readsfreenovel Ch. 230
Ch. 230
Early morning—when, on a normal day, wagons loaded with wine and ingredients would be busily coming and going.In that calm atmosphere, three letters sent from all across the land arrived simultaneously at Seong-un Inn.
As Lee Seowon read through them, his expression gradually hardened. Jin Seong-un, Seo Yu-gyeom, and the rest of the inn’s members also sensed that something was seriously wrong.
"Ha."
With a short sigh, Lee Seowon took his eyes off the letter and looked at Jin Seong-un.
“From Myriad Gold Manor?”
Jin Seong-un’s question.
Lee Seowon nodded and spoke.
“There are two main types of salt merchants in our times. The merchants of Huizhou from Yangzhou in Jiangsu, and the Sichuan Salt Merchants from Chengdu, Sichuan.”
The Huizhou merchants were a collective that virtually monopolized salt distribution in Jiangnan, using the Grand Canal as their base of operations.
They had close ties to the Imperial Court and held power and influence that surpassed even that of many aristocratic clans.
Naturally, behind them stood none other than Myriad Gold Manor.
On the other hand, the Sichuan Salt Merchants operated with a fair degree of independence. Sichuan Province, located at the southwestern edge of the Central Plains, was inherently a highly autonomous region.
The Sichuan Salt Merchants distributed salt across Sichuan, Qinghai, Gansu, and Guizhou, while the Huizhou merchants controlled distribution in all the remaining regions.
“We’ve been dealing with the Sichuan Salt Merchants, not the Huizhou merchants. That’s only natural—since Hwa-un Trading Company has close ties to the Sichuan Salt Merchants.”
Technically, Hubei Province should have been within the Huizhou merchants’ territory. But since Lee Seowon had already known they answered to Myriad Gold Manor, he had deliberately maintained trade with the Sichuan Salt Merchants through Hwa-un Trading Company.
The problem lay in the letter that had just arrived.
“They say the Sichuan Salt Merchants bowed their heads to the Huizhou merchants. They’ve also declared that they’ll sever ties with Hwa-un Trading Company.”
The Sichuan and Huizhou merchants were in fierce competition, each desperate to devour the other.
But for some reason, the Sichuan Salt Merchants had suddenly submitted to the Huizhou merchants, and their longstanding relationship with Hwa-un Trading Company now stood on the verge of collapse.
Thirty percent of Hwa-un Trading Company’s profits came from its dealings with the Sichuan Salt Merchants.
“This is an obvious crisis for Hwa-un Trading Company. And for us—there’s now no way to procure salt, at least for the time being.”
Seo Yu-gyeom exhaled a long sigh.
Without salt, there was no cooking to be done.
Lee Seowon continued.
“Red Cliff Escort Agency is currently under investigation for colluding with the Shui Stronghold. They probably won’t be able to operate until the investigation ends. We’ve been receiving nearly all of our ingredients—including Bamboo-Shadow Mushrooms—through them.”
Seo Yu-gyeom’s sigh turned into a curse.
“What? Didn’t the Hubei Anchaesa approve that merger?”
When the Shui Stronghold and Red Cliff Escort Agency merged, the Anchaesa of Hubei Province had officially approved it.
It had been at the personal request of Wi Gyeong-heon, the Hunan Anchaesa and Jin Seong-un’s comrade during the Namok Trading Company conflict.
Lee Seowon shook his head.
“A Sunmu Inspector from the central government has come down to investigate. A mere Anchaesa can’t stop that.”
A Sunmu Inspector was a high-ranking central official.
Their job was to audit the commanders, Anchaesas, and administrative inspectors in each province. Within Hubei, there was no one who could resist the Sunmu Inspector’s scrutiny.
“That’s also Myriad Gold Manor’s doing, isn’t it?”
In response to Seo Yu-gyeom’s question, Lee Seowon answered with a weary voice.
“Yes. Someone at the level of Sunmu doesn’t move without cause. And from the Jingzhou Merchants’ Association…”
Lee Seowon trailed off, as if struck by a headache, then directly handed the letter to Jin Seong-un.
As Jin Seong-un read through it, his brows twitched for a moment.
“Smuggling?”
That single word sank the air in the inn like lead.
Smuggling was a crime akin to treason.
“O Chairman couldn’t have been involved in smuggling, right?”
Han Seong-chun asked hastily.
Jin Seong-un replied.
“No, not him. But three merchants affiliated with the Jingzhou Merchants’ Association were caught importing gunpowder. So Chairman Oh is now under investigation.”
Eventually, Oh Jeong-san’s innocence would be proven. One couldn’t simply frame an outer disciple of the Wudang Sect with such a serious crime.
