Crown of the Head
Yangjae-dong, Daehyeon Car headquarters. It wasn't just Gi-yeong Car drowning in unsold inventory. Competitor Daehyeon Car was in dire straits too. Even past 10 p.m., the lights in the office building blazed on.
Vehicle sales were plummeting at a terrifying rate, with no solution in sight. Instead of devising countermeasures, the president and executives were droning on about grit and mental fortitude. It was essentially pointless forced overtime. The employees just sat there, watching for cues, clinging to their seats.
A phone rang out in the deathly quiet office.
"Daehyeon Car, Section Chief Kim Sang-gu speaking."
"Section Chief Kim, this is reporter Lee from Tomorrow's News."
"Yes, hello? What brings you to call at this hour?"
"Judging by how quiet your office is, you must not have heard."
"Heard what? Has some news broken that we don't know about?"
The reporter let out a frustrated low sigh before answering.
"Don't you know Gi-yeong Car is in an uproar right now?"
"Uproar? This is the first I've heard of it..."
"What would you have done without me?"
"Just tell me what's going on."
"Gi-yeong and JK have teamed up to slash installment rates in half starting tomorrow. You really didn't know? Or are you playing dumb?"
Stunned by the bolt from the blue, Section Chief Kim stood frozen, clutching the receiver.
"Section Chief! You listening?"
"What you just said... Is it true?"
"Why would I lie at this hour? Our team's scrambling to revise ads and articles—no one's gone home."
"Got it... Thanks."
He slammed down the receiver and bolted to Executive Director Yuk's office to report.
"What the hell? How can Gi-yeong slash rates by half?"
"They said JK's backing them."
Any other company, and he'd scoff. But JK? That name demanded respect. News of a rival pulling ahead only amplified the anxiety.
"Fine. Get out."
"Yes, sir."
Sales were already tanking. A competitor halving rates was a catastrophe for Daehyeon. Lose market share, and the future looked pitch black.
Executive Director Yuk made calls and quickly grasped the details. He grabbed his coat and raced to President Jeong Sang-yeol's home to report.
At the front gate, he hesitated to ring the bell. The president's fiery temper would surely erupt. But there was no time for that. With a deep sigh, he pressed it.
"Who is it?"
"It's... Executive Director Yuk Gi-po. I have urgent business to report to the president."
The gate swung open. Heavy footsteps crossed the yard to the entrance. He bowed deeply to the irritated-faced president.
"President, sorry to barge in so late..."
"I told you not to call at night, so now you show up in person?"
"My apologies. It's about JK Group partnering with Gi-yeong Car."
Unaware of the details, President Jeong brushed it off.
"Kang's just salvaging a discarded affiliate these days. What's the big deal to come here at this hour?"
"President, it's not that... They're halving the rates."
"What? Say that again."
"JK Card's offering 10% rates."
"You sure? Solid intel? Where'd you hear it?"
The living room phone rang. Sensing trouble, President Jeong snatched it up. It was his frantic chief of staff.
"President, it's Jin Mok-jun."
He nodded silently as he listened, then hung up. Now he grasped the gravity. Only one card to play.
"Executive Director Yuk, head to Seongbuk-dong..."
***
Seongbuk-dong.
Moon Sang-oh had to report on the Soseonjae meeting, but unlike usual, he hesitated. Min-ho's brilliant maneuver was undeniable, yet it risked overstepping—Chairman Kang might see it as interference.
'If... the chairman takes offense, punishment's inevitable...'
No telling how Chairman Kang would react. Face etched with worry, Moon entered.
Chairman Kang could read him like a book.
"From that long face, it seems things didn't go well... Did Min-ho slip up?"
"No, sir."
"If the fox wagged its tail, success was certain. Speak freely."
Moon gripped his pounding chest and detailed the Gi-yeong Car negotiations. His fears were unfounded. Chairman Kang clapped and roared with laughter, face beaming.
"When cars sell, trillions flow. Our Min-ho's got the vision to match."
"Chairman, you're not displeased?"
"Displeased? Reviving flagging JK Card while snagging his own marts? That's thoroughness."
"I worried needlessly."
"Love it. This is the boldness I crave."
He laughed till the rafters shook, then asked,
"How'd Sang Du-hong react?"
"Signed the moment we finished."
"Of course. No better deal for them."
A sudden doubt flickered. His bright smile vanished.
"Feels like Min-ho's holding something back."
"What do you mean?"
