Free Web NovelAfter finishing my meeting with Obama, I returned to the hotel and fell asleep.
Perhaps because of the accumulated fatigue, I woke up early in the morning. I barely managed to sit up and perched on the edge of the bed, sinking into thought.
I don’t know how far he’ll go...
But if he moves as I expect, it’ll be like dropping a strategic nuclear bomb on Washington.
After organizing my thoughts, I picked up my phone and called Han Kyungyeong.
The ringing continued for quite some time before I finally heard his groggy voice.
— Uh... Muhyuk.
He must have woken up because of my call. His voice was thick with sleep.
“Can you talk? Or should I call later?”
— No, it’s fine. I should get up anyway. Give me a second.
I heard the faint rustling of blankets through the receiver.
Soon after, there was the sound of curtains being drawn open, and Han Kyungyeong spoke again.
— Ugh, that’s bright. Okay. Go ahead. How did it go? Did it work out?
“Yeah. I think he’ll move the way we want.”
— But did it have to be him? We’ve got two Democratic senators who’d listen to us. At this scale, any Democratic senator would jump at the chance.
He wasn’t wrong.
For a politician, a scandal like this was an opportunity too good to miss.
If you left a deep impression during a hearing, you could carve your name into the public consciousness overnight and become a star.
Even though we had supported the Republicans in the recent presidential election, we hadn’t neglected the Democrats.
We had several Democrats who would accommodate Han Kyungyeong’s requests.
Still—it had to be Obama.
“Well. I’m thinking of cultivating him. He’ll probably contact you soon. When he does...”
I summarized my conversation with Obama and explained it to Han Kyungyeong.
— Hmm... Do you think Plame will actually quit the CIA? From what I’ve seen, she doesn’t seem like the type.
In my previous life, she endured and endured before finally leaving the CIA.
All I want is to shorten that time.
“That’s for him to persuade her. You just arrange the meeting.”
— That’s not difficult.
“When are you signing the investment contract with the New York Times?”
— Once everything’s finalized, probably next week. You’re coming, right?
“No. You handle it from here. I’ve done everything I needed to do.”
— Suit yourself. Heading back to Korea?
“Yeah. It’s about time North Korea starts moving...”
Next week, Japan’s prime minister would visit North Korea.
I had been receiving reports intermittently, but I needed to return before that and see the internal situation with my own eyes.
“I’ll go back to Korea and review the plan. You prepare as well.”
— Okay, boss.
“Once this is over, let’s all take a vacation.”
— You better keep that promise!
“I will. You’ve worked hard. I’m hanging up.”
After ending the call, I got out of bed.
When I stepped into the living room, Chief Ma was already waiting.
“Good morning, Boss. Would you like some coffee?”
“Yes. And something light to eat, please.”
He bowed and left the suite.
I sank deep into the sofa.
It felt like I had taken care of nearly everything I’d come to the United States to accomplish.
Most of it wouldn’t produce immediate results, but the blueprint for what I intended to do was essentially complete.
“Not a bad trip to America.”
I glanced at the newspapers spread across the table.
The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal—most of the major papers were there.
I picked up The Wall Street Journal, which featured a large photograph of Rupert Murdoch.
His face, dominating the front page, looked happier than ever.
The article began on the front page—an interview with him.
Just as I was about to turn the page, Chief Ma returned with coffee and sandwiches.
I took a sip of the coffee he handed me and began reading in earnest.
Murdoch, and the Future He Dreams Of
Rupert Murdoch, chairman of News Corporation, has succeeded in acquiring Dow Jones, which owns The Wall Street Journal.
Murdoch’s acquisition of this prestigious paper sparked heated debate among Journal reporters, including myself.
Given Murdoch’s past conduct in the media industry, the greatest concern was that this paper would be reduced to tabloid journalism.
Most of Murdoch’s publications focus on entertainment, while this paper has maintained serious editorial standards and fact-based reporting.
Thus, I conducted an exclusive interview with Rupert Murdoch, the new owner of this paper.
Q: Congratulations on acquiring The Wall Street Journal. Could you explain what led you to pursue the acquisition?
A: I’ve had a dream for decades. To create a prestigious paper in America like The Wall Street Journal with my own hands. But reality was not so kind. To fulfill what was merely a fantasy of mine, I acquired The Wall Street Journal.
Q: Tell us about the acquisition process.
A: Ah, a great deal happened. Most troublesome was Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr., who suddenly entered the bidding war. But I had no intention of giving up. I made a move close to a gamble, and in the end, I succeeded.
Q: Many of our reporters, myself included, worry that you will turn The Wall Street Journal into a tabloid. What would you say to that?
A: I understand the concern. But I have absolutely no intention of turning The Wall Street Journal into a popular tabloid. If that were my intention, I would never have acquired it.
Q: When you acquired the New York Post, once considered a serious paper, you pledged to maintain its policies and traditions. Yet you soon shifted course, positioning it as a mass-market paper, and it lost its prestige. If it happened once, couldn’t it happen again?
A: I’ve made many mistakes. But the New York Post is not one of them. Most people read the New York Post over The New York Times. There is a gap between mass-market and # Nоvеlight # elite papers, and I have always shown the public what they want.
