The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 360

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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 360

Chapter 360. The Baek Yeom Merchant Guild (1)

I continued my explanation.
“The numbers simply don’t work in your favor. As I said, I’m a merchant.”
“….”
“No matter how I calculate it, employing you is far more profitable. Does that clarify things?”
“Yes.”
“Then, will you accept my proposal?”
At my words, he knelt respectfully on one knee.
“I understand. I’ll place my trust in you.”
He lifted his head to meet my gaze.
“To be honest, I couldn’t trust Eun Small Merchant Leader at first. Given my circumstances, you understand?”
“I do.”
“There have been times when those I trusted betrayed me.”
Likely incidents involving denunciation or the like.
“But I have an old friend. To be frank, we’re not particularly close. However, he’s the meddlesome type who can’t simply ignore my plight.”
He continued.
“That fellow told me I could trust Eun Small Merchant Leader. And if you offered me employment, I should accept without hesitation. He said I’d earn far more money and be safer than working as a sailor.”
After exhaling, he went on.
“Only then could I survive to the end and return to my family back home.”
“….”
“I’ve never told anyone of my circumstances. Yet that fellow perceived it.”
He continued.
“I also believe that fellow is too valuable to remain a sailor. I humbly request that you employ him as well.”
By his account, this was quite a capable talent.
Someone perceptive and attentive to those around them would be invaluable.
And the fact that someone so reluctant to trust others would recommend him spoke volumes about his reliability.
Besides, I’d already decided to entrust the crew selection for the merchant vessel to him from the start.
I helped him to his feet and spoke.
“Do as you see fit.”
“Pardon?”
“I understand that operating a vessel requires harmony among its crew. Therefore, I intended to entrust the crew selection for the merchant ship to you.”
In the distance, Lee Pil Warrior and Yeo Eung-am Warrior approached carrying bundles.
They arrived faster than expected.
“Then, one final hurdle remains.”
“What might that be?”
“It’s about meeting my father, the Merchant Guild Leader of the Eunhae Trading Company. So I believe you should wash up and change into fresh clothes to show proper respect.”
I led him to a nearby inn.
It was a place with private bathing chambers where individuals could wash.
There, I had him bathe thoroughly with fragrant soap and dress in the new clothes I’d purchased for him.
“Well, now you look presentable.”
I nodded in approval.
Whether it was the power of fine clothing or his naturally noble bearing, I couldn’t quite say.
“I’m not sure I deserve to wear such fine garments.”
“This is also an investment, so don’t worry. By the way, have you never worn silk before?”
“No, that’s not it. Before… before my family fell into ruin, I wore silk every day.”
“Then why hesitate? Hold your head high and straighten your shoulders.”
I spoke to him with firm conviction.
“The matter isn’t settled yet. My father is a good man, but he is still a merchant. So approach this with the same mindset as a warrior heading into battle.”
“I will remember that.”
His eyes hardened with resolve. Good.
“And one piece of advice—don’t lie to my father.”
“Sir?”
“Simply speak the truth about everything.”
He pondered for a moment, looking at me, then nodded.
“I understand.”
“Then let’s go.”
I led him toward the Chungsan Inn.
“Welcome.”
The burly Gate Keeper at the entrance bowed respectfully. Yong Eung-wan flinched at the sight.
“These are the ones who drove me away so roughly before…”
“This is the power of money.”
“Ah…”
My father happened to be taking tea on the first floor, and we approached him.
“Father. This is the person I mentioned to you.”
“Hmm…”
Father looked up and met Yong Eung-wan’s eyes, then rose from his seat.
“Let’s go upstairs.”
“Yes.”
We climbed to the upper floor and headed toward Father’s guest chamber.
But suddenly Father turned around and spoke.
“Ah, Seo-ho. I need you to run an errand for me.”
“Sir?”
Father withdrew a letter from his pocket and handed it to me.
“It’s a thank-you letter for the invitation.”
When the Greatest Under Heaven Trading Company extends an invitation, it is customary to send a letter of gratitude in return.
But usually, wouldn’t you send a Deputy Officer for something like that?
