[No title provided]
My words left Jin Yeong Daehyeop with a look of utter bewilderment.
"What on earth do you mean by that, all of a sudden? Asking if I can break ice well?"
"That's the key to this whole matter. Which is why I'm asking—are you busy right now?"
"I've got an hour or two to spare."
"Perfect. Then come with me to the Yeonjun Merchant Group."
A short while later,
I headed to the courtyard of the Yeonjun Merchant Group with Jin Yeong Daehyeop. While we sipped tea, Palgap had prepared everything.
Truly a reliable Palgap.
"Hm. What's this?"
"A model to help with the explanation."
It was a scale model depicting the Yangtze River and its surroundings. The section shaped like the Yangtze was frozen solid from the water I'd poured on it last night.
I continued.
"As I've traveled around, I've felt it—the chill this year is far beyond the norm."
"Mm, true enough."
"And because of that, even the Yangtze has frozen over already."
I went on.
"You know how the Yellow River often floods downstream in spring."
"Of course. The ice melts all at once from the upstream highlands, causing floods below."
"But that hasn't happened on the Yangtze until now."
"It's a river flowing through warmer regions, after all."
"But in a year this cold, things change."
I pointed to the model.
"Water keeps flowing from upstream, but in this freezing weather, it freezes solid... eventually forming massive ice chunks up here."
"......"
"The Yangtze rarely freezes, so there's almost no preparation for it. Plus, the upper reaches are in hot southern lands, so come spring, the ice will melt all at once."
I picked up the kettle and said,
"Think of this as the meltwater..."
"No. Let me melt it myself."
With that, Jin Yeong Daehyeop extended his hand.
A wave of heat surged from his profound inner energy. So he's a practitioner of the Blazing Flower Technique.
The upstream ice chunks began melting in an instant.
"......"
The water, freed all at once, rushed downstream, overflowing the riverbanks and spreading into the surrounding lowlands before it could drain away.
"Now imagine this happening for real—what would that mean?"
"Damn it."
Jin Yeong Daehyeop spat the curse roughly.
Exactly.
A flood—an enormous one.
In my previous life, a disaster of that scale had indeed struck.
Our merchant group suffered massive losses, and cleanup was a nightmare.
It even delayed my branch manager announcement ceremony by quite a bit.
Countless others struggled too. And spring is the lean season, after all.
In some areas, there were even horrific tales of cannibalism.
We have to prevent this as much as possible.
"But there's a way."
"What is it?"
"Break the ice in advance. If possible, haul it onto land to melt or move it to reservoirs. That way, we can greatly reduce the flood risk come spring."
"Makes sense. So that's why you asked if I could break ice well."
"But if the Yangtze is like this, what about the Yellow River, which floods periodically anyway?"
At my words, Jin Yeong Daehyeop's face drained of color.
He'd realized the unimaginable scale of the damage.
The Yellow River floods regularly, but this time, the cold had amplified it far beyond normal, wreaking havoc.
A catastrophe born of this brutally colder-than-average winter.
Should we be grateful for the light snowfall? If snow had piled up too, it would've been apocalyptic.
But the lack of snow meant drought conditions...
Ah, whatever.
Jin Yeong Daehyeop, lost in thought for a moment, looked at me and asked,
"But why tell me instead of His Majesty directly?"
"I don't want the attention."
"......?"
"If I bring this up with His Majesty myself, I'd draw a ton of spotlight."
I smiled and continued.
"I'm a bit too fragile for the gaze of the palace's high and mighty. I couldn't bear it."
"......"
"But if the Gold Guard gets the credit, isn't that a good thing?"
"Certainly... it is."
Jin Yeong Daehyeop nodded.
The reason I tipped him off like this was simple: if I got the attention, it could derail my merchant work.
They'd surely try to seat me in the court.
But that's not an option.
I have goals.
To make Eunhae Merchant Group the world's greatest and get revenge on the Murim Alliance and Baekcheon Merchant Group.
Sure, I could seek revenge from a high office.
But that misses the point.
With Baekcheon as the first target, it has to be merchant against merchant for a fair fight.
I'm not a coward like them.
Besides, this will take massive funds and manpower. And it's a national affair.
So naturally, it's for His Majesty to handle.
Not for a mere commoner like me. Of course.
I bowed politely and said,
"So I leave it in your hands."
"Understood. If this works out, it'll be thanks to you."
I knew Jin Yeong Daehyeop couldn't refuse my proposal.
Especially now, when it seemed His Majesty's trust in him was waning.
.
.
.
With the flood issue handed off to Jin Yeong Daehyeop, I turned to my new task.
Seon-mi's marriage.
Even before the wedding, talk of her family had arisen, yet they proceeded because of deep affection on both sides.
For Seon-mi, her fiancé's posting as a provincial official must have been a breath of fresh air.
Won, Second Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel...
The Ministry of Personnel handles appointments, merits, ennoblements, evaluations.
