The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 352

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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 352

Chapter 352. What Will Unfold (3)

At that very moment,
news that several buildings in Beijing had collapsed reached the Imperial Palace.
The most flustered were the officials of the Government Office.
“What? Why would a perfectly sound building collapse?”
“I, I’m not entirely sure either….”
“And two of them collapsed in succession? Damn it!”
The Gongbu Chief Inspector spoke while clutching his head.
“Bring the records at once! We need to figure this out before the Ushirang Minister arrives, or we’re finished!”
“Yes, sir!”
Soon they brought forth the records of those buildings. But no matter how thoroughly they examined them, they could find nothing amiss.
“Who was the inspector who certified these buildings?”
“The names are listed here, sir… but those seniors have since been promoted and now serve as provincial advisors.”
“Damn it! Well, these records are from ten years ago, so those seniors must have conducted the inspection.”
He had no choice but to slam his fist upon the table.
Those who had gone out for the completion inspection ten years ago would surely hold positions higher than his own by now.
“Sigh, then who are the current owners of these buildings?”
“That is… oh!”
At that moment, the official examining the owner’s name suddenly gasped.
“What is it?”
“The owner’s name is listed as Eun Seo-ho.”
“What? Who, who did you say?”
“Eun Seo-ho, the Small Guild Master of the Eunhae Trading Company.”
Just then, a Guard Official from the Imperial Palace’s Wei So entered and spoke to them.
“An audience request has been submitted.”
“From whom?”
“From Eun Seo-ho, the Small Guild Master of the Eunhae Trading Company.”
“….”
One official exchanged glances before asking the Chief Inspector.
“What should we do?”
“Bring him in. We ourselves failed to identify any problem—how could he possibly know about it?”

* * *

I entered the Government Office building.
Was this already the second time in this life?
I had come before to expedite the completion inspection for the Eunhae Trading Company Beijing Branch.
While waiting in the Guest Reception Room, an Imperial Official entered.
“Small Merchant Eun Seo-ho, I greet you, sir.”
“Yes, what brings you here today?”
“I believe you may have heard the news. Two buildings under my ownership collapsed today.”
“Is that so? That is indeed unfortunate.”
“Therefore, I wish to examine the documents concerning those buildings to determine whether there were any defects in their construction.”
“Please wait a moment.”
He called for another official to bring the documents regarding the two buildings, and shortly after, that official returned with a bundle of papers.
“Here they are.”
“Thank you.”
I examined the documents.
As expected… the papers indicated the buildings were perfectly normal.
But I already knew the truth—the documents were flawless only on paper, while the buildings harbored serious structural defects.
“This seems rather odd.”
“What, what do you mean?”
“According to this record, the building had twenty-one pillars.”
“Yes, is there a problem?”
“When I examined the debris of the collapsed building, I found only fifteen foundation stones.”
“…!”
He broke into a cold sweat and denied it.
“That, that cannot be. All buildings in Beijing are constructed according to the blueprints submitted to the Government Office.”
“Then come with me and verify it yourself.”
“I, I am busy at the moment… and these documents cannot be removed without authorization from a Government Office official.”
“Then I shall request another Government Office official to assist.”
“Everyone is occupied with pressing matters at present. I’m not certain if anyone can be spared for an inspection.”
Hmph, this bastard.
Seeing how he was trying to delay matters, I understood what was happening.
In truth, I could have concealed the discrepancy in the number of pillars, but I mentioned it deliberately.
To make him sweat.
I smiled coldly and withdrew a scroll from my sleeve, presenting it to him.
“Have you forgotten that I possess the Emperor’s royal seal?”
“….”
“In other words, my matters take absolute priority. So let us go.”
I knew he was idle because there were no recently constructed buildings and none to be built. Where did he get the excuse?
Thus, he was compelled to accompany me on the inspection.

