Tales Of The Nine Dragons [EN]: Chapter 39

Hwa-rin didn’t go out of his way to be overly hospitable to the people from the Jongnam and Hwasan sects, despite their stay at the Guryongjang. He ensured they had comfortable accommodations and timely meals, but that was the extent of his special treatment. He didn’t offer any preferential treatment beyond the basics.

The Jongnam and Hwasan sects focused on their own tasks while residing at the Guryongjang, and Hwa-rin dedicated his time to his own work as well.

In the meantime, the renovated Osong House reopened its doors.

The name “Osong House” remained, but many aspects of the establishment had undergone significant changes.

While the original Osong House was a three-story building, the rebuilt version now stood five stories tall, adding two more floors to its structure.

Furthermore, the spacious first floor, which previously resembled a restaurant within an inn where patrons could enjoy drinks and entertainment, was absent in the newly renovated Osong House.

The first floor had been transformed into a large kitchen and a dedicated space for the staff to dine and relax. On the second floor, a performance area and a lounge for patrons to sit and drink were created.

From the third floor upwards, rooms were arranged along the central hallway on both sides. These served as private quarters for the courtesans, providing them with a space to eat, sleep, and receive guests.

When Osong House reopened after the renovation, the customers who visited expressed their dissatisfaction.

This stemmed from the altered business model. Previously, customers could sit on the first floor, enjoy drinks, and engage in flirtatious conversations with the courtesans. However, the newly opened Osong House no longer operated in that manner.

“No, if we just wanted to eat and drink with friends, we’d go to a regular brothel. Why would we come to a red-light district?”

“Then please feel free to do so. Our business policy at Osong House has changed. We now charge an hourly rate for spending time with a courtesan,” Hwa-rin explained the updated business policy of Osong House to the arriving customers.

“And there is a separate fee for overnight stays with a courtesan.”

“Really… then how much does it cost to spend an hour drinking with a courtesan?”

“Thirty *iron coins* [a low-value currency]. Of course, the cost of drinks and snacks is not included.”

The customers who heard Hwa-rin’s explanation did some mental calculations.

‘Before, it only cost two or three *silver coins* [a higher-value currency] to drink here.’

“Including drinks and snacks?”

“It depends on the type and quantity of drinks and snacks ordered, but if you were to have a bottle of *bamboo leaf wine* [a type of traditional Korean wine] and stir-fried pork with bean sprouts…”

“It would be about fifty iron coins.”

‘If a bottle of wine and a snack each cost ten iron coins… that’s not too bad.’

Compared to the prices charged at other brothels, the cost of spending time with a courtesan wasn’t excessively high.

“I understand. Then please call a courtesan for me.”

“Do you have a particular courtesan in mind at Osong House?”

“There’s one named Sawol that I’ve seen a few times before.”

“I understand. I’ll call her right away. Please, allow me to escort you to your seat.”

Hwa-rin led the customer to his seat and then instructed the server who was waiting in the hallway.

“From now on, when a customer arrives, you must explain the pricing to them and guide them to their seat.”

“Understood. But have you done this kind of work before, Manager?”

From the server’s perspective, Hwa-rin’s composed demeanor seemed too practiced.

“I did it for about three years. I was in charge for about two years. Go and call Sawol and bring her to that customer.”

“Yes, I understand.”

While the server went to fetch the courtesan Sawol, Hwa-rin went to the kitchen on the first floor and asked the cook to prepare wine and some basic snacks.

When the cook brought out the wine and basic snacks, Hwa-rin carried them to the table where the customer was seated and placed them down, saying:

“These snacks are complimentary.”

“Is that so?”

“When Sawol arrives, you can discuss the menu with her and order additional snacks, or if you prefer, you can enjoy the wine with these basic snacks.”

“Ah…”

“Then, please enjoy your time.”

As Hwa-rin returned to his post to attend to the arriving customers, the server escorted Sawol to the customer’s table.

“Oh, Nopak, *oppa*! [an affectionate term used by a younger woman to address an older brother or male friend]”

Sawol greeted the man with a radiant smile, which was mirrored by a smile on Nopak’s face.

