Golden Spoon Investment Portfolio - Chapter 46

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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46. Luck once might be coincidence, but hitting it twice is skill.

Park Tae-hong stared at him with wide eyes and asked.

“Did you just say the Real-Name Financial System?”
“Yes.”

Seok-won nodded slightly and continued in a measured tone.

“As I mentioned before, President Kim Sung-gyu will maintain strict secrecy to maximize the impact, then implement the Real-Name Financial System like a military operation—suddenly and without warning.”
“Like when we liquidated Hanahoe last time?”
“Yes.”

Park Tae-hong, leaning back against the plush sofa, murmured in agreement.

“That fellow does love his surprises, so it’s entirely plausible.”

Chief Secretary Gil Seong-ho, who was present, naturally interjected.

“If word gets out that the Real-Name Financial System is being implemented, opposition will pour in from all quarters. He’ll want to keep it under wraps until the very end.”
“That’s certain.”

It was obvious as daylight that opposition would be considerable, affecting not only the business community but politicians as well.

“Still, to overcome the political turmoil caused by successive major disasters, he’ll push through with the Real-Name Financial System regardless.”
“True—the most effective way to bury one issue is with another.”

The Real-Name Financial System would be powerful enough to become a black hole, swallowing every other issue.
Seok-won looked at Park Tae-hong with grave intensity and spoke.

“The moment the Real-Name Financial System is announced, investors will be gripped by shock and panic. They’ll rush to dump whatever stocks they hold.”
“Since no one knows what will happen to stocks held under false names, even I would sell immediately and secure cash.”

During the military regime era, the government had artificially restricted private property through currency reforms and measures freezing private loans.
Those wealthy individuals who had experienced such measures would naturally harbor even greater anxiety.

“When the shock hits and stock prices plummet, retail investors will panic and engage in excessive selling—a panic sell-off.”

Park Tae-hong, who had intended to summon his second son and scold him for his reckless schemes, found himself completely persuaded by Seok-won’s logical explanation.
Gil Seong-ho, the Chief Secretary standing beside him, nodded his head and became absorbed in the narrative.
Of course, all of this reasoning hinged on the premise that the Real-Name Financial System would be implemented, so Park Tae-hong’s lingering unease was not entirely dispelled.
If his prediction fell short and the system wasn’t implemented, or if it was announced much later than expected, everything would collapse.

“Hmm.”

Park Tae-hong exhaled a low murmur and straightened his posture, then opened the wooden box resting on the table.
He withdrew a single cigarette from the neatly arranged contents and brought it to his lips. Gil Seong-ho, the Chief Secretary beside him, quickly flicked his lighter and lit it for him.
As he drew in the white cigarette smoke deeply and exhaled it slowly, contemplating the matter.
A knock sounded at the door, and Choo Se-young entered.

“What is it?”

Park Tae-hong, disturbed from his thoughts, glanced up with a slight furrow of his brow.

“My apologies. An urgent matter has come up that I must report….”
“Tell me what it is.”

Choo Se-young relayed the news that had just arrived, gauging the atmosphere carefully.

“Kim Jae-chun, the former chairman of the Democratic Peace Party who went on a research fellowship to Cambridge University in Britain, is returning to the country.”
“What!”

Park Tae-hong exclaimed in surprise.

“Is that really true?”
“Yes. Representative Woo Chun-il just called in reporters and personally announced the return.”

Woo Chun-il was a three-term Democratic Peace Party representative and a close aide to former chairman Kim Jae-chun, a key figure in the Donggyo-dong Faction.
If someone of this stature made an official statement, the likelihood of it being true was extremely high.

“There had been reports of increased activity within the Donggyo-dong Faction recently. This must be the reason.”

At Gil Seong-ho’s words, Park Tae-hong’s expression hardened, cigarette still in hand.
The return of Kim Jae-chun, the patriarch of the opposition, was indeed a momentous event.

‘Now that I think about it…’

Like a bolt of lightning, Seok-won’s earlier words about Kim Jae-chun, the former representative who had lost the presidential election and departed for Britain, returning soon struck me with sudden clarity.
As Chairman Park Tae-hong quickly turned to look at his second son, everyone else expressed surprise, but Seok-won alone wore a calm expression as if he had anticipated this very moment.
Chairman Park Tae-hong fell silent for a moment, then spoke to Choo Se-young, who stood to one side.

