The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 474

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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 474

Chapter 474. Gung Shin (1)

As planned, I coordinated with other merchants to submit a petition requesting limited permission for the alcohol ban.
Then I continued my work while awaiting the results.
Gal Hyun, whom I had recently hired, initially seemed fed up with something, but whether he had resigned himself to his fate, he now quietly handled his duties.
Once he becomes sufficiently accustomed to the work, I intend to make him a formal deputy officer.
The punishment imposed upon him was ten years of forced labor.
For now, he served under the status of a laborer, but afterward, I planned to formally contract him and employ him—or rather, hire him.
In any case, thanks to his diligent work, Seo Hyang’s complexion had improved considerably.
Mine had as well.

That night, Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster came to see me.
“You’ve arrived?”
“How have you been?”
“Thanks to you, I’ve been doing well.”
He smiled faintly upon seeing me.
“It seems you have many questions.”
“Ah! You’ve caught me.”
“Not intentionally. So, what troubles you most?”
I asked him as if I had been waiting for this moment.
“Were the funerals of the two Embroidered Uniform Guard Masters guided by the Moshan Sect Taoist conducted properly?”
At my question, he wore an expression of surprise.
He had not anticipated that I would ask this first.
It was indeed what troubled me most.
The gleam in the eyes of the two masters who had become jiangshi still haunted me.
And the Taoist’s words about wishing to go to the Imperial Palace rather than their own homeland weighed on my mind.
Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them and spoke.
“Thanks to you, the two warriors were able to arrive safely here in Beijing. I am grateful once again.”
“I merely followed the unwritten code of merchants, as I always have.”
“Regardless, it is thanks to you. Their funerals were conducted with honor, and their bodies were sent to their homeland. The Emperor himself paid his respects directly to their remains.”
With the Emperor paying his respects directly to the bodies, the resentment of the two masters must surely have been laid to rest.
“That is fortunate. My second question concerns the defected Geumui Guards and Dongchang—what became of them?”
“They too hang upside down in secret places with the tendons of their limbs severed, just like those suspended in the Imperial Palace Square.”
“I see.”
Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster’s expression grew bitter as he spoke.
“During interrogation, they said something. That they despised their own identity as Geumui Guards. That honor was as useless as anything could be….”
Now I finally understood why the Moshan Sect Taoist had carved away the tattoo marking those two Great Heroes’ status as Geumui Guards so deeply.
It was hatred for the position of Geumui Guard itself.
“That’s ridiculous.”
“Hmm?”
“If that’s what you thought, you shouldn’t have become a Geumui Guard in the first place. All those innocent people lost their lives because of it… They’re truly despicable. And what’s this about honor being useless? Yet they rode on that very honor and wielded every power imaginable.”
“Hahahaha!”
Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster laughed heartily at my words.
Thank goodness.
His expression looked so bitter that I deliberately spoke with more passion.
“You’re right. Yes, those bastards were truly wicked.”
“I have another question. How is the Murim Alliance responding to this man Gong Ho?”
“Ah, him? They haven’t given much of a response yet. I suspect they’re deliberating on countermeasures.”
Of course, the Murim Alliance wouldn’t simply say, “Oh, our mistake. We apologize.”
What would the Murim Alliance do?
Cut off the tail to save the body?
Or perhaps…
“Be cautious for now. The night visitors might target Gong Ho as well.”
“Don’t worry. I’m already keeping watch.”
Then he would handle it well on his own.
“Finally…”
Before I could finish speaking, Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster pulled a scroll from his robes and handed it to me.
“You’re curious about this, aren’t you?”
“Pardon?”
“Unfold it.”
At his words, I unrolled the scroll and was startled. It was a [License for Manufacturing Spirits for Overseas Trade].
I had submitted the petition just recently.
Yet it had already been approved?
“The Ministers approved that petition?”
“They supported it very enthusiastically.”
That couldn’t be right…
What method did the Emperor use to make them support it so eagerly?
Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster smiled at my expression and spoke.
“We lent a hand as well. We secured a list of the Ministers who were brewing illegal spirits.”
“Ah…”
I’m not sure when spirits were first created, but I suspect it’s the most seductive food humans have ever made.
I don’t enjoy drinking myself, but those who do find it difficult to live without it.
Then surely those with power or wealth wouldn’t refrain from brewing illegal spirits.
And the Emperor found this out and used it as leverage.
“With that license, manufacturing spirits for overseas trade becomes permitted. I’ve already sent word to other trading companies to come obtain it.”
Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster continued speaking.
“I brought it to you myself so I could see your face as well.”
“Thank you.”
Thanks to him, I had bought myself some time.
This is why connections matter so much.
Now then, I need to head to the Hubei Province Headquarters.
I had to inform Father about this first, then begin the serious work of brewing alcohol.
“Great Hero, I’m thinking of making a brief trip to Hubei Province.”
“You’ll be busy for a while. Travel safely.”
.
.
.
The next morning.
I summoned Yeochang’s Vice-Lord and spoke to him.
“It seems I must depart again tomorrow. I’m planning to visit the Hubei Province Headquarters. While I’m away, I ask that you take good care of Hyunpung.”
“Please don’t worry.”
“This time, I’m thinking of going with Gwak Vice-Manager. So I ask that you look after him in my absence.”
“You need not concern yourself with that either.”

