First milestone

Na-bi raised her eyes meeting bright gaze of Su Mi " my lady, yes I owe my sister many things. She did save my life by giving herself in servitude to another and I really care for her. I will be honest I can't let any harm come to her but other than that I promise to give my complete loyalty to you let heaven be my witness".

Su Mi nodded satisfied, atleast what she said was truthful if she did not clearly state her stance for her sister Su Mi would have never trusted that. She made Na-bi sit on the chair near the bed " Na-bi who is most powerful in the entire kingdom other than the nobility. I believe our path to success will be paved by them".

Na-bi thought for a while " though there are many that hold the power from general, prime minister and official of court but there are two powers that could be considered higher than them as they are outside the king's control. Chief trading hall and Long Jian tea house".

Su Mi smirked " Tea house, interesting how can a tea house escape the notice from King". Na-bi shook her head " though it is a mere tea house but its actual owner was previous king Lee So Jin's personal guard. He saved his life many times in war and when asked for reward he asked for autonomy over the tea house. No royal power can influence it but slowly it took a secret role that though known by everybody can't be acknowledged that is information exchange".

Su Mi raised her eyebrow " so, it's a legit information business outside the control of king and what about Chief trading hall what power does it have".

Na-bi shook her head " I am not sure about that, it was said during the new reign of the king there was danger of attack from kingdom Kija as together with Hanja from East and Silla from West at that time a mysterious power supplied the kingdom with Arsenal's which we were lacking with and in return for the cooperation Chief trading hall became another autonomous power. Now it trades not only to neighbouring kingdoms but also to western countries".

Su Mi stood up " let's go, old lady Gong must have arranged carriage, you go outside and wait for me. It's time we visit those two places they will be my next milestone to power".

Nodding Na-bi left Su Mi alone and in mere few minutes a woman entered the carriage, when Na-bi was preparing to reprimand her she became silent suddenly and said " my lady is that you".

Old lady Gong became shocked, she would have never thought this ugly girl with pock marks on her face could be Su Mi, though she looked beautiful with her figure as delicate fourteen years old but her face could make children scream.

Su Mi touched her face " is it less ugly should I make it more ugly". Na-bi laughed " my lady, it is enough to make people scream but if you improve more they will definitely faint".

Satisfied Su Mi comfortably sat though the carriage was common type and its seating very uncomfortable but Su Mi felt more relaxed than the brothel.

When the carriage stopped few distance away from Chief trading hall Su Mi came out. Looking at the bustling building she alighted from the carriage and made her way inside. Traders were shouting loudly promoting their product.

She continued scanning every once in a while and she made her way to the dock where new products were coming to be sold. There were soldiers and some people in official uniform that maintained the taxes for import and export. She looked at them as every sailor that came out he would have either resigned look or angry look.

After standing there for a while she made her way to the worker that was coming out of the boat " sir, may I ask what these people are paying to those official, they look very angry isn't it normal to pay the required tax" as she said that she gave him two silver coins.

Young man was Taek was very busy with loading and was in no mood to talk but seeing the coin he replied "I recently started working with my father who is the captain of this small boat. Every month twice they would go to neighbouring countries to bring products here and sell them at higher prices but their profit were cut in half because those official made them give triple amount of tax which was becoming burdening for them. Previously it was twice the amount as one for the king and other for filling the official's pocket but now crown prince started taking his proportion and they can't reject that. Now they are planning to make trip every week which was tolling on his father's body".

Su Mi smiled and went back to Na-bi " let's go we will visit tea house and then I will decide which business should I start with".