Still, I Will Live As The Son-In-Law Of A Conglomerate [EN]: Chapter 10

10. 3rd. Commencing Action (3)

We quickly finished our soup and went up to the study for morning tea.

“Chief Ko, tell me.”

“Yes, Chairman. Myungjin, you know we’ve recovered all of the group’s funds, right?”

“Of course. That’s why I changed all the land I’d been saving up to the company name, isn’t it? Haha.”

He laughed casually, but the land my family dealt with this time was Lee Myungjin’s last asset from his past life. It was land bought with slush funds, so he couldn’t openly declare it, but this time, it seemed he bought it under the company name to get ahead of the game.

Ko Seungju nodded and smiled.

“The Chairman said he’s going to use bank money from now on. Consider the land disposal a start.”

Lee Myungjin, who had been laughing heartily, stopped. His wide eyes were directed at his grandfather.

“Father?”

“You’ve been so busy in the Middle East that you haven’t heard? Tsk.”

“Oh, Father. I’ve been touring construction sites during the day and taking local clients to Bahrain for drinks at night. It’s been crazy, haha.”

Bahrain is the only country in the Persian Gulf where alcohol and pork are allowed. Because of this, the upper classes of Saudi Arabia and Qatar secretly go there for tourism to enjoy alcohol and pork.

Lee Myungjin’s jovial laughter, using this to entertain, made his grandfather smile.

“Even Muslims are human. Anyway, your nephew came up with the idea to protect our family’s money.”

“Yes?”

“As soon as your nephew was discharged from the hospital, he came to the study and…”

As his grandfather recounted the events of that day, Lee Myungjin, who had been making a dumbfounded expression, looked at me and laughed heartily.

“Wahahaha! I owe my nephew one?”

“It’s nothing, Uncle. It’s all for the good of our family.”

“Don’t be so modest. If your brother were alive, he would have praised you many times over.”

Seeing Lee Myungjin holding my hand made me feel much more at ease.

‘I’ll do better for you in the future, Uncle. We’re family, after all.’

While I was vowing to do better in my heart, Lee Myungjin let go of my hand and turned his head towards his grandfather.

“I understand, Father. What should I do?”

“Get the construction guys ready to step in if Shinsung looks like they’re going to pull out of the Gangnam Terminal construction. Get the existing blueprints and try to acquire more space.”

His grandfather seemed to be thinking that Shinsung Group must have lost a lot of money in this incident and wouldn’t be thinking straight, so he was trying to capitalize on that vulnerability.

It’s a different opportunity than the one I’m aiming for, but wouldn’t it be okay to get to Seoul by any means? I listened quietly and nodded.

After giving instructions to Lee Myungjin, his grandfather looked at me and asked.

“What are you planning to do, my eldest grandson?”

Even though I was the main player in yesterday’s events, he seemed curious about what I would do, since I wasn’t being arrogant and was looking ahead to the group’s next move. I had something in mind, so I answered without hesitation.

“I’m thinking of learning about finance, Grandfather.”

Unlike Park Taejin, who nodded, his grandfather made a humming sound.

“Finance, huh… It would be good to study abroad, but I’d like you to build up a decent resume before you go. My grandson can’t just come back after doing odd jobs, can he?”

A smile on his grandfather’s face hinted at his expectation that I would achieve another success. Of course, I had a way to not disappoint that expectation.

“I’ll earn three times as much in half a year. Please trust me and watch over me, Grandfather.”

“Young Master?”

“Sungmin?”

Park Taejin, Ko Seungju, and Lee Myungjin were surprised when I spoke confidently. They must have been surprised that I had made such a bold statement, even specifying a time frame, in this room where nonsense is not tolerated.

Even as the three of them were surprised and unable to speak, his grandfather chuckled, banging on the desk.

“Ehehehe, that’s why Hogan wanted you so badly. I understand. I’ll be waiting.”

Seeing his grandfather laughing made me think of my father-in-law, Jang Hogun, who was like an enemy. By now, Seonguiwon [likely refers to Jang Hogun’s office or estate] must be turned upside down… I wonder if my father-in-law is okay?

***

The heads of major affiliates who entered Jang Hogun’s office at Seonguiwon were standing on either side of the desk where Jang Hogun was sitting, heads bowed, holding their breath.

“…To think that two hundred billion won was repaid like this.”

Unlike his usual self, Jang Hogun’s face was stiff, and even though it wasn’t visible, the characters ‘fire’ and ‘wrath’ were practically etched on his face.

