Economic Invasion (2)
The alcohol we'd brought from Nakyuan sold out at an astonishing speed.
"Sold out? All of it? Not a single bottle left?"
"Yes. The first day, we only sold a small amount, but the next day, the merchants who'd bought some came rushing back, begging us to sell to them too."
"..."
I enjoy a drink now and then, but I'm not the type to get withdrawal symptoms without it. To me, alcohol is just a luxury—great when it's there, a bit disappointing when it's not. So Han Seol's report came as a shock.
I'd always valued booze about that much, which is why I'd been lukewarm when I first heard the sales plan. If I'd been a Gangnam warlord or a high-ranking official in the Republic of Korea government, I'd have bought more food with the money for those fancy liquors—increasing rations for the people or stockpiling for winter.
I'd completely misjudged human ugliness. These people hadn't changed fundamentally since before the world ended. They'd gladly let the masses starve if it meant living a little more luxuriously and happily themselves.
Of course, even accounting for the fact that entertainment options were scarce in this world—aside from booze, smokes, and drugs—this sales volume was staggering. By the third day of sales, only 100 bottles were left, and without us even asking, the merchants started holding auctions among themselves, driving up the prices.
The merchant alliances figured they'd resell it to government bigwigs, so they thought our initial prices were a steal. In the end, we got more building materials, furniture, electronics, and such than we'd anticipated, and trucks loaded with them were on their way here.
And as the Seonghun Merchant Association crew left, Gangnam merchants stuck to them like glue, hounding them about the next sale date or proposing exclusive deals.
The first day, when some northerners showed up selling booze in glass bottles with a wing logo, the reaction was tepid. But after a few tasted it and realized it was top-shelf stuff, things exploded.
According to Na Hye-won, Gangnam's elite guzzled whiskey and vodka like water, and since no one could produce it anymore, prices had been creeping up over time.
As I reeled from Han Seol's report, Han Byeol chimed in.
"On the last day, we got reports of cheap knockoffs with our wing logo copied and slapped on them hitting the market."
"Counterfeits already? Damn..."
Even in our first sale, fakes ripping off our logo had appeared. I'd figured alcohol would sell anywhere, but I'd been skeptical of the executives' prediction that it'd fly off the shelves. Turns out, they were right, and I was wrong.
At this rate, we could unload 500 bottles in a single day next time. Naturally, one of the buildings under reconstruction in the Third Southeast Block was now officially a brewery.
With sales power like this, we could sell even more. And this booze sale had shocked Gangnam's merchants on multiple levels. They were probably thinking, 'They have so much high-end stuff they consume internally and still have leftovers to sell outside?' 'We've heard the rumors, but how rich do you have to be to pull this off?'
All spot on. We did have surplus after internal use, and we were wealthy.
Before we knew it, breakfast had turned into a strategy session on dealings with Gangnam.
"I-I'll be off then!"
"Yeah, study hard."
Once Seo I-rang headed to school, the discussion got serious.
"How about this? We bundle it with this smoked bacon I'm eating now as a snack pairing."
Na Hye-won replied, "Of course, the bacon made here is way fattier and tastier, but the Republic of Korea government raises pigs too. It's pricey, but not out of reach for the elite."
"Hmm..."
As I pondered, Na Hye-won suggested, "What about smoked cheese? The government higher-ups dying to act classy would lose their minds over it..."
"Whoa... Why didn't I think of smoked cheese?"
A few weeks back, after a bathhouse soak, I'd enjoyed a chef-prepared feast and a whiskey when Joo Yong-cheol brought some cheese smoked Paradise-style, saying he'd experimented. The salty, smoky aroma paired perfectly with whiskey. It felt like I'd truly joined the elite.
"And we should cut next batch to 300 bottles. Say supplies are running low, jack up the price—we might make more than selling 500."
"The secretary's daughter sure thinks different."
"No kidding."
"High-society origins, huh."
"Please stop..."
As we clapped for Na Hye-won, she blushed and ducked her head, begging us to quit. We immediately approved 350 more bottles, plus smoked cheese bundles.
With the Third Southeast Block's reconstruction finishing soon as a brewery, we could aggressively sell off the stockpiled booze there. No problem dumping it all in a day if we wanted, so why not add wine and makgeolli? But after debate, we nixed it.
Makgeolli, beer, and wine had become joys in our workers' lives in Nakyuan. Selling those felt wrong. No take-backs after giving.
