Still, I Will Live As The Son-In-Law Of A Conglomerate [EN]: Chapter 122

122. 36th. Rampant Behind-the-Scenes Maneuvering (2)

While I was drinking tea in the Sarangchae [a detached building in traditional Korean houses, often used as a study or reception area], I received a call from the head butler and went to the main building, heading up to the study. In the study, Grandfather and Seon Hae-cheol were leisurely enjoying tea.

“Did things go well?”

“Did they ever! Geum Seok-ho, that friend of mine, left with a grin from ear to ear. Would you like a cup of tea too?”

“I’ll have black tea with cognac. Is that alright?”

“Heh, that rascal.”

Grandfather chuckled and placed an order through the intercom. Soon, a male employee entered the study and placed a teacup in front of me.

After watching the employee leave, I took a sip of the tea. The aroma of black tea and cognac mingled, filling my mouth.

“By the way, what kind of person is Chairman Geum Seok-ho?”

At my question after putting down the teacup, Grandfather cleared his throat.

“Hmm… If you put a bridle on him and drive him, he’s the best steed, but if you let the reins loose, he’s worse than a wild colt.”

“You mean he can never be an owner, even if he’s a professional manager.”

After pondering my answer for a moment, Grandfather grinned.

“You’re spot on, it’s uncanny, hehe.”

How could I not know such riddles when my actual age is in my mid-fifties? Seeing my subtle smile, Grandfather continued his assessment of Geum Seok-ho.

“It’s best to entrust Geum Seok-ho with external affairs only. If there’s someone to manage the internal affairs, he’ll be the best manager, but without such a person, this kind of thing will repeat itself.”

There are often people like that.

People who work their best when they are professional managers but become blinded by greed once they become owners.

In a way, it might be a universal characteristic of the human animal. Doesn’t every problem start from forgetting one’s initial intentions?

To think that you’re evaluating your longtime friend so coldly, Grandfather is no ordinary, ruthless person. Since his eye for talent is almost supernatural, I need to come up with a solution that fits.

“Once the acquisition is complete, we need to take control of accounting, HR, and auditing.”

“That’s right. You need to play the roles of mother-in-law and sister-in-law thoroughly for him to work properly. It’s best not to even talk about standards.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

Although I answered, I realized how difficult it would be to succeed Grandfather. That cold judgment… I could learn it my whole life and still fall short.

In any case, if we step in, Taehyun Group will be turned upside down. Naturally, the repercussions will also affect Grandfather and Haedong Group.

Unlike me, who couldn’t hide my worried expression, Grandfather wore a mischievous smile and said to me.

“Don’t worry about me, you rascal. Aren’t I great at acting?”

“Then…?”

I was getting my hopes up at Grandfather’s sly smile. That expectation was turned into certainty by Grandfather.

“Jin-ho, Ho-geon, everyone will be fooled by this old man, hehe.”

“Understood, Grandfather.”

To what extent will Grandfather’s true worth be revealed this time? It seemed like I could look forward to it.

***

While Haedong Group and Standard Capital were forming a secret alliance with Ado Group and laundering Ado Group’s slush funds, news like a bolt from the blue struck Taehyun Group.

“What? Jang Ho-geon?”

Myung Jin-ho jumped up from his desk in the chairman’s office and stared at the executive who reported the news.

“Yes, Chairman. I just heard that a total of $1.7 billion was deposited into the accounts of Shinseong Electronics and Shinseong Corporation.”

“That son of a bitch, to think he’d use the same method we used…”

Myung Jin-ho’s clenched fist trembled.

Just like how Taehyun Group used the Hadong Steel Mill construction to hide 1.5 trillion won [approximately $1.1 billion USD], Shinseong Electronics and Shinseong Corporation also hid money!

“If that’s the case, both sides have 1.5 trillion won…”

Myung Jin-ho, sitting down, gritted his teeth.

He couldn’t miss the opportunity to repay the damned Shinseong Group, which prevented Taehyun Electronics from entering the home appliance business, in the automotive business.

Just as Myung Jin-ho was grinding his teeth so hard that a creaking sound came from his jaw, the phone rang.

“Who is it?”

[It’s me, Hyung [older brother or respected elder]. How have you been?]

