The Magician’s Memorial - Chapter 218



Only Krnovel

218. Time to choose (2)

What should I do to purchase KEPCO land?

Although it is a public enterprise, a huge amount of preliminary work was needed to move KEPCO, which is on par with Samjin Electronics in terms of single scale.

In Korea, such preliminary work was impossible.

It’s been a while since I boarded a plane to Russia.

Upon arrival in Russia, more than 10 security vehicles were waiting at the airport.

“The governor is waiting.”

“I didn’t know you would care this much.”

I left the airport under the guidance of a security guard.

After traveling for about two hours, we arrived at a huge mansion.

The owner of the mansion, which is comparable to that of the Saudi royal family, was Roman, a Russian oil tycoon with whom he had been acquainted since President Putin’s inauguration.

“Kim! It’s been so long. Why did you visit Russia after such a long time? Maybe you should have come more often.”

“I’m sorry. I’ve been so busy that I haven’t had time. I’ll stop by often from now on.”

“I am hearing about you from many places. You are well aware that your popularity is spreading all over the world these days, right? I am going around spreading the word that I am close to you in order to gain some benefit from you.”

Roman sneered.

I’d say my profile increased after the joint speech with Steve, but still not as much as Roman’s.

Especially since Roman’s popularity has skyrocketed since last year.

“I’ve been hearing news about Roman from many places. I heard he acquired an EPL team last year? I’m really jealous.”

“Then why don’t you take over one too? You are capable of taking over and managing it. I want to see your team and my team playing in the EPL as soon as possible.”

Roman looked extremely excited.

How great would it be to have acquired the EPL team of your dreams?

Taewo Group also operates a professional soccer team in Korea, but it cannot compare to the EPL.

“If I get the chance, I would definitely like to try it. Ah! There is someone among the Saudi royal family who wants to buy an EPL team.”

“Is he someone you’re close with?”

“He’s almost like a brother.”

“It’s really great! I hope the day comes when we can compete to see which team is stronger in the EPL.”

We became friends by talking about soccer for over an hour.

Only then was I able to quietly tell the story I wanted.

“Shouldn’t Korea and Russia cooperate more strongly in the energy field?”

“We have been discussing strengthening cooperation by forming a committee for several years, but because the economy is so difficult, nothing is working properly.”

“This is a very difficult task. Still, for the development of both countries, we need to take the first step quickly.”

“We are struggling because there is no one to act as a coordinator in the middle. How could you not act as a coordinator? Aren’t you the only Korean the Russian government relies on and trusts? Moreover, you are leading the largest group in Korea. There are some.”

It was Roman who said what I wanted on my behalf.

Because he was Putin’s favorite businessman and politician, conversations with him were also conversations with the Russian government.

“I should help you whenever I can.”

“The President will be very pleased.”

“Ah! By the way, have you decided to run for a second term as governor of the Chukotka region?”

“Oh, don’t even talk about it. I want to quit, but the President asks me to do it one more time, so how can I refuse? I’m too busy taking care of the business I’m in charge of, but it looks like I’m going to be governor again.”

This meant that Putin trusted Roman.

Although he was the governor of an underdeveloped Far East region, he was in charge of one region.

The position of governor would never be offered to a non-believer.

“On the contrary, it’s good. While Roman is governor, why don’t we collaborate with Korea to develop energy resources in the Far East region? I will act as a bridge in the middle.”

“Is that possible? If Korea offers to collaborate, we have absolutely no reason to refuse.”

“Isn’t this a mutually beneficial business? Of course, there is the premise that stable resource development is possible.”

“We can definitely promise you that. There are more than 10 oil fields and 15 gas fields buried in the Far East. There is no one to develop them, so there is absolutely no reason to refuse if they offer to develop the problem sheet.”

This is why territory was important.

In Korea, not a single drop of oil is produced, but in Russia, even though there are surplus oil fields, they are not being developed.

“If we were to develop oil fields, it would exceed $100 billion.”

“Although we don’t know the exact reserves, it will be more than $500 billion, not $100 billion. That is, if we can develop it properly.”

$500 billion was equivalent to over 600 trillion won in Korean won.

Wouldn’t a project of this scale be enough to take up KEPCO’s land?

A 600 trillion won project was created for the KEPCO site worth about 5 trillion won.

* * *

Returned to Korea.

I went straight to my grandfather and reported what had happened in Russia.

“Are you saying they created a 600 trillion won project to buy KEPCO land?”

“It is also a very good project for energy cooperation between Russia and Korea.”

“But just because you created a 600 trillion won project, will KEPCO give you the land?”

“We plan to create a situation in which we have no choice but to give it up. For example, if Russian energy companies need land to establish a base in Korea for this project to succeed, wouldn’t KEPCO have no choice but to give up the land?”

The large version has already been completed.

As long as the details were taken care of, obtaining the KEPCO site was not a task.

The last remaining issue was only about time. His grandfather also pointed that out exactly.

“If you move according to the plan you have made, it will happen. But you will have to meet with the Korean and Russian governments to make the move. The governments are so heavy-handed, I don’t know if it will be possible for 1-2 years.”

