Chapter 493: The Genius Grandson of the Loan Shark – Chapter 493

The Genius Grandson of the Loan Shark – Chapter 493 (493/840)

493

Take Your Time to Think About It

At the reserved restaurant I properly introduced Zhang Zidong to Park Hyeon-seong.

“This is Director Park Hyeon-seong who Vice President Zhang Zidong was so eager to meet.”

“We met earlier.”

“He’s also an old friend of mine.”

“Is that so?”

Zhang Zidong’s eyes widened as he asked.

“Yes we’ve been friends since childhood. Thanks to that this deal progressed without any difficulties.”

“The link with HS Ventures was so difficult before but now we not only connected easily but even signed a contract. Thank you Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok.”

I responded to Zhang Zidong’s thanks with a smile.

Elegant Korean dishes were laid out on the table as we continued our conversation over the meal.

“How do you find Korean food? I’m not sure if it’ll suit your taste since it’s less oily than Chinese cuisine.”

“Not at all. It’s quite delicious. There’s a good variety and it’s not too spicy either.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

I nodded with a smile.

“By the way Director Park you’ve invested heavily in gaming companies. Did you know the gaming industry would be promising?”

Park Hyeon-seong paused his chopsticks to answer Zhang Zidong’s question.

“While looking for new investment opportunities I noticed there were quite a few gaming companies. It was a time when online gaming as a new industry was growing and along with the IT boom I thought the future looked bright.”

Hyeon-seong’s English pronunciation had improved significantly. He must have worked hard in his position.

He couldn’t speak English at all before. It felt like a different era.

“You have a positive view of the gaming industry.”

Park Hyeon-seong nodded.

“Yes the gaming industry will continue to grow alongside the internet. Of course there will be some downsides but setting that aside it’s undeniably a good investment opportunity.”

“The innovation of Korean game companies is truly… remarkable. The reason I decided to service Korean games rather than American or European ones is because Korea produces games that can succeed in China.”

“Vice President Zhang Zidong you seem quite confident about success. But in the gaming industry success can never be guaranteed. Don’t we need to wait and see the results first?”

Many variables affect a game’s success. Not every game succeeds simply because it has good gameplay.

But Zhang Zidong’s thoughts seemed clear.

“China is changing too. People are starting to have disposable income and they’re beginning to spend. Gaming could become a good leisure activity.”

I continued eating while listening to their conversation without joining in.

Seeing Hyeon-seong doing business in person gave me a different feeling.

I’d heard he was doing well but hearing it from others and seeing it firsthand were completely different experiences.

“I hope Tencent and HS Ventures can build a good relationship. Not just in gaming but in all business areas. Tencent will help companies invested in by HS Ventures enter China. We’ll help directly where we can and if it’s difficult we’ll go all out to support them.”

“And in return we’ll distribute our invested gaming companies’ games in China through Tencent?”

“Yes. I believe we can collaborate on many other projects too. Tencent’s major shareholder is Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok here. So HS Ventures and Tencent could be considered friends. Just like how Director Park Hyeon-seong and President Kim Mu-hyeok are friends.”

I’m friends with him and you’re friends with him so you and I are friends.

What a novel and surprising logic.

Though amused I didn’t bother to deny it.

Park Hyeon-seong showed a small smile finding those words quite entertaining.

“That’s an interesting way to put it. However no matter how close we are business is business. Who knows how our positions might change? I won’t make any promises but I’m open to considering each other as priority partners.”

Zhang Zidong expressed his delight with a characteristic Chinese laugh.

“Of course. The closer you are the more important it is to maintain boundaries to preserve the relationship. Just keep Tencent in mind first whenever you think about China. As a friend of Director Park that is.”

After the pleasant meal ended and we sent Park Hyeon-seong off Zhang Zidong and I moved to the Myeong-dong Hotel.

We continued our conversation over drinks.

“Vice President Zhang Zidong is there a specific reason why Ma Huateng is the CEO?”

Zhang Zidong stopped swirling his whiskey glass filled with ice.

“I’m asking if it’s simply because he had the largest investment during founding. That wouldn’t matter anymore.

Since I’d become the major shareholder there was no reason to keep Ma Huateng as CEO just because of shares.

However Zhang Zidong didn’t seem particularly dissatisfied with Ma Huateng being CEO.

“What do you mean by that?”

“I don’t understand. You do all the work yet Ma Huateng represents the company. Even this venture into online gaming wouldn’t have progressed so quickly without your efforts Vice President Zhang.”

The differences between Ma Huateng and Zhang Zidong that I’d observed were clear.

While Ma Huateng might come up with ideas it was Zhang Zidong’s ability that turned those fantasies into reality.

“Hmm.”

Zhang Zidong downed his strong whiskey in one go.

“That’s our agreement. We turn Ma Huateng’s ideas into reality. That’s why we established Tencent.”

“You say ideas but current Tencent only imitates. That’s something anyone else could do.”

“It’s not mere imitation. It’s creative adaptation. All of that comes from Ma Huateng. That’s what I believe.”