“You may leave now that you’ve delivered the message.”
“Yes, sir.”

As Choo Se-young departed with his acknowledgment, Chairman Park Tae-hong stubbed out his half-burned cigarette in the crystal ashtray on the desk.
Then, fixing his gaze upon me, he spoke in a weighty, measured tone.

“Things have unfolded exactly as you predicted.”
“The Donggyo-dong Faction, one of the two major political forces dividing the domestic political arena, remains intact with its support base, and they possess solid regional foundations. A return to politics would be the natural course of action.”
“Indeed, if he were to run in the next presidential election, he would be the most formidable candidate. It would be a lie to say there’s no ambition in that.”

At this, Chief Secretary Gil Seong-ho displayed a somewhat puzzled reaction.

“That may be true, but returning after merely six months abroad in Britain seems rather hasty. With this timing, it will be difficult to avoid accusations of having lied.”
“No, sir. While it may not be perfect, I believe the timing is appropriate.”

Chairman Park Tae-hong, who had been nodding in agreement with Chief Secretary Gil Seong-ho’s words, now wore an intrigued expression at his second son’s rebuttal.

“Do you have a reason for thinking that way?”

Chief Secretary Gil Seong-ho also looked at him with curiosity.

“You’re aware that the 15th general election will take place in two years.”
“…!”
“While the Donggyo-dong Faction currently wields considerable influence, once an election approaches, the power of the party leadership controlling nomination rights becomes formidable.”

Understanding the implication, Chairman Park Tae-hong’s expression hardened.

“Are you suggesting a nomination massacre could occur?”
“Given the deep and extensive roots of the Donggyo-dong Faction, such a possibility is low, but there’s always the matter of unforeseen variables. Especially in a situation where there’s no clear figurehead like former representative Kim Jae-chun, unexpected complications could easily arise.”

Since politics was a realm where one could never predict what might happen next, Chairman Park Tae-hong nodded gravely.

“And since he’s already made public statements, he cannot immediately return to politics. After returning home, he’ll gradually build momentum, then formally announce his return to politics around next year.”
“Listening to your reasoning, I see now that if his return had been delayed any further, he might have indeed missed the opportune moment.”

The more I listened, the more convincing the explanation became.
Gil Seong-ho, the Chief Secretary, gazed at me with admiring eyes and acknowledged that his own perspective had been narrow.

“You’re absolutely right. If we consider future political schedules, it does seem like now is the opportune moment to make our move.”

Park Tae-hong felt inwardly satisfied and proud of his second son’s sharp insight.
However, Park Tae-hong quickly composed his expression and spoke with deliberate gravity, lowering his voice.

“You said the amount for the short selling is 10 billion won?”
“Yes.”
“You understand that’s no small sum. If the investment fails and we suffer losses, President Choi’s position will become extremely difficult.”

Seok-won answered immediately without the slightest hesitation.

“That won’t happen. To be honest, I’m frustrated that we can’t sell more stock.”

Park Tae-hong let out an inward laugh at the confidence radiating from him, as if failure wasn’t even a consideration.
However, his expression outwardly remained stern and he showed no sign of amusement as he spoke.

“Excessive greed always leads to trouble.”
“But opportunities must be seized when they arrive.”

Park Tae-hong grumbled irritably at how Seok-won didn’t back down an inch in his response.

“You’re all talk.”

He stroked his chin thoughtfully for a moment, gathering his thoughts, then spoke again.

“I understand your argument well enough. But with so many eyes watching, if you receive a large credit loan right after joining the company and then short sell stocks, there will be all sorts of gossip.”
“However….”

Park Tae-hong cut off Seok-won’s rebuttal and continued speaking.

“Instead, I’ll personally invest 15 billion won. Combine that with the funds you have and do whatever you want.”
“Really?”

Seok-won asked back with delight, and Park Tae-hong deliberately made a mischievous expression, his lips twitching.

“Why? Do you dislike it?”
“Not at all! How could that be?”

