Goblin Library - Chapter 159

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 159.

Mahmoud, who had been contemplating guanxi, spoke up.
“Then it would be best to establish as many connections with the Chinese as possible.”
“That’s right. Oh! Do you smoke?”
Lee Gang-hun offered advice to Mahmoud as if the thought had just occurred to him.
“Use cigarettes.”
“Cigarettes?”
“The Chinese love cigarettes. They hand them out to wedding guests, even. And… while smoking together, people naturally bond through casual conversation.”
“That’s certainly true.”
Wherever you went in the world, cigarettes were often smoked in groups while exchanging trivial pleasantries, and China was no exception.
As they continued their conversation, Lee Gang-hun’s phone rang.
After checking the caller, Lee Gang-hun answered the phone urgently.
“Wang Tagger, it’s been a while. My regards.”
[Yes, it’s been a while since we talked. I heard you changed companies?]
“Ah, has news of my job change already spread that far?”
[Rumors travel a thousand miles without feet. You should have called when you changed companies. I could have helped you with something.]
“I’ve already owed Tagger so much. I couldn’t ask for another favor like this. I was planning to contact you later once I’ve succeeded and have a business opportunity that would bring you significant profit.”
[Ha! That’s why I like you. You only accept when you can give something in return.]
“A person who knows shame avoids much criticism.”
[True. But the problem is that many don’t understand that. So what’s this list about?]
“I apologize, but among the people on this list, is there anyone who could connect me with them? If so, I’d like to meet them.”
[Two of them I know personally… but would it be beneficial for them as well?]
“I’ll make sure it becomes personally beneficial for them.”
At the words “personally beneficial,” the other person burst into laughter.
[Alright, I understand. Wang Ju-myung is my distant relative, so I’ll introduce you to him. I don’t know what this is about, but if you’re looking for a transaction rather than a favor, Wang Ju-myung would be suitable.]
At the other person’s words, Lee Gang-hun confirmed the name Wang Ju-myung written in his notebook and spoke.
“I understand. And I’m in a bit of a hurry.”
[Ha ha ha! I’ll contact him right away then.]
After hanging up, Lee Gang-hun reviewed Wang Ju-myung’s profile once more.

“Wang Ju-myung, age 42.
Director of the Construction Audit Division.”

Though the information was brief, Lee Gang-hun stared at it intently.
A director overseeing construction audits would be an excellent person to work with.
If the construction auditor is strict, the project becomes difficult. Thus, it was a position of considerable influence.

***

China had not merely sent capital to this nation. Chinese managers and laborers to oversee that capital were deployed alongside it.
And shops catering to them as consumers began to emerge—establishments selling Chinese goods, Chinese restaurants, and the like.

