The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 309

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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 309

Chapter 309. The Sprout of Rebellion (3)

I couldn’t help but smile when I saw where Master was pointing.
White flags were visible ahead.
Not just one or two—dozens of white flags hung throughout the Mountain Stronghold.
It was an unmistakably clear expression of surrender.
“I’m relieved they’ve accepted our proposal.”
Master nodded at my words.
“I share that sentiment.”
I sent a letter to Father through Geumryeong, and he dashed off swiftly.
About an hour later.
Geumryeong returned with Father’s reply.
“Chirp. Chirp.”
Geumryeong looked at me with sparkling eyes.
Yes, yes, I understand.
I offered Geumryeong a silver coin, and he eagerly accepted it, swallowing it whole.
Master let out a small exclamation of admiration watching Geumryeong.
“I sense a considerably stronger presence than before.”
“Does that mean others might also be able to detect Geumryeong’s presence?”
“Not at all. Only those who have mastered the Taiyin Ice-Sea Divine Art can perceive such a presence.”
“Then that’s fortunate.”
“Still, to sense this level of presence from Han Ho-su… it’s remarkable.”
I spoke with a smile.
“I saw him use sound transmission before.”
Master tilted his head in confusion.
“Sound transmission? What do you mean?”
“Pardon?”
I spoke in bewilderment at those words.
“Geumryeong definitely used sound transmission before.”
“Han Ho-su possesses no such ability, as far as I know. And I’ve never seen any records of it.”
…
What? I couldn’t have been mistaken about Geumryeong using sound transmission.
“However, just because there are no records of it until now doesn’t mean it’s impossible.”
Master continued with a smile.
“There has never been a precedent of feeding Han Ho-su so many silver coins before.”
…
True, when I told the Palace Master of Northern Sea Ice Palace about the amount of silver that Geumryeong consumes, he was quite astonished.
I’m curious what abilities Geumryeong could manifest if I fed her more silver.
I untied the letter from my father that was bound to Geumryeong’s tail and read it. The contents instructed me to proceed as we had negotiated previously.
I placed Geumryeong into my sleeve as I spoke.
“Then, shall we go?”

