Chapter 125
The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Trading Company Chapter 125
Chapter 125. The Apricot Blossom Academy (1)
That night.
Lee Pil, a warrior, approached me as I stood in the courtyard.
“My liege.”
“Yes?”
“Thank you for today.”
Lee Pil bowed deeply to me.
“Thanks to you, I was finally able to reveal the truth and clear my name. I was also able to receive an apology.”
“I'm glad to hear that. I can't ask you to forget everything that hurt you. That's not something you can do. But I hope you won't dwell on the past and move forward with me.”
At my words, Lee Pil prostrated himself before me.
“...?”
“I will devote my insignificant life to serving you, my liege.”
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The next day, as we were busy packing our belongings, a guest visited the annex.
“Elder!”
It was Man-gyul.
He had disappeared after the punishment ceremony yesterday, but now he had come to the annex.
“I had no idea you were the head of the Sichuan Tang Clan.”
“Tsk, you're slower than I thought.”
“What?”
“If I weren't a member of the Sichuan Tang Clan, how would I know that the inner arts plague and the Seven Treasure Qi Dispersing Poison were poisons used by the Sichuan Tang Clan?”
Huh?
Come to think of it, that makes sense.
“Ah, but didn't you know that you were the Grand Master of the Sichuan Tang Clan, Mr. Lee Pil?”
“To be honest, I didn't know. I only saw you once when I was a child, and it's been a long time since then.”
“I see.”
Man-gyeol smiled and said.
“Besides, I was hiding my energy, so you wouldn't have noticed.”
That's why I didn't realize you were a member of the Sichuan Tang Clan.
“My disciple told me everything. I came here because I thought something interesting would happen, but it turned out to be quite a big deal. Thank you very much.”
Man-gyeol's words were sincere.
“I have something for you, Elder.”
I handed him the real evidence that I had, which was the blood-stained armor that Baedugap had set up.
“What is this?”
After I explained, Man-gyeol looked at me with admiration in his eyes.
“Anyway, you decide what to do with it.”
“You're just passing it on to me because it's troublesome.”
“Yes, that's right. But I have a favor to ask.”
“What is it?”
“Keep it a secret that I gave it to you.”
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I, Yeo Eung-am, and Lee Pil received a document from the Clan Head.
It was a document containing the promise we had made earlier, stating that we would help the Sichuan Tang Clan only if it did not cause any harm to them and if it was something they could help us with.
On my way back to the annex after receiving the document, I met the Captain of the Guard.
“Greetings, Captain.”
“So, you're leaving today?”
“Yes. I apologize for causing you trouble.”
“Not at all. My family owes you a great debt. I am the one who should be thanking you.”
After saying that, Captain Dangdaejeong asked me in a soft voice.
“By the way, do you have anyone you like or are engaged to?”
“What? Not yet...”
“I see. I understand.”
What? Did I do something wrong?
Anyway, after finishing our conversation, I returned to the annex, where Miss Tang and Tang Zong were waiting to see me off.
And there were some unexpected guests.
They were Miss Tang's three Orabeoni.
Why on earth did the third Mister, who was still recovering, come here?
I left the Sichuan Tang Clan after they saw me off.
I was tired from all the complicated events, but I felt very good that I had once again thwarted the Martial Alliance's plans.
I arrived at the Sichuan Tang Clan's branch office in Eunhae Trading Company, riding in a comfortable carriage and escorted by Sichuan Tang Clan warriors.
“I'm back.”
“Did you have a good trip?”
“Yes, Uncle.”
I greeted my uncle, aunt, Hyung-nim, and Ye-ok, then went to the room where I was staying.
Then, with a sigh, I said to Pal-gap.
“Pal-gap. Tomorrow, we're leaving for Euljin Trading Company.”
“What? Honestly, don't you think we need to rest for a day or two?”
“I want to rest too.”
But there was no time to rest.
There was a lot to do here, because I had spent more time than I had expected at the Tang family.
It was almost the end of the year.
“Still, we should welcome the new year with our family. Don't you agree, Geum-ryung?”
