Hainan Island (1)
At Jangwon Daehyeop's words, I couldn't help but feel momentarily flustered.
I'd only meant to elevate the Eunhae Merchant Group's status by establishing a docking point on Hainan Island...
But the sect leader had gone and boosted my name in the process.
Of course, I understood it came from gratitude, but this was awkward.
"Why that look on your face?"
Unable to fathom my reaction, Jangwon Daehyeop tilted his head.
Ah, was it too obvious how much I hated the idea?
I needed to deflect for now.
"It's just a bit burdensome, that's all. This humble merchant doesn't have a heart bold enough for such praise—it's embarrassing."
"What nonsense is that? As if those feats weren't true?"
"Well... that's not it."
There was no exaggeration in those rumors. They were all facts.
And that's the problem. Damn it.
"Ah! There is one thing that's not true."
"What's that?"
"I didn't... shed tears."
"......"
The atmosphere turned strangely heavy.
"Ahem. I see."
Jangwon Daehyeop pressed on.
"Excessive humility is a flaw too."
"Everything I did was solely to raise the Eunhae Merchant Group's name, so hearing that my name has risen unexpectedly... it's a little disorienting."
"That makes sense."
"By the way, just how far have the rumors about me spread for you to say that?"
He paused thoughtfully before answering.
"Probably the highest—aside from His Imperial Majesty the Emperor."
Gasp... Does that mean on par with the Emperor, or even higher?
The Gold Guard were hyper-vigilant against anyone eyeing the throne.
I carefully gauged Jangwon Daehyeop's demeanor.
His respectful attitude suggested he was friendly toward me, but to the Gold Guard, the Emperor was absolute.
If they deemed someone a threat to him, they'd discard any prior favors or goodwill in an instant.
I couldn't give them any pretext.
I've got to tread carefully here.
I deliberately feigned anger.
"A lowly merchant like me reaching such heights? This is utterly wrong—egregiously so!"
Then, as if unable to contain myself, I raised my voice.
"For a mere two nyang of silver to overshadow His Majesty's name! It's all because of these corrupt officials blocking the Emperor's benevolence. Isn't that right?"
"You're spot on, Daehyeop."
"His Majesty's name must not be overshadowed by anyone. And I swore as much before him. So, Daehyeop."
"Yes."
"Help me. This time, we'll uproot those blocking His Majesty's grace."
"Of course! I'll do my utmost to assist you."
Jangwon Daehyeop's eyes grew even more favorable.
I let out a silent sigh of relief and revealed my plan.
"I've been posing as a wealthy young master's son out for a pleasure trip to Hainan Island. But given the current situation, that disguise..."
"Probably won't hold."
"I think so too."
After a moment's thought, I addressed everyone.
"Change of plans. From now on, I'm here to buy pearls from Hainan Island. And along the journey for that, I've indulged in some leisure."
"Understood."
"Then what about me?"
At Seo-hyang Sojeo's question, Jangwon Daehyeop asked,
"And this lady is?"
"Ah, my adjutant. For the disguise, we were betrothed, traveling the empire together."
Listening, Jangwon Daehyeop suggested,
"Better to make it a proper marriage."
"Any reason?"
He nodded awkwardly at my question.
"Yes. One of Hainan Island's high officials is quite the lecher."
"Hm. What if she just dresses as a man?"
"Well..."
He smiled awkwardly.
"His tastes aren't limited by gender."
"Ah... I see."
"Still, he has some minimal sense of propriety—he doesn't touch married women. For your sake and your adjutant's, that's the safer bet."
"Thanks for the advice."
That was close.
"Then I'll return tonight."
"Understood."
A short while later, the attendants brought food to the room.
The dishes were excellent, and we enjoyed a pleasant dinner.
After the meal, as promised, Jangwon Daehyeop quietly visited my quarters.
We hadn't had time for a deep talk earlier due to constraints, but now we did.
"I heard from Jin Yeong Daehyeop. Seven investigators sent to probe Hainan Island's issues have gone missing."
"That's right. One was a close acquaintance... it's regrettable."
Bitterness filled his face.
But true to a Gold Guard, he quickly composed himself and said,
"Which is why coming in this guise was a smart move."
"Hahaha, thank you."
I continued,
"As I mentioned earlier, I'm heading to Hainan Island for pearls. You'll accompany me as my guide."
"Got it."
"By the way, when Haenam Sect brought in grain to the island this time, did it all arrive safely?"
"No. Regrettably, two ships ran aground."
But anger, not regret, flashed across his face.
"As expected?"
"Yes."
They'd siphoned off the grain from those two ships' worth.
"But it could genuinely have been a grounding—how can you be so sure?"
"Well..."
He furrowed his brow and continued,
"I examined the body of the ferryman from one of those 'grounded' ships that washed ashore. There were suspicious signs... A shipwreck that bad should have mangled the body, but it was surprisingly intact."
"Meaning he was killed on the shore?"
"My guess, yes."
"I see."
......
Morning came before long. After light meditation and circulation, I headed downstairs.
"Daehyeop! Did you rest well?"
The innkeeper from yesterday greeted me warmly.
He wasn't Gold Guard, but an auxiliary.
"Thanks to you, yes."
Then Palgap stepped forward from beside me.
