Free Web NovelIt seemed that Yoo Seongjin had already made up his mind.
“As expected of Chairman Yoo. He understands exactly how the situation is unfolding. And he knows what needs to be done. Still... this doesn’t sit well with me.”
Chief Ma had said that Yoo Seongjin was the kind of man who would walk into his own grave.
But I had only half believed it.
Yet here he was, truly abandoning his own safety.
If I followed Yoo Seongjin’s words and abandoned him, there would be absolutely no reason for me to be dragged around by Jiang Zemin.
“For now, I think it would be best to grant Yoo Seongjin’s request, Boss. Extracting him is something we should consider later.” fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
Chief Ma was still trying to persuade me to abandon Yoo Seongjin.
“The next chairman of Cheonha Group...”
If I abandoned Yoo Seongjin, I would need to appoint someone to lead Cheonha Group.
“Chairman Yoo recommended three people, correct?”
Yoo Seongjin had recommended three candidates for the next chairman.
Chu Dongbin, Lim Hwasu, and Yang Uguk.
“Chief Ma, who do you think looks the best? You know Cheonha Group’s internal situation better than I do, so tell me.”
“What about asking Chairman Lee Sanggeun? Even if he has completely stepped away from Cheonha Group, he’s still one of the people who knows them best.”
“Good idea. Call him and have him come immediately.”
Chief Ma bowed his head slightly and picked up his phone.
He contacted Lee Sanggeun and asked him to come to Pyeongchang-dong.
After exchanging a few more words over the phone, Chief Ma ended the call.
Even after contacting him, Chief Ma and I continued discussing the matter.
* * *
An emergency board meeting of Cheonha Group was convened.
“What the hell happened? What crime did the chairman get arrested for?!”
One man slammed the table and shouted.
“Hey, Kim Gimu! Aren’t you supposed to be his secretary? How the hell are you serving the chairman?!”
The anger was directed toward Director Kim Gimu, who was presiding over the meeting.
But Kim Gimu remained completely composed.
“Director Yang. Please mind your manners.”
“What? Manners? Hey, you bastard! Watch your mouth. Do you have a death wish?!”
Yang Uguk spat out curses and glared at Kim Gimu as if he might leap at him any second.
“Director Yang. That’s enough. This isn’t the time for us to fight among ourselves. What are we, still street thugs?”
Director Lim Hwasu, seated across from Yang Uguk, spoke in a calming tone.
Yang Uguk turned his gaze from Kim Gimu and glared at Lim Hwasu.
“What did you say? Hey, punk! Is that how you talk to a senior? This is why bastards without pedigree are no good. I never liked the idea of appointing someone like you as a director!”
Lim Hwasu frowned and glared back at him.
The atmosphere in the room turned ominous, as if a fight might break out at any moment.
“Vice Chairman Chu Dongbin is entering.”
At that moment the door opened and Chu Dongbin walked into the meeting room.
“What’s this? Why is the mood like this? Fighting again? Tsk... You’re not kids. Do you even know why we’re here?”
Chu Dongbin swept a sharp gaze over the directors.
More than half of them immediately lowered their heads.
But Yang Uguk, Lim Hwasu, and those on their side did not avert their eyes.
Chu Dongbin slowly walked over to Yang Uguk and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Director Yang. Why so tense? Why? Because the chairman’s in danger, are you starting to have other ideas? Is that it?”
“...”
“This is an emergency. It’s not the time for power struggles between us. Isn’t that right, Director Yang Uguk?”
Yang Uguk bit his lip and remained silent.
Chu Dongbin raised the corner of his mouth slightly.
Then he removed his hand from Yang Uguk’s shoulder and turned toward Lim Hwasu.
Receiving his gaze, Lim Hwasu hurriedly spoke.
“I’m sorry, Vice Chairman.”
Only after hearing the apology did Chu Dongbin nod and return to his seat.
The chairman’s seat at the head of the table remained empty.
“Director Kim Gimu. Proceed.”
At Chu Dongbin’s instruction, Kim Gimu began the emergency board meeting.
“Chairman Yoo Seongjin has been arrested by Public Security in China.”
Kim Gimu explained the circumstances of Yoo Seongjin’s arrest.
When he finished speaking, Lim Hwasu raised his hand.
“Director Kim Gimu. On what charge was the chairman arrested?”
“That part has not yet been confirmed. We’ve requested visits multiple times, but they’ve all been rejected.”
