Free Web NovelWhile Manager Ma was away, Ha Myeonghun stayed by my side, but there were many times I felt the absence.
Of course, Ha Myeonghun was capable as well, but when it came to reading my thoughts and moving exactly as I wanted, Manager Ma excelled.
When Manager Ma arrived in Pyeongchang-dong, he came straight into the study.
“I’m back, Boss.”
“Good work.”
It had been a while since I had seen him, and I found myself rising from my seat without realizing it.
“This is the first time we’ve been apart this long since I met you, Manager. I didn’t feel it even when I went to Pyongyang, but this time the absence felt huge.”
Smiling, I lightly patted his shoulder.
“Let’s sit down first. Tell me everything while we sit.”
I sat down first, and Manager Ma followed.
“Did Elder Jang Daeho meet his family safely?”
“Yes. The reunion went well. Family really is something mysterious. Even after fifty years, they embraced each other and wept right away.”
As I listened to the situation he described, I pictured their meeting in my mind.
Jang Daeho had already seen their photos, but for the family who had come from the North it was different.
Still, they must have been drawn to one another naturally. That is what family is.
“Elder Jang Daeho will be staying in China for the time being, correct?”
“Yes. But if you want to bring his family to Korea, President, you’ll need to go to China yourself.”
“Why? The matter was already settled, wasn’t it?”
“Restrictions have been placed on Wen Jiabao’s actions.”
Wen Jiabao had grown far larger in the political arena than I remembered.
I already knew he was practically confirmed as the next Premier.
I looked at Manager Ma, puzzled by the mention of restrictions, and he added,
“They say the Shanghai Clique has started attacking Wen Jiabao.”
“The Shanghai Clique?”
Within the Chinese Communist Party, Wen Jiabao belonged to no faction.
That was why Jiang Zemin of the Shanghai Clique had raised him to Vice Premier.
But history had twisted. The Shanghai Clique had begun to attack Wen Jiabao.
It had even been Jiang Zemin himself who had told Hu Jintao, the successor to the presidency, to appoint Wen Jiabao as Premier—yet now they were attacking him.
“It seems Han Kyungyeong’s decision to invest in Shanghai became the problem. After his visit, investments from other countries followed. Thanks to that, Wen Jiabao’s influence in Shanghai has been rising.”
Unlike the official Communist Youth League faction, the Shanghai Clique and the Princelings were bound together by blood and regional ties, an unofficial faction.
For Jiang Zemin, now effectively head of the Shanghai Clique, Wen Jiabao’s growing influence in Shanghai must have felt like a burden.
But Wen Jiabao was my only real connection among China’s high officials. If he were purged, I would be in trouble as well.
“Does me going there personally solve the problem?”
“I can’t say for certain. But Wen Jiabao sent someone to me. He asked for you to come. He said his calls are being monitored now, that he must speak to you face to face.”
A troublesome situation had arisen. I pressed at my temples, feeling a dull ache.
“Let’s settle matters in Korea first, then visit China.”
“Understood.”
China was indeed a problem, but Korea was more pressing at the moment.
“Did you receive the power of attorney from Elder Jang Daeho?”
“His personal attorney will deliver it.”
“Then let’s think about bringing his family later.”
For now, he had safely crossed from the North into China, and under our protection there should be no immediate danger.
“Yes, President.”
“Sorry for putting you straight to work without even letting you rest after coming back from China. Receive the documents brought from Go Seungyeon’s villa from Manager Ha and review them.”
“I’ll first check if there’s anything related to Ilseong.”
At the mention of Go Seungyeon’s name, Manager Ma seemed to guess and nodded.
I did feel a little sorry for not letting him rest, but leaving things to him was always reassuring.
“And once you get Elder Jang Daeho’s stock power of attorney, hand it over to Eva. After Manager Ha’s inauguration as chairman, we’ll launch the attack immediately, so prepare for it.”
Everything was to begin after Ha Myeonghun’s inauguration as Chairman of Taesan Finance.
