The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 660

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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 660

Chapter 660. The Emperor’s Secret Decree (1)

We soon arrived at the Yeonjun Trading Company.
“Welcome, come in.”
My Aunt greeted me warmly, and I bowed respectfully in return.
“How have you been, Aunt?”
“I heard you went to Sichuan recently for relief efforts?”
“Yes. I returned just a short while ago.”
My Aunt smiled as she spoke.
“You must have worked hard. It was difficult, wasn’t it?”
“Haha, it would be a lie to say it wasn’t difficult.”
“Your presence brings me such reassurance. Come inside now. Your Uncle should return shortly, and Seon-il and Sina-a will be leaving the palace soon as well.”
“Yes.”
I was about to enter when I paused and asked.
“Aunt, when you say Princess Sinaa will be leaving the palace, does that mean she’s currently at the Imperial Palace?”
“That’s right.”
My Aunt nodded.
“The Emperor summoned her.”

I was enjoying tea and refreshments with my Aunt in the Guest Reception Room while catching up on recent news when my Uncle returned home first.
“Welcome back, Uncle. How is business progressing?”
“The people you introduced me to introduced others, so I’ve recently expanded operations.”
“I see. I’m delighted that the Yeonjun Trading Company continues to grow day by day.”
“Haha. Thank you for saying so.”
I exchanged business talk with my Uncle in that manner.
Just then, Seon-il Elder Brother and Princess Sinaa returned.
“Father, Mother. I have returned from my duties.”
“Father, Mother, I have also returned home.”
“Yes, you’ve worked hard.”
My Uncle and Aunt exchanged greetings and rose from their seats.
“I have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave first.”
“I also have pressing business.”
“Please go ahead.”
Soon only Seon-il Elder Brother and his wife and I remained in the Guest Reception Room.
Seon-il Elder Brother spoke first.
“Today, I met with the Emperor.”
“I see.”
“I informed him that we would use the Eun Hae Trading Company’s vessels this time. By the way, you’re truly not going with us?”
I nodded at Seon-il Elder Brother’s question.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“It is because this is the Imperial Princess’s first meeting with her parents since the marriage.”
I continued.
“If business matters become mixed into such an occasion, it would not be ideal. I believe the Imperial Princess will likely only hint at the matter rather than discuss it openly. Is that not so?”
Princess Sinaa nodded at my question.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“If I, as the Small Guild Master, were to attend, it would appear too calculating. From the perspective of the King of Marae Seo, it would not sit well with him.”
“Indeed. That makes sense.”
“When the King of Marae Seo calls for me, I can go then.”
Seon-il Elder Brother nodded, and Princess Sinaa smiled brightly.
“As expected, you are truly the Third Son.”
“I am honored by the Imperial Princess’s praise, though I hardly know what to do with myself.”
“I told you, you may call me Elder Brother’s Wife.”
“Haha. Perhaps once I grow more accustomed to it.”
Because of her status as a princess, it felt somewhat burdensome to address her as Elder Brother’s Wife.
“I wanted to ask you to convey my thanks, as we’ll be discussing the route to Nanking tomorrow.”
This time, Seon-il Elder Brother was also going to Marae Seo with Princess Sinaa.
And I had accepted the Crown Prince’s invitation to travel together to Nanking.
It was likely his way of marking me as ‘one of my people.'”
So it’s confirmed that I’ll be manipulated under the next Emperor as well?
Well, even if that weren’t the case, I would have requested to accompany them anyway.
My Aunt also personally asked me to help ensure that Seon-il Elder Brother and Princess Sinaa have a safe journey to Nanking.
I recalled what Princess Sinaa had said to me before.

“Would you perhaps be interested in trade with the Marae Seo Kingdom?”
“…!”
“If you wish, I can speak to my father and establish a bridge for you.”
And she made a request of me regarding this matter.
“Then please make the necessary preparations for the next trade exchange. And at that time, you will accompany me to the Marae Seo Kingdom.”
“Pardon? You mean you’ll go there personally?”
“To be precise, I’m planning to go with my husband. My parents say they wish to see my husband.”

