Chapter 128. Apricot Blossom Academy (4)
After handing Bo-wook the secretary over to Palgap, I headed straight to my father.
I needed to report on my trip and discuss the letter I'd received earlier.
"Your son has returned safely from Beijing."
"Good work."
"On the way back, I brought along one talented individual suitable for the Hyeonpung Division. We've agreed on a monthly salary of eight taels of silver."
"That's quite a generous salary, isn't it?"
"He's worth every bit of it and more."
"If you say so, then it must be. The Hyeonpung Division is your responsibility, so handle it well."
After reporting on my meeting with the Emperor, I took a moment to catch my breath.
"Father, regarding the academy in Beijing—did the Eunwol Pavilion give their approval?"
"As I mentioned in the letter, their response was positive, so we can consider it approved. We'll go over the details at tomorrow's meeting."
"Understood."
I bowed and left my father's presence, then made my way to the Hyeonpung Division.
Bo-wook could hardly believe his eyes.
While investigating Eun Seo-ho, he'd heard that the Eunhae Merchant Group was a major trading conglomerate.
But seeing it in person, it was far grander than he'd imagined.
Palgap guided him around the various facilities.
"This is the tea warehouse. It's where all our trading operations begin and end."
"I see."
"Over there is the Silver Dragon Hall, where the group's key figures reside. The Hyeonpung Division is located there too."
"Quite majestic."
"And that's where our Silver Wind Corps guards the premises. There's also a training ground for martial arts practice."
"Whoa! Impressive!"
As the tour continued, Bo-wook's heart began to race with excitement.
His decision to join the Eunhae Merchant Group felt like the best one he'd ever made.
And with a salary of eight taels of silver, he could live comfortably—not just for himself, but for his mother and his brother's family too.
After circling the grounds, they arrived at a grand five-story building. A plaque reading Plum Blossom Dormitory hung at the entrance.
"This will be your quarters, Secretary."
Palgap then greeted a middle-aged man sitting at a table inside the entrance.
"Good day, sir."
"Ah! Palgap, my boy!"
The man beamed and welcomed him warmly.
Palgap was Eun Seo-ho's personal attendant, after all. Everyone in the merchant group knew him.
"This is Bo-wook, the new secretary for the Hyeonpung Division. Please show him to his room."
"Got it."
The middle-aged man smiled affably.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Song Min, the dormitory manager here at Plum Blossom Dormitory. You can call me—or any of the other managers—'dorm supervisor.'"
"I'm Bo-wook. Looking forward to working with you, Dorm Supervisor Song."
"There's a deputy supervisor too; I'll introduce you later. Follow me."
Palgap bid Bo-wook farewell and left the dormitory. Song Min then led him up to the third floor.
It looked just like an inn from the outside.
"This is your room, Secretary Bo-wook."
It had seemed small from the street, but inside, the space was surprisingly spacious—several times larger than his previous inn room, with two separate chambers.
The essentials were all there: a bed, writing desk, low table, and more.
Bo-wook couldn't help but marvel.
"This is an excellent room."
"Our dormitory system is one of the perks we're proudest of. There are four dorms in total—like Plum Blossom, Orchid Pavilion, and so on—and they're strictly segregated by gender."
"I see. Do all employees live here?"
"Not at all. You're welcome to commute from outside if you prefer. But with the one-person-per-room policy, hardly any singles leave—married folk might, of course."
"Got it."
"That's why our staff compete fiercely for spots. But Hyeonpung Division members get assigned rooms without the hassle."
"Pardon?"
If that was true, then he'd essentially cut in line.
I never pegged Young Master Eun Seo-ho as the type... Giving special privileges like this to his own division's staff.
It must irk the dorm supervisor to no end.
Yet Song Min showed no sign of annoyance.
"Is that really okay?"
"Of course it is," Song Min replied as if it were the most natural thing.
"Why?"
"Well..."
But he trailed off, offering no explanation.
"Anyway, let me explain the dormitory rules."
Song Min went over the regulations.
"Feel free to ask if you have any questions."
Bo-wook tilted his head, puzzled.
Something felt off, but he let it slide.
Still, scoring a prime spot like this on a technicality... I feel bad for the others.
That evening, he headed to the communal cafeteria.
The meals there were dirt cheap.
Checking it out, prices were a third of what you'd pay elsewhere.
Dinner was meat dumplings and steaming noodles.
As he ate at an empty table, a group settled around him.
"Mind if we join you?"
"Sure."
One of them asked Bo-wook, "Haven't seen you around before."
"I start with the Eunhae Merchant Group today."
"Welcome aboard! Where are you assigned?"
"Hyeonpung Division."
"What?"
"H-Hyeonpung Division?"
Their reactions were odd.
"You okay with that?"
"Pardon?"
Perplexed by the cryptic question, he nodded.
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"..."
One pressed on: "You haven't started work yet, have you?"
"Tomorrow's my first day."
"Knew it!"
"...?"
