Fishing for Talent (4)
Soon the wings of the fan began to spin, sending a cool breeze across the Emperor's face.
"Oh!"
The Emperor let out repeated exclamations of delight, his face beaming with satisfaction.
Yet the other ministers watching him seemed green with envy.
That's exactly what I was aiming for.
The Emperor nodded repeatedly as the fan's breeze washed over him.
"What a wondrous device! Do you plan to sell these to others?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
My father answered, then quickly continued.
"Since it has pleased Your Majesty, our merchant group would like to present five hundred of these fans as tribute."
"Five hundred?"
The Emperor went on.
"Five hundred of these devices... Your loyalty touches my heart. Hm, then I must offer something in return. Wouldn't you agree, Jin Merchant Lord?"
When the Emperor turned to the Jin Merchant Lord standing beside him and asked, the man replied,
"As Your Majesty wishes."
"Yes, yes. How much do you plan to sell these fans for?"
"About the price of three chickens."
The Emperor was startled by Father's response.
"What? You're selling them for that little? This is sure to bring your group substantial profits!"
"That's true, honestly."
Father spoke slowly and calmly.
"But everyone suffers in the heat, and some even lose their lives to it. I hope this device spreads far and wide so people can better endure the summer."
"Oh! Your concern for the people is truly commendable."
"To that end, I hope the merchant groups here will produce them, so many can escape the sweltering heat."
What the Emperor wanted right now was to stabilize public sentiment and the imperial finances.
After all, he was in the midst of a power struggle with his ministers.
In that context, Father's words must have sounded sweet as honey.
"Yes, the Eunhae Merchant Group, was it?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Impressed by your intentions, I grant your request. However, you will share half the profits from sales."
I was stunned by the decree.
Honestly, I'd planned to build a close connection by gifting the fans without expectation.
But the Emperor had given us something even better.
Half the profits from every fan sold—guaranteed!
"We receive Your Majesty's command."
At the ministers' words, Father and I dropped to our knees and cried out our thanks.
"Your grace overwhelms us!"
"Then you may withdraw."
At the Emperor's order, I stepped forward.
"If I may be so bold, Your Majesty, might we remain in a corner of the palace until sunset, then depart?"
"You?"
"I am Eun Seo-ho, sub-leader of the Eunhae Merchant Group."
"Ah..."
The Emperor gave me a meaningful look.
"What is the reason?"
"The heat, Your Majesty. Most merchant lords here, excluding myself, are no longer young, and some have passed seventy and are quite frail. With the sun still blazing, I fear for their health and humbly beg this favor."
"Tsk tsk, if your stamina is that poor... Didn't the eunuchs provide parasols to shield you from the sun? They'll do the same on your way out—no need to worry..."
The Emperor wasn't a fool.
He noticed something off in our expressions and asked me directly.
"Why that look on your face?"
"Forgive me, Your Majesty. It was my mistake."
"No. Tell me why you're making that face."
"If I may speak freely, Your Majesty, we saw no parasols on the way here."
"What?"
"Worried the elderly merchant lords might collapse from exhaustion, I carried them on my back."
To repeat: I hold grudges for a long time.
Jin Merchant Lord's face darkened at my words, likely because the representatives of the group he'd endorsed had suffered such humiliation.
The Emperor pondered my words briefly before issuing a command.
"Summon the eunuchs who escorted them."
"Yes!"
Soon a group of eunuchs entered the hall—the ones who'd accompanied us.
"You called for us, Your Majesty?"
"Yes. I have questions."
"Please ask, Your Majesty."
"On the way here today, did you provide them with parasols?"
"..."
The eunuchs panicked at the question.
They probably never expected the Emperor to ask so directly.
As they hemmed and hawed, one finally answered.
"We did not."
"Why not?"
"They are not official guests of state as defined by law. Parasols are for Your Majesty, the imperial family, and high officials only. How could we provide them to such people?"
So brazen?
What on earth gave them such confidence...
The Emperor chuckled at that.
"You overlooked one thing. They can be provided at the Emperor's command."
"We know of no such law."
"Is that so? Chief Cabinet Secretary."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Who is correct?"
The Chief Cabinet Secretary replied,
"Your Majesty is correct. It's in the addendum."
He recited the relevant clause. As expected, I hadn't been mistaken.
That's why the heads of the realm's five great merchant groups used parasols when entering the palace.
"We were ignorant and unaware."
"Please forgive us."
They'd gotten away with it so far because the Emperor had been lenient.
But one must stretch one's legs according to the mat, considering time and place.
One eunuch spoke up.
"However, Your Majesty, they are lowly merchants. Parasols for such scum? It would tarnish Your Majesty's dignity."
"Parasols are too good for people who only care about money."
"Since the matter has arisen, allow me to advise: entrust the salt distribution law to us eunuchs."
"It ill befits Your Majesty to deal with them personally."
Well, well! Now they're eyeing the profits from the salt distribution law too.
Stretch according to the mat, indeed.
The Emperor said,
"Then am I also lowly for employing such merchants?"
"N-no, that's not..."
