Establishing the Martial Hall (2)
A few days had passed since I had an audience with the Emperor.
It was about time for news regarding the martial hall's establishment to come in...
I was surveying the site with those thoughts in mind.
There were three candidate sites for this martial hall construction.
And I planned to inspect each one personally.
This was a joint venture with the Emperor, after all—I couldn't afford to handle it carelessly.
In the end, I selected one.
"This place will do nicely."
The Yeo Eung-am Warrior, who had accompanied me as a guard, remarked,
"It's huge."
"Yes. That's precisely why I like it."
Myeongjong warrior tilted his head at our exchange and asked,
"But... isn't it too big? You could practically build a whole village here. Normally, sites are in the mountains, but this one has a mountain inside it."
"It's fine. Wouldn't that make it perfect for training?"
"Well, if you put it that way..."
The site I'd chosen was that expansive.
"To master martial arts properly, you need space like this—it's essential."
I knew this well from my own training, where I'd often felt cramped and frustrated.
No matter how spacious my quarters were, they didn't have a full training ground, so there were always limitations.
"And with all this room, it's ideal for building foundational stamina too."
"True... that makes sense."
"I can almost hear the trainees grumbling as they run laps around the training field and climb that mountain."
Myeongjong warrior shuddered.
"The mountain climb was the training I hated most. As a kid, we'd hike to the summit—a round trip of an hour and a half—and fetch water in a gourd from the spring there to bring back."
"A gourd? Doesn't that spill easily?"
"Then you'd have to go back and get more."
"..."
"And once I turned fifteen, we'd scale the cliffs of Huashan to fetch water, strap it to our backs, and come down."
"So that's how you bloom plum blossoms in the end."
"Pretty much."
There was a sigh mixed into Myeongjong warrior's response.
"But looking at this place, it feels like it'll turn into a hellish training ground that surpasses even Huashan."
"That's what it means to get stronger. They'll thank us later."
At that moment, Yeo Eung-am warrior spoke up.
"By the way, why the sudden decision to build a martial hall?"
"I've seen a lot of talented folks in our merchant group. It got me thinking they could benefit from a proper martial hall for systematic training."
I continued,
"Like that warrior's two daughters from before—they seemed promising too."
Myeongjong warrior nudged Yeo Eung-am warrior's side and said,
"See? Our lord is building this martial hall for your two daughters! He heard you're looking for a good one."
Yeo Eung-am warrior looked embarrassed at my words and asked,
"Is that really it?"
"Well, among other things. That's why I discussed it with His Majesty the Emperor too."
"..."
He looked deeply moved.
"I don't know how to repay this grace."
His overwhelming gratitude was starting to embarrass me.
"Ahem, training here won't be easy, but is that still alright?"
"Of course. My daughters aren't ordinary girls. They'll endure any trial."
Yeo Eung-am warrior added,
"Of course, it pains me to see them suffer. But I can't handle everything for them forever. My role as a father is to let them learn to survive on their own strength."
He was right.
Kids shouldn't just learn to catch fish—they need to face raging currents to do it.
Otherwise, they can't catch any alone later.
Seeing how he considered even that, I could tell Yeo Eung-am warrior was a parent who truly loved his children.
"You're a good father."
"I'm not so sure. I'm always away from home..."
"That's on me—I'm sorry."
He panicked at my apology.
"N-no! I spoke out of turn!"
"Just kidding."
I chuckled and continued,
"Everyone in your family knows you're working harder than anyone for them."
"Hahaha."
He laughed awkwardly.
"Let's head back, then. And you, Galhyeon deputy."
"Yes."
"Inspect this place thoroughly and proceed with the provisional contract."
"Understood."
.
.
.
"You're back, sir?"
As I returned to the Beijing branch, Palgap greeted me.
"I was just about to send someone—perfect timing."
"Hm?"
"We have a guest."
"A guest?"
"Young Master Jeong Ho is entertaining them right now."
Wait a second...
This aura... it's a secret escort.
Only one person travels with a master like that as a hidden guard.
"Palgap, hurry."
"Yes, sir."
I straightened my robes and rushed to the reception room.
"Haha, now I see Young Master Eun Jeong-ho is quite the entertaining fellow too."
"You're too kind."
"So I've met two of the three brothers now? I'd like to meet the middle one next time."
"I'll arrange it soon."
Good—the mood seems friendly.
Relieved, I approached, and the guards at the door recognized me and announced inside,
"Your Highness, Young Master Eun Seo-ho has arrived."
"Ah, let him in."
"Yes!"
The door opened, and I entered.
"Oh! There you are."
"Greetings to Your Highness the Crown Prince! Long live...—"
"Skip the formalities. That's an order."
"Ah, yes."
Much appreciated.
"Sit."
"Yes."
As I took my seat, the Crown Prince spoke.
"So, you went to scout sites for the martial hall?"
"Yes. I found one I liked and instructed a provisional contract."
"I see. If you chose it, it must be the best."
He continued,
"Father commanded me to oversee the establishment with you."
"..."
Whew, as expected...
So that's why the news was dragging— this was the plan.
But seriously, Your Majesty, why keep sticking the Crown Prince on me?
I wasn't clueless about the Emperor's intentions.
He wanted the prince to learn something from me by observing up close.
