Chapter 215
The Youngest Son of the Silver Sea Trading Company Chapter 215
Chapter 215. Karma (4)
While I was busy working at the inn, Pal-gap entered the room and said, “Young master, the chairman of the Dao family is here.”
“Really?”
“Yes. He says he has found a good cotton field.”
“Really?”
I smiled.
“We're in luck.”
“Should I get you ready to go?”
“No. I'll go in a day or two.”
“What? Why?”
“We must avoid unnecessary suspicion. If I rush over there, they might look at me suspiciously. That would be problematic.”
I continued.
“If we're going to do this, we have to make it look real.”
“...”
Seeing the disappointed look on his face, I tilted my head.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I'm so glad that I'm your servant and not your enemy.”
“Don't be silly...”
At that moment, Geum-ryeong entered through the window.
“Kui!”
“You're here!”
Geum-ryeong was holding a scroll.
I had sent him to Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province, and he had just returned.
Knowing that Master Bing Hae-rin was staying there, I had sent him there, and he was able to obtain what we needed for Master Han Jae-ik's family.
Two days passed.
I put on the new silk clothes I had prepared in advance at a nearby fabric store. I also had Pal-gap and the escort warriors wear new silk clothes.
“I'm so happy to be able to wear silk clothes like this so often. Ha ha ha.”
Seeing Yeo Eung-am laugh heartily, Lee Pil also smiled and replied.
“By the way, it seems you've completely gotten used to wearing silk clothes now.”
“How could I not get used to it when I'm always with my Liege?”
“That's true.”
Listening to the two warriors' conversation, I thought it was a good idea to have them wear silk clothes in advance so they could get used to them.
We soon arrived at the market.
“Welcome! We have been waiting for you.”
Today, the butler was waiting at the door. That must mean he was very anxious.
According to the information that Jin-yu had obtained, the Martial Alliance would bring the contract back tomorrow afternoon.
That was why they had come the day before.
When we followed the butler to the reception room, expensive refreshments had been prepared.
The tea was the same high-quality Yongjeong tea as before, but the snacks were different.
As we were enjoying our tea, we heard the sound of Chairman Ma approaching.
He hadn't even finished his cup, so he must be in a hurry.
Judging from the hastily opened door and his disheveled appearance, it seemed that he had run here.
“Greetings, Chairman Ma.”
“Yes, we meet again. Please sit down.”
“Thank you.”
“By the way, I sent a message two days ago... Why are you so late?”
“I apologize. I have been quite busy with my work, so it was difficult to find time. As you know, His Majesty the Emperor has entrusted our Trading Company with an important task.”
When he used the emperor as an excuse, Chairman Ma cleared his throat and changed the subject.
“Hmm. If that's the case, there's nothing you can do.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
“By the way, you said you were looking for a good cotton field, so I asked you to come here.”
“That's right.”
“But the only cotton fields around here are mine. You seem to be in quite a hurry.”
He's desperate for money, yet he's trying hard not to lose the upper hand.
“Actually, it's not that urgent. I don't have to start the business right away, and I don't have to do it here.”
“Ha ha. That's true, but there aren't many places that can produce cotton of the same quality as my cotton fields. I can guarantee that.”
He's really good at talking.
“Um, can you sell it right away?”
“Of course. As much as you need.”
“How many acres are you thinking of selling?”
“One hundred and sixty acres.”
That's a big catch. According to the information I gathered beforehand, the entire cotton field owned by Chairman Ma is about 160,000 square meters.
That means he's selling it all.
To be honest, I don't really recommend this kind of investment, but it's fine with me.
He took the bait.
“I'll give you 2,000 nyang.”
“Give me a little more.”
“Then I'll give you 2,100 nyang.”
After more than an hour of intense negotiations, we finally closed the deal.
The amount was 2,300 nyang.
Seeing me put the contract in my pocket, Chairman Ma asked, “When can you pay me?”
“I can give it to you tomorrow morning.”
