200 episodes. Damn, what the hell is that?
– Dengrang.
In the midst of a sense of silence, a sound that has arisen resounds in the spacious hall.
It’s not that big, but it’s so quiet that it feels bigger.
Thanks to this, people’s attention was focused on me.
“I’m so sorry. I’m not good at forking, hahaha.”
Robert Bardock smirked as if he had understood my intentions.
“I’ve heard of chopsticks, but I’ve never heard of forks. Alfred, bring your chopsticks to Edward. I think it’s more comfortable for him.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
I received a pair of chopsticks from the old butler and greeted them with a thank you.
Then he lifted it up in front of him and opened his mouth.
“Did you know that? Korea and Japan both use chopsticks, but the way they eat rice is different.”
“Well, I’m not sure. Can you tell me?”
“In Japan, you hold a rice bowl with one hand and pick up grains of rice with chopsticks. But in Korea, it is very rude. Not only lifting a bowl, but adults yelling at you that if you touch a grain of rice with your chopsticks, you eat it.”
“I’ve heard that they’re antagonizing because of problems in the past, but it’s the exact opposite from the eating culture.”
“Yeah, eating, but how about business? Even if it’s natural for you, it can be disrespectful to others.”
“Hahaha, in terms of business, does this mean that I ate with a bowl of rice?”
“He even touched a grain of rice, as if asking for a bite to eat.”
“What? Ha ha ha ha.”
Robert Bardock smiled to the point of showing his throat and said to me.
“Henry learned from him well.”
“I was cold once before.”
“Hahaha, yes. If you experience it yourself, you will never forget it again.”
I put down my chopsticks and asked directly.
“Then tell me. Why do you need a Dark Star?”
“Is that the reason for your etiquette?”
“Yes, we need to be respectful to each other in order to sit on the negotiating table.”
It’s more gentlemanly than throwing out a blank check and making money.
“Okay, I’ll tell you. Darkstars are needed to flatten the noses of those English aristocrats who can help.”
“Are you an English noble?”
“It’s a long story, but did you know that Bardock Corporation has also entered the UK?”
“Yeah, Henry said. He’s got the British press.”
“It is, but technically speaking, only private companies have been taken over. State-owned companies like the BBC haven’t touched it.”
Isn’t that normal?
State-owned enterprises are owned by the state.
“I’ve tried many methods. I’ve tried bribery, lobbying, and even threats. But they all failed. It turns out that the heads of state-owned enterprises all belong to noble families.”
“……”
“And they came together and started attacking me.”
Probably because you touched it first.
Who is standing still with a slap in the face?
“He said it was stupid. Some guys even featured me as a villain in a movie.”
How much would you hate it
“So how are you going to flatten their noses? To win the Epsom Derby?”
Horse racing is Britain’s representative aristocratic sport.
And the Epsom Derby can be said to be a competition with a history and tradition that is the same as the beginning of horse racing.
“It’s not just about winning the tournament. Whether it’s a beast or a person, to break the spirit of the group, shouldn’t it be the way to beat the head?”
The head of a noble family? Maybe Rothschild?
No, I think I heard at first glance that it was Jewish.
So where are you?
“The head of the nobility is the royal family, and I intend to trample the racehorse owned by the Queen of England.”
Ah, the Queen of England.
Not the competition, but the honor of the royal family?
“If it’s just a racehorse like that, even if you win, you won’t get much profit. Do you have any great horses?”
“Do you know what the Queen of England’s lifetime wish was?”
“I’ve heard of it. They say they wish to have a derby winner.”
“Last year, the old man’s wish came true.”
I turned my attention to Madduck as I was not well versed in the news of British horse racing.
“You seem to be referring to Shipid. Last year’s Epsom Derby win. This year, I became a four-year-old like Dark Star.”
“It’s great that you won the Epsom Derby.”
“In England, it’s called this. Reincarnation of Eclipse.”
“Is that the Eclipse award, which symbolizes the world’s best racehorse?”
“Right.”
The Eclipse is the greatest racehorse in history, and is the mother of three main lineages: Northern Dancer, Native Dancer, and Nasrula.
In a word, it can be said to be the progenitor of the thoroughbred lineage.
I’ve heard that Britain can be said to be a racehorse nation because of Eclipse.
“The British royal family has strictly managed the lineage of Eclipse. The result is Shipid.”
“Wait a minute. Most of the modern racehorses are descended from the Eclipse blood, and they’ve been strictly managed? How?”
“It was selected. We have preserved the lineage by selecting the dams and dams who have the most similar physique, technique, and appearance to the Eclipse.”
I’m home.
In the past, I’ve heard that nobles and yangbans were obsessed with blood, but it’s amazing, it’s amazing.
“So you’re saying that Shipid is similar to Eclipse?”
“It is said that the dark brown hair and the white right hind foot are the same. Besides, the skill…”
According to Madduk, the past record of the Eclipse is undefeated in 18 matches.
It is said that he had no choice but to retire early because he had no record because he was too strong.
And Shipid’s record was the last 8-game undefeated Epsom derby.
