Chapter 212
The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Trading Company Chapter 212
Chapter 212. Karma (1)
The name written on the envelope was Han Jae-ik.
It was the name of a man he had met when he went to the North Sea before.
He had come to bring his younger sister to the Northern Sea Ice Palace, and he had saved him when he was being chased by Seol-pyo.
At the time, he said he came to North Sea to avoid his sister being taken away as the ninth wife of the nearby Chairman.
That Chairman seemed likely to persecute him, so I told him to come find me if anything happened, but now he sent me a letter...
What could it be?
I quickly opened the envelope, took out the letter inside, and read it.
“...
All I could do was sigh.
”Father.“
”What's wrong?“
”I'm going to Henan for a while.“
”Is it because of that letter? You just got back from Hangzhou. Are you sure it's okay? Even though Henan isn't that far, you have to cross the Fuling Mountains in this cold weather."
“I know. But I think I have to go.”
I explained my connection to him to my worried father.
“...I told him to come find me if things didn't work out, but from his letter, it seems like he won't be able to come.”
Then I handed the letter to my father.
There was nothing in it that needed to be kept secret, and I knew my father would understand.
As expected, my father's hands trembled as he read the letter.
“How can there be such a wicked person in this world!”
“That's why I have to go. You said that a father's word is as good as gold. I said I would help, so I can't just ignore it, can I?”
“You're right. Then go. Since you're going, make sure you take care of it properly.”
“Thank you.”
Then my father brought up the subject of Hangzhou.
“So, did everything go well in Hangzhou?”
“Yes. But I think I need to go back to Hangzhou again soon. I found something delicious.”
“It looks like you'll be busy traveling around again this year. But if you say so, it must be really delicious. I'm looking forward to it.”
With that, I finished my report to my father.
“Well then, I will take my leave.”
“Yes.”
At that moment, my father called me back.
“Ah! Wait a moment.”
“Yes?”
“You probably didn't hear because you were in Hangzhou, but the Imperial Court recently announced the rankings of the Ten Great Merchants of the Empire.”
Ah, it's that time of year already.
“Did we move up a lot this time?”
“Yes, we moved up to 40th place.”
Last time, we were 49th, so we moved up nine places.
Perhaps the most significant factor was our successful delivery of silk to the imperial court.
Now, there are only 39 steps left until we become the world's best trading company.
I headed for my quarters.
I had to tell Pal-gap and the escort warriors that I had to go to Henan.
I also needed to wash up.
After that... I had to go to Hyungpung-guk to work.
.
.
.
The next morning.
Today, my Master appeared as soon as I finished my breathing exercises.
“Good morning.”
“Master, you're here?”
“First of all...”
Master bowed his head to me with his hands clasped together.
“I heard from Ha Head Escort. Thank you.”
I quickly waved my hand.
“Master, you are too kind to your disciple. As a disciple of Seolpung Palace, I only did what I was supposed to do.”
“I understand. And I will drink the Bing Lianju well.”
“Yes. Please enjoy it.”
When I parted with Ha Head Escort yesterday, I gave him two bottles of Bing Lianju.
One bottle was for him, and the other was a gift for my Master.
“To be honest, I thought I would never be able to drink the Bing Lianju made by Seolpung Palace before I died.”
Master smiled bitterly.
“When Seolpung Palace was destroyed, I went there late, but everything had been completely destroyed. Even the warehouse where the Bingryonju was stored... Everything was destroyed.”
Master's expression looked painful as he recalled that time.
“I hope I didn't bring back painful memories.”
“No, I'm very grateful. And I'm also grateful that you allowed me to write letters to my children.”
“I'm glad. Were the warriors who received the letters pleased?”
“Yes, they were very pleased.”
My master smiled and looked at me.
His eyes were filled with gratitude.
“With gratitude in my heart, I will do my best to teach you martial arts.”
No, you don't have to...
If you work harder than you do now, your disciple will die.
.
.
.
But I didn't die.
When I think about it, I was really amazing. How did I endure that?
Seeing the proud look in my master's eyes, it was clear that he was going to make today's training even harder.
Ugh, I have to endure it again tomorrow.
With that in mind, I spent the rest of the day catching up on my work and assigning tasks to others.
That way, even if I was away, other competent employees could take care of things.
But strangely, my employees seemed to like it when I said I was going out.
But I had no choice.
Only by working this hard could Hyung-nim's marriage proceed smoothly.
That was when it happened.
“Young master! Young master! Are you here?”
“I'm here.”
At my reply, the door opened and Pal-gap rushed toward me.
“You need to go to the reception room immediately.”
“Huh?”
“We have a guest from the imperial palace.”
A moment later
I sat down across from a familiar man in the reception room.
It was Jin-yeong, a Royal Guard whom I had met several times before.
“Eun Seo-ho is here to see the Master.”
“Nice to see you. You have brought the emperor's letter.”
As I tried to bow, he waved his hand.
“I know you are loyal, but there is no need for that.”
“Ah... Yes.”
What is going on? He seems strangely tense.
I was puzzled, but I took the letter he handed me.
I unwrapped the red silk and took out the letter.
Ah, this is what it is.
It seems that the county magistrate of Hangzhou sent grain to the capital and included a letter saying that I had ordered him to do so.
The letter instructs the military officer to explain the situation to the Sect Leader of Emei.
That means the military officer knows about this. That's why he was so strangely sharp.
“His Majesty already knows that the grain was obtained with bribe money.”
“His Majesty is truly wise.”
