The Conglomerate Family Became A Villain [EN]: Chapter 69

69. Became a Villain in a Billionaire Family – Meeting a Legend 03 –

***

Only belatedly realizing Jung Hyun-woo’s intentions, Jung Min-young began to make excuses. His excuses could be summarized as follows:

– When Jung Hyun-woo was exiled to the United States, his title was only Assistant Manager, and he couldn’t wield any power within the Jung family. Moreover, he couldn’t even contact him in the United States because he was conscious of the family’s scrutiny.

Of course, it was impossible to believe all of this. Nevertheless, Jung Min-young wore an earnest expression as if it were the truth.

“Hyun-woo, you’re the only one I have under me.”

This wasn’t an exaggeration. His position in the family was just as low as Jung Hyun-woo’s.

Jung Hyun-woo knew the reason well.

‘Because he has a different mother from his brothers.’

The other siblings, except for Jung Min-young, were children of Chairman Jung Woo-sun’s first wife, and he alone was the child of the second wife. His mother had been brought in after Chairman Jung Woo-sun became wealthy, so her conditions were excellent in many ways.

However, she had a severe discord with Chairman Jung Woo-sun and ended up divorcing after eight years. After she left the Jung family, Jung Min-young was treated like an unwanted burden.

“My position in the Jung family was no better than yours.”

However, Jung Hyun-woo was still cold.

“So, you’re saying that two people ostracized by the family should join hands?”

Jung Min-young nodded at his question.

“To put it simply, yes.”

Jung Hyun-woo asked in a cold voice.

“Let’s say you and I join hands. What can we two do at Daewoon Group?”

He was just a student who had entered MIT [Massachusetts Institute of Technology], and Jung Min-young had only been listed as an executive at Daewoon Group for the first time this year.

In short, their power was too weak to shake Daewoon Group.

“I have three siblings above me, but I only consider one.”

Meaning he didn’t consider the two older sisters.

Jung Hyun-woo knew what he meant by saying this.

‘In the 1980s, women’s inheritance rights weren’t that important, so he’s saying he only needs to surpass the eldest brother.’

Depending on the family, there were places where they didn’t inherit anything to female siblings at all.

“So, you’re saying you want me to help you defeat Executive Director Jung Min-seok?”

Jung Min-young was quite surprised to hear Jung Hyun-woo call the eldest son of the family, Executive Director Jung Min-seok, by his name.

‘Hyun-woo seems to have a considerable antipathy.’

Jung Hyun-woo had caused several problems so far. However, recently, he had been showing a changed appearance, such as being accepted into MIT. But unlike that changed appearance, his personality seemed to be the same.

“I don’t think it’s a bad deal for you either.”

“You don’t think it’s a bad deal for me?”

“When you were hospitalized, a rumor spread from one side of Daewoon Group. Executive Director Jung Min-seok was behind it to completely push out his nephew.”

Your admission to the drug rehabilitation center was Jung Min-seok’s doing. So, you should join hands with me to strike him down.

Jung Hyun-woo gave a bitter smile.

“Uncle, isn’t that just a rumor?”

“It could be a rumor or not. But the important thing is that your older brother hasn’t shown you any moves so far.”

Jung Hyun-woo flinched inwardly.

‘This person knows that Executive Director Jung Min-seok hasn’t approached me. That means… he has planted someone around me?’

If not, he might have planted his own person on Executive Director Jung Min-seok’s side.

‘Either way, he’s an opponent I can’t let my guard down against.’

Executive Director Jung Min-young had another face behind his affable demeanor.

Jung Hyun-woo narrowed his brows and raised his voice.

“In a nutshell, you’re saying that Executive Director Jung Min-seok is negative towards me?”

“It’s highly likely. You’re the legitimate son of the deceased older brother, after all.”

Jung Hyun-woo couldn’t help but contemplate.

‘If I take Executive Director Jung Min-young’s hand here, I’ll become an enemy of Executive Director Jung Min-seok. If, by any chance, Executive Director Jung Min-young loses in the succession battle, Executive Director Jung Min-seok will try to purge me.’

