Chapter 1566 Scolding (1)

“G-goodness me!”

“C-Chairman Hwang?”

The chairpersons all stood up urgently after realizing who had entered the room.

Goodness! To think he’d actually come!

Even though he’s never shown much interest in meetings like this before!

This is going to get messy, isn’t it?

The complexion of every chairman in the room got ever so slightly pale.

After all, the one who had entered the room just now was none other than the chairman of Jaegyeong, Hwang Jeong-Hu!

The lion of the business world, and the other “senior” among the chairpersons in this room beside Jeong Hong-Geun—that was Hwang Jeong-Hu in a nutshell.

Hwang Jeong-Hu glanced at the others. “No, don’t get up. It’s not like I’m a war hero making his triumphant return or anything, anyway.”

“Chairman Hwang, sir! It’s great to see you again! Have you been well?”

“It’s been too long, sir! My apologies, I should’ve paid my respects sooner, but I’ve been putting it off with the excuse of being too busy.”

“If you had told us you’d be coming, we would’ve waited for your arrival.”

The chairpersons all bowed politely to Hwang Jeong-Hu. Despite being of the same seniority, the treatment Jeong Hong-Geun received was noticeably different.

If Jeong Hong-Geun was like an elder and a senior who competed with these chairpersons’ fathers, Hwang Jeong-Hu was more like a teacher to them.

As long as one made a living in the world of commerce, it was impossible not to be influenced by Hwang Jeong-Hu in some way. Even those who ran companies much larger or more prosperous than Jaegyeong would never dare stand tall and proud in Hwang Jeong-Hu’s presence.

These chairpersons knew the truth better than anyone. They knew how incredibly difficult it was to build a company in this country without taking shortcuts and sticking religiously to the law. But Hwang Jeong-Hu was a legendary figure who had done that.

That was why they would never call themselves superior entrepreneurs than Hwang Jeong-Hu even if their companies were larger in scale.

“So... I can sit here, right?”

Hwang Jeong-Hu asked while pointing at the empty chair at the opposite end of the table from Jeong Hong-Geun, which was at the other head of the table. After sitting down, he glanced at Jeong Hong-Geun.

Jeong Hong-Geun was obviously not as pleased as the others about being in the same room as Hwang Jeong-Hu. His lips twitched for a few seconds, then he spoke in an irritated voice. “What are you doing here? When you hardly ever show an interest in meetings like this?”

“Are you trying to be funny? Why did you send me an invitation, then? Unless you wanted to waste paper, that is. You asked me to come, so I did. But now you want to know why I’m here? What the... If you’re coming down with dementia, go home and watch your grandkids putting on a talent show or something. Stop pretending to be a businessman and inconveniencing others like this, will you?”

Jeong Hong-Geun’s complexion reddened instantly.

You stinking commoner bastard?!

There was no other way to describe these two men than “bad blood.”

Not only were their ages similar, but many of their businesses also overlapped. Meaning, it was inevitable for the two of them to compete and bicker with each other throughout their entire professional lives.

What riled Jeong Hong-Geun the most, however, was the fact that he always played second fiddle to Hwang Jeong-Hu.

Right now, they were nearly on the same level, but such a thing wouldn’t even be in the realm of possibilities if it wasn’t for Hwang Jeong-Hu’s health taking a turn for the worse, causing Jaegyeong to experience some headwinds for a while.

...And Jeong Hong-Geun knew that better than anyone here.

Hwang Jeong-Hu casually asked, “So? Who do you want to trample on this time?”

“It seems you’ve heard the story, then.”

“I didn’t have to hear anything to know. It’s obvious what someone like you would try to do!”

“...! Why, you!”

Jeong Hong-Geul clenched his teeth. But Hwang Jeong-Hu ignored him and chided the others instead. “The same goes for you lot! You’re all bosses of this country’s biggest companies, so why are you wagging your tails here like loyal dogs waiting for the orders of that senile old fool?”

The faces of the chairpersons grew flushed in shame just then. No one could talk to them this way. Not even the President of Korea would dare to scold them openly like this!

However, only one man enjoyed such a privilege, and that was Hwang Jeong-Hu.

Jeong Hong-Geun roared in anger. “You old fart! Keep your voice down or else! Go home if all you want to do is interrupt me!”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk! Look at you, still throwing a tantrum at your age,” Hwang Jeong-Hu replied with a derisive snicker. “So, who is it this time? And what do you want to do to them, again?”

When Jeong Hong-Geun glared back in silence, Jang Myeong-Gu cautiously studied the volatile atmosphere between the two titans before chiming in.

“Chairman Hwang, it’s... Apparently, a company called MK has harmed Chairman Jeong’s grandson.”