Seok-won quickly waved both hands broadly, worried that Park Tae-hong’s resolve might waver.
He had been frustrated that he couldn’t sell larger volumes since he was unable to conduct short sales by borrowing stocks held by securities companies or institutions without a proper arrangement.
But with an investment of 15 billion won—far exceeding what margin financing could provide—there was no reason to refuse.

“You won’t regret this investment, Father.”
“Hmph. We’ll see about that.”

He snorted dismissively, yet if he hadn’t possessed absolute faith in his second son, even Park Tae-hong would never have so readily produced such an enormous sum as 15 billion won.

“Then let’s strike while the iron’s hot and draw up the contract right away.”
“What contract are you talking about?”
“Since you’re putting in the money, we need to prepare an investment agreement. Surely the closer the relationship, the more precisely financial matters should be handled, wouldn’t you say?”
“What?”

Park Tae-hong’s eyes narrowed at this rather audacious attitude.

“Are you suggesting I might change my mind and refuse to provide the funds after all?”
“Of course not, Father.”

Seok-won laughed lightly as he spoke.

“I trust that a man of your social standing and reputation would never go back on his word.”

Park Tae-hong clicked his tongue at this shameless deflection.

“Tsk. You’ve returned from studying in the United States with nothing but increased audacity.”

Yet he didn’t truly dislike this second son of his.
Rather, Park Tae-hong perceived it as a desirable transformation.

‘To accomplish great things, one needs more than just intelligence—this kind of natural boldness is essential.’

Park Tae-hong turned in his seat on the sofa and pressed the intercom installed on the side table.

“Very well. I’ll have the contract drawn up as you wish.”

Soon after, Lee Chae-yeon entered the office, bowed briefly, and straightened up to speak.

“You called for me, Chairman?”
“Go fetch me a blank sheet of paper.”
“Yes.”

Lee Chae-yeon quickly brought an A4 sheet, placed it on the table, and left.

“I’ll fill in the terms myself.”

I skillfully drafted the contract on the spot using the fountain pen I’d pulled from my inner pocket.
Then I slid the contract toward Park Tae-hong and spoke with a grin.

“Since you’re my father, I’ll make a special exception—no management fees, just a 30% profit bonus.”
“30%? You’re a complete bandit without even needing a knife.”
“But without fees, if there’s no profit, I don’t take a single won. That’s fair enough, isn’t it?”
“Fair? That’s nonsense.”

Park Tae-hong let out a scoff, picked up the contract, and scanned it before glancing at me over the document.

“You’re that confident you can make that much money?”

I flashed a wide grin, baring my teeth.

“I’m confident I won’t miss the jackpot.”
“You certainly have a way with words.”

Park Tae-hong picked up the fountain pen I’d set beside me and signed the contract.
Shortly after I collected the contract and left the Chairman’s Office, Chief Secretary Gil Seong-ho carefully asked, watching Park Tae-hong’s expression.

“15 billion won is no small sum. Are you certain about this?”
“The boy expressed confidence.”

Park Tae-hong loosely clasped his hands together on his thighs.

“From the dissolution of Hanahoe to the return of former CEO Kim Jae-chun—once could be coincidence, but hitting the mark twice is skill. So the probability that his prediction will prove correct this time is quite high, wouldn’t you say?”

Chief Secretary Gil Seong-ho was equally impressed by my remarkable insight.
Finding no particular reason to object further, Chief Secretary Gil Seong-ho fell silent.

“Have the 15 billion won worth of CDs stored in the safe transferred to my second son.”
“Understood.”

Certificates of deposit—commonly abbreviated as CDs—were essentially documents certifying that a fixed sum had been deposited with a bank.
At maturity, one could redeem the cash amount written on the certificate.
But unlike ordinary deposits, they could be bought and sold like securities.
Moreover, since they were issued as bearer instruments with no depositor’s name written on them, they were frequently used to conceal or transfer assets covertly.
Anticipating the implementation of real-name financial transactions, Park Tae-hong had already consolidated his nominee-held assets and stocks, converting a substantial sum into CDs for safekeeping.
Leaning back against the plush leather sofa, Park Tae-hong smiled faintly and murmured to himself.

“I wonder what kind of surprise he’ll give me this time.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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