Kapitel 141: Chapter 141: The Beginning of Taesan Financial
HS Venture Capital announced its recruitment of employees after completing the establishment of its corporation.
Perhaps due to the aftermath of the IMF crisis, a large number of people applied to the newly established company, more than expected.
"I'll help you only until the interviews."
"Okay."
To keep up appearances, I and Han Gyeong-yeong took our places as interviewers. We quickly conducted the interviews, allowing each candidate about three minutes.
Even among the applicants, one of them stood out.
"Good day. My name is Kang Mi-jin."
When she entered the interview room and saw Han Gyeong-yeong's face, she was just as surprised as the other applicants.
However, unlike the rest who gazed at him with admiration and curiosity, Kang Mi-jin hardened her expression and pretended to be unfazed.
"Looking at your resume and personal statement, you seem qualified enough to apply to large corporations like Il-sung or Daehyeon. Is theere a particular reason you applied to our company?"
"I've been interested in investment since university. I was hoping to work for a securities firm, and after seeing HS's recruitment announcement, I decided to apply."
"Have you applied anywhere else?"
Kang Mi-jin hesitated, then opened her mouth.
"I got rejected at every other company after the final interviews."
"Can I ask why?"
"It's because of my father."
Throughout the interview, Kang Mi-jin was oozing with confidence, but her voice trailed off when she talked about her family. She bit her lips briefly, then asked me in return.
"You already know the answer, don't you?"
"Huh?"
"At Daehyeon and Il-sung, they already lookeed into the personal details of all the applicants before the final interviews. I was given failing results without even being able to make my case."
So that was the reason she gave that expression when she looked at Han Gyeong-yeong.
Just then, Hyeon-seong spoke up.
"I would gladly listen to you without prejudice if you tell me. Of course, if you're uncomfortable, you don't have to say anything. But I promise you won't be penalized for sharing your story."
After a while, with a resigned expression, Kang Mi-jin began talking about her father.
After hearing her story, I could understand why companies like Il-sung and Daehyeon rejectted such a promising candidate. Even I felt a bias against hiring her.
Nevertheless, Hyeon-seong continued listening to her without showing any signs of being affected. The interview had already gone over five minutes.
When Kang Mi-jin finished her story, Hyeon-seong nodded and calmly said,
"You must have had a hard time."
To be the child of a serial killer in Korea was something that would be hard to fathom unless you were in that position.
"But your parents' sins are not your sins."
"…"
"Thank you for your time. We will send you a text regarding your acceptance."
Kang Mi-jin stood up and bowed her head.
Her expression looked like that of someone who had already been rejected.
Once the interviews were over, we discussed our final choice.
"What do you think, Hyun-seong?"
"Personally, I think that Kang Mi-jin is the best candidate. Then there's this other guy who worked at a securities firm…"
It seemed that Han Gyeong-yeong also shared a similar opinion to mine.
There was nothing wrong with Kang Mi-jin's interview. She performed exceptionally well for a new employee.
"Since you will be working with her, I trust your opinion the most. My brother and I can give you advice, but the final decision is yours to make."
Hyeon-seong nodded.
I had no intention of helping him using the knowledge I gained from the future. After a long time, it was the first thing he wanted to do of his own accord.
I wanted to see how he would grow.
"Got it. By the way, thank you, Boss."
After a long discussion, Hyeon-seong chose two people with experience and two fresh graduates.
"Last one is… Kang Mi-jin."
"Are you sure? We can't ignore bias. There will surely be rumors amongst the employees. Trust is important in an investment firm."
"That's why we have to hire her. I told you there wouldn't be any reason not to hire her."
With how resolute he sounded, I felt it would be pointless to say anything more.
"Then do as you like. Just be sure to contact her and tell her she's been accepted."
"Thanks."
"You don't have to thank me. Just do your best. I won't help you anymore, though."
I left the office with Han Gyeong-yeong.
"I hope this works out."
"Kang Mi-jin? Honestly, she's the type of talented worker I want in our company. If only it wasn't for that guy, I would have been willing to hire her without a second thought. How could he have a daughter like her? Life can be so unpredictable sometimes."
