The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 404

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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 404

Chapter 404. Setting Sail (6)

Ji Taek-mun trudged slowly toward his quarters.
To be honest, everything that had happened today felt like a dream.
Or rather, I wished it had been a dream.
Because in a single moment, all my hopes had vanished.
“Damn it!”
He stopped and threw his fist at the wall before him.
Thud!
“Argh!”
The sound of bone cracking echoed as overwhelming pain surged through him, and he clutched his hand.
“Damn! Damn! Daaaamn!”
After screaming like that, he barely managed to calm himself.
‘What am I going to do about this?’
When he reported this to the Merchant Guild Leader, there was no need to imagine the reaction.
There would be degrading curses, and he’d be beaten to within an inch of his life.
But he felt utterly wronged.
‘If there had been even the slightest hint, I could have done something.’
But there had been no hint whatsoever.
In fact, Ji Taek-mun was a meticulous man. That’s why he had already bribed the associates of Song Yun to inform him if he did anything unnecessary.
But there had been nothing suspicious.

“It seemed he merely met with merchants he knew and complained to them.”

In any case, it was truly a bolt from the blue.
“Sigh… Should I run away?”
Part of me wanted to flee right now and hide somewhere no one would ever find me.
But that was impossible.
Where did I belong?
The Baekcheon Trading Company, a subsidiary of the Murim Alliance. The net of the Murim Alliance’s warriors was terrifying enough to make my spine shiver.
“There’s no choice. Sigh…”
If I delayed reporting this, I wouldn’t just be beaten to within an inch of my life—I’d actually be beaten to death.
He let out a deep sigh, returned to his quarters, and immediately wrote a letter to Namgung Kang, sending it by courier.

* * *

The office of the Baekcheon Trading Company’s leader.
Namgung Kang was deliberating over gifts to present to the senior figures of the Murim Alliance.
He intended to offer items acquired through this foreign trade or allocate a portion of the profits as gifts.
Naturally, these gifts carried the implicit message of requesting their favor.
While it would be fortunate to be admitted into the Three Great Trading Companies of the World, he needed to prepare for the possibility of failing to secure that position.
If this endeavor succeeded and future matters unfolded smoothly, such advancement would certainly be possible, but there was no guarantee that everything would proceed according to plan.
‘Those capricious old men of the Murim Alliance could replace me at any moment….’
Of course, given that they had granted him a three-year period, he wouldn’t be dismissed within that timeframe, but what came after was the real concern.
At that moment, a voice came from beyond the door.
“My lord, an urgent dispatch has arrived. It came from Nanking, sent by Ji Taek-mun Manager.”
“Bring it here.”
The door opened, and the guard handed him the letter.
‘What could possibly warrant sending an urgent dispatch at this moment….’
Namgung Kang opened the letter without much concern, but his expression immediately hardened.
There was indeed reason to send such an urgent dispatch.

[We find ourselves in a situation where we must return the Changhae Trading Company. Mo Cheong Manager’s ledgers have been discovered….]

He furrowed his brow.
“Mo Cheong Manager! This utterly useless bastard!”
But the greater problem lay elsewhere.

[…It is reported that Military Commander Ak Young-gyeong of Nanking is personally going to lodge a protest with the Murim Alliance]

“What?”
Crash!
He slammed both hands down on the table.
Having to return the Changhae Trading Company was problematic enough—it meant losing not only the revenue he’d anticipated but also any chance of elevating the guild’s standing.
But the real problem was the Military Commander.
Military Commander Ak Young-gyeong.
He was unmistakably a man of the Shandong Ak Clan.
What was the Shandong Ak Clan known for?
They were famous for their righteous and fiery temperament.
If that were the case, his threat to go directly to the Murim Alliance and lodge a protest was no idle boast.
Moreover, while the Shandong Ak Clan held considerable influence in the Murim world, their standing in the military was formidable.
A force that even the Murim Alliance could not afford to ignore.
And the Military Commander held the rank of Senior First Rank Official.
Even the senior figures of the Murim Alliance were powerless against him.
According to the letter from Ji Taek-mun Manager, other officials were also watching the situation unfold.
Returning the Changhae Trading Company was unavoidable, but the greater concern was how the Murim Alliance would respond to what he had done.
If he merely lost his position, he would count himself fortunate.
As he contemplated the punishment that awaited him, cold sweat trickled down his back.
At that moment, his deputy officer entered the office, and seeing his ashen complexion, asked him a question.
“Merchant Guild Leader, is something the matter?”
The instant Namgung Kang’s eyes fell upon his deputy, they blazed with fury.
“You bastard.”
“Sir?”
“Because of you, we’re all about to die! Why did you do something I never ordered? What is this madness?”
“W-what do you mean all of a sudden, sir?”
“No matter how blinded by merit one becomes, this is too much! You killed Mo Cheong Manager? Seize this wretch and throw him in the Prison!”
“Yes, sir!”
“And lock the guard unit that escorted Mo Cheong Manager in the Prison as well!”
“Yes, sir!”
Of course, the scheme had originated from his deputy, but it was Namgung Kang who had approved it with satisfaction and ordered its execution.
But now, by any means necessary, he had to erase his own guilt.
Thus, he had no choice but to make his deputy and the guard unit that had escorted Mo Cheong Manager into scapegoats.
However, this was merely a stopgap measure; a more fundamental solution was needed.
After a moment of deliberation, he reached a decision.
‘Yes, if I can just eliminate the Military Commander, I can avoid the worst outcome.’

