novelraw Chapter 50 : Don’t Speak Carelessly to My People
Chapter 50 : Don’t Speak Carelessly to My People
Chapter 50: Don’t Speak Carelessly to My People
“Like… a gigantic tiger, that’s what he was.”
Cheon Sang-do, who summed up Chairman Han Gi-jun in a single sentence, emptied his bowl of makgeolli again.
Setting the bowl down, he began recounting what had happened in the meeting room, as if possessed. I quietly drank my liquor, listening to him without interruption.
Before my regression, I had also seen that man once—from a distance.
I hadn’t spoken with him, but the impression I’d felt back then wasn’t much different from what Cheon Sang-do felt now.
That pressure, that overwhelming sense of domination. Chairman Han Gi-jun was a man seemingly born to rule.
“In front of that man, even Minister Kim Do-hoon, who always acted so high and mighty, or those stock company presidents bragging about their money, they were all nothing but rookies. Like rabbits in front of a tiger, I tell you. So you think I was any different? If that young boss hadn’t given me a heads-up, I’d have frozen up there too, couldn’t have said a damn word.”
Cheon Sang-do paused, took out a cigarette, and put it between his lips.
After a few clumsy tries, the lighter sparked. He lit his cigarette and took a deep drag.
“Today, after seeing that man, I realized something clear as day. I’ve been fighting, struggling, thinking I’d built this securities firm with my own two hands—but in the end, this shabby little company could turn to dust overnight if a powerful man like that just breathed the wrong way.”
He exhaled a long stream of smoke into the air, then looked me straight in the eyes, as if he’d made up his mind.
There was no more hesitation or calculation in Cheon Sang-do’s gaze.
“I’m sick and tired of it.”
“……”
“Young boss. I’m gonna wrap up all my business with this securities firm.”
“……”
“That thing you suggested before—let’s do it. You said it yourself, didn’t you? In small terms, I’m a loan shark, but if I go big, I’m a financier! From now on, I, Cheon Sang-do, will trust you, my solid backer, and go all-in on the big game!”
Cheon Sang-do stubbed out his half-burned cigarette in the tin ashtray, then filled his bowl to the brim with makgeolli and lifted it high.
“Young boss, you’ve got brains and guts like no one I’ve seen. So I trust you’ll take good care of me. Now, let’s drain this bowl and talk about the fun things we’ll be doing together!”
I raised my bowl and lightly clinked it against his. The aluminum bowls made a crisp sound, and the liquor sloshed over.
“You made the right decision. For now, take care of closing your firm properly. Do you have a buyer in mind?”
“Pfft… that won’t be easy.”
No one could predict how many years it would take to settle this securities turmoil.
Until individual investors returned, the market would never regain its vitality. But after suffering such massive losses, would they ever care about the stock market again?
“Don’t focus on getting a good price. Just think of it as passing on your debt, that’ll make it easier.”
“But it’s the company that carries my whole life…”
“I’ll make sure you earn much more in the future. So close it quickly.”
Cheon Sang-do sighed softly, clearly understanding what I meant.
When the stock market froze, the entire financial sector followed.
That meant companies would lose access to capital, forcing them to rely on government loans—or if that failed, seek funds in the Myeong-dong private loan market.
“Hey, what was it called? That interest cap law or something they passed last year?”
“Yes. The legal maximum is 20% annual interest… but you know how it is, President Cheon. In the private loan market, legal interest rates don’t mean a thing.”
“But still, with this sharp-edged military regime, can that even work?”
“The military government still needs corporations alive to collect taxes. So, they’ll compromise—within limits. First, finish closing the securities firm, then set up an office in Myeong-dong and start preparing. I’ll go over the details with you later.”
“Young boss, I’ll do as you say. But… there’s something I’ve been curious about.”
His words, following a brief hesitation, piqued my interest. I paused mid-pour and looked at his face.
“That money back then—you told me to exchange it into dollars, didn’t you? Why was that? I did it, of course, like you said.”
He’d mentioned it in passing, but to think he remembered and actually did it. I’d chosen the right man.
I smiled faintly and set the kettle down.
“Did you exchange it all?”
