Chapter 177: Go to Your Uncle

“Since you listen to my uncle more, go to him. I’m sure he can find a place for you.”

“Wait a minute. What was that…”

President Yang Woo-chan started to speak urgently, but I raised my hand to silence him.

“Are you finally realizing who holds the power of personnel appointments?”

The two men avoided my gaze, unable to meet my eyes.

“I’m warning you. From the moment you leave this room, forget everything that happened at Soonyang Group. When you reminisce about your life, do it in your heads, not with your mouths. If I see even a single word of it in print, I will dig into your pasts thoroughly.”

If you’ve climbed to the level of a subsidiary president at Soonyang Group, you’re bound to be covered in dust. In severe cases, you might even have a lot of mud on you.

They knew very well that if they weren’t careful with their words, they could easily become the subject of an investigation and potentially be labeled as suspects.

With Soonyang Group’s power, isn’t mobilizing a few district prosecutors like eating a piece of cake? They couldn’t possibly be unaware that a prosecutor digging into their past could ruin their later years.

The color drained from their faces.

Only Yoon Ho-il, the president of Soonyang Fire & Marine Insurance, stood stiffly, his body tense with nervousness.

“Now, the three presidents. Let’s erase the last traces of Soonyang Group. Take out your cell phones.”

They hesitated for a moment before letting out long sighs.

Upon promotion to an executive position, they are given cell phones for work purposes, but most don’t distinguish between public and private use, making many personal calls.

However, the fact that they are company property doesn’t change.

The three men reluctantly took out their phones and placed them on the table.

“Don’t worry too much. I have no intention of looking into your private calls. I’ll only check the official business sections, and then the phones will be discarded.”

Executive Director Jang Do-hyung picked up the cell phones with a stiff expression.

“You may have a lot to say, but save it for later. I’m sorry, but I’m not in the mood to listen to a single word.”

At my signal, Executive Director Jang Do-hyung began to speak.

“The audit team is taking care of the items in each president’s office. They will check everything, and personal belongings will be sent to your homes. And there are cars waiting in front of the main building. They will take you wherever you wish to go. Goodbye.”

Executive Director Jang Do-hyung finished his words mechanically and opened the door.

It was a clear indication for them to leave.

The three men rose, gritting their teeth. Their glares were intense, but they remained silent.

They weren’t foolish or amateur enough to part on bad terms and hurl insults. They knew they might have to shake hands and smile again someday.

There’s no way they’ll remain unemployed. There will surely be places recruiting them, and they might take on roles as advisors, outside directors, or auditors. Companies that want to establish relationships with Soonyang Group will hire them and have to smile and shake their hands to get what they want.

They might not want to shake my hand, but they definitely have no desire to get into a fight with me.

As the three men left, Executive Director Jang closed the door and quietly sat on one side of the sofa.

“President Yoon Ho-il of Soonyang Fire & Marine Insurance.”

“Yes.”

Only then did President Yoon raise his head and start looking me in the eyes.

“Soonyang Fire & Marine Insurance is a non-listed company, and Soonyang Life Insurance holds 75% of its shares.”

“Yes, I’m well aware of that.”

“I’m curious about your thoughts. Will you follow the same path as the three who just left, or will you take charge of Soonyang Life Insurance, the parent company of Soonyang Fire & Marine Insurance, and fully demonstrate your abilities?”

It would be a difficult situation for him. He’d want to jump for joy, but considering his relationship with the men who just left, he’d feel like a traitor. However, their bond wasn’t strong enough for him to refuse.

In such cases, I need to provide him with a reason to agree.

“Please. As you’ve probably noticed, it’s time for a generational shift. The core of Soonyang Financial Group is, without a doubt, Soonyang Life Insurance, isn’t it? There’s no one more suitable than you, President Yoon.”

He had heard my earnest request, and that should be enough.

President Yoon Ho-il nodded with the expression of a patriotic martyr making a decision to save his country.

“I should offer my thanks first. Thank you. I will do my best not to disappoint you.”

“Thank you for your willing agreement, President Yoon Ho-il of Soonyang Life Insurance.”

Executive Director Jang Do-hyung opened his mouth with a pleased smile.

“Let’s go to the main conference room now. All the financial executives are waiting.”

“Yes, President Yoon. Let’s go together. I’ll make the announcement to the executives.”

The three of us headed towards the main conference room, smiling.

As we burst through the doors, dozens of people jumped to their feet.

I felt a slight tremor, but I straightened my shoulders and walked towards the head of the table, maintaining the most confident posture I could.

With Jang Do-hyung and President Yoon taking their seats on either side of me, all eyes turned towards us.

“Good morning, everyone. I am Jin Do-jun.”

I pulled the microphone closer and offered my first greeting.

The executives gave slight bows. Some looked tense, others indifferent, and I even saw one guy with a pout.

“A little while ago, three CEOs left Soonyang.”

Everyone knew who those three were without me having to say it. President Yoon was right beside me, after all.

A stir went through the conference room.

This murmuring could be someone’s anger, someone else’s anticipation for the changing environment, or yet another’s worry.

The murmuring ceased as I spoke again.

“Anyone dissatisfied with this first personnel change is free to leave the company at any time. However, those of you who are determined to stay with the company, remember this one thing.”

Looking across the room again, I could feel their anxiety.

“If I hear anyone whining like a child about what’s going to happen, they will have to bear a harsh price. Aren’t you executives? You need to be aware that you are part of the management. Why? Because I will not be involved in management, and I will not hold any position within Soonyang Financial Group.”

