No way! I’d actually buy a printing press being auctioned off by the government for half the price!
The folks at Man Geum Bookstore really went through a lot.
Jeon Gil-san must’ve bribed the official and, using the influence of Man Geum Bookstore, threatened competitors with violence, thinking he could throw out a ridiculous bid.
It’s true that a printing press from the government is a blind asset, after all.
Though it’s a valuable asset, even if sold at a good price, it would just be covered by the government’s budget; no official benefits from it.
Officials only care about lining their own pockets. Whether the printing press sells for half price or 30% off, what does it matter? If they say shut up, then just shut up!
From my perspective, acquiring the printing press in Yichang is a fitting achievement to solidify my position as the heir to the Man Geum Battlefield.
A successful bookstore owner would have to brace for a mortal blow to their finances just to buy one of those presses.
If I could bring home a good-quality, new printing press that meets government supply standards for half price, it would be a significant achievement.
The problem is there was only one other bidder who offered a slightly higher price.
“I expected anger, but did they really resort to murder threats?”
It’s not unexpected.
In fact, if it were just one failed bid, an office worker like Kang Mo would probably get yelled at by their boss and be told to do better next time after a good scolding.
Then they’d just put on an apologetic face while internally thinking, “Who cares, I’m clocking out. It’s work tomorrow, right? I did my best.” and call it a day.
However, Jeon Gil-san is the grandson of a conglomerate family. On top of that, this incident is a major blunder, falling prey to the schemes of a black-haired barbarian.
The young hoodlum would feel that his face and opportunity had been tarnished, so he wouldn’t back down easily.
That’s why I’ve set up precautionary measures.
“I asked what on earth he was saying.”
When the little pup, full of himself not because of his own talent but merely taking advantage of his family’s flimsy prestige, faces a real tiger, it ends.
The Tang Clan member approached Jeon Gil-san threateningly, his face twisted in a fierce frown.
“Do you know who I am?”
The little pup still thinks he’s perceived as a tiger, clutching onto a tiger skin with a thoroughly cowered look.
“Master! Jeon Gil-san is the grandson of Man Geum-jeon!”
Jeon Gil-san’s aide hurriedly cried out Jeon Gil-san’s identity as the Tang Clan member approached with a menacing aura.
“That’s right. If you withdraw now, I’ll let this slide!”
Jeon Gil-san nodded at his aide’s support, forcing a smile as he pretended to be brave.
Right. Even if he’s not the heir, he’s the grandson of a successful bank president.
Even without being the heir, the Man Geum Battlefield is not a family that the Sichuan Tang Clan can disregard.
Even if the Tang Clan member has a strong standing, unless they’re direct blood relatives, they’d hesitate to act recklessly in normal circumstances.
It would be a normal situation, that is.
“What does that matter?”
The Tang Clan member is targeting the illegitimate child of the Tang Family Head.
Without hesitation, the Tang Clan member closed in on Jeon Gil-san, ignoring the bravado.
“What?!”
Jeon Gil-san appeared startled; perhaps he hadn’t anticipated this situation as the false bravado crumbled.
“How dare you target the life of a Sichuan Tang Clan guest recognized by our family head!”
“A black-haired barbarian is considered a guest of the Sichuan Tang Clan?”
Jeon Gil-san asked back, bewildered by the absurdity.
Does this guy have no filter between his brain and mouth? Did he grow up privileged without the chance to develop one?
The Tang Clan member could not endure the contempt laced in Jeon Gil-san’s words.
“You little!”
Disrespecting a child recognized by the Tang Family Head is tantamount to insulting the entire Sichuan Tang Clan.
Without a moment’s hesitation, the Tang Clan member grabbed Jeon Gil-san’s collar with fury. He’s lifting him with one hand.
“Urgh!”
“Master Jeon!”
“What are you doing?!”
As the Tang Clan member lifted Jeon Gil-san with one hand, the martial artists from Man Geum Bookstore grew flustered, reaching for their blades.
“Anyone reaching for their blades should prepare to be turned into a handful of poisons!”
The tiger’s fierce roar left the martial artists completely demoralized.
It wasn’t just the Tang Clan member observing the situation. Other martial artists from the Tang family appeared on the scene, and the members from Man Geum Bookstore could only look at Jeon Gil-san, terrified.
