Chapter 221
Chapter 221
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 221
Chapter Title: Ho-won Ironworks (2)
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To accelerate the takeover of the ironworks, I sent an inquiry to the academy's operating committee.
『The operating committee will convene to discuss your inquiry. The Azure Bamboo Hall's student council president, vice president, and chief accountant are requested to attend the small conference room in the main building by the You hour (5-7 PM).』
In the small conference room of the main building that I sought out like that.
Three seats had been prepared so that we could face the professors serving on the Righteous Martial Academy's operating committee.
Gyeong-ryong hyung, me, and then Yin Ha-yeon.
As we took our seats in order, Supervisor Gyeong Hye opened her mouth with a troubled expression.
"The Ho-won Ironworks is not yet ready to be handed over. Since you've stepped forward to take it over, Azure Bamboo Hall must have looked into it, but the principle around here in Dan River District is to release business rights only when preparations are complete. However, Ho-won Ironworks hasn't normalized yet due to conflicts between the forge masters and the workers."
I immediately opened my mouth.
"We'll handle the resolution."
"And how exactly?"
In response to the returned question, Yin Ha-yeon answered.
"I am Yin Ha-yeon, chief accountant of Azure Bamboo Hall. From what I've looked into, the workers say they won't lift a shovel until their back wages are paid, and I've heard the academy has no spare funds because it's rebuilding structures damaged during the Demonic Cult's invasion. Is that correct?"
"That's right. Even with all the faculty and staff going all out to finish construction on the major facilities before this semester starts, we're still facing delays into the opening of term."
Watching that, my master asked inwardly.
- During break, you went to Pearl Island, tied up loose ends at Poyang Lake, and how many other matters have you settled? Is a place like the Righteous Martial Academy seriously agonizing over a mere rat-tail of an ironworks?
'Rat-tail? Didn't you jump in surprise when you first saw the scale of that forge?'
- I wasn't surprised to that degree! And it was just a metaphor, a metaphor!
'Didn't Master see it with me? The academy has no manpower or resources left because it's simultaneously rebuilding all the buildings that burned or collapsed from the Demonic Cult's raid.'
Thus, to gather the funds needed for Ho-won Ironworks, the forge first needed a new owner.
For that, the shop and forge yard needed to be put back in proper shape first.
'But with the workers holding out for their pay before doing any work, they can't make a single step forward.'
From the academy's perspective, Ho-won Ironworks wasn't a top-priority urgent matter, and with manpower shortages to begin with, there was no one to handle it.
That vicious cycle kept repeating.
While I was explaining that to my master, Yin Ha-yeon spoke to the committee members.
"So in the end, it's a matter of money and manpower, right? We'll pay the workers their wages from our side. We'll supervise too. Wouldn't that settle it?"
I nodded at Yin Ha-yeon's words.
Then, from the side, I heard a sound of someone swallowing sobs.
"...Khk."
I turned my head slightly and saw Gyeong-ryong hyung wiping his reddened eyes, choking back tears.
- Why is your hyung acting up again like that?
Since I was curious too, I quietly asked.
"...Why again. Our grad student seniors polished it so shiny there's not a speck of dust in my eyes."
"Seeing Azure Bamboo Hall step up to solve the academy's money woes that have everyone scrambling... my chest is just overflowing..."
However, Professor Chang Ryang from Fragrant Orchid Hall's dorm supervision opened his mouth, making Gyeong-ryong hyung's tears vanish in an instant.
"That's not according to protocol."
Having started like that, Chang Ryang stared at Supervisor Gyeong Hye and continued.
"Handling things this way sets a bad precedent, which could paralyze the academy's administrative operations down the line. Moreover, aren't there other bidders who've expressed interest in taking it over?"
The words themselves were valid, so Supervisor Gyeong Hye just listened silently.
In the meantime, I quietly asked Yin Ha-yeon.
"...Other bidders? This is the first I'm hearing of it?"
"Because I didn't tell you."
"Why not?"
"No matter what they bid, we just bid higher. I didn't think it was important. Young Master Eon has so many other things to handle, right?"
"......"
As Yin Ha-yeon subtly revealed her dismissive attitude toward rivals, Chang Ryang finished speaking.
Yin Ha-yeon performed a fist salute toward those around her and spoke again.
"I understand Professor Chang Ryang's concerns. You're saying it could make the bidding process—which should be fair—look like it's rigged for an insider. Especially if it's us, rumors of nepotism could spread."
"Exactly."
"Then how about this?"
"How so?"
"For paying the workers' wages, we could handle it as a formal loan agreement. Prepare the paperwork, keep accurate ledgers, and disclose it transparently in the public notice. If another bidder takes over Ho-won Ironworks, they repay us that amount."
Kk.
Who appointed her chief accountant? She's sharp as a tack.
- ...If you have any conscience, stop taking that friend fee and saying such things.
'That's exactly why she takes it—with conscience.'
- ?
'Didn't you hear? She says other bidders don't matter. Look now. She says if they take it over, have them repay us—but her face says that'll never happen. Refusing what she's offering would hurt Miss Yin's pride instead.'
- ...Let's drop it. Just drop it.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Yin Ha-yeon's proposal must have been solid, as the professors each nodded.
However, Administrative Director Im Tae-ok furrowed his brow and voiced a concern.
"Miss Yin Ha-yeon's point about the workers' complaints can be sufficiently addressed, but the problem lies with the forge masters."
As the one in charge of administration, he seemed to know the situation at Ho-won Ironworks better than the other professors.
So I asked.
"May I ask how the forge masters are a problem?"
"Typically, forge masters are given advances equivalent to a year or several years' salary when they sign on."
"Right?"
