Still, I Will Live As The Son-In-Law Of A Conglomerate [EN]: Chapter 186

186. The Dinner Table Should Be Shared (5)

After the meeting, I returned home in time for dinner.

“I’m home, honey.”

As soon as I announced my arrival, Jang Hayeon came out of the kitchen, wearing an apron.

“…You’re back?”

Unlike usual, Jang Hayeon’s face was clouded.

“What’s wrong, honey?”

After hesitating, Jang Hayeon barely opened her mouth.

“…This morning, in the newspaper…”

I had a feeling I knew what she was talking about. I smiled and walked over to Jang Hayeon.

“It’s okay, honey. Just taking Daejoo Ayeon, Daejoo Heavy Industries, and Daejoo Motors is a lot, and you know the expected profits for this year from Merchant Bank and Securities, right? Heh heh.”

“Still… just two financial companies don’t feel like enough. Finance is the company that you will lead directly.”

I loved this woman’s caring nature, her desire to see her man succeed and her support for him. I told Jang Hayeon the truth.

“It’s because I’m really not interested. You don’t have to feel sorry, honey.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I was going to acquire the insurance company because of the steady cash flow, but if that’s the case, I can just focus on opening more Merchant Bank branches. You know how well Haedong Merchant Bank is doing, right?”

“I know. I know Haedong Merchant Bank is doing well because of the related law changes and the gold collection campaign. But what about securities or credit cards?”

It was pointless for her to worry about me regarding business, but how could I not reassure this woman who was genuinely concerned? I had to explain it calmly.

“I’m just going to bring in experienced people for securities, and I don’t really like credit cards because it feels like loan sharking. I’m also worried that our family’s old stories will come out again.”

It was an excuse to alleviate Jang Hayeon’s guilt, but only the top executives of our group knew that our family was still a major player in the Myeongdong [a district in Seoul known for its financial activity, including private lending] private loan market. I could tell Jang Hayeon believed me just by looking at her nodding.

“You’re right, honey. If our family’s old stories come out, Grandpa and the other elders will be uncomfortable too.”

“Also, we can’t just keep fighting with the in-laws forever. I asked Vice Chairman Jo to tell them that I won’t interfere at your request. How about that?”

“Hey?”

Jang Hayeon was so surprised that she called me like she used to. She might be worried that I was trying to make her look like a wicked woman who squeezed her husband dry, but I smiled and said.

“Don’t worry. When I had a private meeting with Grandpa, I made it clear that I wasn’t interested in unnecessarily inflating the size of the company.”

“Really…?”

Jang Hayeon still didn’t seem to believe it, but it was true.

“Right now, internal expansion is more urgent. Merchant Bank is busy opening more branches, and Securities is busy buying stocks on the stock market, heh heh.”

Jang Hayeon took a light breath and nodded after hearing my words.

“You’re right, honey. There’s never been a better time for the two companies to grow their business than now.”

The future of Haedong Merchant Bank and Haedong Securities will be determined by the performance during this administration, as even my shrewd wife agrees.

Not only are the values of all assets, whether stocks or real estate, at rock bottom, but once we get out of the foreign exchange crisis management system, the political world will start tightening its grip on the chaebols [large South Korean conglomerates], so shouldn’t we get our hands on even one more prime location and blue-chip stock?

One more thing to add.

The Daejoo Group’s financial affiliates that will be handed over to Jang Hokyung can be brought back later with the interest from the Shinsegi Group’s affiliates. I can’t tell my lovely wife in front of me, though.

“So don’t worry. I’ll go wash up quickly, so let’s have dinner, hee hee.”

Jang Hayeon chuckled as she looked at me smiling mischievously. My wife looks the prettiest when she smiles.

***

A while later.

Seon Haecheol, Park Taejin, Geum Seokho, and I were drinking Pu’er tea [a type of fermented tea] as an aperitif in the VIP room of the Palryong at the Korea Hotel, talking.

“Hmm… the Daejoo brand is definitely more popular overseas than in Korea. I’d hate to give up the factories in Poland, Vietnam, and Uzbekistan, at least. In Korea, if we bring the technology, design, and trademark rights of the Gunsan, Changwon, and Pyeongtaek factories, as well as Daejoo Motors and Miryong Motors, there’s nothing more to wish for, huh huh.”

