I Became a Hotelier at the Goryeo National Hotel - Chapter 45

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 45

After discussing with Jeong Yeon Hwa, it was decided that Seo Rin had slipped while organizing things alone at the bath house.

“…But Seo Rin.”

Jeong Yeon Hwa stopped as she was about to leave, tilted her head, and looked back at Seo Rin.

“But why were you in there at that time?”

“…I’m sorry. I couldn’t contain my curiosity and went in first to look around, which led to this. I had been soaking in the bath for a long time too… and also…”

Seo Rin only learned that the trainees had lied about the time after hearing Nasim’s words. However, Seo Rin chose not to mention it.

Jeong Yeon Hwa chuckled softly at Seo Rin’s excuse.

“My, what a silly girl. What could be so curious about?”

“…I’m sorry for causing a commotion.”

When Seo Rin bowed her head deeply, Lee Jeong Ah patted her shoulder.

“We should arrange for the trainees to be able to use Jejintang as well. This is something I hadn’t thought of.”

“Thank you.”

Jeong Yeon Hwa gave her a warm smile before leaving the medical office.

* * *

In northern Gaekyeong, at what could be called the heart of the capital city, the mansions of Goryeo’s most powerful figures stood in rows.

Among them, the most striking was undoubtedly Gwangtaek Mansion of Lee Ja Seong, the Emperor’s father-in-law and Minister of the Central Secretariat who had reached the pinnacle of power.

Strictly guarded by guards and warriors, once you passed through the main gate so magnificent it could be mistaken for a palace, dozens of halls arranged at precise intervals revealed their grandeur.

Built with the finest timber that would only be used for imperial architecture and constructed with the best techniques of the era, first-time visitors to Gaekyeong would invariably mistake this place for the palace.

At the center of Gwangtaek lay a garden meticulously cultivated by Goryeo’s finest landscape architects, where beautifully colored maple trees and elegant red pines gave way to an arched stone bridge over a tranquil pond.

Crossing this stone bridge and ascending to the second floor of the pavilion that offered a panoramic view of the entire Gwangtaek, one would finally reach the residence of Lee Ja Seong, the master of Gwangtaek.

Red afternoon sunlight filtering through the window frames settled on the long leaf tips of orchids in a white porcelain vase by the window.

Lee Ja Seong held a soft cloth in his hand, carefully wiping each orchid leaf one by one.

As if he would not tolerate a single speck of dust, his touch was delicate and quiet.

After focusing on the orchids for a long while, Lee Ja Seong paused, took out a pair of scissors from a drawer, and spoke quietly to someone standing silently in the room.

“…So, Hyeeum-won is operating without any problems, is that what you’re saying.”

“That is correct.”

Even at those words, Lee Ja Seong showed no change in expression and continued speaking while keeping his gaze fixed on the orchid.

“These flowers, if someone who doesn’t know how to handle them properly touches them, they wither immediately. Whether you give them too much water or too little. …Goryeo is the same.”

Lee Ja Seong lightly stroked the orchid’s stem with his fingertips as he spoke.

“…If it falls into the hands of those without qualification, Goryeo’s national fortune will also become precarious.”

As he finished speaking, he unhesitatingly cut off the yellowed, withered orchid leaves with sharp scissors.

The dead stem fell to the floor with a thud.

“My son-in-law is already trying to stand on his own feet even though it’s not yet time. When I tell him to walk, that’s when he should take one step at a time.”

The person standing silently did not respond.

“Kindness is quickly forgotten while resentment lingers long. He’s trying to stand on his own as if he’s forgotten when he used to cling to me begging for help. Well, what can I do? I can only watch with interest.”

Lee Ja Seong slowly turned to look behind him.

“…So there’s a trading caravan from Daesik Kingdom here.”

After pondering for a moment, Lee Ja Seong slowly stroked his beard and gave an order.

“Hyeol Rin, make contact with them. These people have come a long way, so it would be proper to help them achieve their purpose. Find out what they want.”

After Hyeol Rin withdrew, Lee Ja Seong slowly picked up the orchid leaves that had fallen to the floor and gazed at them for a long while.

