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Chapter 70




< Then, is it war? >
#70
Then, is it war?
“Brother, focus on the corporate separation for now.”
— It took a lot of time.
“Of course, splitting into dozens, hundreds of companies and then merging them again is a huge task. Right? Did you entrust it to a reliable broker?”
— Where are the reliable guys in this business? Money is the only trust. I paid the companies working on it a huge commission.
“Don’t skimp. It’s better to pay more in fees than to have problems later.”
— I didn’t want to ask, but I’m really curious. Is it because of taxes?
“No, if taxes were the issue, we would have set up the companies in tax havens from the beginning. We need to make sure no one can trace the owner of the money. Even the brokers should not know what they are doing.”
— Hmm, I understand what you mean.
“It’s about dispersing the funds based on their usage. You need to remain a good investor.”
Seeing the complexity in Han Kyungjeong’s mind, he added,
“Your identity is only known on Wall Street for now, but if your name keeps coming up in future investments, it won’t be good. You need to return to Korea in glory.”
— Hahaha. Return in glory...
“Construction has already started on the building that Dream High Korea will enter. When you come to Korea, you can move into the heart of Gangnam. Look forward to it.”
— I already am. The day I enter Korea. You won’t tell me when, right?
“It wouldn’t be fun if you knew. Just wait. Get along well with the big players on Wall Street. Meet and support politicians too.”
— Okay. I’ll focus on building connections for now. When are you coming to the U.S.?
“Before the IPO.”
— Got it. Let’s talk properly then.
Han Kyungjeong ended the call with Han Kyungjeong.
The yen would continue to weaken for a while. He decided to liquidate everything a month before maturity.
After that, he planned to stop foreign exchange investments and aggressively invest during the 1997 Southeast Asian financial crisis to increase capital.
Feeling a bit tired from waking up early for the call with Han Kyungjeong, he got up from his seat to have breakfast with his grandfather.
* * *
Gukseong Construction started the project in Daechi-dong along with Daehyun Construction.
Dongsoo Park’s influence was entering Gangnam.
“Prepare well. You can’t show weakness like last time. Got it?”
Although he didn’t bring the members from Busan, Dongsoo Park seemed angry that they had been pushed back by the Baekho faction and called the members from Busan.
“Hey, brother. What are you so scared of? You’ve become a coward just by coming to Seoul.”
Yang Suhyung, who currently manages Busan, teased him, but Dongsoo Park didn’t take it as usual.
“Suhyung, listen up. It’s still Baek Jeonggi. He’s not an easy opponent. Even Sa-seong bowed to him.”
Dongsoo Park was more nervous than usual.
“But, brother, didn’t you say a full-scale war would be difficult because of the brawl in Myeongdong a while ago?”
“Shouldn’t we be prepared in case they suddenly attack? That’s why I called Oh Rakan. We need to take over the surrounding commercial areas. Muhyuk said to stir things up without worrying.”
“Wow, that guy who used to be so small has become a big shot.”
“Watch your words in front of him. He’s not the Muhyuk you know.”
“Understood, brother.”
“And this executive.”
Dongsoo Park called out to Isanggeun, who was reviewing something on the side.
Isanggeun, who was looking at documents, raised his head.
“Yes, sir.”
“You don’t need to come to the site. Focus on the workforce and materials for now. No matter how much Daehyun is the contractor, it’s Muhyuk’s building. We need to do it right. Absolutely no messing around with the materials. Got it?”
“Yes, sir. I understand.”
Dongsoo Park, as well as Isanggeun, recalled the section chief Ma and his subordinates they saw in Myeongdong.
They were terrifying, despite being fewer in number.
“We can’t disappoint Muhyuk again. At the very least, we shouldn’t embarrass ourselves. Remember that. Deal with anyone who messes around without mercy.”
“Yes, sir.”
Despite Dongsoo Park’s preparations, Baek Jeonggi took no action for a while after the construction began.
However, just when the tension was easing, a call came from the Baekho faction to meet.
“I don’t know what he’s thinking.”