So I was planning to go as well, but no matter how I thought about it, the timing didn’t seem right this time.
I informed Father about this, and he immediately made the necessary preparations.
In fact, we had another ship under construction at the Eunhae Trading Company.
The captain was one recommended by the Changhae Trading Company.
Since the Changhae Trading Company has now come under the Eunhae Trading Company, they’re trustworthy enough.
And the crew members also received training at the Baekbuik Trading Company.
I smiled and spoke.
“Please don’t worry.”
“Ah, and….”
Seon-il Elder Brother took an envelope from his pocket and handed it to me.
“His Majesty the Emperor asked me to deliver this to you.”
I accepted it.
The characters written on the front read: [Do not open except by the recipient / Open it when you are alone].
“Thank you for delivering it.”

I parted ways with Seon-il Elder Brother and his wife, returning to the Beijing Branch.
After washing, I made my way to the bridal chamber.
Sigh, today was quite exhausting.
I wanted nothing more than to fall asleep right then and there, but…
With a bitter smile, I sat on the bed and withdrew the envelope Seon-il Elder Brother had given me.
The paper crackled softly.
I unfolded the letter contained within.
“…”
The paper rustled.
Without realizing it, my grip tightened on the letter, creasing it.
I was fortunate he had conveyed this through Seon-il Elder Brother.
It seemed he had anticipated even this, which is why he instructed me to read it alone.
Otherwise, I would have faced censure for disrespect.
.
.
.
The following morning.
We completed our preparations.
“Travel safely and well.”
“I will.”
“Please look after Seon-il and his wife as well. And the Small Guild Master Seong too.”
“Understood.”
“Please travel safely.”
Seo Hyang remained in Beijing to handle matters in my stead.
We exchanged farewells and headed toward the Imperial Palace.
Departure preparations were already underway in earnest before its gates.
As I approached, those acquainted with me acknowledged my presence.
The Eunpung Corps members and managers of our Eunhae Trading Company began discussing various matters with them.
At that moment, a group emerged from within the Imperial Palace.
It was the Crown Prince, along with Seon-il Elder Brother and Princess Sinaa’s entourage.
We bowed respectfully.
“Then, I entrust you with the road to Nanking. I rely upon you.”
“We shall serve with utmost devotion and dedicate our very lives to your protection.”
With that, preparations concluded and we departed for Nanking.
.
.
.
The journey from Beijing to Nanking is remarkably comfortable.
The roads are exceptionally well-maintained, and bandits are virtually nonexistent.
The Empire manages this route with great care, for it is a crucial passage within the realm.
Yet despite that atmosphere, I found myself quite serious.
It was because of the secret letter the Emperor had delivered to me yesterday.
And the contents of that letter were….
“Why do you have such an expression on your face?”
“Hmm?”
Palgap approached me and sat down before the campfire as he spoke.
“Would you like some tea?”
“Yes.”
I had been wanting tea, and of course it was Palgap who noticed.
“Here you are.”
“Thank you.”
I sipped my tea and slowly surveyed my surroundings.
Then I spotted an Eunuch Official lingering near the Crown Prince, and fixed my gaze upon him.
He was the subject of the secret letter from the Emperor.
The letter instructed me to kill this Eunuch Official named Ah Jung if he showed any signs of attempting to parasitize the Crown Prince, disguising it as an accident.
No, Your Majesty.
What am I, some kind of fixer?
I am not an Assassin.
Even as I grumbled inwardly, I recalled what the Emperor had written at the end of the letter.
If I investigated the matter, I would come to understand why he had issued such an order.
In that case, there was someone perfectly suited for this task.
“Jin Yu Warrior, I have a favor to ask.”
“Yes. Please speak.”
“Do you see that Eunuch Official over there? The one with a mole on his chin and mustache curled outward on both sides?”
“Ah, yes. I see him.”
“I would appreciate it if you could keep watch over him. Please be careful, as his skills do not seem to be particularly low.”
“Understood.”
This Eunuch Official named Ah Jung was someone I had never seen before despite frequenting the Imperial Palace.
And since the Emperor had not provided any information about him, I had nothing to go on.
Perhaps he meant for me to observe with my own eyes, free from preconception.
“Palgap.”
“Yes.”
“Look into this Eunuch Official named Ah Jung for me.”
“Understood.”

