Chương 211: Chapter 211: What Do You Think?
What do you think?
I asked while pouring a drink for Lee Sang-geun.
"Is the division of work in progress?"
"Yes, it's ongoing without mentioning it to the board members for now," Lee Sang-geun replied.
He turned to drink from the glass he received, then lifted the bottle to offer me a refill.
As the liquid sloshed precariously in the glass, he asked, "Are you worried about the board's backlash?"
"Not at all. Most of the board members are already my people. I just thought it wouldn't be beneficial for too many to know."
If too many people find out, rumors always tend to circulate.
Nodding, I took the drink offered to me and reached for the snacks in front of us with chopsticks.
"Let's eat while we talk."
At my suggestion, everyone picked up their chopsticks.
With all the necessary people gathered, it was time to get to the main point.
"Chairman Lee will handle the construction aspect, and after that, Executive Yoo will take over the split businesses."
Both Lee Sang-geun and Yoo Sung-jin turned their heads toward me simultaneously, with Yoo looking especially shocked.
Lee Sang-geun, downing his drink in one swift motion, questioned, "Are you saying you want to transfer the entire organization?"
"Exactly. Chairman Lee can manage the construction part, while all other members of the organization should be handed over to Executive Yoo. My plan is to make Geukseong Construction one of the top construction companies in the world. But it wouldn't look good if a gangster owned that company, would it?"
I lifted my glass to drink as I spoke, recounting the reasons behind this decision while fiddling with the empty glass in my hand.
"I believe it's a waste for Chairman Lee to be just a common gangster leader. He's too talented for that role. So I hope you'll follow my intentions."
"…Understood," he said after a brief silence, nodding slightly as he poured more liquor into his glass.
Of course, letting go of what he had would be tough.
I could fully understand the emotions tied to letting go, but it was hard to ignore that it would ultimately lead to a greater reward for him.
I called over Yoo Sung-jin, who had been quietly listening to our conversation.
"Executive Yoo, come over here and have a drink with us."
Yoo Sung-jin hesitated for a moment before getting up and approaching my side. I poured him a drink and said, "You can't be that clueless, right? You know what we're discussing here?"
"Yes, sir."
"Drink up."
Yoo Sung-jin wasn't a dullard. Understanding the gravity of the situation, he quietly turned away to drink.
Handing me his glass, he picked up the liquor bottle.
"I'll make a toast."
As I received the drink, I met his gaze. Although he didn't seem like someone to harbor ill intentions, it was necessary to clarify things.
"Even when you obtain the organization, Chairman Lee will still outrank you. Don't forget that. You understand what I mean, right?"
"Yes, sir. I understand completely. Hyung-geun will always be my big brother. I won't forget that."
He nodded and gulped down his drink. I watched as he returned to pour more liquor for Lee Sang-geun.
"As for the detailed matters, please let Chairman Lee handle them. Don't stir unnecessary troubles within the organization. Keep Chairman Lee's closest aides on the construction side to manage the logistics."
"Yes, sir."
Lee Sang-geun would manage it well, no doubt. Hearing his response, I then turned my attention to Yoo Sung-jin again.
"Executive Yoo, don't try to mimic Chairman Lee and pretend to be a businessman. Stick to what you do best and firmly take control of the organization you're inheriting, alright?"
"Yes, I can do that."
Yoo Sung-jin answered decisively without a hint of hesitation.
Since Yoo Sung-jin belonged to Park Dong-su's faction, the members would likely accept him with open arms. But that didn't mean there wouldn't be any backlash.
"The organization is bound to fall into chaos. There will be two leadership changes in just a few years. During such times, it's wise to redirect attention outward. Let's take this opportunity to settle things with the black society that's moved into Korea and the Southeast Asian organizations."
"You mean against the black society and the Southeast Asian organizations?"
It's better to have an external enemy to quell internal unrest.
After Geukseong dominated the underworld of Korea, conflicts among gangs had diminished, but the police were reportedly struggling with the foreign gangs.
It wouldn't be a bad idea to negotiate with the police over this issue.
Listening intently, Lee Sang-geun spoke up with a worried expression, "Sir, if we wage war against the black society and Southeast Asian organizations, the media and the police's focus will turn to us. The investigation on us hasn't concluded yet, which puts us in a precarious position."
"The prosecutors' investigation related to Geukseong will conclude soon. The personnel captured connected to Chairman Lee will return shortly."
Whether he wanted to say more or not, Lee Sang-geun shook his head.
