The Cursed Blacksmith Who Regressed - Chapter 40

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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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Episode 40

 

“Wow… These are policies that already exist, so why couldn’t we think of them?”

 

“They say it’s always darkest under the lamp, don’t they?”

 

“That could be true… But you said you’d recommend two policies, so what about the other one?”

 

“The second is a policy regarding certified used equipment.”

 

“Certified used equipment?”

 

“Yes, we repair the equipment returned through the compensation policy and then provide it to consumers at a lower price than new products. The used equipment market is already actively operating, so there’s no reason we can’t do it too.”

 

“So you’re selling official used products certified by our company.”

 

“Yes. Rather, when the company sells certified used products, some customers will purchase certified used products just to ease their uncomfortable feelings.”

 

“Ah… That could be true.”

 

“Of course, we can also use certified used products as training material for blacksmith employees, which would save on training costs. Additionally, certified used products should also be eligible for insurance purchases. If we create insurance discrimination between new and used products, it will only create resistance.”

 

“Ah…”

 

“The four policies that come to mind right now are repair, insurance, compensation, and used equipment. As far as I know, for some reason, there are no equipment companies currently implementing these policies. So we need to do it first. You two know better than I do how powerful the first-mover advantage is, so I won’t explain further.”

 

Choi Hyun’s smile.

 

And the two people began to find Choi Hyun’s smile strangely frightening.

 

Furthermore, Jang Hae-hyeon thought.

 

This person might truly be chosen by God.

 

That’s because, although he didn’t know what exactly this person had seen at the top of The Tower, he could be certain.

 

The person before his eyes would have become a Player capable of shaking the world even if he hadn’t seen something in The Tower.

 

Choi Hyun continued speaking.

 

“When this policy is implemented, people will probably be surprised in many ways. They’ll ask what’s left if we give away everything like this. But from our perspective, if we examine each of these one by one, they’re not such big losses. Once we enjoy the first-mover advantage and gain people’s recognition, Daesan’s products will naturally establish themselves among Hunters without separate marketing. Then we can reinvest the saved marketing costs into products to lower unit costs. It’s a repetition of virtuous cycles.”

 

“If it really works out that way, we couldn’t ask for more.”

 

“It will have to work out that way. Do you know why?”

 

“Well? Because the policies are too good?”

 

“That’s part of it, but it’s because I plan to announce these policies directly in the upcoming interview.”

 

“…Ah!”

 

At Choi Hyun’s statement, both Jang Hae-hyeon and Han Yu-won’s eyes and mouths widened once again.

 

Right.

 

We have the card called Choi Hyun, don’t we?

 

Currently, Choi Hyun was the hottest topic worldwide.

 

He was a blue-chip stock among blue-chip stocks whose popularity might never cool down.

 

In this situation where the entire world was paying attention, if he, a rising star, announced Daesan’s new policies, there could be no better publicity.

 

“So… what do you think, President?”

 

“There’s nothing to think about – it’s an unconditional yes. As you said, if you personally promote it and we implement these four policies that no one has ever tried all at once, we can definitely capture the beginner market. Also, based on the beginner market we secure, we can slowly expand our territory into the next tier and the tier after that.”

 

“In addition to that, I’ll also take a look at the beginner equipment series currently being produced at Daesan. We need to lower the unit cost even a little for the company to profit. Of course, there won’t be any drop in quality. That’s the key point.”

 

“I’ll trust only you, Advisor.”

 

“We’re partners, so of course I should do this. In that sense, there’s one more thing I’d like to propose.”

 

“What proposal?”

 

“There’s the 100 billion I’m supposed to receive from Han Yeong-min. When that’s recovered, I want to invest the entire amount in Daesan.”

 

“What? All 100 billion?”

 

“Yes, when you think about it, that 100 billion was also grown based on money received from Daesan. So that 100 billion is essentially money I never had. So if it’s recovered, I want to reinvest the entire amount. Frankly speaking, I’m not in need of money right now, nor do I need that much money immediately.”

 

“Even so…”

 

It’s not just a few pennies, but a whole 100 billion.

 

100 billion is actually a very large sum of money for Jang Hae-hyeon personally too… no, it’s money he doesn’t have. It’s all company money.

 

Of course, he owns Daesan stock, so money could come out if he operated based on that, but still, 100 billion is money he couldn’t dare to covet.

 

Choi Hyun said with a smile.

 

“Why are you so surprised? This is only a story for when we recover the 100 billion.”

 

“…”

 

Jang Hae-hyeon fell silent again.

 

100 billion.

