The inspector might use the printing house as a pretext to pressure the head of guards at any moment.
“Hand over that troublesome printing house to me. We’re in a situation where we have to sell the land and buildings of Man Geum Battlefield anyway. Just hand over the business too. Then wouldn’t that solve the trouble?”
“_Indeed! What a great thought! How did you come up with that?_”
Gu Jook immediately understood my words and slapped his knee, exclaiming.
“If the inspector is trying to pin the blame on someone, couldn’t we just swap out the scapegoat on our side?”
“Well… Huh… Do you really not want to try living under my command? I’m not joking here.”
“All I need is to share a drink with the head of guards.”
I offered my glass to the head of guards, who seemed at a loss for words.
“I didn’t realize my drinking buddy’s cup was empty and just kept talking. Here’s another!”
“Thank you. Please take some of mine as well.”
“I’ll surely remember this occasion for a long time.”
The head of guards looked straight at my face, as if saying he’d remember me again and again rather than just the drink.
“It’s an honor.”
“Hahaha! The taste of the drink you pour is truly special. If you ever need help, come to me anytime! There’s no one left to stop you in my house now!”
With the head of guards’ cheerful affirmation, the night in the mansion deepened.
———
“Master Kang, we’ve arrived.”
How much did I drink? I could barely open my eyes at the coachman’s words. I remembered getting into the carriage, but now we had already arrived at the mansion.
“I’m sorry for keeping you out so late. Please, go inside and rest.”
“It was nothing to fuss about. I’ll be waiting for you at your work time tomorrow.”
After greeting the coachman heading to the guest quarters, I made my way to my room.
I never thought the head of guards would be such a heavy drinker. Gu Jook only managed to get onto the carriage after he could barely control himself.
Thanks to that, my legs felt a bit wobbly too.
There’s a way to shake off drunkenness, but I hadn’t tried using my energy in this kind of state before, so it might be risky if I messed up.
I sat down on a rock in my courtyard for a moment.
“Did I succeed somehow…?”
The moonlight, which was gradually becoming round, illuminated the rock under the clear autumn sky.
The cool autumn breeze brushed against my warm cheeks, which felt good enough that I could close my eyes and sleep right here on the rock.
“Three-Eyed Sword, Cho Cheol, Inspector Jung Mun-won… and head of guards, Gu Jook.”
What many said was impossible, I had somehow managed to do it three times.
“That was ridiculously difficult.”
Especially with the head of guards, it was tough.
Even though it was the same level of difficulty, unlike the Three-Eyed Sword with its safety measures, or the inspector who made use of connections and power, I had to secure the funds purely based on personal skill.
The opponent was the head of guards, who held unimaginable power.
Staring at Gu Jook’s face, I felt like a well-fed tiger that had devoured every prey in sight, but in reality, it was just a fat pig, and I had to remind myself of that.
But in the end, somehow I did succeed.
I smirked at the moon.
“I should sleep since I need to wake up tomorrow.”
Telling myself that, I barely lifted my drunken body.
I didn’t feel a sense of achievement, rather a feeling of fatigue hit after a full sprint. It felt like finishing a difficult project at work, barely succeeding, and now sitting on a playground in front of my house after running three laps.
I should sleep.
I have to work again tomorrow. Inside a dark room with no one else. As I made my way to my bed with my heavy, drunken body, my dizzy head led me to dreamland, and before I knew it, it would be time to wake up in the morning.
I carefully opened the living room door.
“_Huh?_”
What’s this? Something scurried towards me from the darkness inside the living room.
“Welcome back!”
“Miss Zhuge?!”
Miss Zhuge came closer, greeting me and looking up at my face.
“You have some luggage with you. Let me help you with that.”
“Were you not sleeping? You were awake until this hour?”
What time is it now? It must have passed midnight already.
“_Ah… um…_”
Miss Zhuge tried grabbing my luggage but then averted her gaze as if feeling shy.
“…?”
“_Hehe heh…_”
“Miss Zhuge?”
What’s going on? Why does Miss Zhuge suddenly look so awkwardly amused?
“_Ah! It’s nothing!_”
When I looked at her in disbelief, she couldn’t hold back and covered her laughing face with her palms.
_Huh?_
A laughing face?
“Surely… you were waiting because of what I said a few days ago?”
“You mentioned wanting to see me smile when I came back from work.”
“Haha.”
That’s right.
