Chapter 101: ND-7
Ahsung Group Chairman’s Office
“Is it true that Dojin filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Sunny?”
Chairman Cheon Ho-tae’s voice boomed across the meeting room.
Director Kim Seong-jae nodded, his lips pressed firmly together.
“We never imagined that Sunny would steal Dojin Tech’s patent.”
“How many camera units do we need?”
“It’s become a bit complicated. They sent an official notice saying they’d cancel the order and pay a penalty instead.”
“What?”
It seemed like an unexpected statement.
Chairman Cheon Ho-tae slammed his desk.
“I think during negotiations, they signed a clause saying they wouldn’t supply us with camera modules.”
Chairman Cheon, his expression twisted, looked at Cheon Jun-young beside him.
“You take responsibility and resolve this.”
At the sight of his father’s expression, Cheon Jun-young realized this was a test of his abilities.
On top of that, the situation had arisen partly because he’d rushed the spin-off of Digital Optics.
Without hesitation, he replied,
“Understood.”
“It won’t be easy,” Director Kim Seong-jae said with concern. But Cheon Jun-young remained nonchalant.
“There are plenty of ways to deal with a company like that. Don’t worry.”
Cheon Jun-young truly wasn’t concerned. Backed by Ahsung Group, South Korea’s top-ranked conglomerate, he couldn’t fathom failing to handle such a minor company.
Whether he liked it or not, he had to succeed to avoid losing the position of group successor to his younger sibling.
Dojin Industries CEO Office
After the company stabilized, I moved my office from Dojin Tech in Dongtan to the newly built Dojin Industries in Gwanggyo.
Of course, most of my work still involved Dojin Tech. But I had to focus on Dojin Construction, Dojin Capital, and Dojin Soft, so the move was necessary.
As I worked in my new office, the door opened, and Seong-hwan entered.
“Hyung, Cheon Jun-young from Ahsung Electronics and Moon Yong-wook are here.”
Unconsciously, the corners of my mouth turned up.
The needy always end up digging their own wells.
“Bring them in.”
Soon, the CEO office door opened, and Cheon Jun-young and Moon Yong-wook entered.
“It’s been a while. I think this is our first meeting since the last competition, Vice President Cheon.”
I deliberately mentioned the “competition” to gauge his reaction. As expected, Cheon Jun-young’s expression twisted slightly.
Moon Yong-wook responded on his behalf,
“That was our mistake. We’d appreciate your understanding.”
I was slightly disappointed the provocation didn’t work, but I’d expected as much from them.
“What brings you here?”
“Well…”
Moon Yong-wook hesitated, and Cheon Jun-young interrupted with an annoyed tone,
“We’ll accept all the conditions you mentioned last time, so start supplying the camera modules immediately.”
His brash attitude was somewhat absurd, but I didn’t frown.
A poker face is a crucial negotiation strategy.
“If the conditions are right, we can supply the cameras, of course.”
“What are your conditions?”
Moon Yong-wook anxiously grabbed Cheon Jun-young’s sleeve at his harsh tone, but Cheon Jun-young merely glanced at him dismissively.
“My conditions are simple. For a 13-megapixel camera, the unit price is 52,500 won. And replace 30% of the batteries and display panels used by Ahsung Electronics’ mobile division with our products.”
Cheon Jun-young erupted,
“The original price was 35,000 won, and you’re raising it by 50% all at once?”
Moon Yong-wook, equally flustered, added,
“Last time, you said you’d only raise it by 25%. Fifty percent is excessive.”
“Ahsung rejected the 25% increase.”
“That’s why we’re here again.”
“So I recalculated the price, including the development costs I omitted earlier.”
As I smirked, Cheon Jun-young’s eyes turned cold.
“You’re pushing it, aren’t you? Can you handle the consequences?”
When words failed, he resorted to threats. Moon Yong-wook tried to intervene, but Cheon Jun-young was too furious to notice.
I was curious what kind of threat he’d make. I had some idea, of course.
“Are you planning to involve the National Tax Service?”
At the mention of the tax authority, Cheon Jun-young’s eyes flickered.
