Chapter 47
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: The Silk Road
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The cozy manor on the outskirts of the village was a place Jo Dae-ya, who had run a merchant guild for a long time, had prepared to live out his retirement in comfort.
Jo Dae-ya had led a merchant guild of considerable size, one of the most prominent in all the Central Plains.
Despite this, he was held in high esteem by the villagers.
This was because he had used his personal fortune to help famine victims during droughts and had never hesitated to spend his wealth, always participating in the village's major and minor affairs.
However, even this renowned tycoon could not escape the ravages of time.
His strength had begun to wane at some point, and recently, a chronic illness had flared up, forcing him to spend most of his days in bed.
No restorative medicine could bring back his once-depleted vitality.
Physicians, too, were unable to help. It wasn't an illness with a clear cause, but one stemming from old age.
“Hah...”
Lying in his bed, Jo Dae-ya let out a heavy sigh.
His situation—lying here all day, teetering on the edge of life and death, simply waiting for his final day—was utterly miserable and difficult to bear.
Jo Dae-ya spoke to his son, who was keeping watch by his bedside.
“It seems my time is truly running out.”
His son, who stayed by Jo Dae-ya's side.
The heir to the merchant guild, Jo Hyo-sim, was also renowned for his filial piety. Jo Hyo-sim took his father's hand and shook his head.
“You are not the kind of man to succumb to such a minor ailment, Father. You will be up and about in no time.”
“No. I can feel my life ebbing away.”
Jo Dae-ya turned his head and gazed out the window.
“My mind is hazy, and my strength has faded...”
An undeniable sense of regret washed over Jo Dae-ya's wrinkled face.
“The sun sets, but the road is long... There is still so much to do, yet my day is already ending.”
Jo Dae-ya said to his son.
“You should go and rest now. I wish to be alone for a while.”
After sending his son away, Jo Dae-ya was left alone and drifted into a light sleep.
Then, at some point, Jo Dae-ya slowly opened his eyes.
He felt a chill brush against his face.
It was then that he noticed the wide-open window and a figure standing silently in the darkness.
Wondering if it was the grim reaper he had only heard stories about, Jo Dae-ya's heart sank.
At that moment, the figure spoke.
“My apologies for visiting so late without permission. Are you Lord Jo Hwa-sim, the Great Father of Pacification?”
The amicable tone of the man's voice slightly eased Jo Dae-ya's wariness.
“Who...?”
“Forgive my late introduction. My name is Sa Mu-sim, and I am but a humble commoner who has long admired you, my lord.”
Sa Mu-sim bowed respectfully and approached Jo Dae-ya.
“I apologize in advance for my rudeness. But please understand that this is all for your benefit.”
Before he could finish, Sa Mu-sim swiftly pulled back the blanket covering Jo Dae-ya and lifted him into his arms.
“Wh-what is this...!”
Crying out in shocked bewilderment, Jo Dae-ya promptly lost consciousness.
Sa Mu-sim had pressed an acupoint on the back of his neck.
At the same time, Sa Mu-sim's figure, carrying Jo Dae-ya, vanished into the darkness.
* * *
It wasn't until the next dawn that Jo Dae-ya was able to return to his manor.
And he did so on his own two feet.
Creeak.
As he opened the manor's main gate and stepped inside, the servants were startled.
“M-Master!”
Since falling ill, Jo Dae-ya had never once left his bed, so their astonishment was beyond words.
It was the same for Jo Dae-ya's son, who came running at the sudden commotion.
“Father?”
Jo Hyo-sim couldn't hide his bewilderment amidst his joy.
It was only natural, as he had been the one to watch over his father's illness more closely than anyone.
Hadn't countless physicians, hired at great expense, all shaken their heads and turned away, saying there was no cure for old age?
And yet, the man standing before him now looked hale and hearty.
“How on earth...”
Unable to conceal his turbulent emotions, Jo Hyo-sim was at a loss for words.
This was even more true for Jo Dae-ya himself, the one who had endured the long illness.
He himself could hardly believe it.
His body, which had felt so heavy, was now refreshed and light.
It was as if he had become ten years younger.
Jo Dae-ya said to his son.
“Summon Physician Hwang.”
A short while later.
The physician summoned to the manor was unable to hide his astonishment after examining Jo Dae-ya's condition.
He had been in charge of Jo Dae-ya's health for many years.
“The illness is gone!”
Amid the surprise of Jo Dae-ya and everyone else in the manor, Jo Dae-ya gave a direct order to his servants.
“Prepare a meal. I've walked for the first time in a long while, and I'm famished.”
Jo Dae-ya, who usually only managed a few spoonfuls of rice gruel, had a proper meal for the first time in ages.
Jo Dae-ya could finally feel that what he had experienced last night was not a dream.
Just as vitality filled his entire body, every dish tasted delicious.
After finishing the satisfying meal, a rare treat, Jo Dae-ya spoke to his son.
“You've worked hard all this time. Your father has been a great burden to you.”
At Jo Dae-ya's words, Jo Hyo-sim shook his head.
“Don't say such things. Your recovery is more than enough for me.”
Fortunately, it seemed his prayers and wishes had reached the heavens.
The offerings he had made at the nearby temple during every Buddhist service had not been in vain.
“You've overcome a great ordeal, so now all that's left is to live out your natural lifespan. You are as strong as iron that hardens with every strike, Father.”
A look of pity crossed Jo Dae-ya's face at his son's words.
He knew full well the hardships his son had endured for his sake.
He couldn't bring himself to reveal the truth to such a son.
—There's a saying that a person's life is in the hands of heaven.
The words of the young physician he had met last night suddenly came to mind.
The place the man who introduced himself as Sa Mu-sim had taken him to was a pavilion nestled in some nameless valley.
