Free Web NovelEven though the night had grown deep, the number of people arriving at the banquet hall for the inauguration party only kept increasing.
Bo Xilai was personally greeting each guest who had come to build connections, exchanging even brief conversations one by one.
Several chairmen of major Korean conglomerates had also attended in person.
“President Kim.”
“Ah, Chairman Kim Byungwoo. You’ve arrived?”
Chairman Kim Byungwoo had come to Shanghai as well.
“It’s been a while. I arrived a bit late.”
“Not at all. You’ve come right on time.”
I greeted him and glanced toward where Bo Xilai was.
I was planning to introduce Chairman Kim Byungwoo to him.
But the crowd around Bo Xilai was still packed tight.
“I’ll introduce you to Bo Xilai separately later.”
Seeing the crowd, Kim Byungwoo nodded.
“Understood.”
“Which chaebol chairmen came in person?”
“Three of them. Us, Daehyeon Motors, and—”
“Haha. Good evening.”
Before Kim Byungwoo could finish, Seo Jaesang approached us and greeted us.
“Chairman Seo Jaesang came personally.”
“That’s right.”
Seo Jaesang, who had taken over JC Group after Seo Maenggeon, was noticeably more polite than before.
“I didn’t know anything about a politician named Bo Xilai. President Kim Muhyuk, did you know him?”
There was no need to answer. I simply shrugged.
“I don’t know everything.”
“Is that so? Hmm...”
Even after exchanging greetings, Seo Jaesang didn’t leave.
His lips moved slightly as he glanced around, as if he had something to say.
“Chairman Kim Byungwoo.”
I only called his name, but Kim Byungwoo immediately understood my intent.
“I’ll go speak with others. I’ll see you shortly.”
Kim Byungwoo left with the employee he had brought as an interpreter.
Once we were alone, I didn’t bother going around it and asked directly.
“What do you want to say?”
Seo Jaesang took a deep breath and spoke in a firm voice.
“I want to enter the Chinese market.”
“Then do it. Why are you telling me?” frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
“You know as well as I do. Without connections, it’s difficult to enter China. We want to export the films we produce and distribute.”
“You want me to handle that?”
“No. Just introduce me. I’ll take care of the rest.”
I stared at him as he waved his hands in denial.
‘He’s definitely changed.’
Even his eyes were different. The Seo family’s eldest grandson who once lived resigned to reality, burdened by inferiority after being pushed aside by Seo Jaehun—that man was gone.
But that didn’t mean I had any reason to help him.
“Do I have a reason to do that?”
“If you introduce me, I’ll participate in anything you do in the future.”
“Hmm...”
I let out a low hum and considered. My mind moved rapidly, weighing options again and again.
Help him or not.
Soon, I ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) reached a decision and spoke.
“Alright. I’ll introduce you to someone at the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television. But JC Group won’t be able to enter China independently.”
“I know. I plan to build connections first, then find a partner to enter the Chinese market together.”
“Why look far?”
“Pardon?”
There was already a perfect partner nearby. No need to waste effort.
Leaving Seo Jaesang confused, I pointed toward a man approaching us.
“He’s coming.”
“President Kim Muhyuk.”
Seo Hyungjun greeted me warmly, but the moment he saw Seo Jaesang standing in front of me, his expression stiffened.
“Seo Jaesang...”
Seo Hyungjun muttered his name, and Seo Jaesang’s face hardened as well.
“What are you doing here?”
Though from a collateral branch, Seo Hyungjun was older than Seo Jaesang.
“What about you, hyung?”
“Why ask when you already know? After being pushed out by you, I’m struggling to rebuild in China.”
“...”
“Oh, I wasn’t pushed out. I left on my own.”
“I never intended to push you out.”
Seo Hyungjun shrugged and nodded, smiling.
“Sure, maybe you didn’t. But others did. You know how I was treated.”
Though his tone was calm, there was sharp blame beneath it.
Sensing it, Seo Jaesang said nothing and simply stared at him.
“Don’t say you didn’t know. Without your tacit approval, those bastards wouldn’t have dared to go against me.”
Even as a collateral member, Seo Hyungjun was still part of the royal family.
If people dared oppose him, it meant other members of the royal family had allowed it.
“...There was nothing I could do.”
“Well, I understand your situation. Your position wasn’t stable either. Without President Kim Muhyuk’s support, would you even be where you are now?”
Seo Jaesang bit his lip tightly.
If I hadn’t supported him, the succession would have been in jeopardy.
Before their conflict deepened, I intervened.
“You two can catch up later. Vice President Seo Hyungjun, you’ve heard the news, right?”
Seo Hyungjun nodded.
“Thank you. Thanks to you, President Kim...”
“There’s no need to thank me. You were working for me. It’s only natural I step in.”
Even as I said it, I knew this would only strengthen the loyalty of those who worked with me.
I lightened the mood briefly, then got straight to the point.
“Chairman Seo Jaesang wants to enter the Chinese market. Since he’s looking for a partner, JK Media should take the role.”
Both Seo Jaesang and Seo Hyungjun called out to me at the same time.
“President Kim.”
“President.”
I raised my hand, stopping them, and spoke coldly.
“Don’t bring personal feelings into business. Anyone can see that the two of you working together benefits both sides. Or did I misjudge you, Vice President Seo?”
“...No. I’ll review it.”
