The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 411

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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 Eun Hae Trading Company Chapter 411

Chapter 411. The Harvest I Had Awaited (6)

The Marketplace Street of Hangzhou.
Due to the poor harvest, a ban on alcohol had been issued, and with civil unrest stirring discontent among the people, the lack of visitors gave the street an eerie, desolate atmosphere.
The inns, taverns, and gisaeng houses that had been surviving on the money spent by outsiders were hit hard by the aftermath.
In such circumstances, the Hao Organization became their lifeline. They paid for information brought to them.
Of course, there were many cases where they were turned away.
But then….
“What? The Hao Organization didn’t pay for the information?”
At the words of a fellow Shop Attendant, that Shop Attendant nodded his head.
“That’s right. They said they’d put it on credit.”
“Ha! In all my years, this is the first time I’ve heard of the Hao Organization extending credit.”
“It must mean this famine is that severe.”
“Then what about me? If I don’t get paid today, my children will starve.”
As they exchanged sighs and words, a Shop Attendant approached them.
He was humming as he walked.
“Did you find a coin on the street? Why are you in such a good mood?”
“Hehehehe! Ta-da! Look at this!”
“Gasp! What? That? That’s rice, isn’t it?”
“Where did you get it?”
“Cheongpa Pavilion.”
“…?”
To those tilting their heads in confusion, the Shop Attendant spoke.
“How can you work as a Shop Attendant in Hangzhou if you’re so out of the loop? Haven’t you heard? Seon Hyeop Mi-rang at Cheongpa Pavilion buys information. When I heard the Hao Organization wasn’t paying for information, I thought I’d give it a try and went to Cheongpa Pavilion, and it was true.”
He continued speaking.
“When I provided information, they gave me rice in return.”
“Really?”
“Really! Would I lie about that?”
At those words, the Shop Attendant who had been worried about his children starving today hurriedly left his seat.
“I’ll go to Cheongpa Pavilion for a moment!”
When he arrived at Cheongpa Pavilion, there were already about twenty people lined up in front of it.
He hurriedly joined the line, and shortly after, it was his turn.
“I heard you buy information here, so I came….”
“That’s correct. Welcome.”
“But do you really give food in exchange for providing information?”
“Of course. Please go to that empty tent over there and tell us the information.”
He entered the empty tent and spoke about the information he knew.
“Very good. Here is your payment for the information.”
“Th-thank you so much!”
As he emerged with repeated bows, a small sack containing a measure of rice hung from his hand.
A measure of rice—mixed with other ingredients—could feed an entire family for one meal.
Moreover, obtaining rice these days was genuinely difficult, so receiving it felt far more precious than money ever could.
Words of praise for Eun Seo-ho flowed naturally from his lips.
“So this is the legendary Seon Hyeop Mi-rang! Truly a generous soul!”

* * *

Meanwhile, the Hao Men Hangzhou Branch was collecting dust.
Without proper compensation for information, no one brought anything to sell.
Information typically works by gathering seemingly worthless fragments of low-grade intelligence into valuable high-grade intelligence.
But without low-grade information flowing in, high-grade intelligence could not be assembled.
Those seeking to purchase information also complained that the quality had deteriorated.
The problem lay in what they were saying.

“Damn it! I’d be better off going to another branch.”

