Goblin Library - Chapter 211

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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 211.

Wang Hong opened his mouth as he observed the people staring at him in silence.
『Have I ever caused you to suffer losses?』
At Wang Hong’s words, the men exchanged glances for a moment before shaking their heads.
『No, sir.』
『Then… at least hear me out first.』
Wang Hong lifted his teacup, took a sip, and set it back down before continuing.
『And think for yourselves. Whether the business Lee Gang-hun has proposed will bring you profit or loss.』
At Wang Hong’s suggestion to listen first, the men exchanged looks as if conferring with one another. One of them nodded and crossed his arms.
『Since Boss Wang Tagger speaks this way, let’s hear him out. I don’t know what kind of profit he might offer… but if it can make up for our losses, there’s no reason not to shake hands on it.』
At the man’s words, Lee Gang-hun nodded.
『Thank you. Then… let me explain the business I’ve been considering.』
Lee Gang-hun then slowly explained the business plan. The men listening quietly exchanged glances for a moment.
They exchanged meaningful looks with their neighbors or whispered softly to one another.
Soon, one of them spoke up.
『I’m not sure about other things… but I do remember hearing that the employees stationed in that country complained about uncomfortable accommodations. Hotel staff would frequently visit because of noise complaints.』
『Is it the same with the hotel where your people stay?』
『We have the same problem.』
At the men’s words, Lee Gang-hun chuckled softly. Unless they were executives, organization members wouldn’t stay in luxury hotels.
So they would be staying in what would be equivalent to a motel-class hotel in Korea, and such places had poor soundproofing.
When multiple people stayed together, noise was inevitable, so hotel staff would have frequently visited to issue warnings.
Of course, the staff likely wouldn’t have dared approach gangsters unless they were particularly bold. However, not all organization members were fighters—some went to handle general administration and business matters—so they would have heard the complaints.
As the men spoke to one another, Lee Gang-hun said:
『Looking at the pace of that country’s national projects now, your employees will need to be stationed there and working for at least another ten years. Rather than having them stay in hotels for those ten years, building houses is more profitable in the long term. And…』
Lee Gang-hun continued, looking at the men.
『Staying in a hotel in a foreign land versus staying comfortably in a private home in a foreign land with your brothers… I ask you to consider which would be better for your brothers.』
One of the men, who had been silently watching Lee Gang-hun for using the word “brothers” instead of “employees,” opened his mouth.
『What about profits?』
『Land prices in that country are currently not very high. It won’t cost a large sum to purchase land. However, building houses will require money.』
『Using Korean materials, then…』
Seeing the man muttering as if dissatisfied, Lee Gang-hun spoke.
『The most important thing in this business is making the wealthy and Chinese see the newly built houses and think they want to live there.』
『Our country has good materials too. There’s no reason to use foreign materials.』
At the man’s words, Lee Gang-hun nodded and looked at the others.
『You all think the same way, don’t you?』
『That’s right. Our country’s materials are so good these days.』
As the men nodded in agreement, Lee Gang-hun asked them a question.
“By the way, what kind of car did you arrive in?”
“Car?”
“An automobile. Starting with you, sir—what did you come in?”
The man Lee Gang-hun had singled out answered with visible reluctance.
“I came in a van.”
“And you?”
“A BMW…”
As Lee Gang-hun looked at the others one by one, they began speaking before their eyes narrowed.
They had all realized their vehicles were foreign imports.
While everyone’s expressions hardened, Lee Gang-hun smiled faintly.
“China has many fine automobiles as well. Ah, by the way, I found the new electric SUV from Xiaomi quite attractive. According to the manual, it would likely be the vehicle with the best value for money in the world.”
At Lee Gang-hun’s words, the men’s lips twitched, but they ultimately said nothing. They too knew that not everything written in the manual was entirely truthful.
“As you all know, that country is hot in the morning and cold at night. If you construct buildings with substandard materials… it would be a disaster.”
At Lee Gang-hun’s words, the men found themselves nodding unconsciously. Seeing their reaction, Lee Gang-hun continued.
“That’s why buildings must be constructed with quality materials.”
Then one man lightly raised his finger. Lee Gang-hun looked at him, recognizing he had something to say.
“Your proposal, Mr. Lee… I actually find it appealing.”
“Thank you.”
“But… I like the proposal, not necessarily you.”
The man glanced subtly at Wang Hong. At that gaze, Wang Hong nodded lightly as if to say it was fine.
The man then looked back at Lee Gang-hun and spoke.
“If we just take your proposal and use it ourselves, we could divide your profits among us. It seems we don’t really need you—wouldn’t you agree?”
At the man’s words, Lee Gang-hun looked at him and the others beside him. As they nodded in agreement, Lee Gang-hun opened his mouth.
“Do you believe I’ve told you everything?”
“Even if you haven’t told us everything, you’ve covered the essentials, haven’t you? Building and selling expensive, high-quality homes to the wealthy and Chinese?”
Lee Gang-hun laughed softly.
“If that’s what you think… you’re welcome to try. I’m confident I can sell houses better than all of you.”
At Lee Gang-hun’s demeanor, Wang Hong smiled. It seemed he had something he wanted to say… but he remained silent.
He didn’t want his words to influence their decision. As the men watched Wang Hong and Lee Gang-hun, they fell silent for a moment before one of them spoke.
“Fine. If we accept your proposal… you’ll be shutting down your current business, won’t you?”
“That and this matter are separate.”
“Separate?”
“I’m a businessman. I cannot abandon a profitable venture.”
At Lee Gang-hun’s words, the men’s eyes narrowed.
“You’re making this proposal while causing us losses?”
“Because I’m aware I’m causing you losses, I’m making this proposal. If I felt no remorse toward you, I would have simply done it alone.”
“Alone? While planning to sell homes to the Chinese?”
“I don’t necessarily need to sell to the Chinese. These days, many people in that country have suddenly come into wealth and want to live in fine homes. Including the Chinese as potential buyers is both my way of showing consideration for your convenience and a gesture of reconciliation.”
“You’re not selling for free, though?”
“Once development begins, land value rises most dramatically.”
Lee Gang-hun offered no further explanation. China was notorious for real estate speculation, so they would understand well enough from what he’d already said.
The five men fell silent, contemplating his words. After a moment, one of them spoke.
“Can we see a business plan?”
“What I’ve just told you is the business plan.”
“You mean specific numbers and details like that.”
“To show you those details… there’s something you said to me that gives me pause.”
“What do you mean?”
“That you’d proceed with the business without me.”
At Lee Gang-hun’s words, all five men stared at him before one spoke.
“So you’re saying you’ll continue your current operations and pursue this real estate venture simultaneously?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know who we are?”
At one man’s question, Lee Gang-hun smiled, loosened his belt slightly, and pulled his shirt free from his waistband.
Then he unbuttoned his dress shirt. As the men watched with puzzlement, Lee Gang-hun spread the shirt open on both sides.
The men’s eyes narrowed. Across his chest and abdomen were visible the scars of blade wounds.
“Who you are is etched quite clearly into my body.”
The men stared at the scars with hardened expressions for a long moment before one finally spoke.
“And yet… you continue working.”
“I do continue. Because generating profit is my business.”
At Lee Gang-hun’s response, the man raised his hand and struck the table forcefully.
Crack!
“I’m in with you.”
“Jang Dda-geo?”
As the men looked toward him, the one called Jang Dda-geo spoke.
“Those scars… they’re proof he’s a man willing to stake his life on his work. Between someone who works cautiously and someone who risks everything… I believe partnering with a man who stakes his life will bring me greater profit.”
One of the other men looked at Jang Dda-geo.
“Even if it interferes with our operations?”
“I believe people profit me more than money does. An opportunity to work alongside a man of this caliber doesn’t come often.”
At Jang Dda-geo’s words, Lee Gang-hun regarded him with curious eyes.
Crack! Crack! Crack crack!
The four men who had been silent suddenly struck the table in unison and shouted.
“Excellent!”
“We’re in too!”
“Excellent!”
As the Chinese men repeatedly called out “Good, good,” Wang Hong smiled and spoke.
“So you’re all going into business together?”
The men nodded, and Wang Hong continued.
“Then let’s discuss the specifics of the business over dinner.”
Wang Hong clapped his hands, and staff entered to place a large Chinese dining table in the center of the living room.
Soon the table was laden with food.
『Come on, have a seat.』

