The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 502

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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 502

Chapter 502. The Critic’s Murder Case (1)

The next morning.
Go Merchant Lord visited the Beijing Branch.
He had come to finalize matters regarding this liquor evaluation competition and to prepare the official report.
“Ah, now that I think about it, there was that test regarding the qualifications of the guests the Crown Prince mentioned.”
“Yes. This time, about one-third of the evaluators failed to notice the counterfeit samples we planted.”
Consequently, we deemed them unqualified and excluded their evaluations from this competition’s results.
Thus, the final results should be understood as compiled from the opinions of approximately seventy qualified evaluators.
“They cannot be invited to the next evaluation competition.”
“Of course not.”
Fortunately, the Guizhou Poju Master was not included on that list of failures.
In other words, the Guizhou Poju Master now had one more legitimate reason to visit Beijing next year.
The only thing I could do for Seo Hyang was to give her father a reason to visit the capital more frequently.
I wanted to visit Guizhou someday and see my mother as well, but it wasn’t easy.
We discussed the matter and prepared the final report to present to the Emperor.
The results were already determined, but we needed to submit an official report through the Crown Prince.
Only then could the relevant departments proceed with their administrative duties.
“However, if I may speak, Merchant Lord.”
“What is it?”
“Are you truly satisfied with this as it stands?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why do we have sayings like ‘a beautiful dried persimmon is more appetizing’ and ‘adding the final touch of perfection’? Don’t these express that appearance is equally important?”
“You make a fair point.”
“Appearance is that crucial to sales. How much more so when trading with foreign nations—do you intend to sell it in ordinary wine bottles?”
Go Merchant Lord tilted his head, apparently not yet grasping my meaning.
“Ordinary… wine bottles?”
“Yes. I am not satisfied with that approach. I believe we need bottles distinctive enough that one can identify the wine merely by looking at the vessel. Therefore, with the Emperor’s approval, I am exploring methods to manufacture such bottles.”
I continued.
“Moreover, if the bottle itself becomes regarded as a work of art, the value of that wine will increase substantially.”
“There is merit in that.”
Only then, understanding my point, Go Merchant Lord nodded.
“In that case, people would purchase the wine simply to display or decorate with the bottles themselves.”
As expected of Go Merchant Lord.
He had conceived of aspects I had not even mentioned.
“Since my knowledge of wine is limited, it is difficult for me to envision a shape that would maximize the wine’s flavor profile. Moreover, even if the design were beautiful, it would be worthless if distribution proved problematic. But you, Merchant Lord, unlike myself, handle wine professionally—surely you understand this matter well, do you not?”
Go Merchant Lord’s lips curved upward.
Good, he’s taking the bait.
“So, if you have the time, would you not consider undertaking this endeavor alongside me?”
I pressed forward with my proposal.
“I’ve already secured ample funding from the Emperor for this purpose.”
“How much?”
Upon hearing the sum I mentioned, Go Merchant Lord’s eyes widened in astonishment.
“Is that truly so?”
“Yes.”
“Furthermore, I’ve also invited the Sub-Master of the Mudong Merchant Guild from Jiangsu Province.”
“Oh! The Mudong Merchant Guild—I’ve heard much of their reputation. They produce porcelain of exceptional quality.”
“Indeed. And they are also one of our cooperative partners.”
At my words, Go Merchant Lord nodded thoughtfully.
“With such preparations in place, how could I not lend my assistance? Besides, among the spirits we’ll be trading with foreign nations, some are produced under our guild’s banner.”
“Then you will help us?”
“Very well. I shall offer my support.”
At that response, I clenched my fist beneath the table.
Excellent!
He’s agreed!
Now that I could naturally hand over the matter, I could focus entirely on the Poetry Competition.

