Chapter 255: Securing Allies in the Shadows

The speed of their actions matched my own urgency; I didn’t hesitate any longer.

The last words my grandfather left behind played a significant role in solidifying my resolve.

That’s right. I couldn’t afford to lose anything.

To avoid losing, I had to take care of things decisively, just like a villain.

And who does a villain need to associate with most? Lawyers, of course. A true villain plays above the law, just like my grandfather.

He seemed a little surprised, but the bright smile he gave as he welcomed me made it clear he’d definitely caught the scent of money.

“Oh, my! What brings the famous rising star of the business world, Mr. Jin Do-jun, to a public servant like me? Ha ha.”

The Minister of Justice greeted me with slightly exaggerated fanfare.

“Representative Oh Se-hyun specifically asked me to pay you a visit and say hello. He mentioned he was greatly indebted to you from the last time.”

“Ah, yes. You’re deeply involved with Representative Oh’s Miracle Investment, aren’t you?”

“Not involved, exactly. I just learned a few things working there.”

“So modest. I’ve heard all about it. Representative Oh left everything to Mr. Jin Do-jun while he takes care of his health at some resort. To be in charge of Soonyang Group’s financial sector and a leading domestic investment firm… truly impressive.”

“You flatter me. It’s just been a stroke of luck. Soonyang is thanks to my grandfather, and Miracle is thanks to my father. Representative Oh and my father are close friends, after all. In short, I’m just a lucky guy with good parents.”

The Minister’s lips curved upwards, and he even let out a soft whistle.

“Goodness, the way you put it so plainly… you don’t seem like the youngest son of a chaebol family. You’re quite down-to-earth.”

“Thank you for seeing it that way.”

“Well, enough pleasantries. What brings you here today?”

I subtly slid a folded memo towards the Minister.

“What’s this?”

I intently watched him as he picked up the memo and read it.

He showed a brief flicker of surprise, but he wasn’t flustered. It was the normal reaction anyone would have to seeing something unexpected.

“It doesn’t mean anything special. I just prepared it to add credibility to my words.”

The Minister placed the memo on the table and interlaced his fingers.

“Indeed… The late Chairman was meticulous. To record every single number, even amounts that were like pocket change to him.”

“However, even when he was in a wheelchair heading to the Prosecutor’s Office, he didn’t use these records. He merely ‘stored’ them.”

“But why does Jin Do-jun have them? Could my guess be right?”

The Minister’s eyes gleamed.

“Yes. I’m now in charge of these records.”

“In charge of the records…”

The Minister immediately understood the implication.

“The question is, why would he entrust the records to his grandson when his son is in charge of the group…?”

It wasn’t the right time to be completely honest, so I gave a vague answer.

“He didn’t tell me the reasons, but firstly, I think he believed I was good with money. Secondly, he seemed worried that my uncles might misuse these records. Of course, that’s just my speculation.”

I hoped he understood the true meaning of ‘misuse’.

The two vice-chairmen were dangerous men who wouldn’t hesitate to use the records as leverage whenever they needed to, after all.

“I see. So, Mr. Jin Do-jun will also simply store these records?”

“Of course. I intend to honor my grandfather’s wishes.”

Meaning I would provide a safe stream of money when needed.

The Minister chuckled.

“Alright, I understand Mr. Jin Do-jun’s role perfectly. Now, what’s the real reason for your visit?”

Even without my grandfather revealing the records, everyone still fulfilled their end of the bargain. My grandfather could ensure compliance with a single phone call, but I still had to visit them personally to ask for favors. They would all be unable to refuse, though.

“I anticipate causing a rather significant incident soon. The problem is handling the fallout…”

“You don’t seem inclined to disclose the details of this incident, so what kind of resolution are you looking for?”

“Could you make it as if it never happened?”

“That depends on the scale.”

“Well… the scale is rather large. If it were small, I wouldn’t be here bothering the Minister.”

“This is giving me a headache. When a well-connected third-generation member of Soonyang says the scale is large, someone like me can’t even imagine how to clean it up, honestly…”

For someone who held the position of Minister of Justice, he sure was putting on an act!

“Ah, I almost forgot to mention something. Representative Oh also had some words for you, and wasn’t the Minister someone my grandfather had been watching closely since his early days as a lawmaker?”

“Is that something to be proud of? Ha ha.”

“The general election is just around the corner. After that, the Constitutional Court will issue its verdict on the presidential impeachment, and there will be a major reshuffle of personnel for the renewal of the political landscape…”

“That’s likely. The impeachment is almost certain to be rejected, and the ruling party is expected to win the general election.”

“You could call it a landslide victory for the ruling party, but isn’t it strange? The victory is celebrated in Yeouido, yet the Cabinet will face a bloodbath. By the way, wasn’t the average tenure of South Korean ministers around 14 months?”

“13.8 months to be precise. And I’m currently in my 13th month. I was the first minister appointed in this administration, you see.”

“Your next move will naturally be to Yeouido, then.”

“Of course.”

For a minister who would soon be out of office, his expression was remarkably good. Even though he would have to spend the next four years as an unemployed man until the next election.

“Do you have any specific plans?”

“The President will likely offer me a position as the head of some obscure public institution, but having been a minister, I can’t take on anything that makes me look bad. I’ll probably just read books and pass the time. What else can I do?”

Judging by the way he was reading my expression, he wanted to hear a specific answer.

“Then how about spending about two years studying abroad? When you return, you can become the district party chairman and prepare for the election. Doesn’t sound too bad, does it?”

