Still, I Will Live As The Son-In-Law Of A Conglomerate [EN]: Chapter 136

136. 39th. Beginning of Settlement (5)

I almost burst out laughing at Sun Hae-cheol’s dumbfounded expression, but I tried my best to maintain a serious face as I looked at him and said,

“It’s that car racing manga series where they drive at 600 kilometers per hour.”

Sun Hae-cheol looked at me with an absurd expression and said,

“Where would I find the time to read manga? I’m busy working every single day.”

“Anyway, there’s a German racer named ‘Franz’ in it…”

As I told him about the cross-shaped electric car that ‘Franz’ had developed, Sun Hae-cheol stared at me as if I were crazy.

“···Hey! Do you think manga is the same as reality? Is that why you invested in GK Electronics, GK Chemicals, and GK Corporation to make that?”

Looking at Sun Hae-cheol’s sharp eyes, I quickly waved my hand. I had to quickly fix the situation before things got out of hand.

“That’s just an example, Uncle. I don’t expect it to perform that well. It’ll take decades anyway. But still.”

After taking a moment to catch my breath, I told Sun Hae-cheol the reason, seeing his displeased expression.

“Later on, when oil prices rise several times higher than now, and people become more sensitive to environmental issues, electric cars will become popular. We need to draw the blueprint little by little. We’re not planning to close up shop after a year or two, are we?”

“Hmm…”

Sun Hae-cheol’s reaction softened considerably. I didn’t miss this opportunity and continued to persuade him.

“There’s no place in the country that makes better motors and batteries than my maternal family. Those two things are absolutely impossible unless someone pushes forward as meticulously and persistently as they do.”

I don’t expect things like the hyper linear wheel, rolling cockpit, and neuro computer of the ‘Kreuz Stil’ that ‘Franz’ made. If we accumulate technology from now, isn’t it a fight we can get ahead in? The electric car war, that is.

In that war, GK Electronics and GK Chemicals will become the world’s number one in motor and battery technology, which are the most essential. That’s why Standard Capital became the major shareholder of the GK Group, with the most crucial technology for Ado Motors, which will change its name to Haedong Motors.

Sun Hae-cheol stared at me silently for a long time before letting out a sigh.

“If that’s what your gut tells you, then it must be certain. Our house also uses GK Electronics’ vacuum cleaner and washing machine, and GK Chemicals is steadily investing in batteries.”

In my past life, GK Electronics’ vacuum cleaners and washing machines were recognized early on, both domestically and internationally, thanks to their motor technology and durability. Even the refrigerator that was swept away by a tornado and flew several kilometers still worked when plugged in, so that says it all.

“So please keep an eye on me, Uncle. I’ve never failed with a long-term investment, have I? Hehe.”

“You little show-off. Just know that we’re investing because your maternal family treated Myung-woo and your sister-in-law kindly when they were alive, hehe.”

Sun Hae-cheol, who was laughing pleasantly, took a light breath.

“Seeing that your maternal family also okayed us handing over petrochemicals to Chairman… the Chairman won’t be upset about settling accounts with Chairman Myung Se-ho, will he? Right?”

I nodded at Sun Hae-cheol’s words.

“He won’t be. It seems like he wants to cooperate with us instead.”

My maternal family members are not people who go back on their word. Since they wanted to partner with us, there seemed to be no need to worry that my maternal family would object to Grandfather and Myung Se-ho settling accounts.

***

Lee Dae-soo was currently playing a game of Go [a strategic board game] with Myung Se-ho, with a Go board made of ebony between them. Unlike Lee Dae-soo, who was placing white stones with a calm expression, Myung Se-ho’s expression, as he placed black stones, was full of tension.

“Aigo, I don’t have the energy to play anymore today. Let’s stop here.”

As Lee Dae-soo feigned weakness and threw the Go stone he was holding into the Go container, Myung Se-ho looked at Lee Dae-soo with a puzzled expression.

“Why are you stopping when you’re winning, Hyungnim [term of respect for an older brother or male friend]?”

“Come on, man. Why would I struggle in front of the Go board, wasting my energy with someone who’s losing on purpose to please me?”

“···I’m sorry, Hyungnim.”

