Free Web NovelThe investment I started with the 400 billion won I received from Grandfather as seed money had already brought me immense wealth.
“Yes, it’s my company.”
With so many articles about Han Kyungyeong already circulating, there was no way Grandfather wouldn’t know.
He knew because I had asked Chief Ha to find Han Kyungyeong, and afterward, I had sent him to America.
However, unless he worked for the U.S. administration, there was no way he could know the exact amount of my capital.
“You started with my slush fund, didn’t you?”
“Yes, I began investing with that money.”
Grandfather nodded.
But that was all.
He didn’t ask how much I had now.
“Don’t you have other questions?”
“You’re managing well on your own, aren’t you? Didn’t you do it without my help? That’s enough.”
“Thank you for trusting me.”
“Heh-heh. You would have succeeded even without my help. I only pushed the timing forward a little. Isn’t that right?”
That was both true and not true.
Without Grandfather’s support, it would’ve been hard to meet Han Kyungyeong early, and it would have taken much longer to grow my money.
“No, Grandfather’s help was significant.”
“That’s enough. I’ll help you one last time, and then I need to rest.”
“······.”
Grandfather looked as if he had let go of many things.
“But be careful of Cheongpunghoe. They’ve sunk deeper into Korea than you think.”
“Yes, I know.”
“Don’t even think about confronting them unless you have at least a seventy-percent chance of winning.”
Grandfather added with a grim face.
“I’ve managed to divert their attention from you for now, but I don’t know how long that promise will hold. You understand what I mean, right?”
“When did you meet them?”
“I did. I met them and gave them a warning. Though I also received one in return... for now, they won’t harm you.”
Hearing Grandfather’s words, I understood why Cheongpunghoe had remained quiet even after losing Gangnam to me.
Knowing how hard it must have been for Grandfather to meet someone like Lee Yonghyeon, I felt nothing but gratitude.
“Thank you, Grandfather.”
“Heh-heh-heh.”
Grandfather simply laughed warmly and said nothing more. freewebnovёl.ƈom
The seesawing vote counting for the presidential election dragged on until late at night.
Grandfather, looking tired, went to bed, and I returned to my room to wait for the results alone.
Finally, with 50.4% of the votes, the announcement flashed next to Kim Hakgwon’s photo: Elected.
The result hadn’t changed.
But because of my actions, Cheongpunghoe had moved, and in the end, they had no choice but to support Kim Hakgwon more actively than in the original plan.
Not long after the confirmation, my phone rang.
“This is Kim Muhyuk.”
— This is Kim Hakgwon’s campaign office. Are you Mr. Kim Muhyuk?
“Yes, that’s me.”
— The President-elect would like to speak with you. Please hold for a moment.
“Yes.”
A few minutes passed before Kim Hakgwon’s distinct voice came through the line.
— Thank you. I was able to win because of you.
“No, sir. It was your own strength.”
— No, don’t be modest. Without your support, I probably would’ve lost. I’ll contact President Han separately, but since you introduced me to him, I wanted to call you first.
“It’s an honor, Mr. President.”
— Heh-heh-heh. I dislike the word President. When I officially become one, I plan to abolish that term. I’m busy now, but let’s meet sometime soon.
“Yes, Mr. President. Take care.”
The call ended briefly.
I stared at my phone in the dark room.
As the faint glow from the screen vanished, the room was swallowed by darkness.
‘At least I managed to keep Cheongpunghoe’s power from growing stronger, but that doesn’t mean Kim Hakgwon’s camp is free of their influence.’
Even in the past, Cheongpunghoe’s power hadn’t waned after a regime change.
The bureaucrats and lawmakers had remained the same.
Cheongpunghoe used them to blind the President’s eyes and ears.
The Progressive Party wasn’t untouched by Cheongpunghoe either. Many lawmakers were already in league with them.
‘For now, this is enough.’
Politics could wait.
It was time to prepare to save South Korea.
Outside the window, the morning sun slowly peeked over the horizon.
