The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 657

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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 657

Chapter 657. The Result of a Promise (1)

I headed to an inn located near the Eun Hae Trading Company Headquarters to meet with the Mingming Trading Company representatives.
Though the discussion about pepper trade had already concluded, I was going to meet Young Master Yu Jin.
The Mingming Trading Company had come to Hubei Province to finalize their pepper trade negotiations, and Father had told me that Young Master Yu Jin wished to meet with me.
As I entered the inn, someone came rushing toward me.
“Great Hero!”
“Ah! Young Master Yu Jin.”
It was Young Master Yu Jin.
It felt like I hadn’t seen him in about a year—he’d grown quite a bit.
“How have you been?”
“Well, Great Hero.”
I scratched my head as I spoke.
“Didn’t I tell you that you don’t need to call me Great Hero?”
“But Uncle Eun Jung-ho bragged so much about how his younger brother is the Seonhyeop Mirang Great Swordmaster!”
Sigh, Elder Brother Eun Jung-ho…
There was nothing I could do if he’d gone and done that.
“It’s been a while.”
“Ah! Sub-leader!”
Seong Cheong-min, Young Master Yu Jin’s father and the Sub-leader of the Mingming Trading Company.
“I heard through your letter that the Eun Hae Trading Company provided considerable support in relief efforts for those affected by the recent turmoil in Sichuan.”
“I’m embarrassed to hear such praise.”
I waved my hand.
“I didn’t act in a way that deserves such commendation.”
“I don’t think you should be so modest. How many lives were saved because of your efforts, and how many were rescued from despair?”
“Haha.”
Sub-leader Seong Cheong-min continued.
“Still, I never expected to see you here in Hubei Province. I naturally assumed you’d be heading straight to Beijing.”
“As you say, I had originally planned to go directly to Beijing, but the Crown Prince expressed curiosity about the atmosphere of Songyang County, so I was able to stop by the Headquarters like this.”
“I see. This must be fate.”
He continued with a smile.
“We’re also planning to head to Beijing once we finish our business here.”
“You’re not returning to Sichuan?”
“That’s right. My son asked to meet Sub-leader Eun Jung-ho as a birthday gift, so I decided to go to Beijing to broaden his horizons as well.”
“I see.”
I felt a bit apologetic somehow. After all, it was because of my suggestion that Elder Brother Eun Jung-ho had come to Beijing.
However, visiting Beijing is not a bad thing.
It is the capital of the Empire and the most prosperous metropolis.
Young Master Yu Jin will inherit the family business, and someone destined for such a position cannot remain confined within a narrow well.
“Then we shall meet again in Beijing. I wish I could accompany you on this journey, but as you know, my circumstances do not permit me to act freely.”
“I understand. You are attending to the Crown Prince and Prince Seongbo, are you not?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
It was hardly a secret, after all.
“What a pity. Since I cannot travel with you, I shall have to arrange for a separate escort service.”
“But surely there are people from the Pyo Bureau who came here with us?”
“Ah, they departed for Sichuan earlier. It seems their bureau suffered considerable damage from the earthquake. They said they could not continue to Beijing, so we mutually agreed to terminate the contract.”
The aftereffects of the earthquake were reaching this far.
If that was the situation, I had to let them go.
“I see. In that case, allow me to recommend a Pyo Bureau to you. It is called the Changin Escort Agency, and we at the Eunhae Trading Company frequently contract with them.”
I continued speaking.
“They have experience traveling to Beijing multiple times, so safety should be assured.”
“Actually, your father already recommended that place to me. Since you are also recommending it so enthusiastically, I shall entrust them with the task.”
“Thank you.”
Well, I had accomplished something here.
Escorting the Sub-leader of the Mingming Trading Company was quite a substantial commission.
This should prove quite beneficial to the Changin Escort Agency.
As the Lesser Palace Mistress of Seolpung Palace, I have a duty to contribute to their development.
Do the palace members of Seolpung Palace know?
That I am even doing business solicitation for them like this.
– Chirp!
You know, do you? Yes, thank you.
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.
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Two more days passed, and the day to depart for Beijing arrived.
I had stayed for nearly five days, which showed considerable accommodation from the Crown Prince.
He had given me ample time, not merely a brief stop on the way.
Before departing for Beijing, I met with my family to pay my respects.
Seeing my Grandfather appear more robust than before brought some peace to my heart.

