What Must Happen (2)
“By the way.”
The Emperor's continued words snapped me out of my reverie.
Daydreaming in front of the Emperor? Focus, focus!
Who knows when he might devour me whole.
“This famine has dragged on quite a while.”
“Even so, thanks to Your Majesty's benevolence, many have endured it well.”
“Enough with the flattery!”
“……”
“Truth be told, if you hadn't tipped me off through the Left Assistant Minister of the Censorate, how could I have prepared in advance? Even if it was just one of your prophetic dreams.”
His acknowledgment of my merit felt a bit embarrassing.
And Hwang Bon-ji the scholar is the Left Assistant Minister of the Censorate, huh.
The Left and Right Assistant Ministers of the Censorate are fourth-rank officials serving as aides to the Censorate, which handles inspections.
He was in the Ministry of Revenue before... must've gotten promoted.
The Emperor let out a sigh.
“But the famine isn't over yet, and I'm worried about what lies ahead.”
“Your Majesty will surely overcome this crisis.”
“Tsk tsk, I said tone down the flattery.”
“It's not flattery, sire.”
“Enough. Anyway, with things turning out like this, it reminded me of what you said before through the Left Assistant Minister. About bringing in what we lack from outside.”
Just as I expected.
“Do you mean trade with other countries, Your Majesty?”
The Emperor nodded.
“Yes. To receive grain from them, we must sell what they want. In your view, what should we sell?”
I pretended to think for a moment.
I'd already figured it all out, but I had to at least look like I was pondering...
“You've already got it all planned out... You're really trying hard, aren't you?”
“……”
Ahem.
Caught red-handed, I cleared my throat awkwardly.
“There are several options, but I believe the three most important trade goods are...”
“Three, you say? Speak.”
“First, ceramics.”
“Porcelain, you mean?”
“Yes.”
I nodded.
“And tea and liquor make excellent trade items as well.”
Porcelain, tea, and liquor.
The neighboring countries went mad for them.
That's how the Baekcheon Merchant Group raked in massive profits.
Ah, thinking back on it makes my blood boil all over again. But not now—not in front of the Emperor.
Hold it in.
We discussed foreign trade at length with the Emperor before I returned to the Beijing branch.
Two days passed like that.
“Branch Leader, is this how it's done?”
Sitting beside me in the office, Seo-hyang's soft voice reached my ears.
Turning, I saw her—Jaryeong no, Seo-hyang—holding out some documents and asking.
Ever since signing her official employment contract with me, she'd been coming in every day to assist with my work.
Thanks to her competence, handling tasks had become far smoother.
“Yes, just like that. By the way, are you free this evening?”
“What's the occasion?”
“Nothing major—just thought, now that you're family at the Eunhae Merchant Group, we should have a little introduction gathering.”
That way, everyone at the Beijing branch would know who she was and wouldn't make any mistakes around her.
Besides, as my future aide, she'd need to coordinate with others, so this was a chance to make her presence known.
That evening.
I headed to a nearby tavern I'd reserved.
“Is this your first time at a tavern like this?”
She shook her head at my question.
“No. I've been a few times with my brothers. They'd pool their pocket money to treat me to something delicious.”
Taverns aren't just for drinking. They're places for groups to gather and enjoy entertainment, so exquisite dishes are a must.
The alcohol is merely an accompaniment.
With the prolonged alcohol ban, taverns had shifted focus to cuisine for promotion.
They were fiercely competing to hire famous chefs.
Taverns could still draw crowds with food, but the pleasure houses must be suffering.
As we reached the third floor, the Beijing branch staff already there rose to greet us.
“Branch Leader, you've arrived?”
“Yes. Sorry if I'm late.”
“Not at all. It's still before the appointed time. We came early so the others wouldn't devour all the food. Haha!”
I smiled at the branch manager's words.
“I've made sure there's plenty of food tonight—no worries on that front.”
“Oh! Excellent.”
I addressed the group.
“Tonight's gathering is to introduce my new aide.”
All eyes turned to me and Seo-hyang.
“Her name is Kwak Seo-hyang. Those who know my master... well, Escort Leader Kwak, you know who I mean.”
They nodded and murmured in agreement.
“Escort Leader Kwak of the Changin Escort Agency?”
“I heard she's a descendant of the great hero Kwak Hoon, the Extreme Heaven Sword.”
“Yes, exactly.”
I nodded.
“She's family to him, and quite capable, so I've taken her on as my aide.”
She bowed her head politely.
“Please take good care of me.”
Sighing at the men staring blankly at Seo-hyang, I spoke up.
Sigh, at least they have eyes.
“Just to be clear: Kwak Seo-hyang is my person. If anyone treats her roughly or harasses her, they'll learn firsthand just how terrifying I can be.”
“……”
A hush fell over the room, and they averted their gazes.
Uh... what's with that reaction?
I'm not that scary.
Clap clap!
I clapped twice.
“Alright, let's dig in!”
It turned into a lively, warm introduction party.
.
.
.
A few days passed after that.
In the meantime, I'd kept buying up houses around the ones I'd purchased first.
In total, ten houses under my name.
Six of them were the ones set to collapse.
