The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 535

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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 535

Chapter 535. Establishing a Martial Hall (1)

It had been quite some time since I last set foot in the Imperial Palace.
Nearly two months, if I recalled correctly.
I had departed for the Northern Sea Ice Palace around mid-March, and now it was already early May.
This spring, I had been in constant motion without a moment’s rest.
I followed Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster through the palace gates and arrived at the Emperor’s office.
A moment later.
“Enter.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I stepped into the office and performed the most respectful bow.
“Raise your head.”
“Your Majesty’s grace is boundless.”
I lifted my gaze to meet the Emperor’s eyes.
“Where have you been all this time to leave your post for so long?”
Since a detailed explanation seemed awkward, I carefully attempted to change the subject.
“Did you miss me, Your Majesty?”
“Indeed.”
…
Wait, that was meant as a jest—surely you’re not making this embarrassing for me.
“There is much work to be done, yet capable men are scarce. Your absence came to mind.”
In other words, he was lamenting his inability to put me to use.
My hasty departure had proven worthwhile.
Had I not left promptly as Seo Hyang advised, the Emperor would have detained me and I would have missed the Ice Flame Conference entirely.
Though I suppose I could have found a way regardless.
But the difficulties in doing so would have been considerable.
“I see, Your Majesty.”
“Indeed. Now then, I received word that you annihilated the Blood Tide Gang, a notorious pirate crew, in Nanking. How did this come to pass?”
He wished to hear the detailed account from my perspective.
I proceeded to explain the entire sequence of events to the Emperor.
“…And that is how it transpired, Your Majesty.”
I continued.
“They not only interfered with goods the Eun Hae Trading Company had carefully prepared, but they dared obstruct Your Majesty’s will. It was only right that they be eliminated.”
“Well done.”
The Emperor nodded approvingly, praising me.
“Those who gnaw at the Empire’s interests must be purged without mercy.”
“Your Majesty, this incident has given me cause to reflect on something.”
“What is it?”
“The importance of cultivating skilled martial instructors.”
“Are you suggesting that the Empire’s martial instructors currently lack sufficient ability?”
I needed to choose my words carefully here.
“Of course, the martial instructors of the Empire are quite accomplished. However, Your Majesty, the true purpose of a Martial Hall is investment in the future.”
“Investment in the future?”
“Yes, we merchants have a saying for such matters.”
I smiled wryly as I spoke.
“Surely you don’t intend to conduct business for merely a day or two and then abandon it?”
The Emperor burst into hearty laughter at my words.
“Ha ha ha ha! Quite right! Quite right!”
He continued, looking at me.
“This fellow still has a glib tongue.”
“I shall take it as a compliment.”
“The Empire’s future will be bright only if we consistently produce excellent talents to lead it forward.”
Perfect!
I clenched my hidden fists within my sleeves.
“For this, I require Your Majesty’s assistance.”
“My assistance?”
“In cultivating future talent, is there anything more essential than a proper teacher?”
“Indeed.”
“Therefore, I humbly request that Your Majesty issue an edict allowing us to invite excellent instructors from the various martial sects and families.”
Even the most prideful sects and families in the martial world must bow their heads before an imperial decree.
None wish to fall from favor and perish.
The Emperor regarded me silently for a moment before speaking.
“So then, what is your true intention in this matter?”
“Your Majesty?”
“I know you well enough to recognize that you never undertake anything at a loss. For you to willingly invite such troublesome complications suggests you have something to gain.”
Cold sweat trickled down my spine.
Had he truly discerned my intentions?
“Is it money?”
“…!”
I flinched and immediately lowered my head.
My opponent was the Emperor himself.
Honest confession was my best course.
“Establishing a Martial Hall requires considerable expense, does it not?”
“It does.”
“Yet those instructors will become the Empire’s future talents, and bearing all those costs solely through the Eun Hae Trading Company would be quite burdensome.”
I continued speaking.
“However, if the Imperial Palace were to assume full responsibility for its management, it would inevitably lead to increased administrative burden and corruption.”
“Tsk….”
The Emperor clicked his tongue in disapproval.
He couldn’t possibly be unaware.
If the Martial Hall were placed under the Imperial Palace’s direct management, it would degenerate from serving its martial purpose into nothing more than an institution where the children of high-ranking officials squandered resources and wasted their days.
“There is already a precedent with the Apricot Flower Academy, so it would be prudent to follow that model.”
“Not a bad idea.”
“This is the result of my deliberation for the sake of the Empire and Your Majesty.”
“I suppose what falls to me is merely scraps.”
“….”
I carefully gauged the Emperor’s expression.
“Very well. We shall proceed as you suggest.”
“Your benevolence is boundless.”
At that moment, a voice came from outside the chamber.
“The Minister of War has arrived for his audience.”
The Emperor then spoke.
“About time. Let him enter.”
With those words, I realized that this was the true purpose for which the Emperor had summoned me.
The Minister of War, Dae-in, entered and bowed respectfully before the Emperor.
“Raise your head.”
“Your benevolence is boundless.”
“I have summoned Eun Seo-ho, the Small Guild Master of the Eun Hae Trading Company. Speak freely of what you wish to discuss.”
“Yes.”
He cleared his throat and turned to address me.
“I have heard of your recent exploits. You eliminated the vicious pirate gang known as the Blood Tide Gang, is that correct?”
“Yes, that is so.”
“A truly commendable achievement.”
“You are too kind.”
“However, I understand that the archers played a significant role in eliminating these pirates?”
“Do you refer to the Silver Wind Archery Unit?”
Only then did I grasp what he truly wished to say.
“Yes, the Silver Wind Archery Unit. Their martial prowess is such that they can sink pirate vessels in a single volley. I am concerned that warriors of such caliber might be employed for nefarious purposes.”
“By nefarious purposes, do you perhaps mean those directed against Your Majesty?”
At my words, he bristled.
