Chapter 179: v8c4 - The Path to Tread
Volume 8 Chapter 4 – The Path to Tread
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Dawn of the day Yeon So-hyeon began his first move.
“Eldest Brother! A letter has arrived from the Emei Sect!”
It was Yeon Ha-eung, who was still much older than Yeon So-hyeon yet called him eldest brother for some reason.
He presented the surrender letter of the Emei Sect, which had arrived through the emergency contact system of the Outer Courtyard, to Yeon So-hyeon.
“What about the Tea Fan Maidens?”
“They all just woke up, but in fact, it is as good as having stayed up all night with open eyes.”
No matter how much they steeled their resolve, it was naturally impossible to fall asleep comfortably in a situation where their families were held hostage.
“Bring them to the office when they are ready.”
Yeon So-hyeon showed them the surrender letter of the Emei Sect without the slightest delay.
Yeon So-hyeon thought he would never be able to forget their expressions as they read that letter.
* * *
Present.
Headquarters of the House of Benevolence and Love, Conference Room.
“Next, we, the Tea Fan Maidens, will submit our report to the Representative.”
Sangwan Nan-hwa rose from her seat and spoke with high respect.
Fit for the daughter of the Governor of Sichuan, a super-high official, her honorific language was quite skilled.
“……Sangwan Nan-hwa.”
“Speak, please.”
Yeon So-hyeon, who was reviewing the Tea Fan Maidens’s report, cast his gaze toward her over the report.
“There is no need to stand up and report. Do it sitting down.”
Conversely, unlike before, Yeon So-hyeon was speaking informally to them.
“No. We cannot dare to commit such rudeness to the Representative.”
Since seeing the surrender document of the Emei Sect yesterday dawn, the Tea Fan Maidens had been treating Yeon So-hyeon in that manner all along.
Yeon So-hyeon shrugged his shoulders as if to tell her to do as she pleased and spoke.
“It is a report on the ‘list’ I handed over.”
“Yes.”
To them, who had been embracing each other and rejoicing upon seeing the surrender letter of the Emei Sect, Yeon So-hyeon had assigned a mission along with the ‘list’.
Separate action from Yeon So-hyeon.
The person in charge of escort was the Life-Snatching Ghost Sword and Yi-ryeong, one of the triplet maids.
While hiding them from the Emei Sect’s potential evil hands, it was also his own test task to verify their abilities.
“By the way……”
Yeon So-hyeon twitched his eyebrows as he looked at the report submitted by the Tea Fan Maidens.
“You finished evaluating all the establishments on this list in just one day?”
“One day was sufficient.”
At Yeon So-hyeon’s words, Sangwan Nan-hwa nodded confidently.
“The list the Representative gave us is a list of small and medium-sized establishments that harbor potential but are currently experiencing difficulties in operation.”
She held up the report.
“We evaluated those establishments and selected those with sufficient possibility of success in the future.”
Yeon So-hyeon admired inwardly as he looked back over the report they had written while moving around all night.
‘Accurate.’
In the history within his memory, the establishments that would later succeed and make a name for themselves were accurately selected.
The Tea Fan Maidens had selected the real deals among the establishments experiencing management difficulties.
And in just one day.
Of course, they who had clearly stayed up all night were currently half-dead, except for Sangwan Nan-hwa, who possessed internal energy.
“On what criteria did you select the establishments separately marked in the report?”
Those establishments were ones not in Yeon So-hyeon’s memory.
In other words, it meant they were establishments that had ultimately failed to succeed in the previous history.
“The separately marked establishments are those we judged could sufficiently succeed if we, the Tea Fan Maidens, intervene in their management.”
“……I see!”
“Since time was insufficient, we marked them separately to proceed with a more accurate evaluation after receiving the Representative’s permission.”
A smile hung on Yeon So-hyeon’s lips.
Just as expected, no.
The Tea Fan Maidens was showing ability beyond his expectations.
“Then with what intention was this additional report written?”
Yeon So-hyeon held up the additional report they had submitted.
“The additional report is a document grasping the establishment owners’ willingness to sell their shares.”
“We are purchasing the shares?”
Sangwan Nan-hwa smiled at Yeon So-hyeon, who was deliberately playing dumb even though he had already pierced through her intentions.
