Chapter 66 – Ten Great Merchant Guilds of the Central Plains

Chapter 66 – Ten Great Merchant Guilds of the Central Plains

On the deck, an unexpected chase was in full swing.

San-ho was running away, and Yeo Woo-min was chasing him. Even the child was running close behind them, tottering along. The chase only came to an end after Yeo Woo-min shouted a business proposal at the back of San-ho's head.

“Ah, so… you want to do business with the Tang Clan?”

“Yes! Exactly.”

“What kind of business…?”

“Ah~ I was thinking we could figure that out step by step from now on!”

“………”

Tsk, is this guy a swindler?

San-ho's suspicious gaze turned toward Yeo Woo-min.

“Common sense-wise, does that even make sense right now…?”

“Can't we just learn what we lack and fill in what we're missing?”

“……”

“I have a feeling right now.”

“What feeling?”

“There is such a thing as a merchant's intuition, you see. The moment I saw you, young hero, it just hit me. This will work.”

“……Sigh…”

Was this not a multi-level marketing scheme, but a cult?

San-ho frowned at Yeo Woo-min's cheerful voice.

‘Of course, I did need a merchant guild to trade with regularly, but…’

Although he had not known when living inside the family walls, the Sichuan Tang Clan's financial problems were more serious than he thought. Of course, just as the saying goes that even if a rich house falls, it still lasts for three generations, they were not immediately struggling with a shortage of funds. However, if they continued like this, they were destined to eventually walk the path of bankruptcy.

He had only just managed to keep his head attached, so he could not tolerate a gold spoon turning into a silver spoon.

‘Still, to put my ideas into practice, the merchant guild needs to be of a certain scale.’

In San-ho's mind, various business proposals were already drafted.

Working as a waiter at Drunken Lotus Pavilion, where all kinds of information in the Central Plains gathered, investment information naturally accumulated. From the types of silk and tea popular recently, to the crafting methods of ornaments.

He even had a plan to sell the Tang Clan's secret liquor Myeongsu… but to ensure reliable distribution and promotion, business with a large-scale merchant guild was necessary.

‘Tsk… I'd like it to be around the level of the Ten Great Merchant Guilds of the Central Plains, though.’

San-ho smacked his lips in regret.

The ten largest and most famous merchant guilds in the Central Plains already had their own primary escort bureaus and sects. Opening a new trade relationship with the Tang Clan would likely bring more loss than gain for them. Since they would not bother to take on the trouble, San-ho was aiming for the merchant guilds below that level.

“I would like it if that happened as well, but unfortunately, didn't you say yours is a small merchant guild? We are the Sichuan Tang Clan of the Five Great Families, after all, so it should at least be around the level of the Ten Great Merchant Guilds of the Central Plains.”

Since he was going to reject him anyway, speaking of high expectations would cause less hurt, right?

San-ho gently rejected Yeo Woo-min's proposal with a mix of falsehoods.

Hearing those words, Yeo Woo-min opened his eyes wide.

“Ah! Is that all it takes?”

“Yes, so unfortunately…”

“Then everything is settled! I look forward to working with you in the future!”

“…Excuse me?”

Yeo Woo-min grabbed San-ho's hand firmly and shook it up and down as if shaking hands.

“I didn't expect it to be solved this easily! Wow, I thought I'd have to chase you for another month or so!”

“No, the Ten Great Merchant Guilds of the Central Plains…”

Just as San-ho was about to speak again at Yeo Woo-min's incomprehensible behavior.

Do Yi-gyeom crept closer and whispered.

‘There is only one merchant guild with the surname Yeo in the Central Plains, and that is the Meteor Merchant Guild.’

The moment those words ended, San-ho's eyes grew as wide as lanterns.

“What did you say?!”

“Ah, you startled me! Why, why are you doing that?”

At San-ho's suddenly raised voice, Yeo Woo-min blinked in surprise.

“Meteor Merchant Guild? Then this multi-level marketing—no, you, Young Leader Yeo, were the young leader of that Meteor Merchant Guild?”

“Yes, did I not… ah, tell you at first? Oh my, I forgot! I'm sorry… I'm just not used to introducing myself…”

“No, why are you only telling me this now?”

“Pardon?”

Yeo Woo-min, who had introduced it as a small merchant guild out of humility, had not corrected it. Fleshing out a sheepish smile, it was San-ho's turn to grab his hand and shake it up and down.

“I look forward to working with you, customer. We will serve you safely and quickly.”

“…Ah? Yes, yes! I look forward to working with you too!”

Hesitating at the instantly changed attitude, Yeo Woo-min nodded.

