The Critic's Murder Case (1)
The next morning.
Master Go of the head branch visited the Beijing branch.
He had come to finalize matters for this week's liquor tasting and draft the official report.
"Ah, speaking of which, about the test for the qualifications of those invitees His Highness the Crown Prince mentioned."
"Yes. Nearly a third of them failed to spot the fakes we slipped in."
Thus, they were deemed unqualified, and their evaluations were excluded from the final results.
The outcome, then, was based on the collective opinions of around seventy tasters.
"They won't be invited to the next tasting."
"Of course not."
Fortunately, the Governor of Guiju Province wasn't on that list.
Which meant he now had one more legitimate reason to visit Beijing next year.
The only thing I could do for Seo-hyang's father was ensure he could see his face more often.
Someday I'd love to visit Guiju Province and let him meet Mother too... But it wouldn't be easy.
We drafted the official report to submit to the Emperor while chatting.
The results were already in, but protocol required submitting it through the Crown Prince.
Only then could the relevant departments proceed.
"That said, Master Go."
"Yes?"
"Are you really satisfied with things as they are?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why do you think they say a dried persimmon with good color is more appetizing, or that gilding the lily makes it perfect? It means appearance matters too, doesn't it?"
"You're right."
"Presentation is crucial for sales—especially for foreign trade. You can't just sell it in plain bottles, can you?"
Master Go still seemed puzzled, tilting his head.
"Plain... bottles?"
"Yes. I don't like that. We need bottles that tell you the type of liquor at a glance. With His Majesty's approval, we're exploring ways to produce them."
I continued.
"And if the bottles themselves are treated like works of art, the liquor's value will soar."
"That makes sense."
Only then did he nod in understanding.
"People would buy the liquor just to display or decorate the bottles."
As expected of Master Go.
He'd thought of points I hadn't even mentioned.
"My limited expertise in liquor makes it hard for me to design shapes that maximize the flavor. And even if the shape is stunning, it has to be practical for distribution. But you, unlike me, handle liquor professionally—you must know all about that."
The corners of Master Go's mouth turned up.
Good—he's biting.
"So, if you have time, would you join me on this?"
I pressed on quickly.
"His Majesty has approved a generous budget for it."
"How much?"
When I told him the amount, Master Go's eyes widened.
"Really?"
"Yes. And I've invited the young master of the Wudong Merchant Group from Jiangsu Province."
"Oh! I've heard of them. They produce truly fine porcelain."
"Exactly. And they're already collaborating with us."
Master Go nodded vigorously.
"With preparations like that, how could I not help? Especially since some of the liquors for foreign trade come from our own sub-branches."
"So you'll do it?"
"Very well. Count me in."
I clenched my fist under the table at his answer.
Yes!
He's hooked!
Now I could hand off the work naturally and focus on the Poetry Contest.
Master Go was staying at an inn, but I asked him to move to the Beijing branch.
Most of the liquor masters who'd come for the tasting would leave tomorrow, so space was plentiful.
He agreed readily and promised to arrive in two days.
We both needed time to pack anyway.
"See you in two days, then."
"I'm truly grateful."
After seeing him off and returning to the office, Seo-hyang, who was sorting documents inside, greeted me.
"Did things go well with Master Go?"
"Yes. He's coming in two days."
I apologized to her.
"Sorry."
"Huh? For what?"
"For unintentionally keeping you cooped up inside like this."
"It's fine. I actually enjoy the work—doesn't feel stuffy at all."
Enjoying work...
I flinched despite myself.
Come to think of it, I'd felt the same way more than once or twice.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Nothing."
Seo-hyang glanced around, confirmed we were alone, and smiled.
"By the way, looks like there'll be a wedding this fall."
"Pardon?"
"Artisan Yeong Gu-jin."
"Did you see it?"
She nodded at my question.
"Faster than I expected. That look on his face... was he happy?"
"Very much so."
I smiled warmly at her answer.
Well, the daughter of the Minister of War was said to be beautiful, with an impeccable background.
If Seo-hyang said so, his grin must've been ear-to-ear.
I'll tease him plenty later.
Just then, Palgap's voice came from outside.
"Young master, Artisan Yeong Gu-jin wishes to see you."
Speak of the tiger...
I called him in, and Yeong Gu-jin entered the office, clasping his hands in greeting.
"Young master, my father wants to meet you."
A short while later.
I stood before the Yeong Clan manor in Beijing's Seon-gu district.
The family name Seon-gu—meaning "pursuit of goodness"—had been bestowed by an ancient emperor, they said.
It revealed the clan's ethos. I could sense it in Artisan Yeong Gu-jin and his eldest brother, Yeong Gu-man.
Yeong Gu-sang... well.
"Please, come in."
"Thank you."
Unlike that time, I strode confidently through the main gate. While seated in the reception room, enjoying tea, the door opened.
The man who entered was a towering giant, no less imposing than the eldest son Yeong Gu-sang.
That must be the Deputy Commander of Guiju Province.
I rose and offered a formal clasp of hands.
"This humble merchant, Eun Seo-ho, young master of the Eunhae Merchant Group, greets Your Excellency."
"I am the father of Yeong Gu-jin."
By not leading with his title, he revealed his character.
A true hero.