Myung Jin-ho frowned at Lee Dae-soo’s greeting. Since Lee Dae-soo was going to sit idly by and watch the acquisition battle, his sly voice sounded even more unpleasant today.

“Chairman Lee, what’s the matter? If it’s not urgent…”

[I heard that Jang Ho-geon is making a fuss about acquiring Ado Group, making Hyung uncomfortable.]

Seeing the executive’s bewildered face, Myung Jin-ho waved his hand to dismiss him. Even as the executive left, closing the door, Lee Dae-soo’s voice reached Myung Jin-ho’s ears.

[Are you alright? That damn bastard is going to suck up the people’s money and take over Ado Motors, which will regain its strength?]

“Nonsense! I’m sorry to you, but we’re going to take Ado Group!”

Myung Jin-ho was no exception to the idea that it was better for him to eat the money if it was blind money [unclaimed or ownerless money]. Unlike Myung Jin-ho, who shouted angrily, Lee Dae-soo’s voice came from the receiver.

[No need to be sorry. Chairman Geum failed because he didn’t listen to me. But… please show leniency.]

“I will. I won’t send him to prison for your sake.”

Myung Jin-ho also knew that Lee Dae-soo and Geum Seok-ho’s relationship wasn’t bad. If Geum Seok-ho was driven to the worst situation, the ‘Tiger of Samcheong-dong’ [a person known for their fierce and uncompromising nature] might run wild, so there was no need to stir up trouble.

[Thank you, Hyung. I want to give you some advice that will help you… Change the acquisition bidding conditions.]

“What are you talking about now? Change the acquisition bidding conditions?”

[The money that bastard has now is in US dollars, but you’re going to pay in Korean won, right? So, give extra points to those who pay in won, that’s what I’m saying.]

Myung Jin-ho’s eyes lit up at Lee Dae-soo’s suggestion.

If a large amount of dollars were exchanged for won, the exchange rate would fall and commissions would have to be paid. If things went well, he could reduce even one bullet or shell that Jang Ho-geon would fire in the battle over Ado Motors.

Even as the corners of Myung Jin-ho’s lips turned up, Lee Dae-soo’s explanation continued.

[The Jonggeum companies [merchant banking companies] are constantly draining dollars. In this situation, if there’s an opportunity to swallow $1.7 billion, wouldn’t politicians and public officials jump at it?]

“There’s no one like you. How did you come up with such a brilliant plan?”

[It’s because of our eldest son who passed away first. Jang Ho-geon was obsessed with cars because of that bastard and went before me, didn’t he? Poor guy…]

Myung Jin-ho nodded at Lee Dae-soo’s voice filled with resentment. Wasn’t Lee Dae-soo’s eldest son, Lee Myung-woo, the most outstanding of the second-generation chaebols [large family-owned business conglomerates] of his age if he were still alive?

Even Myung Jin-ho himself wanted to hand over the entire Taehyun Group to Lee Myung-woo if he were his son, so he couldn’t help but understand Lee Dae-soo’s feelings as a parent.

“I understand, Chairman Lee. I’ll thoroughly avenge your sorrow.”

[Thank you, Hyung.]

Although it wasn’t purely out of goodwill, Myung Jin-ho ended his flattery of Lee Dae-soo and hung up the phone. He immediately summoned all the group executives to the conference room and quickly headed to the conference room.

Soon, dozens of group executives, including Myung Jin-ho’s brothers, children, and nephews, gathered in the conference room. When Myung Jin-ho explained Lee Dae-soo’s advice as if he had come up with it himself, everyone was impressed.

“That’s a brilliant idea, Chairman!”

“We’ll meet with the bank guys right away and raise the commissions!”

“We need to meet with politicians and public officials first! The country needs to set the policy first to make it look good, right? Haha!”

Myung Jin-ho wore a satisfied smile as he watched the executives eagerly offering detailed plans.

A conference room full of laughter. The only one who didn’t laugh in it was Myung Se-ho. If Taehyun Group’s affiliates ate Ado Motors and attached it to Taehyun Motors, Myung Se-ho would have his Taehyun Motors, which he had built up, taken away by Myung Jin-ho’s eldest son, Myung Seon-gu, so how could he laugh?

