The Magician’s Memorial - Chapter 272



Only Noblemtl

272. I’m still hungry (2)

I didn’t step out of the hotel for a week.

In the meantime, I checked the detailed information of many of AIZ’s employees, and confirmed that there are many talented people in AIZ who are much better than I expected.

I sent the list compiled over the course of a week to a team leader.

As soon as I sent the list, I got a call from a team leader, who sounded a little embarrassed.

[I just checked my email.]

“As you can see, we have differentiated between those who will be laid off and those who will remain.”

[The number of people subject to layoffs is too high. There are as many as 8,000 people.]

“It means that there are a lot of people who are stealing their wages. Since it is still closer to an American company, the layoff process will be much easier than in Korea.”

[To put it in American terms, you can be fired as soon as tomorrow.]

“Then please proceed that way.”

Even during the IMF era, restructuring was carried out countless times.

Therefore, I knew how effective restructuring would be, and I also knew how to control the chaotic atmosphere inside.

“And I also sent you a list of promotions. Announce the salary increase along with the promotion.”

[Can I give you a salary increase at this point? I receive support from the U.S. government, and raising my salary seems like a bad decision.]

“Don’t worry about the U.S. government. It’s more profitable in the long run to keep at least one more capable person. And don’t worry, I’ll take care of the negotiations with the U.S. government.”

[All right. Then we will proceed like that.]

After finishing the phone call, I sat back on my chair and rested for a while.

I really only slept 2-3 hours a day and checked the list of AIZ employees.

My eyes were so stinging that they felt like they were going to fall out, and all I wanted to do was fall asleep without thinking.

But I wasn’t allowed that kind of leisure.

Not even five minutes after I rested on my chair, the planning manager came to the hotel.

“Vice Chairman, the board meeting has started. If you leave now, you can arrive when the board of directors has finished voting.”

“I can’t go if I don’t go, right?”

“If you don’t attend the board meeting today, it’s like declaring that you will never see the president’s face for the rest of your life.”

“Well, once Grandpa gets offended, it won’t last long. Let’s just wash his face and leave.”

After washing your body with cold water.

I changed into a black suit that I have never worn before.

Although it was a custom suit from a luxury brand, it felt strangely awkward.

Maybe that’s why I feel awkward.

“I will take you as chairman of the board.”

I entered the boardroom with the escort of the planning director.

And applause erupts at the same time.

I could guess what this sound meant.

“Chairman Kim Min-jae, the new head of Taewoo Group, is entering.”

It meant that I became the chairman of Taewoo Group.

Maintaining a poker face, I slowly walked to the head table where my grandfather was sitting.

When we arrived at the head table, my grandfather slowly stood up and extended his hand to me.

“Please take good care of Taewoo Group. This old man is now resting in peace in Vietnam.”

“Thank you for your hard work. We will do our best to ensure that the growth of Taewoo Group, which you created and raised, does not stop.”

“Vice President Kim Min-jae, ah! I guess I should call him chairman now. I trust Chairman Kim Min-jae. Now, the old-timer will step down.”

My grandfather let go of my hand and moved out of the boardroom.

Everyone who attended the board meeting stood up and saw off my grandfather on his final journey.

I was ready to follow him outside the boardroom, but my grandfather slammed the boardroom door! He closed it and declared that he was no longer the chairman of the Taewo Group.

It’s up to me to make my grandfather’s last days beautiful.

I had to get off to a good start in order to prove that my grandfather’s choice was not wrong.

“I am grateful to the Board of Directors for their decision. I will do my best as Chairman of Taewo Group in the future.”

Clap clap clap!

The applause that was heading towards my grandfather now comes towards me.

However, just receiving applause did not revive my dignity as chairman, and I could only receive true recognition if I demonstrated the vision I envisioned.

“First of all, we will begin reorganizing the Taewoo Group. Taewoo Securities, SAVE Investment Company, and AIZ. We will appoint President Park Man-deok to oversee all financial affiliates, and we will vote on appointing him as vice chairman.”

[If it’s President Park, you can trust him.]

[Isn’t he the person who made Taewoo Securities the best securities company in Korea?]

[I strongly agree with the chairman’s opinion!]

It was a decision welcomed by all board members.

Since everyone raised their hands in favor, there was no need for a complicated decision-making process.

But can the next agenda item be like that?

“And we would like to appoint Han Jeong-hoon, Vice President of SAVE Investment Company, to fill the vacant position of President of Taewoo Securities.”

[Vice President Han Jeong-hoon? Isn’t this the first time you’ve heard this name?]

[I’ve heard of someone who worked at Taewoo Securities but went to Wall Street.]

[It is the Chairman’s choice, so I will trust and follow it.]

[Hmm, shouldn’t we think about it a bit though?]

Although there were negative opinions.

The number was much smaller than I expected.

As it was my first day as president, the number of dissenting votes seemed small.

Also, the fact that one team leader was vice president also played a role.

Although he was called a team leader for several years, his actual rank was vice president.