The Emperor was seizing this chance to rein in the eunuchs.
And the perfect opportunity had arisen.
"If you're going to argue, do so with facts. How dare you insult me with your three-inch tongues."
The Emperor scolded them methodically.
"These people will carry out my will on the front lines of the salt distribution law for the people. How can you call them lowly?"
"..."
"I've heard eunuchs took bribes over salt retail rights. Is that why you're harboring grudges and acting so insolently?"
"...!"
The eunuchs flung themselves to the floor.
"No, Your Majesty!"
"Absolutely not!"
"If not, you wouldn't be asking to handle the salt law yourselves. So, how much did you take?"
The Emperor had known all along.
And from Jin Merchant Lord's expression, so had he.
That explained why the eunuchs would be stripped bare in three months.
"An investigation will reveal it. Imprison them all!"
"Yes!"
At the Emperor's command, the Gold Guard dragged the eunuchs away.
"We're innocent, Your Majesty!"
"We have committed no crime!"
No crime, my foot...
Watching them go felt oddly refreshing.
Someone might call me petty, but they brought it on themselves.
If innocent, they'll be released.
And in three months, the guilty will face their fate.
A short while later, we departed the palace under cool parasols.
Everyone except me.
.
.
.
I was led into a building.
"Please wait here a moment."
The eunuch treated me with utmost courtesy. Probably because he'd seen the ones who'd escorted us thrown in prison.
"Yes."
I wondered why I alone had to wait, but the eunuch offered no explanation.
As I pondered various things, a herald's cry came from outside.
"His Imperial Majesty the Emperor arrives!"
I shot to my feet.
As the Emperor entered, I bowed deeply.
"I see His Imperial Majesty the Emperor. Long live, long live, long live forever!"
"Rise and take a seat."
"Your grace overwhelms me."
I sat cautiously, and the Emperor took the seat opposite.
A private audience with the Emperor!
Was that why he'd summoned me this time?
Father had said my trip to Beijing was by the Emperor's command.
"I called you aside to express my thanks."
"Pardon?"
"I heard you saved Jin Merchant Lord's life in Sichuan. I wanted to thank you for that."
"N-no, Your Majesty! I merely did what needed doing. To receive thanks from you for something so obvious— I cannot accept it."
"Jin Merchant Lord is my lifesaver. If he'd suffered such a thing while carrying out my orders, I would have been deeply grieved."
"..."
"That's why I'm thanking you."
I simply bowed my head in silence.
"I have a question."
"Please ask, Your Majesty."
"Earlier, you said you'd leave after sunset. Was that deliberate?"
"...Yes."
I confessed honestly.
He already knew, so no point in evading and risking his ire.
"Because they disdained us and denied the parasols. As far as I know, eunuchs from the private prison bureau..."
"Means they could have provided them."
The Emperor continued.
"So you did it because they slighted you?"
"I can't say that wasn't part of it. But there was a greater reason."
"What?"
"That the Emperor's own eunuchs would defy his command."
I went on.
"Merchants like us can travel the realm freely, buying and selling goods, because this nation is stable. If corrupt officials unafraid of the Emperor's word plunge the world into chaos, we merchants suffer first."
"Continue."
"And if merchants like us suffer, forgive my boldness, but goods stop flowing, and the people ultimately bear the loss. In the end, this nation would..."
"Perish."
"Forgive me."
"No. How could I blame you for speaking truth?"
The Emperor said,
"So in the end, your actions were for your own gain?"
"Yes."
After a moment's thought, the Emperor burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! What an impudent fellow! Threatening that if merchants fall, the people's lives and the nation follow?"
I didn't deny it.
It was exactly as he said.
"Truth be told, their insolence had me planning to discipline them anyway."
As I'd suspected.
"I owe you thanks—and an apology."
"..."
"I heard you nearly faced disaster on the way here, but your quick thinking saved you."
"Just luck."
"My poor handling allowed it to happen. For that, I apologize."
"I am unworthy!"
"I heard his underlings all fled. And Jin Merchant Lord asked me to halt the pursuit."
"..."
"At your request, I hear."
"The tools bore no fault. Nor did their families. I worried their resentment might turn to Your Majesty if they died or lost their livelihoods."
The Emperor regarded me for a moment.
"How old are you?"
"Fifteen."
"I see."
After exchanging a few more words, a eunuch spoke from the side.
"Your Majesty, your next appointment approaches."
"Already?"
The Emperor sounded regretful.
"It would be good to meet again. Safe travels."
"Your grace overwhelms me, Your Majesty."
The Emperor left the room, and I let out a sigh.
I'd said what I wanted without offending him, but the pressure was no joke.
My strength just drained away.
Thanks and an apology from the Emperor, no less.
Something to boast about for generations?
But hearing it in private meant: watch your mouth.
.
.
.
The guests at Jin Merchant Lord's estate began departing one by one.
They were all busy people, after all.
The Eunhae group hurried back toward Hubei Province.
By my side was Seok Il-song.
Though I'd gained several benefits from this Beijing trip, the greatest prize was probably Seok Il-song.
I'd hooked a real talent.