The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 637

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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 637

Chapter 637. A New Venture (4)

Princess Yeoryang summoned a maidservant and had her distribute envelopes containing invitation cards to all the noble ladies present.
Thanks to the careful craftsmanship, the invitations were quite elegant even in their envelopes alone.
One of the noble ladies opened her envelope and asked a question.
“There are four invitation cards here, not just one?”
To this, Eun Jung-ho responded with a gentle smile.
“How lonely it would be to come alone? I thought good things should be shared, so I included four cards. Please consider that you may bring up to three companions.”
“My, how thoughtful of you.”
“I’m simply grateful that you see it that way.”
Indeed, Eun Jung-ho was a merchant through and through.
The idea of giving four invitation cards per person had been Eun Jung-ho’s concept.
While he claimed it was out of consideration, the real message was clear: since you’re coming anyway, don’t come alone—bring other potential customers.
And in doing so, the noble ladies present would gain the advantage of controlling who received the invitations.
I spoke gently.
“I apologize for overstepping when the true host is present.”
“It’s fine.”
The Princess shook her head with a smile.
“I was already feeling guilty about being the only one buying such beautiful ornaments, but now that you’re sharing this wonderful opportunity, my heart feels much lighter.”
In truth, if another merchant guild had attempted such a thing, they could have faced criticism.
However, I had prior acquaintance with her, and I had obtained permission through Yeon Yu-mun, so there was no problem.
In other words, it was a prearranged arrangement.
Instead, I decided to gift her with a piece of jewelry that she particularly admired.
She wanted to express her gratitude for helping Chun Gyeong Seong, but I would have to collect that debt in another form later.
“Which ornaments appeal to you?”
“I…”
That day, the Princess selected five pieces of jewelry from the Eun Hae Trading Company.

* * *

The Hwang Merchant Guild Leader was in quite a foul mood.
He had visited the residence to sell jewelry for the Princess’s wedding, but selling only one piece was one reason for his displeasure.
‘The Eun Hae Trading Company’s jewelry—they selected five pieces.’
But there was a greater reason.
It was because of something one of the noble ladies had said to him.

“The jewelry that the Eunhae Trading Company brought was uniformly beautiful, but honestly, the items here seem rather plain in comparison.”

In other words, the quality fell short of what the Eunhae Trading Company offered.
Moreover, the Guard Warrior of my second son Hwang Gon had conveyed something to me.
It was that Hwang Gon had attempted to bribe a Master Craftsman from the Eunhae Trading Company but failed.
“Damn it! Even if you failed, you should have kept it hidden!”
I glared at my second son Hwang Gon, who was following behind me, and he shrank back in response.
“I, I apologize, Father.”
“Do you not know who Eun Seo-ho is? He is a mere merchant like us, yet he enjoys the Emperor’s favor and has backing from both the Geumui Guard and the Dongchang. Because of you, we have made such a man our enemy.”
“….”
“So, how will you resolve this?”
Hwang Gon had nothing to say and merely bowed his head in silence.
The Hwang Merchant Guild Leader pressed on with frustration.
“I hear that in four days, the Eunhae Trading Company will hold a jewelry exhibition. What does this signify? It means they intend to monopolize the entire jewelry business in Beijing!”
Hwang Gon bit his lip and spoke with a hardened expression.
“Then Father, we cannot simply sit idle, can we?”
“What more do you propose?”
“We could sabotage the exhibition. We could unleash ruffians or the Black Path to….”
“This is where the noble ladies of Beijing gather. If anything were to happen to them at such an event, would the high officials and nobles who orchestrated it be left unscathed?”
“Hmm….”
After a long silence, Hwang Gon spoke as if a clever scheme had occurred to him.
“What about this method?”
At Hwang Gon’s explanation, the Hwang Merchant Guild Leader nodded approvingly.
“That’s not a bad idea.”

