Still, I Will Live As The Son-In-Law Of A Conglomerate [EN]: Chapter 158

158. 46th. Stamp Tour part.2 (2)

Seated on the sofa, Geum Seok-ho and I discussed family matters.

“Haha, thanks to you, Shinseong Group has been running around like a dog chasing its tail?”

“I merely earned money and came up with ideas, Chairman Geum. The family elders are the ones who truly bore the brunt of it, haha.”

After discussing the acquisition battle from last summer to winter with Geum Seok-ho, I took a sip of tea and broached the subject I wanted to discuss.

“I would like to tour the Haedong Motors Gwangmyeong plant, Chairman Geum.”

“Hmm… you want to conduct due diligence?”

To Geum Seok-ho’s question, accompanied by a thoughtful hum, I responded with a gentle smile to clear up any misunderstanding.

“While we can’t inspect every factory, I would like to check at least some of them. We can’t come up with solutions without knowing the 現場(hyeonjang) [the actual site or location of work].”

Manufacturing is a business where you can’t find solutions without knowing the factory floor. I had a great interest not only in the cars themselves but also in the automotive industry as a whole. I felt I knew the direction the automotive industry should take, but I needed to instill trust in me in Geum Seok-ho.

Upon receiving my request, Geum Seok-ho gripped the armrest as if to brace himself, and then stood up from the sofa.

“Alright. I’ve been wanting to smell the factory air for the first time in a while, so this works out well. Should I contact them in advance?”

“No. I want to see it as it is, so I would like to go without informing anyone.”

Listening to my request, Geum Seok-ho smiled.

“I understand. Let’s leave right away.”

Leaving the chairman’s office, we immediately got into Geum Seok-ho’s car and headed down to the Gwangmyeong plant.

“What is the real reason for acquiring our company, Director Lee?”

He asked such a question, saying he’d heard about me from his grandfather… I looked at Geum Seok-ho sitting next to me and asked.

“What do you mean, Chairman Geum?”

“I was wondering if there is a specific vision for the goal of becoming a beloved car company. The chairman told me to discuss the details with you.”

After hearing Geum Seok-ho’s answer, it seemed certain that my grandfather had entrusted me with full authority over Haedong Motors. I smiled and replied to Geum Seok-ho.

“It’s to make it one of the world’s top 3 car companies by 2020, Chairman Geum.”

“The world’s top 3 car companies… your dream is quite ambitious. How much annual production are you thinking of? The automotive business is all about scale, no matter what anyone says.”

“More than ten million units.”

Geum Seok-ho’s eyes widened at my answer, which I gave without hesitation.

“Te, ten million units?”

Geum Seok-ho, who stuttered, couldn’t close his mouth and his eyes seemed to ask if I was sane. I didn’t care about Geum Seok-ho’s gaze and calmly opened my mouth.

“Yes. Currently, Haedong Motors’ production volume is 800,000 units in total, including passenger cars, compact cars, RVs, SUVs, and commercial vehicles… so it’s twelve and a half times that, haha.”

“Heo, hehehe…”

Geum Seok-ho, who burst into a hollow laugh, managed a smile.

“You’re indeed the chairman’s eldest grandson. More than ten million units…”

Color began to return to Geum Seok-ho’s face. It’s not easy to produce 1 million units annually, so he must be feeling overwhelmed to hear ten times that amount.

‘This man can’t hide his emotions, huhu.’

I smiled inwardly and added.

“Of course, we will also have quality that matches the quantity. To do that, we need to improve the performance of key components such as engines and suspensions. Also…”

Reviving the memories of my past life as a true car enthusiast, I gave my opinion on the automotive business, and Geum Seok-ho exclaimed as he looked at me.

“Director Lee, you can’t hide that you’re the son of the late Director Lee. Director Lee also liked cars, so I used to meet him often and talk to him since he was a college student.”

My ears perked up at the mention of my father. I quickly asked Geum Seok-ho.

“You met my father, Chairman Geum?”

“Of course? During the oil shock [the 1970s energy crisis], he said that we should develop electric or hydrogen cars to replace internal combustion engine cars because oil prices could rise further in the future. At the time, Director Lee…”

Geum Seok-ho told me about the in-depth discussions he had with my father about electric and hydrogen cars. Among them was the ‘in-wheel motor,’ which had been conceptualized a long time ago but only started to be actively researched in the 2010s when the development of electric cars became active.

‘My father thought about the era of electric and hydrogen cars…’

I could only admire my deceased father’s insight. I was only focused on preparing for the future to bring down Taehyun and Shinseong…

After hearing the story, the meaning of Haedong Motors became different to me. My father’s unfulfilled dream – I wanted to achieve it with my own hands. I hardened my gaze and looked at Geum Seok-ho.

“The chairman told me this morning that he wants us to fulfill my late father’s dream together with you, Chairman Geum.”

