A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 454

454. Rumors and Greed

The burning of the Grand Assembly Hall of the Tang Clan sent shockwaves not only through Chengdu, the city where the Tang Clan was located, but across the entire Sichuan province. Although officially reported as an accidental fire, the incident at the Tang Clan raised many eyebrows. Naturally, speculation and rumors abounded, and those with grudges against the Tang Clan didn’t hesitate to spread malicious gossip. However, this atmosphere didn’t last long. The Tang Clan announced plans to not only rebuild the Grand Assembly Hall but also to extensively renovate other buildings. Construction on such a scale requires enormous financial resources. Immediately, suppliers of materials and laborers began to converge on Chengdu, and related merchant guilds also experienced a surge in activity. The entire province of Sichuan buzzed with anticipation of the wealth the Tang Clan would spend on restoring the Grand Assembly Hall.

“Indeed, the Chief Strategist knows how to control the narrative,” Hwang, head of the Hwang Merchant Guild, remarked with a click of his tongue. Seated on the upper floor of a well-known teahouse in Chengdu, he held a teacup, unable to conceal his admiration.

“The rumors that the Tang Clan’s luck had run out, or that the fire was due to a young woman being the Chief Strategist, have vanished completely. Now, no one even remembers them?”

“Were there even such rumors?” Son Bin asked with a wry smile. Hwang simply shrugged.

“Well, people always gossip, don’t they? If it had been a man, they would have said he lacked virtue or that the heavens were displeased. Ultimately, those who want to criticize will always find a reason. The key is to prevent it from escalating, and the Chief Strategist’s response was perfectly timed.”

Hwang’s eyes gleamed as he turned to Son Bin. “I bet even within the Tang Clan, the dissenting voices have quieted down? Am I right?”

“It seems so,” Son Bin replied with a smile.

“You seem to be thriving as well, Head Hwang.”

“Ah, me?” Hwang grinned. He looked significantly better than before. His beard and hair were neatly groomed, and his luxurious attire radiated the aura of a successful young guild leader.

“I’m doing much better. The horse caravan [a trade route using horses to transport goods] is now well-established, and trade with the Tang Clan is secure for the next few years. I’m even investing in other merchant guilds these days. Traveling to Tibet and India has broadened my horizons, and I see things from a different perspective. Hahaha.”

Still chuckling, Hwang turned his head, his expression relaxed. The bustling streets below the teahouse teemed with people wearing the distinctive clothing of Sichuan.

“Life is unpredictable. Not long ago, I felt utterly hopeless, but now I hope to live like this for a long time.”

Hwang looked up at Son Bin. “It’s all thanks to you.”

“You’re welcome. I’m the one who has consistently received help from you, Head Hwang,” Son Bin replied with a smile. A happy smile mirrored his on Hwang’s face. A bond forged through shared hardships flowed between them.

“Oh, right, the reason I asked you to meet today…” Hwang said, setting down his teacup.

“There’s a strange rumor circulating these days.”

“A strange rumor?” Son Bin tilted his head. Hadn’t he just mentioned that the gossip about Chief Strategist Tang Hwa-ryun had died down? However, Hwang’s next words defied Son Bin’s expectations.

“Yes. Merchants are whispering that something significant might happen soon.”

Son Bin’s expression turned serious. Hwang continued slowly, his own face hardening. “I discovered this while meeting with various merchant guilds. It’s become increasingly difficult to acquire iron recently. Not only medicine, but the price of rice and grain is also steadily rising. There’s no apparent reason for these price increases right now, is there?”

Hwang tapped the table. “It seems some merchant guild is buying up these commodities on a massive scale, but they’re operating so discreetly through various channels that I haven’t been able to trace them. But when things get like this, merchants tend to sense something.”

Hwang lowered his voice. “‘Ah, something big is about to happen somewhere,’ they say.”

Son Bin frowned, deep in thought. “Has there been any major event recently?” Perhaps there was some significant news that had escaped his attention. However, Hwang shook his head.

