Still, I Will Live As The Son-In-Law Of A Conglomerate [EN]: Chapter 203

203. 58th. Because I Can Handle It (3)

“Please disapprove the pardon for former Assemblyman Lee Young-baek regarding his violation of the Political Fund Act.”

Perhaps it was the unexpected nature of the request, but President Kim’s eyebrows twitched.

“Lee Young-baek?”

Not only the President but also the other three people looked puzzled. I opened my mouth with a firm expression.

“Yes. The myth of the self-made man that has been built around him is a complete fabrication. He is nothing but trash, consumed by greed from head to toe.”

Lee Young-baek.

He rose to the position of Chairman of Taehyun Construction and was portrayed as a self-made success story, but in my past life, he became the President [of South Korea, residing in the Blue House] and was determined to exploit the country for his own personal gain. He is utterly corrupt.

Among other things, the most significant thing he did was the resource development project. Knowing Lee Young-baek’s history, he would undoubtedly try to exploit the overseas resource development project that I am currently in charge of.

‘I absolutely can’t stand that. It’s my livelihood!’

I couldn’t bear the thought of my carefully laid, century-long plan being jeopardized by Lee Young-baek. The overseas resource development project is not only about increasing my wealth but also about creating a reliable source of income for the Haedong Group and recovering the foreign currency that South Korea spends on importing raw materials.

If Lee Young-baek’s pardon is denied, the disqualification from holding office due to the violation of the Political Fund Act will remain in effect. This can prevent him from becoming the Mayor of Seoul and subsequently running for president, ultimately preventing him from reaching the Blue House.

‘I have to crush anyone who threatens my livelihood. I can’t do it physically, so I’ll have to destroy his political career.’

There may be many others like him, but I’m not afraid. The resources I have are far greater, more numerous, and more powerful than theirs.

Having made somewhat harsh remarks under the influence of alcohol, I regained my composure.

“I’m sorry, Mr. President. I didn’t mean to…”

“No, no. It’s refreshing to see Director Lee showing a human side, speaking his mind while under the influence, haha. So, tell me the specific reasons why Lee Young-baek is unacceptable.”

Having received the President’s permission, I raised my head and began to explain.

“The outstanding debt from the Iraq construction project that still burdens Taehyun Construction is entirely due to Lee Young-baek’s reckless low-price bidding when he was the chairman.”

“I’m aware of that. Honorary Chairman Myung Jin-ho and Chairman Myung Sun-woo suffered greatly because of it. Didn’t Representative Seon barely manage to resolve it a few years ago through yen appreciation speculation?”

You probably know that much. Then, do you know this?

“Moreover, Lee Young-baek has transferred the shares of the company he owns to his brothers.”

“Is that true?”

Looking at President Kim, whose eyebrows were raised in surprise, I nodded.

“It’s a closely guarded secret within the business world. We have secured substantial circumstantial evidence and will make it public. We ask for the President’s support in ensuring that this villain is brought to justice.”

Concern was evident on the President’s face, but I was confident because there was a very easy way to confirm it.

***

The next morning.

Grandfather, who was sitting at his desk in the study drinking morning tea, put down his teacup after hearing everything that had happened yesterday from me.

“You’re going to take down Lee Young-baek?”

“Yes. I wish I could completely eliminate him, but murder is out of the question in a country governed by law, isn’t it? At the very least, if I don’t destroy his political career, he will remain a constant threat to the Haedong Group.”

“Hmm…”

If not for this opportunity, Lee Young-baek would become the Mayor of Seoul and, through image rehabilitation, enter the Blue House, becoming a parasite that drains not only the country’s finances but also my own. I couldn’t reveal this to him, but Grandfather stopped humming and picked up the phone.

“This is Lee Dae-soo, Kim Sang-sa. Captain Yuk, Major Park, Brigadier General Seo…”

The names of the loan sharks who were rumored to be influential in Myeongdong [a district in Seoul known for finance and commerce] flowed from Grandfather’s mouth without pause.

‘Are these people all loan sharks connected to our family?’

Grandfather, who chuckled at my surprised expression, took a breath and continued.

“Tell them all to come to the Incheon warehouse. Weren’t they all eager to meet our eldest grandson? Hehe. Oh, tell them not to eat lunch beforehand. Let’s have a chat over some sashimi. And discuss some business as well.”

After hanging up the phone, Grandfather made another call.

“It’s me, Seung-joo. I’m going to introduce our eldest grandson to the Myeongdong crowd, so you have to come too. Yes. Let’s have sashimi for lunch for once, euhehe.”

After finishing the call, Grandfather got up from his seat.

“Let’s go get some sea air for a change, Sung-min.”

Grandfather had always presented himself as the head of a chaebol [large South Korean conglomerate] until now. It seems like he’s about to reveal his persona as the emperor who dominates the loan market this time.

