While having dinner and chatting, Eric and Han Kyungyeong seed to hit it off quite well, and they decided to go for drinks together at the hotel bar.
“You two really seem to get along.”
“Eric is great at getting along with people.”
“For now, let’s leave it to Eric.”
“He’s soone you can trust. Even when I was at EO, he was popular with the team. In the rcenary world, the more competent the leader, the better the odds of survival.”
“Please keep an eye on the PMC project, Chief Ma. I don’t know enough to be hands-on with that one.”
“Understood.”
I figured it would be safe to leave the PMC setup in Chief Ma’s hands.
The real issue was managing the shell companies in the tax havens... and I also needed soone to land in Korea soon, as part of the invasion force, so to speak.
There was soone I had in mind.
Currently working at an investnt bank in Hong Kong, he was soone who had climbed the ladder fast with backing from Wall Street hyenas during the IMF crisis.
Han Kyungyeong’s role was to play the “good cop.”
The other person would be the “bad cop.”
The two had to work in harmony.
I planned to head to Hong Kong myself to recruit him.
“I think I’ll need to go to Hong Kong in January. Book the flight and arrange the schedule.”
“Understood.”
I had to seize this opportunity to make as much money as possible.
A few days later, Han Kyungyeong and Eric departed for the United States.
“Hyung, we’re just getting started, so manage the staff well and stay alert. Leave the already-invested stocks alone and hold the rest.”
“Got it.”
Their plane took off for the States.
The long contrail left in the sky signaled that my break was over.
* * *
1996 turned out to be one of the worst years ever.
Politics regressed, and the current account deficit hit an all-ti high.
Most of all, small and mid-sized businesses were going bankrupt left and right.
And yet, the public didn’t seem to sense any real crisis.
But the major conglorates had already sniffed out Hyunbo’s troubles.
They weren’t thinking of helping—only watching Hyunbo closely, wondering if there’d be anything to gain once it collapsed.
Not even Daehyeon or Ilseong could claim innocence in this situation.
“Chairman Cheon, please. Just this once, help .”
In Chairman Cheon’s study in Pyeongchang-dong, Chairman Jang of Hyunbo Group was kneeling before him.
“You fool...”
“There’s no one else who can help but you. The banks have stopped lending. I’m planning to issue about 45 billion won in convertible bonds in January. I’m asking you to take them.”
Chairman Jang, who had recklessly fixated on Hyunbo Steel, was now short on funds to build his steel plant. He had tried to secure capital through bond issuance, loans, promissory notes, and selling subsidiaries. Banks had deferred repaynts and offered ergency support, but by the end of 1996, the money had completely dried up.
Even the convertible bond plan had failed to attract any buyers.
Cornered, Jang had no choice but to co groveling to Pyeongchang-dong.
“You should’ve stuck to what you were doing. Why get greedy for steel?”
“If you help just this once, I won’t forget the favor. For the sake of our old ties, please.”
“It’s already out of my hands. I’ll talk to that boy Muhyuk and get back to you.”
“Chairman—”
“Enough. You’d be better off using this ti to put up your own assets and put out the fire.”
Chairman Cheon’s blunt rebuke made Chairman Jang clench his lips tightly.
“I’ll be in touch as soon as possible.”
As he stood, Chairman Jang bowed deeply.
“Please, I’m begging you.”
Once Jang had left, Chairman Cheon glanced out the window and said to Chief Ha:
“So Muhyuk predicted this would happen years ago, huh? That kid, really...”
“It seems so.”
“When is Muhyuk coming to Seoul?”
“I’ll contact him and ask him to co up.”
After thinking for a mont, Chairman Cheon shook his head.
“No. I’m finally getting so peace of mind after a while. He’ll co on his own. Leave him be.”
“But Chairman Jang looked really desperate.”
“I’m sure Muhyuk won’t help him. You don’t get on a sinking ship.”
“Understood.”
“But still, get in touch with him.”
“Yes, sir.”
Chief Ha left the room.
Chairman Cheon sat down and gently tapped the table with his fingers.
‘One day, the CEOs of conglorates will kneel before Grandfather again, begging for money.’
The words Muhyuk had once said were now becoming reality.
“Looks like I’ll get to witness sothing truly entertaining before I die.”
A wide smile spread across Chairman Cheon’s face.
* * *
“There was a call from Pyeongchang-dong. Chairman Jang of Hyunbo Group showed up and asked for help.”
“Hahaha. Acting like he’d never show his face again, and now he cos crawling back. What did Grandfather say?”
“He told him he’d talk to you and get back to him, then sent him away. Since he didn’t tell you to co to Seoul, I’d say he’s not planning to help.”
“Haha.”
Of course.
Grandfather would’ve already assessed the situation.
He was always a step ahead of everyone.
“I need to head to Seoul. Let’s leave the day after tomorrow.”
“Understood. I’ll make the arrangents.”
Though he responded, Chief Ma didn’t leave right away.
“Is there sothing you want to say?”
“It’s about that matter you ordered a while ago.”
“Which one?”
“You told to look into the suspicious people hovering around you. We caught them... but they’re refusing to talk.”
“Where are they now?”
“We’ve got them at Park Dongsu’s Busan office for now. There are eight of them. It took ti because we had to rotate people on watch. My apologies.”
“No need. Catching rats is always the hardest job. Well done. Let’s go check them out.”
I arrived at the departnt building where Park Dongsu’s office was located.
His n recognized and greeted .
Inside the office, eight n were kneeling, with Chief Ma’s subordinates keeping watch over them.
“Haven’t gotten anything out of them yet, have you?”
“Apologies.”
Chief Ma’s n bowed their heads.
“What’s your deal? Why were you spying on ?”
Even when I asked, they stayed silent.
“...Haa.”