Myung Se-ho put down the Go stone and lowered his head at the reproach Lee Dae-soo threw at him with a piercing gaze.

“You look very tired, Chairman Myung.”

“I felt relieved when I separated the affiliates. But now that it’s come to this, there’s not a single day I can rest easy.”

Myung Se-ho sighed and looked at Lee Dae-soo with a firm gaze, saying,

“Please take over Taehyun Oil and Taehyun Petrochemical, Hyungnim.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I need dollars to pay for crude oil, but I’m about to end up on the streets trying to get dollars. You know it’s already burdensome to repay the debt I owe to Big Brother, don’t you?”

Seeing Lee Dae-soo making a sound of contemplation, Myung Se-ho set out his conditions.

“If Hyungnim buys Taehyun Oil and Taehyun Petrochemical, I want to use that money to pay off some of the debt I owe to Big Brother.”

“Hmm…”

As Lee Dae-soo’s sound of contemplation grew longer, Myung Se-ho looked at Lee Dae-soo with an anxious gaze, saying,

“Since Taehyun Petrochemical is a 100 percent subsidiary of Taehyun Oil, you only need to acquire 100 percent of Taehyun Oil’s shares. Just give me exactly 500 million dollars and take it.”

After pondering for a moment, Lee Dae-soo swept the Go board with his palm. The Go stones scattered in all directions with a clattering sound, and Myung Se-ho’s eyes widened at the sight.

“Hyungnim?”

Seeing Myung Se-ho swallowing hard and becoming nervous, Lee Dae-soo chuckled.

“If I add another 100 million dollars to the 500 million, will you play another game? A proper one, that is.”

At Lee Dae-soo’s suggestion, Myung Se-ho cautiously opened his mouth.

“If you grant me one more favor on top of that, I’ll play Go with you with all my might for a whole month, Hyungnim.”

As Myung Se-ho added one more favor, Lee Dae-soo’s eyes sparkled.

It wasn’t enough for the eldest grandson to hook Jang Ho-min and take over the petrochemical affiliates of Shinsung Group, so Lee Dae-soo moved Myung Se-ho to separate Taehyun Oil and Taehyun Petrochemical from Taehyun Group. This was because both groups’ petrochemical affiliates were located in the Daesan Petrochemical Complex.

Still, he didn’t want to lose a good younger brother, so he was going to give him an extra 100 million dollars, but he couldn’t have asked for more since he got a Go opponent for a whole month and smelled money from the additional favor.

“Tell me.”

After watching Lee Dae-soo’s expression for a long time, Myung Se-ho opened his mouth with difficulty.

“Please sell some dollars to Big Brother.”

“Jin-ho Hyung?”

Even though his expectations were correct, Lee Dae-soo deliberately twitched his eyebrows and asked again. Not knowing Lee Dae-soo’s true intentions, Myung Se-ho nodded with a firm expression.

“I know you have a lot of resentment towards our Big Brother, Hyungnim. But besides Taehyun, how many places in this country can you sell the dollars you hold?”

Myung Se-ho’s words weren’t wrong.

Even excluding the amount Haedong Group would use, Haedong Group’s dollar reserves amounted to about 16 billion dollars, including the 4 billion dollar loan that no one knew about. To handle the volume, they had to start trading with large customers such as Taehyun Group, Shinsung Group, and GK Group.

After organizing his thoughts, Lee Dae-soo opened his mouth.

“You tell Jin-ho Hyung first. It won’t look good if I say it first.”

“Hyungnim?”

Myung Se-ho wanted to bow down on the spot, but Lee Dae-soo’s words weren’t finished yet.

“You also need to take a proper stance and tell your brother properly. That way, you won’t be ostracized in the family, will you?”

“···Of course! Thank you, Hyungnim!”

Because their interests aligned, but also because they had lived like close brothers for a long time, Myung Se-ho and Lee Dae-soo looked at each other and laughed heartily.

***

A few days later, in the morning.

Myung Se-ho, who had handed over Taehyun Oil and Taehyun Petrochemical while playing Go with Lee Dae-soo and pocketed 600 million dollars, came to Myung Jin-ho’s house for the first time in a while. When Myung Se-ho rang the doorbell, Myung Jin-ho’s voice was heard.

[Who is it?]

“It’s Se-ho, Hyungnim.”

