The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 37

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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 37

Chapter 37. The Outcome of the Outing (2)

After dinner and a brief rest, I made my way to the Silver Dragon Hall where Father was waiting.
The Guard Warrior announced my arrival, and moments later, I stepped inside.
“You’ve come. Please, sit.”
I settled myself before a small table in one corner of the office. Father personally brewed the tea and placed it before me.
“I shall enjoy it gratefully.”
As I sipped the tea Father had prepared, I smiled inwardly.
It was a familiar blend.
This tea, with its luscious fruity notes and delicate floral sweetness that lingered on the palate, was….
“What do you think of it?”
“It’s truly an excellent tea.”
“Tieguanyin from Anxi County in Fujian Province.”
Even after seven infusions, Tieguanyin retains its flavor and fragrance unchanged—the spring harvest is considered the finest.
However, the autumn harvest also possesses a remarkable aroma, earning it the name “autumn-fragrant tea.”
In other words, it is both a precious and premium variety.
Only tea cultivated in Anxi County is recognized as authentic Tieguanyin, which means its supply is severely limited.
Consequently, it is extraordinarily difficult to procure.
“Currently, Yeon Gak-ju is working tirelessly to establish direct supply of this tea.”
While tea is one of our trading company’s primary commodities, we obtain Anxi Tieguanyin through middlemen.
As a result, we cannot retain substantial profits, and we are helpless against the middlemen’s exploitation.
Thus, Yeon Gak-ju has been striving to secure direct supply, though our direct procurement only began when I became a special apprentice of the Sefung Division.
I must resolve this matter swiftly as well.
There is no satisfaction in suffering losses that could have been avoided.
I set down my teacup and spoke.
“Good news should arrive soon.”
“I truly hope so.”
With that smile, Father set down his own cup and asked me a question.
“What are your plans for this special leave?”
“Ah, that day….”
I had been thinking I would spend the entire day lounging in my chamber and sleeping.
But I felt somewhat guilty answering in such a manner.
Father and my eldest brother, who had just formally become the Small Merchant Guild Leader, had no special leave.
“I was thinking of dedicating some time to personal studies I’ve been neglecting.”
“I see.”
Father nodded in acknowledgment, and after a moment, he asked again.
“Then, might I impose upon you with a personal request?”
“Father, I am listening intently.”
“During this special leave, I would appreciate it if you took Yu Chief Manager out for an outing.”
“…Pardon?”
I struggled to discern the true meaning behind Father’s words, yet I could not fathom his intent.
His request was so utterly unexpected.
“I, well, that is to say—are you referring to an outing in the sense that I understand it?”
“Going out to eat, drink, and enjoy oneself—is there any other meaning to an outing?”
Father continued.
“In truth, Yu Chief Manager intended to forfeit his special leave this time. But I insisted, and he had no choice but to include his vacation in the approval documents.”
Only then did I understand the full circumstances behind why Yu Chief Manager had been sighing heavily with a dejected expression as he revised the approval papers earlier today.
“However, Yu Chief Manager is the sort who works even at home.”
At those words, I nodded in agreement.
Yu Chief Manager was indeed a man so devoted to work that it had become second nature.
As though he would perish if he ceased laboring.
“As it happens, Yu Chief Manager’s leave and your leave fall on the same dates. That is why I ask this of you—so that you might help ensure Yu Chief Manager rests thoroughly, while also….”
“You wish me to keep watch over him, Father.”
At my words, Father nodded.
Suddenly, a memory surfaced—a vision from my past life.
The image of Father weeping bitterly at Yu Chief Manager’s funeral, mourning the loss of a man consumed by overwork.
“I understand, Father. I shall honor your wishes.”
“Thank you.”
If sacrificing a portion of my own rest could spare Father such sorrow, that would be more than sufficient.
Yu Chief Manager’s death must come only from old age.

