The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 214

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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 214

Chapter 214. Karma Returns (3)

Ma Jang-ju reigned like a king over Taekyung County because he possessed power.
Where did that power come from?
It stemmed from his wealth as the richest man in Taekyung County.
Then I would have to strip away that wealth.
How could I effectively bring down Ma Jang-ju in the shortest time possible?
As I pondered this, Jin Yu Warrior’s voice reached my ears.
“There is… still something I must report to you.”
“Ah, yes. Please speak.”
“I was curious about what they were discussing, so I infiltrated their gathering and listened to their conversation.”
“You did?”
“Since there were no one of higher cultivation than myself present, it was not particularly difficult.”
Indeed, Jin Yu Warrior had reached the pinnacle realm.
Though there were said to be many first-rate warriors there, there would be no peak-stage warriors.
“The Murim Alliance is making a large investment to establish an escort agency. They recommended that he invest in it.”
“What did the Murim Alliance offer in return for Ma Jang-ju’s investment?”
“One-tenth of the profits.”
“…Is that not too small?”
“It seems the investment amount was not substantial.”
Hmm, so Ma Jang-ju was more cautious than I had thought.
Regardless, I could guess what this escort agency the Murim Alliance was establishing was about.
In my previous life, they had ventured into the escort business and failed spectacularly.
First, the Baekcheon Trading Company had no need for an escort agency. Since it received support from the Murim Alliance, the company itself possessed superior martial strength.
However, whether the escort business appeared attractive or whether they were envious of other prospering agencies, they established one.
That agency was the Baek Un Escort Agency.
Initially, the Baek Un Escort Agency, being composed of warriors from the Murim Alliance, received an overwhelming flood of escort requests from across the realm.
But escorting is fundamentally a business providing transportation and protection services.
In other words, one must respect the merchant guilds who are the clients making the requests, and sometimes even show deference.
However, these were warriors from the Murim Alliance who carried their heads high even in ordinary circumstances.
Bowing their heads was unthinkable.
Consequently, various frictions arose, and they collapsed in merely half a year.
A complete and utter failure.
Naturally, they never recovered their initial investment.
The incident was so shocking that it remained vividly etched in my memory.
I asked Jin Yu Warrior a question.
“Did Ma Jang-ju accept the proposal?”
“He did. He mentioned that we would draw up the contract in five days.”
A brilliant idea suddenly occurred to me.
“Palgap, arrange a meeting with Ma Jang-ju for me.”
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.
.
The next day.
I stopped by a nearby fabric shop and purchased ornate silk garments and accessories to dress up my entourage.
Naturally, I dressed myself in equally fine attire.
Then I mounted my horse and rode confidently toward the Ma Family Estate.
Shortly after arriving at the Ma Family Estate, the Gate Keeper questioned us.
“Where do you hail from?”
Palgap stepped forward and spoke.
“This is Eun Seo-ho, the Small Merchant Leader of the Eunhae Trading Company.”
“Ah! We have been expecting you.”
The Gate Keeper quickly bowed his head.
“Please wait a moment.”
He promptly rang the bell at the gate, and soon an Attendant came rushing from within.
“Eun Seo-ho, the Small Merchant Leader.”
“Yes, please come this way.”
We entrusted our horses to the Gate Keeper and followed the Attendant’s guidance to the Guest Reception Room.
Along the way, I discreetly observed the Ma Family Estate.
It appeared to have been decorated with considerable effort, yet I found it far from beautiful.
Rather than being harmoniously arranged, it was merely an indiscriminate collection of expensive stones, wood, and artwork haphazardly placed throughout.
Moreover, the expressions of the servants and Handmaidens visible throughout the estate showed no trace of joy.
They appeared to be merely enduring each day with reluctance.
Truly, this place was devoid of dreams and hope.
I clicked my tongue inwardly and entered the Guest Reception Room, where a Maidservant soon brought tea and pastries.
Apparently eager to flaunt his wealth even to me, they were all of the most expensive varieties.
A moment later.
The door opened and a man entered.
He was a portly Middle-Aged Man with half his head already bald.
He had grown his beard long in an attempt at refinement and wore expensive silk garments.
With grease glistening on his face, his prosperity was evident at a glance.
I rose from my seat and greeted him with a fist salute.
“It is an honor to meet you. I am Eun Seo-ho, Small Merchant Leader of the Eunhae Trading Company.”
“I am Ma Jeong, Manor Lord of the Ma Family Estate. Pleased to make your acquaintance. Please, be seated.”
“Thank you for your kindness.”
He stroked his beard as he spoke.
“I hope the refreshments suit your palate.”
“I never expected to be served Dragon Well tea, and premium Dragon Well at that, in a place like this.”
“Haha! You certainly know your tea.”
“It’s a basic accomplishment for the Small Merchant Leader of the Eunhae Trading Company.”
“Indeed, I know well of the Eunhae Trading Company. They say business is booming these days. That’s why I was rather surprised. The Small Merchant Leader of the Eunhae Trading Company himself requesting a meeting with me—quite unexpected.”
“In truth, I’m considering opening a shop in this area. So naturally, it seemed only proper to pay my respects first to Ma Jang-ju, the most influential figure in these parts.”