Go Merchant Lord was staying at an inn, so I requested that he move to the Beijing Branch instead.
Most of the liquor merchants who had come for the Evaluation Competition would be departing tomorrow, so there would be ample accommodations available.
Go Merchant Lord readily agreed to my request, and we arranged for him to arrive in two days.
We needed time to prepare our quarters, and he required time to make arrangements for the move.
“Then I shall see you in two days.”
“I am truly grateful.”
After seeing Go Merchant Lord off and returning to my office, Seo Hyang greeted me from within, where she had been processing documents.
“Did your conversation with Go Merchant Lord conclude well?”
“Yes. He’ll be arriving in two days.”
I apologized to her.
“I’m sorry.”
“Sorry? For what?”
“For confining you indoors like this, unable to venture outside.”
“It’s fine. The work is enjoyable, so I’m not feeling particularly restless or frustrated.”
Work being enjoyable…
Yet I found myself flinching involuntarily.
Now that I thought about it, there had been more than one occasion when I too had found work to be genuinely enjoyable.
“Why do you look at me that way?”
“It’s nothing at all.”
At that moment, Seo Hyang glanced around to confirm we were alone, then smiled and spoke.
“By the way, there will be a wedding this autumn, won’t there?”
“Pardon?”
“Young Gu Jin Master’s.”
“Did you perhaps see something?”
She nodded at my question.
“The wedding is happening faster than expected. Could it be… did his expression look happy?”
“Yes, very much so.”
At that answer, I smiled warmly.
Indeed, I’d heard the Minister’s Daughter was beautiful, and her background was excellent too.
For Seo Hyang to speak of it that way meant he was absolutely delighted.
I’d have to tease him about it later.
While I was thinking that, I heard Palgap’s voice from outside.
“Young Master, Young Gu Jin Master wishes to see you.”
Speak of the devil.
When I told him to come in, Young Gu Jin Master entered the office, bowed to me, and spoke.
“Small Guild Master, my father wishes to meet with you.”

A short while later.
I stood before the Seonju Young Estate in Beijing.
“Please come in.”
“Yes.”
Unlike before, I passed through the main gate with confidence. Then, as I sat in the guest reception room being served refreshments, the door opened.
The man who entered was a giant nearly as tall as Young Gusang, the eldest son.
This must be the Provincial Military Commander of Guizhou.
I rose from my seat, bowed respectfully, and paid my respects.
“I am Eun Seo-ho, Small Guild Master of the Eunhae Trading Company, and I greet you.”
“I am Gu Jin’s father.”
The fact that he didn’t mention his official position first revealed his character.
A true hero indeed.
“I called you here to express my gratitude for looking after my boy. I wanted to visit you in person, but given my position drawing attention from above, I thought it might be burdensome for you if I did.”
“I am grateful for your consideration.”
He was indeed thoughtful, contrary to appearances.
Perhaps this is the level of thinking required to become a high official?
“Let us speak while seated.”
“Thank you.”
I sat in the chair, and the Provincial Commander sat before me.
“We have discussed Gu Jin’s marriage and decided to hold the wedding ceremony this autumn.”
“I am honored.”
“Thank you. And this is thanks to you.”
“Pardon?”
“Gu Jin told me that because you were there, he could continue down the path he’d chosen without abandoning it, and could focus on brewing without lingering regrets. That’s how he created such fine liquor and was able to cure her madness through it.”
“….”
I offered an awkward smile.
It’s embarrassing to hear it directly, but it’s the truth, so what could I say?
I had no intention of denying my contribution.
“And Hyuk-su said the same. He said thanks to you, he was able to rescue Gu Jin from where his second brother had confined him.”
Ah, I’d been wondering where Dong Hyuk-su Grand Master had been lately….
“He’s a master craftsman I sponsor, so I was simply doing what needed to be done.”
I demurred politely and changed the subject.
“By the way, the Minister of War mentioned that Young Gu-sang took sick leave and was worried about it.”
“Ah, there’s no need to worry about that. I explained it well enough. We simply had a father-son sparring match after a long time.”
I suppressed the urge to laugh.
It wasn’t sparring—it was a scolding dressed up as sparring.
“I have nothing else I can give you separately. But if you ever need my help in the future, I’ll assist you once, provided it doesn’t compromise the family’s principles.”
A promise of aid from the Provincial Military Commander of Guizhou.
This would surely prove invaluable later.
So I should accept it quickly.
“As they say, reward should be proportional to merit. I accept gratefully.”
After that, I conversed with him a while longer before returning to the Beijing Branch.
“But there’s something I wanted to ask.”
On the way back, Palgap spoke to me.
“What is it?”
“Both Dong Hyuk-su Grand Master and Young Gu-man are martial artists, yet why do you call one ‘Grand Master’ and the other ‘Young Master’?”
Hmm, now that he mentioned it, that was odd.
After a moment’s thought, I realized the reason.
Dong Dae-hyeop was Seo Hyang’s older brother.
So without realizing it, I’d unconsciously used a more respectful form of address for him.
I’d need to be careful about this.
If someone as sharp as Palgap noticed, they might use it as a clue to uncover my secret.
“Palgap.”
“Yes?”
“You should have mentioned something like that sooner.”

