Chapter 418
The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Trading Company Chapter 418
Chapter 418. A New Start for the Yangyang Martial Arts Academy (4)
The next day.
I headed to the Yangyang Martial Arts Academy.
The students were busy preparing for the move. Still, perhaps because they were moving to a better place, their faces were full of excitement.
“Are you here?”
Principal Yeom came out to greet me, having heard that I had arrived.
“I'm sorry to bother you when you're so busy.”
“Not at all. What brings you here?”
“Are the preparations for the move going well?”
He nodded in response to my question.
“Yes, everything is going smoothly.”
Looking at his expression, I could tell that everything was going smoothly.
“That's good to hear. When will you be officially moving in?”
“The day after tomorrow. And... I have a favor to ask of you, Captain.”
“You want me?”
He nodded in response to my question.
“The signboard we've been using is too small to hang on the new building. So we're going to make a new one, and I'd like you to write on it.”
Come to think of it, the current signboard was a bit small to hang on an eight-story building.
Eight-story buildings usually have signboards hung at about the third floor, but then you wouldn't be able to see what's written on it, would you?
But my question was not that. Why were they asking me to write on the signboard?
Usually, people ask someone famous for their calligraphy or someone significant to write on the signboard of a building like this.
But I am not famous for my calligraphy, nor am I a significant person.
“Me? Why me? Why not ask your master or someone else?”
“First, in order to ask the Palace Head, we would have to summon him, and who knows when he would come to write the signboard?”
Principal Yeom continued.
“And the young master is a great benefactor to our Yangyang Martial Arts Academy, so we would like to ask you.”
“What have I done to be considered a great benefactor?”
At my words, Principal Yeom sighed and said sternly.
“Young Master.”
“Yes?”
“Put your hand on your chest and think about it. Think about what you have done for our Yangyang Martial Arts Academy.”
“....”
I scratched the back of my neck.
“Won't Master be upset?”
“The Palace Head and Myung-hyun will agree with me.”
“I understand. Where should I write it?”
“You have thought well. You should have done so long ago. Hahaha.”
Yeom Kwan-joo immediately brought the paper he had prepared nearby.
You may wonder why he is writing on paper when he is supposed to write on a signboard, but this is to write the characters that will be carved into the wood.
It is possible to write directly on the signboard, but it will not last long.
To make it last longer, the characters written on the paper must be carved into the wood by a woodcarver.
I took off my robe and gave it to Pal-gap, then picked up the brush.
I took a deep breath, dipped the brush in ink, and began to write the characters.
Now, the woodcarver will carve the characters on the signboard based on these characters.
Of course, when it is carved on the signboard, it will be much larger than this.
“Is it okay?”
Principal Yeom nodded in satisfaction at my question and added one more thing.
“Shouldn't you leave the name and seal of the Captain next to it?”
“Hmm... I guess so...”
“Captain.”
“Yes.”
I moved the brush again and wrote my name next to it, then stamped my seal.
Of course, it wasn't a business seal.
After finishing the signboard, I brought up the real reason I had come here.
“I think I'll be leaving soon.”
“So soon?”
“I would like to stay a little longer, but my best friend is getting married. He will be very disappointed if I don't go.”
“I see. When are you planning to leave?”
“I plan to leave in three or four days.”
“That's good. Then you will be able to see our martial arts academy move.”
Principal Yeom thought for a moment and asked, “Are you sure you want to leave?”
“By the way, what are you going to do with this place?”
“What do you mean, this place?”
“This location isn't bad. If you're moving, maybe we could take this place after you leave…”
I stopped Yeom Kwan-ju and asked him.
“Why are you asking me that?”
“Well, this place was provided by the Captain…”
“The ownership of this place belongs to you and the Yangyang Martial Arts Academy, not me. So, do whatever you want. You don't need to ask my opinion.”
I said with a smile.
“Then I'll be going now.”
.
.
.
