More Than Expected (1)
Eun Gil-sang tilted his head, still examining the doll inside the box she had brought.
The doll, about the size of his forearm, was intricately crafted, dressed in fine silk that gave it an air of luxury.
"This isn't the first one I made right in front of my eyes, actually. She wanted to give it to her little sister, so I made another one."
She smiled and wound the gear on the doll.
"Don't be surprised."
No sooner had she spoken than the wooden doll began dancing on its own.
"Gasp!"
Despite her warning not to be startled, Eun Gil-sang jumped in shock.
"I was surprised too, honestly."
She continued with a laugh.
"Do you think this will suffice as the item that Song Clan Lord wants... no, as the wife of the Regional Commander desires?"
"Of course. And at this level..."
"I know. The potential of this item is tremendous. But to realize it, you'll need to pull some strings, Merchant Group Leader."
Eun Gil-sang immediately understood Yeon Pavilion Leader's implication.
"You need permission from the one receiving the tribute."
"Yes, it's best not to ruffle the feathers of such high officials if possible."
"Understood. I'll arrange a meeting and handle it."
They discussed the follow-up matters accordingly.
Time passed again, and the wooden doll resumed its dance.
"To think a ten-year-old made something like this! A genius without a doubt!"
Yeon Dam-i laughed at his words.
"Of course the kid who made this gadget is a genius! That's an undeniable fact. But..."
Her expression soon turned serious.
"In my eyes, the real genius is someone else."
"...For Yeon Pavilion Leader to say that! Now I'm dying to know who you mean."
"The youngest young master."
"...What?"
She pulled a contract from her sleeve and handed it over.
It was a contract for the wooden doll, stamped with the merchant group's seal—and Eun Seo-ho's signature below it.
"Why is Seo-ho's signature on it?"
"He had already contracted with the craftsman. So the youngest young master is technically the employer of the wooden doll's creator."
"What?"
She continued, looking at Eun Gil-sang.
"That's why I had to negotiate with the young master. It was really tough. I had to concede a lot. But after the negotiation ended, a thought struck me."
Her voice grew earnest.
"With Young Master Seo-ho, we might just make the Eunhae Merchant Group the greatest in the world."
We had arrived at the Eunhae Merchant Group.
But arriving at the group didn't mean the escort mission was over.
Everyone had to finalize their tasks, wrap up reports, and confirm details, so the place buzzed with activity.
Fortunately, the workload for my Finance Pavilion was light.
The escort fee owed to Changin Escort Agency was a massive sum, so they would come collect it themselves rather than us delivering it.
Thus, our job was simply to settle the expenses used during the escort.
Of course, first we had to give a brief verbal report to Pavilion Leader Yu, the head of the Finance Pavilion, about returning from the mission.
Only after the written report would the escort officially conclude.
Recalling how, in my past life, I'd gone straight to Father upon returning and gotten scolded, I chuckled softly.
"Palgap."
"Yes? You called, young master?"
"I need to head to the Finance Pavilion, so you escort Master Gong's family to the Guest Hall."
"Understood."
The merchant group had a separate annex called the Guest Hall for visiting traders or retainers.
I wanted them to stay there until I spoke with Father and arranged proper lodging.
Leaving them at an inn risked some scoundrel snatching them away.
But as I wasn't a sub-leader yet, I couldn't decide unilaterally. So I subtly mentioned it to Yeon Pavilion Leader.
"Even if they're hugely beneficial to the group, putting them up in the annex might be a bit much, right?"
She jumped at my words.
"What are you saying? Of course they should stay in the annex! I'll inform the Group Leader and West Wind Pavilion Leader."
She had the authority for that, and so it was settled—they would stay in the annex.
"Aren't you coming with us, young master?"
Gong Rae looked up at me, and I placed a hand on her head.
"I'd love to, but I have work to do."
"Then go ahead quickly."
"Huh?"
"Grown-ups say if you want to be useful, you have to work."
Gong Rae stated it firmly, and I chuckled.
"Smart girl. Already thinking like that. It won't take long. It's customary to rest the day you return from an escort to recover."
I then clasped my hands in a fist toward Master Gong.
"I should escort you to the Guest Hall myself, but I apologize."
"No need. We're fine, so don't worry and go."
"See you later then."
I exchanged individual thanks with Master Teacher, Foreman Jeong Chung, and the others.
The porters and low-ranking guards were stunned and flustered.
"The young master personally thanking us?!"
"You don't have to!"
But expressing gratitude was essential.
Neglecting even small things could doom a merchant journey.
"Shall we go now?"
"Yes, let's."
Gong Rae waved goodbye.
"See you later! Young master!"
I headed to the Finance Pavilion with Pavilion Member Im Kyung-bin.
"Young master and Pavilion Member Im, you're back!"
"Just returned from the escort?"
We exchanged greetings amid the Finance Pavilion members' warm welcome.
"Is the Pavilion Leader inside?"
They nodded.
"Yes, he should be."
"Go right in."
We entered Pavilion Leader Yu's office.
"Unpaid Pavilion Member Im Kyung-bin of the Finance Pavilion, returned from escort duty."
