Chapter 08
The lunch with the Provincial Administrator and his wife was nothing particularly special.
The Provincial Administrator spoke very little, and Dang Unsang also made no effort to flatter him with forced conversation.
After the usual exchange of polite greetings, they quietly ate their meal, and only after the dishes were cleared away and tea was served did they get down to business.
Hwiyeom opened the conversation with bright, innocent eyes.
“Madam, there’s actually something I’d like to give you as a gift.”
“A gift? From you, little young master?”
“Yes!”
“My, now you’ve made me curious. What kind of gift is it?”
The Madam smiled warmly, amused by the child who was young enough to be her grandchild.
“It’s a cosmetic that I recently created.”
“You made cosmetics yourself?”
Both the Provincial Administrator and his wife naturally turned toward Dang Unsang, who nodded.
“It’s true. He developed them entirely on his own, without anyone’s help.”
“My, that’s impressive.”
As her interest grew, Hwiyeom took out the prepared boxes and lined them up on the table.
They were luxurious rosewood boxes engraved with elegant snowflakes. Mother-of-pearl and coral powder had been inlaid into the carvings, making the snowflakes shimmer in the light as though they were drifting in the wind.
The Provincial Administrator and his wife both stared in admiration.
“The box itself is already a treasure.”
“The craftsmen of the Dang Family truly possess unmatched skill.”
“Hmm. I remember your predecessors taking great pride in them. Hyoseon may be gone, but it seems the craftsmen of the Dang Family are still exceptional.”
While the men chatted, Hwiyeom and the women were already excitedly talking among themselves.
“Now, open the lid like this. Here’s what’s inside. I’ll apply a little to the back of your hand, so please try the fragrance.”
Like an affectionate grandson, Hwiyeom carefully scooped out some Samilseol and gently spread it over the Madam’s hand.
Using his appearance as a child to lower her psychological guard was one of his sales tricks.
The petroleum jelly mixed with aloe and cucumber juice naturally gave off a cool, refreshing scent, and when applied to the skin, it felt pleasantly cool while leaving it moisturized.
The Madam’s eyes widened.
“What a marvelous thing. My old, rough hands have become this soft.”
“Huh? What do you mean, rough? Your hands are so fair and beautiful. If you say something like that outside, people will laugh.”
“Oh my, what a smooth talker.”
Though the flattery was obvious, she wasn’t displeased. Instead, she laughed cheerfully.
“So what kind of ointment is this?”
“It’s called Samilseol. It soothes and moisturizes the skin.
It’s excellent for cracked winter skin, skin overheated from too much sunlight, burns, or whenever your skin feels hot and irritated. It’s also wonderful to apply after washing your face if your skin feels tight.
If you use it consistently, your skin gradually improves, just like taking a tonic medicine over a long period.”
“To think you made something this precious… truly remarkable, young master. It smells wonderfully refreshing, and it feels so cool.”
Even petroleum jelly alone left the skin soft and moisturized for quite some time.
With the addition of aloe and cucumber, the greasy stickiness was greatly reduced, leaving only a fresh, pleasant feeling on the skin.
Seeing how satisfied she was, Hwiyeom opened the next item.
“This is called Micheopmuk. You apply it to your eyelashes and eyebrows to make your eyes appear larger and brighter… Mother?”
“I actually wore it today.”
Eun Seollan smiled as she blinked her large eyes.
The Madam nodded.
“I was just admiring Lady Eun’s thick eyelashes and beautifully shaped eyebrows. She looked truly lovely. May I try it as well?”
“Of course. Shall I help you?”
“Yes, please.”
Hwiyeom applied Micheopmuk like mascara to her eyelashes, lightly filled in her eyebrows, then held up the silver mirror inside the cosmetic case.
The Madam smiled with satisfaction.
“I feel ten years younger.”
“There’s one more.”
When Hwiyeom opened Bulgeonyeon, the Madam smiled awkwardly.
“Lip rouge? At my age, wouldn’t people laugh and call me an old woman trying too hard?”
“Oh, come on, Madam. You don’t look much older than my mother. You’re hardly an old woman. If you keep saying that, people will start talking.”
“You really know how to flatter people.”
Though his praise was shamelessly obvious, she laughed happily, whether because she enjoyed hearing it or because he reminded her of a grandson.
“This color is a bit too bright for me. I’ll give this one to my daughter.”
“Then how about these colors? I specially commissioned painters to create them.”
