Chapter 624
Chapter 624
Chapter 624. The Sword Tomb of Chunjing Castle (3)
I rose from my seat and went outside.
And I headed to the reception room where Master Jinyoung was waiting.
“This humble merchant greets Master.” (MC)
“Ah! I am sorry for coming so late at night.” (Master Jinyoung)
“Not at all. You must have come at this hour because there is a reason.” (MC)
“Thank you for understanding. Then let us go to the imperial palace. His Majesty the Emperor is calling for you.” (Master Jinyoung)
“Yes.” (MC)
A short while later.
I was prostrating myself before the emperor.
“Raise your head.” (Emperor)
“Your imperial grace is immeasurable.” (MC)
“Go to Yunnan Province and return.” (Emperor)
The emperor’s words were straight to the point.
“Pardon?” (MC)
I had expected him to order me to go to Yunnan, but I had not expected him to tell me so abruptly to go and return, so without realizing it, I asked back.
“I told you to go to Yunnan and return. I have organized personnel to explore the Sword Tomb of Chunjing Castle. I will send you along as well, so go and return.” (Emperor)
“Me…… you mean?” (MC)
I tilted my head, pretending not to know.
If I said here, “Oh my! Thank you!” it would be too obvious.
Looking at me, the emperor clicked his tongue.
“Tsk, tsk. Do you think I do not know you? Your desire to go is filled all the way up to your throat.” (Emperor)
Damn it. As expected of the emperor. (MC)
“Ahem, it was merely simple curiosity.” (MC)
“I see. Curiosity, is it…….” (Emperor)
Seeing him smile as he said that, I felt as though my liver was shrinking for no reason.
“Your role is procuring supplies. Since you are a merchant, I thought that would be the most natural.” (Emperor)
“Of course. Then should the various costs for procuring supplies be negotiated separately?” (MC)
“Well, yes.” (Emperor)
The emperor’s face suddenly turned sour.
“You need not worry. I know moderation too. I will leave myself an appropriate profit.” (MC)
“So you will not miss the opportunity.” (Emperor)
“This humble merchant is a merchant. If a merchant withdraws before an opportunity, how could he make money?” (MC)
“You audacious bastard.” (Emperor)
The emperor grumbled with a faint laugh.
It was a rough manner of speech that seemed more suited to use in private, but there was a smile at the corners of his mouth.
“And if there is anything expensive and good, bring it all back before it passes into the hands of other bastards.” (Emperor)
“Understood.” (MC)
“And while the Sword Tomb is being explored, uninvited guests will interfere. Among those uninvited guests, there is a high probability that the mastermind who carried out the scheme to take Chunjing Castle will also be present. So find out about them and return.” (Emperor)
“I will obey your command.” (MC)
“Whew…… good. Hear the rest from Jinyoung.” (Emperor)
The emperor waved his hand and gave the order to leave, and I withdrew from his presence.
Then Master Jinyoung spoke.
“It is late today, so return for now. Tomorrow morning, I will go to the Beijing branch with the person appointed as the Captain of the exploration team.” (Master Jinyoung)
“Understood.” (MC)
I returned to the Beijing branch.
But there was no time to rest. I immediately summoned the branch manager of the Beijing branch.
And we organized the supplies needed for this exploration and looked into market prices as well.
Even taking a cut could not be done with no preparation.
If the market price was three nyang but I asked for two, it would be a loss.
And whether we could prepare the quantity the buyers wanted, and whether we could meet the deadline, and so on.
Even in an ordinary transaction, one had to check such things thoroughly. All the more so when this was a transaction with the imperial family, so I had to keep my wits about me.
The reason the emperor entrusted me with procuring supplies for this exploration team was that it was the most natural, but there was also an expression of thanks for my having brought him that scroll.
Should I call it a kind of blank check? (MC)
It meant I should take as much as my ability allowed. That was also why he had not spoken of compensation.
However, if I got greedy, I would get nothing.
Day broke.
While I was waiting with every preparation made, Palgap informed me that Master Jinyoung and his party had arrived.
I brought along the Beijing branch manager and Miss Seohyang and headed to the reception room.
“This humble merchant Eun Seoho greets the Masters. This is the branch manager of the Beijing branch, and this is my vice officer.” (MC)
“It is good to see you again.” (Master Kwonjik)
“Yes. I am glad to see you as well.” (MC)
Among the people who had come with Master Jinyoung, there was also a face I knew.
Master Kwonjik, whom I had met when we explored the Sword Tomb of Blood Kun Saint Monk in Gansu Province before.
He had said he was from the Kwon Clan of Guizhou, but as it turned out, he had been a Royal Guard.
He was also someone who had gone with us when we went to Chunjing Castle.
Since he had been to Chunjing Castle before and had experience exploring a Sword Tomb, in a way, the emperor’s choice was natural.
“Have you been well during this time?” (Master Kwonjik)
“Of course.” (MC)
“The rumors were loud that you made an impressive proposal at a tavern not long ago.” (Master Kwonjik)
“I am embarrassed.” (MC)
I smiled gently and said,
“Then is Master Kwon in charge as the Captain of the exploration team this time?” (MC)
“That is so.” (Master Kwonjik)
He nodded and pointed to the person beside him.
