When she first came up with the business plan, So Yeonhee believed tanghulu would start a revolution in the area.
The reason was simple.
Its overwhelming appearance and taste.
'When it comes to snacks in this era, it's mostly rice cakes, dried fruits, or nuts simmered in honey. None of them can compete with tanghulu.'
Of course, malt syrup and honey had excellent flavor.
They possessed a depth of taste that ordinary sugar could never imitate.
However, none of the snacks sold in the market could match the overwhelming sweetness of tanghulu.
'Well, if they used that much malt syrup, the cost wouldn't be worth it.'
Making 500 grams of malt syrup required about one and a half times that amount of rice.
As for honey, people had to search mountain cliffs for wild beehives, making it even more precious.
So just how luxurious and sweet a snack would tanghulu seem?
The reactions of her siblings alone were enough to predict its popularity.
"Noona, can I try one tanghulu?"
Looking at the sparkling tanghulu, So Yeonwoo swallowed nervously.
"Of course you should taste it. I made plenty so everyone could share. Stop hesitating and take one each."
The moment she gave permission, the twins grabbed a skewer and took a huge bite.
Crunch.
The crisp sugar coating shattered, and sweet-and-sour juice immediately flooded their mouths.
"!!!"
"Wow! This tastes even better than the candied raspberries we had in the capital!"
"You're right. The sweetness is so strong that it doesn't feel sour at all."
Listening to her excited siblings, Yeonhee smiled with satisfaction.
"Actually, it would taste even better with other fruits. Grapes—wild grapes, tangerines, strawberries, things like that."
To be honest, juicy fruits suited tanghulu much better than hawthorn berries.
Unfortunately, strawberry season had already passed.
'Once I earn enough Merit Points, I'll buy Shine Muscat grapes from Jijang Mall and make tanghulu for them.'
After all, people naturally want to give the best things to their family first.
Smiling brightly, Yeonhee carefully packed the tanghulu and prepared her carrying frame.
"Alright. I should leave now. It's still the Hour of the Dragon. If I hurry, I can reach the market before the Hour of the Snake."
"What? You're going to the market?"
"Without telling the adults? Is that okay?"
"Yeah! What if Grandmother scolds you again?"
Her siblings tried to stop her, their faces full of concern.
But Yeonhee simply smiled mischievously.
"I already told Father. Besides, with things like this, it's usually easier to ask for forgiveness than permission."
The five-day market was located half a sijin from Mangok Village on foot—roughly an hour away.
Since all the nearby villagers gathered there, there could hardly be a better place to test the potential of a commoner's snack like tanghulu.
Still, considering how dangerous it was for a young girl to walk alone through mountain paths without an escort, this outing was incredibly reckless.
'But if I don't do this, Father might end up being drafted into forced labor.'
Using a sturdy bamboo pole as a walking stick, Yeonhee pressed onward.
Just as she crossed a hill, she heard the creaking of wheels.
An old donkey cart slowly approached from the opposite direction.
The cart was being led by a slightly hunched old man and a young woman.
They were her neighbors—Grandfather Shim and his second daughter-in-law, Mrs. Song.
'What's Grandfather Shim doing here?'
Her pace slowed in surprise.
Then the old man stopped first.
"Heading to the five-day market?"
"Ah? Y-Yes, sir."
Caught off guard, Yeonhee bowed politely.
'Of all people to run into...'
Grandfather Shim was the one who had found her after she'd eaten the poisonous mushrooms and had given her emergency treatment.
She was grateful.
Still, she didn't particularly want him worrying about her over things she hadn't actually done.
Especially considering the memories she'd inherited of herself making embarrassingly melodramatic remarks like:
"Why did you save me?"
'Seriously, So Yeonhee... what was wrong with you?'
Fortunately, Grandfather Shim didn't pry or fuss over her.
Instead, he casually leaned against the cargo on his cart.
"Good timing. We're headed the same way. I'll give you a ride to the market. Hop on."
"Th-That's alright. You already have so much cargo. I don't want to be a burden."
The cart, only slightly larger than a handcart, was already more than half-filled with bamboo crafts.
There was technically room if they squeezed together, but with a woman who appeared to be pregnant already riding, Yeonhee felt uncomfortable accepting.
She shook her head.
However, Grandfather Shim simply chuckled.
