Chapter 474 Are you kidding me?
In Goryeo, only other chaebols can possess all these qualities at the same time.
But which chaebol would risk the world's condemnation and stand on Quan Douhuan's side?
After all, which head or important figure of the Goryeo chaebol has not enjoyed the luxurious package of the Seobingku Hotel?
After much thought, Lee Kun-hee felt that the forces conspiring with Chun Doo-hwan must be external forces.
Recently, there is only one foreign force in Goryeo, and that is Lin Zehao from Hong Kong Island.
In order to verify this hypothesis, Lee Kun-hee invited Lin Zehao to dinner.
Hannam-dong, the Lee family’s mansion.
At seven o'clock in the evening, Lin Zehao brought a group of people to the banquet on time.
At the huge dining table, Lee Byung-chul sat in the main seat, with Lee Kun-hee on his left, Lin Zehao sitting opposite him, and Li Wenbin and Yang Chengrong on his left and right.
In fact, if it were really according to the etiquette of business banquets, Yang Chengrong should not have appeared at the banquet. However, Samsung is Hutchison's enemy, so how could Lin Zehao give the Li family a good face?
Since you are the one who wants to treat me to a meal, I can bring as many people as I want.
If you have an opinion, speak up.
In the lobby, crystal chandeliers were airlifted from Italy, and each one cost as much as an apartment.
The dining table is ten meters long and is covered with a Swiss hand-embroidered tablecloth. The silverware is antiques custom-made by the French royal family in the 19th century. The handles of the knives and forks are inlaid with diamonds. The cost of the tableware alone exceeds one million RMB.
Classical music performed by a private orchestra was playing in the hall. The musicians hidden behind the scenes were required to sign a confidentiality agreement and were prohibited from revealing any details of the banquet to the outside world.
Auction-grade king crabs from Hokkaido, Iranian Almas caviar (priced twice as much as gold per gram), and shaved French black truffles fall like snow. The cost of a "truffle and gold foil steak" is equivalent to half a year's salary for an average person.
The chef team comes from top Swiss restaurants and only serves top wealthy people. If your assets do not meet the requirements, you are not eligible to be invited.
"Mr. Lin is truly a man of talent. He has built such a great business before he turned thirty. It is truly something that only people can rival."
Lee Byung-chul was not sitting in a wheelchair today. Instead, he was leaning on a cane and dressed in formal clothes, which was enough to show his importance to Lin Zehao.
You know, since he was diagnosed with lung cancer, he has hardly attended any business or official occasions.
"It's just that I was a little bit luckier. Compared with a company of Samsung Group's level, there is still a big gap."
Lin Zehao looked at the dazzling array of food on the table and felt a little distressed for a moment.
It’s not because the ingredients are too expensive, but because he has long regarded Samsung Group as a forbidden delicacy, which means that every penny spent by the Li family now should belong to him.
Use his money to entertain him?
How could Lin Zehao be in a good mood?
"I heard that Mr. Lin has a good relationship with the commander of the US military in South Korea. Our group also often donates to Commander Lewis. We are all friends."
"I wonder what industries Mr. Lin plans to invest in when he comes to Korea this time? As a mutual friend, I will definitely not stand idly by."
Lee Kun-hee put down his knife and fork and began to test.
However, he always felt that there was something wrong with the way Lin Zehao looked at them. It seemed that he was smiling, but in fact, he was a little cold.
"There is nothing worth investing in Goryeo right now. All the profitable industries are monopolized by your families. There is no place for foreign businessmen like me to stay."
"So, don't worry, I'm just here to see an old friend and do some sightseeing."
Lin Zehao knew that Lee Kun-hee wanted to test him, but he just didn't play by the rules.
If you ask for the reason, I will tell you. Whether you believe it or not is none of his business.
"Hahahaha, Mr. Lin is really humorous."
Lee Kun-hee used laughter to cover up his embarrassment and did not believe a word Lin Zehao said.
No one would believe that a person of this level would go sightseeing!
Seeing that the atmosphere had become somewhat silent, with only the sound of music echoing, Lee Byung-chul spoke at the right time, "If Mr. Lin is interested in investing in Goryeo, we can help."
"Samsung Group may not be the most influential group in the world, but in Korea, there is nothing that can stop us."
These words may sound pretentious at first glance, but Lee Byung-chul does have the qualifications.
After all, Samsung Group’s revenue at its peak accounted for 20 percent of Korea’s national annual income!
There are three things that every Korean has to experience in his life: death, taxes and Samsung.
"Since President Li said so, I won't be polite."
"I want to acquire Hyundai Group. I wonder if Chairman Li can help?"
Lin Zehao said this calmly, with a serious expression.
Lee Kun-hee almost spit out the top-quality red wine in his mouth. Even Lee Byung-chul, a veteran in the industry, almost couldn't hold it back. In order to make sure he wasn't hallucinating, he deliberately repeated it again: "Mr. Lin, did I hear it right? You want to acquire Hyundai Group?"
