Chapter 302
The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Trading Company Chapter 302
Chapter 302. Single-Minded (1)
“By the way, I thought you said you were going to buy alcohol and tobacco for your friends at the academy... Do we still need to get them?”
Before we arrived at the academy, I asked Seok-choo-gil, and he flinched.
“How did you know?”
Of course, I heard everything. But I didn't answer and just smiled.
Seok-chul let out a small sigh.
“I will do as you say, sir. But I will not live a dissolute life anymore.”
His eyes were determined.
The problem was that his eyes were fixed on me, but anyway, I was glad that he had decided to live a righteous life.
“But it will be difficult to remain white when you are surrounded by black.”
“That's true. But it's about time those guys came to their senses.”
He continued.
“If you get more than 500 penalty points, you can't graduate from the academy even after three years, and you have to stay for three more years.”
Ah...
Come to think of it, there was a penalty point system at Jeongin Academy.
If you get more than 500 penalty points, you can't graduate and have to stay for a fourth year.
“At our academy, the longer you stay, the more benefits you get. But on the other hand, from the fourth year, those benefits gradually decrease.”
“That must be tough.”
“That's why, as far as I know, there are quite a few who make it to the sixth year, but I've heard that almost no one goes beyond that.”
After all, in order to make them realize the value of what they have, they had to take it away from them.
It's cruel, but it's a way to make people realize it desperately.
So, from the fourth year, when they lose what they had, they regret their previous life and become determined to graduate.
“That's why I'm going to gather friends who have come to their senses. Individuals are weak, but groups are strong.”
It's a wise and good method.
The power of a group is stronger than one might think, especially among those who live together.
Now I was beginning to see the true nature of Seok Bu-gan.
At that moment, I heard Seo Woo-mu's voice from outside.
“Liege, we are about to arrive at Jeongin Academy.”
“Yes.”
.
.
.
A moment later.
We arrived at Jeongin Academy. I didn't go in right away, but sent Jin-yu to bring the elder from the general store.
Soon, the elder came to the front gate of the academy.
“What is it that you want me to come here for... Huh!”
The elder looked at me with a surprised expression.
“What are those?”
“It's rice.”
“No, I mean, why is there rice here?”
“I will explain later. Anyway, we have returned safely.”
“I see.”
“Please show me a warehouse where we can store this rice. We will put it there.”
The elder nodded at my words.
“This way.”
Following the elder, I went to the academy's rice storehouse... Was I seeing things?
The rice was almost gone.
The financial situation seemed to be much worse than I had thought. Still, with a hundred bags of rice, we would be able to breathe a little easier.
After organizing the rice, I gave the escort agency people a receipt and sent them on their way.
After finishing my work, I headed to the office of Principal Dao, where the elderly man from the general store was.
“I'm coming in.”
“Come in.”
I opened the door and entered. Then, I sat down in front of the table and said,
“Would you like some tea?”
“I was just about to make some.”
The Elder smiled and brewed the tea himself.
“So, what is the story behind that rice? A hundred bags of it...”
“It is a donation from the Chairman of Shokajang in Sanghyun, Hubei Province.”
I explained the whole story to the Elder.
“Well, that family does tend to be a bit strict to the point of exhaustion. Anyway, I know you never come empty-handed, but I didn't expect you to bring so much this time.”
“I'll take that as a compliment.”
“Yes, yes.”
“By the way, when is the principal coming? Isn't it about time?”
The promised half-month is almost over.
The elder at the general store nodded in response to my question.
“I just received a letter. He said he is finishing up some business at home and will be returning soon. He should arrive in two or three days.”
“I see.”
Then I only have two or three days left as an assistant?
.
.
.
Two days had passed since I returned to Jeongin Academy.
I was worried about Seok-chu-gil, so I kept an eye on him, but he was doing much better than I expected.
In just two days, he had gathered those who wanted to escape their dissolute lives and formed a new group.
I need to find out more about the students in that group.
