The investment I started with the 400 billion won given to me by my grandfather as seed money brought me great wealth.
"Yes, it's my company."
With so many articles about Han Kyungjeong already released, there was no way my grandfather could be unaware.
I knew he was aware that I had asked Secretary Ha to find Han Kyongjeong and then sent him to the United States.
However, unless it was the U.S. government, no one could know exactly how much capital I had.
"Did you start with my slush fund?"
"Yes, I started the investment with that money."
Grandfather nodded.
But that was all.
He didn't ask how much I had.
"Isn't there anything else you're curious about?"
"You'll do well on your own. Didn't you do it without my help? Then it's fine."
"Thank you for trusting me."
"Hehe. Even without my help, you would have succeeded. I just sped up the process, didn't I?"
It was both true and not true.
Without my grandfather's support, it would have been difficult to meet Han Kyongjeong early, and it would have taken much longer to grow the money.
"No, my grandfather's help was significant."
"Alright. I've helped you one last time, and now I need to rest."
"......"
It seemed my grandfather had let go of many things.
"But, be careful of the Cheongpung Society. They are deeply entrenched in South Korea, more than you think."
"Yes, I know."
"Don't think about confronting them unless you have a 70% chance of winning."
Grandfather added with a dark look.
"I've managed to divert the attention that was heading your way for now, but I don't know how long that promise will last. Do you understand what I mean?"
"When did you meet him?"
"I met him and warned him. I also heard a warning, but... for now, he won't harm you."
Hearing my grandfather's words, I understood why the Cheongpung Society remained quiet even after losing Gangnam to me.
I was grateful, knowing how difficult it must have been for my grandfather to meet Yoon Yong-hyun.
"Thank you, Grandfather."
"Hehehe."
Grandfather only laughed wistfully and didn't say anything else.
The presidential election results were uncertain until late at night.
Grandfather, looking tired, went to bed, and I went to my room to wait for the results alone.
In the end, the confirmation of victory appeared next to Kim Hak-kyun's photo with 50.4% of the vote.
The result didn't change.
But because of my actions, the Cheongpung Society had to move, and ultimately, I had to support Kim Hak-kyun more actively than originally planned.
Not long after the confirmation of victory, the phone rang.
"It's Kim Mu-hyuk."
- This is the Kim Hak-kyun's camp. Is this Kim Mu-hyuk?
"Yes, it's me."
- The candidate wishes to speak with you. Please wait a moment.
"Yes."
After a few minutes, Kim Hak-kyun's distinctive voice came through the phone.
- Thank you. Thanks to you, I was able to win.
"No, it's because of the candidate's strength."
- No, don't be modest. Without your support, I probably would have lost. I'll contact Han Kyongjeong separately, but I called you first for connecting us.
"It's an honor, Mr. President."
- Hehehe. The term 'Mr. President' makes me uncomfortable. I plan to abolish it when I become president. I'm busy now, so let's meet another time.
"Yes, Mr. President. Good night."
The short call ended.
In the dark room, I stared at the phone that had just hung up. The faint light from the phone disappeared, and the room was plunged into darkness.
'Fortunately, I managed to prevent the Cheongpung Society from becoming stronger, but the influence of the Kim Hak-kyun camp can't be ignored.'
In the past, even after a change in government, the influence of the Cheongpung Society didn't diminish.
The bureaucrats and members of parliament remained the same.
The Cheongpung Society used them to blind the president's eyes and ears.
Even the progressive party couldn't escape the reach of the Cheongpung Society. Many members of parliament were already aligned with them.
'Well, for now, this is enough.'
Putting politics aside, it was time to prepare to save South Korea.
The morning sun was slowly peeking over the horizon beyond the window.
Although the presidential election was over, the domestic economic turmoil was not easily resolved. Ultimately, Kim Hak-kyun hinted that he would accept all of the IMF's demands.
I was on the phone with Eva early in the morning.
"Eva, how's the preparation going?"
- It's going well, Boss.
Eva had accomplished more than I imagined.
