The Path Ahead
Part Four: The Path Ahead
It was the dawn of the day Yeon So-hyeon first set his plans in motion.
"Hyungnim! A letter has arrived from the Emei Sect!"
It was Yeon Ha-eung — still far older than Yeon So-hyeon, and still, for reasons of his own, addressing him as elder brother. Through the Outer Court's emergency dispatch network, he held out the Emei Sect's letter of surrender.
"And the Daseonrang?"
"They have only just woken, though in truth they might as well have sat the night out with their eyes open."
No matter how steeled their resolve, sleep could hardly come easily while their families were still held hostage.
"When they are ready, send them to my study."
Without the least delay, Yeon So-hyeon showed them the Emei Sect's letter of surrender.
He thought he would never forget the expressions on their faces as they read it.
The present.
The main headquarters of Jaaewon. The conference hall.
"Next, Daseonrang will present our report to the Representative."
Sang-gwan Nan-hwa rose from her seat and spoke in the most exalted formal register. As the daughter of the Governor of Sichuan, she handled the highest honorifics with practiced ease.
"…Sang-gwan Nan-hwa."
"Please speak."
Reviewing Daseonrang's report, Yeon So-hyeon looked over the papers at her.
"There is no need to stand. Sit and deliver it."
In contrast to before, Yeon So-hyeon was now speaking down to them with casual authority.
"I cannot. I would never dare show the Representative such discourtesy."
Ever since they had seen the Emei Sect's surrender document at dawn the previous day, Daseonrang had maintained this attitude toward him. Yeon So-hyeon merely shrugged, as if to say they might do as they pleased.
"A report on the 'list' I gave you, I take it."
"Yes, it is."
After they had flung their arms around one another in joy over the Emei Sect's letter of surrender, Yeon So-hyeon had handed them a list and assigned them a task — to act separately from him. Their escorts would be Tal-myeong-gwi-geom and I-ryeong of the triplet maids. It was a way to keep them out of any remaining clutches of the Emei Sect, and at the same time a trial of his own design to test their ability.
"And yet…"
Yeon So-hyeon's brows twitched as he studied the report Daseonrang had submitted.
"You finished evaluating every establishment on this list in a single day?"
"A day was more than enough."
Sang-gwan Nan-hwa nodded with quiet confidence.
"The list Your Excellency gave us was of small and mid-sized establishments that held potential, yet were currently struggling to stay afloat." She lifted the report. "We evaluated them and selected those with a genuine chance of success going forward."
Yeon So-hyeon looked again at the report they had written through a night of ceaseless work, and silently marveled.
Precise.
From the history in his memory, the very establishments that would later rise to renown had been selected without error. Out of businesses floundering under operational strain, Daseonrang had picked out the real ones — and in a single day.
Of course, having clearly gone without sleep, every one of them except Sang-gwan Nan-hwa, who possessed internal qi, looked half-dead.
"By what standard did you mark the establishments set apart in the report?"
Those were businesses that did not exist in his memory — meaning, in the previous history, they had ultimately failed.
"The ones marked separately are establishments we judged Daseonrang could still make successful if we intervened in their management."
"…Is that so."
"Time was short, so we set them aside for a more precise assessment once we had the Representative's permission."
A smile touched Yeon So-hyeon's lips. Exactly as he had hoped — no. Daseonrang was displaying skill beyond his expectations.
"Then what was the purpose of this supplementary report?"
He held up the additional document they had submitted.
"The supplementary report is a survey of the owners' willingness to sell their shares."
"We are to purchase equity?"
Sang-gwan Nan-hwa smiled at Yeon So-hyeon, who was deliberately playing obtuse even though he had already read her intent perfectly.
"Daseonrang concluded that these are the firms Your Excellency ordered assessed with an eye toward settling them in the Valley of Sin or Hodu Village."
It was a judgment they could make only because they had already seen his business prospectus. She rested a hand lightly at her waist, and the smile on her face deepened.
"Establishments with the power to produce success. With places like that, rather than simply relocating them, purchasing their shares — or acquiring them outright — and then settling them would be the way to maximize profit."
Those concentrated on the meeting unconsciously murmured in admiration.
"Yesterday we had to conceal both Daseonrang's name and the Representative's, so the results are still imprecise. Once Your Excellency reaches a decision, we expect to be able to purchase shares or acquire them wholesale far more smoothly."
They had grasped the supreme decision-maker's intentions with precision, moved accordingly, and through extremely efficient use of time produced excellent results. And they had not stopped there. They had already laid the groundwork to persuade that decision-maker toward the course they themselves judged possible.
Their competence was more than satisfying.
So this is the ability of those who will one day write their names among the Ten Great Merchant Houses of the Central Kingdom.
The title of the Ten Great Merchant Houses of the Central Kingdom was no empty reputation. Among the countless enterprises of this vast realm, those who had built one of the ten named by experts as the greatest could hardly be lacking in ability.
But that was a story for later. The young women before him were still young. Moreover, there was no guarantee that the establishments which had succeeded in the previous history would succeed again this time. History was already rewriting itself with every moment. That was precisely why Yeon So-hyeon had entrusted them with diagnosing the businesses while also testing Daseonrang.
