《The Youngest Son of Sunyang》
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Weve yet another new project to introduce to the Bastion. The Youngest Son of Sunyang, written by MountainView. Please support the series by purchasing it on Munpia. Furthermore, it will be tranted by our new saviortrantor Jane, who is new to the trantion scene. If youd like to support the continuation of the trantion, please drop some chapterments or support Janes official Patreon. (Patre
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Without further ado, here is the first chapter.
Who were you talking to on the phone so long?
There came a sharp voice of ady as I set the phone down, burying my head in a pile of documents on my desk.
Although I was well aware of whose voice it was, I raised my head as slowly as possible as if I felt worn out.
The curve of her hips over the edge of my desk came into my sight first, and tracing the beautiful outline of her body with my eyes, I could see her slim waist and ample breasts.
Damn!
I examined whether her bra size was a C cup, wishing I could touch them once.
Especially, the line where her neck and shoulder met was so graceful and looked as if an artist had drawn.
Atst, her oval, beautiful face met my eyes.
Why hadnt she be an actress? I wondered.
Youve got a call on line 3 holding, she said.
The line 3 brought me back down to earth and sobered me up.
Yeah, thanks, I said.
He says its urgent, she said, turning her back to me.
As she walked away from me, her skin-tight skirt enhanced the outline of her hips, and her legs looked like they were ten miles long. Smooth, sleek, and toned.
If only I could sleep with her. I mumbled inwardly. But I doubted this would ever happen. She is the vice-chairmans personal assistant. Most of her colleagues are aware that she is no ordinary personal assistant.
She lives in a high rise residential building whose fees of $3000 a month, and drives a Ferrari.
No wonder the vice-president offered her such luxury.
When he was born as the son of the chaebol, he was granted the opportunity to grow up surrounded by beautiful women, and date and sleep with them.
Damn it! Line 3.
I rushed to the phone and pressed 3. An insipid dial tone transitioned to a draggy voice.
Will you bring my car back? I left it somewhere in Nonhyun, he said without the least sense of urgency. And he hung up. Damn him. I mmed down the phone.
I picked it up again and dialed a number.
Choi, find his car in Nonhyun now,
Yes, sir. Choi said and hung up.
Choi wouldnt ask how to find the car. Because he knew that cops and bystanders already swarmed around it like bees.
This bastard is the son of the vice chairman and grandson of the chairman. I and Choi knew by experience that he either had done drugs, or had got drunk and had got behind the wheel. And his car either had hit a roadside store or a streetmp.
He fled, leaving his car behind, and called me.
I prayed that he had not hit a person.
I instantly texted.
[Its Yun, Sunyang Chaebol. I always appreciate your support and encouragement. Thank you.]
Local news reporters were well aware of what the text meant. It was expected that It was only a matter of the thickness of the wad of cash ording to the seriousness of the incident.
The incident witnessed by the bystanders would go viral only on SNS, and before long, it would eventually fade away. And it would never be spotted in newspapers.
30 minutes went by, Choi texted me.
[Furniture store. $70,000.]
Damn bastard.
Because of his explosive temper, he just lost arge amount of money that would take me over a year to earn.
Who cares? His money, not mine.
It was almost the end of another hectic day. Hoping I could get off work on time, I thought about my wifes gift as it was her birthday.
I needed to think up something good enough to make up for lost times.
But everything would not go ording to n.
As if on cue, the phone rang.
Clearing my throat, I picked up the phone. It was the chairmans personal assistant.
The olddy will go shopping. Go assist her, he said.
But wont she be attended by her retinue
Damn it! Just go! She will go to the L department store. That is why,
Again?
It was funny that she liked her rival department, more than hers.
Yes, sir. I said.
She will browse a new Italy brand. be there before her and block public ess to it.
Yes, sir I said, subduing my urge to sling the phone in the bin.
I neither went to university to learn how to carry shopping bags nor studied hard to clean up others messes. this thought made me feel anger ze.
But I didnt have the nerve to disobey either.
Suppressing my anger, I darted toward the department store.
Two cars entered the VIP parking lot.
The seventy-something-year-old would always brag about her slim figure and smooth skin that she had invested her money and effort in.
The olddy was d in a tight dress and boots. Hideous.
You came early! she said with a smile.
My head sank low without saying a word. I knew that a little whileter, her smile would turn into a frown. If a size 11 dress didnt fit, she would throw tantrums.
Three male guards and one female secretary escorted the olddy.
I slung to the secretarys arm and asked.
Who is that guy?
Oh, be quiet, she said.
She shook her head, knitting her brows.
Ah,
Oh, well. That granny hired her new, young guard.
It was obvious that her children got their strong sexual appetite from her.
As soon as the VIP lift arrived on the floor of the store, the olddy frowned.
Still open to the public? she said aloud with obvious irritation in her voice.
Damn it. I forgot.
Im sorry, maam. I will take care of it right away.
I summoned and told off the store manager.
Are you out of mind? You dont know who she is?
Im sorry but, who is she? The manager seemed frightened by the olddy and her guards in slick suits.
She is the wife of Sunyang chaebol chairman. I told you earlier, block public ess to the store before she arrived.
This would always work.
Managers were aware that a VIP customerint could directly hurt their careers.
A VIP like her would spend an amount of money equal to the amount spent by 100 ordinary customers in a day. She could manipte the store managers life.
The manager apologized with a bow and said,
Yes, sir. Right away.
As soon as the public ess was blocked, the olddy entered the store with a satisfying smile.
Her secretary was busy presenting her with the clothes selected by her.
What do you think? the olddy asked.
The color is so vibrant
Not you. she cut the manager short, then her gaze shifted to her new guard.
Mr. Kim?
The good-looking man named Kim was smiling.
I think everything on you looks chic, Kim said.
What? Chic? Anything on that granny looks cheap! I held back a snort.
Hispliment made the olddy happy.
Try on maam. Im sure you will look beautiful in it,
You think so?
The olddy went into the fitting room. After a little while,
Mr. Kim, could you help me zip up my dress?
I thought Id heard wrong at first. She called her new male guard, not her female secretary.
My guess was urate. Kim was not a guard, but the grannys new toy.
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
With a grin, Kim went into the fitting room. Shortly after that, the olddys baby-like voice splitted out of the fitting room. Baby, stop tickling.
The store staffs started to giggle and the secretary raised a blush on her cheeks.
Things were getting more interesting.
The baby-like voice evaporated, and a groan escaped the olddys lips.
The fitting room started to tremble, with creaking sounds.
That crazy granny!
It appeared that the olddy and her new toy were having sex.
That exined why she wanted toe to the department store.
Normally, when a new brand wasunched, she would have its clothes over to her house and select among them.
She came here today for that thrill.
Having sex with her new toy in public was her fantasy, and she was actualizing it.
Damn, cant believe this crap Im hearing.
Sunyang Chaebol.
It ounts for 27% of the stock market, with its annual sales of nearly 400 trillion and operating profit of over 30 trillion.
From cars and electronics to fashion and food, no ce is beyond its reach.
Gaining everymercial supremacy, It has formed a major part of Korean economy.
Sunyang was found by two brothers. They lived in poverty and worked as gold and silversmiths.
In early 1920s, under the Japanese Rule, Sun-cheol and Yang-cheol were born and supported their family, working at a jewelry store run by a Japanese.
Dexterous Sun-cheol and nimble Yang-cheol were a perfect duo.
They made money in such a way that Sun-cheol siphoned off a small amount of gold while Yang-cheol sold it.
Korea was liberated from Japan when they were on the search fornd to farm.
If they boughtnd before the liberation, they would probably have ended up living as farmers, and Sunyang would not have been born.
Japanese left their property behind and the Korean government sold it to Korean people. Houses were popr among them.
But Yang-cheol bought a granar. Plenty of rice had been stored in it.
There was no the total stock record of the rice, as the people had stormed the granary and stolen the rice, and Japanese had burnt the books before they left.
Yang-cheol was after the rice.
Before the Korean government figured out the amount of the stock, the duo had sold the rice and earned their fortune. And then they bought houses and businesses.
It created a matrix of Sunyang.
Since then, cooperating with the American government, quick-witted Yang-cheol monopolized sugar production while Sun-cheol built up technical skills.
Because of the perfect duo, Sunyang grew dramatically. But there was no way that the two brothers would share power. They started to vie for power.
Yang-cheol, who was in charge of ounting, plotted to put Sun-cheol in jail. He rigged Sunyangs statement of ounts, and Sun-cheol was entrapped and dragged to prison for illegally umting wealth.
As the result, the fight for power ended, and Yang-cheol became the chairman of Sunyang.
Bearing a grudge, Sun-cheol faced life in prison. His children was estranged and forgotten.
Yang-cheol made Sunyang one of the nations leading chaebols, died at 78.
He had 3 sons,1daughter and 12 grandchildren. His eldest son, Young-ki (now 76 years old) inherited Sunyang.
The eldest son of Young-ki, Young-jun (50) is the vice-chairman. Im one of his seven chief secretaries.
Although the position seems high, my primary duty is to clean up his mess.
It seems not to differ much from a servant but over 70,000 ves are vying for my position. And they could beid off at anytime while I could get promoted to a butler.
And I will be a butler.
Even though I graduated from a university in a small town, at a contest Sunyang hosted my presentation of manpower had attracted attention.
When I got an eptance letter from Sunyang, my father called rtives together and threw a party.
He must have expected that I would work at a smallpany in the town.
He threw a party again when I had been appointed to the future strategies HQ that ys the control tower of Sunyang.
Sunyang knows who is a talented person, ha! my drunken father would not stop boasting about his son.
But I realized on my first day, why a graduate from a university in a small town had been selected. They needed someone to clean up their messes and do things some very-learned people probably could not endure.
My first task assigned was
Plow out weeds!
Well, it was a gardener for the chairmans house.
The gardener kept nagging, including me, three new recruits. We plucked out weeds d in suits that a little whileter became drenched in sweat.
The two couldntst half a year after all, but I bit the bullet. I did everything until I could work on a decent task.
When on my deskid a pile of paperwork, the way other people treated me changed.
The look they had had went from mockery to wary as I had the privilege of frequenting the chairmans house.
Everyone in the house would know my name, Yun Hyun-woo. Also the more my name was called the better I came to know the chaebol familys true characters.
I had the title Chief Secretary by my name in 8 years, and now, 4 yearster, I could sit side by side with the vice-chairman over soju.
40 years old now, so then rising to the rank of butler within 10 years was not an absurd dream.
And
Atst, there came a day when I realized I would be nominated for butler.
Pack for a business trip, vice-chairman said.
To where, sir?
Moldova. he said.
It was because of off-the-books money.
Move the money to your ount.
To my ount, sir? I said, taken aback.
As far as I knew, it was more than 1 trillion. That amount in my name?
I cant trust my wife, but you. You are the one I can entrust with the money, he said.
He stared at me, with a smile.
What? Will you abscond with the money?
Oh no, no way, sir.
Anyhow, once the prosecution investigation ends after it is determined that the money is missing, transfer the money back to my ount, he went on,
Tell your family it is just a business trip, but do not mention Moldova, you already know that, right?
Of course, sir. I answered.
As I stepped out of his office, the Ferraridy handed me an envelope.
It contains everything you need for the trip. Wish I could go to Moldova, she said.
Will youe with me? Whenever you are ready
Ha, nope, unless you have a private jet,
Oh yeah, she would always fly on a private jet with vice-chairman.
Get real, hyun-woo.
day, I boarded Korean Air and set off for Moldova.
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Via Vienna, the 16-hour flightnded at Chisinau international airport. As I stepped out of the terminal, one muscr man appeared out of nowhere. How was the flight? he asked. And he said he was sent by vice-chairman.
What the hell was he doing here?
Gasp!
The sudden weakness in my legs made me stumble.
I retraced what vice-chairman had said before.
Once the prosecution investigation ends after it is determined that the money is missing.
He told the truth except that
The prosecution would announce that I vanished with the money that was to be invested in Moldova infrastructure construction enterprise
Which would beter followed by a small article:
The pector found dead from drug overdose
This meant, I knew that he either would stab my heart, or shoot me in the head.
It doesnt make any sense!
For the past 13 years. Ive served him like a dog.
I cant believe this!
I thought I would get promoted. I thought I could be a butler.
But it seemed as if I would end up being a servant.
Damn.
I hate this shitty world where servants will be servants to death no matter how hard you try you will never be a butler.
Shit.
I unpacked in my hotel room while he was ring at me.
Sleep tight. he said.
I had not slept a wink on the flight, envisioning a future where Id be a butler.
I couldnt sleep in bed either, being seized by fear that far from bing a butler, this servant life would be over soon.
After tossing and turning for a couple of hours, I rolled out of bed.
It was in the dead of night, so I guessed he fell asleep.
I shoved my purse and passport into my trouser pocket, and opened the door. Then I sneaked toward the lift.
Where are you going? a familiar voice came from behind.
Oh, going to the bar for a drink. Jetgged, I said, turning my face to him.
Okay. Let me keep youpany,
No, its fine. Just one drink and then Ill go to bed, I said calmly and then turned around.
Hey, you know that you are going to die tomorrow, dont you? he said, curving his mouth.
My heart began to race.
Dont you dare to run away. Go back to your room now. Get massages and go the fuck to sleep, he said.
Why dont we have a talk about it?
About what? Suggesting that we split the money up? he said as if he had peeped into my mind.
No. you get the money. All the money, I said.
Ha. that is exactly what he said.
What do you mean?
The old man said you would be saying it,
What? The old man? Not vice-chairman, but chairman?
I was the one who had cleaned up his mess. Whenever he got a woman pregnant, I would apany her to each doctors visit.
What did I do? I didnt steal the old mans money. Why do I have to die? I shouted.
Dont shout! What am I supposed to do? Im just doing my job,
I need to talk to the old man, please?
No, you need not,
Then, you talk to the old man. Tell him I will disappear and never show up again,
Shut up, damn it, he went on, think of your parents,
That plunged a dagger in my heart. I flopped down on the ground, in front of the lift.
The old man had a firm grasp of my personal life. He knew that my marriage was not working and that I had no children. He knew how much my parents meant to me and that I would not trade them for anything. He was holding my parents hostage.
If I didnt die, my parents would die.
Car ident. Or something more terrible.
It seemed I had no choice.
day, he and I walked into a bank.
I tried to set my face toward CCTV while transferring the money.
Dont worry about your family. They will be all right. The old man willpensate your family. he said.
Bullshit.
I knew that the old man would take everything away from my family, bringing them to ount for the embezzlement.
He drew me to a secluded ce. The sea was visible in the distance.
After gazing at the sea for a time, I turned around and saw that a gun in his hand was aimed right at me. The gun awoke my instinct for survival.
I went down on my knees and clung to his leg.
Spare me please! I begged.
Did you watch the film Wanted?
I will never appear again as if dead,
He ignored me.
In that film, Angelina jolie says Im sorry. whenever she kills someone, he went on.
I didnt do anything wrong, damn!
I always wanted to say it too,
And he pointed his gun at my head.
Shit.
I had never imagined thest word I heard before I died would be
Im sorry.
Bang!
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Aaaaargh! The same dream again. In which what had happened three months ago re
curred every night.
On a daily basis I awoke from sleep, recalling the dread moment of death just as vividly.
It was like enduring unspeakable hardships
I would only hope this dream would not recur for life.
A little before 6.
I sat up in bed before the rm went off; I had set it for 6.
I slipped out of bed and took my pajamas off. I went in the bathroom, adjacent to my bedroom and had a quick shower.
I changed into my school uniform and stepped out of the bedroom. In another room across from mine, my brother was sound asleep.
Descending stairs into the living room, I could smell delectable scents floating from the kitchen. Bean sprouts soup.
In the kitchen, a middle-aged maid was prepping breakfast.
Bean sprouts soup wasrgely a repeat of the breakfast menu as my father would be stered every day and the soup was his favorite hangover cure.
As I walked out the front door, the green grass was glittering, soaking up the sun.
I bent over to pick up three papers that were sprawled out on the grass, then quietly went upstairs to my bedroom.
I read through two of them, one was a daily paper and the other was a financial one.
A big picture of a protest shrouded with tear gas and firebombs appeared on the front page of the daily paper. Dated 26th June, 1987.
Today, 29th, the protest continued, and it would not abate until the military regime surrendered.
As I finished reading and folded the papers,
Do-jun, the middle-aged maid stood at the door, knocking.
She brought me a ss of milk and a cup of coffee.
For three months, I had been called by the name.
Jin Do-jun.
That I was still not ustomed to.
You dont have to bring them up here. I could go downstairs I said.
I know you could, but if your parents caught you drinking coffee, they would tell you off, she said.
I thanked her.
With a fond look on her face, she watched me sipping my coffee.
She liked how I all of a sudden had been transformed from a spoiled brat into a respectable 10-year-old:
I honoured elders, was not fussy about food and helped clean up the house.
She couldnt help liking me.
Oh, you know today is your grandfathers birthday? You are going to have dinner at his ce, she said, then grabbing the empty ss, empty cup, and the folded papers, walked out the door.
Atst, today.
Three months after having been reincarnated as 10-year-old Jin Do-jun, I finally got a chance to meet my grandfather, Jin Yang-cheol, founder and chairman of Sunyang.
I had never met him in my past life, but today I, his grandson, was going to sit down to dinner with him.
66-year-old grandfather and 10-year-old grandson.
What does it mean to have been reborn as a grandson of Sunyangs founder, whose eldest son killed me?
Has god granted me an opportunity of revenge?
Or one of forgiving them as they are now my family?
Oddly enough, it was a quiet breakfast.
My usually loquacious 12-year-old brother, Jin Sang-jun, without saying a word, stuffed food into his mouth.
My hangovered father ate small spoonfuls of the soup.
And
Oh!
My beautiful mother.
She was far much more beautiful than the Ferraridy!
She was the same as Olivia Hussey, star of Romeo and Juliet, and she had been an acimed actress called Olivia Hussey of Korea.
In the early 1970s, as soon as she debuted in a film, she rose to stardom. She married one of her big fans and disappeared from the big screen.
That lucky man was my father, Jin Yun-ki, 5th son of my grandfather, Jin Yang-cheol.
Their marriage had been called one of the greatest love stories of the century.
At this time, Sunyang was expanding its business into the electronics field, catching up with Japan.
Even if she had been an actress of exceptional beauty, she was, no more, no less, just an ordinary housewife in the Sunyang chaebol.
The grandfather was opposed their marriage at first, stating that he would have the fathers name deleted from the family register, but ended up epting their marriage as there was a baby growing inside my mothers belly.
I had known these details of the chaebol family in my past life, and some of them were discovered through experience.
The family excluded my father from a lot of things.
The grandfather had remained angry with the father until the day he died, and when the eldest son inherited Sunyang, my father got very small shares.
When other brothers quarreled over the inheritance, my father just watched them from a distance.
Even if for ordinary people, the very small shares were arge amount of money, he sure as hell was not greedy.
Do-jun, mother said.
Yes?
Why so startled?
She was still beautiful in her middle-thirties.
Whenever I looked at her face closely, my face reddened.
Nothing, I said.
Im more startled. You seem like a different person, she said with a chuckle.
Three months ago, when I awoke from death I was deathly startled: back in 30 years ago, in the body of Sunyang founders youngest grandson.
Over time, I got ustomed to me, Do-jun, but it was hard to develop friendly feelings toward them, my parents.
The father was 38 years old, 2 years younger than the age at which I had been killed.
I could not bear to call them dad and mom, but now I could barely manage to call them father and mother.
Im not going!
My brother Sang-jun mmed his spoon down on the table, pouting his lips.
I could guess why he was being pettish.
The parents faces hardened but couldnt tell him off.
He sure as hell didnt like the grandfather.
Well
He was the reason why the grandfather waspelled to ept our parents marriage.
So he could not be viewed favorably.
Although I would understand his feeling, his behavior at the table was not understandable.
I needed to correct his behavior, for this reason I would not want to be despised by the grandfather.
I promise, as soon as we finish dinner, welle home, okay? father said, in a gentle voice. The mother soothed him with a sorry look on her face, but he sulked for a while.
After school, lets see what happens. I will break you of that bad habit!
Our driver got behind the wheel, and I and the brother sat in the backseat of the luxury sedan, and he was pulling a long face, not very talkative.
The school we attend was a distinguished private one, full of the children of chaebol families and of judicial officers.
Our ssmates were future chairman, future politicians, and future ministers. It appeared that our future dependedrgely upon our fellowship with them.
They traveled to the school by car, not school bus. They were dropped off a short walk away from the school as they would not want to be seen as stuck-up or a show-off.
But they would soon realize that they were the blessed ones who could inherit the power and the money, and would reign over others.
Arseholes.
Anyhow, I waited until the school finished.
I was intensely curious about their youth. The founder of Sunyang and those whom I had served.
When I got home from school, I found this spoiled brat, Sang-jun.
Cant you knock? he snapped without turning back around, ying on his game console.
You small thing.
I sneaked up behind him.
I kicked the chair and toppled him to the floor with a heavy thud.
Dont you dare say anything, I said in a low voice.
I grabbed his hair and dragged him into the bathroom.
What happened to your hand? mother asked, taken aback.
She noticed my hand was swollen and red.
She, close to tears, applied an ice pack to my hand.
Im all right, mother. I scalded it with hot water while taking a shower, I said tofort her.
Are you sure you are all right? she asked, in a soft, concerned voice.
She felt much relieved after the family doctor came and examined my hand.
I rattled the doorknob to check it was locked after shoving Sang-jun into the bathroom. I twisted the hot water knob and grabbed the shower head. I threatened him with the scalding water, fogging up the inside, which must have been terrifying for the pampered 12-year-old.
Making him give in was a piece of cake.
After the fuss had died down, our family got ready to drive to the grandfathers ce.
Will you drive yourself? mother asked father when he opened the door and hopped into the drivers seat.
Dont worry. I wont drink and drive, he said.
Grandfathers house.
That I had frequented more than any other ce.
That the eldest son, Young-ki inherited after the founder, Yang-cheol had died.
In which I carried out my first task; I plucked out weeds.
I was a servant of Young-ki then, but now Im blood-rted to him.
I felt as if returning home after I had been through alot and made it on my own as a sess.
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Chapter 5
Chapter 5
In the backseat, my elder brother and I sat quietly until we reached our grandfathers house. While I was stirring up old memories, brother was fretting and uneasy. The silence settled like a grey cloud over our paren
ts faces.
Grandfathers house looked like a castle, in which there were four buildings with two stories above ground and two underground levels.
A paved parking lot amodating approximately 50 cars.
Stone curtain walls enveloping the castle.
It was hemmed in by dense trees and locked up like Fort Knox.
Two guards bowed and opened the huge door, then our car slipped inside.
The garden where I pulled weeds came in sight, in which there were plenty of guests relishing the warmth of the early summer and talking.
As we stepped out of our car and began to walk into the whitewashed, main building, some greeted us with a slight nod while others pretended not to have seen each of us.
I searched my memory, trying to recall them.
It urred to me there might be someone who was involved in my death in some way.
As we entered the foyer and went into therge living room, my heart began to race.
The family would probably treat us as if we were uninvited guests.
What would happen to us, what would happen to my family?
Would they ignore us as if we were invisible?
In the living room, eight people were sitting on the sofa.
Hungry wolves and foxes; sessor candidates.
They would be counting down the days until the grandfathers death, in order to snatch a loaf of Sunyang.
The eldest son, Jin Young-ki.
Second son, Jin Dong-ki.
Third son, Jin Sang-ki.
Only daughter, Jin Seo-yun.
And the youngest son, my father, Jin Yun-ki, who would always try to avoid their sharp eyes.
A short silence followed.
As my mother greeted with a deep bow,
You are so damnte! said a shrill voice.
Its owner was the granny who had had sex with her young guard in the fitting room.
Which lingered on my head. I couldnt help but titter.
My father got baffled and gave a firm grip on my hand as if to say stop it.
Whats so funny? What are you tittering about? she asked, frowning at me.
She looked as if she was poised to knuckle me on my head.
When Young-ki told her to knock it off, raising his voice,
What the hell is going on down there? said a mans deep voice.
All the people in the living room looked in the direction whence the voice came.
It was my grandfather, Jin Yang-cheol, Chairman of Sunyang. He was standing on the steps that led upstairs.
A steel mask.
That people nicknamed him because his willpower was as strong as steel, and which was shown on his face.
And because of his cold heart and stubborn mind; he had kicked his elder brother out and taken all the power to himself.
I had never experienced him before. However, his sons and daughter were bbergasted when he emerged.
They were afraid of him.
To be sure, the original cause of the fear was his money.
They were so afraid they would not get their share.
The chairman walked down the steps and stood in the center of the living room.
I swallowed hard.
How would he react? Would he wee me or put me aside?
I stole a nce at my parents. They looked extremely nervous.
When they greeted him with a deep bow, he gave them a cursory nce.
He looked at my brother like he was a worm.
And then he looked at me.
Another worm? Or?
A, snookums! he said. My jaw dropped and my eyes boggled.
Why havent youe to see me sooner? in a friendly voice, he said.
I started to wonder why he was being so nice to me.
How should I react?
Without giving it much thought, he lifted me in his arms and said.
Ive got something to show you,
Damn, what the hell is going on?
He took me to a room upstairs, in which there was a pony in a corner of the room.
Of course it was not real, but a toy.
I assumed there would be a switch or control that would enable me to activate the toy.
I could see the wire was plugged in.
Besides,
The room was packed with various toys.
What do you think? Isnt that what you said you wanted? he asked, putting me down.
I couldnt be one hundred percent sure yet, but he seemed to like me.
His cold heart could be warmed.
Maybe he was sorry. He had felt the weight of guilt treating my father as if he was not his.
So he might be acquitting himself of the guilt by being nice to me.
I wanted to test him to see how much he liked me.
I petted the toy pony. I looked up at him with a slight smile.
I like all things real, grandfather, I said.
He tilted his head.
I want to ride a real pony, not a toy. I want to drive a real car on the road and sail a real ship on the sea, I said.
He must have been taken aback.
Though I couldnt see his face behind the steel mask.
Real Do you even know the meaning of real? he asked.
Yes, I answered, as innocently as i could muster. Yours.
This time I could see that he was taken aback.
All you have is real, I went on, Your ship, car and TV. those are all real and I want them too.
Would he trante this into adultnguage?
How would he feel about this?
His face looked hardened.
Hmm, Do-jun?
Yes, grandfather. I answered.
If you want something real, you have to work hard. And you may experience something scary. But if you want something that is not real, all you have to do is enjoy it, he said.
Something scary? Would there be anything scarier than the death that I had faced?
He went on and presented me with an array of unsolicited advice.
First, you need to learn, he said.
At school, you mean?
For now, right,
If I win first ce at school, you will get me a real pony?
What? heughed out loud.
A real pony is very pricey well, if you get straight As for a year, I will buy you one for your birthday, how about that?
It was predictable.
All he was asking was for a 10-year-old to study hard. What else could it be?
I tilted my head and said, Well..
Are you giving up already?
No, it is so easy. I thought it was until I graduated. But for a year, I can do that easily, I said, with a grin.
He seemed to have noticed and looked startled at how I had changed.
All right. I will look forward to it, then. Straight As, he said, and his heartyugh ensued.
He stretched his hand out and said.
Lets go downstairs. Have dinner and y with your cousins.
I held his hand in a tight grip.
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
When we descended into the dining-room, I could feel dozens of eyes on me. Whose owners, in formal attire, were seated around threerge tables. Some of them somehow looked familiar to me.
They were board members, husbands, parents and children, whose loyalty to my grandfather couldnt bepared to one to anyone else.
They were butlers that I had aspired to be.
The grandfather would make a return for their loyalty by being a good listener.
I should make them my allies.
The grandchildren were sitting around one of the tables.
One of them was my brother and the other eleven were my cousins.
Especially when I spotted Young-jun who 30 yearster would be the vice-chairman of Sunyang, my body trembled with anger.
If I had a gun, I might have shot him.
Another table was set up for the selected ones.
That were born as the grandfathers children.
five sessors.
And their wives
Wait!
Why nine? One missing.
Where on the earth is my mother?
I cant find her.
As the grandfather took a seat, two chefs emerged from the kitchen, carrying in their hands a birthday cake with sixty-six lit candles crowded on top.
The dining-room erupted Happy birthday!
The grandfather brew out the candles and everyone cheered and pped their hands.
There were two whose arms were bby: my father and my brother.
And so were their faces.
Whats wrong with them?
No sooner had I found my mother than I found out why.
She didnt get around to sitting and eating.
The other wives.
That constantly gave errands to her.
Bring me more soup,
Bring me some water, with ice,
Wipe the table,
As if she were a housemaid.
That didnt makes any sense at all. As far as I knew there were more than ten housemaids.
They were being hard on my mother.
I felt as if my blood boiled and my flesh quivered.
The anger did not differ much from one toward Young-jun.
Even if it had been less than one hundred days, my warm feeling toward her was growing in my chest and stronger each day.
What made me even more angry was my father. He seemed to be ignoring her weary look while he was eating.
Which exined a lot.
Even though my brother Sang-jun must have witnessed this several times, he seemed at the end of his tether. His lips were shivering.
For that reason, he didnt want toe.
I felt a bit guilty about kicking his butt earlier.
Behold, Im going to make them drop to their knees, in front of my mother.
Eventually, she couldnt manage to eat until she finished washing dishes.
After the dinner, the grandchildren parted into two groups.
Some teenagers snuck out of the house while the children gathered around the grandfather, asking permission to go upstairs.
All right, all right. Lets go upstairs, he said with a chuckle.
I felt someone stroking my hair when ascending the stairs.
You are the star of the day, arent you? it was Young-jun.
I forced myself to smile while I felt my hair bristling up.
He looked at me, 10 years younger than him, with a friendly smile.
Lets see how long the smile willst.
This toy pony is Do-juns so he will help each of you take a turn, the grandfather said, then went downstairs. Even as there was no sign of his presence,
Get out of my way, me first! someone said, shoving me hard in the right shoulder.
My face became reddened and I clenched my fist. As I was about to throw it, my brother grasped my wrist. And he said.
Yeah, you first, Kang-jun, with a scared look.
Kang-jun? I was sure Id heard that name before.
I searched my memories.
Yup! Thats him. Kang-jun was the child of Sang-ki, third son. He was managing director of Sunyang telmunications at the time of my death. When his father Sang-ki had failed to seed to Sunyang, he begged to give the job to his son.
I learned today Kang-jun was an asshole since his childhood.
His fist was faster than his mouth. If my memory served correctly, he had spent most of his adult life behind bars.
I suddenly recalled how his mother treated my mother.
What should I do with this asshole?
And I thought I wanted to give a strong impression to the grandfather.
I instantly converted the thought into action.
My brother saw me smiling ear to ear and his eyes dted.
This afternoon, he saw that smile in the bathroom.
I winked at him, then snuck up behind Kang-jun.
He seemed not to notice me behind him, as he was enjoying riding the toy pony pretending to be a cowboy.
Whats funny? then I kicked the ponys ass, and he fell off.
Thud!
His scream was sharp.
In the room, other cousins were dropping their jaws and watching without a word.
I poked him in the face and said,
Do not dare touch mine,
Heavy clumping sounds followed.
One of them who chased the scream, went pale.
Kang-jun!
His mom raised him up while the others were just watching.
There was my mother among them.
Do-jun did! the other cousins said, in chorus.
She looked at me with a concerned look.
I smiled tofort her.
Worse luck, Kang-juns mom also saw me smiling.
She pped at me.
My mother darted at me, held me close.
My poor mother.
She was protecting me, without a word.
Kang-juns mom raised her arm to hit us, with a very evil eye.
What the hell is going on? the grandfather yelled.
Everyone in the room was stunned by his appearance and the room fell into silence.
He scanned the room, then said.
Take him to the hospital,
She took crying Kang-jun out of the room.
Go downstairs, all of you, now! he yelled out again.
As I was about to slip out, he stopped me.
You, Do-jun, stay here!
Yeah, thats what I wanted.
My mother unhanded me, hesitated.
She saw the grandfather ring at her, bowed and went downstairs.
Was that you? he asked when there were just the two of us in the room.
Why would you do that?
It was mine, I answered.
What? So did you hurt Kang-jun? he frowned.
No, I didnt mean to hurt him. It was the toy pony I meant to smash, I said.
His frowned look turned into a startled one.
I dont want anyone to take what is mine. If I smashed it, nobody could take it I slurred my words.
I lifted my head and checked his face.
Perfect.
I could see him holding a smile on his lips and gazing steadily.
He sure as hell liked the determined look on my face.
Even though you didnt meant to hurt Kang-jun, you need to pay for what youve done,
Then he led me somewhere.
The ce he took me was his study.
As he opened the door, my heart started to race.
Gee!
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Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Having frequented this house for a dozen years, I had never been allowed to enter his study (and the bedrooms). Even though the conference room was on the tenth floor of Sunyang HQ, all the important decisions were made in his study where only his family members, now including me, and his board members were allowed to enter.
I stepped into the study and nced around.
It looked nothing short of the conference room: arge desk for the grandfather and tables for a dozen.
The grandfathers children and his board members already were seated.
Predictable.
If they were gathered together, they would have a meeting, to discuss current issues.
My father was reced with Young-jun. He was seated among them, which startled me.
I was well aware that my father was treated as if he was disowned.
But Young-jun was only 20 years old, who was nning to go abroad to study.
He was too young for this.
Does this mean the grandfather has already appointed his sessor?
Is it already toote?
When I was lost in this thought, lowering my head, everyone in the study thought I was rmed.
Hey, Do-jun. Lift your head. Boys fight, that way they grow up as men, Young-jun said, chuckling.
He seemed to be trying to look like a grown-up.
Be quiet! Or I will get you out of here, his father said. Young-jun scratched his head.
The grandfather led me inside by the hand.
Do-jun, he said.
Yes, grandfather,
Sit kneeling until I tell you to stand up, that is your punishment,
Punishment? Or training?
It was punishment for 10-year-old Do-jun while business administration training for Yun Hyun-woo.
I sat kneeling right next to him and opened my ears, so as not to miss a single word.
So, now, tell me, he resumed the meeting.
I assume that theme duck president would use force against the protesters, a voice said.
Force?
He would use troops to disperse the protesters,
What? Troops?
What do troops have to do with Sunyang?
Hundreds of protesters are taking ce all over the country. If the president used troops, it could be thousands, said the other.
Force would not suppress the protesters but add oil to the fire,
With a loud, echoing thud, the grandfather mmed his palm down on the desk.
So what the hell are you suggesting? Turn against the president that may give up his office? he yelled.
They mped their mouths shut.
Cant waste any more time. You tell, vice-chairman, whose side should we be on?
The vice-chairman, Young-ki could not easily answer.
Young-ki and his son, they had framed and killed me.
Which would not happen to me again but might happen to anyone.
I wondered what Young-ki would say.
Even though the protesters have marched for the past 7 years, the president would not give up his office, he said.
Second son, Dong-ki and third Sang-ki, without a hesitation, agreed.
Some board members chimed in with Young-ki.
Something was odd.
Three dayster the president would make a statement: the June 29 Deration.
The Blue House must have drawn up an outline by now.
It didnt make any sense that Sunyang had not grasped the situation yet as it should have.
Leaving doubt behind, I bent my ear toward them.
But topics of conversation and questions to ask during the meeting were not relevant to management ns for Sunyang.
This was not what I had expected.
Somehow, absurd.
The grandfather closed the meeting by saying,
Keep monitoring the situation!
After everyone slipped out of the study.
Stand up, he said, in a gently voice.
Then I rose to my numb feet.
He sat me down on hisp and looked at me steadily.
Howe, he said.
I gave him a curious look.
You didnt frown or squirm during the long meeting but sat rapt,
I didnt realize my legs had gone numb, and lost track of the time.
Youve changed so much since Ist saw you, he said.
He must have been taken aback at how my attitude had done a one-eighty degree turn.
Have I? I asked, with an ingenuous look.
Yeah, I can barely recognize you,
I needed toe up with a decent answer.
I cant stand anymore,
What? he asked.
I cant stand how other family members treat my parents anymore,
Damn, why no tears!
He held me tight silently anyway as if he knew what I was saying.
I wanted to nail him down.
Grandfather?
Yeah, whats up?
Make the three your friends,
What do you mean?
The meeting. And the next president,
If you make the president and the other two who may be the next president your friends, you will not have to decide whose side you are on
It was apparently hard work speaking innocently; from a 10-year-olds point of view.
His soft eyes dted as if thinking to himself how could a 10-year-old think of such a thing?
You cant?
Why not? The more friends you have the better, he said, then let out a softugh.
If I hinted at the uing June 29 Deration, he would be much more taken aback.
I should mesmerize him, I told myself.
Why dont you y outside? Grandfathers got work to do, he said.
I went out the door and closed it behind me.
The grandfather had some hard thinking, then picked up the phone and dialed a number.
Give 50 (million won) to YS and DJ,
Both of two, sir?
Right, and dont forget to give them emptypliments,
After setting the phone down, he curved his mouth.
Very clever thinking indeed, he told himself.
He summoned the eldest grandson Young-jun. He wanted to test him.
Young-jun did hotfoot it over to the grandfather, with a nervous look.
Tell me your thoughts, he continued, What should we do, in this turbulent period?
After a little pause,
If the president used troops, the protesters would disperse and the turbulent period would subside, Young-jun answered.
So, we should be on the side of the president, right?
Uhm Young-jun could feel a cold sweat running down.
The grandfather smiled as if implying he would leave the decision to Young-jun, which however was not true.
He was tut-tutting inwardly.
Chapter 8
Chapter 8
He would not have a way of running Sunyang ording to the 20-year-old grandsons thought. However, his actual reason for asking was to see how swiftly and firmly Young-jun would say his own thought, not what he would say. Young-jun was showing signs of nervousness, and gotpared with the clever 10-year-old cousin.
All right then, you can leave, the grandfather said.
As Young-jun left the study, lowering his head, he sensed he didnt score.
The grandfather regarded the rediscovery of his 10-year-old grandson as his birthday gift, and had a mixed feeling of joy and disappointment.
Of all the grandsons, the youngest?
I could not have been happier if he were the eldest, he thought to himself.
After much thought, he made up his mind.
That he would train his youngest grandson.
Yun-ki was summoned.
He stepped into the study nervously, with a sour look on his face.
The grandfather grew sullen as soon as his eyes met Yun-kis, a wrinkle forming across his forehead.
How have you been? he asked.
He was given a lukewarm answer, and was unhappy with it.
You can do better than that! his voice rose, suddenly angry.
Yun-ki wondered what his father was really saying, giving him a baffled look.
For which the grandfather felt a surge of anger, but then thinking of the youngest grandson, suppressed it.
Tell me what you want to do, he said.
You always dont want me to do what I want to do, father,
To take off womens clothes?
Im not making a porn movie,
The grandfather let out a long sigh, then said, Knock it off. Im not talking about you, anyway, he went on, How are their studies going? Are Sang-jun and Do-jun doing well at school?
Im not sure. I never checked their grades. But would always check if they were growing healthy,
Yun-ki didnt seem to have noticed his youngest sons smartness yet, which made him more enraged. Deplorable.
I will send two tutors to teach them tomorrow. English and the other subject,
I dont think they need tutors yet
Do as you are told, the grandfather said, then took a step back.
All right then, if Sang-jun and Do-jun do not like them, then I will not say another word,
He only had Do-jun in his head.
If Im right, then Do-jun will like the tutors as he said he would do well for a year, he thought to himself,
He seemed to pay attention to Yun-kis sons, which was unfamiliar to Yun-ki, who then reluctantly said yes.
Oh and tell me if there is anything else I can do for them, the grandfather said.
Even though Yun-ki opened his mouth to ask what intentions he would do this with, he couldnt say anything as he didnt want to talk to his father any longer.
He closed the door of the study behind him.
Yun-ki, my father kept quiet the whole entire trip back home.
My mother wanted to ask if something was wrong, but instead wound up being quiet as well.
As soon as we got home, the father had my brother and me seated on the sofa in the living room, then said.
Do-jun,
Yes, father,
I dont intend to say anymore about what you did to Kang-jun at the grandfathers,
Im sorry, father
His face registered difort with me being courteous.
Grandfather said, he would send tutors to teach you two. What would you two say?
Even as he uttered tutors, the brother frowned, thinking of sticking to the desk all day with them.
Its all right, if you dont want them, just say it, father said.
The brothers face then shone with joy.
Then the father looked at me as if to wait for me to say that makes two of us.
I may not need tutors as I probably know more than them, and yet I want to do what the grandfather say.
I want the tutors. Because I promised, I said.
Promised?
I promised I would get straight As for a year,
He looked taken aback by promised.
I do not want you to do what you do not want to do to keep the promise,
Its all right father, I need to be on his good side,
What?
Oh, shit!
I promised him to be a good grandson, to study hard and not to quarrel with cousins
He nced suspiciously at me, but didnt ask more.
With an apathetic look on his face,
All right then, he said.
Then said we could go upstairs into our rooms. I advanced toward the staircase and the brother followed in the rear.
As I was ascending the stairs, the brother said,
You were cool,
What?
Kicking Kang-juns ass, said, then shoot ahead.
He must have had deep resentment.
I chuckled.
Could we keep it simple and organized? I asked. I could not waste time.
The two tutors were baffled.
Dont have to keep watching me while Im studying. Just assign me homeworks and check them the next day?
But you might have questions to ask? one tutor said in a gentle voice.
Half an hour a day is enough, I said.
Too much money for half an hour, besides if my grades dont improve, they will end up in trouble.
If it doesnt work we can find some other way, I said.
My diligence and my aplishments should impress them so that their praise of me can reach the grandfathers ears.
First of all, I should do my homeworks.
The two tutors were speechless, exchanging nces.
Something wrong? I asked.
No, you did very well in your homeworks, one tutor said, Have you ever learned English before? You have such neat penmanship, one tutor said.
I practiced it all day long yesterday,
Okay, well done,
Could you assign homeworks for tomorrow?
I wanted to let them out.
For the past three months, Ive been recall the past and written it down in my notebooks, which will hereafter be my secret weapon.
I look forward to tomorrow as it will bring enormous changes in the country as well as in me.
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Chapter 9
Chapter 9
[Ladies and gentlemen, my dear fellow citizens. Now I have a firm belief in the future of our country. The deep-rooted conflict and insight among the pe
ople in the midst of the national crisis have brought about deep contemtion and anguish over the true mission of politicians.
Ellipsis.
First, by the ruling and opposition parties agreements, the constitution will be amended to change the presidential election system to a direct election, and which will be followed by a peaceful government handover in February 1988.
The people are the masters of the country and should take priority over everything else.]
June 29th, 1987.
I heard this momentous announcement, on my way back home from school, eating yogurt in the car.
Roh Tae-woo announced that if the deration was not epted, he would resign from his public office and as presidential candidate. Afterwards, the ruling Democratic Justice Party announced it was its official position.
Which was followed by the incumbent president, Chun Doo-hwans special statement that he would ept the June 29th Deration. It became the official deration of the government and Chuns April 13th, Defense of the Constitution was abolished.
The June 29th Deration meant that the people aplished the splendid feat of winning democracy, and the June Uprising would end with the funeral of patriotic student Lee Han-yeol.
Now the presidential election campaign of a new era began.
When I opened the gate, with a little excitement, the gardener who would at times do house chores and always beam at me, drew my hand with a stiff face.
Your grandfather is inside the house,
s!
This historic day, wasnt he supposed to be with the board members?
And he obviously came to see me as there was no one he would like to see in the house, but me.
I went inside, beaming at the gardener.
In the living room, the grandfather had the two tutors seated and was deluging them with questions.
When he spotted me, he rose from the sofa and outstretched his arms.
I couldnt run and throw myself in his arms, which might well be what he expected but I approached him and just nodded a greeting. He picked me up.
My mother prepared a pot of tea and a te of fruit, and entered into the living room.
As the mother set them on the table and was about to turn back to the kitchen,
Sit down there, he said.
The mother gave him a startled look.
Whats with the look? Got something to talk to you about, he said.
She perched on the edge of the sofa.
Why dont you go into your room, Do-jun? Your mother and I need to talk. Alone, he said, looking at the tutors.
As if on cue, the two tutors took me by the hand and drew me into the room.
What is he going to say? I thought to myself.
How have you been? he asked.
Ive been well, just doing housework. Nothing unusual she answered.
Got something to talk about Do-jun, Dont you think he is a little different?
He is mature for his age,
The tutors say, he is clever and diligent,
He would always stay up tillte at night studying,
You better pay attention to him,
? she blinked her eyes.
Supporting Do-junin in demonstrating his cleverness is your homework, he continued, If Im happy with your homework, I will give you and Yun-ki some of my shares,
She was speechless, could only stare at him.
Do you understand what Im
Yes, I do, she answered.
But we do not want any of Sunyang shares, and we wont, she added.
What?
I dont know why you are saying this all of a sudden, but we want to support Do-jun to do what he wants to do, she expressed her thoughts clearly enough to startle him.
You cant turn down the opportunity! his voice rose dramatically.
If you are thinking of helping Do-jun work for Sunyang, when hes grown up, well let him decide,
He was taken aback by her determination.
You better do what I say! he yelled again.
An uneasy silence fell on the living room.
We appreciate the help youve given us so far. You dont have to give anymore if you dont want to, she said.
He clenched his fists and teeth in anger.
We can afford to raise Do-jun, without your help, she spoke stiffly and with an averted eye.
He couldnt bear to hear her talk anymore.
When he lifted himself off the sofa and headed for the door, he found his grandson staring at him.
I was waiting for him upstairs as I thought he woulde and see me after finishing the talk. However, the talk became disquieting.
I shook off the tutors hands and heard them talk, sitting on the stairs.
My mothers determination in her eye brew my mind.
With a sullen look, I said to the grandfather,
Please dont be upset, grandfather,
No, Im not, kid. Come here. Sit next to me, he said, with a perplexed look shing across his face.
As I walked past him and sat next to the mother, he looked a little disappointed.
Grandfather and I were just talking, Do-jun, the mother said in a soft, melodic tune, patting my head.
Please dont argue over me, I said.
The grandfather hemmed and cleared his throat.
Grandfather, like mother said, when I grow up, I will do what I want to do I said.
The grandfathers face then became flustered and his eyes were tinged with disappointment and anger.
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Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Now it was time to flip his mood over. And mother, I looked at her. Yeah, a soft smile crept onto her face.
When I grow up, I want to be a chairman like grandfather,
Their looks were reversed: the grandfathers anger deted and he grinned like a hahoe mask while the mother couldnt hide her perplexed look.
Hahaha, thats my grandson! the grandfatherughed broadly. And the mother saved her breath.
Did you hear that, sweetie? Our Do-jun wants to be a chairman too, haha,
The mothers eyes widened, and she looked at the grandfather. He then stoppedughing as if hed suddenly forgotten what was funny.
An awkward silence hung between them for a time.
The mother picked herself up from the sofa, then asked to the grandfather,
Would you like more tea?
Sure, bring it up to Do-juns room, he said.
He grabbed my hand and said, Lets go upstairs, and the mother entered the kitchen.
Sweetie? I thought to myself, climbing the stairs.
The grandfather bade goodbye to the two tutors. They nodded goodbye and left.
The grandfather looked around the room, then seated me on the edge of the bed.
Do-jun, he said.
Yes, grandfather,
Do you remember what you told me the other day?
?
The three friends,
Oh, yes, I do,
Of course I remember. He must be talking about the presidential election campaign, I told myself.
I gave each of the three gifts, to make them my friends, just as you told me, he said.
You did?
Bribes, you mean.
However
He seemed disoriented as the political situation was getting more and more chaotic.
The second and the third are fighting shoulder to shoulder over the first, he said.
If the second and the third win over the first, they can be president and vice-president?
No, there is no vice-president in the country, kid,
But then why would the two team up when only one can be president?
The second and the third are YS (Kim Young-sam) and DJ (Kim Dae-jung) respectively.
The two were longtime colleagues. They joined hands and went head to head with the military regime led by Chun Doo-hwan, running for president.
The two opposition parties, YS and DJ were poised to unite behind one candidate to prevent the ruling party, Roh Tae-woo from ruling the country.
FYI:
After the assassination of Park Chung-hee in 1979, then Prime Minister Choi kyu-ha became acting president and won an election in December that year. then-Major General Chun Doo-hwan and close allies within the military staged a coup dtat against Chois government. In April 1980, due to increasing pressure from Chun and other politicians, Choi appointed Chun head of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency. In May, Chun dered martialw, bing the de facto ruler of the country. by then, student protests were escting in Seoul and Gwangju. Choi was forced to resign soon, then Chun was elected as Chois sessor in a rubber-stamp election. He was officially inaugurated into office on 1 September 1980 as the 5th President of South Korea. In January 1981, Chun formed his own party, the Democratic Justice Party. On 13 April 1987, Chun made a Defense of the Constitution speech. He dered that the DJP candidate for president would be one of his military supporters, and his sessor would be chosen in an indirect election simr to the one that elected Chun seven years earlier. That announcement enraged the democratizationmunity. Two monthster, he dered Roh Tae-woo as the Democratic Justice Partys candidate for president, which, by all ounts, effectively handed Roh the presidency. The announcement triggered the June Uprising, a series ofrge pro-democracy rallies across the country. In hopes of gaining control over a situation that was rapidly getting out of hand, Roh made a speech promising a much more democratic constitution and the first direct presidential elections. After Chuns retirement, the first democratic presidential election was held in 1987. Kim Young-sam and Kim Dae-jung initially promised to unite behind one candidate. However, due to a dispute between the two Kims; they failed to agree on who was going to be the opposition blocs single candidate. The two Kims ran against each other, splitting the opposition vote and enabling Roh, Chuns hand-picked sessor, to win the election.
In April 1980, due to increasing pressure from Chun and other politicians, Choi appointed Chun head of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency. In May, Chun dered martialw, bing the de facto ruler of the country. by then, student protests were escting in Seoul and Gwangju. Choi was forced to resign soon, then Chun was elected as Chois sessor in a rubber-stamp election. He was officially inaugurated into office on 1 September 1980 as the 5th President of South Korea. In January 1981, Chun formed his own party, the Democratic Justice Party. On 13 April 1987, Chun made a Defense of the Constitution speech. He dered that the DJP candidate for president would be one of his military supporters, and his sessor would be chosen in an indirect election simr to the one that elected Chun seven years earlier.
That announcement enraged the democratizationmunity. Two monthster, he dered Roh Tae-woo as the Democratic Justice Partys candidate for president, which, by all ounts, effectively handed Roh the presidency. The announcement triggered the June Uprising, a series ofrge pro-democracy rallies across the country. In hopes of gaining control over a situation that was rapidly getting out of hand, Roh made a speech promising a much more democratic constitution and the first direct presidential elections. After Chuns retirement, the first democratic presidential election was held in 1987. Kim Young-sam and Kim Dae-jung initially promised to unite behind one candidate. However, due to a dispute between the two Kims; they failed to agree on who was going to be the opposition blocs single candidate. The two Kims ran against each other, splitting the opposition vote and enabling Roh, Chuns hand-picked sessor, to win the election.
But the grandfather was well aware that the authority could threaten to subvert their colleagueship.
He responded with a gratifying smile, stroking my head.
Father? Yun-ki asked in an astonished voice.
Yes, he is talking with Do-jun,
Yun-ki was told about what had happened earlier by his wife.
He is only ten years old! he stormed.
Dont make your father upset, she said.
Yun-ki tilted his head,
Why are you acting strange? he asked.
She couldnt bring herself to say that the sweetie made her get choked up with emotion.
Just dont, please, she said.
Yun-ki nodded yes.
Then he waited till the grandfather came downstairs.
It was a great change, nevertheless, that he mentioned he would give us some shares of Sunyang, because of Do-jun, Yun-ki thought to himself.
The sound of footsteps descending the stairs brought him out of his thoughts.
The grandfather sped me by the hand.
Be good, kid, said to me, patting my head, then looked at the father.
Got a minute to talk?
The father followed the grandfather into the garden.
Ill go to the HQ. I want you to arrange a CEOs meeting. the grandfather said to his PA.
Then he turned to look at Yun-ki who was avoiding his gaze.
Whenever I look at Do-jun, I cant help but think that he resembles me, the grandfather said.
Howe? just as his wife told him, Yun-ki tried not to make the grandfather upset, curtailing his words.
Do-jun is acquisitive, shrewd and perceptive,
Are you intending to have him take over part of the management of Sunyang? Yun-ki asked.
It depends on him. Im just giving him the chance,
Hes too young now. Dont you think it is too soon to speak?
Well see, the grandfather said.
I want to see him once a week, he added, giving Yun-ki a gentle tap on the shoulder, then left.
CEOs meeting.
The grandfather would not usually attend CEOs meetings, giving vice-chairman Young-ki authority to execute judgement; Young-ki would conduct the meetings and brief him.
If he attended a meeting, its agenda was crucial.
He ensconced himself in his chair, surrounded by a continual buzz of fric conversation.
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Chapter 11
Chapter 11
YS (Kim Young-sam) stands a good chance of getting in. He can make a clean sweep of the capital area, said the grandfathers most reliable, Sunyang constructions CEO. What about DJ (Kim Dae-jung)?
It still seems possible that the two Kims will unify behind DJ, but because of the redplex he is suffering from (antipathy towardmunism, the North that the Korean war aroused. DJ was suspected to have been involved in promunist activities, whichbeled him as amunist), DJ will more likely concede,
Everyone saw eye to eye.
Any otherments? the grandfather asked.
A slow smile curved his mouth.
They didnt have a hint of doubt that the two Kims would unify. So didnt the whole nation.
But his youngest grandson who was insightful doubted it.
His smile made other CEOs nervous and wonder whether he found the meeting
Satisfying?
Or pathetic?
Lets call it a day. Gather more information. the grandfather finished the meeting, with a gentle smile on his face.
It was time to do the thing Id been putting off.
Rather than putting off, I was afraid to do it. But it was something I would encounter some time or other.
I asked my tutor first, Why dont we have an outdoor ss?
Outdoor ss?
Yes. in Dangjin on the west coast,
Dangin? Whats with the west coast, all of a sudden?
I saw in textbooks that Dangjin is the one and only ce where you can watch the sunrise and sunset, and I want to see it for myself,
Although it was such a poor excuse, the tutor would not reject unless he want to lose his big money job.
O, Okay,
Can you drive? Have a drivers license?
Yeah, I have,
Ill ask my father for the car. Could you ask my parents for permission to have an outdoor ss?
The tutor smiled quietly, thinking of driving the luxury car.
We got that permission easilyter.
As my parents had always been worried about me studying too hard and wanted me to go out and get some air.
No navigations or smart phones, we pulled out a thick map book.
Now, speak your mind. Why do you want to go to Dangjin? the tutor asked once he got used to being behind the wheel.
I already had a made up answer.
Well, I have a friend who moved to Dangjin, I wanted to see him,
Yeah? Why didnt tell your parents the truth?
If I told them the truth, they would be nosily. Annoying,
Haha, youve all grown up now,
Grown up? Im grown old, you small thing.
We shot the breeze until we got into Dangjin.
That brought back the vague memories of 30 years ago.
There was no sign of progressive development of the west coast.
The car bounced over the rough dirt road, the washboard bumps made our teeth rattle.
The beach was not lined with pensions, instead mom and pop stores were scattered.
As soon as I saw my neighborhood, I got choked up and my throat tightened.
A small, familiar barber shop reminded me of my hair style in my childhood while a hair salon reminded me of my mother when she was young.
When we past the front gate of my school, old friends and teachers faces were so vividly brought back to my mind.
Starring my memories, we approached the house I grew up in.
Could you wait here a moment? that is the house he lives in,
Have you been here? How did you know the way to the house?
The friend exined it so many times, I said, then rushed out of the car.
My throat tightened again and my heart pounded as I saw the shop sigh in the distance,
[Yun Laundry]
I wavered with each step I took.
What if I cant look at my parents faces?
What if I utter father?
My greatest dread, what if I encounter me, Yun Hyun-woo?
After letting out a loud breath, I took a few steps forward, right up to the window.
I looked at my parents through it. My father had a metal steam iron in his right hand and stood behind an ironing board while my mother was arranging theundry.
The moment Iid my eyes upon her, I instantly burst into tears.
Leaning against the wall, I waited until my eyes dried.
I braced myself as I entered.
The sound of the creaking door caught their attention.
Um
Yeah, can I help you? the father asked.
What should I say?
Are you lost? You dont live in the neighborhood, do you? the mother said, looking at me from head to toe.
The wrinkles on her face made my heart feel heavy.
She raised her eyebrows, frowning Say something?
I had my mouth open.
I came here to meet Jin-woo, Yun Jin-woo,
I was going to say I mistook his house, then leave.
Jin-woo? No such name here,
Im sorry, I think
You know anyone named Jin-woo? the mother asked the father.
Well, ask Hyun-ji if she has a friend named Jin-woo,
I felt electricity flow through my body.
Who is Hyun-ji?
Hyun-ji? I asked.
Hyun-ji is our daughter. You look her age, the mother continued, You obviously dont live in this neighborhood, do you? Because she is so pretty that there is no one who doesnt know her in the neighborhood, she said and chuckled.
Hyun-ji.
If my ears heard right, I, Yun Hyun-woo dont exist.
I slipped out of theundry before I plunked myself down.
Whats wrong? Did you meet your friend?
Ah, yes, but no I mean, he wasnt there,
Would you like to wait for him?
No, ah lets just go home, please,
The tutor eyed me suspiciously, then looked outside of the car window.
It would be okay if I took a nap?
Oh, sure. I will wake you up when we get home, he said.
Watching theundry get further and further away, I leaned back in the seat and closed my eyes.
Reincarnation? Time travel?
What is going on
When I wiped my tears away with my sleeve the tutor nced at me through the car room mirror but he pretended not to notice. And he asked nothing, only drove.
I was sitting absent-mindedly, gazing at my notebook.
All the details of the future Id written down could be good for nothing as my existence brought a great change.
I, Yun Hyun-yoo was not even born. It meant the future could be different and I could change the future.
My head churned with thoughts. And one thing that was certainly unchangeable: I, Yun Hyun-woo, dont exist in this world.
My eyes watered and I rubbed them with the back of my hand.
Only the imprinted emotions were in my head. Those would slowly fade aways and so would Yun Hyun-woo.
I should let go of the past.
And shape the future.
I should live as 100% Jin Do-jun, to take office as chairman of Sunyang.
It will not be easy though
Gasp!
Wait
Young-jun, Hye-kyung, Kyung-jun, Su-kyung, Tae-jun
13.
Including me, the grandfather has thirteen grandchildren.
But howe it is 12 in my memory?
One missing. Who is that?
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Chapter 12
Chapter 12
In his study, the grandfather tossed the paper on the desk, with a smile at the corner of his mouth. Its headline was what his grandson had expected. [The Two Kims Turn Their Back On Each Other]
In the photo, the two were standing side by side on a stage and discussing the current state of affairs, with a dead serious look on their faces.
On 27 October at the Korea University.
Thepletely different reaction to their speech was more serious.
When Kim Young-sam got to the podium and exhorted democracy in a high-pitched voice, the audience erupted with booooooo!, then Resign!Resign!
Waves of booing and jeering crashed and a thick fog of shame engulfed him. Shaking his head, he descended from the stage.
Meanwhile, the audience shouted out President! when, d in a traditional Korean overcoat, Kim Dae-jung stood in front of the podium. He, with a slight flush in his face, delivered his speech in a leisurely manner.
Which was followed by his supporters lifting him high on their shoulders as if congratting him for winning the election.
Kim Dae-jung eximed, Thank you, everyone! Today, I made a firm decision!
Everyone knew what the firm decision was.
The grandfather wore a smile on his face. Not that his grandsons prediction was correct. It was because, four months ago, when the incumbent government dered surrender, other majorpanies performed courtship disys for the two Kims inpetition with each other, as they were convinced that the two Kims would unite behind one candidate.
However, the grandfather shelled out big bucks to the ruling party while slipped some money into the two Kims hands.
When the majority of people turned away from the ruling party, the grandfather verified the meaning of a friend in need is a friend indeed.
His smile had a knee-jerk reaction to the benefits he would reap for the next 5 years (presidential term in South Korea).
He leaned back in hisfortable chair, hands crossed behind his head and felt a fresh glow of pride.
Before long, the sound of knocking brought his attention to the door. His three sons and the only daughter, Jin Seo-yun swept into his study.
Why are you here? he asked Seo-yun.
Im also a CEO of Sunyang, how could I not be? she bristled.
She was managing Sunyangs department store which, with her discerning sense for all things luxury, devolved into a high-end department store. Sales were down but profit increased. So did her pride.
Whats all this fuss about? Sit down, all of you, the grandfather said.
Did you read the paper, father?
Yeah,
The two Kims will likely run against each other, said his eldest son and vice-chairman Young-ki.
They will split the opposition vote, he added, plonking the paper.
DJ (Kim Dae-jung) will reportedly defect from the main opposition party, the Reunification Democratic Party to run for the presidency, said another son.
The presidency made the rivalry between the two Kims rear its ugly head, said the other.
The grandfather rapped his knuckles on the desk, then stormed.
God damn it, whats the point?
Everyone mped their mouths shut.
Whos the likely candidate to take office?
YS (Kim Young-sam) will likely win a majority of votes in the populous Gyeongsangnam-do. It appears that he is the most likely candidate, Young-ki said.
Although the election was scheduled for December, two months to go,
Im going to contribute ten billion to a candidates election campaign, the grandfather said.
Everyone opened their eyes wide.
Father, its too much. I think half would probably be enough, one son said.
What if it goes to the wrong candidate? said another.
The grandfather outwitted them,
Until next week, make a conclusion: to whom I should give ten billion,
Fa, father that the other son stuttered.
Shut up! yelled the grandfather.
Everyone lowered their eyes.
Dont talk back to me. Just do as I say!
It was because the grandfather wanted to test them.
Damn it, get off of me!
Letting out a sigh, everyone started backing out of the study, but Seo-yun remained.
Something you want to tell me? the grandfather asked.
Seo-yun grinned, then said,
Father, he wants to run for the uing general election, she said.
Your husband?
Yes, and his family is supportive what do you think? she asked.
She was asking her fathers permission.
How old is he now?
45, father, her eyes lit up.
Her husbands family produced two public prosecutor generals, and more than ten judges and prosecutors, which would not have been possible without the aid of Sunyang.
The family and Seo-yun was asking for more aid while asking permission.
What can I do for you? the grandfather asked.
Seo-yun jumped for joy, pping her hands.
He wants to run for a party in a local constituency, rather than the national one (proportional representation), she said.
On the assumption that if he win, he can rank among senior party members?
Seo-yun nodded at him, beaming with unconcealed joy.
I will find a local constituency that fits him. And dont you dare see me again unless he wins the election,
***
The closer the presidential election got, the more intense regionalism got (each region votes almost exclusively for its favorite sons).
In Gwangju (Jeonam-do), people threw eggs at YS (born in Gyeongsangnam-do), meanwhile, in Busan (Gyeongsangnam-do), DJ (born in Jeonam-do) was booed during his speech. Their status nose-dived to the lowest level, tarnished with scandals: DJ is instructed by Kim Il-sung (the first leader of North Korea), and YS has a secret daughter,
And
On 29 November 1987, two North Korean agents nted an improvised explosive device on Korean Air Flight 858 and disembarked the aircraft at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
The aircraft took off from Saddam International Airport ter renamed Baghdad International Airport) in Baghdad, Iraq, flying to Gimpo International Airport in Seoul, South Korea, with stops at Abu Dhabi International Airport in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok, Thand.
On the second leg of the flight, from Abu Dhabi to Bangkok, KAL 858 was carrying 104 passengers and 11 crew members. Nine hours after the bomb was nted, it detonated and the aircraft exploded over the Andaman Sea, killing all 115 on board.
The two bombers were arrested in Bahrain. They, Kim Sung-il and Kim Hyon-hee, both attempted suicide by taking ampules of cyanide hidden in cigarettes. Kim Sung-il was dead, but Kim Hyon-hee survived.
Photo: The Chosunilbo
On 15 December, news of Kim Hyon-hee appeared on TV. She was wearing a gag to prevent suicide and being extradited to Seoul.
The attack influenced the presidential election. The ruling party exploited it to hoist its candidate, Roh Tae-woo to the presidency.
On 17 December, the headline of the morning paper was,
[Roh Tae-woo Is Elected President]
After reading the article, Iid the paper on my table, and began to think to myself.
A new eras begun and jolting years await me.
I should devise a scheme to swallow up Sunyang before my twentieth birthday.
After 10 years, the grandfather will be too ill, to the point of being bedridden and near death.
Before which I and my father should increase our own share enough to vie with Young-ki.
And,
I should prevent the car ident that will ur before my twentieth birthday.
Jin Do-juns death.
In other words,
My death.
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Chapter 13
Chapter 13
When I was a ve of Sunyang and cleaned up the familys messes, the disregarded Jin Yun-ki, Jin Sang-jun and Jin Do-jun were not on my list. So in my memory, the number of Sunyangs third generation was 12. I have racked my brain for the name Jin Do-jun but cant remember anything but a car ident.
I didnt give a damn about the ident at the time.
Unfortunately I cant remember when, where, and how it happened.
I should be so careful that the future can not change much, but what if I can avoid the ident and vie for control of Sunyang?
What if I can help grandfather live longer? Will this help the future change much?
Not only did my doubts remain, I realized I should be be mindful each day of my demeanour.
Especially toward the grandfather.
This evening, Im supposed to be having dinner with him, just two of us.
I should yield something, in an borate, careful manner.
***
Grandfather!
Damn,
The probably the hardest thing to do is to run and thrust this small body against him.
For a time heid his eyes on me, curving his mouth over his lips and petting my head, then seated me at a table.
Sunyang Hotel Restaurant.
He probably wanted to reward me in some way for the tip-off.
The election result pleased him. Indeed, it was deemed that 5 years from now, Sunyang would benefit from the result.
Thank you so much, I will never forget your aid, The president-elect said to him on the phone.
I want to get you what you want, kid
This soon? I didnt even tell you my grade yet, said as if I had not heard anything of the election result, but thought of the pony promise.
Grade?
Yes,
Oh! Right
He must have forgotten it.
So did you get good grades?
I got straight As,
He blinked in surprise, thenughed softly.
Im the only one in my ss who has gotten straight As,
Oh, well. Its toote to buy you a pony today,
Now I would like something bigger than that.
Its okay. I cant even ride a pony. I will learn how to ride it over the winter break, then you can buy me one, I continued, Grandfather?
Yeah,
What is it you wanted to see me about, today?
Well, because of you, mypanies can get bigger,
Get richer, you mean?
He said, with a big smile.
Then you can give me something bigger too?
Bigger? Of course. What is bigger than a pony?
Well
Go on,
If I have a pony, will the pony be kept in a pasture in Jeju Ind (an ideal ce for raising horses in Korea)?
You cant raise a pony in your house, you know that,
But Once I have one, I will want to ride it every day. But I cant always fly to Jeju Ind to ride it,
Well, what should we do then?
Delectable dishes such as sushi, sashimi, bulgogi, doenjang jjigae, steak and jajangmyeon (ck bean sauce noodles) started being served.
And there was cake for dessert.
He would not eat a meal without kimchi. Kimchi was served first.
Eat up, kid,
He watched me scarfing down jajangmyeon. When I lifted my chin, he shot me a smile.
After shoving a few pieces of sashimi into his mouth,
Should we find a pasture near here so you can ride your pony every day?
Thats exactly what I wanted to hear!
Really? I asked, swallowing hard.
With a broad smile on his face, he looked at me wiping ck bean sauce off my mouth.
Of course. You said you wanted something bigger, didnt you, he said, thenughed broadly.
Oh yes! almost came out of my mouth.
I had to do that damn thing again; I climbed down off my chair, ran and hugged him.
He let out a heartyugh.
I cruised around the table and dropped back into my chair.
Where is your pasture, grandfather? Is it near your house? I asked.
You cant raise horses near residential areas, as horses stink,
Where then?
North of Seoul,
Record scratch
That was not the area Id had in my mind.
Whats wrong?
No, its just too far, I said, with a pout of my lips and a sullen look.
Too far?
Our house is in Gangnam
There is no pasture in the south of Seoul,
Make it. You can make everything you want, grandfather, I said, in a nervous, yet firm and ted voice.
What? Make a pasture?
He erupted inughter again. It was relief.
Do-jun?
Yes?
Do you know how manypanies I have?
Although I knew the answer, I shook my head.
I made 19 of 48 myself. And I bought the rest,
Bought? Not robbed?
I feel more attached to 19 that I built up,
What is he trying to say?
I like it when you say, make it,
How should I react?
Brinking? Nodding?
Let me help you make something of your own,
He summoned his PA.
Fetch us a map of Seoul and Gyeonggi-do,
Yes, sir,
After a little while, the PA brought us a map.
The grandfather spread the map over the table, then circled a spot and pointed to it.
Now, the circled spot is where my house is, where do you want to make your own pasture? Circle a spot,
Crazy!
Damn happy now.
I pretended to be agonizing over it although there was just one spot that had been in my mind for a long time.
Pick carefully,
I circled the one.
Here,
He frowned, his eyebrows knitting together.
Looks far from here, dont you think so?
Oh
I wore a sullen face, which shortly made him say, All right then, kid,
He called out the PA again.
Determine if this spot is suitable for a pasture,
Yes, sir,
The PA rolled up the map and put it under his arm, then backed into the door.
We continued to eat our dinner.
Grandfather changed the topic: friend.
I had none. How can a boy who has a mental age of 40 make a friend?
When I was equivocating, another his PA carefully entered inside.
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Chapter 14
Chapter 14
So, tell me, Its the southern greenbelt area, sir, And?
There are immense fields of cucumbers and oriental melons in the area, sir,
And?
Due to the poor condition of transportation infrastructure, and the difficulty of ess, the area is unlikely to be developed in the near future, sir,
Hmmm making a pasture shouldnt be a problem,
A pasture for?
Horses,
Thats possible, sir. Pastures are not taken by the greenbelt restrictions,
The grandfather took a slug of water, then he tapped the map several times pensively.
Identify whether thisnd is avable for purchase,
How many acres are you thinking about, sir?
50 acres,
Yes, sir,
Only 50? I expected more than 100 acres. Damn.
When his PA backed toward the door and pulled it shut behind him, the grandfather resumed smiling.
Now, lets see how thend you picked changes,
Doesnd change? I asked innocently.
Listen, kid. Im going to tell you something that you may not understand right now, but I want you to remember that,
Go on. I understand everything.
Yes, grandfather, I said, nodding.
Land is a living thing,
After a little pause, he continued,
Land is sensitive to changes, and of course the changes are made by humans,
He bored me already.
The important thing is that you have to make the changes work to your own advantage. Whennd reacts to them, you have to provide a special kind of stimulus so that its soil can change into gold dust,
I wouldnt have picked thend you picked, if I had to buynd, he added.
Why is that? I asked.
It takes so long. It takes many decades fornd to change into gold dust. However
I tilted my head.
You are so young right now, he said.
He was wrong. It will not take many decades. Thend I picked will change into gold dust, a new town in 2 years.
It was the best jajangmyeon Id ever had.
***
The new sun rose, bringing 1988 when the Seoul Olympic Games marked a historic moment for South Korea, drawing international recognition.
The smash hit TV series Reply 1988 seems like another world to me now.
Its story tells about the lives of ordinary people, while I live in the story of affluent peoples lives.
Do-jun? What are you doing here again? Seo-yun asked.
Look whos talking!
Hows your mother doing? she asked, then went away without reply.
Her husband who is getting ready to run for the National Assembly shot a very quick smile at me and stroked my hair for the most fleeting moment, then strode into the grandfathers study.
He always gives me an eerie feeling. In particr, whenever he looked at my mother, Id seen the coarse look in his eyes. Because of her fadeless beauty, my mother can still attract the attention of men, and the jealousy of other women in the family which is the implicit reason they dont warm to her.
Anyway, as that SOB passed by me, I had to resist my impulse to pluck out his eyes.
**
Does Do-jun live here? Seo-yun asked ironically.
School vacation. He is staying here for a week or so, the grandfather said, then asked, So why are you here again, with Choi (Seo-yuns husband aka the SOB)? giving Choi a fierce look.
Well, am I not invited? asked Choi, then a sheepish grin quickly appeared on his face. Meanwhile, a sulky pout crossed Seo-yuns face.
I asked you why you are here again, the grandfather said in a stern tone.
Why is his local constituency is Suwon, father? Seo-yun asked.
The grandfathers irritation soared even higher.
Not that she didnt know why, she was thinking of somewhere else.
Suwon is packed with Sunyang factories.
Since the majority of its poption is rted to Sunyang, Choi stands a strong chance of winning the election.
I would not y a game that I could win easily, said Choi.
What do you want? the grandfather asked in a low, stern voice.
Choi gave Seo-yun a sidelong nce as if to say, You tell him,
She balked, then said, In order to reach the ears of the leading figures
Say what you want, damn it! the grandfather yelled out.
Jongno, father, said Seo-youn.
Jongno district is the major political centre.
The two (Seo-yun and Choi) knew that, if Choi got elected to the National Assembly from Jongno district, he would be constantly in the public eye and be one of key figures, alongside other leading political figures.
The grandfather frowned, mping his mouth shut.
Why, why is it you want Jongno, Choi?
Seo-yun quickly answered while Choi dropped his head, staring at his feet.
He will run in the next presidential election, father,
The grandfather was not taken aback at all, as if hed expected the answer.
A heavy silence fell over the study.
Choi?
Yes,
You do not dare, the grandfather said.
Not the reaction theyd expected. Choi and Seo-yuns eyes widened.
Father?
Shut up and listen!
The two mped their mouths shut as fear arose in them.
Jongno? Do you have any idea of how much you need to spend in order to get elected from the district?
No one doubts that money matters in political campaigns.
I picked Suwon, its because, as you said, you can win easily. Without my money, the grandfather said, ring at Choi.
How could Seo-yun equivocated, the sheer disappointment written all over her face.
He is from one of the best families, father! He doesnt deserve your scorn, but rather your respect! she poured out her rage.
Oh well, who made your family the best? who made your father Chief Prosecutor? I DID! the grandfather shouted out. The higher his rage soared the lower Choi dropped his head.
I raised your family because I wanted faithful dogs that could grovel at my feet! And you are one of the dogs, you must do as I say!
He ranted like a deranged lunatic as Chois forehead bulged with a thick vein and his face reddened to the color of a beet.
Silence prevailed for a while.
The next presidential election? Was it your father who uttered that nonsense, Choi? His rage seemed to have cooled down to a light simmer.
Tell you father, stop that nonsense,
When the two started backing toward the door, he said, You stay here, Seo-yun,
His rage returned just after Choi pulled the door shut behind him. He grabbed a book from his desk and flung it at Seo-yun.
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Chapter 15
Chapter 15
Seo-yun stood up from the chair, knelt on the floor and bowed her head. Please forgive me, father, she said. She would always put her greediness ahead of her
ability.
As she was a married daughter; no better than a stranger, she was not on the Sunyangs sessor-list. So shed been convinced, if she helped her husband, Choi enter into politics andy hold of political authority, with which she could remove the sessors, in order to monopolize Sunyang. It was not necessary to add the idea of making Choi the next president in the first ce.
And Seo-yun must have egged Choi on to submit his resignation to the prosecution and run for the National Assembly.
Once the department stores sales results go down, youll have to stay out of its management, the grandfather said.
His tone was firm. She stiffened.
***
With his flushed face, trembling lips, Choi came out of the grandfathers study and left without looking back.
Something was not right.
After I quickly scanned the living room to make sure there was no one else there, I moved my feet closer to the door to the study.
A loud voice burst out. Its owner was of course the grandfather.
He seemed determined not to give Seo-yun any more than Sunyang department store.
Her resentment must have been umting while her brothers were taking over Sunyangs main affiliates.
The sound of a chair scratching against the floor startled me. I darted into the living room.
Pretending toze around on the sofa, I stole a nce at Seo-yuning out of the study, blowing her nose.
I jumped up off the sofa when I noticed the grandfathers appearance.
What were you doing? Werent you bored? he asked.
Not at all, I was reading the book, I answered.
Thats a good habit,
When he then stroked my head, his PA rushed through the front door into the living room, bowed his head and handed him a thick envelope of documents.
Did you finish the purchase?
Yes, sir. Finished the registration transfer as well,
Great, and the construction?
It will start tomorrow, and once the pasture ispleted, two thoroughbred ponies will be transferred first,
Good,
When the PA bowed his head, then left the study, the grandfather smiled brightly and opened the envelope.
The thick documents were obviously the registration of the pasture. And some pictures and the construction drawing.
The pictures were of ponies from Arab, and the drawing was for the pasture.
What do you think? he asked, looking at the pictures.
I did not care what the ponies looked like, but I pretended to like them, pping my hands for joy. What I was most interested in was whose name was on the register, and whether thend was 50 acres.
We looked at the pictures of the horses, then finally opened the registration documents.
This is thend you picked, he said, showing the documents to me.
What! 80?
I remember you said 50? I asked.
You remember the number of its acres?
It seemed to have impressed him as he would always think numbers matter a great deal.
Thendlord would not sell 50, but 80 acres,
I was already calcting the amount of thendpensation in my head. A giggle escaped.
When he saw my smile that I could not hide, a gratifying smile curled his lips.
Is that good? he asked.
He probably thought I smiled because of the pasture and ponies.
Although my name is on the register, I should keep the documents safe.
I dropped the pictures and reached for the documents, then started to read them.
If you read them, can you understand them, kid? he asked, thenughed out loud.
No, but because these are mine, I said.
Moreughter ensued.
Mine; a savings ount with a current bnce of 16 billion won that will expire in a couple of years.
This was arge amount of money that was the equivalent of over 200 apartments as a 90 sq.ft. apartment in Seoul was now worth only 75 million won. And it was my seed money.
Let me keep them, he said, stroking my head.
When he thrust his hand out, I put a sullen look on my face.
He blinked, looked startled and burst outughing.
The look would be seen as possessiveness.
Oh, well, you can keep them locked in your desk drawer then. Never lose them. If you lose them, not yours anymore. Get it?
Yes, Grandfather. Thank you, I said, then
Argh.
I dashed over to give him a tight hug.
***
When I returned home after a week, my mother greeted me with a stern face.
Do-Jun, let me see what your grandfather gave you,
Well, I thought that was too easy. The grandfather told my mother about the documents.
The interesting thing was that it was my mother who was told, not my father.
I handed the envelope to my mother.
She ced it in herp, looked at the pictures and read the documents for a while.
An anxious look appeared in her eyes.
Although it was the first property the grandfather bestowed, she didnt look pleased.
Do-jun, let me keep these safe,
Not a bad idea, I thought.
Yes, please do,
And grandfather said, do not tell other cousins about the pasture,
Okay, I said.
Then I looked her in the eye and carefully opened my mouth.
Mother,
Yeah?
Do you have money?
The question took her by surprise, as I would not usually ask for money.
Do you need some pocket money?
Very much bigger than pocket money,
How much? she asked.
Her eyes filled with curiosity.
Where is Ilsan, mother?
Ilsan? Well, I dont know where, but why?
Ignorant of the world but she is a good mother after all.
I heard at grandfathers that Ilsan would be a city and thend price would rise,
Who said that, Grandfather?
No, his people in thepany,
She was not too naive to understand it nor too ignorant to waste away all of the money shed saved.
After tipping her off, I ascended into my room.
Too young. If only Do-jun were in his twenty, I said to myself, letting out a long sigh.
While I was spending my winter vacation cozying up to books, a new era, the 6th Republic, began.
On February 25, Roh Tae-woo was inaugurated as the 13th president and soon did the 13th National Assembly election begin.
***
The grandfather was more scrupulous than Id imagined.
In particr, the most surprising thing was that he took advantage of the National Assembly election for Sunyang electronics outdoor advertising.
As the election was a month away, all the district candidates delivered speeches during their campaigns, which involved trucks with video screens.
In order to create a special demand for the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, Sunyang electronics built the prototypes of a high-end TV and VTR, and leased them to all the candidates as a rental form.
The TV featured a huge 33-inch screen, separate surround-sound speakers with the sub-woofer, and the PIP function (two channels at once).
The price of the TV was 2.6 million won, which was the highest price ever paid at the time when the monthly wage of a college graduate employee was about 330,000 won.
And 450,000 won was the price of the wireless remote-controlled VTR.
The advertising impact of these two products was louder than the voice of the candidates.
And Choi got elected to the National Assembly from the city of Sunyang, Suwon, which,pared to the impact, was not newsworthy, but certainly an achievement worth celebrating.
The celebration was held at Grand Ballroom in Sunyang hotel.
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Chapter 16
Chapter 16
The celebration was held magnificently. The ballroom was swarmed with people. Most of them came to give the grandfather a good impression, rather than simply to congratte Choi on his election to the National Assembly.
Our family greeted Seo-yun who was greeting guests with a big smile at the entrance.
Congrattions, my father said.
Even though his tone was a bit sarcastic, her grin on Seo-yuns face didnt seem to fade an inch.
Giving the father a light p on the back, Seo-yun scowled at him.
Help yourself, she said.
Youve changed since Choi got elected, the father said, thenughed.
Unlike him, my mother and brother Sang-jun still looked nervous.
Congrattions,
She was still grinning when my mother, I and my brother congratted her. Very rare.
Oh, do me a favor, she said to the mother.
The mother raised her eyebrows.
There is a very important party leader I want you to meet, Seo-yun said.
My fathers eyebrows wriggled.
What are you talking about? he asked.
Honey! The mother said, tugging at his sleeve, as if to say dont make any trouble,
Its just because he said he used to be her fan. Whats with the look?
Ill meet him, the mother hastened to say, then walked into the ballroom, seizing the fathers arm.
Honey, do not blow your stack over anything, she said.
The father quickly put a polite smile on his face, greeting and getting greeted by the people, then he squeezed her hand as if saying, all right, honey,
Okay, lets take a quick look around, then get out of here, he said.
He waved his hand in greeting as he spotted Choi.
Congrattions on your election. What does it feel like, obtaining a seat in Parliament? he asked, thenughed.
Oh, well it feels like Ive been demoted from the chief prosecutor to a newly-elected member of the National Assembly, Choi said.
When I and Sang-jun greeted him, he stroked my hair and bowed lightly to the mother.
You look more beautiful with age. The ballroom became bright because of you, he said to the mother.
Congrattions, she said.
I saw Chois eyes roamed over her body.
Disgusting son of a bitch! Very off-putting.
Oh, do me a favor,Choi said.
Yep, heard that from Seo-yun. Who the hell is it? the father asked, frustrated again.
An influential person of the Sixth Republic,
What? Its been only a few days since the Sixth Republic was established,
Its President Roh Tae-woos right-hand man, he said in an effusive, but low voice.
Why dont you guys get some food? the mother suggested, looking at me and Sang-jun.
Choi pushed my parents a bit forward into the crowd.
When I tried to prick up my ears to listen, I became aware of an intrusive presence.
Kang-jun was standing with his younger sister, Young-kyung. She is one year older than I am.
Hi, Young-kyung, I said, raising my hand in greeting as I approached.
They looked horrified. They must have recalled the time when I broke Kang-juns one leg.
Is your leg okay now? I continued, I heard youd walked with crutches, I said, staring at his leg with a sarcastic edge.
His face then became reddened with rage.
We will have to adjust its bnce by breaking the other, my tone was soft, but my eyes zed. Kang-jun huffed, then stormed off. His sister followed in the rear.
Do-jun, why do you keep pissing him off? Sang-jun asked with an anxious look on his face.
He is a f**king coward! Kick his f**king ass, Sang-jun!
Sang-jun looked genuinely astonished at my F words.
Damn, he is weak-minded, as my first alliance. He will need to be schooled.
Why didnt you guys eat anything? my mother asked.
After greeting someone, our parents came back and grabbed our hands.
Lets get out and eat, the father said, Anything you guysd like,
Shouldnt we see your father before we leave? the mother asked him.
We can not see him, he said.
She tilted her head to the side.
He must be busy talking with some politicians in the royal suite,
Well then, lets get out of here, she said briskly, clinging to his arm.
Sang-jun jumped for joy, then said, Dad! McDonalds, McDonalds!
Oh well, its moments like these Iment having a 13-year-old brother. I wanted to eat dim sum at the Chinese restaurant.
Beer houses began to emerge in the 80s, and KFC appeared in 1984. The first McDonalds store opened in March this year, opposite the Galleria Department Store in Apgujeong.
Sang-jun has been campaigning hard to go to McDonalds.
The father said, all right, checking my face to see if Id like to go too. My face wore a big and very fake smile.
When we were just about to slip out of the ballroom, a man suddenly blocked our way, then bowed his head.
He is looking for you, the man said, then his chin rose, his eyes indicated me.
Do-jun? the father asked, frowning.
Yes,
You just tell him you couldnt find Do-jun,
Sorry, cant do that,
The man then bowed again.
Its okay, father. Ill be right back, I said.
He said it would take long, the man said.
Father, please dont worry about me. Ill have dinner (maybe dim sum) with grandfather,
My parents perhaps thought that I was being forced to do things I should not have to do.
I smiled broadly, trying to reassure them, Im fine.
***
The room the man escorted me to was not the royal suit Id expected. It was small, and there was no bed.
An alluring cornucopia of foodid at a big round table for me to indulge in.
Help yourself. He will be here soon, he said and stepped out of the room.
When he closed the door softly behind him, I started looking around the room.
Uh?
There was a sliding door that was slightly opened.
Looking behind the door, I could see the real royal suite, and the grandfather; this room was for guests.
He was sitting in his chair and talking to someone that I couldnt see because his back was blocking my view.
I once fuelled up on the food, pricking up my ears, leaning closer, and listening hard.
In his inaugural address, president Roh proimed that the era of ordinary people (Rohs slogan for his focus on continuous economic growth and fair ie distribution) had arrived, and emphasized the importance of the northern policy,
Who is that?
The North policy is to improve diplomatic rtions with themunist countries, especially the Soviet Union and China, the unknown man added.
How can I help you? the grandfather asked.
President Roh wants you to be part of the broad politicalndscape,
FYI: In 1995, both Chun and Roh were arrested on charges of collecting hundreds of millions of dors from some of the nations most influential business leaders, chaebol as the conglomerates are known, while in office. They were also indicted on mutiny and treason charges stemming from Chuns coup and a bloody 1980 crackdown that killed hundreds of pro-democracy protesters in Gwangju.
Just keep me posted, the grandfather said.
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Chapter 17
Chapter 17
The unknown man was named Park. Hisughter enveloped the room. Ill show you a draft at some point, he said.
Please draw one that President Roh will be satisfied with, the grandfather said.
Im not sure what he is up to.
Im afraid Im too slow-witted to realize Go head tell me, said Park.
Aha! I knew my grandfather was smiling broadly, even though I couldnt see his face, only the back of his head.
Workers are pouring out into the streets for demonstrations, he continued,
And our factory is closed down due to a general strike,
Riding the waves of demonstrations, workers came out to the streets and fought for their rights.
What the grandfather was asking him was to stop them.
Well, the problem is our top priority. No worries. That will be solved before the Olympic Games, said Park.
Please, just steer it in the right direction, the grandfather said. Park nodded yes.
Do you have another thing? asked Park.
Has the ANSP (agency for national security nning) been busy ofte?
Park raised his eyebrows, blinked twice.
Thebor union is causing trouble, the grandfather added,
Ive received reports on that matter,
I heard Sunyang is as informative as the ANSP, said Park.
Very ttering,
Why would he want to mobilize the ANSP? Only to grasp the trend of the union?
As a result of the money he contributed to the presidential campaign fund, he was able to benefit from national agencies.
Ill line up a few of them to take care of the union,
Thank you, really appreciate it, the grandfather said.
They exchanged a few more words and their goodbyes. I could hear the sound of the door opening, then footsteps fading away down the hall.
And.
I stood with my eyes fixed upon the grandfather as the sliding door opened.
Do-jun, did you wait long? Did you eat anything?
He pulled out his chair and sat down next to me.
Although Its been just two months since Ist saw him, he was nosy as if he had met me in a few years.
All I could say was I studied hard,
While I was talking, he scanned the table.
Do-jun?
Yes?
Tell me honestly, did you hear what I said in that room?
Most of the food were barely touched, which made him suspect that I was eavesdropping.
The slightly opened door might have been intended; if I said Id heard what he said, he would like it.
But eavesdropping is not a good thing. I shook my head as my eyes fell to the floor, as if I did something wrong.
Smiling, he gently stroke my hair. His hands were rough and cold.
Did you understand what I said? he asked, his eyes lighting up a little.
What he said was too political for a 11-year-old to understand, and I wanted to dole out joy a bit by a bit.
I shook my head.
The light seemed to fade from his eyes.
But I have a question, I said before the lightpletely disappeared
What is it?
Was the man in that room the president?
No, but he came to meet me on behalf of the president,
His eyes fixed on me with wonderment and curiosity.
Souldnt you meet the president? You are thergestpanys chairman in the country,
I was sincerely curious. I wanted to hear the reason why he met Park, not the president.
At school, you would hear rumors: who is kind, who is greedy, who is good at fighting?
Yes, a lot,
If your closest friend or a trustworthy person would tell you about a rumor, you would probably believe it, wouldnt you? he continued, but you should not, (thats a trap)
Whether the rumor is right or wrong, you should check on it yourself, he added.
Were you checking on something yourself earlier then?
Yeah, he answered.
I slowly, gently nodded.
Do you still remember something important I said before? he asked.
I racked my brain.
I dont have to understand what you are saying right away but remember it when I need to?
Yeah, right, and remember what I just said too,
Yes, grandfather,
And one more thing, you must be a listener, not an exiner,
And a decider, not a follower.
He would decide whether he would be part of the politicalndscape after considering its draft.
Now I have to get back to work. Why dont youe to my house on Childrens Day (May 5)?
With excitement in my voice, I said, Yes!
***
After the grandfather returned his grandson home, he went back into the main room. There was a middle-aged man sitting on a sofa waiting for him. The man sprang from the sofa and bowed as the grandfather entered the room.
Do sit down, he said, sitting down. Then asked, What about Park?
He is in a suite downstairs. A female rookie singers been sent to the suite,
Good. What about the ballroom?
Gave newly-elected members some (money), the man added, chuckling arranged new female models and prepared rooms (for some of the members),
Great, the grandfather said, then lifted his mug of tea, rested his feet on the tea table and swallowed a gulp.
What do you think Park will bring me? he asked.
That is not important, sir. Once Soviet natural gas resources are acquired, the man said.
Are you sure about this?
LNG will be an entre for Sunyang, the man said in confidence, his eyes glowing.
The grandfather looked at him with a grin, and infinite trust.
Chapter 18
Chapter 18
Since 1980, the government has established the expansion n of gas supply to advance domestic fuels, and while shaping up the LNG introduction n, a number of private gaspanies centered on the metropolitan area andrge cities have emerged. On October 31, 1986, a vessel carrying 57,300 tons of LNG arrived at the Pyeongtaek terminal for the first time, and the city gas business started in earn
est.
The citys household energy was rapidly changing from briquettes and oil to natural gas.
The Soviet Union was a vast resource, and its resources were abundant enough to supply 30% of Europes natural gas. The Soviet government could toggle the supply on and off, in terms of diplomatic efforts (threats).
Majority-owned by the government, Gazprom was argepany that carried on the business of extraction, production, transport, and sale of natural gas.
If Sunyang could monopolize the Soviet natural gas import and supply the gas to private city gas operators, it was no different than obtaining the Soviet gas valve; huge profits.
Sunyang had set a goal before the current administrations northern policy was created.
So, Hak-jae, what do you think? the grandfather asked. The man was his chief secretary named Hak-jae.
You mean, about Do-jun? asked Hak-jae.
As the grandfather nodded, Ha-jae had a faint smile around his mouth.
The seed leaf is fragrant, (from a proverb: Sandalwood is fragrant even in seed leaf; genius disys itself even in childhood)
Hmm,
Even the greatest seed leaf can be rooted out at once by a typhoon. We will see, maybe after 10 years,
A typhoon? You mean, Yun-ki (Do-juns father)? the grandfather asked.
Oh, well, Yun-ki changed while studying in Ennd. (sigh) He was quite useful, he said, his voice dropping low.
The slim chances are that Do-jun also could change, Hak-jae said, but I must say that Do-jun is very bright,
Too young. If only he were the eldest grandson,
Stay healthy and watch him growing up,
The grandfather let out a deep sigh, shaking his head slowly.
He couldnt speed up the flow of time no matter how much money he has.
Why dont you leave a few of Sunyangs affiliates to Do-jun when he grows up? asked Hak-jae.
Would they (the other three sons and his only daughter) leave him alone?
Hak-jae couldnt say anything because he was also aware that they would deprive Do-jun of the affiliates and how sick they were.
What do you say? the grandfather asked.
Hak-jae blinked in curiosity.
After ten years, if Do-jun is still bright, will you side with Do-jun or the eldest grandson, Young-jun? the grandfather asked.
Hak-jae was obviously aware of his intention: the grandfather wants to hand over the majority shares of Sunyang to Do-jun.
The grandfather was naming Hak-jae as the guardian of Do-jun.
Ill be always on your side, Hak-jae answered. Then smiled. The grandfather smiled along with him.
When Do-jun grows up, and still bright enough to inherit Sunyangs affiliates, look after him. Protect him from them,
Yes, sir,
***
On May 5, 1988 when Adele Laurie Blue Adkins was born in Tottenham, in the north of London, Ennd, The grandfather, with his family and his retinues, went to Seoul Land a week before its official opening.
The family was only 25, but the escort staffs of Sunyang Chaebol and Seoul Land were over 100 people.
How could they be so selfish? The staffs must have their own families and children.
Most of them were probably fathers. They were supposed to spend the childrens day with their own children.
For just one time our family could put themselves in their shoes.
I couldnt have fun. I wanted to leave this ridiculous scene.
Somebody looks to be having no fun, a man approached me, smiled and said.
He looked familiar. Id seen him somewhere before.
I work with your grandfather, said the man.
Uhm who?
I am your grandfathers chief secretary, Lee Hak-jae. Your father calls me brother, so you can call me uncle,
I began descending the steps slowly, then stopped.
He was the man who was treated as a son more than the grandfathers eldest son, Young-ki.
He wielded strong influence: if he rejected an agenda, the grandfather also rejected it. Even though it was an agenda that the grandfather approved, if Hak-jae had a private meeting with its proposer, the grandfather withdrawled the approval.
When Young-ki was inaugurated as chairman, Hak-jae handed in his resignation. There was no apparent reason why he did.
There were rumors though.
That although Young-ki wanted to promote him, Hak-jae quitted, saying going with the flow,
And that as soon as Young-ki took office, he began investigating Hak-jae because of his corruption. And Hak-jae fought back.
He threatened Young-ki with evidence of illegal acts done by Sunyang Chaebol. Young-ki then raised a g of surrender.
There was no knowing whether Hak-jaemitted corruption or not, but one thing was for sure he walked away with a huge severance payment.
That legendary man now allowed me to call him uncle,
I should make him a strong ally.
Why dont you go on the rides like other cousins? The adults are also enjoying the rides, Hak-jae said, pointing at the jackass adults.
Other adults look to be having no fun at all, I said.
Other adults? Who? he asked.
He knitted his brows, looking almost serious.
Who? I cant find them,
Well
This man was also living in another world.
Anything or anyone that didnt belong in his world wouldnte in sight. While working as a perfect butler, he seemed to have had his status elevated.
Those adults there, who are working now. Cant you see them?
Hak-jae frowned, then looked back at me. His eyes widened and filled with some emotions that I couldnt identify.
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Chapter 19
Chapter 19
It would be a mistake to say that, if he considered me to be a sympathetic person because keeping a level head is critical when ites topany management. Hmm you mean, those staffs? asked Hak-jae
Because of us, they couldnt be with their children today, I said.
I could feel his sharp nce. He looked at me for a time and then said.
They are doing their job, whether its childrens day or not,
They will hate us, I said.
He gave me that sharp nce again.
Do-jun,
Yes, uncle,
If someone hates you, then do like your grandfather does,
He continued, Change hate into fear,
His words exploded like fireworks in my head.
Damn, He sure as hell is a butler while I still cant break the servant spirit.
Butlers would put productivity improvement, sales maximization and customer satisfaction before all the pigshit; sympathizing with servants.
There is something different between chairmen and CEOs.
CEOs fatten theirpanies up while chairmen make war for an extension of territory.
And in the territory, servants should do what their masters say.
He reached a hand up to stroke my hair behind my ear, and I looked up at him, eyebrows raised.
I wanted to find out more about him but Sang-ju suddenly appeared at my side, took my hand and pulled me away from Hak-jae.
After the trip to Seoul Land, all the family members dropped with fatigue. So did I. With mental fatigue.
But the next day, when I saw my own pasture, all trace of the fatigue flew away.
I felt a tremor of joy and excitement coursing through my body as I saw the wide open green fields where horses ran joyfully.
Now I had homework to do I should learn to ride a horse.
At the end of the year, my horse-riding skills improved substantially.
1988 was a great year.
The constitution of the 6th republic began to take effect, and president Roh who had been chosen by direct election took office.
The bloody 8-year IranIraq war ended.
President Rohunched the July 7 Deration calling for improved rtions with North Korea.
Cho Yong-pils 10th album was released while Metallicas 4th album And Justice For All hit stores.
The Olympic Games improved South Koreas image as a developed, stable country.
The opposition party was created in 38 years, and the government auditing system was reformed in 16 years.
A specialmittee was established to uncover the corruption of the 5th Republic, and a hearing was held in the National Assembly for the first time since the beginning of the Constitution.
Some famous people such as politicians, business circles and journalists attended and were televised live, which led to a national popr topic that wasparable to the Olympics, and among the members of the National Assembly, the future president became the star of the hearing.
Then in November, the former president Jeon Doo-hwan left Seoul for internal exile at a Buddhist temple after apologizing to the nation for abuses of power during his rule and surrendering his personal assets to the state.
The exchange rate reached 600 won, and the three low-boom peaked.
The poption of Seoul surged as people poured into the city and as a result, Seoul house prices skyrocketed.
The government implemented housing projects, developing Mok-dong and Sanggye-dong areas but was unable to keep up with soaring real estate prices.
The new year, 1989 came.
***
The governments implemented new town development projects,
Slow down, the grandfather said.
CEO of Sungyang Construction, Hong was barely able to contain his excitement.
The Presidents new year address was mainly about resolving the housing shortage.
Beforeing to the grandfathers study, Hong attended a meeting organized by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Economy nning Board , the Chief Executive of the Blue House, and the Minister of Construction.
What are the strong candidate areas? the grandfather asked.
Seongnam, Bundang and Ilsan, sir
After Hong took a sip of water, he briefed the meeting.
But purchasingnds in those areas is not permitted?,
Yes, the government warned if anypany monopolized any part of thends, thepany would be dealt out of the projects,
But somepanies would probably hoard in some way or other, like using different names, Hak-jae said, frowning.
(There is) something different this time, said Hong.
Cooperate with the government, the grandfather continued, Not to mention everyone else (at Sunyang), the grandfather said.
He thought it was a smart thing to do when the situation in Eastern Europe became serious and the diplomatic rtions with the Soviet Union were in course of time; radical changes were being made the grandfather is convinced that the better Sunyang cooperates, the more opportunities Sunyang shall be provided with by the government.
The grandfather rummaged around in the new town development-rted documents that Hong left behind, though not thoroughly, then stopped at a page.
He knitted his brows and his eyes fixed on a map with a piercing gaze.
Something wrong, sir? asked Hak-jae.
No, its just this ce, so familiar,
The grandfather looked at a map in the documents for a time, then picked up the receiver.
The pasture Yeah, send me itsnd registration map by fax, he said, then put down the receiver with a smile at the corner of his mouth.
When Hak-jae was about to ask what was going on, a housemaid entered the study.
No sooner she handed the fax to the grandfather, he burst outughing.
Hak-jae was damn curious.
You know that I made a pasture for Do-jun?,
Yes, sir no way!
Look,
Hak-jae hurriedlypared the fax with the map in the documents.
He picked that area, the grandfather said.
You mean, not you, Do-jun did?
Chapter 20
Chapter 20
Rather than seed money 2. Under whose name, sir? asked Hak-jae. Do-juns, The grandfather seemed as if hed disc
overed tremendous treasures. Do-juns potential got the upper hand on the qualities of a very good CEO.
What are you nning to do with thend, sir?
What do you mean? Its Do-juns,
I mean, with thendpensation. And as you know, we have to sell thend before the governments official announcement (of new town development projects), sir
The grandfather waved his hand as if to say, dont worry,
Then he said, Leave it to Do-jun. Lets try his luck,
Thendpensation amounted to at least 16 billion and up to 20 billion (won).
It was the equivalent amount of the annual sry of four thousand college graduates.
The amount was too big to ce on Do-juns luck, Hak-jae thought.
***
On April 27, 1989, a number of people flocked into Bundang and Ilsan.
The announcement of the new towns by the government was no different from the disclosure of treasure maps.
Hak-jae went to Yun-kis ce (Do-juns father) with a bankbook.
What brought you here, brother? asked Yun-ki. He was the only person in Sunyang family who called Hak-jae brother; other assholes would exercise the power of master, treating Hak-jae as a butler.
He shook his hand with Hak-jae and escorted him into the living room.
When they were having an everyday conversation, Yun-kis wife served them coffee.
Do sit down, please, Hak-jae said to her as she turned slowly back toward the kitchen, with no hint of a smile on his face.
She and Yun-ki became nervous.
Its about Do-jun, said Hak-jae.
That made the twos eyes open wide.
Good news, though,
He told them about thendposition.
What? 14 billion? Yun-ki asked, in astonishment.
His wife seemed taken aback. She expected the grandfather would sell thend as shed handed thend registry to his PA, but she sure didnt expect that.
Thats for 60 acres, and still 20 acres left. Approximately 10 billion,
The twos eyes became bigger.
What does father say? asked Yun-ki.
He says the money is Do-juns and he will leave it to Do-Jun,
Do-jun is only 12 now. He cant just give that big money to a 12-year-old. Tell him to take the money back,
Honey, Yun-kis wife said, grabbing his wrist tightly as if to say keep that money,
Which was rare and made Hak-jae taken aback.
Why so serious?
Hak-jae seemed to know what Yun-ki was afraid of; Yun-ki worried that Do-jun would be obsessed with money.
That money can be all Do-jun can get. I mean, you know that your father is unpredictable. He wont like Do-jun forever, will he? Yun-kis wife said.
Yun-ki never won his wife. And this time was no exception.
***
I opened the bankbook and studied it.
Its way too big (money) for you, isnt it?
Ha!
I blinked, holding the bankbook open in my hand.
What about my pasture? I asked.
You can ask your grandfather to make another one,
He stroke my hair, then left my room.
As the sound of his footsteps faded away, I looked at the bankbook again.
No shit, 14 billion?
Laughter busted out of my mouth, and I stood on my bed and started to jump.
Gasp!
I heard a set of footsteps ascending the stairs.
I jumped off the bed and dashed into my desk.
When I opened a book and pretended to read, my parents came into the room.
Do you have a minute? the mother asked.
Uncle Hak-jae told you about the money, right? the father asked.
I nodded yes, proffering the bankbook.
But he didnt receive it, shaking his head slowly.
What did you say you would do with the money,
I said I would keep it in the bank,
The two seemed at ease.
For now I said.
The ease disappeared from their faces and a look of concern reced it.
For now? the mother asked, Why? Do you need to buy something?
No,
Then why..?
Honey, let s listen to Do-jun first then ask, the father said, grabbing her hand.
When their eyes were turned back toward my face, I opened my mouth slowly.
What do you guys want to do with this money?
The father gave me a firm look, then left the room without saying anything.
What the!
The mother looked at me and took a short sigh, grabbing my hand.
Do-jun, he is not angry with you, but a little surprised,
I lowered my head, and the mother stroked my back.
Silence fell over the room for a moment.
Mother?
Yes?
Do you remember what I told you about Ilsan?
Ah, the new town you told me about?
Aha! she bought somend. Her look told me so.
Sorry, Id forgotten all about that. Why would you ask, anyway?
Yup, I expected she would not tell.
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Chapter 21
Chapter 21
Yun-ki was watching a film in his home theatre, which was his favorite room in the house, with his wife. He silently kept sipping a ss in a room that showed how he loved his only hobby: watching movies and ys. His home theatre was like a miniature of an actual theatre, but his wife could see his concentration was elsewhere.
Is it because of Do-jun?
Ah? You may say so
Yun-ki was hating himself for having been interested in the bankbook that had been shown to him instead of his son.
Our son had good intentions, despite being immature. Dont think it so deeply.
Dear wife.
Yes.
I was embarrassed, not angry.
Yun-ki smiled softly as he wrapped an arm around his wifes shoulder.
When he showed me that much moneymy heart beat faster. It seemed this was the opportunity I had been waiting for! However, then I realized I was a father who wanted to spend his sons money.
You did so because of the sheer amount. I also thought our entire family could go abroad with that money.
However, his wifes words could not revive his pride as a father.
Husband, Im just curiousWhat do you want to do with all that money? Do you want to realize your dream as a film director?
While Yun-ki did not want to talk about his failed dream, he could not ignore his wifes attempt to change the subject.
No, Ill probably shoot a really boring film.
Then you lost all interest?
Actually, no. I want to n one, and the novel Im reading now would really make a good adaptation.
Yun-kis eyes shone like a dreaming boy when he talked about films.
If I manage to cut down the production costs and make enough profit, I could go on my next film.
How can you do that?
By making sure the right amount is spent in the right ces. You know how the system works.
Yun-kis wife had been an actress when young.
I only shot one film, and there had been no time to learn the ropes.
You could have been a star
You were the one who told me my acting was horrible.
Thats true.
Yun-ki stared lovingly at his wife, who had made him forget his embarrassment.
**
How much is it?
14 billion won just topensate for thend, and over 10 billion for the leftovermercial property.
Sunyangs vice president and President Jins eldest son Yeong-gi Jin wiped his brow at the new town map.
That kid could earn one billion won just by interest. Nice.
Yeong-gi shouted at his son Yeong-juns remark.
Do you think this is the right time to think about bank interest rates?!
Yeong-jun lowered his head at his fathers words.
Youre graduating soon! Be an adult!
Stop pressing our son! Hes depressed because he could not study abroad!
Yeong-gis secretary cleared his throat to remind the family that he was also present in the living room.
Mr. Kim.
Yes, sir.
Keep watching over Yun-kis house and report immediately if something happens.
I will.
You can leave.
Yeong-gi red at his son after his secretary left the room.
Are you going to keep chasing womens tails?! Why do you keep going after famous actresses?!
Yeong-jun could not raise his head at that remark. Yeong-gi had secured a ce at a prestigious American university for his son, but Yeong-jun had impregnated the most well-known actress of this era, who was seven years older than Yeong-jun. He had spent a small fortune to have that fact erased, but he could not keep this from his father.
-What? I will not have my grandson sire children in America? Is he in heat or something?!
Now, Yeong-jun was being watched by two men at all times and was even envious of his younger cousin.
Listen. Your grandfather does not give out even ten won in vain.
Please, its the past
Yeong-gi ignored his wife Hye-youngs words. As a daughter of a rich family, she did not know finance and was irritated at her husbands subservient attitude to his father.
He has valued Do-jun at over twenty billion won! Do you know what this means?
Yeong-jun did not think much of his fathers words, as he believed that Sunyang would be his after his father became president.
Did your grandfather give you a bankbook? That is how he views you.
Why are you so worried? Youre vice president, and Sunyang is yours already.
Hye-young smiled.
Time is on our side, as your father is getting old.
However, Yeong-gi did not think he was worrying too much, as his wife and son did not know who Yang-cheol was. While he had never worried about his seeding his father, he had to be cautious. He did not want to share even a bit of Sunyang with any other person.
**
I went to sit next to Father, who was reading a newspaper on the living room sofa.
I am sorry.
Its nothing, Do-jun. I was just surprised.
Father gave me a hug.
Youre growing up so fast.
I did not know what to say to those words, as I had never raised a child. I could only hold my fathers hand.
Tell me what you want to say, Do-jun.
I heard Mother tell Grandfather that she wanted me to do what I wanted.
She did?
Yes.
Father looked surprised at that.
Ibecame curious about what you wanted to do. Mother told me you liked movies.
She did?
Yes.
Fathers smile was bittersweet as he spoke.
I went abroad during my third year at the university to Ennd under Fathers orders. I never thought of any other path than taking an MBA, as I thought I would get some of Sunyangs subsidiary firms.
He hesitated a bit before speaking further.
Theres a district called West End in Ennd, where hundreds of ys and musicals are put on every day. I went to see works like Shakespeare, Osbournes Look Back in Anger, and Millers A Death of a Salesman.
I was relieved to see that Father had been attracted to art rather than the mor of entertainment. Maybe he could do well if given another chance.
I fell in love so deep that I enrolled in an art school. However, your grandfather found out, and I was sent back to Korea.
I thought such memories would rekindle my fathers former dream. Also, he had given me a hint to get the help I needed to achieve mine.
Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Will you stop me if you did not like what I wanted to do as a job?
Of course not. I will always help you.
Even if I wanted to be the president of a firm even bigger than Grandfathers?
Fatherughed.
Your dream is so big, Do-jun, that Father cannot help you.
I thought he would at least pretend to help me, but he was a bit too truthful.
Actually, theres a way.
What?
Fathers tone turned serious at my implications.
How? I will say that I am not interested in managing apany.
You know many who can help.
Who? I only know Department Head Hak-jae in Sunyang, but hes too busy to help you.
You said you studied abroad in Ennd just now
Father became silent.
**
Yun-gi! Its been a while.
Its been less than a year.
Yun-gis friend, Se-hyun Oh, was a bit too overtly friendly, as he had to wee rich clients. Se-hyun was the CEO of the PowerShares Korean branch, a global asset managementpany. PowerShares was established in 1953 and the main firm was in Anta. There were over forty branches all over the world and managed over a hundred and twenty billion dors. The firm was an empire, and Se-hyun was the youngest CEO in Asia. While Se-hyun was two years older than Yun-gi, they spoke as friends like they had in Ennd.
Why did you call me? Do you want me to manage your money?
Where would I have the funds?
Your allowance must bet ten times I earn in a year. Give me half, and Ill make you a profit.
You say that because you dont know how much I spend.
They were friends who could bicker with one another.
So, really, whats it about?
Its my son.
How can I help you with your son?
My younger one wants me to help him be an entrepreneur like his grandfather.
Do you mean Do-jun? Isnt he in elementary school?
Yes, he is in fifth grade.
How did you raise a son so unlike you?
Se-hyun punched Yun-gi in the shoulder, but Yun-gi remained serious.
Hes too grown up for me to justugh it off.
So, what do you want me to do?
Just eat a meal together and tell him not to rush things. I want him to know that he can have fun now.
Well, well. A Sunyangs child is different. I have to tell my kid to study.
Jealous, eh?
Se-hyun raised his fist at Yun-gis smile.
**
Your father was different from other annoying rich kids. He really was innocent.
Father brought an interesting friend, as PowerShares would manage eight hundred trillion dors in thirty years. However, Se-hyun seemed like a friendly neighbor despite being CEO of the firms Korean branch during the meal.
I will take your leave.
Sang-jun went upstairs like he was in puberty, as he remained silent most of the time. Father sent Se-hyun a look when we were almost done eating.
So, Do-jun. You want to be an entrepreneur?
Yes.
Like your grandfather?
Even bigger than my grandfather.
Sunyang is Koreas biggest groupwell, well. Greedy like your grandfather and a dreamer like your father, eh?
Se-hyuns eyes brightened.
Yun-gi, can I speak with Do-jun alone?
Father nodded, and Se-hyun stood up from the table.
Do-jun, learn from him.
Father smiled as Se-hyun and I went upstairs to my room. Se-hyun looked around as he sat on a chair.
You keep your room clean.
I saw that he was taking in my personality from my room.
So, Do-jun. Ask me what you want to know. Im a bit sessful in my own way, you know.
He was extremely sessful, but I spoke up like I did not have a clue.
Are you a president of a big firm?
Yes, but not like your grandfather. I help rich people get richer.
Then, you know many rich people?
Yes.
Then, you would hear stories that would make people richer, right?
Well, youre a sharp one. I did hear that you werent like most children
Se-hyunsugh was light, but I was going to push even further.
I keep my lips sealed and dont pry, as I would be out of a job if I did not do so.
Rich people had deep secrets, and people like Se-hyun prospered by knowing how to keep a secret.
Then, you would keep mine?
Hmmbut youre not my client, though.
Oh? Didnt my father say it?
What?
Se-hyun blinked.
I have fourteen billion won in my bank ount and will have ten billion more after selling mynd. Cant I be your client then?
Se-hyun blinked in astonishment. He was silent in disbelief, as group owners did not give such money to their underage children in this era. I waited until Se-hyun spoke up, which took almost five minutes.
Fourteen billion?
Ten more within the year.
Did..your grandfather give you the money?
No.
Then?
I thought you just said you do not pry.
Right, right. I asked the wrong question.
I handed Se-hyun my bankbook as he still stared at me in disbelief.
You can check the numbers.
I thought over how to proceed as Se-hyun stared at the bankbook. I could not keep on pretending to be a child, as I needed to take the risk of showing a bit of myself if I wanted things to go forward.
Idid note here for this today
Se-hyunughed tiredly as he scratched his head.
I nned to have a pleasant talk with my friends son, but this makes things different.
His instincts as an asset manager were kicking in, as he would always want funds to invest.
Your father wanted me to tell you not to rush things, as he wanted you to have a normal childhood.
I saw on the news of a teenage who earned big money by selling newspaper subscriptions.
Thats a different story. What are you nning to do with this money?
What do you think I should do?
One thing I learned from my grandfather was that I should be the one to listen and make decisions and not on the side who needed to make exnations. While I have already decided where to spend this money, I wanted to gather information from one of the best asset managers in Korea.
Chapter 23:
Chapter 23:
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"Well, it''s hard to decide right now. With this amount of money, of course, you have to make a diversified investment, and there are many variables such as risk taking, average return, exit strategy, etc...
This man was not looking at me as a child, but as an asset worth 14 billion won.
Oh Se-hyun, who btedly realized the fact, smirked and pped his forehead.
"Oh, this... I went too far, didn''t I? I was already excited without realizing it.
"It''s all right."
"Okay, then let''s do this. First of all, I need to talk to your father...
I raised my hand to pause his speech.
"It''s my money, so you don''t have to discuss it with my father. And doesn''t my father trust you, too? He has entrusted me to you. Isn''t that right?"
"You''re so smart. Come to think of it, yes."
Oh Se-hyun thought for a moment and parted his lips,
"Let''s do this. I think I should get your parents'' consent first. This consent form is not for discussing investment, but for you because you are a minor. It''s a permission for ourpany to take care of your money."
"Yes."
"And I''ll make an operation n at thepany. Let''s look at it and talk again. Isn''t it nice?"
"One more thing."
"What, do you need anything?
"Please keep everything between you and me a secret from now on. No one should know."
"Didn''t you say that? I keep a secret to the bone."
"Including my parents."
Oh Se-hyun looked at me with suspicious eyes and said,
"I shouldn''t ask why I shouldn''t tell your parents, should I? Because it''s a secret?"
"I''ll tell you next time."
"Huh- You''ve won. I was trying to persuade my friend''s son, but I got a terrible customer."
Please read The Youngest Son of a Conglomerate only on
Oh Se-hyun stood up with a short sigh.
"I''ll go now for today. I''ll see you often from now on, so just call me uncle. But doesn''t the name "uncle" seem a little far away? After all, we are going to be in a secret-sharing rtionship."
"I know, uncle."
"Actually, I''m older than your father. I''m about the same age as my uncle, but he gave way because he was more affectionate. Haha."
Oh Se-hyun left my room with a pleasantugh.
I felt it again.
It was not Unchilgisam, but Ungugisil.
Now, I, Jin Do-jun, am blessed with luck.
My father''s choice of a friend of an investmentpany was obviously with money in mind, and luckily, he chose a world-ss investmentpany.
If it was a domestic investmentpany or a securitiespany, it would have had to solve the problem much moreplicatedly.
I sat in front of the desk, opened my notebook, and grabbed a pencil.
And I started making investment ns.
Myptop and the Microsoft Office wrote a very long n.
* * *
"Yoon-ki, I want to have a talk with you."
"Okay, did the conversation go well?
Oh Se-hyun called out Jin Yoon-ki, who was sitting in the living room with his wife.
Oh Se-hyun lit a cigarette in the garden.
"What? Why are you so serious?"
"Why didn''t you tell me? 14 billion..."
"Oh, that? I was afraid you''ll have a preconceived notion about useless money."
"Well, never mind. What happened?
When Jin Yoon-ki told the story of his son''s ranch, new town, andpensation, Oh Se-hyun pped his forehead.
"He''s one with heavenly fortune."
[T/N: Heavenly fortune can also be referred to as luck]
"So? What did you say? Did you talk well? Did you tell him not to be in a haste?"
"Yoon-ki, do you know Hyun Jeonghwa?"
"What? Why suddenly? Who is that?
"Oh yes. The girl who won the gold medal in track and field at the 86 Asian Games. She only ate ramen."
[T/N: 86 Asian Games: 1986 Asian Games.]
"That''s Lim Chun-ae, you idiot! Hyun is a table tennis yer."
Jin Yoon-ki looked pathetic, but both were well aware that what Oh Se-hyun said wasn''t a big deal.
"Anyway, there was a yer who was known as a genius boxer at the Olympicsst year, right? Rory Johnson."
"Roy Jones Jr.
"Yes, that yer."
Jin Yoon-ki, who was looking at Oh Se-hyun as he kept talking nonsense, sighed unconsciously.
I feel pathetic to ask such a lowly fellow for advice for my son.
"Hey! What do you want to say?"
"Maybe Dojun is Roy Jones.
"What?"
"I mean genius, dude!"
For Jin Yoon-ki, who thought his son was only mature, he couldn''t understand what his friend meant.
"I may be wording it wrong, but he''s definitely not an ordinary kid."
Starting with the name of a sports yer, he says he is a genius and concludes that he is an extraordinary child. It just sounds like gibberish.
Please read The Youngest Son of a Conglomerate only on
"Hey! Don''t you think you''re just saying weird things?"
Jin Yoon-ki shouted, but Oh Se-hyun only continued his words,
Hyun-jung... No, Lim Chun-ae is an effort type, but Roy Jones was born with it. Honestly, I don''t know exactly what it is, but he was born with something in his hands.
Only then did Jin Yoon-ki''s frowned face unwrinkle.
"Dojun has a special talent. The identity of the talent is still unknown."
Yoon-ki finally understood what Oh Se-hyun wanted to say.
"So you''re saying all did was go to Dojun''s room and check his unidentified talent, right?
"Let''s wait and think about what you want. I''ve got to go.
"Hey!"
Oh Se-hyun hurriedly disappeared, hearing Jin Yoon-ki calling. Jin Yoon-ki, who was left alone in the garden, looked ridiculous, but a word kept lingering in his head.
Talent.
What was that talent?
***
"Look at this and stamp it."
"What''s this?"
Oh Se-hyun, who reappeared after a week, presented a document to Jin Yoon-ki.
"It means that you, the parent, agree to Dojun''s money being managed by ourpany."
"What?"
"Why are you so surprised? Do you think I''ll steal Dojun''s money?"
"That''s not it. I thought he would just keep the deposit."
"Don''t worry, I''m only going to invest in ces that are more profitable than 10% annual interest rates. I will avoid high-risk products so that there is no loss of principal.
Jin Yoon-ki, still displeased, couldn''t take his eyes off the consent form.
"Yoon-ki, I know how you feel,"
Oh Se-hyun began to speak in a gentle voice.
"But there are quite a few kids like Dojun. Children who save money one by one without spending their parents'' pocket money; children who happily watch the piggy bank explode.
"They know the fun of saving money. Not all of these children will be rich, but at least they live well without being hungry. His preference to collect rather than spend is revealed from an early age.
"Of course, Dojun is more special. So it''s better for me to take it. I might get more and more wealthy just by looking at the money for no reason."
"Yeah. Please take care of the money and observe the child."
"Hey! Am I Dojun''s father?" What observation?"
"You punk, you told me. Unique talent. Observe it."
Jin Yoon-ki shouted with a smile and stamped the seal on the consent form.
***
"This is a parental consent form. And this is a confidentiality agreement."
I listened to the agreement before I agreed.
The promise to keep a secret was enough, but he even made a document. Meticulous and shrewd.
I had to keep this a secret, as well as him who will be in charge of my money.
He was the representative of Power Shares in Korea. This was because if I wanted to invest my money, I would have no choice but to show the future profitable investment destination analyzed by Power Shares, and the contents were not to be shared anywhere.
Please read The Youngest Son of a Conglomerate only on
It was funny to ask a student to keep a secret even though he could not grasp the contents, but he epted it as thorough.
"By the way, Dojun. Do you even understand the content?
Oops, did I concentrate too much?
When I took my eyes off the document, I saw Oh Se-hyun''s smiling face. His eyes were as though he was looking at a very strange and cute pet dog.
"I''m just watching. Hehe."
As he scratched his head while putting down the documents, Oh Se-hyun took out another bunch of documents.
"This is an asset management statement, but you wouldn''t understand even if you saw it, so what''s the point?"
"Just exin it to me in a simple way."
"So 60 percent is bank deposits. I will leave it to you on the condition that it guarantees more than 10% interest rate. The bank will also give you more benefits if the amount isrge. The rest are stocks, bonds and project financing
"Since it is a real estate construction boom, the yield cannot bepared with bank interest. It''s a good choice."
However, his expression became rather awkward. It was difficult to exin.
"It''s okay, you don''t have to exin.
"Okay, I''ll take care of it."
"More than that, please take a look at this."
"What''s this?"
When I handed him a week''s carefully written notes, he began to scour it.
I was a little nervous, too. How would he react?
Every time he turned over the note page, his face hardened.
Looking at thest page and closing the book, he said,
"You have... a lot of secrets."
T/N: [1] is a ratio of luck VS one''s own talent.
= luck
= talent
73 (unchilgisam)
= 70% luck + 30% talent
91 (ungugiil)
= 90% luck + 10% talent
It basically means that the sess of many things do not depend only on your own talent and efforts, but also heavily on luck.
In the case of ''ungugiil'' It''s a fancy way to say someone got lucky. Or super lucky. Hehe.
So here, Do-jun felt that he was just so lucky that he required making use of little or no talent at all.
We hope you enjoyed this chapter! Feel free to drop a chapterment or a review on Novel Updates! And don''t forget to support the author here
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Chapter 24:
Chapter 24:
"There are many secrets in a chaebol."
"Isn''t that what you mean?
Still, his frown did not loosen up.
"You know, I''m pretty smart for my age."
"It''s not that bad, but how do you know this? At your age?"
Oh Se-hyun shook the note I gave him and said.
Now, it was time to use the excuse I prepared.
"Was it about three years ago? I knew first, that my family waspletely ignored."
And of course, I didn''t forget to speak with a little solitary expression.
"The reason my family is ignored and looked down on is because of money.
"Dojun, that''s a misunderstanding. No one ignores your family."
Isn''t he aware of it? Or are they just words of constion? He said he was my father''s best friend, so it was probably thetter. I ignored his words and went on,
"However, I noticed that my grandfather''s family was wary and jealous of each other."
"You''re quick-witted."
"Yes. I''m sure they''re trying to acquire more of my grandfather''spanies.
"So you want to inherit your grandfather''spany, too?
"No, I already told you. I want apany bigger than my grandfather''s.
"I don''t think that''s the answer to this note."
Oh Se-hyun frowned again and shook the notebook.
"If a 12-year-old made the contents of this note, no one would believe it. How did you know about this? Establish an investmentpany in the United States and invest again in Korea? Even students at Seoul National University''smercial school don''t think in this way."
Now I had to answer well. It was going to be forced anyway.
"That''s because university students at Seoul National University are not grandchildren of the chairman of a conglomerate. And they don''t have a dream as big as I do."
"What?"
"I went to my grandfather''s house every week for the past three years. I stayed with my grandfather during the vacation. And I tried to understand everything my grandfather said. I don''t know if you know, but I''m smart. I don''t get even a single question wrong on the school exam."
Uncle''s eyes grew bigger and bigger, and I thought I should cut it here.
The more words, the more questions there are.
"Uncle, can we stop talking about this?"
"Well, yes, let me ask you onest question."
"Yes."
"Why do you want to move money to a foreign country?"
"Grandpa keeps a lot of money abroad. He said it''s the best way to hide money. And I have to hide it that I make money. There are a lot of people who are jealous.
"You mean your uncles?"
"Yes. They must already be jealous of my grandfather''s love for me, right?
So when you make money, you want to send all the money to apany that you made in the United States and hide it.
"Yes."
Now it was time to throw a bait to erase Oh Se-hyun''s curiosity.
"I''m always with my grandfather. And he says a lot of important things when I''m around. If I do what my grandfather does, I''ll make money easily.