On the road heading toward Beijing.
I expressed my gratitude to the Crown Prince.
“Your Highness, I thank you once again. Thanks to your kindness, I was able to conclude my urgent matters in Hubei Province smoothly.”
“Why speak of such things? We ourselves received tremendous help from you. How could I not extend this small courtesy?”
The Crown Prince spoke with a hearty laugh.
“Besides, everyone had accumulated considerable fatigue from the relief efforts in Sichuan Province. After resting well for several days, they all felt rejuvenated. Hahaha.”
“I am grateful for your kind words, Your Highness.”
The Crown Prince lowered his voice and spoke.
“And… in truth, there lives in Songyang County, Hubei Province a person with very deep connections to the Imperial Court. You know of whom I speak, yes? Hwangbo Elder.”
“Ah, yes. I am aware.”
I nodded.
“I have a connection with him from when he provided great assistance in apprehending an assassin who intruded during my elder brother’s appointment as Sub-leader Gong Pyosik. It was then I learned that he was the one known as the Ghost Face Broker.”
The Crown Prince nodded.
“Truly a remarkable person. I had been concerned as his vitality seemed to wane, but when I saw him recently, he appeared rejuvenated. My heart feels much lighter.”
Indeed, the Eternal Youth Elixir I provided was quite effective.
A single cup extends one’s lifespan by several years—such is the power of this divine herb—and he consumed an entire bowl of it.
“I hear you procured a vitality tonic for the Elder?”
“Did the Elder mention that to you, Your Highness?”
At my question, the Crown Prince nodded.
“He also said that should any matter arise, you should seek my counsel.”
Ah…
“I shall rely upon you.”
So that is what the Elder meant—my role as an advisor.
“I too shall be honored to assist you, Your Highness.”

The journey continued without incident.
Well, it made sense—we were traveling with the Crown Prince and Prince Seongbo.
Who would dare obstruct such a procession?
Soon enough, we arrived in Beijing.
The Crown Prince and Prince Seongbo headed to the Imperial Palace, while I made for the Beijing Branch.
This was where the Emperor would hear reports from his officials about the relief efforts in Sichuan.
That honor belonged entirely to the Crown Prince and Prince Seongbo.
If I showed up there, it would only invite complications.
I had already obtained everything I needed.
“Small Guild Master, you’ve arrived?”
Upon my arrival at the Beijing Branch, the staff and members of Hyunpung greeted me warmly.
“Where is Eun Jung-ho?”
“He’s away at the moment. The Sub-leader of Mingming Trading Company wanted to meet him, so he went to the tavern.”
“I see. He must have arrived already since he departed earlier than us.”
And since it wasn’t a large-scale movement, his pace would have been slightly faster than ours.
“Then I shouldn’t disturb him. I’ll go handle some work.”
I washed with warm water and headed to Hyunpung. There was accumulated work that needed my attention.
But why were tears forming again?
“Young Master, surely you’re not crying?”
“No. Pollen got in my eyes.”
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That night.
The Jingyeong Great Swordmaster came to find me.
I stopped what I was doing and met with the Great Swordmaster.
“So-sang bows before the Great Swordmaster.”
“You worked hard in Sichuan.”
“It was our company’s matter as well. I deserve no special recognition.”
“Had you not warned us beforehand, the chaos and suffering in Sichuan would have been far worse. Your contribution is substantial.”
Since that was true, I simply smiled awkwardly.
“Prepare yourself and come at once. The Emperor summons you.”

