Chapter 501
The Youngest Son of the Silver Sea Trading Company Chapter 501
Chapter 501. Baekroju (5)
I hurried to the lodgings where the leaders were gathered.
There were many people gathered in the courtyard, talking excitedly.
As I pushed my way through the crowd, I saw the Minister of War standing face to face with the palm print master, who was accompanied by a woman wearing a headband.
“Are you the Palm print who made the white rice wine?”
“Yes, I am.”
The Palm print answered confidently.
“Is there something wrong with the wine I made?”
“No, that's not it. What I'm curious about is the wine...”
I interrupted before the Minister of War could continue.
I thought it would be problematic if the rest of his words were heard by others.
“Who is this? Are you not the Minister of War?”
“Hmm? You are Captain Eun Seo-ho.”
“Yes. I heard that you were looking for our master craftsman, so I hurried over.”
“That's right. I came to talk to him.”
“In that case, rather than standing here chatting, it would be better to go inside. It's still cold outside, so it would be better for your daughter as well.”
He nodded at my suggestion.
“That would be good.”
So I led the Minister of Military Affairs and his party to the reception room, and Pal-gap prepared some refreshments.
“Please, help yourselves.”
“Thank you.”
I was about to ask the Minister of War to have him sit with us.
But Palm print was quicker than me.
“I apologize, Your Excellency. The Captain of the Eunseoho is my patron. That is why he handles matters related to my family. Therefore, I would like the Captain of the Eunseoho to join us as well.”
The Minister of War readily accepted the request.
“Very well.”
“Thank you.”
I quickly sat down next to Palm print.
“Let me ask you again. Are you really the one who made the white rice wine?”
“Yes, I am.”
I didn't know why he kept asking me the same question over and over again.
But it didn't seem like anything bad.
If there was a problem, the imperial guards would have rushed in.
“This white rice wine was indeed made by the master craftsman Eung-joon. The hundred guests who attended yesterday's tasting and the countless others who watched can attest to that.”
“I see.”
He nodded.
“There is a reason why I am confirming this again. The truth is... my daughter was insane.”
“...”
I already knew this from Mister Yong-gwang, but I couldn't say anything, so I had to pretend that I was hearing it for the first time.
“She was suffering from mania that caused her to self-harm. It was a mania with no apparent cause, and she was in great pain. But yesterday, I gave her the Baekroju that His Majesty bestowed upon me, and... her mania disappeared.”
“What?”
“What do you mean?”
“I guess you didn't know. Anyway, it was a mysterious and grateful thing for me. All kinds of medicine didn't work, but her madness disappeared with a sip of wine.”
Palm print still seemed to have no idea why, but I thought I knew the reason.
It must have been the energy of Tae-eum Byeonghae-shin-gong that I felt in the white wine.
The madness that the daughter of the Minister of War suffered from was not a disease, but something closer to brainwashing or a curse.
The Taoist priest of the Mosan sect cured her.
The Baekroju containing the Taeum Byeonghae Shin Gong must have had a similar effect.
However, I was surprised by what the Minister of War said next.
“Nothing has worked so far... This must be a connection destined by heaven. So, I have a request. Will you marry my daughter?”
“What?”
“Yes?”
Why is the conversation suddenly turning to this?
But it seemed as if it had already been decided, and the daughter of the Minister of War sat quietly beside him.
Palm print was taken aback and said,
“That's too sudden. Your daughter is too good for me.”
“No, if it weren't for you, my daughter would have taken her own life.”
I couldn't argue with that.
It wasn't her life, but her husband, Palm print, lost his life trying to stop her.
“If you are the one who brewed the wine that cured my daughter's madness, I can trust you with her.”
The Minister of War's decision was firm, and Palm print looked troubled.
Seeing this situation, I felt very strange.
The two people who were married in their previous life are connected in this life as well?
Seeing this, I thought that there really is such a thing as soulmates.
I had no reason to stop them.
In their previous life, the wife was sacrificed because of her madness, but in this life, it was resolved thanks to the sake he made.
