The Conglomerate Family Became A Villain [EN]: Chapter 210

210. After Winter (3)

There were more people at the data center construction site than expected.

There were bodyguards protecting Jung Hyun-woo and his party, construction company executives, and even New York City officials.

“Construction is about 15% complete. We’re still in the foundation phase,” the construction company executive explained.

Jung Hyun-woo nodded.

“Even if it takes more time, I want it done right.”

“More robustly than the design?”

“I don’t mean exceeding the design specs. I just mean there shouldn’t be any deficiencies due to rushing.”

The construction company executive replied dryly, “Our company has never been cited for poor construction. You can rest assured.”

Jung Hyun-woo turned to the site manager.

“Are there any difficulties with the construction?”

The site manager shook his head. “No difficulties. The ground is a bit hard because it’s winter, but it’s getting warmer, so it’s manageable.”

Jung Hyun-woo thought, ‘Winter is ending.’

The end of winter meant the beginning of spring.

The site manager carefully asked, “Mr. President, may I ask a question?”

The construction company executives gave him a look, but Jung Hyun-woo raised his hand to stop them.

“The site manager’s opinion is valuable. Let him speak.”

He turned to the site manager. “What is it?”

“The foundation and the design itself are more than what’s needed for a library. Is there a reason for this?”

Jung Hyun-woo smiled. “Because the computers in the data center are heavier than books.”

The site manager chuckled. “Sounds like a lot of computers.”

He had only built libraries and swimming pools before; this was his first data center.

It was the same for the construction company executives. It was their first time designing and constructing a data center.

“We’ll be building several data centers in the future. Do a good job this time, and we’ll give you the next one too.”

The construction company executives reassured him they wouldn’t disappoint.

Jung Hyun-woo also spoke with Sarah.

“Should we turn the extra space into a park?”

“A park?”

“I thought the city would appreciate a park.”

Sarah shook her head. “Parks aren’t always beneficial. If not managed properly, they can become havens for the homeless.”

Jung Hyun-woo stroked his chin. “Hmm, then what kind of facility would be good?”

“How about a small library?”

Wealthy Americans often donated buildings like libraries or opera houses to the community.

“Isn’t the land too small for a library?”

“How about a children’s library?”

Jung Hyun-woo thought it was a good idea.

“That sounds good.”

He immediately turned back. “How about building a children’s library here?”

The New York City official paused. “A children’s library?”

“Data centers are a bit bleak. A children’s library would improve the city’s atmosphere.”

New York City had no reason to refuse his donation.

“If you build a children’s library, we’ll take responsibility for operating it.”

Jung Hyun-woo said softly, “Then let’s make it a children’s library.”

He told the construction company executives about the children’s library and left the site.

As soon as he left, the construction company executives sighed in relief.

“Hoo… I feel like I’ve aged ten years.”

“By the way, he looked younger than in the pictures. Is he really a college student?”

“Asians usually look two or three years younger.”

“Um, I see.”

The construction company COO said to the other executives, “Save that for the office. This is the site.”

He was telling them to watch what they said on site.

“I understand.”

“I will be careful.”

The construction company COO called the site manager.

“Rick.”

“Yes, Mr. Byrne.”

“Charlie mentioned it, but this project is very important to us. Ensure no problems arise, and if they do, contact me immediately.”

The construction company COO wanted to oversee the data center construction directly.

“I understand. I’ll contact you immediately if anything goes wrong.”

“Good. We’ll be on our way.”

Only when the construction company executives left did the site become quiet.

“Seems like a big shot came?”

The site manager shrugged at the construction foreman’s question.

“He’s the owner, isn’t he? The construction company has to pay attention.”

“That kid?”

“Did he look like a kid to you?”

“He’s not very tall, and he looks young.”

Jung Hyun-woo’s height was 177cm [approximately 5 feet 10 inches], considered tall in Korea in the 1980s.

But in the United States, it wasn’t considered tall.

“Tsk, if height and looks mattered, Spencer would be the richest of us all.”

Spencer was a tall and handsome plumber.

The construction foreman nodded. “That makes sense.”

“Okay, okay. Let’s get to work.”

Even if others didn’t, the site manager could look forward to a promotion if he successfully completed this data center construction project.

‘And the Hilton family’s young lady was a great beauty.’

Jung Hyun-woo was impressive, and Sarah was a successful businesswoman beyond her years.

* * *

Tokyo.

Shinjuku Kabukicho [Tokyo’s red-light district].

The deepest part of Jinjo, a high-end bar.

Two men sat facing each other, frowning. They weren’t calling for hostesses and were talking quietly.