* * *

With the matter resolved, Changhae Trading Company returned to the hands of its original owners, including Song Un.
Now they should be able to manage things on their own…
But looking at Song Un’s face as he invited me to dine, I could tell something wasn’t going smoothly.
“It seems you didn’t call me here simply to share a meal together, sir.”
At my words, Song Un nodded.
“You’re right.”
Then he released a deep sigh, one laden with frustration.
“What troubles you, sir?”
“Thanks to you, we were able to reclaim our trading company. But the aftermath isn’t proving easy.”
“Speaking in such vague terms, I cannot understand what you mean.”
“My apologies—I haven’t explained properly.”
He proceeded to lay out the entire situation for me.
“I inspected the goods we planned to load onto the ship. But… they were all substandard.”
“You mean the quality is poor, sir?”
“Exactly. I rushed over immediately to demand an explanation. What is the meaning of this?”
“What did they say in response?”
“They claimed it was the best they could offer.”
“How could Ji Taek-mun have selected a supplier providing such inferior goods?”
“Upon further investigation, it appears he received bribes.”
In other words, Ji Taek-mun had been pocketing money on the side.
“What should I do about this?”
In this situation, simply loading the goods as contracted and departing for trade could be seen as the best option.
But that would be far from the best—merely the least catastrophic choice.
The people of Dae-Wol Kingdom are hardly unsophisticated.
Bringing such inferior goods would surely invite ridicule.
We might even face accusations of contempt toward them.
“Might I see the contract, sir?”
“I brought it with me.”
He produced the contract before me, and I examined it carefully.
A smile crossed my lips as I reviewed the final section.
How fortunate.
I spoke to Song Un.
“Notice here—the contractor is not Changhae Trading Company. The contract is under Ji Taek-mun’s name. It appears he did this to later claim his share of profits from this trade venture.”
Alternatively, since Changhae Trading Company would soon cease to exist, he may have arranged it this way to easily transfer the contract’s subject to Baekcheon Trading Company.
“In such cases, the responsibility lies with Ji Taek-mun.”
I continued.
“Do not load those goods onto the ship. Should anyone question this, simply place the responsibility on Ji Taek-mun.”
“I understand.”
Song Un nodded readily.
I let out a quiet laugh and asked.
“But it seems Song Sub-danju wasn’t unaware of this, was he?”
The fact that he’d brought contracts with the other merchant guilds made his intentions crystal clear.
“What is it that you truly want?”
At my question, Song Sub-danju burst into laughter.
“Exactly! You’re someone I’ve acknowledged. Yes, entrusting our guild’s future to someone like you is indeed a wise choice.”
“Pardon?”
He spoke with a serious expression.
“We, the Changhae Trading Company, wish to place our guild under the trust of the Eunhae Trading Company where you are.”
It was something I’d never anticipated.
“You’ve helped us while never once mentioning any compensation in return.”
That was simply because I’d missed the opportunity to bring it up.
“To help us, your competitors, without expecting anything in return! I was truly impressed by your magnanimity.”
Well, that’s not quite what this is…
“Therefore, after deep discussions with my father and the guild’s senior members, we’ve decided to entrust our guild’s future to the Eunhae Trading Company.”
But I replied calmly.
“No, that won’t do. You’ve finally found the Changhae Trading Company. You must grow it further.”
“Right! That’s what I thought! But we came to realize that’s only possible under the shadow of the Eunhae Trading Company.”
“…”
Thud.
He pushed something across the table toward me.
“It’s the seal of the Changhae Trading Company. Please, do not refuse our request.”
I could no longer refuse.
Besides, Song Yun’s character was quite respectable.
And so… the Changhae Trading Company came under the command of our Eunhae Trading Company.
Honestly, I was only trying to make a fool of the Baekcheon Trading Company, yet it turned out like this.
.
.
.
Preparations for departure were in their final stages.
