Chapter 58

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Gwangwoon, which began acquiring all shipping companies and expanded its scale exponentially.

They reached the time when they needed to manage their suddenly grown body, and thus Gwangwoon Group was born.

Gwangwoon Group’s first business was none other than acquiring port operating rights.

When Jeong Jin-ho told them to buy port operating rights, there was fierce opposition within the company.

In the past, port operating rights were exactly the structure to make money while sitting still.

They were the ultimate high-efficiency, low-cost structure not envying Gangnam building owners.

However, as trade decreased and the volume of ships traveling sea routes declined, the port business also faced a great crisis.

Eventually, companies that couldn’t hold out started throwing away operating rights, but even for places that still had considerable volume, there was no one willing to readily acquire operating rights.

Because there were many forecasts that trade business would become even more difficult going forward.

That’s why internal company executives opposed, saying absolutely not.

“P-President. Did you see the news!?”

“Yeah. I was just coming after seeing it.”

Executives gathered in President Kim Du-yeong’s office with pale faces.

“Belt and Road Initiative project. Wasn’t that completely scrapped?”

“Right. It came up 3 years ago and went half-heartedly, but this time they seem serious about doing it.”

There were actually quite a few things China made a fuss saying they’d do.

But actually putting them into practice wasn’t that common.

But this time the feeling is different.

They actually started developing the land Silk Road, and announced the optimal Silk Road route for the maritime side while entering aggressive acquisitions.

What’s important here is that the key bottleneck points currently set as the optimal route by China are all places Gwangwoon Group acquired in advance.

Thanks to that, Gwangwoon Group is about to gain tremendous profit.

“We opposed tremendously back then.”

“Right. If President hadn’t persistently pushed through..”

How fierce the executives’ opposition was at that time.

But it’s completely understandable and more.

“Honestly I’m saying this only now, but not opposing back then would’ve been strange. Anyone could see this was throwing money into water.”

“Yet President pushed through?”

“Yeah. It wasn’t just anyone. It was Department Head Jeong Jin-ho’s orders.”

Though it sounds awkward saying a securities firm department head gave orders.

It was natural at Gwangwoon Group.

The executives here absolutely didn’t see Jeong Jin-ho as department head level either.

Doesn’t the saying go that even Gwangwoon Group’s chairman springs up from sleep if it’s Department Head Jeong Jin-ho’s words?

He was already the real power among real powers.

“I’ve said repeatedly. Don’t doubt Department Head Jeong Jin-ho. Why else would they say don’t have an ego in front of Department Head Jeong Jin-ho?”

“But.. Even so, how on earth did he know this?”

The executives were also going crazy and jumping around.

The port business was clearly crazy no matter who looked at it.

Knowing that clearly, Department Head Jeong Jin-ho gave such orders, and President Kim Du-yeong broke through all opposition and forcibly proceeded with the work.

And this is the result.

The Chinese government that initially sharpened their blades saying they’d acquire Chinese companies ended up coming in gently bowing instead.

“Investing so forcibly in port business means he knew in advance things would turn out like this..”

“Surely he doesn’t have divine powers to see the future, right?”

“Then every shaman in the world would be a conglomerate. At this level, there must be someone providing information on China’s side.”

President Kim Du-yeong was also thinking that.

As Chairman Hwang said.

Department Head Jeong Jin-ho has his own algorithm that others don’t understand.

That wasn’t simply seeing the future or doing investment borrowing divine powers.

It was purely Jeong Jin-ho’s unique calculation method based on thorough analysis and prediction.

And to make such predictions, naturally solid information channels would be needed.

“Right. No matter how you look at it, there must be a China-side information channel.”

An information channel that can give this level of information.

“I know Department Head Jeong Jin-ho is only in his twenties. How does he have such a prime information line..”

It was somewhat embarrassing.

Trade is exactly the structure where you must do business through networks and connections.

Yet people who rolled in the trade market for decades have fewer connections than a securities firm department head!

“I heard Department Head Jeong takes tremendous incentives, and the company made a lot of money too. Didn’t he buy information channels with that?”

“Whatever it is. It’s embarrassing for us. How untrustworthy must we have been for Department Head Jeong to keep helping like this? Right?”

“…”

They had nothing to say.

Not satisfied with reviving Hanjong Shipping, Jeong Jin-ho directly participated in the shipping business and created a giant group.

“Yet we only doubted..”

“From now on, let’s write a new company motto.”

“Yes? How?”

President Kim Du-yeong smiled broadly and answered.

“Discard your ego.”

***

China’s Belt and Road Initiative project was progressing at a fast pace.

Already the land side was steadily laying roads as planned, and their will to complete the project quickly and decisively seemed strong.

However, the problem was still the maritime side.

“Congratulations, President Jeong. Wow. When you’re called President, you suddenly look different.”

“Don’t even mention it. I didn’t know I’d suddenly get a president nameplate like this either.”

“In a way, it’s a natural course.”

After the group stabilized a bit, hyung-nim immediately held a board meeting and made me Gwangwoon Securities president.

