The Conglomerate Family Became A Villain [EN]: Chapter 137

137. Hoist the Sails High (4)

Word of mouth.

A rumor passed from person to person.

Consumers trust word of mouth because it’s not company advertising; they trust the opinions of other consumers. Products that earn this trust often gain a loyal following.

In the 20th century, marketers tried to artificially create this word of mouth.

This was called buzz marketing, and with the rise of social media, the marketing arena shifted from person-to-person to online platforms and smartphones.

“There are some unusual aspects to the performance of Victoria Corporation’s new game, Lambda.”

MGSoft CEO Henderson frowned at the marketing manager’s explanation.

“The second week’s performance is exceptionally good?”

“That’s right.”

“What do you think is the reason for this?”

“I suspect they’re using buzz marketing tactics.”

MGSoft CEO Henderson clicked his tongue.

“Victoria is artificially creating rumors?”

“If not that, they may have purchased a significant number of copies themselves to inflate sales.”

“Hmm.”

Either way, it meant that organic marketing wasn’t driving the sales.

“So, they’re not competing fairly.”

“Victoria seems to think they can dominate the market with money.”

Existing game companies expressed displeasure at the emergence of a new competitor like Victoria Corporation.

PC game companies, in particular, felt threatened.

“Can we find any evidence of this?”

“That’s……”

“Are you saying it’s difficult to prove?”

“Even if we obtain evidence, a legal battle would place a significant burden on us.”

Henderson nodded in response to the marketing manager’s words.

“I suppose so.”

He steepled his fingers and thought.

‘That young punk only learned the dirty tricks of Wall Street.’

MGSoft and other PC game companies were closely watching Lambda’s sales figures.

And most of them wanted Victoria Corporation to fail rather than succeed.

The reason was simple.

They didn’t want a strong competitor.

An hour later.

At Victoria Corporation, a meeting was held to discuss the official sales figures.

“Lambda’s sales increased significantly in the second week.”

Chung Hyun-woo raised his right hand slightly and asked.

“By how much did it increase?”

“It increased by 42% compared to last week.”

It was unusual for second-week sales to increase compared to first-week sales.

The reason was that advertising and promotional events were usually concentrated in the first week.

“Amazing.”

“As sales rapidly increase, some game shops are running out of stock.”

Chung Hyun-woo turned to Hendricks in the distribution department.

“It’ll be a problem if there’s a supply shortage.”

Hendricks bowed deeply.

“We’re trying our best, but with the surge in demand, supply isn’t keeping up.”

No one had anticipated Lambda’s success in the second week.

“Add more vehicles and personnel to the distribution network.”

“Understood.”

Chung Hyun-woo turned his gaze back to John River.

“John, have you identified the reason for the increase in sales?”

“Well, I believe it’s due to word of mouth.”

“Word of mouth?”

“According to reports from game shops across the country, user reviews are very positive.”

Chung Hyun-woo steepled his fingers again.

“So, you’re saying the game becomes more enjoyable as players progress through it?”

“That’s roughly correct.”

“Tell me more.”

Lambda was overseen by Chung Hyun-woo, but he didn’t directly lead the game’s production.

John River was in charge of the game’s development.

“Players who have completed the game are praising the story.”

The final scene, commonly called the ending, is resonating with players.

Chung Hyun-woo knew how important the direction of this final scene was.

‘Because dozens of hours of gameplay must culminate in one impactful scene.’

He thought John River’s team had done well in this regard.

“Did you say you hired a professional story writer?”

John River bowed his head slightly.

“That’s right.”

He didn’t insist on his own story ideas and hired a professional story writer to add depth to Lambda.

Chung Hyun-woo highly appreciated this decision.

‘John knows his shortcomings.’

When it came to games, John River became a completely different person than usual.

He was completely fascinated by the game, beyond simply trusting it.

‘That’s probably why he can’t get married…….’

John River was the only unmarried department-level manager at Victoria Corporation.

Of course, Chung Hyun-woo and Sarah were exceptions.

“So, to summarize, users who saw the ending gave good reviews, and those good reviews spread by word of mouth, boosting the second week’s performance.”

The game division staff, including John River, nodded in unison.

“That’s right.”

Chung Hyun-woo released his clasped hands and said.

“Let’s not rest on our laurels with the second week’s performance, but aim for even greater results.”

“Understood.”

The meeting ended simply.

As Chung Hyun-woo came out, Sarah approached and asked.

“I heard the results are good?”

“They say it’s due to word of mouth among users.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

“It’s a positive sign, but it’s only the second week.”

Chung Hyun-woo wanted to remain cautious.

“How’s your side doing, Sarah?”

