Chapter 93
Trading Company's Youngest Son Chapter 93
Chapter 93. Eun Jin-ho Goes Missing (1)
I immediately headed to Eunwolgak.
Although I had permission to enter Eunwolgak, my grandfather, who didn't usually come there, came with me.
There, we heard the whole story from my father and Hyung-nim.
It was the end of June when Jin-ho left for Yunnan.
When he was due to return, he still hadn't arrived, so I thought something was wrong, and then a letter arrived from Yunnan.
“You know we have an employee stationed in Yunnan who is in charge of trading pu-erh tea, right?”
“Yes, I know.”
An employee of Eunhae Trading Company was stationed there on a rotating assignment and was in charge of the pu-erh tea trade.
“We received word that he would be arriving soon, but he didn't show up, so we sent a letter.”
Only then did they realize that something had happened, and they immediately notified Changin Escort Agency.
Naturally, Changin Escort Agency called an emergency meeting.
I was already thinking that something was wrong, and then our trading company reported the news to you.
The Changin Escort Agency and Eunhae Trading Company immediately sent people to Yunnan, and they just returned today.
“So that's how you found out that Jin-ho and his group were missing?”
My father answered my grandfather's question.
“Yes. We confirmed that they stayed at the Eulim Inn in Yunnan. However, there is no trace of them after that.”
If they stayed at the Eulim Inn, it would be the second or third inn they would stay at if they entered Yunnan and traveled at a normal speed.
“I see.”
He sighed.
“I don't know what to say. Comfort Jin-ho's mother.”
“Yes, sir.”
.
.
.
I returned to the study.
“Young master, you should wash up first.”
“Yes, you're right.”
I washed myself with the warm water that Pal-gap had prepared and immediately lay down on the bed.
Something felt strange.
It felt like the news of Jin-ho's disappearance was a lie.
In my previous life, Jin-ho had never disappeared, so perhaps that was why this shock was even greater.
As far as I remember, Hyung-nim Jin-ho didn't go on the business trip for the boycha.
Hyung-nim Sun-il had taken Hyung-nim Jin-ho to visit his grandfather to celebrate his promotion.
But because I was in Shaanxi, Hyung-nim Jin-ho had to go on the business trip for the boycha.
That means that my actions caused everything to go wrong, and Hyung-nim Jin-ho went missing.
I bit my lip.
I had decided to change the future without causing any harm to those around me.
But...
Jinho's severed head, which had been placed in a box, appeared before my eyes.
Jinho, who had begged me to save him...
“Even if you don't feel like eating, you have to eat dinner tonight... Huh! Young master! Why are you bleeding from your mouth?”
Pal-gap rushed into my room, panicked, and quickly brought a handkerchief to wipe my lips.
It was bitter.
I didn't know where my brother Jin-ho, who was now missing, was or what he was going through, but just biting my lips hurt so much...
My expression must have been terrible.
Pal-gap looked at me and said,
“My father said that if you stay locked in your room thinking about things, you'll go crazy. You should go out and get some fresh air.”
.
.
.
A moment later.
I went out to the street.
As Pal-gap said, it was to get some fresh air.
I felt like I would make a strange choice if I just stayed in my room worrying.
But even as I was getting some fresh air, I kept wondering if I was doing the right thing.
“Should I go back?”
“Already?”
“I came out, but it's hard.”
Memories of my time with Jin-ho were everywhere in the streets.
That was when it happened.
“Long time no see.”
“Ah!”
I quickly greeted him.
“Greetings, Elder.”
It was the old man from the general store. For some reason, he wasn't at his store today, but was sitting on the sidewalk.
“What are you doing here?”
“What do you mean? I'm on my way to buy some dumplings.”
Come to think of it, he was carrying a bamboo basket, and the smell of dumplings wafted from it.
Then.
My stomach growled.
My stomach growled loudly, and the old man laughed.
“What are you doing wandering around at this hour without eating dinner?”
“Well...”
“Never mind. Come with me. I bought plenty, so I'll give you one or two.”
The old man walked briskly toward the general store, and I scratched my ear.
Did I have no choice but to follow him?
A moment later.
I entered the general store, and the old man placed a basket of dumplings on the table.
“Eat.”
“I'm sorry, but I don't feel like it.”
“Your stomach is rumbling, and you say you don't feel like it... Don't talk nonsense and eat.”
I picked up a dumpling and took a bite.
It was delicious.
I felt so sorry.
Jin-ho probably couldn't even eat properly right now...
“You seem to be troubled.”
I smiled awkwardly at the old man's question.
“This is the first time I've seen you look so serious. But it doesn't suit you, so stop it.”
“I want to, but I can't.”
“So what are you worried about? Your brother going missing?”
I was slightly surprised by his words, but then I understood.
The old man in front of me was a master of gweipho.
He had a wide network of connections and information that I couldn't even begin to guess.
“You knew?”
Instead of answering, the old man drank his tea and asked me back.
“Do you think it's your fault?”
“...”
I didn't know what the old man meant, but his words struck a nerve.
So, without thinking, I said to the old man, “If I hadn't gone to Shaanxi, Jin-ho wouldn't have had to go to Yunnan, and then...”
“Tsk, tsk.”
The old man clicked his tongue.
“The most foolish thing in the world is to regret what has already happened. I thought you were smart, but now I see that you are a foolish boy.”
The old man continued to scold me.
“Let's look at it the other way around. What would have happened if you hadn't gone to Shaanxi?”
“Then Jin-ho wouldn't have gone missing.”
“Not that.”
“And...”
I couldn't continue.
I went to Shaanxi to find Bok-shin-ryeong, who could save Mrs. Hong Geum-so's husband.
I brought Bok-shin-ryeong back and restored the life of Mrs. Hong Geum-so's husband, Seo Woo-musa.
