New Employees With an Annual Salary of 1 Trillion Won - Chapter 39

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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 39. U.S. Expansion (4)

 

 

 

After the launch of professional baseball, high school baseball’s popularity wasn’t what it used to be.

Nevertheless, there were still nearly 60 high school baseball clubs operating nationwide.

 

However, support was gradually decreasing.

Government support was woefully inadequate, and actual operations had no choice but to rely on support from school alumni associations, sponsor groups, and parent associations.

 

Hwadong High School was no different.

Though they received help from various sources, operating funds were always tight.

In this situation, when an inquiry about sponsorship from a major Wall Street fund came in, not only the baseball club coach but even the Principal stepped forward personally.

 

“Nice to meet you. I’m Kang Dong-ju, in charge of Tiger Fund Korea Branch.”

“Thank you for coming to visit us. I’m Jung Gap-su, Principal of Hwadong High School! This is the first time we’ve received a sponsorship inquiry from a fund, so I came out personally.”

“Tiger Fund is considering sponsoring high school baseball clubs to strengthen exchanges with Korea. More precisely, we plan to sponsor under the name of Nexpin, a company under Tiger Fund.”

 

The baseball club coach seemed to be hearing about a company called ‘Nexpin’ for the first time.

The Principal also couldn’t hide his disappointment when told that ‘Nexpin,’ a small-to-medium enterprise, would be sponsoring rather than the ‘private equity fund.’

 

“So it’s not the fund but Nexpin that will sponsor? Ah… I see.”

“Could you tell us a bit more detail about the scale of sponsorship?”

“Yes, please go ahead.”

 

The coach and Principal seemed to have already lost interest.

But at the Branch Manager’s next words, both had no choice but to doubt their ears.

 

“First, we’re thinking of supporting winter training.”

“Winter training is already all planned. We’ve prepared all the costs too.”

“Where is the training location?”

“Geoje. The weather is mild even in winter, and it rarely snows, so outdoor training is possible. We’ve secured both the training ground and accommodation.”

“Nexpin plans to support winter training in the United States.”

 

Among domestic high school baseball teams, there were cases of overseas training camps, but they were limited to Japan, Taiwan, and Guam.

Not a single team had ever gone to the United States, the homeland of baseball.

 

“The United States? Even professional teams don’t often go to the United States.”

“Florida. It’s where many Major League clubs set up camps. We’ve also prepared a training system where you can receive direct coaching from coaches with Major League experience.”

 

The Principal unconsciously started calculating in his head.

Round-trip airfare alone would exceed 20 million won, and adding training ground rental fees, coaching costs, accommodation and meal expenses, it would easily exceed at least 80 million won.

 

“Are you saying you’ll sponsor all those costs in full?”

“It’s not that much money. About 80 million won would be sufficient for 20 players and coaches included.”

“Training in Geoje would only cost 15 million won.”

 

The Principal was so surprised that he unconsciously blurted out something he didn’t need to say.

 

“First, we’re thinking of signing a one-year sponsorship contract, then considering renewal afterward. How does that sound?”

“Are there any particular conditions?”

“Not really. If I had to mention a condition… we just hope there won’t be any incidents that would negatively affect the company’s image. As long as nothing appears on the newspaper’s social pages, the sponsorship will be renewed.”

 

The condition was just to avoid anything that would make the social pages.

It was practically no condition at all, but both the coach and Principal flinched simultaneously.

 

“Of, of course there won’t be such incidents. The newspaper social pages… how terrible.”

“And one more thing, may I propose additional sponsorship?”

“What kind of sponsorship?”

“We want to formally hire a coach with Major League experience for one year. Having a professional coach would help improve the players’ skills. And we also plan to provide additional sponsorship funds exceeding 100 million won.”

 

This time the coach flinched particularly noticeably.

High school baseball coaching positions require a certain level of experience and qualifications.

Especially playing career was important, and Major League experience was an overwhelming card above any other qualification.

 

“I’m curious about the reason you’re sponsoring our school to this extent.”

“We were originally considering sponsoring high school sports, and we happened to choose this school because one of our staff member’s family is in this school’s baseball club.”

“Because of one staff member… you’re doing all this?”

“It’s not just any staff member. This is a core talent of our company. A talent that even U.S. IT companies are trying to scout. This level of support for such talent is nothing from the company’s perspective.”

 

The Principal was momentarily speechless.

Winter training, Major League coach, and 100 million won in sponsorship for one staff member?

Even by simple calculation, it was over 200 million won.

It was the largest sponsorship in Hwadong High School’s history.

 

“May I know whose family that staff member is?”

“Actually, he should arrive soon. He’s supposed to come now.”

 

Just then, knock knock knock.

With the sound of knocking on the Principal’s office door, Lee Jung-hoo entered.

 

“We meet again. Hae-seong, it’s Lee Jung-hoo.”

“Oh my, please come in!”

 

The Principal stood up and greeted him warmly, but the coach just scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

 

***

 

I came out of the Principal’s office with the Branch Manager.

We sat on a school bench and shared what had happened in the Principal’s office.

 

“I heard you’re spending as much as 100 million won on U.S. training camp and sponsorship funds. I’ll cover those costs.”

“There’s no need. Employee Lee has done more for the company. Think of it as a kind of welfare benefit.”

“I’ve never seen a company spend over 200 million won in welfare for one staff member. And no matter how much money they have, I don’t think there’s any company that could actually execute a U.S. training camp.”

 

Now I understood why the Branch Manager had been so pleased.

Who would have thought he’d pull out a U.S. training camp as a negotiation card.

