Chapter 568
Chapter 568
Chapter 568. Let’s Strike It Big (3)
I turned my head to Father and asked.
“Is there a seat you want?” (Eun Seoho)
“Is it not a right you received? So you choose.” (Eun Gilsang)
“I am worried that I might choose an unfavorable seat and bring harm to the trading company.” (Eun Seoho)
“You mean you will shift the responsibility to me.” (Eun Gilsang)
Instead of answering, I smiled awkwardly.
“And you, choose an unfavorable seat? Everyone here would laugh.” (Eun Gilsang)
“Ahem.” (Eun Seoho)
I cleared my throat and turned my head, and I saw Young Captain Bokyun faintly laughing.
This is rather embarrassing.
“I understand. Then this son will choose the seat.” (Eun Seoho)
And I approached the hanging scroll on the wall.
That scroll was a map depicting the commercial district of this Murim Grand Banquet.
If there is a flower of the commercial district, it is naturally this place.
I raised my hand and pointed at one place with my index finger.
“I will take this place.” (Eun Seoho)
That place had a wide space, and several roads converged there.
In other words, it could be called a place with heavy foot traffic.
At my choice, the people nodded.
With expressions as though they knew it would be so.
But the reason I chose that place was not merely because it was a good location.
There were several other good locations besides that place.
“That place is…” (Official)
Just as I expected, the official in charge of selecting seats in the commercial district made a troubled expression.
“What is the matter?” (Eun Seoho)
“I am truly sorry, but could you select another place? That place already has an occupant.” (Official)
“What does that mean? The Alliance Leader clearly said he would give me the chance to select a seat in the commercial district with top priority. But there is already someone who has selected that seat? I do not understand what you mean!” (Eun Seoho)
At my protest, the official spoke as if letting out a sigh.
“That place was preemptively taken by Baekcheon Trading Company.” (Official)
That is right.
The reason I chose that place was because I already knew Baekcheon Trading Company would choose it.
Because in my previous life, Baekcheon Trading Company had chosen this place.
Currently, Baekcheon Trading Company’s Trading Company Leader is the younger brother of former Trading Company Leader Namgung Gang, but he must be controlling things from behind, so there is no way it would be different from my previous life.
I continued speaking, openly showing that I felt wronged.
“It is not that I do not know what kind of trading company Baekcheon Trading Company is, but the Alliance Leader promised me so, and yet something like this happened without my knowledge. Did the Alliance Leader fail to keep his promise? Or is Baekcheon Trading Company above the Alliance Leader?” (Eun Seoho)
At the question I threw out, not only the official, but everyone who had come with him wore troubled expressions as they watched one another’s reactions.
They would not be able to answer either way.
If the Alliance Leader had failed to keep his promise, it would damage his honor, and if Baekcheon Trading Company was above the Alliance Leader, it would diminish his prestige.
I looked around.
While the people from other trading companies were quietly murmuring, the Trading Company Leader of Baekcheon Trading Company was nowhere to be seen.
Well, since it is a trading company created by the Martial Alliance’s leading figures investing funds, he must have something to rely on.
I turned my head again and looked at the official.
He had fallen into thought with a troubled face.
Well, that is understandable.
Because he could guess how much he would be reprimanded later if he handed me the seat assigned to Baekcheon Trading Company.
Then shall I slowly achieve the purpose for which I deliberately chose the seat selected by Baekcheon Trading Company?
From the beginning, my goal was not to take the seat Baekcheon Trading Company had chosen.
It is not impossible for me to seize that seat now, but there is no need to go that far.
I only need to use this to gain a greater profit.
And this time, there is also a reason I must not choose that seat.
“Very well. Then I will choose another place.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, the official’s face brightened.
“If you would do so, I would truly be grateful.” (Official)
“However, I must receive compensation for this.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes?” (Official)
“I am bearing a loss and yielding the seat to Baekcheon Trading Company. Am I making an unreasonable demand by saying I will receive compensation for that?” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, the official let out a sigh.
“That is not the case. Then what compensation do you want?” (Official)
“Please allow our Eunhae Trading Company to operate two temporary shops this time.” (Eun Seoho)
In principle, when an event like the Murim Grand Banquet is held at the Martial Alliance, each trading company can operate only one temporary shop in the commercial district.
To operate more, one could use a trick by briefly making a blood relative independent and pretending they were a different trading company, but since the competition is so fierce, participation through such a loophole is impossible.
The stall fee is also considerable, so one must operate properly to leave a profit.
“And please waive the stall fee for one of the seats.” (Eun Seoho)
The official listened to my proposal, thought for a moment, then nodded.
“Very well. However, the other seat will be selected fairly by lottery.” (Official)
Done!
I cried out in triumph inwardly and answered.