Our departure for the Eun Hae Trading Company Headquarters proceeded with remarkable swiftness.
Palgap was the same, and all my Guard Warriors had grown accustomed to packing for journeys.
First, I intended to recruit Gung Shin on the way there.
Since the limited alcohol production permit needed to be communicated as soon as possible, I had already informed Father through Geumryeong last night.
So there was no need to rush.
That’s why I was thinking of recruiting Gung Shin on the way.
At this point in time, fortunately, Gung Shin should still be alive.
The fact that I’m remembering something I had completely forgotten suggests that even Heaven seems to sympathize with his plight.

Mid-eleventh month.
We set out on our journey.

* * *

In a village south of Mount Tai in Shandong Province.
A loud voice erupted from that village.
“Get out! You worthless bastard!”
“Please, I beg you! Just lend me five silver taels!”
“You haven’t even repaid what you borrowed last time, and now you ask for more?”
“Dae-in, please, I’m begging you.”
“A person ought to know shame!”
At those words, the young man who had been pleading before the Manor Lord flinched.
Shame…
I know shame too. But isn’t a human life more important than shame?
Five years had passed since my father collapsed.
In that time, I poured my entire fortune into his treatment.
I sold the land, sold the household goods, sold the house…
I even worked day labor.
Yet my father did not recover, and the money was never enough.
Moreover, now was a time of famine.
Because of this, it became even harder to scrape together money.
“Throw him out!”
“Yes, sir!”
Crash!
In the end, I collapsed in front of the Manor Lord’s gate.
I clenched my fists tight and closed my eyes.
With my strength, I could kill them all and seize their wealth.
Such temptation visited me several times a day.
But thinking of my father, I forced myself to endure that temptation.
If I were to fall into the Black Path, the spirit of the family that my father had strived to protect would perish.

Unable to secure a loan, he made his way to the Physician’s house. He needed to postpone his debt repayment.
“Are you home?”
“Who… ah, it’s you.”
At his call, a man emerged from inside.
“I… I haven’t been able to gather the money yet. So I was wondering if you could wait just a bit longer.”
The young man bowed his head, and the Physician clicked his tongue.
“It’s already been a month.”
“I’m truly sorry.”
“I’ll wait another two weeks for you. But even I’m finding it difficult now. The medicinal herbs for your father’s treatment don’t come cheap.”
“Thank you so much. I promise I’ll have the money within two weeks.”
The Physician was truly a person he was grateful for.
When everyone else had shaken their heads, the Physician had stepped forward to treat his father.
He was even making house calls every other day for his father’s sake.
Because of this, his inability to pay for the medicine weighed heavily on his heart.
“Ah, now that you mention it, I had something to tell you when you came by. I hear you’re quite skilled with the bow.”
“Yes. My family has been archers for generations…”
“An acquaintance of mine asked me to introduce them to a skilled archer, and they’re willing to pay quite well. So I recommended you.”
“Really? Is that true?”
“Yes. If you do well, you should be able to continue getting work.”

He spoke with the Physician and returned home.
It was a small thatched hut they’d moved into after selling their former large house.
Though much more cramped, he was satisfied because there was space for his father to lie down.
Even if he himself had to sleep fitfully, leaning against the wall.
“Father, I’m home.”
“….”
“I’m sorry for being away from home so often. Oh, I’ve gotten a good opportunity for work this time. The Physician recommended it. He recommended the work and… the Physician seems like a truly good person.”
His father’s lips, lying on the sickbed, trembled slightly, but his voice could not escape into the world.

