In Shandong (5)
I quickly shouted toward him.
“Over here!”
“Ah! Young Subranch Leader Eun!”
Bokyun Subranch Leader approached with a delighted face, and I stood from my seat to cup my hands in greeting.
“It's been a while.”
“Indeed! It's been a long time. That trip to the northern seas before... judging by your face, it must have gone well.”
“Thanks to you, I returned safely, and it was a profitable venture.”
I continued.
“And how did your trip to Beijing turn out?”
“A good venture for me as well.”
To merchants, a good venture meant one without losses and with substantial gains.
“Have some tea.”
“Ah, yes, I should.”
We sipped tea and exchanged recent news.
As expected, meeting a like-minded friend was always a joy.
As we chatted, Jin Yu Warrior's sound transmission reached me.
My lord, forgive me, but the man who just entered... he's from Baekyeom Merchant Group, the one who spoke with Baekcheon Merchant Group's leader at Geumgyeoru before.
What?
He's now talking with someone else. If you permit, I'll eavesdrop on their conversation.
Something told me this was important.
Permitted.
About half a shichen later, Jin Yu Warrior's sound transmission came again.
My lord, I've learned the execution date for the commission from Baekcheon Merchant Group's leader. The day after tomorrow.
Huh?
The day after tomorrow... that's the meeting day?
At that moment, Bokyun Subranch Leader asked me.
“Is something wrong?”
“Pardon?”
“You suddenly looked serious...”
Ah... did I?
I glanced over, and Palgap shook his head.
Meaning I hadn't failed at managing my expression.
How did he know, then?
An apology came first.
“Sorry. I was thinking about the meeting the day after tomorrow and worrying how to handle all those esteemed merchant leaders.”
“Even you, Young Subranch Leader Eun, are worried?”
“Of course.”
“You always seem so composed and confident around them, so I thought you weren't the worrying type...”
“That's just an act.”
The Hundred Great Merchant Groups' gathering.
It was a silent scouting war and battle disguised as a banquet.
Running one of the Hundred Greats meant having the capacity—and the greed.
The greed to earn even more money.
So they exchanged information while pretending otherwise, probing for weaknesses.
Those weaknesses could be put to very good use.
If you panicked or trembled in such a place?
They wouldn't think, 'Tsk tsk, poor thing,' or 'Oh! Is it because of me? Sorry.'
Far from it.
They'd see you as easy prey.
Harsh, but that was the merchant world.
Of course, my worry about facing the leaders was just an excuse.
I wasn't trembling at all.
Not after meeting His Imperial Majesty, the final boss, several times.
“Oh, right—I heard this gathering's at Ihwalu.”
“Yes.”
Bokyun Subranch Leader nodded.
“It's run by Baekyeom Merchant Group, and their main branch is right nearby.”
“Correct. I hear it's enormous.”
“After the banquet, the leader might give us a tour. I'm looking forward to it—I've missed the chance every time.”
Ah... right, that's how it was.
Baekyeom Merchant Group's leader was a former blacksmith.
Having lived despised, he loved showing off his achievements.
So when hosting these gatherings, he'd personally invite tours.
I could guess why he'd chosen that day to act.
With outsiders visiting, the branch would be in disarray.
Creating an opening to shake Baekyeom Merchant Group.
But how exactly did they plan to do it?
Lost in thought for a moment, I shook my head slightly and took a sip of tea.
Daydreaming in front of a friend was rude.
I'd think it over back at the inn.
“And...”
Bokyun Subranch Leader scratched his cheek with a finger, trailing off.
Why was his face suddenly flushing?
“What is it?”
He pulled a red envelope from his bosom.
I tilted my head and opened it. Inside was a red letter.
Red outer envelopes were common enough.
But red paper inside too? Rare.
Because it was used for joyous occasions...
Joyous occasion?
I quickly read it.
The Old Man Under the Moon has bound these two with a red thread—what could be more fated? Thus, on this auspicious day, we shall formally...
I looked up.
“Getting married?”
“Hahaha, yes.”
He nodded with an embarrassed grin.
“I'll be twenty-two soon enough.”
We shared the same birthdate, so after the eleventh month, he'd turn twenty-two too.
“Planning it for next summer.”
Weddings were usually spring or fall, but his reason for summer was simple.
Yonyeong was a cold region.
Summer was best for gathering guests.
“Congratulations.”
“Hahaha, thank you.”
He cupped his hands in thanks.
Next summer was far off, but sending invites early made sense.
The empire was vast, and everyone was busy.
Trips to Yonyeong took time, so advance notice was key.
And handing it personally like this...
They said skipping a bride or groom's personal invite meant lifelong solitude.
You had to attend.
He thought highly of me.
I nodded.
“I'll definitely be there.”
.
.
.
After a delicious lunch with Bokyun Subranch Leader, I returned to Cheongsan Guest Inn.
Nearing the inn, I smiled.
Spotting the person I'd been waiting for.
But he wasn't entering—just pacing the entrance.