“Haha. What courteous manners for a young merchant.”
“In fact, you are the first person I’ve sought out.”
“Well then, you’ve come to the right place.”
He seemed pleased that I, the Small Merchant Leader of the Eunhae Trading Company, had come before him with such deference, and he smiled continuously.
Exactly as I desired.
When a man’s mood is this elevated, his judgment becomes clouded.
“To commemorate this meeting, I’ve prepared a gift for you.”
“A gift, you say?”
“Yes.”
I gestured to Palgap, who placed the small box he’d been holding onto the table.
“A humble token of my sincerity.”
Ma Jang-ju opened the box and tilted his head in puzzlement.
“What is this?”
“Please unfold it. It’s a painting I went to great lengths to obtain.”
At my words, he unrolled the scroll.
“It’s a work by Mun Baek, a painter who has become quite famous in Beijing recently. I’m told even high officials struggle to acquire his paintings.”
“Oh? Is that so?”
At my explanation, his face lit up brilliantly.
I sipped my tea and barely suppressed a smile. In truth, that painting was a forgery.
I had simply sketched it myself on a whim.
But the part about Mun Baek being a famous painter in Beijing—that much was genuine.
However, Ma Jang-ju was like a frog in a well, living as a king in this small Taekyung County.
He could hardly be well-informed about news from Beijing, and even if he knew anything, it would be little more than a name.
Naturally, he had never seen an actual painting by Mun Baek, so he nodded repeatedly in appreciation.
Besides, my acting was rather convincing.
“Its value will increase considerably over time. However, I would appreciate it if you kept this from others.”
“Why is that?”
“As I just mentioned, even high officials find it difficult to acquire his works. If it becomes known that a mere merchant like myself obtained such a painting, it would cause complications for the person who procured it for me and many others.”
“Hmm, that certainly makes sense.”
“And those of refined taste appreciate paintings quietly, in the privacy of their own spaces.”
“Quite right.”
Even if this painting were later exposed as a forgery and Ma Jang-ju confronted me about it, I would hardly be troubled.
I could simply claim I had been deceived as well.
But could Ma Jang-ju even bring himself to confront me?
As I chatted with Ma Jang-ju about this and that, I spoke as if something had just occurred to me.
“Ah, now that I think about it, I heard that the Murim Alliance is launching an escort agency business.”
“Is that so?”
At my words, Ma Jang-ju’s expression shifted slightly, caught off guard. After all, I had just mentioned something he already knew about.
“I learned about it from an acquaintance of mine. An escort agency composed of warriors from the Murim Alliance! Isn’t that impressive?”
“Well, yes….”
“I hear they’ve already gathered quite a substantial investment. And my acquaintance mentioned he’s taking thirty percent of the profits.”
At those words, Ma Jang-ju tilted his head.
“Thirty percent of the profits?”
“Because he invested such a large sum of money. And… the Nam… Oh! My apologies.”
I quickly covered my mouth.
Ma Jang-ju tilted his head and asked.
“What’s the matter?”
“I apologize. This is confidential….”
“Heh, keeping secrets between us? That wounds me.”
“This is truly a secret. Please pretend you heard nothing. I beg your understanding.”
I lowered my head apologetically, but this greedy Ma Jang-ju would never let it pass so easily.
“It seems you still don’t trust me. As proof of my trustworthiness, I’ll speak well of your shop to Jihyeon.”
“…Since you insist so strongly, I suppose I have no choice. But please, don’t mention this to anyone else.”
“Of course. My lips are quite sealed.”
I leaned in closer and spoke in a low voice.
“In fact, the Namgung Family has also invested in this venture. Is the Namgung Family ordinary? They are one of the Eight Great Families Under Heaven and control Anhui Province, do they not?
“That’s true.”
“Therefore, I too am preparing to invest, however modestly.”
“….”
“It’s unfortunate that my personal funds are limited. This is a business that could yield two times, no—twenty times or more in returns.”
“Hmm….”
This should be enough.
Pushing further might arouse suspicion.
But the Namgung Family’s investment in the Baek Un Escort Agency is not a lie.
In my previous life, the Namgung Family invested in the Baek Un Escort Agency, but they withdrew quickly before suffering major losses, leaving only those who had invested based on their reputation to suffer the consequences.
Despicable bastards.
In any case, that name was now serving as bait to lure in Ma Jang-ju.
“Ah, by the way, I have something I’d like to ask you, Manor Lord.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“Are there any cotton fields in this area worth purchasing?”
“Cotton fields?”
“Yes, as you know, our Eunhae Trading Company is also renowned for fabric. So I thought it would be beneficial to produce cotton ourselves, and I’m searching for cotton fields.”
“How much do you need?”
“The more the better. I’m prepared to offer a fair price.”
“Hmm, I shall look into it.”
“Thank you.”
With our conversation concluded, Ma Jang-ju escorted me to the door.
“Did you arrive on horseback?”
“Yes. Carriages feel far too confining for my taste.”
“Won’t your silk garments be damaged?”
“It matters little. If they become worn, I simply have new ones made. Why concern myself with such trifles?”
“Ah, I suppose that’s true. Safe travels to you.”
“Yes, I enjoyed myself greatly today.”
We then urged our horses toward the inn. Palgap glanced back over his shoulder and whispered to me.
“Do you think he’ll take the bait?”
“Nothing is certain. But the odds are quite favorable.”
From my assessment, the likelihood of Ma Jang-ju falling into my scheme was at least ninety percent.