“For a young man, you know politics quite well. You’re sharp. Haha.”

“I’ll take care of all the arrangements. Ah, this is on behalf of Representative Oh, by the way. No other intentions.”

The Minister’s smile didn’t fade.

“There’s a reason why Chairman Jin entrusted you with those records. I understand perfectly.”

Understands perfectly….

There couldn’t be a more fitting response.

“Then I should be going. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule.”

As I stood up to leave, he asked.

“Don’t make the scale too big, and take it easy. It’s dangerous to splash too much mud around at the end of my term.”

“I’ll make sure the mud gets shared with the Prosecutor General. Please don’t worry too much.”

His eyes widened at the mention of the Prosecutor General, but I pretended not to notice and left.

* * *

“Chief of Staff, we need to come up with a plan. They say Soonyang Life Insurance will be holding a board meeting next week.”

“The agenda will undoubtedly be the replacement of the CEO and the board of directors, right?”

“This isn’t the time to be laughing.”

Vice President Jang Do-hyung kept gulping down water, trying to soothe his anxiety.

“Should I cry then? What can we do? Isn’t it the right of the major shareholders with the most shares to replace the management?”

“Are you just going to sit back and watch this happen?”

“Vice President Jang Do-hyung.”

Jang Do-hyung stopped his whimpering at my now serious expression.

“Today is the last time you tell me to come up with a plan. From now on, you need to present solutions to me, no matter what the situation is.”

“Chi, Chief of Staff. But this kind of situation…”

“Are you implying that there’s nothing we can do because it’s a power struggle between shareholders?”

Silence.

“Have you considered ways to disrupt the board meeting? Have you even tried to incite a collective opposition from the board members?”

Vice President Jang Do-hyung couldn’t open his mouth.

I needed to express my profound disappointment with sharp reprimands like this from time to time. I couldn’t let them believe they had my absolute trust. I had to constantly push them to feel like they needed to do anything to earn it.

Those who are trusted must always remember that their superior is a capricious, nasty, and ruthless monster.

“I will handle this upcoming board meeting issue. Do you understand what this means?”

“I’m sorry. It’s because of my incompetence…”

“No. I’m saving you, Vice President Jang. If the board meeting proceeds, who do you think will be the first to be dismissed among the current management?”

He closed his mouth again.

He knew he was the top candidate for dismissal, being the person who had risen through the ranks the fastest thanks to me. His concern about me losing management control was actually about his own safety.

“Alright, enough nagging from the boss. Now, listen carefully to what I’m about to say.”

“Yes, Chief of Staff.”

“I need a junior prosecutor. Not just anywhere, it needs to be the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office.”

“A junior prosecutor?”

“Yes. My connections are mostly with chief prosecutors and above. But I need someone with a bit of grit and a reputation for being a troublemaker. However, make sure to tell them that we’ll take responsibility for them if they end up losing their job over this.”

“You’re looking for a sniper.”

“That’s right.”

Vice President Jang Do-hyung gulped.

“Who are you planning to target?”

“Vice-chairman Jin Dong-gi.”

* * *

I took a deep breath and knocked on the door. Since we had an appointment, the door opened immediately.

“Oh, Do-jun. Come on in.”

His tone was welcoming, but the anxiety of someone with something to hide was written all over his face.

“I’m sorry to take up your time when you’re so busy.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. No matter how busy I am, how could I not make time for you?”

As I settled on the sofa, his secretary brought in tea.

Even as he brought the teacup to his lips, his gaze didn’t leave my face, trying to figure out the reason for my visit.

“So, what brings you here?”

“I heard a strange rumor. That Soonyang Life Insurance will be holding a board meeting next week. Do you happen to know anything about it?”

“Hmm…”

“Any board member can call a meeting, but it’s a bit disconcerting that it’s happening without my approval. And without even a word.”

“Legally, you’re just a shareholder, not a board member, so you wouldn’t receive a notice. What’s so disconcerting about that?”

How long was he going to keep denying it, so uncharacteristically?

“Is that so? I wonder if Soonyang Heavy Industries or Soonyang Construction also hold board meetings with just the board members, without your approval, Uncle.”

Vice-chairman Jin Dong-gi frowned as my voice sharpened.

“It seems like you already know everything. Why are you beating around the bush?”

“Yes. Then let me ask you a few questions. Is the agenda for next week’s board meeting to replace not only the CEO I appointed but all the directors as well?”

“Not all of them. Some will survive.”

“And the directors who survive will naturally be your people, Uncle.”

“You could say that, yes.”

“Starting with Soonyang Life Insurance, other financial subsidiaries will also hold board meetings, and you plan to replace all the management then, is that right?”

“Probably.”

“All of this is to prevent me from having any influence over the financial group… or, to put it plainly, is it to kick me out?”

“I regret to say, you’re correct. You’ll have to step away from management and be satisfied with being a 10% shareholder of the group’s holdings.”

“Do you really regret it?”

My uncle shrugged.

“Not regret as in I’m deeply sorry and can’t even look you in the eye, but just a little… ?”

He extended his finger slightly and gave a faint smile.

The time it would take for that smile to disappear and be replaced by bewilderment and anxiety wouldn’t be long.

“Then, my last question. Did the idea to remove me come from the two uncles first? Or was it your mother’s request?”

The smile vanished from his face.

“It’s not a request, let’s call it a wish. It’s no surprise that your grandmother loathes you, is it?”

Your mother is next in line.

When will I be able to say these words out loud without restraint?