The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 302

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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 302

Chapter 302. Unwavering Resolve (1)

“By the way, I recall you mentioning you’d bring alcohol and tobacco for your friends at the academy… Do you no longer need me to procure those for you?”
Before arriving at Jeong-in Academy, when I posed this question, Seok Chu-gil Official flinched.
“How… how did you know?”
Well, I heard everything. But I simply smiled knowingly without answering.
Seok Chu-gil Official released a small sigh.
“As the Assistant Instructor said, that’s correct. But I’ve resolved not to live so recklessly anymore.”
His eyes held firm determination.
The problem was that those resolute eyes were directed at me, but in any case, it was fortunate that he’d begun living righteously.
“However, when everything around you is black and you alone maintain white, it will be difficult.”
“That’s true. But those fellows should be coming to their senses soon enough.”
He continued.
“If demerit points exceed five hundred, even third-year students cannot graduate and must attend for another three years.”
Ah…
Now that I think about it, Jeong-in Academy did have a demerit point system.
So if demerit points exceeded five hundred, students couldn’t graduate and would advance to the fourth year instead.
“At our academy, benefits increase with each higher year. But conversely, from the fourth year onward, those benefits gradually diminish.”
“That must be difficult.”
“From what I understand, quite a few complete six years, but very few advance beyond that.”
Indeed, to make people appreciate what they possess, one must take it away from them.
It’s cruel, but it’s a method that creates genuine understanding.
So from the fourth year onward, when they lose what they once had, they regret their former lives and sharpen their focus to graduate.
“That’s why I’ll gather those friends who come to their senses one by one. Individuals are weak, but groups are strong.”
Indeed, a wise and excellent approach.
Especially among those living communally, the power of collective will proves far stronger than expected.
Now I was beginning to see glimpses of the Seok Vice-Manager I once knew.
Just then, Seo-woo Warrior’s voice came from outside.
“Master, we’re approaching Jeong-in Academy shortly.”
“Understood.”
.
.
.
About an hour later.
We arrived at Jeong-in Academy. Rather than entering immediately, I sent Jin Yu Warrior to bring the General Store Elder here.
Soon the elder appeared before the academy’s main gate.
“What’s this about, ordering me around like—wait!”
The General Store Elder stared at me in shock.
“What are all those?”
“Rice, sir.”
“Ah, no—I mean, where did all this rice come from?”
“I’ll explain that later. In any case, we’ve returned safely.”
“Good.”
“Please show us to a warehouse where we can store this rice. We’ll get it unloaded.”
The General Store Elder nodded at my words.
“This way.”
Following the General Store Elder to the academy’s Grain Storage Warehouse, I confirmed what I suspected—I wasn’t seeing things wrong.
The grain storage was completely bare.
The academy’s financial situation was far worse than I’d imagined. Still, with a hundred sacks of rice arriving like this, they could at least catch their breath.