Having decided on the date of my departure, I began to move quickly.
This was because managing the businesses I had acquired required more attention than I had expected.
I was particularly concerned about the treatment of the courtesans.
I was quite shocked to learn that the physicians did not treat them.
I wondered how I could change their perception, but soon gave up on the idea.
There was no need for me to take the initiative to change their minds.
I went to see Physician Jami.
“Are you busy?”
“Ah! Captain, you're here? What brings you here?”
“I came to tell you something.”
Hearing my words, she put down what she was holding and said,
“I don't have time to serve you tea right now... I hope you understand.”
“Of course, I understand.”
“Thank you. But what is it you wanted to tell me?”
“I am planning to leave Hangzhou in a few days.”
“I see. I knew you had to leave someday, but I am a little sad that you are leaving so soon.”
I smiled at her words.
“I'm worried about the courtesans who work at the businesses I took over. I would appreciate it if you would continue to treat them without charging them. I will pay you separately for your services.”
“I understand.”
Physician Zami readily agreed.
“Do you use a matchmaker?”
“Yes, I use Geumsan Matchmaker.”
I smiled and said.
“In that case, I will send you ten gold coins every year through Geumsanjeonjang.”
“What? That much?”
She was so surprised that she stammered.
That was because gold coins were a huge amount of money that ordinary people could never see in their entire lives.
When I gave her gold coins before, she pretended to be calm, but her hands were trembling.
“There is a reason why I am giving you more than you expected. I would like to ask you to make rounds in the future.”
I gave gold coins to Physician Jami and asked him to treat the courtesans for free, and the rumor spread.
However, fewer courtesans than expected came for treatment, and there was a reason for this.
If word got out that a courtesan was sick, her clients would stop coming.
So even when they had plenty of money, they only went to see a physician when their illness became serious.
But now that I was the owner of those businesses, I couldn't just ignore it.
Now that I knew about it, I had to find the best solution.
“Please visit the businesses I acquired regularly and check on the courtesans.”
“That's a good idea. There's nothing more unfortunate than discovering an illness too late when it could have been cured early on.”
“Thank you.”
I smiled and continued.
“And take on an apprentice.”
“An apprentice?”
She thought about my words for a moment and nodded.
“It's a good idea, as I won't be able to manage on my own. But... Captain, you said you would provide free medical care to the courtesans at the business you acquired, but what about the other courtesans? You've been treating them all for free until now.”
“That's right. To be honest, they're not courtesans at my business, so I don't have to provide them with any benefits, but they have their own circumstances, so please treat them for free if they come to see you.”
“But they also have employers...”
“Would they be in this situation if their employers had treated them well?”
“That's true.”
I am providing free medical treatment to the courtesans of Hangzhou out of compassion, but that is not the only reason.
Right now, Hangzhou is running out of money and the courtesans are poor, but once the prohibition on alcohol is lifted and Hangzhou begins to prosper, my investment will pay off.
“Then I look forward to working with you.”
“I will do my best.”
.
.
.
Several days passed, and before I knew it, it was the day of the martial arts academy's move.
In fact, most of the heavy luggage had already been moved, so moving day meant hanging up a sign and performing a ritual.
Hangzhou was one of the places hardest hit by the famine.
In such a situation, holding a banquet was not only a waste of money, but also risked bringing criticism.
Moreover, the effect would be minimal compared to the money spent.
When moving or doing something big, people gather together to chase away ghosts, as it is said that ghosts dislike noise and crowds.
However, in my opinion, it is more to express our hopes for the future.
After some discussion, we decided to distribute food to those who attended.
I headed to the new Yangyang Martial Arts Academy.
When I arrived, my disciples came forward to greet me.
“Welcome.”
“The principal is talking with some other people right now.”
“I guess he's chatting with the local leaders.”
“Yes.”
Should I wait a bit?
Just as I was thinking that, one of his disciples said,
“Come in. He's waiting for you.”
