439 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

EP.439 Declaration - 3 In business, problems arise not only when things aren't going well, but also when they are flourishing. "As a business grows, you naturally have to manage more people." "That's true. We left the management of each inn to the franchise owners, but there's the training of couriers, breeding of messenger pigeons, and ingredient delivery. There's so much to monitor from start to finish." As the business scales, the number of employees increases. With more employees, middle management becomes a necessity. With the growing number of couriers, a role for instructors was created to manage them, and Ha Yeon So Jee is working miracles by training retired courtesans to handle the messenger pigeons. The food aspect is relatively simple because An Sook Soo Nim supervises it. I personally went around to show how the necessary manpower was being allocated. "You've smartly arranged the manpower. However, perhaps you've been focusing too much on external expansion?" It's not haphazard, but it feels like only the size has increased. Isn't the essential framework being supported solely by you, Kang Yoon Ho? Jeon Un Yeob said indirectly while reviewing the documents in the headquarters office. That's a sharp observation. Daseokak Wuahn and Yichang branches. The main office of the Wungee Inn, Jeon Kilsan's business, and the Korean community meeting franchises. As the business continues to flourish day by day, inevitable issues have emerged. 'My workload is increasing too much.' Various expenses, ledgers, managing trading partners, taxes. Especially tasks related to money were problematic. There was no one reliable enough to entrust those tasks. It was manageable when Ha Yeon So Jee and Je Gal So Jee helped me split the work. Is this how Yoo Bi felt losing Bang Tong out of the Wolong Pangju? With Bang Tong gone, Je Gal Ryung is in jeopardy of overworking himself to death alone. I feel sorry for Je Gal So Jee; I want to shout, "Boss, give your employees a day off! Away with 16-hour, 7-day workweeks!" but I'm the boss. Of course, once the busy period is over, things might improve a bit. Yet, the problem remains. 'I still need to keep writing my novels.' I have to become famous by writing novels. To do that, I must earn money to expand Daseokak in Zhongyuan. Engaging in business to earn money prevents me from writing. It's a vicious cycle. "It's true that in focusing on external expansion, we've neglected solidifying our core." I nodded, agreeing with Jeon Un Yeob's statement. "I understand it's difficult to easily trust others with matters involving money. But..." "That's why I wanted to show you something today." How should we solve the manpower shortage? There was no need to worry needlessly. We already had a solution in place. —— A person is needed to handle the general chores of the business. They must know how to handle numbers because it involves money. Various paperwork also needs to be managed, so they should have some degree of appropriate training. They should be someone with an impeccable character and someone who would be satisfied with the salary I'm offering, remaining loyal. Sounds easy, right? Did you think I studied hard just to work under a barbarian's orders? Is there a way to find someone trustworthy in a world like this? Fortunately, there is an answer. "Chairman, these are the three individuals I mentioned before." Thanks to the Korean expatriate group, where I can freely choose and utilize talented individuals. An Sook Soo Nim, displaying proper manners before the Chairman, brought three Koreans to me. "We greet the Chairman!!!" Their respectful bows are nice. "So, you need jobs?" "We have neither studied martial arts nor have we the means to showcase any talents here in Zhongyuan, so finding a way to sustain ourselves is challenging. Please help us." Most Koreans here in Wuhun belong to the lower strata of society. Even if migrant workers have received a university education in their home country, like how many end up doing manual labor abroad, most work as manual laborers. Surely, among the expatriates, there are educated individuals living tough lives now. My prediction was accurate. "I can provide a job." I wish to escape overtime soon, but let's be patient for a moment. With a bit of skepticism, I looked at the three individuals. "Re-really?!" "However, there's only one position." "Only one position?!" Start by creating a sense of urgency. Among those who visited today, only one will secure employment. A sense of urgency enveloped the three who had shown bright faces. "Let's