Chapter 203: That’s Him Alright

“Yeah, that’s the one. The top dog in Soonyang Group. Chairman Jin wouldn’t trade a truckload of you for that sharp third-generation heir. They say it’s his doing, but can we still bring him over?”

“Are you implying that Jin Do-jun was the mastermind behind this advertisement?”

“Is there another bright spark among the third generation in that family? Aren’t they all just showboating idiots like you?”

Chairman Joo Tae-shik sneered, causing his son to avert his gaze.

He’d thought it was a decent suggestion for once, but it was better left unsaid.

“What about their new car? Give me your opinion. Honestly.”

Chairman Joo Tae-shik looked at the executive with a displeased expression. What was done was important, but the immediate future was also a concern.

Even to his eyes, HW’s new compact car looked quite sleek.

“Since the release price hasn’t been announced yet, it’s difficult to judge, but being a two-seater will be its Achilles’ heel. In Korea, there’s an unavoidable preference for four-seaters.”

“That’s right. Until now, the main consumer base for compact cars has been ‘mothers.’ Putting young children in the passenger seat? They’ve misinterpreted their target demographic.”

“If they’ve primarily targeted the overseas market, it’s a huge mistake. They’ll struggle to compete with Japanese small car manufacturers.”

The executives, veterans of the automotive industry, were unanimously negative in their opinions.

Considering the price and efficiency, it wasn’t an entirely wrong assessment.

However, those close to the previous chairman, who had focused on increasing production facilities and mass production with cost reduction, hadn’t grasped how the world was changing.

“But why do I want to buy that cute-looking car?”

Chairman Joo Tae-shik grinned as he looked at them.

“A hole just big enough for a finger can collapse a massive dam. Once the cracks start, it’s already too late. But the way I see it, their little coupe isn’t just a finger-sized hole, it feels more like a fist.”

He wasn’t just saying this to stir up the executives. He’d felt a jolt when he first saw it in the paper.

External factors like price, performance, and after-sales service weren’t even a concern.

This… this could be a hit. That was his immediate feeling.

“Seriously, are you all so complacent? Am I the only one worried that our Daehyun’s central dam, our automotive division, is running with a hole in it?”

The executives, sensing the shift in Chairman Joo’s mood, exchanged glances.

“We will come up with countermeasures, Chairman.”

They started with the easiest thing to say, then cautiously observed his reaction. It didn’t seem like it would end there.

“HW’s new car is scheduled for release in early October. Our new car launch is in November, but we’ll bring it forward by a month.”

“Our new car? Isn’t that a compact car?”

“Yes, sir. Project name ‘Click.’ Being a five-seater, it will be more than enough to suppress them.”

“Oh ho, that’s perfect. A two-seater coupe that young people will love and a four-door that ‘mothers’ will adore. Good, let’s have a proper showdown.”

Instantly, Chairman Joo Tae-shik’s face brightened.

Just as the executives breathed a sigh of relief at his expression, a bombshell of a warning erupted from Chairman Joo’s mouth.

“Three months. Personnel changes will be made based on the results exactly three months after the launch. The timing is just right too. That’ll be next January. If we’re behind HW then, every executive in this room should be prepared to pack their bags. I’m making it clear.”

In the end, what Chairman Joo wanted was a shake-up.

Personnel changes that no one could object to or complain about.

No executive would oppose being evaluated based on performance. They were all contract workers anyway.

Besides, it was just about winning a head-to-head battle against a competitor. It wasn’t about the overall performance of the automotive division.

Lose and step down.

A simple rule, like a World Cup tournament.

Silence filled the conference room.

“Now, come and show me the countermeasures you come up with. Let’s see what kind of strategies you have.”

Chairman Joo Tae-shik concluded the meeting.

It was almost time for tea with the new Seoul mayor who had just finished his inauguration ceremony.

* * *

This is really awkward.

I have no idea what my uncles’ hidden agenda is for calling me here.

