The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 668

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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 668

Chapter 668. Yeochun Inn (1)

The next day.
All of Nanking bustled with activity as a massive merchant fleet prepared for departure.
“Did you load the porcelain?”
“Yes!”
“You packed it carefully, right? Remember how much we lost last time because of broken ceramics! If that happens again this time, your head will be the one that breaks!”
“Gulp! I’ll check it again!”
I walked through the harbor, inspecting the ships preparing to depart, and greeted the head managers loading cargo with warm familiarity.
They were all people I knew well.
Soon I arrived at the Eun Hae Trading Company’s vessel.
“You’re all working hard.”
“Small Guild Master, you’ve arrived?”
“I hope you all enjoyed yourselves last night.”
They spoke in unison in response to my words.
“It was very enjoyable.”
“Thanks to you, Small Guild Master, we ate and enjoyed ourselves to our hearts’ content.”
“It would have been nice to have alcohol, but there’s nothing we can do about that.”
“Hey! If we’d drunk alcohol, would we be moving around so smoothly right now?”
“Ah….”
The greatest reason I could send them out to enjoy themselves the night before departure was that the alcohol prohibition hadn’t been lifted yet.
So there was no worry about them causing trouble while drunk, and no one would suffer from hangovers.
“How much of the cargo loading is complete?”
“About thirty percent is finished. It should be completed by this afternoon.”
“I see.”
We always loaded cargo as late as possible.
Ships floating on water naturally accumulated moisture.
So we minimized the time goods were exposed to that humidity to prevent spoilage.
“By the way, I don’t see the Ming Ming Trading Company’s managers around.”
“Ah, they went to the marketplace saying they needed some supplies.”
“I see.”
Then Song-juk Navigator approached me.
“Um, Small Guild Master.”
“Yes. Please speak.”
“I’ve been debating whether I should tell you this, but I think it’s best that I do.”
“What is the matter?”
He lowered his voice as he spoke.
“The head managers who came from the Mingming Trading Company this time seem rather suspicious.”
“Suspicious, you say?”
“Yes. They exchanged some of the funds meant for purchasing pepper into promissory notes. I happened to stop by the Geumsan Money Exchange on business, and I witnessed them converting their money into notes.”
That was certainly peculiar.
While the promissory notes from the Geumsan Money Exchange are said to be highly reliable, they don’t circulate in foreign lands like the Dae-Wol Kingdom.
That’s why they should have carried gold or silver to conduct trade, yet they were converting it into notes instead?
I’d heard that the Chief Manager from the Mingming Trading Company who came here exchanged the notes back into currency and distributed it to the head managers, but….
Yet there’s only one reason they would convert it back into notes.
They intend to pocket that money rather than spend it in the Dae-Wol Kingdom.
Gold and silver are heavy, and if lost in unforeseen circumstances, they cannot be recovered.
But promissory notes are different.
When issuing a note, a duplicate is created and kept at the money exchange.
Therefore, even if the note is lost, one can rest assured.
“But couldn’t they have simply exchanged their personal funds? What evidence do you have that the money was meant for pepper purchases?”
“That’s because the pouch they withdrew the money from was the same one used to store and keep the pepper purchase funds. I remember seeing it before. Most tellingly….”
He continued.
“One of them asked anxiously, ‘Aren’t we exchanging too much? What if this causes problems when we try to purchase the pepper?'”
“….”
That settles it.
I nodded and thanked Song-juk Navigator.
“Thank you for the information.”
Unexpectedly, I’d secured significant evidence.
After thoroughly inspecting the Eunhae Trading Company’s vessels, I returned to the inn and sought out Seong Sub-leader.
“Are you all prepared?”
“Yes.”
Seong Sub-leader, two head managers, and the Guard Warriors were ready and waiting for me.
Now they would exit through the window and make it appear as though they had just arrived.
While I had other reasons for inspecting the merchant fleet, the primary one was to determine when they should make their move.
“You may move now.”
“Yes.”
My Guard Warriors and I opened the window and leaped out one by one, each carrying a person.
I carried Seong Sub-leader, while Seo-woo Warrior and Jin Yu Warrior each carried one of the head managers.
Despite leaping from the window while carrying people, we made almost no sound.
Thud.
The Guard Warriors of Seong Sub-leader, who jumped down after us, marveled at the sight.