see, Chun Sam, you're good with arithmetic?" "Yes! My father, who was a village headman, taught me arithmetic when I was young! I'm so skilled with the abacus that it's practically in my head." "Alright, hmm... good at arithmetic... What about you, Deok Bae? What are you good at?" "I may not be as fast at mental arithmetic as Chun Sam, but I'm also good with the abacus. I used to work as a merchant's clerk in my youth, handling ledgers and organizing documents." "And Man Sik?" "I worked as a steward back in Korea. As an illegitimate son, I managed the household estate. I might not be as quick with numbers as the other two, but I can handle tasks behind the scenes better than anyone!" "Alright." Since there's only one position, they are all highlighting their strengths. Indeed, the expatriate group seems to have selected A-class candidates for me. But I don't plan to hire them immediately. I must stir their hearts. While hiding my joy, I looked at the three with an indifferent expression. "Chairman, I know it's a shameless request. But my family and I will be on the streets as it currently stands. I beg of you!" "Chairman, even if I could just earn enough to feed my wife and children, even if it’s just cold rice, I'd never forget this kindness." Perhaps they misunderstood my indifferent expression. The three knelt, pleading with me. I maintained my silence without responding. I switched between looking at the documents containing their details and observing them. Whenever my gaze settled on one person, the shoulders of those not selected trembled. If they returned like this, their families would starve. Maybe all three could be rejected. Once it seemed I could gauge their feelings... "All of you start at the inn's headquarters tomorrow." I said with a faint smile. "R-really?!" All three looked at me with disbelief. "Why does it seem like none of you want to work?" "Oh, no, it's not that. You just mentioned there was only one position..." After raising their sense of urgency, it's time to explain why I saved them all. "It looks like you need help, not that you lack the ability." "...!" "Prove to me that my decision wasn't a mistake." I'm stretching my resources to hire you all. While recognizing the soon-to-be new recruits, I also elevate myself. It was a method to boost loyalty with just a few words. "Chairman!" Don't cry. Why are all the men here trying to cry? "You are now my administrators. You're going to have to handle a lot of my grunt work from now on." "We will serve you with all our hearts." "We will remain loyal!" "Chairman! Please accept our thanks!" Now, let's wrap this up. I stood up and pulled out a pouch from my pocket. "This should be enough. Go buy yourselves a nice set of clothes. I hear you all live in shantytowns. An Sook Soo Nim will give you a room in his house. Move in with your families, enjoy a good meal, and start work tomorrow." Without a second thought, I handed them my wallet with generosity. The Chairman has handed over his purse out of concern for us. It's a moving scene, isn't it? "Th-thank you!" It didn't take long for tears of gratitude to well up in their eyes. In truth, the pouch was specifically prepared for this display, but there was no need to mention that. ————— "They'll be handling Master Kang's assets. Wasn't the decision a bit hasty?" One task concluded, onto the next. It's not just about having the ability; immediate hiring isn’t everything. Once the Koreans had left, Jeon Un Yeob spoke with a hint of skepticism. "Chun Sam is good at arithmetic but weak in asserting himself, thus he struggles to secure his dues. As long as he's paid on time, he won't cause trouble." "What?" "Man Sik’s mother is a Jurchen. Since childhood, he wasn't accepted as either Korean or Han, and faced discrimination until he came to Zhongyuan. Because of that, he yearns for recognition from others." I flipped through the next document as I spoke. "Deok Bae has a son with a limp from birth and two daughters, along with an elderly mother. Although he works tirelessly to provide for his family, he's known for not coveting others' things and has a good reputation." "This is..." I looked at the bewildered Jeon Un Yeob with a smile. "It took a long time. I asked the Korean expatriate group to find trustworthy and talented individuals for me; finding hands and feet to run my business, so everyone searched for me." The search for the right people had been underway for quite some time. It just took a while to find suitable candidates. "Ah." "I heard nothing but exceptional things about these three. While I told An Sook Soo Nim to keep it