Chapter 30: Abuse of Power

I drove straight to Kangseong Steel.

On the way, I had already scheduled an appointment, so the meeting with the person in charge went smoothly.

“So, you’re saying we can transact at 100 dollars?”

The iron ore import manager, Section Chief Hwang Hyejin, stared at me intently.

In the eyes of the elderly person who had lived long enough, a sharp glint seemed to flow.

The momentum was quite fierce, but I was someone who had been through all sorts of hardships.

“Yes.”

“…The director mentioned it, but I naturally thought it was a joke.”

“It’s no joke. I don’t joke in business talks.”

“Then the transaction volume of 30,000 tons isn’t a lie either.”

“Ah, that has changed a bit.”

I placed a warehouse photo next to Section Chief Hwang Hyejin.

The photo showed a warehouse fully stacked with iron ore. 

The amount easily exceeded 30,000 tons at a glance.

“The current holding is 33,000 tons.”

“Huh…. That’s enormous. Are you saying you can secure this amount every month?”

“Yes. I have a mine, so it’s possible. The reserves are abundant.”

“Hmm….!”

The section chief carefully examined the photos and then flipped through the documents I brought.

Since it was already approved from above, there was no sign of trying to sabotage the deal.

But there was no sign of accepting it obediently either.

“As you know, the amount of iron ore our Kangseong Steel consumes per month is 3.2 million tons.”

“Yes, even with 33,000 tons, it’s about 1%.”

“Honestly, it’s something we can buy or not buy.”

Section Chief Hwang Hyejin said while pushing the documents aside with a swipe.

“A ton for 100 dollars is tempting enough, but including transportation and labor costs, we’ll have to lower it a bit more.”

Look at this?

100 dollars per ton is already low, and now they want to cut it further?

There’s no thug like this thug.

Their intention is obvious.

If they succeed in slashing the price here, it would naturally lead to high evaluation from the superiors.

Just by the face, they seem department head level, but still a section chief, so they must be anxious.

Feeling Section Chief Hwang Hyejin’s ridiculous ploy, I asked.

“Then how much are you thinking?”

“Let’s do 90 dollars.”

They didn’t hold a knife, but it’s no different from a robber.

Is this guy crazy? 

Slashing 10 dollars like that.

Combining the amount of iron ore I’m selling, it’s asking to cut about 400 million won.

Do they think just because they’re a trillion-won company, 400 million is pocket change for others?

Feeling absurd, I chuckled and said.

“I’ve already finalized the agreement with Director Han Daehyuk at 100 dollars. Cutting another 10 dollars from here seems a bit too much.”

“The director has delegated this matter to me. Isn’t further cutting within my discretion?”

“What if it leads to the deal falling through.”

“Then I just write a letter of apology, that’s it. Hahaha.”

So my 400 million is just a letter of apology to you.

It’s abuse of power stemming from the difference in company sizes.

After letting out a hollow laugh for a moment, I stroked my chin.

Hmm. What to do with this bastard.

There are many ways to deal with him.

Contacting Han Daehyuk directly to replace the person in charge is one way, or breaking the contract here and meeting with another steel company.

But you know.

Either way, it’s not satisfying.

Contacting Han Daehyuk might just tell me to handle it myself.

Other steel companies could pull the same power play.

Because they think they’re the甲.

In the end, settling it right here is the way.

“Fine. So you’re saying you won’t accept above 90 dollars?”

At my words, the corners of Section Chief Hwang Hyejin’s mouth crept up.

“Yes, yes. That’s considering distribution and labor costs, so please understand.”

“Still, the loss on our side is not small. We need to strengthen our franchise businesses with the iron ore sales revenue.”

“That’s your circumstance, isn’t it.”

The way they talk.

“You’re right. That’s our problem. So I have no intention of appealing to emotions. However, if it goes like this, various problems will arise.”

….What problems are you talking about.”

The way to make the other party the乙 is simple.

I leaned back in the chair and crossed my arms.

His eyes turned murderous at the arrogant attitude, but I don’t care.

Because those eyes will break soon enough.

“Section Chief Hwang Hyejin, have you ever thought it was strange?”

“What are you referring to.”

“Ribbon Corporation is a newly established company not long ago. It’s a company that hasn’t even properly settled yet.”

“So what?”

“You don’t understand.”

As I gently scratched their nerves, the veins on Section Chief Hwang Hyejin’s forehead stood out.

With such emotional fluctuations, no wonder they’re still a section chief at that age.

“Please refrain from talking unrelated to the deal. I’m a busy person with a lot of work.”

“I’m the same. So please understand what I’m saying right away.”

“President Kang Jisung! What are you trying to do now!”

At his sudden shouting, people passing by outside the meeting room glanced over.

It’s an expensive company, so the meeting room’s soundproofing was thorough.

Thanks to that, they don’t know what conversation is happening inside.

They’ll just feel that something is going strangely.

Yes, that’s enough.

That’s sufficient as groundwork for what I need to do.

I turned my eyes back to Section Chief Hwang Hyejin and said.

“I don’t like repeating myself, but I’ll say it again. How do you think a mere president of a startup company like me was able to negotiate directly with Director Han Daehyuk, the grandson of the Kangseong Group.”

“That’s why…. Huh!”

Section Chief Hwang Hyejin was about to shout but swallowed his words.

Yes, now you’re coming to your senses.

Trying to skin someone alive.

