An Advertising Genius Falls into the Joseon Era - Chapter 65

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Episode 65
The day after Song Do-hyeon returned.
“Song Do-hyeon, you bastard!”
Han Seong-deok, catching sight of Song Do-hyeon for the first time in ages, rushed at him without preamble.
“You come back and don’t even say hello? Where the hell have you been all this time?”
Han Seong-deok slung an arm around his neck and gave him a playful tug.
Song Do-hyeon had only one person who could treat him with such easy familiarity—his Donggi.
“And where’s my gift? If you’ve been gone for a whole month, you’d naturally bring something back, wouldn’t you?”
Of course not.
What kind of man was Song Do-hyeon?
Looking after people, paying attention to someone else’s needs—such things had never been part of his life.
In fact, Han Seong-deok had thrown out the comment without much thought.
He’d mainly wanted to tease him about not bringing anything back.
But to his surprise, Song Do-hyeon began rummaging through his robes and pulled something out.
“Here. I’ve got it.”
“What?”
What Song Do-hyeon produced was none other than dried beef jerky.
Fresh beef from Hwanghae Province, carefully dried and wrapped in oiled paper, the jerky was renowned as a local specialty.
Han Seong-deok’s eyes went wide as a crucian carp’s.
“…What’s this? You actually bought a gift?”
“I thought about it and realized I owed you one. Thanks to you, I’ve come to know a new connection.”
“A new connection…? What are you talking about?”
Han Seong-deok tilted his head, looking bewildered. Song Do-hyeon simply smiled in that cryptic way of his.
Han Seong-deok accepted the jerky, a bit flustered.
“I was just joking around… but anyway, thanks.”
Song Do-hyeon’s changes extended beyond that.
“Now, about the goods we need to sell this time…”
It was time for the Daecheong meeting.
The most crucial gathering of Mansang, where all manner of matters were discussed.
As the important meeting to determine the direction of operations commenced, all the Haengsu turned their attention to Im Sang-ok’s words.
Ha-yun too sat quietly at the far end, listening intently.
Tap.
Just then, she felt someone nudge her ribs with an elbow.
At first, she thought it was merely an accident and let it pass.
Tap, tap.
But the nudges grew more frequent, until he was practically jabbing her in the side.
“Ugh!”
Unable to bear the ongoing teasing any longer, Ha-yun turned around irritably.
“What are you doing? Stop it!”
There sat Song Do-hyeon, his mouth hidden behind a folding fan, grinning.
Ha-yun raised her fist slightly as a mock threat.
‘Keep it up and you’ll regret it?’
‘Heh heh.’
Apparently he found her clenched fist adorable, for Song Do-hyeon let out a soft chuckle.
Then he spoke quietly.
‘Do you have time after the meeting today?’
‘Why? What are you planning now?’
Since they’d spent that day together, the distance between the two had closed rapidly.
He was now openly teasing her like this, and they even sat side by side during meals. It was something unthinkable in the past.
Song Do-hyeon leaned in and spoke softly.
‘I’ve found a wonderful tea house. Today I’ll take you there.’
‘Hmm, a tea house? I’m busy today with work, you know.’
‘Come now, spare me just a moment. It won’t take long.’
‘I really am busy.’
‘Too busy even for a cup of tea?’
‘Well… not that busy.’
Ha-yun answered in a deliberately cool tone.
But she couldn’t quite hide the slight upward curve of her lips.
Song Do-hyeon pressed on urgently.
‘Then I’ll ask Seong-deok to handle the morning work for you today.’
‘Will that work?’
‘Next time you offer to buy me a drink, I’ll say yes.’
‘Then… all right.’
‘Understood. As soon as the meeting ends, I’ll ask for the favor and come right back.’
Perhaps Ha-yun’s agreement had made him too eager.
Song Do-hyeon’s voice rose without his meaning it to.
“Ahem, who keeps chattering during meeting time?”
“…!”
At Im Sang-ok’s remark, the hall fell suddenly quiet.
Song Do-hyeon and Ha-yun stared at distant mountains as though nothing had happened.
The surrounding Haengsu watched them and shook their heads in resignation.
“Sigh, how did Mansang’s two finest Haengsu come to this….”
“Tell me about it. Mistakes these days, and not like they used to be at all….”
“Well, what of it? They worked hard all this time—it’s about time they relaxed a little, no?”
“True, now they seem almost human.”
“Yeah… there’s something not entirely awful about the sight of them like this.”
Some of the Haengsu began responding positively to Song Do-hyeon’s transformation.
As the meeting ended, Ha-yun and Song Do-hyeon slipped away to the tea house.
There they spent hours laughing freely and conversing at leisure.
And such peaceful days continued for some time.
***
A few days later.