I didn’t want his inauguration being overshadowed by other issues.
“Let’s have a meal together for once. If there’s anything you’d like to eat, just say it.”
If I fed him well before putting him back to work, I couldn’t be called a cruel boss.
Seeing Manager Ma nod slightly, I stood from my seat.
* * *
Several days after Manager Ma’s return, the day of Ha Myeonghun’s inauguration as chairman of Taesan Finance arrived.
The Mirae Building, which housed the headquarters of Taesan Bank, had been bustling since morning with preparations for the inauguration.
Once Ha Myeonghun was inaugurated, the Mirae Building would also be renamed the Taesan Building.
I was on my way to the Mirae Building with Eva to attend the ceremony.
“From now on, you can completely step away from Taesan Finance. Chairman Ha Myeonghun will handle everything well.”
I looked at Eva beside me. Her face showed a faint trace of regret.
“It feels bittersweet. After all, the only major thing I’ve properly handled since coming to Korea was the acquisition of Taesan Bank.”
She had indeed put in great effort on multiple fronts for Taesan Finance until Ha Myeonghun’s inauguration. No wonder she felt regret.
“Do you regret it that much?”
Eva shook her head with a smile. There was both wistfulness and pride on her face.
“Good. Don’t regret too much. There’s still plenty that only you can do.”
While we spoke, the car arrived at the Mirae Building. Entering the underground parking lot, the car came to a stop.
“Let’s move separately from here.”
Walking together with Eva would only attract attention. She seemed to sense it too and went up first.
Remaining in the car, I leaned my head back against the seat and closed my eyes briefly.
“Boss, it’s time.”
At Manager Ma’s call, I got out of the car and headed toward the ceremony hall.
When I opened the doors and entered, many people were already seated.
Around Eva, who sat in the very front, a cluster of former Ministry of Finance officials—MOFIA bankers—had gathered.
I chuckled faintly at the sight of those who could shake Korea’s economy clinging to Eva.
Instead of sitting, I leaned against the wall at the back, waiting for Ha Myeonghun to appear.
Soon the front doors opened and Ha Myeonghun entered. With a confident stride, he stepped up onto the podium and looked around the hall.
When he spotted me standing in the back, he greeted me with his eyes. I smiled softly in return.
Then the inauguration began.
“Employees of Taesan Finance, honored guests attending today, greetings. I am Ha Myeonghun, newly inaugurated chairman of Taesan Finance.”
Applause rang out as he introduced himself. When it subsided, he continued.
“Amid the rough waves of the foreign exchange crisis, Taesan was born. Though the captain’s chair of chairman was vacant, thanks to the efforts of all employees we were able to settle safely.”
Within Taesan Finance, the faction of Baek Seongjin, president of Taesan Bank, and the MOFIA bureaucrats was strong.
Baek Seongjin had opposed Ha Myeonghun’s inauguration. They could not tolerate a loan shark being placed above them.
Listening to the thanks, Baek Seongjin’s shoulders were stiff.
“I know of the efforts of many executives, including President Baek Seongjin of Taesan Bank. Thank you all.”
Ha Myeonghun stepped slightly aside and bowed his head, then took the microphone again.
“Even within the short span of a year, thanks [N O V E L I G H T] to your work, we have grown into one of Korea’s leading financial companies. But now we must look to a broader stage. Our goal must not be limited to Korea alone, but to become a financial group expanding into the world.”
After the crisis, financial companies inevitably came under heavy scrutiny from regulators.
But rather than simply submitting to regulations, it was necessary to pivot toward protecting both the market and investors.
If aiming for the global stage, that was a prerequisite.
Taesan Finance too had to prepare for that path, and Ha Myeonghun clearly intended to set the foundation early. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
After his lengthy greeting, he dropped a bombshell.
“From now on, I will judge solely by ability and performance. All systems will be overhauled, and the promotion system will be revised to a merit-based structure. While I am chairman, employees without ability who only drain salaries will not survive.”
The once quiet ceremony hall erupted into murmurs.
