The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 418

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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 418

Chapter 418. A New Beginning for Yangyang Martial Hall (4)

The next day.
I made my way to Yangyang Martial Hall.
The students of the martial hall were consumed with relocation preparations, yet their faces brimmed with anticipation—perhaps because they were moving to a better location.
“You’ve arrived.”
Yeom Chief Manager came out to greet me, having heard of my arrival.
“I apologize for interrupting your busy schedule.”
“Not at all. What brings you here?”
“How are the relocation preparations progressing?”
He nodded at my question.
“Yes, everything is proceeding without any issues.”
From his expression, I could tell that everything was indeed going smoothly.
“That’s fortunate. When do you expect the official move-in?”
“We’re looking at the day after tomorrow. And… I have a request for you, Small Guild Master.”
“A request for me?”
He nodded at my question.
“The signboard we’ve been using until now is too small to hang on the new building. So we’re planning to create a new one, and I was hoping you would write the characters for it.”
Now that I thought about it, the current signboard was indeed too small to hang on an eight-story building.
For an eight-story building, the signboard is typically hung at about the third-floor height, and at that distance, no one would be able to read the characters anyway.
But my question wasn’t about that—it was why he was asking me to write the characters for the signboard.
Usually, the characters for a building’s signboard are written by someone famous for their calligraphy or someone of significance.
But I was neither a renowned calligrapher nor a person of particular significance.
“Me? Why me? Why not ask Master or someone else?”
“First, to ask the Palace Master, we would have to summon them, and who knows how long it would take for them to write the signboard?”
Yeom Chief Manager continued.
“And the Lesser Palace Mistress has been a great benefactor to our Yangyang Martial Hall, so I wanted to make this request of you.”
“What have I done to deserve being called a great benefactor?”
At my words, Yeom Chief Manager sighed and spoke seriously.
“Small Guild Master.”
“Yes?”
“Place your hand on your heart and think about all the things you’ve done for our Yangyang Martial Hall.”
“…”
I scratched the back of my neck.
“Won’t Master be displeased?”
“The Palace Master—or rather, Myeong Hyun—will agree with my thinking.”
“Understood. Where should I write it?”
“A wise decision. You should have done this from the start. Haha.”
Yeom Chief Manager promptly brought over the paper he had prepared nearby.
One might ask why I was writing on paper when the task was to inscribe characters on a wooden plaque, but this was because I was writing the characters that would be carved into the wood.
While it was possible to write directly on the plaque itself, such work did not endure.
To make it last, the characters written on paper had to be carved into the wood by the Carving Master.
I removed my outer robe and handed it to Palgap, then picked up the brush.
I steadied my breathing, dipped the brush in ink, and began writing the characters.
The Carving Master would now carve the plaque based on these characters.
Of course, when carved onto the plaque, the characters would be enlarged considerably.
“Is it complete?”
At my question, Yeom Chief Manager nodded with satisfaction and added a remark.
“Should you not also leave the Small Guild Master’s name and seal beside it?”
“Hmm… must I really…?”
“Small Guild Master.”
“Yes.”
I moved the brush again and wrote my name beside it, then impressed my seal.
Of course, it was not my business seal.