“So you’re saying we know nothing? Then why exactly was this board meeting called?”
“Vice Chairman Chu Dongbin requested it.”
Everyone’s gaze turned to Chu Dongbin.
“The survival of Cheonha Group comes first. We don’t know when the chairman will be released. If we leave things as they are, Cheonha Group might fall apart. That’s why I called this meeting—to discuss countermeasures and ways to rescue the chairman. Is there a problem with that?”
Although it operated under the guise of a corporate group, Cheonha Group’s roots were a massive alliance of criminal organizations across the country.
Park Dongsu unified the nationwide gangs.
Lee Sanggeun stabilized the organization.
Yoo Seongjin expanded it.
Naturally, internal conflict had always been fierce.
These were organizations that had originally been rivals.
Conflict was inevitable.
But whenever those conflicts surfaced, Yoo Seongjin crushed them mercilessly.
Because of that, even those who were dissatisfied had been forced to hide their resentment.
“What are the chances the chairman will be released safely? This isn’t Korea—it’s China. What does Vice Minister Hao Xun say?”
Yang Uguk asked Chu Dongbin.
“Before he was arrested, the chairman called me. He said it looked like he might be taken by Public Security, so we should stay put and not do anything stupid. Vice Minister Hao Xun only said he would do his best to save him.”
“The chairman contacted you personally?”
“That’s right. He told me to protect the group for the time being. Kim Gimu was also there when he said it.”
All eyes turned toward Kim Gimu.
“That’s correct. The chairman asked Vice Chairman Chu Dongbin to take care of the group for the time being.”
The room filled with murmurs.
Chu Dongbin lightly tapped the table, drawing everyone’s attention.
“The chairman’s biggest concern isn’t anything else. It’s the group splitting apart while he’s gone. That’s why I think we should stop internal conflicts and cooperate. Am I wrong, Director Yang Uguk? Director Lim Hwasu?”
The two men called out remained silent.
But their minds were already racing about how to use this opportunity.
Seeing their expressions, Chu Dongbin frowned.
‘These bastards... I can practically hear their brains turning from here.’
He could see through their thoughts.
Kim Gimu continued the meeting.
“Vice Chairman Chu Dongbin will manage Cheonha Group as acting chairman for the time being. Does anyone oppose this?”
Chu Dongbin was Yoo Seongjin’s right-hand man.
There was no justification to oppose him.
“Then we will confirm Vice Chairman Chu Dongbin as acting chairman.”
Kim Gimu struck the gavel.
The matter was settled.
‘Fine. I’ll let this pass for now. But let’s see how long you keep smiling, Chu Dongbin.’
Yang Uguk clapped his hands, but inwardly he was grinding his teeth.
“Since we’ve gathered after so long, let’s all go have a meal. I reserved a nice restaurant.”
At Chu Dongbin’s suggestion, Yang Uguk stood up.
“I have another appointment. I’ll leave first.”
Yang Uguk and those who followed him left the meeting room in a group.
“I should be going as well. I’ll treat everyone to a meal next time.”
Lim Hwasu also left with his followers.
Since Yang Uguk and Lim Hwasu had taken nearly half the people with them, the meeting room suddenly felt empty.
“Tsk. What personalities. Anyone else leaving?”
No one stood.
“Then let’s all go together.”
Chu Dongbin led the remaining members to the restaurant he had reserved.
Only a few days after Yoo Seongjin’s arrest in China, Cheonha Group was already beginning to shake.
* * *
“Boss. Chairman Lee Sanggeun has arrived.”
It hadn’t been long since we called him, yet he had already arrived.
“It’s been a while, Chairman Lee Sanggeun.”
Lee Sanggeun shook my hand and bowed his head slightly.
“President. It’s been a long time.”
“Haha. Why so formal between us? You’re making it awkward.”
I led him to his seat and immediately got to the point.
“You know that Chairman Yoo Seongjin was arrested in China, right?”
“Yes. I was shocked when I heard the news. What crime was he arrested for?”
“They say drug smuggling and distribution.”
Lee Sanggeun’s face instantly turned pale.
“You mean Cheonha Group got involved with drugs?”
“Of course not. It’s a fabricated case by Public Security. But getting him released will be difficult.”
“Even if you intervene, President?”
“To save Yoo Seongjin, I would have to give up many things. And if I do that, I may end up being dragged around by them.”
