Chapter 655
Chapter 655
Chapter 655. The Crown Prince’s Advisor (1)
Two days later.
At last, the day had come to return to Beijing.
“Long live His Majesty the Emperor!” (People of Chengdu)
“Ten thousand years to His Highness the Crown Prince!” (People of Chengdu)
“Your Highness Prince Chengbao! We look forward to your return to Sichuan!” (People of Chengdu)
The people of Chengdu gathered and chanted for the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and Prince Chengbao.
Your Majesty the Emperor. Rejoice.
Here in Sichuan, Your Majesty the Emperor’s ill repute has been erased, and only praise remains.
Are you satisfied now?
The problem, however, was that my name was mixed into those cheers as well.
“A true hero! Master Seonhyeop Mirang!” (People of Chengdu)
“Waaaaaaaah!” (People of Chengdu)
At that, my face burned hot.
I had done it all for my own benefit and the benefit of Eunhae Trading Company, and yet they were calling me a hero.
Ugh... please stop.
Looking at me, Palgap said,
“Now I think I know for sure what your weakness is, Young Master.” (Palgap)
“What is my weakness?” (Eun Seoho)
“You suffer when you hear praise.” (Palgap)
Warrior Jin Yu laughed and took up those words.
“This is rather difficult. You do not wish to hear praise, yet everything you do is worthy of praise.” (Jin Yu)
“How about trying to grow accustomed to praise?” (Myeongjong)
At Warrior Myeongjong’s words, I let out a sigh.
“For some reason, even when I want to get used to something called praise, I just cannot.” (Eun Seoho)
That was the problem.
The time I spent suffering alone like that barely managed to pass, and we were able to leave Chengdu.
That evening.
There was no inn nearby that could accommodate this many people, so we decided to sleep outdoors by the road.
The soldiers set up the tents in perfect order.
Once the tents were complete, one of the soldiers came to me and delivered the Crown Prince’s words.
“He has asked you to come for dinner.” (Soldier)
“Understood.” (Eun Seoho)
I headed straight for the Crown Prince’s tent, and the guard who saw me announced my arrival inside the tent.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince. Young Merchant Leader Eun has arrived.” (Guard)
“Tell him to come in at once.” (Crown Prince)
“Yes.” (Guard)
The guard lifted the cloth used as the tent door so that I could enter.
“This humble merchant greets Your Highness the Crown Prince and Your Highness Prince Chengbao.” (Eun Seoho)
I paid my respects to the Crown Prince and Prince Chengbao, and they accepted my greeting.
“Come this way.” (Crown Prince)
“I am overwhelmed by your grace.” (Eun Seoho)
Food had already been laid out on the table inside the tent.
As I sat at the table, I asked the Crown Prince,
“Is tent life not difficult for you?” (Eun Seoho)
“What is there to be difficult about? I am not sleeping on the ground, and there is even a cot.” (Crown Prince)
The Crown Prince looked as though he truly was not uncomfortable.
Come to think of it, Prince Chengbao had never complained while living in a tent at the Qingcheng Sect either.
Prince Chengbao resolved that question.
“Ah! Young Merchant Leader Eun would not know. There is an education that every man of the imperial family must receive before reaching adulthood. It is called Seokchimmogeum, Stone Pillow and Dew Blanket.” (Prince Chengbao)
A stone pillow and a dew blanket.
Simply going by the meaning, it sounded like it referred to a life of poverty and simplicity, but if that was truly all it was, the Crown Prince and Prince Chengbao would not be making such disgusted expressions.
Their faces said they never wanted to do it again.
“You have to survive bare-bodied in the forest inside the imperial palace for three months.” (Prince Chengbao)
“You wash at a spring inside the forest, and you have to endure with only the single set of clothes you were wearing at the start.” (Crown Prince)
It was a much harsher education than I had imagined.
“Then how do you eat?” (Eun Seoho)
“They give you a book at the start, and in it are written methods for living in the forest. Naturally, it includes information about food as well.” (Prince Chengbao)
“I see. Then how do you sleep? Do you light a fire and pitch something like a tent to sleep in?” (Eun Seoho)
At my question, the Crown Prince and Prince Chengbao looked at each other for a moment, then smiled faintly and shook their heads.