***

Grandfather and I quietly went to the Haedong Corporation’s Incheon warehouse, where we were greeted by Go Seung-joo and a dozen or so men in suits whom I was meeting for the first time in the underground secret room.

“Have you arrived, Chairman!”

Grandfather waved his hand at the men who bowed at a 90-degree angle and sat down.

“This is my eldest grandson. He’s the one who brought our Haedong to the top of the business world and made you all earn money during the IMF [International Monetary Fund crisis of the late 1990s], hehe. Sit down, everyone.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

With Grandfather in the middle, Go Seung-joo and I sat down, and the other loan sharks also sat down and started eating. Even while eating, Grandfather and Go Seung-joo were discussing business with the loan sharks.

“From now on, have the loan shark employees dress in suits and handle money politely… Increase the scale of the loan business and debt collection that started last year. Allocate up to 70% of the total assets of the Myeongdong network to it.”

Go Seung-joo responded to Grandfather’s instructions.

“The loan business will fluctuate depending on interest rates, but debt collection is definitely a profitable venture, Chairman. We can arrange jobs at Haedong Group’s construction sites or factories and receive debt repayments. What do you all think?”

‘Kim Sang-sa’ nodded in agreement with Go Seung-joo’s opinion.

“As Chief Go said, debt collection will be profitable, Chairman. It may be difficult for banks or the Japanese to recover debts, but we can have the debtors work at Haedong Group to recover them, can’t we? Haha.”

“The Chairman’s prestige is soaring, allowing us to benefit. Thank you, Chairman.”

Grandfather laughed at the loan sharks who bowed their heads.

“Hehe, not at all. When Haedong was small, didn’t you all support us? Now you have to help as much as you received.”

‘It was a vision I also had in mind, hehe.’

The plan that Grandfather is outlining with the loan sharks at this meeting represents the ideal harmony between the legitimate and less legitimate aspects of our family’s operations.

It’s not only about managing our family’s less savory dealings but also about providing long-term income for debtors who lack employment opportunities, even if it’s through manual labor, so they can repay their debts.

I smiled, contemplating the future.

‘Considering the future, the debt collection business needs to be scaled up even further. Everyone is performing well, hehe.’

Grandfather asked me, smiling.

“What do you think of this arrangement that this grandfather is trying to establish with these friends?”

“I agree with the Chairman’s vision. Considering the growing credit card market in the current financial system, the volume of non-performing loans will also increase.”

Asking for my opinion at this meeting signifies that he is preparing to introduce me as his successor. At my response, which was intended to demonstrate insight at an appropriate level, the eyebrows of Grandfather, Go Seung-joo, and the loan sharks twitched momentarily.

‘Could it be that these people are also sensing it? The impending credit card crisis.’

***

Grandfather, who had been continuing the meal and business meeting while concealing his thoughts, put down his chopsticks and poured soju [Korean distilled rice liquor] into his mouth.

“You all know Lee Young-baek, right?”

At Grandfather’s question, the loan sharks, who had been blinking their eyes, one of them cautiously spoke.

“Lee Young-baek… Are you referring to that miser?”

“How could we not know about that man’s reputation? Isn’t he the one who orders only one serving of boiled pork at the end of lunchtime while occupying a large private room?”

“Haha, you all know how awful he is, so there’s nothing more to say.”

The rumors about Lee Young-baek were unfavorable even in Myeongdong. Grandfather, who was chuckling like me, took a light breath.

“My eldest grandson went to the Blue House yesterday and had a drink with the President… He mentioned that he would grant him one wish, so he requested that Lee Young-baek’s head be taken.”

Grandfather seemed different today. How could a man who always appeared like a British gentleman speak like a gangster? Does his demeanor change depending on the situation?

“If you’re saying his head should be taken… Are you suggesting we throw him to the fish as food?”

The front of the Haedong Corporation’s Incheon warehouse is directly connected to the pier. A loan shark cautiously inquired about Grandfather’s intentions, pointing to the pier with his finger, and another loan shark chuckled.

“Hey! Then he’ll bloat and float later, won’t he? We should stab his belly with a sashimi knife, turn it around, and then burn him in the incinerator. And scatter the ashes on top of some mountain.”

“Too cumbersome. Wouldn’t it be better to just put his head in a grinder and grind it up and scatter it as chicken feed? No evidence will be left, and we’ll save on feed costs, hehe.”

Grandfather waved his hand at the loan sharks who were exchanging and laughing at each other’s gruesome methods.

“Hey, people, it’s just talk. If we kill that guy, will the opposition parties remain silent? Our eldest grandson also thought it would be ideal to eliminate him, but he doesn’t want to cause trouble, so he only wants to destroy his political career. So.”

Grandfather filled a glass of soju and emptied it in one gulp, his eyes filled with coldness.

“Find all the money, land, and stocks that he’s hidden. As long as you don’t kill him or cause him permanent harm, use any means necessary.”

