Creative Economy (3)
Surely he hadn't just charged in on youthful bravado alone? Jin Yeo-rip had already neatly organized in his mind exactly what to say and how to act.
What was this so-called creative economy? It started from innovative thinking and meant engaging in economic activities in entirely new ways. In other words, making money from something no one had tried before—that was creative economy.
Jin Yeo-rip smiled at the Shandong Merchant Alliance, the bandit alliance, and the two leaders.
"Branch Chief."
"Speak."
"From now on, please don't attack the merchant groups under Cheongeumbang's protection."
"What?"
It was an utterly absurd demand. Wasn't this like telling bandits not to bandit?
Jin Yeo-rip scratched his head with an "oh" at their dumbfounded expressions. He'd jumped straight to the conclusion in headline style. He'd thought his father had caught on, and even Sim Jong-san had probably grasped it roughly—but that was a miscalculation.
"Now, let me explain slowly, so listen up."
"……."
Jin Yeo-rip calmly laid out his thoughts toward Sim Jong-san, who was twitching an eye in irritation.
"Until now, Beksan Bandits have seized the shortcuts in the area and ambushed passersby."
"That's right."
Sim Jong-san nodded along, wondering what nonsense this cheeky kid was spouting.
"But business must have been slow. Merchant groups avoided the mountain paths out of fear of your raids."
"So?"
"From now on, you're giving them the mountain paths."
"The mountain paths?"
"Yes."
"What kind of ridiculous nonsense is that?"
"It's not nonsense. In exchange for opening the paths, you'll charge a modest usage fee."
"Usage fee?"
"Yes."
Sim Jong-san snorted at Jin Yeo-rip's words.
"So that's what you meant... We're already collecting tolls."
"No, no. That's not the kind of toll I'm talking about."
"What?"
"Why do you think merchant groups pay extra transport costs by taking detours instead of just paying the toll and using the shortcuts?"
Sim Jong-san tilted his head, not quite following.
"Look. Ordinary merchants want ties with murim forces for protection. Cheongeumbang is the same. Why?"
"Because of us?"
"That's one big reason. They might run into bandits, lose goods, or get hurt—so they build a backer."
"Hm."
It was obvious. But what did that have to do with these negotiations?
"Here's the funny part. Even with backers, merchants still pay exorbitant transport fees to avoid the shortcuts guarded by bandits."
"Huh?"
"I wondered why."
"……."
"It's because it doubles their costs."
"Doubles?"
"Yes. They have to pay a sort of gratitude fee to their murim backers. Under the pretext of 'who's backing whom.'
"Hm."
"On top of that, they pay heavy tolls to bandits. And sometimes accept losses in men."
"Hrm."
Sim Jong-san nodded unwittingly, and Jin Ha-seong inwardly marveled at how the boy was dominating with words alone. When did he come up with this?
"Our Family Head said earlier: merchants always think profit and loss first."
"……."
"They take detours with higher transport costs because it's cheaper than tolls—and relatively safer. Yet they still pour massive sums yearly into murim ties. Why?"
"Beats me."
"To prepare for that one-in-a-thousand chance."
"One-in-a-thousand?"
"Yes. You know it well, Branch Chief. When merchant groups always avoid your paths and revenue dries up—what do you do?"
"Ah!"
"Isn't that why you've detained the Geumhyang Merchant Group now?"
Sim Jong-san exclaimed and nodded despite himself at the explanation. He was right. You couldn't keep offering empty tribute, so you had to target and raid.
"Now, let's flip it around."
"Flip it?"
"From the merchants' view, the biggest dangers are beast packs on mountain paths or bandit raids."
"……."
"But if you promise a fixed path usage fee and guarantee safety while they pass—what happens? Would merchants still need murim backers? Paying fortunes for it?"
"Huh? Safety? You want us to escort them?"
"Exactly. If safety's guaranteed, it's perfect for merchants. They save on murim fees and cut transport costs with shortcuts."
"Hm."
"Then Beksan Bandits get steady revenue. And if you fend off beasts, you charge extra."
"Hm, steady revenue guarantee and bonuses."
As Jin Yeo-rip finished, Sim Jong-san stroked his chin beard, looking tempted. This was creative economy. Bandit-merchant collaboration. Cheongeumbang saves on transport; Beksan gets a stable cash cow.
"What do you think? Better to grab a hundred nyang now? Or make a big-picture call for the future and contract with merchant groups?"
"Hrm."
Under Jin Yeo-rip's urging, Sim Jong-san pondered deeply. Jin Ha-seong, who'd left it all to his son, watched the pair with a pleased smile. A natural merchant, huh? The rescue negotiation had morphed into a novel contract—and a reasonable one at that. Merchants don't discriminate in deals. Bandits were fair game. If this contract stuck, yearly bandit losses would turn to profit, and detour costs would drop.
"Well, that's all from me. Now it's up to you two to choose."
Their decision was obvious. His pitch was win-win-win—good for sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and harvesting mulberry too. Jin Yeo-rip knew it was time to bow out. Years of social experience taught him when to enter and exit.
"Whew... Young master, you scared me."
Im Pilsaeng patted his chest as Jin Yeo-rip stepped back after speaking.
