Trojan Horse
Seo Gwang-hun, the executive director who had personally led the tailing operation to dig into Kang Min-ho's background at the Sangmyeong Bank Myeong-dong branch, was now utterly helpless, his collar gripped tight. Inside the company, he was a swaggering director with shoulders squared, but before the royal family, he was just another employee. He had no choice in the matter. He knew full well that if Chairman Kang found out, his life wouldn't be worth a dime.
To survive, he had no option but to faithfully carry out Min-ho's orders.
How did I end up like this?
No matter how much he lamented and sighed, there was no answer. It was all because of his own greed.
He arrived in front of Sangmyeong Bank but couldn't bring himself to open the door. He even felt a pang of pity for his own pathetic figure. More frustrating, though, was Min-ho's true intentions—things that made no sense at all.
Considering Min-ho's usual temperament, he wasn't the type to take this lying down. He could have simply reported it to Chairman Kang and resolved it with a single word. That was the part Seo couldn't wrap his head around.
What Min-ho had instructed him to do was none other than a highly enticing bond investment proposal.
Providing investment opportunities to the president? To none other than the infamous Gwak Hee-do? It makes no sense...
It almost looked like handing money straight to Myeong-seon. He couldn't understand it, but either way, he had to follow orders.
In his frustration, he lit up a cigarette he'd quit smoking. After chain-smoking for a while, Seo finally pushed open the door to the Sangmyeong Bank Myeong-dong branch.
A waiting employee approached and asked politely, "Are you JK Credit Info's Director Seo Gwang-hun, by any chance?"
"Yes, that's me, Seo Gwang-hun. I'm here to see Branch Manager Gwak Hee-do."
"Perfect timing—he's been waiting. Right this way."
Gwak Hee-do was someone you couldn't meet even if you waved money around and lined up, but today, things proceeded smoothly for some reason. As the branch manager's door opened, Gwak greeted him with a beaming smile and an outstretched hand.
"Well, well, I wondered who the young master sent, and it's Director Seo Gwang-hun himself."
"Hello. I'm Director Seo Gwang-hun."
"You've had a long trip—have a seat here."
Seo's tangled thoughts knotted up again.
The young master...? He revealed his identity?
Min-ho had always meticulously hidden his status as part of the royal family. And Gwak Hee-do was someone with zero personal connection to him, yet the word from his mouth was none other than "young master."
No matter how he thought about it, it didn't add up. Unable to hold back his curiosity, he blurted it out.
"Forgive me for asking on our first meeting, but may I pose one question?"
"Of course, anything."
"Did our young master reveal upfront that he's Chairman Kang's grandson when he visited?"
"Yes, he did. Are you worried about my mouth?"
Seo waved his hand emphatically in denial. "Branch Manager Gwak is of course trustworthy. I was just asking out of an old man's caution."
"Chairman Kang knows me well enough not to worry about that."
Gwak Hee-do couldn't hide his satisfaction at the feast Min-ho had spoon-fed him. For a man sustaining himself through embezzlement of public funds via stocks and gambling, then patching holes with bonds, an influx of 100 billion won from JK Credit Info was an absolute godsend. The counterparty was merely President Kang Myeong-seon—a whole vine with the melon attached.
Gwak handed over the coffee and slyly broached his dark intentions. "Shall we cut to the chase?"
"Yes, of course. You're a busy man."
"This CD (Negotiable Certificate of Deposit) is a bit special. As you know..."
"I know most have low discount rates and interest rates of only 12-15%. Yet the young master instructed this, so there must be something extraordinary, right?"
"As expected of Director Seo. This one's a whopping 20%."
It was far above market rates. Seo's eyes widened at the unheard-of proposal.
"20% on a 91-day note? That's a bond you couldn't buy even for all the money in the world!"
"Exactly. The young master came in person and earnestly asked me to pass this news to you specifically."
With revenge against Myeong-seon still unfinished, a 20% bond from the reliable Gwak Hee-do? Seo's suspicions eased a bit.
Gwak Hee-do, the legend of finance, was dubbed the Bond King of Korea's banking world, capable of moving over 200 billion won. There was no way the deal could go wrong. Even if it did, Sangmyeong Bank had his back.
As Seo mulled it over in silence, Gwak made one proposal.
"But there's one promise you must make."
"Name it."
"100 sheets. All at once. This deal needs to move as a block—I can't chop it up. The young master said President Kang Myeong-seon is perfect for it. Right?"
"No need for a second word. Honestly, this might be the best offer I've seen lately."
If Myeong-seon just committed to the investment, Gwak's lifeline could extend a little longer.
"Then... should I report back to President Kang Myeong-seon once more?"
"Yes. I'll report when I arrive, then call... No, better yet, let's go together. It's best to speak to her directly."
"Shall we? Let's go."
