverns around West Lake are ordinary? You can’t run a tavern without serious backbone. Which means there’s a good chance they’ll band together and dig in.”
“I suppose so.”
“So that’s the weakness I’m aiming for. If I target the tavern in the best condition first and buy that one, what do you think the other owners will start thinking?”
At my words, Shopkeeper Wi slapped his knee as if something had clicked.
“Ah, I see! They’ll think, ‘That place sold? If we keep holding out, we’re just going to lose even more.’”
“Exactly.”
“I’ve learned something new from you again, Deputy Merchant Lord.”
“I’m embarrassed to hear that. I’m only repeating what I learned from my father and older brothers.”
At my modest reply, he nodded with a pleased expression.
“Let me think… The tavern in the best shape right now would be that one.”
.
.
.
After wrapping up my talk with Shopkeeper Wi, I headed back toward Yangyang Martial Hall.
“Young Master, I’ve made up my mind again today.”
“About what?”
“I am never turning you into my enemy, Young Master.”
“What are you talking about? Why would you make me your enemy? Don’t tell me you’re thinking of quitting as my attendant?”
At my question, Palgap practically jumped as he shouted.
“Absolutely not! I meant you’re that scary, Young Master.”
At that, the Escort Guards and Lady Seohyang all nodded as if they agreed.
“Since when am I scary…”
Grumbling, I reached out to stroke Geumryeong, then stopped halfway.
I suddenly had the feeling Geumryeong would shiver.
“Enough nonsense, let’s hurry back and get some sleep.”
.
.
.
The next day, I headed to one of the taverns by West Lake.
Clear Wave Pavilion (淸波樓).
It was one of the taverns that had survived the five-year great famine in my previous life.
That was how good their food was here, and how high their courtesans’ level was.
So it made sense this place was considered to be in the best shape among the taverns in Hangzhou.
As we arrived, Palgap asked,
“Huh? Isn’t this where we came before?”
“Yeah.”
When we came last time, I brought everyone up to the fifth floor and treated them to the house’s special course.
“I still remember the magnificent view of West Lake we saw back then.”
At Escort Guard Seo Wu’s words, the other three Escort Guards nodded.
But Escort Guard Myeong Jong, Escort Guard Chang Un, and Lady Seohyang couldn’t relate.
Naturally so, since our paths hadn’t crossed yet at that time.
That was fine.
We could always make new memories to share.
As we approached the tavern, a server hurried over to greet us.
“Have you come to dine? Then please, allow me to show you to Clear Wave Pavilion!”
Hm, I liked this server already.
Very proactive.
“Do you have any seats on the fifth floor right now?”
“Of course!”
He quickly led us up to the fifth floor.
“Wow…”
The view from the fifth floor drew exclamations from Escort Guard Myeong Jong, Escort Guard Chang Un, and Lady Seohyang.
Even the ones who had been here before couldn’t help marveling again.
Well, the sight of West Lake from here was the kind that impressed you no matter how many times you saw it.
“May I take your order?”
Without even glancing at the menu the server handed me, I answered decisively,
“We’ll have the house special.”
“Understood. And what kind of tea would you like?”
Even though this was a tavern, thanks to the prohibition he only asked about tea instead of drinks.
I left the tea choice to him as well.
“Bring us the tea you recommend.”
“Thank you. I’ll have everything prepared right away.”
I took out some silver taels and said,
“I’ll pay in advance. And may I ask a personal favor?”
“Of course.”
I asked him to have some food delivered to Yangyang Martial Hall.
He brightened and nodded.
“Ah, you’re that gentleman. Wasn’t it about two years ago you asked us to deliver food to Yangyang Martial Hall?”
“That’s right. You’ve got a good memory.”
The server scratched his head.
“Not really. It was just such a rare request. It’s not often someone asks us to send out that much tavern food at once.”
“That’s true.”
“You’re truly a generous person. Please wait just a moment. We’ll start preparing the food right away.”
“I’d appreciate it if you could bring the tea up first.”
“Understood.”
With that, the server went downstairs, and I stepped over to stand by the balcony railing.
West Lake spread wide and open before my eyes.
The scenery shifting from the Fifth Month into the Sixth had a different feel from when I’d seen it before.
People were living and dying over the famine, and this tavern was barely keeping its doors open, but the view of West Lake stayed painfully beautiful as ever.
“If we can, let’s come again in autumn. That’s when we can taste osmanthus Dragon Well tea made with fresh osmanthus blossoms.”
Escort Guard Lee Pil nodded at my words.
“It’s something I really wanted to let the two Escort Guards and Deputy Gwak taste as well.”
The other Escort Guards nodded at that.
“Honestly, I think you all ought to thank the heavens every day for meeting a lord like our Young Master.”
At Palgap’s comment, Escort Guard Seo Wu said,
“That’s why we already set out clear water every morning and pray for our lord’s long, healthy life. Surely you’re doing the same, Palgap?”
Palgap flailed in a panic at that.
“O–of course I’m doing that too!”
“You are?”
I asked with a laugh.
“Funny, I haven’t seen it.”
“Ahem, ahem, a real man’s prayers aren’t something you casually show other people.”
We all burst out laughing.
Now that I thought about it, Palgap had another natural enemy besides Geumryeong – Escort Guard Seo Wu.
Well, Seo Wu wasn’t exactly an ordinary person.
