Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Merchant Guild
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Hwang Dal-pyeong informed him of the major players belonging to the Min Merchants, Fujian's chamber of commerce.
"The head of the Min Merchants' chamber is a man named Seo Gye-won. However, his reputation is quite poor."
"For what reason?"
"In the process of expanding his business, he made a lot of enemies. They say he spent a fortune hiring ronin and ruthlessly crushed his competitors."
Yuk Jin-yang's eyes gleamed.
"There must be a lot of resentment built up. But do you know why the Min Merchants have held together this long despite that? Surely there must be merchants wanting to leave the chamber."
"Seo Gye-won is also the proprietor of the largest money house in Fuzhou Prefecture. Then, out of nowhere, the maritime ban was imposed, and most merchants ended up owing him big and small debts."
"What if we paid off those debts for them?"
Hwang Dal-pyeong thought for a moment, then tilted his head.
"We could establish a new chamber or even swallow up the Min Merchants entirely. But what use would that be?"
"It would hide us."
"Ah! You mean to use the chamber as a front. To make it look like a neutral force unrelated to the Zhejiang Yuk Clan."
When rebellion broke out, both the emperor's forces and the regional kings would try to cut off each other's smuggling routes to choke their funding.
But the Zhejiang Yuk Clan could never afford to stay neutral. The chamber would make a perfect shield for that moment.
"Then it seems better to absorb the Min Merchants as they are rather than creating a new chamber. It reduces the external scrutiny."
"As if nothing ever happened?"
"The merchants rose up on their own and ousted the tyrannical chamber head. Isn't that a plausible justification?"
A few days later, Yuk Jin-yang sent letters to everyone in the Min Merchants except Seo Gye-won. There was an urgent matter to discuss.
Even though he was the one asking a favor, he didn't visit them first as a guest. It was to assert that his side held the superior position.
The Min Merchants' traders did not refuse the invitation.
The newly renovated beacon tower of the Flying Stream Pavilion served as the meeting place.
As evening fell, palanquins and carriages arrived in front of the tower. The seats around the round table were gradually filling up.
"We cannot admit anyone not invited."
"Do you know who this is?!"
A sudden shout from an uninvited guest rang out. Some merchants cast uneasy glances toward the entrance. They were already aware of Seo Gye-won's absence.
"Please excuse me for a moment."
Yuk Jin-yang rose from the head seat after asking permission. A commotion was unfolding outside. A burly man was bellowing at the Flying Stream Pavilion warriors.
"Do you know whose guests you're daring to turn away?!"
Behind the burly man stood over a dozen servants and warriors.
"Even the Fuzhou deputy commander runs out barefoot to greet him. What authority do you have...!"
"What's the commotion?"
Yuk Jin-yang appeared and cut him off. The Flying Stream Pavilion warriors guarding the door looked troubled.
As they hesitated, the burly man twisted his lips, his discomfort plain to see. But guessing Yuk Jin-yang's identity, he didn't step forward himself and glanced back instead.
Finally, his master emerged.
"I am Seo Gye-won. It is truly an honor to meet the rising star making waves in the martial world."
Despite his position as chamber head, Seo Gye-won was relatively young. He appeared to be in his mid-forties at most. He gave the impression of a vigorous scholar rather than a seasoned merchant.
"And?"
Yuk Jin-yang crossed his arms and retorted curtly.
Seo Gye-won's thick eyebrows twitched. He gestured for his followers to step back and took a step forward.
"I heard there was a meeting here today, but it seems there was a mistake. You invited all the Min Merchants' traders but left out the chamber head—me."
Seo Gye-won casually flaunted his information network. His attitude was bold, as if he feared nothing even before a member of the Zhejiang Yuk Clan. Was it confidence born from achieving success at a young age?
"A mistake? If anything, you're the one who's mistaken."
"What do you mean by that?"
"You were never part of the agenda from the start. Know your place. A petty title like chamber head means nothing to me."
Seo Gye-won narrowed his eyes.
"You'll regret this."
"Did you just say 'regret'?"
So Yun-un, who had been silent until then, shot back loudly.
The Flying Stream Pavilion warriors had been anxiously wondering if there had been a mix-up. But now that it was clear the other side was being unreasonable, there was no reason to delay the event further.
The warriors behind Seo Gye-won flinched. They knew better than anyone the fearsome reputation of the Zhejiang Yuk Clan spreading through the martial world. If conflict erupted here, they wouldn't survive.
Seo Gye-won ground his teeth.
"Let's go!"
"...Shall I chase him down and teach him his place?"
So Yun-un asked, glaring at Seo Gye-won's retreating back.
"No. If he shows up again, give him a proper warning then."
"Understood."
Yuk Jin-yang returned to his seat. The merchants all wore awkward expressions, clearly conscious of the clash with Seo Gye-won.
Just then, servants brought out the food. The chef had clearly put considerable skill into it.
