The ability to handle ‘numbers’ and ‘memorization’ are essential skills for a strategic planning team member and will be highly valued. When the owner prompts, they must be able to immediately recall the necessary figures.
“Assistant Kang, what’s our market share from last year?”
When the representative asks, if you answer, “I’ll look it up,” the representative will never seek you out again.
If you answer, “It’s 23%,” they will come to you when necessary, though not fully satisfied. But how should you answer if you want the representative to fully rely on you?
“The market share for the past year is approximately 23%, a 5% increase from the previous year. Considering the current market situation and allocated budget, we expect an additional 30% growth this year.”
Answering like this will make the representative look at your mouth more than the performance report from that moment on.
To achieve this, Assistant Kang memorized the performance and key indicators by jotting down numbers on paper during his commute. He even memorized quarterly market shares just in case. Since Seong-jin was sensitive to numbers, when he heard Tom mention the year 577, he recalled that Ian in the original story died in the year 582.
“Is it about five years left?”
“Your Highness, what do you mean by five years?”
He muttered to himself without realizing it.
“No, Tom, can I ask a few more questions?”
“Yes, Your Highness, feel free to ask.”
To devise a more effective strategy, market research is essential. While the information in the original story could be referenced from his memory, for unknown information like that regarding Viscount Helington, ‘interviewing’ was important.
“What do you think of Viscount Helington?”
Tom’s answer to Ian’s superior question was cautious.
“How can a subordinate dare to comment on the person you meet, Your Highness?”
Indeed, typical questions wouldn’t elicit the desired answers. It was necessary to ask questions that verified his hypotheses concretely.
“How many times did I meet him per week?”
“About three times a week.”
Seong-jin thought Ian in the original story was pathetic. Drinking with someone who tries to monitor your every move three times a week…
In company terms, it was like an assistant manager drinking with the representative’s royal family and reporting their movements to someone.
“Do you know who else he mainly meets besides me?”
Seong-jin asked without much expectation, but Tom’s answer was unexpected.
“I heard from the servants that Viscount Helington often visits Duke Blake.”
Seong-jin, who obtained two crucial pieces of information through Tom’s answer, smiled with satisfaction. One was the high possibility that Viscount Helington was moving for the First Prince, and the other was discovering Tom’s hidden talent. Despite being bullied by the tyrant Ian, he maintained relationships well enough to gather such information from the palace servants.
Seeing Seong-jin’s presentation, the greedy emotion that passed through the representative’s eyes also passed through Seong-jin’s eyes as he looked at Tom.
Tom also answered detailed questions about various information that needed verification in Seong-jin’s mind.
“Thank you.”
“W-What, Your Highness?”
Tom, who had never heard a thank you since Ian was young, was taken aback, bowing his head and wiping his eyes.
However, seeing the completely changed Third Prince, Tom asked with a glimmer of hope.
“Your Highness, do you perhaps need a priest?”
“I’m fine inside.”
Despite Seong-jin’s answer, Tom continued to stand hesitantly, prompting Seong-jin to ask curiously.
“If you have something to say, feel free to speak. I know how much you’ve been suffering, Tom.”
Tom closed his eyes tightly at Seong-jin’s words and spoke.
“Y-Your Highness… It’s presumptuous, but do you have any trouble recalling some of your past memories…?”
Seong-jin knew Tom was perceptive, but he didn’t expect such a direct question. However, there was no benefit to having this secret spread.
“Do you ask knowing it’s presumptuous?”
“I-I’m sorry, Your Highness. I have committed a grave offense.”
“It’s a joke. It was just a hangover from drinking too much. Don’t worry about it.”
“Then please call on me if you need anything else.”
After Tom left, Seong-jin began devising a 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year plan based on the information he had gathered. While making plans, he realized what he needed to prioritize.
It was a pity that he couldn’t become the First Prince, but being the Third Prince wasn’t bad either. A strategic planning team member who is also a royal family member? It was like adding wings to a tiger. Such a combination was rare. Unlike in dramas, in reality, the strategies devised by the planning team are often stifled by the operational departments. But in this place where the status of ‘prince’ was influential?
Seong-jin, who had been confused by the sudden transmigration, spent his first night as ‘Ian Helios’ with half anticipation and half worry.
***
Although he had a restless night, he didn’t need much time to adapt. Seong-jin, or rather Ian, was too accustomed to a life without weekends or day and night.
“Ah, refreshing.”
The dazzling sunlight poured in from the windows adorned with splendid golden decorations that he had only seen in photographs in the modern world.
‘It wouldn’t be bad to enjoy such a peaceful life.’
Ian, who was contemplating a strike for the day in his plush bed under the warm sunlight, was jolted awake by a familiar middle-aged man’s voice.
“Your Highness! Your Highness!”
