The Conglomerate Family Became A Villain [EN]: Chapter 183

183. Autumn Storm (1)

August 27th.

Boston, Victoria Corporation Headquarters.

Jung Hyun-woo and Sarah headed to work together for the first time in a while.

“In the end, we didn’t get to go on vacation.”

“Let’s just say we spent our vacation in New York.”

The car they were riding in was still an ordinary Ford sedan.

“Aren’t you going to miss it?”

Sarah tilted her head.

“Miss what?”

“The Ferrari.”

“Hmm, there are more important things than a Ferrari.”

It’s true that Jung Hyun-woo’s wealth was immense, but Sarah was also independently wealthy.

If she wanted to, she could buy all kinds of Ferraris.

“Do you have anything special planned for today?”

“Maybe?”

“Shall we leave work early then?”

Sarah turned the steering wheel and replied.

“I don’t think we’ll have that much time.”

It had only been two days since they returned to Boston.

There was still a lot of work to catch up on.

“And Robert’s coming back today.”

As soon as they returned, Robert left for Seattle on a business trip to collaborate with Microsoft. And today, two days later, he was scheduled to return to Boston.

“We need to talk more about the independence of the AS division, right?”

“We have to. It would be difficult if we ostracized Robert just because he became CTO [Chief Technology Officer].”

“I know.”

Sarah knew how much influence Robert had on Victoria Corporation.

‘If it weren’t for him, the company might have collapsed during the JP Services project.’

At the time, Victoria Corporation was struggling due to tight schedules and a lack of manpower.

Robert solved all of that as soon as he joined Victoria Corporation.

“Come to think of it, I heard PC’s Limited is doing well?”

“I heard they’re changing their name to Dell Computer now.”

“Dell Computer?”

“Michael [Dell] put his name on the company.”

It was not uncommon to name a company after its founder.

There were countless companies in the United States named after their founders, such as the Walton brothers’ Walmart, Henry Ford’s Ford Motor Company, and JP Morgan’s JP Morgan.

“Should we change our name too?”

“Pardon?”

“After Charlie’s name.”

Jung Hyun-woo shook his head vigorously.

“It’s hard to pronounce, and there are no advantages.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

A moment later.

The two arrived near Victoria Corporation headquarters.

“Charlie, that building over there.”

The building Sarah pointed to with her right hand was a five-story building made of red brick.

“It’s not very tall.”

“That’s why it’s cheap.”

“Hmm, so it’s a candidate for the second headquarters?”

“That’s right, what do you think?”

Victoria Corporation was now using all floors of the building except the first floor.

Sarah and Jung Hyun-woo thought that a second headquarters was necessary if they were considering future expansion.

“It looks good. It’s not far from the headquarters either.”

“Then let’s go with that one.”

“Wait a minute.”

Sarah parked the car on the side and asked.

“Is there anything bothering you?”

“Besides being cheap, are there any other advantages?”

Sarah took her hands off the steering wheel and pondered his question.

“Other advantages…….”

Being in the city and having good transportation was not much of an advantage.

“Is it a large parking lot?”

“Parking lot?”

“There’s a parking lot in the back of the building.”

“That’s unexpected.”

Sarah sighed briefly and said.

“Haa……. I don’t think there are any other advantages.”

Jung Hyun-woo looked out the window at the red brick building and echoed her words.

“Then that’s fine.”

Sarah put the car in gear and asked.

“You don’t completely like it, do you?”

“The building is a bit old. Leaks are fatal to computer and server systems.”

Sarah listened to Jung Hyun-woo’s words and nodded as if she hadn’t thought of that.

“Ah, that could be true. Then it would be better to look for another building.”

“We can look for another building, or we can carry out extensive repairs before moving in.”

Jung Hyun-woo thought that the former and the latter were a matter of efficiency.

‘Anyway, it’s a blessing to be able to worry about things like this.’

Compared to issues like the war with Terra or the AS division strike, today’s worries were trivial.

* * *

“Microsoft is planning to release a new operating system.”

Robert nodded and echoed Jung Hyun-woo’s words.