“Mm-mm-mm.”
Ha-yun was humming softly as she walked through the courtyard.
Though spring was still far off.
But today the sunlight felt unusually warm.
As she held out her hand to the rays filtering between the eaves, the warmth became all the more vivid.
That was when she noticed Yun approaching from the opposite direction.
Upon spotting Ha-yun, Yun spoke to her.
“Something fortunate must have happened to you of late, it seems.”
“Ah, well, yes.”
Caught in her humming, Ha-yun scratched her head sheepishly.
Yun smiled warmly at the sight of her.
“It’s lovely to see.”
“Pardon?”
“You look lovely, I said.”
Yun continued, still smiling.
“Since you arrived at Mansang, I’ve never seen you look so bright.”
“When was I dark, then?”
“Not dark, exactly… how should I say it? Your face has taken on a certain vitality.”
Someone once said as much.
That when a person falls in love, the world seems most beautiful to them.
Of late, Ha-yun had heard often enough that she seemed brighter.
Song Do-hyeon was no different.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Yun at last moved to his business.
“The matter is, the Daebang has summoned you.”
“The Daebang?”
“Yes. He asks that you come at once.”
Ha-yun’s expression hardened.
As she well knew, Im Sang-ok rarely summoned anyone directly.
And when he sought someone out alone, it usually meant something of consequence.
Ha-yun made her way quickly to Im Sang-ok’s chambers.
***
The Daebang’s chambers.
“You called for me…”
Ha-yun stopped short as she opened the door and stepped inside.
Someone else was already there in the room.
Slurp.
Song Do-hyeon sipped quietly from his tea cup.
Ha-yun’s eyes widened in surprise as she looked at him.
‘Both Do-hyeon and me, together?’
It was rare for Im Sang-ok to call for anyone at all, and he had never summoned two people together like this before.
Im Sang-ok gestured toward Ha-yun, who stood uncertainly in place.
“Take a seat.”
“Yes, of course.”
Ha-yun sat down in the empty chair.
Before she could even raise the tea cup to her lips, Im Sang-ok launched directly into the matter at hand.
“The reason I’ve called you both here today is that the Palbang Council will be convening soon.”
“The Palbang Council?”
“Ah, you may not be familiar with it.”
When Ha-yun tilted her head in confusion, Im Sang-ok turned to Song Do-hyeon and spoke.
“Song Haengsu.”
“Yes, Daebang.”
“You explain it to her.”
“Understood.”
Song Do-hyeon began explaining for Ha-yun’s benefit.
“The Palbang Council is a gathering that takes place once every three years, where eight renowned merchant houses from across the country convene to hold council. Naturally, our Mansang is included among them….”
To summarize Song Do-hyeon’s explanation, it was as follows:
First, Mansang, the house Ha-yun belonged to.
With Uiju as its base, it held a monopolistic position in trade with the Qing Dynasty—the foremost merchant house of Joseon in both name and reality. It was a prestigious house that had never once been absent from the Palbang Council.
Songsang.
Mansang’s greatest rival, headquartered in Gaesong. Its strength lay in credit transactions leveraging enormous capital reserves. It was a financial merchant house that wielded control over the entire nation’s economy.
Gangsang.
The merchant house responsible for the nation’s granaries. Its influence was so formidable that the court reached out to it first whenever famine struck.
Naesang.
Headquartered in Dongnae, it monopolized trade with Japan. It held command over the market for rare goods flowing in through Tsushima.
Haesang.
The largest salt farm operator in the nation. Beyond salt, it had extended its reach into seafood and maritime shipping, accumulating vast wealth.
Ansang.
A merchant house specializing mainly in hemp cloth, timber, and rare medicinal herbs. In particular, through its close connections with the yangban families of Andong, it wielded considerable influence at court.
Chungsang.
A merchant house holding mining rights across the nation. It virtually monopolized trade in iron ore, iron ingots, agricultural implements, and iron goods.
Hansang.
A merchant house operating over hundreds of inns and guest houses. As the intermediary connecting merchant houses throughout the nation and possessing the most vast distribution network, the Palbang Council was always held at Hwaepyeong Guest House, Hansang’s headquarters.
“…Thus, these eight renowned merchant houses from the eight provinces gather to hold council, and this is called the Palbang Council.”
“I see.”
Having heard the explanation, Ha-yun expressed interest with evident fascination. In modern terms, it was no different from a conference of conglomerates.
“Well done.”
Song Do-hyeon lowered his head after finishing his explanation.
“Mm.”
Im Sang-ok cleared his throat with a brief sound, gathering himself. Then he spoke.
“I intend to take you both with me to this Palbang Council.”
“……!”
Ha-yun and Song Do-hyeon exchanged startled glances.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————