The Joseon Prince Went To America And Didn’t Return – 96



< Meeting of Giants (4) >

“Oh hello your highness. My name is Franklin D. Roosevelt.”

Franklin Roosevelt took my hand stammering slightly.

Then with an immature expression he started shaking up and down a beat later and it looked so unnatural.

It wasn’t the seasoned 4-term politician I knew.

hmm.

After carefully analyzing the current situation I soon understood why he was acting like this.

‘I am one of the five richest people in America.’

He is such a big name that the head of the law firm personally introduces each and every employee.

In contrast the current Franklin Roosevelt was just a greenhorn.

It would have taken another 20 years of training to become the seasoned politician I know.

“It is an honor to meet you.”

“Me too.”

That’s why Roosevelt treated me very carefully.

If you make even one mistake you could be fired that day.

“Your Majesty what exactly brings you to our law firm?”

Representative Redyard came between me and Roosevelt and led the conversation.

“I heard it briefly through Mr. Rockefeller. However it might be different from hearing it directly from the prince so if you don’t mind I would like to ask.”

I glanced at Hoover and Taylor standing next to me then tapped the briefcase I was holding.

“I have a contract to sign with these two people here.”

“Oh yes.”

“I’d like to review whether there are any poison pill provisions before final signing. The contract isn’t that complicated so it shouldn’t take too long to review.”

“yes.”

Then I looked at the two representatives in front of me and gave them a sense of anticipation.

“If you do a good job I might give you some more work to do.”

“What kind of work are you talking about exactly?”

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“I have several companies in the East from the American Trust to the Lee & Wright Aircraft Factory… I have quite a few places of business. I would like to entrust them with all the legal advice they need.”

I made some gossip about my current partner to the two representatives whose mouths were wide open.

“I’m saying this because the existing lawyers have been acting in a way that I don’t like these days.”

Even my personal lawyer is like that.

Are you out of work these days or are you taking a break when you need to?

I’m sure he has his own reasons but that’s his own business.

I had the right to better service.

“The people who were giving legal advice to American Trust are people I don’t know. They’ve been doing a good job so far so I’ve left them alone. If I find a capable partner who I’m close with shouldn’t I start replacing them soon?”

“That’s right.”

“That is a fair point.”

Is it because of what you said last?

The two representatives’ gazes changed to a more combative one.

‘That makes sense.’

The American Trust we just mentioned.

This financial institution is one of the largest financial companies in the East.

The fees paid each year alone are astronomical.

He even hinted that he might change the business partners of such a company so I couldn’t help but look away.

‘A competitor’s crisis is a golden opportunity for them.’

Even today the American legal market is a veritable dogfight.

It is common for customers to move around in search of good service.

To keep this from happening you need to cover it up with superior skills or connections.

‘I showed up in that market like that.’

They must be showing such enthusiasm because they have unexpected luck rolling in.

‘Oh my. Look at those burning eyes. They are full of desire.’

It’s like looking at Rockefeller or Morgan.

“These days lawyers are the ones who are not there when you really need them.”

“But our law firm never does that.”

“What makes it one of the best in New York? Because it always provides the best customer service.”

The law firm of Carter Ledyard & Milburn enjoyed a meteoric rise when it took on Rockefeller’s Standard Oil as a client.

They were desperately trying to appeal to me as having me as their exclusive client would be a golden opportunity to scale up once again.

“Furthermore Carter Ledyard & Millburn is a client-focused law firm.”

“That’s right. If you have a lawyer in mind please let us know at any time. We will assign you that lawyer right away.”

I nodded pretending to listen to their story and soon found myself standing in front of a lawyer.

“Then I would like you to take care of me.”

“Have you appointed Attorney Franklin Roosevelt as your attorney?”

“That’s right.”

“This prince is a newbie. Rather than this interest…”

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Of the two representatives Milburn questioned my demands.

But he was soon stopped by Carter Ledyard.

Not interfering with the customer’s choice.

That was precisely the sales strategy of Carter Ledyard & Milburn.

‘I guess this is why Redyard’s name is in front.’

Milburn one of the leading lawyers seemed to have great skills but no managerial mindset.

On the other hand Redyard unlike Milburn seems to have a keen eye for detail.

“You are an excellent choice Your Highness.”

