The Assistant Director readily agreed to my request.
Then he went around telling people, with a little extra embellishment, how we had retrieved the Soul-Enslaving Incense from the Blood Claw Pirates and smashed it apart in the process.
This was not coming from someone in the Eunhae Merchant Group, but from the Assistant Director, an official of the Imperial Palace.
That gave our story credibility, and the tale began spreading throughout Nanjing and the surrounding area in no time.
Meanwhile, at my request, we prepared a vivid storytelling session from the former pirates.
It was the same kind of training we had already conducted once in Hubei for the officers of the Eunhae Merchant Group’s merchant ships.
Since the former pirates had gone through it once before, they told their stories with far more flair than last time.
And that brought about another result.
Deputy Merchant Lord Song of the Changhae Merchant Group came to see me.
“You must be busy with only a few days left before departure. What brings you here?”
“I heard. They said you punished the pirates who used the Soul-Enslaving Incense.”
“Ah, yes. That’s right.”
I spoke as though I felt a little embarrassed.
“Has word of that already reached your ears, Deputy Merchant Lord Song?”
“Of course. The rumor is already everywhere nearby.”
Deputy Merchant Lord Song continued with a bright expression.
“You’ve done something truly significant. The Blood Claw Pirates have harmed more people than I can count.”
“Has the Changhae Merchant Group suffered losses at their hands as well?”
“Of course. You have no idea how frustrating it was, having no proper way to deal with them…”
“Then I’m glad I was able to resolve that problem for you.”
And just like that, I’ve earned even more of Deputy Merchant Lord Song’s favor.
“Thank you. I…”
Deputy Merchant Lord Song trailed off as though he had something more to say.
“Please, speak freely.”
“I came to you, Deputy Merchant Lord Eun, because I have a concern. To be honest, our military strength is not especially impressive.”
“What do you mean? If the Changhae Merchant Group’s military strength were that lacking, how could you have sailed such dangerous seas until now?”
At my words, he shook his head.
“Our trade has never been on such a large scale, so we’ve somehow managed to endure until now. But from now on, more people will covet what we have, and that will make things very dangerous.”
He continued.
“So I wanted to ask, during this trade voyage, could you protect the Changhae Merchant Group?”
“You mean the Eunhae Merchant Group?”
“Yes.”
“Then you’ve come to the wrong person. My eldest brother is the one responsible for the merchant ships.”
Of course, I had authority as well, but the hierarchy still had to be made clear.
That was necessary if Brother Jeong-ho was going to become Merchant Lord without instability.
At my words, Deputy Merchant Lord Song smiled and said,
“Of course, I went to Deputy Merchant Lord Eun Jeong-ho first. But he told me, ‘Please go see my younger brother.’”
“I-I see.”
Damn you, Brother…
He quickly continued.
“Ah! Of course, I am not asking you to do this without compensation. We will give you a portion of our group’s profits.”
In truth, since the Eunhae Merchant Group’s ships would be traveling alongside the other merchant groups, if pirates appeared, we would have no choice but to fight together.
Deputy Merchant Lord Song knew that too.
What he wanted was for us to pay a little more attention to them and help them first when danger came.
“How much of your profits are you thinking of giving us?”
“We will give you twenty percent.”
Twenty percent?
He was more desperate than I expected.
We would have to pay them a little more attention, but if we could receive twenty percent of their profits, this was by no means a losing deal.
“Very well. I’ll discuss this with our people and give you a final answer.”
I immediately gathered Brother Jeong-ho, Captain Yong, Navigator Song, and the other working-level people to discuss it.
“That much won’t be difficult.”
“Additional allowances will be paid accordingly.”
“Then we should do it.”
The moment I mentioned additional allowances, their eyes began sparkling.
During our first trade voyage last time, the allowances paid to them had been quite substantial.
In Navigator Song’s case, I heard he had bought himself a house with that money.
The other sailors had also managed to earn a proper share.
And so, we drew up a contract stating that the Eunhae Merchant Group would also protect the Changhae Merchant Group.
That day, I went to see Brother Jeong-ho.
There was something I needed to make clear.
“Brother Jeong-ho.”
“What?”
“You could’ve just handled it at your level. Why send him to me?”
At my complaint, Brother Jeong-ho gave a small laugh.
“The Eunpoong Archery Division was your creation, wasn’t it? And you were the one who dealt with the Blood Claw Pirates this time too. I can’t take credit for what you did.”
“It’s fine. Don’t worry about that sort of thing. Just handle it yourself. I didn’t act for my own personal benefit. I moved for the Eunhae Merchant Group’s interests.”
I continued.
“And when you do things like this, you give other people room to think certain things. I don’t want there to be any room for doubt when you become Merchant Lord.”
