More Than Expected (1)
Eun Gil-Sang still tilted his head as he examined the doll in the box she brought.
The doll, about the size of his forearm, was crafted with remarkable precision, dressed and decorated in high-grade silk, making it feel quite luxurious.
"Actually, this isn't the first one I've made. I made it again because someone wanted to give one to his younger sister."
She smiled as she wound the gears of the doll.
"Don't be too surprised."
Almost the moment she finished speaking, the Self-Dancing Doll began to dance on its own.
"Whoa!"
Despite her warning, Eun Gil-Sang was visibly startled.
"I was surprised too, to be honest."
She continued, still smiling.
"At this level, do you think this would be suitable for what Lord Song wants… no, what the wife of the Chief Inspector wants?"
"Of course. And at this quality…"
"I know. The potential of this item is enormous. But for that, you'll need to make some moves, Merchant Lord."
Eun Gil-Sang immediately understood Yeon Pavilion Master's implication.
"You mean we need the recipient's permission."
"Yes, if possible. We don't want to offend a high-ranking noble unnecessarily."
"Understood. I'll arrange a meeting and pay a visit."
They continued discussing what would follow.
Time passed again, and the Self-Dancing Doll began dancing once more.
"Still, for a ten-year-old to make such a device! He must be a genius!"
Yeon Dami laughed at that comment.
"Of course, the kid who made this artifact is a genius! No doubt about that. But…"
Her expression suddenly turned serious.
"In my opinion, the real genius is someone else."
"…Coming from you, now I'm curious who you mean."
"The young master."
"…What?"
She pulled a contract out from her sleeve and held it out.
It was a contract regarding the Self-Dancing Doll, and at the bottom was the signature seal of Eun Seoho.
"Why is Seoho's seal on it?"
"He had already signed a contract with the craftsman. So, the young master is actually the employer of the Self-Dancing Doll's creator."
"What?"
She looked at Eun Gil-Sang and continued.
"So I had to negotiate with the young master. It was really tough. I had to give up quite a lot. But after we finished negotiating, I had this thought."
Her voice turned resolute.
"If it's Young Master Seoho, he might really be able to make our Merchant Group the greatest under the heavens."
***
We had arrived at the Eunhae Merchant Group.
But just because we had arrived didn't mean the escort journey was over.
Everyone had to check, organize, and report on the duties they were responsible for, so the place was bustling.
Thankfully, the Finance Pavilion I belonged to had a relatively light workload.
The escort fee owed to the Prosperous Escort Agency this time was a large sum, so instead of us delivering it, they were coming to collect it directly.
So, what we had to do was settle the expenses used during this escort mission.
Of course, before that, I had to give a brief verbal report to the Chief of Internal Affairs Yoo.
And then submit a written report for the escort mission to be considered officially complete.
I chuckled to myself, remembering how I had gone straight to Father after returning from a mission in my past life and ended up getting scolded.
"Palgap."
"Yes, did you call, Young Master?"
"I have to go to the Finance Pavilion, so you take Master Potter Gong's family to the Guest Hall."
"Understood."
Inside the merchant group, there was a separate annex called the Guest Hall, reserved for visitors or guests staying for business purposes.
I wanted them to stay there until Father designated a proper place for them to stay.
If I let them stay at an inn, there was a risk of them getting snatched by some shady character.
However, since I wasn't yet the Vice-Leader of the Merchant Group, I couldn't make that decision on my own. So I subtly hinted at it to Pavilion Master Yeon.
"Even if they're people who will greatly benefit the merchant group, isn't it a bit much to let them stay in the annex?"
At my words, Pavilion Master Yeon practically jumped.
"What are you talking about? Of course they should stay in the annex! I'll inform the Merchant Lord and the Breeze Pavilion Master myself."
She had the authority to do that, and thanks to her, they were able to stay in the annex.
"Is Young Master not coming with us?"
Gong Rae looked at me and asked, and I patted his head and replied.
"I'd love to, but I have work to do."
"Then you should go quickly."
"Huh?"
"Adults told me, to be a proper person, you have to work."
Gong Rae spoke firmly, and I chuckled.
"How clever. Already thinking like that. It won't take too long. After an escort mission, it's customary to rest for a day to recover from fatigue."
Then I bowed to Master Potter Gong.
"I should be escorting you to the Guest Hall, but I'm sorry."
"No, we're fine. Please don't worry and go ahead."
"Then, I'll see you later."
I also thanked my master, Squad Leader Jeong Chung, and the others one by one.
The junior staff and low-ranking guards of the merchant group were startled and flustered.
"Young Master is thanking us personally?!"
"There's no need to do that!"
But expressing gratitude was essential.
It may seem like a small thing, but neglecting the small things means your business journey won't be smooth.
"Shall we go too, then?"
"Yes, let's."
Gong Rae waved at me.
"See you later, Young Master!"
I headed to the Finance Pavilion with Yim Kyeongbin.
"Young Master and Pavilion Member Yim, you're here!"
"Have you returned from the escort?"
We exchanged greetings as the Finance Pavilion members welcomed us.
"Is the Chief of Internal Affairs inside?"
At my question, the Pavilion Members nodded.
"Yes, he should be."
"Please go on in."
We headed toward Chief Yoo's office and entered.
"Rank 5 Pavilion Member Yim Kyeongbin, reporting back from escort duty."
"Special Trainee Eun Seoho, reporting back from escort duty."
Only after hearing our report did Chief Yoo lift his head to look at us.
His eyes were sunken with fatigue.
And the stack of paperwork on the desk beside me.
Seeing that gave me an inexplicable sense of foreboding.
"Well done, Pavilion Member Yim, and Young Master."
"Yes."
"Yes."
"Any notable events?"
To that question, Pavilion Member Yim replied.
"There are a few."
