Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Promotion
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I went to the Chairman’s office early the next morning.
My purpose was to report the information about the military's upcoming project for next year, which the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Oh Joong-geun, had mentioned the day before.
Even if the project was as good as secured, I couldn't ignore procedure when the Chairman was the one who ultimately decided whether to proceed.
“I’m here… huh? CEO Yoon, what are you doing here?”
As I entered the Chairman's office, I found CEO Yoon Sang-min of Thales was already there.
He was Chairman Jin’s most trusted confidant and the brains of the entire group.
This was only the second time I had seen him since I joined the company, as he had been on extended leave for a while due to a sharp decline in his health.
“Oh! Look who it is. I heard you were promoted to Head of the Policy Office while I was away?”
“It just sort of happened. But are you feeling better now?”
I had heard a fair bit about CEO Yoon during his absence.
They said he was a charismatic yet gentle leader who had never made a single enemy.
I suppose that’s how he was able to keep his position despite being on leave for so long.
In any case, it was an unexpected situation for me, so I quickly sifted through Hyun-seung’s memories.
“I can’t say I’m fully recovered yet, but I’m much better. Anyway, ‘CEO’? What’s with the sudden formality?”
“Well, I can’t exactly call you ‘uncle’ at the office, can I?”
According to my memories, Hyun-seung had called CEO Yoon Sang-min ‘uncle’ since he was young.
He was the only person who had treated the boy without prejudice amid a sea of cold stares.
Perhaps that was why CEO Yoon Sang-min was the only one who had defended him every time he got into trouble.
“Still, it’s a bit disappointing to hear you be so formal all of a sudden. But enough about that. What brings you to the main office so early in the morning?”
“I have something to report to the Chairman.”
“You do? Then I’ll get out of your way.”
CEO Yoon Sang-min immediately stood up.
I quickly gestured for him to stay and then spent some time telling them both about the conversation I’d had with the Chairman of the JCS yesterday.
“HVP?”
“Yes, it’s a system that uses hypervelocity projectiles, like smart munitions, to intercept incoming short-range rockets and artillery shells. It was something I proposed to the U.S. Navy during our negotiations, and now our military wants to implement it for the army. They plan to do it in place of the short-range air defense network project scheduled for next year.”
“Hmm, I never would have thought smart munitions could be used that way. But does the military really want it so badly that they’re willing to abandon a project they were planning to start next year?”
“I was also a bit surprised they’d change the project’s direction so suddenly, but I suppose they made that choice because the ultimate goal is the same, just with different means. In other words, now that they have a smartphone, they don’t want to use a brick phone.”
“That’s just human nature. But is it really possible to intercept North Korea’s multiple rocket launchers with just artillery shells?”
“It’s entirely possible, as long as the interceptor’s speed overwhelmingly surpasses the target’s. Of course, we’ll also need a detection radar to accurately track the target and a precision guidance system to guide the projectile.”
I continued with another round of explanations.
The concept was so far beyond what this era could imagine that both Chairman Jin and CEO Yoon stared at me, blinking repeatedly.
“Are you confident you can succeed?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Hmm… then give it a shot.”
Chairman Jin readily agreed.
So far, everything was going as I had expected.
The real problem started now.
“Thank you. However, if we wait for the military’s budget to be allocated, the development period will likely be quite long. So, what if we start ahead of time with our own budget?”
“You want to start the in-house development first?”
Chairman Jin wore a troubled expression for a moment.
I couldn’t blame him.
The project hadn't even gone through the National Assembly's review and approval process yet. If it fell through, we would be the only ones to suffer a loss.
But even if things did go wrong, we wouldn’t lose anything.
One of the core components of an HVP-based short-range defense system is the AESA radar (Active Electronically Scanned Array radar), and once developed, its applications would be endless.
Moreover, the one I intended to develop was a dual-band AESA using gallium nitride-based semiconductor elements.
It would be a device incomparable to anything from this era, boasting an enhanced detection range due to its high power output as well as superior precision tracking capabilities. There would be plenty of buyers lining up for it.
“I believe Hyun-seung has a point, Chairman. If we wait for the military budget to be secured, the development period will only get longer, and the project is highly likely to turn into a long-term one. And even if the project fails, we will become one of the few companies to succeed in developing a phased-array radar, so we have nothing to lose, do we?”
CEO Yoon, who had been listening the whole time, suddenly spoke up in my defense.
And his argument was an exact match for my own thoughts.
It was a moment where I experienced firsthand that he was no ordinary man.
“Then do it. Thales’s R&D budget has increased to a level incomparable to before, so it shouldn’t be a problem.”
In the end, Chairman Jin nodded in agreement.
And so, the curtain rose on another massive project with a total cost of at least two trillion won.
Even though it wouldn’t be implemented for another year, I couldn’t help but feel a rush of excitement.
“By the way, haven’t you changed an awful lot?”
“Pardon?”
CEO Yoon’s voice pulled me from my reverie.
He wore a continuous look of surprise, as if my current self was unfamiliar to him.
“I’d been hearing news from the hospital, but this is beyond the rumors.”
“I can’t keep living as the thorn in the family’s side forever, can I?”
“Haha, even the way you talk is completely different from before. Well, it’s good to see, anyway. By the way, you know there’s a major executive meeting for the entire group tomorrow, right?”
“Of course.”
“I know you’re incredibly busy, so I’m telling you in advance just in case you can’t make it, but you absolutely must attend tomorrow. And try to pick out some nice clothes to wear.”
A strangely meaningful smile appeared on his face.
His sudden discharge from the hospital.
And his meeting with Chairman Jin.
Thinking that he was probably planning to announce his return at the group meeting, I offered my congratulations in advance.
