Still, I Will Live As The Son-In-Law Of A Conglomerate [EN]: Chapter 210

210. 59th. New Game (5)

The person in that photo was the hook-nosed executive I met as the representative of JP Morgan when I pulled a scam, or something close to it, on the now-defunct JP Morgan.

Unlike me, who was speechless at the fact that this hook-nosed executive, or rather, this man named Jackson Pierpont Morgan, was the backer of Shinseong Group, Seon Hae-cheol gritted his teeth.

“That unlucky hook-nosed bastard was the next head of the Morgan family…”

“It won’t be easy, Chairman.”

Even Park Tae-jin gave a pessimistic opinion with a hardened expression, but the reason I couldn’t speak wasn’t because I was trapped in pessimism.

‘This is going to be fun?’

I was about to scam the Morgan family, not just Shinseong Group, so I couldn’t be happier. Above all, these guys still didn’t know that I was the real owner of Standard Capital.

“Hehehe…”

As laughter flowed from my mouth with a snicker, Seon Hae-cheol’s eyes sharpened.

“What’s so funny? The Morgans, especially Jackson, must be grinding their teeth at us?”

As much as Seon Hae-cheol urged, the Morgan family, especially Jackson Pierpont Morgan, would be grinding their teeth at Standard Capital. Wasn’t JP Morgan, the body of the Morgan family, and Morgan Stanley, the head, broken down because of Standard Capital?

“This is serious, Chairman. This is not the time to be laughing leisurely.”

Park Tae-jin also gave me a disapproving look, but I didn’t lose my composure. No, I couldn’t afford to lose it.

‘If I do well, I can kick the in-laws out of Shinseong Group and get more money from the Morgan family, hehe.’

Because I knew the future and had been preparing step by step, there were countless cards I could use. I, who had been smirking, looked at the two people who were very angry and said.

“We can win. We can get Shinseong Group in our hands and get money from the Morgan family too.”

After giving a confident answer, I went to my desk and took out a document. The cover of the document read ‘Credit Card Delinquency Problem’ and ‘Drafter: Park Tae-gon’.

***

Returning to the sofa, I handed the document to Seon Hae-cheol.

“… ‘Credit Card Delinquency Problem’?”

Seon Hae-cheol’s eyes sharpened as he read the title on the cover of the document. As Park Tae-jin’s eyes also turned thin and sharp, I handed over the document and sat down.

“This is a document secretly prepared by the Risk Management Department of the Financial Sector, which President Park Tae-gon has under his direct control. Within the group, Chairman Cho of the Financial Sector, President Park Tae-gon, and the Risk Management Department of the Financial Sector know about it. Take a look at that first and then we’ll talk.”

Seon Hae-cheol quickly crossed over to the sofa where Park Tae-jin was sitting and sat close to him. Seon Hae-cheol’s eyes widened and his mouth dropped open as he looked at the report with Park Tae-jin.

“This…?”

“Chairman…?”

Seeing Park Tae-jin’s eyes widen as well, I smiled.

“I don’t regret giving my wife 1 trillion won when she bought the Goryeo Hotel, hehe.”

No matter how much I proved my ability, I couldn’t suddenly say that a credit card crisis would occur in 2003, so we should prepare for it. Isn’t corporate management something that needs to be supported by clear logic and evidence, not by stroking a crystal ball or riding a shaman’s knife? Also…

‘It’s a team game, not a one-man show. Corporate management is.’

I can’t take care of all the details all the time, so I need to slowly raise the next generation of executives. Originally, I was going to use the credit card crisis to rip off Jang Ho-kyung and solidify Park Tae-gon’s position, but it was even better because I was going to feed the Morgan family as well.

Seon Hae-cheol clicked his tongue as he looked at me smirking.

“Was that why you brought President Park here? Even using that mask?”

“At the time, Haedong Group needed people. Still, I didn’t think President Park would achieve this much, haha.”

Even though I laughed while joking, Seon Hae-cheol asked a question, and Park Tae-jin, who was next to him, looked at me with narrowly opened eyes. I cleared my throat and opened my mouth.

“Anyway, I also think that President Park’s report has potential. Just look at the state of the credit card market and you can see the size, right?”