He had started recovering funds after seeing the President’s inauguration speech at the beginning of the year, but he didn’t expect it to blow up so quickly. The surprise attack he suffered yesterday was still a raw wound.

“What are you all doing? Did you put honey in your mouths? Say something, anything.”

When everyone remained silent and didn’t raise their heads even after his urging, Jang Hogun clicked his tongue at them. To think that the people who were supposedly influential in the great Shinsung Group were only this capable!

Bang!

“With the money I’ve been throwing at Yeouido [South Korea’s financial district], the Blue House [the executive office and official residence of the President of South Korea], and the government complex, I could have found out a hundred times over! Did you all just go golfing with those guys? Huh!”

Jang Hogun slammed the desk in vain as he watched the executives only bow their heads even after his roar.

Even though it was a secretly 추진된 [pushed forward] financial real-name system, Shinsung Group’s domestic intelligence used to be superior to the National Security Planning Agency. To be humiliated like this was a disgrace!

Sighing, Jang Hogun turned his head towards Lee Soohan, who was standing at the far left.

“What about the Blue House and the government?”

“The Prime Minister and the Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs at the Blue House have submitted their resignations.”

The Prime Minister and the Blue House aides are like bulletproof vests that take the blame that would otherwise fall on the President. Jang Hogun knew this, so Lee Soohan, the Chief of Staff, only said as much as was necessary.

“…I see. Hooo…”

A long sigh escaped from Jang Hogun’s mouth as he nodded. It seemed he now understood why the two had said they didn’t know, even after he had prodded them so much.

“How much is tied up in domestic banks?”

“A total of 800 billion won, and half of it was withdrawn this morning.”

The borrowed-name accounts were mostly in the names of current and former executives or employees of Shinsung Group’s partner companies. He was able to find them quickly by leaning on the bank branch managers, but the problem was the rest of the money.

“What about the rest?”

“That’s… it’s in pseudonymous or anonymous accounts, so it’s not easy to trace.”

After hesitating for a moment, Lee Soohan, who had answered truthfully, bit his lip and lowered his head. Jang Hogun’s expression, looking at his head, wasn’t very bright either.

“How much is buried?”

“400 billion won.”

“…Damn it.”

To remove the tail from that much money, trillions of won would have to be laundered endlessly through internal construction projects or overseas corporate 환치기 [illegal foreign exchange transactions]. Decades of effort had been wasted overnight, so no one could complain about Jang Hogun frowning.

“I’ve only fattened the bellies of the bank bastards.”

Since even the mighty Shinsung Group couldn’t dare to find the money, the bank officials would be gloating. Jang Hogun gritted his teeth, thinking that those guys would treat him like a pushover from now on.

However, it was also true that he would be ashamed of his name and the nameplate of ‘Shinsung Group Chairman Jang Hogun’ if he stood by and did nothing. That’s why he quickly came up with a backup plan.

“When you draw up next year’s business budget, borrow as much as the money you lost this time and 편성해 [include]. Keep the interest as low as possible, and if any stubborn guys come out, tell them you’ll withdraw your deposits.”

“I understand.”

There was no other way to recover from the damage done this time.

No matter how hard he racked his brains, he couldn’t find money without a resident registration card.

If he tried to find it by force, he would be beaten to a pulp by the up-and-coming 문민 [civilian-controlled] government, not to mention the disgrace.

“Everyone, get out.”

As he waved his hand and issued an eviction order, the executives rushed out of the room as if they had been waiting for it.

Now, only Jang Hogun and one person who remained after seeing his gesture were left in the room.

“Soohan.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“How are the other groups?”

“I met with the other group’s chiefs of staff last night, and they all looked like they were dying.”

“What about Chief Ko?”

Jang Hogun wanted to know how Ko Seungju, the brain of the Haedong Group, was doing. He wanted to check if the Haedong Group, which had hidden money that even they couldn’t estimate, had avoided the fire, even though they were small in stature.

“There was no particular reaction. He came the latest and quietly emptied his glass. Considering his expressionless face, I think we need to check the rumors circulating in Myeongdong [a major financial and commercial district in Seoul].”

Ordinary people might have taken it lightly, but Lee Soohan and Jang Hogun were not. All the other chaebols [large South Korean business conglomerates] were the same, but even more so because the Haedong Group had been doing business with the Shinsung Group for a long time.

“Find out how they moved. There’s definitely something there.”

It was already impossible to undo the damage. Since the buried money wasn’t coming back, he needed to know how much damage his competitors had suffered.

“I’ve already given instructions because Chief Ko’s reaction was suspicious. I’ve also told them to find out about the damage situation of the other groups.”