His name was Son Myeong.
His title was Ju-sa.
During our carriage ride together, he continuously wiped sweat from his brow.
And the official Poong Samu whom he had brought along kept watching Son Ju-sa’s expression.
Soon we arrived before the collapsed mansion.
“This way, please.”
We descended from the carriage and made our way toward the collapsed mansion.
“Heavens! What a dreadful sight!”
Poong Samu’s words reflected the severity of the damage.
“Fortunately, I had left it vacant after purchasing it to undergo repairs, so there were no casualties.”
“W-well, that is fortunate indeed.”
Yes, I should consider myself fortunate.
Had there been loss of life, my responsibility would have been far greater.
“But how did you manage to clear away the roof?”
“My subordinates are quite capable.”
“I see.”
Then someone appeared seeking us out.
“Ah! There you are!”
It was Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster.
In truth, I had sent a letter to Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster this morning, expressing my desire to meet and discuss matters concerning Imperial Palace martial techniques.
And our appointment was set for this afternoon.
He had come here after learning from the Beijing Branch that I was at this location. Everything according to my plan.
“Ah! Great Swordmaster!”
I quickly bowed my head.
“My apologies! I should have sent word in advance to cancel today’s appointment… but circumstances prevented me from doing so.”
“Not at all.”
Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster waved his hand dismissively.
“I heard when I arrived. Two of your buildings suddenly collapsed, I’m told.”
“Yes, that is correct. Fortunately, there were no casualties, but…”
“A blessing amid misfortune, though the losses must be considerable. I’m at a loss for words of consolation.”
He wore an expression of sympathy, then glanced at the officials beside me and asked.
“Are these officials from the Government Office?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
At my response, the two officials quickly bowed respectfully to Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster.
“Son Myung Ju-sa of the Government Office. We are honored to meet you, Great Swordmaster.”
“Pung Do Sa-mu of the Government Office. We are honored to meet you, Great Swordmaster.”
“Jin-yeong of the Geumui Guard, at your service.”
I opened my mouth once their introductions had concluded.
“While attending to the collapsed buildings, I discovered certain irregularities that troubled me. Thus I sought the Government Office’s cooperation and brought these two officials here.”
I continued speaking.
“In truth, this residence is located near our Eunhae Trading Company’s Beijing Branch, and I purchased it to provide a home for my parents. It was fortunate that we had emptied it for repairs—had there been anyone inside when it collapsed… I cannot calm my heart thinking of what might have been.”
I continued.
“Therefore, I fear my judgment alone may be insufficient. So I must ask—are you perhaps occupied at the moment?”
“I have no pressing matters at present.”
“Then would you consent to examine this building’s structural issues alongside me?”
Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster readily agreed to my request.
“Of course I should help.”
Excellent!
With this, those officials from the Government Office could not overlook this matter.
Should we discover problems here, if those two attempted to evade responsibility or conceal the truth, matters would become troublesome.
But if they failed to report problems discovered in the presence of a Geumui Guard Great Hero, they would be arrested immediately for deceiving the Emperor—that much was certain.
Of course, even without such measures, with more buildings destined to collapse in the future, the Emperor would not remain idle.
Still, to expedite and simplify matters, I had sent a letter to Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster.
“Then let us begin.”
“Yes.”
They took up the documents and began inspecting whether the building had been constructed according to the blueprints.
“….”
Their already darkened expressions grew progressively darker.
Government Office officials are, in essence, specialists in their respective domains.
They realized the discrepancy I had mentioned regarding the number of foundation stones was merely the surface—the problems ran far deeper.
They attempted to avoid discussing it, but I would not permit such evasion.
I interjected from the side, probing deliberately.
“Curious—surely these pillars weren’t constructed from parasol wood, were they?”
“…Ahem, well, it appears they were.”
“Yet the documents state oak was used. And I’ve heard that parasol wood has soft grain, unsuitable for pillars….”
“Parasol wood is occasionally used for pillars.”
“In such cases, the foundation stones are raised higher, are they not? Yet these appear rather low. What do the documents specify?”
“….”
At my question, Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster glanced at the documents and replied.
“The documents indicate the foundation stones should be one chi in height. But this appears to be less than one chi.”
“That’s because it’s buried in the earth.”
“Then let us excavate it.”
At my words, Palgap, who stood ready with a spade, rushed over and began digging around the foundation stone.
“….”
The exposed foundation stone confirmed Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster’s observation.
“….”
“Record this.”
At the command, sharp as a blade, they trembled and hastily inscribed this fact into their report.
“These appear to be the timber components that formed the main beams, cross-beams, and bracket sets…”
Cross-beams and bracket sets are the most critical elements connecting pillars to the roof structure.
“Why is it so warped?”
Why indeed.
Because they used insufficiently dried timber.
Timber used for buildings and furniture cannot be used as freshly felled wood. Once the wood dries, it warps.
Therefore, timber must be thoroughly dried before use as material, but that process is not easy.
So they built the house with inadequately dried timber, and as that timber dried, it warped and defects emerged.
Over the course of about an hour’s inspection, we discovered more than twenty defects.
“It’s so absurd I can’t even muster anger.”
At my words, Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster clicked his tongue.
“There’s no way the Government Office officials didn’t notice this, yet they still approved completion….”
He spoke to the two officials.
“Hand over your investigation findings.”
“Yes?”
“I’ll deliver them directly to the Emperor myself.”
They trembled while attempting to make excuses.
“Ah, the documentation is still incomplete….”
“Must I draw my blade?”
“No, no, Your Excellency!”
He quickly produced the documents and spoke.
“Here, here they are.”
Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster took the documents and spoke to me.
“Allow me to offer my condolences once more. Though I’m uncertain if this will provide any comfort….”
“Not at all. I’m simply grateful that you came personally and helped with the investigation.”
I continued.
“If I may offer one more word of caution, we must ensure that those who built this structure don’t flee.”
“Ah! Of course. I’ll see to it.”
In my previous life, because the investigation started late, the Construction Merchant’s guild leader and his family who built the collapsed buildings fled in the dead of night.
It took over a decade to finally capture them, and they had lived well on the embezzled funds.
Those most deserving of severe punishment should not live comfortably.