“I’ll relay the message to Yu Vice-Manager.”
“Yu Vice-Manager is busy right now, so you go directly.”
“Pardon?”
“What are you doing? Why aren’t you moving?”
Ah, no, Father….
He seems intent on cutting off any possibility of me eavesdropping.
There’s no helping it. Then I’ll have to ask Jin Yu Warrior to….
“Oh, and tonight you’re dining with your mother. So bring her along on your way back.”
“Understood.”
“For that, it would be good to have plenty of guards. Bring all six of your guards with you.”
“….”
I exhaled a silent sigh and replied.
“Then I’ll be on my way.”
I scratched the back of my neck as I left the inn.
Father got me good. This clearly means he intends to speak with Yong Eung-wan alone.
And he’s telling me not to eavesdrop.
Sigh.
“Hahaha! As expected of the Merchant Guild Leader!”
Palgap wore an amused expression beside me.
“Whose side are you on, anyway?”
“Of course I’m on your side, young master.”
“Then why do you find my plans falling apart so amusing?”
“Falling apart? What do you mean?”
“I thought perhaps Father might not approve of Yong Eung-wan the Sailor, so I was planning to help from the sidelines.”
“Ah, that won’t happen. The Merchant Guild Leader trusts you so much.”
And Yeo Eung-am Warrior added with a laugh.
“If you ask me, that’s just the old-fashioned worry of a father concerned for his son. Hahaha.”
At those words, Chang-un Warrior spoke up.
“How would you know that, Yeo Warrior? Only a father understands a father’s heart.”
“Why wouldn’t I know? I’m a father myself.”
“….”
Well, only a father understands another father’s heart.
So that saying about shared suffering… wait, did I just hear something strange?
Yeo Warrior just said it. That he’s a father.
So, that means….
I turned my head with a creaking motion, barely managing it.
“Pardon? Ah, a father? But more than that, Yeo Warrior… are you married?”
Whether fortunate or not, I wasn’t the only one shocked.
At my question, Yeo Warrior nodded.
“Yes. We’ve been married for ten years now. Our twin sons are nine, and our twin daughters are seven.”
“….”
“The twin daughters are such blessings! Haha! Not long after they were born, I became your lordship’s Guard Warrior.”
Palgap, the first to recover from the shock, asked a question.
“Wait, then why didn’t you mention this sooner? I thought Yeo Warrior was still unmarried.”
Everyone nodded at Palgap’s question. Yeo Warrior scratched the back of his neck and replied.
“There was no particular reason to mention it… and you never asked?”
“….”
The roster documenting the personal information of the Eun Pung-dae Warriors did not include marital status or family relations.
This was because there was always a possibility the roster could be leaked for nefarious purposes.
However, if I had truly wanted to investigate, it wouldn’t have been difficult to uncover.
Moreover, judging by their reactions just now, I could have easily learned the truth if I’d simply asked.
Which meant I was the one at fault, wasn’t I?
Sigh….
I apologized with a remorseful expression.
“I was wrong. I should have asked beforehand….”
“Not at all.”
Yeo Eung-am Warrior shook his head as if it were nothing.
“I’m already grateful that you raised my monthly wages. Thanks to that, I was able to secure a new home.”
No, if you say it like that, then I… I….
Ugh.
“I’ll be more attentive going forward.”
I looked at my Guard Warriors and asked.
“Is there anyone else among you who is married or has children?”
At that moment, Seo-woo Warrior raised his hand.
“Speak.”
“It’s not particularly important, but my wife is with child, or so I’ve heard.”
“What?”
So that meant… Lady Hong Geum-so is pregnant?
No, that’s incredibly important news, isn’t it?
But why didn’t I know about this?
“The birth should be around this coming winter, I believe.”
So she must have conceived around February or March this year, and I was in Lanzhou when she discovered it.
“A letter must have arrived.”
“Yes. When I returned, a letter announcing the pregnancy had already arrived.”
“Congratulations.”
At my words, the others also offered their congratulations to Seo-woo Warrior.
“Thank you all for your kind wishes.”
I suddenly realized just how inattentive a master I had been.
Well, I should try to remain in Hubei Province through this winter.
“First, let’s head to the Baek Yeom Merchant Guild.”
“Yes.”
I wonder if Yong Eung-wan will do well.
As long as he remembers my advice, it should be fine, but….

