The First Pocket (3)
They had left the merchant group.
Just when they were at a loss about what to do next, a young nobleman named Yang Jin-su and his group were approached by a certain gongja.
It was Eun Seo-ho.
The young nobleman made them a proposal.
Why not start anew somewhere else?
They thought he was awfully bold.
The very fact that he would make such an offer to them was audacious.
"You've already fulfilled your duty to the former head of the merchant group. I'm sure he'd understand. So now, shouldn't you look out for yourselves?"
Having worked at the merchant group all this time, they prided themselves on their ability to read people.
They could tell this gongja was no ordinary man, so they agonized over it, weighing the pros and cons.
In truth, the new head of the Nokok Merchant Group hadn't stopped at just driving them out—he even resented their lingering presence in Yangban.
He applied pressure through all sorts of pretexts, and just when they thought they could endure no longer, this proposal arrived, stirring their interest.
But one couldn't judge solely by appearances.
They used their connections to look into this Eun Seo-ho.
That's when the news reached their ears.
Rumors that Eun Seo-ho was closely tied to the Jegal family, enjoying the trust of both the Supreme Patriarch and the family head.
The Jegal family—what was that place?
Wasn't it the spiritual pillar for folks dwelling west of Hubei Province?
This was a gongja connected to such a place.
Moreover, as merchants who had operated in Yangban for nearly thirty years, they knew well.
The Jegal family was no pushover.
Thus, the moment they confirmed the rumor was true, they accepted the proposal.
They promptly hired an escort agency and made their way here.
The chief escort knew their circumstances.
And since he owed them a few favors, he did his utmost to protect them safely, if only to repay those debts.
"Don't give up, though."
"Thanks. Take care."
"We've been truly grateful all this time."
"Look after yourselves. Your health is your greatest asset, after all."
"Yes, thank you. Please stay safe."
With that, the chief escort and his men departed, leaving the group before the county office to let out a collective sigh.
"Is this really the place?"
At someone's question, the leader-like man, Yang Jin-su, nodded.
"This is it, no doubt."
"He said if we wait here, he'll come within half a shichen."
"But why meet right in front of the county office, of all places...?"
They had waited about an hour when it happened.
"Excuse me, are you Yang Jin-su, the manager from Yangban, and your group?"
Turning at the voice calling them, they saw a burly man standing before them.
"Who might you be?"
"I've been sent to escort you."
But Yang Jin-su caught a whiff of danger from him.
It was an instinct honed from a lifetime of trials and tribulations at the merchant group.
And that instinct was ringing alarm bells now.
Yang Jin-su asked him.
"Sent by whom?"
"...I can't say."
"If he wants to see us, tell him to come himself."
"He's a busy man."
"No. We're not following you anywhere until he shows up in person."
A tussle ensued shortly after.
"He's very busy. We don't have time for this."
"Hah! I said we'll only go if he comes himself."
"Keep this up, and he might not honor his promise."
With that, he subtly pressed his sword forward.
Sensing the intimidation, Yang Jin-su and his group stepped back hesitantly.
They tried to bolt toward the county office.
Noticing their intent, the burly man spoke.
"Keep pushing it, and things get unpleasant."
"..."
"If you don't come quietly, I can't guarantee your safety."
The brute before them knew they were from Yangban and even their names.
He knew they'd come here, and there was only one person who wanted them dead.
Confirmation was needed.
"...Who sent you?"
"Why ask again? Knowing won't do you any good."
"Who sent you?"
That's when it happened.
"Huh? Isn't that the guy we saw earlier?"
Turning at the sudden voice, they saw a welcome face.
Eun Seo-ho.
Behind him, a string of men bound like dried fish were being hauled away by the county office runners.
At Eun Seo-ho's shout, the prisoners in the chain gang glared at the brute and yelled.
"Hey? That bastard?"
"He's one of them!"
"What?"
"Seize that man!"
And just like that, the situation resolved in an instant.
I brought Yang Jin-su, the manager from Yangban, and his group to Old Man Guimyeonpo's sundries shop.
The old man was eating dumplings for lunch.
Seeing that made my stomach growl even more.
"This way."
The place I guided them to was a surprisingly spacious underground chamber.
I planned to start a merchant group with these men.
And no one could know about my connection to that merchant group.
Not even my family.
So I had to move in secret, but suitable spots were hard to come by.
As I pondered, the old man spoke up.
"If you're looking for a place like that, I've got one."
"Really? You do?"
"Yeah. Underground here."
"Can I take a look?"
"Be my guest."
The old man showed me the underground space.
Impressed by its unexpected size and comfort, I decided to rent it.
"Rental fee is one plate of dumplings."
"Got it."
The dumplings the old man was eating now were exactly that payment.
Thanks to my frequent visits, Old Man Guimyeonpo had started treating me more familiarly.
Shifting from polite semi-formal speech to casual was proof enough.
I asked Yang Jin-su and his group.
"Have you eaten?"
"Ah, yes. We grabbed a quick bowl of noodles on the way."
