The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 290

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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 290

Chapter 290. The Poem Thief (3)

This time, I had set something in motion.
It was the Imperial Poetry Competition.
The primary purpose of this competition was to publicly humiliate Chu Il-gong.
Though the Eunhae Trading Company was one of the Baekdae Trading Companies, we could not move those arrogant merchants through the company’s name alone.
I recalled my conversation with the Emperor.

“Hmm, an Imperial Poetry Competition, you say… What benefit would this bring to me?”
“First, money will circulate in Beijing.”
“Money will circulate?”
“You are aware that I recently traveled to Luoyang for the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament.”
“Indeed. You returned as a hero from that place.”
“…In any case, I came to understand something then. The Murim Alliance hosts events like the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament to circulate money through Luoyang. After all, people’s grievances fade when their pockets are full.”
“Is that the only reason?”
“Furthermore, it will be an opportunity for Your Majesty to discover talented individuals you seek.”
“True enough. Anyone who claims to compose poetry has studied the Four Books and Three Classics.”
The Emperor nodded and spoke.
“However, all events require budgets for their execution. To secure those funds… Ah! We could collect participation fees.”
Truly, a perceptive ruler.
“That aside, what is your true purpose?”
A sigh escaped me. He was indeed not one to be easily deceived.
“Observing the poetry collections being published lately, I found myself wondering whether the poems in those collections truly belong to their authors. I wished to discern the truth of the matter.”
The Emperor’s expression grew intrigued, and he readily consented.
He said, “I too am curious about that. Well, since it benefits both me and the Imperial Court, let us proceed with it.”

And that is precisely the result before us.
Yet even I did not anticipate that the Emperor would draw Sebin Merchant Guild into this affair.
Though it makes sense—as the Greatest Merchant Guild Under Heaven and a supplier of writing materials to the Imperial Court, they are indeed the perfect fit for this endeavor.
Thus, the Imperial Poetry Competition became an event hosted by the Imperial Court and sponsored by both Sebin Merchant Guild and the Eunhae Trading Company.
And,
the most crucial element was ensuring Chu Il-gong’s participation.
To accomplish this, I quietly purchased the loyalty of one of his old friends. There was no chance he would volunteer on his own.
He would never willingly expose his abilities to the world—he would maintain his pretense as a lofty scholar and remain aloof.
So I had someone close to him submit an entry application on his behalf.
To submit an application and then fail to participate would constitute a deception of the Imperial Court itself.
The penalties would be severe enough that Chu Il-gong would have no choice but to attend the poetry competition.
The very thought of it brings a smile to my face.
“You seem quite pleased, sir?”
“Of course!”
“Honestly, he was someone who sought to inflict great harm upon our guild, yet you help him out of pity and… sir, you truly are a good-hearted person.”
“First you call me frightening, now you say I’m good-hearted… which side am I supposed to take?”
Palgap paused thoughtfully before responding to my words.
“Well, truthfully, I’m confused myself. Hehe. You can be both, sir. Both suit you equally well.”
“Is that so?”
But what is this peculiar sensation—praise that seems like praise yet somehow isn’t, yet still feels like praise?
And this notion that I’m a good person…
I’m not so sure. I don’t particularly think of myself as a good person.
The primary reason I orchestrated this entire affair was to avenge Yu So-ak, the Internal Chief Manager.
And among those who suffered at the hands of Chu Il-gong, two of them have connections to our guild.
That is what led me to this conclusion.
What if more victims connected to our guild were to emerge?
So I decided to eliminate that threat before it could take root.
It was then that Palgap posed a question.
“Could it be that you orchestrated this for the Internal Chief Manager’s sake?”
“Hmm?”
“When you went out with the Internal Chief Manager before, didn’t Yu Chief Manager mention it? He said he wanted to become famous for his poetry, so he recited a poem before Chu Il-gong, who was an academic official at the time. The man told him to give it up since he had no talent for poetry and would only embarrass himself.”
I was taken aback by this revelation.
“Wait, you remember that?”
“The scenery was so beautiful that day—it stayed with me.”
Ah… now that I think about it, Palgap’s memory has always been quite sharp. Still, I never expected him to retain such details…
Could this be one of Sal Wang’s talents?
Suddenly, a passage from that secret manual I had obtained in Luoyang came to mind.

