The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 6

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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 6

Chapter 6. Prevent the Fire at Jaegyeong Pavilion (2)

It was a simple wager, nothing that would cause either of us to lose face.
Besides, he likely believed I wouldn’t pass.
I rose from my seat with the documents I had prepared and made my way directly to Yu Chief Manager.
I entered the Chief Manager’s office.
Yu Chief Manager didn’t even look at me as he spoke.
“What brings you here?”
“I’ve completed the task you assigned me.”
“…Pardon?”
Yu Chief Manager lifted his head, regarding me with an expression of utter bewilderment.
“You’ve finished already?”
“Yes.”
His expression quickly shifted to irritation.
He clearly assumed I had rushed through it carelessly.
I confidently extended the documents toward him.
It took less than a moment for his expression to transform into shock.
He asked, his face now rigid with tension.
“Who taught you this method of document preparation?”
Who taught me?
You taught me this method.
Learning it was quite difficult.
But I couldn’t answer that way.
“By studying other documents, I came to understand it naturally.”
“I see you’ve organized the reference materials used for this document with numbered annotations. Who taught you that as well?”
“I noticed other documents were organized that way, so I applied the same approach.”
I answered with a smile.
“The reference documents were so well-prepared that I learned from them naturally. It’s surely thanks to your guidance, Yu Chief Manager.”
At my words, Yu Chief Manager regarded me silently for a moment. Then he spoke.
“You’ve organized this far better than I anticipated. You pass. You may leave for the day.”
As expected, I passed.

As I exited Yu Chief Manager’s office and returned to my desk, Yeochang’s Officer approached with curiosity brimming in his eyes.
“How did it go?”
“Ah, well….”
I gathered the scattered documents strewn across my work table.
Seeing what appeared to be an attempt to organize the materials, Yeochang’s Officer offered me consolation.
“Do not be so disheartened. The probability of receiving approval from the Chief Manager on the first attempt is rarer than lightning striking a coin dropped on the ground….”
Thump.
I handed him the documents and spoke.
“It passed.”
“Pardon?”
“Then, I would appreciate your help with the organization.”

* * *

Yu So-ak made his way to Jae-gyeong Pavilion with an exhausted expression, as he did every day.
In truth, he had left work only at the beginning of the Ox Hour today.
So he had come in after sleeping less than three hours.
“I must be mad. Why did I back then… fall so easily for the Merchant Leader’s words….”
It was his habitual refrain.
Once a talented man who had passed the civil service examination, he had returned to his hometown for reasons unknown, and was moved by the words of Merchant Leader Eun Gil-sang to work at the Eun-hae Trading Company.
And now he served as the Chief Manager of the Eunhae Trading Company.
Lamenting his fate—that he had fallen for the Merchant Leader’s words and now endured such hardship—was merely a habit of his.
For Yu So-ak, Merchant Leader Eun Gil-sang was a benefactor who had bestowed upon him the grace of saving his life.
He was a man who forgot neither grudges nor favors.
He had already resolved to dedicate his life to this Eunhae Trading Company.
He quickened his pace.
He had stopped by the Merchant Leader’s office before coming to Jae-gyeong Pavilion today, which had caused him to fall behind schedule.
Upon entering Jae-gyeong Pavilion, those standing night watch immediately rose from their posts.
“Welcome, Chief Manager.”
Yu So-ak nodded at their greeting.
“Yes, good morning.”
He spoke to the officers.
“When Young Master Eun Seo-ho arrives, please tell him to come to my office.”
The officers responded to Yu So-ak’s words.
“Yes. Understood.”
As Yu So-ak recalled Eun Seo-ho, he found himself smiling unknowingly.
‘I was completely disappointed on the first day, but I was entirely mistaken.’
Eun Seo-ho had submitted a flawless report from his very first task.
Ten days had passed since then.
Now, witnessing his ability to handle every assignment given to him swiftly and with perfect accuracy, I could only marvel.
‘As if he had worked for decades… such seasoned expertise.’
Genius exists, they say, but even genius has its limits—there are aspects that simply defy explanation.
True genius boasts an extraordinary mind, yes, but not this meticulous, perfectly organized administrative competence.
Then why do phrases like “desk-bound scholar” and “pale-faced bookworm” even exist?
Such skills can only be cultivated through actual practical experience.
Every successor to a merchant guild must undergo five years of practical training, though the duration is not strictly fixed.
Once the directors of Jae-gyeong Pavilion, Se-poong Hall, and Sang-yu Hall—the divisions overseeing practical operations—declare a successor qualified, that particular training concludes.
In Yu So-ak’s mind, Eun Seo-ho deserved to pass ten times over, even if he had already received one passing declaration.
The only reason he hadn’t was the watchful eyes of others.
Both of Eun Seo-ho’s elder brothers had spent three years in practical training at Jae-gyeong Pavilion.
There was no need to make him stand out alone.
Yet continuing to assign various tasks as tests and training exercises had become meaningless.
‘The best approach would be to grant him diverse experiences.’
The most suitable place for that was right beside him, in an assistant’s position.
He had decided to bring Eun Seo-ho on as his personal assistant.
Of course, if Eun Seo-ho heard this, he would be shocked.
Since Eun Seo-ho, as a special apprentice, belonged to Jae-gyeong Pavilion, his reassignment fell under Yu So-ak’s authority—yet he was still the Guild Leader’s son.
So he sought permission from the Guild Leader.
That was why he had just stopped by the Guild Leader’s Office.
‘Hmm! It’s absolutely not because I need someone to assist with my duties—it’s simply that having one of the Guild Leader’s sons work at Jae-gyeong Pavilion isn’t a bad idea. Right.’
Yu So-ak muttered this to himself as he entered his office.