But the result…
Needed no words.
Yeon So-hyeon raised both hands and began to clap. Everyone present joined in, sending Daseonrang a vigorous round of applause.
[Wh-what the hell is going on?]
Cheong Ho-wi's bewildered sound transmission reached Su-ran mid-clap.
[Hey! Just take the hint for once!]
They both sprang to their feet and clapped with all their strength, determined not to be outdone by the room.
"Thank you! Thank you!"
The faces of the Daseonrang girls, bowing their thanks in every direction under the rain of applause, were bright. They did not forget their gratitude to Yeon So-hyeon, who had walked them carefully through every step of the process and led the way in recognizing their skill.
By giving them a full opportunity to explain themselves to everyone, he had ensured that the business division staff of Jaaewon — the people they would have to lead — would acknowledge them without reservation.
"Excellent."
Yeon So-hyeon raised a hand, and the applause subsided.
"From this point forward, I grant you full authority over everything related to this report. Fry them, boil them — do as you please, as far as you wish."
The faces of Daseonrang grew still brighter. To those shining expressions, Yeon So-hyeon held out documents he had prepared in advance.
"What is this?"
Sang-gwan Nan-hwa approached and accepted the papers with formal care. Yeon So-hyeon grinned.
"The second list."
He continued.
"The establishments on the first list were nothing more than small storefront operations — street restaurants, inns, and the like." He pointed to the second list now in Sang-gwan Nan-hwa's hands. "These are businesses of proper scale, unlike the ones before."
Sang-gwan Nan-hwa met his gaze and shared a knowing smile.
"Like the previous ones, they hold potential, but are currently struggling to operate."
"You already have many tasks on your hands, including the relocation plans. Can you handle all of it?"
"There are five of us."
Looking thoroughly pleased, Yeon So-hyeon drew a thick bundle of promissory notes from his robes.
"This is the seed money."
Half the budget the Inner Court had still owed him, paid out in drafts; the punitive damages the Council of Elders had levied upon the Inner Court; and on top of that, the investment capital he had received from the director of Geomga Jeonjang. The entire sum.
Even without counting, a single glance made the colossal figure plain.
[U-ugh?! How much is that even?!]
[…I don't know, but it's clearly more than you and I could scrape together in a hundred lifetimes, Cheong Ho-wi.]
[And that's just the seed money?!]
[How should I know! Apparently 'proper' businesses cost that much!]
Yeon So-hyeon bared his teeth in a grin.
"No reports required. Use your judgment and devour every one worth making succeed. Make them Jaaewon's enterprises."
As one, Daseonrang dropped to one knee.
"We receive your command."
The meeting ended, and everyone left. Only Su-ran and Cheong Ho-wi of the Spring of Luoyang remained.
"You've waited a long time."
At his invitation the two sat opposite him, tense as drawn wire.
"Not at all!"
"We didn't wait long even a little bit!"
If anything, they looked apologetic.
"Originally we should have helped last night with the fire in the Valley of Sin…"
Yeon So-hyeon shook his head.
"No. I already guessed that most of the righteous comrades belonging to the Spring of Luoyang are tied down at the Yongbongjihoe Arena Construction Site."
The Yongbongjihoe Arena Construction Site. That was the region of the large-scale riot the Third Young Master of the Luoyang Sword Family was currently managing — a disturbance the family had, of course, thoroughly buried from public view.
"So you knew after all…?"
"We only just managed to slip away in order to see the First Young Master…"
"We are grateful for your understanding."
People who poured devotion upon devotion for the weakest of all were apologizing for not having been able to help more. At the sight of them, Yeon So-hyeon's face filled with genuine goodwill.
"There is nothing that needs understanding."
Su-ran and Cheong Ho-wi. The famed problem-solvers of the poor districts. He would have liked to speak with them at leisure — but for Yeon So-hyeon now, time was the most precious thing of all.
"I trust you have by now guessed why this First Young Master showed the two of you the form of the newly reborn Jaaewon."
"After showing us this much…"
Surprisingly, it was Cheong Ho-wi — who until now had mostly seemed the duller of the two — who scratched the back of his head and answered.
"At this point, even with our unschooled, thick heads, we couldn't help but understand."
Yeon So-hyeon settled back comfortably and fixed his gaze on him.
"A member of the renowned Cheong clan, who completed studies at the Gong family's Great Academy, calls himself unschooled?"
Cheong Ho-wi looked sheepish.
"Even so, unlike the elders of my family who made their names as great magistrates for generations, I was never more than a mere constable."
"A renowned constable whose name rang not only through Luoyang but across all of Henan."
"…That is an old story now. At present I am nothing but a handyman in the poor districts. More than that…"
His empty sleeve swayed. Alcohol had taken not only his arm but his station as well. A man who had lost one of the arms that formed the core of martial skill could no longer hold the office of constable.
"I cannot waste the First Young Master's precious time on private talk about the likes of me."
Cheong Ho-wi gave a bitter smile and steered the conversation to the point.