* * *

Clatter, clatter,
The sound of the carriage wheels echoed in a steady rhythm.
The carriage carrying me and Yu Chief Manager was heading toward a valley about half an hour’s journey from the Eunhae Trading Company, a place prepared for our outing.
The main purpose of this outing was to drink tea and dine at the pavilion there.
Yet Yu Chief Manager’s face had been gloomy ever since we departed.
Because of this, Yu Chief Manager’s Attendant sitting beside him was visibly restless.
Ah, I really felt sorry for them.
At this rate, I’d end up with a headache whether we enjoyed the outing or not.
“Yu Chief Manager.”
“What is it, Young Master?”
“Do you need to relieve yourself?”
“…Pardon?”
Yu Chief Manager looked flustered at my words.
“You’ve had that expression all this time—like a puppy desperate to relieve itself.”
“Ahem, ahem.”
“Or perhaps Father’s order for you to accompany me on this outing displeases you?”
“….”
“Is it the displeasure of accompanying me, or the displeasure of the outing itself?”
At my question, the atmosphere inside the carriage grew rapidly frigid.
Yu Chief Manager’s Attendant looked as though he could barely breathe.
Now that I thought about it, the Attendant had always been rather timid by nature.
But there was a reason for my directness.
It was to ensure Yu Chief Manager could genuinely enjoy this outing.
If this continued, nothing would be accomplished.
It would be better to return to the Jae-gyeong Pavilion and work instead.
At my blunt question, Yu Chief Manager let out a sigh.
“How could I possibly dislike accompanying you, Young Master?”
“Then it means you dislike the outing itself.”
“Yes, that is correct.”
Yu Chief Manager nodded and launched into an earnest explanation.
“There are so many documents piling up—how can we go on an outing at a time like this!”
“Then who is handling those matters right now?”
“The Deputy Chief Manager must be taking care of them.”
“Then there is no problem, is there?”
“But there are many things only I can handle directly.”
“Father would manage those. Considering that, I believe Father deliberately sent you on this outing despite your concerns, did he not?”
“….”
“Since we’ve already set out, I hope you would stop furrowing your brow so deeply and making your attendant uncomfortable.”
“Ah….”
Only then did Yu Chief Manager turn to look at his Attendant, and seeing the pallid expression on the man’s face, he scratched behind his ear awkwardly.
“I apologize.”
“Oh, it’s fine. Haha.”
Yu Chief Manager seemed to have had a change of heart to some degree, but I was determined to drive the point home once more.
“Honestly, Yu Chief Manager, your frowning won’t change the situation, will it?”
“….”
“Your behavior really does make me uncomfortable too.”
At my words, Yu Chief Manager’s expression shifted as if he’d realized something. Then he bowed to me.
Huh? Why the sudden change?
Yu Chief Manager spoke with genuine sincerity.
“I apologize. I hadn’t realized that my conduct was making so many people uncomfortable.”
What?
“I’ll be more mindful going forward.”
“Yes. I look forward to working with you in the future.”
Though I was somewhat taken aback by the sudden shift, I smoothly moved past it.
Now that I thought about it, Yu Chief Manager had rather poor social skills.
Still, he was so capable, enjoyed my Father’s deep trust, and the other Gak-jus were considerate enough that he’d managed without major issues.
But judging from Yu Chief Manager’s recent words, I was beginning to understand something.
He simply hadn’t learned how to get along with people.
Wasn’t this what they called a capable fool….
Teaching him social skills seemed more urgent than preventing his death from overwork….
That way, I could prevent unnecessary conflicts and improve my own working environment.
First, though, I needed to do something about that rigid expression of his.
“Then, try copying me.”
“Pardon?”
“Come on.”
“Ah, yes.”
“Smooth out the wrinkles between your brows, and haha.”
“Haha?”
“Yes. That’s how you should smile.”
Had this man never truly laughed before? It was quite awkward.
Still, one can’t expect perfection on the first try. With time, he’ll improve.
.
.
.
A short while later,
we arrived at our destination.
“Wow! This is an amazing place!”
Palgap cried out in excitement.
Thanks to the rain that had fallen not long ago, water flowed through the valley, and the mountain was dressed in tender green.
Pink and yellow flowers blooming here and there added to the scenic beauty.
Yu Chief Manager’s Attendant spread out the seating, and Palgap laid out the food.
Meanwhile, the Eunpungdae Second Squad warriors, led by Gu Ji-sung, kept watch over the surroundings.
