Chapter 69: A Coveted Talent

When the president and executives of Taeseong Chemical greeted my father, the people from the other affiliates tactfully made their exit.

‘President Shim Won-cheol of Taeseong Chemical. He’s the key contributor who’s fiercely loyal to Taeseong and has grown every affiliate he’s managed, from Taeseong Construction to Taeseong Securities.’

According to the Taeseong Group report, Shim Won-cheol bought up Taeseong Construction for a pittance after President Cha Yun-seong utterly ran it into the ground during the affiliate split.

He took Taeseong Construction, which was in the midst of rehabilitation procedures, and turned it into the best construction company in Korea within just ten years.

Acknowledged for his abilities, Taeseong Group’s next-in-line, Cha Ki-joon, entrusted Shim Won-cheol with Taeseong Securities.

Later on, Shim Won-cheol launched a financial holding company by merging Taeseong Securities, Taeseong Life, and Taeseong Card, paving the way for the third-generation inheritance of management rights.

‘I also happen to need a trustworthy, capable person right now.’

I was also looking for a frontman for my investment company.

“I heard from the Chairman. He’s decided to hand over Taeseong Chemical to Ukwang, hasn’t he?”

The president of Taeseong Chemical spoke.

“These people have long been waiting to support Young Master Seong-jun. They are highly capable talents. Please take them under your wing, Young Master.”

The president of Taeseong Chemical bowed at a 90-degree angle.

The executives of Taeseong Chemical also bowed and spoke.

“We have no intention of seeking personal gain by joining Ukwang.”

“We wouldn’t even dream of aiming for executive positions at Taeseong Construction.”

“Please give us the opportunity to work for you, Young Master.”

My father straightened his posture and bowed his head as well.

“I was just about to make that request myself. As you know, recently all the executives at Taeseong Construction left at once, leaving me completely at a loss.”

“Young Master.”

“We’ve landed several major government projects. Please help me. I can’t handle all this alone. I sincerely ask for your support.”

At my father’s earnest plea, the faces of the Taeseong Chemical executives brightened.

The president of Taeseong Chemical nodded.

“If Young Master takes us in, there’s nothing more we could hope for. You all go on ahead.”

“Yes, understood.”

The Taeseong Chemical executives, sensing the mood, withdrew as well.

Only after they disappeared inside the mansion’s main gate did the president of Taeseong Chemical let out a long sigh.

“They’re loyal and highly capable people. I trust you’ll take good care of them. And please, accept this.”

“What is it?”

“These are stocks held under borrowed names.”

The president of Taeseong Chemical handed my father a document envelope.

“The Chairman entrusted them to me, and I’ve been managing them until now. I think it’s time I returned them to their rightful owner.”

“President Shim?”

“This is the Taeseong Chemical slush fund ledger. These are Taeseong shares that were held under Taeseong Chemical’s name. About 1% each, scattered across the affiliates. Small sums, really.”

“President Shim.”

“Even if Taeseong Chemical is being handed over, we can’t let even this go to Ukwang. Please, take it.”

The president of Taeseong Chemical firmly pressed the bundle of documents into my father’s hands.

“Within a week, I’ll have the rest of the shares and the slush fund records thoroughly laundered and transferred to you, Young Master.”

Taeseong Chemical was a company Grandfather had prepared for Father.

It seems that over many years, they had gradually transferred Taeseong shares to it, creating a circular investment structure.

Now that Taeseong Chemical was about to go to Ukwang, President Shim was trying to recover the Taeseong shares and split-up funds to return them.

“Young Master, then please allow me to say my farewells.”

“Farewells? Weren’t we all set for you to join Taeseong Construction?”

“I am someone who served as president of Taeseong Chemical. If I drag all the Taeseong Chemical executives over to Taeseong Construction, it wouldn’t look right at all.”

And of course, Father couldn’t simply hand over the president’s seat at the construction company.

‘Grandfather must have hoped President Shim would lead Taeseong Chemical until Father safely took it over. But now that Father is becoming president of Taeseong Construction, the whole plan’s been thrown off.’

This meant President Shim’s position had been left hanging.

He couldn’t push Father aside and take the top seat at Taeseong Construction, but it was equally impossible for a former president to join the company as just an executive.

