What Will Happen (4)
The Censorate's Deputy Censor-in-Chief retreated from the Emperor's presence and immediately sought Jin Yeong Daehyeop's cooperation.
"We need to head to the Ministry of Works right now to seize evidence and detain the builders who constructed the building. I ask for your assistance."
"Understood."
"And where are the ones who prepared this report?"
Jin Yeong Daehyeop answered the question.
"They're locked up in my residence right now. I figured it would be trouble if they leaked information."
"You did well."
"Then I'll lead my men and the Gold Guard to the Ministry immediately."
And half a shichen later.
"All officials of the Ministry of Works, come out immediately!"
"Drop everything you're doing right now!"
"If you pull any tricks, you'll be deemed criminals defying the imperial decree on the spot!"
The officials of the Ministry panicked at the fierce commands, not knowing what to do.
Then, chased out by the invading Gold Guard like chickens fleeing a hawk, they were expelled from the Ministry building.
"What in the world is going on...?"
"Isn't it because of that building collapse this time?"
"But there were no issues on paper, right?"
"Exactly."
"By the way, why haven't Clerk Son Myeong and Scribe Pung Do returned from their trip? They were on official business."
"Maybe they're off eating something delicious?"
"Would Young Master Eun be the type to let that happen?"
"...You're right."
Clerk Son Myeong and Scribe Pung Do, who had gone on the trip at Eun Seo-ho's strong insistence, hadn't returned yet, so the others didn't know the full details.
That's why they still didn't grasp the severity of the situation.
At that moment, a swarm of Censorate officials rushed in. The Deputy Censor-in-Chief at the front slapped a single sheet of red paper onto the Ministry's entrance.
[SEALED]
The characters on that red paper signified a ban on entry for all involved parties.
Anyone who entered would be punished severely for defying the imperial decree.
Departments weren't sealed like this lightly.
Only then did the Ministry officials begin to realize the gravity of the matter.
A thick stench of blood wafted from somewhere.
Sealing an entire ministry by imperial order meant that at minimum a few, at worst hundreds, could end up dead.
At that moment, a group approached the site.
Warriors of the Gold Guard.
"You lot, follow me."
"......"
Thus, they were confined to a single hall.
The Censorate officials began ransacking the Ministry.
They didn't stop at just reviewing documents; they took files and visited homes to verify if completion inspections had been properly conducted.
In the process, they uncovered one fact.
"The owner of these houses is the Eunhae Merchant Group?"
"To be precise, it was bought personally by Young Master Eun Seo-ho."
"Buying up all these houses in just a few days! Heh, must have some serious wealth."
"No wonder he's the young master of one of the world's top hundred merchant groups."
"Still, looks like even he couldn't escape misfortune. Tell him we'll inspect the places."
"Yes."
The messenger returned shortly, scratching his ear awkwardly.
"He agreed, but he wants to wait a few days before the inspection."
"Why?"
"He says he's a bit uneasy. He wants to wait a few days in case another accident happens."
"Another accident?"
"Apparently, Young Master Eun said all the mansions he bought were built around the same time. And more than half were constructed by Ogeol Construction."
"What a coincidence."
"There was that massive fire back then, so they rebuilt a bunch of houses around here all at once. Looks like he mainly bought the ones from Ogeol Construction."
"Ah, right. I remember now."
He nodded repeatedly.
"What should we do?"
"Hm, let's investigate a few days later as he suggested."
In truth, he'd planned to ignore it.
But if the Emperor was paying attention, there had to be a reason. So they decided to follow Eun Seo-ho's advice.
The next day,
They heard that another house had collapsed overnight—one of Eun Seo-ho's mansions.
"Young Master Eun was right."
"Yeah......"
Discussing it, they headed out on inspection. Today's site was near the newly collapsed mansion.
They found discrepancies with the blueprints and clicked their tongues.
"This is too much."
"Tell me about it."
"The differences from the blueprints are glaring, and they still approved completion?"
"Heavens! These bastards!"
The Censorate officials now understood what had happened.
"Let's move to the next house."
"Where's the next one?"
It was as they headed to the next site.
Krunch!
Craaack!
A massive roar erupted right next door. And then—
Rumblerumblerumble!
A cloud of thick dust billowed up, leaving the Censorate officials with mouths agape.
"That place......"
"One of the buildings we were supposed to inspect."
"We could've been inside there today."
"......"
Though unspoken, they shared the same thought.
'If we'd been in there......'
Cold sweat trickled down their backs, and the dizzying realization of nearly dying crushed under rubble turned to rage.
'We'll tear this place apart!''You bastards! You're all dead!'
Ogeol Construction.
Chaos reigned there.
Two buildings they'd constructed had collapsed.
The head of the merchant group remembered them well.
How could he not?
It was a massive project—the one where he'd made the most money at once.
By skimping on materials and blueprints, he'd pocketed cash and invested in other ventures.
Thanks to that, they'd gained a name in Beijing, and the head's family lived lavishly.
"What do we do?"
As the accountant paced anxiously, the head scolded him harshly.
"What do you mean? It's been ten years already! How could they prove it was our fault now?"
"But......"
"The Ministry will block it. We greased their palms for that."
"True, but......"
"Unless four or five of our buildings collapse at once, do you think that sluggish palace will move?"
"......"
"So we're innocent!"