"The drugs and entertainment venues managed by them are too dirty for us to touch. Even if they were eliminated, another organization would just come in and take their place."
That was the truth.
Businesses like drugs and prostitution, being the lowest in the underbelly, are impossible to root out as they're too lucrative.
"What do you think, Executive Yoo?"
"Waging war is fine. As you said, having external enemies will strengthen internal unity. But a fight without profits won't last long. My members wouldn't accept it if it's not beneficial."
Yoo Sung-jin's perspective wasn't wrong. I had advised against dealing in that area previously as well.
If we waged war but failed to profit off the drug trade, discontent would undoubtedly arise.
'Drugs…
The room fell silent as I reflected, deep in thought. After organizing my thoughts for a while, I spoke up, "How about managing the drugs ourselves? If they aren't going to disappear, wouldn't it be better to manage them directly?"
"Drugs?"
Lee Sang-geun exclaimed in surprise. I nodded slightly.
Rather than letting other organizations take the profits, it would be much easier to manage them under Geukseong's authority.
"What are your thoughts, Chairman?"
"We've avoided any involvement with drugs as you opposed it. But it certainly is a lucrative endeavor."
Regardless of the profits, I had no desire to get my hands dirty with drugs.
Yet South Korea had already become a mediating hub for Asian drug organizations.
"If we're going to do it, I think it should have been sooner. Established foreign organizations will defend their territory fiercely. They've already grown too large to ignore."
"Are you opposed to it, Chairman?"
Lee Sang-geun cautiously nodded.
"It was difficult to clean up the organization into a legitimate business. If we're going to risk all that, the skilled individuals for the task have already been taken care of."
Lee Sang-geun had personally handled the clean-up of drug-related businesses, and had negotiated with those involved under my orders for concessions.
"I know. I personally ordered it done."
"Yes, you commanded it, and I executed it. Therefore, while there was plenty of backlash from within, we managed to clean it all up."
Once you've given something up, it's not easy to regain it.
"What does Executive Yoo think?"
"…I think it sounds good. The profits from this could far exceed what we're doing now. This will generate a greater fortune to hand down to my younger siblings and subordinates. There's no better way to expand our influence than through this."
Hearing Yoo Sung-jin's perspective caused Lee Sang-geun's brow to furrow slightly.
Having observed Yoo Sung-jin's words, Lee Sang-geun then continued, "It's understandable that Hyung-geun would oppose. Dong-soo and Hyung-geun have worked hard to move the organization into the light. But a gangster must be a gangster. More minor organizations are cropping up now."
"Is that so?"
"Their scale can't be compared to ours, but they're quietly expanding their influence by venturing into businesses we've left untouched."
I turned my gaze toward Lee Sang-geun, having heard him articulating a perspective I hadn't considered before. Responding to my look, he quickly replied, "There are indeed individuals entering the businesses we've withdrawn from. But it's mostly just collecting protection money from merchants and running a brothel."
To elevate the organization from the underground to the legitimate realm required withdrawing from many businesses.
There were also people within the organization who had devoted their lives to those enterprises.
Park Dong-su understood them and opted to embrace them as best as he could.
However, Lee Sang-geun was different. He turned a complete blind eye to the businesses we had retracted.
"As long as there's a connection to the businesses we've left behind, we can't completely evade responsibility. That's why we've allowed them to remain."
"I don't think poorly of what you've done. I hope you understand I'm not misunderstanding you."
Yoo Sung-jin turned to Lee Sang-geun and bowed his head. Lee Sang-geun waved his hand dismissively, as if to say it was no big deal.
"It's fine. Do you think I don't know you?"
"Thank you, Hyung."
Watching them interact drew a small smile from me. Both Yoo Sung-jin following Lee Sang-geun and Lee Sang-geun trusting Yoo Sung-jin were heartwarming to see.
I turned to Ha Myung-hoon, who had been listening quietly, and asked, "What do you think, Director?"
"I think it would be best to leave this to Executive Yoo, who is about to inherit the organization. If Chairman Lee wants to truly involve himself, maybe lifting it from the underworld could be another option."
"Hmm…"
I took a sip from the glass in front of me, continuing to listen to Ha Myung-hoon's perspective. Hearing from someone with sharp insight wasn't unpleasant.
"I'm aware of Chairman Lee's skills as well. But honestly speaking, I believe he would fit the role of businessman more than that of a leader for the organization."
"That's true."
