The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 355

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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 355

Chapter 355. In Shandong (1)

As the weather turned crisp, autumn arrived in earnest.
It was perfect weather for an outing, but an outing was the last thing on my mind.
I was consumed with handling the endless stream of work that poured in daily.
“Still, it’s nice to see you smiling these days.”
At Seo Hyang’s words, I nodded in agreement.
“Well, of course! The residences I purchased may have collapsed, but I received substantial compensation and business is thriving.”
“That’s true enough.”
Thanks to Seo Hyang’s complete adaptation to her duties, all I needed to do was receive reports and approve them.
Just then, the office door opened and Palgap entered.
“Young Master, a letter has arrived.”
“A letter?”
“Yes. It’s from the Merchant Guild Leader.”
“From Father?”
I tilted my head curiously and took the letter to read it.
It contained words of comfort and encouragement, expressing relief that the matter regarding the residences I had purchased had been resolved well.
But that wasn’t the most important part.

[The Hundred Great Merchant Guild Meeting will be held in Shandong Province this time. Since matters here are pressing and Jung-ho cannot attend, I wish to go with you. Prepare yourself accordingly.]

Ah….
Now that I think about it, Sebin Merchant Guild dropped one rank in the standings announced last winter solstice.
And the position they lost was taken by Baek Yeom Merchant Guild from Shandong, which had originally been second.
Their main business was iron, and they handled most of the iron and iron goods distributed throughout the Central Plains.
There’s even a saying that without Baek Yeom Merchant Guild, it’s difficult to obtain even a single needle.
Of course, it’s an exaggeration, but they’re that formidable.
Baek Yeom literally means white flame.
To produce iron, one must kindle a fire at considerable temperatures, and only when white flames rise can high-quality iron be created, or so they say.
Thus, they named their guild Baek Yeom Merchant Guild to signify their pursuit of producing high-quality iron.
True to their name, they produced and distributed high-quality iron, constantly vying with Sebin Merchant Guild and the Greatest Merchant Guild Under Heaven for supremacy.
Witnessing this, I came to realize once more.
Indeed, the position of Greatest Merchant Guild Under Heaven is one that cannot be maintained if one grows complacent for even a moment.
In any case, the main headquarters of Baek Yeom Merchant Guild is in Shandong Province, so the Hundred Great Merchant Guild Meeting will be held there.
And… that means I must attend.
While others might pity me, I inwardly rejoiced.
I had business to attend to in Shandong anyway, and I was contemplating how to justify a trip there.
Yet such an opportunity presents itself!
I hadn’t overlooked this Hundred Great Merchant Guild Meeting.
Rather, since Eun Jung-ho needed to begin his formal steps as the next Merchant Guild Leader, I believed he should attend this gathering.
That’s why I hadn’t planned to go myself.
“What letter brings you such joy, my lord?”
At Palgap’s words, I folded the letter and replied.
“It’s from Father.”
And I glanced cautiously at Lady Seo Hyang.
Currently, to evade the Murim Alliance’s eyes and preserve my life, I’m in an unintended separation from my father, the Guizhou Provincial Governor.
Such circumstances meant careless words could trouble her heart.
Perhaps sensing my concern, she smiled and spoke.
“You needn’t worry about me.”
….
“Every time you gauge my feelings like that, it makes me more uncomfortable. I’m truly fine.”
I sighed and scratched the back of my neck.
“Forgive me. It seems I’ve made you uncomfortable, Lady Seo Hyang.”
“It’s alright.”
“I’ll be more mindful going forward.”
After apologizing to her, I spoke to Palgap.
“Prepare for our departure to Shandong. When my parents arrive, we’ll head there together.”
“Understood, my lord.”
“And summon Seo-woo Warrior and the Eun Branch Manager for me.”
Moments later.
Seo-woo Warrior and the Eun Branch Manager entered my office, and I informed them that we would likely need to depart for Shandong soon.
“So, Branch Manager.”
“Yes.”
“When Father arrives, he will certainly examine everything comprehensively. Please prepare thoroughly for that.”
“Understood. Thank you for informing me in advance.”
His expression showed genuine gratitude that I had given him advance notice of Father’s arrival.
“Then, I’ll have our Guard Warriors prepare as well.”
“Yes. I appreciate it.”

