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SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
When he returned to the farm, it was already past 6 a.m.
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Though tired from staying awake all night, the sense of accomplishment from successfully completing the First Transaction made him forget his fatigue.
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Above all, he felt energized knowing they finally had funds to launch a counterattack.
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“Huh?”
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People were gathered at the farm entrance.
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Not only the workers Carlos had brought yesterday, but also unfamiliar faces.
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There were about fifteen of them.
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“What’s going on?”
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Jose came over.
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“Seems like word has spread. They say Santa Rosa Plantation pays daily wages on time.”
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His expression was a mix of surprise and subtle anticipation.
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“Is that true?”
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“They came looking for work early this morning.”
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Lee Jun-hyuk looked over the gathered crowd.
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Most were Black and Mulatto, and ages varied widely.
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Some appeared to be in their late teens, while others looked over fifty.
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“Everyone, pay attention!”
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Lee Jun-hyuk shouted in Spanish.
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The chatter fell silent.
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“I’m the new manager of this farm, Lee Jun-hyuk. Welcome to those of you looking for work.”
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All eyes fixed on him.
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“But first, I need to make something clear. This farm is in a very difficult situation right now. The Spanish plantation owners are obstructing us.”
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A few showed anxious expressions.
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“Still, will you work?”
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“As long as the daily wage is paid properly!”
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Someone called out.
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Others nodded in agreement.
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“Very well. The daily wage will be 2 pesos. Skilled workers get 3 pesos. Payment will be every Friday, and if performance is good, there will be bonuses.”
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“Bonuses?”
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A young man’s eyes lit up.
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“If the harvest exceeds the target, additional pay will be given. And…”
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Lee Jun-hyuk paused for a moment.
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“Those who work diligently for more than six months will receive special bonuses.”
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A murmur of approval arose.
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Such terms were unheard of on other plantations.
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“But rules must be followed. Tardiness will result in wage deductions, and unauthorized absences will mean dismissal. Understood?”
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“Yes!”
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Several voices responded in unison.
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“Hose, please record their names and addresses. Divide them by district for work assignment.”
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“Yes, understood.”
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Jose’s face brightened as well.
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It seemed he was happy to see life returning to the farm he’d worked at for over twenty years.
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Lee Jun-hyuk went into the office.
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Carlos followed.
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“You’re amazing. The workforce doubled overnight.”
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“This is just the beginning. Carlos, I need a favor.”
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“Go ahead.”
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“Go to the village and spread some rumors.”
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“What kind of rumors?”
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Lee Jun-hyuk smiled.
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“Tell them Fernandez Farm and Sanchez Farm haven’t paid wages for three months.”
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“Is that true?”
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“Let’s verify. There must be some arrears.”
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Carlos nodded.
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“Also, spread that we pay 2 pesos daily plus bonuses.”
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“So you’re trying to lure their workers away.”
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“It’s fair competition.”
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Lee Jun-hyuk’s eyes gleamed coldly.
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From outside, Jose’s voice distributing work orders could be heard.
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“All right, Group 1 takes the east zone! Start weeding immediately! Group 2, maintain the irrigation channels! Group 3, prepare for harvest with me!”
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The lively voices filled the farm.
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Energy surged through the entire plantation.
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Lee Jun-hyuk opened the ledger.
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First transaction: $6,500.
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(50 tons × $130)
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After subtracting transportation and fees, $6,000 remained.
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“With this money…”
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He began calculating.
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Labor costs, equipment repairs, purchasing farming tools, and…
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“…I’ll have to hire a lawyer.”
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Legal battles would be inevitable going forward.
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Preparation was necessary.
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At lunchtime, the farm bustled with workers.
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Seeing the new recruits working hard filled him with pride.
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Especially the young ones moved even more enthusiastically after hearing about the bonuses.
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“Señor!”
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Ramon came running, out of breath.
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“Some men came from Fernandez Farm.”
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“Men?”
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“Yes, five of them are looking for work.”
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Lee Jun-hyuk went outside.
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Indeed, five men stood there, their caps squeezed in their hands. None were Spanish—only Black and Mulatto.
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“How did you get here?”
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“We heard there was work.”
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The man at the front hesitated.
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“Don’t you work at Fernandez Farm?”
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The men exchanged glances.
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“We have been working but haven’t been paid for over two months.”
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Just as expected.
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Other farms were also struggling.
