Chapter 12: The Beginning of the Counterattack

When he returned to the farm, it was already past 6 a.m.

Though tired from staying awake all night, the sense of accomplishment from successfully completing the First Transaction made him forget his fatigue.

Above all, he felt energized knowing they finally had funds to launch a counterattack.

“Huh?”

People were gathered at the farm entrance.

Not only the workers Carlos had brought yesterday, but also unfamiliar faces.

There were about fifteen of them.

“What’s going on?”

Jose came over.

“Seems like word has spread. They say Santa Rosa Plantation pays daily wages on time.”

His expression was a mix of surprise and subtle anticipation.

“Is that true?”

“They came looking for work early this morning.”

Lee Jun-hyuk looked over the gathered crowd.

Most were Black and Mulatto, and ages varied widely.

Some appeared to be in their late teens, while others looked over fifty.

“Everyone, pay attention!”

Lee Jun-hyuk shouted in Spanish.

The chatter fell silent.

“I’m the new manager of this farm, Lee Jun-hyuk. Welcome to those of you looking for work.”

All eyes fixed on him.

“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.”

A few showed anxious expressions.

“Still, will you work?”

“As long as the daily wage is paid properly!”

Someone called out.

Others nodded in agreement.

“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.”

“Bonuses?”

A young man’s eyes lit up.

“If the harvest exceeds the target, additional pay will be given. And…”

Lee Jun-hyuk paused for a moment.

“Those who work diligently for more than six months will receive special bonuses.”

A murmur of approval arose.

Such terms were unheard of on other plantations.

“But rules must be followed. Tardiness will result in wage deductions, and unauthorized absences will mean dismissal. Understood?”

“Yes!”

Several voices responded in unison.

“Hose, please record their names and addresses. Divide them by district for work assignment.”

“Yes, understood.”

Jose’s face brightened as well.

It seemed he was happy to see life returning to the farm he’d worked at for over twenty years.

Lee Jun-hyuk went into the office.

Carlos followed.

“You’re amazing. The workforce doubled overnight.”

“This is just the beginning. Carlos, I need a favor.”

“Go ahead.”

“Go to the village and spread some rumors.”

“What kind of rumors?”

Lee Jun-hyuk smiled.

“Tell them Fernandez Farm and Sanchez Farm haven’t paid wages for three months.”

“Is that true?”

“Let’s verify. There must be some arrears.”

Carlos nodded.

“Also, spread that we pay 2 pesos daily plus bonuses.”

“So you’re trying to lure their workers away.”

“It’s fair competition.”

Lee Jun-hyuk’s eyes gleamed coldly.

From outside, Jose’s voice distributing work orders could be heard.

“All right, Group 1 takes the east zone! Start weeding immediately! Group 2, maintain the irrigation channels! Group 3, prepare for harvest with me!”

The lively voices filled the farm.

Energy surged through the entire plantation.

Lee Jun-hyuk opened the ledger.

First transaction: $6,500.

(50 tons × $130)

After subtracting transportation and fees, $6,000 remained.

“With this money…”

He began calculating.

Labor costs, equipment repairs, purchasing farming tools, and…

“…I’ll have to hire a lawyer.”

Legal battles would be inevitable going forward.

Preparation was necessary.

At lunchtime, the farm bustled with workers.

Seeing the new recruits working hard filled him with pride.

Especially the young ones moved even more enthusiastically after hearing about the bonuses.

“Señor!”

Ramon came running, out of breath.

“Some men came from Fernandez Farm.”

“Men?”

“Yes, five of them are looking for work.”

Lee Jun-hyuk went outside.

Indeed, five men stood there, their caps squeezed in their hands. None were Spanish—only Black and Mulatto.

“How did you get here?”

“We heard there was work.”

The man at the front hesitated.

“Don’t you work at Fernandez Farm?”

The men exchanged glances.

“We have been working but haven’t been paid for over two months.”

Just as expected.

Other farms were also struggling.

“If you work here, Fernandez won’t stand for it.”

“Still, my family is starving.”

One man said desperately.