Lip rouge in the Central Plains traditionally used only red dyes like safflower or cinnabar, so the colors were all nearly identical.
The same bright red that people in modern Korea jokingly called the “rat-eating red.”
To Hwiyeom, however, those colors looked old-fashioned.
Remembering the wide variety of cosmetics available in the twenty-first century, he had hired painters to create pigments that could be mixed into petroleum jelly.
With enthusiastic support from his mother Eun Seollan and his aunts from the Dang Family, they created dozens of different shades.
He had selected several elegant, subdued reds that suited older skin and brought them today.
“I never imagined lip rouge could come in so many colors…”
“Flowers bloom in countless varieties, and a woman’s beauty is equally diverse. Yet while nature offers endless colors, the makeup around a woman’s eyes and lips remains so limited. Isn’t that truly regrettable?
The Dang Family brings innovation where others never even think to look.”
“Innovation…”
The Provincial Administrator, who had remained silent until now, smiled slightly.
“From what I’ve observed, these cosmetics all seem to share the same base ointment, with different ingredients giving each one its own properties. Am I correct?”
“Exactly. Your insight truly lives up to your reputation.”
“Do you have anything made for purposes other than cosmetics?”
“Of course.”
Hwiyeom took out another box, this one carved with a tiger roaring proudly atop a rocky cliff, and respectfully presented it to the Provincial Administrator.
He admired it.
“The tiger looks almost alive.”
“It is carved from ebony. The tiger itself is raised in relief, its stripes highlighted with gold leaf, its eyes crafted from amber, and its fangs from finely carved ivory.”
“A black tiger roaring through the night… what a magnificent gift.”
“I think you’ll like what’s inside even more.”
“Let’s have a look.”
The moment he opened the box, a refreshing mint fragrance drifted out.
“What a pleasant scent.”
“It’s mint. Hogolgo contains many medicinal ingredients, one of which is mint, known for improving blood circulation and warming the body.”
“Hogolgo? Does that mean it contains tiger bone?”
“Yes.”
He wasn’t lying.
The Hogolgo prepared for the Provincial Administrator truly contained finely ground tiger bone.
The ones everyone else gets won’t, but I never lied to the Provincial Administrator.
Even when deceiving people, Hwiyeom was meticulous.
“So what does this Hogolgo do?”
“It’s excellent for aching joints, sore muscles, and stiffness.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Is there anywhere that bothers you?”
“I’ve spent many years handling government affairs. My right wrist has been aching for quite some time.”
“Allow me to apply it for you.”
“…Very well.”
Hwiyeom scooped out a generous amount of the ointment and carefully spread it over the man’s right wrist.
Like a grandson entertaining his grandfather, he even massaged it with his tiny hands.
This helped the medicine absorb more quickly, but it was also a subtle way to flatter someone that only a child could get away with.
If an adult did this, it would be awkward. But when a child does it, it’s adorable. And older people usually like children.
Just as expected, even the Provincial Administrator’s stern face softened into a smile.
“This feels wonderfully cool.”
“Please continue using it. And when you run out, let me know. I’ll gladly bring you more.”
“Haha. Thank you.”
Turning to Dang Unsang, the Provincial Administrator said,
“The heir who will someday lead your family is both intelligent and charming. You are truly fortunate.”
“Haha…”
“Unsang.”
For the first time, the Provincial Administrator dropped the formal demeanor he used with his subjects and called him by name, just as he had when Dang Unsang was a child.
Dang Unsang immediately straightened up.
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
“When we’re alone, you may call me Uncle.”
“I-Is that truly acceptable?”
“Of course. You’re practically my nephew. After Hyoseon passed away, I’ve neglected the Dang Family for too long. Government affairs kept me too busy.”
“N-No, not at all…”
“I’ve heard the Dang Family isn’t what it once was after Hyoseon and his father passed away.”
“…I have failed them.”
“Is there anything I can help you with?”
The unexpected offer made Dang Unsang tense.
Aside from the friendship between their fathers, the Provincial Administrator was essentially a stranger to him.
Yet within Sichuan, he wielded authority rivaling that of a king.
No matter how many times Dang Unsang had met him before, he had never dared ask for help.
His pride was one reason.
The greater concern was that a single unfavorable word from such a powerful man could destroy the Dang Family.
Never before had the Provincial Administrator spoken to him so warmly or called him nephew.
An opportunity worth a fortune had appeared far more easily than expected.
