The Mercenaries who had fled were eventually captured and brought back.
They were important witnesses, so we couldn't simply let them get away.
Once everyone had been subdued, they were escorted under guard to the Magistrate's Office in Jinan.
Getting the name “Namgoong Clan” out of their mouths was now the job of the Warriors of the Embroidered Guard.
I'd stopped the attack on the quarry and put the Embroidered Guard in my debt. That was more than enough to satisfy me.
For a while, the Baekcheon Merchant Group and the Namgoong Clan would have no choice but to lie low.
If I developed the quarry in the meantime and secured a contract to supply high-quality whetstones to the Imperial Palace, neither the Namgoong Clan nor the Baekcheon Merchant Group would be able to set its sights on this place so easily afterward.
Good. Perfect.
After looking over the quarry, I returned to the Hwangbo Clan.
.
.
.
Morning came.
Summoned by the Clan Lord, I left my quarters.
This time I headed to the Reception Room, rather than the Clan Lord's study.
That meant they'd decided on the candidate I'd requested.
While I was waiting in the Reception Room, the door opened and the Clan Lord and Young Clan Lord entered.
I'd been told the Young Clan Lord had handled the selection, which must have been why he'd come along.
A man followed them inside.
He was a young man with quite a sturdy build, just as you'd expect of a Hwangbo Clan member.
I stood, and the Clan Lord gestured as he spoke.
“Sit down.”
“Yes, Clan Lord.”
The Clan Lord took the seat of honor, while the other two sat across from me.
“It took longer than I expected. Your requirements for the candidate were rather exacting.”
“I'm sorry to have put you to so much trouble.”
“Not at all. Was I the one who had to work? My son handled it, so I didn't have any trouble whatsoever.”
“Father…”
The Young Clan Lord sighed at that shameless remark.
I gave an awkward laugh and spoke.
“I'm sorry for the trouble.”
“No trouble at all. It gave me a chance to appreciate anew just how many talented people we have in our clan.”
The Young Clan Lord gave a hearty laugh, then introduced the young man who'd accompanied him.
“He's the youngest son of my youngest uncle. His name is Hwangbo Hong-ui. He's thirty-four this year.”
Just right.
I rose and cupped my fist in greeting.
“I'm Eun Seo-ho, Deputy Merchant Lord of the Eunhae Merchant Group. I look forward to working with you.”
He also got up and returned the greeting.
Every movement was precise and disciplined. You could tell at a glance that he was a son of a distinguished clan.
“My name is Hwangbo Hong-ui. My abilities may be modest, but I'll do my utmost.”
Yes, this was how a son of the Hwangbo Clan should behave.
Hwangbo Uk—no, Uk—was the odd one out.
Once we'd exchanged greetings and sat down again, the Young Clan Lord asked a question.
“When should Hong-ui go to Beijing?”
“He should probably come to the Martial Arts Academy by the Tenth Month of this year. I'll send someone when the time comes.”
“Very well.”
Then the Clan Lord spoke.
“I hear my daughter In-a is also going to the Martial Arts Academy…”
“Yes, that's right. I asked her to serve as the academy's dormitory supervisor, and she gave me a favorable answer.”
“Yes. She said the position would be less demanding than being an Instructor.”
The Clan Lord didn't say it aloud, but there was gratitude in his eyes.
He was probably grateful that I'd helped him clear up the misunderstanding with his daughter.
“In-a has something she'd like to say to you. Go and see her later.”
“Yes, I will.”
“Then we'll leave you two to talk.”
The Clan Lord and Young Clan Lord rose. Young Lord Hwangbo Hong-ui and I stood to pay our respects.
When the two of us were alone, Young Lord Hwangbo Hong-ui asked cautiously.
“Um… Is Cousin In-a going to the Martial Arts Academy too?”
“Yes. She's agreed to serve as the dormitory supervisor.”
That was why I was in such a good mood.
Quite unexpectedly, I'd managed to recruit two people for the Martial Arts Academy.
Wasn't that what they called killing two birds with one stone?
“Ugh…”
Yet Young Lord Hwangbo Hong-ui looked strangely uneasy.
“What's wrong?”
“Well… No, it's nothing.”
“Please tell me if there's a problem. Otherwise, how can I do anything about it in advance?”
“Well, it's just…”
After a long hesitation, he struggled to answer.
“She's rather frightening.”
“What?”
“Cousin In-a was the one who kept everyone in our clan in line.”
Ah…
Seeing Young Lord Hwangbo Hong-ui trembling in front of me at the mere mention of her name, I guessed she'd kept them in line with a pretty firm hand.
Then this was even better.
It meant she was just the right person to supervise the dormitory.
I smiled as I spoke.
“You thought you'd be able to get away from her, but now you're going together. I take it that's what has you so worried.”
