The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 83

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Trading Company – Chapter 83

Chapter 83. The Shaanxi Scorpion (6)

Jihyeon spoke in a cold voice.
“I heard your confession quite well.”
“….”
He looked at his subordinate in shock. By now, the subordinate’s eyes had turned equally cold.
“Surely you haven’t betrayed me?”
“Wasn’t it you who stabbed us in the back first?”
“Stabbed in the back?”
“You had hidden wealth stashed away. Behind the Guan Di Temple. Yet you claimed to have no money and wouldn’t even pay our wages!”
“H-how did you know about that?”
Eun Seo-ho, who stood among them, spoke up.
“The truth is, the tea that our Eom Manager served you was not from a master of the Chao tradition.”
“…?”
“It was a tea called ‘Fortunate Green’ that our trading company was about to launch.”
“S-so you’re saying I consumed poison?”
Eun Seo-ho drove the final nail home.
“It was all a lie.”
“And the antidote to that poison being candy was also?”
Rather than answer that question, Eun Seo-ho let out a soft chuckle.
“You’ve worked hard being deceived by me.”
Those were the very words from the letter the Shaanxi Scorpion had left for those he had swindled.
Only now did the Shaanxi Scorpion begin to understand, even slightly, the hearts of those he had deceived.
Though it came far too late.

