Chapter 104: Red Lines Drawn

“You want to attend the executive meeting of Taesung’s affiliates?”

Not only Grandfather, but also Secretary Kim and President Shim opened their eyes wide.

“Why did you call an emergency executive meeting today?”

“It’s to discuss which of Wookwang’s affiliates we should acquire.”

“That’s why I have to attend. It’s an affiliate that I’m supposed to take over, but you’re not even going to give me a chance to watch it while sucking your thumb behind the scenes?”

My grandfather couldn’t refute my words.

After a long sigh, this was all he could say.

“Jeonghyeok, you’re eight years old. What kind of eight-year-old kid wants to attend the Taesung Group executive meeting······.”

“There’s nothing you can’t do, right?”

I smiled brightly.

“I’m curious about what Wookwang’s best affiliates are, and I want to hear the opinions of Taesung Group executives and see the supporting data they’ve prepared.”

“her······!”

“In fact, we’re not going to decide to acquire Wookwang’s affiliates today. There’s no reason why it wouldn’t work, right?”

“Do you know that the Wookwang Group affiliates are worth a few pennies?”

“That’s why. Even if you buy a bag of bean sprouts at the market, you have to look into it carefully, but when it comes to acquiring an affiliate worth tens or hundreds of billions of won, you have to look into it even more carefully.”

I added in a sly tone.

“Even if it’s called a meeting, it’s probably just a matter of narrowing down the candidates for the acquisition, and the decision will be made later at a meeting of the executives of the affiliated companies or by your grandfather, right?”

“That’s true, though.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

Before anyone could say, “Your age is the problem!”, I struck first.

“I don’t have a say in this, so I’ll just keep my mouth shut and sit quietly.”

“Hmm.”

“Please allow me to observe, Grandfather. Yes?”

A soft groan escaped my grandfather’s mouth.

Secretary Kim opened his mouth.

“Your Majesty, if you say you won’t interrupt the meeting, then there won’t be any problem, right?”

“What kind of conglomerate puts an eight-year-old child in a meeting of executives? Does that make sense?”

“Honestly, do you even care who shows up at your meetings?”

Secretary Kim pointed to the meeting materials he had prepared in advance.

“The executives have to pay attention to the meeting agenda, Taesung’s future, and matters related to their affiliates. There’s not enough time to discuss those things, so how can they possibly have the presence of mind to worry about you, my lord?”

It was very thick as it was data for reviewing the acquisition of 41 affiliates of Wookwang Group.

No, it wasn’t just a little thick.

It was incredibly thick. It looked like it would hold several volumes of a hardcover encyclopedia.

“President Shim, what do you think?”

This time, Grandfather’s head turned towards President Shim.

“Mr. Chairman, I think it might be okay to think of it as early education.”

“Early education?”

“Isn’t this something that even you, Young Master, will have to experience someday?”

President Shim also opened his mouth.

“People claim to be sending their children to study abroad in the US to provide early English education. In the past, noble families taught their children the Thousand Character Classic at the age of three, right?”

“Huh, even so, that’s true. You’re sending your eight-year-old grandson, who isn’t even your successor, to a meeting of executives of an affiliated company as early management education?”

“They say it’s part of the chaebol’s management education, but who would dare to question it? I’ll ask that guy myself.”

Grandfather laughed softly.

“President Shim, I didn’t know you would also approve of Jeong-hyeok’s attendance at the executive meeting.”

“I think this is also the chairman’s blessing. It’s not common to have a grandson who shows interest in the company’s operations at such a young age.”

“Yeah, if you’re Taesung’s bloodline, you should be able to show that much potential!”

Finally, the grandfather nodded.

“Okay. Then I will allow you to attend the executive meeting of all Taesung Group affiliates today.”

“Thank you, Grandpa.”

“But as promised, I will just watch quietly.”

“Of course.”

“If you disrupt the meeting, you will be kicked out immediately, so just know that.”

“Yes. I will remain quiet. Should I raise my pinky finger?”

Honestly, I don’t believe in things like pinky promises······, huh?

“It was a promise.”

My grandfather stretched out his fingers and hooked his little finger between mine and shook them.

“You won’t regret this decision today. I promise you.”

I jumped down from the living room sofa.

I neatly folded the paper that had been on the living room table and put it in my coin purse.

Except for the three-page contract regarding the merger and acquisition of Taesung Chemical.

