New Employees With an Annual Salary of 1 Trillion Won - Chapter 117

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 117. Black Gold and White Gold (1)

 

The U.S. presidential inauguration was nothing more than a tedious event to me.

 

Since I wasn’t familiar with American history and traditions, I spent most of my time scanning people’s faces and expressions.

 

When that boring inauguration finally ended, the moment I had been waiting for arrived.

 

“Advisor Karl Rove is waiting for you.”

 

Security guards in black suits approached us and spoke quietly.

 

Following their guidance, we entered a shabby but secluded restaurant near the White House.

 

“I apologize for meeting such distinguished guests in a place like this.”

 

“What does the location matter? If we can have a conversation with someone like the advisor, we’d visit a battlefield if necessary, wouldn’t we? Hahaha.”

 

Chairman shook hands with Karl Rove on our behalf.

 

Meanwhile, I casually looked around and saw no one else besides us.

 

“I’ve brought the solution for the Middle East receivables bonds we promised earlier.”

 

“This quickly? You truly are the advisor.”

 

“President still gratefully remembers Tiger Fund’s full support during the election campaign. So shouldn’t we prioritize resolving Tiger Fund’s matters first?”

 

Advisor Karl Rove smiled as he pulled out a document envelope.

 

Chairman carefully opened the envelope to examine the materials and passed them to us as well.

 

“This appears to be Rumalia Oil Field data.”

 

“That’s correct. It’s data on the Rumalia Oil Field, known as the world’s largest oil field. And it’s also where Tiger Fund can recover its $900 million in receivables bonds.”

 

Even a brief look at the materials showed it was an enormous oil field.

 

Just the rough value seemed to be not $900 million, but $500 billion or more.

 

“I’d like to know what you mean by doing something through the Rumalia Oil Field.”

 

“Of course, we’re not giving you the entire Rumalia Oil Field. But we can guarantee about 15 years of drilling rights for the Rumalia West Satellite Block.”

 

I examined the materials again.

 

The data showed three blocks.

 

The northern block with stable production, the southern block with much potential for new drilling.

 

Finally, the small oil field area separated from the main Rumalia body was the western satellite block.

 

“You’re saying you’ll give us the 15-year drilling rights for the western satellite block?”

 

“If Tiger Fund directly develops the oil field and proceeds with drilling, it’s a place where not just $900 million, but over $10 billion is possible. Of course, the likelihood of Tiger Fund entering the oil business is low.”

 

There was absolutely no possibility of us developing an oil field.

 

Nevertheless, giving us drilling rights meant we could recover funds through other methods.

 

“Just selling the drilling rights alone should recover at least $900 million.”

 

“That depends on the negotiation. But with Tiger Fund’s capabilities, I believe receiving more than $900 million is entirely possible.”

 

Converting to cash wouldn’t be easy.

 

Who would want the Iraq region where the embers of war still remained?

 

If anyone wanted it, it would only be neighboring countries like Saudi Arabia or UAE.

 

I wanted to ask for something more easily convertible to cash.

 

But making such a demand could destroy our relationship with the White House, so we had no choice but to accept.

 

“Thank you sincerely for your consideration.”

 

“It’s not over yet. We’ve decided to establish a new U.S. military base near the western satellite block.”

 

“Then the risk would be greatly reduced.”

 

“There won’t be any forces that would attack the oil field by breaking through a U.S. military base, so you can proceed with development with peace of mind.”

 

Should I call this a blessing in disguise?

 

Having a U.S. military base near the oil field certainly had various advantages.

 

Not only security guarantees, but also infrastructure support and political stability, which could increase the value of the drilling rights.

 

This was the maximum consideration the White House could offer.

 

So we had no choice but to accept the proposal, and both Chairman and General Manager just kept repeating their thanks.

 

“Thank you. This will be a great help in resolving the receivables issue.”

 

“Please just understand it as the White House’s will to maintain good relations with Tiger Fund in the future. Now I must take my leave.”

 

We took the documents and several contracts and left the restaurant.

 

Only after being guided by security guards to various places could we return to the hotel, and only then could we pour out what was on our minds.

 

“Still, this isn’t too bad. Don’t you think so?”

 

“It might be difficult to recover the full $900 million, but we probably won’t take a loss.”

 

“Well, if you think that way, I have nothing more to say. I can’t go to the Middle East myself, so who will handle it?”

 

I took a step back.

 

Going to the Middle East wasn’t in my original plan anyway.

 

General Manager, reading my expression, smiled and continued.

 

“I’ll leave this matter to Asia Branch. The Asia Director will personally take responsibility and handle it.”

 

“Then there’s no problem. The Middle East is also included in the Asian region, so it seems like a reasonable decision. And Mr. Song is also a former Korea Branch manager, so there’s sufficient justification.”

 

Asia Director Mr. Song ended up with this burden.

 

I didn’t feel good about it, but I didn’t want to do it myself, so I kept quiet.

 

“Will Branch Manager return to Korea now?”

 

“I have a lot of backlogged work, so I plan to return to Korea immediately tomorrow.”

 

“Oh my. You came all the way to the United States after so long, stay at headquarters a bit longer.”

 

Was he always this persistent?

 

Whether from loneliness or simply missing people, Chairman particularly wanted to keep me by his side.

 

His eyes showed firm determination that wouldn’t let me go for just any reason.

 

I sent a pleading look toward General Manager for rescue, but General Manager subtly avoided my gaze.

 

Just then, both General Manager’s and my cell phones started ringing simultaneously.

 

“Something seems to have happened in Korea.”

 

“Turn on the news.”

 

When we hurriedly turned on the TV, breaking news subtitles flashed on the screen.

 

[Former Honorary Chairman Jang Young-ju of Daehyeon Group Passes Away]

 

“Something big seems to have happened to Chairman Wang.”

