Chapter 31: Kangseong Group Founding Party

With Manager Lee Seokjae replacing Section Chief Hwang Hyejin, the negotiations proceeded smoothly.

The power struggle itself was over, so there was nothing for me to lose.

That didn’t mean Manager Lee Seokjae was an easy opponent.

“Then let’s proceed this way.”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

Manager Lee Seokjae shaved off another 1.2 dollars from the verbally agreed 101.9 dollars, citing transportation costs and pipeline adjustment expenses.

I wondered why I should consider their circumstances.

But since he proved it was a cost always involved in new line designs, I had nothing to say. 

Still, I stamped the deal within a non-loss range, so it was regrettable but satisfactory enough.

“We’ll confirm gradually increasing future transaction volumes.”

“Yes, please do.”

“Thank you for supplying iron ore at a reasonable price.”

“Not at all. Thanks to you, I can breathe a little. And save face.”

“No, no. From now on, contact me directly. I won’t inconvenience you.”

I carefully put away Manager Lee Seokjae’s business card and said I would.

After receiving his greeting and leaving the company, I let out the breath I’d been holding with a whoosh.

“The deal is done with this.”

The iron ore is stockpiled in the warehouse, so when the time comes, Kangseong Steel’s transport contractors will come and take it.

We only need resident warehouse management personnel.

Add labor costs for that, and we need to supplement steel management staff too, so more labor costs.

“When I get back, I should tell the business planning department to devise a strategy to expand the iron ore sector.”

Iron ore is 100.7 dollars per ton, but processed H-beams, steel plates, etc., go for 5 to 10 times that price.

So, in the long run, it’s advantageous for us to somehow acquire a blast furnace and enter the steel business.

“It’ll take time.”

It won’t be easy.

But I’ll make it happen.

“Just wait and see.”

The day will come when Ribbon Corporation joins the ranks of conglomerates and stands equal with them.

Just like Spectrum is doing.

***

After concluding the deal with Kangseong Steel, Ribbon Corporation focused on company stabilization for a while. 

The reason was that rapidly expanded businesses would inevitably cause problems if not thoroughly managed.

Of course, with veterans under me, there was no worry of major issues arising.

“Recently, a hashtag called ‘bread pilgrimage’ appeared on SNS, and posts certifying visits to Neighborhood Bakery are spreading.”

“Our strategy worked perfectly. Any negative feedback among them?”

“The brand department is checking and establishing a strategy. It seems we can implement a new promotion strategy within a week.”

It was welcome news.

“Good. It’s the time when word-of-mouth is starting, so manage the brand well now. Continue QA, fill deficiencies immediately, establish and push new promotion strategies. Make sure there’s no delay due to budget shortages.”

“Understood.”

In fact, my worries were unnecessary; Neighborhood Bakery was growing smoothly.

The regional promotion videos didn’t explode big, but they were mentioned here and there.

People started doing bread pilgrimages to Neighborhood Bakery in the feel of a food tour.

Those who couldn’t travel far might feel regretful, but countermeasures were being established and implemented.

“If this continues, we predict over 60 stores within the fourth quarter this year.”

“Rapid expansion is good, but don’t forget Neighborhood Bakery’s identity. If there’s no unique personality, don’t grant permission.”

Further strengthen Neighborhood Bakery’s advantages and supplement the shortcomings.

If we steadily follow this simple method, soon Neighborhood Bakery will surpass other franchises’ market share.

“Then let’s end the Neighborhood Bakery franchise meeting here.”

“You all worked hard; it’s almost quitting time. Don’t create extra work and do more; just finish today’s tasks and go home.”

“Yes! Thank you for your hard work!”

At the word ‘quitting’, smiles appeared on the employees’ faces.

Quitting at 3 PM was attractive enough to change even the minds of employees who disliked me.

“Ah, Vice President?”

“…Yes?”

“Vice President, stay a moment.”

“Why me?”

“Why? Because we have a separate meeting, that’s why.”

So talkative.

Yuha pouted and plopped down beside me.

“I need to go home early today too.”

“What for?”

“To guard the house. If I don’t go in, the household shakes.”

“You live alone.”

“Exactly. How can the head of the household not come home?”

Is this words or a fart.

I tapped Yuha’s head with the document folder and glanced outside.

With quitting time near, the whole company atmosphere was excited.

They probably wouldn’t pay attention here.

The meeting room was thoroughly soundproof, but just in case, I lowered my voice and said.

“How’s the IT company I mentioned before?”

“Ah, that. I have two places in mind now. One is in security, the other in intranet development.”

“Neither affected by Spectrum? Didn’t use Spectrum’s developer tools?”

“Yes, seems based on competitor programs.”

“Good, then acquisition or collaboration possible with those two?”

“Possible. They’re not large yet. Our capital should suffice.”

“Just in case, check and proceed yourself.”

“Got it.”

First reason for calling Yuha resolved.

Immediately brought up the second reason.

“How’s the internal atmosphere?”

“Why ask me that?”

“I’m the boss. The top boss. They can only say good things to me even if they hate it.”

“That’s true.”

To uphold my management philosophy of caring for my people.

