The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 682

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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 682

Chapter 682. Killing Two Birds with One Stone (5)

The Ronin who had fled were eventually captured and brought in.
They were important witnesses, so we couldn’t simply let them escape.
Thus, after subduing them all, we transported them to the Jinan County Office.
Now it would be the task of the Geumui Guard Masters to extract the name of the Namgung Family from their lips.
I had prevented the attack on the stone quarry and earned the gratitude of the Geumui Guard—I was sufficiently satisfied.
For now, both the Baekcheon Trading Company and the Namgung Family would have to keep their heads down.
In the meantime, if I developed the stone quarry and contracted to supply high-quality whetstones to the Imperial Palace, then neither the Namgung Family nor the Baekcheon Trading Company would dare covet this place again.
Excellent. Perfect.
After inspecting the stone quarry, I returned to the Hwangbo Family.
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Dawn broke.
I received a summons from the House Master and left my quarters.
My destination was not the House Master’s office, but the Guest Reception Room.
That meant the personnel selection I had requested had been finalized.
As I waited in the Guest Reception Room, the door opened and the House Master and Small Patriarch entered.
Since the Small Patriarch had overseen this personnel selection, they would naturally come together.
A man followed in their wake.
He was a remarkably sturdy young man, befitting a member of the Hwangbo Family.
I rose from my seat, and the House Master gestured and spoke.
“Be seated.”
“Yes.”
The House Master took the seat of honor, while the other two sat across from me.
“It took longer than expected. The conditions you requested for the personnel selection were quite demanding.”
“I apologize for the trouble.”
“Not at all. Was it difficult for me? Since my son requested it, I felt no burden whatsoever.”
“Father….”
At that glib remark, the Small Patriarch let out a sigh.
I laughed awkwardly and spoke.
“I appreciate your kindness.”
“Nonsense. Thanks to this, I’ve come to realize anew just how many talented individuals our main house possesses.”
The Small Patriarch broke into a hearty laugh and introduced the young man who had accompanied them.
“He’s the youngest son of my youngest uncle. His name is Hwangbo Hong-ui. He’s thirty-four this year.”
Perfect.
I rose from my seat and clasped my fists in greeting.
“I am Eun Seo-ho, Small Guild Master of the Eun Hae Trading Company. I look forward to working with you.”
He too rose and returned the greeting with equal courtesy.
Every movement carried such precision and discipline that it was immediately apparent he was a young master from a prestigious family.
“I am Hwangbo Hong-ui. Though my abilities are limited, I shall do my utmost.”
Yes, this was how a true young master of the Hwangbo Family should conduct himself.
Lord Uk was the odd one out.
After we exchanged greetings and took our seats, the Small Patriarch spoke.
“When should Hong-ui arrive at Beijing?”
“I believe sometime before the tenth month of this year would be appropriate. I will send someone to arrange the details when the time comes.”
“Understood.”
Then the House Master spoke up.
“By the way, my daughter In-ah is also going to the Martial Hall as an instructor, I hear….”
“Yes, that is correct. I requested the position of dormitory supervisor at the Martial Hall, and I received a positive response.”
“Indeed, I hear it is a less burdensome position compared to that of an instructor.”
The House Master did not voice it aloud, but gratitude gleamed unmistakably in his eyes.
After all, it was thanks to me that he had resolved the misunderstanding with his daughter, so his appreciation was only natural.
“In-ah says she has something she wishes to discuss with you. Meet with her later.”
“Very well.”
“Then the two of you should talk.”
With that, the House Master and Small Patriarch rose from their seats. Hwangbo Hong-ui and I stood and bowed respectfully.
Once we were alone, Hwangbo Hong-ui asked cautiously.
“Is it true that Elder Sister In-ah is also going to the Martial Hall?”
“Yes. She has agreed to take the position of dormitory supervisor.”
I was in an excellent mood.
I had managed to recruit two people for the Martial Hall without even expecting it.
This was truly killing two birds with one stone, was it not?
“Uh….”
Yet Hwangbo Hong-ui’s expression seemed troubled.
“What troubles you?”
“It is… nothing.”
“If there is any problem, please tell me. That way I can take precautions beforehand, can I not?”
“It is just that….”
He hesitated for a long while before answering with difficulty.
“She is rather frightening.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Elder Sister In-ah was the one who maintained discipline at the Main House.”
Ah….
Watching Hwangbo Hong-ui tremble at merely hearing her name, it seemed she had indeed enforced discipline quite severely.
Then that works out even better.
It means she’s a suitable talent for overseeing the dormitory.
I spoke with a smile.
“I thought she might escape from that person’s influence, but since we’re traveling together like this, it seems you have many concerns about it.”
“I have nothing to say. Haha.”
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That afternoon.
I made my way to Lady Hwangbo Ina’s quarters.
After drinking tea in the guest reception room there and waiting a moment, the door opened and the Lady entered.
“Small Merchant Eun Seo-ho pays his respects to the Lady.”
“We meet again. How delightful. Please, sit.”
“Yes.”
We sat facing each other at the tea table.
