Chapter 657
Chapter 657
Chapter 657. The Result of a Promise (1)
I headed to an inn located near the main headquarters of Eunhae Trading Company to meet the people of Myeongmyeong Trading Company.
The discussion about the pepper trade had already been completely settled, but it was to meet Young Master Sung Yujin.
Myeongmyeong Trading Company had come to Hubei Province to finalize matters regarding the pepper trade, and Father had told me that Young Master Sung Yujin wanted to meet me.
When I entered the inn, someone came running over in a hurry.
“Master!” (Sung Yujin)
“Ah! Young Master Yujin.” (Eun Seoho)
It was Young Master Sung Yujin.
It felt like it had been about a year since I last saw him, and he had grown a lot.
“Have you been well all this time?” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes. Master.” (Sung Yujin)
I scratched my head and said,
“Did I not tell you that you do not have to call me Master?” (Eun Seoho)
“Uncle Jeongho bragged a lot that his younger brother is Master Seonhyeop Mirang.” (Sung Yujin)
Phew, Brother Jeongho...
Since you went and did that, there is nothing I can do.
“It has been a long time.” (Sung Cheongmin)
“Ah! Young Merchant Leader.” (Eun Seoho)
He was Young Merchant Leader Sung Cheongmin of Myeongmyeong Trading Company, Young Master Sung Yujin’s father.
“I heard through letters. That Eunhae Trading Company provided a great deal of support in relieving those who suffered damage from the calamity that occurred in Sichuan this time.” (Sung Cheongmin)
“I am embarrassed.” (Eun Seoho)
I waved my hand.
“I did not do enough to receive such praise.” (Eun Seoho)
“I do not think that is something you need to be so modest about. Thanks to it, how many people had their lives saved, and how many people had their livelihoods rescued?” (Sung Cheongmin)
“Hahaha.” (Eun Seoho)
Young Merchant Leader Sung Cheongmin continued.
“By the way, I did not think I would see you here in Hubei Province like this. I naturally thought you would be going to Beijing.” (Sung Cheongmin)
“As you said, originally I was scheduled to go straight to Beijing, but His Highness the Crown Prince said he was curious about the spirit of Chongyang County, so I was able to stop by the main headquarters like this.” (Eun Seoho)
“I see. This must be fate as well.” (Sung Cheongmin)
He continued with a smile.
“We too plan to go to Beijing once we finish our work here.” (Sung Cheongmin)
“Without returning to Sichuan?” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes. My son said he wanted to meet Young Merchant Leader Eun Jeongho as a birthday gift. So I decided on going to Beijing, both for that and to broaden his experience.” (Sung Cheongmin)
“I see.” (Eun Seoho)
For some reason, I felt a little sorry. Brother Jeongho had come to Beijing because of my opinion.
But going to Beijing was not a bad thing.
It was the empire’s capital and the most bustling great city.
Young Master Sung Yujin would eventually inherit the family business as well, and someone who would rise to such a position should not remain trapped inside a narrow well.
“Then I will be seeing you again in Beijing. I would like to travel with you on this occasion, but as you know, I am not in a situation where I can act as I please.” (Eun Seoho)
“I know. You are serving His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness Prince Chengbao, yes?” (Sung Cheongmin)
“Yes. That is correct.” (Eun Seoho)
That was not a secret, after all.
“That is a pity. Since I cannot go with you, I will have to request a separate escort mission.” (Sung Cheongmin)
“Are there not people from the escort agency who came here with you?” (Eun Seoho)
“Ah, they returned to Sichuan first. It seems their escort agency suffered great damage from the earthquake. They said they could not accompany us to Beijing, so we terminated the contract by mutual agreement.” (Sung Cheongmin)
The aftermath of the earthquake was having an influence like this as well.
If they had such circumstances, then they had to be sent back.
“So that was the situation. In that case, I will recommend an escort agency to you. It is called the Changuin Escort Agency, and it often contracts with our Eunhae Trading Company.” (Eun Seoho)
I continued.
