Still, I Will Live As The Son-In-Law Of A Conglomerate [EN]: Chapter 162

162. 46th. Domination Tour part.2 (6)

As I wished for the success of Haedong Heavy Industries’ industrial automation equipment development, I suddenly remembered something I had forgotten.

‘Power semiconductors! I need to make those too.’

Power semiconductors are essential for the industrial automation business to be complete. If we could produce power semiconductors that don’t melt even under high-temperature electricity and can process electrical signals, there would be nothing more to wish for.

“Vice Chairman, is Haedong Heavy Industries also researching power semiconductors?”

Unlike me, who asked the question with anticipation, Lee Myung-jin’s expression wasn’t very bright.

“We don’t have the capacity to do that yet, Director Lee. Haedong Heavy Industries is too small to research semiconductors as well.”

“I see. I’m sorry, Vice Chairman.”

If we developed power semiconductors, we could definitely surpass Mitsubishi Electric… I apologized to Lee Myung-jin and bowed my head, but I couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

‘When Silicon Works is founded next year, I’ll have to invest in it and acquire it right away. I’ll also need a semiconductor factory, so I should acquire Anam Electronics as soon as it goes bankrupt.’

Silicon Works was a company that GK Group was supposed to acquire, but since my immediate family came first, I made a decision and took a sip of tea.

Semiconductor business, huh…

###

After that, Lee Myung-jin exchanged ideas with Lee Sung-min on Haedong Heavy Industries’ entry into the plant engineering business, Haedong Construction’s accumulation of design capabilities, and Haedong Cement’s plans for mergers and acquisitions of competitors before returning to headquarters.

“That guy…”

Lee Myung-jin had a smile on his face as he returned to his office after seeing Lee Sung-min off. It was as if Lee Sung-min’s business consulting had seen right through him.

“He’s the seed that my brother left behind, so where else would he go… Haha.”

Lee Myung-jin’s solidity was something he had learned while working alongside his older brother, Lee Myung-woo, who had passed away.

The heavy industry business plan that Lee Sung-min, who inherited the blood of that brother, handed over contained detailed plans to make the group’s heavy industry businesses more robust.

“Thank you, Hyung [older brother]. Thank you, Hyung-soo [brother’s wife]. I will take care of our Sung-min as if he were my own son.”

A warm smile spread across Lee Myung-jin’s face as he thanked his deceased brother and his wife.

***

After returning to Seoul from Daejeon, I spent the rest of the weekend diligently practicing sketching under Jang Ha-yeon’s guidance.

“You do it like this here.”

Jang Ha-yeon, holding my hand, added shading to the still life sketch with the 4B pencil in my hand.

‘This is the first time I’ve seen this side of her.’

Jang Ha-yeon’s face, reflected in my eyes as I glanced to the side, was more serious than ever. Jang Ha-yeon, who was immersed in the drawing, turned her head to look at me, as if she felt my gaze.

“Work hard, student. That’s how you graduate from elementary school drawing skills, hehe.”

“Yes, teacher.”

We smiled at each other and focused on practicing drawing again. After a while, we finished sketching and talked while drinking juice.

“You met your uncle yesterday… Where are you going tomorrow?”

I put down my cup in response to Jang Ha-yeon’s question as I was drinking juice and replied.

“Since it’s finance-related, I have to go see Vice Chairman Jo Young-chan, right? I contacted him when I had a break, and he told me to see the people from Haedong Securities first.”

“Securities means the place where the people who worked at your company are, right? Standard Capital.”

“That’s right. Maybe it’s because they worked at our company headquarters, but I get along well with them. One of them is a classmate of Tae-jin hyung [older brother/friend]…”

After that, we talked about tomorrow’s schedule before going to the bedroom. Since the last area to look at, finance, was my major, I spent a comfortable Sunday night with Jang Ha-yeon.

***

The next morning.

I went to work at the Haedong Investment & Securities headquarters building in Myeongdong and met Park Tae-jin in the lobby.

“Did you have a good weekend?”

“Yes, Director. Thanks to the landlord vacating the house quickly, I chose everything from furniture to appliances to bring into the house, haha.”

The smile never left Park Tae-jin’s face. As I looked at Park Tae-jin, I wondered how Park Tae-jin and Yoo Hyun-jung would decorate the house that Sun Hae-chul had bought.

“When are you having your wedding, hyung [older brother/friend]?”

“I’m thinking of having it this May. I think the weather will be better and the atmosphere will improve by then.”

“I think I’ll have to have my wedding first, hehe.”

After hearing Park Tae-jin’s answer, I smiled mischievously, and Park Tae-jin also raised the corners of his mouth and said to me.

“You should. You were the first among the chaebol [family-owned conglomerate] to register your marriage, weren’t you? Hehe.”

My marriage registration with Jang Ha-yeon was a hot topic in the business world.

In a chaebol society that rivals medieval nobles, they were gossiping about us, saying that we didn’t even have an engagement ceremony, let alone a wedding, and registered our marriage first, but I said to Park Tae-jin with an unconcerned expression.