“You all possess considerable skill.”
“We must continue to refine ourselves.”
The reason my Guard Warriors and I took the lead was because our abilities surpassed theirs.
Truthfully, leaping from a window while carrying someone is quite demanding.
While keeping watch outside, Yeo Eung-am Warrior and Lee Pil Warrior sent hand signals.
It meant no one was around.
“Then, please follow me.”
We leaped up and traveled across the rooftops toward a secluded place.
A carriage was waiting there.
“Have you arrived?”
“Thank you for your efforts. Myeong-jong Warrior and Chang-un Warrior, I appreciate your hard work as well.”
Seong Sub-leader clasped his fist in salute to me.
“I’m truly grateful for your assistance in this matter.”
“It’s about rooting out the corrupt, after all. That way our merchant fleet can travel with peace of mind, wouldn’t you say? Besides, we have our own interests to consider.”
“Your words put my mind at ease considerably.”
“First, I suggest you visit Geumsan Money Lender.”
“Why is that?”
I explained the full circumstances to Seong Sub-leader, who had expressed his doubt.
“So that’s what happened. As I suspected… it was indeed so.”
Seong Sub-leader was a seasoned merchant himself.
Since he understood how to proceed, I refrained from saying more.
“Then, I shall be on my way.”
“Yes. I’ll see you later.”
I watched the carriage disappear into the distance with a satisfied smile.
Today would be entertaining indeed.
.
.
.
That afternoon.
After finishing their work, the sailors returned to the inn.
They washed away the sweat they’d accumulated all day and settled at their respective tables, waiting for food to arrive.
Among them were sailors from the Mingming Trading Company.
I too was waiting on the first floor for my meal.
They should be arriving soon.
As I was thinking this, the door opened and Seong Sub-leader entered the inn.
“Is this the place where the Eunhae Trading Company sailors are staying?”
Observing how he acted as though visiting for the first time, I rose from my seat and approached him.
“Oh? Aren’t you Seong Sub-leader of the Mingming Trading Company? What brings you here?”
In the meantime, three head managers from the Mingming Trading Company who recognized his identity approached and greeted him.
“We pay our respects to the Sub-leader.”
Seong Sub-leader did not acknowledge their greeting and instead spoke to me.
“I apologize for this sudden visit. The matter is that we’ve decided to replace the head managers our Mingming Trading Company dispatched for this expedition to Dae-Wol Kingdom.”
At those words, the head managers protested vehemently.
“What do you mean, replacing us the day before departure?”
“Why are you suddenly replacing people?”
Seong Sub-leader responded firmly.
“An important error was discovered in the documents you all processed this time. Since only you all know about it, we have no choice but to return to Sichuan.”
“What error?”
I spoke up.
“You’re asking about the guild’s affairs in a place like this! And you call yourself a head manager? Are you perhaps trying to deliberately let us hear about this matter so you can pin an information leak charge on us?”
Han Haeng-su, who had spoken, was flustered by my reaction.
“No, that’s not it.”
Seong Sub-leader bowed to me and spoke.
“I also apologize. Dong Head Manager’s words and conduct were inappropriate.”
“Since you say there was no such intention, I’ll let it pass.”
“Thank you.”
Seong Sub-leader turned his body and continued speaking to the three head managers.
“Therefore, Im Chief Manager and Dong Head Manager will exchange duties with the two head managers I brought.”
They forgot to even manage their expressions and hesitated.
“Is there some problem? Why do you look like that?”
“Well, that is….”
“It’s just that we know the local area better….”
“That’s why I’m only replacing two of you. Even if there’s still a shortage, the Eun Hae Trading Company will provide assistance. Isn’t that right?”
I nodded readily at his question.
“Of course. We’ll help in any way we can.”
Seong Sub-leader turned his head and spoke.
“And these two head managers here have just as much experience in pepper trading as you two do.”
“….”
“Any other problems?”
“That pepper merchant promised to trade only with us!”
“If it’s a merchant selling such low-quality pepper, it’s better to end the transaction altogether.”
“Well, that’s because of the poor harvest….”
“No matter how poor the harvest, it’s a merchant’s duty to provide goods that match the price. If someone lacks such integrity, the transaction should be terminated.”
“….”
Faced with Seong Sub-leader’s words, they had nothing left to say and could only close their mouths.
“Then Im Chief Manager and Dong Head Manager, please hand over your duties to the two newly arrived head managers.”

