The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 634

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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 634

Chapter 634. A New Venture (1)

At the Eun Wol Pavilion conference I attended during my last visit to Hubei Province, the proposal for Eun Jung-ho to be stationed at the Beijing Branch was approved.
In the Eunhae Trading Company, all direct descendants of the Merchant Guild Leader are called Small Guild Masters until one of them becomes the Merchant Guild Leader in their generation.
It’s one of the differences that sets us apart from other merchant guilds.
This means we will determine the next Merchant Guild Leader through fair competition on equal footing.
It’s also a warning not to let our guard down until the very end.
Operating a merchant guild is far more ruthless than one might think.
To survive fierce competition and avoid cunning schemes, you must consume your opponent’s flesh before they consume yours.
If I don’t eat first, I will be eaten.
Since my competitors are also Small Guild Masters, any of them could be replaced at any moment—so I must stay sharp.
It’s also a precaution for unforeseen circumstances.
Even if one Small Guild Master dies suddenly or goes missing, the succession structure won’t collapse because there are other Small Guild Masters.
Originally, like Father’s generation, the three of us brothers should have had the position of next Merchant Guild Leader decided through competition.
But Jin-ho and I tacitly abandoned our claims to the position, and Eun Jung-ho naturally solidified his position as the next Merchant Guild Leader.
That’s why the proposal for Eun Jung-ho to be stationed in Beijing passed smoothly at the Eun Wol Pavilion conference.
“Palgap.”
“Yes, sir. You called for me?”
“Eun Jung-ho is coming this time.”
At my words, Palgap’s face brightened as he asked.
“Is he finally arriving?”
“Yes.”
At my response, Seo Hyang beside me asked.
“Then the entire family is coming together?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
When Eun Jung-ho arrives this time, my Elder Brother’s Wife and the two children will come with him.
Beijing is the imperial capital of the Empire, where the highest-ranking officials gather in the greatest numbers.
And to operate a merchant guild in the Empire, we cannot afford to have poor relations with them.
Good relations are ideal, but at minimum, we must not face obstruction.
The proposal for Eun Jung-ho’s family to be stationed in Beijing was specifically designed to help him build relationships with these officials.
If the Eunhae Trading Company were still a moderately large guild ranked around fifty, it wouldn’t matter.
But now that we’ve become a massive guild ranked in the top twenty and are aiming for the position of Greatest Under Heaven Trading Company, we must cultivate good relations with Beijing’s high-ranking officials.
However, we cannot become too close, because if they commit grave crimes like treason, we could be swept up in their downfall.
This is where my Elder Brother’s Wife’s role becomes crucial.
There are matters among the ladies that men cannot openly handle.
That’s why Eun Jung-ho isn’t coming alone—his wife is coming with him.
Still, I couldn’t leave behind such young children, so Geon-hyuk and Bo-yeon would be coming along as well.
“Palgap. Prepare the magistrate’s residence for Eun Jung-ho’s family as we discussed before.”
“Understood, sir.”
Near the Beijing Branch, there were several residences that had been purchased and converted into official quarters during my previous visit.
Some were used as dormitories for employees, while others had been designated as lodgings for our family members.
These residences were a form of employee welfare.
Beijing’s exorbitant land and property prices meant that housing costs imposed a considerable burden on our staff.
Of course, there were places where one could reside by paying monthly rent, but the prices were quite steep.
Junior employees had to spend more than half their monthly wages on housing, which could create problems down the line.
If rival merchant guilds or other factions tried to lure them away with money, they would be far more susceptible to such temptation.
By reducing their housing burden, we lowered the likelihood of betrayal and strengthened their loyalty to the company.
Moreover, having everyone live together provided the added benefit of mutual oversight.
Since Eun Jung-ho had used this place during his previous stay in Beijing, it was perfectly suitable for his family to lodge here as well.
It was then that Seo Hyang called out to me.
“Pardon me, Small Guild Master.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“It might be wise to prepare warm fur clothing for the First Guild Master’s family who will be arriving.”
“Fur clothing? Wouldn’t Eun Jung-ho have already prepared such things?”
But Seo Hyang smiled and shook her head.
That gesture meant she had foreseen something regarding this matter.
“Hubei Province is warmer than here, so they may not have prepared clothing suitable for this climate. And young children can fall ill if the weather changes suddenly.”
“Ah, I see.”
Seo Hyang was concerned about Geon-hyuk and Bo-yeon.
Eun Jung-ho and Elder Brother’s Wife were adults and had cultivated martial skills to some degree.
Especially Elder Brother’s Wife, who was a martial artist of considerable skill, would not suffer from such cold.
But the children were different.
“Thank you for the advice.”
“I’m glad I could be of help.”
I immediately summoned Palgap and ordered him to prepare fur clothing for Geon-hyuk and Bo-yeon.

