Chapter 277

Meeting - 3 “Money pool? Are you saying we should buy the guesthouse through a money pool?” I nodded at the question posed by a middle-aged man. Given that they are Koreans, I should give them a familiar example. “You must have heard of the ox money pool from your hometown. To purchase an ox for farming, they formed a club so that those who couldn't afford an ox could buy one. The branch money pool is the same.” “We live like floating weeds here in Central China, not knowing what tomorrow holds. How can we trust in a money pool? That's something only people who trust each other and can prepare for the future can do, isn't it?” It's different if it's our homeland. How can we trust and carry out a money pool with someone whose origins are unknown, someone who could disappear at any moment? That was what he meant. “I, as the leader of the money pool, will guarantee that trust and future.” To them, I am a man who already owns two buildings. If Hwajoo, who is also a landlord, guarantees it, the story changes. “If the esteemed Hwajoo who is successfully running his business could take the helm, it seems reliable. However, no matter how much money we scrape together, it would be impossible for everyone here to buy a building, wouldn't it?” Those gathered here have large sums on their books, but being Korean doesn't mean they are wealthy. “It is possible if you follow my words.” I'm moving forward with a plan keeping all this in mind. “How do you mean?” “When I purchase a building, I will cover half of the cost.” I’ll start by injecting my own money. “Hhwajoo?” “Yes, as the leader of the pool, I will cover half of the pooled money. This way, while you all gather money for the next turn, I can also gather my half of the pooled money. If we proceed slowly over time like with the ox money pool, everyone can become a guesthouse owner in turn.” With plenty of time, and half covered by me, it's a way to reduce the burden on the Koreans and sustain the money pool. “If the esteemed Hwajoo supports us and we proceed in quarters or on a yearly basis like the ox money pool, it indeed seems possible. So, will Hwajoo take the first turn?” “I will definitely take the last turn.” If I take the first turn, I would be receiving the investment right away. It's an immediate fail. “Haha! Saying you'll take the spot everyone wants to avoid!” “I told you, didn’t I? I am here to make all the fellow members sitting here guesthouse owners.” In reality, it’s because I mustn’t receive the investment. However, if the result is positive, it’s all good intentions. The Koreans looked at me with astonished faces. “When the final turn for Hwajoo comes, what will happen? Will you only take one guesthouse building?” A good question. “I will be reimbursed.” “What?” “Haha. Everyone would have become landlords by then. As guesthouse owners, they will have stable income. During each quarter, everyone will pay back the pooled money that I put in.” By that time, repayment wouldn’t be a problem. “Indeed…” “That’s right. It’s a sacrifice from Hwajoo's side.” “If one guesthouse becomes mine, that pooled money wouldn’t be a problem!” I paused and took a breath as I watched the guesthouse get lively with the talk of a money pool. ‘Man-geum's owner had already approved this franchise business in the first trial. If the money pool can successfully open, I can expand the business without receiving investment or resorting to moneylending.’ What I’m doing is simply fluidly supplying the money to buy guesthouses. Through the money pool, I gain no financial profits. What I’m aiming for is the franchise revenue already approved by Man-geum's owner. --------------------- “I understand Hwajoo’s words well. Since it’s a branch money pool, are there any additional points we need to be aware of?” As the lively atmosphere died down, one man raised his hand to ask. There are things to be aware of. It’s time to honestly disclose the harmful clauses. “As the leader of the pool, I will keep the building documents until the money pool ends.” “What?! Does that mean Hwajoo will own all the buildings?” “The buildings are yours. It’s just to prevent any risks of the money pool breaking up or someone running away by keeping a safety measure in place.” When five people gather, there is always at least one who is untrustworthy. There wouldn't be a saying that every fight over pooled money is to be expected. If the money pool is a tradition, then running away with the pooled money is a traditional game-level issue. I informed them that if anyone arbitrarily breaks up the money pool, the guesthouses