We Do Business In Full Auto [EN]: Chapter 171

171.

20th Century Wolf (1)

“After reading Mr. George’s work, I can see that the scale is extraordinary. It’s true that if his work were made into a movie, a major film company like 20th Century Wolf would be needed. However, I am a businessman, and I don’t want to pay more than necessary.”

“Does that mean the negotiation could fall through?”

“It could if our prices are different. As you know, I’m expanding by acquiring various businesses. I mean, there are many companies to acquire, not just film companies.”

Murmurs arose.

Of course, this wasn’t his true intention.

If Chairman Merck used the media to pressure him, he would return the pressure at least once.

He was sure that this was the only way to get a reasonable price.

As he exited the airport, a group of people greeted him.

The women were wearing tight suits, and it was clear at a glance that they were secretaries.

A beauty wearing black horn-rimmed glasses greeted him.

“Hello, I’m Yan Jerrin, Chief Secretary to Chairman Merck.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Lee Yoosung.”

“The Chairman has been waiting for your arrival. He wants to start negotiations right away. If you have time, would you like to stop by first?”

“Hmm.”

He could refuse.

Seeing them in such a hurry, it seemed that defending their management rights was urgent.

He exchanged glances with Lee Seulgi.

Perhaps now was the right time to negotiate.

If Chairman Merck’s enemies were pressing harder than expected, he might try to sell quickly and buy back company stock.

Thinking that way, he felt he had the upper hand in the negotiation.

‘Was he bluffing?’

He was being pressured in various ways, but it seemed his own situation wasn’t good, giving away the advantage.

Having acquired several companies, he had become somewhat adept at reading the other party’s mind.

Clearly, Chairman Merck was short on cash.

“Alright. Let’s go right away.”

“Thank you.”

They boarded the vehicle sent by Chairman Merck.

Wolf Group Headquarters.

Known as a media conglomerate, Wolf Group was a massive media group with several broadcasting stations and platforms.

Recently, they had expanded into the media sector, investing excessively, and the board’s recommendations were ignored in the process.

Chairman Merck had built Wolf Group to this point, but he couldn’t ignore the investors’ recommendations.

Chairman Merck was the founder, but he couldn’t have risen this far without the investors’ support. Therefore, he was under intense pressure and could even face impeachment at the next general shareholders’ meeting. He could be ousted from his position as chairman.

That’s why he was rushing the M&A [Mergers and Acquisitions, the process of combining two companies].

They could oppose it at the general shareholders’ meeting, but he would approve it by the chairman’s authority and somehow prevent the backlash.

This was Chairman Merck’s plan.

Chairman Merck was in a somewhat complicated situation but needed to get as much value as possible to mitigate the future impact.

Watching the live broadcast, Merck frowned.

“Negotiations broken down?”

“He’s throwing a strong punch.”

“Does he suspect I manipulated the media and is coming out this strong?”

“That’s highly likely.”

This wasn’t a good situation.

On the surface, CEO Lee Yoosung seemed to be considering other film companies. It even seemed he might abandon the film company acquisition altogether.

He also knew why CEO Lee Yoosung was trying to acquire a film company.

CEO Lee Yoosung was trying to raise an army, arming them with cold weapons used in the Middle Ages.

That’s why he was even moving to acquire a steel mill.

The United States and Russia were expressing concern about CEO Lee Yoosung’s army-building, but for some reason, they weren’t imposing sanctions.

That meant CEO Lee Yoosung had engaged in some prior maneuvering.

It was clear that CEO Lee Yoosung was using the film company as a pretext to build an army, and it didn’t necessarily have to be 20th Century Wolf.

“He’s not an easy man.”

“It won’t be easy for us to deal with him.”

“Well, it wouldn’t make sense for the world’s top capitalist to be stupid.”

Chairman Merck was strategizing with his closest aide and right-hand man, Vice Chairman Rayon.

Their situation was urgent.

To avoid a nuclear punch at the board meeting next month, they had to push through the M&A by the chairman’s authority.

They had already been persuading major shareholders behind the scenes and had obtained approval for this one time. A tremendous amount of bribery was involved in the process.

The major shareholders’ agreement, combined with his own stake, was just short of a majority, but it was possible because he had the authority.

The company law had been amended several times, and Chairman Merck had subtly exerted his influence in the process.

Still, if they missed this opportunity, they might not find a place to sell an $80 billion company.

“We have to sell it somehow.”

“Chairman, we need to be careful at times like this. We could lose management control if we make a mistake.”

“The major shareholders have no vision. This is the age of media. They don’t realize they can’t survive in the future if they don’t know that.”

