Genius Grandson of the Loan Shark King

Is the internal conflict serious?

It seemed like Yoo Seong-jin had already made up his mind.

"As expected, it's Chairman Yoo. He has a good grasp of how the situation is going. He also knows what to do. But I still feel uneasy."

Director Ma said that Yoo Seong-jin was the kind of person who would walk to his own grave, but I was half in doubt.

But to really give up your own safety.

As Yoo Seong-jin said, if we abandon him, there would be no reason to be dragged around by Jiang Zemin.

"I think it would be best to listen to Yoo Sung-jin's demands for now, Boss. Getting him out is a problem we'll have to think about later."

Director Ma kept trying to persuade me to give up on Yoo Seong-jin.

"He is the next chairman of Cheonha Group······."

If Yoo Sung-jin was abandoned, the next chairman to lead Cheonha Group had to be chosen.

"There are three people recommended by Chairman Yoo Seong-jin, right?"

Yoo Seong-jin recommended three people as the next chairman: Chu Dong-bin, Im Hwa-soo, and Yang Woo-guk.

"Director Ma, who do you think you like? Since you know the internal affairs of Cheonha Group better than I do, please tell me."

"How about asking Chairman Lee Sang-geun? Even though he has completely withdrawn from Cheonha Group, he is one of the people who knows them better than anyone else."

"Okay. Call me right away."

Director Ma, who had lowered his head, immediately picked up his cell phone.

He contacted Lee Sang-geun and asked him to come to Pyeongchang-dong.

After a few more words were exchanged over the phone, Director Ma ended the call.

Even after I contacted him, Director Ma and I continued to talk.

* * *

An emergency board meeting of Cheonha Group was convened.

"What the hell is going on? What on earth is the chairman being arrested for?"

A man slammed the table and shouted.

"Hey, Kim Ki-moon! How on earth do you, a secretary, serve the chairman?!"

Sparks flew at Director Kim Ki-moon, who was in charge of the board meeting.

But Kim Ki-moon spoke bluntly, his expression not at all disturbed.

"Director Yang, please be polite."

"What? Manners? Hey you little punk! Speak properly. Do you really want to die?!"

Yang Woo-guk, who had been spitting out curses, growled as if he was going to rush at Kim Ki-moon at any moment.

"Director Yang. Stop it. Now is not the time for us to fight amongst ourselves. Are we still gangsters?"

Director Im Hwa-soo, sitting across from Yang Woo-guk, spoke as if trying to persuade him.

Then Yang Woo-guk turned his gaze away from Kim Ki-moon and glared at Im Hwa-su.

"What? Hey, Inma! What are you talking about to your senior? That's why I said that you guys without pedigrees are no good. I didn't like it when they appointed a guy like you to the board of directors!"

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At those words, Im Hwa-su narrowed his eyebrows and glared at Yang Woo-guk.

The atmosphere became tense, as if a fight might break out at any moment.

"Vice Chairman Chu Dong-bin is coming in."

At that moment, the door opened and Chu Dong-bin entered the conference room.

"What is it? What's wrong with the atmosphere? Did you fight again? Tsk······. You're not even kids, and you don't know why we're all here now, so you're acting like this?"

Chu Dong-bin looked around at the directors with sharp eyes.

More than half of the people in the group lowered their heads, but those around him, including Yang Woo-guk and Im Hwa-su, did not avoid his gaze.

Chu Dong-bin slowly walked towards Yang Woo-guk and touched his shoulder.

"Director Yang. Why are you standing here like this? Why? The chairman is in danger, so are you thinking differently? Is that it?"

"······."

"This is an emergency. This is not the time for us to fight amongst ourselves. Right, Director Yang Woo-guk?"

Despite Chu Dong-bin's words, Yang Woo-guk bit his lips and did not open his mouth.

Chu Dong-bin raised the corners of his mouth as he looked at Yang Woo-guk. Then he took his hand off his shoulder and looked at Im Hwa-soo.

Im Hwa-su opened her mouth hurriedly as she caught Chu Dong-bin's gaze.

"I'm sorry, Vice President."

After receiving Im Hwa-soo's apology, Chu Dong-bin nodded and went to his seat.

The seat at the head of the table where the chairman sits was still empty.

"Director Kim Ki-moon. Let's proceed now."

At Choo Dong-bin's direction, Kim Ki-moon began conducting an emergency board meeting.

"Chairman Yoo Seong-jin was arrested by the Chinese police."

Kim Ki-moon explained to the directors the situation when Chairman Yoo Seong-jin was arrested.

After Kim Ki-moon finished speaking, Im Hwa-soo raised his hand and asked a question.

"Director Kim Ki-moon. For what crime was the Chairman arrested?"