"Special Apprentice Eun Seo-ho of the Finance Pavilion, returned from escort duty."
Only then did Pavilion Leader Yu look up from his work.
His eyes were hollow with exhaustion.
And piled on my usual spot: a mountain of work.
A bad premonition hit me.
"Good work. Pavilion Member Im Kyung-bin, and young master."
"Yes."
"Yes."
"Any peculiarities?"
Pavilion Member Im Kyung-bin answered.
"A few."
"Report."
He promptly gave a concise account of the escort events.
Listening, Pavilion Leader Yu eyed me oddly.
"So, you suggested to Zhang Clan Leader to clear the mountain path scouts and openly collect tolls, earning a favor?"
"It just turned out that way."
The real reason for the favor couldn't be revealed yet.
"You recruited a craftsman who can make the moving doll Song Clan Lord requested?"
"We got lucky."
It was the mission's purpose for going to Gangseo, but publicly, it was luck.
"And you say you utterly crushed Jin-gyeon Merchant Group?"
"That was their own doing."
I'd schemed a bit, but a proper group wouldn't self-destruct like that.
"Anything else to report?"
We shook our heads.
"No."
"Nothing here either."
"Sigh... Anyway, good work."
Pavilion Leader Yu pinched his brow.
"Rest today, and submit your escort report tomorrow."
I inwardly cheered.
But then,
"And, young master."
"Yes."
"Customarily, you rest the return day and start work the next... but there's too much backlog. Start now, please."
My cheer deflated.
Why were bad premonitions always spot on?
"Speaking of which, they should be calling soon."
Just then, Deputy Jo Young-young's voice came from outside.
"The Group Leader summons Pavilion Leader Yu and Third Young Master. Head to Silver Moon Pavilion now."
Pavilion Leader Yu stood.
"Let's go."
.
.
.
A moment later,
I sat in Silver Moon Pavilion under everyone's gaze.
Father spoke.
"Yeon Pavilion Leader gave me the rough story. You recruited the wooden doll craftsman and secured him under you?"
"Yes."
Then West Wind Pavilion's Jeok Pavilion Leader spoke.
"But is this self-dancing wooden doll really possible?"
Father nodded.
"Seeing is believing. Behold."
At Father's signal, Yeon Pavilion Leader took the wooden doll from the box.
The one Gong Mi made at the inn went to Gong Rae.
It wasn't her first, but the first realization of her dream to make a pretty one.
I couldn't refuse her wish to give it to her sister first.
Thus, the one before us was Gong Mi's remake.
Yeon Pavilion Leader turned the ring on its back.
"Whoa!"
"Ho!"
"Gasp!"
As it danced, Pavilion Leader Yu, Pavilion Leader Jeok Byung-chul, and Outer Manager Go Il-pyeong were astonished.
"What do you think? Will this please her?"
Everyone nodded at Father's question.
"Certainly."
"Quite marvelous!"
"But it's a shame to use it only as tribute."
Pavilion Leader Yu, recognizing its true value, looked regretful.
Yeon Pavilion Leader nodded in agreement.
"I thought the same, and the Group Leader agreed. So we plan to sell it."
Outer Manager Go Il-pyeong was skeptical.
"It's novel, but just dances on its own... Will it sell well?"
The others nodded similarly.
But having lived my previous life, I could assert:
It would sell like hotcakes.
"Father, may I say something?"
"Go ahead."
"Sure, the doll just dances. But what if owning it is key to saving face?"
"...?"
"This will go to the Regional Commander's wife via Song Clan Lord. Meaning it'll be shown to other noble ladies. Do you think they'll sit idly by?"
"Ah!"
"Once noble ladies clamor for it, what happens to its value?"
"Indeed! Yes."
Pavilion Leader Jeok nodded.
"But there's a problem."
Pavilion Leader Yu continued.
"People seeing it and copying to sell."
"Ah..."
"That's the issue."
I grinned at their concern.
"Copy it? Let them try."
Who could replicate what even I couldn't?
"Even if they could, by then the trend would have passed to something new."
Yeon Pavilion Leader's eyes sparkled.
"Meaning the little craftsman will create new things?"
"As her employer, I guarantee it. Look forward to it."
Father smiled.
"Happy news indeed. But first, resolve the tribute issue. Summon Song Clan Lord, and we'll discuss commercialization tomorrow."
"Understood."
Yeon Pavilion Leader nodded.
"And Seo-ho."
"Yes, Father."
"You did well. Thanks to you, we avoided great loss and gained huge profit potential."
"Just did what was necessary."
Father then moved to discuss lodging for Master Gong's family.
The decision was swift: one of the annexes.
"Any other matters?"
"None."
"Then we can—"
I cut in urgently. My business wasn't done.
"Father, I have something to say."
"What?"
"It's classified."
Father glanced at the others; they nodded.
Father, Inner Manager Yu So-ak, Outer Manager Go Il-pyeong, and the four pavilion leaders were utterly loyal.
In my past life, none ever betrayed or harmed the group.
That's why I could speak freely.
"What is it?"
"Truth is, I made a secret pact with Zhang Clan Leader of Odongsan."