Chapter 536
Chapter 536
Chapter 536. Let’s Establish a Martial Arts Academy (2)
Several days passed after I had an audience with the Emperor.
It was about time for news about the establishment of the martial arts academy to start coming in, but……
I was touring the site while thinking that.
There were three candidate sites in total for the establishment of this martial arts academy.
And I decided to look over each and every one of them.
Since it was a joint project with the Emperor, I could not handle the matter carelessly.
And in the end, I chose one place.
“This place seems good.” (MC)
At my words, Warrior Yeo Eung-am, who had followed as an escort, said,
“It is incredibly spacious.” (Yeo Eung-am)
“Yes. That is why I like it even more.” (MC)
At our conversation, Warrior Myeongjong tilted his head and asked,
“But…… is it not too spacious? It looks like one could almost build an entire village here. Besides, normally the site would be inside a mountain, but here there is a mountain inside the site.” (Myeongjong)
“It is fine. Would it not rather be good for training?” (MC)
“If you think of it that way, I suppose so.” (Myeongjong)
The site I chose was that spacious.
“From ancient times, to properly learn martial arts, such a broad space has been essential.” (MC)
I knew that well because I had felt frustrated and regretful while learning martial arts.
No matter how spacious my quarters were, they did not have space on the level of a training ground, so there had been this and that inconvenience.
“And when the space is wide, it is also good for building basic stamina.” (MC)
“Certainly…… that would be true.” (Myeongjong)
“I feel as if I can already hear the students’ resentful voices as they run around the training ground and climb the mountain.” (MC)
Warrior Myeongjong shuddered.
“The training I truly hated was mountain-climbing training. When I was young, I had to walk up to a mountaintop that took an hour and a half round trip, draw water from the spring there into a gourd, and return.” (Myeongjong)
“A gourd? If you make a mistake, would the water not spill?” (MC)
“Then you have to go back and draw it again.” (Myeongjong)
“…….” (MC)
“And once I turned fifteen, from then on I had to crawl up Huashan’s Broken Cliff, draw water, carry it on my back, and come down.” (Myeongjong)
“So that is how plum blossoms bloom at the end of such training.” (MC)
“That is how it is.” (Myeongjong)
For some reason, Warrior Myeongjong’s answer as he replied seemed mixed with a sigh.
“But looking at this place, it seems it will become a place for hell training that surpasses Huashan.” (Myeongjong)
“That means they can become that much stronger. Later on, everyone will be grateful.” (MC)
Then Warrior Yeo Eung-am said,
“But why are you suddenly establishing a martial arts academy?” (Yeo Eung-am)
“There seem to be many talented people in our trading company as well. I thought it would be good if there were a martial arts academy where they could learn systematically.” (MC)
I continued.
“The two daughters of Warrior Yeo whom I saw last time also seemed to have talent.” (MC)
At that, Warrior Myeongjong nudged Warrior Yeo Eung-am in the side and said,
“Warrior Yeo! Goodness! Our Liege is building a martial arts academy for your two daughters. Our Liege knew you were looking for a good martial arts academy.” (Myeongjong)
At my words, Warrior Yeo Eung-am asked with an awkward expression,
“Is that truly so?” (Yeo Eung-am)
“Well, it is one reason among others. That is why I also negotiated with His Majesty the Emperor.” (MC)
“…….” (Yeo Eung-am)
He looked moved.
“I do not know how I can repay this grace.” (Yeo Eung-am)
He is so moved that I feel even more embarrassed.
“Ahem, training here will probably be quite hard, but will that still be all right?” (MC)
“Of course. My daughters are not ordinary children. They will overcome trials of that level as much as needed.” (Yeo Eung-am)
Warrior Yeo Eung-am continued.
“Of course, it pains me to see my two daughters suffer. But I cannot handle everything for them forever. So I believe it is my role for my children to allow them to live by their own strength.” (Yeo Eung-am)
Warrior Yeo Eung-am’s words were right.
