Chapter 285
The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Trading Company Chapter 285
Chapter 285. Invest Boldly (3)
“Clan Head, do you really have to get rid of Young Master? Honestly, how will he benefit the clan?”
My blunt question made the Clan Head sigh deeply.
“As you say, he is full of problems. Not only is he greedy beyond his abilities, but he also drove his younger brother out of the family, and now he is trying to kill his own nephew. But... he is still my son, and I can't help but feel sorry for him.”
Ah... So his second son didn't leave home, he was kicked out.
Wait, so you knew that and still left him there?
I was shocked, but Clan Head continued.
“That must be the heart of a parent. No matter how worthless and evil a child is, you cannot sever the bonds of kinship.”
That is true.
That is why the bond between parents and children is called kinship.
“If you want to take him away, you will have to give up something significant to His Majesty the Emperor.”
“That's true. As it is, negotiations with His Majesty the Emperor are already difficult. He said he would give us two days. If we don't bring him what he wants within that time, then...”
As expected, the emperor had seized the opportunity.
It was no exaggeration to say that the current emperor's fist power was almost absolute.
Thanks to the stupid former Minister of Revenue and Minister of Education, he succeeded in abolishing the Gunghyanggak, and their attempt to revive it was thwarted when the two conspired to rebel.
Now, the high officials are just watching the emperor's every move and trembling in fear.
That's why, if he wanted to, he could destroy the Peng Family of Hebei with a single word.
Did you come to see me because of the situation, even though you didn't plan to?
You mean His Majesty the Emperor? It's entirely possible.
Even though I set the trap, I don't feel the slightest bit sorry.
To be honest, the Clan Head and Young Master brought this upon themselves.
I thought back on my previous life.
When the current Clan Head died, Young Master Peng took over the position.
From that moment on, the Peng Clan began to rapidly decline, and the gap between them and the Huangbo Clan widened to the point where it was difficult to dream of a revival.
He dreamed of reviving the clan, but ruined everything due to his poor judgment.
That's why I couldn't help but say something to him.
“Clan Head, I have something serious to say.”
“What is it?”
“Don't you think you are being contradictory?”
“What? Contradictory?”
“Let me explain it simply. Whether you are acting as a father or as the Clan Head, you should focus on one role and do it well. Don't be so indecisive.”
“...
I continued.
”Honestly, if you had done either of your roles properly, would your second son have been driven out by your eldest son? And would your promising grandson have had to flee the martial world to escape persecution?“
”...
"When I said earlier that you should protect Young Master Peng, you sounded like a heartless Clan Head, but now you sound like a loving father.
I don't mean to deny what you said about the heart of a parent.
But your words don't make sense.
The more I spoke, the more grim the Clan Head's expression became. But I didn't stop.
“Am I wrong? If I am, please tell me why.”
The Clan Head remained silent for a long time.
That was because even he knew that I was right.
“...Then.”
The Clan Head opened his mouth with a look as if he had seen everything in the world.
“What should I choose?”
“Why are you asking me? You have lived longer than me, so isn't it wrong to ask me, who is much younger than you?”
"I am ashamed to admit it, but seeing you today, I realized that age and longevity do not necessarily bring wisdom. You are right. I am a clan head who is incapable of making any clear decisions.
At least you are quick to reflect on yourself.
To be honest, I thought you would get angry and chase me away.
To be honest, I thought that someone like the Peng Family of Hebei would have someone who could give you honest advice...
The moment I looked at you with that thought in mind, I thought I knew why.
Is it because of your fierce face that resembles a tiger?
To be honest, it's not easy to give honest advice to someone with a face like that unless you have a lot of courage.
Or maybe it's because of his authoritative appearance.
I'm an outsider to the Clan, but as someone inside the Clan, it must be a burden.
“So, what do you think I should do?”
“Are you willing to listen to my advice seriously?”
“Of course.”
Well, you're in a pretty desperate situation right now.
The emperor's sword is getting closer and closer to the heart of the Peng Family in Hebei.