It hadn't been hard to recruit people to work at the sub-branch. With the city in decline, all sorts of experienced individuals were jobless and plentiful.
Yuk Jin-yang offered drinks to lighten the mood. Even after one round of toasts, the merchants couldn't shake their worries. Yuk Jin-yang subtly broached the main topic.
"The reason I called you all here is to share some information. A new sub-branch of the Yuk Clan will soon be established here in Fujian."
"And the one in charge of that sub-branch is...?"
"Me."
Color returned to the merchants' faces. If the Zhejiang Yuk Clan was standing against Seo Gye-won, they no longer had to fear him.
"I've heard Fujian's situation has been poor lately."
"That's right. As you may know, Fujian's wealth comes from sea routes. But we've been unable to sail for so long that we're just stamping our feet in frustration."
One merchant aired his grievances. Seeing the others nod in agreement, he seemed to have some respect among them.
"May I have your name...?"
"I am Yi Pil-do."
Yuk Jin-yang hinted at his intentions.
"So, have you disposed of all those ships?"
"Half have already rotted away, and the other half are barely being maintained."
"And the rest of you as well?"
The Min Merchants' traders all nodded.
"Well, yes."
"It's been years since the maritime ban. We can only endure if we can."
"Even the trade caravans and escort agencies have given up sea routes long ago and are transporting goods overland. And even that's accumulating losses."
Yuk Jin-yang rested his chin on his interlaced fingers.
"I'll give you information and a proposal at once. The sea routes will open soon."
"I-is that true?!"
Yi Pil-do's eyes widened. The other merchants reacted similarly. No matter how they managed overland trade, it was only a stopgap. It paled in comparison to maritime profits.
"I stake my family's name on it. However, the maritime ban won't be officially lifted."
Yi Pil-do caught on immediately.
"But surveillance on smuggling will loosen, is that what you're saying?"
"Exactly."
"Then, the price of this information... no, what is your proposal?"
"My protection is vast enough to embrace all of you—all of the Min Merchants. Come under it."
The merchants exchanged glances. Yi Pil-do asked cautiously.
"Are you saying you'll take over our trade caravans?"
"It's an investment. I'll acquire shares in your caravans, but leave operations to you in exchange for a portion of the profits."
Yi Pil-do's expression turned serious as he looked at the other merchants. But their attitudes differed. They were all earnestly calculating the gains and losses.
The losses from the maritime ban had been immense. Many were already in debt. Entering the Yuk Clan's fold would at least free them from immediate hardship.
"Hmm."
Yi Pil-do let out a groan. Excluding Seo Gye-won, he was the wealthiest merchant in Fujian, but he lacked the power to defy the tide.
"One condition."
"Speak."
"Protect us from Seo Gye-won."
His words carried certainty that the chamber head would scheme against them. Yuk Jin-yang nodded.
The merchants sighed in relief all at once. With the urgent issue resolved, Yi Pil-do broached the core matter.
"Then how will profits be divided?"
"Discuss the details with my steward."
Yuk Jin-yang rose and turned. Hwang Dal-pyeong, standing behind him, stepped forward as if waiting.
The Min Merchants' traders sensed that negotiations with the scholarly Hwang Dal-pyeong would not be easy.
"Damn it! That insolent pup who didn't even observe protocol dares to snub me!"
Seo Gye-won fumed, hurling whatever he could grab.
Crash! A vase shattered against the inkstone with a sharp sound. He didn't care and threw another piece of pottery. He'd been like this ever since returning from the beacon tower.
Despite his rage, his merchant instincts remained sharp. Seo Gye-won paced the room anxiously, muttering to himself.
"What if the Zhejiang Yuk Clan reaches out to the Min Merchants' traders? Those bastards will surely betray me. I'd be completely cornered...!"
"Wouldn't it be wise to take measures?"
His advisor scholar, unable to stand the sight, suggested carefully. He was a man who had once held a minor government post.
Seo Gye-won snapped at him immediately.
"Are you telling me to commit suicide? What do you think would happen if I touched the Zhejiang Yuk Clan?"
"Do you really need to touch that pup? Just punish those daring to betray you. It shouldn't be difficult."
"Cull the disloyal ones?"
"Yes. No need to touch everyone. A warning to a few will suffice. The rest will cower and back out on their own."
Seo Gye-won asked skeptically.
"Success aside, what if the Yuk Clan's warriors get involved?"
"Aren't they pretending to be righteous orthodox sects? Without justification, they won't draw their swords lightly."
"As long as we don't get caught?"
The scholar smirked slyly.
"Deal with it after the uninvited guests leave. The Yuk Clan's direct lineage won't stay in Fujian forever anyway."
"Sounds plausible, but their escorts are no pushovers these days. Can you procure a suitable expert?"
"There's a fine hunting dog wandering nearby. Just give the order, and I'll fetch him right away."
"Who is it?"
"Bae Ji-hak."