Golden Spoon Investment Portfolio - Chapter 507

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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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507. No need to waste time—let’s draw up the contract today itself.

Chairman Park Tae-hong pushed open the door with measured steps, his Attendant Secretary trailing behind like a shadow, and entered the attached office.
Three or four secretarial staff seated at their desks throughout the spacious room rose in unison.

“Welcome, Chairman.”

Chairman Park Tae-hong acknowledged their greeting with a slight nod of his stern face, then proceeded directly into the Chairman’s Office beyond.
As Chairman Park Tae-hong removed his jacket, Jung Yun-kyung, who had followed him in, quickly accepted it.
After expertly arranging the jacket and hanging it in the wardrobe, Jung Yun-kyung looked toward Chairman Park Tae-hong seated at the spacious solid wood desk and asked.

“Shall I prepare some tea for you?”
“Bring me coffee, the same as always.”
“Of course, sir.”

Jung Yun-kyung, wearing horn-rimmed glasses, bowed her head slightly with a smile on her face.
After the door closed, Chairman Park Tae-hong, now alone in the spacious office, picked up one of the morning newspapers neatly arranged on the side of his desk.
His gaze was immediately drawn to the headline printed in large letters across the front page.

[Bluehole Group Chairman Park Seok-won Acquires 100% Stake in Minguk Life for 2.3 Trillion Won!
Minguk Life, long known as a premier insurance company but which had suddenly collapsed into a troubled insurer due to the reckless management of Chairman Shim In-yeol—who was arrested on suspicion of embezzlement, breach of fiduciary duty, and violations of foreign exchange regulations—has finally been acquired by Bluehole Group Chairman Park Seok-won after numerous twists and turns.
With the acquisition structured to include real estate assets held by Minguk Life, including the 63 Building, along with Haecheon Fire Insurance shares (66.3% stake), Chairman Park Seok-won now simultaneously possesses both life and property insurance operations through this acquisition.
Meanwhile….]

Seeing his second son’s face prominently displayed in the black-and-white photograph, Chairman Park Tae-hong maintained his stern expression for a moment before his lips gradually relaxed into a quiet smile.

“That rascal said he’d acquire Minguk Life, and he actually went through with it.”

Chairman Park Tae-hong’s face brimmed with quiet satisfaction and pride as he spoke to himself.
It was only natural—his son had become the owner of a major life insurance company ranked third in the industry with total assets exceeding 14 trillion won, including insurance premiums entrusted by customers.

“Combined with WB Bank and now Minguk Life, we can truly stand shoulder to shoulder with the top five conglomerates without any shame.”

Even the phrase “the student surpasses the master” seemed insufficient to describe my second son’s achievements, and Chairman Park Tae-hong could not wipe the smile from his face.
Had only the second son been thriving so spectacularly, it would have been inevitable that the eldest would be overshadowed by comparison, making it impossible to feel unalloyed joy.
But contrary to such concerns, Park Jin-hyung, the eldest, showed no inferiority complex or jealousy toward his accomplished younger brother, maintaining a warm fraternal bond.
Moreover, witnessing him refuse to settle for complacency and actively drive the restructuring and operational transformation of Daeheung Group filled Chairman Park Tae-hong with profound satisfaction and pride.

“It’s regrettable that we’re selling the textile business that birthed the group, but as the eldest says, times are changing. If we remain shackled to the past, we’ll only face obsolescence.”

Selling the textile business, which carried the imprint of the previous generation’s vision, would have been unthinkable in earlier times.
Yet witnessing my second son’s pioneering spirit—not content to stagnate but boldly charting new frontiers—had fundamentally shifted my perspective.

“My sons are striving to accomplish something on their own. The least I can do is support them, not hinder their efforts.”

Having reconciled himself to this bittersweet reality, Chairman Park Tae-hong gazed upon his two sons—each flawlessly fulfilling their respective roles—with a contented smile.

* * *

At that same moment, the Gangnam Daeheung Venture Capital Fund Management Department Office bustled with activity.

“Buy 5,000 shares of LineComm at market price!”
“Millennium Computer is suddenly dropping—find out why!”

Manager Jung Hwan-yeop barked orders without lifting his eyes from the three monitors displaying charts before him.

“Yes!”

Noh Hee-won responded swiftly, picking up the receiver and dialing the Trading Department at Daehung Securities.
Moments later, covering the mouthpiece with one hand, she raised her voice to report.

“No significant news. Individual investors are selling off.”
“Is that so?”

Manager Jung Hwan-yeop, sleeves rolled up as he sat at his desk, scratched his head thoughtfully.

“It climbed significantly yesterday, so profit-taking is kicking in. Still, just to be safe, let me know if selling volume exceeds 10 billion won.”
“Understood.”

The stock market was a silent battlefield where a single mouse click or order could earn or lose billions of won.
My team members, fully aware of this reality, maintained their tension and continued their transactions while monitoring the screens before them.
Choi Ho-geun, who had stepped away briefly, returned to the office with an approval clipboard in one hand.
After scanning all the team members focused on their transactions, Choi Ho-geun tucked the clipboard under his armpit and clapped his hands lightly to gather their attention.