[To remember even the smallest details and apply them appropriately at the right moment is…]

“In any case, that’s why he’s such a good person.”
Watching Palgap speak, I smiled. It seemed I was indeed blessed with good attendants.
Speaking of memory, it reminded me of Heo Woon Officer.
Though he’s now working diligently in the Information Bureau, his memory is in a league of its own.
Just then, I heard Lee Pil Warrior’s voice from outside.
“Master, Eun Branch Manager has arrived.”
“Show him in.”
At my words, the door opened and Eun Branch Manager entered with Seo-woo Warrior.
Whenever I met with someone, my Guard Warrior had to stand behind me.
Eun Cheong-in Branch Manager.
A distant relative of ours who had been managing the Beijing shop until recently and was now promoted to Branch Manager.
He was in his late forties.
Though he was older than me and a distant relative, in this position he was the Small Guild Master and Branch Manager.
I had summoned him because when I visited the Beijing Branch New Construction Site recently, there were no warriors standing guard as there should have been.
He bowed deeply to me.
“So, have you found out what I asked you to investigate?”
I had given him two days after the incident.
That meant within two days of meeting with Song Nok, the Emperor had already posted an announcement about the Imperial Poetry Competition.
While I prided myself on my drive, the Emperor was truly operating on a different level entirely.
I asked Eun Cheong-in Branch Manager directly.
“So, what happened?”
“I… I apologize. The warriors who were supposed to be on guard at that time had apparently gone to drink.”
There was a reason he couldn’t meet my eyes.
His head kept lowering further.
Though he wasn’t directly standing guard, the oversight and supervision were ultimately his responsibility.
“I’m truly sorry. Still, I’m grateful nothing happened. Haha.”
“Nothing happened?”
My voice was sharp, and he flinched.
“Yes?”
“I didn’t want to mention this, but since you seem unaware of how serious this matter is, I’ll tell you. When I went to inspect the construction site, someone there attempted to take their own life by hanging.”
I didn’t reveal that person was Song Nok. Such matters required anonymity.
At my words, he was visibly shocked.
“Is… is that truly what happened?”
“Had I not happened to be there at that moment, that person’s attempt would have succeeded. What would have become of us then?”
At my words, his face went pale.
Having worked as a manager for the Merchant Guild, he couldn’t possibly not understand how grave such a matter was.
“To be honest, I’m doubtful whether I should continue keeping you as Eun Branch Manager.”
At my words, he prostrated himself flat before me.
“I’m sorry! I’m truly sorry!”
“Why apologize to me? Honestly, even if the Beijing Branch fails, my family and I will still live well. But the people who depend on this Beijing Branch for their livelihood will have their means cut off in an instant. Shouldn’t your apology be directed at them?”
“….”
“If the matter had escalated, your position as Branch Manager and your family would have been among those losing their livelihood.”
“…I apologize.”
By now, he should have come to his senses. The harsh whip had done its work—time to offer the sweet carrot instead.
“Please, rise.”
“….”
“Come now, get up. The floor is cold.”
I rose and approached him, grasping his hands to help him to his feet. Then, holding both his hands in mine, I spoke.
“I know how hard you’ve worked to reach this position, Eun Branch Manager. I’m well aware of your abilities. I truly understand the sacrifices you’ve made.”
I smiled.
“I believe you simply became careless in the excitement of your promotion.”
“Ugh! I have no face to show you.”
“Because I recognize your abilities and your dedication, I’m willing to trust you once more. I hope you won’t disappoint me.”
It would be too harsh to cast someone aside for a single mistake.
Besides, his loyalty and competence were beyond question.
“I will dedicate myself entirely to ensuring you never have cause for disappointment again.”
“Winter is upon us, so construction will halt, but come spring, work will resume. During that time, nothing must happen that would prevent you from becoming Branch Manager. So please, exercise great care.”
“I shall.”
“Ah, and send me the warriors who caused this trouble.”
“Pardon?”
Eun Branch Manager flinched at my command.
What was that about?
“Is there a problem?”
“No, no! I’ll have them brought here at once.”
After he left, Seo-woo Warrior, who had been standing behind me, asked.
“What do you intend to do with those warriors?”
“First, I’ll hear their reasons. If they have legitimate justifications, I’ll show leniency. But if their reasons are trivial….”
I smiled faintly.
“They’ll need some character education.”
I turned to Palgap.
“Palgap, is everything I mentioned prepared?”
“Of course!”
Seo-woo Warrior, who knew what I had prepared, let out a dry laugh.

