The Princess and the Apprentice from Mubi
In the port city of Liaodong, a girl let out a long, satisfied groan as she stretched her arms high. “Ugh~ Haa…! That was exhausting…” She dropped her shoulders with a heavy sigh. To the casual eye she looked no older than fifteen, yet she stood as the official chief envoy representing Joseon in this foreign land.
Beside her, Dafu Hyul—the deputy envoy tasked with supporting the delegation—watched with a distinctly pained expression. “Your Highness, I must ask you to uphold your dignity. You are the face of our nation on this mission.”
“It’s only the two of us here, so who cares? Anyway, I wasn’t too bad back there, was I?”
She flashed him a bright, innocent grin and deftly changed the subject. Hyul swallowed a sigh but let it slide, as he always did. He had been at her side since she was small, long before the war’s scars had been tended, the capital relocated, and the court moved beyond the Tian Shan range. While the king grappled with the aftermath, Hyul had been given the duty of watching over the young princess. What began as a stiff teacher-and-pupil relationship had, over the years, become something closer to friendship.
For a fleeting moment Hyul’s thoughts drifted back over their shared past, then settled on the most recent memory: their brief audience with Jin Gae, lord of Yangping and de facto ruler of Liaodong. The general had greeted them with the customary pleasantries welcoming travelers who had crossed the mountains, then arranged lodgings for their stay. Since it would have been rude to demand a formal meeting while they were still travel-worn, Jin Gae had politely dismissed them—though it felt more like an order—suggesting they rest first and call on him once their fatigue had eased.
Throughout the exchange, only the princess had spoken directly with Jin Gae. To Hyul’s eye, her diplomatic conduct had been flawless, every gesture and word perfectly in keeping with protocol.
“Not merely ‘not bad,’ Your Highness. It was splendid. I have met General Jin Gae three times now, and today’s meeting had the best atmosphere by far.”
“Hehe, of course it did. Who do you think taught me?”
The princess’s sly praise for the man who had instructed her in etiquette brought a sheepish smile to Hyul’s face. How could he ever stay firm when she spoke like that? She was a pupil to be proud of. Having spent so many years together, she knew exactly what words would please him most. Yet just as she had come to understand him, he understood her in equal measure.
“So what are you planning to do now? If I had to guess, I’d say you wish to explore the streets of Yangping.”
“Ehehe.”
Knowing her, however, never made refusal any easier. That mischievous laugh made it impossible to deny her. Had she asked for something wildly inappropriate he might have found the strength to refuse, but this clever princess never crossed the line so blatantly.
“We should finish official duties for the delegation first.”
At Hyul’s conditional permission the princess broke into a radiant smile and nodded vigorously. “Of course!”
Before he could reconsider, she was already skipping ahead with quick, light steps. Watching her back, Hyul gave a fond chuckle and lengthened his stride to catch up.
“Walk carefully, Your Highness! You’ll trip at that pace!”
The time it took to stop at the guesthouse and step out again was not long. They had already performed a simple wash before meeting Jin Gae, and while the delegation spoke with the general the servants had worked diligently. Now dressed in comfortable traveling clothes rather than formal attire, the princess chattered away to Hyul as they walked side by side.
“Did you hear? A huge trading company has arrived from the heartland of Yan.”
“Good heavens. I wondered what had you so deep in thought inside the carriage. It seems you were eavesdropping on the citizens of Yangping.”
“Eavesdropping? I was gathering information about the city. Know yourself and know your enemy, and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster. That’s what Sun Wu said, isn’t it?”
Yet for someone merely collecting information, she seemed to know far too much about this newly arrived trading company.
“They’re called the Mubi Company.”
“Mubi—‘without equal.’ A rather arrogant name.”
“No, not that one. It’s the other Mubi, the one that means ‘without falsehood.’ Apparently they pride themselves on absolute credibility in their goods.”
“Then they sound like honest merchants. Though among those who claim such things, few actually keep their word. Still, for mere information gathering, you seem unusually focused on this particular company, don’t you?”
At Hyul’s gently probing question, the princess fidgeted before confessing.
“Actually, while I was meeting General Jin Gae I asked Hyang to look into the company for me.”
Hyang was the maid who had served the princess since childhood, much like Hyul. She must have gathered the details while helping her change clothes. The princess braced herself for a sharp scolding, but Hyul only sighed as if it could not be helped and asked that she consult him as well next time.