“How dare a mere hoodlum running a small bookstore insult the great Sichuan Tang Clan? Do you wish to die!”
“Please… spare me…”
“I’ll sever your neck and notify Man Geum-jeon of your obituary! You, the thunderous, clueless grandson—how dare you insult a guest of the Sichuan Tang Clan and target their life!”
Is the Tang Clan member genuinely angry? I can feel the murderous intent spilling over this way.
It sounds like a threat, but it’s not impossible. The Sichuan Tang Clan rules over Sichuan; the Nine Great Sects also bow to the Tang Clan in that area.
“Ugh! Hah!”
Jeon Gil-san’s face turned reddish-purple under the pressure, as though he were about to suffocate.
The people from the Man Geum Bookstore were equally at a loss, not sure how to handle the situation, merely watching in desperation.
What to do now?
“Please set me down.”
After the bad cop has done his job of intimidating, it’s time for the good cop to coax and calm down.
With a single word from me, the Tang Clan member relaxed his grip.
“Master Jeon.”
I smiled like a friendly cop, calling out to the hoodlum gasping for breath on the ground.
Stepping on him and finishing him off is one option. However, it’s wise to avoid making enemies for future business.
I decided to show my strength first and opened my mouth.
“You already tried to kill me once before.”
“What?!”
With those words, the Tang Clan martial artists stirred.
“That’s impossible! Master Kang, please step aside! I’ll take care of this here!”
“Eeep! Please spare me!”
“It’s done, Master Jeon. Even if you took such action, it wasn’t for any personal emotions that I entered this bidding.”
In truth, you don’t know, but I had the upper hand. I wasn’t someone you could easily underestimate.
After establishing that fact, I continued speaking.
“You must’ve thought of me as a rabbit you can feast on anytime. But I approached you as a rival in my business. I held no personal feelings regarding it. That’s why I didn’t inform the Tang Clan about this matter.”
You thought of me as someone easy to deal with, but in reality, I was a competitor far above your league. Elevating my status all at once.
“Though I won this time, I neither sought your life nor stole from you. I simply won through fair competition.”
“Yes, you did not seek my life.”
This guy suddenly became polite.
“However, if you truly intend to confront me with personal feelings, I too will have to reveal my feelings.”
As I slowly lowered my hand, the Tang Clan martial artists moved in unison towards me.
“Master Jeon!”
“No!”
“Eek!”
The folks from Man Geum Bookstore were aghast, but no one was willing to sacrifice their life for that hooligan.
Watching the situation, I turned to Jeon Gil-san and smiled calmly.
“Master Jeon, I can let you leave peacefully now. But only this once.”
Strength meets strength. Aura meets aura.
When up against an arrogant hoodlum who doesn’t know their place, it’s best to show them a gap so large they wouldn’t dare dream of revenge.
I brushed off Jeon Gil-san’s clothes, helping him up.
Did you see how the Tang Clan folks moved on my signal? This time, I’m showing mercy. But there won’t be a next time.
Understand?
“I’ll leave… quietly.”
The hoodlum, realizing he wasn’t a tiger but a pup, shuffled back with a frightened expression, tail tucked, and quickly disappeared.
———–
That evening, after hearing that the people from Man Geum Bookstore hastily boarded a ship leaving for Wuhan.
At the now-Seocheon Post Office, I sat at a drinking table with the Tang Clan folks and the branch manager of Seocheon Post Office.
While I was the star tonight, it felt a bit burdensome to be seated in the best spot.
“It’s a shame, Master Kang.”
The Tang Clan member poured me a drink, his voice dripping with regret.
“I’m sorry for the trouble.”
I held my full wine glass with both hands and greeted everyone.
Seeing my gesture, the Tang Clan member’s eyes widened, and he shook his hands, speaking up.
“Trouble? How could picking up after trash be a burden! What we’re truly sorry about is that you faced such a dire risk and didn’t consider us.”
“A businessperson relying on their clan for protection is a bad habit; after all, I’m from the Kang family, not the Tang family.”
The Sichuan Tang Clan must remain a last resort.
I’m not a Sichuan Tang Clan member, I’m from the Kang family.
“Sigh. I know the Tang Clan Head couldn’t quell that ambition. However, whether you bear the name of Kang or Tang, the blood flowing within doesn’t change. Should you need anything, the Tang clan will always help. I’ll even send a warning to Man Geum Battlefield this time.”