Geum Seok-ho’s eyes widened at my words.

“Is that true? The chairman said that?”

He must not have believed it. Wasn’t my grandfather the one who hated cars because my father and mother passed away in a car accident?

“Yes. He said he wanted me to fulfill my father’s wishes, even now. So he delegated full authority to me.”

Looking at me with a firm gaze, Geum Seok-ho nodded.

“I understand, Director Lee. We’ll have to work like crazy for the next 10 years, to not be ashamed of the late Director Lee, haha.”

“That’s why I have something to show you, Chairman.”

I took out a document from my bag and handed it to Geum Seok-ho. Geum Seok-ho’s eyes widened as he looked at the cover of the document I gave him.

***

“‘Future Automotive Industry Preparation Strategy?'”

Looking at Geum Seok-ho reading the words on the document cover, I smiled.

“Yes. Our Haedong Motors must prepare for the future, starting now.”

“Hmm…”

Geum Seok-ho turned the cover of the document and examined it with a humming sound. I said to Geum Seok-ho, who was examining the document with sharp eyes.

“As it is the era of internal combustion engines now, we must focus on improving the quality and production volume accordingly. But at the same time, we must also develop electric and hydrogen cars.”

“That’s true, but… do you think oil prices will rise further? Electric and hydrogen cars will only sell if gasoline and diesel prices rise several times more.”

I knew Geum Seok-ho’s intention to approach cautiously. So I gave an answer based on the current situation.

“The Chinese economy is growing day by day. As the economy grows, the demand will increase, so prices will go up, right? Also…”

After pausing for a moment, I gave another reason.

“The Kyoto Protocol [an international treaty aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions] was adopted in early December. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is not an exception for our country or Haedong Motors.”

After pondering for a moment, Geum Seok-ho asked me.

“Does that mean that countries importing Haedong Motors vehicles will impose greenhouse gas-related taxes on internal combustion engine cars?”

‘You can’t ignore experience.’

Geum Seok-ho’s business sense was sharp. It seemed that this was the reason why my grandfather wanted to attach him to me.

“There is a high possibility of that. The Kyoto Protocol is like a declaration by developed and powerful countries to kick away the economic ladder of developing countries in a very sophisticated way. The alternative energy sector is led by the United States and Europe, and China and India have become exceptions by using their large potential markets, so there is no need to talk about them.”

Geum Seok-ho’s expression crumpled at my words, which sarcastically pointed out the powerful people’s meanness.

“Anyway, the rich are more ruthless. Toyota has also released a hybrid car called ‘Prius’ since last year, so we definitely need to prepare, but… the problem is money.”

Money is a problem for all businessmen. It seemed like I had to give a gift to Geum Seok-ho, who was licking his lips.

“Don’t worry about the money, Chairman Geum. If you grow the business properly, I will unconditionally support you as the owner of Standard Capital and as the agent of Chairman Lee Dae-soo of Haedong Group, even if you make a loss for 10 years.”

At that moment, Geum Seok-ho’s eyes sparkled.

“Really? You’ll support me even if I make a loss?”

Looking at Geum Seok-ho’s earnest eyes, I smiled.

“That’s just the beginning, Chairman Geum. We can also raise additional funds from Haedong Group and Standard Capital through rights offerings or bond acquisitions. I’ll even write you a memorandum if you want, haha.”

Standard Capital is my own printing press in this world. In-wheel motors, lithium batteries, hydrogen fuel cells… Cooperating with GK Group or supporting development costs for various advanced technology research needed for the development of electric and hydrogen cars was a piece of cake.

“If the financier is going to push me, there’s nothing I can’t do. From now on, I’m going to grow Haedong Motors into a proper company, Director Lee.”

“Please keep that promise, Chairman Geum.”

Geum Seok-ho grabbed my hand tightly, as if he liked my confident guarantee. I also sincerely asked Geum Seok-ho with a smiling face.

***

Geum Seok-ho and I, who had built a consensus on the development of electric and hydrogen cars, talked about my personal affairs for a while.

“Hahahaha! Our Director Lee is completely controlled by his wife? How can you not drive a sports car even though you like cars so much?”

“If you can recruit professional racers to assist me, I can do some test driving. Please take care of me, hehe.”

If I had stopped driving sports cars for 5 years, I had endured for a long time. Now, as a test driver for Haedong Motors, I was going to enjoy car racing legitimately and safely.

Looking at me with a mischievous smile, Geum Seok-ho grinned.

“You should. How disappointed would you be if you couldn’t test drive the new cars made by your company? I’ll recruit excellent drivers that your wife can’t absolutely object to, hehe.”

We agreed to plot something that Jang Ha-yeon might grab the back of her neck if she knew, and we arrived at the Gwangmyeong plant and entered the office.

“Ch, Chairman?”

The plant manager and employees in the office stood up and bowed their heads when they saw Geum Seok-ho. Geum Seok-ho waved his hand, looking at the employees’ pale faces.

