The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 50

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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 Eunhae Trading Company – Chapter 50

Chapter 50. The First Pocket (4)

At my words, Yang Jin-soo and his companions nodded in agreement.
In truth, even a slight case of indigestion often went unresolved, eventually leading to death.
A minor wound could become infected, necessitating the amputation of an entire limb.
“Indeed, trivial ailments often escalate into grave illnesses.”
“That is the premise of this venture. We shall manufacture medicines that can be used without a physician’s prescription.”
At that moment, someone raised their hand slightly.
“I have a question.”
“Yes.”
“Do not the common people already gather or purchase medicinal herbs on their own and brew them as remedies?”
“That is correct.”
Indeed, folk remedies passed down through generations existed among the populace.
For instance, when gums ached, one would boil corn stalks and consume them; when urination became difficult, one would brew motherwort and drink it.
“Yet many of these remedies, when examined rationally, make little sense, do they not?”
There were countless peculiar practices—such as plucking one’s eyebrows at dawn when a stye appeared, floating them in spring water, and chanting incantations.
“Moreover, even if folk remedies prove effective, consuming excessive amounts often causes harm.”
At my words, they nodded once more.
“Thus, I conceived this idea.”
“Will it succeed?”
“We shall not know unless we attempt it.”
“Yet if it benefits both the guild’s profits and the people’s health, that would be ideal.”
The discussion continued.
From those deliberating, remarkably specialized knowledge flowed forth.
This was only natural.
After all, the Nok Jade Merchant Guild dealt in medicinal herbs.
Those who had labored there since youth possessed intimate knowledge of such materials.
Indeed, among those before me were two physicians.
This was precisely why I had drawn them into this venture.
In my previous life, this enterprise was not conceived by another—it was my original idea.
I had actually launched the business.
The result was extraordinary success.
Yet merely three years later, I perished at the hands of the Baekcheon Trading Company and the Murim Alliance.
Thus, I harbored deep regret.
I had envisioned expanding throughout the Central Plains, yet I never realized that dream.
At that moment, Yang Jin-soo posed a question.
“From what I understand, Young Master Eun Seo-ho is the third son of the Eunhae Trading Company’s guild master.”
“That’s correct.”
“And the Eunhae Trading Company deals in medicinal herbs.”
They’ve certainly conducted thorough research.
I chose my people well.
“Then wouldn’t your business operations harm the Eunhae Trading Company that Young Master belongs to?”
I smiled faintly at the question.
“You needn’t worry about that. It won’t be a loss—rather, it will be profitable.”
“Profitable, you say?”
“Our trading company supplies the finest quality medicinal herbs in Hubei Province at the most reasonable prices. And we control the entire medicinal herb supply in this province. So where would you source your herbs from?”
“Ah!”
“I see.”
“The more successful the business Young Master proposes becomes, the more medicinal herbs the Eunhae Trading Company will need to supply.”
“Then wouldn’t it be better if the Eunhae Trading Company handled this business itself?”
I shook my head at the question.
“If the Eunhae Trading Company monopolized everything, we’d face criticism.”
They nodded at my answer.
“A front company, in other words.”
These are indeed seasoned merchants with deep experience.
They grasped my meaning instantly.
“Precisely.”
In my previous life, this business was also conducted through a different front company, not the Eunhae Trading Company.
It was a method employed by many trading companies.
So they immediately recalled the concept of a front company upon hearing my words.
“Then should we report our business progress to the Eunhae Trading Company Master?”
“No.”
“Pardon?”
I grinned widely at their question.
“The company we’re establishing now is simply mine.”
In other words, the company we’ll establish is a front company, yet it isn’t.
“Surely you don’t mean to create a separate pocket?”
I didn’t answer.
Yes.
I am indeed creating a separate pocket.
But this pocket exists for no other purpose than to enrich the Eunhae Trading Company.
So I feel no hesitation in utilizing one of the ventures that will fatten the Eunhae Trading Company’s coffers in the future, right now.