That''s right! Now I''m not surprised to hear these things from him.
Even his eyes shone.
No matter what anyone said, Oh Se-hyun was also a front-line fighter for capitalism.
I found a route to find out the secret investment or investment n of the chairman of Sunyang Group in advance, but how can I not be greedy?
But that expectation will sooner orter turn into disappointment.
I didn''t do it for a penny. Even if it''s money earned by leaning on Chairman Jin''s words, the rate of return was not good.
Of course, it would be a huge return for someone like Oh Se-hyun.
To be satisfied with two or three times the puffiness, you don''t have go through the cumbersome task of starting apany in the U.S.
It''s possible to earn tens or hundreds of times if you''re like who knows the future well.
Oh Se-hyun picked up a stack of investment management documents he had put down.
"You won''t need this. If it is the investment n of the chairman of Sunyang Group, it will be much more valuable than this n."
Oh Se-hyun, who packed the documents, sat down in front of me with afortable look.
It was a professional posture.
"By the end of the year, we will be able to build an investmentpany in the United States. Your money will go into the U.S. headquarters from ourpany. Then from the headquarters into the investmentpany''s ount."
"You can do that on your own,
I shook my hand and said, but Oh Se-hyun''s exnation did not stop.
"You''ll own 100% of the investmentpany and I''ll keep the funds in the United States until you want to. Of course, your money will cover thepany''s operating expenses."
This kept the basics of the asset management manager. It was an obligation to exin everything to the customer without hiding it.
"We need to make money quickly so that we can make a return on investment. Or I just forget the money. Hehe."
"Before that, I have another favor to ask of you.
"Again? How much are you going to surprise me this time? Ha ha."
It''ll be surprising, but it''ll feel a little different.
I exined calmly what I had been thinking.
* * *
Jin Yoon-ki quickly pulled over Oh Se-hyun, who wasing down from the upper floor, when he saw him shake his head and sigh.
"What? What''s wrong?"
"You bastard, you''ve done a great job bringing up that son of yours. I''m envious of you."
"What are you saying?
"Let''s sit down for now."
Oh Se-hyun threw his bag and slumped on the living room sofa. Jin Yoon-ki did not hide his impatience when he took out a cigarette and did not speak, exhaling a long smoke.
"Are you only going to smoke? Don''t you want to hurry up and tell me?
"As I said earlier, Do-jun will roll his money. But only 10 billion."
Oh Se-hyun neither spoke long nor told the truth about the investment n. Not because of the confidentiality promise but because the father and son had opposite tendencies. He was worried that the more he knew, the more conflict would ur.
"10 billion? Isn''t it 14 billion in total? What about 4 billion?"
"He wants to build a movie productionpany. You are the number one candidate for the productionpany''s CEO."
Oh Se-hyun emphasized the word "candidate" and looked at Jin-joon''s expression.
I probably look like this myself.
He was so surprised that he couldn''t say anything and just opened his mouth in a daze.
It was fun to watch others shocked.
Currently, the average production cost of a Korean film is only 150 million won. The movie "The General''s Son" by famous director Lim Kwon-taek, which is currently in full swing, is also said to have invested a huge amount of money, but it does not exceed 600 million won. At least 10 movies can be made for 4 billion won.
Even without receiving a penny of external investment.
"He''s very thoughtful. He told me you''ll reject it if he just gave you money, so he asked to start a filmpany unconditionally. Then, even if it was like crying and eating mustard, he asked if you could take charge of thepany, Yoonki"
He couldn''t hide hisplicated feelings.
Crumpled pride, the prowess of his deep-seated son, the opportunity to finally achieve his dream, and the gaze of his father, Chairman Jin.
Jin Yoon-ki was still unable to open his mouth and speak.
"I want you to do away with your misceneous thoughts and just do it. It''s an opportunity given to you by your own young son. Do your best. You''re still young."
Oh Se-hyun tapped Jin Yoon-ki''s shoulder and left, but Jin Yoon-ki sat motionless as if he were stuck in the spot.
* * *
A slightly flushed father carefully opened my door and entered.
"Are you studying?"
"Oh, yes."
Although he couldn''t speak easily, his expression showed his willingness to take charge of the filmpany.
I thought I''d better say it first to blow away awkwardness and shame at the same time.
"Father, I want all of my family to be happy. Mother said it and so did you. Happiness to live doing what you want to do."
It was out of the blue, but there was no way he was unaware of my intention. My father''s face turned redder.
"Isn''t that funny? A father should protect his son''s happiness
"I just gave my father a present. You''re going to keep protecting me. Nothing has changed and it''s not strange."
"What if I make a movie and I fail?"
"You''re going to be unemployed again.
My father also revealed afortable smile as I smiled.
"4 billion is a lot of money. There may be a time when you need it in your dream of bing richer than your grandfather. There are manypanies that fail because they don''t have 400 million won, or 40 million won."
"My father can make a good movie and make it 40 billion won."
Oh, you can use that for yourself. It''s 4 billion. I''m ok even without it. The words, "Don''t worry and free your mind," filled my throat, but I held it in.
I didn''t know how hard it would be to achieve the dream of an innocent adult.
However, when my father embraced me as hard as he could, my eyes turned red for no reason.
* * *
"What? Full withdrawal?"
- Yes, sir. I too was surprised by the sudden request.
The bank manager''s voice crawled in.
- I only responded to the customer''s request, but the customer was such an amazing person that I flinched as if I hadmitted a crime for no reason.
"When did you withdraw it?
- I just transferred the entire amount to an ount a while ago.
"Where?"
- It''s an asset managementpany called Power Shares, you know?
"Of course I know. How can a man who rolls money not know this name?
"Did Dojune alone? Or with his father?"
- No, only people from Power Shares came. I''ve prepared the required documents from the parental consent form...
"Okay. If you have any new updates, contact me right away."
- Yes, chief.
Chief of Staff Lee Hak-jae, who put down the phone, urgently called several employees.
"Find out who is rted to Jin Yoon-ki among Power Sears executives and employees. No, find all the people who are rted to the chairman''s family."
I didn''t expect that at all.
Do-jun is just a child and his father is a good man who has no greed for money.
Dojun''s money that they initially thought would sleep in the bank until he became an adult was withdrawn in less than a month.
It was not a big deal if he had been swindled.
Lee Hak-jae, who spent almost a day nervous, sighed and was relieved to see what the employees had figured out.
At least it didn''t seem like he was scammed.
However, it was not a matter to be buried as it was.
Lee Hak-jae ran to Chairman Jin''s study with the information.
[T/N: [1] Chaebol - Rich business family.
Chaebol is an English transliteration of the Korean word , which means plutocracy, rich business family, or monopoly, and the chaebol structure can epass a singlergepany or several groups ofpanies.]
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Chapter 25:
Chapter 25:
"Who?"
"His name is Oh Se-hyun, the representative of Power Shares in Korea."
"Aren''t those the guys that y with money?"
"Something like that."
Chairman Jin Yang-chul frowned as he scanned several sheets of reports spread on his desk.
"Is he Yoongi''s friend?
"Yes, they studied together in Cambridge, Ennd."
Oh Se-hyun''s personal details were held in Chairman Jin''s hands.
"Do you think there''s some other reason?"
"No. Do-jun is just like Yoongi, he is not greedy for money."
"Do you weigh your mind in front of money? What''s wrong with you? No matter how good you think of Yoongi, it''s too soft."
There was no way he didn''t know that his son had no greed for money, but he was a type who never gave up his doubts.
''It''s ridiculous.''
Lee Hak-jae smiled and scratched his head.
"But isn''t it amazing? I thought he''d just leave it in the bank and earn interest, but the kid thought of leaving it to an investmentpany
"That''s what I''m saying because it''s suspicious. Why Yoongi''s friend?
Chairman Jin couldn''t help but suspect that Oh Se-hyun was a man who approached his innocent son and was a constructionist.
"Hakjae."
"Yes."
"Meet this guy.
Lee Hak-jae collected a photo of Oh Se-hyun presented by Chairman Jin.
"Okay, I''ll take measures to prevent any problems from urring."
When Lee Hak-jae bowed his head and left the study, Chairman Jin leaned against the back of the chair.
"Look at this guy...
Chairman Jin couldn''t help butugh.
''It''s not because I don''t trust my son, Jin Yoon-ki. But just a thorough vignce doesn''t hurt.
''Also, if it was my young grandson who came up with the investment idea, I would die of admiration.
''That greed that isn''t happy with simple bank interest is exactly like me!''
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* * *
"I''m Lee Hakjae."
"I''m familiar with your name. I am Oh Se-hyun."
The two men exchanged business cards and sat in a spacious chair in the hotel lounge.
Oh Se-hyun''s tone was polite, but his attitude was confident.
Who was Lee Hakjae?
Wasn''t he the second-inmand of Sunyang Group? It was even rumored that Jin Young-ki, the eldest son of Vice Chairman Jin, was respectful to Lee Hak-jae.
It was rare to see a person who was not at all intimidated by him.
In Oh Se-hyun''s eyes, Lee Hak-jae was just a snake''s head. No matter how great he was in Korea, he was just a periphery in the world. Wasn''t the Power Shares a global empire? At least he, Oh Se-hyun, was the dragon''s tail.
There was no reason for the dragon''s tail to bow before the snake''s head.
"You''re a busy person, so I''ll keep it short."
"Is it rted to Dojun? If so, I think you''d better see this first."
Oh Se-hyun presented two documents.
One was a guardian agreement and the other was a confidentiality use.
"I''ll tell you in advance, to avoid misunderstanding. Jin Yoongi came to me first, and Dojun asked me to keep the secret first. So even if you ask me where Dojun invested the funds, I can''t answer that."
Lee Hak-jae was helpless due to Oh Se-hyun''s first attack.
There were a lot of things to check, but you couldn''t ask questions to those who already dered that they wouldn''t answer.
Even still, he couldn''t just stand up and leave. It was a matter of self-esteem.
"Just keep one thing in mind. Don''t think otherwise. If you do, I''ll blow it up."
Oh Se-hyun''s eyebrows wriggled for a while, but his sales-oriented mind did not wander at all. A smile soon arose on his face.
"It''s a bit harsh for a favor."
"What?"
"Don''t push me too hard. We''re not the Community Credit Cooperative. I''m not intimidated by Sunyang''s name."
Lee Hak-jae parted his lips, ring at Oh Se-hyun, whose smile had disappeared, and said,
"Sunyang may be a small local store in the world, but it is different in this country. I can send all the special departments of the IRS, the Board of Audit and Inspection, and the Supreme Prosecutors'' Office to yourpany on a bus. Keep that in mind."
"You mean that even a mutt eats half of it in the front yard of his house. I''ll keep that in mind, sir."
Lee Hak-jae''s lips twitched when he called Sunyang Group a mutt.
"Shall we get up now?"
When Oh Se-hyun got up from the sofa and reached out his hand, Lee Hak-jae lightly grabbed it.
It seemed that Oh Se-hyun, who was younger, withdrew a little. When he lowered his head lightly, Lee Hak-jae smiled and left the hotel first.
"Hoo, that was no joke. So frustrating"
Oh Se-hyun breathed out a long breath when his back disappeared.
As soon as Lee Hak-jae got into a car waiting at the entrance of the hotel, he picked up the receiver of his car phone.
"Chairman, it''s me."
- So, have you met him?
"We just separated now. You don''t have to worry."
- Really?
Chairman Jin''s voice, which was heard through the phone, turned bright.
"Yes, he had a strong determination and a lot of pride. I''m sure Do-jun is not so young that he would drool over money."
- That''s great. Let''s meet sometime and share soju sses.
"I was going to do that. If it''s Power Shares, you won''t lose it because you know it."
Lee Hak-jae, who finished the call, leaned on afortable seat.
''Once again, I feel that there are as many great talents in the world as grains of sand.''
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* * *
In August 1989, as many as 2 million protesters in the Soviet Union''s Lithuania, Latvia, and the Estonian Republic created a 600-kilometer human chain, or "the Baltic Way," that connected the capitals of each country, demanding democratization and independence.
In the fall of the same year, while enjoying the abundance of Hangawi in Korea, arge-scale escape of East German residents began when the Hungarian government opened the western border.
It was a sign of the fall of the Eastern Bloc.
When the eyes of the whole world were focused on the rapidly changing Eastern Europe, I was busy nning to go to the United States.
There was nothing wrong with skipping school. Since it was a school attended by children with powerful and rich parents in Korea, it was not an issue to skip sses and go abroad after the liberalization of overseas travel.
What was important was the establishment of an investmentpany based in New York, the United States.
An investmentpany where I''m a major shareholder. A corporation with a 98% stake.
It was apany that Oh Se-hyun and his colleagues invested 2% in anticipation of being able to obtain Chairman Jin''s information first.
Oh Se-hyun had confirmed that he would finish it perfectly by the end of October, so we couldn''t dy it any longer. There were people I had to meet before the end of ''89.
When I told my parents about my trip to America, my mother was happy, but my father showed reluctance. This was because most of his days were hectic due to the establishment of a moviepany.
He was the first person over forty to start work. The father, who was no different from a social rookie, was a young man who possessed great excitement and passion.
Sang-jun, an adolescent rebel, suddenly turned into a good and childish son when I told him I was in the U.S.
On November 3, 1989, when the so-called "industrial Wooji" incident, the biggest incident in the Korean ramen market, which began when an anonymous letter saying that Samyang Foodthe epitome of ramenfried noodles with industrial cow oil, flew to the prosecution, Oh Se-hyun and my family boarded first ss on a flight to New York.
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* * *
"Mrs. Je-su, after a break, you can go sightseeing and shopping with Sang-jun. I have a ce to go with Dojun."
"What''s the matter?"
"It''s no big deal. Dojun invested some money in the U.S., so I''m going to stop by for a while. Do-jun is interested in this aspect, so I''ll take him to watch."
Oh Se-hyun hurried as soon as he unpacked his luggage in the special room of the New York za Hotel, which overlooked the Statue of Liberty.
Unlike his mother, who looked a little worried, Sang-jun showed no interest at all.
He resembled his father. He showed no interest in money at all. When I found out that I had more than 10 billion won, I didn''t envy it, but rather looked at it anxiously.
Because I was worried that I would get involved in the ugly money struggles in the family.
"By the way, I have prepared a guide. He''s got a car ready, so he''ll take you without any inconvenience during your stay."
Leaving two people behind, we left the hotel.
As I rode to Wall Street in Manhattan in a taxi, I saw the scenery of New York through the window. I will vividly capture the changing and developing image of New York in the future.
"Isn''t the building a little shabby? I got it at a low price so that I wouldn''t waste money on useless ces."
Contrary to his words, it was a splendid building in my eyes.
Well, if it was Manhattan, which controlled global financial capital, the building would be on the cheap side.
There was a small signboard hanging at the door where Oh Se-hyun stopped after going up to the sixth floor.
''Miracle Investment Inc.''
Oh Se-hyun waved his hand saying it was a childish name, but that did not break my stubbornness. Because it will show a real miracle.
The moment I looked at the office, my whole body was thrilled.
It''s my firstpany.
Here, we will raise a giant monster that will swallow the whole cruiser group Sunyang.
When I opened the door and entered, three men in their 30s and a woman weed Oh Se-hyun.
James! Wow! Long time no see!"
They expressed their wee by calling Oh Se-hyun''s English name.
They were fund managers working in Power Shares, New York, but Oh Se-hyun scouted them.
The fact that they left the bestpany in name and reality and chose a humble beginning meant that they were not in the top ss. Second-rate, maybe third-rate.
Of course, being in Power Shares meant being quite outstanding, but no denying that they were a bit behind the times.
They already know that I am the grandson of the chairman of Korea''srgestpany, and the amount of 10 billion won and 15 million dors deposited into thispany is about the amount of slush funds of Sunyang Group.
Like a start-uppany, as soon as they met, they began a heated discussion about how to roll the $15 million and where to invest it.
In their conversation, the names of globalpanies such as IBM, Intel, Levi''s, Nike, and 3M were mentioned, and the only female fund manager strongly rmended Microsoft.
Apple''s name was not mentioned.
Well, it was only natural that Apple shares didn''t show any sign of rising from the dor level now.
Oh Se-hyun, who was just listening to their stories, calmed down their enthusiasm and calmly exined that my money was to invest back into Korea with the information given by Chairman Jin of Sunyang rather than investing in Americanpanies.
When Oh Se-hyun finished speaking, the faces of the four managers were clearly disappointed. They probably didn''t quit Power Shares just to do that much work.
I pretended I didn''t understand their conversation and tried to gauge their capabilities.
I got one thing for sure. Men made stable investments, and women did not shy away from adventures. Maybe a woman is the best talent.
At the end of the hour-long discussion, I called Oh Se-hyun.
"Uncle, wait a minute."
"Oh my gosh, our Dojun must have been bored. Sorry, I forgot to talk about work.
"It''s all right, but can you take a look at this?
I took a note from my pocket and handed it to Oh Se-hyun.
"What''s this?"
"This is where ourpany will invest first."
"What?"
Surprised, Oh Se-hyun snatched the memo and hurriedly unfolded it.
The four managers also gathered on the memo paper, looking at Oh Se-hyun''s unusual expression.
When they checked the memo paper, they shouted in unison.
"Michael Dell?"
"Dell? Dell Computer?!"
T/N:
[1] Hangawi - literally autumnevening, is also known as Chuseok, which means the 15th day of August, ording to the lunar calendar. Although it urred in September this year, Chuseok is the Korean equivalent of Thanksgiving that spans over 3 days and is a major holiday in Korea. Chuseok consists of making tefuls of food anding together with family members to spend time together; remembering ancestors to show gratitude for the past, future, and plentiful harvest.
[2] Wooji - can also be called uji or beef tallow.
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Chapter 26:
Chapter 26:
I carefully examined the expressions of the five, including Oh Se-hyun.
Oh Se-hyun looked puzzled.
He didn''t know much about America. He must have lived in Korea for too long.
The responses of the three men varied. From the guy who shook his head, to the guy who started thinking, to the one who looked surprised.
It was the woman who responded most immediately.
How how do you know about"
She stammered while looking at me, and turned to Oh Se-hyun. I realizedter that she thought she spoke English to a child who didn''t even understand it.
Oh Se-hyun, who already knew the question she was asking, enquired urgently.
"Dojun, how did you know about Dell''sputer?
How do I know? Because I''ve used it.
Of course, my answer was totally different from my thoughts.
"Didn''t I tell you? The guy who made $2,000 selling stamps at the age of 12 and made a fortune in newspaper subscriptions in high school. That''s Michael Dell."
"Ah..."
Oh Se-hyun flicked his finger as if he remembered the conversation he had with me.
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Michael Dell, born in 1965, was a man who showed that even making money was an innate talent.
His friend''s father was a phtelist, and he discovered that stamp trade was done through auctions, and themissions of the auction brokers were high.
Since then, Dell had been visiting phtelists to make a list of stamps they wanted to buy and even put up ads in magazines using the money he earned from serving at Chinese restaurants.
He became a postage stamp dealer by removing the foam of auction fees and directly connecting sellers and buyers at the age of only twelve.
When he was in high school, he delivered newspapers, but when he found out that each subscriber received an incentive, he went out to look for subscribers.
In general, if you subscribe to a newspaper, you will continue to read the same newspaper without changing it. However, when you change, you have to apply for that newspaper subscription again.
Dell noted this phenomenon.
He traveled to a court in Houston, Texas, where he obtained a list of recently married people and focused on them.
Dell received a whopping $18,000 in incentives that year.
It was more than a highschool teacher''s sry, and Dell bought a BMW car with this money.
Simplified distribution process, intensive marketing.
This was consistent with the way Dellputers would operate in the future.
This fact was, of course, unknown now. Michael Dell would be known after he was rejected.
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"So you''re going to spend a lot of money on him with just information about childhood?
"I already made money at my age. There''s no grandfather as rich as mine. Wouldn''t a man like that make a fortune, of course?
Oh Se-hyun, who was staring at me for a moment, said to the employees,
"Get all the information about Michael Dell''s Dell Computers. Right now."
They were all professional.
When Oh Se-hyun ordered, he quickly sat in front of IBM PCAT and plugged in a 2 mega floppy disk.
If I decide, he follows, without anyints or doubts.
I felt proud again.
It was this same I, who ended up living only as a sryman in my past life.
Now there were as many as four soldiers who got paid by me, regardless of race and skin color.
Soon, they forgot about me and focused only on finding the data.
It was impossible to enjoy watching them or sit still for a while.
I went into the pantry on one side of the office and made coffee beans. The aroma of coffee permeated the office.
I took five cups of coffee on a tray and put it down on their desks.
Oh, Thanks."
They patted my head and said, "That''s cute of you."
They still don''t realize that I''m a major shareholder and the owner of thispany. Well, you''ll know enough in a few years.
* * *
When I returned to the hotel, my mother and brother were nowhere to be seen. With the guide, I think they went downtown.
Feeling a little tired, I was going to lie down on the bed, but Oh Se-hyun threw a pile of documents on the bed first.
He seemed to be reviewing it one more time until the end even after sufficient discussions in the office.
I was shy. I was still a long way off.
"Uncle, are you still not sure? The people who worked earlier were all positive...
"How do you know that? Do you understand English?"
Oh, my.
"Oh, no. It''s just that the expression... Everyone wasughing
"Well, I''ve never been very sure in my life. I''m always suspicious.
He spoke without taking his eyes off the papers.
"I''m always suspicious." It was unexpected.
"There is no 100% certainty whether it''s business, project or investment. Don''t trust anyone who says things like that. He''s irresponsible. Work to minimize doubt and anxiety. That''s the job."
Dude, I''m sure you''re telling me to listen... Have you changed your mind? Does that mean you won''t treat me like a child anymore?
Anyway, I found out while dealing with the first ss.
I didn''t learn anything.
All I know is what I learned through experience and hard work.
Content at a higher level was shared in their own world and not externally.
I just ran forward to do what they told me to do. Not knowing the real reason and purpose of what I was told to do meant that I had learned nothing.
"Think of the scale. Put good and bad results on the scale and measure the difference. I only start when good results are nine times heavier than bad results. You set your own standards. How many times should I do it?"
That meant a 90% chance of sess. It was quite high.
It was a natural attitude as an asset manager who invested with customer''s money, and not his own money.
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How should I set my standards?
Oh Se-hyun began to organize the documents while he was in this dilemma.
"Dojun, stay here with your mother for a while.
"Where are you going?"
"I think I should go to Texas."
"Are you going to meet him in person?
"I should. The performance is good, but the scale is small. Even if you try to throw a money bomb, thispany will not be able to handle it.
I tried to throw all $15 million, but it was impossible.
Last year, Dell Computer already received $30 million in investment. Of course, these details were not something I remember
This was what I heard when people discussed data at work.
By any chance, were we a stepte?
Should we turn to Microsoft''s stock, which only rose 50 times higher?
When this thought crossed my mind, I hit my head.
I couldn''t believe I was still so weak!
I was ashamed enough to shudder at the weakness of not even trying, just finding another path as soon as the possibility went away.
"I''ll go, too.
"What?"
"It''s someone I like I want to meet him in person.
"Hmm let''s do that. When I buy a 1,000 won snack, I buy it after seeing it myself. After seeing him in person, I wonder what you''ll think."
Oh booked a ticket to Texas and a hotel at once, then contacted thepany to arrange a meeting with Dell Computers.
"Uncle, did you make an appointment? Already?"
Obviously, nothing was confirmed on the phone. But Oh Se-hyun was already packing his things.
"I can''t give up just because they refuse. If you don''t meet me, I''ll have to go into thepany. There''s nothing to lose, right?
At times like this, he looked like a typical Korean bulldozer.
After all, he had to change considering the time, ce, and situation.
Humans could have an infinite number of appearances.
***
The home of the Das Cowboys, the symbol of American football and the number 1 most valuable sports club in the world by Forbes magazine.
And 25 percent wider than French territory.
It was Texas.
We arrived at Bergstrom International Airport in Austin, Texas, and found a rental car office.
Oh Se-hyun called thepany from the rental car office to confirm the meeting appointment and got into the car without saying anything.
I thought I would go to the headquarters or hotel of Dell Computers, but the car veered in a different direction.
"Uncle, where are you going now?
"Mt. Bonnell."
"What?"
"If you look down from Covert Park, the summit here, you can see all of Austin at a nce. Looking down at Lake Austin, the scenery is breathtaking. You can''t miss it. Especially today, the weather is good, so I''m lucky."
The weather in Texas is famous for its capriciousness. On some days, the hot sun shines all day, but it rains again in a few days, and clears up several times in a day.
"Have you been there?"
"No, just now at the airport. It was listed in the tourist brochure"
It was unclear whether he was a shrewd person who actively utilized his spare time or he was trying to calm down due to the reckoned failure of his meeting appointment.
I, too, sat back on the seat and began to enjoy the scenery of Austin.
I wasn''t worried if I would be able to meet him or not.
I trusted Oh Se-hyun. I was sure we would meet.
If the meeting failed, I would stay here in Texas and ask Oh Se-hyun and Miracle Investment staff to make sure the meeting is held.
Now I was not a servant, I was a master. We needed to switch from the farmhand''s thinking to the owner''s thinking.
But I also knew what I had to do. In order to be a confident owner, the body must also be strong.
"Heh, heh Sa, uncle. How many stairs are there?
"Well, it''s my first time, too Huck! Huck!"
Starting with the parking lot halfway up the mountain, the two of us were exhausted as we climbed and climbed the endless steep limestone stairs.
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It wasn''t so bad because I could get rid of my nervousness for a while.
* * *
The two of us, exhausted, unpacked at Hyatt Regency andy down on the bed, waiting for the phone call.
"Dojun."
"Yes."
"The chances of investing in Dell Computers are low."
"Because you''ve already received 30 million dors in investment?"
Investment was for the cold and hungry. Investing in a person who was already warm and full was no different from forcing him another bowl of porridge.
"As expected, you understand well. If it wasst year, the guy named Dell would have waited for us nervously around this time. investment is all about finding the right time. A time to enter, a time to exit."
"We''rete now.
"That''s right."
Oh Se-hyun''s expression as hey on his arm pillow was very stiff.
Just then, the telephone rang.
Oh Se-hyun jumped up and picked up the receiver.
Judging by his words Yes, U-hum, Good, All Right it seemed the appointment was made.
What?
Oh Se-hyun was reconfirming, his eyes suddenly getting bigger.
What? Is it on?
Oh Se-hyun shrugged after putting down the phone.
"Never mind. I''ll meet you."
I pped my hands without realizing it.
"By the way this, haha."
"Why?"
"I can''t make time for it, but they want to talk over lunch tomorrow"
"That''s great."
"It is... I''m eating a hamburger. They want it to be at Wendy''s"
Oh Se-hyun tilted his head as he looked at me. I had a dumbfounded look on my face.
"Why? Don''t you like hamburgers?
There were also old kids like me who didn''t like hamburgers. But, I couldn''t erase my nk expression because business meetings were always framed at a decent restaurant.
[T/N: He was surprised because the meeting was nned in a casual restaurant.]
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Chapter 27:
Chapter 27:
"Oh, no. I like it."
The hamburger didn''t matter. But didn''t that mean that the meeting would be casual enough for just a light lunch?
It felt like Dell Computers was getting farther and farther away.
Iy down in myfortable hotel bedroom, but I couldn''t fall asleep easily.
I finally fell asleep at dawn because I was thinking about how to turn rejection into consent.
At 1 p.m., when I entered the ''Wendy''s Store'' on Round Rock Street, I saw a long line.
Since there was a Texas State University nearby, the store was filled with college students.
"Damn it. They all look alike, so how do you find them?"
It was a store colored with a unique southern atmosphere. The men all wore jeans and checkered shirts, and they didn''t look much different, so I couldn''t find Michael Dell.
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The middle-aged Asian man looking everywhere must have been more noticeable.
Hey, Mr. Oh?"
I turned upon hearing the name.
A young man approached us, holding a c ss with a straw in it. The straw was stuck in his mouth.
It was 24-year-old Michael Dell.
The young figure of ''The Giant'' who took the position of the world''s youngest man among the 500 richest men at 27 and the 5th richest man in the US with $21.4 billion in official wealth at 34 was no different from any other college student.
Of course, he was still a millionaire.
Mr. Dell?"
"Yes."
He flicked out a paper bag containing hamburgers and winked.
"Where would you like to go?
He led the way out of the store and walked to a nearby park.
Sitting on the bench, he gave a grin.
"Isn''t this better? It''s too noisy there."
"I see. That''s nice."
"The kid...?"
Ah, Mr. Dell. Should I say he''s your fan?
"What? Fan? Haha."
Michael burst intoughter and reached out to Oh Se-hyun.
"Just call me Mike."
"Sure, I''m James."
Michael Dell shook my hand lightly, looking me in the eye and winked.
"Now, tell me what you need. I have to go back to work in 15 minutes."
All we had was a short time of 15 minutes.
Oh Se-hyun''s words sped up.
"We, Miracle Investment, want to invest in yourpany. The investment amount and terms are
Dell''s hand which held the hamburger he was eating went up.
"There is no need for investment. We have enough funds."
There was a slight irritation in his eyes.
Enoughpany funding, $30 million. It was a story that had already spread widely in the industry.
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If you didn''t know this, it meant that you had no basics for an investor, so now, it was clear that Oh Se-hyun was looked down upon in Dell''s eyes.
If it''s an investment, you are a sewer and an amateur if you wee unconditionally.
Investment brought a water-drip effect to the founder''s stake.
My stake may decrease or I may be in debt.
It was the right attitude of a manager to receive exactly as much investment as necessary.
"Of course, I know it well. But if the investment conditions are unconventional, wouldn''t there be room for reconsideration?"
"James, mypany is different from IBM, which is full of greedy executives. I only needed funds to expand thepany and I have a perfect n. The money is going to make a profit. I don''t do stupid things like making money by increasing stocks."
He even used the words greed and stupidity.
Also, getting an investment was just proof that you were greedy and stupid, so it was a perfect way to refuse.
I expected it to be difficult, but I didn''t expect him to say no at once without hearing the conditions!
Oh Se-hyun could not hide his embarrassed expression.
I started to get nervous after listening quietly.
Oh Se-hyun may think that he missed one good investment destination, but I was different.
It was just the second button of a huge n.
The first button was not too difficult, knowing that a new town would be built in Bundang. All I did was tter my wealthy grandfather.
But it was different now.
The exact treasure map was in my head, but the captain of the ship that would lead me to Treasure Ind refused to board.
It was no use knowing the future now. I had to break through with my own strength. I had to convince the captain, Michael Dell.
I had already made up my mind and parted my lips.
Mike. Oh, can I call you Mike?"
"Sure, buddy."
Michael Dell smiled with a wink, but Oh Se-hyun''s expression waspletely the opposite.
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My eyes were about to pop out because I never thought I would speak fluent English.
"Your past is what I am now and my future is what you are now."
"What? Aren''t your dreams a little too big? My childhood wasn''t exactly normal, you know?"
"Of course, it''s a little different. No, it''s very different.
"How is it different?"
"In your 12-year-old''s hands, you only earned $2,000 by selling stamps, but in my 12-year-old''s hands, I have $15 million by sellingnd."
Michael Dell''s eyes were about to pop out now.
The expression of the two looked the same, but for different reasons.
Oh Se-hyun because of my English, Michael Dell because of my money.
"I don''t know what you spent $2,000 on. But I''ve already decided where to spend my $15 million. I''m going to use it to be a major shareholder of Dell Computers."
I finished speaking, but there was no response.
For a long time, only the sound of the park lingered around.
"Do, Dojun. You..."
"Uncle,ter. We need to talk about something more important now.
Michael Dell alternated between the two of us and finally said to Oh Se-hyun,
James. Your son?"
"No. My boss, maybe"
He stared at me intently as if he couldn''t understand Oh Se-hyun''s answer and finally burst intoughter.
OK. Fifteen million dor boy.o."
He addressed me with my money without asking my name.
"Let me ask you two questions."
"Yes."
"Where did you hear that I made money by selling stamps?
Oops, I was in a mess. Hasn''t the story about his childhoode out yet? But It couldn''t be helped. I had no choice but to reply to this.
"It''s a $15 million investment. Shall we make such a big move without running some background research on you? Ourpany is not thatx."
"Did you hire a detective? That''s great. All right, then the second of the question."
He smiled brightly, but this smile was not an eptance. It was just curiosity.
"How do you n on bing a major shareholder when I say I won''t ept investments? I still hold more than half of the voting rights in theposition of ourpany''s board of directors. I mean absolutely."
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"Wouldn''t it be listed around next year?"
The smile disappeared from Michael Dell''s face.
I hadn''t told anyone yet. I just thought about it. Early next year, I was going to tell thepany''s management and investors, and I nned to prepare. It was none other than a young Asian kid who read his thoughts urately!
"Why? Do you think so?"
"The fruit is ripe, so we have to pick it. When we''re most coveted."
"So if ourpany is listed...
"We will indiscriminately sweep stocks on the market. I think 15 million dors will make one a major shareholder in no time, right? Oh, I have to tell you one more thing. We can prepare about $10 million more within this year. I still have a lot ofnd worth of money left.
$25 million.
It was only a matter of time before my words would be a reality. Michael Dell''s face hardened when he realized this fact. Seeing this, Oh Se-hyun hurriedly interrupted.
"As a major shareholder, we will be a member of the board of directors and be deeply involved in management. This is a natural demand."
He stepped in just in time.
I wouldn''t have been surprised at all. He knew well that he must strike together when he caught the momentum.
Surprise and curiosity had already been shaken off his face. Again, he regained the expression of an outstanding businessman.
"Well, it can''t be helped. Whether you''re buying or investing through the stock market... With that kind of money, you''ll be a major shareholder anyway. If you are qualified as a major shareholder, of course, you should join the management."
Michael Dell, who regained hisposure before he knew it, took a bite of the hamburger, saying little.
"This... It''s been over 15 minutes because of my great rich friend. I couldn''t even eat properly.
Dell, who got up from the park bench, rubbed off his butt.
"Rich friend, when we meet again, you will be a major shareholder, right? We''ll see if it''s next year or not."
Oh Se-hyun''s expression darkened. Negotiations suggested that they were out of the question.
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But I still had a card left. I think it was the card to let the captain board, but I didn''t know the result yet. Well, it would be known when brought to light.
"Mike, I can give you all my voting rights as a shareholder, so would you just go?"
His hand which was brushing his butt stopped.
The reason for refusing investment was obvious. There was ample funding and he had firm control over the management. It was a management right that must never be missed.
Weren''t shareholders who were still young showing their ws?
It was inevitable that arge number of stock buyers would appear after listing. If thepany was listed due to consideration for the defense of management rights, the problem would also be solved.
The most frightening thing was the solidarity of major shareholders except for oneself. If opposition forces unite to create 51%, the founder loses management control despite being the founder.
But a kid who was willing to pour in $25 million over his voting rights? This was an opportunity to build an iron wall in management rights.
After looking at me for a while, Dell said to Oh Se-hyun with a smile on his face,
"James, what''s the name of your boss?"
"Ah..."
I answered instead of Oh Se-hyun, who was embarrassed by the sudden question.
Howard. My name is Howard Jean."
"All right, Howard. You just had my coffee time. Shall we go to a cafe? Their sweet cake is a killer.
"The taste of coffee is more important in a cafe. How about coffee?"
"Of course, it''s great too. By the way, you don''t resemble me.
"What?"
"When I was your age, I liked cake much more than coffee. Ha ha."
Michael Dell led the way with a burst ofughter.
"Dojun."
"Yes."
Oh Se-hyun, who was following Dell, called me quietly.
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"You scared me very much You should exin all this, right?"
"Now?"
"Not yet, since he hasn''t epted our offer yet. Later."
"It''s hard to exin anyway. Just think of it as being born with a genius business sense."
"A genius..."
Oh Se-hyun, who was muttering quietly, looked down at me again and said,
"By the way, when did youe up with the name Howard? Did you make it when you were taking English tutoring?
"No. Long before."
I was a little surprised at how the name Howard popped out.
In my previous life, it was my fantastical dream name.
American businessman, aviator, engineer, and filmmaker.
Howard Robard Hughes Jr.
The richest American ever.
[T/N: This was for 20 consecutive years from the 1960s to 1980s but it is no longer so.]
A person who has tried everything he wanted to do in his life.
Born with a golden spoon, with a rich father and a mother of English aristocratic descent.
He was the person I dreamt of the most.
Iron Man, Tony Stark and his father, Howard Stark were also based on Howard Hughes.
This seemed to be the most ideal life of a billionaire for enterprising and liberal Americans.
In my previous life, I thought of this person as my dream, but now, I was no different from him.
I would be Howard Hughes of the 21st century. Under the name, "Howard Jean."
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Chapter 28:
Chapter 28:
"How about coffee? Isn''t it nice?"
"Yes, that''s awesome."
Sitting in a small caf, Michael Dell seemed to have regained hisposure, looking rxed.
"Now, shall we continue what we were talking about? You don''t want to exercise sovereignty, do you mean it?
"Of course."
"Forever?"
"Until I sell my shares again."
He showed a sensitive reaction to the word ''sell''.
"Then it means you''re not interested in participating in management."
"It''s fundamental to investors. When there is a satisfactory profit, you get out. Right?"
When I sent a signal looking at Oh Se-hyun, he immediately chimed in.
"Yes, that''s our job."
Michael, who was thinking, looked at the two of us alternately with a sip of coffee in his mouth. Then he looked at me again and said,
"Then there must be more suggestions that you haven''t said yet.
"Do you mean the right to take over at the time of sale?"
Oh Se-hyun interrupted in a hurry. It was obvious that a more in-depth topic woulde up, but he thought he couldn''t leave it to me.
"Yes, James. If you want to make a profit on the stock price, you''ll sell it all someday, but isn''t it impossible to release those stocks to the market? If a huge stock is released, the stock price will fall."
I could not allow Oh Se-hyun to discuss thesemon-sense trade terms. I had to take the lead in the negotiations.
Uncle, I''m sorry!
"Mike, I''ll give you the right to take over first. At the exact market price at that time."
"Dojun!"
Korean words suddenly popped out of Oh Se-hyun''s mouth, as he was startled.
Sorry, Mike. Just a second."
He bowed his head lightly and asked Michael Dell for his understanding first.
"Do-jun, this is not a matter of making such a decision. First of all, the acquisition rights are usually higher than the market trade price. In terms of management rights defense, it ismon to pass it on at a price higher than the trade price.
Michael Dell smiled strangely at Oh Se-hyun, who was eagerly exining.
"Hmm, this It seems to be true."
"What?"
"That little boy, no That Howard is your boss. I didn''t think so, haha."
Michael Dell, who burst intoughter, put down his coffee cup.
"James, let me have a word with your boss. Howard''s an unparalleled freakpared to me 12 years ago. There''s no need to be anxious in advance because the details will change anyway when signing an investment contract anyway.
It was pure curiosity.
"Howard, as James said, this is a pretty good deal for me. You didn''t suggest it without knowing what it truly meant, did you?"
"Is that possible? Mike, it''s a pretty good deal, as you just said. But you''re not just taking this, are you? I think you should give me a good suggestion to get a bnced weight."
"If the terms just mentioned are correctly included in the investment contract, we will ept Miracle Investment''s investment as much as possible. What do you think?"
"How much do you mean at most?
"I can''t answer right away. We need to check the exact number."
It was over. It was a sess.
The captain of the ship heading to Treasure Ind took my hand and put me on board.
The only thing left was to sail smoothly to Treasure Ind.
Michael Dell, the ship''s captain, was a very good captain, so I didn''t even have to worry about rough waves.
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All I had to do was... No, even that didn''t exist. All I had to do was enjoy the blue sea from the deck.
"At times like this, we should have a beer party, but our major shareholder is too young... Coffee, okay?"
Michael Dell lifted up the coffee cup and so did I.
Clink!
An indescribable cheerful sound spread out.
***
On the ne returning to New York, Oh Se-hyun, who had been silent for a long time, opened his mouth.
"When did you learn English?"
"From three years ago. My grandfather provided me with an English teacher.
"He must be a good teacher. Seeing that you are already this fluent in English in just three years.
He nodded his head lightly. Families of conglomerates seem to wait time in these matters because they knew that early education innguages was severe.
But it was only now that the real question was revealed.
"But the conversation you had with Michael. I just can''t ept it no matter how much I think about it. I tried to ept the fact that you were just a bright kid, but my head rejected this.
I decided to be honest because it was a difficult thing to exin.
"Actually, I am from the future 30 years from now, but I was reborn. So I have the knowledge and thoughts of a 40-year-old adult in my head."
"Don''t joke around. SF novels are not my cup of tea."
[T/N: SF, also Science fiction (Sci-fi).]
The judgement of truth was up to the listener, not the speaker. He didn''t believe in the truth, so I had to say what he wanted to hear.
"Isn''t it fun? Hehe."
He smiled and scratched his head.
"Yes, but that makes sense. There''s no question if you have the intellectual property of someone in their 40s or so who''s been steadily engaged in economic activities. Ha ha."
He gave into a lightugh, but he did not look like he would end it like this.
"I think I''ve told you once before. That my family is ignored...
"Yes, you said so."
"Since then, I''ve read all three newspapers every single day. From the front page to the end. At first, I didn''t understand the content, but I endured and read it while looking at a dictionary. About a yearter, I no longer needed a dictionary anymore.
Though not with a dictionary, I did so every single day, so it was true.
"All of them?"
"Yes. I watched and watched the economic stock market price again and again. And I read all the adverts. I practiced putting the whole thing together while watching almost all the TV news and documentaries... I think it''s because of that.
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"Every single day for 3 years?"
"Yes."
He looked quite surprised.
I knew very well that there was nothing as difficult as doing it consistently every single day. This was because I had experienced difficulty for as long as the time I had lived.
"It''s great, but...
That was not a refreshing answer.
"Let''s stop. Maybe it''s even something unexinable. Could there be a more foolish question than asking the cause of talent?"
If you asked a good-looking person why he was handsome, he would answer, "I was born handsome." It was a pointless question.
Oh Se-hyun smiled at me and asked again.
"So, what do you think of these days'' newspapers?"
"Construction."
"Construction?"
"Yes. 90% of the advertisements are apartment sales advertisements. It means selling apartments attracts a lot of money."
He would have thought that I would make a fuss by referring to articles on the economics side. However, Korea''s true image lies in advertising.
Thirty years from now, when economic prization would be a hot topic, advertisements in newspapers and broadcasts would be swept by loans and insurance.
Loan advertisements were rampant due to ack of money, and insurance advertisements wereunched because of anxiety over old age.
Presently, apartments had devoured everything in Korea.
"By the way, uncle. Do you know what''s more interesting?"
"What is it?"
Oh Se-hyun''s face, whose smile had already disappeared, showed a lot of anticipation.
"The stock prices of constructionpanies cannot keep up with the number of advertisements."
"Do you know what that means?
"I think I think they''re stealing everything as slush funds."
"What? slush funds? Do you know what slush funds mean?
"Uncle! Do you think I don''t even know that? The word that came up the most atst year''s hearing was slush funds. You''re ignoring me too much."
Insight simply meant to reach a conclusion based on scattered elements.
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Insight was solidified only when wisdom was umted through the acquisition of knowledge. In a way, it took physical time, but skipping this could only be seen as innate.
Oh Se-hyun looked at me as if he were looking at a strange creature, and I responded to that gaze.
"My grandfather met with the president of Sunyang Construction very often. I''ve often heard the two talking... It was mainly about money. Especially foreign banks. That''s when I found out that constructionpanies collect the money they earn as slush funds."
A child who has seen and heard the reality of the slush fund firsthand.
Oh Se-hyun''s suspicious eyes did not fade, but he did not say anymore.
But I don''t think he''ll take his hawk''s eyes off me to figure out who I really am.
* * *
Upon arriving in New York, Oh Se-hyun unpacked our luggage at the hotel and rushed back to thepany.
"From now on, I would be a little busy until the investment agreement. Let''s keep the conditions as agreed and raise the investment as much as possible. By the way, I think I''m going to invest all $15 million, but what should I do with the remaining funds?
"Please discuss with the employees and let me know a good ce to invest. Why don''t we look at that and decide?
"Let''s do it."
Report and decide. Now that was natural.
Oh Se-hyun met my mother and asked for her understanding.
"Mrs. Jesu, we had some work to do, so it was not possible to apany you. Are you all right?"
"Oh, yes. There''s no problem. The guide took care of everything."
In my family, only my mother seemed to be very good at suppressing her curiosity. I just asked in a passing tone,
"How was Texas? Is the weather nice?"
"It''s been a fickle day, but the weather has been nice for the past two days. I can say I''m lucky."
"What about the investment you talked about?"
"Oh, well... I just watched uncle work, and I was a little tired of it.
"Okay. Then from now on, let''s go see good things and eat delicious things with mom. It''s good, right?"
"Yes, but what about brother?"
"Go to his room. It''s a sight to behold.
The hotel room was a special one consisting of a living room and three bedrooms, and when I knocked on Sang-jun''s door, it was really spectacr.
Dozens of CDs and LP records were stacked on the bed, and even CD yers were ced on the table.
In 1986, a domesticpact disc was first released by SKC (Sunkyung Chemical Co., Ltd.), which was technically affiliated with Philips, and the first CD albumposed of songs was released in November of that year, but it was not yet a product that could easily be seen.
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Sang-jun seemed to have aimed for this trip to sweep all the unreleased albums in Korea.
Although he was from a chaebol family, his spending was worth sticking out one''s tongue. A child bought a CD yer worth well over a few months of work for an office worker.
They didn''t know how precious money was because they were from a rich family. If one didn''t know the worth of money, one would surely be a scoundrel tycoon who is criticized by society.
If this guy got pointed at, the fireballs could bounce at me, so I needed to do some mental alterations.
Sang-joon was immersed in music with headphones on, oblivious to the fact that I came in or went out again.
After that, I went around New York with my mother for three days.
The 5th Avenue ran through the heart of New York, and was one of the world''s shopping ma, along with Oxford Street in London, the Champs-Elysees in Paris, and the Viamonde Napoleon Street in Mn.
My mother did quite a lot of shopping in those ces and showed no hesitation in paying arge sum for her expenses.
It was said that they received enough living expenses, but it was not enough to buy a lot of these luxury goods without hesitation.
They must have sold Ilsannd. In that case, how much was earned?
* * *
"You came back to Korea today?"
"Yes."
"Did you find out about their activities in the U.S.?"
"When I confirmed with the New York office, it was all about sightseeing and shopping. Oh Se-hyun and Do-jun took a day off, but I couldn''t figure that out.
"Did those two have a day off?
Chairman Jin''s eyebrows wriggled at the report by the head of the department, Lee Hak-jae.
"If Do-joon had only gone with his family, I would have considered it a trip, but the guy named Oh Se-hyun also went with him. This was not tourism, but a business trip."
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It was clear that he went to find out where to invest in the United States through an asset managementpany called Power Shares.
Lee Hak-jae seemed to know why Chairman Jin frowned.
When money circted in the United States, it became uncontroble. It was Chairman Jin who could not stand watching things that were out of control.
"I''ll find out more."
"Exactly. And quickly."
"Yes."
Lee Hak-jae began to look at Jin again. This was because he was about to make a more troubling report.
"Well, Chairman."
"Why? Why are you so cautious?
He put down the report he was holding, as if he felt something unusual in Lee Hak-jae''s expression.
"It''s Yoongi."
"What''s wrong with him?"
"They''re setting up a film productionpany."
"What? Movie?"
"Yes, they''re almost in the final stages. They''ll probably start making it next year. Producing two films simultaneously
"No way... Is it Dojun''s money?"
Chairman Jin''s voice was getting higher and higher.
[T/N: Guys, please take note that ''u'' and ''oo'' are used interchangeably in characters'' names. This is because I feel that some names sound more interesting with ''u'' and some with ''oo'', like Yoongi. Please let me know if you''re not satisfied with this and would rather want it to be consistent. Thank you!]
This chapter is dedicated to our most recent supporter, Ai. Thanks for recognizing our efforts! XOXO~
We hope you enjoyed this chapter! You can vote for this novel trantion and drop a review on Novel Updates!
Rate this trantion!
Chapter 29:
Chapter 29:
This chapter and the next are dedicated to our most recent supporters, ''Jenny'' and ''Someone''. Thanks for recognizing our efforts! XOXO~
Lee Hak-jae became more cautious.
"Yes, they gave four billion won."
"Four billion? Oh, my!"
"There are rumors in Chungmuro that Sunyang Group has involved itself in the movie industry. This should be due to the number of initial funds."
"False rumors end in drivel. You don''t have to care.
Jin began rubbing his throbbing forehead.
"Should I do something?"
"Productionpanies are like implementers when ites to construction. You can''t make a movie without a contractor. You have to collect a lot of steps for each part.
"Then..."
"Yes."
"Well"
Chairman Jin stopped rubbing his forehead.
"Leave it alone."
"What?"
"He''ll know when it screws up, that one shouldn''t spend their money on humanity.
It was a shocking remark for Lee Hak-jae. The chairman''s concern was not his son, but his grandchild.
"Do you mean Dojun?"
"Yes. Even if it''s your biological father, you will feel keenly that it''s not worth spending money if there is no possibility. If you spend 4 billion won on being tough and unshakable by humanity, it will be cheaper than a tuition fee.
"What if the movie seeds...
"He''s been unemployed all his life. Do you think just anyone can do business? If filmmaking is so easy, why would there be failed movies? There are a lot of movies that fail even if they have a good producer or director, how can they seed?"
Unlike Chairman Jin, who was convinced of his failure, Lee Hak-jae had a different opinion.
In many cases, unknown new directors seeded at the box office.
What if he seeded?
Rather than anger that his son was out of control, he would love and expect more from his grandson, Jin Do-jun, who he recognized as his son, Jin Yoon-gi, who he abandoned.
If the movie failed, it was a lesson, and if it seeded, it was a confirmation of their thoughts about him.
Whatever the oue, Chairman Jin was likely to burst intoughter at the end.
"By the way, Hakjae."
"Yes, sir."
"Young-Joon is graduating next year, right?"
Suddenly, when asked about the eldest grandson, Lee Hak-jae was hesitant. How old was he?
"Send him to Germany when he graduates."
"Germany? It''s unusual there. Will it be okay?"
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The Monday protests, which began in Leipzig in September 1989, sparked pro-democracy protests throughout East Germany.
To appease the protesters, East Berlin general secretary, Gnther Shabovsky, announced a policy of liberalizing travel at a press conference.
But something huge happened there.
At the press conference, an Italian reporter asked the question, "When will the border opening be implemented?" and the general secretary mistook the border opening for travel liberalization and made a fatal mistake of answering "immediately without dy".
Shortly after the interview, an Italian reporter, who was not good at German, mistook the liberalization of travel for the removal of the Berlin Wall and sent a telegram to his home country.
The news spread across the U.S. to West German television that night, and Germans quickly flocked to the Berlin Wall.
They had tools in their hands and began to break down the Berlin Wall. Not only Berlin but all of Germany was falling into a quagmire of chaos.
"The fall of the Berlin Wall is a symbol of change in Eastern Europe. You should see it in person and feel the change within your body. It''s his job to find an opportunity in it.
"Isn''t he still immature? Getting some experience in Korea...
"It''s better to have experience in Germany. Don''t you think you can experience a lot in a short time if you roll in a ce where the world is spinning?
Really?
Lee Hak-jae''s doubts had not disappeared. He wondered whether the purpose was to let him gain experience or to expose Jin Young-joon''s ipetence.
"I see. I''ll arrange a seat at the Frankfurt branch."
Chairman Jin, who looked satisfied, opened his mouth a little cautiously.
"And I''m thinking of building a home appliance factory in East Germany, what do you think?"
Chairman Jin, who was convinced that East Germany would copse, was quick. If West Germany''s money was released to East Germany, it was tantamount to another huge market.
Lee Hak-jae knew what Chairman Jin wanted.
Building a white home appliance factory could be carried out immediately with just a finger flick. At that level, he would have called in the president of Sunyang Electronics, instead of himself, and ordered it.
There was a different meaning to this.
"I''ll meet with Rep. Park and discuss it."
"Yes, do what you want and rip it off."
He intended to build East Germany''s home appliance factories with national money.
Any desired title could be given to it. ''The support of underdeveloped East Germany'' was the most usible, and ''the method of support'' was a production nt that could create jobs.
It was not all, but making the most of the country''s money to build a factory andter absorbing it as a positive asset of Sunyang was something he had done countless times.
Those who were involved in the national affairs would not spare money to make their own pockets full. The business of inting their pockets was best done by a chaebol like the Sunyang Group.
* * *
"It''s an investment contract. Take a look. Let''s see your English skills."
Oh Se-hyun smiled with curious eyes, but it didn''tst.
"I can''t read such professional content. Just exin it."
There was disappointment in his eyes, but he didn''t care. In the past, when I reported, I only said the core. It was the prerogative of the boss to be briefed on the main points.
"Yes? Is it difficult?"
Oh Se-hyun started, reading the contract for the second time.
"First, the total investment is $9 million. It stops at that because we can''t go further. This is the limit allowed by investors who have already invested first.
"How much is it per week?
"40 cents."
I was a little surprised because my estimate was 60 cents. I knew it would be listed at a face value of 30 cents when it was listed on NASDAQ next year, so I thought I would ask for at least twice as much.
"Is it a good price?"
Oh Se-hyun changed into the attitude of a person reporting urately as he pretended not to know what he was doing.
"Dell Computers will go public next year at a face value of 30 cents. The expected price at the time of listing will double, and it will fluctuate over time. But the average price is definitely more than 40 cents."
"Well, that''s a good deal."
Michael Dell would have had no choice but to offer good terms.
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The stock I had secured would one day be in Michael Dell''s hands. The more stocks you secured, the more solid your management rights became.
All Michael Dell had missed was that the stock price would rise much steeper than he had expected. For that, I was going to acquire a lot of money.
"So, the negotiations ended easily. Now for the difficult part.
Oh Se-hyun once again brought out a thick piece of English material.
"I have yet to decide the candidates for where to invest the remaining $6 million."
Oh Se-hyun paused while exining information on thepanies that were nominated for investment.
To exin the reason for the investment, technical terms such as PER, PBR, PSR, WACC, Net Asset Valuation, Expectations Of Future Net Cash Flows, and Cash Flow Discount Methods continued to emerge, so he shook his head as if embarrassed.
"Well, let me say this simply. A safe investment and a little risky one."
"Where is the safe investment?
"It''s the edical fields like Pfizer, Johnson & Jones, and Boston Scientific. The stock price is stable and the dividend is good because it has a steady surplus. In particr, medical care can be seen as solid because it is difficult forte-stage countries to catch up.
In the manufacturing sector, where fiercepetition did not stop, one gship product caused stock prices to fluctuate.
However, in the medical field, stock prices only soared every time a new drug was released, showing an iron fortress that rarely copsed. As such, it was a difficult area forters to catch up. It was the best choice if only stability was considered.
"It''s a bit risky, but Microsoft is the ce to try."
Was Microsoft risky? Wasn''t this Bill Gates?
Hadn''t they already joined hands with IBM to make DOS sessful?
He must have misunderstood my surprised look.
"It''s unfamiliar, right? Actually, I don''t know much aboutputers like this either."
"Why is it risky?"
"They kept releasing newputer operating systems, but the market response was not very favorable. ording to the information, the third versiones out next year, and it''s hard to determine what will happen if it fails. In addition, there are rumors that IBM will break up with Microsoft by developing its own operating system."
Was Windows 3.0ing out next year? Was it 3.1? It was unclear.
Well, it didn''t matter. It was only a year or two difference anyway.
Windows 3.0 introduced virtual memory in earnest, which significantly enhanced multi-tasking capabilities, and provided a more beautiful and colorful interface due to improved performance of graphics cards.
Starting with 3.0, IBM PCpatible models with rtively low prices and scbility would rapidly emerge as strongpetitors for the expensive Apple Macintosh, and Microsoft was thepany that would dominate the global PC market. Enough to kick the mighty Macintosh out of the periphery.
It was very interesting for me, who lived in an era when Apple became an absolute powerhouse again with iPods and iPhones. There was no eternal winner.
"Uncle, who rmended Microsoft?"
"It''s Rachel. Do you remember her? From a New Yorkpany?"
"Oh, that madam?"
"What? Ajumma? Ha ha. She''s only 30 years old. If Rachel had heard this, she would have been furious.
[T/N: I''m sure most of us already know this, but for the record, ''Ajumma'', sometimes spelled ajoomma, is a Korean word for a married, or middle-aged woman.]
We would have to wait and see, but Rachel seemed to be the best talent at Miracle Investment.
"What should I do?"
"What do you think, uncle?"
"I was attracted to Rachel''s opinion.
Oh, that was a surprise. He made it clear that it was an area he didn''t know well. And yet he''s considering investment.
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"It may sound strange, but iIhave a feeling. A feeling that Rachel''s conviction would be right. That''s what I''m attracted to. It keeps dragging on."
As I kept looking at him curiously, he burst outughing.
"Haha. Of course, the backup data was fine too. It''s worthy enough for us to take a chance. And your luck isn''t normal, so I thought it might be a good idea to bet."
"Well, let''s do that. I''m driving my luck around, so it''s going to work. Hehe."
Weughed together, but Oh Se-hyun''s eyes showed expectations. It would bring hundreds of times that expectation. Didn''t this gentleman have a 2% stake?
Now, we had to start the next step.
"Uncle, I have a favor to ask you."
"Yes, say it."
"There''snd in Bundang, right? There''s still...
"Huh? Thatnd? It keeps going up, right?"
"Really? I don''t know much, but... Anyway, please sell that.
Startled, he waved his hand. This was becausend prices were rising day by day.
"Huh? Why sell it? Just hold it. You can sell it when the price hits the vertex."
I was not selling it because I didn''t know that. You should not miss out on something more important just to earn a few billion more.
"Do you hang out at apany in New York?"
"What? Oh!"
Oh Se-hyun pped his knee.
A fortune of $15 million would go to just twopanies. And there was no promise of when to retrieve it. It should be allowed to stand for at least a few years.
Wasn''t it impossible for four talented people in thepany to just stare at the stock charts?
"Then that money will be the fund for Miracle to operate."
"Yes, but only use half and hold the other half."
Technically I didn''t know anything. It only used fragmentary knowledge of the future. If I didn''t know the future, would I have invested in Dell Computers and Microsoft?
Right now, my knowledge and skills were beyond the reach of that woman, Rachel.
Half of the money from the sale of thend left would go directly to my tuition. Every action they took in the process of making investment decisions would be recorded in my textbook, and Oh Se-hyun, a talent from a hugepany called Power Shares, was my tutor.
Together, we would experience and learn about the world-ss real economy. It was not a waste to lose all that money.
[T/N: Guys, I won''t have much time to trante this book as I have resumed school (I hope you can bear with me). I just finished my resumption test at schoolst week and have already started my daily 7-7-like school attendance. I will make sure to try as much as possible to squeeze in time for trantion. Thanks for your support!]
And... This is totally coincidental. I never knew today was the Chinese Lunar New Year until my sister informed me about it. Nevertheless, Happy Chinese Lunar New Year to all China citizens reading this, C-drama/novel fans and anyone who cares!!
PS: The title of thest chapter was changed. I misunderstood the wording.
We hope you enjoyed this chapter! You can vote for this novel trantion and drop a review on Novel Updates!
Rate this trantion!
Chapter 30:
Chapter 30:
This chapter is dedicated to our most recent supporters, ''Jenny'' and ''Someone''. Thanks for recognizing our efforts! XOXO~
"Half? What about the rest?"
"I''ll let you know when I have to use it. My grandfather will probably tell me."
"Aha, I see. There is still unrevealed information. Ha ha."
Oh Sehyun was thinking wide now, but he quickly hid his true expression in a delightfulugh.
Investment using Sunyang Group''s internal information. A salty money-making strategy to acquire a lot of money in a short time. The greater the seed money, the greater the saltiness.
With sparkling eyes, Oh Se-hyun let out a prolonged exhale when he left.
It was hard to put up with this and keep waiting around.
I had no intention of making money from Chairman Jin''s information.
One should be extremely careful to touch a pure sheep before bing an adult. It was a stupid thing and it brought unnecessary vignce.
Also, I wasn''t a stockman and I hadn''t seen Wall Street. Article scraps in the newspaper were the only knowledge I had about the future.
I didn''t remember when and whichpany was a good investment destination, but there was another surest investment destination to create an undefeated myth over the next 30 years.
It was a movie.
I knew most of Hollywood''s numerous films that had made huge profits.
There were Love and Soul, Scissors Hands, Home Alone, and Total Recall, which would upy the box office next year. Although participation in the production was alreadyte, things would be easy using father''s filmpany.
A film investment firm that never failed.
For this alone, I would be called the Midas''s hand in Hollywood.
***
"Thank you for your time. Director Lee."
"No. I wanted to see you, too.
Lee Hak-jae rushed out without any dy at Oh Se-hyun''s call to meet him. There was a lot he wanted to ask.
"Dojun is handling his property, and I think I should let you know about this."
"Property? Power Shares took over Dojun''s property, so what are you talking about?
"What I''m talking about is not money, butnd."
"Thend? Thend in Bundang?"
"Yes, he wants to dispose of it."
"Why? There''s no need to hurry.
Lee Hak-jae''s eyebrows wriggled. Oh Se-hyun had enough sense to know what this expression meant.
"Don''t get me wrong. I didn''t instigate him, he took this decision by himself. I also tried to stop him since thend price is still rising, but his decision is unbudging."
"You just follow what he says? You''re not a proper fund manager. Shouldn''t we lead in the right direction?"
"Manager Lee,"
Oh Se-hyun said, staring into Lee Hak-jae''s eyes, which still held no doubt.
"The final decision is, of course, made by Do-jun. We just have an opinion."
"Hey! Dojun is barely
"He''s only 12 years old. Do you really think so?"
"What?"
"Wouldn''t it be a bit unreasonable for a 12-year-old child? Aren''t most adults smart enough to eat wraps?"
Oh Se-hyun waved his hand a little while looking at Lee Hak-jae''s frown.
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"Well, I didn''te out to talk about this. If you want Dojun to change his mind, do it yourself. If Dojun decides to change his decision, of course, he will not dispose of thend."
"What do you want to say?"
"I''m going to see if Sunyang Group is willing to buy thend. What do you think?"
"What?"
"In fact, isn''t it and that will attack like a swarm of bees if open to the vendors? However, since it was a gift from his grandfather, it is better to return it to Sunyang Group even if it is a little cheaper."
"Is that also Dojun''s idea?"
"No, this is my idea. I don''t think Chairman Jin should feel sorry for Dojun after selling it to the wrong ce."
"Let''s hold the matter for a while. I''ll discuss it with the chairman and let you know."
Lee Hak-jae put down his teacup and asked the question he had been holding back.
"By the way, why did you go to Texas?"
"Oh, how did you know that? You''re amazing."
"Why did you go? Did you buy some shares?
"As I''ve already said, the information is confidential. I''ve invested in a fewpanies and all I can tell you is that it''s a very good investment."
"Oh, my, useless stubbornness
Lee Hak-jae frowned.
"Hey, Mr. Oh. You''re doing this to raise the ransom?
"What? What do you mean?"
"Isn''t the ulterior motive to hold Do-joon, who is receiving special attention from the chairman, like a hostage and then use him to sneak into our Soonyang Group when you get a chance someday?"
Oh Se-hyun, who was at a loss for words for a moment, looked nk.
"Foreign investmentpanies are often kicked out at one mistake, so I just think that I will hold onto Dojun tightly to have a strong insurance policy. Don''t you think so?"
"Well, that''s how you think. I see. That''s how Sunyang Group looks at people. If you give a ransom to those who ransom you, you be a dog of the sergeant."
"You''re mistaken. That''s wrong."
"Should I? I think that''s right."
"It''s our honour that we live for twice the ransom offered. I''ll give you three times as much. How much? Your price...?
"Twenty billion."
The number that came out without hesitation, was 20 billion.
Lee Hak-jae swallowed the words that were about to burst with extreme patience.
The words he swallowed were a mad foal.
If you imed 200 apartments in Korea as your ransom, it was only natural to be called a madman.
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"It''s absurd, but let''s hear the evidence. You''re a money tinker, so you would have calcted the ransom urately.
"I''m betraying the person who left me 10 billion won, but wouldn''t it be worth betraying if I get twice as much?"
Lee Hak-jae let out a short sigh.
Just with a meeting, he was treated as an abhorrent person who converted people into money, let alone pays.
"This, I didn''te out to fight I get strangely angry when I talk to you."
"Don''t you know why?"
Lee Hak-jae shrugged his shoulders without answering.
"Because I''m notpliant before Lee Hak-jae, director of Sunyang Group."
Lee Hak-jae, who had only blinked for a moment, let out a coolugh.
"Haha. This is embarrassing. Yeah, I think that''s it.
Lee Hak-jae lifted the teacup, emptied it clean, and got up from his seat.
"All right. Take care of Dojun just like now. Keep your loyalty. Maybe your ransom of 20 billion won could jump dozens of times."
As Oh Se-hyun''s eyes sparkled, Lee Hak-jae smiled.
"You''re a quick-witted person, so I''m sure you know what I mean. Let''s have a drink of soju next time."
Oh Se-hyun, who was left alone, revealed a calm smile as he watched Lee Hak-jae''s back getting farther.
"We''ll see if that smile would be present even when the bnce in my bank ount is hundreds of times your ransom."
***
"Father! Are you sending a child who is just graduating to Germany?
"Grandpa, I still want to study a little more."
Since the beginning of the new year in 1990, Chairman Jin''s eldest grandson had broken into a cold sweat.
"Are you going to study something you haven''t done before? My eldest son, you know how to make this grandpaugh, huh?"
Jin Young-joon, whose face turned red in an instant, closed his mouth and bowed his head.
"Father, Youngjun has grown up now. Taking business management ss steadily
Vice Chairman Jin Young-ki tried to make excuses for his son, but he closed his mouth at Chairman Jin''s sharp eyes staring at him.
"Management ss? Is there any better ss than this? The whole of Europe will be shaken up. When you make an urgent decision amid that change, you open your eyes automatically. Don''t you think so?"
When Chairman Jin looked around the group''s key figures sitting in the study and asked for consent, they naturally nodded.
"I''m ready, so I''m leaving next week. I''ll go now."
When Jin Young-joon tried to leave the library with a bitter look on his face, Chairman Jin sent a warning after him.
"I''ve been stuck in my house for a week. If you make an ident while wandering around with girls, the African branch, not Germany, will be your home."
Jin Young-joon turned blue, bowed his head, and went out.
Chairman Jin turned his eyes again toward the group''s personnel.
"It''s a new year, but if only I could turn back the hand of the clock, I would have done that. I''m sad that 89 years are over What about you guys?"
Chairman Jin looked around the audience and stopped at someone''s face. The rest of the people were relieved when they found out that they were not the target, but Cho Dae-ho, president of Sunyang Motors, who caught Chairman Jin''s eye, was thrilled.
"I''m sorry, I''m sorry, Mr. Chairman."
He stood up and bowed his head, but Chairman Jin waved his hand.
"Sit down. You''re not guilty of murder.
When President Cho Dae-ho sat back on the chair, Chairman Jin continued with his hands sped.
"If I have the name of a Soonyang affiliate, I can only fall asleep if I''m first ce no matter what. By the way, Cho Dae-ho..."
"Yes, sir."
"What did I say when I started Sunyang Motor Company? Let''s just get second ce. Do you remember?"
"Of course, Mr. Chairman."
"What was our rankingst year?"
When President Cho Dae-ho hesitated and could not answer, Chairman Jin banged the long table.
"Are you suddenly imitating a mute? Aren''t you going to say it?!"
"Four, all four."
President Cho jumped up again and took a standing position.
"Are you sleeping? Can you imagine a hopeful future now that it''s the new year?"
"I''m sorry, Mr. Chairman."
Cho couldn''t move with his back bent.
Jin turned to Lee Hak-jae, who was sitting closest to him.
"Director Lee."
"Yes, Mr. Chairman."
"Which affiliate has the smallest number of employees?"
President Cho Dae-ho''s body trembled at this remark.
This was the moment when his fate changed.
"It''s a pure packaging factory.
"Packaging? When did you make that?"
"Oh, it''s a subsidiary of Sunyang Products. Originally, it was outsourced, but the volume increased a little, so we absorbed it."
"Absorption? Then isn''t the current president from Sunyang?"
"Yes."
"Then I''ll cut him How many employees are there?"
"There are six hundred people."
600 employees, Pyeongtaek.
These words passed through President Cho Dae-ho''s head. It sounded good to be called the president, but he was less powerful than the general manager of Sunyang Motor Company.
As the president of a packaging factory, he had to work with the person in charge of Sunyang Products.
It was no different from writing a resignation letter.
"Cho Daeho."
"Yes, sir."
"You''re going to work at the packaging factory from tomorrow. Experience that and reflect on yourself."
The word "reflect" sounded like the gospel.
Is he trying to give me a chance to make aeback?Or is it a false hope?
Chairman Jin shouted with a cruel look on his face as President Cho tried to sit back on the chair.
"What? Why are you sitting down? How dare the head of a packaging factory...?
President Cho Dae-ho hurriedly left the study in a cold sweat. Being kicked out of the study meant that the possibility of returning was zero.
"Vice president."
"Yes, Mr. Chairman."
Jin Young-ki was surprised by his father''s call. I didn''t expect this spark to fly on me!
"Take care of the cars. I give you two years until next year. Make it second ce in two years. The numbers are just right.
"Sir, Chairman. I already oversee several affiliates, so I can''t afford it Please reconsider."
"Oh, yes. Our vice chairman is in charge of various affiliates, so he is busy.
The way he spoke was unusual. Jin Young-ki was a useless rebellion, but regret poured in.
"How many are you managing?"
"There are neen."
"Really? Then let''s do this."
The heads of affiliates gathered in the study did not dare to look at Chairman Jin''s face, but their ears were wide open.
What if the vice chairman reduces the number of subsidiaries managed by him?
What if theirpanies were included in that?
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There would be many opportunities to skip the vice chairman and meet Chairman Jin alone immediately. This was another opportunity. An opportunity to solidify one''s position.
However, they gave up their expectations after hearing Chairman Jin''s words. It didn''t give anyone another chance and only embarrassed the vice chairman.
"Do you want to take care of 20? Or do you want to take care of one thing?"
Of course, there was no one who didn''t know that the "one" being referred to was the carpany.
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Rate this trantion!
Chapter 31:
Chapter 31:
This chapter is dedicated to this trantion''s most recent supporter, ''Freda Lee''. Thanks for recognizing our efforts! XOXO~
Daehyun Motor Co., an undisputed absolute powerhouse with more than half of the domestic market share.
Ajin Motor Company, which was ranked fourth for many years, released a very sturdypact carProud. With this, they took second ce at once.
Woosung Motors, which had fallen from second to third ce by a slight margin, was aiming to regain its former position with its partner, GM Motor of the U.S. on its back.
Sunyang Motor Co., which managed to stay in third ce, came inst in the industry.
Chairman Jin Yang-chul, who had strong self-esteem, had put up with this humiliation by dismissing only one president.
ording to his temper, he was capable of dismissing up to five executives together, but it would have been difficult to dismiss them from the beginning of the new year. This was because he had to consider the morale of the executives and employees.
When the eldest son Jin Young-ki hesitated, Chairman Jin snapped his fingers in anger.
"Have you chosen? 20 or 1? Which one do you want?"
"The motors! I''ll take it, too."
He spoke with particr emphasis on the word ''too''.
"But in reality, two years is impossible, Chairman. The new car under development will be released at the end of next year. Even if I do my best to develop a new car and its poprity is sky-high, the results will note until the year after the next."
"Vice president."
"Yes."
"Go to the car factory now."
?
"You know, hundreds of cars are pouring into the factory every day. If you sell them all, won''t you be in second ce?"
Who didn''t know? Would such ame excuse be made if it was as easy as it sounded? But they had to keep their mouth shut. Weren''t they the words of the absolute?
"Are you only going to sell the new car without thinking about selling the current ones? Is that what you think?"
"Oh, that''s not it"
Vice Chairman Jin Young-ki tried to add a few words to save himself, but Jin already raised his hand, pointing to the study door.
"Hurry up and go. You''ll know what to do when it happens. Come on."
Jin was not the type of person who spoke unseriously or joked around with words. If he told you to go, then you had to.
What if he sat?
The fate of the president who was kicked out of the packaging factory could not be avoided just because he was the son of the chairman.
Vice Chairman Jin Young-ki jumped up, bowed his head a little, and quickly walked out of the study.
As soon as the door closed, Chairman Jin scanned through the popce and said in a benevolent voice,
"No more for today. I already had a hard time being nagged from the beginning. Everyone, go out and work."
One after the other, they left the study with brighter expressions.
It was an expression of relief that they were not kicked out of the position of the president of an affiliate, which was no different from an ordinary employee.
"How''s the Soviet Union going? Is there no hope?"
Chairman Jin asked Lee Hak-jae, who was sitting idly in the study when everyone else had dispersed.
"Yes, I politely declined, saying it would be difficult to focus energy on a particrpany."
"It''s hot. It''s an ordinary process, but it''s not normal, right?"
"We will set this administration''s greatest achievement as northern diplomacy and proceed without any noise if possible... I hope you understand."
"So? What can you give me instead of gas?
"The East German support you mentioned. He said he would leave the support window to the private sector."
"If you''re a civilian..."
"We are pure sheep. Home appliances and food aid."
"Food? For what?"
"I''m trying to persuade them with 100% home appliances. We will turn all the support budget to the construction cost of our Sunyang Electronics local nt."
"The cost will bloom only when the Berlin Wallpletely copses, right?"
"That''s right."
"And that will be?"
"If we put together the information we have collected and what the Ministry of Security has identified, it will be September or October."
"Then let''s make sure to prepare for the start of construction in the fall."
"The construction workers are already investigating the Berlin area. We n to secure a factory site in a ce with high potential for development and move Hungarian nt facilities to East Germany."
"As expected, Lee Hak-jae. It''s just a parchment."
The home appliance factory that had already been established in Hungary barely maintained its reputation. It was like closing the factory and expanding and relocating to Germanywithout spending a penny.
"No, it''s just the beginning."
"Japan?"
"Yes. We have to ovee the affection for Japanese home appliances in the eastern part of the country. Especially Hitachi and Sony, aren''t they absolute?"
Chairman Jin bit his lips when he heard that it was Japan.
Korean products with moderate performance for a low price. This was a sober assessment of the global market.
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Trying to catch up with Japanese technology, they hade this far. However, no consumer was anxious to have a Sunyang''s product. They were struggling to ovee this difference, but it looked like an enormous wall higher than the Berlin Wall. Even now!
When Chairman Jin thought of Japan, he was overwhelmed by an inferiorityplex, and his stomach boiled. Lee Hak-jae, who noticed his mood, gently brought up another topic.
"By the way, what should I do with thend I told you about the other day?"
"Land? Ah, you mean Dojun''snd?"
"Yes. ording to Power Shares'' CEO Oh, Dojun said he wanted to sell thend, but I think he rmended overseas investment."
"What? I heard you can trust him."
"Yes, I checked again this time. He''s a good guy. I think he probably judged that it was better than a rise innd prices"
Chairman Jin waved his hand as if there was nothing more to hear.
"Never mind. Just buy it.
"Will it be okay?"
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"You said you double-checked it. Oh, this guy is not a con artist?"
"Yes."
"Even if thend price goes up, it''s a lot of money. Let''s leave it up to him, but... I''m proud of his uniqueness. The way he moves first without waiting."
"I''ll do that. I''d better buy it at the market price, right?
"Of course. If the situation arises, people will say, "it''s an expedient inheritance," Chairman Jin said, and continued, "Give it to them at just the right market price."
"All right."
"And review Power Shares'' performance.
"Eh? Why that all of a sudden?"
"I was thinking about leaving the money scattered inmercial banks. Wouldn''t it be okay if the money is transferred to the ce where Dojun invested?"
"Well"
Money in amercial bank, which referred to Chairman Jin''s personal slush fund hidden in a borrowed-name ount.
"Should I clean up the bonds?"
"Check the performance and if you think it''s appropriate, do everything."
"Yes, I''ll take care of it right away."
It was indeed safer to move it abroad, and Dojun may be able to track the money. Safety and surveince, It was a way to catch two rabbits. It was not that bad.
When he felt a little better after being informed about Japan, Chairman Jin began a real meeting with Lee Hak-jae. A meeting between just the two of them.
"What do you think?
"I''m sorry. About what?
"The car and Youngi."
"He''s the vice president. Isn''t he doing well?"
"I''m not discussing this with you to hear nice things."
"No. To be honest, it''s impossible to raise our position to second ce by next year. It was a bit too much."
"Hakjae."
Hakjae was most nervous when he heard such a subtle voice and a yful adult expression from the Chairman.
Chairman Jin was a person who did not like ying jokes.
"Yes."
"Are you with me?"
Didn''t a saying go that ''the king is most wary when a servant gives an opinion on behalf of the crown prince''?
Lee Hak-jae did not panic andughed it off like a joke.
"Haha, no. I mean it."
"Really? You''re saying it''s that hard, right? All right, then you answer. You really don''t think there''s a way to get to No. 2 in the car industry in two years?"
Chairman Jin Yang-cheol even spoke with a smile.
However, Lee Hak-jae could not do likewise.
"Public opinion will not be good. Maybe he will after a lot of effort."
"What''s the possibility?"
"50 percent if this administrationes forward. If not It will be less than 30 percent."
Both men were lost in thought for a while in silence.
"The Blue House wants to have a meal, so they asked to meet up."
"Would you like to meet him in person?"
"A business dinner would be a good idea."
"Yes, I''ll be ready."
It looked like it was really starting, but Lee Hak-jae did not give any objections. Wasn''t reckless adventure the founder''s right?
Starting today, the brain group of the Soonyang Group had to be fully operational.
It had to figure out what percentage of shares it needed to secure to swallow Ajin Motors, which had the weakest governance structure, and how much it would cost to secure shares in units of 1 million won, and also prepare for a public opinion battle.
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In order to attack Ajin Motors, the management had to also start a background check, and at least the chairman and president of Ajin Motors had to be ced on the photo line of the prosecution office.
Even if he was released without charge.
Lee Hak-jae was suddenly cut off from his train of thought by Chairman Jin''s words.
"By the way, why can''t Young-gi think of this? It''s the boss''s job to sell. He doesn''t realize where he is."
"It''s because the chairman is still alive and well."
Chairman Jin shook his head.
"No. If you are a lord fighting for supremacy, you don''t know that you have to start a war, expand your territory, and build a castle. Only when the workers in the territory expand thend to farm can they be eligible for permanent residence... I can see that he''s trying to increase the yield by hiring workers. The bowl is small."
"Isn''t it the age of Mercury now? Didn''t you train the vice president like that?"
"The instinct for war must wriggle! Can I just sit down and watch him?"
Lee Hak-jae knew it was time for him to keep his mouth shut. These days, there had been frequentints about the vice chairman.
Could the reason be Jin Do-jun''s influence?
For a long time since then, Chairman Jin had expressed his dissatisfaction with his children.
All Lee Hak-jae could do was respond to the Chairman''s nagging from time to time to time.
* * *
The ''80s were gone and the ''90s were here.
The new decade was an important time to prepare for the 2000s. Chairman Jin Yang-cheol was motivated from the beginning of the year, but in less than a month, everything had to be revisedpletely.
Since the beginning of 1990, President Roh Tae-woo of the Democratic Party of Korea and President Kim Jong-pil of the New Democratic Republican Party agreed to disband the three parties and form a conservative coalition party at a meeting with the Blue House on the 22nd of the same month.
It was a political big deal called the merger of the three parties. This turned into a huge ruling party in an instant.
At 9 a.m. on January 30 of the same year, nearly 900 delegates and party officials gathered at the Unification Democratic Party building in Mapo, making it impossible to step foot in.
At the national convention held on this day, President Kim Young-sam expressed his feelings, saying, "I don''t know how much suffered," and continued, "It was a great decision made in the interest of saving the country that made the ruling party''s signe down."
At the 35-minute convention: "Objection. We have to have a debate against it," he said, ignoring the opposition of thewmaker, and a dozen opponents in favor of his argument agreed and it quickly ended in favor of the merger.
So, on February 9, the huge ruling Democratic Liberal Party was born.
Now the businessmunity had one more person to watch.
He led the ruling party and was likely to be the next president.
Chairman Jin Yang-cheol threw the newspaper.
''God damn it, I soothed an ordinary mule, and a hopping old man appeared with a club'', this feeling was fully evident on his face.
I picked up the newspaper.
"It''s him, isn''t it? Always in 2nd ce..."
I pointed to gray-haired Kim Young-sam among the three pictures of people raising their hands.
"Yes, the second ce teamed up with the ss president and took over the next ss president position.
Grandfather looked at me with an expression of frustration, which was a little burdensome.
"Now, shall we listen to the smart Dojun''s thoughts?"
I knew it. Was it fun now?
"What? What are you talking about?"
"What would you do if it were you? The white-haired man is stubborn."
It was a different perspective and a unique wording, but this time I spoke like a child.
"Hmm isn''t it good to be friendly?
"Is that all?"
"Yes."
Chairman Jin''s disappointment was evident on his face.
It couldn''t be helped.
Was there a person more shocking than President Kim Young-sam?
His shocking policies had to be kept to myself. At the end of Kim Young-sam''s five-year presidency, he should be part of the Sunyang Group. A very good affiliate.
[To Freda:
If you''re reading this now, this is to thank you for your love and support and apologize for thete thank you on Ko-fi. I really appreciate your support! XOXO ]
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Chapter 32:
Chapter 32:
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[T/N: Please take note of words in italics, they are personae''s thoughts.]This chapter is dedicated to all readers and supporters of this trantion. Thanks for your love and understanding! XOXO~
"Last time, you asked me to have a drink of soju, so I thought it was a cart bar or pork belly restaurant. Ha ha."
"Is there anything like sashimi with soju?"
When Lee Hak-jae, who met with him again at a luxury Japanese restaurant, stably gave a cool answer, Oh Se-hyun felt relieved enough to empty his ss faster.
"I''ll have to pay for today''s drink. We''ve made a deal of 24 billion won, so themission is quite high.
As soon as he signed the contract to hand over themercial district of Bundang to Sunyang Construction, the money was transferred directly into Dojun''s bank ount.
"Since Sunyang has dealt with all the tax issues, can we do it once?"
"If the head of the department contacts me, I wille running back to you. Ha ha."
Lee Hak-jae held out a ss of alcohol to Oh Se-hyun, who revealed a cool smile.
"Why don''t we give you a bigger deal? Are you interested?"
Oh Se-hyun''s hand trembled a little as he received the ss he was offered. The bigger case was the Sunyang Group.
Lee Hak-jae''s warning came to his mind.
Having the intention to use Dojun to immerse his foot in Soonyang Group.
The idea of raising the ransom.
A man with a doubt like that suddenly making a new proposal?
Could it be a bait?
"I''ll start by making sure I can handle it first, right?
"It''s a little less than 200 billion."
Clink
In the end, the ss slipped down from his hand.
However, Oh Se-hyun did not even feel as though he had dropped something, and was speechless with his jaws ajar.
Two hundred billion
Last year''s national budget was 22.6 trillion won. It was an unrealistic astronomical figure, which was close to 1% of the government''s budget.
Seeing Oh Se-hyun''s nk expression, Lee Hak-jae''s face folded in a strange smile. He seemed a little contemptuous and conceited.
"I''m sorry, I''m sorry. I was so surprised"
Oh Se-hyun hurriedly wiped the beads off his face with a towel and breathed.
"It seems too difficult to handle."
"It''s difficult. Oh, don''t get me wrong. I don''t mean I won''t take it. In other words, there is no ce to invest that much money in Korea. I have to split it numerous times and make a distributed investment"
"How is it in a foreign country? For example, where Dojun invested. I think we can get on there."
Lee Hak-jae''s words almost made Oh Se-hyun''s knees grow weak. He already knew what he wanted.
"It''s too difficult."
"What''s the matter?"
"I can''t tell you the details, but Dojun''s funds went into a third-party investmentpany through Power Shares'' U.S. headquarters. Moreover, thepanies Dojun invested in are notrge enough to receive an enormous investment of 200 billion won."
Lee Hak-jae''s eyes shed when he heard that it was a third-party investmentpany, but he did not ask in detail; because he knew that Oh Se-hyun wasn''t going to exin in detail anyway.
"It''ll be safe, right?"
This was the most he could ask.
But one thing was clear. Dojun''s money was not buried in the hugepany called Power Shares, but moved independently.
"There is no safe investment. It''s about taking risks. Dojun''s risk is within control, so don''t worry."
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Then Oh Se-hyun asked indirectly after telling him not to worry,
"That 200 billion. Is it money that you don''t have to make a profit? Conservation of the principal is the most important and should not be buried in long-term investment, and money that can be got whenever necessary Is that right?"
When I mentioned the most important principle of slush funds, Lee Hak-jae couldn''t help butugh.
He was a quick witted fellow.
When Lee Hak-jae nodded lightly, Oh Se-hyun tilted his head.
"Then, wouldn''t it be better to keep it in Korea? There is a Korean bank that has a much better interest rate than the United States, right?"
Lee Hak-jae only smiled instead of answering.
If you pay amission of 200 billion won, you get hundreds of millions of won. He is not a great man who can''t even calcte this.
However, he suggested the best option for his customers without hesitation, forgetting his own interests.
He''s a lot better than I thought.
"As you said, it''s not money to earn interest. In fact, we also often need money in the United States, so we were trying to move some."
It also meant that the U.S. business was getting bigger. As it grew, ck money was often needed more and more.
"I see. I''ll review it first and let you know the final proposal."
It was a polite and exemry answer, but in Oh Se-hyun''s heart, he was already rejected. There was no need to worry about taking over the ck money of Soonyang Group.
This was because he was also a sessful person in the top 1% who was not too nasty.
* * *
"I don''t know why you want to see this, but I got it from New York. Take a look."
I quickly snatched some of the documents Oh Se-hyun held out.
"Will you show it to your father? Is it possible to import movies?"
I nodded half-heartedly and began to check my contractual rtionship.
However, as soon as I saw the work that I had my eye on the most, I almost cursed.
Damn it, UIP direct ship!
The movie, ''GHOST'', which was going to dominate the world''s box office in 1990, had already been confirmed as a domestic distribution by UIP, a direct distributionpany that began distributing in Koreast year.
If my father''s filmpany was in charge of domestic distribution, I could shout out loud to the theater owners and insert the film my father produced... It was disappointing.
But I saw a movie that caught my eye again.
HOME ALONE.
"Uncle, is this movie in production?"
"What?"
Oh Se-hyun took a look at the movie list for a while and then flipped through the documents.
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"This? It says production holding. Look at thest page. No, wait a minute."
He slowly started to read and exin, probably thinking tht the densely written English was burdensome for me.
"Well, it''s a small family movie The director is a rookie, the main character is a rookie... Wait, the main character is a kid, just like you."
Oh stopped talking and started reading the rest of the documents.
"You can take this out."
Oh Se-hyun shook his head slightly as he threw the documents on the desk.
"Why?"
"Warner Brothers decided to make it for $14 million, but the budget for the production cost went up sharply. So it was handed over to 20th Century Fox and is under review now."
"Wouldn''t you still make it?"
"Well? I don''t know much about this side. But it''s creaking from the beginning of the production, so it can''t go well, right?
It was good. Even that worked well, too.
I thought I still had a chance, so I didn''t even notice any other movies. Even if it was a hit movie like Total Recall and Die Hard 2, the distribution rights in Korea were no longer satisfactory.
"Uncle, will you go to Miracle after you''re done with thend in Bundang?"
"Soon. Why?"
The way he looked at me was strange, as if he had already guessed.
"I''m thinking about investing in this movie."
Sure enough, he let out a sigh first.
"Do-joon, stock and movie investment arepletely different games. If the stock price falls, you lose money, but if the movie doesn''t go beyond the break-even point, you just lose it. There''s no timing to get out.
This time, there was no justification or exnation to persuade.
Anxious director, leading actor, and family film, but huge production costs. It was apparently suicide for major U.S. filmmakers to pour money into movies that they hesitate to do.
Oh Se-hyun''s concern with a firm face was a natural reaction.
But we had to take advantage of this opportunity. Miracle Investment could not miss the golden opportunity to imprint its name on Hollywood as a film investor.
Of course, dozens of times the profit followed as a bonus.
"Uncle."
"I do not object to this. This is not an investment. It''s a gamble. It''s already lost at face value."
Oh Se-hyun blocked me in advance, so I threw thest card.
"This is thest time. I won''t say anything about investment from now on. Can''t I do this?"
"Dojun!"
Atst, he even raised his voice. I understood his reaction, but I was getting irritated.
"It''s unearned ie from selling thend. I don''t need it, and it''s my money even if it''s ruined. I promised my parents that I would do what I wanted to do. Also, there is no problem if all the money operated by Miracle disappears. My grandfather is the richest man in our country, don''t you think so?"
Oh Se-hyun''s expression changed from moment to moment with my subdued voice.
He seemed to have realized the distance between himself and me, who met my grandfather well.
A world that ends with a single outcry even if you lose arge amount of money of about 20 billion won.
A world wherepanies worth hundreds of billions of won are forgiven with a few years of probation.
They are alien-like beings who look at money from apletely different perspective from ordinary peoplewho lose their jobs for hundreds of millions or tens of millions of won due to misjudgment.
That was the chaebol family.
Oh Se-hyun stood up, taking the documents scattered on the table.
"What you want is to invest as much money as possible in this movie, right?"
It was a cold tone with no familiarity. I, too, answered business-likely.
"That''s right."
"Yes, I''ll do as you please."
"Oh, one more thing."
"What''s that?"
"We need to secure Korean distribution rights."
"We may be the only investors, but that''s no problem. Anything else?"
"There isn''t. I''ll take care of it and report it as soon as possible."
I think he was very angry because he gave more strength to the word "report".
However, his displeasure would melt away upon seeing the year-end box office.
* * *
Oh Se-hyun''s expression as he left Do-jun''s house was still not good.
The reason why Do-jun was so stubborn is fully understandable. It came from the thought that if his father''s filmpany went wrong, he would be hated more by his grandfather.
I understand he wants to help his father by importing American movies, but it is reckless.
"After The damage this time is going to be a big blow.
Oh Se-hyun was a professional.
Even if the reason for therge loss was the reckless judgement of the customer, he had no intention of avoiding responsibility. He was a person who had a sense of duty to make up for the damage with his own ability.
"Damn it, Jin''s family only brings you a lot of troubles."
In order to recover losses from movie investment, Lee Hak-jae''s proposed slush fund must be epted.
It would be possible to roll about 100 billion won for a year. Oh Se-hyun drove to Sunyang Group''s headquarters.
***
When Microsoft released Windows 3.0, it quickly encroached on the PC market. Thepany''s stock price also rose rapidly.
Dell Computer, which was listed for 30 cents, also broke records day after day, and its stock price skyrocketed.
Thanks to this, Oh Se-hyun, who was very angry with me, smiled broadly and ratherforted me that the loss of $8 million or 5.6 billion invested in "HOME ALONE" would be enough to be made up in a few years.
On the contrary, Korean stocks plunged.
In Japan, it was due to regtions on the total amount of loans implemented in April to end the bubble economy. This was just the beginning.
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It was implemented at the peak of the Japanese bubble economy, and the Japanese economy began to sink into an endless abyss.
The establishment of diplomatic rtions with the Soviet Union culminated in the North''s greatest achievement, and on October 3, Germany, which had been divided into East and West since World War II, was finally reunified after 45 years.
From this point on, as Eastern European countries, which were satellites of the Soviet Union, turned into capitalist systems inrge numbers, the tedious Cold War ended virtually in this year.
Now, the entire globalmunity has entered an era of capitalism.
From November 16, when HOME ALONE was released, Oh might have been the only person in Korea who nervously watched the film''s score.
Oh Se-hyun, who called New York every day to check the box office, visited me on New Year''s Day in 1991.
"Maybe you are the richest person in the world among national students. Except for Arab royalty."
The paper he gave me was full of numbers, and at the end, the number $200 million was circled in red.
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Chapter 33:
Chapter 33:
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______
"I''m going to be a middle school student now, uncle."
"What? Already?"
"Yes. I''ll be enrolled in March."
"Not yet. Hey! But aren''t you surprised? Can''t you see the box office results? Do you even know the value of the dor?"
When I was sour without much response, Oh Se-hyun''s look became suspicious again.
"We invested $8 million out of $18 million in production, so our percentage is 44%. Excluding distributor and theater profits, it brings about half of the total profits, right?"
"I think so."
"$200 million Today''s exchange rate is 740 won, so 148 billion won. Half would be 74 billion, 44% of which would be 33 billion. Isn''t that six times the profit?"
Oh Se-hyun''s narrowed eyes looked stunned. Older men were always surprised by a child''s mental capacity. The good thing about being young was that my brain worked very smoothly.
"It''s not a big deal considering the return on Microsoft or Dellputers, is it?"
"Well, that''s true. But 6 times more in a year is amazing; a super hit. Moreover, $200 million is just the revenue in the United States. It''s going to be released all over the world, so you''ll earn at least twice as much."
"Uncle."
"Huh?"
"New York Miracle employees, tell them to do their job well."
"Why? They work day and night."
"Not hard, but well! The lowest return on investment I''ve decided is six times. What is the return on their own investment they manage?
"Well, it''s"
"It''s only 22 per cent."
Oh Se-hyun kept his mouth shut. What saved him, as he was still silent, was my father who barged in.
"Hey! Don''t you know I''m busy? What''s wrong with you?"
My father, who burst open my door, took off his coat and said.
I heard that recently, my father was busy trying to secure the release of two movies made by his productionpany.
"Why? You still haven''t set the premiere?"
"Oh, don''t even say it. The whole theater was empty during the Lunar New Year."
"What? It''s not full?"
"It''s because I''m waiting for the perfect movie for the Lunar New Year holiday. The mega hitst Christmas season, Home Alone. An American movie."
"Is the movie that great to endure waiting with the theater empty?"
It was then Oh Se-hyun''s mischief began.
"It''s a family movie and aedy. It''s perfect for the Lunar New Year holidays. Besides, it''s been verified in the US. It''s breaking the all-timeedy box office record."
"Is that why you can''t bet on your movie?"
"Home Alone walks me out of the theater."
My father''s expression was not so good. He looked as if he was in a dilemma.
"Hey, I heard there''s a Korean distributor for this movie, but I don''t know where it is. The whole Chungmuro is in chaos now. I''ll have to meet the guy who holds the film to adjust the date or set the movie theater I''m going crazy."
Oh Se-hyun, who enjoyed this scene to the fullest, finally said in a solemn voice,
"You should bow to me first."
"There''s no time for pranks. Just tell me what you need."
"I know who the Korean distributor of the hit movie is. Don''t you want to bow yet?"
"What?"
Oh Se-hyun handed out a document to my surprised father. Quickly snatching the document and reading it down, he swallowed dry saliva.
"Hey, this is"
"Did you forget all your English? Don''t you understand?"
My father couldn''t take his eyes off thepany name printed in the signature box at the bottom of the document.
"What the hell is this What happened?"
"Just sign and Home Alone is yours. If you don''t like it, quit."
When Oh Se-hyun tried to take the documents back, father quickly signed them and put them in. Seeing how he took care of the contract without asking for details, I could tell how urgent and anxious he was.
"Father, show your movie first, not that movie during the holidays."
Their eyes were on me.
"Why don''t you say you''re giving Home Alone to a theater that shows your father''s movies? Isn''t the Lunar New Year''s holiday the peak season?"
As soon as he finished talking, Oh Se-hyun burst intoughter.
"Listen to your son. You listen to Dojun carefully and do what he tells you to do. Then there would be no failure. Hehe."
My father opened his mouth, alternating between the papers and my face.
"Dojun, let''s take care of this in detail."
Father took his coat and hurried out. As I looked at him, I could see how urgent it was for him right now.
"Oh, my God, that guy he''s still the same."
"What?"
"Huh? Oh, your father. If he''s into something, he doesn''t see anything else. When he was studying in London, if he found a good y, he would watch it dozens or hundreds of times. All he''s into right now is his movie theater. He didn''t even ask why Home Alone is in our hands."
"It''s good to focus, you know."
I picked up a piece of paper with the box office profit of $200 million written on it.
"Uncle. Let''s invest all this money in the movie that''s going to be produced this year. Let''s pick a list and listen to the opinions of the U.S. then let''s decide and proceed."
"All of them? Dojun, I''m satisfied with one shot..."
Oh Se-hyun swallowed his words.
He must have thought that he, with a yield of only 22%, was not in the position to tell me who gained 600%.
Advice is appropriate when given from a higher position to a lower one.
Superiority or inferiority is not determined by age but by the oue.
"Okay. Let''s get a list of movies that are being nned or produced in Hollywood first. If Miracle says they want it, Hollywood producers will step in first."
Oh Se-hyun took his bag and went back.
I also had to spend more time studying until I graduated from middle school. That way, Chairman Jin''s expectations would not decrease only when I maintained my top performance.
For the next three years, I was free to choose a sessful movie.
I hoped nothing special would happen because there were so many waves in the family.
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* * *
A few days before the Lunar New Year holiday, the newspaper with thergest cirction published an editorial with a unique perspective.
[Thex management of an ownerlesspany. Is it a structural weakness of argepany with a professional management system?]
Last year, Ajin Motor Company''s management performance was excellent.
in the middle
Ajin Motors, which has a professional management system, is standard to payrge dividends to shareholders. However, Ajin Motor''s management was busy growing their size instead of shareholders'' interests.
It has established new affiliates such as Ajin Machinery and Ajin Precision, and has poured funds from Ajin Motors into thepany.
For whom? Of course it was for the expansion of management.
Dozens of other executives had now been born. They would decide whether to fill their own pockets or their shareholders'' pockets.
However, is it due to my old age that I don''t believe in that decision?
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Song Hyun-chang, chairman of Ajin Motor Co., who threw the newspaper, pressed the inte and shouted,
"Tell all the executives to gather! Including the head of the PR department! Right now!"
After a few minutes, there was a knock and about a dozen people came in.
There was a sofa where only eight people could sit, but not a single person satbecause the chairman was standing.
Some of them were holding newspapers, too.
"What''s this? Who did this?"
Chairman Song grabbed the newspaper and shook it.
"I''m sorry, I''m sorry. I''m looking into it now."
There was also a man who stood quivering among the people who could not raise their heads or make eye contact.
Seeing that he still had almost no gray hairs, he must be in charge of the public rtions office.
"Don''t you give advertisements to Daehan Ilbo?"
The man also answered the chairman''s question.
"No, I''m not. I''m not"
"Then you paid him to betray us? Oh, my God!"
Chairman Song, who exhaled only a rough breath while biting his lips, shouted at the public rtions manager.
"Hey! PR!"
"Yes, sir."
"Go right now and find out what they want, whether you give money to the people who hold the pen or give them a woman."
The public rtions director bowed and hurried out of the chairman''s office.
"Chairman, I think you''re being too sensitive. Isn''t it the method that newspaper reporters use when they mor for more advertising?"
"They''re saying it''s all thanks to them that our new car has received such tremendous poprity. If we run a full-page ad for a week, everything will change."
The management''s old men, who managed to pluck up their courage, spoke carefully to relieve Chairman Song''s anger, but they seemed to have added fuel.
"You guys! What are you talking about? If that''s the reason, shouldn''t we be bashing our new car instead of bashing the management team? Are you in your right mind?"
Then everyone came to their senses.
The media was also vignt. When you ask for something, you hit a product, not a person. Merchants had no emotion, but people were animals of emotion.
In particr, attacking management was no different from dering a war to turn your back on it.
"This is suspicious. There''s something."
Chairman Song, who was pacing around his office, gave the management a fierce look.
"Find out who did it until lunchtime. I believe that everyone can find out that much information."
When management left the chairman''s office, Chairman Song slumped on the sofa.
In the night, the bed was in a mess His anxiety didn''t go away.
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* * *
Chairman Jin, who folded the newspaper and put it down in the corner of the table, raised a spoon.
He thought to himself that it was indeed the work of the editor-in-chief of the "Daehan Ilbo".
It was a natural step in management to establish a subsidiary to produce core parts for the increased number of automobiles.
They distorted it as if A-Jin Motors management immorality and the existence of a non-ownerrge corporation creating an unnecessary subsidiary to promote their own people.
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It was a clever writing skill that caught two rabbits, making A-Jin Motors'' management''s immorality and non-ownerrge corporations exist like a device without safety measures.
When Chairman Jin, who had a pleasant breakfast after a long time, went to the study, Lee Hak-jae, who was reading the newspaper, stood up and bowed his head.
"Hey, just eat breakfast here. Can''t I have a table with you?"
"Would the meal be served properly if I ate with the chairman? I''ll just listen to your words," replied Lee Hak-jae
Chairman Jin looked at Lee Hak-jae''s hand and smiled.
"How is it? Did you choose well?"
"Yes, it came out appropriately as a signal."
"When will the 2nd phase began?"
"Just the day before the Lunar New Year holiday, all the central daily newspapers will shoot. Ajin Motors should be the talk of the town at this Lunar New Year''s Day. The n is to make Ajin Motors hard at the table."
"What about the National Tax Service?"
"It''s being adjusted. If they audit us too strictly, we will bepletely exposed. They could leak information to other ces"
"We can''t give them a reason to turn on us."
Chairman Jin nodded.
"Yes, to the point where management is shaken? Anyway, the goal is Song Hyun-chang''s resignation."
Hak-jae nced at the chairman''s expression and pulled out a thick booklet.
"This is the report you mentioned. It''s prepared by the Sunyang Economic Research Institute."
Chairman Jin only nced at the title of the report.
"The Necessity of Structural Reorganization in the Domestic Automobile Industry and the Government''s Support n"
"How is it? Is it okay to use?"
"You''ve made a good choice."
"By the way, the research center''s staff are such ambiguous people. It takes eight months to produce just one of these reports?"
"The issue itself is so significant and important that the institute had to be cautious to avoid mistakes. Since it turned out well, let''s move on.
"Are you just going to let it go? Am I supposed to catch those guys myself?"
"It seems like you''ve been very sensitivetely. I apologize."
"I think you''re more sensitive because there''s a big fight ahead. Why? Is your blood boiling?
Lee Hak-jae scratched his head and smiled.
"Isn''t this kind of surprise attack more thrilling than a frontal assault?"
"A surprise attack is used by a small person to hit a big person"
"It also has the advantage of less bleeding. We need to start an all-out war soon."
Chairman Jin was able to feel his fighting spirit from Lee Hak-jae''s intense eyes.
At first, he hesitated and warned of danger, but once the fight began, he became even more excited than himself, the chairman.
It proved once again that he was a born fighter.
Chairman Jin felt a little sorry for him.
If Lee Hak-jae''s parents were castle lords, he would have be a tremendously powerful monarch
His parents weremoners, so he only yed the role of an outstanding hound.
As he thought about this, he thought of another fighter.
That guy''s grandfather was a feudal lord who owned a tremendous territory.
He wanted to watch how he would grow up... with joy in his heart.
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Chapter 34:
Chapter 34:
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When I went out to the garden to get the newspaper, I ran into my father dressed in a suit.
"Huh? Father. Where are you going?"
"Oh, today is the opening day. I''m going to the theater to check out the situation first."
Seeing my father rush out like a worker who''s runningte made meugh.
He had never worked a day in his life, but he was giving it his all today because he was being evaluated.
There was no way the theater would start so early in the morning, but he would have thought it better to wait in front of the theater than to hang around at home.
I fully understood that feeling.
When I sat in the living room and read all three newspapers, I felt something was wrong.
This was nned. All the newspapers were attacking Ajin cars?
Now that the morning paper had started, it was obvious that tonight''s TV news would exaggerate the story even more. If this was repeated a few more times, an official investigation would beunched, and the media would sharpen their attacks on Ajin even further...
Why now?
I didn''t even remember what happened in ''91.
However, the shock wave of the foreign exchange crisis that began in 1997 hit Ajin Motors, and Daehyun swallowed Ajin after 1998.
Was this really what the future held? Had something begun to change?
Or was it just the asional mming ofpanies? Was it just a part of the government''s efforts to tamepanies?
These sort of questions kept pestering me.
I folded the newspaper and approached my mother who was preparing breakfast.
"Mother, when are we going to grandfather''s house?"
"Tomorrow. Why?"
"Then can I go alone first?
My mother''s hand stopped while preparing breakfast.
"Why? Is something wrong? Did your grandfather ask you toe first?"
"No, it''s just that once I start middle school, I won''t be able to visit him as often."
"Oh, really?"
Mother smiled lightly and shook her head slightly.
"Okay. Have breakfast and go ahead. Go make your grandfather happy."
"Yes. By the way, aren''t you going to the theater? Today''s the opening day."
"What if there is no audience and the theater is empty? I''m so nervous I can''t go."
I couldn''t reassure her to go since I could recall no information about my father''s movie. It was either it was made so long ago that I couldn''t get any detail of it or the movie never existed from the beginning.
All I did was give him an opportunity and now, the ball was in his court on how to make use of it. Moreover, watching without getting involved was also a pleasant thing.
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* * *
"Oh, our little Dojun. You grow up so fast every time I see you. That''s great. Hehe."
He no longer lifted me up anymore. In fact, he couldn''t. I grew up much faster than he aged.
"My baby, Grandfather has something to do. Can you stay alone for a little while?"
"Yes, I''ll be in the living room."
I had an increasing feeling of unease.
The article just before the holiday and the study where many people gathered. Just looking at the neatly ced shoes on the front door, I could tell there were almost ten people.
Grandfather was not cruel enough to tie up his people just before the holiday season. There was also no reason to gather in the study just to watch the fall of Ajin Motors.
Was what was meant to happen seven yearster going to happen now?
What kind of discussion could be going on in the study right now?
I waited impatiently.
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* * *
Contrary to Dojun''s expectation, those at the study were idly spectating.
What they were observing was not the fall of Ajin Motors but rather, the codenamed ''Operation Desert Storm'' taking ce in another country.
On Jan. 17, the war began when the U.S.-led multinational forces, fired Tomahawk missiles into Iraq to drive out Iraq, which invaded Kuwaitst year.
While pulverizing the equipment andmand system of the 600,000-strong Iraqi army and causing death to 70,000 casualties, the US military lost only 294 people. Of Iraqi victims, 145 were idental deaths and 149 actualbat victims, of which 35 were victims of friendly fire.
Unlike the U.S. military, which had fewer than this, the number of Iraqi soldiers killed was estimated to be about 20,000. The number of wounded and captivesbined was 70,000.
Rumors began to circte that Iraq was withdrawing from Kuwait in the face of overwhelming firepower, and the war wasing to an end.
"When does this end?" Chairman Jin asked.
"It''s less than a week away. The United States and the United Kingdom are already discussing post-war restoration projects," answered one of the members.
"What about our country? What did the government say? Is there a possibility of them joining?"
Chairman Jin''s frown suggested he had already given up his expectations.
"The Middle Eastern branch and European subsidiaries are moving quickly, but it seems difficult for the government to get involved in recovery operations."
"Then we can at least serve the good side. That way, we''ll build a toilet in the desert and get a few more drops of oil. Don''t you think so?" Chairman Jin asked.
This was his way of giving an order to secure reconstruction projects and oil in the Middle East specials. The presidents of the twopanies, Sunyang Construction and Oil Refinery, nced at the Chairman and bowed their heads, saying simultaneously,
"We will do our best."
"Can I trust you two?"
"Yes, Chairman."
Chairman Jin was not yet convinced, but it was clear that he didn''t want toin before the uing holiday. He immediately moved on to another agenda.
"Have you read today''s newspaper? It''s about the Scud missiles. We''ll concentrate our firepower before sending in more troops, you are all prepared right?
With stiffened faces, they all responded solemnly. The acquisition of Ajin Motors was Soonyang Group''s biggest project this year.
Troops referred to funds. After collecting as much funds as possible, when the chairman''s signal falls, he/she will immediately buy out stocks under a borrowed name.
When securing a certain amount and the government provides negative and positive support, M&A is carried out like lightning.
Once they secure a certain amount and they get both public and private support from the government, they carryout the M&A at lightning speed.
It went without saying that it had to be finished in the blink of an eye like the Operation Desert Storm.
"You''re all excused. Visit your hometown, perform the ancestral rites, give your children some pocket money, and rest well."
Standing up from their seats, they gave the chairman a deep bow.
"We wish you a happy New Year and the best of health, Chairman."
They looked ready to bow with a kowtow, but fortunately, the space didn''t allow for it.
When everyone else had left, only Lee Hak-jae and Vice Chairman Jin Young-ki remained in the study to put their heads together.
"How much did you acquire?"
"I''ve acquired 7.4%. I''ve discreetly spread it in Myeong-dong under a borrowed name, so no one will notice."
As Lee Hak-jae spoke cautiously, Jin Young-ki handed out some reports.
"This is the production line adjustment n."
"And what''s the key point?"
"We''ve decided to sell off the trucking line."
Chairman Jin flipped through the report dryly and tossed it onto his desk.
"Are you confident?"
"Pardon?"
"Ajin. Are you confident enough to take it for yourself?"
Jin Young-ki nodded without hesitation. Saying things like it was too much to handle or that he was not confident would only make him look foolish.
"As the chairman said, it''s best to achieve the second ce in the industry. We''ll aim for the top spot in the domestic market by acquiring Ajin."
Chairman Jin didn''t find the boasting words of his son pleasing, but what could he do? Young-ki was the eldest son so he had to inherit most.
"Then you take care of it from now on. Discuss with Director Lee and take over Ajin within this year. If I seed, I''ll give you all the shares of the automobile division."
Jin Young-ki looked at the chairman in disbelief.
The shares of Sunyang Automobile were mostly owned by the holdingpany. Giving him the automotivepany meant giving away the holdingpany''s shares, which was virtually the same as giving away the entire group.
Hak-jae was equally surprised.
He was suddenly deciding on the inheritance like this!
"Why? Do you not want it? Or are you not confident?"
"Oh, no. Father! Thank you."
Chairman Jin smiled bitterly at Jin Young-ki, who leapt from his feet and bowed with his head on the ground.
"You should go, too. Take care and don''t make any mistakes. Don''te early tomorrow. Visit me in the morning of Lunar New Year''s Day and perform the ancestral rites. You don''t have time to waste."
"Yes, Father."
As soon as Jin Young-ki left, Lee Hak-jae said, "That''s a lot you''re giving him for the New Year allowance."
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"Aren''t you practically announcing the group session?"
"What?"
The chairman''s eyes widened as if asking what nonsense he was talking about.
"No?"
"I only said I''ll give him Sunyang Motors. I didn''t say I''ll give him Sunyang Corporation, did I?"
Now, Lee Hak-jae was speechless.
"There will be no problem in defending management rights if we exceed about half of the auto stocks held by affiliates. That''s what I meant. Of course, even that alone is quite arge New Year''s allowance."
"Oh no, the vice president must be very disappointed."
"Did you really take it that way?"
"Yes, that''s what I thought."
"Hahaha!"
The chairman burst intoughter, hitting his desk.
"Oh, my... Now, he''ll go all in."
Hak-jae breathed a sigh of relief at the chairman''sughter. The issue of session, which would be the most important decision in the history of Sunyang Group, needed to be handled more carefully.
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* * *
"Grandfather, you''re still working even though it''s the New Year?"
"What can I do? I have a lot of work to do. But it''s all over now."
As soon as I entered the study, I saw Grandfather organizing the newspapers scattered on his desk. Judging by the Ajin Motors article visible on the front page of one, the topic of today''s meeting was undoubtedly about Ajin.
"By the way, uncle seemed to be in a good mood. He was leaving with a smile"
"Really? It''s probably because it''s a holiday.
Judging by his wry expression, there was definitely something going on.
I couldn''t miss the opportunity to tidy up the newspaper. Since I noticed the article about Ajin Motors, I had to pretend to ask Grandfather about it.
"Grandfather."
"What?"
"I have a question.
"Yes, go ahead."
"In the newspaper..."
But I couldn''t finish my question. The thick report underneath the newspaper caught my eye. It had the title:
"The Necessity of Structural Reorganization in the Domestic Automobile Industry and the Government''s Support n"
Darn it.
To think grandfather was behind all of this!
What the hell was going on?
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* * *
Although the holiday season wasing up, Ajin Motors'' Chairman Song Hyun-chang could not leave his office.
All major daily newspapers had criticized his management style as that of a dictator, with some even questioning his ethics, using him of embezzlement and corruption.
As a result, the stock price had already hit its lowest point today.
He wanted to sue them for defamation immediately, but he had to avoid any interaction with the media.
All sorts of thoughts swirled in his head, but there was only one thing he had to do right now.
This had to end now. He had to prevent it from escting any further.
Chairman Song Hyun-chang made a continuous stream of phone calls.
But the media outlets imed that the article was based on an informant''s report and the Blue House said they wouldn''t intervene in the media.
All his subordinates reported negative results.
Someone had started the attack, but the identity of the enemy was obscured by the fog and the reason for the attack was unclear.
There were certainly somepanies that wanted to make inroads into Korea using Ajin as a foothold. The most notable were Daehyun, Woosung, Soonyang and overseas automakers.
All of them were muchrger than Ajin Motors and had overwhelming financial power, making them difficult opponents.
Although it was the middle of winter, Chairman Song felt like he had a fever having been so worked up.
When he was about to call his secretary to turn off the heater, the inte rang.
"Mr. Chairman, you have a visitor."
"Send them away! I said I wouldn''t see anyone from outside today!"
"Well, that''s..."
As the secretary''s perplexed voice was heard through the inte, the door to the chairman''s office suddenly opened.
A man in a jumper walked in as a staff tried to hold him back.
"What the hell is this? Do you think this is a public gathering ce for anyone toe in? What are you still doing here? Get him out of here now!"
He was so caught up in extreme anger that he even uttered obscenenguage.
"Do you not remember me, Chairman Song? It''s Cho Dae-ho."
"Who? Cho? CEO Cho?"
Chairman Song Hyun-chang recalled Jo Dae-ho''s appearance in a suit.
Wasn''t he the president of Sunyang Motors?
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Chapter 35:
Chapter 35:
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"Never mind. It''s fine. You can excuse us."
The staff withdrew his hand from President Cho Dae-ho''s arm and bowed his head.
"Oh, by the way, prepare some coffee," Chairman Song said when the staff was about to close the door."
Chairman Song smiled awkwardly at CEO Cho, who was sitting on the sofa at the entrance, looking around.
"I''m sorry. I''ve been absent-mindedtely."
"No, Chairman. I read the newspaper. It was my mistake toe unannounced."
"When was thest time we saw each other?"
"Two years ago, at the Automobile Association dinner."
"Oh, right. That''s when we saw each other. When the association donation was made."
The hardened faces of the two men finally rxed.
"How have you beentely? I heard you gave up your position as the motorpany''s CEO."
"I''m working at a packaging factory now."
"A packaging factory?"
Chairman Song heard he was demoted, but he never thought he''d be an exile.
Chairman Song frowned.
"Chairman Jin is too harsh. After everything you did for the group... It was cruel."
Having risen to the position of president of Sunyang Motor Company meant that he had devoted his entire life to Sunyang. He wasn''t even responsible for ruining thepany but was kicked out to an unknown branch because of wounded pride.
Chairman Song confirmed once again the viciousness of Chairman Jin.
"So, what''s the sudden reason foring here? It''s probably because of this, right?"
Chairman Song shook the newspaper as CEO Cho nodded.
"Is it Chairman Jin''s doing?"
"Most likely."
"Why? Is he trying to swallow Ajin Motors?"
"Perhaps."
He had enough influence to turn the media, Yeouido, and the Blue House in his favor. If it was Chairman Jin''s doing, it was more than enough to make it happen.
"Why is he suddenly getting greedy?"
"Because fighting takes time and effort. He just chose to win without fighting, like he''s done so far."
Then Chairman Song looked at Cho Daeho and asked,
"Why did youe here? I don''t think any servant like you would have brought me suitable news. Or are you changing sides?"
"Isn''t it obvious why a sry man suddenly came to see you on a day like today? I thought today would be the best day to ask for a job."
"We don''t n to hire experienced employees... What should we do about this?"
Chairman Song waved the newspaper like a fan.
"When it''s urgent, you need to immediately hire private loans, but isn''t it even easier to hire an impromptu staff?"
"You''ve be very brazen, our CEO Cho. My, my."
"When you''re starving, you lose your dignity and self-respect. It''s embarrassing, but that''s the truth."
"An experienced employee should have something useful, what does CEO Cho have?"
"I cemented the Sunyang Motors'' factory. I also signed the assembly line technical partnership recognition with my own hands."
"If that''s all, I''m disappointed. We also have many skilled technicians."
"By the order of Chairman Jin, I buried my hands in dirt, blood, and dung. If I clean myself up and throw it back to Chairman Jin... The Sunyang Group will spend a year taking a shower."
"I guess our president Cho is thinking of cleaning up the smell of packaging factory bonds with this opportunity as well.
CEO Cho Dae-ho rubbed his hands and smiled calmly.
"Do you like my resume now?"
"Your resume is good, but I''m not sure if there''s a position that suits CEO Cho."
"Ajin Motors CEO is the right-hand man of the chairman... Being a vice president is enough for me. I''ll be satisfied if my sry is at the level of Sunyang Motors'' CEO."
When Chairman Song got up from the sofa, CEO Cho also jumped up.
"Are you nning to go to your hometown, CEO Cho?"
"I will pay my respects to my ancestors."
"Then let''s talk again after youe back. Restfortably."
After CEO Cho bowed down and left the office with a smile, Chairman Song, who was left alone, took a long sigh and buried himself in his chair.
He lit a cigarette for the first time in a while. He had a lot of thinking to do.
"I never liked that bastard... I just can''t seem like him until the end."
Chairman Song, who was murmuring to himself, summoned all the automobile executives through his secretary.
When the executives, who rushed in a hurry, heard Chairman Song''s exnation, they were initially furious, but after calming down, their opinions were divided.
"If it''s Sunyang, they''ll push it with their financial power. We need to start buying stocks to defend our management rights."
"Where do we get the funds to buy stocks?"
"We will look for loans as much as we can with the stocks we hold as coteral."
"That''s right. We''ll be flexible with bank loans and quick cash, and shake up the stock market with that money. If the stock price goes up, Sunyang will also falter."
Opinions were divided, but there was no powerful solution. Even after a bloody fight, one could not be sure of the result.
Chairman Song posed a more difficult problem to the executives.
"Look at the media now. Today is just the beginning. Do you think they won''t shake me up in the future? If they make an issue of my ethics, it''s obvious that I''ll be called in by the prosecution."
No one was immune to criticism. Even arge corporation CEO in the professional management system had been covered in dust.
An indictment would be a piece of cake even if one prosecutor snapped his finger.
"Why are you silent? We must protect thepany, is it okay if I get caught?"
"No, of course not, Chairman."
All the executives jumped up waving their hands. Seeing their reaction, Chairman Song smirked and released another piece of information.
"I''ve heard enough of your sincerity, you can stop now. Actually, the reason I called you all here is that Cho Dae-ho paid a visit and has left. Remember him? He was the president of Sunyang Motors."
"Why did Cho Dae-ho...?"
"He asked for a position. He said being a vice president of Ajin Motors would be enough."
Vice president. This position was like a double-edged sword. It could either be a strong candidate for the next president or just a figurehead who only upied the position.
However, the vice president that Cho Dae-ho mentioned was just a figurehead who wanted to make some money.
The executives weed him with open arms.
"Thank goodness. Cho Dae-ho was Sunyang''s confidant and a close aide to Chairman Jin. He must know all about Sunyang''s corruption. If Cho Dae-ho bes our Ajin family member, then Sunyang won''t be able to act recklessly."
"If we all start attacking each other, the dust from Sinyang''s corruption will be ten times worse than ours, so they''ll withdraw."
Once a way to stop the opponent''s attack was found, they all seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. If the opponent''s attack stopped, they could release their funds and move quickly to consolidate their control over thepany.
"Just now, Cho Dae-ho said he was Sunyang''s confidant, right? A dog doesn''t change its master. Why do we think Cho Dae-ho is on our side?"
At Chairman Song''s words, all the executives became dumbfounded again.
They were no different from the Trojans who took the wooden horse left behind by the Greeks and brought it into the city.
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* * *
"Why isn''t our Dojun saying anything?"
"Oh, no reason."
My quick-witted grandfather had already noticed that I was flustered.
"Are you already in your teenage years?"
"Pardon?"
"Now you have things to hide from this old man? How sad, haha?"
As he aged, he became sensitive to trivial things, although he wasughing, there was a hint of bitterness on his face as well.
Since it turned out like this, I might as well ask him.
"Todays newspaper it was too noisy"
"About Ajin Motors?"
"Yes."
Why? Do you find it strange?"
"Um its always been like that. Whenever our Soonyang Group is mentioned in the newspaper, grandfather would get angry and ask who was responsible, demanding we found out.
"Thats right. You remembered."
Yes.
The chairman took my hand and sat me down next to him, and began to give me a slow lecture.
"Dojun, how do newspapers make money?"
"Isn''t it through advertisements?"
My grandfather flicked his fingers.
"That''s right. Everyone thinks so. But newspapers make money by selling words."
"Words? Articles?"
"That''s right. Do you know how many words there are in one page of a newspaper?"
"No, I don''t."
"It''s usually about 5,000 characters long. Each of those words is converted into money."
I felt foolish for asking a question that I already knew the answer to. But I had to listen to the "new information" attentively as though I was excited to learn something new.
"I see."
"Articles that seem unrted to money, such as articles on traffic congestion in Seoul, can be the basis for road expansion projects in the jurisdiction. Who do you think makes money from these articles?"
"The constructionpany that does the road work?"
"That''s right. You know it well. Hehe."
My grandfather stroked my head, recognizing my quick-wittedness. Then he exined how to read the true meaning of an article by citing various examples.
When would he answer my question?
"Then who is the Ajin Motors article for?" I asked.
"Probably for apetitor who wants to shake up Ajin Motors, right?" Grandfather replied craftily.
"Daehyun Motors Or is it you, Grandfather?"
The chairman stroked my head again.
With this gesture, I was finally convinced that the article that was gunning for Ajin Motors was my grandfather''s doing.
What a sneaky move.
God damn it.
My head was spinning.
I didn''t expect my grandfather to go after thepany I already had my eyes on.
My mind was overloaded.
Was there a way for it to slip out of my grandfather''s hands after he acquired it and back into mine?
Wait a minute!
Was it possible that this also happened in my previous life but I just don''t remember it?
Ajin was definitely swallowed by Daehyun Motors.
If so, it was obvious that my grandfather''s measures would be futile.
When the oue was uncertain, I had to pave way for the future myself.
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* * *
When money overflowed, even paying respect to ancestors was done with the money.
Holiday syndrome, which Korean daughters-inw usuallyined about, was not in any way present in the household.
Several chefs and more than a dozen assistant chefs took over the kitchen and made all the food that would be served on the ceremonial table.
While the family prepared for the memorial service, they talked and exchanged stories, ending the honouring after several bows.
Breakfast was divided into tworge tables. The chairman, his children, daughters-inw, and sons-inw sat at one table, and the grandchildren took the other one.
I sat closest to the adult''s table and listened carefully.
"By the way, Yoon-gi. Your movie was released yesterday, right? How was it? How were the sales?"
Everyone was curious, but the second son carefully asked what they were all thinking, as they watched the chairman''s reaction.
"Well, it''s not bad, Dong-ki. One screening was full, and the other was half full."
"Wow! That''s great, our little brother. It''s his first movie, and it''s already a hit?"
"It''s just the first day. I can''t be certain until I take down the movie," My father said, but his expression was different. He couldn''t hide his smile, and it seemed like he wouldn''t lose money, at least.
What was funny was even the chairman silently ate his food without any negative reaction.
At that moment, someone spoiled the pleasant atmosphere.
"Hey, bring me some more soup," Dong-ki''s wife ordered my mother, handing her a soup bowl.
That woman had a habit of making my mother do things for her. When the chairman started showing me affection, everyone began to tread carefully, but she was still being herself.
I think it was because of herplex. She was the only daughter of a rich family in Gangnam, but had a terrible face. She was obsessed with a sense of inferiority and jealousy and tried to get at my mother at any chance she got.
My father''s face was twitching. I guess he was trying to be the head of the house now. As expected, men needed to work outside to gain strength to protect their families.
However, an unexpected person spoke up before my father.
"Second one, can you bring me some more soup?"
"What?"
"Is the young one deaf? I said, bring me some more soup!"
At the chairman''s outburst, the second daughter-inw jumped to her feet in a state of contemtion. Grandfather was already sticking out the soup bowl.
She ran to the kitchen and got the soup, but her hands were trembling, and she even spilled some of it.
When Grandfather received the soup bowl and continued to eat, the whole house was so quiet that even the sound of his chopsticks could be heard.
Right then, everything was sorted out by my grandfather without dy.