At my question, Geum-ryung giggled from inside my sleeve.
* * *
Martial Alliance.
Dang Doo-jeong, who was in charge of training hidden weapons there, received a letter from the Sichuan Tang Clan.
The contents of the letter were truly bitter for him.
His son, Dang I-pil, was born to the woman he loved.
The circumstances of his abuse were revealed, and those who participated in it were sentenced to five years in prison.
He closed his eyes and sighed.
It was a sigh filled with regret for the past.
He had been so obsessed with martial arts that he had neglected his family.
It was only when Tang Yifu ran away from home that he finally realized what had happened.
So he asked his older brother to cut ties with the family so that they would not issue a search warrant for Dae-pil.
However, he did not know that Dae-pil had been tormented so cruelly.
It was admirable that he had survived.
He felt so sorry for Dae-pil.
If he had paid more attention to him, he would not have run away from his family with so many wounds.
He continued reading the letter.
[And I was thinking of sending Subin to the Martial Alliance, but I decided not to. I didn't force him to go, but he decided not to go himself.
Dang Doo-jeong tilted his head at those words.
Just a short while ago, the letter he sent was full of his hopes for his son to become a member of the Martial Alliance.
[Come home soon. Your father has returned and wants to see you.
His eyes widened at the news that his father, whom he had not seen for several years due to his travels, had returned.
He felt he had to go home soon.
[Your son, Lee Pil, has grown up to be a fine young man. He is working as a bodyguard under a very capable Liege and has already risen to the ranks of the elite. He reminds me of you when you were young.
He couldn't help but smile at those words.
It was painful and sad that his wife and three sons were imprisoned in Jeongbul-dong, but he hoped that they would repent for their sins.
And he felt that someday he would be able to see his son, Lee Pil.
* * *
I quickly finished my work and returned to the Trading Company to spend the New Year with my family.
Before I knew it, it was time to go to Beijing.
I had to report the results of my inspection of the Euljin Trading Company to the emperor.
So, I was organizing my work so that my absence would not cause any problems.
“Your Excellency.”
When I looked up, I saw Ye Chang's aide calling me with a deathly pale face.
“Yes.”
“Please take a look at this.”
Ye-chang's second-in-command approached me unsteadily and handed me some documents. I looked them over and gave instructions accordingly.
I watched him walk back unsteadily and sit down, then turned my head to look at the people working at the desk next to me and scratched my ear.
Currently, there are only two employees working in Hyungpung-guk, including Ye-chang's second-in-command.
However, with the increasing workload, they were unable to escape their desk jobs.
It seemed that I would have to hire a few more employees.
A few days later.
The day of my departure for Beijing had arrived.
With four bodyguards, I did not need any additional guards.
Furthermore, Seo Woo and Jin Yu were masters of martial arts.
They were on par with the elders and law enforcers of most sects, so there was no need to worry about my safety.
“Go and give my regards to your aunt and her family.”
I nodded at my father's words.
“Yes, I will.”
I planned to stay at my aunt's house during my trip to Beijing.
“Be careful on your trip.”
I was seen off by everyone and set off for Beijing.
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When I arrived in Beijing, I headed straight for the Yeonjoon Trading Company.
My aunt came out to greet me herself.
“Come in.”
“It's been a long time.”
“Yes, it's been a long time since I saw you when Sun-il passed the exam.”
“Is your husband well?”
“Yes, he is.”
“Are Sun-il and Sun-mi also well?”
“Of course.”
“I'm glad to see you looking well, Auntie.”
“Yes, I'm glad you made it here safely. Go wash up and rest.”
“Yes, thank you. Oh! These are letters from my grandfather and father.”
My aunt put the letters aside and led me to my room.
Last time, the Martial Alliance's dirty tricks against Hyung-nim Seon-il almost caused trouble for the Yeonjoon Trading Company.
At that time, I used my connections in Beijing to find a new business partner for the company.
As that business grew, Yeonjoon Trading Company grew as well.
