Chapter 180
The Youngest Son of Eunhaesang Trading Company Chapter 180
Chapter 180. The Way Back (3)
After that, we continued to chat with the merchant about various things.
As night fell, we parted ways, agreeing to meet again sometime for a cup of tea.
The next day, we said goodbye to the merchant and soon arrived at the Gwangjoon Trading Company.
As we approached, the gatekeeper came up and asked, “Where are you from?”
“We are from Eunhaesang Trading Company.
Please tell the Captain that we have returned safely as promised.”
“I understand.”
We waited for about half an hour.
We heard running footsteps and looked up to see a familiar face. It was Captain Bok-Yoon.
“Welcome! You've returned safely.”
“Yes.”
“Please come inside.”
He glanced at my party and suddenly asked with a dark expression.
“By the way, one of your party is missing.”
“Ah, you mean Jin-yu. He had some business to attend to and is staying in the North Sea.”
“Is everything all right?”
“Of course.”
My answer reassured him, and he breathed a sigh of relief.
“That's good to hear.”
We were shown to our rooms, washed up with warm water, and had a meal.
After drinking some tea, we began to feel tired.
Considering the long journey we had made, Captain Bok-Yoon said he would see us tomorrow, which was fine with us.
I really need to rest today.
.
.
.
The next morning.
After finishing my breathing exercises, I got up and went outside, where Pal-gap was waiting for me.
“Captain Dao has asked you to have breakfast with him today.”
“Sure. I'll join you.”
A moment later, I followed the servant who came to call me to the dining room.
Seeing that he had a new servant, it seemed that he had overcome most of his wounds from that time.
In fact, he couldn't help but hire a servant.
A person of his position couldn't take care of everything by himself.
A moment later, when I arrived at the dining room, Captain Bok-Yoon was already sitting there waiting for me.
“Good morning.”
“Did you sleep well last night?”
“Thanks to you, I slept very well.”
I sat down and took the whistle out of my pocket.
“Thanks to you lending me this, I had a very comfortable trip.”
“I'm glad it was helpful. I'm glad you had a safe trip.”
At that moment, the food began to be served.
We ate while talking about this and that, and the food was delicious, the atmosphere was good, and we got along well, so time flew by.
However, we were both busy people.
“When are you planning to leave?”
“I plan to leave tomorrow.”
“You're leaving right away. I understand that you are a busy person, but I'm sorry to see you go.”
“I feel the same way.”
“If you have the opportunity, would you like to meet again at the next Baekdae Trading Company banquet?”
“I will definitely attend.”
“I hope to see you again then.”
With that, Captain Bok-Yoon took a sip of tea and opened his mouth.
“Please feel free to speak.”
“Yes?”
“It seems like you want to say something but are hesitating.”
“Well... I think Captain Eun and I are quite compatible. And we are the same age. So, I was wondering... Would it be okay if we considered each other friends?”
I was delighted by his question and replied lightly.
“Did you think we weren't friends until now?”
“No, that's not it...”
“We've been friends since we first met.”
“Ah...”
My words brightened his expression.
“Actually, my father sent a gift to the Eunhae Trading Company as a token of gratitude for saving my life.”
“What? A gift?”
“You'll find out when you go to the Trading Company.”
Judging from his cheerful smile, it seemed to be quite a large gift. And he didn't seem to have any intention of telling me about it.
“I look forward to it. I should thank you, but…”
“Unfortunately, my father is out of town.”
“Then I will have to save my thanks for next time. By the way, I heard that the Sambu Trading Company was destroyed?”
“Oh, that?”
Captain Bok-Yoon smiled and continued.
“There is no need to show mercy to those who tried to take my life, is there?”
“You are right.”
Early the next morning, he left the Kwangjoon Trading Company.
By the way, I should stop by Beijing to see His Majesty the Emperor before I go down.
* *
Northern Sea Ice Palace.
The young princess Bing Haerin stood before the Palace Head.
The beautiful woman with white hair spent her days here, counting the fleeting moments.