“Good job.”

Jang Hogun looked at Lee Soohan with eyes full of trust.

Unlike the many executives in the group who had ignored him since his days as vice president, Lee Soohan had understood his thoughts and put them into practice one step ahead since his days as a newly appointed director.

The only person who surpassed Lee Soohan was Jung Changho, the former chief of staff and the guardian of Jang Hayeon. Naturally, Jang Hogun trusted Jung Changho and Lee Soohan more than his own blood brothers.

“But… the information we’ve collected is conflicting.”

Jang Hogun’s expression hardened as Lee Soohan revealed an uneasy look.

“What do you mean?”

“We’re getting reports from both sides, that they’ve been hit and that someone stepped in to avoid the waves.”

“Does Haedong have anyone who can do that? Ko Seungju?”

“That’s unlikely. Even if Chief Ko is like a son to Chairman Lee, he’s not the kind of person who can persuade him on such a matter.”

Jang Hogun also agreed with Lee Soohan, so he narrowed his eyes and racked his brains.

“Then…”

“A novel idea may have come out of the Secretariat. Maybe someone newly appointed came up with it.”

Jang Hogun, who had been silent for a moment, opened his mouth.

“That could be the case. Whatever the outcome, find out who’s behind it if there’s someone else pulling the strings. I don’t care how much it costs. Stuff a wad of cash in his mouth and have him sit in front of the Secretariat desk.”

Jang Hogun’s desire for talent was greater than that of the late Jang Byungho, the first chairman of the Shinsung Group. If it wasn’t Lee Daesu or Ko Seungju, he wanted to get his hands on the person who had calmed the Haedong Group, no matter how much it cost.

“I understand, Chairman. I will definitely make him a member of our group. If there are no results, I will step in myself.”

Jang Hogun nodded with a satisfied expression at Lee Soohan’s determined answer that he would definitely do it.

***

It was around dinner time when Jang Hogun returned home and had dinner. Because he always stuck to the habit of going to bed at 9 o’clock, there wasn’t much time left.

Sitting at the head of the table, he ate half of his rice and put down his chopsticks. Jang Yongjae, Jang Minjae, Jang Hayeon, and Jang Suyeon, who were sitting in the lower seats, also quickly put down their spoons when they saw him.

“Everyone saw the news yesterday, right?”

“Yes, Father. This president doesn’t seem like an easy opponent.”

“I think what my brother said is right, Father. I was surprised when he 날릴 [dismissed] the Hanahoe [a secret military faction], too…”

“That’s right. I didn’t expect him to attack right after disclosing the assets of high-ranking officials.”

As Jang Yongjae, the sharp-looking eldest son sitting next to him, answered, Jang Minjae, who was next to him, and Jang Suyeon, who was sitting across from him, also tried to earn points from their father by talking about their impressions.

Even in the midst of all this, only the most outstanding Jang Hayeon was quietly keeping her mouth shut, but her actions were very wise. This was because the more she listened to the three people, the more Jang Hogun’s face hardened.

“Speculation and commentary are for the reporters that your 외가 [maternal family] employs. I don’t think it’s something that the successors of the Shinsung Group should be saying?”

Jang Hogun said coldly to the three siblings. He had been telling them since they were young that entrepreneurs and owners should always prepare for the future!

In an instant, a colder atmosphere than the Siberian plains swept through the restaurant. Realizing that he had gone too far, Jang Hogun cleared his throat and took a sip of water.

“The entire business world has been hit by a bomb because of this incident. But there’s only one place that I can’t figure out.”

The three siblings raised their heads, which they had lowered, and looked at Jang Hogun. Jang Hayeon also looked at Jang Hogun with wide eyes again, realizing that the Shinsung Group wasn’t the only one affected.

“Which one is it, Father?”

“It seems to be the Haedong Group. In Myeongdong and the banking sector, they say that family’s money has evaporated, but… I don’t feel good about it.”

Jang Yongjae’s eyes flashed. It seemed like he would have a chance to make up for the points he had lost due to his slip of the tongue earlier.

That opportunity came through Jang Hogun’s mouth.

“You guys should meet Lee Sungmin. It won’t affect your inheritance, so I won’t force you, but if you want, meet him once and find out.”

Jang Hayeon didn’t want to meet Lee Sungmin for such a thing, so she remained silent, and Jang Suyeon only nodded because she didn’t want to approach Lee Sungmin rashly for the time being.

Instead.

A smile hung on Jang Yongjae’s lips, and Jang Minjae, a third-year college student sitting next to him, also clenched his fist under the table.