Free Web NovelA turbulent year passed, and the new year of 2002 dawned.
This year was going to be full of major events. The Korea-Japan World Cup would be held, and there was also the presidential election to choose a new president.
Ahead of the election, President Kim Hakgwon left the Progressive Party due to its internal strife and was preparing for a by-election.
Neither the Progressive Party nor the Conservative Party was free from turmoil as the presidential election approached.
At least the Centrist Party had no internal conflict thanks to its high approval ratings, but politics was something you could never predict.
In the original timeline, an unexpected figure from the Progressive Party won the primaries and, riding that momentum, was elected president after Kim Hakgwon.
But right now, the Progressive Party’s atmosphere was too poor for such a wild card to emerge. The Conservative Party was only barely holding its name.
“Nothing that isn’t rotten anywhere.”
I clicked my tongue and closed the ledger of drug purchases.
This ledger, secretly kept by Chunha Group and Hao Xun, was packed with the names of government officials, journalists, legal professionals, and even celebrities.
Next was the large bag sitting to one side.
“That bag has the videos of drug purchases and sex bribery scenes, right? Including everything Hao Xun had?”
“Yes. We received everything without exception.”
“We’ll think about how to use it later. There weren’t any copies?”
“No. That’s the original, and no copies were made. Hao Xun gave us his word «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» on that too.”
I let out a faint laugh.
“Keeping copies only leads to trouble. Things like this, if used well, are a sword — but if misused, they’re poison. Make sure no one but Chairman Yoo knows these exist.”
“Yes, I’ll be careful.”
Yoo Seongjin nodded and added,
“We’re also handling internal cleanup. About a third of the board was involved in this matter. We’ll remove them all.”
“That many?”
“As you said, they got greedy. Everyone was well-fed, so they couldn’t understand the war I ordered, and they resented not being able to play with money as they pleased. It seems they all fell for Kang Junwoo’s coaxing.”
“Looks like it’s nearly over.”
He nodded.
“We didn’t hold the lower members accountable. The ones who knew nothing weren’t really guilty. But all the directors and department heads involved have been removed.”
“I understand the rest, but why on earth did Wang Wei do that?”
At that, Yoo Seongjin’s calm face twisted into a bitter smile.
“He said it was on his boss’s orders. The investment to President Noh Ikseon was for money laundering. They wanted to wash it clean in Korea and use it as bribes for high-ranking politicians in Beijing. Since their group mainly operates in Hong Kong and Macau, their influence in central politics was lacking.”
If it was for laundering, Korea really was the perfect place.
“So? Did you spare him?”
“No. I killed him. Still, I couldn’t bear to mutilate the body, so I handed it over intact to his Chinese subordinates. I thought that was the last courtesy I could give.”
“Showing courtesy to a friend who betrayed you. You’re loyal, I’ll give you that.”
This was why friends you’d known since childhood could be terrifying.
“I couldn’t spare him, but at least I wanted his family to have his body whole. That’s just who I am.”
Yoo Seongjin spoke with self-mockery.
What if Myungsoo or Hyunseong betrayed me?
Would I be able to kill them like anyone else?
No answer came quickly. The betrayal would cut deeply, but I might forgive once, unable to kill them.
“I don’t ever want this happening again. It’s good to trust your men, but not noticing a knife at your throat is incompetence.”
“Yes. I won’t let it happen again.”
Yoo Seongjin bit his lip and bowed his head.
I didn’t press further.
“What about Hao Xun?”
“Yes. We agreed to hold a brotherhood ceremony with the Black Dragon Society. I’ll be going into China.”
“Really? I didn’t think you’d go as far as a brotherhood ceremony.”
China’s underworld. That was going to be quite a deep connection.
“All right. Handle it on your own from now on. No need to report unless it’s something special.”
“Yes, understood.”
Yoo Seongjin bowed respectfully and left.
As the door closed, I turned to Manager Ma, who was standing quietly at the side.
“Put the videos and the ledger in the underground vault. I’m sure a day will come when they’ll be useful.”
Manager Ma picked up the items and left the study.
I checked my watch.
“Kyungyeong should be at the airport about now.”
Just then, the phone in my inner pocket rang.
As expected, it was Han Kyungyeong.
“You really can’t act like a gentleman, can you?”
― What’s that supposed to mean? Anyway, I just got in the car.
“Have you eaten?”
― Not yet. I’m craving Korean food.
“I’ll have Madam prepare something. Hurry over.”
― Oh! Madam’s cooking is divine. I’m flying already.
I immediately called Eva and told her to come eat with us at Pyeongchang-dong.
