I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 39

The following spring, when the department store officially opened, it unfortunately couldn’t fill all one hundred planned product categories.

However, with accessories crafted from gold, silver, or jade, alongside displays of expensive medicinal herbs and teas, fine ceramics, and exquisite Bangjja brassware [traditional Korean bronzeware] on the first floor, it certainly projected the desired atmosphere of a high-end department store.

Initially, many merchants hesitated, arguing that there was no reason to pay a premium to set up shop in the department store. But as wealthy women began to frequent the establishment, and even men came to observe, they started to feel a sense of unease and potential loss.

Moreover…

“Let me be perfectly clear,” Jo Gwang-yun announced. “For those who commit to leasing space now, we will only charge half the management fee for the first year. The longer you wait, the higher the management fee will become. If you decide to move in next year, you will be subject to double the management fee.”

As Jo Gwang-yun’s thinly veiled threat spurred more and more merchants to close their existing shops and secure space in the department store, it was only a matter of time before the selection of products expanded to fill the fourth floor.

Surveying the bustling department store, Jo Gwang-yun smiled and asked,

“Do you see it?”

“I see it clearly. Everyone who thinks they’re important in Gaebong [a region in Korea] has gathered here. Heh heh.”
A wide smile spread across the face of the elderly silk merchant.

“Not the people, but the desire.”

“Desire?”

“Yes. The raw, almost manic desire that permeates this entire building.”
The old man observed the shoppers intently for a moment, then his expression shifted to one of dismay.

“You’ve created a monster.”
The old man’s perception was accurate.

People who recognized each other exchanged smiles and greetings, but their eyes darted around incessantly. What did that woman just buy? How much did it cost? What can I buy to outdo her?

They weren’t purchasing necessities. Their primary motivation was to acquire more than anyone else and to flaunt the most expensive items, basking in the envious stares of others.

The desire of people willing to spend exorbitant amounts of money simply to relish the envious glances of their peers overflowed within the department store.

The department store isn’t merely a place to sell what the wealthy need; it’s a venue to endlessly supply luxury goods that cater to insatiable desires.

“No. The monster was already lurking within those people from the start. All I’ve done is create a space where that monster can reveal itself in its unadulterated form.”

“And thanks to that monster, we are enjoying ‘prosperity’?”

It was not ‘we’, but Jo Gwang-yun’s personal prosperity that was growing, but there was no need to shatter the old man’s illusions.

“You shouldn’t even call this true prosperity. To truly enjoy prosperity, we have to take it one step further.”

“And what would that be?”

“We have to uncover that little by little, from now on.”

He already knew the answer, but he chose not to reveal it yet. The next step involved money itself, and how to create more of it.

“Let’s eat. Shall we go to the fifth floor?”

“No. It’s far too expensive up there.”

“You’re such a miser. Haha.”

“No. Those who pay exorbitant prices for bland food are simply foolish.”

“You should be bowing in gratitude to those foolish people, considering the money they’ve given you today.”

“My back aches from bowing so much already. Heh heh.”
The old man’s laughter was incessant, likely fueled by the substantial profits he had earned through his many bows.

* * *

Jo Gwang-yun began establishing department stores in strategically important locations throughout Henan Province, including Mount Luo, Zhengzhou, Xiping, and Guangchuan, employing the same successful model.

Since the Gaebong department store had already achieved landmark status, the local magistrates in each county were generally receptive to the idea.

Of course, their ready approval was also facilitated by the animal-shaped gold nuggets they discreetly received. If one were to collect all the gold nuggets distributed, they could probably build a small zoo.

In a way, this straightforward approach proved advantageous. Because there were many officials who would have tried to extract even more money, the process was resolved relatively smoothly.

Furthermore, since he controlled the brokerage network in Henan, there were no logistical issues in supplying goods to each department store. And thanks to the widespread success of the Gaebong department store, merchants eagerly sought to lease space in the new locations.

As the scale of the business expanded, so did the workforce.

“Manager Im, we need to send more personnel to Guangchuan. Business there is rivaling Gaebong.”

“Manager Jo, we’ve already dispatched twenty people. Do you think we need more?”

Before long, Jo Gwang-yun was commonly addressed as Manager Jo throughout Gaebong.

Even though he still resided in a modest house within the Gyeong-an Brokerage, without a grand manor to his name, everyone referred to him by that title.

People who knew Jo Gwang-yun often wondered aloud: What are you planning to do with all the money you’re earning? It would be nice to have a decent manor.

Others assumed he was simply saving his money, but that assumption was incorrect. The brokerage, heavily guarded by Black Faction martial artists and brokers, was the safest place for him.

Moreover, since Lee Geon had taken over leadership in Gaebong, the attitude of the Black Faction members had undergone a significant transformation.

When Yoo Chu-saeng was in charge, his subordinates viewed Jo Gwang-yun as nothing more than a merchant, treating him with disdain. Many even ignored or openly scorned him.

However, since their new leader, Lee Geon, respectfully addressed him as Brother Jo or Manager Jo, his subordinates also treated him with deference.

After Lee Geon brutally crippled a man who had persisted in his old disrespectful habits, they began to treat Jo Gwang-yun almost like a master, groveling at his feet.

Im Bon-jae of the Azure Dragon Gate displayed a completely different demeanor compared to his past interactions with the silk merchants. This was because Jo Gwang-yun was no longer just a sponsor who occasionally tossed him a few coins; he was now the primary financier providing the operating funds for the entire Azure Dragon Gate, a relationship of a completely different magnitude.