A moment later.
Five Warriors entered my office.
The moment I saw them, my blood pressure spiked.
Five of them stationed here, and not a single one was visible during that incident!
They shuffled in with their heads bowed, aware of their failure.
“You were drinking that night, weren’t you?”
The Warriors stationed at each branch of the Eunhae Trading Company belong to the Eunpung Corps.
They operate on rotating assignments, and these men had been dispatched to Beijing between one and three years ago.
Three years would be about the time they’d be transferred back to the Main Headquarters.
I questioned them.
“Why did you do this?”
“That is…”
There must be a reason. Surely it wasn’t merely that you craved a drink?”
One of them cautiously spoke up at my words.
“We thought it would be fine. There was that rumor, you see…”
“A rumor?”
“That… the Small Guild Master commands spirits to protect that land…”
“Because of that rumor, troublemakers don’t dare approach carelessly… and so no one has come at night… we thought the watch wasn’t necessary.”
So they believed they could neglect their duties because of the rumor.
I exhaled deeply and spoke.
“In truth, that night. Had I not gone there, you Warriors would have discovered a corpse by morning.”
“What?”
“Someone attempted to end their life there.”
The faces of all five Warriors drained of color.
They now understood how grave the situation truly was.
“Had that incident occurred, you would have been expelled from the Eunpung Corps. Honestly, this incident alone is sufficient grounds for dismissal.”
“…”
I understood the root cause of this matter. It was the deterioration of discipline.
The Eun Branch Manager had administered appropriate censure and encouragement, so there would be no issue there. But what should I do with these Warriors?
Well, there’s no need to deliberate.
I’ve already decided on the measures.
“First, you will be transferred back to the Main Headquarters. And until the Warriors return, you will be excluded from all duties. In the meantime, reflect on your actions.”
“Understood.”
Relief was evident in their voices.
They had expected severe punishment, but it ended with reflection and reassignment.
Reflection essentially means doing nothing until then. So of course they were relieved.
But should they be relieved?
“However, if you neglect martial training even for a single day, your cultivation will regress. Isn’t that so, Seo-woo Warrior?”
At my question, Seo-woo Warrior nodded.
“That is correct.”
“I made a grave mistake and was struggling with how to handle it, and now my skills have deteriorated? What do you think the External Chief Manager will do about that?”
“….”
Their complexions darkened noticeably.
They understood well enough—the External Chief Manager’s nature, how he emphasized that martial prowess was the foundation of any warrior.
“Which is why I must say: your skills cannot be allowed to decline before you return to the Main Headquarters, can they?”
Sensing something ominous, they cried out urgently.
“W-we will train diligently on our own!”
“Yes, we can do this!”
“And what gives you confidence? You couldn’t even properly execute the night patrols of the Beijing Branch New Construction Site.”
“….”
Then another warrior spoke in panic.
“B-but, as you know, matters of individual martial skill….”
“Who said anything about teaching martial techniques?”
“Pardon?”
“I was thinking of basic physical conditioning. So….”
I smiled wickedly as I spoke.
“Palgap! Bring that here.”
“Yes, sir!”
The door opened, and Lee Pil Warrior and Yeo Eung-am Warrior grunted as they carried a single box and set it on the ground.
Thud—!
The sound alone suggested its weight.
When Palgap opened the box, it was filled with iron weights.
“Put these on and let’s practice the Three Foundations conditioning.”
The warriors, seeing me grin wickedly, wore expressions as if they’d glimpsed demons themselves.

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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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