It was also the moment in which father was recognized as a proper child and mother, as a daughter-inw.
I was moved to tears, but I had to betray my grandfather.
I was a little, no, I was terribly sorry, but once I had my eyes on something, I could not allow anyone else to have it.
Grandpa, I''m sorry.
[T/N:
[1]South Koreans are familiar with the term, post-holiday syndrome, which refers to a phenomenon of suffering from various symptoms due to the stress people feel around a long holiday like Chuseok.
In this context, it simply means that no daughters-inw wouldin about thebor typically forced on Korean women during the Lunar New Year.
PS: Chuseok is a happy asion to express gratitude to ancestors for a bountiful harvest during a season of fine weather that isnt too hot or too cold. It is easy to understand an old saying about the holiday: No more no less, may it always be like Chuseok. In South Korea, Chuseok is one of the nationsrgest and most celebrated traditional holidays, along with the Lunar New Years Day.]
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Chapter 36 Its Mine 3
Chapter 36 It''s Mine 3
Perhaps it was due to the chilly atmosphere in the house caused by Grandfather''s outburst during breakfast, but everyone seemed to be trying to match Grandfather''s mood.
Father and Mother, the key yers in this situation, used the excuse of checking the box office results to leave as soon as the meal was over. Eldest Brother imed he had some urgent work to attend to, and he left before anyone else.
To thwart Grandfather''s n, I needed to know all the details of that n.
A report I glimpsed briefly on the desk in his study kept catching my eye. That report seemed to outline a n that would swallow Ajin Motors for sure.
Looking at the table of contents, I felt a bit baffled, and as I turned the pages, I understood why.
I hadpletely misinterpreted this report.
It wasn''t a strategy report for Ajin Motors'' acquisition by Sunyang; it was a report on the necessity of consolidating the automobile industry, government policies rted to it, and support measures. In other words, it documented the legitimacy and rationale for Sunyang''s absorption of Ajin Motors. If the government announced this report as policy, Ajin Motors would be incorporated into the Sunyang Group.
If Daehyun Motors absorbed Ajin, there would be concerns about monopolizing the automobile market, and since Wooseong Motors has a significant stake from GM, there would be impressions of handing over to foreign carpanies.
Ultimately, the story was that Sunyang Motors was the most suitable acquirer.
Once again, I was amazed by the power of conglomerates, Sunyang in particr.
Conglomerates create the policies they desire, present them to the government, and then the government puts those policies into action. Finally, it all ends withwmakers in the legiture doing their dutiful role.
It''s possible to swallow an entire healthypany like this without even peeling off the skin.
This report was evidence of the covert collusion between Sunyang Group and the government.
If this were to leak, it would be a political scandal involving improper connections between business and politics.
Damn it.
The impact is too significant. I don''t care about the current administration''s consequences, but Sunyang''s consequences must not happen.
Is there any way to not send Grandfather to the prosecutors'' office in a wheelchair?
I need to find something that can turn the situation around right now.
I picked up the weekly information report ced on one side of the desk.
asionally, when Grandfather wasn''t around in the study, I would sneak a peek.
So far, there hadn''t been any information that was particrly useful to me. I only briefly looked at it for entertainment purposes, like investigating celebrity scandals.
This report, however, was simr in nature to stock market rumors or X-files, with nothing of practical value to me.
This report epasses all information rted to politics, economy, society, and the entertainment industry. However, the quantity, depth, and reliability of information are beyondparison with rumors and X-files.
The information provided by various sources from different fields was meticulously verified by the Information Team of the Sunyang Group.
I found nothing useful and passed the file.
However, there was no source significant enough to make Grandfather let go of Ajin Motors.
When I closed the information report file, I sighed deeply.
We need to stop the government from making the announcement about restructuring the automotive industry. It feels daunting at this point.
Then, apletely different idea came to my mind. No, it''s more urate to say I considered the situation from a different perspective.
Instead of trying to stop Grandfather, why not stop the government? What if we can make the governmentpletely disregard the automotive industry?
There was one piece of information in the information report I saw earlier that was quite suitable for this purpose.
Other conglomerates showed no interest in the money-making opportunity and let the information slip through.
That is...
[Hanbo Group - Change in Land Use for Suseo District Development]
This could be very useful.
The media loves and thrives on any information rted to the government, no matter how big or small.
The media''s evaluation only gets better as they dig deeper into the government''s actions.
This, too, is directly linked to money.
The more the public likes the media, the more valuable even a single word bes.
If the government, which has already suffered a critical blow to its morality, steps forward and announces the restructuring of the automotive industry, it will be another scandal. They will never dare to mention automotive restructuring.
I quickly made a copy of the information rted to the Suseo District development using the fax machine.
"It''s getting too big... I hope this works."
Shortly after the Lunar New Year, I organized the information files and sent them by mail to all the media outlets in South Korea. For a few days, there was no response, and I began to suspect that Hanbo Group might have caught on to my tip-off. However, it seemed that they needed some time to confirm my information.
A few dayster, The Segye Ilbo opened the floodgates, and all other media outlets followed suit, focusing on uncovering the truth behind the Suseo special favoritism scandal. Not a single line about Ajin Motors was mentioned.
Newspapers and broadcasts have been continuously reporting on the ongoing protests demanding an investigation into the Suseo favoritism scandal, and it''s almost the end of March.
Even though it''s nearly the end of March, the protests have not stopped for almost a month.
In 1988, when the government''s n to build apartments on the Suseo area, which was nothing but natural greenery, was revealed, Hanbo Group Chairman Jung Tae-soo acquired all thend.
Originally, Seoul City''s n was to build apartments and offer them to multiple-homeowners, but Chairman Jung Tae-soo''s all-around lobbying efforts turned the tide, and the city decided to supplynd after overturning its policy within five months.
Seoul City imed that it changed its policy due to pressure from Jang Byung-jo, the presidential secretary for culture and sports, but that wasn''t the whole story.
It turned out that National Assembly members from both the ruling and opposition parties received kickbacks from Hanbo Group and pressured Seoul City to change its policy.
The Blue House secretary was identified, but it''s clear that he''s just a scapegoat.
The anger of the protesters demanding media coverage and the truth was directed at the Blue House, and it was bing the biggest scandal in the history of the Sixth Republic.
Chapter 37 Dont Be Greedy 1
Chapter 37 Don''t Be Greedy 1
Miracle Investment, backed by New York, established a Korean investment firm with a 98 percent stake, and Oh Sehyun took office as the CEO of both the U.S. and Korean entities.
Now, as the majority shareholder, I and the professional manager, Oh Sehyun, had developed a subtle rtionship. His attitude toward me seemedrgely unchanged, but he no longer opposed my opinions on the spot.
He listened more attentively, and when he did express opposing views, they were always well-founded opinions based on data.
Especially when I mentioned that I would sell all my Dell Computer stocks, he didn''t get excited but instead showed me the price trend graph.
"Last week, the stock price was $47. It has never dropped once since its listing, truly a diamond-grade stock. How about reconsidering when it crosses $60?"
"Do you think there''s a bubble?"
"Of course, there is. But the bubble is also aponent of the stock price. I''m talking about exiting when that bubble bursts, right at $60. That''s when people start to doubt the bubble. It won''t be toote to exit then."
His analytical eye for stock prices was sharp.
I, someone who was far from stock investments and bubbles, didn''t know much about it. I only paid attention to Dell Computer''s stock price because of my interest in Michael Dell.
The reason I knew about it was that the stock price, which had skyrocketed to $49, crashed to $10 and then climbed back to $60, maintaining that level.
But Oh Sehyun had predicted the $60 figure. He was an extraordinary person.
"Uncle, we''ve made more than a hundredfold profit, isn''t that enough? There''s no need to be more greedy."
"You''re right. If you don''t want to be greedy, sell Dell Computer and invest in a stable ce. Coca-C, Heinz, and so on. How about that?"
"That''s too stable. It''s not the job of an investment firm. Individuals should do that."
Now my uncle had found a good bnce. He took a deep breath and stepped back.
"You mentioned Japan, right? Have you looked into it? Are there any good options?"
"Could you check for me? See if there are any good options?"
Before I could say it aloud, I wanted to see the ces Oh Sehyun would find. Perhaps he might discover a betterpany than me.
"Well, I''ll make a list, and then let''s discuss it again. If there''s nothing better than the U.S., would you consider changing your mind?"
"Of course. Investing in the best ce is fundamental."
I also took a step back. He was a necessary person, so I had to amodate him to some extent.
"Grandfather, may you stay healthy for a long, long time."
"Enough with the formalities... You seem more mature. Have you learned a lot?"
Jin Yeong-jun''s bow, who returned from Germany after several years, didn''t earn a single approving nce from Chairman Jin.
Every week, J Chairman Jin meticulously checked his life through the reportsing from the branch office. Although there were asional instances of him getting tipsy, there were no major incidents.
"I didn''t need to go to Germany, Grandfather."
"What?" Although Chairman Jin''s eyebrows twitched, Jin Yeong-jun remained confident.
"We can''t sell our electronics there. The production can''t keep up. European distributors are willing to make advances and wait. But wasn''t that all thanks to you, Grandfather? I thought it would be faster to learn directly from you."
"Is that because of me?"
"By eliminating convenience features and offering only essential functions at a low price, we''ve made a ssh not only in Eastern Europe but also in Western Europe. Isn''t this all part of your strategy, Grandfather?" Jin Yeong-jun sat down next to Chairman Jin and nodded respectfully. "I''ve learned a lot. Thank you, Grandfather."
"Staying away from women seems to have cleared your head a bit."
"I haven''t been drinking much either. Just asionally enjoying some wine."
Jin Yeong-jun spotted a faint smile on his grandfather''s lips and felt relieved. It seemed like he had somewhat softened his grandfather''s heart of doubt.
Now he wanted to put an end to his exile. In Korea, being the eldest grandson of the Sunyang Group had tremendous power, but in Germany, he had nothing.
He didn''t even fully understand what "Sunyang" meant, but even if he did, that wouldn''t be enough. All that mattered was his status within the Koreanmunity.
He wanted to live like a prince in thisnd as soon as possible.
However, his grandfather''s words shattered those expectations.
"Alright. Continue living with restraint. The branch managers praise that. Work diligently like this until you turn thirty. After that,e back and take your position here."
He wanted to protest vehemently, but thanks to the patience he had learned in Europe, he could smile brightly instead.
"Yes, Grandfather. I will work hard. Please watch over me."
After finishing the New Year''s greetings in this manner, Jin Yeong-jun returned home. He didn''t forget to spit once in front of his grandfather''s house.
"I have to stay stuck in Europe until I''m thirty."
"So what? Are you upset about it?"
"Oh, Father. I''m not a child anymore. I told him I''ll work hard and came out."
"Well done."
Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi patted his son on the shoulder. Then he looked at his children sitting on the living room couch and said,
"Now that you''re all adults, remember my words. Father will surely keep a close eye on your every move. If even a slight rumor of misconduct reaches his ears, it won''t just affect you but also others. Be careful."
The eldest daughter, Hyekyung, and the youngest son, Kyungjun, had solemn expressions.
Since their inheritance ranking was far behind, there was no reason for them to be in their grandfather''s favor. They understood well enough that their father''s words were meant to prevent any trouble for their elder brother, Jin Yeong-jun. After all, they were adults now.
"Hyekyung, when you graduate from college next month, I''ll introduce you to a decent guy for marriage. And as for studying abroad..."
"Dad! Who gets married right after graduating these days? Give it a few more years..."
"Listen to me until the end!"
Under Chairman Jin''s stern scolding, their protesting lips were sealed shut.
"Everything you''ve get to do is only because of your Grandfather''s bloodline. Thanks to that, you enjoy everything you want and live afortable life. If Father were to disown you, you wouldn''t even enjoy half of what you have now."
Chapter 38 Lets Not Get Greedy 2
Chapter 38 Let''s Not Get Greedy 2
"America?"
"Yes, our headquarters are in Manhattan, New York."
"You''re Korean, sir?"
At the age of 36, the young Sun Jeong-ui, whose Japanese name was Sun Masayoshi, looked at the middle-aged Korean man, Oh Se-hyun, who spoke English and Japanese fluently, with a sense of wonder, tilting his head repeatedly.
"Yes. Our investment firm''s capital is from Korea, but we mainly invest in Americanpanies and Hollywood movies."
"So, if you were to invest, you would use dors...?"
"Well, that would be ording to the CEO''s preference."
"But how did you know about our SoftBank?"
"Ourpany also holds a significant amount of Microsoft shares. That''s why we receive quarterly reports. Suddenly, the Japanese performance started to shine, which piqued our interest."
"Oh...!"
Having amon connection during negotiations was quite an advantage. It helped ease the tension because you were no longer dealing with a stranger but someone familiar.
"Are youing from the United States right now?"
"No, I came from Korea."
"That''s fortunate."
A faintly amused smile.
Oh Se-hyun bit his lip, sensing that a negative reaction mighte.
"Since you came from a nearby ce, I feel less guilty. As I mentioned via fax, we currently do not need external investments."
"So, that''s why I came, to convince you, Mr. Sun."
"Hmm... I''m sorry if I didn''t convey my thoughts urately through writing. We will not ept any investment under any conditions. This stance will not change..."
"I''ll offer ten times."
Sun Jeong-ui couldn''t continue his words due to Oh Se-hyun unexpectedly throwing out a condition. Moreover, it was a radical proposal, offering ten times the investment.
However, Oh Se-hyun spoke with a feeling of swallowing poison. He wanted to pick those words back up if he could.
"Why the hell is the offer this huge? You can''t deceive the bloodline."
"Gambling makes people lose their reason. Don''t you think so?"
"How would you know that? Are you the one gambling away your money at school?"
In this conglomerate, he had seen countless people lose their reason due to gambling. They would throw away hundreds of billions and embezzle thepany''s funds to cover their losses.
When caught in embezzlement investigations by the prosecution, they flee abroad and return to indulge in casinos again. After appeasing the prosecutin, they repeatedly return home burdened with gambling debts.
Those people can quit drugs, but they can''t quit gambling because they have too much money.
"At our school, no one carries coins. We don''t even carry bills under 10,000 won. It''s all about cards."
"Really? People from different backgrounds are indeed different. But how do you n to make it through gambling? Are you going to y poker with the SoftBank CEO?"
"Yes. Let''s try a race."
"A race?"
"We''ll start with a tenfold increase in the purchase price of SoftBank stocks."
"What? Oh, no. Go on."
Oh Sehyun, who was surprised, had a face he hadn''t seen in a long time.
"From then on, we''ll keep adding fivefold. Fifteen, twenty times, twenty-five times... But you must let them know in advance that you can stop at any time. And when you stop, the negotiation ends right there. It can''t be reversed... Isn''t this gambling?"
"That guy Son Jeong-ui, he''ll be running in circles, won''t he? Ha ha ha."
Oh Sehyunughed loudly, but hisughter didn''tst long.
"That sounds reasonable, but don''t forget the purpose. If he agrees at twenty times, we might incur losses. No, even at ten times, we might incur losses. Our goal is investment profit, not the acquisition of SoftBank."
"I n to race up to fifty times."
He was surprised by the mention of ten times, but not by fifty times. He just had an absurd expression on his face.
"Don''t make that face. Dell Computer has already exceeded a hundredfold. SoftBank stocks could also be a hundredfold."
"Is that so? SoftBank isn''t a manufacturer. It''s just a distributor. A hundredfold? You could lose all your money."
"We can''t just put the other party on the gambling table and walk away. Isn''t there no such thing as ying poker alone? We''ll see how it ends."
Oh Sehyun got up from his seat without saying anything.
"Because you have a strong gambling luck, try this race once. I''ll raise the stakes. But Do-Jun."
"Yes."
"The end of gambling is a downfall. Remember that." A calm voice.
It wasn''t the image of the CEO of an investment firm but rather that of a close friend of his father.
"This will be thest time. Until I be an adult."
Oh Sehyun nodded lightly.
"W-what are you doing now?"
"I''ll give you a fifteenfold increase. Oh, one more thing to mention first. If I stand up from this chair, I won''t look back. Also, there was no offer in the first ce. Twenty times!"
While Oh Sehyun remainedposed, Son Jeong-ui''s fingertips trembled.
"Twenty-five times."
"Okay, hold on!"
Oh Sehyun, being a person with a considerable amount of betting money, knows a thing or two about leading a race. He also knows that you shouldn''t give the opponent time to think. You have to keep pushing relentlessly to cover the losses and force a surrender.
"Thirty times."
"...."
Right at this moment, the opponent''s trembling hand stopped. Breaking the rules of the game restored calmness. It was definitely unusual.
It was difficult to understand the meaning of this calmness.
Was he gauging Oh Sehyun''s betting amount, or did he genuinely not want to invest... What was it?
"Thirty-five times."
Again, silence.
Oh Sehyun picked up the briefcase he had ced next to his chair. It was filled with cash.
But it didn''t work. Oh Sehyun continued the race, and Son Jeong-ui maintained his poker face, as if to see how far Son Jeong-ui would go.
"Fifty times."
Chapter 39 Is Luck on Your Side Too? 1
Chapter 39 Is Luck on Your Side Too? 1
What made it evident that it was an extremely urgent situation was the fact that Chairman Jin himself rushed to the headquarters to convene a meeting.
In attendance were the presidents and executives of Sunyang Electronics and Sunyang Industries, including Lee Hak-jae, as well as the Osaka branch manager who had taken the first flight to the conference room.
As the door to the conference room creaked open and Chairman Jin appeared, everyone stood up in surprise, but Chairman Jin gestured for them to sit.
"Just sit down. Do you have any sense of decorum left?"
Once Chairman Jin took his seat at the head of the table, the Osaka branch manager began to speak.
"There was a major fire. Due to an explosion at the Suji nt in Ehime, production is impossible."
"The local investigation team has already left on the first flight today. The Ministry of Aerial Resources will also depart tomorrow."
The report from the president of Sunyang Electronics followed.
"Currently, the inventory we have is only enough for four months. If we can''t resume production in four months..."
"Normal operation of the Ehime nt won''t be possible until next year." The Osaka branch manager said, eyeing Chairman Jin''s expression.
"Sumitomo announced that they are urgently switching the product lines of two of their own factories. It seems that the supply issue will be resolved."
"Seems? Will be resolved?"
Veins on Chairman Jin''s forehead popped as he responded.
"You''re just making guesses like the guy next door? What the hell are you doing!"
The Osaka branch manager quickly lowered his head.
For now, it''s all just spection. He didn''t have the confidence to speak confidently and then bear the responsibility if it turned out to be wrong.
This year''s sales target is 10 trillion won, operating profit is 1.5 trillion won, and we''re the world''s top memory semiconductor manufacturer.
The only person who can shoulder these daunting numbers is Chairman Jin.
"Under no circumstances should the factories stop! Hey, Son Hoon-jae!"
"Yes, Chairman."
"Secure supplies from the United States."
Son Hoon-jae, the president of Sunyang Industries, had to say the difficult words while sweating.
"Dow Chemical in the United States has already signed an exclusive contract with Intel. It''s impossible to secure supplies."
"I''ve heard that domesticpanies also produce epoxy packaging. If we can secure all their supplies, can''t we prevent the production line from stopping?" Lee Hak-jae, the head of the Suji nt, asked the president of Sunyang Electronics, but he received only a negative response.
"Domestic products are only suitable for 1 megabit or less. They can''t keep up in terms of quality for our gship product, which is 4 megabits."
They all repeated that it wouldn''t work and it was difficult, but Chairman Jin didn''t explode in anger. He knew that relentlessly pressing the issue wouldn''t yield any solutions, as epoxy resin was a market monopolized by Sumitomo.
"Sumitomo is one of the three major conglomerates in Japan, surviving even after the conglomerate dismantling. Although its external recognition is rtively low, it has many unexpected businesses.
Chemicals are its main focus, but it has also ventured into finance, including electricity, general trading, and insurance. Additionally, it''s so massive that it controls Asahi Group, known for newspapers and beer, as a subsidiary.
Japan, despite starting to shake due to the copse of the bubble economy, is iparable to the Japanese economy of the 90s.
The total annual sales of Korea''s aviation, shipbuilding, electronics, and automotive industries are just equivalent to Mitsubishi''s annual sales.
Epoxy resin is a material that surrounds chips during semiconductor assembly, and it ounts for less than 1% of the total raw material cost of semiconductors. However, the problem is that it''s an indispensable material.
In the global epoxy resin market, Sumitomo Chemical''s market share is only about 1%, but it dominates 60% of the high-end epoxy resin used in semiconductors.
Furthermore, domestic semiconductor production facilities have a whopping 95% dependency on Sumitomo Chemical.
The Korean semiconductor industry, with trillions of won at stake, is being held back by Sumitomo, which ounts for only about 200 billion won.
"In the end, we''ll survive only if Sumitomo quickly changes its production line. We''re just gathering two hands..."
They made a fuss louder than a pancake house on fire, but Chairman Jin and the core executives of Sunyang had nothing else to do except wait for Sumitomo''s countermeasures.
As soon as I read the newspaper article, memories I hadpletely forgotten about began to resurface.
During the training I received after joining the Sunyang Group, the curriculum included the history of Sunyang Electronics.
The mobile phone I''m holding right now, model name SY-700.
It was Sunyang Electronics'' second mobile phone and the first one that weighed less than 100 grams, making it portable. It was released in 1993. The explosion ident at Sumitomo Chemical mentioned briefly when exining that this mobile phone was released.
It might not be a big deal, but it kept bothering me.
It was all because of the word "monopoly."
Could it be that even the government is concerned about the vulnerability of the South Korean semiconductor industry, which is overly reliant on overseas suppliers of semiconductor equipment and key materials?
The most tempting word for people in business, monopoly.
Moreover, it''s a monopoly with enough power to shake the rice of the electronics industry, semiconductors. If I could only grasp the power of this monopoly in my hands, I could exert significant influence on Sunyang Electronics'' future...
The target is too big.
Isn''t it the enormous Sumitomo Group, which is beyondparison with Sunyang?"
"I do have some money, but there doesn''t seem to be any way to use that money effectively. However, for some reason, I couldn''t let go of my lingering regrets.
For almost a month, I had been closely following newspaper articles and broadcasts to monitor the situation, when a shocking incident urred that was almost iparable to the epoxy factory explosion ident.
This time, it happened right here in South Korea, not far away in a foreign country, and it urred at the Blue House, no less.
On the evening of August 12th at 7 p.m., all TV broadcasts began live coverage of the President''s emergency address, suspending regr programming.
Chapter 40 Is Luck on Your Side Too? 2.
Chapter 40 Is Luck on Your Side Too? 2.
"Are you saying there''s no way right now?"
Lee Hak-jae''s tone changed slightly as he regained hisposure. It seemed as though he was speaking to someone of lower rank.
"I don''t have to find that way. Sending money to the original investor''s linked ount is the extent of what I can do. Finding the money from that ount is the job of the branch manager, isn''t it?"
"Are you suggesting we do it just like FM? Did you not realize that 100 billion won is not a normal amount of money?"
"People like me don''t check the money until it''s buried in it. We just inte it."
Oh Sehyun, who had grown tired of the back-and-forth, ended the conversation with a few words.
"Just give me the first investor''s ount. I''ll transfer it all within an hour. If it''s a foreign exchange ount, I''ll do it in dors."
As if to show that he had nothing more to say, Oh Sehyun got up and left.
Lee Hak-jae, who was left alone in the conference room, took out his phone and went outside.
"Let''s investigate Miracle Investment, located in Yeouido. Since they have their headquarters in the United States, investigate that side as well. Check their capital,panyposition, shareholder list, and investment destinations, everything."
Lee Hak-jae gave instructions to his employees and made a call to the National Tax Service.
"Director, this is Lee Hak-jae from the Sunyang Group. I need you to provide me with thepany''s records."
Then, he rushed back to Chairman Jin.
He thought it was better to tell Chairman Jin the truth and receive instructions. After all, Miracle Investment must have a deep connection with Jin Do-Jun.
"You must have a headache because of the Sumitomo explosion. Are you okay?"
"Oh, our Do-Jun. But you''re the only one I have. All these grandkids are just trying to swindle my money, but only Do-Jun worries about me and even thepany."
I''m only a middle school student, and most of the 3rd generation kids are adults. Especially these brats from this household, even when they''re just in high school, they''re practically money-eating machines.
Those who went to study abroad in Europe or the United States since high school, they squeeze out money from tuition to living expenses, equivalent to the annual sry of a top-rankingpany executive.
"Do-Jun, you''ll be going to high school after just one more semester, right?"
"Yes."
"Have you talked to your father? Have you looked into schools?"
"No, I''m just nning to attend a regr high school. I don''t think there''s a need to study abroad."
Chairman Jin furrowed his brow.
"Oh, my son doesn''t even care. I knew this would happen."
Hye-in, Sang-gi, also didn''t study abroad. Of course, he entered a prestigious private school that only the wealthy and powerful upper-ss kids attend.
At this time, Grandfather didn''t pay attention either. Ah... Did he not pay attention before? Did the parents handle the issue of my education on their own?
"Grandfather."
"Don''t say anything. I will look into prestigious Swiss schools. Send you to the world''s best school."
"No, it''s not like that. I just want to go to Seoul National University."
"What? Seoul National University?"
Grandfather''s expression changed at the mention of Seoul National University.
"Yes. It''s where the top students in our country gather. The highest-scoring programs are either inw or medicine... but I''m nning to go to the Law School."
"Law school? Are you aiming to be a prosecutor?"
With a mix of surprise and concern, Grandfather once again confirmed my dream.
"Oh,e on, do you really think so? You know my dream, Grandfather. It''s to be a corporate executive."
"But why do you want to go tow school?"
With a somewhat relieved expression and eyes filled with curiosity, he looked at me.
"Grandfather, go and brag wherever you want. There aren''t many people who score well enough to enter the Law School at Seoul National University."
During the gathering of the conglomerate leaders, how much Chairman Daehyun bragged about it?
The day his eldest grandson entered Seoul National University became the main topic of discussion at the gathering of conglomerate leaders.
Rumors had it that not only his secretaries but also around a dozen Seoul National University correspondents and economic reporters were mobilized for this purpose.
After cornering the university authorities and conducting a thorough investigation, they chose the department with the lowestpetition rate just before the 6 p.m. deadline and seeded in submitting their application right before the admissions office closed. The department they entered turned out to be either Eastern Philosophy or Eastern History.
Of course, it cannot be denied that they achieved grades above the standard, even if it was the department with the lowest cutoff at Seoul National University.
However, if it had been a normal method, they would never have crossed the threshold of Seoul National University, and most would have settled for Y or K universities.
But even a chaebol chairman like him, because his grandfather''s heart was unchanging, his grandson''s bragging did not end even after a year. That tiresome bragging.
But Seoul National University Law School was different. Tricks wouldn''t work. Everyone had to admit it.
"Are you serious? Are you applying to Seoul National University Law School because of me?"
"Of course. I''m not going to be a prosecutor, so why would I apply to the Law School?"
The expression on Grandfather''s face right now is truly something I''ve never seen before. Even a person with a poker face can show such diverse expressions.
"Many people make money and increase my wealth, but there has never been anyone who brings me joy. Our youngest is not just making me happy; he''s even moving me to tears." He had an almost tearful look about him. "Oh, okay. Just get into Seoul National University Law School. I''ll give you anything as a gift for your admission. Hehe. Then, after getting admitted, you can study abroad at a prestigious foreign university, right? Anyway, those who go to study abroad during high school are usually the ones whock confidence in our domestic prestigious universities, aren''t they?"
I wanted to tell him to remember those words, but I held back. It wasn''t about some foreign car; it was the power of Chairman Sunyang Group, and that was the admission gift I wanted.
"The reason I wanted to see you isn''t because of anything else, but because of your money. I need to check something."
Grandfather, who had suppressed his emotions, lowered his voice and brought up the story he had expected.
Chapter 41 Is Luck on Your Side Too? 3
Chapter 41 Is Luck on Your Side Too? 3
"But will Sumitomo really hand over epoxy manufacturing technology to us? NEC, Hitachi, Toshiba, and otherpetingpanies won''t just sit idly by, will they? It''s almost like handing over a sword."
When Chairman Jin brought up practical issues, Lee Hak-jae smiled slyly and proposed a clever solution.
"The chemicalpany in Cheonan has no connection to Sunyang. We can acquire thatpany using the money currently sleeping in Miracle."
Just now, Lee Hak-jae had presented a solution for how to use the 100 billion won that might never be found due to financial transparency regtions.
A smile appeared on Chairman Jin''s face when he heard this.
"Proceed immediately."
With Chairman Jin''s approval, Lee Hak-jae promptly summoned Oh Se-hyun.
"Mr. Lee, you''re not suggesting the same thing again, are you?"
"It''s a different story. We need to make an investment."
Seeing Lee Hak-jae''s rxed smile, Oh Se-hyun felt uneasy. Could it be that they had found a way to recover the money?
"An investment?"
"Yes, Chairman Oh. I hope you won''t say that we can''t use our money for investments in other ces, right?"
"It''s possible. But you''re investing under the name of Miracle, not Sunyang, right? Is that correct?"
"Of course. Absolutely. In return, Sunyang will have influence over thepany we invest in. Can you agree to that?"
"Are you suggesting sending one of our executives to exercise management control over thepany?"
"Of course."
"What''s the name of thepany... that you''re talking about?"
"It''s called Eugene Chemical. It''s located in Cheonan."
"Negotiate the details with thatpany and let me know. I''ll release the funds right away."
For the first time in a while, the two men concluded their meeting without raising their voices.
When I read my grandfather''s report in his study and learned about this, I understood why Sumitomo Chemical had been bothering him.
It''s a bomb that can be used once in a critical moment. But my grandfather managed to intercept it first.
What''s fortunate for me is that I also have a foothold in it thanks to Miracle.
And I''ve got another opportunity to draw out my grandfather''s admiration.
I didn''t let go of the report until my grandfather entered the study.
"Huh? What are you looking at right now, Do-Jun?"
My sudden act of cing the documents on the desk surprised my grandfather as well.
"Ah, well..."
"Did you sneak a look at the documents again?"
Again? Did he already know?
"This kid. Why are you so surprised? Did you think I wouldn''t find out?"
Seeing his slightly smiling expression, I lowered my head and scratched my head.
"I''m sorry."
"It''s fine. Actually, I find itmendable. You''re the only one who shows such interest in thepany''s affairs."
Grandfather patted my shoulder and nodded.
"So, what do you think? Do you have an idea of what''s in it?"
Deliberately hesitating, I finally answered.
"It''s about Sumitomo discontinuing production and transferring the technology. You want to acquire that technology using a small medium-sizedpany, right?"
"That''s right."
"Would you, grandfather, be willing to pass on this technology even indirectly to Japanesepanies, not in directpetition with us?"
"What are you saying?"
"Don''t you find it a bit ufortable? Semiconductors are an area where Japan is ahead, and Korea is closely trailing. Now, it''s not just an issue betweenpanies, but apetition between nations."
"Japan won''t let it go to Korea?"
"Sumitomo Chemical''s CEO has dinner with Japanese electronicspany CEOs, right? You also have meals with other group CEOs. They discuss various matters during those meetings, right?"
My grandfather''s eyebrows twitched. He realized he had been too naive.
"Those people are likely to try to stop core technology from going to Korea. That''s just my opinion."
"So?"
If I stop here, I''ll be just another critic. I need to propose an alternative.
"If it were me, I would use a Taiwanese chemicalpany as a front. Not a Koreanpany..."
"Taiwan?"
"Taiwan is a cooperative country for both Korea and Japan."
Taiwan holds a significant position in the semiconductor industry. It specializes in foundry, the key area of subcontracted production. As a result, it has captured 65% of the global foundry market and has be a semiconductor powerhouse.
"You want to choose a partner country, not apetitor, right?"
"I would..."
There was no need for further exnation. My grandfather had already picked up the phone.
"Get the department head, the electronics CEO, and the person in charge of Taiwan at Mun San here quickly."
When my grandfather put down the receiver, his eyes were filled with affection for me.
"Do-Jun, you really know a lot about semiconductors."
"I''ve been studying a bit since I hear so much about it in the newspapers and on TV."
His gaze towards me was filled with even more affection.
The high school I attended was the same one my brother Sang-jun went to. It was a prestigious private school where the children of wealthy families and high-ranking government officials attended.
There were the upper ss, who were children of conglomerate families, and the middle ss, who were children of high-ranking government officials. In other words, the middle ss consisted of those with at least a fifth-level rank in the government, such as five-term members of the National Assembly, party leaders, prime ministers, and ministers.
Below them were the nobodies, the srymen''s children. This group included executives from major subsidiarypanies and other key positions.
However, the students didn''t feel much of a difference in the way the teachers treated them. As they were starting to be more aware of the opposite sex, appearance was the most important factor.
Chapter 42 Lets Warm Up First 1
Chapter 42 Let''s Warm Up First 1
On December 7th, I woke up unusually early. My grandfather had already told me my test scores, but the tension still lingered.
When I went out to pick up the morning newspaper, there was amotion in front of our gate. It was the first time I''d witnessed such a disturbance in our quiet residential neighborhood. Curious, I opened the door, and suddenly, camera shes went off, and microphones blocked my view.
"Mr. Jin Do-Jun?"
"Are you Jin Do-Jun, the student?"
It was still dark at 6 in the morning in December, and due to the blinding shes, I couldn''t see anything. I hastily closed the door.
What could this be about?
My father, in his pajamas, came down to the garden, yawning and patting me on the back.
"They''re here to interview you."
"Why me? Shouldn''t they be interviewing the nationwide top scorer for the college entrance exam?"
"Don''t you know why? The top scorer is ordinary, but the high score of Sunyang Group''s grandson. Besides, your father is the president of a film productionpany, and your mother is a former actress who still retains her beauty. Which one do you think will attract more attention?" My father chuckled and pointed to the front gate. "Your grandfather just called. You should match his mood. He wants to brag about you."
Oh, our distinguished grandfather. Does he always want to brag about his grandson, regardless of whether he''s rich or poor?
"Just do a quick interview. And don''t forget to mention that it''s thanks to your wonderful parents when you''re interviewed."
"Father, I don''t recall you helping me with my studies."
"I never stressed you out or nagged you due to excessive expectations for my child. Appropriate indulgence is the greatest virtue of parents. Don''t forget that. Hehe."
After seeding in a few films and bing an undeniable president of a prominent productionpany in Chungmuro, I could see my father''s hidden sincerity.
He never lost his cheerful and alwaysposedughter. His sense of humor, rarely disyed, was also exceptional. His Western mindset, treating his son as a fellow human being rather than just a child, was evident.
The study was already cleaned up, and my mother had prepared tea and snacks for the reporters.
"Do-Jun, change into your school uniform. I think it suits you."
Even my mother couldn''t hide her desire to show off.
After preparing for the interview, my mother brought the reporters inside.
TV broadcast reporters had brought a cameraman, but my father, who understood the power of visuals, started to coordinate.
"Turn off the cameras. Isn''t a photo enough for the background screen? You''re only going to air 30 seconds or less, anyway."
"But we still need a couple of shots..."
"Words disappear, but visualsst forever. I''d rather not do anything that might hinder our child."
"Mr. Jin, what could possibly hinder our child?"
Is there anything that could hinder Mr. Jin?
The TV news reporterughed and said, but my father shook his head.
"Let''s just do it my way. Turn off the cameras."
The cameras were turned off, and the interview began.
Right from the start, there were direct questions.
"Do you, Do-Jun, also say that you studied based on textbooks?"
"Why would I do that? Would the grandson of the richest person in our country study only from textbooks?"
The somewhat challenging answer caused some reporters to chuckle. Even journalists get tired of cookie-cutter interviews.
"Well then...?"
"I had private tutors for each subject... I had one-on-one tutoring throughout the year. Just the money spent on that would be equivalent to ten years of your sries, wouldn''t it?"
"..."
Was that too explicit? When the journalists didn''t follow up with questions, my father, who had been observing, couldn''t hold back hisughter and chuckled.
"Where do you n to apply?"
It was a rather ordinary question, as if following the conventional script. They seemed like novice journalists.
"I n to apply to the Law School."
"Oh, is your goal to be a prosecutor?"
"Yes."
At this point, a journalist posed another provocative question.
"Is the reason you''re applying to Law School because you were excluded from the session n of the Sunyang Group?"
The journalist paused briefly, examining my expression, and then continued.
"With such influential grandparents and many cousins... as the youngest member of the Sunyang family, do you think there''s no possibility for you?"
I was initially taken aback, but it actually worked out well. I just needed to provide answers that people would want to hear when they watched this interview.
"I haven''t thought about it that way... Well, my parents live very freely. They''re involved inpletely unrted businesses from the Sunyang Group. So, I''ve never really considered the Sunyang Group as a potential path for myself."
"Have you ever thought about whether, as awyer, you would pursue a path unrted to the Sunyang Group or if you would provide auxiliary support to the Sunyang Group?"
Enough is enough; I shouldn''t go further. This level is just right. Too many words can lead to misinterpretation. I quickly changed the topic.
"I''ve never really thought about it. But who is the top scorer for the college entrance exam?"
"Oh, it''s a student from Jeju Ind..."
"In the science track or humanities?"
"Science track."
"That student, achieving the top score without even relying on private tutors like me, must be a real genius or an incredibly hard worker. Oh, maybe both?"
"Do-Jun student, do you have any ns for studying abroad by any chance...?"
I wanted to wrap it up at this point. After all, the articles they have to write are already predetermined.
"Hey, reporters. Go to Jeju Ind for your coverage, and please write my article ording to my grandfather''s tastes. You know it was sent from the desk to bring in some ads, right?"
The journalists seemed speechless.
"My grandfather studied mainly from textbooks and used reference books and practice papers. If you write an article mentioning that, he will really appreciate it."
Chapter 43 Lets Warm Up First 2
Chapter 43 Let''s Warm Up First 2
"Study on Han Do Steel''s Competitiveness and Medium-Term Management Prospects."
Extremely weak financial structure.
Excessive financial costs due to excessive external borrowing.
Significant confirmed losses.
Imprudent investments that could have a significant impact on the national economy.
Cooperation with Pohang Steel is unavoidable for Han Do Steel''s survival and growth.
Conclusion.
When summarizing the thick report, it contained these contents.
Despite having 13 subsidiaries and being ranked 18th in the industry as of 1995, the actual group revenue was a mere 400 billion won (5.9 billion won excluding internal transactions).
Han Do Group, especially Han Do Steel, was like a sandcastle built entirely on debt. The copse of this sandcastle was just around the corner, about a month away.
The fact that such a report came out within the Sunyang Group means that the bankruptcy of Han Do Steel has already been foreseen within the industry.
However, no one knows that Han Do Steel is just the beginning.
Why did Chairman Jin throw this report at me?
Is he thinking about what will happen after Han Do Steel''s bankruptcy? Or is he nning to acquire the bankrupt Han Do Steel?
Thetter possibility is quite clear. When you think about Sunyang Shipbuilding, Sunyang Machinery, and Sunyang Automotive, there''s every reason to be ambitious. But at a low price.
Considering Sunyang Group''s internal reserves, it wouldn''t be difficult to acquire a bankruptpany. Furthermore, with Sunyang''s lobbying ability, adding a reduction in debt of tens of billions of won to the acquisition conditions wouldn''t be a big deal. Ten key personnel, each receiving 1 billion won. Handling losses of tens of billions of won with taxpayer money, it''s not a big deal, is it?
What bothers me is the 1 billion dors in U.S. hot money among Han Do Steel''s external borrowings. At the current exchange rate of 800 won, there is no significant burden in paying interest or repaying principal, but it will be impossible to pay in a year.
Han Do Steel is a poison dart frog.
The moment it swallows, the poison will slowly spread, and if you can''t find the antidote, it can lead to death. The antidote is the dor, a huge amount of dors.
I have the antidote in my hands, so I can save anyone who swallows it. The question to be decided is who will swallow it, and how much will be charged for the treatment.
It''s an easy decision. I want to charge several Sunyang Group subsidiaries as treatment fees, so if Grandfather wants to swallow the poison dart frog, I have no intention of stopping him.
"Study on Han Do Steel''s Competitiveness and Medium-Term Management Prospects."
Annual production volume of 800,000 metric tons, Chairman and his family own 34.65% of the shares, controlling management rights.
Severe financial vulnerability.
Excessive financial costs due to excessive external borrowing.
Large-scale confirmed losses.
Imprudent investments that could have a significant impact on the national economy.
Cooperation with Pohang Steel is inevitable for the survival and growth of Han Do Steel.
Conclusion.
The subject of the meeting that started at 7 AM on Friday was all about Han Do Steel.
"What''s the total debt?"
"It''s 3 trillion 6,870 billion won, excluding the 1 billion dors from the U.S."
Chairman Jin looked at Lee Hak-jae and said, "Director Lee, no matter how much I think about it, it doesn''t make sense. How can they spend so much money on just a steel mill?"
"To put it in the perspective of NewCore in the U.S., it could turn things around with 1 trillion 600 billion won. Even if we consider the differences such as cheapnd, low facility acquisition costs due to the steel industry downturn, and purchasing appropriate facilities through in-house engineering instead of a turnkey basis, we should assume that at least 1 trillion won or more has disappeared somewhere."
Inting costs and siphoning off that money through insider transactions is a specialty of conglomerates, but Han Do Group took it to another level.
More than half of the entire group''s revenuees from internal transactions!
This isn''t just a gray area; it''s outright robbery.
With a slightly furrowed expression, Chairman Jin continued with his questions.
"How much of the debt can be reduced?"
"We can start by having the asset managementpany purchase the financial institutions'' debt, which should allow us to reduce about 2 trillion won. We''ll buy the bonds from the asset managementpany at half price. So, 800 billion won should be enough."
"Dors won''t work, right?"
"No. However, we can extend the repayment period. The government will provide payment guarantees."
"YS... they''re strict. Will it work?"
"Han Do Steel is Han Do Group''s gshippany. Since Han Do Group is already going to copse, we need to minimize the shockwaves. They''ll approve it."
Chairman Jin''s mind started calcting.
With 10 billion dors, it''s 800 billion won, and the total amount is 1 trillion 600 billion won. There was no intention to pay 1 trillion 600 billion won for the acquisition.
While it''s possible to temporarily use Sunyang''s funds for the acquisition, it needs to be recovered immediately.
"When Han Do Group falls apart, what do we need to secure that can be profitable?"
"Han Do Steel''s Busan rebar nt site covers 100,000 square meters, excluding the logistics base. If we prevent the bondholders from intervening and build apartments on that site for sale, we should be able to secure a considerable amount."
"Anything else?"
"40,000 square meters ofnd in Jangji-dong and 10,000 square meters ofnd in Gaepo-dong. However, thesends are owned by Han Do Construction, not Han Do Steel."
The heads of the key figures in the group who attended the meeting in the study were all busy processing this information.
They all understood Chairman Jin''s intention to acquire Han Do Steel.
"Chairman."
Cho Dae-ho of Sunyang Automotive, who had not spoken a word until now, opened his mouth for the first time.
"Daehyun Group is also targeting it."
The room fell silent to the point where Chairman Jin''s breathing could be heard.
Chapter 44 Lets Warm Up First 3.
Chapter 44 Let''s Warm Up First 3.
"The Attorney General should support the Chairman of Sunyang, right? I heard you''re going to be a corporate M&Awyer?"
"M&A? Who said?"
"My father."
My cheeks twitched as I suppressed augh.
"Really? Your father said that?"
"Yes, he didn''t go into details, but... he mentioned that being awyer might be better since you''re going tow school. So, what about you? Do-Jun, do you also prefer being awyer?"
A sparkling gaze, an expectant face. I know what that gaze and that face want.
Among the people he shared blood with, the most promising cousin. Jin Chairman even approved of, acknowledging my top-tier performance on the national certification exam.
Furthermore, turning me into either a close aide or a potentialpetitor, a two-birds-with-one-stone move.
I could give him the answer he wants right now, but giving him what he wants wouldn''t be satisfying.
"I''m not sure yet. Honestly, being a judge doesn''t interest me much... I think being a prosecutor or awyer might be more enjoyable... Well, I''ll think about it slowly once I get tow school."
"Yeah, life is long. Take your time. You''re just graduating from high school now, there''s no need to rush into decisions. If you don''t want to look at those tinyw books, just tell your big brother here. I''ll make afortable ce for you in the Sunyang Group. Haha."
You''ve grown a lot, Jin Yeong-jun.
Not a single change in expression, and even some inner calm. Did the long years abroad help you mature a bit?
"That sounds like the best option, doesn''t it? I''m getting tired of studying now. Hehe."
"Really? Alright. Your big brother will make sure our junior enjoys himself. Once we''re done here, stick close to me. I''ll teach you how wonderful the world is, how enjoyable life can be, step by step."
Jin Yeong-jun patted my back and then gave a mischievous smile before disappearing.
Yes, live happily. Enjoy the good memories of life to the fullest.
Because those will be the only thing you have in the future.
I had to force a smile on my stiff face.
"Hey, you ignorant fool! What did you do to get that score? Huh?"
"If our kids had done half of what Do-Jun did, how great would that have been?"
My aunt had a regretful expression. Where were her three sons studying? I don''t even know the names of their universities.
"Now, we have a direct junior in the family. Jun-ah, if you ever have any questions while studying, feel free to talk to your aunt. I''ll help you out."
"Direct junior? Did you graduate from Seoul National University? You haven''t even seen the main gate of Seoul National University!"
"Did I mention a university? I was talking about the Judicial Training Institute!"
When my aunt''s universityplex was triggered, my uncle got annoyed, but he couldn''t find any constion.
"Alright, that''s good. Jun-ah, from now on, consider your uncle as your private tutor. Anyway, he''s just enjoying himself since he lost the election!"
My aunt''s eyes shot mes as she red at my uncle, who fell silent. In the 15th National Assembly election held in April, my uncle gracefully fell out of the race.
Driven by ambition and greed, he threw his hat into the ring in the Seoul constituency, ignoring his own capabilities. The ruling party handed him a difficult electoral district as if they were offering it to the opposition, and my grandfather was furious.
Despite sacrificing regions that the ruling party had given up on and my grandfather''s support, the oue was as predicted, with no deviation.
My aunt embezzled department store money behind my grandfather''s back, but it fell short.
"Uncle, will you challenge again in Seoul next time?"
"Of course. I can''t settle for being a two-term representative. After bing a three-term member of the National Assembly, I''ll enter the cab."
Calcting the age when this dream is realized, my uncle will have crossed sixty. My uncle''s maximum goal is to be a minister.
"Do-Jun."
Suddenly, my uncle called me with a subtle tone. I knew what he was going to say without him finishing his sentence. "Right now, your grandfather is in a great mood because of you. There''s a by-electioning up..."
"Ah, yes."
"Yes?"
Before he even finished speaking, I nodded my head, and my aunt''s eyes widened in surprise.
"Uncle needs to secure a badge as a member of the National Assembly in the by-election. You''re asking for support in election funds."
Both of them were caught off guard.
"You''re indeed clever. You''re a good kid, pretending to be obedient. Haha."
Should I press my luck a bit more now?
"Even if grandfather doesn''t provide election funds, I should help, right? After all, uncle is my direct senior."
The mouth that had been caught off guard started to move.
"You, too? With what money?"
"Don''t you remember? We had money from selling the Bundang ranch a while ago. It''s just sitting in the bank without being touched, right? It must have rued quite a bit of interest by now."
"Ah...!"
The time for the pitchfork to be needed was approaching.
Despite its low trustworthiness and the perception of the National Assembly as a gathering ce for garbage, the nation''s most critical policies are decided right there.
My uncle must return to the National Assembly. He must be the pitchfork that recruits thewmakers who will support me once he returns.
"Do, Do-Jun."
My uncle, overwhelmed with emotion, opened his arms wide, but I had no intention of embracing him. I had to lower my head in front of the chairman; there was no way I would dare...
By the time the year-end gathering was ending, Jin Yeong-jun and his younger brother, Jin Kyung-jun, quietly left the hotel holding my hand.
Jin Kyung-jun was five years older than me. He was currently on a leave of absence in the United States, so it was easier to spot him in the Korean town than at school. He would stay in the US until Jin Chairman passed away and Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi took control of thepany.
"Where are we going?"
"Just follow me. I told my father that we''d have a casual drink today."
Jin Kyung-jun also smiled with a sly look.
Chapter 45 The Hunt Begins 1
Chapter 45 The Hunt Begins 1
"Do-Jun."
"Yes."
Jin Yeong-jun examined my flushed face, likely due to the alcohol, and whispered quietly. "Among our brothers, you''re the only one who can y a role. The others are all losers. Even as they age and mature, they don''t have the ability to run apany."
I couldn''t help butugh at the absurdity of it all. The current appearance of my cousins isn''t any different from when Jin Yeong-jun was in his 20s. Even now, there''s no sign of a sessor in Jin Yeong-jun''s image.
"Frankly, I don''t care if you be awyer or a prosecutor. Just stay by my side with that brilliant mind of yours. You''re going to be the number two of the conglomerate."
Is it due to his wariness of me? Or is he genuinely looking for a trustworthy right-hand man?
"Wow, is the handsome big brother fond of me? Then, from today, you''re my lover." A pretty girl clung to my side and wouldn''t let go. Thanks to her, our conversation came to an abrupt halt.
"You catch on quickly. Give it your best shot. If our little brother takes a liking to you, you''ve really hit the jackpot. That high school kid has assets worth hundreds of billions. Haha."
At the mention of hundreds of billions, the girl''s eyes sparkled, and Jin Yeong-jun yfully tapped my shoulder before going upstairs with the two girls. His arms around their waists...
"Life is so unfair. Third-generation chaebol, intelligent, good-looking, tall. What can I say, he''s the perfect type."
"You were born pretty too. That''s why you''re here." I let go of her hand, which was wrapped around my waist, and said. "Let me ask one thing. How do you know my cousin?"
"Who I am matters more than that, don''t you think?"
"You''re probably a celebrity, or an aspiring one. Just answer quick to my questions."
"The entertainment industry is small. Once you know one person, you get introduced to others, exchange numbers, meet up, and get more introductions. After that, your phone is filled with female celebrities'' names. Of course, you''ll need money to support that."
From the way she casually mentioned it, it seemed like Jin Yeong-jun is not in a serious rtionhip. Is it because he''s still young?
"Also, I''m not an aspiring. I''m about to debut. I''m also preparing an album."
"As a singer?"
"Yes. Do you know H.O.T? The ones who debuted this summer."
"Yeah, I know."
"It''s a simr concept. However, the members are cute girls like me."
Is it a girl group? In that case...? "What''s your age?"
"Seventeen."
Oh my goodness! Isn''t she a minor?
"Snap out of it. Don''t follow me around in a ce like this... Take care of yourself."
"...?"
Seeing the girl blinking her round eyes and staring at me fixedly, I realized what a foolish thing I had said.
Is this some middle-aged man''s nonsense?
I wanted to hide my embarrassment and got up from the table.
"Since there seem to be many empty rooms, why don''t you sleep and rest for a while? Just be sure to lock the door."
Before she could say anything, I walked outside.
Thank goodness. If that girl were an adult, I wouldn''t have been able to brush her off so easily.
Taking in a breath of the chilly winter air, my mind cleared.
I saw the man sitting in the driver''s seat with the engine running, dozing off. Perhaps he has a family. Why go through such hardships when he could have a warm home to stay in? Life can be so tough.
I opened the passenger-side door and sat down, and the man immediately woke up.
"I-I''m sorry. I must have dozed off."
"It''s okay. I''m sorry for making you wait for so long."
"Oh, no, not at all. But you can sitfortably in the back seat."
"I''m neither your superior nor your boss, so the back seat is ufortable. Just drive."
After the car started moving, there was silence for a while. The man who was driving seemed ufortable, so he cautiously spoke. "Would you like to listen to the radio, sir?"
"It''s fine. And please don''t call me ''sir.'' ''Young Master'' would suffice." I replied politely, and the man looked at my face as if he were surprised. "Do you work in the Group''s Strategic nning Department?"
"Yes, how did you know?"
"I often heard my grandfather, who is the chairman, talking about it. That''s why I know the nning Department is divided into two parts. One isposed of experts from prestigious universities who devise real group strategies, and the other..." I nced at him and noticed that his hand on the steering wheel was trembling slightly. "The other part is made up of people who graduated from mediocre universities like my foolish cousins and are tasked with errands and cleaning up messes. You must belong to thetter."
His hand on the steering wheel had veins that were suddenly bulging, and his tightly closed lips trembled.
Shame, humiliation. I know those feelings well.
"You''re luckier than the guys from top-tier universities who actually devise strategies."
"I, I...?"
"Consider Chairman''s age. He''s turning eighty soon. How much longer does he have to live? If Chairman passes away, we''ll have our three big uncles and even our aunt - a total of four of them. They''ll be eyeing to devour Sunyang Group. The Vice Chairman will be dancing with a knife, I guarantee it."
His face, devoid of feelings of shame and humiliation, was filled with astonishment.
"At that time, the secrets you know about the people in this household can be sold for a very high price. It''s like getting all the money that office workers in top-tier universities can earn in a lifetime in one go."
"You... what are you talking about?"
"The title ''Young Master'' is embarrassing... but speaking informally is irksome, isn''t it? Let''s be casual."
Our eyes met. Did he understand?
"I''m quite tired, so I''ll take a nap. Please wake me up when we arrive home."
He increased the car''s speed without saying a word.
*****
On January 22, 1997, the CEOs of four banks, including Jeil Bank, the main trading bank of Hando Group, spent a whole day persuading Chairman Jeong of Hando Group.
"Chairman, if things continue like this, we will all go bankrupt. The government is concerned about allegations of favoritism with the uing presidential election."
Chapter 46 The Hunt Begins 2
Chapter 46 The Hunt Begins 2
Chairman Jin held up a document in his hand and shook it.
"Is this an urate figure? 2 trillion, 370 billion?"
The Hando Steel acquisition team gathered in the main office conference room, briefly exchanged nces and then nodded in agreement.
"Yes, it''s certain."
When Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi responded as the representative, Chairman Jin double-checked the numbers before speaking again.
"If Hando Steel is valued at this amount, Daehyun Group will definitely bid with this figure. And since Daehyun Group already has expertise in steel, they''ll undoubtedly score higher than us. So, how much should we write down?"
No one dared to speak casually. The bid amount is directly proportional to the Chairman''s determination to acquire Hando Steel. It''s known that his determination is strong, but it can''t be quantified.
Even Chairman Jin himself finds it difficult to quantify. How should they respond?
However, due to Chairman Jin''s gaze, there is someone who can''t avoid giving an answer.
"Director Jin Yeong-jun, what do you think?"
"1 trillion, 800 billion."
When an answer came without hesitation, Chairman Jin seemed somewhat surprised.
"Why?"
"This amount is the maximum our Sunyang can present at the moment."
"But then, Daehyun will surely win, won''t they?"
"We can''t take on debt to acquire it. The value of Hando Steel and our financial strength are precise. We shouldn''t engage in a money battle."
"But what else can wepete with in a public auction?"
"I suggest emphasizing that Sunyang is thepany where the most synergy effects would ur if we were to acquire Hando Steel. Daehyun already owns a steelpany, so their synergy effects are minimal." He spoke quite persuasively, and wordse with responsibility.
"Then, to acquire it, let''s create the synergy effects report Director Jin mentioned, and let''s make them impressive. Give the evaluationmittee something to be amazed by. We''ll give you one week."
"...Yes."
It was an answer with ack of confidence, but it wasn''t a refusal. Once you''re over thirty, it looks like you have to do your part.
The Chairman turned to look at someone else.
"Again? Is 1 trillion 800 billion all there is? No other opinions?"
"2 trillion 500 billion."
Hong Song-chul, the constructionpany president, tossed it out casually. As everyone''s gaze turned toward him, Chairman Jin also showed curiosity.
"On what basis?"
"The bondholders see no difference between Daehyun and Sunyang. The government will ept it regardless of who takes it over. To ensure fairness and avoid any noise, I believe we''ll have to offer an even higher amount."
Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi and Director Jin Yeong-jun''s faces turned red.
The carefully prepared content was casually dismissed by President Hong.
"Where will you get thecking money from?"
"We have an apartment site secured from Sunyang Construction. We can secure a loan of 700 billion won with thatnd as coteral."
They had crossed half of the risky bridge. Money preparation was possible, after all.
"But how will you repay the 700 billion loans? You can''t build apartments onnd where you''veid down loans."
"We''ll handle that neatly in the construction process. Please rest assured, Chairman."
Chairman Jin''s mouth curled up slightly.
It was the most desirable answer.
Address the immediate problem and skip the process. Even if there were illegal or hical actions, the me would fall solely on the person responsible, and the Chairman wouldn''t be sshed with any mud.
There was no need to lie, as it was the truth.
Indeed, trustworthy.
"It seems President Hong secretly pocketed a substantial amount of money. Talking so confidently about 700 billion as if it''s a piece of cake when it''s not even your own dog''s name. Hehe."
Except for these two, the conference room burst intoughter.
Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi couldn''t bring himself tough.
Hong Song-chul, the president, once again confirmed that President Hong had no intention of siding with him.
"As expected, Daehyun is thinking about 2 trillion, 300 billion."
"Typical Daehyun. He''s not one to y tricks. Chairman, are you..."
Chairman Jin and Director Lee Hak-jae were reviewing the letter of intent for the acquisition in the study.
"But Chairman, do you really intend to invest 2 trillion, 500 billion?"
"Why? Not willing?"
"The group''s fund management will be quite shaken for a while."
"Don''t be too scared. I have a n."
Chairman Jin''s rxed attitude didn''t brighten Lee Hak-jae''s expression.
"Now, how does our Do-Jun feel? Is there really no other way besides money?"
I couldn''t satisfy the expectation hidden in Grandpa''s gaze as he looked at me. Who could reveal what was hidden in that sinister mind?
"Could you give me a hint? I''m really clueless."
Director Lee Hak-jae tried to convey what he wanted to say, and Grandpa smiled at both of us alternately.
"Selling a tree, I''d want to sell it to someone who will nurture it well, not to someone who will chop it down and use it as firewood. That''s how people feel."
Both Lee Hak-jae and I widened our eyes.
"Chairman, do you think Daehyun will resell Hando Steel?"
"Who cares what Daehyun''s Chairman thinks? We should just think about selling it to someone who will grow the trees. Right?"
"I see."
Only now did Lee Hak-jae understand Chairman Jin''s n. The reason for arranging a meeting with the evaluationmittee and providing a meal was exactly this.
"Do-Jun, does this hint help?"
"Yes. If Daehyun acquires it, they''ll build apartments on Hando Steel''snd and sell it, then sell the ironworks facilities overseas. Hando Steel will disappear without a trace. But we, Sunyang, entering the steel industry for the first time, will do our best for Hando Steel''s recovery. Isn''t that it?"
"Exactly. I gave away too many hints."
Will this method actually work?
Daehyun also had formidable connections. Even if their goal was to resell, there would be plenty of people supporting them.
Chapter 47 Saving Your Special Skills
Chapter 47 Saving Your Special Skills
"You...! You didn''t just try to stab me, did you? Why did you include the letter of intent?"
As soon as he entered the office, Lee Hak-jae shouted, his eyes fixed on Oh Se-hyun.
Oh Se-hyun smirked as he packed his bag, their eyes locked in a heated standoff.
"Well, now that you''ve aged enough to... control your temper a bit."
"Don''t beat around the bush!"
"If you''re going to react like this after watching my broadcast, watch the interview again. I''ve thought about it after seeing the grandson trying to help his grandfather."
"What?"
"Go back and bounce the gavel again. You''ll benefit from it. Of course, it''ll cost you more money, but it''ll be much more favorable when convincing the judging panel."
Lee Hak-jae just stared at Oh Se-hyun with a nk expression.
"I have to go now... I have a meeting with the bondholders."
As he left the office, Lee Hak-jae pulled out his phone.
"Find the broadcast featuring Miracle Oh Se-hyun. I''ll have to watch it again when I return to the chairman''s house."
Sitting in the backseat of the car, Lee Hak-jae felt the weight of the heftyptop on hisp as he watched the interview video multiple times.
It didn''t take long for him to figure out the content that could be helpful.
Separated from Chairman Jin and Oh Se-hyun, the unexpectedpetitor who had wedged himself in, Oh Se-hyun, firmly yed a role in amplifying public opinion once he grasped Chairman Jin''s intentions.
Lee Hak-jae closed theptop and let out an incredulous chuckle.
"Haha, this is something. He''s turned into an unstoppable force."
As if realizing that his chuckle had found the answer, the driver elerated and headed for Chairman Jin''s house.
Clearing his throat once, Chairman Jin entered his study deep in thought.
"Chairman."
"Hak-jae. It seems like this won''t just lead to anger. It might turn out to be a useful pawn..."
"Yes. It seems that Representative Oh also intends for it to be a bargaining chip."
"What? Did he say that himself?"
"Yes. He says it''s a joint project created by him and Do-Jun to help you."
Chairman Jin''s mouth hung open when he heard his grandson''s name, but eventually, he burst intoughter.
"Hehehe. Unbelievable... everyone else is too busy trying to take my money with greedy eyes, and my grandson even mobilized an American investment firm to help me? Is there such amendable person!"
Lee Hak-jae waited for Chairman Jin''sughter to subside.
When the firewood burns brightly, you need to cook the rice. If you miss the timing, all that''s left is ashes. There is much to be done.
"I n to release a series of critical articles about Miracle Investment tomorrow. We need to saturate them with provocative words likepanies that only think about money, the danger of spective capital, and capital flight."
"And?"
"We n to send our people to each broadcastingpany''s debate programs. We will invite around six economics professors and emphasize the same viewpoint..."
"You''re going to slip in the name Daehyun as well?"
"Yes. Daehyun Group has already secured enough steel mills, so there is no reason for them to want an acquisition. What they really want is to build apartments and sell them... By throwing this idea out there, it will naturally be bundled together."
Chairman Jin pped his knee.
"That''s right! This is just perfect timing! Initially, it was a bit tricky to criticize Daehyun, but Oh Se-hyun has opened the door and provided an opportunity. Chairman Joo, you''re in for a surprise. Haha."
"But there''s a problem. We need to increase the acquisition price a bit."
Is it because of the money? Chairman Jin stoppedughing.
"Why did Oh Se-hyun have to say unnecessary things?"
KRW 2.5 trillion.
The acquisition amount revealed by Miracle Investment.
This amount would be an absolute figure that would haunt them for a long time.
Furthermore, if Daehyun Group also spends KRW 2.3 trillion, it would be difficult to spend less than KRW 2 trillion.
To avoid any favoritism issues, they would need to justify the KRW 2 trillion or more to the bondholders.
"There was no choice. To emphasize the foreign spective capital, we had to show them spending money. If they were real bidders, would they say such things?"
"Let''s see how the atmosphere goes until the final bidding. If it seems impossible, match it to KRW 2 trillion."
"Yes. I will call the PR team to prepare."
"Good. Put in some effort."
Alone in his thoughts, Chairman Jin felt as light as if he could fly. Thanks to his clever grandson, he felt ten years younger.
Ranked 26th in the chaebol hierarchy, Hando Group with total assets of KRW 2.53 trillion and sales of KRW 1.4925 trillion, went into final bankruptcy proceedings on March 19th, unable to prevent one for a mere KRW 11.19 billion promissory note.
The Republic of Korea, still unaware that it had barely started, had its eyes and ears focused on the trials of two former presidents rather than the economic crisis.
But I didn''t care about any of that right now. What I was concerned about was the freshman wee event scheduled for tomorrow.
After the matriction ceremony, I had attended a few sses, but it was anything butfortable.
It seemed like everyone was ncing at me, probably because of the college entrance interview, and they gathered in small groups, talking among themselves. However, not a single student came up to me to strike up a conversation. Some senior students even came to the lecture hall, looked at me, and then left.
I thought things might get better when I attended the wee event and interacted with my peers and seniors. Since everybody here was a stranger to me, it wouldn''t hurt to prepare a small event.
The next day, I arrived at schoolte in the afternoon, listened to a couple of hours of lectures, and then made my way to the student union cafeteria, where the wee event was scheduled to start at 6 PM.
The Law School had nearly 400 students, but less than half of them attended the event.
Did I overprepare for the event?
As I took a seat at a corner table in the cafeteria, the students around me nced at me once again. It seemed my presence was unexpected.
On the table, I noticed bottles of soju, beer, and a few soft drinks, and on a gas burner, there were pots and grills. Perhaps they were nning to grill some pork belly.
Chapter 48 A Household with No Choice 1
Chapter 48 A Household with No Choice 1
The atmosphere at school waspletely different. It was April, and spring was in full swing, but that wasn''t the reason.
As I walked from the main gate to the ssrooms, I exchanged greetings with many of my fellow students and even started walking alongside some of them.
In the ssrooms, many students initiated conversations with me.
"Hey, Do-Jun. Thatptop is amazing. It''s killer. But you''re not studying just because you have it, huh? Hehe."
"That''s the hidden purpose. I''m giving mypetitors a toy to distract them from studying."
My role was to alleviate their uneasiness with such remarks.
"Since I''ve been using aptop, I no longer use a pen. It''s all about Word."
"Oh, that was also intentional. When you write reports, give me the files. Just touch them up a bit and submit them. Hehe."
I roamed the ssroom while making pointless jokes.
The stares of those who hadn''t attended the freshman wee event and missed out on receiving aptop were piercing. Their gazes also hinted at the hope of receiving anotherptop.
I thought about distributing more during the May festival.
And I also noticed a few people from the memo.
During a brief break after ss, I approached one of them who was getting coffee from a vending machine.
What could have been on this guy''s mind when he rejected a temptation of over 3 million won from a college graduate neer at Daehyun Group?
I inserted a 100-won coin into the vending machine and selected a coffee.
"You rejected theptop? Why?"
The paper cup in his hand visibly crumpled as he looked at me.
"Damn, why? Did you want to hear me say thanks for that and feel good about it?"
I had been waiting for something special to be said, but my expectations were in vain. It was just his ego.
"Well, I didn''t really think about it."
My response, delivered with a smile and an unchanged expression, seemed to further infuriate him. Harsher words poured out.
"You don''t have to unt your money; everyone knows you''re a chaebol. But now, even among your fellow university alumni, you''re showing off your wealth?"
"Then, would you reject it if a senior offered to buy you a 1,500-won meal at the campus cafeteria? Is that showing off his money?" I took a 100-won coin from my pocket. "Would it be showing off his money if a fellow student bought you a 100-won vending machine coffee?"
"You little... Is that the same as aptop?"
"Yes."
"What?"
Seeing the young No Mu-shik flustered was almost cute. After all, when else would he protect his pride like this?
As you go out into the world, getting broken and bruised in various ways, you''lle to realize how fragile pride can be.
"To me, it''s all the same. You might count in ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, or even millions, but I think in billions, tens of billions, hundreds of billions, and trillions. Anything below a hundred million is just loose change."
I tossed the paper cup in my hand into the trash.
"Aptop and vending machine coffee... There''s no difference for a chaebol like me."
His face looked beaten down, and I wondered if I had been too harsh, but when you step on someone, you have to do it decisively. Don''t even look back.
"Wouldn''t you pick up a 100-won coin off the street if you saw one? Even though a cup of coffee is free? Is your pride only worth when you pick up 3 million won in the student center? If that''s what you call pride, it''s pretty useless, don''t you think?"
I confirmed his contorted face and turned away.
Most of the others had a simr reaction. It was a series of disappointments.
But there was one guy worth considering.
"Hey, Jin Do-Jun."
A guy who stared at me and chuckled. He seemed like he came from a rural background with his darkplexion. At first nce, he could pass for an army reservist.
"Senior said it''s not a bribe, but it is, man."
"Why would it be considered a bribe?"
"Usually, bribes are given in advance. Giving and receiving thanks gifts after receiving a request is considered additional."
"You''re not a public official, and I haven''t made any requests, have I?"
"Doesn''t a bribe have to be given right before a request is made? Many people start giving bribes years in advance. It''ll be a real bribe when I be a prosecutor in a few years. Did you learn this from your grandfather?"
"No, I''m the youngest in my family, so my grandfather didn''t teach me anything. Such things usually happen to my cousins from the bigger family."
"So, you''repletely exempt from the Sunyang Group?"
"You could say that. I don''t know if you''re aware, but even my father, who''s the youngest son of the chairman, waspletely exempt a long time ago. That''s why he''s making movies now."
"So, are you just a fake chaebol 3rd generation?"
Without answering, I just nodded, and the guy who looked like a reservist pulled out a cigarette.
"Goddamn it. I should''ve picked it up."
"Pff."
It was hard not tough. This guy, he''s amusing.
"Hey! Is it toote to take it now? Isn''t it?"
The guy who had no intention of epting it extended his hand for no apparent reason. He''s not the type to make enemies. He doesn''t look his age.
"Hey, did you take the college entrance exam multiple times?"
The guy who wasughing suddenly stopped and his expression hardened.
"Don''t make it sound like I''m getting old. It''s revisiting the past, that''s all."
"If I give you theptop, will you take a look?"
"Next time. Since it''s the first time, I''ll take a look."
He flicked his cigarette butt and headed to the library. I shouted after him.
"Answer me before you go. How old are you?"
"Who''s Seo Min-young?"
"Hey, when did someone who rarely shows up at school take pictures again?"
"What are you talking about?"
"What am I talking about? You don''t see such a person every day. Did you ask about the pretty one?"
The guys around here aren''t reliable when ites tomenting on someone''s looks. They were all nerds, and their criteria for beauty were quite low.
"Enough with the nonsense. Who is she?"
Chapter 49 A Household with No Choice 2
Chapter 49 A Household with No Choice 2
"Clear your schedule for tomorrow," his father said.
"Yes? Tomorrow, I''ve decided to do the final check on the Hando Steel bid documents. Father, you''re aware of this, right?"
"This could be even bigger and more important than Hando Steel. Hando Steel will be part of the Sunyang Group, but this could be entirely yourpany."
Jin Yeong-jun understood the significance when his father separated himself from the Sunyang Group.
"Are you setting up a meeting?"
"Yes. Tomorrow, have lunch, dinner, and a drink in between."
"What? Three meetings in one day?"
"Before getting married, you should see their faces, don''t you think? No matter who you choose, it will benefit you."
"Is this a directive from Grandfather?"
"Father made the choices. And I happen to like the daughter of the President of Dae-il Bank. You''ll like her too."
"Even so, this feels a bit extreme. It''s not like we''re looking for a breeding partner for a pet. Deciding in just one day is..."
"Don''t be unreasonable. Didn''t I tell you? It''s about seeing their faces before marriage. When you live together, you''ll adapt."
Jin Yeong-jun felt bitter, but he had to ept it. After all, this was a marriage he couldn''t choose for himself. It wasn''t about living with someone he loved; it was about living with someone necessary to control the Sunyang Group.
"But why does Father prefer Dae-il Bank?"
"Dae-il Bank has immediate benefits. How long do you think your grandfather will live? When he''s gone, do you think your uncles will stay quiet? They''ll be fighting to secure a few subsidiaries. We need to start securing more shares from now on. It''s a lucrative move."
"So, in the end, it''s not about finding a daughter-inw but about securing coteral for arge loan."
"Ultimately, it''s about making the most advantageous choice for oneself. Do you know who the best prospective daughter-inw is amongmoners? A teacher."
Jin Yeong-gi didn''t voice his thoughts openly. There were three candidates in total. If his son, Yeong-jun, didn''t choose the bank president''s daughter, it would be a disaster. He had to handle it delicately.
"Government employees receive steady sries, pension upon retirement, and they have vacations. How great is that? Men prefer female teachers because they think ahead."
"But isn''t the bank president''s daughter Father''s preference?"
"If I take over everything at Sunyang, where do you think it will go? It will all be yours."
"I also have a younger sibling, just like Father."
His father''s efforts to avoid losing anything to his younger sibling were a reflection of Jin Yeong-jun''s future.
"Then, when the timees, marry your son to the daughter of the bank president. Haha."
His fatherughed heartily, but to Jin Yeong-jun, it didn''t sound like a joke.
The time would soone when he, too, would have to restrain his sibling, just like his father. Fortunately, it was a relief that there were only two siblings, a younger sister and a younger brother. It seemed like an easy battle.
"You''re going to work in Hong Kong?"
"Yes," she replied.
Jin Yeong-jun''s eyebrows twitched.
The woman who''s only selling point was that her father was a bank president.
She wore luxury brands, shimmering with extravagant jewelry, and her well-groomed hair stood out even in Cheongdam-dong. But that was all she had.
In the midst of numerous female employees at the group headquarters, she was so ordinary and unremarkable that she looked at him as if he were a nuisance.
In the past, he might have pped her and walked away, but he was no longer that impulsive.
"Please choose a menu. Since it''s lunch, should we keep it light? The paninis here are excellent."
He handed her the menu as patiently as possible, but she didn''t even nce at it. Instead, she turned to the hall manager standing beside their table and said, "Just a cup of coffee, please."
Jin Yeong-jun barely resisted the urge to m the menu onto her head.
When the hall manager looked at him, he handed over the menu and said, "I''m ready."
She finally spoke, looking at Jin Yeong-jun''s already hardened face. "I live with my boyfriend in Hong Kong."
"Cohabitation?"
"Yes. So..."
"I''m fine with it. Are we done here?" Jin Yeong-jun stood up abruptly. "The coffee here isn''t great. Just go. By the way, let''s eat and part ways. The atmosphere for meeting your father today wasn''t so bad... Make sure you don''t forget to tell him that."
Jin Yeong-jun left the restaurant of the Sunyang Hotel, watching her tightly pursed lips.
He had two more hours before meeting the second woman at three o''clock. He thought about how to pass the time and pulled out his mobile phone.
"Yeah. I''ming to the Sunyang Hotel in a taxi now. You have some time, don''t you, Oppa?"
Jin Yeong-jun headed up to the suite he used as his second home all year round. Even the thought of relieving stress made him grateful for the bank president''s daughter.
Perhaps because he had exhausted his sexual desires in passionate sex earlier, the appearance of the blind date girl didn''t seem so important when they met in the afternoon.
She, a woman barely in the top 40 ranks of the business world, acting as if she would get married at the drop of a hat.
After amodating her and seeing off the others, he waited for the final candidate.
"I''m Hong So-young."
When he met the eldest granddaughter of the president of Han Sung Ilbo, thest candidate, he quickly ordered dinner. He was quite hungry, perhaps because he hadn''t had a proper lunch.
The newspaper with the highest cirction among domestic media outlets. They had taken the lead by starting inte services early.
In a way, her prospective groom was their biggest advertiser. However, Hong So-young showed no sign of being nervous or intimidated in front of Jin Yeong-jun, the sessor of the Sunyang Group.
While waiting for their food, Jin Yeong-jun observed the woman named Hong So-young closely.
A meticulously maintained body, embellished with wealth and mour, was evident. Her slightly strong features were her only w, but overall, she was above average.
Jin Yeong-jun made polite conversation and tried various topics, but it seemed like she wasn''t paying much attention. Seeing that this woman also appeared to have been forced toe, he felt somewhat relieved.
Chapter 50 A Household with No Choice 3
Chapter 50 A Household with No Choice 3
"Thepanies that submitted bids for the sale of Hando Steel are Sunyang Group, Daehyun Group, and Miracle Investment. After considering the prices and non-price factors submitted by these three, the acquirer of Hando Steel is..." People watching the breaking news on TV collectively swallowed hard. "It has been decided to award the bid to Sunyang Group, who bid 2.16 trillion won."
"That''s right!"
"Phew."
"Congrattions, Chairman Ji."
The people gathered in Daehyun Group''s chairman''s office smiled widely, ncing at Chairman Joo Young-il.
Chairman Ju himself couldn''t help but smile.
"It went ording to n, but... Chairman Jin, he''s quite stingy. He could have just bid 2.3 trillion won instead of ending it with 10 billion won less."
"Still, it''s quite an increase, isn''t it? If you hadn''t pushed, Chairman, Hando Steel would have been taken for 800 billion won plus 1 billion dors."
There were some regrets, but in any case, the goal had been achieved.
Now Sunyang Group''s barn was empty.
"Was Hando Steel a good acquisition?"
"Yes, it was. Sunyang didn''t really lose out. Anyway, they were going to dive into the steel business, and with Hando Steel, they can start easily."
"But what about that Miracle Investment? Because of them, we''ve be the viins."
"Thanks to them, they had an excuse to exclude us from the judging panel."
Chairman Joo still couldn''t shake off his suspicion.
"Is the investigation ongoing?"
"Yes. There doesn''t seem to be anything unusual on the surface. They invest in IT and the film industry, and they also pour money into Japan. It''s extensive, but... the identity of the owner is concealed."
"We need to find out who the owners are quickly. If it''s just a simple private equity fund, that''s fine, but it''s unsettling that the CEO is Korean."
"I''ll hurry."
"Well, then, should we start the main game?"
As soon as Chairman Joo''s words were spoken, a thick file was ced in front of the meeting attendees.
"In 1991, if someone hadn''t reported the Soosu corruption, A-jin Automobile would have been absorbed by Sunyang Automobile."
"Sunyang was unlucky too. It just had to happen at that time."
Daehyun Group never imagined that someone from Sunyang''s bloodline was the whistleblower.
"Chairman Jin of Sunyang came up with a great strategy. This report is about ''The Necessity of Restructuring the Domestic Automotive Industry and Government Support.''"
Chairman Joo Young-il nced at the report for a moment and then put it down.
"Even though it''s the end of the regime, they will still give Daehyun its final gift. Hando, Sammi, Jinro, and Samrip - four major groups have gone bankrupt. ming it on the reckless management ofrge corporations might not be received poorly by public opinion."
It was a cruel spring. But it was also a warning sound signaling the imminent danger to the Korean economy, unnoticed by anyone.
However, the subsequent report pleased Chairman Joo even more.
"A-jin is the fourthrgest in the business world. It''s the result of their reckless expansion. The internal situation is even worse than it was in 1991. Their main bank, even without us pressing them, is considering loan recalls."
"Ha-ha-ha."
Chairman Joo''s shortughter revealed his true feelings.
"Chairman Jin, that Yeong-gam... he''s going crazy. He''s making a strategic move to take over A-jin, which he had been craving for, and I''m just watching without doing anything, thanks to him. If I just stand idly by and watch him, I might go crazy from frustration."
"That''s right. he emptied out his savings, built a steel mill, and didn''t even make a profit... Ha-ha."
Daehyun Group''s chairman''s office echoed with mockingughter.
"Start immediately from tomorrow. Call in the journalists and broadcasters, wine and dine them, give them money. Include women too. Shake up A-jin Automobile on arge scale until itpletely copses. Make it easy to pick up. U-ha-ha."
By the time the media published articles that caused A-jin Automobile to be criticized by the public, Chairman Joo Young-il would have meetings with the presidential economic advisor, the National Assembly''s nning and Finance Committee, and the financial institutions that had been in long-term business rtionships with A-jin Automobile.
Dissecting a live cow into its different parts is the job of the lower-ranking people. The role of the chef at the dinner table is to y with the politicians.
All Chairman Joo Young-il had to do was pay them well.
"Chairman, it''s been a while."
"Oh, Chairman Hong. I''ve aged a lot since Ist saw you. Looking at Chairman Hong makes me feel better. I''m not the only one getting old, right? Hehe."
"What are you talking about? Chairman, you''re still in excellent shape. As for me, I''m already in a state where I need a cane, aren''t I?"
Chairman Hong of Hanseong Daily waved the cane he was holding lightly.
"Now, let''s sit down. If the two old men stand here, all the young people will feel awkward."
The living room of the hotel suite was hastily converted into a meeting ce for the two families, and the elders from both sides began their formal meeting.
It was the best ce to avoid the prying eyes of outsiders.
News of their rtionship should not spread until the wedding. In case of an unexpected breakup, both families would suffer disgrace.
Chairman Jin lowered his gaze and began to scrutinize the granddaughter of Chairman Hong, who was sitting quietly.
I''ve learned one thing from meeting countless people over the years. The first impression is only slightly off from a person''s true character.
The image of Hong So-young reflected in Chairman Jin''s eyes was that of a strong woman. Her sharp jawline, thick eyebrows, and calm demeanor, not even a hint of nervousness, were evident even through professional makeup.
"That good-for-nothing grandson, it looks like he''ll have his hands full taming her."
Sensing Chairman Jin''s prating gaze, Hong So-young promptly stood up and respectfully bowed.
"It''s a pleasure to meet you for the first time, Chairman. I am Hong So-young."
"She''s quite sharp."
"Hehe, why so formal? In front of your grandfather-inw, you should show respect and even act a bit cute. Rx your heart."
Chairman Jin''s final approval had been given. Now, the wedding preparations would proceed swiftly.
The expression on Hong So-young''s father, the President of Hanseong Daily, brightened considerably.
Chapter 51 When Secrets Are Spilled 1
Chapter 51 When Secrets Are Spilled 1
"Who is Seo Min-young?"
"She''s a fellow student in the same department."
"Is that all?"
My uncle, who chuckled and casually patted my shoulder, was a romance-starved, optimistic middle-aged man with no sense of propriety.
"If you''re a university freshman, focus on getting a girlfriend. Remember what you just said? Beautiful, rich, smart - what''s missing? Women will line up for you."
"What''s the point of lining up when I don''t have time to meet them?"
"Life is simple. Love and women are everything. Money? That''s just a signboard for meeting women without love."
He only said what he wanted to say without listening to me.
"Uncle, with your profession involving handling money, is that really the best advice you can give?"
My uncle widened his eyes and wore a surprised expression.
"Oh, you still don''t know?"
"What do you mean?"
"My job, my profession, is about legal gambling based on urate data, not about making money. Well... it''s be less fun because of you. Gambling with a 100% winning rate loses its excitement."
"Then, try giving me a gambler''s prediction. Will Daehyun Group take over A-jin Motors?"
I subtly changed the topic. It was a suitable moment to avoid probing about Seo Min-young.
"Probably."
"Why?"
"Because all the elements are aligned. Plenty of chips, luck is on their side, and their hand is good."
I knew they had plenty of chips, with over two trillion won in reserves. But what about luck and the hand?
"Luck is the momentum of the gambling table. The moment when you''ve been losing continuously and it feels like you''re about to win big is approaching. The fact that there''s a substantial stake in A-jin is a sign that good luck is on its way."
"Why is having a good hand important?"
"A-jin Motors going bankrupt isn''t a new story, given the consecutive bankruptcies of major corporations. Besides, when a bankruptpany is acquired quickly, it reduces the shock. And, remember how Daehyun failed to acquire Hando Steelst time? Even the government won''t be able to criticize a favor here or there."
"You seem very confident about A-jin Motors'' bankruptcy, Uncle."
"Daehyun Group designed it, didn''t they? Banks prefer Daehyun over A-jin. Also, the politicians who jumped on thest train of this administration are hoping for some crumbs from Daehyun, right? Just wait and see."
He was an impressive person. How many people could be so sure about A-jin Motors'' bankruptcy at this time?
The absurd fact was that even the banks had a stake in this.
If A-jin Motors goes bankrupt, it will be a significant blow for the banks as well, but there is a glimmer of hope because of their belief in one thing - the injection of public funds.
Public funds, I don''t know who came up with such a ridiculous term, but to be precise, it''s the use of taxpayers'' money.
Taking a bit of the nation''s money to rescue failingpanies, but the owners of these revivedpanies are not the citizens. They be the property of certain individuals.
One of those individuals could be me. After all, isn''t the first to seize an opportunity the owner? The enthusiastic young university student who ys with a burning sense of justice is a messenger.
"Uncle, in that case, should we go for A-jin Motors?"
"Huh? What?"
He seemed to think he heard it wrong.
"Our situation fits perfectly. We have plenty of chips stacked in the United States, and you know I have incredible luck. Plus, it''s not just Daehyun Group that can have the upper hand; we can make it our own. What do you think?"
Oh Sehyun''s expression suggests that he doesn''t see me as a rational person.
Could a university freshman who once ranked second in the automotive industry and even reached fourth in the business world and is now at a slightly lower eighth rank be considered sane for saying that he''ll take down thepany?
"Isn''t this giarism? Where can we sue for copyright infringement?"
Chairman Jin said it like a joke, but no oneughed.
A strategy named "report" created six years ago with tremendous effort and expense. Now, Daehyun Group''s chairman is using the same strategy.
"Shall we put an end to this nonsense?"
The chairman''s remark was not a joke, and Jo Dae-ho, the president of Sunyang Motors, had a stern expression.
"More importantly, we need to understand the chairman''s intentions first. What is it? Industry restructuring, or bankruptcy?"
"The chairman doesn''t want industry restructuring. He wants A-jin to go bankrupt."
"Why do you think that?"
"Because if it''s government-led restructuring, the poison pill use of a monopoly will be an obstacle. But if it''s bankruptcy..."
Director Lee Hak-jae cautiously continued his words while watching Chairman Jin''s reaction.
"If A-jin, at this scale, goes bankrupt, they''ll need to recover quickly. They''ll rush to choose a merger partner..."
"That''s right! They can jump in ahead, so it''s no wonder they''ve been preparing since I started showing interest in Hando Steel."
Even if the bondholders choose a merger partner, all we can do is watch from the sidelines. Sunyang Group doesn''t have the money.
Chairman Jin couldn''t shake off the feeling of defeat.
He clearly wanted Hando Steel desperately and got it. But even that seemed like a part of Chairman Daehyun''srger n, making him tremble with fear.
The only relief was that Chairman Jin hadn''t called to celebrate his victory in the Hando Steel acquisition battle, at least?
But Chairman Jin, an exceptional strategist, wasn''t solely immersed in these emotions.
"All right, let''s consider one more thing. If Daehyun acquires A-jin, what happens to us? What will be of us?"
"Our market share will plummet rapidly," President Jo Dae-ho said grimly.
Thepetitiveness of the automotive industry ultimately boils down to production volume, no matter what anyone says. When twopanies merge, sharing the same parts and streamlining ovepping production lines, it bes challenging topete in terms of cost.
"Jo Dae-ho."
"Yes, Chairman."
"You have a good reason to put an end to this." Even though he said it as if it were someone else''s business, Chairman Jin''s intentions were clear. "Let''s all hear President Jo''s idea. President Jo."
Chapter 52 When Secrets Are Spilled 2
Chapter 52 When Secrets Are Spilled 2
"Oh, I''m truly sorry for gathering such busy individuals."
"No need to apologize, Chairman."
As Chairman Jin entered the private room of the Japanese restaurant, the three bank executives rose from their seats.
"Come on, let''s sit down."
The bank executives took their seats with polite gestures, and the dishes began to arrive.
"I hear these days A-jin Motors'' Chairman Song often meets with you... How is it?"
The bank executives, who were about to pick up their chopsticks, paused and ced them back down. They didn''t expect the conversation to start so abruptly.
"He visits Yeouido more often than us."
"He seems to be actively working towards the next administration."
"But it doesn''t seem to be very effective. It won''t help him with the presidential race either."
Chairman Jin nodded and took a bite of his meal.
Only then did the bank executives pick up their chopsticks again.
"Is the tide not changing?"
The three bank executives exchanged nces and set down their utensils. They had to give up eating until Chairman Jin finished talking.
"Is there any message you would like to convey to us?"
"Song Hyun-chang seems a bit upset. It''s not like we don''t know. I hope he doesn''t be too obstinate... What do you think?"
"We apologize. We have our own stance... There''s a lot of pressure from economic bureaucrats to resolve it quickly."
"Chairman Song seems to have dangled quite a carrot. Seeing that even the Blue House is involved."
Although he referred to them as economic bureaucrats, it was futile. Wasn''t Chairman Jin the one who knew best how this world operated?
"By any chance, have you also considered A-jin Motors, Chairman?"
The banks didn''t need to meddle in this fight unnecessarily. The two groups would fight, and the banks would deal with the results.
The key point to grasp now was whether Sunyang Group would enter the fray with a spoon in hand or not.
"Let''s skip long discussions at the dinner table. I have one request. Please postpone it as much as possible. If it bes unbearable, let me know."
The three bank executives exchanged nces and nodded to each other. This much should be done to have a peaceful meal.
Having received the desired response, Chairman Jin smiled broadly.
"Well then, let''s eat. Today, the dishes seem unusually fresh, hehe."
"I met Director Lee Hak-jae yesterday. Your grandfather seems to be quite angry."
"Is it because of the Daehyun Group?"
"Yeah. I heard that they own 7% of A-jin Motors'' shares, and want to shake things up a bit. They want to use me as their front."
"How so?"
"Remember the 100 billion won in off-the-books funds that Chairman Jin has in our Miracle? He wants to use that to buy shares and assert his rights as a major shareholder."
"Of course, you must have refused, right? There''s no reason to buy plummeting stocks."
Oh Se-hyun nodded casually.
But he had already understood what was happening. He wasn''t the kind of person who would reopen a conversation that ended with a rejection.
"But Uncle, it seems like you have something to say."
Oh Se-hyun cleared his throat slightly before looking at me and slowly speaking.
"Do you really mean it when you say you want A-jin Motors?"
"Yes."
"It''s a huge corporate conglomerate with annual revenue of over 14 trillion won. If you acquire the mainpany, A-jin Group will follow." Oh Se-hyun seemed excited about the idea. "If... I mean, if you were to acquire A-jin, what do you think?"
"What do you think I should do, Uncle?"
"Rationally, we should streamline the 28 subsidiarypanies. Get rid of what''s unnecessary, add value to what''s valuable, and sell it at a profit."
"Sell the useless ones for a high price?"
"Sell to the one who''s willing to pay even a bit more."
This was the gambler''s answer.
"But what if we don''t think rationally?"
The corner of Oh Se-hyun''s mouth lifted slightly, and his face turned slightly red.
"Give it a proper revival. Trim the excess, apply some red medicine, give some vitamin injections."
"And then?"
"Well, that''s..." Now, his expression turned regretful. You could tell it was aplicated matter. "That''s as far as it goes. I want to, but I don''t have the ability to run a major corporation. It''s beyond my capabilities."
"So, why not go that far and see? Then, take your time and think about it when the timees."
"What we should consider first is that even if we enter the acquisition battle, our chances of winning are low. No, it''s more urate to say we have no chance."
"But why are you suddenly interested? You''re not the type to get involved in a losing game, are you?"
Oh Se-hyun lowered his voice. "Your grandfather owns 7% of A-jin Motors'' shares. With that, we can scrutinize every detail of A-jin Motors. And..."
"And what else?"
"Your grandfather, Chairman Jin."
Of course!
Without the power of the Sunyang, it''s difficult.
"The acquisition price of A-jin Motors can be covered with your money. But you know it''s not a game that can be won with just money. We need the power to influence the review panel, the creditors, and the political realm... Is there any ce other than the Sunyang that canpete with Daehyun Group?"
Oh Se-hyun''s eyes looking at me.
It''s like the eyes of a child asking for a toy.
"I understand. So, Uncle, you agree."
After making the decision, Oh Se-hyun appeared even calmer.
Twenty-eight subsidiarypanies, over 50,000 employees, and annual revenue of 14 trillion won.
It''s a huge pot of money where the winner takes it all, and if you''re a soldier going to war, trading bullets for money and maintainingposure instead of excitement seems like the right choice.
"I''m going to meet Director Lee Hak-jae. You..."
"I''ll meet Chairman Jin Yang-cheol of the Sunyang Group."
Chapter 53 When Secrets Are Spilled 3
Chapter 53 When Secrets Are Spilled 3
Watching his grandfather drink water, he said with concern, "I''ll get a goldenseal tonic..."
"Quiet, you rascal. Do you think my mental strength is so weak that I need to consume something like tonic?"
"You seemed so surprised..."
Grandfather shook his hand vigorously and let out a long sigh. "Do-Jun, did I hear you wrong? You don''t mean to ask for an A-jin car as your entrance gift, do you?"
"No, it means I''ll acquire it with my own money."
"Your money... How much do you think you need for an A-jin acquisition to be so confident?"
I tried to remain calm, but my speech speed was faster than usual. "If you were to acquire it, how much would you write down?"
When I subtly inquired about the acquisition amount, my grandfather blinked while calming his breath.
"Hmm... Well, if it were me... Huh? Look at this one. Hahaha."
Suddenly, he burst intoughter. He regained hisposure perfectly and understood the hidden meaning of my question.
A moment to hear the other person''s thoughts. That must have been the privilege of a master.
"You. Right now, you have to speak first. I''m still above your head. Where are you trying to be sneaky? Haha."
"For now, I estimate it to be 1.5 trillion won. There may be variables, and we need to diagnose the condition of A-jin cars for an urate assessment."
"Hmm..."
"You don''t seem particrly surprised."
"What? Because of the amount?"
The first number came out of my mouth. It wasn''t my entire worth, but when I said the acquisition cost was 1.5 trillion won, it meant my money was more than that.
Yet my grandfather only seemed to have concerns about whether the amount was appropriate and showed no other reaction to my money.
Is he being generous? Calm? Or does he not consider 1.5 trillion won to be much for him?
"Why? Should I be surprised that you have so much money? Or do you want to hear praise for doing well?"
"Praise can wait, right? Isn''t that the case? If we only consider cash holdings right now, I have more than the entire Sunyang Group. I have surpassed the number one individual in the business world group."
Grandfather''s gaze changed. "Hey, you. I understand you want to boast, but if you''re nning to acquire A-jin, you should have more than that." It was a gaze directed at his adorable grandson. "I was surprised enough when you mentioned the acquisition. Now, I''m just curious. There''s no need for more surprises. And satisfying curiosity isn''t urgent. Curiosity isn''t the top priority right now; it''s A-jin Motor."
"Do you believe what I''m saying, then? It''s over 1 trillion won."
"If you''re in your right mind, there''s no reason for nonsense, right? We''re talking about a significant issue here."
I wanted to p my knee at the notion that curiosity wasn''t the top priority. It was the most tempting thought, but it wasn''t the priority.
In the world of Sunyang, where a person with an enormous amount of money was dealing with new issues every day, setting priorities when facing numerous problems from the top was crucial.
Curiosity should always be pushed to the back.
I also asked a necessary question rather than out of curiosity.
"What amount do you have in mind for the acquisition, Grandfather?"
"I don''t know."
"What?"
He replied without thinking for even a second, and I felt somewhat unjust. Conversations that go back and forth without a clear answer are evidence of hierarchy.
"I didn''t look into it because I had no intention of acquiring it. I researched it thoroughly six years ago, but things must have changed significantly since then."
"Will you help?"
"I''m considering it."
I asked cautiously, but once again, I didn''t get a clear answer.
"What I mean is, why do you want to acquire A-jin Motor? Are you thinking it will help Sunyang when you acquire it?"
Even when I carefully examined my grandfather''s expression, it didn''t seem like he was simply making conversation.
I closed my mouth and waited quietly.
What could he be thinking?
Is it the thought of a grandfather who loves his grandson immensely? Or is it the thought of a chairman who prioritizes his position in Sunyang Group above all else?
If these two thoughts align, it would be perfect, but it''s still hard to know the oue.
"Alright, let''s give this a try."
My grandfather, who had been lost in thought for a long time, finally spoke up.
Without realizing it, I swallowed hard. He wouldn''t ignore me, would he?
"Let''s say it''s a moment where my grandson, Do-Jun, who is the owner of A-jin Motor, and I, who am the owner of Sunyang Motor, join forces to merge the twopanies."
Has he already read my thoughts and ns?
It seemed like I had given away my thoughts that A-jin Motor was merely a stepping stone for absorbing Sunyang Motor, and I hesitated on how to respond.
Grandfather paused for a moment, seemingly waiting for my reaction, but when he saw my bewildered expression, he chuckled.
"I''d like to hear your opinion on the merger ratio between the twopanies. What do you think?"
After much contemtion, an unexpected thought suddenly came to mind.
Now is not the time to respond carefully to my grandfather''s question. It''s actually the time to ask questions, even if it''s to understand my grandfather''s true intentions.
"Why do you think we should merge?"
"What if we don''t merge? Do you think you can protect A-jin Motor with your abilities? Maybe it''ll be devoured by Daehyun Group within a year? Or do you think you can run it properly?"
The smile seemed to be a mocking one, but it also revealed a sense of ease. I also had a backup n.
"No need to worry about the management."
Scoff "Is there a glimmer of trust?"
"Yes."
"Oh!"
Even the slightughter was pure admiration, not a condescending tone.
It''s certain that I''m not only driven by the desire to possess but have also formted a n.
"If you have the capability to lead thepany, the merger might be necessary, right?"
"So, you''re not too sure of yourself..."
"Scornful again."
Grandfather cut off my confident words and tapped his fingers. "There''s no proposal that will absolutely not be epted. If the scales don''t bnce, we''ll adjust them. Tell me the merger ratio. How much should I increase my share by?"
Chapter 54 Win-Win 1
Chapter 54 Win-Win 1
"What are you talking about? Five hundred billion won? We agreed to give up our shares and receive a hundred billion."
"The A-jin stock price has plummeted..."
"Alright, things have changed. Why are you saying so much when I just want my money?"
Lee Hak-jae fell silent at Chairman Jin''s scolding.
He didn''t resort to foolish tactics, pleading with the chairman while citing various reasons for their difficulties. Subordinates might see it as persuasion, but superiors only viewed it as excuses.
"Alright, Chairman. I will handle it quickly."
"And select some sharp individuals. After the shareholders'' meeting, assemble a team that can scrutinize A-jin Automotive''s financial records like a microscope."
"We''ve already prepared for that. During the interim shareholders'' meeting, I''m sure Daehyun Group will send their representatives. We''ll devise a n for that as well."
Chairman Jin nodded in satisfaction when suddenly there was a knock on the door, and Sunyang Automotive''s CEO and executives entered the room.
"Looks like we''ll have to go through another ordeal, just like when we prepared A-jin Automotive''s documents six years ago."
Before they could even take their seats, they were startled by Chairman Jin''s bombshell deration.
"Chairman, are you nning to acquire A-jin Automotive?"
"As you may already know, we don''t have the financial resources. Even if we dy the acquisition payment..."
The executives began to worry if Chairman Jin was making a reckless decision.
"No, we''re not acquiring it. We''re just preventing Daehyun from taking it over."
"If we prevent Daehyun, who else would acquire it? Are you thinking of Wooseong Automotive...?"
"Wooseong has a lot of American capital. It''s not an impossibility."
Chairman Jin red at the perplexed executives and snapped, "Do you think I don''t know what you know? Stop the pointless chatter and focus on what needs to be done. You have one week."
At the mention of one week, the Sunyang Automotive management team immediately sprang into action. They couldn''t afford to waste a single second; the situation was too urgent.
"You all understand, right? But remember, if this leaks outside, it''ll be a disaster. And tell Song Hyun-chang, the chairman of Sooyeong, that I want to have a drink. I have something to discuss."
President Cho Dae-ho harbored doubts but nodded, bowing his head. What could the two chairmen have to talk about? What would be the nature of their discussion?
These were the questions on the minds of everyone in the room.
As Oh Se-hyun looked at me with hopeful eyes, I fortunately had an answer that would meet his expectations.
"Did you have a good conversation with your grandfather?"
"Yes, he will provide full support. Once you transfer the stocks, you can go straight into meetings with the relevant parties."
"You''re saying ''you can go''? Are you excluding yourself?"
"I have to. Wouldn''t it be ridiculous if I showed up? Everyone would see me as someone with zero credibility."
"Is that all? Are there no other reasons?"
"Chaebol families have many eyes watching. We need to avoid their scrutiny. It''s not the time to reveal our ultimate goal."
"Well, if you step in, then everyone with a connection will think it''s your grandfather''s money."
"We don''t have much time left. We need to assess the situation before A-jin Automotive goes bankrupt."
"I''ve also prepared all ourpany''s auditors. We''re already reviewing the publicly avable information."
I could feel the excitement in Oh Se-hyun''s words infecting me, and I couldn''t help but feel a strange sensation. Could I really acquire such a giantpany like A-jin Automotive? Was this task beyond my capabilities?
The temptation of the vast fortune I had already amassed was ever-present. With that money, I could enjoy a life as grand as an emperor''s. However, the nightmare that haunted me every night was relentless.
And... it wasn''t just the nightmare.
The life I had yearned for in my past life, a life of relentless pursuit, building my own sess by eliminating my enemies one by one, was more enticing than a life of pleasure and luxury, fueled by unending wealth.
Creating my own legacy and witnessing its culmination at the end of the journey was something I desired. Perhaps even if it ended in emptiness.
"Hey, what are you thinking? Why suddenly so quiet?"
"Oh, I was just reminded of something my grandfather mentioned. When you acquire the stocks, please transfer a hundred billion of his personal funds to me."
"What? I finally managed to multiply it, and now you want it all?"
He was furious. He had received a significant amount, five hundred billion won, and now it seemed like he might lose it all with a single word.
"I''m sorry, but there''s no other way. I made a promise. Besides, he said he''s willing to use all his power for us, so I have to do my part too."
"Wait, didn''t you mention you''re the major shareholder of Miracle Investment? Did you conveniently forget to mention you''re the owner?"
"No, I didn''t forget. I did mention it. How else could I have asked for his help?"
"But even with that, he said to return it? It''s a golden opportunity to legally inherit five hundred billion won!"
"If someone were willing to transfer the personal funds in that way, Sunyang Group would have already fallen into the hands of the big boss."
"Oh dear, have you seen such ruthless people? The ones who are already here are even worse..."
Oh Se-hyun unintentionally blurted out these words, but he quickly realized his mistake and stopped talking. The people he was referring to were my family members.
"Yes, that''s right. I have to survive in this world of ruthless individuals."
Oh Se-hyun silently watched me with a bitter smile on his face.
"What if you suddenly change your mind?"
"Well, it''s about money, so... I feel embarrassed in front of Mr. Oh."
"Why would you feel embarrassed? You''re not someone who speaks with one mouth."
"Why did the sryman change his mind? Because he got orders from above."
"Oh, I see. Haha." Oh Se-hyun chuckled at Lee Hak-jae''s honesty.
"Sorry about this. Seeing our manager like this... it''s just so unexpected. It makes me think you''re human after all."
"So, how did you see me before?"
Oh Se-hyun chuckled, scratching his neck. "Terminator..."
"What? Hahaha." Thinking of a movie he had seen a long time ago, Lee Hak-jae burst intoughter. "Why did you think of me that way?"
Chapter 55 Win-Win 2
Chapter 55 Win-Win 2
"Oh, that stubborn General Onggojib. He''s as unchanged as ever, even as he gets older."
Chairman Jin stuck out his tongue as he extended a cup of makgeolli, and Song Hyun-chang poured the drink into two cups with both hands.
"Did you meet with me thinking you might bribe me?"
"Where would I have money? I spent it all buying steel bars. I''m penniless."
"Oh, today''s drink money came from me."
"Having no debt in my pocket, despite being penniless, might be better than being someone struggling with debt. Today, it''s on me."
After exchanging jokes and light-hearted words for a while, Chairman Jin got straight to the point.
"You can''t avoid bankruptcy. From what I''ve heard, the prevailing opinion is to clean up before the presidential election."
"Daehyun Group is truly impressive. Their is cast wide, and they haven''t found any holes."
Although there might bergepanies that haven''t been caught in the crosshairs of government scrutiny, Chairman Song had been frustrated. He couldn''t find any weaknesses in Daehyun Group''s grip.
"It was a tough life for you, Chairman Song. Everyone you met was either buying a house with Daehyun''s money or sending their children to school. But my is a bit tighter, a bit tougher."
It was a hint. Chairman Song Hyun-chang''s expression changed.
"Please tell me what you mean."
"Since you''re inevitably going to face bankruptcy... how about we face it quickly and make a fresh start?"
A fresh start didn''t mean what ordinary people thought. It wasn''t about repaying debts diligently; it meant using loopholes to clear debts all at once.
Song Hyun-chang''s mind raced.
"Chairman Daehyun already has a n, right? Debt reduction, consolidation of a few A-jin Group subsidiaries... I assume he ns to invest Daehyun''s funds after burning most of the A-jin stocks."
"Is that from your experience? You seem to know it well."
"Because I was the one who personally devised that n six years ago. Now, Chairman Daehyun is in the process of implementing that n."
"But that n failed, didn''t it? Can we rest easy now?"
"We can''t be lucky twice. This time, there''s only the copse ofrge corporations, and there''s no corruption scandal that could shake the government. There are more factors for sess."
"Calcte the cost of the makgeolli yourself. I find it unfair to calcte it while I''m sitting on a pile of debt."
He had already given up to some extent, but when Chairman Jin spoke further, his eyes suddenly widened.
"Let Chairman Song calcte it. I''ll ensure you keep your position as Chairman."
He wasn''t one to utter empty words for constion. Every word that came out of his mouth held the power to shake the business world.
"You mentioned being penniless, Chairman."
"Is it only my money? Money doesn''t have name tags."
Song Hyun-chang, who had been looking at Chairman Jin for a moment, called out towards the kitchen.
"Okcheon Madam! Bring more makgeolli and scallion pancakes here."
When thedy from the scallion pancake house brought makgeolli and scallion pancakes to the table and left, Chairman Song poured the contents of the makgeolli cup in Chairman Jin''s hand onto the floor.
"Get a fresh cup."
Chairman Jin chuckled and extended the makgeolli cup.
"Any strategy in mind?"
"Just let it go bankrupt."
Chairman Song bit his lip but wanted to hear about the situation after bankruptcy.
"And then?"
"Chairman Ju Young-il has already made his move. The bondholders wille up with a self-rescue n, and he''ll whisper that he''ll save it if they cooperate actively. Leave only eight, and clean up the rest. I''ll also find potential buyers."
"And then?"
"The acquisition battle will begin."
"Daehyun will be the only one submitting the letter of intent for acquisition."
"Put conditions in that letter of intent. Debt reduction. Stock disposal or write-down."
"That''s right."
"What''s wrong with that? Chairman Song, you''re going to repay your debts pulled together recklessly with taxpayer money, and the decrease in shares will be owned by the ants and the unions."
So far, so good.
You can scrape off the mold, get injections of nutrients, and change your constitution. All with the taxpayers'' money!
"Are you suggesting we hand it over to Daehyun?" Chairman Song''s lips trembled as he asked the question.
"Daehyun can take it, or an unexpected third party can."
"Is that third party Sunyang?"
"I told you, didn''t I? I''m penniless. There''s someone trying to jump the queue. You know, right? It''s called ''Miracle Investment,'' foreign capital."
"Miracle? Could it be the one that handed me a business card during the Hando Steel bidding?"
"That''s right, that ce."
Chairman Jin raised his makgeolli ss and emptied it.
"Don''t misunderstand. It has nothing to do with me. It''s apletely different ce. It''s a pure American investment firm, and their CEO was my youngest son''s study abroad buddy. They just asked me to deliver the message."
Song Hyun-chang shook his head slightly.
"Are you just a messenger Chairman Jin? Who said all that?" Song Hyun-chang asked skeptically.
"Believe me. I''m also desperate to save the car business," Chairman Jin replied.
"Really?"
"If Daehyun Motors acquires A-jin Motors, then Sunyang Motors will have to withdraw. It''s clear we''ll be liquidated."
Song Hyun-chang still wore a suspicious expression.
"Check it. It''s been almost a decade since Miracle Investment was established. It wouldn''t make sense for me to have predicted this situation and prepared for it since then, and why would I need to use someone else as a front? If I had the money, wouldn''t it be normal for me to jump into the acquisition battle myself?"
"Okay, what does that ce called Miracle want?"
"What do those guys ying with money want? To take control of A-jin with as little money as possible and grow it to sell it at a high price."
"Are you guaranteeing my position as Chairman in that scenario?"
"There won''t be anyone capable of running thepany anyway."
Chapter 56 Win-Win 3
Chapter 56 Win-Win 3
His determination not to be nervous when he first stepped into the study proved futile.
I noticed that the tension had reached its peak when I saw Oh Se-hyun''s trembling fingers.
"Uncle. Don''t look at Sunyang Group behind Grandfather, just focus on Grandfather. It''ll make you feel morefortable."
Oh Se-hyun poked me in the back and raised his thumb.
"Let''s go."
As we entered the study, Grandfather took off his sses and stood up abruptly.
"Nice to meet you. Are you Oh Se-hyun?"
"Yes, Chairman. It''s an honor."
As Oh Se-hyun bowed slightly, Grandfather extended his hand.
"Come, sit down. Make yourselffortable."
Grandfather carefully scrutinized Oh Se-hyun''s appearance with sharp eyes.
"How old are you this year?"
"Fifty."
"You''re still quite young."
"Thanks to Do-jun, I feel rejuvenated."
Huh? Even ttering Grandfather like this? I wondered if Oh Se-hyun had such a side to him.
"I''ve heard a lot about you. They say you increased the Do-Jun''s money a hundredfold? That''s an impressive skill. Hehe."
When Oh Se-hyun gave me a puzzled look for a moment, I shook my head slightly.
"Oh, that... I was lucky. Fortunately, I didn''t lose the principal, so I''ve been feeling secure."
"This guy is so humble. I thought about how good it would have been if you had used that ability for my sake."
"You''re exaggerating."
After keeping Oh Se-hyun in suspense for a while, Grandfather took out a document.
"I heard this is the money that can beundered."
"That''s correct. It''s a total of 270 billion won. It''s obvious that A-jin Automotive will enter court-ordered management once the grace period of the bankruptcy postponement agreement expires, so we need to divert the funds before that happens. If we get caught, not only A-jin''s Chairman Son but also many executives will face arrest."
"In other words, you''re asking for moneyundering?"
"I apologize, but yes."
"Hmm..."
Grandfather tapped the document while lost in thought.
"Grandfather. It seems like this money should be set aside as retirement funds for A-jin Automotive executives, shouldn''t it?"
I spoke cautiously, but Grandfather didn''t even acknowledge that he heard it.
"Why should you worry about those bastards'' retirement? Who are they, anyway? They should have prepared for their own retirements." Grandfather looked at Oh Se-hyun as he spoke. "Do any of them face prison sentences?"
"Song Chairman suggested sending about three to five people just to make it look like we''replying. He also proposed apromise to the bank creditors at that level."
Grandfather''s gaze turned dark. It was the look of greed he had seen countless times before.
"Oh, President Oh. What if we collect this money and keep it with Miracle in the United States?"
"All of it?"
"Why not? Is it impossible?"
"It''s not impossible, but there might be difficulties in withdrawing it again..."
"What if we reinvest all this money in A-jin Automotive? And we distribute it fairly to those who want it, whether in the form of sries, bonuses, or special incentives?"
Oh Se-hyun''s mouth hung wide open in surprise. How much would they have to pay in sries or bonuses if they wanted to spend all of the 270 billion won?
However, it was the most legal way to handle it.
I was confident that Grandfather would never give this money away. The look he had shown a little while ago, the look filled with greed, revealed his true intentions.
"But they want it in a lump sum. Most of them have to resign, so they want a big payout."
Oh Se-hyun still didn''t know Grandfather well, so he was saying such things, not realizing how absurd it sounded.
Grandfather began to scrutinize Oh Se-hyun as if he were a bit disappointed.
"You seem more like an investor than someone suited for management. You don''t seem to fit in."
When Uncle''s face turned red in an instant, I almost burst outughing.
"Why would they give the money away, making one excuse after another, when they''re reluctant to give it in the first ce?" As I spoke with such forced logic, Oh Se-hyun seemed confused about how to react.
"What if we give them all the money upfront? From that moment on, they''ll be like wolves. They might even stick with you closely and attack you. In their eyes, you''ll be the viin who took away A-jin Automotive, which they considered their own."
"Ah..."
Oh Se-hyun, who had only dealt with numbers, had never seen the cowardly side of someone staggering like a reed.
"Money is both a whip and a carrot. Hold onto it and use it wisely. When you tame someone, give it to them one by one, like feeding them sunflower seeds. Oh, by the way, didn''t you use my 100 billion won and make Director Lee Hak-jaee and go as you pleased? That''s the power of money."
"No, Chairman. You misunderstand. That was legally impossible..."
When a bewildered Oh Se-hyun hastily offered an excuse, Grandfather smiled and waved his hand.
"Oh, President Oh, I''m not ming you. I just used that as an example. Watch closely. If they find out that this 270 billion won has been reinvested in A-jin Automotive, don''t you think the A-jin guys will lick your toes?"
He probably didn''t expect it to be so straightforward. Oh Se-hyun remained speechless even after Grandfather had finished speaking.
I wanted to see more of Grandfather''s true intentions. We would have to meet frequently from now on, right?
"Grandfather, that''s not the only reason, is it? In reality, you don''t want to give the money." I spoke with a smirk, and Grandfather also burst intoughter.
"You rascal. Are you trying to turn me into a miser who won''t give away money? Haha." His gaze turned back to Oh Se-hyun. "What about you? Do you want to give all the money? Or do you just want to put on a show?"
"If I can, I definitely won''t give it all."
"Exactly. There''s no one who gives away money they don''t have to." Grandfather looked at me again. "See, I''m not the only bad guy here. Haha."
After enjoying a moment ofughter, Grandfather handed him some documents.
"You need to convince Chairman Song that this is the best way. I''ll take care of the money that A-jin has hidden. Clean it up and put it in the Miracle vault before going into court receivership."
Chapter 57 Win-Win 4
Chapter 57 Win-Win 4
"Is this money that Chairman Jin has given away? To that young man?"
It is a well-known fact that Chairman Jin ns to give stocks or cash to his grandchildren when they be adults, something even ordinary people are aware of.
Some criticize him for controlling even their bloodlines with money, while others praise his wisdom, saying that he stops giving if they don''t show any ability.
So, when it was revealed that Chairman Jin had already given away several hundred billion won, everyone was astonished.
"Gift-giving is fine, but this is different. Ten years ago, he gave a ranch as a gift to Jin Do-Jun. But as luck would have it, the location of this ranch turned out to be the current Bundang New Town."
"Ah..."
"He were lucky. A piece ofnd worth tens of millions of won turned into hundreds of billions."
Ironically, this made them feel relieved. Chairman Jin was so generous that a gift of a few tens of millions for his grandson did not seem like a special disy of affection.
"The money was entrusted to Miracle Investment. The CEO of this investment firm, Oh Se-hyun, is a close friend of Jin Do-Jun''s father."
"Is there anything else? So far, it seems like he''s just a lucky kid."
"The unusual part is that he''s the only grandchild who frequents the study. During vacations, he even stays at Chairman Jin''s house. It means he receives special affection."
"Special affection..."
"Yes. I think there are two reasons for it. First, Chairman Jin treated his son, Jin Yoon-gi, like an outcast for a long time, and he may feel guilty, so he''s focusing on his grandson, Jin Do-Jun. Second, he''s an incredibly lucky child. Chairman Jin has asionally said in interviews that those who hold the fortune in their hands can''t be defeated."
"Isn''t itmon for grandparents to favor their youngest grandchildren?"
When Chairman Hong tried to downy the significance, Hong Seo-young vigorously shook her head.
"No, Father."
"Why?"
"I heard that the study is a ce even Mr. Yeong-jun can''t enter freely. It''s not an ordinary study. It''s the control tower of the Sunyang Group. Other grandchildren just meet in the living room. But dominating the study? That''s like saying he''s dominating the Sunyang Group Chairman''s office."
"Yes. It''s virtually impossible for Jin Yeong-gi, the Vice Chairman, as well. He''s always seen with Secretary Lee Hak-jae. So far, it''s known that Secretary Lee Hak-jae is the only one who can meet Chairman Jin at any time."
No one said a word.
At the very least, it''s hard to deny that Chairman Jin''s affection for Jin Do-Jun is exceptional.
The first person to break the silence was Chairman Hong Seo-young''s father.
"What about this Jin Do-Jun, when ites to women or nightlife? He''s at that age to enjoy himself to the fullest..."
"Opportunities for trouble haven''t arisen yet. Now that he''s an adult, if he indulges in alcohol and women like the young ones in chaebol families usually do, Chairman Jin''s affection will wane."
"He''s still a model student for now. In fact, I don''t think it''s easy for him to get involved in nightlife. He doesn''t have friends who could lead him in that direction. While the third-generation kids naturally meet at a private school, Jin Do-Jun has no friends because he only focuses on studying."
"I don''t think he''ll get carried away with such things." Chairman Hong, who had been silent, spoke ufortably as he raised his body. "iming that he''s hanging around Yeouido investment firms may make him sound young, but he understands the joy of making money more than anything else. There''s nothing more enjoyable than making money. He might enjoy the nightlife moderately, but he won''t get deeply involved."
Chairman Hong surveyed the meeting room and took a few steps.
"It''s unusual, but don''t worry too much. Chairman Jin doesn''t have the luxury to think about his grandson considering his age. Focus on Jin Dong-gi, the second son, and Jin Seo-yoon, the daughter. These two are like wolves. When the tiger dies, they''ll show their fangs."
Chairman Hong addressed the man who had just briefed them.
"Just in case, keep an eye on that kid, Jin Do-Jun. He might use Chairman Jin''s insider information to y the stock market."
"Yes, Chairman."
"And Seo-young."
"Yes, Grandfather."
"Sneak a little check on the guy who will be your husband. Find out what position this guy named Jin Do-Jun holds within the family."
"Got it."
As Hong Seo-young nodded her head, Chairman Hong looked at everyone and said,
"This kind of opportunity won''te again. Don''t ck off until everything Chairman Jin has is in Jin Yeong-jun''s hands."
They passed through Jaryuro and arrived at the Unification Observatory. They entered the lounge with Kim Yoon-seok, examined the tailing car, and had coffee.
"How is it? Did you follow us?"
"Yes. As expected, they didn''t get out of the car."
"Are you sure it''s tailing?"
"I saw that car at Chairman''s house. I''m sure."
If they are monitoring people to the extent of tailing them, the most likely candidate is the eldest grandson. Is he starting to make a move to take control of the group?
"By any chance, did the people from the eldest grandson''s household, like Yeong-jun or Gyeong-jun, has tails on them too?"
"I don''t know about that. Should I check?"
"Yes, please do."
If it turns out that they are also doing something like this, I need to prepare for something I haven''t thought about yet. Finding someone who can handle dirty work like that.
Can Kim Yoon-seok, right in front of me, be that person?
Kim, the assistant, noticed that I was hesitating and cautiously spoke up.
"Um, Sir."
"Sir? What...?"
"Then, what should I call you?"
Darn it, there''s no suitable title. Just calling him Mr. Do-Jun would sound a bit odd, and addressing him as Do-Jun-ah might be too informal, leading to an ufortable situation.
Using informalnguage should be avoided. Language is the most definite rule that defines hierarchy.
"Let''s go with ''Sir'' for now."
"Yes, Sir. If you need anything, please don''t hesitate to ask. My job so far has been going to Yeouido, and I''m afraid I''ll get cut off at this rate."
There''s no way he would get cut off. The other members of the strategy team are on standby 24/7, handling all sorts of dirty work, including running errands for cigarettes.
Chapter 58 Fight or Sports? 1
Chapter 58 Fight or Sports? 1
I walked only one path.
I had to walk only one path.
I will continue to walk only one path.
A-jin Motors
Korea''s first minivan.
Korea''s firstpact SUV.
Korea''s first small car.
Korea''s first OOO.
It''s the path of A-jin Motors.
Chairman Ju Young-il stared intensely at the front-page advertisement in the Hanseong Daily, then set the newspaper aside.
"What''s this? Why is Song Hyun-chang doing this?"
The conference room was filled with a tense atmosphere. Someone needed to step up and provide a reasonable exnation for the advertisement.
"It''s his final struggle. You don''t need to worry about it."
It should have sounded reasonable, but it didn''t.
Chairman Ju''s gaze became sharper, and his tone grew louder.
"Really? But why doesn''t it look like a desperate move to me? Does it seem like he''s meticulously executing a highly nned operation?" Chairman Ju picked up the newspaper again. "Do you see these three circles here? Ding, ding, ding! What do you think will go inside them? New cars to be released in the future, right? And not just any cars, but Korea''s first ones! It''s filled with the determination to keep going. Don''t you understand?"
The conference room was once again filled with a cold, biting wind.
Everyone exchanged nces, and someone finally broke the silence, cautiously opening their mouth.
"Um, Chairman."
"Yes?"
"The information team has picked up some suspicious rumors... but..."
All eyes turned to the person who had spoken.
Their hopeful gazes wished for new information that would genuinely exin today''s front-page advertisement.
"We''ve caught a rumor that, besides our Daehyun, there might be other yers entering the A-jin acquisition battle. However, the credibility of this information is not even worth mentioning."
"Where? Who are they?"
"One investment firm has reportedlypleted full preparations and is waiting."
"Investment firm?"
"Yes. It''s called Miracle Investment... I''m not sure if you remember, but they were involved in the Hando Steel acquisition."
Chairman Ju''s eyebrows twitched. It wasn''t a name he could forget.
"Those guys again?"
As a foreign investment firm that constantly targeted Koreanpanies, it wasn''t so simple to dismiss it as a mere rumor.
"Yes. However, it could also be a rumor nted by the bondholders to raise the acquisition price. Competition is more favorable than a sole bid."
"This rascal! What if you report this now?"
"What?"
Once again, under Chairman Ju''s disapproving gaze, the one making the report only blinked. Even the high-ranking officials attending the meeting found it difficult to understand why he was reacting so sensitively to what might just be a rumor.
"Don''t you know that the bondholders and the government have already reached an agreement? It''s a done deal! Igniting something now is an impossible story! But they wantpetition? The promise is to transfer A-jin Motors before the year-end presidential election. There''s no reason toplicate things."
Chairman Ju became restless and stood up from his chair.
The memory of this guy meddling in the Hando Steel acquisition was still vivid. Miracle had gotten involved in prime real estate owned that is Hando Steel, and it hadn''t ended well for him. Now Miracle is meddling again.
The presidential election was only a few months away. He couldn''t leave a single unexpected variable this time.
Chairman Ju''s steps, as he wandered around, suddenly stopped.
"Those guys''pany. I need to go there. Whether it''s just baseless rumors or the truth, I have to confirm it myself."
"Mr. P-President. A guest has arrived."
The door suddenly creaked open, and the secretary rushed in. Her eyes were wide open as if she had seen a monster.
"Who is it? Why are you making such a fuss?"
"It''s Chairman Ju Young-il of Daehyun Group..."
"What?"
Both Mr. Na and I stood up simultaneously. Our reactions were no different from the startled secretary.
"Well, please wait a moment."
The two of us frantically tidied up the scattered documents on the table with anxious expressions.
"Uncle, I''ll be in the adjacent meeting room. By the way, please turn on the inte. I need to hear what you''re talking about."
"Sure. If anyone recognizes your face, it''s a disaster. You''ve already appeared on TV."
I wore a hat and left the room quietly, avoiding Chairman Daehyun Group''s gaze. I entered the adjacent meeting room and hastily turned on the speakerphone.
"Pleasee in, Chairman."
As Oh Se-hyun bowed his head, Chairman Ju Young-il extended his hand.
"I''m thankful for weing an unexpected guest like me. It wouldn''t have been impolite."
"There''s no ce in Korea where Chairman would be treated as an unwee guest. Please don''t worry."
When Oh Se-hyun handed over his business card, the middle-aged man who had apanied Chairman Ju received it and tried to offer his own card, but Chairman Ju waved his hand.
"I can''t give my secretary''s business card to an unexpected visitor."
Chairman Ju took out a business card from his pocket and handed it over himself.
Daehyun Group - Ju Young-il.
And it had only one phone number, his mobile number.
Oh Se-hyun had be one of the few key individuals who could make a direct call to Chairman Ju Young-il. Considering that he also had Chairman Jin''s number, it was possible that he didn''t even realize he had the means ofmunication of these major yers at his fingertips.
"It''s modest, but please have a seat."
As Oh Se-hyun gestured for him to take a seat, Chairman Ju Young-il showed a slight smile.
"There''s no reason for apany that''speting to acquire A-jin Motors to be modest, is there? You''re quite humble."
Oh Se-hyun''s hand hesitated for a moment but soon regainedposure. There was no reason for his reputation to be overshadowed. Right now, they were sitting at the same table, bothpeting with the same qualifications to win A-jin Motors. The only difference was the amount of money they could afford to bid, but even that wasn''t a significant gap.
Chapter 59 Fight or Sports? 2
Chapter 59 Fight or Sports? 2
"Chairman, you must ept this proposal."
"Mm."
The tightly closed lips and furrowed brow spoke volumes about how angry Chairman Ju was, but the key figures in the group didn''t hesitate for a moment.
They had to prevent a catastrophe where Chairman Ju''s temper led to overturning a well-prepared meal.
Considering the effort they had put into securing A-jin Motors, basic unity was necessary. The proposal outlined the details: A-jin Motors'' debt of 3.28 trillion won, A-jin subsidiary''s debt of 1.58 trillion won would be reduced. The remaining debt of 2.52 trillion won would be converted into equity.
An astonishing 7.38 trillion-won debt reduction proposal.
Thinking about the money spent, the alcohol consumed, and the women entertained while trying to secure this proposal from bank creditors and government officials made their heads spin.
Furthermore, they hadn''t received confirmation yet, but there were rumors of an acquisition price, subtly mentioned1.2 trillion won.
