Chapter 202
The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Trading Company Chapter 202
Chapter 202. Yangyang Martial Arts Academy (1)
My birthday banquet was over.
Many people came to celebrate my birthday, and I thanked them all sincerely.
At this banquet, there were more people who brought their daughters than their sons.
The reason was so obvious that I couldn't help but smile bitterly to myself throughout the banquet.
Unlike my brothers, I have no intention of getting married anytime soon.
The path I am walking now is definitely not an ordinary one.
A husband and wife are called life partners. That means they are meant to be together for the rest of their lives.
Just as chopsticks must come in pairs to function properly and shoes must come in pairs to fulfill their purpose, a husband and wife must walk the path of life together.
Whether that path is lined with flowers or thorns.
However, you cannot force someone who has no connection to you to walk that path with you.
After finishing the birthday party and going back to work, the cold winter wind began to blow.
It's already December, so it's only natural, but it's colder than last year.
If it's this cold in Hubei, which is considered a relatively warm region, it must be unbearably cold in the northern parts of the country.
I wonder if the people who came from the north made it back safely.
I gave fur as gifts to the guests who attended my birthday party.
It was rabbit fur, but it was quite expensive.
You might think it was too much, but there is a reason for it.
Starting this winter, it will be so cold that it will be difficult to survive without clothes and accessories made of fur for several years.
I gave them the skins as gifts, hoping that they would think of our Trading Company when they wore the clothes I made for them.
That's because the North Sea hunters were really skilled at working with leather.
I can already hear the sound of money piling up in the Silver Sea Trading Company's safe.
Ah...
Come to think of it, because of this cold weather, my announcement ceremony as captain was held next year in my previous life.
My birthday was in November, so the announcement ceremony was scheduled for December.
However, due to a sudden cold spell, the date was moved to the following spring, but due to a series of events, it was postponed until autumn.
Of course, just because there was no announcement ceremony didn't mean I couldn't do my duties as a junior captain, so I started in December.
And when the ceremony was finally held the following year, it was very lonely.
Due to a sudden famine, fewer people were able to attend, and because of the prohibition on alcohol, the banquet was held without alcohol.
Was it the following year? At that time, my brother Jeong-ho's wedding also had to be held modestly.
That's why my brother Jin-ho's wedding had to be held quickly before the prohibition on alcohol was imposed.
For various reasons, this spring is just right.
To do that, I must prevent the events that will take place this spring.
While pondering his future plans, he was walking around the Trading Company when he heard the voices of the Eunpungdae warriors.
“Hey, isn't that Zhanhu Changxiong?”
“I knew he was extraordinary.
”Did you see the spiritual beast that your second captain caught?“
”Yes! I've never seen such a big tiger before!"
Smiling at their conversation, I approached them.
I saw Jin-ho training hard at the training ground.
Thanks to his victory over Hyukjoho, Jin-ho earned the title of “Chanho Chang-woong.”
In his previous life, a leader of the Martial Alliance had cowardly obtained this title, but in this life, Jin-ho earned it with his own strength.
Moreover, he seemed to have gained some insight from the fight and was training even harder.
Of course, he didn't neglect his meetings with Miss Ha.
Jin-ho was very happy these days.
This was because he had cured Miss Ha's three-syllable pulse with the Cheonhyangroju I gave him and they had officially become engaged.
Jin-ho personally delivered the Cheonhyangroju to Elder Heukjeok, who was very surprised when he saw it.
It's a shame I didn't get to see Elder Heukjeok's surprised expression.
It's very rare to see him surprised.
And the body of the blood-thirsty demon that Jin-ho caught was taken by Elder Man-gyeong for research purposes.
Thanks to that, Jin-ho earned a nice bit of extra income.
I wonder what he'll do with the money.
He doesn't neglect his work at the Trading Company, he makes time to meet Miss Ha, and he's also diligent in his training.
Watching Jin-ho swing his sword diligently, I muttered to myself.
“When does Jin-ho ever sleep?”
When Pal-gap tilted his head, I told him what I was thinking.
But when Pal-gap heard what I said, he looked at me strangely.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“That's not a question you should ask Jin-ho. It's a question you should ask yourself with your hands on your heart.”
“...”
Come to think of it, he was right.
Still, it's winter, so at least it's a little less busy and I have time to take a walk like this.
It's a time when there are almost no sales of writing brushes, so there is less work to do.
When I have time off like this, I usually visit the warehouse on the trading company's property.
My great-grandfather bought a large piece of land to use as a warehouse when he was building up the trading company.
At the time, it was too large for the size of the trading company, so people couldn't understand why he bought it.
It makes sense, because it would have been better to build more trading company buildings or use the money for business.
However, my great-grandfather was determined to follow his plan.
Thanks to him, even though I built over 30 warehouses on the trading company's land, it doesn't look like much.
Did my great-grandfather have some kind of foresight?
I am grateful to him.
The reason I built over 30 warehouses is to store grain.
If a civil war breaks out, it would be difficult to protect warehouses located far from the trading company, especially those containing grain.
I have been receiving grain from Chairman Min in exchange for Cheonhyangroju.
The grain I received in exchange for Cheonhyangroju, as well as the grain I purchased with my own profits, are stored in the warehouses.
This year was indeed a bumper harvest, as we received much more grain than in previous years.
It is still coming in.
I wonder how many more warehouses I need to build.
By the way, I saw a notice at the county office saying that the government would buy grain, so it seems that the emperor accepted my advice through His Excellency Huang Bonji.
With these preparations, there won't be as much chaos as in my past life.
.
.
.
I woke up early as usual, did my breathing exercises, greeted my Master who arrived on time, and began my training.