They say there wasn’t a single objection to that dramatic personnel move.

Thanks to that, I had to hastily prepare for the inauguration ceremony and even give an inauguration speech in front of all Gwangwoon Securities employees.

“I heard the talk. They say President Jeong is a completely legendary figure at Gwangwoon Securities. Starting as a junior and getting ultra-fast promotion in a short time.”

“I was a parachute though.”

“Maybe at first, but nobody thinks that way now, right? President Jeong proved it with your skills.”

President Kim Du-yeong came to find me today not to congratulate me for becoming president.

“You came because of China, right?”

“Yeah. First, as President Jeong said, we rejected their proposal initially. Then suddenly the Commerce Ministry side sends someone? You know. That bastard who threatened us severely last time.”

The name was probably Li Weiming.

“That bastard must be really embarrassed too. Having to come back and crawl after striking all those poses with us. President Jeong must’ve been really angry at that bastard too?”

I was angry at Li Weiming’s rude attitude making it seem like hyung-nim was being disrespected.

But I didn’t reject to retaliate.

Just back then, my intuition told me not to accept the proposal.

“Tomorrow I have to meet that bastard. Can I meet him alone?”

“Yes. President is the expert in that field.”

“Ugh. I used to think that way. But looking at President Jeong, I wonder if I’m really an expert?”

I lack knowledge about maritime affairs.

Rather than carelessly speaking and making mistakes, I judged it’s better to leave it to the expert. Isn’t that what President Kim Du-yeong is here for?

“This time a lot of money went in, so negotiations really have to go well.”

Gwangwoon Shipping spent a lot of money to acquire maritime companies.

They pulled out all capital at Gwangwoon Shipping, and our department additionally supported 1 trillion won.

So I poured all the remaining 2 trillion won seed money into acquiring port operating rights.

Plus Gwangwoon Shipping also pulled bank loans fully and invested 1 trillion won combining existing capital and bank loans.

A total amount reaching 3 trillion won went in.

In other words, if this negotiation with China goes wrong, those amounts become our losses as they are.

That’s why President Kim is nervous like this.

“So, what are you thinking?”

“Operating rights?”

“Yeah. How much should we squeeze from this bastard?”

“What do you think, President?”

“Me.. Maximum 50%? If I act crazy and get greedy, 70%? But honestly I don’t think they’ll accept that much. And we won’t sell all shares. How about holding onto some degree?”

Not selling all operating rights shares and keeping a foot in.

If the Belt and Road Initiative project is completed, there’s high possibility of continuous profits, so he’s trying to invest.

Should I say catching two rabbits at once?

“You’re quite greedy.”

“Well. Is it too greedy? So what should we do? What price would you like? 50%? Should I lower it a bit?”

I asked President Kim Du-yeong’s opinion because actually no particular intuition was coming.

I thought if I heard realistic price advice from an expert, maybe a feeling would hit hard.

‘Something’s not coming.’

Is it because the price is called too high?

“What. Why no answer, it’s scary. You’re not trying to raise it more, are you?”

Right then.

A signal came, albeit small, at President Kim Du-yeong’s words.

No way.. Did it mean to raise it more?

“President. If you’re really out of your mind, how much would you call?”

“Then double.”

The feeling came slightly stronger than double.

But this didn’t seem like the peak price.

“If you’re a bit more greedy.”

“M-more from here? Then 250%?”

“…”

“N-no way 300%!? Calling triple?”

Right there, a strong stimulus rose enough to make my eyelids close involuntarily.

But still.. Not yet.

It feels like something’s missing from triple.

“Get triple, and other things?”

“You mean not selling all shares and holding them? What I said earlier was just a joke!”

I slowly nodded my head.

Now it felt like the lacking part was completely filled.

“No. Who’s calling who greedy?”

***

Kim Du-yeong, who arrived at the appointment place, was already troubled.

Not satisfied with calling triple, not selling all shares and leaving a little.

China with many shares will take operating rights, but leaving a few percent shares means getting steady profits, so it seems he said that.

The problem is, will China accept such a proposal?

It would be fortunate if they don’t immediately say they’ll overturn all of Gwangwoon in China.

“Why does it feel like taking a test every time?”

Like asking, will you still believe Jeong Jin-ho even with this? Like taking a test.

But since it was already decided to do so, he had no choice but to confront it.

“We meet again, Deputy Director.”

“Yes. Nice to see you again.”

Last time he had a very fierce face.

Today his expression looks anxious.

Well. After leaving threatening like that and coming back to negotiate, it must be tough.

“You probably don’t plan to leisurely drink tea, so shall we get straight to the point?”

“Good. Please state your desired price.”

Can he really do this?

When actually about to speak, his mouth doesn’t open easily.

Then finally acting crazy, he brought it up.

“The amount we want is triple the price we acquired shares for. And China takes operating rights, but we won’t sell all our shares.”

“..!?”

Perhaps quite shocked, the cup in Li Weiming’s hand was trembling crazily.