“We will abolish all outdated systems like seniority. Factors like length of service, age, and past career will no longer affect pay or promotion.”
This had always been a chronic problem in Korea’s financial sector.
Practices rooted in government-controlled finance had persisted even after privatization, leading to passive work attitudes.
By contrast, foreign investment firms strictly judged only by performance and ability in setting pay and rank.
“To grow into a multinational enterprise, this is an unavoidable choice. If you are dissatisfied with my method, you may submit your resignation at any time.”
As he concluded firmly, the MOFIA executives near Eva immediately voiced protest.
“Eva, what is the meaning of this? This was not the agreement.”
“Agreement?”
Though their words were thick with shock, Eva’s gaze remained fixed on Ha Myeonghun.
“You wouldn’t push something like this without consulting us, would you? This will cause problems.”
Eva turned her eyes toward the complaining Baek Seongjin, her expression tinged with disbelief.
“Consultation? Why is that necessary?”
“You know how much we invested to build Taesan Finance. If you abolish seniority now, discontent will erupt internally.”
“President.”
Eva’s smiling face chilled.
“This is the man the owner of Taesan Financial Holdings has appointed as chairman. And you say this causes problems? And if it does, what will you do about it?”
At her icy expression, Baek Seongjin flinched but did not retreat.
“Then we will all resign.”
“Yes, do that. Thank you for your hard work until now.”
Eva answered indifferently and turned away.
Not expecting such a reaction, Baek Seongjin stammered.
“Ch-chairwoman...”
“President. I understand you have grievances. But that is the end of it. Do not cross the line further.”
As he tried to speak again, Eva cut him off coldly.
“Submit your resignation directly to Chairman Ha Myeonghun. I am no longer involved with Taesan Finance.”
Her voice was devoid of any emotion. Baek Seongjin bit his lips.
“...If this is how you are, then I will do everything within my power. You know it isn’t difficult to ruin a company.”
At his threat, a colder smile than his words curved Eva’s lips.
“Are you lacking in confidence, President? You’re not a man without ability. Why cling so desperately to seniority? I don’t understand. Or is it that you have something else in mind?”
Though she spoke with feigned curiosity, her eyes were sharp.
Eva herself acknowledged his ability. Judged by performance alone, he could have far better treatment than he currently had.
Clearly, he simply did not want to relinquish his power. To control his juniors still working in the Ministry of Finance, favorable treatment of bureaucrats was essential.
“If you have grievances, confront Chairman Ha Myeonghun directly. Though I doubt it will do you any good. The man I know is more terrifying than anyone.”
“...”
Eva swept her eyes over the other bureaucrat executives nearby. Their faces were full of resentment.
“You heard Chairman Ha. If you have ability, you can rise higher than now. Is that really such a bad thing for you?”
As Eva finished speaking, Ha Myeonghun concluded his address as well. He then walked over toward where Eva sat.
“Thank you for all your work.”
“Not at all.”
Eva rose and extended her hand. After shaking hands a few times, Ha Myeonghun turned and offered his hand to Baek Seongjin beside her.
“President Baek Seongjin, I look forward to working with you.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
Given the setting, Baek Seongjin had no choice but to take his hand.
But when the handshake was supposed to end, he found he could not withdraw his hand. Ha Myeonghun was gripping it tightly.
“I respect you, President. But do not delude yourself into thinking a cartel exists above Taesan. As long as I am chairman, I will never permit such a thing.”
The suffocating pressure and sharp gaze nearly forced a shout from Baek Seongjin’s throat, but he barely held it back.
After a moment, as if deciding the warning was enough, Ha Myeonghun released his grip.
Then, as if unconcerned, he began shaking hands with each executive one by one.
“Manager, let’s go. Seems it’s finished.”
“Yes, Boss.”
It seemed Ha Myeonghun would indeed do well. Watching him deliver such a firm warning to Baek Seongjin, I turned to leave.
“President Kim Muhyuk?”
Just as I opened the door to exit, someone called my name.
I stopped and turned back.
