The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 373

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Trading Company Chapter 373

Chapter 373. Yeong-yeong’s Garden (5)

In any case, what had already happened was now my responsibility to handle.
I offered Palgap a wry smile and spoke.
“Take that to my office.”
“Understood, sir.”
At my words, Palgap carried it to my office in the Separate Pavilion.
A short while later.
Returning to my office, I exhaled deeply at the sight of opinion papers stacked high.
After hearing my explanation, Seo Hyang asked with an exhausted expression.
“So you’re saying we need to review all of these?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Seeing it in person is quite overwhelming. I think we should start the review immediately. Otherwise, there won’t be any room to stand in the office.”
That comment implied even more opinion papers would continue arriving…
There was no helping it.
“Palgap, could you call the other guards?”
I was in a situation where I needed to borrow even a cat’s paws, but fortunately, all my guards could read.
A short while later, six Guard Warriors entered my office.
“From now on, read these and sort them. Place the opposing opinions on the left, the supporting opinions on the right. And put anything with proposals written on them in the middle.”
Thus the review work began.
My guards’ hands were not cat’s paws but tiger’s paws.
There is a common perception that those who make their living by the sword are ignorant.
But this is a misconception.
A martial artist must memorize and understand not only numerous martial techniques and secret manuals, but also countless vital points and combat forms.
They simply haven’t studied academics—but one must possess intelligence to become an exceptional warrior.
I was able to reconfirm this truth.
My guards were reading and sorting the opinion papers at remarkable speed.
And there was no need to mention Seo Hyang’s performance.
And there was not a single opposing opinion.
All were in support, and quite a number contained suggestions about operational methods.
They desired this so much.
It was my oversight not to have noticed this sooner.
With such desire, there was no reason not to proceed.
Over the course of four days, I consolidated the opinions and began moving forward in earnest.
First, I needed to secure a building.
For the safety of the children and the convenience of their parents, it would be best to have a building within the Merchant Company Grounds.
Ordinarily, this would have posed a considerable problem, but the Eunhae Trading Company faced no such difficulty.
Our ancestors had apparently made provisions long ago, for the Merchant Company Grounds were remarkably expansive.
.
.
.
Several days later, at dawn.
I made my way to the Dining Hall.
Only those over twelve years of age were permitted to attend our family’s morning meal.
Those under twelve were deemed not yet capable of proper discretion and judgment.
Even in the comfort of a family gathering, with the Merchant Guild Leader and Small Guild Masters present, confidential matters of the company could easily be disclosed.
Should such information be carelessly mentioned outside these walls, complications would inevitably arise.
Yet one cannot hold a child accountable for words spoken in ignorance.
And even if one could, how would such accountability be enforced?
Thus, from the outset, children were simply excluded from attending the morning meal.
“Good morning!”
“Grandfather. Did you cough?”
The first to enter was Grandfather.
At twenty-two years of age now, it had already been seven years since my return.
And in that time, Grandfather too had aged considerably.
In my previous life, Grandfather had passed when I turned thirty, eight years hence.
And not long after, Father himself fell to illness, leaving the company in considerable turmoil.
“Indeed, your twenty-second birthday was not long ago, was it?”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
“It must have been disappointing to miss a grand celebration for such a significant milestone.”
“Not at all. I understood everyone was occupied.”