But what could the Crown Prince possibly learn from a merchant like me?
Negotiation tricks and clever schemes, I suppose.
Though those skills might come in handy against sly ministers...
Still, last time he seemed like he didn't need lessons from me.
"So just go through me for that."
"Understood. Will Your Highness handle the ministers, then?"
"Hm? Why would I deal with ministers?"
"Well, naturally..."
"The funds for the martial hall come from the imperial household, not the national treasury. No need to consult ministers."
Ah...
Once again, I was in awe of the Emperor's ingenuity.
Using imperial funds to build the hall while selecting warriors loyal to the throne.
"The imperial house must have plenty of leeway."
Of course—salt monopolies, official gambling dens... money flows in steadily.
That's how the Emperor could push forward boldly without glancing at the ministers.
Plus, with the justification of cultivating future pillars of the empire, the spending was defensible.
Brilliant!
The ministers serving such an Emperor must have it rough.
"And this—Father said to give it to you."
The Crown Prince handed me a scroll.
A luxurious one wrapped in red silk.
I received it respectfully with both hands and unrolled it. It was an official edict allowing me to recruit any talents I desired.
The characters almost seemed to glow.
Ah, dusted with silver powder.
.
.
.
The next day.
As always, I did my breathing exercises and training before breakfast.
I never skipped training unless absolutely necessary.
Master would notice if I slacked, but more importantly, you never knew when or where I'd run into one of Master's arrangements.
Having to train longer inside one because my skills were lacking... wasn't appealing.
Steady practice builds strength, letting me escape those sooner.
After a brief chat over tea with brother Jeong Ho, I headed to my office.
"You're here."
"Yes."
Branch manager Seo Hyang and deputy Galhyeon rose to greet me.
I held a meeting with the waiting Yeo Chang deputy guildmaster and issued some directives.
Once the urgent business was done, Galhyeon approached.
"Sir, I have something to report."
Come to think of it, his expression had been off since earlier.
"What is it?"
"There's an issue with the site you ordered provisionally contracted yesterday. Not the whole thing—just one part. The owner refuses to sell."
"What?"
I asked again,
"Did we not offer enough?"
"No, sir. We offered five hundred nyang of silver."
That was generously above market price.
People usually accept gladly and move on—no refusals.
"Who owns that land?"
"An old man named Maesogun."
"Bring me any files on him."
"Yes, sir."
Galhyeon handed them over immediately.
I read through.
Hm...
Maesogun was sixty this year, farming that land.
Not poor, not rich—a typical farmer.
But one detail caught my eye.
"His son vanished one day?"
"Yes."
I closed my eyes briefly, pondered, then stood.
"I need to meet the old man myself."
A short while later.
I headed to Maesogun's house.
"Anyone home? Hello?"
Palgap called out, and an old man emerged.
"Who're you?"
Spotting deputy Galhyeon beside me, he shouted,
"Ah! Not selling! I told you, no deal—why're you back?"
I stepped forward.
"I'm Eun Seo-ho, young division head of the Eunhae Merchant Group. I've come to speak with you personally."
He stared silently, then sighed.
"Fine. Sit."
He offered the porch bench.
Not inviting me inside, but not a bad start.
I quickly scanned the house.
A modest tiled roof home.
Perfect for three people.
But patches were crumbling or worn—too much for one old man to fix alone.
"Isn't the roof leaking?"
"It does..."
"Since I'm here, let me have it repaired."
"No need."
"Your things will rot otherwise. Damp houses breed illness."
"...Ahem, do as you like."
I called Palgap.
"Palgap, fetch a carpenter and get it fixed."
"Right away, sir."
Maesogun grumbled,
"Fixing my house—what's your angle? Wouldn't tearing it down benefit you more?"
"Sure, but I've never forced anyone out for personal gain."
I continued,
"Evictions leave a bad reputation."
"Do they now?"
I spotted faint ink stains on the wall.
"You know writing."
"Not my handiwork."
"Then?"
"My son's. Been gone over ten years."
"...I see."
The old man clammed up.
But who am I? Eun Seo-ho.
From that day, I visited him daily.
"Argh! Why keep coming?"
"To check on the house repairs."
"House is fixed fine—why're you here?"
"Your leg seemed to hurt last time, so I brought a physician."
"House fixed, leg treated—why again?"
"Got some tasty pastries. Don't like them?"
"W-well... ahem, sure."
After two weeks of this.
Today, a drizzly rain fell.
"No leaks."
"Good."
"I mentioned my son who left home."
"Yes."
"Know why he went?"
The rain had him sentimental today.
"How would I?"
"Eunhae young division head, aren't you? Shouldn't you know?"
"What good's knowing if there's no profit?"
"Heh, merchants gonna merchant."
Actually, I do know.
But it had to come from him to matter.
"Wanted to make something of himself. Revive the family."
"I see."
"A year in, news stopped. Wife fell ill worrying—wasted away and passed."
"..."
"Her dying wish: He'd return, so when he does... don't ask questions, just hug him. Tell him he did well."
"That's why you won't move."
"...Yeah. If I leave, where'll he come back to?"
Meaning he'd move if the son returned.
Problem: News cut off after one year.
By my info, it'd been over fourteen, nearly fifteen years since he left.
He might be dead.
Still...
Needed confirmation.
Delivering the news could wait.