* * *

The place where Rashid, the Deputy Merchant Leader of the Al-Fairuz Merchant Group, was staying was the largest and most luxurious among the guest rooms at Bohwa-gak.

A large bed covered with bedding made from premium silk, and precious Goryeo celadon placed on the reception room desk. And fresh autumn flowers arranged in that celadon.

Rashid was savoring the tea that Seo Rin had brought him while admiring the scenery outside.

—Knock knock.

[Uncle, it’s me, Nasim.]

[Come in.]

Seeing Nasim’s expression, Rashid smiled slightly and asked.

[So, did your conversation go well?]

Rashid offered him a tea cup as he asked. Nasim casually accepted it, then smelled the fragrance and brightened up.

[…Could this be ginseng?]

Ginseng.

This ginseng was also one of the reasons why the Al-Fairuz Merchant Group had made the long journey to Goryeo.

Not long ago, when Goryeo ginseng first entered the Seljuk Empire through the Song Dynasty, the noble social circles were literally turned upside down by this ‘immortal herb.’

It was revealed that this mysterious herb was the secret behind why Goryeo people looked particularly young and had good skin.

Moreover, as rumors spread that it even extended lifespan, everyone desperately searched for ginseng, but the amount that entered the empire was extremely limited.

‘My wives were also making a fuss, saying that even if they didn’t know about other things, I absolutely had to bring back ginseng.’

The ginseng that came through the Song Dynasty not only had a longer distribution process, but its price increased several times due to intermediate distribution fees.

After the Merchant Leader, who was Rashid’s older brother, personally witnessed the effects of ginseng, he became determined to import this ginseng directly from Goryeo, which was why Rashid had made this long journey loaded with trade goods like spices that could be found in Goryeo.

[Won Ri left this after lunch.]

[Did she?]

Nasim’s face flushed as he accepted the tea cup. Rashid chuckled at his nephew’s appearance.

‘The boy, is he that pleased?’

[Yes. She said it was tea made from that famous Goryeo ginseng.]

Rashid smiled as he thought of Seo Rin.

He could feel sincerity in how she took care of the trading caravan members. She would take care of things before they even mentioned what they lacked, and brought what they wanted before they even asked.

He could genuinely feel that her dream of working at a caravanserai was sincere.

Rashid secretly hoped that Nasim would capture that woman’s heart.

After moistening his throat, Rashid brought up the main topic.

[…So, what did the Director of Hyeeum-won say?]

[He said it was something for the person involved to decide directly.]

[Well, that’s natural. That’s the proper procedure.]

As Nasim was telling Rashid about the conversations he had in Lee Eun Cheon’s office, he suddenly became heated as he remembered what happened with Jun Gyeong there.

Nasim completely confessed to his uncle, who was on his side, about what had happened earlier in Eun Cheon’s office.

[…So you grabbed that Middle General by the collar?]

Rashid grabbed the back of his neck, saying [Oh my goodness.]

[He, he grabbed me first! And then he even tried to paint me as a shameless and strange person! He even said things about my eyes and such!]

When Rashid looked at him with an expression of ‘what am I going to do with you,’ Nasim felt wronged.

[How can one hide eyes that have fallen for a woman? To treat me, who has such pure feelings, as if I harbored wicked thoughts – it was unfair and infuriating.]

Rashid let out a deep sigh.

[…It might be because our cultures are different, so you should understand too. Oh right, the ‘Ryeo’ Trading Company contacted us first. It seems they’re interested in doing business with us, so prepare yourself.]

When Rashid changed the direction of the conversation, Nasim immediately became serious, befitting the heir of a trading company.

[The ‘Ryeo’ Trading Company? Weren’t we supposed to do business with the Goryeo Imperial Court?]

Nasim recalled the story about Goryeo’s trading companies that he had heard from his uncle.

That Goryeo’s commercial rights were divided among three major powers: the State Trading Company backed by the Imperial Court, the ‘Ryeo’ Trading Company belonging to powerful noble families, and a massive Secret Trading Company whose true identity was shrouded in mystery.

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