“Hold on. Everyone, pay attention!”

Since it was a principle not to disturb anyone during trading hours, the team members who turned to look at him had confusion written all over their faces.
Choi Ho-geun spoke in a calm voice as he received their gazes.

“What’s Goldbank’s current stock price?”

The youngest member, Noh Hee-won, quickly tapped the keyboard and answered immediately.

“It’s gone up another 500 won today, now trading at 14,000 won per share.”
“That’s 140,000 won per share before the stock split.”

Once the stock price that had exceeded 100,000 won per share was split 10-to-1, making it significantly cheaper, strong buying pressure came in as intended by Goldbank’s management, and the stock price that had been stagnant bounced back up again.
Choi Ho-geun nodded slightly and issued an instruction.

“I’ll open a trading account for you, so starting now, sell Goldbank shares above 13,000 won!”

Jung Hwan-yeop, who knew that our company held a 55% stake in Goldbank from investing before its listing, asked with a puzzled expression.

“You’re selling a stock that’s gaining momentum and rising?”
“Boss’s orders.”

Choi Ho-geun raised his thumb and pointed upward.
Jung Hwan-yeop immediately closed his mouth and, sitting in his chair, scratched the back of his head with one hand.

“Well, we’ve already made enormous profits from investing before the listing. It’s not a bad idea to realize some gains.”

Hong Jae-hee, wearing a silk blouse, chimed in from beside him.

“Honestly, Goldbank’s stock price has been rising excessively compared to its fundamentals, hasn’t it?”
“That’s right.”

Even Yu Seok-hyun nodded in agreement, and Choi Ho-geun’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“At first you were going to object, but the moment I mentioned the Chairman’s orders, you flipped your stance like a pancake, didn’t you?”
“Our entire team’s combined profit rate doesn’t come close to the Chairman’s alone, so of course we do as instructed.”

Jung Hwan-yeop shrugged as he spoke.

“Well… you’ve got a point there.”

Since it wasn’t wrong, Manager Choi Ho-geun smacked his lips in acknowledgment.

“By the way, how many shares should we sell?”

In response to Jung Hwan-yeop’s question, Manager Choi Ho-geun held up three fingers.

“Thirty million shares.”
“Ah, I see. That’s not much… wait, hold on. Thirty million shares?”

Jung Hwan-yeop, who had been unconsciously nodding at the casual answer, looked up in shock.

“Thirty million shares? Are you serious?”
“Yes. You heard correctly.”

While Manager Choi Ho-geun nodded calmly, his team members couldn’t hide their astonishment and stirred restlessly.

“Surely you’re not selling off the company’s entire stake in Goldbank?”

Sensing something unusual, Jung Hwan-yeop wiped all playfulness from his face and asked seriously.

“That’s right. So manage it carefully so the stock price doesn’t plummet, and sell off all thirty million shares within a month.”
“How can we keep the stock price stable when a major shareholder is liquidating their entire position? That’s easier said than done.”

Jung Hwan-yeop pressed his forehead and groaned.

“That’s why I pay you and your team such generous salaries—to handle difficult tasks like this.”
“Sigh.”

Jung Hwan-yeop exhaled deeply, unable to argue against the logic.
The other team members also looked troubled, as if they’d been handed a difficult assignment.
Seeing their expressions, Manager Choi Ho-geun spoke as if he’d expected this all along.

“Instead, if you complete the equity sale above 13,000 won per share, he said he’d give you a bonus.”
“!”

Jung Hwan-yeop’s head snapped up, his eyes gleaming as he asked.

“There’s really a bonus?”
“Yes. So stop looking so gloomy and sell the volume at the highest price possible.”

The moment Jung Hwan-yeop heard about the bonus, he cried out with renewed enthusiasm.

“The volume is substantial, but with the stock split bringing in fresh buying pressure, the price keeps climbing. If we walk the tightrope well, we should be able to move all the shares!”

Then he turned sharply toward Yu Seok-hyun and spoke.

“Let’s start by throwing out 10,000 shares to gauge market reaction.”
“Yes, sir!”

Yu Seok-hyun answered with fierce determination.

“Let’s give it our all! Jae-hee, fighting!”
“Yes, yes!”

Hong Jae-hee and Noh Hee-won clenched their fists and cheered as well.
Watching his team members brimming with energy—so different from moments before—Manager Choi Ho-geun chuckled softly and headed back to his desk.

* * *

“A visitor from Hojin Heavy Industries has arrived.”

Seok-won looked up from the report he’d been reading at his desk at Na Seong-mi’s words.
He then rolled up his shirt sleeves and checked the watch on his wrist.

“Time’s already gone by. Have them come in.”
“Yes.”

Na Seong-mi gave a brief reply, opened the Chairman’s Office door, and stepped aside.

“Please come in.”

Then Gong Sang-min, the head of the Special Vessel Division at Hojin Heavy Industries who had been waiting outside, entered the Chairman’s Office with two subordinates.
I rose from my seat as I watched Gong Sang-min bow respectfully along with the other two employees.

