The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 244

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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 244

Chapter 244. Beijing Branch (4)

I followed him into the Imperial Palace.
But looking at his official robes, he didn’t seem like a low-ranking bureaucrat.
“You seem quite familiar with the layout of the Imperial Palace, so you must have been working here for quite some time.”
“Ah, I currently work as a Superintendent.”
A Superintendent?
A Superintendent was a rank-six official position handling practical affairs within a department.
That was rather high-ranking to be fetching merchants.
According to my memories from my previous life, it was usually low-ranking officials who came to collect us.
What’s going on? His tone earlier was strange too….
Hiding my bewilderment, I arrived at the Ministry of Household Affairs.
“Young Master Eun Seo-ho has arrived.”
“Ah! Yes! Please come this way!”
“There’s dust on the table! Oh my!”
The official who guided me to the Guest Reception Room wiped the dust from the table with his own sleeve, then personally poured tea for me.
“Please, make yourself comfortable.”
“Thank you.”
Grrrrowl.
My stomach rumbled at that moment, and I spoke with an embarrassed expression.
“Ah… I apologize. I haven’t eaten anything since lunch yesterday….”
At my words, the official’s face went pale in an instant.
“I’ll bring food right away.”
“It’s fine. I can eat when I return to my quarters later. Please don’t trouble yourself.”
“I….”
The official coughed awkwardly and spoke.
“I’m truly sorry. I was so busy that I completely forgot the message your father sent.”
Forgot? That’s nonsense.
He deliberately ignored it while training the merchants.
But when had a Ministry of Household Affairs official ever apologized like this?
In my previous life, after leaving me standing outside for two or three days, they finally called me in just to say, “Why are you here? I’m busy, so get to the point.”
“So please, don’t be upset.”
“Upset? What do you mean? I’m already grateful that you called me sooner than expected. I thought I’d have to wait until tomorrow.”
“Haha! Called in two days! We’re not such heartless people.”
Then why were you like that in my previous life?
“In any case, I’m truly sorry.”
As he continued apologizing profusely, I sensed someone approaching.
A man dressed in the robes of a high-ranking official entered through the door, greeting me with a smile.
“Welcome. I am Ga Seon-jae, Minister of Treasury.”
“I am Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Trading Company. It is an honor to meet you, Minister.”
I was startled and bowed respectfully.
The Minister of Treasury was the head of the Ministry of Household Affairs and a rank-one official of the highest order.
Such a man had come to meet me in person?
“Heh, please, sit comfortably.”
“Thank you.”
Even the Minister of Treasury was being kind to me.
What was going on?
Had everyone collectively lost their minds?
As I took my seat at the table, the Minister of Treasury opened his mouth with an apologetic expression.
“Yes, I heard that the officials of the Ministry made a grave error.”
“If your duties are pressing, such things can happen. I understand. Even I become mentally foggy when I work without sleep for about ten days straight.”
“….”
His expression stiffened slightly at my words.
“What is the matter?”
“Ah, never mind. In any case, what business brings you to request an audience with the Ministry?”
“Yes, the reason I have come is that the Eunhae Trading Company wishes to purchase a plot of land owned by the Imperial Palace.”
“You wish to purchase land belonging to the Imperial Palace?”
“Yes.”
I explained the matter from beginning to end, and the Minister of Treasury listened attentively to my words.
Even in my previous life, when I had risen to become one of the Three Great Trading Companies of the World, the Ministry’s officials had never listened to me so carefully….
“Hmm….”
He ordered an official to bring documents regarding the land I had mentioned.
We exchanged various pleasantries in the meantime, and once the official returned with the documents, the real discussion began in earnest.
“Let me see… Ah, this plot of land.”
Now the real negotiation would begin. I mentally reviewed the key points I needed to focus on.
“This land has no particular use planned for it, so a sale is certainly possible. How much were you thinking of offering for this plot?”
“I would offer two thousand taels in gold.”
It was an enormous sum, but this was Beijing, after all.
Moreover, for a fifty-thousand-pyeong plot of land located not far from the Imperial Palace and the bustling districts, it could not be called expensive.
Compared to the surrounding market rates, it was even slightly below market value.
Now I would need to negotiate through discussion, pushing and pulling to arrive at a fair price.
I had opened with two thousand taels, but I was prepared to go as high as twenty-five hundred taels.
After all, since it was Imperial Palace land, I had to be prepared to pay a premium.
If I managed it well in the future, I could create value worth several times that amount.
But an unexpected answer came.
“That sounds good.”
“Pardon?”
“Let’s settle on two thousand gold taels. It’s been a headache for us anyway, so I’d rather be rid of it while we have the chance.”
“….”
So easily?
I felt a strange sense of emptiness wash over me.
Should I have asked for fifteen hundred taels instead?
But it was already done, and I’d made a handsome profit regardless.
“Then let’s draw up the deed of sale right now.”
And just like that, we drafted the contract and settled the deposit with a promissory note.
.
.
.
As I emerged from the Imperial Palace, Palgap came rushing over.
“Young Master, you’re out?”
“Yes.”
“But why do you look like that? You were so full of energy earlier… where did all that enthusiasm go?”
“It’s just… anticlimactic. Anyway, have you eaten?”
“We’ve all had our meal, sir.”
“Good. I should grab something to eat myself.”

