Chapter 311
The Youngest Son of the Silver Sea Trading Company Chapter 311
Chapter 311. The Emperor's Errand (2)
The day of departure for Beijing had arrived.
Since they were leaving early in the morning, he told his family yesterday that he would be away.
“Young master, everything is ready.”
“Yes. I'm leaving.”
I headed to the station with my bodyguards.
The people of Hyungpung were already there, bustling about and preparing for departure.
This time, Eunwolgak had discussed Hyungpung's future in earnest and decided to officially move Hyungpung to Beijing.
As the capital of the empire and its most prosperous city, the fortunes of the Trading Company would depend on the political situation in Beijing.
The Beijing branch was essential for the further growth of the Trading Company and was therefore very important.
In fact, my father's message to me was hidden in this decision.
“I'm counting on you, son.”
“Your Highness, you're here?”
“Good morning.”
Those who saw me greeted me, and I exchanged greetings with them before heading to one place.
There were the Head Escort of the Changin Escort Agency and Jeong Chung, the leader of the Eunpungdae Samjo.
It's been a long time, Jeong Chung.
“I look forward to working with you today.”
“Of course.”
It was very important to get to know the people of the Escort Agency, not to mention the Eunpungdae, so I greeted them in a friendly manner.
“Are we ready to depart?”
I looked at Pal-gap, who nodded in response to Jung-chung's question.
“Yes, everything is ready. You may depart at any time.”
“Then let's go.”
“Understood.”
I made sure that all the officials of Hyungpung-guk were in the carriages and headed for my carriage.
“Please take good care of them.”
Seo Woo Musha replied on behalf of the others.
“We will always do our best to protect our Liege.”
“That is reassuring.”
As I got into the carriage, Pal-gap followed me and sat in the front seat.
Through the window, I could see the guards mounting their horses.
Beep! Beep! Beep!
The sound of whistles was accompanied by the voice of the Head Escort.
“Depart!”
The procession began to move toward the capital.
I unconsciously looked toward my father's office and my eyes widened.
Huh?
Through the window of his office, my father was watching our group leave.
The larger the trading company, the more powerful the head of the company.
Therefore, when the head of the company appears, things tend to get chaotic. That must be why he didn't come.
I waved to my father.
I'll be back soon. Father.
This time, when you become the head of the trading company, I will make you the world's best head of a trading company.
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The road to Beijing was very familiar to me as I had traveled it many times.
Still, I did not let my guard down.
I never knew when or where something might happen.
By the way, the Royal Guards worked hard again this year to break the ice upstream.
Thanks to them, there was no flooding downstream, and no one was displaced.
If there had been flooding, the spring harvest would have been ruined... It was terrifying to even think about it.
I felt a sense of pride that my intervention had prevented the large-scale civil unrest that had tormented everyone in my past life from escalating this time.
By the way, when should I go to Hangzhou?
The taverns in Hangzhou have made a lot of money, so I don't think they will sell them cheaply...
Should I visit next spring?
By then, the people I need to get my hands on will be there too.
Ah...
Come to think of it, I have to finish learning the imperial martial arts in Beijing.
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We finally arrived in Beijing.
Thanks to our quick movements, we were able to arrive in Beijing without any problems.
And no matter how hungry they are, no one would start a civil uprising near Beijing.
“Welcome.”
Eun, who had been appointed as the branch manager in Beijing, welcomed us.
“It's good to see you again.”
“You must be tired from your journey. Please rest first.”
“Thank you for your kind words.”
However, I was not in a position to rest and recover from my fatigue.
I had a lot of work to do here in Beijing.
“First, please report on what has happened during your absence. I will be at the temporary residence.”
“Yes, sir.”
The branch manager looked at me with pity. Did I look that pitiful?
I immediately headed for the temporary quarters prepared for me at the Beijing branch.
A short time later.
Eun, the branch manager, came to my temporary quarters with a pile of documents.
“You came much sooner than I expected.”
“I thought you would want a report as soon as you arrived, so I prepared everything in advance.”
Ever since he had spoken to me earlier, he seemed to be putting his heart and soul into his work.
I looked through the documents on the desk one by one and asked him to explain them to me.
He calmly explained the key points.
“...I think that's why the bill was proposed.”
“I see.”
I'm very pleased with your work.
“Thank you for your hard work. Let's have a big dinner party sometime soon.”
I smiled and continued.
“Even if you don't drink alcohol, wouldn't some sweet snacks help you feel better?”
“Hahaha. You're right.”
After Branch Manager Eun left, I began to carefully review the documents he had brought once again.
It wasn't because I didn't trust Eun Jib-jang, but because I wanted to get the whole picture.
One of the things I learned in my past life is that when you do something big, you have to start with the big picture.
That's the only way to figure out what our Trading Company should do and when to move.
It's really sad when you don't do that and miss out on potential gains.
But more important than that is figuring out how much to take without causing any trouble.
If things go wrong, the entire Trading Company could be destroyed.
The most important issues right now are the famine, the prohibition, and the civil unrest.
That's what I expected, though...
I should be glad that there are no surprises.
That evening.
I sent a letter to Master Jin through Lee Pil.
It was spring when I arrived in Beijing, and I asked when I could resume my training in the martial arts of the imperial court.
However, Lee Pil brought me unexpected news.
“Master Jin is currently absent.”
“Do you know when he will return?”
“Yes. He has been away for over a month.”
