“Wasn’t the owner of the Tea Bookstore a young lady with the Tang surname?”
The two people with me from Man Geum Bookstore moved our conversation to a tea house.
“I have made a promise for the future with Hwa-rin. While she is recuperating at the Tang Family, I am managing the Tea Bookstore.”
“I see.”
“What?! The black-haired guy is engaged to the granddaughter of the Baek Family?”
The young hoodlum named Jeon Gil-san still couldn’t believe it, eyeing me with a look of incredulity.
This is why racists shouldn’t exist. Even a black-haired person could be the fiancé of the only granddaughter of the Baek Family, the unique owner of the Tang Family, and a woman with a size that exceeds the Central Plains!
“So you want to arrange a meeting with author Ho Pil? What do you mean?”
I concealed my true feelings and glared at Jeon Gil-san with a blank expression.
Jeon Gil-san must have thought I wasn’t lying, as he clicked his tongue and revealed the purpose of his visit to the Tea Bookstore.
“Tsk. Let’s get straight to the point. I want to recruit author Ho Pil to Man Geum Bookstore.”
“Recruit author Ho Pil to Man Geum Bookstore?”
“Yes. Are you aware that books published at Baek Family Bookstore cannot be published in Wuhan without permission from Man Geum Bookstore?”
A guy who appeared to assist Jeon Gil-san said that with an awkward smile replacing Jeon Gil-san.
He looked like a crafty officer serving a greedy magistrate, and his behavior resembled one too.
“I’ve heard a lot about the fame of Man Geum Bookstore, but that’s the first time I’m hearing this.”
“For decades, the owner of Man Geum-jeon, Mr. Jang No, has been protecting the rights of Mr. Baek’s family since he’s a close friend.”
“Aha, I see.”
Although the copyright of The Rise of the Tang Family belongs to the Tea Bookstore, that’s only a tale confined to Yichang, after all. There’s nothing I could do about it if the Tang Family’s work is printed in another city.
Since Mr. Baek has been supporting authors for decades, it seems like Man Geum Bookstore has been providing support from a business perspective.
“Man Geum Bookstore knew that Miss Baek is managing the Tea Bookstore, but recently, we obtained a very surprising book that came out of the Tea Bookstore.”
The man who looked like a lowly servant showed me a very familiar book from his pocket.
“So, The Rise of the Tang Family has made its way to Wuhan, huh?”
“It truly was an extraordinary novel. Even the servants who’ve worked at the Wuhan Bookstore for decades praised it unanimously, claiming it was the first novel they’ve seen in their lives.”
“So that’s why you wanted to recruit author Ho Pil.”
Was this a headhunting proposal? Since Man Geum Bookstore is a popular bookstore, it normally should have disregarded any moral standards to publish The Rise of the Tang Family. However, The Rise of the Tang Family is originally from the Tea Bookstore.
Even Man Geum Bookstore couldn’t ignore the relationship between Mr. Jang No and Mr. Baek.
“I know this isn’t something the Tea Bookstore would appreciate. But author Ho Pil is far too valuable of a talent to be playing in the shallow waters of Yichang.”
I understand that I should be playing in the national arena.
“Ho Pil is an author I have supported both materially and in spirit.”
I’ve given all the profits of the Tea Bookstore to author Ho Pil and even shared tasty food during times of hunger, and now they want me to give up such an author!
I thought they were just hoodlums, but they turned out to be pure thugs!
“I know. So in exchange for inviting author Ho Pil to Man Geum Bookstore, I would like to offer this amount.”
The man who resembled a lowly servant showed me a note with a significant amount written on it.
“Hmm.”
What is this? I almost couldn’t maintain my expression for a moment.
Is the amount I’m seeing for real? My eyes can’t be deceiving me, right?
The note had an amount large enough that even after merging printing machines through some ultimate boss battle, there would still be money left over after fighting back the tide!
At this rate, I’m going to have to master cloning technique. I thought they were mere thugs, but they were actually solid merchants who understand business ethics.
No, wait. Snap out of it. It’s not like I’ll ever get to spend that money anyway.
I can’t work under these glorified hoodlums.
“I will compensate you simply for arranging a meeting with author Ho Pil.”
“How much will you give?”
“Would this be sufficient?”
That’s quite an amount. Cloning techniques are pushing it, so should I consider meeting them while wearing a mask?
“Cough, cough. I understand the purpose of the visit. But before we proceed with the discussion, don’t we have something to resolve between us?”