Those six would crumble at three-day intervals, all sharing a common trait: built at the same time by one construction firm.
It stemmed from a massive fire in the area over a decade ago.
Nearly all the surrounding houses burned down, forcing a rush to rebuild multiple at once.
That's when the corruption happened.
If they'd built properly per the plans, they'd have lasted centuries.
Conveniently clustered near the Beijing branch, so no unnecessary suspicion.
Creak.
Then my door opened, and Palgap entered.
“Not heading to work today?”
“Ah... I've got other business. So only Seo-hyang will be in my office.”
Palgap grinned mischievously.
“Heh, you know what they say?”
“What?”
“Word around the Beijing branch is that Seo-hyang is your lover.”
“What? Where'd that come from?”
“Didn't you say it at the intro party? That she's your person.”
“I did.”
“Guess it got taken the wrong way.”
“……”
I sighed.
I meant for them to look out for her...
Correcting it now with 'No, I meant she's under my command' would just be ridiculous.
Better to let the rumor fade on its own.
And if it keeps her safe, even better.
“By the way, Young Master. Why buy up so many mansions around here? The other merchant groups in Beijing are on edge.”
“Ah, that rumor?”
Me snapping up so many mansions had sparked talk that the Eunhae Merchant Group was relocating its headquarters to Beijing.
The scale was that impressive.
And right by the branch, no less.
Even Uncle Yeon, the vice leader, visited yesterday to ask if it was true.
I denied it flat-out.
The Eunhae headquarters is in Sungyang County, Hubei Province.
We started there, grew thanks to the people of Hubei—why abandon it?
“It's not true, right?”
“No, it's not.”
Palgap scratched his head.
“I thought I was starting to get your intentions, Young Master, but I guess not. Can't read you at all.”
I could only manage a wry smile.
I trusted Palgap deeply, but I couldn't tell him about this.
Saying the houses would collapse and I'd profit from it? He'd fetch a physician on the spot.
Over half the buildings I'd bought crumbling—that was from my previous life's future.
Hm, Jaryeong—no, Seo-hyang might suspect something.
I chuckled and deflected.
“Just an investment for the future. As the Eunhae grows, land prices around the Beijing branch will skyrocket.”
“Makes sense. Folks expect us to expand the branch.”
“Exactly. That's why I bought ahead. Plus, it'd be nice to have a mansion for the family to stay in comfortably when they visit Beijing.”
Seemingly convinced by my hasty excuse, Palgap nodded readily.
Another day or two passed.
After breakfast, I tallied the date and stood.
If things followed my past life, a building would collapse today.
Fortunately, I'd cleared them of people, boarded the doors shut.
And with the Silver Wind Squad's cooperation, they were patrolling the sites.
Thanks to the prior negligence incident, the squad was vigilant as hawks.
Still, someone might hop the wall. But what could I do—watch every inch?
Hoped it wouldn't happen, but if they snuck in and got hurt anyway, that was on them.
I handled business as usual and ate lunch at the branch cafeteria.
Lunch was usually there if no meetings—cheap, convenient, quick.
Today: simple noodles and dumplings.
“How's the food?”
Seo-hyang nodded at my question.
“Good. A bit salty, but the flavors are so varied.”
Mid-meal, my senses picked something up.
A massive shockwave rumbling the ground. Other warriors flinched too.
“My lord!”
“Yes.”
I rose and hurried to my office.
Someone would report there.
Sure enough, a Silver Wind warrior came panting.
“B-Branch Leader!”
“What happened?”
“A building collapsed... one of the mansions you bought.”
Another warrior dashed in behind.
“Branch Leader! Another one's down!”
“……”
I pinched my brow.
That explains the chain reaction... the shock I felt earlier.
One fell, the impact toppled neighbors.
Then those shook others...
A domino effect.
“What about the nearby residences?”
They nodded.
“Fine.”
“The houses are intact.”
Suspicious already—civilian homes fine, but massive mansions crumble?
To my guards: “Prepare to head out.”
“Yes.”
We rushed to the site.
As owner, inspecting the wreckage was only natural.
The first collapsed was my second purchase. Pillars shattered, roof caved in.
The shock had halved neighboring buildings too. Stone walls down.
My first buy next door was similarly wrecked.
“A-Are you alright?”
The branch manager, who'd followed, asked cautiously.
“Hoo... No, I'm not.”
Seeing the devastation firsthand ignited my rage.
Not at my losses—but at those who skimped materials for profit, and the officials who feasted and turned a blind eye.
Memories of the hellish scene from my past life flooded back.
Back then, I managed the fabric shop and had just arrived in Beijing to deliver silk to the Eunhae branch.
After unloading, as I sat for a late lunch, a monstrous roar shook the earth.
We rushed outside in panic, realizing the huge roof ahead had vanished before our eyes.
Cries and screams from the ruins.
“Waaah! Father!”
“Master!”
“Ugh, it hurts! It hurts!”
“Save us! Please... someone, help!”
People buried in bloody debris.
We ran to dig them out.
But half an incense stick later, the adjacent building collapsed too.
That filthy feeling—only those who've lived it know.
Shaking off the thoughts, I said,
“To the palace. Ministry of Works.”