* * *

The next day.
I made my way to the County Office.
Ji Hyeon Dae-in greeted me with a smile, commending my accomplishments.
“Indeed, you’ve done well this time.”
I cupped my fist in gratitude and replied.
“Not at all, Dae-in. It was only through your assistance that I could apprehend the swindler. Had you not provided timely support, how could I have extracted a confession from such a shameless charlatan?”
“You certainly know how to gild the lily.”
With that, he set down his teacup.
Observing that he did not refill the empty cup, it was clear he intended to conclude our conversation.
Proceeds obtained through criminal activity are returned to the state—or more precisely, to the prefecture.
However, there is one condition attached.
Only if no compensation for damages is claimed.
It appeared he was eager to depart before I could make such a claim, but that would not do.
When reporting these proceeds to the Imperial Inspectorate, he intended to claim that damages had been compensated and pocket the remainder himself.
In truth, from my previous life, those who had suffered at the hands of the Shaanxi Scorpion never received proper restitution.
The wealth discovered at his hideout was woefully insufficient to compensate their losses.
When questioned about what became of those funds, the answer was that he had squandered them on food, entertainment, and preparation for his next crimes—a damning admission.
Yet the Shaanxi Scorpion was a cunning man.
He would never have left his wealth unburied.
The meager amount remaining at the Nokgeum Merchant Group proved as much.
But in time, the Shaanxi Scorpion’s hidden treasure was discovered.
Thanks to my vague recollection of it, I had located enough wealth not only to compensate our company’s losses but to have surplus remaining.
“I humbly report that the damages sustained by our Eunhae Trading Company amount to three thousand five hundred silver taels.”
“What!”
He started in surprise.
“Such a substantial loss?”
“Indeed.”
Previously it had been three thousand taels, but I had added five hundred more.
The additional amount accounted for expenses incurred during our stay, plus compensation for emotional distress.
“Hmm…”
As he hesitated, I added a few more words.
“As you well know, Dae-in, the Eunhae Trading Company holds a royal charter from His Majesty the Emperor himself for salt retail. His Majesty takes considerable interest in our affairs.”
“…”
Was that a threat?
No—merely a legitimate request.
Having suffered damages, was it not only natural that we receive compensation?
I waited patiently for his response.
At last, Ji Hyeon Dae-in forced a broad smile and spoke.
“Ha, of course I was always intending to compensate you for those damages.”
“However, there is another matter. Three other merchant houses besides ours fell victim to this swindler.”
I promised that if we caught the swindler, I would recover as much of the stolen funds as possible.
I keep my promises.
.
.
.
The next day.
A cart arrived at the Inn where I was staying.
The cart, pulled by government forces from the County Office, was piled high with silver taels.
“Here are three thousand five hundred taels of silver. Please sign the receipt.”
At the official’s words, I first examined the silver taels carefully.
Only after confirming they were all genuine did I sign the receipt.
“And here—four hundred taels for the Yu Merchant Guild, eleven hundred taels for the Baek Merchant Guild, and sixty taels for the Im-yul Merchant Guild.”
The guild leaders of the merchant groups that had suffered from the fraud were here. I had summoned them.
I ensured they received double the amount of their losses.
Mental damages are damages too. Besides, the amounts they had originally stated were merely their pure material losses.
It’s better than letting some random fool pocket it all.
“Please verify and sign.”
“Ah! Yes, yes!”
“Yes!”
Their expressions were bewildered. They hadn’t expected to recover their actual losses at all.
They certainly hadn’t imagined receiving double.
They verified the silver and signed the receipts.
The official left with the government forces, and I spoke to the guild leaders.
“I’m truly relieved we could cover your losses.”
“Thank you!”
“Thank you so much!”
“How can we ever repay this kindness?”
I smiled and spoke.
“What kindness is there to speak of? Thanks to your help, we were able to recover our losses as well.”
“No, that’s not it.”
The guild leader of the Yu Merchant Guild spoke through tears.
“Honestly, I thought we wouldn’t receive any help at all. But to have it happen like this… sob…”
“For the Eunhae Trading Company to help us in this way…”
“Sniff…”
No, grown men shouldn’t be doing this.
I comforted them, and they departed with the silver toward the Pawn Shop.
They wanted to deposit it there before it could be stolen.
And I sent warriors from the Eunpung Corps to escort them.
I took the silver and headed to Eom Sam-taek Chief Manager’s guest room.
“Come in.”
Eom Sam-taek Chief Manager’s skin clung to his bones—the toll of recent anguish was written plainly upon him.
I glanced at the untouched bowl of porridge before me and spoke.
“Chief Manager, you mustn’t carry on like this. You should eat and recover your strength, shouldn’t you?”
“Sigh… How can I eat when I have no face to show?”
“But you must regain your strength if you’re to inspect the black tea, mustn’t you?”
“…Pardon?”
Eom Manager looked at me in confusion.
“Black tea? Where would we find the money to inspect black tea?”
At those words, I turned to Palgap.
Palgap set down the box he had been holding.
Thud!
The sound revealed the box’s considerable weight.
Palgap opened the box.
Upon seeing it brimming with silver, Eom Manager fell speechless.
“This… this… this… what on earth is this?”
“Caught the swindler. Recovered the losses. Explanation sufficient?”
“So… how exactly did you…?”
“Ask the other managers for the details.”
Honestly, I couldn’t be bothered explaining everything.
“Use this to purchase the black tea and return to the Main Headquarters.”
I turned to leave.
Glancing back at the now-cold porridge, I added, “I’ll have fresh, warm porridge brought to you.”
I left Eom Manager’s guest quarters, and behind me came the sound of him weeping openly.
.
.
.
The next day.
Eom Sam-taek Chief Manager had regained his spirits and moved about with renewed vigor.
