Chapter 59: A Ghost Who Died Unable to Make Money

It was Section Chief Hagichul who broke the silence in the conference room.

“We sent our president on a business trip to let him rest a bit, but he came back after stirring up a huge mess.”

“What’s so huge about it? It’s not like I swallowed a whole major corporation.”

“Would you be satisfied only if you ate Google or something?”

“That level would at least let us rub shoulders with Spectrum.”

“What a joke.”

It’s not a joke.

Still, thanks to Section Chief Hagichul’s words, the atmosphere lightened a bit.

“Don’t feel too burdened. These were things we had to do anyway. They just got pulled forward a little.”

“It’s too big a project not to feel burdened.”

“It’s just the scale of money moving that’s different—it’s not much different from what we’ve done so far.”

What we do isn’t anything special.

Distribution and such—it’s not that different.

Provide what consumers want.

Sign a contract with someone who wants a building and build it as they desire.

Simple.

“I hope you don’t overcomplicate it. From a business perspective, it’s the same.”

“It sounds like you’re saying a neighborhood hole-in-the-wall store is the same as a Kangseong conglomerate.”

“It is the same. It’s just a difference in how well and how efficiently you operate it.”

I looked around at the employees and said.

“You all are professionals in this field. That’s why I spent big money to bring you here.”

The employees coughed awkwardly and averted their gazes.

Then they looked back at me.

I met their eyes and spoke slowly.

“The tasks you’ll have to handle will increase. But what doesn’t change is that it’s ultimately business.”

Just grasp the most important parts.

Then it will work out.

“For now, the construction industry will need monitoring and a lot of organizing. I’d like a few people from the Business Planning Department to take charge of this part.”

“Construction division, then.”

“You could see it that way.”

“Then I’ll assign it to Deputy Yu Chaeri and Employee Lee Han.”

The two employees whose names were suddenly called opened their eyes wide and mouths agape.

Seeing them gaping like goldfish, it seemed they hadn’t expected it at all.

Section Chief Hagichul just smiled gently and said.

“Employee Lee Han has prior experience in construction, so I assigned him together, and Deputy Yu Chaeri is meticulous in her work and tends to prepare several backup plans. So pairing these two should work well.”

“S-Section Chief! The construction I did was just labor on sites!”

“M-Me too! I just say whatever comes to mind!”

Perhaps due to the pressure, the two tried to refuse with various excuses.

This is tricky.

“Both of you calm down. Anyway, the other employees are in the same boat.”

“President…”

“Section Chief Hagichul pointed you two out because he believes you’ll do well. So.”

I smiled and said.

“Do well.”

What can they do?

This is a company.

If told to do it, they have to.

***

After the meeting ended, I called only Section Chief Hagichul and Yuha separately to the president’s office.

There’s one topic to discuss when no other employees are around.

“You said there’s something important to talk about?”

“Yes, Section Chief. But why are you so tense?”

“Of course I’m tense. When the president says it’s important, it’s usually something big.”

“Uh…”

If someone heard, they’d think I keep causing absurd incidents.

Section Chief really worries a lot.

“It’s not like that.”

“Are you sure it’s not?”

“From the Section Chief’s perspective, it’s big enough.”

I was soothing the Section Chief when Yuha drove the nail in.

Since it’s from Yuha who knows the full story, the Section Chief’s eyes darkened.

“May I take a sedative first?”

“…It’s not that bad.”

“You expect me to believe the president’s words.”

When did this company start not trusting my words?

It’s sad that it seems to have become a Yuha-centered system in just one month.

I need to reestablish hierarchy soon…

Knock knock.

“President, a guest has arrived.”

As I was continuing my thoughts, there was a knock and the door opened.

The person who entered was Han Yeri, fully armed.

“It’s really hard to see your face. President Kang.”

“There were some circumstances. Please sit this way.”

At Han Yeri’s appearance, Section Chief Hagichul stood up abruptly.

He seemed to think it was time for him to leave.

“Section Chief Hagichul, please sit too.”

“It might be uncomfortable with me here.”

“No. Now everyone who needs to hear this is gathered.”

The conversation from now on is for four of us, not three.

“Then since everyone’s here, let’s get to the point. First, President Han Yeri.”

“I’m not sure if I should still be called president now.”

Han Yeri pushed the document envelope she brought toward me.

“It’s the proxy appointment letters for president of Kangseong Hotel and Shinsegae Department Store. Executive consent is already obtained, and part of the shares will be purchased by Ribbon Corporation at the designated time.”

“You’re handing over the hotel and department store?”

Section Chief Hagichul looked back and forth between me and Han Yeri in shock.

Yuha shrugged as if she knew it would happen, and Han Yeri looked at him strangely.

“This person is hearing it for the first time?”

“Yes, we kept it strictly confidential since we didn’t know where leaks might come from. Thanks to that, our vice president suffered a lot.”

“I’m grateful you recognize it.”

“But now the board is set, so I thought we should discuss it together.”

Section Chief Hagichul is trustworthy enough now to entrust one pillar of Ribbon Corporation.

