The Genius Grandson of the Loan King - Chapter 36 (36/840)
< The Harvest Season. >
#36
The Harvest Season.
"Calling it a prediction, you've been continuously appealing to me... It feels like you knew in advance that the real-name financial system would be implemented this year. Am I wrong?"
He looked at his grandfather's eyes without flinching, calmly.
"Everyone could have predicted it. It was clearly stated in the campaign promises. However, everyone was so convinced it wouldn't be implemented that they didn't take it seriously. That was the difference between me and them."
His grandfather, speechless at my words, stared at me for a while.
Then, he suddenly burst into loud laughter.
"Hehehe. Interesting. Very interesting. The difference between you and me. You saw something I didn't, is that what you're saying?"
I knew he would buy it.
I smiled calmly.
"Not just my grandfather, but all the conglomerates and the privileged classes thought the same. The president, believing in this, implemented the real-name financial system using the 'emergency decree,' a method that hadn't been used since the Third Republic."
Grandfather, with a satisfied look, nodded in agreement.
"Muhyeok, you're right. Even though I knew, I might have turned a blind eye. But I never expected it to happen so quickly."
"Neither did I."
"Hmph, no need to be modest. Still, because you kept talking to me, I managed to clean up most of the anonymous accounts. Otherwise, we would have lost a lot of money... "
Grandfather trailed off, lost in thought for a while.
During this time, I wandered around his study, lost in my own thoughts.
Under the dim brown lamp, a few specks of dust floated.
'He must be thinking of moving assets overseas again. It took too long to find them again... '
As I pondered, Grandfather spoke.
"Muhyeok."
"Yes."
"Since I've already given you enough money, let's transfer all the stocks I own to you."
"Really?"
"I was planning to observe for a bit longer, but I think you'll use them well. You can sell them for cash or keep them. It's up to you."
These were stocks he hadn't transferred to me until his last days.
Grandfather, who owned shares in most of the major corporations in our country, also held a significant number of shares at the top of the circular shareholding structure.
This was an asset that couldn't be compared to money.
"This will be the last gift I give you while I'm alive. Do you understand?"
"Yes, thank you."
I bowed, expressing my sincere gratitude.
Grandfather looked at me with a pleased expression and said,
"What do you think will happen from tomorrow?"
"Probably... extreme chaos. Large corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises, and ordinary citizens will all rush to the banks to withdraw cash. There might even be a shortage of funds to pay out."
Grandfather nodded at my words.
"The stock market will also crash. However, I don't think this chaos will last long. In a situation where most citizens conduct financial transactions in their own names, the chaos will be quickly resolved, and the stock market will likely recover."
"Hmm..."
"Ultimately, the conglomerates' nominee stocks and slush funds, as well as the funds of loan sharks, will be the main issues. This will lead to a situation where they try to move their slush funds overseas."
A shadow fell over Grandfather's face.
"I think it's inevitable that funds will flow overseas. But the real-name financial system is necessary. It's bad news for you and me, but..."
We continued our long conversation after that.
* * *
"What is this?"
On TV, the president's announcement was being broadcast.
In the heavy atmosphere of the Il Sung Group's chairman's office.
Chairman Seo Yong-geun of Il Sung Group, with a cold gaze, looked at his secretary, Lee Seok-min.
Swallowing hard, Lee Seok-min bowed without answering.
"Answer me. Didn't you say the real-name financial system would never be implemented?"
"I'm sorry."
"Don't just say 'I'm sorry.' What's the plan? Why didn't our people in the Blue House give us a heads-up?"
"There was no contact."
Seo Yong-geun, with a twisted face, threw the document he was holding onto the desk.
"Is this the best you can do? Are you getting old? If so, just say it."
"I'm sorry."
"Hmph... What about the slush funds?"
Lee Seok-min hesitated before answering.
"About 300 billion won will be frozen."
"Hmph, 300 billion won?"
"Yes... The accounts set up under non-existent names are impossible to deal with. But the accounts set up under employees and their families can be found."
Seo Yong-geun, with a headache, rubbed his forehead.
"Hmph... Find and bring those accounts. We'll think about the rest later."
"Understood."
Meanwhile, Chairman Song of Daehyun Group was also watching the president's announcement from his mansion.
"Hmph... That kid was right..."
Chairman Song muttered, feeling defeated.
"Without connections in the Blue House, we couldn't predict this... It's my karma, my karma. So, what are the kids doing?"
"I'll check."
"No, leave them alone. They're probably in a mess. They'll handle it on their own."
"Understood."
"Contact Chairman Cheon and have him bring Kim Muhyeok tomorrow. I have something to talk to him about."
The secretary, bowing, left the room.
"Hmph... I must be getting old... I've become stubborn. Stubborn..."
* * *
The announcement was made in the evening when the banks were closed, so from the early morning, the banks were crowded with people trying to withdraw cash.
Of course, before the banks opened, the big shots from large corporations and loan sharks had already withdrawn all their money.
And... when the banks opened a bit later than scheduled, they were paralyzed by the overwhelming number of inquiries, unable to conduct proper business.
