Chapter 712
Chapter 712
Chapter 712. The Shandong Ak Family (4)
The person who greeted us was none other than Lord Ak Yeong-gyeong, the Military Commissioner of Nanjing.
No, why is someone who should be in Nanjing here?
For now, I should greet him first.
“This humble merchant, Eun Seoho, greets Lord Ak.” (Eun Seoho)
“It has been a while.” (Ak Yeong-gyeong)
“I never imagined I would see you here.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, Lord Ak Yeong-gyeong smiled and said.
“I came to add a few words of my own. Is this not the work of cultivating a martial arts academy that will become the spear and shield of the empire in the future?” (Ak Yeong-gyeong)
“The letter you gave me before was already more than I could be grateful for.” (Eun Seoho)
Lord Ak had given me a letter, saying it might be of help later when I went to the Shandong Ak Family.
So I had brought that as well this time.
“When I thought about it, the main family is right in front of Nanjing, so it felt a bit strange to only send a letter.” (Ak Yeong-gyeong)
Shandong is not that close to Nanjing, though...
And His Highness the Crown Prince is in Nanjing right now too, so is it all right for the Military Commissioner to leave his post like this?
The Lord Ak I know is a thorough person in such matters.
If so...
“Do not worry. I received permission from His Highness the Crown Prince.” (Ak Yeong-gyeong)
As expected.
In any case, this means I will not need the letter he gave me before.
“I am just coming out after finishing a discussion with the Clan Head. Wait a moment. The Clan Head will come out. And once your business is finished, let us have some tea.” (Ak Yeong-gyeong)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
By the way, if Lord Ak Yeong-gyeong had come all this way, it should have been quite noisy...
Seeing that there had been nothing like that, he must have come secretly.
In the meantime, Hall Leader Ak Jin of the Guest Hall reported my visit inside, and soon the door opened and a man came out.
With his white beard streaming, he was a man with such a large frame that, at a glance, he made one think of a great general.
Also, his aura was no joke.
Behind me, Lord Ak Yeong-gyeong said.
“He is the Clan Head of the main family.” (Ak Yeong-gyeong)
At this, I took out the imperial decree from my breast and said.
“It is His Majesty the Emperor’s imperial decree.” (Eun Seoho)
“This subject, Ak Yeon-gae, receives His Majesty the Emperor’s imperial decree.” (Ak Yeon-gae)
The Clan Head immediately knelt before me and received the scroll with both hands.
I felt this last time too, but it is somehow embarrassing.
He unrolled the scroll on the spot, read its contents, rolled it back up again, and gave a respectful bow.
Then he rose from his seat.
I gave him a clasped hands greeting.
“This humble merchant is Eun Seoho, Young Company Head of the Eunhae Trading Company. I greet the Clan Head of Shandong’s First Ak Royal Estate, who commands Mount Tai.” (Eun Seoho)
“It is good to meet you like this. I am Clan Head Ak Yeon-gae.” (Ak Yeon-gae)
Then the Clan Head turned and said.
“Let us go inside.” (Ak Yeon-gae)
“Thank you.” (Eun Seoho)
I glanced behind me, and Lord Ak waved his hand and said.
“I will call you later.” (Ak Yeong-gyeong)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
As we went inside like that, the Clan Head said.
“To think you caught that fellow’s favor... It is truly fascinating.” (Ak Yeon-gae)
“Pardon?” (Eun Seoho)
“Have you not heard such words often?” (Ak Yeon-gae)
“I am not such a fascinating fellow, yet everyone seems to find me fascinating.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, the Clan Head laughed as though he found something very amusing.
And so, we entered the reception room.
Following behind him, I saw that the Clan Head was also wearing clothing of the same shape as the others.
The difference was that his was white, with no other color at all.
The outer garment he wore was also white, and on the back of the outer garment, a single hawk that seemed to be flying through the sky was embroidered.
Come to think of it, the symbol of the Shandong Ak Family was a hawk.
Perhaps because of that, the Shandong Ak Family’s spear arts were characterized by swiftness, as though a hawk were hunting prey.