As soon as the answer was given, the door opened, and Myung Se-ho, who had pushed open the gate, went through the garden and into the house.

“Welcome.”

“Thank you, Hyungnim.”

Myung Se-ho, who bowed to Myung Jin-ho, who had come to the front door, went to the living room and sat down.

“I heard you sold the oil and petrochemicals to Chairman Lee of Haedong Group. What’s going on?”

Unlike usual, his Big Brother’s voice was gentle. Myung Se-ho knew why his Big Brother was being so kind to him, but he tried his best to maintain a calm expression, took a sip of tea, and said,

“I sold the oil and petrochemicals and received 600 million dollars.”

“S-Six hundred million dollars?”

Myung Jin-ho’s eyes widened. To sell off companies that were competing for fifth place in the industry and receive 600 million dollars, which was more precious than gold?

“Yes. If you write off all the 1 trillion won [Korean currency] of debt tied to me, I’ll give you all the dollars, Hyungnim.”

Before the words were even finished, Myung Jin-ho grabbed Myung Se-ho’s hand.

“Thank you, Se-ho. I’ll completely clear the burden I placed on you.”

In these days when the government’s foreign exchange reserves were only 2 billion dollars, Myung Jin-ho was suffocating. To Myung Jin-ho, who was desperate for even one dollar, Myung Se-ho’s deal was like an oxygen respirator.

Myung Se-ho gave his Big Brother an even bigger gift.

“Thank you, Hyungnim. If you want, I’ll set it up so you can trade with Haedong Group.”

“Is that true? I heard Chairman Lee said he would sell dollars?”

Myung Se-ho had been burning inside, having had almost no contact for over 20 years since the 8.3 Private Loan Freeze [a government measure]. He couldn’t even afford to save face, and his voice rose.

“Yes. I kept worrying about you, Hyungnim, so I asked with difficulty.”

Even though he had heartlessly separated the affiliates, Myung Se-ho couldn’t abandon Myung Jin-ho because he had lived together in the same house for over half a century. That’s why he shamelessly asked Lee Dae-soo, who readily agreed, so he couldn’t be more relieved.

“Thank you, Se-ho. Thank you so much.”

Myung Jin-ho was already holding his younger brother’s hands tightly with both hands, only saying thank you. Cracks were already being heard in various affiliates due to the dollar shortage, but if he could get dollars from Haedong Group, he could overcome the immediate crisis.

“It’s nothing, Hyungnim. With our group’s capabilities, we can get enough won to exchange for Haedong Group’s dollars, Hyungnim.”

As Myung Se-ho used the expression ‘our’ and subtly brought up the restoration of their relationship, Myung Jin-ho laughed heartily. When things are difficult and challenging, what could be a more reliable companion than brothers?

As the laughter subsided, Myung Jin-ho picked up the receiver. Seeing Myung Se-ho nodding, Myung Jin-ho quickly dialed the phone number.

“How have you been, Chairman Lee?”

[It’s been a while, Hyungnim. I was too harsh on my last call. I’m sorry.]

Myung Jin-ho felt ashamed again for the first time in a long time at Lee Dae-soo’s voice, who was apologizing to him, the cause of that incident. To receive an apology from Lee Dae-soo first, an apology that he himself couldn’t bring himself to make?

He couldn’t be a complete brazen-faced person any longer, so Myung Jin-ho also opened his mouth.

“No, Chairman Lee. It was my fault. And…”

After hesitating for a moment, Myung Jin-ho brought up the words he had kept in his heart for over 20 years.

“I’m also sorry about what happened 20 years ago. I was a madman. If I hadn’t been deceived by that old man Jang Byung-ho…”

[It’s all in the past, so let’s not bring it up anymore, Hyungnim. Isn’t the problem now how to overcome the difficulties ahead?]

Myung Jin-ho had to taste defeat once again at Lee Dae-soo, who was considerate of him. He had more and larger companies under his control, but wasn’t the opposite true when it came to the size of a person’s character?

“So, how much will you sell it for?”

[I’ll give you over 1 billion dollars at 1,500 won per dollar. I’m not trying to show off, but I’m only giving it to my Hyungnim at that price.]