“Hmm…”

Seon Hae-cheol stopped the humming sound coming from his mouth.

“The credit card market is definitely going crazy. The credit card companies are setting up stalls on the street and giving cash to attract customers, I heard.”

“That’s cute, *hyungnim* [older brother or respected elder]. They’re even issuing cards to students and housewives who have no income, aren’t they?”

Seon Hae-cheol frowned at the ugly truth of the credit card industry that Park Tae-jin revealed, but Park Tae-jin seemed to have more to say.

“I heard when I was drinking with Vice President Min recently that some new employees at Haedong Securities were using cash advances to pay off their credit card bills, and they borrowed money by mortgaging the stocks that the Advisor gave them to a merchant bank. I just dismissed it as crazy guys and moved on…”

If what Park Tae-jin said was true, then it was all over. Looking at Park Tae-jin, who trailed off, I opened my mouth.

“It’s highly likely that President Park’s document will be true. Fortunately, the stocks that the Advisor distributed to employees before the spin-off cannot be provided as collateral for loans to financial institutions other than Haedong Merchant Bank, and must be repurchased by the company upon retirement, so there is no need to worry about the stocks leaking out. Anyway.”

I paused for a moment and then returned to the starting point.

“Now that the *pan* [game board or situation] is changing, we can’t let it change the way the in-laws want. Let’s meet with the chairmen first.”

***

Soon after arriving at the Haedong Group headquarters, we went to the conference room and met with the five chairmen of the pan-Haedong Group.

“Don’t blame yourself for this unexpected event, Chairman Lee. If we start developing mines or other businesses, it’s easy to knock those guys down.”

“The trading sector is doing well, but we have the lead in domestic distribution and logistics. Even if Shinsegi is attached to Shinseong Group, it’s okay, Chairman Lee.”

“The chairmen are right, but even if your in-laws create a holding company, it won’t be easy to expand their business because Chase Manhattan is holding on.”

“Besides, we have cars that those guys don’t have, *jokaya* [nephew]. *Jeil Jeibun* [First Milling] is nothing, so this uncle will work hard with Chairman Kim.”

“The chairmen and Chairman Lee are right, Chairman Lee. The opportunity to overthrow Shinseong will definitely come.”

The three veteran chairmen, Lee Myung-jin, and Go Seung-ju comforted me, but I didn’t need to be comforted.

I was planning to cut off the in-laws’ flesh piece by piece, but didn’t I get a chance to blow them all away at once? Only after the five chairmen’s consolation was over did I look at Cho Young-chan and ask.

“Chairman, can I release the document that President Park Tae-gon submitted?”

“That one?”

“Yes. We need to show that first to *jjagi* [set up or orchestrate] the *pan* [game board or situation] for the final fight.”

While the four chairmen looked back and forth between me and Cho Young-chan with puzzled eyes, Cho Young-chan, who was looking at me, nodded. I took out the copies of the document that Park Tae-gon had given me from my bag, handed them to the people gathered here, and sat down.

“As you can see, this document shows that the credit card market, which is now on fire, is not doing well, but is heading for *mangjo* [ruin].”

I started the briefing, holding up the document, and put down the document with my hand and took a sip of water.

“I’m sorry for keeping it a secret until now, but Haedong Moolsan and Haedong Heavy Industries Holdings stocks that the Advisor gave to employees were being mortgaged to Haedong Merchant Bank and loans were being issued. Because of credit card bills.”

“What?”

Not only Cho Young-chan but also the four chairmen widened their eyes. It was a small amount, but it was also the controlling stock of the pan-Haedong Group, but wasn’t it the stock that the grandfather gave to comfort and encourage those who had been in the group for a long time and those who had just joined?

“There’s no problem with the stock. Because I took all the measures before the Advisor distributed the stock. The point is that the problem of credit card abuse is so serious. Isn’t that right, Deputy Head?”

Park Tae-jin, who was called out with my gaze, opened his mouth with a hardened expression.

“Yes, Chairman. Unlike our leaders gathered here, the employees below the section chief who received stock-backed loans are generally in their 20s and 30s, who have unstable households but have strong spending power. Also.”