After finishing the plaque inscription, I broached the main reason for my visit.
“I am thinking of departing soon.”
“So soon?”
“I would like to stay longer, but my closest friend is getting married. He would be quite disappointed if I did not attend.”
“That cannot be helped. When are you planning to leave?”
“I am thinking of departing in three or four days.”
“That is fortunate. Then you will be able to see our Yangyang Martial Hall relocate.”
Yeom Chief Manager paused to think, then asked.
“By the way, what do you intend to do with this place?”
“What do you mean, what to do with it?”
“This location is not in a poor position, is it not? Then after we move, this place…”
I stopped Yeom Chief Manager and asked.
“Why are you asking me about this?”
“Well, this place was found by the Small Guild Master…”
“The ownership of this place belongs not to me, but to you and the Yangyang Martial Hall. So please handle it as you see fit. There is no need to ask my opinion.”
I spoke with a smile.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
.
.
.
Having set my departure date, I began moving with urgency.
Managing the businesses I had acquired required far more attention than I had initially anticipated.
What concerned me most was the treatment of the Courtesans.
I was quite shocked to discover that the Physicians refused to treat them.
I considered how to change their perspective, but soon abandoned the idea.
There was no need for me to personally intervene in their beliefs.
Instead, I sought out Jami Physician.
“Are you busy?”
“Ah! Small Merchant Guild Leader, welcome! What brings you here?”
“I came to discuss something with you.”
At my words, she set down what she was holding and spoke.
“I’m afraid I don’t have time to prepare tea at the moment… I hope you understand.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
“Thank you. But what is this about?”
“I plan to leave Hangzhou in a few days.”
“Ah, I see. I knew you would have to leave eventually, but it’s still disappointing to see you go so soon.”
I smiled at her words.
“After I leave, I’m concerned about the Courtesans working in the businesses I’ve acquired. I would be grateful if you would continue treating them without charge. I will compensate you separately for this.”
“Understood.”
Jami Physician agreed readily.
“Do you use a money exchange?”
“Yes. I use Geumsan Money Exchange.”
I smiled wryly as I spoke.
“Then I will send you ten taels of gold annually through Geumsan Money Exchange.”
“What? That… that much?”
She was so startled that her words stumbled.
And no wonder—gold was a fortune that ordinary people would never see in their entire lives.
When I had given her gold before, she had pretended to be calm, but her hands had trembled slightly.
“There is a reason I’m providing more than you might expect. I would like to ask you to make regular rounds in the future.”
I had given Jami Physician gold and asked her to treat the Courtesans without charge, and word had spread.
Yet fewer Courtesans came for treatment than I had hoped, and there was a reason for this.
If rumors spread that a Courtesan was ill, clients would avoid her.
So even when money was plentiful, they would only seek a Physician when their illness had become severe.
But now that I had become the owner of those businesses, I could not ignore this.
Now that I was aware of it, I had to find the best solution.
“Please visit the businesses I’ve acquired regularly and examine the Courtesans.”
“That’s an excellent idea. There’s nothing more tragic than discovering late an illness that could have been cured if caught early.”
“Thank you.”
I continued with a smile.
“And take on a Disciple Attendant.”
“A Disciple Attendant?”
She paused thoughtfully at my words, then nodded.
“You’re right—I alone would lack the stamina for it all. But there’s one thing… You mentioned the Courtesans under the Small Merchant Guild Leader receive free treatment, but what of the others? Until now, I’ve provided care to all of them without charge.”
“That’s true. To be honest, since they don’t belong to my enterprises, I have no obligation to extend such benefits. Yet given their circumstances, if they come seeking your care, please treat them without cost.”
“But they have their own employers…”
“If those employers truly cared for their welfare, would we find ourselves in this situation?”
“Well, that’s a fair point.”
My decision to offer free medical care to the Courtesans of Hangzhou stems partly from compassion, but that is far from the whole truth.
For now, Hangzhou’s coffers have run dry and the Courtesans have grown impoverished, but once the liquor ban is lifted and the city begins to prosper again, my investment will bear its true fruit.
“Then I look forward to working with you.”
“I’ll do my very best.”
.
.
.
Several days passed, and soon the moving day for the Yangyang Martial Hall arrived.
In truth, most of the heavier furnishings had already been transported, so the moving day amounted to hanging the nameplate and performing the dedication ceremony.
Hangzhou is one of the hardest-hit places because of the poor harvest.
Hosting a grand banquet under such circumstances would be wasteful extravagance and invite criticism.
Moreover, the effect would hardly justify the expense.