“Congratulations on your return.”
“Thank you. But I think you’re the one who should be congratulated, not me. Well, I have another appointment, so I’ll be on my way.”
“…”
CEO Yoon left with those cryptic words.
He bowed his head to Chairman Jin, then flashed me a brief smile before leaving the room.
What was that?
Why should I be the one congratulated?
******
Wednesday.
I went to the main office for the weekly group-wide executive meeting.
By the time I arrived, the presidents and executives from each affiliate were already gathered in small groups, chatting. Thanks to that, countless eyes were now focused on me.
“You’re here.”
The one who greeted me with particular warmth was, of course, CEO Yoon Sang-min.
I felt a different atmosphere from him than usual and glanced his way, but he just wore the same smile as always.
“Well, let’s all head in before the Chairman arrives.”
At his words, the executives filed into the conference room.
Today, my assigned seat was, of all places, right next to CEO Yoon Sang-min.
I looked for Jin Hyun-cheol, just in case, but for some reason, he was nowhere to be seen.
“Is my brother not attending today?”
“Senior Managing Director Jin Hyun-cheol has been reassigned as the CEO of Aerospace.”
“Already?”
“What do you mean, ‘already’? He was transferred a week ago. He’s probably on a plane to Ukraine as we speak.”
“Ukraine? Are you talking about the Motor Sich acquisition deal?”
“That’s right. As soon as he heard their CEO had given up on negotiations with Russia, he flew over there like a shot.”
I had no idea he had already moved things that far along.
Then again, even for a second-generation chaebol heir, holding onto a Senior Managing Director position wasn’t easy.
It showed he had a certain drive when it came to his work, but the question was whether his attempt would actually succeed.
“Hmm…”
Acquiring a company with core technology like Motor Sich was tricky to begin with.
Putting everything else aside, there was no way the United States, Russia, and China would just stand by and watch.
The fact that he was trying anyway meant he must have had an ace up his sleeve, and I was quite curious to know what it was.
“I hope it goes well.”
I said it sincerely.
Whatever his reasons, Jin Hyun-cheol was ultimately working for the company's benefit. I couldn't wish for his failure.
Besides, if the acquisition was truly possible, we would gain aircraft engine technology in one fell swoop. To advance my own future plans, it would be more beneficial for me if his challenge succeeded.
“Let’s hope so.”
CEO Yoon Sang-min agreed with his usual good-natured smile.
I responded with an awkward smile and was about to turn my head when a sudden headache struck, and scenes from the past between Jin Hyun-cheol and Hyun-seung flashed before my eyes like a revolving lantern.
—You’ve got a lot of nerve, calling home.
It seemed to be from around the time Hyun-seung graduated from college.
An incident where Hyun-seung was detained at a police station due to an impulsive brawl at a bar.
Jin Hyun-cheol, who had come to the station in place of Chairman Jin, had said those words with a cold smile.
—Right, you should just keep living like you are now.
Hyun-seung seemed to have been quite shocked by those words.
Judging by how he’d pulled himself together and started trying his best from that point on.
But strangely, his circumstances never seemed to improve. He later found out that all those damned circumstances were Jin Hyun-cheol’s doing.
“Hmm…”
“The Chairman is arriving.”
A secretary who had entered the conference room broke me out of my thoughts.
I quickly straightened my clothes and stood up. After taking his seat, Chairman Jin looked around the room and spoke.
“Before we address today’s agenda, I would like to sincerely congratulate CEO Yoon Sang-min on his return.”
As if on cue, the executives applauded.
I had expected this, so I was about to offer my congratulations with a nod when Chairman Jin picked up the microphone again and continued.
“And with Senior Managing Director Jin Hyun-cheol’s transfer, the Senior Managing Director position at Thales is now vacant. I’d like to discuss this, so please share your opinions if you have any.”
“…”
No one was the first to speak.
It was only natural for me to keep my mouth shut, as I wasn’t in a position to interfere.
But then, CEO Yoon Sang-min, after glancing at me, slowly pulled the microphone closer.
“The Senior Managing Director position at Thales is impossible for someone without a professional understanding of the ongoing projects. Furthermore, the relationship with the military and relevant government departments is crucial. In the current situation, I believe there is only one person suitable for the role.”
CEO Yoon’s last words were directed at me.
As if rehearsed, everyone’s gaze turned to me at once, and a faint smile played on the lips of CEO Yoon beside me.
A quick glance.
I stared at CEO Yoon with a hardened expression.
I couldn’t shake the feeling that his influence was at play here.
As if my guess was correct, he met my eyes and whispered.
“Didn’t I tell you? You’re the one who should be congratulated.”
“You could make a lot of enemies by doing this.”
It was only natural for me to be bewildered.
Even though he had been like a guardian to Hyun-seung, why was he pushing things this far?
Especially when it meant breaking his lifelong principle of never making enemies.
Beyond my confusion, I felt like something was happening that I didn't know about.
“You’re right. I did make quite a few enemies this time, thanks to you. But what can I do, when it’s what the Chairman wants?”
At his words, I glanced at Chairman Jin.
His expression remained unchanged, his eyes gently closed.
“Even so, if you had opposed it to the end, Father would have eventually given up, wouldn’t he?”
“That may be true, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.”
“Couldn’t bring yourself to do it? What do you mean?”
“Well, that’s something you’ll find out in due time. By the way, I heard the Chairman plans to grant you an additional portion of his shares along with your promotion to Senior Managing Director. From what I hear, it’s about four percent, which would bring your total stake to twelve percent, correct?”
“That’s right.”
“Then this means you’ve now surpassed your brother.”
“……”
“No need to make that face. I’m just telling you in case you didn’t understand its significance.”
“……”