The Bottom of a Large Company Does a Good Job - Chapter 262



Only Noblemtl

Episode 262. Chaos (2)

The last executive meeting held before the shareholders’ meeting was for review purposes.

By this time, it would have been normal for anything that could be problematic to have been finalized and only that report left.

But among those attending the executive meeting, there was only one person who felt uneasy.

‘Oh my, is the national pension crazy? Why are they making such a fuss?’

It was none other than Chae On-ik.

‘Do you not like me? Is there another ulterior motive? What is the government doing that is causing trouble? No, are you trying to get rid of me?’

Chae On-ik trembled with the hand he was placing on the armrest.

We had a family dinner the other day where we talked about reorganizing major shareholders.

Usually, the National Pension Service does not simply store the funds, but invests them elsewhere for profit.

Of course, the reason for investing in large corporations is to obtain stable profits, but there is an even bigger reason.

It’s just to put a leash on big corporations.

The chaebols have a lot of money.

In modern capitalist society, there is almost nothing that money cannot do.

If there is a law that is unfavorable, you can bribe the National Assembly to change that law.

It may not be possible to completely stop such rampage, but the minimum sign that we are ‘watching’ is investment.

Because once you become a major shareholder, you have no choice but to be careful to protect your management rights.

In short, it was nothing more than a representation of the government’s will, even though it was called the National Pension Service.

Because it is a national pension, there are some areas where it cannot be moved around arbitrarily.

If they actively support or oppose any agenda of a large corporation, it gives the impression that the government is trying to intervene.

That’s why I usually try to remain neutral or just give it some approval.

But why now of all times?

Are you saying that you are opposing the appointment of Chae On-ik as Vice President?

‘No, really? Why? What’s the problem?’

The whole world knows that Taesung Group belongs to the Chae family.

The family all work at Taesung Group.

Even the youngest daughter, Geum Ji-ok-yeop, who was unemployed until a few years ago, joined Taesung Group.

It is only natural that the current executive director, Chae On-ik, would be promoted to vice president.

It was really just a trivial appointment.

But then I came out against it.

It was crazy and exhilarating.

‘Does the government hate me?’

I tried to think of a reason, but nothing really came to mind.

What could possibly come up against the national pension in one’s life?

The fact that the National Pension Service is stepping in for something of this magnitude means that it is willing to accept criticism that it is interfering with the business world.

What on earth are you willing to take such risks for?

‘What did I do wrong?’

This must be resolved before the general shareholders meeting.

Otherwise, the road to becoming the Taesung General ends here.

How can you aim for the CEO position when you can’t even get a vice president position at an affiliate company?

Chae On-ik listened to the reports of the affiliated company presidents while clicking his fingernails.

“… …Sales increased by 4% compared to the fourth quarter of last year… … .”

It was also a place where each affiliate announced its performance, but the stories were all similar, so I didn’t even listen.

“What’s next? Oh, Executive Director Chae On-ik.”

What was meant to happen has come.

Chae On-ik opened his eyes wide at the chairman’s call.

“Has the problem I mentioned earlier been resolved?”

Chae On-ik swallowed as he watched the chairman use formal language even towards his son, as if emphasizing that it was a public setting.

It might have been better if it was a family meeting, but talking about the mistake here would have been like officially hammering a nail into his own coffin.

When Chae On-ik couldn’t answer easily, the chairman’s expression began to change.

It was when Chae On-ik couldn’t hold on any longer and closed his eyes tightly.

“It’s not just Executive Director Chae On-ik’s problem.”

Among the two presidents on the left and right of the chairman, Kwon Tae-ho stepped forward.

There was an uproar as it was the first time he had defended someone.

“Vice Chairman Chae Tae-ik. Aren’t you experiencing the same problem?”

Chae Tae-ik flinched, but quickly regained his original expression.

It was only for a moment, but Chae On-ik didn’t miss it.

Because there was a look of surprise in those eyes.