“Hmm.”
Lee Sanggeun swallowed.
He clearly understood how serious the situation was.
“Chairman Yoo himself said not to negotiate with them. He said I shouldn’t step back because of him.”
As if he had expected that, Lee Sanggeun calmly nodded.
“That sounds like Chairman Yoo. So what do you think, President?”
“I’m still considering it. That’s why I called you. Chairman Yoo recommended three candidates as his successor. If something goes wrong, he asked me to make one of them chairman.”
“Vice Chairman Chu Dongbin, Director Lim Hwasu, and Director Yang Uguk?”
I had only said three people, yet Lee Sanggeun identified them instantly.
“You know them well. Are you still attached to Cheonha Group?”
I was the one who had removed Lee Sanggeun from Cheonha Group.
Lee Sanggeun smiled brightly.
“Not at all. I’m much happier now. I can face my children with pride. But I’ve continued to keep track of Cheonha Group’s internal situation. After all, Cheonha Group and Jungwoo Construction still share quite a few projects.”
“The internal situation of Cheonha Group... Go ahead and explain.”
“First, Vice Chairman Chu Dongbin belongs to the direct line of the Dongsu faction. He’s also the right-hand man Yoo Seongjin trusts the most.”
The Dongsu faction.
The familiar name made me smile without realizing it.
At the same time I recalled Chu Dongbin from the past.
He had been a man with the unusual background of being a former soldier.
“He’s from the military, right? I remember him as a diligent person. But can he really lead Cheonha Group?”
“He’s still the most likely candidate. The Dongsu faction is the largest power within Cheonha Group.”
“So the internal conflict is more serious than I thought?”
“When Yoo Seongjin was around, everyone was suppressed, so it never surfaced. But if Yoo Seongjin fails to return, internal conflict will become inevitable.”
“I see. Go on.”
I asked him to explain the other candidates.
“Lim Hwasu is supported by organizations based in Jeolla Province. He leads the second-largest faction.”
I recalled Lim Hwasu.
He was the man who had blocked my way when I first came to Cheonha Group.
I think he was only a manager back then.
When did he grow this much?
“I’ve seen his face before.”
“Then it’s easy to explain. He’s a bit hot-tempered, but he rose from the bottom to become a board member. His abilities are outstanding.”
“You seem to rate him highly, Chairman Lee. Even though you’re from the Dongsu faction yourself.”
I asked jokingly.
Lee Sanggeun laughed.
Whenever the Dongsu faction came up, both of us relaxed naturally.
“Yang Uguk is supported by the gangs from Gangwon and Chungcheong provinces. And he’s also the junior that the advisers favor the most. His faction is the smallest of the three, but if the advisers support him, the balance could change at any time.”
“The old men are still around? Dongsu hyung cleaned them out once, and Chairman Lee did it again. They’re like cockroaches.”
Lee Sanggeun burst into laughter.
Apparently calling them cockroaches had hit exactly the right note.
“Haha. That’s accurate. But in this world, if you don’t respect your seniors, you won’t be respected either. That’s why their influence remains strong.”
“What about his ability?”
“He’s the most ruthless of the three. Chu Dongbin is best at reading trends and growing money. Lim Hwasu takes the best care of his subordinates because he rose from the bottom. But Yang Uguk has always been in high positions, so he treats his subordinates like chess pieces. He’s a vile man.”
Yang Uguk.
The name didn’t ring a bell in my memory.
“If he’s only that level, why did Chairman Yoo leave him alone?”
“He probably used him to deal with the advisers.”
“But if he recommended him as a successor, that means he still has some use...”
Yoo Seongjin would never consider someone merely useful for dealing with advisers as a successor.
I should investigate Yang Uguk more carefully.
“So who do you recommend, Chairman Lee?”
“I recommend Lim Hwasu. From Park Dongsu to Yoo Seongjin, every chairman {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} has come from the Dongsu faction. If it continues like this, resentment will keep building inside the group.”
Lim Hwasu instead of Chu Dongbin.
The unexpected answer made one of my eyebrows twitch.
Lee Sanggeun chuckled softly and continued.
“In the end, isn’t the next chairman the one you choose, President? Once you throw your weight behind someone, settling Cheonha Group’s internal situation will be easy.”
Lee Sanggeun finally pointed out the core truth.
In the end, everything would be decided by who I chose.