Executive Director Jung Min-seok’s purge wasn’t a frightening thing.

‘Because this side’s base is in America.’

However, there was a high possibility that Daewoon Electronics would be swept away with him if he was purged. This side was a bit concerning.

‘But if I support Executive Director Jung Min-seok instead of Executive Director Jung Min-young, I won’t gain anything even if he wins.’

Executive Director Jung Min-seok was still a strong candidate for succession. If gamblers were betting, Executive Director Jung Min-seok’s chances of succeeding as chairman were well over 90%.

If you bet on a 90% winning game, it was natural that you wouldn’t benefit even if the bet was successful.

‘There’s no choice, is there.’

In a situation where they were fighting over the company’s management rights, low risk, low return was meaningless. His heart leaned towards Executive Director Jung Min-young.

‘Come to think of it, who was the chairman of Daewoon Group in 2020?’

He tried to recall the situation of Daewoon Group in 2023.

‘Damn it, I can’t remember.’

Daewoon Group was clearly one of the top 10 groups in Korea in 2023 as well. Nevertheless, he couldn’t remember the name of the chairman of Daewoon Group.

‘What’s clear is that it wasn’t Jung Min-seok or Jung Min-young.’

He didn’t know what had happened to Daewoon Group in the meantime. But what was clear was that neither of them was the chairman of Daewoon Group in 2023.

‘2023 is about 40 years away.’

Executive Director Jung Min-young was in his early 30s, so he could still be active in his early 70s in 2023. On the other hand, Executive Director Jung Min-seok was in his 80s, so it wasn’t a question of being active, but whether he could guarantee his life.

‘I can’t jump to conclusions about the winner based on this alone.’

Jung Hyun-woo sighed briefly.

“Hoo, this isn’t an easy story.”

Executive Director Jung Min-young lowered his voice at his sigh.

“Hyun-woo, this side finally has a weapon.”

Jung Hyun-woo tilted his head at the word weapon.

“What weapon are you talking about?”

“My father-in-law will be entering the Blue House soon.”

Meaning he would have a strong background.

But Jung Hyun-woo knew.

That strong background would soon collapse.

‘With the democratization movement in the mid-1980s, the military regime will step back.’

With the direct presidential election, the era of soldiers who had monopolized power for decades would come to an end. Of course, Executive Director Jung Min-young’s father-in-law wasn’t from the military.

‘But if he’s trusted by the military regime enough to enter the Blue House [the presidential residence of South Korea], it’s safe to say he’s on the same boat as them.’

Jung Hyun-woo said in a low,沉着的 voice.

“Uncle, it may be helpful in the short term, but I don’t think it’s a very meaningful story.”

Jung Min-young flinched at his words.

‘Instead of being surprised by the word Blue House, he’s comforting me.’

He raised his voice and said.

“Hyun-woo. It’s the Blue House, not somewhere else.”

January 1984.

The power of the Blue House was incomparably stronger than in 2020.

“Uncle, it’s not like we’re choosing the next chairman of Daewoon Group this month… or even this year.”

Jung Min-young realized what he was trying to say.

“Are you saying that even the most beautiful flower blooms for only ten days?”

Any power has its end. And that end will come sooner than Chairman Jung Woo-sun’s death.

“I’m not saying that my father-in-law’s success won’t be helpful. But to win the power struggle, you yourself must become stronger.”

A word with an iron core, not just bones.

Jung Min-young couldn’t help but be surprised by his advice.

‘Was Hyun-woo such a scary kid?’

He had been accepted into MIT, but he was still a young man who wasn’t even twenty years old. But when he was talking to him, it was like listening to a strategist in his forties.

“Then what do you want to do?”

He was asking for Jung Hyun-woo’s choice.

“My choice may vary depending on how you come out, Uncle.”

He wouldn’t unconditionally help him.

Jung Min-young narrowed his brows.

“You’re thinking of making a deal with me.”

“Uncle, aren’t we the children of merchants?”

