Max thought now was the right time to negotiate.
‘The Maginot Line is a thousand dollars.’
A consolation prize for the California Rangers who have had a hard time chasing Murrieta.
And a thousand dollars was a reasonable amount for a settlement that would leave no grudge or revenge on the bastards.
‘It’s possible given the current mood.’
That’s when Max was about to start a deal with Harry Love.
“How about doing it this way instead?”
Someone suddenly interrupted.
The holiday I saw in the square.
He appeared in the hall leading the crowd.
Behind the inn.
Around the shabby barn, thirty armed men were emitting a gloomy, dark air.
*
“You California Rangers, let’s settle for a thousand dollars, and this Asian guy, you caught him yourself, so let’s settle for two thousand dollars.”
“What the hell is this?”
Holiday’s remarks drew harsh criticism from the Rangers.
On the other hand, a smile appeared on Max’s lips and quickly disappeared.
‘Did you anticipate this situation in advance?’
Max liked the holiday, as did the reasonable bounty distribution.
Harry Love looked at Holiday, who had suddenly barged in, with his characteristically droopy eyes.
“I don’t know who you are, but please check the location and come in.”
“Sorry for the late introduction. I am Cyrus Carltz Holliday, a businessman from Pennsylvania.”
It emphasizes Pennsylvania in the east, not Kansas. It was intended to show that he was a proper businessman in the east, not a country town.
But Harry Love’s reaction was lukewarm.
“Young man, why don’t you go about your business? Why are you meddling in other people’s business?”
“I’m interested in this guy.”
Harry Love points to Max, chuckling.
“What interest do you have in a guy who’s going to die soon?”
“That’s because I said I wouldn’t die alone.”
Holiday looked at Max, who didn’t back down, with a strange look, then spoke to Harry Love.
“Is that the way to handle things? The California Legislature will never offer you a bounty.”
“I don’t understand why everyone is bragging so much about what they know about Congress.”
Holiday said, raising the corners of his lips.
“I know quite a few people besides Governor John Bigler, Leader of the Assembly Neely Johnson, and John McDougall.”
“······”
“Take the body and I will never give you money. I will pay you instead.”
Harry Love’s eyes sparkled.
When it came to money, it was necessary to listen to what the capitalists had to say.
“I’ll save you the time of collecting the bounty and give you a thousand dollars right here and now.”
“now?”
“Right now.”
As soon as Holiday finished speaking, the man behind him handed over a heavy bundle of money.
The Rangers looked at it with eyes that were both absurd and greedy.
There was a moment of silence, then Harry Love spoke.
“Why are you doing this just for one lucky Asian? Your business is going to fail soon.”
“I won’t do anything that will harm me either. I’ll get it all from the California legislature.
“Hey. Just in case, I took pictures with the gangsters’ bodies, so don’t think about it.”
“hmm···”
Harry Love glanced at his subordinates.
Everyone nodded. They wanted to collect their money and leave right away.
If negotiations fail here, all that’s left is to fight tooth and nail.
The Rangers’ sacrifices were inevitable against the ten men brought by Max and Holiday.
Nobody wanted that to happen.
Harry Love finally nods.
“Maybe it’s because I’m a businessman, but I like how refreshing it is.”
“The deal has to be done for sure.”
The moment the bundle of money was moved.
“Wait. I didn’t agree?”
A transaction that comes and goes without excluding oneself.
If you just look at it, isn’t it a clear certification of being a fool?
As Max clicked his tongue in amazement, the watching Rangers became even more astonished.
“Why is that kid so confident on his own?”
This is a common behavior among those who have nothing to lose. Max was a typical example of a kid who lives only for today.
The Rangers, on the other hand, had something to lose.
The money right in front of their eyes made their lives precious.
Max ignored the Rangers’ reaction and looked at Holiday.
He needed a capable gunman to protect him, and he came to me with money for that purpose.
‘You too had a hunch that Kansas would soon be in trouble.’
*
– Let’s finish this first. I’ll give the rest to our Asian friend.
Holiday sorted things out by offering Max a separate cash payment.
Harry Love, who had gathered a thick bundle of money, glared at Max and muttered a word.
“Aesongi. When we meet again, be prepared.”
“Don’t be prepared, just have a drink with a smile.”
“Alcohol? How cheeky of a kid.”
As Max put his hands on his waist, Harry Love and the Rangers took another step back. Someone in the Rangers let out a self-deprecating sigh, feeling sorry for themselves.
A while later, Harry Love led the swearing Rangers out of town.
Max snorted and watched them walk away.
“Shall we have a proper conversation now?”
By the time the Rangers were out of sight.
Holiday spoke up.
He is 28 this year.
There was a ten year age gap between him and Max.
“So what about my two thousand dollars?”
“I’ll give it to you tomorrow. What can I do if the bank says there’s no money? But you speak Korean well.”
Perhaps because he grew up wealthy, Holiday seemed clear and pure, unlike the gloomy Joseon Dynasty’s Imaksan.
“Anyway, you said you wanted to be my bodyguard?”
“Yes. But···”
Max glanced behind Holiday.
“Are they not enough?”
“I have to do more work. If I spread out to different businesses, I won’t have enough security personnel.”
“Is that all there is to it?”
“Well… the atmosphere has been a bit tense lately.”
Max nodded and said.
“What are the conditions?”
Holiday leaned in and whispered in Max’s ear.
“Ten dollars a week.”
“You’re a miner.”
“······ Originally, the price of a miner was the most expensive.”
“What are you talking about? There must be more governors.”
“You’re not the governor?”
“I’m not a miner.”
