Chapter 528
Chapter 528
Chapter 528. The Second Departure (3)
Seeing Merchant Head Geon together with a merchant head of the Baekcheon Trading Company, my intuition was telling me.
This is something I must not overlook.
I quietly descended to the ground.
Then, seeing my expression, Pal-gap asked.
“What is the matter, sir? Is Merchant Head Geon perhaps meeting someone he should not be meeting?” (Pal-gap)
“Yeah.” (MC)
“Yes? R-really, sir?” (Pal-gap)
“He is meeting a merchant head of the Baekcheon Trading Company.” (MC)
The one who reacted to this was Warrior Changwoon.
“Huh! H-how…… how could he! Merchant Head Geon! I did not see him that way…….” (Changwoon)
At Warrior Changwoon’s lament, I shook my head.
“Ah, it is probably not what you are thinking right now.” (MC)
“Yes?” (Changwoon)
“Merchant Head Geon may usually look a little slow, but in truth, he is quite a clever man.” (MC)
When one needs to meet in secret, even in a teahouse, it is normal to choose a seat as hidden from the outside as possible, or use a closed room.
Because if you get caught, you are screwed.
And the place Merchant Head Geon is sitting seems at a glance not to be visible from outside, but in truth, it is a place that can be seen very well from outside.
Merchant Head Geon deliberately chose a place like that.
He knows that I will take this road to the tavern where today’s banquet will be held, and he knows around what time I will pass through here, so he deliberately sat there to draw my eye.
In other words, he is sending me a signal right now.
A signal asking for help.
If so, I cannot ignore that signal.
After giving instructions to my escort warriors, I said to Pal-gap.
“Go inside and ask the waiter for a seat around there.” (MC)
“Understood, sir.” (Pal-gap)
A short while later, I entered the teahouse while suppressing my presence and went up to the second floor.
And I took the seat behind Merchant Head Geon, which Pal-gap had reserved in advance.
I could hear the two of them talking.
“So I am saying this is a very good opportunity for you, Merchant Head Geon.” (Baekcheon Merchant Head)
“I have nothing to say to you.” (Geon)
“Huh! Merchant Head Geon. It seems your judgment has grown clouded because the Eunha Trading Company is doing well these days, but you must not underestimate the strength of the Baekcheon Trading Company.” (Baekcheon Merchant Head)
“When did I ever underestimate your trading company’s strength?” (Geon)
“If rejecting my offer is not underestimating the Baekcheon Trading Company, then what is it?” (Baekcheon Merchant Head)
“I cannot betray our trading company. And be honest. Is the reason you are offering me a change of position not because you want the information I possess about the Eunha Trading Company?” (Geon)
“Of course…… I cannot say that is not the case, but it is because I value your ability even more highly.” (Baekcheon Merchant Head)
As I listened to that conversation, I struggled to suppress the rage surging up inside me.
Baekcheon Trading Company…….
Those damn bastards!
I thought they had been quiet lately, and they were doing this sort of thing under the surface?
I knew they were originally bastards like this, but…….
I consider competition between trading companies natural, and I also understand interference or restraint from other trading companies.
But taking away talent in this manner is something I cannot tolerate.
Outstanding talent is hard to recruit, but even harder to raise.
Money is one thing, but the time and effort and care spent until now…….
After raising someone until they are useful like that, if another side snatches that talent away, not only does a vacancy appear in the work that person was responsible for, but for security reasons, everything related to that person’s work has to be completely changed.
The money, time, and effort that must once again be spent for that…….
Phew. Thinking about it makes me even angrier.
That was why, if someone took talent from our trading company through abnormal channels, I made them pay the price thoroughly.
At how ruthless I was to the point one could call it cruel, even if those who had betrayed the Eunha Trading Company begged and begged to return, I did not take them back.
Those who have betrayed once have a high chance of betraying again.
And would the other people of the Eunha Trading Company, who suffered harm because of that person, look kindly upon him?
Rather than ruining the atmosphere because of that person, it is better for everyone to suffer a little more and train new talent.
After doing that several times, those who betrayed the Eunha Trading Company disappeared.
I continued to listen to their conversation.
“I intend to bury my bones in the Eunha Trading Company.” (Geon)
“Oh dear! You have such an old-fashioned way of thinking. The more outstanding a person is, the more he should move to a place that values him highly.” (Baekcheon Merchant Head)
“Even then, would I be anything more than floating duckweed without roots? By the way, the Baekcheon Trading Company must be rather desperate.” (Geon)
“What does that mean?” (Baekcheon Merchant Head)
“I say that because you are clinging to someone from a competing trading company like this and offering him a change of employment.” (Geon)
“……You will regret rejecting today’s offer for a long time. Watch your back at night.” (Baekcheon Merchant Head)
Now it is time for me to step in.
I rose from my seat and walked toward the tea table where they were sitting as I spoke.
“Why are you telling him to watch his back at night?” (MC)
“Hiiik!” (Baekcheon Merchant Head)
The merchant head of the Baekcheon Trading Company was startled when he saw me.