About five days after receiving the letter.
My parents arrived at the Beijing Branch.
Having received advance notice, I waited at the main gate and smiled as I saw the emblem inscribed on the flags carried by those approaching from afar.
“They’re arriving.”
“Yes. They’re arriving at precisely the expected time.”
The Eun Branch Manager of the Beijing Branch nodded.
An emblem depicting the moon and waves beneath it.
It was the emblem of the Eunhae Trading Company.
Soon the carriage came to a stop, and Father and Mother descended from it.
I approached and bowed in greeting.
“You must have had a long journey. I trust there were no troubles?”
“Yes, we’re both in good health. And the household is safe as well.”
“I’m relieved to hear that.”
Then the Eun Branch Manager bowed in greeting.
“I pay my respects to the Merchant Guild Leader and the Lady.”
“Ah! Branch Manager. You’ve worked hard. You must have gone through much effort to build such a magnificent branch.”
“The hard work was done by Small Guild Master Eun Seo-ho. I merely assisted.”
“That’s what matters.”
I smiled awkwardly.
With Father gilding my face like this, I felt somewhat embarrassed.
I changed the subject to hide my discomfort.
“Please, come inside. You must be tired. I’ll show you to your quarters.”
Father shook his head at my words.
“It’s fine. Before that, I’d like to see the newly built Beijing Branch. What about you?”
Mother answered Father’s question with an eager expression.
“I’d also like to see the Beijing Branch.”
“Then, I’ll show you around the branch.”
I guided my parents through the Beijing Branch.
“This is the tea house. It’s where commerce begins and ends.”
“Ah! It’s quite similar to the main headquarters.”
“Yes. The tea house at the main headquarters is the most efficient space.”
Since the Beijing Branch was quite spacious, it took more than half a double-hour just to show them around completely.
After touring the entire Beijing Branch, my parents were extremely satisfied.
Especially my Father, who directly managed the Merchant Guild, was moved beyond mere satisfaction.
“To establish such a grand branch in Beijing! And while I still hold the position of Merchant Guild Leader… I thought this was something I could never accomplish in my lifetime.”
“Come now, Father. If you’re so moved by this, what will you do later?”
“Hmm?”
“Our Merchant Guild will grow even larger, and this Beijing Branch will expand further still. So perhaps you should save your emotions for then.”
“You’re right, you’re right.”
Father nodded and approached Lady Zaling—or rather, Seo Hyang—who stood beside Seo-woo Warrior.
“Ah! Yes, Seo Hyang. How are you adjusting to the work?”
He greeted her as though they were old acquaintances.
This was something I had asked Father to do beforehand—to pretend he knew Seo Hyang when they met.
It was to perfectly deceive any eyes from the Murim Alliance.
Having already received my signal, Seo Hyang responded without hesitation, smiling softly as she spoke.
“I greet the Merchant Guild Leader. The Small Guild Master has taught me the work well, and though I am lacking, I am adapting satisfactorily.”
“That’s a relief!”
“She is quite a capable Deputy Officer, if I may say so.”
“For you to speak so highly of her! Gwak Pyo-du’s recommendation was well-founded indeed.”
I looked up at the sky.
The sun was gradually tilting toward the west.
“You must be hungry. Perhaps you should wash up and have a meal.”
“Ah, yes, that would be good.”
At that moment, the Eun Branch Manager stepped forward promptly.
“I shall guide you both to your quarters.”
“I appreciate it.”
My parents followed the Branch Manager. I watched their retreating figures.
From Father’s back alone, I could tell he was in quite a good mood.
Of course he was.
Establishing such a grand branch in Beijing meant the Merchant Guild’s status had risen considerably.
“They are truly wonderful people.”
“Pardon?”
When I questioned her, she smiled gently and spoke again.
“The Merchant Guild Leader and his Lady. I find them to be truly wonderful people.”
I nodded.
“I think so as well.”
Saying so, I gazed at Father’s retreating figure.
There is something I have yet to tell Father—the true scale of the Beijing residences I have acquired.
Currently, Father only knows that I purchased some residences, they were destroyed, and through various circumstances, I obtained compensation.
I have not told him the full extent because I worried that in his current joy, the shock might strain his heart.
.
.
.
From the next day onward, my parents moved with purpose and energy.
First, my father examined the documents from the Beijing Branch.
Regardless of trust in others, it was an ancestral principle of the Merchant Guild that the Merchant Guild Leader himself must personally review all documents.
After that, he visited the Yeonjun Trading Company to meet with my Aunt and her husband, and spent time meeting with other acquaintances in Beijing.
Four days passed in this manner, and at last the time came to depart for Shandong.
The journey from Beijing to Shandong takes approximately four days.
Thanks to the well-maintained official roads, the travel time is considerably shorter than the actual distance would suggest.
“Then, I entrust this to your care.”
“Yes. Please do not worry.”
Yeochang’s Vice-Lord tapped his chest with his hand as he spoke.
“Who am I? I am the Vice-Lord!”
“Yes, I know. Ah, and please look after Lady Seo Hyang as well.”
“You can trust me completely on that!”
This time, Lady Seo Hyang had decided to remain in Beijing.
Her body had not yet fully recovered, so she could not afford to overexert herself.
And there was the matter of the Hundred Great Merchant Guild Meeting.
If someone from the Baekcheon Trading Company showed interest in Lady Seo Hyang, it would be problematic.
Of course, showing a little interest wouldn’t expose anything, but one could never be too careful.
Given her considerable beauty, she posed a danger in other ways as well.
“Then, I shall take my leave.”
“Yes. Travel safely.”

