The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 669

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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 669

Chapter 669. Yeochun Inn (2)

I set aside my doubts and approached him.
“Small Merchant Eun Seo-ho. I have come to attend to the Crown Prince.”
“I shall inform him of your arrival.”
He announced my presence within, and the Crown Prince’s voice echoed back.
“Please wait a moment. I shall be out shortly.”
While waiting for the Crown Prince, I spoke to him.
“I didn’t realize when we last met, but you’re an Eunuch Official.”
“Indeed. With Ajeong Eunuch suffering an unfortunate accident, the Crown Prince found himself short one attendant, did he not?”
“Ah, so that’s why you came to fill that position.”
“Correct. I came to Nanking under the Emperor’s orders to fill that vacancy.”
I paused in thought before asking.
– Are you from Dongchang?
If he’s an Eunuch Official with this level of skill, the answer can only be Dongchang.
However, he did not answer that question and instead said,
“Forgive my late introduction. My name is Jo Saeng.”
I returned his greeting while thinking to myself.
Indeed, this is how the Emperor handles matters.
Sending someone of this caliber means he intends to strengthen the Crown Prince’s protection.
Through the incident with Ajeong Eunuch, he must have realized that their reach extends to the Crown Prince as well.
“Small Merchant Eun Seo-ho.”
I returned the greeting while gauging his aura.
I sensed no trace of the Sura Blood Sect’s energy from him, nor any other unsettling presence.
Pure Imperial Palace Martial Arts energy….
Wait?
Don’t Eunuch Officials have their own separate martial arts they cultivate?
Yet he possesses Imperial Palace Martial Arts energy….
Of course, there’s no law forbidding Eunuch Officials from learning Imperial Palace Martial Arts, but it would be quite unusual.
Ordinary people cannot learn the martial arts of Eunuch Officials, but Eunuch Officials can certainly learn Imperial Palace Martial Arts.
That is the advantage of Imperial Palace Martial Arts.
Was there a reason he didn’t answer clearly about Dongchang?
Only Eunuch Officials can become part of Dongchang.
At that moment, the door opened and the Crown Prince emerged.
“Small Merchant, I bow before the Crown Prince. Long live the Crown Prince, long live the Crown Prince, long may he reign!”
Though the Crown Prince had told me not to be so formal, I could not abandon such courtesy before all these witnesses.
“Rise.”
“Your grace is boundless.”
“Ah, this must be your first meeting with Eunuch Jo Saeng?”
“We have just exchanged greetings.”
“I see. Then let us depart.”
“Yes.”
In the meantime, the others who had finished their preparations waited before Jocheon Palace for the Crown Prince.
Upon seeing him, they bowed with utmost respect.
The Crown Prince commanded them to rise, then addressed those who would board the vessel.
“Today, by the command of Father, the great ruler of this Empire, you shall each journey to the Dae-Wol Kingdom and the Marae Seo Kingdom. The path will be arduous and wearisome. Yet I have faith that you will accomplish the tasks entrusted to you.”
The Crown Prince paused to collect himself, then continued.
“I ask that you endure these hardships for the sake of the Empire.”
“We shall dedicate our very lives to fulfill your command.”
“Do your best not to be wounded or perish. Guard your health well. Now, let us set forth.”
“Yes.”
Thus the Crown Prince led the way, and all followed in his wake.
Save in exceptional circumstances, it would be improper for anyone to walk ahead of the Crown Prince.
“Eun Seo-ho, guide us.”
“Yes.”
One such exceptional circumstance was when someone needed to lead the way.
Yet even then, one must stand to the side—never directly before the Crown Prince.

A moment later.
We arrived at the harbor.
Only the ship captains were visible at the port.
The sailors were at their stations, preparing to begin the voyage.
Previously, an Imperial Official from the Ministry of Rites would have read the blessing and conducted the ritual, but the Crown Prince was present.
So the Crown Prince conducted the ceremony himself.
He read the blessing and burned it, sending it skyward.
The blessing soared high into the air.
Everyone watching deemed it an auspicious sign.
After the ceremony concluded, people began boarding their respective vessels.
I approached Seon-il Elder Brother and Princess Sinaa.
“Thanks to you, I’ve been able to meet my father-in-law like this. I’m grateful.”
“Not at all. I acted because it benefits me as well.”
“I knew you’d say something like that.”
“It will be a long journey. Please take care of your health and return safely.”
“I will. Safe travels.”
After exchanging farewells with Seon-il Elder Brother, I turned my attention to Princess Sinaa.
“And you as well, Elder Brother Seo-ho—please return safely.”
“Thank you.”
As I stepped back, Yim boarded the ship.
Pwooooooo—!
Boom boom boom boom!
The blare of horns and the beating of drums filled the air.
A declaration of departure.
I waved my hand in farewell as all the ships sailed toward the sea.
Once I confirmed the vessels had receded into the distance, I turned toward the Crown Prince.
“Your Highness, I must return to Beijing now.”
“So soon?”
“Yes, there is much work piling up in Beijing.”
“Indeed, you’ve set many things in motion there.”
The Crown Prince nodded.
“Safe travels. And thank you for everything.”
I merely fulfill my duties as assigned.”
“When you return, you’ll see the Emperor. Please convey my regards.”
“Yes.”