In addition, I caught the swindler Shaanxi Gal and prevented chaos from befalling Shaanxi.
I burned Jeong-woong, a device used to control people, and prevented the bloodshed that would have ensued.
Three trading companies joined the Eunhae Trading Company, and we were able to trade directly with tea plantations.
If I hadn't gone to Shaanxi, none of this would have happened.
We wouldn't have gotten Bok-shin-ryeong, and the Eunhae Trading Company would have suffered a great loss.
The old man looked me in the eye and said.
“What I have realized in my life is that living is a series of choices, and whatever choice you make, regret will follow.”
“...”
“But the interesting thing is that things don't always happen based on your own choices.”
“Huh?”
“For example, what would have happened if your brother hadn't decided not to go to Yunnan?”
Those who worked for the Trading Company had the right to refuse a business trip, and Jin-ho was no exception.
In other words, he could have refused.
“Your brother's choice and the choice of the superior who sent him had an impact on this situation. So why are you blaming yourself for your brother's choice?”
“That's because...”
He had no answer. When he thought about it, the old man was right.
“The foolish regret, and the wise find solutions. Which are you?”
No matter how much you regret what has already happened, you cannot change it.
Now is not the time to blame yourself, but to find a solution.
I have already changed a lot.
The aftermath of those changes will cause unexpected events, and if I regret them every time, I won't be able to move forward.
I made a promise to myself before, but I'm not keeping it...
It seems that Jin-ho's disappearance had a big impact on him.
It was only natural.
He was family.
At that moment, he heard a sound coming from someone's boat.
Gurgle.
“...?”
When I turned my head, Pal-gap said with a shy face.
“I'm sorry.”
“Ah...”
Come to think of it, I realized that Pal-gap also skipped dinner because I didn't eat dinner.
That means Yeong-eung-am and Lee Pil also skipped dinner.
“I'm sorry. I'm causing you trouble because of my incompetence. Pal-gap, you too.”
They waved my words away.
“No, it's not that.”
“We're fine.”
“Don't worry about it.”
No. This was clearly my mistake.
I was so busy blaming myself that I neglected my subordinates.
“From now on, make sure you eat your meals on time. Pal-gap, you too.”
“But…”
“This is an order.”
Speaking firmly, I stood up and bowed to the elder with clasped hands.
“Thanks to your scolding, I have come to my senses. I am grateful to you, Elder.”
“I am glad you have come to your senses.”
“Then I will be on my way.”
“Before you go, you must pay for the dumplings.”
“What?”
“I said I would give you the dumplings, but I didn't say they were free.”
I chuckled at his words.
That was true.
The old man in front of me never let me let my guard down for a moment.
I placed the silver coin on the table, and the old man shook his head when he saw it.
“Are you telling me to eat only dumplings for over a month?”
“You can have some tea as well.”
“I won't refuse.”
The old man said as he picked up the silver coin.
“And come back again later. I have something for you.”
* * *
The disappearance of the merchant group that included Eun Jin-ho was an unprecedented situation for Eunhaesang and Changin Escort Agency.
Not only did Changin Escort Agency have to compensate for the deaths and injuries of the merchant group, but they also had to compensate for the goods.
It was also a matter of trust.
Escort agencies must carry out their duties no matter what, so who would hire an escort agency with a history of problems?
And even if the escort agency compensated for the loss, it would not solve the problem.
Those who left the caravan were experienced members of the caravan.
People were the greatest asset of Eunhae Trading Company, so the loss was enormous.
Furthermore, Eun Jin-ho, the second son of the head of the caravan, was among the members of the caravan.
The conference room of Eunhae Trading Company.
In the regular conference room, not the Eunwolgak, Eun Gil-sang, the two chief administrators, and the assistants were seated.
In front of them sat the people from the Changin Escort Agency.
“We are truly sorry. This incident occurred because our escort agency failed to guide them properly.”
Eun Gil-sang shook his head at the apology from the head of the Changin Escort Agency.
“How can you say it is entirely the fault of the Changin Escort Agency? We don't know the situation yet, so it's too early to apologize.”
“Thank you for understanding our situation.”
The governor said.
“We are going to send a search party. The search party will consist of one head escort, thirty escorts, and ten ordinary porters.”
Eun Gil-sang replied.
“May we add some of our people to the search party?”
“That is fine, but too many people may reduce efficiency.”
“Don't worry about that. I plan to add a few people from Yunnan Province.”
After finishing the discussion, Eun Gil-sang returned to his office.
“Huh...”
Sitting in front of his desk, he sighed.
His son was missing.
Even when he ate, it tasted like sand, and he couldn't concentrate on his work.
His wife was lying down, crying.
“Jin-ho... Please be alive.”
He prayed fervently.
At that moment, he heard the voice of his bodyguard outside.
“His Excellency Hyungpung is here.”
“Seo Ho?”
Eun Gil-sang tilted his head and asked.
“Tell him to come in.”
Soon, the door opened and Seo Ho entered.
He bowed respectfully and clasped his hands together before addressing Eun Gil-sang.
“I have something to tell you, Father.”
“What is it?”
“I also want to join the search party.”
“What?”
* *
I looked at my father.
My words must have shocked him. He couldn't say anything and just stared at me.
“Seo-ho.”
My father called me.
“What are you talking about? You want to go too?”
“Yes.”
“No!”
As I expected, my father objected.
“With Jin-ho missing, if something happens to you too, your mother and I...”
“I don't know how you feel because I'm not a parent yet. But I know you'll be sad. Still, I'm telling you this because I believe I can find Jin-ho.”
My father tilted his head and asked.
“You think you can find Jin-ho?”
“Yes.”
“What do you mean?”
At those words, I raised my hand.