The Genius Grandson of the Loan Shark King - Chapter 61 (61/840)
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#61
Who is the Chairman?
When I sent Chunsuwan to Australia, I asked my grandfather about the Cheongpung Society.
"Tell me about the Cheongpung Society. Why can't even you, with all your power, take revenge on them?"
My grandfather remained silent, just staring at me.
Frustrated, I pressed him again.
"What kind of relationship do you have with them that you just stand by? I need to know. Please tell me, Grandfather."
My grandfather, who had been sitting quietly, opened the safe behind him.
It was his personal safe, which even Secretary Ha couldn't open.
In the past, it was only opened after his passing, and it was empty then.
My grandfather took out a ledger from inside and placed it on the desk.
"Do you know what this is?"
"I don't know. It looks like a ledger, but..."
My grandfather's smile turned cold.
"This is my power. How could I, a mere loan shark, have safely navigated through two harsh military regimes? It was the power of money."
The ledger, which had nothing written in it, was the history of my grandfather's life.
"I won't pass this on to you. When I die, it should be buried with me. Even if you use this to wage an all-out war against the Cheongpung Society, the chances of winning are less than fifty percent. Even if you win, you'll lose everything—family, money, and even your life..."
I stared at the ledger in my grandfather's hand.
My grandfather looked down at the ledger as if trying to avoid my gaze.
"Inside this ledger are the names of politicians, both ruling and opposition, who have been fed money by me. Not only that, but also high-ranking officials, military personnel, and almost all the powerful people in this country. Do you understand why they listen to my requests now?"
I had a vague idea.
The reason I, who was designated as the successor after my grandfather's passing, couldn't exert proper power was because I didn't inherit this ledger.
'What's the reason he doesn't want to pass this ledger on?'
My grandfather continued speaking.
"Even the upright opposition figures have taken my money. If they refused, I gave them even more. Yes, the Cheongpung Society also took money. I met him in the late 1950s."
My grandfather spoke slowly, as if recalling old memories.
He said 'him' rather than 'they.'
"Have I told you how I made my money? It started with enemy properties."
"Yes, I remember."
"After the war ended and I returned to Seoul, it was an opportunity. I bought enemy properties that the government was selling, and while playing with money, I met a man. That was the beginning."
He wasn't reminiscing.
His voice was filled with regret.
"That man had considerable influence in the government. We did many things together. I, who had been quietly playing with money, started dealing with companies with his help. And I gave him money."
A deep sigh echoed in the study, as deep as the wrinkles on his face.
"He founded the Cheongpung Society. From then on, our goals diverged. He wanted to control Korea from behind, while I just enjoyed making money. Still, I continued to give him money. I needed power to protect my wealth."
The story about the Cheongpung Society was just beginning.
"When the military regime came to power, he conspired with the military to consolidate their power. That power was truly immense... From then on, the distance between us grew. Japanese money started flowing to him. Later, I found out he was the descendant of a pro-Japanese collaborator."
I knew the Cheongpung Society was involved with pro-Japanese collaborators, but I had never heard that the leader was a descendant.
"Over time, we became distant, and after the freeze on loan sharks, I started giving money to the regime's key figures. We drifted further apart. Then, when the president was assassinated and the Fifth Republic was established, they started working to hand over the Myeongdong loan shark market to Japan."
The memory seemed fresh, and anger rose on my grandfather's face as if it had happened yesterday.
"Whether he's a pro-Japanese collaborator or not, I couldn't tolerate him encroaching on my territory. So, for the first time, I used both money and force. This ledger, I mean. That's when our relationship completely broke down."
I watched my grandfather, who was trying to calm his anger by tapping the ledger with his palm, and I organized my thoughts.
'So, the loan shark market being taken over by Japanese funds after the IMF crisis was a battle that started back then.'
Listening to my grandfather, the mystery that I couldn't fully understand even with my knowledge of the future was resolved.
I couldn't understand why the loan shark market fell so easily, but it was indeed a long-standing battle.
Finally, my grandfather calmed down, took a sip of water, and continued.
"The Cheongpung Society of today is an even greater monster than back then. The key figures from the Third and Fifth Republics are involved, and the descendants of pro-Japanese collaborators are playing a significant role as financial backers. Politicians, journalists, conglomerates... It's not just pro-Japanese collaborators. Even respected democracy activists are among their members. Only the Chairman knows all the members."
I understood why my grandfather couldn't take revenge.
"Who is this Chairman?"
I could feel the murderous intent in my grandfather's eyes.
"Yonghyun Lee. An unknown descendant of Wanung Lee. He is the pinnacle of the Cheongpung Society and the core of the hidden force manipulating South Korea."
Finally, I learned the identity of the Cheongpung Society's Chairman.
The person who led my parents to their deaths.
The person who killed me.
The person who manipulated the Chunsuwan and Chunsuhan brothers like puppets.
"Is the current regime working with them?"
My grandfather nodded heavily.
"Even if the president isn't, most of the officials and politicians working under him are under their influence. I don't know exactly how many ruling and opposition party members are involved. If the president had been their puppet, he wouldn't have dissolved the One Society. They are the core of the Cheongpung Society."
The more I listened to my grandfather, the more I felt their power.
