Chapter 27: Far Beyond Expectations (4)
My experience told me otherwise.
People had a collector's instinct, regardless of whether they were poor or rich.
And the wealthy's hoarding tendencies surpassed imagination.
"In short, there are countless ways to utilize these Ja Mu dolls."
Dozens of ideas were already swirling in my head.
Yu the Chief Steward, who had been clicking away on his abacus, spoke up.
"If we play this right, it could bring in some serious revenue for the merchant group."
"Exactly. And that's how it has to be."
Yeon the Pavilion Master chuckled.
"To think you'd come up with all this... the future of our Eunhae Merchant Group looks brighter than ever."
He looked at me with shining eyes, and for some reason, that gaze felt a tad overwhelming.
I averted my eyes and cleared my throat.
"Father."
"What now?"
"May I find the artisan who'll make clothes for the dolls?"
"...?"
As my father raised a questioning brow, I continued.
"I've glimpsed an artisan before who crafts clothes with exceptional style and harmony."
Perhaps because everything I'd said so far had earned his trust, Father readily agreed.
"And for the doll makers themselves, could you handle finding them, Father?"
After Eun Seo-ho left the pavilion,
those remaining recalled his bold presentation of ideas and let out sighs of admiration.
"Young Master Seo-ho is truly born for commerce. At just fifteen, to think so deeply already."
"I felt it during that secret deal with Jang the Branch Master last time, but he's no ordinary boy."
"The Group Leader must be thrilled to have a son like that."
Eun Gil-sang laughed heartily at the comment.
"He's even more of a handful than I expected."
He continued.
"Truth be told, I was surprised too. I never imagined my youngest had thoughts like these."
"If it weren't for the young master, we might've been in trouble. We nearly offended Lord Governor Po Jeong-sa."
Everyone nodded at Chief Steward Go's words. Then, Jeok the Pavilion Master, who had been silent, spoke up.
"A thought just crossed my mind."
As all eyes turned to him, he went on.
"I want to see how far Young Master Seo-ho can go. And personally, I hope that peak is the foremost merchant group under heaven."
It was evening.
After a hard day's work at the Finance Pavilion, I headed straight out as soon as I clocked off, Palgap and two escort warriors in tow, making for the markets.
As Father had permitted, I was off to recruit an artisan skilled in stylish, harmonious garments.
In my previous life, the ones who elevated our Eunhae Cloth Shop—the finest in Hubei Province—had been the Jukrim Silk Ladies, who supplied top-quality silk,
and the woman who turned that silk into stunning apparel.
Her needlework was among the best in the world, earning her the moniker Heavenly Seamless.
That's who I was going to see now.
Winter days were short; the market streets had already darkened.
Lanterns began flickering to life one by one around us.
"Young master, where to?"
"Got business in the shopping district."
"Ah, got it."
Palgap nodded and turned south.
I tilted my head, puzzled. "Palgap, where are you going?"
"Huh? You said shopping district, so I figured... South Street?"
"Yeah. No."
Shungyang County's central market split into East, West, and South Streets.
East Street for affordable shops.
West Street packed with pleasure houses and brothels.
South Street for luxury boutiques.
North Street existed too, but it housed the county office, so shops were scarce.
"We're heading to East Street," I told Palgap.
He looked puzzled but soon led the way east, arriving soon at a modest cloth shop.
Tiny compared to the Eunhae Cloth Shop I'd once managed.
"Welcome!"
The owner greeted me warmly.
Of course, he didn't recognize me.
I wasn't in the habit of advertising as the Eunhae leader's son, and I had no reason to visit a place like this.
"Looking for something specific?"
Eying my fine clothes, he added cautiously,
"Forgive me, but ours is a humble shop. Not sure we'd have anything to catch a young master's eye."
He looked worried I might cause a scene.
Highborn folk didn't frequent spots like this often.
I felt like the villain just for showing up, but there was no helping it.
I had my reasons for coming here.
I scanned the shop.
The fabrics were indeed low-grade.
Not to disparage them—it couldn't be helped.
East Street shops rarely stocked pricey, premium cloth.
Those seeking luxury went to South Street.
So they catered to customers of modest means.
Aha! There it is!
I spotted what I wanted: several garments hanging in the shop.
Cloth shops didn't just sell fabric; they offered tailoring services too,
brokering seamstresses for a fee.
Those displayed outfits showcased their handiwork—samples of skill.
And that was precisely why I'd come.