When you considered all the effort and cleaning up A-jin Group''s tarnished reputation, the cost was just 1.2 trillion won.
Such avish feast would note around again anytime soon.
But if they dared to touch the debt reduction proposal offered by Miracle Investment, they would have to prepare the feast all over again.
While the acquisition price could be increased by 100 or 200 billion won, there could be no renegotiation of the debt reduction.
The people from Daehyun Group were truly grateful for Miracle''s unity proposal.
"It was a difficult negotiation to pull off. We must not touch the debt reduction terms."
Seeing the faces filled with earnestness, Chairman Ju couldn''t simply lose his temper.
"You there, do you have a lot of money? Can you spend trillions?"
"It''s not easy for us to gauge the financial strength of Miracle Investment, just as they might not know our financial capability. After all, it''s all American capital, right? But..."
"But what?"
"ording to our investigation in the US, it''s expected that there will be sufficient ammunition. Miracle is known as a big yer in Hollywood. It''s said that there hasn''t been a single hit movie without Miracle''s involvement."
Chairman Ju was shaken by the mention of Hollywood movies.
In 1993, when Steven Spielberg''s "Jurassic Park" was released, President Kim Young-sam emphasized the importance of the film industry, saying, "The box office revenue of one movie isparable to exporting 1.5 million cars."
No matter how ignorant one might be,paring two entirely different industries based solely on profit was absurd.
Thanks to such statements, even though they were incorrect, the leading figure in the Korean automotive industry, Daehyun Group, was unfairly branded as a symbol of an era that was obsessing over an outdated business.
"There''s one really important point. Miracle hasn''t had a single failed investment in any of the movies they''ve funded."
"That''s right. Their investment sense is out of the ordinary. A person like that wouldn''t enter a losing battle in a money war. Chairman Ju always said that when they reluctantly reach out a hand, it''s a way to stop the bleeding."
"That reaching-out hand..." Chairman Ju fell silent for a while. His decision to ept the unity proposal without shouting or causing an uproar was implicit.
As Chairman Jin flipped through the front-page advertisement of Hanseong Daily, he set the newspaper down with a satisfied expression.
"The ending is good. It builds anticipation."
"Was this produced by Sunyang nning?"
"Yes."
"Chairman Song Hyun-chang has been doing a lot of interviews too. Did you arrange that, Grandfather?"
"No, that''s not it. Chairman Song is doing it himself. I''ve heard that even with Oh''s firm grip on the reins, Chairman Song has a lot on his te." Grandfather smiled at me. "Has Ju Young-ile and gone?"
"Yes. He said he wouldpensate if we withdrew from the acquisition battle."
"Haha. That ambitious fellow. He''s busy with his own affairs, but someone trying to catch up to him appears, and he bes restless. He''s even making those challenging strides. So, what did you say?"
"I suggested that wepete with dignity based on the acquisition price alone and make sure to grab all the benefits the government offers. He said there''s no need to unnecessarily cut into their own flesh."
"And? What did you say to that?"
"Oh-Sehyun told him not to oppose it and suggested we give it a proper go..."
"Haha. Looks like he''s gotten a bit worked up."Grandfather continued tough as if he were enjoying a very amusing game.
"Give me a hint. How do you think Chairman Ju will react?"
"You''ve already guessed, haven''t you? If it were me, would I have considered rejecting the proposal?"
"Yes."
"So? What''s the answer?"
"He''ll ept it. The amount for the debt reduction is already fixed, so he wouldn''t want to introduce new variables."
"You got it right. The scariest thing for someone in business is always those unexpected variables. When I was working on the Asan Dam project, the projectpletion date kept getting dyed indefinitely due to the unpredictable weather conditions along the western coast. A project that was supposed to be finished quickly ended up dragging on, and all the money we were losing every day was debt, so I was driven to madness."
Here it was again, memories from the past.
Wouldn''t it be so much easier if people just told you the core and the essence of things? But then again, this gentleman had grown old. He lives more than half of his current time in memories.
At times like this, it''s filial to remain silent and listen.
"The unpredictable weather, that was an unexpected variable. I used to think how nice it would be if you could buy the weather with money. Simrly, Chairman Ju must want to buy variables with money right now. But why refuse when you can eliminate half the variables without spending money?"
Got it. The two chairmen are the same person.
Now, all we have to do is wait for the news that Chairman Ju has epted the unity proposal.
"But, Do-Jun."
"Yes."
"Now we... no, you''ve used up all our cards. Chairman Ju hasn''t used his cards yet. He''s going to start a massive counterattack."
"Through the media, I presume?"
Grandfather nodded. "Not only the media, but also persuading the bondholders and the acquisition reviewmittee. The government, the National Assembly, and the Blue House officials who have been taken care of by the Daehyun Group will also apply pressure." Grandfather''s tone sounded somewhat suspicious.
Chapter 60 Fight or Sports? 3
Chapter 60 Fight or Sports? 3
"Did you try probing him? How did he react?" Jin Yeong-jun approached alongside the sharp-tongued Hong Seo-young.
"He were polite."
"Is that all?"
"He doesn''te off as a rich young man. Has he always been like this?"
"Yes, that''s right. He used to be humble when he was young. He was always timid..."
"I see. Anyway, he seems like someone who doesn''t reveal his true feelings."
"It''s okay. Do-Jun will be my right-hand man in the future, so there''s no need to be on guard." Jin Yeong-jun extended his arm. "Let''s go. There are still many people to greet."
Hong Seo-young took his hand, not letting go of her guard against Jin Do-jun. However, bing his right-hand man, as his fiance had said, was more than enough.
"Oh, I promised to give you a generous allowance. Is that okay?"
"It''s natural for a big sister-inw to give an allowance to her cousin''s youngest."
Jin Yeong-jun said it like it was no big deal, but Hong Seo-young had different thoughts. She believed that nothing revealed a person''s true nature as clearly as how they spent their money.
When I visited the restroom, there was someone waiting nearby as if they were waiting for me.
"Young master."
"Manager Kim. Didn''t I tell you to take the day off today? You didn''t need toe out of the house."I said it with a smile, but Manager Kim Yoon-seok seemed a bit stiff.
"Do you have some time? I have something to discuss."I didn''t make any small talk after seeing his expression. My cautiousness and wariness were evident as I looked around and lowered his voice. "Do you know my car? It''s in the garage. Wait there. I''ll be right out."
Kim Yoon-seok quietly disappeared, and after a quick look around Yeongbin Hall, he headed to the garage.
In the tightly parked rows of cars, when I got into the car, Manager Kim was sitting in the driver''s seat and turned his head.
"What''s going on?"
"Please wait for a moment. Team Leader Shin will exin."
"Team Leader Shin?"
"Yes, Our strategy team leader... I mentioned it once. Don''t you remember?"
"Oh..."
At this moment, the rear door opened, and a man slipped in.
"Hello. I''m Team Leader Shin Seok-ho."
I couldn''t recall where I had seen his face before.
"I apologize for bothering you."
"It''s okay. But where did we meet before?"
"You don''t remember, huh? We met at the Yangpyeong vi. I picked you up early in the morning."
"Oh... You''re that person."
He was the one who had been tailing Jin Yeong-jun. I had thrown bait back then, but there had been no significant response, so I had erased him from memory.
"Since we''re short on time, I''ll get straight to the point. I don''t know if you''re aware, but we''re in charge of handling the third generation of the family."
As a team leader, he didn''t oversee everything. He probably only managed the ones among the third generation who were in Korea. Cousins studying abroad were handled by the respective branch offices in those countries.
"Someone has been tailing them for about a month now."
"All of them?"
"Yes. They don''t fully investigate their activities, just their movements."
"Is Jin Yeong-jun also included in this?"
"Yes. They''ve been tailing every single one of them."
Was their father checking even his sons? That seemed a bit excessive. If it wasn''t their father, then who could it be?
"Have you identified who''s behind this?"
"No. It''s impossible for our team to do that. We''re not experts capable of tracing back."
Well, considering that their team wasprised solely of personal secretaries, tracking anyone down would be quite challenging.
I looked at Team Leader Shin for a moment and then asked what was on his mind.
"But why are you telling me all this? If we follow the procedures..."
"I understand the procedures. I''ll report to the head of the Strategy Department, then it''ll go up to Secretary Lee Hak-jae. And then, the Information Team or Special Security agents will take action."
"You''re well-informed. But why?"
Team Leader Shin Seok-ho''s gaze wavered slightly, but he soon spoke. "I''m embarrassed to say it, but I want to take the lead."
"The lead? Are you talking about what I''m thinking?"
"Yes. Our strategy team... We have no future and nowhere to turn. It''s rare for us tost a year."
"Like you, who have been enduring for years without seeing any light..."
Shin Seok-ho''s face flushed with embarrassment.
"But why me? I''m the youngest who can''t even say a word in thepany. I don''t know if I can handle group affairs. Would I be of any use?"
"You offered your hand to me, didn''t you?"
I remembered that day clearly. However, the time it took for them to take the bait was too long. Was it due to slow judgment, or was it caution? I needed to get to know this person better.
"Does that mean you''re just going to grab me like that? Honestly, besides me, who else offered their hand? Am I the only one?" I asked a difficult question, but he responded without hesitation.
"You are the only one, but I will grab your hand because I find it trustworthy. If it had been an untrustworthy hand, I would have ignored it with a snort. Among Chairman Jin''s grandsons, no one is as self-disciplined, diligent, and free from nonsense as you."
"Do all the members of the Strategy Team follow Team Leader Shin?"
"No. Anyway, our team frequently experiences turnovers. Because of the constant hassle, many people quit. So, I selected only those who will stay with us for a long time. Assistant Manager Kim Yoon-seok is one of them."
I locked eyes with the two of them and paused in thought. There was no reason to push away the people who could confirm the daily activities of the cousins.
What mattered was to turn them into essential people unlike before.
"Team Leader Shin and Assistant Manager Kim, listen carefully to what I''m saying." As I spoke, the two of them exchanged nces, swallowing their saliva. "I reach out to you two first; but you were the ones who grabbed my hand. It may lead to the same result, but the order matters. Team Leader Shin recognized this difference."
Chapter 61 Fight or Sports? 4
Chapter 61 Fight or Sports? 4
"Investing in a carpany when the primary goal is profit is hard to understand. It will not only take time to recover the investment, but it might also take a significant amount of time to make a profit. Why take such a risk with a potentially bankruptpany due to poor management? Is it because you want to serve as a proxy for the Japanese automotive industry?"
"Investments don''t necessarily have to be short-term."
"The risk of investing in a financially troubledpany that may go bankrupt is significant. Is this risk worth it? Could it be because you want to represent the Japanese automotive industry?"
"Who started calling it the Japanese automotive industry in the first ce? Where did you get that information, Mr. Reporter?"
When Oh Se-hyun, who couldn''t hold back anymore, became agitated, Chairman Song Hyun-chang, sitting next to him, took the microphone.
"I understand the movements in the Japanese automotive industry well. A-jin Motors has coborated with Japanesepanies on technology. I can assert that there is no such thing as the Japanese automotive industry."
All the cameras in the press conference turned toward Chairman Song Hyun-chang.
"Then, I''d like to ask Chairman Song. Seeing that you''re here together, can we assume that you support the acquisition of A-jin Group by Miracle Investment?"
"That''s correct. Not only me, but all A-jin Group employees support it."
About a dozenbor union officials from A-jin Group stood behind Chairman Song, bowing their heads.
"The entirebor union of A-jin Group pledges, right here, that if Miracle Investment acquires it, we will freeze wages and maintain a no-strike agreement until A-jin Motors achieves profitability. This is the resolution of all union members."
The chairman of thebor union also took the microphone and chimed in.
"But, doesn''t supporting employment continuity mean that the individuals responsible for A-jin Group''s bankruptcy will continue to manage it? Shouldn''t at least the executive-level management step down and take responsibility?"
I was astonished as I watched from the back of the press conference.
Is it possible that these are not reporters but rather employees of Daehyun Group asking questions? To them, Miracle Investment must have appeared suddenly, like a troublemaker who came and sprinkled red pepper kes.
"The bankruptcy of A-jin Motors was mainly due to external factors, not internal issues. A-jin''s specialty steel business was a critical sector that required long-term investment, as you may know... A-jin Motors was actually profitable."
Even theposed Oh Se-hyun began to show signs of anger as he responded to the biased questions from reporters.
"I''d like to ask the economic reporters present here instead. Why did all financial institutions suddenly stop loans and begin bond recovery? There are manypanies with much worse financial performance than A-jin. Why did they start pressuring A-jin with funding issues?"
"Does CEO Oh mean that someone nned A-jin''s bankruptcy? If so, who do you think is behind it?"
"Isn''t it the duty of the media to uncover such things? Why didn''t you investigate why the A-jin Group situation urred?"
Oh, no, these are Korean journalists that he should never provoke!
He''s never dealt with malicious reporters before, so they keep tripping him up.
Fortunately, Chairman Song Hyun-chang took the microphone. It was somewhat reassuring that someone experienced in such situations was in control.
"The assessment has not beenpleted yet. Today''s press conference is intended to convey that there is no Japanese capital involved."
Chairman Song''s calm voice brought a sense of calm to the press conference.
"Furthermore, let me share two more points. A corporation is not just a group pursuing profit; it is also a workce that sustains the livelihoods of the people. If Daehyun Group acquires A-jin, it will force more than half of the nation''s citizens onto the streets under the guise of restructuring."
The message needed to resonate with the public. This message was delivered through Chairman Song''s words. Perhaps due to his authority and experience, the reporters refrained from interrupting him.
"Additionally, if Daehyun were to acquire A-jin Motors, it would hold a near-monopoly with approximately 70% of the domestic automotive market. When a monopolisticpany solely pursues profits, consumer choices disappear. What if Daehyun decides to produce only one car model for profit? What if they offer indiscriminate discounts to increase market share abroad and offset those losses in the domestic market?"
He stirred the public and emphasized consumer rights.
As long as a fair public opinion was cultivated, pricepetition was the only remaining factor. I was confident I wouldn''t lose in a financial battle.
"We shouldn''t blur the essence with the clich of Japanese capital. Public funds have already been invested in A-jin Group. We should consider whether it will be reborn as a nationally-ownedpany, separated from ownership and management, using public funds."
Chairman Song''s concluding statement effectively delivered the message.
However...
Timing was indeed the issue.
This press conference should have been held one day before the acquisition assessment. The key was not to give Daehyun Group enough time to mount a counterattack.
In my haste, I yed the hidden card first, and Daehyun calmly picked them apart one by one.
Two dayster, when the president of Daehyun Motors appeared at the press conference in person, it was a clear defeat for our hidden cards.
"The global automotive market is already engaged in a war of scale, where only the top ten survive. Daehyun Motors'' revenue structure has long surpassed the domestic market and relies heavily on exports."
"If A-jin Motors and Daehyun Motors merge, they will have a revolutionarypetitive edge through shared design, unified parts procurement, and integrated salesworks. Consumers can naturally expect to purchase cars at a lower price."
"Of course, some restructuring is inevitable, but it doesn''t mean there will be unemployed workers. I hope you see a bit further ahead. With Daehyun Motors gaining internationalpetitiveness and entering the top ten globally, we can anticipate substantial job creation."
I turned off the TV.
I let out a sigh.
Oh Se-hyun was the same. He sighed repeatedly, his expression drained of energy.
"How''s the stock market?"
"There hasn''t been any movement in Daehyun Motors'' stock price."
"Is the effect minimal?"
"No, it''s because two factions are shing. Some see the acquisition of A-jin Motors as a disaster, while others consider it a blessing. It''s almost evenly split."
Chapter 62 The World of Villains 1
Chapter 62 The World of Viins 1
"Everyone, stop! Quiet!"
The two women who had offered me drinks, as well as the two girls beside Uncle, widened their eyes in surprise.
"Why are you suddenly like this? Don''t tell me it''s because you''re mixing expensive liquor..."
Even Oh Se-hyun, who seemed to have caught onto something from my demeanor, shouted. "Everyone, keep quiet!"
Ten pairs of eyes were fixed on me, but my own gaze was glued to the bomb shot on the table.
Staring at the drops forming on the ss, I gathered scattered ideas in my head like shards into one.
Though the idea had holes in it, the overall picture was quite good.
The gaps would be diligently filled by the worker ants.
What''s regrettable is the time; there''s less than a week left. Completing the picture within that timeframe won''t be easy.
Damn it, it''s always about time.
Whenever I try to do something properly, time bes a constraint. Does my brain only work under pressure?
What about Chairman Jin? How about the Chairman of Daehyun Group?
Would these two, who have reached the pinnacle, only find an escape route when they are cornered, or would they have created a chance to be cornered from the beginning?
"Do-Jun, have you finished your thoughts? What is it? Don''t tell me there''s another hidden card you haven''t revealed yet?" Impatient Oh Se-hyun broke the silence and spoke.
"Well, there is one hidden, but it''s not in my hand."
I took out the Hansung Ilbo corporate card from my pocket.
"Uncle, I''ll take a break here until I get one more unexpected card."
Then I turned to thedies and said, "Do you really think mixing whiskey and beer in equal parts for a bomb shot enhances the taste of alcohol? It''s just alcohol, right? If you want to increase sales, just dispose of it. You can even put a box of Heart Brothers 32-year-old and drink it. This card has an unlimited limit."
"See, it''s not the boss who''s offering drinks; it''s this guy!" One of thedies sitting beside me proudly dered.
"Uncle, I have somewhere to go now. Please call the driver waiting outside. I''ll use Uncle''s car for a bit."
"Uh, okay."
"I''ll contact you tomorrow. Have a good time."
I gave Uncle a sly look and left the room.
"I''m sorry foring sote, Grandfather."
"No, I haven''t fallen asleep yet. But have you been drinking?"
"Yes, but not too much."
Grandfather in his pajamas gave my shoulder a slight pat with a somewhat stern expression.
"Let''s go inside. We can talk there."
As we moved into the study, Grandfather called out to the kitchen."Young-joo, bring a ss of strong honey water." As soon as we sat down in the study, Grandfather''s rough voice echoed. "How does it feel to lose a fight?"
"Do you think I''vepletely lost?"
"Well, you''ve lost all the moves you made. It''s impossible to revive them."
With a few phone calls, I could get decisions from the creditors and the head of the acquisition reviewmittee. The battle had already been decided.
"It''s not over until it''s over. This kind of talk..."
"Then where did you pick up all this nonsense? Tsk, tsk." He clicked his tongue, as if it were pathetic. "Stop clinging to regrets about things that are already over. It''s wiser to analyze your defeat and prepare for the next move. A wise man knows when to retreat."
"If A-jin Motors goes to Daehyun, Sunyang Motors will also take a hit, won''t it? Are you okay with that?"
"That''s my problem to worry about. And... if necessary, we can withdraw."
Withdraw?
Could it be that he had already considered the worst-case scenario?
No way. This isn''t a business field he would target for his second-ce goal if he couldn''t withstand it without being number one in the industry.
It was difficult to read his inner thoughts from Grandfather''s somewhat stern expression.
"More importantly, when you lose a fight, you should learn something from it. Have you thought about your mistakes?"
"I knew thatrge corporations had a significant influence, but I hadn''t fully grasped it. It was just vague spection."
"It''s only when you''ve experienced the strength of the opponent''s fist that you truly understand. What else?"
"Due to impatience, I missed the right timing."
"And?"
"I didn''t know about Daehyun''s thoroughness and attention to detail. I never imagined they would uncover even the Japanese investment project."
"Is that all?"
"I didn''t realize the ruthlessness of doing whatever it takes, including lying to disguise Japanese investment as Japanese capital.""
Only then did Grandfather''s stern face soften. "Can you do all that you just mentioned?"
"In the end, isn''t it something I must do? If you want topete withrge corporations, I have to be more meticulous, ruthless, and able to tell bold lies without hesitation... That''s what I have to do."
"The determination and resolve you have now... You must never forget them."
"Yes."
Perhaps he heard the answer he wanted, as a smile appeared on Grandfather''s face.
"Now, tell me why you came here at this hour. I don''t believe you''re here to talk about drinking."
"As I mentioned, it''s not over yet."
"Really? What do you still have up your sleeve? Did you not listen to what I already found out and told you?" His expression wasn''t as firm as before; rather, it was filled with curiosity.
"Myst card is in your possession, Grandfather. I want that card."
"Me? What do I have?"
I stared directly into Grandfather''s eyes and emphasized each word with determination. "The Sunyang Motors card, which you are holding, the wild card I might use anytime."
"What?"
He''s quite a character. It''s somewhat surprising that he reacted with a slightly furrowed brow and seemed to confirm it.
I maintained a calm voice despite my apparent confusion.
I gestured towards the ss of honey water that Young-joo had brought me.
"It''s not honey or water to soothe a hangover. Mixing honey and water has its own effect. The merger announcement between A-jin Motors and Sunyang Motors will reverse the real estate market in an instant."
Chapter 63 The World of Villains 2
Chapter 63 The World of Viins 2
Grandfather chuckled as he let out a sigh of relief and picked up the phone.
"Hakjae,e home right now with Jo Dae-ho."
Grandfather, who put down the phone, looked at me with a very satisfied expression and spoke.
"I''m the most finger-pointed person in Korea. I''ve been to the Seoul Central District Prosecutor''s Office in a wheelchair four times, and I''ve been convicted twice. Only eight subsidiary CEOs have gone to prison in my ce."
Both of those convictions ended with suspended sentences, and why didn''t he mention that the imprisoned subsidiary CEOs were all on the presidential pardon list?
"That finger-pointing began to dissipate as my children grew up. Now, even Yeong-jun gets a share."
Grandfather raised his hand and pointed outside.
Does it mean they fight by finger-pointing each other with the people?
On one side with jealousy and anger, on the other side with disdain and disregard.
"You, too... No, maybe you''ve already received it. When you got that amazing score on the college entrance exam and did interviews, people must have whispered. They said you got private tutoring worth millions. They said you got into Seoul National University because of money. And some people would have cursed you like this. Why does the third-generation chaebol go tow school? They would say that someone else had to drop out because of you."
He may not care about public opinion, but he seemed to be keeping an eye on trends since he received reports without fail.
"Like it or not, you were born into a viin''s family, and no matter what you do, you''ll bebeled as a silver-spoon kid. Do you understand what I''m saying?"
"Yes. I won''t waver."
There are many viins behind masks. And there are even more people who fall for those masks.
The world will change from now on. One''s image, personal identity management, will be a significant variable. I have to prepare many masks.
"Now, you should go. Director Yi and President Jo will arrive soon. Oh, and the merger announcement press conference should be centered around Sunyang. President Jo will take the lead."
I need to keep the fact that I am taking over A-jin hidden. Grandfather knows it well. If they know that I am the key yer in the merger of the twopanies, the scheming rtives won''t stay quiet.
"Of course. I''ll prepare right away."
I bowed to Grandfather, and he patted my back, showing a satisfied smile.
How much weight will he put on Sunyang Motors? Or is he nning to swallow A-jin Group whole through me?
"I n to absorb A-jin Group."
"What?"
The two men who rushed here in the middle of the night couldn''t hide their confusion at Chairman Jin''s first words instead of a greeting.
The phrase "red-handed" suited this night perfectly.
"Chairman, they''ve already leaned toward Daehyun. There''s no time to prepare now, and... more importantly, we don''t have the funds."
"That''s right. Jumping into a game that''s already over is a bit..."
Chairman Jin raised a hand to silence the two men.
"We''re just dipping our toes in. And that toe is none other than you, Jo Dae-ho."
"Me?"
President Jo tried his best to understand Chairman Jin''s intentions, but he couldn''t grasp it at all.
"If Miracles Investment acquires A-jin Group, Sunyang Motors will merge with A-jin Motors. This is what you have to do."
"A merger...?"
"We''ll remove only Sunyang Motors from our group and merge it with A-jin Motors. Both automotivepanies will start anew, and the first CEO of that automotivepany will be you, Jo Dae-ho."
President Jo was speechless, and Director Lee Hak-jae was relentless in trying to understand Chairman Jin''s n.
"Chairman, no matter how we adjust the merger ratio between the twopanies, Miracles Investment will be the majority shareholder. The controlling shareholder of Miracles will then control the mergedpany."
When Director Lee Hak-jae cautiously spoke, Chairman Jin''s lips curled up, and he smiled brightly.
"Miracles'' Oh Se-hyun has extended his hand. He knows he''ll be a mere chicken chaser if he continues like this. He ns to create a new automotive specialtypany and hand it over to our Sunyang, beautifully packaged. Haha."
"What about Miracles?"
"Well, they''re just money yers, aren''t they? We''ll give them a hefty profit for the packaging. Naturally, they''ll payter, say for five or even ten years."
Director Lee Hak-jae, who was most sensitive to the group''s financial situation, confirmed quickly.
"Is there any way to avoid this greedy bird? We promised to do it our way. Don''t worry about it."
Unlike the relieved Director Lee Hak-jae, President Jo Dae-ho still couldn''t muster a cheerful expression.
"Um, Chairman. What about A-jin''s Chairman Song Hyun-chang...?"
"We can''t just kick him out right away, canwe? Besides, he needs to be there to keep the A-jin Group union in check. Didn''t he speak directly to the press during thest press conference? No disputes, wage freezes, he said. How great is that? They''ll just focus on working, right?"
"Have you considered an appropriate position for him?"
"We should leave A-jin Group Chairman''s business card as it is. You need to secure the automotive sector firmly first. Within six months, clean up Song Hyun-chang''s mess, and within three years, fill the executive positions of the remaining subsidiaries with our people."
Three years to pacify thend as an upying force.
If any noise is heard or the pace slows down during pacification, it''s clear that his expulsion wille even faster.
President Jo Dae-ho took a deep breath, feeling determined.
The position of CEO of Sunyang Motors, which he thought was out of reach from the perennialst ce, is now within his grasp again.
"Let''s schedule the merger announcement one day before the review. Tell Daehyun to sit back and watch our press conference with his hands tied. Haha."
Chairman Jin felt like his mood was about to sour again.
Thinking about A-jin, which looked much more appetizing than Hando Steel, being devoured by Daehyun''s main chairman, left a bitter taste in his mouth. But when he thought of Chairman Ju''s reaction when his well-prepared meal was suddenly snatched away, it amused and exhrated him.
"Let''s call it a day for now, and since we''re all here, how about a drink? Shall we raise our sses as a toast?"
No matter how old they get, men are still men.
Lee Hak-jae had already taken out his cell phone.
"I''ll arrange it."
"All right. I''ll change clothes ande down. Haha."
Chapter 64 The World of Villains 3
Chapter 64 The World of Viins 3
He threw the remote control towards the TV, but the monitor remained intact. It was as if the TV itself was mocking him.
"From now on, make sure I don''t see the name ''Sunyang'' in front of my eyes."
In the conference room, the chairman and executives of Sunyang Electronics began to feel uneasy about the Sunyang mobile phones in their pockets. Fortunately, they had turned them off.
"Did no one know about this? Didn''t you put people on Song Hyun-chang and Oh Se-hyun?"
"Untilst night, there was no sign of any unusual activity."
"Were you all blind? What can''t you see?"
Someone spoke up with a creeping tone, but all that followed was the chairman''s furious outburst.
"How many phone calls did it take for those three to negotiate such an agreement? They must have met dozens of times. What on earth are you people doing?"
After ranting for a while, the chairman seemed to realize that now was not the time for tantrums.
"We didn''t see this sneak attacking. Now, tell me how we can make up for it."
No one was quick to speak up.
Bidding on an item in an auction is not like buying a single item. It''s more like calling out the highest price and winning the bid. If 1 trillion won isn''t enough, then you can spend 2 trillion or 3 trillion.
However, the bidding documents include a very important item called "non-price factors."
Especially in the case of acquisitions by top-tier conglomerates like A-jin Group, it is an extension of high-level political maneuvers.
They need the support of the Blue House, government ministries, and the National Assembly.
The merger of Sunyang and A-jin looks good on paper and seems reasonable. Isn''t it obvious that if Daehyun swallows it, tens of thousands will lose their jobs?
The presidential election is the day after tomorrow. How much of a burden would it be for the ruling party candidate to create tens of thousands of unemployed?
"Aren''t you all too quiet, even the ones with your eyes wide open? Have you turned into honey-drinking mute bees? Why aren''t you saying anything?"
Chairman Ju Young-il, after scanning the conference room once, looked at the speechless executives and let out a bitterugh.
"Starting now, I''m giving you two hours. Find every possible way to turn the situation around. Mobilize every possible lobbying effort, even if it means using rtives and friends. Apply pressure, whether they''re 9th-grade government employees or bank clerks. Use all means necessary."
The chairman took out his mobile phone and left the conference room.
First stop: the Blue House!
"Father, we can''t let this happen."
"Just sit down for now. Would you like a drink, at least?"
Vice-Chairman Jin opened the study door abruptly and entered, Chairman Jin looked at his eldest son with a displeased expression.
"You''re abandoning the automobile industry? Won''t you regret this?"
Jin Yeong-gi, the vice chairman, struggled to hold back what he really wanted to say, and his forehead showed signs of irritation.
Cars that couldn''t escape from the bottom of the heap for years, cars drowning in deficits, they could all be abandoned. But having to learn about such a critical decision for the group through the TV!
As the eldest son of the founder and vice chairman of the group, if he were young, there would be no words to say. However, he was already in his mid-fifties. How long did he have to be treated like a child?
"I threw it because there''s nothing to regret. The deficits in the car industry can all be attributed to them, and we can toss them aside together..."
"Father!" Due to his father''s seemingly indifferent words, Jin Yeong-gi finally exploded. He couldn''t hold back what he wanted to say any longer. "How could you not say a single word to me? Should I find out about such an important matter for the group through TV? Is that all I''m worth? Will I be too embarrassed to use my title of vice chairman somewhere?"
As he raised his voice and spoke assertively, Chairman Jin watched him in silence for a while.
"President Cho Dae-ho has brought me all the approval documents until now. A person like that personally announced the enormous event of the Sunyang Auto merger. If you think about how much he must haveughed while getting my approvals... wouldn''t you have considered me a mere scarecrow?"
The louder his son''s voice became, the colder Chairman Jin''s expression became sterner.
If Jin Yeong-gi had managed to calm down a little, he might have noticed his father''s change. But once emotions erupted, they clouded his vision.
"Are you going to continue? Do you have more to say?"
"What?" Jin Yeong-gi only realized when he heard the icy tone in Chairman Jin''s voice. He had gone too far.
"After letting out your disappointments and anger, should we move on to the next topic?"
"...?"
Jin Yeong-gi couldn''t grasp what the next topic was.
"What''s wrong? Is getting angry all there is to it?" The amusedughter was unmistakably mocking. Jin Yeong-gi''s clenched fist trembled.
"Father!"
"Calm down, you brat!" As Chairman Jin mmed the desk, Jin Yeong-gi''s fist slowly rxed.
"What? Are you embarrassed by the title of vice chairman? And what''s this about a scarecrow?"
"Oh, Father... That''s not what I meant"
"No way! You received the vice chairman''s business card at the age of over forty. If you weren''t my son? If someone crawled up from the bottom and grabbed that business card, they wouldn''t feel ashamed for even a second. No... wouldn''t you be eager to have any kind of board member''s business card?"
Jin Yeong-gi couldn''t bring himself to respond, but he trembled with intense humiliation.
"Out of what you said, one thing sounds reasonable. Scarecrow, there''s probably no better word."
"Really... you''re going too far."
"I''m going too far? Me? Aren''t you acting like a scarecrow yourself? Right now too." Chairman Jin, who had somewhat softened his voice, seemed to pity his somewhat inadequate son. "Yeong-gi."
"Yes."
Approaching Jin Yeong-gi, who couldn''t lift his bowed head, Chairman Jin ced his hand on his son''s shoulder. "Even if you only do one-tenth of what others do, that position can be yours."
At the tip of the hand Chairman Jin was pointing with, there was a desk chair.
"Don''t be impatient. Focus solely on the future of Sunyang, on nurturing and protecting it with all your might. That''s all you need to do."
Chairman Jin, still looking at his son with bowed head, was a father who, despite his old age, was teaching his grown-up son, feeling sorry for himself.
Chapter 65 The World of Villains 4
Chapter 65 The World of Viins 4
"Do-Jun. I heard something, and I need to confirm it with you."
"Yes, go ahead."
Today, this kid has an unusually serious expression. Why did he suddenly call me out to buy me lunch and then start muttering something strange?
"The merger of Sunyang Automobile, did you already know about it?"
How did such wordse out of this guy''s mouth?
I couldn''t hide my surprise. Jin Yeong-jun''s eyebrows twitched as he saw my expression. This calls for some tact.
"Yes, I found out a day before the announcement. Why?"
"How?"
"Uncle... I mean, Miracle Oh Sehyun, the CEO, propose it toGrandfather. He even gave a detailed proposal of the merger terms."
"Why did he ask you instead of meeting directly? It''s something that should have been discussed in person."
"Yeong-jun, Daehyun Group were keeping a close watch on CEO Oh''s every move. If CEO Oh had gone to see Grandfather, Daehyun would have known first."
He said it as if warning me not to make any difficult remarks. Is it supposed to seem like no big deal?
But how did this guy find out? Could it be that he''s been tailing me, not Grandfather?
"Is that all?"
"Well? What else should there be?"
"Don''t you understand my meaning? Is delivering documents back and forth the only thing you did in this matter?"
Why is this kid suddenly acting like this?
He''s never once doubted that he would be the owner of Sunyang eventually, and he''s always epted his good fortune as a given. Why this sudden suspicion?
Could it be that Han Seong-il''s daughter from Hanyoung Daily is behind this?
Could he even be nning to marry that woman?
I don''t know everything about Jin Yeong-jun''s younger days, but he has never married into a media family. This guy''s wife is the daughter of apliant Sunyang affiliatepany''s CEO.
Is something changing?
"Hey! Jin Do-Jun, can''t you speak properly?"
"Why are you shouting?!"
Because of this guy''s loud voice, I had to cut off my train of thought.
I can''t tell him directly... What should I say?
"To be honest, there is indeed a secret contract between Grandfather and CEO Oh Sehyun, but I can''t talk about it. I found out by unavoidable circumstances, and it was strictly emphasized that I shouldn''t tell anyone until the official announcement."
"Anyone? Am I just ''anyone''? Seriously!"
He seemed like he was barely containing himself from getting up from his chair. Given that he considers himself a prince, it''s natural for him to get agitated.
Should I provoke him a little more?
"Yes, you''re just anyone."
"What?"
"Right now, Yeong-jun, you have no authority. Don''t you know that?"
"Hey!"
"What''s that supposed to mean? It''s a secret contract between Grandfather and CEO Oh, and no one else knows about it. It''s a private agreement between the two of them, unknown to both Uncle and Director Lee Hakjae. Do you think you have more authority than them?"
His habit of getting irritated and shouting when he doesn''t get what he wants, he couldn''t fix it even when he turned thirty, so it seems he won''t change in the future either.
Although it seems like something has changed with him getting a different wife in this life, his personality hasn''t.
After a bout of irritation, will he still stick to his pattern of sweet words that hide his true feelings?
"Listen here. Don''t you remember what I told you before?"
"What...? Oh, after the college entrance exam at the vi?"
"Yeah."
Consistent as always.
"I remember. You told me, right? To be your right-hand man."
"That wasn''t just an idle remark. I''ll be moving next year. You''ll probably be a manager or director by the time you graduate from college. I''ll reserve a seat for you then..."
I raised my hand to silence Jin Yeong-jun''s babbling.
"Yeong-jun, I''m not a kid anymore. I''m not a fool who blindly believes in unlikely promises for the uncertain future."
"What?"
"The announcement of this merger proceeded without Uncle''s knowledge. Even though he''s the group vice-chairman."
"What are you talking about now?"
"Don''t you understand? It means that Grandfather''s session n is still unfinished. It implies that it could copse anytime if Grandfather changes his mind even a little."
I nudged Jin Yeong-jun with a sensitive reaction to the session n.
"So what? Is that why you''re refusing to be my right-hand man? You want to stick by Grandfather''s side and seize the opportunity? Huh? Are you going topete with me, with my father? You''re incredible."
"Brother, don''t be too imposing. From my perspective, it''s all just entertaining to watch. After all, I''m just the youngest grandson of the youngest son, and I have no connection to Sunyang Group, so I don''t have any ambitions."
"Is that sincere?"
"Of course. And... honestly, what do I have to regret? Not to brag, but if I study for just a year or so more, I''m confident I''ll pass the bar exam. You know I excel in studying."
"So?"
"I''ll enjoy life while working as a prosecutor or judge, living it up without societal pressures, and without worrying about money. And you know what? My father is doing well in the film industry right now. Beautiful actressese to me at the snap of my fingers. A third-generation conglomerate heir, a prosecutor and judge. How many women would refuse that title?"
Jin Yeong-jun''s eyes sparkled strangely. Damn bastard. Perhaps the life he wants is exactly the kind of life I described.
"So, are you nning to snatch the Sunyang Group''s sessor position?"
"Who said anything about snatching it? If the real leader proposes it, I might consider it, but right now, Yeong-jun, you''re not the real leader either, are you?"
"If I be the leader, I might not keep you by my side. We have many cousins. And who knows, I might prevent any Sunyang Group shares from going into your hands."
He even resorts to unfounded threats, scratching at his pride.
"I told you, I have no regrets. Just by safeguarding what our family currently has, I won''t becking."
The conversation should end around here. I''ve irritated him enough, and I''ve emphasized that our family has no ambitions.
"Honestly, being the youngest in a conglomerate family is quitefortable. My eldest brother, Sang-jun, dropped out of college and is attending art school in New York right now. I don''t cling to unlikely things."
Chapter 66 Length of a Claw 1
Chapter 66 Length of a w 1
Oh Sehyun sent several emails. Checking the trends of short-term foreign investment could provide information on whether the exchange rate increase is a temporary phenomenon or not.
"Do-Jun, if the exchange rate keeps rising, do you n to pay the acquisition fee in dors?"
"We have to negotiate."
"What kind of negotiation?"
"We''re trying to negotiate a significant reduction in the A-jin Group''s acquisition fee by paying in dors."
Oh Sehyun chuckled, tapping his forehead.
"Hahaha. That''s right! What''s the point of holding onto a gold nugget? You look like you''re drowning. Throw the nugget and get a life jacket."
Dor, as the reserve currency, is like blood for people. If blood doesn''t flow, people tend to die.
The one holding the blood bag can freely withdraw the golden nugget from the pocket of the fallen one.
Oh Sehyun, who deals with money, couldn''t be unaware of this fact.
"When the domestic foreign exchange reserves hit rock bottom, Do-Jun, you might be a savior, don''t you think?"
"It''s not me. It''s my uncle, the representative of Miracle Investment."
I expected surprise, but instead, he smiled calmly. "Why? Are you too young to step up, or do you have hidden motives for not revealing your existence?"
The implication that he already guessed a lot makes me more flustered.
"What do you think the world will say if I have millions in cash? Illegal gifts, shady inheritances, and so on. The world will make a fuss."
"And you might not be able to avoid the watchful eyes of many."
"That''s also true."
Even without precise words, we had already exchanged our thoughts.
I waited for Oh Sehyun''s response with a calm gaze, and he nodded with a faint smile.
"For now, I''ll be your puppet. Hold the reins as you wish and crack the whip. But time is not on your side. I''m in my fifties. At best, I have 5 years. After that, you''ll have to run on your own, find your own puppet to rece me."
"What do you mean? Are you retiring at 55? Isn''t that too early? You''re still rtively young, aren''t you? It''s too soon."
"Fifty-five is just right. It might be a bit early for retirement... But working while having too much money. Would it be unfair if I don''t have enough time to spend it? Haha."
Five years.
It''s definitely not a long time. How much can I achieve in such a short time?
Should I let the old horse rest in the pasture and get a new one?
"Because you''re more like a nephew than a client, that''s why it''s five years. In my heart, I want to retire and leave for a quiet ind right now."
They nail it all the way. There is no extension of the role of a sacrificialmb.
"Is it true?"
"Yes. Do-Jun saw it himself."
When Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi heard the information his son had provided, it felt like blood was flowing in reverse.
Didn''t his father promise by patting his shoulders all the way to his study? But now he wants to change the group''s control structure? His father had whispered sweet words in his ear, hiding it even from his eldest son.
Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi trembled with a sense of betrayal.
But his son is watching. He has a reason to regain hisposure.
Jin Yeong-gi said it as if it were nothing.
"Well, if the automotive division is separated, it''s like having chickenpox at least once. The overall framework may shake, but there''s no need to worry too much."
"But, Father, if the stake that the automotive division held moves..."
"Oh,e on! Don''t you worry. I''ll take care of it. You should focus on Hando Steel... no, on normalizing the shipbuilding. Don''t miss this opportunity to show your abilities to your grandfather."
"I understand."
As his son bowed and left, Jin Yeong-gi quickly took out his phone. "All members of the nning office, gather in the conference room."
He had to move quickly before Chairman Jin reached an unusual conclusion.
"Oh, this. I hope I''m not bothering someone busy."
"Don''t mention it. I might get busier from now on, but I have to make time to have a meal with the CEO. Haha."
When President Jin Dong-gi opened the door to the president''s office, he warmly weed him with a bright smile.
"But I''m still confused. Who benefits more if A-jin and Sunyang merge... Of course, Father must have handled it well, but I''m just saying."
"I agree. It''s all happening so suddenly that I''m a bit surprised too."
Jin Dong-gi paid close attention to every expression and word of President Jo Dae-ho.
"When the divisions are separated, President Jo, you''ll no longer have any connection to Sunyang, and I''m sure that must be disappointing for you."
President Jo Dae-ho smiled and looked at Jin Dong-gi as he spoke, his mouth slightly upturned.
"Are you sincere, or are you trying to test me? If it''s the former, I''ll be greatly disappointed."
As expected. His prediction was correct. Sunyang was devouring A-jin.
"What are you saying? You''re kidding, right? I just mentioned it out of curiosity."
"President Jin."
"Yes?"
"I''ve served as the chairman''s right hand for over 30 years. Do you know how many times I''ve contradicted the chairman during that long period?"
Due to President Jo Dae-ho''s expression, which had lost its humor, Jin Dong-gi swallowed a dry gulp.
"It was when we first started the petroleum business. The Middle East was in turmoil due to a sudden war, and there was a crisis in oil supply. The chairman and I flew to Texas in a hurry. It was to contract Texas oil as quickly as possible."
Suddenly bringing up old tales of hardships is a sign of sincerity. By the time this story ends, President Jo Dae-ho will give a cold assessment of Jin Dong-gi.
"We entered a steakhouse after driving endlessly on the never-ending highway, and the weather was scorching, and our bodies were exhausted, so we had no appetite. The chairman ordered just one steak and suggested we share it. The smallest steak there was a whopping 600g."
"In the southern United States, you eat steak by the pound, haha."
"I disagreed. I suggested that each of us order one te."
"Surely, that wasn''t the only time you disagreed...?"
"Yes."
"Oh... Are you joking now? Oh!"
Chapter 67 Length of a Claw 2
Chapter 67 Length of a w 2
When the car stopped, Jin Dong-gi looked up at the tall buildings outside the window.
"Is this the ce?"
"Yes, sir."
"This kid seems to have made some money."
"Not only production but soon distribution as well. He''s the powerhouse of Chungmuro."
As the secretary sitting in the passenger seat exined, Jin Dong-gi waved his hand dismissively.
"Enough of that. What''s the point of making a few bucks? It''s just a hobby."
The secretary tried to follow Jin Dong-gi when he got out of the car, but he had to stop.
"Wait here. I''ll go in alone."
As he entered the filmpany''s door, he immediately saw dozens of people bustling about.
Seeing that there was no reception desk at the entrance, he felt a little flustered and had to stand still for a moment at the entrance of the office.
"How did you get here?"
"What?"
"Where are you from?"
"Oh, I came to meet the chairman."
One of the busy employees stopped and, in a somewhat irritated tone, asked the puzzled Jin Dong-gi.
"I said, where are you from?"
"Jin Yoon-gi, the chairman. He''s my younger brother."
"Oh, yes. Come with me."
"Heh, seriously."
Jin Dong-gi burst intoughter and followed the young employee.
Although he had clearly stated that he was the chairman''s younger brother, there was no sign of politeness. Furthermore, he was led to a small meeting room instead of the chairman''s office, which made his blood boil.
"Hey, what''s going on here? I came to see the chairman. I said I''m his brother!"
"The chairman is currently in a meeting, so please wait for a moment. I''ll leave a message."
Without giving Jin Dong-gi a chance to say anything more, the young employee closed the door and left.
"What''s wrong with these people?"
This was the first time he had received such treatment, and it made his blood boil for a while. However, after a short while, he began to feel a strange sensation.
Except for his father, he had never waited for anyone. Someone had alwayse to find him, and he had made them wait.
When he felt that he might understand their feelings even a little, the door suddenly opened with a creak.
"Hyungnim, what''s going on? You came all the way here."
"This brat, can''t I visit a ce once in a while? Why are you so surprised?"
Jin Dong-gi smiled and extended his hand.
"Geez, it''s been almost ten years since youst came to me."
Jin Yoon-gi took Jin Dong-gi''s hand as he spoke.
"What? Has it been that long already? Ten years?"
"Well, it has. Let''s go to my office."
As they entered the office, Jin Dong-gi furrowed his brow.
"What is this, despite making a lot of money?"
It was a room smaller than the offices of even the lowest-ranking executives in the Sunyang Group. The office desk was no different from that of an ordinary employee. The cluttered piles of documents in such a small room gave it the atmosphere of a warehouse.
"It''s all just rumors. Even if you make a lot of money on the stock market, you can''t handle even one department in mypany."
"Hey! I can''t take it anymore. I''ll send someone tomorrow to expand your office. Decorate it nicely and live a bit."
Jin Yoon-gi knew that beneath his irritated words, his older brother''s intention was actually a favor.
"Hyungnim, a well-established moviepany should have a nice office. Thepany''s interior design is also impressive."
"But why are your office so shabby?"
"I have debts to pay."
"What? Debts?"
Jin Dong-gi was taken aback, and Jin Yoon-gi extended his hand.
"It''s not like I borrowed from loan sharks, so don''t be surprised. When I started this business, it was Do-Jun who provided the initial capital, remember? He sold the ranch... didn''t you know?"
"Oh, right. I remember now."
"I have to repay that. Even though Dad pocketed the money for the younger one''s blessing, we have to fill it up again, right?"
"Now that you mention it, that''s true. It''s not like you wasted it, and if you make good money, you should pay it back with interest. Haha."
"Okay, okay, let''s stop talking about that. Please tell me your business. What''s the reason for your visit?"
When Jin Yoon-gi offered a cigarette, Jin Dong-gi took one and lit it.
After taking a few puffs and exhaling a long stream of smoke, he spoke.
"You n to continue on this path?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"I''m asking if you''re going to finish things off in the movie industry."
This time, Jin Yoon-gi remained silent for a while, puffing on his cigarette.
"Don''t you care about thepany side"
"Right. You too... and your child..." Jin Yoon-gi furrowed his brows deeply at Jin Dong-gi''s words and resumed smoking his cigarette. His expression seemed to crumple with Jin Dong-gi''s words.
"Don''t tell me you''ve been hiding your ambitions too?"
"You too? Are there others who hid their ambitions?"
"Except for you, probably all of them."
"Is that so? In my eyes, everyone was openly ambitious."
"Don''t change the subject. Did you have ambitions or not?"
Pressured by Jin Dong-gi, Jin Yoon-gi tapped out his cigarette and replied.
"I couldn''t even fulfill my father''s role until now, but I thought I''d give it a try once."
"Are you talking about Do-Jun?"
"That brat dreams of bing a great entrepreneur like our grandfather. Ah, it''s a misunderstanding."
Jin Yoon-gi raised his hand to stop whatever his brother was about to say.
"It''s not a small dish to be worked up about just because he wants to take over a few Sunyang Group subsidiaries. He wants to achieve something with his own hands. I''ll do my best to help."
Chapter 68 Length of a Claw 3
Chapter 68 Length of a w 3
"Theater?"
"Yes."
"Do-Jun, wouldn''t it be better to invest in a high-rise building instead of a theater? If you find the right location, you can earn more from rent alone than mostpanies."
You can''t stop my aunt-inw once she starts talking, as if her husband has already be the mayor of Seoul.
"No, it''s a bit different from a regr theater. I''m thinking about creating a new concept for a theater."
Maybe she knows what a multiplex is, or maybe not.
Since it''s something they won''t understand anyway, there''s no need to exin it in detail.
"Ah, Yoon-gi is really blessed. His son not only provides start-up capital for what he wants to do, but also helps hime up with new business ideas... I envy him, really."
"That''s right. Our brother is one of three, and he''s using his sons'' money to rx and enjoy life... Tsk tsk."
It''s embarrassing to keep listening to theints of these two parents who don''t have such talented children.
"Aunt, should I discreetly mention it to Grandfather?"
"What? No, don''t!"
My jumped up in rm, and I chuckled slightly before saying, "I should let Grandfather know. We need to understand why he''s opposed to it. That way, we can try to convince him to change his mind."
"No, don''t. Please don''t." My aunt jumped up again.
It seems that the reason they want to turn my uncle into a political heavyweight is to prepare for the time when he opposes the family.
"Okay, okay, I understand. I won''t tell Grandfather." I raised my finger to my lips. "I''ll check the amount of money that Grandfather has set aside for the ruling party, and I''ll also confirm how much funds I can mobilize."
Aunt and Aunt-inw''s husband held my hand one by one, looking at me as if I were their savior.
Perhaps making Aunt''s husband into a political heavyweight would be a good idea.
"Do-Jun, I need to talk to you for a moment."
"Ah, am Ite? I''m sorry foring homete. I''ll try to leave early from work."
"I''m not the kind of father who watches the clock to make sure his grown sones home on time."
It''s been a long time since I''ve seen my father with a solemn expression. For the past ten years, no matter how difficult it was, he never lost his smile... or was there really nothing difficult? Thanks to having a good son, he was able to prosper.
I need to hear what Aunt said and get to the bottom of this. But my father spoke words I had never expected.
"Today, my second brother came by in the morning, and in the evening, my sister visited. They hadpletely different conversations, but the desire was the same."
"Their desire...?"
My father smiled slightly. "Do you wonder more about what kind of conversation it was, rather than what they want?"
"The process isn''t as important."
"Indeed. You''re different from the usual, our son." Contrary to his gentle tone, my father''s smile had already disappeared. "Shall we have a drink? It seems like the right time to rx and talk."
Before I could say anything, he stood up and went to the liquor cab, which was filled with bottles.
My father poured some alcohol into two sses, handed one to me. "Shall we toast?"
I epted the ss with both hands, although myplexion had already turned pale. "Oh, me? I don''t really..." I shrugged my shoulders and nced at my father. This was a rather unusual sight.
"Well... then I''ll say it. Choose one. Over 3 trillion won in assets, the acquisition of A-jin Group, the investment firm that ys around with Hollywood, or the infinite affection of the Chairman of Sunyang Group. Which one do you like the most?"
I hadn''t taken a sip of the alcohol, but myplexion changed again, from red to white.
Oh no, my careless uncle!
No, was I the foolish one? A friendship forged in a distant foreignnd where we relied on each other and kept each other''s secrets for ten years. Not telling my close friend''s son about my own secrets for ten years was even stranger.
"Your expression right now is exactly the same as when I heard your story from Sehyun. Haha."
As if it were an insignificant matter, my fatherughed heartily and clinked his ss, but his lips did not move.
"It''s strange, isn''t it? You''re clearly my son, but you don''t resemble me at all. I take pride in my artistic and aesthetic sense, but you don''t even listen to the mostmon popr music, let alone pop songs. On the contrary, handling finances is such a tedious task for me, but my son has been blessed with an amazing talent for investment. How can we be so different?"
I downed the contents of my ss in one gulp. I felt like I needed to calm my pounding heart in order to say anything.
"It''s okay. Take a deep breath slowly. Or do you want another drink? Haha." My father smiled as he poured more liquor into my ss. "At first, I was incredibly surprised, but on the other hand, I felt proud. Not because you earned a lot of money, but because I was proud of such an extraordinary talent."
"I apologize for not mentioning it earlier."
"It''s actually a relief that you didn''t mention it earlier. Do you think I would have believed a middle schooler who handles over 20 billion won and negotiates fluently in English?" My father continued calmly, assessing my expression. "Anyway, what''s done is done. I''ll apud you honestly. Impressive." My father lightly pped his hands a few times. "Now, let''s talk about the future. What is it that you ultimately want to achieve?"
"Well... I don''t have specific goals or ns right now. I''m busy evaluating what''sing up immediately."
"Do you perhaps want to take over Sunyang Group?"
Should I speak the truth? Should I seek his help? I hesitated for a moment, but timing is crucial. Once one person knows, it''s only a matter of time before everyone else does.
"That would just be a means or a tool for my ultimate goal."
"Really? So what is our son''s dream?"
"To create a first-rate conglomerate that surpasses Sunyang Group... To achieve that, I''ll need to establishpanies from scratch, and I''ll have to acquire promising subsidiaries from Sunyang Group. Of course, I''ll also need subsidiaries from other major corporations. I can''t limit myself to just Sunyang."
"Acquire? Is Sunyang Group is a convenience store? A neighborhood supermarket? You n to buy it?"
"Father, Grandfather giving me Sunyang Group is not something I want. What''s the point of being born into a chaebol family if all I hear is how lucky I am?"
"So you''re buying it? The primepanies of Sunyang?"
"If they are indeed prime. Well, it''s still just a dream."
Chapter 69 The First Battle 1
Chapter 69 The First Battle 1
Director Lee Hak-jae raised an eyebrow at Chairman Jin''sughter.
"Chairman, Oh Se-hyun isn''t as simple as you think. He probably knows the value of hispany''s dors better than anyone."
"This director, Oh Se-hyun is he the owner?"
"Yes?"
"Didn''t I say? The. Owner. I''m. Close. With. Oh Se-hyun is just a manager."
A manager was a representative of the owner, and of course, there was a separate owner. Shareholders and investors were the real owners.
"Chairman, you don''t mean...?"
No one dared to say it, but the expressions on everyone in the study implied that they wanted to confirm whether Miracle Investment belonged to Chairman Jin''spany.
"What''s with those looks? Don''t misunderstand. It''s not my money. How would I gather that much in dors? My pockets are empty because none of you have been working hard. No?"
When Chairman Jin pped his desk, uncertain whether they shouldugh or not, everyone chuckled.
"Alright, everyone, go out. Don''t miss any of my instructions and be thorough."
Director Lee Hak-jae briefly locked eyes with Chairman Jin and nodded lightly, acknowledging that it included him as well.
As he exited, thest thing Director Lee Hak-jae saw was Chairman Jin''s smile, which had not disappeared until then.
The atmosphere was different.
If they had held a crisis management meeting due to the crisis, their expressions should have been frozen, but they seemed rather cheerful.
Was it because the A-jin Group, the top conglomerate, had such solid financial strength?
After confirming that Director Lee Hak-jae had leftst, he entered the study.
"Oh, the owner is here? Hehe."
"Yes?"
The owner? Me?
Could it be that they designated me as the sessor in today''s emergency meeting?
There was absolutely no such thing, but my heart raced with baseless imagination.
"Our grandson, isn''t he the owner of Miracle? Today, it''s not a meeting between grandfather and grandson. Let''s have an important discussion between the two owners."
"Suddenly, what are you talking about? Scary..."
"Where are you exaggerating? It''s all over your face. I''m dying of amusement."
It''s not my expression, but my grandfather''s expression exactly.
Negotiations are an art of tension and anxiety.
Amusement is the privilege of the one who has already gained the upper hand in negotiations.
Both my grandfather and I undoubtedly have hidden cards because neither of us is in a superior position... I know my card, but I don''t know my grandfather''s card.
What could it be, exactly? Why is he so rxed when the foreign exchange crisis is imminent?
"But what''s the important matter? Are you going to talk about the ownership ratio of the two carpanies'' merger?"
"Oh, that too. Let''s do thatter. There''s something more important."
What could be more important? Is it really the issue of the session of the Sunyang Group?
But my brief happy imagination came to an end.
"Have you prepared the A-jin Group acquisition payment?"
"What preparations are there to make? You just need to transfer it from the overseas ount to the domestic ount."
"Of course, it''s in dors, right?"
When I mentioned dors, I didn''t miss the glint in my grandfather''s eyes.
I see.
Securing dors in preparation for the foreign exchange crisis.
For the Sunyang Group and my grandfather, this was the most important issue.
"Yes, because it''s in a U.S. bank, it''s in dors."
"I''ll take care of that. 1.2 trillion, right?"
"Yes."
"The current exchange rate is around 1,200 won, so let''s see... exactly 10 billion dors?"
"Yes, that''s correct."
"Let''s move it right away, maybe tomorrow."
"No, thank you."
"What?"
"It''splicated, you know. Why go through all this trouble when we can just give it to the bond banks?"
My grandfather began to look at me with amazement as I smiled brightly.
"Could it be that you...?"
"Yes, I have eyes and ears too. The dor keeps rising. Anyway, the merger of Sunyang and A-jin Automobiles has to be finalized before the bond banks sign the acquisition approval. Paymentes after that. From my perspective, it''s profitable to pay slowly."
The old man looked at me with surprised eyes, which was somewhat cute, but his life experiences were different. He quickly became calm and even showed a faint smile.
"That''s right. You have to be like that, my grandson. Ah, now it''s getting interesting. Haha."
He wasted the time that should have been used to think quickly withughter. Like a nimble inspiration!
And then came the proposal.
"Give me 1,500 won. How about that?"
"A bit more, please."
"You stubborn guy. Fine, 1,600 won."
"No way."
"Kid, do you forget that the dors you''ve collected now are the money I gave you to buy a ranch and clothe yourself? Have you forgotten that?"
"That was a deal. I studied hard all my life and got perfect scores in every subject to make you happy, and in return, I received the ranch. I know you spent tens of millions to buy the ranch, but if I bought that much happiness for tens of millions, it was a fair deal, right? If we consider tens of millions as an ordinary person, isn''t it just tens of thousands of won?"
"Hah! You''re quite a shrewd one. Do you remember all that?" Grandfather shook his head with a shudder. "This, it feels like I was scammed... Well, fine. How much are you offering? Tell me."
"Because the dors you want to buy will be toilet paper when converted to won, the scale won''t match. Put something else on the scale."
"What did you say? Toilet paper?"
The expression on my grandfather''s face, which had never lost its faint smile until now, changedpletely.
"How much do you think the exchange rate will rise for you to call it toilet paper?"
Chapter 70 The First Battle 2
Chapter 70 The First Battle 2
"Weak? Does it not matter if you didn''t acquire A-jin?"
My grandfather''s expression showed considerable tension.
He wasn''t surprised or flustered. Instead, he appeared somewhat angry.
Is this the expression he has when threats don''t work?
"Did you seriously think that you could take A-jin Group''s acquisition lightly? Were you thinking about giving up if things didn''t go well?"
Ah, so he perceived it as me giving up easily.
Our grandfather hated the word "give up" more than anything.
"Of course not. If the merger falls through, do you think I wouldn''t be able to acquire A-jin Group?"
"It''s the first condition for the acquisition."
"The situation has changed. Right now, it''s a real ''emergency situation.''"
"Some things don''t change."
"Really?"
"My influence is exactly that. If I break the merger and make calls to the bondholders, banks, the Blue House, and the National Assembly, the acquisition decision will be a thing of the past. And then, we''ll bid again. Then, Chairman Daehyun Group will contact me and offer to treat me to a drink."
The Deputy Prime Minister has yet to officially announce the government''s request for an IMF bailout. It''s clearly a few days away. You''d think Chairman Daehyun Group''s influence would bepletely ineffectual once he sees that announcement.
"Grandfather."
"Why? Are you starting to get nervous now?"
"The government has injected $11 billion into the foreign exchange market, but the exchange rate is still soaring. Have you seen the Bloomberg article? Our country''s usable foreign reserves are barely $2 billion. Deputy Prime Minister Kang Gyeong-sik openly asked friendly nations for a loan on TV."
"Are you implying that my influence has diminished because of the foreign exchange crisis?"
"No, it''s not diminished. It''s gone."
"What?"
Today, I saw my grandfather''s most surprised expression yet.
"The difficult times to find a path will continue. But will Grandfather''s call go through? I think Grandfather should take the current emergency situation more seriously."
I couldn''t say anything.
The threat is now my turn.
"Well, if Grandfather''s influence can help with the re-bidding, I would truly appreciate it. Since no one else will bid and it will be a Miracle exclusive bid. Even if I use 12 billion of the acquisition funds for 80 billion, the creditors probably won''t object, right?"
Grandfather still keeps his mouth tightly shut, not saying a word.
"Chairman Dae-hyun, by now, must be sweating profusely. Pouring 1.2 trillion into A-jin and if he doesn''t have cash, he must be in quite a predicament."
"Do-Jun."
"Grandfather, just a moment. Let me say onest thing."
Grandfather nodded his head.
"Surely, in one corner of Grandfather''s heart, there is hope that the current emergency situation will improve soon. No, it could be a wish. But... there is no such thing. If you just look at the facts, you will know that our country cannot escape this crisis."
It''s unsettling when what needs to crumble doesn''t crumble.
It was not only Chairman Jin''s sentiment but everyone''s. However, there was a vague belief that the size of South Korea''s economy wouldn''t easily copse. This belief was what was holding back the anxiety.
But now, Grandfather''s expression changed.
He had abandoned that belief.
"Your conviction isn''t wavering?"
"No, it''s not. A tremendous event is about to happen. And it''s only a few days away."
"That means our Sunyang Group really needs the 1 billion dors you have?"
"Our foreign exchange reserves are only about 2 billion dors. I hold half of that, which is 1 billion dors. The moment that dor enters Korea, all banks andpanies will rush to Miracle''s office."
"Then I better have a ticket to meet you at that time."
"Grandfather is number 0. Right now, aren''t you meeting with me?"
Grandfather, who took a moment to collect his thoughts, said very slowly.
"I should call Hwakjae Lee first, make a big fuss, and have a talk with our grandson again."
It was the first time I had seen him take a step back.
At times like this, you can''t help but feel how remarkable it is. A conglomerate chairman who knows how to listen even to his young grandson''s words, it''s not something you see every day.
However, it''s something I can''t gracefully back away from.
"Grandfather. I''m not having fun anymore."
"What? Is this brat teasing his old man because he has some dors?"
"I''m being honest. I need to quickly take over A-jin Group. There''s a lot to do in the future. I need to findpanies to put in my shopping cart while shaking the dors in my hand and negotiate prices."
A second bewildered expression appeared.
Somehow, a sense of satisfaction welled up. He was the founder of Sunyang Group, a legendary figure to me. It was a small thrill to have momentarily outsmarted such a person.
"You... how much dors do you actually have in your possession?"
"I can''t show you my entire wallet, but I should have enough to put Wooseong Motors in my pocket."
"Oh, did you say Wooseong? Are you serious?"
"Yes. I n to merge A-jin and Wooseong, and if we add Sunyang Motors to the mix, it should be on a simr level to Daehyun Motors, don''t you think?" I pushed my chair back and stood up. "I''ll tie it all together and put a Sunyang Motors sign on it. This is another gift from your dutiful grandson."
Grandfather began to look at me with eyes that seemed to be catching fire.
"I''ll await the second proposal. Please find out how much time we have left in your meeting... ande to a quick conclusion. Before the waiting list gets longer."
"That''s a bit mild for a threat."
As I was leaving the study, he grabbed my foot with his words.
"It''s not over until it''s over, isn''t that something you said? It''s notplete nonsense."
"There''s also the saying that you need to know when to back down. That''s something you''ve said yourself."
"That''splete nonsense. Haha."
Chapter 71 The First Battle 3
Chapter 71 The First Battle 3
Director Hakjae Lee opened the door to the chairman''s office, and someone entered.
Chairman Jin, who had been sitting on the visitor''s sofa, stood up when the door opened but quickly sat back down.
"The Prime Minister sends an errand boy? He''s grown quite a bit."
In response to Chairman Jin''s ufortable remark, the errand boy, who was slowly walking in, quickly rushed to the nearby seat and bowed.
"Please don''t misunderstand, Chairman. Given the current situation, there were many eyes watching, so it was inevitable. He instructed me to convey his apology."
"Alright, I understand. Take a seat quickly."
Kim Sung-soo, the vice minister, bowed his head and sat down on the sofa.
"You must know why I asked to meet with the Prime Minister, right?"
"Of course, Chairman."
"I heard that the IMF approved $55.5 billion in aid. The guy who acts like a tough guy, did he promise that yesterday?"
Vice Minister Kim Sung-soo blinked his eyes instead of answering.
"You... don''t know?"
"Chairman, it''s not that, but I wanted to confirm how you knew. It happened early this morning, or rather, just today...."
"Don''t ask me who my sources are. Just answer the question, got it?"
"Yes, understood."
"How much ising in the first round?"
"$5.6 billion. We''re nning to use it immediately."
"I don''t know where that money is going, but let Sunyang Group use $1.5 billion. Is that okay?"
Vice Minister Kim Sung-soo put both of his hands politely on his knees, wearing an awkward expression.
"Chairman, that''s a bit... We''ve decided to release it tomercial banks for now. Exportpanies are holding credit notes and are on the verge of copsing. We need to release their credit lines first to prevent a domino effect."
"Starting with the leaky ones, huh?"
"Yes."
"Get out."
"Ch-Chairman."
Vice Minister Kim barely perched on the edge of the sofa, his body drenched in cold sweat.
"Do you think I''m a fool? The election is just around the corner, right? If you announce support for the conglomerates, it''ll sound like you''re losing votes from the small and medium-sized enterprises, won''t it?"
"Oh, no, not at all."
"And these guys are just saying ''let''s see''... When they need campaign funds, they dig into my pockets, but when I need something, they fill someone else''s pockets? What kind of math is that?"
As Chairman Jin sharply pointed out, Vice Minister Kim Sung-soo became tongue-tied again.
"Kim Sung-soo, when will the second round of funding be?"
Hakjae Lee, who had been quietly observing, asked,ing to the rescue of the embarrassed Kim Sung-soo.
"At the end of December. Right after Christmas."
"How much?"
"$2 billion."
Chairman Jin mmed the sofa armrest.
"Just give that much. Got it?"
As if he had finished the discussion, Chairman Jin got up.
"Chairman."
"Why? Do you have more to say?"
"How can I make that promise?"
"Then why did youe? Since the Prime Minister granted you that much authority, I dealt with you. If someone without authority had been talking to me all this time, just remember that it would have been the end of your civil servant career. Think carefully before you speak."
It''s the moment when a civil servant''s self-esteem is most wounded and they feel the most humiliation.
Someone without authority.
In an organization where status is determined by authority, being told you have no authority means you''re considered a person not worth dealing with.
"Chairman, it''s not something I can promise from my position. Even the Prime Minister... no, the President can''t make such a promise. Isn''t this something that can only happen if the ruling party wins the presidential election and continues in power? If the opposition party takes power, it''s just a bonfire."
"Just win! You were given money to win. Even if you throw that money around and still can''t win? More than half the people blindly vote for the same party. Can''t you win against that?"
In the pre-election period, there is no change from the status quo. No one can predict the oue, and the situation remains uncertain.
Unable to answer and not knowing what to do with his body, Vice Minister Kim Sung-soo turned his gaze to Director Hakjae Lee, seemingly seeking help.
Director Hakjae Lee nodded slightly and gathered the courage to speak.
"Yes, Chairman. I promise to win and repay your kindness."
"Don''t just tter me, go. Make sure to secure the $2 billion and put it in my pocket."
When Vice Minister Kim Sung-soo quietly retreated, Chairman Jin let out a sigh.
"It looks like the game is over if the Prime Minister is stepping back."
"The reports from the intelligence team are shocking, but it seems the opposition party is slightly ahead."
"What about that young gentleman who''s stirring up trouble? Have you met him?"
"Yes."
"What does he say?"
"He insists he will not resign under any circumstances."
"He''s reallyying it on thick. Even if hees out three times and tries to steal the first-ce votes, he won''t seed. Doesn''t he know that? It''s not even guaranteed that there will be another chance. Is he a fool?"
"No one in their right mind remains sane after election campaigning. When they see their supporters, they be convinced that they will be the president themselves."
The two exchanged pitiful nces.
"Oh, Vice Minister Kim, did you make sure to take care of him?"
"Even without you saying so, I already gave him a box in the trunk of his car."
"Good job. He''s running around getting curses from all sides, so he needs a little something to lift his spirits."
As the atmosphere in the chairman''s office calmed down a bit, Hakjae Lee cautiously spoke up.
"Chairman, can you tell me who the Miracle Owner is? I''d like to meet with them and request their cooperation."
"Enough. I''ll handle that side of things. You go visit the opposition camp. Offer them a few bottles of Bhus and just chat them up a bit. If they agree to prioritize supporting us with $2 billion, tell them that the Federation of Industries will actively cooperate with the next administration."
Chapter 72 Shopping Cart 1
Chapter 72 Shopping Cart 1
"The negotiations have already concluded. The exchange rate today is 1,342 won. You offered 1,600 won. Is there might be some hidden agenda?"
"It could go above 2,000 won. By the time the ten billion dorse into your hands, you''ll be facing massive losses."
"Do you really think the exchange rate could reach 2,000 won?"
I should verify the forecasting abilities of the Sunyang Economic Research Institute. Is it true that they''ve gathered some truly smart individuals? "There''s a 90% or higher probability it could go up to 2,200 won. That''s ording to the institute''s researchers. It''s not always urate, but sometimes it is."
Grandfather discreetly observed my reaction. "Why? Are you concerned that it might go above 2,000 won?"
"You know; I''ve mentioned before that it could go above 2,000 won. But it doesn''t bother me at all. After all, am I not your grandson? I''m not the kind of person who would let you incur losses."
"I know you''re not a pushover, and you''re not causing me any losses either. So, what are the additional conditions?"
Trying to outsmart someone who''s quick-witted only arouses unnecessary suspicion. I might as well bring it up now.
"I have two requests."
"Very well, let''s hear it. Let''s see if you''re going to make up for what you''ve lost or gain even more."
In front of a curious grandfather, I pulled out a map I had prepared.
"Isn''t this a map of Seoul?"
"Yes. Please take a look at the ces marked with red circles."
Grandfather carefully examined about a dozen locations before looking up. "What''s this?"
"These are Seoul city-owned publds."
"Publds?"
"Yes. I want to purchase thisnd at a low price."
"Hmm... Are you asking me to pressure the Seoul mayor?"
"No, not at all. The current mayor has only six months left in office. We should make this request, or rather, demand it from the next mayor."
At the word "demand," a glint appeared in Grandfather''s eyes.
"Did you perhaps have your maternal uncle in mind?"
"Yes."
"No, you can''t." As if there was nothing more to discuss, he pushed the map aside. "I will take care of the campaign funds your for uncle. If your uncle bes the mayor of Seoul, he can pressure the sale of the publds, and you just need to apply pressure to the constituency''s representative. Maybe the pressure on the representative won''t even be necessary."
Ignoring Grandfather''s firm refusal, I continued speaking. "Well, isn''t there a good reason for it? If the city sells all the non-operationalnds to secure funds amid the national economic crisis, there should be no opposition."
"Ah, that rascal!"
"Could you please exin the reason for your opposition?"
"It''s not about the reason; it''s about the family. This should be reason enough."
Indeed, bloodlines mattered in the world of men, and a daughter''s bloodline extended beyond the boundaries of the family.
Pretending not to understand, I made a deliberate misinterpretation. "The Seoul mayor doesn''t have much influence on the Sunyang Group."
"Choi Seo-bang''s interest in politics is just a whim of my daughter. He''s nothing more than a puppet in her hands."
Aunt Choi Seo-yoon aimed topensate for her handicap of being a daughter through political power.
Among South Korean politicians, only a tiny minority dared to stand against Chairman Jin.
Even without a microscope or magnifying ss, you could see all the illegal and semi-legal methods employed by the Sunyang Group. But everyone turned a blind eye and pretended not to see. If someone dared to mention it, they would quickly be silenced.
If a powerful politician started making noise from the speaker''s podium, it was all too predictable that trouble would follow.
I knew well that Aunt Choi intended to use that power to secure more Sunyang shares for herself, equivalent to her brothers, or even more.
"Grandfather."
"Enough of this!"
"Why don''t you consider making Uncle a puppet of the Sunyang Group?"
"What?"
"All sorts of dirt and dust will umte until he takes the seat of Seoul mayor. Won''t that make him a puppet in your hands?"
"That dirt and dustes from Sunyang. If you expose it, Sunyang will be harmed too."
"I will turn that dirt and dust around. So, you won''t need to worry because I will firmly hold Aunt''s neck for you, Grandfather."
"This guy, you think you''ll handle the money, and I''m supposed to handle the politics? Nonsense!" Grandfather snorted in disbelief.
"No, it''s not like that. I will handle the money, and you can use it when you need to."
"What? You''ll handle the money? Well then, just go ahead without my permission."
"If you make just one phone call to the ruling party leader, their nominated candidate won''t even be possible, right?"
Grandfather started looking into my eyes silently.
"Allow me to y the role of Seoul City Hall''s owner twice, for just two terms, over eight years. During that time, we can get everything we need, won''t that work?"
The sound of wheels turning in his head was audible. Eventually, Grandfather spoke up.
"What''s the second request?"
"Do you grant permission for the first one?"
"Not yet. Tell me the second one."
"Prevent government subsidies from flowing into Dae-ah Construction."
"What? Dae-ah Construction?"
Because of the unexpected name that had popped up, Grandfather''s eyes widened.
"I have no intention of turning that publd into a parking lot. We need to build something on thatnd. To do that, we need at least one small constructionpany, right?"
"Small? Dae-ah is ranked fifth in contract awards. Do you think that''s small?"
"Grandfather, I own A-jin Group and Sunyang Automobile. Compared to that, Dae-ah is just a small shop."
Suddenly, a smile spread across Grandfather''s face. Was it approval?
"You, this kid, are serious."
"Yes"
"You''re not just making noise about taking over Dae-ah Construction. You''re actually considering it..."
"Did you consider giving it to me if I made a fuss?"
Chapter 73 Shopping Cart 2
Chapter 73 Shopping Cart 2
"Do-Jun, you''re still too young to understand this side of things. No one writes contracts while giving campaign funds."
"Ah, I see. Our Do-Jun only deals with investment firms, so that''s what you thought. This money is all going to disappear. It''s not about investment."
Do they still see me as a young kid with lots of money? "Oh dear, I forgot to exin in detail." I awkwardlyughed while tapping my forehead. "Just a moment. There''s someone who can exin in detail"
I shouted as I stood up from the living room sofa and headed to the stairs leading to this floor. "Uncle! Come down."
My aunt and uncle continued to look at each other with bewildered expressions.
Is there no one in the house I can call ''uncle''?
"Land? Commonnd?"
"Yes. I n to seize it as soon as the local elections end next year."
"You''re going to make your uncle the mayor of Seoul?"
"Am I the one making it happen? Uncle has to fight for it."
Oh Sehyun revealed his reluctance on his face.
"I''ve never seen anyone get involved in politics for long. After their term as politicians ends, aren''t they just the ones who retaliate by exposing dirty or smelly things? Don''t you know that?"
"There are no businesses that have grown without getting involved in political power. If you try to do business outside of politics in Korea, you can''t be a major corporation."
"So what? Why are you gettingnd?"
"We have to undertake arge-scale construction project once. Hehe."
"The more you have, the more you want. What? A construction project?"
"That''s not why I''m interested in constructionpanies. It''s all for this."
I took out the map that I had spread in front of Oh Sehyun.
"The juiciest part is right here." I energetically ced a red pin on one spot on the map. I''ll develop this ce."
"Where is this?" Oh Sehyun, who had presbyopia, raised his sses above his head and carefully examined the map. "Mapo? Sangam-dong?"
"Yes. It''s already designated as a development zone fornd spection."
"Hey, hey. Fold it up. What''s the point, it''s all over?"
This summer, they designated the formerndfill site in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, and the nearby underdeveloped Borakchon, charcoal factories, and vacantnd as the "Sangam Land Spection Development Zone" and announced the development.
At that time, I realized that it was impossible to get involved in a lucrative business without a constructionpany.
After all, thepanies participating in the Sangam Land Spection Development are all too busy. Why build apartments when the country is almost bankrupt? And there are no people to move in.
Everyone felt this way.
"There are still a lot ofmonnds near the development zone. We need to develop that."
"It''s impossible to push out apartment units now. Don''t you see the real estate crash? In this situation, more apartments?"
Iughed when Oh Sehyun was shaking his head.
"Opportunities arise when prepared individuals meet in times of crisis. There''s no one as prepared as me in this country during the biggest crisis."
"Anyway, there are many rumors flying around. Not this time. Apartments are out for now. After this crisis passes, you can touch apartments."
"Who said anything about apartments?"
"What?"
"I''m not interested in apartments. Land distribution is already over, and the constructionpanies in that area have been told to take a break. I''m going to develop with a different concept."
Oh Sehyun sighed and said, knowing that he couldn''t break my stubbornness.
"Alright, what''s this new concept?"
"DMC."
"Seriously, are you starting a broadcasting station now? Why not just buy MBC?" Oh Sehyun had an exasperated expression, as if it was too troublesome to talk.
"It''s not a broadcasting station; it''s called DMC. It stands for Digital Media City."
"What''s that?"
Finally, he showed some interest and rxed his expression. Words like ''digital'' and ''media'' sounded futuristic.
"I''ll provide you with some information. And we need to build a World Cup main stadium in Sangam-dong. It''s not long until 2002."
In 1996, FIFA decided on a joint hosting of the World Cup by South Korea and Japan. No one knew that the South Korean national team would make it to the semi-finals. In the past, I used to shout for South Korea while watching TV in a pub, but this time, I n to watch it in the VIP box.
"City means a city, right? Isn''t it too absurd? Well, the World Cup stadium looks usible."
"We''ll make DMC look convincing too."
"Nice to meet you for the first time. Mr. Jin, Mr. Choi. I''m Oh Sehyun."
My aunt and uncle looked surprised, alternating between the business card Oh Sehyun had offered and his face.
Miracle Investment CEO.
This is the power of a business card.
An investment firm that acquired the A-Jin Group. Isn''t this someone who moves money inrge quantities?
"Oh, hello. Do-Jun. The investment firm that manages your money is Miracle, right?" Aunt shook the business card slightly.
"Yes. That''s right." I nodded and said to both of them, "Please go ahead and talk. I''ll be upstairs."
My offer to vacate my seat left my aunt with a puzzled expression.
"He''s someone who''s thinking of investing in the future Seoul mayor and even the business. You can trust him and speak openly. He''s also my father''s close friend. Well then..."
I bowed my head to the three of them and moved away.
Oh Sehyun knows my n well, so there shouldn''t be any problems.
"Speaking of which, whose money is this election fund? Is it Do-Jun''s money? Or Miracle? Is it Mr. Oh''s personal money?"
Jin Seo-yoon, with sharp eyes, lookedpletely different from when he faced his nephew.
The word "contract" was mentioned, and the word "business" came up as well. He understood that this wasn''t a situation where money was being requested.
"The source of the money is Do-Jun''s. But I feel obligated to ensure that Do-Jun''s money is managed responsibly. I hope you understand."
"But this is a family matter. It''s a bit... awkward."
"This is expected."
"Expected?"
"Has there ever been family matters in the Sunyang Group? Isn''t everything business?"
Unlike the cold Jin Seo-yoon, Oh Sehyun didn''t lose his smile.
Chapter 74 Shopping Cart 3
Chapter 74 Shopping Cart 3
"Who knows when and how you''ll use this contract, but do it after I retire and leave the country. I don''t want to go to jail."
As the two left, Oh Sehyun handed me the contract.
"This contract can''t be made public."
"You devil. Do you already know that a bomb''s power is most effective when you hold onto it?"
"No. I''m nning to give this to my grandfather."
"Hey! Are you crazy? Giving that? That''s like Chairman Jin grabbing me by the neck."
"Uncle, my grandfather has no interest in professional managers. He''s always the one holding the owner''s leash. He''ll use this contract as a switch to keep my aunt from having any other thoughts." Reassuring the surprised Oh Sehyun, I had to let him know it wasn''t over yet. "When my grandfather is sure that my grandmother uncle won''t get away, he''ll allow him to run for Seoul Mayor."
"Chairman Jin is really ruthless. Don''t even trust his own children."
"I''ve made others trust me while not trusting anyone. That''s how I got to where I am. Grandfather probably doesn''tpletely trust me either."
"Since we''re talking about it, let me ask one thing." Oh Sehyun, who had been leaning on the couch, stood up and his expression turned serious. "17.7%. That''s your ownership stake in Sunyang Group. You''ll need to acquire at least 80% to be the owner of the Sunyang Group Chairman''s office. Well, even if we say 80%, it''s less than 10% of the total group shares... Anyway, how much do you think Chairman Jin will pass on to you?"
"All of the head! Nothing of the heart."
"What?"
"Chairman Jin knows there isn''t a single person other than me who can run Sunyang Group. But the inherent nature he originally possessed is that he only cares about himself. He doesn''t want to give anything to anyone else. If he can bury Sunyang Group together with him when he passes away, that''s what he''d want."
"I''m not asking about that nobleman''s greed. I''m talking about a realistic view."
"I don''t know either. When reason and emotion sh, reason doesn''t always win."
"You don''t know?"
"No. But it doesn''t matter. I''ve decided to think of the ownership passed down by my grandfather as just a bonus."
As a bonus, it should be quite substantial.
Not a one notable son, but an exceptional grandson with outstanding abilities. Even though not a son but still a member of the bloodline.
I believe that this is the best way to secure thergest possible bonus.
"Anyway, this contract will y a significant role."
We''ve passed phase one. Now we need to move on to phase two.
"Uncle, out of the 32 billion dors, we have 10 billion dors converted at Sunyang, leaving us with 22 billion dors, right?"
Oh Sehyun''s expression changed.
"Why? Are you going to use that?"
"It needs to be converted when it''s valuable. Anyway, once you subtract that, how much will be left in Miracle USA''s operating funds?"
"About 4 or 5 billion dors will remain. There won''t be much of your money in it. It''s mostly from regr investors."
"So even if I withdraw all my money, Miracle USA still has things to do, right?"
"Of course. Those guys have skills. They''re not just idling around. Of course, they might be a bit shocked if you withdraw all your money. But what are you going to use that money for?"
"It''s valuable dors, so we need to use them valuably. Right after the presidential election."
"What?"
"The government is sure to change, so I n to give it as a gift for winning the presidential election."
It''s quite fun to see my uncle''s surprised expressions from time to time. Just like now.
"W-What are you thinking? Stop mimicking the chaebols!"
"Uncle, you''re the one who should mimic them."
"Hey!"
"Don''t be too surprised. It''s not that big of a deal."
I decided to stop enjoying my uncle''s various expressions and started talking about business.
"Uncle, what is the purpose of creating a Media City? There are no citizens immigrating to that city, right?"
"Immigrants?"
"Yes. We need to attractpanies with a big name that would be suitable for Media City. For example, broadcasting stations."
My uncle must feel like pulling his hair out by now because I keep saying such absurd things.
"Hey! Are you kidding with broadcasting stations? The scale of that..."
"Of course, there are public broadcasting stations, but there are cable channels as well. We have to take it step by step."
My uncle seems to be a bit more agreeable when ites to cable channels. The scale of cable broadcasting varies widely, so there might be some potential.
"The DMC project isn''t bad even from the government''s perspective. Building new infrastructure not only has employment effects but also contributes to economic revitalization. It looks good as a project for the new government."
"Do you mean to just hand over 22 billion dors like that? Are you out of your mind?"
"Why would I give my money to the government? I''m asking them to exchange something for dors."
"Ah...!"
Seeing the exmationing out of his mouth, it seems that all the puzzle pieces have fallen into ce.
"Then what about the Seoul City sharednd..."
"Yes, it''s all bundled into one package. An investment firm bringing in 22 billion dors to cash-strapped Korea, investing in a massive broadcasting and media infrastructure development. They will dly wee this."
"If the government and Seoul City coborate on the project... maybe we can even secure government funding?"
"If it happens that way, it couldn''t be better."
For a while, Oh Sehyun just stared at my face without saying anything.
"Are you a duplicate of your grandfather? How did youe up with all these thoughts? Even setting aside the feasibility, the scale is truly extraordinary."
"No, this all stems from filial piety."
"What nonsense are you talking about? Filial piety?"
"I want to turn DMC into a massive media empire and give it to my father."
Now, Oh Sehyun''s astonished expression has be tiresome.
"Since you studied together, you should know, right? Our father is a remarkable business leader. Just look at how he''s leading the film industry now."
Chapter 75 The Wind of Change is Blowing 1
Chapter 75 The Wind of Change is Blowing 1
"Hey... can''t even someone like you avoid the exams?"
"Yeah, seriously. You disappeared, and now you''re back to school like a storm."
After several phone calls and a few ssmates who knew my name and face spotted me, they gathered around, pretending not to know me.
"If I get an academic warning, I''m screwed. The penalties are severe."
"Penalties? What kind of penalties?"
"If I mess up my school life, my grandpa won''t give me stocks. It''s a big deal for me."
"S... Stocks?"
"Yeah, that''s right. Stocks scarier than getting an F grade. Hehe." I evenughed to make it clear that it was a joke, but these guys seemed to take it seriously. They couldn''t close their mouths, their faces devoid ofughter.
"Wow. So you lose billions for an F grade?"
"No, it''s not just tens or hundreds of billions. Isn''t it the chairman''s stake, which means it''s part of the holdingpany?"
Oh, these kids... they''re taking this seriously again.
Do conglomerates seem like a fantasy to ordinary people? The more unrealistic the story, the more they seem to believe it.
"Hey, stop! Let''s talk after the exams."
I chased away the surrounding ssmates and opened my book.
I scanned through the table of contents and organized my thoughts.
In any case, it''s obvious that I''ll write the wrong answers, but I just need to maintain logical consistency.
And it doesn''t have to be a nk paper. If I fill in the answer sheet reasonably, I should get a C or D grade. How much schrship money does the Sunyang Foundation give because of me?
After the first day of exams, a few guys approached me again.
"Do-Jun, want to grab a beer?"
"What about the exams tomorrow? Are you giving up?"
"Just a quick drink."
Seoul National University isn''t going anywhere.
I thought that even at the so-called lesser-known university I attended, there were students who drank during the exam period. But it seems that prestigious universities are no different; they are ces where people live.
"Didn''t I say earlier? I have stocks! Let''s have a drink after the exams, at the end-of-term party. I''ll treat you. How about it?"
When I mentioned that I would treat them, their expressions changed.
"Hey, don''t expect too much. It''s just soju or beer."
"One of the two for drinks, but is the quantity unlimited?" As if they had been waiting, one of them asked.
Oh, right, these guys are now first-year students.
At an age when they can enjoy drinking without worrying about money.
"Yeah, it''s unlimited, man. Hehe."
These guys seem determined to have a great time.
After the final exams, I was dragged to thergest pub in front of the school.
It was already so crowded that there were no empty seats, and I could asionally spot some senior students.
It became less awkward because some of us were sitting at the same table, chatting without reservation.
"Come on, let''s ce an order. Do-Jun, what would you like to eat?"
"Hey! Do-Jun, would you evere to a ce like this willingly? Just order whatever you want."
A ce like this? I''ve been here countless times.
Were there not a few times when I couldn''t order snacks due tock of money?
Thinking about those times made me chuckle.
Since I''m living the way I want now, I should treat these guys to the things I couldn''t have back then.
I raised my hand to call the waiter.
"Did you take order drinks at other tables?"
"Yes. they ordered 3,000 won worth of drinks for each table."
"Cancel that and bring bottled beer."
"What?"
"What?"
The fellow students were more surprised than the waiter.
"It''s a rare drinking asion; when you treat, you have to treat properly. We can''t have anyone saying it''s too little." I said with a sly smile, and the guys at the same table burst intoughter.
"Hey! Do-Jun''s treating us to bottled beer!" One guy suddenly stood up and shouted, creating a momentary silence.
Soon after, a burst of cheers erupted.
Well, is there any premium liquor like bottled beer for young guys without money?
"Do-Jun, can we have Capri?" Someone shouted loudly.
Capri? Ah... that yellow beer, Miller knockoff kind of beer to sip with your eyes closed?
I shrugged my shoulders. "Capri is still bottled beer. Drink whatever you like."
A pleasant smile appeared on my face. The joy of youth, where even a slight indulgence can lift your spirits.
I sometimes resolved not to miss out on such simple pleasures by spending time with them.
"Right, we should order some snacks." I picked up the menu and scanned through the list of snacks.
Okay, there are a few noticeable food pictures.
I raised my hand. "Excuse me!"
The waiter rushed over like a bullet.
"First, give us eight bottles of Capri."
Ignoring the guys at the same table who were only blinking, I went back to the menu and selected some snacks.
"For snacks... let''s see... how about some fried chicken, spicy whelk sd with cold noodles... oh, and one order of chicken gizzards too."
As I closed the menu, the waiter checked the note she had written down.
"Eight bottles of Capri, soju, spicy whelk sd, and chicken gizzards, right?"
"Yes. Oh, wait a moment. Will dried anchovies and gochujang be served as aplimentary side?"
"Yes, of course."
One of the colleagues who had been lost in thought suddenly regained hisposure and urgently shouted, "Order chicken too!"
"Okay. Marinated or fried?"
"Fried."
The waiter nodded and turned away, and that''s when the guys couldn''t hold back anymore.
"What''s this? You also hang out at ces like this? You''re pretty good at it, huh?"
Chapter 76 The Wind of Change is Blowing 2
Chapter 76 The Wind of Change is Blowing 2
"Wow, Seo Minyoung, as expected! She''s straightforward." A senior at the same table eximed in admiration while looking at Seo Minyoung.
That''s right! That was her name.
Wait, but what does "straightforward" mean in this context?
"Senior, may I sit for a moment?" She pulled a chair and quietly joined the table.
Indeed, there''s nothing you can do when a pretty girl gets involved. Everyone quickly makes room for her.
It''s true what they say; a man''s most fatal weakness is a woman''s beauty.
"Would you like a drink?" The senior extended a ss toward Seo Minyoung, who epted it with both hands and took a sip.
"Just a half ss, please. I have to go back to the library."
"Oh! You''re a dedicated preparatory student indeed. No breaks, no vacations, just straight ahead, right? But do you really have time for this here?"
There it is again, "straight ahead!"
It seems like they call preparatory students heading for the civil service exam "straight ahead."
"Seniors, in my opinion, you don''t have time for this either. If it''s the civil service exam, it might take about two years of preparation to make it possible. But the bar exam... that''s a problem no one can guarantee, so each of you will have to decide."
Huh? What''s she suddenly talking about? Could this be about the IMF?
"Hey! Seo Minyoung! What are you suddenly talking about?"
"Aren''t you all here to have Do-Jun check that? How are thepanies doing? When will this terrible foreign exchange crisis end... or not?"
What? She''s an economics major?
She got intow school because she''s good at studying, and from what she had heard from her seniors, she thought she was a model student who only focused on bing a judge.
But she quickly figured out why the seniors had gathered here, and she also knows how the world works.
Even if she bes a prosecutor, she probably won''t have to worry about her performance.
"Right now, not even the Seoul National University namete holds sway. Graduates are all in despair due to the harsh job market. And they say this tough situation won''t easily change. We''re rtively fortunate, though. Since we''ve studiedw, the civil service exam won''t be too challenging."
The seniors began taking turns looking at me and Seo Minyoung, both of us having expressed simr sentiments.
"Do you two happen to be dating? Discussing topics like Korean economic issues during your dates?" One senior jokingly remarked, and the nearby juniors burst intoughter.
"That''s not true! No, that can''t be. Do-Jun here is not from this world. Minyoung and Do-Jun dating? Impossible."
"Hey! Minyoung, you said you don''t like someone who brags about strength and money, right? Jun, this guy has both. Get it together."
"Jin Do-Jun, you go back to your world. Find a girl from another chaebol family, or maybe even a celebrity... You need someone like that."
This doesn''t sound like a joke at all. mes spark in the juniors'' eyes.
Seo Minyoung emptied her ss and wiped her lips. "Why are you guys overreacting? I''ve only seen Do-Jun three times since I started school. Who''s dating...?"
"Is that so? Well, there''s no time or opportunity for it. Seo Minyoung only goes between the school library and the lecture hall. It''s impossible for them to date, really."
The sparks disappeared from the guys'' eyes.
I found their conversation both amusing and envy-inducing.
While the saying that the mind controls the body is typically used in different contexts, it applies to my situation as well. As a middle-aged man whose romantic feelings have dried up, I find these kids'' crushes rather cute.
Sometimes, my male hormones act up, but the stress I receive due to work suppresses those hormones.
"Alright. I''ve seen your faces, so I''m leaving." Seo Minyoung stood up, wrapping a scarf around her neck. "And Jun, I want to talk to you briefly. There''s something I need to discuss."
"Me? Why?" I managed to hide my surprise well.
I wondered why this person suddenly barged in without any warning. Now I understand why the seniors were taken aback earlier.
"I have some things to rify."
"Hey, Minyoung! You''re not thinking about something strange, are you?" One of the junior students shouted at the expressionless Minyoung, but her expression remained unchanged.
"You want to argue with me?"
Finding her somewhat cute, I followed Minyoung outside without saying anything.
"Ugh... it''s cold. What''s going on? What do you want to discuss?"
"I''m bringing up something that''s bothering me right now, so think carefully before you answer."
"Sure."
Trying to match the young one''s tone, I responded somewhat awkwardly, and it seemed like Seo Minyoung sensed my mood as she bit her lower lip.
"What''s up? Speak up."
"My goal and duty are to pass the bar exam before graduating."
"I understand the goal, but what do you mean by duty?"
"All my family members are in the legal field, and most of them passed the bar exam before graduating. If you don''t pass before graduating, the whole family starts nagging at you. So I have to pass, no matter what."
ording to Assistant Manager Kim Yoon-seok''s investigation, were her familymon in having prosecutors and judges?
But most of them passing before graduation... That''s unexpected.
"So, it''s tougher than high school senior year? Honestly, I don''t have much time."
"What do you mean by time?"
"The time to date with you."
"What?"
Are all kids like this nowadays? Are they being honest or just bold?
"Is that all you''ve got as a response to my confession that I like you?"
"You said you don''t like guys who brag about strength and money, right? Well, I have both."
"But you''re good-looking."
"What?"
"Your response is only one thing, huh? What?" She imitated my tone and let out a short sigh.
"My grandmother used to say that. She believed that a man''s character is most important. If a man is good-looking, she said, it''s forgivable even if he does something that makes you angry."
Chapter 77 The Wind of Change is Blowing 3
Chapter 77 The Wind of Change is Blowing 3
"Insoo Chairman Lee Jong-cheol. It''s said that he will lead the new administration initially. The first secretary seems to be the frontrunner."
"Lee Jong-cheol? Isn''t this gentleman not even from DJ? He''s from JP."
Oh Se-hyun had an incredulous expression upon hearing the name of the next administration''s key figure that Chairman Jin had mentioned.
"If you consider the uracy of the information, wouldn''t Grandfather be more reliable? You should discard your doubts."
"Well, if Sunyang Group is behind this, it can''t be a coincidence."
"I guess we''ll have to meet him."
"Chairman Jin arranged it, didn''t he?"
"How much have I done so far? Besides, our Miracle is the one of the shareholder in Sunyang. It''s only natural."
The President-elect or the Chairman of the Transition Committee must be cautious in their movements until the inauguration ceremony. Meeting a specific individual would immediately expose them to the media and could lead toplications.
To have a secret meeting, you need someone with enough power, and Chairman Jin is undoubtedly someone who can''t easily refuse a meeting proposal.
"All right. Let''s have some fun in the big water from now on. Hehe."
"From now on, let''s meet together. If I wear a suit and stand next to you, I might look like a chief secretary, don''t you think?"
"What''s this? Are you saying you don''t trust me?"
Although he initially appeared surprised at the suggestion of a direct meeting, he soon made a joke.
"Politicians often speak vaguely. To interpret urately, it''s better to meet in person."
"What if he recognizes you? As Chairman Sunyang''s grandson, he might be cautious."
"I''m not a public figure. I briefly appeared on TV afterst year''s college entrance exam, but no one remembers."
For the Chairman of the Transition Committee, there''s no reason to watch a minor television broadcast.
The crucial point is how well he understands reality.
Out of the 3.2 billion dors, 1 billion was changed by the Sunyang Group, and I was eager to know how he views the remaining 2.2 billion dors.
If he evaluates the value of the dor downward, then he''s merely a clueless politician.
Is Lee Jong-cheol truly the key figure in the next administration, or is he just a puppet who holds the door and lets others in?
"Hey, this kid. Why dress up like this? You''re just making the suit look dirty."
"No matter what I wear, clothes get dirty. Didn''t you know?"
"Anyway, you''re not humble."
Oh Se-hyun lightly nudged my back, and we began walking toward the elevator.
"This hotel is like a haven for politicians."
"It''s right in front of the Blue House, the Government Complex, and it''s close to Yeouido... There''s nowhere better."
"Because it goes directly from the parking lot to the guest rooms, there''s no need to worry about being noticed even more, right?"
"That''s true. What''s with all these secret meetings? Sinister folks."
The two of us, while criticizing politicians in general, proceeded to the meeting ce.
After giving a light knock on the guest room door, a familiar face from TV opened it.
"Oh, Representative Oh Se-hyun?"
"Yes."
"Pleasee in."
Inside the guest room, about five or six members of the transitionmittee were engaged in conversation, but they fell silent when we entered.
"Alright, let''s proceed like this, and I''ll head back first. I have some matters to discuss with this gentleman here."
The transitionmittee members nodded slightly and left the room.
"Wee. I''m Lee Jong-cheol."
"I''m Oh Se-hyun. Thank you for taking the time despite your busy schedule."
"Don''t mention it. Aren''t you the one who saved A-jin Group from copsing? I should be the one to express gratitude."
His attitude was different from what I expected.
He was a graduate of the 16th ss of the military academy and had served as a National Intelligence Service agent during the Fifth Republic before bing a member of the Minjeong Party. With that kind of career, one might expect him to be far from humble and more towards arrogance.
It''s unclear whether it''s a result of his good political maneuvering or simply his innate character.
"Who''s the young person over there...?"
"Oh, that''s my aide. Just to be safe, I want to let you know in advance that there are no secrets between me and this friend. Whatever conversation we have with Chairman today, we''re nning to tell him everything, so please allow him to sit with us."
"Of course. There shouldn''t be much to hide, but I appreciate your consideration. Hehe."
I nodded to Lee Jong-cheol and didn''t say much. It seemed like he also had no particr interest in me.
"ording to Chairman Sunyang, you''re the person he wanted to deliver good news. Is that correct?"
"It seems you''re busy. You''re getting straight to the point."
"Oh, I apologize for that. Let''s sit first."
Chairman Lee Jong-cheol guided us to the central sofa in the guest room.
"There''s about 2.2 billion dors avable at the New York headquarters of Miracle Investment. I n to bring that money to Korea."
"There must be conditions, right?"
he wasn''t surprised at the mention of 2.2 billion dors. Was he calm because of the substantial amount, or did he not understand the value of 2.2 billion dors?
"Yes. I also wanted to meet with Chairman to discuss those conditions."
Although Oh Se-hyun handed over a file he had prepared, Lee Jong-cheol briefly nced at the title and then ced it on the table.
"Why would an investment firm get involved in construction? Finance and construction don''t seem to go together."
"The proposal isn''t about a construction project. While it includes some aspects rted to construction, it''s a separate project. I''d like to ask for your positive consideration."
"If it''s positive, does that mean pouring dors into Korea?"
"Yes."
"You''ll pour it in, make huge profits, and take that money back to the United States, right?" He said it with a smile, but it wasn''t a gesture of goodwill.
It was clear that being an American investment firm had given him preconceived notions. He saw Miracle as a means for foreigners to siphon Korea''s wealth abroad.
Chapter 78 A Gloomy New Year for Someone 1
Chapter 78 A Gloomy New Year for Someone 1
"You need to think of money as precious to umte it. What if another person like Yahoo''s Jerry Yang appears?"
It seemed like quite a few ventures were knocking on Miracle''s door. My uncle''s inner thoughts were evident as he hoped for a resurgence of the U.S. IT boom in Korea.
"Well then, invest a little in the ces you like, Uncle. You''ll make some side ie at least, right?"
Let''s stay put;panies that are worth the money haven''t even appeared yet. Perhaps in some warehouse, founding members are gathering, surviving on cup ramen, and passionately developing their ideas.
Among the things I remembered, only Nexon''s "The Land of the Wind," which started its servicest year, and NCsoft''s "Lineage," which began this spring, have revealed their current state.
If we jump on the venture bandwagon and don''t stick around for the long term, investing in otherpanies will just be throwing money away. What should we do?
"Do-Jun, don''t be delusional."
"Yes?"
"Just because you met the real power in the government and touched billions of dors, do you think you''ve be a chaebol chairman or something?"
"Uncle."
"Shut your mouth and get inside."
This is the first time in 10 years that I''ve seen Oh Se-hyun like this.
His stern expression and the contemptuous look in his eyes were filled with disdain.
"Your grandfather, Chairman Jin, probably only manages businesses at the conglomerate level. He dines with the real powers in the government, securing trillions of won in privileges. That''s what conglomerate chairmen do."
It''s also what I''m doing right now. So why is he so angry?
"But they have thousands of servants who earn every penny. Those servants use their hard-earned money to acquire steel mills and build factories in China."
Ah, I knew what he was trying to say.
"Without servants, there are no masters, without tenant farmers, there are nondlords, and without subjects, there are no kings. But you? You don''t have any servants, tenant farmers, or subjects. All you have is a bit of money. But now, are you already mimicking conglomerate chairmen?"
Even without him telling me to shut up, I had nothing to say.
I used to be a servant, and after 10 years, I''ve ended up mimicking a conglomerate chairman. Even if Oh Se-hyun''s harsh words hadn''t been there, I wanted to pin myself down.
I never thought I''d end up acting like this.
"Side ie? You could make hundreds of millions, even billions. Is that side ie to you?"
"I''m sorry. I had a narrow perspective."
Oh Se-hyun seemed rather flustered by my quick apology, but he swiftlyposed himself. "You catch on to things quickly; that''s good. Knowing it would''ve been enough."
With a somewhat condescending expression, Oh Se-hyun nodded his head. "So, where should we invest?"
"Huh? I thought Uncle would decide..."
"No, I can set the direction, but I think you''re better at assessing investments. Just tell me. Is there anything that appeals to you?"
"In that case, how about investing 10 billion won each in two online gamepanies, and you can decide on the rest, Uncle."
"Games, huh..."
Oh Se-hyun pondered for a moment and then spoke.
"Let''s just spend a total of 10 billion won. Two of them, as you suggested, on games. For the rest, make them a maximum of 1 billion each, and I''ll make diversified investments."
"Alright. Even if just one takes off, we''ll break even, won''t we?"
"Didn''t you hear just now? The next government ns to foster IT. You think only one will seed?"
Oh Se-hyun''s cheerful smile was truly a sight to behold.
It''s a shame that such a grateful person is retiring in five years.
I really should ensure his retirement package is generous.
The winter of 1997 was bitterly cold. It was the only winter when Christmas carols didn''t ring through the streets.
With only three days left in December, I dressed in a suit once again for the final battle of the year.
"My business cards are ready. Take some."
It seemed that meeting people would require business cards.
After much consideration, I decided to disguise myself as an employee sent from Miracle''s U.S. headquarters. A young second-generation Korean-American managing the investment system at the headquarters.
There was also the added effect that being dispatched from the headquarters implied that the current situation in Korea was perilous.
Seeing the English name "Howard Jin" on the business card reminded me vividly of eight years ago when I flew to Texas to invest in Dell Computer.
It felt like it happened just yesterday.
"It''s somewhat satisfying when you get your first business card. Feels like you''ve grown up. Hehe."
"Is that so? It does feel oddly satisfying."
"Let''s enjoy that feelingter and depart quickly. I can''t wait to see the bondholders'' faces as they wait impatiently."
We headed to the agreed-upon meeting ce where A-Jin Group''s main bondholders were waiting. Oh Se-hyun and I had nned for today, specifically to ruthlessly drive down the acquisition price.
Shouldn''t we save every penny?
Top-level executives from three banks and their assisting staff greeted the two of us with anxious expressions in arge conference room.
You don''t need a poker face only when you have good cards. You must maintain it even when your hand is weak or when a bad hand is dealt.
However, the consortium, primarilyposed of banks, appeared ill-prepared for a poker game. They couldn''t hide their inadequacy in their expressions,nguage, and behavior.
These were people who were used tofortably residing in super-powered banks, where they held money, made a lot of noise, and received royal treatment. They had never experienced such a storm before, which is why they were shivering in the cold without their coats.
The young representative who hade seemed out of ce at first, but their initial curiosity quickly waned.
Was I too young for this? They might be wondering if I was qualified.
However, their interest quickly dissipated once they saw Oh Se-hyun as the representative.
"I''ve heard that the merger discussions with Sunyang Auto havepletely finished. How are we going to proceed with the acquisition process?" They started pressing us immediately, not even allowing a moment to catch our breath. And their impatience was solely directed at Oh Se-hyun.
Chapter 79 A Gloomy New Year for Someone 2
Chapter 79 A Gloomy New Year for Someone 2
At first, the expressions on the faces of the bondholders showed that they didn''t understand what Oh Se-hyun was saying.
"What are you doing? I told you to make the call quickly."
When urged again, the bondholder executives took out their mobile phones.
The statement about breaking off negotiations meant a willingness to renegotiate, and the new negotiation would reduce the acquisition amount enough that it required the approval of the bank president, who was the head of the bondholders.
Oh Se-hyun and I leisurely sipped our tea as the executives finished their calls.
With desperate voices, one by one, the executives ended their calls and gathered in a corner of the meeting room. They exchanged what their superiors had said and were trying to reach a conclusion.
"Could you please tell us the conditions for full payment of the acquisition amount by tomorrow, 30th, at 4 PM?"
The three executives conveyed the unanimous opinion of the bank presidents.
"An acquisition amount of 800 billion. Based on an exchange rate of 2,000 won, it''s 400 million dors. If you ept, we''ll deposit 400 million dors into the designated ount today. And then, we can sign the new agreement tomorrow."
I spoke without waiting, as if I had been waiting.
"If there''s no contact by this afternoon, Miracle will announce tomorrow morning that they are giving up on the acquisition of A-jin Group due to the economic crisis."
As I finished speaking, Oh Se-hyun quickly added a warning.
"Now you''ll be busy, so we''ll be leaving. We''ll await a positive response."
The expressions of the bondholders distorted so much that it was clear they thought these conditions were outrageous.
We left the conference room before they even had a chance to respond.
"Are you sure about this? The exchange rate has already hit 2,000 won, so even if they ept, demanding a 40% reduction is quite audacious."
"Isn''t this already settled? Why are you doubting it again?"
"Seeing their expressions made my heart race."
Before meeting with the bondholders, Oh Se-hyun and I had shed heavily over the adjustment of the acquisition amount, but I couldn''t ovee my stubbornness. Yet, looking at their reactions now, I couldn''t help but wonder if I had made a mistake.
The number 800 billion wasn''t chosen arbitrarily. It was the same amount as when Daehyun Motors acquired A-jin Group in the past. Daehyun Group, which had been selected as the initial negotiation partner, had managed to reduce 1.2 trillion to 800 billion over the course of two years of negotiations.
Thepany''s value hasn''t actually decreased; it''s the situation in Korea that has made it so.
I was also anxious.
But I believed that the current situation was better than two years from now.
Aren''t the people who can do anything to protect themselves the ones standing at the top?
The bank presidents would desperately want 400 million dors to preserve their positions.
And if my proposal could help their decision, my anxiety wouldpletely disappear.
Oh Se-hyun returned to Yeouido, and I rushed to my grandfather''s house.
"Look at this guy! He might as well have a knife, practically like a robber. 800 billion won."
"There are no robbers negotiating."
"To cornered rats, a choice is forced upon them, which is a knife, my boy. Hehe."
My grandfather burst intoughter happily.
It seems he liked that I brought out a new card at the right moment.
"It was a good idea not to give them time to think. Even a cornered rat will find a way out if you give it time."
"If the sun rises, it''s no use."
I said cautiously to my nodding grandfather.
"I have a favor to ask."
"You want me to drive in the wedge, don''t you?"
"...Yes."
One thing he doesn''tck is quick intuition.
"What kind of wedge are you asking for?"
"Please prepare a position for interrogating Sunyang Group. I''ll cover all the costs."
"You learn bad things quickly. Hehe."
Everyone learned from you. You taught your son, and your son taught me. I just picked it up by your side.
Instead of saying this, I replied with a bitter smile.
"How much do you n to give?"
"How many main bond banks were there?"
"Three."
"That''s 6 billion won. You''re quite generous."
"Sunyang''s reputation is on the line. We can''t afford to lose their goodwill."
"It''s quite a lot, enough to make a ssh, but thanks to you, I''ll make a little scene. Haha."
My grandfather smiled and handed me a piece of paper.
"Take a look at this."
The paper contained a financial industry restructuring n with a list of banks targeted for sale and merger.
The first two banks that caught my eye were the A-jin Group creditors, and they were listed as sale targets.
"I was thinking about how to use this, and it''s for our Do-Jun."
At this point, the fact that the financial industry restructuring n hade out meant that the iing government''s acquisition team had taken the lead.
Theposition of the acquisition team had been announced only a few days ago, and their activities were already on my grandfather''s desk. It was a significant moment to see how deeply the Sunyang Group''s influence extended.
"By any chance, did the banks get their hands on this list?"
"If it''smon information like this, they wouldn''t even bother reporting it to me. They might know about the Daehyun Group, at best."
"This could be really effective."
"It means luck is on your side. Once they realize you''re out of work, they mighte running to thank you and bow down. Who knows?"
The position of Sunyang Group''s consultant had be a lifeline, not just a proposal.
Too bad. If I had known this information a little earlier, I could have driven a harder bargain.
"Do-Jun."
"Yes."
"Sunyang is also nning to announce a major restructuring n early next year."
Chapter 80 A Gloomy New Year for Someone 3
Chapter 80 A Gloomy New Year for Someone 3
The sound of the economy copsing didn''t stop even in the new year.
On January 14th, Nasan Group dered bankruptcy, followed by the filing for receivership by Geukdong Construction, which was ranked 31st in the business world.
Geukdong Construction, known as one of the "Construction Big Five," led the industry and even acquired securities firms to secure substantial financial resources for expansion. However, it suffered a direct hit from the foreign exchange crisis precisely because of these reasons.
Rumors of bankruptcy also surrounded Dae-ah Construction, apany simr in nature to Geukdong Construction.
"Have you heard anything?" Oh Se-hyun couldn''t hide his anxiety.
"Why? Do you think Dae-ah Construction can survive?"
"Don''t believe the rumors. It''s been over a month since they said they would copse any day now. It seems we might have been mistaken. This is a tough nut to crack."
"But what if their financial situation is worse than Geukdong Construction''s? How can they survive?"
"That''s what I''m saying! They ventured into Southeast Asia, and when the financial crisis hit that side, their funding was supposed to be tight, but strangely, they''re holding on."
"Does the CEO of Dae-ah Construction have a lot of money saved up...?"
"Have you seen any business owners in Korea who drain their own assets to save theirpanies? When things go south, they embezzle thepany''s money even more eagerly... "
Oh Se-hyun stopped talking and looked at me. "Hey, could they really be doing something like that? Is that even possible? With the situation being what it is, how could they embezzle thepany''s assets?"
"Moneyundering. They must have a fair amount ofnd, being a constructionpany and all. If they make an emergency sale of thatnd and issue promissory notes, it''s a way to stop the bleeding. I heard they haven''t paid their employees for over three months. They''re just blocking promissory notes for immediate needs and siphoning off the real assets. If they keep doing that until bankruptcy, their pockets will be deep."
"But, that could lead to criminal punishment."
"These bastards are nning to take the money and say goodbye to Korea. It''s clear that they have absolutely no intention of using the bailout funds or anything else to save thepany."
"Let''s intervene."
"If there''s a difference between us and regr people, it''s just the size of the money we pocketed, which is enough to make a decent living."
In my mind, names of constructionpanies other than Dae-ah Construction passed by one after another. Isn''t it impossible to acquire a constructionpany that has been stripped down to its core, leaving only the skeleton, without any valuable assets?
But no suitable alternative came to mind.
Among the top constructionpanies in South Korea, Dae-ah Construction is the only one that focuses solely on construction without any affiliatedpanies.
Other constructionpanies are conglomerates with various subsidiaries, making it difficult to separate the construction arm for acquisition.
While I was frowning, Ossehyun''s expression gradually brightened. "These bastards fell right into our trap."
"Do you have a n?"
"Let''s hold a shareholders'' meeting and take control through embezzlement and misappropriation. It seems easier that way."
A lightbulb went off in my head.
Dae-ah Construction''s stock is currently at rock bottom. Just a 5% acquisition would quickly lead to a shareholders'' meeting. It might be easier to salvage and revitalize thepany than to negotiate with bondholders after bankruptcy.
"Let''s double-check and get to work again. What do you think?"
"Sounds good. You''re truly amazing, Uncle."
As I gave a thumbs-up, Ossehyun picked up the phone and said:
"When you be a chaebol chairman, remember that it''s all thanks to me."
After instructing his employees to purchase Dae-ah Construction shares, Ossehyun put down the phone.
"Oh, by the way, when is your cousin''s wedding?"
"It''s the day after tomorrow. It''s a private event with only family attending. We''ll keep it discreet, as befitting a chaebol."
The wedding was held at Chairman Jin''s mansion.
Given the difficult times, only a minimal number of guests were invited, and the media only published brief news articles. Thanks to Chairman Jin''s request and the power of the Hansung Daily, reporters did not swarm around the mansion.
Although it was considered a minimal number of attendees, both families were not from ordinary households, so nearly two hundred people gathered.
"Thanks to you, we get to visit Chairman Sunyang Group''s house. It''s a family honor, my dear."
"Maybe it''s because they''re from a wealthy family, but they all look so handsome."
"I heard the youngest in this family is in his twenties, right? So, anyone can marry him, right?"
"Stop dreaming, girl. They''re all potential arranged marriage candidates!"
Beside Hong Seo-young, dressed in pure white, the bride''s friends were deep in conversation.
Even the usually calm Hong Seo-young couldn''t hide her nerves today.
"Where''s your honeymoon house? Cheongdam-dong? Hannam-dong? A vi? Or an apartment?"
"It''s in Pyeongchang-dong. I''m starting married life there."
Upon hearing Hong Seo-young''s answer about starting her married life at her inws'' ce, her friends wrinkled their brows.
"As expected, chaebol families are still living in the Joseon era."
"Are you kidding? Even if they told you to leave and live separately, you should stick around like glue. Have you seen a prince living outside his kingdom?"
"She''s to be wife of the vice chairman of Sunyang Group. Cook? Doundry? Clean? Just sit at the dining table morning and night, smiling. It''s married life at the inws''. Sounds good, doesn''t it?"
Friends who were close enough to hang out with Hong Seo-young were all daughters of well-off families, but they all cast envious nces at her for marrying into a different league, especially to the heir apparent of such a wealthy family.
To the women who would usually be dismissive of a first-born son, Jin Yeong-jun was greeting the guests in the Yeongbingwan, the wedding hall.
Even though they were referred to as guests, apart from immediate family members, there were only a few key personnel from subsidiarypanies and important figures from Hansung Daily, so they weren''t particrly busy.
Friends who had gathered around a corner of the spacious garden led Jin Yeong-jun away and offered him cigarettes.
With forced smiles, they exchanged handshakes and greetings, and it seemed like they were paying no attention to others as they lit their cigarettes.
Chapter 81 Tools for a Purpose 1
Chapter 81 Tools for a Purpose 1
When his pounding heart had settled and his trembling legs calmed down, Chairman Hong slowly got up.
His expression as he left the private room was just as joyful as when he had entered.
It wasn''t a disy of emotions; it was a genuine smile.
As Chairman Hong sat alone in the private room, he thought of King Taejong''s minister, Yi Bang-won, who had eliminated all of his inws, including four younger brothers of his own wife, and banished Kim Han-ro, the father-inw of Crown Prince Yangnyeong. Furthermore, after making King Sejong the crown prince, he also drove away Sejong''s inws, the Sim family.
But the exterminated families were all outsiders who would potentially be the father-inw of the future king.
To distance his son-inw''s Hong family, which is a family of inws, was no different from revealing Chairman Jin''s inner thoughts that he considers Jin Yeong-jun as the sessor.
The old man didn''t have many days left. Not for himself or Chairman Jin.
But young people have a bright future ahead of them. For Hong Seo-young and Jin Yeong-jun.
Chairman Jin is extremely wary of any stains on the pure reputation of the Sungyang Group, but time is not on Chairman Jin''s side.
Once Chairman Jin Yang-cheol disappears, the Hansung Ilbo will naturally be one of the pirs of the Sungyang Group. Realizing this, Chairman Hong was able to forget the embarrassment from earlier and smile.
The wedding went smoothly.
The newlyweds received everyone''s congrattions and set off on their honeymoon, and the Hansung Ilbo family and guests quickly disappeared from Chairman Jin''s mansion.
The remaining Jin family gathered in Yeongbingwan, celebrating the first wedding of the third generation with a lively drinking party.
Now, the actual weddings of the third generation will continue.
With 13 grandchildren, including his grandsons-inw, Chairman Jin smiled and spoke. "If any of you are considering matchmaking and marriage, speak up now. I''ll make exceptions," Chairman Jin said. Some people brightened up at his words, but not a single person stepped forward.
Even if Chairman Jin''s words were sincere, parents were different. Children couldn''t ignore their parents'' wishes, especially if they wanted to marry into a family with some power and wealth.
"No one? Alright then, Hye-kyung and Su-kyung, prepare to get married this year. You should marry before turning thirty. You wouldn''t want to hear the term ''old maid,'' would you?"
Since there were no grandchildren willing to marry for love, Chairman Jin seemed satisfied as he nodded his head and stood up. His head was already filled with a list of potential candidates for marriage.
"It''s a festive day, so forget about any headaches and eat and drink to your heart''s content. I should go rest now."
Chairman Jin returned to the main building, and the rest of the family, just like ordinary people, offered their congrattions to the host of the event, Jin Yeong-gi.
When Jin Yoon-gi lit a cigarette and went to the restroom, someone approached him.
"Sir, Chairman Jin is looking for you. He asked you toe quietly without drawing attention."
"Where is he?"
"He''s in the study."
The study... it wasn''t an invitation to see his child''s face; it was rted to business.
Thest time Jin Yoon-gi had entered the study was more than twenty years ago when he had chosen his study abroad destination.
Feeling nervous all of a sudden, Jin Yoon-gi decided to wash his face with cold water to sober up a bit and rxed by looking at his reflection in the mirror.
Thanks to his son, he had spent the golden years of his life prosperous and happy. That was enough. He didn''t expect anything from his father. He had learned through life that expectations often lead to disappointment, especially when it came to his father, who had caused not only disappointment but also despair.
Jin Yoon-gi cleared his mind and headed to the study.
Chairman Jin sat in the study, staring at the freshly brewed cup of tea for a while before finally speaking, still looking at his youngest son.
"Do you have anything to say...?"
"Is the business really as good as you say it is?"
"Yes, it''s less affected by the foreign exchange crisis."
"Still, it can''t be easy to attract film investors, can it?"
"It''s not easy, but isn''t it better than crying over it? It''s not about being easy or hard in different fields; it''s about whether you live or die."
"I can help you, you know?"
Jin Yoon-gi smiled slyly as he looked at his father''s expression. "Don''t bother trying to meddle. I''m not so young that I need to listen to you now. Haha."
"Oh really!" Chairman Jin seemed unfazed by his son''s cheeky remark and smiled.
"Well, it seems like you have something to say, so go ahead."
"Very well. Let me put it simply. I''ll gve you the Sunyang Medical Foundation and the Sunyang Human Resources Development Institute."
Jin Yoon-gi''s smile disappeared.
The hospital under the Sunyang Medical Foundation was one of the top-ranked hospitals in the country, paying over 1 billion in property taxes alone due to its immense property. Inheriting such a fortune was no small matter.
However, the Sunyang Human Resources Development Institute didn''t ring a bell.
Although it was an independent corporation, its main function was to provide education for new employees, junior and senior employees, and executives, as well as other training programs carried out by the group. While it operated as an independentpany to maintain its appearance, it was essentially an HR development organization conducted at the group level.
Of course, they tried to turn a profit by running external HR consulting and training programs, but the amount earned was not enough to cover their losses. The only reason it managed to turn a profit was by handling education for Sunyang Group''s subsidiaries, receiving tuition fees from them.
It fell short of being a realpany in many ways.
Jin Yoon-gi couldn''t understand why his father wanted to pass this on.
"Why is your expression like that? Do you find itcking?"
"It''scking in many ways." He immediately answered his father''s question.
Since he had no expectations, he could simply take what was given to him. However, one thing troubled him.
That was his son.
"What did you say?" His son''s response was entirely unexpected, and Chairman Jin widened his eyes in surprise. "You didn''t even bother to look at thepany, and now you suddenly want it when you''re about to give up?"
Chapter 82 Tools for a Purpose 2
Chapter 82 Tools for a Purpose 2
"Hmm..."
"What''s wrong? Grandfather said you''d wee it with open arms, didn''t he? Don''t you know either?"
My father scrutinized my expression, trying to decipher the hidden meaning.
"Oh, no. More than that, he mentioned something about selling something at a low price. I can''t quite guess what he intends to give."
"Then, shouldn''t you tell me what you do know? I''m dying of curiosity."
"In my opinion, he''s giving us people."
"People?"
"Yes. Sunyang Hospital is known for having many VIP clients. High-ranking officials and politicians are careful about their health, so they look for a top-secret hospital like Sunyang to maintain their confidentiality. And there are many celebrities as well."
"Ah...!" A low exmation escaped his father''s lips.
"Now, anyone who wants a special promotion or special treatment will contact Father. It''s a natural way to build connections. Father can take care of directors and lead actors during movie production at the Sunyang Hospital."
"What about the Human Resource Development Institute? Are those people too?"
"Of course. All the promotion candidates receive training at the development institute. Even though the institute''s training evaluation doesn''t guarantee promotions, it has a significant impact on avoiding demotion."
It is a well-known fact that Sunyang Group''s talent management is rigorous. Unlike otherpanies, where training might be considered a brief respite or even a vacation, the Sunyang Institute offers an intensive curriculum with seminars, debates, exams, and evaluations that rival a judicial training institute, leaving no room for gaps.
"Since everyone aiming to get close to the core of the group goes through the development institute..."
"People will be flooding father''s phone, asking for favors, and that''s how yourwork will expand."
"So as to build awork both within and outside the group."
"Yes. As you startedte, this is a way to make gain influence as grandfather''s son."
"You mean your grandfather wants ME to create people, not you." My father began looking at me with a sense of wonder as he spoke quietly. "How on earth can you figure this out? Your grandfather connecting the hospital and the institute with hiswork, and you grasping it all at once... I really have nothing to say."
Anyone who has received a sry from Sunyang Group knows the potential of the institute. To secure a simple promotion to assistant manager, you might spend ten sleepless nights in a four-person room with two bunk beds.
The middle-aged department heads endure even more. They enter a two-person room and have to digest a devilish schedule for the entire week.
If your stamina can''t hold up, it''s the end of your executive promotion dreams. You either stay as an eternal department head until retirement or submit your resignation.
At times like these, if the Institute Director makes just one phone call? Even if it''s just confidential instructions from the Institute Director, it can bring executives one step closer to their promotions.
Regardless of how lowly you may think of the institute, it is a pivotal position that allows candidates for executive positions in Sunyang Group, even if you only have time to share a drink with them.
Only those who receive a sry from Sunyang know all of this.
Father, who has never once sighed at the numbers in his bank ount, naturally wouldn''t know these facts.
"You probably aren''t interested, so I didn''t mention it. By the way, could you find out the ownership structure and assets of the Institute?"
"You want to check the current situation?"
"Yes. It seems like it''s not just aboutworking. If that''s all it was, grandfather wouldn''t have told you to keep it a secret for now. There might be something hidden that the senior members would oppose if they found out, don''t you think?"
"Are there more secrets hidden within the request to keep it a secret?"
"Grandfather is a man with many secrets, after all. Hehe."
My father let out a short sigh at myughter. "Hmm... How did you end up resembling Grandfather more and not me?"
"Talents can skip a generation sometimes."
My father sighed once more and got up. "Well, being a father is not an easy job."
"How was the wedding?"
"It''s not like I''m the one getting married, what''s the big deal? But how did it go?"
There''s something more important than the wedding, and that''s Dae-ah Construction.
"Chaebol families always attract curiosity when ites to strategic marriages."