would be disposed of at the leader’s discretion. “To prevent problems with the money pool, the buildings themselves will become collateral.” “Yes.” “When I was back in my homeland, there was a rascal who ran off with the pooled money.” Someone, recalling a bitter experience, murmured from the back. “Is there anything else we need to know?” “The money pool is conditional on establishing branches for my business. Therefore, additional franchise fees and general costs must be paid.” I instructed the shop boys to distribute the documents related to franchise costs that Im Ha-yeon and I had meticulously prepared to each of them. “You’re asking us to pay such a large amount?” “Isn’t this condition too excessive?!” As expected, they were surprised. It’s a business where half of my money goes into opening each guesthouse. Unlike with Jeon Gil-san, whom I ran the entire business at my cost from start to finish, the costs required for this franchise were significantly higher. “Most of it will be paid through the pooled money. The expenses during business will be money you can bear if you consider the profits.” I have no intention of continuously earning and paying the other half of the pooled money. By gradually reducing the burden with franchise fees and other general costs collected monthly for infrastructure. “But this is just too…” “Hwajoo.” An old man with a slightly fishy scent raised his hand. “Mr. Kim Young-kam, please speak.” “This old man fled the homeland to escape tenant farming and ended up here in Wuhun. From my perspective, these conditions seem like nothing but tenant farming.” I knew that would come up. Showing an angry expression, I opened my mouth. “Since when has tenant farming meant tilling one's own land? Tell me, what tenant farm allows you to buy a piece of land for a lifetime with just the money for one narrow strip?” "Th-that's true. I misspoke as an old man.” Do not tarnish my goodwill with ill intentions. Upon drawing the line firmly, old man Kim, startled, sat back down. “The condition is indeed good as Hwajoo says.” “But how will one live if they spend all this money?” “Hwajoo is the only one who can run this delivery business, surely it'll prosper in the future!” “Even so…” ‘Everyone seems skeptical. Given the large amount of money involved, it’s necessary to give them assurances.’ I did not intend to incur losses with this money pool. The initial investment will be significant, but I plan to earn through franchise fees and eventually be reimbursed for the pooled money I put in. Even though the buildings will belong to other Koreans, the franchise agreements will continue. In other words, I’ll have employees who will continuously generate money for me. Anticipating opposition, I need to alleviate their concerns. I must reframe my intentions and emphasize the benefits that would return to them. “Mr. Kim Young-kam.” “Yes?” “It is known that you, having been marginalized as a Korean, are making a living by selling fish in a corner where people seldom pass by.” I began by highlighting the hardships of the gathered Koreans. “The earnings are modest but sufficient to scrape by, right?” “Mr. Choi.” “Yes, Hwajoo. But I’m no longer a security guard now…” “I understand. I’ve heard that you injured your leg during an escort job and were dismissed from the agency. Now, you’re struggling to find employment as a cripple with black hair.” “Fortunately, I’ve saved a bit of money.” “I know that many of you are working hard and struggling.” Looking at the Koreans, I emphasized their difficult situations despite their earnest efforts. “Three brothers at the port told me that we Koreans work earlier and longer than anyone else. Mr. Lee here in front is one of them.” “I’ve been doing the unloading work arranged by Hwajoo recently. I’m truly grateful.” Mr. Lee bowed his head and thanked me. “Recently, those brothers offered me a tribute, saying it’s thanks to Hwajoo that they have work at the port. I refused them outright. You know what happened after that, Mr. Lee.” “Thanks to Hwajoo, wages for Koreans are higher, and we sometimes even enjoy meat and alcohol.” Nodding, I gazed silently at the Koreans. Yunho's goodwill. They saw Hwajoo as someone who stood up for Koreans. Let this fact embed in their minds. “We left our nostalgic homeland and came to this distant Wuhun in Central China. Do you know why?” Now, I posed the question. “Some fled tyranny, some escaped famine, others fled epidemics. The reasons vary, but the reason we all gathered here is the same.” Raising one finger, I showed it to the Koreans. Some quickly