Chapter 824: Bo Xilai’s Party

Bo Xilai was greeting each guest who came to expand his network, engaging in brief conversations with everyone.

Several chairmen of large corporations from Korea had also come to the inauguration party.

“Boss Kim.”

“Ah, Chairman Kim Byung-woo. You’re here?”

Chairman Kim Byung-woo had also come to Shanghai.

“It’s been a while. I’m a bit late.”

“Late nothing. You arrived right on time.”

I greeted him back while looking toward Bo Xilai.

I intended to introduce Chairman Kim Byung-woo to him.

However, he was still surrounded by a crowd of people.

“I’ll introduce you to Bo Xilai later.”

Kim Byung-woo also looked at the crowd, nodded and said.

“Alright.”

“Which conglomerate chairmen came?”

“Three chairmen came in person. Ours, Daehyeon Automotive and…”

“Haha. Hello.”

Before Kim Byung-woo could finish, Seo Jae-sang greeted us as he approached.

“Chairman Seo Jae-sang, you came yourself.”

“I did.”

Seo Jae-sang, who now led JC Group after Seo Yong-geon, was quite polite, unlike in the past.

“I had no idea about this politician named Bo Xilai. Did you know about him, Boss Kim Mu-hyeok?”

There’s no need to answer that. I simply shrugged at Seo Jae-sang’s question.

“I don’t know everything.”

“Is that so? Hmm…”

Even after greeting us, Seo Jae-sang didn’t leave.

He kept glancing around, lips moving as if he had something to say.

“Chairman Kim Byung-woo.”

I only called his name but Kim Byung-woo quickly caught on to my intention.

“I’ll go chat with others. I’ll see you in a bit.”

Kim Byung-woo took the staff member he’d brought as a translator and moved elsewhere.

With just the two of us left, I cut to the chase and asked Seo Jae-sang directly.

“What do you want to talk about?”

Seo Jae-sang took a deep breath and spoke in a firm voice.

“I want to enter the Chinese market.”

“Then do it. Why are you telling me?”

“You know it’s hard to enter China without connections. We want to export the movies we produce and distribute to China.”

“Are you asking me to do that for you?”

“No. Just make the introduction. I’ll handle the rest.”

I stared at Seo Jae-sang, who waved his hands dismissively.

‘He’s definitely changed.’

Even his gaze was different. Gone was Seo Jae-sang, the eldest grandson of the Seo family, who had lived complacently, মেনে yielding to Seo Jae-hoon due to an inferiority complex.

But that didn’t mean I should help him without reason.

“Do I have a reason to do that?”

“If you just introduce me, I’ll participate in anything Boss Kim does next.”

“Hmm…”

I hummed and pondered. I was busy weighing the options in my head.

Should I help him or not? I soon finished my deliberation and opened my mouth.

“Alright. I’ll introduce you to the person in charge at the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television. But it will be difficult for JC Group to enter China on its own.”

“I know. Once we establish a connection with the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television, we plan to find a partner for our Chinese business.”

“Why look far?”

“Pardon?”

We have a good partner right here, no need to waste energy. I pointed to a man approaching us, leaving a puzzled Seo Jae-sang behind.

“He’s here.”

“Boss Kim Mu-hyeok.”

Seo Hyung-jun greeted me warmly, then his face stiffened as he saw Seo Jae-sang facing me.

“Seo Jae-sang…”

Seo Hyung-jun murmured Seo Jae-sang’s name and Seo Jae-sang’s face also stiffened upon seeing Seo Hyung-jun.

“What are you doing here?”

Though distantly related, Seo Hyung-jun was of a higher generation than Seo Jae-sang.

“What about you, Older Brother?”

“You know why I’m asking? After you kicked me out I’ve been struggling to make a comeback in China.”

“….”

“Ah, I wasn’t kicked out. I left on my own.”

“I never intended to kick you out.”

Seo Hyung-jun shrugged, nodded and smiled.

“Yeah, maybe not you. But the others did. You know how much I was given the cold shoulder.”

His tone was calm but the underlying criticism was sharp.

Noticing this, Seo Jae-sang simply stared at Seo Hyung-jun without saying a word.

“Don’t say you didn’t know. Those bastards wouldn’t have dared to challenge me without your silent approval.”