“This is Seo Im. He is one of the people in charge of the Royal Guards’ finances.” (Master Kwonjik)
“It is my first time meeting you.” (Seo Im)
He was a handsome young man with delicate features and did not look like someone from the Royal Guards, but one should not judge by appearances alone.
But for some reason, he looks strangely familiar. Have I seen him somewhere? (MC)
Though that question occurred to me, I set it aside for now and returned the greeting.
“Yes. It is my first time meeting you.” (MC)
“Then sit.” (Master Jinyoung)
At Master Jinyoung’s words, everyone took their seats. Then Master Kwonjik explained the details.
“First, we plan to depart in three days.” (Master Kwonjik)
“I see.” (MC)
“Here, these are what we need.” (Seo Im)
Master Seo Im handed me documents, and I unfolded them.
Let me see……. (MC)
First, there are many foodstuffs and daily necessities for about a hundred people to use while traveling to Yunnan.
There is almost nothing different from what I expected.
As I examined each item one by one like that, Master Kwon said,
“I would like those prepared by the time we depart in three days.” (Master Kwonjik)
“Understood. For now, I will prepare only three days’ worth of food.” (MC)
“Are you thinking of procuring the rest while moving?” (Master Kwonjik)
“Yes. Is that not why I am accompanying you? To supply materials naturally along the way.” (MC)
“That is true.” (Master Kwonjik)
“If we travel in a way that passes near the Eunhae Trading Company’s branches, I will contact those branches in advance and have them prepare food and other supplies.” (MC)
“Do so.” (Master Kwonjik)
“And because of the weather now, we must depart wearing fur clothes, but I think those will become needless baggage in Yunnan.” (MC)
“To be honest, I was worried about that as well.” (Master Kwonjik)
As expected of someone who had resolved the matter of Chunjing Castle in Yunnan Province together with me before, he understood me well.
“Then how about passing through Hubei Province? Our main company is there, so we can procure supplies, entrust the fur clothes to them, then take a boat upstream.” (MC)
“That is a good method.” (Master Kwonjik)
Good. (MC)
I can use this as an excuse to stop by home for a while. (MC)
“The fur clothes will be prepared by our Trading Company, so we will store them for free at least.” (MC)
I continued quickly.
“There are a few items missing here. Please add lime powder.” (MC)
“Lime powder?” (Master Kwonjik)
“Yes. After relieving oneself, it would be good to sprinkle lime powder to mark the place. And when wound medicine runs out, lime powder can be used in its place as well.” (MC)
At my explanation, they nodded.
“Then we will add that too. Is there anything else to add?” (Master Kwonjik)
“Not at the moment, but there is a possibility that something may arise later.” (MC)
“Then how much will the cost of the supplies so far be?” (Master Kwonjik)
“About six hundred nyang of silver.” (MC)
“Gasp! It is that much?” (Master Kwonjik)
At my answer, Master Kwon looked surprised.
“Food prices are still high, after all. Surely I would not take excessive profit on an imperial matter, would I?” (MC)
At that moment, Master Seo Im cut in.
“It costs more than expected.” (Seo Im)
“After all, a large number of people will be moving.” (MC)
That was why there was a saying that large-scale wars tilted a nation’s fortune.
Even mobilizing one hundred people cost this much, so how much would an expedition numbering tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands cost?
That was why the more a ruler was a sage ruler, the harder they tried not to go to war.
Because waging war itself was money.
“On top of that, we are not merely moving. This is a special case where a Sword Tomb must be explored. That is why more various preparations are needed.” (MC)
“Even so, it is too much.” (Master Kwonjik)
At Master Kwonjik’s words, Master Jinyoung also nodded.
“Considering the expenses to come, this expense is rather concerning.” (Master Jinyoung)
“Understood. Then we will reduce our profit.” (MC)
I was lost in thought for a moment, then opened my mouth.
“We will make it five hundred fifty nyang of silver. Will that be all right, Branch Manager?” (MC)
“Yes, that much is all right.” (Beijing Branch Manager)
At this, Master Kwonjik asked Master Seo Im,
“What do you think? Is it appropriate?” (Master Kwonjik)
“Yes. I also think it is appropriate.” (Seo Im)
“Then let us do that.” (Master Kwonjik)
At that moment, Master Kwonjik asked me,
“By the way, when you go to Chunjing Castle this time, will your vice officer also be going with you?” (Master Kwonjik)
“Yes. Since it is a long-distance expedition, I need my vice officer.” (MC)
“I see.” (Master Kwonjik)
He looked relieved as he said that.
Why? (MC)
“Then may Master Seo Im travel together with your vice officer while moving? He is not very accustomed to combat, you see.” (Master Kwonjik)
“It is not a difficult matter.” (MC)
“Thank you. Then we will take our leave now.” (Master Kwonjik)
“Then I will see you once the preparations are complete.” (MC)
I went out to the entrance and saw them off.
