The Young Lady Says I'm Her Husband

"I apologize to you all, but I cannot punish the informant. I ask for your understanding."

With all threats to his person gone, and his belly full and back warm, Seonjo had quickly regained his usual sharpness. After finishing lunch, we all headed to the Pyeonjeon (the King's office) to wrap up today's affairs. Seonjo, who had sat firmly on his throne and retraced the events from the very beginning, spoke to our group.

"Although it stemmed from a misunderstanding, the Gochu (chili pepper) was indeed a poison before I knew of Heo Gyun's knowledge. They could not have known these circumstances, so they had no choice but to report it. They must have risked their lives for the country in their own way, so I think it would be too harsh to punish them for not knowing that knowledge."

Well, that's true. To put it bluntly, there is no justification for punishment. Of course, if even one member of my family had been dragged to the Uigeumbu (State Tribunal) and beaten, justification or not, our house would have risen up and gone full UFC, but that's not the case right now. The only damage done to our family was having to wake up early in the morning. Besides, we cleared the air while dining together, and it ended with a sort of apology where everyone felt appropriately embarrassed, so going any further would be gwayubulgeup—too much of a good thing.

Even my father, who had been furious while tied up in ropes at dawn, seemed to have no different thoughts, as he immediately bowed his head and replied.

"Your words are righteous. It was merely a misunderstanding, and thanks to Your Majesty's benevolence, no one was harmed, so how could we discuss punishment? It is all due to Your Majesty's virtue."

"Grand Secretary, I am truly grateful that you say so. And Dobang (Merchant Guild Leader), I am sorry to you as well. Are you alright?"

Come to think of it, there was one person who had been harmed. As Seonjo looked at Kim Deoksu, the only victim of this incident, he, who had been deep in thought, snapped back to reality and answered.

"Your Majesty, I have been thinking about something."

"Hmm?"

"I don't think this is a simple matter. It requires a proper discussion."

"?"

What is he saying? The King of this country is asking for forgiveness, and a Joseon scholar has agreed to it, so how can a mere merchant object? Is he still suffering from the aftereffects of being beaten? No, even if he was hit a few times, how dare a merchant talk back?

Seonjo's eyes filled with rage, and just as he was about to say something, Kim Deoksu preempted him.

"Your Majesty, how about the country monopolizes the items created by Master Heo Gyun?"

"What? Suddenly? I asked if you were alright."

"Ah, I am perfectly fine. Perhaps because my mind has been sharp since dawn, I actually feel refreshed. That is why I say this—Miwon and Gochu are items that our Hanyang Merchant Guild cannot handle alone."

Ever since he realized the value of the seasoning, Kim Deoksu's brain had been spinning rapidly. How much wealth and manpower would be needed to supply this product stably across the eight provinces of Joseon? How much profit should I take to be known as having eaten well? Is there ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠no way to eat this gold mine alone without handing it over to other merchant guilds? Ah, as time passes, every Tom, Dick, and Harry will come running to take a bite. I don't want to yield it to anyone. I want to eat it all by myself. I want to be the only one doing this for a thousand years.

And after all those deliberations, Kim Deoksu reached a conclusion. I should just leave the monopoly to the state. Like the ginseng of the Song merchants, like the salt of the court, if the state backs it and the Hanyang Merchant Guild monopolizes manufacturing and distribution, that's all there is to it. If this happens, I can at least keep eating alone until Joseon falls. From now on, it's important. Depending on how I persuade the King, the future of the Hanyang Merchant Guild will change.

Kim Deoksu, having quickly organized all the thoughts in his head, spoke calmly to Seonjo.

"Your Majesty, once this book is released soon, everyone in Joseon will know the raw materials."

"That would be so."

"Then, fishermen who should be catching proper fish will scramble to catch Myeol-eo (anchovies), and fields where farmers should be growing crops will be planted with Gochu instead. As the Royal Chef mentioned earlier, this will have a value approaching expensive beef and shiitake mushrooms."