If they can reform themselves so quickly, they could be useful to our Trading Company.
After breakfast, as I was heading back to my dormitory, my assistant came up to me.
“Assistant Eun.”
“Yes.”
“The Principal is calling for you.”
Not the Deputy Principal, but the Principal himself. That means he's back.
I headed for the Principal's office and spoke from outside the door.
“I heard you called me.”
“Come in.”
I opened the door and entered.
The worry I had seen in the Principal's eyes earlier was gone.
He had said he was leaving because of family matters, which meant that those matters had been resolved.
My advice must have been effective. I am glad.
“Greetings, Principal.”
“Have a seat.”
“Yes.”
I sat down in front of the table and tilted my head.
“Where did the Elder go?”
“That boy left the academy a moment ago.”
“What? Already?”
“You didn't know? I thought you did…”
“I didn't know.”
That's not nice. He should have at least told you he was leaving.
Who do I think I am, his assistant?
As I was grumbling to myself, the principal smiled and said, "Don't worry about it.
“You have to understand him. He's a flighty guy. Even the emperor couldn't keep him, so who else could?”
“...”
“He said he just stopped by for a moment.”
“I see.”
“Yes. Your temporary assistant work is over for today. Thank you very much for your hard work.”
“Not at all. It was a meaningful experience.”
“And I heard that a donation arrived from Sanghyun Seokga.”
“Yes, that's right. Did you hear about it from the Elder?”
“I heard a little. He said it was all thanks to you.”
“...
”Thank you.“
The Principal smiled and said so, then placed a pouch on the desk.
”Take this. It's your salary for your hard work over the past month.“
”What? You don't have to give me this. I didn't do it for the money."
“I know that. But please take it. As a merchant, you know that there is nothing worse than being asked to work for nothing.”
With him saying that, I couldn't refuse. It wasn't like I didn't do any work.
“I will accept it with gratitude.”
I put it inside my sleeve.
- What?
Geum-ryeong noticed that it was a wallet and snatched it.
- Don't touch that. It's not yours.
- Geum-ryeong...
“By the way, the students call you Black and White, right?”
“...”
When I looked embarrassed, the Principal smiled.
“Thanks to you, I have learned a lot. I can also see changes happening among the second-year students. Seok-chu-gil seems to be at the center of it.”
As expected of the principal.
He returned today, but he already understood the situation.
“It is thanks to the education system of this academy.”
“I appreciate you saying that.”
“Then, may I go now?”
The principal nodded readily in response to my question.
“Of course.”
As I was about to get up, I suddenly remembered the plan I had thought of earlier.
“Ah, Principal. Do you remember what I told you about the reward for your support?”
“Of course, I remember.”
“Therefore, our Trading Company would like to send a teacher to teach the work of the Trading Company. Would that be acceptable?”
“As long as they don't interfere with the academy's operations, it's fine.”
“That won't happen.”
I continued.
“After working as an assistant myself, I think I understand why you said that.”
“I appreciate you saying that.”
“Then I will send you the documents next time.”
“All right.”
“See you next time.”
I bowed politely and left the principal's office.
Finally, I was going home.
I said to Pal-gap.
“Pal-gap, pack your things. We are going home.”
“Yes, sir!”
Pal-gap quickly packed my things, which didn't take as long as I had expected.
“What? That was fast.”
“I thought the principal might return soon, so I packed your things in advance.”
“I see.”
With that, we left the dormitory.
Seeing us, the assistant professor approached us with a disappointed look on his face.
“Are you leaving?”
“Yes. I only agreed to be a teaching assistant for half a month.”
Hearing my answer, the teaching assistant bowed his head with his hands clasped together.
“Thank you for all your hard work. And... at the announcement ceremony for the new captain... I was very rude.”
“I've already forgotten.”
He smiled and continued.
“Take care. I hope to see you again soon.”
Actually, there were a few people I wanted to say goodbye to, but I felt it would be better to just leave without saying anything.
And so, we quietly left the Jeongin Academy.