By the time he was 4 years old, he had already achieved nearly half of it.
“The Queen of England’s mouth must have caught her ear.”
Robert Bardock smirked at my words.
“They still use an inkwell made from Eclipse’s hooves and a whip made from tail hair. So how much would you like it?”
If you destroy Shipid, I don’t know if it’s going to grab the queen by the back of her neck.
“Then what about the competition? Do you know where Shipid will play next?”
“According to the information I have obtained, it is the Arc de Triomphe.”
“It’s like you’re going to conquer Europe.”
French Arc de Triomphe.
It was established to commemorate the victory of World War I and is now recognized as Europe’s best grand prize race.
The competition to symbolize peace is the arena of world-class racehorses.
“So how much does it mean? If you trample Shipid on the spot.”
“There are many other things to say, but why are you a Dark Star?”
“It’s perfect for the conditions I want. First of all, I should be the same age as Shipid. And I’m from Australia and have the skills to rise to the top in the US. Are you not very similar to anyone else?”
“It reminds me of Mr. Bardock.”
You’re trying to project yourself.
The aristocratic families would not know his intentions like this.
The fact that the Queen’s horse lost to Robert Bardock’s horse might be regarded as the Queen’s lost to Robert Bardock.
“Well then, shall we finish the meal?”
At Robert Bardock’s words, the old butler ordered people to clean the table.
And people’s eyes reached the silver tray on which the blank check was placed.
“Mr. Bardock, before we negotiate, I have one thing to tell you.”
“Say it.”
“For Chris, Dark Star is a legacy left by his grandmother and a dream he entrusted to his grandchildren.”
“So we can’t negotiate?”
“No, what I want to say is that you don’t have to own 100% of Dark Star to become Maju.”
Robert Bardock shook his head at my answer.
“I hate being out of control. That’s why when I take over a company, no matter how much money it costs, I put management rights first. But how many percent of the stake are you getting?”
“Because you know Mr. Bardock’s tendencies, you should give up taking over 100% of Darkstar’s shares.”
“……?”
“Do you know what it was like when I first met Dark Star? He was a bad boy who didn’t even train properly. If in doubt, ask him to find out about his boo horse, Runaway Train. Dark Star took his father out and drove him in. Probably Australian horse racing. If you check with the association, it will come out soon.”
At my words, Robert Bardock bowed his head briefly, and the butler moved immediately.
I looked at it and spoke.
“What I’m saying is that you need the help of Chris and Madduk here to take control of the Dark Star. If they fall out and someone else takes over the Dark Star, it’s good if they don’t ruin it, let alone control it.”
“I’ve seen it to some extent. I know Darkstar is violent, and that instructor Madduk Hunt sitting over there is a first-class guy with a career in Daily Stud. But he’s not first-class, is he?”
Madduk nodded at his question.
“Of course I’m not top-notch, but, as Mr. Bardock says, top-notch doesn’t mean you can tame all horses.”
“What you’re talking about sounds like a first-class category.”
“Then think about it this way. Just as there are first-class and first-class trainers, there are also first-class and first-class racehorses. A top-class racehorse doesn’t easily open up to someone he doesn’t like.”
“Hmm, you mean animals choose people?”
“Horses are the second most expressive animals after humans, and they are very loyal to their emotions. And all world-class racehorses, which are classified as top-class, are stubborn and have their likes and dislikes, not to mention the Dark Star.”
“Heh heh, this is the first time I’ve heard of a variety of expressions on horses.”
“It’s something that people who know a lot about horses don’t usually know.”
Then the butler, Alfred, returned.
He whispered something into Robert Bardock’s ear.
I guess it was probably about the runaway train.
“Heh heh, Dark Star’s booma must have had a bad side. Considering that the horses that received that much attention only played one match and then retired.”
Robert Bardock spoke to me as if in agreement.
“Okay, I’ll accept the stake transaction as you said. Do you think you have the stake to put on the negotiating table?”
“I think so. But before that, I need the permission of the major shareholder.”
When he turned his gaze to Chris, he looked unwelcome, but he didn’t react too much.
he knows it too
If the equity deal goes wrong, you don’t know how Robert Bardock will turn out.
“Do what Edward wants. But Mr. Bardock.”
“Say it.”
“Edward’s 20% stake can only get 20% of the revenue generated by Maju due to the Dark Star. He will not have any authority over the management of the Dark Star, such as the decision of the competition or how to nurture it.”
“It doesn’t matter. However, you must participate in the Arc de Triomphe.”
“Let’s raise that as a trading condition.”
Robert Bardock nodded and said to me.
“Okay, let me tell you the conditions.”
“I heard that you have the founding commemorative chip of the Royal Crown.”
“I think I heard from Henry. Yes, I have.”
“That’s it.”
“Hmm…”
What are you squeezing on like that?
Although the chip has a value of 9.5% of the Royal Crown’s bearer stake, it cannot be converted into cash and cannot assert its rights as a shareholder.
The thing he hates the most is the thing he can’t control.
I thought you wouldn’t worry…
“It’s probably not going to happen.”
Damn, what the hell is that?