The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 303

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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 303

Chapter 303. Unwavering Devotion (2)

I was curious about the circumstances, but that was a private matter.
I tried to let it go, but when I saw the look in Cho Young-young’s eyes as he gazed at Yu Inner Chief Manager….
Sigh.
Wait, now that I think about it, I had heard that the reason Yu Inner Chief Manager came to work under Father was because Father had rescued him from a dire situation.
Since they had known each other for so long, could it be that Father knows the reason behind it?
For now, Father must be busy, so I’ll ask him later.
“Let’s go see Eun Jung-ho.”
I headed toward Eun Jung-ho’s office.
Eun Jung-ho currently oversaw the silk and fabric division.
It was one of the busiest departments in the Eunhae Trading Company.
Especially with the bitter cold driving brisk sales of animal hides, the already busy place had become even more hectic.
Upon arriving at Eun Jung-ho’s office, there were people waiting to submit documents for approval—one, two, three….
Quite a few.
I turned back without hesitation.
It was possible to push past those waiting for approval and enter.
But doing so would delay work processing, making things difficult for them and harming the company.
That wouldn’t do.
I changed my mind and headed to the Training Ground instead.
Jin-ho would be at the Training Ground anyway.
I soon arrived at the Training Ground.
But….
Many familiar faces were running across the Training Ground, drenched in sweat.
Those warriors who had been punished by me for slacking off in Beijing?
They had metal weights attached to their arms and legs that appeared to be self-made.
The punishment I had imposed on them when we departed Beijing for the Eunhae Trading Company Headquarters should have ended.
So why were they still continuing like this?
Moreover, it wasn’t just them—other warriors were also running across the Training Ground with metal weights attached to their bodies.

“The company is advancing, so the Eunpung Corps cannot fall behind!”
“That’s right!”
“Absolutely!”
“Stagnation leads only to obsolescence! The only way to avoid it is endless training!”

I blinked as I listened to their conversation.
It seemed my words to the Five Warriors I had sent away had made quite an impression.
Well, and what I said wasn’t mere flattery. The Eunpung Corps truly is the strength of the Eunhae Trading Company, after all.
To be honest, I hadn’t expected much from them, but seeing them move like this felt strangely gratifying.
“You are truly remarkable, my lord.”
Seo-woo Warrior wore a satisfied smile as he observed them.
“You have inspired them and brought about this transformation.”
“That wasn’t my intention.”
“Which is precisely why you are so remarkable, my lord.”
“….”
I felt somewhat embarrassed.
But wait… Eun Jung-ho.
Why was my elder brother mixed in with them? He wasn’t at the level of running the Training Ground with those warriors.
At that moment, someone approached me.
“Third Sub-unit Leader, you’ve arrived.”
“Ah! I greet you, External Chief Manager.”
“When did you arrive at the Main Headquarters?”
“Just now.”
The External Chief Manager glanced at those running through the Training Ground before speaking to me.
“In truth, I gave them a choice: either pack their belongings and leave the Eunpung Corps, or accept a fifty percent salary reduction for three years.”
The External Chief Manager had imposed a heavier punishment than I expected.
“They chose the latter.”
“I see.”
“They said they had been foolish. As members of the Eunpung Corps protecting the Eunhae Trading Company, which gazes upon the Greatest Under Heaven Trading Company, they realized their complacency thanks to you, Third Sub-unit Leader.”
“….”
“Since returning to the Main Headquarters, they haven’t missed a single day of training. At first, everyone thought it would pass. But when the regular martial competition took place recently, everyone was astonished by the results.”
The Eunpung Corps holds regular martial competitions every fortnight.
By conducting regular matches, we assess their level of skill.
“And tension has begun to spread throughout the entire Eunpung Corps.”
I smiled slightly.
Because I had come to understand the full picture of what had transpired.
“I was actually thinking of calling an assembly since the discipline of the Eunpung Corps seemed to have grown lax lately, but thanks to you, Third Sub-unit Leader, I’ve been spared the trouble.”
“Haha. How embarrassing.”
“And, the training of Myeong-jong Warrior and Chang-un Warrior was recently completed.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
“Not at all. It was a pleasure to encounter such passionate young people after so long.”
– And regarding the matter you mentioned before, I investigated and dealt with the one who was muddying the waters.
At that transmission, I nodded.

