Franchising business.
A chain store or franchise. Regardless of what it’s called, it’s a business that recruits operators by providing exclusive technology or distribution networks.
Even in modern society, where safety nets for self-employed individuals are established, franchise businesses use monopolistic positions, often making headlines on the 9 o’clock news because of the headquarters’ oppression.
But what if I could wield monopolistic authority at will in a world with no legal safety nets?
I could rake in the money.
Of course, running a franchise in a world without copyrights or patents isn’t easy. That is, unless Im Ha-yeon’s Nine Black Qi Hands were in play.
“So, in conclusion, does that mean I should be your subordinate?”
As I explained what a franchise was, Jeon Gil-san responded with a reluctant expression.
“No.”
It means become a slave.
“That’s not what you just said…”
“You didn’t understand properly. Think about the Martial Arts Alliance. Just because the Nine Great Sects and One Alliance are affiliated, does that make them a subordinate group of the Martial Arts Alliance?”
“Hmm…”
“When the headquarters provides services and teaches business methods, the franchisee only pays a fee. It’s an equal trading relationship.”
It just so happens that one side is a bit more equal.
“You’re saying it’s not about taking over the business, but receiving services and paying for them…?”
This must be a business he’s never heard of. Jeon Gil-san looked like a mouse contemplating whether to enter a trap.
“Anyway, with the amount written on that receipt, I can’t buy my business. But with that receipt’s money and my help, you can have a similar business.”
So give me the money.
Wuhan is the capital of Hubei Province. Orders to the tavern I run are pouring in, but I can barely keep up with delivering to a large residential area, let alone the whole of Wuhan.
Even if Jeon Gil-san buys a tavern in a suitable residential area, it doesn’t affect me at all.
“If you pay me a franchise fee every month, wouldn’t your profits decrease?”
Jeon Gil-san asked me with a hesitant expression.
I understand what he’s worried about. Others are likely making good money, but if he has to pay franchise fees, he worries his earnings would be pitiful.
In situations like this, it’s better to dangle an alluring bait than to bicker over profits and losses.
“This is certainly a business that leaves enough profit. And the important thing is that this method has the highest chance of passing the test given by Man Geum-jeon.”
I know what kind of bait you’re drooling over. With just a word, I’ll show you that bait again.
“What do you mean by that?”
Jeon Gil-san reacted immediately.
“From what I can see, it seems like the grandsons are competing against each other. Are you confident you can come in first?”
First, I needed to gauge if he had the ability to eat that bait.
“N-no, if I try hard enough…”
“When making excuses, at least make sure to convince yourself.”
Your bravado won’t work on me. I mocked him in a deliberately sarcastic tone.
“So what are you suggesting? Does that mean I could be first if I become a franchisee?”
He got angry when I hit the nail on the head.
“Have you figured out why Man Geum-jeon set such a test?”
I asked with confidence, as if I were the top-notch instructor who grasped the intent of the test perfectly.
“Intent?”
“What does Man Geum Battlefield do?”
“It’s a moneylending establishment.”
“Exactly. The Man Geum Battlefield isn’t a place for doing business; it’s a place for circulating money. And when you’re circulating money, the most important thing is choosing where to lend it.”
“What does that have to do with this?”
“No matter what other grandsons do, those are all pre-existing businesses. Wouldn’t it be unsurprising if the great Man Geum-jeon is not satisfied with making a few coins from that? But if a grandson finds a business no one has ever done and leads it to success, what do you think his reaction would be?”
“Oh, so I would catch the attention of grandfather with an original business?”
“Exactly. I’ve heard that Man Geum-jeon, when he was young, also invested in unique businesses like franchising and made a lot of profit.”
“That’s true. My grandfather’s eye for talent is well-known.”
Jeon Gil-san nodded with pride in his grandfather.
Great. Let’s give him a confidence boost at this timing.
“In my opinion, it seems you inherited your grandfather’s keen eye, Jeon Gil-san.”
“Me?”
“With Ho Pil and Nine Black Qi Hands included, you discovered something that other grandsons haven’t!”
“That’s… true.”