“Yes. I understand.” (Eun Seoho)
Then I chose another good location, a little distance away from the place I had first selected.
And after a little while, Father drew a wooden plaque, and we received a seat near the entrance of the commercial district, a little far from the place we had first selected.
That was also a decent seat, so it was a sufficiently satisfying time.
.
.
.
The next day.
From morning, we headed to the commercial district and set up tents in the places assigned to us.
Watching the staff and head merchants prepare, I approached Father and quietly said,
“Father. There is something I need to tell you.” (Eun Seoho)
“Speak.” (Eun Gilsang)
“I think our trading company should also build a branch in Luoyang.” (Eun Seoho)
“Do we not already have a branch in Luoyang?” (Eun Gilsang)
“Father?” (Eun Seoho)
You should know that my words did not mean that.
Father also cleared his throat, as if saying it had been a joke.
“Ahem, yes, what scale are you thinking of?” (Eun Gilsang)
“Considering Luoyang’s size and location, should it not be at least about half the size of the Beijing branch?” (Eun Seoho)
“With the current scale of our trading company, expanding the branch is something worth doing. But the problem is securing the site.” (Eun Gilsang)
This was the same problem as in Beijing.
“I will search for a site.” (Eun Seoho)
“Do that. Once the Murim Grand Banquet ends, I will return to the main headquarters and discuss it with the Pavilion Lords.” (Eun Gilsang)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
Like that, the tents were all set up, and the staff began displaying the goods.
Father and I began the work we had to do.
“We will be doing business beside you. Let us do well during the Murim Grand Banquet.” (Eun Gilsang)
“I ask for your favor as well.” (Merchant)
It was the work of exchanging greetings with the Trading Company Leaders or chief head merchants who had opened temporary shops nearby.
That way, we could give and receive help when needed.
Because this time we had opened two temporary shops, we had to go around offering greetings that much more.
“But Seoho.” (Eun Gilsang)
“Yes, Father.” (Eun Seoho)
“Was it your intention to open two temporary shops this time?” (Eun Gilsang)
At that question, I answered with a broad smile.
“I thought of it on the spur of the moment.” (Eun Seoho)
Though it was not entirely on the spur of the moment.
“I think we have finished greeting everyone, so I will make a round of the commercial district and return.” (Eun Seoho)
“Do that.” (Eun Gilsang)
After receiving Father’s permission, I began looking around the commercial district.
The goods sold by each trading company were truly diverse.
There were places selling food, places selling women’s accessories, and places that made clothes.
Of course, since this was the Murim Grand Banquet, places selling weapons, Golden Wound Medicine, and other things needed by martial artists had a large share.
“Young Captain Eun.” (Bokyun)
“Ah, Young Captain Bok.” (Eun Seoho)
While walking around, I ran into Young Captain Bokyun of the Gwangjun Trading Company.
They were preparing to sell several horses, saddles, stirrups, and the like.
Perhaps because they were a trading company that primarily dealt in horses, the saddles and stirrups they made and sold were famous for being comfortable and sturdy.
“Have you finished preparing to open your temporary shop?” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes. So I was looking around.” (Bokyun)
“May I move around together with you?” (Bokyun)
“Of course.” (Eun Seoho)
Like that, Young Captain Bokyun joined me, and before we had even walked around for long, we met Young Captain Sa Gang of the Hongryeon Trading Company.
Hongryeon Trading Company was a trading company that mainly dealt in weapons.
From their standpoint, this Murim Grand Banquet must be the peak season among peak seasons.
“You have brought many fine weapons this time as well.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, Young Captain Sa Gang quietly nodded.
At this, a young man who had been watching us hurriedly approached and greeted us.
“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Sacheol, the second son of the Hongryeon Trading Company Leader.” (Sacheol)
“I am Eun Seoho, Young Captain of the Eunhae Trading Company.” (Eun Seoho)
“I am Bokyun, Young Captain of the Gwangjun Trading Company.” (Bokyun)
“My elder brother may be a little poor with words, but he is a good person.” (Sacheol)
“It is all right. I already know that well.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly and said,
“Ah, come to think of it, the two of you must have met at the Hundred Great Trading Companies gathering. But seeing you walking around together like this, it seems your busy work is finished.” (Sacheol)
“Yes. That is right.” (Eun Seoho)
“So we were looking around the commercial district.” (Bokyun)
“That is good! Please take my elder brother with you as well.” (Sacheol)
And he pushed Young Captain Sa Gang forward. Seeing Young Captain Sa Gang being pushed along obediently, it meant he had the same intention as well.
“Understood.” (Eun Seoho)
“Hyung-nim.” (Sacheol)
He whispered in his ear.
