The Genius Grandson of the Loan King - Chapter 78 (78/840)
<Premonitions of an Economic Crisis>
#78
Premonitions of an Economic Crisis
While having a meal and chatting, Eric and Han Kyung-yeong seemed to have become quite close, as they suggested having a drink and headed to the hotel bar.
"You two look good together."
"Eric is very approachable."
"Let's leave it to Eric for now."
"He's a reliable person. He was popular among the subordinates when I was at EO. The survival rate of mercenaries is higher when their superiors are competent."
"Please keep an eye on the PMC project, Manager. I don't know enough about it to manage it myself."
"Understood."
It seemed that leaving the establishment of the PMC to Manager Ma would be the best course of action.
The problem was managing the shell companies in tax havens... and they also needed someone to lead the invasion force into Korea.
He had someone in mind.
A staff member currently working at a Hong Kong investment bank, who had thrived with the support of Wall Street hyenas during the IMF crisis.
Han Kyung-yeong's role was to be the good cop.
Another person would be the bad cop.
The two needed to work in harmony.
He planned to go to Hong Kong to recruit this person.
"I think I'll have to go to Hong Kong in January. Please book my flight and schedule."
"Understood."
This time, they needed to make as much money as possible.
A few days later, Han Kyung-yeong and Eric left for the United States.
"Bro, now that we're starting, manage the staff well and stand by. Leave the stocks we've already invested in alone, and hold the rest."
"Okay."
The plane took off for the United States.
The long contrail in the sky signaled the end of the break.
* * *
1996 was the worst year.
Politics regressed, and the current account deficit hit a record high.
Most importantly, a series of bankruptcies among small and medium-sized enterprises continued.
Despite this, the public did not feel a significant sense of crisis.
However, large corporations had already sensed the crisis at Hyundai.
They were merely watching Hyundai, thinking, "Will there be anything left to eat if Hyundai goes under?"
No large corporation, whether it was Daehyun, Il Sung, or any other, could afford to act freely.
"Chairman Cheon, please help us just once."
In Chairman Cheon's study in Pyeongchang-dong.
The head of Hyundai Group, Chairman Jang, was on his knees, pleading with Chairman Cheon.
"Man..."
"There's no one else who can help us. The banks won't lend us any more money. I plan to issue convertible bonds worth 450 billion won in January. Please consider purchasing them."
Chairman Jang, who had stubbornly focused on Hyundai Steel, tried to secure funds through various means, including issuing corporate bonds, borrowing, issuing bills, and selling subsidiaries. Despite the banks deferring debt and providing emergency funds, by the end of 1996, all funds were depleted.
He decided to issue convertible bonds, but no one was willing to buy them.
With no other options, Chairman Jang had to visit Pyeongchang-dong.
"Why did you set your sights on steel?"
"If you help us just once, I will never forget your kindness. Please consider our past relationship and help us one more time."
"It's out of my hands now. I'll have Moohyuk talk to the boy and get back to you."
"Chairman Cheon..."
"Go for now. Instead of begging me, you should have applied for a loan to put out the immediate fire."
Chairman Jang bit his lip at Chairman Cheon's rebuke.
"I'll contact you as soon as possible."
Chairman Jang bowed and stood up.
"Please, I beg you."
After watching Chairman Jang leave through the window, Chairman Cheon said to Secretary Ha.
"Moohyuk predicted this would happen years ago. That boy..."
"That seems to be the case."
"When is Moohyuk coming to Seoul?"
"I'll contact him to come up."
After thinking for a moment, Chairman Cheon shook his head.
"No, he's taking some time to think. He'll come when he's ready. Leave him alone."
"But Chairman Jang seemed very urgent."
"Moohyuk would never help him. He won't board a sinking ship."
"Understood."
"Still, keep in touch."
"Yes."
Secretary Ha left the room.
Chairman Cheon, sitting in his chair, quietly tapped his fingers on the table.
'The day will come when the heads of large corporations will kneel before me, asking for money again.'
Moohyuk's words were coming true.
"I'll see some interesting things before I die."
A big smile spread across Chairman Cheon's face.
* * *
"Chairman Jang of Hyundai Group came to Pyeongchang-dong and asked for help."
"Hahaha. He said he wouldn't come back, but he did. What did Grandfather say?"
"He said he would talk to the boss and then sent him away. Since there was no word about coming to Seoul, it seems he doesn't plan to help."
"Hahaha."
It was expected.
Grandfather would have already assessed the situation.
He was always the quickest to act.
"I need to go to Seoul. Let's go the day after tomorrow."
"Yes, I'll prepare."
Manager Ma did not leave after answering.
"Do you have something to say?"
"It's about the instructions you gave before."
"What instructions?"
"You told me to investigate the suspicious people around the boss. We caught them, but they won't talk."
"Where are they now?"
"We've detained them at Park Dong-su's office in Busan. There are eight of them, and it took a long time because we had to monitor them in shifts. I apologize."
"That's fine. Catching rats is always harder. You did well. Let's go see them."
I arrived at the building where Park Dong-su's office was located.
His subordinates greeted me.
Inside the office, eight men were kneeling, and Manager Ma's subordinates were watching them.
"Have you found anything yet?"
"I'm sorry."
Manager Ma's subordinates apologized.
