Yangyang Martial Hall's New Beginning (4)
The next day.
I headed to Yangyang Martial Hall.
The hall's residents were busy with moving preparations, but their faces were filled with excitement at the prospect of relocating to a better place.
"You've arrived?"
Just then, Hall Master Yeom came out to greet me, having heard of my arrival.
"Sorry to bother you when you're so busy."
"Not at all. What brings you here?"
"How are the moving preparations going?"
He nodded at my question.
"Yes, everything's proceeding smoothly without a hitch."
His expression made it clear there were no issues whatsoever.
"That's a relief. So, when's the official move-in?"
"We're aiming for the day after tomorrow. And... I have a favor to ask of you, Young Branch Leader."
"Of me?"
He nodded again.
"The signboard we've been using is too small for the new building. We're planning to make a new one, and I'd like you to write the inscription for it."
Come to think of it, even I could see the current signboard was too modest for an eight-story building.
For a structure that tall, the signboard usually hangs around the third-floor height, but at that level, no one would be able to read the characters clearly.
But my question wasn't about that—it was why he was asking me to write it.
Typically, signboards for such buildings were commissioned from renowned calligraphers or people of great significance.
I wasn't a master calligrapher, nor did I hold any special meaning for them.
"Me? Why me? Why not ask Master or someone else?"
"To ask the Hall Lord, we'd have to summon him first—which could take ages before he'd come write it."
Hall Master Yeom continued.
"Besides, you're a great benefactor to our Yangyang Martial Hall, so we wanted to request this of you."
"What have I done to earn such a title?"
He let out a sigh, then grew serious.
"Young Branch Leader."
"Yes?"
"Put your hand on your heart and think about everything you've done for Yangyang Martial Hall."
"......"
I scratched the back of my neck.
"Won't Master be displeased?"
"The Hall Lord—no, Master Myeonghyeon—will agree with my decision."
"Alright. Where should I write it?"
"Excellent choice. You should have agreed sooner. Haha!"
Hall Master Yeom promptly fetched a prepared sheet of paper.
One might wonder why write on paper for a signboard, but this was for the engraver to carve into the wood.
Writing directly on the signboard itself wouldn't last long.
To make it enduring, they traced the calligraphy from paper onto the wood.
I handed my outer robe to Palgap and picked up the brush.
Composing my breath, I dipped the brush in ink and began writing the characters.
The engraver would use this as the basis to carve them into the signboard—much larger, of course.
"Done?"
At my question, Hall Master Yeom nodded in satisfaction and added,
"You should also leave your name and seal beside it, right?"
"Hm... Is that really necessary...?"
"Young Branch Leader."
"Yes."
I moved the brush again, writing my name beside it and stamping my seal.
Not my business seal, of course.
With the signboard inscription finished, I brought up the real reason for my visit.
"Now, I'll be on my way soon."
"Already?"
"I'd love to stay longer, but my closest friend is getting married. He'd be heartbroken if I didn't attend."
"Can't be helped, then. When do you plan to depart?"
"In three or four days."
"Good. You'll get to see our move, at least."
Hall Master Yeom paused thoughtfully before asking,
"By the way, what about this place?"
"What about it?"
"It's not a bad location. Once we move out, perhaps we could..."
I cut him off.
"Why ask me?"
"Because you secured it for us..."
"The ownership belongs to you and Yangyang Martial Hall, not me. Do as you please—no need for my input."
I smiled and said,
"Then I'll take my leave."
.
.
.
With my departure date set, I got straight to work.
Managing the businesses I'd acquired required more attention than I'd anticipated.
Particularly, the courtesans' welfare had caught my eye.
It was shocking that physicians refused to treat them.
I pondered how to change those physicians' mindsets but soon dropped the idea.
No need for me to step in personally.
I visited Physician Jami.
"Busy?"
"Ah! Young Branch Leader! What brings you?"
"Something to discuss."
She set down what she was holding.
"No time to serve tea right now... Bear with me."
"Of course I'd understand."
"Thank you. So, what's up?"
"I'll be leaving Hangzhou in a few days."
"I see. I knew you'd go eventually, but it's a shame it's so soon."
I smiled at her words.
"I'm worried about the courtesans working at the businesses I acquired. I'd appreciate it if you continued treating them for free. I'll cover the costs separately."
"Understood."
Physician Jami agreed readily.
"Do you use Geumsan Treasury?"
"Yes, I do."
I grinned.
"Then I'll send ten nyang of gold coins via Geumsan Treasury each year."
"P-Pardon? Th-That much?"
She stammered in shock.
Gold coins were a fortune most commoners never saw in a lifetime.
Last time I'd given her some, she'd pretended nonchalance while her hands trembled faintly.
"There's a reason it's more than you might expect. I plan to request regular house calls going forward."
The rumor had spread after I asked her to treat courtesans for free with gold as payment.
Yet fewer came than expected, for a reason.
If word got out a courtesan was ill, customers avoided her.