“If Russia is proactive, won’t the Korean government have no choice but to also be proactive? Russian state-owned energy companies have decided to visit Korea as early as this month.”

“That’s very generous. Hmm, since we were able to acquire the land for KEPCO, how about giving up the Charlotte Group’s land?”

The old man suddenly spoke differently.

My grandfather might have been satisfied with just the KEPCO site, but I was not.

Since it was my grandfather who ignited my greed, the responsibility also fell on him.

“Of course, we must also receive the Charlotte Group’s land. Wouldn’t it be possible to negotiate with the government only if we have two options in hand? If permission is given first, we can think about the remaining land after that.”

“If that happens, it would be the best scenario. However, it bothers me that he seems to be involved too much in the affairs of the Charlotte Group. Especially if he is involved in a management dispute, it is bound to end in a bad situation.”

“All we have to do is play the role of a charlatan and nominate whoever Chairman Jin wants, whether the eldest or second son, to be the next CEO. What is there to be criticized for?”

“Okay. Do whatever you want. It was my fault for bringing up the new building. Chairman Jin says he wants to see me today. He wants to see you alone without me.”

I waited for such a long time.

I thought he would immediately ask to meet tomorrow, but it was Chairman Jin who had not contacted me even while I was visiting Russia.

“I can’t keep you waiting. I’ll go out right now.”

“Don’t be so rude.”

“I will treat you like I would treat my grandfather.”

“I’m telling you not to do that! When was the last time you were polite to me!”

I sheepishly touched my head and moved to meet Chairman Jin.

* * *

A restaurant located in Cheongdam-dong.

Same place, same food, and same people as the previous meeting.

But the atmosphere was completely different.

Unlike the previous meeting, which was cordial, Chairman Jin was very stiff.

“You don’t look very good.”

“I’m having trouble sleeping these days because of you. Because you said that the Charlotte Group is the current group!”

The first generation of large company presidents really built their companies with their bare hands.

Of course, most people inherited a lot of wealth, but they grew what they inherited thousands or tens of thousands of times more and turned it into a large company.

This is a large company that I managed to create after devoting my entire life to it.

However, like everything, it is difficult to build it up, but it only takes a moment for it to collapse.

The Hyunjae Group, which seemed like it would never collapse, was torn apart by a management dispute, so it was natural for Chairman Jin to stay up all night worrying.

“I said this to ease the chairman’s worries, but I guess I caused him trouble again. I’m sorry.”

“How can you say this is your fault? It’s my fault for being too complacent. It’s my fault for not preparing a solution even though I clearly saw what happened to the current group after Chairman Jang died.”

Worry is like a swamp.

Once you get caught up in your worries, you are bound to get sucked into a deeper abyss.

Chairman Jin seemed to have imagined that the Charlotte Group he disappeared from would be torn apart like the current group.

“It’s not too late. If you still make corrections, you will be able to maintain the center of the Charlotte Group for at least 10 years.”

“It sounds like you should retire in 10 years.”

“I apologize if it sounded that way.”

“What’s the apology? It’s a blessing to say that this old man can run the company for another 10 years. So, tell me in detail how you can help.”

Finally, the big fish start to touch the bait.

In order to get people to bite both the bait and the hook, a very sweet rice cake was needed.

“We can help the chairman secure the position of chairman if he wants to do so.”

“So tell me how.”

“The position of chairman must ultimately be supported by management ability. With Taewo Group, you can clearly build management performance.”

“Do you think Taewoo Group will manage the risk?”

“Yes, this is also a great help in increasing Charlotte Group’s sales.”

“Does this include duty-free shop business?”

“The Anor family brand will be the first to launch.”

He continued to sell the name of the Arnor family.

There was a possibility that the Arnor family would oppose it, but that was something to think about at the time.

“What else can I do for you? Don’t you think that you are not good enough to receive the gold-filled land?”

“We can help you enter overseas markets.”

“As for overseas markets, the only market that our Charlotte Group can enter is China. Are you saying you will help us advance into China?”

“I am well aware that Charlotte Group has already entered the Chinese market. However, we can help and provide consulting so that more businesses can enter the Chinese market stably.”

“I like that. Do you have any more?”

Are all heads of large corporations like this?

Chairman Jin was as greedy as his grandfather.

“Helping the Taewo Group enter the Chinese market means mobilizing all my relationships with the Taewo Group. Don’t you know how important Guanxi is to entering the Chinese market? If we can properly enter the Chinese market, it will be dozens of times more expensive than the land owned by the Charlotte Group. You may benefit.”

“So you’re saying you won’t give more? Chairman Kim has educated his grandson very well. If you had said you would give more, I would have doubted your true intentions.”

It’s a shame to doubt his true intentions.

He thought it was too much to hope for, so he tried to say it was a test for no reason.

“Then will you accept my offer?”

“Today, we will just sign a provisional contract. If Taewo Group keeps its promise, we will sign a real contract.”

“Chairman Jin can keep his promise only if you tell us who the successor he has decided in his mind is.”

“It’s the second guy. Help him.”

It was the moment when the successor to the Charlotte Group was decided.

It was Chairman Jin who chose his second son, Vice Chairman Jin Dong-gu, over his eldest son.