Retribution (4)
While I was diligently handling business at the inn, Palgap entered the room and said,
"Young master, we got a message from Ma Clan Leader."
"Oh?"
"Yes. He says there's a good cotton field."
I grinned.
"He took the bait."
"Shall I prepare to head out right away?"
"No. We'll go in about two days."
"Pardon? Why is that, sir?"
"We have to avoid raising any needless suspicions. If I rush over, they might start thinking, 'Could it be...?' and look at us funny. That would be a problem."
I continued,
"If we're going to do this, we need to fool them thoroughly."
"......"
Seeing Palgap's dazed expression, I tilted my head.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"I'm just relieved that I'm your servant and not your enemy, sir."
"You and your nonsense......"
At that moment, Gold Spirit slipped in through the window.
"Kyui!"
"You're back!"
Gold Spirit was carrying a scroll in its mouth.
It was the one I'd sent to Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province, which had just returned.
I'd sent it there knowing Little Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin was staying, and it had secured what I needed for Hero Han Jae-ik's family.
Two days passed.
I donned a new silk robe prepared in advance from a nearby fabric shop. I had Palgap and the escort warriors do the same.
"Wearing silk robes this often—it's pure bliss. Hahaha."
Watching the hearty Yeo Eung-am warrior burst into laughter, the Ho Pil warrior chuckled and replied,
"Looks like you've fully adjusted to silk robes now."
"Traveling with the young master, how could I not?"
"Fair enough."
Listening to their banter, I was glad I'd made them get used to silk robes in advance.
We soon arrived at the Ma Clan Manor.
"Welcome! We've been waiting."
A servant was waiting at the gate today. That meant they were quite anxious.
According to the intel from Jin Yu warrior, the Murim Alliance would bring the new contract tomorrow afternoon.
That's why we'd come the day before.
Following the servant to the reception room, expensive refreshments were laid out as usual.
The tea was the same high-grade Dragon Well as before, but the sweets were different.
As I savored the tea, I heard Ma Clan Leader approaching.
He was coming before I'd even finished one cup—clearly in a hurry.
The door flew open hastily, his attire disheveled as if he'd run over.
"Greetings, Ma Clan Leader."
"Ah, we meet again. Sit."
"Thank you."
"By the way, I sent the message two days ago... why so late?"
"My apologies. I've had a lot on my plate. As you know, His Majesty the Emperor has entrusted our merchant group with certain duties."
At the mention of the Emperor, Ma Clan Leader cleared his throat awkwardly and changed the subject.
"Ahem. W-well, if it's that, no helping it."
"Thank you for understanding."
"Anyway, I invited you because you were looking for a good cotton field."
"Ah, yes."
"But the only cotton fields around here are mine. You seemed in a rush, though."
Desperate for cash yet trying to keep the upper hand.
"Actually, it's not that urgent. We don't have to start the business right away, or even here specifically."
"Ha, ha. True, but there's hardly anywhere that produces cotton as fine as mine. I can vouch for that."
Swallowing the bait perfectly.
"Hm, can you sell right away?"
"Of course. If you need it."
"How many pyeong were you thinking?"
"About 160,000 pyeong."
Jackpot. From my prior intel, that was roughly the total size of Ma Clan Leader's cotton fields.
In other words, he was selling the lot.
Not an investment I'd normally recommend, but fine by me.
The bait had hooked him good.
"I'll give you 2,000 nyang in gold."
"A bit more."
"Then 2,100 nyang."
After about an hour of fierce haggling, we sealed the deal.
2,300 nyang.
As I tucked the contract away, Ma Clan Leader asked,
"When can you pay?"
"First thing tomorrow morning."
"Really?"
"Yes. If you need it sooner, I can bring it straight from the battlefield."
"Good. If you need escorts, I can lend some."
"I'd appreciate that."
I sipped my tea and smiled faintly.
It was a bit above market price, but far from a loss.
On the contrary, it would bring me huge gains.
This cold was nothing compared to the freezing hell ahead.
Cotton demand would skyrocket then.
The wealthy wore beast pelts, but commoners had only cotton-padded clothes and quilts for warmth.
Cotton prices would soar to the heavens.
In my past life, Ma Clan Leader must have made a fortune selling cotton, recovering losses from the Baekun Escort Bureau investment.
Not this time—it was mine.
When types like him hoard wealth, innocents suffer.
And selling off all his land like this... he must be betting most of his cash.
Tough times until profits roll in.
"Clan Leader."
"Yes?"
"Frankly... sending all that investment gold to the Murim Alliance at once must be burdensome, no?"
"......"
His silence was answer enough.
"They probably don't need it all upfront anyway. Issue promissory notes instead."
"Promissory notes?"
"Yes. Through the battlefield. Eases the transport burden for the Alliance and lightens your load too."
"Ah... yes. As expected from a merchant heir—you're sharp."
"Hahaha, you're too kind."
I had my reasons for suggesting notes to Ma Clan Leader.
"Oh, by the way, is there a place called Han Ga Martial Hall in this village?"
"Hm? W-why do you ask?"