"Daehyeon and Gi-yeong—the bigger head's Daehyeon. Yet Min-ho picked Gi-yeong, as you know. Why?"
Moon hesitated, then cautiously replied,
"He said Daehyeon was your share, sir."
"Min-ho takes the small fry, leaves the big one for his grandpa... Daehyeon must be sweating."
"Gi-yeong drops rates tomorrow. Daehyeon'll have to scramble."
Chairman Kang nodded, lighting his pipe.
"True. No matter how swift, you can't outrun winged foes."
"Young master said one last thing."
"What else?"
"Daehyeon Car's desperate president will come to you."
"Laying hot rice and topping it with meat on a ready spoon..."
"If they call, what then?"
"Grandson serves a feast—only natural to dig in."
The Seongbuk-dong bell rang. 11 p.m. Only one possible visitor. Chairman Kang smiled and ordered,
"Coming so late, he must be shitting bricks."
"How shall we proceed?"
"Cold night like this, visitor's a guest. Let him in."
"Understood."
Moon opened the gate. Daehyeon Car President Jeong Sang-yeol bowed, face flushed.
"Jeong Sang-yeol here. Terribly sorry for the late hour."
"The chairman awaits."
"Pardon? He knew I'd come?"
"This way."
Inside, Chairman Kang greeted him with a warm smile.
"Come in, President Jeong."
"Forgive my untimely visit."
"Life's full of such moments. Sit."
"Yes, Chairman."
Thanks to Min-ho's plan, Gi-yeong Car would sell at a groundbreaking 10% from tomorrow. Rival Daehyeon was cornered without lifting a finger. Only Chairman Kang could extend a hand.
Moon brought fruit, but Jeong ignored it.
"Time's late—cut to the chase."
"I rushed here hearing about Gi-yeong."
"Daehyeon leads the industry—no worries, right?"
"No. Their halved rates tank our sales."
Chairman Kang exhaled smoke slowly, eyeing Jeong, then smiled. Without Min-ho's Gi-yeong deal first, this wouldn't exist. Even if attempted, endless haggling with Daehyeon—worse terms, stiff-necked pride. This wasn't negotiation. Jeong bared his crown of the head, awaiting assent.
Chairman Kang had done nothing, yet Min-ho's board gave him total advantage. Daehyeon needed this; he didn't. Just propose from on high.
'Fox wagged its tail to set this table—no reason to refuse...'
The lopsided deal began. Chairman Kang spoke gravely.
"What do you want from me?"
"Frankly... same rates as Gi-yeong, via JK Card."
Korea's car sales now hinged on his words.
"Second place taking first's prize? Fair?"
"Our warehouses overflow. Only you can move such funds."
"Won't Gi-yeong cry foul without extra hooks? You know the details."
"Yes."
Chairman Kang jotted in his notebook.
"Fair competition—10% it is."
"Thank you, Chairman!"
"Business needs survivors. Now, the hooks?"
"Name them—I'll accept all."
"Unconditional, eh..."
He set down his pipe.
"JK Telecom subscription, A-Mart spends over 150,000 won monthly, plus Se-min Newspaper sub. How's that?"
He added the paper for good measure. Daehyeon grumbled inwardly, but beggars couldn't choose. Reject, and no second chance. Jeong forced open his reluctant mouth.
"If... that's it, we're grateful."
Industry-leading Daehyeon bowed low. No viper would miss a bared crown.
"Also... route Daehyeon's major funds through our JK Mutual Savings Bank. Thoughts?"
Marts, telecom, papers—mere bait. He eyed their vast deposits. Billions secured would widen maneuverability, bolstering JK Mutual Savings' stability.
Essentially, switch transaction banks. Chairman Kang knew Jeong held that power.
Chaining shackles one by one. Sigh escaped.
"Not to your liking?"
"No."
"Then forget it..."
The desperate dig wells. Terms sucked, but refusal ceded top spot to Gi-yeong. He pried open his mouth.
"Agreed. We'll do it."
"Good. JK Card backs you solid—no fund worries. Back to glory."
"Thank you. Truly."
"Late—go now."
"Yes. Sorry for the intrusion."
From the living room, he watched Jeong's car depart.
"Daehyeon bowing to me... Gained everything, lost nothing."
"Satisfied?"
"Obviously. Fox wags, gifts arrive."
Beaming at Moon,
"See Min-ho tomorrow. Praise for such presents."
Chairman Kang didn't know. Min-ho's pocket held one more gift.