As the living witness of the Korean automobile industry, Geum Seokho knew the value of Daejoo Motors and Miryong Motors under it.

Even if it was built on debt, the power of the Daejoo brand in Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia cannot be ignored. In addition, we can maximize efficiency by consolidating all the well-selling models, whether it’s technology or model lineup.

Furthermore, Taehyun Motors adheres to its own development, as it is an affiliate of Myeong Jinho’s Taehyun Group, which started from scratch. Therefore, there should be no major opposition to our spin-off proposal.

“Above all, we hold a large amount of Taehyun Motors and Taehyun Precision shares through Haedong Securities and Standard Capital. We need to wield the whip, but if we persuade GK Semiconductor to sell early in the semiconductor big deal, President Myeong Seon-gu will solidify his legitimacy within the group.”

Following me, Seon Haecheol also expressed his opinion.

“Director Lee is right, Chairman. Taehyun Group is currently in the midst of a succession battle. In addition to the shareholding competition, he must also show his contribution to the group as a successor to secure the support of internal executives and friendly shareholders, so he will not be able to reject our proposal.”

“Of course, the electronics business intertwined with semiconductors is not under President Myeong Seon-gu’s jurisdiction, but he will not lose out if he accepts our proposal. He can secure friendly shares and use his efforts in the group’s business to bring out the automobile business.”

Park Taejin also listened to the optimistic view, going into the internal strife of the Taehyun Group following Seon Haecheol, but Geum Seokho opened his mouth with a somewhat regretful expression.

“Still, if we give up the Bupyeong factory, the profit compared to the investment will drop a lot. Are you okay with that?”

“It’s okay, Chairman.”

Even if we gave up the Bupyeong factory, which is responsible for half of Daejoo Motors’ domestic production volume after eating Miryong Motors, I wasn’t disappointed. If we could get Daejoo Motors’ overseas production base, technology, and trademark rights.

Seon Haecheol chimed in at my answer without a hint of hesitation.

“Don’t worry, Chairman. Director Lee has a lot of money, as you know, Chairman? He’ll be making another big hit in the US soon, so don’t worry, heh heh.”

“What are you talking about? You’re going to make another hit?”

Geum Seokho’s eyes widened. Even the money I’ve put into Standard Capital is among the top in Korea, so how surprised would he be to hear that I’m going to make another hit?

“The Director Lee I know has never failed in the financial market. He has a bet in the US when he went there, so don’t worry, haha.”

Even Park Taejin stepped up and laughed heartily. The two of them seemed to have smelled money from my instructions to bet on the US stock market decline and the high yen. All my investments were always spot on, so how could they not…?

Geum Seokho took a light breath at the confident appearance of the two.

“I can’t be intimidated when the sponsor says he’ll give me money. Let’s turn the tables on President Myeong properly, heh heh.”

“Let’s do that, heh heh.”

While Geum Seokho and I were chuckling, there was a knock.

[President Myeong Seon-gu of Taehyun Motors has arrived.]

I don’t know if Myeong Seon-gu is a tiger or a pushover, but since he’s here, we have to stop the strategy meeting here.

***

At the employee’s notification, we all erased our smiles and drank Pu’er tea, acting politely.

“Let him in.”

At the words of Geum Seokho, the elder, the door opened and the huge Myeong Seon-gu entered.

“It’s been a while, Chairman Geum.”

“It’s been a while, President Myeong. How have you been?”

Myeong Seon-gu, who was exchanging greetings with Geum Seokho, who had risen from his seat, gave a bitter smile.

“How can I be doing well? I missed a golden opportunity, so I came all the way here, huh huh.”

“You never know what the world is like. Now! Greet the friends here first.”

At the introduction with a wave of his hand, Seon Haecheol pulled out a business card from the wallet he took out of his arms.

“I’m Seon Haecheol, CEO of Standard Capital Korea.”

“I’m Myeong Seon-gu of Taehyun Motors. You’re the only one who survived after hitting my father head-on, CEO Seon.”

Myeong Seon-gu’s first greeting was full of thorns, but Seon Haecheol didn’t lose his smile.

“Let’s bury the old days, President Myeong. By the way… I don’t know who will be friendly to our Standard’s 9.2 percent stake in Taehyun Motors and 12.8 percent stake in Taehyun Precision? Haha.”

