Chapter 124 - Virtue - 1
Mr. Hwang, the scholar, headed to Daseogak today as well.
The boycott led by the Daseohoe was proving to be more effective than expected.
People from all walks of life within Uichang might buy books, but who purchases scholarly works the most? Scholars, of course.
Members of the Daseohoe, including Scholar Hwang, convinced their fellow students and teachers not to patronize any bookstore except for Daseogak.
A writer, who after being buried in obscurity was finally beginning to bloom, found himself in trouble due to the mob's vile schemes. And this situation could be aided just by the act of a boycott.
How could they not help?
After all, the bookstores were selling books at similar prices. In business like this, reputation is truly vital. The scholars chose to use Daseogak, even if it meant walking a bit further.
"I hope author Hopil recovers his spirit."
He had heard that the author had stopped eating and was bedridden. Scholar Hwang opened the door of Daseogak, hoping that Hopil would regain his strength.
As Scholar Hwang opened the door, he noticed that about a dozen members of Daseohoe were standing in front of it, not proceeding to the second floor.
"Why aren't you going up?"
Scholar Hwang asked a member of Daseohoe he was on good terms with.
"The manager is about to reveal a new letter from author Hopil."
"A new letter from Hopil? Could it be about the release of the second volume?"
"It might be about the release, or it could be about abandonment of writing. Everyone's standing here because they don't know."
"I really hope it's news of the second volume's release."
"Look, here comes the manager."
The manager, with black hair, greeted the members of Daseohoe with a nod and began to attach the letter prominently to a signboard.
"Let's read the content of the letter together."
"Move your head out of the way!"
Was it like the announcement of successful examination candidates? The members of Daseohoe didn't wait for the manager to finish attaching the letter; they read it as it was put up.
["This is Hopil..."]
["I thought of abandoning writing. How could I face life when I could offer no help to those who supported me during such despairing times? I had lost my will to live, abstaining from food and drink."]
"Hoho, so the manager was telling the truth. Looks like author Hopil was really affected."
"Of course he'd be shocked, having his writing stolen."
"Could this be the end of his writing?"
The despair of Daseohoe members was alleviated with the next line.
["That was before I heard news from my readers."]
["I was about to give up on writing, but that news was so joyful. Thus, today I couldn't keep my declaration to myself and ate a spoonful of porridge in cowardice. That spoonful of porridge revived my vitality. I felt the support of my readers."]
"Hopil has gained strength!"
"Yes, it seems our support has revitalized him. Is he finally going to start writing again?"
["But at the same time, a sense of despair overwhelmed me."]
["Once I finish this porridge, what then? I thought if I succeeded, eating a little noodle wouldn't be a worry, but now I'm scared to even lift a spoonful of porridge. Daseogak offers to help, but how could this Hopil accept their money with any dignity?"]
["When I think about how my efforts only fatten the purses of scoundrels, my frustration is beyond words. This Hopil can only momentarily avert his gaze from the bleak future, taking care of his health while waiting for news from my dear readers."]
The letter from Hopil ended there.
"Somyeon? Hopil can't even eat a bowl of noodles!"
"Good heavens! How can he not afford even somyeon, a common and tasteless food! He should at least be able to eat Neapolitan spaghetti!"
"What's Neapolitan spaghetti! How can you recommend such foreign food to Hopil? He deserves a nice carbonara with cream sauce!"
"Carbonara with cream sauce! You blasphemer! That's not authentic pasta!"
"Blasphemer? Says someone who suggests Neapolitan spaghetti? Try tasting cream before you speak!"
"Is now the time to argue about food?"
Scholar Hwang barely managed to separate the two Daseohoe members who were about to fight over what authentic pasta was.
"Though he's drawing strength from our support, the profits haven't improved."
A member of Daseohoe sighed calmly after reading Hopil's letter.
"For author Hopil, I'll buy ten volumes of "Dangga Pung'un" today at Daseogak."
"Ten volumes? I will buy more than twenty!"
"Is Hopil going to continue writing, or stop?"
"Can't you see? If the bookstore keeps selling "Dangga Pung'un", he won't write!"
"It's all the bookstore's fault! We must show them what we're capable of."
"Hopil has finally eaten! Let's gather our energy once more!"
"Before Hopil halts his writing, let's show the bookstore guys what we can do!"