“Young Master, I’m sorry.”

The first to bow his head was Morishita, the president of Kajima Bank.

“Why did you make such a mistake?”

The one who raised his voice was Kajima Gen, a son of Kajima Jiro, the chairman of Kajima. He was deeply involved in the Kajima Group’s succession battle.

“I was trying to keep Kajima Construction in check, but…”

“President Morishita, it almost affected my older brother.”

President Morishita had insisted that Jung Hyun-woo and his party couldn’t be trusted, but when he was proven wrong, he was reprimanded by Chairman Kajima Jiro.

“I think I’ll have to step down next year.”

Chairman Kajima Jiro didn’t fire him immediately, but it was clear he wouldn’t survive the next personnel reshuffle.

“What are you going to do?”

President Morishita asked Kajima Gen.

“How about getting the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to put the brakes on Kajima Construction?”

Kajima Gen clicked his tongue. “President Morishita, now is the time for defense, not offense. What if we provoke the construction company and they make a big deal out of it?”

Chairman Kajima Jiro was strongly pushing this $15 billion project.

He had already declared it a Kajima Group project, not just a Kajima Construction project.

“I’m sorry.”

Kajima Gen poured a drink.

“President Morishita.”

“Yes.”

“I think it’s better to refrain from doing anything for now.”

Kajima Gen thought it was time to lie low.

President Morishita asked, “Will that be enough?”

He thought that if the project succeeded, they would be at a disadvantage.

“President Morishita, why do you keep trying to cause trouble?”

“That, that is…”

Kajima Gen cut him off. “Don’t give the opponent a chance. If you make a mistake, everything could slip through your fingers.”

President Morishita could only bow his head.

“I was short-sighted.”

Kajima Gen emptied his glass.

“If we wait, an opportunity will come. The real estate boom is ending.”

“Are you saying the real estate boom is over?”

“Flowers don’t bloom for ten days straight [a Japanese proverb meaning nothing good lasts forever]. How long will the economy be good?”

After the Plaza Accord [a 1985 agreement to depreciate the U.S. dollar], many predicted a downturn for the Japanese economy.

Kajima Gen was one of them.

“If the construction economy declines…”

“Kajima Construction’s reckless business will cause a major crisis for the group.”

If Kajima Construction falters, the succession structure will inevitably change.

“Are you saying our victory will come if we wait for the construction economy to decline?”

“So there’s no need to overdo it now.”

Clang.

Kajima Gen put down his glass and thought, ‘Investing in Japan after the Plaza Accord? You’re out of your mind.’

He considered Jung Hyun-woo’s investment in Japan foolish.

‘A typhoon will come soon.’

Kajima Gen thought the current boom was like the calm before a storm.

* * *

New York.

Wall Street.

Jung Hyun-woo visited the Victoria Fund headquarters.

“This is my first time here.”

The Victoria Fund headquarters, chosen by John Peer, was at the end of Wall Street.

“I got a clean building relatively cheaply.”

“As cheap as it is, it’s probably far from the stock exchange.”

John Peer smiled. “Charlie, a walk is good for your health.”

He didn’t think it necessary to be too close to the New York Stock Exchange.

‘Their main investment areas are Japan and real estate, after all.’

As Jung Hyun-woo and Sarah sat down, John Peer and Jeremy Spin also took their seats.

John Peer introduced Jeremy Spin.

“This is Jeremy Spin. He’s the COO of Victoria Fund.”

Jung Hyun-woo already knew Jeremy Spin was from Morgan Stanley.

“Mr. Spin, I look forward to working with you.”

Sarah also greeted him brightly. “Mr. Spin, please take good care of Victoria Fund.”

Jeremy Spin bowed politely. “Please call me Jeremy.”

Sarah smiled awkwardly at his formality. “There’s no need to be so polite.”

In the United States, even with a boss or owner, few people greet them as formally as Jeremy Spin.

“No. Since you’ve given me this opportunity, I intend to do my best.”

Jeremy Spin knew John Peer had scouted him, but Jung Hyun-woo and Sarah had approved it.

‘If I don’t stay focused, I’ll be deceived by their appearance.’

He was more polite because he feared making a mistake after seeing Jung Hyun-woo and Sarah’s youthful appearance.

“No. You two are more intimidating than Big Head to me.”

Jung Hyun-woo and Sarah knew “Big Head” was Kyle Montana, the CEO of Morgan Stanley.

‘Is the atmosphere at Morgan Stanley that bleak?’

‘If he’s been working in that position, it’ll be hard to change suddenly.’