“I have three kids and nothing to feed them.”

Lee Jun-hyuk thought for a moment.

Accepting them would worsen conflicts with Fernandez.

But—

“All right. You’re accepted.”

“Really?”

“There’s a condition. Tell me everything about Fernandez Farm’s situation.”

The men looked uncertain.

“If you don’t talk, go back where you came from.”

“No, we’ll talk!”

One man hurriedly said.

“Fernandez Farm is struggling too. Last year’s harvest was poor, and I’ve heard they’re deeply in debt.”

“How deep?”

“Not exactly sure, but people keep coming from the bank.”

Interesting information.

“Anything else?”

“Sanchez Farm is the same. Outwardly it looks fine, but actually…”

The man lowered his voice.

“They have many warehouses. There’s raw cotton in storage, but most is empty.”

“As expected.”

The Spanish plantation owners might have flashy appearances, but reality was harsh.

“Good. Jose!”

“Yes!”

“Register these men. The daily wage is the same.”

“Understood.”

Relief spread across the five faces.

At that moment, the sound of hoofbeats came.

This time, only one horse.

It was Fernandez.

His face was pale with fury.

“Lee Jun-hyuk!”

He shouted without dismounting.

“Why are you stealing my workers?”

“What do you mean?”

Lee Jun-hyuk answered calmly.

“I simply accepted those seeking work.”

“They are my farm’s workers!”

“You haven’t paid them for over two months, have you?”

Fernandez’s face grew redder.

“That’s… that’s my business!”

“Well, hiring them is mine.”

The surrounding workers held their breath, watching silently.

The five newcomers shrank slightly but did not leave.

“You!”

Fernandez glared at them.

“Go back at once! Or else…”

“Or else what?”

Lee Jun-hyuk interjected.

“You’re not threatening me, are you? There are over twenty witnesses here.”

Fernandez looked around.

Indeed, more than twenty workers surrounded him.

All were on Lee Jun-hyuk’s side.

“Fine. You’ll all regret this.”

Fernandez pointed at the five men.

“And you, Mister Lee.”

He glared fiercely.

“You want a war?”

“The war was started by you.”

Lee Jun-hyuk stepped forward.

“Sending the police, hiding opium, shooting at The Wall. Now you want to talk about war?”

Fernandez’s expression darkened.

“Do you have proof?”

“Proof?”

Lee Jun-hyuk sneered.

“Everyone here saw you chasing people at The Wall—Miguel, Pablo, Ramon, even Carlos.”

The named witnesses nodded.

Fernandez was visibly flustered.

He probably didn’t expect so many to witness the incident at The Wall.

“That was chasing thieves!”

“Thieves? Shooting at honest workers?”

Lee Jun-hyuk raised his voice intentionally.

So everyone around could hear.

“You heard it too. This man treats workers like thieves and doesn’t even pay fair wages!”

A chorus of agreement rose.

The workers’ expressions began to change.

Anger slowly spread.

“Shut up!”

Fernandez shouted.

But it was too late.

“It’s not two months but three!”

Someone in the crowd shouted.

“My brother hasn’t been paid for four months!”

Others joined in.

Fernandez’s face turned pale.

“Quiet! All of you!”

“We won’t be quiet anymore.”

Lee Jun-hyuk spoke decisively.

“At Santa Rosa Plantation, every worker receives fair treatment. You get paid for your work and treated with dignity.”

He looked around at the workers.

“Anyone who wants to work, come. It doesn’t matter your skin color or clothes. Just work sincerely.”

“You bastard!”

Fernandez raised his whip.

At that moment, Miguel stepped forward.

The big man’s presence made Fernandez flinch.

“You can’t do this here.”

Miguel’s voice was quiet but threatening.

Others stepped forward one by one.

The circle around Fernandez tightened.

“Back off! Everyone back off!”

Fernandez panicked.

He looked thoroughly terrified.

“Mr. Fernandez.”

Lee Jun-hyuk spoke calmly.

“You should leave. And don’t bother our workers anymore.”

“We’ll see about that!”