Before long, we had entered the second month of the year.
Eun Jung-ho and his family had arrived at the Beijing Branch.
Carriages and carts pulled into the Beijing Branch courtyard.
The carriage carrying Eun Jung-ho’s family and their belongings, accompanied by Eun Pung-dae Warriors and members of the Changin Escort Agency for protection.
“Welcome, Elder Brother. You must have had a difficult journey. And Elder Brother’s Wife, you’ve worked hard as well.”
“It’s been a long time.”
“You look well.”
I bowed in greeting to Geon-hyuk and Bo-yeon as well.
“Was the journey difficult?”
“No, Uncle.”
“It was nice, like traveling with our parents.”
Yet despite their words, they were trembling slightly.
“The children seem to be feeling the cold a bit.”
“I had prepared fur clothing for them, but it seems Beijing is colder than I expected for the children.”
“That must be it. Palgap!”
“Yes, sir!”
Palgap immediately brought the fur clothing, and I dressed Geon-hyuk and Bo-yeon in them.
The thick garments made the children look like fluffy balls of fur.
…How adorable.
“My! You even prepared clothing for Geon-hyuk and Bo-yeon?”
“Yes. Children are more sensitive to heat and cold than adults, after all.”
“Thank you.”
Following Elder Brother’s Wife, Eun Jung-ho also expressed his gratitude.
“I’m grateful. You’re always so thoughtful.”
“Thank Gwak Vice-Manager, not me.”
At my words, Eun Jung-ho and his wife’s gazes turned toward Gwak Vice-Manager.
“Thank you.”
“We appreciate it.”
“You’re too kind. I’m simply pleased to be of service.”
I spoke to everyone with a satisfied expression.
“Then let’s go inside and have a cup of warm tea.”

While Palgap guided the Eun Pung-dae Warriors and the members of Changin Escort Agency to their quarters, I headed to the Magistrate’s Residence with Eun Jung-ho’s family.
“You remember the place where Elder Brother used to stay in Beijing before, don’t you? We can use that as your quarters.”
“That wouldn’t be bad. But wait….”
Eun Jung-ho turned to look at me and asked.
“Did you build that place so spaciously because you anticipated something like this?”
“To some extent?”
I answered with a smile.
“Let’s go inside quickly. I’ve had a warm brazier lit for you.”

That evening, I shared dinner with Eun Jung-ho’s family.
After dinner, Elder Brother’s Wife said she needed to put the children to bed and headed to her room first.
Though there was a Nursemaid, she still made an effort to spend as much time as possible with the children.
A Nursemaid….
“Why do you have that expression?”
“I suddenly remembered my own Nursemaid.”
“Why are you thinking of that woman?”
At my words, Eun Jung-ho’s brow furrowed and his displeasure became evident.
In truth, my Nursemaid had not left me with pleasant memories.
When I was ten years old, my Nursemaid died.
It was suicide.
She had been caught leaking information from the Merchant Guild to a rival Merchant Guild while working as my Nursemaid.
And that was the first betrayal I ever experienced.
I think I carried guilt over that incident. I believed that if I had done better, she would not have betrayed me and the Guild.
That’s why I became so obsessed with people’s trust.
It was that shocking to me.
But now that I’ve returned from death, I realize that way of thinking was truly foolish.
If I had returned to when I was ten, not fifteen…what would I have said to her?
I asked Eun Jung-ho with a bitter smile.
“You’re keeping a close watch on Geon-hyuk and Bo-yeon’s Nursemaid, aren’t you?”
“Of course. Ever since that incident, Father has been paying close attention.”
Eun Jung-ho continued.
“By the way, how often do you have meals or tea alone with Gwak Vice-Manager, the one you’re going to marry?”
“Hm? Why do you ask?”
“I’m saying you should spend more time with Gwak Vice-Manager.”
“I think we spend quite enough time together already…. We’re almost always in the Office together.”
“Good grief! You fool!”
Eun Jung-ho slapped his chest as if exasperated.
“That’s work! When you’re in the Office, is all you and Gwak Vice-Manager talk about anything other than ‘Please approve this. Please review this. Proceed as planned. This needs some refinement’?”
“…That’s true.”
We do talk about other things occasionally, but it’s almost all work-related conversation.
“What I mean is, you should spend more time in private conversation. Going forward, Seo Hyang will have her own activities, so the only time you can spend together privately will be at night.”
“At night…”
Why did it suddenly feel so warm? Was the brazier burning too intensely?
“Do you know when Seo Hyang’s birthday is?”
“…!”
“What flowers does she like? What colors? What scents? What foods? Do you know what foods she dislikes?”
“….”
I found myself at a loss for words.
I had just realized that I didn’t know Seo Hyang as well as I thought I did.
Why had I believed I understood her so thoroughly?
“From now on, share meals or tea together and talk. Learn what each of you likes and dislikes.”
Eun Jung-ho continued speaking.
“Of course, we are people of the Merchant Guild, so it’s our habit not to share information with others… but still, she will be your lifelong companion.”
In a way, Eun Jung-ho’s words were perhaps romantic for someone of the Merchant Guild.
In my memories, there were quite a few cases where spouses betrayed each other.
But I liked Eun Jung-ho for being that way.
So it would be my responsibility to devise and execute stratagems.
And Seo Hyang was someone I wanted to trust.
“I understand. I’ll make the effort.”
“And….”
Eun Jung-ho fidgeted with his teacup before looking up.
“This time, I’m thinking of starting a new business venture.”
“A new business?”
“Yes. I’m going to start a jewelry business.”
“I see.”
“You’re not surprised?”
At Eun Jung-ho’s question, I let out a small laugh.
“One of the things you care most about is silk. So naturally, it would be most effective to handle jewelry that complements that silk. There’s no way you would overlook that.”
“Is that so?”
Though I had offered a reasonable explanation, in my previous life, Eun Jung-ho had also started the jewelry business around this time.
And he had achieved considerable success.
I had felt it when buying gifts for Elder Brother’s Wife before, but my brother’s eye for detail and aesthetic sense were quite refined.
Squeak!
Geumryeong’s reaction was proof enough of that.
This creature certainly responded immediately to anything profitable.
“The reason I’m telling you this in advance is because I need your help.”
“What can I help you with?”
“An opportunity to make introductions.”
Eun Jung-ho’s eyes gleamed.
“I need a chance to introduce our Eunhae Trading Company’s jewelry to high-ranking officials and their wives.”
That’s a fair point.
Jewelry is a field where people simply follow trends once someone establishes them.
In that case, I should ask for one as well.
“Alright. In exchange….”

