The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 296

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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 296

Chapter 296. The Rehabilitation Specialist Academy (1)

I watched the Emperor enter the tavern in plain clothes with a bewildered expression.
Our eyes met—his as he entered, mine from where I stood on this upper pavilion.
I quickly moved to show proper respect, but the Emperor shook his head. He wanted me to pretend I didn’t recognize him.
Looking around the Emperor, I counted six Guard Warriors of considerable skill following him.
At that level, safety seemed hardly a concern.
Since the Emperor’s entire entourage wore plain clothes, no one else would have recognized them as his party.
No one but me.
Honestly, who would ever suspect the Emperor was here?
I exhaled silently and turned my attention to Song Nok Poet.
“Do you still remember the contents of the contract you signed, Poet Song?”
“Of course.”
“Then do you also recall the clause regarding the maintenance of propriety?”
He nodded at my question.
“I trust you will handle it well of your own accord.”
“I will be careful.”
“Once you’ve had enough fresh air, why not return and enjoy the banquet? Many are waiting for Poet Song.”
“Ah, I see. Then I shall return to my seat.”
After sending the Poet away, the one who approached where I stood was the Jegal Family’s Grand Elder.
Still as vigorous as ever.
“Are you enjoying the banquet?”
The Grand Elder chuckled warmly at my question and replied.
“Thanks to you, I’ve been having a most delightful time, and continue to do so. I must confess, I never expected to be invited as a judge for the Poetry Competition.”
“It is only because of the reputation you have built over the years that there was no objection.”
“Hehe, all those efforts to invite distinguished literary guests have borne fruit indeed.”
He then glanced subtly at those who had just entered and taken seats nearby, before sending a whispered transmission.
– Is that His Imperial Majesty?
How did you know? I thought he concealed himself quite well.
– You seem curious about how I discovered it.
– Yes, I am. His face is hidden by the bamboo hat, after all.
– Think about it. Here in Beijing, practically at the doorstep of the Imperial Palace itself, how many could command warriors of such exceptional cultivation?
– Ah! Of course.
I nodded in acknowledgment.
– But are those warriors truly of such exceptional strength?
– From what I can sense, there are two supreme-level warriors among them. And there is one more—a warrior from Hwagyeong hidden somewhere out of sight.
“….”
Not only does he command two Master-level warriors, but he even employs a Hwagyeong warrior as an escort!
I found myself newly appreciating the Emperor’s magnificence.
But if the Grand Patriarch can even detect the presence of a Hwagyeong warrior… then the Grand Patriarch himself must be from Hwagyeong?
– Judging by how he’s arrived in plain clothes and established himself here, it seems those eight poets are indeed his target.
Jegal Family’s Grand Elder observed the eight poets exchanging drinks and sent a telepathic message.
I nodded slightly.
Just as I had predicted earlier, several of them would receive the Emperor’s recognition.
“By the way, when are you planning to return to Hubei?”
“I’m thinking of departing in about three or four days.”
“I see. I’m planning to leave tomorrow.”
“You’re not staying longer?”
“I prefer the warmth.”
Indeed, compared to Hubei where Bok Ryong Mountain stands, Beijing’s weather was considerably cold.
It was that far north, after all.
“That’s exactly it! This nation is rotten!”
Suddenly, a loud voice erupted.
I spun around in surprise. One of the poets had abruptly risen from his seat and struck the table with a shout.
Was this something to say in front of the Emperor?
Ah….
They don’t know the Emperor is here….
Song Rok spoke in a gentle voice, trying to soothe him.
“You’ve had too much to drink.”
“But isn’t it true? The common people are starving because they have no grain, while the landlords live in extravagance!”
Watching him continue with righteous indignation, I let out a sigh.
I would have to step in after all.
Since In Gye-sung Lord had left early on business, I was the only remaining organizer.
I approached him and spoke.
“I understand your sentiments, but please lower your voice. You’re being disrespectful to those around us.”
“Is that the issue right now?”
He sneered at me.
“Of course, you’re just a lowly merchant obsessed with profit, so you wouldn’t understand what truly matters.”
This bastard….
At his words, Song Rok and others nearby were startled and tried to restrain him.
“What are you saying?”
“Apologize at once!”
“I’m sorry. Eun Small Merchant Leader. This man has had too much….”
“An apology? Did I say anything wrong?”
He continued, looking at me.
