Yangyang Martial Hall (2)
I asked my master,
"Then whose building is it?"
"It's obviously the one we built with our own money."
"...So, are they compensating you for the building?"
My master shook his head.
Well, that explains all the worries.
"They said that as long as you've lived well on their land all this time, why should they compensate for the building too."
"What about the land rent...?"
"We paid it on time every year, of course."
"Did they give permission when you built the structure?"
"Naturally. The clan lord's father at the time graciously approved it."
"Is it that they're taking the stance of 'that was my father's era, so I have no idea'?"
My master nodded in surprise.
"Exactly... but how did you know?"
"I just had a feeling."
Honestly, it was a predictable story.
There were plenty of people like that in the world.
Wait a second.
This was a place that cared for the children born to the women of the North Sea Ice Palace. Surely the North Sea Ice Palace provided some support.
When I asked about that, my master let out a small sigh and replied.
"We do receive support, of course. But raising children isn't cheap, so we don't exactly have financial leeway."
That must be why he teared up at the massive operating funds left by the investigator from Seolpung Palace.
Indeed, for a leader running an organization, nothing was sadder than a lack of funds.
"If I'd known it would come to this, I should've scraped together the money to buy the land from the start."
"......"
"Back then, buying the land would've left us without money to build, but now I regret it."
"That was the best choice at the time. Don't blame yourself too much."
"Thank you for saying that."
My master sighed again and continued.
"Anyway, we have to move somewhere else... The problem is we haven't found a new place yet."
"That's certainly a big issue."
In my previous life, Yangyang Martial Hall probably ended up relocating too.
Back then, there were no sponsorship funds from me or the operating capital from the investigator.
The situation must've been even tougher.
As I pondered that, a question arose.
Yangyang Martial Hall raised the children of the North Sea Ice Palace.
Wouldn't a place closer to the North Sea Ice Palace be better?
Why establish it in far-off Zhejang Province, distant even from the North Sea?
"Master, I have a question."
"Yes, go ahead."
"Is there a reason you built Yangyang Martial Hall in Zhejang Province?"
"Yes. It was far from where Seolpung Palace once stood, yet still a good environment for us."
"What do you mean...?"
"The fiends who destroyed Seolpung Palace mustn't link Yangyang Martial Hall to it. At the same time, it had to serve as another base for Seolpung Palace."
Now it made sense.
Zhejang Province was home to Hangzhou.
They said heaven was in the sky, and on earth, Hangzhou and Suzhou.
It was a wonderful place to live, and a transportation hub where countless goods flowed.
In other words, perfect conditions for the remnants of Seolpung Palace to operate.
"But isn't it too warm there?"
"That's offset by the humidity."
"Ah, because it's surrounded by sea and rivers."
"Exactly. Nowhere in the Central Plains has water energy as strong as there. Seolpung Palace's martial arts are ice techniques, and ice arts draw from yin energy. If we can't be in cold, icy places, we need abundant water at least."
"Makes sense. That way, the children can train in Seolpung Palace's arts effectively."
His explanation clicked.
Anyway, moving from such a place would cost a fortune.
Land prices in Zhejang Province were steep.
In my previous life, my bodyguard Gwak Jun-ha—my master's second son—sent over half his salary somewhere every payday.
Yet he lived frugally himself.
I recalled overhearing a conversation between father and son.
"Sending money to Zhejang Province again?"
"I just want to help if I can."
"Thank you."
Back then, I'd brushed it off as personal matters.
I hadn't wanted to pry into my bodyguard's private life.
Looking back, Gwak Jun-ha had been sponsoring Yangyang Martial Hall.
"So, what you're悩ing over now is where to relocate?"
"Yes. But we're trying to stay within Zhejang Province if possible. Honestly, nowhere else is as ideal for training Seolpung Palace's arts."
My master wore a bitter expression.
"Staying put would be best, but that's impossible."
"......"
This seemed like something I needed to handle personally.
The investigator from Seolpung Palace had entrusted me directly with rebuilding it, and the children at Yangyang Martial Hall were Seolpung Palace's future.
They were key talents for the reconstruction.
With winter here and business slowing, I had the time for a trip to Zhejang Province.
"Master, I'll go to Zhejang Province."
"You're going personally, Gukju-nim?"
"Yes."
"It's fine. We can handle it ourselves."
"I promised Yeom Daehyeop I'd sponsor again later, so I should keep that. Plus, I think I can help."
"If you insist... alright. And..."
My master clasped his hands in a formal bow.
"Thank you for caring this much."
I waved it off.
"No need for such formalities. Those children are like my martial siblings. So, please allow this disciple to get involved."
"I permit it."
.
.
.
I immediately went to my father and got permission for the trip to Zhejang Province.
He worried about the snowy roads, but it was fine.
This year, there wasn't much snow.
Still, as a disciple of Seolpung Palace, I felt a twinge of regret at the lack of snow to bolster my inner energy.
A few days later,
we set off for Zhejang Province.