"Go ahead and report."
At those words, Pavilion Member Yim immediately gave a brief report on what had happened during the escort mission.
As he listened, Chief Yoo gave me a peculiar look.
"So, you suggested to Hideout Leader Jang to clear the snow from the mountain path and collect a proper toll, and that made you a benefactor?"
"It kind of ended up that way."
Though the real reason I became a benefactor was different, I couldn't reveal it now.
"And you recruited the craftsman who could make the moving doll requested by Lord Song?"
"I was lucky."
Although the trip to Gangseo was for that purpose, outwardly, it had to be presented as a stroke of good luck.
"You mean, you just... swept away the Jingyeon Merchant Group, just like that?"
"That was their own doing."
I had made some moves behind the scenes, sure, but if they had been a proper merchant group to begin with, they wouldn't have self-destructed like that.
"Anything else to report?"
At that question, both I and Yim Kyeongbin shook our heads.
"None."
"Nothing from me either."
"Sigh… Anyway, well done."
Chief Yoo pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose as he spoke.
"Take the rest of the day off, and submit your written report on the escort mission tomorrow."
At those words, I silently cheered.
But then—
"And, Young Master."
"Yes?"
"Normally, after an escort mission, it's customary to rest for the day and begin work the next. However… there is far too much work piled up. I'd like you to start working immediately."
So much for cheering.
Why do bad premonitions always turn out to be right?
"Anyway, it's about time they came to fetch us."
Just then—
From outside, I heard the voice of Assistant Jo Youngyoung.
"The Merchant Lord is calling for Chief Yoo and the third Young Master. You're both requested at Eunwol Pavilion."
At those words, Chief Yoo rose from his seat.
"Let's go, then."
.
.
.
A short while later,
I sat at Eunwol Pavilion, receiving the attention of everyone in the room.
Father spoke.
"I heard the gist of it from Pavilion Master Yeon. You recruited a craftsman who can make a Self-Dancing Doll, and now have him under your employ?"
"That's correct."
At that moment, Breeze Pavilion Master Jeok spoke.
"But is that really possible? A doll that dances on its own?"
In response, Father nodded.
"Seeing is believing. You'll see it for yourself."
At his signal, Pavilion Master Yeon took the Self-Dancing Doll out of its box.
The doll that Gong Mil had made at the inn had been reserved for Gong Rae.
It wasn't the first one she had ever made, but it was the first result of her wish to make something beautiful.
She had said she wanted to give that first one to her younger sister—how could I refuse that?
So, the one in front of us now was a new doll, made afterward by Gong Mil.
Pavilion Master Yeon turned the key on the back of the doll.
"Whoa!"
"Hooh!"
"Gasp!"
As the Self-Dancing Doll began to dance, Chief Yoo, Pavilion Master Jeok Byeongcheol, and Chief of External Affairs Go Ilpyung were all visibly shocked.
"Well? Do you think this will suit her tastes?"
At Father's question, everyone nodded.
"Absolutely."
"This is truly marvelous!"
"But, it feels like such a waste to use this solely as a tribute."
Chief Yoo, recognizing the value of the Self-Dancing Doll, looked regretful.
Pavilion Master Yeon nodded at his words.
"I felt the same, and the Merchant Lord agreed with me. That's why we're planning to commercialize it."
Go Ilpyung, the Chief of External Affairs, appeared skeptical.
"That doll is fascinating, sure, but it only dances on its own… will it really sell?"
The others also seemed to share his thoughts and nodded.
But having lived through this once before, I could say this with confidence:
It'll sell extremely well.
"Father, may I say a word?"
"Go ahead."
"Indeed, all the doll does is dance on its own. But what if having that doll is what determines social status?"
"…?"
"The doll will be presented to the Chief Inspector's wife, via Lord Song. That means it will be seen by other noblewomen. Do you think they'll stay quiet after seeing it?"
"Ah!"
"If it gains the reputation of being the doll that noble ladies scramble to acquire, how valuable do you think it'll become?"
"Indeed! That makes sense."
Pavilion Master Jeok nodded.
"But there's a problem."
Chief Yoo continued.
"The issue of people trying to replicate and sell copies of the doll."
"Ah…"
"Yes, that is a problem."
At that concern, I grinned.
"Replicate it? Let them try."
Who could replicate something I couldn't even copy myself?
"Even if someone did manage to copy it, by then the trend would have already passed and something new would be in fashion."
At my words, Pavilion Master Yeon's eyes lit up.
"You mean, that young craftsman will create something new?"
"As her employer, I guarantee it. You can look forward to it."
At my words, Father smiled and said,
"Well, that's a happy thought. But that's for later. First, we need to take care of the tribute matter. Summon Lord Song Jangju, and let's discuss commercialization again tomorrow."
"Understood."
Pavilion Master Yeon nodded.
"And Seoho."
"Yes, Father?"
"You've done well. Thanks to you, the Eunhae Merchant Group has avoided a great loss and even gained a significant opportunity for profit."
"I only did what I was supposed to."
Father then moved straight to discussing housing for Master Potter Gong's family.
The conclusion came quickly.
They would be given one of the guest annexes inside the merchant group grounds.
"Any other matters to discuss?"
"None."
"Then we can adjou—"
At that moment, I hurriedly spoke up. My business wasn't finished yet.
"Father, I have something to report."
"What is it?"
"This must be treated as classified."
Father looked at the others, and they all nodded.
Father himself, Chief of Internal Affairs Yoo So-Ak, Chief of External Affairs Go Ilpyung, and the four Pavilion Masters—these were people who had always stood by the group.
Even in my past life, not once had any of them betrayed or harmed the merchant group.
That's why I could speak freely here.
"What is it?"
"The truth is… I made a secret pact with Hideout Leader Jang of Odong Mountain."