“They have experience going to Beijing several times, so the matter of safety should be certain.” (Eun Seoho)
“In truth, your father already recommended that place to me. Since even you are so actively recommending it, I will request them.” (Sung Cheongmin)
“Thank you.” (Eun Seoho)
Phew, I took care of one thing like this.
Escorting the Young Merchant Leader of Myeongmyeong Trading Company was a fairly large commission.
This much should be quite helpful to the Changuin Escort Agency too.
As the Young Palace Head of Snow Wind Palace, I had a duty to work for the development of the Changuin Escort Agency.
Do the archers of Snow Wind Palace know?
That I am even doing business promotion for their sake like this.
“Kkui!” (Geumnyeong)
You know? Yes. Thank you.
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Like that, two more days passed, and the day came to head to Beijing again.
We had stayed for almost five days, which meant the Crown Prince had shown us considerable convenience.
It was not just a brief stop along the way; he had even given us ample time.
Before departing for Beijing, I met with my family and exchanged farewells.
In particular, seeing Grandfather looking stronger than before put my heart a little at ease.
On the road to Beijing.
I expressed my gratitude to the Crown Prince.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, I thank you once again. Thanks to you, I was able to properly finish the urgent matters in Hubei Province.” (Eun Seoho)
“Why would you say such a thing over that? We are the ones who received great help from you, so how could we fail to show even this much consideration?” (Crown Prince)
The Crown Prince said with a hearty laugh.
“And because everyone had worked so hard on relief activities in Sichuan Province, fatigue had accumulated quite a bit. In the midst of that, after resting well for a few days, everyone said their bodies felt light. Hahaha.” (Crown Prince)
“I am simply grateful that you say so.” (Eun Seoho)
The Crown Prince lowered his voice and said,
“And... in truth, there is someone living in Chongyang County, Hubei Province, who has very deep ties with the imperial family. You know him as well, do you not? Elder Hwangbo, I mean.” (Crown Prince)
“Ah, yes. I know.” (Eun Seoho)
I nodded.
“Previously, during my eldest brother’s official announcement ceremony as Young Merchant Leader, I formed a connection with him when he gave great help in apprehending an assassin who had barged in. At that time, I learned that he was the one called Gwimyeonpo.” (Eun Seoho)
The Crown Prince nodded.
“He truly is a remarkable person. I had been worried because he seemed to be losing strength little by little, but when I saw him the day before yesterday, he seemed to have regained his youth, so my heart became much lighter.” (Crown Prince)
As expected, the Gangnyeong Grass I gave him has excellent effects.
It is a spiritual herb said to extend one’s life by several years with just one cup, and he drank an entire bowl of it.
“I heard you obtained a tonic and offered it to the elder?” (Crown Prince)
“Did the elder tell you that too?” (Eun Seoho)
At my question, the Crown Prince nodded.
“And he also told me that if anything happens, I should receive advice from you.” (Crown Prince)
Ah...
So it was about what the elder called the advisor.
“I will be in your care.” (Crown Prince)
“I am the one who should say that.” (Eun Seoho)
Like that, the journey continued without incident.
Then again, that was only natural, since it was the procession of the Crown Prince and Prince Chengbao.
Who would dare to interfere so boldly?
Thus, before long, we arrived in Beijing.
The Crown Prince and Prince Chengbao headed for the imperial palace, and I headed for the Beijing branch.
They were to report to His Majesty the Emperor in front of the officials regarding the relief activities in Sichuan.
That was an honor the Crown Prince and Prince Chengbao should fully enjoy.
If I went there, it would only bring me troublesome matters.
I had already obtained enough of what I needed.
“Young Merchant Leader, have you arrived?” (Branch Staff)
When I arrived at the Beijing branch, the branch people and the people of Hyeonpung Bureau welcomed me warmly.
