Chapter 44. First Escort (6)

Gang Pyodu was flabbergasted by this absurd situation and asked Mo Wonshin, the head of Taeho branch, who was also a Pyodu.

"Hey, why are all the people you brought in such a state?"

"Well... I'm ashamed to say, but a severe cold has been going around Taeho recently."

Mo Wonshin answered with a look of embarrassment on his face in response to Gang Pyodu's protest.

Apart from Mo Pyodu and a few intermediate Pyosas, the rest of the people were all streaming with snot from their noses.

"Look at those noses. They're all red and chapped."

"At least the Pyosas can still move, but the zangjas, who don't know martial arts, are all bedridden."

Originally, after unloading the cargo at the dock, loading it onto the boat was the responsibility of the Taeho branch. From loading to unloading, it was the role of each branch.

However, the condition of the friends who were supposed to load the cargo... was far from good. They were all coughing as if they were about to vomit their insides. Could they have caught a new strain of flu?

"Can we move the cargo like this?"

Gang Pyodu's sharp rebuke made Mo Pyodu's face turn even redder, and he looked embarrassed as he said,

"Actually... it's quite difficult."

"Then why didn't you try to hire some day laborers in a hurry?"

"Don't even mention it. This cold is so severe that despite my best efforts, I couldn't find anyone. There's no way to hire people."

"Ah."

Gang Pyodu sighed. He seemed to understand that there was nothing Mo Pyodu could do about it. After all, if there was a lack of budget, what could be done?

"So, can you help us somehow?"

"Help us?"

"Yes. Can you lend us a few zangjas? As you can see, there aren't many people who are in good condition. I won't forget this favor."

"That's a bit difficult..."

Gang Pyodu looked troubled. I could understand his feelings.

'Our journey was also very difficult.'

We were delayed by a day due to encountering rain and having to take a different route. In other words, we had to work an extra day.

Moreover, the route was different from before, making it much more strenuous than usual. It wasn't easy to order our subordinates to help another branch after such a grueling journey.

'They would have a lot of complaints.'

Additional work, especially for another department?

No matter how much he was a Pyodu, he couldn't just order them to do it. If he did, he might hear something like, "Our branch head is being taken advantage of by the other branch head..." It was a matter of the branch head's authority.

Of course, they would get paid for the extra work, but he couldn't just order them to do it. He needed volunteers. However, after such a grueling journey, there wouldn't be many volunteers, and I could understand Gang Pyodu's dilemma.

When Gang Pyodu finally showed a troubled expression, Mo Pyodu started to plead.

"Please, I'm asking you. Ah! That's right. This is something you asked for before, and I was lucky enough to get a high-quality item."

"Ah, now is not the right time. No, no."

"Oh, come on, take it. Take it quickly."

Mo Pyodu discreetly handed a small jar to Gang Pyodu, who looked troubled but didn't push it away. After receiving the unknown item, Gang Pyodu, after some thought, said,

"Well... Hmm... I'll think about it. First, I need to let the kids rest a bit."

"Understood. We've already unloaded our cargo."

The Taeho branch had brought the cargo we were to take back on our return journey. Looking at the unloading area, most of the items were things like carts and pottery, but the quantity wasn't much.

"Why is there so little?"

"We received instructions to reduce the cargo volume this time. Here's the document."

"The document seems fine... Understood. Seong Pyosa, take this and check if the items are in good condition."

"Yes, understood."

I took the document and started the inventory check. I had to check if the pottery was broken and perform a quality check (QC) by rummaging through the boxes, which took more time than expected. Additionally, the tea leaves used as a cushion and cargo kept sticking to my hands, making it quite troublesome.

Meanwhile, Gang Pyodu was having a heated discussion with Mo Pyodu and soon stood alone with his arms crossed. I approached him and reported,

"The quantity is correct. There are no damaged items."

"Good. Thanks for your hard work."

Gang Pyodu looked quite troubled. I asked casually,

"Is it because of Mo Pyodu's request earlier?"

"Yes. That guy is really difficult. It's quite a dilemma."

"What exactly did he ask for?"

"He wants us to send five zangjas to help with the unloading at the Taeho branch... Hmm. If we send five zangjas now, what do you think will happen?"

"First, our work will become more difficult."

If five people are missing, the Pyosas will have to take on the cargo. The return journey will be even more difficult, not easier.

"Moreover, we'll have to give the zangjas at least two silver taels each, including travel expenses."

"That's true."

"And we'll need to assign a Pyosa to lead them."

The zangjas will have to go to the Taeho branch and then return to Maeyanghyeon branch on their own. Considering travel expenses, we need to give them enough to avoid any complaints.

Moreover, we can't just send the zangjas without a leader, so we need to assign a Pyosa, which will also cost money.

"This is quite a dilemma..."

Gang Pyodu looked troubled. From the looks of it, he had received something earlier, which seemed related.

I decided to ask casually,

"By the way, what did you receive earlier?"

"Ah... Did you see that?"

Of course, I saw it. I shrugged, and Gang Pyodu, with a clearly troubled expression, said,

"Well, I casually mentioned this to that guy before, and he's offering it to me at an inappropriate time."

At this time, he must have offered it. I would have done the same.

"But what is it?"

"It's Dongting Biluochun."

Dongting Biluochun is a type of tea. It's a green tea made from tea leaves grown on Dongting Mountain in Taohu, Jiangsu Province, known for its amazing fragrance. I've only heard about it and never tasted it.

Gang Pyodu took out the jar of Dongting Biluochun and caressed it as if it were a precious treasure.

"It's hard to find in Maeyanghyeon. A jar of this size would cost about one silver tael here."