“Please speak a lot and build friendships. They are all remarkable people, are they not?” (Sacheol)
Young Captain Bokyun may not have heard, but I could hear it.
Because the ears of one who has learned martial arts are sharp.
The younger brother truly looks after his elder brother with care.
Like that, Young Captain Sa Gang also joined us.
“Your younger brother is very lively.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes.” (Sa Gang)
“Do you perhaps have another younger brother?” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes.” (Sa Gang)
“What is his name?” (Eun Seoho)
“Geom.” (Sa Gang)
If the names of the three children are put together in order… Gang, Cheol, Geom?
Mm, they must have named them that way because it had its own meaning.
Judging only by today, the second son, Mister Sacheol, seemed to have more qualities of a Trading Company Leader.
But Young Captain Sa Gang did not become the Young Captain simply because he was the eldest son.
Because I saw his actions in my previous life.
He lacked ability in dealing with people, but he had the driving force and tenacity to push forward without compromising on quality.
It would have been possible to gain more profit by varying the quality depending on the buyer, but he never did that.
So the reputation of Hongryeon Trading Company grew higher and higher.
To the point that people unanimously said that if one wanted a weapon, one should buy one from Hongryeon Trading Company.
It was considered the best gift to prepare a Hongryeon Trading Company weapon for someone just starting out in the murim.
Another surprising thing was that Mister Sacheol never coveted his elder brother’s position.
That meant he too was a person of character.
As we looked around the commercial district like that, before long, it was time to feel hungry.
“We are a little hungry. Shall we have a bowl of noodles?” (Eun Seoho)
At my invitation, they nodded.
By the way, I do not see the others at all.
I heard Young Captain Han Baekgeon, Young Captain Damjin, and Mister Hogyeong had also come here.
Leaving my regret behind, I entered a noodle shop inside the commercial district.
“Welcome!” (Shopkeeper)
“Please give us meat noodles for the number of people!” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes! Please wait a moment.” (Shopkeeper)
Soon, meat noodles were placed on the table, and we began eating the noodles.
They taste quite good, do they not?
Seeing that the guard warriors eating noodles at the next table were also inhaling them mindlessly, it seemed I was not the only one who found them delicious.
“Do the noodles suit your taste?” (Shopkeeper)
The one who spoke to us was someone I had seen during the commercial district’s seat selection.
He had been in a corner, not knowing what to do, so Father and I had gone to him first, greeted him, and given him several pieces of advice.
This must be the place where that man does business.
“Yes. They are very delicious.” (Eun Seoho)
“Thank you for that time.” (Shopkeeper)
“For what? Are merchants not meant to live by helping one another?” (Eun Seoho)
“Is the Eunhae Trading Company not a great trading company?” (Shopkeeper)
Since we rank fairly high even among the Hundred Great Trading Companies, we are indeed a great trading company.
But that is not important.
“Small or large, a merchant is a merchant. And would a great trading company have been a great trading company from the beginning?” (Eun Seoho)
At that moment, a woman carrying noodles with a sword at her waist caught my eye.
“Who is that?” (Eun Seoho)
“Ah, she is my daughter.” (Shopkeeper)
The father is a merchant who has not learned martial arts, but the daughter is already a first-rate martial artist… How unusual.
“My daughter is lacking, but she has some talent in her own way, so she is studying under a martial arts academy. This time, since there is the Murim Grand Banquet, she asked for permission to go and broaden her knowledge.” (Shopkeeper)
He continued awkwardly.
“She is my only daughter, without a mother, and as I could not make a decision because I was worried, the Principal of the martial arts academy came to visit and suggested that I try doing business in the commercial district.” (Shopkeeper)
“I see.” (Eun Seoho)
“So she is helping me here. Since right now is not the time for duels.” (Shopkeeper)
“Your daughter’s character is excellent.” (Eun Seoho)
“Thank you.” (Shopkeeper)
The reason I am taking such great interest in her now is because of the words engraved on her sword.
Ajang.
It means to give greatly.
And that would later be the sword of a heroine whose name would be widely known.
Then this Murim Grand Banquet must be the start of her ill-fated story.
They said that her father, who was doing business in the commercial district, lost the money he had earned then, and while overexerting himself to find that money, he ended up dying at the hands of the thief who had stolen it.
So his daughter began her path of revenge to find that thief, and it took quite a long time until she finished her revenge.
Both the father and the daughter seem like truly good people.
Such trials do not suit people like them.
I asked him,
“It seems you overextended yourself a bit to enter this commercial district…” (Eun Seoho)
“You recognize it like a ghost.” (Shopkeeper)
He smiled awkwardly.
He must have borrowed some money from the Principal for the sake of doing business.
That was probably why he pushed himself even harder to find the money.
“May I give you one more piece of advice?” (Eun Seoho)