“Where is Brother Jeongho?” (Eun Seoho)
“He is currently out. The Young Merchant Leader of Myeongmyeong Trading Company asked to meet him, so he went to a tavern.” (Branch Staff)
“I see. Perhaps because they departed earlier than us, they have already arrived.” (Eun Seoho)
And since it was not a large-scale movement, they must have been a little faster than us as well.
“Then I must not disturb them. I will go do my work.” (Eun Seoho)
I washed with warm water and headed to Hyeonpung Bureau. I had to deal with the work that had piled up during that time.
But why are tears coming out again?
“Young Master, are you perhaps crying right now?” (Palgap)
“No. Pollen got in my eyes.” (Eun Seoho)
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That night.
Master Jin Yeong came to see me.
I stopped what I was doing and met Master Jin Yeong.
“This humble merchant greets Master.” (Eun Seoho)
“You worked hard on the matters in Sichuan.” (Jin Yeong)
“It was also a matter concerning our trading company. It is not something for which I should receive thanks.” (Eun Seoho)
“If you had not informed us in advance, the chaos and damage in Sichuan would have been considerable. Your merit is very great.” (Jin Yeong)
Since that was true, I merely smiled awkwardly.
“Prepare yourself and come out at once. His Majesty the Emperor is calling for you.” (Jin Yeong)
A short while later.
I prostrated myself before His Majesty the Emperor and paid the highest courtesy.
“Raise your head.” (Emperor)
“I am overwhelmed by imperial grace.” (Eun Seoho)
“I heard from the Crown Prince and Prince Chengbao about the matters in Sichuan. You did quite a great many things in Sichuan this time.” (Emperor)
If it had been in front of someone else, I would have expressed modesty, but I did not do so here.
Because if I expressed modesty, he would say, “What is this modesty that does not suit you?”
“People were dying before my eyes, and I could not simply stand by and watch.” (Eun Seoho)
“That is why I like you.” (Emperor)
“Pardon?” (Eun Seoho)
“There are many in the world who merely watch even when people are dying. There are even many who try to profit in the middle of it.” (Emperor)
It was awkward to know how to react, so I bowed my head again.
“By the way, I heard from the Crown Prince. You served a tonic to my close friend?” (Emperor)
“Yes. That is correct.” (Eun Seoho)
I told the truth.
“I happened to discover Gangnyeong Grass, so I decocted it and served it to the elder.” (Eun Seoho)
“Gangnyeong Grass?” (Emperor)
A spiritual herb was something those who did not know would fail to recognize even if it was placed in their hands. And it was not as though the Emperor knew all of them either.
And as rare as it was, it was not famous either.
“Bring the Spiritual Herb Compendium.” (Emperor)
“Yes.” (Eunuch)
I could have explained, but explaining it with my own mouth would have felt like boasting of my own merit, so I remained silent.
The eunuch soon brought a book, and the Emperor turned the pages of that book.
Soon, the Emperor’s hand stopped, and after reading the book, he asked as if he was dumbfounded.
“Does that fellow know this as well?” (Emperor)
“Yes. I told him.” (Eun Seoho)
“Did he not say anything?” (Emperor)
“He did curse me and call me a madman.” (Eun Seoho)
“That is just like him. And yet he surely scraped the bowl clean and ate it without leaving even a single drop.” (Emperor)
“You know him well.” (Eun Seoho)
“Of course. We have known each other since our younger days.” (Emperor)
The Emperor closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them and said,
“Thank you.” (Emperor)
“...Pardon?” (Eun Seoho)
At the sudden expression of gratitude that came at me out of nowhere, I could not help asking back without realizing it.
I wondered if I had heard wrong, but it seemed I had not.
“In truth, it also weighed heavily on my mind that he was growing weaker day by day. So thank you for allowing him to remain by my side a little longer like this.” (Emperor)
“I am ashamed to say this, but this was also for my own sake.” (Eun Seoho)
I smiled.
