Yeongyeongwon (5)
Whatever happened, it had already happened, and it was something I had to do.
I gave Palgap a wry smile.
"Take that to my office."
"Yes, sir."
At my words, Palgap carried it to my office in the annex.
A short while later.
Returning to my office, I let out a sigh at the sight of the piled-up opinion letters.
Seo-hyang Sojeo, who had heard my explanation, asked with a look of dismay.
"So, I have to review all of these?"
"Yes. That's right."
"Seeing it in person makes it seem even more overwhelming. We should start reviewing them right away. Otherwise, there won't be any space left to stand in this office."
That meant even more opinion letters would come pouring in...
No helping it.
"Palgap. Could you call the other guards?"
It was a time to borrow even a cat's paw, but my guards could all read.
A short while later, all six guard warriors entered my office.
"From now on, read these and sort them. Opposition on the left, support on the right. And anything with proposals goes in the middle."
And so the review began.
My guards' hands were not those of cats—they were the paws of tigers.
There was a common prejudice that those who lived by the sword were unlearned brutes.
But that was wrong.
Martial artists had to memorize and comprehend not just various manuals but countless acupoints and trajectories as well.
They weren't uneducated; they simply hadn't studied academics. A brilliant mind was essential to become an outstanding warrior.
I was reconfirming that truth.
My guards were sorting the opinion letters at a rapid pace.
Not to mention Seo-hyang Sojeo.
And there wasn't a single opposition letter.
They were all in favor, with a good number suggesting operational details as well.
They had wanted this so badly.
It was my failure not to have noticed sooner.
If they wanted it this much, there was no reason not to do it.
Over the next three days, we gathered the opinions and began moving in earnest.
First, we needed to secure a building.
For the children's safety and the parents' convenience, it was best to have one within the merchant group grounds.
It might be tricky for most, but Eunhae Merchant Group was fine.
Whether our ancestors had planned ahead or not, the grounds were vast.
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.
.
A few days later, in the morning.
I headed to the dining hall.
Family breakfasts were only for those over twelve.
Anyone under twelve was considered too young to discern right from wrong.
Even at a casual family meal, with the group leader and branch leaders present, sensitive merchant group secrets might come up.
If a child innocently repeated such talk outside, it could cause problems.
And you couldn't hold a child accountable for that.
Even if you could, how would you punish them?
That's why children weren't allowed at breakfast from the start.
"Good morning!"
"Grandfather. Have you been coughing?"
The first to arrive was Grandfather.
I was now twenty-two, so it had been seven years since my return.
And Grandfather had aged a lot in that time.
In my previous life, he passed away eight years from now, when I was thirty.
Soon after, Father died too, throwing the group into chaos.
"Yes, your twenty-second birthday was just a while ago, wasn't it?"
"Yes, Grandfather."
"It must have been disappointing not to have a birthday feast, especially since it's a double-number birthday."
"No, I know everyone was busy."
Double-number birthdays—like eleven, twenty-two, thirty-three—were celebrated more grandly than others.
"And the timing wasn't right."
Grandfather nodded with a pleased smile.
"You're very thoughtful. But I can't just let it pass—I have a gift prepared for you."
A gift?
But it had been over five days since I returned to the Hubei headquarters. Why mention it now?
"I commissioned a craftsman in the nearby smithy, but it took longer than expected."
Now he had me even more curious.
"It arrived just last evening. Come to my quarters later."
"Yes, Grandfather."
Then the rest of the family entered, and once everyone was seated, the maids served the food.
Chicken porridge with ginseng today.
We blew on the hot porridge and ate, then it was time for tea.
That's when Jin-ho hyung spoke up.
"I hear you're working on something new again?"
"Yeah."
I nodded.
"I'm setting up a place to care for and educate the children of our merchant group members."
First sister-in-law brightened at my words.
"That's a wonderful idea. Raising kids while working isn't easy at all."
"I realized it after collecting opinions this time. So many people welcomed it. And really, it's for our own group."
I turned to Grandfather.
"That's why I haven't named the education center yet. I'd like you to name it, Grandfather."
He asked back.
"Me?"
"Yes."
Father chimed in.
"Of course Father should name it. You're the eldest in our group."
"Hm, I'll think about it."
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.
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After breakfast, I headed to Grandfather's quarters.
Because he'd asked me to come today.
I soon arrived and announced myself.
"Come in."
"Yes."
As I entered, Grandfather offered me a seat.
I sat at the low table.
Grandfather took a box from his desk and placed it before me.
"Here, open it."
It was a modestly sized box, not too big.
I opened it with anticipation.
"...!"
Inside was a dagger.
But its shape was unusual—extremely thin and sharp, more like a hidden weapon.
"Your father told me you go everywhere."
"Well, things just happened that way..."
"There will be times when you need a weapon but can't carry one. So I commissioned this from Master Yeom the smith."
No wonder the craftsmanship was exceptional.
Master Yeom was the artisan I'd once commissioned for Jin-ho hyung's spear—he always delivered exactly to spec.
This must have cost a fortune.
"It's designed to hide anywhere on your body without detection."
"Thank you, Grandfather."
I bowed sincerely.