Jung Min-young laughed softly at his question.

“Hehehe, you’re saying I should present my conditions first.”

When heading to Chairman Jung Woo-sun’s mansion, he thought that something like this might happen to some extent.

‘But I didn’t expect him to come out so blatantly.’

He took a deep breath inwardly and said.

“Okay. If I become chairman, I’ll let you succeed me.”

Jung Hyun-woo didn’t even blink an eye at his offer.

“You’re saying you’ll pass on the power to your nephew, not your son?”

“This is the best I can do.”

He would yield the position of Daewoon Group chairman to his nephew, not his son.

Jung Hyun-woo gave a cold smile.

“Uncle, are there still people who fall for such sweet talk?”

“Hyun-woo.”

Jung Hyun-woo said calmly without changing his expression.

“Uncle, you may be sincere now, but your thoughts will change once you sit in the chairman’s seat.”

Before sitting on the throne and after sitting on the throne were bound to be different.

“You’re saying you can’t trust me.”

Jung Min-young thought that Jung Hyun-woo had finally decided not to take his hand.

‘In the end, does that mean my brother will take my father’s place?’

He couldn’t accept that he was taking everything just because he was born earlier.

Jung Hyun-woo looked around and then strained his voice.

“Uncle, just give me Daewoon Food, Daewoon Logistics, Daewoon Precision, and Daewoon Electronics.”

Jung Min-young’s eyes widened at Jung Hyun-woo’s suggestion.

“You’re asking for four affiliates?”

“I’m not asking for them now. I’m asking for them when you become the chairman of Daewoon Group.”

Jung Min-young could see that Jung Hyun-woo had calculated meticulously before making the offer.

‘The group’s main affiliates, construction and trading, are missing.’

He meant that he wouldn’t touch the center of Daewoon Group and would only take the lucrative ones.

‘Daewoon Food is a cash cow, and Daewoon Logistics isn’t as good as Daewoon Food, but you can expect stable profits every year.’

Defense company Daewoon Precision was similar in nature to the two companies in front of it. Unless the Korean defense industry collapsed or Korea peacefully reunified, Daewoon Precision’s status would remain intact.

‘The only one left is Daewoon Electronics….’

His father, Jung Min-hyuk, had a strong influence on this side.

‘He’s saying he’ll take the affiliate that my father cherished.’

Jung Min-young nodded his head greatly.

“Okay. If I become chairman, I’ll give those four to you.”

If he could protect Daewoon Trading and Daewoon Construction, which were the center of Daewoon Group, he didn’t mind giving up other affiliates.

‘If I can get my hands on Daewoon Group with a few lucrative affiliates, it can be said to be a great deal.’

The important thing was the position of Daewoon Group chairman.

Both Jung Hyun-woo and Jung Min-young knew that well.

“Uncle, you’ve made an excellent decision.”

He handed Jung Min-young a small business card.

Jung Min-young took the English business card and raised his eyebrows.

“What is this?”

“As you can see, it’s my business card.”

The business card read Charlie Jung, CEO of Victoria Corporation.

“Victoria Corporation?”

“It’s still a secret to others.”

A freshman at MIT had founded a startup company.

It wasn’t impossible, but the fact that Jung Hyun-woo was the main character was quite surprising.

“I’m giving it to you as proof that I’ve formed an alliance with you, Uncle.”

Jung Min-young felt like he was facing a seasoned businessman.

“You’re saying we should share each other’s secrets?”

“Words can’t replace everything.”

“Okay. This side will prepare one thing until you leave Korea.”

He meant that he would prepare something like the business card Jung Hyun-woo had given him.

‘If it were a hundred years ago, we would have written a blood oath and shared blood wine.’

But now it was the 20th century.

Not to mention the blood oath, even blood wine had become a relic of the past.

“I’ll look forward to it.”

As Jung Hyun-woo bowed his head, Jung Min-young got up from his seat.

“You don’t have to come out far.”

“There are many eyes watching, so I will.”