“Yeah. Except for what I needed right away, I changed everything. You’re not the kind to talk nonsense, after all.”
“Well done. How much was the dollar rate on the black market?”
“It went up a bit—1,400 hwan.”
“Hmm…”
In just a few days, the currency reform would officially begin.
If the black-market dollar rate had already risen, did that mean the rumors had started to spread?
No… it must be coincidence. The currency reform was so secretive that even the KCIA Director and Jeong Tae-soo didn’t know about it.
Most likely, the value of the dollar had risen because of the stock market collapse.
“So, what’s the reason behind it?”
“I can’t tell you.”
This was one secret I couldn’t share with anyone.
One of the purposes of the currency reform was to weaken Chinese capital like Yang Sobo’s—something I hadn’t even told him.
“Ah, come on. We’re partners now, and you’re keeping things from me? That’s cold.”
“Haha. First, get your office and start gathering some people. Bring along those three who worked with us this time too.”
“Ha! Really? You’re fine with that?”
He seemed genuinely pleased—guess he’d grown fond of them while we worked together.
“Yes. I’ll have use for them later, but for now, have them work under you. They’re quite useful in many ways.”
“Of course, of course. I saw it with my own eyes this time.”
Cheon Sang-do grinned, clearly satisfied. They must’ve worked together well.
Just then, the quiet Jingogae Tavern door swung open with a loud crash, followed by noisy voices.
“Hey, I told you back then! You should’ve listened to me, hyung!”
“Shut it! All that comes outta your mouth is lies!”
The rowdy men walked in, glancing around as they called for the owner.
“Auntie! We’re here!”
Just as she had with us, the old lady poked her head out from the kitchen.
“You noisy brats! Can’t you quiet down a bit? You’re bothering the other customers!”
“Aw, Auntie, you start scolding us the moment we walk in.”
“Sit over there. You’ll have what you always have, right?”
“Yeah, yeah. The usual.”
Cheon Sang-do frowned as he looked at the men.
“Damn, of all people to run into here. Just my luck. Guess I can’t come here anymore.”
I turned my gaze toward the noisy newcomers.
There were three of them.
The biggest one, a burly and rough-looking man, suddenly turned his head toward us.
Narrowing his eyes, he tilted his head and called out to Cheon Sang-do.
“Huh? What’s this? Ain’t that Cheon Sang-do?”
Cheon clicked his tongue. He really did know him.
“President Cheon, do you know them?”
“Yeah. That big one’s Ma Du-cheol. A thug from Myeong-dong. We’ve butted heads plenty back when I was in the loan business…”
But Cheon Sang-do didn’t get to finish his sentence. Ma Du-cheol had already gotten up and was striding toward us, his two lackeys following close behind like shadows.
Soon, the man named Ma Du-cheol, who stood before us, sneered as he opened his mouth.
“Who do we have here? Isn’t this Cheon Sang-do? I heard you made a fortune running a securities firm, and yet, what brings you to a dump like this?”
“Hey, Ma Du-cheol. If you came here to drink, then drink quietly and leave. I’ve got no reason to get tangled up with you anymore.”
It wasn’t Ma Du-cheol who reacted first, but the underling next to him, who shouted out loud.
“What? You bastard, think you’re hot stuff now just because they call you ‘President’?”
“Watch your mouth when the grown-ups are talking, you little punk!”
Cheon Sang-do barked right back without backing down. His fierce tone made the thug flinch for a moment.
“What did you say? You—you bastard, you looking to die?”
I simply took another sip of makgeolli in silence. It was turning into an entertaining show.
They said Cheon Sang-do used to be quite a rough one back in the loan-sharking days. I might get to see a glimpse of that side now.
“Hey! Shut your damn mouth for a second.”
“But, boss—”
“Enough, you idiot! Don’t you even know when to butt in and when to shut up?”
At Ma Du-cheol’s scolding, his underling hung his head and backed off, though his glare still screamed murder toward Cheon Sang-do.
After glaring at his subordinate, Ma Du-cheol turned back to Cheon Sang-do and spoke.
“I heard the stock market’s in a mess lately. You go under too? Should’ve stuck to loan-sharking—guess you got greedy chasing what wasn’t yours.”
