Chapter 65. Thomas Motors (4)

Chairman Yoo Jae-ho looked around at the executives seated before him and inwardly sighed.

A significant number of those present did not understand how important this acquisition and merger was.

Of course, the decision to acquire was not made based solely on Han Miro's words. Prior to that, the companies in question had been thoroughly investigated.

In business, there are moments when one gets a feeling about whether something will succeed or fail. He had an intuitive realization that these companies must be acquired.

If done well, it could allow Yoo Sung Electronics to surge ahead in the system semiconductor design field where they had been lagging.

Thinking about this, Han Miro's existence seemed even more regrettable.

'How did he know these companies were good?'

This couldn't possibly be a coincidence.

'Maybe he has a talent for intuitively grasping the essence of things.'

The meeting had already lasted over three hours.

Initially, the executives had sat up straight, but now they were fidgeting slightly.

'I want to rest!'

'I'm so sleepy!'

'When will this meeting end?'

'Can't we take a break?'

'I wish I could go smoke a cigarette.'

The older executives were clearly struggling. But they were lucky; those with urgent physiological needs were literally on the verge of an emergency.

There was a joke that one should wear a diaper to a meeting chaired by the chairman.

'I need to go to the bathroom.'

'Maybe I should have worn a diaper.'

'I really need to go.'

'I feel like I'm going to die!'

Some faces had turned bright red from the effort of holding it in.

However, no one was bold enough to raise their hand and ask to go to the bathroom while the chairman was passionately conducting the meeting.

'Can't someone else speak up first?'

'Please! Someone say we need a break!'

'Just a little longer! There must be someone more urgent than me.'

'The one who needs it the most will lose!'

Everyone was waiting for someone to speak up, but then the secretary general entered and said something to the chairman.

Upon hearing this, Chairman Yoo Jae-ho said what everyone wanted to hear.

"We'll take a short break."

As the chairman left the meeting room, the executives who had been sitting up straight all exhaled in relief.

Secretary General Kim Ji-seok said,

"Chairman Yoo has gone to take a call, so it might take some time. I'll let you know when he returns, so feel free to rest in the meantime."

At this, those in urgent need rushed to the bathroom, while others got up to stretch or go smoke.

At that moment, someone muttered,

"But who's calling?"

Everyone looked surprised.

'Now that you mention it...'

Who could be so important that Chairman Yoo Jae-ho would interrupt a meeting to take their call?

* * *

Upon returning to his office, Yoo Jae-ho took the call.

"Hello, Chairman."

"It's been a while. How have you been?"

He had received help that would have cost billions in consulting fees, and he had been thinking about contacting him. Receiving a call first made him feel grateful.

Many people wanted to contact him, but it was rare for him to be waiting for a call.

"Yes, I've been well. How about you, Chairman?"

"Always the same."

"I heard you're in a meeting. Is it okay to talk?"

"I've paused it for a moment."

"Because of me?"

"Well, it was time for a break anyway. We've been going non-stop for three hours, so they probably look like they're about to die."

"Isn't it hard to go on for so long? They're all older, after all."

Yoo Jae-ho laughed and said,

"To make the old folks listen, sometimes you have to do this. Then they'll try to do better next time to avoid having to sit through another long meeting."

"Ah! So there's a reason for making it long."

"But where are you calling from?"

"Oh! I'm in the U.S. on business."

"Wow! You're already in the U.S. What's the reason for your call?"

"I have a favor to ask."

Yoo Jae-ho joked,

"Can you just ask for a favor so easily?"

"It's a simple favor."

"I'll judge whether it's simple or not after I hear it."

He was curious about what kind of favor he was calling about.

"Do you know Hwaan Group's second son, Hoo Min-woong?"

"Yes, I know. He works at Hwaan Energy."

"He's in the U.S. now."

"So? Do you have a personal connection with him?"

"None at all. I was hoping you could introduce me to him."

It was really a simple favor.

He was curious about the reason, but Yoo Jae-ho readily agreed.

"When and where?"

"The sooner, the better. I can come to you."

"Understood. I'll contact him and set it up."

"Thank you."

Yoo Jae-ho hung up and thought.

Han Miro wouldn't have made such a request without a reason. There must be a connection to what Hoo Min-woong is doing.

"What is Hoo Min-woong doing in the U.S.?"

Park Soo-chan, the director, answered,

"He's there to collaborate with Thomas Motors."

"Is it a hydrogen car company?"

"Yes. I understand they are currently working on a hydrogen infrastructure project with Hwaan Group."

"..."

It must be related to that!

Han Miro had detected that the fund everyone thought was good was actually a bad investment. He had also realized that a company everyone thought was bankrupt had valuable technology.

So, it's likely that he has discovered something and is taking action.

'What exactly is he planning?'

He found it intriguing.