A few days later.
A new workshop appeared in the Beijing Branch.
It was the heart of the jewelry business that Eun Jung-ho was spearheading.
A jewelry workshop, to be precise.
Since jewelry is fundamentally handcrafted work, it’s no exaggeration to say that the quality of raw gemstones and the craftsman’s skill determine everything.
That’s why Eun Jung-ho had brought along several jewelry craftsmen he’d contracted with.
Jewelry trends almost always originate in Beijing.
So it made sense to conduct the jewelry business here.
When I arrived at the jewelry workshop, Eun Jung-ho greeted me.
“You came quickly?”
“Yeah.”
“By the way, asking me to show you around the jewelry workshop! That’s not something you should ask for—it’s something I should naturally do, isn’t it?”
“Haha. Is that so?”
“Let’s go inside.”
Eun Jung-ho led me into the workshop.
The craftsmen were so deeply focused on their work that they didn’t even notice us entering.
As expected, she was here.
There was a reason I’d asked my brother for this tour. It was because….
– Geum-ryeong, do me a favor.
– Squeak?
At my call, Geumryeong poked her head out from my sleeve.
But instead of looking at me, her eyes sparkled as she watched the precious metals being carefully carved and refined by the craftsmen.
Still, she wouldn’t eat anything I hadn’t permitted.
– In that craftsman’s pocket….
Upon receiving my request, Geumryeong moved like an arrow shot from a bow.

* * *

Son Mun was a master craftsman who specialized in cutting raw gemstones.
Since it was his family trade, he had begun working with raw stone from before he could even think for himself.
In truth, the work of cutting raw gemstones required considerable capital investment.
One needed money to purchase the stones themselves, and more money still to acquire the tools necessary for their processing.
Because of this, all but a select few found themselves employed by wealthy patrons.
Son Mun had once belonged to that rare minority of independent craftsmen, but this time he had signed an employment contract with the Eun Hae Trading Company.
His son’s illness demanded medicine, and medicine demanded coin.
And so he had come all the way to Beijing.
When he began working at the new workshop in Beijing, someone sent him a covert letter.

[We wish to know about the new venture the Eun Hae Trading Company is undertaking. If you wish to save your son, cooperate with us.]

Though the Eun Hae Trading Company had paid him a substantial advance, it fell short of what he needed for his son’s medicine, and so he found himself torn by inner conflict.
The money they offered would be desperately welcome.
“Phew, that concludes today’s work!”
At the Workshop Foreman’s announcement, everyone began tidying their stations. As Son Mun gathered his tools into his bag, he noticed something unusual inside it.
He withdrew the object from the bag and gasped in utter astonishment.
‘What! This is—!’

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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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