I Became a Black Market Tycoon with an Inventory - Chapter 111

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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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111-1st Branch
111.
My negotiations with Zhou Chiming went remarkably smoothly.
There was a story like this from long ago.
A man had once served time in prison on drug possession charges.
Every day behind bars, he regretted his choices.
He condemned himself for the mistakes he’d made.
Upon release, he carried the resolve never to touch drugs again.
With that vow, he moved to the countryside and lived raising cattle.
For several years, he managed to stay clean.
The withdrawal symptoms were agonizing.
Every single day brought suffering, yet somehow he endured.
Then one day, an old drug dealer he used to know came to visit.
The moment that dealer pulled out a syringe, he didn’t hesitate—he plunged it into his arm without a second thought.
The sight of that syringe shattered his resolve.
Years of restraint and perseverance became meaningless in an instant, yet he couldn’t resist.
That was the curse of addicts.
An inescapable fate—whenever temptation arrives, they cannot overcome it.
That was the life of a drug addict.
Zhou Chiming was no different.
Zhou Chiming was an addict.
No matter how much he denied it, his mind craved Assand with overwhelming intensity.
Wanting to feel that rush Assand provided, he had no choice but to become a docile lamb.
“But sir, there’s one additional condition I need to ask about… would you be willing to hear it?”
“What is it?”
“I need to take a portion of the distribution rights for Assand.”
“Huh?”
“The people who were distributing it before—I can’t just starve them out, can I?”
“That’s true.”
“Just 20%. I’ll take exactly 20%, and you handle the rest. In exchange, you take care of the permits and all that.”
I mentioned 20% to look after the street thugs who had been distributing Assand before.
Hanlin had risked his life to give me information, and the others must have been terrified because of Assand too—shouldn’t I compensate them for that?
They were the street thugs who had bet their lives on Assand when it was nothing.
I couldn’t completely cut out the people who had been distributing it when we formalized Assand’s distribution.
If I did that, I’d become a thug myself.
I reserved 20% for them to distribute.
And I decided to continue entrusting the transport between the Philippines and China to Jason.
I didn’t want strangers coming and going.
Besides, Jason needs to make a living too.
Jason has quite a few people he needs to take care of.
This part was also agreed upon without any issues.
Actually, I was thinking of asking for more money since relocating Assand within China would cost quite a bit, but Zhou Chiming needs some financial incentive to work diligently, doesn’t he?
I decided to leave that to Zhou Chiming.
“20%? That’s no problem at all.”
“In exchange, I’ll lower the price. I’m going to reduce it from 50 yuan per unit (10,000 won) to 20 yuan (4,000 won).”
If you’re taking something, you have to give something in return.
I lowered the price far more than expected.
It’s a 60% discount.
Since I’ve reduced the retail price by 60%, the actual cost we deliver at will be much lower.
Even so, I drastically cut the price.
I had originally emphasized never exceeding 50 yuan per unit when selling Assand.
It was precisely to lower the barrier to entry.
People need to try it to know if it’s good, and they’ll keep buying once they know.
Back then, there was a risk premium, so I had to charge around 50 yuan, but now there’s no such risk.
It’s become a government-approved recreational beverage.
It stands shoulder to shoulder with cigarettes, energy drinks, and functional foods.
So I need to lower the price and make it accessible to more people.
In economics, this is called a penetration pricing strategy.
The amount that should have been distributed as samples.
I’m actually making money from what should have been marketing expenses.
Right now, I’m essentially selling samples for profit.
Once you use it, you can’t quit.
The moment it touches your lips, you’ll crave it unconditionally from then on.
That’s what Assand is.
It’s 40 yuan now, but later they won’t be able to help but open their wallets even at 400 yuan.
So price isn’t what matters right now.
What matters is getting one more person to try it.
Of course, 40 yuan is still a price with plenty of profit margin.
Zhou Chiming was very pleased with what I said.
“Really?”
“I’m not doing this to make money. Money isn’t important to me.”
“Then?”
“I’m doing this to realize the Chinese Dream.”
Zhou Chiming looks at me with an emotional expression.
He looks at me with the eyes of someone beholding a great Chinese hero.
This bastard hasn’t even taken Assand yet, and it’s already working?
Does Assand work just from looking at it?
“Thank you. You’re truly the heart and flame of China. Because of you, our China can blaze again. Let’s build the greatest China in the world together.”
I brushed off Zhou Chiming’s words with an ambiguous smile.
The greatest China in the world?
Is that even possible?
I don’t think it’s feasible.
In any case, the negotiation ended much sooner than expected.
I hadn’t presented any particularly demanding conditions, and Zhou Chiming didn’t refuse—he accepted them all as they were.
In fact, if Zhou Chiming had demanded even harsher terms, I would have accepted them.
