I headed for Chaotian Palace.
I couldn't be certain why the Crown Prince had summoned me, but I had a fairly good idea.
When I entered his office, I found the Crown Prince sitting behind his desk, busy with his work.
“This humble merchant pays his respects to Your Highness…”
“Sit.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Once I took my seat, the Crown Prince sat across from me and studied my face.
His gaze was unmistakably different from the one I'd seen before.
There was something in those eyes that reminded me of the Emperor, and I instinctively tensed, steeling myself for what was coming.
“Deputy Merchant Lord Eun. You really do know how to make yourself expensive.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“You think that was a compliment?”
“A merchant is naturally happiest when the cards in his hand become more valuable. If I take Your Highness's words at face value, you're saying the card I'm holding is worth quite a lot. How could I not be pleased?”
“I can't say anything around you, can I?”
The Crown Prince grumbled.
“So, what do I need to give you?”
“I'm afraid I don't understand what Your Highness means.”
“Haah, I suppose I'll have to say it first.”
The Crown Prince shook his head before continuing.
“My contract with the supplier providing tea to Chaotian Palace has ended. They weren't particularly good to begin with, so I've been thinking of replacing them. I intend to give the Eunhae Merchant Group the right to supply my tea.”
“What would Your Highness have this humble merchant do?”
“I need an exceptionally sharp blade. Can you find one for me?”
A sharp blade.
He wasn't literally asking me to find him a famous sword.
He wanted me to eliminate the Murim Alliance's agents secretly operating inside Chaotian Palace.
Before, I'd told the Crown Prince to handle the matter himself, but this changed things.
The right to supply tea to Chaotian Palace was extremely valuable.
It wasn't quite on the scale of the Imperial Palace, but Chaotian Palace was still large enough to surpass the estate of an imperial prince.
And naturally, the people working in a place like this weren't drinking the same sort of tea ordinary citizens bought.
The financial profit alone would be tremendous, and the value as a means of publicity was even greater.
Being able to say that we supplied Chaotian Palace would practically serve as proof of our credibility and reputation.
I lightly cupped my fist and spoke.
“This humble merchant will find Your Highness an exceptionally sharp blade.”
“That's what I wanted to hear. I'll be counting on you.”
It would be a little troublesome, but there was still plenty of time before our departure.
For a reward like that, I could afford to hustle a little.
Besides, I'd already thought of how I wanted to handle it.
I immediately sent the Crown Prince a Voice Transmission.
– Your Highness. In that case, I have a favor to ask.
“…?”
Through Voice Transmission, I asked the Crown Prince for several things.
* * *
Not long after Eun Seo-ho left the Crown Prince's office.
The Crown Prince suddenly burst into a hearty laugh without even realizing it.
“Hahahaha!”
Eunuch Jang could only stare at him with wide eyes.
“Now I understand why Father said Deputy Merchant Lord Eun was so aggravating.”
“What do you mean, Your Highness?”
“He already had the solution worked out in his head. And yet he sat there pretending he didn't know a thing.”
From the Crown Prince's words, Eunuch Jang quickly pieced together what had happened.
Deputy Merchant Lord Eun Seo-ho was a martial artist, so he must have given the Crown Prince his solution through Voice Transmission.
“That sounds like him. Deputy Merchant Lord Eun Seo-ho is a capable merchant, after all. He was probably trying to increase his own value as much as possible.”
“I know. He's been good at making himself valuable ever since I first met him. He's so damn capable that I want to make him an official. If he were in government service, I could keep him by my side and pile work onto him without feeling the slightest bit guilty. His salary would already be his compensation, after all.”
“Perhaps Deputy Merchant Lord Eun Seo-ho avoids becoming an official precisely because he knows that.”
Eunuch Jang continued.
“Compared to the money Deputy Merchant Lord Eun Seo-ho earns, an official's salary would be practically worthless. Do you truly think a man who loves money as much as he does could ever be satisfied with an official's stipend?”
“Probably not.”
The Crown Prince nodded.
“If I'm already this tempted, imagine how Father must feel. Yet Father continues to let him remain a merchant, which must mean he believes that's more useful in the long run. If that's his judgment, then I suppose I should follow Father's intentions as well.”
“I agree, Your Highness.”
“But I still can't resist the urge to tease him.”
A broad grin spread across the Crown Prince's lips.
‘Though I'd better know when to stop.’
Hwangbo Hwi, the man who had advised him to use Eun Seo-ho as an adviser, had given him a warning.
“I'm sure you'll find that fellow interesting and tempting to use, but don't push him too hard or work him like a mule. If he simply runs away, you'll be lucky. Push him too far, and he might bite.”
That was probably why the Emperor also made sure to use Eun Seo-ho only within reasonable limits.
And now it was time to set things in motion exactly as Eun Seo-ho had requested.
“Eunuch Jang.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“We still have some of Eunuch A-jeong's belongings left, don't we?”
“Ah, yes. We only sent away the important items, so there are still a few things remaining.”