“I don’t know. No, as far as I’ve investigated, there hasn’t been. No major disaster or problem has occurred in any region that would trigger a civil uprising. So, I wondered if there was some significant event in the court or the military.”

Hwang shrugged. “Under the current Emperor’s reign, no one would dare to attempt such a thing, right?”

The current Emperor’s rule was secure. Moreover, the Emperor, focused on the succession, would never tolerate any forces or subjects who could pose a threat. The recent Beoncheon Conspiracy [a historical event] was a testament to this. It was safe to say that there were virtually no factions within the court or the military capable of plotting a rebellion.

“Wouldn’t the Tang Clan be aware of such rumors?”

“What merchant would be bold enough to discuss such a serious matter without concrete evidence?” Hwang asked with a wry expression.

“Besides, it’s just speculation for now, and many rumors turn out to be false. Large clans or giant merchant guilds like the Tang Clan are surprisingly slow to pick up on the undercurrents. It’s a form of arrogance, or perhaps overconfidence.”

Son Bin nodded. Hwang’s assessment was accurate.

“So, be careful.” Hwang looked at Son Bin with concern. “I don’t know much about the martial world, but when something big happens, martial artists with swords are bound to get involved. I don’t know what will happen, but it’s clear that you’ll find yourself in a difficult position.”

Son Bin couldn’t help but smile at the genuine concern in Hwang’s eyes.

“Thank you. I’ll be especially careful.”

Hwang smiled and waved his hand. “What do you mean ‘especially’? It just means that if something happens, I hope you’ll save me too. Hahaha.” He had witnessed Son Bin, Noh Gun, and the others’ skills firsthand. He didn’t believe for a moment that those powerful individuals would be in danger.

“…It might just turn out to be a false rumor,” Hwang said, holding his teacup. But his voice lacked conviction. Son Bin also held his teacup. The warmth soothed his hand, but a chilling premonition began to settle in his heart.

***

“Something big?” Chief Strategist Tang Hwa-ryun, seated in her office, frowned. Son Bin, sitting a short distance away, nodded gravely.

“Yes. Recently, things like iron, medicine, and grain…”

“I know.” Tang Hwa-ryun cut him off. She stared intently at Son Bin, then sighed softly and set down the documents she was holding.

*Thud.*

Tang Hwa-ryun rose from her seat and walked to the table where Son Bin was sitting. She sat down opposite him and began to pour tea. *Pour, pour, pour.* The delicate aroma of tea filled the office. Tang Hwa-ryun poured tea into her own teacup, then filled another and offered it to Son Bin.

“Ah, thank you.” Son Bin expressed his gratitude when he suddenly heard Tang Hwa-ryun’s voice.

“Becoming a great clan or one of the Five Great Merchant Guilds isn’t just about the organization growing larger and having more members,” Tang Hwa-ryun said, holding her teacup.

“It means that the scale of money or power that can be mobilized becomes enormous. Just like I’m pouring money into this and shaking up the entire province of Sichuan.”

Son Bin nodded. Chief Strategist Tang Hwa-ryun’s decision had revitalized the Sichuan region. A single person’s decision had influenced the region’s economic situation.

“But this money and power, the more it increases, the more it resists remaining still. It constantly devours other things and tries to grow even bigger. Like a greedy, enormous, uncontrolled beast.”

Son Bin felt a strange chill at Tang Hwa-ryun’s analogy. Tang Hwa-ryun raised her teacup and savored the aroma of the tea.

“It’s not something that the clan leader or the guild leader can stop simply because they’re good people. The greater the scale of money or power, the more true this becomes. No, it becomes even more desperate. A bloated beast needs a huge amount of food to sustain itself. If it can’t devour, it collapses in an instant.”

Son Bin’s expression was grim. However, Tang Hwa-ryun lightly sipped her tea with her red lips.

“That’s why I say this happens often. This is actually a good thing. There are those who hoard grain during famines, or those who hoard essential medicines during epidemics and sell them at inflated prices. Of course, the court won’t stand idly by if that happens.”

Tang Hwa-ryun, noticing Son Bin’s silence, suddenly smiled.

