The Youngest Son of Sunyang

"Oh, that stubborn General Onggojib. He's as unchanged as ever, even as he gets older."

Chairman Jin stuck out his tongue as he extended a cup of makgeolli, and Song Hyun-chang poured the drink into two cups with both hands.

"Did you meet with me thinking you might bribe me?"

"Where would I have money? I spent it all buying steel bars. I'm penniless."

"Oh, today's drink money came from me."

"Having no debt in my pocket, despite being penniless, might be better than being someone struggling with debt. Today, it's on me."

After exchanging jokes and light-hearted words for a while, Chairman Jin got straight to the point.

"You can't avoid bankruptcy. From what I've heard, the prevailing opinion is to clean up before the presidential election."

"Daehyun Group is truly impressive. Their net is cast wide, and they haven't found any holes."

Although there might be large companies that haven't been caught in the crosshairs of government scrutiny, Chairman Song had been frustrated. He couldn't find any weaknesses in Daehyun Group's grip.

"It was a tough life for you, Chairman Song. Everyone you met was either buying a house with Daehyun's money or sending their children to school. But my net is a bit tighter, a bit tougher."

It was a hint. Chairman Song Hyun-chang's expression changed.

"Please tell me what you mean."

"Since you're inevitably going to face bankruptcy... how about we face it quickly and make a fresh start?"

A fresh start didn't mean what ordinary people thought. It wasn't about repaying debts diligently; it meant using loopholes to clear debts all at once.

Song Hyun-chang's mind raced.

"Chairman Daehyun already has a plan, right? Debt reduction, consolidation of a few A-jin Group subsidiaries... I assume he plans to invest Daehyun's funds after burning most of the A-jin stocks."

"Is that from your experience? You seem to know it well."

"Because I was the one who personally devised that plan six years ago. Now, Chairman Daehyun is in the process of implementing that plan."

"But that plan failed, didn't it? Can we rest easy now?"

"We can't be lucky twice. This time, there's only the collapse of large corporations, and there's no corruption scandal that could shake the government. There are more factors for success."

"Calculate the cost of the makgeolli yourself. I find it unfair to calculate it while I'm sitting on a pile of debt."

He had already given up to some extent, but when Chairman Jin spoke further, his eyes suddenly widened.

"Let Chairman Song calculate it. I'll ensure you keep your position as Chairman."

He wasn't one to utter empty words for consolation. Every word that came out of his mouth held the power to shake the business world.

"You mentioned being penniless, Chairman."

"Is it only my money? Money doesn't have name tags."

Song Hyun-chang, who had been looking at Chairman Jin for a moment, called out towards the kitchen.

"Okcheon Madam! Bring more makgeolli and scallion pancakes here."

When the lady from the scallion pancake house brought makgeolli and scallion pancakes to the table and left, Chairman Song poured the contents of the makgeolli cup in Chairman Jin's hand onto the floor.

"Get a fresh cup."

Chairman Jin chuckled and extended the makgeolli cup.

"Any strategy in mind?"

"Just let it go bankrupt."

Chairman Song bit his lip but wanted to hear about the situation after bankruptcy.

"And then?"

"Chairman Ju Young-il has already made his move. The bondholders will come up with a self-rescue plan, and he'll whisper that he'll save it if they cooperate actively. Leave only eight, and clean up the rest. I'll also find potential buyers."

"And then?"

"The acquisition battle will begin."

"Daehyun will be the only one submitting the letter of intent for acquisition."

"Put conditions in that letter of intent. Debt reduction. Stock disposal or write-down."

"That's right."

"What's wrong with that? Chairman Song, you're going to repay your debts pulled together recklessly with taxpayer money, and the decrease in shares will be owned by the ants and the unions."

So far, so good.

You can scrape off the mold, get injections of nutrients, and change your constitution. All with the taxpayers' money!

"Are you suggesting we hand it over to Daehyun?" Chairman Song's lips trembled as he asked the question.

"Daehyun can take it, or an unexpected third party can."

"Is that third party Sunyang?"

"I told you, didn't I? I'm penniless. There's someone trying to jump the queue. You know, right? It's called 'Miracle Investment,' foreign capital."

"Miracle? Could it be the one that handed me a business card during the Hando Steel bidding?"

"That's right, that place."

Chairman Jin raised his makgeolli glass and emptied it.

"Don't misunderstand. It has nothing to do with me. It's a completely different place. It's a pure American investment firm, and their CEO was my youngest son's study abroad buddy. They just asked me to deliver the message."

Song Hyun-chang shook his head slightly.

"Are you just a messenger Chairman Jin? Who said all that?" Song Hyun-chang asked skeptically.

"Believe me. I'm also desperate to save the car business," Chairman Jin replied.

"Really?"

"If Daehyun Motors acquires A-jin Motors, then Sunyang Motors will have to withdraw. It's clear we'll be liquidated."

Song Hyun-chang still wore a suspicious expression.

"Check it. It's been almost a decade since Miracle Investment was established. It wouldn't make sense for me to have predicted this situation and prepared for it since then, and why would I need to use someone else as a front? If I had the money, wouldn't it be normal for me to jump into the acquisition battle myself?"

"Okay, what does that place called Miracle want?"

"What do those guys playing with money want? To take control of A-jin with as little money as possible and grow it to sell it at a high price."

"Are you guaranteeing my position as Chairman in that scenario?"

"There won't be anyone capable of running the company anyway."