The Genius Grandson of the Loan King - Chapter 90 (90/840)
< I intend to eat it. >
#90
I intend to eat it.
The investment I started with the 4 trillion won I received from my grandfather brought me great wealth.
"Yes, it's my company."
With so many articles about Han Kyungjeong already released, my grandfather couldn't have been unaware.
He knew that I had asked Secretary Ha to find Han Kyungjeong 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."
My grandfather nodded.
But that was all.
He didn't ask how much I had.
"Aren't you curious about anything else?"
"You'll handle it well. You didn't do it without my help, right? So 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 hard to meet Han Kyungjeong 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."
"......"
My grandfather seemed to have 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."
My grandfather added with a serious face.
"I've managed to divert the attention that was heading your way for now, but I don't know how long that will last. Do you understand what I mean?"
"When did you meet him?"
"I met him and warned him. I also heard his 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 Yonghyun.
"Thank you, Grandfather."
"Hehehe."
My grandfather only laughed and didn't say anything else.
The presidential election results were uncertain until late at night.
My 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 Hakkyun'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 Hakkyun more actively than originally planned.
Not long after the confirmation of victory, the phone rang.
"It's Kim Muhak."
- This is the Kim Hakkyun's camp. Is this Kim Muhak?
"Yes, it's me."
- The elected candidate wishes to speak with you. Please wait a moment.
"Yes."
After a few minutes, Kim Hakkyun's distinctive voice came through the phone.
- Thank you, it's thanks to you that I won.
"No, it's thanks to the candidate."
- No, don't be modest. Without your support, I probably would have lost. I'll contact Han Kyungjeong 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 eliminate it when I become president. I'm busy now, so let's meet another time.
"Yes, Mr. President. Good night."
The short call ended.
I stared at the phone in the dark room. 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 Kim Hakkyun camp can't be free from their influence.'
In the past, even after a change in government, the Cheongpung Society's influence didn't diminish.
The bureaucrats and lawmakers remained the same.
The Cheongpung Society used them to blind the president's eyes and ears.
Even the progressive party couldn't escape the Cheongpung Society's reach. Many lawmakers were already aligned with them.
'Well, this is enough for now.'
I decided to put politics aside and prepare to save South Korea.
The morning sun was peeking through the window.
Although the presidential election was over, the domestic economic turmoil wasn't easily resolved. Ultimately, Kim Hakkyun 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 recruited capable people from the financial and political sectors as outside directors for Future Investment.
Mafia refers to people from the Ministry of Finance, a combination of 'Mafia' and 'Ministry of Finance.'
Despite the negative connotation, they wielded significant power over the country's economy.
Eva used a lot of money to recruit them.
"Let's start. 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 situation and 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 Muhak, Eva couldn't focus on anything else.
She immediately contacted Hong Kong and found out that, as Kim Muhak 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, who are you working with?
"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 grew 40 times and was known as the best investment bank in Hong Kong, if not Asia.
Eva was genuinely grateful to Kim Muhak for giving her the opportunity to acquire such a company.
After finishing her preparations and arriving at the airport, Eva called Kim Muhak.
"Boss, I'm heading to Hong Kong now."
- Good luck.
"I'll give you a satisfactory result."
- Hahaha. I believe you.
Eva smiled at the phone for a while after hanging up.
'I'll welcome the new year in Hong Kong.'
Eva's plane 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.
The dollar exchange rate was almost 2000 won, and the inability to obtain dollars made it impossible for large corporations to wait for government support.
As I predicted, my grandfather would use dollars as a weapon to obtain many things that money couldn't buy from large 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 the 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 a politician.
"Hahaha. Maybe."
"So, what brings you here today?"
President Yoon didn't seem worried about the upcoming change in government.
It was understandable. Although the current government appointed him, 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.
"It's time to take action against Jungwoo Group."
President Yoon's smile vanished instantly.
"Jungwoo Group...?"
"Have you investigated them?"
"I have. It's no joke. They deserve immediate arrest. From fraudulent accounting to embezzlement, slush fund creation, illegal loans, and foreign exchange violations, there are too many laws they've broken."
President Yoon, who had been nodding, asked with a worried look.
"But will the public be happy if we investigate Jungwoo Group now? The collapse of a top-three conglomerate would be a significant event."
The collapse of Jungwoo Group is not an easy matter to consider.
Although Asin Group recently collapsed, the other top ten groups are still holding on.
However, if Jungwoo Group also collapses, the impact would be unimaginable.
"Public opinion isn't the most important thing. It's like a boil that's about to burst. It's better for the country to burst it quickly. Chasing short-term popularity won't get anything done, you know."
"Hmm..."
President Yoon fell into deep thought with a serious expression.
After a long pause, he spoke. The answer was already decided.
"When should we start?"
"After the new president takes office."
"It will be a burden for Kim Hakkyun. He has a close relationship with Chairman Park Daeho of Jungwoo Group."
Chairman Park of Jungwoo Group was a unique figure.
He advocated globalization and continued to invest abroad even during the foreign exchange crisis.
Under the protection of the military regime, he aggressively acquired and merged companies to grow the business.
But it was a castle built on sand.
He would use the gold collected in the upcoming gold collection campaign to evade taxes, leveraging his friendship with the president.
"I know. That's why I suggest starting after the inauguration. I'll ensure that the president can't use public funds. You just need to handle it according to the law, making sure they can't escape."
President Yoon couldn't ignore the incoming president, Kim Hakkyun.
But now, during the transition period, was the time when the president's power was strongest. It would be easier after the inauguration.
"Once the investigation starts, major media outlets will publish negative articles about Jungwoo Group. IMF and other international economic officials will pressure the government. Jungwoo Group is a juicy target for them."
One of the conditions demanded by the IMF, strongly influenced by Wall Street, was the expansion of foreign investment and capital market liberalization.
In simpler terms, it meant allowing foreign acquisitions and mergers.
South Korean companies were appetizing targets for investors.
They wanted to dismantle the unique corporate structure built on cross-shareholdings.
"Even with U.S. pressure, the president won't be able to act easily."
"Yes, you won't be affected. However, we can't just hand over our companies to foreigners. I intend to eat it."
"You?"
"Yes, I plan to liquidate the insolvent companies and focus on acquiring the valuable ones. Dream High Investment has enough funds to do so without any issues."
"Aren't they ultimately American capital?"
I smiled and looked at President Yoon, who seemed worried.
"Money has no borders. It changes based on who uses it. The government might prefer Han Kyungjeong to acquire them rather than hyenas like investment firms."
I planned to participate in the acquisition battle by taking an adversarial position through Eva, while Han Kyungjeong would take a position that aligns with the government's preferences.
A battle between Eva and Han Kyungjeong. No matter the outcome, I can benefit.
"Jungwoo Group. I need to eat it, President Yoon."