I poured whiskey into his empty glass.

“Many of our businesses start from small ideas.”

“I know that well. Your job is turning fantasies into reality.”

“That’s why we wanted Ma Huateng as our representative and that won’t change.”

“It sounds like you wouldn’t mind if someone with better ideas became CEO.”

“…”

Zhang Zidong hesitated to answer.

Does he lack ambition?

“Think about it carefully. I’ve lost faith in Ma Huateng. If there’s someone who can replace him I’m ready to make that change anytime.”

“What… what do you mean?”

Had he not anticipated this?

I replied with a slight smile.

“Because I’m the major shareholder.”

“But Chinese companies must be managed by Chinese people. Owning shares and exercising actual control are different matters.”

“That only applies when I have no connections to the Party. Why do you think the Shanghai faction completely stopped interfering with Tencent?”

“…”

“Business becomes complicated the moment political power gets involved. I’ll completely block any political power from interfering with companies I invest in. Whether it’s the Shanghai faction Princelings or the Communist Party.”

The room’s atmosphere suddenly turned cold.

Looking at Zhang Zidong’s silent face I added slowly.

“But Ma Huateng brought in political power. That put me in quite a difficult position. I had to make concessions to the Shanghai faction to protect Tencent. Do you know how much damage that caused?”

“That was… still an inevitable choice to protect Tencent. I know it was wrong but China’s reality is different. The Communist Party could wipe us out anytime if they wanted to.”

“You should’ve known I was protecting you from that pressure. Being a foreigner doesn’t mean I won’t use my capabilities.”

“…”

“Well I don’t have any immediate plans. But if he crosses me again I’ll replace him without hesitation. I want Vice President Zhang to take that position.”

Zhang Zidong silently stared into my eyes trying to gauge my sincerity. I gave a slight smile.

“Take your time to think about it. I’ll make it happen whenever you want.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“I simply believe you not Ma Huateng are the one who can grow Tencent further. What other reason would there be? The choice is yours. I won’t force you.”

This wasn’t something I could force.

The choice had to be his own.

Instead I brought up a different topic.

“Do you know someone called Song Gyeong-hyeong?”

“Song Gyeong-hyeong? Who’s that?”

“The person who created Blood Alliance.”

“What? Wasn’t that created by CEO Kim Tae-jeong? Everyone knows that.”

I shook my head.

“No. It was created by Song Gyeong-hyeong and his team.”

“…That’s surprising news. It’s not known in China.”

To be precise most Koreans don’t know either. Though everyone will learn about it later.

“He just resigned from TJ Soft.”

“Why would such a talented person…?”

“Conflicts with management. What other reason could there be? What do you think about recruiting him to develop a new game in Korea?”

“Hmm… with such abilities he could easily establish his own company and attract investment. Why would he want to work with us?”

“Games still don’t have a good image in Korea. Investors are hesitant to invest. Plus he doesn’t have the kind of personality investors like.”

Zhang Zidong nodded in agreement.

“The perception of games isn’t good in China either.”

“I think it would be best to let him handle game development autonomously while someone else manages the business side. Consider it positively.”

“I was planning to take game development slowly. But if there’s such a developer taking a risk might not be bad. I’ll look into it.”

I had a long conversation with Zhang Zidong. He was someone whose vision of the future aligned significantly with mine.

* * *

Zhang Zidong contracted to distribute four games in China including two games besides the ones originally planned.

“Eva.”

After he left Korea I was talking with Eva in my study.

“This is taking way too long. What if Chairman Seo Yong-geon dies? Everything could go wrong.”

“I want to wrap this up quickly too but… wow Il-seong Group’s ownership structure is like a spider web on steroids. Fix one thing and another pops up. It’s only manageable because Lee Seok-min knows about it otherwise we’d waste years just sorting out the shares.”

“Any way to speed it up?”

“We could if the government helped…”

I cut off Eva’s words immediately.

“No that’s a double-edged sword. Let’s not create problems for later.”

“Taking over Il-seong Group completely wouldn’t take this long. But you want to tear it apart without leaving any traces.”

I nodded.

“I want the name Il-sung to be forgotten in Korea. Just like how International Group disappeared under the military regime.”

“That’s why it’s harder. Still we can finish everything by next year.”

Taking over a year even with Lee Seok-min’s help.

Just how twisted did they make things to take this long?

“Alright keep at it. And when can we transfer what we promised to Seo Hee-kyung?”

“We should be able to separate the affiliates by the third quarter this year. We need to receive Il-seong Group affiliate shares from that side and transfer shares from other affiliates.”

“Then prioritize that. Sorry but looks like you won’t even dream of a vacation this year.”

“Sigh… what troubles I got into working for the wrong boss.”

Eva complained playfully.

“I’ll give you a sabbatical year just finish this job well.”

“Boss you’re stopping by the UK before heading to the US right?”

I nodded with a smile.

“It’s the last game I have to go watch it in person. I am the club owner after all.”

Leeds United had their final match of the season remaining.