The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 128

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Trading Company – Chapter 128

Chapter 128. Apricot Flower Academy (4)

After handing Bo-uk Clerk over to Palgap, I made my way directly to Father.
I needed to report on my journey and discuss the letter I had received earlier.

“Father, I have returned safely from Beijing.”
“Well done. You’ve worked hard.”
“On the way back, I brought a talented individual to work in Hyun Pung Country. I’ve agreed to pay him eight silver taels monthly.”
“That’s quite a substantial monthly wage, isn’t it?”
“He’s talented enough that we’ll profit handsomely even at that rate.”
“If you say so, then it must be true. Hyun Pung Country is your responsibility, so do your best with it.”
After reporting on my meeting with the Emperor, I took a moment to catch my breath.
“Father, has Eun Wol Pavilion approved the matter of establishing an academy in Beijing?”
“As the letter indicated, their response was positive, so we can consider it approval. You’ll hear the details at tomorrow’s meeting.”
“Understood.”

After withdrawing from Father’s presence, I headed toward Hyun Pung Country.

* * *

Bo Uk couldn’t regain his composure.
While investigating Eun Seo-ho, I had heard that the Eunhae Trading Company was a major merchant guild.
But the Eunhae Trading Company I actually witnessed was far more impressive than what I had imagined.
Palgap guided me through various parts of the trading company.
“This is Cha-jang. It is where commercial operations begin and where they conclude.”
“I see.”
“This is Silver Dragon Hall. It is where the important figures of the trading company reside. The Hyun Pung Bureau is also located there.”
“It’s quite magnificent.”
“Over there is where the Eunpung Corps, which protects our trading company, is stationed. There is also a Training Ground for martial arts cultivation.”
“Oh! How impressive!”
As I received these guided tours, my heart began to flutter with excitement.
My decision to work for the Eunhae Trading Company seemed to be a truly wise one.
Moreover, the monthly salary was eight silver taels.
With that money, I could live comfortably not only for myself but also for my mother and my elder brother’s family.
After touring the Eunhae Trading Company, we arrived in front of a pavilion.
In front of the five-story pavilion hung a plaque inscribed with “Plum Blossom Dormitory.”
“This is the guest quarters where the clerk will reside.”
Palgap then greeted a middle-aged man sitting at a table inside the door.
“Greetings.”
“Ah! Palgap!”
The man welcomed him with a bright smile.
Palgap was Eun Seo-ho’s personal attendant.
There was hardly anyone within the Eunhae Trading Company who didn’t know him.
“This is Bo-uk Clerk, who has begun working at the Hyun Pung Bureau. Please show him to his room.”
“Understood.”
The middle-aged man spoke with a warm smile.
“Welcome. I am Song Min, responsible for managing this Plum Blossom Dormitory. When calling those of us who manage the dormitory, you may address us as stewards.”
“I am Bo Uk. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Steward Song.”
“There is also a deputy steward, whom I will introduce to you later. Please follow me.”
Palgap bid farewell to Bo Uk and left the dormitory, while Song Min led Bo Uk up to the third floor.
The place resembled an inn.
“This is where Clerk Bo Uk will be staying.”
Though it appeared cramped from the outside, upon entering, the space was more spacious than expected.
It was several times larger than the inn where I had previously stayed, and there were not one but two rooms.
And it was equipped with all the basic necessities—a bed, wooden tables, and other furnishings.
Bo Uk could only marvel.
“This is a very fine guest quarter.”
“This dormitory system is one of the welfare benefits our trading company takes pride in. There are four dormitories—Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum—with strict separation of male and female residents.”
“I see. Then do all the trading company’s employees reside here?”
“That is not the case. If one wishes, they may certainly live outside and commute, but since the principle is one person per room, except for those who marry, there are hardly any unmarried individuals who wish to leave.”
“I see.”
“Because of this, employees working at the Merchant Guild face fierce competition to secure dormitory rooms, but those working for Hyun Pung Country can be assigned rooms without such competition.”
“What?”
If that were true, it meant I had been granted lodging through irregular means.
‘I didn’t think Young Master Eun Seo-ho was like that… to grant such benefits through irregular means to someone under Hyun Pung Country, where I serve as lord.’
From the perspective of Song Min, the clerk managing this place, it would be an irritating matter.
Yet for some reason, Song Min showed no sign of displeasure.
“Is that really acceptable?”
To Bo Uk’s question, Song Min answered as if it were the most natural thing.
“Yes. It is acceptable.”
“Why is that?”
“That is…”
But he merely trailed off without providing an answer.
“That’s not what’s important. Let me explain the rules of this place.”
Song Min explained the dormitory regulations.
“If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.”
Bo Uk tilted his head in confusion.
Something felt odd, but he let it pass.
‘Still, to think I’ve secured lodging in such a fine place through irregular means. I feel apologetic to the others.’