"What's going on? Why were you watching me?"
They remained silent in response to my question.
"Sigh..."
Why do people always respond this way when I treat them politely?
"Manager, contact Park Dong-su and find a quiet place outside Busan. Get all the information out of these guys by tomorrow. Use whatever methods you need."
"Understood."
"You'll regret not talking now."
I don't know who was watching me, but whoever it was, I couldn't forgive them.
My home in Busan meant a lot to me.
On the way back home,
"We need to protect Grandmother. Please keep a reliable person on standby."
"Understood."
The driver, sensing my mood, increased the speed of the car.
That evening, with Park Dong-su's help, we moved the eight men to an abandoned factory in Gimhae, outside Busan.
The next day, Manager Ma reported.
"They were Japanese yakuza."
"All of them?"
"Two were Japanese who came directly from Japan, and the rest were drug dealers following their orders."
"Are they not related to Park Dong-su's side?"
"No. They were a small organization. They had no specific territory and acted as intermediaries, receiving drugs from China and sending them to Japan. They also handled drug distribution in Busan. They managed to stay under the radar, so they didn't get caught by Park Dong-su's side."
"What was their purpose?"
"Their main goal was to investigate and monitor the boss's activities in Busan. They also had plans to eliminate him if possible, according to orders from Japan."
"How did they know I was in Busan?"
"They said they only received orders from Japan. They didn't know how the information was obtained. During the investigation, one of the Japanese died. He was the main person in charge and didn't talk until the end. He probably knew everything."
"He was more tight-lipped than I thought."
"He was really tough. We had to increase the intensity..."
"It's fine."
I expected the yakuza wouldn't back down.
I didn't think they would target my family in Busan, but my long stay here might be the problem.
'I need to bring Grandmother to Seoul.'
That would be the best solution, but it would be difficult.
I've already talked to her several times, but she refused.
"For now, send four staff members to Busan. Make sure they don't interfere with Grandmother's movements."
"Understood."
"Let's buy the house next door. We can station our staff there. Communicate well with Park Dong-su's organization to ensure immediate support in emergencies. Grandmother's safety is the top priority. Once the PMC is established, we can entrust proper security to them."
"Understood."
While giving instructions after Manager Ma's report, it was time for dinner with Myung-soo's and Hyun-seong's families.
"It's been a while, Moohyuk."
"Hello, Father."
Myung-soo's parents welcomed me warmly.
"Myung-soo won't have time until next year. This kid doesn't even come home during holidays."
"It's the last year. He'll finish his judicial training next year. It's an important time, so please understand, Father."
"True, who would have thought he'd become a judge? Isn't that right, Moohyuk?"
Myung-soo's father was already beaming at the thought of his son becoming a prosecutor.
Hyun-seong's parents looked a bit worried about him.
"Father, I need Hyun-seong to come to Seoul and help me. Is that okay?"
"Your work? Something illegal?"
"Of course not. I want him to work on legitimate tasks."
I was thinking about what to assign to Hyun-seong.
He was the most trustworthy person I knew, so I planned to have him oversee the management of the loan company. Even if others handled the practical work, it needed to be done by someone I trusted.
While we were talking, Hyun-seong's father came out separately.
"Father, please keep an eye on Grandmother. I'm worried that the people targeting me might harm her."
"Understood. I'll send patrols more often and have Hyun-seong's mother visit frequently."
"Thank you."
"By the way, what do you want Hyun-seong to do?"
His father was interested in what Hyun-seong would do.
"I plan to have Hyun-seong manage the loan company."
"Loan company? Usury?"
"It's usury, but it will likely be regulated soon. I want him to manage legitimate companies. Since it involves money, Hyun-seong is the best person to trust."
"Hmm... Can he handle it?"
"He needs to learn. Even if others do the work, he needs to understand the flow of money and the books."
"He'll have to study something he never thought he would."
"He's smart, so he'll do well. The problem is whether he wants to do it."
"He has no choice. Where else can he go and be useful?"
"Hahaha..."
I needed to hear Hyun-seong's opinion.
The dinner ended in a warm atmosphere.
That concluded all my plans in Busan.
I asked Grandmother if she wanted to move to Seoul, but her answer was the same.
I could force her, but that wouldn't be for her benefit.
It would only satisfy me.
"Next year will be very busy."
"I know. Don't come down just to check on me. It's unnecessary."
"I'll call often."
"Come, give me a hug."
I hugged Grandmother and got into the car with Hyun-seong.
"Go inside. It's cold for Grandmother."
"I'll watch you leave."
The car slowly started, leaving the stubborn Grandmother behind.
Looking back, I saw her watching the car as it drove away.
When she was no longer in sight, I turned to Hyun-seong.
"Hey, let's go to Seoul and learn how to do things properly. Can you do it?"
"..."
"Are you going to keep being like this? I need someone I can trust. Please help me."
"Alright. What do I need to do?"
"Start by learning how to read the books at the Myeongdong loan market."
"Alright."
If I could entrust Myeongdong to Hyun-seong, I could work more comfortably.
'I should have him learn from Kim Ho-sik in Myeongdong.'
I need to make sure he learns properly.
The car, carrying me and Hyun-seong, moved quickly towards Seoul.
'From now on, every small mistake could derail the plan.'