Various discussions continued to unfold.
As expected, these were people thoroughly versed in medicinal ingredients, and concrete proposals soon began to emerge.
Sleep-inducing herbal tea, remedies to clear digestive blockages, salves for insect bites, and so forth.
And for them, crafting such medicines would be child’s play.
Now it was time for me to make my exit.
“Well then, I should be taking my leave.”
“It seems you have somewhere you must be?”
“Actually… my work shift is about to begin.”
“Pardon?”
I scratched behind my ear as I answered.
“I’m currently undergoing an apprenticeship as a special trainee at the Jaegyeong Pavilion of the Eunhae Trading Company.”
“Your age, young master?”
“Fifteen.”
….
“As an apprentice, I must strictly adhere to my work schedule.”
Yang Jin-soo’s expression was one of bewilderment.
“Why do you ask?”
“It’s nothing.”
“I look forward to working with you going forward, Yang Jin-soo. Or rather, Merchant Lord Yang Jin-soo.”
“Pardon? Merchant Lord? I’m merely….”
“Why else would I have conducted this meeting in secret here?”
I spoke to them.
“I will merely provide the capital.”
“You mean you won’t be involved in this venture at all?”
“You’re all more than capable of handling this yourselves—why would I interfere? Does a ship sail better with two captains?”
I know their capabilities.
And precisely because of that, I believe this venture will succeed.
“I intend to offer counsel only when asked. Though I’m uncertain whether my advice will hold any value.”
“If it’s the wisdom that brought us safely to this point, young master, its value will be immeasurable.”
“I’m grateful for such high regard. This is the contract.”
I withdrew the contract from my sleeve and presented it.
Yang Jin-soo—or rather, the Merchant Lord—asked after reading it.
“You’re providing all the initial capital and assistance in establishing our foundation here, yet you’re taking fifty percent of the profits?”
“Yes. I intend to take only half of that fifty percent. And the remaining half….”
I looked at them and spoke.
“Belongs to all of you.”

* * *

In the underground basement, only Yang Jin-soo and his companions remained.
He stared intently at the contract lying upon the table.
It was the contract that all of them had signed.
And there, written upon it, was the name ‘Eun Seo-ho’.
He let out a soft chuckle.
When he had come here, he had been uncertain, but now a clear future lay before his eyes.
The business venture he had proposed possessed sufficient potential.
And before long, they had all been persuaded by Eun Seo-ho and now envisioned a hopeful future.
‘Truly, what a terrifying young master.’
They already knew that Eun Seo-ho was only fifteen years old.
They had investigated him before coming here.
Yet the Eun Seo-ho before them was so skilled that one could never believe he was merely fifteen.
He seemed like a merchant with considerable experience.
And yet he was only fifteen.
Moreover, he was still undergoing apprenticeship training at the merchant guild.
So they had asked about his age once more out of caution, but it was indeed confirmed—he was fifteen years old.
“But fifty percent of the profits…”
“Normally in such cases, wouldn’t one take seventy percent of the profits?”
At the words of the others, Yang Jin-soo nodded in agreement.
“Indeed.”
“Looking at the profit distribution ratio, this actually makes one eager to work.”
“And he doesn’t interfere at all.”
At those words, Yang Jin-soo chuckled softly.
These were men who had grown weary of conflicts with the new lord of the Nok Jade Merchant Guild.
If there had been a clause requiring them to accept his advice without fail, some would have refused the deal altogether.
Yet here was a young master who neither interfered nor demanded anything—only collecting his share of the profits.
Eun Seo-ho understood how to command men.
‘If he is already like this, I wonder what kind of monster he will become in the future.’
It was a sense of anticipation.

* * *

Time passed, and mid-May arrived.
At the boundary where East Street, frequented by commoners of Chongyang County’s Marketplace Street, met South Street, which was filled with luxury goods.
There, a new shop opened its doors.

[Paligyak Pharmacy]

