The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 351

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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 351

Chapter 351. What Will Come to Pass (2)

“Anyway.”
At the Emperor’s continued words, I quickly swept away my wandering thoughts.
Daydreaming in front of the Emperor? Focus, focus!
Who knows when he might devour me.
“This famine has proven quite prolonged.”
“Yet thanks to Your Majesty’s benevolence, many are enduring the famine well.”
“That’s enough flattery!”
“….”
“Truthfully, had you not given me advance warning through Scholar Hwang Bon-ji, how could I have prepared beforehand? Even if it was merely your prophetic dream.”
Being acknowledged for my contributions like this feels somewhat embarrassing.
By the way, Scholar Hwang Bon-ji is the Left Censorate now.
The Left and Right Censorate are third-rank officials who serve as advisors to the Censorate. And the Censorate oversees all inspections.
He was at the Ministry of Household Affairs before… It seems he received a promotion.
The Emperor sighed.
“But the famine has not yet ended, and I worry about what lies ahead.”
“Your Majesty possesses the capability to resolve this calamity.”
“Tsk tsk, I told you to keep the flattery to that level.”
“It is not flattery, Your Majesty.”
“Enough. Anyway, as matters have unfolded thus, I recalled what you said to me through Scholar Hwang Bon-ji before—about acquiring from outside what we lack within.”
It was as I had anticipated.
“You speak of trade with other nations, Your Majesty?”
The Emperor nodded.
“Indeed. To receive grain, we must sell them what they desire. What do you believe we should sell?”
I pretended to ponder for a moment.
I had already thought through everything, but still, I needed to appear to deliberate….
“You’ve already thought it all through, yet you labor at it. How diligent.”
“….”
“Ahem.”
Embarrassed at having my true thoughts exposed, I cleared my throat awkwardly.
“There are several possibilities, but I believe the three most crucial trade goods are these.”
“Three, you say… Tell me.”
“First, ceramics.”
“Porcelain, you mean?”
“Yes.”
I nodded in agreement.
“And tea and alcohol are also excellent trade goods.”
Porcelain, tea, and alcohol.
The surrounding nations had gone absolutely mad for these items.
That’s how the Baekcheon Trading Company had reaped such enormous profits.
Thinking back to those days suddenly stirred my anger, but I was standing before the Emperor.
I had to restrain myself.
After discussing foreign trade with the Emperor, I returned to the Beijing Branch.