quiet, I planned to hire all of them from the beginning." "If you'd already made up your mind, why ask him to keep it quiet?" Jeon Un Yeob cautiously inquired about my intentions. Sure, it could have ended by simply instructing someone to start work from tomorrow. But that wouldn't do. "People never forget those who reached out to them in times of struggle." I was looking to build loyalty, not just hire employees. Relationships forged through money tend to be forgotten when one is content, but those who acknowledge you can linger in your thoughts, even when looking back on life’s challenging days. The Chairman who went out of his way to extend a hand to those who had struggled unnoticed for so long. That was the stage I set today. "I see." "Pardon my transparency. It's just a small ploy to win my own people, not merely an employer-employee relationship." "Reach not be reproached for extending a hand to someone in need." "Thank you." As long as he sees it favorably. "It's no wonder you have such respect from the Koreans." "It's only because I'm one of the few living in Wuhun without worrying about three square meals a day." Even if you admire me, nothing more will come of it. "While inspecting with you today, I saw many Koreans. It wasn't just the gaze directed at a wealthy individual; every single one looked at you with a mixture of genuine awe and respect." "I'm just grateful that you see it positively." "There's only one person around me who receives such looks daily." "Sorry?" Jeon Un Yeob flashed a curious smile and continued. "Never mind. I've seen enough for today. I should relay the remaining message from Man Geum Jeon Ju." "What is it?" Do I have more to do besides the inspection? "Why hasn’t the one who's supposed to visit once he's back on his feet come to see me yet? That's all." Oops. I was supposed to visit after the Haowoo Gate incident. "I'll go tomorrow." Alright. I'll delegate my tasks to the new staff and go. ** "It's been a while." Meeting someone I haven't finished my school vacation homework for—it must feel like this facing a teacher. The next day, I was forced to meet someone I didn't particularly want to see but had to. "You must have been quite sick." Man Geum Jeon Ju, without looking up from the report I had submitted beforehand, threw out a remark with a hint of reproach. "With so many people depending on my shoulders, once I fell, I couldn't get back up and move right away." It's not that I didn't want to see you. I had to settle the chaos that erupted around me. Honestly, though, I didn't really want to meet him. "That's why a merchant must always take meticulous care of his health." "I'll take that to heart." Why is he nodding as if he understands? I thought he'd have more harsh words. "Indeed. It seems your business is thriving." Did he like that—his lips curled into a slight grin. "I'm simply sailing with the wind blowing in my favor." "Ha ha. Building a ship and crediting the wind, are we? I wondered how long you'd foolishly stay up all night with ink-stained hands, but you're not entirely foolish, it seems." Perhaps it’s because I finally found staff to strengthen the core. His slightly chastising gaze was directed at me. Initially, it was manageable by dividing the tasks. Money issues were tricky, and it wasn't easy to trust anyone with them. Excuses flitted through my mind, but the answer that emerged was singular. "I wasn't seeking an employee hired with money, but looking for hands to stain with ink," I replied, explaining the delay. Man Geum Jeon Ju was a friend of the late Baek Ga Jang Ju, who was known for his generosity until the end. As Hwa Rin Yi's fiancé and the grandson-in-law of Baek Ga Jang Ju, I uphold the belief that business is about leaving lasting relationships with people. 'It's more of a concept, really.' Remarks evoking Baek Ga Jang Ju tend to land well. It’s quite satisfying to see Man Geum Jeon Ju with a look of having been pleasantly caught off guard. "I hear you are getting along well with my granddaughter." "Yes, since our minds are aligned, we trust and rely on each other." I nodded readily. Having lived together for several months now, it would be ridiculous to deny the relationship with Je Gal So Jee. "Alright. This should suffice," Man Geum Jeon Ju's voice carried a tone of satisfaction. "Could this mean I'm finally cleared?" Could it be that my debt is finally forgiven? "You won't be embarrassed to speak of this in front of anyone now." However, what Man Geum Jeon Ju said next was far from what I expected. "What do you mean?" "I mean the qualifications to become my successor." ...Excuse me?