How a Salaryman Became an Underworld Boss

”...Chairman Park has already ordered people to monitor CEO Kim Mansu and the Today News website.”

After I finished my report, Chairman Yoon Jongu turned toward Chairman Park and voiced his dissatisfaction.

”If you’d crushed that bastard properly back then, none of this would’ve happened, right?”

”You think we’ve just been sitting around doing nothing?”

Chairman Park answered sharply before immediately issuing an order to Chief Secretary Kang Inhan.

”Explain our plan for Today News to Chairman Yoon.”

”Yes, Chairman.”

After replying crisply, Kang Inhan got straight to the point.

”We expect Today News to publish an article about last night’s incident at the bar no later than tomorrow.”

”That quickly?”

”Based on years of observing them, they have a habit of publishing provocative stories within forty-eight hours. That’s why today is the only day we can deal with Kim Mansu.”

Kang Inhan carefully explained the entire plan for eliminating Kim Mansu to Chairman Yoon.

”...If everything goes according to plan, it’ll be clean.”

”Are you certain there won’t be any problems?”

Just as expected, Chairman Park grumbled before Kang Inhan could answer.

”Chairman Yoon, are you questioning our capabilities?”

”Don’t you know the saying? Even a monkey can fall out of a tree.”

”Not all monkeys are the same.”

”Hah. There’s no point arguing with you.”

Chairman Yoon shook his head before giving an order to Chief Secretary Song Dosok.

”Connect me to Commissioner Choi.”

”Yes, Chairman.”

Song Dosok immediately called Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong of the National Police Agency. After exchanging a few words, he handed the phone to Chairman Yoon.

Without wasting any time, Chairman Yoon began speaking.

”Commissioner Choi, when are you planning to visit the United States?”

[”I reported the matter to the President, and he said we should follow Chief of Staff Cha’s judgment.”]

”And what does Chief of Staff Cha say?”

[”He said that the thirsty man should dig his own well.”]

In other words, we were deliberately dragging things out to squeeze as many concessions as possible from the U.S. government.

”Ha-ha, I understand exactly what that means.”

[”You didn’t call just to ask that, so get to the point if you have business with me.”]

”Commissioner, you’re aware of what happened to Chief of Staff Cha’s people last night, aren’t you?”

[”Of course.”]

”Among those who harassed Chief of Staff Cha’s people was the nephew of Kim Mansu, the CEO of the online news outlet Today News.”

Chairman Yoon recounted everything he had learned from Kang Inhan and me.

”...Today News intends to publish an article tomorrow. Chairman Park plans to resolve the matter before that happens. What’s the best way to proceed?”

[”I’ll answer you this way: the law is far away, but a fist is close at hand.”]

”May I take that as your approval, Commissioner?”

[”Of course. Just one request—settle it quietly and cleanly.”]

”I’ll pass your opinion on to Chairman Park.”

After exchanging a few polite words with Commissioner Choi, Chairman Yoon ended the call.

He returned the phone to Song Dosok before looking toward Chairman Park.

”The Commissioner asked us to handle this quietly and cleanly. Can you do it?”

”I just told you we can.”

Ignoring Chairman Park’s gruff response, Chairman Yoon turned to me.

”How can we deal with Kim Mansu without anyone making a fuss?”

To be honest, I had already found a critical flaw in the plan Kang Inhan had prepared.

I already knew how to improve it and had simply been waiting for the right opportunity to speak.

Chairman Yoon, as though reading my thoughts, conveniently created that opportunity for me.

Still, I didn’t want to wound Kang Inhan’s pride, so I chose to present my suggestion from a different angle.

”To make absolutely certain, we first need to understand how Kim Mansu thinks.”

”And how do we do that?”

”It’s simple. I’ll meet him in person.”

”Is that possible?”

”It is, but I’ll need Chief Secretary Kang’s assistance.”

”Tell me what you need,” Kang Inhan said, leaning forward as though unable to wait.

”First, find out which reporter is currently preparing the article about our incident.”

”I’ll get that information as quickly as possible.”

”Good. Once you have that reporter’s contact information...”

Kang Inhan visibly shivered.

He had realized that if my additional plan were executed perfectly, Kim Mansu could be dealt with without making a single sound.

While he silently shook his head in admiration of my strategy, our discussion came to an end.

”...After that, continue according to Chief Secretary Kang’s original plan.”

”Chief Secretary Kang, you heard what Chief of Staff Cha said, didn’t you?”

”Yes, Chairman.”

”Use this opportunity to wipe Today News, that tumor on our society, off the face of the earth.”

”Understood!”

Chairman Park watched the newly energized Kang Inhan leave before turning back toward Yoon Jongu.

”Now let’s discuss something else.”

”What?”

”Tell me about Hangang Investment’s returns from Endivia and Bongard Group.”

”Ha-ha-ha!”

Chairman Yoon suddenly burst into laughter.

I already knew why, so I simply leaned back and listened.

As soon as his laughter subsided, Song Dosok, who had seemingly been waiting for that moment, began his report.

”Hangang Investment invested 7 billion dollars in Bongard Group and 3 billion dollars in Endivia. The shares were sold before dawn today, producing returns of 65% and 60%, respectively.”

”Secretary Song, what do you think of those results?”

Song Dosok was clearly nervous.

Hangang Investment had achieved an astonishing fifty-percent profit in just a few days, yet Chairman Park’s question clearly carried dissatisfaction.