“Why are you so surprised?” (MC)
“…….” (Baekcheon Merchant Head)
“By the way, you seem to have a lot of interest in Merchant Head Geon. I am sure Merchant Head Geon said he did not like it…… that is obsession and unrequited love.” (MC)
“Pfft!” (Geon)
At my words, Merchant Head Geon burst into laughter.
I asked the merchant head of the Baekcheon Trading Company.
“Is this the will of your Trading Company Head?” (MC)
“…….” (Baekcheon Merchant Head)
As expected, he cannot answer.
Last time, when the imperial palace gathered those who owned ships and attempted to begin trade, the Baekcheon Trading Company used Merchant Head Mo Cheong to pull a petty trick that did not even work.
At the time, I handed the evidence to the Changhai Trading Company and had them report it to Lord Ak Yeonggyeong, the Provincial Military Commissioner of Nanjing.
Because of that, the Baekcheon Trading Company was humiliated once again, and I heard Trading Company Head Namgung Gang was also reflecting on himself.
According to what Brother Jeongho said after attending the last meeting of the Hundred Great Trading Companies, Trading Company Head Namgung Gang did not attend the meeting this time.
The person who attended in his stead was Namgung Seok, the younger brother of Trading Company Head Namgung Gang.
Well, the position of Trading Company Head of the Baekcheon Trading Company is not one that can be easily given up, so Namgung Gang must have taken the appearance of stepping down and put his younger brother Namgung Seok in the position of Trading Company Head instead.
He used his head quite well.
But that does not mean I will stop my revenge against the Baekcheon Trading Company.
Because Trading Company Head Namgung Gang is a sinister and persistent man, like a snake.
In the end, he will return to the position of Trading Company Head.
And the new Trading Company Head Namgung Seok is also one of the targets of my revenge.
That day, when I died, I clearly heard with the hearing that remained to the end.
“Is it a message from Seok?” (Namgung Gang)
“Yes. Right now, Captain Namgung Seok is said to be at the Eunha Trading Company.” (Subordinate)
There is no need to think hard about why Namgung Seok was there.
I do not want to think about it either.
In any case, the new Trading Company Head Namgung Seok has only just ascended to the position of Trading Company Head.
Even if he had been working since before, he likely had not yet grasped the trading company’s affairs, so there is no way he would already be pulling tricks like this.
In other words, it means the merchant head in front of me is acting independently.
The reason is obvious.
Because when a new Trading Company Head takes office, if one achieves a conspicuous accomplishment, one receives far better evaluation than usual.
Even so, to arbitrarily do something like this…… if it were me, I would immediately cut him off.
“I will formally protest this to the Baekcheon Trading Company.” (MC)
“Th-that is…….” (Baekcheon Merchant Head)
At that moment, that merchant head lifted the teapot, threw it at me, and quickly threw himself outside.
Kwajik!
The thin window shattered, and he landed on the ground.
Tak!
“We were waiting.” (Escort Warrior)
Chaeng!
Chae-chaeng!
“Wh-what is this……! Keok!” (Baekcheon Merchant Head)
He was subdued by the escort warriors who, under my order, had been guarding the surroundings.
I knew at least that he had learned martial arts, and there is no way I would handle matters so carelessly.
“Did you think I came alone?” (MC)
“Ah, are you looking for your escort warriors? You do not need to worry, since they are already in the same situation as you.” (MC)
“……!” (Baekcheon Merchant Head)
I ordered my escort warriors.
“Drag him to the county office.” (MC)
“Yes!” (Escort Warriors)
Because I do not want anyone from the Baekcheon Trading Company entering the Eunha Trading Company.
“Pal-gap.” (MC)
“Yes, Young Master.” (Pal-gap)
“Tell the teahouse owner to charge me for the window.” (MC)
“Understood, sir.” (Pal-gap)
Pal-gap gently set down the teapot he had swiftly snatched from the air and answered.
“But do we have to bear even that cost? That man broke it, did he not?” (Geon)
At Merchant Head Geon’s words, Pal-gap answered.
“You need not worry about that. Who is our Young Master, sir? He is someone who never takes a loss, not even a single copper coin. So you may be at ease, sir.” (Pal-gap)
It sounds like praise, but why does it strangely sound like an insult?
Well, let us move on from that…….
I asked Merchant Head Geon.
“When did that man approach you?” (MC)
“On my way to the banquet hall, he suddenly approached me…… and told me we should talk.” (Geon)
He let out a sigh.
“I refused several times, but he held on so persistently that I had no choice. Fortunately, I was able to choose the place…….” (Geon)
“So that is why you deliberately sat here?” (MC)
“As expected, you noticed!” (Geon)
Merchant Head Geon said with a smile.
“I do not have a great deal of life experience, but people like that never end things cleanly. If I refused, I did not know what he might do…….” (Geon)
“That is right. You handled it well.” (MC)
“I knew that you, Third Young Captain, would surely discover me. Hahaha.” (Geon)
He laughed awkwardly and scratched his cheek.
As expected, my eye was not wrong.
Merchant Head Geon is a talent.
