Still, I Will Live As The Son-In-Law Of A Conglomerate [EN]: Chapter 7

Even late at night, black luxury sedans streamed through the towering, castle-like main gate.

Eight cars pulled into the parking lot of the palatial mansion, sprawling across roughly 5,000 *pyeong* [approximately 4 acres], and middle-aged men emerged, their footsteps echoing on the stone slabs as they entered the main building, the residence of Lee Dae-soo.

The men, familiar with the layout, headed straight for the second-floor stairs without needing guidance.

Their footsteps halted before the imposing study door.

“Chairman, everyone has arrived.”

[Come in.]

At the sound from within, the gaunt, buzz-cut man at the front opened the door and entered, followed by the others in order of their rank within the group.

“Even Chief Ko is here. Myung-jin couldn’t make it due to his business trip to the Middle East… Everyone, please sit down.”

It was a shame he didn’t have a son as sharp as his eldest, but duty called. Lee Dae-soo settled at the head of the long, straight table, and the eight men arranged themselves on either side, four to a side, according to their positions.

“What brings us here so late, Chairman?”

The gaunt, buzz-cut man, Bae Jae-hoon, CEO of Haedong Corporation’s trading division—the group’s parent company—and second-in-command, sat closest to Lee Dae-soo’s right. His eyes held a knowing glint.

“I’ve called you all here to address a matter of grave concern.”

Lee Dae-soo’s heavy voice caused a collective swallow.

“Are you referring to the Financial Real Name System?”

“Tell me everything you’ve learned so far. Start with you, Bae Jae-hoon.”

Bae Jae-hoon began calmly, as if resigned to the inevitable.

“I met with Minister Hong and discussed it. The Ministry of Finance recommended a postponement, citing the need for thorough preparation and execution to avoid potential problems.”

“Tae Jae-ho, what about you?”

“I also had tea with the Senior Economic Secretary and received a similar response. They suggested it could destabilize the national economy, so they’ll proceed cautiously.”

Following Tae Jae-ho, CEO of Haedong Corporation’s logistics and distribution division (ranked third), Cho Young-chan, CEO of Haedong Merchant Bank (ranked fourth), and the CEOs of the remaining affiliates shared their findings from vice-ministerial officials and senior members of the ruling party. The consensus was evasion.

Lee Dae-soo, his face stern, turned to the young man at the far end: Ko Seung-joo, chief of the Haedong Group’s secretariat and one of Lee Dae-soo’s closest aides, regardless of rank.

“Chief Ko.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“What are your thoughts?”

“I have a bad feeling. Even the inauguration speech the other day was suspicious.”

“True, but… it’s not enough. We need a decisive piece of information.”

Lee Dae-soo’s stern expression mirrored the darkening faces around the table.

“Even the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and the Prime Minister are avoiding the issue. What tricks are they concealing so carefully?”

Silence descended with Lee Dae-soo’s grumbling, broken only by a voice from outside the door.

[Chairman, Lee Sung-min has arrived.]

All eyes turned to the door.

***

As I stood before my grandfather’s study door, trying to calm my racing heart, a low voice called out.

[Come in.]

“Yes, Chairman.”

Opening the door, I saw nine men seated around the table. The empty seat of Lee Myung-jin, supposedly in the Middle East, was conspicuous.

‘Everyone…’

Seeing the men flanking my grandfather, I fought back the tears threatening to resurface.

These men all suffered miserable ends in their twilight years because of me. Their personal wealth is enviable, but what truly fuels these aging men is their position and title, isn’t it?

I was the lowest of the low, having robbed them of their positions and honor.

But.

From now on, I’ll stand with them, with everyone connected to me. I won’t fail again. I’ll turn even apparent failures into stepping stones to greater success.

With that resolve, I steeled my mind and raised my head.

“Sit down.”

“Yes.”

As I took the lowest seat at the table, the distance between me and my grandfather, facing me, felt vast. Was it because I was oblivious in my youth? Now, I felt the weight of this room. Past and present blurred, and a smile crept onto my face.

“What’s so amusing?”

“It’s the first time I’ve seen you since I was discharged from the hospital, Chairman.”

My smile prompted a clearing of my grandfather’s throat.

“I understand. I trust you won’t be causing any more trouble in the future.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“This time, be clear. Begin.”

At my grandfather’s command, I inhaled deeply and began to speak.

“When I consider the current civilian government, one phrase comes to mind.”

“What is it?”

“*The Great Way has no gate.* [A Taoist concept suggesting the path to enlightenment is open to all, without prescribed entry.]”

