I Am the Merchant Group (4)
“Heard another village got wiped out?”
“Where?”
“Some place near Poyang Lake, they say.”
“Damn, what’s the world coming to? And what do the magistrates even do besides squeezing taxes out of us?”
“Come on, man. Have you ever seen the yamen get anything done on time? They’re always late to the party.”
“Fair point.”
The crowd, fuming over the yamen’s sluggish response, nodded in easy agreement.
What kind of convincing explanation is that? I wanted to shout, but it was tragically spot-on. Across history and cultures, the yamen’s habit of locking the barn after the horse is stolen had become universal truth.
My memory from my past life was correct—the Bandit King had forcibly disbanded several bandit strongholds. Back then, as a non-martial artist, I’d brushed it off, but now it struck me as downright suspicious.
Who in their right mind shrinks their own power base? There had to be a reason for trimming the bandit dens. Of course, I didn’t know what it was.
“By the way, did you buy the Twelve Bandit Forms yet? They say mastering a technique like that means bandits won’t take your life, at least.”
“Get real. We have to learn bandit arts to fight bandits?”
“What else is there for us? The righteous sects just hoard their sacred techniques.”
“True enough.”
Word of the Twelve Bandit Forms was already spreading like wildfire. Of course, in Huazhong and Hua dong regions, the Hwi-yeong Merchant Group had a virtual monopoly. It wasn’t originally that popular an art.
But in chaotic times, even crude techniques like that could save your precious life. Naturally, there were folks like me who turned chaos into profit.
I slipped quietly out of the inn. In Wuhuan, more people recognized me than expected, so I made sure to wear my bamboo hat religiously.
Back at the merchant group’s office, a flurry of activity greeted me. We’d hired temporary clerks and servants from the Dongho Merchant Association. Four people couldn’t handle the revenue pouring in from four cities, after all.
“Ahem.”
My deliberate cough finally drew their eyes.
“Greetings, Guild Leader!”
“Yeah, yeah. Get back to work.”
I waved off the bows and urged them on. Every minute spent greeting was money lost. Better no greetings at all.
“How’s it going?”
“What’s to say? It’s the busiest I’ve ever been.”
Jo Chung-heon grinned as he handled the paperwork. No surprise—a merchant group thrived on sales. Of course, my promise of performance bonuses based on revenue probably sweetened his smile.
“It’s no joke. The price of Twelve Bandit Forms keeps climbing.”
“Sell with controlled supply. We’re not at peak yet.”
“Got it.”
I gave Jo Chung-heon the instructions and glanced at the ledger. Compared to our initial few hundred taels investment, the sales were absurdly high. With demand for Twelve Bandit Forms exploding, prices had tripled—inevitable, really.
“Pffheheh.”
I tried to stifle the laugh, but it bubbled out. Imagining those ink numbers flowing into my pockets sent chills racing up my spine from deep within.
Yes. It’s been too long. This thrill alone had dragged me through despair and muck, endured the siren call of death and its close companion, bone-deep melancholy. No matter how many reasons the world gave to die, one reason to live could conquer them all.
“Ah, Guild Leader.”
Jo Chung-heon snapped me from my ecstasy.
“Yes?”
“Um, Lord Hyeong stopped by earlier.”
“Lord Hyeong? The old Poyong Magistrate?”
“Yes. But he’s not a magistrate anymore. Promoted to Vice Minister of the Board of Revenue.”
The unexpected name made me tilt my head. Hyeong Seong—the official whose daughter I’d saved before. I remembered buttering him up, knowing he’d become prime minister material someday.
“Straight from rank 6-9 magistrate to rank 4-9 vice minister?”
“He already had a solid reputation, and recommending the Hubei Divine Physician seems to have helped a lot.”
“Oh?”
So he got promoted thanks to me. Was that why he came?
“Did he say what it was about?”
“Something personal. He’s at the Poyong Office—drop by when you can.”
“Hm.”
Same city, no big deal. Greedy officials often shook down successful merchants, but Hyeong Seong wasn’t that type. I knew it well.
“Alright, then. I’ll head over. He’s at the Poyong Office, so if anything comes up, send word there.”
“Yes, sir.”
I left the office and made for the Poyong Office. It wasn’t far from our headquarters.
“Oh, if it isn’t the Hubei Divine Physician.”
The runner who’d escorted me inside last time recognized me. I smiled and bowed. Always best to keep a friendly face in officialdom.
“Good day.”
“Come on, no need to be so formal with a lowly runner like me.”