understood, some wondered. After drawing their attention, I offered the answer. “For a better life! But are we living the life we dreamed of?” There was no one here who could say yes. A persecuted people. Koreans. I leveraged our shared pain to foster solidarity. “A constable recently came to me. He accused me, saying black-haired barbarians are the kind that flay human faces, insinuating that I must be a murderer.” “How dare they!” “Those Central Chinese!” “What crime have we committed! We are guilty of only seeking a way to live. Yet here on Central Chinese land, we are eternal criminals. Merely because we are poor black-haired people.” “That’s right!” “We lead our lives diligently, but we remain poor. It’s heartbreaking to see my child’s torn clothes. Saying we’re fine despite our struggles is humiliating. We cry from sorrow in our sleep but must endure it. That’s our life. Because tomorrow, we have to get up for our children.” Pouring intense emotions into my speech. Poverty and family. These two points deeply affect their lives. “We are living like this now. But friends! At the very least! Even if it's the last thing we do! We should ensure our children don’t live like this.” All those gathered were men with families. The mention of their children made them emotionally turbulent. “...If I join Hwajoo's business, will my children not suffer from poverty?” A man with three children asked me with trembling eyes. “Yes. If we endure the hardships, we will leave enough wealth for our children to live prosperously.” It might indeed be a slave contract. But if we bear it, it’s manageable. Let’s sacrifice. You’ll make money. Just a bit of hard work and you can become landlords. Then your children will be happy. I instilled hope. “...” I saw a steely resolve flit across the faces of the Koreans sitting there. “Why are you helping us to this extent?” To make money. To reclaim Daseogak and save Im Ha-yeon. Swallowing the words that nearly tumbled out of my mouth naturally with composure, I placed my hand on my chest and looked at them with the demeanor of a person harboring grand intentions. “One day, I, too, will have children. I want to make sure that they, seeing Koreans thriving in Wuhun at least, will live without being disregarded.” Some nodded in agreement, lips tightly sealed. Others shed tears. Seeing myriad emotions wash over their faces, someone stood from their seat and approached me. “Hwajoo!” Then, one by one, they rose from their seats and knelt in front of me. “Hhhhwoajoo!!!” “Have you decided?” “Hwajoo, we wish to join the money pool!” “Please let us participate!” “Give us this opportunity!” Thus, the establishment of the money pool was successfully organized. “Setting the sequence for the money pool is quite the task.” In my office, I muttered to myself as I reviewed the personal details of those who wished to participate in the money pool on my empty desk. “Instead of just staring at the names and worrying, why not help me with some of this backlog, Mr. Kang Yunho, the manager?” From her desk, piled high with documents unlike my own, Im Ha-yeon glanced at me with a frown. “Haha… The leader of a group should make decisions, not deal with miscellaneous tasks.” “...” Just a bit more and she'd be glaring daggers at me. “I'll take care of this pile of documents.” Let’s work, work. “...About the branch.” “It’s not urgent right now. Let’s handle the backlogged work first.” “No, not that branch, the Daseogak branch.” “Now that you mention it, it has been a while with no news.” “Are they unwilling to give it to us?” Im Ha-yeon’s voice seemed oddly tinged with excitement. “It’s only been a few days since Heo-song’s funeral. Even the great Man-geum's owner would hesitate to seize her murdered grandson’s holdings. It will probably take some time.” It would be nice if instead of an old place, they gave us a brand-new facility in a prime location. “...And what about that woman?” “Do you mean Je Gal-hyang? Now that I think about it, I haven’t contacted her since the match meeting.” Since we plan to manage the bookstore once we receive it, I didn’t arrange our next meeting. “Do we really need to stay in touch unnecessarily?” “That is true, but...” We aren't in a romantic relationship; it’s a contract relationship. We’re not in love, so there’s no reason for frequent outings. Maybe it’s best to wait for additional contact from Man-geum's owner. ***** At that same moment, in Man-geum's owner's mansion. “We agreed to be in a relationship, so why hasn’t he contacted meeeeeeeee.” A silver-haired, blue-eyed woman was crying out in frustration.