“I can't argue with that. Ha ha ha.”
.
.
.
That afternoon, I went to Lady Hwangbo In-a's quarters.
I drank some tea and waited a short while in her Reception Room before the door opened and the Lady entered.
“This humble merchant, Eun Seo-ho, pays his respects, my lady.”
“We meet again. It's good to see you. Please, sit.”
“Thank you.”
We sat across from each other at the tea table.
There was an elegance to the way she sat and drank her tea.
To think a woman like this was a Profound expert.
And instead of the dark clothes she'd worn before, she was dressed in bright colors.
They suited her much better.
I spoke first.
“The Clan Lord told me you wanted to see me.”
“I did. I've agreed to go to the Martial Arts Academy, but I don't know much about it. I'd like you to tell me more.”
“Ah, I'm sorry. I was remiss in not explaining it to you beforehand.”
“Not at all. You've been busy with one thing after another, haven't you?”
“Thank you for understanding.”
I took a sip of tea to moisten my throat, then continued.
“First, His Majesty the Emperor will be the official Academy Master of the Martial Arts Academy we're establishing.”
“His Majesty the Emperor?”
“Yes. That's correct.”
That had already been decided through His Highness the Crown Prince.
After considering my words for a moment, she nodded.
“That would certainly help you avoid unnecessary suspicion.”
She'd understood my intention exactly.
Although it was on the outskirts, the academy was being built within Beijing's administrative boundaries.
It would be a headache if someone found an excuse to cause trouble, so I'd made His Majesty the Academy Master from the outset.
Besides, the purpose of the Martial Arts Academy was to provide the Imperial Palace with excellent Military Officials anyway.
“Then there's no risk of the academy being shut down partway through.”
“Of course not.”
“Have you named it?”
“Not yet, but I intend to petition His Majesty to name the academy.”
“A wise choice.”
His Majesty was officially the Academy Master. If I asked someone else to name the academy, he would certainly sulk.
Strangely, he was broad-minded about great affairs, yet terribly petty about little things.
“Then who will serve as the acting Academy Master? His Majesty can't oversee it himself, so someone will have to stand in for him.”
“That's right.”
I grinned.
“I've chosen the acting Academy Master as well.”
I just hadn't said anything yet.
The person in question probably had no idea they were now the acting Academy Master.
But once they received His Majesty's decree, they'd have to do it. What else could they do?
“I see. May I ask who it is?”
“I can't tell you just yet, but you needn't worry. It's an outstanding person who deserves respect on many counts.”
.
.
.
My business with the Hwangbo Clan was finished, so it was time to go home.
I coordinated our schedule with Warrior Hwangbo Seon-yu.
“Let's head back the morning after tomorrow.”
“Understood. Have the people you arrested talked?”
“Heh heh heh. They couldn't very well keep their mouths shut.”
True, the Embroidered Guard's interrogations were infamous.
They weren't merely skilled at inflicting pain. They also knew a great deal about psychological warfare, persuading and coaxing people into talking.
“We've secured testimony and evidence that the Namgoong Clan ordered the operation. A few Embroidered Guards have already left for Beijing to report it.”
Of course. Speed was crucial in this affair.
“Then why do you want to leave tomorrow?”
“Well, I still have a few things to do.”
When I stared at him, he cleared his throat.
“It's been a while, so I wanted to look in on my children's education, talk with my wife, things like that. It all takes time.”
“Oh, your wife and children are here?”
He nodded at my question.
“Given my position, I'd be a little uneasy about keeping them in Beijing.”
“I can see why.”
The Embroidered Guard was an organization that enjoyed tremendous power, but it was also an extremely dangerous one.
People who wanted to target the Embroidered Guard were very likely to approach its members' families.
“Understood. Then we'll leave the day after tomorrow.”
“Thank you for being understanding.”
“Not at all. Enjoy your rest.”
Well, I had nothing to do today or tomorrow. Perhaps I could finally have a proper rest myself.
Once I was back in Beijing, I'd have to cut down on sleep and work again.
.
.
.
The day came for us to leave for Beijing.
I'd already met Young Lord Ho-gyeong of the Baekyeom Merchant Group and the others the day before to say goodbye.
The Hwangbo Clan members came out to see us off.
I exchanged farewells with Lady Hwangbo In-a and Young Lord Hwangbo Hong-ui, promising to meet again later.
“I'll see you this fall.”
“Stay well until we meet again.”
“Thank you. I'll look forward to it.”
Then I mounted my horse and set out for Beijing.
It hadn't been a long journey in terms of distance, but more had happened than I'd expected.
Near the entrance to Shandong, I'd caught and given a good thrashing to a swindler named Hwang Jeon, who'd been making and selling a salve for boils from Rabbit-Dung Root Herb.