“It was worth looking forward to.”

“If it’s worth looking forward to, is it better than DOS [Disk Operating System]?”

Robert smiled and replied.

“I think it will be a revolutionary operating system.”

Jung Hyun-woo knew the revolutionary operating system Robert was talking about.

‘It seems like Microsoft’s legend, the Windows series, is complete.’

The reason he decided to collaborate with Microsoft was because he knew the influence of the Windows series.

‘Windows was the most influential operating system even in the 2020s.’

Even 40 years from now, the strongest operating system was Windows.

“I’ll leave Microsoft to Robert.”

Robert nodded and finished his business presentation. Next was Anne.

Anne looked rather gloomy.

“Anne, is there anything wrong?”

Anne nodded at Jung Hyun-woo’s question.

“Last month’s expenses were higher than expected.”

“Is it around 2 or 3%?”

“It’s 6%.”

6% was an expenditure that exceeded the margin of error.

“Which area had increased spending?”

“Data center usage costs and labor costs have increased more than expected.”

“Hmm, we can’t help the data center usage costs until our data center is completed.”

Victoria Corporation’s data center had just entered the design stage.

‘We have no choice but to use other companies’ data centers for the next three years.’

He raised his voice slightly.

“Are there any other issues?”

Anne answered cautiously.

“Third-quarter results are not expected to be as good as expected.”

“Dell Computer and the game division’s results should have increased, right?”

“That’s because of the increase in costs I mentioned earlier.”

This meant that net profit had decreased due to increased costs.

“Hmm, you’re saying that the increase in costs was greater than the increase in revenue. Let’s check that part one more time.”

Jung Hyun-woo did not actively try to improve profits.

‘If we focus on improving profits every quarter, we won’t be able to operate normally.’

He intended to maintain the existing growth path even if he was listed on NASDAQ [National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations, a global electronic marketplace for buying and selling securities].

“Sarah, do you have any comments?”

Sarah answered Jung Hyun-woo’s question.

“I think the next quarter is more important than this quarter.”

“Does that mean the end of the year could be problematic?”

“We have to pay bonuses to employees and prepare dividends for shareholders.”

Jung Hyun-woo put his hands together and said.

“The stock price will drop a bit.”

Today’s meeting was just about minor stories.

‘It’s the same as this morning.’

Originally, human life was a series of these small daily events. That was true even for the CEO of a large corporation.

“Let’s move on to the next topic.”

Sarah turned her gaze to John River and said.

“Only John is left.”

John River coughed lightly and then talked about the game division’s performance and plans.

Jung Hyun-woo told him about two things to improve and then wrapped up the meeting.

“Let’s end today’s meeting here.”

It was an ordinary and neat meeting.

It was when he came out of the conference room.

His secretary, Luna, approached and reported.

“I received a call from my hometown.”

She used the word “hometown” rather than “homeland” when referring to South Korea.

“Did you make a note of where it came from?”

“Yes. It was Mr. Choi.”

Mr. Choi.

It was Choi Kyung-min, Jung Hyun-woo’s butler.

‘Secretary Choi?’

He nodded and headed to his office. Then he picked up the phone.

Click, click.

As he turned the dial, the signal went across the sea to South Korea.

“This is Choi Kyung-min.”

Jung Hyun-woo nodded and asked.

“You called?”

“An unusual situation has occurred, so I called you.”

Unusual situation.

Jung Hyun-woo frowned.

‘There hasn’t been anything unusual happening with the Daewoon Group recently.’

He raised his voice slightly.

“What kind of unusual situation is it?”

“There are rumors circulating within the company that Daewoon Corporation is suffering from a shortage of funds.”

Daewoon Corporation was Jung Min-young’s company, which had joined hands with Jung Hyun-woo.

‘That’s troublesome.’

He asked again.

“Did you find out the reason?”

Choi Kyung-min held the receiver close and answered.

“It seems that the cause is that they recklessly gathered yen [Japanese currency].”

“Has the yen exchange rate been bad recently?”

“It’s on a downward trend.”