* * *

I headed to the Dining Hall to have breakfast.
My Two Elder Brothers were already there.
“Good morning.”
My Elder Brother, Eun Jung-ho, greeted me.
“I hear you’ve been climbing the Back Mountain at dawn lately. Are you doing it for your health?”
“That’s right.”
In truth, it was for martial arts training.
I needed to begin practicing outdoors now, since there were too many eyes watching if I trained within the house.
Jung-ho spoke.
“Health is important, but don’t overexert yourself.”
“I understand. I won’t overdo it.”
Jung-ho was truly considerate.
Then my second brother, Jin-ho, spoke from beside me.
“Come on, brother! Climbing the Back Mountain in the morning is fine, isn’t it? You worry too much.”
“Still, I’m concerned he might fall ill again.”
“That’s exactly why he needs to move his body more. Look at him now—he’s grown taller and his physique has improved. It’s all because he started moving his body in the mornings.”
Jin-ho said this, then casually asked me.
“So, would you like to learn martial arts again?”
“Martial arts?”
“Well, working in the Merchant Guild means there will be times when you need to protect yourself.”
As the heir to the Merchant Guild, one does not neglect martial arts.
Though its priority ranks below Guild matters, I made every effort to master martial arts.
When dangerous moments arise—and they do—martial arts can be the difference between life and death.
That is why both Jung-ho and Jin-ho studied under the External Chief Manager.
The External Chief Manager, who also serves as commander of the Eunpung Corps that handles the Guild’s military affairs, owes a great debt to Grandfather, and became External Chief Manager of his own volition to repay that debt.
As an extension of this repayment, he chose to impart his martial arts knowledge to the Guild’s heirs.
He declared he would not marry until his debt was fully repaid—and indeed, he never married, even before my death.
In truth, I too had learned martial arts alongside them in childhood.
But once I fell ill, I ceased my training.
Fortunately, I had only learned external techniques at that point.
Had I learned internal cultivation as well, my lifespan would have shortened even further.
The External Chief Manager’s martial arts were of the Yang School.
A school fundamentally incompatible with my nature in every way.
Explaining this would have been difficult, so my martial arts training remained a secret.
I answered Jin-ho with a smile.
“I’ll think about it.”
Just then, Grandfather and my parents entered the Dining Hall, and the meal began.