Kang Seok-ho was a renowned serial killer in the media. He was the first psychopath in Korea.
He was said to have been a good father to his daughter.
A ten-year-old girl who knew nothing could very well have been a good prey for the greedy eyes of a pack of journalists.
Still, it seemed that Hyeon-seong liked her determination to grow up despite all that.
"Well, she is a good candidate…"
Han Gyeong-yeong patted my shoulder.
"You get so worked up about the situation of the people around you. Just leave her to do whatever she wants."
"Is that so…?"
* * *
It was the first day that the employees were reporting to HS Venture Capital.
Park Hyeonseong arrived early to wait for his employees.
"Nice to meet you all. Welcome on your first day!"
The employees greeted each other then took their assigned positions.
The two experienced hires were assigned as team leader and assistant manager while the fresh graduates were assigned to be regular employees under them. Kang Mi-jin was assigned as my secretary.
"If you have any questions, feel free to ask."
One of the employees raised his hand.
"What's your relationship with James Han?"
It seemed that the others were equally curious about the matter, staring at my face intently.
"Um… That has nothing to do with work. He's just a friend, so let me ask you to not think too much into it."
Disappointment briefly appeared on the employee's face.
With a friendly smile, Park Hyeonseong asked,
"Are you disappointed? It is just that Mr. Han doesn't seem to care about our company."
"No, not at all."
Although he said that, everyone looked a little disgruntled.
Kang Mi-jin, on the other hand, remained expressionless.
"Are there any other questions?"
"What tasks are we expected to accomplish?"
The one who asked was an older man who had worked at Dongyang Securities for over twenty years. He was the department head.
"It's simple. You just need to find investment opportunities. You may go look for companies who cannot run their businesses, but have good ideas. You will know what to do from there."
Seemingly satisfied, the department head didn't ask any more questions.
"I want you to look for as many companies as you can, and I will make the final decision. So don't worry, just do your best."
After our first meeting, everyone returned to their seats.
Park Hyeonseong brought Kang Mi-jin to his office.
"President."
As soon as she entered, she immediately spoke.
"I want to know why you hired me."
"What other reason is there to hire you? I think you will do well at the job."
"But…"
"As I said during the interview, you are you and Kang Seok-ho is Kang Seok-ho. I won't be working with Kang Seok-ho, but with you."
Park Hyeonseong handed her the documents from his desk.
"So don't let me down. I have many shortcomings, and I will need your help. First, please find out more about the companies in these documents."
Kang Mi-jin accepted the folder, hesitated a bit, and then bowed her head.
"Thank you. I will do my best."
* * *
At last, Taesan Financial was established after being approved by the financial services authority.
Taesan Bank became its subsidiary and holding company.
"Eva, thanks for your hard work."
"Sorry I'm late."
"It's fine. You didn't do it on purpose, after all."
That was when the name Taesan made its way into the annals of history in Korea.
"Is the head of Taesan Bank Baek Seong-jin?"
"Yep. He hasn't had any other offers since that time."
"I trust you made a good call. You left the position of chairman of Taesan Financial vacant, right?"
"Yeah, but the government is trying to interfere with that too."
"Of course, they are…"
"They're also demanding we rapidly go public."
They were clearly trying to pressure us into yielding to their requests.
I couldn't help but sneer.
"After experiencing the consequences of government-controlled finance, they haven't been able to let go of the same mindset. For now, drag things out as much as you can. Even if we have to go public, let's do it in the U.S. instead."
"Okay."
"What about the acquisition of other banks or securities firms?"
The government was pushing hard for the merger of banks.
The string of bankruptcies among corporations led to the bankruptcy of several of the banks.
Many banks had to shut down as a result.
"The boss ordered me to acquire a few, but I'll be lucky if I can manage to get two banks and two securities firms."
"Is that all?"
"The government has to keep us in check to prevent us from growing too fast."
That was as far as I could go when it came to acquiring banks.
Time was on our side anyway.
In the end, the government would have no choice but to reach out to Taesan Financial.
"For now, let's focus on expanding Taesan Bank."
"I am sure that Baek Seong-jin will do well."