I said to him.
“Then I recommend that you choose the role of Clan Head. To be honest, it's too late for you to play the role of a loving father now.”
“...”
“I think you should have played the role of a father before your second son left home.”
“Then... Mun-ah, that son of mine...”
“You must get him out.”
My words made him frown.
“What do you mean? Didn't you just ask me to play the role of Clan Head? Doesn't that mean you want me to give up on Moon?”
“Clan Head. Is there a Clan Head in this world who would give up a member of his clan?”
“...?”
“Giving up on him means that the Peng Clan will no longer protect those with the Peng surname. How long can the Peng Clan survive without protecting the Peng surname?”
For the sake of Master Peng, the Peng Clan had to survive.
“And he could give them an excuse to attack us, so he must be rescued.”
“If it weren't for you, none of this would have happened.”
“Have you already forgotten what I said earlier? I was just having a dinner party.”
“....”
“And in the battle between Young Master Pang and Master Pang, Master Pang won because he had me as his ally.”
“In the end, it is the imperial family that benefits from this situation.”
“Still, it's fortunate that the imperial family is the winner. What if it had been the Black Dao?”
He responded harshly to my words.
“Damn, I don't even want to think about it.”
“In any case, isn't it only natural that the spoils go to the victor?”
“That's true.”
“Then formally remove Young Master Peng from his position as Young Master and appoint Master Peng as the new Young Master. Then, deal with Peng according to your family's rules. Finally, announce that if anyone harms Master Peng, you will punish them yourself.”
I continued.
“If you promise me these three things, I will tell you how to get him out.”
***
Peng Jinsong, the head of the Peng Clan of Hebei, stared at the spot where Eun Seo-ho had been standing just a moment ago.
In fact, until this morning, he had no intention of meeting Eun Seo-ho.
He knew that it was Eun Seo-ho's scheme that had led to this situation, and he knew that if he saw him, he would not be able to control his anger and would end up attacking him.
However...
“If you bring me what I want, I will release your son.”
“...What does His Majesty want?”
“That's for you to find out. Do I have to tell you?”
“....”
“If you really don't know, ask that clever boy I'm quite fond of. I hear he's staying at your house, right?”
So he called Eun Seo-ho.
But he wanted to make him pay for causing him trouble.
And he was curious to know what had pleased the emperor, so he tested him a little.
As expected... He was not ordinary.
And he instinctively realized that
he must listen to Eun Seo-ho's advice if the Peng Family of Hebei was not to fall.
His words still rang vividly in his ears.
The more he thought about it, the more he felt a chill run down his spine.
All of this was his own doing.
In fact, until now, he had thought that he was leading his family well.
No one had ever complained to him or given him advice.
“That's why I thought I was a good Clan Head...”
But he wasn't.
“I'm glad I woke up from this dream.”
He shook his head and recalled the conditions Eun Seo-ho had set.
The first condition was something he had promised, so he had no choice but to do it.
The third condition was also something he had to do to correct his mistakes.
The problem was the second condition.
He had to deal with his eldest son, Pang-mun, according to the family rules.
He recalled the family rules.
Being so close to the imperial palace, the rules were a little stricter than elsewhere.
[Anyone who is even slightly involved in treason or threatens the survival of the family shall have their qi center destroyed and their right hand cut off.
He was in a situation where he had to become a father and order his son's qi center to be destroyed and his right hand to be cut off.
He smiled bitterly.
To be honest, he still couldn't make a decision.
Then he remembered what Eun Seo-ho had said.
“With all due respect, I would like you to think about how you will be remembered after you pass away. Will you be remembered as the one who made this clan strong, or as the one who led it to ruin?”
His father, the previous clan head, often told him that he must build a strong clan.
And that became his lifelong goal.
And that became his lifelong goal.
However, he knew that he did not have the qualities to lead this family to greatness.
Suddenly, he remembered the words of his second son, who had left home and disappeared... No, who had been kicked out by his eldest son.
