White Salt Merchant Group (1)
I continued.
“It doesn't add up financially. Didn't I tell you? I'm a merchant.”
“……”
“No matter how I look at it, hiring you is far more profitable. Does that explain it?”
“Yes.”
“Then, will you accept my proposal?”
At my words, he politely dropped to one knee.
“Understood. I'll trust you once.”
He looked up at me.
“Honestly, I couldn't bring myself to trust you, Young Branch Leader Eun. My situation is a bit... delicate, you see.”
“I understand.”
“I've been betrayed by people I trusted several times before.”
Probably incidents where someone reported him.
“But I have a friend. We're not that close, honestly. Still, he's the nosy type who can't just stand by and watch me suffer.”
He went on.
“He told me... that I could trust Young Branch Leader Eun. And if you offered me a job, I should accept without a second thought. That it'd pay way better than sailing and be much safer.”
He let out a breath and continued.
“That's how I'll survive to return to my family back home, right?”
“……”
“I've never told anyone about my circumstances. But that guy figured it out.”
He pressed on.
“I think he's too good to waste as a mere sailor. I beg you—hire him too.”
According to him, the man was decent talent.
Quick on the uptake and good at looking after others—not a bad pick.
And if someone as wary of people as him was recommending the guy, that spoke volumes.
Besides, I'd already decided to leave the merchant ship's crew selection to him from the start.
I helped him to his feet and said, “Do as you like.”
“Pardon?”
“I know that running a ship requires hearts in sync. That's why I planned to leave the crew hiring to you.”
Just then, Lee Pil warrior and Yeo Eung-am warrior approached from afar, bundles in hand.
They're back quicker than I expected.
“Then, one final hurdle remains.”
“What is it?”
“Meeting my father, the head of the Eunhae Merchant Group. So, you should show some sincerity—wash up and change into fresh clothes.”
I led him to a nearby inn.
It had private baths where one could bathe alone.
There, he scrubbed clean with fragrant soap, and I had him don the new clothes we'd bought.
“Hm, now you look presentable.”
I nodded.
Clothes make the man, or maybe it's his noble bearing shining through.
“I wonder if I deserve to wear such fine silk.”
“This is an investment too, so don't worry. But you've never worn silk before?”
“Ah, no, that's not it. Before... before my family fell, I wore silk every day.”
“Then why hesitate? Hold your head high and puff out your chest.”
I spoke firmly to him.
“The deal isn't done yet. My father is a good man, but he's still a merchant at heart. Approach this like a warrior heading into battle.”
“I'll keep that in mind.”
His eyes have hardened. Good.
“And one piece of advice: don't lie to my father.”
“Pardon?”
“Just be completely honest.”
He pondered, looking at me, then nodded.
“Understood.”
“Then let's go.”
I took him to the Cheongsan Inn.
“Welcome.”
The burly doorman at the entrance bowed deeply. Yong Eung-wan flinched at the sight.
“Those scary guys who chased me off earlier...”
“That's the power of money for you.”
“Ah...”
By chance, Father was sipping tea on the first floor. We approached him.
“Father, this is the man I mentioned.”
“Hm...”
Father looked up, met Yong Eung-wan's eyes, and stood.
“Let's go upstairs.”
“Yes.”
We headed to Father's private room on the upper floor.
But suddenly, Father turned and said, “Oh, Seo-ho. Run an errand for me.”
“Pardon?”
Father pulled a letter from his robe and handed it to me.
“A thank-you note for the invitation.”
When the World's Greatest Merchant Group sent an invitation, etiquette demanded a grateful reply.
Usually, that was handled by an adjutant, though.
“I'll have Adjutant Yu deliver it.”
“Yu's busy right now. You go yourself.”
“Pardon?”
“What are you waiting for? Move.”
Ah, no, Father...
He wants to cut off any chance of me eavesdropping.
No helping it. I'd ask Jin Yu warrior to...
“Oh, and we're dining with your mother tonight. Pick her up on the way back.”
“Got it.”
“Better with heavy escort. Take all six of your guards.”
“……”
I sighed inwardly and replied, “Then I'll be off.”
As I left the inn, I scratched the back of my neck.
Father got me good. He clearly wants to talk to Yong Eung-wan alone.
And no eavesdropping.
Sigh.
“Hahaha! As expected of the Merchant Group Leader!”
Palgap grinned beside me.
“Whose side are you on, anyway?”
“Yours, of course, young master.”
“Then why are you so amused that my plans fell apart?”
“Fell apart? What do you mean?”
“What if Father doesn't like the sailor? I wanted to be there to help.”
“Nah, that won't happen. The Leader trusts you completely.”
Yeo Eung-am warrior chuckled and added, “In my eyes, it's just a father's overprotectiveness. Haha.”
At that, Seo-u warrior spoke up.
“Come on, how would you know, Yeo warrior? Only a father knows a father's heart.”
“Why wouldn't I? I am a father.”
“……”
True, only fathers get it. That's what shared suffering means... Wait, did I just hear something weird?
Yeo warrior just said he's a father.
That means...
I turned my head stiffly.
“Pardon? Oh, a father? No, more importantly, Yeo warrior... are you married?”