People who saw that pharmacy tilted their heads in confusion.
By its name, it seemed to sell medicine, yet it was not a physician’s clinic—which was truly peculiar.
If a physician took pulses, one would call it a physician’s clinic; if it sold medicinal herbs, a medicinal herb shop—but calling it a pharmacy was odd.
A curious man slipped inside.
“Welcome.”
The man was greeted by a middle-aged woman.
Paligyak Pharmacy meant a pharmacy established by eight people coming together.
Seven people including Yang Jin-soo, the head manager, and Eun Seo-ho made eight.
Of course, Eun Seo-ho’s true identity was a secret.
Her name was So Baek-yeon.
One of those eight people.
She primarily handled customer service, and with her remarkable acumen, she could captivate any customer in an instant.
Just as she did now.
“You came because you were curious about this place, didn’t you?”
“Eh? Well….”
“Please, sit here. Since you’ve come to our pharmacy, do have a cup of medicinal tea before you go.”
In an instant, a cup of tea was placed before the man.
“This medicinal tea is sold only at our Paligyak Pharmacy. You’ve been having trouble sleeping at night, haven’t you?”
“How, how did you know?”
“I can tell at a glance. That’s why I gave you this tea. This medicinal tea is called ‘Morning Vigor Tea,’ and it helps you sleep deeply and soundly. Thus, it allows you to greet a refreshed morning—hence the name Morning Vigor Tea.”
“Ah….”
“Do try it.”
The man took a sip of the tea. A comforting aroma wafted up, and his mood lifted.
When the man returned home that night, he slept deeply and peacefully.
The next morning, greeting a refreshed dawn, the man murmured to himself.
“My, that medicinal tea is truly miraculous.”
The next day, the man returned to Paligyak Pharmacy.
“How much is that Morning Vigor Tea?”
When purchasing the Morning Vigor Tea, a picture caught his eye.
It depicted a person tapping their chest as if in distress, and below stood another figure with an expression of relief.
And in that figure’s hand was a small box.
At a glance, the meaning was clear.
“Is that, by chance, suggesting there’s a medicine that clears digestive blockages?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
So Baek-yeon placed a single pill in a small paper box and offered it, saying:
“It’s called Stomach Clarity Pill. Try it when you have indigestion. Children take half a pill, adults take one pill—chew it and follow with water. If it’s difficult to chew, you can also dissolve it in water and drink it.”
“How much is this?”
Like the Morning Vigor Tea, the price was more affordable than expected.
“For the Stomach Clarity Pill, try it first, and if it works, purchase it then. If kept too long, it may spoil, and it would be wasteful to buy something ineffective, wouldn’t it?”
At those words, a sense of trust blossomed within him.

The man left, and So Baek-yeon chuckled to herself.
‘The young master’s advice was spot on.’
After securing the storefront, she had sought counsel from Eun Seo-ho regarding its setup.
It was only natural courtesy, given that he had provided the capital for this venture.
Eun Seo-ho had visited the shop discreetly to inspect it, and offered his observations.
“Everything looks excellent. I’m glad we’re working together. However….”
“…?”
“Add illustrations beside the promotional text. Many of the pharmacy’s customers cannot read. Such consideration for them will translate into profit.”
“Ah! Of course.”
So she added illustrations beside the promotional text.
She also included illustrations on the medicine boxes themselves—a safeguard against misuse by the illiterate.
And now, the benefits of that foresight were becoming abundantly clear.
.
.
.
Several days later, chaos erupted in the man’s household.
“Ugh, ugh!”
“Oh dear! What’s to be done! The boy must have severe indigestion.”
“Try patting his back, and massage his belly a bit.”
They employed various folk remedies, yet the boy’s indigestion stubbornly persisted.
Then the man recalled the medicinal pellet he had recently obtained from Paligyak Pharmacy.
It was supposed to relieve indigestion.
He quickly retrieved the pellet, broke it in half, and gave it to his son.
About half a quarter of an hour later.
“Burp.”
A belch escaped the boy’s lips, and the indigestion vanished completely.
Witnessing this, the man muttered to himself.
“Well! I’ll be! It really works!”
The next day, he purchased Qingwei Pills as well.

* * *

It was lunchtime.
I was having lunch with the staff members of the Jaegyeong Pavilion and sipping tea for a moment.
“Ah, but about Paligyak Pharmacy. How are their medicines?”
“Ah! That place?”
“Their medicines work incredibly well, don’t they? I bought athlete’s foot ointment from there and it cleared right up.”
“Ugh! You had athlete’s foot?”
“Huh….”
“But isn’t that something the physicians take issue with?”
“At first the physicians lodged complaints, but apparently they have no grievances now?”
“Why is that?”
“The pharmacy has a notice telling people to see a physician for serious illnesses, and the pharmacy staff also direct patients to find a physician after observing or hearing about their condition.”
“Ah!”
“So they only sell medicines for minor ailments.”
“They’re not fighting over territory.”
“And the pharmacy sources its medicinal materials from the Eunhae Trading Company.”
Listening to their words, I smiled inwardly with satisfaction.
As expected, this venture had struck gold.
Money was steadily accumulating in my coffers.

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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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