Chapter 682
Chapter 682
Chapter 682. Killing Two Birds with One Stone (5)
The wanderers who had fled were eventually captured and dragged back.
They were important witnesses, so we could not simply let them escape.
Thus, after subduing everyone, we transported them to the Jinan county office.
Now it was up to the Masters of the Royal Guards to make the words Namgung Clan come out of their mouths.
I had prevented the raid on the quarry and put the Royal Guards in my debt, so I was satisfied enough.
For a while now, the Baekcheon Trading Company and the Namgung Clan would have no choice but to lie low.
In the meantime, if I developed the quarry and even signed a contract to supply high-quality whetstones to the Imperial Palace, from then on, neither the Namgung Clan nor the Baekcheon Trading Company would be able to recklessly covet this place.
Good. Perfect.
After inspecting the quarry, I returned to the Hwangbo Clan.
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.
Day broke.
Having received the Clan Head's summons, I left my quarters.
The place I headed to was not the Clan Head's office, but the reception room.
In other words, it meant the personnel selection I had requested had been decided.
As I waited in the reception room, the door opened and the Clan Head and the Young Master entered.
Since I had been told that the Young Master was in charge of this selection, that must be why they had come together.
Behind them, a man entered.
As befitted a member of the Hwangbo Clan, he was a rather sturdy young man.
I rose from my seat, and the Clan Head gestured with his hand and said,
"Sit." (Clan Head)
"Yes." (MC)
The Clan Head sat in the seat of honor, and the other two sat across from me.
"It took longer than expected. The conditions for the personnel you requested were rather strict." (Clan Head)
"I apologize for troubling you." (MC)
"Not at all. Did I have a hard time? My son did it, so I did not have a hard time at all." (Clan Head)
"Father……." (Young Master)
At those sly words, the Young Master let out a sigh.
I smiled awkwardly and said,
"I have troubled you." (MC)
"Not at all. Thanks to it, I was able to realize anew that there are many talented people in the main family." (Young Master)
The Young Master laughed heartily and introduced the young man accompanying him.
"He is the youngest son of my youngest uncle. His name is Hwangbo Hongui. He is thirty-four this year." (Young Master)
Perfect.
I rose from my seat and clasped my hands in greeting.
"I am Eun Seoho, Young Captain of the Eunha Merchant Guild. I look forward to working with you." (MC)
He also rose from his seat and returned the greeting.
Each and every movement was disciplined, so anyone could tell at a glance that he was the child of a prestigious clan.
"I am called Hwangbo Hongui. Though my abilities are meager, I will do my utmost." (Hwangbo Hongui)
Yes, this was exactly what a child of the Hwangbo Clan should be like.
Hwangbo Wook, no, Mister Wook was the strange one.
After we exchanged greetings and sat down, the Young Master asked,
"When should Hongui go to Beijing?" (Young Master)
"He should probably come to the martial arts academy by October of this year. When the time comes, I will send someone." (MC)
"Understood." (Young Master)
Then the Clan Head began speaking.
"By the way, I heard that my daughter Ina will also be going as an instructor at the martial arts academy……." (Clan Head)
"Yes. That is correct. I asked her to take the position of dormitory supervisor at the martial arts academy and received a positive answer." (MC)
"Yes, I heard it is a position with less burden compared to an instructor's post." (Clan Head)
The Clan Head did not say it aloud, but there was a feeling of gratitude in his gaze.
Most likely, since it was thanks to me that he had cleared up the misunderstanding with his daughter, he was grateful for that.
"Ina says she has something she wants to say. Meet her later." (Clan Head)
"Yes. I will do so." (MC)
"Then the two of you should talk." (Clan Head)
With that, the Clan Head and the Young Master rose from their seats. Mister Hwangbo Hongui and I also rose and showed proper courtesy.
Then, once only the two of us remained, Mister Hwangbo Hongui carefully asked,
"Um…… is Noona Ina also going to the martial arts academy?" (Hwangbo Hongui)
"Yes. She agreed to take the position of dormitory supervisor." (MC)
Thus, I was now in an extremely good mood.
