Chapter 227
The Youngest Son of Eunhaesang Trading Company Chapter 227
Chapter 227. Jin-ho's Wedding Banquet (2)
I couldn't show them my confusion.
I asked innocently.
“What crime?”
“Actually, we are... spies planted in Eunhaesang Trading Company.”
Pal-gap and the guards looked shocked.
It seemed as if they had not expected this at all.
Yes, I understand.
In my previous life, I didn't know either.
Not only me, but even Chief Administrator Go didn't know.
It can be said that they fooled everyone completely.
In a way, that is also a skill.
They hid their true colors and then stabbed me in the back at the decisive moment, putting me and the Trading Company in a difficult position.
So when it was revealed that they were spies, Chief Administrator Go felt very sorry to me.
They had become my bodyguards on his recommendation.
He even stepped down from his position as chief administrator to take responsibility.
It was a real shame that someone of Go's stature had to step down from his position.
Anyway, their betrayal came much later than that. I was twenty-six at the time.
They had hidden their true identities so well until then, so why were they suddenly revealing themselves?
It was completely unexpected, so I was taken aback, but I didn't show it and kept a calm expression.
First, it was important to find out their intentions.
“I was wondering when you were going to say that...”
That's why I let them know that I already knew.
And in order to hear their reasons, I needed to shake them up a little.
As expected, they were startled by my words and stammered.
“You knew all along?”
“Since when...?”
“Don't you think you were a little careless?”
“...”
Not enough? Should I shake them up a little more?
“So what did the Captain of the Jinseong Trading Company offer you?”
“...!”
“...!”
They were shocked by my words.
They were spies planted by the Captain of the Jinse Trading Company.
The Jinse Trading Company is currently considered the best trading company in Hubei Province.
Together with the Hongnang Trading Company, where Hanbaek and Mister are captains, we are considered the three best trading companies in Hubei Province, but there is still a gap between us.
Of course, it won't be long before we overtake them.
Suddenly, I remembered something from my past life.
Before they stabbed me in the back, Eunhae Trading Company and Jinse Trading Company were fiercely competing for the position of the top trading company in Hubei Province.
At that time, due to a series of poor harvests, the tavern in Hubei Province was put up for sale.
An auction was held to acquire the tavern, and Eunhaesangdan lost.
The problem was that the difference in the bid price was only ten silver coins.
Considering the price of the tavern, the difference of ten silver coins could only be explained by internal information leakage.
And the ten silver coins were clearly meant to mock us.
If that wasn't their intention, even if they had prior information, they would have bid 100 taels of silver for the sake of appearances.
Only then did it become clear that those two were traitors.
The Jinse Trading Company gained the tavern and once again surpassed us, but those two did not receive their reward.
Because the deputy leader of the Bangwoo Clan pretended not to know them, they suffered and died.
Judging from their reaction at the time, it seems that they did not think that Captain Bang Woo would abandon them.
That is why their actions are even more incomprehensible.
They must still believe in Captain Bang Woo wholeheartedly.
“Is it money? Or a high position?”
The two warriors looked at each other, and then Bae Cheol spoke first.
“If we do what we're told, we'll be given the position of leader of the Jinseong Trading Company's military force. And if we accomplish something big, we'll receive a monetary reward to match.”
So it was both.
“I see. I was going to wait a while before you confessed, but you were quicker than I expected.”
This time, Go Joo-sang replied.
“It's because we realized that Jinse Sangdan has no future.”
No future?
But it's still doing well!
Sensing my expression, Go Joo-sang continued.
“Eunhae Sangdan rose from the bottom of the Baekdae Sangdan to 40th place in just five years.”
That's right.
“Moreover, the process was completely unexpected. We may be short-sighted, but we are not unaware of the situation. At this rate, it is only a matter of time before we become one of the five major trading companies in the world.”
“However, that will not be the case for the Jinse Trading Company. The current successor, Captain Bang, is not a person who can lead the company to greater heights.”
Did you really think so?
Then why did you believe in him until the end in your previous life?
Let's put that aside for now.
The current successor of Jinse Trading Company was his second son, Bang-woo, who was not a good merchant.
He was a very devious and despicable person who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.
On the other hand, the head of Jinse Trading Company was a highly respected person, even by me.
It was surprising that such a person had a son like Bang-woo.
In any case, because we were unable to acquire that tavern, the growth of our trading company slowed down for a while.
However, it only took a little time for our trading company to eventually surpass Jinse Trading Company.
In addition, I got my revenge on Bang-woo for what he did to me.
As a result, Bang-woo was removed from his position as captain of Jinse Trading Company.
Merchants should compete fairly like merchants. If you use such dirty tricks, this is what happens.
“Anyway, we have decided to surrender to the Eunhae Trading Company. Since we are doing this, wouldn't a bigger ship be better?”
However, they did not reveal why they had come to think so little of Captain Bang-woo.
Something is going on.
By the way, they are switching to a bigger ship...
I could understand the case of Chief Administrator An-suk, who worked at the home of Chairman Ma of Taegyeong-hyun.
He was being tormented by Chairman Ma, and the ship was about to sink.
However, the Jinseong Trading Company still has a relatively sturdy ship.
Then there is only one answer.
Something must have happened because of the changes in their lives. They probably thought that they would not be able to survive if they stayed, so they decided to switch sides.
Huh!
How cute.
But I have no intention of trusting them.
If what they say is true, it means that they can move to a bigger power if they find one.
It's not like they're losing someone to pledge their loyalty to. They're just changing sides for their own safety.
It's hard to betray someone once, but it's easy to betray them twice.
But if I don't catch the big fish that swam into my net without me even trying, I'd be a fool.
“In any case, the fact that you came to me instead of my father or the Chief Administrator means that you want a chance.”
“That's right.”