“The current iron ore price is 128 dollars. It rose 16% compared to last month, and it will continue to rise.”

“In this situation, if I alone pass iron ore at 100 dollars.”

I stood up from my seat.

Just standing in front of the shorter Section Chief Hwang Hyejin was enough to give him pressure.

“Do you think it’s right to see me as a fool, or is it right to think there’s some deal and this is the price for it.”

“Th-that’s….”

Section Chief Hwang Hyejin is someone who can’t properly navigate social life, regardless of ability.

That’s why they’re still a section chief while peers became department heads.

Such a person wouldn’t know what talks are happening upstairs.

And this information gap made him imagine a lot.

“Section Chief Hwang Hyejin, if you want to preserve even that position, you should just peel when told to peel. Right?”

“…”

“Where do you think you are, trying to devour what another company worked hard to build like a dog.”

“Hup!”

He backed away with a pale face and collapsed into the chair.

I looked at him emotionlessly and collected the documents on the table.

“Consider the deal nonexistent.”

“W-w-w-wait a moment! President Kang, no, President Kang Jisung!”

He ran over and grabbed my arm, but I shook it off immediately.

“Section Chief Hwang Hyejin, speak with words, words I can understand properly.”

“So that’s….”

“I don’t think we’ll meet again.”

“No, no! Don’t do that, let’s talk a bit more, yes?”

“There’s nothing to talk about.”

“President!”

No matter how he clung, I gathered my things and left the meeting room.

Section Chief Hwang Hyejin followed me closely, but I ignored him the whole time.

That scene spread like wildfire, and before I got on the elevator.

“President Kang Jisung, is there any problem?”

The raw materials department, Manager Lee Seokjae stepped forward.

If someone of this level came out from the beginning, it would have been easy.

Making that idiot handle the chores.

Anyway, it’s a company I don’t like.

Well, not liking is not liking.

But what can be used should be used.

“The terms have changed a lot from what was discussed earlier. I conveyed that it’s hard to transact with the changed terms.”

“May I hear what has changed?”

“I don’t mind, but I’m concerned about Section Chief Hwang Hyejin’s prestige if I say it here.”

Though partitioned, the voice spread everywhere.

Employees seemed busy with their work, but it’s obvious their ears are focused here without looking.

Manager Lee Seokjae, aware of that, cleared his throat once and guided back to the meeting room.

“May Section Chief Hwang Hyejin attend as well?”

“Please do.”

Thus, a three-way confrontation was set.

It’s called a three-way confrontation, but it was closer to a seat punishing a criminal.

“So, you had a verbal contract with the director at 100 dollars, but Section Chief Hwang arbitrarily cut it to 90 dollars?”

“Yes.”

“…Sigh.”

Manager Lee Seokjae glared at Section Chief Hwang Hyejin and then looked at me again.

His eyes sharp at the corners, he seemed to immediately sense things got complicated.

It could flow like this, but since the board is set, I should see more profit if possible.

“I understand the steel side’s position. With iron ore and iron scrap prices rising now, you’d want to save even a little at Kangseong.”

“Still, we were rash, not 1 or 2 dollars, but 10 dollars. I’m sorry.”

Manager Lee Seokjae pulled the documents in front to him.

Then he took out a pen, preparing to sign, and said.

“We will impose appropriate disposition on the section chief according to company rules. If that appeases your anger, Hwang Hyejin….”

“That’s a given.”

I pulled back the documents Manager Lee Seokjae took.

Trying to act like doing a favor for something that must be done.

Anyway, these guys try to eat for free at the slightest opening.

“I don’t know if you know, but in the deal with Director Han Daehyuk, it was to supply 30,000 tons of iron ore at 100 dollars.”

“Every month.”

“Yes, but it was also agreed to gradually increase that amount.”

Starting with 30,000 tons, but maintaining that volume continuously isn’t the entirety of the contract.

Gradually increasing the transaction volume to ensure future profits is the main point of the contract.

“Despite such promised contents, if they arbitrarily slash the unit price thinking they’re in advantage, I don’t know if I can trust and increase the volume.”

Section Chief Hwang Hyejin only saw the 30,000 tons on the contract, but the invisible is several times that transaction volume.

Realizing belatedly that it’s a deal of larger scale than visible, Section Chief Hwang Hyejin looked like a puppy that wants to poop.

Manager Lee Seokjae pressed his lips tightly instead and said.

“Then what do you want.”

“It’s not difficult. Adjust the price.”

“…How much.”

“I won’t ask much. Just take as much as you tried to cut.”

They tried to cut 100 dollars to 90, so 110 dollars.

Now with iron ore rising, even this is profit, but it’s practically receiving market price.

Perhaps thinking it’s unreasonable, Manager Lee Seokjae shook his head.

“No matter what, that’s hard for us to bear. How about 102.8 dollars.”

Too low.

Still, it’s 2.8 dollars profit over the first price.

But this is a bit insufficient.

“If you add one special clause, I’ll do 101.9 dollars.”

“May I hear what special clause.”

“It’s nothing much.”

I looked at Section Chief Hwang Hyejin and said.

“Just confirm that Section Chief Hwang Hyejin’s sincere apology and fair punishment according to company rules have been carried out.”

If you’re going to screw someone, you should know you can get screwed too.

Manager Lee Seokjae nodded to this.

“Good.”

Thus, the abuse of power paid the price.

If you abuse power just because it’s a small company, you’re the one who gets fucked.