‘For the Taeseong Chemical executives, moving to Taeseong Construction is a step up, but for the president himself, it would obviously be a demotion.’

Knowing this, President Shim brought up the matter of farewells.

“New wine should go into new wineskins, as they say. Even if I go, I’d only become an obstacle to you, Young Master.”

“President Shim, you’re an experienced and capable person. I need your experience and skills. There’s much I have to learn from you.”

“No, Young Master, you are now the new, proper head of Taeseong Construction.”

President Shim smiled warmly.

“You’ve already landed that subway construction contract. On top of that, you managed to secure the Gangnam Seoul Express Bus Terminal project by extending the subway line. You’re already well on your way to independence.”

President Shim once again bowed respectfully.

“I believe you’ll make Taeseong Construction even greater. I’ll be cheering for you from afar.”

“President Shim, how about we take a little more time to decide this? I can’t let someone as talented as you just leave.”

Just then—

“Seong-jun, what are you doing out there? It’s time to come in. Father’s waiting.”

My eldest uncle came to fetch us.

President Shim sent my father off with a smile.

“Please go on ahead. I’ll join you after I have a smoke. I need to pay my proper New Year’s respects to the Chairman and say my farewells properly.”

My father wiped his face wearily.

“That’s a discussion we should have later. After hearing Father’s thoughts, too.”

“Yes.”

We followed Uncle into the mansion.

***

As we crossed the garden, Uncle spoke up.

“Are you worried about what’ll happen to President Shim of Taeseong Chemical? Then I could take him on.”

“You, Hyung-nim?”

“That’s right. You know Taeseong Motors is short on hands these days, right? I’m planning to expand the business. I think it might be time to set up another affiliate just for heavy equipment.”

Uncle grinned broadly.

“If someone as capable as President Shim helped out, I’d welcome him with open arms! Welcome! Thank you!”

It was clear Uncle also had his eye on the Taeseong Chemical president.

‘I can’t let such a valuable talent be snatched away by Uncle.’

Uncle wasn’t the only one eyeing President Shim Won-cheol.

I wanted him for myself just as much.

‘If only Shim Won-cheol would take charge of my investment company.’

With someone who grew Taeseong Securities so spectacularly, I could trust him to grow my investment firm too.

‘In the past, when Taeseong Chemical became independent, Shim Won-cheol ended up working under Cha Ki-joon. He lost his patron, Father, in a plane crash, and even his position at Taeseong Chemical was left hanging.’

Shim Won-cheol joining was like giving Cha Ki-joon wings.

At that time, the affiliate Cha Ki-joon managed was Taeseong Distribution.

He had hoped for a heavy industry affiliate, but kept being blocked.

‘When the oil shock hit and Taeseong Motors was tottering, Cha Ki-joon took charge. Shim Won-cheol secured a technology partnership with Germany, acquired Saebom Motors for a song, and saved Taeseong Motors from the brink.’

Cha Ki-joon finally got his hands on Taeseong’s core affiliates: automobiles and heavy industry, and Taeseong Group split in two.

‘Now, Father is still alive and well. But Shim Won-cheol’s position is up in the air again—will he jump ship to the second son this time?’

Could it be another recruitment war over Shim Won-cheol?

If that’s the case, I can’t just stand by.

‘There’s no such thing as “later” when it comes to recruiting talent. Whoever moves first gets the prize.’

I’m making my move too, stepping up to the plate!

I’m joining the talent war!

“Dad, would you like to go in first?”

“Hm?”

“Yeah, there’s such a huge lawn here, so many cool trees, and lots of twinkling lights.”

“Hm. I’ll save the garden tour for—”

My father was just a little flustered.

“Young Master, you’re here.”

Secretary Kim greeted us at the front door.

“Please, come inside. Everyone’s waiting.”

“Secretary Kim, there’s somewhere I want to go with you. Will you help?”

“Help... Well, shall we?”

When Secretary Kim offered his hand without hesitation, my father nodded at last.

“Secretary Kim, I’ll leave him in your care.”

With Secretary Kim around, there wouldn’t be the usual barrage of nagging!

Don’t be late for dinner, be careful not to get lost, be polite to strangers, don’t touch anything carelessly, and so on.

All those cautionary reminders that get dumped on little kids—I found them terribly annoying.