* * *

The Emperor examined the report held in his hands.
“Hmm….”
It was a document that Jin-yeong of the Geumui Guard had reported to him directly.
The buildings that Eun Seo-ho had purchased this time had collapsed, and these were defects discovered while inspecting whether there were any issues with the structures.
“I am not well-versed in construction, but it is rather remarkable that these buildings withstood ten years despite such defects.”
Before him, the Minister of Works lay prostrate.
“Let me see it.”
The Eunuch Official handed the report to the Minister of Works, who read the document with trembling eyes before striking his head against the ground.
“I have failed to properly govern my subordinates! I deserve death. Please, execute me!”
But the Emperor paid no heed and spoke to the Eunuch Official instead.
“Summon the Wudo Censor.”
“Yes!”
Soon the Wudo Censor was brought forth and prostrated respectfully before him.
The Wudo Censor was one of the heads of the Inspection Bureau and held responsibility for overseeing the conduct of central officials.
“There is a matter that requires the Wudo Censor’s attention.”
“Please, issue your command.”
“Are you aware of the two buildings that collapsed in Beijing?”
“Yes, I am aware of it.”
“Serious defects have been discovered in those buildings. It is inconceivable that the officials of the Government Office would have overlooked this. You shall conduct a thorough investigation of this matter together with the Geumui Guard!”
“I shall accept your command.”
The Wudo Censor continued his words.
“I humbly beg your pardon, but is it possible that your order to conduct a thorough investigation is because the owner of those buildings is Eun Seo-ho, the Small Merchant Guild Leader?”
At that question, the Emperor let out a soft chuckle.
“Consider the loss of life that would have occurred if that fellow had not purchased those buildings beforehand and left them vacant.”
As the Wudo Censor contemplated that scenario, his mouth went dry.
“Therefore, should I not also demonstrate my sincerity?”
“I shall accept with utmost dedication.”

That night.
One more building collapsed.

The next day.

Three more buildings collapsed in succession.

* * *

Just as in my previous life, six buildings collapsed.
Buildings collapsing was inevitable.
There was no way to prevent poorly constructed houses from crumbling in the first place.
“Young Master, are you alright? I notice your left eyebrow has risen slightly… you seem upset.”
“Yes. I’m quite angry right now.”
Palgap would assume I was furious because six houses I’d purchased at great expense had collapsed, but the real reason for my anger was….
These thieving bastards! How dare they be so reckless with a property they don’t even own!
The structural defects were far more severe than I’d anticipated.
These scoundrels! I won’t let this slide!
I’ll squeeze every last coin out of them, even the money hidden in their undergarments!

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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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