Chapter72: < The Unavoidable Arrow (4) >
A rather heavy atmosphere settled over the president's office after Chief Kang left.
President Song Eun-chae pressed a hand to her head, lost in thought over the unexpected proposal.
“So, the idea is to sell off Gunsan Shipyard and attach it to Hyunjin Heavy Industries?”
“That's the plan for now.”
“And Department Head Go thinks Hyunjin Heavy Industries will accept this?”
“That's right.”
“I'm worried that we'll be taking an unnecessary risk by doing this for them. What do you think?”
“Are you worried that a bigger Hyunjin Heavy Industries will become a threat to Hyunjin Corporation?”
“Hoo... I can't say you're wrong.”
“Gunsan Shipyard is a massive entity worth over one trillion won. It will take them quite some time just to digest it. And what if you tried looking at it differently?”
“How?”
“By the time we present the Gunsan Shipyard deal to Hyunjin Heavy Industries, Hyunjin Tourism will already be under Hyunjin Corporation's ownership. I don't know Chairman Im Chang-ho well, but if I were him, I'd be more worried about Hyunjin Corporation taking more of my assets than seeing it as a target to devour.”
President Song calmly drank her coffee and rose from her seat.
She walked to the window, which overlooked a forest of countless skyscrapers, and spoke.
“The Chairman is a frightening man. He's never once shown an affectionate expression to our Yeon-hee. When my family was struggling and I was helping my younger brother, he roared at me to keep the stench of the Myeongdong private loan market away from the Hyunjin Group. I was so hurt back then... When Yeon-hee's father passed away and I took this seat, he told me this: if I caused the company to lose even a single won, he would replace me as president immediately.”
Yeonghun simply sat still, listening to her lament.
President Song looked at Yeonghun, let out a small laugh, and continued.
“You think I'm just complaining about my good fortune, don't you?”
“To be honest, it's true that I can't quite relate to your pain.”
“Haha, right. I'm sure you can't. I'm sorry.”
“There's no need to apologize.”
“I was just anxious. Honestly, before you came, Manager Choi, I thought that if I just protected this position, my family and I could live well.”
“So I'm the unwelcome guest, then.”
“More like the unwelcome guest I invited, perhaps? But I'm so grateful for that guest. You keep leading me in unexpected directions, and the problem is that I feel like I can't keep up. For now, since we can't move on the Gunsan Shipyard deal right away, shall we handle the things right in front of us, one by one?”
“Let's do that.”
“You don't speak Chinese, do you?”
“No, I don't.”
“How about going with Chief Kang? He's already acquainted with this Juchwin person, in place of Senior Managing Director Cha.”
“That sounds like a good idea.”
“And it would be helpful to take Yeon-hee with you. She's quite good at Chinese and has a good sense for things.”
“Understood.”
“And about this trip... never mind. You may go.”
President Song had been about to say she'd give him a hefty bonus if he handled this well, but she remembered something Yeon-hee had told her before and stopped.
He was an inscrutable man, but when a task was entrusted to him, no one was more reassuring.
That was why President Song's mind was in turmoil.
The moment she received the proposal from Umyeong Group, she had found herself strangely thinking of Manager Choi.
By sending him on a business trip to China, she had bought herself some time to think.
President Song resolved to sort out her thoughts about Yeon-hee in the meantime.
*
As Yeonghun came out of the president's office, Yeon-hee approached him and asked.
“Did you report on the Gwangju matter?”
“Yes. You'll probably be going to China with me. Get ready.”
“China? So suddenly? Just the two of us?”
“No. We'll be going with Chief Kang No-sik from the Planning and Coordination Office. We don't know how many days we'll be gone, so you should pack thoroughly.”
“Hmm... I see.”
Nodding, she subtly studied Yeonghun's expression and tossed out a question as if it were an afterthought.
“Did Mom say anything?”
“About what?”
“Oh, uh... never mind. When are we leaving?”
“It doesn't matter when I leave, so I plan to discuss it with Chief Kang and then go. I'm a bit worried about Chief Kang, though, since he just got back from the U.S. and now he has to leave again.”
“So we're leaving right away? I'm just going to pop home for a bit.”
“No need. Just let me know when you're ready, and you can come pick me up.”