Chairman Yoon seemed to sense that as well and immediately flared up.

”Chairman Park, then tell us your company’s numbers!”

”Ahem. Since you’re so curious, I’ll tell you. Bongard Group returned 72%, and Endivia returned 80%.”

”Is that true?!”

Chairman Yoon looked genuinely shocked.

”Why would I lie to you?”

”Then what’s the secret behind such incredible returns?”

”Can’t you figure it out? Our investment company is simply better at investing than yours.”

”Secretary Song, bring me a glass of ice water!” Chairman Yoon roared.

Song Dosok dashed out of the office at lightning speed.

Watching him leave, Chairman Park smiled with obvious satisfaction.

”Do you think a glass of cold water will cool your temper?”

I honestly had no idea what was happening.

The only reason Korea Investment had achieved higher returns was because we’d started buying the shares earlier.

Chairman Park knew that perfectly well, yet he was deliberately provoking Yoon Jongu.

While I was wondering what his real objective was, Chairman Park smiled.

”Chairman Yoon, why don’t you drink some water and calm down?”

”Grr...”

Chairman Yoon answered only with an irritated growl.

A moment later, Song Dosok returned with an assistant.

After receiving the glass of ice water, Chairman Yoon emptied it in one gulp before slamming the glass onto the table.

Chairman Park remained completely composed.

”So? Are you still going to keep being stubborn?”

”...Haa...”

Yoon Jongu let out a long sigh.

Chairman Park turned toward me.

”Chief of Staff Cha, you’re wondering what’s really going on here, aren’t you?”

”I won’t deny it.”

”You know what Chairman Bongard proposed to me, don’t you?”

At that instant, all the pieces finally fell into place.

Clark Bongard had proposed establishing a joint investment company with Chairman Park.

After hearing about it, Chairman Yoon wanted Hangang Group to join the project as well, while Chairman Park was deliberately provoking him to weaken his negotiating position.

”Of course I know. However, if Hangang Group wishes to participate, I believe Chairman Bongard’s approval would have to come first.”

”Chairman Bongard has already expressed his willingness to welcome Hangang Group’s participation.”

”Then what’s the problem?”

”Yoon wants his company to receive exactly the same ownership share as Bongard Group and us.”

”Ah, so that’s the issue.”

”What percentage do you think Hangang Group should receive?”

This was an important moment.

The outcome depended on my answer.

”The idea for the company originated with Chairman Bongard, and Chairman Park was the first to support it. Hangang Group is joining afterward, so it would be appropriate for them to become the third shareholder. As for the exact ownership percentages, the three of you should negotiate those among yourselves.”

”Chairman Yoon, what do you think of Chief of Staff Cha’s opinion?”

”...What’s the point of being the third shareholder?” Yoon Jongu sighed.

Chairman Park looked thoroughly satisfied before speaking to Song Dosok.

”You remember that thirty percent of the investment profits belong to Chief of Staff Cha, don’t you?”

”Of course. We earned enormous profits—4.55 billion dollars from Bongard Group and 1.8 billion dollars from Endivia. His agreed share comes to 1.905 billion dollars, but the Chairman has ordered us to pay him 2 billion instead.”

Ninety-five million dollars amounted to roughly 130 billion won.

It was an enormous amount of money.

Yet Yoon Jongu was handing it out as casually as though it were pocket change.

If I had even a shred of conscience, I couldn’t simply accept such generosity.

”Chairman Yoon, thank you for your kindness, but I have to decline.”

”Chief of Staff Cha, don’t you need money?”

”Of course I do. But there are some things that simply aren’t right.”

”Ah! Why are you refusing my generosity?”

”There are two reasons. First, my grandfather taught me that nothing in this world comes free.”

”I absolutely have to meet your grandfather someday. And what’s the second reason?”

”I’ll receive 6.6 billion dollars from Korea Investment, 1.905 billion from Hangang Group, and around 33 billion altogether from Endivia and Bongard Group.”

Altogether, that meant I would receive approximately 41.5 billion dollars.

”Hmm. That’s certainly a substantial amount.”

”Exactly. That’s why I have to decline your gift.”

”Very well. If that’s how you feel, I won’t argue. Song, pay him exactly what we originally agreed upon.”

Buzz.

The phone on the table vibrated.

I glanced at the screen.

It was Chairman Bongard.

A call this early could only mean one thing—something extremely important had happened.

After excusing myself, I answered.

”Good morning, Chairman Bongard.”

[”Chief of Staff Cha, there’s something urgent we need to discuss. Where are you right now?”]

”I’m with Chairman Park in Chairman Yoon’s office at Hangang Group.”

[”Understood. I’ll be there in a few minutes. Please wait.”]

Beep.

He hung up first.

As soon as I lowered the phone, Chairman Yoon immediately questioned me.

”Chief of Staff Cha, what’s happened?”

”Chairman Bongard needs to consult with me urgently.”

Half an hour later, Chairman Bongard and Michael Hudson entered the office.

Concern was plainly written across both of their faces.

Sinking heavily onto the sofa, Chairman Bongard hurriedly spoke.

”Chief of Staff Cha, we’ve heard rumors that an online news outlet is investigating last night’s incident at the bar. Are you aware of it?”

”Of course. Measures have already been taken.”

”Whew...”

Chairman Bongard let out a sigh of relief.

”May I ask what measures?”

”The problematic online news outlet is called Today News. Its CEO is Kim Mansu. He’s a typical tabloid journalist who...”