Free Web NovelChina’s sudden move caused the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the Shanghai Stock Exchange to crash simultaneously.
Not only that, but stock prices in Japan and South Korea also plunged sharply.
The drop was severe enough to resemble the level of collapse seen during the Asian financial crisis.
At the same time, massive short-selling and short option contracts were confirmed across both the spot market and the futures market.
“How bad are our losses?”
— It’s fine. We didn’t invest much in the Asian markets. If the U.S. market had collapsed too, the damage would’ve been serious... but right now it’s still manageable.
“Where did the move come from? Did you find out?”
— Yeah. In the U.S. and Europe, most of the volume went through accounts at Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, and Lehman Brothers. In Asia, the contracts were executed through Nomura Securities...
Han Kyungyeong’s explanation went on for quite a while.
Listening to it, it was clear that hedge funds related to Veltice had shorted the market through several investment banks.
“Nothing from the Chinese side?”
— No. There hasn’t been any movement from China at all. Since China is the one conducting the military operation, it would be a problem if money started moving from their side. They probably avoided it intentionally.
“Let’s focus on minimizing the damage. The U.S. market shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
— There will be some effect, but it’ll be minor compared to Asia. Unless the United States decides to take military action. Anyway, I’ll handle that. By the way, are you going to stay in Korea? The atmosphere in Washington suggests a war could break out.
It seemed that Washington believed China might actually make a move.
“Hard to say. For now, I’ll stay.”
— There’s no need for you to give orders from there. Just come to the U.S. first—
“No. If it really looks dangerous, I’ll leave then. But I think it’ll stop here. The Chinese government probably doesn’t want to go any further. This is likely just pressure on North Korea.”
China had begun moving its troops after both the North Korean and South Korean governments lodged protests.
They insisted it was nothing more than routine military exercises while mobilizing their forces.
“I should call Eva back. It’ll be easier for her to operate from Hong Kong.”
— Really? She’s probably in Saudi Arabia right now. I spoke to her a few days ago.
“She went to Saudi Arabia for vacation?”
— Seems like she’s traveling around. Didn’t you tell her to build connections with Middle Eastern royal families?
“That could’ve waited. If she’s working during her vacation, it’s not really a vacation.”
— When the boss himself is a workaholic, do you think the subordinates can truly rest?
I had told Eva to build relationships with royal families in the Middle East before, but that had been more of a long-term instruction.
I had given her a year of vacation, yet she was still working in the meantime.
The thought made me smile slightly.
“I’ll start moving too, so keep investigating movements on Wall Street.”
— Okay, boss.
After ending the call with Han Kyungyeong, I immediately called Eva.
— Boss! Are you okay?
Eva picked up the phone instantly, even before the ringtone finished.
“What is it? Were you waiting for my call?”
— I was just about to call you. Are you okay? Nothing happened, right, boss?
“I’m fine. A war hasn’t broken out or anything. By the way, I heard you’re in Saudi Arabia.”
Hearing my calm voice, Eva let out a relieved sigh before answering.
— Looks like James told you. Yeah. I finished my trip around Europe and now I’m traveling through the Middle East.
“I told you to rest, but you’re out working. That’s insubordination.”
— Don’t worry, boss. I’ve been sightseeing and shopping too. I’ve already built some connections with the Saudi and UAE royal families. I think it’ll be quite useful later.
It seemed that even in such a short time she had already established relationships.
I trusted Eva’s abilities, but the progress was faster than I had expected.
“Good work. Continue that later. It’s a bit early, but your vacation is over. I need someone to handle the Hong Kong and China side.”
— So my vacation’s over already. Got it. I’ll return immediately.
“Don’t go directly to Hong Kong. It’d be better if you enter through Korea and move from here. Going into China or Hong Kong right now would be suicide.”
Eva must have thought the same thing, because her answer came immediately.
— Okay, boss. I’ll contact you once I arrive in Korea. I need to wrap up a few things first, so it’ll take about a week.
“Alright. Let’s talk once you’re in Korea.”
If Eva returned, things would become much easier.
As long as Han Kyungyeong and Eva handled the financial side, there would be little for me to worry about.
In my previous life, something like this had never happened.
China had never moved its military to pressure North Korea.
After finishing the call, I asked Chief Ma:
“Has Hu Jintao still not returned?”
“No. His status is still unknown. We don’t even know whether he’s alive or dead.”
“What about movements in Beijing?”
“Well... it’s too quiet. There haven’t even been attacks against Hu Jintao’s close associates.”
If Hu Jintao had died, Beijing should have been drenched in blood by now.
