Catching the Rats (4)
In response to that question, I poked Daeseok hyung in the side.
"Yes, of course."
"Is this salt real salt?"
"Of course it is! If this were fake salt, would the folks from Hyeoncheong have come to help?"
Only then did it seem to gain some credibility. People started lining up, after all.
But this wasn't quite enough.
As I pondered something to heat up the lukewarm crowd's reaction, the bailiffs chimed in.
"Come on! Why all the suspicion? We told you it's real salt!"
"Once we hand it all out, it's done—so hurry up and take yours!"
"This event's been approved by Lord Jihyeon himself."
"The Eunhae Merchant Group heard how folks were struggling without salt and decided to step up big time."
The bailiffs jumping in at just the right moment.
Worth the early groundwork.
At their words, the hesitant crowd sped up, and soon the event was heating up.
As we distributed the salt, we didn't forget to promote the merchant group.
"This salt is being given out for free by the Eunhae Merchant Group."
And those who lined up twice... I caught them.
"You're the hundred-and-eighth person here today, right?"
"Ahem, ahem..."
"Others need salt too."
He glanced at the nearby bailiffs and the Eunpyeong Corps warriors, swallowed hard, and bolted.
There's always a few shameless types like that.
That's when I spotted them watching from afar.
I cheered inwardly.
The reason I'd decided to give out salt for free today, here—it was all for them.
"I'll step away for a sip of water."
I slipped out briefly, pretending to drink while nudging Palgap's foot.
The quick-witted Palgap spoke up.
"Still, I hope this gives folks at least a little strength."
This line was something I'd prepped him for.
To draw their attention.
"Honestly, it's not enough."
I continued.
"Salt prices have skyrocketed, and one merchant group can't help everyone."
"True enough."
"But if it brings a smile to a few faces, that's something."
We exchanged words like that, pretending not to notice them.
One of them approached, having overheard.
If it's who I think it is, he won't ignore words like those.
Hook set, at least.
A man who looked in his fifties, unremarkable at first glance, called out.
"Hey, young man."
"Yes? Were you calling me?"
I responded politely.
"Are you with the Eunhae Merchant Group?"
"Yes."
"What's your position?"
"Our father is the head of the Eunhae Merchant Group."
"I see."
He nodded.
"You know how high salt prices are these days, right?"
"Of course."
"Doesn't it hurt to give it away like this?"
"Not at all."
"...You know the price, and it doesn't hurt? Prices will rise even more—you could profit big by selling later..."
He asked, puzzled.
"Probably."
"Aren't you a merchant? Merchants would stake their lives on profit..."
"Merchants do risk everything for profit. I would too. But this is different."
"Different?"
He tilted his head at my words.
"Our merchant group makes money because of the people. Right now, salt's making life hard for them—especially the poor."
I went on.
"So we're just sharing some of that profit."
"Sharing profit?"
"Merchants and people coexist. If one side falters, so does the other. We're just pitching in to keep the balance."
I laughed heartily.
"Truth is, it benefits our group. Like I said, I'm a merchant."
"Strange merchant."
"Maybe."
"And the Eunhae Merchant Group... a strange outfit."
"Hahaha. Father would love hearing that."
At my lighthearted reply, he smiled faintly and nodded.
"Thanks for humoring my foolish question."
"No trouble at all."
He strolled back to his group, and after a moment, they vanished.
Seemed I'd left a good impression.
Mission accomplished for today.
Planning this free salt giveaway wasn't just to boost the merchant group's image.
Leaving a good mark on the man who questioned me was key too.
To reiterate: I'm a merchant chasing profit.
Not a philanthropist.
That said, what I told him wasn't a lie.
Merchants and people thriving together—that's always been my belief.
I just picked words he'd like.
"By the way... who was that guy? Why'd you have me say all that?"
Palgap whispered, and I murmured back.
"You'll find out later."
Couldn't say now—too many ears.
That man's name: Jin Woorim.
Head of the Yeompyeong Merchant Group, the imperial direct affiliate created by the Emperor for salt monopoly.
He was already traversing the Central Plains on the Emperor's orders to investigate salt prices.
And I knew he'd be here today.
He'd later mentioned an incident at a gathering of the Ten Great Merchant Groups in Sachun.
One merchant group vanished overnight in the Emperor's wrath.
Deep into the night, a group walked the streets of Sachun's capital.
They were Jin Woorim, head of the Yeompyeong Merchant Group, and his escorts.