And so we departed for Shandong Province.
Clatter, clatter.
The sound of the carriage wheels rolling reached my ears as I sat inside.
There were two carriages in our party.
My parents rode in the front carriage, while Palgap and I rode in the one behind.
I did not ride in the carriage with my parents because of the documents stacked inside this one.
I had deliberately loaded as many documents as possible into the carriage.
Honestly, what would I do sitting idly in a moving carriage? I might as well work.

The journey to Shandong was not particularly arduous.
The roads were well-maintained, and there were inns scattered throughout the route.
After four days of travel, I arrived in Jinan, the provincial capital of Shandong.
As expected of Shandong, the air feels refreshingly crisp.
Though in winter, this region becomes dry and bitterly cold.
We arrived at an inn in Jinan—one that Father’s Deputy Officer had reserved in advance.
The inn was called Cheongsan Inn.
The name seemed to be inspired by the verdant beauty of Mount Tai, and indeed, green furnishings and silks were visible throughout the establishment.
It was, of course, a spacious and luxurious inn of considerable quality.
“Welcome!”
“We are honored by your arrival.”
As we entered, the Inn Owner and Shop Attendant emerged to greet us.
Currently, our Eunhae Trading Company ranked thirty-fifth among the merchant guilds.
This level of courtesy was well-deserved for a guild of our standing.
“We are grateful for such a warm reception.”
“You must be weary from your long journey. Please, come inside.”
Of course, the substantial sums we spent at this inn also warranted such treatment.
Father instructed the Deputy Officer to notify the Baek Yeom Merchant Guild of our arrival.
Then we proceeded to our guest quarters.
“I shall inspect the quarters.”
At Seo-woo Warrior’s words, I nodded and pushed open the door, stepping inside.
Aside from Myeong-jong Warrior and Lee Pil Warrior, the other warriors entered the quarters and conducted a thorough search.
The Shop Attendant waited patiently, his expression suggesting he was accustomed to such procedures.
Running a merchant guild exposes one to extraordinary threats. Thus, we secure our safety beforehand as a precaution.
Though my strength and that of my guards should pose no real problem, one can never be too careful.
Besides, I had no desire to draw unnecessary attention to myself.
“The inspection is complete.”
“You may enter now.”
“Thank you for your diligence.”
I entered the quarters, and the Shop Attendant explained various matters to Palgap.
“Should you need anything, simply pull this cord and I shall come at once. May you have a comfortable stay.”
With that, the Shop Attendant departed, and I addressed my guards.
“I know you must be tired from our arrival, but I intend to step out for a brief time.”
“We shall accompany you.”

I left the inn after receiving Father’s permission.
The reason I ventured out on my first day here was the very purpose that brought me to Shandong in the first place.
There was someone I needed to acquire in this place.
After returning to the past, I had compiled a list of the talented individuals I would need to obtain.
Of course, unexpected talents occasionally surfaced along the way, which was delightful.
Regardless, the talent I sought was already on my list.
And he was right now… huh?

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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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