“Are you going? It might be dangerous.”
“Enough. If he wanted to attack, he would have done it already. I’ll go and come back.”
Although it was the heart of the enemy’s territory, Dongsoo Park went to the meeting place with only Yang Suhyung.
It was a room salon managed by the Baekho faction.
As they parked the car in front of the store and got out, several large men guarding the front rushed forward.
“Welcome, brother.”
After receiving the greetings from the young members for a while, Dongsoo Park looked around.
It was late, but the Gangnam entertainment district was lively.
“Is Baekho brother inside?”
“Yes, brother. He said to guide you in when you arrive.”
“Let’s go. Lead the way.”
Guided by a Baekho faction member, Dongsoo Park and Yang Sehyung entered the room salon.
A madam waiting inside led them to the innermost room.
“Here it is. I’ll leave now.”
The madam bowed and left, indicating her role was done before opening the door.
Yang Suhyung took a deep breath and opened the door. Dongsoo Park entered.
Baek Jeonggi was sitting in the seat of honor, surrounded by the Baekho faction’s underbosses.
They all knew each other. Faces he had seen at various events.
Dongsoo Park walked up to the table without hesitation and bowed to Baek Jeonggi.
“It’s been a while. Baekho brother.”
Despite the hostile relationship, he greeted Baek Jeonggi respectfully as a senior. He then straightened up and looked at Baek Jeonggi.
Impressed by his demeanor, Baek Jeonggi started laughing loudly.
“Hahaha, Dongsoo! The kid who used to be under Sa-seong has grown a lot. Now that you’re the boss of an organization, you deserve better treatment. Nice to see you.”
Baek Jeonggi gestured for him to sit on the sofa, but Dongsoo Park didn’t sit next to the underbosses.
“Suhyung, chair.”
“Yes, brother.”
Although it was uncomfortable, he sat on the auxiliary chair brought by Yang Suhyung, facing Baek Jeonggi.
“Brother, I apologize. I have many juniors under my responsibility. It’s difficult to sit with the underbosses, so I’ll sit here.”
As if knowing Baek Jeonggi’s thoughts, Dongsoo Park had already created another seat of honor.
The expressions of the underbosses sitting around Baek Jeonggi twisted.
“This kid, is he crazy? Hey, Dongsoo! Do you want to die?”
One of the underbosses on the left side cursed.
He was also an underboss of the Baekho faction but a senior to Dongsoo Park.
Dongsoo Park knew he couldn’t back down here. His expression hadn’t changed since getting out of the car.
“Don’t interrupt the conversation between seniors. And if you curse one more time, it’s war. Got it?”
“What did you say?”
“Sit down.”
“But, Chairman.”
“Didn’t you hear me? Sit down.”
With Baek Jeonggi’s stern words, the underboss, who was fuming, sat back down.
Although the underboss glared at him, Dongsoo Park ignored it.
“Baekho brother, I know all the seniors here are higher in rank than me. You called me to talk organization to organization, but if it’s like this, there’s no need to talk. If that’s your intention, I’ll leave now.”
Baek Jeonggi exchanged a glance with Dongsoo Park without answering.
The room was filled with suffocating tension.
Yang Suhyung, standing behind Dongsoo Park, was ready to block the door in case something happened.
The tension that seemed about to explode disappeared as Baek Jeonggi smiled as if nothing was wrong.
“Haha, right. My underbosses said they wanted to see your face after a long time. If you were offended, I apologize. Everyone, go out.”
“Chairman.”
The underbosses tried to dissuade him with their eyes, but Baek Jeonggi nodded toward the door.
“Dongsoo, why don’t you send your subordinate out and talk alone?”
Dongsoo Park also nodded to Yang Sehyung.
After the underbosses and Yang Sehyung left, Dongsoo Park got up and sat on the sofa to the left of Baek Jeonggi.
“Excuse me, brother.”
“No, it’s fine.”
Baek Jeonggi started with a slightly smiling face.
“I never imagined you would take over Yeongdeungpo, which was a no-man’s land. You got a good sponsor,