Then I have no choice but to wait until Master Jin-yeong returns.
I wanted to learn the martial arts of the Imperial Palace quickly, but Master Jin-yeong is a member of the Royal Guards and is quite busy.
So I have to understand.
By the way, His Majesty the Emperor must know that I have arrived. I hope he won't call for me early tomorrow morning.
Surely not...
No matter what, he'll give me a few days off.
But
“His Majesty the Emperor is calling for you.”
“...”
He made my hopes of getting a few days off come to nothing.
The person who came to pick me up this time was a court official. I had seen him working closely with the emperor several times before.
“Get ready and follow me.”
“Yes, sir.”
After saying that, I hurriedly prepared to go to the imperial palace. Since I was going to the imperial palace, I put on clean clothes, but I avoided wearing anything too flashy because there would be many people watching.
“I am so grateful that His Majesty has come to pick me up himself that I don't know what to do with myself.”
First, I flattered the eunuch. If he had a bad impression of me, it would cause me trouble in many ways.
Since he works close to the emperor, he is likely to be a member of the Dongchang.
So if I flatter him well, I might be able to get some useful information.
Of course, if he is a member of the Dongchang, he will be very tight-lipped, but I'm not looking for important secrets anyway.
Even the smallest piece of information will suffice.
“Isn't someone with such a reputation for being a great swordsman being too humble?”
“Hahaha. It's just an empty title, I'm embarrassed by your praise.”
“I am only following the orders of His Majesty the Emperor, and you are one of the few people whom His Majesty calls upon to hear your opinions. So you can have more confidence in yourself.”
But why does it sound like “you're easy to use” to my ears?
“Thank you. By the way, how is His Majesty feeling today?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Well, if His Majesty is in a bad mood, we must avoid doing anything that might cause Him more worry. I am only asking out of loyalty to His Majesty.”
“Hmm... Well, no one is as loyal to His Majesty as you are, Captain.”
He nodded and said quietly.
“His Majesty is not in a very good mood these days. It is rare for His Majesty to be in a good mood, but as you know, the situation is not very good these days.”
“That is true.”
“That must be why he is in such a bad mood. On top of that, we have lost contact with Master Jin-yeong.”
“What?”
The court official tilted his head and asked.
“You don't know yet?”
“...No.”
“I see. Actually, it has been about three days since we lost contact with Master Jin-yeong.”
Two thoughts crossed my mind at once.
If Master Jin-yeong has lost contact, does that mean something is wrong?
At the same time, why is this secretive court official telling me about Master Jin-yeong?
However, before I could resolve my doubts, we arrived at the emperor's office.
As soon as we announced our arrival, the door opened.
I entered and bowed in respect.
“Your Majesty, Emperor Eunseoho, I am here to see you. Long live the emperor!”
“Raise your head.”
“I am deeply honored.”
I cautiously raised my head.
He seems to have aged suddenly in the past few months.
That means the situation in this empire is not good.
“I heard you arrived yesterday.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“You must be tired. I apologize for calling you here like this.”
Huh?
What did I just hear? The emperor apologized?
Is that really the emperor standing in front of me?
Could it be that Imugi transformed himself?
I thought so, but I remembered what the court official had said earlier and became very nervous.
And I could clearly see the worry on his face.
“I am fine. But you seem to be having a hard time lately.”
“Has there ever been a time when work wasn't hard?”
That's true.
Then, is the emperor in a bad mood because he hasn't heard from Master Jinyoung?
Could that be why the court official told me earlier that Master Jinyoung hadn't been in touch?
Does he want me to solve the problem?
Then the emperor continued.
“I called you here because I have a request.”
I felt burdened by his sudden request.
But in this situation, could he be asking me to find Master Jinyeong?
“I have a long-time friend and loyal servant. Deliver a letter to him.”
“What?”
For a moment, I almost tilted my head.
He wasn't asking me to find Master Jin-yeong, but simply to deliver a letter to his friend and former servant? Why me?
“Why are you acting so strange?”
“It's nothing.”
“So, will you do what I ask?”
It wasn't difficult, and I couldn't refuse an order from the emperor.
“I am a servant of His Majesty the Emperor, so I will do as you say.”
“Come closer.”
“Yes.”
I approached the emperor and knelt before him.
The emperor took a letter from his sleeve and handed it to me.
“Take it.”
“Yes.”
It was not a letter delivered by an eunuch, but one written and sealed by the emperor himself.
It must be something very important.
“And here is his personal information and address.”
I received another sealed letter and bowed my head.
“I will do my best.”
“Oh, and take care of yourself.”
Huh? What does that mean?
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As soon as I returned to my temporary quarters, I told Pal-gap.
“Pal-gap. Pack my bags. We're leaving the day after tomorrow.”
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That night.
As promised, I rented one of the brothels in Beijing and held a banquet for the people of the Beijing branch.
If we didn't do it today, it would be difficult to set a date.
I finished my work and headed to the brothel where the banquet was being held.
But... I sensed something strange.
It was an attack.
Realizing this, Seo Woo and Jin Yu's expressions became serious.
Soon, masked men appeared and surrounded us.
“Form a large circle!”
Seo Woo shouted, and the six bodyguards moved in unison.
Normally, they would move in pairs, but the emperor had given me a special order.
He told me to be careful.
So I brought all six bodyguards with me, but this is what happened.
Is it a good thing that I brought all the bodyguards with me?