Chapter 257
The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Trading Company Chapter 257
Chapter 257. Luoyang Again (1)
We arrived in Beijing.
First, we stopped by my aunt's house, Yeonjun Trading Company, to let her know that we had returned safely.
My grandfather was still staying at my aunt's house.
“I've returned after completing my errand.”
“Yes, I heard from Jeong-ho. I heard that one of the students at the Hyeonghak Academy was in trouble?”
“Yes, that's right.”
“Looking at your face, it seems that the matter has been resolved.”
“Yes, it has been resolved.”
My grandfather took a letter out of his drawer and handed it to me.
“I'm glad. This is a letter from your father.”
“My father?”
“Read it.”
I opened the letter right there.
"...
It was a letter saying that the Baekdaesang meeting would be held in Luoyang.
“But it's earlier than expected. I remember that the Baekdae Trading Company meeting was usually held in the fall.”
“Isn't the Dragon and Phoenix Duel being held this fall?”
“Ah!”
The Dragon and Phoenix Duel is a duel held once every five years by the Martial Alliance.
“The fact that the meeting is being held in Luoyang earlier than usual must be because of the venue.”
“That's right.”
Countless people gather in Luoyang to participate in or watch the Dragon and Phoenix Duel.
And where there are people, there is money.
Merchants would never miss this opportunity.
As many merchants gather, the Martial Alliance selects the seats in advance.
The representatives of the trading companies must attend, but they are all busy people.
That's why they came up with the idea of “let's meet in Luoyang while we're at it.”
I finished reading the letter.
It was clearly written. It was decided that I would attend the Baekdae Trading Company meeting.
Actually, I wanted to go because I had promised to meet with the Captain of the Gwangjoon Trading Company.
However, it was time to push Jung-ho Hyung-nim as my official successor, so I was willing to give up my spot.
Usually, those who accompanied the Baekdae Trading Company on their meetings were influential successors.
But now I was going!
When I told my grandfather about this, he smiled faintly and said, "You're right.
“You went last time, so this time it's Jung-ho or Jin-ho's turn. But this time, the situation is different. As I said, there is the Dragon and Phoenix Duel, isn't there?”
My grandfather continued.
“After discussing it at Eunwolgak, it was decided that the Dragon and Phoenix Duel is a place where the situation can change rapidly, so someone who can respond quickly must go in order to play an important role.”
“....”
“Isn't there anyone in the main branch who can follow you in strategy?”
That must be a compliment, right?
“So, start preparing. You will receive a letter soon.”
With that, I left my grandfather's room. On my way to Jung-ho's quarters, I stopped in my tracks.
“You're here?”
“Hyung-nim.”
Jung-ho must have heard that I had returned, because he was waiting for me in front of his quarters.
“It's hot... Wait inside.”
“It's hotter inside.”
“That's true…”
I scratched the back of my neck.
“I heard that I'm going to the Baekdae Trading Company meeting this time…”
“I heard that too.”
“I'm sorry that I have to go again.”
“Don't be sorry. Secretly, I wanted you to go this time. I don't have the ability to respond as quickly as you do.”
“That's not true. You're pretty quick.”
“Compared to you, I'm slow. That's why I actually thought about giving you my position as captain.”
“....”
Jeong-ho's words were the same as in his previous life.
“I don't want to force you to do something you don't want to do.”
“How did you know I didn't want to be the captain?”
Jeong-ho smiled at my question.
“I can tell just by looking at you. You're the type of person who enjoys running around.”
“I don't particularly like it...”
“Then do you like being stuck in your room, looking at documents and having uncomfortable conversations in an uncomfortable place?”
“I hate that even more.”
Jeong-ho looked up at the sky and said.
“So, I'll do as you and Jin-ho wish and become the captain of the trading company. I'm good at carrying that kind of weight. In return, I want you to lead Eunhae Trading Company to greater heights.”
“Of course.”
Jeong-ho smiled at my words.