Redyard gave Milburn a silent eye signal then took a half step toward me and said:

“No one is as passionate and meticulous in reviewing contracts as a new lawyer. Attorney Roosevelt here is also very capable and will be a good adviser to the prince.”

“Me me?”

“then.”

Contract legal advice is the most basic of basics.

If you are meticulous even a dog or a cow can do it.

Redyard kept bowing and looking back and forth between Roosevelt and me.

“Attorney Milburn here and I will double check to make sure the contract is processed correctly.”

This floor is originally like that.

Skills are important but connections are the best.

‘Why would the author hire Roosevelt at this great law firm?’

This is what Ledyard would have interpreted my choice of Franklin Roosevelt:

‘Franklin Roosevelt’s wife is the niece of the current President Theodore Roosevelt. I believe he chose this interest because he thought I would get along well with Washington.’

Similar but not quite the correct answer.

Improving my relationship with Theodore would be great but I’d really like to build a more personal connection with Franklin.

“Thank you.”

It’s none of my business whether the other person misunderstands or not.

I’ll finish reviewing the contract and then continue my personal relationship with Franklin Roosevelt.

“Ahem.”

I looked at the two representatives with eyes that asked if I should continue standing here.

At this the two representatives glared at Roosevelt and asked him what he was doing.

“Attorney Roosevelt. What are you doing? I need to show the prince inside quickly.”

“Oh yes Mr. Redyard.”

Roosevelt who was just a newbie reacted slightly bewildered and then looked at me.

Then he tried to take me to his office.

“Attorney Roosevelt.”

“yes?”

“You should go to the conference room instead of your office.”

“yes?”

“Are you trying to entertain the prince in that cramped space?”

“Ah that’s right. Oh Prince. This way.”

Roosevelt seemed to be completely taken aback by my unexpected choice and for a while he wandered around his office in confusion.

I smiled to myself and reminisced about the past.

It was like seeing that scene when I first started working as a stock broker in New York.

‘What a strange and interesting scene.’

Even the adept Hoover could not save America from the devastation of the Great Depression.

But Roosevelt who was floundering around in front of me and not even knowing what to do saved the United States from the gutter and became the president for an unprecedented four terms.

Only I who knew the history of the original could enjoy this situation.

* * *

“This way. This is the place of honor so please sit over here.”

Has Roosevelt come to his senses?

After he guided me to the conference room I stopped panicking.

He began to furrow his brows as he reviewed the contract I handed him.

“Your Majesty. Did you write this contract yourself?”

“No my personal attorney in San Francisco wrote it.”

“Aha I see.”

I opened my eyes wide and tilted my head slightly.

“Why? Is the contract sloppy?”

“No. It looks like a lawyer wrote this so I asked the prince.”

“okay?”

“Yes. There is no phrase that is seriously problematic. However I would like to see this item revised a bit.”

That’s what I said though.

Roosevelt pointed out a few phrases and explained to me Hoover and Taylor in a way that made it clear why this provision was problematic.

“I think we can conclude a clean contract with this much money.”

Roosevelt’s confident remarks.

To be exact it will have to go through another review by the two representatives.

When I heard that it was almost over I turned my head and looked at the two partners I had brought with me.

“What do you think? If you’re really worried why don’t you hire a lawyer and have them review this contract again?”

Hoover and Taylor both shook their heads at my suggestion.

“I’m fine. I’m just worried that the conditions are too generous and you might change your mind.”

“I want to sign right away. I just want to return to the Korean Empire as soon as possible explore the mine and finalize the acquisition of the mining rights.”

I looked at the three people sitting in the conference room and asked what was next on the agenda.

“Now that you’ve finished your work how about having a drink?”

People say that America unlike Korea doesn’t have a company dinner culture.

It was half right and half wrong.

There is no regular company dinner culture.

However it was customary to accept when a high-ranking client suggested a meal or drinks.

“I like Joe.”

“I don’t think I’ll be able to make it today. I have a prior engagement. However if you have time tomorrow or the day after I’d like to meet you privately and have a drink.”

“Okay. Let’s meet the day after tomorrow.”

“yes.”

Of course you don’t have to accept it unconditionally.

If I were in a relatively equal position like Hoover I could have avoided it.

“Do you have some time? If you want to take on my work in the future you need to know what kind of person your client is.”

“Oh yes. That’s right.”

Hoover could avoid it but Roosevelt could not refuse my surprise offer.

He had his own set of ambitions so he quickly took off his suit jacket and followed me out.