“There’s nothing we can do. Major shareholders never have insight. They’re just chasing short-term profits.”

Gnash!

Merck gritted his teeth.

Knock, knock!

While he was thinking about this and that, his secretaries arrived.

“Come in.”

“Chairman, CEO Lee Yoosung has arrived.”

“Did you take him to the reception room?”

“Yes. I’ll serve him coffee.”

Merck looked at Rayon.

Finally, the decisive battle.

He leisurely enjoyed the aroma of the coffee.

Being the company of Chairman Merck, who was called the leading figure in the media industry, they seemed to be doing a good job of entertaining guests.

As he was drinking his second cup of coffee, Chairman Merck entered with a middle-aged man.

Chairman Merck’s hair was fading as if frost had settled on it. He was said to be in his late 50s, but he looked like an old man in his mid-60s due to stress.

In comparison, his right-hand man, Vice Chairman Rayon, looked to be in his late 40s. He was actually about the same age as Chairman Merck, which was quite ironic.

‘That’s why it’s important to take care of yourself.’

Chairman Merck greeted him.

“Hahaha! Nice to meet you. I’m Merck Dixon.”

“Lee Yoosung.”

“I’ve heard a lot about your reputation, Chairman. Unprecedentedly rapid growth and becoming the world’s top asset holder.”

He shrugged slightly.

Hearing those words didn’t make him feel particularly good.

Was this the probing stage?

He also praised him as a formality.

“How can I compare to the top figure in the media industry, Chairman? Your amazing achievements are awe-inspiring. I’m humbled.”

“What are you talking about? How about you, Chairman, who is sweeping up money with a groundbreaking invention?”

They sat down.

Chairman Merck sat across from him.

After black magic reached its peak, he could perfectly capture the other party’s subtle emotions.

Chairman Merck was anxious.

‘Is the board meeting not going well?’

It seemed so.

The reason Chairman Merck was trying to sell the lucrative 20th Century Wolf was due to management control. Since that was wavering, he was trying to sell the company even if it meant taking a hit.

He took his time.

“The coffee smells great. Is this Luwak [a type of coffee made from beans that have been eaten and excreted by civets]?”

“It’s not the best coffee, but I’m enjoying it.”

They talked about useless things for a while.

Then, Chairman Merck’s patience began to run out.

His emotions gradually crumbled, and he finally spoke first.

“I’d like to have a pleasant time with you after the negotiations, Chairman.”

“Ah, I forgot we were in the middle of M&A negotiations.”

His manager, Lee Taejin, opened his mouth.

“We’d like to acquire it for $70 billion.”

“Oh, that’s impossible. $70 billion? I clearly said I wouldn’t sell for less than $80 billion.”

“Chairman, our intelligence department has done some research.”

“What kind of research?”

“We’ve learned that the Doctor Lynn series investment isn’t going well this time, and there’s a high possibility it will be a flop.”

“……!”

Chairman Merck’s eyebrows twitched.

It seemed to be confidential.

Lee Taejin had been looking up some data on the plane and hadn’t even glanced at the movie script.

That meant he was researching some kind of secret weapon.

And that secret weapon appeared here.

“If things go wrong, the entire Doctor Lynn series could be ruined. It’s a series that’s being made into dramas and is quite popular, but if you ruin it here, the problem will be serious.”

“Hmm.”

“In terms of value, I think it’s worth $10 billion. So, we have no choice but to deduct $10 billion from the amount you were thinking of, Chairman.”

20th Century Wolf would inevitably suffer a significant loss in the near future.

Lee Taejin’s ability to know the inside story of a movie that hasn’t even been released yet was beyond imagination.

He decided to upgrade Lee Taejin’s abilities even further.

“Ahem. Even so, $10 billion seems a bit of an exaggeration.”

“I think you can do about $1 billion with your authority, right?”

“That’s right. Considering how much I care about you, Chairman, I’ll offer $71 billion.”

“Keuk.”

He was being cornered.

He looked at his watch.

It was as if he was pressuring them to break off the deal immediately if they didn’t negotiate at this price.

In reality, he had nothing to do until tomorrow.

He was going straight to the hotel to focus on training.

What would Chairman Merck do here?

“Haa.”

He sighed and took a deep breath.

In the end, he surrendered.

“Since you’ve done so much research, there’s nothing I can do. That’s right. 20th Century Wolf should be sold for about $80 billion. But since the Doctor Lynn series has taken a hit and there are some problems, I have to make some concessions. Let’s finalize it at $72 billion?”

He looked at Lee Taejin and Lee Seulgi.

They nodded slightly.

It was difficult to get a better price.

“Let’s finalize it.”