The Genius Grandson Of The Cash King Becomes A Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 76

#076

Song Cheol-ho shot up from his seat.

He paced back and forth, breathing heavily.

In contrast, Song Ji-ho remained silent, his head bowed.

“Highest bid?”

“I’m sorry, Chairman.”

“Sorry? This isn’t just about money. Our influence is waning, isn’t it? How are you handling things?”

Song Cheol-ho, regaining his composure, stopped pacing.

“Number 3 iron.”

Song Ji-ho’s lips trembled.

He slowly moved and retrieved a golf club from the corner.

He handed it to the Chairman.

“Here it is.”

“Ten.”

Song Ji-ho prostrated himself on the spot without a word.

The golf club whistled through the air.

– Thwack, thwack, thwack, thwack…… thwack.

“If you fail this time, or if you act on your own judgment like last time, you’ll lose everything.”

“I will keep that in mind, Chairman.”

Song Cheol-ho went outside and called Han Hyun-dong.

“Hyun-dong, bring that kid here.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

Left alone in the Chairman’s office, Song Ji-ho’s face flushed red.

He clenched his teeth and muttered in a low voice in the empty space.

“Damn it, thank you, Father… I will take everything from Ilsong Group.”

***

“Young Master, are you alright?”

Han Hyun-dong looked at Song Ji-ho anxiously.

“I’m fine. It’s not the first time. But why aren’t those who took the money keeping their promise?”

“Well, the president of Korea Asset Management Corporation is very principled.”

“Principled? So, he’s not going to bend to our will. What should we do, Chief?”

“Break him…….”

Song Ji-ho raised his hand to stop Han Hyun-dong from speaking.

“Don’t say such harsh things. Take care of it.”

“Understood, Chair… I mean, Chief.”

The corners of Song Ji-ho’s lips slightly lifted at Han Hyun-dong’s slip of the tongue.

“Ahem, how is the acquisition fund coming along?”

“We are gathering funds from securities companies and affiliated financial companies. We have arranged for support from other groups to cover the shortfall.”

Song Ji-ho pondered how to use the money coming in this time.

He also had to consider the possibility of failure.

Even if he failed, he would only get hit a few times and it would be over.

But if he couldn’t increase the borrowed money, he would fall behind.

His stomach churned when he saw other groups expanding.

But he soon changed his mind.

First, he had to regain his father’s trust.

These were things to do after he had Ilsong in his hands.

“Alright, go do your work.”

Leaving the Chief of Staff’s office, Han Hyun-dong bit his lip, his face hardened.

He was displeased with Song Ji-ho’s intention to put all the blame on him if problems arose later.

But… it was his fate; he couldn’t help it.

He had to take responsibility and finish it.

Only then could he maintain his powerful position as the Chief of Staff of the great Ilsong Group.

When Han Hyun-dong made a call, a low voice soon came from the receiver.

“Hey, it’s me. Take care of it. Let’s see how principled Choi In-soo really is.”

“Understood.”

A sinister smile etched itself on Han Hyun-dong’s face as he looked at his phone.

***

Jeong-hoon went to Myeongdong and stopped by Kang Sang-cheol’s office.

It was still crowded with people.

“Young Master, you’ve arrived?”

“Kang Sang-cheol, are you practicing smiling a lot?”

“Yes, both I and the employees are doing it every day.”

“Focus on eliminating the image of illegal private loans and high-interest lending. We are the third financial sector [non-bank lenders].”

“Understood, Young Master.”

Kang Sang-cheol hesitated and moved his lips.

“Do you have something to say?”

“Well, an employee from the Financial Supervisory Service [FSS, a regulatory body] told me that a savings bank has recently been put up for sale. If you are interested, Young Master, they will push for it.”

“Savings bank?”

“Yes.”

At Kang Sang-cheol’s words, Jeong-hoon closed his eyes and thought.

He recalled the events that would happen in the future.

Soon, a credit card company would go bankrupt, and a large bank would be put up for sale.