Why is it that when you treat people decently, they always repay you like this?
“Chief. Contact Park Dongsu and find a quiet place on the outskirts of Busan. By tomorrow, I want to know every single thing these bastards know. Use whatever ans you need.”
“Understood.”
“You’ll regret staying silent today.”
I didn’t know who sent them, but whoever it was—there was no forgiveness.
That house in Busan ant more to than they could imagine.
On the drive back—
“We need to make sure Grandma’s protected. Always have soone trustworthy on standby.”
“Yes, sir.”
As if sensing my mood, the driver picked up speed.
That evening, with Park Dongsu’s help, we moved all eight n to an abandoned factory in Gimhae, on the outskirts of Busan.
The next day, Chief Ma reported in.
“They were Japanese yakuza.”
“All of them?”
“Two were Japanese nationals sent directly from Japan. The rest were drug addicts under their orders.”
“No connection to Park Dongsu’s group?”
“None. A small organization. They didn’t have turf; acted as middlen ferrying drugs from China to Japan. They also handled distribution in Busan. They were probably operating deep underground, which is why Dongsu’s people hadn’t caught wind.”
“And their objective?”
“They were mainly monitoring your movents in Busan, with possible orders to eliminate you if the chance arose. It ca directly from Japan.”
“How did they know I was here?”
“They say they only received orders from Japan. They genuinely didn’t seem to know anything else. One of the Japanese n died during questioning—he was apparently the one in charge. Took his secrets to the grave.”
“Sounds like he was tight-lipped.”
“He was tough as nails. So we had to increase the pressure a bit...”
“That’s fine.”
I had expected the yakuza wouldn’t back down quietly.
Still, I hadn’t thought they’d stretch their hand /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ all the way to my ho in Busan...
Maybe it was because I’d stayed down here too long.
‘I really need to bring Grandma to Seoul.’
That was probably the best solution—but it wasn’t easy.
I’d tried several tis, but Grandma kept refusing.
“For now, send about four of our n to Busan. Don’t interfere with Grandma’s routine.”
“Understood.”
“Let’s buy the house next door. If we station our people there, they can respond quickly. Coordinate with Dongsu’s n so we can call for backup in an ergency. Her safety is the top priority. Once the PMC is established, we’ll hand her protection over to them.”
“Yes, sir.”
After Chief Ma’s report and my orders, it was ti for dinner with Myungsoo’s and Hyunseong’s families.
“It’s been a while, Muhyuk.”
“Hello, sir.”
Myungsoo’s parents greeted warmly.
“Myungsoo probably won’t have any ti until next year. That kid didn’t even co ho for the holidays.”
“It’s his last stretch. He’ll finish judicial training next year. It’s a critical ti—please understand.”
“Well, yeah, I guess. Who would've thought that punk would end up becoming a judge, right Muhyuk?”
Myungsoo’s dad was practically beaming at the idea of his son becoming a prosecutor.
Hyunseong’s parents, on the other hand, looked a bit worried.
“Sir, I’d like Hyunseong to help in Seoul. I hope that’s okay with you.”
“Your work? It’s not illegal, is it?”
“You think I’d make him do anything shady? I want him to work with on sothing proper.”
I was still thinking over what role to give Hyunseong.
He was the person I trusted the most—so I planned to put him in charge of managing the loan business. Even if soone else handled the grunt work, I needed soone trustworthy overseeing it.
While the families chatted, I stepped outside with Hyunseong’s father.
“Sir, please keep an eye on Grandma. I’m worried soone might try to harm her to get to .”
“Got it. I’ll have the local patrol swing by more often, and I’ll tell Hyunseong’s mom to visit frequently.”
“Thank you.”
“What exactly do you plan to have Hyunseong do?”
He was curious.
“If he’s willing, I’ll put him in charge of the loan company.”
“Loan company—as in private lending?”
“It is private lending, but soon it’ll probably co under governnt regulation. I plan to manage proper firms. Since it involves money, I need soone I can trust. Hyunseong is perfect for that.”
“Huh... think he can handle it?”
“He’ll learn. Even if others handle the legwork, he at least needs to understand how money flows and how to read the books.”
“Guy’s gonna end up studying stuff he never thought he would.”
“He’s smart. He’ll do well. The only problem is whether he wants to.”
“He’ll do it. Where else is he gonna go and live like a decent person?”
“Hahaha...”
I still needed to hear Hyunseong’s thoughts, of course.
Dinner ended in a warm, lively mood.
And with that, my schedule in Busan ca to a close.
I tried asking Grandma again if she’d consider moving to Seoul, but her answer hadn’t changed.
I could force her to co—but that wouldn’t be for her sake.
It would just be for my own peace of mind.
“Looks like next year’s going to be really busy.”
“I know. Don’t push yourself just to co down here because of .”
“I’ll call often.”
“Good. Now co give your granny a hug.”
After hugging Grandma, I got in the car with Hyunseong.
“Go on now. It’s cold.”
“I’ll wait until you go inside.”
As we pulled away, I looked back to see Grandma still watching the car as it drove off.
Just before we turned the corner and she disappeared from view, I spoke to Hyunseong.
“Hey. Once we get to Seoul, let’s really learn the ropes. You up for that?”
“...”
“Still gonna stay quiet? I need soone I can trust. Help out.”
“Alright. What do I need to do?”
“Start by heading to the Myeongdong loan market and learning how to read the ledgers.”
“Got it.”
If I could trust Hyunseong with Myeongdong, I’d finally have so peace of mind.
‘Best to place him under Kim Hosik.’
He needed proper training.
The car carrying and Hyunseong sped toward Seoul.
‘This is where it really begins. Even a single misstep could ruin everything.’
The new year of 1997 was dawning.
< On of an Economic Crisis > End.
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