“How dare you speak such dangerous words!”
“If I have misunderstood, I apologize. However, I am not skilled at speaking in roundabout ways. And….”
I glanced subtly at the Emperor as I spoke.
“Your Majesty appears to be growing weary.”
At this, the Minister of War looked up at the Emperor and flinched.
“Minister of War.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“My time is precious. Yet your time does not seem to be. Or perhaps you are so capable that you can afford to waste it, and have merely been concealing that competence.”
“Ah! N-no, that is not so!”
“State only the essential matter.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
He spoke to me with a tense expression.
“Ahem, I wish for you to transfer that archery unit to the Imperial Palace.”
So it was true after all?
Did he possess no conscience whatsoever?
I suppressed the hollow laugh threatening to escape and opened my mouth instead.
“I understand well the concerns of Minister of War Dae-in. I displayed the unit’s power despite knowing it would cause alarm, solely to eliminate obstacles standing before His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Is… is that so?”
“I am saddened that such intentions were not conveyed clearly.”
“…Ahem.”
“And if I may ask out of caution—surely you are not coveting the archery unit itself?”
“W-what are you saying! Absolutely not. I merely thought it dangerous for the Merchant Guild to operate such a unit privately.”
“I see. I understand your concern completely.”
I continued.
“The Eun Hae Trading Company can indeed transfer the archery unit to the Imperial Palace. Since the archers would then belong not to the Guild but to the Palace, how could we not rejoice? Ah, would they then become members of the Imperial Guard?”
“…”
The Minister of War blinked at my words.
He had no immediate answer.
“If not that, then you are asking us to simply hand them over as disposable pieces? They too are citizens of the Empire—how can you think to use and discard them so?”
I knelt before the Emperor and bowed.
“Your Majesty! This cannot be permitted. I beseech your understanding!”
The Emperor, who had been listening quietly to our exchange, finally spoke.
“They too are my precious subjects. How could I, as their father, do such a thing? Rise from your knees.”
“Your benevolence is boundless.”
“And Minister of War.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Once they belong to the Imperial Palace, they become Imperial Guards. Why can you not answer something so obvious?”
Of course—he had simply blurted out his desires without thinking that far ahead.
The Minister of War stammered out a reply.
“Y-yes, Imperial Guards indeed.”
“And Minister of War Dae-in. I have invested considerable expense in training these men. Surely you would not simply take them without compensating that cost? That would violate merchant ethics.”
“Ah, yes. Ahem. How much was spent in their training?”
“One hundred twenty silver taels per person.”
“Gasp!”
He was startled by my words.
“W-what nonsense! No matter how elite, training soldiers cannot cost that much! Are you perhaps inflating the figures to deceive me?”
I shook my head calmly and spoke.
“That’s absolutely not the case. First, since they were meant to counter pirates, they constructed several training vessels, and their equipment as well….”
As I rattled off the costs and procedures, the Minister of War’s face began to turn ashen.
“Since this concerns the Imperial Palace, I’ve only mentioned the bare minimum expenses.”
“I, I see.”
“And since they aren’t ordinary warriors but individuals cultivated for a singular, specialized purpose, their monthly stipends are quite substantial. Five silver taels per person. I believe they deserve at least that much. So I must ask—can you, Minister of War, guarantee their monthly wages?”
“….”
The Minister of War’s expression grew noticeably strained.
“I bore all those expenses myself, solely to fulfill His Majesty’s command that I successfully establish trade relations by cultivating this archery unit.”
I continued.
“I undertook work that should have fallen to the Ministry of War, yet instead of offering support, you demand I hand them over.”
“….”
The Emperor interjected then.
“Minister of War. Surely you didn’t come to me seeking to meet with Eun Seo-ho without any plan whatsoever?”
“Y-Your Majesty… that is to say…”
The Minister of War faltered, unable to finish his words.
He was the head of the Ministry of War, and I was merely a small merchant leader—he’d underestimated me.
Moreover, with the Emperor present, he’d assumed I wouldn’t dare refuse and would simply hand over the archery unit.
Had the Minister of War come thoroughly prepared, this would have been quite difficult, but fortunately, his contempt for me allowed me to seize the advantage with ease.
“Minister of War.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I find myself questioning whether I should continue keeping you as the head of the Ministry of War.”
“Gasp!”
He prostrated himself in terror.
“I-I am deeply sorry! This humble servant has brought shame upon himself!”
“Yes, I’m aware.”
“….”
“They say a lion gives its all even to catch a single rabbit. Yet I see no such preparation in you. Clearly, you intended to use my authority to simply crush him.”
“….”
His silence confirmed I’d struck the mark.
“This Eun Seo-ho here has already discerned what troubles me and proposed the establishment of a Martial Hall to me. He even intends to provide archery instruction there.”
Ah….
I hadn’t actually planned that far ahead.
“Is that not so?”
“Ah, yes. That is correct, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor had maneuvered me into this. Tsk!
“How admirable this is.”
“….”
“Therefore, I shall permit, in my own name, the Eun Hae Trading Company to operate this archery unit. Do you have further objections?”
“N-no, Your Majesty.”
“Then I shall take my leave.”
With that, the Minister of War departed from the Emperor’s Office looking like a drenched puppy.
The Emperor chuckled softly and turned his gaze toward me.
“You handled that well, as expected.”
“Why didn’t you give me a heads-up beforehand?”
“Would it have made any difference?”
“….”
No, it wouldn’t have.
“Besides, I thought you would have anticipated it anyway.”
Well, that’s true enough.
“Still, to think such a man serves as Minister of War… tsk!”
The Emperor clicked his tongue in disapproval.
“In any case, as I mentioned earlier, I shall grant permission for the Archery Unit.”
“I am deeply grateful for your benevolence, Your Majesty.”
“In exchange, simply crush the pirates wherever you encounter them and ensure safe trade with foreign nations.”
“It shall be done.”
“Then you may withdraw.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”