"We haven't figured that part out yet. We've tried to request interviews several times, but we've been rejected over and over again."

"Then you don't know anything? Then why on earth did you call a board meeting?"

"The meeting was requested by Vice Chairman Chu Dong-bin."

Everyone's eyes were focused on Chu Dong-bin.

"Because the survival of Cheonha Group is the top priority. If we leave things as they are, Cheonha Group could end up in pieces, since we don't know when the chairman will be released. That's why we've called a board meeting to discuss countermeasures and ways to save the chairman. Is there a problem?"

Although it operates under the guise of a group, Cheonha Group is fundamentally a huge crime syndicate comprised of crime syndicate members from all over the country.

Following Park Dong-soo, who integrated the organization across the country, Lee Sang-geun stabilized the organization, and Yoo Seong-jin developed the organization.

Of course, as it was a federation of numerous organizations, there was fierce internal conflict.

Since these organizations were born to be in conflict with each other, there was bound to be conflict.

But Yoo Sung-jin thoroughly trampled on the moment that conflict rose to the surface.

Thanks to that, everyone was busy hiding their complaints during that time.

"What is the probability that the Chairman will be released safely? I don't know if it's Korea, but isn't it China? What does Vice Chairman Hao Xun say?"

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Yang Woo-guk asked Chu Dong-bin a question.

"The chairman called me before he was arrested. He told me not to do anything stupid and to wait because he was likely to be taken to the police. The vice chairman said he would do everything he could to save the chairman."

"Are you saying that the Chairman contacted you personally?"

"Yes. He told me to guard the group for the time being. The chairman's secretary, Kim Ki-moon, was also there."

Everyone's eyes were turned to Kim Ki-moon.

"That's right. The Chairman asked Vice Chairman Chu Dong-bin to take care of the group for the time being."

The people gathered in the boardroom were in an uproar. Chu Dong-bin, who had gathered attention by lightly tapping the table, spoke.

"What the chairman is most worried about is nothing else. The group will be divided while he is away. So I think it's time for us to stop internal conflict and for everyone to cooperate. Am I right? Director Yang Woo-guk, Director Im Hwa-soo."

The two people whose names were called kept their mouths shut. However, they began to think about how to use this opportunity.

Chu Dong-bin frowned at that sight.

'These kids······. I can hear them thinking about how to use this opportunity.'

Chu Dong-bin seemed to be able to see right through them what they were thinking.

Kim Ki-moon continued to preside over the board meeting.

"Vice Chairman Chu Dong-bin will run Cheonha Group in place of the Chairman for the time being. Are there any directors who are against this?"

Chu Dong-bin was Yoo Seong-jin's right-hand man. There was no reason to oppose him.

"Then I will decide on Vice Chairman Chu Dong-bin as acting chairman."

Kim Ki-moon confirmed the matter by striking the gavel.

'Let's just get through today, but let's see how long we can smile. Choo Dong-bin.'

Yang Woo-guk applauded, but inside he was gritting his teeth.

"Since it's been a while since we've met, let's all have a meal. I've made reservations at a nice restaurant."

Yang Woo-guk stood up from his seat and refused Chu Dong-bin's words.

"I have a prior engagement, so I'll go first."

Yang Woo-guk and his followers rushed out of the conference room.

"I'm going to go now. I'll treat you to dinner next time."

Im Hwa-su also left the conference room with those who followed him.

It felt empty, perhaps because Yang Woo-guk and Im Hwa-su led half of the people gathered in the conference room out.

"Oh, really. With those personalities. Is there anyone else who wants to go out?"

Nobody woke up.

"Then let's all go out together."

Chu Dong-bin led the rest to the restaurant they had reserved.

Just a few days after Yoo Seong-jin was arrested in China, Cheonha Group was already shaking.

* * *

"Boss. Chairman Lee Sang-geun has arrived."

It hasn't been long since I called Lee Sang-geun, but he's already arrived.

"It's been a while, Chairman Lee Sang-geun."

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Lee Sang-geun bowed his head while holding Kim Mu-hyeok's hand.

"Boss. It's been a while since I've seen you."

"Haha. Why are we being so formal? It makes me feel distant."

As soon as I sat down, taking Lee Sang-geun's hand, I immediately got to the point.

"Did you know that Chairman Yoo Seong-jin was arrested in China?"

"Yes. I was surprised to hear that news too. What crime were you arrested for?"

"They said it was drug smuggling and distribution charges."

At my words, Lee Sang-geun's face instantly turned pale.

"Are you saying that Cheonha Group is involved in drugs?"

"That's impossible. It's a case fabricated by the police. But it seems like it'll be hard to get released."

"Is it difficult even if the boss steps in?"