“Then set aside one suitable item. And find a discreet palace maid who's good with her hands and assign her to my bedchamber.”
“As you command.”
* * *
I was at the harbor.
I'd come as soon as word arrived that the Eunhae Merchant Group's merchant ships had reached the city.
Ships flying the Eunhae Merchant Group's flags were making their way upriver.
One after another, they pulled alongside the docks, and temporary gangplanks were laid down.
Thud!
The Eunhae Merchant Group's Supervisors came down the gangplanks, followed by four captains.
They approached me, cupped their fists, and greeted me.
“Greetings, Deputy Merchant Lord.”
“You've had a long journey. Let's discuss the details after you've washed up and filled your stomachs.”
“Yes, Deputy Merchant Lord.”
As we headed toward the inn, I spotted Captain Yong walking over to his brother.
The two brothers finally had a chance to catch up after their long separation.
A short while later.
Everyone who had arrived by ship had washed up and gathered around the tables inside the inn.
“What a feast! Thank you, Deputy Merchant Lord.”
“You're all going to be working hard from now on. This is the least I can do.”
Thanks to my special order, the tables before us were practically groaning beneath the extravagant spread of food.
At that moment, one of the Supervisors spoke.
“I don't know why, but I can't shake the feeling that we're cattle being fed well before being put to work.”
I answered him playfully.
“You've got sharp instincts.”
“Gasp!”
“Hahaha. I'm joking.”
And so we ate, drank, and talked together.
“Ah, by the way, how are Inner Chief Administrator Yu and Deputy Jo doing? I imagine they're fairly disappointed that their wedding had to be postponed.”
Inner Chief Administrator Yu So-ak and Deputy Jo Yeong-yeong had originally been scheduled to marry in the Third Month of this year.
However, the earthquake in Sichuan had forced them to postpone the ceremony.
Deputy Jo's father had been dispatched to Sichuan, and his return had been delayed.
It wasn't as though the bride's father had passed away. He was simply delayed because of his duties, so they couldn't very well hold the wedding without him.
Come to think of it, the Prohibition Decree should have been lifted by this point… but it was taking longer than I'd expected.
Still, there was no reason to view that negatively.
In my previous life, the Prohibition Decree had been lifted in order to soothe an angry populace.
In this life, however, overall public sentiment wasn't particularly bad, so there was no need for the government to rush into lifting the decree.
I found it rather satisfying that most of the changes caused by my interference were turning out for the better.
Both the delay in lifting the Prohibition Decree and the postponement of Inner Chief Administrator Yu So-ak and Deputy Jo Yeong-yeong's marriage were ultimately thanks to me.
Of course, I couldn't claim that every consequence of the future I'd changed would turn out for the better, but expecting that would be far too idealistic.
An older Supervisor answered me.
“You don't need to worry too much. They'll probably hold the ceremony almost immediately after your own wedding, Deputy Merchant Lord.”
“I see.”
In that case, I'd be able to give them a worthwhile wedding gift.
“How is construction progressing on Hainan Island?”
There was also an imperial naval base being built on Hainan Island, but what I was asking about was the Eunhae Merchant Group's home port.
Captain Yong understood immediately and answered.
“Yes. Construction is proceeding very smoothly, and the locals have reacted favorably as well.”
“That's good to hear.”
“I expect most of the work will be finished by sometime next year. That's why we're thinking of using it as an intermediate port when we return from the Great Yue Kingdom this time.”
“I see. Hopefully it'll be ready by then.”
We continued discussing one thing after another concerning the upcoming maritime trade expedition.
“Ah, Captain Yang.”
“Yes, Deputy Merchant Lord.”
Captain Yang was a man introduced to us by the Baekbuik Merchant Group, which handled trade with the Maraeseo Kingdom.
When the Baekbuik Merchant Group learned that we intended to enter the Maraeseo Kingdom trade, they welcomed the news with open arms.
Normally, the emergence of a competing merchant group would make people wary or even hostile, but this case was different.
“To think the Eunhae Merchant Group is entering the Maraeseo Kingdom trade! This is wonderful news.”
“Aren't you a little too happy about this?”
“How could we not be? Do you have any idea how reassuring it'll be to have the Eunhae Merchant Group's Invincible Bow Division traveling with us? Besides, there are so few merchants from our empire trading there that even when the Maraeseo merchants beat down our prices, we haven't had enough people on our side to push back…”
“You've had quite a difficult time, then.”
Greater security during maritime trade and stronger bargaining power during negotiations.
Those two benefits alone were more than enough reason for the Baekbuik Merchant Group to welcome the Eunhae Merchant Group.
Perhaps because of that, they'd gone out of their way to help us find a captain.
According to Captain Yong, Captain Yang was even better than expected.
Which was why I was gradually laying the groundwork to make sure he eventually became a true member of the Eunhae Merchant Group.
“Tomorrow, you'll come with me to Chaotian Palace. I'll introduce you to Cousin Seon-il and Princess Shina, who will be traveling with us to the Maraeseo Kingdom.”
“Understood.”
