The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 297

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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 297

Chapter 297. The Rehabilitation Specialist Academy (2)

I blinked in surprise.
I had encountered someone I never expected to see in this place.
It was the Old Man from the General Store.
“Ah, Elder. What brings you here?”
“I came at the request of an old friend of mine.”
“Is that so?”
“The School Master of this academy is my old friend.”
The School Master of Jeong-in Academy was his old friend?
This was news to me.
“But what business do you have here?”
“Ah, I was asked to deliver a letter to the father of a student who recently enrolled here. And I’ve also come to arrange some sponsorship from our trading company.”
“Sponsorship, eh? That fellow will be delighted.”
Eun Jung-ho quickly clasped his fists in greeting.
“Eun Jung-ho of the Eunhae Trading Company bows respectfully before you.”
“Pleased to meet you.”
The Old Man from the General Store was the one who had dealt with the assassin who had intruded during Eun Jung-ho’s inauguration as Small Guild Master.
Perhaps because of this, gratitude still gleamed in Eun Jung-ho’s eyes whenever he looked at the Old Man from the General Store.
The Old Man from the General Store strode purposefully into the academy and turned back to look at us.
“Why aren’t you coming?”
“Ah! We’re coming! Right away!”
Eun Jung-ho and I hurried after him.

We were promptly guided to the Guest Reception Room.
Tea was served to us, though it was not of particularly high quality.
Yet considering the Academy operated on donations, I could see they were serving us with utmost sincerity.
“Well, does the tea suit your palate?”
At the elder’s question, I nodded.
“It is quite pleasant to drink.”
“I hear your taste in tea is rather particular, though?”
“Whether tea is of high or low quality is not the issue—what matters is the heart poured into it.”
At my words, the General Store Elder smiled.
After waiting roughly an hour, an old man entered the Guest Reception Room.
He appeared to be of similar age to the General Store Elder.
“That fellow is the School Master of this place.”
At those words, I quickly rose from my seat, and Eun Jung-ho followed suit.
We cupped our fists and offered proper respect.
“Eun Jung-ho of the Eunhae Trading Company greets the School Master.”
“Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Trading Company greets the School Master.”
He responded to our greetings with a gentle smile.
“I am Young Se-yun, School Master of the Jeong-in Academy here.”
He offered us seats, and we sat down again.
The School Master first spoke to the General Store Elder.
“By the way, what brings you here? Do you know these two?”
“Ah, well…”
He nodded.
“They are famous people where I stay.”
“It seems you’re together for more than mere fame, though.”
The elder simply smiled and offered no further answer.
The School Master spoke to us.
“So then, what brings the two Small Guild Masters of the Eunhae Trading Company all the way here?”
Indeed, he already knew we were Small Guild Masters.
Young Se-yun, School Master of the Jeong-in Academy.
He was far more well-connected than I had anticipated.
“First, we came to deliver this letter.”
I produced the letter from my robes and offered it. The School Master glanced at the address and nodded.
“Ah, a letter from the father of student Yeon Sik.”
“Yes. We were asked to deliver it.”
“I see. I shall pass it along. But have you come all this way merely for this errand?”
“No.”
I shook my head.
“Our Trading Company wishes to provide sponsorship to this Academy.”
“Sponsorship, you say… Does the Eunhae Trading Company not already operate the Apricot Flower Academy in Beijing?”
“That’s correct.”
I nodded in acknowledgment.
“However, the Apricot Flower Academy is a place for the past. This place is different, is it not?”
“That’s true enough.”
“And I’ve heard that the tuition here is remarkably affordable.”
Because the School Master’s connections were so extensive, most of the operating costs were sustained through patronage from those who knew him well.
“We at the Eunhae Trading Company simply wish to contribute our share to helping numerous people find the righteous path with minimal expense.”
The School Master did not answer immediately, instead studying my eyes in silence.
Unlike before, his gaze was sharp and piercing, as if dissecting my very soul.
“Are you perhaps hoping to involve yourself in the academy’s operations under the guise of patronage?”
“Not at all.”
I answered with certainty.
“What benefit would that bring me? To be honest….”
I exhaled a sigh.
“Even if you asked me to involve myself in operations, I would decline. I simply have too much on my plate.”
At my response, the Old Man from General Store nodded his head.
“That much is true.”
“But the way you ask suggests there was someone before who tried to involve themselves in the academy’s operations under the pretext of sponsorship.”
