Chapter 57: The Weight of the Blue House

At the house of Chairman Cha of Taeseong Group, the phone rang nonstop.

Riiiing!

"Hello?"

Chairman Cha was answering the phone himself.

This was an important call he couldn’t leave to his wife or the housekeeper.

"You want to invest in Taeseong Construction? Excellent, of course. Our Taeseong will definitely win the contract for Subway Line 2 this time."

For quite some time, he discussed the investment details.

When the call ended, Chairman Cha grinned with satisfaction.

"Who would have thought a day like this would come. Every time I wanted to expand the business, I was always busy running around borrowing money. Hahaha."

"Chairman, you must be thirsty, right? Have some honey water."

Tak.

His second wife—Cha Seong-jun’s mother—set down a steaming cup of tea.

"What’s with all these calls all day long? You keep saying they’re important, but if you’d just tell me, would that hurt you?"

"They’re precious investment calls from people wanting to help Taeseong."

There’s no one in this world who gives up their money easily.

That’s something Chairman Cha, as a businessman, knows best.

So he had no choice but to respond with utmost sincerity.

"What happened at the Year-End Night for so many investment calls to pour in? You threatened me and the kids not to even think about going, saying we’d see something terrible."

"We almost did see something terrible. But things worked out miraculously well. It’s all thanks to a bold and dynamic supporter who’s backing Taeseong now."

Chairman Cha burst out laughing.

"The way they handled things—just amazing. Not only did they hand 3 billion won in cash to Secretary Kim, they brought in some big investors and made them put in 15 billion won into Taeseong in an instant."

"F-fifteen billion!"

The madam gasped in.

"My goodness, do you realize how much that is?"

"Exactly half of Taeseong Chemicals. That’s the amount our backer pulled in overnight."

"Who is it?"

"I don’t know. All I know is that they’re supporting Taeseong aggressively."

Instead of lowering the corners of his lips that had lifted so high, Chairman Cha picked up the steaming honey water.

"They changed the whole game in an instant, as if they just fell from the sky. I don’t know who it is, but they’re definitely no ordinary person. This is the work of a big shot."

"A big shot? Someone involved in politics?"

"Maybe. Judging by the cash they moved, they could be from finance too. Anyway, this is the handiwork of someone who sees the big picture—broad, long-term. That much is clear."

"What did this backer do to make all this happen?"

"The way they played their hand was on another level. Ukwang used bribes on high officials, but our supporter drew in their money instead."

"Isn’t that the same thing? In the end, they’re still bringing the powerful to their side."

"It’s the same goal, but achieved from a completely different position—that’s what makes it brilliant."

Slurp!

"Think about it from the perspective of those high officials. The bribe Ukwang gave them—well, that’s money already in their pocket. Whether they receive requests or not, it doesn’t matter. But if their own money is now invested in Taeseong, it’s a different story. If Taeseong goes down, they lose."

"Ah!"

The madam clapped her hands.

"So of course they want gains, but they absolutely hate losing, right?"

"Exactly. Now they have a real reason to support Taeseong all the way."

Tak.

Chairman Cha set down the cup of honey water.

"This is an incredibly difficult thing to pull off. High-ranking officials aren’t easy to sway, are they? Yet, they got them to compete over who would invest."

"How did they do that?"

"The way they picked the shill was just masterful."

At the Year-End Night, the shill Taeseong used was an opposition lawmaker.

All he did was redirect the arrows of those threatening letters elsewhere.

But the backer was different.

He boldly brought in the biggest players in underground finance and turned the event into an investment party.

Chairman Cha stroked his chin.

"If someone can pull off a feat like this, they’re definitely not ordinary. No matter how I think about it, I can’t name anyone this resourceful. Who could it be...?"

"Hahaha, what does it matter who it is? What’s important is that they’re backing Taeseong with everything they’ve got. Just the fact that such a big backer has their eye on us means Taeseong will only do better from here."

The madam covered her mouth with her hand and laughed.

Chairman Cha’s hearty laughter wouldn’t stop either.

As the couple laughed for a while, Chairman Cha glanced over and spoke carefully.

"Yesterday, I called off the marriage with Ukwang and officially announced Seong-jun’s wife and child."

"What?"

The madam was so shocked, her mouth dropped open.

"No matter how much I begged you to break off the match, you said absolutely not—because Taeseong Chemicals worth 30 billion was on the line!"

"Seong-jun said he wanted to. He couldn’t abandon his wife and child, so what could I do? Instead, I agreed to hand over Taeseong Chemicals."

"You did the right thing!"

Chairman Cha blinked in surprise.

"I thought you’d raise hell about giving Seong-jun Taeseong Chemicals?"

"I don’t know anything about running a company. But I do know that the right woman has to come into the house."

The madam crossed her arms.

"I really didn’t like the idea of Ukwang’s youngest daughter being paired with our Seong-jun."

Chairman Cha couldn’t hide his dumbfounded expression.

Apparently, his wife wasn’t at all concerned about being blamed or scolded for ruining a thirty-billion-won match.

"Are you sure this is okay? The Ukwang side will stir up the wives and insult you. It could put you in a tough position."

"Insult? If any woman talks nonsense in front of me, I’ll pull every hair out of her head."

The madam snorted.

"Who’s gutsy enough to pick a fight with me? You know I don’t tolerate that kind of thing."

"Sheesh..."

"I don’t even need to go that far. Once I throw down my teacup and flip the table, everyone will be running for their lives."

She glanced over at him and added,

"Hmph, even the Seonnyeo Shaman of Inwangsan said that Ukwang’s daughter and our Seong-jun are the worst possible match. If he got involved with her, he’d die young and in misery."

"Again, again, again!"

"Seonnyeo Shaman of Inwangsan is the best shaman in the country—she even predicted the nation’s fortune!"