The real problem was that, during the investigation, the Jingzhou Merchants’ Association had to suspend all operations.
Seong-un Inn received all its alcohol—except for Yangha Daegu—from them.
As Jin Seong-un’s thoughts became tangled, Moyong Hyeon, who had been quietly listening, suddenly spoke.
“So we’ve got no ingredients because of Red Cliff Escort Agency, Hwa-un Trading Company is too busy dealing with the Sichuan Salt Merchants, there’s no salt, and no wine either... Everything’s just gone. The inn’s cursed.”
Everyone turned their eyes toward Moyong Hyeon.
Seomun Ak quietly approached and asked,
“Do you often get told you lack tact?”
Moyong Hyeon shrugged. Tact or not, what he had said was nothing but the truth.
After a brief silence, Lee Seowon spoke.
“After Ha Joo-myeong left, I distributed the inn’s emergency funds across multiple places. Even if we halt operations, we can last for at least a year.”
It was a small relief amid disaster, but it wasn’t a fundamental solution.
The inn still had to do business, after all.
Lee Seowon went on.
“Ha Joo-myeong is forcing a decision on us.”
Everyone knew what that decision was, even if it went unspoken.
Either Jin Seong-un bowed to Ha Joo-myeong and maintained ties, or he declared all-out war against Myriad Gold Manor and fought to the death.
No one spoke. After all, the inn belonged to Jin Seong-un.
After a moment of contemplation, Jin Seong-un spoke.
“We need to send letters to Hwa-un Trading Company, the Jingzhou Merchants’ Association, and Red Cliff Escort Agency.”
“You mean, to ask for their opinions on war?”
Lee Seowon asked, but Jin Seong-un shook his head.
“A war with Myriad Gold Manor is inevitable. I have no intention of bowing to them just to keep doing business. But since we don’t know how long or harsh the war might be, I want to give them a choice.”
Jin Seong-un didn’t want to drag the three companies into his war against Myriad Gold Manor by force.
If they didn’t wish to join, he would give them time to formally cut ties with Seong-un Inn.
Lee Seowon spoke with a concerned expression.
“If you give them a choice, not a single one may side with us. That’s how frightening it is to fight Myriad Gold Manor. Wouldn’t it be better to pressure them instead? Remind them of the years we’ve spent together and the promises made—to ensure they can’t back out.”
His tone was more aggressive than usual. Jin Seong-un silently stared at him.
A moment of awkward silence passed before Lee Seowon let out a sigh and said,
“My apologies. That’s not the innkeeper’s way.”
He knew that too.
But with a lifelong dream of waging full-scale war against Myriad Gold Manor finally within reach, he had become a little too sensitive.
“It was a slip of the tongue. I’ll politely offer them the choice, and in the meantime, I’ll prepare for the worst.”
A strategist had the right to choose his lord.
Once a decision to serve was made, it was also the strategist’s duty to adapt to that lord’s disposition.
Even if there were more efficient methods, that remained true. After all, every strategy began and ended with the man called Jin Seong-un.
‘I’ll have to prepare for the worst-case scenario.’
Lee Seowon believed that no one would aid them in this war. That was the nature of merchants.
Around seven days and nights had passed since then.
Responses arrived almost simultaneously from three trading companies.
“It’s good to see you, Chief Steward Lee. I’m Mun Hyo-sang, the Chief Steward of the Hwa-un Trading Company. Our Master is currently too occupied with the Sichuan Salt Merchants matter, so I’ve come in their place.”
Lee Seowon greeted Mun Hyo-sang warmly with a smile, even though he knew Mun Hyo-sang would likely decline.
There was no need to create unnecessary enemies out of momentary emotions.
Mun Hyo-sang continued.
“The Hwa-un Trading Company intends to fully support all actions taken by Seong-un Inn. It doesn’t matter whether the opponent is Myriad Gold Manor or anyone else.”
The implication behind “anyone else” was clear.
There were perhaps only two entities in the world more formidable than Myriad Gold Manor.
Lee Seowon blinked, momentarily dazed.
The situation was so unexpected that he made the mistake of keeping a guest standing at the entrance.
Soon after, two more men arrived behind Mun Hyo-sang.
They were the Chief Stewards of the Red Cliff Escort Agency and the Jingzhou Merchants’ Association.
What they said was not much different from Mun Hyo-sang’s words.
Contrary to Lee Seowon’s expectations, the Hwa-un Trading Company, the Jingzhou Merchants’ Association, and the Red Cliff Escort Agency all declared that they would stand with Seong-un Inn, staking their companies’ fate.
“…Why go so far?”