“You know my uncle is the Commissioner of the National Tax Service.”
Commissioner Kim Jae-kyung. Chairman Cheon Ho-tae had carefully placed him in that position.
“If you want to order a tax audit, go ahead.”
“There’s no one without dust on their hands. Just supply at a reasonable price. It’s better for you, too.”
“If you have nothing more to say, leave. Next time, you’ll have to pay an even higher price.”
“You’ll regret this.” Cheon Jun-young ground his teeth as he stood up. Today’s negotiation had failed.
The furious Cheon Jun-young would surely mobilize the National Tax Service. But I wasn’t afraid, even if they launched a full-scale investigation. Over the past few years, I’d managed my taxes meticulously.
However,
“A tax audit wouldn’t be a problem, but it would disrupt operations…”
If they took all the computers and documents for the audit, it would inevitably hinder our work. So as Cheon Jun-young turned to leave, I tossed out a remark,
“When you meet the tax officials, ask them if they know about ND-7.”
At the mention of ND-7, Cheon Jun-young froze. Slowly turning, his expression was rigid.
His reaction was enough. But Moon Yong-wook, oblivious, asked me,
“ND… 7?”
After sipping my coffee, I continued slowly,
“It’s the corporate account name at Otaku International Bank in Minato, Tokyo. I wonder if I should keep talking.”
Cheon Jun-young replied with a trembling voice,
“How… how do you know about that?”
How would I know? I’d been Chairman Cheon Ho-tae’s lapdog for over 20 years.
Of course I’d know.
[Nexus Development Seven, or ND-7]
It was one of the secret accounts Chairman Cheon Ho-tae had set up for his son’s succession. The profits from the Digital Optics spin-off and listing were likely in that account under a pseudonym.
“Let me see, where’s that business card the broker gave me?”
There was no business card, but the words were enough.
“You’re crossing a line. Do you think you’ll be safe if you expose this?”
“I don’t know. But if the tax officials come, I’ll spread ND-7 to the National Assembly and the media. Wouldn’t that be fun?”
Cheon Jun-young’s expression turned demonic, but he could only tremble. Unlike before, he couldn’t spew reckless words. The name ND-7 carried that much weight.
Moon Yong-wook quickly stepped in,
“Vice President Cheon, calm down. Let’s talk in a way that benefits both sides.”
I nodded.
“The conditions still stand.”
A unit price of 52,500 won. And if they agreed to use 30% of our batteries and display panels, we’d supply the cameras.
“Fifty percent is too much. How about 45,000 won?”
“Fifty-five thousand.”
His expression seemed ready to explode, but he held back.
“Every time you haggle, I’ll raise the price. So choose wisely.”
With their constant bullying and interference in the Qatar project, I had no intention of showing Ahsung any mercy.
Moon Yong-wook sensed my resolve, glanced at Cheon Jun-young, and reluctantly nodded.
“We’ll buy at 52,500 won.”
I smiled broadly.
“I can’t speak for the price, but you’ll be satisfied with the performance and quality.”
Throughout the contract signing, Cheon Jun-young seethed, but my smirk only grew wider.
After they left, Seong-hwan asked cautiously,
“Hyung, are you sure this is okay? I’m worried we’re provoking Ahsung too much.”
He seemed concerned about confronting Ahsung, South Korea’s top conglomerate, with immense political and business influence.
But,
“If you’re afraid of that, you shouldn’t have started a business in the first place.”
To eventually bring down Ahsung, this was a necessary step. And if I was worried about their attacks, I’d just build the strength to withstand them. I no longer needed to live in Ahsung’s shadow.
“Still, it’s better to be cautious.”
He wasn’t wrong. Especially since my knowledge of the ND-7 account would now reach Chairman Cheon Ho-tae’s ears. They’d take some action.
“They won’t move rashly. They know I could expose the slush fund account if push comes to shove.”
And I knew the location of Chairman Cheon Ho-tae’s other slush funds fairly accurately. If that information were exposed, even he couldn’t easily cover it up. And just in case, I’d secretly prepared for their next move.