"If I want to save Yoo Seong-jin, I have to give up a lot. If I do that, I might continue to be dragged around by them."

"Hmm."

Lee Sang-geun swallowed hard. He also seemed to sense that this was not an ordinary matter.

"Chairman Yoo Sung-jin also told me not to negotiate with them. He said I shouldn't step down because of him."

As if he had expected it, Lee Sang-geun nodded calmly.

"I thought Chairman Yoo would do that. So what do you think, sir?"

"I am thinking about it. That is why I called Chairman Lee. Chairman Yoo Seong-jin recommended three people as successors. If anything goes wrong, please make one of them the chairman."

"Are you referring to Vice Chairman Chu Dong-bin, Director Im Hwa-su, and Director Yang Woo-guk?"

I only said there were three people, but Lee Sang-geun knew exactly who they were.

"You know very well. Do you still have any attachment to Cheonha Group?"

I was the one who forced Lee Sang-geun to step down from Cheonha Group.

Lee Sang-geun answered with a bright smile.

"How could that be? It's much better now. I can be confident with my children. However, I have been keeping up with the internal affairs of Cheonha Group. After all, Cheonha Group and Jungwoo Construction have quite a few projects together."

"This is an internal matter within Cheonha Group. Please explain."

"First of all, Vice Chairman Chu Dong-bin is a direct descendant of the Dongsu faction. He is also Yoo Seong-jin's most trusted right-hand man."

Dongsupara. The corners of my mouth went up without me realizing it at the familiar name.

At the same time, I thought of Chu Dong-bin, whom I had met before. He was a man with an unusual history, having served in the military.

"You're a former soldier, right? I remember you as a conscientious person. Do you think you can lead Cheonha Group well?"

"But there is no change in the fact that he is the most powerful candidate. The Dongsu faction is also the largest force within the Cheonha Group."

"Is the internal conflict more serious than expected?"

"When Chairman Yoo Seong-jin was there, everyone was oppressed, so it didn't show on the outside. However, if Chairman Yoo Seong-jin doesn't return, internal conflict is bound to happen naturally."

"I see. Please continue talking."

I asked him to explain the other candidates.

"Im Hwa-su is a person supported by organizations based in Jeolla Province. He is also the second most powerful person."

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I thought back to the Im Hwa-su I met before.

He was the man who stopped me when I went to Cheonha Group without any plan.

I think he was a manager at the time, but when did he grow up so much?

"I have seen your face."

"Then it would be easy to explain. He may be a bit choleric, but he is a very capable person who rose from a middle manager to a member of the board of directors."

"It seems like Chairman Lee thinks highly of Im Hwa-su. He is also from the Dongsu faction."

He laughed when I asked him playfully. It was only natural that the atmosphere would lighten for both of us when the topic of the Dongsu faction came up.

"Yang Woo-guk is a person who receives support from the Gangwon-do and Chungcheong-do organizations. He is also the junior whom the advisors cherish the most. Although his power is the smallest among them, if the advisors help him, the situation could change at any moment."

"Are those old guys still around? Dong-soo-hyung cleaned them up once, and Chairman Lee cleaned them up again. They're really like cockroaches."

Lee Sang-geun ended up laughing out loud. It seemed like calling them cockroaches really hit the mark.

"Haha. You got it right. But since this is a place where if you don't treat your seniors well, you won't be treated well either, it's only natural that you'll have a lot of influence."

"What about your abilities?"

"He is the most cruel of the three. Chu Dong-bin is the best at reading the trends and making money. Im Hwa-soo started from the bottom, so he takes care of his subordinates better than anyone else. However, Yang Woo-guk was in a high position from the beginning, so he is a mean person who thinks of his subordinates as long-term pawns."

It was Yang Woo-guk. It wasn't a name I remembered.

"Why did Chairman Yoo abandon someone like that?"

"It was probably used to deal with the torturers."

"But if you recommended me as a successor, it must mean that I am useful······."

There's no way they would have considered a human who had barely dealt with advisors as the next chairman. I guess I should find out more about Yang Woo-guk.

"So who does this chairman recommend?"

"I recommend Im Hwa-su. Starting with Park Dong-su and up to Yoo Seong-jin, all of the people who were elected as president are from the Dong-su faction. If things continue this way, internal discontent will only continue to build up."

It's not Chu Dong-bin, it's Im Hwa-soo. I wiggled an eyebrow without realizing it at the unexpected words.

Then Lee Sang-geun smiled slightly and continued speaking.

"After all, isn't the person chosen by the CEO the next chairman? Depending on where the chairman puts his strength, the internal reorganization of Cheonha Group will be easily completed."

Lee Sang-geun finally hit on the point. He said that in the end, it all comes down to who I have in mind.

< Is the internal conflict serious? > End

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