The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 400

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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 400

Chapter 400. Setting Sail (2)

I continued speaking.
“Once you find him, come to Nanking.”
“Nanking… you say?”
“We’re preparing for departure at the end of May, and all that remains is to make final preparations there.”
“Understood.”
Palgap, standing beside me, tilted his head curiously and asked.
“Wait? Does that mean we should also head to Nanking?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“I see. Then I’ll prepare for it.”
“Why aren’t you surprised?”
At my words, Palgap rubbed his nose and replied.
“Haven’t I mentioned this before? Since you travel so freely across the entire Empire, I’m always prepared to depart at any moment. Besides, you’re the type who’ll venture all the way to the Northern Sea whenever you’re bored.”
I found myself at a loss for words.
Suddenly, my eyes met with Seo Hyang’s.
She smiled softly, and I scratched the back of my neck.
She already knew. How embarrassing.
I turned my head again to look at Jin Yu Warrior.
“Anyway, that’s how it is. I’m counting on you.”
“I will accomplish this task, even if it costs me my life.”
I’ve said it before—there’s no need for that.
Jin Yu Warrior departed immediately to find the person in charge of Baekcheon Trading Company’s debts.

That afternoon.
I asked Geumryeong to deliver a letter to my father.
While we had messenger birds, Geumryeong was exceptionally swift.
I’d have to pay silver for the service, but time was precious in this matter.
I was simply buying time with money.
The letter to my father requested that Captain Yong Eung-wan bring the merchant vessels to Nanking.
Nanking lay in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River.
Being situated inland from the sea, it was also a safe harbor from the waves.
The journey from Yangyang to Nanking would take roughly a fortnight, so we’d arrive around early May.
And if I prepared diligently, we could set sail before May ended.
We had to depart by then at the latest if we were to return home in autumn with provisions aboard.
What mattered most here was what cargo we’d load onto the ships bound for Dae-Wol Kingdom.
When I’d spoken with Captain Yong Eung-wan before, he’d recommended tea.
He’d also mentioned ceramics like tea cups.
True to his word, those were items that yielded substantial profits, and in my previous life, I’d made good margins selling tea.
Though my finances had been rather strained back then—quite strained, actually.
Had we possessed ships then, it would have been a golden opportunity to grow far more rapidly.
In any case, what had yielded the greatest profits back then was none other than liquor.

“If I’m not mistaken, the people of Dae-Wol Kingdom are fond of Imperial spirits.”
“Quite right. They’re mad for it.”
“Then why didn’t you mention it?”
“Well… the Empire has a prohibition on alcohol in place, hasn’t it? Speaking of it under such circumstances would only cause frustration.”

Indeed.
Liquor was what yielded the greatest profits, but the Empire’s current situation made that impossible.
However, once this trade succeeded and they learned of the demand for spirits, they would lift the prohibition—even conditionally.
Just as they had in my previous life.
Then the master brewers I’d gathered would finally shine.
In truth, what they desired most was Imperial weapons, but that was absolutely forbidden as a trade good.
If fine Imperial weapons fell into their hands, those very weapons might one day be turned against the Empire.
“Vice-Manager Gwak.”
“Yes?”
“Please send a letter to the Mudong Merchant Guild.”
“Understood.”
The Mudong Merchant Guild specialized in ceramics and was newly admitted to the Top Hundred Merchant Guilds this time.
That’s why I’d met with their Merchant Guild Leader and Small Guild Master at the last gathering.
Fortunately, their main headquarters was located in Jiangsu Province, where Nanking was situated.
This made them an ideal source for ceramics and the like, so they were the priority for negotiation.

A few days later, a reply came from the Mudong Merchant Guild.
It was a positive response—they wanted to meet in Nanking.
It had been a while since I’d seen Dam Jin Small Unit Master.
Still, I wondered if the Changhae Trading Company—or rather, the Baekcheon Trading Company—was progressing well with their trade preparations.
“These days, Song Un from the Changhae Trading Company hasn’t been very visible, it seems.”
At Lee Pil Warrior’s report, I stroked my chin thoughtfully.
Foreign trade was inherently large in scale with many variables, so the role of the practical operator was crucial.
For him to step back from the forefront like this…
“Then who is handling the trade operations?”
“I’m not entirely certain, but it appears to be someone from the Baekcheon Trading Company side.”
They were already making their moves so brazenly.
It seemed the Baekcheon Trading Company was taking steps to completely absorb the Changhae Trading Company.
If this trade venture succeeded, the Changhae Trading Company’s signboard might very well change to the Baekcheon Trading Company.
To prepare for that, they were sending someone ahead to learn the ropes.
But foreign trade was far from simple—even when entrusted to a skilled person with the mindset of learning, it would still be insufficient.