She had recruited Mofia experts as outside directors for Future Investment, including figures from the financial sector.
Mofia is a term for people from the Ministry of Finance, a combination of "Mafia" and "Ministry of Finance."
Although it sounds negative, their influence was significant enough to sway the country's economy.
Eva used a lot of money to recruit them.
"Let's start then. Contact me if you need more funds."
- That's reassuring.
"Ah! And do you know Peregrine?"
- The Hong Kong investment bank?
"There's a rumor that it's about to go bankrupt. Check it out. Are you interested in acquiring it?"
- Really? Is that okay?
Eva's voice was excited. Peregrine was a significant entity for a financial professional who had worked in Hong Kong.
"Sure. You can handle the negotiations, right? I can't manage everything."
- Boss... thank you. I'll definitely acquire it.
"Don't overdo it. The Hong Kong government will welcome it with open arms. They'll have to declare bankruptcy, but the symbolic value of Peregrine won't disappear."
- Yes, I understand.
"If you acquire it with the debt, it will cost about one dollar. But try to get as much debt forgiveness as possible."
- Yes! Boss.
"Also, keep an eye on the Korean market. Buy as many properties as possible at the lowest prices. Especially, we need to acquire all the units of Eunmi Apartments."
Eva couldn't hide her excitement until the call ended.
It wasn't unreasonable for her to be excited.
Although she was let go from HSBC, meeting me gave her a chance to make a comeback.
This was an opportunity to make a grand return to the Hong Kong financial scene.
* * *
After ending the call with Kim Mu-hyuk, Eva couldn't focus on anything else.
She immediately contacted Hong Kong and found out that, as Kim Mu-hyuk said, Peregrine was rumored to go bankrupt soon.
"Keep checking. I'll go to Hong Kong tomorrow. I'll reward you generously, so do a thorough job."
- Eva, what line did you pull?
"Hehe. I have a great boss. See you tomorrow."
Peregrine was a significant company in Hong Kong.
Founded by Chinese capital, it grew rapidly during the Asian economic boom.
In less than ten years, it achieved more than 40 times growth and was known as the best investment bank in Hong Kong, if not Asia.
Eva was genuinely grateful to Kim Mu-hyuk for giving her the opportunity to acquire such a company.
After finishing her preparations to leave for Hong Kong, Eva arrived at the airport and called Kim Mu-hyuk.
"Boss, I'm heading to Hong Kong now."
- Good luck.
"I'll give you a satisfactory result."
- Hahaha. I believe you.
Eva hung up and smiled at the phone for a while.
'I'll welcome the new year in Hong Kong.'
The plane carrying Eva left Korea, leaving a long trail behind.
* * *
The frequent visits of major corporate CEOs to my grandfather's house in Pyeongchang-dong kept things busy.
Aside from the dollar exchange rate approaching 2000 won, the inability to obtain dollars meant that major corporations couldn't just wait for government support.
As I had said, my grandfather would use dollars as a weapon to obtain many things that money couldn't buy from major corporations.
Trusting my grandfather, I decided to focus on my tasks.
While I was deep in thought, the sliding door opened.
I stood up and greeted the visitor.
"President Yoon, it's been a while."
"Hehe. It has been a while."
President Yoon, who looked much better than before, smiled and sat down.
"I can't tell if it's the cold weather or a cold world."
"Yes, it's a tough winter."
As President Yoon said, South Korea was experiencing a tough winter in 1997.
"I've heard that Pyeongchang-dong is bustling. Chairman Cheon is enjoying a second golden age."
"Hahaha. He's been very busy."
"Even if it's tough, it's a spring that won't come again, isn't it?"
President Yoon is becoming quite the politician.
"Hahaha. Maybe."
"So, what brings you here today?"
President Yoon didn't seem too worried about the upcoming change in government.
It was understandable. Although the current government appointed him as president, he didn't act as their lapdog.
During his tenure, President Yoon used his authority to conduct rigorous investigations into economic crimes, frequently making headlines.