* * *

At that very moment.
In the guest chamber of Eun Gil-sang, the Merchant Guild Leader of the Eunhae Trading Company, there were only three people: Eun Gil-sang, his Guard Warrior, and Yong Eung-wan.
Just these three.
In truth, Eun Gil-sang had wanted to speak with Yong Eung-wan alone, but his Guard Warrior refused to relent on the matter, leaving him no choice.
The reason he wished for a private audience with Yong Eung-wan was, frankly, because he was concerned about Eun Seo-ho.
Until now, Eun Seo-ho’s judgment of character had been excellent.
But maritime trade through seafaring is arduous work. If Eun Seo-ho were to become disillusioned due to poor judgment….
That’s why he wanted to confirm it with his own eyes.
‘Besides, this could be a force seeking to undermine our Merchant Guild….’
Of late, various factions seeking to check the Eunhae Trading Company had been watching for their opportunity.
“What is your name?”
“I am Yong Eung-wan.”
“…You are not an Imperial citizen.”
At that question, Yong Eung-wan flinched, but soon nodded obediently.
“That is correct.”
He recalled Eun Seo-ho’s advice. The counsel not to lie to his father.
And to trust himself and speak honestly.
“Where are you from?”
“I am from the Dae-Wol Kingdom.”
“The Dae-Wol Kingdom… I see. But how did a person from the Dae-Wol Kingdom come all the way to the Empire?”
“That is because I was a slave, and by chance, I was able to escape.”
“….”
Eun Gil-sang fell silent for a moment before speaking.
“A slave, you say?”
“Yes.”
He recounted his entire story truthfully.
“…And then, while I was waiting for the next voyage, the Small Merchant Guild Leader came to find me. He said he would provide the ransom for my family’s freedom and asked me to help him.”
“So you decided to do as Seo-ho instructed?”
“At first, I did not believe him. I had been betrayed many times before. But… that person turned out to be the one called Seon Hyeop Mi-rang.”
At that answer, Eun Gil-sang asked.
“So, you came to trust him?”
“That is not the case.”
“Then?”
“I asked him: if you know who I am, why haven’t you reported me? And he asked me in return—how much would he receive for doing so.”
Yong Eung-wan chuckled softly.
“He said he’d be given fifty silver taels, but complained it wasn’t enough. Then he said it would actually be a loss to travel downriver just to report me.”
“So that’s why you decided to trust him?”
“Yes.”
“Doesn’t it anger you that he speaks of profit while knowing your circumstances?”
“He persuaded me using the most effective method.”
“….”
“If he had said something like he wouldn’t report me out of pity, I wouldn’t have believed him. Shallow sympathy and sentiment are far less convincing than cold, practical gain, aren’t they?”
Eun Gil-sang felt he was beginning to understand the man called Yong Eung-wan.
He was far more pragmatic than expected.
Likely, the years had shaped him that way.
“If someone were to offer you more money and propose working together, what would you do?”
“How could I answer that now? I cannot give you a definitive response.”
“Still, wouldn’t propriety demand you refuse?”
“Is this meeting arranged to observe my sense of propriety?”
At that answer, Eun Gil-sang suddenly had a thought.
‘He shares something with Seo-ho.’
Everyone Eun Seo-ho had brought thus far bore some resemblance to him.
‘Does he only bring such people? Or do they become like him?’
The answer remained unknowable.
In any case, it was fortunate the man wasn’t deceitful.
“I see.”
He nodded slowly.
‘If Seo-ho recommended him with confidence, his abilities must be certain.’
Eun Seo-ho did not know this, but in fact, the records passed down through generations of Merchant Guild Leaders contained a single instruction from the First Trading Company Master: pose one specific question to any candidate for trade management.

[When asked what they would purchase and bring back if given ten thousand catties of tea to sell, the answer of one truly suited for trade would be….]

Eun Gil-sang posed the question to Yong Eung-wan.
“If I were to give you ten thousand catties of tea to sell, what would you bring back with the proceeds?”
“Your question is flawed.”
“What?”
“You didn’t specify what type of tea you’re giving me, nor did you mention where I’m to sell it.”

[He will say the question itself is flawed.]

Eun Gil-sang nodded in acknowledgment.
‘As expected of Seo-ho. He truly knows how to pick the right people.’
But Yong Eung-wan’s response was far from over.

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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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