"Hah. One more passenger won't be any burden. Besides, your father personally asked me for the favor. How could I refuse?"
Yeonhee froze.
Then she looked back and forth between Grandfather Shim and Mrs. Song.
"Father asked you?"
"He did. He stopped by my house about half a sijin ago. Said his daughter would be heading to the market and asked me to give you a ride if I happened to see you."
Mrs. Song eagerly added,
"He wasn't very talkative, but he clearly adores his children. He even gave us some bamboo shoots as carriage fare."
When did Father even dig up bamboo shoots?
There was plenty of bamboo near their house, but with his hoe broken yesterday, it couldn't have been easy.
Besides, even in exile, noble families still had their pride.
Given the strict social hierarchy, she had assumed he would dislike commerce and regard it as beneath their status.
'Wow. Father is a lot more open-minded than I expected.'
The unexpected support pleasantly surprised her.
After all, she now had a powerful ally backing her.
Finally smiling, Yeonhee loaded her pack onto one side of the cart.
"Then I'll gratefully accept. Thank you for your help."
"No need to be formal. We're neighbors. Let's continue getting along."
Mrs. Song replied with a warm laugh.
After riding the swaying cart for about one sikgyeong (roughly thirty minutes), Yeonhee's group arrived at the open field near Gangha Village where the market was being held.
"Traveling by cart really is fast. Thanks to you, I think we can grab a good spot."
"Didn't come out before dawn just to lose all the good locations."
Grandfather Shim scanned the marketplace with determined eyes.
Then he boldly led them straight toward the center.
Without hesitation, he claimed a spot right beside a butcher's stall.
"Been a while."
"Oh! Elder Shim, you've come too?"
Judging by the warm greetings, they seemed to know each other well.
Yeonhee glanced at the middle-aged couple.
The husband was stout and sturdy-looking, while the wife had a kind face.
Mrs. Song quickly leaned over and whispered.
"They're the Jang couple. They run a butcher shop in Jin Fortress. I heard the Fengyun Merchant Guild recently entered the city and merchants have been struggling, but I didn't expect them to come all the way to the five-day market."
What?
The Fengyun Merchant Guild? One of the three greatest merchant guilds in the empire?
'What's a major capital merchant guild doing all the way out in a remote place like this?'
The thought intrigued her.
Unfortunately, she had no time to dwell on it.
The butcher's wife was already looking her over curiously.
"You've got a new companion with you today?"
Grandfather Shim introduced her.
"This is the eldest daughter of the So family next door. Young lady, these are Butcher Jang and his wife, Madam Yang."
As soon as the introduction ended, Yeonhee stepped forward with a bright smile.
"I'm Yeonhee of the So family. Today I've come with the Shim family to sell tanghulu."
"Tanghulu?"
Madam Yang frowned slightly.
Suppressing a smile, Yeonhee dramatically pulled away the cloth covering her basket.
'Showing is better than explaining.'
Sunlight poured onto the contents.
Rows of sparkling tanghulu skewers shone like jewels.
Anyone seeing them up close would be astonished.
The Jang couple's eyes widened immediately.
'Just as expected.'
Smiling, Yeonhee handed a skewer to each person.
The Jang couple.
Grandfather Shim.
And Mrs. Song as well.
"I won't charge you. Please try one."
"Oh dear. You're giving things away before you've even started selling. Miss Yeonhee, people might think you're an easy target and take advantage of you."
Madam Yang sounded concerned.
But Yeonhee merely grinned.
"It's fine. I'm blessed with good fortune. Whenever I do good deeds, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva always repays me."
And in her case, that was literally true.
Her cheerful response made the Jang couple laugh.
Accepting the skewers, they said,
"After we finish selling meat later, we'll save some leftover bones for you. Wait around after the market closes."
"Really? I knew from your face that you resembled a bodhisattva. As expected, you're incredibly generous!"
"Oh my, listen to this girl's silver tongue. You'll have no trouble after marriage. Your in-laws will absolutely adore you."
The exchange of compliments warmed the atmosphere considerably.
Seizing the momentum, Yeonhee lifted two tanghulu skewers into the air and shouted loudly:
"Fresh tanghulu for sale!"
"The finest delicacy under heaven, crisp as ice when you bite into it!"
"Helps digestion and prevents colds—perfect for both adults and children!"
"Only two mun per skewer!"
"Don't miss this chance!"