After the server departed, Sawol turned to the man named Nopak and said,

“Isn’t our place a bit different now?”

“Yes. It feels a bit unfamiliar.”

“But our manager made these changes so we can earn more money.”

“You guys make more money this way?”

“Yes, so…”

Sawol proceeded to explain the income structure for those working at Osong House to the man named Nopak.

“So you have to pay rent?”

“I have to pay for the room, the wine if I drink, and the snacks if I eat. The manager earns from those charges.”

“Then what about you?”

“I get paid an hourly rate for sitting and drinking with customers, and a fee for intimate encounters in the room.”

“Then you probably don’t make as much as you think.”

“It depends on how cleverly I work.”

As Sawol mentioned, her earnings fluctuated based on her shrewdness.

If she ordered wine and snacks in the room and added only five iron coins to the price, the profit could be substantial.

However, she had received training from Hwa-rin before the brothel reopened, and the courtesans working together had also made a pact.

The courtesans had agreed not to undersell the wine and snacks consumed in the rooms, and not to add more than two iron coins to the original price.

If one person charged five coins while another charged ten coins, it would only lead to conflicts with the customers, so the courtesans had reached this agreement.

“It’s just the beginning, but it seems easier, and I think I’ll make more money than before. So, *oppa*, if you come here and look for another girl, you know you’ll be my enemy.”

“Hahaha, I understand. But what if I come, and you’re entertaining another guy?”

“Uh… then it can’t be helped.”

Since it was a conversation with a courtesan, there was no point in discussing purity or fidelity. They simply talked, enjoyed each other’s company, and indulged in a night of entertainment.

Within Osong House, even if they addressed each other as husband and wife, the moment they stepped outside, they reverted to being mere acquaintances, siblings, or strangers. Therefore, both the visiting customers and the welcoming courtesans avoided forming overly deep relationships.

“What snacks would you like to order?”

“Not yet, they told me to order when you came.”

“Then let’s have *Palbochae* [a stir-fried dish with eight ingredients].”

“Just hearing the name sounds expensive.”

“It’s not. It’s the cheapest here, but also the most delicious. It’s a secret…”

She glanced at the counter, checked her surroundings, and then lowered her voice.

“The least expensive items are often the tastiest.”

“Is that really true?”

“That’s how it seems to me. When they first opened, I tasted everything the head chef made.”

“Everything?”

“Our madam is very meticulous. She instructed us to sample all the dishes and recommend those that suit the customers’ tastes. She said that ordering only expensive dishes could create a negative impression, so we should suggest the tasty ones and those that seem to align with what the customers might enjoy.”

Listening to Sawol, he thought the new owner of Osong House sounded rather unique.

“Who is the owner?”

“He’s over there, at the counter. He’s the head of the Guryong Company.”

Hearing that the person who had guided him was the owner, his eyes widened in surprise.

“Is that the famous head of the Guryong Company from Sanyang County?”

“Yes. I don’t know if he’s particularly kind, but he seems like a genuinely good person. The people working on the estate like him, and he takes in children who used to be strays on the streets, provides them with education, and teaches them skills. Anyway, he’s a really stand-up guy.”

* * *

As Osong House reopened, former patrons began to return. Initially, some were taken aback by the altered business model and only visited once. However, compared to other *giru* [traditional Korean courtesan houses], Osong House was more affordable, and the experience of sitting face-to-face with the *gisaeng* [Korean courtesans] and conversing was enjoyable.

The *hwadae* [payment for the *gisaeng*’s time and companionship] paid after spending intimate moments with the *gisaeng* was also competitively priced compared to other *giru*. Moreover, it was a great place for friends to socialize, drink with the *gisaeng* on the second floor, and then each *gisaeng* would escort them to their private rooms.

This business model was novel to the Central Plains, but it gradually spread through word-of-mouth, attracting occasional visits from officials, scholars, and martial artists.

As business gradually improved, the *gisaeng*’s income also increased. Even with the same number of customers visiting the *giru*, they could earn at least three to five times more than before.

From the *gisaeng*’s perspective, they had the freedom to work or rest as they pleased. Their work schedule was entirely up to them, and as long as they paid the monthly room fee, no one interfered with their choices.