Traditionally the highest-regarded of the Six Ministries.
Is that why their noses are so high?
Investigation first.
I sent a letter via Geum-ryeong to Father, reporting safe arrival in Beijing and requesting info.
Since establishing the intel network, the main house has solid dossiers on Beijing's officials.
The next day, Geum-ryeong arrived.
"Kkwi!"
"Good work."
"Kkwi! Kku!"
Geum-ryeong shook its head and backed away.
Yeah, yeah, got it.
I offered silver, and Geum-ryeong snapped it up greedily.
Then it presented its tail.
I untied the letter from Geum-ryeong's tail and unrolled it.
The first letter held worries about me and family updates.
The second contained the requested intel. After reading, I smiled.
Is that so? Perfect timing.
I burned the letters and called Palgap.
"Palgap!"
"Yes! You called, sir?"
"Get ready to go. We're heading to Hwanhwa Academy."
.
.
.
"Welcome."
The academy head, recognizing my face, greeted me warmly.
"Sorry I haven't visited often."
"Not at all. I know you're busy—how could I expect more? Your generous funding is gratitude enough."
Hwanhwa Academy's head was the eldest scholar I'd recruited.
"Shall I show you around?"
"Yes."
I toured with the head.
Seeing them debate passionately, read and write with grave focus—it swelled my heart with pride.
"I heard this year's civil service exams are coming up."
"Yes. With them in August, everyone's working extra hard."
"I look forward to the results."
"As do I."
"By the way, how is your wife faring these days?"
"My lady is quite robust."
"I have an important request for her."
I explained the situation.
"Hm, so your cousin is getting married into the family of Second Secretary Won of Personnel. Ha! That lad's tying the knot already?"
"You know them well."
"Indeed. We're distantly related, though. I had him under me in court, so we grew close."
"Ah! I see."
I feigned surprise, but Father's letter had already filled me in.
That's why I'd come here on this errand too.
"My cousin's from a merchant family, so she's a bit lacking in etiquette toward elders. I'm worried she'll shame the family, so I thought to ask your wife to tutor her."
"She'd be delighted. She loves teaching."
This was my plan.
Block their snobbery by matching rank with higher rank.
The head had served decades in court, even as Minister of Rites.
His wife's influence was no small thing.
Seon-mi under her tutelage meant the wife became her patron.
Any sniping at Seon-mi would insult the head's wife.
And as kin, no less—unless they were fools, they'd shut up.
"I hear your wife's embroidery is exceptional among the scholars' wives."
"Is that so?"
"And..."
A better idea struck.
Why stop there? Tutoring from multiple scholars' wives would amplify the effect.
"How about this?"
The head smiled warmly at my idea and nodded.
"Excellent notion."
Days later, I received his letter.
His wife and the others had all consented.
I headed straight to Aunt.
"Come in. What brings you?"
"I have something to discuss."
I laid it out, and Aunt sighed in relief.
"Truth be told, I've been worried sick. For you to care for Seon-mi like this—thank you."
"Actually, it was Seon-il hyung who asked."
"Seon-il did?"
Aunt was surprised.
"Yes."
I nodded and continued.
"And Seon-mi's my cousin, right? It's only natural."
"Hearing you say that makes me even more grateful."
That evening,
The family gathered for dinner. Aunt nodded at me.
Seon-il hyung nodded too—I'd tipped him off right after his court duties.
"I have something to say."
"What is it?"
"About Seon-mi."
I explained the tutoring by the academy scholars' wives.
"And I've secured their permission."
Uncle nodded.
"Power counters greater power; rank, higher rank. Wise move."
"You're too kind."
"Well, Seon-mi? What do you think?"
Seon-mi replied to Uncle's question.
"I'll study diligently and bring no shame to either family."
Her eyes sparkled as she spoke.
Two days later,
Seon-mi went to the academy head's house.
She'd live and train there.
It'd be tough, but hardship for her goal.
Knowing the reward awaiting her, the family sent her off gladly.
With Seon-mi's matter settled, I could head home now.
.
.
.
But I couldn't return home.
"Come with us."
"Pardon?"
Jin Yeong Daehyeop's sudden visit.
I thought His Majesty and the Gold Guard would handle it fine, so why...
"I reported to His Majesty, who was gravely concerned by the severity. He ordered the Gold Guard to resolve it."
"I see."
"And pledged full support... so we're enlisting your help too."
"......"
"As the one who raised the issue, he seems keen for you to witness the progress firsthand."
No need for that.I know you'll handle it brilliantly.
"We depart tomorrow."
"Pardon?"
"Prepare, and meet at the palace gates tomorrow morning."
Jin Yeong Daehyeop, pressed for time, left those words and vanished.
"Uh..."
I reached out vaguely to grab him, but withdrew my hand.
Was that the Emperor's grinning face behind him—my imagination?
Hah, fine. No choice now.
Pushing to ensure it's done right is my specialty. Time to crack the whip properly.