Perhaps because of that, my aunt treated me with extra kindness out of her love for her nephew.
You don't have to do that.
After washing up at my quarters, I had dinner with my aunt's family.
There, I was able to hear about my brother Sun-il's recent activities.
“So, are you working at the Hanlin Academy now?”
“Yes.”
The Hanlin Academy is a place where the emperor's decrees are refined, books are published by the emperor's order, and advisors to the emperor serve.
In particular, as it is a place that handles confidential documents, those who have achieved outstanding results in the past are mainly assigned to the Hanlin Academy.
As far as I know, those who are in charge of educating the princes are also affiliated with the Hanlin Academy.
In any case, the Hanlin Academy is a place where promising talents gather.
Naturally, the chances of becoming a high-ranking official are high.
I heard that Sun-il is currently working as a Su-chan, which is a sixth-rank official.
It is a natural result since he came first in the examination.
“You have become very successful, Hyung-nim.”
Sun-il smiled awkwardly at my words.
“Is that so? But I am happy every day knowing that I am contributing to the peace and prosperity of this country.”
Seon-il's expression was really bright as he said that.
It was worth it to eavesdrop on their conversation by going into the lake and requesting a private audience with the emperor to change the format of the civil service examination.
At that moment, Sunmi looked at me with a shy expression and said,
“Why are you paying so much attention to Sun-il, Orabeoni?”
“Hahaha, I'm sorry. I know it sounds like an excuse, but I missed you a lot too. So, how have you been lately?”
“It sounds like an excuse, but I believe you.”
Sunmi continued in a slightly relaxed voice.
“I've been learning the trading business with my father.”
“Really?”
My uncle replied to my question.
“Seonmi takes after me, so she has a talent for business.”
I nodded in agreement.
In my past life, Seonmi followed in my uncle's footsteps and entered the trading business.
She did quite well and became the successor to my uncle.
Now she sat quietly, but in fact, no one was as quick-tempered as Sun-mi.
When she was young, she used to play soldier with a sword.
And when someone bullied her gentle brother Sun-il, she would rush in and settle the matter.
Seeing that, she seemed to have a hot-tempered personality, but that wasn't entirely true.
When she had to calculate something, she was quick to do mental arithmetic in her head.
Later, when Sun-il became cynical, Sun-mi was also very hurt.
Anyway, knowing Sun-mi's future, I smiled and replied.
“You'll do well. I'll be rooting for you.”
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The next day
I sent a message to the emperor saying that I would visit him, and then I went to the bookstore in Beijing.
There is a famous book street in Beijing.
As Beijing is the place where most literate people live, it is a place where all kinds of books gather, and I plan to visit there.
This was because the books I had ordered here included a collection of spring pictures that had been useful to the Sichuan Tang Clan.
I couldn't return the books that had been delivered to the wrong place, so I felt I had to pay for them before I could sleep peacefully.
I might as well look at some new books while I'm there.
Unlike other places, the book street was very quiet, with no touts.
Perhaps it was because the people who visited the book street disliked such hustle and bustle.
I entered the bookstore where I had ordered the books.
“Welcome.”
The waiter greeted me.
“Please let me know if you are looking for a particular book.”
He continued with his work, probably because he felt uncomfortable with me standing next to him.
I approached him.
“Who is in charge of book orders?”
“What is the matter?”
“Last summer, I ordered some books here, but some books I didn't order were mixed in with my order.”
“Oh, I see. I apologize for the trouble. Please wait a moment. The owner is in charge of that.”
He soon called the shop owner.
After listening to the waiter's explanation, the shop owner opened a ledger and asked me.
“I apologize for the trouble. Who are you and where are you from?”
“I am Eun Seo-ho from the Eunhaesang Trading Company in Hubei Province.”
Actually, finding books was something that could be asked of the Eunhaesang Trading Company, which traveled back and forth between Beijing.
Although the Eunhaesang Trading Company did not yet have a branch in Beijing, I traveled there at least six times a year for business.
However, I did not want to cause trouble for them for personal reasons.
Running errands for others is such a hassle.