After exchanging pleasantries with the Crown Prince, I returned to the inn.
Those who had traveled with me from Beijing to Nanking were prepared to depart.
With all the ship captains and sailors gone, the inn felt strangely empty.
The Mingming Trading Company’s Seong Sub-leader and his party had already left for Sichuan yesterday.
The matter was too urgent to afford a detour through Beijing.
So from Nanking, we contracted with the Pyoguk, which held high reputation and credit, and headed directly to Sichuan.
Just to be safe, I sent some Eun Pung-dae Warriors along with them.
“Thank you for using our inn.”
“We were quite comfortable here.”
“Then I look forward to serving you again.”
And so we departed from the inn.
Come to think of it, the Inn Owner here is quite an impressive person.
Despite our staying here for a considerable time, not a single rumor spread through the marketplace streets.
That meant he kept his mouth shut and managed his subordinates well.
His ability to operate the inn was also excellent.
I really should employ someone like this for our trading company.
The Eun Hae Trading Company doesn’t yet have a branch in Nanking.
It’s not far from our main headquarters in Hubei, and we had no business operations here before.
But Nanking is definitely a place where we need to establish a branch.
It’s called the second capital and is an important location in the Empire, and now it’s where the Crown Prince resides.
Moreover, it will become a center for foreign trade.
And I have personal reasons for Nanking’s importance as well.
It’s not far from Anhui Province, where the Namgung Family Estate is located.
The Merchant Guild Leader of Baekcheon Trading Company is from the Namgung Family, and the Murim Alliance Leader is also from the Namgung Family.
I should propose to Father about establishing a branch in Nanking.
And I should also push forward with recruiting the Inn Owner of the place where we stayed.
Since he’s been running an inn there for a long time, perhaps he’d be suited for the Information Bureau?
Though that depends on whether the Inn Owner accepts.