"Marriages that happen after seeing each other only a few times, are those marriages? They''re contracts."
"Oh, so you''re not going for a strategic marriage? You won''t be the typical chaebol third-generation marrying the Candy who lives a humble but determined life?"
"I''ll marry the woman I need, no matter who she is. Uncle, why do you keep talking about other things? What about the Dae-ah Construction shares?"
"Child, when you get older, you be curious about young people''s dating and marriages. We''re done with that." Oh Sehyun smiled and took out a note of the stock situation. "These guys seem flustered. They contacted me as soon as I purchased 5% of the shares and dered myself a major shareholder. They want to meet."
The securities market hadpletely frozen. Buying the shares of apany on the verge of bankruptcy in a stagnant market would naturally raise concerns on thepany''s side.
Moreover, the person who purchased the nearly worthless shares was Miracle, a giant investment firm that had swallowed A-jin Group. They would be truly terrified if they hadmitted many sins.
"Should we meet them?"
"Of course."
"How do you think they will react?"
Oh Sehyun squinted his eyes. "Leave it to me. Do you think I haven''t dealt with a couple of guys who tried to scam me and escape with investment money during my investment career? Those guys who crossed me, do you know where they are now?"
"They''re probably in prison or living as ex-convicts, right?"
"Bingo!" Oh Sehyun snapped his fingers and picked up his bag. "Come on, let''s go. We should y a round."
The main office of Dae-ah Construction in Yeongdeungpo felt colder than the winter weather outside. The employees inside the buildingmuted to work with heavy hearts, even though thepany wasn''t paying their sries.
They knew thepany was on the verge of bankruptcy, but they clung to a glimmer of hope that they might still receive some payment. It was the hope that kept theming to work every day, even though their heads told them there was no hope left.
When they woke up in the morning, they had nowhere else to go but this building. The hope of receiving their overdue sries pushed them forward, even though they knew it was unlikely.
Chapter 83 Tools for a Purpose 3
Chapter 83 Tools for a Purpose 3
"Oh, not a bad idea. Gather all our audit team and call Samjeong ounting Firm to gather auditors and send them. Also, put the physical inspection team on standby. We''ll have a meeting in 10 minutes."
When Oh Sehyun was gathering people for tomorrow, I called my grandfather.
"Can I meet you right away, Grandfather? There''s something urgent I need to discuss."
We needed to be prepared for any thoughts that Dae-ah Construction might have. When they turned their ominous thoughts into actions, my grandfather was the only one who could stop them.
After Oh Sehyun got off in Yeouido, the sedan headed for Mapo Bridge.
As I rushed into my grandfather''s study, he greeted me with a smile.
"Oh, you rascal. You''re running out of breath. Why? Did the IMF copse again?"
"If the IMF copses again, I''ll be flying around instead of running."
There''s still 1.8 billion dors left. The worse the foreign exchange crisis gets, the higher its value rises, so I would have no choice but to fly around.
"By telling me not to go anywhere and to wait here in the study, it seems I''m needed, right?"
"Yes, I desperately need your help."
"Speak. Listen and think about how much you''ll receive."
At the end of each sentence is money, but he always gives more. Isn''t a grandfather always generous to his grandson?
"I''m involved with Dae-ah Construction. They are a crucialpany for progressing this year''s Mapo DMC project. The owners and management of thatpany are undoubtedly embezzling everything they can from a copsingpany. We''re nning to move in before they do and take control. What do you think?"
"You''ve hit the jackpot, you rascal! Haha." Grandfather chuckled as he tapped on the desk.
At the age of almost 80, having lived through countless experiences, he appeared to be wise beyond measure. He seemed to have a clear understanding of what was happening and what needed to be done in the future.
"Who''s the CEO of Dae-ah Construction? Kang...?"
"It''s CEO Kang Museong. His younger brother, Kang Mujin, is the executive vice president."
"The executive vice president? Have you met him already?"
"Yes, I confirmed it a little while ago."
"After confirming, are you convinced that they are embezzling money?"
"Yes. As soon as Miracles Investment secured 5% of Dae-ah''s shares, they contacted us and said they wanted to discuss a deal."
"5%?" Grandfather raised an eyebrow. "I''ve heard that there are plenty of these sly guys in the securities industry who swoop in like vultures to take a spoonful of the marrow. It seems like Oh Sehyun thinks the same way."
Securing 5% of apany''s shares and wielding influence is not limited to failingpanies. There are also those who acquire shares in soundpanies and be major shareholders, selling themter at a higher price. However, securing 5% of the shares in a soundpany can be extremely costly, so ordinary vultures don''t dare to attempt it.
"Yes. When Geukdong Construction copsed, Dae-ah Construction''s stock price began to plummet, and bankruptcy rumors are spreading. We easily secured it without investing much."
"They must be panicking, right? If you demand an emergency shareholders'' meeting as soon as tomorrow, they''ll be in a frenzy."
"Rather than a shareholders'' meeting, I n to dig through their books tomorrow and gather evidence of their embezzlement."
"Oh... Are you thinking of putting them in jail?"
"Yes. We need to recover all the embezzledpany assets. After that, we''ll thoroughly clean up thepany and start fresh. Won''t that give it a new look?"
"Hmm... but you''ll do it cheaply?" Grandfather has already calcted things with certainty.
"The stocks held by CEO Kang Museong and his family should also be worth quite a bit. We need to get our hands on those to secure management control, right?"
"Confiscate the embezzled cash or assets as fines, and if you can convert the stocks held by CEO Kang Museong and his family into Dae-ah Construction''s ownership, the number of shares needed to secure management control may not be thatrge. The shares owned by thepany..."
"Because the CEO exercises the voting rights."
"That''s right."
Grandfather fell silent for a moment as he organized the tangled web ofplex thoughts. Finally, he said, "The road ahead is long, but you don''t have much time, do you? At least until June, you need toplete the Dae-ah Construction acquisition and normalize everything, so that you can proceed with the Mapo project alongside your uncle-inw, who is running for Seoul mayor."
"Yes, that''s the time frame I want to request."
"Time is so precious that you can''t even buy it with money...?"
"It is. Even if you can''t buy human life with money, you can certainly buy a substantial part of someone''s life, right?"
"Are you serious?"
"The lives of 100,000 employees of the Sunyang Group were bought with money, weren''t they?"
"This brat is trying to provoke me again. Haha."
There was no sign of embarrassment on his face, just a small smile.
"First, we should impose a travel ban on the entire Kang family. We need to seize the money that has already been embezzled overseas, and also instruct the Ministry of Justice to investigate."
Giving an instruction to investigate? Not a request? The word "instruction" came out so naturally.
"Of course, you can do it, right?"
"Depends on your perfromance."
I got up quickly and went behind my grandfather. I ced my hand on his shoulder and started to gently massage it.
"This should do, right? At least, please request a travel ban for now."
"Hahaha. I''ll go ahead and give it a try." My grandfather picked up the receiver. "Kim Prosecutor General, are you very busy?"
Thank goodness.
It''s the Seoul High Prosecutors'' Office. Just a bit of shoulder massaging was enough for them to grant the travel ban request.
"...So, let me exin. With the country''s economy in this state, embezzling a strugglingpany like Lingger just to fill my pockets is unforgivable, isn''t it... No, no. First, let''s stop them from fleeing overseas... That''s right, that''s right. Let me look into it and get back to you soon. Come visit sometime. Let''s have a meal together."
After putting down the receiver, my grandfather turned his head to look at me and smiled.
"Is this enough for you?"
"Thank you."
My hand on his shoulder applied more pressure.
"To expedite things, make sure to gather solid evidence when reviewing the ounting documents tomorrow. With that, we can file charges against the management for embezzlement and breach of trust. Then, we''ll have the National Tax Service and the prosecutors move in together, and they''ll surrender from their end."
Chapter 84 Bad Guy, Wicked Guy 1
Chapter 84 Bad Guy, Wicked Guy 1
"Audit? No way. Someone from Oh Sehyun''s team will handle it."
"You think they''ll keep control of the warehouse keys? Heh heh. Do you really believe those guys who just toyed with calctors can guard the warehouse?"
Damn, why is he so uneasy?
"Do-Jun."
"Yes."
"A guy who can outsmart constructionpany folks is an artist in itself. Hiring and firing hundreds of dayborers is a piece of cake. It''s no big deal to skim around ten million won a day without Oh Se-hyun even noticing."
He isn''t joking or trying to make fun of me with his words.
It''s not a warning or advice... What is it?
"Do you think that''s all? Do you know that you can easily switch out wood worth tens of millions of won with cheap wood? Do you think Oh Se-hyun or his employees would be able to tell the difference? They even tamper with the weight of the reinforced steel, and they''ve been embezzling cafeteria expenses. Aren''t you trembling at the thought of getting caught?"
"Why are you making me so nervous?"
"Don''t you still get it? What this old man means?"
I focused all my attention to decipher his meaning while receiving his sharp gaze. I must find the meaning to avoid disappointing him.
"Are you saying that we need to immerse ourselves in the muck to see the real thing?"
The construction industry is the breeding ground for corporate misconduct in South Korea.
Collusion, union leader misconduct, inting construction costs, subcontractor misconduct, and so on.
The conclusion was to understand all these intricacies.
"If I can manipte constructionpany executives as I please, Ive learned how to handle servants. Then those guys will automatically generate the money I need. When I need to use money from an unclear source, there''s no safer ce than a constructionpany."
I got about half of it right. Instead of getting dirty in the mud, it means securing a source of off-the-books funds.
Nevertheless, I was relieved to see his approving gaze.
"You mentioned that you''ll be reviewing the year-end ounts tomorrow, right?"
"Yes."
"Send a Sunyang Construction audit team with you. Take them along. Oh Sehyun''s subpar ountants is nothingpared to them. They''re experts who can catch everything, just by roughly skimming through receipts and tax invoices."
"Thank you, Grandfather." I quickly got up and bowed my head.
If I can''t swallow Dae-ah Construction whole despite all this help, then I should me my own ipetence.
"You can thank meter."
"Yes?"
"All of this might be for the benefit of the Sunyang Group. Don''t whine andin after getting a stab in the back from your grandfather. Heh heh."
Oh, really? He''s teasing me to the very end.
Seeing my smiling grandfather, I just sighed.
"Do-Jun, who are these people...?"
Oh Se-hyun blinked as he looked at the men who hade with me.
"They are members of the Sunyang Construction ounting audit team. These gentlemen can remember even the product numbers of cement in constructionpanies. With just a few receipts, they can easily trace embezzlement. So, we should have enough evidence to submit to the prosecutor''s office tomorrow."
Oh Se-hyun''s expression brightened, as if he had won a great victory.
"Well, I think we should have a good drink tonight. Please take care of it."
"Leave it to us. Before the end of the business day, we''ll have stripped everything down to the bone." Seeing the confident audit team members, I felt reassured.
Riding in separate vans, it felt likeunching a surprise attack with a special forces unit as we headed to Dae-ah Construction. As we entered the Dae-ah Construction building, Oh Se-hyun took out his mobile phone.
"Oh, Mr. Kang. How did... you find customers willing to buy our shares at a high price?"
"Oh, Mr. Oh. Since we''ve been diligently asking around, we''ll have good news for you soon."
"Oh, I must have misspoken. Or did you misunderstand me? It wasn''t until this morning... I mean... Ding! What''s that sound...? So, you mean our deal is off?"
"What? What are you saying right now? No, no. Let''s meet first. Let''s meet and discuss this calmly..."
"Alright, let''s do that. We''re in the Dae-ah Construction building lobby now. Let''s meet in person within 10 minutes to continue our discussion."
Oh Se-hyun gestured to me while holding his mobile phone, and I walked confidently towards the lobby''s front desk.
"What floor is the conference room on?"
"It''s on the eleventh floor."
With dozens of men in suits taking over the lobby, the female employees at the front desk seemed quite intimidated. I sent a signal indicating the 11th floor on my mobile phone, and Oh Se-hyun spoke into his phone.
"We''re heading to the 11th floor right now. We''ll see you there."
Closing the flip phone, we entered the elevator. When the elevator stopped on the 11th floor and the doors opened, Kang Mu-jin, the executive vice president, was waiting confidently.
"No, President Oh, what is this? How can you find a buyer overnight? You promised to resolve this today!"
"Hasn''t the Vice President in charge not caught on yet? It''s over. Now, we''re thinking about securing the shareholders'' rights."
One of the men who stood right next to Oh Se-hyun spoke up. "Corporate External Audit Act, Article 14. Disclosure and public reporting of audit reports, Paragraph 5. Shareholders or creditors of thepany may inspect documents at any time during business hours, and they may request thepany to provide the documents by paying the cost set by thepany."
After the dry statement was finished, Oh Se-hyun smiled broadly. "Did you hear? Bring all the financial statements and supporting documents from thest two years to this conference room. Shareholders have doubts about the management''s capabilities. We need to see what exactly led thepany to this point."
Kang Mu-jin, the executive vice president, had to stand there in a daze as he watched the people filing into the conference room without acknowledging him.
"Vice President, do you have time for this? Please quickly bring the documents the shareholders are requesting. If you don''t want things to escte further here, I suggest you act now." I delivered one final blow and entered the conference room.
"Hyung! Those people..."
Kang Mu-jin burst into the Dae-ah Construction CEO''s office, throwing the door open. "What? What''s going on? Why all the fuss?"
Seeing his younger brother''s disheveled state, Kang Mu-seong, the CEO of Dae-ah Construction, sensed that something was amiss.
"Miracle''s people have gathered. They''ve already upied the conference room, iming they''ll conduct an external audit!"
Chapter 85 Bad Guy, Wicked Guy 2
Chapter 85 Bad Guy, Wicked Guy 2
The Sunyang audit team removed their jackets.
"All right, we''ll categorize them for you to review."
They began to open boxes and quickly started scanning through the documents.
"Oh, please look for and verify the financial statements starting fromst year. We''ll handle the rest."
Only then did the ountants from Yeouido snap to attention and begin searching for the financial statements in different boxes.
The Sunyang audit team began swiftly categorizing the documents based on the titles, as if they knew exactly what evidence they were looking for.
The Sunyang Group audit team was well aware of their reputation within the group. Were they not considered an organization scarier than the prosecution? While the prosecution required a warrant, the audit team could conduct investigations without one. They could even demand ess to the subject''s bank ounts, which had to beplied with. Refusal meant submitting a resignation letter.
Submitting a resignation letter didn''t bring an end to the matter. As soon as a resignation letter was submitted, they were convinced that a wrongdoing had urred and immediately requested a prosecution investigation.
It was often better to cooperate with the audit team''s investigation and reach an agreement within reasonable bounds. That was the best way to make life less exhausting.
I had never met the audit team before, as my role was primarily focused on dealing with the aftermath of incidents caused by the owner''s family.
Watching them work, I realized once again that to dominate a massive corporate conglomerate, various organizations were necessary. Some organizations needed to be staffed exclusively with your own people.
As these thoughts crossed my mind, the Yeouido man and the Sunyang man suddenly began cross-referencing andparing the documents and data they had verified.
"Mr. Oh, please take a look at this."
Adjusting his sses, Oh Se-hyun started meticulously examining theplex documents.
"It seems like a currency exchange scam. Moreover, thest transferred money never even entered the country."
"They yed with the exchange rate and even embezzled dors?"
"Are you sure?"
Even the Sunyang audit team members were surprised.
"They started with embezzling money through raw material imports, and now with the exchange rate fluctuating, they must have made a hefty profit."
"The raw material imports themselves were fake?"
"Yes. If you look at the invoices here, it shows that they imported high-end interior materials like chandeliers... for this amount, you''d need more than six containers. The volume is sorge. However, it''s listed that they only used one. These guys even fooled the customs."
"Are you sure about this?"
"The items listed on the invoice are ones we''ve dealt with hundreds of times. We might not know the number or price of our household items, but we know the prices, sizes, and details of these products very well. It''s certain, so let''s go with this."
Impressed by the confident attitude of the Sunyang audit team, Oh Se-hyun nodded and stood up.
"Shall we go and take care of this?"
"Let''s make a call first."
I picked up my mobile phone and instructed thewyer who was waiting in court to proceed with a temporary suspension order against the Dae-ah Construction management for embezzlement and vitions of foreign exchange controlws. I also informed my grandfather of this fact.
"They sent remarkable individuals. It hasn''t even been two hours, and we''ve struck gold. This should be enough to bring down the guillotine."
See, those guys are the real deal.
"I''ve submitted the documents to the court. Now..."
While talking to the prosecutor, I headed upstairs to the CEO''s office with Oh Se-hyun.
"Have you be tired of looking at the documents even before enough time for a thorough review has passed?"
The faces of the Kang brothers showed a sense of relief.
Indeed, it''s a short time to find something. They probably believed that it''s impossible for the Yeouido investment firms, who have hidden something, to find it in just two hours.
"Well, do I look like someone who canb through everything ande out clean in just two hours?"
"Who are you? You don''t mince words."
President Kang looked at me and smiled.
"Sorry for the intrusion. I haven''t even introduced myself yet. I''m the one who just reported the entire Dae-ah Construction management and the owner''s family to the prosecutor''s office. With this, I think it''s unnecessary for us to have polite conversations."
"What!"
"What?"
Both of them stood up from the sofa and shouted. Their expressions were full of disbelief.
"If you think you can''t trust it, you can verify it. I''m sure you''ve already contacted the prosecutors multiple times."
When Oh Se-hyun gestured towards the two of them, Kang Mu-jin, the Executive Director and younger brother, quickly took out his mobile phone and left the room.
"What the hell are you guys doing? Pouring oil on a burning house? Do you want to go down together? If thepany goes down, your stocks will turn into toilet paper!" President Kang yelled at us.
It''s just the beginning, and they''re already falling apart like this? What are we going to do?
"I guess we should postpone our calm discussion over coffee to another time."
When Oh Se-hyun and I stood up, Kang Mu-jin, the Executive Director, rushed back into the room.
"B-boss, they got a search warrant from the Western District Prosecutor''s Office for the Financial Investigation Division. The speed of this process... someone must be applying pressure..."
Kang Mu-jin paused and red at us.
"A-jin Group''s acquisition and even Sunyang Auto have been swallowed up, so we have a straw in us now. How much are they all panicking and causing a ruckus to help each other... By the way, President Kang. Do we have to pay for government officials voluntarily helping us? Since you have experience, can you give us a hint..."
Oh Se-hyun probed the two men''s feelings. I also mentioned some facts that needed to be conveyed.
"Every member of the family and the management team will have travel restrictions in ce. Instead of trying to flee the country, cooperate with the investigation obediently."
As I was about to leave the CEO''s office, Oh Se-hyun extended a lifeline to them.
"If you find the prosecutor''s questioning room intimidating and tough and are considering going along with the investigation, get in touch. You know my number, right? Don''t just blurt out in front of the prosecutor."
Among the eight people gathered in Chairman Jin''s study, three of them are seeing this study for the first time.
They had entered the headquarters'' chairman''s office a few times for reports, but it didn''t hold the same significance. However,ing into the chairman''s personal study indicated a promotion to the first rank.
Chapter 86 Bad Guy, Wicked Guy 3
Chapter 86 Bad Guy, Wicked Guy 3
"Isn''t this getting interesting? No, is there a major shift happening?"
In Hak-Jae''s mind, the tasks Chairman Jin had recently assigned were dancing wildly.
Especially the recent task of handing over the Medical Foundation and the Manpower Development Institute to his youngest son, Jin Yoon-gi, came to mind.
Perhaps this inheritance wasn''t for his son but for his grandson. But it raised questions.
It wasn''t a subsidiary making significant profits, nor a ce with stocks that could be controlled by the group. Why this particr move? What was the reason?
"It''s fortunate. Having a powerful ally like Miracle, with strong financial resources, should be beneficial for Chairman Jin. This crisis might turn into an opportunity."
Hak-Jae refocused on the immediate matter, ignoring the chatter from people who liked to talk unnecessarily.
"We need to find out how much of Dae-ah''s shares we can secure and learn about Miracle''s current liquid assets."
Hak-Jae ced a few documents in front of Chairman Jin.
"These are the current Dae-ah Construction shareholders. President Kang''s family holds 23%, executives hold 7%, trading banks hold 20%, various institutions and major investors hold 35%, and individual investors hold 10%. Miracle has already secured 5%."
"The 10% in the market should be easily obtainable, right?"
"Yes. It''s just that all the sell orders are piling up, as everyone''s trying to salvage whatever they can before thepany goes bankrupt."
Chairman Jin looked around at the people in his office and said, "How about it? Time to do some financial wizardry, don''t you think? Snatch up those individual investors'' shares when they panic, and then sell them for a good profit after things stabilize."
This would help secure control of thepany and also provide additional ie. The people gathered in the office had to contain their excitement.
"Once Miracle secures the stocks, the banks and institutions will likely be friendly... All that''s left is President Kang''s family shares."
When President Hong cautiously spoke, Chairman Jin chuckled.
"That''s what Miracle will handle. We''ll provide support from the sidelines, and you guys will go and take over Dae-ah Construction. Hehe."
Hak-Jae, the Director, found it quite intriguing to watch who the real owner of Dae-ah was.
"Just exposing everything and hoping for leniency is the best approach in this situation, you know?"
"..."
President Kang, in the West District Prosecutors'' Office interrogation room, had to endure the contemptuous gaze of the blue prosecutor.
"Our prosecutors... they are poor souls, overworked, and suffering from overtime. I heard the documents you brought from yourpany weigh as much as two trucks. How do you expect us to go through all that? What a waste of taxpayer money."
"This is an unfair nned investigation. It''s a conspiracy by rivalpanies waiting for ourpany to go under."
"A conspiracy? What nonsense! You''ve even left evidence of your approval here! Besides, if we just let it go, will yourpany copse? Who would be yourpetitor? Come on, this isn''t even funny. Haha."
President Kang didn''t even bother looking at the prosecutor throwing documents around. After all, wasn''t the content rted to his own approvals?
"I don''t remember. I have no recollection of approving that."
The prosecutor, who was interrogating, sighed once and then started staring at President Kang with an intense look.
When he spoke again, he didn''t use formalnguage anymore.
"You don''t remember? Then let me jog your memory."
"What... what is this? How dare you!"
The prosecutor, who didn''t seem like much of an adult, was swearing and taunting, making President Kang''s face contort.
As the chair tipped over due to the violent kicks, President Kang had no choice but to get up.
At that moment, the prosecutor holding the document files grabbed President Kang''s head and forcefully scratched it..
"You little punk! What are you doing right now? Using physical force? Call the head prosecutor! You bastard!"
President Kang shouted in humiliation, but it only fueled the fire.
"The head prosecutor? You want to meet the head prosecutor? Sure, I''ll let you meet him. But before that, since I''m going to be disciplined as a prosecutor who used physical force, I''ll make sure to make it worth it. If I don''t break one of your legs today, consider me not taking revenge. Get ready for it, you little punk."
When President Kang was enduring all kinds of misery, there were prosecutors who tried to persuade him with sweet words.
"Even if you''re an executive, you''re still a sryman, right? Why throw yourself into a pit like this?"
"Prosecutor, I really have no knowledge of this."
"Oh,e on, sir. Your approval stamp was clearly used, and you im to know nothing? And listen carefully to me. Nowadays, we''re short on dors, and the country is in trouble. But you embezzled foreign currency because the exchange rate went up? This isn''t just embezzlement; it''s a vition of the Foreign Exchange Management Act. You''re practically selling out the country. Should I give you the maximum sentence? Otherwise, you might get beaten to death by the citizens, you know."
Whether it was intimidation, coercion, or persuasion, it was hard to distinguish, but when President Kang hesitated, the prosecutor''s expression changedpletely.
"You yed with the money when you touched it, and you had some fun when you fabricated the documents for the foreign exchange, didn''t you? Should I strip you of all of it and impose a hefty fine? Forget about the money you saved and turn you into a beggar? Huh!"
"Um, Prosecutor, that''s not..."
Furthermore, many subordinates, who had simply followed orders and had absolutely no guilt, revealed everything they knew in order to prove their innocence.
"Prosecutor, I''m in charge of importing high-end interior materials. I have all the import item details written down. Here, take all the import documents. Only a few samples have been imported. As you know, our Dae-ah specializes in nts andrge buildings. The apartments we built are just a fewplexes for regr people. Why would we use such imported interior materials?"
"Don''t they use them in office buildings? There are a lot of luxury buildings these days."
"They only use them in the lobby. And each floor is just sold as an empty shell. Isn''t it up to the tenants to do the interior work themselves?"
"What about foreign remittances? Your resident registration copy is attached to the bank documents."
"Prosecutor, so does the president personally handle bank transfers? Isn''t it natural for a low-level employee like me to create documents?"
Chapter 87 Bad Guy, Wicked Guy 4
Chapter 87 Bad Guy, Wicked Guy 4
As soon as he got into the car, Oh Se-hyun opened the notebook.
"That damn scumbag. It''s a real shame, isn''t it? Shedding tears and all. He''s got some nerve."
Tears had left stains all over the notebook.
Thinking about how the money he had scraped together so relentlessly was disappearing like this, he must have felt unjust and frustrated, shedding tears in ce of blood.
"How much is it all?"
"I''d say it''s roughly 80 billion."
"Then let''s grab half of it, at least 150 billion."
"I''m thinking at least 200 billion. 80 billion should be the money he collected sincest year... He''s probably been embezzling all his life, don''t you think?"
Big thieves, small thieves.
The only difference is in size; the world is full of thieves.
"We have to find it all..."
I encouraged Oh Sehyun, who seemed unsure.
"We must find it. We can find it. We just need to make that scumbag realize that he needs to turn the rest of his life into money."
Squeezing out money from someone by exploiting their weaknesses is something I''ve seen more than a few times.
Jin Yeong-gi did it, and Jin Young-joon did it too. Of course, they both learned these tactics from Chairman Jin Yang-cheol.
"First, let''s secure the stocks."
"Darn it, thinking that a trash like him will enjoy his retirement with the money from selling stocks makes my blood boil."
"It won''t happen. We''ll ensure that all the proceeds from the stocks go back to thepany."
"Is that even possible?" Oh Se-hyun widened his eyes and asked, "Does that mean we''ll make him a pauper?"
"That''s why you should meet good grandparents, not parents. Thanks to having a grandfather who ys with thew as he pleases, I can talk big like this. Hehe."
Life is quite amusing. It''s a world where you can do as you please.
For the haves, the world is a yground, and for the have-nots, it''s hellthis saying suddenly rings true.
"Now, let''s greet each other. This here is Oh Se-hyun, the CEO of Miracle Investment. And this good-looking guy is my youngest grandson. Any neers here?"
They met the people who would be in charge of Dae-ah Construction at a beautiful Korean restaurant with a spacious annex. Since they had already discussed how to introduce me, I could greet themfortably.
"This kid has a good eye for money. That''s why he''s learning about investments under CEO Oh. Later on, he''ll manage your money, and he''ll multiply it several times."
"Oh, he''s a prodigy who goes to Seoul National University''sw school."
These were truly exceptional subordinates. They knew exactly what kinds of words the superiors liked.
"Yeah. You guys read the newspapers too, huh? Hehe."
"You''re such a talented prodigy, good at everything."
After enduring a storm of praise, I could finally pick up my spoon and eat.
"CEO Oh, is everything going smoothly?"
"Yes. The purchase of shares owned by the Kang Mu-sung family just requires stamping the contract. We''ve agreed to split the payment for the shares."
"Split it?"
"Yes. We decided to pay for the shares in installments, each time recovering the embezzled money from Kang Chairman. We don''t know when he might change his mind."
"But why hasn''t the contract been stamped yet?"
"We still have some negotiations to do with the main banks. It''s unlikely, but if negotiations with the banks fail, Dae-ah Construction will give up."
People murmured when they heard the word "give up," but the grandfather thumped his knee.
"Of course. We''re providing everything. How else can we do business? We''ll even reduce the debt and get interest exemptions. Isn''t that how we''ll revive a copsingpany?"
Our grandfather always gets it in one shot, understanding the big picture.
"Now, Dae-ah Construction''s acquisition is not a variable; it''s confirmed. That''s why I called you here. Oh Representative, exin it."
Oh Se-hyun took out a bound file and distributed it to the people who would be part of Dae-ah Construction''s management.
"This will be the first project for the new Dae-ah Construction."
The file he distributed was none other than the DMC project.
"Listen carefully and prepare thoroughly. It will be a major project. And Do-Jun,e see me."
I followed my grandfather as we left the guest room.
The area around the guest room was adorned with a small garden, and my grandfather and I strolled through it slowly.
"That Kang Chairman, will he willingly return the embezzled assets?"
"He voluntarily confessed to 80 billion. Right now, the audit team and Yeouido ountants are meticulously examining the past ten years with the help of prosecutors and Dae-ah Construction employees. More is likely to surface."
"Do you think he''ll give the money when he hands over the shares? It must be a substantial amount."
"In any case, the embezzlement is out in the open. I n to attribute the share payment to thepany as a condition to avoid a prison sentence."
"Hehe. Kang Chairman, he''ll get what''sing to him."
"I simply can''t forgive him."
"What could have made our Do-Jun so angry?" My grandfather said with a smile.
"If he had at least paid the dyed sries to the employees, they could have managed to survive. Over two thousand employees have been waiting for more than three months without a single paycheck. Nowadays, bank loans are blocked, so many of them have resorted to loan sharks just to cover their living expenses. Kang Mu-sung, the chairman, should experience the despair they''re feeling."
My grandfather stopped his slow stride. "Ah, I see. You couldn''t possibly understand the minds of sry earners."
Well, I used to be a sry earner too. I knew what it was like when your paycheck barelysts a month, and your family plunges into a pit of debt if it''s dyed by just a month.
But words I didn''t expect came out of my mouth. "I can''t forget the grim expressions of the employees when I first went to Dae-ah Construction."
My grandfather looked at me in silence for a while before patting my back. "Right. Don''t forget that feeling. No matter what happens, you must ensure that your employees have food to eat. There''s nothing more heartbreaking than seeing someone go hungry."
Had my grandfather hidden this side of him? Wasn''t he known for being ruthless, consideringborers who died on the industrial sites as mere expenses?
I couldn''t have imagined that such words woulde from him.
Chapter 88 Whos the Boss of This House? 1
Chapter 88 Who''s the Boss of This House? 1
Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi trembled with just his hands as he looked at the personnel orders inserted on his approval board.
While the appointments of executives in subsidiarypanies still had to follow his father''s decisions, the fact that construction executives had all resigned without any word to him had wounded his pride to the point where he couldn''t bear it.
"Did these peoplee to work today?"
"They did note to thepany."
"Then?"
"..."
The nervous secretary hesitated, and Jin Yeong-gi let out a short sigh and lowered his voice.
"If you''ve found anything, report it. It''s okay."
"It seems President Hong Song-chul received Chairman''s instructions. The decision to transfer people, including Vice President Baek Jae-jin, was at President Jin''s discretion. And..."
"And what else?"
"The transferred personnel are going to the Miracle Investment office in Yeouido."
"Miracle, meaning Oh Se-hyun, that guy?"
"Yes. From Sunyang Automotive to this current matter... it seems highly likely that Miracle has a close rtionship with Chairman."
"Miracle lent us $1 billion before. Since then, it may have evolved from a simple business partnership."
The secretary''s mention of a close rtionship suggests that Miracle could potentially be a vault for the Chairman.
Jin Yeong-gi shook his head. If his father did have a vault, it meant that this would not be the way it''s disclosed to the world.
"Do you have any more information?"
"I''m sorry. I can only repeat that Chairman has instructed us to keep quiet for the time being, so I can''t provide more details. Maybe you could meet with the Chairman; they''re all people who work for him."
"All of them are loyal to Father; they won''t talk just because I ask."
"What about Director Kim Kyung-sik? He seems quite young for a Chairman''s person."
"Kim Kyung-sik?"
"Yes, don''t you know him? He may seem puffed up when he bes an executive, but when Vice Chairman calls, he''ll drop everything ande running."
"Hmm..."
He''s a somewhat blurry face. A person whose highest position is director, and maybe when he calls, he might shed tears of joy.
"Book a dinner together quietly."
When he first looked at the personnel files, he wanted to run to his father and confront him, but now he knows better. If you''re in your mid-fifties, you understand that taking care of yourself is all you can do.
"Feel free to listen. This is a bted congrattion for your promotion. Bing a director right after being appointed, and then retiring."
The fact that Director Kim Kyung-sik hade in just a minute meant he hadn''t left thepany, and the resignations of construction executives were merely a formality on paper.
"I''m sorry, Vice Chairman. I was in such a hurry that I couldn''t even give greetings."
"No, no. Whether you work outside or inside, you''re still a Sunyang person, right?" Jin Yeong-gi poured a drink while watching Director Kim Kyung-sik''s expression. "How is it? Isn''t it tough working with President Oh Se-hyun?"
"It''s okay. He''s been abroad for a long time, so he''s a rxed person."
It was clear that Director Kim Kyung-sik didn''t hold back in front of him.
Well, isn''t he the chairman''s eldest son and vice chairman? He knows everything about what he''s doing, and he probably thinks of this dinner as an encouragement.
"Does that mean things are progressing quickly in your work?"
"Yes. The acquisition of Dae-ah Construction is also imminent, and the Digital Media City project has a clear concept, with detailed ns. We canplete the construction deadline and total cost estimation by the first half of the year."
Dae-ah Construction acquisition?
Digital what? City?
Trying not to show his surprise, he made an effort not to react, but an even more shocking name came up.
"By the way, Do-jun... No, Director Jin is quite remarkable too, right? There were many times when it felt like he was leading rather than learning the work. Blood really can''t be fooled, it seems. Haha."
It sounded like apliment, but it wasn''t clear.
Do-jun?
Jin Yeong-gi quickly took a sip of alcohol to hide his shock.
After putting down his ss and chewing on a piece of meat, he spoke. "Oh, right, Do-jun was there too? But as a director? That''s the first time I''ve heard of it."
"Don''t you know? Well, it''s not a big deal. He just handed out his business card when Mr. Oh was introducing him."
Learning the work and going around with him.
A red warning light lit up in Jin Yeong-gi''s mind.
"Our youngest nephew learning from President Oh for a while... What is he learning there?"
"Oh, well... I shouldn''t have said that..."
"No, it''s okay. Everyone was too busy to pay attention to what our nephew was doing... It''s okay. Speak freely."
"Even if it''s not Chairman''s words, you could have guessed enough, right? He seemed to be focusing into bing an investment and M&A experts."
"Like President Oh Se-hyun?"
"Yes."
The warning signal disappeared. If he''s in charge of investment and M&A from outside without entering Sunyang, he''ll just be a senior member of Sunyang, not someone aiming for a throne.
"Well, it would have been nice to have at least one prosecutor nephew, but I guess blood can''t be fooled, huh? Haha." Jin Yeong-gi, who had temporarily rxed, began to look at Kim Kyung-sik carefully. "And I''d like to hear your thoughts once..."
"Yes, please tell me, Vice Chairman."
"Will Dae-ah Construction be able to smoothly proceed with that project? I heard it''s quite massive."
"Yes, it''s massive...," Kim Kyung-sik started to speak but suddenly fell silent. Isn''t it considered taboo to discuss construction projects or rted matters outside? It''smon sense to handle such things without even letting one''s wife know.
Furthermore, based on their tone, it seemed that the Vice Chairman was also unaware of the details.
Seeing Kim Kyung-sik''s awkward expression, Jin Yeong-gi immediately spoke up.
"I know it''s massive. That''s why I''m asking. I''ve heard my father mention it briefly, but since it''s an external project, I didn''t pay much attention."
"Oh, I see. Don''t worry. As I mentioned, it''s progressing smoothly. It''s a project worth tens of billions of dors, so there can''t be any mistakes."
Chapter 89 Whos the Boss of This House? 2
Chapter 89 Who''s the Boss of This House? 2
"So, what do you want? What do you expect me to do?" Jin Dong-gi seemed just as frustrated and annoyed. His polite and courteous tone had be a bit rougher.
"Isn''t it enough for you and me to handle this Sunyang family food fight on our own? What if someone we don''t know about is preparing to intervene in this fight? And what if that person, whom father has provided with everything, is the one? It''s unsettling."
"I''ve understood enough; just get to the point."
"Let''s ask father. Who is this person he''s been spoon-feeding, and why? If father is taking such care of them."
"Hyung, you''ve always been like this. Don''t you know? Whenever a problem arises, you rush over and start whining. Isn''t it getting old?" Jin Dong-gi didn''t show the same level of deference to his older brother as before.
Although he had heard harsh words from his younger brother, Jin Yeong-gi''s mood didn''t sour. It felt like a long time since he had regarded his younger brother as more than just apetitor.
"Sure, if I go alone and whine, that''s one thing. But what if you and I go together? Instead of whining, we can ask about the business situation and offer our help. We can tell him that we''ll do our best to make the Dae-ah Construction acquisition and the huge project a sess. This way, it bes a business discussion, not whining. Right?"
Jin Dong-gi contemted his brother''s proposal and, in line with his brother''s advice, considered his father''s likely response. It didn''t seem like a bad idea.
However, thorough preparation was necessary. If they were ill-prepared, they risked receiving a scolding from their father.
"To avoid whining, we need to be well-prepared, right? How about we share information as brothers for once? We both know things, right?"
As Jin Dong-gi proposed exchanging information, Jin Yeong-gi raised his hand and pointed at his younger brother.
"How about you?"
"I guess it has to be me. Firstly, it''s not Yoon-gi. I''ve talked to Yoon-gi, and he has one thing in mind. Yoon-gi also developed an ambition for the sake of my son, Do-jun. He wants to leave something for Do-jun."
"Yoon-gi? That''s surprising."
"He''s still a father. But he confided in me. If he had ambitions for the Sunyang Group, he wouldn''t say such things. It probably means he wants me to take care of Do-jun enough so he won''t be disappointed."
Jin Dong-gi spoke of a different possibility, excluding the preparation for the food fight.
"Our father regards Do-jun highly, and Do-jun doesn''t want to disappoint our grandfather... In my opinion, Do-jun is more likely."
At his brother''s words, Jin Yeong-gi shook his head. "No, Do-jun''s future has already been decided."
"How so?"
"Do-jun seems to be grooming himself as a financial specialist, an expert in investment and M&A."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. He''s been diligently learning under Oh Se-hyun."
Both of them fell silent simultaneously.
Except for Jin Yoon-gi and Do-jun, there were no other suitable candidates. Their third brother, Jin Sang-gi, was eliminated early on, and their younger sister had no room to interfere.
Could there possibly be hidden children?
Various thoughts crossed their minds, leaving them both bewildered.
They had to confirm before it was toote. In the worst-case scenario, they would have to prepare for their father''s disapproval.
"Listen, the eldest and the second son." Chairman Jin smiled bitterly as he looked at his two sons. "If you''re going to call yourselves the sessors of Sunyang, you should be able to distinguish whether the other party is holding a sword or a bouquet of roses, shouldn''t you?"
His unexpected words left his two sons puzzled.
"H-holding a sword?"
"Don''t you remember? It was just three months ago. They came with 1 billion dors, exchanged it into our currency, and took it as a foreign exchange fee. It included the shares of the group held by A-jin Motors. I''ve never seen such highway robbery in my entire life."
The two sons had their mouths wide open. Wasn''t thispletely different from what they had in mind?
"Is it really true that Miracle has no connection with you, Father?"
"Why? Should I be angry because I was robbed?"
"No, but if there''s no connection, isn''t this an extremely unfair deal? Why did you ept such conditions?"
"What if I hadn''t?"
Under Chairman Jin''s piercing gaze, the younger son who had asked the question quickly closed his mouth.
He needed to remain calmer. It was a time when daily payments ranged from tens of thousands of dors to millions of dors during the overseas hot money settlement. It was a financial situation that was difficult to withstand for even a month, and he himself had despaired of the possibility of bankruptcy.
Even if it were additional conditions, he would have epted them.
"I apologize. I misspoke."
"Ordinary people tend to easily forget difficult times once they''ve passed."
The word ''ordinary'' struck a chord in him. Could the one inheriting Sunyang afford to be ordinary?
"But, Father, didn''t you send all the employees, including the CEO of Sunyang Motors, away? It doesn''t seem like you just lost people, right?"
"The acquisition of Dae-ah Construction was the same. If they were armed robbers, wouldn''t it mean we don''t need to help?"
However, the doubts of the two sons had not disappeared yet.
"But, Father, even though you sent everyone away, it doesn''t mean they were taken from you, right?"
"Before you start questioning me, why don''t you try to understand my thoughts? And isn''t it a bit presumptuous for you two to question my decisions? Tsk, tsk."
The two sons quickly raised their hands in a gesture of surrender.
"Oh, please don''t misunderstand, Father. We''re not questioning you. We''re just trying to understand it since it''s difficult toprehend."
"What is it? Like setting up a giant horse during the war... and there were soldiers hidden inside..."
"Are you referring to the Trojan horse?"
"Yes, the Trojan horse."
"So, the reason we sent our Sunyang people away..."
"Of course. We have to retrieve them, don''t we?"
Both sons couldn''t lift their faces, feeling embarrassed.
Having heard all of their father''s ns, at this moment, they realized that they were nothing more than sons whoined at the age of over fifty.
Chapter 90 Whos the Boss of This House? 3
Chapter 90 Who''s the Boss of This House? 3
"They''re already asking us. What are you going to say when we send out the press release?"
"We''ll sign a contract with the top image coordinatorpany. Experts will create it based on these initials."
"What? A coordinator?"
"Yes. They''ll be responsible for managing and maintaining ourpany''s external image from now on. And Chairman Song and the CEOs of our subsidiaries will also be involved in image making."
"Image making? What''s that? Hey! Are we raising actors? Growing celebrities?"
"The 21st century will be an era where we eat and live with images. Corporate image is directly linked to sales. Anyway! Don''t worry today and enjoy it. It''s a good day, isn''t it?"
On TV, after CEO Jo Dae-ho''s inaugural speech ended, introductions of the heads of each subsidiary followed.
Now it''s time for the reception to begin.
"Uncle. You should go and show your face. You''re the rightful leader of this group, aren''t you?"
"You? Won''t you greet them?"
"I feel like I''ll get caught up in annoying conversations. I saw some of the big bosses with grandfathers. I''ll just skip it."
He wanted to avoid the ufortable looks he would receive from them. Isn''t today a bit special?
Out of the A-jin, no... HW Group building.
The building still bears the name A-jin, but it will change soon.
It''s a day to celebrate, but it''s also a day to make just the right amount of ttery. He shouldn''t forget his grandfather, who loves attention.
After all, there are many people who give stern advice and die, but are there not also those who die from ttering too much?
"Director, where would you like to go?"
Kim Yoon-sik, the assistant, opened the car door.
"To the Chairman''s residence."
"Yes."
"Oh, by the way, if you pass by a supermarket, please buy me a bottle of Jinro soju."
"Soju? You don''t even drink alcohol much..."
"On a day like today, we have to have a drink."
As ted and proud as he was, he wanted to drink to his heart''s content and get drunk, but this was just the first step. Today, he would have just one drink. A light toast. Save the celebration forter. Sesses in abundance.
"Huh? Why are you here so early? The banquet must be in full swing by now."
As they entered the study, Grandfather was reading the news. The second founding ceremony of the A-jin Group was quite a big news event. It was continuously reported.
"Thanks to you, Grandfather, I''ve be the owner of the A-jin Group. How could I enjoy this alone? I came to share a celebratory drink with you."
I took a bottle of soju from a ck stic bag.
"What''s this? Why did you bring the unluckypany''s alcohol of all things?" Grandfather frowned as he looked at the Jinro soju bottle with a redbel.
"Isn''t this a liquor with a 70-year history? I''m sure the founder of Jinro, Chairman Jang Hak-yeop, never imagined that a single soju brand couldst 70 years. And even though thepany failed, this product is still selling, isn''t it? Jinro soju won''t disappear in the future."
"Even if the owner changes, some products never disappear... That''s something I like. Haha. Alright, pour me a drink."
Could he sense my desire to say that Jinro soju is the future of Sunyang? Ah, it''s a bit different. Perhaps because he inherited the bloodline, he doesn''t see a change of ownership?
"Congrattions, our grandson. You''ve done well. When I was your age, all I had were a few gold teeth, but you, you''ve achieved this at the age of twenty.
"Well, Grandfather, you never had a grandfather like me who could give you a spacious ranch at the age of ten. Thank you. It''s all thanks to you."
Grandfather shook his head. "No, there are plenty of chaebol grandsons in South Korea who owned multi-million won ranches when they were ten years old. Those guys are in their twenties or thirties now. Many may have forgotten what they received, but you''re the only one who''s been multiplied by a thousand or ten thousand times. What you have now isn''t because your grandfather treated you well. It''s something you built with your own strength. You can be proud of it. Haha."
Grandfather filled my ss with soju and clinked it lightly.
The two of us emptied our sses in one gulp.
"This soju, I''ve drunk so much of it, but now I can''t taste the vor."
I felt the same way. How much soju and pork belly have I consumed? But it''s not about the taste. I couldn''t even remember the exhration of the first sip of soju.
Grandfather and I, even if it was just for a brief moment, remained silent, both staring at the red sojubel.
It''s a somewhat amusing sight. An old man and a young guy getting lost in the same memories.
Grandfather, breaking free from the memories, was the first to speak.
"How is the progress with Dae-ah Construction?"
"We''re negotiating with the banks, making concessions gradually to proceed smoothly, and the team is calcting the specific amounts. As for the money Kang Moo-sung embezzled, we''re in the process of recovering it as soon as it''s discovered."
"The prosecutors must be working hard."
"We''ve been quite generous with theirpensation."
Grandfather studied myplexion.
"But Kang, he''s refusing to hand over the proceeds from the stock sale, isn''t he?"
"Yes. Even if they threaten to arrest all his children and grandchildren for embezzlement of public funds, they remain unmoved. Money... It''s terrifying."
Watching my agitated state, my grandfather spoke seriously.
"No, that''s a mistaken thought."
"Really?"
"The proceeds from that stock sale are Kang''sst weapon. I''ve judged that it''s not the right time to use that weapon yet. Since you can only swing it once, I''ll do it when the time is more decisive."
Swinging it here means giving up the proceeds from the stock sale.
"Could it be? Kang still has a chance?"
"If his entire family gets arrested and convicted, the stock proceeds will probably go to fines, won''t they?"
"Right, but how could there be a chance?"
"Instead, you won''t be able to touch that money either. It''ll go into the national treasury."
I still didn''t understand my grandfather''s intent.
Chapter 91 Planting Season 1
Chapter 91 nting Season 1
"Making Kang Musung our consultant?"
"Yes."
Oh Sehyun''s furrowed expression revealed his true feelings.
Although the position of a corporate consultant had long degraded into a mere ceremonial role, it was not a ce for the former CEO who hadmitted misconduct to sitfortably.
"He said he would sell all the stocks, so Chairman Kang will have everything thates with the consultant''s sry. Well, we''ll have to pay him quite a bit for his sry, though."
"Are you sure he epted the conditions?"
"The entire family couldn''t avoid prison, and they decided it''s better to share the stock proceeds as a fine than have it all seized by the government. So they epted. Kang wanted 30% of the stock proceeds over ten years."
Upon hearing the 30%, Oh Sehyun''s furrowed face rxed. It seems he expected at least half.
"Well, that''s reasonable... But still, he''ll be getting a higher sry than the Dae-ah Construction CEO?"
"At first."
"At first?"
"Yes. We''ll pay as promised for the first couple of months, and then we n to reduce it significantly."
Oh Sehyun''s furrowed expression returned. "What kind of trickery is that?"
"He also need to experience the miserable feeling of not getting a sry."
Oh Sehyun shook his head and burst intoughter. "Euhaha. Have you ever seen such a ruthless guy!" Afterughing for a while, enough to make tears gather in the corners of his eyes, he sat up straight. "At first, we''ll pay for a couple of months, and then because thepany''s financial situation isn''t great, we''ll reduce the sry?"
"No, it''s not like that. We''re just dying the payments. We have to pay the sry ording to the contract."
"When will you actually pay it all, and when will you pay the overdue sries? You don''t even know, do you?"
"The times are tough. We''ll have to tighten our belts until Dae-ah Construction turns a profit. Heh heh. Do-jun, that chairman Kang is going to run wild. It''s not that we won''t pay, it''s that we can''t pay."
"I understand. Wasn''t that what he kept saying to Dae-ah Construction employees? He promised to pay the overdue sries as soon as the situation improves." Oh Sehyun looked at me with a sly smile. "Is this a strategy? Or revenge?"
"What do you mean?"
"This cunning guy. Did you want to let hims experience this once, like, what is this? Or did you use it as a way to secure the stocks?"
"Both. Heh heh."
"What will you do if he files awsuit?"
"It will only add to his suffering. we will drag out the legal battle for years. If he drags it out for so long, he will get tired of it. And during thewsuit, he won''t receive his sry either."
"He may have avoided prison, but he''s still waiting for the suffering of not receiving his sry in old age... I''ll happily watch that guy suffer."
"Oh, by the way, Uncle."
"Yeah, what is it?"
"There''s something I shouldn''t forget to mention when negotiating a significant sry reduction."
"What''s that?"
"It''s a request to share the suffering until thepany stabilizes."
"I''ll never forget it. Haha."
The two of us shared a pleasantugh, feeling like we had achieved a small measure of justice.
"Oh, and I''m thinking of visiting Israel for a while."
"What? Israel? Why suddenly there?"
It was Oh Sehyun, with eyes widened into circles instead ofughter. Even to me, it seemed like a truly unexpected destination. Israel.
"I''m nning to go for a short while to attend a lecture. There''s a pretty excellent professor there."
Oh Sehyun burst intoughter as if he couldn''t believe it.
"A lecture? You? You, who don''t even go to the university right next door?"
"Oh, this lecture isn''t rted tow. It''s in the field of engineering, which is a bit challenging for me."
"Listening to a lecture won''t necessarily make you learn something..."
"You have to sow the seeds for the future in advance."
"When do you think those seeds will sprout?"
"To be honest, I''m worried that I might have missed the sowing season. So, I can''t give you a definite answer."
This was a fact. I had recorded the information from the special economic report in my notes, but there was no exact timing. It only mentioned that it was in thete 1990s.
It was something happening across the sea. If I was toote, it meant I was going on a trip to Israel, but if I wasn''t toote, it meant I was sowing properly.
"I-IsraeI?"
"Yes. Why are you so surprised? Don''t tell me you don''t have a passport?"
Assistant Manager Kim Yoon-seok scratched his head and hesitated.
"Please get your passport quickly and make flight and hotel reservations. We''ll be gone for about a week."
"Yes, Director."
Kim Yoon-seok, who was going abroad for the first time in his life, hurriedly left my living room but then returned.
"Director, what about the flight tickets...?"
"Assistant Manager Kim, this time, treat yourself to a first-ss experience."
This time, he dashed off as if he were flying.
While the students rushed to school on their first day, I flew to Israel.
The flight time from South Korea to Tel Aviv, Israel, alone exceeds 14 hours. Avoiding the airspace over the Middle East due to its risks adds another several hours to the journey.
"Director, those kids even remember the names of first-ss passengers." Assistant Manager Kim whispered while ncing at the flight attendants.
"The round trip flight to Israel takes roughly 24 hours. That seat costs over 7 million won, right? If someone is willing to pay 700,000 won a day, I''m ready to memorize their entire family tree."
"Oh..."
"Enjoy the services thesedies provide. It''s all onpany dime. Let''s order whatever we want to eat and have a drink or two. It''s a long flight, so we can have a drink and catch some sleep."
After a few sses of wine, Kim cautiously opened his mouth.
"Director, it''s what Manager Jin Yeong-jun said."
"Yeong-jun, my brother?"
"Yes. He''s been appointed as a senior executive at Sunyang Construction. I really wanted to be an executive in the electronics division, but Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi ignored me and sent me away."
Chapter 92 Planting Season 2
Chapter 92 nting Season 2
"Professor! Professor Shashua."
As the lecture ended, I hurriedly followed the professor out the front door.
I couldn''t be entirely sure if this young professor was the person I was looking for, so there was some unease.
"What can I do for you? Are you a student who came inte?"
"I dide inte, but I''m not a student."
Professor Shashua stopped in his tracks and sized me up.
"So, the reason you sought me out..."
"Let me start with a question. Have you been conducting research in the field of optics using recent standard deviation analysis?"
"Yes, I have."
He didn''t seem particrly surprised, which suggested that it might be research that had already been publicly disclosed.
I was the one feeling flustered now.
While it seemed likely that this professor was the one I was looking for, what if the work onmercializing the research had already progressed significantly? If there was no room for me to get involved, flying all the way to Israel would have been a futile endeavor.
I had already experienced that having some knowledge of the future wasn''t a guarantee of sess.
Buying arge quantity of undervalued stocks could lead to a sudden spike in their prices, attracting the attention of other investment institutions. Short-term investment was practically challenging.
It was more likely that I would seed by looking ahead and gradually buying stocks over several years. However, this approach felt somewhat frustrating. Once you held a certain amount of stock, you would draw attention as a major shareholder.
The best option was to build rapport before starting apany and be an angel investor. Of course, this also required a deep understanding of the industry, but it was a viable path.
Anyway, I fervently hoped that it wasn''t toote.
"It might be a somewhat lengthy discussion. Could you spare some time?"
I handed him my business card, and his unexpected expression was a sight to behold.
"Miracle Investment?"
At the sight of that expression, I felt like shouting ''Hallelujah.''
That expression and gaze meant that nobody from the business world had approached him yet, or he wasn''t prepared for it.
"Yes, there''s a website URL on the card. Please take a look, and if you''re interested, we can schedule a meeting..."
Professor Shashua alternated his gaze between the business card and me before speaking.
"Let''s meet in my researchb at the Technology Center in two hours. Is that alright with you?"
"Thank you. I''ll see you soon then."
As I nodded my head, he lifted his hand briefly and briskly walked away.
I spent the next two hours wandering around the campus.
Having some free time, I noticed what I had missed in my haste to arrive. Barricades and checkpoints set up next to the main entrance of the university caught my eye.
Iter learned that they intensively conduct security checks when there is a perceived threat of Middle Eastern terrorism. Not only visitors but also students and professors are subjected to thorough searches, making the term "ammunition depot" quite fitting.
The archaeology department at the Hebrew University is considered the best in the world, and the campus museum exceeded expectations. However, the university''s greatest pride was undoubtedly Albert Einstein.
Einstein, a Jewish figure, bequeathed his intellectual property rights to the Hebrew University, which he had yed a leading role in founding, before his death in 1955.
Until about a decade ago, the university merely held Einstein''s intellectual property rights formally, without making any real efforts towardsmercialization.
However, serious efforts towardsmercialization began when they hired an intellectual property rights specialist named Berry Hill as their agent.
The university began marketing Einstein''s name and image and started charging royalties for their use in various events and advertisements. The ie generated from these activities now exceeds $1.5 million annually.
It''s truly a frightening world when even those who turn people''s images into money are infiltrating sacred ivory towers.
After making a round around the school, I headed to the Technology Center.
Upon entering Professor Shashua''s researchb, I saw several people hunched overputer monitors, working on something.
"You''ve waited quite a bit, haven''t you? Come this way."
Professor Shashua led me into a small room. The room was surrounded by books, and there were printed papers and various camera lenses stacked on every desk and chair, making it hard to find a ce to sit.
He brought an extra chair over to his desk and gestured for me to sit.
"Please have a seat."
It was ufortable, but what could I do? He''s the person who might be the golden goose in the future.
"Why would the magician from Hollywood want to meet someone like me, who grapples with mathematical forms?"
The magician from Hollywood?
Could it be a nickname for the American Miracle? Or perhaps he read an article with a title like that?
"Hollywood is just a part of our investment targets. We always pay attention to new technologies and promising startups."
"Do you happen to be interested in CogniTens?"
"Yes? CogniTens?"
What a blunder!
I couldn''t show any signs of surprise, no matter what words came out of this professor''s mouth.
I had to make sure I didn''t reveal how little I knew. I quickly went into damage control mode.
"I''m sorry, but could you please exin?"
He seemed a bit disappointed as he responded, "CogniTens is a 3D optical measurement solution that can measure the precision of metal parts or assemblies. It''s both the name of the solution and thepany."
I didn''t fully understand, but that didn''t matter. Isn''t every item created by a startup a genius invention by a brilliant professor?
"When was thepany founded?"
"We started in 1995."
"I''ll add thatpany to my list."
"Add it?"
"Yes. The reason I came to see you, Professor, is because I''m interested in technology that provides users with information collected through cameras with minimal margin of error."
Chapter 93 A Difficult Battle 1
Chapter 93 A Difficult Battle 1
"First of all, thank you for the quick decision, Professor."
"Oh no, this is an opportunity, so I shouldn''t miss it. I''m even more grateful for the chance you''ve given me."
Professor Shashua appeared after dinner time. It waste, but it seemed like he couldn''t bear to wait another night.
As it waste at night, most of the hotel guests who would usually enjoy their evening were gathered at the bar, leaving the lobby lounge rtively quiet.
"I''m curious about your response to my proposal."
Professor Shashua took out a neatly folded piece of paper from his pocket.
"This is the initial startup cost, and I''ve briefly noted the proposed ownership structure based on the investment."
When I quickly nced at the numbers on the paper, I almost burst intoughter.
These numbers gave a good estimate of the scale of CogniTens, which was founded in 1995.
I could clearly see the difference between South Korean venturepanies and this proposal. South Korean ventures often show efforts to raise as much money as possible, but this single piece of paper showed traces of carefully considering how to save money.
The amount of money offered was minimal in my eyes.
I folded the paper and ced it quietly on the table.
"Professor, may I talk about something more important than money?"
"Of course."
"Do you have confidence that your research will be a reality?"
"Yes."
Professor Shashua nodded confidently. His attitude showed no hint of pretense.
Belief in oneself, having what is absolutely necessary, I can move on to the next step.
"How will the coboration with the technology center be structured? Here it says that you give 3.7% of the stake to the university technology center..."
"Oh, usually it''s strong on the aspect of equipment provided by the university and costs for theb. Misceneous items like library books are also included."
Professor Shashua exined the university''s support when he noticed my sensitivity to the stake.
"Our university spares no effort in supporting startups. Even though research that may not yield meaningful results, they''ve already provided equipment worth over $200,000. 3.7% is by no means a significant portion."
"Oh, please don''t misunderstand. I''m not ming the university. I just wanted to know the extent of the university''s support."
Of course, this wasn''t everything.
"The initial funding needed until meaningful results are achieved is $700,000, and the second funding required untilmercialization is possible is $1.5 million. Is that correct?"
"Yes."
Professor Shashua, slightly nervous that I might think it''s too much, is now fixated on my words.
"And Miracle''s stake is 35%."
"Is that insufficient?"
"No, it''s reasonable. I''m sincere."
Professor Shashua rxed and showed a bright smile. He believed that the deal had been sealed.
However, it''s appropriate to reject the initial offer, whether it''s reasonable or not.
"Professor."
"Yes."
"Now I will share my thoughts. It may be unreasonable, but will you listen to the end?"
"Oh, yes."
Looking at the professor, whose smile had disappeared, I spoke slowly.
"I will give $400,000 to the university technology center. Also, I will leave all the equipment provided by the university to the ownership of the university. With this, the university won''t owe anything, so there''s no need to give up the 3.7% stake. Should I give more?"
his head might be spinning, but he can''t open his mouth. The second offer has more impact the more radical it is, just like Professor Shashua is shocked right now.
"And I will raise the first funding to $7 million. Please use it to procure all the necessary equipment, the most advanced, and gather as much manpower as you need. Even a Ph.D. from MIT in the USA is eptable."
"Mr. Jin!"
Before the first shock even disappeared, the second shock hit, causing him to stammer.
"And as for the second funding formercialization, we can decide that when the timees. Please don''t misunderstand. I''m not saying I won''t use the $1.5 million you mentioned, but I''m dying the decision to see if we need $15 million or more."
Maybe he''ll think I''m crazy. And he might consider this investment deal a futile endeavor.
Ten times the required amount, and it doesn''t end there. It could be read as a gesture to throw ten times, or even a hundred times, the desired amount.
In cases like this, there''s only one thing.
Either the potential for sess has already been recognized in the market, or it''s the right timing to grow an already sessful business even bigger.
But Professor Shashua has only written the first line of Chapter 1 in this novel, so to speak. Whether this novel will bepleted or sell well in the future is anyone''s guess.
However, I''m not crazy.
If Professor Shashua starts a startup with this item, a Russian investor with a keen eye will soon provide $10 million, securing a significant stake.
If I prepare in advance, there won''t be a chance for someone else to join the table uninvited.
"Mr. Jin, to be honest, this proposal is hard to believe. It''s true that I''ve budgeted conservatively, but to increase the amount by a whopping ten times..."
"My story isn''t over yet."
Professor Shashua appeared bewildered and seemed to have something to say, but I silenced him.
"Instead, I''d like to set Miracle''s stake at 60%."
As soon as the words "60%" were mentioned, the professor''s face wrinkled, but my proposal wasn''t finished yet.
"I will only hold the shares. All voting rights will be granted to you, Professor, and I will not interfere in the management in any way. We won''t even send routine audits, and there won''t be a need for separate reports on how the investment funds are used. Just focus on the sess of the business."
I finished my story and folded my fingers. Now it was time to hear Professor Shashua''s final response.
But he couldn''t speak. He blinked and stared at my face.
"Professor?"
"Oh, I see. I apologize. This is one of the most absurd investment conditions I''ve ever heard... Isn''t this almost like gambling?"
Chapter 94 A Difficult Battle 2
Chapter 94 A Difficult Battle 2
"Come on, father-inw."
My grandfather''splexion turned dark. If it were Go Kyung-yeol, he wouldn''t be a typical Yeouido figure with a questionable past. A career bureaucrat who had walked the non-political path seemed cleaner and fresherpared to members of the National Assembly.
Moreover, he carried the ruling party''s premium with him. Unless there were significant variables, predicting my uncle''s victory wouldn''t be easy.
"Why are you so surprised? Do you think I''m afraid of whoeveres forward?"
"It''s not that, it''s just that he''s an unexpected figure..."
My uncle couldn''t bring himself to speak candidly, and my aunt exploded. "Father, all you had to do was say one word. Do you have to oppose your son-inw''s candidacy? Just one word from you, and Go Kyung-yeol won''t run, right?"
"If I stop him, is it all over? What if someone even more formidable appears behind him? Do I have to stop that guy too? Pathetic... If you think it''s just going to be a bed of roses, it''s better to stop now."
My grandfather''s message wasn''t directed at my aunt or uncle.
It was telling me that making a public official who would be of help isn''t an easy task. Is this also one of the ways to test me?
Is it not too heavy for someone in their twenties to handle?
"Choi, son-inw."
"Yes, father-inw."
"Go talk to the party officials. The most significant position in the local elections is the mayor of Seoul, right? They won''t just stand by without a n. Hurry up ande up with a solution!"
As the two hurriedly left, leaving just the two of us, my grandfather clicked his tongue.
"Tsk tsk, these youngsters cry at the drop of a hat when they face a bit of adversity. Looks like they didn''t raise them well in the Choi family."
"Anyone would want to cry when facing adversity. It''s just a matter of whether you express it or not, right?"
"When you''re facing adversity, you should clench your fists and let determination burn inside you to be considered a real man. Why cry?" My grandfather''s voice got slightly louder, as if he thought I was siding with my uncle. "So, what do you think? Do you know anything about Go Kyung-yeol?"
Of course, I knew well. His achievements and mistakes during his tenure as the mayor of Seoul were always in the news. But now, I had to pretend not to know.
"I''ve never heard the name before."
"He''s a former diplomat. He served as the U.S. ambassador and held various government positions. He''s a bit older, but we can package that as stability, and there shouldn''t be any major scandals."
"Does uncle have any scandals?"
"Why would the son-inw of a conglomerate group have any scandals? My son-inw is the chairman of Sunyang Group, and my daughter-inw is the department store CEO. If there''s a guy who wants to bribe them, he''s the crazy one."
"Then, he should be a worthy opponent, right?"
"The problem is that he''s a chaebol son-inw. The media keeps saying it''s because of chaebols that the country is suffering due to the IMF, and the folks in our neighborhood won''t look kindly on it, will they?"
I regretted my indifference to politics in my youth.
When Go Kyung-yeol became mayor, I couldn''t remember who his opponent was or what kind of election it was.
"Grandfather, it seems like you have no intention of helping uncle."
"Me? Why would I? I have no regrets. Even if Go Kyung-yeol bes the mayor, he won''t refuse my request, and even if Choi bes the mayor, it''s the same. I hold the flower medals in both hands. Hehe."
In the eyes of myughing grandfather, the joyous feeling was evident.
"You''re in a dilemma, aren''t you? Media City? You had ns to create it and use it as a driving force for Dae-ah Construction''s revival, right?"
"Killing two birds with one stone."
"Your business could get tougher if you don''t win that project."
"That''s why I have to win. Without such arge project, Dae-ah Construction will truly be a burden. It''ll be a money-draining pit."
"Ah, it''s frustrating. We sent plenty of our Sunyang people over there, and they''re starving them."
This is undoubtedly a serious matter. Whether it''s Dae-ah Construction or A-jin Group, there''s no doubt that they consider us all part of the Sunyang family, except for the sign that says "Sunyang."
Now, I want to see their reaction. If I beg for help, I''m no different from my uncle and grandfather. I need to show the determination to fight with fists clenched, as my grandfather advised.
"Even Mr. Go Kyung-yeol, as a human being, must have a weakness or two that can be exploited. If we can identify those weaknesses, there''s a chance of sess. Also, the fact that he''s a son-inw of a conglomerate, could be a weakness, but it might also be an advantage."
"How?"
"Being a son-inw of a conglomerate can be an advantage. He''s a wealthy person, so you wouldn''t expect him to engage in tax evasion or corruption, would you? Plus, he can cozy up with his father-inw a bit."
"Sell me out?"
"Yes. Just promise that with Sunyang''s power he''ll undertake many projects for the betterment of Seoul. Building apartments, for example."
"Why should I do business in Seoul?"
"That''s just what he''ll say. Everyone knows that political promises are just for show, but don''t you think it''s better to give it a try, just in case?"
Grandfather only chuckled. "I understand it sounds reasonable, but it''s not a guaranteed strategy, you know?"
"You have to build these things step by step in an election, don''t you?" Seeing hisughter spread, it seemed like he was relieved. At least I wasn''t whining. "Grandfather, please tell me just one thing."
"What is it?"
"To negotiate with Mr. Go Kyung-yeol, who should I use as an intermediary?"
"An intermediary? Are you talking about a close associate?"
"Yes, I would like to meet with that person at least once."
Grandfather couldn''t resist his curiosity. "Meet him? What do you want to talk to him about?"
"Well, if it turns out that I can connect with Go Kyung-yeol better than uncle, would it be okay to change my approach?"
"Haven''t you already invested arge sum of money with your uncle? Changing the approach would mean giving up that money, wouldn''t it?"
"I have a business opportunity that can yield tens or hundreds of times the 40 billion. I''m not throwing away 40 billion; I''m making 400 billion."
"It''s a good idea not to focus on what''s behind and only look ahead, but... is there a possibility?" Is Go Kyung-yeol really such a determined and unwavering person? "Your uncle will promise to develop Media City. But would the elected Go Kyung-yeol actually implement the losing candidate''s promise? I don''t think that''s likely."
Chapter 95 A Difficult Battle 3
Chapter 95 A Difficult Battle 3
"Me?"
"That''s right. Candidate Go Kyung-yeol has no intention of meeting me, and there''s no reason to meet him in the future either."
Kim Gwanhyuk''s mouth twitched slightly, and his gaze upon me sharpened even more.
"So, just putting inints through me is enough? For a foreign investment firm like you, you understand how Korean politicians operate quite well. The key is not meeting the party involved when ites to requests."
A person who effortlessly conveys what they want to those in power. That''s why they call someone like him a "real power yer."
A real power yer resolves requests made to them. Of course, the power to fulfill those requests lies with those in authority, but the ones in power often follow the advice of a real power yer.
The person in the seat of power and the right-hand man they trust. It''s often unclear who the real authority figure is.
"You misunderstand. I have no need to submitints to Candidate Go Kyung-yeol."
"Do I need to meet someone who doesn''t even have to submitints, even though they''re doing business? Ah, did I cut right to the point too quickly, so now you''re being cautious?"
"No, not at all. As I mentioned earlier, my purpose is to meet Director Kim."
Kim Gwanhyuk refrained from having a drink, picked up his water ss instead.
"Let''s hear what that purpose is. I guess I can afford that much for the expensive meal."
"Thank you, Director Kim. I stillck experience, so I''d like to ask. Have there been cases where a sessor followed behind the top person?"
Once again, his eyebrows twitched. He realized that who the was the top person in question.
"The top person has always remained the top person. Of course, Noh Taewoo became president, but it wasn''t something he inherited from Chun Doo-hwan. He pushed it to a direct election and won due to the Kim faction''s division."
"So?"
His tone was getting slightly rougher. We were prepared for a heated exchange anyway.
"Powerful figures'' right-hand men gradually descend and eventually be mere followers. It''s their destiny to be severed from the powerful figure''s body."
"Go on."
Kim Gwanhyuk''s expression grew even more menacing.
"What makes you think phrases like ''top person'' or ''right-hand man'' are coined? It''s not created to elevate such individuals in the eyes of the public. Its rhetoric designed to make the top person or the body treat subordinates like foot soldiers and extract loyalty from them. It''s just a rhetorical tool to elevate them, let them indulge themselves to the fullest, and even if they''re discardedter, to ensure they won''t hold grudges."
I tried not to get emotionally involved.
The feeling of believing in someone, "You''re the only one I trust," "Let''s go together," ... How sweet is that? I was so intoxicated by this sweetness that I willingly became a servant and considered it part of loyalty, even when I hadn''tmitted any crimes myself and had wrongdoing falsely attributed to me.
Sitting in front of me now, the stiff and stern Kim Gwanhyuk seemed to be trapped in the same misconception. All I had to do was awaken him.
Making someone realize is not done through words, but initially, you must initiate it through words.
"In fact, Director Kim, you hold Go Kyung-yeol''s political life in both hands. His future as a politician depends on how you decide to handle it, doesn''t it?"
"Young friend, you have quite a sinister way of talking. I guess the person who introduced you can vouch for you."
He began to speak more freely. It wasn''t a position he held on behalf of Go Kyung-yeol, so he didn''t feel the need to maintain formalities.
"Enough with the beating around the bush. If I''m your objective, why don''t you just state the conclusion? You''re aware enough for that."
"Director Kim Gwanhyuk, I want to buy the rest of your life."
"What did you say?"
"The right-hand man of someone with a slight chance of bing Seoul''s mayor and possibly entering the Blue House. Of course, there''s uncertainty even about ascending to the position of Seoul''s mayor, and the path to the Blue House will be even more treacherous. Moreover, considering the chances of you inheriting that position... it''s close to zero in my view. Instead of aiming for power with an extremely slim chance, how about selling your future to me at a very high price, Director Kim?"
"This... this guy...!" His expression was either bewildered or he felt insulted. It was hard to tell.
"Ah, I will take responsibility for your children as well. I will provide full support for everything your children want to do. If they want to lead a life of leisure, I''ll take care of that too." Don''t our parents often be incredibly weak in front of their children? The fact that Kim Gwanhyuk remained seated without getting up was already a small victory. "Please don''t misunderstand. I''m not asking for anything grand. Just one word from you."
"And just because of that one word, I''m going to part ways with Go Kyung-yeol, am I?"
"That''s right. However, if Candidate Go genuinely considers you his right-hand man, he won''t discard you over a slip of the tongue. This might even be an opportunity to test whether you are a true right-hand man or just a servant."
If there were seeds of doubt and suspicion hidden deep within him, they would now begin to sprout. If there were none, then seeds would be nted today.
"Deliver one word that might make Candidate Go Kyung-yeol seem like he could lose in the mayoral election, and I''ll give you 20 billion. I''ll clean the money thoroughly and ce it wherever you prefer, whether it''s Switzend or Virgin Inds."
I didn''t wait for Kim Gwanhyuk to respond before continuing.
"Furthermore, as an additional offer, we''ll appoint you as an executive in our Miracle Corporation. If you wish to live abroad, simply tell us the country''s name, and we''ll establish a branch there. Of course, you''ll fully enjoy the benefits of being an executive."
In any negotiation, the price is always the issue.
To shake someone, you must throw an amount they could never anticipate.
I heard that when dealing with powerful figures, the easiest way is to offer a condolence payment of 100 million won during a family gathering. That''s what Jin Yeong-jun said.
An amount that would betray the once-loyal Go Kyung-yeol - 20 billion.
With that amount, you could even consider running for proportional representative in the National Assembly by paying just a few tens of billions to the ruling or opposition parties.
It was a chance to turn someone from someone''s right-hand man into your own top man.
I didn''t miss the uncertainty in Kim Gwanhyuk''s eyes.
I didn''t expect him to respond in this setting anyway. He needed some time to think it over.
"I don''t know who the person behind your introduction is, but please trust them. I''m not talking nonsense, and no matter what you say, it won''t leak outside." I stood up from my seat. "I''ll give you enough time to think it over. If I don''t hear from you by this time tomorrow, I''ll consider other options. In any case, someone wille forward to expose Candidate Go Kyung-yeol''s vulnerabilities. Many people would be willing to offer 20 billion to take part in a campaign to collect gold, even if they have to unearth the gold hidden deep in their closets and sell their souls."
Chapter 96 A Difficult Battle 4
Chapter 96 A Difficult Battle 4
"Goodness, why is my knowledgeable friend suddenly like this? Where''s the person who''s supposed to manage things here? It''s been over two weeks since I started living in this hotel. I can hardly remember the kids'' faces."
Kim Gwanhyeok kept his head slightly lowered, waiting for just one word toe out of Go Kyung-yeol''s mouth. So, he didn''t respond at all.
"Anyway, arrange a dinner meeting with the Seoul district legitors and regional chapter heads. We''re even spending money on this, so you need to give them some face."
"Understood."
The words he had been waiting for didn''te out. Kim Gwanhyeok bowed his head and turned away.
"Oh, Kim Bonbu (Boss Kim)."
"Yes?"
Kim Gwanhyeok turned back when he heard himself being addressed. His face brightened a bit. Given the current situation, he might not have asked due to the circumstances. Now, it was time for him to hear the words he wanted.
"Did we get the poll results fromst week''s approval ratings?"
"Oh, yes."
The words he had been eagerly anticipating never came.
"Within the margin of error, the candidate is ahead. The gap continues to widen, so we can expect even better results next week."
Hearing some slightly positive news, Go Kyung-yeol''s expression improved slightly.
"Alright. Good job. You can go now."
Kim Gwanhyeok, who bowed his head again, bit his lip.
As he stepped out of the room, a sigh escaped him.
The only thing he wanted to hear was just one question: "What''s going on?"
I clearly stated it. A week...
He had clearly said he would be absent for a week during such a critical time to oversee the election. In that case, it was obvious to anyone that this wasn''t something trivial.
Wasn''t he the closest aide who had been taking care of not only his personal life but also the upper-tier''s personal matters up to now?
In that case, the first thing he should have asked was what was going on. Wasn''t this one question not that difficult to ask?
Thinking back in silence, he realized that he had never onceined or voiced dissatisfaction in over ten years of serving. Was it because of that? Did he think he had no personal matters to attend to?
The guilt of testing his superior seemed to have disappeared. In its ce, he felt disappointment and regret.
He didn''t want to make hasty judgments based on this small test.
One more day would pass after today, and tomorrow morning might bring a change.
"Kim Bonbu (Boss Kim), no, Gwanhyeok. I was distracted yesterday... What''s going on? Did something bad happen at home?" He might say it with a worried expression.
Three days had passed, and a week had gone by. Yet, through Go Kyung-yeol''s lips, the words he wanted to hear had still note out. It was clear that something had been forgotten.
"F**k. Was it just this much...?" It was a curse he directed at himself.
To lose trust in someone he had followed for over ten years with a simple question. Or perhaps, he had given himself an excuse to sell out for 20 billion won.
The target of his own profanity was Go Kyung-yeol and Kim Gwanhyeok himself. Both of them, even if they received curses, seemed cheap.
He began to think that he should start looking into other people.
It had been more than a week without contact. A solid bond was formed, one that guaranteed a substantial upfront payment of 20 billion won, a high sry, and an executive position. And loyalty.
It was worthy of respect.
Kim Gwanhyeok might have possessed unwavering loyalty, or perhaps Go Kyung-yeol was a person of excellent character deserving of such loyalty.
However, human trust was fragile, like paper. Kim Gwanhyeok''s trust had crumbled, just like paper torn by a single drop of water.
When we met again, he didn''t seem to have his usual vitality.
"Miracle has a close rtionship with Sunyang Group, is that true?"
"Yes. Haven''t we already absorbed Sunyang Automotive?"
"No, I mean beyond the business rtionship. I''m talking about the owner''s family. Is all of this about making a son-inw the mayor of Seoul?"
Was he no longer going to y the fool by just epting handouts and taking the bait? He wanted to know all the details.
"It''s unrted. If we wanted to make a Sunyang Group son-inw win the election, there would be no need for such aplicated process, given Sunyang Group''s power, don''t you think?"
Kim Gwanhyeok nodded.
He had been in the political arena for ten years. Those who had benefited from Sunyang''s political slush fund would know that Sunyang would install the person they wanted as the mayor of Seoul. There was no need to involve insiders like this.
"All right. Let''s talk openly now. Why do you want to put Sunyang''s son-inw as the mayor of Seoul?"
"It''s a corporate secret, and I can''t reveal it to outsiders."
Kim Gwanhyeok''s expression changed slightly.
"Outsider? I''m thinking of bing a traitor right now, but if you call me an outsider too, which side am I on? Is there nowhere to belong?"
"You''ll be an insider the moment you take our money and Go Kyung-yeol candidate loses. Until then, you''re just an outsider."
He took a sip of his drink with a bitter smile.
"Damn, is this what being a traitor is about? Does the bridge to go back have to copsepletely for me to be recognized as a traitor? This is a deed I can''t even do."
This person needed somefort in his miserable state.
"Boss, may I speak candidly, even if it may seem presumptuous?"
"Of course."
"Losing a colleague and a friend''s trust is what you''d truly call betrayal."
"Isn''t losing the trust of someone higher up also betrayal?"
"It''s just the end of a business rtionship. Was it genuinely a rtionship of trust that was tightly knit with candidate Go Kyung-yeol? Did you genuinely wish for nothing from him when you brought him in?"
Kim Gwanhyeok couldn''t easily answer and just raised his ss.
"This is not the era of monarchies or feudalism. Loyalty should be a virtue that should not exist in the workce. Superiors treat subordinates like dogs, and what''s loyalty in that? Subordinates are not dogs. They should respect each other."
Kim Gwanhyeok raised his hand to stop me.
"Stop it. It doesn''t console me at all. I was just a materialistic person."
"Most people are materialistic. Unfortunately, they''re materialistic but can''t even make money."
"At least I''m better in that regard, right? Because I made some money?"
Chapter 97 Unavoidable Fate 1
Chapter 97 Unavoidable Fate 1
"This partition is modr. Let''s dismantle this and quickly rece it with the one we brought."
Oh Se-hyun had already prepared the workers and a new partition, and he handed a money envelope to the owner of the Japanese restaurant."
"When we''re done, we''ll put it back to its original state, okay?"
The restaurant owner, feeling the weight of the thick envelope, smiled brightly. "Oh, sir. Of course, we should provide convenience."
"But today, we have a reservation at 8 PM, right? It should be Room 3 or Room 5."
"Oh? Yes, there is a reservation for Room 5. Room 5 is a bitrger."
"Okay."
Within thirty minutes, the six workers had reced the partition, and they could hear the clinking of sses even from outside.
Room 4 was reserved for Oh Sehyun and the reporters, Room 3 was upied by himself, and he waited for their arrival.
"Oh, Representative Oh. I don''t know what''s going on, but... isn''t this a bribe or something?"
The five reportersughed and spoke as they saw the envelopes ced at each seat.
"Reporter Park, just leave it there. It''s an allowance, an allowance. Whoins about the allowance given by superiors? Even the president throws his wallet asionally. Why make a big deal out of it?"
When Oh Sehyun shook his head in disbelief, the reportersughed, pocketed the envelopes, and took their seats.
"Let''s make one request. Let''s stop with the rumors about Dae-ah Construction''s bleak future and everyone responsible gathering in one ce. Try to understand my perspective a bit. To clean up a rotten ce, you need these guys."
"As expected. This is a cure-all. Hehe."
"Again, again with that! All I''m asking is this. Now, let''s have a drink."
After a few rounds of soju, the reporters began to converse. They were careful not to miss any potentially valuable information and listened attentively.
At that moment, they heard noisy footsteps from outside, and the adjacent room became lively.
"Come on, let''s loosen up today. Drink as much as you want. After tomorrow''s vote, our candidate, Go Gyeongyeol, will be the mayor of Seoul. Haha."
Upon hearing the name Go Gyeongyeol, all the reporters in the room fell silent.
Even though they were economic reporters, they were well aware that Go Gyeongyeol was the frontrunner in the polls.
"Who''s that? His supporters?"
"Maybe campaign workers?"
"Shh. That voice sounds familiar. Keep it down."
Afraid that they might be overheard from the next room, the reporters began to whisper softly.
"Why are you doing this? It''s ruining the taste of the soju. Let''s just enjoy our drinks without worrying."
"Representative, be quiet. Just a moment. Let''s confirm."
Oh Sehyun tried to divert the reporters'' attention by offering them more drinks, but their focus had shifted to the adjacent room.
Oh Sehyun smiled subtly as he silently observed the reporters. The voices from the next room grew louder.
"Tomorrow is thest day, and we have to squeeze out everyst drop of energy. That''s why we''re having this dinner tonight. After the election, I will never forget your hard work."
"Now that it''s certain you''ll be the vice-mayor, right?"
The mention of the vice-mayor position caused the reporters to collectively hold their breath. They realized that the people in the next room were key figures in the election campaign.
Some reporters even discreetly took out small voice recorders.
"Hey! Do these people see me as just Kim Gwanhyeok? Do they think I''m fretting over such a trivial position?"
When the name Kim Gwanhyeok was heard, the reporters exchanged nces. Perhaps a big scoop was about to unfold.
"Oh, no, not at all. You, sir, should be the one to inherit the next mayoral seat. Haha."
"What? Inherit it?"
When Kim Gwanhyeok''s rough voice was heard, the adjacent room fell silent once again.
"I made our candidate, Go, into the mayoral candidate. What is there to inherit? Now, the person who must be sent to Yeouido is Go, our candidate. I''ve erased all traces of that aristocratic stench."
"Then, is that suspicion true?"
"What suspicion?"
"The military exemption issue."
"This guy here, are you innocent or just in stupid? Do you think someone of Go Gyeongyeol''s stature would send his child to the military? The military is for ordinary folks like us."
The journalists, as reflected in Oh Sehyun''s eyes, all appeared to be silently praying.
Go Gyeongyeol''s biggest vulnerability was his military exemption issue, and the journalists desperately hoped that the explicit details of it would be revealed.
"Despite what he did to keep his three children from going to the military? I''ve personally fabricated dozens of fake medical diagnoses. But that aristocrat is quite unlucky too. Even though he worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he had kids one after another in Korea. If he had them while working in the United States, they wouldn''t have to serve in the military. Haha."
"No, if he had U.S. citizenship, he would have had to voluntarily enlist when he ran for Seoul mayor."
"Now that I think about it, you''re right. Anyway, he''s one lucky aristocrat. Haha."
The journalists were already getting excited. This was a scoop of all scoops. Of course, the final decision rested with the editor, but it was safe to say that if this information made it to the newspapers, the owner of the mayoral seat would change. Now, the media had the power to decide who became the mayor of Seoul. They couldn''t afford to miss such a golden opportunity.
"But why did his third son enlist in the military?"
"Because of his wife."
"His wife? Go''s wife?"
"Yes, his bastard."
Now, even Oh Sehyun was dumbfounded. Wasn''t that the term for a child born out of wedlock?
"It must have been when Go was working alone in Japan. A man living alone abroad for several years, do you think he''d stay celibate? He had an affair with a female diplomat from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."
The journalists covered their mouths with their hands, fearing that even their breath might be heard.
"Go Gyeongyeol had no choice. Just the fact that his wife registered the child in the family registry was enough to get him exempted from military service. He simply sent his son to the military without using his connections to get him into the Reserved Forces. It was because the kid''s eyesight was really bad that he went to regr military service."
Chapter 98 Unavoidable Fate 2
Chapter 98 Unavoidable Fate 2
Chairman Jin shook his head in frustration, turned off the TV after watching the news attacking Candidate Go Kyungyeol all day long, iming it was an exclusive report.
Although it was in the middle of the election campaign, which ordinary people might not be aware of, there were poll results on Jin Chairman''s desk.
Election experts had announced that his son-inw wasfortably leading with a 7% difference.
At this point, a barrage like this, just one day before the election, would be unbearable for anyone.
Candidate Go Kyungyeol, who was the one involved, urgently held a press conference and called for an immediate halt to the defamatory coverage. However, the opposing camp, led by his son-inw, firmly insisted on starting with a paternity test.
This incident was clearly an inside tip.
If there had been any discreetly investigated media outlets up to now, it should have been an exclusive report, but there was no other exnation for all major daily newspapers simultaneously opening their floodgates except for someone''s definite tip.
"Oh my, persuading Go Kyungyeol''s right-hand man. What kind of trick did this guy pull..."
Chairman Jin had seen many people throw their lives into the political arena.
When you''re intoxicated by the sweetness of power, you''re not swayed by money. Of course, there were plenty of people swayed by money, but the limitations of such individuals were obvious.
People with big dreams only take the money they need to obtain power, and they use their power as a means to make money. Go Kyungyeol''s right-hand man must have a significant dream, no doubt about that.
He wouldn''t be swayed by money...
Chairman Jin got up from his seat.
He didn''t want to summon the person he needed to meet now to his study. For the first time in a long while, he wanted to move himself to meet someone.
As he left his study, a secretary who had been waiting rushed over.
"Prepare the car. I need to go out for a bit."
"Are you going to thepany?"
"Just get the car, I''ll just wait here."
"Yes."
The secretary, rushing out, had already taken out his cell phone and called for the car.
Opening the rear door of the sedan waiting at the headquarters entrance, the secretary, who had just realized that something was wrong, felt his legs go weak.
The Chairman seemed displeased with something, as he furrowed his brow.
"What''s this?"
"What?"
"What kind of car is this?"
Chairman Jin couldn''t help but feel pathetic looking at the bewildered young secretary who didn''t know what to do. Why was this young guy so clueless?
"I had my armored car stolen a long time ago. Why would I ride in this car?"
The driver was quicker to catch on than the secretary. He promptly swapped out therge armored vehicle and arranged for the German sedan that Chairman Jin preferred.
He dismissed the secretary, who was trying to sit in the passenger seat, and departed with just the driver. Of course, the secretary would hurriedly follow suit.
"Let''s go to Yeouido. To Oh Se-hyun''s office."
Throughout the city, election campaigns for the candidates were in full swing. Loudspeaker announcements, cluttered banners, and posters were everywhere. With only half a day left, they were mustering their final efforts.
"Chairman!"
"Grandpa!"
They were in the midst of reviewing the map of Sangam-dong in Mapo, considering the precincts. With the representatives from Dae-ah Construction present, everyone stood up in surprise when Grandpa made his entrance.
As Grandpa extended his hand to shake theirs and even asked for a handshake, everyone''s expressions showed how deeply moved they were.
Untilst year, they only an employee of Sunyang Construction, where you couldn''t even catch a glimpse of Chairman Jin''s shadow, so it''s only natural behavior.
"Seems like you''ve been busy."
"Well, yes, but I do have time to offer a drink to Chairman Jin." Oh Se-hyun smiled and gestured for them to take a seat.
"Could you folks please step aside for a moment? I have something important to discuss with him."
"Yes, of course, Chairman."
As the constructionpany employees stepped back, the grandfather''s dignified expression gave way to a warm smile.
"Oh, Representative Oh, you''ve changed quite a bit. I can sense Chairman Jin in you. Hehe."
"Oh, no, not at all. I''ve gained weighttely because I haven''t been exercising."
"I''m not talking about your weight; I''m talking about your attitude."
Oh Se-hyun exchanged a few words with the Chairman, keeping an eye on their surroundings.
"But what brings you here today? Seeing you personally make the trip here suggests it''s not something ordinary."
"The news today, is it the work of those two?"
It was rted to the election.
Oh Se-hyun and I locked eyes, and I began to speak.
"Yes, that''s correct."
"In the end, it turned out just as you said. How did you handle the persuasion?"
"Kim Kwan-hyuk wasn''t a person satisfied with being just an assistant or a right-hand man. His ambition was great enough to step on someone and create an opportunity."
"Chairman, have you received any election result predictions or information?" Oh Se-hyun interjected cautiously. "I assume you''ve received information that''s not on my level, Chairman?"
"They say there''s a 7% difference."
I found myself unconsciously clenching my fists. Of course, it might not be entirely urate, but if it was a poll conducted by the Sunyang Group, there would be no more precise prediction than this.
"Our survey showed a 10% lead for us. Both of them predicted victory, so unless something unexpected happens, Gomoobu* has won."
(*Note: Gomoobu is used as a colloquial term for a maternal uncle-inw or aunt''s husband in Korea.)
"With just a few hours left, do you think anything unexpected will happen? I don''t see any issues."
Grandfather nodded his head, as if to reassure me not to worry. "Now, the project you''re going to manage has crossed the fifth level."
Only the fifth level? I thought it was already beyond the seventh level since it was a Seoul city project. Did I underestimate it?
Seeing my puzzled expression, Grandfather chuckled. "You rascal. Do you think the person who prepares the meal and the person who eats it are always the same? Wait and see. There will be more than a few people jumping in with spoons now. If they can''t get their share, they''ll try to overturn the table."
Chapter 99 Unavoidable Fate 3
Chapter 99 Unavoidable Fate 3
"Tomorrow morning, he''s going to Gunsan."
"Gunsan? Are you sure?"
"Yes. He''s not informing his secretaries and ns to go quietly..."
"Is he going alone?"
"I''m not sure about that part."
Chairman Jin''s driver stood with his hands together, maintaining a polite posture.
"When did he mention going to Gunsan?"
"He mentioned it when he returned from Yeouido."
"If it''s Yeouido, it''s Oh Se-hyun, right?"
"Yes, it was when he was going to meet Mr. Oh Se-hyun."
"Was Do-Jun there at that time?"
"I''m not sure about that... I was waiting outside."
"Alright. You can go."
The driver picked up the envelope that was thrown to him and quietly stepped away.
After the driver had left, Chairman Jin lingered for a while, then finally picked up the phone.
He quietly informed two individuals of this fact, and then hung up.
The two individuals who received the call were taken aback by the name Jin Do-Jun and did not forget to express their gratitude to the informant.
The beginning of exit polls in South Korea dates back to the 1995 inaugural nationwide local elections. MBC and Gallup Korea used telephone surveys and urately predicted the results around 6:15 p.m., correctly identifying all 15 elected metropolitan mayors.
"Interestingly, pre-election exit polls are rtively urate in predicting the results of presidential and local elections, but they are notorious for being inurate during general elections for members of the National Assembly.
On election day, June 4th, the atmosphere was remarkably calmpared to the turbulent campaign period leading up to it.
Perhaps the most nervous person today is Jin Seo-yoon.
For her husband''s mayoral candidacy, she had done things that she wouldn''t have dreamed of under normal circumstances. She used to release her stress to her husband after a tough day at work, but now, on election day, she regretted not having done something more challenging.
When she heard the story that the wife of Go Kyung-yeol had pushed people around at the neighborhood public bathhouse, she was baffled and couldn''t help but chuckle, but now she felt she could handle anything.
In the afternoon, while waiting for the exit poll results at the campaign office, she gathered her resolve.
Her husband seemed confident and thankful to the campaign workers and party officials, believing in his victory without a doubt. She furrowed her brows at this sight. She had hoped for a moreposed attitude until the results were announced, but her husband always rxed too early. He anticipated victory too soon and gave up too easily. They had big ns ahead, and she couldn''t help but sigh.
With many people around, all she could do was force a mild smile and couldn''t utter a word ofint.
"Candidate, it''s starting now."
At the shout from a campaign worker, everyone began staring at the TV screen.
6:15 PM.
The countdown began on the screen, and when the number reached zero, a name appeared.
"''Candidate No. 2, Choi Chang-jae, 42.1%''"
Instantly, a wave of cheers swept through the office.
Jin Seo-yoon clenched her fists, closed her eyes, and whispered, ''Finally, the first hurdle is crossed.''
"Congrattions, Uncle."
"Do-Jun, I will never forget your hard work. Let''s continue working together in the future."
"Isn''t it because grandfather is looking out for you? Well, I''m satisfied with the fact that the mayor of Seoul is my uncle. Haha."
Still, Eun-hye doesn''t forget favors. Shortly after the exit poll results were announced on TV, he received a thank-you call. That was a decent gesture, not too brazen.
Of course, there might be an aspect of securing a strong financial source for the next election as well.
Uncle didn''t forget to convey his gratitude to Oh Se-hyun either. Given the contract that pushed campaign funds, it''s only natural to make a fuss.
Although he heard about the newly elected mayor of Seoul, Oh Se-hyun''s expression remained unchanged.
"Darn, I won, but I''m not happy at all." Oh Se-hyun turned off the TV in irritation. "What are you going to do? Are you going to follow what your grandfather wants? Or should I go talk to him again?"
"I''ll try one more time. y hard to get and be a bit sulky... But if that doesn''t work, I''ll talk to him sternly."
"Those constructionpany executives seemed to back down when you hinted at something."
"Well, those people are grandfather''s underlings, after all."
Oh Se-hyun let out a long sigh and bit his lower lip. "It feels like we''ve been yed. We trusted Chairman Jin and extended our hand, but it looks like we might be handing everything over to Sunyang Construction. What a mistake."
"Well, back then, it was the best choice. Without the people from Sunyang Construction, it would have been impossible to dominate to this extent."
Thanks to those people, they were able to recover hidden funds and detach themselves from unnecessary projects. They left the lucrative business divisions intact while cleanly trimming the cost-consuming departments.
These people were essential for the initial setup."
"Uncle, let''s not dwell on the past, even when we reflect on it. In the worst case, we can just hand over the entire DMC project and even attach Daeyu Construction to Sunyang. Think of it as tuition for a valuable lesson. That''s how we learn and move forward."
"I''m okay with it if you''ve learned something. But getting stabbed in the back like this is all too much."
"I did learn something. Don''t trust anyone. Hehe."
Ie said that, but I still trust grandfather. No matter how massive the DMC project is, grandfather isn''t the type to be so greedy that he''d take it all away from his grandson without leaving anything. Perhaps, after sessfullypleting this project, he might consider giving it back. If you look at it in a positive light.
"The election results are likely to match the exit polls... I''ll go meet grandfather now. If there''s anything special, I''ll contact you immediately."
He stood up with a heavy heart.
He would be the first grandson to offer his grandfather the well-prepared meal.
"Did you talk to your uncle?"
"Yes. He called me right after the survey results came out."
"Right after? How long did it take?"
"About 30 minutes or so?"
Grandfather chuckled.
"As soon as the results came out, your uncle contacted me. He''s thanking me for everything. I haven''t done anything at all, but he''s grateful. Haha."
Chapter 100 Unavoidable Fate 4
Chapter 100 Unavoidable Fate 4
"Why are these guys so surprised? Think about Father''s age. It wouldn''t be strange if he passed away suddenly tomorrow. The session process isn''t evenplete yet. There are no ns for such contingencies..."
Thewyers changed their expressions. They shouldn''t cause any unnecessary misunderstandings. After all, he''s the eldest son and the vice chairman.
"Chairman''s shares are 23% owned by the Chairman''s wife, and the children each inherit around 15%. In this state..."
"Is there a will? Is there a valid will?"
"We don''t know. Among the group''s legal team, no one has received a separate will. But we can''t be certain. There might be one among the Chairman''s personalwyers."
"But Vice Chairman, in my opinion, there probably isn''t a separate will. Inheritance tax on group shares would be enormous. We''ve been working on avoiding that.... If there exists a personal will, it would likely epass all of Chairman''s personal assets except for the group shares. Land, houses, personal belongings, that sort of thing."
Unless it''s an illegal inheritance, they might have to pay hundreds of billions or even trillions in taxes. That''s why most conglomerate families use illegal gifting to pass down ownership while they''re still alive.
No one believes that Chairman Jin would pay inheritance tax properly.
"So, if we assume there''s no separate will and they inherit equally? What happens to control of thepany?"
"It getsplicated. Depending on how it''s divided, the ownership of the chairman''s office will change."
"What if Mother takes my side?"
"urate calctions are needed, but... Oh, right, isn''t the third son, President Jin Sang-gi, your person? If your mother and President Jin Sang-gi are the only ones by Chairman''s side, there shouldn''t be any problems."
Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi''s face brightened when he heard the hopeful analysis.
"It should be okay, but... still, it would be best to finish the session work before Father passes away."
At that moment, one of thewyers pped his forehead and spoke up.
"Oh, there''s one variable. When you transferred Sunyang Motors, around 17% of the shares went along with it."
"Oh dear. I forgot about that. Darn it."
His once brightened face furrowed again.
"The U.S. capital, it shouldn''t be a significant variable, right?"
"I heard that Miracle Oh Se-hyun is close with Jin Yoon-gi, the CEO..."
Thewyer had a somewhat worried expression.
"Yoon-gi is into the film business, so he''s not interested in family feuds. It should be okay."
Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi raised his hand lightly, thinking of his youngest brother. However, he hadn''t forgotten that his previously disinterested brother had suddenly emerged as a significant factor in the equation.
"Okay, now get out."
Thewyers bowed and left, and then the suppressed frustration exploded.
"These damn situations!"
The youngest, who hadn''t cared about anything until now, suddenly grasped a knife. Moreover, it was just one knife, and it was on the verge of turning into two.
Even thinking about it sent shivers down his spine.
CEO Jin Yeong-gi asked for a cigarette, which he used to smoke asionally when he drank. He knew that his office, with its ss walls, couldn''t ventte cigarette smoke, but right now, cigarettes were the only thing that could calm his agitated mind.
Within the long plume of smoke, various faces flickered.
The one that lingered the longest was his father''s face.
That infuriating old man!
Unpredictable actions, iprehensible whims, and the scheming nature that scraped away at people.
Just how long did he think he could stay alive?
Even though he had to go empty-handed in the end, he was still throwing the sparks that could ignite all sorts of turmoil within the family.
"The youngest..."
He had never imagined even once that his youngest sibling would emerge as dark horse.
Youngest brother Jin Yoon-gi, and nephew Jin Do-jun.
He only wished that his beloved family members wouldn''t get involved in this fight.
This fight is enough with the eldest son and the second son.
But...
I''m more worried that my short-tempered brother might get into an ident or cause one.
The loud ringing of a cell phone woke him up. Judging by the fact that his eyes were struggling to open, it was clearly still early in the morning. Who could it be at this hour?
"Hello?"
"You little rascal. Didn''t I tell you toe early this morning? Are you still sleeping?"
"Oh, Grandfather."
He checked the time, and it was a little past 4 AM.
"It''s the middle of the night, not morning."
"Stop fussing. Hurry up, shower, ande. We need to leave before the traffic gets bad."
Compared to his stern voice yesterday, his tone was now unexpectedly cheerful. It was almost like a child on the day before a pic, wasn''t it?
Considering the circumstances, he quickly got out of bed. He showered and headed outside.
Taxis were a rare sight in the upscale residential neighborhood where even the local residents had their own chauffeurs. He sighed as he had to walk to the main road where taxis are parked.
"Chief!"
Suddenly, car lights blinked behind him, and he heard someone calling his name.
"Whew... You''re notte. That''s a relief."
Deputy Kim Yoon-seok got out of the car, audibly relieved.
"What are you doing here? I told you to take the day off today."
"Is that possible? You said the Chairman called early in the morning."
"But is it necessary toe this early?"
Deputy Kim chuckled, scratching his throat slightly. "Just in case, I asked Team Leader Shin, and he said that ording to the Chairman, an early morning is 4 AM. So I thought there might not be any taxis, so I came to pick you up."
He had changed a lot since returning from Israel. He emphasized his greatest strength, diligence, without any consideration for himself. He could feel the genuine care and effort to look after him, and it was both touching and appreciated.
"Thanks to this, I''m morefortable. Besides, Grandfather was pushing me toe early anyway."
"It''s early in the morning, so it''ll take about 20 minutes."
At first, he couldn''t tell because it was dark. It wasn''t the usual Chauffeur-driven car that he always used.
"What kind of car is this?"
Chapter 101 Wandering Patient 1
Chapter 101 Wandering Patient 1
When I grasped the fraying edges of consciousness, my mind was filled with nothing but injustice.
Had I not remembered the year when Jun Jin-do, the real Jun Jin-do, died? I thought it was when I was twenty, but was it not?
And I was infuriated by God''s n to end the miracle of my second life in a mere ten years. This wasn''t a joke.
There was more.
Now that I had barely prepared to begin the long battle, I hadn''t even started, and thinking about the money piling up in my ount made me feel even more unjust. No, am I already dying?
Lastly, I was most enraged that the Jin family hadn''t kneeled before me.
Damn it.
How did my life turn out like this?
Not only were both deaths public spectacles, but I also had to carry memories of injustice and anger.
"Are you awake?"
A bright light that made it impossible to open my eyes.
A harsh, ttering sound created by the flick of fingers in my ear.
Was I alive? Or perhaps, had I finished some major surgery and was still teetering between life and death?
But I felt my body jerking. Moreover, the blurry vision in my hazy sight didn''t feel unfamiliar.
It was just like what I had seen on TV or in movies.
An ambnce?
"Ha... Han..."
I had to tell them. Would revealing the true identity of the chairman of the Sunyang Group make them pay more attention to me?
"Ah... Please... be okay..." The words whispered in my ear were barely audible. Did it mean it was okay?
"Sun... Yang... Group..."
"Yes? Sunyang Group?"
"Chairman... the old man''s the chairman." I lost consciousness again.
"Hey! Did he just say the old man''s the chairman of the Sunyang Group?"
"Yes, that old man... he somehow looked familiar."
The paramedics exchanged nces before quickly taking out their mobile phones.
"How''s the patient over there?"
"Calm down, you! Hang up, you punk."
"That old man looks like the chairman of the Sunyang Group. Check it thoroughly."
Gasp! After hearing a gasp from the phone, annoyance surged again.
Right. It''s that face he saw on TV. Damn. This isn''t an ordinary situation...
"I''ll contact the hospital, so keep an eye on his condition. If anything goes wrong, it''ll be a problem for all of us."
With a mixture of pity, anxiety, worry, and fear, the ambnces raced to Gongju Medical Center in Chungnam.
Outside the emergency room, the medical staff waiting anxiously showed signs of distress as they assessed the condition of the patient brought in by the ambnces.
"Breathing is faint, and there''s severe bleeding. It seems like everything below the chest is twisted. The pelvis..."
"I understand. Let''s go quickly."
Before the doctor could finish speaking, the medical staff rushed toward the operating room with all their strength.
A hospital staff member who didn''t follow them to the operating room asked the paramedic, "What about the conditions of the other patients?"
"Two are stable, and two are not as good, but it''s not critical."
"I see. Thank you."
A sigh of relief washed over them as they realized that they only needed to save the critically injured patient who had just been taken into the operating room.
When I regained consciousness again, I couldn''t open my eyes properly due to the blinding fluorescent light.
I wasn''t dead.
No, I felt surprisingly fine. How did this happen?
I had no idea what had happened other than the traffic ident I was talking to the old man about.
When the bright light of the fluorescentmp became familiar, I first scanned my body. A single IV was the only thing attached to me.
Although my body ached all over,rge bands were stuck all over me like patches.
"Oh, you''re awake?"
A nurse with a bright smile that radiated friendliness touched my forehead, wrist, and neck.
Then, a doctor in a white coat appeared, shining a shlight into my eyes and said, "Only move your pupils while looking at my finger."
I tapped the doctor''s moving finger with my hand.
"What about the old man? Is he severely injured? How''s his condition? Is he fine?"
The doctor turned off the shlight and put it in his coat pocket. "The person who came with you, is he your grandfather?"
"Yes."
"He seems fine as well. He should wake up soon. Among the five people involved in the ident, only one is currently in surgery. Don''t worry too much."
Five? How many cars were involved in the ident, exactly?
Setting curiosity aside, I needed to take care of what needed to be done.
"Doctor, our grandfather is the chairman of the Sunyang Group. Please take action before the hospital bes chaotic."
"Action?"
"Yes."
The doctor furrowed his brow. "If he''s the chairman of the Sunyang Group, what should I do differently? Do you think we should give special treatment just because he was in a minor traffic ident? We need to call the police and investigate the details of the ident. We don''t have VIP rooms here; this is a regional national hospital."
It seemed like the doctor misunderstood me. He must have thought that the social elite was demanding special treatment.
"I''m not asking for VIP treatment. When he wakes up, he''ll look for me first, so I need to be by his side. And... Oh, never mind. Anyway, thank you, Doctor."
Upon the doctor''s signal, the nurses drew the curtains and moved the bed.
"Let''s start with some tests."
"Please provide the guardian''s contact information. We need to inform them about the ident..." The nurses began speaking one after another.
"That''s difficult at the moment. Let''s meet with my grandfather first."
Informing the family about the traffic ident should be left to my grandfather''s judgment. It''s not something that should be disclosed to the public without an official announcement. His involvement has the power to rock the South Korean stock market.
"You''re quite stubborn... Alright, I understand. Once the tests are done, we''ll send you to the same room."
As Chairman Jin regained consciousness, he immediately spoke to the nurse adjusting the IV in his arm.
Chapter 102 Wandering Patient 2
Chapter 102 Wandering Patient 2
"Why is this happening? Why is someone who should be restingfortably at home after work lying on the operating table?"
"Who is it? Do you know them?" Surprised, Grandfather reached for the business card I held in my hand. "What is it? Were they our employee?"
"Yes, He is my dedicated assistant. I brought them here early this morning. I told them to go home after work..." As I spoke, the situation became clear.
Secretary Kim had ignored my words and fulfilled his duties to the fullest extent possible. He had continued to assist me until I returned home.
But did he have to go as far as risking his life?
It seemed like Grandfather understood the situation instantly as he turned to the hospital director and spoke. "Can this person be saved?"
"We are doing our best right now."
That''s all the doctor could say. Shouldn''t doctors refrain from making guarantees when ites to human lives?
"Please do everything you can to save them. That person saved our life..."
"Yes, Chairman."
"Even if my words upset you, please don''t misunderstand. If necessary, consider transferring them to a naval medical facility."
"That''s not feasible at the moment. We need to finish the surgery first and assess his condition. Even a minor shock could lead toplications, and it''s too risky to use an ambnce or helicopter."
"Alright. I''ll leave that decision to the hospital director. But anything you need, whether it''s medical personnel or equipment, don''t hesitate to ask."
"Yes. I will inform you again after the surgery ispleted."
After the hospital director stepped aside, Grandfatherforted me.
"You''re quite fortunate, my boy, to have such a person by your side. Meeting someone like this..." He tried to console me, but his words didn''t really sink in.
Someone who was willing to sacrifice their life for methere was no way to fullyprehend it.
"While I''ve had many people serve time in prison for me, no one has ever risked their life like this. You must be wondering how to repay this debt."
"That debt doesn''t seem to be mine alone, does it?"
"You''re right. I also owe this person a great deal. Haha." Grandfather stared at the bloodstained business card again. "Get some rest. There''s nothing either of us can do until the surgery is over, it seems."
"Right. Let''s take a break."
Grandfather closed his eyes, but I couldn''t rx.
If Secretary Kim Yoon-seok doesn''t make it out of the operating room alive, I''ll be burdened with an unpayable debt for the rest of my life.
A heavy feeling settled in one corner of my heart.
As they entered Gongju City, Lee Hak-jae parked the car briefly. He had called the police who had assisted earlier, expressed his gratitude, and made an appropriate gesture of gratitude.
Then, there was a ce they needed to visit before the hospital.
"Let''s go to the Gongju Police Station."
Upon arrival at the police station, Lee Hak-jae walked confidently into the chief''s office.
The chief, upon receiving Lee Hak-jae''s business card, disyed a polite demeanor.
"I received a call from the Chairman. I didn''t expect you to arrive so early."
"I was in a hurry, that''s why. I may have driven a bit aggressively."
"The officers who were on the scene have been thoroughly briefed. You can rest assured on that front."
"Thank you for your consideration. Have you been able to assess the situation?"
"We need to conduct further investigations at the scene, but the senior officers at the traffic division have this to say." The police chief began to draw on a sheet of A4 paper. "After checking the speed marks, it seems the Chairman''s car was waiting at the signal. However, a trucking from the left at the intersection, for some reason, either turned abruptly or lost control and collided with the Chairman''s car."
"In that case, the Chairman must have been seriously injured..."
"That''s right. However, there was another car behind the Chairman''s vehicle at that time. It was a BMW... before the collision with the truck and the Chairman''s car, the BMW collided with the truck head-on. There are clear tire marks on the asphalt indicating the BMW''s sudden eleration. Thanks to that, the truck''s direction was altered..." Seeing Lee Hak-jae''s puzzled expression, the chief chuckled. "I presume it was the Chairman''s personal secretary''s vehicle?"
"Could it be the BMW driver...?"
"They''re seriously injured. No matter how safe a German car is, it can''t remain intact after colliding with an 8-ton truck."
"So, the Chairman''s car was involved in a secondary collision."
"Yes. By the way, the Chairman''s personal secretaries are truly remarkable. They throw themselves into danger for their lord, even risking their lives. It''s quite moving."
"Have you managed to ascertain the identity or name of that person?"
"Yes, their wallet was found. Just a moment, let me see where I wrote it down..."
The chief picked up a piece of paper from his desk.
"Is Kim Yoon-seok, from the Strategy Department, familiar to you?"
"Of course, I don''t know. I only know the role of the Strategy Department. We can look into that slowly...By any chance, do you know anything about the truck driver...?"
"That person is also seriously injured and currently receiving treatment. Don''t worry. We''ve assigned a detective to monitor him. He won''t be able to leave anywhere." The chief cautiously inquired, watching Lee Hak-jae''s reaction. "Is there any suspicion of foul y, perhaps?"
"Oh, no. It''s early morning, so the truck driver who drove overnight might have dozed off. Such incidents happen, don''t they?"
"We think the same for now, but we need to conduct further investigations..."
Lee Hak-jae silenced the chief with a gesture. "Chief."
"Yes?"
"First, could you provide me with information about the truck and the driver?"
The chief handed over the ident report.
"The truck''s license te and the driver''s personal information. As I mentioned earlier, we can conduct further investigations..."
"You can contact me again. Just cover it up for now."
"What?"
"As you know, the Chairman''s ident will have a negative impact in various areas. The victim is also our employee, so there shouldn''t be any issues."
Chapter 103 Wandering Patient 3
Chapter 103 Wandering Patient 3
The grumbling sound of the discontented grandfather filled the air as he waited for the surgery to finish, oblivious to the noise.
When Kim Yoon-seok, the assistant, had been lying on the operating table for 16 hours, the hospital director and the head surgeon entered with bright expressions.
"Chairman, the surgery just finished. Thankfully, it was sessful."
At the mention of sess, tears nearly welled up in his eyes.
The grandfather also apuded and got out of bed.
"Thank goodness. You''ve really worked hard."
"Thank you, doctor. Thank you very much."
When I tightly held the hand of the head surgeon, it seemed like I knew how difficult it had been. My strength hadpletely drained, and whether it was due to the overwhelming fatigue or not, my hands were trembling.
"No, I just did what I had to do."
"Mr. Kim Yoon-seok has been moved to the recovery room. Fortunately, internal damage is minimal, so his recovery should be quick. We''ll let you know when visiting is possible."
The head surgeon was modest, and the hospital director was indifferent. Their roles were clear.
"I don''t need to express my gratitude separately. You must be tired, so go rest."
"Oh, Chairman. We haven''t contacted the patient''s family..."
"They''ve probably taken care of it already. By now, the family should be on their way here."
As the two of them bowed their heads and left the room, I let out a deep breath.
"It''s truly fortunate, isn''t it?"
"Yes. I almost lived my whole life burdened by a heavy weight on my shoulders."
"It won''t be your whole life. Hehe."
"What do you mean?"
"Gratitude is easily forgotten, while grudgesst a long time. That''s how humans are by nature. They''ll never forget the money they lent but was never returned, but they won''t remember when, to whom, or how much they borrowed when they''ve spent it all."
Maybe that''s true. But isn''t it also human nature to try to preserve that memory so as not to forget the favor?
The grandfather stopped the serious conversation and returned to the topic of drinking.
"Now, can we have a drink? What do you say?"
"Yes. We should celebrate the sessful surgery. What would you like to drink?"
The grandfather thought for a moment, considering his appetite, and then pped his hands lightly.
"We haven''t eaten anything today. Let''s have something hearty. How about some boiled chicken and a ss of dongdongju?"
"At the hospital, it''s not boiled chicken but fried chicken that''s appropriate."
"Fried chicken?"
The grandfather had an unpleasant expression. It seemed that as an elderly person, he wasn''t inclined towards greasy food.
"Alright, let''s have both boiled chicken and fried chicken. But for the alcohol, let''s go with a light beer. Dongdongju is too heavy."
I asked the staff guarding outside the room to arrange for the delivery. It took quite a while for the food to arrive, well past 10 PM. It''s impressive how they managed to get boiled chicken at this hour.
When grandfather saw the delivered chicken, his eyes widened.
"What''s this? Why is this fried chicken so soggy?"
"It''s soy sauce marinated chicken. Have you never seen it before?"
"What kind of nonsense is this with chicken soaked in soy sauce?"
"This is a delicacy. Would you like to try the taste?"
The grandfather reluctantly reached out his hand.
"Alright, you eat your fill. I want boiled chicken."
They raised their beer cans and started tearing into their respective chickens. However, when the savory aroma filled the room, the grandfather couldn''t resist his curiosity any longer.
"Give me a piece of that. The smell is... interesting."
I handed over a chicken wing with a smile. I observed him with curiosity to see his reaction.
As the vorful taste stimted his pte, his expression changed.
"Let me have more."
As expected, after avoiding spicy foods for health reasons, this new vor was like a whole new world to him.
"Do-jun."
"Yes?"
"Let''s switch."
As expected.
The taste of chicken after a sip of beer is unmatched.
Grandfather''s expression had already transformed into that of a child.
"Don''t eat too much. It''s not easy to digest."
I handed over the marinated chicken, the boiled chicken dish was ced in front of me.
Again.
Boiled chicken and beer aren''t a greatbination.
The truck driver was lost in thought due to the pressure emanating from the three well-dressed individuals.
"We still don''t know. But there''s something I want to hear. Did anyone instruct you to hit the truck?"
"Oh, no. It was really an ident. I just dozed off while driving overnight. Please believe me."
"Whether we believe you or not is up to us. If you tell the truth, it''ll all end here as if nothing happened, but if we find even the slightest lie, your life is over."
The truck driver suddenly got off the bed and knelt down.
"Please, have mercy. These days, there''s hardly any work, and I had toe with an empty truck. Gas prices haven''t dropped either. I was so frustrated that I had just half a bottle of soju with dinner, and it got me in high spirits... I''vemitted a grave mistake." The truck driver was sobbing uncontrobly while banging his head on the floor.
Watching this scene in silence, Director Lee Hak-jae quietly left and told his secretary, who was following him. "Stay with him to the end. Report immediately if he says anything."
"Yes, Director."
Even though the truck driver''s words, apanied by tears, seemed usible, suspicion still lingered. His words felt somewhat awkward.
"By the way, when the person who caused the ident first checked the victim''s condition, did they ask if he had died? Did they inquire if he was seriously injured? Did they ask if he had passed away?"
"Well... I mean, when you feel intimidated, doesn''t it make you speak politely?"
"Is that so? Okay, go and take a look."
Chapter 104 The Real Patient 1
Chapter 104 The Real Patient 1
"Hyung-nim, let''s talk for a moment," Jin Dong-gi said, eyeing Jin Yeong-gi, the vice-chairman.
"Sure, I''ve got some questions myself," sensing the unusual atmosphere, Jin Yoon-gi sighed.
"Hyung-nims, do you have to be like this now? Can''t we just stop?"
"This isn''t what you think, it''s not unnecessary worry," Jin Dong-gi replied.
Jin Dong-gi lightly nudged his younger brother''s shoulder, and they walked toward a rest area, set up like a small park.
The cool night breeze and the pleasant sound of crickets quieted their minds.
"Hyung-nim, what about Sang-gi?"
"He''s on a business trip in Europe. I haven''t contacted him yet. If Father''s condition worsens, we''ll have to inform him."
"You know about it too, don''t you, Hyung-nim? I haven''t received any calls..."
"Right, I heard about it. He were on his way to Gunsan with Do-jun."
"What do you think?"
"Do you want to know my thoughts, or do you want to tell me yours?"
"I''m curious about what you''re thinking right now."
"No, I''m not curious about what you''re thinking."
In response to Jin Yeong-gi''s cold gaze, Jin Dong-gi''s eyebrows raised.
"Are you suspecting that I caused the ident? Without any changes in share ownership, Father''s sudden passing would benefit me the most. I wouldn''t have to deal with someone like Do-jun."
"Whether you would benefit the most or not, isn''t that something no one knows for sure? It would take at least six months to reevaluate the share structure."
"I''m the eldest son. If Father passes away, I be the head of the family. Don''t you think everyone will assume that I will be the chairman? Shareholders and institutions will naturally lean towards me."
Jin Yeong-gi''s face wrinkled. Eldest sons with nothing lose, while eldest sons from well-established families carry this kind of premium.
When someone dies, everyone who has the power to decide wille to the eldest son for condolences and discuss future ns. Group executives will do the same, and after seeing such a scene, they will determine who the next leader will be.
The eldest son can firmly secure an advantageous position.
"So, what? Did you really do something outrageous?"
The question he had struggled to ask came out easily. After all, it was his older brother he was dealing with.
Jin Dong-gi chuckled and began to size up his younger brother. "You already know my answer, don''t you?"
"Don''t beat around the bush."
"If Father doesn''t wake up from this, it''ll be sad and heartbreaking, but for me, it''s not a bad oue. That''s my answer."
Well, no matter how foolish he is, he wouldn''t be reckless enough to cause an ident like this. It''s more reasonable to think of it as a coincidence that happened.
"What about Do-jun?"
"Are you worried?"
"If I''m not worried, that would be a lie."
"Handle it yourself. Use your skills. You''re good at making people your own."
Jin Dong-gi''s ticking tone annoyed Jin Yeong-gi, but he had no intention of fighting.
"One thing to promise. Don''t touch Do-jun."
"Don''t pretend to be good. If Do-jun threatens, it won''t be me who acts first; it''ll be you."
Jin Yeong-gi, with a stern face, pointed to his younger brother''s bulging pocket. "You quit smoking so hard, but seeing you start again, you must be anxious. Heh heh."
Jin Dong-gi began to fidget with the cigarettes in his pocket.
Outside, I know my father was anxiously waiting, but for now, there was nothing I could do. It wasn''t a bad thing to wait ording to Grandfather''s wishes.
While my mind continued to be restless and uneasy, Grandfather asked the same thing again.
"What''s the child''s name?"
"Ok Joo-hyun."
"The one with the squinty eyes?"
"Sung Yoo-ri."
"Hmm."
Grandfather continued to scratch his head.
"By the way, do you have anything in mind? It must be Lee Hyo-ri, of course. Her face and figure are superior in every way. It''s a visual that overwhelms the others."
"But it''s really embarrassing to see. It''s not like the older kids are having kindergarten fun. I don''t know what that''s all about..."
It seems like you don''t like the idea of wearing green and pink clothes, jumping around. I wonder what expression you would make if I told you that girl groups have been thriving for over twenty years with the contradictory but most popr concepts of sexy and innocent.
"Okay, I''ve decided."
"Who?"
"I''ll be Ok Joo-hyun."
Grandfatherughed heartily, looking at my disappointed expression.
"Why? Do I seem to have a low eye for women?"
The debut members, who had not yet received much camera massage, had no halo effect. Besides, Ok Joo-hyun, the main vocalist, had a deep resonance in her voice. It''s inevitable that she might not draw as much attention as the other members.
"You, you. Your appearance on TV and your real appearance are vastly different. I''ve met all kinds of beauties in our country. I can give you an estimate just by looking."
Well, how many beautiful women would refuse when asked by Grandfather to meet? But that''s a different issue.
"Maybe Grandfather has old-fashioned standards for beauty. Heh heh."
"What? You can''t believe it? Fine. When I call them here, you''ll see that what I''m saying is right." Grandfather reached for the phone receiver.
"Grandfather! Please believe me and put down the phone."
Surprised, I tried to snatch the phone. "What do you think will happen if you call them here now? Do you know how many people outside are waiting for us to wake up?"
"Oh, right." Disappointed, Grandfather put down the receiver. "When I go to Seoul, I''ll definitely call those girls. Let''s have a meal together and take a close look. You guys will also be impressed by this old man''s taste. Hehe."
Grandfather seemed like a person who hadpletely forgotten everything and was enjoying his vacation. There were dozens of important matters that came up every day. Grandfather, who spent his time making decisions every day, must have felt so relieved to spend time leisurely contemting which member of the girl group was better.
Chapter 105 The Real Patient 2
Chapter 105 The Real Patient 2
"Chairman, did you happen to hear the test results?"
"Huh? I heard. The doctors just came and went back."
"But...?"
Asking why he''sughing when it''s about brain tumor surgery was not something he could do; all he could do was mumble at the end of his words.
"It''s just a simple surgery, so there''s no need to worry, right? Fortunately, it''s an early discovery, so congrattions are in order."
"Th-that''s true."
"Chief Lee, don''t make that face because it''s all right. Now, let''s make a n." Grandfather pulled Director Lee Hak-jae, who still looked bewildered, closer.
"The doctor here rmended Professor Jang Jun-hyuk at Myungin University Hospital. Let''s arrange a meeting for the surgery."
"Yes. I''ll meet him in person."
"And for those outside, tell them we''re considering additional surgery."
"If we mention additional surgery, won''t they be very surprised?"
"If they''re surprised and panicked, that''s when mistakes happen."
I didn''t know exactly what mistakes Grandfather was talking about, but he seemed to be expecting someone to hastily buy stocks.
"Do-jun, make sure you have more stock on hand. And shouldn''t we wait for Kim Yoon-seok, our lucky charm, to wake up?"
"That''s right. Understood."
When Grandfather goes up to Seoul, the uncles will go with him, so I can finally meet Father. I should alsoe up with an appropriate excuse for my perfectly fine condition.
The 27th floor of Gangnam Sunyang Grouptel is a ce where Jin Seo-yoon sleeps more often than at home. Oh Sehyun felt surprised when he entered the room with an interiorpletely different from the usual Royal Suite.
It wasn''t more splendid than the usual Royal Suite. At first nce, it seemed simple and unpretentious, but when examined closely, it was filled with furniture and decorations worth hundreds of millions of won, having reached the realm of art.
An Alighiero Boetti''s work, worth 1 billion won, was hanging right in front of him, and they were using a table worth 200 million won by Maria Pergay as a side table.
In addition, the small mobile decoration hanging from the ceiling was a work of art by Alexander Calder worth 3 billion won. Just by considering the value of the artworks decorating this room, it was clear that it would easily exceed hundreds of billions.
When Oh Sehyun couldn''t close his mouth, Jin Seo-yoon, dressed in a one-piece dress, came out of the bedroom and greeted him with a light bow.
"You''ve arrived? It''s quitete... I hope it''s not too much of an inconvenience."
"No, not at all. It''s not even midnight yet. But what about Mayor Choi? I should at least congratte him on his election..."
"He''s in a party meeting to form the Seoul city administration. Oh Representative, we appreciate your hard work. I''ll thank him in your ce."
Oh Sehyun tried to sit on the sofa in the living room that Jin Seo-yoon rmended but hesitated. Sitting on a leather sofa worth hundreds of millions of won felt a bit overwhelming.
"Why are we meeting at thiste hour?"
She had even put on makeup, and her one-piece dress was not the type offortable clothing you''d wear at home. "I just received a call a while ago. It seems my father had an ident. A traffic ident..."
There was nothing to say. It was not only sudden news, but also Jin Seo-yoon''s expression as she conveyed the news made it feel like a minor traffic incident.
"Is Chairman okay...?"
"They finished the surgery and moved him to the intensive care unit. Anyway, even if I rush there, I won''t be able to see him, right?"
Unbelievable.
Although he didn''t say it out loud, this was all that came to mind. How could she maintain such aposed demeanor after hearing that her father was in aa?
As if she had read his feelings from Oh Se-hyun''s expression, Jin Seo-yoon smiled slightly and said, "Do I need to show concern?"