"I called you here to thank you personally for looking after my Gu-jin. I wanted to visit myself, but in my position under scrutiny from above, it might burden you."
"I'm grateful for Your Excellency's consideration."
Deeper thinker than he appears.
Is this what it takes to rise so high?
"Sit, let's talk."
"Thank you."
I sat, and the Deputy Commander took the seat opposite.
"We've discussed Gu-jin's marriage. The wedding will be this fall."
"Congratulations."
"Thank you. And it's thanks to you."
"Me?"
"Gu-jin said it himself: because of you, he stuck to his path without faltering. He let go of lingering regrets and focused on brewing, creating fine liquor that cured her mania."
"......"
I gave an awkward smile.
Embarrassing to hear directly, but it was the truth.
No sense denying my contribution.
"Hyeok-su said the same. Thanks to you, he rescued Gu-jin from the second son's clutches."
Ah, that's where Dong Hyeok-su Daehyeop's been lately.
"He's an artisan I sponsor. Just did what needed doing."
I downplayed it and changed the subject.
"By the way, the Minister of War was worried about Yeong Jusa taking sick leave."
"No need to worry. I explained it well: just some father-son sparring after ages apart."
I stifled a laugh.
Sparring, my foot. More like a lecture in disguise.
"I have nothing special to offer you. But if you ever need my help, I'll lend it—as long as it doesn't betray our clan's principles."
A promise of aid from Guiju's Deputy Commander.
It would surely prove invaluable later.
Better accept pronto.
"'Overpraise is blame'—I'll gratefully accept."
We chatted amiably after that before I returned to the Beijing branch.
"That said, young master."
On the way back, Palgap spoke up.
"Yes?"
"Both Dong Hyeok-su Daehyeop and Yeong Gu-man Gongja are military men, so why call one 'Daehyeop' and the other 'Gongja'?"
Huh. Now that he mentions it...
After a moment's thought, I figured it out.
Dong Daehyeop was Seo-hyang's brother.
I'd used the honorific without thinking.
Got to be careful.
Someone sharp like Palgap might piece together the secret from slips like that.
"Palgap."
"Yes?"
"Tell me things like that sooner."
It was deep into the night.
A man dashed through a Beijing alley.
"Huff... huff..."
His ragged breaths suggested he'd run far.
Throat burning, heart aching, legs trembling.
Yet he couldn't stop. Someone pursued him.
But the masked figure trailed him leisurely.
After an hour of breathless chase, he reached a dead end.
There, on the wall, was a poem pre-written:
Your verses rend the earth
And tear the very heavens apart.
One who decries another
Must ponder their own coming scorn—
And if their barbs slay a soul,
They too must steel for death's dark call.
Did you truly not know?
Since you shredded others' hearts to rags,
Yours shall be rent asunder.
Seeing it, he realized he hadn't escaped well—he'd been herded exactly where the pursuer wanted.
Right here.
And why this fate had befallen him.
The masked figure spoke.
"If you valued your life, you should've eased up on the criticism."
"......"
"No idea who sent me? Of course not. Not with all the poets you've lambasted in verse."
He wanted to argue, but it was true.
The mask approached, drawing his sword from his waist.
Shing.
The keen whisper already sliced his mind.
"P-please, spare me! I swear, no more such poems! I'll quit writing altogether!"
He clasped his hands, begging desperately.
Slash.
But the sword moved, severing both hands.
"Aaaargh!"
"I prefer a clean beheading... but sorry, I have to follow the script on the wall."
Aaah~
I stretched and rose from my seat.
After morning meditation and qi circulation, I headed to the training grounds.
Seo-hyang was already running laps. She's really diligent.
I couldn't slack on my martial training either.
Today was the day Jeong Ho hyung would take the group from Hubei back down south.
But Artisan Yeong Gu-jin's party wasn't with them.
They'd build a brewery in Beijing and brew there.
The fall wedding was one thing, but time was short.
As the top-rated liquor, they needed to hustle to meet demand.
"Hyung, safe travels."
"Will do."
"Say hi to the family."
"Got it. Take care of yourself."
"Got the gift for sister-in-law?"
"Of course."
After seeing Jeong Ho off, I turned to preparations for the Poetry Contest.
But...
Hm?
Why's Jin Yeong Daehyeop coming this way?
A short while later,
Jin Yeong Daehyeop and I sat facing each other in the reception room.
"You look troubled."
I asked first because his face truly seemed burdened.
"I am."
"What happened?"
"Sigh..."
He didn't answer right away, downing his tea in one gulp.
I quietly refilled his cup, waiting for him to speak.
"There's been a murder."
"Pardon?"
Murders were grave but commonplace.
They fell under the local magistrate's jurisdiction, so why tell me? And why was Jin Yeong Daehyeop involved?
"The victim came for the Poetry Contest."
Ah...
Then it's my business.
"Name's Na Jeong-su. Wrote a lot of 'critique' poems that bought him plenty of enemies."
"Critique poems?"
"So-called critiques, but closer to outright attacks."
"I see."
Slamming poetry was tough work.
Poems held a poet's soul—criticizing them struck at the heart.
Some guts on that guy.
"But there's a problem."
What could trouble Jin Yeong Daehyeop so gravely?
"The prime suspect... is one of the sons of the Namgung Clan Lord."
"......"
No wonder the grim face.