Though the presidential election was over, the domestic economic turmoil didn’t settle easily.
Eventually, Kim Hakgwon hinted that he would accept all of the IMF’s demands.
I was already on the phone with Eva early in the morning.
“Eva, is everything going smoothly?”
— Of course. No problems, Boss.
Eva had accomplished far more than I expected.
She had brought in heavyweights from the Mofia as outside directors of Future Investment, extending influence into both business and politics.
(Mofia referred to former Ministry of Finance officials, a mix of “Finance” and “Mafia.” Though it sounded negative, their power was enough to sway Korea’s economy with one hand.)
Eva had used huge sums of money to recruit them.
“Then let’s begin. Call me if you need more funds.”
— That’s reassuring.
“Oh, and you know Peregrine, right?”
— The Hong Kong investment bank?
“I heard rumors it’s about to go bankrupt. Look into it. Interested in # Nоvеlight # acquiring it?”
— Really? Can we do that?
Eva’s voice was excited. For someone who had worked in Hong Kong’s financial sector, Peregrine was a legendary name.
“Yes. You can handle the negotiations, can’t you? I don’t have time to manage that myself.”
— Boss... thank you. I’ll make sure to acquire it.
“Don’t overextend. The Hong Kong government will welcome it with open arms. They’ll have no choice but to declare bankruptcy, but the Peregrine name still holds symbolic value.”
— Yes, I understand.
“If you take on their debt, you could acquire it for just one dollar. But make sure to get as much of that debt written off as possible.”
— Yes, Boss.
“Also, keep an eye on things in Korea. Buy up as many properties as possible at rock-bottom prices. Especially Eunmi Apartments—absorb all available units.”
Eva’s voice stayed excited until the call ended.
It was understandable.
After being betrayed and discarded by HSBC, meeting me had given Eva a chance at a comeback.
This acquisition would be her signal flare for a glorious return to Hong Kong’s financial world.
* * *
After finishing the call with Kim Muhyuk, Eva couldn’t focus on anything else.
She immediately contacted her connections in Hong Kong, and as Muhyuk had said, rumors were swirling that Peregrine was indeed on the verge of bankruptcy.
“Keep investigating. I’m flying to Hong Kong tomorrow. I’ll reward you handsomely, so get me solid information.”
— Eva, what kind of strings have you pulled?
“He-heh. The best boss you could ask for. See you tomorrow.”
Peregrine held significant meaning in Hong Kong.
It had been established by a coalition of Chinese investors and had grown rapidly during Asia’s economic boom.
In less than ten years, it had expanded fortyfold, earning the title of Asia’s top investment bank.
Eva sincerely appreciated Kim Muhyuk for giving her the opportunity to acquire such a company.
After completing preparations for her trip, Eva called Muhyuk from the airport.
“Boss, I’m heading to Hong Kong now.”
— Good work.
“I’ll make sure to bring back results you’ll be satisfied with.”
— Ha-ha-ha. Good.
Eva smiled at her phone for a long time after ending the call.
‘I guess I’ll be celebrating the New Year in Hong Kong.’
The plane carrying Eva left South Korea, leaving a long contrail in the sky.
* * *
Thanks to the constant visits from conglomerate chairmen, Pyeongchang-dong was bustling with activity.
The soaring dollar exchange rate—nearing 2,000 won per dollar—wasn’t the only problem.
Major companies couldn’t simply sit and wait for government aid when dollars were almost impossible to secure.
As I had told him, Grandfather would use dollars as leverage to obtain things from conglomerates that money alone couldn’t buy.
Trusting him with that, I focused on my own work.
I was deep in thought when the sliding door opened.
I rose from my seat to greet the visitor.
“Prosecutor General Yoon, it’s been a while.”
“Heh-heh. Yes, it has.”
Prosecutor General Yoon looked healthier than before, smiling as he sat down.
“I can’t tell if it’s the weather that’s cold or the world.”
“Yes, it’s a harsh winter.”
