The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 702

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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 702

Chapter 702. Northern Sea Branch (2)

At my words, Hwangbo Hui frowned and spoke.
“Must you empty this old man’s pockets to satisfy yourself?”
“Sir, if anyone saw this, they’d think I was a shameless scoundrel preying on poor elders.”
I pointed to the bottle of liquor submerged in ice as I spoke.
“Besides, even one bottle like this isn’t worth a single silver tael.”
“This boy speaks of a silver tael as if it were a meal’s worth of food! That’s a month’s living expenses for an ordinary household!”
Geumryeong consumes that much in a single sitting, though…
I laughed and replied.
“Surely the Hwangbo Clan isn’t an ordinary household, is it?”
“Hmph.”
The elder withdrew a silver tael from his purse and placed it before me, saying.
“Is that enough?”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll be expecting my change.”
Of course he would.
I chuckled and replied.
“You needn’t worry about that.”
Then I retrieved the drinking cups I’d submerged in the ice water and poured the liquor.
This way, the drink would be even more refreshingly cold.
“Please, enjoy.”
The elder drained the cup in one long gulp and wore a satisfied expression.
“Ahh! Yes, this is the taste!”
“You seem pleased that the drinking prohibition has been lifted.”
“Of course! Still, you must have had quite the ordeal bringing ice all this way.”
“Indeed.”
“You’ve brought this hardship upon yourself.”
From the way he spoke to me, it seemed the elder also understood my capabilities.
“What can I do? I brought it upon myself, after all.”
I answered with a wry smile and changed the subject.
“This time, Hwangbo Hong-ui from the Hwangbo Clan has agreed to serve as an instructor.”
“That fellow has a strong sense of responsibility, so he’ll do well.”
“Yes. Since the House Master recommended him, I’m confident he’ll do excellently. And Lady Hwangbo In-ah has agreed to serve as the dormitory supervisor for the martial school.”
“Hmm?”
This seemed unexpected, as the elder widened his eyes and questioned it.
“In-ah?”
“Yes.”
Now that I thought about it, this elder was becoming the uncle of Lady Hwangbo In-ah.
“Ha! You’re quite talented. How did you manage to open the heart of that stubborn girl who wouldn’t listen no matter what we said?”
“I simply had a conversation with her.”
I answered only that much, then pulled a key from my pocket and placed it on the table.
“And I discovered when your real birthday is.”
“I thought you’d figure it out eventually, but you were much faster than expected.”
The elder showed a slightly surprised expression before calmly offering his cup.
“Pour me another drink.”
“Of course.”
As the elder watched his cup being filled, he opened his mouth.
“Those things were collected as I traveled throughout the entire empire. They will be useful to you.”
“Thank you. I will put them to good use in meaningful places.”
“That’s all I ask.”
Then he drank deeply.
“Ahh! Refreshing!”
From what I had heard, Hwangbo Hui had never married.
While serving as the Emperor’s guard, he had chosen not to marry, fearing that a wife and children might bring misfortune.
So he seemed to have been searching for someone to inherit his possessions, and had set his sights on me.
“In exchange for inheriting those things, I have one request.”
“What is it?”
“Do not leave the Emperor’s side.”
“….”
I could not answer readily to those words.
“Why do you not answer?”
“I don’t understand what you mean, sir.”
“There’s no hidden meaning. I mean exactly what I said.”
“Then you can rest assured. Being at the Emperor’s side benefits me as well, so why would I leave? However….”
“However? What?”
“The Emperor seems to covet me as an official of the Imperial Palace, and that’s the difficult part.”
The elder laughed at my words and spoke.
“Hah! You slippery eel, calling yourself his brother. You slip away so cleverly, yet you whine about your life——”
“No, sir! I’m serious—I feel like my lifespan is actually shortening.”
“That’s your own fault for being so talented, not the Emperor’s fault for loving talent. If you’re truly talented, wouldn’t the Emperor’s eyes light up?”
That’s… true. I have nothing to say.
.
.
.
After finishing my conversation with the elder that way, I headed toward Changin Escort Agency.
There was another important matter I needed to resolve this time.
“Welcome!”
As I stepped into the Changin Escort Agency, the Escort Warriors greeted me warmly.
It was our Eun Hae Trading Company’s primary partner escort bureau, but it was also an escort agency founded by disciples of Seolpung Palace.
“Ah, it’s been quite a while!”
“Ha Cheol Pyo-du.”
He, who was also the father of my Second Sister-in-law, approached me.
“You appear to be on leave?”
