I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 30

< Eliminating Rivals (4) >

Not long ago, Woo-yang of the Gyeong-an Bureau was someone who couldn’t even lift his head. But today, he’s showing a completely different attitude. Far from being unable to lift his head, he’s actually holding it high and shouting.

“So, aren’t we saying we’ll buy it all? We’ll buy it for the same amount you paid in Sichuan, so just tell us how much it is.”

“Hey, Mr. Woo. How can you say that? What about ruining our business?”

“Ah, so what do you want me to do? I said I’d take responsibility for your silk costs! But who knows how much profit you’ll make from the business? There were often times when you lost money because you couldn’t sell it. I can’t take responsibility for that profit too.”

“Do you think we’re here to get the profit? We just need to know when the silk will arrive!”

“If I knew that, I would have told you already. I’m going crazy with frustration because I haven’t heard anything. I’m just saying that since I have a long relationship with you, I’ll at least make sure you don’t lose money.”

As he offered to compensate for the silk costs, their attitudes began to change subtly.

Some were still fuming, while others quickly started calculating.

People fear being isolated more than considering the pros and cons.

If someone steps forward to try to recover the principal, others will agree with that idea, and as that number increases, those who don’t agree become anxious.

“Alright. I’ll think about it and come back.”

He said he would think about it, but he had already made up his mind. He would quickly go back and check how much he had paid for the silk.

“Hey, friend! What are you thinking about? Are you saying we should back down like this?”

“Then what do you want to do? This autumn’s business is already over, and we need money to prepare for next spring’s business, right? Are you saying we should just hold onto outdated silk and go bankrupt?”

At the mention of bankruptcy, those who were arguing fell silent.

As he said, if they held onto outdated silk, their cash flow would be blocked. Since they would have to sell it off cheaply anyway, it’s fortunate that he’s offering to cover the purchase price.

Woo-yang’s neck became even stiffer at their wavering appearance.

“Then think quickly and come to a conclusion. Our funds aren’t that plentiful either. If you come late, we might not be able to buy it. Keep that in mind when you go back.”

Woo-yang didn’t leave out the last words that Jo Gwang-yun had told him. And the final warning seemed to be quite effective.

The merchants’ panicked expressions were clear.

The merchants, who seemed like they were about to cause a riot, returned quietly, unlike when they had stormed in, and Woo-yang immediately met with Jo Gwang-yun.

Jo Gwang-yun, who was curious about the outside situation, asked as soon as Woo-yang opened the door.

“Did they all go back obediently?”

“Yeah. It seems to have been resolved more easily than I thought.”

“How many are going to hand over the silk?”

“It looks like everyone will hand it over. There wasn’t anyone particularly stubborn.”

“Everyone? Without exception?”

“That’s right. But why are you so surprised?”

“Ah, it’s nothing. I thought at least three places would hold out.”

Woo-yang asked as Jo Gwang-yun spoke with a troubled expression.

“Why? Why did you think three places wouldn’t hand it over?”

“Judging from their usual volume, they would have made quite a lot of money, and they would have had enough resources to hold out. You persuaded them well. You worked hard.”

“What hard work? Ignoring my personal connections and pressuring them as you told me to, they all lowered their heads.”

Woo-yang was puzzled that Jo Gwang-yun was deep in thought even though things had been concluded well as he had wanted.

“But why do you have that expression? Did you need those three places to not give up?”

“Ah, it’s nothing. Thanks to you, things have become much easier.”

The work became easier, but one thing he had put effort into was no longer needed.

‘Is this perhaps a good thing for the kids who ran so hard…?’

* * *

The children had been having dreamlike days for a while.

They just had to run, and they could eat their fill and sleep soundly in comfortable beds.

But today is a bit different.

As usual, when they were having a hearty breakfast, Jo Gwang-yun appeared and took them to a familiar place.

The children’s expressions changed as they approached the familiar place, near the gambling den.

Just from the children’s terrified expressions, it was clear how the Oryun Clan [Five Dragons Clan, a local gang] had treated them at their workplace.

“What is it? What did you do with these kids?”