“Is that right?” Hwang Jeong-Hu cocked an eyebrow. “And then?”

“And the... Judging from the police’s unwillingness to investigate, MK must’ve bribed the government considerably. So, we were discussing how we should deal with MK...”

“Deal with MK, you say? Like how?”

“We were thinking of stopping deliveries of our goods to their franchise.”

“Oho. And you’d also pressure other small-to-medium companies so that they would stay away, too. Did I guess right?”

“...Yes, sir.”

Hwang Jeong-Hu began cackling away. “Kekeke. It sounds like that old fart has racked his brain for the first time in a while! Yes, yes. They have a franchise to run, so no supplies reaching them will create one hell of a chaos, now won’t it? The company itself might be able to ride out the storm, but the franchisees won’t.”

The expressions of the chairpersons softened a tad when Hwang Jeong-Hu’s response proved better than they had feared.

“I guess this story doesn’t really involve me, then? Since my company doesn’t have much of a presence in the distribution business, after all.”

“Y-yes, that is so.”

Hwang Jeong-Hu could see how cautious the chairpersons were and smirked softly. “What’s the matter? You all worried about me trying to stop you?”

“...Chairman Hwang, sir.”

“Don’t mind me. It’s fine. Do what you want.”

Hwang Jeong-Hu cackled away again.

Only then did Jeong Hong-Geun’s scowl come undone slightly to reflect the hint of relief seeping into his heart.

“Have you gone senile, Hwang Jeong-Hu? Why are you cackling like a madman?”

Hwang Jeong-Hu continued to cackle while tapping on the table. “I’m laughing because this is great news for me.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, you’ve just offered up such a wonderful potential client on a silver platter. Why wouldn’t I be laughing, in that case?”

“...Say what?”

“From what I heard, their cafe franchise has already opened dozens of branches throughout the country, and their number will surpass one hundred pretty soon. So, imagine signing exclusive distribution rights with them! Don’t you agree that sounds like a great reason to set up a distribution business of my own? Yes, very good! You can all back off now, because it’s mine. I’ll do this alone.”

“Why, you!”

Jeong Hong-Geun shot up to his feet in anger. Meanwhile, other chairpersons stared at Hwang Jeong-Hu in disconcertment.

“Chairman Hwang...!”

“Now listen closely, you fools!”

Hwang Jeong-Hu’s expression changed instantly, and he stood tall.

“Don’t you idiots know shame?! You still try to do something this dishonorable?! With all of you behaving like this, no wonder the public is calling us all sorts of names and stuff! Why is destroying the new kid on the block the only thing you can think of? Just because it’s an up-and-comer? Is that it?” ℴ

“T-that’s not it, but Chairman Jeong’s grandson was...”

“Give me a break! Who cares if that piece of human trash got beaten up a bit?”

“...!”

Hwang Jeong-Hu scoffed derisively. “He should thank the heavens for living in the current era. If it were the old times, I’d have personally cracked his skull open with a goddamn claw bar or something! How dare some subhuman piece of trash dare breathe the same air as actual humans!”

Jeong Hong-Geun’s complexion grew beet-red again. “You! If you’re going to keep getting in my way, get out of my sight!”

“You should get out of your own sight, you old fool! Don’t you have any shame?! You and your daddy sold our country off and busy kissed Japanese asses like sycophants, yet you still haven’t changed your ways after all these years?!”

“Hwang! Jeong! Huuuu!”

Jeong Hong-Geun slammed his palms on the table in barely suppressed rage.

Hwang Jeong-Hu shouted back. “What? You think I’m wrong? You still got to keep your head and your wealth, even though you’re a known pro-Jap bastard, so you should’ve been grateful, or at least apologetic, to your fellow countrymen! Yet you dared to set up your company using Japanese money and have the gall to act as if you did something monumental?! Also!”

Hwang Jeong-Hu’s burning glare swept across the other chairpersons sitting in this room.

“You lot have already made a sh*t-ton of money until now, so why are you still clinging to that old fool like greedy little tykes? You think you have the right to call yourselves proud bosses of the companies representing this country after that? Give me a goddamn break! A man should know shame! If you don’t, you’re no better than a stinking animal! Don’t you get that?!”

The chairpersons sheepishly lowered their heads. Feeling embarrassed was one thing, but right now, they didn’t want to lock eyes with Hwang Jeong-Hu.

Gee whiz! This is so uncomfortable!

Why did he have to show up here unannounced?

It felt like they were getting lectured by their fathers. But they couldn’t even argue back since Hwang Jeong-Hu had the justification on his side.

“Do whatever the hell you want, okay? However! Remember this. I’m going to take over the business once you fools quit, so don’t come crying to me later, got that?!”

Hwang Jeong-Hu shot up to his feet, prompting other chairpersons to freak out slightly and stare at him.