Furthermore.

Myung Se-ho knew very well.

That ‘Big Brother,’ who only knew how to push forward, could never come up with such a scheme.

That there was only one person among the people he knew in this country who could come up with such a scheme.

And that that person was close to him.

***

Unlike the executives who went out to maneuver with bright faces after receiving Myung Jin-ho’s instructions, Myung Se-ho was driving somewhere himself with a stiff face.

Myung Se-ho, who parked the car, looked at the gate in front of him. A large and magnificent traditional Korean gate like a castle gate… It was a gate he had frequented, but it looked awkward today.

“Who is it?”

“It’s Myung Se-ho, Chairman of Taehyun Motors. I’ve come to see the owner of this house.”

The employee who came out of the small checkpoint in front of the huge traditional Korean gate frowned at Myung Se-ho’s blunt answer. Even if he was the chairman of Taehyun Motors, did he know who the owner of this mansion was!

“Head Butler, it’s Chairman Myung Se-ho of Taehyun Motors.”

[Bring him in.]

The employee, who had been tilting his head, straightened his posture after seeing Myung Se-ho’s glaring eyes.

“I’m sorry, Chairman Myung. I’ll open it right away.”

“Do your job.”

Myung Se-ho gave a perfunctory greeting and immediately went inside as soon as the door opened with a creaking sound and parked the car. Getting out of the car, he walked quickly towards where he was going.

The head butler greeted Myung Se-ho, who entered the huge building.

“Welcome, Chairman Myung Se-ho.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m not in the mood to receive greetings today. Goodbye.”

Myung Se-ho replied with his teeth clenched and went up the stairs with a thumping sound. Even after arriving on the second floor, he walked roughly and burst into the study without knocking.

“How could you do this, Hyung! You know better than anyone how hard I worked to build up Taehyun Motors! But you gave advice to Big Brother to kill me?”

The person Myung Se-ho screamed at as if spitting out blood as soon as he opened the door was Lee Dae-soo, who was sitting at his desk. Myung Se-ho only felt resentful at Lee Dae-soo’s expressionless face, who didn’t say anything.

“It’s already been 40 years since I’ve been seeing you, Elder, and Hyung, instead of Big Brother as Taehyun grew! You know better than anyone how respectfully I’ve treated Elder and Hyung so far!”

“That’s right. You and GK Group’s big in-law were the only ones who told me that Byung-ho Hyung and Jin-ho Hyung were having a drinking party during the 8.3 private loan freeze [a government measure in 1972 to freeze private loans]. The liquor you gave me as a gift every time you came back from overseas business trips is still there.”

A voice without highs and lows even while acknowledging the facts. Myung Se-ho felt even more frustrated because the owner of that voice was Lee Dae-soo.

“You know it well. I informed Hyung of that dirty drinking party, risking being disliked by Big Brother, and I didn’t even join in. How could you do this to me, who knelt like a dog in this house’s yard and begged for forgiveness!”

Myung Se-ho, who had been pouring out his pent-up emotions to Lee Dae-soo, collapsed and shed tears.

“Please save me, Hyung. Taehyun Motors, isn’t it the company I’ve been building since the alliance with Ford? But I can’t watch a young nephew take it away, can I?”

“Chairman Myung…”

Lee Dae-soo’s expression changed to a complicated one, but Myung Se-ho didn’t even notice his expression. Unlike a moment ago, he looked at Lee Dae-soo pitifully, shedding tears like a madman.

“If Big Brother eats Ado Motors with the money from the group’s affiliates and merges it with Taehyun Motors, my and my son’s shares will become scraps of paper, Hyung. Please save me, huh? I’m begging you like this!”

Myung Se-ho knelt down towards Lee Dae-soo and wailed. If he could only protect Taehyun Motors, which he had devoted his entire life to building, he could kneel like a dog in front of Lee Dae-soo a hundred or a thousand times, just like that night 20 years ago.

“Hoo…”

Seeing that, Lee Dae-soo sighed and got up from his chair and approached Myung Se-ho. Lee Dae-soo, who knelt on one knee, patted Myung Se-ho’s back, who was kneeling on the floor.