― The boss calling me first? That’s rare. I’ll be right there.
An hour later, Eva arrived first.
“You’re here. Kyungyeong should be another hour. Let’s talk while we wait. Sit.”
Eva sat on the sofa with a bright smile.
“Headache, isn’t it? Because of America?”
“Pretty much. The U.S. tax authorities are moving in earnest. James is more of a problem than me.”
“That’s why I rushed you back to Korea.”
Before the anger over terrorism had even cooled, Enron, a U.S. energy company, had filed for bankruptcy protection.
It was triggered by a whistleblower exposing over seven hundred million dollars in accounting fraud. Enron’s cooked books further strangled the American economy, already frozen by terror.
Chairman Lay, a close friend of President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, insisted on his innocence. But Bush, needing to prove he had no ties to Enron in his hometown, ordered a thorough purge of everyone involved.
With Bush’s strong will, the tax authorities launched a sweeping audit of Enron.
Already exposed was seven hundred million dollars — who knew how much more lay hidden?
“Still, keep your eyes on it for now, Eva. This is just the beginning. Enron won’t be the last.”
“Of course. I’m already watching. But the euro is trouble. Counterfeit notes are already surfacing.”
From 2002, the EU’s euro was officially issued and began circulating worldwide. As quickly, counterfeit bills appeared.
“Counterfeits already, huh. Fraudsters are fast. How do they churn them out in just three days?”
“Europe is on high alert.”
“It’s only the start. Still, it’ll settle in soon enough. This currency had the world’s attention even before launch. Even if the dollar struggles, the euro will take the yen’s place.”
“I agree.”
The euro was the EU’s bold move to challenge the dollar’s reserve currency status.
Their goal was to unify all European currencies.
But Britain and Denmark refused from the start, and many EU countries continued to use their own money.
So it was essentially a half-formed currency. But still enough to threaten the dollar. Though only a fleeting dream.
“There will never be a currency to replace the dollar in oil and finance. A hundred years of monopoly as the reserve currency. Not because it’s the dollar, but because America is the most stable economically, militarily, and diplomatically. If it were just about economic strength, the yen would’ve taken the dollar’s spot in the ’80s.”
Eva smiled and nodded in agreement.
“Whether there’s a city like Wall Street that gathers the world’s money can’t be ignored either. And once you’ve taken the reserve currency spot, America will never give it up. Rookies always show up, but champions rarely do.”
“Exactly. America’s that powerful. Anyway, for now, focus only on domestic matters. How’s Ilseong Group?”
“Right. Joongwoo Electronics has finally caught up with Ilseong Electronics in semiconductors. As of last quarter, the technology gap is basically gone.”
“Faster than expected. Chairman Kim of Joongwoo must’ve struggled.”
“The deficits are soaring, but it’s worse for Ilseong. Joongwoo has easier access to bank loans than most big companies, and if needed, Future Investment advances funds. But Ilseong is different.”
Eva spoke proudly. I only smiled and nodded.
“They can’t borrow from Ilseong Life or Ilseong Card because of the financial separation law. They can’t freely issue new shares either because we block it with our stake. Chairman Seo’s hair won’t last long.”
“What? Hahaha.”
I suddenly pictured Seo Yonggeon bald and burst out laughing.
“With his temper, he won’t go begging for loans. Before, he could bow his head because it was Chairman Cheon Taesan. But now? You think he’ll come to me and say, ‘Please lend me money’? All that stress will go straight to his scalp and hair. His subordinates too.” ƒгeewёbnovel.com
“Just imagining it feels good.”
The chicken game was nothing but cutting your own flesh.
In the last life, Ilseong Electronics had been the winner of the semiconductor chicken game, but not this time.
The only cash cows left were Ilseong Life and Ilseong Card, but he couldn’t touch them.
That left issuing new shares, but our stake blocked it.
Even if they forced it through, we could buy half of the new shares, and Seo Yonggeon would lose control of Ilseong Electronics.
In the end, victory would come down to who had deeper pockets.
His last hope might be the U.S. government stepping in to save a domestic semiconductor firm.
But with the War on Terror and the accounting scandal raging, the Bush administration had no time to reach that far.
He really would lose his hair.
Just then, there was a knock on the study door.
“Boss, President Han has arrived.”
“Send him in.”
Han Kyungyeong entered with a cheerful wave.
“Oh, Eva’s here too.”
“You got here quick.”
“You said Madam was cooking. I rushed so we could eat before it got cold.”
“All right then. Let’s eat.”
I smirked as I stood up.
The food was going to taste especially good.
