Imperial Silk Delivery Competition (4)
Right now, I couldn't pinpoint the exact reason.
But thwarting that ambition would benefit both me and the Eunhae Merchant Group.
So, I had to interfere thoroughly.
"Then, we shall now begin the imperial silk delivery competition."
At the eunuch's words, I snapped to attention and looked ahead.
"This competition will proceed through a total of five stages to determine the final supplier. First, we reviewed qualifications via submitted documents."
That was why Brother Jeong Ho had scurried about, collapsing from overwork—he'd handled the document review for our qualifications.
"The second stage required each group to bring silk matching the theme set by the imperial household."
That's why we'd commissioned Changin Escort Agency to transport the silk here.
But we hadn't been told to bring silk when entering the palace.
My eyes gleamed.
It matched what I knew from my previous life—no changes there.
"You have two hours. Fail to cross the palace gates with your silk by then, and you're eliminated."
The eunuch turned to the Empress.
She nodded and spoke.
"A merchant group that can't meet deadlines has no business trading with our imperial house. Begin."
"Yes."
Another eunuch lit a long incense stick.
It burned for half an hour.
Four such sticks burning marked the time limit.
"We're at the biggest disadvantage here, aren't we?"
Seok the acting manager was right.
Our lodging at Yeonjun Merchant Group was a bit removed from the palace.
But I shook my head.
"Not at all. The key here is preparing quickly and arriving safely."
I told Seok the acting manager,
"Stay here, sir."
He was older, not suited for rushing about.
No need for everyone to move.
"I agree. Sorry I can't be more help."
"What are you talking about? Your presence alone bolsters us."
Then I said to the two managers,
"Let's go."
"Understood."
As we exited the palace, Yeo Eung-am warrior greeted me.
"You're out?"
"Yes. We need to head to Yeonjun Merchant Group immediately."
I asked Geum-ryeong,
"Geum-ryeong. Signal Palgap."
At my request, she shot toward Yeonjun Merchant Group in an instant.
The palace hadn't changed much, so the theme was likely the same as my past life.
That's why I'd stationed Palgap and the guards there.
Knowing in advance from past-life memories might seem unfair.
But was I the only one?
Seeing smirks here and there, others knew too.
Influential groups would have palace connections.
But the palace wasn't that easy.
Even with prior info, reaching it meant dodging or breaking through saboteurs.
We galloped hard and arrived at Yeonjun Merchant Group.
Palgap waited with the silk ready.
"Young master! All prepared!"
I nodded and told Song the leader,
"Let's move out now."
"Got it."
"Remember what I told you before?"
"Of course."
With the silk, we headed for the palace.
About fifteen minutes in,
"Hahaha! Halt!"
"Hand over the silk. Or die."
"......"
Ten men in Gold Guard uniforms blocked us.
But their robes marked "Bandits" proved they were disguised for the competition.
Still, as Gold Guards, ordinary folk would hesitate.
But I issued a firm order.
"They're after the imperial silk. Deal with them."
The escorts glanced at Song the leader, wavering.
Fear of repercussions, probably.
But that wasn't the right move now. In bandit robes, they were bandits.
Meanwhile, Seo-u warrior and three guards sprang into action at my command.
Loyal as ever.
Shing,
Shring,
They drew swords, glaring with killing intent.
All peak First-rate or beyond.
Beyond what mere Gold Guards could handle.
"Haha, w-we misjudged you."
"Imperial silk suppliers, huh."
"G-go on ahead."
But I didn't let them off.
"Bind them."
"Yes, sir."
Song the leader asked worriedly,
"They've surrendered. Isn't binding them excessive?"
"They haven't shed the robes voluntarily. Means they could strike from behind anytime. You've dealt with bandits—you know."
The "bandits" flinched at my words.
Song the leader stroked his chin.
"You're right, young chief. No room for complacency against bandits. The palace is no joke."
This was one bit of info I'd tipped Brother Jeong Ho about.
Even if they let us pass, they had another role: sabotage the carriage from behind.
Many groups failed that way.
Song the leader ordered his men,
"Bind them all!"
"Yes!"
With his command, the escorts swiftly tied up the ten Gold Guards.
"Shall we head out again?"
"Yes. Let's go."
We broke through the "bandits" and pressed on to the palace.
Less than an hour left.