“C-chairman! Are you leaving already?”

“Yeah! I’ve said my piece, so why would I stay? Especially when looking at that ugly mug is giving me indigestion!”

Jeong Hong-Geun roared angrily. “Y-you stinking bastard?!”

“Hah! Insult me in your preferred language, okay? What was it again? Baka yaro? Yeah, it’s baka yaro, isn’t it? I still remember when you couldn’t even speak Korean properly, you fool! Did you forget how to insult in Japanese these days? Aigoo~! If this was in the past, you’d have ruined this country in the blink of an eye. What a little snake you are.”[1]

Hwang Jeong-Hu poured out a barrage of insults that shouldn’t be said in front of the person himself, then turned around to leave.

“Sayonara, you bastard. Yes, sayonara!”[2]

Hwang Jeong-Hu waved his cane around, yanked the door open, then strode outside. His exit triggered this weird silence to descend on the room.

“Well, now...” Jang Myeong-Gu grinned awkwardly while addressing Jeong Hong-Geun. “I’m sure you’ll agree that the current atmosphere isn’t exactly suitable for a constructive discussion, so how about we discuss this matter some other time?”

Other chairpersons chimed in.

“I-indeed, indeed. We won’t get anywhere, even if we talk about this matter right now, so... It’d be better to revisit this topic once we perform our internal investigations first. We also need to confirm who or what this MK is, after all.”

“Then, until next time, Chairman Jeong. Please take care of yourself.”

The chairpersons offered brief goodbyes before hurriedly filing out of the conference room. And the first thing they did after leaving was rushing toward the elevator and repeatedly jabbing at the button to go downstairs.

“Hurry up, will you!”

“Did Chairman Hwang already go downstairs?”

“Call our people downstairs and tell them to delay Chairman Hwang for a bit! We at least need to pay our respects before he leaves!”

“Gee whiz! How can he walk so fast at his age?”

The chairpersons urgently climbed into the elevator as soon as the doors slid open.

Although they didn’t dare say it in front of Jeong Hong-Geun, they still had to catch up to Hwang Jeong-Hu and convey their intentions of not participating in this nonsense. That was the only way to avoid feeling like a fool in Hwang Jeong-Hu’s presence the next time they met.

Was it because they would be too ashamed? No, not exactly.

If Hwang Jeong-Hu and Jeong Hong-Geun went head-to-head, sticking to the former would definitely be more beneficial. They were competitors, to begin with. In that case, being associated with the side enjoying a better public perception would always be a smarter move.

After all the chairpersons quickly finished their calculations and flooded out of the conference room, Jeong Hong-Geun found himself alone, his body shivering in rage.

“Why... Why, you... Senile old bastard!”

Slam!

He slammed his palm on the table with all the power he could muster. The bottles of water on the table fell to their sides and rolled around.

“Aaaaaaahhhhk! That, that stinking son of a b*tch!”

While screaming in anger, he began beating up the table and chairs with his cane. That wasn’t enough to calm his anger down, so he even smashed the TV behind him with his cane, too.

Craaaack!

Jeong Hong-Geun glared at the cracked TV screen while gnashing his teeth.

“Why... Why did that stinking son of a b*tch show up here?! What’s gotten into him?!”

Hwang Jeong-Hu was famous for never getting involved in things like this. But for some reason, he showed up to this meeting to defend MK!

All the while openly criticizing what pained Jeong Hong-Geun the most!

Jeong Hong-Geun approached the windows to look at the street below. He could see Hwang Jeong-Hu standing there as if he owned the place, while the chairpersons were hurriedly chasing after him.

Watching them bow repeatedly to Hwang Jeong-Hu was making Jeong Hong-Geun sick to his stomach.

“Those... Those bastards!”

What was so different? What was different about Hwang Jeong-Hu that those money-hungry avaricious demons would rather choose him over Jeong Hong-Geun?!

He bit his lip hard until the skin ruptured, and blood began trickling down his chin.

“So... You want to protect MK, is that it?!”

Jeong Hong-Geun’s eyes grew bloodshot.

“MK or Jaegyeong, I will destroy you all! You stinking sons of b*tches! I will teach you the consequences of provoking Taegwang! I swear it!”

Jeong Hong-Geun’s rage-filled roar echoed outside the conference room multiple times.

Secretaries, who had been on standby and observing the unfolding situation nearby, rushed toward the doorway, but the roaring of their boss stopped them from opening the door. All they could do was hold their breath and wait.

1. “Baka yaro” is a Japanese insult that can roughly be translated into “You idiot!” ☜

2. The Japanese term “sayonara” is commonly translated as “goodbye”, but it’s closer to “goodbye forever.” ☜