Chapter 664
Episode 664
Episode 664. The Emperor’s Secret Order (5)
I headed to Jocheon Palace.
I could not be certain why the Crown Prince had called me, but there was something I could guess.
When I entered the office, I saw the Crown Prince seated at the writing desk, handling work.
“This humble merchant greets Your Highness the Crown Prin…….” (Eun Seoho)
“Sit.” (Crown Prince)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
When I sat down, the Crown Prince also sat across from me and looked at me.
That gaze seemed markedly different from what I had seen before.
It was as though it reminded me of the Emperor’s eyes, so I too grew tense and braced myself.
“Young Company Head Eun. You make yourself far too expensive.” (Crown Prince)
“Thank you for the praise.” (Eun Seoho)
“You think that was praise?” (Crown Prince)
“A merchant, by nature, rejoices the more expensive the cards he holds are. According to Your Highness the Crown Prince’s words, it means the value of the cards I hold is high, so how could I not be glad?” (Eun Seoho)
“I cannot say anything to you.” (Crown Prince)
The Crown Prince grumbled.
“So, what should I do for you?” (Crown Prince)
“I do not understand what you mean.” (Eun Seoho)
“Phew, I suppose I must speak first.” (Crown Prince)
The Crown Prince shook his head and continued speaking.
“The contract with the place that supplies tea to Jocheon Palace has ended, and since it was not a particularly good supplier, I intend to change suppliers. Thus, I intend to hand over the right to supply my tea to the Eunhae Trading Company.” (Crown Prince)
“What may this humble merchant help you with?” (Eun Seoho)
“I need a very sharp knife. Can you procure one for me?” (Crown Prince)
A sharp knife.
He was not requesting a famous sword in the literal sense.
It meant he wanted me to remove the Martial Alliance’s string-pullers secretly operating in Jocheon Palace.
Previously, I had told the Crown Prince to do it himself, but if it was like this, the situation changed.
The right to supply tea to Jocheon Palace had considerable value.
Though not as much as the imperial palace, it was a place large enough to surpass a prince’s estate.
Moreover, the tea used by those working in a place like this was on a different level from the tea used by commoners.
The monetary profit that could be obtained from it was enormous, and its value as a means of promotion was also extremely high.
If one could say one supplied Jocheon Palace, the trustworthiness and reputation were as good as proven.
I lightly made a clasped-hands greeting and said.
“This humble merchant will procure a very sharp knife for you.” (Eun Seoho)
“I was waiting for those words. I am counting on you.” (Crown Prince)
It was a somewhat troublesome matter, but there was still time left until departure.
For the sake of obtaining that much, I could move a little diligently.
Besides, I had already thought about how I should move.
I immediately sent the Crown Prince a telepathic message.
Your Highness the Crown Prince. Then there is something I would like to ask of you. (Eun Seoho)
“……?” (Crown Prince)
Through telepathy, I asked the Crown Prince for several things.
. . .
Some time after Eun Seoho left the Crown Prince’s office.
The Crown Prince unknowingly burst into a hearty laugh.
“Puhahaha!” (Crown Prince)
Looking at him, Eunuch Jang could only widen his eyes.
“I understand why Father said Young Company Head Eun was vexing.” (Crown Prince)
“What do you mean?” (Eunuch Jang)
“He already had a solution in his head. And yet he was playing innocent the whole time.” (Crown Prince)
At the Crown Prince’s words, Eunuch Jang grasped the general circumstances.
Since Young Company Head Eun Seoho was a martial artist, it seemed he had conveyed the solution to the Crown Prince through telepathy.
“That is understandable. Young Company Head Eun Seoho is a capable merchant, after all. He must have raised his own value as much as possible.” (Eunuch Jang)
“I know. From the first time I saw him, he was someone skilled at raising his own value. He is so capable that I want to use him as an official. If he became an official, I could keep him beside me and entrust him with work without any burden. After all, the compensation would be paid as a salary.” (Crown Prince)
“I suspect Young Company Head Eun Seoho avoids it precisely because he knows that.” (Eunuch Jang)
Eunuch Jang continued speaking.