Among the chaebol group shares that Standard Capital has purchased, Taehyun Motors and Taehyun Precision shares are more than Myeong Seon-gu’s shares in his own name.

It’s difficult to break in because of cross-shareholding, but Taehyun Precision is Chairman Myeong Seon-gu’s main base, so if I used Standard as a front to shake hands with other members of the Myeong family, I could change the owner of the Taehyun Group’s automobile division.

‘That man is surprised? Heh heh.’

Myeong Seon-gu is looking at other people’s faces… I was suppressing my laughter inside at the situation that I couldn’t have imagined in the past, but Myeong Seon-gu glared at Seon Haecheol. Whether he did or not, Seon Haecheol shrugged his shoulders.

“I’m kidding, I’m kidding. We’re okay with whoever becomes the owner of Taehyun Motors and Taehyun Precision in the Myeong family as long as they take good care of the dividends.”

Myeong Seon-gu carefully asked Seon Haecheol, who waved his hand.

“Is that true?”

“If you take good care of the dividends, we won’t touch it, so let’s stop arguing here. We’ve exchanged one blow each.”

Myeong Seon-gu’s brow furrowed again at Seon Haecheol’s indifferent reply.

“The last word is very annoying.”

We exchanged one blow each.

It may sound like nothing, but it will be quite annoying to Myeong Seon-gu. Doesn’t it mean that he is not pushed back even when facing himself, the successor of one of the leading chaebol families in Korea?

While the two were sparking in the air with their glaring, Park Taejin stepped forward.

“I’m late to greet you, President Myeong Seon-gu. I’m Park Taejin, Managing Director of the Haedong Group’s General Strategy Headquarters.”

Myeong Seon-gu, who stopped glaring, received the business card that Park Taejin handed out with a somewhat relieved expression and handed over his business card.

“I’m Myeong Seon-gu. You’re better than CEO Seon, haha.”

Myeong Seon-gu, who was trying to show a generous appearance, thinking that Park Taejin was a subordinate, moved his gaze to me next to Park Taejin.

“You are…”

“I’m Lee Seongmin. I am also a director of Standard Capital Korea, the largest shareholder in the financial sector of Haedong Group, a strategic consultant for Haedong Group, and a strategic consultant for GK Group.”

After a lengthy introduction, Myeong Seon-gu, who received the business card I handed over and handed over his business card, looked at me with unkind eyes.

“Young friend, your hat is quite grand. But…”

Myeong Seon-gu, who paused for a moment, chuckled.

“Chairman Lee must be very disappointed. The eldest grandson of the Haedong Group puts the hat of a foreign investment company at the forefront.”

When introducing yourself, the order in which you reveal your title is also important. Doesn’t it show where your interests and identity lie?

‘It worked perfectly.’

I was satisfied with Myeong Seon-gu’s sneering attitude. He’ll see me as a guy obsessed with money, so he won’t even think about the fact that I’m the key man of Haedong Motors, or my true self.

After the introductions, we sat down and started negotiations. Myeong Seon-gu stroked his chin after receiving my proposal with Geum Seokho at the forefront.

“It seems like we’re getting more than we bargained for.”

“What’s there to lose? The technicians at Daejoo Motors and Miryong Motors are a notch below Taehyun Motors, and it’s much more profitable for you to take the Bupyeong factory in terms of domestic factory production volume, efficiency, and location conditions.”

Myeong Seon-gu narrowed his brow at Geum Seokho’s slippery reply.

“Still, you’re going to take the factories in Poland, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam…”

“You can take it if you want. If you pay the money in proportion to that, President Myeong Seon-gu.”

Myeong Seon-gu’s eyes sharpened when I intervened in the middle.

“What kind of manners are you showing now? Can’t you see the adults talking?”

Myeong Seon-gu seemed to think that I came to this place to learn corporate management. It was a very satisfactory delusion for me.

“I came to this place as a strategic consultant for Haedong Group and a director of Standard Capital, a joint major shareholder of Haedong Motors. The two companies have already decided to acquire all the assets that Chairman Geum mentioned for 2.5 billion US dollars. There’s nothing I can’t say.”

“2.5 billion dollars?”

Myeong Seon-gu’s mouth dropped open. 2.5 billion dollars in the same period is money that cannot be mobilized from the Taehyun Group’s automobile division?