The Minister of War is a good match for her family.
However, I had to make time for Palm print, who was confused.
I cautiously brought up the subject.
“Dao-in. A marriage is a big deal that connects two families, isn't it?”
“That's true.”
“And it's also a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman. So, I think it would be better to take some time and proceed slowly.”
“Ah... I see! I'm sorry. I was trying to rush things without thinking.”
“No, it's fine.”
Eung-joo quickly waved his hand at the Minister of War's apology.
“So, is your superior in the Ministry of War in Hubei Province?”
He already knew that Eung-joo had come from the capital of Hubei Province.
“No. My father is in Guizhou Province.”
“Guizhou Province?”
“That is...”
Palm print scratched his cheek and replied.
“He is the deputy commander of Guizhou Province.”
Upon hearing this, the Minister of War blinked and asked again.
“Are you perhaps related to Yeong-gu-sang?”
“He is my second older brother.”
He hadn't figured that out yet. No wonder he looked so surprised.
“I see! But what exactly is wrong with Yeong-gu-sang that he had to take sick leave?”
The master craftsman looked embarrassed at the question.
It was obvious why he took sick leave.
His older brother, Young-gu, was beaten by Mister on a rainy day, so there was no way he could be fine.
“I apologize. To be honest, I didn't know much about my second brother because we didn't have much contact.”
“I see.”
Meanwhile, the Minister of Military Affairs looked very satisfied.
That was understandable, as the person he had decided to take as his son-in-law turned out to be from a fairly good family.
.
.
.
That evening.
I returned to my room and called Geum-ryeong.
“Geum-ryeong.”
“Yes?”
“Do you want some silver? Let's run an errand.”
At my words, Geum-ryung chirped and climbed onto the table in front of me. Then she looked at me with sparkling eyes.
I tied the letter I had written in advance to Geum-ryung's tail and said,
“Take this to Master. And bring back his reply.”
“Kui.”
“Hurry up and go.”
Geum-ryung immediately ran to Master.
I didn't know where Master was, but at Geum-ryeong's speed, I would receive a reply by tomorrow at the latest.
The next morning.
“Kui!”
When I opened my eyes, Geum-ryeong was sitting on my chest, looking down at me.
“Wow, you're early.”
I yawned and patted Geum-ryeong.
Then I got up from the bed and untied the letter tied to Geum-ryeong's tail and read it.
[The news you brought is truly surprising. That Baekroju is undoubtedly the Seolroju of Seolpungung.
Seolroju?
Does it mean “dew of snow”?
“I don't know why my grandfather told me how to make Seol-roju and named it Baekroju, but as a result, its legacy will live on, so how can I not be happy?”
Judging from the handwriting, Master seemed very excited as well.
[Certainly, the energy contained in that liquor is something to be concerned about, but I don't think we need to be too wary of it. I'm sorry to the Palm print who made the Baekroju, but this may be bait to lure out the evil spirits who destroyed Seolpung Palace.
You think the same as me.
Those who completely destroyed Seolpung Palace would also be annoyed by Baekroju.
Therefore, they will target the Baekroju, and if we catch them, we will be able to uncover their true identities.
[I believe the Captain knows better about that.
In other words, you are entrusting me with the task.
I used Samadhi True Fire to burn the letter.
Now, shall I try breathing exercises?
As I was about to get up, Geumryeong grabbed my robe with her mouth and wouldn't let go.
“What's wrong?”
“Kui!”
Geumryeong tapped the bed with her front paws.
Ah... I haven't given her her silver yet. She's thorough, as always.
.
.
.
Before I knew it, all the competitions were over.
As I had expected, Baekroju was selected as the winner. He went before the emperor and received a certificate proving that he had achieved the highest score in the first liquor tasting competition, along with a prize.
“Well done! Continue to work hard so that you may continue to make fine liquor.”
“I am deeply honored.”
The runner-up prize went to Taepyeongju, submitted by Judo, a tavern under the Cheongsu Trading Company, along with Wolju from Wolju Tavern.