* * *

After Eun Seo-ho departed, Ma Jang-ju sank into contemplation.
His benefactor’s words echoed persistently in his mind.

“My acquaintance takes thirty percent of the profits, you see. He invested such a substantial sum, after all.”

“In fact, I’m told the Namgung Family has also invested in this venture. Are they not an ordinary clan? They are one of the Eight Great Families Under Heaven, and they command Anhui Province itself, do they not?”

“It is only regrettable that my personal capital is limited. This is a business that could yield two-fold, nay, twenty-fold returns or more.”

He had disclosed his investment amount to the Murim Alliance representative who had visited yesterday, and been promised a ten percent profit share.
Yet such returns were insufficient for the wealth he truly desired.
Moreover, he harbored ambitions to make his name known not merely throughout Taekyung County, but across the entire Central Plains.
“Deok-bae.”
He summoned his Guard Warrior, a man whose keen eye he valued greatly.
“Yes, Manor Lord.”
“That fellow Eun Seo-ho just now—do you believe he is truly who he claims to be?”
“Yes, I am certain of it. The way he mounted his horse without hesitation despite wearing such expensive silk garments, and how his attendants and guards were equally at ease riding horses in their silk attire—it all rings true.”
“Is that so?”
“If someone were deliberately disguising themselves, there would typically be some awkwardness or sloppiness visible. Yet I detected nothing of the sort.”
“Indeed.”
If that were the case, then Eun Seo-ho’s words about the Pyoguk venture were undoubtedly true—it was a business that would bring him lasting prosperity.

A few days later.
As promised, he met with a representative from the Murim Alliance.
“Here is the contract. Please review it.”
Instead of reading the documents, Ma Jang-ju asked him a question.
“Tell me—is the Namgung Family also investing in this venture?”
“…!”
The Murim Alliance representative was taken aback by the question.
“How did you know that?”
“…Ahem, I too have my sources of information.”
“Well, it would be strange if someone of Ma Jang-ju’s standing didn’t have such connections….”
Having confirmed his suspicions, Ma Jang-ju made his decision.
“Let us redraft the contract. I will invest more capital.”
.
.
.
The Murim Alliance representative departed with a bright smile, saying he would bring the revised contract.
Ma Jang-ju summoned the Chief Manager and revealed his intentions.
“What? You intend to invest such a substantial sum?”
“Yes.”
The Chief Manager was troubled, but he could not bring himself to object.
His resolve appeared unwavering, and to cross him would surely invite his displeasure.
“But… even if we gather all the proceeds from the cotton sales, it falls far short of the amount you mention.”
“Contact Eun Small Merchant Leader. Tell him there is excellent cotton farmland here.”

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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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