“Elder Gwimyeonpo is someone precious to me as well.” (Eun Seoho)
“Then I hope you will continue to regard him as precious in the future as well. That fellow is my one and only close friend.” (Emperor)
“......” (Eun Seoho)
“Thinking about it, I was truly fortunate to have that fellow. Thanks to him, I was able to govern this empire with my mind intact.” (Emperor)
Certainly, they are not ordinarily close.
“The Crown Prince will soon head to Nanjing.” (Emperor)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
“Take this.” (Emperor)
The grand eunuch received something from the Emperor and handed it to me.
I took it and tilted my head.
What the Emperor had bestowed upon me was a necklace, and on the red jewel hanging from that necklace, the character for permission was engraved.
What is he permitting?
“Usually, when the Crown Prince stays in Nanjing, everyone he meets is recorded and reported to me.” (Emperor)
Well, no matter how much he is the Crown Prince, from the Emperor’s perspective, he is not someone who can be trusted unconditionally.
But His Majesty the current Emperor is not someone who would do that... is it to confirm the Crown Prince’s achievements?
“As you know, not just anyone can meet the Crown Prince. But if you show that necklace, you will be able to meet the Crown Prince at any time.” (Emperor)
“Pardon?” (Eun Seoho)
I could not help being startled.
If it was as he said, then it was extremely precious.
“I heard my close friend asked you to serve as the Crown Prince’s advisor?” (Emperor)
“Ah... yes. Though I am lacking, I accepted that request.” (Eun Seoho)
“I too am asking you to serve as the Crown Prince’s advisor.” (Emperor)
The Emperor continued.
“In all my life, I have never seen anyone as capable as you while also cleverly securing profit and avoiding losses. And it seems the overly gentle Crown Prince is learning much by watching you.” (Emperor)
“Was that not already your thought when you sent His Highness the Crown Prince to me?” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, the Emperor clicked his tongue and grumbled.
“...Sharp-eyed brat.” (Emperor)
I politely bowed my head and said,
“They say a tiger father does not have a dog for a son. His Highness the Crown Prince is the child of His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress.” (Eun Seoho)
“Would I not know my own son? It is called atavism, and the more I look at him, the more he seems to resemble my father.” (Emperor)
The Emperor said,
“My father was too gentle a person. So when his younger brother bared his teeth at him, he stepped down from the imperial throne on the condition that his sons’ positions as kings would be guaranteed.” (Emperor)
“......” (Eun Seoho)
That was right.
The previous Emperor was the current Emperor’s uncle.
“And so I was able to safely become a king. Though it was a princely manor in the borderlands, I had to be satisfied with the mere fact that I had preserved my life.” (Emperor)
The Emperor ground his teeth.
“I do not want my son to suffer such humiliation.” (Emperor)
“How could I possibly understand that heart? I am merely concerned that I am a lowly merchant.” (Eun Seoho)
“Hmph!” (Emperor)
The Emperor snorted.
“It truly does not suit you to call yourself a lowly merchant with your own mouth.” (Emperor)
“......” (Eun Seoho)
“To survive in this imperial palace, one must become a merchant. I believe politics is a kind of trade. If I only push forward my own stubbornness, I become nothing but a tyrant.” (Emperor)
The Emperor continued.
“To gain one thing, I must give one thing, and at times I must coax, soothe, or persuade. And in the midst of that, even when it looks like I am taking a loss, I must not actually suffer a loss.” (Emperor)
Hearing it... that is true.
“That is why I am placing you beside the Crown Prince. In my eyes, you possess the greatest commercial talent under heaven.” (Emperor)
No, Your Majesty the Emperor.
If you say it like that, then I have no choice but to be sincere.
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The next day.
Because there was still work I had not yet been able to handle, I headed to my office as soon as I finished breakfast.
“Young Merchant Leader, the matters you must handle urgently today are...” (Kwak Seohyang)
As I moved while listening to Miss Seohyang beside me, the gatekeeper came running to me.
“Third Young Merchant Leader! A guest has arrived.” (Gatekeeper)