In addition to these, seven other taverns were selected for naming.
Naming means engraving a name.
In other words, it means that their names will be recorded and widely known throughout the empire.
Just being ranked among the top ten out of the countless Taoists in the empire is a tremendous achievement.
After meeting with the emperor, Palm print staggered as he left.
“Are you all right?”
“Yes, I'm fine. I'm just a little nervous.”
I understand how you feel.
I also get so nervous when I meet the emperor that my heart feels like it's going to jump out of my chest.
And I also have to meet the emperor separately.
Huh...
I said to him.
“Just follow me.”
“Yes.”
“See you later.”
After sending him away, I looked at the emperor's office and took a deep breath.
A moment later.
I stepped forward before the emperor.
The emperor spoke to me, who was standing with the utmost respect.
“Raise your head.”
“Your Majesty, I am deeply honored.”
“Yes, you have worked hard this time. I hear that the response from your subjects has been good and that the public sentiment has improved. As a bonus, the participation fees were quite substantial.”
“How can you say that? It's all thanks to His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Are you just saying that to flatter me?”
At his rebuke, I moistened my lips and replied.
“It's the truth.”
The emperor smiled and changed the subject.
“I looked over the documents you submitted. It said that we should make different types of bottles for the sake we trade with foreign countries. I think that's a good idea.”
“I am very pleased that you like my idea.”
“Proceed as planned.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“What is it?”
“How much is the budget?”
“Budget?”
“Yes. I believe that a generous budget will allow those involved to proceed with their work without worry. I believe that a work of art cannot be created when the mind is uneasy.”
I continued.
“Furthermore, isn't the sake we are making this time for trade with foreign countries? I think it is important to make it well in order to show the dignity of the empire to other countries.”
“So you want me to spend a lot of money.”
Instead of answering, I bowed my head.
The emperor thought for a moment and then agreed to my request.
“You have a point. I will give you a generous budget.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Now that's settled... I hear that the daughter of the Minister of War was cured of her madness after drinking Baekroju.”
“....”
As I expected, the emperor asked about this.
“I asked the master craftsman earlier, and he said that good energy was infused into the liquor during the brewing process. And I heard that you were the one who explained this to him.”
Ah...
I did explain it to him.
As the person who makes the wine, he should know something about it.
I explained it to him in detail. However, I told him to say, “It has been infused with good energy,” if anyone asked him about it.
I also told him to say that I explained it to him.
You did well to follow my instructions.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I looked into it myself, and they say that the energy of Baekroju is cool yet clear. And your energy is the same.”
“...”
The emperor must have already learned about the energy of Baekroju from the Chapter of the Imperial Guard.
I can't let my guard down even for a moment.
Meanwhile, I was glad that I had consulted with my Master about this beforehand.
“Your Majesty, I don't know the details, but it seems that the cold energy contained in Baekroju helped clear my mind.”
I decided to be vague about it.
The point of bait is not to throw it where it can be easily seen, but to throw it where it cannot be easily seen.
That way, the target will let down their guard.
“I suspect this because, as you said, my energy also has such properties.”
“Then the energy you possess also has such properties.”
“That is correct. However, I would ask that you not mention this to anyone else.”
“I will keep your secret.”
“That is why I trust you and told you.”
For some reason, the emperor's gaze made me feel uncomfortable. So I quickly added,
“However, I cannot always expect to be able to use this ability.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I understand. And do your best in the poetry contest in a few days.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Well done. You may leave now.”
With that, I withdrew from before the emperor.
I didn't stagger like Palm print, but I couldn't help feeling drained once the tension was released.
I returned to the Beijing branch and looked for Palm print, but he was not there.
“The head of the Palm print family said you were here, so he went to the family residence.”
“I see.”
I returned to my room and opened the documents.
They were documents for making the sake bottle I had received on my way out of the Imperial Palace.
As I read them, I realized something and let out a sigh.
This... isn't this my job?
The poetry contest is in a few days, and I've brought work home without realizing it.
Should I give it to the Captain of the Trading Company... No, should I ask him to do it?