[229] Unfinished business 4
“Are you also aiming for the position of grandfather?”
“well. Rather than aiming for it, I hope that one day I will be able to sit in it.”
“someday? When is that?”
“I don’t know either. But I can relax because I have very strong strengths.”
“Advantages? Can you tell me how old you are?”
“yes. Wouldn’t it be possible someday if we prepare slowly, whether in 10 or 20 years?”
“It is Yeongpan hyung-nim who is trembling. Uh-huh.”
The old man smiled and said to his grandfather.
“What is 10 years! I can’t wait to sit in the Sunyang Group chairman’s office tomorrow.”
It’s like you’re looking right into me.
However, given that he doesn’t sound right, he’s definitely not a fortuneteller or a contemplative person.
Why did Grandpa say he had to meet this old man?
“Do-joon.”
“yes.”
Grandpa narrowed his eyes once.
“I have something to say to this nasty old man, so why don’t you go outside?”
“yes. grandfather.”
It was good that the knee was also numb.
I quietly got up, bowed my head, and went outside.
* * *
“Brother. You didn’t come to show your grandson, did you? What is it?”
“I’m here to ask him.”
The old man’s expression hardened sharply.
“Where are you comfortable?”
“I mean, I wrote enough. It’s so broken that it can’t be used even after fixing it. It seems like there isn’t much left.”
Chairman Jin poked his left breast with his finger.
“older brother!”
“Don’t make a fuss.”
Chairman Jin quietly raised his cup of tea.
“I have no intention of slowing down. I have lived enough and have no regrets.”
The old man only bit his lip and said nothing.
“Since you are eating only good things in this place with good air and clear water, won’t the next ten years be okay? In the meantime, you can take care of him.”
The two old men did not meet each other’s eyes until the teacup was finished.
Finally the old man opened his mouth.
“Is he going to inherit the group?”
“You know, what are you asking? A good guy will take it.”
“Where is the nasty grumpy going? You give only 10% to your grandson and fight for nothing? And even among those who are ruthless without blood or tears!”
“10% no. gave more No… I think it would be more accurate to say that they stole more.”
“What are you taking away?”
“My stock. Uh-huh.”
“What are you talking about now? Aren’t you going to say something that’s easy to understand?”
“I took the Sunyang car, and this time I took the Sunyang card. have you heard? Miracle Investment and HW Group, the former Ajin Group.”
“yes. What does that matter?”
“These two companies belong to him.”
“yes? That godless…?”
“I don’t even know the process. Anyway, I gave them some pasture, and I made this much by using it as a business fund. They are one of the top 20 groups in Korea based on their apparent scale, and I can’t even count the amount of money invested in the US. Of course, it is true that I added some stock when I handed over Sunyang Motors. But it’s true that he built everything he had by himself.”
After Chairman Jin’s explanation, the corner of the old man’s mouth rose.
“Hyung-nim cherishes that guy.”
“Because it’s true!”
“Inaudible! Since Yeong-gi and his classmate were glaring at each other, they took care of each company separately and spread it all through the back hole. My love may have gone too far. Wouldn’t it be too much to do?”
Chairman Jin laughed at the old man’s reaction.
“Can’t you believe it? I did too. It was when he was 20 that he came with a handful of dollars and asked me to give him the car. You should have seen my expression at that time…”
Chairman Jin calmly but detailedly told the story of his grandson from his childhood to this year when he won the Sunyang Card.
The old man showed all kinds of expressions while listening to Chairman Jin’s story. There were times when I frowned and there were times when I admired it, but most of the time I just listened in a daze.
When Chairman Jin’s long story was over, the old man shouted.
“Here comes the tea again. A kettle full!”
When the teapot was full again, the old man closed his mouth again and drank the tea like water.
“A guy that smart doesn’t need me to take care of him and watch him. To be honest, among my older brother’s sons, his motive is a bit useful, but he’s as good as that guy. If I leave it alone, he will all stay….”
“I am saying this because I am anxious about the time I leave it alone. If he’s 30 years old, I wouldn’t worry about this.”
“come? Is it because your brothers and sisters are going to catch him before he grows up?”
Chairman Jin did not answer easily and drank tea.
“Just help. Just 10 years.”
President Jin cut back and forth and answered after a long time, and the old man looked closely at President Jin.
Only the figure of an old man waiting for death and a grandfather who was worried about his grandson, who looked obviously weak, were visible, but the figure of a business magnate who controlled the country was not visible at all.
The old man let out a long sigh and slowly opened his mouth.
“Look at what you do and take care of it. On days when I pretended to be a chaebol, they wouldn’t even let me go near my house.”
It was only after hearing the old man’s confirmation that Chairman Jin straightened his stiff face.
“I heard that Mr. Jesu is giving you food, is the table still being set? I’m done digesting what I ate for breakfast. Bring me the prize.”
“They say that they practice crossing the road to Hwangcheon today and tomorrow, but they still have the same appetite.”
“Doesn’t Jesu make a wonderful bowl of beef soup? Thinking about that makes me suddenly hungry.”
“Is this good? This morning is Shirakguk. Hehe.”
* * *
Perhaps because of the successive breakfasts, Grandpa fell asleep as soon as he got into the car. I was going crazy wondering who the old man was, but I had to wait until he woke up.
