Chapter 71
The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Trading Company Chapter 71
Chapter 71. Becoming a Captain (2)
Strictly speaking, the bodyguards I first chose were not my choice.
They were chosen by the Chief Administrator at my request.
However, they ended up betraying me.
No, it wasn't betrayal.
They never served me as their liege lord from the beginning, so it wasn't betrayal.
They were planted by a rival trading company, and because of them, my business suffered losses.
I was able to recover quickly, but when I found out the reason, I realized that my bodyguards were rats.
The Chief Administrator was very sorry to me for finding out so late.
This time, there will be no such thing.
I soon arrived at the training ground.
The reason I came here is because there are some warriors I have in mind.
They are the warriors Yeo Eung-am and Lee Pil, who accompanied me to Sichuan.
They worked well together, were skilled, and had good judgment.
And based on my experience, they didn't cause any martial aunt.
Most importantly, they were discreet.
When I sowed discord between Yeongpo, a rat from the Dan Trading Company in Sichuan, and the head of the Dan Trading Company, I stole a small amount of gold. I still have it.
Even though they knew about it, they never said a word to anyone.
That alone was enough to pass the test.
This is because maintaining security is very important for me in the future.
It is now training time for Lee Yeong-am and Lee Pil, who belong to this team and Team 1.
I found out through Pal-gap when I met the Chief Administrator earlier.
Yoon Chung-jin, the Vice Captain, was standing on the platform, training the warriors.
“It seems like you've been slacking off lately, so let's get back on track today!”
Captain Yoon Chung-jin's aura was like a sharp blade.
He seemed to be boiling with rage because my father, Jung Ho, and I had nearly died on our way to Beijing due to the thunderstorm.
I smiled as I watched the warriors covered in dirt rolling around under the Captain's orders.
The warriors were training with a fierce look in their eyes.
I'll have to give them some meat and alcohol later.
I said to Pal-gap.
“Don't make any noise. I want to watch them secretly.”
“Yes, sir.”
Pal-gap nodded at my words. At that moment, Pal-gap's presence disappeared.
Huh? What is it?
Come to think of it, this wasn't the first time this had happened.
When we dealt with the Boss of the Black House, I couldn't sense Pal-gap's presence at all.
Suddenly, I remembered a story I had heard in my previous life.
It said that there were people who were born with the ability to hide their presence so well that even their surroundings would conceal them.
It said that this was the quality of the King of Assassins, Salwang.
When I first heard this story, I thought it was just bragging.
But it wasn't bragging.
There really were people who were born with such abilities.
And one of them was my servant...!
I was surprised that I had been completely unaware of this in my previous life.
“Huh? What's wrong?”
My expression must have been strange, because I sensed Pal-gap's presence again.
Then he blinked his eyes.
Seeing this, I smiled.
Even with the talent of the King of Assassins, Pal-gap is still Pal-gap.
He is my most trusted servant.
“Nothing. I was just thinking about something. Let's just watch them for a while.”
“Yes, sir.”
Pal-gap's presence disappeared again, and I also hid my presence and watched them train.
The training ended, and it was time for a short break.
My plan was this.
I would approach them as cool as possible.
Then, in the coolest voice I could muster, I would say, “Yeongam Musha, Ipil Musha, come with me.”
I wanted to make them feel proud that I had come here myself to choose them.
If they were going to be my men, I had to make sure they knew it from the start.
At the same time, I wanted to comfort them for their hard work and impress them a little.
However, things did not go as planned.
“What on earth is going on?”
One of the warriors wiped his sweat and said.
“This is all because Seoho-do-yeon was trying to rescue Jinwoo-rim, the captain of the Trading Company.”
“Why did that happen?”
“Seoho saved Captain Jin, and that revealed who the enemy was. The Dong Trading Company, which was the enemy, was destroyed, and their second son held a grudge and attacked, setting off the firecrackers. That's why the Vice Captain is so angry.”
“Is that what happened?”
“If Seoho hadn't done anything, we wouldn't have had to train so hard.”
Those words made me feel bitter.
In fact, I didn't know things would turn out that way.
Because of that, my father, my brother, and I almost died. But they also suffered the consequences.
Maybe this is the price I have to pay for changing the future.
I have no complaints about paying that price.
However, hearing those words made me hesitate about making others pay that price.
Right now, it was just hellish training, but in the worst case, the price could have been their lives.
Just like my father and Jung-ho almost died.
That was when it happened.
“Shut up, you there!”
It was a familiar voice.
It was the voice of Yeo-eung-am, the warrior.
“What do you mean, because of Captain Seo-ho? Use the correct title. He is not Captain Eun Seo-ho, but Captain Eun Seo-ho.”
“He hasn't been officially appointed yet...”
“What are you arguing about? Everyone at Eunwol Hall has already recognized him.”
“That's because...”
“And it's because of Captain Seo Ho? You damn bastard! It's Dong Sang-dan's dog who did something wrong, not the captain!”
“That's right. The captain didn't do anything wrong.”
“That bastard almost killed the captain.”
Then Lee Pil said, “Captain, you should have done something.”
“Didn't you say that the Captain should have stayed put? Are you out of your mind? A swordsman must act according to the code of honor. The Captain did nothing but follow the code. And now he's being criticized for it! What is your code of honor?”
“You bastard! This is not going to work!”
“I can't believe I'm in the same team as you! I'm ashamed!”
“It's because we didn't train properly that this happened!”
“If we had done it right, would this have happened? You know they're always in danger!”
“This guy should be expelled immediately!”
“Yes!”
“But what if he dies?”
“If they die, they die! Isn't it natural for people who live by the sword to live with death always at their doorstep?”
“If they die, they die for the Trading Company, so it's a glorious death.”