Thankfully, I wasn't the only one shocked.
Yeo warrior nodded at my question.
“Yes. Ten years married. Twin boys, nine years old, and twin girls, seven.”
“……”
“Those twin girls are real lucky charms! Haha! Not long after they were born, I became the young master's guard.”
Palgap recovered first and asked, “W-Wait, then why didn't you say anything till now? I thought you were still a bachelor.”
We all nodded. Yeo warrior scratched his neck and replied.
“No real need to mention it... and no one asked?”
“……”
The personnel records for the Silver Wind Squadron didn't list marital status or family—too risky if they leaked for ill intent.
But if I'd looked into it, it wouldn't have been hard.
And judging by their reactions, he would've spilled if anyone had just asked.
So that makes me the jerk?
Sheesh...
I apologized with a sorry look.
“My fault. I should've asked sooner...”
“No, no.”
Yeo Eung-am warrior shook his head dismissively.
“I'm grateful for the raise last time. Let me buy a new house thanks to it.”
No, saying it like that makes me feel...
Sigh.
“I'll keep it in mind from now on.”
I looked at my guards and asked, “No one else married or with kids, right?”
Then Seo-u warrior raised his hand.
“Speak.”
“Not a big deal, but my wife is expecting again.”
“Pardon?”
So... Lady Hong Geum-so is pregnant again?
That's huge news!
How did I not know?
“Due around this winter, probably.”
So conceived around second or third lunar month this year. I was in Nanjing then.
“Must've gotten a letter.”
“Yes. When I returned, there was one announcing it.”
“Congratulations.”
The others chimed in with their well-wishes.
“Thank you all.”
I realized anew what an inattentive lord I'd been.
Whew. I should stay in Hubei Province this winter, if possible.
“First, to the White Salt Merchant Group.”
“Yes.”
I hope Yong Eung-wan does alright.
As long as he remembers my advice...
* * *
At that moment.
In the private room of Eun Gil-sang, head of the Eunhae Merchant Group, sat Eun Gil-sang, his guard, and Yong Eung-wan.
Just the three of them.
Truth be told, Eun Gil-sang had wanted to speak with Yong Eung-wan alone, but the man's guard wouldn't budge, so there was no choice.
He'd wanted privacy because he was honestly worried about Eun Seo-ho.
Seo-ho's hires had been spot-on so far.
But maritime trade was grueling. A bad pick could disappoint him...
So he wanted to judge with his own eyes.
And he could be a plant from forces slandering our group...
Lately, rivals eyeing the Eunhae Merchant Group had been lurking for openings.
“What's your name?”
“Yong Eung-wan.”
“……Not an imperial subject, then.”
Yong Eung-wan flinched at the question but nodded honestly.
“No, sir.”
He recalled Eun Seo-ho's advice: no lies to his father.
Just trust and be frank.
“Where are you from?”
“Dai Viet.”
“Dai Viet... I see. Then why has a man from Dai Viet come all the way to the empire?”
“I was a slave. Escaped by chance.”
“……”
Eun Gil-sang fell silent a moment, then spoke.
“A slave?”
“Yes.”
He laid out his full story truthfully.
“……And while waiting for the next voyage, the Young Branch Leader found me. Offered to redeem my family's advance if I'd help him.”
“So you agreed because Seo-ho said so?”
“I didn't trust him at first. Too many betrayals. But... he turned out to be the Seonhyeopmirang.”
Eun Gil-sang asked at that.
“And that convinced you?”
“No.”
“Then?”
“I asked him why he wasn't reporting me, since he knew my secret. He asked how much the bounty was.”
Yong Eung-wan chuckled.
“When I said fifty silver taels, he said that was chump change—not worth the trip south just to turn me in.”
“And that won you over?”
“Yes.”
“Doesn't it gall you, him talking business despite knowing your plight?”
“He convinced me the best way he could.”
“……”
“If he'd spouted pity or mercy, I wouldn't have bought it. Profit is more real than fake sympathy.”
With that, Eun Gil-sang felt he understood Yong Eung-wan.
The man was cooler-headed than expected.
Life must've forged him that way.
“If someone offered you more money to work with them instead, what then?”
“How can I answer that now? No guarantees.”
“Most would politely decline, at least.”
“This isn't a seat to judge my manners, is it?”
That response made Eun Gil-sang think,
He resembles Seo-ho a bit.
All of Seo-ho's hires had some echo of him.
Does he only bring back his own kind? Or do they become like him?
No telling.
At least he wasn't rotten inside. Relief.
“I see.”
He nodded.
Seo-ho recommended him confidently, so his skills must be solid.
Eun Seo-ho didn't know, but an old merchant group tome urged founders to ask trade prospects one key question:
[When asked what they'd buy with ten thousand geun of tea sold for profit, a worthy trader answers...]
Eun Gil-sang asked Yong Eung-wan,
“If I gave you ten thousand geun of tea, what would you buy with the proceeds?”
“Wrong question.”
“What?”
“You didn't specify the tea type or where to sell it.”
[They'll say the question is flawed.]
Eun Gil-sang nodded.
Well done, Seo-ho. Good eye for people.
But Yong Eung-wan's answer didn't end there.