“Our Tea Fan Maidens judged that these are the establishments the Representative ordered to identify with the intention of moving them into the Valley of Sin or Walnut Village.”
It was a judgment they could make because they had seen Yeon So-hyeon’s business plan.
She slightly placed her hand on her waist, and the smile on her face deepened.
“Establishments that can pull off success. For such establishments, rather than simply moving them in, purchasing or acquiring their shares and then moving them in is a way to maximize profits.”
At her words, those who were focusing on the meeting unconsciously admired, saying “Oh.”
“Since we had to hide the name of the Tea Fan Maidens or the Representative yesterday, the results are still inaccurate. If the Representative makes a decision, we expect to be able to purchase shares or acquire them entirely more easily.”
Moving by accurately grasping the intention of the chief decision-maker, they created excellent achievements through highly efficient utilization of time.
And they did not stop at just that, but had even made under-the-table preparations to persuade the decision-maker in the direction they judged to be ‘possible.’
A performance satisfying beyond measure.
‘Indeed, this is the ability of those who later registered their names among the Ten Great Merchant Groups of the Central Plains.’
The name of the Ten Great Merchant Groups of the Central Plains could never be a false reputation.
How could those who created one of the ten merchant groups pointed out as the best by experts, among the numerous businesses of this vast and wide Central Plains, lack ability?
But that was a story for later, and they were still young now.
Besides, there was no guarantee that the establishments that succeeded in the previous history would succeed this time as well.
This was because history was continuously changing even now.
For that reason, Yeon So-hyeon had entrusted the diagnosis of the establishments to them, doubling as a test for the Tea Fan Maidens.
But the result was……
No words were needed.
Yeon So-hyeon raised both hands and clapped.
Those attending the meeting also sent enthusiastic applause to the Tea Fan Maidens.
[W-What is going on?]
To Cheongho-wi’s bewildered sound transmission, Suran, who was clapping, replied.
[Hey! Just read the room for now!]
They jumped up from their seats and clapped as vigorously as the rest of the gathering.
“Thank you! Thank you!”
The faces of the Tea Fan Maidens members, bowing here and there toward the applause pouring from all directions, were bright.
They did not forget to express their gratitude to Yeon So-hyeon, who had asked about the whole process step-by-step and took the lead in recognizing their abilities.
Yeon So-hyeon had given them an opportunity to fully explain to everyone, ensuring they would receive definite recognition from the personnel of the House of Benevolence and Love’s business division they had to lead.
“Excellent.”
As Yeon So-hyeon raised his hand, the sound of applause died down.
“I will give you full authority over matters related to this report hereafter. Whether you fry it or boil it, feel free to do as much as you want.”
The faces of the Tea Fan Maidens members brightened even further.
Toward them, Yeon So-hyeon presented the documents he had prepared in advance.
“What is this?”
Yeon So-hyeon smirked and smiled at Sangwan Nan-hwa, who approached and politely received the documents.
“It is the second list.”
Yeon So-hyeon spoke.
“The establishments in the first list were merely storefront-focused small businesses like tea houses, restaurants, and inns.”
He pointed to the second list Sangwan Nan-hwa had received.
“Unlike the establishments in the previous list, those are properly sized business enterprises.”
Sangwan Nan-hwa met his gaze and shared a meaningful smile.
“Just like the previous establishments, they must be business enterprises that harbor potential but are currently difficult to operate.”
“You currently have many assigned missions including the migration plan, can you do them all?”
“We are five.”
Yeon So-hyeon, with a satisfied face, drew a bundle of banknotes from his chest.
“This is the retainer.”
The half of the unpaid budget from the Inner Courtyard to Yeon So-hyeon, which had been paid in banknotes.
And the punitive damages imposed on the Inner Courtyard by the decision of the Elders’ Hall.
Added to that, even the investment received from the Bank Director of the Sword Family Bank.
It was the entirety of those banknotes.
Without even counting, just at a glance, it was an enormous sum.
[W-Whoa?! How much is that on earth?!]
[……I may not know, but it is clearly an amount that Cheongho-wi, you and I, could not accumulate even if we lived a hundred lifetimes.]
[And that is a retainer?!]
[I don’t know! Proper business enterprises must be that expensive, I guess!]
Yeon So-hyeon grinned and laughed.