Instead of gratitude, a question came first.
It was something incomprehensible to Lee Seowon’s sensibilities.
Mun Hyo-sang smiled gently and replied.
“Without the Innkeeper, there would be no Hwa-un Trading Company.”
The other two Chief Stewards nodded in agreement.
Jin Seong-un had saved the Hwa-un Trading Company from the Heavenly Poison Alliance and the Deyang Black Path.
At the Merchant Festival, he had rescued the Jingzhou Merchants’ Association by killing Song Jae-mun of the Jo-yang Escort Agency.
As for the Red Cliff Escort Agency, there was no need for explanation. The Namok Trading Company, once one of the Ten Great Trading Companies, and the Mount Heng Sect, had tried to devour the Red Cliff Escort Agency whole—only to be annihilated by Jin Seong-un.
All three trading companies would no longer exist, not even in name, if not for Jin Seong-un.
Still, Lee Seowon’s doubts remained.
Merchants were those who traded in trust, but paradoxically, they were also quick to betray trust when it came to critical decisions.
He couldn’t understand why they would choose to repay a favor by turning Myriad Gold Manor—the financial backbone of the world—into an enemy.
Seeing Lee Seowon’s expression, Mun Hyo-sang smiled knowingly and added.
“It’s not merely out of gratitude. It’s a rational decision.”
Lee Seowon’s eyes widened.
That meant the three trading companies believed Jin Seong-un would win in the battle against Myriad Gold Manor.
There was not a hint of hesitation in the eyes of the three Chief Stewards visiting Seong-un Inn.
They were certain.
‘I still don’t fully understand the Innkeeper.’
The three trading companies, who had known Jin Seong-un longer than Lee Seowon, could not even imagine his defeat.
Even if the opponent was Myriad Gold Manor.
Moreover, none of them were inclined to bow their heads before the overwhelming pressure that Myriad Gold Manor represented.
Lee Seowon met their gazes for a moment before bowing his head and saying,
“I understand your intentions. Seong-un Inn will respond in kind to the support of the three trading companies.”
“As I’ve said repeatedly, we will lend the full strength of our companies. Please don’t hold back on your strategies, Chief Steward.”
“I shall.”
Despite his calm tone, Lee Seowon’s heart surged with emotion.
He was struck anew by the influence wielded by the man he served.
The Hwa-un Trading Company, the Red Cliff Escort Agency, and the Jingzhou Merchants’ Association—
Seong-un Inn would now share its fate with these three.
With their support, the number of strategies Lee Seowon could employ had easily increased by dozens.
‘It’s truly beginning now.’
After seeing the three Chief Stewards off, Lee Seowon firmed his resolve while watching their retreating figures.
It was a war against Myriad Gold Manor, the greatest trading company in the world. A storm that would shake the entire commercial world seemed to be brewing.
Lee Seowon headed straight for the training grounds behind the inn.
Jin Seong-un, Seo Yu-gyeom, Seomun Ak, and Moyong Hyeon were training with more focus than ever before.
In particular, Seomun Ak’s cultivation was teetering between Master Level and Peak Master Level, and Jin Seong-un had no time to greet guests as he relentlessly drove Seomun Ak through training.
Lee Seowon silently waited for the training to end.
Even when Seomun Ak rolled to his feet and tumbled toward him, he simply stepped aside.
He didn’t want to interrupt this training.
Just as he gave his all to devise strategies as a strategist, these men were preparing for war against Myriad Gold Manor in their own way.
After two full hours, the training finally came to a halt. Other than Jin Seong-un, the three collapsed on the ground, seemingly unable to even rise.
Lee Seowon handed them water before turning to Jin Seong-un.
“All three trading companies have declared their intent to stand with Seong-un Inn.”
Jin Seong-un nodded.
Though he hadn’t left his spot during training, his ears had been open the whole time.
Lee Seowon continued.
“How much are you willing to endure, Innkeeper?”
It was the most important question.
The three trading companies had staked their very survival.
Now it all came down to the man at the center—Jin Seong-un. The extent to which he was willing to bear the consequences would determine the strategies going forward.
Jin Seong-un responded without a moment’s hesitation.
“Myriad Gold Manor and Seong-un Inn—until only one remains, I have no intention of stopping.”
It was an obvious answer.
All of Jin Seong-un’s foundations came from the Martial Gods, and the Merchant King wished for the destruction of Myriad Gold Manor.
At his resolute answer, Lee Seowon raised the corner of his lips.
“In that case, let’s proceed this way. Let’s escalate the game. I’m thinking of launching two enterprises that even Myriad Gold Manor wouldn’t dare touch.”