Creative Economy (5)
In his conversation with Jin Ha-seong, Jin Yeo-rip had confirmed that the concept of insurance could absolutely work in this world too. He would be the first. The first in the merchant world, the first in murim. Just thinking of the customers from the four seas and ten thousand directions made his hips twitch with excitement, but he had to hold back. Rushing wouldn't do any good. For now, it was a concept known only to him—no, to him and his father.
Even if he started slowly, no one would steal this business out from under him. Anyway, he wouldn't leave Cheongeumbang until the upcoming merchant alliance conference ended, right? Until then, he'd stay put and flesh out the business plan. Jin Yeo-rip gazed out the carriage window with a satisfied smile, then tilted his head in confusion.
"But this isn't the usual road, is it?"
"We're stopping in Jenan."
"Jenan?"
"Yes."
"Why go out of our way? It's a huge detour."
"I told the Geumhyang Merchant Group leader to stay there for some treatment."
"Ah...."
Well, yeah, they'd gone through hell getting captured by those bandits. And there were injured folks too, so it made sense to drop by and offer some comfort. Man, what a guy. When the hell did he even send that message? So thoughtful and quick on his feet.
"But didn't you say the caravan was running pretty late?"
"We did."
"Won't there be a penalty fee?"
As Jin Yeo-rip asked with genuine concern, a faint smile cracked Jin Ha-seong's stern face.
"You've become a real merchant already, huh? Worrying about penalty fees and all."
"It's just such an obvious loss."
"Right you are. There will be a penalty. It'll cost at least fifty nyang of gold we prepared for negotiations with the Byeoksan Stronghold."
"And you still told them to wait?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"To gain something bigger."
"What's that?"
He couldn't wrap his head around it. What could be bigger than a fifty-nyang loss?
"Is it because of the Hwangbo family?"
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"That's what everyone's saying. That things are dragging because of my maternal Ak family."
"Nonsense."
"Pardon?"
"What kind of talk is that? You think the Hwangbo family, who call themselves Shandong's top martial house, are so petty they'd let the past cloud their current profits?"
"......"
"There are plenty of other reasons, but the main one is our differing intentions."
"Differing intentions?"
"Yes. What they want from us is total submission. They believe that's the way to help us."
"Pardon?"
It didn't make sense. Submission meant obedience... how could that possibly help?
"But I don't want that. I don't want them facing trouble because of Cheongeumbang. And as merchants, if we're to maintain close ties with a martial family like them, it has to be on equal terms."
Still didn't click. Cheongeumbang would be the ones submitting—why would the Hwangbo family end up in trouble? But he held his tongue. His father's face was too serious; he didn't want to interrupt.
"Yeo-rip, bringing up the Ak family in the elders' discussions about the Hwangbo issue is just a cheap trick."
"A trick?"
"Sojin—no, the golden-eyed lord of Saihai Money House must have planted that idea. They have to pin everything on the Ak family to tie you and me down."
"Ah, so that's it... How petty."
"The merchant world is like that. Pettiness often passes for righteousness."
His tone was matter-of-fact, but Jin Yeo-rip couldn't help frowning. He'd heard plenty about chaebol infighting in his past life, but wasn't "righteous management" a thing for a reason? How long could they keep the movie going by seizing Cheongeumbang with dirty tricks?
"The real goal is the rumors."
"Rumors?"
"Yes. Rumors that Cheongeumbang can solve its own problems without the Hwangbo family's help."
"Ah! So keeping the Geumhyang group in Jenan is to spread word of the Byeoksan Stronghold incident? To show you can handle murim disputes without escorting martial artists?"
"Sharp as ever, kid."
"I'm a genius."
Jin Yeo-rip replied as if it were obvious, and Jin Ha-seong gave an awkward smile. He'd almost lectured on the dangers of hubris but held back. The boy had earned that pride.
"Especially with this Geumhyang incident, the Hwangbo family might rethink things."
"Probably."
The trip to Jenan wasn't just to comfort the Geumhyang group. By showing they could handle problems themselves, there was no need to sign a submission contract. The more he watched, the more impressive his father seemed. Expanding the business just from hearing about insurance, calculating the ripples from every word and action...
"But why are you so set on contracting with the Hwangbo family?"
"Hah, kid. You think bandits like Byeoksan Stronghold are the only threats a caravan faces? The Hwangbo name helps in any situation."
"So, could this lead to a contract on equal terms?"
"I'd like it to be easy, but their family head is stubborn as they come. It'll be a lot of back-and-forth. A long tug-of-war."
"Tug-of-war... Sounds just like dating a girlfriend."
"Hm?"
"Uh, nothing."
"Heh, what a kid."
Jin Ha-seong chuckled, gazing at his son. He didn't show it much, but he was prouder than ever. He'd worried about Cheongeumbang after he left, but now he could relax. The boy was already thinking rings around expectations. He'd do great—better than him, even.
His choice of Jenan wasn't just for the Hwangbo ties. The biggest reason was to show off his son to the Geumhyang group—specifically, to imprint that his son had saved them. Seeing it firsthand beat hearing rumors. Word of this would spread fast, and other merchants would learn Jin Yeo-rip's name.