Two days passed in this manner.
“Young Master. I’ve found out about him.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
Palgap explained to me about a man named Ah Jung.
Ah Jung was forty-five years old this year.
He had entered the Imperial Palace when he was very young.
His father had castrated him at the age of seven and handed him over to the Imperial Palace.
“He is said to be a man of considerable ambition. That’s why he was quite active in the Dongchang.”
Palgap had gathered remarkably detailed information in just two days.
“And because he possesses considerable cunning, he survived even during the last purge of the Eunuch Corps.”
“I see.”
Palgap’s information-gathering ability was certainly impressive.
“By the way, how did you find out all of this?”
“Some by asking around, and some by simply eavesdropping from the shadows.”
Certainly….
Even a Hwagyeong Master wouldn’t notice him, so there’s no way others would.
When noon arrived, this time Jin Yu Warrior approached me with a report.
“I haven’t discovered anything particularly suspicious yet.”
“Is that so?”
I pondered for a moment before speaking.
“I’ll share what Palgap has found out. If you remember anything, please tell me.”
“Understood.”
I conveyed the information Palgap had investigated to Jin Yu Warrior.
“Wait a moment.”
Jin Yu Warrior raised his hand to stop me.
“You just said he was the sole survivor in Dunxiang County, Jiangsu Province?”
“Yes. That’s correct.”
I nodded.
“According to what Palgap found out, when they heard information about rebel forces in Jiangsu Province, five members of the Dongchang were dispatched for investigation. But their identities were exposed midway, and… in any case, he was the only one who survived then.”
“Hmm… That can’t be right. I also know about what happened then. The reason is that the Murim Alliance was the one supporting them at that time.”
Jin Yu Warrior continued with a grave expression.
“There was someone among those Dongchang members who was loyal to the Murim Alliance, and through his informing, we were able to prevent that incident from being exposed.”
“What?”
“And he survived and continued to work as an Eunuch Official.”
Wait.
So according to Jin Yu Warrior’s words, the only one who survived back then was someone loyal to the Alliance?
If that’s the case, then this man named Ah Jung is loyal to the Murim Alliance, not the Emperor.
If such a person is positioned beside the Crown Prince, the implication is obvious.
They intend to manipulate the Crown Prince according to their desires in the future.
Damn it… Now I understand why the Emperor said such things to me.
There was no physical evidence to remove him outright.
On the surface, he was someone who had earned merit and remained loyal to the Imperial Court.
If I were to dispose of him without proper charges, the Eunuch Corps and the Dongchang would surely become unstable.
In other words, by disguising it as an accident and eliminating him, the Emperor seeks to minimize that chaos and send a warning to the Murim Alliance.
And this is simultaneously another test for me from the Emperor.
He wants to see the extent of my capabilities.
I don’t particularly enjoy dancing to the Emperor’s tune, but there’s no helping it.
From my perspective, Ah Jung is someone who must disappear.
Otherwise, my plan to transform the Eun Hae Trading Company into the Greatest Under Heaven Trading Company and take revenge on the Murim Alliance will fall apart.
Especially if the Crown Prince becomes their puppet, it would be an incredibly frustrating situation for me.
.
.
.
Several days passed.
During that time, I asked Jin Yu Warrior to continue monitoring Ah Jung.
Meanwhile, I pondered how to eliminate Ah Jung while disguising it as an accident.
Then Ah Jung came to find me.
“Are you the Small Merchant Guild Master Eun Seo-ho?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“The Crown Prince requests your presence.”
What could this be about?
I made my way to the Crown Prince’s tent and paid my respects.
“I am Eun Seo-ho, presenting myself before the Crown Prince.”
“I hear there is a place nearby with spectacular scenery. Do you happen to know of it?”
Ah, now that he mentions it, the mountains in this area are indeed quite beautiful.
“Yes, I am familiar with it.”
“Excellent. While resting here, I would like to see that place. Would you mind guiding me?”
“Of course. I shall be your guide.”
At my words, the Crown Prince rose from his seat and spoke.
“Now that I think about it, I remember when you saved me during that landslide caused by the earthquake in Sichuan.”
“That was merely the work of fate.”
At that moment, the Crown Prince spoke with a meaningful expression.
“I hope such fortune favors me again this time.”
At those words, I blinked involuntarily as I looked at the Crown Prince.
What?
What did he just say…?
I began to understand the Crown Prince’s meaning.
Why he wished to see a place with spectacular scenery in such a location.
Spectacular scenery also means the terrain is extremely treacherous.
One misstep would send me plummeting a thousand feet down the cliff to my death.
Your Majesty.
Did you say the Crown Prince is too gentle, and that worries you?
What exactly makes him seem gentle to you?
As they say, there are no worthless men under a capable leader.

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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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