Where There's Money, There Are People - 4: The Curse Victims' Sudden Spirit Beast Worship Ambush
A gathering of the top merchants and escort agency heads who dominated the bustling port city of Taizhou, thriving on maritime trade. Just as they themselves admitted, they offered up a staggering amount of wealth as tribute for the honor of touching Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i, then withdrew. The sum was so immense that even I, a royal grandson, couldn't help thinking, "That's a lot," proving just how much mental anguish they'd endured. Yet the victims, freed from the Sa-hung's curse, didn't bat an eye.
"Your Excellency's grace shall be etched in our hearts forever, never to be forgotten!"
"From now on, we'll treat all wild deer with the utmost reverence!"
"This humble one shall erect statues in honor of the two noble spirit beasts!"
They bowed repeatedly with faces shining like the sun, frantically demonstrating their gratitude. It was such an overwhelming display that my head spun. If even half of what they promised came true, Taizhou Prefecture might as well rename itself White Deer Division.
"Very well. You've all suffered greatly. In the future, such incidents—"
I started to deliver the standard admonition—"make sure nothing like this happens again"—but swallowed my words. Truth be told, these victims hadn't brought disaster on themselves through any fault of their own. If they'd been rampaging to capture Do-cheol or extorting gains through foul means, that'd be one thing. But no, they'd simply been doing their duty as merchants when they crossed paths with a madman.
"...If anything similar arises again, head to Gu Gang. Since Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i swam the Poyang Lake, its waters must now brim with auspicious energy."
"Ohhh, thank you...!"
"A lake where heaven's scourges have fallen and spirit beasts have graced—truly a sacred land beyond reproach!"
Quick on my feet, I pivoted to a different reassurance, and their reaction intensified. Tourist numbers at Poyang Lake were bound to skyrocket for a while.
Or so I'd thought.
"Your Excellency! Just once for this humble one! Grant me a chance to behold the spirit beasts!"
"We beg you, Your Excellency! At least a glimpse of those majestic white deer antlers!"
"If you permit it, we'll offer whatever Your Excellency desires!"
That was before my inn turned into the prime tourist spot. What in the world was this?
Were curse victims really that thick on the ground in Taizhou? Were the other Sa-hung's curses scattered everywhere too?
No wonder they lost their minds over Ppiae.
Indeed, dropping everything to launch a ship the moment they saw the Millennium Turtle wasn't something a normal mindset could pull off. Desperation made it possible.
For a moment, I seriously considered tethering Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i out front, but thankfully, the commotion died down soon enough.
"Out! How dare you show such discourtesy to the Left Vice Inspector General!"
"Disperse, all of you! His Excellency labors tirelessly under the Emperor's command for the realm's peace! Do you mean to disturb his rest?!"
As if sensing the merchants swarming a particular inn, Taizhou's officials and soldiers appeared like ghosts, dispersing the crowd out front.
"Forgive the disturbance, Your Excellency! We have no words, even ten mouths wouldn't suffice!"
The official who entered the inn prostrated himself flat on the floor without pause, banging his head.
"It's fine. How could the yamen monitor and control every action of the common folk? You acted swiftly the moment trouble arose—Taizhou has fulfilled its duty."
"A mercy as vast as the sea! We are profoundly grateful!"
Instead of rising, he slammed his head even deeper. I'd told him to get up—what was this? Come on, stand already.
"Um, may I ask something?"
In the midst of petting Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i, Ak I-yeon spoke up cautiously.
"Of course! I'll answer anything within my knowledge—please, speak freely!"
To the lady even harder to deal with than the boss himself, the official responded with redoubled courtesy.
"Spirit beasts are precious, yes, but the merchants here seem especially fervent. Is there a reason?"
"Their obsession with spirit beasts has indeed exceeded normal bounds. Have they all fallen under some collective Sa-hung curse?"
I chimed in, curious myself. No denying spirit beasts were universally adored. Even Hengshanpa had doted on Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i before their rampage; Nang-jung Wang had scoured the Central Plains for Samshik; even the Gansu officials robbed by Maek had been awed at first sight. Spirit beasts were that rare and revered.
But Taizhou's merchants had crossed into fanaticism—not mere delight at a rare animal, but reverence for a lifelong savior.
