The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 101

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

The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Trading Company – Chapter 101

Chapter 101. The Manjol Physician (2)

It might seem selfish, but I’ve always been selfish by nature—my family comes first to me.
However, beyond that, relocating the Main Headquarters would be a grave mistake.
I calmly persuaded Father, and he sighed before speaking.
“You’re right. We began here in Chongyang County and have grown to this point thanks to these people. Yet I was considering moving the Main Headquarters instead of providing relief during this plague! How foolish I’ve been.”
I quickly responded to Father’s words.
“Not at all. How could I fault you when I understand your heart?”
“Thank you for understanding.”
Father looked at me and nodded.
“Very well. Go and return safely.”
Thus my journey to Uichang was decided far more easily than I expected.
“However… you must persuade your mother yourself.”
The way he subtly turned his head away reminded me of when I had said I was going to rescue Jin-ho and his companions.
How would I persuade Mother?
But then.

“Go and return safely.”
“Pardon?”
“Why do you look so surprised?”
“Ah, no… I thought Mother would not permit it.”
Mother sighed at my words.
“Though I wish to tell you not to go, you are the son of the Eunhae Trading Company’s Guild Master. That means you must work not for personal gain, but for the company’s interests.”
“….”
“In my judgment, the company’s current interests are best served by remaining here and focusing our efforts on relief, not by departing.”
“Mother….”
“Of course, before this, I opposed it because you didn’t absolutely have to go, but this time is different.”
Mother let out a soft laugh.
“A martial family’s daughter has truly become a merchant guild master’s wife.”
“Yet you remain as beautiful as ever.”
“You rascal, are you mocking your mother?”
“How could that be? Haha.”

To my surprise, my mother granted her permission readily, and my journey to Uichang was prepared with remarkable swiftness.
And so I departed for Uichang with those who had volunteered to accompany me.
.
.
.
The boat journey toward Uichang consumed considerable time.
We traveled upstream along the Yangtze River.
Fortunately, the river was wide enough that we could navigate using a large vessel.
However, after disembarking, the treacherous mountain terrain forced us to proceed along the mountain paths.
From what I remembered, countless lives had been lost in Uichang.
This was because relief efforts had not been implemented promptly, causing the illness to worsen among many.
The mountain paths made it impossible to transport rice and supplies by cart.
Thus, I too was carrying rice on my back as I walked.
Though Palgap and my two guards protested, with every laborer precious, I could not justify coming here if I refused to carry even this much.
At last, we arrived at Uichang.
“Halt!”
At that moment, government forces blocked our path.
“This area is restricted due to a contagious plague.”
I then withdrew a document from my garments and presented it.
“We are from the Eunhae Trading Company. Here is our special entry permit.”
It was obtained from the Provincial Inspector of Hubei Province.
When I mentioned that the Eunhae Trading Company would provide relief grain and medicinal herbs to Uichang, the Provincial Inspector had been delighted and promptly issued this permit.
“Summon the Commander Flag at once.”
“Yes, sir!”
Soon, a man of apparently highest rank among them approached, listened to his subordinate’s account, and spoke to me.
“I am the Commander Flag stationed here.”
“I am Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Trading Company.”
“Please show me your entry permit.”
I presented the permit, and after reading it, he gazed at the supplies behind me and asked with a surprised expression.
“Is all of that… relief supplies?”
“Yes. I have brought rice, vegetables, meat, and medicinal herbs, and we plan to bring more in the future.”
“The branch director will be most pleased. We are grateful to your company. Please, enter.”
At his words, I divided those who would enter with me from those who would remain outside to transport the supplies.
A contagious plague was spreading in this area.
Though I possessed an entry permit allowing unrestricted passage, doing so could cause the plague to spread further.
I could not become the source of a plague that would ravage the entire Central Plains, not when I had come to provide relief.
“Then we shall take our leave.”
“Please take good care of the remaining supplies.”
As I bowed respectfully, the laborers felt honored, and they returned to the harbor to fetch more cargo.
And I spoke to those who had decided to enter with me.
“Then let us move as well.”
We entered the Restricted Zone under the guidance of Government Forces who had come at our signal.
All those who followed me into the Restricted Zone had volunteered to do so.
I asked them a question.
“Are you truly certain you won’t regret following me inside?”
They nodded at my words.
“Yes, we have no regrets.”
“I understand. For your willingness to follow me like this, I shall never forget your kindness.”
One of them spoke in response.
“There is no need for such words. If anything, it is I who am indebted. This place is my hometown.”
“The same is true for me.”
“This is my hometown as well.”
“When we heard that a plague had broken out in our hometown where our parents and relatives live, we were deeply worried. Now that the Trading Company has shown such kindness to our home, we can only express our gratitude.”
I laughed heartily.
“So you had your own purposes.”
“We apologize.”
“In any case, thank you.”
I spoke to them with firm resolve.
“But there is one thing I must make clear before we proceed.”
I continued.
“Regardless of whether your families and relatives are here, all relief supplies and measures will be distributed fairly and equally.”
“That is only right.”
They all nodded, though hints of disappointment and dissatisfaction flickered across their faces.
My blunt words from the start had caused this reaction.
“You may feel discontented, but this is unavoidable. However, this principle also protects the families and relatives of those who followed me here.”
“What do you mean by that?”
I smiled at the question.
“Do you know where discontent originates? Most dissatisfaction begins when people compare themselves to others.”
When everyone possesses the same number and size of rice cakes, no discontent arises.
Yet it is impossible for everyone to have identical quantities and sizes.
Because another’s cake always appears larger.
Dissatisfaction.
I believe this is merely another name for desire.
That discontent—that desire—drives people to pursue better things and to strive harder.
However, the world is not filled solely with those who think righteously.
Moreover, in extreme circumstances, those prone to radical thinking become far more numerous.
“If your families and relatives were to receive something extra, what would the others think upon witnessing it?”
“Perhaps they would think they should seek employment with the Eunhae Trading Company?”
“If only everyone thought that way, I would be grateful. But these are people on the brink of life and death. When their own child is dying before their eyes, would they not resent seeing another’s child being favored?”
“Ah….”
Several faces were hardening.
They understood what I was implying.
I needed to remember these individuals.
They were employees with potential to rise to higher positions later.
I should explain in greater detail for the benefit of the others.
“To seize the extra provisions you’ve given them, out of hatred for those who enjoy more than yourselves, you might inflict harm upon your families and acquaintances.”
“…!”
“You think I’m exaggerating, don’t you? But I’m not.”
I continued.
“How could I not understand your desire to give more to your families and loved ones? And even if you were to act subtly, I would not notice.”
“….”
“That is precisely why I warn you now. Should your family or acquaintances demand anything more, you must refuse them outright. Only then can you prevent them from misunderstanding the situation. If you cannot do this, it is not too late even now. Do not enter this Restricted Zone.”
Someone asked then.
“Couldn’t I simply give it to them in secret?”
Who was this fool asking such a question?
“Do you truly believe it’s possible to keep secrets in this situation?”
“….”
“Then make your choice.”
After a moment of deliberation, several of those present bowed their heads to me.
“I don’t think I can do this. I would rather not enter.”
“I as well….”
“My apologies.”
I nodded, observing them.
Yes, this choice was not a bad one either.
If they could not follow my words, returning to the Trading Company now was also a sound approach.
“You have chosen wisely.”
Thus, ultimately fifteen employees entered the Restricted Zone with me.
After ordering them to transport relief supplies into the zone with the cooperation of the Government Forces, I set forth accompanied by Palgap and two Guard Warriors.
The first place I needed to go was the County Office.
Even with permission from the Provincial Inspector, I required the cooperation of the County Office located here.
.
.
.
Shortly after, I was able to meet with Ji Hyeon Dae-in.
I had long been skilled at meeting and conversing with administrative officials.
I knew what words they favored most, what they most wished to hear.
“You say you have had an audience with His Imperial Majesty? Or should I say, you have spoken with him?”
“I see him often.”
“You are quite an extraordinary person.”
“Having come to this place, I can see that your swift administration allows the common people here to benefit from your virtuous governance, Dae-in.”
“You are too kind.”
“His Majesty the Emperor would surely be delighted to hear of this.”

