Chapter 480
The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Trading Company Chapter 480
Chapter 480. It's a real misunderstanding (3)
That night.
I quietly called Jin-yu Musha.
“Did you call me?”
“Yes, I have something urgent to do tonight. Is that okay?”
“Of course.”
A moment later.
We went outside through a secret passageway in the Trading Company.
The reason we were moving so secretly was to obtain concrete evidence.
One of the reasons I decided to investigate was because of the people who brewed alcohol under the name Yang Ga-nokju.
Unusually, the alcohol they brewed had a light green color.
On the surface, they were stubborn Palm print who had been preserving a tradition for over a hundred years.
The sake was quite tasty, so people trusted it and bought it. They couldn't forget the taste and kept coming back for more.
In my past life, I allowed the production of sake for trade, and unlike now, many trading companies jumped into the sake business.
This was because word quickly spread that selling sake to foreign countries was a lucrative business.
Amidst this, a trading company joined forces with Yangga Nokju and sold the sake to Daewook.
However, at that very moment, the secret of the sake was revealed by a whistleblower, and it became a problem between countries.
Trade was almost suspended, and not only Yangga Nokju but also the trading company went bankrupt.
Perhaps because they had gathered famous distillers from each region, there were a few problematic places mixed in with Yang Ga-nokju.
Still, it was fortunate that we noticed this before full-scale alcohol trade began.
Soon, we left the trading company and changed into black clothes at a safe house I had prepared earlier.
“Go ahead.”
“Yes.”
Seo Woo and Lee Pil saw us off.
We began to visit each place on the list. This was real secret investigation.
The first place we went to was Yangga Green Rice Wine.
A quick look around showed that the wine had already been made.
Green rice wine can be made fairly quickly compared to other types of alcohol.
If so, the secret ingredient must be nearby.
I began to look for where the ingredients were kept. According to my memories from my previous life, the ingredients were hidden in places where people would never think to look.
For example, the ceiling.
There was a low part of the ceiling, so I searched there.
Oh! That's it.
I carefully wrapped it in a cloth and put it in my pocket.
“Let's go.”
“Yes.”
Jinyu Musha nodded in response to my telepathy, and we headed for the next Taoism temple.
It wasn't as bad as Yangga Nokju, but there were still some problems.
.
.
.
After checking not only the problematic areas but also other places, we returned to the inner quarters.
“Are you back?”
“Did you find anything?”
Seo-woo and Lee Pil greeted me and asked, and I nodded.
“Yes. Let's go.”
As we left the inner quarters, Pal-gap said.
“Look, the sun is rising.”
“Huh?”
As Pal-gap said, the eastern sky was getting brighter.
Yes. We had stayed up all night.
It seemed like just yesterday that I had promised myself not to overdo it and that my family would be sad if I lost my health...
Why am I crying?
When I arrived at the annex, I immediately organized the evidence I had collected and began breathing exercises.
After practicing breathing exercises, I felt a little better.
When I got up from my seat, I saw a familiar face entering the courtyard.
“Master!”
It was Master Kwak Myeong-hyun.
“It's been a long time.”
“Yes, I apologize for my absence.”
“It's okay. Hyung-jin told me you were back.”
Um...
Come to think of it, Master was one of the people I had to inform of my return.
I am the Palace Head of Seolpung Palace, and I made such a mistake!
I quickly knelt in front of Master.
“I apologize! I was negligent and did not inform you of my return.”
Seeing me like that, my master was taken aback and tried to stop me.
“No, it's fine. I know you've been busy, so please get up.”
“No, I am a worthless disciple, and I cannot raise my head in front of you, Master.”
“I am not the type of person who cares about such things.”
My master said sternly.
“Now get up. And as the young master of Seolpung Palace, you must not kneel down anywhere, including in front of me.”
Seeing the determination in my master's eyes, I had no choice but to get up.