Fernandez shouted hastily.

“Sanchez won’t stand for this! You’ll all regret it!”

Then he hurriedly fled, kicking up dust.

His retreat looked pitiful.

“Let’s get back to work!”

Jose shouted.

The workers cheered and returned to their tasks.

The five newcomers also moved energetically.

“Well done.”

Carlos approached.

“But Sanchez won’t stay quiet.”

“I know.”

Lee Jun-hyuk nodded.

“That’s why we must prepare. Carlos, send another telegram to Matanzas.”

“To whom?”

“To Thomas Morgan. Tell him we urgently need a lawyer.”

“Understood.”

After Carlos left, Lee Jun-hyuk entered the office.

On the desk lay the roster of new workers for the day.

More than twenty names.

“More will come tomorrow.

The word will spread quickly.

Santa Rosa Plantation pays daily wages on time, and the Oriental Network’s manager supports the workers.

And the Spanish plantation owners…”

“They’ll be forced into a corner even more.”

But it had already begun.

The Solidarity of the Outsiders.

***

By evening, an unexpected visitor came.

“Señor Lee?”

At the door stood a woman in her mid-forties, of mixed heritage.

Her attire was neat but simple, and she carried a basket.

“Yes, how can I help you?”

“I’m Martha, Jose’s wife. He works here now, formerly from Fernandez Farm.”

She was the wife of one of the five men who had come earlier.

“Oh, please come in.”

“No, I just wanted to give you this.”

Martha extended the basket.

Inside were cornbread and fruit.

“What’s this?”

“A thank-you gift. My husband got paid for the first time in two months—50 pesos.”

Her eyes glistened.

“The children ate their fill today. Really, thank you so much.”

Lee Jun-hyuk felt a lump in his chest.

“I just did what’s right.”

“Right? Nobody here ever did that.”

Martha lowered her voice.

“And I know others. People working at Sanchez Farm say their wages are also overdue.”

“How many?”

“More than ten. They all have families. If there’s work available…”

“Tell them all to come tomorrow morning.”

“Really?”

Martha’s face brightened.

“Yes, we need a lot of hands.”

“I’ll be sure to tell them. Thank you so much.”

After Martha left, Lee Jun-hyuk looked inside the basket.

Warm cornbread steamed gently.

He took a bite.

Sweet and nutty.

“For people like these… I have to work even harder!”

By 9 p.m., Carlos returned.

“I sent the telegram. And here.”

He took an envelope out.

“What’s this?”

“From Zhen Hao. Payment for the First Transaction.”

Opening it revealed a check.

$6,000.

“Already sold?”

“An American merchant in Havana bought it immediately. He said the quality was good and wants to trade again.”

Good news.

“And there’s more.”

Carlos pulled out a newspaper.

It was the Matanzas Newspaper.

“Look at this.”

A small article was printed on one page.

< Sanchez Farm Delays Bank Loan Repayment >

“Oh!”

“So the rumor was true. Sanchez is also struggling financially.”

Lee Jun-hyuk read the article carefully.

Sanchez Farm had taken out a large loan last year but was having trouble repaying due to poor harvests.

“What about this info?”

“There’s a Chinese employee at the bank. He gave the tip.”

Indeed, the power of the Network.

“Sanchez is weakening.”

“Yes. That’s why more will come.”

“We need to prepare.”

Lee Jun-hyuk calculated while looking at the check.

He pictured what could be done with the money.

“Early tomorrow morning, let’s go to the village to buy farming tools. Also, purchase food supplies in bulk.”

“Food supplies?”

“We’ll provide lunch for the workers.”

“That will cost…”

“If we provide lunch on top of the daily wage, more people will come—especially from Sanchez and Fernandez Farms.”

Carlos was impressed.

“You’re trying to take all their workers.”

“It’s fair competition.”

Lee Jun-hyuk smiled.

“They started this war.”

Night deepened, but the light of hope burned bright at Santa Rosa Plantation.

More people would come tomorrow.

And the Spanish plantation owners would be pushed further into a corner.

“This is only the beginning.”