Chapter 06
Tang Hwiyeom’s speech, a clever twist on nationalism and patriotism, was nothing more than a borrowed speech that sounded strangely familiar.
But it was enough to ignite the heart of an old elder.
And so, Elder Park chose to join Hwiyeom’s side.
As soon as the Ointment Bureau was established, production began immediately.
Just as Hwiyeom had expected, however, the Elders’ Council soon began causing small problems.
The raw materials failed to arrive on time, and even the materials that did arrive were in terrible condition.
“Hah. Doesn’t matter whether it’s the future or the past—idiots always pull the same tricks.”
After hearing from the pharmacist that they couldn’t produce the ointment due to a lack of materials, Hwiyeom smiled.
Back when he had first started running a small company in his previous life, a competing business had bribed a supplier to interfere with his raw material deliveries.
“The best way to deal with troublemakers… is with an even bigger mess.”
Hwiyeom immediately headed to the Family Head’s residence.
After explaining everything to Tang Wunsang, he obtained a search warrant from him and went straight to the Medicine Warehouse.
“I heard there’s a shortage of beeswax and oil needed for Tang Family Universal Ointment. Is that true?”
“Yes, Young Family Head. We’re having difficulties because we’re out of stock.”
“Really? Then bring me the inventory ledger.”
“The… ledger?”
The chief pharmacist hesitated.
“The ledger cannot be shown freely. According to family law, only the Family Head, the Chief Steward, and the Master of the Medicine Warehouse may inspect it.”
“Well, here’s the Family Head’s written order.”
“…What?”
The chief pharmacist was stunned.
He had never imagined that Hwiyeom would bring an official order from the Family Head over something as simple as delayed deliveries of oil and beeswax.
He certainly hadn’t gone so far as to prepare fake accounting books for something this minor.
“I’ll bring the ledger. But it’ll take some time.”
“Time? Why?”
Hwiyeom smiled.
“It’s currently working hours. Materials are constantly being checked in and out. If I remove the ledger now, it’ll interrupt the records…”
“I’m not taking it anywhere. I’ll read it right here.”
“…As you wish.”
Unable to oppose either the Young Family Head’s authority or the Family Head’s order, the chief pharmacist reluctantly led him to the storage room.
After looking through the ledger, Hwiyeom spoke.
“According to this, there are 150 geun of beeswax, 300 doe of camellia oil, and 350 doe of safflower seed oil in storage. Yet you’re telling the Ointment Bureau there’s nothing available?”
“W-Well… those materials have already been assigned elsewhere…”
“Where?”
“Th-That is…”
Unable to answer, the chief pharmacist squeezed his eyes shut and lowered his head.
“Please… punish me with death!”
“Huh.”
Hwiyeom looked at him in disbelief.
“So my father’s orders and mine mean nothing to you?”
“N-No!”
“Then why did you hide the materials instead of following our instructions?”
“…”
“If our orders aren’t meaningless to you, then someone else must have ordered this. Who was it?”
Hwiyeom’s eyes gleamed.
But the chief pharmacist simply kept his mouth shut.
Hwiyeom nodded.
“I suppose if you name whoever ordered you, your life won’t be worth much. Getting scolded by a seven-year-old Young Family Head is much safer, isn’t it?”
“I wasn’t ordered by anyone! I acted on my own!”
“You expect me to believe you’d sabotage my work for no reason? What are you, my mortal enemy from a past life?
What possible reason could you have to interfere with me?
Even a three-year-old wouldn’t believe such an obvious lie.
Yeeun! Are you there?”
“Yes, Young Master.”
Yeeun hurried over and knelt.
Hwiyeom gave the order.
“This man concealed the Tang Family’s property and disobeyed the Family Head’s and Young Family Head’s orders.
Under family law, have the Poison Bee Guard arrest him for interrogation and make an example of him.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“W-Wait! Young Family Head! Interrogation?
I may have failed to provide the oil and beeswax promptly, but I never embezzled family property! Torture would violate family law!
At worst, this is negligence deserving a beating. How can you suggest something so severe?”
Terrified, the chief pharmacist protested.
Hwiyeom’s eyes flashed.
“You fool!
Have you forgotten that my order carries the authority of the Family Head?
You concealed family property and deceived the Family Head himself.
That is defiance and false reporting to your superior!
Do you not know that deceiving one’s lord is punishable by execution, and defying direct orders may be dealt with immediately?”
It was an outrageous exaggeration.
Even Hwiyeom knew he was stretching the law.
But he had a reason.
He had watched the Master of the Medicine Warehouse during the demonstration.
The man had clearly tried to remain neutral.
He wanted neither to support the Family Head nor the Elders’ Council.
Just as Hwiyeom expected, once he intentionally made a huge scene, the warehouse master finally stepped in.
“What is all this commotion? Young Family Head, what are you doing in my warehouse?”
“Master! Perfect timing!
This fellow has practically committed treason against the Family Head. Here’s what happened…”
Hwiyeom enthusiastically explained everything.
After hearing the whole story, the warehouse master sighed.
“My subordinates are at fault because I failed to discipline them properly.
I’ll punish him myself.
