Chapter 101
The Youngest Son of the Silver Sea Trading Company Chapter 101
Chapter 101. Man-gyeol's Decision (2)
It may seem selfish, but I am selfish by nature, and my family is the most important thing to me.
However, unless that is the case, moving the headquarters would be a bad move.
I calmly persuaded my father, and he sighed and said, "You're right.
“Yes, you're right. We started here in Sungyang County, and it is thanks to the people here that we have been able to grow this far. But now, instead of helping them during this epidemic, you are thinking of moving the main branch! I have been foolish.”
I quickly replied to my father's words.
“No, I understand how you feel, Father. How can I blame you?”
“I appreciate your understanding.”
My father looked at me and nodded.
“All right. Go ahead.”
Thus, my decision to go to Uichang was made more easily than I had expected.
“But... you must convince your mother.”
As he said that, he turned his head slightly, as if he remembered when I had told him I was going to rescue Jin-ho and his friends.
How can I convince my mother?
But.
“Go.”
“What?”
“Why are you so surprised?”
“No, it's just... I thought you wouldn't allow it.”
My mother sighed at my words.
“I want to tell you not to go, but you are the son of the captain of the Eunhae Trading Company. That means you must work for the benefit of the Eunhae Trading Company, not for your own personal gain.”
“...”
“In my opinion, for the benefit of the Eunhae Trading Company, you should stay here and work hard to provide relief.”
“Mother...”
“Of course, I opposed it before because you didn't have to go, but this time it's different.”
My mother smiled faintly.
“The daughter of a commoner has become the wife of a captain.”
“You are still beautiful.”
“Are you making fun of me?”
“How could I? Hahaha.”
Unexpectedly, my mother's permission was easily granted, and my trip to Uichang was quickly prepared.
Then, I left for Uichang with those who volunteered to help me.
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.
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The boat trip to Uichang took a long time.
We traveled upstream on the Yangtze River.
Still, the river was wide enough for us to travel in large boats.
However, after disembarking, we had to travel on rough mountain roads.
As I recall, many people lost their lives in Uichang.
This was because relief supplies did not arrive in time, causing many people's conditions to worsen.
It was impossible to transport rice and other supplies by cart on the narrow roads.
So I too carried rice on my back.
My bodyguard and two guards tried to stop me, but we were short of workers, and I felt that I had no reason to go to Uichang if I couldn't even carry this much.
Finally, we arrived at Uichang.
“Stop!”
At that moment, government soldiers blocked our way.
“This area is under control due to an epidemic.”
I took a document out of my pocket and handed it to them.
“We are from Eunhae Trading Company. We have special permission to pass.”
I had received it from the governor of Hubei Province.
When I told him that we were bringing relief supplies and medicinal herbs to the warehouse, the deputy governor was delighted and quickly wrote the permit.
“Bring the commander here.”
“Yes!”
Soon, a man who appeared to be the highest-ranking among them approached, listened to his subordinate explain the situation, and then said to me, “I am the commander in charge of this area.”
“I am Eun Seo-ho from the Eunhaesangdan.”
“I am Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhaesang Trading Company.”
“Please show me your entry permit.”
I handed him the permit, and after reading it, he looked at the supplies behind me and asked with a surprised look on his face.
“Are all those supplies for relief?”
“Yes. We have brought rice, vegetables, meat, and medicinal herbs, and we plan to bring more in the future.”
“The branch chief will be pleased. I express my gratitude to your trading company. Please come in.”
At his words, those who were allowed to enter and those who had to stay outside were separated.
An epidemic was spreading.
Although we could come and go as we pleased with our entry permits, doing so would only spread the epidemic further.
I had come to provide relief, and I couldn't be responsible for spreading the epidemic to the Central Plains.
“Then we'll be on our way.”
“Please take good care of the rest of the supplies.”
I bowed my head in greeting, and the workers were embarrassed and headed back to the port to pick up the rest of the supplies.
Then I said to those who had decided to come with me, “Let's go inside.”
“Then let's go.”
We received a signal and entered the building, guided by government soldiers who had rushed over.
Those who followed me into the restricted area were all volunteers.
I asked them, “Are you sure you won't regret following me inside?”
They nodded in response to my question.
They nodded in response to my question.
“No, we won't.”
“I understand. I will never forget your kindness in letting me take you with me.”
One of them replied, “There is no need to thank us.
We are the ones who should be thanking you. Actually, this is my hometown.”
“Me too,” said another.
“This is my hometown as well.”
“We were worried when we heard that an epidemic had broken out here, where our parents and relatives live, but we are grateful to the Trading Company for showing kindness to our hometown.”
I laughed.
“So you had a purpose.”
“I apologize.”
“Anyway, thank you.”
I said firmly to them.
“Before that, there is one thing I must make clear.”
I continued.
“Even if you have family and relatives here, we will provide relief supplies and all other assistance fairly.”
“That is only right.”
Everyone nodded, but I could see disappointment and resentment in their eyes.
That was because I had been very clear from the beginning.
“I understand if you feel disappointed, but this is also for the sake of your families and relatives who came here with me.”
“What do you mean?”
I smiled at their question.
“Do you know where dissatisfaction comes from? Most dissatisfaction comes from comparing yourself to others.”
