Golden Spoon Investment Portfolio - Chapter 61

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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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61. Now it’s just a matter of waiting.

Hannam-dong, Seoul.
It was the weekend, so Park Tae-hong dressed casually in cotton pants and a short-sleeved polo shirt as he sat alone on the study room sofa, meticulously wiping each leaf of his beloved orchid with a soft cloth.
As I carefully grasped one leaf and wiped away the dust, a smooth luster bloomed to life.
Park Tae-hong favored orchids for their robust vitality and inner beauty over showy flowers.
The sight of the orchid blooming solitary and aloof, pristine yet emanating a subtle fragrance, resonated deeply with me—it mirrored the hidden struggles behind the title of conglomerate owner and the difficult decisions I had to make at every moment.
Even while busily leading the group, these quiet moments alone tending to the orchid granted me peace and solace.
Beyond the window, the bright sunlight streaming into the study room made the crimson orchid petals appear even more beautiful.
After meticulously cleaning every leaf of the orchid, a serene smile graced Park Tae-hong’s face.

“Excellent.”

As I admired the orchid with satisfaction, Jo Deok-rye entered the study room carrying a tray.

“Were you tending to the orchid?”

Jo Deok-rye glanced at the orchid sitting on the table as she spoke.

“Plants aren’t something you can keep alive with just water. You have to give them attention and care for them meticulously, or they’ll wither and won’t grow properly.”

Knowing well how much Park Tae-hong cherished the orchid, Jo Deok-rye accepted this with understanding and set down a white bowl containing a crystalline punch with floating pine nuts before settling onto the empty sofa.

“Stop that and have some of this.”
“Crystalline punch, is it?”
“I had the Gunsan Housekeeper make it with plenty of honey. I brought it to see how you like the taste.”

Park Tae-hong set down the cloth he’d been using to wipe the orchid leaves and lifted the white bowl, taking a sip of the punch.

“Hmm, it’s quite sweet and pleasant.”
“I tried some myself and it turned out well. Since drinking only coffee isn’t good for your health, you should have this instead when you’re at home.”
“Fair enough.”

Park Tae-hong drained the entire bowl, apparently pleased with how well the punch suited his palate.
Just then, a knock sounded from outside, followed by the voice of my eldest son.

“Father. It’s Jin-hyung.”
“Come in.”

As Park Tae-hong set down his white teacup, his eldest son, Park Jin-hyung, opened the door and stepped inside.

“Oh, you’re both here together.”

Jo Deok-rye rose from her seat with a delighted expression at the sight of her eldest son, whom she hadn’t seen in some time.

“So you’ve just returned from your business trip to China?”
“Yes. It was my maternal grandfather’s birthday last week, and I regret that I couldn’t attend.”
“When work is demanding, there’s little to be done about it. Still, I hear you called him separately afterward.”
“I wanted to offer my regards on the morning of his birthday. I apologize that time was limited and the call was brief.”
“That’s nothing to worry about. You did well.”

Park Tae-hong, who had been observing the exchange between mother and son, interjected with a brief cough.

“I have something to discuss with my eldest son, so you step outside for a moment.”
“Of course.”

Jo Deok-rye rose with the empty teacup and asked her eldest son.

“You haven’t had lunch yet, have you?”
“No.”
“Then eat here before you go. I’ve prepared that blue crab soup you love.”
“Thank you, I will.”

Jo Deok-rye smiled softly and left the study room.
As the wooden door closed, Park Tae-hong gestured toward the sofa and spoke.

“Don’t just stand there gawking. Sit down.”
“Yes.”

Park Tae-hong pushed the orchid on the table to the side and looked at his eldest son seated on the sofa to his right.

“Now that you’ve been to China yourself, what’s your impression of the atmosphere there?”
“I’ll prepare a detailed report and submit it separately, but both the central government and the provincial governments of each region showed considerable enthusiasm for attracting foreign investment.”

As profitability continued to decline, Park Tae-hong ultimately decided that before conditions deteriorated further, he would relocate the domestic cotton textile factory to China, where labor costs were significantly lower.
Before formally pursuing the factory relocation, he sent his eldest son to China on a preliminary reconnaissance mission to assess local conditions.