“Why are you making it so complicated?”
I was trying to impress them, but I ended up being impressed myself.
I was grateful.
I couldn't stand in front of them in that situation. It wasn't because my eyes were red.
I'm just embarrassed for those warriors.
“Let's go back.”
Instead of choosing them myself, I decided to ask the Chief Administrator to bring two bodyguards.
Honestly, now that I've decided to change the future of the Eunhae Trading Company, many things will change.
However, I had already taken the first step.
All I could promise was that I would minimize the damage and ensure a glorious future.
“Hm?”
As I headed to my quarters, Sa-jo and Oh-jo were coming to the training ground for their next training session.
Then, some warriors caught my eye.
They were already in the Eunpungdae.
Come to think of it, they had been in the Eunpung Corps, so when I became the Captain, the Chief Administrator must have recommended them as my bodyguards.
Wondering what to do with them, I smiled.
Now that they were in my hands, it would be a waste to just send them away.
I would have to use them well.
Ah...
They say that if you cry and laugh at the same time, you'll grow horns on your butt.
.
.
.
A moment later.
I went to the Chief Administrator and told him the names of the warriors he had selected as my bodyguards.
“Warriors Yeo-eung-am and Lee Pil. They are quite skilled and have good eyesight.”
“They served as my bodyguards when I went to Sichuan last time, and I found that we worked well together.”
“Hahaha. That's right. Bodyguards must work well together. No matter how skilled they are, it's difficult if they don't work well together. I understand. I will do as you wish, Captain.”
“Thank you.”
I continued.
“Come to think of it, Vice Captain Yoon Chung-jin trains his soldiers quite rigorously.”
“Ah.”
The Chief Administrator nodded and said.
“I was quite upset when I heard about what happened on the way to Beijing. With the announcement ceremony coming up soon, I had a sparring match with the Vice Captain.”
“....”
I thought I understood the whole story.
The Chief Administrator is a master swordsman known as Ilgeomjincheon.
No matter how skilled the Vice Captain was, he would have been beaten badly in a duel with the Chief Administrator.
He gathered the warriors to vent his anger.
So, it was the Chief Administrator who started this whole thing.
“I see. Still, I'm worried that if they train too much in this heat, they will become exhausted and won't be able to use their strength when they need it. So, I'm thinking of sending them some alcohol and meat later.”
“Our Captain Seo Ho is so kind. Hahaha.”
After finishing my conversation with the Chief Administrator, I returned to my quarters.
I lay down on my bed and sighed.
The announcement of my appointment as Captain hadn't even been made yet, but I already felt exhausted.
At that moment, Pal-gap spoke.
“Young Master, is there anyone else you would like to send an invitation to?”
The invitations had already been sent out.
He was asking if there was anyone else who should be invited.
It would be a great insult if someone who should have been invited was left out.
“Did you send one to the Jegal Family?”
“Of course.”
“I already gave them to Captain Jin Woo-rim and the other captains before they left for Beijing...”
I got up from the bed.
“What about the escort agency?”
“I sent it.”
“Good job.”
I got up from the bed.
“How many invitations did I ask you to set aside?”
“One is left. It's for the elder at the general store.”
The elderly man who retired from being a gweimunpo is someone I am currently putting a lot of effort into.
Because he is such a person, I must deliver the invitation myself.
I gave it to my Master yesterday morning, and he confirmed that he would definitely come.
I straightened my clothes, took the invitation from Pal-gap, and put it in my sleeve.
“Let's go to the general store.”
.
.
.
A moment later.
I arrived at the general store on Seogae Street.
The old man was sitting leisurely with his tobacco pipe in his mouth, but when he saw me, he stood up.
“You again?”
“Again? I've been waiting for you.”
“For me, every day is the same, you fool.”
“Hahaha.”
I sat down in front of him, took the invitation out of my sleeve, and handed it to him.
“The day after tomorrow, I will become a Captain.”
“I know, you fool.”
“You'll come, right?”
In response to my question, the old man read the invitation. Looking at his face, it was clear that he was trying to suppress a smile.
You like it so much...
“How old are you, and you're already a captain?”
“I'm fifteen.”
“Well, with your abilities, it's not surprising that you became a captain at that age.”
The old man muttered and stood up.
“Wait a moment.”
“...?”
The old man went inside and came out carrying something. He threw it on the table.
“It's a gift.”
“What?”
“It's a gift to celebrate you becoming the captain.”
“Thank you.”
I was stunned because I never expected the old man at the general store to give me a gift.
The gift the old man gave me was a red silk pouch.
But when I touched it, the pouch was empty.
Isn't it usual to put something inside a pouch like this?
“Is this a pouch?”
The old man replied to my question.
“Yes, it is a pouch.”
“Is the pouch the gift?”
“Yes.”
The old man sat down on a chair and looked at me.
“No matter what you put in it, it will feel the same weight. And you can put about a hundred times more into it.”
“...What?”
I was surprised.
If that was true, then it was true. The old man in front of me was not the type to brag or lie.
This was a treasure.
“This is too much of a gift!”
“You know what you're getting. But you are worthy of receiving this gift.”
The old man continued.
“Thanks to you, I was able to fulfill my lifelong dream.”
“....”
Well, it's a gift, so I should accept it with gratitude.
“Thank you. I will use it well.”
“It's not free.”
“What?”
“I heard you did something quite spectacular at the Imperial Palace this time.”
He knows, as expected.
“Is that a problem?”
"No, it's not that. If those bastards had come to their senses earlier, this wouldn't have happened. They're probably too busy trying to survive in the midst of a knife fight to care about you. However...“
”...?“
The old man looked at me and smiled.
”It seems that His Majesty is interested in you.“
”What? Me?“
”If you grow up well, he wants to eat you."