Sword Mound of Chunggyeong Castle (3)
I rose from my seat and headed outside.
Then I made my way to the reception room where Jin Yeong Daehyeop was waiting.
"This humble merchant, Eun Seo-ho, greets the daehyeop."
"Ah! Sorry to call on you so late at night."
"Not at all. There must be a reason you came at this hour, right?"
"I'm grateful for your understanding. Well then, let's head to the palace. His Majesty the Emperor has summoned you."
"Yes, sir."
A short while later.
I was prostrating myself before the Emperor.
"Raise your head."
"I am endlessly grateful for Your Majesty's boundless grace."
"Go to Yunnan Province."
The Emperor's words were direct and to the point.
"Pardon?"
I'd anticipated he'd order me to Yunna, but I hadn't expected it to come so bluntly, and I found myself reflexively asking for clarification.
"I said go to Yunnan. I've assembled a team to scout the sword mound in Chunggyeong Castle. I'll send you along with them, so go."
"Me... sir?"
I tilted my head, feigning ignorance.
Exclaiming, "Oh, thank you!" here would make me look too eager.
The Emperor clicked his tongue at my reaction.
"Tsk tsk. Do you think I don't know you? You're practically bursting at the seams to go."
Damn. As expected of the Emperor.
Ahem, it was just simple curiosity on my part.
"Right, just curiosity, huh..."
His smile as he said it made my gut shrink for no reason.
"Your role will be procurement of supplies. As a merchant, it seems the most natural fit."
"Of course. So, should we negotiate the costs for procurement separately?"
"Well, yes."
The Emperor's expression suddenly turned sour.
"No need to worry. I know my limits. I'll take just a modest cut."
"So you won't miss a chance to profit."
"I'm a merchant, after all. How could a merchant turn away from opportunity and still make money?"
"Cheeky brat."
The Emperor chuckled and grumbled.
It was rough talk more suited to a tavern, but a smile played at his lips.
"And if you find anything expensive or valuable, grab it all before the others get their hands on it."
"Understood."
"While scouting the sword mound, uninvited guests will likely interfere. There's a high chance the culprits behind the plot to seize Chunggyeong Castle will be among them. Find out who they are."
"I shall obey your command."
"Sigh... Very well. Hear the rest from Jin Yeong."
The Emperor waved his hand, dismissing me, and I withdrew from the throne room.
Then Jin Yeong Daehyeop spoke.
"It's late today, so head back. I'll go to the Beijing branch tomorrow morning with the one leading the scouting team."
"Understood."
I returned to the Beijing branch.
But there was no time to rest. I immediately summoned the branch manager.
We sorted out the supplies needed for this scouting mission and checked market prices.
You can't make a killing without proper preparation.
If the market price is ten nyang per sack and you charge two, you're the one losing out.
We also confirmed if we could supply the quantities they wanted and meet the deadlines.
Even in normal deals, you have to be meticulous about such things—let alone a transaction with the imperial household. Gotta keep your wits sharp.
The Emperor assigning me to procure supplies for the scouting team wasn't just because it was natural for a merchant; it was also a token of thanks for delivering that scroll.
A sort of blank check, you could say.
Take what you can, within reason. That's why he hadn't mentioned compensation.
Of course, get too greedy, and you'd end up with nothing.
Dawn broke.
As I waited with everything prepared, Palgap informed me that Jin Yeong Daehyeop and his group had arrived.
I brought the Beijing branch manager and Seo-hyang Sojeo to the reception room.
"This humble merchant, Eun Seo-ho, greets the daehyeops. This is the manager of our Beijing branch, and this is my aide."
"Good to see you again."
"Likewise."
Among those with Jin Yeong Daehyeop, there were familiar faces.
Kwon Jik Daehyeop, whom I'd met during the sword mound scouting in Xuekun Castle in Gansu Province.
He was from the Kwon Clan of Guizhou, but turned out to be Gold Guard.
And he'd gone to Chunggyeong Castle with me before.
Having been there and experienced sword mound scouting, his selection by the Emperor made perfect sense.
"How have you been?"
"Very well, sir."
"I heard rumors you proposed spectacularly at a tavern not long ago."
"I'm embarrassed."
I smiled softly as I replied.
"So, is Kwon Daehyeop leading the scouting team this time?"
"That's right."
He nodded and pointed to the man beside him.
"This is Seo Im. One of the Gold Guard handling finances."
"Pleased to meet you."
He was a refined young man whose delicate features didn't scream Gold Guard, but you can't judge by appearances.
Still, he looked oddly familiar. Where had I seen him?
I set the question aside for now and returned the greeting.
"Pleased to meet you."
"Have a seat."
At Jin Yeong Daehyeop's words, we all sat. Then Kwon Jik Daehyeop explained the details.
"We'll depart in three days."
"I see."
"Here are our needs."
Seo Im Daehyeop handed me some documents, which I unfolded.
Let's see...
First off, plenty of food and daily necessities for a hundred men traveling to Yunnan.
Nothing much differed from my expectations.
As I reviewed each item, Kwon Daehyeop spoke.
"We'd like those ready by departure in three days."
"Understood. For now, I'll prepare three days' worth of rations."
"Planning to procure the rest en route?"
"Yes. That's why I'm coming along—to resupply naturally along the way."
"Fair enough."
"If we route through areas near our branch offices, I can contact them in advance to prepare food and supplies."
"Do that."
"Also, given the current weather, we'll need fur clothing, but it might just be dead weight in Yunnan."
"Honestly, that's been bothering me too."
Having worked together before on Chunggyeong Castle in Yunnan, we were on the same wavelength.