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“If you work here, Fernandez won’t stand for it.”
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“Still, my family is starving.”
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One man said desperately.
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“I have three kids and nothing to feed them.”
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Lee Jun-hyuk thought for a moment.
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Accepting them would worsen conflicts with Fernandez.
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But—
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“All right. You’re accepted.”
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“Really?”
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“There’s a condition. Tell me everything about Fernandez Farm’s situation.”
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The men looked uncertain.
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“If you don’t talk, go back where you came from.”
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“No, we’ll talk!”
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One man hurriedly said.
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“Fernandez Farm is struggling too. Last year’s harvest was poor, and I’ve heard they’re deeply in debt.”
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“How deep?”
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“Not exactly sure, but people keep coming from the bank.”
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Interesting information.
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“Anything else?”
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“Sanchez Farm is the same. Outwardly it looks fine, but actually…”
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The man lowered his voice.
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“They have many warehouses. There’s raw cotton in storage, but most is empty.”
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“As expected.”
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The Spanish plantation owners might have flashy appearances, but reality was harsh.
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“Good. Jose!”
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“Yes!”
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“Register these men. The daily wage is the same.”
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“Understood.”
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Relief spread across the five faces.
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At that moment, the sound of hoofbeats came.
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This time, only one horse.
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It was Fernandez.
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His face was pale with fury.
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“Lee Jun-hyuk!”
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He shouted without dismounting.
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“Why are you stealing my workers?”
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“What do you mean?”
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Lee Jun-hyuk answered calmly.
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“I simply accepted those seeking work.”
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“They are my farm’s workers!”
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“You haven’t paid them for over two months, have you?”
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Fernandez’s face grew redder.
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“That’s… that’s my business!”
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“Well, hiring them is mine.”
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The surrounding workers held their breath, watching silently.
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The five newcomers shrank slightly but did not leave.
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“You!”
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Fernandez glared at them.
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“Go back at once! Or else…”
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“Or else what?”
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Lee Jun-hyuk interjected.
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“You’re not threatening me, are you? There are over twenty witnesses here.”
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Fernandez looked around.
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Indeed, more than twenty workers surrounded him.
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All were on Lee Jun-hyuk’s side.
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“Fine. You’ll all regret this.”
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Fernandez pointed at the five men.
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“And you, Mister Lee.”
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He glared fiercely.
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“You want a war?”
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“The war was started by you.”
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Lee Jun-hyuk stepped forward.
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“Sending the police, hiding opium, shooting at The Wall. Now you want to talk about war?”
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Fernandez’s expression darkened.
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“Do you have proof?”
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“Proof?”
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Lee Jun-hyuk sneered.
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“Everyone here saw you chasing people at The Wall—Miguel, Pablo, Ramon, even Carlos.”
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The named witnesses nodded.
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Fernandez was visibly flustered.
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He probably didn’t expect so many to witness the incident at The Wall.
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“That was chasing thieves!”
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“Thieves? Shooting at honest workers?”
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Lee Jun-hyuk raised his voice intentionally.
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So everyone around could hear.
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“You heard it too. This man treats workers like thieves and doesn’t even pay fair wages!”
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A chorus of agreement rose.
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The workers’ expressions began to change.
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Anger slowly spread.
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“Shut up!”
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Fernandez shouted.
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But it was too late.
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“It’s not two months but three!”
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Someone in the crowd shouted.
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“My brother hasn’t been paid for four months!”
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Others joined in.
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Fernandez’s face turned pale.
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“Quiet! All of you!”
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“We won’t be quiet anymore.”
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Lee Jun-hyuk spoke decisively.
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“At Santa Rosa Plantation, every worker receives fair treatment. You get paid for your work and treated with dignity.”
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He looked around at the workers.
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“Anyone who wants to work, come. It doesn’t matter your skin color or clothes. Just work sincerely.”
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“You bastard!”
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Fernandez raised his whip.
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At that moment, Miguel stepped forward.
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The big man’s presence made Fernandez flinch.
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“You can’t do this here.”
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Miguel’s voice was quiet but threatening.
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Others stepped forward one by one.
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The circle around Fernandez tightened.
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“Back off! Everyone back off!”
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Fernandez panicked.
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He looked thoroughly terrified.
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“Mr. Fernandez.”
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Lee Jun-hyuk spoke calmly.
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“You should leave. And don’t bother our workers anymore.”