I'd also obtained the things the old Ghost-faced Constable had left behind, and in the process discovered a treasure I'd never expected to find.
Then, in Jinan, I'd bought a source of whetstones and shattered the Namgoong Clan and Baekcheon Merchant Group's ambitions against the Hwangbo Clan and Baekyeom Merchant Group.
I'd even managed to earn a few points with the emperor along the way.
That had felt wonderfully satisfying.
I'd taken a little revenge on the Baekcheon Merchant Group and the Namgoong Clan, after all.
Of course, I couldn't be satisfied with that alone.
They were the ones who had ultimately killed me and destroyed our merchant group.
If I didn't want to suffer at their hands, I had no choice but to bring them down myself.
Whew. If I kept putting this much effort into life, the day of my revenge would surely draw closer and closer.
* * *
The emperor was attending to his duties when the visitor he'd been waiting for arrived.
“Your Majesty. Northern Pacification Officer Hwangbo Seon-yu requests an audience.”
“Ah. Show him in.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Soon Hwangbo Seon-yu approached the emperor and paid his respects with the utmost formality.
“Rise and lift your head.”
“Your Majesty's grace is boundless.”
“Yes.”
The emperor nodded as he spoke.
“I've read the Memorial Report that the County Magistrate sent from the Shandong border. Rabbit-Dung Root Herb… That was quite a nasty trick.”
“Yes. It is a great relief that it caused no further harm.”
“Well done.”
The emperor looked at another Memorial Report he'd set aside and continued.
“And now the Namgoong Clan has caused trouble in Jinan.”
“It has, Your Majesty.”
With his head slightly bowed, Hwangbo Seon-yu reported on the affair.
“…And so we arrested five Namgoong Clan members and roughly a hundred Mercenaries.”
“I see. Was the quarry in Jinan damaged in the process?”
“There was no damage at all.”
“Good.”
The emperor nodded.
“You've done excellent work. Thanks to you, I now have another means of putting pressure on the Murim Alliance.”
The Namgoong Clan had committed the offense, but the Namgoong Clan was also the leading power in the Murim Alliance.
Thus the emperor intended to use it against the insolent Murim Alliance, which had planted people inside the Imperial Palace.
“Such an ingenious idea, and it spares me so much trouble. Admirable. Truly commendable. How could I fail to favor the Embroidered Guard when it does such things for me?”
“…Your Majesty's grace is boundless.”
“But where is Deputy Merchant Lord Eun Seo-ho? Why have you come alone?”
“Ah. Deputy Merchant Lord Eun Seo-ho had a great deal of merchant group business to attend to, so he went directly to the Eunhae Merchant Group's Beijing Branch.”
He added an excuse.
“Since we traveled together, I suggested we present ourselves before Your Majesty together as well. But he said he had done nothing and could hardly appear on such an occasion…”
“I see. Very well.”
The emperor spoke.
“You may withdraw now. Get some rest.”
“Your Majesty's grace is boundless.”
Hwangbo Seon-yu withdrew.
Once the door closed with a clack, the emperor let out a brief laugh.
“That little bastard…”
“Has something displeased you, Your Majesty?”
At the Grand Eunuch's question, the emperor shook his head and spoke.
“I'm amused because I can see exactly what that boy is thinking.”
“Your Majesty?”
“Look at the Memorial Report Northern Pacification Officer Hwangbo Seon-yu submitted this time. There's not a word about Eun Seo-ho in it.”
“Is that so?”
“Do you think a scheme like this could have come out of those rigid minds?”
He wasn't looking for an answer, so the Grand Eunuch listened in silence.
“This undoubtedly came out of Eun Seo-ho's head. You know how seriously that boy takes money. Would he sit there and watch his own quarry get attacked?”
“Then are you saying Northern Pacification Officer Hwangbo deliberately falsified the report to claim the credit for himself?”
“No. Quite the opposite, I expect. I'm certain the boy asked him to do it. He'll have talked him into it with something like, ‘This affair was for the benefit of the Warriors of the Embroidered Guard. How could I spoil it by putting my own name in?’”
“…”
The Grand Eunuch couldn't deny it.
He, too, had watched Eun Seo-ho for many years.
“Then what do you intend to do about it?”
“Letting people have pleasant dreams is part of an emperor's job. He's worked hard, so I'll let him rest a little.”
“However, Your Majesty…”
The Grand Eunuch spoke carefully.
“In my view, Deputy Merchant Lord Eun Seo-ho is a man who brings work upon himself. Even with such consideration from Your Majesty, I doubt he is someone who can rest.”
The emperor grinned as he replied.
“That's why I called it a pleasant ‘dream.’ A dream can't become reality.”
“That is true.”
“And fewer official achievements to his name means I can give him that much less. I have nothing to lose, do I? Ha ha ha.”
“…”
–TL Notes–
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