“Something feels off about this. Look into it again.”
“Yes, Chief Manager.”
It seemed he’d developed a suspicious nature—though for a merchant, such caution was hardly a flaw, so I let it be.
Just then, Shim Manager approached me.
“Sir, the Merchant Guild Leader of the Baek Merchant Guild wishes to see you.”
The Baek Merchant Guild—one of those who had suffered from the swindler’s deception.
What could they want?
I asked Shim Manager to show them to my quarters, and shortly after, the Merchant Guild Leader of the Baek Merchant Guild entered with several companions.
“Welcome.”
“Thank you for receiving us.”
They performed a respectful bow to me. And then—
They cornered me. And then.
Thud!
He knelt before me.
“No! Why are you doing this all of a sudden? Please, don’t!”
“I heard that you are the third son of the Eunhae Trading Company Master, a Small Merchant Guild Leader, and the Lord of Hyun Pung Bureau.”
“Yes, that’s true, but….”
“Yesterday, our guild held a meeting. As a result, we have decided to entrust our guild to the Eunhae Trading Company.”
“…What?”
“Others did not help us. But the Eunhae Trading Company aided us in every way, despite not being affiliated with us. After witnessing that, I made a decision.”
The Merchant Guild Leader continued.
“We wish to become part of the same organization. Please accept us!”
The Merchant Guild Leader pressed his forehead to the ground, and the others did likewise.
These people….
They’re truly embarrassing me.
But from our guild’s perspective, this isn’t a bad thing.
Having affiliated guilds in Shaanxi Province meant we could expand our sphere of influence considerably.
“I understand. I understand, so please stand up now.”
“Will you accept us?”
“I must obtain permission from my father, the Merchant Guild Master. I’ll send an urgent messenger to the Main Headquarters right away, so please rise now.”
“Understood.”
After sending them away, the Yu Merchant Guild arrived, and they too knelt before me.
Their request was identical to the Baek Merchant Guild’s.
Why do they keep kneeling? They could simply ask with words….
I told them I would send an urgent messenger to the Main Headquarters and sent them away.
“Young Master, the Im-yul Merchant Guild has arrived.”
Surely the Im-yul Merchant Guild wouldn’t have the same request, would it?
There’s a saying that “surely” kills a man.
The Im-yul Merchant Guild also knelt, saying they wished to entrust themselves to the Eunhae Trading Company.
Why do they keep kneeling?
In any case, I told the Im-yul Merchant Guild I would send an urgent messenger to the Main Headquarters and sent them away.
“Ah, this is exhausting.”
At my words, Palgap spoke.
“You are truly remarkable, sir.”
“What is?”
“Everything, really. You are truly remarkable.”
“That’s nonsense.”
In any case, I needed to send word quickly.
I wrote a detailed letter about these matters and sent it.
Now it was time to prepare to head to the Wuyi Merchant Guild.
Since I had resolved the matter concerning the Shaanxi Scorpion, it was time to move toward my true purpose for coming to Shaanxi Province.
I left the guest quarters to speak with Eom Sam-taek Chief Manager about this.
At that moment, I heard Eom Manager’s voice from outside.
“That wasn’t something I did. So….”
I headed toward where that voice was coming from.
I could see two men who appeared to be brothers repeatedly bowing to Eom Manager.
“Ah!”
Upon noticing me, Eom Manager spoke to them.
“This is the person! It wasn’t me—this is the one who saved your elder.”
Huh?
“He is the third son of our Merchant Guild Leader, the Small Unit Leader, and will become the Bureau Master of Hyun Pung Bureau.”
At that introduction, they hurried over to me and bowed deeply.
“We come from the O Family Tea Farm.”
Ah….
The moment I learned that the kidnapped elder was Old Man O from the O Family Tea Farm, I had immediately sent people there.
“We heard that you saved our father.”
“We don’t know how to repay this kindness. We are truly grateful.”
I asked them a question.
“Is your father doing well?”
“Yes, he is fine.”
“He’s resting due to the shock, but he should be able to get back on his feet soon.”
“I wish for his swift recovery.”
At that moment, the elder’s eldest son spoke.
“As you may know, our family produces dark tea. As a token of our gratitude for saving our father, we would like to provide you with dark tea from this production run—as much as you need, free of charge.”
At those words, Eom Manager standing behind me looked at me in surprise.
It was such an extraordinary offer.
“What are you saying? Giving us dark tea for free?”
“Since you saved our father, we believe this is only natural.”
I asked with a troubled expression.
“Don’t you have contracted volumes that must be delivered to tea brokers?”
Tea farms that produce dark tea sometimes conduct direct transactions with merchant guilds, but most deliver their produced tea to tea brokers.
And those brokers then resell it to merchant guilds in other regions.
The Eunhae Trading Company happens to acquire it while selling candy, but for other merchant guilds, it’s more profitable to sell what’s brought to them rather than going directly.
And once tea production begins, tea brokers sweep up all the tea in the area.
So even if you hear news that tea is being produced and rush there, direct transactions become impossible.
Even if you try to negotiate direct deals, the brokers are already waiting for the opportunity to renegotiate contracts, leaving no opening for merchants from other regions to slip through.
No matter how much you say “let’s contract with us next time,” the reality is that whoever signs the contract first owns the rights.
Those who produce tea find it advantageous to quickly hand over fresh tea to brokers.
“Actually, we need to renegotiate with the places we’ve been contracting with continuously, and our father handles all contract matters. But because he was kidnapped….”
He added with a bitter smile.
“They’ll understand.”
“Even so, if you give us that tea for free, what will your family eat on for an entire year?”
I continued speaking.
“I understand your sentiment, but I cannot accept such a proposal if it means abandoning a year of our lives. We must respectfully decline your offer.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————