Flower Carp Boat Shop (1)
I stepped forward first and spoke up.
"Come to think of it, I've heard about this before. They drive out the shopkeeper from a thriving store and then the owner takes over the business themselves."
"Indeed, a truly despicable act."
Father clicked his tongue.
"But there's no legal way to penalize it, so that's the problem. Of course, it raises ethical issues, but do you think those who pull such stunts care about ethics?"
Well, that made sense.
Father let out a sigh and continued.
"That said, we can't pay ten times the market price to buy it out, so we'll have to let that one go."
"Isn't there another way?"
"We'll have to think it over."
But then a sudden thought struck me.
No matter that he's the shop owner, compared to the Eunhae Merchant Group, he's just a lowly proprietor of a single store. Why would he make such outrageous demands of us?
Our merchant group now ranked forty-ninth among the top hundred merchant groups in the world.
If we weren't such upright people, any group that didn't scruple at dirty tricks might make him regret it dearly.
The common trait of those who ignore ethics, as Father said, was that they bowed obsequiously to the strong and lorded it over the weak.
"Father, something feels off."
Everyone turned their eyes to me, and I calmly laid out my thoughts.
Father and the others all nodded in agreement.
"Frankly, it does seem strange."
"Yes. Even if we at Eunhae have never stooped to such sabotage, our name alone now strikes fear into many. For them to pull something like this..."
"Looks like we need to investigate."
Father nodded at Yeon branch chief's words and looked at me.
Hm?
No way?
But my ominous premonition was spot on.
"Go and handle it."
"Pardon?"
"You seem the most suitable for the job."
The others nodded in full agreement with Father's words.
Hang on, I'm busy too, you know?
I started to protest but paused. Come to think of it, I was the idlest one there.
And so, I set off for Lake Dongting in Hunan Province.
.
.
.
Lake Dongting.
The largest lake in the Central Plains, famed for Yueyang Tower and the autumn moon reflected on its waters.
Its scenery was so breathtaking that any poetry lover counted climbing Yueyang Tower to compose verses there among their life's greatest dreams.
In any case, it was also a fierce battleground of competition for merchants like us.
"So that's our group's shop over there."
"Seems like it, young master."
Lake Dongting was so vast that there were two main ways to get a proper view: ascending a tall pavilion or taking a boat.
You could circle the lake by carriage or palanquin, but time constraints made that impractical.
As a result, those two businesses—pavilions and boats—were hugely popular around the lake, with cutthroat rivalry.
The shop under our group that was about to get evicted owned boats, but it was a bit special compared to others.
People were still swarming it, lining up patiently to take their turn.
Watching that, I recalled what Yeon branch chief had told me.
"The proprietor of Flower Carp Boat Shop is a man named Kang Seung. He's got some capital to his name, and he's quick to spot what people want. To cater to those without deep pockets, he came up with the idea of a large boat that circles the lake once, and that's how he built his success."
"I see. But one thing puzzles me."
"Please, speak."
"If the location was so prime, why not buy the shop outright in advance? Why was it still just rented?"
"There were circumstances. They poured all their spare funds into buying that large boat, leaving no room to purchase the shop."
"Ah, that explains it."
Now it made sense.
It was already a stretch for a branch shop—not even a main branch—to acquire a big boat, so buying the property too must have been out of the question.
"They still haven't paid off the full loan they took out for the boat, either."
In that situation, borrowing more would have been tough—fairness issues would arise.
I was observing Flower Carp Boat Shop for a moment when...
"Ahem! Is Proprietor Kang here?"
A group rushed toward the shop, calling for the proprietor. Soon, a middle-aged man emerged and approached them.
"Greetings. Master Cheon."
"Yes, I came to check if you're preparing to vacate, but there's no sign of it."
"...Don't worry."
"Hmph. Make sure it's empty by the deadline. We're done here."
The man called Proprietor Kang trembled, staring at the middle-aged man's retreating back.
So that's the owner of this building.
I recalled the intel from the new intelligence team before arriving here.
His name was Cheon Deok-yeo.
Owner of some twenty shops near Lake Dongting.
I called over Yeo Eung-am warrior.
"Yeo warrior."
"Yes, my lord."
"The man standing in the middle there is Cheon Deok-yeo. Keep an eye on him—see if anyone approaches."
"Understood."
"And Palgap."
"Yes, young master."
"Tell Proprietor Kang I'll visit him tonight."
"Got it."
* * *
Cheon Deok-yeo's family had long lived prosperously off rents from shops near Lake Dongting.
As a local notable, he lacked for nothing and passed his days in leisure.
One day, a close friend he often caroused with broached the subject slyly.
"That shop where Flower Carp Boat is located—isn't it yours?"
"It is."
"You're sitting on a gold mine."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Think of the money that place rakes in. And you're content with just the rent?"
"What can I do? It's not just any shop—it's under the Eunhae Merchant Group."
"Ahem."
His friend continued.
"But it's a Hubei-based group, right? Distance breeds indifference, as they say. This is Hunan—do you really think they'd care about such a far-flung spot?"
"..."
The friend glanced around and whispered.