“No reports are needed. Judge them, and devour all those likely to succeed. Make them the business enterprises of the House of Benevolence and Love.”
The Tea Fan Maidens knelt on one knee in unison.
“We will receive your command.”
* * *
The meeting ended, and everyone vacated their spots.
Left behind were only the two people from the Spring of Luoyang, Suran and Cheongho-wi.
“You waited long.”
Sitting opposite him at Yeon So-hyeon’s invitation, the two replied while tightly tensed.
“No!”
“Not at all, not in the least, we didn’t wait long!”
Rather, they wore apologetic expressions.
“Normally, we should have rightfully helped during the fire in the Valley of Sin last night……”
Yeon So-hyeon shook his head.
“No, I guessed that most of the righteous activists belonging to the Spring of Luoyang are currently tied up at the ‘Dragon and Phoenix Gathering stadium construction site.’”
The Dragon and Phoenix Gathering stadium construction site.
That was the area where a large-scale riot, which the Third Young Master of the Luoyang Sword Family was dealing with, had occurred.
Of course, that riot was being thoroughly hidden by the Luoyang Sword Family.
“Indeed. You knew……”?
“We also just barely managed to slip out to see the Eldest Young Master, so……”
“Thank you for the Eldest Young Master’s understanding.”
Those who repeatedly dedicated themselves to the weakest apologized for not offering more help.
At the sight of those two, Yeon So-hyeon wore an expression filled with goodwill from the bottom of his heart.
“There is nothing to excuse.”
Suran and Cheongho-wi.
The famous solvers of the slums.
If only he could converse calmly with them.
Right now, the most precious thing to Yeon So-hyeon was time.
“I think you have guessed by now why this Eldest Young Master showed the two guests the appearance of the newly reborn House of Benevolence and Love, however.”
“Since you showed us to this extent……”
Unexpectedly, Cheongho-wi, who had only shown a relatively dull appearance until now, scratched the back of his head and replied.
“By this point, even our unlearned, dull brains have no choice but to know.”
Yeon So-hyeon sat back comfortably and cast his gaze at him.
“You, who are a member of the renowned Cheong Family and completed the course at the Kong Family’s Grand Academy, say you are unlearned?”
Cheongho-wi wore an embarrassed expression.
“Even so, unlike the family elders who made their names famous as renowned judges for generations, I am just a person who did nothing but serve as a mere constable.”
“Were you not a famous constable who spread his name widely beyond Luoyang to the entirety of Henan?”
“……That is an old story now. Now, I am nothing but a mere laborer in the slums. Rather than that……”
His empty sleeve fluttered.
Geum-ju had taken away not only his arm but also his position.
For someone who lost one arm, which is the core of martial arts, could no longer maintain the government office of a constable.
“I cannot dare to waste the Eldest Young Master’s precious time with personal stories about someone like me.”
Cheongho-wi smiled bitterly, turning the conversation to the main point.
“Is not what the Eldest Young Master showed us until now the ‘path we must walk’ in the future for our Spring of Luoyang?”
Yeon So-hyeon nodded.
“Correct.”
He personally poured the prepared tea for the two.
“Thinking that the effect would be minimal if this Eldest Young Master explained to the two guests directly one by one, I inevitably ended up using this method.”
Seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times.
How could they not know Yeon So-hyeon’s meaning?
“I deeply sympathize with the path the Eldest Young Master showed. It will be the same for Cheongho-wi here as well.”
Unlike Cheongho-wi, who was born into a prestigious family, Suran, whose birth was humble and had not received etiquette training, finally opened her mouth properly.
Since the appearance Yeon So-hyeon showed in his conversation with Cheongho-wi was friendly, she could consider that the Eldest Young Master would understand minor deviations from politeness stemming from ignorance.
“Our Spring of Luoyang is certainly full of capable people. There are also extraordinary people and scholars who cannot be compared to us. And I am confident that our righteous spirit will not shrink even when competing with anyone.”
Cheongho-wi took over the words.
“But remaining without proper organization like now, relying only on chivalry and individual abilities, we will before long……”
While he was choosing his words, Suran spoke first.
“Be finished.”
Her expression was radical, but the meaning was the same as what he thought.