We arrived at the Mountain Stronghold shortly after.
“Welcome.”
The people of the Mountain Stronghold greeted us, but it was entirely different from when I had visited four days ago.
They welcomed us with obsequious bows.
“Thank you for making such a wise choice.”
“How could we refuse when you show us such consideration? Haha.”
“Indeed.”
I spoke with a smile.
“Then, shall we all sign the contract?”
This time, I was able to enter inside the Mountain Stronghold. There were more women and children than I had anticipated.
And their complexions were worse than expected. This made sense—by my calculations, their food supplies should have been completely exhausted by now.
“Mother, I’m hungry.”
“Just endure it for a few more days.”
“How much longer must we endure? I hate grass root porridge now.”
I heard this conversation through my ears, which I had focused my inner strength upon, and I let out a sigh.
“Why do you sigh, sir?”
Sun Chaejoo asked, noticing my expression, and I questioned him in return.
“How many days has it been since your food supplies ran out?”
“Pardon? Why do you ask such a thing….”
“Just tell me.”
“It has been four days.”
“….”
The supplies were depleted faster than I had anticipated.
He spoke as if making an excuse.
“It’s just that… the number of people increased….”
“So currently, how many people are in this Mountain Stronghold?”
“Approximately three hundred.”
“I see.”
I gave Palgap an instruction and sent the Yeo Eung-am Warrior along as an escort.
Then I turned my body and spoke to everyone.
“Now, let us proceed with drafting the contract.”
A wooden table was prepared, and I sat before it and unfolded the paper I had prepared in advance.
And I drafted the contract and presented it.
“The contents of this contract are as follows.”
I explained the contents of the contract to them. Most of the farmers in this place were illiterate.
“…This is what it says. If anyone here can read, please examine it carefully.”
At my words, several of them came forward to examine the contract, but Gyeong In-juk was not among them.
Why? Could it be that he couldn’t read?
Those who reviewed the contract I had written nodded their heads.
“We have confirmed it.”
“There are no problems.”
“Then, please write your names below and affix your seals.”
At my words, those who could read wrote down the people’s names and had them affix their seals beside them.
Thus the work proceeded smoothly, and it was when I had received everyone’s seals.
From below, a cart began to ascend the mountain.
At this, everyone’s attention focused on that cart. I smiled faintly.
Palgap had done his work properly.
The cart now ascending to the mountain stronghold carried grain.
I had instructed Palgap earlier to procure grain, and it seemed he had obtained it from the nearest location.
“Young Master! I have arrived!”
At Palgap’s words, I nodded in response.
“Well done.”
And I spoke to the people.
“For now, please fill your bellies with this grain.”
“What exactly is this grain?”
“Don’t you all know the contents of the contract? And the Eunhae Trading Company does not break what we have agreed to.”
“Then… that means….”
“Yes. All of this is what you must repay. So do not burden yourselves with worry.”
I continued.
“It is you five years from now who must repay this grain, but if you starve to death right now, there will be no future five years from now, will there?”
At my words, the people nodded their heads.
Soon, cauldrons were hung throughout the mountain stronghold, and smoke from cooking rice rose into the air.
And as if it had been prepared in advance, they also made other dishes to accompany the rice using the meat of wild game.
Soon the rice was cooked, and the people began their meal.
For the first time in nearly four days, they had a proper meal, and everyone’s faces were filled with smiles.
Though it was grain that their future selves would have to repay, they had nonetheless glimpsed hope.
When they had finished eating to some extent.
I rose from my seat and approached Gyeong In-juk.
“What is your name?”
“I am Gyeong In-juk.”
“Did you enjoy your meal?”
“Yes. Thanks to you, I have filled my belly for the first time in a while. I am grateful to you, Small Guild Master.”
Small Guild Master… At that title, I smiled.
During the negotiation, I had only revealed my name and had deliberately not mentioned that I was the Small Guild Master.
He wasn’t from Chongyang County, and since he’d come from foreign lands, he wouldn’t have known about me.
Yet he called out to me like that….
“It seems you knew who I was.”
“Yes.”
He nodded.
“After receiving time to consider the Small Guild Master’s proposal, we sent people to Chongyang County to investigate the Eunhae Trading Company. And in doing so, we discovered that you are the Third Sub-unit Leader.”
“I see.”
“But why did you call for me?”
“Do you happen to know how to read and write?”
At my question, he shook his head.
“I don’t. How could the son of a poor tenant farmer afford to learn letters?”
“So you don’t know at all.”
My words seemed to wound his pride, and he offered a small rebuttal.
“I didn’t say I don’t know at all. I still know about a hundred characters.”
He continued.
“I managed to learn about a hundred characters by gently coaxing those studying at the Academy.”
I was quite surprised by that.
“But why do you ask?”
“Last time, I noticed you asked rather sharp questions.”
“I apologize for that.”
“No, it’s natural. When negotiating with someone, one must always do their best.”
I continued.
“So, have you ever thought of doing something other than farming?”
“Something else? What do you mean?”
“If a Small Guild Master of the Merchant Guild recommends something else, it’s obvious what it would be, isn’t it?”
“So… are you suggesting I try working at the Merchant Guild?”
“That’s right.”
In his past life, he possessed the ability to lead large-scale rebel uprisings, and the cunning to pierce through the weaknesses of government forces.