* * *

I found myself moving busily due to the jewelry exhibition that was to take place.
Elder Brother Eun Jung-ho named our Eunhae Trading Company’s jewelry shop “Hwa Yun-ryeo” this time.
It means beautiful and radiant like a flower.
I heard it was a name suggested by Elder Brother’s Wife, and her naming sense is quite excellent.
The exhibition venue is the Banquet Hall of the Eunhae Trading Company Beijing Branch.
It’s a spacious place built for various banquets and events.
“Welcome.”
“Please come in. Third Sub-unit Leader.”
As I arrived at the Banquet Hall, the manager in charge of this exhibition approached me and greeted me.
“You’ve worked hard. How much progress has been made on decorating the venue?”
“Yes. Now we only need to finish arranging the tables where the jewelry will be displayed.”
“How are the refreshments coming along?”
“Those are also being prepared without any issues.”
“This exhibition is very important. You must not let your guard down until it’s over.”
“Yes! I will keep that in mind.”
I entered the Banquet Hall and began inspecting every corner.
Thud, thud, thud, thud.
Then I heard someone rushing over urgently.
That aura… it’s Elder Brother Eun Jung-ho’s aura, isn’t it?
The door burst open, and Elder Brother Eun Jung-ho, his face pale, shouted.
“Seo-ho! Something terrible has happened!”
“What? What’s wrong?”
“Strange rumors are spreading in Beijing right now. That the jewelry we make at Eunhae Trading Company is made from cursed gemstones…”
“…”
This reminds me of the Jamu Doll incident.
Back then, rumors had hindered us as well.
Well, I never expected things to proceed this smoothly anyway.
Cursed gemstones, though…
So that’s what Seo Hyang was talking about yesterday.
After receiving Elder Brother’s advice, I occasionally made time to chat with Seo Hyang.
We drank tea at the Tea House and strolled through the Back Garden.
Though I couldn’t spare such time often due to my busy schedule, it was still quite rewarding.
Seo Hyang had said something like that yesterday.

“People are… strange, aren’t they?”
“Yes?”
“Why do they find cursed gemstones more appealing?”
“Yes? Certainly, the sales of our company’s Jamu Dolls declined sharply before…”
“It seems that’s the appeal of gemstones, after all.”

The future Seo Hyang saw was undoubtedly connected to today’s events.
“Have you figured out who spread such rumors?”
“Still investigating. But the exhibition is tomorrow….”
I calmed my elder brother with composure.
“Don’t worry too much. I have a good idea.”
Whoever spread the rumors must be one of those dealing in jewelry in Beijing.
Most likely the Hwang Clan Trading Company.
But rushing to confront them now would only hurt us.
We have no evidence.
However, we can navigate this crisis without doing that.
“Instead, there’s something I need you to do, Elder Brother.”
“What is it? Just tell me anything.”
“Tell the craftsmen to create one piece of jewelry from a large raw gemstone—something so dazzling and magnificent that merely gazing upon it would entrance the soul. A necklace would be ideal.”
“Why?”
“They say we made jewelry from a cursed gemstone, right? Then we should match their tune.”
“What?”
“Elder Brother Jung-ho.”
I called to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“I understand what worries you, but if you’re to handle jewelry, you must understand the psychology of those who possess it.”
“…Huh?”
“Remember the Jamu Dolls? When people heard they were cursed, they felt repulsed. Why?”
“Because they were said to be cursed?”
“More than that—because they resembled human form. Dolls create an inexplicable unease in people precisely because they resemble human appearance.”
“True… even I feel a chill down my spine when I enter a place where Jamu Dolls are stored.”
And when dark sorcery targets people, dolls are often used as vessels.
“Because of that, people avoided them even more when rumors of curses spread. But gemstones are different.”
I extended my index finger as I spoke.
“Gemstones shine. They don’t resemble humans, and they possess an inherent beauty—they’re enchanting objects of desire.”
“That’s true.”
“Therefore, a curse can actually elevate a gemstone’s value.”
I smiled wickedly.
“Since they’ve set the stage for us, shouldn’t we dance upon it?”

* * *

Hwang Yi-gyeon, the Merchant Guild Leader of the Hwang Clan Trading Company, wore a satisfied expression.
Within a single day of secretly spreading the rumors, they had permeated all of Beijing.
The rumor was none other than that the gemstones produced by the Eunhae Trading Company were cursed.
And the rumor continued to grow and swell.

“They say whoever owns that jewel gets murdered? Three people have already been killed!”
“How did the Eunhae Trading Company even get their hands on such a jewel?”
“I have no idea.”