I knew why.
Worn, smelly clothes.
His cleanest outfit, no doubt, but still ragged.
High-end inns could refuse such guests.
Not discrimination.
Protection for paying customers seeking cleanliness and comfort.
And with diners on the first floor...
Imagine eating a fine meal, then someone in year-old clothes sits nearby picking ears and nose—appetite gone.
Dressing appropriately was common sense and courtesy.
Those lacking courtesy for others often raged, 'Discriminating against people?'
Ignorant of true discrimination.
A memory from my past life surfaced.
Slapped by a junior official, younger than me, just for being a lowly merchant...
Ah, but I'd paid him back manifold later.
Shaking off the thought, I called Yeo Eung-am Warrior and I-pil Warrior.
“A favor?”
“Yes.”
“Clean him up and dress him properly. Some fragrant soap and decent clothes, please.”
“Understood.”
They headed to the man at once.
“And Palgap. Fetch him.”
“Got it.”
Palgap brought over the youth pacing nearby—Yong Eung-wan.
He greeted me tensely.
“I-I see the Seonhyeopmirang.”
“...”
I hadn't expected him to know my title.
“This lowly one's name is Yong Eung-wan.”
“Eun Seo-ho. I'd prefer 'Young Subranch Leader Eun' or 'Eun Branch Head' over the title.”
“Understood.”
“So, thought about my proposal?”
“Yes. But... how could I be of use to you, Young Subranch Leader Eun? This lowly one has no skills.”
“No skills? You have four talents.”
“...”
He bit his lip, then asked.
“Could you tell me what they are?”
I raised my right hand, fist clenched, and extended my index finger.
“First! You speak Dai Viet's language. Naturally—it's your mother tongue.”
“...!”
He looked shocked, stammering.
“H-how did you know?”
“How could I not? That tattoo on your collarbone symbolizes a Dai Viet warrior clan, doesn't it?”
“...”
His face filled with panic at my words.
His collarbone tattoo was hidden by clothes.
But I knew.
“Ah, no worries. Only I know for now.”
“How did you know about the tattoo on my collarbone?”
I'd learned of it in my past life.
Much later, as the emperor's man leading merchant ships, he'd told me himself.
Couldn't say that, though.
“Saw it earlier when you reached into your clothes to scratch.”
“Ahem, ahem.”
His face reddened instantly.
“Anyway, your native Dai Viet tongue gives you a huge edge over empire folk who learn it. You know—even fluent speakers miss nuances without the culture.”
“Mm, true.”
“In merchant deals, those subtleties matter greatly. That's a major talent.”
I paused, then extended my middle finger.
“Second! You know sea routes to Dai Viet.”
He bit his lip again.
“You're planning to return someday. So you'd remember or record those routes clearly.”
“...”
“Third! Incredible endurance. Most would quit such grueling work, but not you.”
I extended my pinky last.
“Finally, you have merchant talent.”
“Pardon?”
He looked baffled.
“Me, with merchant talent? News to me.”
He didn't know yet, but he had it in spades.
That's how he'd become the Trade King in my past life.
Couldn't explain, so I glossed over.
“I can read faces, and yours screams merchant prowess. Anyway, based on these four, I want to put you in charge of Eunhae Merchant Group's merchant ships.”
“...Are you pitying me?”
“Pity?”
I chuckled.
“They call me Seonhyeopmirang, but at heart, I'm a merchant. One who never yields before profit.”
I met his eyes.
“If it were pity, I'd just hand you some silver and be done.”
“...”
“Without faith in your skills, would I make you head of a massive investment?”
“Well...”
He flinched.
“H-head?”
“You heard right. I'll appoint you as head of Eunhae's merchant fleet.”
“...”
He pondered, then spoke resolutely.
“First, answer one thing.”
“What?”
“How did you know I need quick cash for my family?”
His eyes sharpened like a beast eyeing prey.
Reasonably so—that answer was crucial to him.
For his or his family's safety, he'd draw blood anytime.
A true predator.
My guards' hands went to their sword hilts at his killing intent.
“Ah, that was it.”
The intent vanished at my words.
“The necklace around your neck.”
“...!”
“Names engraved on it—your family's, right?”
His eyes widened.
He'd carved wood himself, fearing he'd forget their names.
That was the necklace now.
“And that collarbone tattoo marks you a proud warrior. Why else live as a lowly sailor here?”
I pointed to his left hand's back.
“That burn scar on your hand—you did it on purpose, didn't you?”
“...!”
In Dai Viet, slaves were branded on the left hand back.
Painful, even if self-inflicted to erase it.
“With these clues, the truth's obvious. Still hard to trust me?”
“Then why not report me? You know Dai Viet trade ships frequent the lower ports—reporting gets a reward.”
Seo-u Warrior answered.
“I've heard it's fifty silver taels for a runaway Dai Viet slave.”
“Just that?”
“...Pardon?”
I smirked.
“I'd pay five hundred taels myself, but trek to Shanghai for fifty? No thanks.”