If he advanced into the second financial sector [banks and insurance companies] along with the third financial sector, it would look good.

“Do you still meet with the Financial Supervisory Service employees often these days?”

“Yes, I’m working hard to entertain them. That’s why they contacted me in advance. My nature is that I like people, and I like drinking and gambling, so I take good care of them.”

It was a dilemma.

He could give money and buy drinks, but there might be nothing left to show for it.

However, it was a one-sided transaction where he couldn’t receive a receipt for the money.

He could only trust the superficial intimacy between Kang Sang-cheol and them.

If there was a carrot, there had to be a stick….

Jeong-hoon asked Kang Sang-cheol a question.

“Then, of course, you have a stick prepared, right?”

“Of course. I like people, but I’m also suspicious, so I have a firm grip on their weaknesses. Just tell me when you need them, Young Master.”

Jeong-hoon had a satisfied expression.

“As expected, you are doing well as much as I trusted you. Meet even higher-ups. Buy them drinks and grab their weaknesses…….”

‘As much as I trusted.’

The short two words resonated in Kang Sang-cheol’s heart.

Who had ever trusted him until now?

A life of being doubted and ignored.

But this person trusted him and entrusted him with the work entirely.

“Thank you for trusting me.”

“I trust you because you do well.”

Jeong-hoon said dryly while reading the newspaper.

Then, he took out a check from his wallet and placed it on the table.

“Launder this and use it to entertain the Financial Supervisory Service employees.”

“Thank you.”

Kang Sang-cheol’s heart stopped as soon as he saw the amount on the check.

‘100 million [Korean won, approximately $75,000 USD].’

A man who entrusted 100 million in slush funds.

He moved him with the word trust and 100 million.

Today, his head bowed involuntarily to him.

The reward for trust was to do his best.

Kang Sang-cheol clenched his fist and said forcefully.

“I will create a line on the Financial Supervisory Service side to ensure that we can acquire the savings bank, Young Master.”

“Alright.”

After Kang Sang-cheol left, Park Chang-soo came in.

“Young Master, have you come out?”

Small wounds were visible all over Park Chang-soo’s face.

“The guys you’ve been dealing with so far are on a different level, right?”

He had been a little out of touch since he was only in the narrow waters of Jungbu Market [a traditional market in Seoul].

“No. I’m easily taking care of it with the skills that Hyun-soo taught me.”

“That’s a relief.”

According to Kwak Hyun-soo’s opinion, Park Chang-soo had definitely learned a different martial art.

Especially when he held a wooden sword, the atmosphere was very different.

He said that there was a strong murderous intent that could not be emitted in modern kendo [Japanese martial art of swordsmanship].

“And the people in Gangbuk [northern Seoul] are a bit gentle.”

“Gangs are gentle?”

“If they admit defeat, they don’t hold grudges. The International Group guys in Jungbu Market lie like they eat.”

“That’s their habit. What they said yesterday is different from what they say today.”

“When I was cleaning up Jungbu Market, they said they would surrender, so I prepared a dinner for harmony, but they set a trap. Anyway, they are those kinds of guys.”

Jeong-hoon knew it well too. They say one thing with two mouths like they eat.

“What did you name the company?”

“I was going to name it Shinhwa Liquor [Shinhwa means ‘myth’ or ‘legend’], but I thought it would be a burden to you, Young Master, so I named it Hwaseong Liquor [Hwaseong is a city in Gyeonggi Province]. We are taking over all the gang’s vested interests under it.”

“Yes, so that you don’t get on the wrong side of the police and prosecutors…….”

“I’m taking responsibility and paying attention to that part. If we manage the police well, they won’t say much. Anyway, order is maintained because we are there.”

“Oh, what happened to the drugs?”

“We are tracking down the distributors, but it’s not easy. But I will definitely eradicate them.”

Jeong-hoon turned his head and looked at Park Chang-soo.

He could feel a firm will in his eyes.

“It won’t be easy. It’s a core business, so it’s deeply hidden.

Take care of yourself and take good care of good people.

