I Became a Hotelier at the Goryeo National Hotel - Chapter 46

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 46

Nasim was puzzled. The trading company directly operated by the Imperial Court would be more powerful and stable, so why the Ryeo Trading Company?

Seeing Nasim’s puzzled expression, Rashid added a few more dried ginseng roots to the tea pot and poured hot water over them.

[Nasim, the situation here is very different from the Seljuk. Goryeo’s Emperor cannot be called a proper emperor.]

[…What do you mean?]

[The ‘Ryeo’ Trading Company appears to be substantially owned by someone who is the Emperor’s father-in-law. I hear he uses his enormous wealth as leverage to manipulate even Goryeo’s political situation.]

[…I see.]

This was unimaginable in the Seljuk Empire where the Emperor wielded absolute power with supreme imperial authority, so Nasim let out a light sigh.

[We will make a deal with the ‘Ryeo’ Trading Company. They offered much more favorable conditions than the Imperial Court, so there’s no need to hesitate.]

There was a reason why Rashid was staying at Hyeeumwon.

Having perceived that Goryeo’s trading company forces were largely divided into two, he had intentionally chosen this place directly operated by the Imperial Court. Precisely to provoke the ‘Ryeo’ Trading Company.

And as he had hoped, the ‘Ryeo’ Trading Company side contacted them first.

[What about that Third Trading Company?]

[I heard that mysterious trading company cannot be contacted unless they reach out first. It seems to actually be the case.]

The Al-Fairuz trading company had influence in every country from Dashi Kingdom to the adjacent Ghaznavid Kingdom and Chola Empire, reaching even the Song Dynasty.

If his uncle, who was the Deputy Merchant Leader of such a trading company, couldn’t make contact, they had to think that the existence was truly thoroughly hidden.

Nasim asked cautiously.

[Then how about offering the same conditions to the Imperial Trading Company as well?]

But Rashid answered firmly.

[I tried. However, the proposal the Imperial Court put forward wasn’t very attractive. On the other hand, the ‘Ryeo’ Trading Company approached this deal with exceptional conditions. They said they would trade at a level far exceeding whatever conditions the Imperial Court might offer.]

Rashid continued while stroking his beard long.

[It seems the ‘Ryeo’ Trading Company’s current purpose is not to seek profit.]

[…They intend to keep the Imperial trading company in check.]

Rashid nodded.

[I think so too. But it benefits us. There’s no need to think about it complicatedly.]

This trade with Goryeo was also a very important deal for the Al-Fairuz trading company. Developing new markets to sell spices and exclusively importing ginseng was their important mission.

Moreover, Goryeo’s jade-colored porcelain was now starting to become fashionable among the nobles of the Seljuk Empire. But rumors about Goryeo’s trade goods had already spread among the neighboring countries including the adjacent Fatimid Kingdom.

Al-Fairuz had to secure the first deal with Goryeo. In that case, trading with a powerful trading company was natural.

[When is the scheduled meeting date?]

[They said they would contact us after first reviewing the negotiation conditions. …Nasim, once the deal is concluded, we will return to the Empire immediately.]

[…Yes, I know what you’re trying to say.]

‘You want me to quickly settle things with her.’

He realized anew that there weren’t many days left to stay at Hyeeumwon. As if reading his nephew’s thoughts, Rashid spoke first.

[Before we leave, settle things with that young lady.]

[…Yes.]

Come to think of it, this wasn’t the time to be leisurely drinking tea.

As Nasim was about to get up with an urgent heart, Rashid took something out from his chest with a deliberately serious expression and held it out.

“This was very difficult to obtain.”

What Nasim inadvertently received was some kind of book. The cover was worn from being handled by many people.

The cover had this title written in large letters.

『One Hundred Ways to Capture Her Heart』

And below the book title, what seemed to be an advertising slogan was written as follows.

―Run to her right now! Opportunities are not something you wait for, but something you create.―

[….]