“That's right.”
They nodded.
“All right. I'll give you a chance.”
I smiled.
* *
Bae Cheol and Go Ju-sang saw Eun Seo-ho smiling at them.
His handsome face and smile were so charming that it was deadly, but they were afraid of that smile.
The two warriors were planted in the Eunhae Trading Company for the Jinseong Trading Company, and their mission was to observe and report on the unusual activities of the Eunhae Trading Company.
However, their reports were not very useful.
They should have become bodyguards for important figures so that they could report on important matters, but as mere warriors of the Eunpungdae, they could not obtain confidential information.
In other words, their reports were nothing but afterthoughts.
Gradually, they began to realize that
Captain Bang Woo thought they were useless.
Just as they were trembling with fear that they would be discarded, an opportunity came their way.
The Eunpungdae Sa Jo, to which they belonged, was assigned to work with Eun Seo-ho.
Thinking that this time they would finally be able to report something worthwhile, they began to observe Eun Seo-ho.
However, he was accompanied only by his bodyguards, so they could not find out any details.
All they knew was that Eun Seo-ho was the one who brought down Ma Jeong.
They didn't know exactly what he had done, but the circumstances pointed to that conclusion.
And now, he was showing off his charming smile to everyone.
What's more, he seemed to be quite close to the Royal Guards.
What kind of organization were the Royal Guards?
They were an organization directly under the royal family, with excellent martial arts skills and Fist power.
In such a situation, if they were discovered to be spies sent by Captain Bang Woo, then...
Their future was sealed. It was certain that they would be killed.
However, it was true that it hurt their pride to say that.
“Let's abandon them before they abandon us.”
“That's a good idea.”
“If we emphasize our value to them, they won't just throw us away.”
“I agree.”
That's why they came to confess, but they already knew they were spies!
“He's a scary man. I'm glad I confessed.”
Fortunately, Eun Seo-ho said he would give them a chance, just as they had hoped.
“...”
However, Eun Seo-ho did not continue talking and just stared at the two warriors.
“Why aren't they saying anything?”
“What should I do?”
Warriors Bae Cheol and Go Ju-sang were feeling considerable pressure.
They were just staring, but the pressure was intense!
Even though it was evening and chilly, cold sweat was pouring down their faces.
It was as if they were waiting to prove their worth.
What should they say?
What should they say to prove their worth?
Then, Bae Cheol took the initiative.
“Captain Bang of the Jinse Trading Company plans to poison the food at the wedding banquet of the second captain.”
“...!”
Go Joo-sang looked at Bae Cheol with surprise.
What? Are you saying you won't look back now?
He had decided to switch sides, but he planned to leave some room for maneuver. He hadn't completely turned his back on them.
In that situation, when Bae Cheol made his move, Go Joo-sang felt betrayed.
“Go Joo-sang.”
“Ah! Yes!”
“Is what Bae Cheol said true?”
It was already too late, so he sighed and replied.
“...Yes, it is.”
“Then why did you hesitate to say it? How am I supposed to think of you now?”
Go Joo-sang muttered to himself.
'You should have consulted me first! Damn it! Now I'm the only one who will be blamed!
In the end, Go Joo-sang had no choice but to reveal the top-secret information he knew.
“...Actually, there are other spies planted here besides us.”
* *
I suddenly felt a tug at the back of my neck.
Damn... Bang-woo, you bastard...
How far are you going to take this?
To be honest, the attempt by Bae Cheol and Go Ju-sang to switch from the Jinse Trading Company to the Eunhae Trading Company was a stroke of luck.
If it weren't for the information I just found out...
Just thinking about it makes me dizzy.
But if I show them how I feel, they'll look down on me.
“Very well. Both of you have proven your worth.”
When I said calmly, their expressions brightened.
“But how do you plan to prove that it's true?”
Baek Cheol replied to my question.
“There is a man called Black Frog in the library. The Captain of the Guard ordered him to make a medicine that causes stomachache. Please check it out.”
I turned my head and looked at the senior warrior.
“...It's Ha-byeok, a member of the Haenggyeonggak.”
"I see. I will look into this separately. So, don't do anything rash until I call you. Just act as you normally would.“
”Yes, sir.“
”You may go now.“
With that, the two samurai left my annex, looking exhausted and dejected.
I stared after them until they disappeared into the distance, then entered my room and said to Pal-gap.
”Keep your mouth shut.“
”Yes, sir!"
It was unlikely, but just in case, I told him to make sure that the servants and maids in my quarters didn't talk about this.
I entered my room, sat down in front of the table, and gulped down some cold tea.
Only then did the stiffness in the back of my neck begin to ease.
So, Jinse Sangdan is trying to ruin Jin-ho's wedding banquet?
It had never happened in my previous life, but it was only natural.
Back then, Jin-ho wasn't married.
What we need to think about here is why the Captain of the Jinseong Trading Company would resort to such despicable tactics.
“Are you all right?”
Pal-gap entered the room and asked cautiously.
“Are you all right?”
“Yes. I knew about it in advance. But you must not betray me. If you betray me, I will be truly hurt.”
“Why do you say that? If I am forced to betray you, I will simply kill myself.”
Pal-gap jumped up, and seeing him, I smiled.
Because I knew that Pal-gap was the kind of person who would do that.
“But did you really know? That they were spies?”
I nodded in response to his question.
“How did you know?”
I couldn't tell him the reason, so I made up a story.
“I just thought something was off, so I kept an eye on them.”
At that moment, Seo Woo, who had entered the room, spoke up.
“I know a little about the Captain of the Guard. I have some connections there from when I worked as a Head Escort.”
“It seems you've heard something.”
“Yes, I hear that the ambitious pharmacy he started isn't growing as well as he had hoped, so he's feeling uneasy.”