The First Pocket (4)
My words drew nods from Yang Jin-su the manager and his group.
In truth, even minor indigestion could linger unresolved, sometimes leading all the way to death.
And slight wounds often festered, forcing the amputation of entire limbs.
"Indeed, small ailments frequently turn into major illnesses."
"That's why we've come up with this business idea. We'll create medicines that can be used without a physician's prescription."
At that moment, someone tentatively raised a hand.
"I have a question."
"Go ahead."
"Don't common folk already forage or buy herbs on their own and brew them into remedies?"
"That's true."
As the man said, folk remedies had been passed down through generations.
For instance, boiling corn silk for gum pain or decocting motherwort for urinary issues.
"But plenty of them don't make sense on a rational level, don't they?"
Things like plucking eyebrows at dawn for a stye, floating them in purified water, and chanting incantations—bizarre practices abounded.
"And even when folk remedies work, overdoing them often causes more harm."
They nodded at my words.
"That's why we thought of this."
"Will it work?"
"No way to know without trying."
"But if it profits the merchant group and improves people's health, that's a win."
The discussion continued.
From their mouths poured remarkably expert knowledge.
It was only natural.
After all, the Nokok Merchant Group specialized in selling medicinal herbs.
These were people who'd worked there since youth, intimately familiar with remedies.
A couple of physicians sat among them, in fact.
That was precisely why I'd drawn them into this venture.
Even in my previous life, this business hadn't been anyone else's idea—it was mine alone.
I'd actually launched it.
The results? A massive hit.
But just three years later, I died at the hands of the Baekcheon Merchant Group and the Murim Alliance.
So it pained me.
I'd planned to expand across the Central Plains but never got the chance.
Then Yang Jin-su the manager asked,
"By the way, as I understand it, Young Master Eun Seo-ho is the third son of the Eunhae Merchant Group's leader."
"Correct."
"And the Eunhae Merchant Group deals in medicinal herbs."
They'd done their homework thoroughly.
Nice pick on my part.
"So wouldn't our business harm the merchant group you belong to?"
I smiled faintly at the question.
"No need to worry. Far from harm, it'll bring profit."
"Profit, you say?"
"In Hubei Province, our group's herbs are the highest quality at fair prices. We control the province's herb supply. So where do you think you'll source yours from?"
"Ah!"
"I see."
"The more successful this business, the more herbs Eunhae supplies."
"Then why not run it under Eunhae directly?"
I shook my head.
"If Eunhae monopolizes it, we'll catch flak."
They nodded.
"A proxy merchant group, then."
Seasoned merchants through and through.
They grasped my intent perfectly.
"Exactly."
In my past life, we'd fronted it with a proxy group, not Eunhae.
It was a common tactic among merchant groups.
That's why they'd immediately thought of proxies.
"Then reports go to the Eunhae leader?"
"No."
"Pardon?"
I grinned broadly.
"This new merchant group? It's mine."
In other words, it would be a proxy—but not quite.
"Are you... setting up a side pocket?"
I didn't answer.
Yes.
I was indeed starting a side pocket.
But this one existed solely for Eunhae's benefit, no ulterior motives.
So I felt no qualms about preemptively tapping one of the ventures that would fatten Eunhae in the future.
The discussion delved deeper.
True experts on herbs, they soon outlined concrete plans.
Sleep-aid teas, digestive aids, insect bite ointments, and more.
Making them would be child's play for these folks.
Time for me to bow out.
"Well then, I'll take my leave."
"Somewhere to be?"
"Actually... my shift starts soon."
"Pardon?"
I scratched under my ear.
"I'm currently in special apprentice training at the Eunhae Merchant Group's Finance Pavilion."
"Your age?"
"Fifteen."
"......"
"As an apprentice, I must keep strict hours."
Yang Jin-su looked flustered.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Looking forward to working with you, Manager Yang Jin-su. Or should I say, Leader Yang Jin-su."
"Pardon? Leader? I'm just..."
"Why else hold this secret meeting here?"
I told them,
"I'll just provide the startup capital."
"You won't interfere at all?"
"You're the experts—why would I meddle? Two captains sink the ship."
I knew their capabilities.
That's why I trusted this venture's success.
"I'll advise only when asked. Not sure how valuable it'll be, though."
"Your foresight got us here safely—that alone is invaluable."
"High praise, thank you. Here's the contract."
I pulled it from my sleeve and handed it over.
Yang Jin-su—now Leader Yang—read it and asked,
"You cover all initial capital and help establish here, but take only half the profits?"
"Yes. I'll take half. The other half..."
I looked at them.
"Goes to you."
Down in the basement, only Yang Jin-su and his group remained.
He stared at the contract on the table.
