Where There's Money, There Are People - 6
The rumor spread like wildfire throughout all of Taizhou Prefecture: Yang Jin's father, the head of the Cheongho Merchant Guild, had actually lent his strength to the High Ancestor's uprising as a founding merit subject. The Left Vice Inspector General had personally acknowledged that merit and met with Yang Jin, and no fewer than five spirit beasts had blessed his future.
Of course it spread that fast. I'd told the Taizhou officials to make sure it did.
'This way, the scrutiny and harm aimed at Yang Jin will be minimized.'
I couldn't eliminate the scrutiny entirely. No matter how much protection from the government he had, no matter that he was a descendant of a founding merit subject, no matter the blessings of spirit beasts—no one entering the world of merchants could live a lofty, untarnished life. Merchants' thirst and greed for money outweighed even public authority. Sure, if the government swung its clubs, merchants would drop dead, but those mad fools feared bankruptcy more than death itself, right up to their last breath.
Even if the officials declared, "Don't touch Cheongho Guildmaster Yang Jin," they wouldn't listen a damn bit. But slapping the title of "descendant of a founding merit subject" on him meant no baseless slanders, and it suppressed questions like, "Why did only that bastard get to touch spirit beasts?" If you're jealous, you should've picked ancestors whose family trees were easier to forge.
"The Cheongho Guildmaster has informed us that he will increase his donations for the eternal prosperity and peace of Taizhou Prefecture."
And Yang Jin, sharp as ever, quickly grasped that he'd sprouted enormous wings on his back and immediately offered tribute to the one who'd given them to him. That's why quick-witted people are the best—no need to order them; they move exactly as you want. He even knew whose eyes to watch.
"He was already the most government-friendly merchant in Taizhou, but who would've thought he was a descendant of a founding merit subject? Like father, like son, indeed."
The official who'd spilled to the Taizhou merchants why they were obsessed with spirit beasts chuckled heartily, looking deeply satisfied. He'd been suddenly turned into a messenger just because he knew me. Officials loved hearing that a merchant they already favored was a merit subject's heir—it was perfect for nodding along with "like father, like son" or "the child takes after the parent." It even let them legally back a merchant they liked while pretending to be impartial.
'Keep it secret forever.'
Yeah, even Taizhou had no idea about the family tree forgery. Jo Wi-cheo and I had wielded our inspection authority like madmen and unilaterally notified them. The Left Vice Inspector General—the crown prince—said so, so they just went along. But I was at peace with myself. Yang Jin's father had indeed benefited the High Ancestor in the end, Yang Jin's success wasn't riding his father's coattails, and he'd always been commendably pro-government. My forgery hadn't caused anyone unjust harm or undue gain.
That was my story, and I was sticking to it.
- Kki-ong~
Meanwhile, Kki-ong-i, now accustomed to snacking from visiting guests, prowled near the official, nudging his shoulder with her nose as if demanding, "What're you gonna give us?"
"My lord. This one...?"
"She likes you since it's only your second time. Spirit beasts remember faces well."
"Haha, what an honor."
I couldn't exactly say, "She's begging for food," so I made a convenient excuse.
- Kki-ong.
Kki-ong-i bought my excuse, gave up when the official just laughed, and turned away without fuss. Good thing she didn't throw a tantrum for treats from him.
It was time to leave Taizhou and head south. I'd made Taizhou's top (real) merchant; no reason to linger.
"My lord! If you're heading south, this humble one wishes to assist your journey!"
Somehow knowing I was leaving, Yang Jin showed up at my lodgings begging to serve. Of course, he wasn't offering to stick by my side personally. The Cheongho Guild was heading south for trade anyway, so he'd attach his men to serve me wholeheartedly since we were going the same way.
"We're planning to pass through Wenzhou and on to Fuzhou."
"Perfect! Our guild happens to have business in Fuzhou!"
"Is that so? Excellent."
He didn't look like he was really planning to go to Fuzhou, but his intentions were admirable, so I let it slide. Besides, Yang Jin was fated to become one of Zhejiang's top merchants beyond just Taizhou. Time to start connecting with other regions.
'Traveling with me is advertising in itself.'
If the Cheongho Guild gained the image of being trusted by the government and on good terms with the Left Vice Inspector General, dealings with new regions would go smoothly. Traveling to Fuzhou with me would turn Fuzhou into a Cheongho client base. It might be overly generous, but after forging his family tree, I couldn't let Cheongho flounder—that'd be a problem too. For my pride and the time invested, they had to soar.