“It seems that Vice Chairman Chae Tae-ik also faced opposition from the National Pension Service.”

Chae On-ik looked at Chae Tae-ik with a surprised expression.

‘This kid lied at the family meeting.’

Although he was honest, Chae Tae-ik must have lied and said there was no problem.

Anyway, since it was a national pension-related issue, I thought it could be resolved before the general shareholders’ meeting.

A problem is not a problem if it is solved before it becomes known.

Chae On-ik realized that he was naive.

And one more thing.

The fact that Kwon Tae-ho was helping him came as a surprise.

‘This is definitely on my side, right?’

If it’s true, he can beat Chae Tae-ik.

In order to get Kwon Tae-ho, didn’t he go to Chae Kyung-jun, who was rumored to be his successor, and even stamp his face?

It would be worth a try if Kwon Tae-ho himself would help him.

As if sensing that atmosphere, the commotion began to grow louder.

The chairman also looked at Kwon Tae-ho with his eyebrows furrowed.

“President Kwon, what do you want to do now?”

Kwon Tae-ho doesn’t move easily.

Because he knows the wavelength when he moves.

So, every single step of his movement was bound to be noticeable.

Kwon Tae-ho said lightly.

“There is no way the National Pension Service would act without reason. And they are touching both Vice Chairman Chae Tae-ik and Executive Director Chae On-ik without any reason. What does this mean?”

“There is no such thing as an abnormal behavior without a reason. What do you think the National Pension Service is aiming at?”

“It is widely known that Vice Chairman Chae Tae-ik and Executive Director Chae On-ik are not on good terms.”

To be exact, it was widely known that Chae On-ik was aiming for the chairmanship.

“But you stirred up a beehive? Why would that be?”

“Those two are trying to start a fight.”

“To be exact, I can think of two reasons. Either to induce internal conflict to prevent Taesung from growing too big or.”

Kwon Tae-ho folded one finger.

“It means to clearly define the successor in order to prevent the Taesung Dynasty from wavering and leading to self-destruction.”

The audience was in an uproar because no one expected that Kwon Tae-ho, of all people, would openly mention the successor.

Those who attended today’s meeting felt like they were sitting on a pincushion.

‘Oh no!’

‘I knew it but I deliberately avoided mentioning it, so if I bring it up here… … !’

‘Please do it after the meeting. Why are you doing this now, Mr. Kwon!’

There was only one person in the conference room who welcomed the mention of a successor.

It was none other than Chae On-ik.

‘Okay, here’s my chance!’

Until now, everyone firmly believed that Vice Chairman Chae Tae-ik was the successor.

To break it, you need a gap, and right now, Kwon Tae-ho is creating that gap.

It was to the point where I felt like he really had decided to take my side.

The vice president was also shaken by Kwon Tae-ho’s attitude, but regained his composure with a single wiggle of his eyebrows.

“Why does President Kwon Tae-ho say something like that?”

“Shouldn’t you make it clear now, Vice Chairman?”

The vice president realized that Kwon Tae-ho was not taking the side of that ambitious Chae On-ik.

He wants proof.

Whether the Vice Chairman is truly qualified to become the next CEO.

He was asking for proof that he was worthy of being the master he was supposed to serve.

‘That stupid Chae On-ik seems to think that Kwon Tae-ho is on his side.’

I felt that that was also Kwon Tae-ho’s intention.

It’s about shaking up Chae Tae-ik’s position and making it seem like an opportunity for Chae On-ik.

So that Chae On-ik, who had been quietly suppressed until now, can now take action.

The vice president glanced at the president’s face.

I wonder if this was planned in advance or if it was something they just decided to tolerate.

The chairman looked calm.

‘I can’t help it. I have to accept this.’

I knew this moment would come someday.

Because the Chairman is not simple enough to just hand over the throne to his eldest son without any problems.

“Okay. I will keep in mind what President Kwon Tae-ho said.”

The meeting continued for another 30 minutes and then ended.