Among birthdays, those with repeating numbers—such as eleven, twenty-two, and thirty-three—were traditionally celebrated with greater fanfare than ordinary years.
“And the timing was hardly opportune.”
Grandfather smiled warmly and nodded in acknowledgment.
“You think deeply. Still, I could not let it pass without recognition. I have prepared a gift for you.”
A gift?
Yet I had only returned to the Hubei Province Headquarters five days ago. Why was he mentioning this now?
“I commissioned work from a nearby Blacksmith Workshop, but the crafting took longer than anticipated.”
His words only deepened my curiosity.
“It arrived just yesterday evening. Come to my Quarters later, and I shall show you.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
At that moment, the rest of the family entered the Dining Hall, and once everyone was seated, the Handmaidens brought out the meal.
This morning’s fare was chicken congee with ginseng.
We blew upon the steaming bowls and ate, and shortly after, the time came for tea.
It was then that Eun Jung-ho spoke.
“I hear you’ve been occupied with something lately?”
“That’s right.”
I nodded in agreement.
“I’m establishing a place to care for and educate the children of our company members.”
At my words, my First Sister-in-law’s face brightened.
“That’s truly a wonderful idea. Balancing childcare with work is no easy feat.”
“When I gathered opinions this time, I discovered that many people welcomed this initiative. In truth, it serves our company’s interests as well.”
I spoke while looking at my Grandfather.
“That said, we haven’t yet decided on a name for this educational institution. I would be honored if you would bestow one upon us.”
My Grandfather asked in return.
“Me?”
“Yes.”
Father then added his support.
“Of course, you should decide, Father. You are the most esteemed elder of our company.”
“Hmm, I shall give it some thought.”
.
.
.
After finishing breakfast, I made my way to my Grandfather’s Quarters.
He had summoned me this morning.
I soon arrived at his Quarters and announced my presence.
“Come in.”
“Yes.”
As I entered, my Grandfather gestured for me to take a seat.
I sat down before the wooden table.
My Grandfather retrieved a box that had been placed on the Wooden Table and set it before me.
“Go ahead, open it.”
A modest-sized box, not particularly large.
I opened it with anticipation.
“…!”
Inside lay a single hidden blade.
Yet its form differed from ordinary hidden blades—it was remarkably slender and sharp, resembling a concealed needle more than anything else.
“Your father mentioned that you travel to places where weapons cannot be carried.”
“Yes, it just happened that way….”
“In such circumstances, there will come times when you need a weapon but cannot bear one openly. So I commissioned Master Yeom to craft this.”
No wonder the craftsmanship seemed extraordinary.
Master Yeom was a skilled craftsman—the same one I had commissioned to forge Eun Jung-ho’s spear.
He always produced work worthy of the commission fee.
This must have cost a considerable sum.
“It was crafted so that it can be concealed anywhere on your body without detection.”
“Thank you, Grandfather.”
I offered my sincere gratitude to Grandfather.
I could feel the warmth in his words—a genuine wish for my safety, no matter where I might be.
“Ah, and regarding what I mentioned this morning—I’ve given it considerable thought. What do you think of calling it Yeong-yeong Garden?”
“Yeong-yeong Garden?”
“Yes. It signifies flowers blooming without hardship and leaves flourishing abundantly.”
“It’s an excellent name.”
“Furthermore, I believe it would be most efficient to divide operations into three distinct facilities: one for caring for young children, another providing both care and education, and a third dedicated solely to education.”
Grandfather’s reasoning was sound and well-considered.
“We shall unite all three under the name Yeong-yeong Garden, and operate them as subdivisions: the Nurture Hall, the Small Hall, and the Youth Hall.”
With that, the name Yeong-yeong Garden came into being, and the endeavor I was pursuing finally took on a true identity.