After satisfying my appetite with food and drinks, I excused myself from the others and returned to the living room.
The drinking session that had begun around midday stretched on until sunset. Throughout the gathering, we discussed business matters, and as a result, they agreed not to interfere with me going forward.
However, we did reach an agreement not to import too much of any single item.
While there were other organizations operating in Unnamed Country besides these five, their proposal was that if we adhered to this one condition, they would protect me.
So I agreed to do exactly that. After all, there were countless items needed in Unnamed Country—by reducing the quantity of one product, I could generate far greater profits through a diverse range of goods.
Wang Hong, pleasantly intoxicated, poured himself another drink and took a sip.
『I’m glad things worked out well.』
『Thank you for your help.』
『What help did I really provide?』
Then Wang Hong looked at me and spoke.
『You got cut by a blade. Are you alright?』
『The fact that I’m sitting here before the Boss right now means I’m fine.』
『Hah! Be careful with yourself. Getting injured only hurts you in the end.』
Wang Hong chuckled softly and picked up the bottle. I raised my glass to receive the drink, then poured some into Wang Hong’s glass as well before speaking.
『If there’s ever anything you need, Boss Wang, please don’t hesitate to tell me. I’ll do my best to… put my mind to work.』
『Put your mind to work?』
『What could I possibly do to help the Boss directly? So I need to use my wits to find ways I can be of service.』
『Fair enough. I look forward to working with you.』
『Of course. And that’s why…』
I looked at Wang Hong.
『I think you should consider purchasing some land as well.』
『Land? Didn’t I say I couldn’t participate in that business venture?』
At Wang Hong’s words, I shook my head.
『The place I’m referring to now is… Country C.』
『Country C?』
『Country C will inevitably follow the same path as the country where I’m currently conducting business. Once people there start earning money, they’ll desire better homes. It’s about purchasing land in advance to be ready for that time.』
『Hmm… there’s merit to that. But isn’t this decision too premature? Wouldn’t it be safer to attempt it after seeing your business succeed?』
『That would certainly be safer. However… you must understand that land prices inevitably rise in places that develop. Even if my housing supply business doesn’t go well, the land you purchase, Boss Wang, will increase in value.』
At my words, Wang Hong nodded and we clinked glasses.
Now that I could return to Unnamed Country without worrying about terrorist attacks, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders.
I certainly didn’t want to get cut by a blade again.

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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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