Free Web NovelThe best thing would be if Hu Jintao or the Chinese Communist Party’s high-ranking officials invested in the companies I invested in.
Then all kinds of regulations would naturally be loosened, and all kinds of benefits could be received.
Of course, Hu Jintao or the high-ranking officials could not directly invest under their own names.
Naturally, they would put forward a proxy. Still, even just knowing which companies they would invest in was profitable.
Even if people called him a puppet and whatever else, the next ten years would still be Hu Jintao’s era.
“You are telling me to invest in Chinese companies now? Aren’t Chinese companies still unstable?”
That the highest leader responsible for China did not trust his own country’s companies.
I let out a silent laugh inside and answered.
“No. The growth of Chinese IT companies is frightening.”
“But in the end, limitations exist. Depending on the Party’s power structure, they can collapse at any time. Isn’t it a fragile structure?”
“I know that as well. But the next ten years will be different. It is your era, Chairman. Even if all you do is loosen regulations and push only the policies that let companies run free, China’s economy will grow astonishingly.”
China’s economy had achieved a dramatic leap in growth even in my previous life during Hu Jintao’s era.
China, which was called the G2 alongside the United States, became possible because Hu Jintao existed.
Of course, it was not because Hu Jintao personally performed well; it was simply that China grew because it was time for it to grow.
There was no need to say that right now. I just needed to coax Hu Jintao and guide him toward what favored me.
“I too have invested in many Chinese companies. I only couldn’t invest more because of the law that foreigners cannot hold more than 49% of the shares of Chinese companies. If not for that, I would have invested in many more companies.”
Hu Jintao lifted the steaming teacup to his mouth.
As if telling me to continue talking, he twitched one eyebrow.
“I believe in the growth of the companies I invested in. So please invest in those companies. I will proceed with the work while hiding that the money is related to you, Chairman.”
“Hmm...”
Swallowing his silence, Hu Jintao set the teacup down.
As if something was bothering him, an answer did not immediately come. I continued speaking.
“Trust me. Isn’t the reason you are asking me for investment destinations because you trust me? To make big profit, it is best to invest in companies that have not yet grown. If that company grows properly and can be listed in the United States, it could become hundreds of times. No, even thousands of times.”
This was why countless investors searched for venture companies that had not even gone public yet.
Because even if one out of ten—no, one out of a hundred—hit the jackpot, they could make more than they invested.
In America’s Silicon Valley, dozens, even hundreds of venture companies are born every day.
Some find investors and grow, and some fail because they cannot find investors.
No matter how good the idea is, without capital, one cannot grow.
A company that, by luck, received investment and grew would give overwhelming profit to the investor.
This was the essence of capitalism. China, which had opened its market, had no choice but to follow a similar flow.
“And you are someone who can create the soil that allows those companies to grow. It is easier for you than swimming with your hands touching the ground.”
“I also looked into the various policies Wen Jiabao pushed. They were all deregulation proposals advantageous to the companies you invested in. I became interested and looked into those companies in detail, but I didn’t feel much ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) merit.”
“No. Why would I have invested in those companies that didn’t produce proper profit for years? It is because I believe that even if it takes time, they will bring me large profit.”
“You mean by using me and Wen Jiabao?”
What a frustrating man. I suppressed the sigh that almost escaped and opened my mouth.
“Chairman, the future will eventually be an era dominated by the Internet. And the company that takes the lead in that field will be beyond anyone’s reach. If an American company were to completely dominate China’s Internet market, could you endure it?”
I spoke the reality without injuring his pride.
“In the end, Chairman, you will inevitably have no choice but to loosen regulations for the revival of your nation’s companies. Even if I do not make any request. So if you must do it anyway, I recommended you profit from it. If you still cannot trust it, I will recommend another American company. But I think there is no reason to abandon something close at hand and go searching far away.”
I then continued explaining what would happen if American IT companies dominated China’s market.
Having heard all the explanation, Hu Jintao fell into deep thought.
While he was thinking, I lifted the teacup. I drank the completely cooled tea, waiting for him to make a decision.
“Very well. Then I will trust President Kim and leave it to you.”
Only after listening until his ears almost fell off did he finally decide.
As expected, an indecisive fellow. Hiding my true thoughts, I set down the teacup and smiled.
“In that case, please send me the proxy.”
“Understood. It will be someone you already know, so communication will be easy.”
Surely he wasn’t planning to use the Black Dragon Society even for something like this?
“Are you perhaps referring to Hao Xun?”
Hu Jintao nodded. His face looked as if asking if there was any problem.
“Chairman, nothing good comes from involving such people in matters like this.”
Even if they were limbs easy to cut off if a problem arose, I never imagined he would use them for something like this.
This was not a good look even from the outside.
“Do not worry. Hao and I will take care of that.”
“That would be troublesome. If Hao Xun’s name comes up, I will be the one in trouble. I cannot stand by and allow Hao Xun’s name to appear in the companies I invested in.”
As if feeling insulted, Hu Jintao’s expression hardened.
“Now look here, President Kim.”
“I do not know what position the Chinese underworld has inside China, but to other nations, they are nothing more than a gangster group. On the same level as the Mafia or the Yakuza. No matter if you are behind them, Chairman, this cannot be done.” free𝑤ebnovel.com
The ending of a business tied to the Chinese underworld was never good.
It could even become an obstacle when going public.
But, surprisingly for him, Hu Jintao spoke in a firm voice.
“I told you not to worry. Hao Xun will find a clean man to act as the proxy.”
“...Understood.”
I could not refuse any further here. And since he said he would find a clean proxy, Hao Xun would not put his own name on it.
I had no choice but to accept it as firm determination to hide the fact of his investment through multiple layers.
“How long will you be in China?”