Ian, hearing Tom’s urgent voice overlapping with that of Director Park who used to call him, asked,
“Tom, what’s the matter? Did you hear any bad rumors about me?”
As if he had already guessed, Tom nodded his head at Ian’s words in surprise.
“The strange rumors are spreading quickly in the capital and the palace.”
“What kind of strange rumors?”
“Your Highness, I’m sorry to bring this up in the morning, but I think it’s something I must report… The rumors are about Your Highness and they’re not good, or rather strange, or someone is intentionally…”
Seeing Tom stammer, Ian spoke out of frustration.
“Answer fa-su-to(first).”
“Do you mean Sir Answer Post?”
Realizing his mistake at Tom’s questioning look, Ian corrected himself.
“Forget what I just said. I meant to get to the point quickly.”
“Answer… Post. I’ll remember.”
‘There’s no need to remember that.’
After repeatedly mouthing the words to himself, Tom finally opened up about the rumors.
“There are rumors that because of the proposal Your Highness made at the ‘Internal Affairs Meeting,’ the citizens of the capital will starve to death.”
“Starve to death?”
Ian frowned involuntarily, causing Tom’s voice to tremble as he continued to report the rumor.
“Yes… The rumors say that if the tolls are raised, the prices of essential goods will increase, leading to a general rise in living expenses.”
Ian nodded in agreement. It was obvious that merchants would add part of the increased toll to the product prices to make a profit.
Ian had intended to discuss these detailed guidelines further in a working-level meeting. However, the fact that such rumors spread within a day meant someone had maliciously spread them.
‘Who could it be?’
He needed more information to make a decision.
“And?”
“And… along with this, bizarre rumors about Your Highness are spreading.”
Bizarre rumors? It was quite predictable.
Tom, unable to bring himself to say it, kept hesitating, so Ian spoke first.
“The rumor is that an ignorant tyrant of the empire is driving the citizens to their deaths to stand out?”
“Gasp!”
Tom’s eyes widened to the size of saucers as Ian voiced what he was going to say. It made Ian wonder if Tom always squinted his eyes too much.
“H-How did you know? Did you hear the rumors yourself?”
“Well, it seemed likely.”
Seeing Ian unfazed despite hearing rumors defaming him, Tom was convinced that the Third Prince he served had truly changed.
In the past, upon hearing such rumors, at least one piece of furniture in the room would have had its leg broken.
Meanwhile, Ian found the situation amusing. Who would dare provoke a ‘royal family planner’ longing for rest in a plush bed?
Was it Viscount Helington’s doing? Or the work of other nobles manipulating the merchants?
Knock, knock.
As Ian and Tom were conversing, there was a knock on the door.
“Your Highness, I’ll check it out.”
After Ian nodded, Tom quickly checked the visitor and reported back.
“Your Highness, the Chancellor requests an audience.”
“The Chancellor?”
“Yes, he wishes to discuss your proposal from the Internal Affairs Meeting if you’re available today.”
“Do I need to go?”
“That… I’m not sure…”
Seeing Tom hesitate, Ian thought. It seemed he needed to firmly establish his authority as a royal family member. It was unacceptable to still be summoned by the Chancellor.
Ian sighed slightly and told Tom.
“I guess it can’t be helped. Tom, prepare for an outing.”
“Yes, Your Highness. I’ll prepare your usual attire.”
Tom sighed in relief internally at Ian’s calm response. The Third Prince, who would have cursed at the Chancellor’s attendant for not coming himself, had changed. Tom liked the new Third Prince better.
The Chancellor’s attendant, who had been dreading the possibility of being slapped by the Third Prince outside, was puzzled when he saw Ian and Tom. Contrary to his expectations, Ian’s calm expression and Tom’s matching demeanor made the attendant feel confused as he led them to the Chancellor’s office.
***
The Chancellor was curious about the Third Prince’s reaction to his visit request. The past Third Prince would have thrashed his attendant upon hearing those outrageous rumors.
Holding onto a glimmer of hope from the changed demeanor in the Internal Affairs Meeting, the Chancellor had sent his attendant.
‘Has he really changed?’
Waiting for Ian while looking out the window, the Chancellor’s mind was filled with the vivid memory of what the Third Prince said about the logistics issue.
The Third Prince’s completely different behavior raised questions about whether this change would benefit or harm the empire, causing the balance in the Chancellor’s mind to constantly shift.
Knock, knock.
“Your Excellency, the Third Prince has arrived.”
“Let him in.”
Ian, upon entering the reception room, recognized the white-haired man from the Internal Affairs Meeting as the Chancellor.
Ian sat down before the Chancellor could even offer him a seat.
“What brings the busy Chancellor to call on me?”
Despite Ian’s direct manner of speaking, the Chancellor responded with a relaxed smile.
Cliche Novel 