Chapter 16: Between Enemy and Ally

Lee Jun-hyuk quietly watched Sanchez.

“Help… please be specific.”

Sanchez sighed deeply.

The week after selling the plantation had been hell.

He had received the money, but that was not the end.

In the Spanish community, he was already buried.

“They call me a traitor. A collaborator who sold land to an Asian.”

“Didn’t you expect that when you sold it?”

“I knew, but—”

Sanchez clenched his fist tightly.

“I didn’t expect it to get this bad. They’re even threatening my family. My daughter is being bullied at school, and my wife can’t even buy anything at the market.”

A heavy silence fell.

Lee Jun-hyuk could see that Sanchez was telling the truth.

There was no deception in his eyes.

Only desperation.

“So, what kind of help do you want?”

“I have information.”

Sanchez leaned forward.

“I know how the Governor-General’s Office plans to suppress you. I attended their meeting.”

Lee Jun-hyuk’s eyes sharpened.

“Go on.”

“First, taxes. They’ll suddenly launch an investigation and create problems.”

Sanchez lowered his voice further.

“Second, the workers. They’ll fabricate claims that some of your employees are involved in the Anti-American Movement.”

It was a more elaborate plan than expected.

“Will they also fabricate evidence?”

“Of course. It’s not difficult for them.”

Jose and Miguel exchanged uneasy looks.

If this happens, it would be difficult to respond.

It’s legal pressure, so there’s no cause for resistance.

“Thank you for the information. What do you want in return?”

“Give me a job.”

Sanchez’s answer surprised Lee Jun-hyuk.

“A job?”

“Yes. I ran a plantation for 40 years. I have experience. Let me work on your plantation.”

A proud Spanish landowner willing to work under an Asian.

That showed how desperate the situation was.

“Don’t you hate me?”

“I did. It’s not completely gone now, but—”

Sanchez gave a bitter laugh.

“Everyone has to eat, right? I have a family.”

Lee Jun-hyuk thought for a moment.

Accepting Sanchez was dangerous.

He might be a double agent or have other hidden motives.

But it was also an opportunity.

A window to gather intelligence on Spanish society.

And a plantation expert with 40 years of experience.

“Alright.”

Lee Jun-hyuk made his decision.

“But there are conditions.”

“Please, tell me.”

“First, you will be treated just like the other employees. No special treatment.”

Sanchez nodded.

“Second, past grudges end here. If you cause any trouble on the plantation, you will be immediately expelled.”

“Of course.”

“Third.”

Lee Jun-hyuk looked Sanchez in the eye.

“If you betray me, the price will be greater than losing money.”

A cold warning.

Sanchez swallowed hard.

He sensed something dangerous in this young Asian’s eyes.

“I promise.”

“Then start work tomorrow. Jose will assign your duties.”

Sanchez stood.

Just as he was about to leave, he turned back.

“Mr. Lee, one more warning.”

“Go ahead.”

“There is someone you need to be more careful of than the Governor-General’s Office.”

He looked around cautiously and whispered.

“Roberto Escobar.”

“Roberto Escobar?”

Lee Jun-hyuk repeated the name.

It was unfamiliar.

“He’s the Sugar King of Havana.”

Sanchez’s face darkened.

“A monster controlling 20% of all sugar production in Cuba. Even the Governor-General’s Office dares not touch him.”

Jose breathed deeply.

“Escobar? I’ve only heard rumors…”

“A very dangerous man.”

Sanchez looked at Lee Jun-hyuk.

“You are growing too fast. It’s better to be careful before you catch his attention.”

Having said that, Sanchez left.

Those left behind remained silent for a while.

The weight of the name Roberto Escobar was heavy.

“Jose, what do you know about him?”

“Not much. But…”

Jose spoke cautiously.

“About ten years ago, a small plantation owner tried to compete with him and disappeared. Along with his entire family.”

An ominous story.

“Miguel, double the security from tomorrow.”

“Understood.”

“And Jose, tell the employees to be careful for now. Especially to report immediately if strangers approach.”

