Chapter 92
Snow Ice Stone.
A translucent gem with a subtle light and coldness in exquisite harmony.
It was a natural mineral that was difficult to process but had excellent durability and did not corrode, making its value comparable to gold.
Therefore, unless one was a high-ranking official or a wealthy person, it was difficult to even see manufactured goods made of snow ice stone.
But trends are scary.
Isn’t that what human vanity is like?
Once it became a trend, those who could afford it would go to great lengths to purchase at least one snow ice stone accessory, and thanks to that, the demand was rapidly increasing.
“Young Lady Yuk. I’ll get that trade right.”
“Is it possible? Young Master Jin?”
“I told you. The young lady of the North Sea Ice Palace and I are very close.”
“Hoho. If that happens, beyond realizing the young master’s plan, the Moyong family will be able to possess a truly enormous asset.”
At Yuk Jeong-ran’s words, So-ah let out a sigh of relief and murmured.
“A huge asset…”
As if she had read his complicated feelings, Yuk Jeong-ran smiled and added.
“Of course, managing money is more important than earning it. But a brilliant person like Young Master Jin wouldn’t squander his fortune. Assuming that proper asset management is carried out…”
“Assuming?”
“The Moyong family might become the richest in the Central Plains as a single martial family.”
Thump, thump, thump.
So-ah’s heart pounded without notice.
Becoming a great tycoon.
In fact, if it were the previous So-ah, it would have been something he wouldn’t have paid much attention to.
But after setting foot in the Jianghu and experiencing countless things, his thoughts gradually changed.
Although his grandfather and uncle lived frugally because they had no desire for material possessions, hadn’t he realized that the more money one had, the more convenient it became, even when he gifted his junior sister a gauntlet made of Diamond Silkworm Thread?
“Young Lady Yuk. Then let’s prepare a small amount of operating funds and start with the work. As soon as things are roughly sorted out, I’ll leave for the North Sea.”
“Then shall we start by getting in touch with the construction contractors?”
“Yes. I’ll leave it to you.”
So-ah performed a polite cupped fist salute to Yuk Jeong-ran.
So-ah truly thought it was a stroke of luck to have become a collaborator with a resourceful businesswoman like Yuk Jeong-ran.
***
“Uncle. Chief Steward. I’ve found a way.”
“Yes?”
“Yes?!”
The expression ‘a bolt from the blue’ would be an understatement.
Moyong Baek and the chief steward were so surprised that they almost fainted.
“First, we’ll buy the land near the main family’s residence. We’ll also hire construction contractors. So, what’s left is to gather the people with the Moyong surname and announce the recruitment of external disciples. I think you and the Chief Steward will have to work hard on these two matters.”
He had known for a long time that So-ah’s methods were strange.
Because he had created a topic of conversation wherever he went and had shown countless miracles of creating something out of nothing.
But seeing So-ah, who had found a solution in less than half a day after leaving the house, the two were truly dumbfounded.
Moyong Baek asked.
“So-ah. Could you tell me in detail what you’re talking about? This uncle can’t even guess. It would cost a penny or two to accomplish such things.”
At that, So-ah smiled brightly.
“Hehe. I’m really lucky.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Uncle. Do you know this? The fact that the demand for snow ice stones has recently increased rapidly in the Central Plains.”
“I don’t know about the increase in demand, but I know that snow ice stones are minerals that only come from the North Sea.”
“That’s it. I’m going to make money with that.”
Even at this moment, Moyong Baek could not readily understand So-ah’s words.
But the chief steward, who was relatively bright in financial matters, realized his intention.
“…Don’t tell me, Young Master?”
“That’s right, Chief Steward.”
“…”
“I’m going to get the trade rights with the North Sea. Then our family can monopolize the snow ice stones.”
At the same time.
“Ah…!”
“Ah…!”
A long sigh burst from the mouths of Moyong Baek and the chief steward.
“We will be able to secure a financial power that cannot be compared to before.”
For a moment.
“Oh my, So-ah! Oh my!! My baby! You cute brat! Hahahaha!”
