Riri sighed. "If it's going to be like this, we're not just researching the market; we also need to research its history."
Marlon chuckled softly. "Yeah, who knows, we might end up writing a history thesis instead."
Pak Herman lifted his cup. "The important thing is, don't forget to drink some tea first. Otherwise, the history we're discussing might change because our heads are overheating."
They all laughed. What had started as a serious discussion now lightened up, though it still left big questions that they needed to dig deeper into.
Marlon tapped his fingers on the table, his eyes focused straight ahead, as if threading together the strands of thought in his mind. He exhaled slowly, then began speaking in a deeper, calmer tone.
Marlon: "Actually, there's a simple way to figure out who the villain is in any situation. Or, even if they're not the villain, at least we can see who's benefiting the most. Just ask one simple thing: who stands to gain the most?"
Riri squinted. "What do you mean? Can't profit come naturally without someone pulling the strings?"
Marlon smiled faintly. "It can, but in many significant events—whether in history, politics, or economics—nothing really happens by chance. There's usually someone who benefits, whether directly or indirectly. And the ones who benefit, whether they realize it or not, almost always have a role in pushing the event to happen."
Pak Herman leaned back in his chair, his expression now more serious. "So, if we apply that to a real example, what do you think, Lon?"
Marlon raised an eyebrow, looking at Pak Herman with a sharp gaze. "Okay, let's take a modern political example. Let's say there's a huge riot in a country. The people are restless, the government is shaky, and the media is busy covering the chaos. The question is: who benefits the most from this situation?"
Romo nodded slowly, joining in Marlon's train of thought. "In a political upheaval, there are usually two possibilities. Either the opposition wants to seize power, or the current rulers want to create fear so they can stay in control."
Marlon smiled faintly. "Exactly. The riot might not just be the people's anger, but a group stirring things up to worsen the situation. Maybe they want to overthrow the current leader, or maybe the leader himself is trying to create a crisis to justify more control over the people."
Riri swallowed, starting to understand this line of thinking. "So, whenever something big happens, we just look at who suddenly has more power, more money, or more access, and they're likely involved in all of it?"
Marlon: "Bingo. It might not be them pressing the button directly, but they're behind the scenes, making sure everything plays out according to their desires. Look at who gets a new political position, who's suddenly doing well in business, or who gets a lot of public sympathy. That's usually a big clue."
Pak Herman chuckled softly. "Well, this is interesting. So, you think there's no big crime that's really spontaneous?"
Marlon shook his head. "Almost never. Because chaos for some people might mean disaster, but for others, it means opportunity."
Romo looked at Marlon with admiration. "So, if we apply this to our research at the market... Who benefits from unhealthy competition, price wars, or even the thugs wandering around?"
Marlon looked at Romo with a meaningful smile. "That's what we need to find out. And I'm sure the answer isn't just 'the successful merchant selling more.' There's something much bigger behind all of that."
The room fell silent for a moment. Riri stared at the table, Romo stroked his chin, and Pak Herman grinned widely as if enjoying this mental game.
Pak Herman finally slapped the table, breaking the silence. "Hahaha! If I had said something like this back in my day, I'd probably have vanished without a trace!"
Riri and Romo laughed, while Marlon just smiled contentedly. He knew this discussion was just the beginning of something much bigger.
Marlon leaned back in his chair, his gaze sharp but with a smile full of meaning. He glanced at Pak Herman, then said casually but seriously,
Marlon: "If I lived in your time, the mastermind would be even clearer. If I spoke like this and suddenly disappeared, it would be obvious who benefited."
Pak Herman laughed, slapping his thigh. "Hahaha! Exactly! That's why back then, people preferred to stay silent rather than suddenly be 'relocated' to a place that couldn't be found on any map."
Romo shook his head while chuckling, and Riri could only smile wryly, understanding how serious their jokes were. But Marlon wasn't finished. He leaned forward slightly, as if he had just discovered something big.
Marlon: "I once read a concept about revolutions. The gist of it is that a revolution isn't really about the people fighting the rulers, but more about 'new plutocrats replacing old plutocrats.'"
Riri furrowed her brow. "What do you mean?"
Marlon: "Revolutions almost always happen not because the people truly win and take over the power, but because a new elite group wants to replace the old elite. So what really happens isn't a complete system change, but a shift in who controls the system."
Romo looked at Marlon with intense interest. "So, you think revolutions aren't about justice or fighting for the people's rights?"
Marlon took a deep breath, then looked at Romo seriously. "Sometimes, yes, but often no. If we look at history, after a big revolution, the ones who rise to power are usually not the farmers, workers, or common folk, but those who already had capital and political power from the start. They may not be as strong as the old elites, but they're strong enough to lead the change and replace the old guard."
Pak Herman nodded while chuckling. "True. Back then, those who supposedly represented the people ended up becoming the new rulers. The pattern keeps repeating."
Riri paused, trying to digest this. "So, revolutions are just about replacing people, not truly changing the system?"
