The Awaited Harvest (8)
The next day.
I stepped out of Hong Eun-ru as the sun began to set.
"Where to today, young master?"
At Palgap's question, I pointed toward the pavilion I intended to visit.
"Wolju Pavilion."
The name meant "moon wine," derived from the fact that when you raised a glass under the rising moon there, the moon's reflection danced perfectly in the liquor.
It hadn't always been called that—the original name was something else entirely—but people started saying things like, "Let's go grab some Wolju," because it felt like drinking liquor brewed from the moon itself. Eventually, even the pavilion's name changed to match.
But Wolju Pavilion's popularity wasn't just due to that poetic charm.
Of course, as a liquor house, the drinks were exceptional.
The crisp, tingling refreshment was unparalleled, and the taste evoked the chill of a cold moon—hence the name Wolju.
In the past, crowds had thronged its doors just to sample Wolju. But now, with the liquor ban in effect...
In my previous life, this place had been bought out by the Murim Alliance.
They brewed Wolju here and sold it to Daiwol Kingdom, raking in substantial profits.
Its cool, refreshing profile suited Daiwol's climate perfectly, and they loved the name too.
Not just Daiwol—neighboring countries sent buyers as well. Need I say more?
At my answer, Yeo Eung-am Warrior spoke up.
"I've had Wolju from Wolju Pavilion myself."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. That sensation cooling you from throat to belly... Ah, just thinking about it feels good. Haha!"
I chuckled along and nodded emphatically.
Places like this absolutely need to be acquired.
As we entered Wolju Pavilion, a server greeted us warmly.
"Welcome! This is Wolju Pavilion!"
"Where's the spot with the best view?"
"Why, this floor, of course."
Most places recommended the top floor for scenery, but here, uniquely, this second floor offered the finest vista.
Because the outdoor seating here was the perfect spot for enjoying Wolju under the moon.
"Due to the liquor ban, we can't serve Wolju, but you can have as much Moon Tea as you'd like."
"Guess we'll settle for Moon Tea, then."
I glanced at the menu the server presented and placed my order.
"The 'Blue Moon' at the top here—bring that out."
"Right away. Sorry, but we operate on prepayment."
I pulled silver taels from my pouch and handed them over.
"Thank you. Please wait just a moment."
I could dive straight into acquisition talks, but first, dinner.
A gesture of consideration for my hardworking escorts, Palgap, and Seo-hyang the clerk.
Feel a bit bad for Seo-u Warrior, stuck guarding Cheongpa Pavilion and missing out.
Of course, he'd say, "I'm fine. Your orders come first, my lord."
I'll bring him next time.
Soon, the food began arriving.
Quite luxurious dishes.
This time, I hadn't requested delivery from Yangyang Martial Hall.
It was quite a distance from here.
And so, we began our evening meal.
The moon floating in the teacup lent a strange, poetic allure.
No wonder this place had been one of Hangzhou's famed spots before the ban.
Now that the famine had ended, crowds were flocking back, door-to-door bustle returning.
The Murim Alliance, having snapped it up, must have earned a tidy profit from this pavilion alone.
Not this time. Never to the Murim Alliance...
I sipped my tea and suddenly widened my eyes.
Huh? What was that? What did I just drink?
A refreshing coolness lingered in my mouth, unlike anything I'd tasted before. It was Dragon Well tea, unmistakably, but... fresher, more invigorating than usual.
I tilted my head and poured another cup to confirm.
I wasn't the only one puzzled; my companions frowned at their cups too.
"It's warm, but it feels cool."
"Definitely hot, though."
"How peculiar."
I tugged the servant bell to summon the server.
"Yes, you called?"
"What's this tea called?"
"Ah, it's a new blend our master tea artisan created. We call it Moon Tea."
I'd assumed "Moon Tea" was just a playful nod to the moon in the cup, but no—it was the actual name!
In my previous life, a tea with this flavor couldn't have gone unnoticed.
What on earth happened?
I pondered briefly, then shook my head.
I could figure it out later.
One thing I was certain of: this Moon Tea would be a hit, rivaling Wolju itself.
A short while later.
After finishing the meal, I called the server again.
"Delicious—our compliments to the chef."
"I'll pass that along."
"I'd like to meet the pavilion's owner."
By "owner," I meant the actual proprietor, not the manager.
Hong Eun-ru and Chwiwol Pavilion were exceptions; most liquor houses and pleasure dens had separate owners and operators.
Often merchant groups owned them, but in Hangzhou, local magnates held most of the deeds.
That envy had driven Seong Clan Lord to rashly enter the business himself.
Which made acquiring Hangzhou's pavilions smooth sailing for me.
If merchant groups owned them, they'd have weathered the famine better.
That was precisely why I was snapping them up now.
Miss this window, and buying businesses in Hangzhou would be a nightmare.
Typically, the pavilion master handled operations, while the true owner lurked in the background.
"Our proprietor is already waiting downstairs."
"Pardon?"
Waiting for me?
"If you'd like to discuss matters, we've prepared a room on the fifth floor."
A short while later.
I ascended to the fifth floor and waited briefly. Then, a man came huffing and puffing up the stairs, slightly plump, trailed by two guards.
I rose from my seat.
"Eunhae Merchant Group's branch head, Eun Seo-ho. Are you Wolju Pavilion's proprietor?"
"Indeed. Name's Man Jin—a modest landowner here in Hangzhou."
"Then, may I address you as Man Clan Lord?"