Lin Zehao nodded and said seriously: "That's right, didn't you say you could help just now?"
"Since Samsung Group is so powerful, it should be easy for you to help me achieve this idea." At its peak, Hyundai Group was one of the top five conglomerates in Goryeo and ranked in the top 100 of the Fortune Global 500.
From 1946 to 1951, the founder Chung Ju-yung founded Hyundai Motor, Hyundai Construction, Hyundai Engineering and other companies, and in the 1970s he established Hyundai Heavy Industries.
As a result, Hyundai Group has become a comprehensive enterprise group mainly engaged in the construction, shipbuilding, and automobile industries, and also engaged in dozens of industries such as steel, machinery, trade, transportation, cement production, metallurgy, finance, and electronics industries.
Of course, there is no such thing as the five major chaebols in Korea now. SK, Lotte and LG cannot be considered chaebols for the time being. At best, they are just companies with better development prospects.
Now only Hyundai and Samsung can be considered as chaebols.
"Mr. Lin, this joke is actually not funny."
Lin Zehao laughed and said, "Oh? You were the one who joked with me first."
Lee Byung-chul was choked and could only choose to drink water to ease the embarrassment.
Lin Zehao really wants to take over Hyundai Group because its heavy industry is exactly what he needs now.
Although Hutchison Group is now involved in many fields, the only thing it does not have is heavy industry.
And this is precisely where the modern age’s strength lies.
Unlike Samsung's high-tech route, Hyundai's founder Chung Ju-yung was originally a car mechanic apprentice, so he has a special liking for the manufacturing industry.
Moreover, since the death of Chung Ju-yung, the entire family was caught up in an internal struggle for power, which caused the huge Hyundai Group to fall apart in a very short period of time. It was later acquired by Kong Kong Korea Chemical, which is truly regrettable.
Rather than letting those Koreans get away with it, it’s better to let Lin Zehao do it himself.
"Mr. Lin, I am serious. I really want to help you complete your investment in Goryeo."
"But acquiring Hyundai Group is indeed a fantasy."
Lee Kun-hee is not that stupid. Acquiring Hyundai is something he can only dream about.
Lin Zehao shrugged and said, "I do have some ideas about investment, but as the saying goes, there is no free lunch in the world. Tell me what you want."
Cooperating with Quan Douhuan is only part of his big plan, he actually wants more.
For example, he controlled the five major chaebols in Goryeo.
However, he definitely couldn't ask Quan Douhuan for cooperation on this matter, so he could only find a way on his own.
The fact that Quan Douhuan was able to give Samsung's assets to Lin Zehao was the result of a psychological struggle.
If Lin Zehao controls more, he will definitely become too powerful to be controlled, which will only bring disadvantages but no advantages to Quan Douhuan's control of the country.
Lee Kun-hee thought for a moment and said, "Some time ago, my son Lee Jae-yong got into trouble in America. The kidnappers called me and demanded 100 million US dollars to release him."
"Although this amount of money is an astronomical figure, we can afford it. However, I am afraid that these people may not keep their word and take the money but not release the people."
"I heard that Mr. Lin is quite powerful in America. I wonder if he can help us and rescue the person."
Although the previous test did not obtain any useful information, it did not hinder his cooperation with Lin Zehao.
This is how it is in the business world, there are no eternal friends, only eternal interests.
Before it was confirmed that Lin Zehao and Quan Douhuan would work together, they were both very good partners.
"Wait a minute, I'll make a call."
Three minutes later, Lin Zehao hung up the phone and said, "The people who arrested your son are from the American mafia. Although I'm not familiar with their boss, I can send someone to negotiate with them."
With just one phone call, they found out information that they had tried so hard to find.
What does this mean?
This shows that Lin Zehao’s network of contacts in the United States is far greater than that of the Samsung Group!
Even Lee Kun-hee and Lee Byung-chul, who were used to seeing many ups and downs, were somewhat surprised by this power.
After this little episode, the Li father and son had a new understanding of Lin Zehao's power.
At this point, Lin Zehao changed the subject and said, "To be honest, I am somewhat interested in Lotte and Sunkyung. If Samsung can help me take control of these two companies, I think that will definitely be the starting point of our sincere friendship."
For Lin Zehao, it would be best if the Li family agrees, but if they don't agree, it won't hinder his plan to get rid of Samsung first.
Of course, in the ears of Lee Kun-hee and his son, this matter became an exchange of interests.
If they help Lin Zehao, he will help rescue Lee Jae-yong.
Lotte is just a company founded by Koreans in the island country. Although it had previously opened a sugar factory and retail stores in Goryeo thanks to the support of Masao Takagi, and successfully entered the hotel and retail industries, its Lotte Tower is already the number one comprehensive shopping mall in Seoul.
However, in the eyes of Samsung Group, Lotte is still not qualified.
(End of this chapter)