Children must learn not only how to catch fish, but even how to face rough currents in order to catch fish.
Otherwise, they will not be able to catch fish on their own later.
Seeing that he even cared about things like that, I thought Warrior Yeo Eung-am was truly a parent who loved his children.
“You are a good father.” (MC)
“I am not sure about that. I am a father who is always away……” (Yeo Eung-am)
“I am sorry for that.” (MC)
At my apology, he was flustered.
“Hut! Ah, no! I misspoke.” (Yeo Eung-am)
“It was a joke.” (MC)
I gave a faint laugh and continued.
“Your entire family must know that you are living harder than anyone else for their sake.” (MC)
“Hahahaha.” (Yeo Eung-am)
At my words, he laughed bashfully.
“Then let us return. And Vice Officer Gal.” (MC)
“Yes.” (Gal Hyeon)
“Look into this place thoroughly and proceed with a temporary contract.” (MC)
“Understood.” (Gal Hyeon)
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“Have you returned, sir?” (Palgap)
When I returned to the Beijing branch, Palgap greeted me.
“I was just about to send someone for you, sir, so you came at just the right time.” (Palgap)
“Hm?” (MC)
“A guest has come, sir.” (Palgap)
“A guest?” (MC)
“Young Master Jeongho is currently receiving him, sir.” (Palgap)
Wait a moment…….
This presence is…… a secret guard.
If it is someone who goes around with such an expert as a secret guard, there is only one answer.
“Palgap, let us hurry.” (MC)
“Yes.” (Palgap)
I straightened my attire and hurried to the reception room.
“Hahaha, now that I see it, Young Master Eun Jeongho is quite an amusing person as well.” (Crown Prince)
“You praise me too highly.” (Jeongho)
“Then I have met two of the brothers. Next time, I would like to meet the middle one among the three brothers too.” (Crown Prince)
“I will arrange an occasion soon.” (Jeongho)
Fortunately, the atmosphere seems good.
As I approached with relief, the guards standing in front of the door recognized me and announced it inside.
“Your Highness, Young Master Eun Seoho has arrived.” (Guard)
“Ah, let him in.” (Crown Prince)
“Yes!” (Guard)
The door opened, and I went inside.
“Oh! You have come?” (Crown Prince)
“I greet Your Highness the Crown Prince! May you live a thousand……” (MC)
“Ah, dispense with unnecessary courtesy. That is an order.” (Crown Prince)
“Ah, yes.” (MC)
I am grateful if you do that for me.
“Sit.” (Crown Prince)
“Yes.” (MC)
Once I sat down, the Crown Prince spoke.
“So. You went to look at the site where the martial arts academy will be established?” (Crown Prince)
“Yes. There was a place I liked, so I instructed them to proceed with a temporary contract.” (MC)
“I see. Since it is a place chosen by you, of all people, it must be the best place.” (Crown Prince)
The Crown Prince, who said that, continued.
“Imperial Father told me to proceed with the establishment of the martial arts academy together with you.” (Crown Prince)
“…….” (MC)
Hoo, as expected…….
I wondered why the news was so late, and it was for this.
But in any case, Your Majesty the Emperor, why do you keep attaching the Crown Prince to me?
To be honest, it is not that I do not understand the Emperor’s intention.
It probably means there is something to learn from me, so he should watch and learn it at my side.
But is there anything for the Crown Prince to learn from me?
What a merchant like me can teach is negotiation, playing tricks, and things like that.
Well, to deal with sly ministers, those abilities would be necessary too, but…….
From what I saw last time, it did not seem like he needed to learn them from me.
“So you may go through me regarding that matter.” (Crown Prince)
“I shall do so. Then will Your Highness the Crown Prince deal with the ministers?” (MC)
“Hm? Why deal with the ministers?” (Crown Prince)
“Pardon? Well, naturally……” (MC)
“The money used for establishing the martial arts academy is imperial family money, not the Empire’s finances. So there is no reason to deal with the ministers.” (Crown Prince)
Ah…….