"Everyone does; no offense taken."
He looked quite a bit older than me, yet he spoke deferentially, almost obsequiously.
This has to be...
I tested the waters lightly.
"I visited because I truly admired this pavilion, and it didn't disappoint."
"Your kind words honor me. Haha!"
I lavished more praise without broaching acquisition.
His expression grew increasingly anxious.
Confirmed.
He wants me to buy it.
He'd mentioned waiting downstairs earlier.
Probably rushed over upon hearing I'd arrived, then waited through my meal.
I'd acquired Hong Eun-ru and Chwiwol Pavilion hoping for exactly this, and it was unfolding better than expected.
Time to get down to business.
"I'd like to purchase this pavilion. What's its value?"
"Five hundred thousand silver taels."
What?
Five hundred thousand?
It was far cheaper than I'd anticipated; I faltered involuntarily.
"Five hundred thousand, correct?"
"If that's steep, four hundred... that'd work too."
Misreading my surprise, he hurriedly dropped the price.
I eyed Man Clan Lord's appearance.
Plump in places, but sallow too, with sagging flesh suggesting recent rapid weight loss.
The reason a pavilion owner and magnate had fallen this far was obvious.
Things were far worse than I'd thought.
Landowners with fields fared slightly better, but unchanged spending amid halved—or worse—yields spelled doom.
Hundreds of taels in annual deficits, easy.
There's a saying: spend while you earn; burning through savings vanishes in a flash.
Man Clan Lord was gauging my reaction closely.
Incidentally, the Murim Alliance bought this place later in my previous life.
Meaning they'd snagged it for under four hundred thousand.
Judging by how quickly he slashed the price at my expression, it wasn't even publicly listed yet—but bankruptcy loomed.
I considered haggling lower.
But only considered.
I could have driven it down further, but there's such a thing as business ethics.
Plus, this was near Yangyang Martial Hall, and anyone in the know would learn of our close ties.
Besides, I was Setphung Palace's young lord.
Couldn't risk harming Yangyang's reputation as young lord.
And owning pavilions like this marked him as a Hangzhou notable.
Someone who could side with us between Yangyang and Seong Clan Lord later.
"Very well."
"Then five hundred thou—"
"I'll pay eight hundred thousand silver taels."
"Pardon?"
His eyes bulged.
I gave him a fitting excuse to stroke his ego.
"How could a gem like this go for a mere five hundred thousand?"
"Exactly! Before the ban, this was one of Hangzhou's most famous spots."
"Any conditions you'd like?"
"None at all. Do as you wish."
Joy at offloading the pavilion lit Man Clan Lord's face.
Fair enough.
Pavilions print money when thriving, but devour it otherwise.
We drew up the contract, and Wolju Pavilion was officially mine for eight hundred thousand silver taels.
We descended to the first floor.
The entire staff awaited. A change in ownership was no small matter.
Tension was natural; the new owner's whims could reshape the roster.
Among them, a beautifully attired woman approached.
Man Clan Lord pointed me out to her.
"Pay your respects. This is your new proprietor."
"Eunhae Merchant Group's branch head, Eun Seo-ho."
"Wolju Pavilion's pavilion master, Hong Mae."
She bowed, eyeing me anxiously.
With owners changing, managers were often the first axed.
But I had no such plans.
"You've worked hard keeping this place running through tough times."
"Oh, no... not at all..."
"Please continue to look after it well."
"Pardon?"
She stared in disbelief.
"Why so surprised?"
"So I... won't be dismissed as pavilion master?"
"Why dismiss you? You've managed brilliantly. Recent slumps were unavoidable—famine and the ban."
I smiled and continued.
"That's why I'm asking you to keep doing what you do."
Overcome with emotion, she bowed deeply.
"I'll devote myself fully to the pavilion."
"I trust you."
Overhearing, Man Clan Lord spoke.
"Then I'll take my leave."
"Ah! I've kept you waiting thoughtlessly."
"No, no. Haha. It pains me to part with this place I've grown attached to, but handing it to you eases that ache."
Smooth talker.
I smiled and played along.
"I'm grateful for your trust. Safe travels."
"Until next time."
After seeing Man Clan Lord off, I turned to Hong Mae.
"Now, introduce me to the staff."
She nodded.
"First here..."
She went through them one by one, until finally—the moment I'd awaited.
"These are the artisans who brewed our pride, Wolju."
Ten men, all gaunt and wan.
Makes sense.
The ban had halted brewing for over two years now.
No work, constant layoff dread...
But they were the core reason I'd acquired this place.
"Wolju was Wolju Pavilion's pride—and it will be again."
"Thank you."
I addressed them.
"I'd like separate contracts with you all."
"Pardon?"
"I see your true value. We can't brew now, but that's temporary. Your skills will shine soon."
I smiled.
"That's why I'm contracting ahead of time. Fifty percent raise on your prior salaries."
Their eyes widened.
"R-Really?"
"Yes, really."
"Thank you! Truly!"
They prostrated themselves.
"Gwak Bok-gwan."
"Yes."
"Prepare the contracts."
"Understood."
Seo-hyang the clerk brought ink and brush, sat at a table, and we negotiated terms.
The deals were sealed.
Perfect!
Secured Wolju's brewmasters before the Murim Alliance.
I can hear the money rolling in!
- Oink! Oink!
Gold Spirit, you're excited too? Hearing the cash flow?
Wait...
How do you even know that?
Did you really hear money coming in?