"What is in that ledger that it's protecting you?"
"Hehehe. Don't try to find out. It's a poisoned chalice. Muhyuk, the moment this ledger falls into your hands, you might gain power, but you won't be able to step into the light. That's why I won't pass it on. It's a karmic burden I must carry to my grave."
I could feel a small part of my grandfather's heart.
"I understand."
My grandfather smiled bitterly.
"For now, the Cheongpung Society will be cautious around me. They know that a parent who has lost a child can see nothing else. But... you and Jisun, Jisu, and Jiyong are a thorn in their side. Understand that."
My grandfather's eyes looked sad as he looked at me.
I met his gaze without averting my eyes.
"I understand. I'll wait until I have the power to deal with them. But please pass on the ledger. I have to risk everything to face them. Even if it leads to my destruction."
"But... "
"I beg you."
After staring at me for a long time, my grandfather sighed deeply and nodded.
"Alright. If there ever comes a day when you need this ledger, I'll pass it on. But not now."
"I understand."
The conversation went on.
It was a time when I could understand my grandfather a little more.
Time flowed like a river, uncontrollably. As I busily spent each day, 1994 was coming to an end.
The kids all passed the final bar exam and received their final acceptance notifications.
It was impractical to continue university if they were to enter the Judicial Research and Training Institute next year.
"Are you going to take a leave of absence?"
We were having a meal to celebrate Myeongsu's final acceptance.
Myeongsu stopped eating and looked at me.
"Yes, I have to. I can't drop out. It's a career issue. Cohort is important, but the Seoul University title can't be ignored."
The prosecution is very particular about cohorts.
It's a custom that all senior prosecutors resign if a junior becomes the chief prosecutor.
"What about the others?"
"They all plan to take a leave of absence. After graduating from the Judicial Research and Training Institute, they have to serve in the military, too... "
"Will you serve as a military prosecutor?"
"Still, the military is the military. You, who are exempt, wouldn't understand the feeling of going to the military."
He laughed and picked up his spoon, then suddenly remembered something and asked.
"Ah! Hyunseong also contacted me. He congratulated you. Are you still not in touch with each other?"
"Let it be. We'll contact each other someday."
Mentioning Hyunseong left a bitter taste in my mouth.
I hadn't contacted Hyunseong since our conversation in Busan.
Hyunseong hadn't contacted me either.
"Damn, what a fuss. It's not like you're in a relationship."
Not wanting to talk more about Hyunseong, I quickly changed the subject.
"How are the parents?"
"They contacted me. I told them I'm coming to Seoul. It's also winter break, and it's been a long time since I've been home. Do you want to come with me?"
"No, I need to stay in Seoul for a while. Please visit Grandma on my behalf. She must be lonely. We talk every day, but... "
Myeongsu looked at me with a puzzled expression, raising one eyebrow.
"What's going on? Hyunseong visits her every day, talks with her, and has dinner with her before leaving. Didn't Grandma tell you?"
"Really?"
I had never heard this before.
"Damn, what a fuss."
Myeongsu looked at me with a pitying expression and clicked his tongue.
"Just wait a bit. Hyunseong is also waiting. He's not just a big guy; he's a gentle kid. He can't do sports anymore, and he's probably feeling both grateful and scared for you taking revenge for him."
Yes, connections don't break just because you want them to. I tried to let go, but I kept worrying.
I called Grandma when I got home.
I asked Grandma, who always inquired about my well-being.
"Grandma, Hyunseong visits you every day, right?"
"Uh? How did you know? Hyunseong told me not to tell."
"Myeongsu told me. When did he start coming?"
"About a month after you went to Seoul. He came and cried without saying anything. Since then, he's been visiting every day, talking with me and having dinner with me."
"You should have told me. Grandma, you're so considerate."
"Hyunseong asked me not to. He said Muhyuk is busy and there's no need to tell him. Did you fight? You two never fought even when you were young."
"No, it's not that."
"Hyunseong is my child, and Myeongsu is my child. Thanks to them, I'm spending my time well, so don't worry about me."
"Okay. I'll visit soon."
"Okay."
After ending the call with Grandma, I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought.
'Let's wait. He'll contact me someday.'
I thought it would backfire if I contacted him first.
That night, I was able to sleep a little more peacefully.
December arrived.
The streets were covered with Christmas trees and carols, and the Salvation Army's charity kettle rang with the sound of bells.
As December 20th approached, I became more tense.
The peso had been gradually declining since June, but what if the future changed because of my bet?
- Muhyuk, is it really the 20th? I haven't been able to do anything for days.
"Brother, let's trust and wait."
Just like in the original history, Mexico was in chaos.
Even though it was nerve-wracking, it was already a point of no return. I had no choice but to trust my memory.
And finally, on December 21st, Korean time.
The day of the final battle had arrived.
It was early in the morning, but I couldn't sleep.
It was difficult to get real-time updates on Mexico's situation without the internet.
I stayed up all night, wide awake.
At 5 AM, as soon as my phone rang, I answered it immediately.
"This is Kim Muhyuk."
- Muhyuk! The Mexican government... has expanded the exchange rate fluctuation against the US dollar to 13%. Just as you said, they devalued the currency!