Chapter 50 :

Chapter 50. The First Pouch (4)

At my words, Merchant Leader Yang Jinsoo and his group nodded.

In truth, there were many cases where a light indigestion that did not fully resolve eventually led to death.

There were also many cases where a slight cut went bad, and one had to amputate an entire part of the body.

“Well, minor illnesses often grow into major ones.”

“That is why we have thought of this business. We will create medicine that can be used without the prescription of a physician.”

At that moment, someone cautiously raised a hand.

“I have a question.”

“Yes.”

“Do not people in the common folk already gather or buy herbs on their own and brew them to drink?”

“That is true.”

As he said, there were herbal remedies passed down from generation to generation among the common folk.

For example, when gums hurt, one might boil corn stalks to drink, or when urination was difficult, decoct motherwort and drink it.

“But if you think about it reasonably, there are also many remedies that simply make no sense, aren’t there?”

Such as when a sty appeared in the eye, plucking an eyebrow at dawn, floating it in purified water, and chanting an incantation—many strange practices like that.

“And even if folk remedies do work, there are many cases where people overconsume them and end up worse off.”

At my words, they nodded.

“That is why we have thought of this.”

“Do you think it will succeed?”

“One never knows until one tries.”

“But if through it, the Merchant Group gains profit and people become healthier, then it is a good thing.”

The discussion continued.

From their mouths, a flood of highly specialized knowledge poured out.

Of course it did.

Because Green Jade Merchant Group was precisely a group dealing in medicinal herbs.

These were men who had worked in such a place since youth, so they were deeply versed in medicinal herbs.

In fact, among those before me now, there were even two physicians.

That was why I had drawn them into this business.

Even in the future, this business was not conceived by someone else, but was my original idea.

And in truth, I had once begun this business.

The result had been an explosive success.

But merely three years later, I was killed by the White Heaven Merchant Group and the Murim Alliance.

That was why it was regrettable.

I had planned to expand across all of Zhongyuan, yet I had been unable to realize it.

At that moment, Merchant Leader Yang Jinsoo asked.

“But as I know, Young Master Eun Seoho is the third son of the Merchant Lord of the Eunhae Merchant Group, is he not?”

“That is correct.”

“And Eunhae Merchant Group is one that deals in medicinal herbs, yes?”

Indeed, he had investigated thoroughly.

I had chosen the right people.

“Then does not our business cause losses to the Merchant Group you belong to?”

To that question, I smiled faintly.

“You need not worry about that. It will not be a loss, but rather a gain.”

“A gain, you say?”

“In this Hubei Province, our Merchant Group’s medicinal herbs are the best in quality and the most reasonably priced. And the medicinal herb supply in Hubei Province is firmly in our hands. Then, where do you think you would source your herbs from?”

“Ah!”

“I see.”

“The more the Young Master’s proposed business flourishes, the more herbs will be supplied by Eunhae Merchant Group.”

“Then would it not be better if Eunhae Merchant Group directly undertook this business?”

To that question, I shook my head.

“If Eunhae Merchant Group monopolizes everything, it will invite resentment.”

At my answer, they nodded.

“So, it is a kind of proxy merchant group.”

As expected of men hardened by a lifetime of commerce.

They instantly understood my meaning.

“Correct.”

Even in my previous life, this business had not been run under the Eunhae Merchant Group, but through a front group.

It was a method many merchant groups employed.

Thus, the moment they heard me, they immediately thought of a proxy merchant group.

“Then do we report our commercial matters to the Merchant Lord of Eunhae Merchant Group?”

“No.”

“Yes?”

At their words, I grinned.

“The merchant group we are about to form is simply mine.”

In other words, the group to undertake this business was a front merchant group, yet not a front.

“Surely, you are trying to set up another pocket?”

I did not answer.

Indeed.

I was now about to create another pocket.

But this pocket was not for some other purpose, only for Eunhae Merchant Group.

So, to make use of in advance a business that would enrich Eunhae Merchant Group in the future, I felt no hesitation.

The discussions continued.

Since they were experts in medicinal herbs, soon concrete plans began to emerge.