"Uh... that could happen."

"If that happens, the market price of grain in the Yuk-uijeon (six licensed shops) will soon fall into chaos, and the price of Miwon, which was made for the people's tables, will skyrocket due to the schemes of merchants, ultimately harming the country."

Hmm? That sounds plausible. Now that I hear it, there isn't a single thing wrong with it. Seonjo immediately nodded in agreement.

"The Dobang of the Hanyang Merchant Guild is truly sharp with numbers. I hadn't even thought of that side of it, but your words are indeed correct."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. That is why I believe it is right for Your Majesty to take hold of all this and monopolize it. You can adjust supply and demand according to the country's situation and set the prices, and our Hanyang Merchant Guild will secure ships and fields to obtain the materials as needed. Just like ginseng and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠salt."

"Hmm... truly a clear answer. If what you say is true, it will be of great help to the finances of the Naesusa (Royal Household Department)."

Seonjo also understood what he meant. Let's eat among ourselves. The King also needs wealth. It is said that anyone can become a wise king, but not just anyone can become a benevolent king. They say generosity comes from a full storehouse; one must have something in their hands to distribute relief rice to the people during a drought or to give gifts to meritorious subjects. In that sense, Kim Deoksu's words were truly interesting. He had been opening ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the Naesusa every time he found a useful talent, and his private treasury was already drained from supporting the Donguibogam, so this was an opportunity to refill it and inflate the court's coffers.

"In my opinion, the Dobang's words seem correct, but what do you think, Grand Secretary?"

"I am of the same mind. And as the one in charge of the Ministry of Rites, if I may add one more thought, how about including these new items in the tribute sent to the Ming?"

"In the tribute?"

"Yes, since their value is said to be equal to beef, if we negotiate well with the envoy group, we could replace significant items, including horses and silver. And if, by chance, it pleases the Emperor and Miwon spreads in Chang'an, we might be able to trade with Ming merchant guilds just like we do with ginseng."

Heo Yeop also understood what he meant. Let's eat among ourselves. Heo Yeop had been rich since birth and wasn't particularly interested in wealth, but he wasn't so oblivious as to reject wealth that was coming his way. He was already receiving one-third of the profits related to Sik-geuk's Jang-geum as a brokerage fee, and by nature, the more wealth, the better. So, I want to eat too.

"Then, what about the initial volume?"

"How about this ratio?"

"We should look for appropriate bribes to pass to this envoy group."

Whisper, whisper. The three people, who were tearing off the massive interests that had fallen into their hands by chance like pieces of rice cake, suddenly thought of one thing.

"But if we are to maintain the monopoly and offer it as tribute, we must keep the raw materials a secret."

"That we must. I've seen it, and there's no need for major revisions; I just need to reduce the descriptions of the ingredients a little."

"Gyun, can you do it? This father believes in you."

"... Ah, yes."

Sitting in a corner of the Pyeonjeon with my sister, watching the adults' sinister underworld, I silently nodded. Looks like they want to eat among themselves. Hearing that, it's not a job that will end in a day or two, but I'm happy to rest. I'll edit for a bit and then take a good rest.

The Daktrio (Doctor Trio), seemingly pleased with my answer, nodded in unison while tearing off more rice cake and continued the meeting.

"Your Majesty, there is one last thing to resolve."

"What is it?"

"As Your Majesty knows, security is life in this matter. Since it is not an item with scarcity like ginseng or salt, if the raw materials are leaked, the monopoly of Miwon will be impossible."

"Hmm, that's true. But isn't there no one who knows about Miwon or Gochu other than those here? I think it will be fine if we just keep our mouths shut."

"No, Your Majesty, is there not one person left?"

"Who are you talking about?"

"The informant who reported the treason."

"Ah?!"

"Park Cheolgi, Dobang of the Pyongyang Yoo Merchant Guild, lift your head."