“The Great Way has no gate…”

“Just as the great road has no gate, I believe the president must be unhindered in his path. That’s how it appears to me, observing the current situation.”

Clap, clap.

My grandfather, who had been quietly pondering, clapped his hands emphatically. It was a natural reaction, given his frustration that no one had properly grasped the situation, and now his eldest grandson was articulating it so clearly.

“That’s a plausible assessment. He united the three parties and ascended to the phoenix throne [became president], so nothing can restrain him.”

“Precisely, Chairman. The current civilian government is like a car driving without obstacles. However, it has only just passed the first tollgate.”

“…Are you suggesting this is just the beginning?”

My grandfather’s eyes narrowed, but I continued calmly.

“Yes. Recently, he declared war on the military in his inauguration speech at the Military Academy and dismissed the Army Chief of Staff and the Defense Security Commander.”

One might ask, what’s the big deal? From the outset, didn’t the new president send a message that only ‘those in the know’ could decipher?

I believed my grandfather was among those ‘in the know,’ possessing meticulous insight.

My prediction proved accurate. The twitching of my grandfather’s eyebrows confirmed it.

“Does that mean he intends to eliminate all the Hanahoe members? [A secret military society.]”

“Yes. Soon, the stars will fall from the shoulders of all Hanahoe generals, not to mention the field officers.”

“Hmm…”

My grandfather hummed, his expression stern, and nodded.

“Let’s assume you’re correct. But what does the Hanahoe purge have to do with the Financial Real Name System?”

“The Hanahoe purge will serve as a benchmark for gauging the new president’s commitment to fulfilling his promises. If he can accomplish the most dangerous task, wouldn’t he uphold his other promises as well?”

“Hoo…”

Everyone nodded, except Ko Seung-joo, who remained silent with a stern face. My grandfather noticed.

“You have a question. Ask it without hesitation.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

Granted permission, Ko Seung-joo turned to me.

“The crucial point is the timing of the Financial Real Name System’s implementation. The chairman’s money and the group’s funds are at stake, so we must determine it.”

As the guardian of our group’s and family’s wealth, Ko Seung-joo seemed determined to quietly and safely extract every possible penny.

I took a breath, grasped the teacup before me with both hands, took a sip, and spoke.

“Chief, the day after the public disclosure of assets of high-ranking officials concludes. That day will be D-Day for the Financial Real Name System.”

My declaration surprised the nine men, including my grandfather.

“Chairman, may I also ask a question?”

“Proceed.”

Bae Jae-hoon cleared his throat, looking at me as he spoke. As the senior member of the group after my grandfather, I needed to persuade him.

“Sung-min, the Financial Real Name System is something that will shake the country’s economy. How can you be so certain?”

“Because it’s something politicians do.”

“Politicians?”

After a pause, I inhaled and continued.

“All politicians are non-regular workers on a four-year contract, yet they engage in politics to wear the gold badge [be in power] for ten thousand years. They need votes and money, and approval ratings underpin everything.”

“Are you saying they’ll do it for the sake of approval ratings?”

“Yes. More precisely, to avoid becoming a lame duck [an ineffective leader]. They must seize the moment to maximize their approval ratings, correct?”

The current regime, having purged the New Military, will elevate its approval ratings to the highest level by implementing the Financial Real Name System after the public disclosure of assets. It’s like a ‘three-stage approval rating’ preceding the ‘three-stage high note’ that will emerge in the music industry later.

“You seem to be taking an extreme view. If the Financial Real Name System is implemented, it will cause significant disruption to the country’s economy. If that money is locked up in banks, won’t liquidity dry up in the market?”

“Consumers will spend, and banks will lend, so there’s no chance of a liquidity crisis. If untraceable money is locked up in banks, it’s akin to increasing capital, leading to more lending. And…”

I paused, looking directly at Bae Jae-hoon.

“Most people resent the wealthy. By stoking that sentiment, they’ll garner votes.”

If my 23 years of observation hold true, politicians are the kind of people who would eagerly consume even excrement for the sake of approval ratings—no, votes.

Such politicians control the economy, culture, national defense, diplomacy, law… even the economic activities of companies. The Financial Real Name System cannot escape the influence of the political world.

“Director, the current president despises soldiers. By achieving what the soldiers couldn’t, he’ll personally save face and publicly boost his approval ratings. There’s no reason for him not to do it.”

No need for complex calculations. The disparity between rich and non-rich, the inherent envy of the wealthy, and even a simple review of the current president’s life all pointed to the inevitability of the Financial Real Name System.

Nevertheless, I added one more point for the still unconvinced Bae Jae-hoon.