A short while later.
I prostrated myself before the Emperor with the utmost respect.
“Raise your head.”
“Your Imperial Majesty’s grace is boundless.”
“I heard from the Crown Prince and Prince Seongbo about what happened in Sichuan. You accomplished quite a lot there.”
If I were before anyone else, I would have feigned humility, but not here.
If I showed false modesty, he would ask why I was being so unbecoming.
“I could not simply stand by and watch people die before my eyes.”
“That is precisely why I favor you.”
“Your Majesty?”
“There are many in this world who merely observe while people perish. Some even seek profit amid such suffering.”
Uncertain how to respond, I lowered my head again.
“By the way, the Crown Prince mentioned that you served my old friend a tonic?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
I spoke truthfully.
“I happened to discover Kangnyeong Herb and brewed it as a restorative for the elder.”
“Kangnyeong Herb?”
Those unfamiliar with rare herbs would not recognize them even if placed in their hands. And not even an Emperor knows everything.
Moreover, being so rare, it is hardly renowned.
“Bring the Herbal Compendium.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I could have explained it myself, but doing so would have seemed like empty flattery, so I remained silent.
An Eunuch Official soon brought a book, and the Emperor turned its pages.
Presently, the Emperor’s hand stopped, and after reading, he asked as if astonished.
“Does he know of this as well?”
“Yes. I informed him of it.”
“What did he say?”
“He called me a madman for it.”
“That is just like him. Yet I am certain he did not leave a single drop and scraped the bowl clean.”
“You know him well.”
“We have known each other since our youth, after all.”
The Emperor closed his eyes briefly, then opened them and spoke.
“Thank you.”
“…Your Majesty?”
The sudden expression of gratitude caught me off guard, and I found myself questioning what I had heard.
I wondered if I had misheard, but it seemed I had not.
“In truth, I have been deeply troubled watching him grow weaker with each passing day. I am grateful that you have allowed him to remain by my side a while longer.”
“I am honored to say so, Your Majesty, but this was also for my own sake.”
I smiled.
“Gwimyeon-po Elder is precious to me as well.”
“Then I hope you will continue to cherish him dearly in the days to come. After all, he is my one and only old friend.”
“….”
“When I think about it, I have been truly fortunate to have him. Thanks to him, I have been able to govern this Empire with a sound mind.”
Indeed, they were far more than merely close companions.
“Soon the Crown Prince will depart for Nanking.”
“Yes.”
“Take this.”
The Eunuch received something from the Emperor and handed it to me.
I accepted it and tilted my head in confusion.
What the Emperor had bestowed upon me was a necklace, and upon the crimson jewel hanging from it was engraved the character for “permission.”
Permission for what, exactly?
“Normally, all records of whom the Crown Prince meets during his stay in Nanking are documented and reported to me.”
Indeed, no matter how exalted the Crown Prince’s station, from the Emperor’s perspective, he could not be an object of unconditional trust.
Yet the current Emperor did not seem to be that sort of man… Was this to verify the Crown Prince’s accomplishments?
“As you well know, not just anyone can meet the Crown Prince. But should you display that necklace, you will be able to meet him at any time.”
“Your Majesty?”
I could not help but be taken aback.
If his words were true, this was something of considerable value.
“My old friend asked you to serve as an advisor to the Crown Prince, did he not?”
“Ah… Yes. Though I am inadequate, I have accepted that request.”
“I too am asking you to serve as an advisor to the Crown Prince.”
The Emperor continued.
“In all my years, I have never encountered anyone as capable as you, yet so shrewd in securing profit and avoiding loss. And it seems the naive Crown Prince learns much simply by observing you.”
“Did you not harbor such thoughts when you first sent the Crown Prince to me?”
At my words, the Emperor clicked his tongue and grumbled.
“…Sharp-eyed fellow.”
I bowed respectfully and spoke.
“It is said there are no hidden servants beneath the Ministry of Taxation. The Crown Prince is the offspring of Your Majesty and the Empress.”
“How could I not know my own son? The more I observe him, the more he resembles my father—a case of traits skipping generations.”
The Emperor spoke.
“My father was far too gentle. So when his own brother bared his fangs against him, he abdicated the throne on the condition that his sons’ claims to the crown be guaranteed.”
“….”
Indeed.
The Previous Emperor was the current Emperor’s uncle.
“Thus I was able to become king without incident. Though it was only a frontier kingdom, I was grateful merely to have preserved my life.”
The Emperor ground his teeth.
“I will not allow my son to suffer such humiliation.”
“How could I presume to understand such feelings? My only concern is that I am but a humble merchant.”
“Hah!”
The Emperor let out a derisive laugh.
“It’s quite unbecoming for you to call yourself a lowly merchant with your own mouth.”
“….”
“To survive in this Imperial Palace, one must become a merchant. I regard politics as a form of commerce, you see. If I merely insisted on my own convictions, I would become nothing but a tyrant.”
The Emperor continued.
“To gain one thing, I must give one thing, and sometimes I must coax, cajole, or persuade. Even when it appears I am at a loss in such dealings, I must ensure I am not truly at a loss.”
Now that I heard it, that was indeed the case.
“That is why I attach you to the Crown Prince. In my judgment, you possess the greatest merchant’s talent under heaven.”
No, Your Majesty the Emperor.
If you speak to me in such a manner, how can I do anything but give my sincere effort?
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The next day.
Since there were still matters left unresolved, I headed to my office immediately after breakfast.
“Small Guild Master, the urgent matters you must handle today are….”
As I listened to Seo Hyang speak beside me while moving, the Gate Keeper came rushing toward me.
“Third Sub-unit Leader! We have a visitor.”

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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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