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“We’ll see about that!”
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Fernandez shouted hastily.
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“Sanchez won’t stand for this! You’ll all regret it!”
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Then he hurriedly fled, kicking up dust.
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His retreat looked pitiful.
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“Let’s get back to work!”
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Jose shouted.
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The workers cheered and returned to their tasks.
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The five newcomers also moved energetically.
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“Well done.”
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Carlos approached.
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“But Sanchez won’t stay quiet.”
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“I know.”
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Lee Jun-hyuk nodded.
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“That’s why we must prepare. Carlos, send another telegram to Matanzas.”
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“To whom?”
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“To Thomas Morgan. Tell him we urgently need a lawyer.”
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“Understood.”
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After Carlos left, Lee Jun-hyuk entered the office.
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On the desk lay the roster of new workers for the day.
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More than twenty names.
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“More will come tomorrow.
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The word will spread quickly.
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Santa Rosa Plantation pays daily wages on time, and the Oriental Network’s manager supports the workers.
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And the Spanish plantation owners…”
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“They’ll be forced into a corner even more.”
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But it had already begun.
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The Solidarity of the Outsiders.
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***
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By evening, an unexpected visitor came.
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“Señor Lee?”
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At the door stood a woman in her mid-forties, of mixed heritage.
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Her attire was neat but simple, and she carried a basket.
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“Yes, how can I help you?”
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“I’m Martha, Jose’s wife. He works here now, formerly from Fernandez Farm.”
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She was the wife of one of the five men who had come earlier.
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“Oh, please come in.”
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“No, I just wanted to give you this.”
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Martha extended the basket.
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Inside were cornbread and fruit.
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“What’s this?”
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“A thank-you gift. My husband got paid for the first time in two months—50 pesos.”
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Her eyes glistened.
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“The children ate their fill today. Really, thank you so much.”
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Lee Jun-hyuk felt a lump in his chest.
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“I just did what’s right.”
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“Right? Nobody here ever did that.”
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Martha lowered her voice.
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“And I know others. People working at Sanchez Farm say their wages are also overdue.”
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“How many?”
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“More than ten. They all have families. If there’s work available…”
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“Tell them all to come tomorrow morning.”
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“Really?”
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Martha’s face brightened.
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“Yes, we need a lot of hands.”
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“I’ll be sure to tell them. Thank you so much.”
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After Martha left, Lee Jun-hyuk looked inside the basket.
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Warm cornbread steamed gently.
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He took a bite.
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Sweet and nutty.
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“For people like these… I have to work even harder!”
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By 9 p.m., Carlos returned.
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“I sent the telegram. And here.”
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He took an envelope out.
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“What’s this?”
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“From Zhen Hao. Payment for the First Transaction.”
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Opening it revealed a check.
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$6,000.
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“Already sold?”
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“An American merchant in Havana bought it immediately. He said the quality was good and wants to trade again.”
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Good news.
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“And there’s more.”
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Carlos pulled out a newspaper.
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It was the Matanzas Newspaper.
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“Look at this.”
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A small article was printed on one page.
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< Sanchez Farm Delays Bank Loan Repayment >
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“Oh!”
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“So the rumor was true. Sanchez is also struggling financially.”
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Lee Jun-hyuk read the article carefully.
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Sanchez Farm had taken out a large loan last year but was having trouble repaying due to poor harvests.
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“What about this info?”
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“There’s a Chinese employee at the bank. He gave the tip.”
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Indeed, the power of the Network.
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“Sanchez is weakening.”
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“Yes. That’s why more will come.”
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“We need to prepare.”
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Lee Jun-hyuk calculated while looking at the check.
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He pictured what could be done with the money.
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“Early tomorrow morning, let’s go to the village to buy farming tools. Also, purchase food supplies in bulk.”
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“Food supplies?”
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“We’ll provide lunch for the workers.”
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“That will cost…”
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“If we provide lunch on top of the daily wage, more people will come—especially from Sanchez and Fernandez Farms.”
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Carlos was impressed.
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“You’re trying to take all their workers.”
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“It’s fair competition.”
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Lee Jun-hyuk smiled.
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“They started this war.”
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Night deepened, but the light of hope burned bright at Santa Rosa Plantation.
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More people would come tomorrow.
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And the Spanish plantation owners would be pushed further into a corner.
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“This is only the beginning.”
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