“In that case, we should assume Hu Jintao is alive and plan our operation accordingly.”
If he was alive, he could use this opportunity to strike back.
The top leader of China—President, General Secretary of the Communist Party, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission—had been attacked by his own country’s military.
That alone would give him the perfect justification to purge his enemies.
He was probably hiding somewhere right now, silently sharpening his blade.
“What about Lai Changxing?”
“He will enter Korea in a few days.”
“We need to find out what he’s holding. Only then will we understand why Jiang Zemin demanded him. If he’s someone holding Jiang Zemin’s weakness, he could become a valuable card for us.”
When Jiang Zemin proposed the condition for releasing Yoo Seongjin, the very first thing he demanded was custody of Lai Changxing.
“What about Lai Changxing’s family?”
“They’re staying in Greece with him.”
Europe made me uneasy because of Veltice.
I tapped the table with my fingers for a moment before speaking.
“Bring Lai Changxing to Korea, but move his family somewhere else. The United States would be good. Have them stay at the California villa. Raise their security to A-level protection.”
“Yes. I’ll give the order.”
Lai Changxing’s weakness was his family.
If I held that weakness, it would be easier to control him.
“And I’ll have to go to Pyongyang. I need to have a proper conversation with Jang Song-taek. He must be more anxious than I am.”
“Boss, that’s dangerous. If China truly invades North Korea, Pyongyang will be attacked. You cannot risk going there.”
Chief Ma opposed the idea fiercely.
I understood—he was the type who always prioritized my safety.
But...
“Even if you oppose it, I have to go. If Jang Song-taek gives in to China’s threats, then my entire plan will collapse.”
“...It’s still too dangerous, boss.”
“I have no intention of avoiding danger. That doesn’t mean I plan to throw my life away either. So don’t worry too much. Just understand that this is necessary.”
Then I added firmly:
“This is an order.”
At the word order, Chief Ma bit his lip and lowered his head.
Even when giving instructions, I rarely used the word order with him.
“...Understood, boss.”
Seeing that, I let out a quiet sigh.
There was nothing harder than worrying someone who worried about you.
But I had to go to Pyongyang as soon as possible.
“For this visit to Pyongyang, Chief Ma will not accompany me.”
“Boss, that—!”
“Stay here and finish the Cheonha Group matter. You know you’re the only person I can entrust with it.”
“....”
If we didn’t choose Cheonha Group’s successor soon, they might start pointing knives at each other.
Before that happened, we needed to appoint a chairman and transfer all the authority that Yoo Seongjin once held.
“If they refuse the successor we’ve chosen, handle it as you see fit.”
“Understood, boss.”
A shadow fell across Chief Ma’s face.
I stood up and spoke more gently on purpose.
“It’s time to head to the Blue House. Let’s go together, Chief Ma.”
* * *
As Yoo Seongjin’s absence grew longer, all the businesses Cheonha Group had been running began to falter.
Meanwhile, Lim Hwasu and Yang Uguk were busy gathering their own factions, causing small clashes to break out from the lower ranks.
Blood hadn’t been spilled yet, but if things continued like this, it was obvious that sooner or later a large amount of blood would be shed.
“Hwasu.”
In the midst of that chaos, Chu Dongbin called Lim Hwasu out to meet privately. frёeωebɳovel.com
“Yes, Vice Chairman.”
“We’re just drinking together. Why are you being so stiff with the titles?”
Chu Dongbin said as he poured alcohol into Lim Hwasu’s glass.
“...It seems like it’ll be difficult for the Chairman to get released.”
Lim Hwasu’s eyes widened.
“Is that true?”
Chu Dongbin gave a bitter smile and poured a drink for himself.
“Yes. I received word from former Chairman Lee Sanggeun. At minimum, he could receive life imprisonment. At worst... the death penalty.”
“What the hell... Does that even make sense? Vice Chairman! Are we just going to sit still like ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) this?”
Lim Hwasu slammed the table in anger.
“How exactly are we supposed to save the Chairman?”
“What is President Kim Muhyuk even doing? If it’s him, shouldn’t he be able to save him?”
Lim Hwasu remembered the first time he met Kim Muhyuk.
He had been shocked when he saw Yoo Seongjin—a man who bowed to no one—lower his head before someone so young.
“I don’t know,” Chu Dongbin said calmly. “I have no idea what he’s doing.”
“Did he abandon the Chairman?”
“I don’t know that either. The only thing former Chairman Lee Sanggeun told me was to reduce the chaos. He also said a general meeting will be held soon to select the next chairman.”
Chu Dongbin slowly swirled the glass, melting the ice.