“I don’t care. Both families have approved, and we’re both head over heels for each other, so what does it matter?”

“That’s true. Marriage is about the happiness of the people involved.”

“That’s right. Then, shall we go meet the veterans of the revolution?”

Park Tae-jin and I took the elevator to the floor where the Haedong Securities headquarters office was located, walked down the hallway, and entered the office. The people who were staring intently at the monitors in the trading room-like office stood up when they saw us.

“Director?”

“Executive Director?”

Some people were calling Park Tae-jin Executive Director, as the news was fast. I walked towards the people of Haedong Securities with Park Tae-jin, not hiding my joy.

“Has everyone been doing well? Happy New Year.”

“Happy New Year to you too, Director, haha.”

As we shook hands and exchanged greetings with the people of Haedong Securities, Min Joo-hyung and Joo Seung-bin ran over to us. We shook hands with them, exchanged greetings, and went to the reception room to drink tea.

“Congratulations, Executive Director Min, Managing Director Joo. Do your best in the new year too, hehe.”

“Executive Director Park, Happy New Year to you too, and work hard to assist the Director. But… it feels so awkward to hear you called Executive Director, hehe.”

“Thank you, Executive Director. I will do my best, haha.”

Unlike Min Joo-hyung, who laughed quietly, Joo Seung-bin politely greeted Park Tae-jin. As I watched the three of them exchange well wishes and drank coffee, I put down my cup.

“How’s the nameplate? I made it out of crystal because mother-of-pearl was too old-fashioned.”

“I love it, Director. I clean the nameplate every morning and then go to work, haha.”

Even though he was promoted to Managing Director in an instant, Joo Seung-bin smiled awkwardly and stroked the back of his head…

“I’m enjoying working these days too, Director. My wife won’t let me sleep at night after seeing the performance bonus and dividends I received, hehe.”

Min Joo-hyung, who was promoted to Executive Director, had dark circles under his eyes, probably because he was tormented by his wife every night like me, but he was still grinning.

“That’s a relief. I was worried that it would be too little.”

When I said that with a slightly worried tone, Min Joo-hyung hurriedly waved his hand.

“No, Director. Managing Director Joo and the other friends were also overjoyed after receiving their performance bonuses and dividends. They received a total of 10 billion won, which is not a small amount, is it? Isn’t that right, Managing Director Joo?”

The total amount of performance bonuses and dividends paid to the initial members of Haedong Securities this time was 10 billion won per person.

In addition, hundreds of billions of won in dividends were paid to the Haedong Group Employee Welfare Fund, which held 15 percent of the shares, and were distributed to group employees as welfare expenses such as scholarships for children and hospital expenses, and Haedong Investment & Securities, which held 20 percent of the shares, also had a decent income.

‘I gave up this dividend, but investing in stocks is much more profitable right now. Half of the dividend is tax, right?’

In times like these, it’s better to invest well and increase the company’s value than to receive dividends and have your precious money taken away as taxes. Joo Seung-bin, who was next to Min Joo-hyung, who was grinning, also brightened up.

“It’s pointless to even mention it. Where else would guys like us receive 10 billion won? Everyone bought a large-sized car from Haedong Motors with the dividends they received, and bought an apartment in Gangnam [affluent district in Seoul], haha.”

“That’s unexpected. I thought you would invest that money in stocks.”

Joo Seung-bin gave me an embarrassed smile at the unexpected real estate investment.

“Stocks are good too, but owning a home is a priority, isn’t it? Everyone bought a house before returning to Korea, and those with girlfriends are preparing for their weddings, and the married men said they would have a big housewarming party, hehe.”

It was fortunate that they hadn’t forgotten the safety-oriented tendency they had learned at Haedong Investment & Securities, their first job, even after transforming into securities men. I was satisfied that there would be no blemishes on the people who would continue to do well in the future due to bad investments, and I drank my tea with satisfaction.

***

After exchanging greetings, we started talking about work.

“How are the stock purchases going? I heard that the Vice Chairman instructed you to invest in domestic stocks.”

“First of all, we are investing in large-cap stocks such as Shinseong Corporation, Shinseong Electronics, Shinseong Heavy Industries, Taehyun Motors, Taehyun Precision, Taehyun Heavy Industries, Daehan Steel, SG Energy, SG Telecom, GK Electronics, GK Chemicals, GK Corporation, Miryong Oil, Kookmin Bank, and Korea Housing Bank. The industries are diverse, but…”

I internally exclaimed at Min Joo-hyung’s confident expression as he explained the investment status to me.

‘Oh, these guys are something?’

There’s never been a better time to invest in large-cap stocks than now, but most of the investment stocks that Min Joo-hyung mentioned were the stocks of Haedong Group affiliates’ competitors.

“…We won’t invest all the funds right away to buy stocks. Investment sentiment will be frozen until the aftermath of the financial crisis subsides, so we will buy in installments, Director.”