Herbal teas for sleep, remedies to clear indigestion, salves for insect bites, and so on.

And for them, creating such remedies was no difficult task.

Now, it was time for me to step away.

“Then, I shall take my leave.”

“Do you have somewhere to go?”

“In truth… it is nearly time for work.”

“Yes?”

I scratched my cheek as I replied.

“I am currently an apprentice undergoing special training at the Finance Pavilion of Eunhae Merchant Group.”

“Your age, Young Master?”

“Fifteen.”

“……”

“As an apprentice, I must keep working hours with strictness.”

Merchant Leader Yang Jinsoo wore an expression of surprise.

“Why is that?”

“It is nothing.”

“I look forward to working with you, Merchant Leader Yang Jinsoo. No—Merchant Lord Yang Jinsoo.”

“What? Merchant Lord? I am merely…”

“Why else do you think I held this secret meeting here?”

I told them.

“I shall only provide the capital.”

“You mean, you will not involve yourself in this business at all?”

“Why should I meddle with capable men such as you? If a ship has two captains, will it sail smoothly?”

I knew their abilities.

That was why I also believed in the success of this matter.

“I shall give advice only when requested. Whether my advice has any value, I do not know.”

“With the insight that brought us safely here, Young Master, it will be more than valuable.”

“You flatter me. Here is the contract.”

I drew a contract from my sleeve and handed it over.

Merchant Leader—no, Merchant Lord—Yang Jinsoo, after reading it, asked.

“You provide all the initial capital and aid us in establishing our base here, yet you say you will take only fifty percent of the profits?”

“Yes. I will take only half of the profits. And the other half…”

I looked at them and said.

“Will be yours.”

In the underground chamber, only Yang Jinsoo and his companions remained.

He gazed quietly at the contract lying on the table.

It was a contract all of them had signed.

And the name written there—‘Eun Seoho’.

He gave a small laugh.

When he had come here, he had been uncertain, but now a certain future stood before his eyes.

The business Eun Seoho proposed held enough potential.

And before they knew it, they had been persuaded by Eun Seoho, seeing a hopeful future.

‘A truly frightening young master.’

They already knew that Eun Seoho was fifteen.

They had looked into him before coming here.

But the Eun Seoho before them was so practiced, one could hardly believe he was only fifteen.

It was as if they were looking at a merchant with considerable experience.

Yet, he was only fifteen.

Fifteen, and still only an apprentice undergoing training at the Merchant Group.

So, just in case, they had asked his age once more, but indeed, he was truly fifteen.

“But, only fifty percent of the profits….”

“Normally in such a case, wouldn’t one take seventy percent?”

At the others’ words, Yang Jinsoo also nodded.

“That is true.”

“Looking at this profit distribution ratio makes me want to work hard.”

“And on top of that, he says he won’t interfere.”

At those words, Yang Jinsoo smirked.

They were men weary from conflicts with the new Merchant Lord of Green Jade Merchant Group.

If there had been a clause demanding they must accept every piece of his advice, there were those who would rather have refused the venture outright.

But instead, he said he would not interfere, only receive his share of the profit.

Young Master Eun Seoho knew how to handle people.

‘If he is like this now, I wonder what kind of monster he will become in the future.’

That thought carried expectation.

Time passed, and it entered mid-May.

At the boundary where East Street, often visited by commoners of Sungyang District’s market, met South Street, filled with luxury goods.

There, a new shop opened.

[Eight People Pharmacy]

Looking at that pharmacy, people tilted their heads.

From the name, it seemed to be selling medicine, yet it was not a physician’s clinic, which was truly strange.

If a physician examined the pulse, it would be called a physician’s clinic, and if only herbs were sold, it would be an herb shop. But this place was called a pharmacy.

Out of curiosity, one man cautiously entered.

“Welcome.”

The one to greet him was a middle-aged woman.

Eight People Pharmacy meant a pharmacy established by eight people.

Seven including Merchant Leader Yang Jinsoo, plus Eun Seoho, made eight.

Of course, Eun Seoho’s identity was secret.

Her name was So Baek-yeon.

She was one of the eight.