After organizing the rice, I gave the Pyoguk representatives a receipt and sent them on their way.
With the task complete, I headed to the School Master’s office where the General Store Elder was waiting.
“I’m coming in.”
“Come in.”
I opened the door and stepped inside, then sat down at the wooden table and spoke.
“Won’t you offer me some tea?”
“I was just about to.”
The General Store Elder chuckled and personally brewed the tea for me.
“So, where did all that rice come from? A hundred sacks, no less…”
“It’s a donation from the Manor Lord of the Sangbyeon Seok Estate in Hubei Province.”
I explained the entire situation to the General Store Elder.
“That household does have a reputation for being rather obsessively strict about discipline. Still, I know they never come empty-handed wherever they go, but I didn’t expect this much.”
“I’ll take it as a compliment.”
“Indeed.”
“By the way, when will the School Master arrive? Shouldn’t it be about time now?”
The promised fortnight was nearly up.
The General Store Elder nodded at my question.
“A messenger arrived just recently. He said the School Master is wrapping up family matters and is on his way back. He should arrive within two or three days.”
“I see.”
So my time as an assistant instructor would end in two or three days as well?
.
.
.
Two days had passed since I returned to Jeong-in Academy.
I kept watch on Seok Chu-gil Official, worried about him, but he was doing far better than expected.
In just two days, he had gathered those seeking to escape their dissolute lives and formed a new group.
I need to look into the officials belonging to that faction more carefully.
If they’re rehabilitating this quickly, we could put them to use in our Merchant Guild.
After breakfast, as I headed toward my dormitory, Wi Assistant Instructor approached me.
“Assistant Instructor Eun.”
“Yes?”
“The School Master is calling for you.”
The School Master himself, not the deputy. So he’s returned.
I made my way to the School Master’s office and spoke from outside the door.
“School Master, I heard you were calling for me.”
“Come in.”
I opened the door and stepped inside.
The worry that had previously clouded the School Master’s eyes had vanished.
He’d mentioned having family business to attend to, so it must have been resolved successfully.
It seems my advice proved effective. I’m relieved.
“I greet you, School Master.”
“Please, sit comfortably.”
“Yes.”
I sat before the wooden table and tilted my head curiously.
“Where did that elder go?”
“That one left the academy earlier.”
“Already? So soon?”
“You didn’t know? I thought you would have.”
“I had no idea.”
How inconsiderate. He could have at least mentioned he was leaving.
And here I am serving as an assistant instructor because of him.
As I grumbled inwardly, the School Master chuckled and spoke.
“Forgive him. He’s as free-spirited as the wind itself. Even the Emperor couldn’t hold onto him—who else could?”
“…”
“He said he had some business to attend to and would return later.”
“I see.”
“Well then, your temporary assistant instructor duties end today. You’ve worked hard.”
“Not at all. It’s been a meaningful time thanks to you.”
“And I hear donation supplies arrived from Sangbyeon Seok Estate.”
“Yes, that’s correct. Did that elder explain the circumstances to you?”
“I heard the gist of it. It was thanks to you, I’m told.”
“…”
“Thank you.”
The School Master smiled and said so, then placed a pouch on the wooden table.
“Take it. It’s your wages for the effort over the past fortnight.”
“No, please—there’s no need for this. I didn’t do it expecting compensation.”
“I don’t know either. But please accept it. As a merchant yourself, you understand—there’s nothing more unseemly than making someone work without any compensation.”
With him putting it that way, I couldn’t very well refuse. After all, I had done the work.
“I’ll accept it gratefully.”
I slipped it into my sleeve.
– Squeak?
Geumryeong, recognizing it as a money pouch, let out an inquisitive chirp.
– Don’t even think about it. That’s not yours.
– Squeak….
“By the way, I hear the students call you the Black-White Immortal?”
“….”
As I grew flustered, the School Master chuckled.
“Thanks to you, there’s been considerable enlightenment. And I can see changes taking place among the second-year students. Seok Chu-gil seems to be at the center of it all.”
As expected of the School Master.
He’d only just returned today, yet he’d already grasped the situation.
“It’s thanks to this academy’s educational system.”
“I appreciate you saying so.”
“Then may I take my leave?”
At my question, the School Master nodded readily.
“Of course.”
As I rose from my seat, I suddenly recalled a plan I’d been considering before.
“Ah, School Master. Do you remember what I mentioned before about the compensation for our sponsorship?”
“Of course I do.”
“Well then, our trading company would like to send an instructor to teach the students about merchant operations. Would that be acceptable?”
“As long as they don’t interfere with the academy’s administration, it’s fine.”
“That won’t happen.”
I continued.
“Having served as an assistant instructor myself, I now understand why you say such things.”
“I’m grateful you see it that way.”
“Then I’ll send the documents next time.”
“Understood.”
“Then, I’ll see you again next time.”
I bowed respectfully and left the School Master’s office.
At last, I was finally heading home.
I spoke to Palgap.
“Palgap, pack our things. We’re going home.”
“Right away, sir!”
Palgap hurriedly gathered our belongings, which took far less time than I expected.
“Huh? That was incredibly fast.”
“I had a feeling the School Master would be returning soon, so I packed everything in advance.”
“I see.”
And so we left the dormitory.
Wi Assistant Instructor approached us with a regretful expression on his face.
“Are you leaving?”
“Yes. We agreed from the start that I would serve as an assistant instructor for only two weeks.”
At my response, Wi Assistant Instructor cupped his fist and bowed his head.
“Thank you for your hard work during this time. And… back then, when Eun Small Merchant Leader and Gong Pyosik… I caused you considerable trouble.”
“I’ve already forgotten about it.”
And I continued with a smile.
“Well then, take care of yourself. I’m sure we’ll meet again soon.”
In truth, there were several people I wished to bid farewell to, but it seemed better to simply depart quietly without further words.
And so we quietly left Jeong-in Academy.