I nodded and opened my mouth, satisfied with the detailed plan that was unlike Min Joo-hyung.

“That’s good. When I met with the other Vice Chairmen…”

When I told him about the agreement to buy a lot of stocks of the guys who could hinder the group’s business, Min Joo-hyung chuckled.

“It’s like catching a mouse by accident, hehe.”

“I also received instructions from the Vice Chairman, and I bought them thinking of investing in good stocks, but I was lucky. Haha.”

Only after seeing Joo Seung-bin smiling brightly did I feel relieved.

‘Well, if I had to worry about things like this, there would be no point in giving them stock options and sending them to the United States for training.’

From now on, I thought I could entrust the offensive role in the Haedong Group’s financial sector to Min Joo-hyung, Joo Seung-bin, and the twenty other people at Haedong Securities. As I felt rewarded for what I had done, I wondered if these people would show a better perspective.

“You’re not just investing in large-cap stocks, are you?”

Did my question sound like a reprimand? Joo Seung-bin was startled.

“No, Director! I looked for good stocks among small and medium-sized stocks, and… Daeseyang Cosmetics is a good company.”

“Daeseyang Cosmetics is the company founded by Chairman Seo Young-hoon, right? I heard that his second son, CEO Seo Kyung-bin, inherited it.”

I only pretended to know, but Daeseyang Cosmetics is a company that you can never not know.

Isn’t it the company that dominated the cosmetics industry with door-to-door sales marketing, and will be divided into AmorePacific and AmoreG in the future, with a group market capitalization of at least 20 trillion won?

As soon as I finished answering, Joo Seung-bin opened his mouth.

“That’s right. Compared to our group, the size is small, but the restructuring is going well, and the cost of imported cosmetics has become expensive due to the surge in exchange rates due to the financial crisis, so Daeseyang Cosmetics is likely to expand its market share. The current market share is…”

The possibility of entering the Chinese market, which only I know yet, was excluded, but Joo Seung-bin gave a briefing based on his unique objective data. When Joo Seung-bin’s briefing was over, Min Joo-hyung joined in.

“In my opinion, Daeseyang Cosmetics is worth investing in. The brand value is good, and CEO Seo Kyung-bin’s will and capabilities are good, but above all, when the economy recovers, there will be more eating, wearing, and decorating, so now is the right time, Director.”

I already knew that Seo Kyung-bin’s obsession with cosmetics and his business acumen were great, but I was very satisfied to be able to confirm Joo Seung-bin’s analytical skills and Min Joo-hyung’s intuition. I can’t not give these two an award.

“Invest 20 billion won each from the Investment & Securities, 10 billion won each in my name and my wife’s name. You guys invest 400 to 500 million won each. Tell the other Haedong Securities members too. When Haedong Asset Management is established, invest 10 billion won in that account too.”

After hearing my instructions, Min Joo-hyung showed a difficult expression.

“The company’s market capitalization is only about 170 billion won, Director. The management’s defense stake is only 30 percent of the owner’s stake and 10 percent of treasury shares. It could be misunderstood as a hostile M&A [mergers and acquisitions].”

“That’s right, Director. If we make a mistake, we could unnecessarily alert other companies we invest in.”

Even Joo Seung-bin expressed concern, but I waved my hand and said.

“If Daeseyang Cosmetics sends someone to our side, tell them to just focus on growing the company. What’s a fourth-generation Haedong Group heir lacking that he would hunt down a perfectly good company?”

Following me, who asked back with an indifferent expression, Park Tae-jin, who was sitting next to me, said to the two of them.

“You know the Chairman’s style, not just the Director’s, right? He tries not to cause trouble with other groups if possible.”

“Well, Taehyun Oil alone cost 600 million dollars to bring in…”

Min Joo-hyung scratched the back of his head and smiled awkwardly at the way his grandfather handled mergers and acquisitions, which Park Tae-jin pointed out. I emphasized once more to Min Joo-hyung and Joo Seung-bin, who was next to him.

“So, if Seo Kyung-bin comes, tell him. There will be no management interference as long as he makes a holding company or whatever within the bounds of the law. If we give him the right of first refusal, he won’t be able to say a word.”

‘I’m sure they’ll package it in a sophisticated way. To become a global player in the future, you have to be confident no matter who you meet, right?’

I spoke somewhat harshly, but Min Joo-hyung and Joo Seung-bin will lead Haedong Securities to become the best securities company in Korea, no, Asia. I believed that the two of them would package my message in a sophisticated way when they met Seo Kyung-bin.

“I understand, Director.”

Seeing Min Joo-hyung and Joo Seung-bin answer coolly, it seemed that I could leave stock investments, including Haedong Securities, to the two of them. I smiled at the two of them.

‘I’m definitely not passing the buck because I’m lazy. I’m trying to develop the two of them. Yes, that’s right.’

I braced myself inwardly, but Park Tae-jin’s smile as he looked at me looked mischievous. Damn it.