Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Proposing a Decade-Long Deal
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Murmurs filled the air.
The elders gathered in the village hall were venting their various grievances.
"What's this all about outta nowhere? Why drag folks out in the middle of busy season?"
"Ah, some big shot from Seoul's comin' today, they say. Just hang tight!"
"But who's comin' from Seoul?"
Well, looks like most of these elders showed up without a clue.
"Ah, there he is!"
Just then, the village head spotted me approaching the hall and waved like we were old pals.
"Hang on a sec. Lemme introduce ya to the folks real quick~."
"Sure. Keep it brief, please. I'd like to explain the details myself."
"You bet."
The village head grinned and waved it off. Then he cleared his throat with a loud ahem and pushed open the hall doors.
"Whoa there~. How's everyone doin'? Had lunch yet?!"
From beyond the door, I could hear him exchanging simple greetings to warm up the crowd. I waited patiently for the right moment when Kang Yoo-ha whispered from beside me.
"Do you know him already?"
"Nope. First time meeting in person. We've talked on the phone a few times, though."
"But he's treatin' you like family. Rural villages are usually tight-knit cliques."
"Simple enough."
There are all sorts of ways to win people over, but there's always a royal road—especially when you know their tastes like I do.
"Doesn't look the type, but he loves wine."
"Really?"
"In a place like this, good wine's hard to come by, and fetching it from afar ain't easy. I brought some premium stuff as a gift, and he was over the moon."
Bribes work across time and cultures, after all.
Hittin' that itch of his had him grinning ear to ear.
Kang Yoo-ha stared at me like I'd lost my mind.
"Just for that?"
"What do you mean 'just'? Reporter Kang, ever heard of someone hauling wine all the way to a rural village?"
"Well... no."
"It's the thought that counts. Shows I went out of my way thinkin' of him."
Who wouldn't appreciate that? Especially a village head.
Plenty of city slickers probably boss around rural elders like they're beneath them. A genuine gesture like that means even more in those moments.
The village head's excited voice pierced through the door.
"And this here~ is a gift from our Seoul guest, specially for you all~!"
Ah, handing it out now, huh.
"Got something else prepared?"
"Nothin' much. Just some wine and light snacks."
"Wait, wine?"
Kang Yoo-ha's eyes went wide as she repeated it.
"Not makgeolli?"
"People always assume elders only like the old classics."
Not entirely wrong. They wouldn't wanna drink wine every day. But once in a blue moon, for a special treat? Most would welcome it with open arms.
Young folks love trendy cafes and eateries. Why assume elders hate 'em?
They just shrink back from judgmental stares about "age-appropriate" stuff.
Sure, the taste might feel foreign at first. But then they grumble for show, bragging to others, "Tried this fancy new thing, but it ain't my style~."
"That's got a unique kick."
"This what the young'uns are into these days?"
The mood softened with fresh chatter just as—
"Alright, alright. Listen up while ya sip. Guest is comin' in."
The village head knocked on the door, signaling me to enter. I straightened my clothes, took a deep breath, and flung the doors open.
"Hello, elders."
I bowed deeply, feeling their eyes scan me up and down.
"This here's the guest from Seoul. Y'all grew some fine crops this season, right? He's got words about that."
"Our crops?"
A grandpa in the front row shot back, eyeing me intently.
"Young lady went to all this trouble comin' here. But if ya wanna buy our harvest, why not the local market or super? What's bringin' ya all the way out?"
"Haha. My business is bigger than it looks. I need large-scale supplies, so I came in person."
Obvious, but buying one bunch of green onions versus a thousand? Worlds apart.
Bulk buys let you slash prices compared to small lots. Provided you can move the volume, of course.
My current shops might scrape by this year, but next year—or even the second half of this one—they'll need massive supplies.
Having owners hit the predawn veggie auctions daily? Not sustainable.
That's where the head office steps in: centralized sourcing for branches.
'Of course, some chains gouge with above-market prices. That just breeds franchisee resentment.'
Who'd cheer paying more than the supermarket?
'Bulk buys do mean cheaper rates. But that's not enough.'
After HQ fees, it's market price or a hair below at best.
Gotta do better.
Only one way: source quality ingredients cheaper than market after fees.
That's exactly what I was here for.
"Well, buyin' lots is good for us. How much ya need?"
A grandma nearby chimed in.
"All of it."
"...Huh?"
"I want to buy everything this village produces."
"Now hold on, young fella. That ain't how business works!"
The grandpa thumped his cane on the floor.
"What're we supposed to trust and stamp our thumbs on that deal? Huh?"
"He's right. Say ya go bust in a year—what then? We bust our backs farmin', and end up with nothin'!"
Valid concerns, all of 'em. Right on cue.
Farmers' biggest headache? Unclear sales channels.
No buyers? Might as well flush the crop. So they avoid big commitments without trust. Safest bet.
That's why this approach.
As the murmurs died down and the room quieted, I spoke.
"This isn't a one-time buy."
Key point.
"I want a 10-year long-term contract."
"......!"
The elders' vibe shifted instantly.
Even the grumblers half-standing to leave now looked dead serious.
"Long-term, you say...?"
"For example, say a veggie normally goes for 500 won."
I raised my voice slightly and slowed my pace for clarity.
"Depending on bumper or bad harvest, it could drop to 50 won... or spike to 5,000."
Veggie prices fluctuate yearly—totally plausible.
Especially import-challenged fruits like apples or pears.
"Regardless of market swings, we lock in 500 won. For 10 years."
"Hmm......"
"Sounds... good?"
Heads tilted in confusion. Front-row grandpa raised his hand high.
"Hey, young fella. Don't we lose out? Sellin' 5,000-won stuff for 500?"
"Or selling 50-won stuff for 500, right."
No telling which happens more.
Veggie prices average out long-term, so neither side gets hosed big-time.
"That's why duration matters. The longer, the more risks even out."
Coin flip's 50% heads. Ten flips? Hard to predict.
Bump to hundreds or thousands? Nears 50%.
Same here: longer term shrinks odds of one side eating losses.
"Ahem. Even so, if it's average price, why bother with long-term? Same as sellin' spot market, ain't it?"
"Gives you strength to weather winter."
Winter's cold and hungry, after all.
"If I said one-time buy, and prices tanked or soared next harvest—what then? 50 won or 5,000?"
I scanned the room. They were hooked now.
"Naturally, someone bails. I would at 50 to snag cheap. You'd ditch at 5,000 for better deals."
Short-term deals got that flaw.
"But 10 years?"
I closed my eyes, then opened them.
"Take a hit this time; next, they help you. Builds trust where I buy low when prices drop, you sell high when they rise."
And that—
was the sole path to cheap, steady supplies.
I flashed a grin at dazed Kang Yoo-ha in the back.
'Reporter Kang, countin' on that feature article later.'