Because I had been able to recruit not just one but two people to the martial arts academy, entirely unexpectedly.
Was this not exactly killing two birds with one stone?
"Ugh……." (Hwangbo Hongui)
But Mister Hwangbo Hongui somehow had an uneasy expression.
"What is the matter?" (MC)
"That is…… No, it is nothing." (Hwangbo Hongui)
"If there is a problem, please tell me. Only then can I take measures in advance, can I not?" (MC)
"That is, well……." (Hwangbo Hongui)
He hesitated for a long while before answering with difficulty.
"She is a frightening person." (Hwangbo Hongui)
"Pardon?" (MC)
"Noona Ina was the one who kept discipline in the main family." (Hwangbo Hongui)
Ah…….
Seeing Mister Hwangbo Hongui before me tremble merely at hearing that name, it seemed she had enforced discipline rather strongly.
Then that was even better.
It meant she was a person suited to taking charge as dormitory supervisor.
I smiled and said,
"It seems you thought you would be able to escape from her, but now that you are going together like this, you have many worries about it." (MC)
"I have nothing to say. Hahaha." (Hwangbo Hongui)
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.
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That afternoon.
I headed to Madam Hwangbo Ina's residence.
After drinking tea in the reception room there and waiting for a short while, the door opened and the madam entered.
"This humble merchant Eun Seoho greets Madam." (MC)
"We meet again. It is good to see you. Sit." (Hwangbo Ina)
"Yes." (MC)
We sat facing each other at the tea table.
Elegance could be glimpsed in the way she sat and drank tea.
To think that someone like this was a supreme master.
By the way, she was wearing light-colored clothes, not the dark clothes from before.
They suited her much better.
I spoke first.
"I heard from the Clan Head. That you wished to meet me." (MC)
"That is so. I decided to go to that martial arts academy, but I do not know much about it. I would like to hear a more detailed explanation." (Hwangbo Ina)
"Ah, I apologize. I was foolish and failed to explain it to you beforehand." (MC)
"No. Were you not busy here and there?" (Hwangbo Ina)
"Thank you for understanding." (MC)
I took a sip of tea to moisten my mouth, then continued.
"First, the official Principal of the martial arts academy being established this time is His Majesty the Emperor." (MC)
"His Majesty the Emperor?" (Hwangbo Ina)
"Yes. That is correct." (MC)
This was something already decided through His Highness the Crown Prince.
After thinking for a moment at my words, she nodded.
"Certainly, that side would make it easy to avoid needless suspicion." (Hwangbo Ina)
Those words accurately grasped my intention.
Though it was on the outskirts, it was a martial arts academy being built within Beijing's administrative district.
If someone tried to find fault for no reason, it would be troublesome, so I had made His Majesty the Emperor the Principal from the start.
In any case, the purpose of that martial arts academy was also to supply excellent military officers to the Imperial Palace.
"Then there will be no chance of the martial arts academy being closed down midway." (Hwangbo Ina)
"Of course." (MC)
"Have you named the martial arts academy?" (Hwangbo Ina)
"Not yet, but I intend to submit a request asking His Majesty the Emperor to bestow a name upon it." (MC)
"Well done." (Hwangbo Ina)
When His Majesty the Emperor was officially the Principal, if I asked someone else to name the martial arts academy, he would surely sulk.
Strangely, he was magnanimous when it came to big matters, yet timidly petty when it came to small ones.
"Then who has decided to serve as acting Principal? Since His Majesty the Emperor cannot take charge personally, someone will have to be appointed as his proxy, will they not?" (Hwangbo Ina)
"Correct." (MC)
I grinned.
"The acting Principal has also been selected." (MC)
I simply had not told him yet.
The person in question probably did not even dream right now that he was the acting Principal.
But if he received His Majesty the Emperor's imperial decree, he would have to do it.
"I see. May I know who it is?" (Hwangbo Ina)
"I cannot tell you yet, but you need not worry. He is an excellent person, worthy of respect in many ways." (MC)
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I had finished all my business at the Hwangbo Clan, so now it was time to return.