"Transfer all the stocks of the financial companies held by Future Investments to me. Transfer everything in Dream High to me as well."
Due to the separation of bank and commerce laws, both Future Investments and Dream High could not legally own more than four percent of their shares in any bank.
When we acquired a bank, we had to use Peregrine, which was based in Hong Kong, to do it.
"You still keep in contact with Han Gyeong-yeong, right?"
"Of course. I was really surprised to find out that Dream High belongs to the boss."
Once, I brought Han Gyeong-yeong to the hospital where Eva was still being treated.
"Both of you are really important to me. Make sure to get along with each other. You know what I mean?"
Just then, Han Gyeong-yeong walked in.
"The building is really beautiful."
We designated Mirae Building as the headquarters of Taesan Financial. The first floor was occupied by the main branch of Taesan Bank.
"Are you jealous?"
"Not at all. It's just beautiful. Eva, it's been a while."
Waving at Eva, who hadn't seen him in a long time, Han Gyeong-yeong sat down.
"Yeah, James."
"Eva's only ever cold to me."
Han Gyeong-yeong, who had muttered that playfully, sat down.
"Vice President Kim Byeong-woo. We should meet befre your inauguration as chairman."
"When?"
"On the first of next month."
As the sale of Dream High was drawing to a close, the inauguration of Vice President Kim Byeong-woo was announced.
"Make an appointment to meet after I come back from Russia."
"Okay. Oh, and by the way, I heard that Director Lee Chan-jong is stepping down."
The news came to me as a surprise.
"I heard about it. Quite unexpected…."
Shrugging his shoulders, Han Gyeong-yeong continued, "I don't know if it's related to us, but he might have been coerced to step down as part of a cabinet reshuffle. It's strange to have him transferred to another position instead. But that doesn't matter. If it is related to us, then it's troublesome."
Having Lee Chan-jong as the director of the National Intelligence Service must have helped us one way or another.
"Let's promote him to the position of head of the South Korean branch of Black Bear," said Han Gyeong-yeong. With great significance, he looked at me and added, "Kim Hak-gwon won't let this rest. He's publically accusing us of being involved with them."
I apathetically received Han Gyeong-yeong's dubious look.
"Kim Hak-gwon seems to already know of our relationship. If he doesn't have any evidence, he wouldn't suddenly turn against us."
"Fine, I'll ask about it. Do you want me to tell him to run it like the NIS?"
"You could probably do that, but it would be best for you to find out just how far we can support him before we give him anything."
Surprised, both Eva and Han Gyeong-yeong asked, "Like the NIS?"
"Intelligence is power. Although there will be limits because he isn't an actual government agency, he should still be able to operate at a level commensurate with his position as the former head of the NIS."
"The South Korean government won't just sit idly by," Eva pointed out.
"If it is not illegal, there would be no basis for stopping it. As long as no one else can use it as an excuse to bring me down… Is it in a position to actually do that?"
Because of Huh Kyung-joon, the government couldn't check us lightly. But still…
Kim Hak-gwon isn't stupid enough to escalate this without investigating first.
"He is going to have to earn some political favors from this administration in order to use our ties with him against us. Not to mention, being able to navigate through the red tape and obtaining a political position without coming under too much scrutiny wouldn't be easy either."
Perhaps although he would have taken away the previous administration's idiosyncrasies with the help of his allies, Kim Hak-gwon would still have to watch himself all the time. He goes without saying that he was born into a political family.
"The situation concerning the United States has changed considerably. Kim Hak-gwon didn't cultivate too many allies before. He seemed to have gone along and let the government conduct investigations into foreign audits openly. In fact, just like our operations, the Hu Kyung-joon administration can be expected to be looking into Kim Hak-gwon as well." It was likely he had political connections in their administration.
And so, besides Korea, I need to cultivate my political connections with other countries. In Japan, China, or the United States. With their operating powers, they are bound to carry out the investigations of our businesses anyway.
I have to build connections with foreign governments and multinational corporations that are in their countries as a cover in order to ensure that the businesses in our countries can operate inertly. I must secure intelligence for future plans and ensure that I retain enough influence over them so that we can at least cover our tracks and eliminate our traces.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein