Reap What You Sow (1)
The bright fifth lunar month was a season welcomed by martial artists who moved their bodies.
It wasn't too hot or cold for outdoor training.
But for those like him, seated at their desks handling work, it was truly a trial.
All because of the unwelcome guest of the fifth month: spring lethargy.
But that didn't concern Eun Seo-ho at all.
Having mastered the Ice Arts, he might suffer from insomnia, but never spring lethargy.
He lifted his head and looked around.
It was already the mi hour (1-3 p.m.).
Seeing his subordinates dozing off like sick chickens, brushes in hand, ink dripping, stirred a pang of sympathy in him.
"Ye, Vice Officer, ink's dripping from your brush."
"Hup! S-sorry, sir."
"No worries."
He stood, clapping his hands sharply.
Clap clap!
"Let's have some tea and get back to it. Stretch first, though."
The Hyeonpung Division staff rose, stretching their limbs.
Then someone came looking for him.
One of his father's aides, Jo Yeong-yeong.
"Ah, Jo Vice Officer."
"The Division Head summons you. To Eunwol Pavilion."
"Got it."
Such a sudden Eunwol Pavilion meeting meant something unexpected had happened.
And in those cases, it was almost always bad news.
A moment later, he entered Eunwol Pavilion.
Jin-ho, already there, gave a casual wave with his right hand.
"Quick arrival?"
"Says the one who got here first."
Jin-ho had earned access to Eunwol Pavilion upon officially becoming a squad leader.
As the Division Head's son, he should manage a shop to gain experience, but not Jin-ho.
"What do you think of assigning Jin-ho one of the shops?"
"The second squad leader is my successor."
"Still, as a squad leader, shouldn't he handle division affairs? I was thinking of giving him one..."
"Is money rotting away on you?"
The External Overseer had voiced strong opposition, so Jin-ho became a squad leader in the Silver Wind Corps instead.
It suited him well, in Eun Seo-ho's eyes.
Sitting down, he asked,
"So, what's the sudden meeting about?"
"No idea. I was at the training grounds when they called me."
People trickled in, and the meeting began.
The mood in Eunwol Pavilion was heavy.
As expected.
Eun Gil-sang, the Division Head, wasn't sharing good news.
"Today, a letter arrived from Eun Jo-san, head of the Silver Branch Division in Guiju. Things aren't looking good there."
Guiju had long thrived on forestry.
Not just cedar, but abundant herbs made it vital for the Eunhae Merchant Group, which had grown through the herb trade.
In Guiju, a broker supplied herbs to Eunhae: the Mi-gwa Merchant Group, led by Eun Jo-san.
Sharing the Eun surname hinted at blood ties.
Eun Gil-sang's uncle, ousted in the leadership contest, hadn't taken a branch post but started anew in Guiju with seed funding.
Specializing in herb brokerage with Eunhae as main client, he'd repaid the investment.
When his cousin Eun Jo-san took over Mi-gwa, finances fully separated.
Now, they were merely friendly allied groups, distinct entities.
"He's asking to borrow some money."
"A loan request?"
Eun Gil-sang nodded at Overseer Yu's question.
"For that proud Eun Jo-san to send such a letter, it must be dire."
The two overseers and two pavilion masters nodded.
Having known him since youth, they understood his pride.
Then Eun Jeong-ho asked,
"Father, did the letter from Eun Jo-san explain why?"
"No details—just fierce competition from other groups making things tough."
Eun Gil-sang continued,
"So, how much aid?"
"No specific amount requested?"
He nodded at Yu So-ak's query.
"As you say."
"Then lending a thousand silver taels should suffice. More might wound his pride."
That's when they noticed Eun Seo-ho's unusual silence.
Eun Seo-ho pondered events from his past life.
Eun Jo-san, his uncle—suicide.
He hadn't known then about the loan request letter.
Not yet a squad leader.
About a year from now, Uncle Eun Jo-san would take his life.
The letter's vague "fierce competition" was pride barely allowing even that.
Reality was worse.
Later, a new herb broker launched a price war, luring away most of Mi-gwa's clients.
Even with Eunhae as sole major buyer, pride hid it.
No amount specified because losses were massive.