“Why do you think it is called Stone Pillow and Dew Blanket? Since you have to sleep with your head on a stone pillow while being soaked by the night dew, it is called Stone Pillow and Dew Blanket.” (Crown Prince)
“And you cannot light a fire. In the first place, the purpose of that Stone Pillow and Dew Blanket education is to assume a wartime situation.” (Prince Chengbao)
“So throughout the training, you have to run around without being caught by instructors pretending to be enemy troops.” (Crown Prince)
Ah...
Only then was I able to understand the true meaning of the Stone Pillow and Dew Blanket education.
Whether the Crown Prince or an imperial prince, as members of the imperial family, their priority was to survive somehow and avoid being captured by the enemy.
As long as even one of them survived, the imperial family would continue.
If they ever faced such a crisis, that would be when the Stone Pillow and Dew Blanket education would shine.
After all, compared to someone who knew absolutely nothing, it was true that someone with at least some experience had an advantage in survival.
And the reason they set the training period at three months was probably because that much was needed for one to adapt and for it to become ingrained in the body.
By the way... the imperial palace’s forest must have been that vast.
To be able to receive training in surviving and taking refuge in the forest for three whole months.
“In any case, thanks to that sort of training, I became grateful simply for being able to stay inside a tent like this.” (Prince Chengbao)
“I see.” (Eun Seoho)
I had unintentionally obtained a piece of information.
In truth, matters concerning imperial education were treated as a kind of secret. Despite the fact that these two did not fail to know that, they had readily explained it to me, which must have meant they trusted me that much.
“Now then, let us eat.” (Crown Prince)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
We began our meal while conversing.
The food that had been laid out was not especially splendid.
It was just the food the other soldiers were eating, with the addition of a beverage made from dried fruit.
“You are not moving in haste, so would it not be all right to have something a bit more proper prepared?” (Eun Seoho)
At my question, the Crown Prince waved his hand.
“Not at all. Imperial Father always said this. Only when a commander also eats the food soldiers eat can he understand the gravity of starting a war.” (Crown Prince)
At those words, I nodded.
The current Emperor truly was an excellent person.
That must be why the Martial Alliance poisoned the Empress to death and caused His Majesty the Emperor to lose his clarity. Only then could they create the chaos in the empire that they desired.
Also, by bringing in a new Empress, they would be able to seize power.
This time, I would absolutely not let things flow the way those bastards wanted.
With the Emperor governing the nation so diligently, those who suffered the most were the officials.
Rather than lazing about, they had to work themselves to the bone just to avoid being reprimanded by the Emperor.
And among those who were working themselves to the bone like that, I was included as well.
Even so, there were several reasons I hoped the Emperor would remain healthy and continue his reign.
First, the Emperor favored me.
It was troubling that the result of that favor led to him working me hard, but I had also gained many benefits in equal measure.
So if the Emperor stopped properly attending to state affairs, it would become that much more difficult for me to gain benefits.
Second, when a country becomes a mess, merchants suffer.
When a country becomes a mess, the first thing that happens is that bandits swarm everywhere.
From the small scale, the Green Forest Bandits, to the large scale, thieves holding official posts, they were all a terrible headache.
Third, I could not allow the Martial Alliance to accomplish its will.
If the Martial Alliance gained even greater power, my dream of making Eunhae Trading Company the greatest trading company under heaven would come to nothing, and revenge against the Martial Alliance would become impossible as well.
“What are you thinking about?” (Crown Prince)
Just then, the Crown Prince asked, and I quickly clasped my hands.
“Ah! Forgive me. I was briefly thinking about matters to come...” (Eun Seoho)
“Come to think of it, you do indeed have a great many duties.” (Crown Prince)
“It is embarrassing, but that is true.” (Eun Seoho)
I nodded.