Zhou Chiming’s gaze never once left Assand.
I pulled Assand from my pocket and handed it to Zhou Chiming.
The quantity was substantial enough to seem suspicious coming from a pocket alone,
but Zhou Chiming, completely absorbed by Assand, harbored no suspicion whatsoever—he simply gazed at it with delight.
*****
Hanlin of Yingjie Xian received a message from Alex to prepare an Assand store.
– A… a store?
“Yeah. Finished talking with the government. They said we can sell it officially.”
– Really?
“Yes. They’ll grant permission, so go ahead and sell it.”
– Still, I can hardly believe it. This is…
“It’s not a drug. That’s what the composition analysis shows. So we can sell it legally.”
Hanlin began calculating the projected revenue from continuously distributing Assand going forward.
It wasn’t something he’d deliberately set out to do—it was more like an old habit.
The kind of calculation that happens automatically, wondering how much could be earned.
Once the calculation was complete, gratitude spilled from Hanlin’s lips first.
– Thank you so much.
“The thanks should go to you. You’ve provided so much information. It’s been incredibly helpful.”
– Going forward, whenever I hear any news, I’ll contact you immediately.
“Good.”
– I’ll make the store spacious and impressive.
“Ah! There’s a specific design for the store. Just follow that design and proceed.”
– Even a design prepared. You’re truly remarkable. I’ll continue to serve you with respect.
“That’s enough. We’ll talk later.”
.
.
.
The first official Assand store opened in Beijing.
It was Hanlin’s shop.
Initially, I’d planned to open in Guangzhou, but I decided Beijing held greater symbolic significance as the capital, so I chose it instead.
A small shop no larger than fifty square feet.
Apart from a single modest showcase, there was nothing else.
Bright lighting filled the empty space.
That was the design concept Alex had provided.
The store would never exceed one hundred square feet.
Only one showcase should display the merchandise.
The salespeople must maintain a neat appearance and wear the designated uniform.
The store’s illumination must exceed 1,000 lux.
Perhaps because of the brightness exceeding 1,000 lux, the Assand store gleamed with an unusually brilliant light.
A long queue of people wanting to buy Assand stretched out in front of the store.
“Twenty Assand pills, please.”
“Fifty Assand pills, please.”
“One hundred pills. You said if I buy one hundred, I get ten more free, right?”
“Really? Then I’ll take one hundred too.”
“Me too… I’ll take one hundred pills, please.”
People who had been suffering from Assand withdrawal for so long welcomed its official sale, and contrary to their usual nature, the Chinese customers lined up orderly.
There were certainly some who tried to cut in line, but it was different from usual.
Sharp, piercing gazes made it feel as though anyone who tried to cut in would truly get beaten or seriously hurt.
They had no choice but to stand in line obediently.
But as time passed.
The more Assand sold, the longer the queue became instead of shrinking.
Beginning with Beijing, Assand stores began opening across major cities throughout China.
Shining brightly.
.
.
.
Early in the morning, Hanlin was preparing to open the store.
The first thing I had to do was manage inventory.
I had to manage it carefully to ensure we never ran short of Assand.
It was the most important task.
I was checking inventory from early morning when the Public Security Bureau burst through the door.
Hanlin was startled.
The Public Security Bureau?
Were they here for an inspection?
I thought I had received permission?
Had I been deceived?
Just as I thought I would be arrested and disappear like morning dew on the execution grounds.
“Is this the number one store?”
“Pardon?”
“Is this the number one Assand sales outlet?”
“Yes. That’s correct.”
“You’re doing well. I hope you continue to operate cleanly and professionally going forward. If you face any difficulties, contact us.”
“Pardon?”
“The Director of the Beijing Public Security Bureau specifically instructed us to pay special attention to this place.”
“Ah. Thank you very much.”
“Well then, I’ll be on my way. If anything comes up, contact me here.”
The Public Security Bureau officer handed over a business card.
Hanlin had met with Public Security Bureau officers many times for work, but this was the first time he’d encountered one so courteous and gracious.
The mere fact that such an officer existed felt strangely unfamiliar and special.
Good children deserve rewards.
A kind Public Security Bureau officer deserves corresponding recognition.
Hanlin brought along several packages of Assand—each containing ten units—and discreetly handed them to the officer.
Upon examining the Assand, the officer’s expression became satisfied.
“I wasn’t doing this for that reason.”
“Of course I know. This is simply my gesture of appreciation.”
“Then I really will be going now. If anything happens, contact me immediately. I’ll make sure to have patrols pay special attention to this area.”
“Thank you.”
And so the Public Security Bureau officer departed.
Such an officer.
I’d never heard of or seen anything like it in this world.
Hanlin felt he’d done well to beseech Alex for his acceptance.
Working alongside Alex made everything seem to flow effortlessly.
