The Reality of the Powerful
"Push... through?"
Because it was a rather unexpected solution, Choi Cheol-jae’s voice trembled. However, Yoon-gi gave him a bright smile, projecting a sense of confidence.
"Yes, push through. Think about it carefully. Heo Cheong-won is a man of power. Right?"
"That’s... true, isn't it?"
"A man of such power, do you think he would just fold on something he’s set his mind to?"
"He wouldn't... fold, would he?"
"Exactly. So, what would it take to make Heo Cheong-won give up?"
"Pushing through...? No, that can't be it... How could we make him give up? Ah! Should we send a request to JD?"
Yoon-gi shook his head.
"A strong second-in-command often challenges the first. Just sending a request to JD won't be enough to smooth things over. Of course, if we were to make a 'massive' offer to JD, it might be resolved by force, but he isn't worth that kind of investment."
Even Choi Cheol-jae was startled by Yoon-gi’s words, which would have caused a massive stir if heard by anyone else, but his trust in Yoon-gi kept him from panicking.
"If not sending a request to JD, then...? I have no idea."
Yoon-gi smiled again.
"We have no choice but to prove that our power is greater. I have no intention of giving up on Jung-ah’s debut in the entertainment industry, and Heo Cheong-won has no intention of giving up on his granddaughter’s debut—or rather, his own path to the presidency. If that’s the case? It means this fight is unavoidable. A confrontation between Heo Cheong-won and us. It’s a fight where, if we win, Samwoo survives, and if we lose, Samwoo falls."
It was a truly grave statement, but under the influence of Yoon-gi’s bright smile, Choi Cheol-jae found himself nodding before he even realized it.
Heo Cheong-won, one of the three masterminds of the 5th Republic. Samwoo, the rising noble house of the 5th Republic. The battle between the two had begun.
Choi Ki-hyun. The Chairman of Samwoo, a group that hovered around the 100th rank in the country. However, his current stature was not overshadowed by the chairmen of the top 5 conglomerates. Of course, it wasn't because Samwoo itself was doing exceptionally well. Everything was thanks to the YK Group. It was also possible because, externally, it was known that the actual controller of the YK Group was Choi Ki-hyun.
[Yeah, no matter what, there’s no way the eldest grandson of Samwoo could have built YK.]
The theory that this method was used to securely avoid inheritance taxes was gaining the most traction, and the smokescreen of Choi Ki-hyun was proving to be an immense help to Yoon-gi.
And then there was the massive donation made a while ago. Because of this, Choi Ki-hyun had firmly established a close relationship with JD, which gave him the power to exert significant influence among economic figures.
"Chairman, why don't you join the Jeon-gyeong-hoe? The National Business Leaders' Association."
Choi Ki-hyun was also attending today’s banquet, where only those within the top 30 of the domestic business rankings were gathered. Of course, as a special guest. One of the participants had subtly suggested that Choi Ki-hyun join the social club, but he shook his head lightly.
"Hahaha, I’m too old to be going to such gatherings. I’ve lived my life without knowing such clubs, so I don't think I’d adapt well. Even without me, you all are doing a great job keeping the nation's economy alive, so I’ll just come to these events occasionally and listen to your wise opinions."
The reason Choi Ki-hyun was increasingly being invited to these special gatherings was precisely because he was always this humble. Of course, the perception of Samwoo or YK among the business world wasn't particularly good. Because they were formidable competitors. But beyond that, because Choi Ki-hyun always showed a humble demeanor, the number of people wanting to build personal ties with him was increasing, little by little, very slowly.
Of course, they weren't the mainstream of such gatherings. Since Samwoo didn't intermarry with other chaebol families, they were an eyesore to the mainstream conglomerates, so with the exception of a very few unique cases, those who wanted to build ties with Choi Ki-hyun were non-mainstream chaebols. Although, the term "non-mainstream chaebol" itself was a bit of a misnomer.
"Huh? Isn't that the Foreign Minister’s secretary over there?"