He had the talent to flourish as a martial officer in the Imperial Palace, but he could prove quite useful to the Merchant Guild as well.
As the Eunhae Trading Company grew, what became increasingly scarce was trustworthy talent.
Reliable people.
The more of such individuals I gathered, the closer we’d come to becoming the Greatest Merchant Guild Under Heaven.
Since he was discovered by my eyes first, not someone else’s, I had to seize the opportunity quickly.
At my proposal, he began to ponder.
“Of course, at first you’ll start as a general laborer. Honestly, your background is unclear.”
“That’s understandable.”
Now that he’d become a vagrant, his origins had become obscure.
And when the Eunhae Trading Company recruited staff, we were far more particular than one might think.
There were simply too many matters requiring strict confidentiality.
“But when the time is right, I’ll do my best to help you become an apprentice manager.”
I continued speaking.
“Of course, if I exert my influence, you could become an apprentice Haeng-su immediately. But if you’re going to work at the Merchant Guild anyway, wouldn’t you want to climb higher?”
“That’s only natural.”
“For that reason, it’s better to build a solid foundation from the ground up. Start as a menial worker, earn everyone’s recognition, and build trust.”
I continued.
“That’s the better way—one that won’t create complications later. Even if we go slowly, shouldn’t we go steadily?”
He paused to think, then nodded.
“You’re right, Small Guild Master. It seems my priority should be paving my own path and earning people’s trust.”
“If there are capable people you’d like to bring, you may take them with you.”
“In that case….”
He recommended about ten people.
.
.
.
That night.
We were still staying at the Mountain Stronghold.
We would spend one night here, and when the Merchant Guild sent people tomorrow, we’d hand them over.
I was surveying the area around the Mountain Stronghold.
In my previous life, this place had been burned and devastated in battles against the Rebel Bandit Group.
So the Rebel Bandit Group moved downward, unified three fortresses, and formed a single force.
Standing at the center of that force was Gyeong In-juk.
In other words, he was a person I absolutely had to acquire.
While lost in such thoughts.
– Squeak?
I heard Geumryeong’s voice in my mind.
– What? Why are you suddenly sending a telepathic message?
At my question, Geumryeong burst from my sleeve and landed on the ground with a soft thud.
Then he wagged his tail.
“Hmm? You’re telling me to follow you right now?”
Geumryeong moved immediately as if confirming, and I chased after him. Soon, arriving at some spot, Geumryeong began digging at the ground with his front paws.
Scratch-scratch-scratch-scratch!
Digging at a considerable speed, Geumryeong soon emerged with something in his mouth.
“Wow….”
I couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.
The root Geumryeong was holding was a precious medicinal ingredient.
Preservation Root.
Though a medicinal herb, it rivaled spirit-grade remedies.
If you decocted and consumed that, you could endure several winters comfortably. Of course, being the finest tonic among tonics, it was extraordinarily expensive.
As expected of Geumryeong. He has an uncanny knack for recognizing expensive things!
“Are there many of these here?”
Geumryeong nodded.
Then that works out well. The cold we’ve experienced so far will feel like child’s play compared to what’s coming ahead.
I need to feed the Merchant Guild members.
And I’m thinking of feeding these people from the Mountain Stronghold as well. They’re our tenant farmers now, and they’ll work harder if their bodies are strong.
I spoke to Geumryeong.
“Could you dig up about three of the best roots?”
“Squeak?”
“I’m going to give them as a gift to my Master.”
“Squeak….”
“What, you’re saying you found them but don’t get a share? Your share is already in your mouth right now.”
“Squeak… squeak….”
“Ah, fine. I’ll give you a few more roots.”
I really am too soft-hearted. Still, Geumryeong could have eaten all of these, but the fact that he deliberately showed me where they were proves he’s a clever creature.
In my previous life, this place was completely devastated, so these wouldn’t have been discovered.
Since I never heard rumors in my previous life about Restoration Grace Flowers being found here, if I hadn’t come this time, who knows when they would have been discovered.
.
.
.
The next day.
The wanderers from the Mountain Stronghold packed their belongings and began moving according to the instructions of those dispatched from the Merchant Guild.
They were heading toward the farmland purchased by the Eunhae Trading Company.
Even though they were leaving this place for somewhere completely unfamiliar, their faces showed little worry.
It seemed to be a sign of their trust in me and the Eunhae Trading Company, and I felt a sense of satisfaction.
My Master had left the night before, saying he had matters to attend to.
So I gave him the Restoration Grace Flowers right away, and he was very pleased.
My Master and I can stay healthy without eating such things, but my Master’s wife and those who haven’t learned martial arts will benefit greatly from consuming these.
“Then, let’s go as well.”
Gyeong In-juk, who had decided to work for the Merchant Guild, and the other young men responded to my words.
“Understood.”
We headed toward the Merchant Guild.
I glanced back briefly. When I saw Gyeong In-juk and the young men, a smile naturally spread across my face.
I had gained excellent talent, and I had also eliminated one of the seeds that could allow the rebel bandit movement to grow—this was truly killing two birds with one stone.

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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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