I struggled to suppress the urge to think about a masked author Ho Pil and shot a look full of resentment towards Jeon Gil-san.
If we’re going to contract, we need to settle our emotions first, right? How can you act like nothing happened after trying to get physical?
“…Hah!”
Even when I glared at him, Jeon Gil-san crossed his arms in what seemed to be a scornful manner, then quickly averted his gaze.
“Haha. Young master, you seem a bit lacking in boldness for something like this. When planning a major endeavor, it’s customary to set aside personal sentiments, isn’t it?”
If this is what lacking boldness means, everyone might as well give up on being male. Where is he getting such nonsensical ideas from?
“You’re right. However, before embarking on a grand endeavor, it’s also wise to assess the character of one’s companions.”
“Haha. That too is a valid argument, but…”
The man cautiously glanced at the reckless young master, wearing a troubled expression.
“I was merely carrying out the duties of Man Geum Bookstore. Are you asking me to apologize to someone who has hindered the affairs of Man Geum Bookstore?”
Jeon Gil-san displayed an attitude of reverse indignation, berating his subordinate.
“Master, you must consider the future.”
The man’s expression turned flustered, and he spoke earnestly to Jeon Gil-san.
At that, Jeon Gil-san glanced at me with an unwilling expression before finally speaking.
“Tsk… fine. I’ll….”
“Let’s just end it here for today.”
I stared at Jeon Gil-san, who was trying to force out an apology, before rising to my feet.
“What?”
“I doubt our thoughts and emotions will be sorted out just like that. It seems this isn’t something that’ll be resolved in one day, so let’s meet again. I will send you a message later.”
It seems you aren’t planning to apologize either, and I don’t want to receive one.
I need a little time to think. Let’s meet next time.
I exited the tea house, leaving the two stunned individuals behind.
———–
“You want detailed information on Man Geum Bookstore and Jeon Gil-san?”
I left the tea house and went to find the bookstore run by the representative of Yichang.
“I thought I should know since I’ve come to the Tea Bookstore.”
“Other than what I mentioned earlier, there’s nothing much. Man Geum-jeon started as a gambling den and became a wealthy merchant respected in the Central Plains, and Man Geum Bookstore is the bookstore owned by Man Geum-jeon. As for Jeon Gil-san, you’d know if you saw him; he’s a laid-back guy who loves to eat and drink.”
“Why would a guy who loves to eat and drink come all the way to Yichang?”
“Well, there’s a succession issue with Man Geum-jeon.”
The bookstore representative shared surprising news.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Man Geum-jeon’s only son passed away without children. He has plenty of daughters, but he only had one son, so who do you think will inherit that rich man’s fortune?”
“It would go to the grandsons.”
“Exactly! So even that laid-back guy is getting off his behind to pretend to work.”
Just like the north’s pigs firing missiles when trying to secure a successor, is he attempting to achieve something?
If he can purchase a printing machine at a reasonable price and recruit the divine author Ho Pil, he surely believes he can achieve something significant.
“But what did Jeon Gil-san say? Don’t bid on the printing machines?”
“He wanted to recruit author Ho Pil to Man Geum Bookstore.”
I shrugged my shoulders nonchalantly and said.
“What! That’s a huge deal!”
“What does it matter who author Ho Pil is?”
“Are you kidding me? Do you think there are only a few bookstore owners who have said exactly what you just said? If Man Geum Bookstore decides to use their financial leverage, they’ll do anything to recruit an author, including throwing money and women at them. Do you really think author Ho Pil will maintain his loyalty to you?”
“He will.”
I replied immediately.
What kind of friend is Ho Pil? He has always been there during my happiest, saddest, and most painful moments, sharing some of life’s most significant experiences together.
“You really seem to be best pals, huh? Not an ounce of hesitation! Do your best. This is all I can share with you.”
The bookstore representative clicked his tongue in admiration and then disappeared into the bookstore with a feather duster in hand.
“A recruitment offer for author Ho Pil, huh?”
I had no intention of accepting it.
Since pursuing a heroine requires both money and fame, I have no intention of giving up on my business.
The issue is the printing machine bidding.
While I might consider the suggestion of recruiting author Ho Pil a mere probing attempt, Jeon Gil-san surely wouldn’t back down after threatening surrounding merchants in such a manner.
‘It’s best to avoid asking for help from the Tang Family.’
I don’t want to be entangled with the Sichuan Tang Family.