I coordinated the schedule with Master Hwangbo Seonyu.
"Let us return the morning after tomorrow." (Hwangbo Seonyu)
"Understood. By the way, did the captured people open their mouths?" (MC)
"Hehehe, there was no way they would not open them." (Hwangbo Seonyu)
Then again, the interrogations of the Royal Guards were notoriously infamous.
Not only because they were skilled at inflicting pain, but also because they were well versed in the psychological warfare of persuasion and coaxing.
"We secured testimony and evidence that the Namgung Clan ordered the matter, and several Royal Guards have already left for Beijing to report it." (Hwangbo Seonyu)
Of course, speed was the key in this matter.
"Then why are you saying we should leave tomorrow?" (MC)
"Because I also have some work left to do." (Hwangbo Seonyu)
When I stared straight at him, he gave a dry cough.
"It has been a long time, so I am looking after my children's education a little, speaking with my wife, and so on. That is why time is being delayed." (Hwangbo Seonyu)
"Ah, your wife and children are here?" (MC)
At my question, he nodded.
"Given my status, it is a little uneasy to leave them in Beijing." (Hwangbo Seonyu)
"That would be true." (MC)
The Royal Guards were an organization that enjoyed tremendous power, but at the same time, they were also a very dangerous organization.
Those who aimed for the Royal Guards were highly likely to approach their families.
"Understood. Then we will depart the morning after tomorrow." (MC)
"Thank you for understanding." (Hwangbo Seonyu)
"Not at all. Please rest comfortably." (MC)
Then, since I have nothing to do today and tomorrow, should I relax properly for the first time in a while?
Once I return to Beijing, I will have to work again while cutting down on my sleep.
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The day of our departure for Beijing arrived.
I had met and exchanged farewell greetings yesterday in advance with Mister Hogyeong of the Baekyeom Trading Company and the others.
The people of the Hwangbo Clan came out and saw us off.
I exchanged greetings with Madam Hwangbo Ina and Mister Hwangbo Hongui, promising to meet them later.
"I will see you this autumn." (MC)
"Stay healthy until we meet again." (Hwangbo Ina)
"Yes. I will look forward to that time." (MC)
Then I mounted my horse and set off for Beijing.
It had not been a long distance, but it had been a journey with more incidents than expected.
At the entrance to Shandong, I had caught and beaten up a swindler named Hwang Jeon, who had been making and selling boil ointment out of Earthen Root Grass.
I had also obtained the item Elder Guimyeonpo had left behind, and in the midst of that, discovered a treasure I had not even expected.
And in Jinan, by purchasing the whetstone-producing mountain, I had shattered the ambitions of the Namgung Clan and the Baekcheon Trading Company toward the Hwangbo Clan and the Baekyeom Trading Company.
In the midst of it, I also did some things that would score points with the Emperor.
That had truly felt satisfying.
Because it meant I had taken revenge, however small, on the Baekcheon Trading Company and the Namgung Clan.
Of course, I could not be satisfied with that much.
They were ultimately the ones who had killed me and brought down our Trading Company.
If I did not want to suffer at their hands, I had no choice but to bring them down myself.
Hoo, if I keep living this diligently, the day of my revenge will draw closer and closer.
· · ·
While handling his duties, the Emperor received a visit from the person he had been waiting for.
"Your Majesty the Emperor. Hwangbo Seonyu, Northern Pacification Commander, requests an audience with Your Majesty." (Eunuch)
"Ah, tell him to come in." (Emperor)
"Yes." (Eunuch)
Soon, Hwangbo Seonyu came before the Emperor and offered the highest courtesy before him.
"Rise and lift your head." (Emperor)
"Your imperial grace is boundless." (Hwangbo Seonyu)
"Yes." (Emperor)
The Emperor nodded and said,
"I read well the report submitted by that county magistrate at the border of Shandong. Earthen Root Grass, was it…… They played a rather nasty prank." (Emperor)
"Yes. It is fortunate beyond measure that no greater damage occurred because of it." (Hwangbo Seonyu)
"You have worked hard." (Emperor)
The Emperor looked at the separate report he had set aside and continued speaking.
