Chapter 495
The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Trading Company Chapter 495
Chapter 495. Liquor Tasting (5)
Until now, the crown prince had not been so quick-witted and calculating.
If anything, he was a relaxed person who didn't need to act that way because he had everything he wanted...
Did he learn that from me?
By the way, it's a nationwide event...
Unlike the liquor tasting contest, which is held by master brewers, the poetry contest has a huge number of participants.
That means the work will be even harder.
There won't be any time to rest.
We withdrew from the emperor's presence and began serious discussions.
First, we had to post notices throughout the country.
That said, we cannot delay selecting and inviting the judges.
.
.
.
A few days later.
I was slumped over my desk in my office.
“Are you all right?”
Miss Seo asked with a worried look.
“Yes, I'm fine.”
“I think you're pushing yourself too hard.”
“But I'm sleeping well.”
If I don't sleep, the bodyguards will come and take me to Master again.
So I sleep for at least two hours.
“That's good. By the way, is your father coming to Beijing this time?”
She saw the future.
Lieutenant Gao was out on an errand, so only Miss Seo Hyang and I were in the office.
That must be why she asked about it.
“Yes. There is no one else in Guizhou Province who knows as much about wine as he does.”
I stood up and said.
“That is why we sent him an invitation to be a judge at the wine tasting competition.”
“I see.”
She replied and looked excited.
Since she had seen the scene where I met my father, I didn't need to explain anything further.
***
Gui Zhou City's Po Jung-sa Dong-hwi arrived in Beijing and headed for his residence.
This time, he had received an imperial order to evaluate wine at a wine tasting competition.
Although he was there by order of the emperor, he was very happy to receive this call.
First of all, it was a place where he could drink and evaluate a variety of his favorite liquors.
It had been three years since he had been able to drink due to the prohibition of alcohol.
He was filled with anticipation at the thought of being able to taste a variety of liquors.
Secondly, he would be able to see his daughter.
His daughter, who was presumed dead, was currently under the protection of Eun Seo-ho.
He didn't like the idea of his daughter working as his aide, thinking that she would have a hard time, but he agreed because it was what she wanted and it would allow her to avoid public attention.
He smiled.
To be honest, he was more excited about seeing his daughter than tasting the wine.
However, there was a problem.
“Father.”
He turned around at the sound of someone calling him from behind.
It was his eldest son, Dong-hyeok-su.
He had an unexpected companion.
He was currently a martial arts academy instructor at the Jungcheonho in Gyeongju.
It was a government position of the fifth rank.
Considering his age, it was a fairly high-ranking position.
Unlike him, he had taken a vacation and come to Beijing.
“I'm going to visit a friend later this afternoon.”
“You're really something.”
“He's not just a friend, he's my childhood friend. He's going to appear before His Majesty the Emperor, so of course I have to support him, right?”
Jangnam Dong-hyuk had a childhood friend. He also entered the royal court as a martial arts academy student, but it didn't suit him, so he suddenly resigned and returned to his hometown.
And the job he chose was a Taoism priest.
He seemed to have a talent for it. The taste of the alcohol Dong-hyuk brought back from his friend's house was comparable to any famous brand.
This time, with the help of a trading company that sponsored him, his friend was able to enter his sake in a sake tasting competition.
Dong-hyuk took a vacation and came to Beijing to cheer him on.
“It can't be the Eunhae Trading Company, can it?”
He felt uneasy for some reason.
He wasn't dead, but even though his eldest son's fiery temper had softened after his daughter's death, it wasn't going to go away.
He knew that better than anyone.
His eldest son was the one who took after him the most.
“Please don't cause any trouble.”
“Don't worry.”
***
It was a few days before the liquor tasting competition.
The palm print masters sponsored by our Eunhae Trading Company arrived in Beijing.
We gave them an entire building in our Beijing branch for them to stay in.
We built it very large when we first built it, so there was still plenty of room.
Those who arrived today were from Hubei Province.
They were accompanied by Hyung-nim Jin-ho and Chang-in-pyo.
“Hyung-nim, you're here?”
