#78 Harbinger of an Economic Crisis. As they ate and talked, Eric and Han Gyeong-yeong seemed to have grown quite close, and they headed to the hotel bar, saying they would have a separate drinking session.
“They look good together.”
“Eric has a friendly disposition.”
“For now, let’s leave it to Eric.”
“He’s a trustworthy man. Even when I was at EO, he was popular with his subordinates. For a mercenary, the more competent the superior, the higher the chance of survival.”
“Section Chief Ma, please continue to look after the PMC matter. I know too little to get involved with that myself.”
“Understood.”
It seemed I could leave the establishment of the PMC to Section Chief Ma. The problem was managing the ghost companies in tax havens… and I also needed someone to act as an invading army in Korea right away. I already had someone in mind.
He was currently an employee at an investment bank in Hong Kong, but during the IMF crisis, he would rise to prominence with the backing of Wall Street’s hyenas. Han Gyeong-yeong’s role was the good cop. The other person would be the bad cop.
The two of them had to be in perfect harmony. I planned to go to Hong Kong myself and try to recruit him.
“I think I’ll have to go to Hong Kong in January. Please book a plane ticket and arrange a schedule.”
“Understood.”
I had to earn as much money as possible this time. A few days later, Han Gyeong-yeong and Eric left for America.
“Elder brother, this is just the beginning, so manage the employees well and be on standby. Leave the stocks we’ve already invested in as they are, and hold the rest.”
“Okay.”
The plane departed for America.
The long contrail left in the sky announced that the vacation was over.* * 1996 turned out to be the worst year. Politics had regressed, and the current account balance recorded its highest deficit ever. Above all, a chain of bankruptcies among small and medium-sized enterprises continued. Nevertheless, the people did not feel a great sense of crisis. But the large corporations had already sensed Hyeonbo’s crisis. They just had no intention of helping, and were merely watching Hyeonbo, thinking, ‘If Hyeonbo falls, won’t there be something to pick up?’ Daehyun, Ilseong, no large corporation could be free from it. “Chairman Cheon. Please help me just this once.” In Chairman Cheon’s study in Pyeongchang District. Chairman Jang, the head of Hyeonbo Group, was speaking to Chairman Cheon on his knees. “You foolish man…”“There is no one who can help me but you, Chairman. The banks won’t give any more loans. I’m planning to issue about 45 billion won in convertible bonds in January, and I beg you to acquire them.” Chairman Jang, who had stubbornly obsessed over Hyeonbo Steel, lacked the money to build a steel mill and tried to secure funds through various means, including issuing corporate bonds, borrowing, issuing promissory notes, and selling off affiliates. The banks also granted a moratorium on his debts and provided emergency funds, but in the end, by late 1996, all his funds had run out. He ultimately decided to issue convertible bonds, but no one was willing to step forward and buy them. Backed into a corner, Chairman Jang had no choice but to visit Pyeongchang District. “You should have just stuck with what you were doing. Why did you covet steel?” “If you help me just this once, I will never forget your grace. Please, for the sake of our old ties, help me one more time.” “It’s already out of my hands. I’ll talk to that boy, Mu-hyeok, and get back to you.” “Chairman.” “I understand, so just go for now. Instead of begging me like this, you should be using your personal fortune to put out the most urgent fires.” Chairman Jang bit his lip hard at Chairman Cheon’s rebuke. “I’ll contact you as soon as possible.” Rising from his spot, Chairman Jang bowed his head. “I’m counting on you.” Chairman Cheon, who had watched Chairman Jang leave through the window, spoke to Manager Ha. “Hah… Are you telling me Mu-hyeok predicted something like this would happen years ago? That kid…”“It seems so.” “When is Mu-hyeok coming to Seoul?” “I’ll contact him and ask him to come up.” After a moment of thought, Chairman Cheon shook his head. “No. He’s been sorting out his thoughts for a while. He’ll come on his own. Leave him be.” “But Chairman Jang seemed very desperate.” “If it’s Mu-hyeok, he will never help. You don’t get on a sinking ship.” “Understood.” “But contact him anyway.” “Yes.” Manager Ha went outside. Sitting in his chair, Chairman Cheon quietly tapped his fingers on the table. ‘A day will come when the chairmen of the great corporations will kneel before Grandfather again, begging for money.’ The words Mu-hyeok had spoken had come back as reality. “It seems I’ll get to see something interesting before I die.” A broad smile spread across Chairman Cheon’s face. * *“We received a call from Pyeongchang District.