At first, she didn't understand, but now Bing Haerin knew.
On the day the Palace Head of the Northern Sea Ice Palace stepped out into the Central Plains, the Central Plains would freeze over.
Therefore, she, the young princess, handled most of the affairs.
Bing Haerin reported a series of events to the Palace Head.
“The villain who targeted our palace obtained information about our palace from the Demonic Cult.”
“They must think they got it from the Demonic Cult. When did we sign a treaty with the Demonic Cult?”
“I think so too.”
“If they don't know about the non-aggression treaty between us and the Demonic Cult, there's only one place they would target us.”
“The Martial Alliance.”
“The Martial Alliance... Can we really call them the Martial Alliance at this point?”
“....”
“Anyway, kill that criminal. He's probably already half dead. And as per our benefactor's request, let's keep this a matter between us, the Ice Palace.”
“Yes.”
“Take care of the inn repairs.”
“Yes.”
Bing Hae-rin hesitated for a moment before saying, “When this is over, I'd like to go out for a while.”
“Where?”
“Go out? Are you going to investigate the Martial Alliance again?”
“....”
“Don't forget. You are the Palace Head.”
“I know. But I cannot forgive them. They are the ones who killed my father.”
The Palace Head also showed anger at her words.
“I cannot forgive them either. But I am suppressing my anger. Someday, I will have my revenge.”
She looked up at the sky and continued.
“Just as the prophecy said.”
* *
Beijing.
Today, numerous officials were bustling about in the imperial palace, and the emperor was sighing as he went about his work.
“When will we get more talented people?”
The emperor muttered as he rolled up a scroll and threw it aside.
At that moment, the door opened and a court official entered and spoke in a low voice to Jeong Taegam, who was standing nearby.
Jeong Taegam approached the emperor.
“Your Majesty.”
“What is it?”
“It is reported that Mister Eun Seo-ho has just arrived in Beijing.”
“Really?”
The emperor's eyes lit up and he straightened his back.
“Well, it was a long journey, so I suppose we should give him a day to rest.”
“He will be deeply grateful for Your Majesty's kindness.”
“Then tell him to rest well today and come see me tomorrow.”
“Yes, sir.”
“It wouldn't be a bad idea to see if he's worthy of the position of inspector general I gave him. And talking to him might be interesting.”
* *
When I arrived in Beijing, I went to my aunt's house, the Yeonjoon Trading Company.
In my previous life, I didn't visit here very often.
It was probably because I felt uncomfortable seeing my aunt, who was worried about Hyung-nim.
However, in this life, I feel at ease stopping by and staying with her.
“Come in. How did your trip go?”
“Yes, everything went well.”
“I see. By the way...”
Anticipating what my aunt was going to say, I quickly continued.
“Ah, Jin-yu Musha is staying there for a while because of his work with the Trading Company.”
“I see. I was wondering where he was.”
“We are all fine.”
My aunt nodded at my words.
“I'm glad to hear that you are all safe.”
My aunt smiled strangely at me. What was that?
“The eunuch just visited.”
“What?”
“He said to get a good night's rest and report to the imperial palace tomorrow.”
“Ah...”
I thought I knew why the emperor was summoning me.
I was going to go on my own even if he didn't call me.
.
.
.
The next morning.
As soon as I finished breakfast, I met the person sent by the emperor.
“Um... Master Jin-yeong.”
“Yes, we meet again.”
“....”
“His Majesty the Emperor sent me. He said to bring you with me.”
“...”
He means I should hurry up and go.
I grumbled to myself as I headed to the imperial palace with Master Jin-yeong. Thanks to him, I was able to enter the imperial palace without having to wait.
“When I saw you before, I noticed your exceptional loyalty to His Majesty the Emperor, and you are indeed worthy of His Majesty's favor.”
“Hahaha. But you're no match for Master Jin-yeong.”
When we first met, he seemed to be trying too hard to act impressed by His Majesty the Emperor's sacred place.
Soon, I entered the room where His Majesty the Emperor was waiting.