“Father. Why did you say that... Why are you making me suffer like this?”
Those were the first rebellious words his obedient son had ever uttered.
And then...
It happened.
“I can't make the same mistake again.”
Pang Jin-song steeled his resolve and shouted outside.
“Is anyone out there?”
“Yes, sir!”
His aide immediately entered.
“Contact the law enforcement agency. When Pang Mun returns, prepare to carry out his punishment immediately!”
“What do you mean by punishment?”
“Cut off his qi center and his right hand.”
“Are you really going to do that?”
“Yes. And...”
Pang Jin-song continued.
“He is to be whipped 100 times for the crime of attempting to harm his own flesh and blood.”
“What? Then Young Master Pang Gang-un will also be…”
“That was self-defense.”
The aide bowed his head at his firmness.
“I will do as you say.”
“And add 100 lashes.”
“What? Why?”
“Because his surname is the same as the one who harmed that boy.”
Pang Jin-song bit his lip. In fact, it was a punishment that should have been handed down a long time ago.
***
The day after I met with the Clan Head, he officially dismissed Pang Moon as Young Master and appointed Pang So-hyup as Young Master.
This meant that he had accepted my proposal.
As promised, I told the Clan Head what the emperor wanted, and the next day, Peng Clan Master and his party returned to the Peng Clan.
Upon hearing the news from one of Master Peng's men, we hurried toward the Peng Clan's gate.
Escorted by Peng Clan warriors, Mister Peng entered the gate and was arrested by the Royal Guards and imprisoned in a prison, but he did not seem to have suffered any particular hardship.
He looked fine.
At that moment, the Clan Head approached us.
“Father! I'm back.”
“You're back?”
“Yes, Father. I heard from my uncle. I heard that you were worried about me and tried hard to rescue me... I am sorry for causing you such worry. I will not let this happen again.”
He did not seem to realize the gravity of the situation.
The Clan Head's expression hardened, and he barked like a dog.
“You are living under the grace of the emperor, yet you dared to commit treason by pointing a weapon at the Royal Guards!”
“...”
“Furthermore, you hired an assassin to kill your nephew. And you harmed your younger brother.”
“What? I didn't do that!”
“Here is the evidence. Are you going to deny it?”
Parararak!
He threw the evidence I had given him in front of him. There were other things mixed in with it that I had not given him.
It must have been evidence of when he harmed my second son.
When Peng Clan Mister saw it, his face turned pale.
“Did you really think I didn't know?”
“...”
“Therefore, as Clan Head, I sentence you to 100 lashes, for a total of 200 lashes!”
“Oh, Father!”
“And!”
The Clan Head took a deep breath and said firmly.
“You will have your qi center destroyed and your right hand cut off!”
“I am the Young Master of the Peng Clan! How can you do this to the Young Master...”
“As of yesterday, you are no longer the Young Master. Kang-woon is now the Young Master.”
At those words, Peng's face contorted like a demon.
Then he grabbed the sword of a warrior standing next to him and swung it at Young Master Kang-woon.
“Get down!”
It all happened in an instant.
Clang!
Bang!
“Guh!”
However, his desperate attempt was unsuccessful.
His sword was blocked, and he was kicked in the stomach, causing him to collapse on the spot.
The one who blocked him was Young Master Peng Gang-woon's new bodyguard, who had been accepted as a bodyguard after saving his dying mother because he had no money for medical treatment.
“Take him away and execute him!”
“Yes!”
He was dragged away by others.
A moment later, the sound of harsh whips and groans could be heard. His qi center was still intact, so he wouldn't die from being whipped.
However, perhaps because his arrogance had been shattered by what had just happened, the Clan Head didn't show the slightest bit of pity.
After all, someone had just tried to kill his grandson right in front of his eyes.
Now, is the issue with Master Pang, or rather, Young Master Pang Gang-un, settled?
Just as he was relieved, he turned his head sharply at a strange feeling.
Huh? What is this energy?