The Imperial Silk Supply Competition (1)
Autumn had fully settled in before they knew it.
That meant my birthday was right around the corner.
And this one held special meaning. It was the birthday when I'd turn twenty.
I sat down with my family for breakfast.
"Come to think of it, the imperial silk supply competition isn't far off now," Father said, prompting Jeong Ho hyung to nod.
"Yes, Father."
The merchant group that had been supplying silk to the imperial court had caused a major scandal, leading to a new selection process. Eunhae Merchant Group had thrown its hat in the ring.
The imperial family was their biggest single client by volume.
Silk was an expensive luxury, hard to move in large quantities at once, but the palace changed that equation.
Not only did the royals wear it, but most court officials did too, creating endless demand.
They washed it with ashes from burned straw or grass mixed with seashell powder, but even that only worked a time or two.
Silk was delicate with water, after all.
Plus, there was no worrying about delayed payments.
The palace was one of the wealthiest places around.
Securing the imperial silk contract meant massive profits and rock-solid stability.
Any merchant group dealing in silk dreamed of it.
"I hear quite a few groups are competing this time."
"Yes. In my view, the strongest rivals are Deokhaeng Merchant Group from Shaanxi Province, Manil Merchant Group from Sichuan Province, Yu Family Merchant Group from Zhejiang Province, and Baekcheon Merchant Group from Henan Province."
I nodded at Jeong Ho hyung's assessment.
Right, Baekcheon Merchant Group.
In my past life, they'd won the contract in the end.
That's why I'd urged Father to enter the competition.
Thanks to that deal, they'd skyrocketed.
This time, Eunhae Merchant Group would claim that growth fuel.
"The main event kicks off early next month, right?"
Jeong Ho hyung had been running himself ragged preparing for the imperial silk supply competition.
Thanks to him, they'd met all the requirements and formally submitted their intent to participate.
They'd even passed the document review and received confirmation.
"Yes. So we need to head to Beijing within five days for the competition."
"I see. It'll be busy, but hang in there just a bit longer."
"Yes, sir."
"But don't push yourself too hard."
A few more topics followed before Father turned to me as breakfast wrapped up.
"Your birthday's coming up soon. Anything you need?"
"Nothing comes to mind right now."
"Alright, then. I'll handle a gift myself."
"Thanks."
With that, breakfast ended, and I returned to my pavilion.
"Everyone had breakfast?"
"Yes."
The guards training in the courtyard cupped their fists in greeting.
Jin Yu Warrior had returned recently, so the four were paired off sparring.
He'd come back with beast hides from the hunter tribes near the North Sea. Now that the branch office was official, there was no need to linger.
I glanced at them before heading inside to ponder upcoming matters.
What happened around this time?
Something I needed to warn Jeong Ho hyung about...?
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Three days later.
Palgap dropped an unexpected bombshell.
"What? Jeong Ho hyung collapsed?"
"Yes. It's not serious... just overwork, they say."
"......"
"I need to go see him myself."
I hurried to Jeong Ho hyung's pavilion and found his wife looking worried.
"Welcome, Young Master."
"Hello, sister-in-law. I came as soon as I heard hyung was ill."
She sighed.
"He pushed himself too far, it seems. Good thing it's not serious, but... with the trip to Beijing so close... He's pretty down about it."
That figured. I knew how much he'd poured into this.
"Go on in."
"Thanks."
I entered his room.
Creak.
The door noise roused him, and he sat up.
"Seo-ho, you're here."
"How're you feeling?"
"Fine. And I have to be."
He tried to stand from the bed but wobbled after one step.
I rushed over to support him. "Hyung, you're far from fine."
"I said I'm okay."
"Shut up and sit down?"
"......Yeah."
He plopped back on the bed. He'd looked off days ago, but today he was a proper invalid.
He was learning martial arts from the chief steward, so why...?
"Hyung, you keeping up with training lately?"
"No time..."
"And I do?"
"......"
He turned away with a fake cough at my question.
Fair enough. For him, martial arts were for health, not worth sidelining work.
Still, with some internal energy, he shouldn't be this frail. Collapsing from overwork meant he'd gone way overboard.
"Anyway, I can't lie here. Gotta attend the imperial silk supply competition."
But seeing his state, he looked truly wrecked.
Truth be told, he'd seemed on the edge lately. For it to come to this...
I could imagine his frustration, collapsing right before the big day.
Before the 청빙설매 plum restored my health, stamina had held me back plenty.
"Hyung, face it. You collapsed from overwork. Going to Beijing like this is suicide."
"But..."
"You don't want Geon-hyeok and Bo-yeon growing up without their dad, right?"
"......"
He sighed at that.
Thinking of his kids finally made him realize this wasn't the time for stubbornness.
