Merchant Archive

I have 4 Ithorian vendors at 4 separate stores. I currently have master merchant but need to surrender most of my merchant skills... my questions is this.... If the devs do decide to "fix" the (retaining vendor without skills) bug, can i have 0002 to still control my Ithorian vendors? or will i need 0022 to do that??(i think it was hiring 2 for Ithorian vendors i cant remember mighta been hiring 3).

thanks guys

Wulga