Chapter 167: The Midnight Guest (4)
Our carriage arrived swiftly in Beijing.
I hadn't originally planned to meet His Majesty the Emperor this time, so I'd asked the elders to handle the arrangements properly...
Skipping procedures to meet him so quickly was no easy feat.
Yet as they say, you never know what the world will throw at you—and sure enough, that's exactly what happened.
"Welcome."
Jeong Taegam, who served the Emperor at close quarters, personally came out to greet me.
"Thank you for coming out yourself, Taegam."
At my greeting, Jeong Taegam smiled faintly and said,
"This way. His Majesty the Emperor awaits."
I followed the taegam through the imperial palace.
"Huh?"
"Huh?"
That's when I ran into an unexpected figure.
My cousin, Seonil hyungnim.
"Seonil hyungnim, heading back from court?"
"It's been a while. But what's brought you to the palace without a word?"
Seonil hyungnim greeted me with a mix of joy and puzzlement.
Jeong Taegam answered in my stead.
"He has been summoned by His Majesty the Emperor."
"Ah! Is that so?"
"That's why we sent word to your household in haste. We'll catch up later."
"Sure, see you soon."
As we parted ways with Seonil hyungnim and continued walking, Jeong Taegam spoke to me.
"I hear you two are first cousins."
"Yes, that's right."
"Hong Suchan is a talent who passed the highest exams, and what a family full of blessings you have."
"Hahaha."
I just laughed it off.
It wasn't embarrassment at calling myself talented—it was caution in my words and deeds.
Jeong Taegam was the Emperor's most trusted confidant.
One slip, and I'd be dragged off as a slave to the Emperor's errands.
Soon, we reached the Emperor's office.
I quickly straightened my attire, and Jeong Taegam announced inside.
"Your Majesty. Eun Seo-ho, the branch leader, has arrived."
"Let him enter."
The door opened, and I stepped into the office.
"Your subject Eun Seo-ho pays respects to His Majesty the Emperor. Long live, long live, long live forever!"
I prostrated myself before him, and the Emperor's voice rang out.
"Rise."
"Your grace is boundless."
As I cautiously stood, the Emperor stared straight at me.
Did I do something wrong? Why's he staring like that?
After a long moment, the Emperor finally spoke.
"The ones who informed on were from the Hwancheon Group. Rebels plotting to usurp my throne."
"It was fortunate they were suppressed early."
"Indeed. And as you said, they planned to use jiangshi. How did you come to know?"
"I learned of it by chance. On my journey, I met a Daoist from the Mosan Sect..."
I explained what had happened to me.
There was no need to hide it.
"I see. I've heard about that. It's touching—they ensure the bodies of those who die far from home can rest in their native soil."
The Emperor continued.
"You granted the Daoist's request and pursued the trail, only to discover them."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"In a way, it suits you. Reporting it to me instead of handling it yourself."
As I tilted my head, the Emperor let out a hearty laugh.
"You don't act unless it benefits you. Refusing the Daoist's plea was hard, but charging in blindly seemed beyond you. Caught between a rock and a hard place, you found another path. Am I wrong?"
How did he know?
The Emperor was no ordinary man, indeed.
"Anyway, thanks. If they'd grown stronger, it would've been a real headache."
"As a merchant living under Your Majesty's benevolence, it was my duty."
"Right. Heading to the North Sea?"
"Yes."
"Doesn't look like a trading trip, though."
As he said, this journey wasn't for commerce—it was on my master's request.
But I couldn't tell the Emperor the truth.
It would inevitably lead to talk of the exterminated Seolpung Palace.
"A merchant who settles for the status quo can't achieve greatness."
"Hm, is that so?"
Fortunately, the Emperor seemed to accept my vague deflection.
"By the way, you'll turn twenty soon, I hear."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
I bowed my head, tensing up.
I knew this was the real reason he'd summoned me.
"What say you? When you turn twenty, how about serving me here in the palace?"
Cold sweat broke out unbidden.
Phrased as gentle persuasion, it was effectively a command.
I cautiously lifted my head and asked,
"Your Majesty. Serving you would be the glory of three lifetimes. Thus, I boldly ask—where do you intend to place me?"
"I like your boldness, drive, and that stingy streak of yours. I'd have you in the Cabinet."
The Cabinet handled the Emperor's secretarial duties—mediating between ministries, conveying imperial orders, and more.
It was as I'd expected.
There was nowhere else to place an untested outsider.
Sigh, the Cabinet... the meat grinder.
It meant being torn apart by the Emperor and shredded between ministries.
Power, sure—but vengeance against Baekcheon Merchant Group and the Murim Alliance would fade into the distance amid the infighting.
Besides, my goal was to build the world's greatest merchant group, not enter government service for power.
And above all, no freedom.
Being tied down didn't suit me. I wanted to roam freely, pursuing my ambitions.
That's why I'd refused the merchant group leadership too.
I drew a small breath and said to the Emperor,
"Your Majesty, forgive my impertinence, but I'm not suited for the Cabinet."
"Hm?"
"Please entrust me with something else."
I couldn't just say, "I'm unworthy of such heavy duty."
He'd reply, "You're not—now get to work."
"The abilities Your Majesty values in me would shine in the Cabinet. But I already hold a position others see as prestigious and fine."