"Married?"
"Not yet."
"So, you're in the dorms."
"Plum Blossom Dormitory."
"Same here."
Bo-wook hesitated, then apologized.
"Sorry about this."
"Why the apology?"
"I heard I got the room as a perk for Hyeonpung Division. It's meant for those who compete fiercely to get in..."
The group exchanged wry smiles. One employee spoke up.
"We don't mind you getting special treatment for Plum Blossom Dorm. The Eunhae Merchant Group only gives perks to those who deserve them."
Another nodded. "Even if the Hyeonpung Division head is exceptional, there are elders from Eunwol Pavilion. If it were undeserved, they'd step in."
It made sense.
But Bo-wook's confusion lingered.
"Then why the special treatment for Hyeonpung Division?"
"I heard it's so talented folks don't collapse on the street home."
"Nah, it's to stop them from jumping ship."
Bo-wook was lost.
"Anyway, drop the guilt. In four days, you won't even think about it."
"Just crash hard tonight—no overthinking. Seriously, sleep like the dead."
"Why?"
"Because Hyeonpung Division work... is brutally intense."
At the time, he figured it couldn't be that bad.
But soon enough, he'd learn the truth.
There was a good reason for the no-contest room assignments.
Morning came.
I rose early, washed up with Palgap's help, and stepped into the courtyard.
The escort warriors were already up, loosening their muscles.
What a vibrant start to the day.
"Good morning."
"Yes, my lord. Good morning."
After greetings, I circulated my qi for morning meditation.
Cool inner energy like winter's chill filled me, sharpening my hazy mind.
Today was personal training.
My master had left for an escort mission.
Escorting in winter... Tough going.
.
.
.
After breakfast, I headed to Eunwol Pavilion for the meeting.
By the time I arrived, Division Head Jeok Byeong-cheol of the Three Winds Division and Division Head Yeon Hae-mi of the Upper Commerce Division were already there.
I exchanged light greetings.
"Heard you got back from Beijing yesterday."
"Yes."
"You couldn't let us get bored—dropping a massive scandal even from up there! Haha, never saw it coming."
"My apologies."
I scratched my head at Jeok Division Head's words.
Yeon Division Head chuckled. "Our Jeok Division Head isn't being honest. Last meeting, he wouldn't stop praising Young Division Head Eun Seo-ho."
"Ahem!"
Jeok Division Head cleared his throat awkwardly.
Looks like she was telling the truth—he's embarrassed.
Others arrived, and the meeting began.
Various agenda items were handled.
"Finally, let's discuss Seo-ho's proposal. Seo-ho."
"Yes, Father."
"It's your idea, so you must have a plan."
"Of course."
To avoid pie-in-the-sky proposals, thorough groundwork was essential.
That's why I'd worked nonstop in Beijing and on the way back.
I placed the prepared ledger on the table.
"As you can see here, the Beijing academy..."
Planting someone from Eunhae in the imperial palace via the academy was still a business venture.
People would praise us initially for educating the nation, not just lining our pockets.
But they knew merchants were merchants.
We never took losses.
If the academy bled money, suspicions would arise.
Would they let it slide?
Even if it was a front, it had to look legitimate.
Hence, rigorous market analysis.
"I recommend starting small, accommodating about a hundred students."
"Perfect size."
"The site here, a bit removed from the book district..."
"Speak freely if you have opinions."
They offered suggestions; I responded and refined.
Their insights on my oversights proved old ginger is hottest—born of hard-won experience.
I regretted not absorbing it before Father and the elders retired.
But not this time.
"Suddenly feeling chilly."
"Yeah."
"Need more charcoal."
"The key is the academy's name..."
I turned to Father. "You should name it, Father."
"I agree."
"Let the Group Leader decide."
After a moment's thought, Father said, "A name just came to me: Apricot Blossom Academy. What do you think?"
Apricot blossoms.
"Since ancient times, apricot flowers bloom when the imperial exams begin—hence 'passing flower.'"
"For success in scholarship."
"That's part of it. Apricots are also a cure-all medicine. May the academy's teachings become living knowledge that heals all ills, not dead learning."
"Even better."
You came up with that on the spot?
Father, you sly one.
You'd been mulling it since my letter about the academy.
Good thing I asked him to name it, or he'd have been miffed.
And so, the Eunhae Merchant Group's academy was christened Apricot Blossom Academy.
The more I thought, the more I liked it.
"Then you'll head back to Beijing soon."
"Yes."
I nodded. "Once I wrap up here, I'll go set it up."
Returning to Hyeonpung Division after the meeting, I found Secretary Bo-wook already at his post.
I introduced him to everyone.
"This is Secretary Bo-wook. He'll be working with us in Hyeonpung Division starting today."
"Finally! Reinforcements!"
"Hooray!"
Not just Yeo Chang's deputy, but all the staff welcomed him enthusiastically.
Though their enthusiasm seemed... uniquely angled.
Whatever. What did it matter?