Finding a House in Luoyang
Upon arriving in Luoyang, Seo Jun spent his days in constant motion. Rising from bed with a slight stiffness in his body, he stretched widely. Beside him lay Yi Hyeon, still naked from the night before.
“Are you heading out again today, husband?”
Yi Hyeon, who had grown fond of sleeping in lately, forced her eyes open and asked.
“Yes. I’ll probably need to stay busy for a few more days.”
Seo Jun had grown accustomed to treating Seol Ryeon and Yi Hyeon openly as his wives. Having spent more of his life unbound by conventional notions of age, he found informal speech most natural and comfortable. In this world, however, social status often forced him to use formal language.
“Once we secure a house, things should ease up. I’m meeting the broker He Jwa-seung recommended today, so we should make some progress.”
After finishing his morning routine, Seo Jun left the inn and headed toward Dongro in the direction of Yeonghwa Village. Located near the Central Eastern Gate along Luoyang’s eastern wall, the village was a bustling hub for visitors from Yeonju, Yejju, and Seoju. It sat just across the main road from the White Horse Inn where Seo Jun was staying.
As he walked, Seo Jun spotted He Ham standing with a man in his mid-thirties on one side of the street.
“Brother Yu-maeng! You’re here early.”
Seo Jun approached and greeted He Ham with a slight bow. Though he himself wasn’t late, the usually relaxed He Ham had arrived ahead of him.
“White Dragon, welcome. This is Ju Gyeong, the broker I mentioned. He’s been making a name for himself in Luoyang lately and often handles matters for our household. You can trust him.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Young Master Seo. I’m Ju Gyeong, a broker working here in Luoyang.”
“Ju Gyeong?”
“Do you know him?”
“Ah, someone recommended Master Ju Gyeong to me just a few days ago. I was simply surprised to hear the same name again.”
“Haha, is that so? As expected of Ju Gyeong! You must be the most sought-after broker in Luoyang these days.”
“Haha, you flatter me, Lord Jwa-seung. Thanks to the Grand General and yourself looking out for me, I’ve managed to establish myself here. Without that support, I’d still be nothing more than a fledgling.”
“Haha~ Enough idle talk. Let’s go see some houses.”
“Please follow me. I’ve already set aside some excellent properties for you today.”
Ju Gyeong first led them to the southern district of Luoyang, where many mid-level officials resided. They walked south along the main road until they reached the area before Pyeongseong Gate and Sowon Gate along the southern wall. Ju Gyeong showed Seo Jun three well-maintained houses, but none matched the scale Seo Jun had in mind. He hesitated.
“Are the houses not to your liking, Young Master Seo? Perhaps you’re looking for something larger?”
Reading Seo Jun’s expression, Ju Gyeong asked directly.
“Yes. I have quite a few family members and others I plan to bring in, so I was hoping for a house of considerable size.”
“Young Master, large estates rarely come on the market in Luoyang, and when they do, the prices are steep.”
Ju Gyeong worried that Seo Jun, being from outside the capital, might underestimate the cost of a proper mansion. In Luoyang, any house worthy of being called an estate started at over one million coins—enough to purchase ten thousand seok of grain. Such properties were far beyond the reach of ordinary people.
“To secure a house of the size you’re considering, you’ll likely need at least a million coins. Will that be acceptable?”
“White Dragon, are you sure? A million coins is no small sum.”
He Ham, who had never purchased property himself, looked concerned after hearing the figure.
“I saved quite a bit of money before coming to Luoyang through various ventures. I can manage that amount, so don’t worry about the price. Do you have any suitable houses in mind, Master Ju Gyeong?”
“Haha, well now. It turns out our White Dragon brother is quite wealthy!”
“There is one property that came on the market yesterday, though I’m not sure if it will suit you.”
After Seo Jun casually dismissed concerns about money, a particular house flashed through Ju Gyeong’s mind.
“Ju Gyeong, you seem to have a house in mind. Why hesitate? Tell us.”
He Ham pressed him impatiently.
“It’s the residence of the late Governor Bu of Hanyang, who passed away this summer. I hesitated because I wasn’t sure if you’d want a house that has recently been in mourning, especially as this would be your first home in Luoyang.”
“Oh? So Governor Bu’s house is available? I thought he had a son. I assumed the boy would return to Luoyang, but it seems he hasn’t.”
Bu Seop, Governor of Hanyang, had been a beloved administrator in Liang Province, respected even by foreign tribes for his fair policies. He had died defending Hanyang against attacks by the Wuwan and the Qiang earlier that summer. Many influential figures in Liang Province had petitioned to have his body returned home, a testament to the respect he commanded.
“His son, Young Master Bu Gan, has apparently decided to establish himself in Liang Province. The rest of the family still in Luoyang plans to relocate there as well.”
“I see. What a pity. He was a good man. What do you think, White Dragon? Many would hesitate to take a house touched by recent mourning.”
“As long as the house itself is suitable, I have no objection to its history.”
The group made their way to Bu Seop’s residence near Gwangyang Gate, the southernmost of the three western gates. The estate was indeed large enough to be called a proper mansion. Guided by a servant, they entered and were greeted by a middle-aged man.
“Welcome.”
He introduced himself as the chief steward in charge of the property. Under his guidance, they toured the house in detail.
“It looks good to me, White Dragon. What do you think?”
“I like it as well. Let’s take this one.”
Though the furnishings weren’t brand new, the house was well maintained and carried an air of dignity. Its aged, lived-in charm appealed to Seo Jun even more. The price was set at 1.3 million coins. Ju Gyeong tried to negotiate, but Seo Jun stopped him, reasoning that it would be unseemly to haggle over the home of a loyal official’s grieving family. He Ham, Ju Gyeong, and the steward were deeply impressed by his consideration—though Seo Jun’s true motive was simply wanting to finalize the deal quickly for a house he already liked.
They agreed that Seo Jun’s household would move in after seven days, completing the transaction. Seo Jun generously paid Ju Gyeong’s brokerage fee for securing such a fine property. Afterward, he and He Ham headed toward He Jin’s residence so Seo Jun could see him home.
“Thanks to you, brother, I found an excellent house. If you ever need my help with anything, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll do whatever I can.”
He Ham’s eyes lit up at Seo Jun’s words.
“Really?”
“Of course. Why would I speak empty words to you?”
“Then there’s something you could help me with right away. Will you?”
“Naturally. If it’s within my power, I’ll assist you without question.”
Seo Jun knew that in Luoyang, securing He Jin’s favor was crucial. He Ham, who had already shown him considerable goodwill, could become a valuable ally. Any opportunity to strengthen their bond was worth taking.