[171] Scatter and Gather 2
“Executive Director Jang Do-hyung mentioned something interesting. He said people who only look at numbers hate uncertainty the most. Isn’t Do-jun trained in logical thinking? Law school, stock charts, financial investments. Naturally, he doesn’t feel confident managing a credit card company that runs on bonds.”
“Bonds are inherently uncertain, especially when the business targets the general public!”
Vice Chairman Jin Young-gi casually remarked, observing President Lee Min-seop closely.
“It’s going to be a rough road ahead.”
“Vice Chairman, are you just going to stand by and watch…?”
“Enough.”
Jin Young-gi cut off Lee Min-seop.
“This is my father’s will. It’s only been a couple of months since we split things according to his wishes. We can’t have any noise already.”
It wasn’t the right time yet.
President Lee Min-seop quickly bowed his head.
“I’m sorry. Being in the field, I got ahead of myself.”
“Even though the succession structure is complete, my father blocked the media. He wants this to pass quietly, doesn’t he? We must avoid having Sunyang Group become the talk of the town.”
“Yes.”
President Lee Min-seop quietly stood up.
“Thank you for taking the time, Vice Chairman.”
“We’re in the same building, so drop by often. Let’s have a cup of tea and chat about life. Just because we’ve split shares doesn’t mean we should split our relationships, right?”
“Of course. As long as you’re not pushing us away, we’re always ready.”
Lee Min-seop emphasized the word “we.”
Jin Young-gi wasn’t oblivious to the implication.
As Lee Min-seop left, bowing repeatedly, Jin Young-gi immediately called in his chief secretary.
He summarized what Lee Min-seop had said, and Chief Secretary Baek Jun-hyuk listened intently, not wanting to miss a word.
“What do you think?”
“Perhaps we should meet with Executive Director Jang Do-hyung first?”
“Jang Do-hyung? Why?”
“It’s what he said. We can’t be sure if it’s Do-jun’s intention. Jang is an ambitious man, isn’t he? He might have leaked something to President Lee Min-seop for his own agenda.”
“Why would Jang do something like that?”
“Because he’s too good at his job. Haha.”
“What?”
“Executive Director Jang Do-hyung has reached his peak. He’ll never become CEO. All of Sunyang Life’s financial product strategies come from his mind. Promoting him would mean taking him away from the field…”
“You keep your ace pitcher on the mound until his arm gives out.”
“Exactly. Jang Do-hyung is Sunyang Life’s top starter.”
Jin Young-gi pondered over Sunyang Life, Jang Do-hyung, and Sunyang Card, but soon stopped and chose what he did best.
Giving orders.
Directing smart and deep-thinking subordinates to achieve what he wanted. That’s what Jin Young-gi needed to do.
“Meet with Jang Do-hyung. Find out what he wants and what he can offer me.”
“Understood, Vice Chairman.”
“President Lee Min-seop?”
“Yes. On New Year’s Day, the first person he met was Vice Chairman Jin Young-gi. Doesn’t that seem odd?”
“What about Do-jun?”
“He only met with Executive Director Jang Do-hyung.”
“Jang Do-hyung from Life?”
“Yes.”
“Are the old folks starting to resist? Right at the start of the new year?”
“It probably hit them hard. They have to pay New Year’s respects to someone as young as their son, or even grandson.”
“Rejecting the elders’ humble greetings and only meeting the youngest, Jang Do-hyung? Our clever nephew still has a lot to learn about dealing with the elders.”
Jin Dong-gi chuckled.
“Vice Chairman, doesn’t something seem fishy?”
Three men sat in front of Jin Dong-gi.
They were the newly formed secretariat after he took over the heavy industry division.
It was a rational decision, believing that multiple heads would yield better results than one.
“What seems fishy?”
“Someone like President Lee Min-seop, if he had complaints, shouldn’t he have gone straight to the Chairman? Why Vice Chairman Jin Young-gi?”
“What would he say to my father? That he can’t work with a kid? They have nowhere else to lean on. They probably hesitated between my brother and me. The result was my brother.”
“Vice Chairman, do you think President Lee Min-seop only vented his complaints?”
The secretariat members eagerly shared their questions and opinions, eager to prove their intelligence in this new beginning.
People can’t be equal. Though they held the same rank and salary, some would fall behind, and others would advance.
“What else besides complaints?”
“They need to survive. He probably asked for a helping hand and made some proposals. He’s not an amateur who would just cling on.”
“The interesting part is that the card company president stepped up. In the financial affiliates, Sunyang Life is the leader, isn’t it?”
The group headquarters had many eyes. These eyes observed on behalf of others and reported immediately.
The meeting between the two on the first workday of the new year would spread throughout the building and soon become gossip about the succession issue.
“You didn’t gather just to present questions, right? So, what’s the conclusion?”
The three men exchanged glances. It was hard to tell if they were reaching a consensus or just gauging each other’s reactions.
“We’ll meet with Executive Director Jang Do-hyung.”
“Jang Do-hyung?”
“Yes. Jang Do-hyung is from Sunyang Life. It’s not natural for him to meet with President Lee Min-seop.”
“He might be the only one who glimpsed Do-jun’s thoughts. He probably heard something about the card company from Do-jun and went straight to President Lee Min-seop.”
“You’re going to find out what Jang knows?”
“Yes. We need to know what Vice Chairman Jin Young-gi knows.”