“Correct. Although we have managed to prevent our name from becoming known to the government or the Sword Family so far, we cannot expect this state to be maintained forever.”
“Once the name starts becoming known, it is obvious we will be branded as an anti-establishment organization.”
Initially, they merely thought it would be good if Yeon So-hyeon joined the Spring of Luoyang, established a good relationship, and exchanged necessary help.
But Yeon So-hyeon rather gave them a glimpse of the path the Spring of Luoyang must tread in the future.
Organization and systematization.
And securing enough power and influence to protect themselves.
“But……”
Yeon So-hyeon continued Cheongho-wi’s words.
“I know well that the Spring of Luoyang is a non-group group, where individuals move by their own judgment without a decision-maker.”
Suran nodded and wrinkled the bridge of her nose.
“Among the members, there are also many who express distrust of powerholders first. Moving even those people to reborn the Spring of Luoyang is……”
“In all likelihood a very difficult task, no, highly likely to be an impossible challenge.”
Yeon So-hyeon smiled faintly at the two with dark expressions.
“There is no need for the two of you to worry up to that point.”
He met the gazes of the two who raised their heads.
“If this Eldest Young Master says I will join the Spring of Luoyang as a member and reform the organization, will the two of you here agree?”
The two nodded immediately.
“Naturally.”
“Of course.”
Yeon So-hyeon tapped the desk pleasantly.
“For this Eldest Young Master, that is sufficient.”
The boy sitting with his back to the sunlight wore a refreshing smile full of confidence.
“Ah, of course. You must at least invite this Eldest Young Master to the secret gathering, though.”
Why was it?
Was it because of the ability he had shown so far?
Or was it because of that bottomless confidence?
The Spring of Luoyang, which was heading toward a practically foretold destruction.
They had a hunch that if it were this Eldest Young Master before their eyes, he could sufficiently rewrite that destiny.
“Naturally, we must invite you.”
“The gathering is scheduled to take place tonight, and we will guide you directly……”
At that moment, the sound of knocking on the iron door was heard.
“Come in!”
Jeong-ah, who was waiting outside, reported to Yeon So-hyeon.
“A problem has occurred with the migration of Walnut Village residents.”
“Details.”
“They say that the District Chief of Cheonghak District, which includes Walnut Village in its administrative zone, has even mobilized government soldiers to make nitpicking objections against the migration.”
“It is their doing.”
The response of the Second Young Master’s faction was clear.
Yeon So-hyeon rose from his seat.
“Inform them that I will go directly.”
At those words, Jeong-ah bowed and went outside to disseminate her master’s command.
“T-The District Chief stepped forward directly?”
“This is serious……!”
The two were flustered at the word District Chief.
The righteous activists of the Spring of Luoyang were most reluctant to clash with were precisely high-ranking officials.
Clashing head-on with them, who were delegated authority from the Emperor, was practically equivalent to a suicidal act.
They asked Yeon So-hyeon.
“Eldest Young Master. How do you plan to respond?”
“If the District Chief, who holds authority over the residents, stepped forward directly, it won’t be easy!”
At their words, Yeon So-hyeon spoke while rolling up his sleeves.
“It will be easy.”
“Pardon?”
He smiled.
“Because I will smash that guy to pieces.”
The two looked at Yeon So-hyeon with dumbfounded expressions, as if they had seen something incomprehensible.
With his back to the sunlight, Yeon So-hyeon spoke to them.
“The District Chief of Cheonghak District has been famous for being rotten to the core since long ago.”
The sunlight approaching noon grew more intense, making it impossible to see his expression accurately.
But they could guess his expression from the momentum spreading around Yeon So-hyeon.
“If I don’t use it even to smash a mere fellow like that, what use would all the power and influence this body possesses be?”
Yeon So-hyeon expressing a high-ranking Luoyang official, the District Chief, as ‘mere.’
At those words, the two felt a shiver.
It was so.
He was none other than the Eldest Young Master of the Luoyang Sword Family, and that very Yeon So-hyeon who frequented Mount Beimang like his own home.
They were certain.
The existence before their eyes was, more than anyone, the figure needed for the Spring of Luoyang.
“Will you wait here?”
Yeon So-hyeon asked them.
“Or will you go along with this Eldest Young Master?”
Needless to ask, their answer was as good as decided.