“Really?”
“Yes, if you need it, I can bring it to you right away tomorrow morning.”
“Good. If you need an escort, I can lend you one.”
“I would be very grateful.”
I drank my tea and smiled slightly.
Although I was buying the cotton field at a price slightly higher than the current market price, it was by no means a loss.
On the contrary, it was a deal that would bring me great profits.
The current cold weather was nothing compared to the cold weather that was coming.
In such a situation, the demand for cotton also skyrocketed.
People with money made clothes from animal skins, but for the common people who couldn't afford that, clothes and blankets filled with cotton were the only things they had to keep themselves warm.
As a result, the price of cotton skyrocketed.
In his previous life, Ma Jang-ju probably made a lot of money selling cotton.
He probably used that money to recover his losses from investing in Baegun Escort Agency.
But this time, it's mine.
When people like Ma Jang-ju have wealth, it's only the innocent who suffer.
By the way, seeing him sell all his land, it seems like he plans to invest most of his money...
Then it will be difficult until the profits come in.
“Chairman.”
“What is it?”
“Honestly... isn't it a bit burdensome to send all the investment money to the Martial Alliance at once?”
“...”
He didn't answer, but that was his answer.
“To be honest, you don't need all that money at once. So, give me a promissory note.”
“A promissory note?”
“Yes. You issue a promissory note with the battlefield as collateral. That way, the Martial Alliance won't have to worry about transferring the money, and you won't have to worry about the burden.”
“Ah... I see. As expected of someone from a family that handles a lot of money, you are very smart.”
“Hahaha, you flatter me.”
I had a reason for suggesting a promissory note to Chairman Ma.
“By the way, is there a place called Han Gamgwan in this village?”
“Huh? Why do you ask?”
Ma Jang-ju asked me back with a nervous look on his face.
“Actually, I had some business in North Sea last time. As you know, our Eunhae Trading Company is distributing a large quantity of high-quality leather, right?”
“Ah, yes, I've heard about that.”
“I went there for business and happened to meet a brother and sister. We exchanged names, and they said they were from a martial arts academy in Taegyeong, Henan Province. I'm pretty sure their names were Master Han Jae-ik and Miss Han Jae-in...”
“Hahaha. Of course I know them. But why are they there...?”
“Ah! They said they were there to bring the younger sister to the Northern Sea Ice Palace. They said it was a request from the Palace Head of the Northern Sea Ice Palace. Since I had met them in the North Sea, I was curious about the place, so I went with them to an inn near the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
“An inn?”
“Yes. There was an inn in front of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
As I continued to speak, Chairman Ma's face grew paler and paler.
“Are you feeling unwell?”
“No, I'm fine. So what happened? That Jae-in...”
“Ah, Miss Han Jae-in entered the Northern Sea Ice Palace safely.”
“...”
* * *
Eunseoho left, and Ma Jang-ju hurriedly called his bodyguard and asked him.
“Deokbae. I heard there is an inn in front of the Northern Sea Ice Palace. Is that true?”
“Yes, I heard there is an inn. I heard it is the only place where men can go.”
“....”
“Damn it!”
He slammed his fist on the table.
“What are you doing?”
Ma Jang-ju exploded in anger at the bodyguard's question.
“What Han Jae-in's father said was true! Jae-in really entered the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
“....”
Deok-bae said with a worried look on his face.
“Then we're in big trouble. If the Chairman hears about what you did to Han Ga-mu, he may try to take revenge later.”
“That's a problem for later. Right now, we have a bigger problem. I told them that I would take Eunseoho's captain to Han Ga-mu myself the day after tomorrow.”
Even with just a little knowledge, it was impossible not to know that there was a martial arts academy here and that the eldest son was Han Jae-ik.
Therefore, he couldn't say that he wasn't here.
However, due to his orders, the martial arts academy was dying.
If he showed that tragic scene...
Eun Seo-ho could break the deal he made with him.