“Don’t stand on ceremony. What kind of greetings do you give to someone who ruined the company?”

“Still…”

Looking at the hesitant people, Geum Seok-ho said calmly.

“From now on, I am not the head of the Ado Group, but the CEO of Haedong Motors. I will work with the mindset of serving as a common soldier, so you should also renew your resolve.”

Geum Seok-ho, who revealed that he had become one of the leaders of the Haedong Group rather than the supreme leader of the Ado Group, smiled as he looked at me.

“The words I just said were not just to show you, Director Lee. I will do my best to grow Haedong Motors for the next 10 years, until my term ends.”

I couldn’t commit any more rudeness even though he had humbled himself this much. Now, instead of the somewhat unpleasant title of ‘Chairman Geum,’ I should call him Chairman.

“I understand, Chairman.”

It was a minor change, but Geum Seok-ho’s expression brightened as if he had read my heart from my words calling him Chairman.

“Thank you, Director Lee. Well, then I should look around the factory… are we going to look around like this?”

If people in suits look around the factory, the production workers will think they have been dispatched from the headquarters and will only work in a show-off manner at that moment. I needed the same clothes as them to see things as they were and make a proper diagnosis.

“No, Chairman. I would like to look around wearing work clothes. It would be even better if we had hats.”

“I understand. Then I will also change into the same clothes. The plant manager will also go with us.”

At Geum Seok-ho’s order, the employees brought two sets of work clothes and hats. Geum Seok-ho and I, who came out of the changing room after changing clothes, left the office with the plant manager and headed for the door leading to the production line.

[50 minutes of work! 10 minutes of rest! Time is money!]

Looking at the shiny new banner hanging above the door, I smiled and asked the plant manager with a thick beard.

“How was the working time structured until now, Plant Manager?”

“It used to be inconsistent. But thanks to Haedong Group and Standard Capital keeping their promises during the acquisition battle, the union also promised to work diligently without sabotage.”

Nodding, I smiled and said to Geum Seok-ho.

“The 5-day 3-shift system and performance-based pay seem to be a big factor, Chairman.”

“That’s right. Isn’t the 5-day 3-shift system a European-level working environment? In addition, if we analyze the causes of quality defects, we will know who made the mistake and the bonus will be cut, so we have to make it with a sharp mind, haha. Let’s go in and see it ourselves.”

Opening the door and entering the production line, I heard all kinds of mechanical sounds. The harmony created by the mechanical sounds unique to manufacturing factories automatically raised the corners of my mouth.

“Unexpected. I thought you wouldn’t like it because it’s noisy.”

“How could that be? Isn’t the sound from the factory more enjoyable than the performance of an orchestra for someone who has set foot in the business world? Haha.”

Geum Seok-ho and the plant manager smiled as they looked at me, who was laughing affably. We walked along the conveyor line and looked around the production line.

“How are you managing the parts supply?”

“We are ordering parts from suppliers as orders come in.”

Hearing the plant manager’s answer, I smiled wryly inside.

‘As expected, the Toyota method [Just-in-time manufacturing] is still the mainstream.’

It was good to order parts when orders for vehicles came in, like Toyota, and to minimize parts inventory, but this alone was not enough.

As a result of watching the production line so far, it seemed that I had a new method to suggest, seeing that they were making everything from the chassis to the driver’s seat and the front end in order on one line.

“Why is that, Director Lee? You don’t seem satisfied with something.”

“I’ll tell you after I look around a bit more, Chairman.”

I was sorry that my one word darkened Geum Seok-ho’s face, but now was the only opportunity for me as a car enthusiast to look around the process of car production in the 90s. I diligently moved my feet, and Geum Seok-ho and the plant manager were busy keeping up with me.

***

I was not satisfied with looking around the production line. Returning to the office, I sat on the sofa with Geum Seok-ho and the plant manager and drank coffee.

“How is it?”

“Are you talking about the coffee? It’s not like I don’t like instant coffee, haha.”

Geum Seok-ho stared at me with a firm gaze as I laughed it off.

“Don’t keep it inside and tell me. Your eyes looked cold throughout the factory tour.”

The plant manager also carefully looked at me and Geum Seok-ho’s expressions and said.

“The employees are doing their best now, Director Lee. They are working as if they are breaking their backs to repay the trust shown by Haedong Group and Standard Capital.”

‘This… I can’t hold back anymore.’

I thought there would be a misunderstanding if I made a mistake. I smiled inwardly and said to the two people.

“What I don’t like is not the workers’ work ethic.”

“Then what’s the problem? I’ve heard enough from the chairman that you’re smart, so tell me quickly.”

Looking at Geum Seok-ho, who was staring intently, I opened the bag next to me and took out the documents. Would Geum Seok-ho, and the plant manager next to him, recognize the value of the blueprint I was about to present?