Even when money flowed freely, they only sought treatment after their conditions worsened severely.
But now that I owned those businesses, I couldn't ignore it.
Knowing made it my responsibility to find the best solution.
"Please check on the courtesans at my businesses periodically."
"Smart idea. Nothing sadder than catching a curable illness too late."
"Thank you."
I smiled and continued.
"And take on a disciple."
"A disciple?"
She thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Makes sense—I'm wearing myself out alone. But... you'll treat my business courtesans for free, but what about others? You've treated everyone gratis so far."
"True. No real obligation for non-business ones, but they have their hardships too. Treat any who come for free."
"But they have their own employers..."
"If those employers cared, would things be like this?"
"Fair point."
My free treatment for Hangzhou's courtesans stemmed partly from compassion, but not entirely.
Hangzhou's coffers were dry now, leaving courtesans poor too, but once the alcohol ban lifted and prosperity returned, my investment would pay off.
"Looking forward to your best efforts."
"I'll do my utmost."
.
.
.
A few days passed, and the day of Yangyang Martial Hall's move arrived.
Most heavy items had already been transported, so "moving day" really meant hanging the signboard and performing the rite.
With famine ravaging Hangzhou—one of the hardest-hit areas—throwing a feast would be wasteful and invite scorn.
Plus, the return on investment was poor.
Gathering people for moves or big events was said to ward off ghosts who disliked noise and crowds.
But I figured it was mostly about soliciting well-wishes for the future.
We settled on distributing modest rations to attendees.
I arrived at the new Yangyang Martial Hall.
Disciples greeted me warmly.
"Welcome."
"The Hall Master is speaking with others right now."
"Ah, chatting with local notables, I suppose."
"Yes."
Should I wait, then?
As I thought that, a disciple said,
"Please come in. He's expecting you."
I tilted my head, and another disciple smiled.
"The Hall Master instructed us to bring you."
"What's my reason to join?"
"Why not? You own half the businesses around here."
Ah...
I hadn't realized it, but I was a local notable myself.
One with considerable influence.
I entered the reception room.
"Sorry I'm late."
"No need. We understand busy folks. Haha."
Several in the room were those who'd sold me their businesses—familiar faces aplenty.
We conversed in a warm, jovial atmosphere.
A short while later.
We exited to chairs set before the dais.
"We now commence the hanging of Yangyang Martial Hall's new signboard."
Hall Master Yeom emerged first to perform the rite.
"We will now raise the new signboard."
With that, a massive signboard tied to ropes began ascending.
Disciples on the fourth floor seemed to be hoisting it.
Artisans waited on the third to secure it.
"Heave-ho! Heave-ho!"
Watching several disciples pull the ropes gave me an idea of its weight.
Then.
Swish.
Someone tugged my sleeve. Turning, I saw it was Lady Seo-hyang.
"What's wrong?"
"I just saw it—the rope snapping, the signboard falling... hurting several people."
"...!"
I was stunned for a moment but immediately sent sound transmissions to Seo-u Warrior and Jin Yu Warrior.
Snap.
Thankfully, they moved just in time for the incident.
The rope—strained by the weight or friction—snapped.
Right as it reached the third floor, of all times.
"Argh!"
"D-Dodge!"
Panic erupted below the signboard.
But I wasn't worried.
Thud!
Whoosh!
The two warriors had acted preemptively.
Their long years of coordination shone as they caught and balanced the signboard flawlessly.
They held it steady at the third-floor pavilion.
"Secure the signboard now."
"We'll hold it."
"Ah, y-yes, right away."
The stunned artisans snapped to and began fixing it.
"W-We lived!"
The crowd cheered the warriors' feat.
I turned to Lady Seo-hyang amid the cheers.
"Thank you for the warning."
"Truly a relief."
The signboard was secured safely, and the warriors returned.
"Good work."
"No need for that."
"We couldn't allow the lord's inscribed signboard to fall and injure people."
"Exactly. Thanks for preventing that."
Gazing at the signboard with my calligraphy, my heart swelled unexpectedly.
With the rites complete, guests departed satisfied with their gifts.
A few tried slyly grabbing extras, but retreated at the sight of Seo-u and Jin Yu Warriors.
Having witnessed their prowess, they knew better than to cause trouble.
As dusk fell, the bustling hall quieted.
I slowly surveyed the new Yangyang Martial Hall.
"Never imagined this."
A voice drew my attention.
Turning, I saw Hall Master Yeom approaching.
"Eaten dinner?"
"Plenty full without it."
I chuckled.
"Truly unimaginable. Not only reclaiming the site, but an eight-story building here."
He clasped his hands in formal gratitude.
"Now, a proper thank you. Truly grateful. We'll never forget your grace to Yangyang Martial Hall."
"No, I just did what needed doing."
"Knew you'd say that."
We shared bright smiles.
Then gazed at the signboard.
Yangyang Martial Hall's new beginning.