When the grandfather, who enjoyed a sound sleep for almost two hours, opened his eyes, he asked the identity of the old man.
“Joo Byung-hae was the number one contributor to the Sunyang Group.”
Are you sick? a person you don’t remember If my grandfather was a first-class contributor, he would have served at least as president of a flagship affiliate, but his name is unfamiliar.
“When did you join the Sunyang Group?”
“It’s not about getting involved. We met when we started a textile factory in Daegu after the war. do we have the skills? do you have a machine? The person who went to Japan, bought a used machine, and even brought a Japanese technician to handle the machine was the inspiration.”
That is not a first-class credit, but almost the level of a founding credit.
“He was such a great friend. When I made a plan, he pushed through. Even when I was hesitant because I wasn’t sure, I put it into action by saying, “Let’s start and see.” My head also jumped. If he had stayed with me, he might have taken the position of president right away.”
“Why is such a person behaving like that? Since when…?”
To be honest, the first thought that came to my mind was that maybe my grandfather had kicked her out.
As the group grew, Byeonghae Joo’s position would have grown, and he may have demanded to share the fruits of his growth. I’m not a grandfather who would accept that.
But my guess is wrong.
“It’s been over twenty years, so it’s been a long time. You are the one who spit on me when you were very young and turned your back on me.”
What else could this mean? do you turn your back?
Grandpa frowned for a moment, as if he remembered that moment. How painful is that memory?
“It was when the new military government seized power and wielded guns and knives. The military regime is always like that. They try to grab those with money first.”
Isn’t Sunyang the company that stood in line with the regime and made a success?
“Everyone noticed, and if they asked for money, they gave it, and if they were to build a factory in a certain area, they would drive the stakes without hesitation.”
“Then did he resist the new military government?”
“no. Could it be? Byung-hae, that friend is also doing business to the bone. I thought that it would be enough to extract profits beyond the money given to the government.”
“Then, regardless of the circumstances of that era…”
“No. that’s right. Did you know that it is the same name group?”
can you not know?
Isn’t it a company that was the overwhelming number one in the business world until the mid-1970s?
As soon as the new military government entered, it was robbed in the form of a national dedication on the surface, and disappeared without a trace.
“yes. I just picked it up.”
“Joo Byung-hae was very close with Chairman Kang of Dongmyeong Group. I chased after him like brother and brother and got a lot of help. Thanks to you, I got some help too.”
Whatever the cause, the competitor disappeared. Was there any reason for the two of them to split up because of that?
“The business world has all bowed down. No one came forward. It’s obvious that it will become the second dedicated company after stepping out to help Chairman Kang.”
Twenty years ago, power could bring down corporations. This is proof that the size of the company is not that large. But now it is impossible. Now, the size of the conglomerate group has grown to the extent that the regime has no control over it.
“Did he, by any chance, launch a lifesaving campaign?”
“no. No matter how close we are, we can’t be ruined together, can we? My sick friend also said let’s stay still as if a mouse died. Later, he said that if he took care of President Kang’s old age, he would have done his duty to the extent that he would not be criticized.”
“But why…?”
Grandpa continued talking with a bitter smile.
“I didn’t stay still. Immediately, the new military department started to line up. Even if you say corporate dedication, it’s not cash, right? If the government has a business in its hands, where will it be used?”
I understood at once what you meant. Well, I’m not a grandfather who would miss such an opportunity.
“Among the six subsidiaries of Dongmyeong Group, Dongmyeong Industry, Dongmyeong Heavy Industries, Dongmyeong Development, and Dongmyeong Food… I brought 4 of them for free. Because we ate that, Sunyang’s heavy industry sector grew enormously.”
also. That’s how it happened.
Now, though blurry, a picture was drawn.
“When Byeonghae found out about this, he went into a fit of rage and ran wild. Even if the top coat falls to the floor, he said that human morality should not be preserved. How could he kill the fallen Chairman Kang twice… I’ve never seen him get so angry. It was also the last time he was angry with me.”
I understand that he was angry like a fire.
As if I waited for my house to be auctioned off, it is like a close friend bidding cheaply and taking it away. It is difficult to avoid criticism.
“Then have you been living like that since then?”
“huh.”
“It seems like the two of you are as good as real brothers, considering that you broke up on a bad note?”
“Oh, don’t talk. For 5 years, there was no such thing as a door-to-door ban. But what’s the difference with mine getting old too? I miss the past and I miss people, so I became soft. It’s been a long time since we were like friends and like brothers.”
So now there is only one question left.
Why did I have to say hello to that old man?
“Even if I’m not there, think of me as treating me and visit me often.”
“yes. I will serve you like a great grandfather.”
“Yes, if you have difficulties, ask for help and advice. If it’s not a big deal, I’ll give you an answer.”
“You seem to be a wise man.”
“It is also wise. So, shouldn’t I be talking about every detail of the group and seeking the opinion of that old man?”
Another is Lee Hak-jae, the head of the department.
However, there are things that are not up to this director. I wanted to see what the difference was.
“Do many people in the group remember him?”
Grandpa smiled and his eyes lit up.
“many. All the people who fart in the group learned to work under that friend. Wouldn’t you like to take a gift bag and say hello during the holidays? If things don’t go well, call me.”
You mean that?
If even a retired old man is influential, what’s so hard about acting like his grandson?
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