Chapter 507: Juyoung Hong (34) |
In fact, Chaesan Lee paid the most fees to the Federation of Korean Industries, and he also let the federation rent a building owned by him for free.
Of course, Chaesan Lee could not laugh like President Oh because he was offended by what Chairman Hong just said.
More precisely, he was very offended by Chairman Hong's words, 'if you are doing business, it's natural that you will come to know about him', for his words carried some negative implications.
But he pretended not to have been offended, and responded cheerfully, "Hahaha! It's really an honor for you to recognize me like this, Chairman Hong!"
Anyway, their bright conversation continued for some time.
A little later, Chaesan suddenly said, "President Oh, didn't you tell me you had an appointment?"
"Ooops! I think I forgot about it because I'm too old. Chairman Hong, sorry, but I have to be on my way first!"
As if they had planned this in advance, President Oh got up as soon as Chaesan Lee gave him a reminder, then left the office quickly.
So only Chairman Hong and Chaesan remained in the office.
"Now that we have exchanged greetings like this, isn't it time for us to have a serious conversation?"
"Really?"
"Before we get down to business, let's talk about our kids a bit. It looks like they had a scuffle yesterday…"
"Well, as you know, it's just a scuffle between kids. By the way, you are not here to discuss it, right?"
"Hahaha! Yes, that's right."
There was no better topic than their kids to make the atmosphere amicable, but Chairman Hong shut him down from the start.
Chaesan was a little offended, but he didn't show his displeasure.
Then he said, "I know well that these days you are very busy. That means you need a good partner, I think. Since it's certain that Myongjin will prosper more in the future, who knows when you might confront a strong rival?"
"…"
Chairman Hong had nothing to say.
Watching him silent, Chaesan resumed talking right away, for he didn't want to give Chairman Hong any chance to reflect on what he just said.
"I'm willing to work in close tandem with you. If you want any loan even now, I can lend you at a much lower rate than banks, of course. Oh, you don't have to worry about the funds. In fact, I've got sufficient funds available."
"Sounds good."
"Hahaha! As expected, Chairman Hong, you've got an excellent sense of business and outstanding entrepreneurial qualities!"
Chaesan Lee responded with a big smile to his words.
But he had no choice but to stop smiling when he discovered Chairman Hong's intentions.
"Sounds good, but I think I have put off our meaningful talk until later."
"Why?"
"Isn't it pointless for me to have an honest conversation with you when nobody knows what will happen to your business?"
"..."
At first glance, he did not understand what Chairman Hong was talking about.
Of course, what he said had an underlying meaning, but it could be something good or something bad.
But in his mind, Chaesan thought it was something bad.
So he opened his mouth in a low voice with a hard expression.
"Chairman Hong, I want to tell you that I have not reached this position in an easy way. I've encountered lots of difficulties, and hit walls that I thought I could never surmount. But I've overcome all the challenges and difficulties and climbed this high. I think you understand what I mean…"
"Of course, I know because you have been involved in a business that's far from easy."
"..."
Although Chairman Hong did not ignore him blatantly, Chaesan was still displeased.
At the same time, he felt he didn't have to come here just to listen to Chairman Hong's snide remarks.
Standing up right away, he was about to turn when he opened his mouth again.
"I will pray for Myongjin's unlimited prosperity! Hopefully without any trouble."
"Hahaha, thank you!"
After stressing the words 'Hopefully without any trouble", he left the office because he thought that was enough. And he knew Chairman Hong got his point.
After he left the office, Chairman Hong stayed a little longer, sipping his half-remaining tea, then muttered, "I don't have to play a bad hand from the beginning. I'm curious about what my son Juyoung is going to do about him, too."
In fact, Chairman Hong made up his mind to distance himself from Chaesan Lee from the beginning. He really didn't want to see him at all because he didn't need this guy's help.
Moreover, Chairman Hong had a conversation with President William's special adviser, Thomas Tyler, right before he left for the United States.
This was what he said at that time.
[I look forward to seeing you in a bigger and more colorful venue soon. President William also hopes that Washington continues to build a good relationship with the Myongjin Group in the future.]
Recalling that conversation, he had a smile on his lips because he was full of desire to work these days.
***
In my house in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul, the next day.
Knock! Knock!
I heard someone knock on the door, so I asked him to come in.
Director Sok came in.
"Juyoung, here you go."
"Wow, you've brought it on time! I asked you to take it easy."
"Hahaha! How can I take your order lightly?'
"Don't flatter me too much!"
"Really? I'm glad to hear that. Hope you don't like to be flattered!"
"Well, I've been flattered so often, so I'm sick and tired of it, to be honest."
That was true. I was even praised as God by the people in Kuhana.
He said, "Good for you! Then let me leave now. By the way, Chaesan Lee stopped by the chairman's office yesterday."
"He came to see my father?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"It seems that he had some other reasons. He even reached out to the chairman for a business deal."
"So what happened?'
"Of course, the chairman refused his offer. As you know, today's Myongjin doesn't have to join hands with a corrupt businessman like him. Well, Myongjin would not have even done it in the past."
"I'm glad to hear that. In my opinion, he will soon turn into a beggar and go homeless on the street."
"Ah? Really?"
"Yes."
Having said that, I let him go, then reviewed the documents he handed over to me.
After reviewing them for a while, I muttered, "Hmm… he did a lot of bad things."
Chaesan was not rich from the beginning. He was kind of a rags-to-riches man.
The problem, however, was that he secured the funds, which made him so rich, from Japan. In return for that, he deliberately made a savings bank go bankrupt and gave it to his Japanese partner.
When he took into account all his illegal business transactions until now, he could be summarised with one word, human trash.
Obviously, most of the wealth he accumulated was illegal. Perhaps that's why he was called the tycoon of the underground economy and a big gun in the private loan market.
Anyway, I stood up after wrapping up my examination of this man named Chaesan Lee.
It was not even 9 o'clock at night, and I didn't want to put off what I could do today.
When I came back from the place where it was safe to say that I was the only one who survived, I made up my mind that I would never give up my belongings to anyone else.
And Bora Yon was on my list of things that I would never give up.