Two days passed in this manner.
“Small Guild Master, is this the correct way to handle it?”
The voice of Seo Hyang came from beside me as I worked in my office.
When I turned to look, it was Seo Hyang—not Ja-ryeong—who held out a document and asked the question.
Ever since she had formally signed an employment contract with me, she came in every day like this to assist with my work.
Thanks to her competence, I was able to handle my duties far more smoothly.
“Yes, that’s the correct way. By the way, do you have any free time this evening?”
“What is this about?”
“Now that you’ve become part of the Eunhae Trading Company, I thought we should hold an introduction gathering.”
That way, the people at the Beijing Branch would know of her existence and wouldn’t make mistakes with her.
Moreover, if she was to work as my deputy going forward, she would need to demonstrate her presence to those with whom she’d be cooperating.
That evening.
I headed to a nearby tavern where I had made a reservation.
“Is this your first time at a tavern?”
At my question, she shook her head.
“No. I’ve been here a few times before with my elder brothers. They would save up their allowances and treat us to delicious food.”
A tavern was not merely a place to drink. As a gathering place for entertainment and leisure, fine delicacies were essential.
Alcohol was merely an accompaniment.
Moreover, as the alcohol prohibition grew longer, taverns increasingly emphasized their cuisine in their promotions.
They competed to bring in renowned head chefs.
While taverns could still attract customers through their cooking, the gisaeng houses must be suffering terribly.
As we climbed to the third floor, the people from the Beijing Branch who had arrived early stood to greet us.
“Small Guild Master, you’ve arrived?”
“Yes. I apologize for being late.”
“Not at all. We’re still before the appointed time. We came early because if we arrived late, those rascals would eat all the food. Hahahaha.”
At the Branch Manager’s words, I smiled and replied.
“For tonight, I’ve made sure to prepare food in abundance so that won’t happen.”
“Oh! Then we’re in luck.”
I addressed those gathered there.
“This gathering is to introduce my newly appointed deputy.”
All eyes turned toward Seo Hyang and me.
“Her name is Gwak Seo-hyang. She serves under my Master, Pyo Du of Changin Escort Agency—those of you familiar with him will understand.”
Everyone nodded in acknowledgment at my words.
“Do you mean Pyo Du of Changin Escort Agency?”
“I heard she’s a descendant of the legendary Geuk Cheon Sword Gwak Hoon.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
I nodded in confirmation.
“She’s a relative of his, and since she’s quite capable, I’ve brought her on as my Deputy Officer.”
She bowed respectfully.
“I look forward to working with you all.”
Watching the men stare blankly at Seo Hyang, I let out a sigh.
Well, they certainly have eyes.
“Just to be clear, Deputy Officer Gwak is my person. Should anyone treat her disrespectfully or harass her in any way, you’ll discover firsthand just how terrifying I can be.”
“….”
A sudden silence fell over the room, and they all lowered their gazes.
Wait… what kind of reaction is this?
I’m not that frightening of a person.
Clap clap!
I clapped my hands twice and spoke.
“Well then, let’s enjoy this meal!”
It turned out to be quite a pleasant and harmonious introduction banquet.
.
.
.
Several days passed after that.
During that time, I continued purchasing the houses surrounding the first properties I’d bought.
In total, I’d acquired ten houses.
Six of them were destined to collapse.
These six houses would collapse at four-day intervals, but they all shared one thing in common—they were built by the same construction company during the same period.
This was a consequence of the great fire that had swept through this region a decade ago.
The fire had destroyed all the surrounding buildings, forcing the need to construct multiple houses at once.
Corruption had occurred during that reconstruction.
Had the construction followed the original plans faithfully, these buildings would have easily stood for centuries.
Fortunately, since these buildings happened to be clustered near the Beijing Branch of the Eunhae Trading Company, no one would find my purchase of them suspicious.
Click.
At that moment, my door opened and Palgap entered.
“Aren’t you going to work today?”
“Ah… I have some personal matters to attend to today. That’s why only Seo Hyang is at my office.”
At my words, Palgap grinned and spoke.
“Did you know about this?”
“Know about what?”
“There’s a rumor spreading among the Beijing Branch staff that Lady Seo Hyang and you are lovers, Young Master.”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“Didn’t you say at the introduction banquet last time that Lady Seo Hyang was your person?”
“I did.”
“It seems they interpreted it differently.”
“….”
I let out a sigh.
I’d meant it as a request to look after Lady Seo Hyang….
It would be rather amusing to correct them now and say, “That’s not what I meant—I meant she belongs to me,” so to speak.
Well, it’s best to leave it as is.
False rumors eventually fade away on their own.
And if it keeps Lady Seo Hyang safe in the process, all the better.
“But Young Master, why are you buying up so many residences in this area? Don’t you realize the merchants of Beijing are on edge about it?”
“Ah… that rumor?”
Because I’d purchased so many residences in this region, rumors were circulating that the Eunhae Trading Company was relocating its headquarters to Beijing.
The scale of properties I’d acquired was truly enormous.
Moreover, their locations were all near the Beijing Branch.
That’s why my uncle, the leader of the Yeonjun Trading Company, had visited me in person yesterday to ask if the rumor was true.
I flatly denied it.
The Eunhae Trading Company’s headquarters is in Songyang County, Hubei Province.
We started there and grew thanks to the people of Hubei Province—why would we abandon that place and go elsewhere?
“You’re certain?”
“Yes. It’s not true.”
Palgap scratched his head.
“I thought I was beginning to understand your intentions, Young Master, but it seems I still have much to learn. I truly cannot fathom what goes on in your mind.”
I could only offer a bitter smile.
Though I trusted Palgap deeply, I couldn’t tell him about this.
If I told him the houses would collapse and that I intended to profit from it, he’d immediately summon a Physician to examine me.
More than half of the buildings I’d purchased would collapse—it was something I’d experienced in my previous future.
Perhaps Ja-ryeong… no, Lady Seo Hyang might know, though.
I chuckled softly and deflected.
“It’s simply an investment for the future. As our Eunhae Trading Company grows, the land values around the Beijing Branch will skyrocket.”
“That makes sense. There are those who anticipate the expansion of the Beijing Branch.”
“Exactly. That’s why I bought them in advance. And I thought it would be nice to have comfortable residences available when my family visits Beijing.”
Whether convinced by my hastily concocted excuse or not, Palgap nodded readily.