"Well..."
Sighing softly as he rose at mine and Ak I-yeon's questions, the official continued.
"Competition among Taizhou's merchants has grown so fierce they've turned to superstition for an edge."
"What?"
The answer veered totemistic, beyond my expectations.
"It's rather embarrassing, but Taizhou is prosperous yet lacks distinction. Nor is it overwhelmingly dominant nearby."
True enough—I nodded. Compared to Hangzhou, Tianzhou, or Haomen, Taizhou was big but not uniquely so. Great for business, but nothing more.
"So merchants here are all familiar faces. Few newcomers trickle in, and those who do flee the incumbents' turf wars. It's essentially a small playground."
"Doesn't seem like outright collusion, though."
"Fortunately, Taizhou draws the ruthless sort. They prioritize profit over safety, craving to seize and monopolize rivals' shares rather than collude."
Was that fortunate? The official said so, so I let it slide.
"They'll ally if it pays, but usually choose rivalry over cooperation."
"Merchants are greedy by nature, after all."
Yes, natural. Perfectly natural... but
"What does that have to do with spirit beasts?"
"Ah, apologies! I rambled."
Bowing again, he gathered his thoughts and spat out the crux.
"With only the most familiar faces left as rivals—down to knowing how many chopsticks are in each other's homes—they now rely on superstition over skill for success."
Oh...
I got it. The incompetents had been weeded out, leaving only the hardened veterans who banked on luck to dominate. Taizhou's merchant world was mercilessly Darwinian—I was impressed.
"Hence their frenzy for spirit beasts."
"Yes. Better to beseech a spirit beast before your eyes than risk uncertain prayers to Buddha or Primordial Heavenly Worthy."
Hence their collective meltdown over the Millennium Turtle. The official's face was haggard.
...But touching it together defeats the purpose.
His wretched expression kept me from voicing the thought. The sin lay with the merchants, not him.
A few days passed in Taizhou. No second or third merchant assaults, but strolling the streets meant enduring their pitiful stares. The spirit beasts, cooped up at the inn, just ate and slept. Spirit beast life was the best.
"We could use this."
"Pardon?"
The moment I grasped that a handful of merchants controlled Taizhou's economy—and shot me desperate glances—my mind raced. A yamen's authority hinged on the center's might, wealth, and control over the provinces. Hence the relentless crackdown on scattered murim like rats.
But local powers weren't just murim. Hereditary landlords, scholar families grinding for exams over generations, merchant houses wielding coin, even famed blacksmiths—all were local forces. Mastering them smoothly and thoroughly was the Central Plains dynasty's eternal curse.
"A bunch of middling merchants coexisting is a headache, but controlling one overwhelmingly dominant player? Nothing easier."
In short, reining in Taizhou's merchant class meant the center could freely manipulate this economically rich prefecture.
"Find a compliant, obedient merchant house and let only its head touch the spirit beasts."
"Er... would that work? He'd be thrilled, sure, but touching them doesn't actually guarantee good fortune."
"True enough."
Ak I-yeon's point was spot-on. If spirit beast contact truly brought endless blessings, I'd have retired rich in Kaepyeong with my five beasts by now.
"But it gives a reason for one merchant house to surge ahead."
Ak I-yeon blinked blankly at my words. Natural reaction. If a newbie official grasped it instantly, that would be weird—implying her innate wisdom outshone my hard-earned experience.
"They're touching spirit beasts to outdo rivals. If only one gets the honor? Even if that merchant thrives, the others will lament missing their 'chosen' chance—not deny it outright."
Even if the yamen subtly backed that house. No need for overt favoritism. Just process that house's applications a tad faster when multiple houses submitted identical requests. In Taizhou's razor-thin balance, that alone could upend the board.
The chosen house balloons into Taizhou's top dog, then a Zhejiang heavyweight. Perfect.
Might as well turn their ordeal to good use.
The spirit beasts' presence was already city-wide knowledge. Vanishing without a trace would echo with merchants' tearful wails and resentment. So pick one—just one—and go all-in.
Resentment and envy would target that merchant, forcing them to cling tighter to the yamen for survival.
Good.
If no suitable candidate turned up, pluck one from the curse victims' group.