Moyong Baek, forgetting his embarrassment, stood up from his seat and, as if he was about to dance, spread his arms and hugged So-ah.
“Ugh… why are you doing this, Uncle. It’s gross.”
“Gross, you brat. Do you know how I feel right now? You brat! Where did such a treasure fall from?”
Recently, as if he had been assimilated by So-ah, Moyong Baek’s behavior had become rapidly frivolous, which would have been amusing, but at this moment, even the chief steward could not help but burst into a hearty laugh.
“Haha. Hahaha! So there was such a clever move. Well, since the lord of the North Sea Ice Palace had his eye on the young master as a son-in-law, what’s the big deal about monopolizing the snow ice stones?”
That’s right.
Although the work was not yet finished, the reason why Moyong Baek and the chief steward could be so happy was because the enormous favor that the North Sea Ice Palace lord had shown to So-ah before was at the bottom of it.
“So-ah! If the lord of the Ice Palace tries to make you his son-in-law again, how about you just get married? Kekeke. When you think about it, isn’t it a pretty good match?”
“It’s a given. Of course, for someone like the young master, it would be a reasonable equivalent exchange to meet a princess of a country, but the North Sea is not a bad place either. Keke!”
These people!
So-ah was annoyed that his uncle and the chief steward were openly teasing him, but since they were respected elders, he shook his head with twitching eyebrows.
‘For some reason, both of them seem to be taking after someone.’
Who else but you.
It’s you, you brat!
***
The next day.
Yuk Jeong-ran’s driving force was truly beyond imagination.
So-ah had expected that it would take at least seven days for Yuk Jeong-ran to find skilled people from all walks of life.
Surprisingly, she came to the Moyong family the very next day with the landowners near the Moyong family’s residence, construction contractors, and a gangchangsa (a storyteller who sings or tells stories in the marketplace for money).
“Welcome, everyone. I am Jin So-ah of the Moyong family.”
So-ah was quite surprised, but since he had to entrust many things to them, he greeted them politely with a pleased look.
“It is a pleasure to meet the renowned Young Master Jin. I am Jang Mo, who does civil engineering work in Liaoning. I have over 500 carpenters under my command, so I can say with confidence that there is no one in the entire Gangbuk region who can build a building faster and stronger than me.”
“I heard from Young Lady Yuk that the Moyong family wants to buy the nearby land. I hope we can reach a good agreement and make a deal.”
“Hehehet. I am a well-known gangchangsa not only in Liaoning, but also in Tianjin and Shanxi. I sometimes perform in Peking opera and make a living by composing stories and telling them to people. It is a great honor to be called by a hero like Young Master Jin today.”
So-ah looked at the faces of the guests.
They were all people with distinct personalities.
“Haha. Then let’s start the meeting.”
With his words, So-ah and Yuk Jeong-ran’s gazes met.
Without anyone having to say anything first, a faint smile appeared on both of their faces.
***
“Now, now. If you sign, we’ll be in the same boat.”
“Hmm…”
“Hmm…”
“Hmm…”
After a meeting of about a shichen (about 30 minutes), So-ah pushed a contract at the guests.
For some reason, the expressions of the construction contractor and the landowners, except for the gangchangsa, were not so bright.
But that was only natural.
Because the contract was unilaterally favorable to the Moyong Family.
“Hmm. To ask us to approve the construction before we even receive all the money. To be honest, I don’t understand.”
“That’s right. This is the first time for me…”
“Isn’t it common sense for money to come and go first?”
The first to raise a complaint were the landowners.
For them, it was difficult to readily accept the proposal to pay the real estate price in three installments.
But.
“Of course, you would think so. But gentlemen. Look carefully. The amount I have proposed is about twice the current market price per pyeong in Liaoning. Such opportunities are rare. I’m not saying I won’t give you the money, I will definitely pay, so what are you so worried about?”
So-ah’s proposal was this.
First, he would pay a small deposit to the landowners, then a down payment before the completion of the building, and then, after monopolizing the snow ice stones through trade with the North Sea and establishing a financial foundation, he would pay the balance.
In fact, it was an absurd contract.