I withdrew from the Emperor’s Office.
One cannot afford even a moment of carelessness before the Emperor.
I, who rarely perspire, found myself breaking into a cold sweat.
Somehow I had gotten entangled with the Emperor and ended up teaching archery at the Martial Hall as well.
Just then, Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster approached me.
“Is the audience concluded?”
“Ah, yes.”
“The Minister of War departed with a face like a melancholy puppy.”
Now that I think about it, the Ministry of War and the Geumui Guard have never gotten along well.
Isn’t the Geumui Guard even drawn from the Ministry of War’s ranks?
Well, there must be reasons for it.
“It seems I’ve incurred the Minister of War’s displeasure.”
“Don’t worry about that.”
Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster chuckled.
“Who would dare lay a hand on you? And if need be, just report him outright.”
“Pardon?”
“That official position you hold—it exists precisely for such occasions.”
Ah, that’s right. I’m an Inspector Censor.
Thank you for the reminder, Great Swordmaster.
Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster continued.
“Oh, and regarding those criminals you brought in—we’ve decided to change their labor assignment at your request.”
“Thank you.”
Thanks to the former pirates this time, I learned that the ones who stole the Small Merchant Guild Leader were the Blood Tide Gang.
And I obtained quite important information as well.
I did reduce their labor period as promised, but since I received more help than expected, I should repay them accordingly.
So I requested that their work location be changed from the construction site to somewhere with lower labor intensity.
Now that I think about it, the aura of the Black Path emanating from the former pirates has diminished considerably in recent times.
My Master once told me this.
Even if someone is wicked, if they reform their heart, the aura of the Black Path grows faint.
But he said that completely erasing the aura of the Black Path requires considerable effort.
Come to think of it, their aura grew faint starting from when I showed them a glimpse of the Silver Wind Archery Unit’s skill.
But why is that?
Have they truly turned over a new leaf?

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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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