Departure (5)
The ship from the Changhae Merchant Group—no, the Baekcheon Merchant Group—had arrived.
Gazing at it, Ji Taek-mun, the row leader dispatched by Baekcheon Merchant Group, grinned from ear to ear.
"So, you're saying that ship is loaded with money?"
He rubbed his hands together.
His ultimate goal was to catch the eye of Namgung Gang and become the top row leader.
This trade deal was the stepping stone to that.
How could that ship not look utterly lovable?
That was when it happened.
"Row Leader."
"What is it?"
"There's a banquet today. It's hosted by the Eunhae Merchant Group, and we've been ordered to have everyone attend."
"Then we go."
But he wasn't the only one invited. Song Un, who had been holed up in his room without stepping out, had also received an invitation.
"What business brings you here?"
"I've been invited as well."
"In that case..."
Ji Taek-mun smirked and said,
"They must have taken pity on you."
"Yeah... I guess they did."
At that response, Ji Taek-mun tilted his head. It was unlike Song Un, who didn't snap back or argue as usual.
He's finally facing reality and become obedient!
With that, they entered the tavern near the local commander's office—a place that had been dead quiet since the alcohol ban.
But today, it buzzed with rare energy.
This was because Eun Seo-ho had invited a crowd to the banquet.
The tavern owner, servers—everyone greeted the guests with beaming smiles.
"Welcome. Where are you from?"
"Changhae Merchant Group."
Still officially dispatched from Changhae, Ji Taek-mun answered as such.
"Ah, this way, please."
"Isn't that the head table?"
"The stars of this banquet are from the merchant groups, aren't they? That's why seats are reserved at the head table."
At the words "head table," Ji Taek-mun's mood lifted again.
He was a row leader from Baekcheon Merchant Group, under the Murim Alliance, but still just a merchant.
Sharing a table with officials like this, he'd never dreamed of the head seat!
He was deeply moved by the situation.
"Please, sit here."
Directly across from the seat he was led to sat Eun Seo-ho, the small unit leader of Eunhae Merchant Group.
"Welcome."
"Yes, good to see you. You're hosting this banquet?"
"Yes. With trade coming up, I wanted to build some camaraderie. I hope it becomes a memorable gathering for you today."
I grinned.
Today's banquet would be unforgettable.
I glanced at Small Unit Leader Song Un, seated next to Row Leader Ji Taek-mun.
According to reports from Jin Yu Warrior, who had been watching him closely, he hadn't breathed a word about the ledgers to anyone.
A man with that kind of grit and patience could be trusted for future dealings.
Then the local commander entered the banquet hall and took the head seat.
"Commander, would you say a few words to open the banquet?"
At my words, he nodded.
"All of you, heed His Majesty's will. Cast aside personal greed and serve the empire."
A simple blessing, but laced with a stern warning.
Abandon merchants' greed and work for the nation.
Not bad.
I knew a fair bit about this man.
He was an official whose disposition I personally admired.
Strictly separating public and private while showing flexibility when needed.
That's why I'd invited him.
In short, he'd serve as judge for today's drama. A high-ranking second-grade official—more than sufficient.
"Now, let's drink."
At his words, everyone raised their teacups.
It would have been liquor cups if alcohol were allowed, but the ban hadn't lifted yet.
Meanwhile, I signaled Small Unit Leader Song Un across from me.
He swallowed hard and stood.
"Commander, sir. I am Song Un, small unit leader of Changhae Merchant Group. If I may, might I say a few words?"
Ji Taek-mun's face paled beside him. He had no idea what stunt Song Un might pull.
"Speak."
"In truth, our Changhae Merchant Group has been taken over by Baekcheon Merchant Group. Due to unpaid debts."
"And?"
"But that's not true. We did pay our debts. However, Baekcheon claims their manager, Mo-cheong Row Leader, took the money and fled, denying knowledge of it—and they've swallowed our group whole. Please right this injustice."
Ji Taek-mun, face drained of color, shot to his feet and cried out.
"Commander, sir, hear us out too! We never received that money. Absorbing Changhae was our rightful claim. And with Mo-cheong fleeing, our group has suffered significant losses."
"Enough!"
The commander raised a hand.
The room fell silent.
"Your situation is clear, but I lack the authority to resolve it."
That was when it happened.
"Commander, sir, I know a bit about this matter."
Perfectly timed, Ji-hyeon, the magistrate of Cheongdo, rose from his seat at one end of the long table where I sat.
"Ah, you're Cheongdo's magistrate, yes?"
"Yes, sir."
"You know of this?"
"Yes."
He glanced at me briefly before continuing.
"The one handling Baekcheon's debts was Mo-cheong Row Leader. And he came to me."
He went on.
"He seems to have chosen me as witness. To prove Baekcheon received payment from Changhae, I stamped the ledger."
"What do you mean? There's no such ledger..."
But Ji Taek-mun's words cut off.
Ji-hyeon had smoothly drawn a ledger from his sleeve.
"This is that ledger."
"...!"
It was the ledger I'd slipped to him upon arriving at the banquet hall.
Ji Taek-mun's eyes shook violently at the sight.
"He left it behind then. Knowing he'd return for it, I kept it safe."
At that, the commander extended his hand.
"Give it to me."
"Yes, sir."