He looked tense as he shot back.
"Well, I had business up north recently. As you know, our Eunhae Merchant Group is distributing fine leathers in bulk this time."
"Ah, yes, I've heard."
"On that trip, I ran into a brother-sister pair by chance. We exchanged names—they were from Han Ga Martial Hall in Taegyeong County, Hainan Province. Han Jae-ik the hero and Han Jae-in the lady, I believe."
"Hahaha. Of course I know them. But why were they there...?"
"Ah! They said they came to get her into the North Sea Ice Palace. At Little Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin's request. We hit it off in the north, and I was curious about the place, so I went with them to the inn by the palace."
"Inn?"
"Yes. There's an inn right in front of the North Sea Ice Palace."
With every word, Ma Clan Leader's face grew paler.
"Are you unwell somewhere?"
"N-no. So, what happened? Jae-in..."
"Ah, Lady Han Jae-in entered the North Sea Ice Palace safely."
"......"
After Eun Seo-ho left, Ma Clan Leader urgently summoned an escort.
"Deok-bae. Is there really an inn in front of the North Sea Ice Palace?"
"Yes, from what I hear. The only place men can go near there."
"......"
"Damn it!"
He slammed his fist on the table.
"What's wrong?"
Fuming, Ma Clan Leader spat,
"That wench Han Jae-in's father was telling the truth! She really entered the North Sea Ice Palace."
"......"
Deok-bae warrior looked worried.
"That's bad. If he hears what you did to Han Ga Martial Hall... he might seek revenge later."
"That's for later. Bigger problem now—I promised to personally guide Sub-leader Eun Seo-ho there the day after tomorrow."
A quick check would reveal Han Ga Martial Hall existed here, run by eldest son Han Jae-ik.
Couldn't claim it didn't.
But right now, it was withering away on his orders.
Show that horror, and...
Eun Seo-ho might scrap the deal.
Before money changed hands, any excuse would do.
And his disgrace would spread.
Can't have that.
He summoned his servant at once.
"Uh......"
Han Jae-ik was utterly bewildered.
Just yesterday, Ma Clan Leader had been itching to devour his family—now he was all smiles, acting chummy.
"Why didn't you say you knew Sub-leader Eun Seo-ho sooner?"
"You never asked..."
"Heh heh! You should flaunt connections like that."
"......"
Meanwhile, workers Ma Clan Leader brought were repairing the hall's broken, ruined spots.
The warehouse was filling with grain, firewood stacking in the yard.
Maids cleaned the house, and two physicians treated Han Jae-ik's father.
"I misunderstood you. Sub-leader Eun Seo-ho told me your sister entered the North Sea Ice Palace."
"Ah, yes. I escorted her myself."
"At the Little Palace Lord's personal request, I heard."
Han Jae-ik recalled the letter delivered to his home last night.
A scroll begging to admit his talented sister, sealed with the North Sea Ice Palace Little Palace Lord's stamp.
And a note from Eun Seo-ho saying it'd come in handy.
How he got a scroll with her name... well, Sub-leader Eun Seo-ho could manage it.
He nodded quickly.
"Ah, yes. I forgot to show you."
He fetched the scroll naturally and showed it.
"......"
Cold sweat poured down Ma Clan Leader's back.
In the winter chill.
"Ahem, ahem. Why hide this?"
"Felt burdensome."
"Anyway, my apologies. Hahaha."
"......"
"Uh... when Sub-leader Eun Seo-ho visits the day after tomorrow, put in a good word, eh?"
"Ah... sure."
Han Jae-ik scratched his cheek.
Feels like I've been possessed by a ghost.
But he knew exactly who turned this misery around overnight.
His resolve hardened.
I need to join the Eunhae Merchant Group.
Dawn broke.
Seo-u warrior reported that Ma Clan Leader had rushed to Han Ga Martial Hall to patch things up.
"Just as I figured."
Seo-u warrior grinned.
"Faster than expected."
"Can't have guests uncomfortable during their stay, right?"
"True. But... you think the Han family will leave?"
"Yes. Too awkward otherwise."
"Makes sense."
Of course, understandable under Ma Clan Leader's pressure.
But resentment lingers regardless.
Villagers would feel guilty or sorry too.
"When do you plan to visit Han Ga Martial Hall?"
"Day after tomorrow. Tomorrow, once the Murim Alliance takes the notes and leaves, do as I instructed."
Seo-u warrior smirked.
"Feels like I'm a novel hero."
The cotton field payment to Ma Clan Leader was from my personal funds.
Thanks to diligent saving, no issue.
And I planned to quietly recover it.
Couldn't let a single coin go to Baekcheon Merchant Group or Murim Alliance.
Especially knowing it'd all vanish.
But even recovered, not a penny back to my pocket.
All for Taegyeong County's residents.
Cotton farming demanded heavy labor—even children were forced once old enough.
Yet Palgap's intel showed they got far less than deserved.
He seized whatever he fancied, goods or people.
So that money rightfully went to the villagers' welfare.
I was just returning what Ma Clan Leader had extorted, on his behalf.