At that moment, one of the Supervisors cautiously spoke to me.
“Um… I heard something after arriving here. There are rumors that His Highness the Crown Prince, who's currently staying in Nanjing, has fallen ill. May I ask what happened?”
I sighed at his question and slowly nodded.
“Ah… That rumor. Haah, I'm afraid this is all because of my own inadequacy.”
Seeing the puzzled looks on their faces, I explained everything concerning Eunuch A-jeong's death.
“The real problem is what happened afterward.”
I continued with a grim expression.
“Eunuch A-jeong's resentful spirit has been unable to move on. It keeps appearing in His Highness's dreams, crying out that it was wronged, and the Crown Prince has barely been able to sleep.”
“Good heavens…”
“They say sleep is the greatest medicine of all, yet His Highness can't get any rest. Naturally, everyone is deeply worried.”
“So that's what happened.”
“That truly is serious.”
“That's why they're holding a memorial rite tomorrow to appease the spirit's resentment. And since I was also involved in what happened, I'll be participating as well.”
.
.
.
The next day.
I brought Captain Yang with me to Chaotian Palace.
Preparations were already well underway in the front courtyard for the memorial rite meant to appease Eunuch A-jeong's spirit.
I walked past them and headed toward Cousin Seon-il and his wife.
“You're here?”
“Yes. Cousin, and Princess.”
“I told you to call me Cousin-in-law. If you really keep this up, I'm going to tell Father.”
Cousin Seon-il laughed as well.
“Calling her Cousin-in-law isn't that difficult, is it?”
I still wasn't used to it… but I didn't really have a choice.
It didn't roll naturally off my tongue yet, but I supposed I'd have to make an effort.
“Yes. Cousin-in-law.”
“That sounds much better.”
Only then did a smile appear on Princess Shina's lips.
I introduced Captain Yang standing beside me.
“This is Captain Yang, who will be taking the two of you to the Maraeseo Kingdom. And these are my cousin and Cousin-in-law.”
At my introduction, they each introduced themselves in turn.
“I'm Hong Seon-il, a Lecturer at the Hanlin Academy. By His Majesty's command, I'll be traveling to the Maraeseo Kingdom as an imperial envoy.”
“I'm Shina.”
“It is an honor to meet you, Lecturer Hong and Your Highness. My name is Yang Do-jik. I'll do everything in my power to ensure the two of you are well taken care of throughout the journey.”
“Thank you.”
I rose from my seat.
“Then please discuss the details of the journey among yourselves. I'll go pay a visit to His Highness the Crown Prince.”
With that, I headed directly to the Crown Prince's office.
I had the necklace the Emperor had given me, which meant I could request an audience with the Crown Prince whenever necessary.
“Your Highness, Deputy Merchant Lord Eun Seo-ho requests an audience.”
“Send him in.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The door opened, and I stepped inside the office.
“This humble merchant, Eun Seo-ho, pays his respects to Your Highness. May you live a thou…”
“Just sit.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
I sat down in front of the tea table and looked at the Crown Prince sitting across from me.
His face was deathly pale.
And there were deep, black shadows beneath his eyes.
“Did you do that to your own face?”
“Of course not. I had a discreet palace maid do it. What do you think?”
“Enough to make the rumors believable.”
“That maid turned out to be fairly skilled.”
The Crown Prince smirked as he said it.
We'd deliberately spread the rumor that the Crown Prince was suffering because of nightmares.
But if his face looked perfectly healthy despite supposedly being unable to sleep, that would have been suspicious in its own way, so he'd deliberately used makeup to make himself look exhausted.
“Today's memorial rite should be quite a show.”
“It's been a while since I've had some decent entertainment.”
That evening.
“Welcome, Daoist Master.”
I warmly greeted Daoist Master Cheong-su upon his arrival at Chaotian Palace.
The Maoshan Sect's Headquarters happened to be located near Nanjing, so I'd personally visited the Maoshan Sect to invite a Daoist Master.
As luck would have it, Daoist Master Cheong-su, whom I'd met once before, was there. When I explained what I needed, he readily agreed to play along with our little performance.
“Heavens… what is this! What is this!”
Daoist Master Cheong-su shook the ritual bell in his hand as he spoke.
“To think Chaotian Palace would be filled with so many souls of the dead! And among them, I sense one spirit more malicious than all the rest. Surely that place over there isn't His Highness the Crown Prince's residence?”
“You can already see it?”
“It is merely this poor Daoist's paltry skill.”
Jingle, jingle.
Watching him shake the ritual bell as he walked toward the place prepared for the memorial rite, I tilted my head.
His acting was simply too convincing.
It was convincing enough to make me wonder whether any of this might actually be real.
Palgap, on the other hand, nearly jumped out of his skin.
“Ugh! Young Master. Looks like this palace really is crawling with ghosts.”
Why the hell was a man built like a bear trembling like that?
More importantly…
“Why are you glued to my side?”
“I just get the feeling even ghosts would stay away from you, Young Master.”
“…”
–TL Notes–
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