I handed the three-page contract to President Shim.

“Mr. Shim, please make sure to mention this at the executive meeting later.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Here are the special provisions.”

The special feature I was referring to was this.

< Tae Sung has the right of first negotiation until the equity settlement is completed.>

“Ah, Taesung Chemical reacquisition negotiations!”

“At that time, it means that you shouldn’t just bet on Wookwang Securities, but also bet on Wookwang Construction.”

“Yes? Let’s put aside the Wookwang Securities that was used as collateral, but what does Wookwang Construction have to do with the reacquisition of Taesung Chemical?”

“Where was the promissory note required to acquire Taesung Chemical shares issued?”

“That’s Woogwang Construction… Wait a minute. Your Majesty, this can’t be…!”

As expected from President Shim!

If you pretend to understand, I don’t need to explain it in detail.

“Oh my, I can even link this to Woo Kwang Construction! Hahahaha! My kid is the best after all!”

Of course, the grandfather would understand right away and burst out laughing.

“Your Majesty, you have a plan for everything. It is truly a grand plan.”

Even Secretary Kim nodded with a pleased expression!

It’s great that I don’t have to explain anything to this person who understands everything so well!

“Grandpa, then let’s go. The board meeting is running late.”

“Okay, okay. Let’s go!”

I ran to my grandfather and held his hand tightly.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“It might be boring. It’s not a place where you just laugh and chat. If the meeting goes on for a long time, it could easily last more than two hours.”

Who do you think is doing this without knowing it?

“Secretary Kim, then please give me the executive meeting materials as well.”

“Okay, I understand. Is there anything else you need?”


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“A red pencil?”

“If possible, I’ll pack 12 colors as a gift.”

Grandpa chuckled.

“I thought about it carefully. Since you’ll be bored sitting down, I guess I can just play around and draw pictures.”

No, who would spend that precious time leisurely drawing pictures?

‘There must be so much to see, hear, and examine. How often can an eight-year-old child have a chance to gauge the capabilities of group executives?’

There’s no way to explain this?

‘Then, shall we take a closer look at the promising affiliate of Wookwang Group that Taesung Group is considering acquiring?’

It was a golden opportunity to gain insight into advanced information and materials that are difficult to obtain on the market.

* * *

A meeting of executives from all affiliated companies held in the conference room of Taesung Group headquarters.

It was more intense and tighter than expected.

Parallel.

I sat at the very back and looked through the thick conference materials.

These were documents regarding candidates for consideration for acquisition of Wookwang Group affiliates, which were investigated by group executives.

‘This one’s gold, this one’s silver, that one’s shit-colored.’

This is specific information about 41 affiliates of Wookwang.

After categorizing it into three types, I decided to thoroughly familiarize myself with the priority materials first.

Taesung Group executives focused on the meeting.

“The contract regarding the merger and acquisition of Taesung Chemical can be said to be a stroke of genius.”

“All stocks related to Wookwang are plummeting. On top of that, Wookwang Steel’s deficit is snowballing.”

“You’re saying that you’re going to set up the Wookwang Foundation with 1 billion won from your meager savings to help with the aftermath of the accident? Wookwang’s cash flow must have reached its limit.”

“I’m going to sell off all of my 15 billion won joint stake with Wookwang. I’m going to clean up all the complicated stuff without putting in a single penny. This is really great.”

“I also got Wookwang Securities as a bonus. It is the fourth largest securities company in Korea, worth close to 20 billion won before the stock market crash.”

Every time the Taesung Group executives opened their mouths excitedly, the corners of Grandpa’s mouth kept twitching.

It seemed like he couldn’t stop squirming whenever he looked at me.

The same goes for Secretary Kim and President Shim.

No, these gentlemen?

You said it was a very important meeting?

Are you saying that all executives from all affiliates have gathered together?

“How many square meters of land in Gangnam is there that Wookwang Construction bought up every time it succeeded in selling an apartment?”

“They must have expected that they would be in charge of the construction of Subway Line 2 and bought the land in advance.”

“Most of them are commercial sites or apartment sites where the shantytowns have been demolished. They are prime lands.”

“Now that it has been revealed that the mastermind behind the arson attack at Wookwang Chemical is the president of Wookwang Construction, Wookwang Construction is plummeting every day.”

“What would happen if we took over Wookwang Construction at this time?”