“Compared to the money Young Company Head Eun Seoho earns, an official’s salary is insignificant. Could someone like him, who likes money, be satisfied with an official’s salary?” (Eunuch Jang)
“That must be so.” (Crown Prince)
The Crown Prince nodded.
“If I am like this, how much more must Father feel? But the fact that he continues to leave him as a merchant must mean he judged that to be better. If so, I too think it is right to follow Father’s will.” (Crown Prince)
“I think so as well.” (Eunuch Jang)
“But I cannot help wanting to tease him.” (Crown Prince)
A deep smile formed on the Crown Prince’s lips.
Of course, I should do it in moderation. (Crown Prince)
There was something Hwangbo Hwi, who had told him to take Eun Seoho as an adviser, had asked of him.
“You may find him interesting and covet him, but do not push him too hard and work him recklessly. It would be fortunate if he simply ran away. If you are careless, you may get bitten.” (Hwangbo Hwi)
So the Emperor must also be making use of him and using him only to an appropriate extent.
And now it was time to move as Eun Seoho had requested.
“Eunuch Jang.” (Crown Prince)
“Yes, Your Highness.” (Eunuch Jang)
“There are still some of Eunuch Ajeong’s belongings left, are there not?” (Crown Prince)
“Ah, yes. We sent only the important items, so there are some remaining.” (Eunuch Jang)
“Then keep one suitable item stored away. And send one tight-lipped and skillful court lady into my bedchamber as an attendant.” (Crown Prince)
“I shall do so.” (Eunuch Jang)
. . .
I was now at the harbor.
I had moved as soon as I received word that the Eunhae Trading Company’s merchant ships had arrived.
Ships bearing the Eunhae Trading Company’s flags were coming in along the river.
They docked at the pier one after another, and temporary gangplanks were laid down.
Thud!
The Eunhae Trading Company’s clerks disembarked through those gangplanks, and four captains followed them down.
They approached me, made a clasped-hands greeting, and greeted me.
“We greet the Young Company Head.” (Captains)
“You have worked hard coming here. Let us talk in detail after you wash and fill your stomachs.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes.” (Captains)
And when we headed to the inn, I saw Captain Yong approaching his older brother.
The two brothers eased the longing of meeting after a long time.
A short while later.
All the people who had come by ship washed and sat around the inn’s dining tables.
“To think there would be such a lavish spread! Thank you.” (Clerk)
“I should do at least this much for those who will be working hard from now on.” (Eun Seoho)
On the tables where we sat now, thanks to my special order, splendid dishes had been laid out to the point that the table legs might break.
At that moment, one clerk spoke.
“I do not know why I feel as though hay is being fed to an ox before making it work.” (Clerk)
At that, I answered jokingly.
“My, you have good instincts.” (Eun Seoho)
“Huk!” (Clerk)
“Hahaha. I am joking.” (Eun Seoho)
And so we ate and drank while talking.
“Ah, by the way, how are Chief Manager Yoo and Assistant Officer Jo? They must be quite disappointed that the wedding was delayed.” (Eun Seoho)
Originally, Chief Manager Yoo Soak and Assistant Officer Jo Youngyoung’s wedding had been scheduled for March of this year.
However, because of the earthquake in Sichuan, the ceremony was delayed.
It was because Assistant Officer Jo’s father, who had been dispatched to Sichuan, was late returning.
It was not as though the bride’s father had passed away, and he was only late because of work, so they could not simply hold the ceremony.
By the way, at this point, the prohibition order should have been lifted…… but it is being delayed more than expected.
But this is not something to think badly of.
In my previous life, the prohibition order was lifted in order to soothe the angry public sentiment.
However, in this life, the overall public sentiment is not bad, so there is no need to forcefully lift the prohibition order.
I am quite satisfied that the things that happened because of my intervention are generally flowing in a good direction.
Both the delayed lifting of the prohibition order and the marriage of Chief Manager Yoo Soak and Assistant Officer Jo Youngyoung are thanks to me.