After receiving reports on the special circumstances of each affiliate, the presidents quickly left the conference room as soon as their names were called.

The vice president also suddenly had the same thought as he left the conference room.

‘Could it be that the National Pension Service’s actions were also Kwon Tae-ho’s doing?’

Just before leaving the conference room, the vice president suddenly looked back.

Kwon Tae-ho, who was sitting in his seat, still had a blank expression on his face, his thoughts unknown.

But the moment my eyes met with his, I got goosebumps.

‘That’s for sure. Kwon Tae-ho.’

Kwon Tae-ho is demanding proof of his own identity.

The vice president left the conference room, feeling very nervous.

Now only Kwon Tae-ho and Chae On-ik remain in the conference room.

It was left behind on purpose.

When the two of them were left alone in the empty conference room, Chae On-ik became even more confident.

‘It’s all to push me… …!’

It was the moment when Chae On-ik was about to speak to Kwon Tae-ho.

“Mr. Director, please don’t get me wrong. I’m not on your side.”

Chae On-ik felt wronged.

“Then why did you give me a chance!”

Kwon Tae-ho said with an extremely cold expression.

“If things continue like this, even if the vice president takes over the CEO position, the managing director won’t be convinced. There’s nothing more dangerous than internal conflict.”

Chaeon-ik was boiling.

“So, did you create this place to ask me to concede?”

“Well, it’s up to you whether you can take advantage of the opportunity or not. Well, I don’t expect much from you, but who knows? If you can bring in enough talent to make up for your shortcomings, it might be worth a try.”

Kwon Tae-ho gave her a cold look, then got up without hesitation and headed outside.

Just like the vice president had done earlier, he suddenly stopped and spoke without looking back.

“There are many people in the world who are struggling because they don’t even get that chance. Consider yourself lucky.”

Chae On-ik, sitting alone in the conference room with an extremely cold attitude, stared blankly at the entrance for a moment.

That didn’t last long, and soon Chae On-ik’s face began to turn red.

This was the first time I was ignored like this.

Chae Tae-ik easily assumed the position of vice president because he was born the eldest son.

He could have proven it himself if only he had been given the chance.

‘Didn’t you say you were talented earlier?’

It was true that Chae On-ik had no one.

Because Chae Tae-ik had already reached out to all the talented people.

The first person that came to mind was Chae Kyung-jun.

But I erased it right away.

Because he is Kwon Tae-ho’s person.

I had originally planned to bring it in at some point, but I’m a little reluctant because of what happened today.

If it were Chae Tae-ik, he would not have made a judgment based on such personal reasons, but this was also the difference between Chae Tae-ik and Chae On-ik.

This is why Chae On-ik can’t win.

Since Chae On-ik himself did not have that kind of awareness, he automatically looked for the next talent.

Then I snapped my fingers.

‘Wait a minute, there was this guy? He’s on par with Kwon Tae-ho, and he has brains and connections that rival Kwon Tae-ho’s. He’s someone no one can mess with. No, to be exact, he’s someone that no one dares approach because they avoid him. If I can get him on my side, it’ll be a huge help.’

Three names appeared in Chae On-ik’s head.

Implementation number.

* * *

As things progressed step by step at Taesung headquarters, Chae Kyung-jun was calmly explaining what had happened.

“… … That’s how I gained an advantageous position in the industry.”

“Wow… … .”

Chae Kyung-jun started sweating as he saw the people gathered around him.

Even though the person I was telling the story to was clearly the head of the IR team, there were more than one or two people listening.

The people on the IR team were sticking their heads out and abandoning what they were doing.

Everyone was absorbed in listening to Chae Kyung-jun’s story.

“Oh, that’s amazing. I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

“Me too, me too. It fits together really well.”

Chae Kyung-jun looked around furtively.

People who couldn’t leave their seats because they were on the phone were also looking over here, their ears pricked up.

The team leader folded his arms and listened quietly the whole time, then opened his eyes wide.

“Okay, I’ll start asking questions now.”