“This time, I must return to Beijing with Your Highness, then immediately pass through Hubei and go to Nanjing...” (Eun Seoho)
As I trailed off, Prince Chengbao said,
“Hyung-nim, now that I think of it, do we not pass through Hubei Province on our way?” (Prince Chengbao)
“We do.” (Crown Prince)
“The reason we were able to quickly settle the chaos in Sichuan Province this time was largely due to Young Merchant Leader Eun Seoho’s merit.” (Prince Chengbao)
Prince Chengbao continued.
“Since Chongyang County in Hubei Province is not far from our route anyway, how about stopping by for a short while? I would like to feel the spirit of Chongyang County in Hubei Province, which raised such an excellent talent.” (Prince Chengbao)
“I too have been curious about the bearing of Chongyang County.” (Crown Prince)
I clenched the fist of the hand that had been lowered under the table.
Good!
It had turned out exactly as I wanted.
This was precisely why I had subtly brought up Hubei Province.
And as expected, the two of them readily proposed it.
There was a great difference between my request being accepted and the other party proposing it first and me accepting it.
Namely, where responsibility lay.
If the other party proposed it first, I could stop by with peace of mind.
By the way, I should send a message to Father in advance.
If he suddenly met the two of them, he would be terrified.
We rose again in the morning and set out, and before long, we arrived in Chongyang County, Hubei Province.
Thanks to the message I had sent in advance, my family had come out ahead of time to welcome our party.
“These humble merchants greet Your Highness the Crown Prince and Your Highness Prince Chengbao. Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand times ten thousand years!” (Eun Family)
After receiving that courtesy, the Crown Prince personally helped Grandfather and Father to their feet and said,
“Please rise.” (Crown Prince)
“We are overwhelmed by your grace.” (Grandfather and Father)
“My coming here like this must in itself be a burden to you, but I have not come to place a burden on you. I merely wished to feel the energy of Chongyang, which raised such an outstanding talent.” (Crown Prince)
“It is only that I am overwhelmed by Your Highness’s grace in looking favorably upon Chongyang County and evaluating my inadequate son so highly.” (Father)
Father continued politely.
“Please come inside. We have prepared a place for you to stay.” (Father)
A short while later.
I visited Father’s office.
“Phew, I do not know what this is. I never imagined in my life that I would have occasion to meet His Highness the Crown Prince.” (Father)
“Why are you so nervous? Did you not once have an audience with His Majesty the Emperor?” (Eun Seoho)
When we were previously selected as salt retailers, Father had once had an audience with the Emperor.
At that time, I had completely turned the palace eunuchs who looked down on us upside down.
Mm... now that I think about it, that was when I first caught the Emperor’s eye.
“Is meeting him in the imperial palace the same as meeting him at one’s private residence?” (Father)
Father complained in a voice tinged with laughter.
“By the way, what happened with matters in Sichuan?” (Father)
“Yes. Uncle is proceeding well.” (Eun Seoho)
I explained the situation in detail to Father.
“You are doing well. As expected, entrusting the Sichuan region to your uncle was an excellent choice.” (Father)
“You are right.” (Eun Seoho)
“Your second uncle was a talent who chased right up under my chin during the competition for Trading Company Head, after all.” (Father)
Father took a sip of tea and then changed the topic.
“By the way, it is already April.” (Father)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
“The preparations for your marriage this autumn are proceeding well. By the way, are you delivering the invitations properly?” (Father)
“I sent them to other places by courier, but... there are still a few people I have not delivered them to.” (Eun Seoho)
I continued.
“By the way, is Elder Gwimyeonpo still at the bookstore?” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes. He is still living leisurely there.” (Father)
I had wanted to see him last time too, but at that time he had been away, so I had been unable to meet him.
“Since I stopped by headquarters like this, I should go see him.” (Eun Seoho)
After saying that, I took out a bottle from my robes and placed it on the table.
“What is this?” (Father)
“It is a tonic for Grandfather.” (Eun Seoho)
It was water decocted from the Gangnyeong Grass I had obtained this time.
“Father, please give it to Grandfather yourself. And be sure to confirm that he drinks it.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes, understood.” (Father)
.
.
.
The next day.