As expected, the Branch Manager was skilled at throwing moves that opponents couldn’t anticipate.

 

“Tiger Fund provides quite a lot of sponsorship to the American baseball world. And among the famous figures in that industry, many are our clients too.”

“But I didn’t expect you to plan the US training camp this quickly.”

“Florida has many large baseball camps. Accommodating about 20 people isn’t difficult. Plus, Tiger Fund has its own accommodation there, so preparations were finished quickly.”

 

Is this Wall Street’s way?

I learned once again how to win people’s hearts.

 

“But the coach seemed a bit uncomfortable.”

“That’s understandable. His position would be shaken if a Major League coach comes in. But the principal, support committee, and parent association will all agree, so it’s meaningless for the coach to oppose alone.”

“But will Jung Young-su’s father, the Parent Association President, stay quiet?”

 

He’s someone who paid half the training costs for his own son.

It was obvious he would try to push Hae-seong out.

 

“There’s only one way for him to turn the situation around. More money. If he spends over 200 million won, he might seize control, but then we can just suppress him with even bigger money.”

“Won’t he try to use connections to reverse the situation?”

“He’s not the only one with connections. If he uses unfair tactics, I’ll properly show him how Wall Street hyenas bite.”

 

The Branch Manager smiled, baring his fangs.

While he was incredibly reliable as an ally, if such a person became an enemy.

Just thinking about it sent chills down my spine.

 

“Thank you so much for your help.”

“For Employee Lee, this much is nothing. Tell your younger brother to work hard at baseball. Well, I’ll be going now.”

 

The Branch Manager left first.

But somehow I had a feeling he’d be coming to school again soon.

 

***

 

Younger Brother was jumping around the house.

When such a big guy jumped around, it felt like the whole house was shaking.

 

“Are you that happy?”

“Of course! When would I ever get to ride a plane? I’ve never even been to Jeju Island and now I’m going to the United States! And Florida at that!”

“What was decided about your position?”

 

I carefully asked about the baseball club situation.

Younger Brother answered with his face still full of smiles.

 

“I can continue as a pitcher. Coach said I should compete with Young-su for the ace position.”

“Really? That went easier than expected.”

“But is it really true that your company is sponsoring our school? Covering all the training camp costs too?”

“I told you I’d handle it. This is the adult way.”

 

Younger Brother had no idea how the situation was unfolding.

So I could take credit without worry.

 

“You’re really amazing, older brother. But how did you do it?”

“Don’t try to know the details. And if you face any disadvantages, tell me right away. I’ll make sure you compete on skill alone.”

“I don’t want to take the starting position unfairly either. It’s not like I’m ending with high school baseball – if I want to go pro, I have to win myself!”

 

Younger Brother was more mature than I thought.

Seeing that, I opened my wallet and handed him a bundle of bills organized without a single crease.

 

“Have a good training camp. Contact me right away if anything happens in the United States. And this is spending money. You probably won’t have much to spend on, but you should have some cushion in your wallet.”

“Oh! Dollars? Twenty 100-dollar bills – how much is that in Korean money?”

“About 2 million won. It should be enough for emergency money.”

“Wow, 2 million won? Thanks so much, older brother!”

 

I barely managed to pry off Younger Brother who was hugging me.

How much stronger had he gotten in just a few months?

He said he only did weight training during winter break, but it felt like being hugged by a bear rather than a person.

 

“And don’t tell Parents about this. They’ll just worry unnecessarily.”

“Of course. I have that much sense too. Don’t you be the one to give it away.”

 

Younger Brother was packing until late at night.

Even when Father came home from work, he still couldn’t close his suitcase zipper.

 

“My sons! Were you waiting for Dad without sleeping at this hour?”

“You’re home? You must be very tired.”

“What’s there to be tired about? I just stand there and fry chicken.”

 

As soon as Father came in, the smell of frying filled the room.

His hands taking off his jacket were full of wounds, and the sight made my heart ache.

 

“Father, why don’t you quit the chicken restaurant now and do something else?”

“Our chicken restaurant has the most regulars in our neighborhood! How could I quit now after building it up this far?”

“Then how about hiring more staff?”

“Why would I be alone? Our beloved wife helps me. And hiring more staff for a small store like ours would actually be a loss.”

 

Since money started accumulating in my bank account, I’d tried to persuade Father several times.

To do something more comfortable since I was earning money now.

But Father’s stubbornness was impossible to break, and above all, he genuinely loved this work.

 

“Then how about switching to a franchise? You wouldn’t have to marinate directly, and you could use their sauce to reduce work.”

“Do you know how much chain stores take? The most wasteful things in the world are taxes and fees.”

 

It was a familiar saying.

I was also worrying day and night about saving Rollbook fees.

 

“Your son is earning good money now. Take it a bit easier.”

“You spend your money. I’ll earn and spend my own. And where do you get off acting like the head of household already! Dad’s not dead yet!”

 

Father said jokingly and laughed.

If he wouldn’t give up the chicken business, I’d have to use other methods.

I already had several ideas in mind. I just needed a little more time.

 

“Dad! When I go pro, I’ll open a chicken restaurant in front of the stadium for you! A total hit!”

“As expected, only our Hae-seong gets it. That older brother just nags Dad.”

“If a good position opens up, you’d be willing to move, right?”

“Well, my current position isn’t bad… but if something better comes up, there’s no reason I couldn’t move.”

 

A massive amount of money was accumulating in my account.

Of course, it was money I couldn’t use yet since the profits hadn’t been realized, but there wasn’t much time left now.

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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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