As Jin Ha-seong watched his son with pride, the quiet Jin Yeo-rip suddenly spoke up.
"Father."
"Yes?"
"I've been meaning to say this for a while."
"Go ahead."
"About that Byeoksan Stronghold thing."
"Yes."
"If we hadn't made the contract, we'd have had to fork over a full hundred nyang to their chief, right?"
"A hundred? Like I said before, it would've been seventy..."
"Right, seventy nyang."
"......"
"In a way, it was money we had to spend anyway."
"True. We'd have paid the Byeoksan Stronghold."
"But you saved it."
Jin Ha-seong replied with a solemn face.
"Of course—all thanks to your clever idea, which even landed us a new contract."
"That's why I'm asking."
"Hm?"
"Could you give me twenty nyang of that seventy—or the fifty-nyang loss from the Geumhyang delay?"
"Twenty nyang?"
"Yes."
"......"
"I'm leaving Cheongeumbang soon. I need startup capital."
"Hah, you little..."
"Think of it as an advance."
"Hahaha!"
"Father, don't laugh."
"Heh heh heh!"
"Father?"
"Heh heh heh heh!"
"......"
The guy who hardly ever laughed was cracking up big time. Was asking for money that funny?
"Father?"
"Heh heh heh heh! Hahaha!"
He'd stared holes into him earlier, but now he was avoiding eye contact, laughter only getting louder. ...No dice, huh. Merchant through and through, down to the bone. Was twenty nyang for his own kid that painful? Especially knowing how much Cheongeumbang saved thanks to the Byeoksan contract!
"Hahaha, hahaha!"
And so, the carriage carrying the rich father rolled toward Shandong's most prosperous city, Jenan, laden with laughter(?).
Shandong Province, Jenan City.
"This is not only Shandong's most prosperous spot but also crucial for merchants."
"Why's that?"
"Look."
Waiting for city gate inspection, Jin Ha-seong pointed at Jenan City.
"Jenan has the four cardinal gates plus two more. East leads to a sea port, west to Henan, south to Jiangsuo, north to Hebei."
Jin Yeo-rip got it instantly. For merchants, what could be more vital than roads where carts flowed freely? Especially ones linking every surrounding region and even the sea—a true transportation hub.
"When the day comes you take over Cheongeumbang, seize Jenan by all means."
"Doubt the Hwangbo family will allow it."
"Who knows? Something tells me you might..."
Jin Ha-seong trailed off as their turn for inspection came.
"Alright, let's go. Our turn."
"Yes."
After inspection, Jin Yeo-rip rode into Jenan and gaped in awe.
"Whoa...."
The scale was insane. Cheongeumbang was impressive, but Jenan's walls were truly grand. Straight, endless boulevards stretched so far they blurred at the horizon, lined with buildings big and small. Sticking his head out, Jin Yeo-rip whipped around, gasping nonstop—like a country boy fresh in the capital.
Markets crammed the roadsides, merchants hawking wares; pedestrians of every stripe packed the streets.
"Kid, that exciting?"
"Huh? Yeah. It's unreal."
First city outside Cheongeumbang, Jin Yeo-rip was glued to the sights, and Jin Ha-seong's face stayed beaming with warmth.
"Hey, Wang Escort."
"Yes, family head!"
"We're heading to Wolseong Pavilion today."
"Wolseong? Ah, got it."
Wang-seok paused in surprise at Jin Ha-seong's words, then grinned and nodded. Wolseong Pavilion was Jenan's flashiest brothel and tavern. Room rates were sky-high, unthinkable for the usual frugal family head. But Wang-seok realized he wanted to show his heir the high life.
"What? Wolseong? That pricey joint?"
Im Pilsaeng's eyes bulged beside him, and Wang-seok scowled.
"Shh, pipe down."
"Why? You won't even lend me a horse and now you're scolding?"
"Ugh, your sense..."
"What?"
"Family head's taking Young Master to Jenan's top brothel."
"Oh? Ah..."
"Always worrying. How's a clueless guy like you an escort?"
"What'd I do?"
Im Pilsaeng pouted at the jab. Wang-seok shook his head and turned to a subordinate.
"Jo Gwang."
"Yes, captain."
"Contact the Geumhyang leader. Tell him the family head's staying at Wolseong—come there."
"Got it."
Jo Gwang dashed off, and Im Pilsaeng grinned wide.
"Heh heh, nice. Thanks to our young master, we'll get a rare treat."
"Tsk tsk. All you care about is the free grub, not escorting?"
"What? Come on!"
Bickering again. Despite the age gap, they seemed like old pals without a care.
"Father, isn't it too expensive?"
"Hm?"
"Don't strain yourself on my account."
Jin Ha-seong boomed with laughter at Jin Yeo-rip's words.
"You worrying about your old man now?"
"Huh? Worry? Why would I worry about you?"
"Hm?"
"I'm worried about my twenty nyang in gold. Don't blow it all here."
Jin Yeo-rip pouted, and Jin Ha-seong burst out laughing.
"What? Hahaha!"
Laughing again. Always at money talk. Just you wait—he'd get that gold.