“Yes. What's wrong? Aren't you going to greet me?”
“Are they your guests?”
Hyung-nim Jin-ho flinched at my question.
“No, it's not that...”
“Then why are you upset?”
“What am I supposed to be if you say that?”
I smiled at Jin-ho.
Then I approached Chang-in Escort Agency's Head Escort and box carriers to greet them.
We had to bring alcohol, various tools, and ingredients for the liquor tasting, so we had to hire box carriers as well.
The Head Escort was Mak-chung, whom I had seen before.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“Don't mention it.”
“The trip here wasn't too difficult.”
“I'm glad to hear that. Please take good care of us during our stay in Beijing and on our way back.”
“Of course.”
Our Trading Company requested that you escort us to the Beijing branch, protect us during our stay, and escort us on our way back.
The reason we requested an escort all the way to Beijing is because there is a lot at stake in the liquor tasting competition.
There may be attempts to interfere with the master brewers.
Finally, he turned to the master brewers.
“Thank you for coming all this way.”
“Not at all. Thanks to you, we had a comfortable trip.”
“Then please rest and do your best at the tasting.”
“Yes.”
“And please take special care of the sake and ingredients you brought with you. If anything happens, it will all be for nothing, won't it?”
“I understand.”
“In particular, at least one person must be assigned to guard the alcohol and ingredients. And put up a rope barrier so that even people you know cannot enter.”
I continued.
“You must be wondering why I am being so strict about security.”
“...”
He did not answer, but his face said it all.
Why are you making such a big deal out of this?
I wiped the smile off my face and said,
“When there are huge profits at stake, people are capable of doing things beyond your imagination. If someone took your family hostage and told you to ruin the alcohol, would you refuse?”
Gulp.
I heard someone swallow nervously.
They must have realized that this was no joke.
“And if they offered you hundreds or thousands of silver coins, would you refuse?”
“...”
“Of course, our Trading Company will provide security, but we can't control what happens inside. Now that I've told you everything, I'm sure you'll know what to do.”
“We'll keep that in mind.”
“Then go and rest. The servants and maids will show you to your rooms.”
They dispersed.
I turned to Jin-ho and said, “You should rest too.”
“Yeah, you're right.”
Jin-ho nodded. He looked nervous for some reason.
“Why are you acting so strange? Are you nervous because it's been a long time since you've been to Beijing?”
“No, it's not that…”
“What is it?”
“I'm scared of you.”
“What are you talking about? You're scared of me?”
In response to my question, Jin-ho sighed deeply and said,
“You're usually so cheerful, but suddenly you stopped smiling… It was really scary.”
“You're such a coward!”
I laughed lightly and patted Jin-ho on the back.
“Ouch! That hurts!”
“Are you going to eat your cute little brother?”
Jin-ho chuckled at my words.
“Well, I guess so. I'm going to go rest.”
“Okay.”
I made sure Jin-ho was far enough away and asked Pal-gap.
“Was I really that scary just now?”
“Did you not hear a word I said?”
“I had to say it like that, otherwise you wouldn't have listened.”
Most people aren't aware of things unless they are impressed upon them like that.
They forget quickly and become lax.
I unconsciously put my hand in my sleeve and stroked the gold ring.
But I could feel it trembling.
Hey, if you do that, you'll hurt me.
The foundries sponsored by our Eunhae Trading Company are not only located in Hubei Province.
They are located throughout the empire.
And excluding Hubei Province, the place with the most foundries is, of course, Hangzhou.
Even there, an escort agency we hired had come to escort them.
“It's been a long time.”
“Yes, it has.”
Among those who came, there were quite a few familiar faces. That was to be expected, as many of the taverns I had acquired were places that brewed their own alcohol.
Among them were those who brewed moon wine.
“Did you come here yourself, Lu Zhu?”
Hong Mei, the master of the tavern, smiled graciously at me and said.
“Of course. This is a historic day when we present the moon wine of our tavern to His Majesty the Emperor, so I had to come myself.”
“I am more grateful to you.”
I warned them as I had done before to the palm print makers from Hubei Province.
