More Than Expected (3)
The man who entered was Jeok Byeong-cheol, the pavilion leader of Sebungak.
"Has Pavilion Leader Jeok arrived?"
"The young master beat me here. But where's Chief Steward Yu?"
"Ah! He had something urgent to handle and left first. He'll be here soon."
"I see."
Eunwol Pavilion was the meeting room where the merchant group discussed all manner of major and minor affairs.
In truth, I hadn't yet formally earned the position of branch manager, so unless there was something special, I wasn't allowed to attend these meetings.
But today, I had the qualifications.
The topic of today's meeting was commercializing the automaton dolls, and I was the employer of Gongmil, the craftsman who could make them.
"Please, have a seat."
"Yes."
I sat down, and silence fell.
That awkward quiet was broken when Pavilion Leader Jeok addressed me.
"Young master."
"Yes."
"There's something I didn't get to ask before. May I pose a question?"
I nodded at his request.
"Of course. Go ahead."
"I know you signed a contract with the artisan who made the automaton dolls, as their employer. Why did you do that?"
He'd glossed over it vaguely, but as expected, Pavilion Leader Jeok was curious about that.
"Is there a reason I shouldn't have?"
"No, not at all... I was just wondering. Normally, we'd sign under the merchant group's name, so why personally?"
I met Pavilion Leader Jeok's eyes.
He was the pillar of our merchant group, someone who'd quietly and faithfully carried out his duties for years.
Yet, from my perspective, he was the most intimidating person here.
His insight was among the sharpest in the entire Eunhae Merchant Group.
Excuses like fearing someone else might swoop in and hire him first wouldn't fly with Pavilion Leader Jeok.
This was a man who'd devoted his life to our merchant group.
So, I decided to show him my true intentions.
"Pavilion Leader Jeok. Let me ask you one thing. Whose money is the Eunhae Merchant Group's?"
"Well..."
Pavilion Leader Jeok paused, at a loss for words.
It was only natural.
The answer to whose money the Eunhae Merchant Group's funds were wasn't as straightforward as one might think.
My father was the leader of the Eunhae Merchant Group, and our family had owned it for generations, but that didn't mean the group's money was entirely his.
I continued.
"But there's one thing that's certain. I have no money of my own."
"Heh, so the young master, who seemed more ambitious than I thought, is even greedier."
Pavilion Leader Jeok had caught my meaning.
"And you'll continue like this going forward?"
In other words, he was asking if I planned to keep claiming personal gains like this.
"Yes. That's right."
"I see. But why go that far? You surely don't lack for personal funds..."
He was right, as Pavilion Leader Jeok said.
I received a generous allowance every month.
"It's for the Eunhae Merchant Group."
I grinned.
"I plan to make the Eunhae Merchant Group the greatest in the world."
At my words, Pavilion Leader Jeok froze for a moment before bursting into hearty laughter.
"That's quite the grand ambition."
"Of course, I'm still lacking, but does that answer your question?"
"More than enough."
Pavilion Leader Jeok continued.
"As thanks for answering this old man's troublesome question, I'll answer one of yours in turn later."
"...!"
I was startled inside at those words.
What surprised me wasn't just the promise of an answer to one question—it was far from trivial.
He was the head of all our merchant group's employees.
For him to pledge an answer to my question was no small price.
Understanding its weight, I quickly cupped my fists in respect.
"I gratefully accept."
Pavilion Leader Jeok nodded at my bow.
Soon, my father and the other key figures entered Eunwol Pavilion, and the meeting began.
Father had returned from the provincial capital of Hubei Province.
He'd met with Prefect Po.
Thanks to the automaton doll, the prefect's wife had become the star of her gatherings.
The prefect had gained face with his wife.
And Clan Lord Song, who'd offered the doll as tribute, had turned the prefect's favor.
Of course, they'd have to correct the omitted land deeds.
But they wouldn't end up as a hollow manor clinging to past glory like before.
Moreover, we'd secured even better terms for trading rice with Clan Lord Song.
And we'd earn massive profits from selling the automaton dolls.
Everyone was pleased with the outcome.
Everyone except the Jin-gyeon Merchant Group.
The prefect had conveyed his desire to meet Father, so he'd gone to the provincial capital and just returned.
Father's expression told me things had gone well.
"First, the trip to the capital worked out. Prefect Po has agreed to cooperate with our merchant group."
That meant we'd gained the prefect as a backer, so everyone's faces lit up.
"The prefect asked if we could tribute ten automaton dolls as gifts by month's end. Can we manage?"
I nodded at Father's question.
"Yes. You're planning Spring Festival gifts, I take it."
"Exactly. We'll showcase the dolls over about two months. The rumors need time to spread. Can we do that too?"
That was more than doable.
Of course, I had no intention of overworking Gongmil. The reason it was possible was my plans from my past life.
I nodded at Father's question.
"If a few conditions are met, yes."
"Conditions?"