Park Tae-jin paused for a moment, opened the wallet he took out of his pocket, pulled out a credit card, and raised his hand.

“This credit card doesn’t tell consumers exactly how much they’ve spent. It means that it’s easy to *geulgeo-daegi* [swipe away] without being conscious.”

“As Deputy Head Park Tae-jin said, this credit card is like a drug. As the chairmen also know, the most addictive taste of money is the taste of spending money, right?”

There’s no way everyone here doesn’t know the taste of spending money.

When they were young, they used to spend money on buying *tongdak* [whole chicken] or beef to eat with their families on the way home from work on payday, or on traveling, and now they enjoy spending trillions of won to make money, right?

While everyone nodded at Seon Hae-cheol’s words, I continued.

“Everyone knows. The government’s credit card recommendation has *neomgyeotdaneun geot-eul* [passed on] the nation’s debt to the people in order to revive domestic demand. However, this credit card is both a payment method and a short-term loan method. The reason why the employees received loans secured by the stocks that the Advisor gave them must have been because they couldn’t stand the short-term loan interest.”

Whether it’s a cash advance or a card loan, it’s just a different name, but it’s a high-interest short-term loan that charges several times the interest of Haedong Merchant Bank or commercial banks. They must have been unable to withstand the vicious cycle of *dollyeomakneun* [revolving] loans with short-term loans from several credit card companies, so they received low-interest employee preferential loans from Haedong Merchant Bank using the stocks distributed by their grandfather as collateral.

“Even the employees of Haedong Group, which has the best treatment in the business world, are in this state, so other people don’t even need to talk about it. The credit card crisis will *teojil geomnida* [explode] within a few years, as President Park Tae-gon’s report says.”

As I also gave strength to the credit card crisis in a way that gave strength to Park Tae-gon’s opinion, a subtle smile spread on the faces of the five chairmen.

“Then…?”

Although he couldn’t finish his words, I could see *gidaeraneun nyeoseok* [a sense of anticipation] passing through Bae Jae-hoon’s eyes. While the other four chairmen swallowed dry saliva and looked at me, I said with a cold smile.

“It’s only a matter of time before Shinseong Group collapses. We’ve already figured out who bought Shinseong Group’s corporate bonds, so we’re going to *tal-tal teoreo-ol geomnida* [shake them clean] even those guys’ money.”

“Who are those guys?”

“The Morgan family.”

“The Morgan family? Are you talking about the Morgan family that founded JP Morgan?”

At Cho Young-chan’s question, whose eyes widened, I nodded and opened my mouth.

“Just as the Rockefeller family still controls ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Chase Manhattan through various channels, the Morgan family also held JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley. They were kicked out of the sunny land of Wall Street because of me, Henry, and the Rockefeller family, so they seem to have given money to my in-laws… They’re going to regret it, hehe.”

Whether it was contagious from me, who was laughing gloomily, the five chairmen also erased their worries like Seon Hae-cheol and Park Tae-jin and were wearing cold smiles.

***

After that, I explained the plans for the future, obtained the consent of the group’s leaders, and went to the main house in Samcheong-dong with them. This was because I had an obligation to report to my grandfather, who was the greatest elder of our group and family, even though he had stepped down as an advisor.

“…So please don’t worry too much, Advisor.”

After reporting the plan to sweep away the Jang family of Shinseong Group and *meogeul* [eat or take over] the Morgan family, who tried to interfere with our family’s last long-cherished project, I heard my grandfather’s laughter.

“Hehe, it’s going to be a *ppeokjeokjigeun singosik* [grand coming-of-age ceremony] for the generational change.”

“I was worried that we wouldn’t be able to *pul han* [resolve the resentment] of our group, but it became *giu* [unnecessary worry] thanks to Chairman Lee and President Park, haha.”

Following Bae Jae-hoon’s awkward smile, Tae Jae-ho also opened his mouth.

“Chairman Lee, Chairman Cho, and President Park made me *samdoliga* [a fool], hehe.”

“It was so top secret that I had to maintain security, so I couldn’t help it. I’m sorry, haha.”

Cho Young-chan gave an *gyeomyeonjjeogeun* [embarrassed] smile, but his grandfather waved his hand.