“It’s the end of the year, so the general feeling is to revisit discussions next year.”

Microsoft had established itself to some extent, so they were trying to get through the end and beginning of the year without pushing too hard.

“Let’s align with their pace.”

Victoria Corporation focused on JP Services and American Services, and aimed for the future with the game division and security division.

“Oh, and about Japan.”

Chung Hyun-woo paused and asked.

“Are you talking about Nintendo in Japan?”

“No, Japanese investment.”

Victoria Corporation had been continuously increasing its investment in Japan.

Recently, the investment had grown to 80 million dollars.

This was the third-largest amount among the companies that invested in Magellan Fund [a fictional investment fund].

“Is something wrong?”

“Peter says the atmosphere in Japan is unusual.”

Chung Hyun-woo knew what that unusual atmosphere was.

‘It seems to be starting at last.’

He thought the preliminary meetings for the Plaza Accord [a 1985 agreement between major industrialized nations to depreciate the U.S. dollar] had begun.

‘Since President Reagan succeeded in his re-election, he could proceed with the negotiations with confidence.’

If President Reagan had failed to be re-elected, the Plaza Accord would not have proceeded.

‘History hasn’t changed.’

The clock of history was still pointing to New York and the Plaza Hotel.

‘Japan’s bubble [an economic bubble characterized by rapid asset inflation] will grow even bigger.’

Until it completely explodes.

“Sarah, there have always been stories about the US putting pressure on Japan.”

Saying it wasn’t anything particularly new.

Was it because of his lukewarm reaction?

Sarah came closer to him and whispered.

“Charlie, they say it’s different this time.”

Chung Hyun-woo was slightly distracted by the scent emanating from her body rather than the content she conveyed.

‘It’s a face I see every day, but when I get this close…….’

The feeling was completely different.

He barely regained his composure and responded to her words.

“Th, then I’ll contact the Edinburgh MP.”

Sarah took a step back and smiled brightly.

“The Edinburgh MP would be a good choice.”

She had unknowingly flustered Chung Hyun-woo since morning.

* * *

Chairman Chung Woo-sun’s eldest son, Vice President Chung Min-seok, and Chairman Chung Woo-sun’s two daughters gathered in one place.

“The situation isn’t good.”

Chairman Chung Woo-sun’s eldest daughter, Chung In-hae, sighed deeply at Vice President Chung Min-seok’s words.

“Haa……. That’s what I said. I told you not to let your guard down.”

Chung Hyun-woo’s sudden success had nothing to do with them letting their guard down.

Nevertheless, she was raising her voice as if she had expected all of this.

Instead of arguing with his older sister, Vice President Chung Min-seok tried to find a solution.

“I have two ideas.”

His younger sister, Chung Hye-sook, asked.

“Brother, you have two ideas?”

Vice President Chung Min-seok nodded and shared the two ideas he had in mind.

“The first is to conclude the successor competition before Hyun-woo gets involved.”

The eldest daughter, Chung In-hae, said sarcastically.

“Brother, do you think that’s possible?”

Vice President Chung Min-seok took a deep breath at his older sister’s rebuke.

“It won’t be easy.”

“What’s the second one?”

“The second is to win Hyun-woo over.”

If Chung Hyun-woo, who had achieved great success in the United States, supported him, he could push out Chung Min-young and succeed Chairman Chung Woo-sun.

“Min-young is already ahead in that regard.”

Recently, Chung Min-young and Chief Hong Won-ik had become very close.

Hye-sook also thought it would be difficult.

“Brother, I think the first method is better.”

She thought that if her father-in-law and In-hae’s father-in-law encouraged Chairman Chung Woo-sun, they could speed up the decision on a successor.

‘My father isn’t the type to just ignore what people around him say.’

Chairman Chung Woo-sun was famous for his tenacity, but he wasn’t someone who stubbornly insisted on his own way.

He was someone who would follow if the people around him spoke with one voice.

“That……. To use the first method, we need something significant.”

Hye-sook tilted her head and asked.

“By something significant, do you mean money?”

She thought that Vice President Chung Min-seok was asking for a large amount of slush funds [funds used for illicit purposes].

But the significant thing he was talking about wasn’t money.

“Not money, but an achievement that can impress my father.”

Hye-sook exclaimed briefly after hearing his answer.

“Ah, an achievement.”

The eldest daughter, Chung In-hae, thought it wouldn’t be easy to achieve great results in a short period of time.

“The Middle East projects are also sluggish. Will it be okay?”

Vice President Chung Min-seok bit his lower lip slightly.

“As you said, it will be difficult.”

In-hae frowned deeply.

“Then that means there’s no way.”

“Shall we go with the second option?”