Amid the salt crisis, the Emperor had formed an imperial merchant group to manage it via monopoly.
The group was already established, with Jin Woorim as its head.
Jin Woorim shared a deep bond with the Emperor.
Before ascending the throne, the future Emperor had to reach Beijing, but enemies abounded.
With too few defenders against so many foes, sneaking in was best.
Enter Jin Woorim, who gladly let the disguised, pleading man join his caravan.
Thanks to him, the Emperor reached the throne safely.
The Emperor never forgot, appointing him head of this new imperial group.
Salt monopoly meant vast profits and temptations—only someone incorruptible would do.
To the Emperor, Jin Woorim was trustworthy.
The salt distribution law—monopoly system—hadn't been formally announced yet.
But groundwork was underway.
One part: verifying prices. Sachun, a hub for illicit salt, demanded his personal visit.
Time was short, so they hustled late into the night.
Suddenly, Jin Woorim chuckled.
His deputy asked.
"A fond memory?"
"Ah, that young man from the Eunhae Merchant Group earlier."
"The ones giving out salt for free?"
"Yes."
Jin Woorim nodded.
"Handing out salt free in times like these! What a bold merchant group."
"I felt the same. And our talk was meaningful."
He continued.
"He said sharing profits with the people ensures coexistence between merchants and commons."
"He doesn't even look twenty. Astonishing."
"Must be his father's teachings."
"You like him."
"Makes me think they could handle salt properly."
Even with monopoly, Yeompyeong couldn't supply all Central Plains alone.
Enter salt retailers.
The Emperor planned limited permits for select groups.
Jin Woorim was tasked with vetting them.
He believed that even if he wholesaled fairly, crooked retailers could undermine it.
So he'd license only honest ones who wouldn't gouge on price.
Today's event added Eunhae to the candidates.
Led by a head with such upright thinking, they qualified.
Then—
"Ambush!"
His escorts drew swords, shouting.
Black-clad masked assailants surrounded them—far too many.
Jin Woorim reeled at the sudden chaos.
Regaining composure, he bellowed.
"What is this outrage? I'm on the Emperor's orders! This is treason against His Majesty!"
But the masks attacked heedless.
Damn it!
He realized they knew who he was.
Attacking anyway meant they aimed to kill without trace.
No mercy in their strikes.
Around him were personal guards plus Gold Guard warriors from the Emperor.
But numbers overwhelmed.
His group fell back, soon teetering on collapse.
Intel had warned of threats against him.
The Emperor sent ten Gold Guard warriors.
But verifying prices and scouting retailers discreetly meant minimizing escorts.
Now disaster.
Am I to die like this? Regret not bringing all the Gold Guard His Majesty assigned!
Jin Woorim suspected the culprits' backers—a few prime suspects.
Then, a Gold Guard warrior approached, panting, whispering.
"I'll open an escape route. Flee through it, Head."
"But you..."
He gave a bitter smile.
"Tell His Majesty I'm sorry I failed my duty."
He gripped his sword resolutely.
That's when—
Thwack-!
Thud-!
Dark projectiles embedded in the attackers' hands.
"Ugh!"
"Nngh!"
In the stunned chaos, a clear young voice rang out.
"Masks and an ambush? Doesn't scream good intentions."
"We'll apprehend them!"
I knew Jin Woorim's group would be ambushed.
Not the exact time or spot, though—just the capital outskirts.
So I'd planted scouts around, rushing over at the signal from my man here.
In my past life, Jin survived grievously wounded.
Thanks to a Gold Guard's sacrifice.
But surviving on another's death is tragedy—a lifelong burden.
I knew that pain all too well from experience.
No one wanted sacrifice, so I'd hurried.
Thankfully, no fatalities.
I could've tipped him off beforehand, but didn't.
Warning might alter the future, dooming him instead.
Better to swoop in at the crisis, as planned.
Clang-!
Clang-clang-!
The clash of cold steel faded, and all assailants were captured.
The bailiffs I'd treated for their efforts today were thrilled at the bonus action.
"Glad it wrapped up well."
"Thanks, Sister Hyangok."
"What? As an Amipa disciple, I couldn't ignore evildoers."
Among my companions were my two cousin brothers and Sister Hyangok.
Time to make an impression.
I approached Jin Woorim with my cousins, cupping my fists.
"We meet again. You alright?"
"Ah, thanks to you, yes."
"Any idea who they are?"
Pointing at the masks, but Jin Woorim shook his head.
"I know some target me, but not their exact identities."