That evening.
I made my way to the Common Dining Hall.
Meals could be obtained there at remarkably affordable prices.
Upon visiting in person, I found the prices were one-third of the market rate.
Tonight’s fare was meat dumplings and steaming noodles.
After receiving my food and settling at an appropriate table to eat, a group of people seated themselves around me.
“May we join you?”
“Ah, yes.”
Those seated around me asked Bo Uk a question.
“But we haven’t seen you before, sir.”
“Ah, I started working for the Eunhae Trading Company today.”
“I see. Pleased to meet you. Which division are you assigned to?”
“Hyun Pung Country.”
“What?”
“D-did you say Hyun Pung Country?”
Yet their reaction seemed strange.
“Is something the matter?”
“What?”
To his bewildering question, I nodded my head.
“What could possibly be wrong?”
“….”
One of them asked.
“Are you perhaps not yet on duty?”
“I’m scheduled to begin work tomorrow.”
“Ah, I see!”
“…?”
“Are you married?”
“I’m still unmarried.”
“Then your quarters would be the dormitory.”
“I’ve been assigned to the Plum Blossom Dormitory.”
“I’m also in the Plum Blossom Dormitory.”
At those words, Bo Uk hesitated before speaking.
“I’m… terribly sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing so suddenly?”
“I heard that my assignment to the Plum Blossom Dormitory was merely a privilege granted because I work for Hyun Pung. It’s a dormitory that many enter through fierce competition….”
At his words, everyone seated nearby smiled wryly. Then one of the staff members spoke.
“We don’t mind at all that you were given the privilege of staying in the Plum Blossom Dormitory. Our Eunhae Trading Company gives privileges when it has reason to give them.”
Another nodded and continued.
“No matter how exceptional the Lord of Hyun Pung may be, there are others from the Eun Wol Pavilion. If this were an unwarranted privilege, they would have stopped it.”
Now that I thought about it, that made sense.
But Bo Uk’s doubts remained unresolved.
“Then why exactly do they give such privileges to those working for Hyun Pung?”
Another answered.
“From what I’ve heard, it’s meant to prevent people from collapsing on the streets on their way home….”
“I heard it was to prevent talented people from deserting.”
Bo Uk couldn’t make sense of any of it.
“In any case, you should abandon any thoughts of apology. In four days, you won’t feel that way at all.”
“So tonight, don’t think about anything—just sleep soundly! It’s really best to sleep very soundly.”
“But why?”
“Because the work at Hyun Pung is… brutally demanding.”
Until that moment, I thought—how difficult could the work possibly be?
But not long after, I came to understand.
There was a reason why they assigned dormitory quarters without competition.