* * *

At that very moment.
Minister of Treasury Ga Seon-jae, having just concluded his contract with Eun Seo-ho, stared at the deed with troubled eyes.
The night before, a Gold Robe Guard Warrior had appeared at his residence and handed him a bound manuscript.
“My master sends this to you.”
As he opened it, his eyes widened involuntarily.
Every petty thing he’d accepted during his tenure as an official was recorded there.
Admittedly, these were trifles too ambiguous to warrant serious punishment.
Ironically, because he’d taken less than others, he’d been able to rise to Minister of Treasury—yet he had still taken what he’d taken.
If this were used as leverage against him, he would have to be prepared to surrender his position.
But the fact that he was being shown this instead suggests there’s something his master wants.
“What… does this mean?”
“It’s actually a warning from my master to manage your subordinates better.”
“Did the officials under the Ministry cause some trouble?”
“They caused trouble—quite serious trouble.”
“What on earth….”
“Training merchants requires knowing who you’re dealing with. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
He offered no further explanation and took his leave.

The next morning.
He summoned the Imperial Officials as soon as he arrived at work, and quickly discovered what disaster had occurred.
“What? Eun Seo-ho? That Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Trading Company?”
“Yes, sir.”
“The same Eun Seo-ho who, by the Emperor’s command, oversees the Geumui Guard?”
“Gasp!”
Only then did they realize what catastrophe they had caused. They had thought they’d heard that name somewhere before.
They had left a man who enjoyed the Emperor’s favor and the Geumui Guard’s trust abandoned in front of the Imperial Palace.
“You worthless bastards! What the hell were you thinking! You idiots! Damn it all!”
The longer one worked at the Ministry of Taxation, the more proficient one became at cursing and bitter remarks—a lesson they were learning anew.
“What are you doing? Go fetch him immediately!”
“Yes, understood!”
“You! Not you—you go! Why are you sending a junior clerk now!”

And the Eunuch had given the Minister of Treasury a piece of advice.
Never even think about negotiating with Eun Seo-ho.
You’d be stripped bare, so it was better for your mental health to simply conclude the contract quickly.
This was the full story behind why Eun Seo-ho thought the Ministry of Taxation officials had collectively lost their minds.