"Go on."
"Branch leader of the Eunhae Merchant Group, lord of Hyeonpung Province, and—pardon my boasting—known to the world as Seonhyeopmirang."
Claiming my own title felt awkward, but no choice.
"To serve Your Majesty's will, I'd have to abandon these."
"True enough. Especially that title—hard to come by."
"Thus, I wish to aid Your Majesty without discarding them."
"......"
A silence that drained the blood from me followed.
The Emperor would see the benefit in accepting...
"This brat—scheming right in front of me?"
His sudden, gruff words—so fitting for him—made me look up.
"You don't want the bone-grinding toil at my side, but you'd ride my coattails forever?"
Ah, caught.
"But you're not wrong, so I can't even call you cheeky."
"......"
"Fine. I'll appoint you as a seventh-rank Inspector General. From now on, you'll be my eyes and ears. Fail, and..."
The Emperor pointed at the floor.
"I'll bury your bones in this palace."
He knew how to threaten properly. The idea of being worked to death here terrified me most.
"The issue is, you're slippery as an eel—if you slip away, who'll I task in this palace?"
I quickly replied to the Emperor.
"No need to worry so soon, Your Majesty. Talents will soon graduate from Jeongin Academy."
"Ah, right—that place. How are the students there? How many will pass the exams?"
"Over half the graduating class will pass."
"Half or more?"
"Of course, Your Majesty. Most instructors there were personally summoned by you—Grand Scholars."
"Right! I dragged in those slippery bureaucrats who hated work."
The Emperor looked pleased.
"This is promising. An academy under your Eunhae Merchant Group won't produce empty-headed fools."
"N-naturally."
"Ideally, they'd be good at arithmetic too. So many can't even do basic math."
"......I'll keep that in mind."
Time to reinforce the arithmetic instructors at Jeongin Academy.
It might look like handing them over in my stead, but the students' goal was passing exams for government posts anyway.
The Emperor would take a bit more interest because of me.
Sorry. But I've got my own work.
* * *
After escorting Eun Seo-ho out of the palace, Jeong Taegam returned and reported to the Emperor.
"I've seen off Eun Seo-ho, the branch leader."
"Staying at his relative's?"
"Yes."
At Jeong Taegam's reply, the Emperor chuckled.
"The more I think, the more audacious the kid."
Jeong Taegam ventured carefully,
"You seem to like Eun Seo-ho, the branch leader."
"Isn't he bold?"
The Emperor didn't answer, but Jeong Taegam sensed he held Eun Seo-ho in high regard.
"If you like him so much, why not make him a son-in-law?"
The Emperor's face changed instantly.
"Am I mad? Why make that kid a son-in-law?"
"......"
"As son-in-law, he couldn't serve as inspector, so I'd keep him here. He'd rarely go home, the princess would whine about the family line dying out, and I'd have to send him back early—defeating the purpose."
"Y-yes, Your Majesty. My thinking was shortsighted."
"I know it came from loyalty."
"Your grace is boundless."
The Emperor turned from Jeong Taegam, lost in thought.
North Sea... I should check the warehouse for something suitable.
* * *
Exiting the palace gates, Palgap and the escorts approached with relieved faces.
"Glad you came out safe."
I smirked at Palgap's words.
"Worried I'd mess up?"
"That's the nature of it— one slip on the tightrope, and you're done."
As Palgap said, informing on treason wasn't without risk.
"True, but I walk the wire like a pro."
Palgap gave me a look that said he had plenty to say.
Seo-u Musang smiled and said,
"Shall we head to Yeonjun Merchant Group?"
"Yes."
Upon arriving at Yeonjun Merchant Group, my aunt came out to greet us warmly.
"Welcome. Have you been well?"
"Yes. And you, Aunt?"
"I'm always fine. Seonil mentioned running into you at the palace."
"Yes, business. I'll explain inside."
"Of course."
A moment later, I recounted the full story to my aunt.
"So His Majesty summoned you?"
"Yes."
"Nothing else said?"
"Just thanks."
Only then did my aunt's face brighten. With those words, no issues would arise.
Living in Beijing with her son in government service, she couldn't help but worry about such matters.
I was grateful for her concern.
.
.
.
The next day, Palgap called me.
"Young master, a guest here for you."
"Guest?"
Who'd come calling?
I rose and headed to the reception room where the guest waited.
"Ah!"
The guest was familiar, but not welcome.
Jin Yeong Daehyeop of the Gold Guard, who'd come to handle the Hwancheon Group.
"Your subject greets you, daehyeop."
"I've come bearing His Majesty's decree."
I prostrated myself at once. I knew what it was for.
He quietly drew a scroll and identity plaque from his bosom.
Such decrees were usually grand affairs, but given my position, secrecy was best.
"Your grace is boundless."
I paid respects to the decree, tucked it away, and said,
"Please, have some tea."
"Yes. Might as well have a cup since I'm here."
Leaving without tea after a "guest" visit would raise eyebrows.
Thus, we chatted idly, killing time.
After about an hour, Jin Yeong Daehyeop pulled a small box from his sleeve.
"Take this. A gift from His Majesty."
"Pardon?"
"He said to relay: 'This will prove useful to you. Each time you use it, remember you're my loyal servant.'"
"......"
Whew, persistent as ever.