Max-Level Son of a Chaebol Family - Chapter 56

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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56. Players Should Help Each Other

 

Master chuckled heartily.

 

“It’s not just me. Jongno Gold Teeth and Maljuk Intersection Horse Head have agreed to join as well. It’s an alliance of those from the Back Alleys.”

 

Oh!

 

“Maljuk Intersection Horse Head pushed for it the most strongly. He’s furious about Public Authority. Something about establishing a Bank at the Horse Racing Track.”

 

Maljuk Intersection Horse Head had always been eyeing the Horse Racing Track, claiming that the ultimate end of Gambling was the Horse Racing Track.

 

But in the past, Maljuk Intersection Horse Head never managed to get into the Horse Racing Track.

 

Like settling for a chicken instead of a pheasant, he aimed for a casino instead of the Horse Racing Track and ended up shot dead in Macau.

 

“That bastard Jongno Gold Teeth says his first priority dream is Korea Exchange Bank, and his second priority is a Securities Company.”

 

In the past, Jongno Gold Teeth, who specialized in gold distribution and currency exchange, died after getting caught up in power struggles between Organized Crime groups.

 

He was found as a cold corpse in a Trash Can in the Back Alleys of Garibong-dong, having lost not only his Safe but also his gold shops and territory.

 

“What about Kkachi Mountain Lady Bang?”

 

“She says she’s not interested in Banks. Instead, she wants to establish a Real Estate Development Company.”

 

Kkachi Mountain Lady Bang had formed a rotating credit association with the Real Estate Ladies and operated a Coffee Shop, but one day she was dragged away by the Agency for National Security Planning and came out as a corpse.

 

Of course, the vast land that Kkachi Mountain Lady Bang owned was soon converted into residential sites and secretly flowed into Political Circles as political funds for the presidential election.

 

‘This is good.’

 

The former era’s big shots who in the past couldn’t unite their strength and died miserably while each trying to survive on their own.

 

They received the Invitation I sent and decided to join forces and come out to the Sunny Side.

 

“Good. Then I’ll lend a hand too.”

 

“······Huh?”

 

Don’t make such a dumbfounded expression, Master.

 

“Did you forget? What kind of Account Book I have in my hands.”

 

“Ah!”

 

Master finally seemed to remember Wookwang Construction’s Bribery Ledger.

 

It was a Death List with the names of high-ranking Political Circles figures who took money and the exact amounts of Bribes they received written in detail.

 

“The current Bank Presidents who are part of the establishment are connected to those in power, and they won’t just sit back and watch the emergence of new competitors.”

 

But if this exists, the story changes!

 

“Kid, wasn’t that in your Grandfather’s hands? You don’t even have anything, so if you act generous like this, how are you going to handle the consequences?”

 

“Why worry about the consequences? Originally, a Sword is most frightening when it doesn’t come out of its sheath.”

 

I also moved close to Master and whispered softly.

 

“Our Taeseong received a Letter from an anonymous sponsor. Did you forget?”

 

“What? Hahahaha!”

 

Only then did Master burst into hearty laughter.

 

He finally understood what I meant properly.

 

Why? What? Why!

 

Taeseong’s anonymous sponsor, that’s me, right?

 

“I can gladly send a few anonymous Threatening Letters. It’s about players helping each other out.”

 

“Hahahaha! Right, players in this field share the good opportunities.”

 

“Secretly.”

 

“Without a trace!”

 

We master and disciple looked at each other and laughed.

 

“Then when Taeseong takes out loans, you’ll give preferential treatment to allies, right? Low interest rates, fast loans.”

 

“Just with words?”

 

“Should I not send around Threatening Letters?”

 

“Hmm.”

 

“Actually, Taeseong has no choice. It’s because of the separation of finance and industry, separation of banking and securities. You know, right?”

 

It’s a principle that prohibits financial capital represented by banks and industrial capital represented by companies from owning and controlling each other’s sectors.

 

This is a system introduced to prevent bad loans, prevent conflicts of interest between customers, and eliminate unfair competition due to the harmful effects of information monopoly.

 

“But Investment Companies are different. Unlike Taeseong, they can invest in banks as much as they want.”

 

I smiled slyly.

 

“I’m thinking of setting up an Investment Company and getting a foot in the door. How about it?”

 

“Welcome, Investor! We always welcome, and welcome again, anyone who comes with money.”

 

“Is this still just words?”

 

“Hahaha, I really can’t handle you at all, kid!”

 

Master drank his Ssanghwa Tea in big gulps, feeling good.

 

That miser, drinking expensive Ssanghwa Tea with two Eggs floating in it in big gulps all at once instead of savoring it all day.

 

Clank!

 

Master set down his Ssanghwa Tea teacup on the table and wiped the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand.

