The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 494

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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 494

Chapter 494. The Liquor Appraisal Gathering (4)

In my previous life, I had received help from the Qingshui Trading Company.
While traveling to visit a high-ranking official’s residence in Guizhou, I was ambushed by a band of bandits.
Their forces proved stronger than expected, and I found myself in a dire predicament.
Fortunately, a merchant caravan happened to pass through the area, and with their assistance, I escaped the crisis.
They were the Qingshui Trading Company.
It troubled me to see the place that had once shown me such kindness gradually decline due to poor harvests and liquor prohibition edicts, only to be exploited by the Baekcheon Trading Company in the end.
But in this life, I intend to repay that debt of gratitude abundantly.

That afternoon.
While I was diligently handling work at the Beijing Branch, Palgap suddenly burst through the door of my office.
“What is it?”
“Well, um, that is to say, so, so, therefore….”
“Therefore what?”
“The Crown Prince has arrived!”
“What?”
I jumped to my feet.
The Emperor had clearly said he would return and send an official to handle this matter.
So why did the Crown Prince come in person?
The Crown Prince is not an official… wait… come to think of it, the Crown Prince is indeed an official.
Though he is the Emperor’s son, once he holds an official rank, he is an official nonetheless.
“Sigh, let us go.”
“Yes.”
I immediately headed to the Guest Reception Room, where the Crown Prince was waiting while sipping tea.
“I pay my respects to Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”
I offered him a proper bow, and he nodded, gesturing for me to rise.
“Please, stand and be at ease.”
“You are most gracious.”
“You are quite formal. I wish to conduct myself with you as I would with an old friend.”
How could such a thing be possible?
Though I grumbled inwardly, I responded with utmost courtesy on the surface.
“Your Highness honors me with such words.”
“My father also speaks highly of you.”
I must steer the conversation elsewhere.
“Then, Your Highness, are you personally overseeing this liquor appraisal gathering?”
“Indeed. His Majesty has placed considerable expectations on this liquor appraisal gathering.”
The reason the Emperor held such high hopes for this liquor appraisal gathering.
It was not merely about the participation fees.
There was something far more important—the hearts of the people.
The alcohol prohibition edict remained in effect.
But if the Emperor himself were to host a liquor appraisal gathering, those who witnessed it would harbor hope that the prohibition would soon be lifted.
The lifting of the prohibition meant far more than simply being able to drink alcohol to soothe one’s weary body and spirit.
The fact that the prohibition no longer needed to be maintained signified that the famine had ended.
For those trudging through each day as if wandering through a dark cave due to the famine, this was a beacon of light.
A light that meant an exit from the darkness they could finally escape.
From the Emperor’s perspective, the hearts of the people were worth far more than mere participation fees.
That must be why he sent the Crown Prince.
Though I sensed there might be other hidden motives as well.
“Ah, I hear the Merchant Guild Leader of the Qingshui Trading Company has come to Beijing.”
“Is that so?”
I already knew why he had come to Beijing.
He sought merchant vessels to transport the liquor his company distributed. Without a contract for loading the alcohol onto merchant ships, he could not obtain permission to produce it.
In my previous life, the Baekcheon Trading Company had approached them at this very moment.
But in this life, the Baekcheon Trading Company possessed no ships.
How delightful.
“So I sent someone there to have him come here.”
“Pardon?”
The Crown Prince spoke.
“The clause you proposed—granting priority trading rights to liquors that achieve excellent scores—was that not designed for the Qingshui Trading Company?”
He had seen through it.
“Of course, that clause benefits your merchant guild as well, but…”
“…”
Our Eun Hae Trading Company had prepared in advance and invested considerably to trade liquor this time.
But external perception was another matter entirely.
No matter how much we claimed our results came from our own capital and effort, accusations of unfairness would inevitably arise.
One purpose of this liquor appraisal gathering was to dispel such doubts.
We had to ensure that opportunities appeared fair and equal in the eyes of outsiders.
Of course, this was not a rigged game.
We also sought to discover skilled brewers whose talents had gone unnoticed.
If there existed a distillery superior to those I had gathered and acquired, it rightfully deserved to win.
And I harbored no doubt that the distillery under the Qingshui Trading Company would receive an excellent rating.
The Qingshui Trading Company’s liquor was genuine.
As we continued our conversation, Palgap announced that a guest had arrived.
“Welcome.”
“I am Go Yun-bae, a small merchant of the Qingshui Trading Company. I pay my respects to the Crown Prince. Long live Your Highness, long live, long live!”
“Rise and be seated.”
“I am deeply honored.”
I observed the elderly Merchant Guild Leader settling before me.
He was exactly as I remembered.
Perhaps in his mid-fifties, his face radiated kindness and benevolence.
His nose bore a faint reddish hue from years of tasting spirits, though I had heard his capacity for drink was equally formidable.
The prohibition on alcohol had clearly weighed heavily upon him—his frame had grown noticeably gaunt.
The Crown Prince had mentioned this very thing first.
“I hear that the liquor ban, imposed due to the nation’s troubles, has dealt your merchant house considerable losses. I am truly sorry for this burden.”
The elderly Merchant Guild Leader bowed hastily in response.
“How could you speak such words, Your Highness? Though our guild has indeed suffered losses, such is the nature of commerce—fortune does not always favor us. I harbor no resentment toward the Crown Prince or His Majesty the Emperor.”
His words rang hollow, of course. There was no way he harbored no resentment.
Yet he could hardly voice such feelings in this setting.
“I appreciate your understanding. In any case, we have decided to hold a liquor appraisal gathering, and that is why I summoned you. Is it not true that the Qingshui Trading Company possesses the greatest knowledge of spirits in this entire empire?”
“Of course, Your Highness.”
Pride resonated unmistakably in the elderly Merchant Guild Leader’s reply.
“Therefore, we have entrusted this matter to both the Eunhae Trading Company and the Qingshui Trading Company. I trust you will serve us well.”
“We shall devote ourselves entirely to this task.”
I then addressed him directly.
“As a note, spirits recognized as superior in this appraisal shall receive exclusive trading rights.”
“…!”
At my words, the elderly Merchant Guild Leader’s eyes widened in astonishment.
“Is this truly the case?”
“Yes. This is a grace bestowed by His Majesty the Emperor to allow the Qingshui Trading Company to spread its wings once more. You must not forget this kindness.”
“The Emperor’s benevolence knows no bounds!”