The next day arrived.
The Young Man headed toward the place the Physician had indicated.
After waiting briefly, someone approached him.
“Are you Man Jung?”
“Yes, I am.”
“I received a recommendation, but I need to verify your skills firsthand. Follow me.”
“Yes.”
He led Man Jung to an open field and pointed to a single tree in the distance.
“I’ve hung a pine cone painted white from that tree. Can you see it?”
“Yes, I can see it.”
“Try to hit it.”
Man Jung felt the wind, gauged the distance, and calmly released his bowstring.
Whoooosh—!
The arrow flew at tremendous speed and struck the white pine cone hanging far away with perfect accuracy.
After walking over to verify it directly, he wore a satisfied expression.
“Excellent! Very excellent!”
Then he handed him a purse.
“This is the advance payment. Ten silver taels.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s a rather difficult task, so the compensation is generous. However, if you accept this advance and refuse the work, you must pay back ten times the amount.”
“I understand.”
Ten silver taels would be more than enough to repay Father’s medicine expenses.
“But what kind of work will I be doing?”
“Ah, hunting. There’s a rather difficult quarry to pursue.”

He immediately rushed to the Physician and paid the overdue medicine expenses.
On the way back, he saw a candy vendor but deliberately restrained himself.
He didn’t know how much more medicine would cost in the future.
He had loved sweets since childhood.
Before Father fell ill, he would have candy every winter, but now it was a luxury he couldn’t afford.
He returned home and spoke to Father with a bright expression.
“Father, fortunately it seems we won’t need to worry about medicine expenses for a while. I’ve found good work this time. It’s hunting, and it seems to be quite demanding work. That’s why they’re giving me ten silver taels as an advance payment.”
At this, Father’s eyes, lying in bed, trembled.
However, Man Jung didn’t notice this as he was busy with household chores.
He was simply overjoyed at the prospect of being able to afford Father’s medicine.

The promised day had finally arrived.
As I made my way to the appointed meeting place, the streets seemed unusually bustling. Man Jung asked someone about it.
“Is something happening today? Why are there so many people?”
“Ah, you don’t know? The Ak Young-gyeong Regional Commander from the Shandong Ak Clan is coming here today!”
The Shandong Ak Clan was a martial family renowned for their spear techniques.
Moreover, the family members possessed fiery and refreshing temperaments, earning admiration from countless people.
And Ak Young-gyeong, as a Regional Commander, had earned the respect of the Shandong people through his fair and impartial handling of affairs.
Man Jung was no exception.
“Is that truly so?”
“Indeed it is!”
“But what brings him to this place?”
“We don’t know much about that either. We only know that he’s coming.”
He too wished to see Ak Young-gyeong up close, but the promise came first.
Soon he arrived at the appointed meeting place.
The one who had commissioned him was waiting there.
“You came on time. Follow me.”
“Yes.”
Man Gyeong arrived at the topmost floor of a tavern.
Only then did the man reveal the mission Man Gyeong was to undertake.
“Your target today is Ak Young-gyeong.”
“What?”
He doubted his own ears.
But the other man spoke again, as if he hadn’t misheard.
“Ak Young-gyeong—you need only kill him.”
“That… that’s impossible.”
“If you refuse, then pay back ten times the contract fee.”
“….”
Ten times the contract fee would be one hundred silver taels. He could never possess such a sum.
“Your father lies bedridden, doesn’t he? Yet you’re in a position to be choosy about hot and cold water?”
“….”
“And one more thing. You’ve already heard our plan. If you refuse this task, we’ll have no choice but to silence you. What then becomes of your father?”
And the killing intent emanating from those around him.
He could only bite his lip.
“What will it be?”
In the end, he had no choice but to pick up the bow.
There was no path of retreat visible to him.
“Good thinking.”
He raised the bow, aiming it at Ak Young-gyeong approaching from afar, and cursed his own fate.
He held his breath and carefully released the bowstring.
Twiiiiing!
An arrow flew toward Ak Young-gyeong.
But then—
Snap!
Someone shot skyward in an instant and snatched the arrow from the air.
The Flamboyant Dressed Man rushed toward Man Jung, vaulted over the pavilion’s railing, and planted himself before him.
“Phew, that was close.”

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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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