The Conglomerate Family Became A Villain [EN]: Chapter 252

252. Rampage and Sprint (1)

Boston, Hyun-woo Jung’s mansion.

Facing Jung Hyun-woo were CIA investigators. They had wanted to meet Jung Hyun-woo at the CIA branch in Boston, but he refused, so they came to his home.

“So, you’re saying the NES export issue hasn’t been resolved?”

The last people Jung Hyun-woo negotiated with were Soviet Academy scientists. They did not have any authority regarding the export of NES [Nintendo Entertainment System].

Therefore, Jung Hyun-woo had called Anna Kournikova and promised to discuss the NES export separately.

“The schedule was too tight, so I couldn’t resolve everything on that end. I think this is the same for other industries as well.”

Instead of writing his answers down in a notebook, the CIA agents were recording them with a tape recorder.

Jung Hyun-woo thought it was better to be openly recorded like this than to be wiretapped.

“Are you saying the Soviet government had a tight schedule?”

Jung Hyun-woo replied in a calm voice.

“We didn’t consider that they are different from ordinary countries.”

“Different from ordinary countries means…”

“Isn’t the Soviet Union a planned economy? I mean, it wasn’t a country where exports and imports are as free as in our country.”

The CIA agents didn’t seem to understand his words well.

“Are you saying it was difficult to discuss exports and imports with the Soviet Union?”

Jung Hyun-woo sighed briefly.

“Hoo… It wasn’t just difficult. They planned the export and import volumes and tried to execute everything according to the plan. In short, they wanted to control the number and volume of goods we could export and match them to their plan.”

Controlling import volumes wasn’t something that only happened in the Soviet Union. Countries pursuing protectionist trade policies all wanted to control the volume of imports.

Of course, the Soviet Union’s control was different from the import controls commonly seen in developing countries.

The CIA agents couldn’t easily understand this. However, they could understand that Jung Hyun-woo and the American economic delegation had difficulty negotiating with the Soviet Union.

“You’re saying this visit wasn’t very fruitful.”

Jung Hyun-woo put his hands together.

“We opened the Iron Curtain a little, so I wouldn’t say it wasn’t very fruitful. And it seems Coca-Cola had more success than we did.”

The CIA agents already knew that Coca-Cola had successfully concluded an export contract.

A CIA agent said to him consolingly.

“The food sector has fewer restrictions anyway.”

As he said, beverages, unlike automobiles or electronics, didn’t have much difficulty overcoming the barriers of the system.

Jung Hyun-woo asked the CIA agents.

“Do you have any more questions?”

One of the CIA agents raised his right hand halfway.

“I heard that you decided to import computer games from the Soviet Union this time. How did this happen?”

Jung Hyun-woo had expected this question to come up.

“We secured the copyrights from the Soviet Academy of Sciences. There will be no actual import of game diskettes.”

“You only secured the copyrights?”

“The games that actually come to the United States will be games re-made in West Germany through reverse engineering. If we bring in games made in the Soviet Union as they are, they may contain viruses, as the CIA is worried about.”

It wasn’t just Sarah who was worried about the Soviet Union’s invisible hand. Most Americans were worried about Soviet wiretapping and hacking.

And the best in this field were the CIA and FBI. In particular, the CIA was very sensitive to Soviet hacking and wiretapping, and if there was even a slightly suspicious case, they would wiretap and eavesdrop in reverse.

“You’ve prepared for Soviet hacking.”

Jung Hyun-woo said with a forced smile.

“Our Victoria Corporation prides itself on being the best in computer and network security.”

The CIA agents didn’t acknowledge his claim of being the best, but they were well aware that Victoria Corporation was paying attention to security.

“I understand. Then I will report this to the higher-ups.”

When the conversation with the CIA agents ended, Jung Hyun-woo extended his right hand and asked for a handshake.

“Thank you all for your hard work.”

“No, Mr. Jung, you’re the one who went all the way to Moscow.”

The CIA agents left his mansion, saying they were sorry for the inconvenience.

Tak. Tak.

With light footsteps, Sarah came down from the second floor.

“Did they all leave?”

Jung Hyun-woo nodded.

“Yes, they’ve all gone.”

Sarah asked, holding onto the stair railing.

“They don’t need my interview?”

She, like Jung Hyun-woo, was a key figure in the economic delegation.

“I think it was just a formality.”

