209. Ties in Hangzhou (2)
Branch Manager Wi Jun-deok blinked at my words, asking in return.
"What do you mean by that?"
"It means I see you as someone capable of swimming in deeper waters. So, it's a kind of deal."
I continued.
"You play in the big leagues, and I gain someone I can trust with my work."
"Trust with your work... Does that mean you'd like me to work under you, Young Branch Leader?"
"Exactly."
"......"
A brief silence fell.
Conflict was plain on Branch Manager Wi's face.
"If it doesn't appeal to you, feel free to decline."
"I don't quite understand why you'd make such an offer to me, Young Branch Leader. I'm at an age where I'm staring at twilight, just a shopkeeper running a fabric store here. How could I be of any help?"
"Your experience alone would be more than enough."
"In that case... could you give me some time to think it over?"
"Of course."
Recruiting him wasn't all that urgent anyway.
So, why not get some advice on the pressing matters first?
"Branch Manager, do you know of any buildings around here that could house about two hundred people? Something spacious."
I needed a temporary place to stay until a splendid new building could rise on the site of the Yangyang Martial Hall.
We had to live somewhere right away, so it had to be an existing structure.
I explained the conditions I wanted, and after a moment's thought, Branch Manager Wi spoke up.
"There are about three places that fit what you're describing."
Three places already?
"If you have time, could you show me around?"
"Certainly."
We left the trading post and followed his guidance.
"First up, this one."
It was a manor nearby, whose owner needed quick cash because his son had racked up gambling debts and had to sell the manor building.
"A manor should come with a good chunk of land, right?"
"He says everything's gone except for that manor building and its plot."
"......What the hell was the manor lord doing to let it get this bad?"
"The lord's got a soft heart, and the son's the only one in three generations. Every time the kid messes up and gets scolded, he cries and swears it'll never happen again... What can you do?"
"......"
Gambling really was a no-go.
The second place was a three-story tavern far from West Lake.
I knew right away why it was on the market.
"What an awkward spot for a tavern."
"Exactly. Too far from the streets, too low to enjoy the lake views."
"Hence the fire sale."
"Yes."
Someone even dumber than Manor Lord Seong.
Building a tavern farther from West Lake than Yangyang Martial Hall?
If you're going to do that, at least make it the tallest one around—three stories was pathetic.
"Now for the third property."
The last one was a building with a wide courtyard.
"This is the base of a small minor sect. Their numbers have dwindled sharply; now it's just the sect leader and three disciples."
"And they're selling anyway?"
"Yes, to relocate."
"That won't be easy......"
Even merchants struggled to establish new roots, but martial sects had it worse.
They had their territories, and they hated intrusions fiercely.
Their turf was their pride.
Even powerful sects rarely moved bases, let alone one with just four members!
"I hear the Martial Alliance is helping them."
"The Martial Alliance?"
"Yes. They sell this place, and the Alliance sets them up with a spot."
Knowing what the Martial Alliance was like, I could tell that "help" wouldn't truly benefit the sect.
"Is the Alliance really stepping in? They could just buy it themselves."
"Now that you mention it, something does feel off."
If they sold and took the money to the Alliance, the Alliance would surely swallow it whole.
That meant good money flowing straight to the Alliance.
No way in hell.
So, between the first and second options.
It was only for about a year, but I still had to choose carefully. A year wasn't short.
I'd discuss it with Hall Leader Yeom and Leader Ha too.
"Thank you for showing me around today. If we buy one, I'd appreciate your help then as well."
"Of course."
"And I'll be waiting for good news."
I smiled as I saw Branch Manager Wi off.
The world was full of surprises.
Who'd have thought the man I'd spared out of mercy would prove so useful?
The Dong Clan Merchant Group in Jiangsu Province was one of the bigger players, and their Fanpyeongjik blades were popular across the Central Plains.
It had gone bust due to the leader's folly, but now the blade forge operated independently, just like in my past life.
Of course, our Eunhae Merchant Group's support had made that possible.
We had a tight relationship now, supplying us blades at good prices.
Anyway, he wasn't a deputy manager there, but he'd worked at that level.
And he'd carved out a spot in cutthroat Hangzhou in just four years—that spoke to real talent.
Plus, he knew the local scene inside out. Perfect to handle things in my stead.
I hoped he'd take my offer positively.
That evening, I met Chunil again.
Once more, he looked completely different.
How did he show up in a new guise every time? Amazing.
"I looked into what you asked last time."
Right—the places for Yangyang Martial Hall to relocate.
That's why we'd met today.
"There are three spots that match your conditions. First......"
I couldn't help but chuckle dryly as I listened.
The three places Chunil mentioned were exactly the ones Branch Manager Wi had shown me.