“By the way, I have some good news.”
“Huh? Good news?”
“Ten students passed the civil service exam at the Hyeonghak Academy. Among them are Mansuk and Yoon-buk.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Ah...
That's great.
“And the exhibition is in two weeks.”
The exam is practically over. The exhibition is just to determine the rankings.
“When the exhibition is over, I'm thinking of taking all the teachers from the academy to a nice restaurant for a meal.”
“That's a good idea. Everyone worked hard.”
.
.
.
It had been two days since I returned to Beijing.
Then Master Jin came to pick me up and take me to my temporary residence in Beijing.
He said that the punishment for the pirates who had been rampaging in Man-sook's hometown and the local magistrate who had been covering for them had been decided, but it had not yet been carried out.
This was because it was the law to postpone the execution of Senior Brothers during important national events such as the past.
“They decided to behead him and display his head, and he is now hanging upside down, awaiting execution.”
“What? Still?”
Master Jin-yeong nodded in response to my question.
“His Majesty the Emperor is very angry. That is why he is still hanging upside down even after arriving here.”
“...”
That is why people must live righteously.
After a while, I was able to see the emperor.
“Young Master Eunseoho is here to see His Majesty, the Emperor of the Empire.”
“Raise your head.”
“Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful.”
“Yes, you did well again. Thanks to you, I was able to save the people who were about to suffer unjustly.”
“It was just luck. I only discovered this matter. All credit goes to the two officials who reported it to Master Jin and to His Majesty the Emperor.”
I quickly gave all the credit to others.
Seeing this, the emperor burst out laughing.
“Yes, you would say that. Isn't that why you had the two officials deliver the letter?”
“...”
You are very perceptive.
“By the way, those two officials are also very talented. I heard that they passed the exam with excellent results.”
“They are also graduates of the Hyeonghak Academy.”
“Yes, you haven't forgotten the promise you made to me when I established the Hyeonghak Academy. It seems that it will now come to fruition.”
The emperor looked expectant.
“I have high hopes for the two who have rendered great service by delivering the letter.”
I suddenly felt worried for the two students who would receive the emperor's favor, but I told myself that it was a good thing.
“And to run a gambling house in the imperial palace... It was a bold yet wise suggestion.”
“I am deeply grateful for your kind words.”
“I hope you will continue to be my right-hand man.”
At those words, I couldn't help but feel a chill run down my spine.
“Why is that?”
“I was just moved by His Majesty's words...”
“...
But the emperor's eyes seemed to say, ”You? Are you really that kind of person? Don't make excuses.“
”Then you will focus on establishing the Beijing branch for a while?“
”Actually, I won't be in Beijing for a while. I have to go to Luoyang for a meeting of the Trading Company and a dragon and phoenix duel."
“Luoyang... That's where those guys I don't like have their nest.”
“...”
There is only one emperor in this world.
And only those appointed by the emperor can become kings and vassals.
However, from the emperor's perspective, it must be quite a sight to see the martial artists of Murim calling themselves sword kings and sword masters.
If they just kept it quiet within the martial arts world, he would have turned a blind eye, but the Martial Alliance was trying to increase its power by secretly sending people to the imperial court.
However, he was concerned that cracking down on them would cause chaos in the empire, so he decided to just watch and see what happened.
“Have a safe trip.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I quickly bowed my head and withdrew from the emperor's presence.
However, even as I returned, my questions remained unanswered.
This is strange.
I said I was going to Luoyang, but why did he just send me away without giving me any work?
A few days later.
A letter arrived from my father.
It said that he had prepared lodgings for me in Luoyang and that I should go there.
The road from Beijing to Luoyang was much longer than the road from Hubei to Luoyang.
The reason why the Martial Alliance was established in Luoyang in the first place was because it was a bustling place with smooth transportation, but also because it was quite far from Beijing.
In any case, the date of the meeting was at the end of August.
Therefore, I had to leave within three days at the latest in order to make it on time.