That night.
After everyone had left, I found myself alone in my bridal chamber, lost in contemplation.
It was because of the guest list for the liquor appraisal gathering.
The Imperial Court, Qingshui Trading Company, and our merchant guild could each select thirty guests.
And ten more would be decided later, bringing the total to one hundred.
“Young Master, I have a question.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
I turned my head to face Palgap as he spoke.
“You were the one who recommended Qingshui Trading Company, so why did you attribute it to the Emperor’s grace?”
“Even if I recommended them, there’s nothing I could do if the Emperor refused.”
“Still, if it were you, Young Master, you could have found a way to include Qingshui Trading Company regardless.”
I let out a soft chuckle.
That’s Palgap for you—he knows me far too well.
“You’re right, I could have. And if I had said it was my recommendation, they would certainly be grateful. But.”
I turned my body as I continued speaking.
“The principle of work, you see, is to accomplish the maximum with the minimum effort.”
“So you’re saying….”
Palgap made a deflating sound as he looked at me.
“You maximized their motivation so they would work diligently, while you yourself could work more comfortably in return?”
“Correct.”
Palgap looked at me with an expression suggesting he had much to say.
But I remained confident.
I had given Qingshui Trading Company an opportunity to recover through the liquor appraisal gathering.
And the Qingshui Trading Company I knew, along with the late Merchant Guild Leader, would undoubtedly be able to make their comeback.
This much should suffice as repayment of my debt.
In the process, they would have more work to handle, but it seems wrong to deprive someone brimming with enthusiasm of their tasks, doesn’t it?
Besides, I already have more than enough on my plate.
Right after the liquor appraisal gathering ends, the poetry competition will be held three days later.
Who on earth created all these events?
Ah, that would be me.
“But there’s something else, Young Master.”
“What else are you curious about?”
“I heard that this liquor appraisal gathering will charge a participation fee.”
“Yes, that should be the case.”
“But honestly, aren’t most distilleries in difficult circumstances right now?”
“They certainly are. With the liquor ban in effect, they’ve had no way to generate revenue.”
“Then how would they have money to pay the participation fee?”
“Necessity breeds ingenuity.”
“Pardon?”
“If they truly wish to participate, they will find a way to gather the participation fee.”
Frankly, if one possesses passion and determination, the participation fee can be arranged without difficulty.
I did not set it excessively high.
“And if needed, our Merchant Guild can even provide loans.”
Speaking thus, I began drafting the list. At that moment, a voice called from beyond the door.
“Master, it is Yeo Eung-am Warrior. It is time for the guard rotation.”
“Ah, please come in.”
At my words, the door opened and Yeo Eung-am Warrior, Lee Pil Warrior, Seo-woo Warrior, and Chang-un Warrior entered.
“We shall relieve the guard duty.”
Yeo Eung-am Warrior and Lee Pil Warrior had been standing watch until now. Now Seo-woo Warrior and Chang-un Warrior would take their place.
“Ah, so the time has come already. Thank you for your diligent service. And Seo-woo Warrior and Chang-un Warrior, I appreciate your efforts as well.”
“Of course.”
“We shall do our utmost.”
In that moment, a thought flashed through my mind.
“Ah, might you know of someone worthy of recommending for the liquor appraisal gathering? Preferably someone of renown.”
Borrowing the wisdom of many minds would be faster than brooding alone.
At my question, they fell into contemplation.
Lee Pil Warrior was the first to speak.
“What of the Guizhou Provincial Governor?”
“Pardon?”
“When we visited Guizhou previously, I heard that he possesses considerable knowledge of spirits.”
“I see. Thank you.”
I immediately added the Guizhou Provincial Governor to the list.
Since Qingshui Trading Company operates as the merchant guild of Guizhou, there is a high likelihood they will also include his name.
But there is always the possibility of contingencies.
This works out well.
I had wanted to arrange for Seo Hyang to meet my father, and now such an opportunity has presented itself.
Seo Hyang will surely be delighted.