Soon, a maidservant brought out tea, and we drank tea while conversing.
“Do you know that you are fairly famous in this Shandong?” (Ak Yeon-gae)
“It is more than I deserve.” (Eun Seoho)
“In truth, we also have something to be grateful to you for. There was that incident before when the Baekcheon Trading Company monopolized whetstones, was there not? We too had been troubled because of whetstones, but thanks to you developing a whetstone quarry in Shandong, we were able to breathe a sigh of relief.” (Ak Yeon-gae)
So that whetstone quarry had an influence here as well.
It was a bit of trouble to quickly find and develop the whetstone quarry, but at times like this, it is truly satisfying.
Because the Baekcheon Trading Company’s position narrows that much, and the Eunhae Trading Company’s reputation rises.
“Then let us get to the main point.” (Ak Yeon-gae)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
“As Yeong-gyeong just said, we discussed one matter. Since it is a place for cultivating high-ranking military officers, the main family wishes to pay more attention to it.” (Ak Yeon-gae)
“What part do you mean?” (Eun Seoho)
“From what I heard, the current training at the martial arts academy is centered around swordsmanship. Am I correct?” (Ak Yeon-gae)
“Yes. That is correct.” (Eun Seoho)
Since no one is willing to offer up their martial arts, I have no choice but to use the martial arts I know.
“Huh! That will not do! Is the spear not the king of all weapons?” (Ak Yeon-gae)
From the Clan Head’s words, I could see tremendous pride in the spear.
There is no need to go against that here.
“It is as you say. Especially for military officers, it is good to know how to handle a spear. However, what family would offer up their own secret arts? So, as an unsatisfactory alternative, I had intended to teach the cadets the Heavenly Flow Art and Heavenly Flow Sword Technique I have learned.” (Eun Seoho)
“That is why the main family also wishes to make one spear art public and lend one arm to that cause.” (Ak Yeon-gae)
That was surprising.
For a merchant, it would be no different from a decision to hand over one of their businesses.
“May I know what spear art it is?” (Eun Seoho)
“Its name is the Twelve Spears Technique. The Ak Family Spear Technique must be learned from the basics, and if even one part of it is omitted, it cannot function as a spear technique. But the Twelve Spears Technique is different. Even if one learns only that, it is a complete spear art in itself.” (Ak Yeon-gae)
“I see.” (Eun Seoho)
“But do you know why the spear technique is named the Twelve Spears Technique?” (Ak Yeon-gae)
“...Pardon?” (Eun Seoho)
I was flustered.
Why ask me that...?
But I was flustered because I had not expected him to ask me, not because I did not know the answer.
The Twelve Spears Technique means attacking four directions four times and defending four times.
It is a spear technique with that much balance between offense and defense.
In truth, this spear technique is not a secret martial art or a traditional martial art of the Shandong Ak Family.
If I recall my memories of my previous life, it should only have been created a few years ago.
I answered with an awkward expression.
“It seems there is some meaning in the number twelve. Could it perhaps be related to directions?” (Eun Seoho)
“To think you noticed that! Impressive! Hahaha! It is as you say. It means four attacks and four defenses in the four directions of east, west, south, and north.” (Ak Yeon-gae)
I reacted as though hearing it for the first time.
“Is that so?” (Eun Seoho)
“In truth, this spear technique was created by one fellow a few years ago. It is not a traditional spear technique, but it is an outstanding spear technique that I can confidently guarantee. So I intend to hand this spear technique over to the martial arts academy.” (Ak Yeon-gae)
“I can only thank you for your consideration, Clan Head.” (Eun Seoho)
I said that and grinned inwardly.
Because an incredible treasure I had not even imagined could now come to the martial arts academy.
The Clan Head still does not seem to know well, but the true value of the Twelve Spears Technique lies in joint attacks.
Because if it is performed by twelve people rather than one, it becomes a spear formation in itself and can display enough power to repel a hundred people.