The stock market also opened with over 1,000 stocks hitting the lower limit.
Korea was truly in turmoil.
'As expected.'
Standing a step back from the chaos, I observed the situation and headed to Chairman Song's mansion in Jongno to meet him.
A short while later, I arrived at Chairman Song's house and was led to his study by the secretary waiting at the entrance.
"Nice to see you again, Chairman."
"You're late. Come in and sit down quickly."
I sat down, smiling inwardly at his unusual urgency.
"So, how did you know about the real-name financial system? Did Chairman Cheon tell you?"
Chairman Song, in a hurry, asked me as soon as I sat down.
I shrugged.
"I just predicted it."
I repeated what I had told my grandfather to Chairman Song.
"Hmm, just a prediction... A mere twenty-year-old predicted something that no one else could, including the hundred-year-old political master, the president?"
"Step back a bit and it's obvious."
Chairman Song let out a sigh, both defeated and amazed.
"Even the smart people in our company couldn't predict it, but you did. It turns out they were the ones who were just smart on the surface."
"No, Chairman."
"No, this time I learned from you. My stubbornness clouded my judgment. Otherwise, I would have predicted this."
I remained silent, but Chairman Song continued.
"By the way, you also asked another question. About Korea defaulting, right?"
This question made me a bit uncomfortable.
"That was a general question about all countries, not just Korea. Many countries are at risk, especially developing countries and most of Africa."
"True, but your words keep echoing in my mind. About Korea defaulting."
"Ha ha ha..."
I tried to brush it off with a laugh, but Chairman Song wasn't the type to let it go easily.
Studying my awkward smile, he had a strange expression.
"This will be interesting to watch. By the way, do you have a girlfriend?"
"Me?"
Surprised, I looked at him, and he smiled mischievously.
"If not, I have a granddaughter who is 18 this year. Would you like to meet her?"
18 years old... Chairman, that's a crime.
"Ha, ha. I'm not thinking about dating. I prefer meeting someone naturally."
"Hey, just meet her. She's not just my granddaughter; she's beautiful!"
Though he said it jokingly, it seemed he was partly serious. He pouted when I kept refusing.
"Hmm, don't think you can marry a regular person and be happy. That's an illusion."
"I'm still young. I don't want to be tied to a strategic marriage."
I suddenly thought of my ex-wife.
She was the first to leave me when I fell, but she was someone I truly loved and married.
'This time, it won't happen.'
I thought it was for the best, but it left a bitter taste.
"By the way, you haven't talked about your mother. Do you remember anything about Misook?"
I shook my head.
"She passed away when I was young, so I don't have many memories. I only know her from photos."
Chairman Song's face became wistful as he recalled the past.
"Misook was a very kind girl. I remember her small hand holding mine and smiling... She was a good listener of Chairman Cheon's words, but one day she left home for a man... It's been so long. Time is cruel. Misook is gone, and you're here..."
A sigh of regret echoed in the study.
"Ruthless. No matter what, to drive away your cherished youngest daughter so harshly... To feel so much pain now..."
Chairman Song, with a sympathetic look, asked,
"Didn't they find the culprit?"
"Yes..."
Hyunseong had asked his father to look into the case.
I couldn't understand why they both passed away so suddenly...
He said he would look into the records, so I decided to wait.
"Hmm... It's been a long time, but I'll try to help."
"Thank you."
Feeling the weight of his words, I nodded without refusing.
Chairman Song gave me a faint smile.
"Go now. Come see me every week starting next week. I find talking to you interesting."
"Sure, I'll come if I don't have any special plans. I have my own schedule."
"What?"
Chairman Song, initially taken aback, burst into hearty laughter.
"Ha ha ha. Good! That's the spirit. The more I see you, the more I like you."
I smiled in response.
"Still, I'm quite lonely. Come see me often if you don't have any special plans. Just to chat. Understand? I don't have anyone who speaks their mind to me, not even my children or grandchildren."
"Sure, I'll try to come as often as possible."
Outside, a familiar face was waiting in front of the study.
It was Song Hyun-su, Chairman Song's grandson.
"Hey, brother."
"Done talking? Do you have time to talk with me?"
I nodded.
"Yes, but I can't stay long. I have an appointment."
"It won't take long. Let's go to my room."
Song Hyun-su's room was in the same position as mine at my grandfather's house, which made me smile.
"Sit down."
As I sat, Song Hyun-su began in a serious tone.
"What did you talk about with Grandfather?"
"Um... just various things. It seems my grandfather asked for his time."
"Ha ha ha, I doubt it. Would Grandfather bring someone to his study just because someone else asked? He's not that kind of person."
His eyes were fixed on me with a subtle look.
I maintained a calm expression.
"Nothing much. Just old stories, stories about my grandfather and him, that kind of thing."
"Hmm... Is that so?"
"Ah! He also talked about you. He said you should get along with me."
"What? Ha ha ha."
Song Hyun-su, the third-generation chairman of Daehyun, who rebuilt the company from the ashes under the name Daehyun.