This was, after all, the princess’s first time leaving the capital of Wanggeomseong. Official duties came first, so Hyul could show no leniency there, but he saw no harm in allowing her a brief excursion. With that in mind, he did not stop her when she declared she wanted to visit the docks.
“Whoa~ Hyul, look at that! The ships are enormous!”
Where she pointed, three large vessels floated upon the Taizi River. Joseon had once ruled these lands, and naturally possessed many ships that plied the waters of the Liao, Pi, and other rivers. Yet these vessels dwarfed anything from home; fully loaded, each could easily carry hundreds of people.
Hyul followed her gaze and offered the benefit of his broad learning.
“Those are tower ships. Though the upper decks have been kept modest for stability and the hull modified to favor speed, so I believe they are merchant vessels built in the style of tower ships.”
Ships remained vital to Joseon. The cultural and technological leader was, as always, the Central Plains. Joseon had long acquired advanced knowledge through trade with them. After losing Liaodong, however, reaching the Central Plains by land required crossing multiple mountain ranges, making maritime routes all the more crucial. Even now, with routes slightly altered to facilitate contact with Jin Gae’s Liaodong, Joseon shipbuilding techniques remained an attractive asset. Hyul slipped into his teacherly tone, explaining the vessels as if delivering a lecture, but the princess paid little attention. She let his words wash over her, eyes fixed instead on the people and cargo being unloaded.
“Instead of standing here, let’s get closer!”
“Wait… I haven’t finished explaining—Your Highness!”
The princess possessed the excellent habit of matching words with immediate action. The moment the suggestion left her lips she was already running. Hyul hurried after her, barely managing to keep up.
She was not the only one who had come to watch. The entire dock area bustled with spectators. Visits from trading companies were common, but the news that this was a new and recently famous rising merchant house from the Central Plains gave it a special allure. Familiar goods were on display, but many strange and novel items caught the eye as well.
As the princess wandered among the wares, something suddenly seized her attention.
“Hyul, that boy over there looks about my age. Do you think he’s with the company?”
“Hmm, let me see…”
Hyul studied the spot she indicated. She was right. The boy watching the unloading from nearby appeared roughly the same age—two or three years’ difference at most. Given that he stood inside the line guarded by soldiers, he clearly belonged to the company. His neat clothing ruled out a simple laborer. A supervisor, then? That didn’t quite fit either. While his clothes were clean, they were not luxurious, and the way others treated him lacked the deference shown to superiors. He seemed to be asking questions of those giving orders, so Hyul guessed he was likely an apprentice being trained within the company.
Just as Hyul prepared to share his analysis, the merchants began moving as a group.
“Looks like they’re finished. Let’s follow.”
The princess and Hyul were not the only ones trailing the Mubi Company. Curious onlookers hoping to buy their goods streamed after them as well. The company had rented a large building in Yangping, setting up stalls both inside and outside before opening for customers. Daily necessities for commoners were displayed outdoors, while luxury and high-end items for nobles were sold within.
Though a princess, she wandered the outer stalls meant for ordinary citizens, browsing with interest. Spotting the boy from earlier, she walked straight toward him.
“Hey!”
She no longer even bothered informing Hyul before acting. The boy did not at first realize she was calling him. Only when their eyes met did he point to himself.
“Me?”
“Yes, you.”
“What is it?”
His somewhat blunt tone might have seemed disrespectful. Yet scolding a foreigner for failing to recognize royal blood would have been foolish. Hyul opened his mouth, intending to reveal her identity and prompt the boy to correct his manners.
“Young man, this person is—”
“Hyul. It’s fine.”
“…Understood.”
If the princess said it was all right, he could not very well intervene. Though displeased, Hyul stepped back.
“Please understand. He’s always been very protective of me.”
“It’s quite all right. But may I ask why you called out to me?”
“It’s nothing serious. I was looking at the goods and there are many I don’t recognize. You’re with the company, aren’t you? If you have time, could you help me a little?”
When the boy narrowed his eyes slightly, the princess hastily added, “Oh! I don’t mean to force you. Only if you have the time. And of course I’ll reward you for your help.”
Her flustered self-defense drew a positive response from the boy.
“Hmm… I suppose there’s no harm. Very well. I’ll report to the company and then assist you. May I ask your name?”
“Ah, I haven’t introduced myself yet. I’m Bi. It’s my childhood name, so you can call me Bia if you like.”