* * *

I drank alcohol.

He offered Taylor drink after drink because he wanted to talk to Franklin Roosevelt alone.

“What do you want to be in the future? In ten or twenty years I guess?”

“I want to become the head of a mining company that owns all the mines in Asia.”

“oh!”

I thought he was a small-timer but he actually has some ambition.

I offered him another drink.

Then Taylor emptied his glass and slammed his slam on the table.

“Please raise me. My family is poor and I am not very good looking but I can handle my work very well. So please trust me and hire me.”

Taylor burned like a candle with not much left.

thud-

And he banged his head on the table.

I passed out drunk.

“You? What is your ultimate goal?”

While the group that came with him took Taylor to the next table to check on his condition.

I had a drink with Roosevelt alone and asked him the same question I had asked earlier.

“First of all… my dream is to enter politics.”

“Do you want to be a politician?”

“yes.”

“Like Theodore Roosevelt?”

“….”

Is it because I hear this a lot?

Franklin Roosevelt’s face twitched.

‘Tsk tsk. You still can’t even control your facial expressions.’

Even the great Roosevelt is still a rookie isn’t he?

I took out the words I had been keeping inside appreciating Franklin Roosevelt in my heart.

“Since you’re not saying anything I guess you agree. Then can I interpret that as you also aiming for the presidency?”

“….”

This time Franklin Roosevelt answered my question with silence.

I clicked my tongue and blurted out the following words.

“You’ll need a lot of money. You’ll have to work like a dog when you’re young.”

Franklin Roosevelt suddenly picked up the glass in front of him and emptied the alcohol inside in one go.

Then he followed this again and asked me a question.

“I heard that Your Majesty is very close to Republican politicians.”

“Yeah that’s true.”

“I heard you donated a huge amount to Governor Padi?”

“That’s right. It would be a great benefit to me if he were elected.”

Roosevelt emptied his glass again and sighed deeply.

“I also want to meet a big hand like a prince as soon as possible.”

“Really? If you really want I can help you.”

Roosevelt waved his hand at my answer.

“Unfortunately I am a Democrat. I have no intention of switching to the Republican Party.”

Americans don’t change their party affiliation as easily as Korean politicians.

Usually if your father is a Republican you will remain a Republican.

If you are a politician from the Democratic Party you will continue to be a member of the Democratic Party.

Franklin Roosevelt was related to Theodore but their party affiliations were different.

So he sighed and declined my offer.

“Because I’m a Democrat…”

“Yes that’s right.”

“So what?”

“yes?”

“So what if you’re a Democrat?”

Franklin Roosevelt looked dumbfounded at my answer.

Is this guy in his right mind?

It seemed as if he was shouting loudly inside.

“Everyone is misunderstanding. I haven’t joined any party yet. That means I’m a centrist.”

“….”

“Why? Do you think I’m lying? You don’t think all people of color are Republicans do you?”

“Oh no.”

“Both Republicans and Democrats are the politicians America needs.”

“That’s right.”

“I just wish people who openly claim to be racist would just stay away. They’re the type of people I personally don’t want to associate with.”

Franklin Roosevelt again waved his hand at my firm answer.

“I would like to say this here Prince in case you misunderstand. I support the Democratic Party but I do not agree with the segregation of blacks and whites advocated by some Democratic Party members.”

“If you insist on it like that I will believe you.”

“It’s true.”

“I said I understand!”

I lowered my voice and spoke to Roosevelt as I filled my empty glass.

“I also want to become friends with people in the Democratic Party like Representative Morgan.”

As I emptied my glass I took a quick glance at Franklin Roosevelt.

After that he leaned back and interlocked his hands.

“I can support you whenever you are an awake person like you.”

“….”

“Why? Do you think I’m lying?”

“Oh no.”

I mentioned my upcoming engagement.

“I’m getting engaged soon. You should attend it. It will help your political career not hurt it.”

“Thank you.”

“What is gratitude… Isn’t helping each other and living together a virtue in this world?”

I don’t know if it will go as planned but if I can become close friends with the 4th-term president it will be like spreading wings.

Roosevelt has confirmed that he will attend my engagement party so today’s goal is complete.

I jumped up from my seat and looked at the table next to me.

“I guess I should go back now. Representative Taylor who came with me has passed out and I can’t drink anymore. Let’s get up.”

< Meeting of Giants (4) > End