This morning’s rice porridge was made with chicken.
Unless something unusual happens, our Eunhae Trading Company’s mornings are filled with porridge.
I was carefully eating the steaming porridge when Father called out to me.
“Seo-ho.”
“Yes, Father.”
“I hear you’ve been doing well at Jae-gyeong Pavilion lately.”
“Ah, I’m simply doing as those around me instruct me to do.”
“That too is a talent.”
Father’s praise made me feel oddly embarrassed.
“So this morning, the Internal Chief Manager made a special request of me. He wants to use you as his assistant.”
“Ah, so that’s… no, wait? Why?”
My voice grew louder without my realizing it.
An assistant to Yu Chief Manager!
This never happened in the future I experienced.
Father answered my question.
“Why? Obviously because you’re doing your work well.”
“So… you’ve given your permission, Father?”
“Of course. Besides, your assignment is already under Jae-gyeong Pavilion, so there’s nothing for me to permit or refuse. Isn’t that right?”
At Father’s words, Grandfather also chuckled and continued.
“That particular fellow wants to keep you by his side directly! How remarkable!”
“Indeed. Hehe.”
Following Mother, my two elder brothers also expressed their amazement.
“Wow! That’s impressive.”
“Our younger brother has real talent.”
…
Amid my family’s congratulatory atmosphere, my appointment as Yu Chief Manager’s assistant became a done deal.
.
.
.
The fact that I would be working as Yu Chief Manager’s assistant was somewhat—no, quite—bewildering.
In truth, today was an extremely important day.
It was the day a massive fire would break out, causing great losses to the company.
Only I could prevent that disaster, and I needed time to do it.
Yet now I was to work as Yu Chief Manager’s assistant.
As the assistant to the perpetually swamped Yu Chief Manager,
Perpetually swamped myself!
Should I have just done things moderately?
I sighed and headed toward Yu Chief Manager’s office.
Yu Chief Manager rose to greet me.
“You’ve arrived?”
Unlike that first day when I could only lift my head from my seat to look around, everything felt different now.
“I heard you summoned me.”
“Yes. Starting today, you will work as my assistant.”
I swallowed hard as I gazed at the documents precariously stacked upon the desk.
Working as Yu Chief Manager’s assistant meant I would have to process those documents alongside him.
This was my last chance to back out of this role.
“Sir, I am grateful that you hold my abilities in such high regard. However, it has only been ten days since I began practical work. To become your assistant so soon—”
“Does it burden you?”
“I apologize.”
“Hearing those words from you only strengthens my conviction that I must bring you on as my assistant.”
“…?”
Yu Chief Manager smiled and continued.
“Because you possess the virtue of humility.”
So Yu Chief Manager had interpreted my refusal as modesty.
But I was being sincere in my reluctance….
“I understand your hesitation. However, I believe a person’s abilities shine brightest when applied where they are needed. And it would be wonderful if your talents could help the Eunhae Trading Company flourish further.”
He posed a question to me.
“Do you not care for the Eunhae Trading Company?”
“….”
Did he just ask if I cared for the Eunhae Trading Company?
There was no way that could be true.
It seemed Yu Chief Manager was trying to provoke me.
That question meant he had already made up his mind.
If that was the case….
“I understand. I will work as your assistant, Yu Chief Manager. However, I have conditions.”
“Please, state them.”
“First, guarantee me fixed meal times. And also guarantee my work hours.”
“Agreed.”
“And I will begin tomorrow.”
“Very well.”
The first condition was necessary for my future plans.
The second condition was to prevent the fire that would occur today.
As I returned to my desk, Yeochang’s Officer approached me.
“Young Master, you have returned?”
“Yes. I was just summoned by the Internal Chief Manager.”
“I see.”
Though I would begin working as Yu Chief Manager’s assistant tomorrow, I could not yet reveal this.
Yu Chief Manager had instructed me to keep it quiet, likely for security reasons.
‘Now that I think about it, Yu Chief Manager never trusted people easily.’
This was why he had never taken on an assistant, even until his death from overwork—making my appointment as his assistant all the more unexpected.

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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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