Jung Hyun-woo groaned softly.

“Hmm, that’s not good.”

If they just held on a little longer, the Plaza Accord [an agreement between France, West Germany, Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom to depreciate the U.S. dollar relative to the Japanese yen and German mark] would be reached.

‘But if my youngest uncle sells off the yen before that, it would be like admitting failure himself.’

He raised his voice slightly.

“I’ll take action here, so Secretary Choi, please continue to monitor the situation.”

“Understood.”

Jung Hyun-woo hung up the phone and checked the time.

‘It must be late at night in South Korea.’

After hesitating for a moment, he turned the dial.

Click. Click. Click.

Soon, Jung Min-young’s voice was heard.

“Hello.”

“Uncle, it’s me.”

Jung Min-young’s voice brightened instantly.

“Ah, Hyun-woo.”

“How are you doing?”

Jung Min-young’s bright voice subsided again.

“Things aren’t going well.”

“Is it because of the exchange rate?”

“It’s the exchange rate, and the company’s situation isn’t good either.”

Jung Hyun-woo tilted his head and asked.

“The company’s situation isn’t good? What do you mean?”

“Aren’t we a company that imports more than we export? But recently, Samjung Group has been targeting the cotton and wool that we mainly deal with.”

In South Korea in 1985, the proportion of the textile industry was gradually decreasing, but it could still be said to be a major industry.

Daewoon Corporation imported raw materials for the textile industry, such as cotton, wool, and raw silk, and supplied them to various textile companies.

“Are you talking about Samjung Moolsan?”

“That’s right.”

Jung Hyun-woo thought it was a good thing he had called.

‘Samjung Moolsan is too much for Daewoon Corporation to handle.’

He nodded and said.

“I understand. I’ll take care of that.”

Jung Min-young’s eyes widened at Jung Hyun-woo’s words.

“You can solve this problem?”

“I’ve created a debt with the Samjung Group.”

In the early part of this year, Jung Hyun-woo had acquired Samjung Electronics’ stock at a higher price than the market price, helping Samjung Electronics, which was shaken by the plunge in semiconductor prices, to withstand the crisis.

“If that’s the case, I think I can take a breather.”

Jung Hyun-woo put strength in his voice and said.

“Things will work out if you wait on the foreign exchange side too.”

This meant that he should not easily sell the yen that he had worked so hard to gather.

“If we can solve the Samjung Moolsan issue, we can hold out for another six months.”

“There will be good news soon.”

“I’m counting on you.”

Finally, Jung Hyun-woo asked about Daewoon Construction.

“How is Daewoon Construction doing?”

“Daewoon Construction is…….”

Jung Min-young hesitated and dragged out his words without answering immediately.

“Is there anything wrong?”

“Hmm, it’s a bit ambiguous.”

“Ambiguous?”

“It seems like a big deal is about to be concluded, but there are also rumors that it will be difficult to conclude. I can’t really give you a definite answer.”

Since spring, Daewoon Construction had been in negotiations with Qatar for a road and port construction contract.

But even as summer was coming to an end, the negotiations had not ended.

“My eldest uncle has no choice but to desperately cling to this deal.”

“It’s not just the eldest brother. I know that the government is also providing quite a bit of support.”

Overseas construction orders were one of the projects that the government was pushing for.

“But the fact that the contract is not being signed immediately means that there is a major trouble that is not known to the outside world.”

“That’s probably the case.”

If Daewoon Construction fails to conclude the contract within this year, there is a high possibility that Jung Min-young will win the competition to become the successor.

‘Jung Min-seok’s camp must be quite anxious.’

He nodded and said.

“I’ll look into that too.”

“Really?”

“I have connections with the National Security Planning Agency [South Korean intelligence agency, predecessor to the National Intelligence Service] too.”

Jung Min-young repeatedly thanked Jung Hyun-woo.

The fact that he was bowing his head to his nephew like this meant that Jung Min-young was also quite anxious.

‘The situation at Daewoon Group seems to have changed a lot while I was in New York.’

He hung up the phone and checked the time again.