* * *

It was deep into the night.
A man was running through an alley in Beijing.
“Huff, huff.”
From the way he gasped for breath, it was clear he had run a considerable distance.
His throat burned, his heart ached, and his legs trembled.
Yet he could not stop. Someone was pursuing him from behind.
But the Masked Intruder chasing him followed with remarkable ease.
After a suffocating game of chase lasting nearly two hours, he finally reached a dead-end alley.
What awaited him there was a poem written on the wall beforehand.

Your verses tear the earth asunder
And rend even the heavens apart.
Those who condemn others
Must consider that they too
Shall face condemnation,
And if that condemnation kills another,
Then you too must be prepared
To embrace death.
Did you truly not know this?
Since you have torn another’s heart asunder,

Upon reading it, he realized he had not escaped well—he had been herded to exactly where his pursuer wanted him.
Right here.
And he began to understand why he had come to this fate.
The Masked Intruder spoke.
“If your life mattered to you, you should have stopped your condemnations long ago.”
“…”
“You don’t know who sent me, do you? Of course not. Over all this time, there must be more than one or two people you’ve condemned through your verses.”
He wanted to protest, but it was the truth.
The Masked Intruder approached him and drew the sword at his waist.
Shing.
The cold ring of steel had already severed his resolve.
“P-please, spare me! If you spare me, I swear I’ll never write such verses again! No, I’ll put down my brush entirely!”
He clasped his hands together and begged desperately.
Scrape.
But the Masked Intruder’s blade moved, and both of the man’s hands were severed.
“Aaaahhhhh!”
“My preference is to sever the neck cleanly… but I’m afraid I must do as written there instead.”

* * *

Ahhhhh!
I stretched and rose from my seat.
After performing my breathing exercises, I headed to the Training Ground.
Seo Hyang was already running laps around the Training Ground. Now that’s what I call dedication.
I couldn’t afford to neglect my martial training either.

Today was the day Jin-ho would take those who had come from Hubei Province back down with him.
However, Young Gu-jin Master and his entourage were not included in that group.
They had decided to build a brewery in Beijing and produce liquor there instead.
The autumn wedding was important, but time was pressing.
Since this liquor had achieved the finest results, we needed to move diligently to meet the required quantities.

“Brother, travel safely.”
“I will.”
“Give my regards to the family.”
“Understood. You take care of yourself too.”
“You packed the gift for Elder Brother’s Wife, didn’t you?”
“Of course.”
After seeing Jin-ho off, I now had to focus my efforts on preparing for the Poetry Competition.
But then…
Huh?
Why is Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster coming this way?

A moment later,
I and Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster sat facing each other in the Guest Reception Room.
“You seem to have much on your mind.”
I asked first because his face truly appeared burdened with worry.
“Indeed.”
“What is the matter?”
“Sigh….”
Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster didn’t answer immediately, instead draining his tea in one gulp.
I quietly poured more tea and waited for him to speak.
“There’s been a murder.”
“I beg your pardon?”
Murder is a grave matter, though it occurs with some frequency.
Moreover, it falls under the County Office’s jurisdiction—so why would Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster….
And why is he telling me this?
“The victim came here to participate in the Poetry Competition.”
Ah….
This is indeed something I should know.
“The victim’s name was Na Jung-su. It seems he earned many enemies by frequently writing critical verses about others’ poetry.”
“Critical verses?”
“They call them critical verses, but in truth they were closer to condemnation.”
“I see.”
In fact, condemning poetry is a difficult thing to do.
Poetry carries the poet’s emotions within it, so to condemn the poetry is to condemn the poet’s very heart.
He was a man with an inflated sense of his own importance.
“But there’s a problem.”
What could be the problem that would make Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster wear such a grave expression?
“One of the primary suspects is the son of the Namgung Family Head.”
“….”
No wonder his expression is so serious.

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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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