“I will overlook this because you are on a mission. But as the young master of Seolpung Palace, I will not forgive you. Do you understand?”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Good.”
Only then did Master's expression soften a little.
By the way, it seems like you've become even stronger since I last saw you...
It seems like your cultivation level has also increased.
Even before, it felt like I was looking at a towering iceberg, but now it seems like the iceberg has become even taller.
“Actually, I came to check on your training progress after a long time...”
Master looked at my face and shook his head.
“Right now, you need rest, not training.”
“What?”
Wasn't it Master who always pushed us hard and told us that people don't die easily?
He never skips a day of physical training.
Is my condition so bad that even Master is recommending that I rest?
“But even if I say this, you won't take a break, will you?”
“I'm sorry. I have a lot of work to do…”
“Then take care of the most urgent matters first and call me when you're done. Can you do that?”
That much I could do.
And of course, I had to obey my Master's request.
“Yes, sir.”
“Then get some rest.”
With that, my Master left the annex.
Now, let's get moving.
After breakfast, I went straight to my father.
“Father, I've finished my inspection.”
“Already?”
“Yes. I did it secretly last night.”
“Tsk, tsk. No wonder you look tired.”
My father clicked his tongue and looked at me with pity.
“So, what were the results of the inspection?”
“I have summarized them here.”
My father took the scroll I handed him, unfolded it, and frowned.
“Hmm... Are you saying that four out of fifteen are unqualified?”
“Yes. Three of the four can be improved if corrective measures are taken, but one is completely unacceptable.”
I continued.
“Today, I plan to visit those places to issue corrective orders and notify the other place that we will no longer provide support.”
My father thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
“Do so.”
I got up from my seat and headed straight for Yangganokju.
“Are you there?”
After a moment, someone came out in response to Pal-gap's shout.
“Who are you?”
“We are from Eunhae Trading Company. I am Eun Seo-ho, the captain of Eunhae Trading Company.”
“Huh!”
At that, he hurriedly went inside, and a group of people came out to greet me.
“What brings you here?”
“I came to check if the sake is brewing well.”
“I see. We just finished brewing some sake. Would you like to try some?”
“Yes, please.”
They soon brought a bottle of sake and cups and poured the sake in front of me.
It was a brilliant green liquid.
As I brought the cup to my lips, deep smiles appeared on their faces.
“Huh.”
I touched the cup to my lips and put it down again.
“What ingredients did you use? What are they?”
“Excuse me?”
“Is the secret of this green wine poisonous herbs?”
They were startled by my words, but soon became angry.
“What do you mean? Poisonous herbs?”
“How dare you disparage our family's liquor?”
“Are you the captain of the Eunhae Trading Company? Are you trying to disparage our liquor by making such unreasonable demands?”
They shouted so loudly that the whole neighborhood could hear them, and people began to gather, wondering what was going on.
Is this how you respond?
You have the nerve to act like this.
“Oh no! This is so unfair!”
“You say that our family's liquor, which has been made for over a hundred years, contains poisonous herbs. This is so unfair!”
They sat down on the ground and wailed, lamenting their injustice.
Usually, people with money or power are considered evil, and those without money or power are considered victims.
That's a prejudice.
Actually, it's not so much a prejudice as it is empathy.
It's easier to empathize with people who are in a similar situation to yourself.
Of course, there are people who have accumulated wealth or gained power by exploiting others, so it is possible that people with money and power are more likely to be evil.
However, that is not always the case.
Just like now.
They seem to think that the crowd will empathize with them, curse Eunhae Trading Company, and take their side.
But they haven't been here long, so they don't know.
They don't know the meaning of the names Eunhaesangdan and Eunseoho in Hubei.
“What's going on?”
“What? You said there was poison in their wine?”
“There must be a reason why Seonhaengmi said that.”
“Of course! Eunhaesangdan wouldn't do that for no reason.”
“...”
The Palm print family, who made Yangga Nokju, looked flustered by their response.