Jung Hyun-woo said calmly, “If that’s what makes you comfortable, you can do that.”

He thought ability and results were more important than attitude.

“So, where shall we start?”

John Peer answered, “Let’s start with the American real estate company.”

Jung Hyun-woo hadn’t poured all his money into Japanese real estate.

He intended to use some funds to buy an American real estate brokerage company to attract Japanese investors.

“Did the talks with Japan go well?”

John Peer nodded. “Kajima Securities said they’d create an American real estate fund and invest in it.”

Jung Hyun-woo smiled. “Kajima Securities’ investment is like an offset trade.”

“You can think of it that way.”

“What will be the size?”

“They’ve decided to invest $10 million initially.”

$10 million in a $15 billion investment.

Less than 1:1,000 in terms of ratio.

‘Well, the ratio isn’t what’s important.’

Jung Hyun-woo asked again, “Anything else?”

“Nomura Securities is also showing interest.”

“Meaning concrete negotiations haven’t started yet.”

“Not yet.”

Sarah asked John Peer, “Are the real estate companies we bought making a profit?”

John Peer nodded. “Of course. They’re not just empty shells; they’re still actively operating.”

He presented a summary of the real estate companies’ accounting data.

Sarah looked through it and said, “But the profits aren’t that big?”

John Peer smiled awkwardly. “The real estate sector is just recovering. It’s fortunate they’re making a profit at all.”

He didn’t expect the same profit margins as IT companies.

Unlike Sarah, Jung Hyun-woo didn’t care about the current profits.

‘The money they’ll make in the future is bigger.’

He held a pen and said, “We need to focus on securing volume so Japanese funds can flow in smoothly.”

John Peer asked carefully, “Charlie, how much volume should we secure?”

“We need to secure more than $1 billion by the end of this year.”

John Peer frowned slightly. “The investment we’ve agreed on is $10 million, but $1 billion is too much, isn’t it?”

$1 billion was 100 times $10 million.

John Peer thought Japanese investment would increase, but not 100 times.

‘Real estate isn’t such a dramatic market.’

He thought real estate wasn’t as volatile as stocks.

“The yen will rise further.”

“You mean it will rise further from here?”

Jeremy Spin spoke up.

Jung Hyun-woo turned to him. “It will rise more than 30% compared to last year by the end of this year.”

His prediction contradicted Wall Street’s.

Wall Street’s foreign exchange experts predicted the yen and mark would enter a period of adjustment after their sharp rise.

“Will there be no adjustment?”

Jung Hyun-woo didn’t deny the possibility of an adjustment.

“There may be a short adjustment. But the yen will rise sharply in the future.”

John Peer asked, “Is the rise in the yen connected to the fall in oil prices?”

The fall in oil prices was a recent focus on Wall Street.

“The yen and oil aren’t directly related, but if oil prices fall, the rise in the yen will gain momentum.”

Japan was a major oil importer. If oil prices fell, Japan’s dollar expenditure on oil imports would decrease, helping the yen rise.

“You mean the yen and oil are inversely proportional.”

“Because Japan is an oil importer.”

Jeremy Spin suggested oil prices had fallen sharply but could rise again.

“If oil prices rise, oil company stocks will also recover.”

John Peer agreed. “Charlie, how about investing in Exxon Mobil or Chevron?”

He saw a bright future for oil companies and had connected Jung Hyun-woo with Chevron.

However, Jung Hyun-woo’s response was cold. “No. I don’t invest in energy companies.”

John Peer paused. “But Charlie… didn’t you say you wanted to meet with an executive from Chevron?”

Jung Hyun-woo raised his hand. “I just wanted to find out the position of energy companies.”

He had no intention of investing in energy companies.

“Hmm, is the outlook that bleak?”

When John Peer asked again, Jung Hyun-woo explained, “Oil prices will continue to fall, moving in the opposite direction to the value of the yen. This will coincide with the end of the Middle East war and sustain low oil prices.”

He didn’t know how much oil prices would fall, but he knew the triple low boom [low interest rates, low oil prices, and a strong yen] would continue for the time being.

‘It will continue at least until Japan’s bubble bursts.’

During this period, South Korea successfully transitioned from a developing to a developed country based on the triple low boom.

“Charlie, if the Middle East war ends, will peace come to the Middle East?”

He thought Jung Hyun-woo had obtained information about the Middle East from the White House or the CIA.

Jung Hyun-woo answered calmly, “There will be peace, but it will be short. It won’t last long.”

The peace he spoke of was scheduled to last until Iraq invaded Kuwait.