When Nasim looked at him with coldly disappointed eyes, Rashid gazed back with a proud look and said.

[I specially requested this from the most popular member of our trading company among women. He read this and successfully got married at nineteen, and already has three wives and six children.]

[….]

Nasim glanced through the book, considering his uncle’s good intentions, and came out of the guest room.

Rashid watched him with a satisfied smile, proud of having fulfilled his duty as a family elder.

* * *

Hyeeumwon kitchen storage.

Head Cook Go Jang Nam looked at the rapidly emptying food storage with a worried expression.

“Hmm… At this rate, we won’t last even two days.”

He checked the food ingredients while diligently writing something in his notebook.

Due to the tremendous appetites of the Dashi Kingdom merchants and the increased number of mouths to feed(?), the ingredients were running out much faster than expected.

Just then, Jeong Yeon Hwa, who had come looking for the head cook, heard his worried voice.

“Head Cook, is something wrong?”

Go Jang Nam quickly voiced his concerns.

“…So the ingredients are running out much faster than expected. Today happens to be market day, so I should go out, but I can’t leave my post because of meal preparations.”

After hearing this, Jeong Yeon Hwa thought for a moment and then smiled reassuringly.

“If it’s alright with you, I’ll go in your place.”

The head cook brightened at Jeong Yeon Hwa’s words. Since she was known for being meticulous and perfect in her assigned tasks, she was someone he could trust with this responsibility.

“That would be a relief for me. Here, I’ve written down what we need. I’m counting on you.”

The head cook handed Jeong Yeon Hwa a paper with the needed ingredients written on it.

“Yes, then I’ll go right away.”

Jeong Yeon Hwa took the paper he offered and headed out of the kitchen.

As Jeong Yeon Hwa was about to cross the kitchen threshold, she encountered Lee Jeong Ah who was just entering.

“Deputy Commander.”

Jeong Yeon Hwa bowed respectfully.

“Where are you headed?”

“At the head cook’s request, I’m going to the market to buy some ingredients we’re short on.”

Lee Jeong Ah’s eyebrows rose slightly.

“Already? I heard we had stocked up on ingredients quite generously not long ago.”

“The Dashi Kingdom merchants’ food consumption is much higher than expected – they eat two to three times as much as Goryeo people. Plus, we need to provide meals for the children the General Manager brought recently, so he says we need to shop for supplies in advance.”

“I see.”

Lee Jeong Ah didn’t press further.

“Understood. Be careful on your way.”

And just then, Seo Rin, who had been serving tea to Rashid and Nasim and was returning, happened to overhear their conversation.

‘Going to the market?’

Upon hearing about going to the market, Seo Rin quickly approached Jeong Yeon Hwa.

“Um, Yeon Hwa-nim. If it’s alright with you, could I help you with the market shopping? I happen to have some free time.”

Since there happened to be too many items on the shopping list and it might be quite burdensome to handle alone, Jeong Yeon Hwa readily agreed.

‘She must be busy managing the guest rooms and attending to the guests, yet she’s offering to help. How admirable.’

“Well, I’d be grateful. The more helping hands, the better.”

Having received ready permission, Seo Rin headed toward the central gate with Jeong Yeon Hwa. Behind them followed guards who would both protect them and serve as porters.

Just then, Nasim, who was coming out after meeting his uncle, spotted Seo Rin. Looking at her anew, Nasim felt embarrassment wash over him.

At Hamim, he had been too busy rushing her to the medical office, worried she might be injured and forgetting all about shame, but now that the situation had calmed down, the thought that he had shown an unseemly side finally occurred to him.

However, Nasim had already made up his mind to marry Seo Rin! He glanced at the text in the book he was holding, ‘One Hundred Ways to Capture Her Heart.’

‘…Right, doesn’t it say here too that opportunities must be created? If I want to win her, I must take a step forward!’

Nasim tucked the strategy book into his chest and walked steadily toward Seo Rin.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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