Of course, one cannot say that everything that occurs because of the future I changed will flow in a good direction, but honestly, that would be far too idealistic a thought.
A clerk of fairly advanced age answered.
“You need not worry too much. It seems they will likely hold the ceremony right after the Young Company Head’s wedding is finished.” (Clerk)
“I see.” (Eun Seoho)
Then I can give them a good wedding gift.
“Is the construction on Hainan Island proceeding well?” (Eun Seoho)
There was also the empire’s naval base being built on Hainan Island, but what I was asking about was the Eunhae Trading Company’s home port.
Recognizing this, Captain Yong answered.
“Yes. It is proceeding very smoothly, and the local people’s reaction is good as well.” (Captain Yong)
“That is a relief.” (Eun Seoho)
“I believe the construction will be roughly finished by around next year. So when we return from Dai Viet this time, I intend to try using that place as an intermediate port of call.” (Captain Yong)
“I see. I hope it will be completed by then.” (Eun Seoho)
We continued talking about various matters regarding this maritime trade.
“Ah, Captain Yang.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes, Young Company Head.” (Captain Yang)
Captain Yang was a person introduced by the Baekbuik Trading Company, which handled trade with Maeraeseo.
Regarding our entering into trade with Maeraeseo, the Baekbuik Trading Company had expressed its welcome with open arms.
Ordinarily, when a competing Trading Company appears, it is normal to be wary of and dislike it, but that was not the case here.
“To think the Eunhae Trading Company will enter the Maeraeseo trade! This is truly welcome news.” (Baekbuik Trading Company)
“Are you not a little too pleased?” (Eun Seoho)
“How could I not be? How reassuring it is that the Eunhae Trading Company’s Invincible Bow Unit will be with us! Moreover, since the number of merchants from our empire is not large, even when the Maeraeseo side beats down the prices, we cannot respond to it……” (Baekbuik Trading Company)
“You must have had a rather difficult time until now.” (Eun Seoho)
Securing safety in maritime trade and increasing competitiveness in transactions.
Those two things alone were enough for the Baekbuik Trading Company to welcome our Eunhae Trading Company.
Perhaps because of that, they actively stepped forward and found us a captain.
According to Captain Yong, he is better than expected.
So I am gradually working on him so that he can sincerely become a person of our Eunhae Trading Company.
“Tomorrow, you will go to Jocheon Palace with me. I will introduce you to Seonil Hyung-nim and Her Highness Princess Sinaa, who will be going to Maeraeseo with you this time.” (Eun Seoho)
“Understood.” (Captain Yang)
At that moment, one clerk carefully spoke to me.
“Um…… I heard after arriving here that His Highness the Crown Prince, who is currently in Nanjing, is unwell. May I ask what happened?” (Clerk)
At those words, I let out a sigh and nodded.
“Ah…… You mean that story. Phew, it all happened because of this incompetent me.” (Eun Seoho)
At their puzzled expressions, I explained to them about the matter related to Eunuch Ajeong’s death.
“The problem is what came after.” (Eun Seoho)
I continued speaking with a somber expression.
“Eunuch Ajeong’s vengeful spirit has been unable to leave and has appeared in His Highness the Crown Prince’s dreams, saying it is resentful, so His Highness the Crown Prince has been unable to sleep at all.” (Eun Seoho)
“Oh dear…….” (Clerk)
“They say sleep is the greatest medicine, but since he cannot sleep, everyone is very worried.” (Eun Seoho)
“So there was such a circumstance.” (Clerk)
“That is truly a serious matter.” (Clerk)
“So they say they will hold a rite tomorrow to soothe that resentment. And since I am also involved in that matter, I will be participating.” (Eun Seoho)
.
.
.
The next day.
I headed to Jocheon Palace with Captain Yang.
In the front courtyard, preparations were in full swing for a rite to soothe Eunuch Ajeong’s spirit.
I passed them and headed to Seonil Hyung-nim and his wife.
