The Price of 100 Billion Won (2)

Choi Deok-bae, having returned to Yoon-gi’s side, immediately relayed JD’s wish. Yoon-gi looked at him with an expression of utter disbelief.

“Is he out of his mind?”

“Rather than giving 100 billion won to JD, it’s better to just wait until N becomes president. Honestly, JD’s greed knows no bounds.”

For YK—or rather, for Yoon-gi—to take the bait JD had cast, one absolute condition was required: the proposed amendment had to be an "urgent proposal that needed to be implemented immediately." But that was far from the case. From Yoon-gi’s perspective, this amendment was merely an idea that had emerged during the process of establishing the foundation; it wasn't a critical matter that required split-second decisions. Therefore, it was something that could easily be resolved later through the five laws he planned to request from N, or through service-related legislation.

'N has already declared that he will follow me completely.'

In truth, since the shelf life of the tape only lasted until JD’s downfall, there was a chance N might not listen. But until then, and even after, if he provided N with the faithful feed of money, the chances of N listening were high.

'Besides, the reason politicians listen to chaebols is because of money for their election campaigns. Once N is elected, it won't be difficult to control him.'

Yoon-gi still had many sources of income. It wasn't just YK Department Store, Japan’s Sega, or the oil fields; it meant that money was literally going to pour in.

'But JD is definitely going to call for my grandfather, isn't he?'

The words JD wanted to hear were already set. "I will give you more than 100 billion won." Furthermore, JD was already aware of the information regarding the oil fields. Or rather, while the whole world already knew about it, JD was clearly salivating over the oil fields Yoon-gi possessed. To be precise, it was the cash-generating power that could be obtained through those fields.

'JD knows we have the ability to raise over 100 billion won. But I don't want to give him that money. What should I do?'

He didn't know when his grandfather would be summoned to the Blue House, but he needed to have countermeasures in place as quickly as possible before that happened.

'In that case, I’ll need information.'

Yoon-gi picked up the phone and called his grandfather.

“Welcome, Chief of the Presidential Security Service!”

At Choi Ki-hyun’s warm hospitality, JSD bowed his head slightly and smiled.

“Thank you for the invitation. I believe this is my first time visiting the Chairman’s ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠residence.”

“I should have invited you often, but I couldn't bring myself to host a distinguished guest in such a humble place. If it’s alright with you, Chief, I would like to invite you often from now on.”

“Then I shall consider it an honor. How many politicians in our country have ever visited Chairman Choi’s home?”

“You are the first, Chief.”

“No, really? Honey, did you hear? He says I’m the first.”

Seeing her husband acting like a child, JSD’s wife, Im Gyeong-ja, also smiled.

“Welcome, Chief. I’m not sure if you remember, but I am Choi Cheol-ho.”

It wasn't just Choi Ki-hyun at the house. The couple Choi Cheol-ho and Park Yeon-ji were there as well. Furthermore, Yoon-gi was present too.

“Of course I remember. We’ve met several times, and since you are Chairman Choi’s son and Yoon-gi’s father, how could I forget? I’m always envious of your physique.”

Since Choi Cheol-ho still maintained a solid build, JSD’s words were sincere.

“And you, Madam, are still a great beauty. Though, not as much as my own wife, of course. Hahahaha!”

Taken aback by her husband’s unexpected joke, Im Gyeong-ja stared at him with wide, rabbit-like eyes.

“Why are you so surprised? The fact that I’ve changed like this is all thanks to Chairman Choi and Yoon-gi.”

JSD, who burst into a hearty laugh again, turned his gaze toward Yoon-gi.

“In the past, every time I looked at Yoon-gi, I compared him to my own children, but thanks to him, I don’t do that anymore. I’m proud of my sons.”

At their father’s praise, the brothers Jae-jun and Jae-seok looked embarrassed but deeply satisfied.

“It’s not thanks to me, but thanks to the open-minded education style of the Chief and his wife.”

“Hahahaha, is that so? I’m grateful you say that.”

The expression on JSD’s face as he laughed repeatedly was filled with genuine friendliness. Then, the meal took place. Throughout the meal, only light and pleasant topics were discussed, and there was no mention of politics at all. How much time had passed? When everyone was gathered in the living room having coffee, JSD spoke in a low voice.

“Yoon-gi, could you look over my children’s studies for a moment? Or just have a chat with them.”

“Yes, of course.”

Yoon-gi chose a room and led Jae-jun and Jae-seok inside.

“Chairman Choi, how about we have a drink separately in the study?”

“Ah, that sounds good.”

“President Choi, please join us.”

At JSD’s words, Choi Ki-hyun looked surprised.

“He is the Chairman’s son, so there shouldn't be a problem.”

“To think you’d say that… thank you.”

And so, JSD, Choi Ki-hyun, and Choi Cheol-ho sat in the study. JSD even took the seat across from Choi Ki-hyun rather than the seat of honor.

“Chairman Choi. Do you happen to know how the situation from the recent luncheon is unfolding?”

“I don’t know anything yet. Only that the President told me to come to the Blue House ten days after his overseas tour ends.”

Currently, JD was away for a previously scheduled overseas tour. Therefore, Choi Ki-hyun’s visit to the Blue House had been postponed. Furthermore, this was quite helpful for both the chaebols and YK. Because it gave them time to formulate a strategy.