“Then, what should we discuss first? Ah, wait, wait. It would be better to discuss such an important matter together with the Family Head.”

Having unexpectedly fished up a golden ticket from the river, San-ho excitedly went to find Tang Hwa-seon.

“Family Head!”

“Why is there such a fuss?”

A moment later, Tang Hwa-seon, led by San-ho, stared at Yeo Woo-min with a dazed expression.

“I greet the Tang Clan Head once again. I am Yeo Woo-min, the Young Leader of the Meteor Merchant Guild.”

Offering a polite greeting, Yeo Woo-min looked straight into Tang Hwa-seon's eyes.

“So Young Leader Yeo was of the Meteor Merchant Guild? Ho, I have seen the Meteor Merchant Guild in Sichuan a few times.”

“That the Family Head of the great Sichuan Tang Clan recognizes us is an infinite honor for our family.”

With an emotional expression, Yeo Woo-min suddenly clasped his hands and called out.

“Please establish a connection with our merchant guild!”

“……?”

At the sudden words, Tang Hwa-seon asked in a voice mixed with confusion.

“A connection. What do you mean by that?”

Yeo Woo-min presented the conveniences and conditions that the merchant guild could provide. He added that if there was anything needed, they should offer their opinions without hesitation.

“We wish to trade with the Tang Clan.”

At the story that was difficult to accept easily, Tang Hwa-seon replied cautiously.

“I understand the Young Leader's intent, but how can you decide the affairs of the merchant guild alone without the Merchant Guild Leader?”

“The Merchant Guild Leader would have surely said the same thing as me. I am certain.”

Noticing Tang Hwa-seon's doubt, Yeo Woo-min continued.

“Tang Clan Head, my father always said. The most important thing as a merchant is the eye for judging people. Trends and new products are only temporary, but people are not, he said.”

“……”

“The moment I saw Young Hero San-ho, I knew. That he is someone who will achieve great things, whatever they may be! So how could I let this opportunity slip away?”

At Yeo Woo-min's words filled with conviction, Tang Hwa-seon let out a low sigh.

What kind of place was the Meteor Merchant Guild?

It was a place highly renowned as one of the Ten Great Merchant Guilds of the Central Plains.

Even counting those trying to line up to form a connection, both hands would be insufficient.

‘If we join hands with the Meteor Merchant Guild, the escort bureau will not even be a problem.’

Two of the troubles that weighed heavily on his shoulders were resolved.

The one who solved the chronic financial problems of the Tang Clan was San-ho.

“……”

Who would have known?

That his son, who was said to pass away before reaching adulthood, and who was called a flower rather than a dragon or a tiger, would bring the solution to the problem.

‘I was underestimating this child the most. Out of anyone else, me…’

Tang Hwa-seon looked at San-ho sitting next to him.

The child who had won over two of the Ten Venerables of the Martial World.

The child who had caused the Tang Clan Medical Pavilion to be designated as an official medical pavilion of the Martial Alliance.

The child who had made the Young Leader of the Meteor Merchant Guild propose a trade deal first.

The child in front of his eyes now was no longer the child who pained his heart the most.

Tang San-ho of the Sichuan Tang Clan.

A new rising star of the Jianghu whom anyone could see possessed outstanding caliber and wished to associate with.

The linchpin of a bizarre force that even he could not treat lightly.

“Very well. What would you like to start with?”

Tang Hwa-seon's gaze changed in an instant.

***

Discussions went beyond the affairs of the escort bureau to adding goods to the merchant guild.

Since the conditions of the contract required the Merchant Guild Leader and the Head Manager, they were discussing the direction of the business beforehand.

“Ah, then first, Sichuan spices and camellia oil would be good. Recently, Sichuan spices have been trendy in Hubei and Anhui.”

At Yeo Woo-min's words, San-ho asked as if finding it fascinating.

“Is that so? Must be quite spicy.”

“Since the young masters of the great families look for it, it naturally became a trend.”

Suddenly remembering the time of the Assembly of the Five Great Families, San-ho chuckled.

Whether it was Namgung Yeon, who ate spicy food and turned from a joraengi rice cake into tteokbokki, or the Young Clan Leader of the Zhuge Family, who boldly challenged it only to suffer from the rising heat, or even Paeng Ju-hyun, who unexpectedly had a taste for spicy food. It was a quite pleasant memory.

San-ho, who had been lost in thought for a moment, suddenly asked.

“Are there other popular items among the goods of the west?”

“Well, yes, there are many! Since goods of the west have many exotic things. Tea and fruits from Yunnan and Sichuan are also very popular. But most of them are impossible to transport because long-term storage is difficult.”