“Calm down and talk. Head Butler.”

When Lee Dae-soo called out towards the door, the head butler came up.

“Yes, Master.”

“Bring two cups of Golden Tips [a type of black tea]. Mix half of the warmed Camus [a brand of cognac] in.”

“M, Master?”

The head butler’s eyes widened at the order, which was virtually the same as brewing black tea in warmed brandy rather than putting brandy in black tea. The head butler, who was momentarily stunned, quickly composed himself after seeing Lee Dae-soo silently frowning and nodding slightly.

“…Understood, Master.”

The head butler quickly went down the stairs, and Lee Dae-soo picked up Myung Se-ho and sat him on the sofa together.

Soon, an aroma that was hard to tell whether it was the scent of black tea or cognac spread throughout the study from the two cups of black tea that the head butler brought.

“Drink.”

“Yes… Hyung.”

Myung Se-ho, whose body was stiff, drank the black tea. The alcohol spreading from his mouth to his esophagus and from his esophagus to his stomach relaxed Myung Se-ho’s body.

‘Hyung might be able to help me.’

Myung Se-ho saw hope in Lee Dae-soo’s consideration for him. As if he were a hasty Myung family member, Myung Se-ho put down the teacup he had emptied in an instant as soon as he saw that hope and grabbed Lee Dae-soo’s hand.

“Please, Hyung. Is there anything you can do?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Hyung!”

Even as Myung Se-ho raised his voice, Lee Dae-soo shook his head and stared intently at him.

“What if my family is ruined while helping you? Will you take responsibility? And do you have anything you’ve put up as collateral to me?”

Lee Dae-soo’s voice was neither high nor low, but the words in that voice were coldly sharp.

“H, Hyung…”

Myung Se-ho, frozen by that voice, realized something he had forgotten at that moment.

Wasn’t he the ‘Tiger of Samcheong-dong,’ who even made the foul-tempered Chairman Jin Ju-ho of the Juhan Group tuck his tail in, usually a generous man among generous men? The man named Lee Dae-soo.

“Ado Motors, I’ll acquire it. Then what will you do for me?”

“W, well, we can match the prices by class or technology…”

Myung Se-ho, flustered by the sudden question, tried to answer in a hurry but closed his mouth. He couldn’t give up even the technology, let alone collusion, could he?

Lee Dae-soo chuckled as he looked at Myung Se-ho’s face full of distress.

“You were only full of thoughts of asking me for something, but you didn’t have anything to give, hehe.”

“Th, that’s not true, Hyung!”

Myung Se-ho hurriedly raised both hands and shook them, but it was too late.

“What do you mean it’s not? Do you think I’m something you can use as you please? Do you think I’m that easy!”

Myung Se-ho’s alcohol faded from his face at Lee Dae-soo’s shout that echoed throughout the study. Myung Se-ho hurriedly went down from the sofa to the floor and knelt in front of Lee Dae-soo.

“I, I’m sorry, Hyung!”

“No matter how you help, you won’t be able to protect Taehyun Motors or me. Big Brother’s connections, aren’t they connections you can’t win against?”

Myung Se-ho’s body trembled at Lee Dae-soo’s cold question. Shame and humiliation washed over him because it was a more painful but completely accurate criticism than rubbing salt on skin sanded with sandpaper.

“I’m also struggling against Jin-ho Hyung. Even if it’s connections, the chances of winning will be even lower if we clash as group against group.”

Myung Se-ho nodded with a bitter expression at Lee Dae-soo’s self-deprecating voice. No matter how solid Haedong Group’s financial structure was, fighting against the current Taehyun Group was no different from a car running head-on into a train.

“I’m sorry, Hyung.”

“There’s no need to be sorry, my friend. It just meant that there would be problems if I stepped in first, hehe.”

Lee Dae-soo gave an eerie smile as he looked at Myung Se-ho, who apologized and lowered his head. He was about to start a revenge drama against Shinseong and Taehyun, who had stabbed him in the back about 20 years ago, so an eerie smile naturally came out.

Myung Se-ho will be a very good pawn in starting the revenge drama that Lee Dae-soo and his eldest grandson Lee Seong-min have been planning for over 20 years.