Chapter 121

Chapter 121

Private Meeting with the President

As soon as the private meeting sound came out, the people who filled the banquet hall drained out like the tide.

Became quiet in an instant.

The president took out a silver cigarette case from his bosom.

Chairman Cha stood up with a whoosh and lit with a lighter.

The president deeply sucked the cigarette smoke.

“Quite good.”

The president threw the silver cigarette case on the table with a thud.

Even in the meantime, the president’s eyes didn’t fall from Chairman Cha even once.

“How did you bake?”

A question with the object omitted.

Chairman Cha swallowed dry saliva and carefully put the lighter down on the table.

“His Excellency, seems there is some misunderstanding.”

“What misunderstanding freezing to death.”

The president bit the cigarette and crumpled the brows.

“Not easy people. Somehow baked.”

“His Excellency, not such a thing.”

“Would have given a bit of bean powder while offering election funds too. Even brought and offered the purge ledger so would have been admirable. That guy’s likes and dislikes are quite simple.”

This was the sound regarding the Blue House security chief.

“Gave a breathing hole to the person drying up stuck between the prime minister and me, so understanding even that guy running wild so happily.”

This was clearly the sound regarding the Blue House secretary chief.

The more so the president’s smile became cold.

“But if the central intelligence director and army security commander, the story is a bit different.”

“······Yes?”

“Pretending not to know.”

Tak. Tak tak.

The president flicked fingertips and dusted the cigarette ash.

Not in the highest grade glass ashtray but in the wine glass drinking accompanied with the meal.

“Those guys are not people who move with money or favor. How did you bake?”

“Hi, His Excellency.”

“I hate asking the same words twice.”

Sizzle.

The president dipped the cigarette he was smoking into the wine glass.

The cigarette fire went out making a small sizzle sound.

As the president held the wine glass and lightly turned, the cigarette ash and cigarette butt overflowed every time the wine sloshed.

“Seems wanting to drink penalty wine instead of toasting wine?”

Tak.

The president put down the wine glass he was holding in front of Chairman Cha.

“Behave like a person while still treating as a person. Don’t flap.”

Looking at the red wine where the cigarette and cigarette ash gradually sank, Chairman Cha swallowed dry saliva with a gulp.

Tightly gripped a fist under the table to hide the trembling hand.

“His Excellency, first will ask just one word.”

“Do.”

“Does His Excellency see that I have that much skill?”

“······.”

The eyes that were flashing coldly with suspicion narrowed for a moment.

The president stared at Chairman Cha instead of answering yes or no.

Chairman Cha also didn’t avoid those eyes and looked at the president straight.

“Hmm.”

The president leaned his back leisurely on the chair and took out one more cigarette and bit.

Chairman Cha too, the president too, U-gwang’s Kim Dae-sik kneeling on the floor also had no words.

In the heavy silence, only the puffing cigarette sound flowed.

“If asking if Taeseong has that level of skill······.”

He doesn’t hide the doubtful appearance.

The president glared at Chairman Cha until completely burning one cigarette.

“If had that much knack from the beginning, wouldn’t have heard the sound of being stiff like an iron core.”

“Can’t help but be puzzled that a person who didn’t do is handling quite plausibly.”

Even while saying so, doesn’t withdraw the suspicion.

The gaze thoroughly tearing from head to toe was like a snake.

“Unlike the two Blue House chiefs, just didn’t express the opposing meaning. Just a remark acknowledging if Taeseong’s technology.”

Even that added only two words.

-Military weapons supplied with Taeseong’s technology. That is expected.

-Certainly not bad.

Chairman Cha silently looked at the red wine placed in front of him.

“His Excellency, I honestly know nothing about politics, and no heart wanting to get involved.”

No answer came back, but doesn’t block that mouth either.

The sound of saying more.

“Deciding to jump into defense industry was because firmed the determination that the time to repay the grace of His Excellency and the motherland.”

“Why?”

“Heard the US pressure is quite severe because of Koreagate.”

Koreagate.

The fact that Korean lobbyists received instigation from the Korean government and did illegal lobbying to the US Congress as part of political maneuvering was reported through the US Washington Post.

The lobbyists’ goals were three.

To block the withdrawal of US forces in Korea, suppress the communist bloc’s approach toward the US, and hinder raising human rights issues in Korea.

“Of course the threat that the US will cut military aid, and cutting food loans, and took out the card of withdrawing US forces in Korea.”

After Koreagate burst, distrust became rampant between the Republic of Korea and the US, and diplomatic friction emerged.

From the moment the shame was revealed, the relationship between the Republic of Korea and the US administration worsening was a natural course.

“North Korea’s armed provocations are gradually strengthening, while the Korea-US military alliance is shaking from the foundation. Thought now a point where independent national defense and strengthening military power are needed more than any time.”

“So.”

“Taeseong just made a decision. To actively jump into defense industry and patriotize to be a help to the motherland and His Excellency.”

“······.”

“Is that Taeseong’s disloyalty?”