She mainly handled customer reception, and her skill was such that she could captivate any customer in an instant.

As she was doing now.

“You came in because you were curious about this place, right?”

“Uh? Well….”

“Please, have a seat. Since you’ve come to our pharmacy, at least have a cup of medicinal tea before you go.”

In an instant, a cup of tea was placed before the man.

“This tea is sold only at our Eight People Pharmacy. You’ve been having trouble sleeping at night, haven’t you?”

“H-how did you know?”

“One look and I could tell. That’s why I gave you this tea. It’s called ‘Refreshing Morning Tea’, it helps you sleep deeply. So you can wake up to a refreshing morning, hence the name.”

“Ah….”

“Please, try it.”

The man took a sip. A warm fragrance spread, and his mood lifted.

When he returned home that night, he truly slept deeply.

The next morning, greeting the day feeling thoroughly refreshed, the man muttered.

“Ah, that tea really works wonders.”

The following day, the man returned to Eight People Pharmacy.

“How much is that Refreshing Morning Tea?”

As he was buying the tea, a picture caught his eye.

It showed a person beating at his chest in discomfort, and beneath it, the same man stood looking relieved.

And in his hand, he held a small box.

Just by looking, one could understand the meaning.

“Does that mean you have medicine for indigestion?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

So Baek-yeon placed a small pill inside a paper box and handed it to him.

“It’s called ‘Stomach-Clearing Pill.’ Try it when you have indigestion. Half a pill for children, one pill for adults, chewed and taken with water. If it’s hard to chew, dissolve it in water and drink.”

“How much is this?”

Like the Refreshing Morning Tea, the price was surprisingly affordable.

“Stomach-Clearing Pill, only buy it if it works after you try it. It might spoil if left too long, and if it doesn’t work, it’d be a waste, wouldn’t it?”

At those words, a sense of trust was born.

After the man left, So Baek-yeon smiled.

‘Young Master’s advice was right.’

After preparing the shop, she had sought Eun Seoho’s advice.

After all, since he was the one funding the business, it was only proper courtesy.

When he had secretly visited the shop and looked around, Eun Seoho had said,

“Everything looks good. I’m glad I decided to work with you all. Just one thing….”

“……?”

“Let’s add a picture next to the advertisement text. Among the customers of the pharmacy, there will be many who cannot read. Consideration for them will turn into money.”

“Ah! That makes sense.”

So they added pictures next to the promotional text.

And they also put drawings on the medicine boxes. This was to prevent misuse by illiterate customers.

And the results were showing clearly now.

.

.

.

A few days later, chaos erupted at that man’s house.

“Huff, huff!”

“Oh no! What do we do? He must have a severe indigestion.”

“Pat his back, rub his belly a little.”

They tried various folk remedies, but the child’s indigestion would not ease.

Then, the father suddenly remembered the pill he had received at Eight People Pharmacy a few days earlier.

It had been said to relieve indigestion.

He quickly brought it, split one in half, and gave it to his son.

About half an hour later.

“Buuurp.”

The child let out a burp, and the indigestion vanished.

Seeing that, the man muttered.

“Ha! Incredible! It really works!”

The next day, he went back and purchased Stomach-Clearing Pill.

It was lunchtime.

I was eating with the Pavilion Members of the Finance Pavilion and sipping tea afterward.

“By the way, that Eight People Pharmacy, how are their medicines?”

“Ah! That place?”

“Their medicine works amazingly well. I applied the athlete’s foot ointment I bought there, and it cleared up completely.”

“Ugh! You had athlete’s foot?”

“Gasp….”

“But won’t physicians have a problem with that?”

“At first, they did raise complaints, but now, they have none, apparently.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s written clearly that for serious illnesses, one must go to a physician. And the pharmacy clerks, when they see or hear a patient’s condition, they tell them to visit a physician.”

“Ah!”

“So they only sell remedies for minor ailments.”

“In other words, they’re not fighting over physicians’ rice bowls.”

“And besides, the place where they buy herbs is Eunhae Merchant Group.”

Hearing their words, I grinned inwardly.

As expected, this business had exploded into success.

Silver coins were piling up neatly in my pocket.