This made them even more agitated, but I didn't bat an eye and said, “If you want to make a scene, go ahead. I have plenty of time.”
“If you want to make a fuss, go ahead. I have plenty of time.”
“Huff, huff, huff...”
Making a fuss also requires physical strength.
They soon became exhausted and were panting for breath.
Now I was ready to speak.
I held out the wine cup they had brought me and said, “Please drink this.”
“Yangagokju is famous for its green wine. Actually, I had never tried it before, so I had only heard about it. But I just smelled this wine and discovered its secret.”
I continued.
“You added gugacho (求渴草).”
They looked startled at my words, but quickly hid their expressions.
“Gugalcho was once used as a green dye. However, it is no longer used due to its toxicity. If you are exposed to a certain amount of gugalcho, you will continue to crave it.”
That's right.
The secret of Yangga Green Wine was that it was made with gugalcho to make those who drank it addicted.
“Therefore, Dao is now prohibited by national law from being used as a dye or even as a water additive in food.”
“That's unfair!”
“We never used that poisonous herb.”
“And how can you tell just by the smell?”
“Our Eunhae Trading Company is famous for its medicinal herbs. And I am the captain of the Eunhae Trading Company. Don't you know that?”
“....”
“I tried to hide the scent with various medicinal herbs, but I couldn't fool my senses.”
I continued.
“And if you didn't use gugalcho, why is the hem of your clothes stained green?”
Everyone's gaze followed my finger.
Then, the person at the end of my finger looked down at his clothes and was taken aback.
“When did this get on there? I tried not to get it on... Ugh!”
He covered his mouth too late, but everyone had already heard him.
Part of his clothes were stained green.
I had made a dye from the mugwort I had picked early in the morning, and it had accidentally gotten on him.
Mugwort is very effective, so even a small amount can stain clothing in an instant.
“Search this house thoroughly. You will find the mugwort.”
“Yes!”
My bodyguards immediately began searching the place.
Then, the warrior who had come here with me at dawn found it.
Fortunately, it hadn't been moved yet.
“With this, we can bring Ji-hyun back.”
I handed them over to the provincial office.
Since they had broken the law, the Eunhae Trading Company couldn't punish them.
After dealing with Yang Ga-nok, I immediately went to the other three master brewers.
The reason they were deemed unfit was because of hygiene and the quality of their ingredients.
I pointed out their problems one by one, and they bowed their heads and trembled.
That was because our Eunhae Trading Company was their lifeline.
If it weren't for the contract they had with us, they would have had a hard time not only brewing alcohol but also surviving the famine.
Since they had no malicious intent, I decided to take corrective measures and leave it at that.
However, Yangga Nokju was different.
They could have caused us extreme damage and broke our contract.
We must receive compensation.
In any case, I told them.
“This is your last warning. If you are caught again, it will be considered a breach of contract, and we will demand the compensation specified in the contract. Even if we have to force you into hard labor.”
“Yes, sir!”
“We will keep that in mind.”
“Go back to making sake.”
“Yes, sir.”
After completing the corrective measures, I returned to my office.
My master told me to call him after I finished the most urgent work.
I sent a message to my master through Geumryeong.
Geumryeong returned quickly, and my master arrived shortly after.
“It seems you have finished the urgent work.”
I said with clasped hands.
“Yes, Master. I have finished all the urgent work.”
“Then do you have a few days to spare?”
Why are you asking me that? Do you have something you want me to do?
I thought about my schedule for a moment and replied.
“I have about three days to spare.”
“I see.”
My master nodded and approached me. Then he smiled.
Huh? Why are you smiling...
But I couldn't think any further. My master's fist hit me in the stomach.
Bang!
As I lost consciousness, I heard my master's voice.
“I was wondering how I could get you to rest, and I thought this would be the most effective way.”
Now I understood why my Master told me to call him when he was done with his urgent work.
I didn't expect him to force me to sleep, though...