Yoo Jae-ho gave an order.

"Prepare a report on Thomas Motors and the project they are working on with Hwaan Group."

Park Soo-chan immediately responded,

"I'll have it ready before the meeting ends."

* * *

Hoo Min-woong, the head of the overseas investment team at Hwaan Energy.

As the second son of Hwaan Group Chairman Hoo Sung-hoon, he was in Alabama, U.S., on a business trip to collaborate with Thomas Motors on hydrogen infrastructure.

Since the 21st century, environmental issues have become prominent, and governments around the world have announced the phase-out of internal combustion engine vehicles while investing in renewable energy sources like solar and wind power.

The EU executive branch declared that it would ban the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles within the next 15 years, and the U.S. assigned mandatory quotas for the sale of eco-friendly vehicles to manufacturers.

Automakers worldwide, whether they liked it or not, began developing eco-friendly vehicles.

This was a major transformation since Henry Ford popularized the automobile. As a result, the stock prices of electric vehicle and battery companies soared.

Following electric vehicles, hydrogen vehicles gained attention.

Hydrogen, which exists infinitely in nature, turns into nitrogen and water after combustion. It is a clean energy source that could replace oil and coal in the future.

This hydrogen infrastructure collaboration in the U.S. marked the beginning of Hwaan Group's entry into the hydrogen energy market, with plans to expand to Europe and Asia.

Daelyun Motors is one of the few hydrogen vehicle manufacturers in the world, and the Korean government has been actively investing in hydrogen energy.

The broad agreement was already in place, and the details were being fine-tuned by the working teams, so there wasn't much for him to do.

He was relaxing in the hotel, feeling like he was on vacation, when an unexpected call came in.

"Hello, this is Yoo Jae-ho."

Hoo Min-woong was surprised.

In Korea, often called a chaebol republic, Yoo Sung Group stands at the pinnacle.

Not only in terms of market capitalization but also in politics, business, law, academia, and media, it exerts influence across South Korea.

The leader of this massive group is Chairman Yoo Jae-ho.

"Hello, Chairman."

"I apologize for the sudden call."

"What are you talking about? There's no need to apologize."

Hoo Min-woong had a slight connection with Chairman Yoo Jae-ho.

A few months ago, he had met Yoo Sung Electronics Vice Chairman Kwon Hyuk-jun in a private setting.

Despite the significant age and experience gap, Hoo Min-woong, who usually didn't care about age or position unless it was a member of an owner family, treated Kwon Hyuk-jun rudely.

Kwon Hyuk-jun laughed it off, but the incident reached Chairman Yoo Jae-ho through others.

Upon hearing this, Chairman Yoo Jae-ho was furious and called Hoo Sung-hoon, Hoo Min-woong's father, to protest.

The fact that the chairman of Yoo Sung Group was angry put Hwaan Group on high alert.

Hoo Min-woong, who was scolded by his father, went to Kwon Hyuk-jun and bowed deeply to apologize.

Since then, he hadn't had any reason to contact Chairman Yoo Jae-ho, but today he received a call.

"I apologize again for the previous incident. I'm sorry."

"Ha ha! It's already in the past. I forgot about it long ago."

"Thank you, Chairman."

"I understand you're in the U.S. now."

"Yes, I'm in Alabama on business."

"Even though you're busy, can you do me a favor?"

Chairman Yoo Jae-ho asking for a favor!

This was a good opportunity to make amends for his past mistake.

Hoo Min-woong hoped it was a favor he could do and asked,

"Of course. What is it?"

"Can you meet someone? I received a request to introduce someone to you."

"Me?"

"Yes."

Fortunately, it was a very simple favor.

The fact that he was contacted through Chairman Yoo Jae-ho rather than directly suggested that the person was unknown to him.

"Who is it?"

Chairman Yoo Jae-ho joked,

"Why? Are you going to decide whether to meet based on who it is?"

Hoo Min-woong realized his mistake. Once he had agreed to the favor, the meeting was already decided.

Given his already tarnished reputation, how could he possibly refuse?

He tried to explain,

"Ah! That's not what I meant. I was just curious about the reason."

Chairman Yoo Jae-ho laughed,

"Ha ha! I don't know the reason either. I just received the request."

"I see."

'Who could have made this request?'

To ask such a favor from the chairman of Yoo Sung Group, the person must be more than just an acquaintance.

"I'll adjust my schedule if you let me know in advance."

"Thank you for agreeing to this sudden request. It will help me save face."

"Ah! No, it's my duty to meet if the chairman asks."

"Can I offer a piece of advice as a token of gratitude?"

"Of course."

Advice from Chairman Yoo Jae-ho!

Hoo Min-woong listened intently.

"I don't know what you'll talk about, but it will definitely be helpful to listen carefully. It was for me, too."