“_Eep! Please just pretend you didn’t see it._”
With the moonlight spilling through the open door, I noticed her ears turning bright red.
“How could I do that? I saw it perfectly.”
Is she really waiting until this hour just for that one comment? My heart starts fluttering, even beyond the effects of alcohol.
“_Huh?! A-ah, Master Kang?!_”
Miss Zhuge couldn’t hide her embarrassment as I carefully put my arm around her shoulders.
“Just a little longer like this.”
I gently rested my chin on her head. I could smell the hydrangeas from a rainy morning. There’s a softness her body couldn’t hide, even as she shied away.
I could sleep like this. Though strangely, my body started heating up, I found the warmth contrasting with the cool autumn breeze quite comforting.
“Oh, ohhh, thank you for your hard work today.”
“Thank you.”
In the quiet room, the sound of relentless clanging came from nearby.
“Even if things didn’t go well today, it’ll turn out okay.”
“I succeeded.”
Did she think I came back drunk thinking I had failed?
“_Huh? Then why?_”
“Because I want to stay like this.”
Playfully, I added just a slight pressure to my chin resting on her head.
“_Oh… Master Kang…_”
After a tiring day and collapsing onto the bed felt one way, being able to lean on someone who waited for me felt so much better.
Somehow, a smile crept out.
I kept smelling the hydrangea scent until the strength in Zhuge’s legs gave way, trying her best to hold me up.
———
“Master Kang, a strange string is hanging out of your luggage. What is it?”
“Nothing at all!”
Surprised, the alcohol left me instantly.
———————
“Do you really think this makes sense?!”
After a slightly embarrassing night, a scheduled guest arrived in the guest room.
“What’s going on?”
What’s this commotion?
“Club Leader. The visitor seems dissatisfied with the price I quoted.”
“Is that true?”
I scowled at the person sent by the head of guards.
“That’s way too cheap! How can anyone offer this low?!”
“Then just don’t buy it.”
“What, what did you just say?”
“I made an agreement with the head of guards to finish everything today. If you’re not satisfied with the price, then don’t buy it.”
I’m telling you, I had a great time yesterday with the head of guards, drinking and bonding, and now you’re ruining that!
“Are you seriously saying just leave like that? There’s no way I could sell at such a ridiculous price!”
“Who said I’m trading anything?”
With a serious expression, I replied to the person sent by the head of guards.
“What?”
“You didn’t seem to hear properly. The head of guards urgently needs to liquidate these before sunset today and asked me for help. If you come here and raise a fuss, why should I help you? Just walk away; I won’t accept it.”
Oh, I see. This guy thinks I’m the one engaging in business. He’s just someone acting on orders. I needed to point that out quickly.
“Don’t you realize you could sell for more if you simply sold it right? It’s not like I have any ill will towards the buyer.”
“I’ve agreed to turn in all land and building documents within today. If you’re not ready to bring cash soon, then you’ll be on your own with the consequences of this business.”
Nonchalantly, I waved my hand, as if to dismiss the bother.
“W-well…”
“I don’t understand why you want to mess up a nice conversation that already ended pleasantly with the head of guards. I understand your concern, but if you want to act on something not even asked, it might be better to cover your own backside.”
It’s common knowledge that as a subordinate, finishing assigned tasks effectively counts half the effort. I’m the one who was asked; you are the one taking orders. You know how this should resolve itself, right?
“Still…”
“We’re also pressed on time. We’d need several people to get this liquidated within a day. We’re trying to follow through on the head of guards’ request, so please expedite the process.”
If today’s dealings go awry, it’ll all be on you. I subtly warned him not to forget that.
“I’m sorry. I misunderstood Master Kang.”
In the end, the person sent by the head of guards had to nod along to the price we quoted, no choice left.
—————
“Did you really consume everything from the printing house and the head of guards’ money?”
Jeon Gil-san gazed at the documents in disbelief.
“Technically, I have the land deeds and building titles.”
I had seen everything from the head of guards’ messenger nearly breaking down in tears as they left after coming this morning.
I chuckled as if asking why he was even questioning it.
“Goodness…”
Jeon Gil-san couldn’t close his mouth and scanned me from head to toe before turning his gaze aside.
“_Hehe._”
“Why’s he acting like that?”
Beside Jeon Gil-san, Miss Zhuge was lounging around with a bright smile on her face since morning.