“My business will grow day by day. Then grandfather will have no choice but to pay attention to his grandson, Jeon Gil-san, who resembles him the most.”
I deliberately stuttered his name, causing him to get carried away with excitement.
The destination is Man Geum-jeon. Safe and comfortable travel to you! Whether we actually arrive is not my concern, but the fare will be the total amount on your receipt.
“So you could think of the test this way?”
Jeon Gil-san was taken aback, covering his mouth, and his eyes widened.
He’ll probably think that boarding the plane will get him to Man Geum-jeon. I’ve stirred his greed to cloud his judgment, and now I must cut off his escape route.
“If you understand, let’s go have a drink. We can talk more about business there.”
Leaving Jeon Gil-san, who looked confused, I stood up and began getting ready to go out.
“Drink? You mean to drink?”
“Isn’t it necessary to wash away personal feelings with drinks if we are to do business together?”
If I want to obscure the remaining judgment, drinking is the best choice.
“Drink, drink…?”
“Hey! Mother said never to touch alcohol during exam periods!”
“Hey! How can I have a business without alcohol? Let’s go!”
From the first round to the second and third round of drinking sessions.
In the end, I got Jeon Gil-san to sign the contract.
————
“Ugh… the smell of alcohol. Did you really sign the contract yesterday?”
The next day, Im Ha-yeon walked into my office, grimacing, and immediately opened the window.
“If you don’t believe me, check what’s on the desk.”
“Wow, really.”
Im Ha-yeon gazed curiously at the document with Jeon Gil-san’s seal.
“As soon as you receive the franchise fee from Jeon Gil-san, I’ll need you to do what I mentioned before.”
“Are you really going to do it?”
“I’m not joking; I’m asking for your help.”
You can’t relax just because one thing went well. Once you start, you have to keep running until you reach your destination.
“Got it. By the way, isn’t the franchising business helping Jeon Gil-san?”
“Haha! Not at all. Jeon Gil-san voluntarily decided to be my tenant.”
I thought of that drunken fool who might not even realize he was signing a slave contract and grinned happily.
“A tenant?”
“All the risks fall on him. He has to buy the tavern with his own money, and he has to bear all the expenses. Even those expenses go straight into my pocket. Even if he goes bankrupt later, I bear no responsibility.”
I have to run the business only with the money on the receipt. However, most of that money is already spent. It would be tough to launch additional businesses.
But dragging Jeon Gil-san into the franchise business changes the narrative. I’ll start raking in massive additional income regularly without incurring further debt.
“But still, Jeon Gil-san… It feels frustrating to make that guy earn money.”
Im Ha-yeon pouted, seemingly displeased with Jeon Gil-san.
“Haha! Slowly, without him realizing it, I’m going to squeeze him until he can’t extract a single drop of water from a dry rag. He probably won’t even know he’s being squeezed with what’s on the line.”
The means to squeeze include rental fees for the Nine Black Qi Hands, franchise fees, materials, training, beverage costs, advertising costs, and so on.
I pictured the drunken fool whose contract I had just signed, not knowing the mess it would become, and laughed.
“Whoa… You just had a very unscrupulous merchant look!”
Did I accidentally lose control of my expression for a moment? It wouldn’t do for Im Ha-yeon to misunderstand me as that kind of merchant.
What now? Let’s get brazen. I fixed my expression and shot her a gaze as if I were gazing at something precious.
“If you want to think of me as a bad merchant, go ahead. Even if I’m called a bad merchant, I’ll pass the test and save you.”
I’m acting like a bad merchant for one reason: because of you.
Of course, I have tiny goals like saving the Tea Bookstore and clearing debts. I shrugged my shoulders, smiling calmly at Im Ha-yeon.
“Ugh…”
Im Ha-yeon turned her head in disbelief; how absurd.
As I placed the contract that would take me a step closer to passing the tests of Man Geum-jeon and Shimu into the drawer, I resumed my work.
——————————
“This is a different story!”
Shortly after finishing the contract with Jeon Gil-san, he raised his voice and shouted at me from his newly remodeled tavern.
“What did you say?”
“Why do I have to hire barbarians for my tavern? You said hiring personnel was my choice!”