“I apologize for troubling you to come all the way up to Seoul.”
“Not at all. You must be busy, so of course we should be the ones to come.”

Gong Sang-min replied with utmost courtesy.

“Let’s sit down and talk.”
“Thank you.”

As I came around the desk and took the seat of honor first, Gong Sang-min and the employees who had accompanied him sat down neatly on the sofa to the right.

“What would you like to drink?”

As I asked while leisurely crossing one leg, Gong Sang-min answered promptly.

“Coffee, please.”
“Then I’ll have the same. Four coffees, please.”

As I turned my head to speak, Na Seong-mi answered with a smile on her face.

“Yes. I’ll bring them right away.”

After Na Seong-mi left, I leaned back against the plush sofa and spoke to Gong Sang-min.

“I hear the design for the new high-speed vessel is complete.”
“Yes, it is.”

Gong Sang-min gestured to the side, and the accompanying employee pulled out an A2-sized design blueprint of the new high-speed vessel from a large file case and unfolded it on the table where I could see it clearly.
I leaned forward in my seat and examined the design blueprint carefully with keen interest.

“As you instructed, we’ve significantly increased the displacement to 250 tons and upgraded the main gun to an Oto Melara 76mm cannon. We’ve also installed two remotely operated 20mm Vulcan guns on both sides of the hull and substantially reinforced the armor plating on the critical sections of the vessel.”

Gong Sang-min glanced at me as I listened quietly to the explanation and continued.

“Additionally, as you can see from the design blueprint, we’ve applied extensive improvements including a closed bridge and significantly increased engine output.”

After reviewing all the design blueprints, I smiled with satisfaction.

“I’m so impressed with how well it’s turned out that I’m eager to see the actual vessel completed.”

At my praise, Gong Sang-min, the department head, felt a wave of relief wash over him internally.
However, since the most critical matter still lay ahead, he couldn’t fully relax and opened his mouth cautiously.

“The thing is, because this vessel is considerably larger than the existing Chamsuri-class and equipped with the latest systems and powerful armaments, the construction costs have increased substantially.”
“How much are the construction costs?”
“30 billion won per vessel.”
“It’s definitely more expensive than the Chamsuri-class.”

Gong Sang-min, who had been gauging my reaction, quickly responded.

“The difference in size and performance compared to the previous Chamsuri-class is so significant that the construction costs inevitably increase.”

Then he quickly added further.

“If we remove the remote weapon control system and lower the required performance specifications for the radar and other equipment, we could probably reduce construction costs by 20 to 30 billion won.”
“No, there’s no need for that. Let’s proceed with construction as planned.”

I shook my head without the slightest hesitation.

“But that means the total construction cost will be 180 billion won. Are you certain about that?”
“It’s fine.”

Having answered decisively, I leaned back and spoke again.

“Instead, I’d like all six vessels to be completed and delivered to the Navy by the second half of 2001. Is that possible?”

Gong Sang-min paused to consider, then showed slight reluctance.

“Since it’s a high-speed patrol craft with a small displacement, it’s possible to construct the lead ship within a year. However, we need to conduct testing and evaluation to ensure there are no issues, then apply feedback through that process. Realistically, completing and delivering all six vessels by 2001 is difficult.”

Even after construction was complete, the vessels had to undergo at least six months to a year of sea trials before being delivered to the Navy for official commissioning.

“Then there’s no need to construct them separately. We can just build all six at once.”

At this statement that defied conventional wisdom, Gong Sang-min’s mouth fell open.

“If we proceed that way, there’s a risk that if there are any design flaws or defects, we won’t be able to correct them in the first ship, and we’ll end up having to fix all six vessels.”
“Are you saying the design was done so carelessly that such problems could arise?”
“Pardon?”

Gong Sang-min, flustered, shook his head urgently.

“Absolutely not!”

The design blueprints had been created through the tireless efforts of every single employee, working with unwavering dedication.
As Gong Sang-min, naturally proud of his own capabilities, adopted a serious expression, I met his gaze and spoke.

“I trust in Hojin Heavy Industries’ technological prowess, built over many years of constructing naval warships. So let’s proceed with simultaneous construction of all six vessels.”

If Gong Sang-min refused at this point, it would appear as though he himself didn’t trust their own design, leaving him in an awkward position with no way out.

“Let’s raise the construction cost to 200 billion won and have half of it paid upfront upon contract signing.”
“Is that truly the case?”

Gong Sang-min’s eyes widened in surprise.

“This way, even if unforeseen problems arise during construction requiring additional expenses, Hojin Heavy Industries won’t suffer any losses.”

At the extraordinarily generous proposal to increase the construction cost by 20 billion won, Gong Sang-min’s pupils wavered.
After deliberating for some time, Gong Sang-min nodded with a determined expression.

“Understood. I will ensure all six vessels are completed and undergo sea trials within three years.”

Having received the answer I desired, I smiled slightly.

“Let’s draw up the contract today without further delay.”

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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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