I left Grandfather’s quarters carrying the box containing the hidden blades he had given me, heading toward my own residence.
“Young Master, so we simply need to hire caretakers and instructors now?”
“Precisely. And we’ll conduct interviews openly as well.”
“Interviews, sir?”
“Yes. We must assess their character. We cannot have anyone taking out their frustrations on the children if they’re having a bad day.”
“A wise precaution, sir.”

The following day, the Eunhae Trading Company issued a public notice.
A recruitment announcement for caretakers and instructors.
Since construction on the building was still underway, we allowed ample time for the process.

Nearly two weeks had passed since my return to the Main Headquarters.
The weather outside was turning toward winter.
“Beijing must be quite cold.”
At Palgap’s words, I nodded in agreement.
“It probably will be.”
As we walked along exchanging such pleasantries, a familiar face came into view.
“Ah! Great Hero!”
The one greeting me with a bright smile was Gwak Hyung-jin, Master’s eldest son.
When we first met, he had been a young boy of twelve, but now he had become a young man of nineteen.
Seeing his refined appearance, I felt an inexplicable sense of pride.
“It’s been a while. But calling me Great Hero—just call me Small Guild Master instead.”
“Doesn’t it sound better to call you Great Hero?”
“That’s precisely why I’m saying so. It’s too grand a title for me.”
At my words, Gwak Hyung-jin chuckled and spoke.
“Then I’ll call you Small Guild Master.”
“Yes.”
Once Eun Jung-ho officially becomes the Merchant Guild Leader in time, I’ll be called Lord of Hyun Pung rather than Small Guild Master.
For now, both titles are used interchangeably, and it matters little to me.
They all refer to me, after all.
“How have you been?”
At my question, he nodded.
“Yes, I’ve been doing well.”
“Looks like you’re leaving your post.”
“Yes.”
Gwak Hyung-jin works for the Eun Pung-dae and is regarded as practically the second-in-command.
Most matters are conveyed to the Eun Pung-dae leader through him.
Thanks to Gwak Hyung-jin, the Eun Pung-dae Warriors no longer delayed their paperwork, and so the clerks who handled documents alongside the Jae-gyeong Pavilion held him in even greater favor.
“Ah! Father should return within a few days. I received a letter saying he’s on his way back after completing his inspection tour.”
“Is that so?”
I had intended to meet Master upon returning to Hubei Province, but he was away on his inspection tour, so we didn’t meet.
Had it been an inspection tour for the Eunhae Trading Company, I would have known when he’d return, but since it was elsewhere, I had no idea when he’d be back.
In such circumstances, the news about Master that Gwak Hyung-jin provided was deeply appreciated.
Then it suddenly occurred to me that Gwak Hyung-jin formed a pair of talents alongside Seok Il-song.
“Hyung-jin.”
“Yes?”
“Did you see the recent announcement? The one recruiting instructors for Yeong-yeong Garden?”
“Ah, yes. I saw that one.”
“Any interest? You’d certainly have the qualifications.”
At my question, Gwak Hyung-jin shook his head in response.
“But I’m an employee of the Eun Pung-dae. I wish to devote myself to the work there.”
If that’s what you believe, then there’s nothing to be done about it.
Besides, I wanted to give you high marks for that sense of responsibility.
“I see. Well done.”
“Pardon?”
“That attitude of yours—not neglecting your duties. If the Eunpung Corps Leader had heard that, he would have praised you greatly.”
Go Il-pyeong was someone who deeply appreciated such a sense of responsibility.
“Hehe. Is that so?”
At my words, Gwak Hyung-jin grew bashful. Then, glancing up at the sun in the sky, he spoke.
“I apologize, but would it be alright if I took my leave? Seok Il-song is waiting for me.”
It seemed he had made an appointment with Seok Il-song.
“Ah, I’ve kept you far too long. Go ahead.”
“Then I’ll be on my way. Farewell.”
Gwak Hyung-jin cupped his fist in salute and departed.
Hmm… Should I bring Hoon and have Seok Il-song join us here as well?
I entertained the thought briefly, then shook my head. If I brought Seok Il-song, Yu Chief Manager would surely object vehemently.
.
.
.
Two days later, I awoke at dawn.
Master had finally returned, and I received word that training would resume today.
After preparing for training and stepping into the courtyard, the guards saluted me with cupped fists.
“Good morning.”
And Seo Hyang was there as well.
She had been training with me these days.
However, I had not yet formally taught her any martial arts.
The martial art I would teach her was none other than the Heavenly Stream Frost Sword—the technique of Geuk Cheon Sword Gwak Hoon.
But until I received Master’s permission on this matter, her daily routine remained running laps around the courtyard to build her stamina.
This was not mere time-filling; it was absolutely necessary. Learning martial arts required physical strength.
“Then begin your running. I will conduct my breathing cultivation.”
“Yes.”
Seo Hyang began running across the wide courtyard of the separate pavilion, while I commenced my breathing cultivation.
After finishing my breathing cultivation and rising from my seat, Master entered the separate pavilion.
“I bow to you, Master. I trust you have been well?”
“Of course. It seems you’ve been managing well in my absence, which is reassuring.”
“Yes. And Master, there is someone I would like to introduce to you.”
I called Seo Hyang, and she stepped beside me.
“This is Seo Hyang, whom I mentioned to you before.”
“I bow to the Great Hero.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Gwak Myung-hyun.”
After exchanging greetings, Master looked at me and spoke.
“I’ll speak with Young Lady later. For now, I need to have a conversation with the Small Guild Master.”
“Yes. Then Young Lady, please resume your training.”
At my words, Seo Hyang began running across the Training Ground again.
Master asked carefully.
“Small Guild Master… surely, your current realm isn’t the Peak of Perfection, is it?”
As expected, he had sensed my realm.
“Yes. That’s correct.”
As I nodded, Master let out a sigh.
“Then the time has come for you to make a decision.”
“A decision? What do you mean?”
What kind of decision could warrant such a grave expression?

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————