Hong Mei smiled and said.
“I understand what you mean. But don't worry. As someone who works in the entertainment industry, I have experienced many dirty, dirty, and annoying tricks. The same goes for those who came with me.”
“I see.”
In that case, there was no need to worry about those who came from Hangzhou.
They would know what to do.
It could be a problem if we use excessive force to stop them, but I'll make sure to keep it under control.
While they were resting, I was also busy.
It was my job and the Trading Company's job to decorate the exhibition hall and arrange the seats.
In the midst of all that, there was something I had to do.
“Lieutenant Kwak. Are you ready?”
Seo Hyang nodded in response to my question.
She was dressed more neatly and tidily than usual.
That was because it was the day she was going to meet the representative of the Gyeongju Province.
The location was a pavilion on the outskirts of Beijing, a good place for a secret meeting.
It was also a place recommended by the representative of the Gyeongju Province.
We headed straight there.
Guards were stationed around the area, and a middle-aged man was standing on the pavilion.
When I approached, the captain of the guards recognized me and bowed his head.
“Are you here?”
“Yes.”
“Please go up to the pavilion. They are waiting for you.”
“Thank you.”
The captain of the guards looked at Miss Seo Hyang standing behind me. I could tell that he had recognized her from the look in his eyes.
But he didn't say anything because he knew there was a reason.
He left the guards behind and took only Miss Seo Hyang up to the pavilion.
“I am Eun Seo-ho. I come on behalf of my master.”
“It's been a long time.”
“You look well.”
“I should. I've been taking special care of my health lately.”
After exchanging greetings, he looked at Miss Seo Hyang standing behind me.
She smiled at her father.
The two looked at each other without saying a word for a while.
Finally, it was Po-jeongsa who spoke first.
“You look very healthy.”
“Yes.”
After all, Miss Seo Hyang had been learning martial arts to play the role of a perfect aide.
She was more talented than he had expected.
She must have inherited some of her father's talent.
Thanks to that, she was no longer the sickly girl she used to be. She looked very healthy and energetic.
That seemed to move Dao deeply.
“Your mother would be very happy to see you looking so healthy. Are you still working as a military officer?”
“Yes.”
“Is it hard?”
“I enjoy it every day.”
“If you like it, that's fine.”
The Po Jeong-sa smiled warmly and glanced at me.
It was a warning not to overwork her.
Hmm... I feel a little guilty.
Well, I should get going.
I can't stay too long.
It would be problematic if anyone became suspicious.
I am in charge of this evaluation meeting, but the palm print masters sponsored by Eunhae Trading Company are also participating in the evaluation.
In addition, the head of the Palm Print Guild is a guest.
As such, there could be doubts about the fairness of the evaluation.
I thought about meeting him after the evaluation was over, but I decided to meet him in advance because I didn't know what might happen.
“Then we'll be going now.”
“See you next time.”
“Yes.”
“Ah! Actually, my eldest son is with me.”
Eldest son?
Seo Hyang's eyes widened.
“Hyeoksu Orabeoni?”
“Yes. He said he came to support his childhood friend... So... Please be careful.”
“Yes.”
After parting ways with the Deputy Director, we returned to the Beijing branch.
Then we headed to the place where the palm print masters were gathered.
As it was the day before the liquor tasting competition, we wanted to do a preliminary check as sponsors.
“Captain, are you here?”
“Are you ready?”
“Of course.”
As we were greeting them and checking on the preparations,
a group of people approached us.
“Ah...”
Miss Seo-hyang, who was standing next to me, froze and quickly hid behind me.
“What's wrong?”
“It's my older brother.”
As they got closer, I could see that the eldest son of the Palm print was among them.
“Ah! Captain!”
Next to him was the palm print master sponsored by our Eunhae Trading Company.
He was a palm print master who brewed white rice wine in the mountains north of Sungyang County, recommended by Captain Jeok Byeong-cheol.
But why were they together?
“I have someone to introduce you to.”
He smiled brightly and brought Seo Hyang's older brother toward me.
I couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat at this sudden turn of events.
Excuse me... Just a moment.