“The hiring of personnel is stated as being selected from the ones dispatched from the headquarters.”
Since I’m the club leader of the Joseon expatriate association, it only makes sense to hire Joseon people.
“Why does it have to be all Joseon people? Why can’t I just hire someone from the Central Plains?”
Right. He calls me a Joseon person. If he hadn’t reacted when I frowned, I might have responded with a tough response.
“You read the contract and signed the seal, so why change your words?”
“I did sign the contract! But I never agreed to stick by it!”
This guy definitely deserves a few broken joints.
“Im Ha-yeon. Go upstairs and retrieve all Nine Black Qi Hands.”
Let’s give him a proper education.
“Okay.”
“W-what are you doing!”
Jeon Gil-san exclaimed, startled as he shouted at me.
“The headquarters has the right to revoke the franchise if the contract terms are broken. If you’re going to break the contract terms, just run your tavern normally.”
Confiscation of Nine Black Qi Hands, you jerk.
“Franchise fees, personnel introduction fees, raw material costs, tavern renovation costs, training fees! How much money did I just give you?”
Just listening to it makes me feel like I’ve received a lot. I opened my mouth with a cold expression towards Jeon Gil-san’s distressed face.
“There’s a reason I introduced the Joseon people. The Joseon people I introduce aren’t just any Joseon people; they’re the ones who will work for my business. I brought them in to help with your business, so how dare you call them barbarians right away?”
“Still, wouldn’t using someone from the Central Plains be better?”
“Does the successor of Man Geum Battlefield want to worry about hair color? What’s important for someone doing business is not the hair color of the one working for them, but what color money they bring with them. If you still dislike it after I’ve explained this, then just quit!”
I shouted firmly.
“I… I was wrong.”
“Fine. I’m a Joseon person too. If you’re going to keep complaining about being a Joseon person from now on, it’s better not to do this at all. How in the world can you continue a business with such personal feelings?”
I twisted my body exaggeratedly and slowly walked forward.
Isn’t it too late for you to turn back now?
You’ve already spent nearly all the money on the receipt, and if you miss this opportunity, you’ll lose your chance to become the successor of Man Geum Battlefield.
The moment we part ways here, you’ll fall into despair.
So the next words coming out of your mouth can only be one thing.
“I’m sorry! From now on, I won’t complain about your way of doing business!”
I knew it would turn out this way. Jeon Gil-san bowed to me for the first time, repeatedly apologizing.
“Don’t think there’s going to be a next time.”
The initiative is still in my hands.
So keep squeezing him from here on out.
Hehe! So Kang Yoon-ho said that?
In the mansion of Man Geum-jeon. Man Geum-jeon couldn’t hold back his laughter upon hearing about the conversation between Jeon Gil-san and Kang Yoon-ho from the head of guards.
“Yes. The guard assigned to keep an eye on Lord Jeon passed on the information.”
Hehe. Right. For those looking to circulate money, who cares about hair color? What matters is the color of the money they bring.
“Grandson, Lord Jeon seems quite impressive as well. They say they can let go of personal feelings and work together.”
Man Geum-jeon’s attention had shifted toward Kang Yoon-ho. However, no one dislikes hearing praise for their blood relative. The head of guards also praised Jeon Gil-san’s actions.
“Tsk tsk. That guy Jeon is too dim-witted for this business.”
Jang No-ya’s response was cold.
“Excuse me?”
“If he becomes a tenant, what can he do? To do business, you need to hold the reins. The wise one is that brat Kang Yoon-ho. He’s unknowingly swallowed up Jeon Gil-san, who made the Tea Bookstore lose everything.”
Man Geum-jeon quickly grasped that the franchise business he had never heard of was essentially the same method as being a tenant.
I must say, the more I look, the more impressive your grandson is.
Hehe. Right. He’s doing so well. A man who handles outside affairs needs a woman by his side to support him. Am I wrong, head of guards?
The head of guards quickly grasped the meaning behind Man Geum-jeon’s words.
“The granddaughter of the Ji-gal clan has been in seclusion at her accommodation for several days.”
It’s time. Have that girl dressed up and call Kang Yoon-ho.