Even if I got hurt by Man Geum Bookstore, it would be foolish to whine to the Tang Family for help just because it ended in a mere threat.
‘Ho Pil… I need to hold back.’
If I use them for trivial matters too carelessly, I may lose their influence when more crucial moments arise.
‘Even if I employed those methods earlier to push Man Geum Bookstore back, it would still be problematic.’
The people who were supposed to receive printing machines might gather again to restart the bidding. Even if Jeon Gil-san steps aside, someone from Man Geum-jeon can come out in his place to take the printing machines away.
‘If I can turn this into a bidding competition between Jeon Gil-san and myself, it could be an immense opportunity.’
Bidding isn’t an auction but a method where the highest bid out of all submitted bids wins.
If I could somehow deal with Man Geum Bookstore, I could obtain the printing machines at a genuinely low price.
The illegitimate child of the Tang Family and author Ho Pil.
Is there a method that doesn’t require me to use either identity to win against Man Geum Bookstore as Kang Yoon-ho?
“There’s a way.”
There are indeed methods I can use as Kang Yoon-ho.
———
“Why do you keep insisting I follow you?”
I brought Im Ha-yeon along to the tea house for a reunion with the folks from Man Geum-jeon.
“The only person I can trust is you.”
You’re the only capable force I have at my disposal.
“Ugh… isn’t that a bit too shameless?”
Im Ha-yeon frowned, showing a disgusted expression.
If someone says they trust you, shouldn’t you feel good about it?
“Let’s go in.”
“Is that man for real?”
What’s what? Just follow me without any complaints.
“Have you finally decided to negotiate?”
As we entered the tea house, the magistrate duo from Man Geum Bookstore welcomed me.
“Before we discuss the deal, I think we have something to address.”
“Haha. That is… young master.”
“Tsk. Yes, I’ll….”
“That’s not it.”
“What?”
“What’s with the petty greetings between men? Little misunderstandings and hurt feelings can be washed away not with greetings but something else, right?”
I exaggeratedly gestured and spoke.
“Washed away with something else?”
“I’ve heard that Jeon Gil-san has a good grasp of culture. Since I’m from a foreign land and unfamiliar with it, would you mind enlightening me?”
Isn’t it customary to wash emotions away with drinks, not words? I deliberately brought up a topic favored by the cultured guys.
Jeon Gil-san’s expression momentarily hardened at my words before breaking into a beaming smile.
“Haha! That sounds excellent! A man shouldn’t get his face red from something like this!”
“Yes. I think I was quite lacking in boldness upon reflection.”
“I understand. I understand! Shall we head out right now?”
He didn’t even realize he was being indirectly insulted and was happy.
“While enjoying the daylight is nice, discussing the state of the world under the moonlight with friends is preferable, isn’t it?”
“Sounds great! Then let’s meet tonight! I’ll be looking forward to it.”
“Yes, I too will look forward to it.”
As we left the tea house, Im Ha-yeon opened her mouth with a surprised expression.
“Are you really going to hand author Ho Pil over to Man Geum Bookstore?”
“Not a chance. Let’s go.”
“Where to?”
“To show that young hoodlum just how cruel this world can be.”
————–
“You need information on the bidding price for the printing machine from Man Geum Bookstore?”
The place I visited was Hao Mun.
“Yes. I need information on how much the bidding price might be.”
“You think the Hao Mun will so easily spill information when asked? I have information on Jeon Gil-san! He’s a drunkard. Loves women. Useless. Has a bad temper. He’s in a mess fixing up the accident he caused in Wuhan. I have plenty of miscellaneous information, but no bidding information.”
“Do you not have anything else hidden?”
“Do you think we’re some alumni intelligence agency? We just happen to spit out info, and it gets picked up by all the Hao Mun dudes out there who report back to us.”
I was well aware of Hao Mun’s methods.
“A gambler can only scam a mark if the mark has come to the game.”
“Exactly! You think they would just spill important information so easily?”
I glanced at the branch leader of Hao Mun, who seemed quite frustrated.
I don’t need to use the identity of an illegitimate child or the identity of Ho Pil.
As Kang Yoon-ho, I can wield the power of Hao Mun.
“Then I’ll put the mark on the gambling table.”
Like a driver listens to a passenger’s tale or a waiter listens to a customer’s story.
“Huh?”
I’ll just bring a drunk mark to a courtesan and let them spill the beans.
“So, could you lend me some people?”
I’ll put the mark on the gambling table, and you guys can do whatever you want with him!