“And the people’s starvation is partly your merchants’ fault too! You’re all obsessed with money, greedily accumulating wealth however you can!”
Well, that’s not entirely wrong.
There are certainly merchants among us who care only for profit.
That’s why they sell counterfeits or charge exorbitant prices, causing harm.
Still, there are far more conscientious merchants.
That’s precisely why this Empire functions properly. If merchants didn’t work diligently to distribute goods, wouldn’t people in each region be limited to only their local products?
Without merchants, those in Gangbuk Region would live their entire lives never knowing what candy is.
And those in Gangnam Region would never have access to the high-quality iron tools produced in Gangbuk Region.
And you’ve been speaking rudely from the start—it’s rather grating.
But what’s the point of offering advice to a drunk man?
I exhaled a long sigh.
“You appear to have had too much to drink.”
The judges seated nearby rose and supported my words.
“Perhaps we should adjourn this gathering.”
“Yes, that would be best.”
I bowed respectfully to them.
“My apologies for the disturbance.”
“Not at all—what fault could Eun Small Merchant Leader possibly have?”
“To speak such words to one called Seon Hyeop Mi-rang…”
“Indeed. The fault lies with this fool who speaks without understanding the world.”
At this, he burst out shouting.
“Without understanding the world! Who says so? Aren’t you yourself a gentleman who merely observes worldly affairs from a distance?”
“…!”
A gentleman in name only.
In other words, someone pretending to be virtuous. And to scholars, that word is a tremendous insult.
Sigh. I despise such troublemakers.
Especially those who cause disturbances while drunk—there’s no reasoning with them.
Their rationality has completely vanished.
Beside me, the Emperor watched with keen interest. He was curious how I would handle this situation.
Ah, well.
I apologized to the scholar on his behalf.
“Please don’t take it to heart. These are merely the ravings of a drunk man.”
“Hmph! Hmph!”
“Allow me to handle this matter.”
Having said so, I turned to the man spouting nonsense and spoke.
“By the way, I was truly moved watching the Great Hero. You possess such remarkable spirit.”
“Haha! I do have a certain flair about me!”
“Come now, won’t you accept a cup of wine from this humble merchant?”
I seated him and poured him a drink.
Pleased by my praise, he didn’t refuse the wine.
I continued pouring while listening attentively to his indignant ramblings.
The people around us watched quietly, their expressions bewildered by what was unfolding.
“Oh my! I’m afraid I’ve had far too much to drink. Are you alright?”
“Of course! I’m perfectly lucid!”
“Thank goodness. But you see, there’s a way to demonstrate just how magnanimous and generous the Great Hero truly is. Would you be interested?”
“Hmm? What do you mean?”
“Why, that you cover today’s drinking expenses, Great Hero. The bill hasn’t actually accumulated much. So today is the perfect opportunity. If you were to declare it generously on such a fine occasion, everyone would cheer.”
“Is that… so?”
“Yes, of course.
I coaxed him gently, and eventually he took the bait.
“Splendid! I’ll pay for all the drinks today!”
“You’re truly… certain?”
“Absolutely! Consider it done!”
“Forgive me, but So-sang finds it difficult to trust the Great Hero’s word. You see, So-sang has been swindled a few times before…”
“Tsk tsk, how incompetent must one be to fall for a scam?”
“That’s precisely why—would you write out a promissory note for me?”
“Of course!”
Palgap swiftly produced brush and ink, and he wrote in elegant script that he would cover all today’s drinking expenses, then affixed his seal.
“My goodness, thank you so much.”
I raised my voice loudly.
“Everyone! Im Man-gu, the Great Hero here, has graciously offered to pay for all our drinks today!”
I continued.
“What a magnificent person he is!”
And I sent a silent command to Palgap and the guards.
– Cheer.
At my signal, they erupted in loud cheers, and the others, catching on, joined in enthusiastically.
Im Man-gu appeared quite pleased, raising his hand slightly in acknowledgment.
As he accepted cups of wine from those praising him and drank them down, he eventually slumped forward onto the table and passed out completely.
I smirked.
“Shop Attendant!”
“Yes! Right away!”
At my call, the Shop Attendant hurried over.
“Everything consumed at this tavern today—charge it all to Im Man-gu, the Great Hero over there.”
“Understood.”
“And should he try to deny it, you have his promissory note here with his seal. Direct him to the Eun Hae Trading Company’s Beijing Branch.”