* * *

Young Se-yun, the School Master of Jeong-in Academy, gazed through the window toward the main gate.
Eun Seo-ho and his party were just passing through the main gate.
He recalled the words his old friend had spoken before he came to the family estate.

“When you go to the family estate this time… guard the family heirloom well.”
“What? What do you mean all of a sudden? Guard the family heirloom? Did you hear something?”
“I’m not entirely sure myself. He simply said so.”
“He? Are you referring to Eun Seo-ho, the Small Merchant Leader?”

His friend nodded at his question.

“That man never speaks carelessly. If he said such a thing, there must certainly be a reason. So do not take lightly the words I’ve conveyed to you.”
“Since you speak with such conviction, how could I ignore it? I shall keep it in mind.”

Upon arriving at the family estate, Young Se-yun immediately attended a council meeting.
The problem that had arisen in his family was none other than the matter of appointing a new Small Patriarch.
The elders had reached a consensus that the previous Small Patriarch was unfit to become the House Master.
Throughout the proceedings, Young Se-yun remained vigilant, keeping watch over the family heirloom.
Thanks to this vigilance, he discovered that the Small Patriarch, who was to be removed from his position, harbored resentment and attempted to steal the family heirloom.
The heirloom of the Gangju Yeo Clan was a sword.
While it was one of the divine weapons said to repel evil, its significance as a symbol of the family held even greater meaning.
The thought of what might have happened had it been misused sent chills down his spine.
‘Eun Seo-ho saved our family.’
He could have pressed Eun Seo-ho on how he knew of this, but he did not wish to treat the family’s benefactor in such a manner, so he asked nothing.
‘Go well. And let us meet again soon.’

* * *

“Finally, we’re home.”
Palgap asked in response to my words.
“Are you that pleased?”
“Of course I am. Aren’t you happy to be home?”
“Of course I am as well.”
On my birthday, I had set out for Beijing with Peng So-hyup, and the journey had taken over a month since then.
It was already the first month now.
Still, I was grateful to have arrived in Hubei Province before the first month truly began—Beijing in the first month is bitterly cold.
I headed toward the Eun Hae Trading Company’s Cha-jang.
Since I hadn’t sent word ahead, there was no one to greet us.
But it didn’t matter. Simply being home was enough.
“Oh! The Small Merchant Guild Leader has arrived?”
“Yes. It’s been a while. Has anything unusual happened?”
“All has been peaceful.”
We entrusted our horses to the servants at Cha-jang and made our way to Mun Gok Hall, my private pavilion.
After washing thoroughly and dressing properly, I went to see Father.

“Welcome home.”
Father happened to be in his office.
“Father, I have returned safely.”
“Good work. You must have had a difficult journey.”
Father continued with a pleased smile.
“First, I met with Song Rok. Yu Inner Chief Manager was the one who recognized his true worth.”
Just as I had anticipated.
“And through him, I also heard about Chu Il-gong. Truly a shameless man he was.”
“Indeed. That’s why I dealt with him properly this time.”
“Well done. Thanks to you, Yu Inner Chief Manager seems to have completely regained his confidence. I’m grateful.”
“I simply disliked him as well.”
Father let out a hearty laugh.
“I knew you would say that. Ah, and I’ve arranged for Song Rok’s family to stay at the Guild Guest House for now.”
“Understood.”
“By the way, what became of Peng So-hyup?”
In response to Father’s question, I explained the entire sequence of events.
“Peng So-hyup became a Small Patriarch! Well, I’m relieved nothing serious happened in the process.”
I also reported on various other matters.
Decisions that Father could make were made by him, while the rest were to be decided by the Eunwol Society.
“Ah, and by the way, our Merchant Guild’s ranking rose to thirty-fifth place at the winter solstice.”
Since it had been fortieth place before, our ranking had improved.
“That’s wonderful news.”
I had taken another step closer to becoming the Greatest Merchant Guild Under Heaven.

After withdrawing from Father’s presence, I greeted Grandfather and Mother respectfully.
On my way to see Eun Jung-ho, I caught sight of Song Rok.
“Oh, Song….”
But I stopped myself from calling out, as he was walking with someone else.
Who could that be?
Looking more closely, it was Yu Inner Chief Manager.
They must have grown close through poetry. But then… I felt someone’s gaze fixed upon them.
Turning my head, it was Cho Young-young.
It seemed he still harbored feelings for Yu Inner Chief Manager.
Though Yu Inner Chief Manager was hardly young anymore, I wondered why he had never married.
Perhaps there was some reason for it?

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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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