And clean up Incheon [a major port city in South Korea] by the end of this year.”

At Jeong-hoon’s order, Park Chang-soo looked embarrassed.

“Yes? It’s too much to do it by Incheon…….”

“If you do your best and put all your strength into it, it will be possible. You can also call the juniors who were in Jungbu Market.”

Park Chang-soo couldn’t answer.

It wasn’t wrong.

If he revealed the power he had, it was worth trying.

But he couldn’t trust yet whether he was the person to reveal that power to.

“Will you do it?”

Jeong-hoon looked into Park Chang-soo’s eyes.

“Yes, I will do it. But I may fail.”

“You can never fail if you do your best.”

Park Chang-soo read a strong conviction towards himself in Jeong-hoon’s eyes.

He seemed to know everything about him, including the hidden power.

He thought he should discuss it with his brothers who followed him.

“I’ll have to call my brothers in Jungbu Market. I’ll do it with them.”

“Do that. You can ask for anything you need.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Park Chang-soo replied in a dry voice.

Jeong-hoon saw that many secrets were contained in his tightly closed lips.

***

Jeong-hoon went to Legend Company and expressed his gratitude to the people.

“Thanks to you, we were able to prevent casualties in the Sunjae Heavy Industries explosion last time. I heard that Cheon Jin-hyeok’s help was especially great.”

“If it weren’t for this friend’s idea, many people would have been sacrificed. How did you think of hacking the base station and sending group texts?”

“It was just luck. And I still have a lot of sins to repay.”

The surroundings became silent at Cheon Jin-hyeok’s words.

“There’s no need to be so depressed. You can continue to atone in the future.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Cheon Jin-hyeok smiled faintly.

Cha Young-mi, who was dissatisfied with the sight, opened her mouth.

“Hey, you had madness in your eyes when you were playing games, but you look like a beaten cat at times like this.”

“Ahem, Mr. President, do you have anything to say?”

Lee Byeong-seok interrupted Cha Young-mi’s words.

“As you know, we can’t leave Sunjae Heavy Industries like that. So I’m going to acquire it.”

“Yes? That big thing?”

Jeong-hoon nodded.

“Sunjae Heavy Industries is the world’s number one in the shipbuilding industry. Are you confident? When I was in Heaven, my father also coveted it. But Ilsong was very interested, so I had no choice but to give up.”

“Do I have to be confident? Confidence will come as I do it. Ilsong is very interested, so they caused an explosion like that, right?”

Cheon Jin-hyeok nodded.

“Mr. Jin-hyeok has to help a lot. And Cha Young-mi and Lee Byeong-seok must also join forces.”

“What are we supposed to do?”

Jeong-hoon looked around at them.

It could be a dangerous job.

“The sale plan was officially announced recently. The president of Korea Asset Management Corporation has not yet been swayed by Ilsong.”

“Then, they will definitely commit terrorism. It’s the most common method of Cheon Ji-ho, who belongs to Ilsong. Ilsong will threaten everyone who interferes with Ilsong taking Sunjae Heavy Industries. They always got good companies cheaply that way.”

Cheon Jin-hyeok explained their methods.

“We should make Mr. Cheon Jin-hyeok the team leader for this project.”

“Yes? Me?”

“You know their methods well, so you’ll be the best at stopping them, right? What do the others think?”

Cha Young-mi glanced at Cheon Jin-hyeok and sneered.

“I’m in favor.”

“Me too. Mr. Jin-hyeok would be the right person. He doesn’t say it, but he seems to know quite a bit.”

“Then, please take charge of this acquisition battle, Mr. Cheon Jin-hyeok.”

“I don’t have much experience yet, and it’s a bit… for me to play such an important role.”

“You’re an important person, so you’re playing an important role, tsk tsk.”

Cha Young-mi praised sarcastically.

“And have some confidence. If you keep your shoulders drooping like that, the office atmosphere will be ruined.”

At Cha Young-mi’s criticism, Cheon Jin-hyeok raised his head.

“I know. Stop nagging. My ears hurt from home to the office!”