Jin Dong-gi had anticipated this situation, but it came too soon, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.
Two elders having to be so vigilant over every move of a young nephew…
“Alright. Approach quietly. Be careful not to let rumors spread.”
“Yes, we’ll be cautious.”
After the secretariat left, Jin Dong-gi fell into contemplation.
Should he meet with his brother, Yoon-gi? Or his nephew?
“The two brothers’ maneuvering is quite something… President Lee Min-seop only met with Vice Chairman Jin Young-gi, but Vice Chairman Jin Dong-gi’s side approached first.”
“Living in the same building without even crossing paths, yet there are so many planted eyes… Haha.”
“Eyes?”
“Executive Director Jang, do you know how many female employees are on the executive floors of Sunyang’s headquarters? I don’t know their salaries, but the money deposited into their accounts is probably ten times their salary.”
“Then my secretary too…?”
“You don’t give her anything extra, do you?”
“Just the occasional taxi fare for late nights.”
“Do you know what kind of handbag your secretary carries?”
“I haven’t really paid attention…”
“Take a close look at the female employees working on the 20th floor and above, where the core executives are. Their handbags, clothes, accessories. Be cautious of those who have items worth more than a month’s salary.”
The thought of a female employee who always tidied his desk after work reporting all his notes and work-related documents to someone sent chills down his spine.
“Let’s leave it at that… What did my second uncle’s side say?”
“At first, they just asked about my well-being. Like a casual greeting. But eventually, they started probing about you, Chief.”
“What did you say?”
“I told them you were finding it a bit challenging. Haha.”
Executive Director Jang Do-hyung seemed to relish the thrill of the intrigue, smiling with amusement.
“It seemed odd to mention just the card company, so I said you showed no interest in anything other than the securities firm, and their eyes changed.”
“Because Sunyang Life holds a lot of the group’s shares, right? What should I definitely inform them about…?”
“I subtly mentioned that you were particularly troubled by the unwanted card company. I added that you lamented not being given a couple of heavy industry affiliates to sell to HW Group through Miracle.”
Jang Do-hyung pulled out some documents.
“These are the affiliates under Vice Chairman Jin Dong-gi’s heavy industry division. I’ve highlighted the ones that could be exchanged for the card company. In terms of corporate value, they’re either equal to or slightly less than the card company.”
I should discuss this list with Oh Se-hyun. We need to pick the company HW Group needs most and prepare for negotiations.
“Is Vice Chairman Jin Young-gi’s side quiet?”
“Chief Secretary Baek Jun-hyuk paid a visit.”
The right-hand man of Uncle Jin Young-gi, Chief Secretary Baek Jun-hyuk.
I’ve only brushed past him a few times at my grandfather’s house.
Well… I’ll get to know him slowly.
“What did he say?”
“He told me to stop playing around under the kid and just say what I want.”
Isn’t he supposed to be someone who beats around the bush? It’s surprising that someone so blunt works as a strategist.
“What did you say?”
“I asked for some time to think.”
“What kind of answer do you think Chief Baek wanted?”
“He probably wanted to know the extent of my ambition. He’d then propose something based on that. But in return, I’d have to lead the charge in taking away what you have.”
I’m curious too. Just how ambitious is this person?
“How do you plan to respond?”
“I’d like to discuss that with you, Chief…”
He looked at me with serious eyes.
This person wants to hear the real deal beyond just appearing powerful.
We only have a draft contract between Executive Director Jang Do-hyung and me, not a final contract we can sign with smiles.
“Chairman of Sunyang Financial Group.”
“What?”
“That’s the title that will be on your business card, Executive Director Jang. Doesn’t it appeal to you?”
He was speechless for a moment.
Not vice president or president. Chairman means overseeing all major affiliates, doesn’t it?
He must have assumed I would naturally take on that position. He probably never believed I was serious about separating ownership from management. He thinks I’m just stepping back because of my age and that I’ll eventually step into the spotlight.
After all, no one from a chaebol family has ever truly stepped back.
“Director, are you serious?”
“Did you really think you could work with someone as young as me without any compensation? If that’s the case, I can’t trust your commitment to working with me. We can’t face challenges together without something in return.”
“Haven’t I already promised you the best treatment from Sunyang Group?”
“For now, that might satisfy you. But once you have enough money, you’ll naturally want more—whether it’s power or ideals.”
Jang Do-hyung looked at me as if I were some fascinating creature.
“What is it? How can you think like that at your age? I apologize for the intrusive question, but I just have to ask.”
“Didn’t you call me a miracle boy? Haha.”
I didn’t forget to give a word of caution to the still-surprised Jang Do-hyung.
“But when you’ll get that chairman position, and how long you’ll keep it, depends entirely on you. If you fall short of my standards even slightly, not only will I remove you from the chairman’s seat, but I’ll also terminate your executive contract immediately.”
“So there’s no ‘forever together,’ is there?”
His expression shifted to one of disbelief.
“Are you looking for a ‘happily ever after’? Then you might as well head to Jeju Island, buy a country house, and start growing carrots.”
“Don’t even dream of a fairy tale ending… You surprise me again. Haha.”
“Are you satisfied?”
“I’d be a fool to refuse.”
Jang Do-hyung stood up abruptly.
“I’ll meet with Director Baek Jun-hyuk again. I’ve just decided what to say.”
There was no need for further words. Now, Jang Do-hyung had to prove himself through his actions.