Once again, I marveled at the Emperor’s skill.
So he is saying that while supporting the martial arts academy with the imperial family’s money, he will at the same time select warriors loyal to the imperial family.
“The imperial family has quite a bit of leeway.” (Crown Prince)
Well, with things like the salt monopoly and official gambling halls…… there are many places money comes from.
That is why the Emperor can boldly proceed with matters without watching the ministers’ reactions.
Moreover, since it is the establishment of a martial arts academy meant to cultivate the pillars of the Empire, there is sufficient justification for the imperial family to spend money.
Kuh! How splendid.
Though from the standpoint of the officials who have to face such an Emperor, it must be quite hard.
“And here, Imperial Father told me to give this to you.” (Crown Prince)
The Crown Prince handed me a scroll.
It was a scroll covered in red silk.
I politely received it with both hands and unfolded it. It was an official order that could bring in the talents I wanted.
The letters seem to be shining.
Ah, silver powder was sprinkled on it.
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The next day.
As always, only after completing my qi circulation and even my training did I eat breakfast.
Unless there is an unavoidable circumstance, I absolutely do not skip training.
Partly because Master would notice if I neglected my training, but also because I never know when or where I might suddenly encounter the Ancestor’s arrangement.
Having to train longer within the Ancestor’s arrangement because my training is insufficient…… is not something I welcome.
Since only if I steadily train and raise my ability can I come out of the arrangement even a little faster.
After drinking tea and briefly talking with Hyung Jeongho, I headed to the office.
“Have you arrived?” (Seohyang)
“Yes.” (MC)
Miss Seohyang and Vice Officer Gal Hyeon rose from their seats and welcomed me.
Then I held a meeting with Deputy Director Yeo Chang-ui, who had been waiting for me, and gave several instructions.
When I had finished the urgent work like that, Vice Officer Gal Hyeon approached.
“Um, there is something I must tell you.” (Gal Hyeon)
Come to think of it, his expression had not been very good since earlier.
“What is it?” (MC)
“There is a problem with the site you instructed us to make a temporary contract for yesterday. Not the whole thing, but part of it. The owner of that land says he will not sell it.” (Gal Hyeon)
“Pardon?” (MC)
I asked again.
“Could it be that you did not offer a sufficient land price?” (MC)
“No. We offered five hundred taels of silver.” (Gal Hyeon)
That much is a price calculated quite generously above the market value.
Then ordinarily, the person would gladly agree and move, and there should be no case of refusal.
“Who is the owner of that land?” (MC)
“An old man named Mae So-gun.” (Gal Hyeon)
“If there are any materials on that elder, bring them to me.” (MC)
“Yes.” (Gal Hyeon)
Gal Hyeon immediately gave me the documents.
I read through them.
Hm…….
The old man named Mae So-gun is sixty years old this year and is said to be farming there.
Not particularly poor, nor wealthy, but an ordinary farmer.
However, one special note caught my eye.
“The old man’s son disappeared one day?” (MC)
“Yes.” (Gal Hyeon)
I closed my eyes for a moment and pondered, then rose from my seat and said,
“I will have to meet that old man myself.” (MC)
A moment later.
I headed to the house of the old man named Mae So-gun.
“Are you there? Is no one there, sir?” (Palgap)
At Palgap’s call, an old man came out from inside.
“Who is it?” (Mae So-gun)
Perhaps he saw Vice Officer Gal Hyeon beside me, because he abruptly shouted.
“Ah! I will not sell! I said I will not sell the land, so why have you come again?” (Mae So-gun)
I stepped forward and said,
“I am Eun Seoho, Young Master of the Eunhae Trading Company. I have come personally to speak with you, Elder.” (MC)
At my words, the old man silently looked at me for a moment, then let out a sigh.