Perhaps because it was a slightly more complicated method, the loan sharks clicked their tongues but nodded to each other. I smiled at them and said.

“The day will come when you all will be addressed as president and chairman in a legitimate setting. If you think about that time, it would be wise to follow the Chairman’s wishes, haha.”

Unlike me, who was laughing heartily, the loan sharks displayed a nonchalant expression. Even if they only operate loan companies or debt collection agencies, they will be called president and chairman, but the legitimate setting I’m referring to was more than that.

“I want you all to transition into savings banks as well. Even if it’s not a commercial bank, you won’t be treated like a true president or chairman unless you own a bank, right? Set your goals high.”

Only then did the corners of the loan sharks’ mouths begin to turn upwards. Me, Grandfather, and Go Seung-joo smiled at each other.

***

Some time later.

Having been summoned by Grandfather, I went into the study in Samcheong-dong [affluent neighborhood in Seoul] and reviewed the data that the Myeongdong people had collected.

“The Myeongdong people are efficient.”

Grandfather chuckled at my impressed reaction.

“Half of our Haedong’s domestic intelligence comes from those friends, In-seok. Locating the assets that Lee Young-baek has hidden away is easy for them, hehe.”

As expected, the intelligence network of the Myeongdong loan shark organization could not be underestimated. The loan sharks who gathered that day alone controlled more than half of the Myeongdong loan market, demonstrating the extent of Grandfather’s influence even in the underworld.

“Thank you, Grandfather.”

“Thanks for what? If this grandfather wants to enjoy a leisurely life in the future, I have to delegate responsibilities one by one, right? Hehe.”

As expected.

Grandfather seemed to have considered me as the successor of the loan market as well. I placed the documents on the table and straightened my posture.

“I will work diligently and succeed, Grandfather.”

“Okay. From now on, you and Chief Go will be responsible for managing those friends. I am confident in your abilities, except for the fact that you are the owner of Standard, so I will trust and support you.”

“Yes.”

After bidding farewell to Grandfather, who seemed relieved, I returned to the Standard Capital office in Yeouido [financial district in Seoul].

“Is this the list of Lee Young-baek’s assets?”

“Yes. Everything is included here, from deposits and real estate to stocks. If we expose this, Lee Young-baek will never be able to return to politics, hehe.”

Seon Hae-cheol chuckled at my sinister laughter.

“You’re a tough character. Do you want to eliminate Lee Young-baek that badly?”

“He’s a corrupt individual. Do you need more reason?”

It’s not something I should admit, but Lee Young-baek is among the worst of the corrupt officials. Isn’t he the one who blatantly stole the people’s taxes and the assets of chaebols like us and used them for his own enrichment?

‘We also utilized public funds to bail out companies, but we invested more and have no intention of selling the stock.’

The Haedong Motors and Daejoo Heavy Industries, which we acquired and bailed out with public funds, are companies that our family will continue to own. Having completed my own justification, I clapped my hands a couple of times and announced.

“The evidence has been secured, so let’s proceed.”

###

That evening.

[Breaking news. Former Assemblyman Lee Young-baek’s hidden assets have been revealed. According to a letter received by this broadcasting station, in addition to the automobile parts company ‘Tess’ registered under his brothers’ names, the extent of deposits and real estate concealed under the names of acquaintances is…]

President Kim, who was watching TV in the Blue House, clicked his tongue in amazement.

“Remarkable.”

“Indeed, Mr. President. Lee Young-baek’s embezzlement and Director Lee’s exposure of it are both quite remarkable.”

A sense of shame was evident on the face of the Chief of Staff who was responding. A private citizen had accomplished what the government could not.

“There’s no need to feel ashamed. We must operate within the confines of the law, but Director Lee can act more freely, right? It’s a great relief to have such an ally.”

The President asked, looking at the Chief of Staff who was nodding slightly at his words.

“Now that things have progressed this far, the prosecution won’t be able to cover it up, will they?”

“Even if they wanted to, they couldn’t. The revealed amount of illicit wealth is already 50 billion won [approximately 40 million USD], so who could possibly conceal it?”

The President’s lips slightly curved upwards at the Chief of Staff’s mischievous smile.

“It seems we are constantly indebted to the Haedong Group. I wish I could offer something in return…”

President Kim, who was contemplating for a moment, asked the Chief of Staff.

“When did Chairman Myung say he was traveling to North Korea?”

“I understand that he is departing the day after tomorrow. It is said that not only Director Lee but also Chairman Henry Royce of Triumph Capital, who is staying at the Korea Hotel, and President Keiler Eisenberg and Vice President Ronald Wilson of Chase Manhattan will be traveling together.”

“Hmm…”

The President, who was humming at the Chief of Staff’s report, lowered his hand that had been stroking his chin.

“We’ll have to discuss matters after those individuals return.”