And so we traveled northward from Nanking and arrived in Kaifeng.
Kaifeng, too, was one of the ancient capitals and quite a flourishing place.
It was also one of the central hubs of the Yellow River Region.
“Young Master, shouldn’t we find an inn to stay at this evening?”
“Yes, we should.”
I nodded at Palgap’s words and was about to select a suitable inn when—
“Hmm?”
I spotted a familiar face ahead.
“Oh?”
He seemed to recognize me as well and approached.
“Pardon me, but aren’t you Eun Seo-ho, the Small Guild Master of the Eun Hae Trading Company?”
“Scholar Mun, what brings you to this place?”
“Inn Owner? Please, just call me Scholar. The Inn Owner is still my elder, Yeon.”
The person I had encountered was Moon Ju-sung Scholar.
The seventeenth son of the Deuk Haeng Trading Company, he was someone with whom I had formed a bond while attempting to save the Bok Si-ryeong Sect.
The Five-Colored Ice Crystalline Flower he had sought still rested in my secret vault.
Seeing how greatly he had expanded the Yeochun Inn that I had introduced him to, I realized he had not simply risen to prominence through luck alone.
“What brings you here?”
“Ah… I came to inspect our inn’s Kaifeng branch.”
“A Kaifeng branch?”
“Yes. We’ve established a branch of the Yeochun Inn here in Kaifeng.”
The Yeochun Inn had already grown to such an extent.
“My congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“How is your mother faring?”
“She is well and at peace.”
– How are Yu Yu-geomje and Padupa Elder?
He nodded naturally at my whispered transmission.
“They are both well.”
“I’m relieved to hear it.”
Then Scholar Mun spoke to me.
“It seems you are looking for an inn, am I correct?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Might I impose upon you with a request?”
“What would that be?”
“I would cover the lodging expenses if you would stay at the Yeochun Inn’s Kaifeng branch tonight. And I would be grateful for your advice on any shortcomings.”
“You mean a disguised guest inspector.”
“Precisely.”
A disguised guest inspector referred to an inspector posing as an ordinary patron.
A trading company as substantial as the Eun Hae Trading Company cannot manage everything alone and must entrust operations to trustworthy individuals.
But inevitably, some among them end up doing sloppy work.
That’s why inspectors disguise themselves as guests to audit such establishments.
And what Scholar Mun requested of me was precisely to serve as that disguised guest.
“With Eun Small Merchant Leader’s discerning eye, I can trust your judgment.”
“I’m grateful for such high praise.”
I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to lodge at an inn on someone else’s coin.
Besides, if it was a branch established by Scholar Mun, it piqued my curiosity.
“Understood. I’ll serve as your disguised guest.”
“Thank you.”
“However, our party is rather large.”
“All the better. It allows us to observe their responsiveness all the more.”
.
.
.
Half an hour later.
I stood before an inn.
[Yeochun Inn – Kaifeng Branch]
The moment I saw that signboard, I couldn’t help but smile.
How had the two elders reacted to Scholar Moon Ju-sung’s proposal to open a Yeochun Inn branch in Kaifeng?
They probably complained about the troublesome undertaking, yet quietly supported it in every conceivable way.
That’s simply who they are.
Should I visit them next time? I miss them.
As I thought this, the Shop Attendant hurried out from inside.
“Welcome! Will you be staying with us?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“This way, please.”
And he called out toward one side.
“Stable! Horses here!”
“Yes!”
Those who rushed from the stable direction took charge of our horses and headed toward the stable.
The moment we entered the inn, we couldn’t help but marvel.
The interior was immaculately clean, as if we’d stepped into the main Yeochun Inn itself.
“Would you like to dine first?”
I answered.
“I’d like to wash up first.”
“Understood. Please come this way. The Guest Room Department will show you to your quarters.”
Guest Room Department?
I asked him.
“Do you have a separate Guest Room Department?”
“Yes. Our Yeochun Inn maintains a clear separation between the Guest Room Department and the Guest Services Department.”
So you’re saying you’ll give the Shop Attendants specialized expertise.
The Shop Attendant from the Guest Room Division asked me.
“How many people, sir?”
“Twelve in total.”
“What type of rooms would you prefer? We have four kinds: single rooms, double rooms, quadruple rooms, and six-person rooms.”
“How much are the rates?”
In response to my question, the Shop Attendant quoted the price for each room type.
I stifled a laugh internally.
Scholar Mun had given us enough money to stay in single rooms for everyone.
“I’ll take six single rooms.”
“Here are your keys.”
The Shop Attendant handed us keys with room numbers attached, and another Shop Attendant standing beside us spoke up.
“I’ll show you to your rooms.”

A short while later,
after the Guard Warriors inspected the room, I stepped inside.
Examining the bedding, I nodded in satisfaction.
“Wow! The room is incredibly clean.”
“I agree.”
Usually at inns, dust accumulated in corners where hands rarely reached.
But this place was spotless everywhere.
Moreover, the bedding was immaculate without a single stain. By these standards, the guest room’s hygiene standards pass with flying colors.
So, shall I go bathe?
This inn had no bathing facilities in the guest rooms.
Instead, there was a private bath next to the public bath, and I washed there.
That place was equally clean and pleased me greatly.
During my bath, I discovered something peculiar.
There was a fragrant soap placed in the bath—it had an exceptionally pleasant scent and cleansing properties.
The fact that someone accustomed to premium fragrances like myself would praise it meant the quality was quite exceptional.
After washing, I came down to the First Floor Dining Hall and asked the Shop Attendant about the fragrant soap.
“Ah, that fragrant soap is exclusive to our Yeochun Inn.”
“Is that so?”
“We commissioned it from an exceptional fragrance master and soap craftsman, and all our guests praise it highly.”
“The scent is quite pleasant, and it cleanses wonderfully.”
“Thank you for the kind words. Now, would you like to order a meal?”
“Yes. Does this inn have any signature dishes?”
“Since you’ve come to Kaifeng, you must try xiaolongbao. We also have carp dishes and golden-hued chicken preparations.”
“Quite a selection.”
“Kaifeng is where gourmands from across the empire gather, so our inn maintains a diverse menu of dishes.”
“Then I’ll have the xiaolongbao, the carp dish, the chicken preparation, and….”
After ordering the food, I observed the Shop Attendants closely.
How on earth had they been trained to work with such dedication, every single one of them?
I wished we could apply such training methods to our Merchant Guild as well.
That was when it happened.
Crash!
Along with the sharp sound of a dish shattering came someone’s angry shout.

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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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