"... Yes, Your Majesty."

Park Cheolgi, who had performed a full prostration in the Pyeonjeon, barely lifted his head with a trembling voice. Looking around with endlessly wavering eyes, he saw Grand Secretary Heo Yeop on the left, the Hanyang Merchant Guild Dobang on the right, and the King of this country in front. He had reported treason, but the parties involved in that treason were alive and well, waiting for him in the Pyeonjeon. I'm really dead now. Just as Park Cheolgi's knees were about to give way from the unbearable fear that his head would soon be rolling, Seonjo spoke in a truly calm voice.

"Is it true that you reported treason?"

"... That is."

"I am not here to scold you, so it is fine to speak."

"Please have mercy, Your Majesty."

"Haha, mercy for what? You only reported the matter out of concern for my safety, so how could I blame you for that? Rather, you deserve a reward, not punishment. Grand Secretary Heo, is that not so?"

"Yes, there was a small misunderstanding, but no one was harmed, and the loyalty of the Yoo Merchant Guild Dobang is truly something to be praised. However."

Gulp. What is this, what is going on? I don't know what's what, but it seems I might live after all. Park Cheolgi swallowed dryly and waited for Heo Yeop's next words.

"Although it is a misunderstanding, it is a matter involving the honor of the Royal Family and the scholars. If this matter leaks outside, I fear rumors will spread among gossips that there is discord between the monarch and his subjects."

"Do you understand?"

I understand. It means if I just watch my mouth, I'll live. They talked about it, it wasn't treason, and since it's awkward to punish me, they're saying if I just shut my mouth, they'll let me live! I survived. I survived.

"Yes! Your Majesty!! I, the Yoo Merchant Guild!! I know absolutely nothing!! I have forgotten it from my memory!! I will make sure to keep everyone's mouth shut by any means necessary!!"

"Hmm, yes, I will believe you. Now it is time to give you a reward. Come here and receive this."

Park Cheolgi grabbed his trembling knees, approached Seonjo, and respectfully received a letter with both hands. When he unfolded it, the following contents were written:

"Your Majesty?! This is!"

"It is what Kim Deoksu of the Hanyang Merchant Guild, standing over there, has yielded to you."

"The loyalty of the Yoo Merchant Guild Dobang is so touching, how could I, as a fellow merchant walking the same path, just watch? Our Hanyang Merchant Guild is short-handed due to other businesses, so we intend to do business together with the Yoo Merchant Guild on this occasion. We will give you all the authority, so you only need to give half of the profits as a brokerage fee to the Hanyang Merchant Guild."

"We are giving you this reward because we trust you, so you must keep the promise you made."

"Huk!!"

I wasn't wrong. This Joseon, our King, my colleagues in the industry, my choice—I wasn't wrong. Park Cheolgi said, tears streaming down his face at the heaven-like grace.

"Your benevolence is boundless, Your Majesty!!!"

"Young Master, shall we go home now?"

"Let's do that. I'm tired from playing too much."

A long time had passed since the new book was released. I don't know what they were so busy with, but Seonjo, my father, and Kim Deoksu hadn't shown their faces, and I was able to start the 'rest life' I had wanted so much. Today, I woke up in the morning, held Ae-jeong, and shared sweets on the rice paddy ridge; I was hungry, so I went to the marketplace with Dol-i and had a bowl of Gukbap (soup and rice); and I spent the whole afternoon wandering around the Yuk-uijeon, playing with a Gakgung (horn bow) that looked decent. I'll buy a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠bow when the cotton fabric comes in next month.

As I walked home step by step, a little kid blocked my path.

"You're Heo Gyun, right?"

"Hmm?"

"My name is Lee Sol."

How old was she? She was a young girl with cat-like, slightly upturned eyes, clear features, and cheeks turned red from the evening cold. She approached me and said.

"My father said that you are my husband."

"?"