“Busy, huh?”
The day after meeting Jeongal Hyang, I had been searching for the elusive Im Ha-yeon since I got back yesterday and throughout this morning.
“Busy? Isn’t that every day? Why?”
Rumble rumble.
Without even glancing at me, Im Ha-yeon was examining the condition of the carrier pigeons.
Hmm, her voice sounds a bit sharp. Was it really just a coincidence that our paths didn’t cross after I returned yesterday?
“I haven’t been able to see your face since yesterday.”
“……”
Im Ha-yeon finally turned to me, as if she was ready to show her face.
Why is her lip poking out like that?
“Looks like you’re busy. I guess it can’t be helped.”
There’s no need to fan the flames of a burning house. I took a step back, ready to turn away.
“Why?”
She stopped me as I turned.
“I was thinking about visiting the Seocheon Post Office together.”
Since the opening of the branch at the tea bookstore hasn’t been confirmed yet, I need to drop by the Seocheon Post Office for the next steps.
“……Together?”
Her voice was unexpectedly sharp, like she was sliding a sword back into its sheath, filled with hesitation.
“Though I can go alone… it’d be nice to go with you.”
This is my chance.
I need Im Ha-yeon for today’s task. I have to smooth over her mood.
I scratched my head awkwardly and said, “Isn’t this something I can handle alone?”
“I’m stopping by the Seocheon Post Office to set the first order for the funds pooling. Your input is needed…”
“Needed, huh?”
Im Ha-yeon stepped closer, looking up at me with a slightly dissatisfied expression.
Is saying it’s needed not enough? What would be better? Quick brainstorming time.
“I thought we could also grab a meal while we’re at it.”
Since we couldn’t eat together yesterday, let’s have a meal later. We can eat at a nice place. This should be a decent negotiation, right?
“Hm… I’ll wait. I’ll get ready and come out.”
Was this the right answer?
Im Ha-yeon chuckled softly, finally seeming to cheer up as she smiled.
Fortunately, her steps back to her room seemed a bit lighter.
———
“Here. This is the cargo sent from Yichang.”
Upon arriving at the Seocheon Post Office, the postman recognized me and guided me to the warehouse.
“What’s all this?”
Im Ha-yeon was taken aback seeing the box filled with stacks of paper.
“It’s the advertisement ordered from the Yichang printing house.”
If you’re going to print something, you must use a pricey printer, right? I took out a sheet of paper to show Im Ha-yeon.
[Fast Delivery. Now you can eat at home!]
[Just send the carrier pigeon, and we’ll rush right over.]
[If you apply now, Nine Black Qi Hands are free!]
“Advertisements? Is there a promotion going on?”
“Branches will continue opening further away. I plan to stick them in the room or hand them out for the opening promotion.”
The more promotional tools, the better. Word of mouth has its limits. To promote the opening widely, the advertising must be solid.
“Indeed, with Wuhan being so vast, it’d be tough to rely solely on word of mouth for distant branches. But this must’ve cost quite a bit for the paper?”
“I used cheaper paper, lower quality. Plus, anyway, the advertisement isn’t coming out of my pocket.”
The funds pooled from the members are all going towards the franchise fees.
Since I’m operating the main branch, it’s actually better as I create places to spend money. Of course, it’s important to spend it in a way that convinces the franchise owners.
“Truly… your business sense is unbeatable.”
Im Ha-yeon let out a small exclamation, impressed.
“Hahaha, I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Please check and sign here.”
After confirming the cargo, the postman handed me a document.
“Yes. Looks accurate.”
“Master Kang! If you’ve come, you should have visited me first! Come in!”
After finishing the document signing, the branch manager of the Seocheon Post Office welcomed me into his office with a bright expression.
“Thank you for making time despite your busy schedule.”
“Not at all. For Master Kang, one must create time.”
“Thank you. It’s been a while since I visited, and the Wuhan branch is lively. Is there good news?”
“Ahahaha. The post office here can’t compete with Sichuan, but thanks to some sudden support from above, we can breathe a little.”
The branch manager looked at me like I was a treasure, gazing intently.
If “above” refers to the Sichuan Tang Family, then is the support from the Wuhan branch because of me?
“That’s delightful to hear.”
Hubei Province is influenced by the Mount Wu sect and the Jeongal family. Man Geum-jeon, the richest in Wuhan, is even a relative of the Jeongal family, so gauging their influence isn’t easy.
