Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 279

Chapter 279
“A specialist?”
“It means a person who focuses deeply on one field. In matters concerning spiritual creatures and insects, I am the foremost authority in the Central Plains—or something along those lines.”
It had been some time since I had last described myself in such terms.
I allowed a touch of pride to show on my face, projecting an air of self-assurance.
I could certainly pretend to be modest if the situation called for it, but inspiring a client’s faith required a display of certainty.
And the truth was, my confidence was genuine.
“I see… Is that right?”
Just as I anticipated, Geum Gi-ryung’s eyes warmed with trust as he took in my self-possessed manner.
He promptly produced a brush and an inkstone, brought them over to me, and spoke with clear delight.
“In that case, should we prepare the agreement? The terms we talked about earlier will stand, and if you state your desired price, I will arrange it through negotiation.
Or maybe you have a particular item in mind? If it is not currency but an object you seek, I am, after all, a merchant. Tell me what it is, and I will see what I can do to obtain it.”
The document Geum Gi-ryung presented outlined the essential conditions of the contract, but I gently slid it away with a faint smile.
In my previous life, I had dealt with affluent collectors of poisonous reptiles, and this was not the way to approach the wealthy.
When working with rich patrons, one does not negotiate with currency.
One negotiates with value.
If you deliver something genuine and substantial, people of means will pay whatever it costs.
Therefore, discussing price beforehand is unnecessary.
If I completed the task to their satisfaction, the compensation would follow naturally.
‘I know their type very well.’
I recalled a polite, elderly gentleman who visited me after I advertised some reptiles I had raised.
He was a well-spoken older man.
「“These specimens from Spicy Fabre truly have remarkable color.”
“I strive to replicate natural sunlight as closely as possible for their heat. I also focus on providing a diverse diet. Beyond mealworms and crickets, I source bee larvae from a local beekeeper and collect wasp larvae from those who hunt hornet nests.”
“The coloration is honestly superior to those found in the wild. No matter how I try to mimic their habitat, I cannot achieve this. Which of these are available?”
“Every one of them is. Please choose whichever you prefer.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
Hearing this, the man who had been meticulously examining the reptiles I bred smiled and said—
He wished to take all of them.
“Then… might I take every one?”
“E-every one? But that would be… five individuals, and at four hundred per, that comes to twenty million won… Would that not be too much?”
I had set the prices quite reasonably, but the sum was still significant. Concerned, I tentatively asked, and he responded with an embarrassed smile and words that stunned me.
“It’s quite alright. I operate a small business.”
“A… business.”
What happened next was even more surprising.
“I will take them all. Here is the payment.”
He handed me three checks, each for ten million won.
I had expected a bank transfer, as he hadn’t planned to buy everything—but he produced three ten-million-won checks directly from his wallet. That alone was astonishing.
I could see another stack inside as well.
Then he said something that perplexed me further.
“It seems you’ve overpaid me?”
“Not at all. For specimens of this quality, this is appropriate. The finest wild-caught examples would likely command a similar price.”
“I understand, but the total is somewhat…”
“When I make a purchase, it should not be inexpensive. I wish to acquire something of quality, not something cheap.”
“I see…”」
As this memory from my former life surfaced and I glanced at Geum Gi-ryung, I found him wearing a puzzled expression, clearly unsure of my intentions.
Naturally—abruptly dismissing the contract must have confused him.
With a confident smirk, I offered a reassuring smile.
“We can discuss terms after I resolve the situation to the satisfaction of the Gold Merchant Alliance. The wedding gift for the Ak Clan and Brother Gwiseong can proceed as agreed, but for the remainder—we will settle that later.
I do not discuss payment until the work is finished.”
‘That was a perfectly delivered line—I’m quite pleased with myself.’
Geum Gi-ryung’s expression immediately brightened.
He inquired, sounding genuinely admiring—
“Have you ever considered a career in commerce, young sir?”
‘Perhaps I should maintain this connection and eventually sell rare venomous pets through him.’
Here in the Central Plains, they even farmed crickets for profit—why not lizards and spiders?
***
—Groan. Groooaan.
As the wind gusted, the partly unfurled sail snapped, and the trees moaned as they rubbed against one another, emitting unsettling groaning sounds.
