The Youngest Son of Sunyang

"Have you ever seen such a crafty guy? Hahaha."

"This wasn't what you wanted, Grandfather? Using what's in one's hands most effectively?"

"Right, that's enough. Try not to use it too often. You might wear it out."

"Unless both uncles give up their greed, there's unlikely to be any wear and tear."

"Is that so?" Grandfather chuckled gently.

"I've made it very clear to those two uncles you underestimate. I've told them that they, as brothers, must absolutely recover Sunyang Motor together. They're not just being greedy. To fulfill their greater ambitions, they might even temporarily join forces. Being brothers, it might be easier to catch them."

"About the Sunyang Motors?"

"Yes. If you're not strong enough, it's the way of the world to lose it. Don't you agree?"

This cantankerous old man!

While he's meticulous about stopping fights from spilling outside, inside, he eagerly fans the flames of conflict, and he even provokes fights at the slightest chance.

He may not be aware of it, but his favorite song must be "The Winner Takes It All."

"I'll make sure to be well-prepared."

"That's what you need to do. Know why that 17% stake, which you're wielding as a weapon, could become worthless?"

"As the Sunyang Group grows, the Miracle's stake becomes relatively insignificant."

"You know it well. In fact, it's already dropped to the 16% range. Several affiliate companies increased their capital after the economy rebounded. Can you catch up?"

"I have to put in the effort to avoid falling behind. That way, I won't disappoint your expectations, will I?"

"Just my expectations?"

"I have plans to fulfill my own ambitions as well, but I've come to realize that this won't be easy..."

Seeing my bitter expression, Grandfather twinkled his eyes.

"Why do you think that way?"

"I had forgotten about the years you've spent building your influence. People who have been solidly cultivated for all those years. The power they possess. To be on par with you, I'll need at least 20 more years. Or maybe even longer. I'm your favorite grandson, but I'm still the youngest by birth order. Do you think powerful people will acknowledge me?"

Grandfather slapped his knee, raising his voice. "That's the true power of Sunyang."

"Yes, I knew it in my head, but I hadn't truly felt it until now."

"Doing it alone would take you 50 years, wouldn't it? Over half of Yeong-gi's strength was inherited from me. It took me 20 years to build what I passed on."

I smiled at Grandfather and said, "Are you considering giving me some too?"

"To fight fairly, I'll have to give you something. But remember one thing. Even if I give it, it doesn't mean it becomes yours. Because it's not an object; it's a person."

"It's a person, so I have no fear of losing it."

"What? Losing? Hahaha." Grandfather laughed heartily, pounding his desk.

"If Grandfather gives, I will protect without losing. After all, the people we've acquired, didn't we buy them with money? I'll pay for their services at a premium, more than anyone else."

"At the beginning, maybe."

"What do you mean?"

"At first, it's money, but later, you'll need something more."

"What could that be?"

"I can't just tell you; it's something you need to identify and fulfill yourself."

"It's not easy, is it?"

"Because it involves people. It's complex and challenging because it's about people. Human desires are as diverse as they are hard to gauge. You need to handle these complexities to become a leader."

"I will keep that in mind."

Grandfather cleared his throat a few times and then spoke with a clear voice, looking at me with clear eyes.

"The process of inheriting the shares will soon be completed. Both of them will divide it, but based on their growth rates, it seems Yeong-gi, your eldest uncle, will take slightly more."

"I see."

"What remains is the financial aspect, and the group's shares are currently being adjusted."

I swallowed hard. Revealing this means that he intends to give it to me, but the mention of share adjustment was concerning.

"You know that the financial affiliates are the cream of the crop, right?"

Particularly, Sunyang Life is among the giants, with significant real estate holdings as its cash flow is substantial. The company accumulated real estate, significantly increasing rental income from the cash held within the company, making it more than just a group's bank. Furthermore, Sunyang Electronics owns 7% of its shares as a major shareholder company.

"Yes, it plays a central role in the group's control, doesn't it?"

"What do you want to do with it?"

"Are you considering giving it to me?"

"You left out the word 'if'. Haha."

"I will focus on expanding around Sunyang Life, working towards becoming another massive corporate group."

"Not outside the Sunyang-affiliated companies held by your elder cousins?"

"That's not what I mean. Sunyang-affiliated companies are part of the expansion, but it doesn't mean that they are everything to me."

I hoped it was the right answer.

Isn't the ultimate goal of conglomerate leaders to endlessly expand their companies? It's the desire for growth rather than stability. I need to go where my heart leads. That's how I can extract even a single extra share.

"You always give textbook-like answers, and when you turn them into results, there's nothing to criticize."

"Is that troublesome for you?"

"What?"

"I mean, you'll be handing over the financial division to me, which is sure to spark resistance from my uncles."

"It's not just your uncles who will resist. Don't you think the executives of the financial affiliates will stand against it? Bending their heads to a grandson is not an easy task."

"I will take care of what they desire. If you entrust it them me, I'll turn resistance into a warm welcome."

"You're quite outspoken, and yet, you have guts, but not all bluster." Grandfather chuckled and shook his head slightly. "The financial affiliates will be your responsibility. The process is ongoing, so be well-prepared."

I had expected this, but hearing it in such a clear and affirmative manner made me feel like I was flying high. But there was a subtle concern too.

Grandfather didn't mention how much of the group's shares the financial affiliates hold. It's at least around 30%, so if you combine it with the 16% held by Sunyang Motors, it's close to half. He's surely aware of this, isn't he?