"Our young master has business on Hainan Island. Could you arrange a ship?"
"Of course. I'll find one comfortable for the voyage."
"And someone who knows Hainan Island well."
At Palgap's words, the innkeeper mentioned one.
"Over there—Jangssi knows it best."
The Jangssi he meant was Jangwon Daehyeop, as we'd pre-arranged.
"Ah, mind if we borrow him as a guide?"
"Certainly."
"Then please arrange the ship as soon as possible."
"Will do."
I fanned myself leisurely and said,
"Palgap."
"Yes."
"Check nearby sightseeing spots?"
"Got it."
Palgap inquired about tours on my behalf, gathering details.
"Hm, since we're borrowing that fellow as guide anyway, no harm starting today?"
"Of course. I'll let him know."
After breakfast, we left the inn with Jangwon Daehyeop.
The excuse was sightseeing, but really for investigation.
We were in Seomunhyeon, the closest mainland to Hainan Island.
According to the documents the Emperor showed me, it wasn't just outbound cargo to Hainan vanishing.
Taxes from Hainan to Beijing had disappeared too.
Losing what was sent down was frustrating enough; having incoming tribute stolen was worse.
No wonder the Emperor was furious.
Hence the repeated investigators.
In any case, ships vanishing both ways meant suspicions around Seomunhyeon too.
That's why I'd had loudmouthed Palgap ask about tours downstairs.
So anyone watching would think, He's just sightseeing!
"You're more resourceful than I thought."
I smirked at Jangwon Daehyeop's comment.
"Can't do business without this much."
"Hahaha. Fair enough."
"So, what's a must-see spot around here you'd regret missing?"
"That pavilion on the hill is famous. And..."
He introduced various landmarks.
"Then we'll hit those first, then the market."
"Why the market?"
"I'm a merchant. Nothing beats a market for gauging a place."
"True."
Though here on imperial orders, I was still a merchant.
Couldn't miss probing Guangdong's markets.
Of course, other reasons too.
With that, I boarded the carriage, heading where Jangwon Daehyeop guided.
Dressed flashily for tourism, I sent a sound transmission to Jin Yu Warrior.
—Been tailing us since the inn. Confirm?
—Yes. Orders?
—Follow discreetly.
—Understood.
Jin Yu Warrior vanished stealthily at my command, and I played tourist harder.
"Ooh, that looks tasty! Palgap!"
"Yes. I'll grab some quick."
Stuffing my face with treats.
"Scenery from up high is the best, right, dear wife?"
"It is."
Admiring views.
By the time I'd played enough, the tail had vanished.
Guess they bought the tourist act now.
Jin Yu Warrior would track him; time for my real work.
"Alright, off to the market."
"Yes."
Under Jangwon Daehyeop's lead, we headed to Seomunhyeon's largest market.
Merchants hawked all sorts—local specialties rare in Hubei or Beijing.
"What's that?"
"Candied lychees. Next to it, dried ones."
Jangwon Daehyeop explained like a proper guide.
"Lychees are delicious fresh, but also for tea or medicine."
As he said, versatile.
That's why Eunhae Merchant Group stocked dried lychees.
Not a huge amount, though.
"Records say an emperor once shipped lychees from here to Beijing daily in summer for his favorite consort."
"Gasp! All the way here to Beijing?"
"She eventually sparked rebellion; to avoid his wrath, he ordered her suicide."
We toured the market amid such tales.
While checking spots for one purpose.
Back in Luoyang, I'd quietly asked Haenam Sect's leader for a favor.
Coat the grain sacks with my tracking scent.
Mark them specially.
And don't resist if "stolen."
If my hunch was right, they'd resell them.
Seven Gold Guards and Embroidered Uniforms eliminated meant connections to the palace.
How else predict investigators?
Especially elite ones.
So they knew palace details—like the grain embargo lifting soon.
Bringing hope to the people.
Especially with imported grain crashing prices via foreign trade.
Still pricier than normal, but a drop from now.
To profit big on stolen grain, they'd dump it fast.
Meaning it was being traded—or had been—in this market now.
Key point: location.
Grain for Hainan residents.
Yet resold across the strait here? Suspicious.
Trading Guangdong grain sacks here meant it never reached Hainan.
Suddenly, Yi-pil Warrior grinned at me.
The tracking scent on those sacks—refined so only he could detect it.
He'd pinpointed sources.
One meaning: they'd fallen for my scheme.
"My lord, scent from a few rice dealers here. But faint—small quantities."
Rice prices high, so not bulk buys.
"Strongest scent?"
"There. Shall I lead?"
I nodded to Yi-pil Warrior.
"Please."
He guided us to an inn.
Inns served food and lodging.
Meaning bulk buys despite prices.
"Welcome."
"Food?"
"Of course."
We sat at a table downstairs.
Ordering only rice-based dishes deliberately.
Soon, food arrived.
Yi-pil Warrior nodded at it.
Cooked from rice in those scented sacks.
I ate, then called an attendant.
"You rang?"
"Rice is excellent. Curious where it's from."
"I'll check. One moment."
He returned soon.
"From nearby Mu Clan Merchant Group."
Guangdong's Mu Clan...
Ah! I remember!
Guess I need to ask the Emperor for hazard pay.