"It's about stockpiling grain in advance." Nothing makes money like stockpiling.
"Really?"
"If we buy land in the Gimpo Plains and have tenant farmers grow crops for us, the grain purchase price will drop."
All tenant farmers are desperately poor.
If President Nakamura accepts my idea, it will benefit them too.
"That's too big of a method."
"Yes, that's true. But grain prices will soon skyrocket. You need to prepare for that."
"Why do you think grain prices will skyrocket?"
"For a rice merchant, sales are important, but the purchase price is even more important. The most cost-effective way to buy grain is to create a system that produces grain in-house."
"System?"
President Nakamura repeated the word.
'Ah… "system" is English…'
He stared at me strangely.
Not only do I, a mere shop clerk, speak Japanese fluently,but I also casually slip in English words—of course he'd react.
"Which country's system is that from?"
"It's some English I picked up."
"English?"
President Nakamura's eyes widened again.
"Hahaha, amazing."
"When I was young, a missionary came to our village. I learned a little from him."
Of course, it was a lie.
"Hmm… were there American missionaries left at that time?"
The United States is Japan's enemy.
"He was Italian, not American."
Italy is Japan's ally.
Luckily, I know a bit of Italian too.After reincarnation, languages come easily.
"How much did you learn?"
The conversation suddenly shifted.
"I can read and write English like I read and write Japanese."
"Oh…!"
His mouth opened in astonishment.
"That's incredible, but you should keep it secret from others. As you know, the Yankees are our enemy."
Suddenly, President Nakamura was worrying about me.
"Yes, my lord."
It was around this time—the Pacific War had fully begun.
"Now, back to grain prices. Why do you think they will rise?"
"I read in the newspaper that the Imperial Army began advancing into the Indochina Peninsula for the 'Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.'"
The Japanese military is reckless.
'All because they lack oil.'
So they invaded Indochina.
'But it will be a failure.'
Japan should not have opened more warfronts.
"You read the newspaper too?"
"Every time I visit the boss's house…"
"Ah, I see. So?"
"If the army expands its territory, won't the grain in the peninsula be diverted to military rations?"
I spoke calmly, but on the inside, my teeth were grinding.
Japan's militarism will begin its downfall from Indochina.
"You read tomorrow through the newspaper?"
It was another moment where my abilities were being reassessed.
"It's just my small thought."
"No, Cheol, you're not short-sighted at all. Even among Japanese people, few think like this."
"And, sir… land stays forever. Its value will only rise."
"That's true. That method sounds good."
After that conversation, President Nakamura bought rice paddies and fields in the Gimpo Plain.
He also bought land around Gyeongseong.
Let's try building a fruit stand while we're at it.
When he bought an orchard, he told me this.
Then I'll check out the parasite houses and courtesan houses.
In those days, "parasite houses" and "courtesan houses" were practically the same.
You really know what I'm thinking. Hahaha!
Thank you, Master Nari.
No, I think you'll become a treasure to me.
At some point, President Nakamura fully acknowledged me.
'This family is truly wealthy…'
They had various businesses—from lumber shops to an automobile factory.
'Yes… land remains forever.'
It was the perfect card to play for my future.
March 1, 1942.
Two years passed.
Nakamura's rice shop had become the best in Gyeongseong.
During this time, I earned more and more trust.
Six months after I began proving myself, the previous manager was fired.
A new Japanese manager took his place.
Now, I handled most of the rice-shop decisions.
I also oversaw the books for all of Nakamura's businesses.
People said I was successful.
'Career?No, this is still the beginning.'
"Cheol, you are born under a lucky star."
The Japanese manager told me this.
He had a gentle personality—never harsh, and generous with praise.
'A signboard manager.'
Since I handled the actual work, Nakamura chose a kind manager to keep peace among employees.
The more authority I had, the more responsibility I carried.
"Yes?"
"Once the boss trusts someone, he trusts them to the end. By the way… you're quite handsome, you know?"
"Hahaha, me?"
"You look like someone who could make the gisaengs swoon."
He wasn't wrong.
When I delivered rice to brothels, the gisaengs were often startled by my appearance.
—Mr. Kang, what are you doing on Dano Day?—How about free love, hm?—Want to sit by my pillar?
Women, old and young, flirted with me openly.
Even nationality didn't matter.
—Cheol-san~—Want to come to Umi Hall and see some "photos"?—Hohoho, that must be tough for you.
Even at the Japanese girls' dormitory, I received teasing remarks while delivering rice.
"Hahaha… am I really like that?"
I only smiled awkwardly.
"He doesn't even know how great he is."
"Haha!"
Still—
'A handsome face won't feed you.'
A man must have ability.
Of course, looks plus ability can become a powerful weapon.
August 15, 1942 — My room.
I was now considered the assistant manager of the rice store.
Not in title—rather in authority.
I still woke up early to fetch water and sweep the yard.
'He's watching.'
President Nakamura was watching my growth, almost enjoying it.
So I must stay humble and keep improving.
—I think the deliverymen should dress neatly.
I even suggested this to the Japanese manager.
Deliverymen are busy—of course they won't have time to wash clothes. If you order them, they'll complain endlessly.
—Appearance matters.
—You think so?
Grain is something people eat.If dirty men bring it, trust decreases.If clean men bring it, trust increases.
—That might be true, but… there's no time.
—Then hire two laundry women.
—Hire workers just for laundry?
—Yes.
—Hmm… if you say so, we'll do it.
After that day, Nakamura's deliverymen became noticeably cleaner.
Soon, a "clean store" reputation formed.
—Uniforms?
I had accidentally used English again.
—Uniforms that represent the store.
—And?
—They'll build more trust.
—If you think so, do it.
The Japanese manager trusted me almost as much as Nakamura himself.
Because of this trust, my life changed little by little.
They even gave me a small private room—separate from the other clerks' dormitory.
It was Nakamura's way of saying: Focus on the books. I believe in you.
"Ahaaa…!"
I yawned.
Time to sleep.
I lay down on my cot after finishing my work.
"Ouch! That stings!"
Every night—damn lice.
I tried sun-drying the bedding.I tried boiling it.
Nothing worked.
"Oh, come on! I can't sleep like this!"
The cot had been installed because of bedbugs.
But they simply crawled up the legs and bit me anyway.
"I need a solution."
And then—
"Yes!"
A brilliant idea struck.
I rushed out, brought four washbasins filled with water, and placed one under each leg of the cot.
"Heheheh… let's see you cross this."
No way lice outsmart me.
Feeling victorious, I brushed off all the bedbugs on my clothes and lay down happily.
I slept for about two hours before—
"Ouch! Again!?"
I turned the lights on in disbelief.
The washbasins were untouched.
Not a single bedbug had fallen in.
"What…?"
Confused, I lay down again.
Work starts early—sleep is precious.
Just then—
"…What the—?!"
A horrifying sight:
Bedbugs were crawling on the ceilingand dropping onto me.
"Ah…"
I had lost to the arrogance and obsession of lice.
And yet, I learned something.
"Even bedbugs use their brains so stubbornly."
Even tiny creatures live fiercely.
It made me think—I must think harder.I must carve my own life.Never give up.
"I have to live harder than lice."
With that, I reaffirmed my resolve.
Author's Note
English and Korean are not my first languages, so I always do my best. Thank you for understanding!