After the two left, Lee Jun-hyuk was alone again.

The ledger remained open on the desk.

But the numbers no longer caught his eyes.

“The game is getting too big.”

Originally, he planned to quietly earn money and leave.

But reality was different.

The Governor-General’s Office, the Chinese Merchants’ Association, and now the Sugar King Escobar.

But Escobar was a new figure not present in his previous life?

Well, there could have been a Sugar King in Cuba after all.

In any case, contrary to his original plan, he was being swept into a gigantic whirlpool.

This is why you have to do things yourself to really understand.

No matter how much knowledge you have of the future, success is not guaranteed.

“But now, I can’t back down.”

He had already come too far.

Over 200 employees and their families trusted him.

***

3 a.m.

Lee Jun-hyuk still couldn’t sleep.

Stars shone outside the window.

A peaceful night, but his heart was far from peaceful.

He took out stationery from his drawer.

It was a letter to James Morgan.

He needed to explain the current situation and seek advice.

He picked up the pen but then put it down again.

He was at a loss where to begin.

Pressure from the Governor-General’s Office? Threats from Escobar? Or a new alliance?

After much deliberation, he picked up the pen again.

It was a lie.

But he could not write the truth.

He knew the old man’s health was not good.

He didn’t want to cause worry.

He finished the letter and sealed the envelope.

At that moment, a dog barked outside.

It was different from usual.

A sharp, low bark, as if alerting to something.

Lee Jun-hyuk immediately stood.

He checked the revolver at his waist and carefully approached the window.

Under the moonlight, the plantation was quiet.

But the silence only made him more uneasy.

Then, at the entrance, faint lights appeared.

One, two, three.

People carrying torches were approaching.

“It’s begun.”

Lee Jun-hyuk calmly assessed the situation.

About ten people.

They were on horseback.

Slowly but surely approaching the plantation.

Governor-General’s Office agents?

Escobar’s subordinates?

Or someone else?

Lee Jun-hyuk moved quickly.

He changed clothes and headed to the hallway.

Jose was already running.

“Mr. Lee! Someone’s coming!”

“I saw them. Miguel?”

“He’s waking the employees.”

“Good. But tell them not to panic.”

The two hurried toward the entrance.

Outside, the guards stood tensely.

Some held farming tools, but no proper weapons.

“Who goes there?”

Miguel shouted loudly.

The mounted group stopped at the gate.

One of the riders raised a torch high.

“We seek Lee Jun-hyuk of Santa Rosa Plantation!”

It was a young man’s voice.

His Spanish was fluent but with an accent.

He didn’t seem Cuban.

“I am he.”

Lee Jun-hyuk stepped forward.

“What brings you here at this hour?”

The torchbearer dismounted.

Up close, he looked to be in his early thirties.

He wore a neat suit and a bowler hat.

He was neither a bandit nor a mercenary.

“I am Leonardo Vasquez.”

The man greeted respectfully.

“I am Mr. Escobar’s secretary.”

Tension rippled through the group.

Lee Jun-hyuk remained calm.

Though the visit came earlier than expected, there was no cause for panic.

“Visiting at dawn is hardly polite.”

“Apologies, but there are too many eyes during the day.”

Leonardo smiled meaningfully.

“Mr. Escobar wishes to meet you. Immediately.”

“Now?”

“Yes. He’s in Havana. The carriage takes two hours to arrive.”

It was an invitation hard to refuse.

No, more than an invitation… a summons.

“Please give me some time to prepare.”

“I will give you ten minutes.”

Leonardo checked his watch.

Lee Jun-hyuk returned to the office.

Jose followed.

“This is dangerous! If you go—”

“It’s fine.”

Lee Jun-hyuk opened the safe.

He took out a bundle of documents.

Copies of all plantation-related papers.

“If I don’t return by tomorrow morning, send these to Morgan & Associates Trading Co.”

“Mr. Lee!”

“And this as well.”

He handed over another envelope.

“Give it to Zhen Hao. It contains necessary information.”

Jose’s eyes welled up.