All Hwang Yi-gyeon heard around him was talk of the cursed jewel belonging to the Eunhae Trading Company.
With the entire city of Chang’an buzzing about it, the upcoming jewel exhibition from the Eunhae Trading Company would be nothing short of a spectacular failure.
“Hehehehe, I must witness this disaster with my own eyes.”
Thus, he set out toward the Eunhae Trading Company Beijing Branch with his two sons in tow.
The jewel exhibition was being held in the Banquet Hall within the Eunhae Trading Company Beijing Branch.
As they drew near the Eunhae Trading Company Beijing Branch.
“Huh?”
“Father… what are all these people?”
“….”
They could scarcely believe their eyes.
A line of people stretched out in front of the Eunhae Trading Company.
“Are you queuing?”
“Yes? Well, that is….”
“If you’re going to queue, do it properly.”
They hastily fell into line. Then, glancing back over their shoulders, they asked.
“Is this line for entering the Eunhae Trading Company exhibition?”
The Guard Warrior answered readily.
“Yes. Today the Eunhae Trading Company is unveiling what is called the cursed jewel, ‘Sea Soul.'”
Now that he mentioned it, a large banner hung near the entrance.

[Hwa Yun-ryeo Jewelry Shop Grand Opening Commemoration: Cursed Jewel ‘Sea Soul’ Special Exhibition]

Hwang Yi-gyeon couldn’t help but bite his lip at the sight.
From his position of knowing the truth, it was utterly absurd.
There was no such thing as a cursed jewel.
It was a rumor he had deliberately spread to check the Eunhae Trading Company.
Yet the Eunhae Trading Company was turning that very rumor to their advantage.
“I wonder what that jewel looks like?”
“Well, since they call it the Spirit of the Sea, it’s probably blue, isn’t it?”
The people around them were displaying curiosity and intrigue.
He casually asked someone nearby.
“Aren’t you afraid of a cursed jewel?”
“Why would I be? They say whoever owns it gets murdered, but I’m not planning to buy it anyway.”
“….”
“The Eunhae Trading Company hasn’t been selling it—they’ve been keeping it in storage. But now, to commemorate the opening of the Hwayunryeo jewelry shop, they’re putting it on special display. How could I pass up such a rare opportunity to see it?”
“….”
Only then did he recall what he had overlooked.
It was people’s desire for jewels.
He had lived off that desire, yet he had neglected the company’s operations while indulging in entertainment and leisure.
Had he remained diligent in managing the company and retained that instinct, he would never have made such a mistake.
In other words, he had helped the Eunhae Trading Company.
“Gon.”
“Yes, ah, Father….”
Hwang Gon also realized something had gone wrong, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
“We’ll go see it later.”
“Gulp!”

* * *

I was busy greeting the steady stream of customers from morning onwards.
“Welcome.”
“Thank you for visiting the grand opening of the Eunhae Trading Company’s Hwayunryeo Jewelry Shop.”
It was exactly as I had anticipated.
Word had spread that we would be unveiling a cursed jewel as a special exhibition at the jewelry shop’s opening, and people came flooding in.
The exhibition hall was arranged in a grid pattern.
And in the center, I had placed the most precious items, one of which was the cursed jewel known as Hae Baek.
A pendant the size of three fingers, carved from transparent sapphire.
The craftsmanship was so exquisite that from every angle it gleamed brilliantly, like the shimmering light dancing across the sea.
“Ah….”
“So this is the cursed jewel! It’s truly beautiful.”
The visitors gazed at Hae Baek with expressions of pure wonder.
To think we could produce such a treasure!
The lifetime contract with Craftsman Sohn had truly borne fruit.
After viewing the displayed items, including Hae Baek, the visitors made their way toward one of the sales areas near the entrance.
That section sold relatively more affordable pieces.
No one who came to this exhibition would leave empty-handed.
As I had predicted, people left the sales area with something in hand.
Even the relatively affordable items commanded considerable prices, given they were sold at the exhibition.
At this rate, we’ve already recouped several times over the expenses incurred in preparing this exhibition.
The exhibition was well worth the effort.
– Whimper…
Though Geumryeong kept whining about wanting to eat the jewels.
My child certainly knows quality when he sees it.
Just then, Palgap came rushing toward me.
“Young Master! The noble ladies are beginning to arrive.”
“I see. We should go greet them. Have you informed Elder Brother Jung-ho?”
“Of course, sir.”
At that moment, I spotted the Hwang Merchant Guild Leader and his two sons entering the exhibition hall with hesitant steps.
Their expressions betrayed that something had gone wrong.
“You seem to be in good spirits, sir.”
“Seeing their faces twisted like they’ve swallowed bitter tea—it’s rather satisfying. I suppose I really don’t have a good personality after all.”
“That is correct, sir.”
“…Couldn’t you have just disagreed with me?”
“A true attendant cannot distort the truth. Though your disposition is indeed poor, it does prove useful at times, so I hope you won’t be too disheartened, sir.”
“….”
That’s supposed to be consolation, right?
But it’s not consoling at all.

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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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