“Even legislative interference will be futile. The president can enact it through an emergency order. Therefore, all you need to do is monitor the schedule for the public disclosure of assets, Director.”

My grandfather, who had been quietly observing Bae Jae-hoon and me, spoke.

“You’re not speaking without understanding the significance of this room, are you?”

“Of course, Chairman. Lies are never permitted here, are they?”

Even countless political and business figures couldn’t lie to my grandfather in this room. Although what has been revealed is not even 1/10th of Shinseong [likely a reference to a hidden or powerful entity], few can disregard the wealth and power of the Haedong Group, accumulated in the shadows for so long.

“I understand the weight of my words. This concerns the wealth and history built since the time of the first chairman. I can’t bear the thought of bankers and politicians stealing that history.”

The memory of my past life, where I lost all of the group’s slush funds and private loan funds due to the Financial Real Name System, flashed before me. As I revealed my intense emotions, my grandfather nodded sternly.

“That can never happen. We can’t allow those rotten bastards to stab us in the back.”

Seeing my grandfather’s resolute expression, it seemed he was taking my words seriously. I added my opinion.

“Of course, Chairman. One more thing: focus on monitoring the working-level staff rather than the ministers and vice-ministers regarding the Financial Real Name System. Pay attention to individuals likely drawn from the Ministry of Finance, the Economic Planning Board, and the Korea Development Institute.”

“Why should we do that?”

“The current president views even high-ranking officials with suspicion. No army informs the enemy of its bombing schedule, does it? If I’m correct, that’s how the Hanahoe purge was executed as well.”

My grandfather would know.

That the working-level staff orchestrated the surprise show called the Hanahoe purge.

Human laziness often leads to the reuse of methods that have been exhausted.

As I drove in the final wedge with that conviction, my grandfather laughed heartily, a satisfied expression on his face.

“Hahaha! You’re my eldest grandson after all. I’ve heard you well.”

“Thank you, Chairman.”

Thump!

My grandfather slammed his palm on the desk.

“Chief Ko, recover our money as soon as the bank opens tomorrow. Find it all on the last day of the public disclosure of assets.”

“Chairman?”

“I’m not suggesting a single, massive withdrawal. To discreetly and gradually cripple our rivals, we must proceed quietly and slowly, correct? Instruct the bank branch managers and the Myeongdong [a financial district in Seoul] contacts to erase our traces.”

I wanted to shout hurray at my grandfather’s words. Wasn’t this correcting the twisted past? If the Haedong Group escapes this crisis, my words will carry even greater weight and authority.

Unlike me, the eight men remained silent, their faces stern. My grandfather seemed unconcerned.

“The deadline is the last day of the public disclosure of assets. You may leave now.”

As my grandfather lightly tapped the desk, the seven presidents left the room. I rose to follow Ko Seung-joo.

Then, my grandfather’s voice called from behind.

“Chief Ko and Sung-min, stay behind.”

After everyone else had departed and the two of us had resumed our seats, my grandfather rested his chin on his clasped hands.

“When did our eldest grandson’s worldview broaden so significantly?”

In my grandfather’s gaze, I detected a mixture of satisfaction and pride. However, unable to reveal my knowledge of the future, I tailored my response to his liking.

“I realized it by observing more broadly and deeply, focusing on the individuals executing the work.”

“You rascal, wouldn’t it have been better if you had said this sooner? The reasoning and method were quite ingenious, euhehe.”

I felt relieved seeing my grandfather laugh heartily. The sense of accomplishment from gaining the upper hand against someone who always seemed as distant as a mountain was an added bonus.

“Thank you, Chairman.”

“What chairman? Call me grandfather.”

“But how can I when even the chief is in this room…”

This room is the Haedong Group’s chairman’s office, and Ko Seung-joo is a key figure in the group. If I were alone with my grandfather, I would use that term, but with Ko Seung-joo present, I must adhere to protocol. But…

“Chief Ko is like your uncle, you rascal. Why are you being so formal?”

To be granted permission to use a private title within the Haedong Group’s chairman’s office, which also commands the private loan market… A thrill coursed through me.

“Thank you, Grandfather.”

“Okay. Our eldest grandson has relieved this grandfather’s worries, so I want to give you a gift. What should I give you?”

After a moment’s thought, I raised my head.

“May I request it when I need it?”

“You rascal, what kind of gift is that, asking for it when you need it?”

“Since it’s a gift from Grandfather, I must choose carefully.”

“Hehe, I understand. Tell me when you need it.”

As I offered a childlike smile, my grandfather laughed heartily. In this way, the future I knew was changing, little by little.