Jung Min-young nodded and left Chairman Jung Woo-sun’s mansion.

***

The Federation of Korean Industries.

Abbreviated as FKI.

To put it simply, this FKI was a gathering of South Korea’s major corporations.

Until recently, Chairman Jung Woo-sun didn’t particularly like the FKI meetings. All he heard when he went to the meetings were Chairman Wang of Daehyun Group boasting and Chairman Shin of Samjung Group nagging.

However, everything had changed since last year. He was the first to arrive at the meetings and chatted with the chairmen of major corporations.

Today was no different.

“Has Chairman Jang arrived?”

Chairman Jang Joon was leading Oseong Group, which ranked 8th in the business world.

“Chairman Jung, you’re here early again.”

He was nine years younger than Chairman Jung Woo-sun, and if you divided the businessmen by generation, he was about half a generation below.

“That’s just how it turned out.”

Chairman Jang Joon knew why Chairman Jung Woo-sun was attending early.

‘He’s going to brag about his grandson again.’

Since Jung Hyun-woo, who could be said to be his eldest grandson, had been accepted into MIT, Chairman Jung Woo-sun had been bragging about him to everyone he met.

‘He used to be a troublemaker in the group and didn’t even mention him.’

He lightly asked a question to ease Chairman Jung Woo-sun’s mood.

“I heard that the United States is on vacation, has Hyun-woo come to Korea too?”

Chairman Jung Woo-sun nodded and replied.

“He has.”

“You must have seen your grandson’s face after a long time?”

Chairman Jung Woo-sun smiled brightly.

“Hahaha, I’m seeing him every day these days.”

“I’m really envious.”

It was when Chairman Jang Joon had responded to his story a few times. Chairman Shin Byung-chul of Samjung Group entered.

“Chairman Shin, how are you?”

When Chairman Jang Joon got up and greeted him, Chairman Shin Byung-chul raised his right hand.

“Just sit down.”

Chairman Jung Woo-sun and Chairman Shin Byung-chul were only a year or two apart in age, but they were both over seventy, so it was meaningless to argue.

The two had been friends since joining the FKI in the same year.

“Chairman Shin, you’ve arrived?”

Chairman Shin Byung-chul, who would usually nag Chairman Jung Woo-sun, was different today.

“This, this, you’ve really straightened your shoulders thanks to your grandson.”

Chairman Jung Woo-sun wore a pleased smile.

“Doesn’t everyone have a grandson who studies well?”

Chairman Shin Byung-chul countered without backing down.

“Our eldest grandson studies a bit too.”

“Are you talking about Woo-bin?”

“He’s challenging science high school this time.”

Now as well, but in the 1980s, the status of science high schools was so high that no other school could compare.

“If he does well, he’ll be Hyun-woo’s junior?”

If he graduated from science high school and then entered MIT, he would literally become Jung Hyun-woo’s junior.

Chairman Shin Byung-chul sat down and said.

“Hyun-woo, that kid. He grew up well.”

Chairman Jung Woo-sun tilted his head at Chairman Shin Byung-chul’s words.

“You saw Hyun-woo?”

“I did.”

“You?”

“He came to the hotel the day before yesterday.”

Chairman Jung Woo-sun narrowed his brows at the word hotel.

“You saw Hyun-woo at the hotel?”

He was worried that Jung Hyun-woo was already hanging out with women.

‘If his old habits come out, it won’t do.’

A shadow fell over Chairman Jung Woo-sun’s face.

“He was with Secretary Hong.”

Chairman Jung Woo-sun’s worries melted away like snow at the words that he was with Chief Secretary Hong Won-ik.

“Ah, he must have had a meal with Secretary Hong.”

Chairman Shin Byung-chul nodded and took the words.

“It seems so. Chairman Jung, in the 21st century, kids like Hyun-woo will lead Korea.”

This one word was sincere. He thought that young talents like Jung Hyun-woo should lead Korea in the 21st century.

‘Old people like us won’t see the 21st century.’

Chairman Shin Byung-chul didn’t have much time left.

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