Just as Yoon said, South Korea was enduring a difficult winter in 1997.
“I’ve heard Pyeongchang-dong is packed with visitors. Chairman Cheon is enjoying a second golden age, isn’t he?”
“Ha-ha-ha. He’s struggling quite a bit.”
“Struggling, yes, but isn’t this a spring that won’t come again?”
Even Yoon was starting to sound like a politician.
“Ha-ha-ha. Perhaps.”
“So, what brings you here today?”
Despite the upcoming regime change, Prosecutor General Yoon didn’t seem worried.
And why would he? Though appointed by the current administration, he hadn’t acted like their hunting dog.
Instead, he had made a name for himself in the press by aggressively prosecuting economic criminals.
“It’s time to move against Joongwoo Group.”
Yoon’s smiling face hardened in an instant.
“Joongwoo Group, huh...”
“You’ve already investigated them, haven’t you?”
“Yes. It’s no joke. Honestly, even immediate arrests wouldn’t be enough. Accounting fraud, embezzlement, slush funds, illegal loans, violations of foreign exchange laws—there are too many charges to list.”
Yoon shook his head, his face turning concerned.
“But if we go after Joongwoo Group now, will the public be pleased? If the country’s third-largest conglomerate collapses, it won’t be a small matter.”
True, taking down Joongwoo Group was no small issue.
Recently, Ashin Group had collapsed, but most of the other top ten groups were holding on.
If Joongwoo Group fell, the ripple effects would be unimaginable.
“Public opinion doesn’t matter. This is a festering boil about to burst. The sooner we lance it, the better for the country. You know nothing can get done if you chase short-term popularity.”
“Hmm...”
Yoon fell silent, deep in thought. After a long pause, he spoke. His answer was already decided.
“When do you want me to begin?”
“Start after the President’s inauguration next year.”
“That will be a burden for President-elect Kim Hakgwon. Chairman Park Daeho of Joongwoo Group is close to him, after all.”
Joongwoo Group’s chairman was an unusual man.
Even during the foreign exchange crisis, he continued to invest abroad, claiming to push for globalization.
His company had grown rapidly through aggressive mergers and acquisitions under the protection of the military regime.
But it was nothing more than a sandcastle built on debt.
He planned to use his ties to the President to commit tax evasion next year by exploiting the gold collection campaign.
“I’m aware. That’s why I said after the inauguration. I’ll handle everything to ensure no public funds can be injected. Just process the case by the book. Make sure they can’t escape.”
Yoon couldn’t completely ignore the new President’s position.
But the transition period was when the President’s power was at its peak. It would actually be easier after the inauguration.
“As soon as the investigation begins, major media outlets will publish negative stories about Joongwoo Group. The IMF and other international economic officials will pressure the government. Joongwoo is a juicy target for them.”
One of the IMF’s demands—strongly influenced by Wall Street—was expanding external market openness, particularly in finance and capital.
Simply put, they wanted Korea to allow foreign mergers and acquisitions.
Korean companies were prime prey for investors.
They wanted to dismantle the unique circular shareholding structure.
“With U.S. pressure, even the President won’t be able to intervene easily.”
“Yes. You won’t be harmed by this, Prosecutor General. And we can’t just hand our companies over to foreigners. I plan to take them myself.”
“You?”
“Yes. I’ll liquidate the failing parts and acquire only the valuable assets. With Dreamhigh Investment’s funds, it won’t be a problem.”
“They’re still American funds, aren’t they?”
I looked at Yoon’s worried face with a smile.
“Money has no nationality. It depends on who uses it. The government will prefer Han Kyungyeong to handle it. Otherwise, the hyena-like investors will swarm.”
My plan was to have Eva take an aggressive stance in the acquisition war, while Han Kyungyeong would take a government-friendly approach.
Eva and Han’s fight—no matter the outcome, I would win.
“Joongwoo Group... I must take it, Prosecutor General.”
< I Plan to Take It Over > End