“Don’t just review it—take his hand. If we want to expand Korean films in China, you need JC. You know that better than anyone.”
When I looked at him with clear disappointment, he cleared his throat and replied.
“No. I’ll proceed as you instruct.”
“You know I rarely interfere in your work.”
“Yes, I know. Thank you for always trusting me. I almost ignored something beneficial to the company because of personal feelings.”
Seo Hyungjun bowed his head in apology.
Competent and perceptive people really were easier to work with.
This time, I turned to Seo Jaesang.
“And you? Are you going to abandon China because of personal feelings?”
“...No. I’ll work with whoever I have to.”
“Good.”
The negotiation was done. No need to delay.
I glanced around the hall and said to Seo Hyungjun,
“Take Chairman Seo Jaesang around and expand his connections. You share the same blood—it’ll make introductions easier.”
“Understood.”
Seo Hyungjun turned to Seo Jaesang. Unlike his friendly demeanor toward me, his voice was cold.
“Follow me. Don’t walk around like you own the place like you do in Korea. This is China.”
“I know that much.”
“If you make a mistake, it won’t just affect you. It could affect me. No—it could reach President Kim.”
“Alright, I get it. Stop nagging.”
Seo Hyungjun led Seo Jaesang away.
After confirming the crowd around Bo Xilai had thinned a bit, I went to find Kim Byungwoo.
He wasn’t far, talking with someone else.
“Chairman Kim.”
“President. Finished your business?”
I nodded and extended my hand to the person he was speaking with.
“Chairman Song, you’re here too. It’s been a while.”
“Yes, President Kim. It’s been a while.”
“Daehyeon Motors’ growth has been impressive.”
“Haha. We’ve only just recovered.”
“You came today because of the Chinese factory, didn’t you?”
Chairman Song Chanseong lowered his voice and nodded.
“You already know. We plan to build more factories in China.”
I lowered my voice as well.
“Are you planning to dissolve the joint venture with Beijing Automotive?”
“...How did you know?”
They had already established a joint venture and were building a factory, but progress was slow.
And there was always the risk of technology leakage.
“It’s a state-owned enterprise. The Chinese government has no urgency.”
“That’s right. We need to expand, but even selecting a site has been difficult. And we’ve heard rumors they’re negotiating with Mercedes behind our backs.”
Rumors always carried truth.
“It’s not a rumor. They’ll soon establish a joint venture and officially enter the Chinese market.”
“...Then there’s no reason for us to continue with Beijing Automotive.”
“That’s why you came today. To partner with Shanghai Automotive instead.”
“Yes. But... meeting Secretary Bo Xilai is harder than expected.”
Song Chanseong smiled awkwardly and glanced toward Bo Xilai.
I turned as well.
“Then let’s go. I’ll introduce you.”
I led them toward Bo Xilai.
As I approached, Bo Xilai smiled brightly and gestured.
“President Kim.”
“Secretary Bo. I came back because I have someone to introduce. I hope it’s not an inconvenience.”
“Haha. Not at all.”
At his glance, the people around him dispersed. freёwebnoѵel.com
“This is Chairman Kim Byungwoo of Joongwoo Group.”
“Joongwoo Group!”
Bo Xilai already knew I was the true owner.
“Nice to meet you. Kim Byungwoo.”
“Haha. A pleasure. Bo Xilai.”
They shook hands.
After brief pleasantries, I pointed to Song Chanseong.
“And this is Chairman Song Chanseong of Daehyeon Motors.”
“Daehyeon Motors! Of course I know it.”
Bo Xilai’s expression lit up.
“Song Chanseong. A pleasure.”
“I hear Daehyeon is one of Korea’s most established conglomerates.”
“Thank you.”
After introductions, I went straight to the point.
“Daehyeon Motors wants to build a factory in China.”
“I know. But haven’t you already formed a joint venture with Beijing Automotive?”
Of course he knew.
I glanced at Song Chanseong.
“Yes. But progress is too slow. The site should have been finalized already.”
“Hmm. I have no authority over Beijing Automotive.”
“I understand. That’s why we want to dissolve the partnership and form a new joint venture with Shanghai Automotive.”
“...Shanghai Automotive?”
“Yes. We want to produce Daehyeon vehicles through a joint venture.”
“Why would Shanghai Automotive partner with you? They already produce with Volkswagen and GM.”
“I’m aware.”
“Then what else is there to say?”
I almost laughed. He was clearly interested but pretending otherwise.
“Daehyeon is competitive in both price and technology.”
“What benefit is that to us?”
“We will localize all parts and assembly in China.”
Unlike Volkswagen or GM, Daehyeon was offering full localization.
“...That is interesting. But can you dissolve your agreement with Beijing Automotive?”
“That...”
That was the problem.
“ If I apply pressure, it will damage my relationship with the central government.”
State-owned Beijing Automotive versus private Shanghai Automotive.
The answer was obvious.
“If you part with Beijing Automotive cleanly, I’ll help you partner with Shanghai Automotive.”
“...Will they agree just because we say so?”
“Then continue with Beijing Automotive. Or build your factory near Shanghai—I’ll recommend a good site.”
Song Chanseong looked at me, troubled.
I decided to step in.
“Secretary Bo, don’t push too hard. The Premier is arriving soon. Why don’t we discuss it together then?”
“If you say so, President Kim.”
Unlike before, Bo Xilai nodded immediately at my words.