Oh my. Now he’ll yell loudly and make all sorts of threats again—while that thought was passing through.

“Good.”

“..?”

Wait. He’s accepting this?

Really? Did I hear wrong?

The surprised one was Kim Du-yeong instead.

Did the interpreter convey something wrong?

Or is there another intention?

But asking was also awkward.

Because he was struggling hard to maintain a poker face not to reveal his surging emotions.

“You brought the contract, right?”

“Ah, yes. Here in the proposal, it’s also specified how much share we want.”

“Hmm. I see. I can’t sign here. After all, I came out for negotiation. The final approval will be done by the Director. When approval is finished, I’ll contact you again then.”

The deal ended in less than 5 minutes of meeting.

Li Weiming didn’t even read the contract properly.

Like that, Kim Du-yeong shook hands in a daze.

“But let me ask one thing.”

“Yes?”

“Who on earth is behind Gwangwoon Group? Who is it that even gave advance notice of Belt and Road Initiative information only a minority knew, and makes such deals?”

There Kim Du-yeong also realized why Li Weiming was coming out like this.

Right now Li Weiming thinks a high-ranking Chinese official is involved behind Gwangwoon Securities. Only then did Kim Du-yeong also feel the puzzle clicking together.

So that’s why he confidently called triple.

Plus even such an absurd proposal.

“I don’t know either.”

“..Don’t know? Aren’t you the person in charge?”

“No. Just as Deputy Director came receiving orders, I also came receiving orders.”

“…”

“But it’s certain that someone we can never find out is backing us. Otherwise, how would such a deal be possible common-sense-wise?”

“..!”

Then Li Weiming nodded and extended his hand first.

“You and I, in the end we were just chess pieces for some big picture someone drew.”

“Yes. Isn’t that what organizational life is originally?”

Li Weiming smiled bitterly.

Conversely, Kim Du-yeong bloomed a bright smile.

Thanks to that, Gwangwoon Shipping is about to make tremendous money.

***

“Deputy Director. Are you crazy? You brought this as a contract now!? Triple? Plus not handing over all shares? What kind of..!”

Li Weiming, who returned to the Commerce Ministry, got scolded by the Director.

Because this was a contract that fattens only Gwangwoon’s belly no matter who looks at it.

“Still, the price is cheaper than 3 years ago. Back then, share prices were really skyrocketing.”

“That’s why our government waited 3 years. Until that bubble disappears! But this is.. Did you receive something in Korea?”

“Absolutely not.”

“But you come back with such a crazy contract? Do you think I’ll approve this!?”

Unable to hold back, the Director threw the papers.

But he didn’t even feel upset.

Because seeing the Director’s reaction now, Li Weiming also realized.

“Seems Director didn’t know either. As expected.. If Director doesn’t know, just what kind of person is involved..”

“What?”

“Doesn’t Director also think something’s strange? Before the Hallyu ban dropped, Gwangwoon Group bought Chinese companies and monopolized all shipping volume, and before this Belt and Road Initiative project was announced, they secured all key bottleneck points.”

The Director rolled his eyes quickly.

Though Commerce Ministry Director is mid-level management, reaching this position doesn’t happen with ordinary intuition.

“Wait. Are you saying there’s someone behind Gwangwoon Group?”

“Yes. Didn’t you say until announcement, only very few personnel knew about Belt and Road Initiative? But how did Gwangwoon know in advance? Not just that, this proposal came from Gwangwoon’s side. What does making such an absurd proposal mean?”

“They think we have no choice but to accept.”

“Yes. Both this Hallyu ban and the Belt and Road Initiative project. One of the Party’s core members is intentionally backing Gwangwoon.”

Why would a Communist Party core executive back a specific company?

To make money.

But what if the Commerce Ministry side interferes with that work?

“We disappear without a trace, Director.”

“..!”

The Director swallowed dry saliva.

If the person behind this is one of the Central Committee members who can be called the core of the Communist Party, purging one Commerce Ministry would be nothing.

“Gwangwoon said so too. That having them make such a deal doesn’t make sense common-sense-wise.”

“Did Gwangwoon’s side tell you who’s backing them?”

“No. That person also seemed not to know since like me, they came receiving orders from above. But they seemed to vaguely know there’s someone with tremendous power in China behind them.”

“…”

His neck feels chilly.

If he unknowingly overturned the contract and tried to reorganize the Silk Road from scratch, the next day a bloody wind would’ve blown through the Commerce Ministry.

A literal bloody wind.

“What should.. We do?”

“What do you mean what. We have to follow unless we want to die holding hands with family. Though I don’t know whose will it is. And this matter, only Deputy Director and I should know. Don’t spread words strangely. I mean don’t touch that person’s mood. Let’s handle it as quietly as possible.”

“Understood.”

After the Deputy Director left, only then could the Director drink the water in his cup with trembling hands.

“Whew. My heart’s pounding..”

Though I don’t know who it is.

Since such things are happening, at least give a hint to act sensibly.

If not for the Deputy Director, he almost disappeared with family becoming ashes.