The new sword technique my Master taught me was a little unusual.
First of all, there was only one technique.
So I practiced the same technique every day.
Nevertheless, I felt that this sword technique was superior to the Jinseolshik sword technique because I could feel the subtleties contained in each movement that made up the technique.
It was as if each movement was a technique in itself.
The reason I say that the Seolhon sword technique is unique is not only because it has only one technique.
First of all, the training method was unique.
This was because the situation in which the techniques were performed varied from time to time.
Sometimes I performed the techniques on a log that was barely high enough for a person to stand on, and other times I performed them on a rope used by traveling acrobats.
When it rained, I performed the techniques in the rain, and I also performed them inside a container filled with red clay mixed with water to make it look like a swamp.
Through this training, I realized that the feeling I got from the techniques differed depending on the situation.
It was as if the techniques changed color depending on the situation.
When I told my master about this, he was quite surprised.
“You've already noticed that! Your insight is greater than I thought.”
“Then what I felt was correct?”
“Yes. In fact, the Snow Sword Technique is a sword technique that can be used in various situations. The sword technique of Seolpunggung was created in the snowy plains, but the Central Plains have many unique characteristics and there are more places where there is no snow.”
“I see.”
“I was unsure before, but after seeing your insights, I was able to understand clearly.”
So, this unique training method was devised by Master after seeing your insights.
In other words, the purpose is to experience various environments and realize the true meaning.
It's a little unusual, but since Master has reached a higher level, I should trust and follow him.
As he recalled that conversation, he took the starting stance for the first technique.
Tap.
Huh?
Something fell on my shoulder.
Is it snow?
“It's the first snow.”
“Yes, it is. The first snow is a little late this year.”
“Anyway, it's good. Let's try the technique. When you perform the sword technique in the snow, you will understand why it is called the Snow Sword Technique.”
At my master's words, I took a deep breath and pointed my sword forward.
Then I slowly began to perform the sword technique.
Ah!
I can feel it.
The snowflakes fluttering around me were giving power to my sword technique. The snowflakes all around me were giving me strength as I performed the Snow Soul Sword Technique.
So that I would never tire.
The snow became me, and I became the snow.
Although it is a martial art to be used in various situations, this Snow Sword Technique is also a martial art of Seolpunggung.
After finishing the sword technique, I put away my sword and said to my master.
“I think I understand why you said that.”
My master nodded at my words.
Anyway, it's the first snow of the season...
There hasn't been much snow this year.
As far as I can remember, there hasn't been much snow for several years. Could this be a sign of a bad harvest?
.
.
.
Training is over.
“Well done. That's all for today's training.”
“Thank you for your guidance.”
But looking at Master's expression, I could tell that he was troubled by something.
In fact, Master's expression rarely changes.
But having spent my past life and this life with him, I could tell that he was troubled just by looking at his expression.
I thought about pretending not to notice, but if Master was that serious, it could be a problem involving Seolpungung.
As a disciple of Seolpung Palace, I couldn't just ignore it.
Ugh, I'm such a busybody.
But I have an excuse, as merchants are known to be nosy people.
I am a merchant who dreams of becoming the world's best trading company.
“Master.”
“Yes?”
“You seem to be troubled.”
My master flinched and touched his face.
“Did I show it? I still have a lot to learn.”
“No, everyone else wouldn't notice.”
I smiled shyly and continued.
“It's just that I've been watching your expressions closely.”
“You mean my facial expressions?”
“As your disciple, isn't it natural for me to watch your facial expressions?”
“...”
My Master looked at me silently for a moment. I felt embarrassed under his gaze.
“Actually, I recently received a message from Yangyang Martial Arts Academy.”
“What? Yangyang Martial Arts Academy... Where is that?”
“I thought you knew... Don't you know? He said he met them when he went to the North Sea before.”
It seemed familiar, but I couldn't quite place it...
“It's a martial arts academy in Zhejiang Province.”
North Sea. Zhejiang Province.
As soon as I heard that, a name came to mind.
“Could it be Master Yeom...”
“That's right. It's where Yeom Jin-yeon is the principal.”
“Then is that martial arts academy where Yangyang Martial Arts Academy plays the role of Seolpung Palace?”
My master nodded in response to my question.
The role of Seolpung Palace.
That meant raising the children born to the women of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
“The boys who grow up there become escorts for the escort agency. And the girls are given a choice. They can become escorts or enter the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
“So it wasn't mandatory for the girls to go to the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
"Yes, of course they have the right to choose. However, most of them choose to enter the Northern Sea Ice Palace. The female warriors of the Northern Sea Ice Palace are their role models.“
Come to think of it, the female warriors of the Northern Sea Ice Palace I saw before were all full of spirit and confidence.
Their martial arts skills were also impressive.
”Then what about the children of the escort agency?“
”They have no restrictions."
“I see.”
“I met him during my recent mission, and he told me about you. He said that your financial support was a great help.”
“I'm glad it was helpful.”
“However... he said that he feels he must leave that place.”
“What?”
Master explained the situation to me.
Yangyang Martial Arts Academy was not owned by the martial arts academy, but was borrowing land from a nearby manor.
Thanks to the money I gave them, they had some extra cash and went to buy the land, but suddenly the owner said he wouldn't sell it.
He even said that they had to build a tavern on the site and vacate the building by March of next year.
My master sent a letter to the king because of this sudden turn of events.
The Yangyang Martial Arts Academy belongs to Seolpung Palace, and the Palace Head is my master, so I reported this to him.
As was the case with the chapter, it is truly unfortunate for those who do not own land.
By the way, they are going to build a tavern?
There will be a nationwide prohibition on alcohol next year due to the poor harvest.