“This should be done this way…”
“From what I can see, it’s not that difficult. Must it really be done this way?”
“Of course.”
“You’re not trying to make a fool of me, are you?”
“Absolutely not!”
“This doesn’t seem efficient. We should change it.”
“Of course, it will cost more and seem less efficient, but ultimately this method reduces costs.”
“Enough. I’ll be taking over this operation from now on, so I’ll do it my way.”
…
“So if you want to keep your position until then, stop playing tricks and just offer advice.”
“I am offering advice right now.”
“From where I stand, it looks less like advice and more like picking a fight.”
“Then handle it all yourself! But understand this—whether the work succeeds or fails, it’s not my fault.”
“Don’t worry. Do I look that incompetent to you? If I did, the Merchant Guild Leader of the Main Branch wouldn’t have entrusted me with such an important responsibility.”
…

Ah….
I found myself imagining it without realizing.
But there’s probably little difference between my imagination and reality. I’ve seen far too many cases like this.
When someone newly takes charge of affairs, they’re bound to be eager and try to fix this and that.
But in most such cases, it doesn’t align with reality and creates serious problems.
Naturally, heads roll.
This time will be no different.
Well, it’s not my concern. They’re no longer Changhae Trading Company now—they’re Baekcheon Trading Company.
I asked Jin Yu Warrior to find the debt manager of Baekcheon Trading Company to take revenge on Baekcheon Trading Company, not to help Changhae Trading Company.
Merchant guilds are naturally competitors, after all.
In that process, Changhae Trading Company simply receives our assistance.
Of course, Changhae Trading Company’s situation is indeed pitiful.
Sigh, I really am softhearted.
In any case, Jin Yu Warrior finding the debt manager is the best approach, but even if he’s dead, it’s not as though we have no options.
One such method is to draw in experienced individuals, including the Merchant Guild Leader of Changhae Trading Company, to our guild.
And using this, we intercept the profits that Baekcheon Trading Company should gain through trade.
After all, Baekcheon Trading Company’s trading partners would have been Changhae Trading Company’s trading partners.
But the best method is still to find the debt manager alive.
Then we can bring down even Baekcheon Trading Company’s reputation all at once.
.
.
.
Caw! Caw!
Ah, seagulls are calling.
I was in Beijing just moments ago, and now that I’ve opened my eyes, it feels as though I’ve arrived in Nanking—though that’s probably just my imagination.
We are in Nanking.
“So this is… the sea.”
“It’s quite vast.”
Myeong-jong Warrior and Chang-un Warrior marveled at the sight of the sea.
Most of my entourage did the same.
“Is this your first time seeing the sea?”
They gazed at the sea without tearing their eyes away and nodded.
Well, the Empire is ordinarily vast.
Among those living deep inland, there are countless who die without ever seeing the sea.
I went to Shandong once before, but that wasn’t the coast.
“The old saying that a frog in a well cannot fathom the vastness of the great sea—I understand it perfectly now.”
I chuckled softly.
“Then, let us go to the guest quarters.”
“Yes.”
The Imperial Palace had offered to provide lodging, but I politely declined.
The lodging provided was an official residence within the Provincial Military Command.
Since Nanking was such an important location, the Provincial Military Command naturally had its headquarters there.
While the facilities were certainly adequate, living alongside government officials came with considerable inconveniences.
For that reason, we leased an entire Inn separately.
It was partly for the sailors of the merchant ship arriving soon, but also for myself.
To prepare to outmaneuver the Baekcheon Trading Company, I needed fewer watchful eyes and the freedom to move about as I pleased.
Still, I wondered if Jin Yu Warrior had found him yet.