After the discussion on Hopil's letter, Daseohoe dispersed for the day.
Hope was born. Hopil had regained his strength. Now, the only thing left to take revenge on the bookstore.
For Daseohoe, the next step was an even stronger display of action.
-------------------
The beginning of showing their capability began with intensifying the boycott.
A scholar glanced around, making sure the coast was clear, and then slipped into a bookstore.
"What are you doing here!"
Another scholar from Daseohoe asked, a mild anger on his face, as he saw him selecting books inside the store.
"H-how did you find me here?"
The scholar stammered, his voice trembling with surprise.
"That's what I'd like to ask you."
"These days this bookstore is offering a 20% discount on scholarly books. So, I was picking out a few."
"I know you're always tight for money, but what you're doing now is akin to selling your conscience at a discount!"
"What nonsense are you talking about!"
"How many meals have I shared with you, knowing your circumstances? How many drinks have I given you? And now, you forsake your honor over some petty discount."
With the words of the Daseohoe scholar, the embarrassed scholar hung his head. It was disgraceful to be blinded by a discount, despite the ongoing boycott by his fellow students.
"I understand. It seems I was mistaken."
"Customer, our store is offering discounts of up to 20%."
The clerk, pleased to see a customer after a long time, turned pale as the scholar put the books down.
"Go ahead. Today, I will buy scholarly books at Daseogak."
"Customer! Sir!"
Ignoring the clerk's distressed expression, the scholar simply left the bookstore.
"I have matters to attend to today and cannot join you. Instead, take this as a gift to a friend who has upheld his principles."
The scholar from Daseohoe handed a scholarly book to his colleague.
"What is this?"
"It's 'Dangga Pung'un'."
"Is this the renowned 'Dangga Pung'un'? I am ashamed to admit, due to my dire circumstances, I never considered purchasing it. Are you truly giving this to me?"
"I've already bought dozens of copies for distribution. Don't worry about it, and take this."
"Thank you. I shall head to Daseogak now."
After briefly seeing his friend off towards Daseogak, the Daseohoe scholar returned to his post in a secluded alley with a view of the bookstore that had broken the code.
"I'll have to keep watch until the relief team arrives."
Daseohoe.
Monitoring the boycott.
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"Damn it, not this mess again!"
The bookstore owners in Uichang had been screaming the same scream every morning.
"Who in the world has been dumping all this trash overnight?"
Every night, an enormous amount of trash was being left in front of the bookstores—from small waste to large debris, including even food waste.
The stench and unsightliness of the garbage were enough to make early morning passersby avoid the area near the bookstore.
"The morning sales are ruined. Ruined again."
No customer would want to wade through trash that might stain their clothes or carry the smell; so, nobody entered the bookstore. The owner began the day's routine, clearing the rubbish pile that had become part of the daily work.
If there was a single culprit behind this mass dumping of trash, catching and punishing him would solve the problem, but the most malicious part was that it wasn't the work of just one or two people.
Someone throws trash in front of the store, another comes by and adds more, and the actions repeat until suddenly, the bookstore front becomes a landfill.
Furious, the owner catches someone in the act of dumping trash, only to be met with an audacious retort:
— I thought this was where trash goes since it's always here. You should keep your place clean.
Enraged, the owner drags the culprit to the authorities, but then the students stage a protest outside the government office, questioning how a friend could be jailed for a minor offense of littering.
With scholars uniting in collective action over a minor offense, the official, patting the shoulder of the junior, simply let the perpetrator off with a warning not to do it again.
For the bookstore owner, the situation was maddening. They always said to be wary of school, local, and blood connections. Injustice abounded, but there was no one to tell.
In the end, the owner had no choice but to clean up the pile of garbage in front of the bookshop every morning.
"If it were just one bastard, I could have caught him. Ah! What's this now!"
As the owner was cleaning, a rotten egg flew out of nowhere.
"Save author Hopil! The bookstore must uphold righteousness!"
"That bastard!"
The owner chased after the fleeing man but couldn't match the speed of younger legs. Wiping the foul smell dripping down his forehead, the owner could only sigh.
"This is serious.
Very serious. I must meet with the other bookstore owners to think of a solution."
This could really ruin the business.
With a sense of foreboding, the owner hurriedly moved to meet with other bookstore owners.