“Why did you order the county magistrate to do so? Punishing officials is the prerogative of His Majesty, and it is a serious offense for a subject to dare to infringe upon that prerogative.”
However, I also had something to say.
“I only offered advice. Is that a crime?”
“Advice?”
“Even if I knew about the county magistrate's wrongdoing, I know that I do not have the authority to punish him. I can only leave it to the wise Emperor.”
“That's right.”
“That's why I only offered a word of advice. I told him that if he wanted to save his worthless life, he should sell all his property and offer it as tribute.”
“Hmm...”
“My words were not coercive. It was only advice. Whether he chose to follow it or not was up to Jihyeon.”
I continued.
“And it is also because the authority to punish officials lies with His Majesty the Emperor. Only if he is pleased will he spare their lives, is that not so?”
“....”
There was a moment of silence.
“Ahem.”
The military officer cleared his throat and said.
“You are not wrong, but you should have reported it to His Majesty.”
“I returned yesterday.”
That means Ji-hyun moved quickly.
Chun-il told me about this before I left Hangzhou, and he took action immediately after I gave him advice.
That means he values his life.
That means he will keep the secret about the “real contract.”
He deliberately showed his power and threatened me.
“I was going to take care of the task His Majesty the Emperor entrusted to me and go to Beijing tomorrow. But now that you have come, I don't have to go.”
I continued.
“To be honest, I don't think His Majesty the Emperor is unaware that other officials are accepting bribes.”
“Yes, that's true.”
“But isn't it because the administration would come to a standstill if you punished them all?”
“That's right.”
“In fact, I advised Jihyeon out of loyalty to His Majesty the Emperor.”
The soldier nodded.
“Continue.”
“Spread the word about this.”
“What? Spread the word?”
“Yes, exactly. Those who have accepted bribes will immediately understand the significance of this. They will know that they can be forgiven if they pay grain according to the severity of their crimes.”
“Ah...”
“That way, the imperial court will have less burden in purchasing grain, and corruption among officials will also decrease.”
The military officer, who had been listening blankly to my words, came to his senses and asked a question.
“That's not a bad idea. But won't that make grain prices go up?”
“You're right. You are wise.”
“Hahaha. I tend to be like that.”
I chuckled to myself and continued my explanation.
“The price of grain is much lower than usual this year. It should have been a bumper crop. So even if the price goes up, it will be similar to the average price.”
“I see. But even if you forgive them temporarily, they may try to make up for their losses by accepting more bribes.”
“That's why the role of the Royal Guards is important.”
“You mean us?”
“With the abilities of the Royal Guards, I believe you will be able to find out how much those officials have taken. Don't you agree?”
“Of course, it's possible.”
“Then send a separate letter to those who sent grain and are seeking forgiveness for taking bribes. Include the details of the bribes they took. That will make them too scared to ever take bribes again.”
“Oh... That's a good idea.”
The military officer nodded.
The sharpness from earlier was gone, and he now looked as soft as cotton.
“I will relay your words to His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Thank you. I will do my best.”
“Huh, what a pity. Someone like you should be working alongside His Majesty.”
“...!”
Those words sent a cold sweat running down my back.
This is dangerous.
I tried to respond humbly.
“I am a man of little ability and cannot do such great things. I am a small man and cannot last long in the company of a great man like you.”
“Nonsense. His Majesty thinks highly of you.”
I have to change the subject somehow...
Ah, you are a member of the Royal Guards.
“Hahaha. Ah, may I ask for your opinion, sir?”
“Go ahead. I will answer whatever I can.”
“Thank you. Actually...”
* *
Jinyeong Musha, who had left Eunhaesang Trading Company, laughed.
“Just as His Majesty said.”
The emperor laughed heartily after learning the circumstances behind the enormous grain offering.
Then he called him over and said,
“I will write a letter for you. Go and listen to what Eunseo-ho has to say.”
“Are you telling me to interrogate him?”
“Questioning him would be a waste of time. He would never do anything to incriminate himself. He is quite skilled at handling himself.”
“....”
“The reason I am sending you is for another purpose. He must have thought about this already, so I want you to hear what he has to say.”
“I will obey your orders.”
He bowed his head and said cautiously.
“Your Majesty seems to care deeply for Eun Seo-ho.”
“He's an interesting guy. Who else could make me laugh like that?”
“Then shouldn't you keep him close by?”
“That would be nice, but he's like a fresh fish, jumping around.”
“What?”
“If I keep him by my side, he will surely lose his vitality and become like rotten fish. That would not be fun, would it? And thanks to him, I can hear all sorts of stories that would otherwise not reach my ears.”
Understanding the emperor's intentions, Jin-yeong prostrated himself before him.
“Please forgive the incompetence of your servants.”
“No, no. You have other things to do, so I didn't give you any orders. Get up.”
“I am deeply grateful.”
As he hesitantly got up from his seat, the emperor said to him.
“But sometimes, when I tell you to work in the imperial palace, your reaction is so funny that I can't help myself.”
“What?”
“Tell me a little bit about it. Then you'll understand what I mean.”
“I will, if I have the chance.”
“But when you leave, make sure you leave properly. Otherwise, you might get your nose bitten off.”
Jin-yeong understood why the emperor found it so amusing.
Still, he had to be careful.
The Eunseoho he saw was someone who deserved to be called a hidden gem.
The emperor said he might get bitten on the nose, but that was something only the emperor could say.
Someone like him...
would be eaten whole.
“Hmm, should I try to impress him now? I haven't done anything wrong... right?”