A moment later.
I approached Eun Jung-ho after he finished his training and waved my hand.
“Elder Brother!”
“Huh? When did you arrive?”
“Just now. I’ve seen your face, so I’m heading out.”
“W-wait, already?”
And seeing how Eun Jung-ho had been running across the Training Ground earlier, he looked remarkably energetic.
So I could leave without worry.
“I’m busy. I need to see Elder Brother Eun Jung-ho too, and I also need to see the Elder Brother’s Wives and Geon-hyuk and Bo-yeon….”
“It seems like Geon-hyuk and Bo-yeon are your real purpose?”
“…No way. Hahaha.”
“Your answer was a bit slow?”
He’s sharper than I expected.
After exchanging various words with Eun Jung-ho, I headed toward Eun Jung-ho’s office again.
Fortunately, no one was standing in front of the door. As I approached, the Guard announced my arrival inside.
“The Third Sub-unit Leader has arrived.”
“Come in!”
The door opened and I stepped into the office. And the moment I saw Eun Jung-ho’s face….
“Elder Brother, how many days haven’t you slept?”
The dark circles under his eyes made it clear he hadn’t slept properly in at least four days.
“Your wife must be worried.”
“Do you think I’m staying up all night because I want to?”
My brother sighed and continued.
“This is all because of you.”
“Me?”
“Yes. You.”
My brother nodded.
“It’s certain that a liquor ban will be issued soon. So before that happens, we need to identify where all the master brewers are located and select which ones to recruit. Whose job do you think that is?”
“Mine?”
“Yes. Yours.”
My brother sighed and continued.
“But you had something to do and arrived late. So who would do that work instead?”
Ah….
Suddenly, my conscience pricked at me.
But I had my circumstances too.
“I’m sorry, Elder Brother, but I couldn’t help it. The General Store Elder suddenly assigned me to teaching duties. And I couldn’t refuse that….”
“I know that’s why I just came. If I didn’t, I would have tied you up and dragged you here.”
“Hahaha.”
Eun Jung-ho chuckled and opened a drawer, then tossed a pouch to me.
Thud!
I accepted it with a tilted head.
“Huh? What is this?”
“It’s a birthday gift for you. I thought you’d come here, so I’ve been keeping it stored away.”
“Can I open it?”
Eun Jung-ho nodded, and I opened the pouch.
Inside was a belt ornament.
“I thought it would suit you well.”
“Ah… thank you.”
With gold plating and red jade inlaid, it looked like it would fetch a considerable price.
“Are you done being moved?”
“Huh?”
“Then get to work. Let me see my wife and kids.”
.
.
.
Ah, this is exhausting.
After receiving tasks from Eun Jung-ho, I immediately headed to Hyunpung.
I worked all day and only returned to my separate pavilion when evening came for dinner.
“Welcome back, sir.”
“Yes.”
Palgap greeted me.
I looked beside my separate pavilion. Earlier, I’d been too rushed bathing and greeting my grandfather and parents to notice, but a building now stood prominently beside my pavilion.
It was the quarters for my guard unit.
Now that I think about it, they said it was completed.
The scale wasn’t particularly large to begin with, and thanks to the famine providing an abundance of available labor, it was finished quickly.
I heard that Myeong-jong Warrior and Chang-un Warrior were staying there, just as I’d mentioned before.
It’s been a while since we’ve met, so we should share a meal together.
Sharing a meal helps us grow closer faster.
“Palgap, let’s go see the newly built quarters.”