"No, showing concern won''t improve Chairman''s condition."
"This is how we live. If Father passes away, we''ll be more worried than sad. I haven''t even secured much of the Sunyang shares yet."
"Being born into the Jin family means you should erase ordinary life and emotions, right? I understand."
Jin Seo-yoon, as she sipped wine, said when her mouth was empty, "Indeed, you understand very well."
"It''s easier to talk to you like this when you''re in your usual state. Chairman Jin seems to be getting ambitious about the DMC project in Mapo. He asked us topromise."
"My father?" Jin Seo-yoon showed no surprise at all.
"Yes, he conveyed that message to Do-jun."
"Hahaha." Jin Seo-yoon tried hard to hold back herughter, but it burst out between her lips.
"Why are youughing? Have you already guessed?"
"Oh, no. I''m sorry. Hoho." She finally couldn''t contain herughter andughed heartily for a while. "I''m sorry. I just found it funny thinking that Representative Oh was worrying unnecessarily."
"Unnecessary worries?"
"Father has no intention of doing that. He''s even considering making his grandson the sessor. Do you think he would take away what the child holds? Don''t worry."
He was amazed by the incredible works of art all over this room, and he was surprised by the daughter who showed no concern for her father in aa, but the idea of making Do-jun the sessor was not as shocking.
Oh Sehyun just sat there in a daze.
"My father had a traffic ident in Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do. Of course, Do-jun was with him."
"What? Do-jun? Then, is Do-jun seriously injured?"
Oh Se-hyun, who was taken aback, quickly got up, and Jin Seo-yoon frowned.
"Oh Representative, save those human emotions forter. We don''t have enough time to talk right now."
She couldn''t wait for Oh Sehyun to calm down.
"If Father and Do-jun don''t wake up like this, what will you do, Oh Representative?"
"What are you talking about now? What can I do in this situation?"
"Don''t get too excited. I''m trying to make a proposal."
"You''re saying that now?"
Do-jun was not rted to him by blood, but he was still worried about whether he was seriously injured. Wasn''t this human nature?
Jin Seo-yoon, a daughter who had just heard that her father was injured, was making absurd statements and rambling on about unimportant things. He couldn''t help but feel annoyed.
Chapter 106 The Real Patient 3
Chapter 106 The Real Patient 3
"Do-jun!"
He must have been so worried, thinking his healthy son had been seriously injured.
Father, entering the hospital room, already had tears in his eyes.
He hesitated to embrace his son, fearing that there might be something wrong with his own body. So, he just held his hand tightly.
Oh, it was truly awkward. Should I have hugged him first? But I felt too embarrassed to do so.
"Father, I''m fine. Just some minor cuts and bruises. Look, I''m perfectly fine."
"Really? Nothing seriously injured?"
"No. I''ve been thoroughly examined from head to toe, and there''s nothing wrong. So please, stop worrying."
With reassurance that there was nothing wrong, his father hugged him. It was awkward, but what could he do? He lightly patted his father''s back too.
"What exactly happened?"
Suspicion cleared, he began exining everything that had happened until now.
Just a simple traffic ident. And the assistant, Kim Yoon-seok, who happened to be next to his grandfather''s car, got hurt.
The tale of loyalty to protect the master''s life, something that might only happen in the Joseon era, was just a cover story that his father despised the most.
His father was tired of the behavior of his parents and siblings, who ruled over people with their absurd wealth.
"What about Mr. Kim Yoon-seok? Is he okay?"
"Yes. The surgery was sessful, and he''s recovering quickly. Don''t worry about him either."
As heforted one person, another arrived.
"Do-jun!"
When Oh Sehyun burst into the room, it seemed like he would have to reiterate that his body was perfectly fine.
After the exhausting reassurance was over, Oh Sehyun took turns looking at both him and his father, then finally opened his mouth with difficulty.
"I heard something... Yoon-ki, you should know too."
"What is it?"
"Tell us slowly."
His father shot a nce at Oh Sehyun, who was speaking incoherently between him and his father.
"I was on my way to Gunsan. To the Joseon Rice Store in Gunsan..."
From the moment he began talking about the reasons for their actions since dawn and the significance of Joseon Rice Store, Oh Sehyun tapped his knee. "I see. So, that seemingly trivial ceremony was all about Joseon Rice Store."
"Hey! What nonsense are you talking about?"
"Oh my, a son like you, who''s always been out of your father''s sight, wouldn''t understand, would you? Listen carefully. The chairman sees your son Do-jun as the heir to the Sunyang Group. Not the sole candidate, but still."
"What?"
His father still didn''t understand English and shouted, but I had already solved the puzzle.
Exactly! It wasn''t just a simple museum visit or a casual outing. I was the third sessor, right after the two uncles.
Looking at me, who wasn''t particrly surprised, Oh Sehyun smiled. "Take a look at this mischievous child. Doesn''t he seem like he''s been waiting for this news? Well, I guess I expected it already. Hahaha."
Oh Sehyun''sughter didn''t have much effect in calming down the surprised father. It seemed like it would take some time for his father to fully join our conversation.
"But Uncle, how did you know?"
"Your aunt asked me to take a look. I also happened to meet to discuss the DMC construction... When I heard that the ident happened in Gongju, I already had a sense of what it was about." Oh Sehyun nced at his father and chuckled. "Your father still doesn''t seem to get it. Hehe."
"I understand too. But don''t have high expectations."
"What?"
"Yes?"
The tables had turned.
His father spoke with a slightly furrowed brow, and we were left with open mouths in astonishment.
" Yeong-gi and Dong-gi were both appointed as sessors there. It''s literally a juvenile ceremony. Father said to continue this history, your history. Haha."
"You, how did you find out? You couldn''t possibly..." When Oh Sehyun stammered and asked, his father gave a bitter smile.
"No. When older brother came back and bragged about it, he was so happy to say that he had be your father''s sessor. I remember that vividly."
"But? Why are you saying not to have expectations? Do-jun is also an heir, which means he might receive a portion of Sunyang, maybe even a third..."
At Oh Sehyun''s uncertain words, his father shook his head. "Look at Sunyang''s shares now. Both older and younger brothers received less than 10%. It''s been almost 20 years since they were appointed as sessors. Don''t you still get it?" Father''s question was directed at me. "Do-jun. It''s about your grandfather. He had immense greed. It''s a desire beyond the imagination of an ordinary person. He hates giving what he has to others. Being a son doesn''t make you an exception."
While there was some surface agreement, it couldn''t be said to be entirely urate.
Father''s perspective on Grandfather and my perspective on Grandfather are different.
Even though the heirs have been determined, their behavior may not be trustworthy. The uncertainty lies in whether they can continue the history of Sunyang.
Grandfather''s greed, as Father put it, is indeed immense.
But there is an even bigger wish than that, and it''s the prosperity of Sunyang.
Why did both uncles be heirs with less than 10% for nearly 20 years?
It''s because they could only have expectations of less than 10% for the prosperity of Sunyang. No, I believe that''s the reason.
"Father. If there are no expectations, then we should be grateful for anything."
"What do you mean?"
"Isn''t it my destiny to be the sessor of Sunyang? Look. The ident didn''t happen as if heaven refused, right? So even if it''s just a tiny share, I''ll be grateful."
As they saw me smiling, the two of them showedpletely different expressions.
Oh Sehyun, who knew my true intention of aiming for Sunyang, raised an eyebrow at my pretense of modesty, while I, who harbored no greed, nodded in satisfaction at my father''s approving look.
The VIP room at Myungin Hospital is as luxurious as a hotel.
Although it''s a private university, the medical school is known as a prestigious institution, and wealthy patients have flocked here. They spared no expense to receive special treatment.
Chapter 107 The Awakened Patient 1
Chapter 107 The Awakened Patient 1
On that evening, the director of Sunyang Medical Center''s heart sank when he heard Chief Lee Hak-jae''s exnation.
Missing the chairman''s brain tumor could be a grave mistake, one that could potentially burden the entire leadership of Sunyang Medical Center, causing them to pack their bags and go home.
"In any case, the Chairman must have the tumor removed. And you had the regr checkupst month, right?"
"Oh, yes."
"Please gather all those records. We need to verify everything."
The director picked up the phone with trembling hands. Hoping that there would be no trace of the brain tumor in those medical records, he headed to Myung In University Hospital.
When he opened Chairman Jin''s hospital room, the expression on Jin''s face was cheerful. The director carefully spoke up, brushing his chest.
"Chairman, would it be alright to transfer to Sunyang Medical Center even now? We have many skilled surgeons."
"This friend here, do you think I came here because I don''t trust our medical center? They keep singing praises of Jang Jun-hyuk in the medical field, so I came to scout him. Just wait. I''ll ce that friend in your care, so take good care of him. Hehe."
Don''t be fooled by this smile andughter. The director needed to be prepared for Chairman Jin''s unpredictable behavior.
"But by the way, what about the tumor? Just a month ago, it was fine, wasn''t it?"
He was questioning the responsibility again. Making a mistake here would be disastrous.
During the journey to Myung In University Hospital, the doctors from Sunyang Medical Center kept sending messages incessantly. Even after thorough examinations, they couldn''t find any signs of a tumor. They had to trust in their expertise.
"I apologize for saying this, but a month ago, we couldn''t find any signs of a tumor. It seems to be an acute tumor. Since we haven''t confirmed the CT scan yet, I can''t say for sure."
"So, you mean during theprehensive checkup, there was definitely no tumor?"
"Yes, Chairman. Numerous doctors conducted thorough examinations and confirmed it. Please trust us."
Seeing the demeanor of a sinner iming innocence, Chairman Jin frowned.
"No! What was I saying? This is just a confirmation. It''s making people unnecessarily anxious."
"I''m sorry, I''m really sorry."
He bowed repeatedly, but it was already toote. Chairman Jin''s mood had soured. Naturally, the imperial decree had been issued.
"Go now. I need some rest. Oh, and keep the fact that I''m having the surgery here to yourself. You understand what I mean, right?"
"Oh, yes, Chairman."
The director left, sweating coldly, and Chief Lee Hak-jae led Professor Jang Jun-hyuk to the hospital room.
"Oh, Professor Jang. Is it troublesome for you toe back and forth because of me?"
"No, it''s not. Chairman, it''s something the attending physician must do. Please don''t worry about it."
"Alright, did you happen to verify it?"
"Yes."
Professor Jang Jun-hyuk extended a thick envelope.
"We''ve checked all the test results from Sunyang Medical Center, but it''s difficult to say anything."
"Why is that?"
"I looked for the tumor, and the doctors at Sunyang Medical Center probably only checked if there was anything unusual. The methods of examination were different."
It''s difficult to tell whether he''s making excuses as a fellow doctor or stating facts.
"Well... that may be true."
"Yes, if I didn''t know about the presence of the tumor, I might have concluded that there was nothing wrong."
"There is one, though?"
"Yes. It''s from a month ago, but there seems to be a very subtle trace. So we should consider that the mutation started a month ago."
When Chairman Jin nodded his head lightly without saying anything more, Professor Jang cautiously offered his opinion.
"I hope you''re not nning to reprimand the doctors at Sunyang Medical Center for this incident. It''s not their fault or ipetence."
Suddenly, Chairman Jin''s sharp gaze locked onto Professor Jang''s forehead.
"I''ll handle that myself. It''s a family matter."
Under the piercing gaze and ufortable expression, Professor Jang quickly lowered his head.
"I''m sorry. I overstepped."
When he raised his head again, Chairman Jin had a gentle expression.
"Leaving that aside... what do you think? Have you thought about it?"
"Yes? Oh, I haven''t... I need to discuss it with my family first, and also consider my connection with Myung In University..."
While scratching his head, Chairman Jin chuckled. "You don''t need to raise your price. Haven''t I already told you? I''ll give you the best treatment. And the path to bing the head of the department is not something you ask someone else about."
Professor Jang seemed to listen attentively to Chairman Jin''s words and then lowered his head again.
"I''ll keep your kind words in mind. I''ll make sure not to dy."
As Professor Jang, who appeared rxed, retreated, Chairman Jin opened his mouth to Lee Hak-jae.
"What do you think? It doesn''t seem deliberate, does it?"
"ording to Professor Jang, it doesn''t seem like a deliberate act, right? He says it''s not anyone''s fault because it was difficult for anyone to detect."
"Even so..."
Chairman Jin''s suspicion had notpletely disappeared.
The hospital that concealed the brain tumor, the timely traffic identit all seems to be happening ording to someone''s script.
It''s a vague suspicion, but not easily dismissed.
Lee Hak-jae could fully understand Chairman Jin''s mindset.
Even he, observing from the sidelines, still had lingering doubts, which is why both of them agreed that if the suspicion couldn''t be dispelled, they needed to investigate further.
"Let''s do this. Assign someone to keep an eye on the hospital."
"I''ve already taken care of it. I''ll make sure no one raises suspicions."
It''s not about being cautious; it''s about finding out who they''re in contact with.
"Alright, and in a couple of months, let''s convene the board and dismiss them."
"Do you mean to cut ties with them?"
Chairman Jin nodded.
"No matter how I think about it, it feels fishy. Cut ties."
Chapter 108 The Awakened Patient 2
Chapter 108 The Awakened Patient 2
I also smiled widely. Isn''t it fitting to respond toughter withughter? Furthermore, Secretary Kim is no longer my subordinate. He''s be a confident dealmaker.
"What would you like? Would you like to receive it all at once, or would you prefer a lifelong installment n?"
Could he discern the meaning behind my words?
"Huh? Oh, well... Hehe."
Secretary Kim''s face was still covered in bandages, making it difficult to tell whether he was smiling or grimacing, but I could tell from his eyes.
"I''ll take the installment n. I can just get a savings ount from the Chairman."
Oh, there''s also Grandfather.
I pped my forehead.
Kim Yoon-seok not only understood my intentions but also included something I hadpletely forgotten.
What''s going on? Has my brain started working faster because of the ident?
"Take your time to think it over. If I give it all at once, it means that Mr. Kim here is willing to change his fate several times asrge as he has."
"No, I''ve already decided. I''ll take the installment n."
He didn''t hesitate or contemte at all.
What''s happening? Has he be a person with such a firm resolve?
"Are you serious?"
"Of course. I still don''t know the joy of spending money recklessly. However, I understand that the joy of spending money fades quickly. If I''m with you, I think there will be more enjoyment than spending money."
It''s a grateful statement, but it''s not enough to be my person.
"Mr. Kim. I don''t know if you remember, but what I said still holds."
"What are you talking about?"
"If you don''t have the skills, I won''t keep you by my side. I understand that there''s nothing I can do to repay you for saving my life. I''m just expressing my gratitude with money. But walking together has a different meaning."
Secretary Kim quickly understood my words. "I will work to acquire the skills and abilities to be with you. If you ever feel that I''mcking, please let me know. I will step back."
I extended three fingers. "I will overlook up to three times. No matter how big the mistake, no matter how much you mess up, I will give you three chances. But if you make a fourth major mistake, our connection will end."
"I will make sure not to use up those three chances."
He showed unwavering determination and resolve. This person seems to have good hardware.
Arming oneself with educational qualifications, known as software, but being unable to keep up with performance, I''ve seen many posers like that.
Where are the ones who face difficult tasks that can''t be ovee with knowledge, get frustrated, and give up?
Even though their academic background and qualifications may not be top-notch, I appreciate individuals with natural determination and perseverance who don''t give up easily. It feels like seeing myself in them.
"Now, let''s head to Seoul. We should go to Myungin University Hospital rather than Soon Yang Medical Center. Soon Yang Medical Center is likely to have too many leaks... Anyway, let''s receive treatment and rehabilitation until we reach perfect condition."
When Grandfather saw me, he gently patted his bandaged head.
"Chairman of Daehyun Group used to envy my rich hair more than the group''s sales or stock price, but now he''ll probablyugh at how I look today."
"They say that hair bes even thicker when it grows back. Until then, please don''t meet him." Grandfather scrutinized my hand and then broke into a wide grin.
"Did you bring that?"
"Alcohol is not allowed. So, I brought only chicken."
"Just put it up there. Why do I keep craving that soy sauce seasoning..." In the blink of an eye, the whole chicken disappeared, leaving only bones behind. He grumbled continuously about not having a beer. "You better clean up these bones. Why are there so many nagging people around me? Ugh."
"You pressured me into getting it, but this is thest one until you''re discharged."
"Are you nagging too? Fine."
Grandfather did a quick trim and then took a sip of water.
"Has your friend also woken up?"
"Yes. He''s passed the critical stage, and now he only has rehabilitation therapy left."
"He''s young, so he''ll handle it well?"
"That''s the hope."
"Well... Were there any special conversations?"
Although his fleeting nce wasn''t ordinary, I pretended not to notice. It wouldn''t make much of a difference if I added a few more suspicions to someone who had already abandoned their doubts.
"We didn''t talk for long. It''s not the right condition for that."
"Why? Is he still having trouble speaking?"
"No, not at all. He''s perfectly fine, both mentally and in terms ofnguage skills."
Anyway, won''t you meet him in person? Kim, the assistant, will convey everything I say, and if there''s someone behind the scenes, Grandfather will surely catch them.
"Well, then. Shouldn''t I meet him at least once to express my gratitude? He''s our savior who saved our lives."
Should I just express my gratitude, or does he want to confirm something?
"That sounds like a good idea."
"So, what about you? Do you n to be discharged?"
"I''ve already met with Father. Since he knows I wasn''t seriously injured, there''s no point in me lingering around the hospital anymore. I need to be discharged."
"Hmm... Yoon-gi won''t like it if you''re lying in the hospital while he''s pretending to be seriously ill. So, go ahead."
"Yes. I''ll visit frequently."
"While I''m pretending to be in critical condition, it doesn''t seem appropriate for you to be fussing around. Let''s stay in touch over the phone."
"Sure."
I was slightly disappointed.
I thought he might mention the purpose of bringing me to Gunsan now...
Could it be that he''s had a change of heart?
Chairman Jin confirmed that there was no one in Kim Yoon-seok''s hospital room and walked slowly.
He had already thoroughly reviewed Kim''s profile.
The people his children he had recruited were third-rate at best. They were people who considered themselves important because of their name Sunyang and the thickness of their money bags.
Chapter 109 The Awakened Patient 3
Chapter 109 The Awakened Patient 3
"Willing to stake your life on my grandson...? Is that what you want?"
"I don''t mean to entrust my life to Manager Jin Do-jun. It means I want to be closer to him, to work with him."
"Why? What do you mean? Why do you want to be with our Do-junie so much that you''d risk your one and only life?" Chairman Jin''s eyes red with intensity as he questioned him.
Kim Yoon-seok felt a shiver down his spine. Did he make a mistake? Did he misunderstand and think that he was someone who wanted to stick around and be a part of his grandson''s life just because he saved him once?
"I want to stand in front as well."
"What?"
"I''ve always had to stay in the shadows. I''m ashamed of my role like that. Earlier, you told me to speak my mind about what I want. Now, I''ll tell you for sure. I want to feel proud of myself and stand confidently in front of others."
"A guy who doesn''t even know his ce!" Between clenched teeth, Chairman Jin''s anger was evident.
Kim Yoon-seok hadn''t imagined that such a reaction woulde.
He thought he might hear words of advice, even a scolding to look after his grandson better... but all he was getting was Chairman Jin''s anger, and it seemed like all the chances were slipping away.
"Someone like you will only hinder our Do-junie. A clueless guy like you, who threw himself away like a piece of trash after making a meager contribution, is thinking of sticking to our grandson and leeching off him?"
"Chair... Chairman. I''ve never once considered such a thing. If a situation arises where I need to hinder Manager Jin Do-jun, I''m even willing to cut ties and step aside. Please trust me."
If it weren''t for the immobilizing casts, he would have even knelt.
Speaking with determination while lying down, wrapped in bandages, felt unjust.
"Noisy. At this very moment, you''ve let slip your grasp on the third chance as well. People like you are always the same. Foolish idiots who can''t even distinguish between excrement and soybean paste."
Chairman Jin suddenly stood up, there was no outlet for his anger, so he kicked the helpless chair.
"I won''t take back what I''ve given. Once your body is able to move, I''ll kick you out immediately. If you dare to meddle in Do-junie''s affairs again, I will take your pitiful life."
He shouted a warning that sounded like a threat.
"Chairman..."
Kim Yoon-seok wanted to hold Chairman Jin''s leg or do something to express his sincerity, but he couldn''t move, so all he could do was watch Chairman Jin as he left the room.
"You were told not to wander around the hospital, and that was just yesterday. If you called because of seasoned chicken, it''s absolutely not allowed."
Grandfather had been calling since morning, urging him toe quickly.
It''s noisy. If they wanted him toe, he woulde without all the talking, right?
A voice so loud it made him question whether the person had really undergone surgery echoed from the phone.
When he rushed to the hospital, his grandfather, with a stern expression, was waiting.
"Do-jun."
"Yes?"
"There''s someone who wants to be your dog. Do you know about it?"
Thrown off by the sudden question, he was still aware of who they were talking about.
"Are you talking about Manager Kim Yoon-seok?"
"Yeah, that guy."
"I met him yesterday."
"Even though he rejected it when I offered him arge sum, he now wants to stand by your side. Did you approve of it too?"
Did he make a mistake? Did his grandfather not like the idea of someone as young as him trying to gather people around him already?
"I''ve decided to give him a conditional chance."
"Conditional?"
"Yes. Even if he messes up my work, I''ve decided to forgive him three times."
"What if it goes beyond three times?"
"I''ll let him go. He saved my life, so I''ve given him three chances. Isn''t that enough to repay a debt?"
"Hmm..."
After a moment of silence, his grandfather suddenly said somethingpletely unexpected.
"What do you think are the virtues of a dog?"
" Virtues of a dog?"
"Yeah, the qualities people like in dogs."
"Loyalty to their owner, maybe? There''s a saying ''a loyal dog.'' Besides, there''s no word ''faithful'' used for any animal other than dogs."
"You''re wrong."
Wrong? If loyalty isn''t a virtue of a dog, what is? No matter how hard he thought, he couldn''te up with anything other than loyalty.
"Loyaltyes with a condition. It''s called righteousness. Being loyal means guiding your owner in the right direction. That''s why dogs don''t backtalk their owners. Blocking their path when the owner is going the wrong way is also loyalty, and changing their direction is also loyalty."
"Isn''t following even when it''s not right also a form of loyalty? There''s a saying ''blind loyalty,'' isn''t there?"
"That''s being a sycophant."
It''s difficult. So, dog''s virtues aren''t loyalty... Could it be love?
"The virtue of a dog is devotion."
Ah...!
Giving everything, body and soul, dedicating all one''s strength, not sparing sacrifices. The difference between devotion and loyalty is that devotion has no conditions.
"Do you think that guy will be devoted to you?"
"So far, yes."
When he confidently answered, his grandfather showed a slight sneer.
"Why?"
No need for a lengthy exnation. Wouldn''t this person, who could see through most things with just a word or two, understand?
"But that guy has already made a mistake."
"You, grandfather?"
With a stern look, his grandfather said, "He told me he wants to serve you. When does a dog ask for permission to choose its owner? He''s considering himself higher than you."
If it were something trivial, it would be infinitely trivial. Shouldn''t I be able to say enough since it''s my grandfather and the group chairman?
At first, I thought this extreme refusal to tolerate even such a trivial thing was too severe, but then I reconsidered.
It''s not just hiring an employee; it''s choosing a sessor. Shouldn''t there be no room for any shorings?
"Has he made any more mistakes?"
Chapter 110 Where is my Place? 1
Chapter 110 Where is my ce? 1
"No one will listen no matter how loudly you shout that you''re going to live diligently. In this world, there are people who work hard but still struggle to make ends meet. Do you want to waste your life like that, just suffering and nothing else?"
"Isn''t it better to endure hardships than to y around and waste time?" His sincerity in refusing money was evident.
"I heard that Do-jun gave you three chances. If you hadn''t messed up, would it have been like that?"
"I''m just grateful for his generosity. What can I say?"
The chairman paused for a moment before speaking. "Why didn''t you ask me for a favor earlier? With just a word from me, you could have be a person under Do-jun. You missed even that opportunity."
"Chairman, there was nothing wrong with what you said. I realized that I was just holding Do-jun''s ankle. If you keep holding onto someone who''s just holding onto your ankle, isn''t that pitiful? I want to end that kind of dependence now."
"It seems you''re quick to grasp the situation. Alright, I won''t cast you aside. I''ll find a suitable position for you, so keep working at thepany."
Even though it was a kind offer, Kim Yoon-seok only gave a bitter smile.
"Didn''t I just say? Please stop feeling sorry for me."
"If you don''t want even a sense of security, then fine, understood."
He was about to make another proposal, even if it was just for formality, but Chairman Jin turned away coldly.
"Oh, right. I had something I wanted to ask you, but we got sidetracked."
"Please go ahead, Chairman."
"Do you consider the truck ident to be your fault?"
Kim Yoon-seok answered without any hesitation.
"I already mentioned it to Director Jin Do-jun."
Chairman Jin couldn''t believe Kim Yoon-seok''s answer. He had told his grandson, so why ask here? Wasn''t that the implication?
He cleared his throat and opened the door to the hospital room.
"What a sly guy. Hehe."
The VIP room had good soundproofing.
Although snippets of conversation could be heard from outside the room, only muffled voices reached inside.
Grandfather looked at me, chuckled, and then moved back into the room.
"What conversation did you have?"
"You wouldn''t know anything about it. By the way..." Suddenly stopping his steps, Grandfather lowered his voice. "He told you about the ident. What did he say?"
An ident...Secretary Kim remained silent in front of his grandfather. This was also a good attitude.
It meant that he was advising someone to keep secret and information confidential, and Secretary Kim himself would remain silent, wouldn''t it?
"I''m sparing my words because I find it hard to be sure. He mentioned the possibility that it might not be an ident."
"Not an ident?"
"Yes. I''m not certain, but I felt like that truck was waiting for us."
Grandfather narrowed his eyes.
"Hmm..."
"It''s just a memory. It''s not certain."
"Alright, I''ll handle it."
It was understandable that he was reluctant to delve deeper into this discussion. If it wasn''t an ident, it likely involved the family. To erase the awkwardness, he quickly changed the subject.
"What about Secretary Kim Yoon-seok? Should we just leave it at this?"
"I''ll handle that too. I''ll make him y the role of that guy''s person. Wait for it. If there''s no potential, he''ll just be a nuisance by your side anyway."
"And what about you, Grandfather?"
"Me? Well, one thing is useful."
"What''s that?"
"Respect. It''s the first and most important condition for a subordinate to follow their superior. He respects you." Grandfather resumed his halted steps. "Since he seems to have the necessary basics, he needs to learn the work. If he doesn''t have a head for it, whether he''s the basic guy or meets the conditions, he''ll be useless."
Kim Yoon-seok was a lucky person.
Being personally appointed by Chairman Jin Yang-cheol meant he had the opportunity to grow rapidly in a short period.
It would be physically and mentally demanding, but...
Early Sunday morning, high-end sedans began to arrive at Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi ''s vi.
The people getting out of the cars all wore golf attire, but this ce was a vi, not a golf course.
As they exchanged handshakes and disappeared into the vi, their expressions were oddly tense, not matching the sunny weather.
Unlike the guests, Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi weed them with a bright smile.
"I''m sorry for the inconvenience. These days, there are so many watchful eyes. Haha."
After shaking hands with each of them, he led them to a spacious dining table.
When about a dozen people filled the dining table, Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi raised his utensils.
"It seems the water here makes the food taste different. Now, let''s eat."
Slowly eating breakfast, he began to bring up important matters.
"Have you confirmed what I mentioned?" Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi didn''t look at anyone and just focused on his te while speaking, but it was clear who was expected to respond.
"Director, Myungin Hospital conducted various tests. The surgery was sessful, and the patient is healthy enough to be discharged."
"What kind of surgery was it?"
"It was a malignant brain tumor removal surgery."
As soon as the term "malignant brain tumor" was mentioned, the dining table fell silent.
Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi was a man with many connections. He was one of the few who had heard about the surgery results right after it waspleted. The reason he brought up the surgery at this table was different.
"But, Director."
"Yes?"
"What is the possibility of a recurrence of the malignant brain tumor?"
The head of Sunyang Medical Center cleared his throat.
"The brain is the most unpredictable area. And malignant tumors tend to have a high chance of recurrence, which is why we call them malignant."
"In the case of my father, what is the likelihood of a recurrence?"
"In the case of elderly individuals, the recurrence rate is always over 50%. The reason the probability is only half is because... they often pass away from recurrence-rtedplications."
Chapter 111 Where is my Place? 2
Chapter 111 Where is my ce? 2
"Father, I''d like to meet Do-jun."
"You?"
"Yes, I want to meet him and see through his intentions, convince him to give up early."
Jin Yeong-gi looked at his son with suspicion. "Don''t do something unnecessary. He might have had an ident on the way to Gunsan. We might not have heard the news yet. If you go, you''ll just end up providing information."
"So, you want to see what''s on his mind, right? I already know that Do-jun has umted a considerable amount of money. He can afford to enjoy life. He might not be interested in group business, and yet Grandfather insists on pressuring him for no reason."
The persuasive words seemed convincing, and Jin Yeong-gi''s heart was slightly swayed.
"Yes, Yeong-jun''s point might have some validity, Father."
Han Seo-young, who had been following in the car, chimed in. Jin Yeong-gi, the vice-chairman, sometimes found his daughter-inw''s interjections irritating, but he asionally let her be, especially when she made sensiblements.
One reason was that she still didn''t fully understand the family atmosphere.
"Why are you saying that?"
"I heard he''s been carrying around Miracle business cardstely. There''s no need to carry business cards to learn about investments. Just looking at a monitor in the office should be enough." When Han Seo-young saw her father-inw showing some interest, she enthusiastically continued. "He''s always seen with President Oh Se-hyun, like a secretary. He''s definitely learning about corporate M&A. And studyingw is essential for M&A. Do-jun probably isn''t interested in the group."
It sounded reasonable at first nce. But the temptation of the name "Sunyang" was too great to simply abandon his interest.
"Yeong-jun, you said you''d convince Do-jun to give up. Do you think that''s possible?"
"He mentioned it when he graduated from high school. He asked if it wouldn''t be better to be an heir of Sunyang Group instead of inheriting a subsidiary with no prospects."
"What? An heir?"
"Yes, isn''t Do-jun smart? He''d be perfect as an aide."
"So? What do you suggest?"
"At the time, I didn''t understand it well because I was young. But Father, you see, the youngest ones usually prefer to livefortably in the shade of a big tree rather than struggling on their own."
Even though his son''s metaphorical talk was somewhat annoying, Jin Yeong-gi considered it. If he could persuade him, and even further, if he could convince him, it wouldn''t be a bad thing.
After all, wasn''t he the best student and the most diligent one in the family? If he could be used as an aide, it would be a crowning achievement.
"Alright. Meeting him once wouldn''t hurt. He had an ident, after all, so it''s a good opportunity to check on his well-being."
"Yes, leave it to me."
"Don''t rush ahead too much and finish within reasonable limits." He didn''t forget to advise his impatient son once again.
"Hey, Yeong-jun..." As his father ascended the stairs to this floor, Han Seo-young quickly turned to her husband.
"Why?" Jin Yeong-jun stared fiercely at his wife, who was trying to call his attention, and silenced her. "If you have nothing useful to say, stop it. Didn''t I say that? Lie low like a mouse for a year. I told you that just a while ago. Why are you interrupting when Father is speaking? So audacious!"
If she had brought the car, she should have quietly parked it and gotten out. But instead, his wife, who had slyly sat on the sofa and eventually interfered, was driving him crazy.
Han Seo-young bit her lip but didn''t respond. After all, her husband, who listened carefully to her words as part of the marriage agreement she had put forth, was not someone who would heed his wife''s words.
"Hyungnim, why did you call and..."
"Come to the office. Let''s have dinner together."
Jin Yeong-jun, why is he suddenly like this?
He only visited rtives'' houses after returning from his honeymoon.
Well, our father must have known. All our rtives must have understood the significance of the trip to Gunsan, so everyone''s attention in the house is focused on me now.
What does Jin Yeong-jun want to find out from me?
He readily agreed to have a drink and chat, so I also have something to tell him.
Let''s go to the main headquarters and make the call. Jin Yeong-jun came down in the dedicated elevator. That elevator only goes to floors above the 20th.
It''s where the headquarters of the group and the offices of executives from subsidiarypanies are located. Taking that elevator indicates that Jin Yeong-gi, the vice-chairman, was with him.
Did he receive some education from his father?
"Do-jun!" Jin Yeong-jun raised his hand and called me. "Did you bring your car?"
"No, I came by taxi."
"Stop being so boring and enjoy your life, you fool." Jin Yeong-jun gave my back a light shove and headed towards the main entrance of the headquarters. Several people were waiting, and they opened the car doors. "Let''s go."
The car seemed to know the destination already and smoothly set off.
"Hyungnim, are we by any chance going to the vi? It''s quite far."
"We should go to the vi on weekends. I have work tomorrow too, can''t go too far."
The car turned into a ce with upscale vis in Non-hyeon-dong.
"Is there a restaurant here?"
"How can you eat at crowded ces? Let''s rx and eatfortably today."
Therge iron gate that blocked the vi was opened wide by the security personnel who checked the car number, and the car slid inside.
"Where is this?"
As I looked out the window and wondered, a sharp poke in my side stopped me.
"Where do you think it is? It''s a vi in the city."
Laughing, Jin Yeong-jun led me into the vi. The duplex vi was exceptionally tall on one floor, and it was clear that it was quite spacious.
Could celebrities live here?
When I opened the seemingly ordinary front door and stepped inside, I couldn''t help but gasp. There was a Japanese-style small garden, even a brick-made pond, and water was shooting from a small fountain.
An indoor garden!
I had guessed it would be spacious, but it was strangely vast. Did theybine two of them into one? Or maybe three?
"Have you arrived? How about the meal? Should we prepare it right away?" Two uniformed women politely asked. Were they also employees of the Sunyang Group?
Chapter 112 Were Family, After All 1
Chapter 112 We''re Family, After All 1
The awkward silence was broken by Jin Yeong-jun.
"Oh, by the way, what about Sang jun? I heard he''s doing well with his music studies in the United States."
"He''s passionate about his studies, so I''m sure he''s doing fine. But what about you, Yeong-jun?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you have something to say to me? If you do, please say it. It''s ufortable when you keep things to yourself for no reason."
Acting a bit tipsy from the alcohol, he asked boldly.
"Yeah? Haha. You really have a way of reading people." After a hesitantugh, he lowered his voice and subtly continued. "Do you ever consider working with me?"
"With you, hyung?"
As expected, it was just as I had anticipated. He was trying to persuade me to be his subordinate.
"Yeah. After seeing what you do, it''s hard to find someone as capable as you."
"What am I capable of?"
"What?"
Jin Yeong-jun''s eyes flickered. He must have been taken aback since I hadn''t shown my abilities yet, but he had praised me without basis.
When thepany employees heard him say, "There''s no one like you," they would be overjoyed and thrilled. Did he think the same about me, even though I hadn''t experienced it yet?
"Well, does it have to be something specific? It''s more about a feeling. The people working under me have good educational backgrounds and qualifications. But although I can''t pinpoint it exactly, there''s something missing."
"I feel the same way. It''s hard to find someone you truly like. They may seem great on the surface, but when you peel back theyers, there''s always somethingcking." I modestly humbled myself.
"This kid. You don''t want to work with me, huh?" He spoke with a mixture ofughter, but his eyes were serious. He stared at me fiercely.
"It''s not that I don''t want to work with you. It''s just that I feel ufortable working with people. I prefer working alone. Studying alone, working alone."
"So, you''re gaining experience at an investment firm for that reason?"
"Yes, that''s how investment works, you know? Analyzing data, gathering information, and making decisions alone. It''s not about coordinating with others. It seems to suit my aptitude."
"Hmm... investment."
I showed no interest in the group. How would he react? He''s not naive enough to take my words at face value. He''ll probably test me a few more times.
"Well, now that I think about it, I''m even more tempted."
"Huh? Why?"
"I have a weakness for that kind of thing. nning, analysis. I find it easy to manage people, but I''m weak with numbers."
Was he serious? If he''s bad with numbers and can''t n or analyze, what good is he for the job? Managing people is easy? As the heir to the chairman, anyone would listen and follow him. He''s just talking nonsense!
I concealed my smirk and put on a smile.
"Hehe. Why is that? In our country, we gather all the smart people and run things."
"No, that''s not it! There are plenty of problems under the surface."
Seeing Jin Yeong-jun''s serious expression, I decided to throw the first bait. If he bites this one, I''ll present the real deal.
"Yeong-jun."
"Yeah."
"If, and this is a big if."
"Go on."
Jin Yeong-jun''s eyes began to sparkle.
"If I decide that I''m not cut out for investment, I''ll have to do something else... In the end, there''s only the group business, right?"
"That''s true."
"What exactly does it mean when you say you want to work together, hyung?"
"You''ll be the director like Lee Hak-jae under me."
"Does that mean overseeing the entire group?"
"Yes, exactly. In fact, you''ll have more authority than Director Lee Hak-jae''s. That director is just an ordinary employee. But you''re part of the owner''s family and my younger brother. Don''t you think the heads of subsidiarypanies might feel jealous or resentful? Don''t you agree?"
Lee Hak-jae constantly shes with key executives of subsidiarypanies. Many of them are older than Lee Hak-jae''s director and have had a connection with the chairman much earlier.
They take pride in being the ones who helped build the group.
Since Lee Hak-jae, who joinedter, constantly nitpicks about everything, they have an uneasy rtionship.
"When our third generation takes over the group, you will truly be a significant figure. You were the grandson our founding grandfather cherished. Who would hold a grudge against you? Don''t you think?"
"Well..."
As if pondering with his ss, Jin Yeong-jun seemed to have grown more interested and started speaking more persuasively.
"I''ll hold the fort and focus all my energy on you. Honestly, when ites to investment, it''s ultimately just ying with money, isn''t it? Wouldn''t it be more fun to grow a global conglomerate like Sunyang Group? The scale is different."
"Well, even if I do that, I''m not just going to be an ordinary employee, right?"
"What? What do you mean?"
"Even if you say that we share the same blood, what does it mean if I don''t have a single share of Sunyang Group stock?"
Upon mentioning the group''s shares, he suddenly fell silent. It''s a sensitive topic, and speaking about it casually is difficult.
After all, isn''t securing the shares the key to determining the sessor of Sunyang Group?
"Hyung, I learn about investment. I''m not some real estate spector; I''m solely focused on investing in corporate stocks...learning this job, I understand the importance of shares first. Stocks are a symbol of ownership and the owner''s identification."
Jin Yeong-jun seemed to be thinking about his response, and he still hadn''t spoken.
"Why aren''t you saying anything? You mentioned the fact earlier, right? That we''re family. Didn''t you?"
"Yeah? Oh, no. Of course, we''re family."
"So, does that mean since we''re cousins, you won''t share the group''s shares?" I set my ss down with a frustrated look. "What''s this? You suggest we work together, and in the end, your n is to make me just another employee?"
"Hey! Why are you talking like that, you brat!"
"That''s how it is, right? Even if we''re family, what''s the difference between me and an ordinary employee?"
"Do you see me as some lowlife? Huh?" Suddenly raising his voice, it was clear that he had thought of a response. "Listen here. I don''t have a single share of stocks like you do right now. I can''t say anything without the financial power. What we''re talking about here is about the distant future. It will take at least 10 years, if not 15, for our grandfather to pass the group''s leadership to our father, and then for me to inherit it. How can I guarantee what will happen 15 years from now? Isn''t that right?"
Chapter 113 Were Family, After All 2
Chapter 113 We''re Family, After All 2
"Uncle Go is going to announce the Digital Media City as the first project of the Seoul mayor. You know... "
"Just the announcement will skyrocket thend prices." Jin Yeong-jun couldn''t hide his voice, which was already revealing his greed. "Announcement, permits, selecting the contractor, and so on. Jumping step by step..."
"It''s perfect for parking extra cash."
"Where is it? Where?"
"It''s in Sangam-dong, Mapo."
"Sangam-dong?" Jin Yeong-jun furrowed his brow. He knew about Mapo, but not the exact location of Sangam-dong.
"Yes. But Sangam-dong is mostly city-ownednd or municipalnd."
"What? Then it''s a wastnd."
"No, it''s not. If you cross a narrow street in Sangam-dong, you''re in Suseo-dong, Eunpyeong-gu."
"If it''s Suseo-dong..."
"Yes. You can pick it up for free. It''s dirt cheap. You know about the central area''s ripple effect, right?"
"Hey! Do you think I don''t know that? I''m an executive at a constructionpany. Whennd prices rise in the central area, the surrounding areas follow suit."
"Yes. But ording to the documents I''ve seen, it mentioned Sangam-dong and the surrounding area, so Suseo-dong will be included. Uncle Go is the mayor, so he''ll need support from both Mapo and Eunpyeong-gu. Media City will definitely cover Sangam-dong and Suseo-dong."
"Over a single street..."
"It''s a narrow street with twones for a round trip. It''s just one piece."
Talking any further is just making his mouth sore.
Already, Jin Yeong-jun is lost in thoughts about the fortune falling from the sky.
"If we just buy a littlend in Suseo, we can make some pocket money, right?"
"Of course. But, hyung, don''t overdo it. Just throw in some pocket change. We don''t know how much of Suseo will be included in the project."
He stepped back a bit for the sake of the future. Anyway, this guy won''t listen.
"Do-jun, when things are uncertain, you need to increase the odds."
That''s the reaction he was waiting for.
"At the very least, make sure to buy a lot if the ripple effect is confirmed. You might invest a lot, a moderate amount, and lose some money, but the result will be profit. So, buy as much as possible."
"But that also increases the risk, doesn''t it?"
" If you can afford to take that risk, go for it. In games, having more bullets means you''ll never lose. Hehe."
It sounded like he was teaching a lesson.
At times like this, it''s polite to show some admiration.
After exchanging sweet words and making each other''s minds and hearts happy, there was one thing left to do.
Jin Yeong-jun called out the people who had entered the room and prepared some light snacks. He also made a call somewhere to invite someone who could make this night enjoyable.
Not even an hour passed before the doorbell rang, and Jin Yeong-jun quickly rushed to open it.
"Oh, oppa!" The girls, who screamed with a mixture of cuteness and coquetry, entered in a line.
Ah, I had a face and a name that came to mind when I saw those girls.
Seo Minyoung.
When did Ist see her? It''s been... about three months?
Did we only meet separately for a meal?
I should contact her. She has a moreplicated personality than she looks... Indeed, love is tough and tiring. Even with sporadic contact like this, it''s still nerve-wracking.
"You understand now, right? What Father is thinking?"
Jin Yoon-gi was surprised by the sudden visit of his older brother, Jin Dong-gi, through the inte. But what he cautiously brought up was sensitive enough to be worth a visit in person.
"Hyung, there''s no need to take it too sensitively. Father is getting old now. So, he probably decided to go to Gunsan feeling like giving a gift to a grandson who doesn''t hurt even if you poke him in the eye."
Since the ident, Jin Yoon-gi had been ufortable with the changed looks of his siblings. He wasn''t the one directly involved, but he was sure his thoughts were correct. This was just a whim of their capricious father.
Naming a sessor to the group is such a capricious whim.
But Jin Dong-gi, who was the second nominee, had a different opinion.
The news of the sessor nomination spreads without anyone noticing, and people''s views change. Especially those who have risen to or are striving to reach the main stream within the group gather around the nominee.
Jin Do-jun is still young.
When people who think Do-jun is easy to handle, those with hidden agendas, gather around, he''ll have to repeatedly do something he doesn''t want to do. It''s distinguishing between friend and foe and getting rid of the enemies.
"Whatever the reason, the result is what matters to thepany. Since Do-jun is young, people will flock to you instead. What are you going to do?" Jin Dong-gi calmly waited for his younger brother''s response.
"Don''t ask me, let''s hear Hyung''s opinion. After all, you didn''te here to ask for my thoughts, did you?"
Seeing his quick-witted younger brother, he lookedpletely different from the days of their past carefree life. It was as if he was seeing the bright and clever young boy from their childhood once again.
"I''ve told you before, right? Just be my brother."
"Don''t threaten me."
"What?"
"If Do-jun''s dream is to be the chairman of Sunyang Group, what would you do? Would you fight against your nephew? Then I won''t be your brother, I''ll be my son''s father."
"It''s just a futile dream. So, you should step up and stop it."
"A father doesn''t y the role of stopping his son''s dreams."
Jin Dong-gi could read his younger brother''s firm determination clearly.
"So, Hyung,e up with a solution. The position of Sunyang Group Chairman is not mine. Fight fairly with eldest brother. Don''t dream of unconditional concessions or using force. Aren''t you in business? It''s better to have a discussion with a mutually satisfying solution."
His younger brother''s words resonated deeply.
He didn''t like the idea of his nephew getting involved in a family inheritance dispute, but he also didn''t seem willing to give up everything.
A deal that satisfies both of them. That''s what his younger brother wants.
As a businessman, he knows that the first step to solving a problem is to remove emotions.
Chapter 114 Were Family, After All 3
Chapter 114 We''re Family, After All 3
"What do you think was discussed?"
"I don''t know for sure yet."
"It''s pretty obvious, though. Do we really need to call and ask each person individually? Stirring up unnecessary suspicion will make the vice chairman more cautious and secretive, making it harder for us to observe."
"Alright, let''s hear your guess."
"They probably demanded support through the group''s holdings of that subsidiary. In return, they might promise to treat him as their top ally when he bes the chairman. That''s what I think."
Chairman Jin furrowed his brow, seemingly annoyed by his eldest son''s scheming.
"Again? Is that all they''re up to?"
"I had Manager Jin Yeong-jun arrange a meeting with Do-jun. Chairman Jin Dong-gi met him in person."
"Meet with him in person?"
"Yes. They went to Yoon-gi''s house and had a drink."
Even the second son, who usually maintains peace like a calmke, is getting involved now! The ripples are getting quite significant.
"They''re all going crazy trying to pull Do-jun onto their side."
"They probably sensed the impending danger that Do-jun might have a say in the casting vote."
"They''re acting foolishly. If they did their jobs well, there wouldn''t be any issues, but they don''t seem to realize that..."
Looking at Chairman Jin, who was biting his tongue, Haek-jae cautiously asked, "What do you think, sir? Do you think Do-jun really has as much influence as it takes to hold the casting vote?"
"What are your thoughts?"
"Don''t we need to avoid the risk of the group splitting apart?"
"Are you suggesting we give it all to one person... and that Do-jun isn''t included?"
"We can''t ignore physical age."
Chairman Jin nodded in agreement.
The war isn''t just happening within the household; there are enemies lurking outside as well.
"Hak-jae, if the person holding the casting vote starts to shake it, won''t the other two start being cautious?"
"That''s true."
"So who''s the strongest among them? The one shaking it or the ones being cautious?"
Hak-jae couldn''t believe that Chairman Jin was joking about such a serious matter. If the power to shake the ownership is significant, how much wealth are they willing to leave behind?
"Are you serious?"
"About what?"
"Do you intend to have Do-jun sit in the middle of the seesaw to bnce the power?"
Chairman Jin evaded a direct response to Haek-jae''s question. His heart and mind were still not in sync. The decision had to be postponed, but the starting point had to be rushed.
Isn''t it an age when he doesn''t know how many days he has left to live?
"First, let''se up with a n to inte the controlling shares. And also, find a way for me to transfer my shares."
Haek-jae was surprised and had much to say, but he simply nodded.
"Yes, I will prepare for that."
It''s only finding the method; the execution will be decided when the chairman gives the order again, he thought to himself.
"And are we continuing with the ident investigation?"
"Yes. We''ve assigned someone to monitor the truck driver. With 24-hour surveince, if there''s a mastermind behind it, they will be exposed."
Thinking about the unpleasant matter made Chairman Jin''s expression sour.
Seeing Chairman Jin''s firm demeanor, Haek-jae refrained from bringing up one more thing to report.
It was about the chairman''s driver.
ording to Chairman Jin, the driver was the only one who knew the schedule for the Gunsan trip in advance. He resides in a separate building on the spacious estate of the chairman''s residence, so tailing him isn''t necessary; they are already tracking his movements.
The prosecutor from the Seoul Central District Prosecutors'' Office, already a naval officer, has already investigated his bank ounts.
There was nothing unusual so far, but they are expanding their investigation to the driver''s family and rtives. They have even installed listening devices in the separate building.
It seemed better to report anything that came up. After all, the chairman might not be a patient.
"Did you find out anything?"
"Yes. There aren''t many privately-owned plots ofnd suitable for trading in Mapo, Sangam-dong."
"Not many? What do you mean? I specifically told you to find out urately!"
Before the furious outburst of Jin Yeong-jun, the two managers lowered their heads in unison.
"We apologize. There are none at all."
"None at all? Are you saying nobody lives in Sangam-dong?"
"Someone has already swept them all up. We''ve confirmed it through thend registry records. The transactions took ce around April or May."
Jin Yeong-jun could guess who that someone might be.
It''s obvious those like Oh Se-hyun, his aunt, and those involved in politics.
Seeing Jin Yeong-jun''s deeply furrowed brows, one of the managers who had been reporting hurriedly opened his mouth.
"They say they''ve swept it up, but it''s not much."
"Then what about Suseok-dong? Did they sweep that up too?"
"No, there were hardly any transactions over there. Sir, you can secure as much as you want." Jin Yeong-jun received a thick stack of documents handed to him by one of the managers. "Here''s the status for Suseok-dong. If you give the order, we can start the acquisition process right away."
"Alright. Go ahead."
Alone now, Jin Yeong-jun made calls and gathered people from various ces. Since bing a senior manager at Sunyang Construction, he hadn''t been this busy before.
A whileter, when his secretary informed him that everyone had gathered in the meeting room, he rushed there.
"Did you check with the bank?"
"Yes. Sir, your unsecured credit line can go up to 2 billion."
"Only 2 billion?" Jin Yeong-jun wrinkled his nose in disappointment at the amount, which was lower than expected.
"That''s because there''s a limit per branch."
The head of finance handed over several prepared documents.
"Sir, two of your material supplypanies can each get 20 billion and 16 billion, respectively. But there are conditions..."
"What are they?"
Chapter 115 Light Jabs to Start 1
Chapter 115 Light Jabs to Start 1
"What? What does that mean? Is there a real method?"
"There is the easiest way, but it''s not so easy. You have to get your hands dirty."
At the word ''dirty'', Uncle-inw showed a very confident reaction. "Aren''t I a former prosecutor? I''m not afraid of getting blood on my hands."
"Do-jun, if you have any strange thoughts, just stop." Oh Sehyun lowered his head with an uneasy expression. It was difficult to tell if he was trying to be tactful or sincere, but I ignored it.
Now, it''s time to gently nudge Uncle-inw.
Isn''t the blind guy blinded by greed perfect for maniption?
"Choose one person who Grandfather dislikes the most, someone who won''t harm the Sunyang Group even if they get hurt, someone who, considering their usual behavior, would be deemed eptable even if something happened. Choose one."
If the Sunyang Group is concerned about damage to their reputation, then it''s natural for the second generation to avoid it. That leaves the third generation.
Isn''t it a social stigma to point fingers at the third-generation chaebol?
"If those are the conditions, it has to be Yeong-jun. These days, he''s been careful after getting married, but he''s been the biggest embarrassment to the family for a long time. Celebrity scandals, drunk driving, assault... he''s been in all kinds of idents, so..."
"Then it''s settled. If Yeong-jun sheds blood, it will be fine. He''s the heir to the Sunyang Group and the nephew of the mayor of Seoul, but for the sake of building a just and fair Seoul, the mayor should have the heart for themoner, right?"
Uncle-inw couldn''t easily answer.
If it were a matter of sacrificing a distant rtive, there would be no hesitation. Tampering with inws is like crossing a river that may not be able to be crossed back, and one must be willing to take that risk.
Isn''t it like a goose thatys golden eggs every day?
The one who can decide this is not Uncle-inw, but aunt herself.
"But, is it really okay? I mean, is there another way? Lately, Yeong-jun has been well-behaved and hasn''t caused any trouble. We can''t interfere with his private life either. Even if he''s involved in a celebrity scandal or an ident due to drunk driving and assault, the mayor of Seoul can''t say anything."
"You should think about the way, Uncle-inw. I just suggested that if one of your family members sacrifices themselves, you can ovee the handicap of being a son-inw in a chaebol family."
Oveing the handicap would be praiseworthy, but he still couldn''t speak.
Uncle-inw finally spoke a whileter. "I need some more time to think about this. But more importantly, Representative Oh, what do you say? Will you grant my request?"
Oh Sehyun coughed a few times, looking burdened by Chairman Choi''s expectations. "As you know, I am an investor. There are various methods of investment, but they all have one thing inmon. It''s about finding hidden value. Four years from now, if I discover Mayor Choi''s true value, I will invest without needing to be told."
"By then, it might be toote."
Oh Sehyun mentioned that he would think about it four years from now, and Uncle-inw responded that if they don''t act preemptively, there won''t be an opportunity.
What do I think? Could someone like Uncle-inw overturn the unpredictable waves of history?
That''s about it.
"Wee, our nephew. Why do you look more like your mother as you grow older? You''re so cute."
Aunt yfully poked me and then offered me a ss of alcohol. "Would you like a drink?"
I shook my head, and Aunt chuckled.
"I heard you''re not injured, right?"
"No, I don''t want to waste expensive alcohol when I don''t even know the taste."
"Let''s sit down anyway."
She still lived in a hotel, but since her husband was the mayor, this lifestyle woulde to an end. If she caught the attention of the reporters, it would be time to go home.
"You said something interesting to your uncle."
"Oh, that? Well, my uncle wanted to get rid of the chaebol son-inwbel, so I just mentioned it."
"You, subtly wicked, aren''t you? Did you know your uncle has thin skin?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Picking a fight. Why? Did your dad, I mean, your father, designate you as the third batter, so you got greedy too?"
It''s all chaos.
With just a 10% stake in the group in my hands, I could be a strong candidate, so everyone is trying to pull me in, and their eyes are filled with greed.
"Does Aunt see me that way too?"
Aunt bit her lip. "Me? Oh, my brothers have already gone to your house didn''t they."
"Yes."
"What did they say?"
"It''s not important what they said; I''m curious about what Aunt thinks."
"I still don''t have anything, so I haven''t thought about it. Representative Oh said that if you don''t have a penny, you can''t join the game."
"Then why did you want to meet? I thought Aunt might have something to say to me, like the way the elders usually do."
"My ears are pretty thin too. Haha." Boisterousughter filled the room. "Let''s talk about the third batterter. After I arrange the betting, okay? But more importantly, about the n you suggested, is it feasible?"
"Can Uncle Choi handle it? If so, I''lle up with some ideas."
"Yeong-jun?"
I nodded.
"You don''t like Yeong-jun, do you? Why?"
"I just don''t like how he pretends to be so great. It''s one thing to be the firstborn, but he acts like he''s something special. Plus, he tries to look down on people..."
"That kid is like that." Aunt paused for a moment and then spoke again. "Even if Yeong-jun gets scolded a bit, my father won''t be too angry. I''ll handle it."
She believes that no matter what they do, it will just end with a scolding.
The people in this house don''t worry about a strict judgment of thew. They can all escape from harm. Instead, they fear Grandfather''s judgment.
Because Aunt thinks, Yeong-jun''s, the eldest grandson, she seems to think it will all end with a scolding. Will it really conclude that easily?
"Then I''ll trust only Aunt and start."
"What?"
"Tell Uncle-inw. When announcing the Digital Media City project, just add one local word."
"A word?"
"Yes. Instead of just promoting Sangam-dong, also mention Sangam-dong and Susaek-dong, a part of it."
Chapter 116 Light Jabs to Start 2
Chapter 116 Light Jabs to Start 2
But can things ever go smoothly when you''ve got both the chicken and the egg?
When thend acquisition in Susaek-dong was in full swing, Jin Yeong-jun threw away his drink upon receiving a call from his father, Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi, and rushed home.
His heart pounded as he saw his father''s icy-cold expression, which was anything but normal. He quickly racked his brain to recall if he had made any recent mistakes, but nothing came to mind.
The ominous sign was the presence of his wife sitting beside his father in the living room.
Could it be that sheined to his father about his frequent nights out?
She wasn''t the type to nag about such matters. Didn''t she promise not to interfere with his personal life?
"What have you been up totely?" His father''s voice was unnaturally calm, and that was cause for concern. His father was known to raise his voice when he was angry.
"I haven''t been doing anything special. Why do you ask?"
"Rumors are going around that you''re out there buyingnd. Is that true?"
For a moment, various faces associated with this matter shed through Jin Yeong-jun''s mind. Who could have leaked this information?
"Why can''t you answer? Is it true, or is it just baseless gossip?"
"Oh, Father. Let me exin first."
"Exin? Ah, so you''re saying it''s not baseless gossip, then?"
Jin Yeong-jun never thought that getting married could be considered a blessing. If it were before his marriage, he would have started the scolding with a punch. But now that his daughter-inw is watching, his father''s hands tremble but remained at his side, resisting the urge to strike,
"Fine. Go ahead and exin. Let''s hear if it''s a usible exnation."
"I mentioned that I had a conversation with Do-jun, right?"
"Yes. And that guy showed a lot of interest in you, didn''t he? He seemed eager to cooperate."
"Yes, that''s what happened."
Jin Yeong-jun proceeded to recount the events of that night once more. The difference this time was that he added the story about Digital Media City and thend purchase, which he had omittedst time.
As the exnation concluded, Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi''s expression appeared even colder.
"So, ording to your exnation, Do-jun said all this, and you''re pouring money into thend just based on his words, is that it?"
"No, that''s not it. I also verified and took action. I mentioned what my uncle said during his inauguration, and Do-jun reiterated it. Finally, I confirmed it once more with a Seoul city official. The development is certain."
Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi suddenly turned to his daughter-inw and said, " Seo-ah, when did you learn about this fact?"
"What?"
Han Seo-young had never seen her father-inw this angry before. It was toote to im ignorance. Even without a mirror, she could tell that herplexion had turned pale.
"Did you also use money to buynd?"
"...Yes."
"Do you believe that guy''s words?"
Her husband was biting his lips, as pointed out by his father.
"Yes, but I verified it myself, Father."
"Did you bribe the reporters from the main office? Did the reporters confirm it for you?"
"Yes. Those who need to know already do. Mapo''s Sangam-dong and Eunpyeong-gu''s Susaek-dong are confirmed. Thend prices are gradually rising."
"Where did you get the money? Did you borrow it from your parents'' house?"
"...Yes."
She had received it rather than borrowed it, but she nodded her head.
"Now your maternal family knows too. They''ve probably also started buying upnd too."
She hadn''t confirmed it, but there was no doubt about her father-inw''s words. What''s the difference between taking money from her maternal house and using it for her inws'' benefit?
In this age where information is money, they were essentially the same.
"You two, really... It''s like you were meant for each other. Tsk, tsk."
When Jin Yeong-jun felt his father''s pitiful gaze upon him, the suppressed resentment burst forth.
"Father. The information is urate. And... it''s not like making money from development information is anything new, right? I find it hard to understand why you''re so upset."
"You, you... But still!"
Thump!
Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi''s hand, which had been restrained until then, shot up. Being an adult who had even gotten married, he had resolved not to raise his hand, but it was futile when it came to his foolish son.
"You, my child. How did you even buy thend? Did you use corporate funds... even from dozens of subsidiarypanies? Did you advance payment in the construction division? Is this something a sane person does?" Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi''s voice didn''t rise too much.
It wasn''t the first or second time that everyone in this household had usedpany funds like their own pocket money. He had done it dozens, if not hundreds, of times himself, and he was still doing it now.
But his son''s case was different. He had to skim off only as much as he could handle, and the money he had gathered so far amounted to hundreds of billions. If he mishandled that money, it could lead to embezzlement, at worst.
But his son''s submissive expression turned the tables on Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi. The sullen look on his son''s face revealed his true feelings.
Thend prices were rising, and all he had to do was make a profit from the real estate transactions. What was the problem?
"Listen well. Do you think your grandfather doesn''t know what I know? But why hasn''t he said a word? You don''t know, do you?"
"Gr-grandfather too?"
Seeing that his son feared his grandfather more than his father, Jin Yeong-gi felt a blow to his pride, but he couldn''t show it. It was only natural to be afraid of the one who held the real power.
"If the ending turns out well, he doesn''t make a fuss. Isn''t he someone who can overlook a messy process?"
Seeing his son''s expression brighten, it seemed like he was full of confidence that the spection would be sessful.
"It''s already spilt milk, so I won''t say anything more. But don''te begging me for help if it doesn''t end well. You have to take responsibility."
"Don''t worry. With such a glorious ending in sight."
When he saw his confident son thumping his chest, he let out a sigh.
He could clearly picture his younger self in his mind.
Chapter 117 Light Jabs to Start 3
Chapter 117 Light Jabs to Start 3
Chairman Chu sat down heavily across from Mayor Choi, speaking up, "You''ve been working tirelessly day and night on your official duties, probably missing proper meals. Today, let''s have a decent one."
The word "meal" was emphasized, making Mayor Choi''s expression even stiffer.
It was either a mockery or a provocation, one of the two.
"Rice bowl with sashimi is sufficient. We''ve dyed here too long."
"Oh my, this is terrible! I''vemitted a grave offense."
Chairman Chu''s feigned humility was rather unsettling. Mayor Choi dropped the pretense of formalities.
"Chairman, I apologize for being straightforward, but if you have something to say, please do so now."
"Oh, no, please don''t misunderstand. I suggested we meet just to offer my congrattions on your election victory." Chairman Chu quickly waved his hand.
"Then, I''ll ept your congrattions, but please abandon the idea of Sangam-dong. As father-inw already mentioned, principles such as excludingrge conglomerates like Sunyang and DaeHyun will be strictly adhered to."
Mayor Choi openly revealed that he had overheard their conversation in the adjacent room. However, Chairman Chu showed no signs of being flustered.
"That''s not it. It''s a good policy to revive struggling constructionpanies. Don''t misinterpret my intentions. I genuinely mean it."
"Very well. I''ll take your sincerity. Let''s postpone the meal. I''ll be on my way..."
As Mayor Choi started to rise from his seat, Chairman Chu extended his hand to make him sit back down.
"Oh, this man. If someone''s about to do something significant, do they need to be in such a hurry? Stay seated for a moment."
The word "significant" caught Mayor Choi''s attention. He hesitated and slowly sat back down.
"Mayor Choi, you probably already know, but living with inws is never easy. Men in our country all go through the ordeal of being cautious around our wives, but living with your father-inw, mother-inw... even being cautious around your nieces and nephews... It''s a whole different level."
"Chairman, scratching my pride won''t do any good. It won''t be difficult for DaeHyun Group to trip up over just one issue like the Seoul city permit problem."
"Oh dear, don''t be frightened. When you live with your inws, it''smon for men to be submissive at home and then raise their voices when they step outside. Haha."
"Chairman!" Mayor Choi shouted with a reddened face, as if he were being teased.
"I''m here to offer help with living with your inws. Our Mayor Choi, you might as well bring a sedan chair along on your way to the Blue House. What do you say?"
Mayor Choi was left speechless by Chairman Chu''s unexpected proposal.
The Blue House?
Chairman Chu continued speaking in front of the stunned Mayor Choi. "Mayor Choi''s father-inw has already set boundaries. Don''t you know that? He''s the type of person who wouldn''t hesitate to sow salt on the path to the Blue House." Chairman Chu gave a faint smile. "Aren''t there people who are reluctant even to give to their own flesh and blood? Let alone to their inws...? People who can''t bear to see others seed."
"Why are you saying this to me, Chairman?" Mayor Choi regained hisposure and managed to speak.
"For me, investing in people has always been natural. When this administration ends, a new era will begin. Whether it''s democracy or dictatorship, it''s the era of either Yang or Kim. New figures will emerge without a doubt. Maybe the Seoul mayor will be at the forefront."
"Chairman, isn''t your fourth son also a politician? A three-term legitor."
"He won''t do. He''s the kind of guy who sticks a g in his car factory''s district and runs for election. He might secure a fifth or tenth term in that constituency, but that''s it. Bing a more prominent politician is impossible."
Chairman Chu''s son serves as a legitor, wearing the badge of the ruling party and understanding perfectly well that his father''s words hold true.
"I''m from Sunyang Group."
"Where is the root of a politician? They wander around here and there. If anyone supports, guides, or embraces them, that ce bes their root, doesn''t it?"
"..."
"And both the Seoul mayor and the President need a broad heart. They can embrace both Sunyang and DaeHyun at once."
"Could they be a source of strength for both groups simultaneously?"
Chairman Chu didn''t provide a clear answer to Mayor Choi''s question. Instead, he started making an unexpectedment while looking at him with a mischievous smile.
"Can I give you one piece of advice?"
"I''ll listen carefully."
"I only have three wives. Two are not officially registered, and I could only register one."
"Isn''t this a public secret? Besides, in your generation, Chairman, having three wives is nothing to be ashamed of."
"That''s what I''m saying. It''s no different from the past. Divorcing and remarrying isn''t a problem. What''s wrong with registering two or three wives officially?"
Mayor Choi was taken aback. Even though Jin Seo-yoon, who was trusted by his family and used to make a fuss asionally, there was no reason to disrupt their marriage.
Moreover, all three of their children were grown up. They had long passed the difficult times, and there was no reason to end their marriage.
"Oh, you''ve gone too far. I have no intention of divorcing my wife."
"Who said you should divorce immediately? If needed, live together as much as you want. If the timees when you need to raise your voice, give her a chance. If you listen and behave well, you can live on just fine. In fact, from the moment you be the Seoul mayor, you should consider the knife is already in your hands."
Not having to be under his wife''s control was the real freedom felt.
Chairman Chu''s intentions became clear.
No matter how much his wife controlled things from behind the scenes, he could still be the Mayor of Seoul and even dream of a presidential run through his own merit. If he became the President, it would mean that he could use his wife to take over Sunyang, not the other way around.
It also implied forming an alliance with DaeHyun Group.
No matter how powerful these two groups were, it wouldn''t be difficult for a president to grant various favors to both groups simultaneously.
Mayor Choi didn''t dislike Chairman Chu''s sponsorship proposal. He thought of his father-inw but also felt his heart race, as if he were having an affair.
"Are we still far from getting our meal? Suddenly, you seem to be in a hurry to eat." Mayor Choi chuckled and smiled at Chairman Chu.
"How much have we collected so far?"
"Well, after announcing the development n, spectors flocked in like crazy, so it''s challenging to pick out only Yeong-jun''s shares."
Jin Seo-yoon responded somewhat gruffly, causing the corners of her eyes to twitch. But she took a deep breath and restrained herself. Holding a position as a city leader for ten million citizens had changed her. She was no longer as refined and graceful as she once was.
Chapter 118 Light Jabs to Start 4
Chapter 118 Light Jabs to Start 4
"Miss, Vice Chairman is looking for you."
She got up upon hearing the voice from outside the bedroom. It had arrived.
After gathering her wits, she went downstairs to the living room, where her husband looked like he hadn''t fully sobered up yet, shaking his head.
"What a lightweight you are. Tsk, tsk." Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi cleared his throat once and his expression turned cold again. "My goodness, you''ve been drinking too? Are you still not fully sober?"
"Oh, no. Father. I just felt a bit unwell..."
"Is that why you''re skipping breakfast, which isn''t good for your health?"
Although it was irritating that he kept probing when he clearly knew the situation, she couldn''t say a word and just lowered her head.
"Listen, dear. Don''t just listen to what I have to say without thinking. You must inform your family about it."
"...Yes."
she was afraid of what he was going to say, but couldn''t defy his order. His expression and tone were serious enough to make it clear that she had to do as he said.
"You have never bought anynd, do you understand?"
"What?"
"Whether it''s one person or four who bought thend, you don''t know anything about it. You never asked your maternal family for assistance. In other words, you have absolutely no involvement in this matter. Do you understand?"
"Oh, Father, that... that''s..."
It was an impossible im. Han Seo-young had personally received special treatment from real estate agents and had scoured Suseong-dong herself, hadn''t she?
As the daughter of a mediapany, she knew that even rookie journalists wouldn''t miss the fact that she personally confirmed and purchased thend by visiting several real estate offices.
"Haven''t you understood my words yet? What if it bes public knowledge that the eldest grand-daughter-inw of the Sunyang family''s first act wasnd spection? What kind of disgrace will that bring to the family?" Father didn''t care and continued. No, he ordered. "If anyone can find out that it was you, not only you but also your family will pay a severe price for it."
"Yes."
She could only answer humbly for now, even if she could considered the methodster.
"And Yeong-jun."
"Yes, Father."
"Raise your head. That''s the only way I can p you. It''s not right to hit grown-up children on the back of their heads, is it? Your head is already messed up enough; it shouldn''t get any worse."
Jin Yeong-jun clenched his teeth to hold back the curse words that were about to burst out. Slowly, he raised his head, but his father''s hand remained still.
Summoning the courage, Jin Yeong-jun spoke up. "Father, I will handle this."
"You? How?" Father''s face, with the corners of his mouth turning up, clearly mocked him. But for now, he needed to appease his father as much as possible.
"Most of thend I purchased is under corporate names, not mine. And for thend in my name, I''ll transfer it to thepany at the purchase price."
"And then?"
"We have to leave it alone until things calm down."
"Leave it alone? Thend value is dropping day by day."
"Right now, there are no buyers. Even if I put it up for sale, nobody''s interested."
"Unsblend, how much more did you pay for it?"
He pretended not to hear his father''s continuous ridicule.
"When the development in Sangam-dong begins, thatnd will also find its ce. It''s strategically located with a road in between. It will definitely go up in value. When that happens, we can sell it without any loss."
"I see. So you''ll make money someday. It''s a 10-year development period...around ten years from now. You rascal! You call that a n!"
Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi''s arm was about to rise as he held back, and Han Seo-young quickly spoke up.
"Oh, Grandfather. Not... not Grandfather, I mean... I''ll meet with aunt-inw to resolve this."
"You stay quiet!" Jin Yeong-jun shouted in frustration, but it was toote. "Oh, Ipletely forgot about our youngest daughter-inw. Well, if you have a good idea, tell me."
"Uncle-inw held an official press conference, but we can just put additional procedures on hold temporarily. I''ll spread rumors among the Gangnam businessmen in the meantime. It''s all part of the n to cool down the overheated spection. I''ll execute it as nned. Then we can sell it off in a sh." Han Seo-young poured out her words like a machine gun, thinking of it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"Oh, I see. Now it seems our granddaughter-inw''s head is quite extraordinary. So, if I understand correctly, you came up with a cunning n in an instant."
Han Seo-young, looking at her father-inw''s expression, realized why her husband had tried to stop her from speaking. She could see how angry he was by the trembling muscles in his face. And she didn''t miss the look of disdain in his eyes.
In her haste, she had momentarily forgotten that people like him despised one thing above all else: repeating what they said.
"Saegaga (Young Lady), go upstairs right now and pack your things."
"Yes?"
"Pack your things and go to your parents'' house. Don''te back until you''vepletely erased your traces in this matter. Do you understand?"
"Yes!"
Han Seo-young rushed upstairs as if she were escaping.
Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi wanted to beat his son but restrained himself. Shouldn''t a father be responsible for what his foolish child has caused?
Anxiety.
Aunt had started concocting something unexpected, even in the n that had been carefullyid out. The result might be the same, but it felt uneasy that it might end in chaos without any ie. It could be at the mercy of Aunt''s hands. Whether there''s a political backing, a powerful figure, or words from someone who holds power, they carry weight.
For now, they needed to keep an eye on Aunt''s movements.
And...
I must proceed with my n as well. This time, it''s going to be a bit more challenging.
Because this n is not about using knowledge of the future or fighting the opponent. It''s about imnting desires in someone who isn''t greedy. Persuading is much easier when you touch desires rather than appealing to someone''s good intentions. A person without great ambition is smiling at me right now.
"I get a bit nervous seeing our son''s serious face. What is it? What''s with that solemn expression?"
"Usually, in times like this, I should be smiling while talking, but it''s noting easily."
Chapter 119 Iron Fist and The Hundred-Year Guest 1
Chapter 119 Iron Fist and The Hundred-Year Guest 1
I couldn''t help but smile as I imagined a life of hobbies. Sensing my father carefully observing my expression, I had to refocus on business matters.
"As I mentioned earlier, dramas and games are for the future. For now, it''s all about movies. We n to secure both free and paid movie channels and then gradually expand from there."
"Cable broadcasting..." My father hadn''t considered such thoughts yet, so he neither approved nor disapproved.
"Father, the idea of cable channels encroaching on terrestrial broadcasting isn''t a distant future. Look at the USA."
Channels like USA, TNT, FX, MTV, and Syfy, not to mention premium cable channels like HBO, Showtime, and Starz, have thrived. Especially in the USA, they not only rebroadcast terrestrial programs but also produce their original series.
These series will start sweeping the Golden Globe and Emmy Awards from 2000 onwards. The leading ce for the entertainment sector led by cable channels is the USA.
"Well, can Korea really be like the USA? Even with three terrestrial channels, we''re already overflowing with content."
"Well-made programs with unique characteristics are the key. People will find good restaurants even if they''re in a remote location. Ultimately, the sess of channel businesses down to high-quality content, right?"
"Maybe in theory, but..."
"The market is just starting to open up now. We should rely on theory to guide us."
My father fell into deep thought. He mightck perception in some areas, but if he went so far as to speak bluntly like this, he must have someone in mind.
However, the response that followed exceeded my expectations.
"Do-jun, there might not be many who boldly im that your n is possible, that they can take charge and make it work. However, most of those who do are usually scammers. This industry is overflowing with them."
"So, are you saying there''s no suitable person?"
My father nodded. "Unless you''re a savvy entrepreneur, even assembling a team can be overwhelming. You need someone who can endure at least ten years of losses while reducing the deficit. Those who talk about making money from the get-go are also usually scammers."
What should I do then? Someone who isn''t a scammer, who can look at things with a clear perspective and, in ten years, be the number one powerhouse in Chungmuro. But can''t even read his son''s intentions.
"So, you''re saying there''s no one trustworthy except for the person I had in mind?"
"What? Did you already think of someone and still asked me?"
"Yes. No matter how much I think about it, the only person I can think of as the top candidate is that person. I just wondered if you might have someone else in mind, Father."
"Who is this person? Do I know them? It''s not Oh Sehyun, is it?"
"Uncle Sehyun is already swamped with his current work. The person I have in mind has proper experience in managing and economics from the UK, has worked in the media field for ten years, and currently holds a firm grip on Chungmuro."
This should be enough for him to figure it out.
And indeed, my father was quick to catch on.
His eyes widened, and he froze.
"I n to pour money into this project for the next ten years precisely. We''ve already covered the losses, and I''m only thinking about building a media empire to bepleted in ten years. We''ll invest first and start reaping the rewardster. Oh, by the way, DCN was preparing to expand into multiplexes. If we acquire them, we''ll start that too."
Securing quality content, providing the space and channels to consume that contentthough the puzzle picture was simple, its size was enormous.
"Can I really do this?"
His expression and response were both subtle.
Clearly, there was a desire to proceed, but could it be hesitation due to the fear of failure? Or perhaps it was the fear of squandering his son''s money, especially such a vast amount?
I, too,cked confidence in sess. With only funds, it might not be enough to create a media empire that would dominate Korea. Furthermore, my father''s capabilities might not meet my expectations.
But what did it matter?
Money could be earned again, and failure would be another experience. After all, establishing a media empire was not my primary goal. It was meant for the joy unique to our family, something that uncles and cousins would never experience.
The struggle to seize Grandfather''s legacy was a battle I could handle on my own. Our family wanted to savor the delight of conquering new territory.
Regardless, I needed to motivate my father, filling in the gaps of his wavering confidence.
"If you don''t think you can do it, Father, then there''s nothing I can do. I''ll search for someone else. No matter what, no matter how much money it takes, this n will definitely begin."
Would my father stand by and watch his son be clearly scammed by someone else?
"Do, Do-jun. Don''t rush. We need time to think. We have to see if there are people willing to join us, people with talent. Regardless of what others say, for media, individuals with exceptional skills are more important than money."
"Yes. It''s still a long way off before we break ground in Sangam-dong. Take your time and think it over carefully, especially when we start the construction after acquiring DCN."
Seeing my father, who had turned crimson with emotion, made me feel somewhat content. He looked like a young and passionate person even more than I did.
"Yeong-jun used some of the subsidiarypany''s money."
"I''ve heard about it and... did he squander all that money?"
"I''m sorry. I must have taught the child wrong."
Chairman Jin sighed disapprovingly, looking down at his head-hung son.
"It''s like father, like son, isn''t it, when ites to parenting?"
No matter how you put it, a reprimand was in order.
"But, you see, isn''t it true that Yeong-jun isn''t the kind of person who''s obsessed with making money? Why did he suddenly buy real estate?" When Jin Yeong-gi hesitated to answer, Chairman Jin spoke again. "Was it because I didn''t know about that development area? I was trying to be careful because the country is chaotic, and it''s my first business venture with Choi Seo-bang. But why would Yeong-jun suddenly..."
"In truth, I got ess to the development ns first."
"Really? Did Choi Seo-bang tell you? Or was it Seo-yoon?"
Jin Yeong-gi had the same thought. It was clear that his young son was manipted by Seo-bang through Do-jun. And Seo-yoon had been the mastermind.
This was the scenario he had in mind.
But could he say in front of his father that he had been outsmarted by his younger sister?
"No, it''s not that. Do-jun seems to have identally seen the development ns... I think it came up in a conversation when they were having a drink. Yeong-jun used that as a clue and looked into it."
Chapter 121 Iron Fist and The Hundred-Year Guest 3
Chapter 121 Iron Fist and The Hundred-Year Guest 3
"Do-jun."
"Yes?"
"Do you think also think that this grandfather of yours is that nasty?"
"Why are you suddenly asking that?"
"I don''t just let my sons fight, even encourages it, and seems to enjoy it when my grandson gets into trouble."
"Well... there''s some truth to that. Hehe."
Though he said it seriously, I could only take it as a joke. I wanted to avoid making it more serious.
"It seems like you''ve figured out the purpose of the trip to Gunsan, now that you''re not hiding your intentions."
"Yes. It''s clear that both Uncle and Aunt are making an effort to bring me in."
"The one who fights and wins gets everything. I''ve never seen someone who just takes what''s given and actually holds onto it. Do you know how many businesses disappeared over the 50-plus years since liberation? They all got everything handed to them, and that''s why."
"It seems you''re curious whether I''ll get involved in that fight or not."
"No, I''m curious about how much more I need to give you. Haven''t you been in the fight for a long time now?" Grandfather said with a twinkle in his eye.
Wait a minute, we need to rify this. He''s a meticulous man, and I can''t make mistakes in calctions.
"Grandfather, what do you mean by giving me more... I haven''t received anything yet."
"What did you say? Hey, you little thief. What''s with you? Hehe."
"And Grandfather, there''s something you must never forget."
"What now?"
"I saved your life. When the ident happened."
"Look at this guy. Even after the ident, you were perfectly fine!" His satisfied smilested only briefly as Grandfather lowered his voice again. "Do-jun."
"Yes?"
"You should give a piece of rice cake to the one who''s crying."
Why would he suddenly say something so random?
"I can''t help but think this when I see a child who''scking: Our Do-jun will do just fine with a little less. If we give them the same, the other kids won''t even have a chance topete, especially their sons. That''s what I think."
I understand Grandfather''s feelings.
Bloodlines are a powerful thing.
I may have met my bloodline across one generation, but for the elders, isn''t it across many generations?
I understand the pride that forces them to cloak the truth behind ability, without daring to utter the words "because of blood."
"Starting from tomorrow, I''ll cry and show my shorings too. But until today, I''ll continue to y the role of the aplished grandson as you wish."
"How will you do that?"
"Grandfather, just do as you wish. Isn''t the Sunyang Group yours?"
The affection for the Sunyang Group more than his own children. That''s where I can ce my hope.
"Hey, won''t we face a bacsh for this?"
"Private matters are even more frightening. Each word is like a dagger. Right now, Aunt''s husband won''t know what to do."
Oh Sehyun threw the newspaper on the table. "Why are you overdoing it like this... What if it backfires on DMC too?"
"Perhaps, right? Let''s excludend spection and focus on making DMC itself the epicenter of corruption. Emphasize that it''s not a bidding process but a fixed contract."
"Hey, are you talking as if you''re just watching a fire across the river? Don''t you think you should stop Hanseong Ilbo? Today it''s just Hanseong Ilbo, but tomorrow, all the newspapers will pick it up."
"Do I have a better n? If you''re thinking about Grandfather, forget it. He''s already drawn the line that he won''t get involved."
"What if DMC really falls apart?" Oh Sehyun had a face full of worry.
"That won''t happen. Sunyang Construction takes at least 30% of the project, Grandfather won''t just sit by. He may watch Aunt''s husband get beaten up, but if he touches the business, Hanseong Ilbo will be torn apart."
"Well, that''s a relief."
Oh Se-hyun''s worries eased, but mine didn''t.
What should I do about Aunt''s husband?
The man who had been following orders from his wife and seemed somewhat inadequate could go anywhere. It had only been a few days since he took office.
Did Grandfather know about Aunt''s husband''s true nature? Is that why he opposed his involvement in politics so vehemently?
For now, I need to meet Aunt.
Taming a husband who was once docile, if his wifemanded it, was just right.
"Uncle, what do you think about meeting Aunt before Aunt''s husband causes a bigger problem?"
"Yeah, that''s a good idea. It''s not good to be anxious. Let''s firmly instruct him to keep quiet until DMC takes off."
When we were about to pick up our bags and leave, the door suddenly swung open.
"Oh Se-hyun! Look at this! Look at this bastard. Where''s he pulling these stunts? How dare he!"
The person shouting with heavy breath at the door was none other than Kang Mu-sung.
"What''s all this out of nowhere? And watch yournguage. He''s just a kid!"
"Why did you kick me out of my room? I came to work, and it''s under construction. You didn''t even tell me anything. What''s going on?"
"Oh, that? It''s because of a new recruit. He''s a former high-ranking official, and he''ll be a significant help to our business. We need to allocate him a good room, but there''s no space."
"What? These guys... Do they think I wouldn''t find out? They haven''t been paying me my sry sincest month, my car disappeared, and now they''re taking my room? Are they trying to kick me out?"
While Kang Mu-sung was running around the room, Oh Sehyun remained calm and rxed.
"You''re quite perceptive. If you have that much sense, why did you even bothering all the way here? Just resign and stay home, as you''ve been doing."
"Hey!"
"What? Be careful with your words before making harsh usations."
When Oh Sehyun responded provocatively, Kang Mu-sung''s fists trembled in anger.
Uncle is quite harsh. I thought he would leave Kang Mu-sung be for at least six months, but he''s kicking him out after just three months. And on top of that, he''s humiliating him by taking away my office.
He''s giving back what Kang Mu-sung did.
He''s removed the desk overnight, fired the employees, and even took thepany''s money without paying the owed sries. He''s made the CEO, who disappeared without notice, feel the injustice his employees felt.
Chapter 120 Iron Fist and The Hundred-Year Guest 2
Chapter 120 Iron Fist and The Hundred-Year Guest 2
The briefing room at Seoul City Hall buzzed with cameras and journalists.
The rumor had already spread like wildfire. The mayor of Seoul was about to make a major announcement, and the contents were said to be so shocking that it defied imagination.
As journalists exchanged information and created a mor, Mayor Choi Seo-bang stood at the podium with a stern expression, holding several pages of notes.
When the camera shes went off, Mayor Choi adjusted the microphone height and began to speak.
"I stand before you today with a heart full of apologies to the citizens of Seoul and the nation. Even though I may not have known, I deeply apologize once again for the involvement of my family in unfortunate events."
He took a step to the side and bowed deeply.
The journalists had no doubt that today''s press conference was a major scoop. Mayor Choi''s family might just be aw firm, but wasn''t his inws directly associated with the Sunyang Group? If Mayor Choi was holding a press conference, there had to be something significant rted to the Sunyang Group.
"A few days ago, I announced a n right here to curb overheated real estate spection. Since that time, we have received numerous tips indicating illegal activities in the process of real estate acquisition, and the city of Seoul has forwarded all of this information to the prosecution." Mayor Choi adopted a more solemn expression as he addressed the cameras. "However, there has been no sign that the prosecution has initiated an investigation so far, and instead, suspicious individuals have been flocking to the investigative offices, demanding the deletion of transaction records. How can such a thing happen? Acent prosecution, evidence being destroyed..."
As he trailed off, lowering his head, the journalists began to murmur. Mayor Choi remained in that position for a while before raising his head.
"I mentioned two parties at the beginning. The first is the prosecution, which is my origin as a public servant, and the second is my inws, the Sunyang Group. The entity that fueled real estate spection is my inws, and the entity that knowingly aided them is none other than the prosecution. As the mayor of Seoul, I can no longer turn a blind eye to this. That''s why I demand action from the National Assembly. If the prosecution doesn''t move, please, let the National Assembly take action."
The journalists'' expressions soured, and they began to murmur.
"What''s going on? Why is the National Assembly involved here?"
"Are they suggesting a special investigation? For real estate spection? Isn''t this overkill?"
"He''s ying a move. Trying to avoid any misunderstandings that he might have leaked information."
"It''s a power y. He wants to show that the Sunyang Group and himself are separate entities."
"Damn it, Mayor Choi is putting on a show, and we''re just puppets standing around."
"It''s all for show. There''s something fishy about the Sunyang Group and the prosecution, isn''t there? Let''s follow the rhythm. Hehe."
Mayor Choi, observing the journalists'' mixed reactions, quickly concluded the press conference. He had conveyed his message sufficiently and was satisfied.
"That guy must have lost his mind...!"
Jin Yeong-gi, the vice chairman, who had been watching TV, immediately took out his phone. However, the person he called was not Mayor Choi.
"Seo-yoon,e to thepany right now."
"Oppa, why are you so sudden? I''m busy too. Can''t we talk over the phone?"
"Do you know what your husband, Choi, has been up to?"
"Be careful with your words. What''s wrong with him? You''re scaring me, Oppa."
"Loudmouth! Did you order this? Hey! If my son is in trouble, that''s one thing, but why dig it up and make it a big deal? Can you handle this?"
"What? This is childish. Are you trying to threaten me?"
The harsh voice of the younger sister pierced through his ears.
"Threaten? No, it''s a warning. Stop right here. If you take one more step, even your husband won''t be safe." After abruptly ending the call, Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi made another phone call. "I need to make sure today''s news rted to the Seoul mayor... block any follow-up reports. If we don''t wrap it up as a one-time story, it will cause trouble for Sunyang."
Incidents and idents were happening almost daily. In two or three days, the Seoul mayor''s press conference would be a distant memory.
One more call, and he could extinguish the urgent fire. But it seemed even more urgent on the other end. Jin Yeong-gi''s mobile phone rang.
"Oh, it''s the chief prosecutor."
"Vice Chairman, what was Mayor Choi''s press conference about today? The kids were watching, and they rushed here, bewildered..."
"Just ignore it. They''re trying to make a media ssh. That''s how politicians are."
"It''s a bit difficult. Deputy Chief of Staff just contacted me. It''s rted to a government policy about making the country a cultural powerhouse. They say it''s problematic if any noise gets mixed in. They want a clean and thorough resolution, even if there''s a hint of suspicion."
The expression on Jin Yang-cheol''s face darkened as he held the phone. It seemed like the situation had escted. All the way to the Blue House... "Why is everyone acting like this? Making a fuss over buying somend! And it''s not like we made any money; it''s a huge loss. Let''s keep things reasonable."
"Vice Chairman, our position..."
"Fine, I get it. I''ll talk to the Blue House, so just wait a little longer."
Ending the call, Vice Chairman Jin Yang-cheol finally felt that something was amiss.
Deputy Chief of Staff...
His way with words wasn''t getting through, and it wasn''t a direct line either; he had to go through a few intermediaries. Especially after the change of administration, it was even moreplicated.
If he were his father, he could connect directly, but in this case, rushing to see his father was absolutely out of the question. It would only make matters worse. In a bad way.
"He''s doing a good job. Now he''s even selling off his nephew?"
Grandfather didn''t have an angry expression; he looked at his daughter-inw with a pitiful expression.
"Father, this time it couldn''t be helped. Thend Yeong-jun purchased is enormous, tens of thousands of square meters. If this bes public knowledge, it will endanger my husband. It''s impossible to erase suspicions of insider trading by diverting the development n. This could lead to a parliamentary hearing or a special prosecutor investigation. Do you know how many people are targeting him?"
The furious aunt offered her justifications, but the grandfather''s expression remained unchanged.
"That''s not it. Did Yeong-jun manipte things to buy thend, and did Choi intentionally expose it to mimic an upright Seoul mayor?"
Chapter 122 Iron Fist and The Hundred-Year Guest 4
Chapter 122 Iron Fist and The Hundred-Year Guest 4
"Aunt, did you not have anyone by Uncle Choi''s side?"
"Huh? What do you mean, someone?"
She was too dismissive of her husband. She would assign people one by one to her brothers, monitoring what they were doingof course, she would also be monitored in returnbut she hadn''t assigned anyone to her husband.
"I thought you had at least one of your people among the market secretary or assistants. Weren''t they the ones he''s been with since his days as a prosecutor?"
"Oh..."
Aunt was certain that her husband was not a threat to her. And now she was paying the price for hercency. Including me, damn it.
"Ms. Jin, it seems there might be changes around Mayor Choi. Seoul''s annual budget has exceeded 10 trillion won for the first time this year. Won''t such a huge amount of money attract trouble?"
In twenty years, it would probably triple, wouldn''t it? Whether it''s now or twenty years from now, it feels like all we do is pay more taxes.
"So, does that mean there''s someone trying to meddle with our guy?"
"The possibility is high."
Aunt found it hard to agree with Oh Se-hyun''s opinion. Of course.
Unless you''re a crazy fly, who would want to instigate a fight with the prosecution? Her husband''s current actions were undoubtedly his own choice.
As Aunt and Oh Sehyun exchanged opinions, their conversation flowed into my ears.
Who could it be?
If they''re ignoring even their essential wife, who''s also a money source and necessary for the presidential election, it''s not just a fly, but an eagle that''s sticking around.
Until we know who he is, it''s useless to nag them.
"Aunt."
"Yes."
The two of them stopped their conversation and turned their gaze to me.
"Is there anyone among Uncle Choi''s close associates who Aunt could order around? Can you think of anyone?"
"Well, I haven''t paid much attention..."
"Talk to people and find out. Uncle Choi values academic background and connections with the prosecution, so look for someone who fit into that circle."
Aunt nodded. She was a quick-witted woman who could instantly grasp my meaning.
"And now, stop nagging. It seems like everything that''s been bottled up is about to explode. No one can stop it."
"Hold back? What have you been holding back?"
"Wives, whether they are daughters of conglomerates or ordinary people, have one thing inmon. In a marriage, they often believe that wives are much more patient and tolerant than husbands."
Just as I was about to speak, the impatient Oh Sehyun began to talk. "Ms. Jin, men living in their inws'' homes often lead a stifled life. Mayor Choi was awyer, but didn''t he live as an unemployed person without taking any cases? Thanks to the Sunyang Group, he was able to make a living. No matter what you say, didn''t he live while nodding his head in agreement with everything? He lived hiding his pride."
He said it as if he was talking about his own affairs, but it didn''t seem to resonate. Since talking further would be useless, Oh Sehyun sighed.
I had to end the discussion with Aunt here. Isn''t it clear that it''s beyond control?
"Why is this happening? How can such a thing ur overnight?"
When Oh Sehyun expressed disbelief, I couldn''t believe my eyes either.
Even if I spread the major daily newspapers on the table andpared them, my eyes were not deceiving me.
Starting with the Hanseong Ilbo, all newspapers were praising Mayor Choi Seo-bang''s courage.
The courage of someone who is both the son-inw of a conglomerate and revealed the spective activities of a household member required tremendous determination that an ordinary person could not muster. Thepliments being showered were enough to make anyone feel embarrassed.
And cautiously, there were calls for the prosecution to investigate.
Even without any illegal activities, the newspapers were firmly on the side of the Seoul mayor, to the extent of provoking the prosecution.
"Hey, could your grandfather have yed a role in this?"
"There''s absolutely no way."
Once words are spoken, they are not easily changed.
But even the Hanseong Ilbo is defending Uncle Choi! This doesn''t make sense.
If yesterday''s attack was a taste, isn''t today the perfect time for a full-scale offensive?
"Uncle, it seems like our Uncle Choi has found quite the sponsor, doesn''t it?"
The media bowing down to politicians only happens when they are either pressured by power or lured by money.
The Seoul mayor is not a position that major mediapanies would fear, so it''s undoubtedly due to money.
"A sponsor?"
"Yes, a sponsor who can promise extensive advertising in all major newspapers."
"Let''s wait and see..."
With such substantial financial backing, there are only two categories.
Either a conglomerate or a constructionpany.
Real estate sales upy most of the newspaper advertisements. The new products of major conglomerates fill the front pages with advertisements, while real estate advertisements fill every empty space.
"Changing thend''s purpose for the Seoul mayor should be a piece of cake, right?"
"That''s right. With a reliable backer in hand, he won''t even listen to his wife''s words. This gentleman has sessfully escaped from his inw''s control."
I tossed all the newspapers aside.
I wasn''t angry at Uncle Choi''s audacity. I was angry at my own narrow perspective, which had thought of making such a person the president as a strong partner.
How long has it been since he took office as mayor, and he''s already running around looking for sponsors?
Oh Sehyun watched me without saying a word while I was in abative mood. He must have felt that we had already reached a point of no return.
"I''m sorry, Uncle. For showing this side of me."
"No, it''s the same for both of us, misjudging people."
"We should be satisfied with what we gained from DMC. We don''t know what kind of trouble we might get into if we stay with Uncle Choi."
"I think the same. A guy who only chases after people who suit his taste is hopeless. We don''t know who the sponsor is, but it''s certain that we''ll end up being used by that person."
Chapter 123 Venture Spirit 1
Chapter 123 Venture Spirit 1
After barely convincing my father not to see me off, I arrived at the airport, where unexpectedly, Oh Sehyun was waiting for me.
"Why did youe all the way here?"
"Just curious, buddy. Isn''t the new carunch in three days? Wouldn''t it be nice to see the new carunch?"
"No, thanks. Whether I see it or not won''t make any difference to me."
"But it''s the first caring out with the HW name."
It''s just a minivan that has been in the works since the days of Ahjin Automobile. It''s unrted to the purpose of my acquisition of the carpany, and it''s happening out of inertia. There''s nothing special about it. The reason for the acquisition will be revealed, and that reason will be HW''s slogan when we enter the New Millennium.
Bing a new carpany in a new era is eye-catching and symbolic.
"For now, it might be better if you keep a low profile. It might be misconstrued as interference by thergest shareholder. How about not attending the new carunch? Leave it to the experts for a while. Aren''t Ahjin and Sunyang full of experts?"
"No, I want to go. I need to make asional appearances to keep those guys on their toes."
The role of an investor, or rather a shareholder, is better understood by someone who knows it much better than I do, so I didn''t say any more.
"By the way, have you talked to my father?"
"About DMC?"
"Yes."
"If you haven''t gotten a definite answer from your father, why would you think you can get one from me?"
"Isn''t it more natural to confide in a friend than a son?"
"Children... can be sensitive." Oh Sehyunughed and tapped my shoulder. "Just wait a little longer. He have a strong desire to do it, but is being more cautious due to concerns about the practical feasibility."
"At least please mention it subtly to him that we need it by the end of this year. Once the preparations are done it would be best to move in immediately, right? Many people will follow once he establish your presence."
"Don''t worry about this. Go there, do your work, ande back. I''ve already talked to them over there, so there won''t be any inconvenience."
I told him I was taking a vacation, but it seems I wasn''t believed.
"Okay. I''ll Take it easy." I sent a worried Oh Sehyun away and boarded the flight to New York.
"Do-jun!" I heard someone calling my name with excitement at the immigration desk.
"Hyung!"
Seeing Sang-Jun hyung after a year, he looked quite different.
His mboyant, brightly colored hair, which he used to style like a rock star, was nowhere to be seen, and he was dressed in in blue jeans and a shirt - apletely ordinary appearance.
"What''s up? Did you give up on music? You look so ordinary now."
"Yeah, I quit. Hehe." His somewhat gloomyughter confirmed that he wasn''t joking.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Let''s talk about it slowly in the car. Mother is preparing a feast for you. Even if you have to force yourself, eat everything."
As we entered the apartment where my mother and brother lived, the smell of food filled the air. It seemed like my mother had some misconceptions. I hadn''t returned from abroad; I hade to New York from Korea.
Yet the dining table was full of Korean dishes.
Even if it wasn''t my brother''s request, I should be grateful for this sentiment. I ate everything, emptying my tepletely and soothing my almost bursting stomach.
I had been eating alone for the past year.
Once I adjusted to the time difference, my brother and I sat down with a ss of alcohol and had a conversation.
"So, did you really give up on music?"
"Yeah."
"Why?"
"The only thing I realized in the past two years is this: I was just a spectator, not the lead or even a supporting actor. I couldn''t even get on stage as an extra."
"No chance at all?"
As I poured alcohol into the ss, my brother, Sang-jun, smiled bitterly and lowered his head.
"Those guys ying old guitars and singing on the streets of New York are better than me."
"But you weren''t originally dreaming of bing a singer, right? Weren''t you into producing?"
"That''s right. But to extract music through the instrument called a singer, and I couldn''t do that. I have a pretty good ear for music, and that was it."
"So, what are you doing now?"
"Nothing at all. Just fooling around here."
Though he might bementing hisck of talent, the sight of my humble brother with his head down is poignant.
"How about it? If you fool around enough, you might see the end. Don''t rush things. It took me two years to realize my limitations, so it might take about two years to find new possibilities, right?"
Sang-jun hyung looked at me and chuckled softly.
"We should have been born in reverse order. That would have suited us better."
"Wow! Howard. Look at You! What a gorgeous!"
It''s been about three years since west met, right?
Though we''ve aged, Rachel Arieff, who now presents a much more refined appearance, with her typical exaggerated style, warmly embraced me.
"You''re the same way. How long are you going to stay so stylish?"
Rachel smiled widely in response to mypliment.
Darn it. Why do these kinds of remarks onlye out when I meet people for work?
When ites to Min-Young, who I meet maybe once a month, my first words are usually about what we should eat.
"James said the same thing. He told me not to do anything since you''re dealing with a lot ofplicated stuff these days."
"But I can''t just hold back a busy person like you. I''ll just try not to get too rusty."
Perhaps it''s because I''ve known her since I was ten years old, given that she''s the thirdrgest shareholder and manages over two billion dors, Rachel took on the role of a big sister and spoke to me.
"Okay. How about a brief update on the situation?"
"Let''s finish eating first."
After filling our stomachs with sd and French fries at a Manhattan restaurant, we headed to the Miracle Investment headquarters.
It seemed like I might never get used to Wall Street.
This is a ce where a different species from humans live. Hollywood is the same.
Chapter 124 Venture Spirit 2
Chapter 124 Venture Spirit 2
Rachel scrutinized my expression with a coffee cup in front of her.
I looked around the office, avoiding her gaze. As the head of the US subsidiary and the key yer in Miracle, thepany handling thergest sums of money, she exuded an air of sophistication.
I may not have liked it, but I had decided to acknowledge and ept the culture here. The boundaries between frugality and extravagance were often blurry.
"Howard, tell me honestly. Why did youe to the United States?"
"You saw it. I came to warn against excessive optimism about dotpanies."
"Is that really the only reason?" She observed me with an eagle eye, not missing a beat, and now she seemed more persistent. Was there another reason?
"It seems like you have something to say. What is it? Tell me honestly." She burst intoughter, catching me off guard.
"This, this is too much. Haha."
"Is it a proposal? A request? Or perhaps an entreaty?"
"It''s a proposal."
"Go ahead and say itfortably."
"Shall we go to LA?"
This time, I was taken aback. How did she know I was thinking about going to California?
"What? Are you thinking of LA too?"
"It''s simr but not quite. I was actually considering San Francisco."
"San Francisco? Why?"
"Stanford University."
"It''s a great university." Rachel nodded. It was clear she was under the impression that I was preparing to study abroad. "It would suit you because it''s a school that has produced many outstanding business geniuses like you."
A ce where young millionaires drop out of school to prepare for startups one after another.
A ce that has already produced founders ofpanies like GAP, Nike, Victoria''s Secret, Yahoo, Hewlett-Packard, Dolby, and Sun Microsystems, among others.
Do I even have a chance to study here? I''m here to meet those who have dropped out of school or are nning to.
But more than that, I''m curious about LA.
"However, why LA? Is it because of the movies?"
"Yeah, there''s a screening of ''Saving Private Ryan'' next month. We always get invited, you know. Just like you said, we''ve invested in every DreamWorks film since its founding. It''s almost like a partnership."
"Just that doesn''t really excite me."
I''m tired of it.
I must have seen it several times in theaters when it was released, and it''s been on TV countless times since then, hasn''t it? I''ve seen it more than twenty times.
Rachel smiled slightly and lowered her head. "DreamWorks sent a signal."
"A signal?"
"Yeah. Once they found out our Miracle''s fundinges from Korea, they want to bet on the Asian distribution rights."
"Are they looking for an investment, by any chance?"
"That''s exactly it."
In 1994, there was plenty of opportunity when Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and David Geffen founded DreamWorks, but I didn''t show any interest.
After all, films exist independently. In my case, I can just choose to invest in films that make money. There''s no need to pour money into a film productionpany.
Even Spielberg doesn''t always hit home runs.
But now the situation is different.
If it''s Asian distribution rights, it can be a powerful weapon for my father. Just the name value of being a partner of DreamWorks could make us a giant in the Korean film industry.
It seems like a pretty good gift.
"Are there any conditions?"
"DreamWorks started with $1 billion, but the initial proposal is to transfer 25% ownership and Asian distribution rights for $500 million."
"Have you given an answer?"
"No, it''s a positive review. That''s all for now."
It means the negotiations haven''t even started yet. If Miracle shows interest, DreamWorks will start evaluating and negotiating. It''s obvious they''ll want to confirm if we have the ability to manage Asian distribution smoothly and effectively.
"Given Spielberg''s name value... There must have been no shortage of negotiations with Asianpanies."
"There were many. Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, and even China." Rachel showed a faint smile. "Another thing DreamWorks wants ismunication."
I could understand what she meant by that sooner because she didn''t use the word "conversation."
"They must have talked about costs instead of production costs, like profit margins, expenses, efficiency, and business rationalization."
"Yeah, that''s right" She sighed, saying she thought she''d die of boredom. She pped her hands andughed again. "Wasting money on lead actors, having parties every day, and making a fuss may seem like inefficient wastefulness in their eyes. It''s talking nonsense if you don''t understand the basics of entertainment. It''s not easy to understand that the people in that industry gain energy by adhering to their primal desires."
I nodded my head, and she twinkled her eyes.
"How about it? Are you interested?"
"I''m not interested, but there is someone who could get very excited about it."
"Who?"
"My father."
"Ah...! Is he a film producer?"
"Yes. Let''s do this. I''ll ept the DreamWorks'' initial proposal. But instead of me, my father will sit at the negotiation table. If my father isn''t interested or isn''t confident in the Asian distribution, we''ll consider it a non-starter."
"Okay. Then let''s schedule the meeting."
Rachel immediately took out her mobile phone and started a call, and I also called my father and told him toe to LA right away.
My father seemed to be excited just at the thought of meeting the big shots, even more so than DreamWorks.
When the two of us finished our calls, I made a discreet request to Rachel.
"This trip to LA is a special time for our family, the first time we''re all together in a foreign country. Can you make it a memorable one? Cost is not an issue."
Sheughed brightly. "Are you really not concerned about the cost?"
Suddenly, I got a bit scared.
When we arrived at Los Angeles International Airport, two well-dressed men, obviously chauffeurs, were waiting for us. They led us to a Phantom Rolls-Royce limousine that had been waiting outside the gate and even opened the door for us.
Chapter 125 Venture Spirit 3
Chapter 125 Venture Spirit 3
As I rushed out of the library, a vast campus stretched before me.
Damn it, another profanity is about to escape my lips.
How can a university be so ignorant? It seems like it will take more time to find theputer science office than to search for research papers.
Iter found out that Stanford''s campus spans 3,310 hectares, simr in size to Songpa-gu, which means finding an office relying solely on a single signpost is no different from navigating in Songpa-gu.
With so many buildings named after donors, there are even cases where several buildings share the same name, and each time I ask students, they point me in a different direction.
If I ever meet those two, I should urge them to create Google Maps as soon as possible.
When I finally found theputer science office and asked about the whereabouts of the two people, it felt like the sky was falling.
"They used to live in the dorms not too long ago, but moved to Silicon Valley."
Did I miss something? Have they already received investment for their startup?
Google is truly desperate.
At times like this, a quick search would provide enough information about the situation. I could truly appreciate how remarkable Google, created by these two individuals, was.
"Could you please tell me the address?"
The office worker gave me a skeptical look before quickly writing down the address on a piece of paper.
Isn''t Stanford always weing to investors?
The employee wrote even faster than when he retrieved my business card, jotting down the address on a memo pad.
I clutched the note and hurriedly left, taking the campus shuttle to leave the university.
I hailed a taxi and rushed to Silicon Valley, a 20-minute drive away.
When I arrived at the provided address, I breathed a sigh of relief. It was a quiet residential area.
These guys.
They haven''t moved out of the garage yet.
I cautiously approached and peeked into the garage.
Several desks,puters, scattered beverage cans, and pizza boxes were strewn about.
I felt relieved. Their modest setup confirmed that they hadn''t received significant investment yet.
I sat down in front of the closed garage, waiting for the two of them to appear. If they''re running a startup from their garage, it''s only natural for them to eat and sleep there, but where else could they be...
As it started to get dark, a pickup truck pulled up in front of the garage.
Two young men noticed me and quickly approached.
"Who are you? What are you doing in front of someone''s office?"
"Larry Page? Sergey Brin?"
As I alternated my gaze between the two, confirming their names, their expressions grew more hostile.
If I had been an elderly middle-aged man in a suit, they would have probably groveled immediately. They would have sensed that I was an investor who could potentially rescue them.
"Who are you? What''s going on?"
"You still can''t see? Both of you have poor eyesight."
"What?"
"I''m talking about the wings spread out on my back. Some call them angel''s wings."
If they couldn''t understand this, they were worse than clueless engineering students. However, the two of them had better intuition than that.
"Well, surely not?"
They dropped the pack of beer they were holding. The opportunity they had longed for had finally arrived, but it must have been hard for them to believe that a younger Asian would be their angel investor.
"How long are you going to be surprised? Let''s go inside. I''ve been wandering all day, and my throat is dry. You''ll offer me at least one beer, won''t you?"
"This is a friend''s garage. He works at Intel."
As I took a sip of beer to wet my throat, the two of them nced at me and finally spoke.
"But who are you really? Are you really an investor?"
To make the conversation flow smoothly, they needed to trust mepletely, without any preconceived notions based on my young age and Asian ethnicity.
As I pondered with the beer can at my lips, a very simple idea urred to me.
It was the best way to make them look at me with awe and respect.
"Wait a moment. Can this phone be used as a speaker?"
When I pointed to the phone on the desk, both of them nodded their heads.
"Then let''s make a call."
I took out my mobile phone and scanned through the contacts to find the name I was looking for.
I turned on the speaker and dialed the number immediately. After a while of the signal tone ringing, a voice came through.
"Hello, this is Michael."
"Michael. How have you been? It''s Howard. Howard Jin."
"Wow! Howard. How long has it been? Are you in the United States by any chance?"
A voice filled with unmistakable joy resonated through the speaker.
"Yes, I am. I''m in California right now. I''lle to see you when I finish work. But before that, there''s something I''d like to ask..."
"Anything, just say it."
"There are two people listening to this call. They are the individuals I want to invest in. However, they keep looking at me with suspicion."
"Hahaha. Well, well. If Howard has found this person, I too want to invest right away, too!"
I looked at the two who were eavesdropping on the call with perked-up ears and said. "Introduce yourselves. It''s Mr. Michael Dell."
"Dell...? Dell! That Dell?"
I nodded my head and said to the speaker. "Michael, feel free to talk. But be brief."
Leaving the bewildered faces of the two behind, I left the garage.
It was already dark outside.
I took out my phone and informed Rachel and my father that I wouldn''t being back tonight.
Damn it.
I left the amazing Ritz-Carlton hotel suite behind and ended up staying in a motel in Silicon Valley tonight. It felt like a huge waste of money.
About thirty minutester, the two of them called me.
It seemed like they had obtained all the information they wanted. I spoke while still on the call.
Chapter 126 Next Jab is a Straight 1
Chapter 126 Next Jab is a Straight 1
"What?"
"What did you just say?"
They justughed at the two people who didn''t understand exactly.
"Both of you are lucky. This time, I really got greedy."
Seeing them hesitate about what to say, he chuckled.
"So, how about doing it like this?"
The two people sat down next to me.
"I will invest up to 30 million dors sequentially. After that, if more investment is needed, it means either thepany has grown tremendously or you''ve lost all the money, one of the two, right?"
Thetter is another way of saying that it failed. If Google fails, something is wrong, not their algorithms.
"If the scale grows and additional funding is needed, even if it''s not me, many investors will flock in. ept their funding. On good terms."
"Wait, Howard. I have a question... Can you listen without misunderstanding?" The surprise they felt when they first heard the number 30 million dors had already disappeared. It was a difficult suspicion to understand.
"Go ahead."
They exchanged nces and cautiously opened their mouths.
"If thepany is improving when it needs additional funding because it''s growing, why stop the investment? Didn''t you say there''s enough money?"
"Money cane from various sources. They must be people with a lot of experience in investments, right? Witnesses to countless sesses and failures in Silicon Valley. Additional funding means it''s time for their advice. Don''t push away people who will pour out precious advice."
They probably didn''t expect to hear such words. Engineers hate investor interference the most.
"But don''t abandon your values, either. The goal may change little by little as thepany grows, but it''s best not to let your values be shaken, right?"
"Okay, what about thetter case? Do we have conditions for recovering the investment if our business fails?"
"Then, I''ll start over and pour money until it seeds again. Even if it''s 100 million or 1 billion dors, if it''s necessary. How about that? Does that answer your question?"
It seemed like a very good answer. There were waves of emotion in the expressions of the two people.
"Howard, you really believe that our Google will definitely seed."
Don''t talk nonsense. Google must seed for the Fourth Industrial Revolution to begin. Those words were circting in my mouth, but I couldn''t say them out loud, so I just nodded my head.
"I understand well enough. But you can''t make investments based on abstract faith... Can you tell us the specific numbers now?"
I still confuse the two people''s names a bit. Both of them have dark brown hair, so I can only tell them apart by their appearance. Is the more handsome one the Russian guy, Sergey?
"Okay, Sergey. I already know, but I don''t n to have voting rights. Let the two of you jointly exercise the voting rights in proportion to the shares I will hold. And in exchange for the future investment of $30 million, I want equal stake of the two of you."
At the mention of "equal," the two of them blinked at each other.
"What? You''re not suggesting that you want us to split everything unevenly... You''re not making some kind of oath like that, are you? It''s not a wedding, right?"
Even entrepreneurs can be driven away in the United States. Co-founders can also have differences in their shares depending on their circumstances. Isn''t this ce a capitalist paradise?
Fortunately, there didn''t seem to be any childish oaths. They epted the word "joint" instead of "average."
"So, to start, the three of us will have an equal stake, right?"
"Exactly. You both with your brains, and me with the money. Sounds fair, doesn''t it?"
The two of them extended their hands.
"It''s not fair; Howard, you''re losing out. If it''s that kind of investment, even demanding 50% wouldn''t be unreasonable."
"That''s right. Even if you offered to buy us out for $30 million, it wouldn''t be an unreasonable request."
"All right, then. Promise to secure my stake in the future as well. Whether it''s a paid increase or a free increase. Always maintaining the average of the two of you."
Sergey suddenly extended his hand. "Let''s finish the deal before you change your mind."
"I''ll have the contract ready for tomorrow, so review it. And include a million dors."
I smiled and shook his outstretched hand.
And as they talked about the inte world they dreamed of, they drank beer. They hadn''te up with innovative ideas like Google Earth, Maps, Trantion, Gutenberg Project, Artificial Intelligence, or Autonomous Driving that they would create themselves.
It was because it would be the result of a fusion with various services and innovations that would follow from many geniuses.
They talked until dawn and then got up from their seats.
"Here are my New York office and Korea office contacts, and my personal phone. Feel free to contact me anytime you need."
The two of them took my business card, unable to hide their surprise.
"You''re Korean?"
"Why? Did you think I was Japanese?"
"No. You use the surname ''Jin,'' so I thought you were from Hong Kong."
I left the two of them, who couldn''t sleep tonight, in the car and went outside.
I declined their offer to take me to a nearby motel. I wanted to enjoy the cool night air as I walked slowly.
As I moved my feet, I heard a voice calling from behind. "Hey! Are you really twenty years old?"
They didn''t even nce at the contract.
The two Google founders started pping each other''s cheeks while examining the million-dor check from every angle.
"Are you sure you''re not mistaken this time?"
Rachel, who had prepared the contract and the check since morning and flown to the Silicon Valley residential area garage, seemed rather dissatisfied.
It''s natural not to think that these two, who look like something out of "Dumb and Dumber," would be the owners of the world''s highest market capitalizationpany, leaving Microsoft behind.
"Trust me. This time, it''s not just about making money with stocks. It''s the moment when the key yers in opening a new world are right in front of us."
No matter how loudly I spoke, Rachel shook her head and sighed. "You''re the one who told me to get out of dotpanies. Aren''t they different?"
"I told you, right? In 2000, dotpanies copsed one after another. These guys are the cream of the crop in Silicon Valley, free from the bubble. Watch them closely from now on. The ones revealing their true colors right now are the real deal. They''re the ones filling the void left by the scammers."
Chapter 127 Next Jab is a Straight 2
Chapter 127 Next Jab is a Straight 2
"I will make sure to have the money for what Father wants."
"To not waste that money..."
"Have confidence. Aren''t you the one who built one of Korea''s top filmpanies? You''ll handle it well."
Father''s brothers squander billions with baseless confidence, but father''s the one who invested money and made more than he invested, growing thepany.
When Father finally spoke after a while of silence, he seemed determined. "So, what can I do? Assuming we seed."
"Gain influence. And share that influence with me."
"Influence? Aren''t you mistaken? At best, I''m just involved in the film business. Maybe I can even produce a drama. But what kind of influence can I have as a producer and distributor?"
In the future, power isn''t just about money, physical, or legal authority. Power is whoever has people listening to them. Public opinion moves the world. That poweres from a loudspeaker. Father can easily wield cultural power.
That time ising soon, and Father is still young. Ten years from now, he''ll be a strong support for me.
"You surely know how unpredictable the world is? The world changes every day."
Father, who had been quietly observing me, took a sip of beer.
"If you just give up the conglomerate, our family can livefortably. You can run a good investment firm, and I can make movies."
"Do you want me to give up?"
"No. It''s just a father''s wish. It''s the desire for his son to live in peace. But I have no desire to force a life you don''t want." Father chuckled and patted my shoulder. "If you tell a carnivore to eat grass, it will die. You were born as a fierce beast, so live by hunting and eating your prey."
"What about you, Father? Are you a herbivore then?"
"So far, I''ve lived like a pasture cow. But now, I have to live like a wild buffalo."
"A wild buffalo can beat most carnivores, right?"
"For the sake of my son, I should improve my condition, shouldn''t I? Haha."
Seeing Father enjoy his beer, I couldn''t help but wonder. Is Father, who has inherited the blood of a predator, really a herbivore?
I pretended to be crazy and spent a week at the Ritz-Carlton.
I forgot about the amount of money I had lost and focused on my parents enjoying their time. I didn''t know when I would have another moment like this. At this moment, I wanted to live peacefully like a herbivore, munching on grass.
A weekter, my father went back to Korea, making a big fuss about having a lot of preparations to do. Interestingly, my brother, Sang jun, also took the same flight. He said there was no point in hanging around and spending foreign currency unnecessarily.
I returned to New York and managed to recover the investment funds in dotpanies and chose stable and long-term investment options. During that time, I also worked hard to study derivatives, another monster, with thepany''s experts.
Time passed quickly during all this.
Bill Clinton, the President, publicly apologized for the Monica Lewinsky sex scandal, and I watched Park Se-ri''s LPGA matches live. I wanted to watch Park Chan-ho''s games too, but it was difficult to coordinate the timing, so I had to be satisfied with watching them on TV.
September 4th. On the historic day when Google officiallyunched, I didn''t forget to enjoy an incredible party with the two geniuses.
When a sharp cold wind heralded theing winter, I met Michael Dell.
Seeing him struggling in the PC market that had turned into a red ocean, I was genuinely impressed. Wouldn''t he be the one to show his strength for over 20 years?
Around the time when Christmas trees began to appear, I boarded a flight to Korea.
The ones who weed me most warmly in Korea were not my parents or grandparents but my aunt, Jin Seo-yoon.
When I entered the house, my aunt, who was in tears, was beingforted by my father and mother.
"Do you have any idea how long I''ve been waiting for you? I wanted to leave for the United States right away, but Representative Oh stopped me."
Even before I unpacked, my aunt made me sit down and began toment.
"What''s going on?"
My aunt told me in detail about how my grandfather had been rushed to the hospital around the time I left for New York. Regardless, I had achieved one goal. Choi Seo-bang had been driven out to Geoje Ind. I could feel my grandfather''s anger without seeing him.
But divorce?
It was unclear whether my aunt was trying to tame my grandfather or if it was genuine. Even an ordinary person, let alone my family, wouldn''t use their child''s divorce as a threat, would they?
"Aunt, what can I do? It seems like Grandfather is very upset..."
"If it''s you, you can persuade Father a bit, can''t you? Even if he don''t listen to others, he''ll pay attention to what you say."
My father, who wasn''t very talkative, also spoke up. "Sister, what about my brother-inw? Does he know about this?"
"I haven''t told him yet. How do I bring up the topic of divorce?"
My aunt, who had appeared cold, was hiding her ordinary ajumma appearance.
She wouldn''t have shown this side to anyone. After all, her brothers weren''t family butpetitors, in a rtionship where they aimed knives at each other.
If she had met me alone, it would have been different. She would have shown a calm demeanor, discussing the problem and seeking advice. But as soon as she saw my father and mother, the hidden side of her came out.
Our parents are seen as family, notpetitors.
"Oh, by the way, what happened with the prosecution? Are they still investigating each other?"
"No, it''s settled at the level of the chief prosecutor changing positions. Your grandfather took care of that."
My father gestured to me as I wiped away my tears.
I followed my father to the garden quietly.
"Don''t interfere."
"Excuse me?"
"You haven''t talked to Se hyeon yet, have you? He did some inquiries, and it seems like your uncle-inw''s influence is growing within Daehyun Group."
"Daehyun?"
"Yes. Hanseong Daily said it turned things around upon Daehyun''s request. Isn''t it obvious?"
My uncle-inw''s new sponsor was Daehyun Group?
"Your grandfather couldn''t have been unaware of this. That''s why he dropped the divorce bomb. If it''s Daehyun, isn''t he the only realpetitor in the business world? This is an unforgivable betrayal. Do you understand what I mean?"
Of course, I understood what he meant.
"Yes. I will keep quiet and act like I don''t know. Father, please calm Aunt down. I''ll go up to my room."
Chapter 128 Next Jab is a Straight 3
Chapter 128 Next Jab is a Straight 3
"You''re not being too modest, are you? You''re more than that. Why are you socking in confidence, our nephew?" My aunt showed her utmost affection and patted my back. "You''re still young. You don''t have to set your limits so soon. Anyway, let''s postpone this discussion for now. What about the divorce papers? How should we handle them?"
"As for Grandfather..."
"I know that. Hand him the divorce papers and take care of the rest, right?"
"Yes, but there''s one more thing he''s asking for."
"One more thing? What is it?"
"Distribution rights for Sungyang Mart. Aren''t you preparing for a hypermarket?"
"Hypermarket? Ah, arge discount store."
"Yes, a lot of capital is being invested in that area. Besides, Sungyang Mart is an unlistedpany, so make it the mainpany. Transfer the department store and hotel shares there too. Then, Aunt will practically have control over the group''s cash transactions. It''s almost like having a group bank."
"Would he give me that too?"
Thinking that it would swallow the most active subsidiary in terms of funds, my aunt got excited.
"Whether it''s a department store or arge discount store, isn''t it the same structure? The only difference is the quality of the products they handle. You''ve already achieved excellent results in managing the department store, and you''re even going through a divorce. You should obtain that much. Make Sungyang Mart the mainpany for distribution and fully separate the subsidiaries. Then, you can consider the foundation secured."
My aunt swallowed hard. "If I make distribution the mainpany, I''ll only need to hold distribution stocks, and the rest can be neatly settled by transferring shares withpany funds, right?"
"Yes. Since you''re just shifting money between pockets, you can separate the subsidiaries without any money going in. A clean sweep?"
My aunt hugged me tightly. "Whether you''re Gongming or Zhang Liang, no matter how clever you are, you won''t be able to match our nephew even at your fingertips."
Feeling suffocated, I gently pushed my aunt away. "You should meet Grandfather first. I will... No, CEO Oh will meet Grandfather. I''ll give him some fear first, so Aunt can deliver the decisive blow."
"Fear? How?"
"You need to make Aunt''s husband realize that he''s nothing without being Aunt''s husband. CEO Oh is quite adept at getting into other people''s heads."
"Mayor Choi. The rumors have spread like wildfire in this area. They say you''re holding a flower badge in both hands and nning to properly y the power game."
"What? Who said that?"
"These days, you''re frequently meeting with Chairman Daehyun. What are you trying to achieve?"
His attitude had already changed. Mayor Choi was beginning to understand the essence of power. He had experienced the bnce of power, where hundreds of times the money lined up in front of a mere handful of power.
He had thought that it was the money of the father-inw, Chairman Jin, that moved power, but in reality, it was the opposite. Chairman Jin, his father-inw, had just piled up thousands and tens of thousands of times the money on the scales.
As he received the condescending gaze of Oh Sehyun, Mayor Choi anger began to well up.
"I met Chairman Daehyun because of the New Town construction starting next year. Ah, this time, CEO Oh should be involved too. Our calctions are alreadyplete for DMC, right?"
"That New Town project will likely involve a contract with Daehyun Construction. Don''t get any wrong ideas. HW Group isn''t interested in apartments."
"HW? Ah, Dae-ah Construction changed its name. Now it''s the head of HW Group, right?"
"The chairman of HW Group is Mr. Song Hyunchang of Ahjin. I''m just the representative of the holdingpany."
"I know the family tree now, so let''s get to the point. I thought you came to ask me to lend a hand for New Town..."
Oh Sehyun sighed and began to speak. "What I told you to do was to remove thebel of Sungyang Group. I didn''t tell you to switch from Sungyang to Daehyun Group."
"Let''s stop talking about things that are off-topic. I''ll handle my own matters."
He didn''t hide his displeasure. He believed he was an enormous power. Not hiding, not holding back, not concealing these were the privileges of the powerful.
"If you still don''t understand, there''s no hope for you. Listen, Mayor Choi. You''re just a toy for Chairman Jin. You''re a toy he ys with for a while and throws away when he''s bored."
"What? How dare you say that!"
Although his hand holding the sofa armrest trembled, Oh Sehyun didn''t stop.
"Just for fun, I''m going to shake you up by giving you a taste of wind. That''s all. Your father-inw, Chairman Jin, will get annoyed. That''s all it is. It''s just a joke, toying with inspiration that''s overflowing and gradually fading, and life''s boring temper tantrums."
"Shut your mouth!"
"If Chairman Jin abandons you, Chairman Daehyun will feel uneasy and abandon you too. Do you think Chairman Jin has any interest in redeveloping some apartment buildings?"
Mayor Choi''s expression turned cold. He was no longer agitated.
"Abandon me? Who would abandon whom? Does Chairman Jin have the ability to abandon someone twice? Who do you think you are, talking nonsense without knowing anything?"
"What?"
"Chairman Jin has already abandoned me. From the moment I decided to run for mayor of Seoul. Legally, we''re tied together as father-inw and son-inw, but inspiration-wise, we''re worlds apart."
Oh Sehyunpletely understood why Mayor Choi had taken such a divergent path. With this mindset, there was no turning back, not until he received an even greater shock...
"Erasing something from your heart happens only once... didn''t I just say that? There''s still a legal tie, right? So, if you sever that link as well, it''s like being abandoned twice. Once that link is severed, you''re truly finished. Do you know that the Sungyang schrship students endure because of that link?"
Mayor Choi''splexion changed. Could it be true?