When everyone has the same number and size of rice cakes, there is no dissatisfaction.
However, it is impossible for everyone to have the same number and size of rice cakes.
Other people's rice cakes look bigger.
Dissatisfaction.
I think that is another name for desire.
That dissatisfaction, or desire, makes people pursue better things and work hard.
However, not everyone in the world thinks correctly.
Furthermore, the more extreme the situation, the more people have extreme thoughts.
“If you give more to your family and relatives, what will others think when they see that?”
“I don't know. Maybe they'll want to get a job at the Trading Company?”
“If that's all you think, then I'm grateful. But these are people fighting for their lives. When my own child is dying, how can I care about someone else's child?”
“Ah...”
Some faces were hardening.
They understood what I was saying.
I must remember them.
They are employees with the potential to be promoted to high positions in the future.
I need to explain in more detail to the others.
“They may hate those who have more than them and want to take away the extra supplies you give them, and they may even harm your family and relatives.”
“...!”
“You think I'm exaggerating, don't you? But I'm not.”
I continued.
“I understand that you want to give more to your family and relatives. And I won't notice if you try to do so.”
“....”
“That's why I'm warning you now. If your family or acquaintances ask for more, you must refuse them outright. That way, you can prevent them from misunderstanding the situation. If you can't do that, it's not too late. Don't come in here.”
Then someone asked,
“Can't you give it to me secretly?”
Who was it? Who asked such a stupid question?
“Do you think it's possible to keep a secret in this situation?”
“....”
“Then make your choice.”
After thinking about my words for a moment, some of them bowed their heads to me.
“I don't think I can do that. I'd rather not go in.”
“Me too....”
“I'm sorry.”
I nodded at them.
Yes, this choice is not bad.
If they cannot do as I say, returning to the Trading Company now is a good option.
“You have made a wise decision.”
In the end, fifteen employees entered the restricted area with me.
After ordering them to carry the relief supplies inside with the cooperation of the government troops, I set off with Pal-gap and two bodyguards.
The first place we had to go was the county office.
Even with the permission of the Dae-in, we still needed the cooperation of the county office located there.
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.
.
A short time later, I was able to meet with the county magistrate.
I was well versed in meeting and talking with administrative officials.
I knew what they liked to say and what they wanted to hear most.
“Did you say you met with His Majesty the Emperor? Is that correct?”
“I see him often.”
“He must be a great man.”
“Coming here, I can see that the people of this place are benefiting from your quick response.”
“You flatter me.”
“The emperor will be pleased to hear this.”
With that, I secured his full cooperation.
Now it was time to get down to business.
I heard that the source of the epidemic was in Jagu County.
That place was the source of the epidemic and also the worst-hit area.
“Young master, are you really going there?”
“Yes.”
“But...”
“It's okay. You know that martial arts can cure most illnesses.”
“I know, but...”
That's why my mother allowed me to go there.
“But you can't ask someone who is busy treating patients to come here.”
So I have to go myself.
I immediately headed for Jagu County.
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.
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In my previous life, I had never been to a place where an epidemic was raging.
That's why I had vague thoughts about this job.
So even though I knew what was happening and what the situation was like, I realized once again that it was different from seeing it with my own eyes.
People were lying on mats in front of houses, moaning.
And there was no hope in the faces of those who were nursing them with exhausted expressions.
Smoke rose from various places, filling the air.
The smell that remained in my memory was the smell of burning corpses.
It was the smell I had smelled when the Baekcheon Trading Company, who had attacked me and my companions when I was dying, burned everything to destroy the evidence.
Perhaps it was because I remembered that time, or perhaps it was the atmosphere of the village, but I didn't feel very good.
But then, I would be crazy to feel good right now.
As I walked, feeling the stares of the people around me, I saw a middle-aged man dressed in rags.
It was Man-gyeol.
As soon as I saw him, I was overwhelmed by the power of his prayers.
He was small in stature, but he was no ordinary physician.
No, with a name like Uiseon, he couldn't be an ordinary physician, but the Man-gyeol Uiseon I saw was more than that.
He was a master.
A master beyond my imagination.
He didn't even turn his head toward me. He must have sensed my presence.
When Yeo-eungam stepped forward to say something, I quickly stopped him.
Then, I bowed politely with clasped hands and said,
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Elder. My name is Eun Seo-ho. I am the third son of the Eunhae Trading Company, and I have brought relief supplies here.”
My words were answered by a clear voice.
From that voice, I could sense his stubbornness, or rather, his unwavering conviction.
“Is it free?”
“What?”
“The relief supplies you brought. I asked if they were free.”
I clasped my hands together and replied.
“Of course they are not free.”
The moment I heard his question, I realized that I must not hide my intentions.
I had to be honest with him.
Of course, you have to be sincere when dealing with people. But that doesn't mean you don't need to be tactful.
I needed to be tactful, revealing what was appropriate and hiding what needed to be hidden.
Even if you tell someone to be honest, most people feel bad when they actually do so.
However, Man-gyeol-seon, who was standing in front of me, already saw through me.
“The Eunhae Trading Company will gain the trust of the people here through the relief supplies I brought.”
“So you came here because it's not a losing deal?”
“Have you ever seen a merchant make a losing deal?”