The Return Journey (4)
Whether they recognized me or not, the procession came to a halt.
The fluttering Eunhae Merchant Group banner was a welcome sight.
Two men stepped down from a carriage and approached.
"Isn't that the young branch leader?"
"Meeting you two like this on the road makes it all the more pleasant."
The men who emerged from the carriage were the acting deputy manager Su and Manager Im of the Eunhae Merchant Group.
Acting Deputy Manager Su held enough authority to negotiate and seal new deals or contracts on his own, while Manager Im specialized in the leather trade.
Seeing the pair together made the purpose of their trip obvious.
"Are you heading up to the northern regions right now?"
"That's right. We heard about the accomplishments you've achieved there."
I scratched under my ear at Acting Deputy Manager Su's words.
"Accomplishments? It was more like I just stumbled into it."
"If that's what 'stumbling into it' gets you, then no one in the world would ever fail. Don't say that—it's starting to make me a little sad."
It was playful, but with a hint of bite.
"I had a bit of heaven's grace on my side. Anyway, I leave it in your hands. It'll bring immediate profits, but in the long term, it could be huge."
"Understood. Don't worry about a thing."
I pulled a small pouch containing a few gold coins and handed it to Manager Su.
"Just in case—please take this."
"No need. You don't have to go that far."
"It's from the heart. It'll be a long, arduous journey, and you might need some quick cash along the way. But dipping into the merchant group's funds wouldn't feel right."
"Ahem, true enough."
"Besides, the road up there can be rough, right? Use it to boost the staff's morale now and then."
"Then, with thanks, I'll accept it."
Acting Deputy Manager Su tucked the pouch into his bosom and expressed his gratitude.
"Even though you've become the branch manager of a remote outpost, that place will be quite important to our Eunhae Merchant Group. So, take good care of it."
"Of course. By the way, did I mention that I've become the branch manager?"
"No. I just took one look at your group and figured it out."
"As expected of the young branch leader."
Manager Im spoke up then.
"Speaking of which, young branch leader, the Gwangjun Merchant Group sent quite the gift."
Ah, right. Branch Leader Bokyun's father had sent a gift.
"Did you happen to see what it was?"
"Hahaha, you'll find out when you get there."
What on earth could it be that's got them grinning like that?
They just smiled and wouldn't say more.
And so, we parted ways.
We had finally left Beijing behind... but Hubei Province was still a long way off.
.
.
.
After several days of hard riding, we entered Hubei Province.
"Huff! Ha! Huff! Ha!"
"What're you doing?"
Palgap answered my question.
"It's been so long since I returned to my homeland—the air just smells so good."
Smells? What smell?
Well, bears do have a keen sense of smell, so maybe.
Even I, after nearly four months away, felt a nostalgic warmth settling in.
Like slipping into a cozy blanket.
Soon, we arrived at the Eunhae Merchant Group headquarters.
"Welcome back."
"You've worked hard."
My father and mother greeted me.
"Your son has returned safely."
"The Jin Yu warrior is still up there, right?"
"Yes, Father."
"We've already set up the branch, and the team to retrieve the hides has departed."
"Yes, I ran into them near Beijing on the way back. You sent Acting Deputy Manager Su and Manager Im."
"That's right—I made Su the branch manager. Anyway..."
My father trailed off with a peculiar expression.
"What is it?"
"It's not bad news or anything. But what on earth happened with the Gwangjun Merchant Group?"
"I lent a little help and forged a good connection. Oh, right—they mentioned a gift. What was it?"
My father paused dramatically before answering.
"A hundred purebreds."
"Pardon?"
"They sent a hundred purebred warhorses."
"......"
I was speechless.
In this region, horses of that caliber were worth a fortune.
I headed to my annex to wash up.
It had been well-maintained in my absence—spotless.
After a quick bath, I first paid respects to my grandfather, then went to brother Jeong Ho's annex.
"Gunhyeok and Boyeon probably haven't forgotten me, right?"
Palgap sighed at my question.
A look that said he had plenty to say but wouldn't.
"What?"
"Nothing, sir."
We arrived at brother Jeong Ho's annex.
He was away on business—the imperial silk delivery contract selection was approaching.
"Sister-in-law, it's me."
"Oh! Young master, welcome back. Did everything go well?"
"Yes, thanks to you. No troubles here?"
"Of course not."
Sister-in-law clapped her hands.
"Ah! You should say hello to Gunhyeok and Boyeon."
The nursemaid soon brought the two children.
"Hello?"
At my greeting, Gunhyeok and Boyeon stared blankly before bursting into laughter.
"Kyahaha!"
"Kekeke!"
I grinned broadly, and the kids beamed back at me nonstop.
I heard Palgap muttering beside me.
"As expected, this filthy world only remembers the handsome ones."
"What'd you say?"
"Nothing, sir."
After seeing the family, I headed to my father's office.
"Now we can finally talk at ease."
"Yes, it seems so."
"First off, I'm glad you returned safely."
"It's all thanks to Mother's prayers to the heavens and earth spirits every day."
"Hahaha."
My father nodded and looked at me.
"You're a strange one. Every time you go out, you come back with something big."
"I guess I do have a knack for it."
"What kind of help did you give to get a hundred purebreds in return?"
I explained the matter with Branch Leader Bokyun to my father.
"You saved Branch Leader Bokyun? Ah, so that's how it went."
"Yes. Anyway, what makes these purebreds so special that even you're surprised?"
My father seemed unusually excited—they weren't ordinary steeds.
"Heh, you really know nothing. Come see for yourself. You'll react the same way I did."
My father stood and led me to the stables.
A moment later,
"......"
As he'd said, I was at a loss for words.
These were top-tier among purebreds—likely handpicked from the Gwangjun Merchant Group's best stock.
The extravagance made me a bit uneasy.
"Was there no letter with them?"
At my question, my father promptly pulled one from his sleeve.
"You haven't opened it yet?"
"It's addressed specifically to you."