Unlike Park Dong-su, who thrived as a fighter, I sometimes felt Lee Sang-geun fell short in that aspect.
"Executive Yoo has lived the life of a gangster alongside Park Dong-su since childhood. He likely knows better how to handle these kinds of people."
"That's what I've heard. Do you have confidence in your abilities, Executive Yoo?"
"If it's an order, I'll definitely make it happen."
Yoo Sung-jin bowed his head as he answered.
"Chairman, even if the company division takes time, please hand the organization over to Executive Yoo first. Is that alright?"
"Yes, I'll do that."
"Don't be too upset. It's just that you're finding a seat that suits you. Please see it as a recognition of Chairman Lee's abilities."
Lee Sang-geun's face was calm as he nodded in agreement.
"And Executive Yoo."
Yoo Sung-jin turned his gaze. Perhaps having made his decision, there was a spark in his eyes.
"Once you inherit the organization, get to work right away. Decide what to do on your own. I'll be watching closely."
"I'll make it happen without fail."
He declared, raising his glass.
"Alright, let's set aside all the heavy stuff for tonight and just enjoy our drinks."
Following my lead, everyone lifted their glasses. The sound of clinking glasses reverberated late into the night.
* * *
"Are you Vice President Seo Jae-hoon?"
Someone approached Seo Jae-hoon, who was drinking alone at the bar in the hotel.
Seo Jae-hoon turned his head, revealing an indifferent expression.
"Hello. I'm Nakata Hiroshi of the Yamaguchi-gumi."
"So?"
"Mind if I join you?"
Even after hearing the introduction, Seo Jae-hoon appeared uninterested as he raised his glass again.
Nakata Hiroshi, undeterred by the response, sat down next to him.
"What's with that? Who told you to sit?"
With negotiations falling through with Nihon Electronics, Seo Jae-hoon's mind was in a tangle.
The presence of this uncouth punk only added to his annoyance.
"Vice President, just hear me out."
"What about?"
Nakata Hiroshi smiled slyly.
"Isn't it true that negotiations with Nihon Electronics have hit a wall? We might be able to help you."
"What's this punk talking about?"
Seo Jae-hoon's voice naturally grew louder.
However, Nakata Hiroshi showed no signs of surprise or embarrassment.
"We can also serve as a bridge for negotiations with the government. We have the means to do so."
"What kind of nonsense is this?"
While Seo Jae-hoon dismissed it as nonsense, his eyes were carefully examining Nakata Hiroshi's composed expression.
The truth was, Seo Jae-hoon had never had connections with the Yakuza or the Mafia throughout his life.
As the grandson of the founder of Il-sung, he had never needeed to concern himself with those things. He had been free to pursue whatever he desired since birth.
Nakata Hiroshi smiled gently at Seo Jae-hoon, who was frowning.
"We conduct various businesses in Japan."
"So you're saying you'll help us in this negotiation?"
"Yes, we can."
Seo Jae-hoon slammed his drink onto the table.
"What's your motive for wanting to help me?"
"What motive could there be? I just want to be friends with you, Vice President."
The face of Kim Mu-hyeok, whom he had met inNorth Korea, flashed through Seo Jae-hoon's mind.
His expression soured significantly as a result.
"Stop talking nonsense. You just want something, don't you?"
The sharp retort broke through Nakata Hiroshi's calm demeanor, cracking his smile.
"You're not wrong, Vice President. But it does bother me when you accuse me like that."
"If you're not going to cooperate, then get lost. I can manage on my own, thank you very much."
Seo Jae-hoon raised his hand, beckoning the bodyguards nearby.
"Yes, Vice President."
"Get rid of this punk."
With an icy expression, Nakata Hiroshi replied, "Vice President, you'll regret this."
"Hah…"
A murderous glint sparkled in Seo Jae-hoon's eyes. He had never tolerated anyone who brazenly spoke to him like that.
"Regret? I've never regretted anything in my life. Now get out of my sight immediately."
I never thought I'd see such an emotional reaction from him.
Nakata Hiroshi shook his head in disappointment and stood up.
"I've heard that the relationship between Kim Mu-hyeok and Il-seong isn't ery good. We too aren't on good terms with Kim Mu-hyeok. Isn't an enemy of y enemy a friend? If you change your mind, contact me."
Placing a business card in front of Seo Jae-hoon, Nakata Hiroshi turned and walked away.
As Seo Jae-hoon was about to grab his drink again, his eyes fell upon the business card.
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