“The fellow who created this Twelve Spears Technique is called Ak Yu. He is thirty-eight this year.” (Ak Yeon-gae)
“He founded a martial art despite being so young?” (Eun Seoho)
I was surprised that the founder was younger than I had expected.
Because that meant the age at which he actually created that spear technique was his early to mid-thirties.
I had thought it was created by someone rather advanced in age.
“That is so. And I am thinking of sending him as an instructor at the martial arts academy.” (Ak Yeon-gae)
“For our part, we would welcome him with open arms. If the founder of the martial art personally trains the military officers, nothing could be better than that.” (Eun Seoho)
“Hoo... But there is a problem.” (Ak Yeon-gae)
What problem is there for his expression to suddenly turn bad?
“Yu does not wish to reveal the Twelve Spears Technique to the outside. He wants it to become a spear technique of the Shandong Ak Family.” (Ak Yeon-gae)
“Pardon?” (Eun Seoho)
No, Clan Head.
That is not just an ordinary big problem, is it?
The reason the Clan Head is sending such an outstanding talent as an instructor at the martial arts academy must be for the sake of the family.
And the Shandong Ak Family is a place where the chain of command is absolute.
Forcibly sending someone who does not want to go could, if handled poorly, ruin a person’s entire life.
Why else would there be a saying that one can force a horse to the water’s edge, but cannot force it to drink?
“Ahem, shameless as it is, could you persuade him?” (Ak Yeon-gae)
“Pardon? Me?” (Eun Seoho)
“Yeong-gyeong said so. That if it were you, you could persuade him.” (Ak Yeon-gae)
No, Lord Ak.
With what confidence did you say such a thing?
“I ask this of you. To be honest, we too have tried every method, but we could not break his stubbornness.” (Ak Yeon-gae)
“If even you, Clan Head, could not persuade him, how could I persuade him? Lord Ak has greatly overestimated me.” (Eun Seoho)
“I do not think so. The fact that His Majesty the Emperor trusts you means that you have ability worthy of that trust.” (Ak Yeon-gae)
.
.
.
I came out of the reception room.
Hall Leader of the Guest Hall approached me.
“I will escort you to your residence.” (Hall Leader Ak Jin)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
When I left the building, Warrior Seowoo and Warrior Ipil were standing before it.
“Servant Palgap and the others have already headed to the residence ahead of you.” (Warrior Seowoo)
“Yes. Then let us go.” (Eun Seoho)
On the way, Warrior Seowoo asked carefully.
“But why is your expression dark?” (Warrior Seowoo)
“Well... I ended up receiving homework I had not expected.” (Eun Seoho)
The residence given to me was quite spacious.
It is good that there is plenty of space to train.
And only the necessary furniture had been placed there, and most of its colors were achromatic, giving it a strong military feel.
“You may stay here.” (Hall Leader Ak Jin)
“Please tell them I am grateful for giving me such a fine place.” (Eun Seoho)
“I will convey that.” (Hall Leader Ak Jin)
At that moment, a warrior entered.
“Elder Ak Yeong-gyeong has said to escort you to his residence once you are ready.” (Warrior)
“Understood. I will go right away.” (Eun Seoho)
I followed the warrior and walked along the road.
The roads of the Ak Family Compound were rather complicated.
“If I lose sight of you, Warrior, I would lose my way.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, the warrior guiding me smiled and said.
“Guests do often lose their way in reality.” (Warrior)
“What about the people of the Ak Family Compound?” (Eun Seoho)
“I do not know about trainees, but if one is an apprentice warrior, it is not easy for them to lose their way in most cases.” (Warrior)
“I suppose so.” (Eun Seoho)
Looking at what I saw on the way, I tilted my head.
“Men and women alike seem to be wearing almost all the same clothing.” (Eun Seoho)
“You must mean the Taesim Garb. The clothing we wear is called Taesim Garb because it is clothing meant for training the great heart of Mount Tai.” (Warrior)
“I see.” (Eun Seoho)
“In truth, we may wear private clothes when off duty or on leave, but since we trained in these clothes from childhood, they are familiar. And because they are quite well made, they are comfortable in practice too.” (Warrior)
After exchanging various such words, the place we arrived at was a house located in the center of the Ak Family Compound.