"There are a few more, but they have shady backgrounds or something fishy."
So Branch Manager Wi had sifted out the dodgy ones and picked the perfect three.
Hearing my request, he'd zeroed in on the good ones in no time. Definitely talented.
Branch Manager Wi was looking more and more appealing.
.
.
.
I told Hall Leader Yeom and Leader Ha about the places Branch Manager Wi had shown me that day.
"......So, one of these two seems best."
"You've already scouted a relocation site?"
"The days are getting colder; sooner is better, don't you think?"
"Well said. You have impressive drive, Young Branch Leader."
I gave an awkward smile at Leader Ha's words.
That was one of my strengths.
Once decided, why hesitate? Act fast.
"I know you're concerned about moving. But even if we build new here, we'd have to vacate for a while anyway."
"True."
"But buying a whole new building just for this—doesn't it seem wasteful?"
I shook my head firmly.
"Not at all. We'll recoup more than that later."
They deferred to my view.
Master the palace lord had given me full authority, and they weren't as savvy in business as I was.
After discussion, we decided on the first manor.
It had a spacious courtyard and was in the best condition since it had been lived in.
The third place was similar, but I dismissed it without a second thought.
The Martial Alliance was involved.
The next morning, a letter arrived for me.
I would like to meet at the trading post where we met before. Please let me know a time, and I will adjust to it.
It was from Branch Manager Wi.
I wrote a reply for the errand boy who'd delivered it and sent him off.
I headed to the trading post at the appointed time, sin-si (3-5 p.m.).
"Ah! You've arrived?"
Branch Manager Wi had already secured a quiet corner seat.
"You're early."
"No, I just got here myself."
We sat across from each other, sipping tea and admiring the view for a bit.
Branch Manager Wi spoke first.
"Well... I've thought it over."
"Yes."
He'd considered my proposal.
"Honestly, I'm alive today because of your grace, Young Branch Leader. So, it makes sense to follow you."
Was that acceptance?
"Thus, this Wi will work under you, Young Branch Leader."
"Really? Thank you so much."
"Truth be told, the time to think was to wrap up my shop."
I waved my hands hurriedly.
"No need for that."
"Pardon?"
"What I'm asking is something you can do while keeping your current job. Of course, you'll get a separate salary."
I explained his duties, and he nodded right away.
"That's the work? Understood."
"First thing: I'd like you to handle buying some land and a building. The first property you showed me—I liked it."
After a moment's thought, Branch Manager Wi said,
"They're asking seven hundred nyang of silver, land included. I'd like to avoid haggling further. It's a fire sale already—quite cheap. After paying off the debts, they'll be strapped."
"No plans to lowball. Proceed at that price."
"Got it."
"By the way, what about the manor's household after the sale?"
"Probably buy a small house with whatever's left."
"You said it'll be tight after debts—maybe a hundred nyang left?"
"About that."
That wouldn't last long for living.
"Then buy a small house nearby too. Let the manor folk live there."
"Pardon?"
"They're getting evicted, right? Renting them a place at a fair rate isn't bad."
"As expected, you're a good man, Young Branch Leader."
Was I?
This was all calculated too.
What I was after was reputation.
We were paying fair market price, but rumors could twist.
I didn't want tales of Yangyang Martial Hall tossing harsh folk onto the streets.
Besides, the manor lord's family were local notables.
"It's just to avoid bad talk about the hall or me. I'm not that good."
"No, you are a good man, Young Branch Leader."
The purchase went smoothly.
The manor lord was grateful for the immediate payment.
When I offered to house them too, tears flowed.
Having lost all their wealth and now their home to their son, the lord and his wife's faces were ashen with grief.
Children could be one's worst enemies.
I sighed inwardly and asked the lord,
"How old is your son?"
"Twenty-four this year. The second is twenty."
The gambler was the eldest, so twenty-four.
Not too late for that academy.
"Any interest in a reform academy?"
.
.
.
Five days later.
The move began.
They were handing over most furniture, so I paid an extra hundred nyang and took it.
"Eh? Living here now?"
"Yeah."
"Whoa, this courtyard's huge!"
"Wow! The kitchen's massive!"
Luckily, it was nearby, so even in winter, the move wasn't too grueling.
The kids ran back and forth, exploring the new place.
I said to Hall Leader Yeom,
"If you have any attachment to the old building, shall I dismantle it and rebuild it elsewhere?"
He shook his head hastily.
He'd figured out I was a man of my word.
"Attachment? None at all. For the kids' sake, new beats old."
"Fair enough."
"I'm really looking forward to the new building on that land. Haha."
Me too.
That's why I happily covered the demolition costs.
On completion day, Manor Lord Seong would watch his lavish investment snatched away intact.