Chapter 271: You Know the Chairman Too

The last time I found Chairman Song Young-ju, he was looking well—too well for someone in pain.

Yet now, lying in his hospital bed, he appeared like an old man patiently waiting for death, unmistakably frail.

This was the first time I saw a vulnerable side of the titan of the business world who once dominated it.

"Boss Kim, you're here. Come closer," he beckoned.

"Yes, Chairman," I replied.

I walked slowly to Chairman Song's bedside. His face was marked by illness, but his eyes sparkled with life.

Despite everything, there was still strength in Chairman Song's gaze.

"I heard you had a rough time in Pyongyang. Are you hurt anywhere?"

"Fortunately, I'm unharmed," I assured him.

"Good to hear. They told me your secretary got shot, but it seems he's fine now, right?"

Instead of answering, I stared at his face intently. Chairman Song already seemed to know everything.

Well, even if he hadn't heard my advice, he was the one who staked everything on making Kim Hak-gwon president, allowing him to pursue a Northern policy.

So perhaps he knew even more than Song Chan-woo, who'd been in Pyongyang.

"What was the atmosphere like in Pyongyang?"

"Pyongyang? Or Kim Jong-il?"

"Both."

"I think there will be no external activities for at least a year or two. Consequently, inter-Korean economic cooperation will likely be delayed as well."

"Hmm… so that's it," he sighed.

A look of regret crossed Chairman Song's face.

"I wanted to see the first shovel break ground at the Kaesong Industrial Complex before I die… but that seems unlikely now."

"…"

Seeing the wistfulness in his words, Chairman Song lightly scolded me.

"I'm not dead yet. Don't look at me like that."

Although his strength had diminished over the years, his laughter was still hearty and booming.

With a discussion about North Korea now in full swing, Chairman Song spent some time talking exclusively about business ventures in the North.

"Yes, that's true. It seems there are high-ranking officials who are dissatisfied with hereditary politics, more than I expected."

"Indeed. Thinking about it, there will likely be those who are disgruntled with the hereditary management in our chaebols. You might be one of them yourself."

Naturally, the conversation shifted seamlessly to hereditary management.

The art of guiding discussion towards a desired topic flowed as smoothly as water—it never failed to amaze.

"Chairman, I'm an investor. I focus more on people's abilities than their money. Even your ally, CEO Kim Byung-woo from Jungwoo Group, rose from a regular employee to the head of a company solely based on his skills. If someone has the ability, their background matters little."

"…"

Though I spoke indirectly, it was clear I meant that Song Chan-woo lacked ability.

The sly Chairman Song wasn't one to miss the thorn hidden in my words. He looked at me in silence.

"The issue isn't hereditary, it's about competence. Since you have an interest in history, I'm sure you know well how incompetent kings ruined their kingdoms just because they were born into privilege, and how they were eventually overthrown."

As I drew parallels to history, the weight on Chairman Song's face intensified.

Our country's chaebols were mirroring the flaws of hereditary monarchies.

They would pass their companies down to their children, and then those children would do the same with their own offspring.

"You wouldn't understand. You climbed to where you are solely on merit. But ordinary folks? If they have some sort of support, it's perfectly natural to leverage that."

Chairman Song's statement was inaccurate. In my past life, I had received the title of successor due to my grandfather's sympathy, knowing nothing else.

It backfired on me. A position beyond my capabilities slowly eroded me, ultimately leading to my ruin.

I personally experienced how worthless royal blood was when faced with money and power.

That's why I wanted to dissuade Chairman Song Young-ju.

Knowing Song Chan-woo's fate made it even more pressing. After losing the power struggle, Song Chan-woo would end up stripped of everything, ultimately choosing the worst path—suicide.

Yet Chairman Song, unaware of the future, stubbornly insisted on entrusting Daehyeon to Song Chan-woo.

To steer him away even just a little, I purposely spoke coldly.

"Chairman, I've fought hard to maintain my position and grow in power. No one understands better than I what lies ahead for Song Chan-woo—he's going to face a thorny path."

"You…"

"The path he'll walk is nothing short of hell. Brothers' fights, struggles with the people, and battles against the regime. Forcing him to take that difficult road simply because of your expectations? Do you really want to burden Song Chan-woo, Chairman?"

"…If you can help him."

Chairman Song believed firmly in me.

It seemed he thought if I helped, Song Chan-woo would be able to face that path with a little less hardship. Of course, my assistance could indeed ease his burden somewhat.

However, I wasn't inclined to do anything that wouldn't benefit me or my people. I wasn't simply a kind person who helped others at all costs.

A voice that felt chilling even to me slipped out naturally.

"Chairman, I respect you, and I honor the path you've walked. But business cannot be about mere sentiments."

"…"

"You know too, don't you? Chairman Song Chan-seong is just like you in so many ways—his talent, drive, and even personality. You know he's a competent individual capable of leading Daehyeon after you, so why are you acting like this?"

He must know. There's no way he doesn't.

Chairman Song was renowned for placing talented people in the right positions to run things effectively.

He couldn't have overlooked his son's ability during his endeavors. Thanks to that, Daehyeon Automotive was now thriving under Song Chan-seong's leadership.

Yet even Chairman Song seemed to falter now that he was aging.

Facing death, his final ambition—a business in the North—had emerged, clouding his judgment.

"The survival of Daehyeon might be jeopardized because of the Northern venture. Deciding a successor solely based on that ambition is your stubbornness, Chairman. It's self-centeredness."

"Boss Kim, you…"

Chairman Song's voice began to tremble.

I was likely the first person, since my grandfather, to speak so openly to the chairman of Daehyeon Group.