After entering that house, I was guided straight to the reception room.
After waiting a short while, Lord Ak came in.
“Lord Ak.” (Eun Seoho)
“Sit comfortably.” (Ak Yeong-gyeong)
“I heard from the Clan Head. What exactly is going on?” (Eun Seoho)
“It is just as he said.” (Ak Yeong-gyeong)
Lord Ak took a sip of tea and continued.
“It is a decision made because His Majesty the Emperor seems to hold great expectations for the martial arts academy.” (Ak Yeong-gyeong)
It seems he sensed that as well.
That martial arts academy is meant to strengthen the Emperor’s influence over the military, and at the same time, to keep the murim forces in check.
To be precise, it is to guard against the Martial Alliance’s schemes.
“In such a situation, if the main family donates martial arts, would His Majesty the Emperor not be pleased?” (Ak Yeong-gyeong)
“That is true.” (Eun Seoho)
The Shandong Ak Family’s survival strategy is loyalty. And for that, they needed to show something, but they could not simply hand over the Ak Family Spear Technique, which was the family’s everything.
In the middle of that, a member of the family had created a respectable martial art, and the Clan Head is thinking of handing that over to the martial arts academy to show loyalty to the Emperor.
He is trying to secure both justification and practical benefit in his own way.
“Thanks to that, I received the homework of persuading someone named Ak Yu. I heard you recommended me, my lord.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes, I believe you can persuade him.” (Ak Yeong-gyeong)
“Hoo... I will try.” (Eun Seoho)
From my position as well, I cannot help but make an effort, because if this goes well, a pumpkin will roll in with the vine attached.
The Twelve Spears Technique is a more outstanding martial art than they think.
“And His Highness the Crown Prince told me to convey his regards.” (Ak Yeong-gyeong)
“Is His Highness the Crown Prince well?” (Eun Seoho)
“Of course. And he is governing Nanjing well.” (Ak Yeong-gyeong)
The Provincial Administration Commissioner who had previously been in charge of Nanjing was supposed to go serve as Provincial Administration Commissioner elsewhere.
Because if the Crown Prince was in Nanjing, the Provincial Administration Commissioner’s position could not help but become awkward.
However, he had retired, saying he wanted to rest now.
And the Crown Prince is also carrying out the role of Nanjing’s Provincial Administration Commissioner.
“Was the martial arts academy not something His Highness the Crown Prince was also involved in? Perhaps because of that, he showed great interest.” (Ak Yeong-gyeong)
So that is why.
They had used their heads in their own way to show loyalty not only to the current Emperor, but also to the next Emperor, the Crown Prince.
By the way, if the Shandong Ak Family charges ahead like this, how will the other martial military clans, the Hwangbo Family and the Jinju Eon Family, respond?
They are all in competition to receive the Emperor’s favor.
Well, that is something to watch later.
“By the way, where is Young Master Ak Yu?” (Eun Seoho)
“Ah, it was the birthday of the father of a close friend who is practically his childhood friend, so he went there. That family also happens to be a vassal family of the main family, so he went carrying the Clan Head’s congratulatory letter as well.” (Ak Yeong-gyeong)
“I see.” (Eun Seoho)
And so, three days passed.
In the meantime, Lord Ak returned to Nanjing, and I rested while waiting for the man called Ak Yu.
With the leisure I had not had in a long time, I spent time catching up on sleep and reading books.
This is what a vacation is.
It was when I thought so and turned a page.
“Young Master! They say Young Master Ak Yu has returned home, sir!” (Palgap)
“Really?” (Eun Seoho)
I immediately got up from my seat and asked the warrior assigned to me to take me to Young Master Ak Yu’s house.
“This is the place.” (Warrior)
And that warrior shouted loudly.
“A guest has arrived.” (Warrior)
“Excuse me.” (Eun Seoho)
Saying that as I entered the house, I blinked and pointed ahead.
“Huh?” (Eun Seoho)