“No, Chairman Cho. I would have done the same if I were you. Our Haedong is *beoseona itgo* [free from] from the credit card crisis and has more than enough money *ssahyeo-itji anhna* [piled up], hehe.”

Haedong Merchant Bank and Haedong Securities are the top-notch ultra-high-quality companies among the commercial banks and securities companies in this country. The financial sector combining Haedong Merchant Bank and Haedong Securities, Haedong Group, and Haedong Heavy Industries Group each have cash in units of 10 billion dollars, so the credit card crisis was rather an opportunity.

The grandfather, who had been laughing *kkilkkil* [giggling], calmed his laughter and took a sip of *hongcha* [black tea].

“Anyway, in order to *jappadeurigo* [overthrow] the Jang things and *bitteureo-nohreomyeon* [twist] the *ko* [nose] of the hook-nosed guys, we need to persuade the American in-laws or the Rockefeller family… Are you confident, Chairman Lee?”

Seeing his grandfather comfortably calling Henry his American in-law thanks to revealing my identity, a smile was drawn on my face. I opened my mouth with a satisfied expression.

“I will handle it perfectly, Advisor.”

###

I, who had decided on a business trip to the United States on the spot, packed my bags with Park Tae-jin and Seon Hae-cheol a few days after the appointment.

“Business trip?”

“It seems that the head office board of directors and investment committee have high expectations for Haedong Electronics’ Aqua Wave, which will be released this time. They say the design that I and you *dadeumeojun* [refined] is so good? Haha.”

Jang Ha-yeon smiled slightly as she looked at me preparing for the business trip.

“What did I do? It’s just something that only requires touching the screen without any buttons, *huhut* [chuckle].”

“Still, you helped with the back design. Anyway, I’ll talk to the head office well and get the next investment as well.”

After packing the carrier, I gave Jang Ha-yeon a light kiss on the forehead, then looked at Hyun-bin and Hyun-ah, who were sleeping in the cradle, with a happy expression.

“Hyun-bin, Hyun-ah, Dad will go to the United States and come back. Are you listening to Mom? Hehe.”

After being seen off by Jang Ha-yeon in front of the front door, I took the carrier and came out of the gate.

When I got into the limousine that was waiting, I saw Park Tae-jin, and Seon Hae-cheol and Claire, who were holding Michael and Ryan in their arms. When the car started moving, I closed the glass window between the driver’s seat and the back seat and opened my mouth.

“Are you two going together too?”

“I’ve investigated everything about your in-laws’ holding company, so I have to go back to the United States this year. Isn’t that right, Claire?”

Claire, who received Seon Hae-cheol’s soft gaze, smiled slightly.

“That’s right, *Sseon* [a cute way to say Seon]. My father is making a fuss about when our grandchildren are coming, *huhut* [chuckle].”

“But did you tell your *jokamyeoneurim* [niece-in-law]?”

At Seon Hae-cheol’s cautious question, I waved my hand.

“We all agreed that the business trip was because of Aqua Wave.”

“Not that. That Standard is your company.”

I, who was poked in the *jeonggok* [bullseye], smiled bitterly and shook my head. Seon Hae-cheol looked at me with a worried expression.

“This is a big problem. She’ll find out someday…”

“Yeah, Johnny. Even if Ha-yeon likes you, she’ll be very hurt if she knows that you’re *manghage handaneun* [ruining] her own family.”

Since even Claire was expressing concern, anxiety rose for some reason.

‘That’s not wrong. Ha-yeon doesn’t even know that I’m going to *manghage mandeulryeogo* [try to ruin] her family. Furthermore…’

I was worried about what kind of reaction she would show if she knew that Standard Capital was my company. The elders of the family knew to some extent from the beginning, so they *neomeogatjiman* [let it pass] well, but Jang Ha-yeon doesn’t know anything, does she?

“I have to tell her when the time comes. But not now, *samchon* [uncle].”

I have to keep it a secret until I end Shinseong Group. While Seon Hae-cheol, Claire, and Park Tae-jin looked at me with pitiful eyes, the limousine only ran to Incheon Airport, which opened in March of this year for us who were going to the United States to *jjaryeoneun sae pan* [set up a new game].”