Marlon smiled faintly. "A lot of them are like that. But of course, there are revolutions that truly bring change. It's just that, often, the change only happens on the surface, while those in power remain the ones with bigger access and influence."
Romo stroked his chin. "So, we go back to the original question. Who benefits from every chaos?"
Marlon nodded. "Exactly. Who stays solid after everything falls apart? Who's assets and influence grow? The answer lies there."
Pak Herman took a deep breath, then looked at them with a mysterious smile. "Young people these days are quick to catch on. If you can think like this, you'd better not be too vocal on social media. You might just end up on the list of people who need to be 'disappeared.'"
They all laughed, but in that laughter was the realization that the world wasn't as simple as what was taught in history books.
Riri looked at Marlon and Romo, then spoke thoughtfully:
Riri: "I'm reminded of a saying I once read, though I'm not sure where it came from. The saying goes, 'The dragon slayer becomes the dragon.' It means that someone who initially fights against tyranny or evil can, over time, become like the enemy they fought."
Marlon: "Interesting, Riri. That saying describes how power can change someone."
Riri: "Exactly, Marlon. It reinforces your earlier point about revolutions often just swapping one elite group for another, without any real change for the people."
Romo: "So, the point is, we must always be cautious of changes that seem good, because they might just be a role reversal without real improvement."
Pak Herman: "Exactly. History is full of examples like that. That's why it's important for us to always stay critical and not be swayed by sweet promises of change."
They all nodded in agreement, realizing how crucial it was to understand the dynamics of power and change in society.
In the simple but cozy living room of Pak Herman's house, they were still sitting around the table with laptops open, displaying footage from the market earlier that morning. The discussion about revolutions, power, and history eventually subsided after a long conversation that had really worked their minds.
Pak Herman, who had been listening intently, suddenly chuckled softly.
Pak Herman: "Alright, enough with the heavy talk. Our heads will explode. You're taking things too seriously, talking about the state, when what we can fix is right in front of us. Instead of arguing about which ruler wins or loses, we'd better focus on who can sell more at the market!"
Marlon, Riri, and Romo exchanged glances, then laughed together. The atmosphere lightened.
Pak Herman: "Now, let's get back to our task. You've recorded the market scene, right? Now, explain to me, from what you saw, how the Seven Deadly Sins and Seven Heavenly Virtues come into play."
Marlon took a deep breath, then began to think hard. He stared at the laptop screen, watching footage of a vendor trying to sell his goods cheaper than his competitors.
Seven Deadly Sins in the Market
Marlon: "Well, if we're talking about the Seven Deadly Sins, I can see at least a few that are quite visible in the market today."
Greed – "It's clear. There's a vendor who said, 'They all get their goods from me, so I'm definitely the cheapest.' This could be true, or it could be manipulation. But there's a sense that he wants to monopolize the market by ensuring he controls the prices."
Envy – "When one vendor offers a discount, his competitor immediately offers an even bigger one. This is a clear example of how envy can fuel a price war, which in the long run can hurt them both."
Wrath – "There's some tension between competing vendors. Maybe not enough to start a fight, but from their tone of voice and expressions, you can see there's hidden animosity. They smile in front of customers, but behind the scenes, they might be backstabbing each other."
Sloth – "In one of the clips, there's a vendor just sitting and waiting for customers to come, while others are actively offering their products. As a result, their stall is quieter than the others."
Gluttony – "The thugs and loan sharks roaming the market fit here. They take advantage of small vendors who are already struggling to survive."
Lust – "It might not be directly visible in the buying and selling transactions, but in the interactions at the market, there are moments where male vendors flirt with female customers, or even flirt with each other. It might just be teasing, but it could also be a form of exploitation."
Pride – "Some vendors insist their goods are the best and the cheapest, even when it's clear there's something better right next door. This pride can be good for confidence, but it can also make them reluctant to innovate or learn from their competitors."
Pak Herman nodded, then looked at Romo and Riri.
Pak Herman: "Interesting. But what about the Seven Heavenly Virtues? Are there any virtues in this competitive market?"
Seven Heavenly Virtues in the Market
Romo, who had been reflecting, finally spoke.
Romo: "Yes, Pak. Even though the market seems harsh, it doesn't mean that everything happening there is evil."
Charity (Generosity) – "We saw a vendor who set aside some of their goods to give to beggars or loyal customers who couldn't afford them. This is a real example of how virtue can survive amidst competition."
Diligence (Diligence) – "There are some vendors who are very determined. They wake up earlier, neatly arrange their goods, and actively offer their products. This shows that hard work is still the key to surviving in the market."
Patience (Patience) – "A good vendor doesn't get angry when a customer offers a price that's too low. They still serve them with a smile, even though they know that customer may not buy anything."
Humility (Humility) – "There's a vendor who doesn't feel the need to badmouth their competitors. They focus only on selling the best products at fair prices. This shows that not everyone is caught up in arrogance."