Even if distantly related, Seo Hyung-jun was still part of the royal family.

For someone to challenge him meant they had backing from another member of the royal family.

“I… I couldn’t help it.”

“Well, I understand your position. Your seat was precarious too. If not for Boss Kim Mu-hyeok’s help, would you even be in that position?”

Seo Jae-sang bit his lip hard.

As Seo Hyung-jun said, if I hadn’t supported him, his succession to the management rights would have been jeopardized.

I intervened before their emotional battle escalated.

“Let’s save the catching up for later, Vice President Seo Hyung-jun. You heard the news, right?”

Seo Hyung-jun nodded at my question.

“Thank you. Thanks to you, Boss Kim…”

“There’s no need for thanks. He worked for me, so it’s only natural that I stepped in.”

Even as I said this, I knew that the loyalty of those working with me would increase.

To lighten the mood, I made a light joke and immediately got to the main point.

“Chairman Seo Jae-sang wants to enter the Chinese market. He said he’s looking for a Chinese partner, so I suggested JK Media take on that role.”

Seo Jae-sang and Seo Hyung-jun both called out to me in surprise at the same time.

“Boss Kim.”

“Boss.”

I could tell what they both wanted to say.

I raised a hand to calm them and spoke coldly.

“Don’t bring personal feelings into business. It’s clearly beneficial for both of you to join hands. Or am I mistaken about you, Vice President Seo Hyung-jun?”

“…No. I’ll consider it.”

“Don’t just consider it, do it. To expand the presence of Korean films in China, you ultimately need to work with JC. You know this, so why are you hesitating?”

When I looked at him with disappointment, he answered with a cough.

“No. I’ll follow your instructions.”

“You know I rarely interfere with your work, right?”

“Yes, I know. Thank you for always trusting me. I nearly let personal feelings get in the way of a profitable opportunity for the company.”

Seo Hyung-jun bowed his head in apology. It’s always nice to work with someone so efficient and quick-witted.

This time, I asked Seo Jae-sang.

“What about you, Chairman? Are you going to let personal feelings keep you from entering the Chinese market?”

“…No. I’ll work with anyone I have to.”

“Good.”

The negotiation was over, so there was no need to drag it out.

I looked around the party hall and said to Seo Hyung-jun.

“Vice President Seo Hyung-jun, please show Chairman Seo Jae-sang around the party and help him expand his network. It should be easier since you share the same blood.”

“Alright.”

Seo Hyung-jun turned to Seo Jae-sang and spoke. His voice was quite cold, unlike the warm smile he had shown me earlier.

“Follow me. Don’t think you can stand tall here like you did in Korea. This is China.”

“I know that much.”

“If you make a mistake, it could cause trouble for me too. No, it could even reflect badly on Boss Kim.”

“Yeah, I got it. Stop nagging.”

Seo Hyung-jun left with Seo Jae-sang.

I saw that the crowd around Bo Xilai had thinned out a bit, so I looked for Kim Byung-woo.

He wasn’t far, I spotted him talking to someone and headed over.

“Chairman Kim.”

“Boss. Have you finished your business?”

I nodded and smiled at the person Kim Byung-woo was talking to, extending my hand.

“Chairman Song, you came too. It’s been a while.”

“Yes, Boss Kim. It’s good to see you again.”

“I hear Daehyeon Automotive’s growth is impressive.”

“Haha. We’re only just recovering.”

“You’re here because of the Chinese factory, right?”

Chairman Song Chan-seong nodded and lowered his voice.

“You know about it. We plan to build more factories in China.”

I nodded along and lowered my voice as well.

“Do you plan to terminate your joint venture with Beijing Automotive?”

“…How did you know?”

They had already established a joint venture with Beijing Automotive and were building a factory, but progress was slow.

There was also a high risk of technology theft.

“Because it’s a state-owned enterprise. The Chinese government has nothing to lose.”

“That’s right. We need to expand our factories in China, but the factory establishment is facing difficulties. Plus, we heard rumors that they’re secretly negotiating with Benz.”

Truth is often hidden in rumors. Song Chan-seong may not be certain, but he likely had his suspicions.

“It’s not a rumor. They’ll soon establish a joint venture and officially start their business in China.”

“…Then there’s no reason for us to continue working with Beijing Automotive.”

