The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 473

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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 473

Chapter 473. There Are Quite a Few (4)

Gal Hyun blinked rapidly, as if he didn’t immediately grasp my meaning.
I explained my intentions calmly.
“I place great importance on character and ability. The fact that you did your best even under such a petty master shows your character passes the test. And since you’ve intrigued me with this operation, your ability also passes.”
“….”
“That’s why I’m making this proposal. This grain is His Majesty the Emperor’s compassion for the starving people of the Empire. Since you dared to touch it, you have no excuse even if you die.”
At my words, he bowed his head deeply.
“However, if you agree to work under me, I can spare your life. Though I will need to ask the Imperial Guard Commander for mercy.”
And I glanced subtly at the Imperial Guard Commander.
He was viewing me very favorably.
That’s why he was tolerating my actions now.
“So choose. What will you do?”
“….”
Just then, the Stronghold Master burst out from beside me.
“You bastard! You’re going to save only yourself like a coward? Since this happened because of you, shouldn’t only you die?”
He certainly has a talent for interjecting at the right moment.
I chuckled and spoke.
“You wouldn’t want to keep serving such a master, would you?”
Then Gal Hyun opened his mouth.
“I… honestly have no loyalty to my master. I believe I’ve repaid the debt of gratitude for being kept alive.”
He continued.
“I only feel sorry for the others who’ve fallen into difficulty because of me. Most of them became displaced persons due to this famine. They only wanted to have one full meal… but because of me, they’ve ended up like this. How could I betray them by saving only myself?”
That look in his eyes… I’ve seen it before in my previous life.
Back then too, he rejected my proposal not for the Stronghold Master’s sake, but because of the others at the Mountain Stronghold.
I like this even more now.
That means he’s not someone bound by obligation who would overlook injustice.
He simply has compassion.
“Very well. If you agree to work under me, I’ll spare the displaced persons from that Mountain Stronghold as well.”
“What? Is… is that truly so?”
“Yes.”
“Then I accept that proposal.”
“Understood.”
I approached the Commander.
“Your Excellency, I believe this incident occurred because the displaced persons couldn’t overcome their hunger. Though they attempted to steal the grain, no grain was actually taken.”
“That’s true enough.”
“I believe execution is an excessive punishment in this situation. These displaced persons can till the land and farm if given farmland. Would not their farming efforts ease the military’s grain supplies?”
“Your words have merit. With the continued poor harvests, our military provisions are indeed stretched thin.”
The Imperial Guard Commander was a soldier.
For such a man, supply issues held great importance, and invoking military grain reserves proved effective.
“Then, what if we make these displaced persons tenant farmers on Imperial Palace Owned Land and have them labor there?”
“That’s an excellent idea. I confess I felt uneasy about executing all these people anyway.”
“Furthermore, I believe we must not disregard their individual capabilities. Therefore, I shall take this military officer with me.”
“You will?”
“Yes. The work I undertake is likewise directed by Your Majesty for the benefit of this Empire’s people. Thus, having him labor under me as a slave is a fitting punishment.”
“That makes sense. But… do you intend to have the ringleader labor as well?”
“That is not my intention. If we keep the Stronghold Master alive, whose orders will these people follow during their labor?”
“I see.”
The Commander, grasping my meaning, nodded and issued an order to the Imperial Guards.
“Execute him.”
“Yes, sir!”
At those words, the Stronghold Master, his face drained of color, thrashed about and pleaded.
“P-please spare me! I beg you… p-please…!”
Shhwick!
His head was severed in one clean stroke and rolled across the ground. Those witnessing this turned deathly pale.
Then they cast grateful glances toward me.