"Let's hand the rest to the executives. Everyone knows it's your achievement. No need to feel bad."
He pondered silently before speaking.
"Seo-ho."
"Yeah?"
"You know the representative from the merchant group has to attend, right?"
His expression turned serious.
"No matter how I think about it, it's you."
"Me?"
"Yeah, you."
"Does it have to be me? Prep's all done. The chief deputy could stand in for you. Makes no sense for me to..."
"Know what I realized prepping this?"
"......?"
"This competition won't be easy. And it's not just hard work that wins. Sometimes you need luck, or a flash of brilliance."
He sighed again.
"That's what we're missing at Eunhae. But there's one guy who can pull it off."
"Me?"
He nodded.
"Exactly. So go in my place—as our representative."
"Hm......"
I was in a position to monitor disruptive merchants per the Emperor's orders.
To win, I might need to bend a few rules.
"If you don't go, I'll drag myself there, even if I have to escape."
Jeong Ho hyung looked soft, but when he committed, he followed through.
I could block him, but he'd bulldoze past to compete.
"Hm. But if I go, people might say I'm stealing your credit."
"Who cares about that now? This is our shot to leap ahead. And you don't sweat public opinion anyway."
He chuckled.
"Neither do I. So go. To Beijing."
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That afternoon.
Father officially directed me to lead the imperial silk supply competition.
"That's how I ended up going to Beijing," I explained.
Palgap let out a dry laugh.
"Most folks never see Beijing in a lifetime, but you're going like it's breakfast."
"Tell me about it."
I'd stopped there en route to and from the North Sea, and recently for the Daegeon Merchant Group matter. Now again.
Was the Emperor summoning me this time?
He wasn't clueless; he wouldn't call me out directly.
"So, when do we leave?"
"No later than two days from now."
"Got it."
I turned to the guards.
"Same as always—take good care of me."
"No worries."
"We'll get you there safe."
"I trust you."
With my Beijing trip locked in, an avalanche of work hit me.
Nothing could falter while I was gone.
Plus, I needed to master everything Jeong Ho hyung had prepped.
Working with the silk-specialized chief deputy and executives, it became clear.
Why he'd collapsed.
Whew, hyung's a closet perfectionist.
In the scramble, on the day Jeong Ho hyung was set to leave for Beijing, I departed in his stead.
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.
.
The road to Beijing felt familiar now.
But we stayed vigilant.
People were predictable.
In a high-stakes contest like this, scruples went out the window everywhere.
And soon, our first interference hit.
"Deputy Branch Leader."
Cheongin Escort Agency's leader approached me in the carriage.
"Yes."
"Obstacle up ahead. It'll take time to clear."
"Let's check it out."
Stepping out, a massive boulder blocked the path.
"Please wait a moment."
"We'll clear it soon."
We were hauling silk for the competition, so Cheongin Escort Agency handled transport.
Their porters strained against the rock, but it barely budged.
Admirable effort getting it there, really.
But we couldn't afford delays.
"Mind helping clear that rock?"
I asked the guards.
"Sure."
"Hm, slicing it might be faster."
Jin Yu Warrior stepped up, waving the porters back.
"Hah!"
Sword energy coated his blade, cleaving the boulder in two.
A few more swings turned it to gravel, and everyone hauled it aside.
"Ready to go."
In the carriage, I replayed Jin Yu Warrior's display.
Seemed his realm had edged up since last we met.
Good for me.
Meant I was safer.
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.
The journey hit its midpoint.
"We'll overnight at the inn in the village ahead."
"Got it."
A regular stop on Beijing runs—decently secure.
After washing up with Palgap's help, I headed downstairs for dinner with the executives.
Three accompanied me: one chief deputy, two executives, all silk experts.
They'd guided me back when I first ran the Eunhae fabric shop in my past life.
"That dish might be too spicy for Chief Deputy Seok."
"Oh? Really?"
The words slipped out, and Seok the chief deputy tilted his head.
"How'd you know I hate spicy food?"
"Ah......"
Of course I knew. I'd stuck to them like glue, learning their habits, tastes, everything.
Couldn't say that, though. I brushed it off.
"Had to know. You're one of Eunhae's pillars."
"Hahaha."
The mood warmed instantly.
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.
After dinner, I stepped out for a stroll, lost in thought.
We'd faced petty sabotage along the way.
Logs in the road, angry beehives...
What to say?
Perfect for wasting time. If our opponents weren't us.
Not over the line, but petty enough to annoy.
At this point, curiosity burned: who was trying so hard?
Not Baekcheon Merchant Group.
They'd sooner drop a thunderbolt and wipe everyone out than play small.
I chuckled.
Didn't know the culprit yet, but tracking them was easy.
These tricks meant they were just ahead.
Time to turn the tables and mess with them.