I poked Dae-seok in the ribs in response to that question.
“Yes, of course.”
“Is this salt… real salt?”
“Of course! Would the officials from the prefecture office be here helping us if it were fake?”
Only then did it seem a little more convincing. People started lining up.
Still not quite enough, though.
Just as I was thinking about how to really fire up the crowd, the constables chimed in.
“Geez! Why’s everyone so suspicious? We told you it’s real salt!”
“Once we give it all away, that’s it, so hurry and get yours!”
“This event’s been approved by Lord Ji-hyeon, you know.”
“The Eunhae Merchant Group made a big decision after hearing people were struggling to get salt.”
The constables cut in at just the right moment.
Guess greasing their palms early paid off.
Thanks to their words, the hesitant crowd moved faster, and the event heated up quickly.
As we handed out the salt, we didn’t forget to promote the merchant group.
“This salt is being given out for free by the Eunhae Merchant Group!”
And those who tried to get in line twice… I caught them.
“You were the hundred twentieth person to come today, weren’t you?”
“Hrm, hrm…”
“Other folks need salt too.”
The man glanced at the constables and Eunpoong Division’s escorts standing nearby, swallowed hard, and ran off in a hurry.
There’s always someone trying to be sneaky.
Then I spotted a group watching us from afar.
I cheered inwardly.
They were the very reason I chose to hold today’s free salt event here and now.
“I’ll go grab some water real quick.”
I slipped away and pretended to drink water, then gave Palgap a little tap on the foot.
Quick to catch on, Palgap spoke up to me.
“Still, I hope this helps people even just a little.”
That line was one I’d asked him to say in advance.
To draw their attention.
“Honestly, it won’t be nearly enough.”
I continued,
“Salt prices have risen way too high, and there’s no way a single merchant group can help everyone.”
“That’s true.”
“But if we can bring even a bit of a smile to people’s faces, that’s enough.”
We exchanged that conversation while pretending not to notice the onlookers.
And sure enough, one of them approached me.
If he’s the man I think he is, there’s no way he’d ignore what I just said.
Looks like I’ve got his attention.
A man who looked to be in his fifties, plain in appearance, called out to me.
“Hey there, young man.”
“Yes, sir. You called?”
I answered politely.
“Are you with the Eunhae Merchant Group?”
“Yes, I am.”
“And what’s your position?”
“The Merchant Lord of the Eunhae Merchant Group is my father.”
“I see.”
He nodded.
“You know how much salt costs these days, right?”
“Of course.”
“And it doesn’t feel like a waste? To give away salt like this?”
“Not at all.”
“…You know the price and still say it’s not a waste? The price will keep going up. You could make even more profit if you sold it later…”
He asked, clearly puzzled.
“That’s probably true.”
“You are a merchant, aren’t you? If you’re a merchant, then—”
“Of course, merchants are people who’d even stake their lives for profit. I’m no different. But this situation is a little different.”
“Different?”
He tilted his head at my words.
“Our merchant group owes its profits to the common people. And right now, people are suffering because of salt. Especially those in difficult circumstances.”
I went on.
“So we’re just sharing some of that profit.”
“Sharing profit?”
“Merchants and the people have a symbiotic relationship. If that balance breaks on one side, the other suffers too. That’s why we’re just doing what we can to maintain it.”
I laughed.
“We’re doing this because it benefits our merchant group. Like I said before, I’m a merchant.”
“You’re a strange kind of merchant.”
“Maybe so.”
“And the Eunhae Merchant Group… that’s a strange kind of group.”
“Hahaha. My father would love to hear that.”
At my casual remark, the man smiled faintly and nodded.
“Thank you for answering my foolish questions.”
“Not at all.”
He slowly walked back to join his group. After observing for a bit, they left.
Good. Looks like I left a solid impression.
With this, I’d achieved one of today’s main goals here.
The salt giveaway wasn’t just about raising public awareness of the merchant group.
Leaving a good impression on that particular man was equally important.
Like I said, I move for profit.
I’m not a philanthropist.
But the things I told him weren’t lies.
The belief that merchants and the people live together in mutual dependence is something I’ve always held.
I just chose the words that would appeal to him most.
“By the way… who is that man? Why’d you tell me to say those things?”
Palgap whispered, and I answered in a low voice too.
“You’ll find out later.”
I couldn’t say anything now. Too many ears around.
That man’s name is Jin U-rim (珍優林).
He’s the Merchant Lord of the Salt Balance Merchant Group (鹽平商團), a royal merchant group established by the Emperor to manage salt monopoly.
He’s been traveling the Central Plains with the Emperor’s direct order to investigate salt prices.
And I knew he’d be here today.
He once spoke about an incident that happened when he came to Sichuan for a Ten Great Merchant Group meeting in the future—and I remember it clearly.
A merchant group wiped out overnight by the furious Emperor.
Late at night, a group walked through the streets of Sichuan’s capital.
They were Jin U-rim, Merchant Lord of the Salt Balance Merchant Group, and his escorts.
Because of the current salt crisis, the Emperor had decided to establish a merchant group under his direct command to control the salt trade.
The Salt Balance Merchant Group had already been formed, and Jin U-rim was appointed as its Merchant Lord.
He shared a deep connection with the Emperor.
Back when the current Emperor was on his way to Beijing to claim the throne, many forces were targeting him.
But there were too few protectors to match the number of enemies, so traveling in secret was the only option.
And the one who helped him during that struggle was Jin U-rim.
He willingly let the disguised Emperor join his escort party.
Thanks to his help, the Emperor safely ascended to the throne.
The Emperor never forgot that debt, and when he formed the royal merchant group, he appointed Jin U-rim as its Merchant Lord.
Because a salt monopoly involved massive profits, it required someone who wouldn’t be swayed by bribes or lavish gifts.