The commander took the ledger from Cheongdo's magistrate and examined it.
"Hm, it's clearly written here. In the third month, Baekcheon received payment from Changhae—the final repayment. 'Repayment complete,' stamped. And the magistrate's seal."
I added smoothly,
"With it recorded in the ledger and the magistrate's seal, I'd say the repayment is complete."
"I agree."
Ji Taek-mun protested desperately.
"B-but the money never reached Baekcheon!"
The commander ignored him, scrutinizing the ledger further, then tilted his head.
"This is odd. Every repayment here was witnessed and stamped by the magistrate. Quite a hassle."
He looked around.
"If he planned to flee, why bother getting the magistrate's seal each time? And for a mere fifty taels of silver? A Baekcheon row leader handling big sums flees over this? Does that make sense?"
Everyone nodded.
Except Ji Taek-mun.
"Don't you agree?"
Reluctantly, Ji Taek-mun nodded.
"It does, but it could be a smokescreen, or a disguise..."
Cold sweat poured down Ji Taek-mun as he babbled incoherently.
The commander shook his head and placed the ledger on the table.
As it shifted, something poked out.
A white envelope.
"Hm?"
The commander picked it up and asked,
"Magistrate, do you know about this envelope?"
"Not really. It was inside from the start, but I didn't look without permission."
"Your name is on it."
"Pardon?"
"Read it."
Ji-hyeon took the envelope, pulled out the paper.
"A letter addressed to me."
He read it, his face falling into pity.
"Ah, so that's why he looked so grim..."
He handed it to the commander.
"You should read this, sir."
The commander took it, read, and his expression hardened.
He passed it back.
"Read it aloud."
"Yes."
Ji-hyeon began reading the letter's contents.
If Magistrate Ji-hyeon is reading this letter, it means I am no longer of this world.
Baekcheon Merchant Group has carried out their plan to eliminate me and seize Changhae Merchant Group.
They will claim I fled. With the final debt unpaid, Changhae falls to Baekcheon.
But Changhae did pay the final debt.
Baekcheon will say the money never reached them, invalidating it.
However, I deposited that money in Geumsan Treasury under Baekcheon's name.
If Baekcheon succeeds as I fear, please use this ledger to right their wrong. I beg you.
You may wonder why I foresaw it all yet walked into the trap.
As one who cherished Baekcheon, I vowed to die with it.
If I don't, another will sacrifice.
I cannot bear Baekcheon's blade turning on innocents.
Forgive this shameless merchant.
Baekcheon Row Leader, Mo-cheong
The room fell silent.
"This..."
The commander turned to Ji Taek-mun.
"Is this true?"
"I-I know nothing of it."
"So Baekcheon consorts with thugs, devouring common folk like some vile salt demon gang?"
"I-it's not true!"
"Not true? Even after this suicide note from Mo-cheong?"
His tone was icy as frost.
Ji Taek-mun must have felt the world go dark.
I smirked inwardly.
That ledger originally had no suicide note. I'd slipped in one Mo-cheong had written later.
First, to expose Baekcheon's crimes.
Second, to ensure Mo-cheong's safety.
If word got out he lived, his life would be at risk again.
So, we'd make them believe he was dead.
After a moment's thought, the commander spoke.
"First, confirm the deposit. Anyone outside?"
"Yes! You called, sir?"
His adjutant entered.
"Go to Geumsan Treasury now. Verify if fifty taels were deposited in the third month."
"Yes, sir!"
Having issued the order, the commander turned to me.
"Sorry the banquet turned sour."
"No, it's my fault."
Song the small unit leader apologized too. I shook my head.
"Not at all. We can reschedule. More importantly, clear your injustice."
The commander addressed the room.
"With this, we can't continue. Banquet's over. You're dismissed."
Yet no one moved.
Curious about the outcome, naturally.
Soon the adjutant rushed back.
"Sir! Back from the treasury!"
Geumsan Treasury had well-trained messenger hawks, faster than postal birds, I'd heard.
"Well?"
"Mo-cheong Row Leader did deposit fifty taels in Baekcheon's name in the third month."
"Is that so?"
Ji Taek-mun's face turned ashen; Song Un's flushed red.
Overwhelmed with emotion, holding back tears.
"But... there's something odd."
"Odd?"
"Yes. Baekcheon confirmed it."
The commander's brow furrowed.
I smiled inwardly.
This... an unexpected big catch?
"Looks like Mo-cheong's note is true."
Ji Taek-mun prostrated himself flat.
"I-I know nothing. I just followed orders from above."
"Is that so?"
He gathered his thoughts and declared,
"The evidence is clear: Changhae was wronged. Baekcheon must return it intact."
"...Kuh!"
Ji Taek-mun swallowed a groan and replied,
"I'll report to headquarters."
The commander continued.
"This is blatant fraud. It must be thoroughly investigated."
Another reason I'd invited this local commander.
If it went to Henan Inspectorate, Baekcheon could bribe their way out.
But this man was straightforward.
His surname was Yak—a member of Shandong's Yak Clan, under the Murim Alliance.
He grinned.
"I'll go to the Murim Alliance and protest myself."
In other words, Baekcheon couldn't settle this internally.
Namgung Gang would get gloriously fleeced by the Alliance elders again.