“……”
“Now that you’re ruined, feeling nostalgic? Maybe thinking about crawling back into the moneylending business, huh? But this isn’t a playground for a bat like you to sneak back into.”
Cheon Sang-do glanced at me once, then, as if his pride couldn’t take it, he suddenly stood up.
“Hey! Ma Du-cheol, who the hell are you to tell me where I can or can’t go?”
“Ha! Guess you really did go broke. Look at you, still trying to sound tough!”
Ma Du-cheol snickered, and his two underlings joined in, laughing loudly.
“You sons of bitches…!”
Cheon Sang-do stepped closer to Ma Du-cheol, until their faces were almost touching, growling low like a beast.
Ma Du-cheol sneered and roughly shoved Cheon Sang-do’s shoulder.
“What? You wanna go at it again? You wanna get your skull cracked like last time?”
Unlike the mocking Ma Du-cheol, Cheon Sang-do’s face turned bright red.
So they’d fought before—and Cheon Sang-do had lost back then.
At that moment, the old lady from the kitchen came out shouting.
“You brats! If you’re gonna fight, take it outside! You’re ruining the mood for my other customers!”
Neither Ma Du-cheol nor Cheon Sang-do could say a word in protest.
No, really—what was that lady’s story? For these rough men to freeze up like scolded kids every time she yelled?
“Hey! Come outside. Let’s settle this properly.”
Ma Du-cheol reached out to grab Cheon Sang-do by the collar.
Right then, I lightly smacked away Ma Du-cheol’s hand and rose from my seat.
“That’s enough. Just finish your drink. We’ll be on our way.”
For the first time, Ma Du-cheol’s attention shifted toward me.
His eyes filled with confusion, as if asking, Who the hell are you?
“Didn’t your parents teach you not to interrupt when adults are talking? Get lost.”
“Don’t speak carelessly to my people.”
“What? Your people? Ha! Cheon Sang-do, you’ve really hit rock bottom. So now you’re serving a brat like this as your backer? What a joke.”
Still sneering, Ma Du-cheol tried to shove my shoulder roughly again.
He had bad habits. I caught his wrist mid-motion and gripped it tightly. Ma Du-cheol’s face twisted in pain under the pressure of my grip.
“Let’s take this outside. No need to bother the other customers.”
Still holding his wrist, I dragged him out of the tavern.
His two underlings followed in a panic, along with a flustered Cheon Sang-do.
Only when we reached a dark, narrow alley did I let go of Ma Du-cheol’s wrist.
He glared at me, his face contorted with rage and humiliation.
“You little bastard, you’ve got a death wish, huh? Boys! What’re you waiting for? Get him!”
“Young boss!”
Cheon Sang-do tried to intervene, but I stopped him with a gesture.
“Stay back, President. I’ll take care of this trash myself.”
The first thug lunged forward with a punch. I deflected it easily to the side and drove my elbow straight into his solar plexus.
With a choked grunt, he collapsed instantly.
The next one came at me with a kick. I blocked it with my arm and seized his leg.
“Wha—?”
He lost balance instantly. I lifted him into the air and slammed him down hard onto the ground. With a dull thud, he let out a scream and rolled over in pain.
Both of his men were down before Ma Du-cheol could even react. His face froze in shock.
“You bastard… what the hell are you!?”
“You don’t need to know who I am.”
I brushed my hands and slowly stepped toward him.
“Don’t ever show your face in front of President Cheon again. Next time you pull something like this, you won’t just lose a wrist.”
“You son of a bitch…!”
Ma Du-cheol suddenly pulled out a flashing knife from his jacket. The cold blade gleamed menacingly in the dark alley.
Well, would you look at that. Been a while since I’ve seen a knife.
But really? Gangsters using knives already? From what I remembered, thugs in this era mostly used blunt weapons—clubs or iron pipes.
Knives like that, the kind that could actually kill someone, weren’t pulled out unless they were truly desperate.
“President Cheon. Is this guy just a thug? He’s already pulling a knife.”
“…He wasn’t like that before. Must’ve lost too much—looks like he’s got nothing left to lose.”
Even Cheon Sang-do’s voice carried a hint of shock.