“Ugh…….” (Geon)
Suddenly, perhaps feeling a chill, he trembled.
“Are you ill somewhere?” (MC)
“No. I am fine. It is just a simple chill.” (Geon)
He has good instincts.
I smiled gently and said to him.
“Then let us go to the banquet.” (MC)
“Yes.” (Geon)
.
.
.
A short while later, everyone I had invited gathered in the banquet hall.
The food was laid out abundantly, and I rose from my seat and greeted them.
“Please eat plenty, and I ask for your best in this trade as well.” (MC)
“We will do our utmost.” (Guests)
They began eating the food cheerfully.
As the mood ripened like that, I left my seat for a moment.
Right now, this is a banquet for them.
I should leave the seat to a suitable degree so that they can enjoy themselves more.
The purpose of today’s banquet is for a little later, so until then, I should let them enjoy the banquet to their hearts’ content.
But there was a voice that stopped me.
“Young Captain.” (In)
It was Merchant Head In, one of the merchant heads of the merchant ships.
“Did you call me?” (MC)
“Yes.” (In)
He approached me.
“Young Captain, you dislike being asked things in a roundabout way, so I will ask directly.” (In)
“Please speak.” (MC)
With a face as if he had resolved himself, he asked me.
“What is the ulterior motive behind this banquet?” (In)
“Ulterior motive? I do not know what you mean.” (MC)
“The merchant ship division of the Eunha Trading Company is truly a delicious portion. And when the First Young Captain soon becomes the Trading Company Head of the Eunha Trading Company, the Third Young Master, who was a Young Captain, will no longer be a Young Captain.” (In)
“That would be so.” (MC)
This is already a sequence I know.
“So I am asking whether you intend to put effort into the merchant ship division in advance, then split this division off and become independent.” (In)
“……Yes?” (MC)
I could only ask back, dumbfounded.
There are still people who think like this?
“I cannot stand to see such a thing. If you do that, I will risk my life to stop you until the end.” (In)
“U-um, please wait a moment.” (MC)
I raised my hand and stopped him from speaking.
“So you are saying I am trying to swallow the merchant ship division?” (MC)
“Yes.” (In)
I gave a faint laugh and asked,
“Why would I do that?” (MC)
“Did I not just say it? From the position of Young Captain…….” (In)
“I do not care, though.” (MC)
“Yes?” (In)
“I am saying it does not matter whether I am a Young Captain or whatever else. And when I know very well that if I split off the merchant ship division, the Eunha Trading Company cannot become the world’s greatest trading company, why would I do that?” (MC)
“You will say that and then strike the First Young Captain in the back when he lets down his guard.” (In)
Sigh, what a stubborn person.
Just as I let out a sigh and was about to say something, someone approached.
“Why, you are greatly underestimating the Young Captain’s ability.” (Geum)
The one approaching with a faint smile was Merchant Head Geum.
He was someone who had originally been in charge of silk and had come to support the merchant ship side this time.
And he was also a solid supporter of Brother Jeongho.
Last time, when I ended up taking over the imperial silk delivery that Brother Jeongho had worked hard to prepare, he had bared his edge toward me.
Afterward, he learned my true feelings.
“What do you mean by that?” (In)
Merchant Head In asked with a frown.
“I do not know what you will think if I say this, but currently, the most capable person in the Eunha Trading Company is the Third Young Captain.” (Geum)
Merchant Head Geum continued calmly.
“It seems you do not know because you joined late, but most of the merchant ship side is the Third Young Captain’s work. Without the Third Young Captain, the Eunha Trading Company’s merchant ship side would never even have started.” (Geum)
Step, step.
He came down the stairs and continued speaking.
“If it is something the Third Young Captain made in the first place, what if he does take it away?” (Geum)
“Merchant Head Geum!” (In)
Merchant Head In shouted, but Merchant Head Geum said calmly,
“But the Third Young Captain will not do that. Because the Third Young Captain’s goal is for the Eunha Trading Company to become the greatest trading company under heaven.” (Geum)
Then he looked at me and smiled.
“Is that not so, Young Captain?” (Geum)
“That is correct.” (MC)
I continued speaking.
“So I would like you to refrain from such groundless assumptions. And the reason I held this banquet was not to win favor with the leading figures in charge of the merchant ship division, but to give a warning and advice.” (MC)
“Yes? Did you say a warning and advice?” (In)
I nodded.
“That is right.” (MC)
Just then, a group was visible coming up from below, and I spoke while looking at them.
“They have arrived.” (MC)
Among them were five people whose appearances were far from ordinary.
There was a person whose ear had been cut off, a person whose arm had been cut off, and a person with hideous burn scars on his body.
Seeing them, Merchant Head In flinched and asked,
“Those people are…… who are they?” (In)
I grinned and answered.
“Former pirates.” (MC)
“Yes?” (In)
“I prepared them specially for all of you today.” (MC)
Hope allows a person to advance to the very end.
But what makes them advance safely is fear.
In that sense, fear is not meaningless.
Because courage has meaning because fear exists, and hope shines more brightly.
That is why I intend to plant fear in them.