The independence of each Hao Men branch meant they were competitors with one another.
There was no rule requiring customers seeking information to use only one Hao Men branch.
Furthermore, if information from other regions was needed, one had to purchase it from that region’s branch.
But without funds, how could they acquire information from other branches?
Originally, as one of the Empire’s most prosperous districts, they could gather enormous amounts of information and sell it to other branches for substantial profit.
But since the alcohol ban was imposed, such income was no longer realistic.
Yeon-yeon Branch Manager sighed.
“Branch Manager.”
“What is it now? Again…”
The one addressing Yeon-yeon Branch Manager was Hong Nam, one of the informants.
“Word is that Cheongpa Pavilion is buying information. And they’re giving exactly one measure of rice per piece of information.”
“What? Why? Why is Cheongpa Pavilion buying information?”
“I don’t know the reason. The problem is that a considerable number of our informants are going to Cheongpa Pavilion and selling their information there.”
Hao Men is a sect with considerable freedom.
Therefore, unless one held a leadership position, it was entirely one’s choice where to sell information.
“At this rate, our branch will be bankrupt within days.”
“…”
“Branch Manager, perhaps you should go and apologize.”
At Hong Nam’s words, she let out a sharp cry.
“I am the Branch Manager—the Hangzhou Branch Manager of Hao Men! Am I, of all people, supposed to go directly to some mere merchant and apologize?”
“I am no mere merchant. I enjoy the Emperor’s favor, and I maintain connections not only with the Geumui Guard and Dongchang, but also with the Murim Alliance and the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
At those words, Yeon-yeon Branch Manager fell silent, and Hong Nam clicked his tongue inwardly.
‘That worthless pride is the real problem.’
Because of that pride, he would apologize, but he was making the absurd demand that I come in person.
‘An apology itself is already an act of lowering one’s pride.’
He sighed deeply.
“So, will you continue to starve? As you know, we’re barely surviving by selling off our assets.”
Somehow, even the secret vaults hidden throughout the branch had been completely emptied.
It was a situation that could only be described as possessing terrifyingly formidable intelligence capabilities.
“At this rate, we’ll have to sell even the jewelry that the Branch Manager treasures.”
“No, not that! My jewels! Do you know how hard I worked to acquire them…?”
Hong Nam clenched his teeth before speaking.
“That’s precisely why you need to make a decision now. Branch. Manager.”

* * *

I stood on the third floor of the Cheongpa Pavilion, gazing down at the scene below. Countless people lined up to sell information.
“But if I may ask, Young Master.”
“What is it?”
“What do you intend to do with all this information you’re purchasing? Are you going to use it yourself, Young Master?”
“That information? I won’t be using it.”
“Pardon?”
“Handling information is a kind of skill. I don’t possess such skill.”
I continued.
“I plan to pass some of it to our Merchant Guild’s Information Bureau, and give some as gifts to others.”
The Yeo Eung-am Warrior tilted his head curiously.
“But is there a particular reason why you’re paying in rice instead of money for the information?”
“Yes.”
I nodded and explained.
“If I paid in money, that money could be stolen by someone else, and there’s a high likelihood it would flow into the hands of rival factions.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Think about it. Who are the people coming to this Cheongpa Pavilion to sell information?”
“Shop Attendants and Courtesans.”
“Exactly. They are either employed by someone or work under someone’s authority. If they possessed money, could we guarantee their masters wouldn’t steal it from them?”
“Ah!”
“Even if they didn’t steal it, they could still persuade them with words—saying times are difficult and asking to borrow some money. In such circumstances, could those who are merely grateful not to be dismissed immediately refuse such a request?”
“You’re absolutely right.”
“And if their masters are connected to the Hao Organization, that would be problematic as well.”
Everyone nodded at my words.
“But if what they receive is not money but a single measure of rice, the situation changes entirely. It becomes awkward for their masters to steal or borrow it.”
Palgap nodded at my words.
“As expected, Young Master’s insight is beyond compare.”
But… why are you looking so pleased?
Cheongpa Pavilion Master, who had been listening to our conversation, carefully asked me.
“But… are you certain about this?”
“Certain about what?”
“The rice you’re providing to them. The cost must be considerable.”
“Ah… yes, it is.”
These days, grain prices were whatever one demanded, so the expenditure was substantial.
Since Cheongpa Pavilion Master directly operated the tavern, he was pointing this out and expressing his concern.
“There’s no need to worry, though.”
“Sir?”
I simply smiled.
The money I used to procure the rice for this information exchange wasn’t mine.
It was Hao Organization funds I had siphoned off through Geumryeong.
So I was essentially performing good deeds with someone else’s money.
What expression would Yeon-yeon Branch Manager wear if she learned this fact?
Just imagining that expression was delicious.
And I wasn’t such a bad person.
The information I was currently acquiring would benefit the Hao Organization.
Not the Hao Organization where Yeon-yeon Branch Manager was, but the Hao Organization branch where I and Yeon-i were.
What fault could the Hao Organization members have?
They were merely following Yeon-yeon Branch Manager’s orders.
“Then I shall step out for a moment.”
“Yes, please do.”