A thousand taels? Far too little.
They'd likely approve that in his past life too—yet suicide followed.
The news shocked the family, especially Grandfather, grieving another early loss after his brother.
For the group, major loss: stable herb supply gone.
Switching brokers felt like betraying the man to death.
They'd invested heavily, built a branch in Guiju, sourced more elsewhere—barely coping.
"Seo-ho."
At his father's call, he looked up.
"Yes."
"You're awfully quiet today. Usually, your eyes sparkle with ideas. Feeling unwell?"
He shook his head.
"No. Just thinking."
He turned to Pavilion Master Yeon Da-mi.
"Pavilion Master Yeon."
"Yes, Squad Leader."
"Heard anything about Mi-gwa Merchant Group?"
"Well..."
"I'd like to hear from the managers who just returned from Guiju. Best from eyewitnesses."
His father nodded.
"Something bothers you."
"Yes."
He ordered Pavilion Master Yeon to summon them.
Soon, a chief manager and four managers entered.
"You called?"
His father nodded at Eun Seo-ho, delegating.
"I called you for questions. You visited Mi-gwa in Guiju recently."
"Yes."
"Any changes from before? Anything odd?"
"..."
"Even trivial."
The chief manager pondered, then spoke.
"Now that you mention—Mi-gwa staff numbers dropped noticeably. Several managers missing."
As expected... staff cuts.
First move under financial strain: slash labor costs.
Others chimed in.
"The damaged roof from last time—still unrepaired."
"Met their head. His belt ornament bothered me. Always changed them before; same one lately."
The room grew heavier.
These signs showed Mi-gwa's plight worse than thought.
Managers left; his father sighed.
"That cornered, yet hiding it. Why?"
Pavilion Master Jeok replied,
"Pride. Worried it'll lead to disaster."
Spot on, from long observation.
Disaster had struck.
Eun Seo-ho knew from past life: Namho Merchant Group, rival brokers, using dirty tactics.
But this time, different.
He wouldn't let it.
"Father. I should go to Guiju."
"Guiju?"
"Yes. Need exact situation. If Mi-gwa collapses, huge loss for us."
He continued,
"We supply many with herbs. Even Pal-in Pharmacy relies on us. Disruption would be trouble."
"True."
"Others are busy; I'll go."
Hyeonpung Division existed for sudden crises.
As expected, his father agreed.
"Fine. Go."
"Yes, Father."
"Take Jin-ho too."
"Me?"
Jin-ho's company was unexpected.
Two days later, early morning.
He headed to the carriage depot.
"Here?"
Jin-ho had arrived earlier.
"Early bird."
"Might as well move fast."
Jin-ho led one squad of Silver Wind Corps' six, bringing all for training cohesion—Father's intent.
"I'm late."
A familiar face entered: a manager handling Mi-gwa herb trades.
Jong Gil-dae, was it?
"Manager Jong Gil-dae, right?"
"Yes. Ding-grade."
Below chief (Byeong-grade)—thoughtful escort from Father.
They prepared and departed swiftly.
No major rivers to Guiju; overland route.
Crossed Hyeonmun Mountains, paid bandits toll.
But,
"Eunhae Merchant Group? That with Seonhyeopmirang...? Gah! S-Seonhyeopmirang in person!"
"What? The Swordsman Beauty?"
"Meeting you—honor!"
"Toll here..."
"Haha! Toll? No need for that!"
"Eunhae saved us."
"We bandits remember favors."
"Pass free."
"Clear the road!"
Toll waived.
During past Yi plague, Eunhae aided here.
Effects lingered.
Worth staying in Hubei, fighting it.
They pressed on unimpeded, reaching Guiju.
Could stay at Mi-gwa, Uncle's group—but no.
Burden in tough times.
Here to investigate, not trade.
They lodged at an inn far from Mi-gwa.
"Dinner now, sir?"
Palgap asked; he nodded.
"Downstairs."
They ate on the first floor.
Called the waiter, probed casually.
"Here for herb trade. Best place around?"
Eyeing their gear, he replied,
"Decent group like yours? Try Namho Merchant Group."
"Namho...?"
"Just between us—selling herbs at three-tenths or less."