Kindness (Kindness) – "Some give a little extra for free to their loyal customers. They call it a 'bonus blessing.' Even though it's small, this can help build a good relationship between the vendor and the buyer."
Temperance (Self-Control) – "There are vendors who, even though they know they could charge higher prices, choose to sell at fair prices. They avoid greed, which could harm the customers in the long run."
Chastity (Purity of Heart) – "This might be harder to see directly, but in social interactions, there are vendors who maintain a good attitude and words, not trying to exploit situations for inappropriate personal gain."
After Romo finished explaining, they all paused for a moment, digesting the analysis they had just made.
Pak Herman smiled with satisfaction.
Pak Herman: "Well, now you see it for yourselves. This world isn't as simple as black and white. The market we just saw may seem peaceful on the surface, but underneath, there's a very complex dynamic. There's sin, there's virtue. Both pull against each other, creating an invisible balance."
Marlon nodded. "And our task now is to understand that balance. Not to judge too quickly, but also not to naively see the world."
Riri smiled. "Looks like this journey is going to be more interesting than we expected."
Pak Herman laughed. "Of course! And this is just the market. How about we explore other places? Get ready for your heads to spin even more!"
They all laughed, while on the laptop screen, the video of the market continued to play, as if holding more stories waiting to be uncovered.
Back to the Imaginary World – The Market in Two Scenarios
Marlon, Riri, and Romo closed their eyes, letting their imagination take them back to the market. This time, the atmosphere was changed by two extreme scenarios—the market filled only with the Seven Deadly Sins and the market filled only with the Seven Heavenly Virtues.
Scenario 1: A Market Dominated by the Seven Deadly Sins
When they opened their eyes in their imagination, the market transformed into a battlefield of brutal trade competition. But amidst all the tension, the economy moved very quickly.
Pride
→ A vendor stood arrogantly in the middle of their stall, claiming that only their goods were the best. With confidence, they set high prices, and with aggressive marketing strategies, people began to show interest in buying.
Greed
→ Another vendor saw their neighbor's goods selling well and immediately raised their prices or hoarded goods to create scarcity and drive prices even higher. The market became full of intrigue, but demand remained high as people scrambled to buy before stocks ran out.
Wrath
→ A disappointed customer, upset by the rising prices, suddenly became angry, demanding a lower price. The vendor, unwilling to lose, responded with emotion, sparking a heated argument in the market, attracting more attention and ultimately increasing the number of customers.
Envy
→ A vendor saw their neighbor succeed with massive discounts. Not wanting to be outdone, they offered even bigger discounts. This competition forced prices down, and buyers became more active, accelerating the economic cycle.
Lust
→ In the corner of the market, a vendor used a 'visual' marketing strategy to attract customers, either through their clothing or flirtatious techniques. This created emotional appeal that pushed people to buy more.
Gluttony
→ A customer greedily bought large quantities of food, enticed by excessive advertising. Others, seeing this, feared running out of stock and joined in the panic buying.
Sloth
→ Amidst all the chaos, there was also a lazy vendor who didn't put in much effort. However, due to the fast-moving market, they still attracted customers because their goods were needed, even though their service was poor.
Conclusion? The market became brutal and full of intrigue, but the economy grew rapidly. People raced to be the best, creating new innovations and trading tricks. However, social tensions were high, and there was no long-term stability.
Scenario 2: A Market Dominated by the Seven Heavenly Virtues
They closed their eyes again and imagined a market where everyone practiced only virtues. At first, it seemed beautiful—everyone was friendly, helping each other, and full of smiles. However, over time, something strange began to happen.
Humility
→ All the vendors were humble and didn't want to boast about their goods. As a result, there was no promotional competition, and buyers were confused about which products were the best.
Charity
→ Every vendor competed to give away goods for cheap or even for free. After a few days, they started losing money because their stock was gone without enough profit.
Chastity
→ No one tried to seduce customers with flashy marketing techniques. As a result, people weren't interested in buying in large quantities, causing sales to drop drastically.
Patience
→ The vendors patiently waited for customers to come without doing any marketing strategies. Without incentives and competition, there was no drive for them to improve service quality or speed up transactions.
Kindness
→ Every vendor was too kind, accepting all customer requests, even unreasonable ones. This caused them to often suffer losses and lose their business capital.
Temperance
→ No one was willing to raise prices, even when demand was high. This caused the market economy to slow down because there was no incentive to invest or grow.
Diligence
→ Although there were diligent and hardworking vendors, because everyone was too kind and there was no competition, there was no incentive to increase productivity. The economy stagnated, and many businesses eventually went bankrupt due to a lack of profits.
Conclusion? The market felt very harmonious and peaceful, but there was no competition or innovation. Vendors couldn't survive long because they kept giving without making a profit. Eventually, the economy collapsed because there was no motivation to grow.
Back to Reality
Pak Herman asked them to open their eyes.
Pak Herman: "So, how does it feel?"