There was an elegance evident in the way she sat and sipped her tea.
To think such a person was a supreme master.
By the way, she wore bright-colored clothing now, not those dark garments from before.
It suited her far better.
I spoke first.
“I heard from the House Master that you wished to meet with me.”
“Indeed. I’ve decided to go to that Martial Hall, but I know little about it, so I wanted to hear a more detailed explanation.”
“Ah, I apologize. I was negligent in not explaining beforehand.”
“No, you’ve been busy running about, haven’t you?”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
I took a sip of tea to moisten my lips before continuing.
“First, the official School Master of this newly established Martial Hall is the Emperor himself.”
“The Emperor?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
This had already been decided through the Crown Prince.
She nodded after considering my words for a moment.
“Indeed, that would be better to avoid unnecessary suspicion.”
Her words showed a precise understanding of my intentions.
Though it’s on the outskirts, it’s a Martial Hall being built in Beijing’s administrative district.
If we gave them any excuse to meddle, it would be troublesome, so I made the Emperor the School Master from the start.
After all, the Martial Hall’s purpose was to supply excellent martial artists to the Imperial Palace anyway.
“Then there would be no risk of the Martial Hall being closed down in the middle.”
“Of course not.”
“Have you decided on a name for the Martial Hall?”
“Not yet, but I intend to request that the Emperor bestow a name upon the Martial Hall.”
“Well done.”
Officially, the Emperor serves as the School Master, so if I asked someone else to name the Martial Hall, he would certainly be offended.
It’s strange how he’s so magnanimous about major matters, yet so petty about minor ones.
“Then who did you decide would serve as the School Master’s deputy? Since the Emperor cannot oversee it directly, someone must be appointed as his representative, correct?”
“That’s right.”
I smiled slyly.
“I’ve already selected the School Master’s deputy as well.”
I simply haven’t informed them yet.
The person in question probably has no idea in their wildest dreams that they’ve been chosen as the School Master’s deputy.
But once they receive the Emperor’s decree, they’ll have no choice but to accept.
“I see. Would you mind telling me who it is?”
“I cannot reveal that just yet, but please don’t worry. It’s someone who is widely respected and truly worthy of admiration.”
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My business at the Hwangbo Family was complete, so it was time to depart.
I coordinated my schedule with Hwangbo Seon-yu.
“Let’s leave the morning after tomorrow.”
“Understood. But have the arrested individuals begun talking?”
“Hehe, they had no choice but to talk.”
The Geumui Guard’s interrogations are indeed notorious.
Not merely for their skill in inflicting pain, but also for their expertise in psychological warfare—coercion and persuasion alike.
“We’ve secured testimony and evidence that the Namgung Family issued the orders, and several Geumui Guards have already departed for Beijing to report this.”
Indeed, speed is crucial in this matter.
“Then why are you suggesting we leave tomorrow?”
“Well, I still have some matters to attend to.”
When I stared at him intently, he cleared his throat awkwardly.
“It’s been so long since I’ve overseen my children’s education, and I want to speak with my wife. Time simply slips away in such moments.”
“Ah, your wife and children are here?”
He nodded at my question.
“Given my position, it’s somewhat unsafe to leave them in Beijing.”
“I can certainly understand that.”
The Geumui Guard wields tremendous power, but it is equally dangerous.
Those who target the Geumui Guard are very likely to approach their families.
“Understood. We’ll depart the morning after tomorrow then.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Not at all. Please rest well.”
Well then, with no business today or tomorrow, perhaps I should finally get some proper rest?
Once I return to Beijing, I’ll be back to cutting sleep short and working late into the night.
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The day of departure for Beijing had arrived.
Ho Gyeong Prince of the Baek Yeom Merchant Guild and the others had met the day before to exchange farewells.
Members of the Hwangbo Family came out to see us off.
I exchanged greetings with Lady Hwangbo In-ah and Hwangbo Hong-ui Prince, promising to meet again later.
“I look forward to seeing you this autumn.”
“Until we meet again, please take care of yourself.”
“Yes. I eagerly await that day.”
Then I mounted my horse and set out for Beijing.
Though the distance was not far, the journey had proven far more eventful than expected.
At the entrance to Shandong, I had caught and dealt with a charlatan named Hwang Jeon who had been selling boils salve made from toad venom.
I had also obtained the item left behind by the Gwimyeon-po Elder, and in the process discovered treasure I had never anticipated.
And in Jinan, I had purchased a whetstone production area, crushing the ambitions of the Namgung Family and Baekcheon Trading Company against the Hwangbo Family and Baek Yeom Merchant Guild.
In doing so, I had also earned some favor with the Emperor.
That had truly been satisfying.
I had taken a small measure of revenge against Baekcheon Trading Company and the Namgung Family.
Of course, I could not be satisfied with merely that.
They were the ones who had ultimately killed me and destroyed our Merchant Guild.
To prevent that fate, I had no choice but to bring them down myself.
Ah, if I continue living with such determination, the day of my revenge will surely draw ever closer.

