The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 191

—————
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 191

Chapter 191. Imperial Silk Delivery Competition (4)

I couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason at this moment.
But blocking their ambitions would benefit both me and the Eunhae Trading Company.
So I needed to obstruct them thoroughly.
“Then, we shall now commence the Imperial Silk Delivery Competition.”
At the Eunuch Official’s words, I collected myself and focused ahead.
“This competition will proceed through five stages total, with the final supplier being determined at the end. First, we have already reviewed qualifications through document submission.”
Eun Jung-ho had rushed about so frantically—even collapsing from overwork—precisely because of this document qualification review.
“Second, each merchant group was asked to bring silk matching the theme presented by the Imperial Palace.”
That’s why we had commissioned the Changin Escort Agency to transport our silk here.
But we hadn’t heard any mention of bringing silk when we entered the Imperial Palace.
My eyes gleamed.
The competition format hadn’t deviated from what I knew in my previous life.
“From this moment, you have two hours. If you cannot bring your silk through the Imperial Palace gates by then, you are disqualified.”
The Eunuch Official then turned to look at the Empress.
The Empress nodded and spoke.
“A merchant group that cannot even meet delivery deadlines has no right to do business with our Imperial Court. Begin.”
“Yes.”
Immediately, another Eunuch Official lit a long incense stick.
It was incense that burned for half an hour.
While four of these sticks burned, that was the time limit.
“It seems we’re at quite a disadvantage, doesn’t it?”
Seok Chief Merchant’s words were accurate.
The Yeonjun Trading Company where we were staying was located some distance from the Imperial Palace.
But I shook my head.
“That’s not the case. The key here is how quickly we can prepare and arrive safely.”
I spoke to Seok Chief Merchant.
“Chief Manager, please remain here.”
Given his age and the urgent nature of the task, he wasn’t suited for rapid movement.
There was no need for all of us to move anyway.
“I think that’s best. I apologize for being unable to help directly.”
“What are you saying? Your presence alone gives us strength and confidence.”
Then I spoke to the Two Elder Brothers.
“Let’s go.”
“Understood.”
As we exited the Imperial Palace, Yeo Eung-am Warrior greeted me.
“You’ve come out, sir?”
“Yes. We must head to Yeonjun Trading Company immediately.”
I made a request to Geumryeong.
“Geumryeong. Send a signal to Palgap.”
The moment Geumryeong heard my request, it soared toward Yeonjun Trading Company in an instant.
Since nothing had changed significantly on the Imperial Palace’s side, there was a high probability that the same topics from my previous life would come up.
That’s why I had Palgap and the other guards wait at Yeonjun Trading Company.
Because I possessed memories from my previous life, I already knew the information beforehand—one might consider this unfair.
But was I the only one who knew this information?
Seeing those who wore knowing smiles, it seemed they already knew about it as well.
After all, major merchant guilds wouldn’t lack connections to the Imperial Palace.
However, the Imperial Palace was not such an easy place.
Even if one possessed advance information, reaching the Imperial Palace itself was the problem.
We had to evade or break through the obstructing forces rushing at us like a swarm, then cross the Imperial Palace gates.
We rode our horses hard and arrived at Yeonjun Trading Company.
Palgap was waiting for us with the silk prepared.
“Young Master! The preparations are complete!”
I nodded and spoke to Song Pyo-du.
“Let’s move immediately.”
“Understood.”
“You remember what I told you before, don’t you?”
“Of course.”
Carrying the silk, we headed toward the Imperial Palace.
About an hour after we departed for the Imperial Palace.
“Hahaha! Stop right there!”
“Hand over all the silk. Or you die.”
“….”
Ten men dressed in Imperial Guard uniforms blocked our path.
However, the armbands they wore marked with “Bandit” proved they were those disguised for this competition.
Yet since they were certainly Imperial Guards, ordinary people would be at a loss and hesitate.
But I gave a firm command.
“These are those targeting the silk for Imperial delivery. Deal with them.”
The escort masters hesitated, watching Song Pyo-du’s expression.
They must have feared repercussions.
But that wasn’t the right answer now. As long as they wore armbands marked “Bandit,” they were bandits.
In the meantime, Seo-woo Warrior and three other guards who received my command moved immediately.
Indeed, they were loyal ones.
Swoosh,
Swish,
They drew their swords and fixed us with a murderous gaze.
All of them were warriors at or on the verge of reaching the peak of their cultivation.
These Imperial Guards were nowhere near their match.
“Ha ha ha, we, we failed to recognize you properly.”
“You are from the Imperial Silk Merchant Caravan.”
“Ah, yes, please, go ahead.”
But I did not simply pass by and issued another command.
“Bind them.”
“Understood.”
Song Pyo-du asked with concern.
“They have already surrendered. But is binding them not excessive?”
“They have not yet voluntarily withdrawn their hostility. That means they could strike us from behind at any moment. I believe you, Song Pyo-du, who have dealt with bandits before, understand this well.”
At my words, the Imperial Guards who had been playing the role of bandits flinched.
Seeing that, Song Pyo-du stroked his chin and spoke.
“You speak truly, Small Guild Master. When dealing with bandits, one must never let their guard down. Indeed, the Imperial Palace is not to be underestimated.”
This was one of the pieces of information I had intended to hint at to Eun Jung-ho.
Even if they let us pass here, they have another role to play.
That is to ambush us from behind and destroy the carriages.
In this process, several merchant groups have been eliminated.
Song Pyo-du issued an order to the Escort Masters.
“Bind them all!”
“Yes!”
With Song Pyo-du’s command, the Escort Masters swiftly bound all ten Imperial Guards.
“Shall we depart again?”
“Yes. Let us go.”
Thus we pushed through the ordeal of the ‘bandits’ and headed toward the Imperial Palace.
Less than two hours remained before the deadline.
As we pressed onward, we encountered another group approaching us.
This group carried buckets brimming with water.
So this time they would test how we respond when ‘rain’ comes.
They were testing whether we could deliver the silk on time during heavy downpours.
Quite a direct method, I must say.
They would literally pour water on us with buckets.
Then one of them unrolled a scroll and displayed it.