But the important thing was.
“Hohohot. My lords. Think carefully. What kind of place is the Moyong Family? It’s one of the Five Great Families that can be called the true ‘master’ of Liaoning. And what about Young Master Jin? You’ve heard the recent rumors, right? Young Master Jin is being mentioned as one of the Ten Great Masters of the Orthodox Path. People who stand in the right line live well. This is an opportunity to join hands with the Moyong family.”
At the right time, Yuk Jeong-ran stepped up and fanned the flames.
At that, the hearts of the landowners swayed like reeds.
‘Good, Young Lady Yuk!’
So-ah, using Yuk Jeong-ran’s statement as a stepping stone, drove a wedge with a voice full of confidence.
“Our family has protected Liaoning with trust for a long time. If you trust us, you will never regret it!”
At that.
“Aish! I don’t know. It’s a strange way, but would the Moyong Family really backstab us? No way. I’ll put my seal on the contract.”
“Well. Since Young Master Jin has made a public statement, we can’t doubt him.”
“Seeing the face of Young Master Jin, who is being called one of the Ten Great Masters of the Orthodox Path, I will also make a contract.”
‘Done!’
‘That’s it!’
At the words of the landowners, So-ah and Yuk Jeong-ran shouted with joy.
In that moment.
This time, the construction contractor, Jang Mo, opened his mouth.
“Young Master Jin. I also admire the Moyong Family and Young Master Jin, so I would like to make a deal if possible. But to complete such a large mansion on the land you mentioned, even if we postpone the carpenters’ monthly salaries, the construction cost will not be small. This is not something that can be glossed over with trust, so would you please reconsider?”
It seemed that the contract with the construction contractor would not be easy.
“Hmm…”
So-ah’s worries deepened.
If he were to dispose of all the shares of the commercial districts that the Moyong family currently owned, he could afford the construction cost, but in the long run, the loss would be enormous.
At that.
“Great Hero Jang?”
Yuk Jeong-ran suddenly cut in and said to the construction contractor.
“Speak, Young Lady Yuk.”
“I’ll prepare the construction cost.”
“You, Young Lady Yuk?”
“Yes.”
At Yuk Jeong-ran’s words, even So-ah fixed his gaze on her with a questioning look.
‘This wasn’t in the plan.’
But before So-ah could say anything, Yuk Jeong-ran spoke again.
“I will borrow money from the ‘Daewon Money House’ by putting up all the brothels and restaurants I have, as well as the shares of the Moyong family, as collateral. Young Master Jin, you agree, right?”
“Uh… if that’s possible, I’d be happy.”
“It’s possible. All the people who work in the Liaoning entertainment district, including me. For example, from the courtesans, musicians, uncles, kitchen aunts, to the cooks and waiter uncles. They all entrust their assets to the Daewon Money House. Therefore, the Daewon Money House will have no choice but to lend a large sum of money. If we were to withdraw our deposits as a group and trade with another money house, wouldn’t they also suffer a big blow?”
At Yuk Jeong-ran’s question, the eyes of the people widened like lanterns.
In particular, So-ah was so impressed by Yuk Jeong-ran’s meticulousness and brilliance that he even felt scared.
“Wow! You thought of this. Young Lady Yuk. You’re really brilliant, hahaha. If all the employees who work in the entertainment and restaurant industries are mobilized to put pressure, there will definitely be no answer.”
“Hoho. It’s not like we’re doing anything bad. We’re also putting up collateral. It’s just that we’ll have a great advantage in adjusting the interest rate. Kakaka.”
A great advantage!
So-ah knew better than anyone what that meant.
“If it’s a chaebol like the Daewon Money House…!”
“It’s not a crime to fleece them a little.”
“Then on this occasion.”
“We’ll fleece them completely. All the way to the skin. Hohohot.”
“Specifically?”
“An interest-free loan. That should be enough, right?”
‘My goodness… wow. What a scary woman, a scary woman!’
So-ah, realizing how amazing and scary the means of a woman who had single-handedly seized the Liaoning commercial world were, curled up the corners of his mouth.
(End of Chapter)