“In particular, the local governments of the Northeast Three Provinces have presented the most favorable terms.”
“The Northeast Three Provinces—you mean the region that borders North Korean territory?”
“That’s correct.”

The collective term “Northeast Three Provinces” referred to Jilin, Liaoning, and Heilongjiang—the three provinces comprising China’s far northeastern region.
Park Tae-hong’s expression tightened slightly as he regarded his eldest son.

“That’s on the complete opposite end from where Factory One is located in Shenzhen, isn’t it?”
“Correct. The distance between Shenyang, the major city representing the Northeast Three Provinces, and Shenzhen is approximately 2,300 kilometers—quite far indeed.”
“Surely you’re not actually considering that as a candidate location for the factory relocation?”

Park Jin-hyung, receiving the question, responded with measured composure.

“Initially, I was skeptical as well, but I now believe it warrants serious consideration.”

Though doubtful, Park Tae-hong decided to hear him out, folding his arms as he asked.

“What’s your reasoning?”

Park Jin-hyung straightened in his seat and spoke with evident gravity.

“The primary reason for relocating the factory to China is to reduce production costs, is it not?”
“That’s right.”
“While Shenzhen, where Factory One is located, has wages less than half those in Korea, the Northeast Three Provinces, recognized as a notably underdeveloped region, offer even lower labor costs within China itself.”
“Hmm.”
“Moreover, it’s geographically much closer to Korea, and we can efficiently transport our products through Dalian Port.”

Park Jin-hyung, observing Park Tae-hong’s expression as he listened, continued his explanation.

“Two million ethnic Koreans, with whom we share a common language, are concentrated in the Northeast Three Provinces. If we recruit them as employees, operating the factory would be far more manageable than elsewhere.”
“Communication barriers are indeed the greatest obstacle when operating an overseas factory.”
“Precisely.”

In fact, when establishing the first overseas factory in Shenzhen, the company had faced considerable difficulties due to language barriers between dispatched domestic employees and local Chinese workers.

“A senior official from the Liaoning Provincial government, who happened to be visiting Shenzhen, heard about us and came directly to meet. During that conversation, he demonstrated strong commitment to attracting the factory and presented quite compelling terms.”

Park Tae-hong asked with interest.

“What specific conditions did they propose?”
“They promised to provide a factory site of 250,000 pyeong near Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning Province, free of charge for 55 years, and the local government committed to laying all the infrastructure including roads and water/sewage systems.”

As a socialist state, China operated on the principle that all land belonged to the state or local government, and individuals could not own property.
Instead, depending on the purpose, they could receive usage rights to use the land for a set period—40 years, 70 years, and so forth.

“250,000 pyeong is more than twice the size of the Cheongju Factory.”
“On top of that, they also said they would reduce corporate tax by 50% for 10 years.”

At those final words, Park Tae-hong’s eyes gleamed with keen interest.

“They really agreed to all that?”

Park Jin-hyung, receiving his gaze, nodded and answered immediately.

“Yes. The Liaoning Provincial government is quite eager to attract factories, so through negotiations I believe we can secure even more favorable terms than what was initially proposed.”
“I see.”

Park Tae-hong stroked his cleanly shaved chin with one hand, pondered for a moment, then spoke again.

“Let’s discuss this with the executives and make a decision on how to proceed.”
“Understood.”

Since this wasn’t a matter to be decided lightly, Park Jin-hyung complied without complaint.

“Anyway, the reason I called you here today is because there’s something I wanted to tell you in advance.”

Park Jin-hyung had been curious about why his father summoned him to the main house separately, when he would have reported on his business trip tomorrow at the office anyway. He listened intently.

“You should already know that we’re planning to list Daehung Venture Capital on the stock exchange around year-end.”
“Yes.”
“Before the listing, I’m thinking of gifting 15% of my Daehung Venture Capital shares to your younger brother.”
“…!”

Park Jin-hyung was taken aback by words he had never anticipated.
But he quickly composed himself and asked Park Tae-hong carefully.

“Are you planning to hand over the financial subsidiaries to Seok-won?”

Park Tae-hong gazed at his eldest son with a darkened expression.