The woman called Heavenly Seamless had taken commissions through this very broker.
I pointed to one garment. "That one's quite impressive."
"Sharp eye, young master. Made by the finest seamstress around these parts."
"I see. I'd like to commission something for my mother. Can you broker it?"
"O-Of course! One moment, please."
The owner sent a runner, and as I admired the garment, memories of my past life surfaced.
One day managing the Eunhae Cloth Shop,
I'd stepped out briefly and got caught in a sudden downpour.
Sheltering under this very shop's eaves, helpless.
Before I could stop him, Palgap dashed off to fetch the carriage.
There, amid the rain, I spotted that outfit and was awestruck.
The stitching was masterful.
We'd been pondering what to craft from our stockpiled fine silk to sell, so it caught my eye perfectly.
I met her through the owner and immediately offered her a position with the merchant group.
She looked at me earnestly. "I need money. Pay me well, and I'll join in a heartbeat."
I offered generously, signed the contract, and she never disappointed.
Her true gift wasn't just sewing.
It was masterfully blending fabric colors and tailoring to flatter the wearer's figure.
She loved money fiercely yet lived frugally.
Curious, I had Palgap investigate discreetly and learned why.
Her husband was gravely ill, medical costs immense.
I broached the subject gently; she confided his condition.
It was no ordinary ailment.
A Blood Poison Palm from a black path warrior—his organs rotting from within.
Fortuitously, the Black Adept Divine Physician who'd healed me was still with the group then.
I asked him to diagnose.
But after examining, he shook his head gravely.
"Too late. The evil qi has invaded his marrow. He's a miracle for lasting this long. At most a month before he passes. Five, no, six years ago with proper treatment, he might've recovered."
True to his word, her husband died a fortnight later.
I had multiple reasons for seeking her out this time.
The biggest: Ja Mu dolls needed aesthetic flair.
Premium dolls demanded visual appeal.
In my past life, she'd been instrumental in making Eunhae Cloth Shop Hubei's best.
And there was another reason, but...
Anyway, now it was my turn to help her.
Moments later,
a young, gaunt woman entered the shop—exactly as I remembered.
"S-Someone wants a garment made?"
The owner replied, "That gentleman over there."
She approached me cautiously.
"Did you make this?"
"Yes."
"The needlework's exquisite. I'd like to commission for my mother. Possible?"
"Of course."
"Then come with me."
She followed without suspicion—measurements were needed for tailoring.
Soon after,
she stared at me, bewildered.
"Th-This place...?"
No wonder: before her loomed not a home, but the grand gates of the Eunhae Merchant Group.
"My house."
"I mean, uh..."
I smiled. "Let me reintroduce myself. I'm Eun Seo-ho, youngest son of the Eunhae leader."
"Pardon?"
She startled, then bowed frantically.
"Y-You're the young master of Eunhae! I didn't say anything rude, did I...?"
"Not at all. If anything, I should apologize. The 'mother's garment' bit was a white lie."
I continued.
"I have a separate commission—confidential, so I phrased it that way. Care to talk?"
She hesitated, flustered, then nodded. We went inside.
The compound had several reception rooms for guests,
given the daily influx.
In one, I sent the escorts out and offered her a seat.
"You must be anxious, not knowing what I want."
She nodded faintly.
"Straight to the point: I brought you here because I need your skills."
"My skills...?"
"I saw the garment you made at the shop. Precise, delicate stitching."
"Ah..."
"Our group plans to launch dolls as a new product."
"Dolls, you mean...?"
"Yes. I'd like you to make their clothes."
She nodded.
"Fine. I need money. Pay well, and I'll contract."
Her words matched my past memory; I smiled.
"Let's draw up the contract then."
I handed her the pre-prepared document.
"Shall I explain the terms?"
"No, I'll read it."
I knew she was literate, but courtesy for a first meeting.
She scanned it slowly, eyes widening.
"Y-You mean this much?"
"Yes."
"Wh-Why so generous...?"
I explained calmly to her shock.
"Part of it's for secrecy. You must keep quiet about our dolls. Not an easy ask."
"..."
"What do you say?"
"I'll sign."
After a moment's thought, she inscribed her name and sealed it.
I took one copy, noting the name at the bottom.
Hong Geum-so.
That was her.
The next day,
as agreed, she arrived half a double hour before the appointed Snake Hour (9-11 AM).
"First, allow me to show you your workshop."
Madam Hong Geum-so's space was near the Confidential Craftsman's workshop.