[Direct contact with us will result in disqualification.]

True enough,
you cannot stop rain clouds simply because they are falling.
But I harbored no concern. I had anticipated this interference as well.
“Song Pyo-du, are you prepared?”
“Of course.”
Flutter—
We each withdrew our rain cloaks from our luggage and donned them, then passed serenely through the throng of those drenching themselves with buckets of water.
“Now I understand why you instructed us to wrap everything so meticulously in oiled paper and cloth.”
“Yes, in the escort business, one can never predict what circumstances may arise.”
“Haha. I am the escort master, yet now you seem more the escort master than I, sir.”
Song Pyo-du continued to marvel aloud.
“That is reassuring.”
Thus we managed to protect the silk from becoming drenched even in the torrential downpour.
In a sense, this trial seemed to test the mettle of the escort agency more than the trading company itself.
Yet this too could serve as a measure of the trading company’s capabilities.
Selecting the escort agencies and masters wisely to conduct trade was itself one of the essential skills required of a merchant guild.

Soon we arrived before the Imperial Palace.
“You have labored greatly to bring the silk this far!”
Seok Chief Merchant, who had been waiting anxiously before the Imperial Palace, rushed toward us.
I examined the traces upon the ground and asked.
“Has any other company entered the Imperial Palace before us?”
“Baekcheon Trading Company arrived first. And Deuk Haeng Trading Company has also entered.”
“I see.”
Our timing and pacing had proven worthwhile.
Though I possessed the information and could have arrived first, I chose not to.
Already, given how frequently I was summoned by the Emperor, I was concerned about accusations of favoritism—arriving first would only provide ammunition for such criticism.
Yet arriving too late would wound my pride.
So I aimed for third or fourth place, and it aligned perfectly.
Still, Baekcheon Trading Company and Deuk Haeng Trading Company…
They truly had connections within the Imperial Palace.
Otherwise, they could not have reached the palace so effortlessly.
“Then, let us proceed.”
“I pray for a favorable outcome.”
Song Pyo-du and the escort masters bid us farewell. The escort agency’s role ended here.
The Imperial Guards conducted a thorough search of the carriage, inspecting whether anyone harboring ill intent had stowed away.
“Cleared!”
At those words, we bowed respectfully and pulled the carriage ourselves into the Imperial Palace.
At that same moment, an Eunuch Official waiting beside the gate wrote something in a ledger and spoke.
“Eunhae Trading Company cleared. Take the silk to the courtyard of the building where you received guidance earlier.”
“Yes.”
As I made my way to the courtyard the Eunuch Official had directed me to, I found representatives from Baekcheon Trading Company and Deuk Haeng Trading Company already waiting there.
“Congratulations on arriving safely.”
Was he the fifth son of Deuk Haeng Trading Company?
He offered me his congratulations.
“Thank you.”
But there was no need for lengthy conversation between competitors. I thanked him politely and took my place beside him.
Looking ahead, I noticed an incense stick burning down to nearly nothing.
Barely a quarter of an hour remained.
In the meantime, representatives from the various merchant groups began arriving one by one.
Man Il Trading Company from Sichuan Province arrived after us, followed by Yu Family Trading Company from Zhejiang Province.
Then the Eunuch Official spoke.
“The Empress, the Imperial Concubine, and the Princess have arrived.”
We immediately prostrated ourselves in proper courtesy.