In fact, as long as he had a reasonable excuse, he could break the deal before the money was exchanged.
And his disgrace could spread far and wide.
“That won't do.”
He immediately called his attendant.
* *
“Um...”
Han Jae-ik was at a loss for words.
Just yesterday, Ma Jang-ju, who had been desperate to get his hands on his family, was now smiling and acting friendly toward him.
“Why didn't you tell me you knew Captain Eun Seo-ho?”
“You didn't ask...”
“Heh heh! You should brag about connections like that.”
“...”
Meanwhile, the workers brought by Chairman Ma were repairing the broken and damaged parts of the martial arts academy.
The warehouse was filled with grain, and firewood was piled up in one corner of the yard.
The maids were cleaning the house, and two physicians had come to treat Han Jae-ik's father.
“I misunderstood. Eunseoho said that your sister entered the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
“Yes. I took her there myself.”
“I heard that the Northern Sea Ice Palace requested you to take her there.”
Hearing this, Han Jae-ik remembered the letter that had been delivered to his house the previous evening.
It was a scroll containing a request to bring her into the palace because she was an outstanding talent. At the end, it was stamped with the seal of the Captain of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
And Eun Seo-ho's letter saying that it would be necessary was enclosed.
He didn't know how Eun Seo-ho got the scroll with the name of the Captain of the Northern Sea Ice Palace written on it.
“Well, if it's Eun Seo-ho, it's possible.”
He quickly nodded.
“Oh, right. I didn't think to show you that.”
He naturally entered the room, brought the scroll, and showed it to him.
“...”
When Ma Jang-ju saw it, cold sweat ran down his back.
Even though it was a cold winter.
“Huh? Why didn't you tell me about this?”
“I felt it was too much to ask.”
“Anyway, I'm sorry. Hahaha.”
“...”
“Tomorrow, Eunseoho's captain will visit here, so please explain everything to him.”
“Yes, sir.”
Han Jae-ik replied and scratched his cheek.
He felt as if he had been possessed by a ghost.
However, he knew clearly who was responsible for changing his miserable situation in an instant.
That made his decision even more firm.
“I must get a job at Eunhae Trading Company.”
*
The sun rose.
I heard from Seo Woo that Ma Jang-ju had visited the martial arts academy to quickly resolve the situation.
“Just as I thought.”
Seo Woo smiled at my words.
“You resolved the situation faster than I expected.”
“You should stay here and relax while you're here, even if it's just for a little while.”
“Yes. But... Do you think Mister Han and his family will leave this place?”
“Yes. It will be uncomfortable for everyone.”
“I suppose so.”
Of course, I understood that it was impossible to do anything because of Chairman Ma's influence.
However, regardless of my understanding, I couldn't help but feel disappointed.
And the villagers must also feel guilty and sorry for Han Ga-mu.
“When are you going to Han Ga-mu?”
“I'm going the day after tomorrow. And tomorrow, when the Martial Alliance leaves with the promissory note, just do as I told you.”
Seo Woo smiled at my words.
“I feel like a chivalrous warrior in a novel.”
The money I'm giving Chairman Ma for the cotton field is my personal funds.
Thanks to my hard work saving money, I can afford it.
And I plan to get that money back.
I can't allow even a single penny of my money to go to the Baekcheon Trading Company and the Martial Alliance.
Moreover, knowing that it's money that will be completely wasted makes it even more important.
However, even if I take it back, not a single penny will return to my wallet.
All of that money will be used for the residents of Taegyeong-hyeon.
To be honest, growing cotton requires a considerable amount of labor. Therefore, even young children were forced to work in the cotton fields once they were old enough to understand right from wrong.
In that case, they should receive appropriate compensation, but according to Pal-gap's investigation, the residents received far less than they deserved.
Furthermore, if they liked something, whether it was an object or a person, they took it for themselves.
Therefore, that money should have been used for the welfare of the residents of Taegyeong County.
I am only returning the money he extorted on behalf of Chairman Ma.