The next day.
I met with In Gye-sung Lord of the Sebin Merchant Guild.
The Sebin Merchant Guild had been assigned to co-host the Poetry Competition with us.
It appeared he had come as the person in charge, just as before.
“It has been quite some time.”
“I thought we might meet at this Hundred Great Merchant Guild Meeting, but it was Eun Jung-ho who attended in your stead.”
“Ah, I was rather occupied at the time.”
After all, I had been rolling around in Chungyeongseong of Yunnan Province back then.
“And in my stead? No, no—I had been attending in his place all this while. This is the first time my elder brother is properly participating.”
“So the next Merchant Guild Leader has already been decided, then?”
“It has been so from the beginning.”
“I see.”
In Gye-sung Lord nodded in acknowledgment.
“Ah, and it seemed Bok Yun Sub-leader was feeling rather slighted.”
“I shall have to apologize to him separately later.”
“That would be wise. Shall we discuss the matter at hand then?”
“Of course.”
It was then.
“My lord, someone has arrived from the Imperial Palace.”
What?
At those words, we immediately stepped outside, and the Eunuch Official spoke to us.
“Both of you are to enter the palace at once. This is the command of His Majesty the Emperor.”

We headed straight to the Imperial Palace.
In Gye-sung Lord spoke to me in a hushed voice.
“I’m rather frightened.”
“Of what, my lord?”
“If His Majesty commanded us to enter the palace while we were together, doesn’t that mean he knows our whereabouts?”
I laughed silently at those words.
Does the Emperor truly know only our location?
Thus we were promptly escorted to the Emperor’s Office.
We performed the deepest bow, and upon receiving permission to raise our heads, we quickly offered our gratitude before doing so.
“The reason I summoned you both is that, upon reflection, there are quite a few in this Empire who appreciate poetry and prose.”
“….”
“Is that not so?”
“Indeed, Your Majesty.”
“That is correct, Your Majesty.”
We quickly agreed. Something about this didn’t feel right….
Then the Crown Prince entered.
“You summoned me, Your Majesty?”
“Yes. Stand beside me.”
The Crown Prince took his place at the Emperor’s side. But why was the Crown Prince summoned to this meeting?
The Emperor continued.
“Since the liquor appraisal gathering will span the entire Empire, I thought it would be fitting for the poetry competition to do the same.”
“….”
“Moreover, we’ve been inundated with protest memorials claiming that the previous poetry competition discriminated against the provinces.”
The Emperor smiled as he looked at me.
“What do you say? Can you manage it?”
The meaning in that gaze was unmistakable.
Damn it, he found out I delegated the work to Qingshui Trading Company.
“I accept your command, Your Majesty.”
“And I shall appoint the Crown Prince as the director of this poetry competition.”
“I shall do my utmost, Your Majesty.”
So there was a reason the Crown Prince came here.
Following our response, the Crown Prince made a request of the Emperor.
“Then, Father, as the scale has grown, the expenses will inevitably increase as well. I humbly request your approval for this. The participation fees will increase proportionally, so there should be no burden on the imperial finances.”
“Hmm, that does seem reasonable.”
“And….”
The Crown Prince smoothly presented his requests to the Emperor, and the Emperor wore a satisfied expression.
Indeed, there are no incompetent men under the Ministry of Taxation.
The future of the Empire is bright. But why do my eyes feel wet?
Still, the Crown Prince’s demeanor seemed oddly familiar.
That way of actively scheming and demanding what he wants… I’ve seen that somewhere before.
I paused mid-thought, my breath catching.
I had a feeling I knew who it was.
Wait… it’s me?

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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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