Signed by all of them.
And the name inscribed: Eun Seo-ho.
He chuckled softly.
He'd been skeptical en route, but now a clear future lay before him.
The business he'd proposed had real potential.
And before they knew it, Eun Seo-ho had convinced them of a hopeful path ahead.
What a terrifying young master.
They already knew he was fifteen.
They'd looked into him before coming.
Yet the Eun Seo-ho before them was far too seasoned for a boy that age.
Like a veteran merchant.
At just fifteen.
Still in apprentice training, no less.
They'd double-checked his age out of suspicion, but yes—fifteen.
"Half the profits, though..."
"Usually it's seven-tenths in these deals."
Yang Jin-su nodded at the others' words.
"True."
"The split makes it motivating."
"And no interference."
Yang Jin-su chuckled.
These were people worn out by conflicts with Nokok's new leader.
Some might've walked if the contract demanded his advice.
But no meddling, just taking his cut?
Young Master Eun Seo-ho knew how to handle people.
Impressive now—what monster will he become?
It was anticipation.
Time passed, and mid-May arrived.
At the boundary between Dongga—frequented by Sungyang County's commoners—and upscale Nanga, filled with luxuries.
A new shop opened there.
Palin Pharmacy
People tilted their heads at the pharmacy.
The name suggested medicines, but it wasn't a clinic—odd indeed.
A pulse-taking physician's place was a clinic; an herb seller's was an apothecary. But pharmacy?
A curious man peeked inside.
"Welcome."
A middle-aged woman greeted him.
Palin Pharmacy meant the apothecary of eight people.
Seven including Yang Jin-su, plus Eun Seo-ho—eight total.
Of course, Eun Seo-ho's involvement was secret.
Her name: So Baek-yeon.
One of the eight.
She'd handled customer service before, her savvy capturing any patron instantly.
Like now.
"Curious about our place?"
"Uh, well..."
"Have a seat. Can't leave without trying our herbal tea."
A cup appeared before him in a flash.
"This is exclusive to Palin Pharmacy. Trouble sleeping at night?"
"How'd you know?"
"Obvious at a glance. That's why this tea—Refreshing Dawn Tea. Helps you sleep deeply for a refreshing morning."
"Ah..."
"Try it."
He sipped. A cozy aroma lifted his mood.
That night, he slept like a rock.
The next morning, refreshed, he muttered,
"Wow, that tea works wonders."
The following day, he returned.
"How much for that Refreshing Dawn Tea?"
Purchasing it, his eye caught a picture.
One showing a man clutching his chest in distress, then standing relieved nearby, box in hand.
The message was clear.
"That means... a pill for indigestion?"
"Yes, exactly."
So Baek-yeon placed a single pill in a small paper box.
"Clear Stomach Pill. Try it next time you're bloated. Half for kids, one for adults—chew with water. Or dissolve in water if easier."
"Price?"
The tea had been cheaper than expected too.
"Buy the Clear Stomach Pill only if it works. It spoils if kept too long, and wasteful if ineffective."
Trust bloomed.
As the man left, So Baek-yeon grinned.
The young master's advice was spot on.
After setting up shop, they'd consulted Eun Seo-ho.
Proper courtesy to their investor.
He'd visited incognito, looked around, and said,
"All good. Wise choice partnering with you. But..."
"...?"
"Add pictures beside the promo text. Many customers are illiterate. Consideration like that pays off."
"Ah, right!"
So they'd added illustrations to promos.
And to pill boxes, preventing misuse by the illiterate.
Now reaping the rewards.
.
.
.
Days later, chaos erupted at the man's home.
"Sob, sob!"
"Aigoo! What to do? He's badly bloated."
"Rub his back, massage the belly."
Folk remedies failed; the boy's indigestion persisted.
Then the man recalled the pill from Palin Pharmacy.
For relieving bloat.
He fetched it, split half, and fed his son.
Half a watch later.
"Burp."
A belch, and the bloat vanished.
The man muttered,
"Heavens! It really works!"
The next day, he bought Clear Stomach Pills.
Lunchtime.
I ate with the Finance Pavilion staff, then sipped tea.
"Hey, that Palin Pharmacy—how's the medicine?"
"Oh, that place?"
"Works amazingly. Their athlete's foot cream cured me right up."
"Ugh! You had foot fungus?"
"Gah..."
"Won't physicians complain?"
"They griped at first, but not anymore."
"Why?"
"Sign says serious cases go to doctors. Staff check symptoms and refer if needed."
"Ah!"
"So they only sell for minor ailments."
"No turf war."
"And they buy herbs from Eunhae."
I smirked inwardly at their chatter.
As expected, the business was a smash hit.
My pocket was steadily filling.