“That’s why you’re here today. To partner with Shanghai Automotive, right?”

“Yes. But… it’s harder than I thought to meet Party Secretary Bo Xilai.”

Song Chan-seong smiled awkwardly and looked toward Bo Xilai.

I also checked Bo Xilai’s side again and turned around.

“Then let’s go. I’ll introduce you.”

I took the two men and approached Bo Xilai.

Bo Xilai smiled brightly and gestured as I approached.

“Boss Kim.”

“Party Secretary Bo Xilai. I came back to introduce you to some people. I hope I’m not interrupting anything important?”

“Haha. Not at all.”

Bo Xilai sent a look to the people around him, and they began to disperse.

“This is Chairman Kim Byung-woo of Jungwoo Group.”

I introduced Kim Byung-woo first.

“Jungwoo Group!”

Bo Xilai knew that I was the owner of Jungwoo Group.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Kim Byung-woo.”

“Haha. Nice to meet you. I’m Bo Xilai.”

Bo Xilai grasped Kim Byung-woo’s hand and shook it.

After some light pleasantries and congratulations, I pointed to Song Chan-seong and said.

“And this is Chairman Song Chan-seong of Daehyeon Automotive.”

“Daehyeon Automotive! I know it. Of course, I know it.”

Bo Xilai’s face lit up at the mention of Daehyeon Automotive.

“I’m Song Chan-seong. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“I heard that Daehyeon is the most fundamental of the fundamental among Korean conglomerates.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

After the brief introductions, I got straight to the point.

“Daehyeon Automotive wants to build a factory in China.”

“I know. But haven’t they already established a joint venture with Beijing Automotive and are looking for a factory site?”

As expected, the ambitious Bo Xilai wouldn’t have missed this detail.

I quickly sent a look to Song Chan-seong, who carefully spoke.

“Yes. But the project is moving too slowly. The factory site selection should have been completed by now.”

“Hmm. I have no authority over Beijing Automotive.”

“I know. That’s why we want to cancel our venture with Beijing Automotive and partner with Shanghai Automotive to enter the Chinese market.”

“…You said Shanghai Automotive?”

Bo Xilai repeated and Song Chan-seong nodded firmly.

“Yes. That’s right. We want to establish a joint venture to build a factory in China and produce Daehyeon vehicles.”

“Would Shanghai Automotive have a reason to establish a joint venture with Daehyeon? They’re already producing cars through joint ventures with Volkswagen and GM.”

“I know.”

“If you know, is there anything more to say?”

Bo Xilai’s words made me chuckle inwardly. He was drooling on the inside but feigning disinterest on the outside.

“Daehyeon Automotive is not only price competitive in the Chinese market, but our technology is also on par with those two companies.”

“How does that benefit us?”

“We’ll produce and assemble all parts in China.”

Neither Volkswagen nor GM localized all their parts.

But Daehyeon Automotive promised to localize every part.

“Hmm. It’s a tempting offer but… can you terminate your joint venture with Beijing Automotive?”

“That’s…”

That was indeed the problem. Even if Bo Xilai gave his approval and they wanted to partner with Shanghai Automotive, Beijing Automotive would never back down.

Song Chan-seong probably came here hoping Bo Xilai would act as a shield.

Bo Xilai, who knew this, said.

“If I step in and exert pressure, I’ll inevitably sour my relationship with the central government.”

Between the state-owned Beijing Automotive and the private Shanghai Automotive.

Even a three-year-old could tell which was more important.

“If you can break things off amicably with Beijing Automotive, I’ll try to help you partner with Shanghai Automotive. How about it?”

He was saying he’d help if Song Chan-seong could sever ties with Beijing Automotive.

“…Will they really agree if we ask them?”

“Then wouldn’t it make sense to proceed with Beijing Automotive? If you can’t find a place to build your factory, how about building it near Shanghai? I can recommend a good location.”

Song Chan-seong looked at me with a troubled expression.

Blood is thicker than water, I felt I should help Song Chan-seong.

“Party Secretary. Don’t pressure him too much. The Prime Minister will be here soon, so why not discuss it together then?”

“If Boss Kim says so, alright.”

Unlike when Song Chan-seong spoke, Bo Xilai readily nodded at my suggestion.