“You’ve never considered this at all? The ‘One Who Walks the Path of the Uncrowned King,’ the ‘Blue Wolf of the North Sea,’ and the ‘Royal Consort’ of the noble princess.”

Son Bin gave an awkward smile at her teasing tone, but the smile quickly faded.

*Clack.*

Tang Hwa-ryun set down her teacup.

“Just kidding. You don’t need to worry about this. Just…” Her words offered little comfort to Son Bin. Tang Hwa-ryun’s soft voice brushed past his ears as he remained deep in thought, his expression serious.

“…Just stay there.”

“Yes?” Son Bin looked up, but Tang Hwa-ryun’s gaze was no longer on him.

“It makes a big difference whether someone is above me or not. Especially if I know clearly that ‘he doesn’t want this,’ it becomes a very effective deterrent. Like a large lid that prevents things in a boiling pot from bursting out.”

Tang Hwa-ryun, muttering to herself while holding her teacup, suddenly smiled.

“Of course, from my perspective, being suppressed by you is extremely annoying.”

It was a joke, but Tang Hwa-ryun’s words gave Son Bin much to ponder. Tang Hwa-ryun lightly sipped her tea with her red lips and turned to look at Son Bin.

“What are you planning to do now? Are you going to search for Flying Sword Gongsun Gok? Or are you returning to the Seowon [a type of private academy in Korea]?”

“I’m going to Yunnan.”

“Yunnan?” Tang Hwa-ryun asked, surprised. Son Bin nodded.

“Elder Noh Gun suggested we go to the Blood Dragon Gate. Since Flying Sword sought the legacy of Maeng Ho, there might be a connection with the previous Jade Dragon of the Blood Dragon Gate.”

“Hmm. That’s true.” Tang Hwa-ryun muttered softly.

“It’s not wise to leave the Blood Dragon Gate unattended. Since the young Jade Dragon of the Blood Dragon Gate has allied with Flying Sword Gongsun Gok, it would be best to deal with it while we’re in the area.”

Son Bin couldn’t help but smile wryly. Tang Hwa-ryun’s words echoed Noh Gun’s exactly, although the phrase ‘deal with it while we’re here’ might sound disrespectful to the young Jade Dragon or the Blood Dragon Gate.

“Rather than that, there’s something I want to convey personally.”

“Personally?” Tang Hwa-ryun’s question implied she wanted details. But Son Bin raised his teacup and said quietly, “Yes. Personally.”

It was what the previous Jade Dragon had told Son Bin through Geomhee. It might not seem significant to others, but it was very important and deeply personal to the young Jade Dragon.

“Is that so? Hmm…” She still seemed suspicious, but fortunately, Tang Hwa-ryun didn’t press further. Had she persisted, Son Bin would have found it difficult. Of course, he wouldn’t have answered regardless.

“Listen carefully to Grandpa Noh Gun. The reason you can relax is because he’s thinking and worrying about you constantly.”

Son Bin unconsciously smiled bitterly. While her words were accurate, Tang Hwa-ryun’s attitude toward Noh Gun was noticeably different than before. Perhaps it was due to the clan’s emphasis on blood relations, but Son Bin couldn’t help but feel a sense of unfamiliarity with her change in demeanor.

“Why are you smiling?” Tang Hwa-ryun asked sharply. Son Bin quickly shook his head.

“It’s nothing. What you said is all correct.”

Tang Hwa-ryun, who had slightly frowned, raised her teacup again and brought it to her lips. She spoke as if letting something slip, “And listen to me too. I’m suffering because of you as well.”

It was a passing remark, but Son Bin couldn’t ignore it. He tilted his head and asked, “You are?”

At those words, Tang Hwa-ryun’s eyes shot up. Son Bin realized he had made a mistake, but the words were already out. “Ahem.” Son Bin cleared his throat and turned to sip his tea. He couldn’t even taste the tea properly under Tang Hwa-ryun’s piercing gaze.