 

“Come to think of it, that’s strange. I know there’s no investment company among Taeseong’s affiliated companies yet.”

 

“It’s not Taeseong, but the company I’m establishing that will invest.”

 

“What?”

 

“Actually, this is a secret. I’m telling you because I trust you to keep your mouth shut.”

 

I winked at him with one eye.

 

“It would be too wasteful to hand over a company I’ve carefully nurtured by myself to Taeseong. I need to secure my own share.”

 

“Well…”

 

“Right now I’m investing in the bank, but I’m thinking of acquiring a company before long. Will you help me out generously when that time comes?”

 

Master’s mouth fell wide open.

 

But he quickly came to his senses.

 

“I’m about to drain all my money just to set up the bank, so what money would I have?”

 

“I gave you the subway station information cheaply. I’m also securing development land for you. When land prices skyrocket soon, your pockets will be full, right?”

 

“What?”

 

Master shook his head back and forth.

 

“Hah, do chaebol families provide early education from such a young age?”

 

“How would I know that? You saw it yourself at the Year-End Night event yesterday. I just entered the Taeseong Family.”

 

Master seemed to have nothing to say and just made awkward coughing sounds again.

 

He glanced at me and all he asked was this.

 

“Why specifically an investment company?”

 

“It’s easy.”

 

How could it be easy for a seven-year-old kid to sit as president and run a company?

 

But investment companies are a bit different.

 

“I select promising companies and provide initial business funding. In return, I take a huge chunk of that company’s stocks and sell them when they’re expensive to make money.”

 

As expected, stocks make money.

 

In this era when manufacturing and heavy industry were just beginning to grow properly, there were many opportunities to make big money through stock investment.

 

No wonder it’s still considered one of the most representative wealth management methods even in the 21st century when growth has slowed down.

 

But Master shook his head.

 

“Easy to say. But how can you do that with just your eyes? Finding promising companies is one thing, but getting your money back from those grown companies is another.”

 

How could I not know that?

 

You can’t touch dirty money without being prepared to risk your life to collect it.

 

“Those who borrow business funds bow and scrape at first, acting like they’d give you their liver. But once they get a taste of money, their eyes quickly change. They crawl on their knees when borrowing money, but spit at you when it’s time to pay it back – that’s how this world works.”

 

People are different when they go into the restroom versus when they come out.

 

Have I only seen that happen once or twice?

 

But Master’s eyes turned cold.

 

“Kid, if there’s ever someone who takes your money, grows big, then stabs you in the back, tell me. I’m not the type to let those who take money and run get away with it.”

 

How reassuring!

 

Originally, I could have handled such matters myself, but now I’m helplessly stuck as a seven-year-old kid.

 

I have Uncle Cheol-gu who swore loyalty to me and Yoo Jong-tae, the Taeseong Group Security Team leader, but it’s good to have more jokers to think of when dirty work comes up!

 

“Thank you.”

 

A partnership sprouting from mutual goodwill!

 

I took out paper from my coin purse and pulled out my Montblanc fountain pen from my coat to write down our house telephone number.

 

At the very end, I didn’t forget to write my name, ‘Cha Jeong-hyeok,’ before handing it over.

 

“If you become interested in investment, please contact me here.”

 

“Huh? Did I hear wrong? Something sounds strange about what you said?”

 

“It’s exactly what you heard.”

 

“What? Didn’t you just say you’d invest in our bank?”

 

“Banks also invest in investment companies, don’t they?”

 

I grinned.

 

“I always welcome investment institutions that have discerning eyes, lots of money, and are sound.”

 

I can guarantee it.

 

Before long, Master will contact me using the telephone number I gave him.

 

“Well, I’ll be going first. It was nice meeting you today.”

 

I got down from the chair and put my hands together to bow politely.

 

I paid for the two cups of Ssanghwa tea and left the hotel coffee shop.

 

* * *

 

Mayor Gu looked at the map that President Kim of Wookwang Construction had drawn.

 

“This is all you managed to draw in an hour? You couldn’t even mark a few dots on the map.”

 

A clicking sound of his tongue followed.

 

“You might as well have drawn Former Mayor Yang’s subway route map instead. Even a child scribbling carelessly would have done better than this.”

 

“Mayor Gu, this is a national policy project that His Excellency has shown great interest in. Even if we deliberate carefully with Wookwang Construction’s executive team, it wouldn’t be enough.”

 

President Kim of Wookwang Construction rattled off excuses with a deeply aggrieved expression.

 

Mayor Gu, unable to listen any longer, raised his hand.

 

“Enough. I’ve heard enough of Woo-gwang’s intentions.”

 

Mayor Gu roughly folded the map that the Wookwang Construction President had drawn.

 

“Then I’ll specially extend the submission deadline to one week for Woo-gwang. Take it or leave it.”