When I tilted my head, another disciple smiled and said,
“The principal asked us to bring you in.”
“Isn't there any reason for me to be there?”
“Why not? You own half of the businesses around Seoho.”
Ah...
I hadn't realized it, but I was also a local leader.
And a very influential one at that.
I entered the reception room.
“I'm sorry I'm late.”
“No, it's fine. You're a busy man, I understand. Ha ha ha.”
Among those gathered inside were quite a few people who had handed over their businesses to me.
That meant there were many people I knew.
We chatted in a friendly atmosphere.
A short time later.
We left the reception room and sat down on chairs set up in front of the podium.
“We will now begin the unveiling of the signboard for the Yangyang Martial Arts Academy.”
First, Principal Yeom performed a ritual.
“Now, we will unveil the new signboard for the Yangyang Martial Arts Academy.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a large signboard tied to a rope began to rise.
It looked as if the disciples on the fourth floor were lifting the signboard with ropes.
Palm print craftsmen were waiting on the third floor to secure the signboard.
“Heave ho! Heave ho!”
Seeing several disciples pulling on the rope, I could guess how heavy the signboard was.
Then it happened.
Someone
pulled my sleeve, and when I turned my head, it was Miss Seo Hyang.
“What's wrong?”
“I just saw that. The rope broke, and the signboard is falling. Many people will get hurt.”
“...!”
I was startled for a moment, but immediately sent telepathy to Seo Woo and Jin Yu.
Tuk.
Fortunately, the two warriors moved, and then something happened.
The rope holding the signboard broke, either due to its weight or friction.
Of all places, it happened just as it reached the third floor.
“Ugh!”
“Get out of the way!”
Chaos broke out among the people below the signboard.
But I wasn't worried.
Thud!
Thud!
This was because the two warriors had already moved into position.
As if to prove that their years of training together had not been in vain, they balanced themselves and caught the signboard.
Then they climbed up to the third floor and stood there holding it.
“Now secure this signboard.”
“We'll hold it.”
“Yes, yes.”
The palm print makers, who had been stunned, quickly regained their senses and began to secure the signboard.
“We're saved!”
The people cheered at the two samurai's actions.
Hearing the cheers, I said to Miss Seo, who was standing facing west.
“Thank you for letting me know.”
“I'm so glad.”
The signboard was secured without incident, and the two samurai returned to me.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“Not at all. There's no need to thank us.”
“It would have been unacceptable for us to allow the signboard written by your liege to fall to the ground and injure people.”
“I understand. I am grateful to you for preventing that from happening.”
With that, I turned my attention back to the signboard.
Seeing the signboard with my writing on it, my heart began to race.
After the ceremony was over, those who had come to celebrate were pleased with their gifts.
There were a few who tried to get one more gift, but when Seo Woo and Jin Yu stepped forward, they quickly backed down and disappeared.
After all, they had seen how Seo Woo and Jin Yu had handled the situation, so they knew that causing trouble would be a bad idea.
As the sun began to set, the Yangyang Martial Arts Academy, which had been bustling with people, gradually quieted down.
I slowly looked around the Yangyang Martial Arts Academy.
“I never imagined this.”
At that moment, I heard a voice.
When I turned my head, Principal Yeom was approaching me.
“Have you had dinner?”
“I'm fine without dinner.”
I smiled at his words.
“By the way, this is something I could never have imagined. Not only did you get this land back, but you also built an eight-story building here.”
With that, Principal Yeom clasped his hands together in a greeting.
“Now I can finally express my gratitude. Thank you very much. I will never forget your kindness to the Yangyang Martial Arts Academy.”
“It was nothing. I only did what I had to do.”
“I knew you would say that.”
We looked at each other and smiled brightly.
Then we looked at the signboard of the Yangyang Martial Arts Academy.
Now was a new beginning for the Yangyang Martial Arts Academy.