Soon, those remaining in the Mountain Stronghold were dragged out by the Imperial Guards. Any who resisted were shot down on the spot.
I could not ask them to spare anyone else.
Most of those in the stronghold were elderly, women, and children.
Though frightened, they seemed relieved upon hearing they would not be executed.
Our party and the grain transport convoy resumed their journey, with the bound prisoners following behind the Imperial Guards.
There was a reason I had them labor on Imperial Palace Owned Land.
Previously, those I had labor on Eun Hae Trading Company land were those who had threatened the company.
But this time, they had interfered with grain destined for Beijing and clashed with the Imperial Guards in the process.
Therefore, they must naturally labor for the Imperial Palace.
And laboring on Imperial Palace Owned Land is not such a harsh environment.
While they cannot earn money, those who work will not starve to death.
And once their labor term ends, they can sign contracts and receive wages.
This reflected the Emperor’s vision of increasing independent farmers who could save money, purchase their own land, and farm it.
Independent farmers pay taxes.
And taxes are the resources needed to govern the Empire.
Even if the nation wishes to undertake something, it requires money. Without funds, the people grow discontent.
In truth, an emperor’s power derives from the will of the people.
The Emperor truly possesses a keen mind.
Yet even that plan depends on laborers completing their terms and accumulating enough money to purchase land.
That’s why I’ve been gradually accumulating land throughout the Empire.
For them to become independent farmers, there must be people selling land, but who would sell land once the famine ends and prosperity returns?
So my plan is to buy land now and sell it to them later, profiting from the price difference.
That said, I have no intention of making an unreasonable profit.
It’s simply a form of preparation for the future.
.
.
.
And so we arrived safely in Beijing.
We were about a day behind Seo-woo Warrior’s estimate, likely because our group had grown larger and we had to travel together with these refugees.
In any case, as we arrived in Beijing and headed toward the Imperial Palace, we witnessed an unexpected sight.
In front of the Imperial Palace, on the open ground, were figures hanging in a mangled state, suspended by ropes.
They were the traitors who had not only plundered Chungyeongseong before but had also imprisoned the Chungyeong City Lord and tortured Prince Ju-hyeon out of fear that their crimes would be exposed.
The fact that they were being punished so publicly meant the interrogation was complete.
However, among them were neither the Geumui Guard nor Dongchang.
They must not be exposed while alive, and they must not be exposed even in death.
And Gong Ho was also absent.
Was there still more to uncover? Or was the Emperor engaged in a tug-of-war with the Murim Alliance over him?
In any case, one could gauge the Emperor’s fury from the fact that he had hung the envoys alive and inverted, rather than displaying their executed corpses.
Yet no one pitied them as they witnessed that cruel sight.
Their crimes had been widely publicized.
Seeing them, memories of my previous life surfaced.
Back then, the Fortress Lord of Chungyeongseong had hung like that. Now that wrong has been righted.
To the refugees we had brought along, who didn’t yet know why they looked like that, it appeared as terror.
They didn’t need to be so frightened, though.
Honestly, the Emperor is fearsome in many respects, but he’s not someone who arbitrarily abuses his power.
Still, thanks to this, any possibility of them attempting escape has been blocked, so I suppose I should take it as a positive thing?
Before long, we had arrived in front of the Imperial Palace.
“Then we shall take our leave now.”
At the words of the Merchant Caravan Officers who had traveled with me, I nodded.
“Yes, I’ll contact you again soon.”
I too wanted to part ways here and head to the Beijing Branch, but I had to meet with the Emperor.
I needed to report that I had properly handled the task the Emperor had instructed.
And I also had to properly explain the disposition of the refugees we had gathered this time.
Only then could I receive permission to take with me the talented individuals I had acquired.
I had the permanent palace entry permit the Emperor had given me, so I could enter without permission.
Using it like this, huh. Sigh.
It seems the Emperor gave this to me precisely so he could work me harder.