This innovative business model of Osong House became known to nearby *giru*, and the owners voiced their concerns. However, Hwa-rin had no intention of altering his approach.

“Isn’t it simply a matter of different perspectives? If your business is struggling, would you consider selling the *giru* to me?”

“Sell the *giru* to you, sir?”

“If you believe that Osong House is causing your business to fail, wouldn’t the situation become even more challenging when Guryong House begins operations?”

“Hmm…”

Guryong House was rumored to be a business that combined a gambling establishment and a *giru*, causing considerable anxiety among the owners of the surrounding *giru*.

“I’m willing to offer a fair price. However, this offer is only valid until Guryong House commences operations. Once Guryong House is up and running, I won’t be able to offer such a favorable price.”

“No, I understand you manage two *giru*, but do you really need another one?”

“It’s not that I need a *giru*.”

“Then what is it?”

“I’m planning to launch another business, and it would be convenient if all the businesses were located together.”

“That’s true, but…”

“I’m not pressuring you. If you choose to sell to me rather than someone else, I assure you I will offer a good price.”

Hwa-rin informed the *ruju* [owner of *giru*] who approached him that he would prefer to take over the *juru* [Korean pub] and sent them on their way.

“Hyung-nim [term used to address older brother or male friend].”

Since being injured by the martial artists of the Eumsa sect, Danri Hyeokjin had been unable to work at the inn.

“You’ve arrived?”

“I heard you were looking for me. But what’s going on…?”

“Here, you’re in charge of this from now on.”

“Yes?”

Hwa-rin entrusted Osong House to Danri Hyeokjin.

“If I hear that the *gisaeng* aren’t working diligently, that sales are declining, or that payments to the material merchants are overdue, I will cut them off immediately.”

Danri Hyeokjin remained silent, looking at Hwa-rin with a blank expression.

“Why, don’t you like the idea?”

“No, it’s not that…”

“Then do it. I’ll be watching how you manage this place and will give you even bigger responsibilities in the future, so keep that in mind.”

“Bigger things like…?”

“There will be such opportunities, so take care of this for now and run it well.”

“I understand.”

Hwa-rin left Osong House in Danri Hyeokjin’s hands.

“Then do your best.”

Hwa-rin departed from Osong House.

“What exactly is going on?”

“Congratulations, Hyeokjin hyung-nim.”

The *jeomsoi* [server] who worked at the establishment congratulated Danri Hyeokjin.

“Congratulations… But what are you doing here? Were you working here?”

“Yes. After the gang was crushed by the *jangju-nim* [company head], some of the kids said they didn’t want to clean up after the *hyung-nim* [older brothers/friends] anymore and got jobs at inns or *juru* [Korean pub].”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I came out then and got a job at Osong House, and the *jangju-nim* [company head] treated me so well that I decided to stay here.”

“Then what’s the news about the other kids?”

“The other *hyung-nim* [older brothers/friends] have all left for other places. Since the fist gangs can’t gain a foothold in these three places—Sanyang, Sangnam, and Sangju—they have left for the city or other regions.”

“Hmm…”

“I don’t know much, but the *jangju-nim* [company head] seems to care a lot about *hyung-nim* [older brother/friend], so if *hyung-nim* [older brother/friend] works a little harder, you might inherit one of the *jangju-nim*’s [company head] businesses.”

Danri Hyeokjin looked at the *jeomsoi* [server] with a questioning gaze, as if to say, ‘How do you know that?’

“There’s that Manduk guy working at the inn in Sangnam County down there.”

“Yeah.”

“The *jangju-nim* [company head] mentioned it. He said he would give him the inn at a cheap price when he earns enough money later and takes over the inn.”

“Did he really say that?”

“Yes. Seeing that, the *jangju-nim* [company head] doesn’t seem to be very interested in business. He just seems to be the type of person who starts something and gets satisfaction when it succeeds.”

Danri Hyeokjin nodded in agreement with the *jeomsoi*’s [server] words.

“Who knows? If *hyung-nim* [older brother/friend] works hard, you might even become the owner of the Guryong House being built down there.”