They said Chairman Jang of Hyeonbo Group came to ask for help.”
“Hahaha. He acted like he would never see us again, but he came after all. What did Grandfather say?”
“He said he would talk with the Boss and get back to him, then sent him away. Seeing as there was no word for you to come to Seoul, it seems he has no intention of helping.”
“Hahaha.”
Of course.
Grandfather would have already assessed the situation. He was faster than anyone.
“I need to go to Seoul. Let’s go up the day after tomorrow.”
“Yes, I’ll prepare for it.”
After answering, Section Chief Ma did not leave.
“Is there something you want to say?”
“It’s about the matter you instructed me on before.”
“Which one?”
“The one where you asked me to investigate the suspicious person who was hovering around the Boss. We caught him, but… he won’t open his mouth.”
“Where is he now?”
“We have him held at Park Dong-soo’s Busan office for now. There are eight of them in total, and it took a long time because they took turns keeping watch. I apologize.”
“No. Catching rats is always the harder job. You did well. Let’s go see.”
I arrived at the Depart Officetel where Park Dong-soo’s office was located. Park Dong-soo’s subordinates recognized me and greeted me. Inside the office, eight men were kneeling, and in front of them, Section Chief Ma’s subordinates stood guard.
“You haven’t found out anything yet, have you?”
“We’re sorry.”
Section Chief Ma’s subordinates apologized.
“What is it? Why were you watching me?”
They remained silent in response to my question.
“Hmph…”
I wondered why people always returned civility with this kind of behavior.
“Section Chief Ma. Contact Park Dong-soo and find a quiet place on the outskirts of Busan. I want you to find out everything these bastards know by tomorrow. Do it however you see fit.”
“Understood.”
“You’re going to regret not talking now.”
I didn’t know who had been watching me, but whoever it was, I couldn’t forgive them. That’s what my home in Busan meant to me. On the way back home.
“I think we need to protect my grandmother. Please have trustworthy people on standby at all times.”
“Understood.”
As if sensing my mood, the employee driving sped up the car. That evening, with Park Dong-soo’s help, all eight men were moved to an abandoned factory in Gimhae, on the outskirts of Busan. The next day, Section Chief Ma reported.
“They were Japanese yakuza.”
“All of them?”
“Two were Japanese nationals who came directly from Japan, and the rest were drug addicts who took orders from them.”
“Are they unrelated to Park Dong-soo’s side?”
“Yes. It was a small organization. They didn’t have a specific territory; they were middlemen who received drugs from China and passed them on to Japan. They were also in charge of drug distribution in Busan. They probably managed to avoid getting caught by Park Dong-soo’s side because they operated completely in hiding.”
“What was their purpose?”
“Their main purpose was to investigate and monitor the Boss’s movements in Busan, and they also had a plan to eliminate you if possible. The orders came directly from Japan.”
“How did they know I was in Busan?”
“They said they only received orders from Japan. They didn’t seem to know anything about that part. During the investigation, one of the Japanese men died. He was said to be the one in charge of this operation, but he didn’t open his mouth until he died. That dead man probably knew everything.”
“Seems he was a tight-lipped bastard.”
“He was a really tough one. So as we increased the intensity…”
“It’s fine.”
I had expected the yakuza wouldn’t back down this easily. I just hadn’t thought they would reach for my family home in Busan… Perhaps the problem was that I came down here and stayed for quite a long time.
‘I should bring Grandma to Seoul.’
That would probably be the best way, but it was a difficult thing to do. I had already talked to her several times, but Grandma had refused.
“For now, send about four employees down to Busan. You must not interfere with Grandma’s movements.”
“Understood.”