Cheon Jin-hyeok, who couldn’t stand it anymore, retorted sharply.

But it felt a little different.

Lee Byeong-seok smiled slightly at the sight.

“How’s the new house you moved into?”

“Wonderful!”

The three shouted at the same time.

“It’s close to home, spacious, and great.”

“Thank you, Mr. President.”

Cha Young-mi thanked awkwardly.

How good of a house would she have gotten since she took out 1 billion [Korean won, approximately $750,000 USD]?

She thought it was a relief that it was a loan.

“Live happily in a good house.”

Soon after, Kwak Hyun-soo came.

And Eun-soo and Scarlett also came in.

The relationship between the two seemed to be an ambiguous relationship that was neither lovers nor friends.

What was clear was that Scarlett was definitely in love with Eun-soo.

“Jeong-hoon, when did you come?”

Eun-soo’s face looked good.

The trauma seemed to have almost disappeared.

“Oh, I came earlier. But what brings you here?”

“Mr. Hyun-soo said you were coming today, so I came. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen your face.”

‘We don’t have to see each other every day.’

But he didn’t say it out loud.

“Oh, that’s right.”

Jeong-hoon greeted Scarlett.

“Hello, Scarlett. I heard the trip was for a week.”

“Well, Korea is so beautiful that I can’t leave.”

Anyone who heard her say Korea was Eun-soo.

She was still looking at Eun-soo with her mouth open.

“I’m going to Myeongdong now, do you want to come with me?”

“Yeah, Scarlett, are you okay?”

“Of course.”

“Uncle, I have to go to Chairman Park’s house.”

“Yes.”

He went to Chairman Park’s house in Myeongdong.

He lived on the highest floor of his own building.

It was quite different from the usual chairman’s houses, which were detached houses.

According to Kwak Hyun-soo, it was because of security.

After experiencing several terrorist attacks, he had no choice but to move his residence to the rooftop of the building.

The house of Chairman Park, the head of the Four Heavenly Kings [influential figures], was frugal.

Perhaps that’s why the kitchen lady only gave us cold water.

His character of saving money to the extreme was felt.

“Sit down.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“My friends came with me.”

He introduced Eun-soo and Scarlett.

Chairman Park stared at Eun-soo.

“You look like a girl, and you remind me of a rookie actor who was very popular in the old days. It was more than 20 years ago, his name was……. He had a pure and innocent style.”

Eun-soo’s eyes naturally burned at the word pretty.

But Eun-soo suppressed his anger because he was such an old man.

“Isn’t it Ha In-seon?”

“That’s right, Ha In-seon. But how do you know, Hyun-soo?”

“Actually, I also thought that the entertainer and Eun-soo looked a lot alike. He gained tremendous popularity in a short time, but suddenly disappeared.”

“Yes.”

Jeong-hoon felt like he was wasting time on trivial celebrity stories.

“Elder, I have something to tell you. I would like to move the place for a while.”

“Really?”

Chairman Park, who got up from the old sofa, took Jeong-hoon to his study.

There was an old wooden table and chair that seemed to have been used for 30 years.

Jeong-hoon, who was sitting opposite Chairman Park, opened his mouth.

“I’ll get straight to the point. Please lend me the money you promised last time.”

“What? When did I? I said I’d think about it and lend it to you if you said it!”

It was the expected reaction. So he deliberately insisted that he had promised.

“No. You clearly promised last time.”

“Hehe, this guy is stubbornly insisting……. He’s definitely that woman’s grandson.”

Chairman Park’s lips stretched out long.

It was not an unpleasant expression.

“How much do you need? Let me hear the amount.”

“Please lend me 5 trillion [Korean won, approximately $3.75 billion USD].”

“What?”

Chairman Park raised his eyebrows.

The lips that had been stretched out and smiling became stiff as if they were nervous.

His eyes were burning.

He couldn’t understand Yoon Jeong-hoon, who confidently asked to borrow 5 trillion.

He glared at Jeong-hoon with eyes that seemed to burn him.