In the kingdom of Daehyeon, he was the dictator and tyrant.

Even after naming Song Chan-woo as his successor, he still meddled in all matters of the group under the title of the Chairman.

"Chairman, reflect on whether your desire is for Daehyeon to grow or for the success of your Northern project. Please consider what's more important. As your grandfather's good friend and my esteemed advisor, I speak these words, even if they might be rude."

At my words, Chairman Song closed his eyes. Perhaps feeling struck, he pressed his lips tightly together.

I waited patiently for Chairman Song to respond.

After a long while with his eyes shut, he opened them again, looking more like his old self.

With strong eyes, he took a deep breath and spoke first.

"I can't even offer you empty words. You speak as if you see right through me. Fine, let me speak honestly. I cannot tolerate my name being erased from Daehyeon."

"…It won't be erased."

"No. Chan-seong, that boy will surely want to erase my name from Daehyeon. He'll want to engrave his own name while doing so."

"…"

If Song Young-ju's name disappeared from Daehyeon, then it wouldn't be Daehyeon at all. Such a thing was impossible.

Even if Song Chan-seong gained power, that couldn't happen.

Reading the expression on my face, Chairman Song let out a hollow laugh.

"You probably doubt it. No, no, if I were Chan-seong, I would do just that. I couldn't allow anyone else's name to take precedence over mine."

"Chairman."

"So please help me. Weren't you the one who pleasured that Myeong-su kid with Taesan Financial? I have no one to do that for me. Daehyeon is everything to me."

I could fully understand Chairman Song Young-ju's desire to wield influence over Daehyeon, both in life and death.

From the ground up, he built a conglomerate that became a pillar in Korea's history; to him, Daehyeon must mean everything. Still, I found that his desire was merely tragic.

"I must succeed in the Northern venture! Only Chan-woo can help me with that. Once I'm gone, Chan-seong will undoubtedly abandon the project. He might follow my orders while I'm still alive, but… ugh!"

"Chairman. Song Young-ju! Please calm down for a moment."

Chairman Song, who had been speaking in a heated tone, was now gasping for air.

His pale face showed no sign of color. He looked as if he might pass out any second, yet his eyes still retained a faint glint of strength.

"Hah… Hah… Boss Kim. No, Mu-hyeok. Just this once, just one last time, help this old man. For the sake of your grandfather's long-standing friendship, please help me just once."

Despite his shallow breaths, Chairman Song didn't stop speaking.

"…It's my last request."

"Please calm down and take deep breaths."

I began synchronizing my breathing, forcing Chairman Song to follow along. We inhaled and exhaled together in a lengthy cycle.

Only after quite some time did Chairman Song's breathing finally start to steady. It was only then that I allowed myself to sit down again.

"Are you alright, Chairman? Please don't be agitated and let me know how you wish to proceed. Do you truly trust me? Have you never considered that I might merely say I would help you, but use Song Chan-woo as a puppet to pursue my own agenda?"

"I've absolutely thought about it. Still, my choice is firm. If only you were my son. No, if you were my grandson, I wouldn't even have to think twice."

"…"

Now I finally understood Chairman Song's reaction when he spoke about establishing Taesan Financial after my grandfather passed.

Seeing the bitter look on Chairman Song's face naturally softened my resolve.

This was the very reason I'd tried to avoid seeking him out. With a soft sigh, I took the Chairman's hand.

His rough hand felt only faintly warm.

"What would satisfy you?"

"Be a strong supporter for Chan-woo as he manages the group. Surely that's possible for you?"

"Is that all? What do I gain from that?"

"Gains?"

"Even though we were good friends, I heard that your grandfather exchanged favors with you while helping him. You wouldn't want to ask for help just for the sake of sentiment, right?"

Even my grandfather made sure to gain something when he aided Chairman Song Young-ju.

That's the nature of a loan shark, and I agreed with my grandfather's principle.

"Are you truly going to insist on that, knowing this might be the last plea of an old man?"

Chairman Song's eyes glistened with regret. As if reminiscing about something, he briefly closed his eyes, then opened them to meet my gaze.

I stared at him with a calm expression.

The silence was ephemeral. Soon, Chairman Song chuckled heartily and replied.

"Ha! You're exactly like your grandfather! Fine, I'll give you what you want. Daehyeon Electronics? Daehyeon Automotive? Or perhaps Daehyeon Construction?"

Chairman Song was aware I would demand a price.

Having mentally prepared himself, he started listing off names of businesses that were pillars of Daehyeon.

It made me question just how much significance the Northern venture held for him.

"I have Jungwoo Group. I'm not interested in automotive. Jungwoo Electronics will soon catch up to Ilseong Electronics and become the best in the country. Construction? Jungwoo Construction and Geukseong Construction merged not long ago. You do know the difference isn't significant, right?"

Chairman Song was convinced I wouldn't accept those companies.

Instead, the corners of his mouth fixed into a grim line as he likely guessed what I was about to say.

"If you offer something genuinely beneficial and advantageous to me, I will gladly become a solid ally for Song Chan-woo."

Ultimately, I decided to grant Chairman Song Young-ju's dying request. However, I couldn't agree to do so without any form of compensation.

Surely Chairman Song could grasp what I genuinely desired.

With a deep sigh, he loosened his tight lips and nodded slightly.

"Phew… Okay. I'll do as you wish."

What I wanted was neither money nor a subsidiary of Daehyeon.

It was to thoroughly isolate Il-seong from the business world.

That was an act uniquely entrusted to Daehyeon. No, it was something only Chairman Song could carry out.