Some say that gathering people for a move or major event serves to drive away spirits, who dislike noise and crowds.
But in my view, the true meaning is to ask for continued support going forward.
After discussion, we decided to distribute adequate provisions to those who attended.
I made my way to the new Yangyang Martial Hall.
Upon my arrival, the Disciple Attendants came forward to greet me.
“Welcome.”
“The School Master is currently in conversation with other guests.”
“Ah, I see he’s conversing with the local gentry.”
“Yes.”
Perhaps I should wait a moment.
As I thought this, a Disciple Attendant spoke.
“Please, come in. He’s been expecting you.”
I tilted my head in confusion, and another Disciple Attendant smiled and said,
“The School Master asked us to bring you in.”
“But I have no reason to attend such a gathering, do I?”
“Why not? You hold half the business interests around West Lake.”
Ah…
I hadn’t realized it myself, but I too was a person of influence.
And considerable influence at that.
I stepped into the Guest Reception Room.
“My apologies for the delay.”
“Not at all. A busy man like yourself deserves understanding. Haha.”
Among those gathered inside, a considerable number were people who had entrusted their businesses to me.
This meant that I knew many of their faces.
Thus, we exchanged words in a warm and harmonious atmosphere.
A moment later.
We left the Guest Reception Room and took seats in chairs specially prepared before the Ceremonial Platform.
“We shall now begin the hanging of the new signboard for Yangyang Martial Hall.”
First, Yeom Chief Manager came forward and performed the ritual.
“Then, let us now hang the new signboard of Yangyang Martial Hall.”
As his words concluded, a massive signboard bound with rope began to be hoisted upward.
It appeared that Disciple Attendants on the fourth floor were using rope to lift the signboard.
And on the third floor, craftsmen waited to secure the signboard in place.
“Heave! Heave!”
Watching several Disciple Attendants pull the rope, I could gauge the weight of the signboard.
That was when it happened.
A soft tug.
Someone pulled at my sleeve, and when I turned my head, it was Seo Hyang.
“What is the matter?”
“I just saw it. When the rope breaks, that signboard will… fall and injure many people.”
“…!”
I was startled for a moment, but immediately sent a silent transmission to Seo-woo Warrior and Jin Yu Warrior.
A soft sound.
Fortunately, after the Two Warriors moved, the incident occurred.
The rope pulling the signboard snapped, whether from its weight or friction.
It happened precisely when the signboard reached the third floor.
“Ahhh!”
“Get away! Flee!”
Chaos erupted among those beneath the signboard.
But I was not worried.
A sharp sound.
Another sharp sound.
The Two Warriors were already moving in anticipation.
As if the years spent coordinating together had not been wasted, they balanced perfectly and caught the signboard.
Then they ascended toward the Third Floor Pavilion and held their ground.
“Now, please secure this signboard.”
“We shall hold it in place.”
“Ah, yes, yes.”
The craftsmen, who had been stunned senseless by shock, quickly regained their wits and began to secure the signboard.
“We’re… saved!”
At the display of the Two Warriors, the crowd erupted in cheers.
Hearing those cheers, I spoke to Seo Hyang.
“Thank you for letting me know.”
“I’m truly relieved.”
And so the plaque was safely secured, and the Two Warriors returned to me.
“You’ve worked hard.”
“Not at all. Please don’t say such things.”
“It would be unacceptable for us if the plaque written by our lord were to fall to the ground and injure people.”
“Exactly. That’s why I’m grateful you prevented it from happening.”
Saying so, I turned my gaze toward the plaque.
Seeing the plaque bearing my calligraphy, my heart raced without my realizing it.

Once all the ceremonies concluded, those who had come to offer congratulations were satisfied with their gifts.
Though some occasionally attempted tricks to receive another gift, they quickly retreated when Seo-woo Warrior and Jin Yu Warrior stepped forward.
Having witnessed their prowess, they surely understood that causing trouble would lead to serious consequences.
As evening gradually descended, the bustling Yangyang Martial Hall grew quiet.
I slowly surveyed the Yangyang Martial Hall.
“I could never have imagined this.”
Then came a voice.
Turning my head, Yeom Chief Manager approached me.
“Have you taken your evening meal?”
“I feel sufficiently satisfied without eating.”
At those words, I laughed.
“Indeed, this is something I could never have imagined. Not only did we reclaim this land, but now there stands an eight-story building here.”
Speaking thus, Yeom Chief Manager bowed respectfully to me.
“Now I offer my formal gratitude. Thank you truly. I shall never forget the kindness you have shown to Yangyang Martial Hall.”
“Not at all. I merely did what needed to be done.”
“I knew you would say as much.”
We gazed at each other and smiled brightly.
And we looked upon the plaque of Yangyang Martial Hall.
Now, this is the new beginning for Yangyang Martial Hall.

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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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