“……”
I mean, really. No matter how good my mood was, this was still absurd. Booze is a nemesis. How long did I spend like that, back-hugging her?
“_Eh?! It’s nothing!_”
Miss Zhuge seemed to realize I was looking and hurried to stand up, but it was too late. Jeon Gil-san was already eyeing both of us, suspicious.
“You two…”
“What?”
“Were you serious?”
“Yeeeeeah?”
“Well, what’s it matter, right?”
“Ugh. Not at all.”
This jerk looked a bit disappointed as if he had missed something.
“Do you really think I’m that reckless?”
There are things a person should and shouldn’t say.
She’s the youngest daughter of Zhuge family. If anything goes wrong, it could end up causing major trouble. Not to mention if So-hee or Hwa-rin heard any rumors, who knows what would happen.
“When a person is extremely joyful, accidents and history tend to happen… Ugh. I misspoke! But what are we gonna do about the printing house?”
Feeling the death glares from my eyes, Jeon Gil-san sighed deeply before asking.
“Of course, it should belong to me.”
In the midst of struggling with the paperwork, the printing house? And it’s a printing house where other Joseon people are working? I had no intention of handing it over to anyone.
“What about the inspector? They won’t just sit back if they find out you took a bribe.”
“Doesn’t matter. I acquired the printing house from the Man Geum Battlefield, not as a bribe from the head of guards.”
I would never give up that shield from the inspector.
“What do you mean? Shouldn’t you ask grandfather to intervene first?”
Gil-san asked, looking puzzled.
“From the Man Geum Battlefield, they said they would buy the rights for around 80% of the market price if you bring the title deeds.”
The second hurdle was the collection of debts, not the proper cashing out. I had already filled the other party in on that beforehand.
“And?”
I shook the stacks of title deeds I held in both hands.
“All of those deeds here. None of them surpass 70% of their market value.”
Using the illusion of liquidating within a day, I had successfully struck them down.
“What?!”
“The head of guards already calculated the debts used, so no extra costs added. The Man Geum Battlefield is about matching sums, regardless of the cumbersome processes involved. That means all the intermediary steps can be ignored. Now, all I need is a formal document stating that I converted these deeds into cash in the Man Geum Battlefield…”
“Are you saying the printing house will be left over?”
The treasury manager lifted a paper filled with calculations already done.
“Just pay an extra 3 silver and 20 copper. For a printing house employing over 100 workers, that’s a bit pricey.”
“……”
“Wow…”
Admiring eyes turned towards me mixed with astonishment.
Though it was half a day late, I opened my arms and laughed in success.
There would be no chance of me getting reprimanded later.
Taking in money that couldn’t be obtained, I would refund the principle and naturally earn interest. Even if a few flexible maneuvers were involved, it was one of the legal ways a capable debt collector made a profit.
“I can’t believe sometimes you seem even smarter than grandfather.”
Jeon Gil-san chuckled as he said it to me.
“How can you say something so harsh?”
Comparing me to the head of guards feels like ludicrous.
“Do you think I look like a reckless person?”
There are certain things that should and shouldn’t be said.
“Do you really think I’m an irresponsible person?”
The youngest daughter of the Zhuge family. If I’m found to be doing something reckless, it may end with a neighborhood outcry. Not to mention, if So-hee or Hwa-rin caught wind of this, who knows what drama would unfold.
“Fixing everything during joyous times often leads to accidents or history… Wait! I shouldn’t have said that! Anyway, how are we going to handle the printing house?”
Sensing my glare directed towards him, Jeon Gil-san sighed deeply when I inquired.
“Of course, this should belong to me.”
In the midst of struggling to establish safe trading, a printing house under the control of Joseon citizens? I had no intention of giving it away.
“What about the inspector? If they figure out there was a bribe taken, will it just get forgotten?”
“Doesn’t matter. I obtained the printing house from the Man Geum Battlefield, not as a bribe from the head of guards.”
What? How absurd a notion would that be for someone?
“What does that even mean? Shouldn’t you ask grandfather to intervene first?”
Gil-san gave me a puzzled look for additional explanation.
“From the Man Geum Battlefield, they said they would buy the rights for around 80% of the market price if you bring the title deeds.”
Collecting debts is the second condition; it’s not the straight conversion to cash. I had foreseen this.
“And what about?”
I held the stacks of title deeds high with both hands.
“All of those deeds here. None of them surpass 70% of their market value.”
Using the illusion of liquidating within a day, I had successfully struck them down.