Four men gathered at the Soonyang Hotel restaurant.

My two uncles, myself, and Chief of staff Lee Hak-jae.

What are they trying to accomplish with this combination…?

“I heard you were a great help to Soonyang Automobile this time. Well done.”

“It was nothing, sir. All I did was offer a suggestion when they were writing the advertisement copy.”

Was Vice-chairman Jin Dong-gi still thinking of Soonyang Automobile as his own? He seemed so naturally proud of the much-discussed HW car. Only someone like Grandfather would have that kind of reaction.

“Thanks to that, Soonyang Electronics’ cell phone promotion didn’t even get a single line in the news. Don’t stand out too much. For major national events like this, all the subsidiaries need to get on board and go together. Haha.”

Vice-chairman Jin Young-gi was showing the air of a chairman who oversaw all the subsidiaries.

What are these guys trying to do right now?

Are they putting on a show of being magnanimous in front of Chief of staff Lee Hak-jae?

“Soonyang Automobile may have left the fold, but it’s a good thing it’s doing well. Even if Soonyang Automobile has become someone else’s family, Do-jun is still a shareholder with multiple connections, isn’t he? We can still say there’s a sliver of connection left.”

“That’s why I’m smiling like this. If some other guy had screwed me over, would I be smiling like this? I would have destroyed him.”

Vice-chairman Jin Young-gi looked at me, still smiling.

What does this mean again? Is this a threat that he can crush me anytime?

“Alright, now that we’re done eating, let’s decide what we’re going to do.”

“The wealthy older brother can take responsibility, I suppose.”

“Then why don’t you nominate me as chairman? Then I’ll take responsibility for this presidential election.”

Presidential election? Is this meeting to prepare for the upcoming election?

“Go ahead and be chairman. I don’t think Father would say anything. Just change the title, change the nameplate, and change the business cards. Isn’t it easy?”

“Yeah, let’s change everything. But I’ll need the shares that befit a chairman, right? If our younger brother gives me 15% and our sharp nephew gives me 5%, then my shares would be 56%. Nice. I could be chairman.”

Lee Hak-jae, who had been listening to their sharp exchange, chuckled and took out a file folder.

“This is the current situation. The chairman instructed us to proceed according to your decisions.”

“Father did?”

“Yes. He said that no matter who becomes the next president, your lives will be shorter than their term. So, you two should serve the master of the Blue House well….”

My heart sank at Lee Hak-jae’s seemingly joking words. Could something be wrong with Grandfather’s health?

“Do-jun, you look at the file too. You have a good intuition. Try to predict it.”

My two uncles were already reading through the documents.

I pretended to open the file and read it, then closed it again. Wouldn’t the chaebols remain powerful no matter who won?

“Huh? Why are you closing it? Did your intuition kick in already?”

Lee Hak-jae’s sharp gaze made me uncomfortable, but I just shrugged.

“How would I know? The ruling and opposition party candidates are neck and neck….”

“Then what do you think the outcome will be?”

“There are still over five months left. Don’t political pundits say that three months before an election is like five hundred years of the Joseon Dynasty? With things fluctuating like this, no one can know how it will change in the future.”

My two uncles also closed their files. It was as if they were asserting that the documents couldn’t provide any answers.

“Do-jun is right. This is meaningless.”

Vice-chairman Jin Young-gi casually pushed the file folder aside.

“Let’s go with the usual practice. Let’s give them 7:3.”

7:3? I tilted my head, and Lee Hak-jae explained.

“It’s insuring ourselves against the next administration. You must know that, right?”

“So, 7 goes to the ruling party?”

“No. This time it’s the opposition party. It’s a first.”

Ah, so this is the first time the conservative party has become the opposition.

“But does Do-jun need to hear even these kinds of things? I think Chief of staff Lee made a mistake.”

Vice-chairman Jin Young-gi subtly chided Chief of staff Lee, but his expression remained unchanged.