The School Master nodded at my words.
“Of course. There were more than a few. Still, looking at your eyes, it’s clear you want something….”
I laughed somewhat awkwardly.
“Haha, you’re quite perceptive indeed. Truth be told, there is something I desire.”
“Well, now we’re getting to it. What is it you want?”
“I seek capable talent.”
At my words, the School Master tilted his head, and I continued.
“The students who enter this academy were once wayward, yet through its education, they have been set right. For that reason, I believe they will become excellent talent.”
I continued speaking.
“Is that not so?”
“Of course they’re talented! That much I can assure you of.”
“That is precisely why I offer patronage—to receive a supply of such capable individuals.”
“That’s not a bad arrangement at all.”
Not bad? Hardly.
From the School Master’s perspective, this was an exceedingly welcome proposition.
This academy is the Jeong-in Academy, though it is more commonly known by the name Rehabilitation Specialist Academy.
It is renowned for its exceptional work in rehabilitating troubled youth, yet such work demands immense patience.
It also requires an unwavering philosophy and conviction regarding education.
That is extraordinarily difficult work.
In my previous life, the School Master ultimately passed away without finding a successor for this academy.
From my perspective, that was deeply regrettable.
For those who came from this place went on to spread throughout the land and achieved great accomplishments.
Had I known about this place earlier, I could have secured its talented individuals for the Eunhae Trading Company.
In my previous life, while growing the Eunhae Trading Company, there were things I regretted.
Specifically, the talented people needed to be stationed throughout the organization.
A single Merchant Guild Leader cannot accomplish everything alone. What was needed were people who could devote themselves wholeheartedly to executing the Guild Leader’s vision with their abilities in the right positions.
Such people were essential.
Reflecting on my past life, it is people who generate wealth, and it is people who cause losses.
That is how crucial people are.
In particular, the wealth generated by capable talents far exceeds their salaries.
In other words, investing in people is investing in the future of the Guild.
I observed the School Master.
Though he pretended to be confident, I understood the Academy’s circumstances.
The sponsorship funds were gradually diminishing.
The consecutive crop failures since last year were the problem.
As grain prices skyrocketed, the Academy’s operations became increasingly difficult.
The School Master refused to abandon the Academy’s operations even as he gave up his own meals, but ultimately, unable to find a successor, he would pass away, and this Academy would close its doors.
There would be no one as genuinely devoted to the students as the School Master before me.
“In truth, once those students leave the Academy, they will pursue various paths… which does concern me somewhat. However, if they work at a reliable place like the Eunhae Trading Company, I could ease that worry.”
“Then, you will accept our Guild’s sponsorship?”
“If you promise not to interfere in its operations.”
How meticulous.
“We shall do so.”
Thus, the School Master and I drafted a sponsorship contract.
It was then that Eun Jung-ho asked.
“Might we look around the Academy?”
“Please do.”
“Thank you.”
“Ah, but… there is one thing I must ask your understanding about.”
The School Master continued.
“As you know, this Academy is not an ordinary one. It is a place where unconventional individuals come. Therefore, the education here is equally unconventional.”
“Is that so?”
“So I ask that you overlook any eyebrow-raising matters that may occur.”
“Understood.”
“We shall.”
In response to our answers, the School Master shouted toward the outside.
“Go and bring the Wi Assistant Instructor here!”
“Yes!”
The Wi Assistant Instructor?
Moments later.
A young man in a blue robe entered the Guest Reception Room. Upon seeing him, Eun Jung-ho blinked his eyes twice.
“What? You… aren’t you So Hyup?”
“Ah!”
It was truly Wi Seung-jeo, the notorious ruffian of Songyang County, Hubei Province.
I had heard he worked as an assistant instructor here, but seeing him now, he was no longer the reckless fool of old.
His eyes were remarkably clear, and his movements possessed discipline.
The School Master nodded.
“Since the Eunhae Trading Company is in Songyang County, you must be acquainted.”
“Yes.”
Wi Seung-jeo also nodded.
“We are familiar faces.”
“Excellent. Wi Assistant Instructor serves as our academy’s assistant instructor and is a most reliable talent. Wi Assistant Instructor.”
“Yes, School Master.”
“Please guide these guests around the academy.”
“Understood.”
Wi—no, Wi Assistant Instructor spoke to us with courtesy.
“Please follow me.”
We left the guest reception room following Wi Assistant Instructor.