“If you only count the chips, Haedong Motors surpasses Taehyun Motors. And Haedong Securities, of which I am the largest shareholder, holds 7.7 percent of Taehyun Motors and 9.8 percent of Taehyun Precision. Make a wise decision, President Myeong Seon-gu.”

‘If we combine the shares of Standard Capital and Haedong Securities right now, there’s no way we can’t make a mess. Still…’

If we shake Taehyun Motors, the signboard of the Korean automobile industry, the positive image that Standard Capital has built up so far will disappear like smoke.

Not only that, but Haedong Motors also needs a rival to be stimulated and develop its own competitiveness, and the financial sector and Standard will not be able to secure investment returns.

So, while hiding my inner thoughts that I was just staying still, Myeong Seon-gu, who was glaring at me as if to kill me for giving a prickly warning, suddenly laughed heartily.

“Hahahaha! You’re not the soft Lee Seongmin of the past, are you?”

Not only me, but the three people also looked at Myeong Seon-gu with dumbfounded expressions at the change of attitude that Udyr [a reference to a character known for changing stances in the game League of Legends] would cry. Myeong Seon-gu took a light breath and said to me.

“I know. If Haedong Group and Standard Capital unite, it’s difficult to eat all of Daejoo Motors, but it’s not a big deal to kick me out. For me, it’s much more profitable to just take the Bupyeong factory, haha.”

Myeong Seon-gu laughed heartily, accurately acknowledging his reality. I quickly realized why Myeong Seon-gu was coming out so humbly.

“You need friendly shares.”

“You saw it exactly. If Standard Capital and you take my side, I’ll just eat the Bupyeong factory and get out cleanly. Let’s divide the public funds in proportion to the amount we each take.”

‘I think I did a good job buying the stock, heh heh.’

I smiled inwardly and asked Seon Haecheol and Geum Seokho.

“What do you think?”

The two of them represented Haedong Motors at this place, so I had to have the appearance. Seon Haecheol, who saw my expression, pretended to be troubled for a moment and then smiled.

“I like President Myeong Seon-gu’s quick decision. Let’s do that. What do you think, Chairman?”

“It’s best to solve it well, so why would I object? Let’s do that.”

The negotiations were resolved very easily. Then, the weapons I prepared after going to the United States and meeting my maternal relatives seemed like they would become a debt to Myeong Seon-gu.

***

“You’re going to arrange an early sale of GK Semiconductor?”

“Yes, President Myeong Seon-gu. Standard is a strategic investor in Haedong Group and GK Group, and I am also a strategic consultant for Haedong Group and GK Group. It’s not impossible.”

I saw the corners of Myeong Seon-gu’s lips rising slightly, so I gave it a little more strength.

“The world is buzzing about who will lead Taehyun in the post-Myeong Jinho era. If we make a deal and President Myeong Seon-gu takes that deal, you will lead Taehyun in the post-Myeong Jinho era.”

“Still, electronics and semiconductors are not under my jurisdiction. Wouldn’t my younger brother’s power grow even more?”

The man who looked like a bear was showing an unexpectedly cautious appearance, so I felt a sense of incongruity. I smiled and said to Myeong Seon-gu.

“At least it will be a way to bring the automobile division completely and legitimately. If you package the credit for the early sale of GK Semiconductor as the president’s, you can ask for the automobile division to be cleanly separated, even with steel tied to it.”

Just as much as skill, justification is also important in everything. It’s natural for Myeong Seon-gu to build up not only money but also credit equivalent to that in order to cut off the cross-shareholding within the Taehyun Group and become independent, so it will be difficult to refuse.

Myeong Seon-gu looked at me like I was a strange guy.

“Don’t you like it?”

“No. I was just thinking that I wish my son would follow even half of you. I envy your father who went first.”

Myeong Seon-gu’s son, Myeong Euijin, is currently studying in the United States. His son is still studying, but I’m already sitting at the same table as him and exchanging deals, so how envious would he be?

Myeong Seon-gu took a light breath and said.

“I will accept the proposal from Haedong Group and Standard.”

The deal that I thought would be difficult was easily resolved, so I was exhausted. Still, I confirmed that Myeong Seon-gu was a fox wearing a bear’s mask, so would that be a gain?