Jeong-ho Hyung's Wedding Banquet (1)
“Come on in.”
“Long time no see, hyung! Jeong-ho hyung!”
As soon as I arrived home, Jeong-ho hyung greeted me warmly.
But unlike usual, he looked so neat and tidy that it felt a bit strange.
“What's this, hyung? You never even comb your hair properly before.”
“Ahem, when did I ever do that?”
Playing innocent...
If I asked ten people, all ten would agree with me, right?
I had a pretty good idea why hyung was suddenly paying attention to his appearance. The power of love is strong!
“How's Ha So-jeo doing?”
At my question, Jeong-ho hyung's face turned bashful.
“Of course she's fine.”
Good. Ha Su-min So-jeo needs to stay healthy.
Otherwise, hyung would end up heartbroken and grow old as a bachelor.
I headed to the office.
“Your son has returned safely.”
“Good, I'm glad you made it back in one piece.”
Father nodded, scanning me with his eyes as if confirming I was truly unharmed.
I'm really fine, you know.
I'm not the type to go around getting hurt everywhere I go.
“It took longer than expected for your outing.”
“I missed seeing the family, so I got scolded for it.”
“Hahaha.”
Father chuckled lightly.
“I heard from Captain Gwak what happened. And why you went there. It's impressive that you put that idea into action.”
I scratched my cheek at Father's praise.
“It saved a lot of people.”
“I'm not that much of a saint. It was just for our merchant group.”
“True, if the Yangtze really flooded, we'd suffer massive losses too. Still, that doesn't change the fact that what you did saved countless lives.”
I smiled awkwardly.
“Alright. You must be tired—go rest.”
“Father, there's something I need to discuss briefly.”
“What is it?”
“I'd like to hold Jeong-ho hyung's wedding in the fourth month.”
“Is this because of the famine you mentioned last time?”
“Yes, exactly.”
“Indeed. If the famine worsens, people won't have the leisure to attend, and a curfew on alcohol might even be imposed.”
Father's insight was as sharp as ever. That's how he built the merchant group to this point.
“I'll discuss it with Ha So-jeo's father.”
“Yes.”
I suddenly remembered something I forgot to mention.
“Also, I bought some cotton fields this time.”
“Cotton fields?”
“Yes. And three shops too.”
Father let out a hearty laugh at my words.
“You're expanding so thriftily. But since there was no report of expenditure from the merchant group's funds, it seems you bought them with your own money?”
“That's right. But I don't have time to manage them, so I'd like to entrust them to the merchant group.”
I'd mentioned the cotton fields and shops, but kept quiet about the rest.
That was my secret stash.
After finishing discussions with Father, I headed to my pavilion, Mungok-dang.
I needed to wash up first and get moving.
Palgap had already prepared warm bathwater, and I finally got to soak in hot water after so long.
After freshening my attire, I paid respects to the elders in order, then went to Jeong-ho hyung's pavilion last.
“Come in.”
“Have you been well?”
“Of course.”
Sister-in-law welcomed me with a smile.
“Where are Geon-hyeok and Bo-yeon?”
“I'll have the nursemaids bring them. They're walking pretty well now and talking a lot too.”
“Really?”
Soon, two nursemaids brought the kids and set them down on the floor.
“Hi. Did you miss me?”
“Uh...”
“Oo...”
Did Geon-hyeok and Bo-yeon already forget me and find me strange?
But it was just my imagination.
The two burst into giggles and toddled toward me.
Watching them, sister-in-law nodded.
“You two know a handsome face when you see one.”
“Hahaha.”
I laughed awkwardly. Palgap glaring at me from the side was probably just my imagination.
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.
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A few days passed.
I spent them busily handling backlog work.
Father and Mother began preparations for Jeong-ho hyung's wedding.
The banquet starts by sending invitations to distant guests.
That way, they can set out in time for the date.
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.
.
It had been nearly half a month since I returned from the Upper Stream Ice Removal Operation.
The month had turned to early fourth month.
The efforts to clear ice from the upper Yellow River and Yangtze were paying off.
In my previous life, I'd been tense around the time floods usually hit, but this time it passed safely.
The water levels rose temporarily, but there were hardly any overflows.
And since spring began, there's been almost no rain.
Clear signs of drought.
Still, thanks to the ice sent everywhere, we can hold out a bit longer.
“Young master! Young master!”
While handling work in Hyeonpung Branch, Palgap came running urgently.
“What is it?”
“You need to come out quick!”
“Huh?”
“Someone from the imperial palace is here!”
The imperial palace?
I jumped up and hurried to the merchant group's courtyard.
An official stood there imposingly.
Previous officials had met me in the reception room.
For one to wait openly amid the bustle...
No way?
I approached and greeted him properly.
“Were you looking for this one?”
“Are you Eun Seo-ho, the branch head?”
“Yes.”
“Receive His Majesty's decree.”
At those words, I quickly straightened my attire and knelt before him.
The official unfurled a golden scroll with a flourish.
For your meritorious contribution in removing ice from the upper reaches of the rivers, thereby preventing a great flood...
...We bestow upon Eun Seo-ho, branch head of the Eunhae Merchant Group, one hundred seok of fine grain as reward.