“It’s the chairman’s instructions. Do-jun is also the head of a respectable financial group. I believe it’s only natural for him to take responsibility for the parts Soonyang needs to handle.”

In political circles, the person who delivers Soonyang’s money during a presidential election is considered the captain of Soonyang.

Vice-chairman Jin Dong-gi complained about not having money, but he would also want to donate a large sum, just under his own name.

I didn’t want to reveal my name.

I couldn’t put my name on the infamy of ‘trucking money,’ a creative method of donation that ordinary people couldn’t even imagine.

Fortunately, Vice-chairman Jin Young-gi had started the conversation. The best strategy was to sit quietly and slip away when the time was right.

“Hyung-nim is right. Of course, Do-jun is also a pillar of Soonyang, designated by Father. But getting deeply involved in such clandestine matters is still a ways off for him.”

Even Vice-chairman Jin Dong-gi chimed in.

Of course, it wasn’t because they were thinking of me and telling me to stay away. Either way, it involved getting close to the core of this nation’s power.

I was just uncomfortable with making connections with such powerful figures already.

“So, let’s do this, Do-jun.”

“Yes.”

Vice-chairman Jin Young-gi called me with a subtle tone.

“You understand why Father wanted you to attend this meeting, right?”

“Yes. It’s something the group is doing, so I need to take partial responsibility, isn’t it?”

“That’s right. As you know, this year’s presidential election is when our Soonyang pays its insurance premiums. You just need to take responsibility for a portion of the premium.”

“But Uncle, the problem is I don’t yet know how to get the funds….”

“I’ll take care of that for you.”

Vice-chairman Jin Dong-gi stepped forward as if he had been waiting for this.

“Preparing around 2 to 3 billion won should be enough. Isn’t that right?”

Vice-chairman Jin Dong-gi looked at his older brother as if seeking agreement, and Jin Young-gi nodded silently.

“I’ll handle it for you, so just leave it to me.”

“Yes. Thank you, Uncle.”

I bowed slightly and then slowly pushed my chair back.

“Then please contact me. I’ll take my leave first.”

“Alright. Go ahead.”

I left the hotel and got into the car.

“Let’s go to Grandpa’s residence.”

* * *

“What? You’ll visit my grave every morning and give greetings when I die? Treat me well while I’m alive, you rascal.”

“I’m sorry. I’ve been too busy last month. I’ll visit more often from now on.”

“Nonsense. Putting in the effort when you’re busy is true sincerity. What’s so difficult about making time when you’re free?”

He yelled at me as soon as he saw my face, but he was smiling.

My heart aches. It’s only been a month since I last saw him, but it’s clear that he’s getting weaker day by day.

“Seriously, what are you eating that only makes your voice louder? Your arms and legs keep getting thinner… What’s going on? Change your diet. You need to eat more protein.”

“Don’t change the subject!”

Grandfather smacked me on the back.

“Anyway, I heard you had some fun last month. Good job.”

“President Jo Dae-ho did a great job. I was just an assistant.”

“Don’t be so uncharacteristically modest. Jo Dae-ho called several times. He was full of praise, saying you created an advertising effect worth hundreds of billions. He said the foreign dealers’ reactions were explosive. You’ve achieved results that money could never buy.”

Whether he’s quick-witted or just honest and straightforward, it’s still hard to grasp President Jo’s character.

“Did you come because of the presidential election funds?”

“No. I came to see your face.”

“Judging by the time, you slipped out early. Why? Did those guys tell you to leave?”

“I felt uncomfortable. My uncles will decide on the presidential election funds, and I just agreed to be responsible for a part of it.”

“Why? Because you’re confident in making money even without power?”

“Ah, no. It’s just that talking about those things feels awkward….”

“Do-jun.”

“Yes.”

“It’s about turning money into power. Money, which is just a number, transforms into something called gold power (金力). Isn’t that exactly what you need?”

Grandfather had lost his smile.