* * *

The three head managers from Ming Ming Trading Company who had agreed to participate in this trade following the previous one were utterly flustered by the sudden turn of events.
A replacement of head managers!
It was something they could never have imagined.
At that moment, the head manager who was to board the ship in their stead asked Im Chief Manager a question.
“You have the funds for the pepper purchase, don’t you?”
“Pardon? Ah, yes, well, that is to say….”
“Just hand it over to me.”
“Understood.”
He was about to produce the pouch and hand it over when a crucial realization struck him.
Part of that money had been converted into promissory notes.
Any head manager would naturally count the amount immediately upon receiving the pouch….
Cold sweat streamed down his back.
It was a crisis.
“Why do you hesitate?”
“That is, well….”
Give me the public funds pouch at once.”
….
The head manager snatched the pouch away and placed the money pouch on the table.
Then he began withdrawing the money and counting it.
After a moment, he tilted his head in confusion and spoke to Seong Sub-leader.
“The money is short.”
“What do you mean, short? How can money be short?”
“Exactly as I say. It falls far short of the original pepper purchase funds.”
At this, Seong Sub-leader furrowed his brow and asked Im Chief Manager.
“Im Chief Manager, what is the meaning of this?”
“That is, well….”
Im Chief Manager pointed at Dong Head Manager and spoke.
“He stole the money!”
Dong Head Manager panicked, but quickly grasped the situation.
He had been betrayed.
If he remained silent, he would become the one accused of embezzling public funds.
He hastily protested.
“That’s not true! Im Chief Manager suggested we siphon off some money and convert it into promissory notes to keep!”
“What, what are you saying? When did I ever say such a thing!”
At this, Dong Head Manager shouted again.
“And those promissory notes—you still have them on you!”
At this, Seong Sub-leader spoke to the Guard Warriors.
“Search him.”
“Yes.”
Im Chief Manager resisted as the Guard Warriors rushed toward him, but he could not match their strength as martial artists.
Soon, a promissory note from the Geumsan Money Lender was discovered in his possession.
The Chief Manager, upon confirming the amount on the note, spoke.
“With this note included, the money matches exactly.”
“I see.”
At this, Im Chief Manager insisted on his innocence.
“This is a misunderstanding. That money is mine!”
“You speak nonsense. Who exchanges such a large sum for a promissory note when traveling abroad? Only someone planning to flee midway would do such a thing.”
Then a voice came from behind.
“It would be wise to speak the truth. The Crown Prince himself is overseeing this trade mission. If he learns that you’ve interfered with it, he will not let this matter pass lightly.”
“….”
“Should the Crown Prince take charge of this affair, the Geumui Guard will investigate and interrogate you all.”
At Eun Seo-ho’s warning, the Chief Managers’ faces turned ashen.
They too knew the notorious reputation of the Geumui Guard.
Thud.
In the end, all three Chief Managers collapsed to the ground.

* * *

Seong Sub-leader, observing the Chief Managers sitting on the floor, made a request of me.
“Eun Small Merchant Leader. I apologize, but could you lend me some of your warriors?”
“Of course.”
They were confined to a room with their limbs bound.
Likely the Merchant Guild itself would handle the matter.
Seong Sub-leader bowed to me.
“I apologize for making this affair so troublesome.”
“Not at all. I understand, so please think nothing of it.”
And I winked with one eye, and he returned the gesture with a wink of his own.

The next day.
I set out for the Imperial Palace early in the morning.
I needed to escort the Crown Prince and Seon-il Elder Brother and his wife to the harbor.
Last night, Seong Sub-leader had a lengthy meeting with the Head Manager who hadn’t been replaced.
My suspicion is that it was likely a conversation mixed with some coercion and persuasion.
Soon I arrived at the Imperial Palace.
“Hmm. Somehow, every time I see this palace, I get a strange feeling about it.”
I laughed at Palgap’s remark.
He really did have good instincts.
I should keep Cheong-su Taoist’s words secret from Palgap.
“I’ll be back soon.”
I entered Jocheon Palace alone and arrived at the Crown Prince’s quarters.
But at the entrance to those quarters, I sensed a familiar presence.
The supreme master who had conveyed the Emperor’s sacred technique to me before.
But why was he dressed as an Eunuch Official?

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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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