“Rise, all of you.”
“We are overwhelmed by your grace.”
The Empress asked the Eunuch Official.
“Has the time expired?”
“Yes, the time has just expired.”
Only seven merchant groups, including the Eunhae Trading Company, had arrived on time.
Of course, these various “trials” prepared by the Imperial Palace would have been unexpected, leaving the others helpless against them.
Now that I thought about it, Jinga Merchant Caravan, which had interfered with us on our journey from Hubei Province to Beijing, was nowhere to be seen.
They must have been eliminated.
Throughout history, those who resort to crude tactics rarely achieve favorable outcomes.
The Empress spoke, looking at us.
“You’ve all worked hard to pass through this trial. I’m not sure if you found the trials I prepared to your liking, but there it is.”
Ah…
So this trial had been the Empress’s doing.
“However, I noticed that some of you bought your way through the trials I prepared with money.”
The Empress’s gaze turned toward Baekcheon Trading Company and Deuk Haeng Trading Company.
“Honestly, it’s not a method I favor, but since I didn’t explicitly forbid it, there’s nothing to be done about it.”
From her words, I could now understand how those two groups had arrived so early.
They had simply thrown money at the problem.
“However, let me warn you: while spending money could be considered a skill, the skill I wish to see is not that kind. Keep this in mind.”
The representatives of both groups bowed their heads, and the Empress continued, turning her gaze.
“The theme set by the Imperial Court this time is to bring the silk most frequently used within the Imperial Palace. Each of you must explain why the silk you’ve brought matches this theme. You will present in the order you arrived.”
Baekcheon Trading Company and Deuk Haeng Trading Company each presented explanations about the silk they had brought.
“Next is the Eunhae Trading Company.”
“Yes.”
Haeng-su and I removed the silk we had brought and placed it on the table as we began to speak.
“Our Eunhae Trading Company has prepared this silk.”
The Empress’s expression grew curious.
“It’s rather plain compared to the other merchants’ offerings.”
That was because the silk I had brought was pure white, undyed silk.
“Yes, Your Majesty. However, there is no silk more widely used throughout the Imperial Palace than this.”
“How can you be so certain?”
“This silk is used for making undergarments.”
The Empress touched the silk we had submitted and smiled.
“It’s so soft that wearing it would cause no discomfort.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I answered with confidence.
“Though undergarments hidden beneath elaborate silk may go unseen, they touch the body directly. How could we treat such a thing carelessly?”
“You say this not because it is for the Imperial Palace, but for that reason?”
“Yes. The Eunhae Trading Company always deals in the finest products that match their true worth.”
The Empress’s eyes brightened as my words pleased her, and she nodded.

Thus the presentations from the remaining four merchants concluded.
The Empress spoke to us.
“I have heard your explanations well. Now, let us proceed to the next stage.”
The Empress looked at the Eunuch Official, who then spoke to us.
“Please follow me one group at a time. The order will be the reverse of your arrival.”
Each merchant group followed the Eunuch Official in turn, and soon it was the Eunhae Trading Company’s turn.
The three managers and I followed the Eunuch Official toward the adjacent building.
What?
Dozens of tables were arranged there, each bearing a single bolt of silk.
Could it be…?

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