“You have come?” (Seonil)
“Yes. Hyung-nim, and Your Highness the Princess.” (Eun Seoho)
“I told you to call me Sister-in-law. If you truly keep doing that, I will tell Father.” (Princess Sinaa)
Seonil Hyung-nim also smiled as he spoke.
“Calling her Sister-in-law is not that difficult, is it?” (Seonil)
It is still difficult, but…… there is nothing I can do.
It does not quite roll off my tongue yet, but I should try.
“Yes. Sister-in-law.” (Eun Seoho)
“That sounds nice.” (Princess Sinaa)
Only then did a smile form on Princess Sinaa’s lips.
I introduced Captain Yang beside me.
“This is Captain Yang, who will escort you two to Maeraeseo this time. And these are my cousin Hyung-nim and Sister-in-law.” (Eun Seoho)
At my introduction, they each introduced themselves to one another.
“I am Hong Seonil, a Lecturer of the Hanlin Academy. This time, by His Majesty the Emperor’s command, I will be going to Maeraeseo as an envoy.” (Hong Seonil)
“I am Sinaa.” (Princess Sinaa)
“I greet Lord Lecturer Hong and Your Highness the Princess. My name is Yang Dojik. I will do my utmost to serve you both.” (Yang Dojik)
“Thank you.” (Hong Seonil)
I rose from my seat.
“Then please talk about the journey. I will go see His Highness the Crown Prince.” (Eun Seoho)
I headed straight to the Crown Prince’s office.
Because I had the necklace the Emperor had given me, I could meet the Crown Prince at any time.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, Young Company Head Eun Seoho requests an audience.” (Eunuch)
“Tell him to enter.” (Crown Prince)
“Yes.” (Eunuch)
The door opened, and I entered the office.
“This humble merchant Eun Seoho greets Your Highness the Crown Prince. May thous…….” (Eun Seoho)
“Just sit.” (Crown Prince)
“Yes. Your Highness.” (Eun Seoho)
I sat in front of the tea table and looked at the Crown Prince seated before me.
A pale face.
And black under his eyes.
“Did you do that face yourself?” (Eun Seoho)
“Do you think so? I had a tight-lipped court lady do it. How is it?” (Crown Prince)
“It is enough for the rumors to spread.” (Eun Seoho)
“That court lady’s skill is quite useful.” (Crown Prince)
Saying that, the Crown Prince chuckled.
The rumor that the Crown Prince was suffering because of nightmares had been spread deliberately.
Still, if his face looked too perfectly fine, that would also be strange, so he had deliberately disguised his face to look tired from being unable to sleep.
“The process of holding the rite today should be quite worth seeing.” (Eun Seoho)
“I will enjoy a rare spectacle.” (Crown Prince)
That evening.
“Welcome, Daoist.” (Eun Seoho)
I warmly greeted Daoist Cheongsu, who had arrived at Jocheon Palace.
Since the main headquarters of the Maoshan Sect was located near Nanjing, I had personally gone to the Maoshan Sect and invited a daoist.
As it happened, Daoist Cheongsu, with whom I had a connection before, was there, and when I asked him, he readily agreed to join in the play.
“허…… 이런! 이런!” (Daoist Cheongsu)
Daoist Cheongsu shook the spirit bell in his hand and spoke.
“To think this Jocheon Palace is so full of the souls of the dead! Among them is an especially evil soul. Could that place over there possibly be His Highness the Crown Prince’s residence?” (Daoist Cheongsu)
“You can already see it?” (Eun Seoho)
“It is only this poor daoist’s insufficient skill.” (Daoist Cheongsu)
Jingle, jingle.
And seeing him shake the spirit bell and walk toward the place I had prepared, I tilted my head.
Because his acting was too realistic.
So much that I wondered whether it might be real.
At this, Palgap was horrified.
“Eek! Young Master. It seems there really are many ghosts in this palace, sir.” (Palgap)
No, why is a guy whose build is like a bear trembling?
More than that…….
“But why are you sticking right next to me?” (Eun Seoho)
“Somehow, it seems even ghosts would avoid you, Young Master, sir.” (Palgap)
“…….” (Eun Seoho)