Chapter 313: What Kind of Deal Is This?

I was curious about who he was dealing with and what kind of deal it was, but my father’s next words forced me to put my curiosity aside for the moment.

“Don’t underestimate the small fry, though. We need to scrape together every last bit we can. The main trunk and the small branches, they’re all important. Understand?”

I nodded, but I still couldn’t figure out what kind of deal my father was talking about.

“You still don’t seem entirely at ease, Father. The big deal you mentioned, it doesn’t sound like it’ll be easy?”

“Of course not. If it were easy, would I be this on edge?”

Jin Kyung-jun wanted to press further, but Vice-chairman Jin Young-gi abruptly changed the subject to a very sensitive topic.

“You’re not even going to mention being disappointed about it, are you?”

“Pardon?”

“The foundation. The one we set up in your name…”

I had a lot to say, but I held it back. My father had created a foundation that was all show and no substance and passed it on to me, but I didn’t get angry.

If my father broke his promise to give me a lot first, then it was absolution for betraying my parents and siblings to side with my cousin.

“It’s alright, Father. I’m not what’s important right now. What matters most is protecting everything our family has. My share can wait. Please don’t worry about it too much.”

Jin Kyung-jun recognized the pleased look in his father’s eyes as he looked at him.

It took him until his mid-thirties to realize that the way to open his parents’ wallets wasn’t by demanding, but by not asking.

The trick was to not rely on his parents and to take care of his own share. That’s when unexpected things like this would happen.

The tightly closed wallet would slowly open.

“That’s right. Don’t be impatient, just wait a little longer. I’ve thought it all through and I’m preparing things. You’ll never feel resentment towards your old man, son. Haha.”

Jin Kyung-jun felt a pang of guilt at his father’s touch as he patted his back, but he brushed it aside, thinking about what he would gain.

＊＊＊

“Jin Young-jun seems to have chosen his wife well, don’t you think?”

“Isn’t the reason we have in-laws in the media to use them when situations like this arise? But who planned this? The editor-in-chief? Or the chief editorial writer?”

“Both of them. They’re a fantastic combo. I used to hang out with those guys a lot when I was serving the Chairman…”

Hanseong Ilbo kicked things off with a summary of Rachel’s press conference and then targeted readers with its editorial.

They framed the acquisition of a domestic company by a foreign investment firm not as preventing national wealth outflow, but as outright plunder.

Miracle was suddenly transformed into the Oriental Development Company, and Rachel was portrayed as Ito Hirobumi, the company’s founder.

Korea Miracle in Yeouido had become a front for plundering national wealth, a traitor to the nation.

“That’s the power that’s allowed them to survive for almost a century through harsh times. Now watch. Tomorrow, foreign capital will be branded as exploitative capital, and the media will be buzzing about it.”

“Even though the President is taking the lead in advertising to attract foreign investment, they’re just imposing their own standards arbitrarily.”

“Hanseong Ilbo was also clamoring about how our economy would only survive by attracting foreign capital until a few days ago. That kind of shamelessness is their secret to survival, their power.”

“I should pay those shameless old men a visit. Chairman, could you set up a meeting?”

Chairman Lee Hak-jae couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Don’t even think about it. Those guys are untouchable. How can you stop them from siding with their owner’s in-laws? You could shower them with money and they wouldn’t budge.”

If money could solve everything, I’d already be the chairman of Soonyang Group.

Money is just a symbol of desire, not the end all be all. What’s important is desire itself.

“And even if you managed to turn those two to your side, it wouldn’t change much. Hanseong Ilbo has plenty of writers. Someone else would step up in their place quickly.”

“But it’s true that those two are the main pillars of Hanseong Ilbo right now, isn’t it?”

“It is.”

“Then it’s worth trying. If we take out the main pillars, the next ones won’t be as deeply rooted in Hanseong Ilbo. People tend to follow precedents.”

“What are you talking about?”

“All we need to do is create a crack in the otherwise solid wall of Hanseong Ilbo. Once the job is done, you’ll understand. Just arrange the meeting, please.”

Chairman Lee Hak-jae sighed deeply and picked up the receiver.

I was busy running around making a few preparations before meeting the two pillars. Of course, during that time, Hanseong Ilbo’s relentless attacks didn’t stop, and other media outlets also touched on the issue of foreign capital penetration.

I met them when the issues raised by Hanseong Ilbo were being discussed on TV debate programs.

“I apologize for this discourtesy, but I trust you’ll understand.”

The two men were surprised when I appeared instead of Chairman Lee Hak-jae, but they soon composed themselves, wearing smug smiles like victors.

“Don’t mention it. Seeing you in person confirms the rumors going around.”

“Ah, you mean the rumor that I’m the owner of Miracle?”

“Why else would we be having this meeting? We’re the only ones currently attacking Miracle so fiercely.”

An arrogant attitude.

They think I’m here to lower myself and compromise.

“The truth of those rumors will come out in time… Anyway, I’ve seen firsthand the power Hanseong Ilbo wields in controlling public opinion. The pen is indeed mightier than the sword. The advertising fees that HW, Soonyang Financial, and Soonyang Heavy Industries have been pouring in rival those of Soonyang Electronics, wouldn’t you say?”

For a moment, they looked uncomfortable, but they quickly plastered smiles back on their faces.

“Why are you bringing this up? Surely you’re not thinking of using advertising volume to silence us?”

“When it comes to print advertising, there’s no better place than Hanseong Ilbo, is there? You’ve certainly seen the advertising effect, haven’t you?”

Still confident.

They weren’t wrong. Just one apartment advertisement in Hanseong Ilbo would cause phone inquiries to explode.