That’s also why I called him here.

“Section Chief Hagichul.”

“Yes, yes.”

“As you heard, soon Kangseong Hotel and Shinsegae Department Store will come under us. It won’t be complete control, but it probably will be.”

Since Kangseong Group holds shares, it’s not completely out of their influence.

But it’s certain we can exercise influence above a certain level.

“We’ll be able to move as we want, and the hotel and department store will operate according to our business plans.”

“…When does it start?”

Section Chief Hagichul briefly panicked but soon calmly began assessing the situation.

There’s someone more qualified than me to explain the details.

“Grandfather has been bedridden for a while now. He’s barely hanging on to life.”

“What’s the doctor’s judgment?”

“One month.”

He’s barely extending life, but still one month.

After that, a major figure in the business world will pass.

It means changes are coming to Korea’s business community.

“Share transfers will happen right after.”

“There will be various costs, but we’ll handle those on our side. Ribbon Corporation will have costs to bear too.”

“We’ll have to spit out some with the Kangseong Foods shares.”

As much as we receive from Chairman Han Kangseong’s inheritance, we have to give back some.

I’ll have to check inheritance taxes later through the legal team, but quite a lot of expenditure will occur.

“It’ll be chaotic. Once Grandfather’s will is opened, everyone will be furious.”

“They’ll try to devour Ribbon Corporation somehow. And they won’t give us any openings to attack.”

The declaration of war card I gave to Chairman Han Kangseong.

He’ll open it at a perfectly timed moment.

The moment after his death.

Then?

I can see how the Kangseong Group people will move.

“You’ve prepared countermeasures, right?”

“We’ve blocked in advance.”

Food stabilization is complete, and we’ve reviewed all management policies. We’ve fortified places vulnerable to attack.

“What about preparations for counterattack?”

“We’re doing that too. With the construction company acquisition this time, we’re distributing construction materials through it.”

“Shaking them with iron ore?”

“It won’t shake much, but it’ll be a blow.”

Before they cut off deals first, we’ll gradually adjust quantities on our side.

No contract issues, but just enough to slightly shake their support base—very slightly.

“It’s a gentle method, but not strong. In the end, Han Daehyuk will smoothly rise to president.”

“It’s fine.”

“We’re dealing with a whole group. We have to start from small cracks.”

Kangseong Foods was just easy.

To collapse the entire group, we need to accumulate small cracks.

“If we wait, the time will come.”

“Good. I’ll be satisfied with that.”

Han Yeri has already bet everything on me.

Now, no matter what, she has to trust and follow me.

“Section Chief Hagichul.”

“Yes, yes.”

“In one month. When the hotel and department store come over, we’ll fully inspect those businesses and switch to our operating method.”

“…I need to prepare in advance.”

“If it’s okay, I’d like Section Chief Hagichul to take full charge.”

This was the real reason I kept the Section Chief here.

He’s trustworthy and highly capable.

If I hand over management of the two companies to him, he’ll do well enough.

Any parts that don’t work, I can step in directly to resolve.

Section Chief Hagichul looked troubled for a moment but soon nodded.

“I’ll do my best.”

“The Section Chief will do well. I believe in you.”

“I’ll live up to the effort.”

Seeing the Section Chief smile bitterly, I said to Han Yeri.

“Please hand over management and necessary knowledge well.”

“I’ll have the below organize it, so pick it up later. It’ll be helpful.”

“Thank you. Then, President, may I get up first?”

“Why, trying to escape in case I give more work?” 

“Hahaha, no way.”

It seems right.

Section Chief Hagichul fidgeted as if the seat was uncomfortable.

“I just think I need to study what needs to be done in advance.”

“Hmm… For now, yes. I don’t have more to say to the Section Chief right now.”

“Thank you. Then.”

Section Chief Hagichul really left without looking back, as if fearing even one more task.

Seeing him like that, if I gave him one more thing, he might scream in joy or something.

“Ribbon Corporation has a good atmosphere. Our executives get all serious after one talk, so it’s no fun.”

“That’s normal. Anyway, President Han Yeri?”

“Yes.”

“What will you do after handing over the hotel and department store? You’ll have nothing to do, right?”

After handing over what she was president of, Han Yeri will have no work.

Literally unemployed.

And a rich unemployed person at that.

Han Yeri let out a short sigh and said.

“From the way you’re talking, it seems you have work for me?”

“Why waste good labor? We have to use it.”

“You’re talking as if I’m an employee of Ribbon Corporation.”

“It’s not untrue. Once the hotel and department store come in, isn’t Han Yeri essentially with us?”

Handing over companies and waiting to suck honey, then eating only the tasty parts.

What kind of thief mentality is that?

I can’t tolerate it.

“Work with us.”

“Really. You have no intention of sucking me to the bone?”

“If you really hate it, you don’t have to. I’m just making a proposal.”

“A proposal. Let’s hear how fun this proposal is.”

I laid out one plan I was thinking of now.

Han Yeri, who listened thoughtfully, added just one more sentence.

“President Kang, are you possessed by a ghost who died unable to make money?”