"That’s nothing but fortune-teller nonsense!"

"Just look at the results. To be honest, ever since they talked about that engagement with Ukwang’s daughter, Seong-jun barely came home. For seven years, I hardly saw my son’s face!"

The madam trembled with anger.

"The Seonnyeo Shaman of Inwangsan said Seong-jun and Lee Soo-jin were a match made in heaven! But I didn’t know that back then! Just thinking about those money envelopes now—ugh!"

She jumped up from her seat.

"I’m going to see my son and precious grandson! Don’t try to stop me!"

"What? All of a sudden? What if you startle the child?"

"Is there any kid who doesn’t go crazy for candy and chocolate cake? I’ll pack up nothing but sweet treats and make sure he says, ‘Grandma is a good person!’ Just you wait and see!"

The madam dashed out without looking back.

Chairman Cha shouted after her.

"We’re going to call all the family together for a New Year’s meal soon! You don’t have to rush—!"

But his wife had already opened the front door and dashed out.

Chairman Cha clicked his tongue.

"Tsk tsk tsk. Honestly, she still charges headlong at things even at her age."

Riiiing!

Right then, the phone rang again.

"Hello?"

-Chairman, it’s Kim Young-geol. Something big has happened.

"Something big? What’s with all the fuss, not like you?"

-I just got a call from ex-Mayor Gu. His Excellency wants to have a drink with Young Master Seong-jun.

"What? Now that is something big!"

Chairman Cha leapt to his feet in shock.

His face was already pale.

"What am I supposed to do? Why would His Excellency ask for Seong-jun in person? The boy just got back from abroad, what could he have done wrong? Is this Ukwang’s revenge?"

The more he thought about it, the worse his worries grew.

This was an era when the will of the Blue House was absolute.

"Where? Where’s the drinking party?"

-At the Hyeonmu Hotel.

"This won’t do. I have to go too!"

This was no time to be fussing about meals.

Chairman Cha hurriedly grabbed his coat.

"Chief Ko, start the car! Pack some deodeok liquor and let’s get to the Hyeonmu Hotel at once!"

"Yes, sir!"

* * *

I walked around the Hyeonmu Hotel’s promenade several times alone.

With each step, I pondered what Master had said about the bank and the investment company I wanted to establish.

By the time my walk was over, my mind was somewhat sorted out.

‘See? Nothing clears your head like a good walk!’

With a lighter step, I finished my stroll and headed into the hotel lobby.

‘Huh?’

Cars started pouring in at the hotel’s main entrance.

As soon as each car stopped, people sprang out like springs—they were Taeseong Group’s security guards.

They rushed in carrying large document boxes, their faces tense and hurried.

"Ah, Young Master!"

The security guards from Taeseong Group spotted me and ran over, delighted.

"Where’s madam? Did you come out alone? Are you lost?"

"Oh my, look at how cold your hands are. Your cheeks are frozen too. How long have you been out here like this?"

"This won’t do. Rookie, escort Young Master safely to his room! Quick!"

The security guards looked at me with uneasy, fidgety expressions.

"Honestly, I’d love to take Young Master for a warm cup of ssanghwa tea."

"But something urgent has come up."

I opened my eyes wide without thinking.

"Something urgent?"

"Ah, urgent! I mean, it’s extremely important!"

Did they think I didn’t know the word, or the situation?

"What happened?"

"That’s classified as a state secret, so we can’t tell you…!"

State secret?

"No, even if you look at us with those lovely eyes, we can’t!"

"Young Master, please go to your room for now."

"Soon, the Blue House security team will arrive and take control of this place."

The Blue House?

With these big shot words popping out of nowhere, my eyes only grew wider.

Just then, a familiar luxury car arrived.

Father and Secretary Kim got out.

"Young Master, you can’t call for your father right now. He’s incredibly busy at the moment."

Quick-witted, self-proclaimed Number Two and my personal right-hand man, Chief of Security Yoo Jong-tae, set down the document box he was carrying and lifted me up.

"I, Yoo Jong-tae, will personally escort Young Master. Guys, don’t forget any of the files—move them all in."

"Yes, Chief. We’ll take care of Young Master for you."

Yoo Jong-tae picked me up and strode briskly away.

After glancing around, he whispered in my ear.

"Would you like me to secretly tell you the state secret?"

"Yes!"

"Mayor Gu just called. His Excellency, the President, wants to have a drink with your father."

"What?"

The President?

I was so shocked I nearly jumped out of my skin.

‘Why is the President popping up here? He’s really coming here? To the Hyeonmu Hotel? Suddenly? Why?’

I never expected this at all.

Just then, a procession of black cars began rolling into the Hyeonmu Hotel’s drive.

"The Blue House security detail is here. They’ll be taking control of the hotel now. Young Master, if you stay here you’ll get caught up in the commotion, so let’s go up to your room."

The line of black sedans and the dignified people getting out were truly something to behold.

Yoo Jong-tae lowered his voice further.

"Entering the hotel lobby, in order: the Mayor of Seoul, the Blue House Chief Secretary, the Minister of Construction, the Minister of Commerce, the Minister of Finance, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs."

Yoo Jong-tae murmured admiringly.

"Following them are the vice ministers and deputy ministers from each department. All the top movers and shakers are showing up. It’s hard to tell if this is the Blue House conference room or just a private drinking party."

I agreed.

Even the stacks of documents they brought were nothing to scoff at.

‘Why are all those files that ugly brown color, though?’

Yoo Jong-tae commented,

"The Minister of Foreign Affairs has brought along embassy people. Hmm, which embassy was it? Oh, I think it was from the Middle East."

Middle East? Oh ho!

An idea came to me—a piece of information that would definitely catch the President’s eye.