“It’s only been two days since I returned from an escort mission.”
“You must have worked hard. Are Master and the National Lord inside?”
“Yes, they’re both here at the moment.”
I had already sent Geumryeong ahead to inform them I would visit today, so they should be inside, but I asked to confirm.
“Allow me to escort you. This way, please.”
“Thank you.”
As I headed toward the National Lord’s office, I surveyed my surroundings.
It seemed like there were more people than before?
“It appears the escort agency has gained more staff recently. Is that correct?”
“As expected, you noticed right away.”
He smiled and replied.
“Recently I went to Hangzhou and brought back new Escort Warriors.”
That meant he had brought along those from the Yangyang Martial School who had come of age and wished to become Escort Warriors.
“I see.”
Conversing in this manner, we arrived at the National Lord’s office.
Before I could even announce my arrival, I heard Master’s voice from inside.
“Please come in.”
“Thank you.”
As expected of Master—he already knew of my arrival.
I bowed respectfully to Ha Cheol Pyo-du and entered.
Inside were the National Lord and Master.
It had been quite some time since I last saw the National Lord.
I performed a formal bow before them.
“So-sang Eun Seo-ho pays his respects to both of you.”
At this, the National Lord waved his hand.
“You need not be so formal with me.”
“I must respectfully disagree.”
I replied with a smile.
“I prefer to show deference to my elders.”
I find formal speech more comfortable in my heart.
Moreover, it puts the other person in a better mood and makes it easier for me to obtain what I desire.
The reason I speak respectfully even to those of poor character is to ensure I never descend to their level.
And if things escalate, using formal speech on my end actually gives me an advantage.
Of course, right now it’s purely a matter of respect.
The Lord is both the head of our trading partner and a senior at Seolpung Palace.
“Please, be seated.”
“Yes.”
I took a seat at my Master’s suggestion, and the Lord personally brewed tea and served it to me.
“Please, have some.”
“Thank you.”
I took a sip of tea and set the cup down.
Their eyes gleamed with intense curiosity about why I’d asked them to gather.
“The reason I wanted to see both of you together is to discuss the future of our Seolpung Palace.”
“Please, continue.”
I sent a telepathic message to my Master.
– Does the Lord also know about the Sura Blood Sect?
– Yes. The Lord needs to know as well.
If the Lord already knows, then I can get straight to the point.
“As you both know, it’s become nearly certain that those who brought calamity upon Seolpung Palace are members of the Sura Blood Sect. However, I don’t believe Seolpung Palace should continue to cower like this indefinitely.”
The Lord expressed his concern at my words.
“But we don’t know who’s backing the Sura Blood Sect. If we act rashly and face retaliation from whoever’s behind them, it could truly be the end. Surely you understand this, Lesser Palace Mistress?”
“Of course. I’m not suggesting we emerge into the open and reveal ourselves immediately.”
I continued my explanation calmly.
“However, I believe we need to prepare more actively. For the reconstruction of Seolpung Palace, if nothing else.”
At that moment, my Master asked.
“So, what do you have in mind?”
“Yes. A Northern Sea Branch of the Changin Escort Agency.”
My words seemed sudden, and both of them were momentarily taken aback.
“You mean to establish a branch of the Changin Escort Agency in the Northern Sea?”
At the Lord’s question, I nodded firmly.
“Exactly. If we have a branch in the Northern Sea, wouldn’t we be able to learn about the region’s affairs more quickly and in greater detail? Moreover, it would be more effective for martial arts training.”
Seolpung Palace’s martial arts are ice martial techniques.
Therefore, having abundant yin energy nearby would be far more advantageous for training, and the greatest source of such energy is snow itself.
Seolpung Palace’s martial arts are particularly specialized in utilizing the essence of snow.
“And when the time comes, Seolpung Palace will be able to move with greater agility and speed than anyone else.”
At my words, both of them closed their eyes in contemplation.
After a moment, the Lord opened his eyes and raised an objection.
“Your words make sense, but there’s a problem.”
“What problem is that?”
“First, our Changin Escort Agency lacks a legitimate reason to establish a branch in the Northern Sea. If we suddenly set up a branch there, they will certainly become suspicious of the Changin Escort Agency. The Sura Blood Sect, which is watching the Northern Sea, or whoever backs them, would surely think the same way.”
The Lord continued.
“Moreover, from the escort agency’s perspective, establishing a branch there has no economic viability. We could manage the initial costs of setting it up, but the real problem is operational expenses. Even if we receive commissions there, how much profit could we possibly make?”
My Master nodded in agreement.
