The attacks on the bookstore selling The Rise of the Tang Family were escalating day by day.
From boycotts to business disruptions, littering, and all sorts of slander; rumors circulated that bookstore owners were backbiting each other.
Eventually, the bookstore owners, unable to endure any longer, gathered for a meeting and reached one conclusion.
“We can’t continue like this. Please give us some support from the post office!”
The representative of the bookstores visited a post office in Yichang to hire guards.
The trouble we faced was due to our lack of strength. Whether it was throwing trash or disrupting business, couldn’t we just beat them and send them away?
Despite having the option to uphold the code of conduct and halt the sale of The Rise of the Tang Family, the bookstore owners, who had already suffered enough, didn’t want to admit defeat.
“I hear there’s talk of boycotts and disruptions of bookstores in Yichang these days. Is that why you came?”
The postmaster leisurely sipped his tea and asked the bookstore representative.
“Boycotts, business disruptions, and even littering. Just a few days ago, there was even an arson incident!”
The representative shuddered at the thought of the recent arson incident, which involved the bookstore that sold the most The Rise of the Tang Family, aside from his own.
Who would have thought such a bookstore would get caught in an arson case? All the bookstore owners couldn’t help but feel a sense of crisis.
“Wasn’t it just an accident? It was reported that a beggar tried to roast a chicken with paper, and that’s how the fire started. It wasn’t even a big fire.”
“That’s just the official line! How do we know whether that beggar was acting on the orders of those Tea and Book Club guys or not!”
It wasn’t a big fire. But, of all things, the Tang Family books piled outside had burned to ashes, and the shop could no longer operate, filled with the smell of smoke.
Could it really be the beggar’s accident, or was it someone else’s orders? In this situation, everything was suspect.
The representative felt as though he would become a nervous wreck from the daily disruptions to their business.
“Heh heh. I see you’re quite worried.”
“Please help relieve that worry. If the post office could support us for just a few months.”
“I’ll have to refuse.”
The postmaster set down his tea and flatly declined.
“What?! With this amount of money, isn’t it enough to hire guards even in Juru? Is this not enough?”
“Sure, this amount is indeed sufficient to protect against troublemakers in Juru.”
Without a doubt, the money the bookstore representative presented was substantial enough to hire guards in Juru, a place known for its incidents.
“So why won’t you do it?”
“Right now, the bookstores have become public enemies in Yichang. It’s too little money to protect public enemies.”
“Wh-what do you mean we’re public enemies?”
“The rumors in Yichang are widespread. The bookstores have violated the code of conduct, and both scholars and the common people are in an uproar. That’s why the sects that usually protect the streets are staying out of it as well.”
“I’ll pay you triple! Surely, you can help us even for just one month?”
“We, too, cannot afford to be hated by the people of Yichang, given our status as a post office.”
The post office protects clients and goods. The sects that protect the streets also placed great importance on reputation.
“Ugh. I guess there’s nothing I can do. I’ll seek another post office then.”
“They’ll all be the same. Wouldn’t it be better to uphold the code of conduct instead?”
“This is a merchant’s affair. Don’t tell me what to do. I’m sure there will be other post offices that will accept my offer if I just pay.”
“Then go ahead.”
The postmaster watched the public enemy vanish without looking back and immediately began writing a letter.
“Pyo-du.”
After writing several copies of the same letter, the postmaster called for Pyo-du.
“Yes, Postmaster.”
“Have the postmen deliver these letters to the other post offices in Yichang. Be sure to say it was sent by me.”
“Understood.”
Pyo-du gathered the letters and disappeared from the scene.
“We just need to wait a little longer.”
Soon all the postmasters in Yichang would receive the letters and laugh. The postmaster thought as he watched Pyo-du vanish.
The content of the letter was as follows:
[There’s not much time left until you can see Volume 2.]
“I must see the scene where Tang Jung returns to Sichuan’s Best Rice.”
The postmaster.
He, too, was an avid reader of The Rise of the Tang Family.
He was a member of the Tea and Book Club.
*
I was receiving updates on the bookstore, which was reaching a dead end, every moment.
Whatever actions the Tea and Book Club took, all meetings were held at Da-seo-gak.
I merely needed to listen to their stories while making coffee, like a bartender who offers an old-fashioned drink when a protagonist walks into the bar, asking if any amusing things happened that day.
As the bookstore owners ran out of options, they finally appeared collectively at Da-seo-gak.
“Seems like the young barbarian doesn’t know the rules. This is how people live. We should do good. Are you trying to pick a fight with us?”
“Who do you think you are, barking at us! Our bookstore will never give up selling The Rise of the Tang Family!”