***

“Wahahaha.” The children’s laughter filled the small Seowon of Cheongwon. Having finished their classes, the children ran around and played with bright faces, as if they possessed the entire world.

“Kids, be careful,” Hyeokryun Se-hwa, dressed in elegant clothes, cautioned, but the boys paid no attention. However, Hyeokryun Se-hwa wasn’t overly concerned. Seo-rin was present, and Hwe-ah and Hwang-ah, two of Tang Wol-ah’s five children, were also there.

“Hey! You have to listen to the teacher!” So-so, sitting next to her, shouted in place of the teacher. Hyeokryun Se-hwa smiled and stroked So-so’s head.

“Thank you. But wouldn’t it be better to speak more gently?”

“They’re simple, so they only understand when you do this,” So-so said with a sigh. Aeng-aeng also chimed in with a small voice, “That’s right. Boys don’t understand anything.”

Hyeokryun Se-hwa gave an awkward smile. Just as she was about to say something while stroking Aeng-aeng’s head, Hwa-sa arrived with a teapot.

“Be careful. It’s hot,” Hwa-sa warned, addressing So-so and Aeng-aeng, as well as Hong-ah, Cheong-ah, and Nok-ah. So-so and Aeng-aeng quickly tucked their feet in. Hyeokryun Se-hwa smiled at the scene, but Hwa-sa, carrying the teapot, frowned.

“Why are you there?” Hwa-sa’s gaze was directed at Sarasvati, who was seated elegantly.

“Why?” Sarasvati asked softly. “Because I’m discussing the development of medicine with Shin-ui [a term for a highly skilled doctor].” She was discussing Indian medicine and herbs with Shin-ui, but the content was beyond Hwa-sa’s comprehension. However, Hwa-sa’s mood wasn’t soured by the incomprehensible conversation.

“Why are you sitting still and waiting for tea without doing anything?” Hwa-sa asked, setting down the teapot.

But Sarasvati smiled. “I am working too.”

Hwa-sa looked puzzled. Sarasvati working was a new concept.

“What work?”

“Waiting.”

Hwa-sa’s expression crumpled again at the wordplay.

“If you think I’ll fall for that kind of trick again…”

“If a guest leaves without saying hello to the host,” Sarasvati said, pouring tea into a teacup, “It’s rude. Isn’t it?”

Hwa-sa flinched. She was still weak in etiquette, finding it too complicated with too many exceptions.

“Is that so?” Hyeokryun Se-hwa, who had been listening, gave an awkward smile. But she didn’t object to Sarasvati’s words. Instead, she was fascinated by Sarasvati, who came from India. She enjoyed hearing stories from India, as well as tales of Son Bin and his group’s adventures there. Hwa-sa would also draw near and listen intently.

“Ah, and,” Sarasvati said, raising her teacup, “There’s something strange in Raja’s [an Indian term of respect] room, do you know about it?”

Everyone was accustomed to Sarasvati’s term for Son Bin. It signified respect in Indian culture, so no one objected.

“Ah, the one in Oppa’s [Korean term for older brother] room?” Hwa-sa asked with a smug expression. “I know. The Tang Clan left it there. I specifically allowed it. Come to think of it, I haven’t told you it’s there yet.”

This was news to Hyeokryun Se-hwa.

“In Young Master Son’s room?” Hwa-sa nodded at Hyeokryun Se-hwa’s question.

“Yeah. Wol-ah’s sister asked me to. Ah! She told me not to touch it.”

Hwa-sa glared at Sarasvati, who remained indifferent.

“I wondered why it was locked so strangely, but it wasn’t Raja’s. Then I’m not interested.” Disassembling complex mechanisms could be fun, but if the result wasn’t worthwhile, there was no point in the effort. Sarasvati quickly lost interest. As a result, Hwa-sa forgot to ask why Sarasvati knew about the object in Son Bin’s room.

“Wahahaha.” The cheerful laughter of the children echoed. The Seowon, filled with the subtle scent of tea, overflowed with warmth and laughter.

(Author’s words)

If you leave your room for a long time, your brother’s privacy will fly away.