The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group 208 - Ties in Hangzhou (1)
At my words, Ji-hyeon began to stammer.
"Wh-what do you mean by that? Accept bribes?"
"Then on what basis do you claim the seal on the contract I gave you is fake?"
"That's……."
Ji-hyeon hesitated, unable to respond.
"His Majesty the Emperor particularly despises bribery. That's why, in the previous silk delivery competition, those who bribed the palace eunuchs suffered quite a bit."
"……."
"I heard the interrogation process was…… rather brutal."
At those words, Ji-hyeon's face turned ashen.
Now's the time to drive it home.
"Well, if it's hard to talk about, you don't have to. I'll be entering the palace soon enough to make my report anyway. At that time, we'll investigate Minister Ji-hyeon……."
"Pl-please spare me!"
Before I could finish, Ji-hyeon prostrated himself flat on the spot.
He grabbed my legs and pleaded desperately.
"I let my eyes grow dim and took money I shouldn't have!"
Tsk tsk. Should've come clean from the start.
"Please, just spare me this once!"
I deliberately paused for a moment before replying.
"I still have to report this incident, so it can't be helped that it reaches His Majesty's ears."
"Ah……."
"But I'll tell you a way to save your life."
Ji-hyeon looked up at me with desperate eyes, and I smiled faintly.
"First, properly verify whether that contract is real or fake. And then……."
"Y-yes, of course. What else must I do?"
"Use the bribe money to buy grain and send it to the palace. That way, you can save your life and your reputation."
"Mu-must it really be that way?"
"Then you shouldn't have taken the bribe."
"……."
"You'd do well to remember that."
"I understand."
Ji-hyeon nodded, though his eyes still wavered with hesitation.
No wonder. A greedy man who took bribes won't easily give up his entire fortune.
But isn't it a bargain for his life?
Once you're dead, what use is all that money?
If he suddenly donated a large amount of grain, His Majesty would surely sense something was up.
If he followed my suggestion, I'd ask the Emperor for leniency.
Handing over his entire fortune would probably earn him a blind eye.
Whatever decision Ji-hyeon made was none of my concern.
I'd shown him a path to survival, but executing it was up to him.
All I needed was certification that the contract I'd found was genuine.
.
.
.
A short while later,
I returned to the Yangyang Martial Hall.
I headed straight to Pavilion Master Yeom's office and asked them to summon Ha Pyodu.
Soon, the three of us gathered in the office.
"Wh-what's the occasion for summoning us?"
At Pavilion Master Yeom's question, I pulled the real contract from my bosom and placed it on the table.
"As I thought. The real contract was hidden."
"Pardon?"
"The real contract?"
"Read it."
I handed over the paper, and the two tilted their heads curiously before beginning to read the real contract.
"……!"
"……!"
Their eyes widened in shock, deep groans escaping their lips.
"N-no."
"This……."
They were so stunned they could barely string words together.
"I was shocked too."
The two finally managed to speak.
"I had no idea about this."
"Yes, and it seems the Pavilion Lord didn't know either. If he had, he would have mentioned it."
Of course. If my master knew, he wouldn't have worn such a worried expression.
"The letter on the back suggests the previous Pavilion Master kept it secret at the request of the late Castle Lord."
"He passed suddenly without a word to me."
"That's how it seems."
Pavilion Master Yeom pondered for a moment before speaking.
"But the problem isn't solved yet. The Castle Lord is likely to deny this contract is real."
"I've already accounted for that. That's why I prepared this."
I unrolled a scroll and placed it on the table. It was Ji-hyeon's certification that the contract was genuine.
Ha Pyodu clicked his tongue in admiration.
"Heavens! You're thorough."
But Pavilion Master Yeom looked puzzled and asked,
"How did you get this? From what I know, the Castle Lord should have already won Ji-hyeon over……."
"There's a way."
I gave a vague answer, and Pavilion Master Yeom understood my intent, nodding.
"I see. Impressive as always. So, this land belongs to the Yangyang Martial Hall."
"Yes, exactly."
"Then we don't have to move?"
But I didn't answer directly, instead smiling coldly as I continued.
"I have no intention of letting this end amicably. Don't we deserve compensation for the mental anguish this caused?"
"No need. I'm fine."
Pavilion Master Yeom smiled.
"Gaining this land and not having to relocate is more than enough for me."
Ha Pyodu chimed in.
"Agreed. The Pavilion Lord will be satisfied too."
I shook my head.
"No. I won't stop here."
"But……."
Interrupting Pavilion Master Yeom, I pressed on.
"From the information I gathered, the Castle Lord knew that Yangyang Martial Hall was a benefactor to the previous Castle Lord and the Seong family."
"Pardon?"
"Is that true?"
"Yes. The late previous Castle Lord repeatedly told his son to treat Yangyang Martial Hall well, as they were the family's benefactors."
"……."
"Yet the Castle Lord tried to drive you out. I can't let that slide."
Pavilion Master Yeom and Ha Pyodu's faces darkened upon hearing the circumstances.
"So, don't you need a new building?"
"Pardon?"
"This one looks rundown."
At my words, Ha Pyodu nodded.
"Well…… It's been over ten years since it was built, and we didn't use the best materials."
"Then prepare to move."
"Pardon?"
"Move?"
"To catch a big fish, you need patience."
From what Chun-il had investigated, the Castle Lord planned to build an eight-story inn here.