* * *
The principal of Jeongin Academy, Yeong Se-yoon, looked out the window toward the main gate.
Eun-seo-ho and his group were just passing through the main gate.
He remembered what his friend had said before he left for his family home.
“When you go to your family home this time... take good care of the family heirloom.”
“Huh? What do you mean? Take care of the family heirloom? Did you hear something?”
“I don't know. He just said that.”
“If you mean that guy... Are you talking about Captain Eun Seo-ho?”
His friend nodded in response to his question.
“That guy never says anything without meaning it. If he said that, there must be a reason. So don't take what I told you lightly.”
“How can I ignore your words when you say so? I will keep it in mind.”
When Yeong-Seo-Yoon arrived at his clan, he immediately attended a meeting.
The problem that had arisen in his clan was none other than the establishment of a new Young Master.
This was because the senior members had agreed that the original Young Master was not qualified to become the Clan Head.
Even then, Yeong-se-yoon remained alert and kept an eye on the family heirloom.
Thanks to that, he found out that the Young Master, who was about to be expelled from his position, was harboring a grudge and trying to steal the heirloom.
The heirloom of the Kang Ju-yeong clan was a sword.
It was one of the sacred weapons that defeated evil swords, but more importantly, it symbolized the clan.
The thought of it being misused made him feel sick.
“It was Captain Eun who saved our family.”
He could have asked Eun Seo-ho how he knew that. However, he didn't want to treat the savior of his family that way, so he didn't ask anything.
“Take care. I hope to see you again soon.”
* * *
“We're finally home.”
Pal-gap asked me.
“Are you happy?”
“Of course I am. You're home, aren't you happy?”
“Of course I am.”
On my birthday, I left for Beijing with Captain Pang Gang-woon, and the journey took over a month.
It was already January.
Still, I am glad we arrived in Hubei Province before January. Beijing is terribly cold in January.
I headed for the deputy head of the Eunhae Trading Company.
I did not send a message in advance, so no one came to greet me.
But it did not matter. I was just happy to be home.
“Huh! Captain, you are here?”
"Yes. Long time no see. Everything okay?“
”Everything is peaceful.“
We left the horses to the deputy manager's servants and headed for my private quarters, the Moon Hall.
After washing up and changing into my formal attire, I went to see my father.
”Come in.“
My father was in his study.
”I'm back, Father."
“Yes, thank you for your hard work.”
My father smiled warmly and continued.
“First, I met with the poet Song Rok. Chief Administrator Yoo recognized his true talent.”
Just as I expected.
“And I also heard about Choo Il-gong from him. He was truly a scoundrel.”
“That's right. That's why I took this opportunity to deal with him properly.”
“Well done. Thanks to you, Chief Administrator Yu seems to have completely regained his confidence. Thank you.”
“I just didn't like him.”
My father laughed heartily.
“I knew you would say that. Oh, and I had Song Rok's family stay at the guest quarters of the Trading Company for now.”
“Yes, sir.”
“By the way, what happened with Master Pang?”
I explained everything to my father.
“Master Pang became the Young Master! I'm glad nothing else happened.”
We talked about other things as well.
My father decided that he would decide what he could, and the rest would be decided by the Silver Moon Society.
“By the way, our trading company ranked 35th during the last Dongji.”
Last time, we ranked 40th, so we moved up.
“That's great news.”
We are one step closer to becoming the world's best trading company.
After leaving my father, I went to see my grandfather and mother and greeted them.
On my way to Jung-ho, I saw the poet Song Rok.
“Oh, Song...”
But he was walking with someone else, so I stopped myself from calling out to him.
Who is that?
Looking closer, I realized it was Yoo Na-joong.
It seems they became friends through poetry. But... I felt someone's gaze on them.
I turned my head and saw that it was my aide, Cho Yeong-yeong.
It seems she still has feelings for Chief Administrator Yoo.
By the way, Chief Administrator Yoo is no longer young, so why doesn't he get married?
Is there a reason?