"And this time, the Namgung Clan caused an incident in Jinan." (Emperor)
"They did." (Hwangbo Seonyu)
Hwangbo Seonyu reported the matter with his head slightly lowered.
"……Thus, we arrested five members of the Namgung Clan and over one hundred wanderers." (Hwangbo Seonyu)
"I see. In the midst of that, did the quarry in Jinan suffer no damage?" (Emperor)
"There was no damage whatsoever." (Hwangbo Seonyu)
"I see." (Emperor)
The Emperor nodded.
"You worked hard. Thanks to you, I have obtained a card with which to pressure the Martial Alliance." (Emperor)
The one who had caused the incident was the Namgung Clan, but the place leading the Martial Alliance was none other than the Namgung Clan.
That was why the Emperor intended to use this as a means to pressure the insolent Martial Alliance, which had planted people inside the Imperial Palace.
"To come up with such a novel idea and reduce my labor, you are truly admirable and commendable. This is why I cannot help but favor the Royal Guards." (Emperor)
"……Your imperial grace is boundless." (Hwangbo Seonyu)
"But where did Young Captain Eun Seoho go, that you came alone?" (Emperor)
"Ah, Young Captain Eun Seoho had much work for the Trading Company, so he headed straight to the Eunha Merchant Guild's Beijing branch." (Hwangbo Seonyu)
He added an excuse.
"Still, since we went together, I asked him to accompany me to meet Your Majesty, but he said that since he had done nothing, how could he step forward at such a place……." (Hwangbo Seonyu)
"I see. Understood." (Emperor)
The Emperor said,
"You may withdraw and rest." (Emperor)
"Your imperial grace is boundless." (Hwangbo Seonyu)
Thus, Hwangbo Seonyu withdrew.
Tak!
When the door closed, the Emperor chuckled.
"Look at this bastard……." (Emperor)
"Has something displeased you?" (Eunuch)
At the eunuch's question, the Emperor shook his head and said,
"It is amusing because that fellow's thoughts are plain to see." (Emperor)
"Pardon?" (Eunuch)
"If you look at the report Hwangbo Seonyu, Northern Pacification Commander, submitted this time, there is nothing at all about Eun Seoho." (Emperor)
"Is that so?" (Eunuch)
"In your opinion, do you think a strategy like this came from those stiff heads?" (Emperor)
It was not a question asked in expectation of an answer, so the eunuch listened in silence.
"This definitely came from that fellow Eun Seoho's head. How serious is that fellow about money? Would he simply watch, knowing full well that his own quarry was being attacked?" (Emperor)
"Then are you saying that Northern Pacification Commander Hwangbo deliberately altered the report for the sake of his own achievements?" (Eunuch)
"No, it would be the exact opposite. That fellow surely asked him to do it. He must have run his mouth, saying, 'This matter is for the sake of the Masters of the Royal Guards, so how could I include my name and ruin the matter?'" (Emperor)
"……." (Eunuch)
The eunuch could not say that was not so.
Because he too had watched Eun Seoho for many years.
"Then what do you intend to do about this?" (Eunuch)
"Allowing him to dream a pleasant dream is also the Emperor's duty. He has worked hard all this time, so I should leave him to rest a little." (Emperor)
"However, Your Majesty." (Eunuch)
The eunuch carefully reported.
"In my view, Young Captain Eun Seoho is a person who summons work of his own accord. It does not seem he is someone who can rest simply because Your Majesty shows him such consideration." (Eunuch)
At that, the Emperor grinned and said,
"That is why it is a pleasant 'dream.' A dream cannot become reality, you see." (Emperor)
"That is true." (Eunuch)
"And the reduction of that fellow's official achievements means I can give that fellow less as well, so there is nothing bad for me. Is that not so? Hahaha." (Emperor)
"……." (Eunuch)