The Seocheon Post Office is just another ordinary post office in Wuhan, unlike in Sichuan. It’s one of the few options I have to rely on in Wuhan, so help from the Wuhan branch is good news for me too.
“It’s about the Joseon porters you introduced last time.”
While chatting, the branch manager brought up the Joseon workers at the Yangtze River Port.
“Are you talking about the porters I introduced? Is there something going on?”
“Haha! As for work? The porters from Joseon seem very dedicated. Even with a heavy load, they work diligently without complaints, and when the boat arrived later than scheduled, they waited patiently to unload.”
The branch manager kept praising the Joseon porters.
“Having come all the way to a foreign land to make a living, I understand.”
“At first, they said a few were concerned about getting their wives stolen or their daughters being led astray by those with black hair, but lately, they say their work has decreased, and they’re actually feeling better about it.”
“Hahahaha. It’s great to hear the misunderstandings have cleared up.”
Black-haired people are very safe. It’s just a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding.
Typical postal work consists of postmen protecting the cargo with porters carrying the goods. However, since shipping on the Yangtze involves boats, significantly more cargo moves at once compared to typical postal operations.
That’s why they use porters instead of just regular carriers.
“Lately, all the good fortune at the Wuhan branch seems to be thanks to Master Kang.”
The branch manager must be starry-eyed.
“Now that you mention it, I’m glad I asked to meet today.”
Coincidentally, I had something to discuss, and I welcomed this friendly atmosphere.
“Is today’s meeting about the cargo? If it’s about the cargo, this time I won’t charge for the shipping fees.”
“That’s not it. I have a favor to ask.”
“A favor?”
I began to unfold my plan to the branch manager.
———————-
Since I stopped by the Seocheon Post Office, it was now time for the first order of the funds pooling.
“W-What?! Am I really first in line?!”
The person I found was the limping postman, Choi Deok-soo.
Choi looked stunned when we visited his ramshackle house.
“Yes. After much deliberation, we decided on you as the first member of the funds pooling.”
“No, someone like me, a cripple, overtaking all the other members… how can that be possible?”
Choi seemed incredulous, his voice shaking as he asked us again.
“I thought long and hard about it as well. Who among the members should be the first operator? After my lengthy thoughts, I concluded it had to be you, Choi Deok-soo.”
It’s important to appear as if I’m generously offering favors in my capacity as club leader.
I wore a benevolent smile, like someone who could give away lottery winnings without expecting anything in return.
“Are you saying this because I’m a cripple?”
The first guest for the delivery restaurant.
For some reason, perhaps the sudden stroke of luck made him nervous, Choi asked us with a doubtful expression.
“Of course not.”
“If it’s because I’m a cripple, please push me down to a later position instead.”
“Why would you say that?”
“Because it’s true I’ve become a cripple from delivering cargo for life, and it’s also true I’ve been cast out from my post office. Getting a new job is tough too. But I’ve saved up a penny or two over the twenty years of working as a postman. Find someone who needs it more urgently.”
“Whaaaaat! What are you talking about! How could the club leader decide on such a thing!”
His wife, who had quietly been listening, burst out, seemingly feeling wronged, but Choi’s resolute voice remained firm.
He really is known for being a good person. However, I had no intentions of backing down.
I needed Choi for my plans.
With a solemn expression, I spoke.
“I chose you, Choi Deok-soo, not because you’re a cripple, but because you have mastered martial arts.”
“Wait? What do you mean by that?”
Choi asked, surprised and utterly confused.
The reason I placed Choi first in line isn’t due to his limping condition.
It’s a new step to develop my business.
I had to climb that step, so I spoke.
“I’d like you to become a martial arts instructor for the Joseon delivery workers.”
Choi must become the martial arts instructor.
“Wait? Are you planning to turn the Joseon people into martial artists?”
“Similar, but not quite. What I need isn’t martial artists; it’s delivery workers who have learned martial arts.”
“I don’t fully understand.”
I looked at Choi, who had often taught a thing or two to the Joseon workers practicing martial arts.
I didn’t want him to teach them how to slice with swords.
It’s about reducing petty fights at the guesthouse.
It’s a way to make my business flourish even more.
What I want is…
“Joseon delivery workers who have mastered Light Body Movement—essentially, I want to make them the gallant couriers.”