* * *

Hoot! Hoot!
On a night when the desolate cry of an owl echoed through the darkness.
A man lay hidden within an abandoned Guan Di Temple deep in the dense forest.
‘Damn it! That cursed Namgung Kang bastard!’
He clenched his fists and ground his teeth.
His name was Mo Cheong.
He was the debt manager of the Baekcheon Trading Company.
He was still the debt manager because he had never submitted a resignation, nor had he received direct notice of dismissal.
Besides, he was still alive.
As the debt manager of the Baekcheon Trading Company, he had been responsible for recording payments from those who borrowed money and collecting debts from those who failed to repay.
Honestly, he despised his work.
Collecting debts from those unable to pay was always a scene filled with screams, wails, and violence.
Being human, his heart ached witnessing such scenes.
Yet he had no choice if he wanted to survive.
Then one day, the Merchant Guild Leader summoned him.

“Is this the final day for the Changhae Trading Company to settle their debt?”
“Yes, sir. They pay their obligations punctually each month—truly a model merchant guild.”
“Unnecessarily conscientious, you mean.”
“Sir?”
“In any case, I want you to go collect that payment yourself this time.”
“You wish me to go personally?”
“You said it was the final payment, didn’t you? Go and tell them how much their diligence has been appreciated.”
“Ah, I understand. Very well.”

Even as he received the order, he felt puzzled.
Since when had Namgung Kang shown such consideration for the hardships of his debtors?
Yet believing the reasoning sound, he set out for Qingdao without much suspicion.
The main headquarters of Changhae Trading Company was located in Qingdao, Shandong.
After collecting the money from them and expressing his gratitude for their efforts, he was on his way back when….
His Guard whispered to him in secret.
“You must be cautious.”
“What do you mean so suddenly?”
“Those accompanying us now… they are dangerous.”
At that, he felt a chill run down his spine.
He thought he understood why Namgung Kang had sent him.
To eliminate him on the return journey after collecting the money.
‘But for what purpose?’
After a moment of contemplation, he could only let out a hollow laugh.
Because he could guess the objective.
‘Now that I think about it, I was indeed resentful seeing those conducting trade under the Imperial Palace’s protection this time.’
He was resorting to such cowardly measures to forcibly seize Changhae Trading Company.
And if this matter became known to the world, Baekcheon Trading Company’s honor would be dragged through the mud.
Above all, Baekcheon Trading Company was a subsidiary of the Murim Alliance, which valued honor above all else.
If it became known that Namgung Kang, the leader of Baekcheon Trading Company, had done such a thing, the senior members of the Murim Alliance would certainly not remain silent.
He would be dismissed before even completing his probationary period.
Those who had worked at the Merchant Guild for a long time would know to some extent about the relationship between the senior members of the Murim Alliance and Namgung Kang.
Having worked long at Baekcheon Trading Company meant having connections with the senior members of the Murim Alliance.
Because he possessed such connections, he could understand these things.
But paradoxically, that was precisely why he was being targeted for elimination.
If word of this reached the Murim Alliance through his mouth, Namgung Kang’s position would become precarious.
In any case, just as he and the Guard Warrior had anticipated, the Guard Unit that had come to protect him launched an attack aimed at his life.
Thanks to the Guard Warrior’s sacrifice, he managed to escape.
But they did not abandon their pursuit of him.
Using emergency funds and smoke bombs he had hidden away just in case, he barely managed to flee, but now he was nearly at his limit.
Though he had learned martial arts for self-defense, his skill was only second-rate, insufficient to shake off his pursuers.
‘The Hwangbo Clan… is so far away.’
The place he had connections to was the Hwangbo Clan.
Though located in the same Shandong, evading pursuit while traveling made it feel like a thousand-li journey.
‘Ugh….’
He furrowed his brow at the pain he felt in his side.
The blood flowing from where he had been struck by a blade while fleeing from them earlier was the problem.
‘I’ve already used up all my trauma medicine….’
Then he heard murmuring voices and saw the light of torches.
“There’s a blood trail here!”
“They couldn’t have gone far!”
He had prayed that they would not find him, but fate proved merciless—his plea went unanswered.
“There!”
Mo Cheong began fleeing in desperation, but his pursuers unleashed a torrent of projectiles upon him.
Thwack—!
“Ugh!”
One of the projectiles struck him, sending him tumbling down the mountainside until a blade pressed against his throat.
“Why struggle so when death comes regardless?”
“Hah! You’ll all meet the same fate eventually.”
“Perhaps. But what choice do I have? I wish to live a moment longer.”
And yet….
Whoosh!
Suddenly, the torches they held extinguished. Plunged into unexpected darkness, the warriors pursuing Mo Cheong stumbled about in confusion.
In that moment, a voice reached Mo Cheong’s ears.
“Come with me. There is someone who seeks you.”

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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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