Of course, no one seemed to believe me.

Whose bloodline is he from? There’s no way he’ll stay still. That’s what their faces seemed to say.

“Gathering all the executives in one place like this will also be the first and last time. The only reason it’s necessary is to tell you the principles of personnel changes.”

Since executives are also salaried employees, everyone pricked up their ears at the mention of personnel principles.

“There will be no parachute appointments that you’re worried about. And internal promotions will be the standard. Today, President Yoon Ho-il has become the CEO of Soonyang Life Insurance. There are still CEO positions vacant at three other companies. The executives currently in the second-in-command positions there will be promoted to those roles.”

The meaning of these words was that a large-scale promotion was about to take place.

As everyone would be moving up a step, the atmosphere in the conference room instantly warmed up.

“And the Soonyang Financial Group General Strategy Planning Department will be newly established, and Executive Director Jang Do-hyung will be in charge. His new title will be Vice President.”

I met Jang Do-hyung’s eyes, and he gave a slight bow.

“I hope the new CEOs, Vice President Jang Do-hyung, and the rest of the executives will lead the company well. I will only receive quarterly performance reports. However….”

I paused for a moment before delivering the crucial remark. I could almost feel the executives’ ears perking up.

“Based on quarterly performance, I will be constantly changing positions and titles. I will be following pragmatism to a ruthless degree, so please be prepared.”

Saying any more would be superfluous. Now, only actions remained.

Vice President Jang Do-hyung and I left the conference room first. I returned to my office and relaxed with a cup of coffee.

“Please take care of the aftermath, Vice President.”

“Yes, I will issue all the personnel changes by the end of the day.”

“And you need to coordinate the sale of the credit card company with the vice chairmen’s secretaries, as we discussed.”

Vice President Jang Do-hyung sighed.

“Did you really agree to bonds? Aren’t the terms too generous?”

“Otherwise, we won’t be competitive. The heavy industries division doesn’t have the capacity to raise 1 trillion won right now.”

“Understood. That was my last complaint. Judging by the bonds, it seems you’re leaning towards Vice-chairman Jin Dong-ki’s side, am I right?”

One side becomes a hand grenade, the other a nuclear bomb. If I have to choose, isn’t a nuclear bomb better? It’s a war where only one person will survive anyway.

“Yes, if possible… Haha.”

I chuckled to gloss over it and changed the subject.

“As soon as the first quarter ends, I’ll be letting go of the 10 lowest-performing executives. Our Vice President… get your hands dirty.”

“As many as 10?”

A bloodbath as soon as spring arrives. Jang Do-hyung’s expression wasn’t good, as he understood the significant impact this would have.

“Would one or two be enough to scare them? It needs to be enough to shock all the employees for it to be worth getting blood on our hands. Instead, give generous bonuses to the top 10 performing teams. One side gets a cold wind, the other a spring breeze. Everyone will feel the company changing.”

“Yes, I will provide bonuses large enough to offset the shock of 10 executives being let go. Is that alright?”

He’s quick to understand and doesn’t insist on his own way. That seems to be Jang Do-hyung’s strength.

“It’s fine. You can handle things like that on your own from now on. Don’t try to get permission for everything.”

“If you give me discretionary power, I won’t give it back. Heh.”

Making jokes in this situation? Is he bold? Or is it just his nature?

“I’ll give you even greater discretionary power in the future, so don’t be surprised.”

“I’ll look forward to it. Heh.”

“Then, I’ll be going now. I’ve taken up enough of your time, considering how busy you are.”

“Are you going to Yeouido?”

“No. I need to go to school for a bit. They contacted me saying I was the only one who didn’t take graduation photos.”

“Graduation? Ah, that’s next week, isn’t it?”

Jang Do-hyung’s expression shifted subtly.

“Yes. Why do you ask?”

“It’s just… I forgot you were a college student. Watching you speak in the conference room today, I was mistaken into thinking you had been working in society for years.”

Mate, I’ve been doing it for over a decade. The only difference is that now I’m in the position to speak, not just listen.

“Anyway, congratulations. Should I bring a bouquet of flowers to the graduation ceremony?”

He waved his hand dismissively at the mention of flowers.

“Oh no, I’m already going crazy. My parents are fine, but my grandfather is coming. Imagine that.”

“Ah… that must be… a lot of pressure.”

Jang Do-hyung looked at me with a sympathetic expression, as if he fully understood.

Seriously, it’s incredibly stressful.

* * *

“How’s it going? It’s been over two weeks, right?”

“Take a look at my face. Doesn’t it look like my cheeks have been hollowed out with a spoon?”

It was a slight exaggeration, but her eyes were sunken after less than 20 days.

Seo Min-young hadn’t sent a single text message since entering the Judicial Research and Training Institute on February 1st. I knew she’d be busy, but I hadn’t imagined she’d be having such a grueling time that it would affect her appearance.

“Should I send you a few wild ginseng roots?”

“It’s no different from being in jail. Will wild ginseng help? Just come visit me often.”

“Okay, I’ll try.”

“Oh, and I heard you’re in charge of Soonyang Group’s financial affiliates? The rumors are spreading.”

“In charge? I’m just learning the ropes there. I’ve entered a path of hardship now too. If I don’t perform well, being exiled to Geoje Island is a family tradition.”

“Just try it! I’ll grab you by the hair and lock you up in the studio apartment!”

At that moment, the entrance to the law school auditorium became noisy. Men in black suits came rushing in, clearing a path.

He’s arrived.

My eccentric grandfather….”