Chapter 34: A Rude Awakening in the Garden

I ran into my father, fully dressed in a suit, as I headed to the garden to grab the newspaper.

“Oh? Father, where are you going?”

“Ah, it’s opening today. I’m going to the theater to check things out.”

I chuckled at my father’s retreating figure, rushing off as if he were a white-collar worker late for his commute.

My father, who had never truly worked a day in his life, was now throwing himself into it wholeheartedly, and today was his judgment day.

The theater probably wouldn’t be open in the early morning, but he must have thought waiting in front of it was better than pacing around the house.

I completely understood how he felt.

Sitting in the living room, I finished reading all three newspapers and realized something was seriously wrong.

This was a coordinated attack. How could every newspaper target Ajin Automobile?

With the morning papers setting the stage, it was obvious the evening news would amplify the story. If this happened three or four times, an official investigation would be launched, and the media would relentlessly hound Ajin Automobile.

Why now?

I didn’t remember the events of ’91.

However, I did recall the shockwaves of the ’97 financial crisis hitting Ajin Automobile, leading to Daehyun acquiring them in ’98.

Could this future be cracking? Had things started to change?

Or was this just a routine corporate bashing? A simple case of the government flexing its muscles?

I folded the newspaper and approached my mother, who was preparing breakfast.

“Mother, when are we going to Grandfather’s house?”

“Tomorrow. Why?”

“Could I go ahead by myself?”

My mother’s hands paused mid-preparation.

“Why? What’s wrong? Did your grandfather ask you to come early?”

“No. It’s just that once I start middle school, I won’t be able to visit as often.”

“Pfft—, really?”

My mother chuckled softly, shaking her head.

“Alright. Go ahead after breakfast. Make your grandfather happy.”

“Okay. Oh, aren’t you going to the theater, Mother? It’s opening today.”

“What if the theater is empty because no one shows up? I’m too nervous to go.”

I couldn’t bring myself to tell her to go and not worry.

I had no information about my father’s movie. It could be something I don’t remember from so long ago, or it might not even exist in the first place.

I had simply given him a chance; how he navigated the rest of his life was his choice. Observing without interfering was a pleasure in itself.

* * *

“Oh, my Do-jun. You get taller every time I see you. Good, good. Heh heh.”

He doesn’t pick me up anymore. No, he can’t. I’m growing much faster than he’s aging.

“My little one, your grandfather has some work to do. Can you stay by yourself for a bit?”

“Yes, Grandpa. I’ll be in the living room.”

A nagging feeling continued to grow within me.

The article breaking right before the holiday, and so many people gathered in the study. Just looking at the neatly arranged shoes in the foyer, there were almost ten people.

My grandfather wasn’t the type to keep people tied up right before a holiday. And there was no reason for them to gather in the study to watch someone else’s misfortune.

Could the events of seven years from now be happening now?

What kind of conversation was going on in that study right now?

I waited anxiously.

* * *

Contrary to Do-jun’s expectations, a different kind of spectacle was unfolding in the study.

Not the misfortune of a neighbor, but the misfortune of another country, under the dramatic name of Operation Desert Storm.

On January 17th, a multinational coalition led by the US military launched an attack on Iraq, which had invaded Kuwait the previous year, raining Tomahawk missiles down on the country and initiating the war.

While annihilating the equipment and command structure of the 600,000-strong Iraqi army and causing 70,000 casualties, the US military suffered only 294 fatalities. Of those, 145 were accidental, with actual combat losses totaling 149, including 35 friendly fire incidents.

Unlike the US military’s low casualty rate, the Iraqi army’s death toll was estimated at around 20,000, with injuries and prisoners totaling 70,000.

Faced with overwhelming firepower, rumors began circulating that Iraq would withdraw from Kuwait, signaling the war’s final stages.

“When will this be over?”

“They say less than a week. Apparently, the US and England are already discussing postwar reconstruction projects.”

“What about us? What’s the government saying? Is there any chance we can get involved?”

Chairman Jin’s furrowed brow suggested he had already given up hope.

“Our Jung-dong and European branches are moving quickly, but it seems difficult for the government to intervene in the reconstruction efforts.”

“Then we’ll have to play our cards right. That’s how you get to build even a single restroom in the desert and bring back a few drops of oil. Don’t you think?”

This was an instruction to secure reconstruction projects and oil from the Jung-dong bonanza. The presidents of the construction and oil refining companies bowed their heads, looking at the chairman.

“We will do our best.”

“Can I trust you?”

“Yes, Chairman.”

They didn’t sound particularly trustworthy, but he clearly didn’t want to offer criticism before the holiday. He moved on to the next item on the agenda.

“You all saw the newspapers, right? That’s like a Scud missile. They’ll concentrate their firepower and send in the occupying forces, so be prepared.”

Everyone nodded grimly. Acquiring Ajin Automobile was Soonyang Group’s biggest project this year.

The occupying forces meant funds. They would gather as much capital as possible, and when the chairman gave the signal, they would secretly buy up shares under borrowed names.

Once a certain amount was secured and the government offered implicit or explicit support, the M&A would proceed like lightning.

Just like Operation Desert Storm, it had to be over quickly.

“Alright, everyone, go home. Celebrate the holidays, give the kids some allowance, and get some rest.”

Everyone rose from their seats and bowed to the chairman.

“Happy New Year, and may you have good health, Chairman.”

They looked ready to perform a deep bow, but thankfully, the space was too small.

Once everyone had left, only Lee Hak-jae and Vice-chairman Jin Young-ki remained in the study, heads together.