Lee Gang-hun was meeting Wang Ju-myung at a Chinese Restaurant.
With steaming Chinese dishes laid before him, Lee Gang-hun extended his business card to Wang Ju-myung.
“I conduct modest trading operations in Korea.”
“I’ve heard from Wang Tagger about you. He mentioned your relationship—lips and teeth, as they say.”
At the mention of “lips and teeth,” Lee Gang-hun chuckled softly. Wang Tagger was a gangster operating in China, an executive of an organization known as the Triad. Lee Gang-hun had come to know him through his trading ventures with China.
Ironically, their relationship had begun poorly. Wang Tagger’s company had pitted Lee Gang-hun against another supplier, demanding price reductions through competition.
It was natural for a buyer to seek lower prices, so that in itself was not unreasonable.
But what Wang Tagger demanded was a ruinous price war that would yield no profit. His company needed the goods desperately, and with only two suppliers available, he had grown excessively greedy.
Complying with his demands meant losing money regardless of which side prevailed.
So Lee Gang-hun had even considered colluding with the rival company to split the sales evenly.
But if the deal were struck that way, his relationship with Wang Tagger would sour, and future transactions would become impossible.
Caught in this dilemma, Lee Gang-hun had elegantly written the ancient proverb “lips and teeth” in brush on Chinese paper, sealed it in a red envelope, and sent it to Wang Tagger.
“Lips and teeth”—without lips, teeth grow cold. In other words, even an entity one takes for granted becomes missed when it disappears, causing harm to oneself.
Though it didn’t perfectly fit the current situation, Wang Tagger grasped the meaning behind the proverb Lee Gang-hun had sent.
While two competing suppliers might allow him to slash prices now, if he wore down himself or the rival company so they withdrew from future competitions, he would be forced to pay higher prices than he did today.
Impressed by how Lee Gang-hun had persuaded him with merely four characters of an ancient proverb rather than lengthy explanations, Wang Tagger conducted business with him on terms where both parties earned reasonable profits.
And since then, the two men had maintained a good relationship.
“That time, I was fortunate. Thankfully, Wang Tagger understood my intentions.”
“Both the sender and receiver grasped the meaning well. It was fortunate indeed.”
At Wang Ju-myung’s words, Lee Gang-hun nodded and spoke.
“Now that I think about it, there’s no better application of ‘lips and teeth’ than in business dealings.”
“Is that so?”
“Lips and teeth—without lips, teeth naturally grow cold. But is that all? There are other inconveniences.”
“What might those be?”
“Without lips, the teeth cannot chew better things or enjoy the broth, can they?”
Without lips, food would inevitably spill.
At Lee Gang-hun’s words, Wang Ju-myung regarded him and spoke.
“Your words sound as though you’re saying you’ll become the lips for me?”
“Precisely. You shall be the teeth, and I have come to serve as your lips.”
At Lee Gang-hun’s respectful address, Wang Ju-myung laughed with genuine pleasure.
And he was pleased by what he had said as well.
“I’m curious what you intend to have me chew.”
“For now…”
Lee Gang-hun smiled and gestured toward the food.
“For now, let us chew the food. I made a reservation because the flavors here are said to be exceptional.”
Wang Ju-myung nodded and poured a drink for Lee Gang-hun.
Lee Gang-hun reciprocated, sharing drinks and conversation with Wang Ju-myung. Their discussion centered on the country’s current political situation and various casual topics.
“It’s encouraging to see this nation developing steadily thanks to China’s economic support.”
Of course, it was merely surface-level flattery. China’s foreign economic aid—naturally, the influx of capital into developing nations benefits them.
But such support was a trap of sorts. Hidden beneath it lay the intent to manipulate the nation’s movements in directions favorable to China through debt.
Where swords and guns once created vassal states, money now served that purpose.
“I appreciate your perspective.”
Wang Ju-myung continued with a smile.
“There are claims abroad that our nation invades other countries through money, but… we don’t force capital upon anyone. We only provide investment to nations that accept our proposals and commit to economic development.”
“That’s true. Whether to accept that money is ultimately each nation’s choice.”
Yet Lee Gang-hun knew full well that refusing was impossible.
No nation could reject a loan equivalent to half a year’s national budget.
Whether they could repay was another matter entirely. If repayment seemed impossible… well, they could simply renege on it.
And truthfully, many nations did exactly that. Not far away, North Korea owed Poland two hundred million dollars, yet through sheer audacity—”We’ll renege, renege! Or take this instead and forgive the debt”—they managed to have their debt forgiven.
As Lee Gang-hun poured a drink into Wang Ju-myung’s glass, Wang Ju-myung wiped his face with a wet towel and spoke.
“Well then, shall we discuss the transaction?”
They’d had enough to drink and the atmosphere was favorable, so it was time to address business.
At Wang Ju-myung’s words, Lee Gang-hun steadied his breathing and produced a notebook, sliding it forward.
“I intend to sell these items to a Heavy Equipment Company in this country.”
Wang Ju-myung accepted the notebook and examined it, then pulled out his phone to search for the components listed within.
Even as the head of the construction inspection team, Wang Ju-myung couldn’t possibly know every component and material.
After searching for the parts, Wang Ju-myung stroked his chin thoughtfully before speaking.
“Of course you’re aware, but all materials and components used in this country’s construction are imported from our homeland.”
“I’m aware.”
“Yet you wish to sell products from another nation…”
Wang Ju-myung interlaced his fingers and asked in a more serious tone.
“You understand this will be problematic?”
“I do.”
“Then you’ve sought me out to ask me to make this problem disappear?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm… to smooth over such matters, one would need…”
Wang Ju-myung trailed off, studying Lee Gang-hun.
“…something to chew on, so to speak.”
“Something to chew on” was a euphemism for a bribe. Lee Gang-hun smiled at Wang Ju-myung’s words.
“I’m not sure if Wang Tagger mentioned it, but because I’ve taken a position at a small company, I cannot offer you direct compensation.”
『….』
Wang Ju-myung, who had been squinting slightly at Lee Gang-hun’s words, spoke.
“Given Wang Tagger’s face in this matter, I can exert influence within my capacity to help. However, since many people are involved in such affairs, there will be limits to what I can do.”
It was his way of saying he would help to some extent out of consideration for Wang Tagger, but not to expect miracles.
“I understand that as well. And I didn’t seek this meeting relying solely on my connection with Wang Tagger. I wish to conduct business with you, Wang Ju-myung, personally.”
“What kind of deal are you proposing?”
“Well, first of all…”
Lee Gang-hun outlined the general progress of the situation. Wang Ju-myung pondered for a moment before speaking.
“You’re selling, but in small quantities, so there shouldn’t be any problems? Is that what you’re trying to say?”
“No, sir. There will be problems. The people buying from me each purchase small quantities, but when you add them all together, it will definitely become a volume that causes issues. And as time passes, the volume will only increase. Then it will far exceed what any one person could handle.”
“Exactly. So for every bowl of rice your side takes, several on our side will go hungry.”
“What if I let you decide how that bowl of rice is distributed?”
“How the bowl of rice is distributed?”
Lee Gang-hun met Wang Ju-myung’s gaze as the man looked at him with confusion.
“I understand that other countries not selling parts and materials to this country isn’t due to coercion. Rather, when foreign goods instead of Chinese goods are included in business conducted with Chinese money, there’s concern that it might later cause problems in dealings with mainland China, so they simply don’t export.”
“Hmm… it does sound like our country is retaliating, but… you’re right that it’s not coercion.”
“What I’m concerned about is that the companies buying goods from me might lose their work. Please ensure that those companies can continue operating smoothly even after purchasing from me.”
At Lee Gang-hun’s words, Wang Ju-myung let out a low hum and asked.
“Is that all you’re asking of me?”
“That’s all.”
Wang Ju-myung appeared not to understand Lee Gang-hun’s request. He had expected a plea to help sell more goods, but instead Lee Gang-hun was asking him to ensure there were no problems for those buying from him.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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