Amid the soft clinking of the ice, he looked at Lim Hwasu with warm eyes.
“You remember when Director Kang Junwoo tried to push the Chairman aside, right?”
“I remember.”
“You were under Kang Junwoo back then too, weren’t you? The one who spared you was the Chairman. Not only did he let you live—he also raised you up.”
“...”
“Most of Kang Junwoo’s faction is dead now, or still rotting in prison. That entire faction basically disappeared.”
“What are you trying to say? Why are you bringing up the past now?”
When Lim Hwasu pressed him, Chu Dongbin drained his glass in one gulp and set it down.
“Hwasu. I heard you’ve been visiting the elders lately.”
“...”
“Are you greedy for the chairman’s seat? The Chairman’s fate isn’t even decided yet, but you’re already gathering power?”
“That’s...”
While acting as chairman in Yoo Seongjin’s absence, Chu Dongbin had thoroughly grasped everything happening inside the group.
“I took off my military uniform and chose to follow Chairman Yoo Seongjin. That means I’m not attached to positions. I only did my best for my older brother. Do I look like someone who covets the chairman’s seat?”
Lim Hwasu couldn’t answer.
Seeing that, Chu Dongbin sighed.
Chu Dongbin had never once been greedy for the chairman’s seat.
He had simply planned to retire together when Yoo Seongjin stepped down.
“Vice Chairman... no, hyung. If things continue like this, that bastard Yang Uguk will take control of the group. That’s why I moved first.”
“The advisers support Director Yang Uguk. Of course their eyes won’t look kindly on you.”
“Why are we even leaving those old ghosts alone? Isn’t it ridiculous that relics of the past with no real power are controlling us?”
Lim Hwasu voiced his frustration, but Chu Dongbin simply shook his head.
“That was the Chairman’s decision.”
“You just need to show ambition, hyung! If you do, Yang Uguk won’t be able to move so easily.”
“Don’t say things like that. I’m only Chairman Yoo Seongjin’s shadow. I don’t have the ability to inherit what he built. Even if that position were offered to me, I’d refuse.”
Chu Dongbin intended to retire once this was over.
“Hyung!”
Reading the sincerity in his words, Lim Hwasu raised his voice.
“I intend to push you forward.” freewebnovёl.ƈom
“What do you mean by that?”
“So stop making unnecessary moves and giving Director Yang Uguk reasons to be wary. I’ll handle things myself.”
“Why are you doing this?”
Chu Dongbin looked at Lim Hwasu with sharp eyes.
He had drunk quite a bit, but determination still shone in his narrow gaze.
“Because I believe you can grow Cheonha Group more steadily than anyone else.”
Lim Hwasu’s eyes trembled slightly.
“So stay still. Don’t create unnecessary enemies.”
Chu Dongbin filled his glass again.
“First, I’m planning to call former Chairman Lee Sanggeun.”
“Former Chairman Lee Sanggeun?”
“Yes. If it’s him, he can calm the chaos.”
“He’s already washed his hands of everything and left. Even if he comes back...”
“Even so, his presence is something the Dongsu faction, the largest faction, cannot ignore. If I ask him personally, he’ll probably listen. Once everything settles down, I plan to nominate you as chairman.”
Lim Hwasu could only stare silently at Chu Dongbin.
“So can you trust me and wait? If you do, then—”
Chu Dongbin couldn’t finish his sentence.
The door suddenly burst open and Kim Gimu rushed in.
“There’s been an incident.”
Both men turned toward him.
“There’s been a clash at the Incheon docks.”
“A clash? What happened? Explain properly.”
Kim Gimu hesitated, his gaze stopping briefly on Lim Hwasu.
“Director Lim Hwasu’s forces and Director Yang Uguk’s men have clashed. The extent of the damage is still—”
“What? What the hell is going on? Hwasu! Did you order this?”
Chu Dongbin glared at him and raised his voice.
“No, hyung! Why would I tell the guys to do something like that? That bastard Yang Uguk must’ve set this up!”
Lim Hwasu waved his hands urgently in protest.
“What about the police? Have they been dispatched?”
“There’s been no movement yet. It seems someone blocked the police.”
“So they planned this.”
Chu Dongbin stood up and looked down at Lim Hwasu.
“Don’t make things bigger. Stay here and wait. I’ll go clean this up.”
“Hyung, I’ll go with—”
“If you and I move together right now, who knows what Director Yang Uguk might do. I’ll go handle it. Wait here. That’s an order.”
After warning Lim Hwasu, Chu Dongbin hurried out of the bar.
The small crack that appeared after Yoo Seongjin disappeared was slowly growing larger and larger.