I could feel his wish for my safety, wherever I was.
"Oh, and about what I mentioned at breakfast. I've thought it over. How about calling it Yeongyeongwon (榮寧園)?"
"Yeongyeongwon?"
"Yes. It means flowers blooming safely and leaves growing lush."
"A great name."
"And for efficiency, I think it should be divided: facilities for infant care, ones for care and education, and ones for education only."
Grandfather's advice made perfect sense.
"Call the whole thing Yeongyeongwon, and subdivide into Yu-dang, So-dang, and Cheong-dang."
And so Yeongyeongwon was named, giving my project a clear identity.
Carrying the box with the dagger from Grandfather, I headed to my quarters.
"Young master, so now we just hire nannies and tutors?"
"That's right. And we'll hold public interviews."
"Interviews?"
"Yeah. We need to check their character. They can't take out frustrations on the kids."
"You're right, sir."
The next day, Eunhae Merchant Group posted a notice.
Recruiting nannies and tutors.
With construction ongoing, we gave plenty of time.
It had almost been a fortnight since my return to headquarters.
Winter was settling in outside.
"Beijing must be freezing."
I nodded at Palgap's words.
"Probably."
As we walked, chatting idly, a welcome face appeared.
"Ah! Daehyeop!"
Grinning brightly and greeting me was Kwak Hyeong-jin, Master Jin Yeong Daehyeop's eldest son.
He'd been a twelve-year-old boy when we met; now he was a nineteen-year-old youth.
Seeing his fine figure filled me with inexplicable pride.
"Long time no see. Don't call me daehyeop—just so-danju."
"But daehyeop sounds better, doesn't it?"
"That's why I'm saying it. It's too much for me."
Kwak Hyeong-jin chuckled.
"Then I'll call you So-danju-nim."
"Good."
Once Jeong Ho hyung officially became group leader, I'd be called Hyeonpung Gukju instead of so-danju.
For now, people mixed the titles, but it didn't matter.
They all referred to me.
"Anyway, how have you been?"
He nodded at my question.
"Yes, doing well."
"Heading back from the office?"
"Yes."
Kwak Hyeong-jin worked in Eunpungdae and was practically the second-in-command.
Most matters went through him to the daeju.
Thanks to him, Eunpungdae warriors no longer delayed paperwork, earning him favor from the accountants like Jae-gyeong-gak scribes.
"Ah! Father should be back in a few days. I got a letter saying he's finished the escort run."
"Really?"
I'd planned to see Master right after returning to Hubei, but he was away on escort duty.
If it had been our group's escort, I'd know the schedule, but it was someone else's, so no timeline.
His news was very welcome.
Then I recalled Kwak Hyeong-jin was one half of the twin prodigies with Seok Il-song.
"Hyeong-jin."
"Yes?"
"Did you see the recent notice? For recruiting tutors at Yeongyeongwon."
"Ah, yes. I saw it."
"Any thoughts? You seem qualified."
He shook his head.
"But I'm with Eunpungdae. I want to focus on that."
If that's how he felt, nothing to do.
Plus, I admired his sense of responsibility.
"I see. Impressive."
"Pardon?"
"That attitude of not neglecting your duties. Daeju-nim would praise you for it."
Go Il-pyeong daeju loved that kind of responsibility.
"Hehe. Really?"
Kwak Hyeong-jin blushed, then glanced at the sun.
"Sorry, can I go first? Il-songi's waiting."
He had plans with Seok Il-song.
"Ah, I held you too long. Go ahead."
"Then I'll be off. Take care."
He bowed with a fist salute and left.
Hm... Should I recruit Seok Il-song as a tutor?
I considered it briefly, then shook my head. Yu Chong-gwan would fight tooth and nail against it.
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Two days later, at dawn, I woke.
Master had returned, and word came that training would resume today.
Geared up, I went to the courtyard, where the guards saluted.
"Good morning."
And Seo-hyang Sojeo was there.
She'd been training with me lately.
But I hadn't taught her martial arts formally yet.
The art for her was Cheonryu Binggeom, Master Guak Hoon's—no, Master Jin Yeong Daehyeop's.
Pending his permission, her routine was just running laps to build stamina.
It wasn't busywork; stamina was essential for martial arts.
"Start running. I'll meditate."
"Yes."
Seo-hyang Sojeo began lapping the annex courtyard, and I started my meditation.
Finishing and rising, Master entered the annex.
"Master. I greet you. I hope you've been well."
"Of course. Glad to see you've been well."
"Yes. And I have someone to introduce."
I called Seo-hyang Sojeo, who stood beside me.
"This is Seo-hyang Sojeo, whom I mentioned before."
"I greet Daehyeop Guak."
"First time meeting. I'm Guak Myeong-hyeon."
After greetings, Master looked at me.
"We'll talk with the sojeo later. First, I need to speak with So-danju-nim."
"Yes. Sojeo, resume training."
She started running again.
Master asked cautiously.
"So-danju-nim... your current realm—is it Super First-rate?"
He'd noticed, as expected.
"Yes."
I nodded, and he sighed.
"Then it's time for you to make a decision."
"Pardon? A decision?"
What decision could make him so grave?