"First, I won't leave the doll-making entirely to Gongmil."
"What do you mean?"
"Frankly, if it's just about crafting dolls, there are artisans with better skills than Gongmil."
Everyone nodded at my words.
There were craftsmen who could make dolls so lifelike they seemed alive, and others with exquisite senses for dressing them.
"Using those artisans' help is the way to make the automaton dolls even more beautiful and faster."
Pavilion Leader Yeon nodded at my words.
"That's true enough."
Then Chief Steward Yu raised an objection.
"But won't that risk leaking the production techniques?"
The others nodded in concern.
"You said before they couldn't be replicated, young master. But using that method is as good as handing over the techniques."
"You could see it that way. But I can confidently say replication is impossible."
I continued.
"Because the core of the automaton doll is how the gears move, and only Gongmil knows how to make those parts. Even I couldn't figure it out watching."
That was why replication was impossible.
"So, we can leave the externals to other artisans, and have Gongmil handle just the core. No issue there."
Father nodded at my words.
"If you, his employer, say so, it must be true. What support do you need from me?"
"A workshop and materials for doll production."
"Got it."
In my past life, the biggest reason Gongmil died from overwork was handling every part of the dolls himself.
Gongmil was only ten years old now.
His skill was exceptional, but he was still a child. I didn't want to burden him with excessive work.
He should be out playing more.
That was the age for it.
"Now, let's discuss sales. Where should we sell these dolls first?"
"How about accessory shops? Women who buy dolls mostly visit those."
"Craft shops sound good too."
"Fabric stores as well."
Various opinions emerged, but the answer I wanted hadn't come yet.
"Father. May I offer my thoughts?"
"Speak."
With Father's permission, I gathered my ideas and spoke.
"Father, and pavilion leaders, you're overlooking one thing. Items like these automaton dolls aren't one-offs."
"Not one-offs?"
"Don't tell me... there's something else?"
I grinned.
"What it is remains a secret, but yes. So, I request opening a separate shop."
Father pondered briefly before nodding.
"If there are more novelties like the automaton dolls, a dedicated shop makes sense. But opening one costs no small sum."
"I know. But it's also for the merchant group. The prefect is backing these dolls—if we sell them mixed in other shops, won't he take offense?"
"Ah!"
Only then did realization dawn on their faces.
"Good grief! We'd have slipped up without you, young master."
For officials, honor and power mattered, but face was just as crucial.
The prefect governed an entire castle.
If we feared repercussions, we couldn't afford to bruise his pride.
And the more powerful, the pettier they could be over trifles.
Not all, but better safe.
"Then, as Seo-ho says, we'll open a shop, even a small one."
"Understood. We'll prepare."
"And how many automaton dolls do you plan to release?"
"The more, the better, no?"
I replied firmly.
"No. Father, we make exactly one thousand."
"What? Just a thousand?"
"Yes."
"You fool! Think you'll turn a profit selling only a thousand?"
"Hear me out."
Father calmed at my steady demeanor.
"Fine. Continue."
"Father. Why are jewels like pearls or jade so expensive? They're just shell fragments or green stones."
"Because many want them, but supply is limited... Ah!"
Father's eyes widened.
Not just him—everyone in Eunwol Pavilion stared at me with wide eyes, grasping my point.
"Yes, exactly. Scarcity."
I grinned.
"I want to add scarcity to the automaton dolls through limited sales. There are plenty of rich folk eager to flaunt rare items."
But in my past life, the Jin-gyeon Merchant Group hadn't considered that. They'd mass-produced and sold as many as possible.
The price then was half a nyang of silver each.
People could buy them easily.
Half a nyang was what commoners could save in a couple months.
As a tradeoff, the dolls' trend faded quickly.
People got bored fast.
So Gongmil had to churn out new ones nonstop.
It had pained me to watch.
Pity for the overworked Gongmil, and wasting such marvels on a fad.
If it were me, I'd have diversified the dolls for far greater profits.
Pavilion Leader Yeon chuckled at my words.
"You're right, young master. Plenty of people with money rotting away. So, how much for the dolls?"
Father and I answered in unison.
"Ten nyang of silver."
"...!"
Father and I exchanged smiles.
"Nothing flaunts ostentation like a high price."
"Exactly."
Then Outer Chief Steward Go spoke.
"A shame, though. Well-made dolls, ending as a seasonal gimmick."
I smiled faintly, and Father, noticing, narrowed his eyes.
"This rascal's hiding something again!"
"Yes."
"Out with it."
At Father's urging, I explained my plan.
"Following my earlier mention of other products, I plan to attach stories to these automaton dolls."
"Stories?"
"Yes. Like dolls depicting the tale of Scholar Ho and the white fox spirit Baeksoseong, or General Yang and the rabbit Chuwol."
"Oh..."
"Would someone who buys a doll with the Scholar Ho and Baeksoseong story be satisfied with just that one?"