“Chairman Choi. I know better than anyone how much you have considered me until now.”

“Considered me? Isn't it thanks to your consideration, Chief, that we have risen to this position? It is thanks to you that we were able to have ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠an audience with the President, so all of this is due to your grace.”

JSD shook his head with a warm expression.

“Your humility is too excessive. In fact, while various connections were at work, you have always respected me, Chairman. So, I intend to repay that grace.”

“Oh my, grace? Please don't say such things… We have already received so much.”

“Then, I will give you something even greater this time.”

JSD, as if he had made up his mind, said to Choi Ki-hyun.

“Chairman. The words I am about to say must never be revealed to have come from me.”

“I don’t know what you are about to say, but… I will keep that in mind.”

“And you must never speak of this content aloud yourself.”

“I will do so.”

Finally, JSD brought up what he wanted to say.

“Other chaebols have offered the President 100 billion won. On the condition that he does not accept this amendment.”

“Hoo… 100 billion won. Surely, you don't mean in cash?”

“That is correct. And this 100 billion won doesn't end with just not accepting the amendment.”

“I suppose… it implicitly includes the condition to crush YK as well.”

JSD nodded.

“That is correct. Right now, the President is weighing YK against the other chaebols. It means he is not on YK’s side.”

Choi Ki-hyun put on a genuinely moved expression.

“Chief… thank you so much. To stand firmly by our side even in these times…”

“It is all because you, Chairman, have acknowledged me until the end. That is the only reason.”

'Up to this point, it’s exactly as Yoon-gi predicted.'

Yoon-gi had asked Choi Ki-hyun to invite JSD to dinner. And he had explained the scenario up to this point. Furthermore, he had also informed Choi Ki-hyun of the next scenario. That was why Choi Ki-hyun followed Yoon-gi’s request.

“Chief, could you possibly lend us your strength one more time?”

“What is it? I will help as much as I can.”

“The personal details of the domestic chaebols… I hope you can inform me of what the President knows.”

JSD didn't even hesitate.

“I will do so.”

“Thank you. I will never forget this grace.”

“I know better than anyone that you won't forget. Then, as soon as I return, I will have my subordinates send the documents.”

Until recently, JSD had been JD’s right-hand man, but now he could no longer be called that. A right-hand man who did not listen to his master. No, he had become a right-hand man who would wound his master, and he began to tighten the noose around JD.

Yoon-gi’s study. There, YK’s key executives began to pore over documents one after another.

“The documents are truly vast. Honestly, if it weren't for Geun-tae, would I have ever had the chance to see such shocking scenes?”

At Kim Jeong-seon’s exclamation, everyone nodded. It was no wonder, as piles of documents were filling every corner of the study.

These were the copies JSD had sent via ANSP agents. Even though he had only asked for data on domestic chaebols, the volume was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠so vast that Yoon-gi couldn't handle it alone. It was to the point that Yoon-gi had summoned his key executives. At first, he had intended to work with his grandfather Choi Ki-hyun and father Choi Cheol-ho, but Choi Ki-hyun was too old for such tasks, and Choi Cheol-ho was not suited for this kind of work. It wasn't as if he could make Choi Deok-bae do it either. Therefore, he had summoned his most trusted group, his key executives, to review these documents.

“I was surprised, too. That the ANSP had been monitoring us to this extent…”

At Kang Seok-ho’s words, as he clicked his tongue, Jeong Dong-yoon nodded.

“Since I’ve done various things at SES, I honestly expected it to some degree… but I didn't know it would be this vast.”

If the state were monitoring them to this extent, who wouldn't tremble? However, since they had confirmed that JSD, the head of the ANSP, was on their side, their hearts were at least not uneasy.

“Our YK is truly full of ups and downs. It wasn't long ago that Heo Seong-su, one of the 3 Heos, dragged us into trouble, and now it’s the domestic chaebols. Oh my.”

At Choi Cheol-gyu’s groaning, meant to lighten the mood, Ryu Geun-tae smiled.

“Doesn't that mean our YK is making great strides? They are keeping us in check so they don't lose their own seats.”

“Well, it’s certainly better than scraping the floor with your heels on a weekday with nothing to do.”

It was a silly joke, but it was enough to lighten the mood, and thanks to that, giggles ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠spread through the study for a moment.

“Chairman, should we also include those with blood ties to the Daehan Group?”

At Kim Jeong-seon’s question, Yoon-gi nodded.

“We’ll do a second classification separately later, so for now, if they are on the losing side of a factional fight, add them unconditionally.”

The work they were doing now. It was the classification of those who had lost in power struggles within current influential chaebol families, or the non-mainstream chaebols. Since the enemy of an enemy could be an ally, they could deal meaningful blows to their enemies. Furthermore, it was to identify the enemies' weaknesses. He had to create a justification for not giving the 100 billion won until JD returned from his overseas tour, and he judged that he could neutralize the opponent’s 100-billion-won offensive through their weaknesses.

'The documents are so vast that time might be tight.'

It was a situation close to a ‘random draw.’ But suddenly, Choi Cheol-gyu let out an exclamation.

“Yoon-gi! If we use this well, we can make great use of it!”

The document Choi Cheol-gyu handed over. It contained the fact that Jeong Woo-ho, the chairman of the 8th-ranked Haeshin Group, was ‘azoospermic.’”