A moment later.
I stood before the newly constructed guest quarters.
The number of guards a Small Merchant Guild Leader could personally maintain had no strict limit.
However, establishing a personal guard unit required the Merchant Guild Leader’s approval, and the operational costs fell entirely on the individual.
Because of this, most maintained around ten guards.
But I wanted more.
I had learned this lesson in my previous life, after meeting a pathetic death at the hands of the Murim Alliance and Baekcheon Trading Company.
To bring them down, I needed many strong warriors.
So this time, I had it built large enough to comfortably house fifty or more.
When the servants working at the quarters received word, Myeong-jong Warrior and Chang-un Warrior emerged and quickly bowed to me.
“We greet our lord.”
“We greet our lord.”
“It’s been a while. I trust you’ve both been well?”
Their eyes had grown far more grave and sharp than before.
Ah… External Chief Manager.
How much have you been working them to achieve that appearance of having rolled through a pawn shop for a decade?
In any case, this was good for me.
“I’ve come to see the new quarters. Would you mind showing me around?”
The two warriors exchanged glances, and Myeong-jong Warrior from the Huashan Sect stepped forward.
“Of course.”
The quarters consisted of five floors total, with capacity for approximately sixteen people per floor.
“The first floor is the dining hall, I see.”
“Yes. It was modeled after an inn, we’re told. After all, we need a space where everyone can gather.”
“Where do we bathe?”
“You can bathe in the communal bath in the back.”
Rooms began from this floor, and when I opened one, it was completely empty.
Well, there’s no need to bring in beds just yet.
“Allow us to show you our quarters.”
When they opened the door to the second room from the stairs, two beds and a small chest sat on either side.
In the center was even a small table.
And it was remarkably clean—so spotless it was difficult to find a speck of dust.
“It’s incredibly clean.”
“Ah, we did some cleaning.”
Chang-un Warrior continued after Myeong-jong Warrior spoke.
“Cleaning has been ingrained in us since childhood. While at the sect, cleaning all the sect’s buildings was the disciples’ responsibility…”
“That’s an excellent habit.”
At my words, their faces brightened. Did my praise mean that much to them?
“The tour is sufficient for now. I intend to dine together this evening. Would that be acceptable?”
“Of course.”

A moment later.
A table was set up on the first floor of the guest quarters.
I had considered going out to eat, but since I needed to discuss my guard rotation system today, I decided to dine here instead.
After all, I couldn’t discuss such sensitive information carelessly in public.
My maidservant from the separate pavilion had taken great pains for this evening meal. Her culinary skills were quite refined, and she had prepared several impressive dishes in a short time.
Thus, spicy stir-fried vegetables, fried meat, and crispy rice cakes graced the dining table.
I should give her a bonus.
“It feels wonderful to gather like this for an evening meal. Please, everyone, enjoy the food.”
“We are grateful for this meal.”
As I began eating, the six warriors and Palgap also started their meal.
Once our bellies were reasonably full.
I set down my chopsticks and broached the main topic of the evening.
“Starting tomorrow, I intend to restructure the guard rotation system. Previously, with four guards, we needed to rotate every four hours. Now that we have two additional guards, each rotation will be four hours on duty followed by eight hours of rest.”
“So we’re moving from a two-shift to a three-shift system.”
“Exactly. And we’ll determine the groupings by drawing lots.”
I spoke to Palgap.
“Palgap, could you prepare some lots for us?”
“Of course.”
Shortly after, Palgap returned with the lots, and the six warriors drew their assignments.
Seo-woo Warrior and Myeong-jong Warrior.
Jin Yu Warrior and Chang-un Warrior.
Yeo Eung-am Warrior and Lee Pil Warrior.
Thus they were grouped accordingly.
“By the way, once a month we’ll draw lots again during our evening meal here.”
“Understood.”
“So, which group would like to take the first shift?”
At my question, Yeo Eung-am Warrior raised his hand.
“We’ll take the first shift. Myeong-jong Warrior and Chang-un Warrior will likely need some instructions, after all.”
Yeo Eung-am Warrior—as expected. With his extensive experience, he often demonstrated foresight that even I hadn’t considered.
.
.
.
Night had fallen.
I headed toward my father’s office. I had sent Palgap to request a brief meeting after our evening meal.
However….
“The Merchant Guild Leader requests that you come to the back garden.”
My father’s attendant relayed this message, and I made my way to the back garden.
“You’ve arrived? Seeing that you wanted to meet urgently this evening, it seems we’ll be discussing something sensitive.”
“….”
Father, as always.
I climbed up to the pavilion, and Father offered me a seat.
Tea was already prepared.
After taking a sip, Father spoke first.
“Well, what is it you wish to discuss?”
“In truth, this may be rather presumptuous of me to broach.”
“What is it?”
“It concerns Yu Inner Chief Manager.”
“…?”
I continued.
“Why has Yu Inner Chief Manager never taken a wife?”
At my question, Father released a long sigh.
There was clearly some reason behind 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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