“Ah... right, you don't have a car.”
Yeonghun looked at Yeon-hee for a moment before speaking.
“My written test is next week.”
“The written test is supposed to be hard these days... And the road test is tough, too; it's different from how it used to be.”
“I just haven't done it, that's all. I have pretty good reflexes.”
“Ah~ from all that axe-swinging?”
“If someone with no reflexes tried that, they'd throw out their back immediately...”
“Yeah, yeah~ I get it. I'm off to pack for the trip.”
Yeon-hee wiggled her eyebrows with a grin, quickly gathered her things, and dashed out of the company.
*
Executive Director Yang, now a private citizen since his retirement, was too shocked to even be angry as he watched Jun-gi rush in, his face flushed, and pour out his grievances.
He had never imagined that Chief Kang No-sik, of all people, would send his son to a remote post in India.
Chief Hong Seung-dae had turned his back on them, and now Chief Kang No-sik had as well.
The number of people at Hyunjin Corporation connected to President Im Ji-eun could now be counted on one hand, and of those, only Senior Managing Director Cha remained who could wield any real power in the company.
Yang Cheol-gi left his son to vent his fury and headed for Nonhyeon-dong.
He knew that the only person who could save them was President Im Ji-eun.
Fortunately, President Im Ji-eun was at her Nonhyeon-dong residence.
Of course, that didn't mean President Im treated the former Executive Director Yang warmly.
“It's not good for someone under prosecutorial investigation to keep coming and going from here. Are you trying to advertise to the world that you're close to me?”
“That's not it... My son, he's been assigned to a post in India.”
President Im snapped, her expression a mask of irritation.
“Aish, really... Do I have to worry about your son's personnel assignment now, too?”
“It's just... they say the person who orchestrated the transfer was Chief Kang No-sik.”
“Huh? What did you say?”
Only then did President Im Ji-eun realize something was wrong.
“The expatriate in India is a guy named Byeon Hyeong-jae... In fact, I once had him kicked out for opposing a project I was pushing to import iron ore from Ukraine. To send my son to work under him, knowing full well the history between us, is no different from telling my son to hand in his resignation.”
“And Chief Kang No-sik ordered that?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
“I'm sure. My son said Chief Kang told him directly that if he didn't want to go to India, he should put his resignation on his desk.”
“Ha... Ajumma! Get me some cold water!”
President Im Ji-eun gulped down the cold water the housekeeper brought and then rose from her seat, pacing for a while.
She was clearly flustered.
And for good reason. Executive Director Yang Cheol-gi was gone, and Chief Hong Seung-dae had switched sides.
With Senior Managing Director Cha in the middle of plotting something, Chief Kang's sudden change of heart revealed just how serious the situation had become.
Above all, if Chairman Im Chang-ho found out about this state of affairs, he would undoubtedly be forced to reconsider his trust in her.
She had been completely outmaneuvered by President Song Eun-chae's skill at turning subordinates into her own loyal limbs after becoming president.
What more was there to say, when she was already deeply disappointed that Hyunjin Tourism was expected to exchange cash and stocks with Hyunjin Corporation to cover its upcoming 200 billion won in bonds?
After a long moment of deliberation, President Im Ji-eun spoke to Yang Cheol-gi.
“Alright, you can go now. I'll think about your son's problem.”
“Thank you.”
Knowing that pressing her further would ruin everything, he quietly left the Nonhyeon-dong house.
Left alone, President Im secretly contacted Senior Managing Director Cha.
The only one left at Hyunjin Corporation was Senior Managing Director Cha Ji-yeol.
She needed to land a fatal blow before Senior Managing Director Cha was taken out too.
*
Arriving in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, Yeonghun, Yeon-hee, and Chief Kang No-sik pulled their thick parkas tighter and hailed a taxi to their pre-booked hotel.
“Phew... it's freezing.”
As Yeonghun shivered, Chief Kang spoke.
“You'll get used to it soon. More importantly, what's the plan now?”
“We need to meet the man named Juchwin.”
“Without any plan?”
“Didn't you say you weren't sure if this Juchwin person was acting or if there was a genuine communication problem with us? We'll have to meet him to find out exactly what he wants.”
Chief Kang already knew he had come on this trip to support Manager Choi.