"What you have shown us so far is the path the Spring of Luoyang must walk from now on, is it not?"
Yeon So-hyeon nodded.
"It is."
He personally poured the tea that had been prepared for the two of them.
"I judged that explaining everything myself, one detail after another, would have little effect, so I was forced to use this method."
A hundred hearings are not worth one seeing. How could they fail to understand his meaning?
"This girl deeply agrees with the path the First Young Master has shown us. And so does Cheong Ho-wi here."
Unlike Cheong Ho-wi, born of a distinguished house, Su-ran — of low birth and never taught formal etiquette — finally opened her mouth properly. From the goodwill Yeon So-hyeon had shown in his exchange with Cheong Ho-wi, she judged that a First Young Master would overlook a breach of manners born of ignorance.
"The Spring of Luoyang is full of capable people. There are even strange talents and scholars who put the two of us to shame. And as for our spirit — we are confident we would not lose to anyone."
Cheong Ho-wi took up the thread.
"But as we are now — not even properly organized, relying only on chivalry and individual ability — before long we will…"
While he searched for the right words, Su-ran spoke first.
"Be finished."
Her phrasing was rough, but the meaning was the same as what he had been thinking.
"Exactly. Until now we have somehow kept our names from reaching the authorities or the Sword Family, but we cannot expect that to last forever."
"Once our names start circulating, we'll be branded an anti-establishment organization. That's obvious."
At first they had only hoped Yeon So-hyeon might join the Spring of Luoyang, build a good relationship, and that they might receive help when needed. But Yeon So-hyeon had instead given them a glimpse of the road the Spring of Luoyang would have to take: organization and systematization — and securing enough power and influence to protect themselves.
"But…"
Yeon So-hyeon finished Cheong Ho-wi's sentence for him.
"I am well aware that the Spring of Luoyang has no decision-maker, and that each person acts on their own judgment — a group that is not quite a group."
Su-ran nodded, wrinkling her nose.
"Plenty of our members start by distrusting anyone with power. Getting even those people to move and rebirthing the Spring of Luoyang is…"
"Very difficult. No — more likely an impossible challenge."
Yeon So-hyeon smiled lightly at the two with their dark expressions.
"The two of you need not worry about that."
He met the eyes of the pair who had lifted their heads.
"If this First Young Master were to join the Spring of Luoyang as a member and reform the organization — would the two of you here support it?"
They nodded at once.
"Of course."
"Naturally."
Yeon So-hyeon rapped the desk with cheerful satisfaction.
"That is enough for this First Young Master."
The boy seated with the sunlight at his back wore a confident, open smile.
"Ah — of course. The two of you will still have to invite this First Young Master to a secret assembly."
Why was it? Because of the ability he had already displayed? Or because of that bottomless confidence?
The Spring of Luoyang was marching toward a ruin already written in advance. And yet the premonition rose that the First Young Master before their eyes could rewrite that fate completely.
"Of course we'll invite you."
"The assembly is scheduled for tonight. We'll guide you oursel—"
At that moment, a knock sounded at the iron door.
"Enter!"
Jeong-a, waiting outside, reported to Yeon So-hyeon.
"A problem has arisen with the relocation of the residents of Hodu Village."
"Details."
"The district chief of Cheonghak District — which includes Hodu Village in its administrative jurisdiction — has even mobilized government troops and is picking fights over the relocation on every pretext."
"Those bastards' doing."
The Second Young Master's faction was responding, without a doubt. Yeon So-hyeon rose from his seat.
"Tell them I will go myself."
Jeong-a bowed and went out to relay her master's command.
"Th-the district chief himself stepped in?"
"This is bad…!"
The two of them paled at the word district chief. High officials were the people the comrades of the Spring of Luoyang least wanted to collide with. Open conflict with those who held power delegated by the Emperor was, for all practical purposes, suicide.
They asked Yeon So-hyeon,
"First Young Master. How do you intend to respond?"
"If the district chief who holds control over the residents has stepped in himself, this won't be easy!"
Yeon So-hyeon rolled up his sleeves as he answered.
"It will be easy."
"Pardon?"
He smiled.
"Because I am going to crush that bastard."
The two of them stared at Yeon So-hyeon with the blank faces of people who had just seen something they could not comprehend.
With the sunlight at his back, Yeon So-hyeon spoke to them.
"The district chief of Cheonghak District has been famous for rotting through for a long time."
The noonday light grew fiercer, until his expression could no longer be read with precision. But from the presence settling around him, they could still guess the look on his face.
"If I cannot even use my power and influence to crush a wretch like that, then what use are they?"
Yeon So-hyeon, calling a high official of Luoyang a "wretch." At those words, a shiver ran through both of them.
Yes. This was the First Young Master of the Luoyang Sword Family — the Yeon So-hyeon who had come and gone from Mount Beimang as if it were his own house.
They were certain. The being before them was, more than anyone, exactly the person the Spring of Luoyang needed.
"Will you wait here?"
Yeon So-hyeon asked them.
"Or will you come and see for yourselves, with this First Young Master?"
There was no need to ask. Their answer was already decided.