Please overlook this matter just this once.”
“And what happens if it occurs again?
Shouldn’t this be punished severely to serve as a warning?”
“I stake my position on it.
I’ll ensure nothing like this ever happens again.”
That was exactly what Hwiyeom had wanted.
He smiled.
By making such an enormous scene himself, he’d forced the warehouse master into making a public promise.
If the warehouse master continued protecting the chief pharmacist, he’d be giving the Family Head’s side an excuse to attack him politically.
Since he wanted to remain neutral, he now had no choice but to follow procedure and provide the requested materials properly.
From the Elders’ Council’s perspective, seeing Hwiyeom explode over a single act of interference would also make them think twice before provoking him again.
If you stay quiet forever, people think you’re an easy target. Sometimes you’ve got to bark so they know you’ve got teeth.
The warehouse master now also had a legitimate excuse not to cooperate with the Elders’ Council anymore.
Hwiyeom gave him a subtle wink.
The warehouse master simply sighed and walked away.
Leaning close to the chief pharmacist’s ear, Hwiyeom whispered,
“It was Hong Ilgon, wasn’t it?”
“…!!”
“Tell him this.
If he can’t help save our declining family, the least he can do is stop throwing ashes on the fire.”
The chief pharmacist stood there frozen, unable to speak.
“All right! Bring everything out! We’ve got work to do! Move the oil and beeswax!”
“Yes!”
And so, the Ointment Bureau officially began its work.
“That child has no respect whatsoever.”
After hearing reports from the informants he had planted throughout the family, Elder Gong Duchan clicked his tongue.
“What should we do, Elder Hong?
Shouldn’t we teach that brat some manners sooner or later?”
“…”
Hong Ilgon stroked his beard before speaking.
“There is always a reason when elders tell children not to do something.
Our Young Family Head is still young and inexperienced.
When his ambitious business venture collapses and suffers enormous losses, he’ll surely run crying to his father.”
“You mean to ruin his business?
Should we hire people to smash up his market stalls?”
Hong Ilgon chuckled.
“There’s no need for such barbaric methods.
All we need is for Elder Gong to say a single word.”
“My word?”
“Aren’t the merchants of Sichuan—from the largest trading houses to wandering peddlers—already in the palm of your hand?”
“Ahem.”
Gong Duchan smiled proudly.
It wasn’t entirely an exaggeration.
Although the Tang Family had declined from its former glory, ordinary merchants still couldn’t afford to ignore them.
More importantly, Gong Duchan’s family operated the Chahua Money House, one of the largest financial institutions in Sichuan.
Many merchants depended on loans from them.
Naturally, his influence was considerable.
“So you’re saying we simply tell them not to distribute anything made by that boy?”
“Exactly.”
“But even then, he could just sell the goods himself from street stalls.”
“If he starts selling directly, simply hire a few people to spread rumors.
Have them claim, ‘I used that ointment and my skin broke out.’
The common people are like sheep.
They’ll follow whatever crowd leads them.”
“But what if those hired troublemakers are arrested by the Family Head’s Poison Bee Guard and confess?”
“If we hide them first, how will anyone find them?
As the saying goes, ‘Even a lion cannot eliminate the parasites inside its own body.'”
“Hahaha! That’s true enough!”
Gong Duchan slapped his palm.
“I’ll begin immediately.
I’ll make that brat cry.”
“Not yet.
Let him produce more first.
Wait until the products have gained popularity and he’s increased production.
That’s when we strike.”
“Heh. Brilliant.
The family won’t lose much money, and we’ll finally shut that arrogant brat up.”
“I’m counting on you, Elder Gong.”
“Leave it to me.”
About a week later, the Tang Family released Hugu Balm, Mascara Ink, and Never-Dry Rouge for sale throughout Chengdu.
The response was overwhelming.
The initial test batch of 300 products sold out in less than half a day.
Seeing the success, Elder Park Changeon immediately ordered another 2,000 units.
But just as the new shipment was ready to enter the market…
Everything fell apart.
Every general store in Chengdu suddenly refused to sell the Tang Family’s cosmetics, as though they had all agreed beforehand.
The sales staff from the Ointment Bureau could hardly force merchants to accept goods they refused to buy.
After hearing their report, Elder Park immediately sought out Hwiyeom.
“It seems the Elders’ Council has made its move.”
“Whose doing?”
“Most likely Elder Gong Duchan.
He holds enormous influence over small merchants.
His family owns the Chahua Money House.
They’ve invested heavily in both the Tang Family and the merchants throughout Chengdu.
Very few merchants can afford to ignore his demands.”
“Hmm.”
“What should we do?
We could have our people sell directly in the marketplaces…”
“No.
That won’t work.
If I were them, I’d definitely manipulate public opinion.”
“Public opinion?”
“Oh, spread rumors.
Things like, ‘I used their product and got a rash,’ or ‘It ruined my skin.'”
“I see.”
“Hmm…
Now, how should I deal with these annoying pests…”
Hwiyeom tapped his cheek with his finger for a moment.
Then he smiled.
“I suppose it’s time to show them there are many ways to manipulate public opinion.”