There, he met the young physician.
A boy with impressive, star-like eyes.
He was a child with a mysterious air, making one wonder if he were a celestial pageboy who had lost his way and was wandering the mortal world.
After taking his pulse, the boy smiled wryly and said.
“It's trembling palsy.”
Jo Dae-ya was puzzled.
The other physicians had all called it a disease of old age; none had ever mentioned such a diagnosis.
“It's a type of degenerative disease where the limbs and body tremble and stiffen. In the early stages, the characteristic symptoms may not appear, or if they do, they are difficult to distinguish from the general effects of old age.”
Jo Dae-ya saw a glimmer of hope in those words.
“Is there a cure?”
The young physician replied to his question.
“I'll be honest with you.”
“...?”
“The reason trembling palsy is hard to distinguish from old age is that the outcome is fixed. There's only a difference in how slow or fast it progresses, but in the end, death is inevitable.”
In short, it meant he had to prepare for death.
He had heard this many times before, so Jo Dae-ya could only smile wryly.
But then he heard something unexpected.
“However, I can alleviate the symptoms. At least to the point where it doesn't interfere with your daily life.”
“Is that really possible?”
“Yes, but as I said before, I can buy you more time, but a complete cure is impossible. You can deceive an illness, but you can't deceive death.”
For now, that was more than enough.
Because what he desperately needed right now was that time.
It might be short, but it was undoubtedly invaluable time to put his life in order.
But he didn't let any of this show to his son.
Simply being able to sit and converse with his son with a clear mind was something to be grateful for.
“Bring me the ledgers and documents related to our current business affairs.”
* * *
A few days later, Jo Dae-ya visited an alley in the market lined with medicinal herb shops.
As arranged, he entered the herb shop at the end of the alley, where Sa Mu-sim was waiting for him.
With a bright expression, Jo Dae-ya strode toward Sa Mu-sim.
He grasped Sa Mu-sim's hands with both of his and spoke with genuine feeling.
“I was in such a state that day, I didn't get to thank you properly. Thank you, truly, thank you.”
“You look well. I'm glad.”
“Is that all? Each day of ordinary life, whose value I never appreciated before, now feels priceless. It is all thanks to you, Lord Sa, and the physician.”
“Lord Sa... That is too much for me.”
Sa Mu-sim smiled and held out a small box.
“These are pills made by the Valley Lord himself. He said taking one every three days will be of great help.”
“Valley Lord? Are you referring to that young physician?”
Sa Mu-sim nodded.
“Yes. I serve him as his humble steward.”
“Steward... a steward.”
Jo Dae-ya, who had been deep in thought, looked up at Sa Mu-sim with profound eyes.
“Surely you must want something from this old man?”
Seeing Sa Mu-sim merely smile without a word, Jo Dae-ya waited patiently.
He had lived his entire life as a merchant.
He knew better than anyone that there was no such thing as a free lunch.
Finally, Sa Mu-sim spoke.
But what he said was unexpected.
“I am considering trade with the West. For that, I would like to borrow the strength of your merchant guild.”
Jo Dae-ya furrowed his brow.
“Maritime trade is monopolized by guilds with government connections. While our guild is not small, they have already established solid relationships, leaving no room for us to squeeze in.”
“Ah, you've misunderstood.”
Sa Mu-sim smiled and continued his explanation.
“I'm not thinking of maritime trade. I intend to bring in goods via an overland route.”
“Overland? Surely you don't mean the Silk Road?”
Jo Dae-ya looked dumbfounded.
First established during the Han Dynasty, the Silk Road was an east-west trade route that crossed the interior of the continent.
The Yongle Emperor, who usurped the throne from his nephew, the Jianwen Emperor, renamed the former capital of Jinling to Nanjing and moved the capital to Beijing.
From this new capital, he launched several northern expeditions.
Through these, he completely drove the remnants of the former dynasty, the Northern Yuan, beyond the Great Wall.
Afterward, the Ming court strictly sealed off the Great Wall.
As a result, the Silk Road, which had long been a conduit for goods and culture, had become a mere name.
Moreover, the resentment of the ethnic groups driven out in the process, the Tartars, had reached its peak.
“The government will not grant permission in the first place.”
To cross the Great Wall, one had to pass through checkpoints like the Shanhai Pass or the Jade Gate Pass.
But there was no way the Ming court would allow it.
“I have a solution, so do not worry. We don't need to cross the Great Wall. We can take a wide detour beyond the Jade Gate Pass.”
“Even so, isn't that still a problem? You would come face to face with the territory of the fierce Tartar tribes.”
“I have a plan for that as well.”
Sa Mu-sim offered a relaxed smile to Jo Dae-ya, who still couldn't hide his concern.
“If the trade is successful, it will be of no small benefit to your guild as well.”
“May I ask what you intend to import?”
“Saffron from Persia.”
“...!”
Jo Dae-ya could not hide his surprise.
Saffron, literally 'red flower,' was a spice more expensive than gold of the same weight.
“The amount of saffron brought in through maritime trade is not insignificant, but it's difficult to maintain its quality due to the humid sea air. However, most of the Silk Road consists of arid deserts and plateaus. Even if the quantity is smaller than what comes by sea, it can be sold at a much higher price.”
Sa Mu-sim then delivered the final, convincing point.
“I have already found a reliable Western merchant guild, so I ask for your assistance in procuring high-quality silk and porcelain. We can proceed with matters related to sales after the saffron has been safely brought in.”
Jo Dae-ya, who had been gazing intently at Sa Mu-sim, slowly nodded.
Compared to what he had received, it was not a difficult condition.
“Very well. I will prepare to select and supply the finest goods from the Central Plains.”