“I’ll remember it well.”
Song Nok looked at me with concern.
“Is… is this really acceptable?”
“Yes, it is.”
“But… this is…”
“Have I deceived him in any way?”
After a moment of thought, he scratched his head.
“Ah, there isn’t one.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
The examiner who had been insulted by him as a petty gentleman turned to me and clicked his tongue.
“So this is what revenge truly is.”
“Perhaps because I’m merely a lowly merchant, I possess a narrow heart and a foul temperament.”
“I’m grateful.”
“I simply took my revenge, nothing more.”
At that moment, Palgap beside me spoke.
“I’ve made a decision.”
“About what?”
“I will never make Young Master my enemy.”
Those around us nodded in agreement at his words.
The cost of tonight’s drinks?
It means little to me. But would it mean little to that Im Man-gu fellow as well?
As I mentioned before, those who cause trouble when drunk are hopeless.
Their reason simply vanishes.
The method to handle them in such moments is simple.
First, feed them more alcohol until they pass out, then when they wake from their drunkenness, confront them with a situation so dire that their hangover evaporates entirely.
If someone is drunk, creating such a situation becomes remarkably easy. Especially for one so filled with heroic delusions.
I saw through him from the moment he spouted those words about the nation being corrupt and the people starving.
How much rice goes into making alcohol….
To speak such nonsense while drinking is pure hypocrisy.
Moreover, judging by his clothes and shoes, he seemed to live quite comfortably, yet has he ever helped those in need?
I can say with certainty that he has not.
Such hollow-worded individuals would never spend their own money to aid others.
I wonder what Im Man-gu will feel tomorrow morning when he receives an astronomical bill upon waking?
He should consider it an honor.
Who else would ever receive the honor of having the Emperor buy them drinks?
Thinking thus, I observed the Emperor drinking across the way. He looked at me and chuckled softly.
Then he sipped the alcohol….
Wait? That’s incredibly expensive liquor?
.
.
.
We prepared to depart Beijing.
Tomorrow morning, we must leave for Hubei Province.
So today is the last day before returning to Beijing where I can master the Emperor’s martial techniques.
“Honestly, I’ve never seen anyone progress as quickly as you do.”
At Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster’s words, I cupped my fist in salute and replied.
“You’re too kind.”
“No, I mean it sincerely.”
Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster continued with a pleased smile.
“When do you expect to return?”
“Once the weather clears, I should be able to come back.”
“Then it will be April at the earliest.”
“That seems likely.”
Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster withdrew a letter from his robes and handed it to me.
“You mentioned stopping by that academy on your way?”
“Ah! Yes, that’s correct.”
“He asked me to deliver this to Yeon Sik.”
The outer envelope was inscribed with “To My Son.”
Now that I thought about it, one of the Golden Robed Guard’s wayward sons had enrolled at that academy before.
“I understand.”
“By the way, I haven’t somehow made an enemy of you or wronged you in any way, have I?”
“Pardon? What do you mean so suddenly?”
“These days, the name Im Man-gu is the most frequent topic of conversation at the Imperial Palace.”
“Ah….”
“His Majesty the Emperor himself said it—don’t make an enemy of you.”
I smiled and continued.
“It’s self-inflicted karma.”
He was currently selling off his estate to pay back those debts. Collecting debts was the specialty of tavern keepers, after all.
So he should simply drink quietly and accept his fate.
Still, he wasn’t entirely foolish, so by now he must have realized what truly mattered.
“Ah, but what became of those assassins?”
“We captured them all.”
“That’s fortunate. Beijing should be a bit more peaceful now.”
“I’m indebted to you once again.”
“Please don’t speak that way. I don’t think such formality is necessary between us.”
“I’m grateful you say so. Travel safely on your way back.”

The next day.
We departed Beijing.
Our party included Song Nok Poet’s family and five warriors returning to the main headquarters.
The carriage had a brazier inside, so it wasn’t particularly cold.
After traveling for roughly ten days, we reached the outskirts of Henan.
We secured rooms at an inn there, and Eun Jung-ho and I left the inn with our guards.
We arrived in front of a building.
A plaque reading [Jeong-in Academy] hung at the entrance of that building.
This was Jeong-in Academy, the rehabilitation specialist academy.
But then….
“Well? Who might this be?”
What brings you 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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