* * *

I purchased a simple bowl of rice porridge at a nearby inn and headed toward the Yeonjun Trading Company.
I needed to inform my Uncle that I had purchased the land.
“Seo-ho, you’ve come? I heard from Seon-il yesterday. You had quite a difficult time in front of the Imperial Palace?”
My Aunt spoke with a worried expression.
“It’s fine. It was something I had prepared myself for.”
“Those Ministry of Taxation bastards… I really don’t understand why they’re so desperate to squeeze merchants!”
It seemed she had been about to say something far more vulgar.
Watching my Aunt observe my Uncle and the merchants around us, I could tell she harbored considerable disdain for the Ministry officials.
“So, how did it go?”
“Ah, I’ve purchased the land.”
“Well, that wasn’t easy… What?”
My Aunt’s eyes widened.
“You purchased that land?”
“Yes.”
I nodded.
“I’ve just come from signing the contract and paying the deposit. That’s why I wanted to inform you and Uncle.”
“…”
My Aunt stared at me intently.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“No, I just thought you were quite capable.”
“I was fortunate.”
“Well, is there anything you couldn’t accomplish? Go on in. Your Uncle will be absolutely delighted.”
I bowed to my Aunt, who was beaming with a broad smile, and made my way toward Uncle’s office.
“You’ve arrived?”
“Yes.”
“Your expression is bright—it seems the matter went well?”
I nodded at Uncle’s words.
“Yes. I’ve acquired the property.”
“Is that truly so?”
“Yes.”
“How on earth did you manage to bend those stubborn and difficult men to your will?”
“Well….”
“…?”
“When they heard the amount I proposed, they simply proceeded with the transaction.”
“Those men aren’t the type to do such a thing….”
I thought the same.
Yet it happened.
.
.
.
I was working at my temporary residence when Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster suddenly paid a visit.
“So-sang Eun Seo-ho, I pay my respects to the Great Swordmaster.”
“I heard you had quite a difficult night yesterday.”
News travels fast.
Then again, there’s nothing the Geumui Guard doesn’t know in Beijing.
“It’s nothing to worry about. Such matters are commonplace for us merchants, and besides, you summoned us earlier than expected.”
“There will absolutely be no such incidents in the future. So don’t concern yourself.”
“Pardon?”
“The Dongchang and we thoroughly shook down the Ministry of Taxation.”
“….”
I began to understand the full picture of what had transpired.
The reason the Ministry of Taxation officials had acted so strangely in unison was thanks to the Dongchang and the Geumui Guard stepping in.
Heavens!
There was so much to be grateful for!
I rose from my seat and clasped my fists in gratitude.
“I am deeply grateful for the effort you’ve expended on behalf of this merchant.”
“Not at all. I was merely repaying a debt of kindness I owe you.”
“Your assistance has been invaluable.”
I continued carefully with my words.
“I would like to express my gratitude to Dongchang as well, but….”
It was clear that Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster harbored some dislike toward Dongchang.
“There’s no need for that. Those fellows did it of their own accord.”
“However….”
As I continued to look troubled, Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster cleared his throat and nodded.
“Ahem, if you insist, I’ll pass along the message.”
“Thank you.”
I cupped my fist and bowed once more.
“And please convey my gratitude to the Emperor as well.”
“Hmm?”
“The Geumui Guard are the Emperor’s hands and feet, while Dongchang are his eyes and ears. Without the Emperor’s will, how could they have moved?”
He smiled warmly and nodded.
“I understand. I’ll be sure to tell him.”
“Thank you.”
“In truth, I came here for another reason. I heard that your cousin will be married this coming seventh month.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“I came to seek your cooperation regarding that matter.”
“Please speak.”
I felt a slight worry stir within me.
What could require the Geumui Guard to seek cooperation?
“Could you arrange for some of our Geumui Guard members to attend the banquet naturally?”
“That shouldn’t be difficult, but is there some particular concern?”
“We’ve detected suspicious movements.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I hear this wedding banquet will be quite grand. There’s a possibility that unsavory factions might seize this opportunity to meet.”
Unsavory factions?
Who could they be?
I hastily recalled the incidents from my previous life.
Ah… there were many.
In any case, since this was not a difficult matter, I readily nodded in agreement.
After all, they could have done this covertly, yet they sought my consent beforehand—that itself was a courtesy toward me.
“I understand. I will arrange it, but I do hope it won’t interfere with my cousin’s wedding ceremony.”
.
.
.
Not long after, I completed the final payment for the land contracted with the Minister of Treasury.
Now it belonged entirely to the Eunhae Trading Company.
Well then, I should clean it up properly.
I went with Palgap to find a carpenter and ordered several wooden boards—planks that could be joined and stood upright.
Once the boards were completed, I attached the papers I had prepared beforehand and erected them throughout the land I had purchased.

[Warning: This property belongs to the Eunhae Trading Company. We will use force to protect our ownership rights against illegal occupation and unauthorized entry.]

I had issued such stern measures because most of those who frequented this land were vagrants and street ruffians.
People who brought nothing but harm, never benefit.
“But Young Master, even with this warning, what will you do if they enter anyway?”
“What else? We’ll beat them soundly and drive them out. Of course, if it were private residences, I’d compensate them, but these people are just here to cause trouble.”
“That’s true enough. I’ve heard they do all manner of vile things in this place.”
At that moment, I heard the voices of a group of people clamoring nearby.

“Hey, this place belongs to the Eunhae Trading Company?”
“Nonsense. We played here just fine when it belonged to the Imperial Palace. Why would we be scared of some trading company?”
“Hehehehe!”

There was no way Seo-woo Warrior and Jin Yu Warrior hadn’t heard what I heard.
They looked at me, and I offered a bitter smile as I spoke.
“It seems there are some people who won’t listen to reason.”

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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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