Ok Gang-il asked Jo Gwang-yun, who had brought the children in the morning, with a mixed voice of annoyance.

“I was going to make them do something, but it’s no longer needed. Things worked out well. I’m returning them now, so take care of them.”

“Damn it. There are plenty of guys to run errands… They’re just eating more.”

Ok Gang-il grumbled after briefly examining the children’s condition.

“More than that, I need to get my brothers out of that silk store quickly. The atmosphere isn’t good.”

“Huh? Why? What’s going on?”

“It seems some of the merchants in the market realized that some of them are our people. They got scared that we might start a power struggle and told the other side.”

“The other side being the orthodox sects…?”

“Orthodox sects, my ass! They’re just imitating orthodox sects with some half-assed martial arts they learned from who knows where!”

He shouldn’t be shouting about this, but the fact that he’s shouting like this means something’s up. Or is it just a simple inferiority complex or sense of inadequacy?

“Alright, alright. I’m just saying it that way for simplicity. No need to get so worked up… Anyway, withdraw your brothers from the silk store. There’s no one who’s going to come with clubs anymore.”

“Is the silk business over?”

“No. It’s just beginning.”

“Geez.”

Ok Gang-il snorted as if he was dumbfounded.

“I took control of the Oryun Clan, even cutting off my own brothers, and all you’re doing is the silk business? The money I’m paying in tribute is money I earned dealing with all sorts of riffraff here. You’re buying silk with that precious money? Don’t you have any bigger deals?”

“Did you forget everything while I was in Sichuan? Each other’s work is…”

“Right. We shouldn’t interfere with each other’s work. Never mind.”

Ok Gang-il shook his head and kicked the nearest child, venting his anger.

“What are you standing there for? Get inside!”

The child who fell from his kick stood up abruptly and suddenly ran to Jo Gwang-yun and prostrated himself.

“Great man! Please save me!”

The young boy shouted, begging with both hands together. At this absurd sight, the two men just stared at each other blankly.

“Is someone going to kill you?”

“You said to dispose of them. Doesn’t that mean you’re going to kill me?”

“Is this bastard crazy! Hey, you little punk! Why would I kill someone like you?”

As Ok Gang-il shouted in disbelief, a brief smile appeared on Jo Gwang-yun’s face and then disappeared.

“What’s your name?”

“Goo Seung.”

“How old are you?”

“Twelve.”

Ok Gang-il grabbed the young boy’s head and lifted him up, then shouted again.

“Hey, you little punk. How much money do you think I spent feeding and housing you? If I were to get my money’s worth, you wouldn’t be able to pay it back even if you worked your whole life.”

Even though he said he wouldn’t kill him, Goo Seung, who still had a frightened expression, ignored Ok Gang-il, who was grabbing his hair, and gave Jo Gwang-yun a desperate look.

“Then please use me until I die.”

At the words of completely changing masters, Ok Gang-il threw Goo Seung to the ground.

“Stop it. You’ll catch the kid.”

Jo Gwang-yun stopped Ok Gang-il and crouched down next to Goo Seung.

“Why would I? It’s obvious that you can’t even earn your keep by my side, so why would I have to take in a parasite like you?”

Jo Gwang-yun didn’t stop smiling as if he was amused.

“I’ve been earning my keep until now.”

“You can’t even come near me with just earning your keep.”

Goo Seung held hope in Jo Gwang-yun’s smile.

“Then what do I have to do?”

Jo Gwang-yun stared at this audacious young boy for a long time. The interesting thing was that this young boy named Goo Seung was also looking back at Jo Gwang-yun without avoiding his gaze.

Jo Gwang-yun slowly stood up and shrugged his shoulders towards Ok Gang-il.

“I’ll take this kid back.”

“You said you didn’t need him?”

“He’s a fast runner, so he’s perfect for running errands. It’s okay, right?”

Ok Gang-il waved his hand as if he was too annoyed to deal with it anymore and dragged the children inside.

When Jo Gwang-yun flicked his finger at the fallen Goo Seung, the young Goo Seung jumped up and stood next to Jo Gwang-yun.

Goo Seung smiled brightly and wiped the blood from his mouth.

< Eliminating Rivals (4) > End