It was on the deck of the ship, gliding along the murky yellow currents of the Yellow River, that Geum Gi-ryung thanked me once more.
“I feel quite certain that if this matter is resolved flawlessly, no reward I could offer would be sufficient.”
“Some things must be seen with one’s own eyes. Depending solely on reports or giving orders from afar has its drawbacks.”
“Every remark you make and every action you take fills me with confidence…”
Although ours was a business arrangement, his gratitude stemmed from a simple fact—
I was personally traveling to the location.
He had likely assumed I would simply offer advice from a distance. But I am not a fraud—I do not spout empty theories and collect payment for them.
While I could certainly explain how to address the grain infestation verbally, a comprehensive solution required a firsthand inspection.
No matter how detailed my instructions, their success could be influenced by local conditions. Unforeseen factors might interfere, making an on-site assessment necessary.
Furthermore, no matter how clearly you explain, some individuals manage to misinterpret everything and still insist they followed your directions to the letter.
In my past life, I encountered countless people who failed to adhere to the care guidelines I provided, only to later protest that the methods were ineffective.
I witnessed some truly bewildering cases.
「“Are you saying someone posted on Spicy Fabre’s forum that their pet died after using my treatment method?
That can’t be. Let me look.
Ah, is it this one?”
Title: Our Bokdori passed away after trying that treatment method suggested by that Spicy Fabre guy.
He specifically said to remove the membrane from the eyes if the shed was stuck, so I did, and then its eyes began to bleed and it died soon after.
—You can’t be serious, new member…
—Good heavens… He meant to remove the leftover shed skin, not the actual cornea, you fool.
—Individuals like this should not keep pets.
—I never imagined someone like this actually existed.」
I instructed them to remove the retained shed, and they tore off the cornea.
The world is vast and full of misguided people, isn’t it?
That is why seeing things for oneself is essential.
Geum Gi-ryung’s main operations were based in Taean city, near Mount Tai, which we passed on our voyage—not a great distance. Just a few hours by boat, so it was hardly an inconvenience.
It was best to act while the opportunity was fresh.
Leaving Hwa-eun to look after the other creatures, I immediately embarked on Geum Gi-ryung’s ship with Sister Seol, Cho, Hyang, and Bini.
By nightfall, we had reached the port close to Mount Tai, moving past vessels glowing with red lanterns on the dark river.
An island that had emerged mid-river meant the harbor was as packed as when we had first arrived.
Thankfully, lights had been placed along the shore to guide ships safely.
—Boom boom boom boom.
This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.
Just as we were considering how to enter the congested port, a drum rhythm sounded from Geum Gi-ryung’s ship, and a number of small boats swiftly emerged from the harbor to manage the traffic.
“The new island has caused some congestion in the port. Please bear with us for a moment—my merchant group will organize the vessels.”
“Yes, we had to navigate carefully around that island on our way upriver. This must be quite a hassle for your headquarters,” I remarked.
Geum Gi-ryung nodded in agreement.
His face showed clear annoyance as he spoke.
“A hassle? That is an understatement. The inconvenience is minor compared to the real issue—we need to transport goods, and with the port this clogged… Continuing like this will require a massive investment to construct a new harbor.
Initially, it would form and then disperse, but now it has become permanent.
We should have taken action when it first began to develop…”
It seemed sediment had started accumulating and eroding periodically, but because it was ignored, it solidified into its current state.
As I nodded in understanding, small boats drew near and started directing our ship into the harbor, indicating that the path had been cleared.
***
After we arrived, we stayed the night at a lavish guesthouse arranged by Geum Gi-ryung.
Early the next morning, once we had breakfast, we went directly to his warehouse complex.
“Right this way, Young Sir So.”
“That is an immense warehouse.”
The warehouse he led me to was a colossal brick building.
It resembled a fortified stronghold. We entered through gates marked on both sides with the sign “Pungwon Euichang,” stepping into a courtyard laid out in a square formation.
A number of people were waiting inside.
“Ah, y-you have come, Elder. Wha—!”
A large man hurried forward to welcome us but halted suddenly, startled by the sight of Cho, Hyang, and Bini trailing behind me.