***
In the JK Credit Info president's office, something felt off, but Seo could do nothing about it. If he blabbered and the investment fell through, he could end up dragged to Pocheon overnight.
He rushed to the president's office in one go and reported straight to Myeong-seon.
As expected, she welcomed it with delight.
"Really? That Gwak Hee-do made such an offer?"
"Yes, President. It's true."
"What's gotten into him? You know even pulling a number and lining up wouldn't get his bonds."
"I know. I still vividly remember haunting the Myeong-dong branch like it was my own house back then."
Thrilled by the unexpected windfall, Myeong-seon asked again. "It's almost too good. How'd you snag this without even telling me?"
"I've got wide connections, right? Steady check-in calls, gifts every holiday—and boom, this big present."
"Our Director Seo, your skills are unmatched. But... with yields this high, why reach out to us specifically?"
"Actually, it's not for piecemeal sale—it has to be all or nothing."
"100 sheets at once? 91-day note?"
"Yes."
It was from a major bank, the Myeong-dong branch manager, Bond King Gwak Hee-do. Myeong-seon trusted the name value without a shred of doubt.
"Offered to anyone else yet?"
"Not yet."
"When a whole vine comes with the melon, no need to pick and choose, right?"
"Exactly. No big outflows coming up, and with 91 days, virtually no risk."
CD investments were simple: Put in the money, wait 91 days, get principal plus interest. Pure lying-down takoyaki.
In her eagerness, Myeong-seon stubbed out her cigarette and asked, "Let's meet first. Should I head to Myeong-dong now?"
"I figured, so I prepared. He's waiting outside already."
"Oh! Why didn't you say so sooner? Bring him in quick."
Caught off guard by Gwak Hee-do's appearance, Myeong-seon hurriedly applied lipstick and straightened her clothes.
The door opened, and the branch manager entered. She had no inkling this was the Trojan horse Min-ho had sent.
Her voice an octave higher and syrupy sweet, she expressed her delight. "Oh, our branch manager! What an honor to have you here."
"It's... been a while, miss?"
"Miss? Call me President."
"Got it."
"You must've been waiting outside—sit here."
After the formalities, they dove into business.
"You've heard the details from Director Seo, I assume?"
"Of course. 5% discount, 15% interest—total 20% on a 91-day. Right?"
"Yes. I've reached out a few times before but couldn't deliver—my apologies."
Gwak Hee-do's name. 20% yield. Just as Min-ho predicted, Myeong-seon's eyes were already clouded.
"No need for apologies like that. Just bundle it up nice like this, and we're square. Right?"
"Indeed. Still as straightforward as ever."
"Blame it on Dad. So, when do I send the funds?"
"Within three days. I'll handle the rest cleanly through my staff."
"You're still lightning-fast at closing deals!"
"Precision and speed benefit us both, don't they?"
"Absolutely. Spot on, a hundred—no, a thousand times."
Myeong-seon's greed, already foreseen by Min-ho. With a spark on that desire, the flames were bound to roar.
"Branch Manager, one question?"
"Anything. How can I help?"
"I can't swing 200, but 150 by tomorrow—any chance?"
To Gwak, patching holes, 15 billion won was a breath of fresh air. No reason to refuse.
Gwak barely suppressed a belly laugh from his danjeon, feigning serious contemplation. "This needs to move as a block..."
"Come on, you haven't given us anything big before. Can't you make an exception this once?"
"Truth is, I'd need 200 for that..."
"Please, just this once? If there's any shortfall later, I'll cover it."
Gwak nodded reluctantly. "Alright. It'll tire me out a bit, but fine. Funds by tomorrow, though."
"Don't worry. So, 150 at 20%?"
"Yes. I'll send my staff once the deposit clears."
"I was stressing over investments—thanks for solving that."
"Glad you like it. I should head out—busy day."
Myeong-seon stood, her face beaming uncontrollably.
"Sorry I talked your ear off. Safe travels—see you next time."
"Yes, President. Until next time."
As Gwak turned to leave after the bow, Myeong-seon added, "Keep this quiet from our people, yeah?"
"Customer info is strictly confidential. No worries."
"Good. Safe drive. Director Seo, see him to the parking lot."
"Yes, President."
In the parking lot, the two chatted.
"No need to come out."
"Nonsense. You're a guest—proper to see you off."
"I've always thought so, but President, your magnanimity outshines most men."
"Of course. Without it, even as the chairman's daughter, I wouldn't hold this seat."
"Then I'll be off. I'll call."
"Drive safe."
Seo's gut still churned, but he couldn't put it into words. He still had no choice.
As the branch manager's car vanished from sight, he pulled out Myeong-dong cigarettes and lit one. No matter how he chewed it over, he couldn't guess Min-ho's intent.
With a deep sigh, he stepped into a payphone booth, picked up the receiver, and called Min-ho.
"Seo Gwang-hun here. Investment approved. Total 15 billion won."