“You must be hungry after coming all this way. Please, eat.”
“Let’s eat.”
In that moment, I extended my hand to briefly stop Yu Chief Manager from eating.
“…?”
He looked at me as if asking why, and I spoke to him.
“Everyone here is hungry right now. That’s what it means to be human.”
“You speak obvious truths.”
“Those warriors are human too. They must be hungry as well.”
“They’re not children. They’ll eat on their own.”
“True. But a single word can build loyalty.”
With that, I approached Gu Ji-sung.
“Captain, why don’t you and your squad members eat together?”
Gu Ji-sung hesitated slightly, seeming a bit flustered by my words.
“It’s fine. We mustn’t let our guard down too much, but there’s no need to go this far.”
“Then… I understand. Thank you for your consideration, Young Master.”
Gu Ji-sung gestured to the Second Squad warriors to prepare their meal.
Meanwhile, I sat back down and spoke to Yu Chief Manager.
“There’s a great difference between saying such a thing and not saying it. And from what I’ve heard, in some places, servants cannot eat unless the master permits it.”
“….”
“Now then, let’s eat.”
The food Palgap had prepared was quite abundant.
It was prepared with enthusiasm upon hearing we were going on an outing.
Wait?
He’d even prepared alcohol.
I let out an involuntary laugh and asked Palgap.
“What’s this alcohol?”
“Come now, Young Master! An outing without alcohol is incomplete! We’ll use the scenery as our appetizer and raise a cup to it.”
I felt somewhat exasperated.
“Attendants aren’t supposed to drink.”
Regardless of other households, the attendants and handmaids who serve the Eunhae Trading Company’s household members absolutely cannot touch alcohol.
The only time they can drink is once a month at the banquets held by Jeok Gak-ju of Sefung Division.
“Of course I know that! I brought this for you to drink, Young Master.”
I was grateful for his thoughtfulness, but I needed to avoid alcohol right now.
Alcohol wasn’t good for my constitution.
That’s when Yu Chief Manager spoke.
“It’s been a while since I’ve had a drink.”
“Ah, is that so?”
At those words, Palgap quickly prepared a cup, and I poured alcohol into Yu Chief Manager’s glass.
As cup after cup of wine went down, Yu Chief Manager’s face grew increasingly flushed, and his laughter came more frequently.
Hmm? What’s this?
Could my advice have been overshadowed by the alcohol?
So this is why they say moderate drinking is medicine, I thought.
Of course, excessive drinking is poison.
That was when Yu Chief Manager suddenly began reciting a verse of poetry.
Even I, not particularly versed in classical literature, could recognize it as beautiful poetry.
But this poem… I’ve heard it before somewhere.
After pondering for a while, it came to me.
In my previous life, when I visited the Capital City, a collection of works by a renowned literary master who had made a name for himself sold like hotcakes.
That literary master had been a high-ranking official, and after retiring from his post, he compiled all the poems he had written and published them to the world.
The verse Yu Chief Manager had just recited was from that very collection.
But that was something that would happen more than ten years in the future—how could Yu Chief Manager be reciting it now?
“That’s truly a beautiful poem. Just hearing it lifts one’s spirits.”
“Thank you. Drinking wine here in nature like this, I found myself recalling a poem I composed long ago, and though my skill is shameful, I decided to recite it.”
“I see.”
What?
A poem composed by Yu Chief Manager?
“Have you perhaps recited this poem before someone other than me?”
“I’m not the type of person to recite poetry in front of others.”
Yu Chief Manager laughed awkwardly and shook his head, but then, as if remembering something, he spoke.
“Ah, now that I think about it, there is one person.”
His expression seemed to be searching through memories.
“When I first entered service at the Court, I recited this poem before my superior.”
“Do you happen to remember that person’s name?”
Surely it couldn’t be Chu Il-gong.
“It was Chu Il-gong, who served as the Director of the National Academy at that time.”
“….”
I feared as much, but was it really true?
My concerns appeared to have been justified.
In Chu Il-gong’s collection of works, each poem bore the date it was composed, and those dates were far in the future from now.
Which meant that man had falsely claimed Yu Chief Manager’s poem as his own and published it.

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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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