“Chief Ha, it’s alright—please approach. They startled me at first as well, but they are quite tame,” Geum Gi-ryung stated.
The man warily came closer.
Bini, finding the man’s reaction entertaining, decided to playfully frighten him.
—Chrrr! 『Frightening, isn’t it?!』
“Aaaaah!”
—Tstststst! 『Ahahaha.』
He had been edging forward but tumbled backward in alarm.
I laughed lightly, gave Bini’s head a pat, and spoke.
“Bini, you mustn’t scare this gentleman. He is simply startled because it is his first time meeting you. It’s fine—she was only playing.”
“P-playing?”
“Yes, she has a mischievous nature.”
We gave the flustered Chief Ha a moment to collect himself, and once he had recovered, he offered a formal introduction.
“M-my apologies for that display. I am Chief Ha Huseong. I am responsible for managing this Pungwon Euichang.”
“A pleasure to meet you. I am So-ryong.”
“Then, please, take a look.”
Now composed, Chief Ha unlocked one of the doors set into the square-shaped warehouse structure.
Beyond it lay an enormous storage pit.
A vast cavity had been excavated in the earth behind the door, filled nearly to the top with grain.
“Each door accesses one storage pit; there are fifty in total. Every pit can contain 450 seom of grain. At present, ten are stocked with rice, and twenty with wheat.”
“Remarkable. But… is there no problem with dampness storing it below ground?”
“No, the earth here is quite dry.”
I had been worried about rot, but he clarified that the local soil was arid, allowing for secure long-term storage.
“Very well, let me inspect the grain.”
“Of course, please excuse its poor state.”
I °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° stepped into the pit to assess the condition of the grain.
—Crunch crunch.
It was a peculiar sensation—walking atop a mound of grain.
I crouched down for a better look. It appeared to be wheat—and it was in a sorry state.
I gathered a handful, let it rest on my palm, and examined it closely.
“Ah, I see. The barley moths and flour moths have deposited their eggs here.”
“Barley moths? Flour moths? They have specific names?”
The chief seemed astonished that these pests had formal names. I smiled and elaborated.
“The insects that typically infest stored grain by laying eggs include the barley moth, the flour moth, the striped moth, the rice moth, and the single-spot rice moth.
Currently, it is the breeding period for the barley moth and flour moth. However, there is no cause for major concern. These types will vanish once their season ends.”
“You truly are a specialist!”
“Is that so?”
Geum Gi-ryung and the chief, delighted by my knowledgeable explanation, radiated relief.
But it was premature to celebrate.
The central issue was something else entirely.
Tiny black creatures wriggling across the wheat in my hand—
My old companions from the days when Spicy Fabre caught and played with insects—
Rice weevils.
Often called grain weevils, these pests proliferate continuously in warm environments, regardless of the season. They tunnel into rice or wheat kernels, consuming them from the inside out, making them the most destructive threat.
“Indeed, but the primary problem is the Sitophilus oryzae—the rice weevil. Unchecked, they will keep multiplying until all the wheat is devoured.”
“Yes, precisely. We have been spreading the grain under the sun to kill them, but the quantity is simply too vast…”
He was correct—weevils are vulnerable to heat, so sun-drying would kill them.
But that only applied to the ones outside the grains. Those still hidden inside the kernels remained unaffected.
You believe you have eliminated them all after drying, but soon enough, more emerge.
Moreover, excessive sun exposure causes wheat kernels to become overly dry and crack, destroying their commercial worth.
“We also attempted using garlic and chili peppers, but without much success.”
Garlic and peppers are often suggested remedies, but strictly speaking, garlic does not kill existing weevils.
Extracts from peas and hot peppers have demonstrated some insecticidal properties, so chili might offer limited help, but the repelling effect is insufficient for full eradication.
I dusted the wheat grains from my hand and exited the pit. Geum Gi-ryung looked at me with hopeful anticipation.
“Is there a solution?”
I smiled and gave a nod.
“Yes. Since we have guests arriving for a feast, we ought to offer them a drink.”
“A drink?”
“You mean… real liquor?”
Both men tilted their heads in identical confusion at my words.