“What?!”
“The head of guards already calculated the debts used, so no extra costs added. The Man Geum Battlefield is about matching sums, regardless of the cumbersome processes involved. That means all the intermediary steps can be ignored. Now, all I need is a formal document stating that I converted these deeds into cash in the Man Geum Battlefield…”
“Are you saying the printing house will be left over?”
The treasury manager lifted a paper filled with calculations already done.
“Just pay an extra 3 silver and 20 copper. For a printing house employing over 100 workers, that’s a bit pricey.”
“……”
“Wow…”
Admiring eyes turned towards me mixed with astonishment.
Though it was half a day late, I opened my arms and laughed in success.
There would be no chance of me getting reprimanded later.
Taking in money that couldn’t be obtained, I would refund the principle and naturally earn interest. Even if a few flexible maneuvers were involved, it was one of the legal ways a capable debt collector made a profit.
“I can’t believe sometimes you seem even smarter than grandfather.”
Jeon Gil-san chuckled as he said it to me.
“How can you say something so harsh?”
Comparing me to the head of guards feels like ludicrous.
“Do you think I look like a reckless person?”
There are certain things that should and shouldn’t be said.
“Do you really think I’m an irresponsible person?”
The youngest daughter of the Zhuge family. If I’m found to be doing something reckless, it may end with a neighborhood outcry. Not to mention, if So-hee or Hwa-rin caught wind of this, who knows what drama would unfold.
“Fixing everything during joyous times often leads to accidents or history… Wait! I shouldn’t have said that! Anyway, how are we going to handle the printing house?”
Sensing my glare directed towards him, Jeon Gil-san sighed deeply when I inquired.
“Of course, this should belong to me.”
In the midst of struggling to establish safe trading, a printing house under the control of Joseon citizens? I had no intention of giving it away.
“What about the inspector? If they figure out there was a bribe taken, will it just get forgotten?”
“Doesn’t matter. I obtained the printing house from the Man Geum Battlefield, not as a bribe from the head of guards.”
What? How absurd a notion would that be for someone?
“What does that even mean? Shouldn’t you ask grandfather to intervene first?”
Gil-san gave me a puzzled look for additional explanation.
“From the Man Geum Battlefield, they said they would buy the rights for around 80% of the market price if you bring the title deeds.”
Collecting debts is the second condition; it’s not the straight conversion to cash. I had foreseen this.
“And what about?”
I held the stacks of title deeds high with both hands.
“All of those deeds here. None of them surpass 70% of their market value.”
Using the illusion of liquidating within a day, I had successfully struck them down.
“What?!”
“The head of guards already calculated the debts used, so no extra costs added. The Man Geum Battlefield is about matching sums, regardless of the cumbersome processes involved. That means all the intermediary steps can be ignored. Now, all I need is a formal document stating that I converted these deeds into cash in the Man Geum Battlefield…”
“Are you saying the printing house will be left over?”
The treasury manager lifted a paper filled with calculations already done.
“Just pay an extra 3 silver and 20 copper. For a printing house employing over 100 workers, that’s a bit pricey.”
“……”
“Wow…”
Admiring eyes turned towards me mixed with astonishment.
Though it was half a day late, I opened my arms and laughed in success.
There would be no chance of me getting reprimanded later.
Taking in money that couldn’t be obtained, I would refund the principle and naturally earn interest. Even if a few flexible maneuvers were involved, it was one of the legal ways a capable debt collector made a profit.
“I can’t believe sometimes you seem even smarter than grandfather.”
Jeon Gil-san chuckled as he said it to me.
“How can you say something so harsh?”
Comparing me to the head of guards feels like ludicrous.
“Do you think I look like a reckless person?”
There are certain things that should and shouldn’t be said.
“Do you really think I’m an irresponsible person?”
The youngest daughter of the Zhuge family. If I’m found to be doing something reckless, it may end with a neighborhood outcry. Not to mention, if So-hee or Hwa-rin caught wind of this, who knows what drama would unfold.
“Fixing everything during joyous times often leads to accidents or history… Wait! I shouldn’t have said that! Anyway, how are we going to handle the printing house?”
Sensing my glare directed towards him, Jeon Gil-san sighed deeply when I inquired.
“Of course, this should belong to me.”
In the midst of struggling to establish safe trading, a printing house under the control of Joseon citizens? I had no intention of giving it away.