“It’s too late to call Chairman Shin.”

Jung Hyun-woo decided to wait until quitting time.

* * *

5 p.m.

Sarah gently opened the door to Jung Hyun-woo’s office.

“Charlie, aren’t you leaving work?”

“Just one more phone call.”

Sarah confirmed that Jung Hyun-woo was not holding the receiver and asked.

“It doesn’t seem like Charlie is making the call, do you have a call you’re waiting for?”

“It’s from Korea.”

Sarah exclaimed briefly at the answer from Korea.

“Ah, you mean you’re getting a call from home. Okay. Then let me know as soon as the call is over.”

She was planning to leave work with Jung Hyun-woo.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“It’s nothing, it’s just one phone call.”

Immediately after Sarah closed the door.

The phone rang.

Ring, ring, ring.

Jung Hyun-woo reached out and picked up the receiver.

“This is Charlie.”

Korean was heard from inside the receiver.

“Hyun-woo. It’s me.”

The person who called him was Shin Young-jin, the chairman of Samjung Group.

30 minutes ago, Jung Hyun-woo had called the Samjung Group’s secretary’s office and left a message.

“I’m sorry for calling you so early.”

When it was 5 p.m. in Boston, it was 6 a.m. in South Korea.

“I’m used to getting up early, so it’s okay.”

Jung Hyun-woo already knew that Chairman Shin Young-jin had a habit of getting up early.

‘It’s well known that Chairman Shin is diligent.’

He lowered his voice slightly.

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Chairman Shin Young-jin raised his voice slightly.

“You sound good.”

“I was able to resolve a few recent concerns.”

“You have concerns too?”

Jung Hyun-woo couldn’t help but feel a bit embarrassed when the chairman of a chaebol [South Korean conglomerate] group asked if he had any concerns.

“There have been many things happening since the NASDAQ listing.”

“This and that. So, what brings you here today?”

Chairman Shin Young-jin was spending hectic days because he had lost his brother and father at the same time.

“I’m calling to ask you for a favor.”

“Hyun-woo is asking me for a favor?”

“Chairman Shin is better at Korean affairs than I am.”

Chairman Shin Young-jin was still unfamiliar with the title of chairman.

“Korean affairs…….”

“It’s about a Samjung Group affiliate.”

At the words Samjung Group affiliate, Chairman Shin Young-jin sighed softly.

“Hoo……. Is there an affiliate that has a conflict with you?”

“It’s not our company.”

“It’s not your company, but there is a conflict.”

Jung Hyun-woo nodded and said.

“It’s about Daewoon Corporation and Samjung Moolsan.”

“Did a dispute arise between the two companies?”

“It’s not a dispute.”

“Then what is it?”

The call continued with Chairman Shin Young-jin asking and Jung Hyun-woo answering.

“I heard that Daewoon Corporation has been having difficulties importing wool, raw silk, and cotton from Samjung Moolsan.”

Chairman Shin Young-jin nodded slightly at his answer.

“It seems they raised the import price.”

If Samjung Moolsan started a fight with money, Daewoon Corporation would have no choice but to lose.

Chairman Shin Young-jin asked.

“So what do you want to do?”

If Jung Hyun-woo wanted, he could have Samjung Moolsan withdraw from the textile industry.

‘Because the debt they owe me is that big.’

Jung Hyun-woo answered his question.

“Please postpone the entry for about a year.”

“Is a year enough?”

“That’s enough.”

Just postponing the entry by one year would cause Samjung Moolsan to bear a considerable loss.

But Chairman Shin Young-jin accepted Jung Hyun-woo’s request without complaint.

“Okay. I’ll order them to delay the entry by one year. Is there anything else you want to ask for?”

“No.”

Chairman Shin Young-jin said in a low voice.

“I don’t think I’ve paid off all the debt I owe you with this.”

This meant that there was still debt to be repaid.

Jung Hyun-woo bowed slightly and echoed his words.

“I think it’s right to help each other in difficult times.”

Chairman Shin Young-jin’s voice softened.

“I hope I can help you someday.”

His words were sincere.