At the words of someone who spotted Heo Cheong-won’s secretary appearing in the banquet hall, everyone looked at him.
"Ah, so you were here. Chairman, the Minister would like to see you for a moment."
A personal call from the Foreign Minister. In a positive sense, it meant a core figure of power was requesting a private meeting; in a negative sense, it meant one had become a target.
[[[[[What on earth could this be about?]]]]]
It was the common thought of the chairmen present. However, rather than asking for the reason, Choi Ki-hyun followed the secretary and left the banquet hall immediately. Because he already knew the reason.
Even though Heo Cheong-won had invited Choi Ki-hyun, he sat in the seat of honor, just as he had when meeting Choi Cheol-jae. Of course, JSD or JD also sat in the seat of honor. However, that was only because JD was the nation’s number one, and JSD was a matter of protocol; it wasn't a situation where Heo Cheong-won could sit there from the start. After all, regardless of the reason, Choi Ki-hyun was in a position where he had JD and JSD as strong connections. But Heo Cheong-won had his reasons, too. It was because he believed he had to achieve his goal today, no matter what.
"I am truly honored that the Minister would call for me like this."
Choi Ki-hyun, sitting on a three-person sofa, bowed his waist slightly, and Heo Cheong-won nodded with a smile, as if he liked Choi Ki-hyun’s attitude.
"Honored? I feel like there have been many opportunities to call you, but I have been too busy with public and private matters to do so. I apologize for that."
"Not at all. You are doing the nation’s work, so it is only natural. I hope to use today as an opportunity to build a solid relationship with you, Minister."
Choi Ki-hyun presented a luxury watch he had brought from YK Department Store to Heo Cheong-won. In this era, it was a customary occurrence when meeting a person of power. In fact, the saying that one should prepare at least a golden toad to make a powerful request was by no means an exaggeration. The price of the watch Choi Ki-hyun prepared today was a staggering 300 million won. It was one of the most expensive watches held by YK Department Store, worth nearly 1 billion won in 2010s currency. However, this was all according to Yoon-gi’s intentions.
"Oh, no, no. This is not a meeting I called to receive something like this."
Heo Cheong-won was tempted by the watch, which looked like it boasted an enormous price, but he refused for the time being. Because today was not a day to be accepting such things.
"No, please accept it. Only then will I feel at ease."
When Choi Ki-hyun urged him again, Heo Cheong-won refused once more.
"No, no. This is not a meeting I called to receive this."
After a few rounds of this, Choi Ki-hyun eventually lost, but he had won.
"To refuse me so firmly... I am only sorry that what I prepared seems to be inadequate. I will prepare something better next time."
As Choi Ki-hyun handed the watch to the secretary he had brought with him, Heo Cheong-won nodded with an expression of regret, yet he smiled at Choi Ki-hyun’s words about bringing "something better later." Of course, Choi Ki-hyun would never bring such a thing again.
[Grandfather, he won't take it anyway, so just take the expensive one.]
Choi Ki-hyun, admiring Yoon-gi’s foresight, laughed at Heo Cheong-won inwardly while hiding his true intentions, and opened his mouth again.
"If I may be so bold, you seemed to be looking for me quite urgently. Might I dare ask if there is a problem that I could assist you with?"
It was the ultimate honorific. His words were completely different from his inner thoughts, but Heo Cheong-won judged from Choi Ki-hyun’s attitude that things would go smoothly.
'I can talk to him right away.'
Heo Cheong-won used a method similar to the one he had used when meeting Choi Cheol-jae.
"Ah, by any chance, have you heard anything from your fifth son?"
"Yes? You mean that rascal Cheol-jae? If it’s Cheol-jae... could it be... this guy...!!"
Choi Ki-hyun feigned an angry expression and made a gesture as if he were about to jump up from his seat at any moment.
"Now, now, please calm down."