* * *

The Emperor was attending to his duties when he received a visit from someone he had been expecting.
“Your Majesty. Hwangbo Seon-yu, the Great Hero of the Northern Martial Sect, requests an audience with you.”
“Ah, let him in.”
“Yes, Sire.”
Hwangbo Seon-yu soon stepped forward before the Emperor and performed the most elaborate bow of respect.
“Rise and lift your head.”
“I am overwhelmed by your imperial grace.”
“Indeed.”
The Emperor nodded and spoke.
“I have read the report submitted by that county magistrate from the Shandong border. Burning the roots to kill the sprouts… quite a malicious scheme, I must say.”
“Yes. Fortunately, no greater damage resulted from it, for which we are eternally grateful.”
“You have done well.”
The Emperor continued, glancing at another report he had set aside.
“And this time, the Namgung Family caused an incident in Jinan.”
“Indeed they did.”
Hwangbo Seon-yu reported the matter with his head slightly bowed.
“…Thus, we apprehended five members of the Namgung Family and approximately one hundred ronin.”
“Is that so? And the stone quarry in Jinan—did it suffer any damage?”
“There was no damage whatsoever.”
“Excellent.”
The Emperor nodded in satisfaction.
“You have labored greatly. Thanks to you, I now possess a card to pressure the Murim Alliance.”
Though it was the Namgung Family that committed the offense, the Namgung Family is the very force that leads the Murim Alliance.
Thus, the Emperor intended to use this as leverage against the presumptuous Murim Alliance, which had planted agents within the imperial palace itself.
“For conceiving such a brilliant stratagem and relieving me of burden, you are truly commendable and worthy of praise. This is precisely why I cannot help but favor the Geumui Guard.”
“…I am overwhelmed by your imperial grace.”
“But where is Eun Seo-ho? Why have you come alone?”
“Ah, Eun Seo-ho had pressing matters at the guild and proceeded directly to the Eunhae Merchant Guild Beijing Branch.”
He added an explanation.
“Though I suggested he come along to pay his respects to you as well, he demurred, saying he had done nothing himself and could not presume to appear at such an occasion…”
“I see. Very well.”
The Emperor spoke.
“You may withdraw now and rest.”
“I am overwhelmed by your imperial grace.”
With that, Hwangbo Seon-yu withdrew.
Click!
As the door closed, the Emperor let out a soft chuckle.
“This fellow…”
“Is there something displeasing you, Your Majesty?”
At the Eunuch’s question, the Emperor shook his head and spoke.
“It’s amusing to see that fellow’s thoughts laid bare so clearly.”
“Your Majesty?”
“Look at the memorial Hwangbo Seon-yu submitted regarding this northern expedition. There’s not a single mention of Eun Seo-ho in it.”
“Is that so?”
“Do you truly believe such a scheme could have originated from those rigid minds?”
It was not a question seeking an answer, so the Eunuch listened in silence.
“This is undoubtedly the work of that fellow Eun Seo-ho’s mind. How could someone so devoted to profit simply stand by and watch his quarry be attacked?”
“Then you’re saying Hwangbo Seon-yu deliberately falsified the memorial to claim credit for himself?”
“No, quite the opposite. That fellow must have requested it. ‘This matter is for the sake of the Gold-Clad Guard Masters—how could I allow my name to ruin the endeavor?’ Something along those lines, I’m sure.”
“….”
The Eunuch could not deny it.
He too had observed Eun Seo-ho for many years.
“Then what do you intend to do about this, Your Majesty?”
“It is the Emperor’s duty to allow men pleasant dreams. He has labored long enough—let him rest a while.”
“As you wish, Your Majesty.”
The Eunuch spoke carefully.
“If I may be so bold, Eun Seo-ho seems to be a man who invites trouble upon himself. I fear that even with Your Majesty’s consideration, he is not one who can truly rest.”
At this, the Emperor smiled with amusement and spoke.
“That is precisely why it must be a ‘dream.’ Dreams cannot become reality, after all.”
“That is true.”
“And if that fellow’s official accomplishments diminish, it means I need give him less in return—which suits me perfectly. Is it not so? Hahahaha.”
“….”

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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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