After breakfast, I headed to the bookstore.
This bookstore was a place where day and night differed, but since the prohibition order had not yet been lifted, only a faint lingering fragrance of the courtesans remained.
This time, I was accompanied by Miss Seohyang.
When we arrived at the pawnshop, the elder was sitting outside, basking in the sunlight.
It has been a long time since I saw him.
I approached him and greeted him respectfully.
“Have you been well all this time, Elder?” (Eun Seoho)
“Who is this? Is it not the ungrateful wretch who has not shown his face once all this time?” (Gwimyeonpo)
“It is not that I did not visit because I did not want to see you. Strangely enough, every time I came to Hubei Province, you were away.” (Eun Seoho)
“Ahem. So you are saying it is my fault?” (Gwimyeonpo)
“You know it well.” (Eun Seoho)
“You impudent brat.” (Gwimyeonpo)
The elder and I gave faint laughs.
“So, what more have you come to extort from this old man?” (Gwimyeonpo)
“If I try to extort something, will you let yourself be extorted?” (Eun Seoho)
“Somehow, you never lose a single word.” (Gwimyeonpo)
The elder clicked his tongue and grumbled.
I smiled lightly and took a red envelope from my robes and held it out.
“What is this?” (Gwimyeonpo)
“I am getting married.” (Eun Seoho)
“You are?” (Gwimyeonpo)
“Yes. I am.” (Eun Seoho)
Miss Seohyang greeted him respectfully.
“This young woman, Kwak Seohyang, greets Elder. I have heard that you took very thorough care of the Young Merchant Leader.” (Kwak Seohyang)
“Yes, it has been a long time. Hahaha. Sit here.” (Gwimyeonpo)
“Yes, Elder.” (Kwak Seohyang)
Miss Seohyang sat beside Elder Gwimyeonpo.
“Elder, what about me?” (Eun Seoho)
“You can sit or not sit as you please.” (Gwimyeonpo)
At those words, I sat down in front of him with an awkward expression.
By the way, just now... he said it had been a long time, right?
Does he already know Miss Seohyang’s identity?
“By the way, why did you end up marrying a layabout like this? Tsk tsk.” (Gwimyeonpo)
“No! Elder! A layabout? I feel hurt hearing that.” (Eun Seoho)
“If you marry this fellow, the road of hardship ahead is obvious! Am I wrong?” (Gwimyeonpo)
“......” (Eun Seoho)
I had nothing to say.
Because it was not wrong.
“Still, well, there may be times when he hurts your heart, but he will not do anything that turns your insides upside down.” (Gwimyeonpo)
Is that praise?
“That is how certain his loyalty and trustworthiness are. His ability is decent enough as well, and as for his face... it is at a level that drives women mad.” (Gwimyeonpo)
So it is praise after all.
Come to think of it, they said Elder Gwimyeonpo was the Emperor’s close friend.
They say close friends resemble one another, and in a strange way, the Emperor and Elder Gwimyeonpo do seem alike.
“The wedding is this autumn.” (Eun Seoho)
“Understood. Cough, cough.” (Gwimyeonpo)
Just then, the elder coughed. Come to think of it, he seemed much weaker than when I first met him.
According to my memories from my previous life, the elder would pass away from old age in a few years.
I had found that regrettable, and Geumnyeong had brought me something very good.
“Palgap.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes.” (Palgap)
I received a bottle and a bowl from Palgap.
“I obtained a good tonic to give to you, Elder.” (Eun Seoho)
Then I poured the water decocted from Gangnyeong Grass inside the bottle into the bowl and held it out.
“Please drink.” (Eun Seoho)
“It does not seem to be an ordinary tonic.” (Gwimyeonpo)
“Of course, it is a tonic I am giving to you, Elder. How could it be ordinary?” (Eun Seoho)
The elder looked at me and the bowl, then soon nodded.
“Yes, since you brought it for my sake, if I do not drink it, you would feel hurt. There is no one as grudge-bearing as you...” (Gwimyeonpo)
E-Elder....
“Kkui!” (Geumnyeong)
Geumnyeong, be quiet.