Chapter 223
The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Trading Company Chapter 223
Chapter 223. Would you like to do a job? (2)
At my words, Master Jin-yeong looked confused.
“What do you mean? Are you good at breaking ice?”
“That is the key to this job. So, are you busy right now?”
“I have an hour or two.”
“Great. Then let's go to the Yeonjoon Trading Company.”
A moment later
I headed to the courtyard of the Yeonjoon Trading Company with Master Jin-yeong. While we were drinking tea, Pal-gap made various preparations.
As always, Pal-gap is reliable.
“Hmm. What is this?”
“It's a model to help explain.”
It was a model depicting the Yangtze River and its surroundings. It was shaped like the Yangtze River and was frozen solid from the water that had been poured on it the night before.
I continued.
“As I was traveling around, I felt that it was definitely much colder than in previous years.”
“Yes, that's true.”
“That must be why the Yangtze River has already frozen over.”
I continued.
“You know that in spring, the Yellow River often floods downstream.”
“Of course I know. The ice melts all at once in the high upstream areas, causing flooding downstream.”
“And that has never happened on the Yangtze River until now.”
“That's because it flows through a warm region.”
“But when it's as cold as it is this year, it's a different story.”
I pointed to the model and said,
“The water continues to flow from above, and in such a situation, the cold weather causes the water to freeze... Eventually, large chunks of ice form upstream.”
“....”
“The Yangtze River doesn't usually freeze, so there are almost no preparations. On top of that, the upper reaches of the Yangtze River are in a warm region, so when spring comes, the ice will melt all at once.”
I said, holding up the teapot.
“If you think of this as melted water...”
“No. I'll melt it myself.”
With that, Master Jin extended his hand.
I could feel the heat from his powerful inner arts. He was a user of heat arts.
The ice chunks upstream began to melt in an instant.
“....”
The water that melted at once flowed downstream, but it couldn't escape through the river and began to overflow and spread around the downstream area.
“If this were real, what would happen?”
“Damn it.”
Master Jin spoke harshly.
Yes.
A flood, and a huge one at that.
In fact, in my previous life, there was a flood that could be called a disaster.
Our Trading Company suffered great damage and had a very hard time recovering.
It was so bad that I had to postpone my captain's announcement ceremony.
Not only that, but countless people suffered. What's more, it's spring, which is a time of famine.
In some areas, there were even reports of people resorting to cannibalism.
We must do everything we can to prevent that from happening.
“But there is a way.”
“What is it?”
“We break the ice in advance. If possible, we can move the ice to the ground to melt it or transfer it to reservoirs. This will reduce the likelihood of flooding in the spring.”
“I see. That's why you asked me if I was good at breaking ice.”
“The problem is that if this is happening on the Yangtze River, what about the Yellow River, which often floods for the same reason?”
At my words, Master Jin's face turned pale.
He realized that the scale of the damage would be beyond imagination.
The Yellow River was prone to periodic flooding, but this time, the scale of the flooding was much larger than usual, causing great damage.
It was a disaster caused by the overwhelmingly cold winter weather.
Should we be thankful that there wasn't much snow? If there had been snow on top of that, it would have been really bad.
But considering that it didn't snow and the weather was dry...
I don't know.
After thinking for a moment, Master Jin looked at me and asked.
“But why are you telling me this instead of telling His Majesty the Emperor yourself?”
“Because I don't want to be the center of attention.”
“...?”
“If I report this directly to His Majesty the Emperor, there is a high possibility that I will be the center of attention.”
I smiled and continued.
“I am a little weak-minded, and I don't think I can handle being the center of attention of the high-ranking officials of the imperial palace.”
"...
“But wouldn't it be a good thing if the Royal Guards got attention for this?”
“That's true... I guess.”
Master Jin-yeong nodded.
The reason I whispered this to Master Jin-yeong was because if I got attention for this, I might not be able to work as a merchant.
They would definitely try to put me in the royal court.
But that cannot happen.
I have a goal.
My goal is to make the Eunhae Trading Company the world's best trading company and take revenge on the Martial Alliance and the Baekcheon Trading Company.
Of course, I could take revenge from a high position.
But that would be meaningless.
Since my first target for revenge is Baekcheon Trading Company, I think it would be fair to fight them as one trading company against another.
I am not a coward like Baekcheon Trading Company.
And this task requires a lot of money and manpower. Moreover, it is a matter of national importance.
Therefore, it is naturally the responsibility of His Majesty the Emperor.
It is not something that a mere commoner like me can do. Yes.
I bowed my head and said politely.
“I will do my best.”
“I understand. If this goes well, it will be thanks to you.”
I knew that Master Jin-yeong would not be able to refuse my proposal.
Especially now, when I felt that the emperor's trust in him was waning.
.
.
.
So, I left the flood to Master Jin-yeong and began to think about my new task.
It was about Seonmi's marriage.
Even before the marriage, there had been talk about Seonmi's family, but they had decided to go ahead with the marriage because they loved each other.
When Seonmi's husband was transferred to a local government post, it must have been a breath of fresh air for her.
The Ministry of Personnel...
The Ministry of Personnel is responsible for appointing officials, evaluating their performance, and granting titles.
Traditionally, it is the most highly regarded of the six ministries.
Is that why that family is so arrogant?
I'll have to investigate first.
I sent a letter to my father through Geum-ryeong, informing him that I had arrived safely in Beijing and requesting information.
Since the establishment of the Information Bureau, my family has been gathering information on high-ranking officials in Beijing.
