Episode 79: Wuchang

Dang Mujin and Namgung Myung turned westward and reached Wuchang in Hubei in just four days, thanks to their occasional use of the light-footed martial arts technique.

Wuchang was the largest city in Hubei, a crucial hub from which one could travel to Henan, Anhui, Jiangxi, and Hunan within a few days’ journey.

Just as Luoyang, home to the main headquarters of the Martial Alliance, was teeming with martial artists, Wuchang was bustling with merchants from all over the central plains.

In fact, it wasn’t just merchants from the central plains. There were also traders from the distant lands of the Daesik Kingdom, with their darker skin and thick beards, mingling among the crowd.

Merchants would pull their carts along, and if they spotted something they liked on another’s cart, they’d stop right there to buy or sell goods.

While novice traders might hesitate for fear of being duped by counterfeit goods, the merchants of Wuchang were confident in their discerning eyes and never hesitated.

Some merchants, having finished their day’s trade, headed to the inns with a light step.

Dang Mujin and Namgung Myung also wanted to relax at an inn for a day, but they had more pressing matters. They needed to check their funds and calculate the fare for their journey to Sichuan.

The two found a quiet alley, sat down facing each other, and began their task.

“Myung, let’s pool our money together first.”

“Understood.”

Namgung Myung readily emptied his pouch.

From Namgung Myung’s pouch came a mere twelve coins.

Dang Mujin had never seen any silver or gold in Namgung Myung’s pouch. Yet, surprisingly, Namgung Myung always paid for their meals, and though the number of coins fluctuated, they never ran out.

When they entered an inn with ten coins, after paying fifteen coins for a meal, they would somehow have twenty coins left. By the next evening, at another inn, the coins would have increased to fifty. Namgung Myung’s pouch was practically a magical cornucopia.

“Your turn, Jin.”

This time, Dang Mujin emptied his pouch, revealing thirty-one silver coins. Despite their wandering lifestyle, he had managed to save a decent amount.

‘Thirty-one silver coins.’

In the past, when three of them took a boat from Zhongjing, the fare was sixty silver coins.

The fare was twenty silver coins per person.

For the two of them to take a boat, they needed forty silver coins.

Namgung Myung’s few coins were negligible, so they needed nine more silver coins.

But that was manageable. Namgung Myung could help with odd jobs on the boat, and Dang Mujin could earn money by treating the crew and passengers.

“Is it enough?”

“We’re a bit short, but it shouldn’t be a problem. Let’s secure a boat first.”

Dang Mujin confidently led Namgung Myung to the harbor.

However, when they found a boat heading upstream on the Yangtze River, Dang Mujin was in for a shock.

“Two people to Zhongjing? That’ll be eighty silver coins.”

“What?”

“Why the surprise? It’s forty silver coins per person, eighty in total.”

Even twenty silver coins per person seemed exorbitant, but for some reason, the fare had doubled.

Nine extra silver coins might be negotiable, but forty-nine was out of the question. It was clearly beyond the realm of negotiation.

“Why is it so expensive? Last year, when we took a boat from Zhongjing to Huining, twenty silver coins were enough.”

The sailor scoffed.

“Coming down from Zhongjing follows the water’s flow, but going up from here means going against it, so it’s naturally more expensive. Plus, it’s just after winter, and there are plenty of people willing to pay extra for a ride. It’s peak season for merchants.”

“But doubling the fare is excessive.”

“I don’t set the fares. If you’re unhappy, look for another boat. Or wait until late spring; by then, the fare might drop to around thirty silver coins.”

For a fleeting moment, the thought crossed Dang Mujin’s mind: ‘If I let Namgung Myung go and board the boat alone, I might manage somehow.’

But he quickly dismissed the idea. Dang Mujin prided himself on being a man of honor.

”…I’ll look around a bit more.”

“Suit yourself.”

As Dang Mujin turned away, he glanced at the sky. The sun was nearing the horizon, casting a reddish glow.

Watching people scatter after their day’s work, an idea struck him.

“Myung, since it’s come to this, we’ll have to earn our fare here in Wuchang.”

Namgung Myung immediately objected to Dang Mujin’s suggestion.

“Finding a job that pays that much is difficult. It would be faster to walk to Sichuan through the Han region.”

Fifty silver coins was no small sum. As a laborer, Namgung Myung’s daily wage was breakfast and ten coins.

Fifty silver coins equaled five thousand coins, meaning Namgung Myung would have to work for a year and a half without dinner. Even if both of them worked, it would be winter before they could afford the boat.

Walking to Sichuan seemed a better option than saving up for the fare.

But that was the perspective of someone earning ten coins a day.

“It’s fine. Even if we earn the fare in Wuchang, we’ll reach our destination sooner than walking.”

“Do you have a plan to earn money?”

“Of course.”

To avoid being tracked by assassins, Dang Mujin had no intention of earning money by wielding a sword or practicing medicine in Wuchang. Perhaps after returning to Zhongjing or Sichuan.

That left him with his craftsmanship.

In truth, this was more lucrative than wielding a sword or treating patients.

The question was how to utilize this skill.

The first idea was to rent a forge and sell crafted items. With so many merchants in Wuchang, sourcing materials would be easy, and there’d be no worry about selling the products.

But the timing was off. Early spring was the busiest time for forges. With orders piled up, renting a forge would be difficult, even with money.

The alternative was to carve simple wooden items and sell them on the street.

Setting up in Wuchang’s bustling streets and selling carvings to revelers could quickly earn them money.

Dang Mujin proposed to Namgung Myung.

“Let’s head to the tavern district and target the pockets of merry revelers.”