And so we headed south with the Cheongho Guild, until...
"Halt! This is the territory of our Gwangpung Stronghold! If you want to pass, pay the proper toll!"
'Whoa.'
It had been ages since I'd run into self-proclaimed forest hero bandits. I'd seen plenty of river trash lately, but mountain trash? Couldn't remember the last time.
"Normally we'd take the full ten portions, but as a special mercy, we'll take eight—"
"Wi-cheo. Handle it."
"Yes, my lord."
As Jo Wi-cheo strode forward, I pondered. Should I send these Zhejiang bandits to the border near Annam like usual, or stick to tradition and ship them to Shanhaiguan? Annam or Shanhaiguan? Jjajangmyeon or jjambbong? River bandits filthier, or mountain bandits? Truly vexing dilemmas...
As we left Taizhou heading for Wenzhou Prefecture, we ran into an unimaginable incident.
"Halt! This is the territory of our Gwangpung Stronghold! If you want to pass, pay the proper toll!"
'Bandits...?'
Fierce faces, bushy beards, scars everywhere. Straight out of a novel's bandit archetype. Not just looks—their words were pure bandit too.
I was stunned. The Central Plains were vast, with countless people, so some falling into banditry made sense. I knew local officials periodically exterminated them like Gi Gangwang did water bandits. But knowing in theory and facing it were different.
I knew they existed, but seeing them myself stirred indescribable emotions.
'Bandits in this golden age.'
It choked me. This wasn't the chaotic Mongol era; decades had passed since the High Ancestor forged peace. People could farm and live normally, without banditry. Yet here they were—bold enough to target a trade caravan, not lone travelers.
"Wi-cheo. Handle it."
"Yes, my lord."
While I stood speechless in shock, Jo Wi-cheo and the inspector exchanged words calmly, like it was routine. Nothing special.
"Where to send these ones...?"
Jo Wi-cheo muttered, stroking his chin—not lamenting their appearance or pitying them, just worrying about cleanup.
"Wi-cheo...?"
"Yeah?"
"Is it common for bandits to show up?"
"Ah."
He let out a small sigh at my words.
"Yeon-i must be seeing this for the first time, huh?"
That short line felt endless. I was seeing it fresh. For Jo Wi-cheo, who roamed sites and dangers instead of safe Kaepyeong, it was everyday stuff.
"Not a pretty sight. Folks who could've lived normally went astray."
"Right. No one's born a bandit."
I nodded in agreement. Those bandits were once good folk too. Waking at dawn for farmwork, resting midday, greeting neighbors at dusk—simple, peaceful lives.
"But even among Confucian scholars, traitors emerge; among generals versed in strategy, there are cowardly officers. Good folk aren't guaranteed to stay good."
"Pardon?"
My mind blanked again.
"In chaos, bandits and pirates rampage en masse, but sadly, even in peace, thieves persist. Whether unteachable or beyond reach... they chose to trample others instead of honest living."
Harsh words. Confucianism teaches education changes people, yet Jo Wi-cheo seemed to deny it—though he left room with "beyond reach," his face said otherwise.
"One bandit's blade can harm a hundred, thousand, ten thousand innocents. Officials must protect realm and people, so bandits must be exterminated regardless of circumstance or past. Can't sacrifice the good for one sinner."
But I couldn't argue or complain at his follow-up. Even brutal bandits could be reformed? Too naive. Jo Wi-cheo had thought it too.
"Of course, consider extenuating circumstances. Light crimes get light punishment."
He smiled softly at me.
"But mercy comes after subduing them. Pity's fine post-capture."
"R-Right..."
I nodded my numb head. His field experience trumped my book knowledge. Accept it. Try to understand.
"...Hard to swallow?"
"N-No! I get it fully!"
I shook my head frantically at his piercing words.
"It's fine. Doesn't sit easy with me either. Some are just rotten from birth, but others turn bandit from sheer desperation to survive, to touch money."
He glanced wryly at the Cheongho wagons.
"Merchants chase money, robbers seize it—all for survival. Healthy pursuit makes merchants; twisted, bandits."
'Healthy desires...'
I mulled his words. Pursue desires healthily... or stray wrongly...
'I see.'
A world where desires could be pursued healthily. Crafting that was officials' duty. I felt the weight on his shoulders—and mine.
"Wi-cheo."
"Yeah."
"I'll help catch them."
"...Pardon?"
I drew my sword from my belt. If bandits arose from our failure to build a good world, binding them and guiding right was our duty.
So I drew my blade.