 

“Excellent! One week! I will definitely bring you a proper Subway Line 2 route map! Thank you!”

 

President Kim of Wookwang Construction finally brightened his face.

 

“You’re certain there are only bonus points and no disadvantages, right?”

 

“Do I look like someone who would talk nonsense? Just make sure to meet the deadline properly.”

 

“Of course. Then I’ll see you again in one week.”

 

The Wookwang Construction President rushed out with Secretary Choi.

 

“Secretary Choi, convene a Wookwang Construction executive meeting immediately!”

 

“Yes!”

 

“Prepare all materials related to Subway Line 2! Tell them to create a Subway Line 2 route map consisting of more than 40 stations! The deadline is one week!”

 

“We’re already short on time just creating the bid proposal and construction plan, so I don’t think we have enough manpower left to work on the subway route map as well.”

 

“Deploy all that manpower to route map creation too! This has a one-week deadline, and that has a three-week deadline!”

 

He was saying the priorities were different.

 

“A subway route map that will capture Mayor Gu’s heart! Victory or defeat will be decided there. No disadvantages? When a person’s heart leans one way, that itself is bonus points for one side and disadvantages for the other!”

 

This was why President Kim of Wookwang Construction was in such a hurry.

 

“Book a hotel and have them stay there for a week!”

 

“Yes.”

 

The moment it was confirmed that Wookwang Construction’s elites would roll around screaming in agony, Secretary Choi asked.

 

“Then what about the work on Taeseong Chemical’s side…”

 

“That’s the last resort! For now, we need to focus on this side first. If we can just capture Mayor Gu’s heart, there’s no need to take such risks!”

 

Mayor Gu looked down through the glass window of the Mayor’s Office.

 

President Kim of Wookwang Construction and Secretary Choi were hurriedly leaving City Hall.

 

“Tsk tsk, it’s a vision they couldn’t draw even when given an hour, so what would change if given a week?”

 

On Mayor Gu’s desk, three Subway Line 2 route maps were spread out side by side.

 

“I didn’t know there would be such a difference in capability between the two construction companies.”

 

The right one was Taeseong’s, the middle one was what Mayor Gu had created, and the left one was what President Kim of Wookwang Construction had drawn.

 

“For someone called a president to have only this level of insight and ability. The future of Wookwang Construction is quite predictable.”

 

Ring ring!

 

It was the internal phone.

 

“There’s a call from the Blue House. Should I connect it?”

 

“Quickly!”

 

Mayor Gu hurriedly straightened his posture.

 

“It’s been a while, Your Excellency. This is Gu Jae-cheol.”

 

-Subway Line 2. How is it going?

 

He’s starting with the main point right away.

 

“Actually, something came up that I need to report about that matter.”

 

While taking the call, Mayor Gu glanced down at the three subway route maps spread out on his desk.

 

“I’ve decided on the construction company to handle the Subway Line 2 construction.”

 

-There should be some time left.

 

“That’s true, but I don’t think I’ll change my mind.”

 

-What brought about this change of heart?

 

“I happened to discover a construction company with vision, technical capability, and abundant investment funds – perfect for subway construction.”

 

The subway route map drawn with a red marker pen.

 

That very map, with an asterisk marking the location where Sindorim Station would be built, caught Mayor Gu’s attention.

 

“When asked to show the construction company’s vision, he drew out Seoul’s Subway Lines 2, 3, and 4 right on the spot. It took less than 30 minutes.”

 

-Hmm.

 

“It was perfect from technical, geological, geopolitical, and cost perspectives. He perfectly complemented the gaps I hadn’t considered, presenting the direction for Korea’s future urban development plans.”

 

A brief silence flowed from the other end of the telephone.

 

-The construction company. Which one?

 

“Taeseong Construction.”

 

Mayor Gu quickly continued speaking.

 

“It’s not Former President Cha Yoon-seong who was notorious for being incompetent. The newly appointed president is resourceful, capable, and outstanding in many ways. I hear he brought in oil money by securing several major construction projects in the Middle East, even bringing honor to the nation.”

 

-Mm.

 

“If Your Excellency sees him directly, you’ll naturally understand why I said such things. In that sense, when you call the chaebol leaders for this New Year’s luncheon, I think it would be good to invite him as well.”

 

-Good. Shall I take a look at his face?

 

“Thank you, Your Excellency. I’ll bring the subway route map with me. I’ll see you at the New Year’s luncheon.”

 

-Why wait until New Year? Since we’re talking about it, today. Let’s have a drink.

 

Though it was a proposal for a private drinking session, Mayor Gu couldn’t answer easily.

 

His face became even more tense.

 

“Yes, then I’ll bring the subway route map and go to the Blue House.”

 

-I’m just passing by the area. Hyeonmu Hotel would be good.

 

An additional comment came from the other end of the telephone.

 

-Call that guy too.

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