(Excerpt)
Now I possess both mass-market and elite newspapers. They serve entirely different roles, and I understand that. I hope you understand my duality. I have no plans to change The Wall Street Journal’s editorial direction. I swear it on my name.
Q: Can you tell us about the future you envision for The Wall Street Journal?
A: The Journal commands supreme authority as a financial newspaper. But in other areas, it is lacking. I dream of a nationwide comprehensive elite paper like The New York Times. Television networks shape their news direction around Times reporting. Regional papers do the same. The influence is unimaginable. I want to challenge that.
Q: The core identity of The Wall Street Journal is as a financial newspaper. Do you not worry that pursuing too many directions could dilute that identity?
A: For years, The Journal slimmed down to cut costs and even launched a Saturday edition to attract advertisers. But now that I’ve acquired it, that will change. We will expand the pages. We will expand the online edition to match the times. There will be years of investment. I have no intention of making money from The Wall Street Journal. I am willing to endure losses for my dream. I am wealthier than people think.
Murdoch loves the press and made his fortune through it. Love him or hate him, he wields enormous influence in media. He has promised significant investment.
I hope his oath is not broken.
I set the paper down and took a bite of my sandwich. After swallowing, I couldn’t help but smile.
“You can feel how excited Murdoch is—even through the writing.”
After finishing a light meal and skimming through the other papers, I called for Chief Ma.
“Chief Ma, I think it’s time to return to Korea.”
“I’ll make the arrangements, Boss.”
“There’s nothing else left to handle, right?”
For some reason, I felt like I was forgetting something.
Chief Ma paused to think, then shook his head.
“There are no additional instructions.”
If Chief Ma said there weren’t, then there weren’t.
“Then prepare it.”
No sooner had I finished speaking than my phone rang loudly.
I checked the caller ID and answered at once.
“Jobs. What’s going on?”
— Hey, Charlie. You’re in the U.S. and you didn’t even give me a call?
“Oh, I’ve been tied up with other matters. Sorry.”
When I apologized honestly, Jobs responded casually.
— Well, you’re a busy man. Still, you’re coming to Macworld Expo, right?
“Macworld Expo? When is it?”
— I’m disappointed, Charlie. It’s in two days. Don’t tell me you forgot.
That uneasy feeling earlier.
I really had forgotten.
“...Of course I knew.”
— ...You didn’t. I’m truly disappointed.
Jobs said curtly.
Was he actually sulking?
“Haha. Things have been hectic lately. Sorry, Jobs.”
— It started from your idea, didn’t it? And now you’re acting like it’s none of your concern?
“My idea? It was all yours.”
Jobs raised his voice, sounding almost offended.
— Charlie. Are you trying to make me sound like someone who steals other people’s ideas?
“Of course not. I may have given you a hint, but it’s true you were thinking along the same lines.”
My hint had been decisive.
But even without it, he would have created it eventually.
— I did think about it, yes. Still, the concrete concept came from you.
Strange.
He wasn’t usually like this. Why was he praising me so much today?
Before I could question it further, he wrapped up the call.
— Anyway. Let’s talk when we meet.
“Sure.”
After hanging up with Steve Jobs, I called Chief Ma.
“Cancel the return to Korea. It seems Steve Jobs is finally unveiling the iPhone.”
“Understood, Boss.”
“Prepare to leave for Silicon Valley immediately.”
“Yes, Boss.”
The iPhone would be unveiled more than two years earlier than in my previous life.
What kind of ripple would this small change create?
I was deeply curious.
* * *
George R. Moscone Convention Center.
The largest convention center in San Francisco, California.
It hosted countless conferences, trade fairs, and exhibitions for Silicon Valley’s IT companies.
Apple had long used this venue for Macworld Expo to reveal new devices to the world.
Macworld Expo always carried enormous anticipation.
I arrived at the Moscone Convention Center. freewebnσvel.cѳm
I had met Jobs the day before, but he refused to show me the iPhone.
“You’ll see it tomorrow,” he said.
He boasted that it would be different from what I had seen before.
“I can’t believe he was actually sulking.”
Even while enthusiastically explaining things, he had looked slightly irritated that I’d forgotten about Macworld Expo.
I had laughed inwardly at that.
Suppressing my smile, I headed to the hall where the keynote would take place.
The front rows were packed with journalists.
Behind them, the audience buzzed.
I spotted founders of familiar IT companies among them.
That alone showed how much authority Steve Jobs commanded in the tech industry.
Chief Ma and I stood near the back, waiting.
I overheard the conversation between two men seated in front of us. ƒreewebɳovel.com
“Jobs is giving the keynote today, right?”
“Yeah. What’s he announcing? Security’s been airtight—no leaks.”
“Maybe an improved iPod? Didn’t they say they were refining the touchpad last year?”
“Who knows. Some say Jobs isn’t what he used to be.”
“He doesn’t develop things himself anyway. Just throws out ideas.”
“Still, I’m excited. Jobs is a genius.”
From their conversation, it was clear.
No one knew about the iPhone.
That made it even more thrilling.
What kind of reaction will they have when they see it?
Smartphones did exist.
But the world would be divided into before and after the iPhone.
Just like in my previous life.
After the event began and some time passed, the host called Steve Jobs to the stage.
The lights dimmed.
Steve Jobs appeared.
In his signature jeans and black turtleneck, he cleared his throat.