The next day, Geum-ryung arrived.
“Kui!”
“Good work.”
“Kui! Kui!”
Geum-ryung shook his head and backed away.
Yes, yes, I understand.
I handed him the silver coin, and when he saw it, he quickly swallowed it.
Then he wagged his tail at me.
I untied the letter from Geumryeong's tail and unfolded it.
The first letter contained his concerns about me and the well-being of my family.
Another letter contained the information I had requested, and after reading it all, I smiled.
That's right. That's good.
I burned the letters and called for Pal-gap.
“Pal-gap!”
“Yes! Did you call me?”
“Let's get ready to go. I'm going to the Hyeonghak Academy.”
.
.
.
“Come in.”
The head of the academy recognized me and greeted me warmly.
“I apologize for not visiting often.”
“Not at all. I know you are very busy, so how could I expect you to visit? I am grateful for your generous financial support.”
The head of the Hyeonghak Academy was the most experienced of the university professors I had invited.
“Would you like to take a look around the academy?”
“Yes.”
I looked around the academy with the head.
Seeing them enthusiastically discussing with each other and reading and writing with serious expressions made me feel proud.
“Come to think of it, I heard that there will be an exam this year.”
“That's right. The civil service examination is in August this year, so everyone is working harder.”
“I look forward to the results.”
“So do I.”
“By the way, how is your wife these days?”
“She is in good health.”
“I have something important to ask of you.”
I explained the situation to him.
“Hmm, so your cousin is getting married, and his family is related to the former prime minister. Ha ha, that young man is already getting married!”
“You seem to know him well.”
“Of course. He and I are actually from the same family. We are distant relatives, but I used to work under him when I was in the royal court, so we were close.”
“I see.”
I pretended to be surprised, but I already knew this information from the letter my father had sent me.
That was why I had come to the Hyeonghak Academy.
“My cousin is from a merchant family, so he is not very knowledgeable about etiquette when dealing with elders. I am concerned that he may bring shame to our family, so I would like to ask you to teach him.”
“My wife would be happy to accept. She loves teaching.”
This was exactly what I had in mind.
If you want to follow protocol, you have to shut people up so they can't follow it.
The head of the academy had held various positions in the royal court for decades and had even served as the head of the Ministry of Rites.
This meant that his wife also had considerable influence.
If Seonmi received etiquette training from her, it would mean that the head of the academy's wife would become Seonmi's guardian.
In such a situation, saying anything negative about Seonmi would be an insult to the head of the academy's wife.
They are practically family, so unless they are reckless, they have no choice but to keep their mouths shut.
“Come to think of it, I hear that Im Hakja's wife is very skilled at embroidery.”
“Is that so?”
“And…”
Another good idea popped into his head.
Since things had come to this, wouldn't it be more effective to have Seonmi receive education from the wives of the other scholars at the academy?
“In that case, how about this?”
After hearing my idea, the head of the academy smiled warmly and nodded.
“That's a good idea.”
A few days later, I received a letter from the head of the academy.
It said that the head of the academy and all the other wives had given their permission.
I immediately went to my aunt.
“Come in. What is it?”
“I have something to tell you.”
When I told her the whole story, my aunt breathed a sigh of relief.
"Actually, I was very worried. But I am grateful that you are so considerate of Seon-mi.“
”Actually, Hyung-nim Seon-il asked me to do this.“
”Seon-il asked you?“
My aunt was surprised.
”Yes.“
I nodded and continued.
”And Seon-mi is my cousin, isn't she? So it's only natural."
“I appreciate you saying that.”
That evening.
The whole family gathered for dinner. My aunt nodded at me.
Hyung-nim Seon-il also nodded. I had mentioned this to him as soon as he left the office earlier.
“I have something to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“It's about Sun-mi.”
I told them that I had asked the wives of the university professors at Hyanghak University to educate Sun-mi.
“I have already obtained their permission.”
My aunt nodded.
“It is a rule that power must be countered with greater power and rank with higher rank. It was a wise decision.”
“You are too kind.”
“Yes, Seonmi. What do you think?”
Seonmi answered her uncle's question.
“I will study hard. I will not disappoint either family.”
Seonmi's eyes sparkled as she said this.
Two days later.
Seonmi headed to the academy director's house.
She had decided to live there and receive an education.
Honestly, it would be difficult, but it was a hardship she had to endure in order to get what she wanted.
Knowing what awaited Seonmi at the end of her journey, her family willingly sent her to the headmaster's house.
With Seonmi's business settled, I could now return home.
.
.
.
But I couldn't go home.
“Come with us.”
“What?”
It was Master Jin, who had suddenly come to find me.
I thought the Emperor and the Royal Guards would take care of this matter, so why...
“I reported this matter to His Majesty the Emperor, and he was concerned about its seriousness. Therefore, he ordered the Royal Guards to resolve this matter.”
“I see.”
“And he said he would give us his full support. So... we have decided to ask for your help as well.”
“...”
“As you were the one who brought this matter to our attention, I think he wants you to see for yourself how things are progressing.”
That's not necessary.
I'm sure you can handle it.
“We will depart tomorrow.”
“What?”
“So get ready, and I will see you in front of the imperial palace tomorrow morning.”
Master Jin-yeong must have been busy, for he left with only those words.
“Um...”
I reached out my hand to grab him, but I couldn't help but pull it back.
Was it my imagination that I saw the emperor's smiling face behind Master Jin-yeong?
Well, it can't be helped now.
It's my specialty to make sure things are done properly, so I'll have to keep a close eye on him.