Chapter 328
The Youngest Son of the Silver Sea Trading Company Chapter 328
Chapter 328. Special Request (1)
The weather became hotter as July began.
Inside the temporary meeting room, fans were running nonstop.
Trading company representatives from across the empire who had been entrusted with selling fans gathered in the meeting room.
“The demand for hand-held fans is too high. We need to increase the supply.”
“That's right. Some people have been waiting in line for three days.”
“We need to do something.”
And I was sweating profusely due to an unexpected obstacle.
The reason was none other than the newly released small hand-held fan.
It was called a hand-held windlass because it could be carried in one hand, but it was so popular that supply could not keep up with demand.
However, we couldn't just increase supply indiscriminately, because demand would inevitably fall over time.
If that happened, we would have to bear all the losses, so we had to strike the right balance.
However, whereas previously the core parts were made by Gong-mil alone, this time several more reliable craftsmen were brought in.
We selected only craftsmen who would not betray us, and thanks to that, even though we increased the supply more than before, this is the result.
After the meeting, I returned to my office.
Feeling relaxed, I leaned over the desk to take a break.
However, I couldn't.
“I'm coming in.”
It was the voice of Yeo Chang's aide.
“Come in.”
He entered my office and saw me lying on the desk.
“It's strange that even when work is going well, it's still hard.”
I laughed at Yeo Chang's aide's words and got up.
“Still, it's better to be tired from work. If work isn't going well and you're tired, that's... not so good.”
“You're right.”
“You came to get my approval?”
“Yes.”
I looked over the documents and stamped them.
“It's hot, isn't it?”
“It's summer.”
You mean it's hot.
“But strangely, it's cool inside your office.”
That's because I've mastered the martial arts of extreme yin.
Ye Chang's aide left, and I continued with my work.
“Young Master, the branch manager is here.”
“Tell him to come in.”
The door opened and Branch Chief Eun entered.
“You're here?”
“Yes, Captain. The Beijing branch has finally been completed.”
“That's wonderful news.”
I stood up from my seat.
“Let's go see it right away.”
A moment later.
We arrived in front of the Beijing branch.
It was a stylish new building that I had personally chosen the site for.
“What a wonderful building!”
The other bodyguards nodded in agreement with Pal-gap's words. When they heard that we were going to see the Beijing branch, all six bodyguards followed us.
“Then I will show you around the building.”
“Yes.”
The branch manager looked proud.
Was it natural, considering that he had been a shopkeeper in Beijing and was now officially appointed as the branch manager of the Beijing Branch?
In fact, there was an opinion within the headquarters that someone else should be appointed as the branch manager of the Beijing Branch.
However, I insisted that Eun be entrusted with the Beijing Branch.
That was because I knew Eun's abilities.
He was certainly capable of leading a branch, but what caught my attention was his determination to move forward no matter what.
The person who had stabilized the Beijing branch, which had been shaken by a failed selection in my previous life, was none other than Branch Manager Eun Cheong-in standing right in front of me.
“Let's check the deputy managers first.”
“Yes, sir. The deputy managers are the pride of the Trading Company.”
The structure of the Beijing branch was similar to that of the main branch. That meant there was also a senior deputy manager.
However, that did not mean that carriages could come and go without any restrictions.
Security was important, so it was essential to check and search carriages when they came and went.
This was especially important in Beijing.
If they were not careful, the Trading Company would be ruined.
“This is wonderful.”
“I think so too.”
Starting with the deputy manager, we looked around the Beijing branch.
We saw the offices and dining rooms of the managers and workers, the quarters of the guards, the training ground, the bathhouse, the executive office, and so on.
I was impressed by how it looked exactly like the building in my mind.
“Wow! Your office is very comfortable.”
My new office in Hyungpungguk was also very nice.
“The employees will like it too, right?”
“They are already eager to move in.”
However, they couldn't move in right away.
This was because the building had to undergo a final inspection.
“Then contact the Office of Public Works and request a final inspection.”
“Yes, sir.”
* *
The main duties of the Office of Public Works, one of the six ministries of the imperial court, are related to construction.
Buildings, roads, and so on are all the responsibility of the Office of Public Works.
However, perhaps because these things are not very tangible, the Office of Public Works tends to receive less attention than the other ministries.
However, the officials of the Public Works Department did not mind that.
That meant that even if they committed a little corruption, it would not be easily discovered.
“We have received a request for a completion inspection.”
“Oh? Really? Where is it?”
“It is a building constructed by Eunhae Trading Company.”
“It is a building constructed by a fairly large trading company, so we can get some benefits from it.”
“But they haven't called us once.”
“Yes, that's the problem.”
That hurt the pride of the study administrators.
If such a large building was being built in Beijing, it was only natural that they would come to them.
If they greased their palms and jingled their pockets a little, wouldn't they be more willing to do their job?
However, Eunhae Trading Company did not go through any of that “process.”
“What should we do?”
“If they can't use the building they built so well, they'll be in a tight spot, right?”
“That's right. That's a wise thought.”
“But Eunhae Trading Company has Captain Eun Seo-ho.”
It was a well-known story that Eun Seo-ho had caused trouble for the Ho-bu officials.
The official pointed that out.
But the senior official dismissed his concern.
“That was the Ho-bu's stupid mistake. If they do something that stands out, of course people will talk. Of course!”
“That's right.”
“But we can put pressure on them legally.”
He smiled and continued.
“If we keep putting it off with excuses, they'll eventually realize something.”
* *
Five days had passed since the completion of the Beijing branch.
I was working as usual while preparing to move, when Branch Manager Eun came to see me.
“You don't look too happy.”
He sighed at my words.
“Yes. It's been five days already, but we still haven't heard anything from the study.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, it seems so.”