President Shim raised his hand and gained the right to speak.

“When we were negotiating the acquisition of Taesung Chemical, we decided to issue the promissory note through Wookwang Construction. Do you see this?”

What President Shim was holding was a three-page contract for the merger and acquisition of Taesung Chemical.

“The right of first negotiation belongs to Taesung. Of course, this also applies to Taesung Chemical’s promissory note.”

President Shim smiled brightly.

“It seems like everyone is only focusing on Wookwang Securities, but Wookwang Construction cannot be free from this contract either.”

“ah!”

Executives of Taesung’s affiliates were greatly impressed.

“Since the Taesung Chemical stake has not been settled, Taesung also has the right of first refusal to negotiate with Wookwang Construction!”

“The original issuer of the bill is Wookwang Construction. Since there is a problem with the payment of the bill, this matter should naturally be brought up on the negotiating table!”

“If Wookwang Construction goes bankrupt, it will be even more advantageous. Then, I think I can get it for a completely cheap price, no, for shit price!”

Taesung Group executives laughed out loud.

There were even executives who threw away their status and even their reputation to give applause and cheers.

“This is the secret plan behind Taesung Chemical’s surprise negotiations! I can only be amazed!”

“Yes, this is really great! How could I have proposed such a contract back then without foreseeing what would happen today!”

“I knew that President Shim was capable, but I didn’t know he was this great. How many of Woo Kwang’s affiliates can he swallow with his bare hands? Hahaha!”

“Our Taesung’s future is very bright! Let’s take this opportunity to expand our affiliates! Hahaha!”

Executives from affiliated companies applaud President Shim.

Grandfather and Secretary Kim were looking only at me with the corners of their mouths hanging from their ears.

President Shim also glanced at me and scratched the back of his head as if he felt sorry.

These guys, seriously! Are you not going to control your facial expressions?

* * *

Taesung Group executives, whose motivation gauges were filled to full power, began suggesting Wookwang affiliates to acquire this time.

“I would like to propose the acquisition of Wookwang Motors!”

It was my grandfather.

Then, Taesung Motors executives supported the argument for the acquisition of Wookwang Motors by mentioning specific figures.

“South Korea has achieved high economic growth of over 10% on average per year.”

“Last year, per capita GDP exceeded $1,000.”

“I expect the My Car craze to take off soon.”

“When we look at the precedents of advanced countries and consider the automobile penetration rate in South Korea, the outlook for the automobile industry is very bright.”

Tsk tsk, what should I do?

‘The Woo Kwang car is the color of shit.’

Due to the second oil shock, automobile companies around the world begin to go bankrupt like dominoes.

The major American automakers, GM, Ford, and Chrysler, never recovered from the blow they received.

Only Germany, Japan, and the United States, which had devoted their lives to improving fuel efficiency, barely managed to survive, while in many countries, including the United Kingdom, the automobile industry almost collapsed.

‘It will soon be impossible to avoid the integration of the automobile industry, which is called the disease of the Fifth Republic.’

In the past, my uncle had to go through a lot of hardship.

Taesung Motors’ deficit was growing so much that they had to consider selling it.

For that reason, the eldest son resigned from Taesung Motors.

‘If we acquire Wookwang Motors, we will inevitably go bankrupt.’

In the past, the failure to acquire Wookwang Motors only dealt a blow to the extent that it caused Taesung Motors to falter.

I made a big X with a red pencil on the Woo Kwang Motors documents.

“I would also like to propose the acquisition of Wookwang Oil.”

“What Mr. Cha said is right. The combined product of Taesung Motors and Wookwang Gas Station was popular.”

“I expect there will be great synergy effects between affiliates.”

I shook my head again this time.

‘Oh my, Woo Kwang-jung’s oil is also the color of poop!’

When the second oil shock occurred, why would the US Gulf Coast Company sell off its stake in Korea National Oil Corporation while suffering losses?

This is because the government, while calling for national economic stability, passed on all the losses resulting from the surge in oil prices to companies.

‘During the second oil crisis, Wookwang Oil was completely ruined. How can I explain this?’

I drew an X with a red pencil on the Woo Kwang Jung Oil documents.

Not once, but three times in a row.

Grandfather once again got the floor.

“Please also consider Woo Kwang Heavy Equipment.”

Oh my, why does Grandfather always pick companies that are doomed to fail every time he opens his mouth?