"Ah, understood."
But not even an incense stick's time passed before news arrived of yet another collapse.
'This is dangerous......'
Having personally handled the shoddy materials, he knew the buildings' durability well.
They looked fine outside, but inside they were rotten to the core—ready to crumble under any major shock.
Like the impact from a neighboring collapse, for instance.
Sensing ill omens, he told his family to pack valuables and prepare to flee.
Just in case.
But his plan was blocked from the start. The Gold Guard had surrounded Ogeol Construction.
"What? Why block us from leaving?"
"To prevent potential criminals from fleeing."
"Criminals? What crime have we committed?"
"Quiet."
"No! This is wrong!"
The head begged, threatened with connections, even tried bribes.
Nothing worked.
He felt his lips drying out.
'Looks like we're busted......'
Otherwise, the Gold Guard wouldn't surround them.
As their watch intensified, the head resolved himself.
Time to use the secret passage he'd prepared for this.
As head of a construction merchant group, he knew architecture well.
Thus, he'd secretly built a hidden tunnel in his chambers.
Deep into the night.
He gathered his household in his room and shoved aside the bed.
A wooden door appeared beneath.
He opened it, urging his family.
"Hurry inside! You too, quick."
"Yes."
They entered the secret passage and descended sturdy stone stairs.
Deep underground, they walked and walked by torchlight.
After a long trek, stairs appeared, and they climbed up.
Soon, they reached the exit door.
"Whew, we made it. Let's go."
The head smashed the latch with his hammer and opened the door.
Creeeak.
Fresh, cool night air hit them.
"Whew, let's rest a bit and then......"
But his words cut off.
The surroundings suddenly lit up.
Dozens of torches encircled them.
"I suspected, but it was real."
A cold voice reached their ears.
There stood Jin Yeong, clad in golden greaves.
"Gasp!"
The head collapsed to his knees.
After breakfast, I returned to my office and gazed out the window, lost in thought.
They must have caught him by now, right?
In my past life, the Ogeol Construction head's family had fled in the night.
The secret passage was revealed later.
So this time, I'd tipped off Jin Yeong Daehyeop about it.
"From my merchant dealings, I learned that shady types always prepare an escape route."
"An escape route?"
"Yes. And it's usually in their field of expertise."
"He's an architecture expert, so... Ah! A secret passage!"
"That's what I think."
I didn't know the exact location, but Jin Yeong Daehyeop would handle it.
A voice snapped me from my reverie.
"These documents are all sorted."
"Ah, thank you."
Ja-ryeong—no, Seo-hyang Merchant's skills were impressive as always.
"My lord, a guest has arrived."
Seo-u Warrior, guarding outside the office, spoke up. I tilted my head.
"A guest?"
The door opened, and Seo-u Warrior entered.
"The head of the Gyeong family wishes to meet."
Gyeong family? Where was that?
After a moment, I recalled: the original owner of one of the mansions I'd bought.
What could it be about?
"Escort him to the reception room."
Seo-u Warrior bowed and left.
I straightened my attire and headed there.
"Welcome. Sorry for the delay."
"No need. I'm sorry for pulling a busy man like you."
We exchanged polite greetings smoothly, and a maid poured tea before me.
"What brings you here?"
"I heard the news. The mansion I sold you collapsed."
"Ah, yes...... It did."
"One might say I sold you a defective house. So I thought I should return at least half the purchase price."
"......"
I was speechless for a moment. It was utterly unexpected.
"Why the surprise?"
"It's just... so unexpected. You're the first to come like this."
He nodded understandingly.
"Greed is human nature. But your advice to vacate quickly saved my family and me. If anything, you've granted us life. How could I not come? I'm even sorry I can only return half."
From my time at the merchant group, I'd learned that the bigger the money, the bigger the greed.
Ogeol Construction was the same.
A massive project fueled even more avarice.
That mansion from him cost a thousand taels of silver.
Originally five hundred, but I'd paid double to urge a quick move-out.
Half of a thousand was five hundred taels—a huge sum.
And he was offering to return it?
He pulled a promissory note from his bosom and placed it on the table. The one I'd given him.
In the world... there are people like this.
I couldn't read his true intentions. As the saying goes, you can't fathom a person's heart even if you know the depths of ten fathoms of water.
He might genuinely think that, or he could be preempting future trouble over the defective house.
Sigh, my cynicism—unable to take good will at face value—is a problem too.
It's because there are so many out to fleece you at the slightest opening.
Still, I was moved.
Whatever the reason, acting on it was admirable.
And people like this are worth keeping close.
How had he fared in my previous life......?
With the chaos and families' outcries, the Emperor held a joint funeral.
One spirit tablet drew unusually many mourners.
The one belonging to the Gyeong family head now sitting before me.
People had lamented why such a good man died in that accident, cursing the heavens.
Back then, with no connection, I hadn't understood—but now I did.
Someone this good should be kept close.
I slid the note back toward him.
"No, please keep it."
"Haha, no. Take it."
"I can't accept. You didn't know about the defects either, right?"
"I didn't. If I had, I'd have left immediately."
"Exactly."
"But my conscience won't let me keep it all."
"No. Please take it back."
We went back and forth, but no resolution.
"Then let's do this. Treat these five hundred taels as an investment in our merchant group."
His wealth was worth multiplying.