Holiday dropped his face for a moment with a squeak, but soon thrust in again.
“Thirteen dollars. No more than that. Considering your age and the fact that you’re Asian.”
“Okay, then.”
“What other conditions are there?”
“Saturday and Sunday are holidays···?”
Holiday’s eyes waver.
He soon burst into laughter.
“It’s natural to rest on Sunday, but isn’t it excessive to rest on Saturday as well?”
“You shouldn’t think of it as a break. Self-development can enhance your ability to perform security duties.”
“……Okay, I’ll work the morning shift on Saturday. But I’ll take a dollar off my pay.”
‘This guy is good at dealing.’
Max nodded willingly.
In fact, it was quite unconventional to make such a suggestion to an Asian.
But to those behind Holiday, Max was nothing more than an Asian who suddenly appeared. His expression was calm, but his eyes were filled with contempt and jealousy.
‘I need to get in shape quickly.’
The work of guarding the holiday was scheduled to begin a month later.
Of course I was shocked, but I made an excuse that I was going to get malnutrition because I didn’t eat enough.
“Oh, well. Anyway, I’ll bring the money tomorrow, so let’s meet then.”
“Then, first of all, could I ask for a thousand dollars?”
“A thousand dollars? What if I change my mind later?”
Max narrowed his eyes and didn’t answer. Holiday snickered and turned away.
*
“Is it really necessary to go this far?”
The man next to Holiday asked.
He was a man named Albert Epston, a former officer in the Mexican War.
“Why, because he’s Asian?”
“Well, that’s something too. But it’s just a twisted, dried-up pine tree.”
Although 18 is not a young age, Max definitely looks younger.
“Captain Rangers, do you know Harry Love?”
“To some extent.”
“You’re pretty good with guns, huh?”
“Well, he’s a famous person in that area.”
“Faced with that guy and 19 Rangers, the Oriental kid didn’t back down at all.”
Albert didn’t answer.
Holiday looked at him slyly and said.
“Five Joakins is not a weak gang. Harry Love has lost three times and even lost two of his men. He was also defeated by Murrieta and Three Fingered Jack’s gun skills. Isn’t it natural for me to want Max?”
“······.”
“For your information, the gold stolen by Five Joakins is a whopping $100,000. That’s probably why the California legislature recently raised the bounty from $3,000 to $5,000.”
“Five thousand dollars… you mean?”
“Shh, it’s a secret.”
Holiday smiled and brought his index finger to his lips.
Albert said no more.
Although I still disliked the skinny Asians, I realized something new about the holidays.
‘I will never do anything that will harm me.’
I thought I was just making a fuss, but Holiday made $2,000 sitting down.
“If the Rangers find out about this, will they just stay quiet?”
“That’s Max’s job to handle.”
“······.”
“Why are you looking at me like that? Didn’t I say I was going to eat it all?”
*
The armed men disappeared.
Silence fell around the barn, as if nothing had happened.
‘It’s going smoothly so far.’
He had reached an amicable settlement with the California Rangers, and within two months of being thrown out west, he had money and a job.
The weapons were three pistols, two rifles, and three Bowie knives. It was an over-equipped weapon, but it would come in handy later.
A time when I was thinking about various things.
Max suddenly drew his sword.
And then he threw it in one direction.
Shhhhh. Shhhh.
“Huh!”
Someone took a deep breath, and Max walked over to the knife stuck in the corner wooden wall.
“Stop hiding and come out. Before you get a hole in your body.”
“······.”
The one who appeared with an embarrassed face was Bouncer.
Max knew he had been hiding and watching since the holiday came.
“Have you come to collect payment for water?”
“Oh, no. I have something to tell you. Ahem.”
“What do you want to say?”
“What is it? Come to the inn and sleep today.”
“Did the rules suddenly change?”
“I just do what the owner tells me to do.”
Max stroked his chin for a moment, thinking.
I looked into where this sudden change in attitude came from.
‘Fame. Connections. Or maybe you’re blocking them in advance because you’re afraid they’ll cause trouble later?’
Whatever it is, I think I know one thing.
That when you gain fame and fortune, racism becomes a non-issue.
Max stared into the bouncer’s cowering eyes.
“If possible, give me a room with a bathroom.”
*
Max stared at his face in the bathroom mirror.
‘Is it because the kid is young? Why doesn’t he have a beard?’
Being young was good, but his bare skin and lack of facial hair made Max look even younger.
But there were also some unexpected things that didn’t match the age.
‘That’s very solid.’
Strictly speaking, he was better than Jo Yoo-gang in his previous life.
Max looked at himself in front of the mirror and smiled with satisfaction.
Soak your body in a bathtub filled with water.
Even though it hadn’t been long, the dirty water was already floating around.
‘Come to think of it, this is my first time taking a bath since coming to America.’
Maybe it’s the first time since I was born.
Even though I may have immersed myself in the stream, there was no scene of bathing in any of my memories of Mt. Imak.
Max got out of the bathtub after an hour and put on his new underwear and clothes, feeling refreshed.
These were the things James and Mary bought at the clothing store.
Boots that reach down to the calves. Pants, shirt, and even a vest, all black.
‘The style isn’t bad.’
It was a bit creepy to think that the clothes belonged to a dead person, and someone might recognize them. I burned them all to erase any traces.
The restaurant of an inn, not in the wilderness. For once, Max had dinner in a place with a roof.
“When we eat together like this, we feel like family.”
Cornel couldn’t keep her mouth shut, as if she was in a good mood. James and Mary were also as happy as if Max was staying at the inn.
“It’s a shame that we have to live apart from each other from now on. There were a lot of things I wanted to learn from Max···.”