“The scale of Guangchuan is unlike that of other regions. In particular, it’s located far from Gaebong, making it difficult to provide immediate support in case of an emergency. So, take this opportunity to establish a branch of the Azure Dragon Gate there and send more reliable people.”

There were ample resources and manpower available. But Im Bon-jae hesitated.

“Manager Jo, I need to be cautious about that.”

“Cautious?”

“The Beggars’ Sect is keeping a close watch on our Azure Dragon Gate. As our power grows day by day, they are now viewing us with increasing suspicion.”

“Then should I assume that the beggars of the Beggars’ Sect are also watching me?”

“It’s not quite at that level. A report has already been submitted to the Murim Alliance [a coalition of martial arts sects], stating that you are a new merchant who is alarmingly dominating the Gaebong commercial district.”

“Really? Hmm…”

When Jo Gwang-yun, who had been lost in thought for a moment, finally spoke, Im Bon-jae nearly fainted in surprise.

“Then the Azure Dragon Gate should also become a member of the Murim Alliance.”

“Yes?”

“Why are you so surprised? The Murim Alliance isn’t solely composed of the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families, is it? There are plenty of smaller factions, so… shouldn’t the Azure Dragon Gate be able to join?”

“That… well…”

Im Bon-jae’s heart pounded in his chest.

A sect belonging to the Murim Alliance. With that prestigious affiliation alone, the sect’s development would skyrocket. Men eager to dedicate their lives to the sword would flock to join, and martial artists with some skill, though not masters, would linger around, offering their services as retainers, hoping to become part of an organization under the Murim Alliance.

Of course, to accept all of them and expand rapidly, significant financial resources would be needed to support them. This is why small factions that experience rapid growth are as rare as hen’s teeth.

Seeing Im Bon-jae displaying signs of enthusiasm but unable to give a direct answer and avoiding his gaze, Jo Gwang-yun knew that there was something he wasn’t saying.

“Manager Im, is it simply impossible? Or is there a critical obstacle?”

“That’s… sigh- Yes. To be honest, it’s my fault.”

“Your fault?”

“The foundation of my martial arts is nothing to boast about. Even if it’s a small faction, if it belongs to the Murim Alliance, they are either disciples of the Nine Great Sects or descendants of prestigious martial arts families… If you trace back their lineage, there is always a connection.”

“You lack a distinguished martial arts pedigree, so to speak?”

“That’s right. The master I met when I was young simply taught me his martial arts and then disappeared.”

“So there’s no way at all?”

Jo Gwang-yun wasn’t even curious about Im Bon-jae’s martial arts name or origin. All that mattered now was whether or not he could secure membership in the Murim Alliance.

Im Bon-jae, unable to provide a definitive answer, cautiously inquired.

“Manager Jo, why do you suddenly want to join the Murim Alliance? Things aren’t bad as they are now…”

“It’s not a sudden impulse. I’ve been considering it for a while. Think about it. If my business remains confined to Henan Province, there’s no problem. But if I try to expand to other provinces, the first thing I’ll encounter is commercial friction. Wherever there’s a thriving commercial district, there’s a martial arts sect backing it, isn’t there?”

He couldn’t bring himself to say, ‘Here too, the Azure Dragon Gate, a sect without a pedigree, is the backing of the market merchants.’

“But if the Azure Dragon Gate is a member of the Murim Alliance, they won’t be able to simply kick us out. At the very least, we’ll be able to seek mediation from the Murim Alliance.”

Im Bon-jae was surprised by Jo Gwang-yun, who was envisioning a grander strategy than he had imagined, but he concealed his astonishment.

And he had witnessed it firsthand: that no one could stand in Jo Gwang-yun’s way.

After a prolonged silence, Im Bon-jae cautiously offered.

“There is a way to invite a Great Master, but…”

“Great Master?”

“Yes. To invite a master who was once renowned in Jianghu [the martial arts world]. Under the title of Great Master. Of course, they wouldn’t directly teach the disciples.”

“You’re simply borrowing their reputation.”

“That’s right. But I don’t know if we can find a master willing to become the Great Master of our Azure Dragon Gate.”

Im Bon-jae’s lack of confidence was disheartening.

Considering the immense benefits that would accrue the moment they became a member of the Murim Alliance, his immediate reaction should have been to do everything possible to make it happen.

Instead, he kept dwelling on the practical difficulties.

“Then start searching for a suitable person. Leave the invitation to me.”

“Manager Jo, martial arts masters aren’t motivated by money. It won’t be easy.”

Seeing Im Bon-jae once again emphasizing the challenges, Jo Gwang-yun’s suppressed frustration finally erupted.

“Listen, Master Im. Is this someone else’s concern? Am I the one seeking membership in the Murim Alliance? It’s you, your sect, that’s joining the Murim Alliance. I’m stepping in because you claim it’s too difficult!”

Im Bon-jae flushed and fell silent in the face of Jo Gwang-yun’s outburst.

“And who said that everything can be solved with money? Did I say I would buy a martial arts master with money? Money is a means to an end. I may not be able to buy a martial arts master directly, but I can buy what that master needs with money. Think before you speak. Master Im is now the head of a respectable mid-sized sect, isn’t he?”

Im Bon-jae’s face turned even redder.

“There’s no need to argue. Find an old, reclusive master or a master who is still active in the martial arts world. A master whose name alone would silence any objections from the Murim Alliance.”

Im Bon-jae retreated without another word, and it was a full month before he showed his face again.

End