“How much have we gathered?”

“We’ve acquired 7.4%. It’s been spread out in Myeong-dong under different names, so no one will notice.”

Lee Hak-jae said cautiously, and Jin Young-ki handed over a few reports.

“This is the production line adjustment plan.”

“The main point?”

“We’ve decided to sell off the truck line.”

Chairman Jin flipped through the report absentmindedly before tossing it onto the desk.

“Are you confident?”

“Yes?”

“About Ajin. Are you confident you can bring it into the fold?”

Jin Young-ki nodded without hesitation. Saying it was impossible or that he wasn’t confident would only make him look like a fool.

“As you said, Chairman, it’s the best way to become the second-largest in the industry. Once we acquire Ajin, we’ll aim for the top spot in the country.”

His eldest son’s bold pronouncements weren’t entirely reassuring, but what could he do? He was the heir who would inherit most of what Chairman Jin possessed.

“Then it’s yours to handle from now on. Consult with Chief of Staff Lee and acquire Ajin by the end of the year. If you succeed, all the automotive shares are yours.”

Jin Young-ki stared at Chairman Jin in disbelief.

The holding company held most of Soonyang Automobile’s shares anyway. Saying he would give him the automotive division meant handing over the holding company’s shares—essentially, the entire group.

Lee Hak-jae was just as startled.

To decide on the succession so suddenly!

“Why? Don’t you want it? Or are you not confident?”

“No, Father! Thank you.”

Chairman Jin watched Jin Young-ki bowing repeatedly, a wry smile on his face.

“You should go too. Make sure everything is in order. Don’t come in early tomorrow; just come on New Year’s Day morning for the ancestral rites. We’re short on time as it is.”

“Yes, Father.”

As soon as Jin Young-ki left, Lee Hak-jae spoke up.

“That’s quite a New Year’s bonus.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“It’s practically announcing the succession of the group.”

“What?”

Chairman Jin’s eyes widened as if Lee Hak-jae had said something absurd.

“Isn’t it?”

“I said I’d give him the automotive division, not Soonyang.”

Lee Hak-jae was speechless.

“If we transfer about half of the automotive shares held by the subsidiaries, there won’t be any issues with management control. That’s what I meant. Of course, even just the automotive division is a hefty bonus.”

“Well, the Vice-chairman must be quite disappointed.”

“He really took it that way?”

“Yes, I thought so too.”

“Puhahaha—!”

Chairman Jin slapped the desk, bursting into laughter.

“Goodness…. Young-ki will be coming at this with his eyes blazing now.”

Lee Hak-jae felt a sense of relief at Chairman Jin’s laughter. The issue of succession, the most critical decision in Soonyang Group’s history, needed more careful consideration.

* * *

“Grandfather, are you working even during the holiday?”

“What can I do? There’s a lot of work. But it’s almost finished now.”

As I entered the study, Grandfather was tidying up the newspapers on his desk. Seeing the Ajin Automobile articles, I knew the meeting’s topic had been Ajin for sure.

“But Uncle seemed to be in a good mood. He left with a smile….”

“Really? It must be because of the holiday.”

His smirk suggested otherwise.

I couldn’t miss the chance to observe the newspapers. I needed to casually check the Ajin Automobile articles as if they just caught my eye.

“Grandfather.”

“Yes?”

“I have something to ask you.”

“Go ahead, ask.”

“About the newspaper….”

But I couldn’t finish my question. The title of a thick report lying on top of the newspaper caught my eye.

“The Necessity of Restructuring the Domestic Automobile Industry and Government Support Measures.”

Damn it.

The mastermind behind all of this was Grandfather!

What in the world was happening?

* * *

Despite the approaching holiday, Chairman Song Hyun-chang of Ajin Automobile couldn’t leave his office.

All the major newspapers criticized his management style as dictatorial, and some even questioned his ethics, mentioning embezzlement and misappropriation of funds.

Because of these articles, the stock price had already hit rock bottom today.

He wanted to sue for defamation immediately, but it was best to avoid tangling with the media.

Various thoughts swirled in his head, but there was only one thing to do now.

He had to stop it here. He absolutely had to prevent it from escalating further.

Chairman Song Hyun-chang was constantly on the phone.

However, the media outlets simply stated the articles were based on tips, and the Blue House refused to interfere with the press.

His subordinates continued to report, but the news was all negative.

Someone had launched an attack, but the enemy’s identity was shrouded in fog, and their motives were unclear.

The likely contenders were Daehyun, Woosung, Soonyang, and foreign automobile companies. Several companies were clearly interested in entering the Korean market by using Ajin as a stepping stone.

They were all much larger than Ajin Automobile, with overwhelming financial resources—difficult opponents.

Despite the winter chill, he was burning up.

Just as he was about to call his secretary to turn off the heater, the intercom rang.

“Chairman, a visitor has arrived.”

“Send them away! I said I wouldn’t meet with anyone today!”

“But, sir….”

As his secretary’s troubled voice came through the intercom, the door to the chairman’s office burst open.

The secretaries were holding onto the arms of a man in a jacket who was barging in.

“What the hell? Is this a community center? Is this a place where any Tom, Dick, or Harry can just walk in? What are you doing? Drag him out!”

It was such a frustrating moment that profanity spilled out.

“Chairman Song. Don’t you remember me? It’s Jo Dae-ho.”

“Who? Jo…? President Jo?”

Chairman Song Hyun-chang remembered Jo Dae-ho’s suited appearance.

“Isn’t he the president of Soonyang Automobile?”