Chapter 39
“Yes! The Myosu Trading Company has monopolized the iris trade…”
What followed was a very familiar story.
The Myosu Trading Company used the drought as an excuse to gradually raise the price of irises supplied to the weaving guild. Then, one day, they suddenly announced that they would no longer supply irises.
“It turns out, the Myosu Trading Company opened its own fabric store. And now, they’re making and selling the same iris silk themselves.”
“How outrageous!”
Sibi Maeran let out a regretful sigh as she listened to Mrs. Hong’s story.
Chimmo pouted.
“But that silk is inferior compared to ours! They can monopolize the dyes, but they cannot steal the artisan’s skill.”
Aware of this, the Myosu Trading Company extended their influence even into the weaving guild. They offered to double the wages if the guild came under their control. But the women loyal to Mrs. Hong refused the offer.
Infuriated, the Myosu Trading Company began selling various fabrics, including iris silk, at half price.
It was a scheme to teach those arrogant women a lesson.
“This is a problem,”
Concern showed on Mrs. Hong’s haggard face.
“If only we could find a trading company willing to supply the irises… both the women in the weaving guild and we could continue our livelihoods.”
A trading company, you say?
At that moment, Hongseol’s mind recalled one person.
The owner of the largest trading company in Hapbi.
Three days after Mrs. Hong’s visit, the front of Changcheon Pavilion was in uproar.
“Oh my, Elder, what brings you to Changcheon Pavilion, not the main hall…”
“Invitation! Invitation!”
“If you enter Changcheon Pavilion carelessly, the Grand Master will scold you.”
“I said I’m invited! Step aside.”
After a long squabble, the guard at the door was eventually pushed aside.
The visitor was none other than Elder Namgung Muyeong.
Though his body was shriveled, his presence rivaled that of any great general.
Bang!
The door to Changcheon Pavilion’s reception room swung wide open.
“I have arrived!”
Hongseol stared blankly, mouth agape like a baby bird, holding a teacup she hadn’t finished.
“You… Elder Namgung Muyeong?”
“You’re still the same little one. Still as tiny as an acorn!”
“How did you come here?”
“How? Didn’t you send me a letter!”
The whirlwind conversation left Hongseol dizzy.
She put down her teacup and thought carefully about what she had written in the letter.
Finally, her memory clear, Hongseol widened her eyes.
“I only inquired about trading companies…”
Namgung Muyeong cleared his throat awkwardly, pretending to be indifferent.
Hongseol’s face flushed.
“You ran all the way from your branch to see me?”
“Well… I had business at the main hall, business!”
Despite his words, Hongseol knew he had a kind heart, and she smiled.
“Welcome. Maeran, bring tea.”
At the young lady’s command, Maeran hurried off.
Namgung Muyeong was inwardly surprised.
“She’s grown quite capable since I last saw her.”
A short while later, as he sipped tea, he asked,
“I once sent a letter with Jikchobo. Have you visited the place mentioned there?”
Hongseol recalled the letter she had received. It said to visit a small shop in the backstreets of the city’s marketplace.
“They said you’d meet a benefactor there.”
Thanks to that, Elder Namgung Muyeong’s life changed as well.
But Hongseol had neither the excuse nor the courage to go out to the marketplace alone.
“Ah, not yet…”
“Hey! Go immediately!”
“Hiiing.”
Hongseol shrank her shoulders in embarrassment. Namgung Muyeong frowned slightly, seemingly displeased, but also glanced at her face as if checking whether she was truly upset.
“I read the letter you sent. In short, you want to stop the Myosu Trading Company’s iris trade monopoly, right?”
“Yes! Is there a way?”
Hongseol nodded frantically and asked back.
Namgung Muyeong stroked his beard in satisfaction.
“Of course. I always have a method.”
“Wh-what is it?”
“Shall I tell you the way of the White Path, or the way of the Black Path?”
Truly a statement worthy of someone from the streets. Anyone overhearing would be shocked.
But Hongseol just giggled.
“Such a fun grandfather.”
Having chosen to follow the path of righteousness, she could not use the Black Path.
“Please tell me the way of the White Path!”
“It’s about spending money.”
“Money…?”
Hongseol tilted her head in confusion.
“Simply buy all the iris farms the Myosu Trading Company trades with. You can’t do anything about contracted amounts for now, but afterwards, all the irises would be yours.”
“How much money would that take?”
“How much do you have?”
Hongseol quietly counted her possessions.
Fifteen coins in a pillowcase—gifts from Officer Namgung Suo to buy snacks at the market.
Five or six silk ribbons and a gold bracelet with a jade ornament…
“I can’t use the bracelet! It’s Grandfather Namgung Ho’s gift.”
But even so, Hongseol really had no money.
Sigh. Poverty.
Having never truly experienced the importance of money, Hongseol began to feel frustrated.
“I don’t think I can buy all the farms,” she said gloomily.
“Then you’ll have no choice but to use the Black Path.”
‘Ah, Grandfather Namgung Ho always said to think of righteousness and profit…’
But…
Hongseol tapped her hidden feet under the table in frustration.
She was anxious that both the weaving guild and Mrs. Hong’s fabric store might fail.
“That’s unacceptable… but I’ll hear you out first.”
“Very well. Then we call the Sapain Black Vulture Gang to burn down the Myosu Trading Company, and use the Hao Moon intelligence network to spread rumors about poor quality…”
“No!”
Hongseol clamped her tiny teeth together and shook her head.
“That’s absolutely impossible.”
If that happened, not only would she fail to uphold righteousness, but they’d also be dragged to the authorities immediately!
“Tsk, you’re such a stubborn White Path girl,”
Namgung Muyeong said, sounding disappointed. Anyone hearing might think he wasn’t actually White Path himself.
“Anyway, breaking a trade monopoly isn’t easy. And monopolizing irises isn’t illegal.”
“I see…”
Sigh.
Hongseol sighed quietly, and Namgung Muyeong glanced at her.
The little girl fidgeted under the table.
“I thought… if it’s Elder Namgung, you’d have a way. After all, you have the largest trading company in Hapbi…”
Should she ask Grandfather Namgung Ho instead?
Hearing her almost whisper, Namgung Muyeong cleared his throat.
“Hmm. Hmm. Well, there is a way.”
“Really? What is it?”
“If you lack rice, use barley. If you lack barley, use millet.”
Hongseol’s eyes sparkled.
“You mean… we just need to find a substitute for the irises!”
“Exactly.”
Namgung Muyeong smirked, impressed by Hongseol’s correct answer.
“And now, little merchant, what will you do?”
“What do people usually do?”
“They activate their own intelligence network to find substitutes.”
Hearing that, Hongseol fell silent, deep in thought.
‘A child from outside couldn’t have another method.’
He intended to let Hongseol use the Muyeong Trading Company’s network if she requested it.
They would spend a few more pleasant tea sessions together, using that as an excuse.
Namgung Muyeong watched her expression, hiding his plan.
But Hongseol looked cheerful.
And shortly after…
She said something that even Namgung Muyeong couldn’t help but be surprised by.
“Then I’ll activate my own intelligence network!”