Two days after sending the 350 bottles and smoked cheese for sale, reports confirmed they'd all sold out. Goods from the first 500-bottle batch were arriving in the territory.
Gangnam's economic might hit home again. Rich folks' playground, then and now. When the gates hit and government crumbled, anyone with money or power flocked there.
Coldly assessing Seoul's map: Gangnam was wealthy and strong but insular; Gangbuk lacked economic punch but had the alliance binding it together. From a leader's view, united Gangbuk was easier to rule.
Reports said multiple Gangnam merchant groups wanted to visit Nakyuan directly to pay respects, but we rejected them all. Not me personally—the Seonghun soldier handling trades told them a mere merchant chairman couldn't demand a private audience with the alliance's Lord. Fair.
As thanks, we gave Seonghun folks booze and food from underground storage.
We sold out the brewery's entire stock. Now, to match sales quotas within shipment windows, we bottled and stored as it refilled.
Toward the end, we even took salt as trade goods. Trucks arrived piled high with salt sacks.
Turning endlessly producible booze into useful stuff felt great whenever I had time. With the alliance, our Lord status kept trades at fair prices; no need with Gangnam. We could gouge openly, and they'd still buy.
Reports said Nakyuan booze was dominating Republic of Korea government elite parties. Some officials fretted about Gangnam wealth leaking north, but they were a tiny minority—powerless anyway.
Han Byeol's permanent enhancement finished; once Han Seol's was done, all executives except Han Eun-ji would be complete. We'd start Han Eun-ji's right after.
Third Southeast Block reconstruction done; Second West Block housing upgraded to LV.2 via reconstruction. I briefly saved 30P pondering brewery upgrades but stuck to the plan: housing first.
Delaying resident housing for more external booze sales? That'd be putting the cart before the horse.
"Brewery."
The building glowed and transformed into a brewery. Like the first, it was two stories tall outside but single-level inside.
I called the chefs and gathered executives to tour inside. Like the first brewery, eight tanks lined both walls—four each side.
Fetched a cup and poured from the first tank.
"Huh? There's sediment coming out too?"
Clear yellowish sake, but rice grains mixed in.
"Sikhye? Smells boozy, though..."
Stumped by the unfamiliar brew, Han-sik chef Im Jun-gu spoke up from behind.
"My Lord, it looks like dongdongju."
"Ah... So this is dongdongju."
Heard it was potent homebrew that could knock you dead if you weren't careful—first time seeing or tasting.
"Mm... Definitely booze."
Weaker fizz than makgeolli, with sweet notes coating the mouth. Makgeolli felt folksy; dongdongju's clarity gave it a classy vibe.
Second tank: makgeolli.
"Mm... This one's more like classic makgeolli."
I let executives and chefs taste a round. First brewery's was chestnut-flavored; this was standard fresh makgeolli.
Shockingly, the third tank was also makgeolli—nutty scent leading to pine nut makgeolli.
Fourth: clear liquor, gaoliang. That sharp Chinese restaurant stuff—throat-burning but smooth, clean, with faint fruit notes.
"Three makgeolli types plus dongdongju... Gotta gift some to the executives next time."
Checked the left wall's four, then right.
Fifth: golden draft beer. Lager—compared to the first brewery's, same type but different taste.
"Just a variant lager, I guess."
Both delicious. By now, I was getting dizzy, so from the sixth, I left tasting to chefs and execs.
Sixth: shimmering brown, whiskey-like.
"Mm! Strong but tasty."
"Bold aroma."
If Awakeners called it strong, high proof for sure. Joo Yong-cheol smacked his lips post-taste.
"Whoa... Brandy... Cognac, actually."
Heard of it, never tried. Curiosity won; I sipped.
"Whoa... This is potent."
Smooth going down, but fierce. Condensed aromas hit the nose via throat.
"Try the last two..."
"You okay, my Lord?"
"Need an escort to quarters?"
"Nah... Taste first."
Bracing against the wall, I muttered. Back-to-back varietals sped up the buzz.
Seventh: rum. They confirmed it was the pirate swill.
Last: white wine.
Chefs said cognac could fetch 2-3x our whiskey price easy. After checking all, I ordered high-proof gaoliang, cognac, and rum bottled up, then headed to quarters, sipped tea Han Seol brewed, and crashed.