He realized this young Asian was risking his life for them.

“Return safely.”

“Of course.”

Lee Jun-hyuk smiled.

“There is still much to do.”

Ten minutes later.

Lee Jun-hyuk boarded Leonardo’s carriage.

As they left the plantation, he looked back.

The employees watched with worried expressions.

“I will definitely return.”

The carriage disappeared into the darkness.

***

The road to Havana was rough.

But Lee Jun-hyuk’s heart was calm.

“Would you like a cigar?”

Leonardo offered.

“No, thank you. I must decline.”

“Wise. People here smoke too much. It’s a problem.”

Leonardo looked out the window.

“Mr. Lee, I’ve heard much about you. You’ve accomplished amazing things in a short time.”

“I was just lucky.”

“Luck…”

Leonardo smiled meaningfully.

“Mr. Escobar doesn’t believe in luck. He only trusts power and results.”

The carriage kept rolling forward.

The Cuban plains at dawn were silent.

Only the occasional sound of hooves broke the stillness.

“What kind of man is Mr. Escobar?”

Lee Jun-hyuk asked.

He needed to know his counterpart to respond properly.

“He’s difficult to describe in one word,” Leonardo said after a moment’s thought.

“He might be a genius… or a demon.”

“Can those two coexist?”

“You’ll understand when you meet him.”

No further explanation was given.

About an hour passed.

The eastern sky began to brighten faintly.

“Let’s take a break.”

Leonardo stopped the carriage.

They reached a small stable.

While the groom watered the horse, Leonardo lit a cigar.

“Mr. Lee.”

He exhaled smoke and said,

“Here’s a piece of advice. Don’t lie in front of Mr. Escobar.”

“What do you mean?”

“He can see through people. Lies won’t help you.”

An ominous warning.

Lee Jun-hyuk nodded.

He had no intention of lying anyway.

But that didn’t mean he had to reveal everything.

The carriage resumed its journey.

As Havana drew nearer, the road widened.

More people appeared.

Mostly peasants heading to the market.

Finally, they arrived in Havana.

The Cuban capital was bustling from early morning.

Spanish-style buildings lined the streets, filled with carriages and people.

“There it is.”

Leonardo pointed to a large mansion in the city center.

A five-story white building.

Each balcony was adorned with lavish decorations.

Armed guards stood at the entrance.

“Please show your identification.”

A guard approached.

Leonardo showed something, and the path was immediately cleared.

Inside, a different world unfolded.

Marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and gold-leafed furniture.

An overwhelming display of wealth.

“This way.”

They went up to the third floor.

At the end of a long corridor, Leonardo stopped before a large door.

“Enter. He is waiting.”

Lee Jun-hyuk took a deep breath.

He opened the door and stepped inside.

It was a spacious study.

Bookshelves covered the walls, a large globe sat in the corner, and a massive desk stood by the window.

Behind it sat a man.

“Welcome.”

Roberto Escobar.

He looked to be in his mid-fifties.

His gray hair was neatly combed, and his sharp gaze was intellectual.

He wore an expensive suit, but more than that, his aura was overwhelming.

“Sit.”

Lee Jun-hyuk took a seat.

Escobar studied him silently for a long moment.

As if appraising or dissecting him.

“I hear you’re 25.”

“Yes.”

“Young. Too young.”

Escobar leaned back in his chair.

“To dare challenge my territory at that age… brave or foolish?”

“It’s not a challenge.”

Lee Jun-hyuk spoke calmly.

“I just want to survive.”

“Survive…”

Escobar smiled.

A cold smile.

“Good. Then I’ll ask you. Do you really think you can survive?”

His question carried a threat.

But Lee Jun-hyuk did not flinch.

“I intend to try.”

“Try?”

Escobar stood.

He walked to the window and looked out over Havana.

“See this city? I built it. An empire made of sugar.”

He turned back.

“And now, you want to shake that empire.”

“I only—”

“No excuses.”

Escobar raised a hand to stop him.

“Instead, I have a proposal. Join me.”