"Truth is, Daegun Merchant Group wants that place."
"Daegun Merchant Group?"
Daegun was a Hunan-based merchant group, one of the top hundred in the world.
"If you play it right, you could earn far more than your current rent."
After a moment's silence, Cheon Deok-yeo said to his friend,
"Are you here on behalf of Daegun?"
"Heh, caught me."
"You!"
"But this benefits you, so I took the job of persuading you. I wouldn't touch it if it harmed my friend."
"..."
"So think it over."
Two days later, Cheon Deok-yeo visited Daegun Merchant Group with his friend.
In exchange for cooperating, they promised him forty percent of total revenue.
Far better than his current deal, so he accepted gladly.
After pressing Flower Carp Boat Shop, Cheon returned home, basking in sweet dreams.
Just ten more days, and he'd be rolling in even more money.
Then a servant approached.
"Master, visitors from Daegun Merchant Group."
"Let them in."
"Yes."
* * *
Deep into the night.
With the lanterns from boats that once lit Lake Dongting now gone, a lonely quiet settled over the waters.
Well, it was time even for those drowning in drink at the taverns to head home and sleep.
I slipped into Flower Carp Boat Shop.
Word was, he lived and ate right there in the shop, so he'd still be inside at this hour.
A small lantern flickered on the table, where a man sat deep in thought.
It was Kang Seung, the proprietor I'd seen earlier.
He didn't panic at my arrival but rose calmly and cupped his hands in salute.
"Greetings, Young Branch Leader."
I might hold the post of nation leader in Present Wind Nation within the group, but my official title was still young branch leader.
"We've never met—how did you know I'm the young branch leader?"
"The leisure in your bearing, the fine clothes. This place draws folks of lighter purses. And you didn't glance at the prices, so boating isn't your goal."
"Impressive."
As Yeon branch chief said, sharp eyes and quick wits.
I smiled inwardly and introduced myself formally.
"Young Branch Leader of Eunhae Merchant Group, Eun Seo-ho."
"Proprietor of Flower Carp Boat Shop, Kang Seung."
He offered me a seat.
Once seated, I cut straight to it.
"Father—the group leader—ordered me to investigate this matter."
"Investigate?"
"We suspect another faction's involvement."
"You mean someone behind Master Cheon Deok-yeo?"
Then Palgap leaned in and whispered.
"Ah, word is Daegun Merchant Group is pulling the strings."
"...!"
Kang's eyes widened again.
Daegun's influence and power in the region were greater than expected.
Though smaller than our Eunhae, being local made all the difference.
"Heard Daegun recently bought a large boat."
"...!"
His eyes bulged, but soon he clenched his fists, trembling.
"I suspected as much..."
He sighed deeply.
"W-Well then, I suppose I'll have no choice but to shut down this business."
"Why shut it down?"
"Pardon?"
"You haven't even paid off the loan for the boat. Do you think Eunhae Merchant Group will just let you quit?"
"..."
"You'll work until it's all repaid."
"I'd love to. But..."
"Is there a law saying you must operate from here?"
"N-No, but..."
"Come to think of it, this shop is cramped."
I chuckled.
"How about expanding and relocating?"
Bewildered but composed, he replied.
"I've considered moving, but I couldn't find another shop."
"You'd already thought of that."
"Of course. Any merchant worth his salt considers alternatives. But if Daegun's involved, it's even trickier."
"Don't worry about the shop. I'll handle it—just prepare to move."
* * *
The next day,
I began scouting empty shops.
"Oh, this one's to my liking."
The shop broker beamed.
"Excellent choice, sir."
"I'll buy it."
"Not rent... buy?"
"Yes. Problem?"
"N-No! Of course not. But the market price is a bit high..."
"It's lakeside. I know it's premium. So, how much?"
He quoted a figure.
"..."
That scheming bastard!
Way above what I'd researched.
But no matter.
That price would be the fatal hook preventing him from backing out.
"I'll take it at that price. Let's draw up the contract."
"Yes."
We soon completed it.
"Oh, and one clause to add."
"What clause?"
"To void this contract, compensate me a hundred times the purchase price."
"Pardon? Why?"
"I once bought a shop, only to get kicked out when the owner's son claimed he needed to run the business."
"Good heavens!"
"Just in case, you know."
"Understood. We'll include it."
And with that, I finalized the purchase.
"Palgap, fetch Proprietor Kang from Flower Carp."
"Right away."
.
.
.
Soon after, Kang arrived at my new shop.
"What do you think?"
"Pardon?"
"The shop I bought. Your new home for Flower Carp Boat Shop's expansion."
He blinked in shock, speechless for a long while.
Finally, words tumbled out.
"Th-Th-This place?"
"Yes."
"This huge place?"
"Yes."
Well, it was spacious.
Four or five times bigger than the current shop.
Composing himself, he asked,
"You wouldn't just give this away. What do you want from me?"
"Safety."
"Pardon?"
"I hear you prioritize safety when loading passengers on the boat. Even get complaints for it."
"That's true."
"Keep doing that—safer than ever."
There was a reason I stressed safety to him.
Something was bound to happen soon.