That’s the crux of the matter.
Now that the Tang Clan Head has acknowledged me, I’m still seen as just an illegitimate child stubbornly resisting.
Of course, I need to tread carefully due to my political standing and the twisted relationship with my father, but since the Tang Clan Head has recognized me, they have no reason to ignore my plea.
I filled the Tang Clan folks’ glasses, speaking up.
“When I receive the printing press, I will begin printing the entire volume of The Rise of the Tang Family for you.”
The original objective of the Tang Clan guards who came along with me was to ensure my safe return and to bring back the next volume of The Rise of the Tang Family.
It was time to part ways with the Tang clan.
“What do you plan to do now?”
“As a man, I intend to make a name for myself in this world.”
I gazed out the window, raising my drink like someone with great aspirations.
“What do you mean by that?”
“I’m thinking of expanding my business.”
I began to share my business plans with the Tang clan members and the Seocheon Post Office folks.
Starting with the printing house, I plan to set up a Da Seogak location along the Yangtze River, and I’ll succeed in many novels including The Rise of the Tang Family.
I will make a name as both businessman Kang Yoon-ho and author Ho Pil.
I laid out my grand ambitions.
“Just hearing that is impressive! You truly are a tiger’s blood!”
The Tang Clan martial artists looked at me with beaming smiles, their expressions saying our big young master is truly a big deal. Our next generation is safe too.
Sorry, but I’m actually from the Kang family. It’s a fact I can’t let slip.
The atmosphere was so warm it made me feel pressured.
To lighten the mood, I averted the Tang clan members’ gazes and opened up for some jokes.
“I have to work hard so that in the future, it’s not said that I’m the man of Dokin, but rather that Hwa-rin is the woman of Kang Yoon-ho.”
I playfully poked my nose with one finger, feeling a bit shy.
“Haha!”
“I never expected Master Kang had such worries!”
“Correct! It’s a truly important matter!”
“You truly need to live diligently, Master Kang!”
My human concerns threw everyone into laughter.
With the tension eased, the drinking party became more lively. Compared to the earlier scheming and plotting of business, I shared drinks in a relaxed state.
“Are you planning to secure a building for the printing house first?”
As the drinks started to flow, the manager of the Seocheon Post Office asked in a voice loud enough for all to hear.
“At the moment, I don’t have the capital. It’ll be cramped, but I’ll place the printing press in the Da Seogak printing room to make money and eventually buy a proper building.”
If I were to set up a printing house, I’d need a typecasting room to cast characters, and if conditions permit, a paper-making room too.
I’ve got two new-model printing machines now, and if I manage the old model well, I could run three.
“If you open a printing house, you must have considered the port in Yichang, right?”
“Of course, for the location, the port would be best.”
If I’m going to print hundreds of books, it makes sense to use waterways for transportation. That’s also why I’m looking to set up a bookstore along the Yangtze River.
“Even though it won’t be as pricey as the Da Seogak on the main street, a building near the Yichang port will be exorbitantly expensive, even if it’s small compared to the printing press.”
“If the printing house is near the port, that would be great, but it’s not urgent. Starting with reasonable buildings is wise.”
I’m not some big shot with hundreds of chains; it’s better to seek out possible buildings as per the current situation.
“Still, if you’re planning to expand your business down the line, shouldn’t you place the printing house along the Yangtze?”
“That’s true, but…”
Will it go as planned? Doesn’t everyone want a Han River view apartment but can’t afford one?
As I hesitated to reply, the branch manager of the Seocheon Post Office, perhaps sensing my hesitation, asked with a serious tone.
“What if I told you there’s a building along the Yangtze available at a bargain price?”
“A building by the Yangtze? Even at a cheap price, wouldn’t that be tough?”
Even at a low cost, it’s a hardship to manage the expenditure on printing machines, let alone acquiring buildings.
It’s like asking if you want to buy a cheap Han River view apartment after investing in a 25-ton truck for business.
There’s no chance!
But then the branch manager of Seocheon Post Office brought out an unexpected offer.
“It’s a building that used to belong to the Seocheon Post Office before moving to Baekga-jang. Would you be interested in buying it at a low price?”