And since the location was Luoyang, Jin Yu's range of action was inevitably limited.
Then, some good news reached me.
It was that Yeo Eung-am had completely recovered.
“I request to return to my liege. The physician said that I can pick up my sword again. Please allow me to stay by your side to protect you.”
I smiled and nodded.
“I am very glad to be returning. Now I can go to Luoyang with you. I look forward to working with you in the future.”
“I look forward to working with you as well.”
“Now that you have returned, let's go out for a nice meal to celebrate.”
“Yes, let's do that!”
“I'm glad to hear that.”
With that, we headed to the dining hall, and I heard Jin Yu's telepathy.
- I was worried about your absence, but I'm really glad that Yeo Eung-am has returned.
- Me too.
- I've been thinking, and I feel that even if I wear a mask in Luoyang, I should stay by your side.
I shook my head at his telepathy.
“You don't have to go to such lengths. And if you don't want to go to Luoyang, you can stay here.”
“...
Jin Yu looked at me blankly.
”Why are you looking at me like that?“
”Your Liege is a very good lord."
His telepathy made me feel embarrassed, and I scratched the back of my neck.
*
The Martial Alliance in Luoyang.
The Alliance Leader sat in his office and looked at the documents.
“So, how is the construction of the Dragon and Phoenix Duel Ground coming along?”
“It's going well.”
“Didn't you say there wasn't enough wall-to-wall wood?”
“As stated in the report...”
“I see. Go check it out.”
The Alliance Leader, who had been busy with his work, was startled by his own reflection in the mirror.
“...!”
He quickly covered his eyes, and after a moment, his eyes returned to normal.
“It's time for this old man to give up...”
He muttered with a dissatisfied look on his face as he looked at the letter on his desk.
It was a red letter.
It was an official letter from the royal family.
It stated that there was sufficient evidence linking a man named Yang Eun-jik to the recent rebellion and that he had been murdered by someone.
The letter requested that he submit his opinion on the matter.
“He was quite useful...”
The letter implied that the Martial Alliance had deliberately eliminated him.
However, even as the Alliance Leader, he had no idea what was going on.
It wasn't his doing.
“In other words, someone interfered with our plans...”
In any case, this mission was a complete failure.
The original plan was to start a rebellion and sacrifice countless lives to the emperor, but instead, the emperor's status only grew stronger.
On top of that, he had aroused the suspicion of the imperial family and lost a valuable man.
“Everything went wrong.”
In any case, he had to forget about his failure. He had many other things to do.
“I hope I can find many suitable candidates for the duel.”
It was fun to have young martial artists who knew nothing work for him.
* * *
My party and I finally arrived in Luoyang.
This time, we stayed at a different inn from last time.
“Where should we go now?”
“Find the Yeonpung Inn.”
And I knew where the Yeonpung Inn was.
“This way.”
I pointed in one direction and led the way, and we soon arrived at the Yeonpung Inn.
“Wow! How did you know the Yeonpung Inn was here?”
I smiled bitterly at Pal-gap's excitement.
I couldn't say that it was my regular inn whenever I came to Luoyang in my previous life.
“I saw it when I came here before. I have a good memory.”
As I said that and approached the inn, the members of the Silver Wind Corps recognized me and greeted me.
“Greetings, Third Captain.”
“Nice to see you. Are your parents inside?”
“Yes, they are inside.”
I entered the inn, adjusted my clothes, and greeted my parents.
“Father, I'm home. Was everything all right at the Trading Company?”
“Yes, come in. Everything is fine.”
“I'm glad to hear that.”
"By the way, I heard that you did quite well in Beijing. Did you rescue Sunmi's husband who was kidnapped?“
My grandfather and Hyung-nim told me in their letters.
”And you made a great contribution to suppressing the rebels, right?“
”....“
”I heard that you wiped out the pirates this time.“
”...."
No, Father. Even my grandfather and Hyung-nim don't know about that. How on earth do you know everything?