“What about the inspector? If they figure out there was a bribe taken, will it just get forgotten?”
“Doesn’t matter. I obtained the printing house from the Man Geum Battlefield, not as a bribe from the head of guards.”
What? How absurd a notion would that be for someone?
“What does that even mean? Shouldn’t you ask grandfather to intervene first?”
Gil-san gave me a puzzled look for additional explanation.
“From the Man Geum Battlefield, they said they would buy the rights for around 80% of the market price if you bring the title deeds.”
Collecting debts is the second condition; it’s not the straight conversion to cash. I had foreseen this.
“And what about?”
I held the stacks of title deeds high with both hands.
“All of those deeds here. None of them surpass 70% of their market value.”
Using the illusion of liquidating within a day, I had successfully struck them down.
“What?!”
“The head of guards already calculated the debts used, so no extra costs added. The Man Geum Battlefield is about matching sums, regardless of the cumbersome processes involved. That means all the intermediary steps can be ignored. Now, all I need is a formal document stating that I converted these deeds into cash in the Man Geum Battlefield…”
“Are you saying the printing house will be left over?”
The treasury manager lifted a paper filled with calculations already done.
“Just pay an extra 3 silver and 20 copper. For a printing house employing over 100 workers, that’s a bit pricey.”
“……”
“Wow…”
Admiring eyes turned towards me mixed with astonishment.
Though it was half a day late, I opened my arms and laughed in success.
There would be no chance of me getting reprimanded later.
Taking in money that couldn’t be obtained, I would refund the principle and naturally earn interest. Even if a few flexible maneuvers were involved, it was one of the legal ways a capable debt collector made a profit.
“I can’t believe sometimes you seem even smarter than grandfather.”
Jeon Gil-san chuckled as he said it to me.
“How can you say something so harsh?”
Comparing me to the head of guards feels like ludicrous.
“Do you think I look like a reckless person?”
There are certain things that should and shouldn’t be said.
“Do you really think I’m an irresponsible person?”
The youngest daughter of the Zhuge family. If I’m found to be doing something reckless, it may end with a neighborhood outcry. Not to mention, if So-hee or Hwa-rin caught wind of this, who knows what drama would unfold.
“Fixing everything during joyous times often leads to accidents or history… Wait! I shouldn’t have said that! Anyway, how are we going to handle the printing house?”
Sensing my glare directed towards him, Jeon Gil-san sighed deeply when I inquired.
“Of course, this should belong to me.”
In the midst of struggling to establish safe trading, a printing house under the control of Joseon citizens? I had no intention of giving it away.
“What about the inspector? If they figure out there was a bribe taken, will it just get forgotten?”
“Doesn’t matter. I obtained the printing house from the Man Geum Battlefield, not as a bribe from the head of guards.”
What? How absurd a notion would that be for someone?
“What does that even mean? Shouldn’t you ask grandfather to intervene first?”
Gil-san gave me a puzzled look for additional explanation.
“From the Man Geum Battlefield, they said they would buy the rights for around 80% of the market price if you bring the title deeds.”
Collecting debts is the second condition; it’s not the straight conversion to cash. I had foreseen this.
“And what about?”
I held the stacks of title deeds high with both hands.
“All of those deeds here. None of them surpass 70% of their market value.”
Using the illusion of liquidating within a day, I had successfully struck them down.
“What?!”
“The head of guards already calculated the debts used, so no extra costs added. The Man Geum Battlefield is about matching sums, regardless of the cumbersome processes involved. That means all the intermediary steps can be ignored. Now, all I need is a formal document stating that I converted these deeds into cash in the Man Geum Battlefield…”
“Are you saying the printing house will be left over?”
The treasury manager lifted a paper filled with calculations already done.
“Just pay an extra 3 silver and 20 copper. For a printing house employing over 100 workers, that’s a bit pricey.”
“……”
“Wow…”
Admiring eyes turned towards me mixed with astonishment.
Though it was half a day late, I opened my arms and laughed in success.
There would be no chance of me getting reprimanded later.
Taking in money that couldn’t be obtained, I would refund the principle and naturally earn interest. Even if a few flexible maneuvers were involved, it was one of the legal ways a capable debt collector made a profit.
“I can’t believe sometimes you seem even smarter than grandfather.”
Jeon Gil-san chuckled as he said it to me.
“How can you say something so harsh?”
Comparing me to the head of guards feels like ludicrous.
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