At my words, Brother Jeong-ho quietly stared at me.
“Wh-what? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“You little…”
Brother Jeong-ho reached out and ruffled my hair.
“Ah, Brother! Do you know how hard it is to fix my hair again?”
.
.
.
The Changhae Merchant Group was not the only merchant group that came to the Eunhae Merchant Group.
The people in charge of the other merchant groups also came and requested protection for their ships.
I asked them to give us twenty percent of their profits as well, and they readily accepted my proposal.
“If pirates catch us, they’ll take all our goods, and the sailors will either be killed or reduced to slaves.”
“If twenty percent is what it takes to prevent that, then so be it.”
“Exactly. That’s only right.”
Because of that, the Eunhae Merchant Group’s merchant ship ended up sailing at the very front.
When I asked Captain Yong if that was all right, he grinned and answered,
“It’s good. We get recognition and money at the same time. Isn’t that killing two birds with one stone?”
As expected, a capable man was still a capable man.
At last, the day of departure arrived.
Every ship was loaded full of goods for trade.
Then the Assistant Director offered the ritual on everyone’s behalf and burned the prayer text, sending it up to the heavens.
Everyone smiled brightly as they watched it rise high into the sky.
“It’s an auspicious sign!”
“This trade voyage will return safely too!”
The sailors exchanged farewells with the people and boarded their respective ships.
“Then, I’ll be off.”
“Please take care of yourself.”
“Have a safe journey. I wish all of you great fortune in trade.”
At my words, Captain Yong nodded, then looked toward the Assistant Director.
The Assistant Director was aboard the same ship as Captain Yong.
“Shall we depart?”
“Do so.”
Captain Yong shouted.
“Set sail!”
At that, a man with a powerful voice repeated the order several times.
“Set sail! Set sail! Set sail!”
Bwoooooo!
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
The sound of horn trumpets and drums rang out noisily as the ships began to move.
They’ll safely bring back another good profit this time too.
After all, we prepared thoroughly for exactly that.
– Kui!
Seeing Geumryeong’s reaction, I found myself looking forward to it.
“Brother.”
I turned my head toward Brother Jeong-ho and said,
“You said you’re going to Beijing too, right?”
“That’s right. I need to check on the silk delivery situation and handle a few things.”
“Perfect.”
I grinned.
I already had something that would make me busy as soon as I returned to Beijing, and here was someone who could do my work for me.
Seeing my expression, Brother Jeong-ho flinched and took a step back.
“What is it? Why are you smiling like that?”
“Ahem, what do you mean?”
“Is this about establishing the Martial Arts Academy?”
“…!”
I flinched.
How did he know?
“You brat, I’m not going to Beijing just because of the silk. Father told me to help you.”
“Huh?”
“He said the existing Beijing Branch work must already be keeping you busy, and if you try to run around establishing a Martial Arts Academy on top of that, you’ll definitely be overwhelmed.”
“…”
As expected of Father.
No matter how quickly ideas came to me and how efficiently I handled work, I still couldn’t beat Father’s years of experience.
Then, suddenly, a thought came to me.
The illness Father had suffered from in my previous life.
After Father passed the Merchant Lord position to Brother Jeong-ho, his condition had rapidly worsened.
I had somehow found Black Flute Physician and asked him to treat Father, but it had already been too late.
Looking back on it now, the illness must have begun even before Father handed over the Merchant Lord position to Brother Jeong-ho.
There was no urgent need to rush yet, but I could not afford to lower my guard.
We sent people ahead to the inn to prepare things, then headed for the Provincial Command Office.
Before leaving for Beijing, we had to pay our respects to Lord Ak, the Provincial Commander.
And for the establishment of the Martial Arts Academy, I needed to meet Lord Ak anyway.
We were guided to the Reception Room of the Provincial Command Office, and after waiting there for a short while, Lord Ak arrived.
“We greet you, my lord.”
“We greet you, my lord.”
He accepted our greetings and took his seat.
“Sit comfortably.”
“Thank you.”
“So, did the fleet depart safely?”
“Yes. It is all thanks to how thoroughly you looked after everything, my lord.”
At Brother Jeong-ho’s answer, he laughed heartily.
“They are people who came here under His Majesty the Emperor’s command, are they not? Naturally, I merely cared for them with all due sincerity.”
A mindset befitting an upright official.
No wonder the Emperor seemed pleased every time he saw him.
Then Lord Ak looked at me and said,
“And if the fleet departed safely, shouldn’t the credit go more to you than to me?”
“Pardon?”
“I heard. They said the Eunhae Merchant Group stepped forward and wiped out the Blood Claw Pirates.”
“We tend to avoid showing pointless mercy to those who dare touch our merchant group… so I unintentionally ended up acting somewhat audaciously.”