“Cut the nonsense and tell that writer named Ho Pil to hurry up with Volume 2!”
“We’re trying to live together here, and all you’re doing now is trying to drag everyone down with you!”
The bookstore owners chattered like country folks who, after getting schooled, came over to say they shouldn’t be acting this way as neighbors.
“Don’t you get lost!? Do you want to be covered in shit all day long?”
“EEK!”
“Lady Tang is about to unleash her poison kill space. Run!”
Of course, martial artists. Fortunately, when Hwa-rin couldn’t take it anymore and said a word, they fled immediately.
“Guess it’s still not enough.”
After finishing my work, I sat at my desk and dipped my brush in ink while reflecting on the day’s events.
“I’m back.”
Hwa-rin entered the attic, looking exhausted.
“Did you do a good job as a broker?”
The sales of The Rise of the Tang Family had decreased, but Tang Hwa-rin still had plenty to do.
Lately, Hwa-rin was using her title as the only granddaughter of Baek-ga-jang to mediate contracts for those who had purchased the estate and the necessary agreements for them.
“Yes. I mediating the silk contracts well, just as you said, and we received a hefty referral fee by calling out the amounts in private meet-ups.”
“That’s great. Good job.”
“What are you writing? Don’t tell me it’s about Ho Pil again. Are you still writing that?”
“No, I’ve already prepared that. Right now, I’m writing the rough draft for volume 2 of The Rise of the Tang Family.”
“So ultimately, it is about Ho Pil. You’re going to write it after all… By the way, is it really going to get published? But didn’t the idiots cause a ruckus this morning?”
Recall of those bookstore owners that were chased off in the morning seemed to make Hwa-rin’s face grimace in discomfort.
“I have a way to make those punks uphold the code of conduct. By the way, Hwa-rin, you’re going to dinner with the Head of Guards, right?”
“Yeah. I need to use the referral fee to pay off my debts.”
“How about we eat together instead of you just paying him?”
“Why? I mean, I wanted to treat you to a nice meal since I made some money.”
“Trust me on this. He’s been working hard, so let’s go eat together. Come on, Hwa-rin.”
“This is not how it should be.”
I dragged the discontent Hwa-rin along to have dinner with the Head of Guards.
—————————
[Ho Pil….]
“Enough with that Ho Pil nonsense. At this rate, the bookstore will go under!”
[Ho Pil….]
“Our bookstore staff feel threatened!”
“I’ll sell this book at cost! If we just clear out our stock, we won’t be selling The Rise of the Tang Family!”
[Ho Pil….]
“I’ll sell this book at cost! No, I’ll give it away for free! Just take it!”
“Please, please tell Ho Pil not to attack our bookstore. I’ll give you all the money we made from this book!”
[Ho Pil….]
“We’ve lost. Please, just stop already.”
—————————-
“Looks like only the first bookstore we visited is left.”
I straightened my clothes in front of the mirror and spoke. Through the mirror, I noticed Hwa-rin looking displeased at my reflection.
What’s the matter?
“Why are you running around so much these days?”
“Because of the novel.”
“The novel? Are you out drinking because of it?”
Hwa-rin spoke with annoyance, her voice laced with anger. I wondered if it was because I came back late and drunk the night before.
“That’s why.”
I should’ve said I’d drink a bit beforehand.
“I thought I smelled something faintly yesterday… Are, are you seeing someone?”
“Do I look like such a free-spirited person? I had a drink with the Head of Guards yesterday to discuss work.”
“With the Head of Guards? Really?”
“Yes, I did. You don’t believe me?”
I turned towards Hwa-rin, puffing out my chest as if to say that there’s nothing shameful under the sun.
“I believe… well, I guess that’s fine. Drink this.”
Hwa-rin handed me a cup filled with liquid.
“What is this?”
“Honey water. I made it for you since you came back drinking yesterday.”
Hwa-rin shyly averted her gaze as she handed me the cup.
Wow. Someone who cares enough to brew honey water for me when I’m hungover. This is kind of touching. Back when I lived alone, I used to get up and make dried pollock soup to soothe my stomach after drinking.
I drank the honey water in one gulp.
“Ahh… This is the sweet taste I’ve been searching for. Sweet. So sweet.”
“Cough cough. What are you saying? Really.”
Hwa-rin released her suspicious glance and chuckled quietly at my nonsense.
“Hwa-rin, let’s go out.”
I cleared the cup and told the now cheerful Hwa-rin.
“Where to?”
“There’s only one bookstore left that is selling The Rise of the Tang Family without permission.”
The bookstore representative—the only one who had not surrendered.
“Right?”
“Follow me. It’s time to wrap this up.”
It was time to finish this war.