Soon, the house specials were brought out.
They tasted almost exactly like they had last time.
In other words, they were still delicious.
No wonder they managed to survive even that brutal drought.
After we finished eating, I pulled the bell cord to call the server.
“Did you enjoy your meal?”
“It was as good as ever. Please convey my thanks to your head cook.”
“Certainly.”
“Also, is this tavern’s house mistress here right now? I’d like to meet her.”
At my question, the server’s eyes changed.
“Do you wish to see the house mistress as a guest?”
“No.”
“Truly not?”
He was reacting far more sharply than necessary to the mention of meeting the house mistress.
What was that about?
Just then, Palgap sidled closer and told me quietly,
“I heard the house mistress of Clear Wave Pavilion is Hangzhou’s number one beauty.”
“Oh, right.”
I nodded as I spoke.
“I knew that, but it slipped my mind.”
Only then did I grasp why the server reacted that way. This was a tavern that employed courtesans.
And its house mistress was herself an exceptional courtesan.
But a good number of the customers coming here couldn’t properly tell courtesans from common prostitutes.
So the servers had probably suffered plenty at the hands of troublesome guests like that.
Besides, in taverns or brothels like this, there were always strict rules and conditions for even meeting the house mistress.
The server tilted his head as he studied us.
He probably couldn’t tell whether I’d meant what I said or was just trying to throw him off.
Then Palgap spoke up to the server.
“Our Young Master isn’t particularly interested in women. He just wants to meet the house mistress to talk business.”
“Is that really so?”
“It is. If our Young Master were interested, he’d have called in the courtesans the moment we arrived and told them to liven the place up. Wouldn’t he?”
“Hm, that’s true. You have a point.”
“Ah, but that doesn’t mean our Young Master is a eunuch or anything. Please don’t misunderstand.”
Hey, Pa… Palgap.
Did you really have to say that last part?
Lady Seohyang is right next to us… This is seriously embarrassing.
While I was cringing inside, the server turned back to me and said,
“I’ll go inform the house mistress.”
After the server went downstairs, I said to Palgap,
“Palgap, even if you were trying to defend me, that last line was…”
“What line?”
One look at his completely innocent face, and any desire to press him just evaporated.
And repeating those words out loud myself felt a bit wrong too…
“…Nothing. Forget it.”
After a short wait, the same server from before came up to us and said,
“The house mistress has agreed to meet you. I’ll show you to her room.”
I followed the server downstairs.
Her room was on the third floor, with an escort guard standing watch at the door.
“This is the gentleman I mentioned earlier who wishes to meet the house mistress.”
Come to think of it, I hadn’t given my name yet.
I addressed the Escort Guard.
“I’m the Eunhae Merchant Group’s Deputy Merchant Lord, Eun Seo-ho.”
At that, the Escort Guard’s eyes widened slightly, and he called inside,
“House Mistress, Deputy Merchant Lord Eun Seo-ho you wished to meet has arrived.”
“Please, show him in.”
Clack.
The door opened, and I stepped inside.
I felt like I could already tell what kind of person she was. The room, with nothing unnecessary in it, spoke of a frugal nature.
At the same time, she herself was dressed with great care.
Maybe that was why her beauty, already remarkable, shone even brighter.
The title of Hangzhou’s number one beauty certainly wasn’t wasted on her.
“Welcome. I’m Cheongpa, house mistress of Clear Wave Pavilion.”
So the tavern’s name had been taken from her stage name.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m the Eunhae Merchant Group’s Deputy Merchant Lord, Eun Seo-ho.”
“I’ve long heard of your reputation. They say you’re called the Handsome Young Hero.”
“…”
Even here, there was no escaping that ridiculous title.
“Please, have a seat. Would you like some tea?”
“I’m fine. I just ate my fill, there’s no room left in me even for a cup of tea.”
“It sounds like our Clear Wave Pavilion’s food suited your taste.”
“Yes, very much.”
She got straight to the point.
“For what reason did you wish to see this humble woman? I heard you wanted to discuss business.”
“That’s right.”
I readily nodded.
“I won’t beat around the bush. I want to acquire this tavern.”
“Pardon?”
“I said, I want to acquire this tavern.”
She looked at me curiously and asked,
“May I ask why? I know there are several taverns officially up for sale. But we’ve never put this place on the market, so why would you say that?”
“When someone wants to buy something, doesn’t that mean they like it?”
“You mean you like this tavern?”
“That’s right. I like everything about this tavern. Which means, I like you as its house mistress as well.”
“Excuse me?”
At that, she looked flustered and bit her lip.
Ah, that could be taken the wrong way.
“What I mean is, I like how you run this tavern. I’m only thinking of holding the ownership.”
“I see.”
Thankfully, it seemed the misunderstanding had cleared.
“…I’ll think it over.”
It wasn’t a negative answer, but it wasn’t exactly a yes either.
Still, the fact she hadn’t rejected me outright meant her situation was definitely precarious.
But if I pushed any harder now, I might provoke resistance and make things worse.
Maybe I should leave it here for today.
“Then I’ll take my leave. I hope I’ll hear a favorable answer.”
I went down to the first floor. My companions were already there waiting for me.
They could’ve just stayed on the fifth floor.
“Please go safely.”
I started to leave the tavern, seeing the server off as he bowed me out. Or rather, I tried to.
Thud.
–TL Notes–
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