A moment later.
I was able to have an audience with the Emperor alongside the Commander.
We paid our respects, and the Emperor commended us for our accomplishments.
“You’ve worked hard.”
“Not at all, Your Majesty. I merely followed your imperial orders.”
“By the way, I hear you brought others with you?”
Truly, he is the Emperor.
Of course, the Embroidered Uniform Guard Master who accompanied us would have reported on this matter.
Though the Guard Master was present at the time, he focused on protecting the provisions at my request.
If he had stepped forward, the situation would have become far more complicated.
“Yes, in fact, an unfortunate incident occurred while we were transporting the provisions.”
He explained the events in detail.
“…Thus, had it not been for Eun Seo-ho, the Small Merchant Guild Leader, we would not have completed the mission properly.”
He’s really praising me too much here….
I quickly prostrated myself and spoke.
“I merely contributed what little strength I could. The credit for safely leading that massive convoy and resolving that incident belongs entirely to you, who commanded the operation.”
“Your words are correct.”
The Emperor nodded.
“It is indeed a great accomplishment. That is precisely why I entrusted this task to you.”
“I am overwhelmed by your words, Your Majesty.”
“Your achievement in safely bringing back the provisions is considerable. Therefore, I shall bestow upon you fifty bolts of silk as a reward.”
“Your imperial grace is boundless.”
“You may withdraw now.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Then he turned to look at me and spoke.
“You stay.”
I was planning to stay anyway, Your Majesty.
After the Commander left, the Emperor spoke to me.
“I shall carry out the punishment of those Yu Min as you requested.”
“Your imperial grace is boundless.”
“It seems you’ve taken a liking to this Gal Hyun fellow’s abilities.”
“I simply thought his talents would be wasted otherwise.”
“Well, placing him under your command… that’s a fitting severe punishment for the one who devised this scheme.”
Why does it feel like there’s a hidden meaning in his words?
No, when I’ve been working so hard for my employees’ welfare, how can he call it a fitting severe punishment….
My subordinates aren’t suffering that much… ahem.
Thinking of Seo Hyang and the Hyunpung staff, I couldn’t continue my thoughts.
“Anyway, you really did put them to sleep thoroughly as I instructed.”
“The sleeping draught you provided for this operation was quite effective.”
“Bang Hyo-yu said the same thing.”
A sigh escaped me.
So the sleeping draught that Dae-in favored was indeed that one. No wonder she praised its effectiveness.
“In any case, with the provisions we’ve procured through this trade, we can finally catch our breath. In that sense, I’m grateful to you.”
The Emperor’s gaze upon me carried genuine appreciation.
It was only natural—I had proposed this trade and seen it through to completion.
“Your Majesty, I’m embarrassed to accept such praise. I merely offered my counsel for my own benefit.”
“Yet the Empire has benefited from it nonetheless. Gratitude is gratitude, regardless.”
“If that is truly your sentiment, might I be permitted to make a request?”
The Emperor’s expression shifted to one of intrigue.
“What is it?”
“The merchants intend to submit a joint petition. I ask that you ensure its passage.”
“What manner of petition could warrant such urgency?”
“It concerns the alcohol prohibition edict, Your Majesty.”
“The alcohol prohibition?”
“Yes. There exists a method to procure far greater quantities of provisions than what we’ve brought this time.”
My reason for briefing the Emperor beforehand was singular.
Time.
Even the time spent as the Ministers debated the petition back and forth was precious.
While there remained time before our next voyage, the production of spirits demanded considerable duration.

* * *

“Gal Hyun! Come out.”
Gal Hyun emerged from the Prison at the Imperial Guard’s command, casting a glance at Yu Min and the others still confined within.
Before leaving, he apologized to them in the Prison.
This predicament had arisen because his strategy had been exposed, and he had failed to devise a contingency plan.
Yet Yu Min and the others assured him that he bore no fault—a kindness for which he felt profoundly grateful.
During his time in the Prison, I reflected deeply upon Eun Seo-ho’s words, contemplating my failures again and again.
Upon reflection, I realized I had fallen into a certain self-intoxication.
Though I could not betray Yu Min and thus labored under the stubborn Stronghold Master, those around me elevated me with titles like “Military Officer,” which fed my pride.
In such circumstances, my arrogance had grown without my notice.
Yet this ordeal had shattered that pride into fragments, and my self-delusion lay in ruins.
“Take care of yourself.”
“Yes, Father. Mother. And Elder Brother.”
“I pray that wherever you go, fortune shall follow you.”
“May you all remain in good health.”
Gal Hyun exchanged farewells and spoke to the Imperial Guard.
“I am ready to depart now.”
As Gal Hyun emerged from the Prison, someone awaited him.
“I am Yeo Eung-am, Guard Warrior to the Small Guild Master Eun Seo-ho. I look forward to our work together.”
“The pleasure is mine.”
Thus I followed Yeo Eung-am toward the Beijing Branch.
“Small Guild Master, I have brought him.”
“Welcome.”
Eun Seo-ho greeted me with a broad smile.
“Let me be clear from the outset—you currently hold the status of a slave, so there is nowhere for you to flee.”
I could not fathom what task he intended to assign, nor why he would threaten me with talk of my status and lack of escape.
Yet recalling how I had instinctively stepped backward, it seemed my intuition had grasped something.
My own future.

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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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