And when they had gone a little farther away, Miss Seohyang carefully called me.
“Um, Young Captain.” (Miss Seohyang)
“Yes.” (MC)
“There are women in the Royal Guards too, are there not?” (Miss Seohyang)
“Yes. I know there are, but why do you ask?” (MC)
“I just found it a little surprising that the person in charge of finances who came earlier was a woman.” (Miss Seohyang)
“……Pardon? A woman?” (MC)
She nodded.
“Yes. She was a woman.” (Miss Seohyang)
“I did not know.” (MC)
So that was why the lines of the face were delicate. (MC)
Uh, wait, wait a minute……. (MC)
It was not as though there were no female masters in the Royal Guards.
Just as there were female managers or escorts in Trading Companies and escort agencies, it was completely natural.
So even if she revealed that she was a woman, it would not matter. Why had she deliberately disguised herself as a man?
Come to think of it…… they asked whether Miss Seohyang would accompany us, and they looked relieved at the answer.
At the thought that suddenly came to me, I carefully observed the Royal Guards party moving away.
The way Master Kwonjik was walking, subtly as though being considerate of Master Seo Im.
And Master Seo Im’s actions were different from those of martial artists. They were movements of a body that had received long education.
Just like Miss Seohyang.
If so…… there is only one answer. (MC)
She is not a female master of the Royal Guards, but a princess. (MC)
Once I realized that identity, I remembered why she had looked familiar earlier.
She was one of the princesses who had come to judge during the imperial silk competition.
Once I discovered her identity, another question followed on its tail.
What in the world is her purpose? (MC)
Perhaps the reason it took some time until the emperor called me this time was related to that princess. (MC)
.
.
.
The branch manager and I moved diligently and were able to prepare the goods the exploration team wanted in three days.
And today was finally the day we would head to Chunjing Castle to explore the Sword Tomb.
I was checking once again whether there were any missing items.
“Are you the one called Eun Seoho?” (Royal Guard)
The people who approached me.
Judging by their energy, they were Royal Guards who would be going with us this time.
“Yes. That is correct. This humble merchant greets the Masters.” (MC)
“At least you know your own place.” (Royal Guard)
“I thought you would be holding your head stiffly upright just because you have received His Majesty the Emperor’s favor and others look upon you kindly.” (Royal Guard)
“…….” (MC)
I think I know who they are. (MC)
They are people who view me unfavorably. (MC)
Thanks to the fact that I had helped the Royal Guards several times, most of the Royal Guards viewed me kindly, but perhaps because they disliked that, there were some who did not look favorably upon me.
That was why I was careful in everything.
Because I did not know which Royal Guards viewed me unfavorably, or which were scheming to send me into ruin.
That was why, last time, I asked the emperor as my reward to absolutely trust my words just once.
It was to buy time to prove it was false even if they falsely accused me.
But the emperor gave me a limited exemption right, an even greater reward than that.
Whether it was the Royal Guards or the Eastern Depot, without the emperor’s command, they could not compel me.
It was truly a pleasing thing.
By the way, the more I think about it, the more outrageous it is. (MC)
How many times have I helped and saved the Royal Guards, yet instead of being grateful, they dislike me. (MC)
Well, I have learned well enough that just because they are Royal Guards does not mean all of them are loyal to the emperor and upright. (MC)
“Do you have some business with this humble merchant?” (MC)
“We came to inspect the things you prepared. There is a possibility that, blinded by money, you prepared low-quality goods.” (Royal Guard)
“That is what the merchant breed is like. No matter how high his name is, a peddler is still a peddler.” (Royal Guard)
Wow……. (MC)
It has been a long time since I received treatment like this. (MC)
I could sense that my guard warriors were forcing themselves to hold back their anger, so I responded gently.
“Why do you say something so hurtful? This is a task done under His Majesty the Emperor’s command. If I did that, this lowly one’s head would fly off.” (MC)
“You speak well.” (Royal Guard)
At that moment, the Royal Guard Master who was with him thrust his face toward Miss Seohyang beside me.
“Ha! But this woman is quite a beauty, is she not? Her beauty pierces right through the veil.” (Royal Guard)
Miss Seohyang stepped back, somewhat flustered, and I sent her behind me as I spoke.
“She is my vice officer, but she is also my fiancée. I would like you to refrain from further rude behavior.” (MC)
“Aha? Is that so?” (Royal Guard)
“Then why not kneel before us or something?” (Royal Guard)
“Why could he not? They say merchants have no pride to begin with, but it seems pride he did not have before has formed while he received favor all this time.” (Royal Guard)
Bastards far weaker than me……. (MC)
In my heart, I wanted to give them a beating, but there were many eyes watching.
At the same time, there was a certain distance, so our words could not be heard by them.
But if I used martial force, it would be seen.
On top of that, there was no Royal Guard Master nearby who would vouch for my justification.
That did not mean I was the sort of person who would endure something like this and let it pass.
Especially when they had harassed Miss Seohyang.
How should I crush them……? (MC)
Ah! (MC)
Suddenly, a good idea came to mind.