***

“Young Master, that way leads to the parking lot, not the garden.”

Found him!

There he was, President Shim Won-cheol of Taeseong Chemical, still in the corner of the parking lot, chain-smoking!

“Secretary Kim, about President Shim of Taeseong Chemical—has Grandfather set aside a spot for him at another affiliate?”

“Not yet.”

So he’s on hold, then?

Meaning Grandfather has no intention of taking someone from Father’s side and giving him to another son.

“President Shim is trustworthy, right?”

“Of course. Even if he were dragged off to Central Intelligence, he’d sooner die than divulge Taeseong’s secrets.”

“And he’s capable?”

“Absolutely. He grew Taeseong Chemical into a 30-billion-won company in just seven years with the Chairman. Need I say more?”

“You know I’m looking for someone capable and trustworthy, right?”

“······!”

I winked at Secretary Kim.

“Then I’ll be counting on your cooperation.”

That was the real reason I’d asked for help earlier.

With Secretary Kim vouching for someone, it’s as good as a guarantee.

I scurried over to President Shim of Taeseong Chemical, put my hands together, and bowed deeply.

“Hello, President Shim. I’m Cha Jeong-hyuk.”

“Cha Jeong-hyuk... Ah, you’re Young Master Seong-jun’s...”

“Yes, and it seemed like you’re in a difficult spot because of Taeseong Chemical.”

I had no intention of beating around the bush.

“I’ve brought a proposal I think you’ll find hard to refuse.”

I raised my pinky finger.

“But it’s a secret. Not even my father or grandfather can know. How about it?”

President Shim Won-cheol smiled warmly.

“If it’s a proposal that goes against my conscience or duty, I can’t accept it.”

“This isn’t about betraying Dad, or switching over to another uncle, or abandoning Grandfather or Taeseong.”

I took a neatly folded memorandum out of my coin purse.

It was Grandfather’s own memorandum.

“This, this is the Chairman’s...!”

It was a memorandum guaranteeing Grandfather’s full support for me to acquire 100% of any company I desired.

The only condition was not to touch any of Taeseong’s affiliates.

“As you can see, I’m about to acquire a company soon.”

“May I ask which company?”

“Korea Petroleum Corporation.”

“······!”

President Shim’s mouth dropped open.

“To think of acquiring 100% of Korea Petroleum... That’s easier said than done. That’s no child’s play, goodness!”

He was so dumbfounded he looked like he didn’t even know where to start objecting.

At that moment, Secretary Kim nodded seriously.

“I’m helping with this as well.”

“Are you serious? Secretary Kim, do you really think this is possible?”

“Of course.”

President Shim’s expression changed.

Maybe he didn’t trust me, but he certainly trusted Secretary Kim.

He started reading Grandfather’s memorandum again, thoroughly and with a serious face.

“Unlike Ukwang, Taeseong doesn’t have a refining company. Isn’t it time for Taeseong to get one?”

“······!”

“Refining companies require an enormous amount of initial capital, so it’s much cheaper to acquire one than to set up a new one.”

There’s no point waiting for the oil shock to hit and for Yukong to go on sale for a pittance.

It’s easier and faster to convince with ambition and cold hard numbers.

President Shim is an ambitious and shrewd man.

“The opportunity will definitely come. Only those who prepare in advance can seize it. That’s why I’m setting up an investment company to get ready for that moment.”

I took a well-folded investment agreement out of my coin purse.

It was the contract with Geomul Bank.

President Shim’s hands, holding the agreement, trembled as he spoke.

“You’re telling me you’ve already roped in the banking sector and started preparations for the Yukong acquisition?”

“I’m investing in Geomul Bank, and Geomul Bank invests in our investment company.”

“The contracted amount with Geomul Bank... just the initial investment is 1.5 billion? And you’ll be increasing the investment steadily?”

“I’m planning to buy up about 103,000 pyeong of land where the new subway station will be built. It’s a joint investment with Geomul Bank.”

I winked again.

“The subway construction will begin soon. I think we’ll see a hefty lump sum from that. Then the laundered funds will return to the investment company, multiplied several times over in a few years.”

President Shim of Taeseong Chemical and Secretary Kim both stared at me in amazement at the same time.