“What makes you think that?”
“You had Seok-won join the securities firm rather than headquarters, and now you’re transferring shares of Daehung Venture Capital to him. That’s what led me to wonder.”

Though the second son was exceptionally talented, the eldest possessed insight and management acumen that were no less impressive.
Park Tae-hong examined his eldest son’s face intently, inwardly satisfied yet revealing nothing of it outwardly.
He was slightly concerned that his eldest might harbor resentment at having the financial subsidiaries separated and given to his younger brother.

“We’ll need to observe further, but if there are no major issues, that is indeed my intention.”
“I see.”

Park Jin-hyung replied without any noticeable change in expression.

“Are you disappointed?”

When Park Tae-hong, leaning back against the sofa, suddenly posed this question, Park Jin-hyung shook his head without the slightest hesitation.

“Not at all. Seok-won is your son as well, after all.”

Fortunately, there was no trace of falsehood in his response.
Park Tae-hong felt inwardly relieved and spoke with a notably serious tone.

“Never forget the saying that harmony within the family leads to success in all external matters. A harmonious household ensures prosperity in business.”
“I will keep that in mind.”

Park Tae-hong, who had been studying his eldest son intently, then proceeded with his next statement.

“At the year-end personnel reshuffle, President No will retire and step back into an advisory role.”
“…!”

Hearing this for the first time, the eldest son’s expression shifted to one of surprise as Park Tae-hong continued calmly.

“At that time, you will be appointed as president of Daeheung Textiles. Prepare yourself accordingly.”

Appointing Park Jin-hyung as president of Daeheung Textiles—the group’s foundation and flagship subsidiary—signified that the eldest son had drawn one step closer to the position of group successor.

Park Jin-hyung suppressed his excitement and answered calmly.

“I will do my best not to disappoint you.”
“Good.”

Chairman Park Tae-hong nodded approvingly at his eldest son’s demeanor.

“As you rise to higher positions, remember that your responsibilities grow as well. Apply yourself with diligence.”
“Yes.”

* * *

The fitness center of the New York Plaza Hotel in New York.
Sunlight poured through the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows as Seokwon ran on the treadmill in light athletic wear.
As I exercised while overlooking the glittering high-rise buildings of Fifth Avenue, the verdant forests of Central Park, and the people moving through the streets below, the vibrant energy of New York seemed to flow through me, leaving me feeling refreshed.
After running on the treadmill at a brisk pace for over thirty minutes, my entire body was drenched in sweat, my t-shirt clinging to me and revealing my muscular physique.
Gradually slowing the pace, I stepped off the treadmill, wiping away the beads of sweat from my face with a towel while catching my breath, which had grown slightly ragged.
As I picked up the water bottle left on the bench and moistened my throat, my phone rang with an incoming call.

“Hello.”
[This is Drew Evans. Do you have time to talk?]

The moment I heard the caller’s name, my eyes lit up with intrigue.
After confirming that no one was nearby, I sat on the bench and brought the phone closer to my ear.

“Go ahead.”
[Will you truly remain as an investor without interfering in management?]
“I will intervene if the company faces problems or shows underperforming results, but until then, I promise to support you, Drew.”

Drew Evans, who had been silent for a moment, then spoke what he truly wanted to say in a measured tone.

[If you guarantee the current management’s positions for the next three years, I’ll shake hands with you.]

I answered without hesitation, as if there was nothing to deliberate.

“Agreed.”

Taken aback by my swift response, a brief silence fell between us.

“I must admit, I expected you to deliberate a bit longer before answering so readily.”
“Why would I refuse when a proven executive who can lead the company better than anyone else has chosen to stay of their own accord?”

Drew Evans, who had harbored lingering doubts and suspicions until the very end, finally felt the unease lift from his shoulders at Seok-won’s words.

“So your words about investing based on growth potential were sincere.”
“Of course. I’ll back you with everything I have, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything.”
“Your words alone mean everything to me.”

Seok-won ended the call on a positive note, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth as he lowered the phone from his ear.

“I was worried about killing the goose that lays the golden eggs, but this resolves everything cleanly. Now I just need to sit tight and wait for the money to multiply.”

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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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