“Let’s buy the house next door. Our employees can be stationed there. Communicate well with Park Dong-soo’s organization members so that we can get immediate support in an emergency. Grandma’s safety is the absolute priority. Once the PMC is established, we can entrust her proper security to them.”
“Yes.”
While receiving Section Chief Ma’s report and giving instructions, the time for the dinner I had promised with Myeong-soo’s and Hyeon-seong’s families arrived.
“It’s been a while, Mu-hyeok.”
“Hello, Father.”
Myeong-soo’s parents greeted me warmly.
“I wonder if Myeong-soo will have time next year. That rascal doesn’t even come home for the holidays.”
“It’s his last year. He’ll complete his training at the Judicial Research and Training Institute next year. It’s an important time, so please understand, Father.”
“Yes, that’s true. Who would have thought that boy would become a judge? Isn’t that right, Mu-hyeok?”
Myeong-soo’s father was already grinning from ear to ear at the thought of his son becoming a prosecutor. Hyeon-seong’s parents looked a little gloomy with worry about Hyeon-seong.
“Father, I’d like Hyeon-seong to help me the most when he goes to Seoul this time. Is that alright with you?”
“Your work? Isn’t it illegal?”
“I wouldn’t ask Hyeon-seong to do anything illegal. I’d like him to do legitimate work with me.”
I had been thinking about what to entrust to Hyeon-seong. Since he was the person I could trust the most, I was thinking of putting him in charge of managing the money lending company. Even if others handled the practical work, it was a job that had to be done by someone I could trust.
While the families were talking, I stepped aside with Hyeon-seong’s father.
“Father. Please keep a close eye on Grandma’s side. I’m worried that the guys targeting me might try to harm her.”
“Got it. I’ll send patrols that way more often, and I’ll tell Hyeon-seong’s mother to drop by often too.”
“I’d appreciate it.”
“By the way, what kind of work are you planning to give Hyeon-seong?”
His father showed interest in what Hyeon-seong would be doing.
“If Hyeon-seong agrees, I’m thinking of entrusting him with the money lending business.”
“Money lending business? You mean private loans?”
“It’s private loans, but it will probably come under the institutional system soon. I want to have him manage the legitimate companies. Since it’s a job related to money, Hyeon-seong is the best person to trust with it.”
“Hah… Can he do it?”
“He has to learn. Even if the people below him do the work, he needs to learn at least enough to understand the flow of money and the ledgers.”
“Looks like he’s fated to study in his old age, something he never did.”
“He’s a smart kid, so he’ll do well. The problem is whether Hyeon-seong is willing to do it.”
“He’ll do it. Where else can that boy go and act like a proper person now?”
“Hahaha…”
First, I had to hear Hyeon-seong’s opinion. The meal ended in a warm and friendly atmosphere. With that, all my plans in Busan were finished.
I tried asking Grandma if she had any intention of moving up to Seoul, but the answer I got was still the same. I could force her to come… but that wouldn’t be for Grandma’s sake. It would only be an act for my own satisfaction.
“Next year is going to be very busy.”
“I know. Don’t push yourself trying to come down just to worry about your old grandma.”
“I’ll call often.”
“Alright. Let your grandma give her baby a hug.”
I hugged Grandma and got in the car with Hyeon-seong.
“Go on inside. It’s cold, Grandma.”
“I’ll go in after I see you off.”
Leaving the stubborn Grandma behind, the car started to move slowly. When I looked back, Grandma was watching the receding car. Around the time we turned a corner and Grandma was no longer visible, I spoke to Hyeon-seong.
“Hey. Let’s go up to Seoul and learn the business properly. You can do it, right?”
“…”“Are you going to keep being like that? I need someone I can trust. Help me out.”
“Alright. What do I have to do?”
“Go to Myeon District’s Private Loan Market and learn everything from how to read the ledgers.”
“Got it.”
If I could entrust Myeon District to Hyeon-seong, I could work with a peaceful mind.
‘It would be best to entrust him to Kim Ho-sik of Myeon District.’
I had to make sure he learned the work properly. The car carrying Hyeon-seong and me moved at a high speed toward Seoul.
‘From now on is what’s important. Even one small mistake could throw the plan off course.’
The new year of 1997 was dawning.
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