It would be a lie to say he wasn't disappointed, but on the other hand, he was also curious.
He had been wondering just what kind of abilities the man used to handle things, so when President Song Eun-chae ordered him to go to China with Manager Choi to resolve the issue, he had secretly thought it was a good opportunity.
Therefore, his question to Yeonghun wasn't just out of simple curiosity; it was half a probe to gauge his thoughts.
“I see. I understand Juchwin will be making an appearance at the Shinbai Department Store's grand opening celebration this evening. Let's meet him there and arrange a future appointment.”
Since they couldn't make an appointment by phone, they had no choice but to take a direct approach.
Meanwhile, Yeon-hee handed over a file she had prepared with Juchwin's personal information and family relations.
Chief Kang, having seen the documents several times already, gave them a cursory glance and turned his attention elsewhere, but Yeonghun studied them for a long time until he had memorized the date of birth.
There was no difference between Koreans and Chinese when it came to reading the four pillars of destiny.
After all, if one were to trace its origins, wasn't it a discipline that began with the Chinese Arts of Divination, spread into various branches—one of which became Saju Myeongri—and then crossed over to Korea to become Tojeongbigyeol?
In any case, after arriving at the hotel and checking in, he spent his time leisurely until evening, making his own preparations.
Chief Kang seemed to be busy preparing something on his own, while Yeon-hee sat next to Yeonghun in the hotel lobby, where he was passing the time idly, and chattered about this and that.
And by the time they had an early dinner at the hotel and arrived at the Shinbai Department Store, the grand opening celebration was already in full swing.
“Oh? That person over there.”
Yeon-hee spoke, pointing to a spot in the event hall.
Yeonghun followed her finger and saw a portly, bald, middle-aged man.
He wasn't alone; his wife and children stood beside him as he shook hands with people, a benevolent smile reaching his eyes.
His son, who looked to be a head taller than his father, stood with a sullen expression, while his daughter, who seemed about high school age, wore a smile, the opposite of her brother.
When Chief Kang strode forward, Yeonghun and Yeon-hee quickly followed.
“Good evening. I am Chief Kang No-sik of Hyunjin Corporation.”
As Chief Kang approached and bowed respectfully, the man’s face instantly stiffened.
“I have nothing to discuss with you.”
As Yeon-hee provided a real-time translation for Yeonghun, Chief Kang spoke.
“First of all, we are not entirely sure what the situation is either.”
“You don’t know? And where is Managing Director Cha Ji-yeol?”
“He is handling matters in Korea...”
Just as Chief Kang said this, Yeonghun stepped forward.
“A pleasure to meet you. I am Choi Yeong-hun from Hyunjin Corporation. I’ve been given full authority by the company, so whatever your complaints are, I will resolve them.”
As Yeon-hee quickly translated Yeonghun’s words, Juchwin studied him for a long moment with a skeptical look before speaking.
“Wait a moment. When the event is over, let’s have a quiet cup of tea upstairs.”
“I will gladly wait.”
Yeonghun took a step back, assuming a posture of quiet patience, then approached Juchwin’s family.
Again, he offered a polite greeting and shook each of their hands one by one, then spoke to Juchwin’s wife.
“I am from Hyunjin Corporation in Korea. Thanks to Representative Juchwin’s kind consideration, we are able to conduct our business smoothly.”
Juchwin kept his eyes fixed on him, wondering what he was up to.
With Yeon-hee translating beside them, there was no reason to be suspicious, but he must have been curious nonetheless.
“Ah, is that so?”
While Juchwin’s wife was unsure how to react, Yeonghun praised their son, who was standing there blankly.
“Your son is quite tall and handsome. Is he perhaps interested in Korea?”
“Huh? Oh, well...”
As the son answered, flustered, Yeonghun simply smiled, nodded, and stepped back.
Beside him, without turning her head, Yeon-hee asked in a low voice so no one else could hear.
“What are you going to do?”
“It seems the son is the problem in this family. This should be easy to solve. However... I’m worried about how Chief Kang will react.”
“What? Why?”
“Because it looks like I’ll have to create a Korea-China student exchange program for the company, right here on the spot.”
< The Unavoidable Arrow (4) > End
0 Comments