Soon, we met an approaching group carrying buckets brimming with water.
Testing rain response this time.
Whether we could deliver on time in a downpour.
Pretty straightforward method.
Dumping water with ladles.
Then one unfurled a scroll.
[Touch us directly and you're disqualified.]
Of course.
Can't block rain clouds.
But I wasn't worried. I'd anticipated this sabotage too.
"Song the leader, ready?"
"Of course."
Flutter—
We donned raincoats from our luggage and slipped past the water-dumpers unperturbed.
"Now I see why you said to wrap it meticulously in oiled paper and cloth."
"Yeah, escorts never know what'll hit 'em."
"Hahaha. I'm the leader, but you're acting more the part, young chief."
Song the leader kept marveling.
"That's why I'm glad you're with us."
We protected the silk even through the "downpour."
This test seemed more about the escort agency's prowess than the merchants'.
But choosing good escorts was a merchant skill too.
We soon reached the palace gates.
"Great job bringing the silk here!"
Seok the acting manager, who'd waited anxiously, ran up.
I scanned the ground and asked,
"Any arrive before us?"
"Baekcheon Merchant Group first, then Deokhaeng Merchant Group."
"I see."
Worth pacing to arrive third or fourth.
We could've rushed first with our info, but that'd invite fairness complaints—especially since the Emperor summons me often.
Too late would've hurt pride, though.
Baekcheon and Deokhaeng...
Palace connections, as expected.
No other way to arrive so easily.
"Let's go in."
"Best of luck."
Song the leader and escorts saw us off—their role ended here.
Gold Guards searched the carriage meticulously, checking for hidden threats.
"Cleared!"
We bowed slightly, then drove in ourselves.
A waiting eunuch noted it in his ledger.
"Eunhae Merchant Group cleared. Take the silk to the courtyard of the building you were guided to earlier."
"Yes."
In the indicated courtyard, Baekcheon and Deokhaeng folks waited.
"Congratulations on arriving safely."
Deokhaeng's fifth son?
He greeted me.
"Thanks."
No need for chit-chat with rivals. I replied politely and stood aside.
Ahead, one incense was nearly burned out.
Barely fifteen minutes left.
Other groups trickled in.
Sacheon Province's Manil Merchant Group after us, then Zhejiang's Yu Family Merchant Group.
The eunuch announced,
"Her Majesty the Empress, Her Ladyship the Noble Consort, and Her Highness the Princess arrive."
We knelt in obeisance.
"Rise, all."
"We are grateful for Your Majesty's grace."
The Empress asked the eunuch,
"Time up?"
"Yes, just now."
Only seven groups made it on time, including us.
The palace's "trials" caught them off-guard.
Come to think of it, Jin Family Merchant Group from Hubei, who sabotaged us en route to Beijing, was absent.
Eliminated, good.
Petty tricks never pay off.
The Empress addressed us.
"You worked hard passing this gate. Not sure if you liked my trials, though."
Ah...
Her handiwork.
"But some bought their way through my trials."
Her gaze fell on Baekcheon and Deokhaeng.
"Not my favorite method, but I didn't forbid it."
That explained their early arrival.
Bribed their way.
"But heed my warning. Money's a skill, but not the one I want to see. Keep that in mind."
They bowed; she turned.
"The imperial theme: bring the most-used silk in the palace. Explain why yours fits, in arrival order."
Baekcheon and Deokhaeng explained theirs.
"Next, Eunhae Merchant Group."
"Yes."
We three managers placed our silk on the table.
"Eunhae Merchant Group prepared this."
The Empress looked curious.
"Plain compared to others."
Ours was undyed white silk.
"Yes, Your Majesty. But none more used in the palace."
"So certain?"
"It's for undergarments."
She touched it and smiled.
"So soft, comfortable to wear."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
I replied confidently.
"Undergarments may lack flash, but they touch the skin directly. How could we skimp?"
"Not just for imperial supply, but principle?"
"Yes. Eunhae always handles the best for the price."
She nodded approvingly, eyes bright.
The other four explained.
The Empress said,
"Good explanations. On to the next stage."
She glanced at the eunuch, who told us,
"Follow one group at a time. Reverse arrival order."
Groups went; soon our turn.
We followed to the adjacent building.
Hm?
Dozens of tables, each with a bolt of silk.
No way...
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