"Scared? Pfft."
"He's the Red-Faced Ghost, Red-Faced Ghost."
"Come on, you think I'd go in blind?"
"Pardon?"
"If it was really dangerous, you'd have saved me, right?"
"Of course."
"Always reliable."
Jin Yeo-rip patted his shoulder with a grin, and Im Pilsaeng beamed gratefully.
"But don't cry."
"Huh?"
"Uncle's tears are kinda... ugly."
"You little...!"
Im Pilsaeng's face twisted from emotion to annoyance at Jin Yeo-rip's teasing.
Meanwhile, Sim Jong-san, facing Jin Ha-seong, nodded after long thought.
"What say you, Family Head?"
"Hah, my son's already conveyed my will fully. Just your decision left, Branch Chief."
"Is that so? Ha ha hat!"
Laughter bloomed between them again.
"Contract with merchant groups. How didn't I think of it before? You've raised an impressive son."
"No need for flattery. He's still green."
"Don't be modest, Family Head. I've never seen a kid that age with such insight."
How many prestigious heirs had a mere bandit leader seen? Empty praise, probably. Still, Jin Ha-seong couldn't hide his inner delight.
"He reads a lot. A lot."
Was it parental pride? The father gushed softly in tiny detail. But even that was dignified and stern. No arm-flexing for him.
"Anyway, since you've decided, how about releasing the detained Geumhyang group first? Their trip's already delayed."
"Quite."
Sim Jong-san nodded and signaled Sima Yeo-ryang behind him.
Flutter.
A messenger pigeon flew off. To relay to those holding Geumhyang, no doubt.
"But."
"Yes, Branch Chief."
"Planning to raise that kid as a merchant?"
"Pardon?"
"He'd do fine as a murim man too."
Sim Jong-san eyed Jin Yeo-rip, bickering playfully with Im Pilsaeng. Clearly a teen boy.
"Murim man? What do you mean?"
"Wasn't just talk earlier."
"Pardon?"
"Cheeky and bold entry. So I tested him."
"Tested?"
"You're a merchant, not versed in martial ways. But my name Red-Faced Ghost isn't low in Shandong."
"How could I not know?"
"Stepping between clashing sides was suicidal."
"I know."
Sim Jong-san said firmly.
"No, you don't."
"Pardon?"
"You were inside the Jin lines, so the pressure wasn't bad. Your guards blocked the killing intent."
"……."
"But entering a space taut with killing intent from outside is staking your life."
"Ah!"
"Yet he was unfazed."
"I see."
Jin Ha-seong nodded. An oversight. He'd need to scold the boy on that. If even Sim Jong-san called it dangerous...
"That alone wouldn't surprise me this much."
"Pardon? What else?"
"There's apgi—crushing with emitted qi. I did it half-seriously, but he deflected it smoothly. Know what that means?"
"What?"
"Didn't check myself, but your son's accumulated considerable internal energy."
"S-such?"
News to him. He knew the boy trained, but enough to shrug off the famed Sim Jong-san's pressure?
Jin Ha-seong gaped at Jin Yeo-rip.
"Heh, that rascal."
When he'd swayed Sim Jong-san with merchant savvy and words, he'd thought the boy a spitting image of himself. But Jin Yeo-rip had inherited his maternal Ak clan's blood too—the one that once shook Shandong and beyond.
"He'd shine in murim. At that age, great future ahead."
"Thanks. But."
"……."
"I'll let him choose. Murim or merchants. That's all this inept father can do."
"Hm, fair. Overstepping, but raise him well. With that talent, anything's possible."
"Thank you."
The contract wrapped quickly. Sim Jong-san and Jin Ha-seong exchanged pleased smiles.
"Ah! One thing I wondered. Why not stop him earlier?"
"Stop what?"
"You knew your son's life was at risk."
"Who knows. Maybe I trusted it was fine."
"Trusted?"
As Sim Jong-san tilted his head, Jin Ha-seong grinned.
"Didn't recognize the man beside your son?"
"Huh?"
Sim Jong-san scrutinized Im Pilsaeng's face.
"Looks familiar now..."
"Before guarding my son, he was called Gwiyeong."
Jin Ha-seong smiled slyly, and Sim Jong-san's eyes bulged in shock.
Gwi—Gwiyeong? That one?
He hadn't noticed. Dismissed as the young master's ordinary guard. But recalling the face dredged up memories, sending chills down his spine. He'd invited the culprit inside unknowingly.
"Family Head, you didn't come just to negotiate."
"Merchants always plan for the worst."
"Indeed."
Sim Jong-san nodded. Worst case... extermination. If Geumhyang had deaths and talks failed.
"Owe your son thanks."
"Nah. He probably didn't think that far."
"……."
"Business done. We'll head out."
"Ah, safe travels."
Jin Ha-seong led Cheongeumbang folk away. Sim Jong-san stared blankly at their receding figures on the plank road, then slumped powerlessly.
"Eh? Branch Chief. What's wrong?"
As Sima Yeo-ryang puzzled, Sim Jong-san glared wide-eyed, voice trembling.
"Y-Yeo-ryang."
"Yes?"
"We... almost shut down the bandit lair just now."