 

And reinvestment in Daesan.

 

Those words kept catching his eye.

 

His brow furrowed as his fingers tapped the table like a metronome.

 

Choi Hyun didn’t say more and waited for him to finish thinking.

 

After a while, Jang Hae-hyeon spoke.

 

“Advisor.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Do you realistically think you can receive 100 billion from Han Yeong-min?”

 

“Honestly?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“No.”

 

Since he asked, he answered honestly.

 

And he added an explanation.

 

“This problem originated from Totoland, an illegal gambling site. No matter how much I won the bet and had it documented through a lawyer, realistically the courts would never recognize it.”

 

Han Yu-won answered.

 

“That’s right. No matter how much a lawyer was involved, this is gambling money, so even small amounts wouldn’t be recognized.”

 

That was the reality.

 

Going through the courts, there was a high possibility that the bet itself would be ruled invalid.

 

Korean civil law stipulates that legal acts with content that violates good customs and other social order are invalid.

 

Therefore, like the Supreme Court precedent that ruled loans for gambling purposes invalid, if the gambling and betting nature was strong, there was a high possibility of being judged invalid as anti-social order.

 

This was the same even for legal establishments like casinos.

 

There were cases where overseas casinos tried to collect through lawsuits in Korea but had their claims dismissed on grounds of public order and good morals.

 

“That’s why I asked Daesan for help. I thought if it was ‘Daesan’ rather than me, there might be a way.”

 

This time Jang Hae-hyeon answered.

 

“But even so, Daesan isn’t above the law. No matter how much we use law firms with strong connections to former judges.”

 

“If it’s a legal problem, then yes. But doesn’t Daesan have something that courts don’t have?”

 

“What’s that?”

 

“Business connections. President, your father Chairman Jang Dae-ho and Taesan’s Chairman Han Seung-won know each other, right? They’re among the top conglomerate families in the country, so there’s no way they wouldn’t have connections.”

 

Not only that?

 

Although he didn’t mention it separately, Jang Hae-hyeon actually knew Han Yeong-min too.

 

How could fourth-generation chaebol heirs not know each other?

 

Jang Hae-hyeon smiled.

 

“You knew everything from the beginning when you asked, didn’t you?”

 

“I won’t deny it. Also, it’s true that I deliberately let the debt sit until I had power and backing. Han Yeong-min is a cancerous existence in this society who would have continued to corrupt the world if left alone.”

 

When talking about Han Yeong-min, he also told them about what happened at the Hunter examination site.

 

So both people nodded.

 

“It was money that couldn’t be received through normal channels anyway. Frankly speaking, even if we emptied all the money Han Yeong-min accumulated through Totoland, it’s uncertain whether we could get 100 billion. But if Daesan goes directly through Chairman Han Seung-won, we could expect 100 billion or even more. If I, with my influence, expose this case, Taeseong will suffer considerable damage.”

 

Owner risk.

 

Especially for Korean companies centered on family management, it would be a significant blow.

 

Moreover, image is truly frightening.

 

There were countless companies that suffered image damage by riding the wrong trend and never succeeded in making a comeback.

 

‘Ramen controversies, milk issues, racial discrimination, anti-Japanese boycotts, etc… It’s no exaggeration to say companies live and die by their image.’

 

For the public, whether certain issues are true or not often doesn’t matter.

 

They only see what they want to see and believe what they want to believe.

 

So Choi Hyun thought that when exposing certain issues, the role of the messenger was more important than the message itself to have the greatest impact.

 

‘To criticize Korea’s entrance exam problems, a Seoul National University student’s voice resonates louder than someone with low education.’

 

In that sense, Choi Hyun’s current influence could be said to be the greatest in the world.

 

Jang Hae-hyeon answered.

 

“I understand. Since this matter is what it is, I’ll need to consult with the Chairman. But you don’t need to worry. It seems like it will proceed as you wish.”

 

“I think so too.”

 

“Hehe, the more I get to know you, Advisor, the more frightening you become. From what I hear, you’ve been acting as if you predicted all this even before becoming a Hunter, almost like… No, I won’t ask any more questions.”

 

He must be curious.

 

About what the secret was.

 

However, knowing he wouldn’t get an answer, he wisely cut himself off mid-sentence.

 

Choi Hyun smiled at his consideration.

 

“There will surely come a day when you’ll know everything. Now then, since the policy and bond discussion seems to have reached a reasonable conclusion, we need to talk about the next agenda item… Could you tell me who the key person in charge of the equipment business currently being conducted at Daesan is?”

 

Now it was time to take the next step.

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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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