espParser not reading files properly

[tinkerer-red]

config settings

{ "espPath":"custom/esps/", "cache":true, "useRequiredDataFiles":true, "requiredDataFiles":"requiredDataFiles.json", "files":[], "preload":false }

the additional esp im testing with is the merchant test.esp found here: https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/29969?tab=description

When trying to use other plugins such as cloneCell, CellInserter.addon-esp, or preloading end in a server crash due to files, or filename == nill