Chapter 57

: Translator: – – Editor: – –
Several days passed after Hyunwoo met Kim Dohyuk.
As usual, he went to the office very early in the morning. Though he was troubled by the quality of N&C’s products, he didn’t show his feelings at all in the office.
Of course, he didn’t give up on this. The real challenge for him was to persuade the technicians anyway. He needed a strategy on this.
As he had nothing particular that day, Hyunwoo got off work a bit earlier.
When he went out the gate, the old guard came out and said,

You’re going home early today.


Yes, sir. See you tomorrow.


Okay. By the way, try this apple.

He suddenly took out some apples.

What are these?


One of my students in the past runs an orchard in Chungju. He just stopped by briefly when he came up to Ansan for some business this afternoon. Try it. It tastes very good.


Thank you,
said Hyunwoo, biting into an apple.
Suddenly, Hyunwoo thought of Kim Dohyuk, who he met in Chungju several days ago. He felt that the apple tasted as good as Kim’s apple at the time. Then, an apple box seemed very familiar to his eyes, with the title , on it.
Obviously, the apple box was the same one he saw at Kim’s house.
Hyunwoo looked at the guard and asked,

Do you happen to know your student’s name, who stopped by here?

This time, the old guard looked at Hyunwoo with a suspicious look and asked back,

His name? Are you going to order apples from him?

Actually, Hyunwoo was going to say, ‘Yes, I would like to order apples,’ but didn’t because it was just a stupid thing to say. He was trying his best to persuade Kim, and he should not treat those around him lightly, let alone the old man Kim was paying homage to even when he was over 50. Hyunwoo told the truth to him.

As a matter of fact, I visited Chungju several days ago and met a person by the name of Kim Dohyuk. So, I just wonder if he is the same person who came to see you, sir.

The old man’s eyes opened wide at his answer.

What a coincidence! You’re right. His name is Kim Dohyuk. Why did you go there? Is there anything I can help you?

Hyunwoo hesitated a bit. ‘Do I need to tell him the whole truth?’
If he did, there was a real possibility that the real owner of N&C Korea was him. And if this was revealed, the negotiation would proceed to his disadvantage.
Hyunwoo modified his reply.

In fact, our president directed a special order that we have to upgrade the quality of castors we import from Vietnam. So, I’ve been thinking about a nice solution and got to meet Kim Dohyuk.

He explained his situation with an excuse of the president’s order, which worked okay.

So, you wanted to form a dream team of castors through Dohyuk, right?


Yes, sir. Hearing what you said, sir, I feel Mr. Kim is try to form his own dream team right now.

The old man frowned at Hyunwoo’s reply. Though Kim had good intentions, his method was not right. Obviously, he was trying to make use of Hyunwoo’s idea to promote his own benefits. However, he could not tell Kim to stop. Though he was his former teacher, he was not in a position to interfere with Kim’s business.
The old man showed an expression of regret to Hyunwoo, saying,

Dohyuk is not that type of person, I guess.

Hyunwoo smiled broadly at that and said,

You’re right, sir. He’s now doing an excellent job. Given the choice, it is much better to improve the technology of our factories here, not in Vietnam.


I know that, but…


Mr. Kim has been dreaming of revival for a long time. I can’t crush his dreams because of my desire. I should help him realize his dream, given our national interests.

Actually, Hyunwoo hadn’t thought that far. But while talking with the old man, he felt he should help Kim instead of satisfying his own desires. And he thought that was the most desirable way forward.
With a confident voice, Hyunwoo said,

I’m thinking about helping Mr. Kim.


Are you? How?


Our president declared a slogan of product quality innovation. If Kim accomplishes his dream, he can be the perfect partner with Aurum, right?


Absolutely.


On the condition Mr. Kim adjusts the quality and price at the proper level, Aurum can promise to purchase all of his products. If our president approves it, Mr. Kim can go ahead and develop better products in a situation where he already has secured a great buyer in Aurum. Won’t it be much easier for him to persuade other technicians then?

The old guard grabbed Hyunwoo’s hands suddenly.

Thanks, man. Thanks so much.