“The second? To persuade Hyun-woo? The kid who’s close to Chief Hong?”

“I’ll go to the United States myself.”

Vice President Chung Min-seok drew his sword [a metaphor for taking decisive action].

“Don’t do that.”

In-hae showed a cold reaction.

Vice President Chung Min-seok narrowed his brows and raised his voice.

“Do you think I won’t be able to persuade Hyun-woo?”

In-hae realized that he was angry. So she lowered her voice.

“Min-seok. Shouldn’t you prepare a little before meeting Hyun-woo? You don’t know what Hyun-woo is thinking or what kind of person he is at all. If you meet him without preparing, you won’t be able to achieve good results.”

This time, In-hae’s words were correct.

Vice President Chung Min-seok was feeling impatient and was trying to make a move somewhat hastily.

Hye-sook also supported her sister.

“Sister is right. It’s not too late to find out more about what kind of person Hyun-woo is and then make a move.”

Vice President Chung Min-seok sighed deeply.

“Hoo……. You’re all right, but we’re running out of time.”

Hye-sook raised her right hand and said.

“I’ll go.”

“You?”

“I’m the youngest one here.”

Meaning that she had the smallest age gap with Chung Hyun-woo.

In-hae shook her head.

“It won’t be very effective.”

Even Hye-sook, the youngest here, was more than fifteen years older than Chung Hyun-woo.

“Then what should we do?”

“Let’s send Jin-ye.”

Han Jin-ye was In-hae’s daughter and was studying abroad in the United States.

“Jin-ye?”

“Because they’re the same age. Wouldn’t they have something in common?”

It wasn’t a great idea, but there was no better option in the current situation.

Vice President Chung Min-seok nodded at her suggestion.

“Okay. Then I’ll leave this to you, sister.”

After deciding to send Han Jin-ye to Chung Hyun-woo, he left for the company.

After Vice President Chung Min-seok left.

The eldest daughter, Chung In-hae, said to her younger sister, Chung Hye-sook.

“Even though she’s my sister, she’s really thick-faced.”

“Why?”

“She tried to undermine Hyun-woo, but now she’s trying to win him over again.”

Hye-sook raised her eyebrows when she heard that Vice President Chung Min-seok had tried to undermine Chung Hyun-woo.

“Then the rumors were true?”

In-hae clicked her tongue and replied.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, at least half of it is true.”

She suspected that Chung Hyun-woo’s hospitalization was not unrelated to Vice President Chung Min-seok.

‘Min-seok is denying it, but Hyun-woo was the most annoying presence.’

Being the son of the eldest brother meant that he was the legitimate heir.

* * *

Chung Hyun-woo sighed briefly after receiving Choi Kyung-min’s report.

“Hoo……, so you’re saying that the number of people investigating me has increased recently.”

Choi Kyung-min gripped the receiver and said.

“Rumors about the young master are coming out from the Moolsan side.”

Daewoon Moolsan referred to Vice President Chung Min-seok’s faction.

Chung Hyun-woo couldn’t help but narrow his brows.

‘That means my big uncle has made a move.’

Just as you can’t cover the sky with the palm of your hand, he knew that the truth about him would eventually be revealed.

But the timing was earlier than he expected.

‘Was it too greedy to wait another half year?’

He was planning to reveal his identity around the time of Victoria Corporation’s IPO [Initial Public Offering – when a private company offers shares to the public for the first time].

But in the current situation, he couldn’t wait half a year.

“So, what kind of rumors are circulating?”

“The rumor is that the young master has achieved great success in the United States.”

“Aren’t there any specific details emerging?”

Choi Kyung-min nodded and replied.

“That’s right.”

Vice President Chung Min-seok had instructed them to keep it a secret, so specific details weren’t circulating.

But since the number of employees traveling to and from the United States was significant, they couldn’t suppress everything.

Even if it wasn’t Daewoon Moolsan, stories related to Chung Hyun-woo were surfacing from various sources.

“Okay. Secretary Choi, please continue to monitor the internal situation of the company.”

Just as Chung Hyun-woo was about to hang up, Choi Kyung-min said.

“Young master.”

“Is there anything else to report?”

“Have you been in contact with Chief Hong recently?”

Chung Hyun-woo tilted his head and asked.

“Contact with Chief Hong?”

“If I may offer a personal opinion, I think it would be beneficial to offer Chief Hong some support.”

Chung Hyun-woo didn’t immediately agree.

“Is there a reason for this suggestion?”

He wanted a specific explanation.

“It seems there is some conflict with the chairman.”

Conflict between Chairman Chung Woo-sun and Chief Hong Won-ik.

This was something that not only Chung Hyun-woo but even the executives of the Daewoon Group had not anticipated.