“I didn’t expect you to consider such a method… Very well. We could board the boat in a day or two at most.”

Suddenly, Namgung Myung’s voice brimmed with confidence. Dang Mujin found that confidence somewhat unsettling.

“That’s not what I meant. We should earn money through legitimate transactions.”

“Transactions?”

“If I carve wood and sell it, we can quickly earn several dozen silver coins. I’ll give you the silver; please find some fine-grained, beautifully patterned wood. Pagoda tree or holly would do.”

Ordinary street carvings sold for a mere one or two coins, and even then, buyers were rare.

But Namgung Myung trusted there was a reason for Dang Mujin’s confidence.

“I thought you only worked with metal, but it seems you’re skilled in woodworking too.”

“They’re related in some ways. I’ll set up a spot, so please get the wood and meet me in the tavern district.”

“Understood.”

Namgung Myung and Dang Mujin disappeared into the crowd of Wuchang.

Dang Mujin set up a spot in a corner of the tavern district. It was still early, so there were no staggering drunkards yet.

He paid no attention to those who weren’t drunk, knowing they wouldn’t be interested in carvings. He quietly whittled small pieces of wood, waiting for the right person to appear.

A father’s heart is a curious thing; when drunk, he often wants to bring something home for his family.

A snack his child craved, a hairpin his wife admired, or even trinkets he wouldn’t normally glance at. Anything would do if he could bring it home.

However, the carvings Dang Mujin made were crude.

The bird carvings were so rough it was hard to tell if they were cranes or pigeons, and the four-legged animals barely resembled cows or horses. Namgung Myung seemed slightly disappointed.

”…Will these sell?”

“These aren’t for selling. They’re to show that someone is selling carvings here.”

“It seems like more impressive items would attract customers.”

“It’s fine. Simple items have their own purpose.”

Displaying overly ornate items could backfire. While a drunk father’s generosity might expand, it was still limited to what could be covered with coins.

If they displayed items that seemed to require ten or twenty silver coins, or even gold, the revelers would hesitate to approach. The real business began after catching the customers’ attention.

Just then, an official in uniform approached. His cheeks were flushed, indicating he’d been drinking since early.

“Are these for sale?”

“Yes, they are.”

“I’ll take this one, the chicken-shaped one. How much?”

“It’s two coins, but the craftsmanship isn’t great. Since you’re my first customer, if you add one more coin, I’ll make you something much better.”

“No, this is fine for me.”

“It won’t take long.”

“Hmm…”

The official felt a flicker of interest. Crafting even a crude sculpture in such a short time was no easy feat.

Just then, Namgung Myung brought over a broad piece of wood and placed it beneath the official, who instinctively sat down. He was feeling a bit dizzy and welcomed the chance to rest.

Once seated, he felt a sense of ease wash over him. It was just a few coins, after all. Whether it was two or three, what difference did it make?

“What would you like me to carve for you?” asked the sculptor.

“A rooster. One with a proud, upright comb and a long, flowing tail.”

The rooster’s comb symbolized official success, and the long tail represented longevity and prosperity. What better gift could a father give his son?

Dang Moo-jin began to carve the wood leisurely. At least, it seemed leisurely to him; to others, his speed was astonishing. A few swift cuts here formed the comb, and a few more there shaped the legs.

At first, the official sat with his legs crossed, watching Dang Moo-jin work. But before he knew it, he was sitting up straight, captivated by the sculptor’s extraordinary skill.

His head gradually leaned forward as he watched. Initially, he thought a rough shape of a rooster would suffice, but Dang Moo-jin surpassed that expectation, delving into intricate details.

The feathers etched into the body looked too soft to be wood, and the rooster’s eyes seemed sharp enough to spot a bug at any moment.

The official grew uneasy. The gap between the crude sculpture he had seen earlier and the one being crafted now was too vast. It seemed worth not just three coins, but three silver pieces.

He knew the sculpture was worth more than three silver pieces, but his wallet was not exactly overflowing.

“Excuse me, is this really just three coins?” he asked hesitantly.

“Yes, it is. You’re my first customer, so I’m giving you a good deal.”

Relieved, the official continued to watch Dang Moo-jin’s hands move, his head now resting in his hands.

Passersby, noticing the official’s rapt attention, gathered around to see what was so captivating. They followed his gaze to Dang Moo-jin’s hands and soon found themselves equally entranced.

Finally, Dang Moo-jin completed the sculpture and handed it to the official. It was exactly as requested: a rooster with a proud comb and a gracefully extended tail, so lifelike it seemed ready to spring to life.

The official stared at the sculpture for a long moment, then looked at Dang Moo-jin with a peculiar expression.

“I’ve heard there are many extraordinary people in the world, but I never thought I’d meet one.”

“You’re lucky, then,” Dang Moo-jin replied with a confident smile.

When talent backs up bold words, they don’t come off as arrogant.

The official, grinning, reached for three coins but reconsidered. Three coins? Impossible. He might not have the best eye for art, but he knew this piece could fetch a fortune.

Though not wealthy, the official wasn’t so miserly as to ignore such a remarkable display of skill and generosity. He untied his pouch and handed it over to Dang Moo-jin. It contained just one silver piece and a few coins. Dang Moo-jin accepted it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

As the official stood up, he noticed the crowd that had gathered behind him. He was momentarily taken aback but then understood his role in this little spectacle. With a knowing smile, he disappeared into the crowd.

The customer is king.

But in Dang Moo-jin’s experience, from the second customer onward, he was the king.

Dang Moo-jin crossed his legs arrogantly.

“Now, tell me what you want and name your price. I’ll take the most expensive orders first.”