“Hmm…”

“It's unfortunate, but since the isolated terrain requires a lot of time for movement, it can't be helped. The Meteor Merchant Guild's Sichuan base also primarily trades in exotic ornaments or spices as a priority.”

Sichuan was a terrain locked inside a basin surrounded by high mountains.

While its unique culture had developed significantly due to being isolated, the drawback was that exchange with other regions was difficult.

‘Namgung Yeon also said that there were exceptionally many fascinating things in Sichuan.’

Therefore, if only they could transport them quickly, a mega-hit was a foregone conclusion.

“What if we go along the river?”

“Waterways are fast, but the Three Gorges section is so rough that considering the long term, that too is difficult.”

At Yeo Woo-min's reply, San-ho let out a sigh of regret.

‘Yunnan has a mild climate, so the fruits are delicious. But since tropical fruits easily spoil… they would all rot while moving east. Tsk, they are only delicious when received fresh via Ro-X-ket Delivery.’

It was then.

The voices of Tae Ju-ha and Geum-myeong were heard from the bow.

“Chief Stronghold Leader, we will arrive at Luzhou soon.”

“Is that so? We arrived sooner than expected. Tell the men below to prepare for docking.”

The Red Dragon Ship that departed from Hubei had already arrived in Sichuan.

“……”

San-ho, who was deep in thought, rolled his eyes quickly.

Then, he suddenly snapped his head around and looked to his side.

At the end of his gaze stood Tae Ju-ha, the Chief Stronghold Leader of the Eighteen Waterway Forts of the Yangtze River, with his arms crossed. The man called the Master of the Yangtze River.

A meaningful smile appeared on San-ho's face.

“…I have a good idea.”

Ah, why did I only think of this now?

Am I not a genius?

**

“…No, do you think that makes sense right now?”

“Why wouldn't it?”

“………”

Hearing such bizarre nonsense for the first time in his life, Tae Ju-ha was lost for words.

“Come to think of it, what the escort bureau does is exactly the same as what the waterway forts do.”

They move goods and we steal them… where on earth is it the same…?

Tae Ju-ha muttered to himself, holding his throbbing head.

“Look, the reason a merchant guild trades with an escort bureau is to safely protect and move the cargo. The escorts guard it.”

“…True.”

“But the waterway forts have the best ships in the Central Plains, the waterways are naturally faster than land routes, and on top of that, the heroes of the Yangtze River can even play the role of escort warriors!”

A moment ago he called us water bandits, and now we are heroes?

“It couldn't be a more perfect fit. Originally, we are on the Yangtze River, and this is also on the Yangtze River!”

“Ha, you are getting more and more out of hand. Do you have someone backing you up?”

San-ho did not show even a hint of being intimidated by him anymore. Tae Ju-ha spoke while glancing at Do Yi-gyeom and Tang Hwa-seon in the cabin.

“Of course!”

“Ho… look at this fellow?”

“Why? You told me to only trust you, Chief Stronghold Leader. Was it all a lie when you said we were friends?”

“…?”

When San-ho pouted his lips and grumbled, Tae Ju-ha tilted his head.

“Are you saying I am the one backing you up?”

“Pardon? Of course. Who else would it be?”

Tae Ju-ha, who had naturally assumed that the ones San-ho trusted were the two in the cabin. However, when unexpected words came out, he forced down the corners of his rising mouth.

“Haha, my word. Ha! How audacious!”

“I'm telling you this because I trust you, Chief Stronghold Leader.”

“Come now, why call me Chief Stronghold Leader so coldly between us? Call me Uncle.”

“That's a bit…”

“Ah, you mean you don't want to?”

“Uncle!”

“Alright. Let's hear what your plan is.”

Only then did Tae Ju-ha smile with satisfaction, and San-ho began explaining the plan to him.

“Looking at it long-term, wouldn't it be better for the waterway forts to gradually run a legitimate business? In fact, it's not like only orthodox forces operate escort bureaus. Even looking at the Hao Sect, they have escort bureaus for gathering information.”

“That may be so, but this is not something to be decided easily, is it?”

“Besides, I've mentioned it before. The Chief Stronghold Leader's—no, Uncle's desire. The fact that you like precious things.”

“Huh? Why that?”

“If it's goods from the Meteor Merchant Guild, you will see a real lot of precious things. And… faster than anyone else.”

“………”

San-ho, who was born with a talent for coaxing people.

Before he knew it, Tae Ju-ha was also gradually falling for it.

‘This is tempting.’

It was the moment a bizarre force was about to be born, one that would overturn all forces of the black path and white path, and between the orthodox and evil.