“Fine. Sit.” (Mae So-gun)
He offered me the wooden bench.
He did not invite me inside and offered the wooden bench instead, but even so, it was not a bad start.
I quickly looked around the house where the old man lived.
A small tiled-roof house.
A house just right for about three people to live in.
But seeing spots here and there that had collapsed or grown old, it seemed the old man had left them as they were because it was too much for him to repair on his own.
“Um, does the rain not leak in there?” (MC)
“The rain does leak……” (Mae So-gun)
“Since I am here, I will fix it for you.” (MC)
“No need.” (Mae So-gun)
“Would that not ruin all your household goods? If the house is damp, you will fall ill.” (MC)
“……Ahem, if you want to do that, do as you like.” (Mae So-gun)
I called Palgap.
“Palgap, go call a carpenter and have it fixed for him.” (MC)
“Understood, sir.” (Palgap)
At that, Old Man Mae said bluntly,
“What are you thinking, fixing that house? Would it not be more profitable for you to tear that house down?” (Mae So-gun)
“It would be profitable, but I have never forcibly driven out someone who is living there for my personal profit.” (MC)
I continued.
“If you forcibly drive someone out, misfortune is bound to come.” (MC)
“Is that so?” (Mae So-gun)
I discovered faint ink marks left on the wall.
“You know how to write.” (MC)
“That is not my handiwork.” (Mae So-gun)
“Then?” (MC)
“My son’s handiwork. Though it has been more than ten years since he left home.” (Mae So-gun)
“……I see.” (MC)
And the old man closed his mouth.
But who am I? I am Eun Seoho.
From that day on, I went to see the old man every single day.
“Ah! Why do you keep coming and making a nuisance of yourself?” (Mae So-gun)
“I came to see whether the house was repaired well.” (MC)
“The house was repaired well, so why have you come?” (Mae So-gun)
“When I saw you before, it seemed your leg hurt, so I brought a physician.” (MC)
“You fixed my house, and fixed my aching leg too, so why have you come again?” (Mae So-gun)
“I happened to get some tasty sweets, you see. Do you not like sweets?” (MC)
“I, I do…… ahem, like them.” (Mae So-gun)
After putting in effort like that for fifteen days.
Today was a day when rain fell steadily.
“The rain does not leak.” (Mae So-gun)
“That is fortunate.” (MC)
“I told you before. That I have a son who left home.” (Mae So-gun)
“Yes.” (MC)
“Do you know why that fellow left home?” (Mae So-gun)
Perhaps because it was raining today, Old Man Mae was sentimental.
“How would I know?” (MC)
“You say you are the Young Master of the Eunhae Trading Company, do you not? Then should you not know at least that much?” (Mae So-gun)
“What would I investigate that for? There is no money in knowing it.” (MC)
“Hehehe, a merchant is a merchant after all.” (Mae So-gun)
No, I know.
But that is only meaningful if I hear it from Old Man Mae’s own mouth.
“He left saying he would succeed in life. Saying he would raise up this household.” (Mae So-gun)
“I see.” (MC)
“Perhaps about a year passed, and news from my son ceased. And my wife fell ill from worrying about our son, and in the end, after languishing away, she passed on.” (Mae So-gun)
“…….” (MC)
“It was my wife’s last wish. That he would definitely return…… and when he did…… I should ask nothing and just hug him. Tell him he had worked hard.” (Mae So-gun)
“That is the reason you do not move.” (MC)
“……That is right. If I move away, my son will have nowhere to return to, will he?” (Mae So-gun)
That also means, in other words, that if his son returns, he can move.
The problem is that news ceased after only a year since he left home.
As far as I know, it has been well over ten years since the old man’s son left home, and nearly fifteen years now.
He could already be dead.
Even so…….
I should at least check whether he is dead or alive.
And informing him of that news is the next problem.