Two days passed in this manner.
I finished my morning meal, counted off the dates, and rose from my seat.
According to my previous life, the building would collapse today.
Fortunately, I had thoroughly ensured no one remained inside the structure, even going so far as to nail the doors shut.
I also secured the cooperation of the Eun Pung-dae at the Beijing Branch to patrol those buildings.
Perhaps due to the previous incident stemming from negligence in their duties, the Eun Feng Guard Members conducted their patrols with fierce determination.
Of course, there remained the possibility that someone might scale the walls and enter. But how could I concern myself with every contingency?
I hoped such a thing wouldn’t occur, but if someone entered despite all these precautions and perished or suffered injury, that would be nothing but the consequence of their own actions.

I handled my usual duties and took lunch in the dining hall.
Ordinarily, when I had no prior engagements, I dined at the dining hall within the Beijing Branch. It was inexpensive, convenient, and quick.
Today’s lunch consisted of simple noodles and dumplings.
“Does the food suit your palate?”
At my question, Seo Hyang nodded.
“Yes. The seasoning is rather strong, but the flavors are quite complex and delightful.”
As I ate, something registered in my perception.
It felt as though the earth trembled from some tremendous impact. The other warriors flinched as well, sensing it.
“My lord!”
“Yes.”
I rose from my seat and hurried toward my office.
Someone would surely come to report this situation to me there.
As I anticipated, a warrior from the Eun Pung-dae came rushing in breathlessly.
“Small Guild Master!”
“What is the matter?”
“A building… The residence you recently acquired has collapsed, Small Guild Master.”
Then another warrior came running from behind.
“Small Guild Master! Another building has collapsed!”
“….”
I pressed my fingers to the bridge of my nose.
So that’s why those buildings collapsed in succession… The impact I felt earlier explained it.
One building had collapsed, and the shock from that collapse brought down another nearby structure.
And that impact, in turn, affected yet another building….
It was a chain reaction of sorts.
“Are the nearby residences unharmed, by any chance?”
At my question, they nodded.
“Yes.”
“The other residences are intact.”
The fact that the neighboring homes remained unscathed while that grand residence crumbled was itself suspicious.
I spoke to my guards.
“Prepare for an outing.”
“Yes.”
We immediately headed toward the location where the building had collapsed.
Since I was nominally the owner, it was only natural that I inspect the fallen structure.
The first building to collapse was the second residence I had purchased. Its pillars lay in ruins, and the roof had caved in completely.
From the impact, half of the surrounding buildings had also collapsed. Even the stone walls had toppled.
The first building I had acquired, located beside it, was in no better condition.
“Are you… all right, sir?”
The Eun Branch Manager, who had followed me to inspect the collapsed buildings, asked carefully.
“Sigh… No, I am not.”
Seeing the destruction before me, anger surged within my chest.
This was not anger over my own losses, but rather fury toward those who had cut corners on building materials for illicit profit, and toward the government officials who had accepted bribes and turned a blind eye to it all.
At the same time, the horrific scene I had witnessed back then came flooding back.

In my previous life, I had been managing the Pomok Shop at that time, and had just arrived in Beijing to deliver silk to the Eunhae Trading Company branch there.
After finishing the transfer of silk to the Beijing Branch, as I was about to have a late lunch, a terrifying crash echoed out and the ground shook violently.
Startled, we rushed into the street and realized that the large roof that had been directly ahead of us had vanished before our eyes.
From that place came cries and screams.
“Ahhhhh! Father!”
“Master!”
“Ugh, it hurts! It hurts!”
“Please save me! Please… someone help me!”
People lay buried in the rubble, covered in blood.
And we rushed forward to rescue them.
But mere moments later, the adjacent building collapsed as well.
Only those who have felt such despair can truly understand that filthy sensation.
I shook my head to clear away the intrusive thoughts and spoke.
“To the Imperial Palace and the Public Works Department.”

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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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