International Free-for-All City - 2
Suju boasts a deep history and stunning scenery. But it's not praised simply for its history. Sure, Xi'an has deep roots too, yet it's declining from a loss of intellect—no one calls it paradise. The scenery, then? Not wrong, but beautiful cities and regions dot the Central Plains everywhere. By that logic, the whole Central Plains would be one giant heaven.
Neither its history nor its views earn it acclaim. The real reason Suju—along with Hangzhou—gets called paradise is clear and simple.
"Whoa..."
Suju is huge.
Anyone visiting for the first time, like Ak I-yeon, ends up staring wide-eyed. It's so goddamn massive it even shocks a crown prince raised in Kaifeng—a city boasting economy on a proportional scale that's utterly monstrous. In terms of sheer size and wealth, Suju towers over every other city like a beast.
With Beijing and Nanjing—two of Daesong's Five Capitals—one-time temporary capital Hangzhou, and even capital Kaifeng all hovering around a million souls, Suju alone surpasses two million.
"Impressive, right?"
I wrapped an arm around Ak I-yeon's waist as she gawked blankly at the streets and spoke up.
"Suju's thriving like this without being one of Daesong's five capitals or hosting a royal house. Emperor Taizu himself worried about its growth and potential, trying to rein it in—but even his controls only got us this far."
"This is the result of reining it in?"
"Yep. And that was with heavy checks: Nanjing to the north, Dong-gu Wang's domain to the south. Still, it held firm. More wealth and people flow in from outside than out."
I couldn't help chuckling at the absurdity, even to my own ears. From the central government's view, which collects taxes nationwide, a rich local city is a blessing—it means more revenue. But there's a limit. How do you let it eclipse the capitals you deliberately prop up, outshine the East, West, South, and North Capitals treated like the capital itself? If Suju went rogue, who'd handle the fallout?
So they cracked down hard, and this is the result: undisputed top dog in scale, over two million people—a monster of a city.
"Without Taizu's measures, it'd probably top three million."
"Th-three hun..."
Ak I-yeon's eyes trembled at the staggering number. I get it. Three million in one city? That's Kaifeng times three. A mere provincial hub dwarfing the capital.
"Still, political power clusters in Nanjing, and foreign trade rights are Hangzhou's. Big body, but not enough to lead a great power solo."
Ak I-yeon tilted her head in bewilderment at my words. Makes sense—she's dazed by the visible prosperity and scale. No way "it's big but kinda lame" registers right now.
"Um, Gaga?"
"Yeah?"
"You said foreign dealings are only in Hangzhou, right?"
"Yep. A right granted to Prince Dong-gu by Taizu. Merchants from across the sea aren't allowed beyond Hangzhou—strictly forbidden."
It's ironclad law since Daesong's founding. Merchants, across eras, are demons who'd do anything for coin. Let those fiends scatter, seduce farmers, fleece folks fresh from chaos—what happens then? Bribe frontline officials with gold and silver to build "friendships"? And in an age treating precise maps as strategic assets, no ruler welcomes foreigners roaming their turf.
So Taizu, for national security, the people's livelihoods, and Dong-gu Wang's wallet, made only Hangzhou the international trade hub. Luckily, Dong-gu Wang's a trading genius, gripping Hangzhou tight even decades later—
"Um, there's a foreigner right there?"
"What?"
I whipped around at Ak I-yeon's words. Impossible. Most foreigners in Daesong are merchants, and they're strictly confined to Hangzhou. Only diplomatic envoys or centrally approved scholars leave—and no envoy news lately. Scholars usually tag along with envoys anyway; solos are rare.
What the hell.
Heart sinking in confusion, I checked where she pointed, and my already tangled thoughts knotted further.
Black hair like a Central Plains native, but curly; bigger nose than most; strikingly pale skin. A classic Westerner, right in Suju.
"Hey, Na! Finish loading that and grab food!"
"Yessir!"
A Westerner laborer, speaking clumsy Central Plains tongue.
Stunned by this unimaginable sight, I hurried to the loading site—not quite the construction gigs "laborer" evokes, but grueling work for hands is labor all the same.
"Uh... pardon the intrusion, but who might you be?"
A man who looked like the site boss approached warily as the white-deer riders neared. Obvious VIPs. From his view, probably a lofty investor or employer.
"Han Un, Left Deputy Censor-in-Chief, touring the realm by His Majesty's command."
Even higher up—pity that.
"M-my lord! Forgive my ignorance! This lowly one is Jang Gae—!"
"Enough. I'm here for a quick check—don't fear."
I soothed Jang Gae, now quaking, and dismounted Kki-ing-i.
"Why's a Westerner here?"
Straight to the point. Beating around the bush with an ordinary subject cowed by my rank gets nothing. Better match their level, clear doubts fast—for both our sakes.
"Westerner... you mean Na?"
"Yes. Shocking to see one in Suju, not Hangzhou."
Jang Gae prostrated instantly. Running a loading site means some learning—he knows foreigners can't leave Hangzhou. So he took my question as an accusation and panicked preemptively.
"My lord! Na is Western, but not a merchant! Well, he was, but not anymore!"
"What?"
I furrowed my brow at the baffling claim. Was a merchant, but not now? A Westerner in Suju, laboring with locals, formerly a merchant? What situation is this?
"Well..."
Jang Gae hesitated, lips twitching, then yelled backward without looking.
"Na! Get over here!"
Summoning the man himself.
"Said food—why call? Don't bother a dog when it's eating!"
"Dogs you don't touch 'cause they're rabid! Quit yapping and come!"
Na shuffled over at Jang Gae's bellow. Up close, even stranger. Who'd imagine spotting a Westerner in 14th-century Central Plains? Not the Age of Discovery.
"VIP here's, so spill your story in detail!"
"Shoulda said sooner!"
Na's sluggish steps quickened at Jang Gae's nudge. Plenty to say to me, apparently.
I watched Gaga and Na's conversation unfold.
"Venetian merchant, drifted to the Mamluks, traded there too."
"Yessir! My gift for coin's tops! Even heathens saw it!"
"Skill to reach Central Plains from Egypt? Better off without."
"True dat..."
Strange place names from a Westerner's mouth. Gaga sighed knowingly at each. Impressive—recalling far-western locales instantly, parsing non-native words. Gaga's tours really built vast knowledge.
"Anyway, sir, you know names well. Folks here barely got 'em."
"Happened to. Don't mind."
Na admired Gaga too, but she brushed it humbly. Proud of her.
Seeing Gaga's cool side makes me happy.
"Tough road regardless. Egypt to here, ruined by rivals' schemes. Ordeal few endure."
"Not 'ruined'—say 'outcompeted.' Thanks."
"Stuck around longer than expected..."
Gaga shook her head faintly, sighed, patted Na's shoulder.
"Lost merchant status? No Hangzhou restriction then. I see your innocence—go on."
"Sir, since we're talking, more okay?"
"Hm?"
Gaga nodded curiously despite potential hassle. Listening patiently to a Westerner— that's how she solves realm incidents. Note to self.
"Hangzhou... is hell."
"What."
"Goryeo—those Goryeo bastards're crushing every merchant there!"
Gaga's face darkened slightly. Wide heart, but this accusation's new.
I sighed inwardly at Na—no, Raphael's venomous words. What the hell's happening in Hangzhou for an Italian merchant to curse Goryeo traders? What wrecked his caravan, turning him into a day laborer wandering Suju?
I don't want to know. Shouldn't.
Damn.
But I heard it. Can't ignore an observed incident deliberately.