“I think I will leave in about three days. I have not visited all the companies I invested in yet. There are still things I must do with President Han Kyung-yeong.”
“Mm... Then I will tell Hao to contact you within two days. Meet him and tell him the detailed story.”
“Understood.”
Having finished speaking, Hu Jintao pressed the bell beside him and called someone in.
“Clear these away and bring in a drinking table.”
“Chairman, because of tomorrow’s schedule you should sleep...”
The man who seemed to be his secretary said something, but Hu Jintao did not listen.
His attitude toward subordinates was quite coercive. Well, if he did not bend even to me, how would he treat others?
“I will handle it myself, so bring in the drinking table.”
“Ah, yes.”
“The liquor is the one that came in recently...”
Stopping mid-sentence, Hu Jintao turned to me and asked:
“President Kim, is traditional Chinese liquor all right?”
“I drink anything well.”
I did not particularly like Chinese liquor, but I answered that it was fine.
Sometimes one had to lie in order to do business.
Hu Jintao nodded and spoke to the secretary with a satisfied face.
“Use the Maotai liquor that was gifted recently.”
The secretary bowed his head and carried out the tea table.
A moment later, several people entered and set appetizers and liquor on the table.
Moving with perfectly precise posture, they disappeared as silently as they had entered.
“Have you tried Maotai liquor?”
“Yes. I have tried it.”
“Really? How was it? There are many varieties of traditional liquor in China, but this is the one I like the most. I have been drinking it since I was young.”
“It seems to be a liquor with excellent flavor.”
So the Chinese really did have pride in Maotai liquor. It seemed true.
Pleased by the compliment, Hu Jintao poured the liquor and held out the bottle.
“President Kim. Have a glass.”
Holding the glass with both hands and extending it forward, he filled it to the brim.
Immediately after, Hu Jintao filled his own glass and lifted it.
Then he recited a phrase in a dignified manner.
“To know something is not as good as to like it, and to like it is not as good as to enjoy it.”
“The Analects.”
“Oh, you know?”
“Yes. To some extent.”
“I knew President Kim would know. You know Chinese well, and you know Chinese culture well too.”
Pleased that I recognized the line he recited, Hu Jintao revealed his good mood.
“All right, all right. Let us have a drink. Drink as much as you can.”
Hu Jintao brought the glass to his mouth first, and I followed him and brought mine to my mouth.
“Good! Very good.”
After finishing the glass, Hu Jintao kept exclaiming with exaggerated reactions, as if something was extremely pleasing.
“A good friend and good liquor. What more does one need in life.”
“Am I your friend, Chairman?”
“I think so, but what about President Kim? We are people riding the same boat.”
“If you think so, then we are friends.”
Nodding in reply, Hu Jintao burst into loud laughter.
Let him think what he wanted.
We were simply using each other. But keeping up an appearance of friendship was not a bad thing.
I lifted the liquor bottle and spoke.
“This time, I will offer a drink.”
Hu Jintao extended his glass, and I filled it up.
I filled my own glass as well and lifted it.
If one receives a line, it is courtesy to respond with a line. So I recited a Chinese proverb I knew.
“If there is wine today, then be drunk today. Tomorrow’s worries shall be worried by tomorrow.”
“Oh, splendid! As expected of President Kim!”
Clinking glasses again, we began to truly settle into the drinking session.
After several rounds of glasses going back and forth, Hu Jintao finally began revealing his inner thoughts.
“President Kim, I am a half-leader.”
He wasn’t wrong, but... I could not readily say anything, so I just listened quietly.
“Last year I rose to General Secretary of the Communist Party, and today I rose to State Chairman. I reached the top in Party position and government position, but I still have not received command of the military. There is no promise of when it will be given.”
The Central Military Commission of China was an organization under the Central Committee, but the commander-in-chief of the military was the Chairman of the Military Commission.
The national ceremonial order placed the General Secretary and State Chairman first, but the person in that military position was effectively China’s true top leader.
No wonder Mao Zedong said all power comes from the barrel of a gun.
“The Standing Committee, which had been seven members, was made into nine when Jiang Zemin stepped down, and he filled one of those seats with the Politics and Law Commission. Out of nine members, as many as six are under the influence of the Shanghai faction.”
I understood why Hu Jintao was lamenting like this.
In the collective leadership system, not only had they withheld military authority, but the Standing Committee was occupied by the Shanghai faction.
Even the two Vice Chairmen of the Central Military Commission were Shanghai faction people.
Eventually, Jiang Zemin would have to hand over the Military Commission Chairman position to Hu Jintao.
This was a kind of demonstration that even if he did hand over that position, he would not give up his influence.
“For now, please endure it.”
“For how long must I endure? At this rate, throughout my entire term I will be dragged around by the Shanghai faction.”
“Someday, an opportunity will come. Fortunately, you protected Premier Wen Jiabao. Time will eventually be on your side.”
No, even as time passed, the Shanghai faction’s influence would not decline.
But this time, I would never allow Xi Jinping to come to power.
I had to strengthen Hu Jintao’s authority and appoint someone else as successor.
But now was not the time.
The Shanghai faction’s weight class was still too great. If I moved now, even I could end up bleeding.
“Slowly seize control. If the Shanghai faction expands its power through money, you, Chairman, should also expand your power through money.”
“But we lack financial resources.”
“I will support you with funds. First, leave the Standing Committee alone and win the hearts of the military and the elders.”
Hearing the words that I would support him financially, Hu Jintao’s face brightened instantly.
Seeing that, I let out a silent laugh inside.
What a sly serpent. He had been waiting for me to say that.
Enjoy your laughter now. One day, the money I give you will tighten around your throat.
Hiding my true thoughts, I smiled gently and filled his glass.