He also intended to construct several annexes and a beautiful garden.
That would make a fine place for the pillars of the rebuilt Sulpoong Palace to grow.
I smirked.
So, our move would help the Castle Lord 'miscalculate.'
The more he invested in that inn, the better for us—no loss at all.
Instead, since it wouldn't have a training ground, we'd buy the adjacent land for one.
I'm his senior brother, after all.
I can gladly donate that much for the kids.
But this would take about a year.
I couldn't stay here forever, so I needed someone to handle things in my stead.
Should I leave it to Palgap?
He looks like a bear, but he's quick on the uptake and sharper than anyone when it counts.
But without Palgap, who'd assist me?
There's still time, so focus on other matters for now.
* * *
Honestly, compared to other lakes in the Central Plains, West Lake wasn't particularly large.
But its scenery was so breathtaking that countless people visited to admire it.
A fabric shop in Hangzhou's streets.
Today, as always, it was booming.
"This is our latest silk import. The dyeing is impeccable—no stains at all."
"Oh? How lovely……."
"Pair it with a sky-blue skirt embroidered with gold thread and a bright red jeogori. Imagine how striking that would be."
"Y-yes, I suppose."
"Passing men wouldn't be able to look away."
"I'll take it."
The main customers at fabric shops near West Lake were the courtesans from the inns, and this 'Eundeok Fabric Shop' was quite famous among them.
It wasn't a place with a long history.
Just four years ago, the current owner, Wi Jun-deok, had taken over an existing shop and opened this fabric store.
It had started much smaller but had more than doubled in size in just four years.
After the rush of customers passed, Wi Jun-deok stepped out briefly.
"I'll be right back."
"Yes, safe travels, Shopkeeper."
Wi Jun-deok waved with a laugh.
"Haha, I'm not the shopkeeper anymore."
"It's just a habit……."
"True, after calling me that for over ten years…… Anyway, I'll be off."
"Yes."
Wi Jun-deok left the shop and walked the streets.
"Time flies by so quickly!"
Just four years ago, his life had been like a candle in the wind.
As the manager of the Dong Clan Merchant Group, while traveling with the second son of the Dong leader, he'd received the thunderbolt news that the Dong Clan had been utterly destroyed.
The Dong Clan leader had been caught attempting to assassinate Jin U-rim, the Jin Clan Merchant Group leader, and by the furious Emperor's decree, it happened.
Despite his pleas to hide and bide their time, Dong Woo-yeok, the second son, had gone through with it.
He'd used a Thunderbolt to attack the Eunhae Merchant Group en route to Beijing under imperial orders.
And then,
the man he'd met in the hidden forest, Eun Seo-ho.
That he gave him a chance might have been mere whim.
But he'd kept his promise.
There'd been no pursuit by imperial forces since.
Thanks to that, he'd survived and made it here.
Pondering his future, he'd opened a fabric shop.
Having dealt with fabrics his whole life, starting something new felt daunting.
He named it Eundeok—meaning 'received grace.'
His survival was thanks to the grace Eun Seo-ho had shown.
There was no special reason for settling in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.
Having operated from Jiangsu Province before, he'd come to the similar Zhejiang.
"Hm……."
Wi Jun-deok walked slowly.
To an onlooker, it might seem like aimless strolling, but it was part of his efforts for the shop.
To quickly catch shifting fashions.
Every two or three days, he'd wander the bustling streets, observing people's attire and changes.
As he did so, a familiar voice reached his ears.
A clear, resonant tone that stuck in the mind.
Turning toward it, he saw a young man in a red changpo.
A strikingly handsome youth with an enigmatic charm.
Even after four years, Wi Jun-deok recognized him instantly.
"Isn't that Eun Seo-ho, young branch manager?"
* * *
Gazing at West Lake from the third floor of Daru Pavilion like this, it was indeed pleasant.
At the table beside me, Palgap and the guards sat enjoying tea.
But they weren't the reason I was here.
The man seated across from me was.
"Have you been well?"
"Ah, yes."
"Thank you for keeping your promise back then."
"I promised, so I kept it."
The middle-aged man before me was the former manager of the Dong Clan Merchant Group, who'd once tried to kill Jin U-rim's group leader.
I'd given him a chance then, and he seemed to be thriving.
His clothes were fine, his expression relaxed and prosperous.
"Come to think of it, I never properly introduced myself. You probably don't know my name."
I smiled awkwardly, waiting for his words.
"My name is Wi Jun-deok. I run a fabric shop near West Lake."
"I see."
We chatted amiably.
Mostly about Shopkeeper Wi's stories, and as I listened, a thought struck me.
The shopkeeper must have advised Dong Woo-yeok to the best of his ability. Dong Woo-yeok simply hadn't listened.
I'm grateful to Dong Woo-yeok for that.
Thanks to him, a capable talent survived, leading to this connection.
I worked hard too, but without a beginning, there's no middle.
"What brings you to West Lake?"
"Ah, business."
"I see. May I ask what kind?"
"Sorry, trade secret."
"Of course."
He didn't overstep, yet his merchant instincts were sharp.
Definitely talented.
And he holds goodwill toward me—perfect.
Judging emotions might seem inhumane, but the merchant world is ruthless.
Money has no feelings, but those who handle it do.
Just when I needed a capable, trustworthy person.
I lowered my voice.
"You don't strike me as one content with small ponds. How about trying the big waters?"