“A formality?”

“The CIA probably heard everything we said in the Soviet Union.”

Sarah frowned at Jung Hyun-woo’s words.

“Are you saying they installed listening devices on our bodies?”

“Not on our bodies, but they might have installed them in our bags or somewhere else. Maybe even in our house.”

Sarah came down the stairs and let out a long sigh.

“If we hadn’t gotten involved with the Soviet Union, this wouldn’t have happened.”

She didn’t seem to like Jung Hyun-woo’s Eastern Bloc expansion project very much.

“Even if it wasn’t the Soviet Union, they would have monitored us.”

Sarah raised her eyebrows in surprise.

“Really?”

Jung Hyun-woo nodded in response.

“Sarah and I have both risen to a position where the CIA would pay attention to us.”

It meant that they had become big enough figures to be monitored by the American intelligence agencies.

“Monitoring the rich is a violation of privacy.”

America was sensitive about this.

A representative case was the Watergate scandal [a major political scandal in the United States involving the abuse of power by President Richard Nixon].

This incident led to President Nixon’s resignation, and the Republican Party had to hand over power to the Democratic Party after eight years.

“It’s because we’re not just rich.”

“Not just rich?”

“We hold the American financial network in our hands.”

If Jung Hyun-woo were to be recruited by the Soviet Union, the United States could face a crisis close to a disaster.

‘They could paralyze the American financial world without hacking.’

Victoria Corporation had recently begun work on improving the New York Stock Exchange system.

“So, you’re saying we have to live with wiretapping and surveillance from now on?”

“If you wait a few years, it’ll be okay.”

Sarah raised her voice as she sat on the sofa.

“A few years? Are you saying the American government will change?”

She was asking about the presidential election after President Reagan.

“I was talking about the Soviet Union rather than the United States.”

“The Soviet Union?”

“From what I felt in Moscow… I don’t think the Soviet Union will last long.”

Sarah thought it was unexpected.

‘You felt the cracks in the Soviet Union in Moscow? The Soviet people seemed surprisingly calm.’

She raised her voice slightly.

“I didn’t feel it at all. In what ways did you feel that way?”

Jung Hyun-woo gestured with both hands that there were many reasons.

“The biggest thing is that there weren’t many people carrying things on the streets.”

“Not many people carrying things?”

“Most of the shopping bags looked light. There weren’t many goods on display in the stores either. If the situation in Moscow is like this, it means that goods are not circulating well inside the Soviet Union.”

Sarah’s eyes widened as if she hadn’t even noticed that.

“You checked that well. I didn’t pay any attention to it.”

Jung Hyun-woo said in a soft voice.

“I happened to witness it while thinking about what goods we could sell to the Soviet Union.”

Sarah was once again surprised by Jung Hyun-woo’s extraordinary nature, but all of Jung Hyun-woo’s remarks could be said to be foreshadowing future events.

“So, if the Soviet Union collapses, we’ll be free too?”

“Probably.”

“Isn’t that too optimistic?”

“When the huge enemy called the Soviet Union falls, the people who fought against that enemy will also lose power.”

Jung Hyun-woo’s words were directed at the CIA, who might be eavesdropping on their conversation somewhere.

‘I hope they’ll end it at a 적당한 선에서 [moderate level].’

He knew that the CIA could not continue to maintain the same power as it does now.

* * *

Beep.

When the intercom rang, Jung Hyun-woo reached out his right hand.

“What’s going on?”

The intercom’s ringtone was Luna’s call.

“Mr. Pier has called.”

“Connect to line 1.”

“Understood.”

Jung Hyun-woo pressed the number 1 button and answered John Pier’s call.

“Charlie here.”

“John here.”

“Did something happen?”

John Pier replied.

“I’m calling because tomorrow is the listing day of NTT (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation).”

Jung Hyun-woo was calm.

‘Nothing special happened.’

NTT was a company that was expected to do well in Japan, but his interest was more in real estate.

“The listing will go well as planned.”

Unlike him, John Pier seemed to have expectations.

“I’m planning to be in the company until midnight tonight.”

“Until midnight tonight, you mean you’re going to watch the listing and then go home?”

“Our fund has invested $2 billion.”

The amount Jung Hyun-woo received in additional loans from various banks in Japan in January was $3 billion.

‘Mr. Tanaka bought a lot.’