It was not against common sense for the vice president of a Wall Street investment company to be appointed as the president of Taewoo Securities.

“Managing Director Han Jeong-hoon is the best expert who actually leads SAVE Investment Company and has recorded the highest rate of return on Wall Street. I can guarantee that he is the perfect person to entrust Taewoo Securities with. Still, is there anyone who objects?”

[I will follow the president’s wishes.]

[······.]

Opposing voices were heard.

Opposing the person I vouched for meant the same thing as going against me.

Therefore, even if they were against it on the inside, they were unable to express it externally.

“Then, I will appoint Vice President Han Jeong-hoon as the president of Taewoo Securities and hold an inauguration ceremony as soon as he returns to Korea.”

[······.]

People looking at me without saying anything.

I’m not particularly opposed to it, but the atmosphere has darkened considerably.

He’s probably thinking about appointing his own person as soon as he becomes president.

But isn’t it obvious?

Efficiency improves only when you continue to work with people who are in sync with you.

Of course, it would be a problem to parachute incompetent people, but President Park and Team Leader Han had no problems at all in terms of ability.

“Let’s end today’s board meeting here. Thank you all for your hard work. We will organize better meetings more often in the future.”

Clap clap clap.

I left the boardroom amid applause.

They might think they are evaluating me right now.

I was the one doing the evaluation, and I was also planning to change the board of directors.

* * *

I came out to the board meeting and naturally moved to the vice president’s office.

However, the head of planning and the chief secretary were busy cleaning out my office.

“Why are you two doing this here?”

“Chairman! Why did you come here? You can now use the Chairman’s office.”

“Ah! The vice president’s office is no longer my office.”

Since I became president, I naturally gained the right to use the president’s office.

As I was just coming to a familiar place, I ended up visiting the vice president’s office.

“Starting yesterday, we have prepared the office for you to use. If you need anything else, just let us know.”

“Did you say the reason I couldn’t go into the president’s office was because I was doing interior work?”

“The Honorary Chairman told us not to let anyone know, so we did it in secret. I’m sorry.”

Even the interior work was completed to suit my taste.

My grandfather had planned to make me the chairman from the beginning, and it was a decision that would not change no matter how much I opposed it.

“Where are you now, Honorary Chairman? I would like to be the first to visit and say hello.”

“You’ve already gone to the airport. You’ve probably boarded your flight to Vietnam by now.”

“Have you already gone to Vietnam? My grandson has become the chairman. Shouldn’t I at least give him a favor and go?”

“He said he would go to Vietnam without meeting him face to face because he might ask for his inauguration as president.”

My grandfather’s determination was truly amazing.

I can’t believe you’ve already run away to the airport.

“Grandfather, really, do you really think I would do that? All I can do is complain a few times. But aren’t you going to Vietnam with me, Chief Secretary?”

“I have decided to move to Vietnam next week. So there is one thing I would like to ask of you.”

“If you submit your resignation, I will reject it. Please just remain by my grandfather’s side.”

“I have no intention of submitting a letter of resignation. I just want to remain next to the honorary chairman. However, the position of chief secretary is not next to the honorary chairman, so I only want to resign from the position of chief secretary.”

I really needed someone to help my grandfather.

There is no one who can do that job better than the chief secretary, so you have to hold on to your pants.

If I could retain the Chief of Staff just by changing his position, I could do as much as I wanted.

“Then, I will give you the position of honorary advisor. Your salary will be increased from now, and you will not have to go to work separately. And unlike other contract executives, I will sign a 10-year contract.”

“Are you planning on working for me for another 10 years?”

“I wanted to sign a 20-year contract instead of 10, but considering the manager’s age, I shortened it to 10 years. If you don’t like it, I’ll give you a 20-year contract.”

“Ten years is enough. I am just grateful. Now, please go up to the president’s office. We will pack the rest of your belongings and store them in the secretary’s office.”

I turned and looked at the executive elevator.

The difference in floor number between the vice president’s office and the president’s office is only one floor.

It was close enough that when I was in a hurry, I would take the stairs to get to the president’s office.

But even though the office was only one floor higher, it felt special.

“Chairman, the elevator has arrived.”

I boarded the elevator under the guidance of my secretary.

That’s how we arrived at the chairman’s office. I quietly opened the door and went inside, and laughed at the sight of the president’s office having completely changed in just a few days.

“You don’t know what your grandson likes.”

It was a tastefully decorated chairman’s office.

But it was so fancy, and expensive art filled every inch of the walls.

This kind of thing wasn’t my taste, but I couldn’t ignore my grandfather’s sincerity, so I had no choice but to leave it at that.

While I was looking around the chairman’s office for a moment.

I received a call from Captain Kang.

[Representative, a team leader has arrived at the airport.]

“Really? Then, let’s unwind in Captain Kang’s office for the first time in a while.”

[I’ll see you at the office.]

Finally, a team leader came to Korea.

I left the still awkward Chairman’s office and moved to Captain Kang’s office.

Let’s have a small party to celebrate the inauguration of president.