...thereby bestowing upon Eun Seo-ho, branch head, one hundred seok of fine grain as reward.
To my ears, it sounded like, 'I made you look good, so keep working hard.'
Ah, not thrilled about it.
But I can't refuse a hundred seok of rice.
“I am immensely grateful for Your Majesty's grace.”
The official handed me the scroll, and I received it reverently.
As I stood, he softened his expression.
“I've heard much about you from the Gold Guard daehyeop. A fine youth worthy of the name Seonhyeopmirang.”
“The name is far too grand for me.”
“Actually, the daehyeop petitioned His Majesty. They said you made a great contribution and deserved a reward too.”
Ah...
Merit they could've quietly claimed for themselves—such good people.
Anyway, that means others got rewards too.
“The icebreakers and laborers did the real hard work. Did they receive rewards as well?”
“Of course. They got between five and ten seok each.”
“That's a relief.”
“Hoho. Even now, worrying about the icebreakers and laborers! The title Seonhyeopmirang suits you perfectly.”
“You're too kind.”
I offered him tea with an awkward smile, but he said he had much to do and left promptly.
“Whew...”
I let out a sigh.
The stares from everyone felt scorching.
A bit embarrassing.
I wonder how much His Majesty must have smiled issuing this reward.
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The next day, I headed to the sundries shop with the invitation.
To deliver it to the old man.
He was basking in the spring sun out front, stood when he saw me.
“I heard. His Majesty gilded your face yesterday.”
Straight to the point, as always.
“Yes, he did.”
“So, how does it feel?”
I sat and grinned at his question.
“Great. They gave me a hundred seok of rice as reward.”
“Huh? You're happy about the wrong part?”
“Of course. I'm a merchant. To a merchant, money is honor.”
“Fair enough.”
I handed the invitation to the chuckling old man.
“My second brother is getting married.”
“That spear-wielding Jin-ho kid?”
“Yes.”
“He's rushing it. I heard talks just started recently.”
“Why delay a wedding? Better to get it done quick.”
The old man took the invitation.
“True enough. I'll attend.”
“Thank you.”
He eyed me intently, then stood and fetched a long box from inside the shop.
“Take it.”
“What's this?”
“Did you think His Majesty would give just a hundred seok of rice? He's not that stingy. You saved tens of thousands of lives.”
“But I didn't do it alone. I just threw out the idea; others completed it.”
The old man smirked.
“Let me be frank. What do you think His Majesty cares about most right now?”
“...”
“Vultures eyeing his power.”
Ah...
It all clicked.
The Emperor's greatest enemies are the ministers weakening his authority to seize it.
In my previous life, during those five hard years of floods and drought, high officials and local governors made the people suffer more.
Meaning the Emperor's power had weakened.
No matter how august, an Emperor needs money to wield power.
With floods and droughts increasing expenditures while taxes dwindled, his authority inevitably waned.
Since my proposal averted that, he's personally grateful.
No reason to refuse, then.
“Can I open it?”
He nodded, and I did.
Inside was white silk, about five or six ja worth.
But...
When I touched it, my dantian's inner energy stirred.
I knew this sensation.
Heavenly silkworm thread.
Like the silk in the arm guards on my arms now.
“Do you know what it is?”
A playful smile tugged at the old man's lips.
“Are you really giving this to me?”
“Yes. That's the real reward.”
But... why heavenly silkworm silk specifically?
I frowned as it hit me.
Damn, His Majesty already knows my inner energy is yin-based.
Heavenly silkworm silk is tougher than iron, perfect for armor.
But not everyone can use it—it's infused with yin energy.
Like my arm guards, line it with leather to avoid direct skin contact.
Otherwise, it's harmful: weakens Fire Flower Arts, most martial artists can't handle the yin, and civilians might die young.
But it's ideal for yin inner energy or wounds from Fire Flower Arts.
How did he know?
I asked the old man.
“Elder, did you tell His Majesty my inner energy is yin-based?”
“Not me, kid.”
“Then...”
“Wondering how he knew you practice ice arts and granted this?”
I nodded.
“That's...”
He trailed off, then grinned.
“Figure it out yourself.”
“Pardon?”
“Hearing it from me costs extra.”
“...”
I pondered, then sighed. Too many loose ends.
Jin Yeong Daehyeop might've noticed, or someone close to me is His Majesty's.
The Emperor's no pushover.
“No strings attached to this reward, right?”
He lit his pipe.
“Even if there were, you'd take it anyway.”
“True.”
“The palace vaults are full of treasures—why this silk?”
“...”
“Don't die young. Means His Majesty values you.”
Why does it sound like, 'Don't die early; it'd be hard to replace you, so live long for my convenience'?
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I returned to the Eunhae Merchant Group.
After dinner and a short rest, Palgap approached.
“Young master, someone wants a quick word.”
“?”
Stepping out, unexpected figures stood in the courtyard.
Bae Cheol, warrior of Eunpungdae Fourth Squad, and Go Ju-sang warrior.
My guards from my past life—who betrayed me.
“What is it?”
They knelt before me.
“We beg forgiveness from the branch head.”
“Huh?”
The sudden words left my guards and Palgap bewildered.
I was just as confused.
Why this all of a sudden?