For now, I answered modestly.
Lord Ak did not seem displeased, but one never knew.
If he decided my power could become a threat to the Emperor, he was the kind of man who would step forward at any time.
“Hahahaha!”
Lord Ak laughed boldly.
“You are exactly as His Majesty described.”
“Pardon?”
“There is no need to worry. I know well that you intend to use that power to support His Majesty the Emperor.”
Just what exactly did the Emperor say about me…?
For now, I showed humility.
“I am only grateful that you understand my heart so well.”
“You even solved one of my headaches, so if anything, I should be the one thanking you.”
It was not that Lord Ak lacked the martial strength to deal with those pirates.
The problem was simply that they were pirates.
No one knew when or where they would appear, and they fled here and there by ship.
That was why my guards and I had carefully planned everything and infiltrated their ship.
“Since I received something from you, it is only right that I pay the proper price in return. Is there anything you want?”
That was the question I had been waiting for.
Still, should I politely refuse once first?
“What do you mean, my lord? We merely dealt with those who interfered with His Majesty the Emperor’s command by daring to touch our merchant group.”
“Of course, I know your loyalty well. Even so, what must be settled should be settled.”
The reason Lord Ak had earned His Majesty the Emperor’s trust and risen smoothly as an official for so long.
His background was good and his personal martial strength was outstanding, but above all, his calculations were precise.
“In that case, please grant me one request.”
“Tell me.”
“Please recommend someone from the Shandong Ak Clan who can teach spear arts.”
“Spear arts? I heard you use a sword.”
“It is not for me to learn.”
I shook my head.
“To be honest, I intend to establish a Martial Arts Academy in Beijing.”
“A Martial Arts Academy…”
“Yes. In Beijing, the Eunhae Merchant Group operates a place called Apricot Blossom Academy. But that place is only for academic study. I believe that creates an imbalance.”
“What is the purpose of this Martial Arts Academy?”
“The same as Apricot Blossom Academy. To help people succeed and make names for themselves.”
“When you say succeed and make names for themselves?”
“Yes. Its purpose is to train those with exceptional martial talent and produce outstanding military officials.”
At my words, Lord Ak smiled.
“Well then, the competition for the martial examination will rise. And if more outstanding talents pass the martial examination, that means the nation’s defenses will become stronger.”
He continued.
“Good. However, I have one condition.”
“What is it?”
“Receive His Majesty the Emperor’s approval. You already know that to establish a Martial Arts Academy in Beijing, His Majesty’s approval is necessary, do you not?”
“Of course.”
A Martial Arts Academy was not quite the same as a clan or sect, but it was still an organization where martial artists gathered.
For that reason, in Beijing, a Martial Arts Academy could only be established after receiving His Majesty the Emperor’s approval.
“If you receive His Majesty the Emperor’s approval, my family will support you with two excellent instructors.”
“Thank you.”
With this, the spear arts instructor was handled.
The next morning.
The Eunhae Merchant Group’s people and I headed for Beijing.
On the way, we passed near Rabbit-Rump Mountain, which had collapsed in the landslide last time. Since it was an official road, it had already been repaired quickly.
Thanks to that, we were able to arrive comfortably in Beijing as scheduled.
“Welcome back.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
The people of the Beijing Branch came out to greet Brother Jeong-ho and me.
We each headed to our quarters.
After washing clean, I threw myself onto the bed.
Ugh! This is nice.
A bed really is the best.
But I didn’t have time to lie around like this. There was work that had piled up while I was gone…
And I had to handle matters related to establishing the Martial Arts Academy…
But my eyelids slowly began to grow heavy.
Still, I did have a little time. Maybe I could sleep for a bit? Should I wake up after about two hours?
That was when it happened.
“Young Master!”
At that moment, the door flew open.
“Huh? Wh-what is it?”
“Warrior Jin Yeong has arrived, sir.”
“…”
My sleep vanished in an instant.
Sigh. As if rest has ever existed in my fate…
A short while later.
I headed to the Reception Room and met Warrior Jin Yeong.
“I greet you, Jin Yeong.”
“It has been a while.”
“Yes, it has been too long.”
“Last time, His Majesty the Emperor sent a eunuch to summon you, but I was told you had left for the North Sea in the meantime.”
Ah…
That must have been when I went to the North Sea Ice Palace because of the Ice-Fire Conference.
It was a good thing I listened to Young Lady Seohyang.
“My apologies. I had an urgent matter…”
“I am not trying to blame you. I know well enough that you are a busy man.”
“Thank you.”
“We must go straight to the Imperial Palace. His Majesty the Emperor is calling for you.”
This time, I was glad to receive the Emperor’s summons.
After all, there was something I needed to wring… no, receive from him as compensation for this matter.
–TL Notes–
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