As far as I know, it takes three days at the latest for the study officials to come and conduct the completion inspection.
But the fact that there has been no news even after five days means that they want something.
Something like a bribe.
Of course, I could give it to them.
But I know very well that giving it to them at this point could get me into trouble, so I wouldn't be stupid enough to do that.
That would happen between September and October.
But it's too precious a time to just sit around until then.
I gathered the things I had prepared for this moment and got up from my seat.
“Let's go to the study.”
.
.
.
A moment later
I headed for the Imperial Palace with Branch Chief Eun and called the study to let them know we were coming.
A moment later, an employee came out and looked for us.
“Are you Captain Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Trading Company and Branch Manager Eun Cheong-in?”
“Yes, we are.”
“Please follow me.”
Fortunately, we didn't have to wait long. With the lesson we learned at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, they wouldn't do that.
We entered the study building.
After waiting for a while in the reception room, an administrator came to meet us.
“Are you here regarding the completion inspection?”
“Yes, that's right.”
He looked through the documents and continued.
“Could you tell me what building this is for?”
“It's a building constructed by Eunhaesang Trading Company. The location of the building is...”
“Ah, here it is.”
He looked at the documents instead of us and continued.
“You applied for a completion inspection five days ago.”
“Yes, that's right. When will the completion inspection be conducted?”
“We are quite busy, so you will have to wait a little longer.”
“How long do we have to wait?”
“I'm sorry, but we have a lot of work to do, so it's difficult to give you a definite answer.”
Damn these guys.
He felt a slight tug at the back of his neck.
“Well, I'll be going now.”
The official seemed to have nothing more to say and turned to leave.
I have no choice. I have to use what His Majesty gave me.
“Wait a minute.”
“Yes? Is there anything else?”
Instead of answering, I handed him the scroll, and he took it with a puzzled look on his face.
“What is this?”
“Open it.”
At my words, he unfolded the scroll.
And... one, two, three.
Just as I had expected, his face turned pale before I could even count to three.
It was the scroll I received from the emperor.
It was a scroll containing the emperor's order to prioritize matters concerning the Eunhae Trading Company.
What's more, it was stamped with the imperial seal.
“This is...”
“This is a document containing the emperor's sacred words.”
“Gasp!”
At my words, he quickly knelt down and bowed.
Seeing that, I felt relieved.
“Then please take care of it quickly.”
“Yes, sir.”
I took it back.
There is no limit to the number of times I can use it.
All the hardship I went through to visit Gansu was worth it.
.
.
.
That afternoon.
Officials from the government were dispatched and conducted a completion inspection of the Beijing branch building of the Eunhae Trading Company.
And on that very day, they issued a certificate of approval.
The government officials will try to find fault with it, but I already have the certificate of approval in my hands.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“Hm, hm...”
With a reluctant look on their faces, they left.
I said to Branch Manager Eun.
“Branch Manager.”
“Yes.”
“Let's move now.”
“Yes, sir.”
Usually, when moving into a large building like this, a commemorative banquet is held, but the situation is not very good right now.
It would have been fine last year, but now the situation has worsened.
“Unfortunately, I don't think we can have a housewarming party.”
“I agree. It's not the right time for something like that.”
“My father also said to skip the party. So, we'll just start working in the new building right away.”
“We'll do that.”
“By the way, how does it feel to be the official Beijing branch manager?”
At my question, Branch Manager Eun smiled pleasantly.
“It's great!”
And so, over the course of three days, we moved to the new building.
There was a lot to move and organize.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
My escort warriors responded to my words of encouragement.
“Not at all. We are members of the Eunhae Trading Company, so it is only natural that we work hard.”
In order to move, we had to carry heavy loads, but my bodyguards were very helpful as they were skilled fighters.
“I will pay you for today's work.”
“There is no need.”
“Please do not refuse. I do not like to hire people for free.”
My insistence finally convinced my bodyguards to accept my offer.
I divided the daily wages among them and entered my office.
The building was newly constructed, so it felt a little unfamiliar, but I would get used to it soon.
I took out my writing brush and ink and wrote a letter to my father. It was a letter informing him that I had settled in safely.
I asked Geumryeong to deliver the letter.
Of course, I had to give him a silver coin in return.
Come to think of it, I should invite my aunt and uncle. They live so close by, I can't not invite them.
With that, I went over the things I had to do one by one.
There was nothing else to do, so I thought I would be able to live comfortably in Beijing.
Two days later.
My aunt and uncle visited the Beijing branch.
They accepted my invitation.
“Welcome.”
“It looked nice from the outside, but it's even nicer inside.”
“Thank you.”
My aunt looked at the Beijing branch with a new expression on her face.
That's because the structure here is almost the same as the main branch.
I showed them around the Beijing branch myself.
After spending a pleasant time together, they left.
Just as I was about to get back to work, Pal-gap informed me that we had a guest.
A guest?
I don't have any appointments. Who could it be?
“Who is it?”
“It's the Po-Jeong-Sa of Gijou Province.”
“What?”
The Po-Jeong-Sa is the head of the administration of a province. In other words, he is a person with tremendous Fist power.
Why would such a person come here in person?
And why would the Po-Jeong-Sa of Gijou Province come to me?
“Quickly, take him to the reception room.”
“I have already taken him to the reception room.”
I quickly adjusted my clothes and headed to the reception room.
Inside, a middle-aged man was sitting, with his bodyguards standing behind him.
“I am Eunseo Ho. I am meeting with the Pojeongsa.”
“Nice to meet you.”
It must have been a matter of urgency, because he got straight to the point as soon as I sat down.
“I have come here to make a request.”
“What?”
“Bring me some snow.”