Thus I was able to secure their fullest cooperation.
Now then, it was time to begin in earnest.
I had heard that Manjol Physician was currently in Ja-gwi County.
It was the very source of the plague and simultaneously the place in the direst straits.
“Young Master, do you truly intend to go there?”
“Yes.”
“But….”
“It’s fine. You know, don’t you? Once one masters martial arts, one rarely falls ill from common diseases.”
“I understand that, but….”
Perhaps that was why Mother had consented to my going there.
“After all, I cannot summon someone so busy tending to patients to come and go at my whim.”
So I had to go myself.
I set out immediately for Ja-gwi County.
.
.
.
In my past life, I had never personally visited a place where the plague was spreading.
Because of this, I had harbored vague notions about the matter.
So even though I understood what was happening and the nature of the situation, I was now reminded once more that witnessing it with my own eyes was entirely different.
People lying on straw mats spread before their homes, groaning in agony.
And in those who tended to them with exhausted faces, I could see no hope.
Acrid smoke rose from various places, thick and suffocating.
This smell lingering in my memory was the stench of burning corpses.
I had encountered it before—when I died, as Baekcheon Trading Company burned everything to destroy evidence after their assault on me and my companions.
Whether it was the memory that surfaced or the atmosphere of the village itself, my mood was far from pleasant.
If I felt good now, I would be mad.
As I walked, sensing the gazes of the people, I spotted a middle-aged man in tattered clothes.
It was Manjol Physician.
The moment I saw him, I was nearly overwhelmed by the aura emanating from him.
Despite his diminutive frame, he was no ordinary physician.
Well, with the title “Physician” attached to his name, he was naturally no common healer, but what I perceived in Manjol Physician transcended even that.
He was a master.
A master of a caliber I could scarcely fathom.
He did not even turn his head toward me, though he must have sensed my presence.
When the Yeo Eung-am Warrior moved forward to speak, I quickly stopped him.
Then I bowed respectfully and spoke.
“It is an honor to meet you, Elder. My name is Eun Seo-ho, third son of the Eunhae Trading Company Master. I have come bearing supplies for relief efforts.”
My voice rang out clear and resonant.
In that tone, I could sense his stubbornness—or more charitably, his unwavering conviction, solid as a plank of wood.
“Is it free?”
“Pardon?”
“The relief supplies you’ve brought. Are they free of charge?”
At his question, I smiled wryly and continued.
“Of course not, sir.”
The moment Manjol Physician posed that question, I understood something.
That I could not afford to conceal my true intentions.
Certainly, one must deal with people sincerely. But that doesn’t mean presentation is unnecessary.
A certain degree of strategic disclosure was required—revealing what should be revealed, concealing what should be concealed.
Most people ask you to speak plainly, yet grow displeased when you actually do.
But Manjol Physician before me had already seen through my hand.
“Through these relief supplies I’ve brought, the Eunhae Trading Company will gain the trust of the people here.”
“So you’re saying this isn’t a losing venture—that’s why you’ve come?”
“Have you ever seen a merchant undertake a losing venture?”

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