The Awaited Harvest (2)
At my words, Branch Manager Wi Jun-deok seemed at a loss for words, blinking his eyes for a moment.
Then he pulled himself together and asked me,
"Did I just hear you say 'all the wine houses' correctly?"
"Yes, that's right."
"In that case, just how many do you plan to acquire?"
I smiled and replied to his question.
"Nothing's set in stone yet. It'll depend on the negotiations and the situation."
"As you're well aware, Young Branch Leader, acquiring wine houses is a bigger undertaking than it seems."
Branch Manager Wi Jun-deok continued.
"The wine houses here haven't just suffered minor losses from the alcohol ban. And with no telling how long the famines will drag on, taking on their mounting deficits means committing to that burden indefinitely."
As he said, acquiring Hangju's wine houses right now wasn't just about the purchase itself.
The real trouble came afterward.
That's why places that rarely ever hit the market were suddenly up for sale in droves.
And that made now the perfect time to buy them up.
"I understand your concerns, Branch Manager Wi. But I'm not suggesting this lightly or without thought."
"Of course, I know that. It's just... I'm worried."
I smiled softly and said,
"I'm grateful for your concern."
"Hoo, then... does anyone else know about your plans, Young Branch Leader?"
I shook my head at his question.
"No one. You're the first I've told, Branch Manager Wi."
At my words, his face lit with emotion, and he spoke in a resolute tone.
"I must live up to your trust. So, what do you need me to do?"
"Just tell me about each wine house's situation."
I'm a merchant through and through, chasing profits relentlessly.
Snagging those wine houses for the lowest price possible relative to their value is only natural.
"First off, among Hangju's wine houses, which one's in the best shape?"
"Pardon?"
Branch Manager Wi Jun-deok looked puzzled.
"Not the one in the worst shape, but the one doing best?"
"Yes. That's where I'll start negotiating."
"Why?"
"The ones in dire straits would be the easiest to buy cheap, but that'd make things tough later."
I continued.
"No one's as sensitive to rumors in Hangju as the wine house owners. If even one or two start changing hands, the rest will sense the crisis."
"That makes sense."
"Do you think West Lake's pavilion masters are ordinary folk? Running a wine house takes real grit. They'll likely band together and dig in."
"Probably."
"That's the blind spot I'm targeting. Strike the strongest first and take it over—how do you think the other owners will react?"
Branch Manager Wi Jun-deok slapped his knee as realization dawned.
"Ah, I see! They'll think, 'That place fell? If we hold out longer, we'll just lose even more.'"
"Exactly."
"You've taught me another lesson, Young Branch Leader."
"You're too kind. I only learned it from Father and my brothers."
He nodded with a pleased expression at my modest words.
"Let me think... The one in the best shape right now would have to be that place."
On the way back to Yangyang Martial Hall after talking with Branch Manager Wi.
"Young master, I've resolved once again today."
"Resolved what?"
"To never make you my enemy."
"What are you talking about? Why would you make me your enemy? Don't tell me you're thinking of quitting as my attendant?"
Palgap jumped in surprise at my question and said,
"Absolutely not! I meant you're that intimidating, young master."
The guards and Seo-hyang Sojeo nodded in agreement.
"Intimidating? What's so intimidating about me...?"
I grumbled and reached to pet Gold Bell, then paused.
For some reason, it felt like Gold Bell might start trembling.
"Enough nonsense. Let's hurry back and get some rest."
The next day, I headed to one of West Lake's wine houses.
Cheongpa Pavilion.
It was one of the few that had survived even the five-year great famine in my previous life.
That was thanks to its delicious food and high-class courtesans.
No wonder Branch Manager Wi had called it the best off in Hangju.
As we arrived, Palgap asked,
"Huh? Isn't this the place we came to before?"
"Yeah."
Last time, I'd brought everyone here and feasted on the special menu on the fifth floor.
"I still remember that stunning view of West Lake," said Seo-u Warrior, and the other three guards nodded too.
But Myeongjong Warrior, Changun Warrior, and Seo-hyang Sojeo couldn't relate.
No surprise—they hadn't joined me yet back then.
No worries.
We'd make new memories to share.
As we approached the pavilion, a server rushed out to greet us.
"Here for a meal? Then allow me to welcome you to Cheongpa Pavilion!"
Hm, I like this server already.
Very proactive.
"Any seats open on the fifth floor?"
"Of course!"
He quickly led us up to the fifth floor.
"Whoa..."
Myeongjong Warrior, Changun Warrior, and Seo-hyang Sojeo gasped at the view, as did those who'd been here before.
The vista of West Lake from here never failed to impress, no matter how many times you saw it.
"Ready to order?"
I didn't even glance at the menu board the server offered and said briskly,
"The special menu."
"Right away. What tea would you like?"
Even in a wine house, with the alcohol ban in place, he asked only about tea instead of drinks.
I left the tea to him as well.
"Your recommendation."
"Thank you. I'll have it ready shortly."
I handed over some silver and said,
"Paying upfront. And could I ask a personal favor?"
"Certainly."
I requested food be delivered to Yangyang Martial Hall.
He grinned and nodded.
"Ah, you're that gentleman from before. About two years ago, you asked us to deliver to Yangyang Martial Hall, right?"
"That's me. Good memory."
The server scratched his head.
