A Genius Speaks with Money

Chapter 82

The President narrowed his brows upon hearing Chairman Nam Kun-ho’s words.

An ominous feeling passed by like a brush.

“What is the favor?”

Nam Kun-ho opened his mouth while wearing a relaxed yet fishy smile, as if everything were flowing according to his will.

“I am talking about the Southeast Asian LNG complex contract project that Daehan Group is currently pursuing. I understand that the inter-governmental consultations are sluggish. For us, it is a business we have prepared for several years with blood, sweat, and tears. We are already in a situation where we have received overseas investment.”

Whether the President also knew about this matter, his gaze gradually hardened.

“I understand that as a matter under working-level consultation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Industry.”

Nam Kun-ho laughed leisurely.

Inside that laugh, a persistent desire to win was hidden.

“Regarding those working-level consultations. I would like the President to personally look after them. On this occasion, please upgrade it to a summit-level exchange level.”My eyes flashed sharply.

‘As expected… there is no way he would back down empty-handed.’

Nam Kun-ho continued his words with an even more confident voice.

“I believe that in order for Daehan Group to save face even after giving up Daehan Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, there must naturally be a reward worthy of it. Furthermore, the government also needs results, does it not.”

Lim Man-cheol let out a small cough.

He was inwardly surprised.

Watching Chairman Nam and wondering if that was how negotiations were done, he thought of his older brother, Chairman Lim Man-seok.

The President looked at Nam Kun-ho with his hands quietly clasped and spoke cautiously.

“Hmm. The Southeast Asian LNG project is something that can certainly be reviewed.”

Whether that was not enough, Nam Kun-ho pushed even further.

“Mr. President, do not just review it, but upgrade it to a national strategic project. And if you allow us to dispatch dedicated personnel from the Daehan Group side to the working-level group of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs line, our investors will also be able to feel relieved.”

The President appeared to be contemplating somewhat.

I already knew that discussions regarding that matter were ongoing with another company.

I watched to see if he would grant Chairman Nam’s request even while canceling that.

Silence hung in the reception room.

Only after a long while did he slowly nod and answer.

“With conditions of that degree, the government should naturally cooperate. I shall do as Chairman Nam said.”

At those words, Nam Kun-ho’s expression finally brightened.

“Thank you, Mr. President.”

The President pressed the call button to connect to the Chief Secretary and immediately ordered all of this.

I watched that sight quietly.

The conversation concluded in that manner.

Nam Kun-ho stood up from his seat and spoke briefly while looking at me.

“You will go through quite a bit of trouble. I have seen that those who carry a burden they cannot handle always collapse first. Please be careful not to have any trouble.”

In those words, a warning and mockery were contained.

I brushed that off lightly and retorted.

“A large ship is not shaken by waves. What sinks is always a ship whose greed was greater than the ship itself. I will take Chairman Nam’s words to heart.”

After I gave a light bow to the President and left the reception room, the one who matched his pace beside me was Chairman Lim Man-cheol.

He subtly poked my side with his elbow as we walked quietly.

“Hyunjun, you said that just now on purpose, didn't you?”

As I blinked and turned my head, Lim Man-cheol shook his head as if he found it absurd.

“Do you even know what kind of human that man is? If you touch his nerves, everyone around him ends up dead. You, punk, your liver has come out of your belly.”

Chairman Lim Man-cheol seemed to be grumbling and scolding with his words, but a faint sense of pride was buried in his expression.

I smirked and spoke.

“He should at least have the vessel to take that much talk.”

Lim Man-cheol shook his head side to side.

“Vessel, my foot. The more a human is like that, the longer it lasts if you touch his pride. Look at him sulking. I bet you were put on a blacklist or something from today. I guarantee it.”

I scratched my head and replied with an expressionless face.

“It did not seem like he had much of a liking for me anyway.”

At that, Lim Man-cheol suddenly burst into laughter.

“Hey, look at this guy. It feels very strange because it is like seeing my older brother in his younger days.”

Even so, he added one more remark playfully.

“But be careful next time. Because that human is no ordinary person. Keep my words in mind. Got it?”

I gave a short smile at the words containing worry and bowed my head.

“I will keep it in mind, Great-uncle.”

“Right, you rascal. If something goes wrong with you, your grandfather will not even be able to live out his natural lifespan.”

Lim Man-cheol patted my back with his large palm and laughed heartily.

We walked down the hallway together.

Upon leaving Cheongwadae, I immediately headed to the HJ Partners headquarters.

Inside the car, I quietly enjoyed a rest.

Assistant Manager Moon Jong-beom also drove quietly for me, who had gone to Cheongwadae after finishing school.

It was obvious that I would work until late once I returned to the company.

HJ Partners had become that busy.

The one who first greeted me when I arrived at the office was Choi Seo-jun, the Financial Director.

“Representative, I have heard the news. You have worked hard.”

I nodded and immediately headed to the meeting room with Choi Seo-jun.

All the working-level staff were already sitting in their seats.

After exchanging brief greetings, I started the meeting right away.

“As of today, Daehan Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering will enter the restructuring consortium.”

As my declaration resonated throughout the meeting room, the shoulders of the working-level staff straightened.

Since they had accomplished a difficult task, the sense of achievement was just as large.

They shared the joy of victory while exchanging congratulations with each other.