I'd planned to take only my bodyguards, but ended up traveling with Ha Podu and the escorts from Changin Escort Agency.
Truth be told, I didn't know exactly where Yangyang Martial Hall was, and I needed someone to vouch for my identity.
My master wanted to come too, but duty kept him behind.
So I was going with full authority delegated to me...
Why delegate it to me? Ha Podu was a senior escort by a few years.
And why was Ha Podu following me without complaint?
I shelved the questions for now.
Then Ha Podu called out.
"Little Division Leader."
"Ah, yes."
"Have you ever been to Hangzhou?"
Of course, dozens of times in my previous life.
It was truly beautiful, especially West Lake—its scenery was breathtaking day or night.
For merchants, it was a land of opportunity.
But in this life, it was my first time.
"No, first time. Please take good care of me."
"Ahem, of course. Especially since that person asked."
That person must be my master.
"May I lead the way then?"
"Yes, please do."
Ha Podu took the front, and I followed.
Honestly, letting him lead made things easier.
The clan lord who issued the eviction to Yangyang Martial Hall was one of Hangzhou's notables.
Speaking of taverns...
To me, who knew a five-year alcohol ban was coming, that tavern business looked like throwing money into a pit.
Even our Eunhae Merchant Group's Yeonhwa Pavilion, per my orders, was busy adding non-alcoholic entertainments.
That clan lord was too greedy.
He must've envied the taverns raking in cash with their money-grubbing ways.
But he picked the wrong time.
Hangzhou's taverns thrived because out-of-towners spent freely amid its beauty.
West Lake drew crowds, and it was a must-visit for scholars before dying.
Entertainment flourished.
But with famine looming, unrest everywhere, and restless hearts, who would visit Hangzhou?
Even if Hangzhou suffered less from the famine, with the alcohol ban, what fun was there in taverns?
Soon, illicit taverns selling booze under the table emerged.
They bribed officials to hush it up, but rumors spread like wildfire.
Eventually, the censor-inspector investigated, and those taverns and officials faced severe punishment.
After that, no one dared sell booze openly, sales plummeted.
Even those who'd made fortunes before couldn't survive if they'd overexpanded or squandered cash—they put their taverns up for sale.
The Emperor and central officials must've foreseen this when issuing the ban.
But it was necessary.
Most liquor was grain-based; banning it freed up grain for food.
It also calmed the furious populace amid rising rebellions.
"The nation is doing its best, even issuing an alcohol ban—please endure a little."
But years later, exceptions appeared.
Foreign nations outside the Central Plains bought grain in exchange for goods—including liquor.
Trade was bartering needs.
The state commissioned some merchant groups to brew liquor, who rushed to produce it.
But with the long ban, many brewers had left, so quality dropped and output was low.
This famine was a golden opportunity for me.
Chance to bring Hangzhou's famous taverns and master brewers under Eunhae Merchant Group.
We'd give them a lifeline; they'd provide profits.
Mutual benefit.
The five-year mega-famine stemmed from freak weather.
Sudden downpours followed by droughts, freak frosts out of nowhere.
Building reservoirs to store rainwater from floods seemed smart...
My chain of thoughts paused only when we stopped for lunch.
After eating steamed buns from an inn and resting, Ha Podu called me.
"Little Division Leader."
"Ah, yes."
"How much do you know about Yangyang Martial Hall?"
I smiled lightly.
"Not much. Just that Yeom Daehyeop is the hall master, it serves as a palace outpost, and recently got an eviction notice from the landowner?"
"You know more than I expected."
"Do I?"
He glanced around and whispered,
"Others think it's just an ordinary martial hall."
"......"
"Truth is, all the escorts with me are from there. It's a special place. So, please take care of it."
Ha Podu, what a character.
His words were soft, but the intent was firm.
Quite the backbone.
Makes sense for an escort leader—wavering on others' words leads to disaster.
No wonder he'd lasted so long.
It eased my mind a bit.
His daughter was Ha Sojeo.
He'd watch over Jin-ho hyung well.
People like him shared a trait.
Tough exterior, soft inside.
Gaining their trust was simple: show sincerity.
I smiled faintly and said firmly,
"I'll do my best."
Ha Podu nodded, stood, and shouted to everyone,
"Let's move out!"
* * *
Ha Cheol Podu glanced at the handsome young man riding beside him.
Eun Seo-ho, the youngest division leader of Eunhae Merchant Group and holder of the Hyunpung Gukju title.
'Is this the young palace lord chosen by the palace lord?'
He was the one who'd noticed his daughter's illness before even he had.
'Hmm...'
He recalled what his daughter had said recently.
"Truth is, things worked out between Little Division Leader Jin-ho and me thanks to Eun Seo-ho. So, I think you can trust him once."
He knew Eun Seo-ho was capable.
His track record and reputation proved it.
But Ha Cheol wanted to see for himself.
Only then could he fully accept him.
For the future of Seolpung Palace.