* * *

After Eun Seo-ho’s party departed from the guest reception room,
Hwangbo Hui, the old man from the general store, saw his old friend.
“So, why did you call for me?”
“Before that… are you acquainted with that Eun Seo-ho fellow?”
At the question, Hwangbo Hui’s brow furrowed.
“Did you not hear what I said just now?”
“It’s simply remarkable—it’s been so long since I’ve seen you take such a liking to someone. You fundamentally lack interest in people, don’t you?”
“….”
Hwangbo Hui did not deny it. It was the truth, after all.
“Is he trustworthy?”
At the question, Hwangbo Hui answered with a smile.
“Among all those I have observed thus far, he is the most entertaining, the most remarkable, the most virtuous, yet also the most ruthless… in any case, that is how it is.”
Young Se-yun spoke with astonishment.
“For you to praise someone so… it is the first time since the Emperor himself.”
“….”
“And when you speak thus, it means he is trustworthy.”
Somewhat embarrassed, Hwangbo Hui pressed him forward.
“So why did you call for me?”
“I ask that you oversee this academy for a fortnight.”
“What?”
“It seems some matter has arisen with my family clan. I must return to attend to it briefly.”
“So, you’re entrusting the Academy to me?”
“As you well know, there’s no one else suitable to entrust it to.”
“….”
“I don’t want to return to the family either, but if the family falls, the Academy’s survival becomes difficult first. There’s no way around it, is there?”
In the end, Hwangbo Hui nodded as if he couldn’t refuse.
“I understand.”
Having answered thus, he continued.
“However….”

* * *

Following Wi Assistant Instructor out of the Guest Reception Room, Eun Jung-ho and I fell silent for a moment.
Wi Assistant Instructor spoke first.
“I never expected to meet like this.”
“Indeed.”
At Eun Jung-ho’s response, he turned to face him, cupped his fist, and bowed his head.
“First, I apologize for my rudeness back then. Please forgive the thoughtless actions of my immature years.”
At those words, Eun Jung-ho looked at me. I nodded to him.
Eun Jung-ho then cupped his fist and bowed his head as well.
“I have already forgotten it all, so please do not concern yourself.”
“Thank you.”
“However….”
“…?”
“I cannot speak for my wife’s feelings.”
“Ah….”
He wore a regretful expression as if he understood.
“Looking back now, I cannot fathom how I uttered such shameless words back then. But what can be done? The actions I took then cannot simply be erased, can they?”
That’s true.
He’s truly reformed himself properly.
“So I will do my utmost to atone. Please convey this to her.”
“I understand.”
“Then, let me show you around the Academy.”
The scale of Jeong-in Academy was larger than I expected.
“That is the dormitory, and that is where lectures are held. And that is….”
Wi Assistant Instructor guided us through the Academy’s buildings one by one.
That was when it happened.
Hmm? This… is that the smell of alcohol?
I asked Wi Assistant Instructor.
“Is there some kind of banquet today?”
“Pardon? What do you mean by that all of a sudden?”
“It’s because of the smell of alcohol.”
At those words, the Wi Assistant Instructor’s eyes grew sharp.
“Where exactly?”
I raised my hand and pointed to the side.
“Over there.”
The Wi Assistant Instructor approached that direction, concentrating on his sense of smell, then nodded repeatedly.
“Indeed… there really is a smell of alcohol.”
He immediately rushed in that direction, and commotion erupted from that area.
“Aaaah! A demon!”
“I thought no one would find this place!”
“Silence! Did you think I wouldn’t notice you opening alcohol bottles here?”
Smack—!
Thud-crack—!
And shortly after, the Wi Assistant Instructor returned.
Are those droplets on his face… blood?
He smiled wickedly and spoke.
“They attempt such things because they’re still low-ranking. Once they reach their third year, they wouldn’t be foolish enough to try something like that.”
At that moment, a carriage approached from that direction.
It was a carriage that somehow looked familiar.
Seeing it, the Wi Assistant Instructor spoke.
“Ah, it seems new students are arriving today.”
Soon the carriage stopped and the door opened. A young boy was dragged out from inside….
“You bastards! Where is this place? Why did you drag me to somewhere like this?”
Watching this, the Wi Assistant Instructor said.
“This new student is relatively well-behaved, it seems.”
Well-behaved? How could that possibly be….
At that moment, I heard a voice calling me.
“Seo-ho.”
“Yes?”
I turned my head to see the Old Man from General Store.
“Let’s talk for a moment.”

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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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