The president’s eye corners trembled.

Chairman Cha gripped the handle of the wine glass containing the cigarette.

“If even loyalty calls suspicion, this is also because of the wrong handling until now. Then have to drink.”

The moment Chairman Cha tried to gulp the wine without hesitation.

“Stop.”

Tak.

The president held Chairman Cha’s wrist.

“Will believe.”

Couldn’t forcibly shake off the president’s hand.

Chairman Cha obediently removed strength from the hand.

“Can’t feed such a thing to a person patriotizing with loyalty.”

The president pulled out the wine glass from Chairman Cha’s hand and poured on the floor.

“Anyway. A great person who endured upright like an iron core even if a knife entered the neck until now, no way would bend like a reed just to pick up affiliate scraps.”

The president smiled as if satisfied.

“A guy who takes care of pride upright instead of playing the tongue even in front of me, no way would have flattered bending the waist in front of my subordinates.”

The president couldn’t hide satisfaction and held the wine bottle.

“Pride is not something others protect. Have to protect oneself. Receive.”

“Th, thank you.”

The president tilted the wine bottle.

Gulp gulp gulp gulp.

Poured the highest grade red wine full to overflowing one glass.

“Many expectations on Taeseong.”

The same words, completely different tone.

The rampant suspicion and distrust disappeared as if washed, and willingness and conviction took that place.

“If defense industry decided to jump in anyway, try doing best. Will push.”

“Trust and entrust.”

“The security chief and secretary chief. What did they boast saying would give?”

At the straight ball coming in with a whoosh again, Chairman Cha twitched.

But answered honestly.

“Asked the meaning subtly, but flustered so couldn’t dare answer.”

“Said wanted shipbuilding earlier? Take it.”

“Thank you, His Excellency!”

With one word of the president, U-gwang Shipbuilding fell with a thud.

After toasting in the air and drinking, the red wine was sweet and thick.

“What about the chemicals cultivated with effort and asked for shipbuilding?”

“From the beginning there was a separate agreement with U-gwang regarding chemicals.”

Chairman Cha took out the three-page contract the youngest grandson took care of.

It was the contract regarding Taeseong Chemicals acquisition merger.

“Trying to settle the 15 billion shares and hit with promissory notes without putting even one cash? No separate day thief.”

The president glared at U-gwang’s Kim Dae-sik kneeling on the floor with cold eyes.

“Seemed wanted to bankrupt the mere rat tail-sized U-gwang Construction and eat the 30 billion chemicals for free.”

“Hi, His Excellency! Th, that was because U-gwang’s cash flow was not good at the time······.”

“Do according to the contract.”

The president threw the three-page contract at Chairman Cha with a whoosh.

“Couldn’t block the promissory notes so have to hand over the chemicals to Taeseong.”

U-gwang’s Kim Dae-sik moved his mouth with a bewildered expression.

“Why? Don’t like?”

“Ah, no! Have to. Will do according to the contract.”

“Then no objection to even U-gwang Securities caught as collateral and U-gwang Construction about to go bankrupt going over to Taeseong?”

“······Yes.”

Crying and eating mustard.

Already threw away pride and face or something and only begged for U-gwang’s survival so couldn’t even question greedily as much as wanted.

“Chairman Cha, but want to put out securities and construction.”

“Yes?”

“Instead how about changing with two among automobiles, heavy equipment, steel, oil refining.”

Chairman Cha was also surprised, and U-gwang’s Kim Dae-sik was also surprised.

“Yes?”

“Yes?”

For the same reason.

“Compared to securities and construction, the size of U-gwang’s heavy industry affiliates is much larger?”

U-gwang Securities that can give at least 8 billion to maximum 12 billion and U-gwang Construction that can be said about 5 billion.

In contrast, heavy industry affiliates that require a lot of basic investment money give at least two times or more, maximum seven times or more.

“Consider Taeseong hit the jackpot.”

“Th, that······.”

“Not a reward befitting loyalty?”

No matter how looking, it was favor.

So Chairman Cha was dazed at the sudden windfall but couldn’t help but stand up with a whoosh and offer a 90-degree thanks greeting.

“Thank you, His Excellency!”

On the other hand, U-gwang’s Kim Dae-sik who didn’t receive speaking rights couldn’t even speak and only made groaning sounds.

Even cold water not permitted in the burning inside so moistened the dry lips with the tongue.

The president didn’t even pretend to see such Kim Dae-sik and clinked the wine glass with Chairman Cha.

“But His Excellency, why particularly changing securities and construction with heavy industry?”

“Said will take charge of fund procurement and money laundering.”

The business mainly used as a place to procure political funds and laundry place was precisely construction companies.

In the same meaning, the words of leaving securities and finance affiliates to U-gwang too.

“Not a losing business for Taeseong.”

If calculating gains and losses, have to say an unparalleled windfall.

“Will accept His Excellency’s proposal.”

“Good.”

Actually U-gwang’s Kim Dae-sik couldn’t even say one word and U-gwang’s fate was decided like that.