 

“The pillar supporting Daehyeon Group has collapsed. Korea’s economy will be shaken.”

 

“I need to change my flight schedule and go to Korea right now.”

 

“Do that. I’ll enter Korea as soon as headquarters business is finished, so Branch Manager go to Korea first and monitor the situation.”

 

I absolutely didn’t wish for this kind of justification.

 

At the sudden news of Chairman Wang’s passing, who had been in good health just a few months ago, my mouth felt parched as if burning up.

 

“Take care on your way to Korea.”

 

“I’m sorry for leaving first.”

 

After briefly greeting Chairman Robertson, I headed to the elevator without even packing my luggage.

 

Even while repeatedly pressing the button, dozens of scenarios were already flashing through my mind.

 

Daehyeon Group would certainly be shaken much earlier than my plan, so I had to reorganize all plans from the beginning.

 

***

 

As soon as I arrived in Korea, I headed to Chairman Wang’s funeral hall.

 

A memorial altar was set up on the first floor of Daehyeon Group Headquarters, and political and business figures were using the large conference room right next to the funeral hall as a condolence room.

 

I was also guided to the VIP condolence room in my capacity as Tiger Fund Korea Branch manager.

 

Chairman Jang Dong-hyeon of Daehyeon Group, whom I was already acquainted with, was standing there and welcomed me warmly when he saw me.

 

“Deputy Branch Manager has come too.”

 

“I humbly pray for the deceased’s peaceful rest. Chairman and General Manager couldn’t attend due to the U.S. presidential inauguration, so I hurriedly returned to Korea to offer condolences on behalf of Tiger Fund.”

 

“Did you also attend President Bush’s inauguration?”

 

“I was fortunately invited in my capacity as Korea Branch manager.”

 

Chairman Jang Dong-hyeon still knew me as deputy branch manager.

 

I subtly informed him of my promotion to branch manager, and Chairman Jang Dong-hyeon, being quick-witted, offered congratulations.

 

“Congratulations on your promotion. Please continue to work well with us.”

 

“I should be the one asking for your continued cooperation.”

 

I felt the attention of those around us.

 

Since Chairman Jang Dong-hyeon was holding my hand tightly while sending affectionate looks, attention was bound to be drawn.

 

“I’m too busy right now to have a deeper conversation. I’ll make time separately once the situation is sorted out.”

 

“Please take care of your health first.”

 

I finished paying my respects and stepped back.

 

Shortly after, someone who appeared to be a secretary approached me and spoke quietly.

 

“Chairman Jang Dong-gu would like to meet with you.”

 

“Please lead the way.”

 

The eldest son of Daehyeon Group was calling for me.

 

This was Chairman Jang Dong-gu, who had inherited Daehyeon Automotive and was known to have been defeated in the succession war.

 

“Nice to meet you. I heard you’re from Tiger Fund?”

 

“Pleased to meet you for the first time. I’m Lee Jung-hoo, Branch Manager of Tiger Fund Korea Branch.”

 

Chairman Jang Dong-gu’s appearance when I first met him was quite different from my expectations.

 

Rather than looking like a defeated loser from the succession war, he seemed like a person as solid as an old tree.

 

“So you’re the Branch Manager. Now I understand why Chairman Jang Dong-hyeon held you in such high regard. I heard you invested 2 trillion won in Daehyeon Electronics and even resolved Daehyeon Construction’s outstanding receivables issue?”

 

“Chairman Wang personally met with me and the General Manager to request the investment.”

 

“Tsk tsk, so that’s how it happened. But will you be alright?”

 

Chairman Jang Dong-gu’s words had a sharp edge to them.

 

It sounded like he was asking whether we could recover our investment given the poor situation of Daehyeon Electronics and Construction.

 

“The situation is expected to become quite complicated.”

 

“A young person like you will have many hardships. But you mentioned meeting Father – did he say anything else?”

 

“He was very worried about the Daehyeon name disappearing.”

 

In reality, Chairman Wang had even asked me to help ensure that Daehyeon Group wouldn’t disappear.

 

However, I didn’t want to convey such words to Chairman Jang Dong-gu, so I only delivered a brief summary.

 

“If he was going to worry so much, why did he make such a choice? Anyway, thank you for coming. Would it be alright if I invited you to Daehyeon Automotive next time?”

 

“You’re welcome anytime. Actually, I also have something I’d like to discuss regarding Daehyeon Courier vehicles.”

 

“I’ve heard about that matter. Daehyeon Courier vehicles should naturally be supplied by Daehyeon Automotive. The ownership may have changed, but it’s still a company bearing the Daehyeon name, isn’t it?”

 

Actually, there was no need for me to discuss such matters with Chairman Jang Dong-gu.

 

It was something that could be sufficiently negotiated at the working staff level.

 

However, I deliberately brought up this topic to build a friendship with him.

 

Because he was the person who would become the true winner.

 

From just our brief conversation, I could be certain that Chairman Jang Dong-gu was the person who would become the center of Daehyeon Group.

 

“I’ll visit you formally next time.”

 

“You’re welcome anytime. If you just contact me in advance, I’ll even come out to greet you personally.”

 

I could learn a lot from Chairman Jang Dong-gu’s jest.

 

That the financial situation of Daehyeon Automotive Group wasn’t that good either.

 

Of course, they weren’t facing a bankruptcy crisis like Daehyeon Electronics or Construction, but they certainly didn’t have abundant funds, which was clearly why he was treating me so well.

 

With this meeting with two heirs of Daehyeon Group concluded, I left the funeral hall.

 

It was like the calm before a storm.

 

I had an intuition that the moment the funeral ended, massive events would burst forth one after another, and it swept through my entire body.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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