"The moment that link is severed, crowds of people will rush from Yeouido to Seocho-dong, hunting you down. Instead of businessmening here with bags of money, you''ll have arrows flying at you." Oh Sehyun stood up from his chair. At this point, he had delivered a sufficient advance warning. "Mayor Choi, I came to see you because I''m worried that sparks may fly my way because of you. I''m doing everything I can to survive, but there''s no way to stop it. When you leave, please do so quietly. If sparks fly, I won''t stay quiet either."
Leaving Mayor Choi with a nk expression, Oh Sehyun exited City Hall.
He couldn''t help but feel a little disappointed. After all, there was still some time left in his term, and he could squeeze out a little more.
Chapter 129 Next Jab is a Straight 4
Chapter 129 Next Jab is a Straight 4
Jin Seo-yoon confirmed her position through her husband''s attitude, gestures, and tone of speech, and her husband''s demeanor during their dating and honeymoon period passed like a mirage.
Actions that were no different from a courtier escorting a princess. A husband who would always adjust his mood, even if she got annoyed or threw tantrums.
Such a man started to change after marriage, sharing the same bed, mixing their flesh, and having children.
He began to demand that his wife y the role of the bestdder for his sess, not a princess. Jin Seo-yoon also saw her husband as a tool to help her secure control over the Sunyang Group.
If they had remained tools for each other, they might have been a match made in heaven, but it was already toote.
Jin Seo-yoon chose to join hands with her nephew, Jin Do-jun, while her husband, Mayor Choi, chose to extend both legs, one into the Sunyang Group and one into Daehyun. If they couldn''t reconcile their differences, they could simply be separated.
"You were supposed to do as I told you. That was the best path for us... But you''ve crossed the line, intoxicated by that meager power. Do you think you''ve be the Seoul Mayor all by yourself?"
"Honey, you''re misunderstanding. It''s not like that! I just wanted to broaden my options..."
"Don''t be ridiculous. I secured 40 billion won for your election campaign, and it was Oh Sehyun, the Representative, who exposed Choi Gyeongyeol''s extramarital affair. Do you know that?"
"What? That...?"
"You thought it was luck, right? There''s no such thing as that kind of luck in this world. Whether you know it or not, someone is always pulling the strings behind the scenes, and results are achieved. I don''t want to talk any longer. If you keep bothering me, I''ll file for divorce tomorrow. Consider this myst favor, take it."
Jin Seo-yoon left her husband in the bedroom and walked out of the house. Thinking about staying in a hotel until her husband packed up and left made her feel strangely relieved.
Mayor Choi, left alone, sat on the bed, overwhelmed with confusion.
Thinking about what would happen next, his vision blurred white.
The fact that he had been discarded by the Sunyang Group would probably leak through the Sunyang Intelligence Team, and the rumor about the Seoul Mayor starting a separation would spread through high-end gossip channels.
Most of thew firms run by his family were mainly involved with the Sunyang Group, so cutting off his source of ie was only a matter of time.
And the most important mayoral re-election had gone down the drain. There was no way the party would nominate him, given that he had no political backers.
Mayor Choi knew it too well. To prevent all of this from happening, divorce was absolutely not an option.
"Don''t you think it''s a good idea? Separating the subsidiaries is easy, and so is consolidating them into one."
"If you''re really willing to give it all up, it''s not a bad idea. But did the youngdye up with this?"
"Yes, that''s right. That kid came up with it on her own. She''s quite clever when ites to securing what''s hers. Heh."
Lee Hak-jae couldn''t agree with Chairman Jin''s idea. He couldn''t imagine Jin Seo-yoon thinking in such a way.
"Because of her excessive greed for the entire group, she keeps making mistakes and missing important things. If she continues like this, she''ll end up with just a few subsidiarypanies. She won''t be part of the Sunyang anymore. Why did she suddenly abandon her greed and be more realistic?"
Chairman Jin clicked his tongue as he looked at Lee Hak-jae lost in thought. "Tsk, always thinking about something else. Stop that. I''ve made up my mind this time. Let it go and think of yourself as an outsider."
"Chairman, there''s one more thing."
"What else is there?"
"A simple control structure can also be easily taken away. If we secure the Sunyang Distribution shares, it will be over."
"Once again, it''s you, Hakjae. You think about everything." Chairman Jin pped his knees and marveled.
"Do you intend to take it back again?"
"Judging by what she''s doing. If the performance of therge discount store is good, there''s no need to reverse what we''ve given."
It''s a matter of people and Chairman Jin''s determination.
If they put a lot of excellent talent into therge discount store business that will start next year, there''s a high chance of sess. If they pick out the best talent and just hand over thepany, Jin Seo-yoon will fail.
What is Chairman Jin''s true intention?
"Then I''ll proceed."
"Just work on making Sunyang Distribution the holdingpany. Work on it until you''re confident that she''ll keep her promise before proceeding."
"Are you talking about Mayor Choi''s divorce?"
"Yes."
"There''s also a secret divorce. Oh, please don''t get me wrong. I don''t mean it as if I''m hoping for a divorce. Oh, dear."
Flustered, Lee Hak-jae''s face turned red.
"No, that''s not it. I also have some doubts. Dragging it on for a few months and suddenly making a decision is suspicious."
"Both of them... Should we keep an eye on them?"
It means they will observe closely to confirm their intentions. Chairman Jin, who understood this meaning well, nodded.
"Keep a close watch. If anything strange happens, report immediately."
"Understood."
When Lee Hak-jae was about to get up, Chairman Jin suddenly remembered something.
"How''s that friend? It''s been a week since you''ve been hanging out together, right?"
"What? Who...? Oh, you mean Kim Yoon-seok?"
"Yes."
"I''ve been giving him various tasks for now..."
"Why? Is he not performing as expected?"
"I see more advantages than I anticipated. He''s honest, diligent, and has a strong presence. However, hecks creativity."
"Is he not smart?"
Lee Hak-jae nodded lightly. "He''s trustworthy enough to work with, but he falls short when ites to handling significant responsibilities."
"Well, there are uses for a straightforward style."
"Yes, to a certain extent."
Compared to his first choice as a close aide, his grandson''s choice is somewhat disappointing. Although he picked him under affection, there''s a concern about whether he can be discerning when ites to people.
"Teach him a bit. Keep checking if he shows any potential. And find another person who can handle what Do-jun will be responsible for."
"Understood."
Chapter 130 A Slice of the Pie 1
Chapter 130 A Slice of the Pie 1
"Has Uncle Gongmo left?"
"Yes."
When they went up to the library on this floor, the two of them were deep in discussion,ying out the DMC map and a list ofpanies.
"Is the outlineing together?"
"Government agencies and organizations like KONJIN, the Korea Media Rating Board, and the Broadcasting and Telmunications Review Commission have all moved in, so there''s no issue there. The only remaining concern is the film studios in Chungmuro and independent productions." Looking at father''s expression, it didn''t seem too bleak. "Don''t worry too much about Chungmuro; there are plenty ofpanies following my lead. The real problem is the broadcastingpanies."
"Isn''t the issue with public broadcasters rted to government policies? They''ve already announced ns for individual studio relocations, so it should be fine, right?"
"The administration changes every five years. I can''t guarantee anything until the new broadcast headquarters ispleted."
I understand his concerns, but I can''t bring myself to tell them to stop worrying. Cable is expanding, and with the introduction ofprehensive programming channels, the tform will be overflowing. I can afford to be patient.
"Don''t rush things too much. It will take a few years toplete, and mediapanies will graduallye in. As for you, have you considered acquiring DCN?"
"As long as there are no issues with film procurement, there shouldn''t be any operational difficulties. But revenue..."
"As I mentioned earlier, don''t think about revenue for the time being. You have enough capital already. Just focus on nting strong seeds."
Father still looked anxious, but Oh Sehyun was different.
He knows exactly how much money has been umted in the United States and Korea.
"Hey, when it''s time to give, just give it. No matter how much those cable broadcasters eat up, it''s just a few pots of water in the Han River."
Just a few pots? More like ake. We need to make a strong foundation from the beginning.
"How many pots will be how manykes. Start with movies, dramas, games, entertainment channels. That''s how you should start."
"What? Four of them?"
"If you''re in charge of film content acquisition, there shouldn''t be a problem, right? And take this opportunity to produce dramas and variety shows as well. Half of them can be produced in-house, and the other half can be rerun on public channels. That should be enough."
If Father hesitated due to anxiety, I would have no choice but to push him to unleash his potential. We need to harness all of Father''s dormant potential.
"Building an Asian film distributionwork, operating a film studio, and even running a cablework will keep you busy."
Oh Sehyun, who understood my intentions, didn''t forget to lend his support. "I''ll also look for some talent in that field. Let''s create a proper mediapany this time."
Seeing Father''s face, which disyed a mixture of excitement and anxiety like a student about to take an exam, we both burst intoughter.
The year 1999 was a year when the emotions of the end of Nostradamus and the hope of the new millennium were intertwined.
Our household was no different.
On the first day of the new year, the attitude of the gathered family members felt oddly awkward.
"Happy New Year."
"Stay healthy."
Everyone exchanged greetings, but there were people missing, which was hard to ignore.
Even those oblivious to social cues didn''t mention the names of the two people who were absent.
Jin Yeong-jun''s exile had not yet been lifted, and it seemed that the only son-inw of this house was not ready toe.
The gazes of the aunts looking at their sister-inw were filled with suspicion, and the elder uncles showed caution.
Rumors started circting within the group that Chairman Jin was going to generouslypensate his daughter for the divorce, and concrete details about the process of corporate separation had already emerged.
If it were just a matter of dowry for his younger sister, they might have been more amodating, but taking away an entire pir meant that the expressions of the male siblings couldn''t be good.
When the atmosphere turned cold even at the table where rice cake soup was being served, Grandfather didn''t take a sip and put down his chopsticks.
"If you''ve filled your stomachs enough,e to the study. Eating like this, you''ll all get indigestion."
As Chairman Jin stood up, his children also quickly rose.
This, undoubtedly, was the day the bombshell would drop.
Chairman Jin looked around at his children gathered in the study and began to speak.
"Today, I intend to make a major announcement. Listen well, and even if you haveints, don''t voice them. This is a decision I have made after careful consideration."
Jin Seo-yoon tried not to show her nervousness to her brothers, but she couldn''t help but swallow dry saliva repeatedly.
Finally, it was the day to open the Pandora''s box. She prayed that there would be Sunyang distribution in that box.
"First, Yoon-gi."
"Yes."
When Jin Yoon-gi''s name was mentioned first, everyone began to roll their eyes as if it was unexpected. It was a guard against the youngest getting more than his share.
"As you already know, from this year, you are officially the director of the Sunyang Medical Center and the director of the Sunyang Personnel Development Institute. The legal procedures have already beenpleted. Make the media announcement and assume office immediately."
Everyone knew this information, but they couldn''tpletely let their guard down. Some things should not be mentioned in the subsequent conversation.
"The hospital generates profits that won''t be a burden to your family. As long as you don''t do anything foolish, there should be no problems in the future."
Everyone''s eyes softened. It was a deration that the hospital was all they had.
"The Personnel Development Institute will receive sufficient funding from each subsidiary, so make sure to run it well. Don''t think about making money from there. Just manage it to avoid losses."
Jin Yoon-gi nodded with a nk expression. There was no room in his mind for things like hospitals or training institutes. Just the thought of a massive mediapany, the task his son had assigned him, was enough to make his head explode.
"Lastly, I want to ask. I have no intention of leaving anything more to you... What do you think? Are you satisfied?"
Everyone began to look at Jin Yoon-gi''s lips.
Chapter 131 A Slice of the Pie 2
Chapter 131 A Slice of the Pie 2
Chairman Jin had one more thing to add, as if administering medicine. "Oh! And make sure to take care of the professional sports team as well."
"Ah, Father."
"Why?"
Seeing Chairman Jin''s fierce gaze, Jin Sang-gi became as quiet as a mouse.
"Do you have a problem with that? Taking care of those misceneous foundations?"
"No, not at all."
Jin Sang-gi kept his mouth shut at his older brother''s gesture. After all, hadn''t he already decided to work alongside Jin Yeong-gi, the Vice Chairman? He believed that his older brother wouldn''t leave him out when it came to the foundation work.
"Father, so who will take care of the financial sector...?" His older brother cautiously brought up a question on behalf of everyone.
"For now, I''ll continue to oversee it. Why? Do you want to chase me out of the rear room as the old man one day?"
"Please don''t say that. No, not at all." Jin Yeong-gi hastily raised his hand.
"Well... I wanted to divide that as well, but it''s incrediblyplicated to sort out the ownership structure, so it will take some time." Chairman Jin provided a reasonable excuse as a form of exnation, but no one in the room believed him.
The owner of the group''s financial division was not in this room. They believed without a doubt that it was the cunning youngest grandson who was ying pranks outside, rather than one of the adults.
"Starting this year, I will begin dividing the ownership as I''ve mentioned. Once that''s all settled, I''ll also split the financial sector. Don''t be impatient; just wait."
Is that statement really true? The children couldn''t let go of their hope.
It''s okay to give the Sunyang Asset Management to the youngest grandson of the family. But nothing else is eptable.
There''s still time. Within that time, they must prevent the group''s funds from falling into the wrong hands.
This was amon thought among the three sons.
"For today, let''s call it a day. I''ve kept the executives and department heads from the New Year''s greetings. By now, they''re probably waiting in front of your houses, gasping for breath. Go and give them some allowance."
The five children lined up and left the study, leaving only Chairman Jin and Lee Hak-jae behind. Chairman Jin let out a long sigh. "These kids are still unhappy even when they''re given something."
"They''re notpletely satisfied, that''s why."
"We can''t just sit around waiting for things to fall into ce. Now that we''ve clearly marked the territories, if they get too greedy, we''ll have to take it away."
Lee Hak-jae smiled gently. "As expected, you don''t want to split the group."
"In our country,panies need to stick together just to survive."
"What?"
Suddenly, Chairman Jin made a strange remark. "When you break it down, it''s not that big of a deal. Just look at Sunyang Electronics, for example. Semiconductors, white goods, mobile phones. They support each other, pushing and pulling, which is how they manage to stay afloat. Without semiconductors, the home appliance division would have closed its doors."
"Is it like how Sunyang Shipbuilding improved Sunyang Ship''spetitiveness?"
"That''s right. Don''t you see? Companies that would have gone bankrupt due to financial troubles are now thriving."
Then why not just pick one and give it all away? Why y this game?
Lee Hak-jae had asked this question countless times, though he never voiced it.
If Jin Yang-cheol had been the chairman, he might have already assigned someone, but now, in his old age, he was pondering over it.
He probably wanted to give Sunyang Group to all of his children, but he needed to choose between dividing it or giving it all to someone. The more he thought about it, the more he dyed the decision.
And today, a new variable emerged.
It was the silently supportive elders who had been nurturing and protecting Sunyang. If they couldn''t win their support, they might lose what they already had.
Everyone in the family hurriedly left Chairman Jin''s mansion in Busan. Daughters-inw and grandchildren rushed outside as if being chased.
When they got into their respective cars waiting in front of the main building, Jin Yeong-gi called his younger brother.
"Yoon-gi, can I talk to you for a moment?"
After moving to a quieter ce, Jin Yeong-gi took out a cigarette and asked, "Have you talked to Father about something in advance?"
"What do you mean?"
"About the financial affiliates."
"No. Today was the first time I heard about the separation of affiliates. Well... it''s not that special, though. Oh, but my wife''s reaction was a bit unexpected."
"Is that so?"
"In fact, yes."
"What?"
"Brother, don''t beat around the bush. What are you trying to say?"
"Is it possible that Do-jun got a share of it?"
When Jin Yeong-gi sharply scrutinized his younger brother''s expression, Jin Yoon-gi nodded. "I think so too."
"What?"
"Do-jun may be young, but hasn''t he already shown an outstanding investment sense? It would be hard to find someone more suitable to take over Sunyang''s finances, wouldn''t it?"
"Hey!" Jin Yeong-gi snapped at his younger brother''s calm demeanor.
"Are you saying that this is about handing over a bank ount?"
"Whether it''s a bank ount or a financial institution, it''s all money. The difference in size doesn''t affect suitability."
"This isn''t about suitability or not. Do you even know how many shares Sunyang Life is holding? They have a significant stake in the group, and what you''re saying doesn''t sound like dividing shares based on that. Isn''t it all consolidated under the conglomerate?"
Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi started to scrutinize Jin Yoon-gi, who was calmly responding.
"So what? Are you saying that you''ll also take a seat in Sunyang Group now that there are financialpanies with a substantial stake? Are you showing your ws after all these years of pretending to be dead, just because you have a son?"
Jin Yoon-gi sighed deeply and bit his lip. "It''s not mine. It''s all for the hospital and the training center. You heard Father''s words..."
"Hey! Why are you saying this now? Are you asking me to have a separate conversation with a child who just turned twenty?"
"I never asked for a separate conversation." Another sigh escaped. "Brother, Father said he would give me the financial sector. Honestly, I have no interest in it. But if he wants to pass it on to my son, I can''t ask him to give it up. Our parents have never given us an extra piece of bread. But now that they''ve given us this bread, we can''t reject it, can we?"
Chapter 132 A Slice of the Pie 3
Chapter 132 A Slice of the Pie 3
I first thought the house was small.
I understand why the board members of the medical foundation came to greet the new chairman for the New Year. Oh, I even understand the directors of the five provincial medical centers.
However, the managers were a bit excessive. When you add the managers who came from the provinces, it''s close to a hundred.
Considering there are over thirty different medical specialties, you can assume that all the hospital''s important managers have gathered. Only doctors uninterested in career advancement didn''te.
My father also showed a puzzled expression. Soon, people from the film industry would arrive... It was obvious it would turn into a chaotic scene.
But I couldn''t just turn them away at the doorstep, so I quickly called my aunt.
"Aunt, can you urgently clear out a banquet hall at a Gangnam hotel? About a hundred people... They''ll arrive in about thirty minutes. We also need to prepare food and drinks..."
"Whose request is this? Don''t worry. We''ll set it up." My aunt''s cheerful voice echoed.
"Father, invite the board members and directors into the house for greetings. We''ve arranged for the doctors to have their meal at the hotel. Since they are all alumni or have senior-junior rtionships, they should at least have a drink."
"Yes, yes. That''s a good idea."
At times like this, I can put my past experiences to use. How many receptions have I hosted in the past? Even when unexpected situations arise, I must smoothly handle them. My agility from those times still hasn''t faded.
As the doctors quickly left, my father sighed and received the guests. He hadn''t forgotten what I considered particrly important.
He promptly summoned the directors to confirm the VIP patients and the secret patients in the 20 exclusive VVIP rooms in the hospital.
Even if it''s not today, shouldn''t we visit those people we should personally greet for the New Year as soon as possible? People whoe to check on you when you''re unwell are always appreciated.
The New Year atmosphere improved even more due to the film industry professionals who cameter. The foundation board members and hospital directors exchanged business cards with the stars they had seen on screen, their expressions changing to beaming smiles. They didn''t forget to offer an open invitation for anyone to visit if they ever felt unwell.
After entertaining guests until the afternoon, only our family remained.
My father, still slightly tipsy, quietly called me out to the garden.
"The cold breeze clears the alcohol out of your system, doesn''t it?"
"Are you going to share something important once the alcohol haspletely worn off?"
My father gave me a quick nce and yfully jabbed my side. "My child, at least one thing about your demeanor..."
My father recounted everything that had happened in his study today, without omitting a single detail. As soon as he finished speaking, my aunt came to mind.
Should I go ahead and offer half of my shares as promised?
And one word that piqued my interest.
"What about the financial aspect?"
"That''s right. What do you think? Do you believe your Grandfather will give you the financial part?"
"Yes." I confidently replied, adding a few more words. "As long as there are no major hindrances from the elder uncles, it should naturally pass to me. But it might take some time to sort out the ownership of subsidiary shares, right? Who knows what might happen within that process?"
"What do you mean?"
"I''m making sure Aunt gets her share for certain. Both uncles have only secured their say in the matter. But nobody can predict how Grandfather''s whims might change things."
My father took in the chilly winter air, lost in thought. Finally, he said, "Don''t try to do everything on your own. When you need help, talk to someone. If necessary, I''ll even grab your elder uncles by the cor for you."
"It seems like our elder uncles will have to grab Father by the cor first, haha."
Before that, let''s start with Aunt...
On the second day of the New Year, Mayor Choi Seo-bang straightened his attire in front of the study and quietly knocked on the door.
There was no response, but he quietly opened the door and entered.
"Oh my,e in, Mayor Choi. You don''t have to bother with New Year''s greetings. Haha."
Mayor Choi, who was quite nervous, shook the rough hand extended by Chairman Jin with a bright smile, but the use of the term "Mayor Choi" instead of "Son-inw Choi" bothered him.
"I apologize, Father-inw. I should havee earlier, but I was dyed."
"Why worry so much when you''re so busy with official duties? It''s fine."
Mayor Choi realized from Chairman Jin''s tone how he was perceived by the Chairman.
He was not just a son-inw but also the Mayor of Seoul. Mayor Choi stood up from his chair and kneeled on the study floor.
"Father-inw, I apologize. Please give me one more chance. I got carried away by power for a moment. Please forgive me."
Chairman Jin looked down at the kneeling Mayor Choi and delivered a firm but low-spoken word. "It''s over. Stop. Get up."
It''s over...!
Those words came from Chairman Jin. It''s irreversible. This is final.
Mayor Choi remained prostrate. Although the business card that identified him as Chairman Jin''s son-inw had disappeared, he couldn''t discard the business card of Choi Seo-bang, the politician.
He knew well that to maintain this business card, he had to cleanly part ways with Chairman Jin. When that old man decided, one''s life could turn into a living hell.
"Please forgive me!"
Even though the request for another chance was futile, the desire for forgiveness had to be conveyed.
Mayor Choi unpacked the gift bundle he had brought, just as Jin Do-jun had advised him. He had to seek forgiveness with this.
"We''vepletely abandoned the Newtown project we had agreed upon with Daehyun Group. If you grant me a chance, I wille up with a new Newtown n to be developed ording to your desired location and scale." Mayor Choi hoped that the message of his willingness to create what Chairman Jin desired would be conveyed urately.
"I said get up."
Mayor Choi slowly rose to his feet and sat in the chair.
"Do you have anything to say? Say only the essentials so that this old man can understand."
"I will do whatever you ask."
"Even if you do, nothing will change, will it?"
"I will do whatever you ask."
"We''ll proceed with the divorce. Seo-yoon didn''t reluctantly follow my wishes. It was her decision. No matter what happens, you can''t set foot in our house."
Chapter 133 The Last Struggle at the End of the Century 1
Chapter 133 The Last Struggle at the End of the Century 1
Oh Sehyun quickly turned his head. He had already confirmed the purchase of thend and the construction costs for the build site. To calcte the profit rate, he would have to entrust it to the constructionpany employees.
"It shouldn''t be difficult to entrust it, right? In fact, we should be thankful, if anything. But I don''t think they''ll just hand it over." Oh Sehyun sharply scrutinized aunt''s face. He noticed her ufortable expression, and his posture gradually changed.
It seemed like someone wanted to show who had the upper hand in this situation.
"Just in case you didn''t know, the cost is quite generous. It''s the amount set before the division of the family... a kind of job funneling, internal transaction, you know."
"So, it''s even more suspicious? Why..."
Pretending not to know, he continued to press for answers. He wanted to hear the words he wanted from aunt''s mouth.
"Please cut me some ck. We need to break free from this capital pressure, and this seems to be the only way. I''m begging you."
"Let''s do it as a loan, is that what you''re saying?"
In the end, he listened to the plea until the end.
"I''ll pay it back, including the interest, from the start of operations. In installments..." Aunt spoke in a voice mixed with unwarranted coyness.
"Isn''t the contract alreadypleted? With Sunyang Construction?"
"I can handle that. I''ve already tied the contract with money as a restraint. Besides, it''s an internal transaction contract, so there should be no problem."
If it were her, I would never start a new business.
The timing is terrible. Just when therge mart is established and barely breaking even, another crisis is approaching.
There are signs of the economy starting to revive, so Aunt''s mind is probably filled with bright prospects for the future right now. I''m the only one who knows what will happen in a few years.
"Anyway, there''s one decisive factor, right? Since it''s a credit transaction, how much coteral should we secure, isn''t that right?"
Aunt doesn''t look pleased. "Well, I trusted Chairman Oh... Coteral, I''m a bit taken aback."
"If you borrow money from a friend and a bank at the same time, you usually pay back the bank first. That''s what trust is. It''s about opening up possibilities in my favor. If it goes against me, I might feel betrayed. Trust? It easily crumbles in the face of money."
In front of the determined Oh Sehyun, Aunt was at a loss for words.
"Uncle, let''s start the process quickly, shall we? How about reviewing these documents?"
At my gesture, Oh Sehyun took the documents.
"We''ll try to find a bnce that neither of us will be too disappointed with. Then..."
He left the rest to me.
As soon as Oh Sehyun left the hotel room, Aunt exploded in anger.
"That guy, what on earth is he? I offer my help, and hees out with that kind of attitude!"
"Aunt, he knows your weakness."
"What do you mean?"
"Just by ncing at the financial books, he can see through thepany''s situation. He realized that you were going to take back the department store shares from Grandfather before you even got them. He has no fears, so hees out with that kind of boldness."
Aunt gripped the sofa armrest tightly. "Is it really that desperate?"
"The executives in charge of department stores and distribution finances know. They just find it hard to speak honestly because of the difficulties."
"That darn genius..."
It was irritating to hear her curse Grandfather, but I understood. He gave her a portion of his assets, only to find out it was a mountain of debt when she opened the wrapping.
"Aunt, do you still not understand?" I calmly spoke as if trying to appease the nervous aunt.
"What?"
"This is Grandfather''s test. If you pass this safely, the department store group will officially be in Aunt''s hands. The essence of the business Aunt is responsible for is distribution, which is sensitive to economic conditions, and the key is cash flow, isn''t it? This is a test without a doubt."
Quick-witted Aunt understood my meaning urately.
After pondering for a while, she asked for my opinion. I wanted to confirm Aunt''s ambition.
"If it were me, I would postpone the n for therge mart a bit..."
"I told you earlier. That''s not possible."
"Then we should start some bold restructuring."
"Restructuring?"
"Yes. We''ll dispose of a few golf courses and also clean up the low-profit condos. We''ll leave the department stores and hotels as symbols."
From the look on her face as I spoke, it seemed she had no intention of doing any restructuring at all.
Well, it''s natural to be hesitant when you think that reducing your standard of living will significantly affect your appearance.
"We can''t start asset restructuring for the time being. That will also suffer due tock of ability."
No, it''s a very sensible and normal management approach.
When cash is tight, the priority is to sell anything to raise capital. Grandfather would also appreciate this approach.
"Aunt, it seems you think that bringing in money from Miracle is the only solution."
"That''s the simplest way. Simple is best. You know?"
I wasn''t sure if using this situation was appropriate, but Aunt''s mindset remained unchanged.
"Do-jun, please talk to Chairman Oh. If I do well, it''s good for you too. We''re not just business partners; we''re in the same boat."
I had confirmed Aunt''s ambition, and now it was time to confirm her trust. Thankfully, she had already brought it up.
"Aunt, please be honest. Is our previous agreement still valid? Does being in the same boat mean that?"
A bewildered Aunt couldn''t easily answer. I had expected this.
"It''s okay. I understand."
As I smiled and nodded, Aunt became even more flustered. "Understand? What do you understand?"
"Aunt, even if you manage to separate the conglomerate within this year and be the actual owner, I''m not certain. There''s no guarantee that I''ll take over the financial conglomerate. In other words, Aunt has cash, and I have promissory notes."
"Is that so? Oh, don''t get me wrong. I don''t mind. Of course, we''ll join hands when our inheritance is cleanly settled, as you said. It''s just that nothing is confirmed yet, so it''s a bit premature to give a definite answer."
Chapter 134 The Last Struggle at the End of the Century 2
Chapter 134 The Last Struggle at the End of the Century 2
"Now that we''ve exchanged greetings, let''s sit down. Would you like some coffee, or perhaps some Korean tea?"
"Water will be fine, thank you. I''m quite thirsty."
Lee Sangsoo loosened his tightly knotted tie and let out a sigh of relief.
Judging from his demeanor, it seemed like he hadn''te here for casual conversation. I felt like I should get up; he probably had something important to discuss.
"Well then, why don''t you two talk while I go..."
"Do-Jun, wait." Oh Sehyun hurriedly stopped me as I was about to get up, and he turned to Lee Sangsoo. "Sangsoo, are you here to discuss something personal, or is it rted to business?"
"Huh? Well, it''s a bit of both..."
"Be specific. It seems urgent if you came rushing to the office without prior notice, doesn''t it?"
"But why are you asking that?"
"If it''s work-rted, this guy should be part of the conversation too, that''s why I''m asking."
Lee Sangsoo hesitated for a moment, his expression slightly troubled, and then he nodded. "It''s about work, but it''s something that shouldn''t leak outside..."
"If that''s the case, don''t worry. I can keep a secret better than anyone. Do-Jun, stay seated."
Sitting back down, I observed Lee Sangsoo carefully.
In 1994, hispany had achieved tremendous sess by introducingmunication software that could send faxes through PCs without fax machines and a PCmunication emtor. He was about to be the CEO of a soon-to-be-listedpany.
However, someone who was highly regarded in Yeouido and destined to sit on the money cushion of venture entrepreneurs had rushed over to discuss something confidential. I wondered what it could be.
"In fact, ourpany ns to go public around the summer."
"Oh, congrattions! Now all that''s left is to take a seat on the money cushion. It''s a shame. I wish I had some money to burn too."
Oh Sehyun patted his back and congratted him, but Lee Sangsoo had a bitter expression.
"What are you talking about? You turned down the investment. Heh."
"Do you think apany formed by Seoul National University and KAIST graduates would worry about investors? They probably had people lining up to invest for you to pick and choose."
Lee Sangsoo scratched his head awkwardly.
This industry has its own league where only the elite y. Those who boast about their investments and unt their money usually end up being ridiculed.
"In truth, I wanted to invest, but this guy talked me out of it. I don''t know if you''re aware, but Miracle has only been involved with a few initial online gamingpanies and has never invested in venture startups."
Lee Sangsoo looked puzzled as he asked, "Why did you distance yourselves from venture startups? Was there a special reason?"
"Venture startups are essentially small and medium-sized enterprises, aren''t they? It would be a nuisance for apany the size of Miracle to dabble in that field just to make a little extra money. Miracle is the one that acquired Ahjin Group and Daeah Construction. We have to protect our own interests." I said it somewhat arrogantly.
Honestly, I didn''t like this guy.
If he had steadily grown hispany based on his excellent technical skills, it could have be a great enterprise. However, he got greedy for quick riches and ended up going bankrupt. As a result, tens of thousands of ordinary retail investors suffered, and there wasn''t a single person to take responsibility.
"Is that so? But Sunyang Electronics extended an offer to us."
It seems like my tone had soured, as he immediately retorted with a sharp expression.
"See, our Miracle has no connection whatsoever with Sunyang Group!"
Sensing the icy atmosphere, Oh Sehyun intervened with a smile. "Well, there''s an overflow of investors, and you''re about to go public. We''re waiting for nothing but good news, so what could be troubling our junior?"
"To be honest, it''s a bit scary."
We were both surprised by his unexpected words.
In this festive atmosphere, he''s afraid?
"Ourpany is still in the red. We''re exploring a mization model, and the illustrations areing along reasonably well..."
"But in venture listings, the potential is what matters most. Going public while still in the red is not an umon urrence, and it''s happening in more than just a few cases."
It''s true.
Manypanies that don''t seem to have any potential have been going public one after another since the end ofst year. Moreover, it''smon for their stock prices to jump tenfold or even twentyfold.
"We''re a bit different from those kinds ofpanies. We take pride in the fact that we''re not a sh-in-the-pan type."
Seeing Lee Sangsoo''s shining eyes, something felt off. Wasn''t he the person I knew?
"In truth, I want to go public after turning a profit, but the investors won''t leave me alone. They''re pushing for an immediate listing like there''s no tomorrow."
Did he have such circumstances? Is he being pressured into listing?
"Then hold out. You co-founded thepany with two junior colleagues, right? You still have a substantial stake in the management, don''t you?"
"Well..."
"What? Already?"
It seems like the listing is not far off. You can tell by the fact that the founders'' stakes have fallen below fifty percent.
"I currently hold 25%, and the two junior colleagues who started with me have already exited."
"What? Weren''t they the core developers? What if they leave?"
"They''ve handed over their shares to the investors and are still with thepany. There''s no problem with the development."
"Then persuade the investors. Ask them to wait longer. Tell them they''ll see even greater profits..."
"It''s a deadlock. They''re pushing for a listing by August at thetest."
Lee Sangsoo nced briefly at Oh Sehyun. Sharp-witted Oh Sehyun didn''t miss this.
"What? It seems like there are some hidden circumstances?"
"Well, you see... Is it really possible in such cases? The founder says it''s too early for a listing, but the investors are pushing for it..."
"There are many cases like that." Oh Sehyun stated bluntly. "The market is hot right now, and they don''t want to miss this opportunity. Yourpany alone could see tenfold returns. Concerns about thepany''s future? Where can you find investors who care about that? If you postpone the listing and the market cools down, what then? If I were you, I''d have listed thepany already."
"It''s not just persuasion; it''s more like a threat."
"What?"
"If I keep opposing them, they''re going to squeeze me dry. They keep threatening to dig up any dirt and make my life miserable."
Chapter 135 The Last Struggle at the End of the Century 3
Chapter 135 The Last Struggle at the End of the Century 3
Receiving piercing gazes, I quickly thought of an excuse.
Speaking as if guessing an already determined future seemed the most usible. "Uncle, if you think about it, isn''t it something inevitable?"
"Why?"
"If politicians get involved and the operation goes ahead, even if we take it low, wouldn''t it still increase a hundredfold?"
"A hundredfold? You''re aiming too high."
No, he was aiming low. Even so, he couldn''t believe it. After all, there''s probably no one who can reasonablyprehend that a 500-won stock could rise to 300,000 won, especially within half a year.
"Many venturepanies have also increased tenfold or even fiftyfold now. It might be thest train, so we should take our share. Predicting a hundredfold might not be unreasonable."
"Alright, let''s assume that''s true. So what?"
"Making money isn''t guaranteed just because the stock price goes up, right? You have to sell it to get money in your bank ount, don''t you? So who''s going to buy stocks that have gone up a hundredfold?"
"I''m not asking because I don''t know."
"Yes. People who don''t know what they''re doing will rush in blindly. And many people will end up losing instead of hitting the jackpot."
"Are you saying that someone would go to jail just because people failed in their personal investments?"
"Yes."
"What?"
It didn''t make sense for the CEO to go to jail because of people''s individual investment failures. Anyone would think the same way.
"Isn''t it election season? You have to appease the angry people. But there''s no target for their anger, so we have to create one if necessary. The government has been pushing for the revitalization of the economy through the activation of ITpanies."
"This, this is..." Oh Sehyun also realized the end of the scenario I was describing.
"We have to touch the operation forces to know, and the me should be on the ants who followed them blindly... We have to make one of the easy targets into a real bastard."
"The anger of the ants who lost money will be directed at Sangsoo."
"Didn''t they already secure evidence of embezzlement ofpany funds? They''ll make it look very convincing. An immoral CEO who made a mess by collecting the blood and sweat of diligent people. End the situation by arresting this person."
After finishing the exnation, I observed Oh Se-hyun''s expression. There''s no doubt or suspicion. My belief that this is the most usible scenario for what will happen in the future was correct. Of course, unimaginable and unrealistic events could also ur.
The only unrealistic thing here, however, is the skyrocketing stock prices.
Ordinary people can''t even imagine how unrealistic those who are determined to make money can be.
They are ruthless and don''t hide their endless greed.
It''s just an ITpany with 45 employees.
It has a market capitalization that is 300 billion won more than the total market capitalization of eight listedpanies of Hanjin Group, ranked 6th in the chaebol hierarchy, and four times the total market capitalization of six listedpanies of Dongbu Group, ranked 16th.
Beyondmon sense.
This is what big thievesmit. Ordinary people can''t even imagine it, so they can''t even tell if it''s a scam or real.
I asked Oh Se-hyun, who couldn''t say anything. "What are you going to do? Will you help or cut off your involvement?"
"I don''t know. Damn." Oh Sehyun buried himself deep into the couch.
There was silence for a while.
I don''t know how deep the friendship between Oh Sehyun and Lee Sangsoo is, but honestly, I don''t care about him. Whether he goes to prison or makes a fortune...In any case, they are just small-time yers to me.
Wait, it''s not pocket change when we''re talking about millions.
Suddenly, I''m intrigued.
Not because of the money... I''m just curious about who these people are who''ve devised a million-dor scenario.
At this moment, Oh Se-hyun, who had been quietly listening, slowly spoke up. "Should we get in on it too? Pump up the money and give it a shake?"
What''s going on in my uncle''s mind?
Oh Se-hyun, who haspletely transformed into a different person, started probing one by one.
"What''s your expected stock price?"
"The IPO price is 1,500 won per share. So, if it''s really a hundredfold the face value of 500 won, it would be 500,000 won."
"If we get in on the operation and assume it''s short-term, let''s n for six months. We buy it at 15,000 and sell it at 500,000. If it exceeds thirty times in six months, it''s worth a shot. However, the downside is that the scale is too small. Nevertheless, it''s not easy to find a stock like this."
He''s talking so seriously that it makes me hesitate.
"But Uncle, why are you suddenly thinking about getting in? Are you trying to shake things up for the sake of your junior?"
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"You mentioned pumping up the money and giving it a shake, right?"
"That''s right. We go in big to make big gains. Knowing the operational stock in advance in the stock market is like ying a card game while seeing the opponent''s cards. We knew that Sangsoo''spany was the operational stock. It''s a piece of cake now."
This is getting strange.
"Are you getting in just because the potential investment return is high?"
"Yeah. Isn''t there anything else?"
Rather than Oh Se-hyun, who responded with a question, I was at a loss for words.
To think about investment profits even when looking at a struggling junior seeking help.
"It''s not like that. It''s because the CEO asked you for help, Uncle..."
"I already said it. It''s impossible for us to be the majority shareholder and dy the IPO. There''s no way to help." Oh Sehyun scratched his head slightly. "But it''s a shame to just watch someone else''s banquet. They''ve given us advance notice of the banquet, and we even know the way in through the high walls."
"So, you''re suggesting we go in because the table is set?"
"This is valuable information. Whoever holds this information should enter the spective market; otherwise, they might as well leave Yeouido."
I was at a loss for words.
Whether it''s innate or a habit, he''s a perfect spector.
Once again, I was surprised. Professionals don''t have a summit. No matter how high they climb, they always look to a higher peak.
Chapter 136 The Last Struggle at the End of the Century 4
Chapter 136 The Last Struggle at the End of the Century 4
"That kid sailed through life without any difficulties. She might manage decently when things are easy, but if thepany is in crisis, all she can do is waver and nitpick at the subordinates."
Why so negative then?
Lee Hakjae guessed Chairman Jin''s intention.
"Did you intend to make her step back from the frontlines of management?"
"That''s right. If she stumbles, someone else will snatch it away. I was thinking of finding a decent guy from within thepany at that time and turning her into an ordinary housewife. If she doesn''t want to remarry, I could give her a schrship foundation and let her continue with external affairs."
"If that someone is Oh Sehyun, it''s somewhat fortunate." Lee Hakjae carefully observed Chairman Jin''s expression.
A tiny smile appeared and disappeared on his face. Lee Hakjae was confident that Chairman Jin was pleased with his dominance.
"If it''s Oh Sehyun, it''s a relief. I can buy it back with money. Where is it that I haven''t passed over to the Myeongdong usurers'' market?"
When Chairman Jin concealed a contented smile, the two vice-chairmen reacted as if they had been struck by lightning.
"Wee. Let''s have a cup of tea."
"Forget the tea. Is it because of Seoyoon?"
"That''s right. You heard too."
The 27th floor of the Sunyang Group headquarters is upied by Vice Chairmen Jin Yeong-gi and Jin Dong-gi, as well as the Group Strategy Headquarters, which can be considered the brains of the group.
When Jin Dong-gi was promoted to vice chairman, hepletely renovated a floor. There''s also a chairman''s office in the center, but since Chairman Jin almost neveres to work, it can be seen as a ce for the two of them.
Jin Dong-gi visited Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi''s office due to that very matter.
"Haven''t you nted people over there, Hyung? I also have someone who can provide that level of information."
"Then you must know about Oh Sehyun too."
"Of course."
"That foolish girl finally caused an ident. Did the moneye in?"
"It''s almost the same as with Hyung. Most of it has been paid back."
"She wanted to cancel the contract for therge mart construction project, right?"
"It hasn''t been formalized yet. We only had a phone call."
Having assessed the situation, both of them instinctively reached for their cigarettes.
She hadn''t sold any stocks yet because she hadn''t even entered the market. But entrusting controlling shares as coteral would be a foolish move. Of course, she must have had faith in their special rtionship with Oh Sehyun. He was their younger brother Jin Yun-ki''s close friend. As long as he paid off the debt and interest, she wouldn''t lose control of thepany.
Their silence, with only the smoke from their cigarettes filling the air, was due to the fact that they werepletely out of their control.
Even if their father had given it to them as part of the inheritance, there was no way they would consider splitting up the conglomerate. They intended to restore it to its original state as soon as the opportunity arose.
But the opportunity and the right time had disappeared like migrating birds.
"Hey, Dong-gi. I''ve thought about this carefully... Oh Sehyun."
"I''m listening. Go on."
"I think that guy might not be moving ording to Father''s orders."
"Oh Sehyun, with Father?"
"Yeah. Look at what he did with Miracle. Even though the dor was in a hurry because of the IMF, he gave away too much. Cars and a 17% stake in the group. This is a bit excessive."
"What do you think Father''s orders are?"
"I''m thinking he might be passing it over to Do-Jun one by one. This department store, too. If Oh Sehyun is in his right mind, would he take on non-existent stocks as coteral? What if Father doesn''t give them? He just threw away 40 billion without any guarantee or anything."
"What are you talking about, our brilliant little brother?"
"Have you ever thought that Oh Sehyun might be acting as Do-Jun''s proxy?"
"What?"
Jin Yeong-gi thought he might have misheard. It was such an unbelievable idea...
"Maybe Miracle is actually Do-Jun''spany. Oh Sehyun is a professional manager."
"Why are you saying this now...!"
"I don''t want to believe it either, but I''ve been thinking about ittely. Hyung, think about it carefully too. If Do-Jun is the real owner of Miracle, then everything makes sense. The reason Father couldn''t leave Sunyang to us in peace."
"Could it be... nonsense? It''s too much."
"I don''t want to believe it either, but it fits. If he gave 10 billion dors as an infusion and just handed over the cars, isn''t that all he needed to do? Why would he give away the stocks, too? Especially when it was all about foreign exchange."
That part puzzled Jin Yeong-gi the most. No matter how urgent things were, giving away stocks...
"Handing over the financial affiliates to Do-Jun also makes sense. Now there are just the two of them. What on earth did Do-Jun show him?"
It sounded absurd, but it was bing strangely usible.
"Let''s leave the possibility open. First, let''s get back the department store."
When amon enemy appears, even sworn enemies join forces.
Perhaps because of their young nephew, the feuding brothers might join hands.
In March, heralding spring, when Hanaro Telunched South Korea''s firstmercial ADSL-based inte service, the world began to change.
PC bangs (inte cafes) exploded in poprity, almost recing neighborhood arcades. Instead of inserting coins and pressing buttons, people used mice and keyboards to immerse themselves in online worlds like StarCraft and MMORPGs.
Finally, one of the small-scale offlinepetitions, the "Korea Pro Game League," began, and the world''s first game broadcasts streamed through cables from DCN Studio, provided by Father.
Father shook his head in disbelief at this sight, but he thought he must be crazy when he saw the ratings.
The ratings were even higher than those for movies.
Many people paid close attention to these ratings. They knew that ying games could also be a form of entertainment.
And high ratings meant money.
Chapter 137 The Last Struggle at the End of the Century 5
Chapter 137 The Last Struggle at the End of the Century 5
"What are they trying to swallow? We intend to maintain a close rtionship with Sunyang Department Store Group. It''s a good business partner that will generate quite a bit of profit in the future."
Jin Sang-gi ''s expression changed in an instant, his eyes weakening. "That profit is in the trillions of won? That''s unbelievable!" Jin Sang-gi continued to shout with an angry face.
"Don''t just think about the cash in hand. Remember that we are the major shareholders of the HW Group, a conglomerate. Chairman Jin Seo-yoon will involve us in the future business endeavors. She said it''s worth ten times itsbined value. Our experts have already done the calctions. I didn''t n on breaking the deal."
He barely suppressed augh. People who turn investments into gambling are essentially gamblers. Gamblers are good at bluffing. It sounds usible, but it''s just empty talk pouring out right now.
Although Uncle wanted to refute, he couldn''t say anything against the authority of the experts'' calctions.
"Chairman, if you find it ufortable for Sunyang Group to divest, Chairman Jin Seo-yoon can run the business well and repay the debt. Otherwise, pleasee up with a better proposal. I''ll hand over the bonds."
"A better proposal, you say?"
"If our HW Group can help Sunyang in a way that allows them to earn big money in their medium to long-term projects, well..."
Sunyang Group, which had prevented money from flowing out by establishing a subsidiary for cleaning services, had no reason to involve us in their medium to long-term projects.
Realizing that it was a firm rejection, Uncle knew there was no point in pushing further.
"I understand Chairman Oh''s intention well. I''ll go back and discuss it." With a cold nce, Uncle stood up, ced his hand on my shoulder, and said, "Come home sometime. Let''s have dinner."
"Yes, I''ll see you soon."
As Jin Sang-gi roughly closed the door and left the office, Oh Sehyun showed a mocking smile. "Your family is really something. Look at the greed to not let go of a single thing."
"It''s in our bloodline?" He muttered vaguely, but it wasn''t because of greed. If Grandfather gave his permission, there were many ways to reim everything at any time.
What could be the true intention in theirmon minds?
"That guy, he''s not just a businessman. He''s not even being serious."
"Even if we offers a hundred billion?"
"He''s trying to entice us with business opportunities, not money. He ns to leech off us for ten years."
"Oh Sehyun said that himself?"
"That''s what I heard. Dojun heard it clearly too, right next to him."
"What did he say?"
"He didn''t say anything. He just stayed quiet."
Oh Sehyun had quickly seized an opportunity to make an enormous amount of money. Regardless of any other reasons, this was a typical move for those in the financial district of Yeouido.
Vice Chairman Jin Young-gi couldn''t just stand by and watch.
Whether Oh Sehyun was his father, Chairman Jin, or a young nephew''s business partner, judgment could be postponed.
The first thing to do was to prevent someone unsuitable from taking over the department store group.
He looked for Jin Dong-gi. Despite being strong adversaries, they needed to work together for this task. Dealing with the pesky flies was the first step before the final showdown.
Jin Young-gi and Jin Dong-gi, the brothers, wasted no time and rushed to Sunyang Hotel.
"Oh my, what''s going on, my dear brothers? And together, too? You seem so close."
Jin Seo-yoon raised her voice when she saw the two of theming in together. Now that they had divided their assets and she had no more connections with the Sunyang Group, there was no reason to be cautious.
"You''re enjoying yourself, having blown up thepany? You seem pleased."
Jin Young-gi grumbled, but Jin Seo-yoon pretended not to hear.
"If you''re here to scratch the itch, stop it. That time has passed, hasn''t it?"
The two brothers looked around thevishly decorated suite office and slumped onto the central sofa.
"We''re not here to scratch anything; we''vee to find out what exactly you''re up to. Why don''t you tell us what''s on your mind?"
Jin Dong-gi spoke calmly, but Jin Seo-yoon still wore a troubled expression.
"I''ll handle my business on my own. What''s so curious?"
"It''s about Oh Sehyun. Not sure if he''s as trustworthy as you think."
"Do you think I trust that person? This is a deal. What is there to trust?"
"Just simple debt obligation? It looks like Oh Sehyun lent you money just to skim off the interest. He''s the guy who even turned down a billion, right?"
"What? A billion? What are you talking about?"
After carefully listening to the conversation between the two, Jin Seo-yoon remained silent for a while with a stern face.
"Do you understand now? Holding the shares as coteral, pressuring for interest and principal payments, and then swallowing the shaes it''s all a scheme by loan sharks. You''ve fallen into their trap."
"The construction of the firstrge supermarket is going forward, right? What about the construction payment? There''s a mountain of moneying in, can you handle it? If you slip up even once, you''ll lose it all."
As the two brothers continued to make ominous remarks, Jin Se-yoon''s closed mouth suddenly opened.
"So?"
"What? Still don''t get it?"
"I mean, are you saying I wandered into the tiger''s den trying to avoid the fox?"
"I get it now."
When Vice Chairman Jin Young-gi sarcastically replied, Jin Seo-yoonughed heartily.
"No, quite the opposite. I escaped from the tiger''s den and met a wolf. Isn''t my luck better?"
While they were portrayed as being in the tiger''s den, they couldn''t say anything in response to Jin Se-yoon''s words.
"If Oh Sehyun is a concern, then my good brothers should show that he''s not a tiger but a rabbit. He said he''d give Oh Sehyun a billion won, right? He''s charging his little sister high interest, and for others, he''s offering astronomical sums? It''s unbelievable, really."
Jin Seo-yoon offered his older brothers the best option, of course from her perspective.
"If you''re afraid I''ll lose thepany, use money to prevent it. Borrow five billion, adding another billion, with interest rates half of what the banks offer. I''ll earn money and slowly repay it. Then my dear older brothers won''t have to worry."
While Jin Seo-yoon made perfectly sensible arguments, his two brothers only coughed in vain.
If they did as Jin Seo-yoon suggested, there would be no way to regain control of the department store group.
Chapter 138 The Last Struggle at the End of the Century 6
Chapter 138 The Last Struggle at the End of the Century 6
"Have you watched the news?"
"Yes. Is it about Wusung Group?"
"That''s right. The main creditors have reached out. Any intention to acquire..."
While contemting how to broach the subject with Oh Sehyun, these words came out first! Could it be?
"No. They told us to choose from among our subsidiaries. Right now, the only ces with avable funds are foreign investment firms."
"What''s the industry reputation like? Do we have any viable subsidiaries? I''ve heard they''re all struggling,beled as ounting irregrities, or something like that."
Starting with a seemingly negative opinion, Oh Sehyun also nodded.
"The visible debt alone is 3 trillion. It means all the subsidiaries are in a pile of debt. There''s nothing worth acquiring."
"Not a single one?"
"I heard Wusung Shipbuilding has already received substantial orders. That seems to be the best option..."
"Uncle, did the creditors make some sweet offer by any chance?"
"How did you know? There''s no hiding anything from you."
Seeing Oh Sehyun''s surprise, his grandfather''s cunning became more apparent.
"They promised debt reduction. They said if we''re interested, we should meet and negotiate. They''ll make sure we don''t incur any losses, soe with an easy heart."
"That''s right. We won''t incur any losses."
"What happened?"
Realizing that it was something already in motion, Oh Sehyun began to watch my mouth with a short sigh. "In fact..."
When I ryed the conversation with my grandfather without omitting anything, Oh Sehyun caught on.
"He pressured you with your aunt''s contract? Wow! He''s a really intimidating figure."
"I don''t know if there''s a deeper meaning, but for now, we need to step up and seize the initiative."
"Is it just a bluff, trying to test the waters?"
"Even after looking at that contract, my grandfather didn''t say a word. He''s not someone who wouldn''t realize that if the department store group falls into our hands, but there should be no issue if we proceed."
"But throwing that contract at you is a pure threat."
A threat indeed. To gain control of the department store group, the first thing that must happen is for my grandfather to put all his shares up for hostile takeover and hand them over to my aunt.
If this share transfer doesn''t happen, then I''ve made an incredibly foolish decision, lending forty billion with no coteral and providingplete after-service on arge mart construction, all as a big sucker''s move.
But this is not just a yful threat.
"My grandfather made the request in that manner. It also means that we should act as if he didn''t know we were taking over the department store group. Since we''ve received it, we should fulfill the request."
"Not ''we'' but ''you.'' Let''s speak clearly, young man."
"Alright, I''ll change my words. I will take over the department store. Uncle, you can acquire Wusung Shipbuilding, and then when you sell it to Sunyang Heavy Industries, you can make a tremendous profit, right?"
"And you''d give me all that profit?"
I knew it was a joke, but I answered seriously.
"Of course. Consider it a special bonus for the CEO."
He''ll know from my expression that it''s not a joke at all. Oh Sehyun''s mouth remained tightly shut.
When was it that Oh Sehyun dered he would work for just five more years before retiring? To finish this job, the retirement timeline needs to be pushed back.
To keep Oh Sehyun a little longer, spending money is not a problem.
"Now, let''s stop being moved and deal with more urgent matters. The New Data Technology IPO is less than a week away, right?"
"Ah, well... yeah, that''s already prepared. The yers are waiting. We''ll start buying gradually from the first day of trading. Within ten days, we''ll have as many shares as our funds."
"When will the operational forcese into y?"
"They won''te in initially. Anyway, there''s this thing called ''listing buzz,'' so even if we leave it, the stock price will rise. They''ll onlye in three weeks from now. We just need to secure the shares before that and decide when to sell."
Oh Sehyun spoke while ncing at my expression. The surprise that had appeared on his face had disappeared by now.
"Are you really going to handle the acquisition?"
"Yes, we have to negotiate with our second eldest uncle anyway. He''s in charge of the heavy industry sector. It''s not going to be an easy opponent, is it?"
"Hmm..."
He stood up, avoiding the gaze that seemed to be checking if I was hiding something.
"I''m going to meet my grandfather. I need to give him the news that we''re proceeding with the Wusung acquisition."
"Hey! Where are you going? I''m not done talking yet." Leaving behind the shouting Oh Sehyun, I fled the office as if making an escape.
"Why? Don''t want to? Not interested?"
"No, it''s not that. It''s just a bit unexpected."
"Unexpected? When a cheap and good opportunityes along, catching it quickly is unexpected? It''s only natural."
The notice arrived a month after Chairman Jin''s call. Upon hearing that he should take care of Wusung Shipbuilding, he was overjoyed.
He had confirmed that he would be responsible for the shipbuilding part and the session process. This time, it wasn''t a trial or a test.
But when he heard about doubling the shipbuilding, he couldn''t help but be surprised. It could also be interpreted as having that much confidence in himself.
"But, Father, if we acquire Wusung Shipbuilding in our current position, I''m afraid it might cast doubt on the sincerity of the ongoing restructuring."
The session process is underway under the pretext of restructuring. Even the thorn-likebor union is ripe for dismantling on this asion. It was a given that personnel cuts were necessary when the entire group was struggling, and societal empathy had also been established.
We can''t let this golden opportunity go to waste by acquiring Wusung Shipbuilding. It''s inconceivable to carry out an acquisition that requires a significant amount of money when the group is in a difficult situation.
"So we''re going to use a substitute. Let the substitute handle the acquisition, and when things settle down, we''ll take it over."
Suddenly, the notice reminded him of someone.
"Is that substitute, by any chance, Miracle?"
"You know well. Currently, the only ce that can mobilize that level of funds is foreign investment firms. Miracle also has a close rtionship with us, so isn''t it appropriate?"
Chapter 139 Rich Ants 1
Chapter 139 Rich Ants 1
"Did you personally see Uncle? How was it?"
"Chairman Jin Dong-gi?"
"Yes."
"Well, is there anything special about it? He''s just a second-generation conglomerate heir, that''s all."
"Just that much?"
"Second-generation chaebol heirs are all the same. They may appear special, living like nobility from a young age, but if you look closely, they''re not much different from ordinary people. Just..."Oh Sehyun blinked as he recalled. "The attitude is a bit different. He act carefully and pretend to be humble. That''s what makes him appear special."
"Isn''t that too cynical of an assessment?"
"It''s an urate assessment. I''m not belittling him as ordinary people. Even slightly intelligent people, just regr people. Chairman Jin Dong-gi is a slightly intelligent regr person. But he appears special because he''s dressed as a second-generation chaebol. I''m an ordinary person too, after all."
Miracle''s investment returns are among the top, so many people who want to make money have gathered.
Among them were many customers entering the chaebol''s sphere, and a special team was set up for them. Oh Sehyun evaluated his uncle inparison to them.
"You''re the only special one. Oh, your father is a bit special too. It''s the opposite standard."
I''m special because I wear the clothes of a third-generation chaebol.
Inside those clothes, I''m just an ordinary person who knows a little about the future. Oh, and the fact that I stubbornly stick to this is a bit special.
"Is it not difficult to align with you uncle? He must be very serious. I asked him several times to speakfortably, but he didn''t change his attitude. That was somewhat refreshing. Those people always look down on others."
Unless you''re the elder brother or younger brother,fortable conversations don''t happen. Only official business discussions take ce. It means there is no exploration... It''s a bit surprising.
"Oh, that gentleman openly acknowledge you as hispetitor?"
"Did he?"
"Vice Chairman Jin Dong-gi wanted to crush you, didn''t he? But it seems like the eldest granson is trying to bring you to his side. Is it a difference between the eldest and second son?"
"It''s probably a difference in personality. Let''s watch a bit more."
At that moment, a manager knocked on the office door with a report. The report contained the stock status of New Data Technology.
New Data Technology, which went public at 1,480 won, saw its stock price steadily rise. It seemed like it would quickly surpass 10,000 won when it crossed the 10,000 won mark, but it couldn''t break out of the 10,000 won range.
Securities experts believed that with this stock price, sess was almost guaranteed, and the prevailing expectation was that it would settle in the upper 6,000s as soon as the listing rush ended.
"When people who are now selling their stocks exit, we''ll have another strategy. The stock will fluctuate up to around 50,000 won, and every time it does, those who suffered losses will bitterly regret and buy again when the stock goes up, and hastily sell it when it drops, continuing to incur losses."
This is the characteristic of retail investors. They keep buying when it goes up and selling when it goes down, a truly difficult-to-understand investment pattern.
Experts like Oh Sehyun repeated buying and selling in the exact opposite pattern of retail investors, all the while making trading profits.
However, not a single person expected the stock price to skyrocket to over 50,000 won.
I eagerly waited for my aunt to appear.
If Sunyang Electronics invests, I will undoubtedly get hold of that information in advance, as she''s not the type to stay quiet after hearing such valuable information.
Struggling with ack of personal funds, she can''t afford to miss an opportunity to make money like this government-funded venture.
Is Sunyang Electronics'' investment not confirmed yet?
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Did my brother decide?"
"I don''t think so. He''s only investing 20 billion won. Will the chairman himself approve it? He issued an aggressive venture investment directivest year, and since then, the executives have been handling it. He probably only approved the overall investment amount."
Jin Seo-yoon found the information provided by the management executive intriguing.
"But, Director Lim, wasn''t Sunyang Electronics supposed to invest only in internal venture teams? Howe they are investing in externalpanies?"
"I don''t have all the details on that. What I can tell you is that a very small number of people who know this information are quietly gathering stocks, and it''s causing quite a stir."
Director Lim constantly shifted his gaze.
He was reporting this information to Jin Seo-yoon for two reasons.
First, he wanted to find out through Jin Seo-yoon whether Sunyang Electronics'' investment was certain, and if the investment did happen, he wanted to demonstrate his information and capability to have discovered it first.
"Do you know the investment announcement date?"
"That''s a bit..."
"Why?"
Jin Seo-yoon focused intently, trying to figure out if Director Lim might have any hidden motives as he continued to roll his eyes.
"They haven''t set a date; they n to announce it based on the stock price. They said they''ll announce it when it reaches 20,000 won..."
"20,000 won? What''s the current price?"
"It''s been fluctuating around 10,000 won. Some people are already selling..."
"Director Lim!"
"Yes!"
Startled by the stern voice, Director Lim involuntarily straightened up.
"I''m giving you two days. Make sure you find out for sure. If you show any hesitation, I''ll have to reconsider my opinion of you, Director Lim. Remember, you''re only in a temporary position for a year."
Director Lim, with a flushed face, lowered his head and retreated.
Jin Seo-yoon pondered the two numbers intently.
If the stock reaches 20,000 won, Sunyang Electronics will invest. This means that the stock price will definitely reach 20,000 won at some point. Moreover, when Sunyang Electronics'' investment bes known, the stock price will skyrocket again, at least doubling.
Chapter 140 Rich Ants 2
Chapter 140 Rich Ants 2
When the stock price dropped to 6,000 won, Jin Seo-yoon''s lips tightened. She vented all her anxiety and restlessness to Director Lim.
"Chairman, it''s for sure. The investment is already approved by Sun Hoon-jae Electronics CEO. They''re in the process of adjusting the share price for participation. The stock price will go up again. Please be patient for a little while longer."
As Director Lim had assured, the stock price, which had dropped to 6,000 won, suddenly rebounded and quickly surpassed 10,000 won.
But it didn''t stop there. It continued to hit the daily limit for several days, finally surpassing the 20,000 won mark.
However, as soon as the stock price hit 20,000 won, it started to decline as if it had been waiting. For three consecutive days, it showed a downward trend.
People celebrating the surging stock price and thosementing their losses were both abundant in number.
In the second half of 1999, the tumultuous stock price of New Data Technology was the eye of a hurricane in the stock market.
Coincidentally, a press conference was held by CEO Lee Sangsoo.
In recent days, securities-rted websites had been filled with rumors such as "Sohn Jung''s SoftBank invests in New Data Technology" and "Going public on Nasdaq with Yahoo," making it clear that a significant announcement was imminent.
CEO Lee Sangsoo, avoiding the shes from reporters'' cameras, directed his gaze at the ceiling. When the press conference venue fell silent, he began a brief presentation.
As discussions on current issues, solutions, and future visions continued, the journalists began to frown more and more.
The name "emergency press conference" was quite ordinary, and with only mundane content being discussed, there was no real news to report.
CEO Lee Sangsoo asionally nced at his watch, and as noon approached, he concluded his presentation.
"The tedious time has ended. It''s about time we made the announcement."
When he redirected the conversation, the reporters refocused.
"New Data Technology has decided to partner with the Sunyang Group to foster a global brand..."
He used the term "group" instead of Sunyang Electronics to enhance the impact of the announcement.
The partnership agreement for Sunyang Electronics'' stake was signed at 11 a.m. that day. They maintained strict security measures until a secure time for the press conference, even confirming the identities of journalists before allowing them into the conference room.
The sell-off that urred as soon as the stock market opened this morning was likely orchestrated by the operation forces
Within just a few hours, the stock price surged once again, and those who had sold their stocks during the morning trading session watched the press conference news with a sense of impending disaster.
As soon as the announcement about Sunyang''s stake participation ended, reporters bombarded the CEO with questions. He either evaded or responded ambiguously to the awkward questions.
Upon confirming the press conference as breaking news, Oh Sehyun quickly made several phone calls and then burst intoughter.
"Lee Sangsoo was nning to run away, but he shook hands. That''s not how it''s supposed to be... Huh, really."
"Why do you say that?"
"He handed over 1 million shares of his own stocks to Sunyang Electronics. Now, the CEO''s stake is around 10%. Sunyang Electronics has be a major shareholder."
The founder and CEO sold his shares. He''s still thergest shareholder, but this could provide a basis for problems in the future. There''s no way to avoid the suspicion that he''s already made ns to cash out and escape if problems arise.
"Now that they have around 20 billion won in cash, do you think they might consider a capital increase? They have no other way to increase their capital, do they?"
"That''s likely. They''ll probably put around 10 billion won into a capital increase. But they''ve still got 10 billion won."
Oh Sehyun was worried about his junior, and I was concerned about my aunt.
Now, intoxicated by the surging stock price, she might forget hermitment. She must sell at 40,000 won, securing four times the profit. Only then can she savor the thrill of gambling and let go of control in the moment of victory.
From that point on, we just need to leave it alone, and it will copse on its own.
But how much money will she lose when it falls apart?
"Do-jun, do we really have to sell? Isn''t this foolish?"
"Sell it. CEO Oh''s instincts are almost never wrong."
"It just keeps going up." My aunt pushed the newspaper in front of my eyes with an unhappy look.
"You know, when the stock price falls, the selling pressure surges in an instant. You''re well aware of it. Once you miss the timing when you say ''Oops,'' you can''t turn back. You''ve earned enough."
I spoke quietly, as if trying to avoid Oh Sehyun''s nagging. But couldn''t hide her disappointment when the same words came out of my mouth.
"You sold too? Everything?"
I need to respond carefully. After all, aren''t family members the ones who cause the most pain when they lose money?
"We''ve already sold everything. Around 38,000 won. We kept 25 times the profit, so it''s enough."
Of course, I''m still holding onto it.
"What? T-Twenty-five times?"
I said it like it was nothing, leaving my aunt stammering.
"Yes. We bought it when thepany went public. Was it around 1,500 won?"
"Hey! Why didn''t you tell me in advance?"
"I didn''t know either because it''s thepany''s business. It''s a financial investment firm, and I always focus on the stock market to not miss the timing when apany goes public."
"Even if thepany bought it, your investment capital must be included, right?"
"I don''t have much left now. I put it all in for my uncle''s election campaign, and in return, I received the Sangam-dongnd, which is still the same. I think it was about 500 million won in total."
Anyway, nothing will be heard. It''s obvious that my aunt''s head is full of nothing but the number 25.
"Aunt, there will be plenty of opportunities to earn extra money in the future. Don''t hold onto regrets now; just sell it all."
I can''t even begin to imagine how many curses I''ll get because of what I''m saying. Considering my aunt''s fiery temperament, I need to be prepared for the worst.
My aunt was in a position where she temporarily ''borrowed''pany money and couldn''t afford any more adventures.
In the end, she only received a message saying that she sold everything when the stock price was a little over 40,000 won. She didn''t reveal how much she invested or what the profits were.
Chapter 141 Rich Ants 3
Chapter 141 Rich Ants 3
"I''m truly sorry... Predicting stock prices is already impossible. It''s best to watch the trends and get out if you have a premonition that something might go wrong. This is the best approach."
"Yes, the corporate data used to evaluate stock prices is already useless. The current stock prices are built solely on optimism about the future.
"Furthermore, the desires of retail investors also y a significant role."
People who had been summoned suddenly looked to Jin Seo-yoon for cues, but no clear or definitive answers came out.
"I heard these were the top talents from Sunyang Securities, but they don''t seem impressive at all." Jin Seo-yoon frowned and dismissed them, making the high-flying talents at Sunyang Securities, who were not used to such treatment, suppress their frustration.
"I''m sorry, but no one can clearly exin the current situation. This is an unprecedented phenomenon since the Korean stock market started."
"So, it''s safe to say that no one knows how high it will go?"
"That''s correct."
"How about the situation with Sunyang Electronics? You invested 20 billion, so there should be some action by now..."
"We''re not paying much attention to Sunyang Electronics. It''s just one of several investments scattered across IT divisions. We''re focusing on affiliating with thepany rather than making trading profits from the stock price increase."
"Hmm..."
Jin Seo-yoon had hoped for a lighthouse-like answer to guide her, but all she got was the vast sea, leaving her deep in thought.
However, beyond the vast sea, she might find her own El-dorado.
"Um, may I ask how much you''ve invested?"
"I don''t know the exact amount. I''m currently buying more as the stock price rises. If it drops a bit, I''ll sell ordingly."
"You seem to stick to the basics. That should be fine."
The positive evaluations from the brokerage managers eased some of her concerns.
"Please keep today''s meeting a secret. If this information leaks within the group, I will doubt your discretion. When I decide, there will be no ce for you on thisnd. I have that much power. Do you understand?"
The Sunyang Securities managers zipped their lips.
The fact that she has that much power as the daughter of Chairman Jin is beyond doubt.
She gathered Sunyang Securities managers secretly not to seek investment advice but to hearforting words and what she wanted to hear.
"Take these and give them to the people who don''t know the brand. I prepared several of each brand because I don''t know their preferences, so take a few of the ones you like."
In the direction pointed by her finger, there were designer handbags with price tags in the millions in shopping bags.
She said a few, didn''t she? The brokerage managers all stood up, bent over with enthusiasm. Such windfalls are always wee.
As the autumn wind began to turn into a winter chill, aunt quietly approached me.
When I heard her first words, I realized that she had stepped into an inescapable quagmire.
"Do-Jun, could you ask CEO Oh if he could dy the interest payment a bit? The economy is a mess, and department store sales have plummeted. Only the food section is barely holding up."
"Has it really gotten that bad?"
Ignoring my feigned ignorance and asking, she let out a cry that seemed to say, "I''ve been waiting for you."
"The hotel upancy rate is over 70%. People have to eat to live, so theye to the department store to shop. It''s hard to tell if it''s a department store or a market."
As tempting as it was to check her usible lie, I couldn''t risk making any slip of the tongue. On a day when I might inadvertently say something, everything could go up in smoke.
The stock price had already exceeded 200,000 won. If my aunt disposed of all the stocks right now, she would make a fortune, and the department store group would slip from my grasp.
I had to smoothly bring up the topic of stocks.
"I''m sorry, Aunt."
"Huh? What for?"
"If you hadn''t sold those stocks for 40,000 won each, the problem would have been solved much more easily."
"Oh... That. Well, it''s okay. Stocks and I don''t really go together anyway. Besides, I made four times my investment, so I should be satisfied with that." She feigned ignorance, and the way she brushed it off was awkward.
"Seems like 300,000 won or more... It''s truly incredible, isn''t it?"
"What? 300,000 won?" Her subtly startled expression was fleeting.
A small smile that briefly lingered at the corner of her mouth said it all. I hoped that the department store group wobbled enough for her to have a chance...
"Yes. But they called it a ne crash."
"What''s that supposed to mean? Tell me more."
"Ah, it''s like talking about someone else''s house party; why bother? We don''t have a single share...."
"But still... I''m curious. I was once a major shareholder too."
She was undoubtedly still the major shareholder. Her glittering eyes spoke for themselves.
"So, the evaluation in Yeouido is that it could go up to around 300,000 won. However, it seems like there''s a strange ne that''s only gaining altitude. It''s precarious, and you never know when it will crash."
"Sounds risky."
"But they say as long as you time it right in the end, you can make a fortune. High risk, high return. You understand, right?"
"Of course."
"Aunt."
I looked her in the eyes and said, "Yeah."
"Please promise me not to engage in any of these activities right now. You know, the ne crash."
I raised my hand to show an image of a crashing ne, and she burst intoughter.
"Who do you think I am? Don''t say silly things."
"Then, let''s go back and talk to CEO Oh about it. Don''t worry too much. He''s not someone who disregards the situation and only focuses on money."
A positive response came out of my mouth, and my aunt''s face brightened considerably.
"I''ll take care of it, my dear nephew. I''ll definitely repay the debt I owe. You know that, right?"
"What debt? We''re family."
We exchanged only good words and parted ways.
We are a family, and families always bicker.
Chapter 142 For Now, One Thing is Certain 1
Chapter 142 For Now, One Thing is Certain 1
The three men who came to the office had nowhere to turn their eyes, and they looked around the office.
They rushed here because of the name "Miracle," but they still didn''t know why the meeting had been requested, so their curiosity was evident.
"Hello, I''m Jin Do-jun."
When I handed over my business card, one of the three men''s expressions changed.
"By any chance, is it...?"
"Yes, that''s right. I''m that Jin Do-jun. Haha."
I couldn''t be sure how much they knew, but just the fact that I was the third-generation chaebol seemed to make them tense. Knowing that the top of the family tree was looking for them, they were pondering whether this was an opportunity or a crisis.
"But why did you want to see us?"
"Since you''re willing to stand in line, I''d like it for you to stand by my side." I spoke while observing their curious eyes.
Their expressions changed with my straightforward words.
"We heard you''re not an easy person to talk to. That''s why I''m speaking openly." I reached out with the documents I had prepared and handed them over. "If you agree to a single condition I have in mind, these documents will take immediate effect. Take a look for now."
Before my words even settled, they immediately focused on the documents. They scrutinized every detail of the papers, not missing a single word, and their facial muscles twitched.
I wanted to cheer and burst intoughter, but I held it in.
"Do you like it?"
They fixed their expressions and spoke cautiously.
"Miracle is currently the top investment firm in Korea. The same goes for its U.S. headquarters. But we haven''t heard of them recruiting under such extraordinary conditions."
"You said you''re speaking openly, so could you tell us why you''re making such a surprising proposal? And what''s the one condition you have in mind?"
A 1 billion KRW annual sry, separate incentives, guaranteed employment for a minimum of 5 years regardless of performance.
They would have enough money tost a lifetime if they worked for just five years. But only if they epted one condition they were about to hear.
"I heard you are advising Chairman Jin Seo-yoon. Oh, don''t be too surprised. It''s safe to say it''s not much of a secret."
The three men remained tight-lipped. Jin Seo-yoon''s warning would havee to their minds. The warning that kept her from putting a foot in this world. Her secret was out.
"Well, it''s almost certain she issued a threat. But thispany isn''t under my aunt''s control, and she won''t be able to guarantee your future as much as the conditions I''m offering you will, will she?"
"That''s why we need to know the condition. So we can choose whether to stand in line or tip-toe around Chairman Jin."
"The condition is simple. Make sure that Chairman Jin Seo-yoon doesn''t sell the New Data Technology shares she owns, ever."
"Don''t sell...?"
"That''s right. I''m asking you to make her keep the shares of thatpany forever."
These men have also been eating their fill in Yeouido for over a decade. They know very well that thepany''s stock price is like thin ice. The stock could crash at any moment.
Making them hold onto that stock forever implies incurring a massive loss.
Standing in line here is not a matter of sry or office politics; it''s about aligning with the top figures in the family. Their expressions became even more rigid. Did this mean lying to Jin Seo-yoon and betraying her?
"Why are you so surprised? How many people have actually lost money on stocks? Among your clients, how many people believed only in your words and ended up losing? Quite a few, I suppose?"
"However, asking us to advise her to keep holding onto a stock that''s almost certain to fall..."
"You''re a stockbroker, aren''t you?"
"Yes?"
"I asked if you''re close to Chairman Jin Seo-yoon. How well do you know her? I heard from my sources that you''ve met her just once."
It would be awkward to use the word "betrayal." In a rtionship where the powerful seize the weak, there''s nothing to betray.
"For people working in a battlefield where blood is shed every day, your understanding of the situation is rather slow, and your judgment is questionable. Have you barely managed to conceal your inadequate skills while scraping by?"
Giving a blow to their pride had brought their pent-up feelings to the surface. Still, being in front of a member of the Chairman''s lineage, they could only fume and couldn''t retaliate.
The issue at hand is not about who to choose for the best reward but rather, who to choose to avoid the least amount of damage. Do you grasp the concept?
They also grasped the implications of my words.
The nephew had said that he''d push his aunt into the abyss. If they declined here, the nephew would brandish his sword. Ultimately, they had to pick someone who could serve as a shield, and as I had promised toy out a red carpet, it was evident which side they should stand on if they weren''t fools.
"We understand it quite well, but how can you guarantee this?"
"What do you want me to guarantee?"
"A guarantee that you will employ us as per this contract if Chairman Jin Seo-yoon expels us."
"Can you promise she will not to sell the stock and hold onto it?" My chuckle received a swift counterpunch.
"We might not make our customers earn money through stocks, but we certainly can make them lose. You should be able to understand that, didn''t you?"
The promise undoubtedly meant that they''d stick to it, and it implied their standing by my side. Now, I had to provide them with the assurance they needed.
"In fact, I also own 300,000 shares of New Data Technology stock. For you, that''s roughly five years'' worth of sry, isn''t it?"
"Three hundred...!"
The current stock price had surpassed 200,000 won, amounting to at least 60 billion won. Even if theirbined five-year sries totaled 15 billion, it wasn''t a trivial amount by any means.
"May I ask at what price you bought it?"
"I acquired it at 500 million won when it was just listed."
A subdued gasp emanated from the three of them simultaneously.
"You purchased it at the listing price... That''s truly remarkable."
"May I inquire about how you held onto it? The price fluctuations were massive... Weren''t you tempted to sell when it was falling?"
Chapter 143 For Now, One Thing is Certain 2
Chapter 143 For Now, One Thing is Certain 2
"How much was it?"
"W-Well, a hundred billion."
"You gambled away that money in stocks?" Chairman Jin furrowed his brow as he looked at his daughter, who couldn''t meet his gaze. "You gave department stores a hard time and then invested the money in stocks? Are you out of your mind?"
"I''m sorry, Father. I was under severe pressure for operating funds, and I was trying to find a solution..."
"Such an easy life you lead. Do you think operating funds are scattered around Yeouido?"
"Father, Sunyang Electronics also invested in thepany. That''s why I trusted...
Jin Seo-yoon stopped making excuses under her father''s fierce re. She felt that if she pushed the issue any further, she might end up with nothing.
"Aren''t you already separate from the Sunyang Group? Are you so desperate to chase after otherpanies?"
"Is it not also a mistake of Sunyang Electronics, who invested two hundred billion in apany that copsed in just a few months? There''s no difference in whether it was me or Sunyang Electronics who invested poorly."
"So? What do you want to say? Why did youe here? Trying to get a hold of someone else''spany?"
Jin Seo-yoon realized her mistake as she saw her father''s angry expression. Even if she begged on her knees now, it wouldn''t be enough.
"Can you just help me this once? If we get past this hurdle..."
"So why don''t you reach out to Oh Sehyun again? Won''t it solve everything if he help?"
"No, Father. I can''t borrow from CEO Oh anymore."
Seeing his terrified daughter, Chairman Jin took a pile of documents from his drawer and tossed them over.
"I''ve done everything you wanted, including the corporate separation. Now, even if you rece the name of Sunyang, it doesn''t matter. It''s apletely separatepany without a single share mixed in. If I help you, it will be considered embezzling Sunyang''s money. Do you want to see your old man behind bars?"
Jin Seo-yoon turned pale without even opening the file.
"Oh, Father. You can''t act like this now. If the department store group falls into my hands, it''ll be a disaster. I need to reverse this!"
"You didn''t just lose money in the stock market; you''ve lost your mind, too. You''ve lost the money I gave you. You want to turn it back... Is that it?"
"No, it''s not like that..."
"It''s... heartbreaking. Our daughter. You threw away how much I gave you? Do you know how much money that broken sum is? You just want to throw it away? Who in the world raised you?"
As Chairman Jin lost his temper, Jin Seo-yoon just closed her eyes tightly.
Fromplicated debt rtionships to the missing hundred billion, and the grand opening of arge mart for the New Year''s business everything had gone awry.
However, a fact that Jin Seo-yoon hadpletely forgotten about was brought up by Chairman Jin.
"By the way, under whose name did you conduct the stock investment? Was it your own name, by any chance?"
It wasn''t because he didn''t know; it was to confirm if she used a proxy to makepany funds ''disappear.'' After all, who doesn''t usepany funds for personal reasons from time to times? This was a way of verifying that.
"Why are you suddenly asking about that?"
"Just answer me quickly! Was it true?"
"Yes."
"This is driving me insane." Chairman Jin rested his head against the chair.
"Father, what''s wrong? Is there some problem...?"
In response to his daughter''s cautious question, Chairman Jin kept his lips sealed, refusing to say a word.
Jin Seo-yoon knew that in times like these, you had to wait silently. She simply stared at her father''s face.
"Seo-yoon."
"Yes, Father."
After a long pause, Chairman Jin gently called his daughter. "Do you trust Assistant Lim the most?"
"Yes, he''s someone I can entrust with the barn key."
"And does he follow you faithfully?"
"Most likely. But Father, why are you asking this so anxiously?"
Despite her trembling voice, Jin Seo-yoon asked, but Chairman Jin avoided giving a clear response.
"Never mind. I''ll handle the rest. You should go back and take care of thepany."
I''ll handle the rest.
These words sounded like a lifeline.
"Father, thank you so much. I''ll do my best. And the hundred billion... I''ll work to settle it within a year."
"What are you talking about? A hundred billion?"
"Yes? You said you''d take care of it...?"
Both father and daughter opened their eyes wide and asked each other simultaneously.
Chairman Jin was the first to understand the misunderstanding.
"Money is a problem for you to solve. You''re still talking about something like that? When thepany was divided, the work and money became your responsibility. Even if you lose everything, don''te to me for help!"
"Oh, Father!"
"What I mean is you''re responsible for the money. Are you still talking like that? Since thepany was divided, work and money are your responsibility. You must not make a mess ande to me!"
"Father!
"I will prevent you from getting arrested; that''s what I mean. You''re my only daughter, and as your father, I can''t stand the thought of you going to jail."
"Jail? What do you mean by that?"
"You don''t understand anything. Now go back. I don''t even want to see your face right now. Hurry!"
Jin Seo-yoon had to retreat under her father''s shouting. Her footsteps back home were heavy, filled with worries about money, but at the same time, they were somewhat relieved.
"All right, have you looked into everything?"
"Yes, I made a few rounds in Myeongdong. It''s spread out under a total of 16 names."
"Ugh." Chairman Jin let out an unintended groan. "How did she withdraw the money?"
"From thepany''s representatives and then from Myeongdong."
"Has Seo-yoon''s name been involved?"
"No."
"Well, that''s fortunate."
Director Lee had aposed expression. "You don''t need to worry too much. It seems they were cautious in their approach."
"What about the prosecution? You managed to uncover it in a day, but the prosecution... they should''ve traced the money flow within half a day."
Chapter 144 For Now, One Thing is Certain 3
Chapter 144 For Now, One Thing is Certain 3
"What are you so upset about?"
"What?"
"Did Director Lee Hakjae fabricate something among the crimes or mistakes he found?"
"Well, I... I mean..." Manager Lim stammered and couldn''t provide a clear denial.
"If we want to help you, we need to know everything. What the mistake is, what wrong you''vemitted. Do you understand?"
"I really didn''t make a major mistake..."
"No, not you."
"What?"
"Director Lee Hakjae already has a knife to your throat, and it''s toote to dodge it. We need to draw our own knife and aim it at the opponent''s throat. Aunt Seo-yoon pointed to you as the mastermind. Director Lee Hakjae is just acting on behalf of Aunt Seo-yoon after all."
Manager Lim had an incredulous look on his face when I suggested betraying my aunt.
Oh Sehyun remained silent and just observed, showing a clear willingness to let me take the lead since I had decided to step forward.
"Director Jin, are you serious?"
"Since Manager Lim has already guessed it, that''s why you''vee here, right? You suspect that Miracle might take aunt''s ce. Am I correct?"
"Yes, that''s correct."
"Then please tell me everything. The origin and flow of the angelic 100 billion won that your aunt lost through stock investments. We need to hold a knife to aunt''s throat with that information. Then Director Lee Hakjae will make the proposal to put down the knife on both sides."
Manager Lim nced briefly at Oh Sehyun who just shrugged his shoulders and remained silent.
I understand why Manager Lim hesitates. Isn''t this a blood rtionship? Instead of his nephew holding a knife to exploit his aunt''s weakness, he might be more inclined to bury himself, a total stranger.
Looking at him hesitate, I said, "I''m not suggesting you plot against aunt. Just tell us the facts you can prove. Inting them unnecessarily will only backfire. I will determine if the facts can be the knife Manager Lim can use."
"Well, that means..." Manager Lim started cautiously, and as he gradually spoke up, his voice became louder. By the time all the information about the origin of the 100 billion won hade out, he was practically shouting. "This ispletely insane! While it''s a habit for the wealthy to endure without giving in even when money is at stake, this has gone too far. Day after tomorrow, all the tenantpanies will be rallying at the department store entrance."
"So, what you''re saying is that the 100 billion won, as it left thepany ount and flowed into Myeongdong, didn''t pass through Chairman Jin Seo-yoon''s hands?"
"That''s correct. It flowed from thepany ount to a phantompany, and then to Myeongdong."
"Who is the representative of this phantompany?"
"As I said, it''s a phantom. Apany established under the name of a fictitious person. It''s been around for quite a while."
"A moneyundering front, I see."
"Yes, they issued tax invoices under various pretexts, allowing them to siphon off money from hotels and department stores."
"Just investigating thispany could yield enough evidence."
"Yes, Chairman Jin won''t be able to escape."
"You''re quite slow for someone who handles money." Oh Sehyun chuckled, as if he found it pitiful, while looking at Manager Lim.
"It''s not the CEOs and executives who funneled the money into the phantompany. Each department store manager, hotel manager did. Do you think we can find traces of my aunt among these people?"
"What are you talking about? Everyone knows that, right? That the phantompany was CEO Jin''s wallet?"
"Everyone may know, but do the courts know? Does the prosecution know? It''s all about the legal principle of ''burden of proof.'' You didn''t know that? Can you prove, with documents, that the phantompany was my aunt''s wallet?"
"Testimonies are evidence too. The CEOs, the executives, they''re all witnesses."
"Exactly."
As I thumped my knee and nodded, Manager Lim''s eyes widened.
"Convince all those CEOs to testify, Manager Lim. The rest is up to me."
To gain a new master, one must betray the old.
"When the issue explodes, make sure they know that all those Managers will be in the same situation as you. Someone has to take responsibility for the missing 100 billion won. If you, Manager Lee, quietly shoulder the me alone..."
"How can I just sit still? I have no intention of dying alone."
"Then it will get noisy, and the hotel and department store Managers will also be in trouble. If they point their fingers at you in unison..."
"That''s... that''s outrageous!" Manager Lim was stunned. However, he knew that it wasn''t outrageous, but rather, there was a high possibility of it happening.
Telling lies for the sake of one''s loyal master is not umon, is it?
"So, their me must be directed towards Chairman Jin Seo-yoon. Convince them. Please!" Seeing him trembling with fear, I grabbed both of Manager Lim''s hands. "Mr. CEO, you must make a choice. Time is running out."
"Manager Lim! You have to make sense. Do you know how much favor I owe Chairman Jin?"
"We have to survive too, right?"
"Hey, friend! This isn''t right. How much trust does Chairman Jin Seo-yoon have in you? And you''re talking about betraying her?"
The CEO of Gangnam Branch, thergest and most senior of the Sungyang Department Store branches, frowned as he looked at Manager Lim.
"Sir. Chairman Jin is trying to ce the me on me for the ident she caused. It''s a whopping 100 billion won. I might go to prison for 10 years, while she just to enjoy a life of wealth and luxury."
The mention of a 10-year prison sentence left the CEO of Gangnam Branch looking perplexed.
It''s a statement that can neither be cursed nor finger-pointed. 10 years means you''ll be staring at the world outside when you''re in your seventies, breathing in the free air.
Manager Lim observed the expression of the Gangnam Branch CEO and didn''t miss the opportunity.
"Sir, I''ll be honest... I won''t die alone."
"What?"
"I''ve had control over all the Sungyang Department Store and hotel ledgers. The embezzled unofficial fund records are in my hands. If thates to light, not only the department store group executives but all the top managers will be summoned."
"That guy! Are you threatening me!"
It was only natural for a loud voice to emerge in response to such tant intimidation. However, Manager Lim had no intention of stopping here.
"Sir, this is an opportunity for a new beginning. It''s a chance for us to break free from the shadow of Jin Seo-yoon, if webine our strength."
"What are you talking about now?"
Chapter 145 For Now, One Thing is Certain 4
Chapter 145 For Now, One Thing is Certain 4
"Do, Do-jun... What... What are you talking about?"
It took a while for my aunt to finally speak.
"Is what I said unclear? Oh Sehyun has no interest in this matter. I''m just fulfilling the contract as it''s written."
"So, what exactly is your intention? Is this for real? You''re going to... mypany?"
"Have I ever spoken nonsense? Starting next year, I will be the owner of Sunyang Retail. Of course, it includes the department stores under it, hotels, golf courses, condos, and the discount mart chain. I will have it all. Do you understand what the situation is right now?"
It''s going to be hard for her to understand. She has to piece the puzzle together herself. I''ve never touched the puzzle pieces, so I have no idea what the picture looks like.
If it were a still life, it would be easy to understand, but this is abstract art. It takes a while to grasp. However, with time, shee to realize one thing.
"You... You, this child, are you really... betraying me? Have you been using me?"
"When have we ever been on the same side? Haven''t our family members always lived cautiously around each other? Words like betrayal and exploitation... they didn''t even exist. Aunt, you also never treated me as a business partner, you simply wanted to use me."
"You little... dare to take advantage of me? Wait... you, this child... Was even the stock investment part of your scheme?"
"I told you to sell when you made a profit, didn''t I? You said you sold everything, and without my advise, didn''t you secretly buy it all back? What are you talking about?"
"Hey!"
Surprise, amazement, and confusion vanished. They were reced by anger, the only emotion remaining, pouring out of her.
I don''t need to bear all of this person''s anger, and I certainly don''t have anypassionate feelings.
"Stop shouting and calm down. This is the moment that will determine the future of the Sunyang Retail. Whether Jin Seo-yoon remains in that position as the CEO of Sunyang Retail or not, I haven''t decided yet. Showing a calm and rational approach is still inadequate."
"You, you child. Do as the contract says! It''s just 30%, alright. Majority shareholder? I''ll ept it. But not Miracle... no, you can''t do anything. Shareholders take care of the dividends." Aunt, her fur coat fluttering, stood up from her seat. "Get out! Get out of this building right now! You''re not qualified. You can attend the shareholder meeting once a year!"
"Please sit down. I haven''t finished my statement as the majority shareholder."
"What?" Aunt''s flushed face turned white.
"As you said, as the majority shareholder with a 30% stake, I n to sue you for embezzlement ofpany funds through stock investments."
The word ''sue'' seemed to hit her like an arrow, and her mouth fell agape.
"If the majority shareholder makes a move, changing the CEO and executives is no big deal. Especially for someone like you, who messed up thepany without following the corporate system, caused damage, and embezzled money without authorization; it''s better for you to disappear as soon as possible."
Aunt,ing to her senses, pursed her lips and sneered.
"Did Oh Sehyun not teach you anything? Why we''re not part of the corporate system? It''s for times like these. Exert control without responsibility. That''s what we are."
"I didn''t need to be taught that. I''m not the only one who knows. The entire nation knows."
"Knowing doesn''t change a thing, so you just observe. You''re no different from that nation. There''s nothing you can do. Just like you said, the majority shareholder can rece the CEO and executives. The executives should be the ones held responsible."
"Will they really do that?" I took out my mobile phone and dialed a shortcut number. "Yes. They''reing. It''s time for an exnation."
"What, what is this? Who are you talking to?"
"The people responsible. We need to know their thoughts. Are they willing to take responsibility for Aunt, or will they, instead of inverting non-existent crimes, all point fingers at you and say it''s your fault."
As footsteps approached from outside the conference room, Aunt''s gaze shifted towards the door.
"If they all point fingers at Aunt at the same time, there''s nothing we can do. Oh, we call that kind of situation betrayal."
At that moment, the conference room door swung wide open, and department store and hotel managers, led by Manager Lim, filed in one by one.
They took their seats in the conference room chairs, avoiding Aunt''s gaze.
"Let''s skip the pleasantries. Those present here are already familiar with the content of the contract with Miracle."
Aunt''s face, now seated in the high-backed chair, began to pale.
"The one hundred billion won that Chairman Jin Seo-yoon lost, the source of that money came directly from thepanies you all run. And Chairman Jin Seo-yoon believed in your loyalty. Responsibility for that money falls on your shoulders. Isn''t that right?"
Not a single one of them spoke.
"Silence implies consent. Will you take responsibility for this?"
As I mmed the table, Manager Lim was the first to speak.
"I''m sorry, Chairman. At my age, I can''t spend my retirement in prison."
"I''m sorry, Chairman." Once one person began, the rest followed, all bowing their heads and apologizing to Aunt.
"You, you people..."
Aunt was likely finding it difficult to ept this situation as they had spent their entire lives being loyal to the Sunyang Group. It was challenging to believe people she had trusted could betray her like this.
"Wh-who said someone''s going to prison? Can''t you trust our Sunyang? Even if he makes a big fuss, there''s no problem. In the worst case, it will end with a suspended sentence."
Manager Lim spoke on behalf of the others. "If people like us will only end up with suspended sentences, then, Chairwoman, you''ll probably be cleared of all charges. Or at the very least, have your prosecution postponed. What are you afraid of?"
"Manager Lim!" Aunt shouted, but it was already toote. Manager Lim red at her with icy eyes.
"Stop trying to find their weaknesses by threatening executives and managers, or even bothering them. If even one person bes a subject of harassment, I will personally sue Aunt, and these people will all be witnesses."
With my final warning, an ufortable silence began.
Since they had all thrown their dice, they only needed to wait for the results. I was the only dealer who could reveal those results.
"Regardless of where thepany goes from here, your positions will remain unchanged. Given the current situation, you shouldn''t brandish your swords recklessly. Go back with peace of mind."
Chapter 146 The Beginning of the New Millennium 1
Chapter 146 The Beginning of the New Millennium 1
"Furthermore, the position of Chairman in thispany isn''t an imperial one, like other conglomerate leaders. It doesn''t exist in the organization or the system. I''ll give the authority to appoint the General Managers of each department store, hotel, andrge discount store, as well as the power to set the overall business direction."
"So, does this mean Miracle will only be involved in the appointment of the Chairman?"
"That''s right. As I mentioned, there will be aplete separation of ownership and management."
The Managers exchanged nces and began to speak in turn.
"Before that, it seems we need to rify the rtionship with Chairwoman Jin Seo-yoon."
"Yes. In fact, due to the previous incident, our rtionship with her is quite awkward right now."
If Aunt had made a pact to testify when transferring the responsibility to the CEO, it was undoubtedly against my interests. Perhaps she is sharpening her weapon.
"She will be appointed as the interim Chairwoman. Until a formal Chairman is appointed, you should follow her directives."
When I spoke with a slight smile, their gazes turned to me.
"Please treat Vice Chairwoman Jin Seo-yoon with an open heart. It means you can pick and choose what you need from her words, opinions, and instructions, and disregard the rest."
"But that might lead to conflicts, right?"
"I will always mediate. Let me say it again, work together with an open mind."
As I looked around at the people I would be working with, I didn''t forget my final request.
"You are all part of the Sunyang Group, and you would make a big mistake to think otherwise. If you can help our distribution group even a little, I won''t hesitate to deal a severe blow to the Sunyang Group. Remember, I''m with Miracle, not Sunyang. Never forget that."
Could they reallypletely sever their ties with the Sunyang Group?
"This guy is starting to reveal his ws. Seo-yoon, this foolish girl wiped us all out in stocks."
"I heard too. Since Father made it easy to put it in his pocket, Miracle managed to take it more easily. If the management structure had beenplex, it wouldn''t have been so easy."
"The management support headquarters told me. She have paid off all the money she borrowed from us. Now, Seo-yoon haspletely separated herself."
Jin Yeong-gi and Jin Dong-gi had different reactions. While Jin Yeong-gi was frantic, Jin Dong-gi remainedposed, as if nothing had happened.
"Thanks to that, we''ve filled a lot of the funding gaps, so it''s all good."
"Hey! Aren''t you at least a bit concerned?" Jin Yeong-gi shouted at his carefree younger brother.
"Department stores, hotels, marts, condos, golf courses. You just buy buildings andnd. Need any technology, machinery? It''s all about real estate and people. That''s all there is to it. What''s there to be concerned about?"
"What are you talking about? What is it?"
"If my brother and I invest in real estate, build hotels, and put up the name Sunyang, it''s over. People? If you poach everyone under her, that''s all you need."
Jin Dong-gi''s thought was that once you start one thing, whether it''s a hotel or a department store, you can uproot talent, shake thepany moving to Miracle, and make it crumble without a big fight.
The power of the name Sunyang, the moment when it cannot be used, is when it deres bankruptcy itself.
"By the way, have you been meeting with Oh Sehyun often because of the Wuseong Shipbuilding acquisition? Did you talk about this deal?"
"That''s why I''m saying it. Oh Sehyun is currently basking in his fantasy."
"What kind of fantasy?"
"The fantasy of bing a conglomerate chairman. Miracle''s funds depend on the United States, and the Americans trust Oh Sehyun, who acquired thepany without missing the opportunity of IMF. So even if he ys the role of chairman, the American investors won''t say a word."
"He''s out of his mind."
"No. He also have the ability to turn fantasies into reality."
"What?"
Because of his younger brother''s words, Jin Yeong-gi''s stubbornness that had taken root in a corner of his heart made him lift his head.
"Have you forgotten? The 17% share in the group that Sunyang Auto has? If Do-Jun takes control of our financial division at Sunyang and swaps Sunyang Auto''s 17% stake with Sunyang affiliates and a few cars? He could at least be the top five in the corporate rankings, right?"
Those words meant that thebined size of what the Miracle had could match what they have, effectively taking away half of Sunyang''s business. It gave me chills.
"We need to destroy the department stores and hotels, and that''s not something to worry about in the distant future."
"That''s right. If we just take down one thing, the people who left Sunyang wille running to us. That will be a warning to Oh Sehyun."
The brothers who always checked each other''s actions returned to their essential form as brothers who couldn''t be separated for a while, all because of external enemies.
The year 1999 marked the end of the 1990s and was a year filled with anticipation for the approaching 2000s.
In particr, this year was characterized by high expectations for the new millennium, as it had quickly ovee the worst economic growth rate of -6.9% experienced the previous year and achieved a +9.5% growth rate, as if to mock it.
Additionally, this year was dominated by Y2K fears as the new millennium approached. However, when January 1, 2000 arrived, none of the anticipated disasters came to pass.
Banks worked overtime and prepared for contingencies, as did government agencies and major corporations. When the new year dawned, those who had stayed up all night in tension breathed a sigh of relief and returned home in disappointment.
And so, the 21st century began.
This year, none of the rtives visited grandfather''s house. They had to prepare for the influx of guests from early in the morning.
The executives from Sunyang Distribution and its subsidiaries had conflicts between Oh Sehyun and Jin Seo-yoon, but they all headed to my aunt''s house upon receiving Oh Sehyun''s notice that he would be retiring to the countryside.
I quietly made my way to Pyeongchang-dong, away from the bustling household, which was too crowded to keep track of who wasing and going.
The first day of the new millennium was the perfect time for a long conversation, and I wanted to do just that.
I offered a deep bow, and I settled down in the living room.
"Has Grandma not returned yet?"
"That''s right. She''s still living in Europe, ying the role of a noblewoman."
Chapter 147 The Beginning of the New Millennium 2
Chapter 147 The Beginning of the New Millennium 2
Is the word "love" just a faded memory for older people?
"Even if it doesn''t sell a lot, it''s apany that creates unique, distinctive cars that people want to have. Cars with character. It''s apany that also makes cars that make you fall in love at first sight, as well as those that slowly kindle your love."
"A car people want to have..."
"Was it in ''96? Ajin Automobile acquired the production line and design from the UK''s Lotus and started selling 2-seater open cars. It''s a car designed for small-batch production, so it''s not suitable for mass production."
Chairman Jo Dae-ho seemed to have recalled the car I was talking about, as he furrowed his brow.
With an annual production of 10,000 units, the production cost was 30 million won. Even if it was sold without profit, after adding taxes and special taxes, it became a 40 million won car.
You could buy a fully loaded midsize car for 15 million won, and even a gship sedan was just in the 40 million won range.
Chairman Song of Ajin Automobile ultimately set the selling price at thete 20 million won range, including taxes, making it a massive loss with each sale.
"I know. I discontinued that car with my own hands."
"Yes, it''s an impossible task when you consider profitability."
"So, are you saying we should produce such a sports car?"
He appeared to understand my intentions, which, given my rtively young age, might seem strange.
Perhaps Chairman Jo thought that I was still too young to understand.
"Why would we make a car that sells at a loss? And just in case, I still don''t have a driver''s license. I''m not even interested in sports cars. My favorite car is the BMW 7 Series. It''s the car that saved my life."
"So, what do you mean by a distinctive car?"
"Cars that working women can buy on installment, Sedans that men in their 30s can pay off in three years, pickup trucks that middle-aged men want as their second cars. That''s what I mean."
Chairman Jo still hadn''t smoothed his furrowed brow.
"We already have plenty of small cars and coupes. Pickups don''t sell well in South Korea."
"Cars that people don''t want to have."
"What?"
"Small cars that look vintage and cheap, coupes that aren''t attractive andck style, pickup trucks that resemblemercial vehicles. Who would want to buy such cars?"
Finally, my grandfather and Chairman Jo understood what I meant, but they didn''t hide their skepticism.
"Even if you make people want them, those cars won''t sell many units. After all, family cars are what sell. Other cars will never cross the breakeven point. You know that by now, right? The automobile industry is a facility industry that needs mass production."
"What if we change the production line to a two-track system? Can we reach the breakeven point?"
"Family cars and beloved cars? Like this?"
"Yes."
"You don''t care about making money."
"I''m fine with losses for the next 10 years. It will change after 10 years."
That''s true now, and it will be in the future.
Toyota and Volkswagen will never surpass in terms of sales volume. If these twopanies had only ever produced family sedans, they would never have ascended to the throne.
It''s their corporate mindset of constantly developing diverse, distinctive, and challenging cars while not neglecting a small group of enthusiasts that has elevated their gship models, Coro and Golf, to the top.
Daehyun Automobile has announced its ambition to be among the top five global car manufacturers in the 21st century, and they will undoubtedly achieve it. However, Daehyun still can''t escape its practical image, driven by value for money, besides the more aspirational one.
Cars should inspire dreams.
The moment you imagine yourself driving that car, it bes beloved.
"Hehehe."
My grandfather, who had been listening, suddenly burst intoughter.
Seeing him, Chairman Jo Dae-ho also startedughing heartily, pping his forehead.
Not knowing English and alternating between the two, my grandfather finally spoke.
"You''re saying the same thing I said when I started Sunyang Automobile. Hehe."
"That''s right. You said the same thing, Chairman. Even if we don''t make money for ten years, even if we have to sell our pants, we''ll give you money if needed."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes. But just one yearter, as soon as the financial statements were out, you told me. You said it was dangerous the way things were going. You told me to quickly cut the losses. Haha."
Darn it.
My true intentions are being distorted like this.
"It''s okay. You believe that Do-Jun is different from Chairman, right? Heh."
"This guy! That was a joke. If it were true, would I have let you continue in that position?"
Continuing to listen to the two elders'' reminiscences from the past was something I couldn''t bear, so I gently intervened.
"Chairman, do you understand my intentions?"
"Considering that you have so much money, Chairman, you bragged so much... Can you handle it? The first condition for a beloved car is its design. Cars are just like women to men. Being a pretty beauty is a given."
"I will hire the best designers. I can bring in Chris Bangle or Peter Schreyer. Just tell me the designers you want."
When the names of BMW and Audi designers were mentioned, Chairman Jo looked at my grandfather and smiled again.
"Chairman, it seems like you''re really serious about this. Thanks to you, I''ve had a worry-free paycheck for the past ten years."
After my grandfather lightlyughed, he asked seriously. "Don''t be fooled. Whose bloodline is he from? Heh heh."
"It''s hard to manage when a carpany starts to squander money. You could lose all the money you''ve raised through investment."
"I have money to invest for about ten years, including China."
"What? China?"
Both of them were surprised again, but their reactions were slightly different. Chairman Jo, in particr, had a look as if he had seen a strange sight.
"Have you nted a spy in Daehyun Group?"
"What?"
"I heard Daehyun has been gradually turning its attention to China. They mentioned ns for local production around 2005, but there''s still some disagreement, it seems."
"There may not be much time left. We need to hurry."
Volkswagen had already entered China in 1984. They established Shanghai Dazhong () in a joint venture with Shanghai Automotive and concentrated their efforts on the southern regions of China.
Chapter 148 Luxury Show 1
Chapter 148 Luxury Show 1
Mayor Choi nced at Jin Seo-yoon and asked cautiously.
"Do you really believe that Do-Jun will clear the way for you?"
She let out a long sigh toward her husband''s question.
"Listen carefully. Oh Sehyun is the puppet hired by Do-Jun. The real owner of Miracle Investment is Do-Jun. So, that means Do-Jun owns everything from Ajin Group, Sunyang Auto, to DaeA Construction. You know, right? Sunyang Auto has a whopping 17% of the controlling stake in Sunyang Group."
Mayor Choi Chang-je found it hard to believe. Isn''t he still in college?
"What''s more amazing is that he aplished all of that without his father''s help. So if it''s Do-Jun inheriting everything father won''t have an objection. You understand it well enough if you add the shares when he passed of Sunyang Auto."
"Wait, did he grow up receiving father''s guidance from the beginning?"
There was something in her words that seemed inconceivable to him.
"Did Do-Jun take away everything you received from your father, including thepany?"
Even without hearing an urate answer, he could tell. Jin Seo-yoon''s expression told the truth.
"Unbelievable. Just how did he do all that in such a short time..."
Jin Seo-yoon sighed deeply before slowly continuing.
She talked about taking on the burden of Sunyang Group''s debt, initiating the division of affiliatedpanies, and the misuse of Miracle''s money, and finally the wrong stock investment.
When Mayor Choi Chang-je heard the past story, he exploded in anger.
In retrospect, it was Chairman Jin who intentionally left a gap in the hands of the young grandson for the Sunyang Retail, Jin Do-Jun, who used stock maniption without missing the gap, and Jin Seo-yoon, who fell into the trap. They were all within his calctions.
"Stop. It''s irreversible now. You understand my situation exactly now, don''t you? Maybe I won''t be able to help you. It''s embarrassing to be stripped of everything and be like this, but..."
"That''s enough." Mayor Choi gently held Jin Seo-yoon''s hand. "You''ve lost everything you inherited, but you gained a formidable henchman."
"A henchman who will take care of my brothers."
"Right. If I can get something to cut the henchman''s leash around your neck, then Sunyang will be in our hands, maybe even better."
"You''re still so positive. I usually find it annoying, but today is a bit different. It''s nice to hear."
Jin Seo-yoon firmly held Mayor Choi''s hand after he clearly expressed his intention to work together.
"Good. I''ll stick by your side until that guy crushes all the obstacles and rises to the top. Once the department stores and hotels are entrusted to me, you should aim for the mayoral re-election after finishing your term. Now that we can''t rely on father''s power, you need to do exceptionally well."
"Sure. I''ll definitely aim for re-election, so don''t worry. Oh, by the way, just in case, never reveal Do-Jun''s true identity to your brothers. They might be a bit suspicious now, but they''ll never suspect it. It''s such an absurd story."
"Of course. If my brothers be cautious about the henchman, things will go awry. Be careful not to identally let it slip too."
Jin Seo-yoon confirmed the affectionate look in Mayor Choi''s eyes that she hadn''t seen for a long time. Was this what it meant to take care of each other when things got tough as a couple?
To think she had discovered this simple truth after crossing fifty.
"Come to the hotel sometimes. We can have dinner together. Do-Jun''s power is significant. He still arranges for me to stay in a suite room. You know where, right?"
"I''ve seen the reports. Have you made a n?"
"I''m preparing. But don''t you think we''re rushing a bit? Incheon International Airport opens in March next year. Business operator selection ns haven''t even been announced yet. It feels a bit hasty for us to move first..."
"Finishing the coordination in advance before the fiercepetition begins is your father''s style, isn''t it? Don''t you know?"
Aunt seemed to have her pride hurt as she bit her lip. Final reports on major businesses across the retail group always went through his aunt.
When thendlord is strong, sharecroppers watch thendlord''s every move. Thendlord should always kneel before the strong. This way, the sharecroppers will remember who the realndlord is.
"You must already be familiar with the scale of Incheon Airport. We can''t afford to miss the duty-free shops. Moreover, there''s information that at least three duty-free shops in downtown Seoul will be allowed in conjunction with the opening of Incheon Airport."
"Anyway, we won''t exclude our Sunyang, right? Since we always want to be part of the Big Three."
She still thinks that she hold the privileged position. It will be difficult to hold onto the Vice-Chairman position for long unless she dispels this misconception.
"Aunt."
"Yes."
"The Goverment is well aware of the changes in shareholders. They know that Sunyang Retail is nowpletely separate from Sunyang Group, but... that doesn''t mean that they will not be watching what we do? The uncles too surely won''t do us any favors. In the past, I wouldn''t need to exin things to you, as you would are hiding behind the identity of Sunyang''s princess. But now, if you get in any more trouble, Unless it''s at grandfather''s request, I won''t act to help you."
Although her face still bore an expression of discontent, she no longer attempted to persuade him further. She had lived too long like a princess to suddenly change her position overnight.
"I will meet with officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Customs Agency and try to negotiate. aunt, please thoroughly check the duty-free shop entry documents."
"Me? The documents?"
"Who else would approve the final decision? You are the Vice-Chairman."
With no immediate response, she stared at him, her expression softened, and she spoke gently.
"Do-Jun. You still don''t know me well."
"No, I don''t. I''ve never seen documents before. But if you want to be involved in management, you must absolutely review documents. You must understand them thoroughly. I won''t ask you to understand ounting books, but you should review other reports and ns."
"I understand. I will diligently review them. But that''s not what I mean; I want you to use me more effectively and appropriately."
"I have ns to make use of your connections when the time is right..."
"No, what I do best isn''t mobilizing connections."
"Really?"
"What I do best is leading shopping."
"Leading shopping? What do you mean?" I asked genuinely because I didn''t understand. His aunt leading shopping? Wasn''t shopping or fashion trends led by designers and celebrities?
Chapter 149 Luxury Show 2
Chapter 149 Luxury Show 2
"First, please exin the overall flow to help me grasp the concept."
"Okay. First, choose the products that will be the main highlights for this year''s S/S season. After the selection, we request the samples to be disyed."
"I understand that part."
My grandmother seemed a bit excited.
What lies ahead is ying out in her mind, and she is filled with the conviction that things will go her way. The moment when she''s working is the most exhrating and enjoyable for her.
"When the samples arrive, we need to think about the disy. n a route where customers can examine each item closely, and structure it so that linked purchases are possible."
"Linked purchases?"
"Yes. When someone buys a hat, they want matching earrings, and when they buy earrings, they start eyeing nes. If they buy a beautiful ne, they think about a fine dress to go with it, and then high heels to match the dress. That''s what I mean."
"Wouldn''t it be enough to just put them on mannequins?"
"That''s for ready-made items or things like that. Our VIP customers are picky. They want to choose each piece themselves. Mannequins make them feel like they''re being forced."
"It sounds demanding. Really."
It''s not that they have a naturally demanding personality. Overflowing wealth can get to a person''s head. They think they are a special existence!
"Only women like us do this."
Reputable women can be quite stubborn. They won''t ept the setups rmended by my grandmother. It''s a matter of pride.
"You''re going to their homes, right?"
"Yes. I visit their homes on the agreed-upon date and set up the disys ording to the customer''s preferences. They choose from what''s disyed. As customers, they can say it''s the best for them. They all buy the same items in multiple quantities. They leave them at home and also have them in their European vis or New York apartments. It''s too much of a hassle to carry around when traveling."
I know this much.
"Oh, are you going this time? Yes. That would be good."
Suddenly, my grandmother pped her hands and stood me up, giving me a full twirl, then smiled broadly after checking me out again.
"The grandson of the Sunyang Chairman, and on top of that, the son of a movie actor and the owner of a productionpany. A young third generation with star-quality looks. This is going to be a hit."
"Why am I going?"
"You''ll just go and say hello. The experts will handle the rest. Those women can''t sit still when they see you. A good-looking young third generation standing by their side, how could they hesitate? They''ll make huge purchases. That''s the only thing you can offer."
I felt ufortable, as if I were being used as bait, but by engaging with them, we''d increase sales. It was also my responsibility as the one in charge.
"Alright, I guess."
"Surprisingly easy. Just say you''ll do it, and..."
"We need to increase sales. Let''s set a record, haha."
When Iughed casually, my grandmother''s expression changed.
Among her nephews, no one would willingly work to increase sales, and certainly not through groveling. If they had to do it, they''d all loudly refuse.
I must have looked different, willing to grovel.
"Well, once that''s done, then what?"
"Do you know who the chef from Lucasenbrook is?"
"No, I don''t. I was curious about that."
"He''s a chef from a famous restaurant in Rue Saint-Bruke, Paris. A renowned chef. He''s bringing his staff here. They''re taking a chartered flight."
"A chartered flight?"
"Yes. They''re loading all the ingredients onto that charter. Then, they''ll set up the new products in the hotel banquet hall and gather 100 invitees."
"A chartered ne for 100 people, a luxurious dinner, and an expensive luxury goods exhibition, right?"
"Especially the tables, tablecloths, chairs, tes, forks, and knives are all transported. That''s also part of the product disy."
"Who are these 100 people?"
"Rich people with small houses."
"Excuse me? How do rich people have small houses?"
"They have living rooms that can''t disy dozens of sets of clothing and essories. They''re also people who look at conglomerate families with envious eyes."
"So, you''re telling me to pay close attention to Grandma''s proposal and ept it? Because I''m a ''wannabe''?"
"That''s right. The disy in the hotel banquet hall matches my taste. If I exin it myself, most people will listen."
"And there''s another effect."
"What is it?"
"Jealousy andpetition."
Women can be terrifying. They even engage in fierce battles over shopping.
"The 100 attendees are watching each other closely. The person who reserves the most wins in the end. It''s simr to the atmosphere of an auction house."
Suddenly, it sends a chill down my spine. Isn''t this just encouraging endlesspetition?
"You shoulde and see it if you have time. Witness the ruthless and manic nature of people who would rather die than lose. It bes ringly apparent through shopping."
I definitely want to see that. Isn''t it a scene where primal desires are exposed?
"Alright, I''ll make sure to go see it. But, Grandma, isn''t this just one way to sell products? How does this lead shopping?"
"Because these people mainly frequent boutiques, they influence designers. They''re all VIP customers. We have to cater to their tastes, and that spreads further down."
So there''s a ripple effect even in such ces? No, is it like a ripple effect within a confined space?
"How do you connect this with duty-free shops? The important thing is that we get selected at Incheon Airport and downtown Seoul duty-free shops, right?"
"Of course. Do you know who the 100 or so people I selected are? They''re all people who have some influence in their respective fields. They''re all bragging about their aplishments. After this event, when they deliver the reserved items to their homes, they''ll casually mention it. When all of that umtes, it bes a tremendous force."
The most significant power lies in asking favors from others, as Grandma says...
"Do-jun."
"Yes?"
Aunt spoke with the utmost seriousness.
"You''ve been neglecting this side for too long. You might even see them as a bit crude. But these ''crude'' people hold the power in this country. You need to build rtionships with them, just like I did. That''s how you''ll use their power."
Chapter 150 Luxury Show 3
Chapter 150 Luxury Show 3
The words of the elderlydy served as a signal as the employees straightened their posture.
It didn''t take long to understand the meaning behind what they had said about me not being rude.
The staff members remained immobile, not making a single move.
The Ilsung Group women slowly examined the disyed products, evaluating them among themselves. They didn''t summon the employees to ask questions, try on the clothes, or try them on their bodies.
Only when they were really pleased did they raise their hands to call the employees. Asking questions or anything else was done in a low voice.
Easy things in this world don''t exist, I thought.
After about ten minutes, a slight brush of wisdom came.
It wasn''t a big deal, but standing like this continuously was tiresome. It was boring to the point of feeling like I would die. Finally, I began to yawn, and I was caught by one of the youngdies.
Sheughed lightly and flicked her fingers.
One of the employees standing next to me was about to rush forward, but she raised her finger to point at me.
When a customer calls, especially a VIP customer, isn''t it our duty to rush over like a bullet?
"Yes."
"How about this?"
As soon as I came closer, she pointed to a ne and asked.
"It''s very lovely."
The women who were whispering just moments ago fell silent and started looking at me. Our employees looked flustered as if they didn''t know what to do.
Oh, I made a mistake.
"It will suit you very well."
Now, everyone began to giggle.
"Mom is right. This young man is interesting."
With everyone showing their amusement, a female employee rushed over. She, too, spoke with a smile.
"Sterling silver, 36 inches long, with a diameter of 19mm, an easy and convenient design for wearing. It''s an elegant, sophisticated, and bold design that evokes the spirit of New York women. This collection embodies the power, sense, and energy of New York City, and the sleek design with continuous and natural lines highlights the utilitarian design unique to hardware."
With a product description flowing like a clear stream, everyone, except me, nodded their heads.
What was impressive was that there are several nes simr to this one. Exining a ne like that, like water running through, means that she had memorized all the features of the product.
There are probably over a hundred products in this living room, and memorizing the description of each one, as shown in thepany brochure, is no different from an actor memorizing drama lines.
I''m the only one surprised. The employees'' memorization skills and the fact that everyone nods even when she throws such abstract words.
Unable to hide my surprised expression, thedy of the house eventuallymented, somewhat ufortable.
"What''s the matter? Is there a problem?"
"Oh, no, there''s nothing."
"But why? Is there an issue, you guys?"
Thedy of the house looked at the disyed products.
"No way. These are artworks that flew in on a chartered ne a few days ago."
A startled employee stammered and said, pping their hands.
I couldn''t just stay silent and let things go south.
"I''m sorry, Madam. It''s my first time, so I''m a bit inexperienced. Please forgive me for myck of knowledge."
"First time? So, the head of Jin''spany sent a rookie out? How dare he?"
Is the rule in this business that they can forgive mistakes but not ignorance?
I quickly gestured to the employee. "Oh, Madam. Director Jin Do-Jun is Chairman Jin''s nephew. He''se along today to observe."
When she revealed my identity, the expressions of thedies changed. They appeared to be making great efforts to hide their surprise.
"Let me apologize once again. I should have received more thorough training, but time was a bit short." This time, I bowed even lower.
"If he''s Chairman''s nephew, does that mean he''s the Sunyang Chairman''s grandson? How many grandsons does he have?" Chairman''sdy asked with a gentle expression.
"He''s the youngest."
"The youngest... Well, I heard a rumor that he got into Seoul National University Law School... that he was a top 10 student nationwide...?" A middle-aged woman who seemed like a daughter-inw inquired cautiously, and I scratched my head.
"That was a long time ago. I''m not going to school much now, and my brain has hardened. I couldn''t even understand the exnation of the artwork I heard a little while ago. It was iprehensible. Haha."
She discreetly raised her nose, and the two youngdies beganughing, but when thedy of the house gave them a look, they raised their hands to cover their mouths.
"I see. To be honest, I didn''t understand what they were saying either, but... does it matter? If it''s pretty and you want it, that''s what counts."
Thedy of the house lightly smiled and started pointing at the products.
"I''ll take two of these floppy hats... and a few of this perfume. I think that''s enough for me. You guys should pick as well."
The chairwoman was the first to finish her shopping and came over to me, grabbing my hand.
"I''ll leave the rest to those kids. How about you, my interesting young friend? Would you like to have tea with me?"
She led me away from the watchful eyes of the others, to the corner of the living room and a couch.
"So, what grade are you in now?"
"This year is myst year."
"I see. Are you nning to work at the department store?"
"Nothing''s decided yet. No need to rush, right?"
"Did you need the Seoul National University diploma? Did you graduate and study abroad?"
Why is she asking me so many questions? Is she curious about something specific? Is she trying to determine if I''m part of the session n for the Sunyang Group, or just a pauper hoping to get some inheritance? Or maybe she''s contemting a potential marriage?
I''m sorry, but that''s not an option. Your granddaughter is going to be the future First Lady.
I must''ve inadvertently revealed it on my face.
"Why are youughing like that?"
"Oh, I apologize. It''s because of the hat that Madam purchased earlier."
It''s the only way to handle it, and it''s also a test to figure out what kind of person thisdy is.
"Hat? The floppy hat?"
Chapter 151 Luxury Show 4
Chapter 151 Luxury Show 4
The invited customers enjoyed the courses, appreciating every aspect of their meal - what they were eating, the tes they were using, the silverware, and the table itself. They knew all these items had been flown in from France. Since this event only took ce twice a year, they seemed to take their time and carefully examined everything.
"Do you want to order the dishes and tes?"
"Of course. If you find something you like, call one of our staff to order it."
Surveying the banquet hall, I noticed a few staff members already exining things to the guests.
While it might not be a choice for everyone, these luxury items were for those who received Sunyang''s exclusive invitation. Such luxury items wouldn''t be avable at department stores in the future, making them unattainable for anyone other than the invitees.
Thanks to this exclusivity, the invitations held substantial value.
Receiving an invitation from Sunyang was practically equivalent to being at the top of Korean society. Most people like my aunt were not concerned about such things.
After the long dinner concluded, the lights in the banquet hall went out, and a young, handsome man appeared in the center.
He would exin the characteristics, merits, and rarity of various brands showcased at the event, as well as the integrated concept behind gathering numerous brands in one ce.
"An obsession for beauty holds significant importance. It''s because within it lies the way Sunyang expresses its brand identity."
A video started ying on the main screen, showcasing the runway of the S/S collection.
"From the Vintage Sensation Wide Lapel Half Canvas Heritage Line to the ssic-fit, shoulder-emphasized Sinoria line, we present a lineup of seven silhouettes, each using unique materials."
As the presentation, filled with abstract and clouded terms, concluded, everyone slowly rose tomence their shopping in earnest.
They exchanged greetings and discussed their thoughts in small groups. Though it might not be visible, the women''s eyes and smiles concealed the beginning of a subtlepetition.
The way to disy one''s superiority over others is by spending money.
It''s a blind shopping.
The luxury items on disy don''t have price tags. The blouse you''re pointing at with your finger might cost millions of won, and the summer slippers for the beach could well exceed a million won.
If you''re not confident, you wouldn''t even think about touching the jewelry. Asking the price, even if you want to buy something, is something unimaginable.
The moment you ask, "How much is this?" all eyes around you are on you. These looks carry disdain for the crassness of converting luxury into money, and they also seem to convey a sense of condescension as to why someone so poor as to need to ask the price hase here.
Within all this, there was another strategy by my aunt.
Out of about two hundred items, as many as 10% and as few as 5% were very inexpensive products. Wallets worth tens of thousands of won, high heels that cost just over a hundred thousand won...
Sunyang''s collection isn''t justposed of expensive products. It was about revealing that it was put together as a true luxury collection regardless of price.
Because of this, asking about prices here is considered a crude action that reduces value to mere money.
My aunt, with sharp eyes, suddenly began moving around the banquet hall. She simply made eye contact with others and made a full circle, but the atmosphere of the banquet hall changed.
As if wanting to not miss my aunt''s gaze, people''s pace quickened as they said, "Get this reserved." It seemed like they believed that marking their presence was essential to securing an invitation for the F/W season.
My aunt, who had created such a remarkable effect, gestured for me and quickly left the banquet hall.
"That''s enough. If we stay longer, the prices will drop. Let''s go."
Is this a mystical strategy?
It''s a bit disappointing to end it like this. Among the more than a hundred customers, there would surely be some households that could be of help if we established rapport.
My aunt, sensing my thoughts, said, "Hold off on greetings with those people forter. We''ll need to do a full circle to express our gratitude, but I''ll list the households that might be useful to you. Having influence in duty-free shops will help with your liquor permit."
"So you''re giving me plenty of opportunities to expand my connections."
"Don''t misunderstand. I''m doing it for myself, not for you."
"So, you prefer your nephew over your brother?"
"No, you have moreposure than my brothers."
"Composure?"
"Yes, I suppose it''s self-confidence? If it''s the eldest or the second, they would have already chased me out to some provincial golf course. They''d probably have even kept mepletely out of the business." My aunt smiled knowingly as she looked at me. "But you let me keep my position, and you even told me that it was fine for me to offer advice while you defeated yourpetitors. That''s what I had in mind."
"You think expanding my connections would give me an advantage in thepetition with the uncles."
"Of course. Be careful of your elder cousins too. The longer you''ve lived, the more connections you''ve built. Father is your shield for now... but watch and see." My aunt looked directly into my eyes and spoke as if giving a warning. "Once he''s gone, from that day on, the National Tax Service and the Financial Supervisory Service will pounce on Miracle. They''ll use every means, even involving the U.S. headquarters, to scrutinize."
"Do you mean that I should find people who can be a shield in preparation for that time?"
"Yes. If you copse, I won''t be able to avoid going into exile either. So this is all for my benefit."
Hope is a good thing.
Hope is not good for the person who holds it but for the person who moves as I want them to because they have it.
ns are better than hope.
"For those with less than 100 million, don''t send out invitations from the next season."
"Yes."
After reviewing the reservation status, my aunt decisively made the cut. Those with less than 100 million meant they didn''t touch jewelry at all.
Jewelry is the final touch in fashion.
If you''re wearing a dress that costs tens of millions, the jewelry on your body should easily exceed 100 million to match. If you haven''t purchased jewelry, it''s a way of indicating that youcked the money from the beginning.
It means the reasons for treating you as a VVIP will disappear in the future, so they are removed from the invitation list.
"Wait, let me see that list for a moment."
The employee, who was about to leave, hurriedly handed over the list.
I carefully examined the list of customers with less than 100 million, noting their reservation purchase history, husbands'' upations, and personal details of their household members.
Chapter 152 Give and Take 1
Chapter 152 Give and Take 1
"Hey, Dong-gi. Have you heard the rumor?"
"About Do-jun?"
"Yeah."
"Well, among thedies, there''s quite a buzz about him. They say he''s the ultimate sweetheart: smart, polite, never acted like a yboy, and easily made it into Seoul National University."