Most of the wealthy people in this country are subscribers to Hanseong Ilbo. Threatening Hanseong Ilbo, which holds the largest consumer base as loyal subscribers, with advertising volume is no easy task.

“Oh, I was just making a point. Advertising and articles are separate issues, of course. I’m not that petty, haha.”

As this initial greeting ended, the editor-in-chief said, his eyes gleaming.

“Hearing you talk about the advertising volume of HW, Soonyang Financial, and Construction as if you already control it… I gather you’re not planning to hide your involvement any longer.”

“Doesn’t my sister-in-law have more than one or two reporters tailing me? It’s hard to hide when they’re tracking everyone I meet.”

The two men exchanged glances and cleared their throats.

“Oh, haven’t you been informed? This… I might be speaking out of turn….”

“We have no reason to be informed. That’s a private family matter.”

“Weren’t you the ones who jumped into that private family feud, wielding Hanseong Ilbo like a club to help my sister-in-law? Editor-in-chief and chief editorial writer?”

A chill settled over the well-prepared Korean set meal.

“It’s hard to enjoy a meal when it’s this uncomfortable…”

The chief editorial writer of Hanseong Ilbo slammed his spoon on the table with a clatter.

“I had high expectations for a young man praised by the world… This is disappointing. Is all you can do is snipe at us because you don’t like our articles? I’m not someone who’s going to keep eating while listening to your petty jabs, so I’ll take my leave.”

The editor-in-chief also started to get up, watching the chief editorial writer’s reaction.

“We were just about to move on from company matters to personal ones… Please hear me out. It won’t be a losing proposition for you.”

I avoided their gaze and filled the empty glasses with liquor. It’s hard to swallow your pride when you’re looking someone straight in the eye. Isn’t an eye fight a battle of pride?

Even without looking, I could imagine the editor-in-chief gesturing to the chief editorial writer, tugging at his sleeve.

The two men, now back in their seats, raised their refilled glasses and downed the drinks.

Instead of them, who were hesitant to speak first, I started.

“I’m not asking you to write favorable articles for me, nor am I here to request editorials praising the foreign capital targeting Soonyang Electronics.”

“Stop beating around the bush and get to the point. What are these personal matters?” the editor-in-chief snapped.

The editor-in-chief retorted sharply.

“Given your personal circumstances, wouldn’t it be better to put down your pens? You must be tired of holding your pens and staring at manuscript paper by now.”

“What was that? I’m telling you, watch your mouth!”

This time, the editor-in-chief flared up, but the chief editorial writer remained calm.

“Let’s hear him out.”

There even seemed to be a faint smile on the chief editorial writer’s face.

That old man… his instincts are sharp. That’s how he’s survived this long.

“If we put down our pens and step away from the manuscript, what are we supposed to do? That’s all we know how to do…”

“You should get a job after finishing your studies and building a solid resume. Why do you want to keep studying forever?”

The editor-in-chief couldn’t hide his look of disgust.

“Is the best you could come up with an executive position as bait with a high salary? You’re still a child if you don’t realize that doesn’t work for everyone.”

How will the editor-in-chief’s tone change when that expression changes?

“Someone who just finished their studies would be quite lacking if they expected a high salary and an executive position. I’m thinking of offering you both non-permanent positions.”

Even someone with no sense would know that my offer isn’t ordinary. There’s only one non-permanent position worthy of the editor-in-chief and a leading editorial writer of a top newspaper.

The two men swallowed hard and just stared at each other. Now, I could just smile and wait for them to speak.

The first to speak was the editor-in-chief.

“We can go to that non-permanent position anytime we want. I’m telling you this because you seem to be mistaken about its significance.”

“People who get jobs in Yeouido by riding the coattails of media outlets… aren’t they just lackeys of the media? They say what the company dictates, act as rubber stamps, and line up as they’re told… That’s why it’s so rare to see a seasoned politician come from journalism.”

“You need to do a little more research. There are many seasoned politicians.”

The chief editorial writer said with a gentle smile.

“Those seasoned politicians are individuals who succeeded on their own merits. They were stars even before they got their Assemblyman’s badge, weren’t they? Enough to receive love calls from Yeouido… If you two were such stars, your workplace would already be Yeouido, not Gwanghwamun.”

They quickly downed another shot of liquor to hide their flushed faces.

“A lawmaker who is completely independent from the company, a freshman lawmaker who doesn’t have to read anyone’s expression and upholds their convictions. Wouldn’t that be fitting for someone from the media?”

“Are you using the Assemblyman’s badge as bait to get us to write favorable articles for you? Instead of buying articles with advertising, you’re going to buy positions?”

“You haven’t been listening to me properly. I never asked you to write anything for me. I told you to put down your pens.”

The two men frowned, still not quite grasping the exact meaning of my words.

“I’m saying, write your resignations and prepare to go to Yeouido. I’ll get you both lawmaker’s badges in the next general election. Not as insignificant proportional representatives, but as confident district representatives.”

Getting nominated as a candidate for the National Assembly is a reward that can only be obtained after years of loyalty. Even then, not everyone can get it.

You have to fight tooth and nail to survive in the media, and the timing of the election, which comes around every four years, has to be right. Finally, you need the luck for a vacant spot to open up. Instead of this uncertain promise, he was offering them entry into Yeouido next year as a condition for quitting their jobs…

When the editor-in-chief made an expression of utter disbelief, the chief editorial writer burst into laughter.

“That’s the tactic of the old British bourgeois class, promoting and eliminating well-performing tax officials to better positions. You’re indeed astute. Hahaha.”

“You’re well-informed. Back then, none of those tax officials refused the promotion. They were astute too.”

That laughter isn’t the laughter of someone refusing an offer.

He’s an astute old man.