"The forge masters who signed on at Ho-won Ironworks are demanding outrageous sums as conditions for renewing their contracts. Amounts three or four times the norm..."
Not a penny or two, but that much?
Something smelled fishy.
"This is a money issue too, but ultimately Azure Bamboo Hall wants to take over Ho-won Ironworks to turn a profit... Will that be alright?"
My mouth opened on its own in response.
"That's precisely what needs resolving. I'll go check it out myself."
Chang Ryang pointed right at me with his finger and spoke.
"I have no grounds to stop you from inspecting the ironworks, so I won't. But you can't use your favorite method."
"Pardon? What do you mean by my favorite method, exactly?"
"Fists, that's what. Fists."
At Chang Ryang's words, No Sam, who had been silent, raised his voice.
"Chang Ryang. Are you still treating our Yong-un like a scoundrel? Last time you thanked him for saving Fragrant Orchid Hall's students, and you've already forgotten? The kid's reinstated too!"
"Professor No Sam. This is an operating committee meeting."
"Ah, mind your wording, got it. Have you forgotten, Professor Chang Ryang?"
"...Separate issue. And since reinstatement came up, if Yong-un uses force to cow the forge masters and takes over the ironworks, what will people in the world say about him?"
"......"
"Coddling him endlessly isn't true education. Isn't he someone who just barely shed the scoundrel label and returned to his clan?"
At first, Chang Ryang's words sounded like nitpicking.
But hearing him out, it felt different.
"Are you worrying about me right now, Professor Chang Ryang?"
"...Worrying? As the current top student, he's the academy's face. I'm just concerned about tarnishing it."
...From this unfamiliar dorm professor, I somehow smelled a familiar whiff of Gung Yun-i.
Well, I had no intention to begin with of using force to bully my way through a livelihood issue.
I grinned and performed a fist salute.
"I'll keep it in mind."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The forge masters' demands were indeed severe.
Something was definitely up.
I had planned to visit Ho-won Ironworks, but it seemed necessary to investigate from multiple angles.
"Professor No. Could you gather all information related to Ho-won Ironworks and send it to me?"
"No trouble. I'll have the beggars look into it and send it via Bok-cheol. You heading straight to inspect the ironworks?"
"Not straight away. To gauge the atmosphere, I need a disguise first."
"Pft. So we get to see our Yong-gu again? Heading to Dan River's Premier Inn, right? Let's go together!"
"......"
Thus, with one beggar tagalong, I returned to Dan River's Premier Inn and called for Dang Ok-gi for the disguise.
I laid out the whole story.
Soon, the guy came with his tools and plopped down in front of me, smirking.
"Kkhuhk. Wanted to call me 'miss' again, huh, Yong-gu?"
"...Hwjimureu."
"Hyaejimaerae."
After an ordeal of endurance, I finished the disguise and headed to Ho-won Ironworks.
The ironworks I arrived at.
The situation was completely different from my first visit, when I'd had to keep the Demonic Cult in mind.
The ironworks was generally disorganized, with no watchers around.
I hid Regret, where my master resided, under a nearby pavilion.
Then headed toward where people were gathered.
"How long do we have to keep this up?"
"Ahem. If you just hold on a bit longer, we can all get a satisfactory outcome—why the impatience?!"
I wondered why so many people were gathered, but the workers were venting at a young forge master on the platform.
"You forge masters got your advances in advance during Master Won Hong's time, so you're fine, but we're day laborers living hand to mouth!"
"Hear hear!"
"Do you think we forge masters are rolling in wealth? We're still covering your meals—family portions too! Just wait a bit more, everyone!"
"When is 'a bit more'?! If we'd followed the academy's lead and walked off, this ironworks would already have a new owner and wages paid out!"
"Right! I've a sick old mother at home. Meals are one thing, but I need silver!"
The debate seemed fairly heated.
But watching a bit longer made it clear who held the knife.
"Hey now! Why paint me as the villain?! If you're so set on it, strike your name from the petition list! Of course, I can't pay back wages!"
"......"
"With all the construction the Righteous Academy's undertaking now?! Perfect setup to wreck your bodies and get stiffed on pay! I'm doing this thinking of everyone—don't get red in the face! Go take their handouts over there!"
That was the end.
The gathered workers slumped their shoulders and moved to the place the forge master indicated.
The young forge master headed toward the ironworks building on the opposite side with a feigned proud expression.
I quickly retrieved my master.
- Which way?
'The forge masters' side. They're leading the situation.'
And tailed the forge masters' side.
Following the guy wasn't hard.
'...But there's a booze smell?'
Sure enough, suspecting liquor stench.
I pressed my ear to the wall of the room the young forge master entered, and a drinking party was in full swing.
"Perfect timing, calling me out! So, how'd the talk go?"
"Yes, milord! They won't whine anymore, probably!"
"Good! Who in the world doesn't have a sob story? We have our own! If Eon Yong-un takes over the ironworks, the good times are done. Or am I wrong?!"
"No, milord!"
"The guy with Tae-won Merchant Group and Silver Radiance Merchant Group backing him. His reputation keeps soaring, and if he opens a weapons shop in Dan River District, can we compete? He'll monopolize it all! Then us forge masters will be in real trouble! Me and the other brothers—we went from hammering iron to handling money, so we understand your plight... Hm? Cup's empty. Fill mine!"
"Thank you."
"Where was I?"
"You said you'd understand."
"Right, we understand, share a drink like this, but those young masters born and bred in clans—think they'll treat you like people..."
No reason to listen further.
I kicked the door open and stormed in.
Bang!!!
I swept my gaze over the faces sharing the drinks.
Then simultaneously grabbed the collars of the two awkwardly passing a bottle.
"I made a promise, but this won't do."