I also had a much more relaxed expression.

I was also very happy inwardly, but it was better that there were people I could share it with.

“All of this is the result of everyone's combined efforts. Now, what is joy?”

“Performance bonus!”

They shouted in voices as if they had matched them together.

My laughter echoed through the meeting room.

“Director Choi, please execute it immediately.”

Choi Seo-jun let out a cheer inwardly.

If he had been alone, he would have made a fuss in his seat.

But since he also had his dignity now, he decided to refrain from such things.

“Ahem, I will pay it immediately as the Representative instructed.”

In fact, before entering Cheongwadae today, I had instructed Director Choi Seo-jun in advance.

To prepare so that the performance bonuses could be paid immediately.

In professional life, is the moment the salary is deposited not the happiest?

I was not unaware of that either.

Money was deposited into each person's bank account.

Someone would go on a trip with their family with that.

Someone would change their home appliances with that.

Someone could pay for their family's hospital bills with that.

Money achieved by working hard was the best reward.

The head of a household would be able to straighten their shoulders, and that would lead to the happiness of the family.

Money was just like that.

It makes a person change depending on how it is used.

As Director Choi Seo-jun conveyed his gratitude toward me, the working-level staff in the meeting room also joined in.

Joy came and went.

I adjusted my posture while feeling delighted.

“Now, shall we get to work? Let us finish quickly on such a happy day and go home.”

I picked up the thickest file among the documents neatly arranged on the table and began to flip through the pages one by one.

Now, only the sound of flipping paper filled the meeting room.

I spoke without taking my eyes off the documents.

“The composition of the consortium is as follows. With our HJ Partners as the axis, Taeseong Heavy Industries, Korea Development Bank, external creditors, and one restructuring specialized accounting firm will join hands. The superficial justification is ‘normalization of the shipbuilding industry’.”

Lawyer Baek Yu-jin scrolled up and down the laptop screen and lightly rotated her wrist.

“How do you plan to design the legal structure? I am also curious about the internal stake ratios of the consortium.”

I tilted my head for a moment and fell into thought.

I clasped my hands and answered.

“Korea Development Bank will secure at least 25% or more by citing the injection of public funds. Taeseong Heavy Industries will take 30% in the capacity of a strategic investor. HJ Partners will exercise leadership of the consortium while holding 35%. The remaining 10% is in the form of distribution to restructuring funds and advisory institutions.”

Choi Seo-jun put down his pen and raised his hand.

“It seems Korea Development Bank and the Taeseong side will demand the right of prior consultation regarding asset sales and personnel restructuring as terms for the acquisition. In particular, it looks highly likely to collide head-on with the condition of employment succession.”

I shook my head firmly while closing the document I was looking at.

“That is not allowed. The promise with the government is the priority. Succession of employment for all employees must be strictly kept.”

My voice was firm.

“Restructuring must proceed within the framework of structural improvement without reduction in personnel. Of course, I know it is a difficult task, but since this is a condition, we must follow it. And the first thing to be done will have to be the integration and abolition of redundant departments, the liquidation of idle assets, and a full replacement of the management.”

Yu Hyeon-seok, the Crisis Management Director, nodded and spoke.

“I have been proceeding with the review of the personnel data of Daehan Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering. Even just for high-ranking executives with no performance, more than 30 people were just occupying seats while receiving annual salaries in the 400 million won range.”

I said to Director Yu Hyeon-seok.

“Director Yu, please create a list and give it to me by tomorrow. This must not leak outside.”

“Yes, I understand.”

I turned my gaze and looked at Han Seung-woo, the Strategy Planning Director.

“The content must leak to major media outlets and the stock market within today. Daehan Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering will be normalized through the restructuring consortium. Please set the headline in this direction.”

Director Han Seung-woo quickly tapped the keyboard and organized the notes.

“I will immediately consult with the media response team. It would also be good to proceed with interviews centered on economic newspapers.”

I turned my head again.

This time, it was to Baek Yu-jin, the legal advisor.

“And Lawyer Baek, what do you think about the issue of criminal liability for the existing management of Daehan Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering?”

Baek Yu-jin quietly flipped through the file and answered calmly.

“I have already secured the relevant materials and am proceeding with the work. It is in a state where preparation for criminal charges of window dressing accounting, breach of trust, and tax evasion is possible. For the sake of the restructuring justification, some public summons may also be proceeded with.”

“Good. Do not do the cleanup of past wrongdoings ourselves, but hand it over to the investigative agencies.”

My finger lightly tapped the table.

“We must not give the perception that we are doing the restructuring.”

The inside of the meeting room became so quiet that not even the sound of breathing could be heard.

No one raised an opinion against my instructions.

The instructions were so flawless that there was nothing to object to.

Finally, I caught everyone's attention by making eye contact with each person once.

“Daehan Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering is broken, but the skeleton is still alive. Let us revive it.”

Weight was added to my voice.

“Let us not simply change the name, but make it again by attaching new flesh.”

I slowly stood up from my seat.

“The meeting ends with this. See you tomorrow.”

People stood up from their seats one by one.

The meeting room door soon closed, and I, left alone, went up to the office and looked at the draft of the restructuring scenario.

Even when I was writing this, everyone said it was realistically difficult.

However, I proved that difficult task with the result.

‘It is starting from now.’