To the Emperor, Jin U-rim was someone he could trust.
The Salt Distribution Act—the law instituting the salt monopoly—hadn’t been officially announced yet.
But the groundwork was already in motion.
One of the key steps was verifying salt prices firsthand, and since Sichuan was a producer of rock salt, Jin U-rim had come in person.
There wasn’t much time left.
Which was why he was still out and about this late at night.
As he walked, Jin U-rim suddenly let out a quiet chuckle. His deputy asked,
“Remembering something pleasant, sir?”
“Ah, I was just thinking about that young man from the Eunhae Merchant Group we saw earlier.”
“The one from the merchant group handing out salt for free?”
“That’s right.”
Jin U-rim nodded.
“To think they’d give out salt for free in times like these! That’s a bold group indeed.”
“I felt the same. And that conversation with the young man—it was meaningful.”
He continued,
“He said that sharing profits with the people is part of the symbiosis between merchants and the people.”
“He didn’t even look like he’d reached twenty yet. Remarkable for someone that young to say such things.”
“He must’ve learned that from his father, the Merchant Lord. That’s likely why he speaks that way.”
“You seem quite taken with him.”
“I thought—this is a group that knows how to handle salt properly.”
Even with the salt monopoly, it would be impossible for the Salt Balance Merchant Group to supply all of the Central Plains on their own.
That’s where salt retailers came in.
The Emperor planned to grant licenses to a select few merchant groups, allowing only them to handle salt transactions.
And he had entrusted Jin U-rim with selecting those qualified groups.
Jin U-rim believed that even if he sold salt at a fair price, if the retailers manipulated the prices, the salt monopoly would be meaningless.
So he intended to issue retail licenses only to merchant groups that wouldn’t play tricks with salt prices.
Thanks to today’s event, the Eunhae Merchant Group was added to that list of candidates.
A group led by someone with such sound thinking certainly deserved to be considered.
And then—
“Ambush!”
The guards surrounding Jin U-rim shouted, drawing their swords.
A group of masked figures in black clothes suddenly appeared, surrounding them. It was clear at a glance they weren’t few in number.
The ambush happened so quickly that Jin U-rim was momentarily stunned.
But he soon regained his composure and shouted at the masked attackers.
“What is the meaning of this?! I move under the Emperor’s command! This is an affront to His Majesty himself!”
But the masked figures paid no heed and began their assault.
‘Damn it!’
Jin U-rim realized something immediately.
These people knew exactly who he was.
And still they came. That meant they intended to kill everyone—to leave no survivors.
That way, there’d be no repercussions.
Their attacks had no mercy in them.
Among Jin U-rim’s party were not only his personal guards but also warriors from the Embroidered Guard sent by the Emperor.
But numbers couldn’t be overcome by skill alone.
Gradually, Jin U-rim’s group began to be pushed back, and soon they were on the brink of collapse.
In fact, there’d been word of an assassination plot against him.
That’s why the Emperor had sent ten warriors from the Embroidered Guard for his protection.
But since a high-profile entourage would only draw attention, especially when investigating salt prices and scouting for suitable retailers, Jin U-rim had chosen to keep the escort to a minimum.
And now, they were paying the price.
‘Ahh! Is this how I die? I regret not bringing all of the Emperor’s Embroidered Guard with me!’
Jin U-rim had a strong suspicion about who was behind the attack.
He had a few ideas—one of them had to be responsible.
Then, one of the Embroidered Guard warriors approached, panting heavily, and whispered,
“I’ll open a path no matter what. Merchant Lord, please escape while you have the chance.”
“But you…”
The man gave a bitter smile.
“Please tell His Majesty… I’m sorry I couldn’t fulfill my duty.”
He gripped his sword tightly, as if resolved.
Then it happened.
Thwack—!
Thud—!
Throwing knives embedded themselves into the hands of the attackers.
“Urgh!”
“Guh!”
In the midst of the sudden confusion, a bright young voice rang out.
“Attacking in masks—doesn’t exactly scream good intentions, does it?”
“We’ll be arresting all of you!”
I knew Jin U-rim’s group was going to be attacked.
I just didn’t know the exact time or place.
Only that it’d happen near the outskirts of Chengdu.
So I planted people in the area, and when the signal came from the one stationed here, I rushed over immediately.
In my past life, Merchant Lord Jin was gravely wounded but survived.
Thanks to the sacrifice of an Embroidered Guard warrior.
But surviving through someone else’s death is a sad thing. It’s a burden you carry for life.
I’ve experienced that kind of guilt before—I know that feeling all too well.
I didn’t want anyone to die, so I hurried.
Thankfully, no one died.
If I’d known exactly when the ambush would happen, it would’ve been right to warn him ahead of time—but I didn’t.
Even if I had, changing the future might’ve led to Jin U-rim’s death instead.
Just as I expected, it was better to intervene only when the crisis became real.
Clang—!
Clack-clack—!
The sharp clash of cold steel gradually faded as the fighting ended and every attacker was subdued.
The constables I’d brought along—who I’d promised drinks to as a reward for their help—were gleeful at having caught a big one tonight.
“Thank goodness. That ended well.”
“Thanks, Sister Hyang-ok.”
“Oh please, as a disciple of Mount Emei, I couldn’t just stand by while something unjust happened.”
Among those with me were my two cousins and Hyang-ok.
They needed to be seen here.
With my cousins, I approached Merchant Lord Jin U-rim and cupped my fists.
“We meet again. Are you alright?”
“Ah, thanks to you, I’m safe.”
“Do you recognize any of these men?”
I asked, pointing to the masked attackers. Jin U-rim shook his head.
“I know there are some who’ve been targeting me… but I don’t know exactly who these people are.”
–TL Notes–
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