* * *

Morning arrived.
I woke early, washed up with Palgap’s assistance, and stepped into the courtyard.
The Guard Warriors were already awake, loosening their bodies.
What a vibrant morning this is.
“Good morning.”
“Yes, my lord. Good morning.”
After exchanging greetings, I performed the breathing exercise.
As my inner energy surged with the coolness of winter, my drowsy mind became sharp and clear.
Today was for personal training.
My Master had gone on a journey.
A winter journey, no less… it must be difficult for him.
.
.
.
After breakfast, I headed to the Eun-wol Pavilion for the meeting.
When I arrived, Jeok Byeong-chul Officer from the Sefung Division and Yeon Hae-mi Officer from the Sangyu Division were already there.
I exchanged light greetings with them.
“I heard you returned from Beijing yesterday.”
“Yes.”
“Worried we might grow bored, you’ve thrown quite a major incident at us from Beijing! Hahaha. I never would have expected it.”
“My apologies.”
At Jeok Gak-ju’s words, I scratched my head.
Then Yeon Gak-ju spoke with a smile.
“Our Jeok Gak-ju, you’re being dishonest. At the last meeting, you did nothing but praise Eun Seo-ho.”
“Ahem!”
At her words, Jeok Gak-ju coughed awkwardly.
Seeing his embarrassment, it seemed Yeon Gak-ju’s words held truth.
Then others began entering, and soon the meeting commenced.
Various matters were handled.
“Finally, let us discuss the proposal that Seo-ho brought forward. Seo-ho.”
“Yes, Father.”
“This is your proposal. Naturally, you have a plan for it?”
“Of course.”
To prevent any proposal from becoming mere empty talk, thorough preliminary investigation was essential.
Thus, I had to work not only in Beijing but also on the journey to the Main Headquarters.
I laid out the prepared ledger before them.
“Looking at this, the academy in Beijing….”
While placing people from the Eunhae Trading Company in the Imperial Palace was the goal, the academy itself was a legitimate business venture.
At first, people would praise the fact that the trading company not only earned money to fill its own coffers but also undertook educational projects for the nation.
But they understood as well.
A merchant is a merchant, after all.
We never engage in business that results in losses.
If this educational venture only generated deficits, people would grow suspicious of my true intentions.
Would they simply stand by and accept that?
Even if it were merely a façade, it had to appear legitimate on the surface.
That’s why thorough market analysis was essential.
“Therefore, I believe it would be prudent to begin with a modest academy accommodating roughly one hundred students.”
“That seems perfectly adequate.”
“The location would be slightly removed from Book Street here….”
“If you have any concerns, please speak freely without hesitation.”
In response to my proposal, the others offered various suggestions, and I addressed and refined each one.
Seeing them point out things I hadn’t considered, the old saying about aged ginger being spicier proved true.
That wisdom came from the experience they had accumulated over the years.
Even now, I regretted not having absorbed their knowledge as my own before Father and they retired.
But this time, it would be different.
“My, it’s suddenly grown cold.”
“Indeed it has.”
“We should kindle more charcoal.”
“The most important matter is the academy’s name….”
At those words, I spoke to Father.
“It would be best if you bestowed that name upon us, Father.”
“I agree entirely.”
“Please name it for us, Merchant Guild Leader.”
Father pondered briefly before speaking.
“A fine name has just occurred to me. Apricot Flower Academy—how does that sound?”
Apricot Flower.
It meant apricot blossoms.
“Since ancient times, when the provincial examinations are held, apricot blossoms bloom, earning the name ‘Blossom of Success.'”
“It carries the meaning of achieving success through learning.”
“There’s that, certainly, but the apricot also serves as a panacea for all ailments—so I wish for the knowledge learned at this academy to become not dead learning, but living knowledge that serves as a cure for all ills.”
“That interpretation seems far more fitting.”
He thought of that just now?
Father, you’re something else.
He must have been considering it since I first sent word about the academy.
Had I not asked Father to name it, he would have been disappointed.
Thus, the name of the academy that the Eunhae Trading Company would establish was confirmed as Apricot Flower Academy.
The more I considered it, the more fitting the name became.
“Then I shall have to return to Beijing.”
“Yes.”
I nodded in agreement.
“Once I’ve finished my work here, I plan to go to Beijing and begin establishing an academy.”

After the meeting concluded, I returned to Hyun Pung Bureau to find Bo-uk Clerk already at his post.
I introduced him to everyone.
“This is Bo-uk Clerk. Starting today, he’ll be working with us here at Hyun Pung Bureau.”
“Finally! Finally, we have reinforcements!”
“Hurrah!”
Not only Yeochang’s Deputy but all the other staff members of Hyun Pung Bureau welcomed Bo-uk Clerk with enthusiasm.
Though their reasons for welcoming him seemed somewhat different…
But what did it matter?

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