Whew. That small jar would cost about 150,000 won. It's definitely expensive.

"It's very expensive."

"Indeed. But even that is a good deal. In Maeyanghyeon, it would cost 1.5 taels.

However, there aren't many people willing to transport it. It's susceptible to moisture, and the fragrance can easily disappear.

It's something you can't easily get even if you have money. Hmm... I can see it's a trap, but I can't resist it."

Gang Pyodu continued to caress the tea jar, seemingly unable to let it go.

One tael becomes one and a half taels when it crosses mountains and rivers...

I thought for a moment and then spoke.

"Then, Pyodu, how about this?"

"What do you mean?"

"What about using those guys?"

I pointed to the Jiejianmen friends who were taking a break. They were following my advice to get along with the other zangjas and were scattered, talking to various people with awkward expressions.

Gang Pyodu looked puzzled and asked,

"You mean the Jiejianmen members?"

"Yes. Don't you think they would be suitable?"

"Hmm... The numbers match."

The total number of Yang Jinpo and his fellow disciples is exactly five. That should be enough as support.

"But they are new. If we leave them here, who will guide the return journey?"

"I can go with them."

"You?"

"Yes. After all, everyone knows the way back."

That's right. Using me as a guide on the way here was a test. Any intermediate Pyosa who came with us could guide the way. It's a regular route, and they've all been here a few times.

The test for me is now over, so there's no need for me to guide the return journey.

"But you're also new. Sending new members together is a bit..."

"I'm hurt, Pyodu. How can I be new?"

"Then what are you?"

"A family member."

"Stop it."

It seems he thought I was the only one in a family. After pondering for a while, Gang Pyodu finally made a decision.

"Alright. Your point is valid."

"Thank you, Pyodu."

"But don't extend the schedule too much. There's a lot to do when you return. Can you be back in a week?"

I checked the map. That should be enough time.

"Of course."

***

I gathered the Jiejianmen friends and said,

"Additional work."

"Additional work?"

"Yes. It's a fun additional work time with special allowances."

Yang Jinpo was reluctant. After all, he's unpaid, so the more he works, the more he loses. But this time is different. We can bill the Taeho branch, so we can get all the additional allowances.

"Listen. It's a pretty good deal."

After explaining the general work, everyone nodded and agreed to participate. After all, they can get an additional two silver taels each, so there's no reason to refuse.

"But there's one problem."

"What problem?"

"The Taeho branch members are all suffering from a severe cold."

I pointed to the Taeho branch members who were still coughing violently. They were coughing so violently that it seemed they might suffocate.

If we work with them, we'll inevitably catch a cold, making it difficult to return within the promised week.

"If we go like this, everyone will catch a cold and be bedridden."

"Hmph, I've never caught a cold before."

"That's because you have inner strength."

"Hmm..."

Having inner strength means having a strong natural immune system, making it less likely to catch a cold. I haven't caught a cold since I gained two years of inner strength.

However, with my current lack of inner strength, it's hard to guarantee their immune systems.

"That's why we need to use this."

"What is it?"

"A mask."

I showed them a mask made by folding several layers of cotton cloth with cotton in the middle to cover the nose and mouth. I then tied it around the back of the neck to secure it.

"Use it like this. This way, bad air won't get in, and you can prevent a cold."

"...We are not doctors. We can't use such masks. And I don't understand why using this will prevent a cold."

"I know it might look strange, but we have to do it. Even if you don't believe it, try it and see if you catch a cold."

Yang Jinpo resisted, seeing my mask fashion as similar to that of IS terrorists, but under my pressure, everyone agreed to use the masks.

With everyone wearing the makeshift masks, we looked like a professional gang of six.

"This is quite stuffy."

"Endure it. You can't take it off until the work is done. When eating, we'll gather in a corner and eat together."

"It's quite troublesome... I understand."

Indeed, social distancing is the basic principle of epidemic prevention.

"Good. Now we need to negotiate."

"What negotiation?"

"We're doing overtime work. We can't just get paid our regular salary. We need to get something extra."

I approached Mo Pyodu, who was groaning at the mountain of cargo and the endlessly coughing branch members. When I told him we were willing to help, he welcomed us with a smile.

"Thank you! Please thank Gang Pyodu as well! It's a tough job, but I'm grateful for your willingness to help."

"You're welcome. But I have one request..."

"What is it?"

I took a step forward with a sly smile, and Mo Pyodu looked at me with a suspicious expression. I tried to sound as friendly as possible.

"Gang Pyodu told me that you gave him Dongting Biluochun as a gift."

"I don't know what you're talking about. Why should you know about it?"

Seeing Mo Pyodu's hostile expression, as if I was trying to blackmail him, I waved my hands and said,

"No, no. Don't misunderstand. Actually, I really like Biluochun and want to buy some to enjoy for a long time."

"Hmm..."

"Can you introduce me to a place where I can buy it? Preferably a place that deals in large quantities. I want to buy a lot."

After a moment of silence, Mo Pyodu nodded, seemingly understanding my intentions.

"Hmm... Dongting Biluochun is hard to find even in Taeho. It's also very expensive. A small jar costs one silver tael."

I already knew the price, but it's indeed expensive. I'm glad I brought enough travel expenses just in case.

"I have enough money."

"...Hmm. Alright. It shouldn't be difficult. But you must do the job properly. If you do it carelessly, this deal is off."

"Of course."

Here, Dongting Biluochun costs one tael, and in Maeyanghyeon, it costs one and a half taels. If I buy as much as I can and sell it to the teahouses in Maeyanghyeon, it will be a good side income.

I smiled, but it wasn't visible due to the mask.