It was 300 won more expensive than the current exchange rate, but considering the exchange rate that would skyrocket in the future, it wasn’t an exorbitant price. Myung Jin-ho nodded with a calm expression, as if Lee Dae-soo was in front of him.

“I understand. I’ll prepare the money and come to your house today, even if I have to grab the bank presidents by the collar.”

Myung Jin-ho’s words were not a lie. He was desperate to secure 1 billion dollars before the exchange rate jumped even higher.

###

“You don’t have to go that far, Hyungnim. Send someone to Representative Jo of Jonggeum to receive the dollars. Then.”

Lee Dae-soo sighed as he put down the receiver.

“Foolish man… Why did you let that man deceive you…”

Lee Dae-soo also knew that Myung Jin-ho had been deceived by Jang Byung-ho and had jointly led the 8.3 Private Loan Freeze.

Lee Dae-soo believed that Myung Jin-ho’s upright personality would eventually lead him to confess on his own. He felt a sense of disillusionment at hearing that confession only after Myung Jin-ho was cornered, but he also felt a sense of recognition that he had revealed it now, so he felt a strange mix of emotions.

Just as Lee Dae-soo was trying to sort out his mixed feelings, the head butler’s voice was heard from outside the door.

[Master, Chairman Chae Jeong-hyun of SG Group has arrived.]

“Bring him in.”

As soon as Lee Dae-soo shouted, Chae Jeong-hyun opened the door and came in.

“It’s been a while, Jeong-hyun. You’re working hard as the chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries in this situation.”

“It’s nothing, Hyungnim. Someone had to take on the job, didn’t they? I’ll be stepping down next year, so I feel relieved.”

Lee Dae-soo, who was watching Chae Jeong-hyun sitting on the sofa, moved to the sofa. After taking a sip of the black tea that was set up, Chae Jeong-hyun parted his twitching lips.

“Do you have a favor to ask?”

“···Please sell me some dollars, Hyungnim. I need to buy crude oil to run the oil refinery and supply oil to gas stations, but I can’t buy crude oil because I don’t have dollars.”

Lee Dae-soo nodded, as SG Group’s main businesses were telecommunications and petrochemicals, and asked.

“How much are you thinking of?”

“1,600 won per dollar. I don’t care if it’s bonds or currency exchange, just sell us 800 million dollars.”

“I understand. I’ll contact Representative Jo, so you prepare 1.3 trillion won and send someone.”

“H-Hyungnim, 800 million dollars is exactly 1.4 trillion won and…”

Seeing the flustered Chae Jeong-hyun, Lee Dae-soo waved his hand.

“The 180 billion won is to compensate you for the losses my eldest grandson caused you with the Korea Mobile Telecom deal. Don’t say anything else and trade at that price. And.”

After pausing for a moment, Lee Dae-soo said to Chae Jeong-hyun, who was about to bow.

“We’re also planning to get into the oil business, is that okay? Se-ho, that friend of mine, said his burden was too heavy and handed over the oil and petrochemicals… I’m sorry I couldn’t give you advance notice.”

Chae Jeong-hyun hurriedly straightened his back and shook both hands.

“It’s nothing, Hyungnim. Everyone’s dying because they don’t have dollars, so what else can we do to survive?”

How could he say anything bad to someone who was selling him dollars at a generous price? Lee Dae-soo nodded at Chae Jeong-hyun’s cool answer.

“I understand. And I’m planning to bring over the Shinsung affiliates that my Standard Capital took from Jang Ho-min, is that okay?”

“It’s not my company, so do as you please, Hyungnim. Whether it’s Taehyun or Shinsung, there are factories in Daesan, so it’s better for you to take them over, isn’t it? It’s much better than leaving them in the hands of foreigners.”

Chae Jeong-hyun wasn’t concerned about Haedong Group’s entry into the oil business right now. His company was already teetering because of the dollar shortage, so how could he care about someone else’s situation?

“I understand. Go quickly.”

“Thank you, Hyungnim! Thank you so much!”

Chae Jeong-hyun bowed repeatedly and gave his thanks before leaving the study. Lee Dae-soo watched him and picked up the phone.

“Grandson, Grandpa’s coming, so let’s settle accounts, euhehe.”

Satisfaction was dripping from Lee Dae-soo’s laughter.