So only I hadn't had lunch yet.
To meet them today and talk, I'd skipped my midday meal.
First, with Old Man Guimyeonpo's cooperation, I'd mobilized the runners.
I knew the new head of the Nokok Merchant Group would move to harm them.
Because I remembered that downfall process from my memories.
.
.
.
Including Yang Jin-su before me, these seven managers were the key figures who had built and grown the Nokok Merchant Group.
They were the former head's sons, driven out by the new head.
I didn't know the details, but there must have been conflict between the new head and them.
The new head probably felt ignored, while these men found him frustrating and petty.
In any case, replacing stagnant water with fresh was bound to inject some vitality into the Nokok Merchant Group.
Trying something new was a good idea.
But the new head didn't understand why they were stagnant.
They had survived even droughts that dried up the land—unforeseen crises—which was why they endured.
In merchant dealings, unexpected troubles were commonplace.
The new head, having grown up in the merchant group, likely thought he could handle such surprises well himself.
In fact, he'd reportedly said, "Those issues? Money solves them. Why waste time on pointless camaraderie...?"
Money was his solution.
But that was a delusion.
He didn't realize many problems couldn't be solved with money alone, and that experience, networks, and reputation built over years were the only remedies.
Such things often stayed hidden.
Or perhaps he knew but ignored them.
Having driven out everyone with those vital "weapons," he couldn't cope properly.
Moreover, the new head wouldn't even let them stay in Yangban.
In the end, they decided to leave.
The problem was the new head hiring ronin warriors to take their lives.
He feared other merchant groups might recruit and employ them.
In the future I'd lived, Yang Jin-su was the sole survivor among them.
That turned the Nokok Merchant Group into his sworn enemy.
Naturally, since the dead included not just colleagues but families too.
The authorities investigated the Nokok head based on his testimony, but already bribed, they let the man go free.
Years passed, and when the new head realized something was wrong, it was too late.
No one left to seek advice from.
Predators circled, eager to devour the Nokok Merchant Group.
Who could he turn to?
Ultimately, it collapsed.
The new head was murdered by someone, and people called it poetic justice.
I agreed.
Seeing the protagonists of that tale made me realize anew that I had truly turned back time.
On my trip to Yangban, where the Jegal family was, I made contact with them.
Fortunately, before they left Yangban, and I got them here without delay.
I didn't want innocents meeting untimely deaths this time.
So I picked up the ones discarded by the Nokok Merchant Group.
The true treasure of a merchant group is its people—how could they toss them away so carelessly!
The experience and connections they held were priceless, beyond any gold.
Knowing they'd die at the hands of ronin hired by the new head, I took two measures to save them.
First, I insisted they hire an escort agency to come here.
In my past future, Yang Jin-su's group hadn't used one.
That's why the ronin took them down so easily.
In their penny-pinching state, they hated sparing the fee for escorts.
Escort caravans cost more than expected.
So I gave them money and earnestly urged them to use an agency, which they did.
Second, I set the meeting at the county office front.
Ronin wouldn't dare act rashly there.
Having failed to eliminate Yang Jin-su's group en route to Sungyang County, they had one option left.
Take them out before they networked locally.
Otherwise, it'd be messy.
The issue was their position right in front of the county office.
So the ronin warriors schemed their own plan.
One approaches, lures them away, and handles it elsewhere.
Though I handled them first.
I'd moved the runners via Old Man Guimyeonpo, but those were wanted men.
Not the one trying to threaten and drag off Yang Jin-su's group, but still.
Thanks to that, things wrapped up quickly.
"Have some tea."
Palgap served each of them a cup, placing the last before me.
They drank.
Only then did their trembling hands steady.
Yang Jin-su asked.
"Were they really... really sent by the head?"
"Which head do you mean?"
"Well..."
He swallowed hard and continued.
"The Nokok Merchant Group's... head... sent them?"
"You already know the answer, don't you?"
At my response, they sighed. Anger, disappointment—such expressions crossed their faces.
I'd feel the same.
Driven from the merchant group they'd devoted their youths to, nearly losing their lives on top.
"Then if we try starting anew, won't he interfere again?"
"Probably. But."
I told them.
"Would it only be the Nokok Merchant Group blocking you?"
"Ah... I see."
"You've survived such interference until now. I believe you can brush aside that much with ease."
"I'm grateful for your high regard."
Now for the main discussion.
"The reason I gathered you here, as I explained before, is to try something new together."
"So, what path to survival do you propose?"
They remembered my words.
I looked at Yang Jin-su.
Their leader, the manager in charge of goods distribution at the Nokok Merchant Group.
I grinned and answered.
"The business I'll do with you is the pharmaceutical trade."
"Pharmaceutical trade?"
"What must one do to buy medicine?"
"Well, naturally, visit a physician and get a prescription..."
I continued.
"That's the norm. But it's expensive, and most common folk can't afford it. So I'll change that norm. People shouldn't have to die from something preventable, right?"