You’re welcome, sir. Strictly speaking, it is for my own benefit, too. By the way, what if…

Hyunwoo slurred the end of his remarks.
The old man just looked at him, expecting him to say anything.

Mr. Kim could fail, right? Of course, I want to help him in a way he can succeed.


Yea, you’re right. That’s not easy.


If things work all right, can you help him so that his dream team can realize their goal through N&C? I think finding the next best plan is more wise than just giving up after their best plan fails.

The old man held his hands more firmly this time.

I think my judgement was right from the beginning. You’re a man of sound mindset. If things work out like that, let me help you out. He will listen to me.


Thank you, sir.

Refreshing his determination like that before the old man, Hyunwoo went out the gate.
‘In fact, I wished Kim would fail in his attempt… How insinuating a guy I am!’
Though he thought like that, he didn’t feel ashamed.
He would not trample on Kim’s dream to achieve his own goal. As he promised to the old man, he would try his best to help Kim both materially and morally. If Kim succeeded at the end of the day, he might lost his dream team but gain Kim.
The following morning.
As soon as he reported to work, he made a report about Kim Dohyuk. It was sort of Kim’s activity report in which Hyunwoo described him as the former leader of a castor union trying to make his own dream team composed of famed castor technicians.
Hyunwoo showed it to Yonggu first.

Mr. Kim, can you review this report?


What is it?

Yonggu had already become a sold ally of Hyunwoo. He didn’t try to take Hyunwoo’s credit as before, and it didn’t matter whoever took his credit because what Hyunwoo really wanted was not his performance at Aurum but Kim and the dream team itself.
Reviewing it, Yonggu said, grim-faced,

You have good intentions, but can it work? It’s too ideal, I think. It lacks a sense of reality.


That’s why Aurum should support him fully. I don’t think we will lose anything even if we give it a try.


You’re right. Nothing to lose on our end. Let’s report it to manager Park.

Park also tilted his head a bit. Though he was not experienced in the field, his ability to read into someone’s mind was much better than Hyunwoo and Yonggu.

The key is whether Kim and Aurum’s needs can satisfy each other. I wonder if Kim can make a dream team in such a manner. I think he has a bigger problem, though.


What is it, sir?


Do you think if Mr. Kim makes such a dream team that can he come up with a proper unit price?

Hyunwoo nodded his head, adding,

Yes, that’s true. But that’s their own problem. We just set the bottom line of the quality and unit price, and if the products made by Kim’s team pass our quality standard, we can just make a promise to purchase all their products. Such a promise alone will be a big help to Kim.


Hummmm… I think the president will approve it without any big burden. Okay, let’s go in and report it to him.

Park Daebong approved it without any hesitation.

Great idea! Isn’t it because of a good team manager? I really like the way the purchasing team members are working energetically like this.


Ha ha. Thanks!

As a result of the president’s praise, Park was fully supportive of Hyunwoo.

Just tell me anything that you need.


Can I go on a business trip? I think it’s better for me to meet Kim Dohyuk in person rather than discussing it over the phone.


Of course. If you have any urgent thing to do, ask Min Suji or Oh Sangho to do it for you. Let me tell them about it in advance.


No, let me take care of my assignment before going out.


And take your hands off material management for the time being. Just focus on working with Kim and his dream team.

Park gave the direction on this in the presence of his staff. Thanks to his direction, nobody dared to give Hyunwoo any small errands.
Hyunwoo was done with his work in the morning and could make an appointment with Kim in the afternoon.
As soon as he got the call from Hyunwoo, he replied negatively,

Well, I made it clear that I don’t want to help the factory in Vietnam. If you keep insisting like this…


No, that’s not the reason I called you. I’m a member of the purchasing team with Aurum, and the reason I called you today is to assist you with your plan. Can you take time out for me? Let me come see you now.


Are you assisting me? How?


As long as you adjust the quality and unit price to our needs, we will purchase all of your products. I’ve already got the approval of my president. If I sign a draft contract with you on this, isn’t it easier for you to persuade the technicians?


What? A draft contract? And buying all the products from us?


I’d like to meet and talk with you about that.