On the surface, he seemed to be stopping the angry Choi Ki-hyun, but Heo Cheong-won’s inner thoughts were extremely satisfied. When he talked to Choi Cheol-jae yesterday, he couldn't express how frustrated he was, but the conversation just now revealed that the Choi Ki-hyun in front of him was incredibly quick-witted. If Choi Ki-hyun were the same as Choi Cheol-jae? He would have only said, "I haven't heard anything." Of course, Heo Cheong-won had no idea that Choi Ki-hyun’s current behavior was an "act," so he was effectively being toyed with by Choi Ki-hyun. After all, Choi Ki-hyun had come here knowing the entire situation.
"Ugh... I apologize. Making such a spectacle in front of you, Minister..."
Heo Cheong-won acted the part of a benevolent minister and shook his head.
"Not at all. Not at all. It is only natural that you would be angry. Still, please don't be too hard on your son later. Isn't he the filial son who created our connection?"
Heo Cheong-won deliberately skipped over the fact that he had found out about the movie himself. If he didn't attribute it to Choi Cheol-jae, he would have to explain how he found out. This is how a person of power keeps a promise. What Choi Cheol-jae had asked for was to speak well of him to his father. Heo Cheong-won told Choi Ki-hyun not to scold his son too much, while simultaneously shifting the responsibility onto Choi Cheol-jae.
In a normal situation, would Choi Ki-hyun look into exactly what was said to Choi Cheol-jae? Not at all. People of power are those who know better than anyone that it is difficult for others to dig deeply into what they have done, and since Heo Cheong-won was one of them, he didn't pay any attention to what would happen in the future.
"Anyway, about the 'God of Pachinko' that you are preparing."
"Yes, please go ahead."
"It seems you need a child actor for that?"
"Yes, I was actually preparing to have my granddaughter appear in it."
As the main topic came up, Heo Cheong-won was inwardly cheering with both hands, but he hid his true feelings and continued.
"About that matter, would it really be okay?"
"Yes?"
At Choi Ki-hyun’s appearance of not quite understanding, Heo Cheong-won adopted a slightly friendly expression and tone.
"I heard that your granddaughter has never worked in the entertainment industry before."
"That is true, but..."
"That is why I am saying this. I would like to introduce a child actor to that project, how about it?"
"Yes? Who might that be...?"
"It is my granddaughter."
It was a statement that would be absurd to anyone who heard it, but Heo Cheong-won did not think so. Because he was a man of power.
"Your granddaughter...?"
At Choi Ki-hyun’s reaction, Heo Cheong-won thought, 'Well, of course,' and continued.
"Yes. My granddaughter has already been in the entertainment industry for 5 years. It would be of significant help to Chairman Choi’s plan, how about it? As for Chairman Choi’s granddaughter, I will provide support in other ways. If one is a Korean entertainer, shouldn't one start their entertainment activities in Korea?"
"Hmm..."
Rather than refusing outright, Choi Ki-hyun feigned a look of deep contemplation. And this expression made Heo Cheong-won think, 'He is feeling his own helplessness.' Because he was showing a look of not even being able to get angry despite being on the verge of having his granddaughter’s spot stolen.
"How about it? If you grant my request, I might be able to become a great help to you in the future. Who knows? Three years from now... no, let’s talk about this later."
Heo Cheong-won threw out the message that he could potentially seize the presidency, and Choi Ki-hyun reacted as if he had understood that message.
"Three years from now... So you mean we could talk about that in advance...?"
Heo Cheong-won looked satisfied at Choi Ki-hyun’s quick understanding, unlike Choi Cheol-jae.
"That is correct. Although it will depend on the Chairman’s choice."
"Hmm... Could you give me a moment to think? I will consider it positively, but..."
In a general situation, this answer is mostly an okay sign. It’s just that it doesn't look good or save face to decide on the spot, so he is asking for time. Therefore, Heo Cheong-won burst into a hearty laugh and nodded.
"Hahaha, of course! I look forward to hearing good news soon."
"Thank you for your consideration."
It was a meeting between Heo Cheong-won and Choi Ki-hyun that ended quite smoothly. However, Choi Ki-hyun proceeded in a completely different direction than Heo Cheong-won had imagined.