U-gwang’s Kim Dae-sik bit his lips until blood came out.

“His Excellency, U-gwang also confident of doing well more than Taeseong······!”

“Said just save.”

The president’s eyes were cold.

“Seems seeing me lightly.”

“Ah, no!”

“Attached the lifeline that would be dragged to the central intelligence, left affiliates too, and said will close eyes on dog acts too.”

“His Excellency, U-gwang······!”

“Stop.”

The president removed his mouth from the wine glass.

“Trying to say the sound that if a business world ranking 9th company falls, the Republic of Korea falls?”

The president held the wine glass upside down above U-gwang’s Kim Dae-sik’s head.

“Don’t misunderstand. Even if completely collapsing from business world ranking 1st to 9th, no matter of the Republic of Korea collapsing.”

Wine red like blood wet Kim Dae-sik’s head and dripped drop by drop riding the chin.

“Just cutting into pieces and putting into other guys’ mouths is enough. Think there is only one company U-gwang in the Republic of Korea?”

Kim Dae-sik prostrated flat on the floor.

“Did wrong.”

“What do you think is the reason I’m attaching U-gwang’s breathing?”

“To contribute to the Republic of Korea’s economy receiving His Excellency’s meaning······!”

“No.”

The president threw the empty wine glass.

With a crash sound, the wine glass broke at Kim Dae-sik’s feet.

Kim Dae-sik trembled.

“Don’t do dog sound and bark.”

“Wo, woof woof! Bark bark bark!”

The president wiped his hands with a napkin.

“To do the role of a trumpeter, have to have broadcast stations and newspapers, so will leave that too.”

“Bark bark!”

If telling to bark, will bark, if telling to bite, will bite.

Will package public opinion more splendidly than anyone.

The words U-gwang’s Kim Dae-sik chattered with his own mouth.

“Chairman Cha, decided? Where to receive.”

“Will receive with automobiles and heavy equipment.”

“Why? Thought would light eyes saying will take oil refining?”

“Because seems better to solidify the substance a bit more rather than increasing businesses that don’t exist. Will start full-scale technology development through the research institute.”

“Good. Seems better for Taeseong to take charge of U-gwang Research Institute too.”

While U-gwang’s Kim Dae-sik’s expression distorted as if crying, the president smiled very satisfied.

“Thought of acquiring U-gwang affiliates separately?”

“Yes. Our Taeseong this opportunity U-gwang Hospital and U-gwang Pharmaceutical······.”

“Will hand over at a cheap price. Do only up to there.”

No, this is what Jeong-hyeok mentioned.

There are affiliates wanting to acquire at the Taeseong Group level separately?

But since the president raised a hand and cut the words, the answer was fixed.

“Yes, thank you.”

“Know the meaning of taking at a cheap price.”

The meaning of filling the subordinates’ bellies instead of taking the management rights and factories etc. all.

Easy to have trouble if trying to eat all the prey alone.

“With what?”

“With stocks.”

Hitting and withdrawing with stocks was the method that can cash most cleanly.

U-gwang’s Kim Dae-sik had to carefully lower the eyes full of dissatisfaction.

“Why? Don’t like?”

“Woof woof!”

In any part, there was no U-gwang’s opinion.

Like that the talk ended.

* * *

“Grandfather.”

I smiled brightly and opened the gate.

Grandfather looked down at me with a dazed expression.

“Did the matter you went resolve well?”

“Aigo, our lucky lump!”

Whether came to senses abruptly, grandfather hung his mouth on the ears and hugged me up with a whoosh.

“Where did such a lucky lump fall with a thud into our house! Uhahaha, Jeong-hyeok! Today grandfather hit a big windfall!”

Grandfather held me and spun round and round.

Grandfather bursting into hearty laughter spinning several turns and spinning again.

Manager Go was flustered not knowing what to do, but grandfather was busy spinning round and round until out of breath.

“If our Jeong-hyeok didn’t give a hint, our Taeseong almost became the U-gwang appearance carelessly!”

Grandfather rubbed the rough cheek like a scrubber on my cheek roughly.

Ah, stinging!

But grandfather had an expression of dying from liking so couldn’t even curse somehow.

I couldn’t help but slightly push grandfather’s cheeks with both hands.

“Giving a gift not a bribe was a divine move!”

Knew it would be so.

Thanks to that could read the hidden meaning of the remark grandfather said ‘almost became the U-gwang appearance carelessly!’

‘The sound of avoiding the president’s suspicion. Would have been quite troublesome for grandfather’s pride.’

Grandfather put me down, and took out a few documents from his bosom where golden light flashed dazzlingly.

“How can the matter unravel so easily? Today grandfather tore several affiliates for free······!”

Grandfather stopped midway while speaking.

“Wait! If according to the promise, tore for free thanks to Jeong-hyeok this time too, do I have to give all this to Jeong-hyeok too?”

In a very bewildered voice, pupils shaking like an earthquake occurred.