Jin Dong-gi wasn''t too thrilled about the call from his hyung, suggesting they have dinner. However, when Yeong-jun, his nephew, asked to meet because of a problem, he couldn''t easily decline.
Jin Dong-gi and Jin Yeong-gi in a restaurant having dinner together:
"They''re saying that S/S season collection for department store VIPs has had the best sales ever, and the industry is going wild. Daehyun Department Store can''t even think about imitating it."
"Is all of this because of Do-jun?"
"Yeah. They say the chaebol wives with daughters have spent money extravagantly to make their children look good."
Jin Dong-gi had no intention of engaging in such conversations that women were obsessed with.
"So, Yeong-jun asked to meet because of Do-jun, is he''s only going to talk about Do-jun?"
"Do-jun''s issues require discussion, so the conversation might get lengthy."
"And what Yeong-jun?"
"I''m the one making the request, so let''s get that done quickly."
"Why not start with the quick thing, then?
"Okay. Our Yeong-jun... Enough is enough; he''s been in exile for quite a while. Set him free."
"Exile?" Jin Dong-gi chuckled. "He roamed Seoul freely after getting into a university. I''m sure my older brother knows better about what he did in Seoul... but in Geoje Ind? Last year, he brought in five or six Super Model prize winners to Geoje Ind, under the pretext of an event to gather employees for encouragement, remember? And you know what happened afterward, right? You were the one who worked so hard to prevent Dad from hearing about it."
"So, what? You''ll keep him tied up?"
"If I let him go, what if that nephew of minees to Seoul and causes trouble? It would be troublesome for me too."
"You have to release that guy, for the sake of my daughter-inw."
In an instant, Jin Dong-gi''s face lit up. "What? Is there a child soon? Is she pregnant?"
However, Vice-Chairman Jin Yeong-gi had a bitter expression.
"Perhaps you don''t know, but they''re soon going to start an investigation on Lee Sangsoo."
"Lee Sangsoo? Who''s that?"
"The CEO of New Data Technology."
Thepany that shook the country fromst year to earlier this year, it rang a bell.
"Ah... But why that guy?"
"Billions disappeared in the blink of an eye. Even people who had nothing to do with it are in deep trouble."
"These people have lost their minds, swindling money down to the security deposit for a house. Even so, do they need to arrest the CEO of apany whose stock has plummeted?" Jin Dong-gi clicked his tongue, as if finding it pathetic.
"The elections are the day after tomorrow. The ruling party has to manage the votes. Well, they need to manage both sides, so we''re throwing that bastard in jail. They need to present at least one huge scammer to calm the anger of those who lost their money."
"Okay, I get that. But why is thising up now?"
"When they investigate that guy, they''re thinking about adding a few more names."
"Whose names?"
"Oh Sehyun and Do-Jun, and even our one and only little sister."
"What?" When Jin Dong-gi saw his older brother''s smile, he was perplexed. What was he thinking of doing? It was obvious that they wouldn''t gain any substantial ie, and it was bound to be troublesome.
"Let''s give it a try. Let''s see whates out. Maybe you know something? Do you know who''s funding them in the United States? It would be even better if we could find some clues."
"Do you think it''s possible? Our New York branch has been searching for months without any significant results."
"That''s why I said maybe. Another thing is, what if she''s there? If the media exposes that Seo-yoon has been squanderingpany funds and she starts making trouble at the Prosecutor''s Office, it might hurt the duty-free store selection."
"Duty-free store? At Incheon Airport?"
"Yes. She have invested a lot there... Let''s test our abilities to break through it."
Even as he looked at his smiling older brother, Jin Dong-gi still hesitated.
"Do you really think the prosecution won''t act? Even if they put her on the list of witnesses, the Prosecutor General will personally report about it."
"That''s the point."
"What? I don''t understand."
"The prosecution won''t cover it up."
"What are you talking about?"
"Hanseong Ilbo is going to blow the lid off this."
It''s too big to deal with lightly. When even the media gets involved, it bes harder to contain.
"Ugh... You know the current situation, right? The group''s shares are in the process of transferring, and it''s almost finalized. In a little while, it will be in our hands. So why create turmoil now?"
"Well, because in a little while, it will be in our hands."
"Don''t y word games."
"If I wasn''t confident, I wouldn''t have brought it up."
Jin Dong-gi thought deeply, then got up from his seat.
"In that case, let me handle it. I''ll handle the situation while you step back. I''ll send Yeong-jun to Seoul for you. I''ll ept his resignation and send him. You just have to make room as appropriate."
"Okay, that''s eptable."
"Anyway, I don''t care if it''s Hanseong Ilbo or anything else. You handle it. I''m only responsible for sending Yeong-jun to Seoul."
As Jin Dong-gi withdrew his foot and disappeared, Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi muttered to himself with a grinding teeth. "That audacious guy. He''s the one who stays up all night and fights all by himself, isn''t he?"
Articles full of suspicions about Lee Sangsoo began to pour in, and stories iming that the venture saga was a hoax had started.
As Oh Sehyun had said, an concerted effort had begun to use someone as a scapegoat. The election was just around the corner.
The intensity of the articles increased day by day. Suspicion turned into certainty, and as certainty turned into concrete facts, Lee Sangsoo''s private life was exposed piece by piece.
Chapter 153 Give and Take 2
Chapter 153 Give and Take 2
"How does it sound? The more allies we have in situations like this, the better. Since we''re in it together, let''s give it our all. It''s also an opportunity to see how beneficial Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi''s support can be, right? Oh, by the way, don''t rush to your grandfather and ask for help. If a heavyweight gets involved in a flyweight fight, the game''s over. Hehe." Oh Sehyun, ustomed to investment and corporate mergers and acquisitions, seemed to enjoy the familiar feeling of excitement when a clear enemy appeared.
"So, there''s no need to involve Father in this situation, right?"
"Siblings have their own issues to work out. Perhaps Yoon-gi is the only one who can handle certain matters. Let it go. It might be fun."
There''s nothing more to discuss. I have to let it go as my uncle suggested.
"But what about us? Should we go and watch the proceedings at the Southern District Prosecutor''s Office as witnesses?"
"Ignore that. I n to go alone. I need you to find out what he''s really after. But do it discreetly. Condition it without journalists or cameras..."
"Isn''t it good to have as many listening ears as possible? I''ll go and listen to what he''s saying. I''ll also pay my respects to the seniors."
"Ah, are you from that side too? Shall we try to gauge the atmosphere over there?"
The reason we could afford to be so rxed was simple. The National Tax Service can''t catch us easily. Miracle operates ording to U.S. ounting standards, which means we can neatly settle minor vitions by paying fines, and we''ve transparently dealt with the 100 billion won that Aunt threw away.
No matter how hard the prosecution tries to investigate, it will likely end in a wild goose chase.
"So, let''s find out what the prosecutors really want."
Contrary to his son''s expectations, Jin Yoon-gi didn''t rush to his older brother right away. Instead, he returned to his office and held the phone for a while.
"President Kim, bring Hee-eun and Tae-hyun with you ande to the office right away. There''s something I need to discuss urgently."
"Manager Choi, go find Director Bong right now and bring him in. Also, check Yoon Dong-gun''s schedule and bring him quickly. It''s urgent."
After several phone calls, Jin Yoon-gi paced in his office. He was determined to do everything he could before the family showdown.
Despite them being considered a major yer in the Korean film industry, even the CEOs ofrge management agencies and top stars came running without hesitation.
"Oh, sir, what''s the matter? Why are you in such a hurry?"
As they opened the office door and entered, a middle-aged man seemed a little nervous. Following behind him, a man and a woman with arms linked also greeted Jin Yoon-gi.
"Mr. Chairman, is it a double casting for our next film? We haven''t seen any scripts going around Chungmuro yet."
"Sorry, I didn''t call you for a movie."
Jin Yoon-gi began with an apology as he saw the hopeful expressions of the two actors.
President Kim had a premonition that something unusual was happening. It was the first time he had seen Chairman Jin Yoon-gi, usually calm andposed, in such a flustered state.
"Sir, whatever it is, just tell us without hesitation."
"I''m here to ask a really difficult favor."
"Yes, please go ahead. We owe everything to you, Chairman. You''ve turned Hee-eun and Tae-hyun into stars, so we''ll do anything you ask."
The three people in the room started to focus their attention on Jin Yoon-gi.
"Are you two nning to get married?"
"What? Why are you suddenly asking that?"
The two actors looked at each other, their eyes widening in surprise.
"Well, it doesn''t really matter. Anyway, let''s spread some dating rumors about you two. Tomorrow, or even better, today."
"Sir!"
The most surprised person in the room was not the parties involved but President Kim.
The sudden influx of CF deals and drama castings seemed to disappear into thin air. However, immediate rejection was avoided.
Jin Yoon-gi was not just an ordinary person, despite his involvement in the film industry. His background was closely tied to the Sunyang Group. The name Sunyang itself granted him the power to withstand any danger and loss. President Kim quickly assessed the situation.
"I raised my voice too loud because I was so shocked... I''m sorry." President Kim bowed slightly and then addressed the two actors. "This is actually a good idea. Postponing the announcement of your marriage and keeping your rtionship secret would be difficult. Let''s just make it official."
"President!"
The two top stars were taken aback by President Kim''s response, and they protested with surprise. President Kim narrowed his eyes and replied to them.
"Both of you, don''t forget that you reached this level in one shot thanks to our Chairman. There''s no such thing as helping those who throw tantrums when things get tough. Understand?"
"President Kim, please don''t be like that. It''s a tough decision for the parties involved."
Jin Yoon-gi lowered his head again and addressed the two actors.
"Hee-eun, Tae-hyun, I''m asking for a favor. I promise to repay you. Help me just this once."
"Ah, Chairman Jin, why are you doing this? Please don''t worry about it. Whatever you want, we''ll do it." Tae-hyun quickly stood up and raised Jin Yoon-gi from his seat.
"Hee-eun, if it''s okay with your brother, then it''s okay with me."
"If my brother is okay with it, then I''m okay with it..."
Both of them epted Jin Yoon-gi''s request, and his expression brightened.
"Thank you. I''m in a bit of a hurry, so let''s make the announcement quickly. It would be great if we can have it as the top news in the newspapers by tomorrow morning. President Kim, use your influence to make it happen."
"Chairman, don''t worry. We''ll flood the newspapers, broadcast, and the inte with the news about the two of them."
President Kim stood up as if there was no need for further discussion and took out his mobile phone.
"What''s the big deal? You call me here, then you send me away? If the screeny goes haywire, it''s all your fault, Chairman."
This time, a disheveled young man entered the office while expressing his dissatisfaction.
Jin Yoon-gi held his hand and gestured for him to sit on the couch.
"Stop with the unnecessary talk and just listen to me. Listen to everything and respond. Your response must be a definite ''yes.'' Understood?"
"Chairman, what kind of concept is this again? Are you trying to imitate a mafia boss?"
"Shut up. The screeny we''re working on is confirmed for a film production. You don''t have to read it. Okay?"
Chapter 154 Give and Take 3
Chapter 154 Give and Take 3
"Is the investigation proceeding then?"
"They''ve asked him to attend as a witness. But..."
"Don''t hesitate, just speak your mind. Is there a problem?"
"They''ve also targeted Miracle Investment, and there are rumors about a close rtionship between him and the Chairman."
"What''s this about a close rtionship? These guys are steadily stealing mypany bit by bit. Haha."
The Prosecutor General could tell from Chairman Jin''sughter that there was no animosity.
"We probably won''t find anything on that end.
"And how about my daughter? Was she involved in this incident? Is it difficult to handle?"
"No, not at all. Anyway, your daughter is a victim who lost a significant amount of money. Regardless of the process, thepany''s funds have been restored to their original state. As long as the shareholders don''t raise objections, there shouldn''t be any significant issues."
Jin Seo-yoon sold her personal shares to cover the loss. There''s no reason for the shareholders to intervene, and the major shareholder is, in any case, Miracle.
"So, what happens if our Chief Prosecutor doesn''t issue any special orders? Are the East and South District Prosecutors'' Offices going to engage in a proxy war with each other?"
"Given that they are colleagues working for the samepany, would that even be possible? They''ll just verify the facts each side has uncovered and reach a conclusion. There will be discussions."
"In that case, our Chief Prosecutor doesn''t have much to worry about."
"Well, there is one thing that bothers me, Chairman."
"Go ahead."
"It''s about apany called Miracle Investment. Is it entirely unrted to you?"
"Why does that concern you?" Chairman Jin asked the Prosecutor General clearly.
"Ajin Group, Sunyang Motors, Daeah Construction... and now, Sunyang Retail, they''ve been taken over one by one. Judging from the changes in ownership, it seems Miracle has acquired quite a substantial stake of Sunyang. Without your consent, it couldn''t have happened."
"As for the car business, they sold it because there weren''t enough dors to pay off the hot money during the IMF crisis. As for the department store, it was taken away because of my foolish daughter''s ident. There''s no talk of consent."
The Prosecutor General adopted a sterner tone. "You might not be aware, but the Financial Supervisory Service has started looking into Miracle. There''s foreign capital involved, but the nature of it seems ambiguous. Is it spective capital or genuine capital?"
"Money is just money; it doesn''t have a color. Stop wasting time on trivial matters."
"This spective capital made a killing during the IMF crisis and made a quick exit. It''s only natural to be cautious."
Chairman Jin smiled faintly and shook his head.
"I know these guys well. They''re not spective capital. Think about it carefully. Do you think spectors would bring dors and rescue a failingpany, even paying the overdue wages of the employees? Do you really believe spectors would do something like that?"
"So, you''re saying it won''t be an issue even if the Financial Supervisory Service starts an investigation."
The smile disappeared from Chairman Jin''s face. "They''ve already started."
"Yes, I heard that they''ve sent a request for cooperation to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service."
"Those guys are making quite a fuss as well. Heh."
The Prosecutor General quietly watched Chairman Jin''s strainedugh and then rose from his seat. "Chairman, I understand your intentions. I''ll watch quietly, and if anything special arises, I''ll contact you again."
"Alright, I apologize for the trouble."
"No problem, Chairman. Well then..."
As the Prosecutor General bowed and withdrew, Chairman Jin stared intently at the firmly shut door of his study, his brows furrowed.
"How much did that rascal Yeong-gi paid from him?"
Hak-jae smiled awkwardly.
"I''m sorry. It''s difficult to get an exact figure when ites to that petty bribe disguised as traveling expenses."
"What about the Financial Supervisory Service?"
"We confirmed that Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi tried various tactics."
"Goodness, a man his age and how much fear does he have... Tsk, tsk."
As Chairman Jin clicked his tongue while thinking of his eldest son, Hak-jae wore a serious expression.
"Is it because the opposition is formidable? This is not a moment to let one''s guard down. If it were me, I''d want to cut them off too before they even grow."
"Panicking when facing a formidable opponent is a losing move. The right strategy is to bide your time and look for opportunities. In any case, we need to ensure that the Chairman of the Financial Supervisory Service and the Prosecutor General retire once the general election is over. If they can be influenced by Yeong-gi, they''re too lightweight."
"Are you suggesting a form of maniption?"
"That''s right. Be generous with campaign funds during the general election and provide some help. Let them know they owe me a favor."
Even if they appeared to have stepped down from the frontlines, ginger is still ginger; it''s never mild. Chairman Jin had a way of dealing with people that didn''t let them off his radar.
"Then, what about Do-Jun? Do you think he should be left as he is? If Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi gets persistent, he might have to respond to a summons from the prosecution sooner orter."
"If that guy has his eyes on this position, there will be no shortage of ces he''ll wander around. So, it wouldn''t hurt to scout ahead."
Chairman Jin tapped his substantial leather chair and said. "Aw school student... entering as if it''s a ceremony and just not showing up for work. Haha."
Hak-jae''s jest even managed to loosen Chairman Jin''s stern expression a bit.
"It''s unusual, isn''t it? Is it the work of our youngest brother?"
"That''s right. I was surprised too. At first, I thought it might be a mere coincidence, but when three cases emerged in a month, I thought I recognize Yoon-gi''s work."
"How do you think came up with the idea to cover the department store owner''s corruption with entertainment news?"
"People are crazy about it. Business owners embezzling money is nothing new. It''s bemonce."
The two exchanged a ruefulugh as they talked. Their youngest son''s counterattack was truly ingenious.
"The prosecution actually appreciated the reduced pressure. First, Hanseong Daily stirred it up, giving them a pretext for an investigation, and because they''re facing many watchful eyes. Now they can quietly handle it."
Chapter 155 Give and Take 4
Chapter 155 Give and Take 4
"How did it go? Did you handle it carefully?"
"Isn''t acting tough their specialty? What about you, Uncle?"
"He wrapped it up with a formal question. It was all a pretense for Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi''s favor."
"Then only Aunt is left."
Oh Sehyun shook his head with a serious expression. "It seems like a fake to pretend to be tearing into Vice Chairman Jin Seo-yoon... It''s starting to look like a fake."
"A fake?"
"What Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi is after is not his younger sister, but his nephew."
"Me?"
"Yeah, he wants to dig into the background of Miracle."
"He''s curious if I''m the real owner of Sunyang Motors and the distribution group, right?"
"That''s right."
"By now, I think the Financial Supervisory Service is probably quite busy..."
"I''ll check into that. I''ll warn you to be careful even in New York, but there shouldn''t be any major issues. They can''t investigate a perfectly goodpany without evidence."
It was a look that didn''tpletely dispel his concerns. The authorities don''t always act only after securing evidence; they can initiate an investigation based on suspicion and circumstantial evidence.
It seemed that there would be a storm to weather at some point.
Instead, it seemed that turning over a bit of dirt and dust would be necessary to ease his mind.
Perhaps Oh Sehyun also felt some level of threat, as he cautiously spoke up.
"Do-jun, if you could ask your grandfather..."
"No, it''s not possible. If I were to make that request, it would only disappoint him."
"Disappoint?"
"After a big fight,ing home and tattling about my uncle to an elder, isn''t that how it usually goes? The moment I make such a request, won''t my grandfather look down on me with disappointment in his eyes? Isn''t it just a family feud? My grandfather will only look at the results."
Isn''t it all about Sunyang?
No, H.W. Group''s senior executives can all have their connections with the prosecution. But the power that reigns over those connections is none other than Sunyang.
Let''s try exposing the eldest son of the Sunyang Group, Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi, and everyone will bow down to that force.
Against the power that holds the mainstream, one can only rely on the united strength of the non-mainstream. A head-on confrontation is difficult, but could guerri tactics be possible?
Wasn''t that prosecutor Lee Kang-sik?
Having survived tenaciously and continuing to work in Seoul, he seemed to have some determination. If I didn''t misread it, he would contact me before my business card got cold. Is he just a timid guy?
"In the past, I''ve been quite rude. Director Jin."
"No, it''s not. It''s not impolite when you''re on official business. I was rude as well. Let''s just move on from it."
"But this ce...?" Prosecutor Lee Kang-sik looked around the room and settled on the sofa.
"Oh, I bought this ce recently. There wasn''t a suitable ce to avoid prying eyes around here. It''s a bit cramped, right? I was feeling ufortable and wondering what to do about it..."
"Cramped? It seemsrger than my apartment."
I purchased arge apartment in Yeouido, which seemed useful in many ways. It boasted stringent security and perfect privacy protection, making me wonder if it was a building intended for members of the National Assembly in Yeouido.
"But it seems that you''re not living here, considering there''s no bed or furniture."
"Yes. Just think of it as a cafe. By the way, would you like some coffee?"
"Oh, then please, one cup."
I brewed coffee with the coffee machine and ced it on the table.
"You''re quite impressive. Still a university student, and... Are all chaebol family members like this? Did you start early with business lessons since childhood?"
"Isn''t itmon knowledge? Even without doing anything, third-generation chaebol heirs get praised. I''m a bit diligent for someone from a rich family, right? Is it unusual?"
"Very unusual. Enough for your elders to be extra cautious."
Lee Kang-sik hinted at his motives to show that he was genuinely involved in this.
"How is the progress? It seems like we should start closing it down soon... Is there anything particrly noteworthy?"
"Director Jin and CEO Oh Sehyun, we were instructed to conclude the investigation based on the current situation. The only remaining target is Vice Chairman Jin Seo-yoon."
From what I''ve observed, it''s clear that this is all a fakeout.
"Has our aunt been requested to appear for questioning?"
"Not yet. They are still investigating the financial records of Paper Company, but I don''t have the details because it''s not under my jurisdiction."
From the way he scratched his head, it seemed that he knew he was currently not of much use.
But whether it''s a person or a tool, its utility depends on the person using it.
"Prosecutor Lee Kang-sik."
"Yes?"
"How many prosecutors at the Southern District Prosecutor''s Office are close to you?"
"Close people... Well..."
It''s a question about how many prosecutors would be willing to assist us. He seemed to understand it instantly.
"There are a few."
"Are Prosecutor Lee and those people aiming for the Chief Prosecutor position? Or are they trying to uncover a major case and make a leap to Yeouido?"
"Aim... well."
Prosecutor Lee Kang-sik showed a bitter smile, and I understood the meaning behind that smile.
Is there anyone who bes a prosecutor thinking they won''t seek sess? But as life goes on, dreams fade away, and they start to focus on the reality. Even a senior prosecutor would see opening aw firm as the most realistic goal.
"Shouldn''t they change their goals?"
"Change their goals?"
"How about this? Being a high-paying attorney."
"What do you mean by high-paying? I think the units might be different for third-generation chaebol heirs."The prosecutor asked with his eyes shining.
Chapter 156 Give and Take 5
Chapter 156 Give and Take 5
"I don''t know if you''re aware, but I''m starting an entertainment channel in August. It will feature movies, dramas, and celebrity-rted programs. I n to kick it off with avish ''Chaebol 3rd Generation'' series. It will star Yeong-jun and Kyung-jun. Just imagine the ratings when the two brothers appear side by side..." Jin Yoon-ki paused for a moment and tapped his fingers. "...I guarantee the ratings will be higher than scandals, shall we say?"
"What... Kyung-jun? Why him?"
Jin Yeong-gi couldn''t hide his confusion when his youngest son''s name was mentioned. It was about time to prepare a position for him after he finished his studies, but...
"You didn''t know? That guy is living together with someone in LA. A wealthy guy and a Hong Kong actress. She''s... anyway, she''s older."
There hadn''t been any special reports from the LA branch. His academic performance was more or less okay, and there had been no major incidents reported.
A guy like that is cohabiting? And a Hong Kong girl, on top of that?
Jin Yeong-gi, the vice-chairman, began to feel stiff in his back.
"I''ve hired thirty reporters to run my entertainment channel. They''re all paparazzi-level veterans. I''ve already managed to gather this much information in just one month. Once we dive deeper for in-depth reporting, we''ll uncover even more sensational stories... Can you handle it, hyung-nim?" The measured and deliberate way he spoke made it even more threatening.
"Are you trying to ckmail me right now?"
The vice-chairman, his brow furrowed in anger, red at him, but Jin Yoon-ki didn''t flinch at all.
"Battle for inheritance? Okay, I''m not saying we shouldn''t do it. In the old days, this would have been a battle to swallow a country, so how could we not fight? But we shouldn''t mess with the children. And we shouldn''t let things leak out. Father is still watching us." With these words, Jin Yoon-ki stood up from his seat. "We can broadcast the family feud to the entire nation as soon as Father passes away. I''ll warn you again: if my Do-Jun gets into trouble with the prosecution again, all thirty reporters will be following you around like shadows."
Watching his younger brother m the door and leave, Jin Yeong-gi suddenly remembered one forgotten fact.
Deep inside that seemingly docile youngest brother, flows the same kind of blood.
Another fact came to mind.
"You! Is what he said true?"
There was no need for an answer. The discolored face said it all.
"You foolish child!"
Unable to endure it any longer, his hand rose.Snap!
The cheek swelled almost immediately. Leaving the rebellious child behind, he firmly picked up the phone.
"Secretary''s office, Strategy Division, Audit Division... Ah! Head of Business Support Division, all of them!"
Jin Yeong-jun simply stared at his father, who put down the phone roughly, with fearful eyes, not even daring to seek forgiveness.
His father''s fury was just that brutal.
In less than five minutes, the door opened, and people poured in.
When they saw the scene in the vice-chairman''s office, they immediately realized what had happened.
Their expressions conveyed the thought that this reckless son had caused trouble again, as they lowered their heads in disappointment.
"Strategy Division!"
"Yes, Vice-Chairman."
"Listen carefully. From now on, assign two people to watch over this guy. One reporter, one guard. Strong guys! Monitor him around the clock, don''t let him go anywhere outside of home and the office. If he tries to go somewhere else, stop him even if you have to break his legs. Even if he visits some insignificant caf, the whole Strategy Division will be right behind him. Got it?"
"Yes."
"You may leave."
The head of the Strategy Division quickly and fearfully exited as soon as the vice-chairman''s words finished.
"Audit Division!"
"Yes."
"Fromst year... no, from the year before that, find out everything he spent money on. Even if it''s just a pack of gum, don''t leave anything out. Especially if there''s any use of cash, be sure to uncover it. Understand?"
"Yes."
The head of the Audit Division fled before being told to leave.
"Executive Director Kang."
The Head of Business Support took a breath as he was called.
Sternly, he issued his orders, "Freeze all cards used by Yeong-jun. Lock his bank ounts in his name, and trace any hidden funds he might have. If that kid has even a single won in his pocket, you''ll be responsible. Bring his sry ount to me. Anything else? Block any online transactions or whatever else he''s doing. Do you understand what I mean?"
"Are you saying I should prevent him from spending money?"
"Yes, exactly. Just let him eat at home or in thepany cafeteria. It''s not worth wasting even a single grain of rice on him. Damn it."
The secretary''s office director, thest to receive instructions, felt a slight sense of anticipation, as if wondering what severe measures might being.
"Go to the electronics division and convey my message clearly. Yeong-jun is not my son. He''s just an ordinary employee. If he doesn''t do his job properly or doesn''t show anypetence, he can be sent off to the Suwon factory as of today. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Vice-Chairman."
Jin Yeong-gi shouted at his son. "Hey, what''s that woman''s name?"
"What? Uh... Gye, Gyeong-hee. It''s Lee Gyeong-hee."
He managed to mention just the name and then lowered his head again.
"Got it? She''s said to be a female talent, so thoroughly investigate her and her managementpany."
"Are you asking us to investigate or..."
When the secretary''s office director cautiously inquired, Jin Yeong-gi raised his voice again.
"I said investigate! That girl is a drug addict, and the CEO of her agency is a gangster. If you investigate them, everything wille out. Send them to jail for a few years and let them rot. Understand?"
"Yes, Vice-Chairman."
"Take that kid with you and throw him in the electronic division."
In the empty room where everyone had left, Vice-Chairman Jin Yeong-gi let out a long sigh, and that was all he could do.
After a few sighs, Vice-Chairman Jin finally picked up the phone.
"Immediately issue orders to transfer him to some African country or something. What? This kid! How would I know the specific country in Africa? Just send him off to some remote ce!"
Chapter 157 Double-Edged Sword 1
Chapter 157 Double-Edged Sword 1
"A deal..."
"Trading money and power. Isn''t this exchange of these two quitemon? It''s nothing out of the ordinary."
Prosecutor Bae Jae-hwan, after staring at me intently for a while, chuckled lightly. "The prosecutor said you''re quite different from the average trust fund baby. I understand why he said that."
"How am I different?"
"You have a talent for saying brazen things without a care and making them sound quite convincing."
"The person giving is allowed to be brazen. Since the people who will keep nibbling at my trust fund will keep showing up anyway. Don''t you think that way?"
There are plenty of merchants willing to sell the power they possess. Aren''t there about 2,000 of them?
"This... you''re quite skilled at making people ufortable. All right, I get it. I''lle back with a properly crafted product to sell."
This person knows how to understand spoken words well.
Trust, faith, loyalty... someone who knows that a mutually satisfying trade is a far better long-term rtionship engine than those things.
"I''m in a hurry. I hope you can bring something good within a month. I''ll pay generously."
"It seems like Prosecutor Lee Kang-sik is even more in a hurry. The one in a hurry often ends up getting the bigger piece."
"Oh, this is the first deal, so I''ll make a pre-payment. Please make it as if there were never a Cheongju assignment. I want to encourage you to work harder and expect good results."
Director Bae smiled happily and nodded his head. "Thank you for assisting this prosecutor."
"I should be the one to thank you."
"Really?"
"Out of the six people you mentioned, one of them might be in a situation where they need to take off their clothes. Is there a suitable candidate?"
"Take off their clothes?" Director Bae was taken aback, asking in surprise.
"I''ve thought about it, even for a worst-case scenario. If someone is in more urgent need of money than doing the prosecutor job, they can take the fall. They would be the one to carry the gun. In return, we will hire them in our Miracle Legal Team with theirwyer qualification." I addressed his concern that he couldn''t easily answer. "Even if they lose theirwyer qualification in the worst case, it''s okay. After all, those who have studiedw will still have the foundational knowledge. Thepany needs legal knowledge, not a license."
"You seem to be nning something big."
"As I mentioned, I''m preparing for any possibility."
"I will check. If I find a friend thinking about opening aw firm, they will be more than wee."
If you can make in one year what you could earn in ten years as awyer, there''s no reason to hesitate.
"Then, I''ll be waiting. Let''s get our act together for this first deal."
Director Bae gave my outstretched hand a firm handshake.
"Checking out the prosecution was the right choice. The real power lies with the Financial Supervisory Service."
"Have you figured out what they''re up to over there?"
"Ourpany, as well as you and me, are being investigated all the way down to individual transactions. They''ve started tracing the funds that came in when we established Miracle Korea." Oh Sehyun stated it matter-of-factly, but a hint of anxiety was evident in his tone.
"Do we have anything to be concerned about?"
"We''ve been dealing in billions, not millions. Even if they scrape together the scraps, it''s still a few hundred million. Webel it as tax reduction, but to them, it''s tax evasion. It''s an issue of legal interpretation. If there''s any evidence, the National Tax Service wille after us."
"I''m getting a bit nervous."
"In the worst-case scenario, we might have to pay taxes and penalties. We have enough money to cover that, so it''s fine. Haha."
"Isn''t this about more than just money?"
Looking at my stern expression, Oh Sehyunughed. "How far are you willing to go?"
"If you draw a sword, you must strike at least once. I''m not going to cut off their heads and put them in a bag."
My expression became even graver. Not wanting to reconcile means that the Sunyang Group and Miracle will sh.
Can we really hurt the unassable fortress that is Sunyang? Or will it be the other way around, with us getting hurt?
These worries are clearly visible on my face.
"In the worst-case scenario, you said that we can pay a penalty, right? If we can solve it with money, it won''t cost us much. There''s no need to back down."
Confirming my resolution, Oh Sehyun let out a deep breath.
"Do you have the weapon ready?"
"Yes. There''s a prosecutor named Lee Kang-sik in the Financial Investigation Division of the Southern District Prosecutor''s Office. He''s the one who needs to go to Cheongju soon. Can you cancel his personnel order?"
"Is this friend our hitman?"
"Sort of. We''ve gathered insiders within the prosecutor''s office to strengthen our power."
"That shouldn''t be a problem. The Southern District Prosecutor''s Office isn''t a high-ranking position."
"Alright then. Let''s wait to see how sharp our insiders will be when theye."
And before a month had passed, our hitman arrived with a weapon worth using.
"We haven''t put any manpower into internal transactions or pushing for deals. Instead, we focused on tracking overseaspanies... and this is what we found."
Oh Sehyun eagerly grabbed the documents presented by Lee Kang-sik. He meticulously examined every number and even let out a low whistle. It meant that these were solid pieces of evidence.
"The Financial Investigation Division of the Southern District Prosecutor''s Office is quite remarkable. You''ve managed to uncover this!"
"Well, many people engage in off-the-record funds, and the sums involved are significant. It''s tough to expose and deal with them... but we''ve delved into tax evasion, and we''ve found the right evidence."
"Wouldn''t it have been difficult without help from the United States?"
"I was fortunate enough to participate in a legal training program there. It''s a benefit given to Seoul National University alumni, but they asionally let someone like me slip in for appearances. I had a close friend who was a third-generation Korean-American. He helped me out."
"What is it? What did he do?"
Pointing to the documents, I asked, and Oh Sehyunughed heartily.
"It''s about siphoning dors. The money that slipped out of an ount linked to the United States."
Chapter 158 Double-Edged Sword 2
Chapter 158 Double-Edged Sword 2
Speaking forcefully, making it clear that he wasn''t scared at all, Jin Yeong-gi frowned visibly.
"Are you ying around with me right now?"
"No one is perfect. That''s why they make mistakes. Mistakes can be fatal forpanies like us, especially if a ce like the National Tax Service seizes on those mistakes. Don''t you find that terrifying?"
Jin Yeong-gi stared at Oh Sehyun, who spoke brazenly for a while, then let out a sly smile.
"I thought all of Yoon-gi''s friends were dull... I was very wrong. Yoon-gi, his friends... none of them are ordinary."
Jin Yeong-gi, who changed his attitude in an instant, showed the calmness of a vice chairman.
"Alright. Let''s overlook the small things, and go big. Let''s bring all thepanies that Miracle has devoured under the shelter of Sunyang. I''m willing to pay whatever it takes."
"Don''t speak so arrogantly. Do you know the corporate value of HW Group?"
Oh Sehyun couldn''t help but throw a sharp remark, but it seemed Jin Yeong-gi didn''t even hear it.
"Representative Oh , aren''t you an expert in that area? Let''s do M&A. Evaluate the corporate value rationally and give everything ording to the results."
"Let''s discuss the big issues after solving the small problems. Please stop the Financial Supervisory Service from scrutinizing our Miracle. Then I can also end it here."
"What do you mean by ''end it''?"
"I''ve done some research here and there since I couldn''t just stand still. You''ve done some foreign exchange maniption."
Jin Yeong-gi''s eyebrows twitched, but he soon regained hisposure.
"What''s that supposed to mean? It''s a minor vition for a Koreanpany. Even you must make an illegal U-turn while driving sometimes, right? It''s about that level."
"An illegal U-turn? I sometimes make one too. But not while I''m drunk. This is drunk driving plus crossing the centerline."
"Drunk? What do you mean by that?"
"A dor from the foreign exchange maniption ended up flowing into a gambling establishment, so I''m currently trying to confirm who it is. Ah, that ount is owned by the Sunyang Group, so it would be difficult to feign ignorance."
Oh Sehyun observed Jin Yeong-gi without revealing his wife''s name.
He was curious to see how he would react to the word "gambling," but his response was quite different from what he expected. If he knew that his wife was the subject, there would have been a visible reaction. He appeared expressionless, as if he had either never heard the word "gambling" before or was hearing it for the first time.
"I need to hear one piece of news by the end of today. The official investigation by the Financial Supervisory Service and the conclusion of the investigation. If I don''t hear that news, the news about the illegal U-turn of the drunk driver will be sshed all over the news tomorrow."
"You just mentioned gambling, right? Foreign gambling?"
"Yes. That''s the essence of drunk driving. And you should know who the driver is even without me telling you, right?"
In an instant, Oh Sehyun, who had firmly handed his business card to the table, stood up.
"My phone number. It''s valid until the end of today. Remember it."
As Oh Sehyun left the vice chairman''s office, he frowned.
"Doesn''t that gentleman know that his wife is addicted to gambling?"
Left alone, Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi pondered the words left by Oh Sehyun, but it was difficult to grasp the situation. The problem is that there are not just one or two foreign exchange maniption ounts. The embezzled dors are in use in several countries, not just in the United States. People sometimes use them to buy vis, luxury homes, ornd and buildings in lucrative locations.
Of course, they might use it for personal entertainment, but gambling!
If Oh Sehyun were shouting to the extent of ying a few rounds of roulette or pulling some slot machine for fun, it wouldn''t be such a concern. His first worry was whether that was the case.
"Get Director Choi. Tell him to bring all the foreign exchange ounts."
After shouting into the inte, he paced around the room.
When Director Choi entered with a thick file of documents, Jin Yeong-gi made a loud exmation.
"Are you hiding something from me?"
"What? What do you mean...?"
At thiste hour, like showing a red face at night, Director Choi was startled by the loud noise.
"Was there anything suspicious among the money that went out of the ounts? Anything you didn''t report to me?"
He realized from Director Choi''s surprised expression that he had made a mistake. Unless there were significant irregrities, he had not reported separately.
"Again, did anything strange happen among the money that went out? Based on your judgment?"
Like someone who had spent his whole life just looking at numbers, he easily understood.
Director Choi quickly handed him a few sheets from the pile of documents.
"What''s this?"
"This is a list of what Madam used. Among them, I think there''s something that you''re looking for, sir. She told me that you didn''t need to know when I asked her about it."
When Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi swiftly checked only the final total numbers, he even had the thought that maybe he had seen it incorrectly.
"Th-three hundred million?"
Director Choi had nothing more to say and just stood there, uncertain of how to respond to the vice chairman''s attitude.
From the surprised expression, he could only guess that a big problem had urred.
"Are you sure about this? My wife used this?"
"Yes. She mostly withdrew money in the United States, and she used it asionally in Moro."
Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi furrowed his brow and started drumming his fingers, and Director Choi left the room quickly, as if fleeing. He had suspected that there might be something going on at the vice chairman''s house, and he even sent a kind message to his close colleagues to dy any approvals, no matter how urgent they were.
Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi''s anger toward his wife, who hadmitted drunk driving and an illegal U-turn, was overshadowed by Oh Sehyun''s warning that came to mind first.
He hurriedly summoned the director of his secretariat and took action.
"Ensure that the Strategic PR Office is on high alert. If any media outlets publish any unfavorable articles in the future, even a single line, warn them that I will personally hold them ountable."
The director of the secretariat, sensing that there was a problem within the household, immediately convened a meeting and rushed out. He knew that they would need to use all their connections within thepany to prevent any potential storm.
Chapter 159 Double-Edged Sword 3
Chapter 159 Double-Edged Sword 3
"Vice, Vice Chairman, just a moment!"
Jin Yeong-gi and the other executives in the room turned their attention to the young office worker who had burst in.
Quickly, he grabbed the remote control and turned on therge TV on one side of the meeting room wall.
"... We are currently investigating the regr overseas gambling trips of about a dozen social elite figures, and we have already obtained specific concrete evidence. In particr, considering the vition of foreign exchange managementws in connection withrge corporations, it is inevitable that the investigation into thesepanies will proceed."
"What''s this?"
"A special press conference that started at the Southern District Prosecutor''s Office just a while ago. It''s rted to this article."
The office worker pointed to the morning newspaperid out on the meeting room table.
"In particr, this overseas gambling trip differed from the usual ones to Macau or the Philippines, as it took ce in the United States and Moro. While the trips to Macau or the Philippines were disguised as package tours, Las Vegas and Moro, the subjects of the current investigation, were visited individually, with estimated gambling amounts ranging from hundreds of millions to hundreds of billions of Korean won."
The name Sunyang was mentioned repeatedly as journalists asked questions. Every time the name Sunyang came up, Jin Yeong-gi''splexion darkened. Finally, he snatched the remote control from the office worker''s hand and hurled it toward the TV.
"Delete all the articles on the inte and stop that immediately. And strip that guy of his clothes! If it''s not reported in the news tomorrow that all this was a mistake, you''re all done. Got it? Get out of here quickly!"
The people in the conference room were more relieved about the freedom to leave this ce than the concern about the bigger issue.
"Oh Sehyun, this bastard is really...!" Left alone, Jin Yeong-giined for a while and then took out his mobile phone. "Take immediate action today with the Central District Prosecutor''s Office and the National Tax Service. Raid Miracle and strip Oh Sehyun down to his underwear! Hurry."
Now, I really can''t stop it.
There''s no chance that his wife will be arrested and receive a prison sentence for gambling. Even if irrefutable evidence surfaces, the calction was that being a first-time offender, she could easily avoid jail with a fine.
But when the National Tax Service starts digging, it won''t end so easily.
Regardless of how this fight turns out, he is the ultimate winner.
''Lee Kang-sik! This guy...! Have you lost your mind? Are you insane?''
Puck!
Lee Kang-sik clenched his teeth, trying not to scream, but his hand was on his jaw.
The Deputy Chief Prosecutor from the Southern District Attorney''s Office continued to strike Kang-sik''s jaw with his steel-toed boots.
"You, you moron, what have you done? You can''t even look after one child, so you cause such a massive disaster? I want to strip you and promote myself. Are you crazy?"
As the Deputy Chief''s anger rained down on him, the head of the Financial Investigation Division closed his eyes and let out a shallow sigh.
"I''m sorry, Deputy Chief."
"You guys are driving me insane. How are we going to fix this now? Do you realize that a whole army of top defense attorneys is going to gather? I heard over 10 of them are former prosecutors. I''m putting my badge on the line for this."
The Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Southern District Attorney''s Office shook his decorated badge, fearing that he might lose his job over this.
"Lee Kang-sik!"
"Yes, Deputy Chief."
"Do you know how long the former Chief Prosecutor served in office?"
"Eight months."
"Yes, he barely served eight months out of the two years mandated by thew. Everyone knows it''s because of the chaos caused by the chairman''s family. But now, a lowly junior prosecutor has stirred up trouble with the chairman''s eldest daughter-inw? How many more people are going to lose their positions because of you, including you!"
Lee Kang-sik bowed his head in silence. He had anticipated this scolding, but hearing it directly was still bitter.
To have the entire prosecution shaken by a mere businessman...
"The Chief Prosecutor has been summoned by the Prosecutor General''s Office. It''s all because of you, you idiot!"
When the Deputy Chief Prosecutor struck Lee Kang-sik on the back of the head, he raised his head.
"I''ve secured the bank records and cross-referenced Park Hye-young''s departure records. A Korean mediapany guaranteed that they''ll obtain the CCTV footage from Las Vegas. We can tie everything together, including the slush fund at Sunyang Group. Please trust me."
"Don''t make light of this." The Deputy Chief Prosecutor yelled at Lee Kang-sik, who was defending himself with a straight gaze. "Why are you like this? You couldn''t put those people behind bars because there''s no evidence? Once they''re in a wheelchair, it''s over. Do you even know you might have to give them amnesty? You''re going to ruin them, even to the extent of destroying the slush fund because of that woman''s gambling?"
Evidence of a conglomerate''s wrongdoing had to be collected and stored. Then, when the public outcry was loud enough, the opportunity to convict could be seized. They would probably get probation or a pardon in the end anyway.
That''s the extent of the prosecution''s role.
"I''m sorry. I''ll take responsibility for it. It''s just the reckless actions of an insignificant junior prosecutor who''s blind to justice."
Lee Kang-sik took an envelope out of his pocket. It was a letter of resignation.
"You bastard...! You think you can end it with this resignation?"
The Deputy Chief Prosecutor looked at Lee Kang-sik with an unpleasant expression.
"Do you know what the end is for a righteous prosecutor who''s been cast out? In a past life, you either saved the country and got a golden badge, or you became a neighborhood divorcewyer. Since you''re not the type to save the country, you''re going to end up as a neighborhoodwyer for the rest of your life."
Lee Kang-sik wanted to shout at the Deputy Chief Prosecutor, who was belittling him.
"In a year, you''ll envy me."
"Lee Kang-sik, the prosecutor, has resigned."
"That''s right. I thought the division chief prosecutor would be resigning. He did enough to earn that position, and he would have made a lot of money for the guys. I thought it was a done deal."
"Is it age catching up with ambition? Maybe it was the urgency for money that drove him."
I was also a bit surprised, and it was somewhat disappointing. If the Division Chief had stepped up, a more significant picture would have been painted."
Chapter 160 Slim and Tight 1
Chapter 160 Slim and Tight 1
This is not the time to be idle.
With no ie and only the massive gambling debts of his wife and the illegal gambling ring exposed to the world, he needed to resolve the situation. The issue was the prosecution.
The question was whether they would quietly cover it up or initiate a formal investigation, possibly exposing his overseas off-the-record finances. While his wife''s gambling debts might disappear with a little intervention, the carefully collected off-the-record funds, like Altn, must note to light.
If even his overseas real estate transactions were exposed in the media, it wouldn''t end with just public scrutiny. It could escte to a special prosecutor''s investigation, which had to be prevented at all costs. Everything had to be erased as quickly as possible.
"Management support, nning, strategy, PR, and the secretariat, gather." Jin Yeong-gi dragged his heavy feet toward the conference room. "Give me a report."
The Vice Chairman''s tone,cking any vigor, weighed down the atmosphere in the conference room.
"The prosecution is reluctant to dismiss the impulsive judgment of an ordinary prosecutor, as it may affect their reputation. The American newspaper has been making noise, and even domestic newspapers have reported on it."
The reporter checked the Vice Chairman''s expression once again and cautiously continued.
"They say it''s inevitable for witnesses to be summoned regarding overseas gambling."
"Do they want us to stand in the prosecution''s photo line?"
"Yes. If we help block the media, they''ve promised to conclude the case with a fine after the promised indictment."
"Good. What about the PR team?"
A man from where the Vice Chairman''s gaze was focused suddenly stood up.
"Just stay seated. It''s not a presentation."
With a wave of Jin Yeong-gi''s hand, the head of the PR department sat back down.
"They said they''ll take down the inte articles, but if there''s no way to avoid follow-up reports, they''ll publish them once or twice. So, negotiations are still ongoing. We''ll make sure to stop it."
Jin Yeong-gi felt somewhat relieved. If they could control the media, dealing with the prosecution would be easier. His wife had brought shame upon herself nationwide. He now wanted to see her behind bars.
"Whether it''s reporters or editors, don''t spare any expense. Give them what they want. Just make sure the overseas gambling articles don''t see the light of day."
"Yes, Vice Chairman."
Now they needed to address the most difficult problem: the overseas assets, bank ounts, and illegal gambling. This would not be an easy matter to resolve. Diverting dors during a national crisis, the likes of the IMF bailout, was no different from embezzlement. Embezzlement was considered a major crime, bordering on high treason, to the extent that rumors had spread that the Supreme Prosecutors'' Office was involved.
"Director Choi."
"Yes, Vice Chairman."
"Transfer 500,000 dors from one ount and hand it over to the prosecution... and let''s end it with that."
"Yes."
Everyone in the room knew that it couldn''t be settled so easily. When the Vice Chairman mentioned 500,000 dors, it was an indirect way of saying that someone had to shoulder that amount and take responsibility. They would wrap it up with a suspended sentence, and they could expect at least two promotions and a special bonus of about ten billion won.
People in the room began to read between the lines.
Jin Yeong-gi looked around the conference room and casually threw out ament as he rose from his chair.
"Those going on a business trip should discuss it and decide. It won''t be a long trip, so there''s no need to think too deeply, right?"
After Hak-jae''s report, Chairman Jin frowned.
"So, the bottom line is that it''s Yeong-gi?"
"It seems that way. The National Tax Service employee who infiltrated Miracle''s headquarters managed to escape like a ghost. Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi urgently contacted us."
"That fool. We''re supposed to protect the pride of public servants."
Even though they were civil servants who did as they were told, they didn''t necessarily view a situation where they had to go ande back favorably.
Especially when they know that these orders areing not from the organization''s leader but from someone from a major corporation, it shatters their pride as civil servants.
If this kind of thing continues, they are no different from errand boys, and the government''s influence over its organizations will gradually diminish.
"What about the prosecution''s press conference? Did they really investigate, or is it a favor for Miracle?"
"They initially acted on Vice Chairman''s orders, but then they went astray. I guess someone gave them a better offer at Miracle."
"Did you make contact?"
"Yes, the head of the Southern District Prosecutors'' Office seemed to have a hard time with it. He said it''s a bit difficult to cover it up as if it never happened."
Chairman Jin appeared to be irritated as he briefly frowned.
"If you''re no longer at the front lines, you shouldn''t care about it... This is ridiculous." He casually shook his head. "Just make sure you clearly maintain the boundaries. If this leaks all the way to Miracle, it''ll be trouble."
"Yes, I will ry that. Also..."
"What''s with that expression again?"
"Mayor Choi seems to have arranged something through the Eastern District Prosecutors'' Office."
"Mayor Choi?"
"Yes. What should we do?"
"Let Mayor Choi be. It''s a family matter; they''ll work it out among themselves. Oh, at my age, having to mediate between my own children... My word." Chairman Jin, picked up the phone with great effort.
"Why do you think I called you all?"
Jin Yeong-gi was tense, and Jin Seo-yoon had a stern expression. Dong-gi sat with an emotionless face, gazing at his father.
"I''m too ashamed to leave the house. Can''t you all behave decently?"
"Father, it was our eldest brother who started this. I ended up almost going to prison..."
"So what? Is that a reason to order Mayor Choi, who''s an outsider, to investigate your older brother? Is that the right thing to do?"
When Jin Yeong-gi red at his younger sister as if to kill her, Chairman Jin, spoke firmly. "Contact everyone and have them clean up everything. Quietly bury it."
"Father, I have nothing to do with this..."
"Noisy. You''re the same. You didn''t get your feet dirty, but you hid behind your brother, didn''t you? That''s why you had Yeong-jun transferred to Seoul. I told you, didn''t I? Before making that guy into a human, don''t let him set foot in Seoul."
Chapter 161 Slim and Tight 2
Chapter 161 Slim and Tight 2
"Have you ever seen such a crafty guy? Hahaha."
"This wasn''t what you wanted, Grandfather? Using what''s in one''s hands most effectively?"
"Right, that''s enough. Try not to use it too often. You might wear it out."
"Unless both uncles give up their greed, there''s unlikely to be any wear and tear."
"Is that so?" Grandfather chuckled gently.
"I''ve made it very clear to those two uncles you underestimate. I''ve told them that they, as brothers, must absolutely recover Sunyang Motor together. They''re not just being greedy. To fulfill their greater ambitions, they might even temporarily join forces. Being brothers, it might be easier to catch them."
"About the Sunyang Motors?"
"Yes. If you''re not strong enough, it''s the way of the world to lose it. Don''t you agree?"
This cantankerous old man!
While he''s meticulous about stopping fights from spilling outside, inside, he eagerly fans the mes of conflict, and he even provokes fights at the slightest chance.
He may not be aware of it, but his favorite song must be "The Winner Takes It All."
"I''ll make sure to be well-prepared."
"That''s what you need to do. Know why that 17% stake, which you''re wielding as a weapon, could be worthless?"
"As the Sunyang Group grows, the Miracle''s stake bes rtively insignificant."
"You know it well. In fact, it''s already dropped to the 16% range. Several affiliatepanies increased their capital after the economy rebounded. Can you catch up?"
"I have to put in the effort to avoid falling behind. That way, I won''t disappoint your expectations, will I?"
"Just my expectations?"
"I have ns to fulfill my own ambitions as well, but I''vee to realize that this won''t be easy..."
Seeing my bitter expression, Grandfather twinkled his eyes.
"Why do you think that way?"
"I had forgotten about the years you''ve spent building your influence. People who have been solidly cultivated for all those years. The power they possess. To be on par with you, I''ll need at least 20 more years. Or maybe even longer. I''m your favorite grandson, but I''m still the youngest by birth order. Do you think powerful people will acknowledge me?"
Grandfather pped his knee, raising his voice. "That''s the true power of Sunyang."
"Yes, I knew it in my head, but I hadn''t truly felt it until now."
"Doing it alone would take you 50 years, wouldn''t it? Over half of Yeong-gi''s strength was inherited from me. It took me 20 years to build what I passed on."
I smiled at Grandfather and said, "Are you considering giving me some too?"
"To fight fairly, I''ll have to give you something. But remember one thing. Even if I give it, it doesn''t mean it bes yours. Because it''s not an object; it''s a person."
"It''s a person, so I have no fear of losing it."
"What? Losing? Hahaha." Grandfatherughed heartily, pounding his desk.
"If Grandfather gives, I will protect without losing. After all, the people we''ve acquired, didn''t we buy them with money? I''ll pay for their services at a premium, more than anyone else."
"At the beginning, maybe."
"What do you mean?"
"At first, it''s money, butter, you''ll need something more."
"What could that be?"
"I can''t just tell you; it''s something you need to identify and fulfill yourself."
"It''s not easy, is it?"
"Because it involves people. It''splex and challenging because it''s about people. Human desires are as diverse as they are hard to gauge. You need to handle theseplexities to be a leader."
"I will keep that in mind."
Grandfather cleared his throat a few times and then spoke with a clear voice, looking at me with clear eyes.
"The process of inheriting the shares will soon bepleted. Both of them will divide it, but based on their growth rates, it seems Yeong-gi, your eldest uncle, will take slightly more."
"I see."
"What remains is the financial aspect, and the group''s shares are currently being adjusted."
I swallowed hard. Revealing this means that he intends to give it to me, but the mention of share adjustment was concerning.
"You know that the financial affiliates are the cream of the crop, right?"
Particrly, Sunyang Life is among the giants, with significant real estate holdings as its cash flow is substantial. Thepany umted real estate, significantly increasing rental ie from the cash held within thepany, making it more than just a group''s bank. Furthermore, Sunyang Electronics owns 7% of its shares as a major shareholderpany.
"Yes, it ys a central role in the group''s control, doesn''t it?"
"What do you want to do with it?"
"Are you considering giving it to me?"
"You left out the word ''if''. Haha."
"I will focus on expanding around Sunyang Life, working towards bing another massive corporate group."
"Not outside the Sunyang-affiliatedpanies held by your elder cousins?"
"That''s not what I mean. Sunyang-affiliatedpanies are part of the expansion, but it doesn''t mean that they are everything to me."
I hoped it was the right answer.
Isn''t the ultimate goal of conglomerate leaders to endlessly expand theirpanies? It''s the desire for growth rather than stability. I need to go where my heart leads. That''s how I can extract even a single extra share.
"You always give textbook-like answers, and when you turn them into results, there''s nothing to criticize."
"Is that troublesome for you?"
"What?"
"I mean, you''ll be handing over the financial division to me, which is sure to spark resistance from my uncles."
"It''s not just your uncles who will resist. Don''t you think the executives of the financial affiliates will stand against it? Bending their heads to a grandson is not an easy task."
"I will take care of what they desire. If you entrust it them me, I''ll turn resistance into a warm wee."
"You''re quite outspoken, and yet, you have guts, but not all bluster." Grandfather chuckled and shook his head slightly. "The financial affiliates will be your responsibility. The process is ongoing, so be well-prepared."
I had expected this, but hearing it in such a clear and affirmative manner made me feel like I was flying high. But there was a subtle concern too.
Grandfather didn''t mention how much of the group''s shares the financial affiliates hold. It''s at least around 30%, so if youbine it with the 16% held by Sunyang Motors, it''s close to half. He''s surely aware of this, isn''t he?
Chapter 162 Slim and Tight 3
Chapter 162 Slim and Tight 3
"Do you still have something to say?"
Jin Yeong-gi frowned as he quietly opened the study door to see his daughter-inw entering. He assumed that her expression meant she wanted to express dissatisfaction with his decisions as the father of her husband.
Seeing her father-inw''s expression, Han Seo-young quickly spoke.
"I don''t have any dissatisfaction with your decision, Father. I will fullyply."
"But?"
"There''s something I''d like to ask..."
"Take a seat."
Han Seo-young quietly sat in the chair opposite.
"Alright, what is it you''d like to request?"
"Please allow me to continue investigating the rtionship between Miracle and your sister-inw''s secret funds using the resources of Hansung Daily."
"What?"
"I''ve heard that you''ve even traced the hidden capital that went into a ghostpany. With a bit more effort, we can probably unravel the connection to Miracle... It would be such a waste to just fold it like this."
It was an unexpected statement but somewhatmendable in a way. While the whole family was struggling to deal with the situation, she was the only family member showing a will to continue the fight.
Without waiting for an answer, Han Seo-young nervously withstood her father-inw''s gaze.
At that moment, an unexpected sound came from his lips.
"How many of your family members are working behind the scenes like this?"
"What?"
"I''m not scolding you, so don''t be rmed. Just answer. How many are there?"
"Uh... Father... I..."
"You don''t know anything?"
"Yes."
Jin Yeong-gi couldn''t help but chuckle at the sight of his daughter-inw turning red from her ears to her cheeks.
She was raised like a princess in an esteemed household, yet she was so assertive. It wasn''t that she appeared forward, only that her ambition sometimes preceded her, making her look anything but stubborn.
He wondered how he would have reacted if it had been his daughter, or his son, in this situation.
"Tomorrow, you should go to the family''s house and bring all the data you''ve collected. It includes the investigation on our family as well as the one about Miracle."
"Father, I don''t really know about the family from my side..."
"Alright. I''ll just trust that you don''t know. But you must have the data. Bring it all. Don''t ask for permission or anything. What you proposed is that we reconsider everything after reviewing the data."
Han Seo-young''s face brightened.
Reconsider everything... Her father-inw had clearly said it, "reconsider."
He meant that he would listen to her thoughts continuously.
"Yes, I will go tomorrow."
"Alright, go out and rx."
As Han Seo-young was about to bow and leave, she stopped and turned around.
"Um, Father."
"Why? Is there something else you want to say?"
"It''s about Yeong-jun. What if we give him some freedom?"
"What? Give him freedom?"
"Yes. Tying up Yeong-jun''s wallet won''t help. He is like a face with a business card and a name with a credit card. Just because he says he has no money doesn''t mean he''ll change his habits. He''ll just hide it more discreetly. Whether it''s for a year or ten years, he''ll keep running up a tab."
"You want me to allow it? Whatever he''s doing?"
"Yes."
Jin Yeong-gi was bewildered and couldn''t say anything more. Wasn''t this tantamount to giving his approval to her husband to meeting other women?
"Are you serious?"
"Yes. I know that Yeong-jun can''t live like an ordinary man. He''s the third-generation heir of one of Korea''s top conglomerates. There''s no way the pesky mosquitoes around him will leave him alone."
He first thought of her as a woman with a big mouth. Why had she only noticed such behavior now?
"I''ll think about it. Call it a day and leave for now."
Han Seo-young lowered her head again.
"By the way, when do you n to give me a grandson?"
The question was difficult to answer, and Han Seo-young stood there with her head down. But the following words from her father-inw made her snap to attention.
"You be a true member of the Sunyang family by having children. Remember that. Children are the only way to connect our bloodline. Are you clear on what I mean?"
It was a shocking statement for Han Seo-young. She was just a daughter-inw at the moment. She wasn''t yet a part of the Sunyang family. Families don''t change, but a daughter-inw can be sent away at any time.
To appease her father-inw''s heart, Han Seo-young bowed her head. "I''ll do my best to give you a grandson soon."
"Really? Did the Chairman personally say that?"
"Yes. The session process is underway."
"I see, so it''s all working out. Congrattions."
"It''s all thanks to you, Uncle. If it weren''t for you, I would never havee this far."
I handed over the gongji paper, stealing a glimpse of his expression. His face wasfortable and warmly smiling. It wasn''t what I had hoped for.
I had hoped to see a burning desire to take on new challenges, the face of a veteran preparing for a major battle. But Oh Sehyun''s face showed that he had achieved everything.
Didn''t he once say he''d work for five more years and then retire? With three key parts of Sunyang, does he think that''s enough now? What if he thinks he''s done with his role?
"No, this is a blessing. Haha. I know that sessful people are all quite confident in themselves."
As I watched Oh Sehyunugh, I started withdrawing into my thoughts. Oh Sehyun began to jot down thepany names on the paper.
"Let''s see... Sunyang Life, Sunyang Fire, Sunyang Securities, Sunyang Card are the main ones, right? What are you going to do? Will you leave the management team as it is, just like Chairman Jin? Hey! What''s wrong? Why are you staring nkly?"
"Oh, no. What were you saying?"
Let''s put the worry aside for a moment. He won''t retire abruptly.
"The management team. How do you n to structure it? Shouldn''t you clean out the entire existing management team?"
Chapter 163 Slim and Tight 4
Chapter 163 Slim and Tight 4
"Very well. I have a splitting headache as well. I''ll talk to the Chairman. Let''s arrange a meeting." Lee Hak-jae settled into his chair.
The CEOs of the financial subsidiaries flinched but didn''t withdraw. This incident was too difficult to just let it go.
"I''ll schedule a meeting and let you know. I''ll make sure to talk to this director without causing any harm."
As they left the office, Lee Hak-jae picked up the phone.
"...Chairman, it''s at a critical level, so it seems we should meet once to address it. Yes... yes..."
After ending the call, Lee Hak-jae was on the edge of his seat, curious about how this interesting story would unfold. But it was clear that, given the circumstances, he couldn''t miss the meeting.
"Our wealthy little fellow handling those bureaucrats... it''s quite fascinating."
He had no doubts about the oue. After all, the formidable presence of Chairman Jin supported everything. The CEOs of the subsidiarypanies also understood well that they couldn''t surpass Chairman Jin.
Instead, this was merely an opportunity for them to assert their presence. And this presence was not to be ignored.
No matter what anyone said, weren''t they contributors?
"Oh my, these people... Did I die, or did theye to check if I''m still alive?"
"What are you saying? We came to be yourpanions in case you need it."
"I feel relieved to see the Chairman in good health."
The CEOs of four subsidiarypanies, including Life, Fire, Securities, and Cards, took turns bowing and offering greetings as Chairman Jin warmly patted their backs.
"Well, have a seat. I imagine the old folks are going to grumble for a while, so sit down and talk. It must be tiring. Hehe."
It was clear that this was not just a courtesy visit; they needed to get to the main topic.
"Indeed, I heard there is a lot of dissatisfaction regarding personnel matters. Let it all out. These days, I have spare time, and I''m willing to listen to any nonsense."
Chairman Jin was still smiling, but the faces of the four subsidiarypany representatives stiffened instantly.
Nonsense!
It was apparent to anyone that Chairman Jin was talking nonsense. Entrusting apany worth nearly 700,000 won per share to a college student was absurd.
And these individuals were holding an astounding 5 million shares each. From subsidiarypany CEOs to executives and some employees, they all had a stake. Theirbined ownership amounted to 25%. If these shares were not handed over to the Chairman''s grandson, financial control would be impossible.
These secret transfer operations had to be handed over to the Chairman''s college student grandson now. If he couldn''t quell the executives'' dissatisfaction, the session process would be in jeopardy, and in the worst-case scenario, this covert session operation could leak to the outside.
Viting the rules on concealed transactions was a trivial matter. If they were hit with an inheritance tax of hundreds of billions, it would be irreversible.
Chairman Jin was well aware of this fact. Therefore, they believed that he would be willing to listen to their opinions to some extent.
"Chairman, Do-Jun is still a student. It''s never toote for him to graduate, gain a few years of practical experience, and then join the management team." Yang Woo-chan, the CEO of Sunyang Life, initiated the conversation.
Among them, he had served Chairman Jin the longest and, considering his age and the size of thepany, he had sufficient qualifications to be the sessor.
"Yes, there''s no need to rush. How about dying the session process a bit?"
"These people... How can I guarantee that I''ll live a few more years? Even if I die tomorrow, the undertakers will still be joking about my coffin, you know."
"That''s unlikely. You''ve just recovered like this..."
"So, you''re saying it''s okay for my grandson Do-Jun to undergo training for a few years and then participate in the management? Is that what you''re saying?"
"Yes, we''ll put him in key positions as soon as possible."
"Then do that. Rotate the tires. But does that have anything to do with the session process?"
Chairman Jin seemingly agreed without much fuss, but the expressions of the CEOs did not brighten up.
Securing corporate control was essential, and if Chairman Jin''s influence waned, Do-Jun wouldn''t stand a chance under the management team, where he''d be just another wage earner.
As major shareholders and corporate owners, it was obvious they''d exercise their rights, and the first exercise of those rights would likely involve restructuring the older generation, such as themselves.
They understood Chairman Jin''s intentions urately, but the reason they resisted ultimately came down to preserving their own positions.
"Chairman, there aren''t many people who can work under a major shareholder. There''s no precedent for such a case."
These words were directed at himself. CEO Yang Woo-chan implied that if Do-Jun inherited the financial subsidiary, he would promptly submit his resignation.
"That''s right. I haven''t experienced working in an office, so I don''t really understand the feelings of wage earners. Hehe."
Chairman Jin''sughter filled the room, but the atmosphere seemed to grow even colder.
What words would follow thatughter?
The CEOs began to stare at Chairman Jin, swallowing their dry throats.
At this moment, Chairman Jin, after theughter subsided, did something unexpected that no one had anticipated. He picked up the phone.
"Do-Jun? Yeah, it''s grandpa. Come over here quickly. There are some people who can''t stand that I''m giving a fewpanies to our grandson. Yes, yes, they''re ring at me as if I''m the problem. Hurry ande here and save this grandpa."
As soon as he hung up the phone, the CEOs urgently raised their hands.
"Oh my, Chairman. ring at you? Please don''t misunderstand."
"Chairman, we''re just offering our opinions for the sake of thepany."
"It''s fine. Do you really think I''d insult those who''ve been with me for over twenty years? That''s not it."
Chairman Jin was different from his usual self.
"Have a meeting with him once. Yes, this is like an interview. I''ve had moments when I wondered if I was doing the right thing, leaving thepany to a young man. So, confirm with your own eyes and, if you find it inadequate, tell him. It shouldn''t be difficult to scold a young fellow a bit. And our Do-Jun isn''t the kind of fool who ignores the advice of adults. Hehe."
The CEOs'' expressions grew even more serious.
They understood very well that he was not the kind of person who wouldpromise in this manner.
Chapter 164 Slim and Tight 5
Chapter 164 Slim and Tight 5
Prankster.
There''s no better word for it.
Didn''t the board of directors wee my decision to separate ownership from management and not get involved in operations? Therefore, it''s only natural to select someone to take responsibility for the management on behalf of the owner. The representative they''ve chosen is an extraordinary talent acknowledged by outsiders and themselves. Manager Jang Do-hyung.
If they oppose this, then all theirints about worrying about thepany were nothing more than empty talk. They were only worried about their own positions. Opposing the promotion of Manager Jang Do-hyung is not only embarrassing Yang Woo-chan, who had praised him, but also making grandfather, who allowed the bold promotion, look foolish. If they agree, they''ll have to elevate subordinates who were considered lower-ranking employees until today to supervisors. It''s better to remain silent and submit a resignation letter.
If they were put in charge, at least they would have a justification for not quitting.
Being the owner and a major shareholder, it''s understandable, isn''t it?
"Why are you all making such faces? Does Manager Jang Do-hyung not have the qualifications? Isn''t he a trustworthy person?"
Who, and what would they answer?
They exchanged nces with me one by one, but nobody spoke easily.
They were looking at my grandfather, uncertain whether he was waiting for their instructions or seeking their assistance.
However, my grandfather turned away from their gazes and urged for an answer.
"What''s this? Are you ignoring the question of the major shareholder? It''s not a matter of management but a personnel issue that shareholders should rightfully ask about, isn''t it?"
"Well, it''s just that it''s too radical..." It was the Securities Manager, Go In-gyu, who managed to answer, but this was no different from him falling into a trap.
"A mid-40s executive. Isn''t that radical enough? Radical personnel changes are usually radical only at the beginning. Rad-i-cal! Breaking established conventions. Since those conventions have already been broken, the appointment itself, ignoring seniority, has be a convention and formality."
Even President Go In-gyu had be a silenced spectator. Seizing the opportunity, I pushed even further.
"Are there any other Westernpanies, let''s say, of global standards, where someone in theirte 40s who joinedte has been promoted?"
Finance is a thoroughly Western business domain. Isn''t it an industry created by white people from head to toe? They can''t deny that these people are leading this field.
"The IMF bailout conditions include the opening of the financial market. While foreign capital is pouring in like a flood, topete with, utilize, or absorb that capital, shouldn''t we do it their way? I thought of Manager Jang Do-hyung as a symbol of that, and I believed that Sunyang had alreadypleted its preparations to jump into globalpetition. But... judging from your expressions, it seems it was my personal delusion."
I spoke quietly and calmly, but it was taken as a harsh reprimand, and not a single person met my gaze.
"Well, I can see that, no matter what, the first thing you guys need to do is create a wless report that leaves no room for doubt in response to Do-jun question. How to handle foreign capital, right?"
"We''ll... prepare it immediately." When President Yang Woo-chan barely responded, I shook my head.
"No, I have already prepared something. It''s better to discuss it together while reviewing that. Ah, if I''m bothering you, you can leave. All the top management of financialpanies can gather and discuss it thoroughly, then just inform me of the final results."
"You''ve prepared something?"
It''s true that I''ve prepared something, but there''s no need to tell the whole truth. To put more weight on it and apply pressure, I need to borrow some authority.
"No, I prepared it at Miracle Investment''s US headquarters. It took a few months just to analyze Sunyang''s financials. It''ll be helpful."
The CEOs looked perplexed, but my grandfather showed curiosity.
"I''m curious about what it contains. Analyzing us in the United States?"
"Grandfather, you might find it a bit hard to understand."
"What? Inseong?" How could my grandfather, who only extracts majorpany policies, grasp theplexities of details? "Alright. Then tell these friends. Even if I don''t know, they should, right?"
Up until now, my grandfather had been watching andughing, but he stoppedughing and began to scrutinize the CEOs.
"President Yang."
"Yes?" He was so startled that it was a bit amusing.
"You''ll be investing Sunyang''s capital in various ces, but there are also many financial products in domestic banks, right?"
"Well, yes."
He looked quite uneasy. As the CEO of a life insurancepany, he can''t possibly track and analyze every product invested by thepany.
Maybe if I ask about the investment products, he''ll make aplete fool of myself in front of the chairman.
"In general, those products are described in terms of performance, expected return rate, and safety, among other things. However, they don''t exin where my money goes when I invest in that financial product. Also, I don''t know what the product I''ve invested in consists of."
"What do you mean? Bonds, stocks, physical investments... they''re all clearly defined."
My grandfather couldn''t wait pretending not to know.
"No, it''s moreplicated nowadays. Even bonds are packaged with various types. For example, they mix the bonds of Florida''s residential mortgage-backed securities, UK corporate bonds, and Mexican government bonds."
"It may seemplicated, but they''re still bonds, right?"
"Then it''s not a big headache. No, there are other things mixed in here too. Right into the return rate of this bundled bond, they include derivative products based on that rate."
"Do-jun. What exactly are you trying to say? Are you suggesting I''m unqualified as a CEO because I don''t know the details of such products?"
Once again, Yang, who was quick on the uptake and had good artiction, stepped in.
I decided to cut short my words and refrained from further exmations. It''s best to preserve their dignity and maintain the right bnce. These are people I will continue to work closely with, and they have a fair amount of influence.
"No, how can you possibly know all that? The ones who should have an exact grasp are the analysts. If the person responsible for investment, like an analyst, doesn''t know the details of the product, they should be dismissed. Executives don''t need to know."
"So, what do you think an executive''s responsibility is? What should they know?"
"Well, there could be several duties, but the most important one is precisely judging where the water, right under your feet, will stop, wouldn''t you agree?"
It''s not just Yang who''s quick on the uptake; everyone here catches my drift.
"If the water only reaches up to your nose, you''re lucky, but if it engulfs your head, there''s no way to survive. Isn''t that right, Mr. Lee Min-sub, the CEO of Sunyang Card?"
Chapter 165 Mutual Interview 1
Chapter 165 Mutual Interview 1
"Saying that you need to hire new people who fit you is essential, but you should never look down on those who''ve been with you for a long time. You have to make the departure of those retiring graceful. It''s a big problem if they feel humiliated."
It was his concern for those who had been together for a long time.
Since my first face-to-face meeting may have seemed overly aggressive, I wanted to put Grandfather''s mind at ease.
"I will keep those individuals in their positions for the time being. If they demonstrate sufficientpetence, I see no need to rece them."
"No."
"Yes?"
"It''s just a matter of timing; those friends need to be sorted out. We need to make sure that every employee understands that times have changed. The most effective way to make them realize it''s your era, not mine, is to hit their heads."
Once again.
This was not said with the people''s best interests in mind.
"When sorting them out, we must minimize any negative effects that may ur. Nevertheless, they were loyal to Sunyang. We need to ensure that there are no people who consider being ruthlessly cut as their future. A person who feels betrayed will inevitably betray. Do you know why?"
"Is it because they can justify their own betrayal?"
"Exactly."
Grandfather looked at me with a satisfied smile.
"If they have no shorings to criticize right to the end, treat them well enough so they won''t be disappointed. But if there''s anything to be concerned about, ruthlessly trim the excess. The rest of their days with Sunyang should serve as an example for thepany, for better or worse."
"I will keep that in mind."
I was on the verge of chuckling.
Does grandfather truly harbor no affection even as small as a handful? Sunyang Life''s President Yang Woo-chan has been a close associate for over thirty years, but there seems to be no sign of any consideration for him.
Will I be like this too?
"Well, I''ll meet Vice President Jang Dohyung once. We can decide what to do afterward."
"President Jang is someone I don''t know well, but he seems to have a good reputation. Oh, by the way, he''s no pushover."
"At his age, rising from Sunyang to Vice President is quite an achievement, don''t you think?"
"If you and he get along well, it could be a goodbination. Haha."
We should indeed get along.
Jang Dohyung rises to the position of Vice President, but eventually he''s the one who slips.
This is because Jang Dohyung''s ambitious and aggressive style of corporate management didn''t sit well with Jin Young-ki when he took over as the Chairman and began transforming thepany into a global financial conglomerate hub for the entire world''s financialworks.
For Jin Young-ki, the financial conglomerate was merely a ce to keep the controlling stake and withdraw money from it as needed.
Jang Dohyung, who aspired to make thispany globally significant, was ipatible with Jin Young-ki. Jin Young-ki promoted those who conformed to his ideas to the position of CEO, and Jang Dohyung couldn''t escape the role of a pawn.
This is the hidden story that I know, but I need to confirm it.
Is Vice President Jang Dohyung a good fit for me? Does he truly possess the abilities required to expand into a global corporation?
"This is a bit strange, isn''t it? It doesn''t seem to match Director Jin... Oh, by the way, may I call you Director?"
"Yes. I''m fine with that, Vice President."
Despite the size being that of a small apartment, the office feels quite empty with only afortable sofa set and a table.
Jang Dohyung''s firstment as he opened the door to this office was that it feels eerie and that it''s not a ce that suits him.
What doesn''t seem to match?
"Would you like a drink? Perhaps some alcohol? Or coffee? Tea?"
"If you happen to have canned beer, I''ll have a light one."
I took two cans of beer from the refrigerator and ced them on the table.
"You mentioned that President Yang had a tough time, but is that true?"
Vice President Jang Dohyung awkwardly chuckled and replied, "If he had a tough time, would he have mentioned it to someone lower in rank? He seems like a person with a strong ego."
Look at this guy. Did he investigate what kind of conversation took ce that day?
"Haha, I see. So those remarks about sharing some hardships were just jokes, and I took them seriously. I must have looked like a fool."
He casually took a sip from the canned beer as if moving on from the topic. "But why did you want to see me?"
"I have a few questions. You probably already know, but I''ll be taking over the financial division of the Sunyang Group."
"Yes, I''m aware."
"But I''m different from my uncles. I have no intention of taking on significant responsibilities within thepany."
"That''s unexpected." Vice President Jang Dohyung set the canned beer he held down and straightened his posture.
"Everything happening inside the building is something I can never understand from the outside. Financial statements alone don''t tell the whole story. The ambiance you feel when you step into the building''s lobby, the expressions on the employees'' faces, the sounds of the office buzzing - these are what make up the true nature of thepany."
"Is that so?"
He looked surprised and leaned in to listen carefully, trying to understand what I''m was saying.
"High-ranking positions like Chairman or Vice Chairman shouldn''t exist within thepany''s formal structure. But when someone with these titles walks into the building, everyone bows respectfully at a 90-degree angle. I don''t really like that kind of disy. Isn''t it a bit old-fashioned? It''s not like we''re gangsters or something..."
"You don''t understand because you haven''t experienced it."
"What do you mean?"
"It''s the materialistic nature of sried employees."
"Materialistic?"
This guy is quite unique. Did he mention this aspect because my grandfather said he''s not to be underestimated?
"Sried employees, about 99% of them, bow their heads like mob bosses when dealing with the members of the group owner''s family... just as you said. But once the chairman approaches them and shakes their hand, everything changes. They think they''re not part of that 99%, that they are special. They develop this kind of illusion."
"So, what are you trying to say?"
"Not wanting a formal position means that you just check the performance every year and when the performance is poor, you rece the executives, including the CEO. Is that the idea?"
Chapter 166 Mutual Interview 2
Chapter 166 Mutual Interview 2
"You can interpret it that way. But is it just because of that that I''m better than my uncle?"
"There''s more to it. I also have many acquaintances in Yeouido. Some of them have been saying that Jin Do-jun is the future of Miracle. If Jin Do-jun rises to the position where he wields absolute authority in Miracle, he might have the entire Korean financial market dancing to his tune."
"Who on earth is saying such nonsense?"
"You''re being modest. Haha."
Jang Dohyung let out a refreshingugh.
"My acquaintances are not just in Yeouido. Many of my friends from my days of studying abroad in the U.S. are in Wall Street. They''ve been saying that in Miracle Investment, there''s a ''Miracle Boy.'' An investment genius. Especially known for his knack for urately assessing the value of startuppanies. An investor with not a single failure... His name is ''Howard Jin.''" Jang Dohyung looked straight into my face with gleaming eyes and asked. "Miracle Boy, isn''t that you, Manager?"
"No, it''s not." My prompt response seemed to catch him off guard.
"...."
"I am an investor in Miracle USA. When I was young, the money from selling my family''s farm went to the Americanpany where CEO Oh Sehyun invested. It grew quite a bit. Perhaps that''s why such rumors are circting, but I''m not an investment prodigy."
"Then, is it true that Howard Jin is Manager Jin?"
"That could be true or not. People at the U.S. headquarters also call me Howard. That''s all there is to it. So, please don''t raise me too high. And, stop entertaining the idea of being with me, thinking that I''m an investment genius or anything like that."
"I haven''t made any decisions yet. I''m just grateful that Manager Jin will be in charge of our financial subsidiaries, rather than the two Vice Chairmen."
"Then, you should protect and watch over me. Because both Vice Chairmen, rather discreetly... no, tantly, are bent on pushing me aside and taking control of the financial subsidiaries."
Jang Dohyung seemed to have finally understood the precise meaning of my earlier words about someone trying to threaten than persuade
"It seems like entering the eye of a hurricane if you make the wrong choice."
"I''ve already entered."
"That''s my answer. I''ll wait for the conclusion of the one who makes the choice now."
He''s an observant man. If he had said that he wouldn''t follow the same path as me now, I would have drawn my sword immediately. If he had opened the door of choice for me without waiting for my intervention, we wouldn''t have had this long conversation, and he wouldn''t have raised the issue of my position.
From the beginning, Jang Dohyung had chosen me as his option.
So, my job is to make him feel like he made the right choice.
"Sunyang Life, Sunyang Fire, Securities, Cards. How should you design them to grasp these subsidiaries at a nce? So that, on the day thepanyes into my hands, I''ll destroy them ording to that design, like a bolt of lightning. Is that possible?"
"As far as I know, the session process has a few more months to go. I will prepare."
"I believe you will handle it excellently."
"Manager."
"Yes."
"I can''t be loyal to anyone. The reason I fawned over President Yang Woo-chan was for my own career."
Suddenly, doubt crept in. Could this person have thoroughly researched me? Was it possible that he''d heard somewhere that, rather than loyalty, urate transactions wouldst longer and earn trust?
"I understand what you mean. Two months from now, Mr. Jang will receive the same treatment as the CEO of Sunyang Electronics, who receives the highest sry across the entire Sunyang Group. However, it all depends on how well my n turns out."
Mr. Jang was left speechless, his mouth agape.
"Let''s think about your positionter. At first, I thought about making a bold appointment, but we should probably decide after reviewing the n. Is that eptable?"
"Yes, of course. You''ve already given me a bold proposal. Thank you."
"Make that appointment when you''ve executed my instructions excellently. It''s still pending."
I intentionally emphasized the term "instructions," but Mr. Jang didn''t show any sign of difort.
"Of course. I don''t want a reward without performance." Mr. Jang, crumpling the empty beer can, stood up. "I have a lot of work, so I should get going."
"Yes. Thank you for your time."
We exchanged a firm handshake.
"But, Mr. Jang, I have onest question."
"Yes, Manager."
"I''m just a young kid. Aren''t you worried?"
Mr. Jang answered with a firm grip on my hand. "I believe in the miracle right in front of me."
When the session process reached its final stages, I was anxious, but I didn''t rush to my grandfather.
How much of the group''s controlling stake would he add to mine?
If he were to grant exactly 20%, neither more nor less, I would ask for nothing more.
"What are you thinking?"
"Oh, nothing."
"Sigh... I''m probably the only crazy one who thinks it''s cool that her boyfriend gets lost in thought during our celebration."
"What''s even crazier is you talking about it. Learn to hide your true feelings."
"My only advantage is being honest. Why hide that?"
"I have another one for you: having a pretty face is also an advantage."
"Even if it sounds like ttery, it feels good. Hehe." Seo Min-youngughed heartily and put a piece of meat in her mouth.
"Now that the hard times are over, and it''s time for happiness to begin, right?"
"Yeah, you could say that the first year of judicial training is like dying. They say the preliminary exams are the qualifiers, and the training institute is the finals."
"I''ll visit you from time to time."
"I won''t hold my breath... but I''ll believe it when I see it."
Seeing her bright smile as usual, I felt an unexpected pang of guilt. If I were an ordinary young man in my twenties from an affluent family, I would have enjoyed my youth with her. But I didn''t have the luxury to think about enjoying a carefree youth.
Time was passing like crazy, and the structure of Sunyang''s control was bing increasinglyplex.
Right now, I hade out to congratte Seo Min-young, who had sessfully passed the judicial examination during her studies. However, my mind was filled with thoughts of the ownership structure.
Chapter 167 Independence
Chapter 167 Independence
"10%?"
"Yes, Vice Chairman. Jin Do-jun has seeded the four main subsidiaries and six affiliates. Ownership shares are held by Sunyang Life."
Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi heaved a sigh of relief.
"I''ve prepared the ownership details urately. Please review it."
Jin Yeong-gi swiftly picked up a few documents that the polite secretary handed over.
Jin Yeong-gi: 36%
Jin Dong-ki: 33%
Miracle: 16%
Jin Do-Jun: 10%
"The remaining 5% is held by executives?"
"Yes. There are 34 of them. Twenty-one are retired, and thirteen are currently active. The detailed list is in the back."
Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi skimmed through the list and furrowed his brow.
"All these people... they are all Father''s subordinates."
"Yes. Only Chairman can retrieve those shares, but it was divided to recognize their merits, so he probably won''t attempt to reim them."
"Let''s not contact these people right away... No, let''s observe them more. If we rush in, Father might hear about it. That''s right. You still have time, so you can move slowly."
The secretary looked relieved, watching Jin Yeong-gi''s unhurried demeanor. It was the incident from yesterday. Trying to contact the executives holding 5% of the shares right now will immediately reach Chairman Jin''s ears.
Isn''t it obvious that they will be heavily scolded by that ignorant man?
"Keep a close eye on their movements. Add more people if necessary, and report on everyone they meet."
"Yes, Vice Chairman."
Jin Yeong-gi thought of Jin Do-Jun''s face. There was no need to snatch the shares held by that little kid. He just needed to turn him into his loyal dog. A dog grows through its owner''s love.
In the future, he would always show the image of a kind uncle and patiently turn him into his person. There was no need to rush since there was nothing he could do with a 10% stake.
"What I need isn''t an obvious ownership structure. How many times have I told you? Is this all the Sunyang Group shares we have?"
Vice Chairman Jin Dong-ki shouted as he grabbed the document handed by the head of the secretary''s office.
"Identify all external organizations and individuals who can influence the group. Don''t you know that if theye together, anyone with the surname Jin in the Sunyang Group will bepletely ousted?"
"Vice, Vice Chairman, that''s..."
The head of the secretary''s office had to ept Vice Chairman Jin Dong-ki''s forced agitation. After all, these shareholders were not shareholders who exercised voting rights. Banks, financial institutions, and public agencies that held a substantial amount of shares in major subsidiaries of the Sunyang Group showed little interest in corporate governance. Their ownership of Sunyang Group shares was not acquired to influence corporate governance, but rather as part of their portfolio diversification, no different from bank deposits.
The same was true for individual shareholders. Especially those who had held shares for a long time considered them as part of their wealth and had never exercised their voting rights to participate in management.
The only variables now were the shares held by executives, Miracle, and Jin Do-Jun.
"Why? Are you trying to make it sound like it''s impossible to figure out?"
"No, no."
"Listen carefully. There are clearly shares hidden under various names. You still don''t know my father?"
Jin Dong-ki gave the secretary''s office chief a menacing look, but his gaze was actually directed toward his own father. Chairman Jin''s ambition for power far exceeded what ordinary people could dream of. He was not the kind of person who would relinquish that power until thest breath of his life. It was certain that he would not have let go of the final handful that could deliver a fatal blow. He had hidden that handful of shares through institutions and individuals.
"Vice Chairman, to be honest, these institutions will follow Chairman''s intentions, at least for now. But they are like ghosts in detecting the shifting of power. As you gain more power, they will naturally support you."
Jin Dong-ki, seeing the animated secretary''s office chief receiving his intense gaze without flinching, tried to calm himself down.
"Thank you."
"I apologize."
The secretary''s office chief felt the sincerity behind Vice Chairman Jin Dong-ki''s few words.
"But we still need to investigate individual shareholders, right?"
"Yes. We will definitely investigate the list of long-term shareholders."
"Yes. Oh, by the way, there must be individuals hidden under different names. I mean, people whose whereabouts are hard to find, such as..."
"Residents with unknown addresses, immigrants, long-term foreign residents, we will focus on investigating them."
"Very well. Be sure to find them."
"Yes. And Vice Chairman, wouldn''t it be a good idea to have some security measures in ce, at least?"
"Security measures?"
"Yes. I''m talking about your nephew, Jin Do-Jun, and Miracle. In my opinion, the key connection between these two shareholders is your younger brother, President Jin Yoon-gi. As long as you maintain a good rtionship with him..."
"53%! I own the Sunyang Group."
"That''s correct. It''s not an exaggeration to say that the direction of the group is held by President Jin Yoon-gi."
"I can''t entrust it to someone else, can I? Let''s mobilize the funds from mypanies to buy up scattered shares in the market and see how much we can secure."
"Understood."
As the chief of the secretary''s office bowed and left, Jin Dong-ki picked up the telephone.
First, he needed to investigate his younger brother''s intentions.
Director Jin Sang-gi chain-smoked his cigarettes.
He was the third son of Chairman Jin Yang-cheol. If he had been given a few underperforming subsidiaries, he might not have felt this level of humiliation.
Especially considering that he hadn''t done anything wrong or been in an ident.
Just look at his own children; they are more well-behaved than anyone in this household. They wouldn''t even think about drunk driving.
He thoroughly excluded himself from the situation and started to shed his childish demeanor as his nephew was now granted control over four major subsidiaries.
Strangely enough, his anger was not directed at his nephew or his father. Jin Sang-gi''s anger was aimed at his elder brother, Jin Yeong-gi.
"Damn, I''ve been a henchman for too long."
Chapter 168 Gathering Momentum 1
Chapter 168 Gathering Momentum 1
"Executive Director, who do you think is the key figure in the Sunyang Group?"
"Well, it''s Secretary Lee, right? He''s like the right-hand man to the chairman."
"So, how can someone be a key figure?"
"Isn''t it about trust?"
"Trust?"
"Yes, it''s the absolute trust of a powerful figure. Others should know about it too."
"Key figure" is an attractive term.
It refers to a person who wields more power than others when they stand beside an absolute authority figure, someone who often wields power or even more power.
However, being a key figure is not just about trust.
"Executive Director, in my opinion, a key figure should be someone who can meet a powerful figure at any time, have casual conversations with them, and most of their actions and interactions should go through the powerful figure. If any of these elements are missing, then they cannot be considered a key figure. So, is Director Lee Hak-jae a key figure?"
Executive Director Jang Dohyung looked at me with a slightly disappointed expression and then let out a brief sigh.
"You''re strict. To the point of being... severe."
"I didn''t mean it in that sense."
"I see."
"Everyone in the Sunyang Group considers Director Lee Hak-jae a key figure. Only my grandfather doesn''t think so. What''s important is not whether someone is a key figure or not."
"I see. If everyone considers him a key figure..."
Only then did Jang Dohyung finally apud.
"Today''s meeting will widen the scope of your influence, Executive Director Jang. Make full use of it."
Jang Dohyung nodded and finally managed to speak.
"Why do you think this way? Are you receiving any special teachings from the chairman?"
"Well, you know, it''s said that if you keep your eyes wide open and your ears wide open, everyone can be your teacher. Haha."
Making an unlikely statement, I received a faint smile from Executive Director Jang.
"All right, enough of the jokes. Let''s get started with the document review."
"Oh, yes."
Executive Director Jang unfolded the prepared project proposal.
It was aplex project proposal, like a semiconductor circuit design.
"We need to integrate the subsidiarypany''sputer systems. With this system, you''ll be able to track daily financial status. We will prepare it so that you can easily grasp the cash flow of the subsidiarypanies."
"The problem is the surplus capital analysis. You need to know the exact operational period to invest money, do you understand?"
"Yes. By the way... you n to use the capital for repurchasingpany shares, correct?"
"That''s correct. You know that our equity structure is unstable, right? If the two vice-chairmen sweep up the shares of our subsidiarypanies, the securities and cards will be confiscated in an instant. Of course, my grandfather won''t openly purchase the shares, but they are undoubtedly being umted behind the scenes."
"We also n to gradually organize the real estate owned by the subsidiarypanies. It might seem wasteful considering thatnd values will rise in the future..."
"It''s okay. You can buynd again, but once the shares are in the hands of my grandfather, you''ll never get them back. Don''t regret it; turn it into shares."
"Yes. But, Manager."
"Yes, what is it?"
"About Sunyang Card. You mentioned at thest subsidiarypany''s executive meeting that you saw some signs of risk... Is that true?"
"Yes. How do you know about it?"
"CEO Lee Min-seob returned to thepany and became agitated." Executive Director Jang avoids eye contact and says. He looks ufortable and fidgety.
"Did that young kid try to act all high and mighty in front of grandfather?"
"Well, something like that." he answered, still feeling uneasy.
"What''s your opinion? You must know mine, so why not hear Executive Director Jang''s thoughts for once? What do you think? Is the card business okay as it is?"
"To be honest, I''ll tell you. Credit cards are fundamentally a form of gambling with money, aren''t they? It''s a game with interest rates higher than the market rates, but if you only pay attention to the recovery rate, it''s a negative attitude towards the business. You need to take into ount that some of it is unrecoverable. As the bonds increase, the unrecoverable amount also grows, but in return, the interest and fees earned also increase. You shouldn''t ignore this bnce."
As expected.
The danger they had been fearing suddenly looms.
Even just looking at the IMF, you can tell. However, three years is enough time to forget. The credit card disaster that will hit like a tsunami has yet to be detected by anyone.
"Well, I should probably apologize for this."
"Apologize?"
"No, never mind. Then, let''s do it like this. Focus on the share repurchases in securities. You don''t need to touch the credit cards. Instead, slowly transfer the other subsidiarypany shares held by the credit cardpany to Sunyang Life."
Jang Dohyung furrowed his brow and looked perplexed. "You haven''t changed your mind, have you?"
"I can be quite stubborn."
"Then, you''ll have to change the credit cardpany''s policy."
"No, leave it as it is."
To make the credit cardpany go bankrupt, someone needs to provoke it, and can Lee Min-seob, the CEO, y that role? Or should they throw some bait? Jang Dohyung, the Executive Director, just watched me with a suspicious look in his eyes, not intervening.
"Let''s go with this n."
"Yes."
When I sorted out my thoughts and came up with a viable n, Jang Dohyung''s expression changed to one of deep concentration.
"Hint at this to the Executive Director. Jin Do-jun seems to be a bit hesitant about confronting people, so he prefers investments that can be made just by looking at a monitor." Jang Dohyung waited for me to finish speaking. "But his views on the credit cardpany are different, and he seems to treat it like a nuisance. How should we approach this? Well... something like this..."
"From what I''ve observed of the Director''s actions, it seems usible, whether it''s true or not."
"Right? Building trust with the other party is important. If Lee Min-seob, the CEO, believes this information, how do you think he''ll react?"
"Well, if I were in the CEO''s shoes, I''d probably lose my temper."
"Why''s that?"
"Right now, the credit cardpany''s performance is incredibly good. But if the owner treats it as a bothersome servant, he''s unlikely to feel happy."
Chapter 169 Gathering Momentum 2
Chapter 169 Gathering Momentum 2
"Executive Director Jang Dohyung said that. People who only look at numbers dislike uncertainty the most. Isn''t Do-jun a logical thinker, trained in logic? Law school, stock charts, financial investments. Naturally, he doesn''t have confidence in handling a cardpany that runs on bonds."
"Bonds themselves are uncertain, especially when it''s a business targeting the general public!"
Vice-Chairman Jin Yeong-gi threw thement at CEO Lee Minseob as he observed him carefully.
"It''s going to be rough ahead."
"Vice-Chairman, if you just keep watching like this..."
"Stop."
Jin Yeong-gi silenced CEO Lee Minseob.
"It''s my father''s intention. It''s been just over two months since it was split like this. We can''t create a disturbance so soon."
It wasn''t the right time yet.
CEO Lee Minseob quickly lowered his head.
"I''m sorry. I''ve been too impatient because I''m on the front lines."
"Even though the group''s session structure is in ce, my father is blocking it. I suppose you''d prefer to let this pass quietly, right? We should avoid having Sunyang Group bing the talk of the town."
"Yes." CEO Lee Minseob quietly got up from his seat. "Thank you for taking the time from your busy schedule, Vice-Chairman."
"We''re in the same building, soe over often. Let''s have a drink and share stories about life. Just because we''ve divided the shares doesn''t mean we have to divide our rtionship, right?"
"Of course, Vice-Chairman. As long as it''s not you rejecting us, we''re always ready."
Minseob emphasized the word ''us'' as he spoke.
Jin Yeong-gi wasn''t oblivious to the significance of it.
After CEO Lee Minseob respectfully left, Jin Yeong-gi immediately summoned his secretary.
He summarized what Lee Minseob had said, and Secretary Baek Junhyuk was fully focused, not wanting to miss a word.
"What do you think?"
"We should probably start by meeting with Executive Director Jang Dohyung."
"Jang Dohyung? Why?"
"It''s because of what he said. We can''t be sure if it represents Do-jun''s intention or not. Isn''t Jang Dohyung an ambitious person as well? He might have something up his sleeve and could have disclosed something to Lee Minseob."
"Why would that guy Jang Dohyung do something like this?"
"He''s just too good at what he does. Haha."
"What?"
"Jang Dohyung will reach the end of the road in his current position. He''ll never get promoted to CEO. All of Sunyang Life''s financial product strategiese from Jang Dohyung''s head. Promoting someone like him would mean he''d have to step back from the actual work."
"An ace pitcher has to stand on the mound until their shoulder gives out."
"Exactly. Jang Dohyung is Sunyang Life''s ace in the first string."
Jin Yeong-gi thought about Sunyang Life, Jang Dohyung, and Sunyang Card for a moment, but soon he stopped thinking and chose what he did best.
Direction.
Telling people who think deeply and are good at what they do what he wanted. This is exactly what Jin Yeong-gi needed to do.
"Meet with Jang Dohyung. Find out what he wants and see what I can provide."
"Understood, Vice-Chairman."
**********
"What about CEO Lee Minseob?"
"Yes. On New Year''s Day yesterday, the first person he met with was Vice-Chairman Jin Yeong-gi. Isn''t that somewhat unusual?"
"What about Do-jun?"
"He only met with Executive Director Jang Dohyung."
"If it''s Jang Dohyung, it means Sunyang Life."
"Yes."
"Have the old-timers started resisting? Right at the beginning of the new year?"
"It''s be a practical reality. They have to go to the son, or rather, the grandson for New Year''s greetings."
"They rejected New Year''s greetings that would havepromised the pride of the founders and only met with the youngest, Jang Dohyung? Our smart little nephew still has a lot to learn about how to manage adults." Jin Yeong-gi chuckled.
"Vice-Chairman, isn''t something suspicious about this?"
In front of Jin Yeong-gi sat three men.
They were the new secretaries that Jin Yeong-gi had put in ce after inheriting the heavy industry division.
It was a rational judgment based on the belief that several heads were better than one.
"What''s suspicious?"
"If CEO Lee Minseob has any grievances, shouldn''t he go to Chairman? He met with Vice-Chairman Jin Yeong-gi, right?"
"What should he say to Father? Should hein and say he can''t work with the kid? Those upper-ss folks have no one to rely on, that''s why. I bet they hesitated for a moment between my brother and me. The result was that it wasn''t my brother."
"Vice-Chairman, did CEO Lee Minseob just express his grievances?"
The secretaries bombarded Jin Yeong-gi with questions and opinions. They were eager to show that they were smarter, having just started their new roles.
People can''t be equal. Even if three people have the same position and sry, someone will stand out, and someone will move ahead.
"Is there anything else besides grievances?"
"They have to survive. They probably requested assistance and made a proposal, not just hanging around, as amateurs wouldn''t do."
"What''s interesting is that the Card Company''s CEO has stepped in. The head of the financial subsidiary should be Sunyang Life no matter what, right?"
The group''s headquarters has many eyes. These eyes observe someone on behalf of others and report immediately.
The meeting of these two people on the first day of the new year will spread throughout the entire building, and it''s obvious that it will soon be discussed as a session issue.
"They didn''t gather to simply raise questions, right? So, what''s the conclusion?"
The three men exchanged nces. It was an eye contact that was hard to interpret as agreement or checking each other out.
"I''ll meet with Executive Director Jang Dohyung."
"Executive Director Jang?"
"Yes. Executive Director Jang is also from Sunyang Life. It''s not unnatural that he met with CEO Lee Minseob."
"He might be the only one who got a glimpse of Do-jun''s thoughts. He probably overheard Do-jun''s ns for the Card Company and rushed straight to CEO Lee Minseob."
Chapter 170 Gathering Momentum 3
Chapter 170 Gathering Momentum 3
"Our family finds it hard to get together on the first day of the new year."
"It''s because of work; we prioritize work over family. When you gain one thing, you have to let go of another. You''re no different, Yoon-gi."
"Having to give New Year''s greetings to my older brother in the office instead of at home."
The two brothers, with coffee and cheesecake instead of rice cake soup in front of them, shared a bitter smile while making eye contact.
"Yoon-gi, I''m sorry, but I didn''te to your office with coffee and cheesecake to exchange New Year''s greetings. I came here for business, too. If I didn''t have work, I wouldn''t have known when we would have had time to meet."
"Apologies shoulde from me. It''s customary for the younger to visit the older during the holidays. I''ve sent everyone away on the first day just to greet you... as you can see."
Jin Yoon-gi shrugged his shoulders, pointing at the piles of documents.
"I don''t know what you think, but I like seeing you like this. How about the two brothers meeting not too often due to busyness? It''s not so bad meeting because of work like this."
"So, should you tell me what this work is about? You''re much busier as Vice Chairman, aren''t you? Hehe." Jin Yoon-gi took a bite of the cake that his brother had brought.
"Have you been talking to Do-jun a lot these days?"
"Is there an issue with Do-jun by any chance?"
"Alright."
Wrinkles appeared on Jin Yoon-gi''s forehead. "Don''t think of using me as a messenger. I won''t interfere until Do-jun asks me for help."
"I''m not asking you to deliver a message. I want you to pass along the message if Do-jun has something to say."
"Do-jun?"
"Yes. There''s a rumor in the group that Do-jun is going through a tough time."
"What?"
"Have you ever thought that Father forced Do-jun to take over thepany?"
Jin Yoon-gi''s wrinkled forehead rxed, and now he even smiled. "Brother, you''ve noticed it now, haven''t you? Do-jun''s ambition is huge, isn''t it? Such a person would resent taking over thepany? Unlikely."
"Just because he''s ambitious doesn''t mean he wants unnecessary things. Do-jun wanted shares of the Sunyang Group, not necessarily thepany itself, right? Having to deal with the old folks at thepany every day is a chore. I find it tough too."
It was a difficult thing to admit. Owning apany that came to him for free might have been easy and enjoyable, but managing thepany was no easy task.
"Do-jun says it''s tough? Hyung, are you nning to take it over for him?"
"Do you remember, or do you not? At some point, you said you''d sell it to Do-jun at a high price. I''m willing to keep that promise." Jin Dong-gi spoke calmly and gently, showing no excitement.
"How much will you sell it for?"
"We''ll discuss it after reviewing the details."
"I''ll check it out. Don''t do it on a whim. If you do, you might exclude yourself from future negotiations."
"I hesitated a lot to talk about this. I was worried you might see me as someone eyeing your nephew''s wealth. So, don''t be too guarded. Financial institutions like mine are sometimes needed when ites to managing lump sums of money."
As a subsidiary of a shipbuilding conglomerate whererge sums of money move around, liquidity problems asionally arise. At such times, financial institutions like banks that can fill the cash gap be invaluable.
"Alright. It''s a business with no ulterior motives. I''ll think of it that way." Jin Dong-gi, who had finished his business, picked up his cake and smiled. "It''s not so bad that brothers meet due to work, is it? Hehe."
"Having a drink after finishing work doesn''t sound bad either, does it?" Jin Yoon-gi also smiled warmly towards his brother.
**********
"Uncle was here?"
"Yeah, he came to see me. Is there something important?"
Is Jin Dong-gi, the Vice Chairman, the one who''s more desperate? Or is he just trying to verify the rumors he''s heard because he doesn''t trust them?
He''s indeed more cautious.
But...
No matter how much I think about it, it doesn''t seem like he''s using even Father.
"It''s there, but just pretend you don''t know. I can handle it."
"But didn''t you promise to tell me if there''s a problem?"
"It''s not a problem. I think uncle wants to confirm something."
"Weren''t you denying it? There''s a rumor going around within the group that you''re having a hard time."
"How many times have those rumors turned out to be true? It''s a ce where all sorts of rumors circte, so you don''t have to worry about it."
Father carefully studied my expression and then gave a slight smile.
"It seems like you wanted the rumor to spread. I see. I''ll pretend I don''t know."
**********
This time, it''s essential for Director Jang Dohyung to handle it neatly.
The Sunyang card is a high-quality product being sold cheaply.
If he stumbles even on such an easy task, it''s evidence that he''s not qualified to lead the Sunyang Financial Group.
"Handing over the card?"
"Yes. What could HW Group bring in exchange that would help us?"
"Sunyang Electronics." Oh Sehyun didn''t hesitate for even a second.
"Uncle, you''re not joking, are you?"
"That''s the only thing that can benefit HW."
"You want to exchange cards. Do you think uncle is a fool? Giving electronics?"
"You''re the one throwing cards? You''re not a fool?"
It''s also foolish to throw apany that''s ying with massive fees and interest rates. Especially at this point.
"Are you done with your nagging?"
"What can I do? I have no choice but to believe."
Oh Sehyun stopped speaking after letting out a brief sigh.
"If you''ve given offers to both sides, enter into an auction. Give it to the side that offers even one more won."
"I was trying to secure onepany. Is there anything urgent?"
"If you need something, it''s better for us to create it. How about Sunyang Group shares instead?"
It''s what I want the most, but they won''t ept it until they''re not fools.
Chapter 171 Bombs for Sale? 1
Chapter 171 Bombs for Sale? 1
"Just who do you think you are? You''re the CEO, but you just keep rolling your eyes when rumors about selling yourpany surface? Is that the behavior of a CEO?"
"I-I''m sorry."
Lee Min-seop, bowing deeply, was red at by Vice Chairman Jin Dong-gi, who seemed displeased. Vice Chairman Jin Dong-gi then turned to Director Baek Jun-hyuk.
"You need to control the media. Take down all inte articles, and make sure there is no ce to amplify or reproduce this article."
"Yes, Vice Chairman."
Director Baek Jun-hyuk immediately stood up and rushed out. Since it was early in the morning, if they acted quickly, they could minimize the spread of the news.
"President Lee Min-seop." Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi maintained hisposure, unlike his brother. "Did you see Director Baek rushing out? Doesn''t somethinge to mind?"
"What...?"
President Lee Min-seop started to cautiously look at Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi with an anxious expression.
"If it were me, I''d hold a press conference right away and announce that the rumor of Sunyang Card''s sale is baseless... But you seem soposed, Chairman."
"If you don''t want to see the stock prices fluctuate wildly, handle it right now! What''s taking so long?"
Reprimanded by both Vice Chairmen, President Lee Min-seop hurriedly rushed out.
Sunyang Life''s Chairman Yang Woo-chan and Securities'' Manager Ko In-gyu had to sit there with uneasy hearts, given the sharp remarks of the Vice Chairmen.
"Chairman Yang. Manager Ko."
"Yes."
"Yes."
Both of them turned their attention to Vice Chairman Jin Dong-gi.
"If we assume the sale of Sunyang Card, would it be enough to secure the shares held by bothpanies?"
"Sunyang Electronics and Sunyang Heavy Industries have some of our shares, right? So, it might vary depending on who the buyer is."
"Calcte the minimum amount based on the current stock market and also set a maximum based on the stock prices of thest three months."
"Dong-gi, you...!"
"Hyung, Do-Jun will definitely sell."
"How can you be so sure?"
"The cardpany isn''t just a hole-in-the-wall shop, and do you think that guy made this decision alone? He surely must have consulted with Miracle''s Oh Sehyun. He''ll likely sell the cardpany and use the sale proceeds to invest elsewhere or as funds to acquire apany that Miracle deems essential."
Everyone sighed, seemingly perplexed by Jin Dong-gi''s statement.
After a moment of silence, Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi spoke up. "You both calcte the acquisition amount, and Chairman Yang."
"Yes."
"Meet Manager Jang Dohyung. Find out why it hase to this, what Do-Jun is really thinking. You must know this."
"I understand, Vice Chairman."
"Now, you two go out for the recovery effort."
With the two managers gone, only the brothers were left.
Vice Chairman Jin Dong-gi took out a cigarette from his pocket and shook it toward his brother.
"You haven''t quit?"
"Started again."
"Why?"
"It just happened. Is it okay?"
Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi frowned and waved his hand when Jin Dong-gi lit his cigarette. Once the cigarette was lit, Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi pressed the inte.
"Bring an ashtray."
Jin Dong -gi exhaled cigarette smoke, and he chuckled in disappointment. "Do-Jun, who didn''t even get into trouble once until he graduated from college. He''s got into so much trouble at once, hitting a big one."
"He didn''t just get into trouble with women, but he went beyond that. Trying to sell thepany. It''s unbelievable."
"What can we do? We can''t just stand by. Are you going to acquire it?"
"You?"
"Do some calctions. It''s not like we have enough funds to acquire the card business."
"You stay out of it. I''ll handle it."
At his brother''smanding words, Jin Dong -gi, feeling somewhat annoyed, extinguished his cigarette by flicking it.
"It''s a mess that our nephew created. If the numbers make sense, I have no reason to stay out of it."
"If we split, Do-Jun will only do good things for that guy."
"Do you think we''re the only ones eyeing this? Not just Daehyun Group, but all those who haven''t entered the card business will swarm over like a pack of wolves. Even in the financial sector, they''ll be cautious. This... this fight won''t end just because we agree."
Jin Yeong-gi showed his unwavering resolve as he stood up. He intended to calcte as quickly as possible and find a way to deal with the hurricane that was Do-Jun.
He still had Jin Yoon-gi, who was favorably disposed towards him.
Vice Chairman Jin, with an annoyed expression, watched his difficult Older brother walk away.
**********
Chairman Jin had been gripping the back of his neck for quite some time with his eyes closed.
Seeing this, the head of the department, Lee Hak-jae, who was observing anxiously, cautiously spoke up.
"Chairman, are you okay? Should I call the doctor?"
"Leave it. It''s not my body that hurts; it''s my head."
Chairman Jin sat down immediately after drinking a ss of cold water.
"Did that guy spill this, or did the journalists make up a story?"
"He spilled it. Manager Jang Dohyung met with some reportersst night and confirmed it."
"Did that guy, Jang Dohyung, instigate Do-Jun?"
"I doubt it. You know what kind of person Do-Jun is, don''t you? Jang Dohyung is already trying to get on Do-Jun''s good side."
"I see... Who would instigate that guy? It''s Do-Jun who has the expertise in luring others."
That''s why he was even more intrigued. His grandson had grown up well without ever causing disappointment. Doing something like this must have a reason, and it wouldn''t be easy to bring him in to ask.
Passing on the throne would only create confusion. Even if he grumbled, it was better to watch and let a new king take his ce.
"What should we do?"
"What can we do?"
"We can realign the cardpany''s shares before it''s toote."
Chairman Jin''s gaze upon Lee Hak-jae turned from pathetic to disdainful.
Chapter 172 Bombs for Sale? 2
Chapter 172 Bombs for Sale? 2
"You could have seen me at the office; why bothering here?"
"Where is ''here''? Isn''t this the Miracle headquarters... right?"
Uncertainnguage, fidgeting nces, trembling fingertips. From the way they entered the meeting room, it was clear that they were nervous. They were the grandson of the founder, thergest shareholders, and wielded their authority, but they seemed unsure about how to treat someone who, despite all that, hadn''t taken the lead.
"Please, have a seat. Yes, this is the Miracle headquarters, but it''s where I usually work alone. There are only about five employees."
To make them morefortable, I changed my tone from the start, addressing them with more informality.
"Please speakfortably as before. I''m the major shareholder, but I don''t have any official duties at thepany, and it''s actually more ufortable for me to hear formalities at this point."
"Is it really okay?"
"Of course. Speaking casually doesn''t change your position."
Not changing your position... that means I hold your authority, and I am the boss. The three CEOs had stiff expressions.
"I asked to meet urgently not because of other matters."
I threw the newspaper onto the table, causing their stern faces to turn red.
"You''ve all seen the article, right?"
"Yes. Even without that, because of this..."
"Wait. Can I speak first?"
CEO Yang Woo-chan closed his mouth and nodded.
"CEO Lee Min-seop."
"Yes?"
His eyes widened in surprise.
"I saw your press conference."
"You did? You watched it?"
"Yes. It was on the news during lunch. But youpletely denied this article. What did you say? Oh, that it can''t be because of some story by a journalist causing the stock price to drop, right?"
"Yes, that''s right."
"But how were you so sure it''s a fiction?"
"Well, it''s just that... there''s no reason to sell a profitable subsidiary, is there?"
"Selling shares of apany is about selling the shares owned by major shareholders. It means a change in ownership. In that case, shouldn''t you have asked me right away after seeing this article?"
"..."
They avoided eye contact and couldn''t respond. They probably knew that no excuses would work.
The other two were already looking in the wrong direction as if they had read my thoughts.
"Chairman Yang Woo-chan and Chairman Ko In-gyu."
When I addressed them by their names, they couldn''t avoid my gaze any longer.
"I must ask you both a question that I find utterly iprehensible. There was an article about the Sunyang Card, but why did you meet with people from unrtedpanies and consult with them? The two vice-chairmen, whom you met this morning, have no involvement in ourpany''s affairs."
"Well, it''s..."
"Oh, they are my uncles, so I can ask for their advice, and they might give me some appropriate suggestions. But isn''t that the extent of it?"
Everyone remained silent and just kept clearing their throats. They had nothing to say, and their pride must have been greatly wounded.
Now, it was time to show them their childish side. I''m sorry to my uncles, but what can I do? Those who rush to my uncle whenever a problem arises are simply shooting themselves in the foot.
"Is that how you justify your behavior, that you can''t tolerate it?"
"J-Jun... that''s not it..." Chairman Yang Woo-chan stuttered in confusion.
"I''ve given up on any form of concession. Haven''t I refrained from making any appointments due to the honor of the Chairmen and assured I won''t intervene in management? Then, I should be recognized as a major shareholder, shouldn''t I?"
All of them, their faces red with embarrassment, couldn''t lift their heads. Is it too mild? Should I be tougher?
"To be honest, I could easily handle these fewpanies with just a few phone calls. What do you think they do? They manage insurance agents, and their business is about issuing cards, collecting fees, and making money from interest. Is there anything impressive about it?"
The old men''s eyebrows twitched, and their foreheads were deeply furrowed.
"The reason I want to restructure the cardpany is also a basic investment principle. Life, property, and securities industries drain the customers'' money, but isn''t the card business about lending our money to customers? If I manage that money, I can earn dozens of times more. Do you understand? Do you know what kind of person I am?"
Seeming like Yang Woo-chan''s patience was wearing thin. Was he on the verge of bursting?
"From thepany''s perspective, dedicating your life to the Sunyang Group might seem impressive, but it''s like a frog in a well. Look at the United States. They''ve had an unprecedented bull market in thest ten years. The Dow Jones Index has increased fivefold. Has Sunyang grown fivefold?"
Is it a bit forced? Comparing a stock market index with apany''s growth rate? But whatever, I was just a kid cosying as a know-it-all.
"You sell your mobile phones, wash machines, and earn money that way? Just a few days of ying on Wall Street can make that much money. The world is dominated by finance, but when you see people running around, talking about production and exports... Honestly, it seems quite mediocre."
Finally, Yang Woo-chan, who couldn''t stand it any longer, spoke up.
"What are you trying to say? Are you saying you want to shut everything down and start an investmentpany?"
"I''d love to, but for now, I have to hold on to what my grandfather left me. Oh, I n to turn Sunyang Securities into an investment firm in the future, so I have to keep it. I can''t just let it go."
Provoking with an arrogant expression, I made the final blow. With an explosion of anger, Chairman Lee Min-seop couldn''t hold back any longer.
"What does this kid know, chirping away like he knows it all...! This punk! I built a factory and founded a business long before you were born. Because of that factory, you imitate the Chairman!"
"If you want to hold on to your memories and say that it was better back then, retire and go back to your hometown. Time always moves forward, not backward." I hit back immediately, and Chairman Lee Min-seop trembled all over and couldn''t speak. "I''m done speaking. I''m going to restructure the cardpany, and if the otherpanies don''t meet the profitability standards, I''ll restructure them at any time. The profitability criteria are based on my personal investment return. If you''d like, I can disclose my returns at any time. If you don''t like my approach, there''s only one option. Move to thepany my grandfather runs that you all love. But write your resignations before doing so."
Chapter 173 Bombs for Sale? 3
Chapter 173 Bombs for Sale? 3
When Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi saw Jin Do-jun''s face, the story he had heard earlier from the financial executives at noon came to mind.
"Securities firm manager?"
"That''s right. Just about that. He seems to have significant potential in that area. In fact, even in the financial district in Yeouido, Jin Do-jun''s investment choices have be a subject of keen interest..."
"The reason you came rushing to me isn''t to praise Do-jun, is it? So, what is it?"
"Oh, I''m sorry."
With wounded pride, the three CEOs who had rushed to Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi shared their woes from earlier today.
"So, to cut to the chase, Do-jun believes that investing the money from selling thepany is better than running the business. Is that correct?"
"That''s right. He seemed to believe that making money through stock investments is much easier, quicker, and more lucrative than growing thepany diligently."
"What... what? People addicted to stock trading are said to be simr to gambling addicts... Is there a chance Do-jun is like that?"
While proponents of stock trading argue that it''s a healthy form of investment and not gambling, it''s undeniable that there''s a certain allure to it that makes people obsessively focus on it, simr to the characteristics of gambling. Thus, one cannotpletely deny the presence of gambling tendencies.
Moreover, given Jin Do-jun''s past behaviors, despite being a college student, he focused his entire life around stock investments rather than enjoying his youth. His hobby is chart analysis, and his specialty is identifying potential stocks.
Isn''t this at the level of addiction?
"Well, we can''t rule out that possibility."
"Then the reason Do-jun is trying to quickly sell the cardpany might be to secure gambling funds."
People tend to interpret things in ways that favor them.
The three CEOs found constion in the fact that the verbal abuse they received from Jin Do-jun today could be easily disregarded as mere words from a gambling addict.
"If Father heard this story, he''d bepletely shocked."
Jin Yeong-gi was in a dilemma whether tough or get angry about this fact.
Upon careful consideration, it was a situation where he had to get angry because his father, who had never witnessed his young son''s gambling addiction, was oblivious to the true nature of the problem.
However, there was no need to be hasty.
As long as he pours in a hefty sum of money, Jin Do-jun holds significant stakes in both Sunyang Life and Securities, and it might extend to other parts of the group as well.
**********
"You''ve waited for a while, haven''t you? Did you fail to reach Father?"
I observed their expressions closely while nodding.
Their biggest concern was that I might leave in anger, but they were also entrepreneurs. Despite their evident displeasure, they were not willing to act as they pleased before our uing business discussions.
"I just received a text. It says it''s better if we talk face to face."
"A text?"
Jin Yeong-gi quickly took out his phone and checked it. His expression twisted once again.
"This kid needs to either respond quickly when he decides to contact us... Ugh."
With a disapproving expression, Uncle put the folder away in his pocket and told me,
"Maintain yourposure. Why are you raising your voice with the people working here?"
"Well, you see..." I hesitated and scratched the back of my head. Uncle''s annoyed tone changed as he spoke.
"I''ll take care of the sales. Alright?"
"Oh, no, Uncle. I didn''t know it was your instruction..."
"Hyung, you should also keep it to this extent." Vice Chairman Jin Dong-gi smiled and said to me. "Thank you foring in a hurry. Have dinner."
Still, the second one is cleverer. He pretends to care while concealing his true intentions rather than showing irritation.
"Sure. Second uncle, please eat first. It seems like you haven''t even taken the first sip yet."
"Okay, let''s eat. Hyung, you should have some too."
We ate in silence for a while. I don''t need to rush. Given how they rushed here after my father''s unteral notification, their mouths must be dry from thirst, and they probably can''t even taste the food right now.
Apart from asionally refilling my ss with liquor, they did nothing to change the atmosphere from a stuffy family gathering.
Who is the thirstiest of them all?
"Do-jun."
As expected, our eldest uncle. His impatient personality had not changed.
"Yes."
"Is the rumor true? That you''re nning to restructure the credit cardpany."
"I''m still considering it. Oh, please don''t misunderstand, uncle. I wanted to discuss it before making a decision."
His furrowed face revealed that he was well aware of the slippery words.
"Your grandfather won''t easily give away what he has. He''s holding onto it." Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi spoke to me dismissively, but anyone could see it wasn''t genuine. His greedy, glimmering eyes spoke volumes.
"Anyway, I already received grandfather''s approval."
Both of them put down their utensils simultaneously.
"What are you saying?"
"Since he gave it to me, he doesn''t want to interfere anymore... He said I should decide who to sell it to."
Who to sell it to?
This statement is very significant to both of them. Does it mean that taking it away from the nephew, no matter at a low price, is eptable?
"So? What did you say?"
"I said that I would sell the Sunyang Card and make much more money. I''m confident that if I gets over 1 trillion won, it will be several times the current Sunyang Securities'' rate of return. Haha."
This is when I need tough arrogantly. However, the two elder uncles didn''t pay much attention to myughter. The number that pricked their ears was the 1 trillion won.
ording to the data provided by Manager Jang Dohyung, the lowest estimate was 1.2 trillion won. With this amount, he confidently stated that overseas financial institutions would also foam at the mouth andpete.
My uncles must also have one number in their heads.
The maximum value of the Sunyang Card.
They must have heard the admonitions of their advisors not to engage in an acquisition if that number is exceeded, with their ears pinned to the ground.
Chapter 174 Bombs for Sale? 4
Chapter 174 Bombs for Sale? 4
"Wait a minute. Jun, what did you just say? Are you sure it''s a 3-year bond?"
Vice Chairman Jin''s face turned pale. On the other hand, Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi was so flustered that he couldn''t even speak properly.
"Yes. But I''ll set the selling price at 1.4 trillion won. Oh, by the way, it''s not the exact figure, but I believe the bank debt is over 400 billion won. So, the debt will be just a little over 900 billion won."
"900 billion?"
The sound of Vice Chairman Jin Dong-gi''s head spinning was clearly audible.
It''s not about calctions. Three years from now, whether or not he can pay back over 900 billion won is not something that can be precisely foreseen.
The world changes so quickly that it''s hard to predict even one year ahead, let alone thepany''s situation three years from now.
Right now, he must be calcting only whether he can issue bonds worth nearly 1 trillion won.
On the other hand, Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi, who had let the upper hand slip away, was searching for words, trying not to shout out that installment payments were impossible, as he could not help but be careful about his younger brother.
It''sical to see the two of them, one rejoicing and the other hesitating.
It''s like they are trying to read each other''s minds, calcting how to deal with the time bomb with three years left.
Gradual change can be adapted to. When a few drops of rain fall, you have time to avoid the heavy rain before it pours. But suddenly pouring rain means you have to get wet.
However, danger neveres alone, and it often strikes suddenly. It''s like abination of two or more elements. It''s like heavy rain apanied by strong winds, or a tsunami apanied by a typhoon.
If the credit card crisis in three years is like a light rain, the mature bonds worth around 1 trillion won could be manageable like a gentle breeze. But it could turn into a strong wind or a tsunami.
If the bond recovery bes impossible due to the credit card crisis, and thepany''s finances wither away, the 1 trillion won bonds are no different from facing a nuclear bomb.
The question is, who will take on this bomb?
If it''s a financially strongpany like Sunyang Electronics, they might withstand the storm, even if it''s abination of strong winds and light rain. But if it''s Sunyang Heavy Industries?
Depending on the shipbuilding industry''s situation three years from now, it could vary, but it won''t be easy to endure. To see the effects of the time bomb, it might be much better for Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi to acquire the credit cardpanies...
"Jun! Are you out of your mind? A 3-year bond? The moment you sell the credit cardpanies, your ie will be cut off. You could be under immediate financial pressure."
Vice Chairman Jin Dong-gi urgently spoke, but it was already toote.
"Brother, please stop talking nonsense. Thepanies under Jun are practically like banks printing money. What financial pressure?" Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi rolled his eyes toward his brother and then turned to me. He was seeking a clear answer. "Jun. Did you evaluate the credit cardpanies at 1.4 trillion won with the intention of stripping the shares of other affiliatedpanies?"
"That''s correct. Excluding several affiliatedpanies, we will transfer all the core subsidiary shares. With the inclusion of Sunyang Life and Sunyang Securities, it''s nearly reaching 3 trillion won."
"Good. And you''re saying you want the entire sales proceeds as a 3-year bond, right?"
"Yes, uncle. We''re family, after all."
He smiled brightly at his younger brother. It was like a response to my smile. He then poured some more drinks.
"Alright. Let''s leave it at that for now. The details can be discussed by our staff. And, Brother."
"What is it?"
"Let''s not raise our voices in front of our nephew. After dinner, you and I should have a private conversation. How does that sound?"
Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi''s desperate gaze, hisst trace of dignity not to lose face in front of his nephew. In response to this gaze, Vice Chairman Jin Dong-gi wouldn''t find it easy to say no.
He nodded and picked up his chopsticks.
"Let''s eat first. Go ahead, Jun."
"Yes, uncle."
Vice Chairman Jin Yeong-gi spoke with a benevolent expression, as if to say, "When did you be like this? Is your burdenedpany heavy on your shoulders?" he asked.
"A bit, yes. Fortunately, it''s in a field I''m familiar with. If it were a manufacturing business... oh, how would I manage? The factories, the workers, thebor unions..." I shook my head vigorously. "You can tell by looking at Representative Oh Sehyun. Ajin Group, Sunyang Motors, Dae-ah Construction... they were busy managing thesepanies. It''s only because the CEOs and executives managed them like mypany that they were able to endure. If it were me, I wouldn''t havested. Would those executives respect a young me?"
The grandfathers were disappointed because they didn''t hear the answers they wanted, but they didn''t give up hope. This young guy wasn''t used to giving orders or directives yet. He believed that if the business situation worsened and his mental state wavered, they could somehow seize the opportunity.
"Alright, if you encounter anything difficult or challenging in the future, feel free toe and talk to us. We will actively help you."
It''s like pretending to consider what the cat brings you. It''s disgusting...
"Thank you."
The bomb was put up for sale, and they had seen the bickering over who would buy it. My task wasplete. Now, I only needed to wait to grab over 1.4 trillion won. If I raise the selling price too high, the eldest uncle would be at an advantage.
Since they''re family, shouldn''t thepetition be fair?
Should they skim off some interest?
Watching the intense invisible battle between the two was entertaining, but after finishing the course meal and dessert, I had to leave.
"Shall I get going first then? You two are going to talk some more, right?"
"Ah, sure. Go ahead. You did well."
I bowed to the two of them and left the hotel.
I''m a little disappointed. I wanted to show more of a simple side that focuses on winning rather than management or domination, emphasize my dislike forplexity, and my love for making money. If I had done that, maybe I could have diluted their guard just a little.
That thought doesn''t seem to leave my mind.
**********
"What do you think?"
"About what?"
"What Do-Jun said. Was he sincere today?"
"Don''t overthink it. Whether he hid his true self or if he''s just that kind of person, nothing''s going to change. Do-Jun needs to take over thepany and the shares he holds."
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