I introduced employee welfare and mental care services.

But honestly, I’m uneasy whether it’s really helping.

I was born good at using people like tools, but not at gently caressing them.

So I needed the perspective and opinion of someone good at that.

“Anyway, it’s been a month since joining recently. We conducted an internal satisfaction survey around then. Anonymously.”

“Well done. How is it?”

“Overall good. Satisfaction all upper ranks. Shortcomings? Systems not yet in place?”

“That’ll be fixed gradually.”

Common in a newly founded company.

It’ll resolve as the company maintains itself bit by bit.

“Ah, and too many different business fields, that’s a bit difficult too.”

“Then hire more people. Soon, Neighborhood Bakery franchise will be spun off independently. You’ll basically be the president there. Know that company-wide operations and raw materials will also be separated.”

A phenomenon from expanding business scale at once; this too will be adjusted gradually.

“Besides that, stress from interpersonal relations or such?”

“None. You can tell by looking, right?”

Yuha looked outside the meeting room.

At the laughter absent from the previous company, a smile appeared on her lips too.

“Everyone’s working while smiling.”

“Yes, then that’s a relief.”

“You worry a lot.”

“It’s like wearing ill-fitting clothes.”

But I have to wear these clothes.

I can’t keep wearing the thorny armor from before.

“Just in case, periodically provide employee mental care. If needed, bring in a psychiatrist as a primary doctor for management.”

“That far?”

“Of course.”

If doing it, do it thoroughly.

I can’t stand half-measures.

Yuha let out a hollow laugh and nodded.

“Don’t worry, as Vice President, I’ll handle that.”

“Good, I leave it to you.”

“Then that’s the end?”

“One last thing.”

The real final topic.

In a way, as important as the previous two or more.

I took out a letter from my pocket and placed it down.

Clearly high-quality paper, neatly sealed stationery.

“What’s this.”

“…When dealing with Han Yeri before, Han Yeri said come just once when she calls.”

“So what?”

“Kangseong Group’s founding party is soon, and she says attend there.”

“Ahh….”

Come when called just once.

She’s using that opportunity for this Kangseong Group founding party.

Yuha looked at the letter in front of me from various angles and whistled.

“If you stand beside Han Yeri there, isn’t that, like, prospective son-in-law?”

Pfft, that’s ominous talk.”

No way.

I absolutely won’t watch Ribbon Corporation, which I’ve worked hard to grow, get swallowed whole into Kangseong Group’s mouth.

“But if not that, there’s no reason. Even if President’s mask is a bit old, it’s the occasion.”

“That’s the problem.”

Han Yeri’s intention is obvious.

But there’s no way to counter that obvious thing.

“Got any good ideas?”

From ancient times, two heads are better than one, and even blank paper is easier lifted together.

If I have no suitable alternative, perhaps from Vice President Yuha’s head a usable plan….

“Say you’re married.”

“…Done. I shouldn’t have spoken.”

“Ah, why! That’s more plausible!”

“Then I’m a guy who left a wife at home for business and goes around parties with another woman, does that work?”

“Why not!”

“Unless you want to ruin the corporate image I’ve built hard, be quiet?”

Sigh, shouldn’t trust the one I trust.

I shook my head and stood up.

“Where are you going?”

“Meeting over. I’m on a business trip for two days starting tomorrow for the party, so handle anything important.”

“Eee! I was going to take annual leave too!”

“Act as president, work hard. Use it later.”

“You said people first!”

“You weren’t going to use annual leave!”

“Hehe. Caught?”

Vice President of Ribbon Corporation.

Might need to consider appointing someone other than Jeong Yuha.

“Sigh.”

***

The tuxedo-clad figure in the mirror looked quite awkward.

Staring at the appearance different from a suit, Han Yeri approached.

“The tuxedo suits you well too.”

“Can’t I just wear a suit? It’s awkward.”

“I’d like to let you dress comfortably, but it can’t be helped. It’s our custom.”

“What custom.”

No matter how big Kangseong Group is, it hasn’t even been 100 years, so it was funny there was something called a custom.

The problem was only that those with power valued that custom.

“Don’t get too worked up. Honestly, calling you this time doesn’t even match cost-benefit for me.”

Han Yeri, in an off-shoulder dress different from usual, sat on the sofa.

She gulped down the champagne in front and let out a deep sigh.

“President Kang should be called to a proper negotiation table, not this show-off.”

“This seat must be more important than that negotiation table?”

“Important enough to put out one of my key cards.”

Han Yeri’s words meant this.

Bringing me here offers no benefit, but not bringing me would definitely cause loss.

That means.

“Even the chairman came?”

“President Kang is quick-witted. Yes, grandfather was discharged and returned.”

“He must have improved?”

“…”

He probably came forcibly. So don’t mind even if he has doctors hanging all around. “Don’t say that.”

“That would be something to mind, though.”

“There’ll be something else to mind more than that.”

Han Yeri said, lifting the half-remaining champagne.

“All major figures from politics and business will be here.”

“…I see.”

All major figures from politics and business coming means.

“Yoo Jinsang.”

That bastard is here too.