The place I was heading to was one of the nearby Gisaeng Houses.
[Quyue Pavilion]
It was one of the top five Gisaeng Houses in the vicinity of West Lake. Why had I come here today, you ask?
Well, naturally, I came to acquire this Gisaeng House.
Separate from my retribution against the Hao Organization, I needed to proceed with the tasks I had to accomplish here in Hangzhou.
As I approached the main gate of the Gisaeng House, a burly man standing there blocked my path.
“My apologies. We are not yet prepared to receive guests.”
It was true—the Gisaeng House was not yet open for business.
The sun was still high in the sky.
“That’s fine. I haven’t come as a guest today. Is the Pavilion Master here?”
“Do you have an appointment, perhaps?”
“I don’t have one scheduled. Still, please inform her inside. Tell her that Eun Seo-ho, Small Guild Master of the Eun Hae Trading Company, wishes to meet with the Pavilion Master.”
At those words, the man’s expression shifted.
“Please wait a moment.”
He hurried inside, and moments later, he came rushing back out.
“My apologies for the delay. Please, come inside.”
I entered the Quyue Pavilion and was guided by the Shop Attendant.
“Welcome. I shall escort you from here.”
I nodded.
“The Pavilion Master’s quarters are on the sixth floor.”
The sixth floor, then….
I wondered why the thought of climbing up and down those stairs daily seemed so arduous.
Lost in such thoughts as I walked, I soon arrived at the Pavilion Master’s quarters.
“Please, come in.”
As I entered, a beautifully adorned woman rose to greet me.
“Welcome. I am Mae Chwi, Pavilion Master of the Quyue Pavilion.”
“I am Eun Seo-ho, Small Guild Master of the Eun Hae Trading Company.”
“I have heard much of your reputation. Please, be seated.”
I took my seat.
Looking at her up close, her complexion was poor, and her skin appeared dull and lifeless.
It seemed even the Pavilion Master was not eating properly.
As I was thinking this, Mae Chwi asked me a question.
“So then, what brings you here?”
“You must have heard the rumors that I recently acquired the Cheongpa Pavilion…. Can’t you guess my purpose?”
“Are you saying you wish to acquire our Quyue Pavilion?”
“That’s correct.”
I nodded.
“I wish to acquire the Quyue Pavilion.”
….
A moment of silence passed.
“How much are you thinking of acquiring it for?”
“One thousand silver taels.”
Her expression was filled with disappointment.
“Isn’t that too low a price?”
“I believe I’ve offered a fair amount. With the famine showing no signs of ending, when I consider the operating costs of this Gisaeng House, eight hundred taels would suffice. Yet I’m offering more.”
“But why are you acquiring this Gisaeng House at all? By your own logic, you’d be accepting substantial losses during a famine of uncertain duration?”
“Will the famine truly continue indefinitely?”
“Then we’ll simply endure until it passes.”
I let out a soft laugh.
“I’m acquiring this Gisaeng House because I have the means to endure. But do you, Luzu, have such means?”
“….”
Her eyes wavered, and after a moment of deliberation, she spoke.
“In truth, the Hao Men Hangzhou Branch has expressed their intention to acquire it for twelve hundred silver taels.”
“Is that so?”
I smiled.
“Then, can the Hao Men Hangzhou Branch actually provide that payment?”
“….”
Mae Chwi’s eyes trembled even more noticeably.
She couldn’t possibly be unaware of Hao Men’s current circumstances.
So Hao Men has extended their reach here as well, it seems.
I had wondered, since this place was one of the few that survived the famine.
“Surely Hao Men will say they cannot provide the funds now, but will later. You needed money immediately, didn’t you?”
I spoke, recalling what I’d observed upon entering the Quyue Pavilion.
“There are multiple places that clearly need immediate repairs. And from what I’ve seen, you’ve already sold off most of what could be sold.”
“Then, are you saying you can provide the funds immediately, Small Guild Master?”
“Of course.”
I emptied Hao Men’s treasury not only as punishment for their coercion and violation of my interests, but also because I anticipated situations like this.
Option A offers a higher acquisition price but cannot provide the funds immediately.
Option B offers a lower acquisition price but can provide the funds right now.
The owner of the Gisaeng House needs money urgently.
And if the difference in acquisition price is less than half?
The outcome is obvious.
She spoke to me.
“Could I… hear your conditions?”

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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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