I hoped things would go well… but not this well…
Just as he swallowed nervously and prepared to ask for help rebuilding the Dang Family—
Hwiyeom suddenly interrupted.
“If you’re Father’s uncle, then you’re my Great-Uncle, right? Great-Uncle! Please accept this respectful bow from your grandnephew!”
Hwiyeom hopped off his chair and immediately performed a deep formal bow.
Dang Unsang lost his chance to speak.
The Provincial Administrator and his wife burst into laughter.
“Haha, what an adorable child. So your name is Hwiyeom?”
“Yes!”
“Hwiyeom, I’m delighted we’ve become acquainted, and I truly like your gifts. This old man would like to give you something in return. Is there anything you want?”
Without hesitation, Hwiyeom answered,
“Nothing at all. I didn’t bring these gifts expecting anything in return. Simply meeting the two of you is already a gift more precious than anything else.”
“Oh my, what a mature child.”
The Madam smiled warmly, and the Provincial Administrator nodded.
“Your words are admirable, but an elder shouldn’t simply receive gifts without giving something back. Tell me what you want.”
“Hmm… since you insist… there is one thing.”
“What is it?”
“I hope you’ll continue using the ointments I gave you. Especially Hogolgo and Samilseol.
No matter how good a medicine is, you can’t expect results after using it only once.”
“Is that really enough?”
The Provincial Administrator looked surprised.
Hwiyeom nodded.
“It is already an honor that people as distinguished as Great-Uncle and Great-Aunt would use something made by your young grandnephew. That alone is more than enough.”
“With a single word from me, these products could fill every market in the province. You understand that, don’t you?”
The Provincial Administrator was an experienced politician.
And in politics, there was no such thing as a gift without a price.
Although Hwiyeom was adorable, and although his friendship with the previous head of the Dang Family made him treat Dang Unsang and Hwiyeom like family, it was obvious that their visit wasn’t simply to give gifts.
Enough pretending. Tell me what you really want.
Yet Hwiyeom’s innocent expression never changed.
“Didn’t Great-Uncle call Father his nephew, and me his grandnephew? What greater reward could I possibly ask for?”
“So you’re planning to do business using my name?”
The Provincial Administrator nodded.
He figured that alone would already benefit the Dang Family greatly.
But once again, Hwiyeom surprised him.
“Forgive me for saying so, Great-Uncle, but I believe it would be better to keep our relationship a secret.
If people found out, they might say, ‘The Dang Family’s products only sell because of the Provincial Administrator’s influence. Their quality isn’t actually that good.’
And worse, your spotless reputation might be tarnished.”
“…Hmm.”
“My dear, doesn’t this child think like an adult?”
“He certainly does. So you truly want nothing?”
“If you insist… then I would only ask that you occasionally invite us to share a meal like this again.”
Hwiyeom spoke with perfect sincerity.
From the listener’s perspective, this wasn’t an improper request at all.
On the contrary, by refusing to exploit the Provincial Administrator’s influence and instead worrying about his reputation, Hwiyeom made the old politician feel slightly ashamed for doubting his motives.
I’ve spent too many years dealing with greedy officials. I’ve forgotten what sincerity looks like.
Dang Unsang had nearly been horrified watching his son throw away such a precious opportunity.
But then he understood and quietly nodded to himself.
There’s no need to be greedy right now. What’s important is becoming closer to Uncle first.
Winning a valuable relationship is far more important than chasing immediate profit. This boy truly knows how to think long-term.
Dang Unsang believed Hwiyeom had sacrificed immediate benefits for greater rewards in the future.
He was mistaken.
Hwiyeom hadn’t given up anything.
He had already achieved exactly what he wanted.
This era doesn’t understand influencer marketing. It’ll work perfectly.
Human psychology was simple.
When famous people used something, others wanted to use it too.
The instinct not to be left behind created trends.
In the twenty-first century, celebrities led those trends.
In this era, the influencers were high-ranking officials, famous scholars, virtuous women, and members of the royal family.
I remember when the chairman of a major corporation used a certain lip balm during a parliamentary hearing. It became an overnight sensation.
People praised the billionaire chairman for using such an inexpensive lip balm, calling him modest, making “J Dragon” jokes, and soon everyone rushed to buy the same product.
And in this world, the real influencers are high officials, renowned scholars, virtuous women, princes, and the imperial family.
Thinking about the marketing effect that would soon unfold, Hwiyeom smiled to himself.