“We’re all people, aren’t we?”
The initially wary runner had warmed up considerably. A crowd waited outside, but he prioritized me, shoving them back. The others, recognizing me as the Hubei Divine Physician, didn’t complain. Virtue pays dividends.
“I heard. Vice Minister of Revenue is looking for you.”
“Lord Hyeong, right?”
“Yes, yes.”
The runner kindly gestured me toward the Revenue Division where Hyeong worked. They let me in without fuss—Hyeong must have mentioned a visitor.
Inside sat Hyeong Seong, now exuding proper official gravitas. Rank 6-9 and 4-9 carried different weights. The former topped low ranks; the latter was a step to high office.
“My lord, good to see you again.”
“Ah, you’re here.”
“Promotion suits you—you look younger already.”
“Haha, smooth talker. It’s all thanks to you.”
Everyone loves flattery. Even Hyeong had his moments. Of course, he didn’t look younger—that was a lie—but the promotion was my doing.
Hyeong pulled out a chair for me.
“Heard the news. Hwi-yeong Merchant Group is raking it in.”
“Pocket change compared to Tianxia Merchant Group.”
“Heh, everything’s a drop in the bucket next to them.”
I smiled. No one, not even Hyeong, thought we’d surpass Tianxia anytime soon. Overturning that was my job.
“Impressive business sense, though. Word in merchant circles is some group monopolizing Twelve Bandit Forms.”
“Is that so?”
“Bigger you get, more eyes on you. Get used to it.”
No one was more accustomed than me. I nodded.
With pleasantries done, Hyeong lowered his voice to the point.
“Remember seeing the Censorate’s Deputy Regional Inspector last time?”
“Yes. You were there too, my lord.”
“I’m just a lowly underling to him—no chance to speak.”
“Right. And?”
“Think you could introduce me?”
“Hm.”
I hummed thoughtfully. Was Hyeong already networking? To climb from local magistrate to central power under the emperor’s eye, connections like that were essential.
“You misunderstand. I’m not asking for a favor or pull.”
“Oh?”
I tilted my head. Then why meet a Censorate inspector? Normal officials avoided them—they hunted corrupt peers.
“Why, then?”
“……What I’m about to say is confidential.”
I tensed. Secrets. Broadly speaking, my past life’s death stemmed from one. A secret I shouldn’t have. I probed carefully.
“Can I hear it?”
“Everyone should know, really.”
“I see.”
I tapped my elbow. I could bolt right now. The merchant group was booming—why risk tangling with officialdom? But crisis and opportunity were two sides of the same coin, always linked. Hyeong was worth the gamble.
“Tell me.”
“Wise choice. Truth is, coming to Revenue Division, I uncovered the Vice Minister of Revenue’s corruption.”
“……Hm.”
Fresh twist. Hyeong wasn’t a merchant like me—he was an incorruptible. I’d judged him by my standards.
“I could’ve overlooked it as custom, but embezzling rice from the granary relief program? Unforgivable.”
“Bold move.”
Yeomsan—buying rice in good years to sell cheap in bad ones. Central audits were strict; stealing from that was no small crime.
“Exactly. That’s why I need to tell someone like the Deputy Regional Inspector directly.”
“Got it. I’ll send a letter to Beijing.”
Whistleblowing, basically. If it failed, Hyeong and I would be marked by Hubei Poyong Office. Risky for my Wuhuan base. No escape now, though—shared secrets bound us. That was trust.
“Thank you. Knew your sense of justice would rage alongside mine.”
“……Yeah. Stealing rice meant for the people? Outrageous.”
Hyeong gripped my hands, moved. He’d misunderstood something, but no need to correct it.
“Men like you should succeed. Thrilled your group’s booming. Merchants are usually to be avoided, but as a Wudang lay disciple, you’re different.”
“I’ll earn plenty and pay heaps in taxes.”
“Haha! That’s the spirit!”
Of course, I’d tell Jo Chung-heon to find tax loopholes later. Words were cheap.
I promised to relay any reply and left the division. Walking the Poyong Office grounds, a runner dashed up—one of my temps.
“Guild Leader!”
Urgency in his face made even me anxious. Something big at the group. I’d said send word here if needed—they didn’t waste time.
“What’s wrong?”
“The Wuhuan Merchant Association head is here!”
“The association head?”
Why so many visitors today? A small group striking gold naturally drew eyes to its leader. In small outfits, the guild head was the guild.
I craned my neck skyward. Sun still high. This day was already dragging into epic length.