Tomorrow, we would set sail.
I was having dinner at the Han Tavern with Dam Jin, the Small Unit Master of the Mudong Merchant Guild.
“I’m at a loss for how to express my gratitude for providing such high-quality vessels.”
This time, the Mudong Merchant Guild had provided us with fine teacups and other quality dishware.
Thanks to this, we were able to load them not only onto our Eunhae Trading Company’s ship but also onto the Changhae Trading Company’s vessel.
Dam Jin smiled and shook his head.
“How could you say such a thing? I did so knowing that the Eunhae Trading Company would sell our guild’s wares at their proper value.”
He continued.
“And I also wished to express my gratitude for the help you provided at the gathering held in Shandong previously.”
Ah, he was referring to when they were being harassed by those disreputable people back then.
“It was only natural that I should have done so.”
“Small Guild Master, even if you say such things, I cannot express how grateful I am.”
True enough….
For someone enduring such torment, it must have been incredibly difficult.
Difficult enough to wish for nothing more than to repay those who tormented him in kind.
“I plan to depart for the Main Headquarters tomorrow morning.”
“I see. I hope your journey is safe.”
After finishing the meal and seeing him off, I returned to the inn.
Then I called for Palgap.
“Palgap, would you bring Ship Captain Yong Eung-wan here?”
“Understood.”
Soon, Captain Yong arrived at my guest quarters.
“Please, sit.”
“Yes.”
He took the seat across from me, and I asked him a question.
“How do you feel, returning to your hometown after so long?”
He paused to choose his words before speaking.
“I’m quite… nervous. Honestly, I’m not even sure how to describe this feeling. It’s good that I’m returning with such dignity, but I’m also worried whether my family is safe….”
I smiled and nodded.
“I think I understand that sentiment somewhat.”
I continued.
“First, I’ve asked the Imperial Official accompanying us to vouch for your status.”
“Thank you.”
Until the redemption payment is made, Yong Eung-wan still holds the status of a slave. So this was a precaution against any forced circumstances.
“Furthermore, he will also serve as a witness to your becoming a free person through the redemption payment.”
Even if we bring the redemption payment, there was a possibility the master might seize it and refuse to acknowledge it.
Well, since Captain Yong’s master is the King of Dae-Wol Kingdom, he wouldn’t commit such petty acts… but it’s better to be prepared for any contingency.
I lifted the box from beneath my feet and placed it on the table.
Thud!
The sound conveyed the weight of the box.
This is genuinely heavy.
“Here is the redemption payment I promised.”
I opened the box myself, and Captain Yong’s eyes widened at the sight of the money inside.
“Ah….”
“With this, you and your family can become free people.”
“Thank you. I will definitely repay this money.”
“What do you mean?”
At my words, he tilted his head in confusion.
“Pardon?”
“Why would you repay this money?”
“Well, that’s… because you’re lending this to me.”
I shook my head at those words.
“When did I ever say I would lend you advance payment, Captain Yong? I said I would provide it.”
“Then… you’re truly giving this to me without asking for anything in return?”
“Yes. That’s correct.”
“What exactly do you believe in me that you would bestow such kindness?”
I answered his question with an impassive expression.
“I know that Captain Yong is someone who will bring our Merchant Guild far greater profits than this.”
I continued.
“Is this money insufficient to win Captain Yong’s heart?”
He bit his lip, then rose from his chair and prostrated himself on the ground as he spoke.
“I, Yong Eung-wan, a warrior of the Guho Family of Dae-Wol Kingdom, pledge my soul and valor to you, Eun Seo-ho, Small Guild Master.”
From what I understood, for warriors of Dae-Wol Kingdom, pledging one’s soul and valor was an oath that could only be made once in a lifetime.
It was such a precious vow.
This is rather burdensome—why are you doing this?

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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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