"How about passing through Hubei Province? Our main headquarters is there, so we can procure supplies, store the furs, and take boats upriver."
"That's a good plan."
Perfect.
This gives me an excuse to stop by home briefly.
"We'll provide the fur clothing from our guild, so storage will be free."
I pressed on quickly.
"There are a few missing items here. Add lime powder."
"Lime powder?"
"Yes. It's good for marking after relieving oneself. And it can substitute for golden sore medicine if it runs out."
They nodded at my explanation.
"Add that too. Anything else?"
"Not now, but there might be later."
"How much for these supplies so far?"
"About six hundred nyang in silver."
"Gasp! That much?"
Kwon Daehyeop looked shocked at my answer.
"Food prices are still high. You don't think I'd gouge the imperial palace, do you?"
Then Seo Im Daehyeop interjected.
"It's more than I expected."
"A large group means high costs."
That's why large-scale wars can topple nations.
Even mobilizing a hundred men costs this much—what about tens or hundreds of thousands on an expedition?
Sage rulers avoid war for that reason.
Starting one is expensive in itself.
"Plus, this isn't just travel; it's a special scouting mission for a sword mound. Extra preparations are needed."
"Still, it's too much."
Jin Yeong Daehyeop nodded along with Kwon Jik Daehyeop.
"Considering future expenses, this is concerning."
"Understood. I'll reduce our margin."
I paused thoughtfully before speaking.
"Five hundred and fifty nyang in silver. Acceptable, Branch Manager?"
"Yes, that's fine."
Kwon Jik Daehyeop turned to Seo Im Daehyeop.
"What do you think? Fair?"
"Yes, seems appropriate."
"Then that's the deal."
Then Kwon Jik Daehyeop asked me.
"By the way, is your aide coming to Chunggyeong Castle too?"
"Yes. Long expeditions need an aide."
"I see."
He looked relieved.
Why's that?
"Mind if Seo Im Daehyeop travels with your aide? He's not used to combat."
"No trouble at all."
"Thanks. We'll take our leave then."
"I'll see you once preparations are complete."
I escorted them to the entrance.
As they walked away, Seo-hyang Sojeo called softly.
"Young master."
"Yes?"
"There's a woman in the Gold Guard, right?"
"Yes, I believe so. Why do you ask?"
"The finance officer who just visited... she was a woman. It surprised me a bit."
"...Pardon? A woman?"
She nodded.
"Yes, definitely."
"I had no idea."
That explains the refined features.
Wait, hold on...
The Gold Guard does have female warriors.
Just like merchant guilds or escort agencies have female managers or escorts—perfectly normal.
So why disguise as a man?
Come to think of it... he asked if my aide was coming and looked relieved at the answer.
A sudden realization hit me, and I scrutinized the departing Gold Guard group.
Kwon Jik Daehyeop walked with subtle deference to Seo Im Daehyeop.
And Seo Im Daehyeop's movements differed from the warriors'. They were trained, refined—like Seo-hyang Sojeo's.
Then... the answer was clear.
Not a Gold Guard swordswoman, but a princess.
Once I pieced it together, I remembered why she looked familiar.
She was one of the princesses who judged the imperial silk contest.
Knowing her identity sparked more questions.
What's her purpose here?
Maybe the delay in the Emperor summoning me was related to her.
.
.
.
The branch manager and I worked tirelessly and prepared all the scouting team's supplies in three days.
Today was finally the day we headed to Chunggyeong Castle for the sword mound scouting.
I was double-checking for any missing items.
"You must be Eun Seo-ho."
The men approaching me.
From their auras, they were Gold Guard coming along this time.
"Yes, that's me. This humble merchant greets the daehyeops."
"At least you know your place."
"I figured the Emperor's favorite would strut around with his nose in the air now that everyone likes him."
"..."
I knew their type.
They didn't like me.
Most of the Gold Guard viewed me favorably after I'd helped them multiple times, but some resented it.
That's why I stayed cautious.
You never knew who in the Gold Guard or the Eastern Depot might scheme to drag me down.
That's why I'd asked the Emperor last time, as my reward, to trust my word absolutely once.
To buy time to prove any false accusations against me.
But he'd given me even better: limited immunity.
Neither Gold Guard nor Eastern Depot could touch me without imperial orders.
Truly gratifying.
Still, the more I thought about it, the more infuriating.
How many times had I helped and saved the Gold Guard? Instead of gratitude, they hated me.
Well, I'd learned not everyone in the Gold Guard was loyal or upright to the Emperor.
"Do you have business with this merchant?"
"Came to inspect what you're preparing. Gotta check if greed made you stock crap."
"Merchants are all the same. No matter how famous, they're still peddlers."
Wow...
This kind of treatment after so long.
I sensed my guards holding back their anger, so I responded mildly.
"Why speak so harshly? This is by His Majesty's command—if I mess up, it's my head."
"You talk well."
Then one of the Gold Guard daehyeops leaned into Seo-hyang Sojeo's face.
"Whoa! This girl's a beauty. Her looks pierce right through the veil."
Seo-hyang Sojeo stepped back in alarm, and I pulled her behind me.
"She's my aide—and my fiancée. Please refrain from further rudeness."
"Oh? Is that so?"
"Then kneel before us or something."
"Why not? Merchants have no pride anyway. Guess the favoritism gave you some."
Weaklings far below my level...
I wanted to thrash them, but too many eyes.
We were at a distance where they couldn't hear us clearly.
But any force from me would be visible.
No friendly Gold Guard daehyeop nearby to back me up.
Still, I wasn't one to swallow this.
Especially after they insulted Seo-hyang Sojeo.
How to deal with them...
Ah!
A great idea suddenly struck me.