"Nah, it was just so unusual. Who orders massive amounts of pavilion food for delivery?"
"Fair point."
"You're a good man. Please wait just a bit—we'll bring it up soon."
"Tea first would be great."
"Got it."
The server headed downstairs, and I stepped out beside the pavilion's balcony.
The vast West Lake stretched before us.
The scenery shifting from the fifth to the sixth month differed from what I'd seen before.
While people died off from the famines and the pavilion struggled to stay afloat, West Lake's beauty remained as refreshingly clear as ever.
"Let's come back in autumn if we can. That's when we can try the osmanthus-infused tea made with osmanthus flowers," I said.
I-pil Warrior nodded.
"I'd love to share that taste with the two warriors and Deputy Officer Gwak."
The other warriors nodded in agreement.
"You warriors really ought to thank the heavens for a master like this," Palgap said.
Seo-u Warrior replied,
"That's why we offer fresh water every morning and pray for our master's long life and health. Surely you're doing the same, aren't you, Palgap?"
Palgap panicked.
"O-of course I am!"
"Really?"
I asked with a grin.
"I haven't seen it."
"Ahem, ahem. A true man's prayers aren't for casual eyes."
We all laughed.
Looked like Palgap had a new rival in Seo-u Warrior, beyond just Gold Bell.
Not that Seo-u Warrior was ordinary.
Soon, the special dishes arrived.
The taste was much the same as before.
Which meant it was still delicious.
That must be how it survived even the brutal drought.
After finishing the meal, I tugged the call cord to summon the server.
"Enjoy your meal?"
"As good as ever. Please pass my thanks to the chef."
"Will do."
"Is the pavilion master here? I'd like to meet her."
The server's eyes sharpened at my request.
"As a guest?"
"No."
"Really?"
His reaction was sharper than necessary for a request to meet the pavilion master.
What was that about?
Then Palgap leaned in and whispered,
"I hear Cheongpa Pavilion's master is Hangju's top beauty."
"Oh, right."
I nodded slowly.
"I knew that but didn't think of it."
Now I got why the server reacted that way. This was a pavilion with courtesans.
And its master was an exceptional one herself.
But many patrons couldn't tell courtesans from serving girls.
Servers must deal with a lot of rowdy types.
And most pavilions had strict rules for meeting the master.
The server tilted his head at our group, unsure if I meant it or was just stirring trouble.
Then Palgap told him,
"Our young master has no interest in women. He just wants to discuss business with the pavilion master."
"Really?"
"Yes. If he were interested, he'd have called the courtesans right away to liven things up. Right?"
"Hm, true. That makes sense."
"Oh, and don't get the wrong idea—our young master isn't incapable or anything."
Hey, Pal... Palgap.
Did you have to say that last part?
Seo-hyang Sojeo was right there... This is embarrassing.
Meanwhile, the server said to me,
"I'll speak to the pavilion master."
He went downstairs, and I turned to Palgap.
"Palgap, even if it was to defend me, that last bit..."
"What bit?"
His innocent face made me drop it.
And saying it myself felt awkward too...
"...Never mind."
After a short wait, the server returned.
"The master will see you. This way to her room."
I followed him down.
The master's room was on the third floor, guarded by a warrior at the door.
"These are the ones who wanted to see the master," the server said.
Come to think of it, I hadn't given my name.
I told the warrior,
"I'm Eun Seo-ho, Young Branch Leader of the Eunhae Merchant Group."
His eyes widened slightly, and he called inside,
"Master, Eun Seo-ho, the Young Branch Leader who wished to meet, is here."
"Show him in."
The door slid open with a creak, and I entered.
I could already guess her personality. The sparse room spoke of frugality.
Yet she herself was elegantly adorned.
Her natural beauty shone even brighter for it.
Hangju's top beauty indeed.
"Welcome. I'm Cheongpa, master of this Cheongpa Pavilion."
So the pavilion was named after her.
"Pleasure to meet you. I'm Eun Seo-ho, Young Branch Leader of the Eunhae Merchant Group."
"I've heard of you. They call you Seonhyeopmirang, yes?"
"..."
Couldn't escape that nickname even here.
"Please, sit. Tea?"
"I'm good. Just ate my fill— no room for tea."
"You must have enjoyed our food."
"Very much."
She cut straight to it.
"What brings you to see me? I heard it's business."
"Yes."
I nodded readily.
"No beating around the bush—I want to acquire this pavilion."
"Pardon?"
"I want to buy this pavilion."
She eyed me curiously.
"May I ask why? I know several are on the market, but we've never put ours up for sale."
"When someone wants to buy something, doesn't it mean they like it?"
"You like this pavilion?"
"Exactly. Everything about it— which means you too, Pavilion Master."
"Pardon?"
She flustered, then bit her lip.
Ah, easy to misinterpret.
"I mean, I like how you run it. I'll just hold the ownership."
"I see."
Good, misunderstanding cleared.
"...I'll think it over."
Not a no, but not a yes either.
No outright refusal meant they were on shaky ground too.
But pushing now might backfire into resentment.
Maybe call it here for today?
"Then I'll take my leave. I hope for a positive reply."
I headed to the first floor. My group was already waiting there.
They could've stayed on the fifth.
"Farewell."
With the server's send-off, I stepped out of the pavilion. Or tried to.
Thud.