“Your Majesty, I am Eunseoho. I have come to see you. Long live the emperor!”
I shouted and bowed down.
“You may rise.”
“I am deeply honored.”
The emperor looked at me with interest and asked, “So, what did you see on your trip to the North Sea?”
It was just a casual question, but I understood the true meaning behind it.
It was just a casual question, but I understood the true meaning behind it.
Would I be allowed to travel freely with the badge of an inspector?
Or would I become a slave to His Majesty the Emperor?
The emperor was asking me that question to decide.
Although I had expected it to some extent, I couldn't help but feel nervous.
I took a deep breath and replied calmly.
“What I saw while traveling to and from the North Sea is that there are many good people in the world, but there are also many bad people.”
“Is that all you have to say?”
“I could explain everything, but I am afraid it would take up too much of Your Majesty's time, so I have kept it brief.”
“You're too clever...”
“Pardon me?”
“No. Then give me one example of each of the good and bad people you saw.”
“Yes.”
I told him about the hunter who warned me that a snowstorm was coming and let me into his hut, and about the merchant who took advantage of the hunter's tribe.
That was the safest story to tell.
Most of my other stories were related to my secret.
That's why I deliberately said, “I'm afraid I'm taking up too much of your time.”
“Really? What noble hunters.”
“It's all thanks to His Majesty the Emperor.”
“How is that my doing? They are good people.”
“....”
Seeing him respond to my flattery with a straight face, I realized that he was indeed a wise emperor.
“But there are merchants who take advantage of them, aren't there? No matter how much they take advantage of them, that makes them evil, doesn't it?”
“I agree with you.”
“So you're just going to let them be?”
“I'm just an inspector. What authority do I have?”
Honestly, the inspector general only has a high status because he received orders from the emperor, but he does not actually have the authority to punish anyone.
“Are you going to keep using the language of the samurai?
”Yes?“
”Don't you think I know you? I can easily get rid of you even without that.“
”..."
He is the emperor after all.
I smiled and replied.
“As His Majesty the Emperor says, I will take care of him. However, without His Majesty's permission, how can I punish him on my own? I cannot do anything more than a minor punishment.”
“That's why I find talking to you so interesting.”
The emperor's tone returned to his usual dignified manner.
“Well then, what should I give to a loyal subject who works so hard for me?”
The emperor thought for a moment, then gave an order to the eunuch.
The eunuch brought a luxurious scroll, wrote something on it, stamped it with the imperial seal, and handed it to me.
“...?”
When I saw the contents, I struggled to control the smile that was rising on my lips.
What the emperor had given me was a document that granted me the authority to conduct official investigations.
“Some of my ministers look down on commerce as something lowly, but I disagree. Commerce is an activity that distributes goods evenly and keeps the economy healthy.”
The emperor continued.
“However, just as there are illnesses of the body, there are also illnesses of commerce, and those who commit such evil deeds are the ones who cause those illnesses.”
“Your Majesty is absolutely right.”
“The people can only live in peace when there are no such diseases in commerce. I will be your backer, so take care of those who are corrupting commerce.”
“I am deeply grateful.”
“All right, then. You may go.”
“Then I will take my leave.”
I withdrew from before the emperor.
As expected, it was not easy.
Even though I was living my second life, His Majesty the Emperor was an opponent I could never let my guard down against.
Although he favored me, I still felt like I was walking a tightrope.
If I made a mistake, I would fall into ruin.
Still, I was very satisfied that things were going well for me.
The next morning.
My companions and I prepared to depart for Eunhae Trading Company.
“It will be a long journey. Why don't you rest a little longer?”
I smiled at my aunt's words.
“I would like to, but if I delay the work for the Trading Company any longer, I won't be able to handle it.”
“Then you have no choice.”
“I will see you next time.”
We said goodbye and rode toward Hubei Province.
We were now familiar with the road, so we rode without hesitation.
“Huh?”
At that moment, I saw a group of people approaching from afar, and I couldn't help but smile at the familiar pattern.