Indeed, attaching himself to a strong man had been the right choice.
Hanlin praised himself for having knelt before Alex back then.
******
Unity Town’s construction was progressing smoothly.
A diverse array of people flowed into Unity Town.
Unexpected individuals were filling Unity Town.
I was bewildered by developments that diverged entirely from my expectations.
We had planned this town for Kopino children.
Yet when we opened the lid, the reality was completely different.
We created the town to help families where mothers raised children alone.
What we envisioned was roughly Kopino plus single mothers.
But upon actual contact.
Japino plus Japino plus Kopino plus single mothers.
Chipino plus Japino plus Kopino plus single mothers.
Ameripino plus Ameripino plus Kopino plus Britpino plus single mothers.
Frenchpino plus Italipino plus Kopino plus Chipino plus single mothers.
Kopino was merely the tip of the iceberg.
Far more children than anticipated were growing up without fathers,
and mothers were raising them with almost complete neglect.
It was dizzying.
I recalled what Sandro had said.
That we shouldn’t approach this simplistically.
That this wasn’t simply a Korean problem.
Only then did I understand what it meant for the Philippines to awaken on its own.
I grasped Sandro’s point—that unless the Philippines itself made an effort and changed, this problem would never be solved.
So I found myself hesitating slightly.
Should I really accept all these people?
Do we have the capacity to take them in?
“We absolutely must accept them. People, population—that’s power. We can’t turn away those who want to come when we’re desperate for more.”
Those were Patrick’s words.
“Is that so?”
“The benefits far outweigh the costs. Right now, aside from the School and Hospital, we’re not spending anything extra, are we? We need to bring in as many people as possible.”
He was right.
The Factory is ours, so we’re building it ourselves, and we’re currently operating the School and Hospital on a temporary basis.
We’re constructing separate buildings.
Even so, Zamboanga is providing substantial financial and administrative support.
Naturally, Zamboanga wants to increase the population and make Zamboanga into a larger city.
They want to transcend being a Large City and become a Metropolis.
Once Zamboanga becomes a Metropolis with a population of one million, the culture itself transforms.
Zamboanga can exert far greater influence than it does now.
Perhaps Patrick is dreaming even bigger dreams than I am.
Patrick has always had a talent for setting the stage.
I decided to play my part well on the stage Patrick had created.
******
Dae-hoon Faction Seoul Office.
Dae-hun called Geun-su over and spoke quietly.
“Geun-su. Take a look at this.”
“What is this, hyung?”
Dae-hun handed Geun-su a tablet.
It contained a well-organized list of people’s personal information.
“A list of bastards who knocked up girls in the Philippines and then ran off.”
“I’ve never seen such pathetic sons of bitches.
Geun-su couldn’t contain his rage and immediately spewed curses with a genuinely furious expression.
They abandoned their own children?
For Jung Geun-su, a man of romantic honor, such a thing was unthinkable.
Dae-hun explained in detail to Geun-su what had happened in the Philippines.
He said he’d already issued a warning to Dae Yeon Development.
If this happened even one more time, he’d cut them off, no matter what.
“And Alex is planning to build a village for those Kopino children.”
“Really? As expected, Alex hyung operates on a different scale.”
“So here’s the thing.”
“Should we make a donation there too? We should at least contribute some bricks, right?”
“That’ll be done under Dae Yeon Development’s name. But we have work to do here as well, don’t we?”
Dae-hoon’s gaze subtly shifted to the list.
Geun-su immediately grasped the situation and responded.
“I’ll collect the child support. Should I calculate it with compound interest included?”
“Take it easy. If you injure yourself and can’t work, that won’t do. We need to earn money.”
“Yes.”
.
.
.
The moment Geun-su stepped out of the room, he examined the list.
The list compiled by Tian Zihao was flawless.
It detailed exactly when and for how long this person had stayed in the Philippines.
Who they’d met, where they’d lived.
Supporting evidence and photographs to corroborate it all.
Photos of the child and their current status.
Even the amount of child support calculated with compound interest—everything was organized with meticulous precision.
There was someone familiar on the list.
One of those punk thugs who strutted around boasting about knowing some English.
The ones who smuggled drugs.
Thugs covered in tattoos, wearing expensive designer clothes that didn’t fit their frames, garments stretched too tight.
From Geun-su’s perspective, they were the kind of bastards he wanted to beat down, the ones he despised,
but Dae-hoon had said there had been too many major fights lately and ordered him to refrain from violence for a while. So he’d held back.
He’d restrained himself because Dae-hoon said there was no need to worry about punk thugs either, but now he thought this worked out perfectly.
Jung Geun-su was already thrilled at the prospect of beating them down.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes, boss.”
His subordinates answered enthusiastically to Geun-su’s command.
They climbed into a vehicle and headed toward a hotel somewhere in Seoul.

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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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