“I share the same thoughts.”
Their concerns were already within my expectations.
I smiled knowingly.
“There’s no problem with that.”
“Please explain.”
“In fact, the Eun Hae Trading Company is planning to expand our business centered around the Northern Sea Branch.”
“Beyond just transporting beast hides from the Northern Sea, you mean?”
“Yes. First, we plan to start an ice business.”
“An ice business?”
“We’ll construct large ice storage facilities at our main headquarters and sell that ice south of the Yangtze River. To do this, we’ll need to regularly travel to and from the Northern Sea to transport the ice.”
“You’re asking us at the Changin Escort Agency to handle this work?”
I nodded at the Lord’s question.
“That’s what I’m thinking. And wouldn’t the martial skills of the Changin Escort Agency be perfectly suited for ice transport?”
“That’s true.”
“Additionally, we need to transport silk from the Northern Sea to Beijing and Hubei.”
“Silk?”
“This is a business proposed by the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
I explained about the dye that could color silk in a brilliant red that shimmered as if dusted with silver powder.
“These two ventures could bring substantial profits to the Eun Hae Trading Company. However, the distances are great, and silk in particular carries transportation risks, so the escort agency’s role will be crucial.”
I continued, looking at my Master and the Lord.
“I believe this alone provides sufficient reason for anyone to see why establishing a branch in the Northern Sea makes sense.”
The Lord’s eyes gleamed.
“Indeed. That would certainly give the Changin Escort Agency ample justification to establish a branch in the Northern Sea.”
The Lord truly is a businessman.
The way he carefully weighs profit and loss speaks volumes.
The fact that the Seolpung Palace has been able to exist under the name Changin Escort Agency until now is thanks to the Lord.
Without money, any organization is nothing more than a sandcastle that crumbles when the tide comes in.
Of course, an organization doesn’t move on money alone.
There must be some greater purpose, and my Master currently serves as the spiritual pillar of the Seolpung Palace.
My Master spoke.
“In other words, the Lesser Palace Mistress is saying we should use the Northern Sea Branch as a stepping stone for the Seolpung Palace’s reconstruction.”
“Exactly.”
“If we establish a branch in the Northern Sea, we’ll be able to gather information about the region quickly and accurately, which could also provide us with additional intelligence about the Seolpung Palace’s circumstances.”
“Yes.”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve set foot on Northern Sea lands.”
My Master’s face was filled with regret as he spoke.
“I’ll discuss this formally with the Dharma Protectors.”
“Understood.”
.
.
.
I left the National Lord’s Office and toured the Changin Escort Agency.
It was a far superior environment compared to my memories of my previous life.
Because Jeon Il Pyo-du had embezzled funds, we had suffered from chronic financial shortages for quite some time.
Then I heard my Master’s voice from behind.
“Lesser Palace Mistress.”
I turned around to see my Master approaching.
“Allow me to escort you.”
The timing was perfect.
I had something I wanted to tell my Master.
“I won’t refuse.”
We made our way to the stable and mounted our horses.
“Giddy up!”
I set the horse in motion, but kept a leisurely pace.
My guards tactfully fell back.
“Master, thank you.”
“For what?”
“If you hadn’t informed the Palace Master of Northern Sea Ice Palace about my marriage, she would have been quite upset with me.”
“Didn’t I tell you? That old woman gets offended easily, doesn’t she?”
M-Master…
“And the Palace Master of the Ice Palace bestowed upon me and Gwak Vice-Manager an Ice Palace wedding ceremony.”
At my words, my Master nodded slowly.
“An Ice Palace wedding… what a nostalgic thing. Your late mother used to tell me about it sometimes. So, did you enjoy it?”
“Yes, very much. That’s why I felt sorry toward you, Master.”
“For what?”
I scratched my cheek awkwardly.
“In truth, you should have experienced such an honor before me.”
“Don’t worry about it. The circumstances were beyond our control, weren’t they?”
“That’s why I’m making you a promise.”
My Master looked at me.
I met his gaze and spoke.
“I will ensure that you and Master’s Wife have an Ice Palace wedding ceremony as well, no matter how long it takes. So that the Ice Palace will formally recognize you both as husband and wife.”
At my words, my Master smiled gently.
My Master’s smile was truly rare, and it seemed my promise had pleased him.
“I look forward to that promise.”
My Master continued.
“But there’s one thing I don’t understand from what you said.”
“What is it?”
“You’ve had an Ice Palace wedding ceremony, yet why do you call Gwak Seo-hyang a vice-manager instead of your wife or consort?”

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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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