He had ordered Yu Tanaka to purchase additional NTT shares in the over-the-counter market, but he didn’t expect him to purchase this much.

“That’s not a small amount.”

“It’s the largest amount for a single company.”

This was the reason why John Pier couldn’t leave work and wanted to watch the listing situation.

As of February 1987, NTT was the largest investment company in Victoria Fund.

“Was it that much?”

“Real estate is divided into pieces, but NTT is different. If the listing fails, the repercussions will be significant.”

Jung Hyun-woo tapped his desk while talking to John Pier.

‘Assets have increased a lot, but originally Victoria Fund’s investment was $3 billion.’

$2 billion was more than 66% of the initial investment.

“I understand. I’ll postpone leaving work until midnight as well.”

“Charlie, you don’t have to receive my call from home?”

“I’ll wait for your call while catching up on pending work.”

Jung Hyun-woo hung up the phone and told Sarah that he had to work late, so she should go home first.

Then Sarah opened the president’s office door and came inside.

“Charlie.”

Jung Hyun-woo put his hands together and said.

“Don’t tell me you can’t work late.”

“What’s the reason today?”

Jung Hyun-woo answered her question.

“Victoria Fund.”

Sarah raised her eyebrows at his answer.

“Victoria Fund?”

“Today, the company that Victoria Fund invested the most in is being listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.”

“Ah, are you talking about that Japanese telecommunications company?”

“That’s right.”

Sarah’s voice softened.

“How much did you invest to say it’s the biggest investment?”

“$2 billion.”

Sarah knew that Victoria Fund’s initial investment was $3 billion.

“You really invested a lot.”

“Victoria Corporation’s stock price has soared, so I think I’ve lost my sense of proportion a bit.”

“Are you saying you invested too much in one company?”

Jung Hyun-woo nodded.

“$2 billion is enough to buy the New York Yankees.”

Although its popularity has waned in the 2020s, the Yankees’ popularity in the 1980s was absolute.

“So, you’re saying you’re going to be late today?”

“I think I’ll leave around midnight.”

“Okay, then I’ll leave at midnight too. I’ll contact the security team as well.”

Jung Hyun-woo raised his voice slightly.

“Sarah, it’s okay for you to leave first.”

Sarah put her hand on her waist and said.

“If I leave, I have to come in the security team’s car. It’s better to leave with me than that.”

“Because of me, Sarah…”

Sarah raised her right index finger and shook it from side to side.

“What are you talking about? I also have a significant stake in Victoria Fund.”

Jung Hyun-woo had more shares in Victoria Corporation, but Jung Hyun-woo and Sarah had the same shares in Victoria Fund.

“Are you saying Sarah wants to hear the listing news too?”

“Of course. You said $2 billion was invested?”

“I understand. Then let’s have dinner together in a bit.”

“Okay.”

Sarah fluttered her long hair and left the president’s office.

‘Unexpectedly, she readily allowed me to work late.’

Jung Hyun-woo looked up at the ceiling.

“Hmm, is it really because of the $2 billion?”

Was it because he had handled too much money so far?

The huge sum of $2 billion didn’t feel that big to him.

‘Maybe the balance about money has completely broken down….’

Jung Hyun-woo was also selected as one of the 50 most influential people in the world by The Economist in January of this year.

5 hours later.

Jung Hyun-woo and Sarah were looking over documents at the same table.

“Sarah, shouldn’t we do this in our respective offices?”

“I like being with Charlie.”

“It’s not because you’re afraid of the dark office, is it?”

Sarah narrowed her brows slightly.

“Not all the lights are off.”

There was a staff member on the 5th floor who was on duty 24 hours a day. But not on the top floor where the president’s office and vice president’s office were located.

Since the secretarial staff and development team staff had all left, there was no one on the top floor of the headquarters except for Jung Hyun-woo and Sarah.

“I should be proud. A world-class beauty wants to be with me.”

“Charlie, are you kidding me?”

“Sarah is a world-class beauty chosen by The Economist.”

Sarah had never even done a photoshoot, but she was receiving intensive attention from fashion magazines and tabloids because of her position as the COO of the world’s number one company.

“I don’t want to be the gossip of people.”

The tabloids were already saying that Jung Hyun-woo and Sarah had already held a wedding because they lived in the same house.

“Sarah, are you really okay?”

“About what?”

“I’m talking about the stories that come out in magazines.”

Jung Hyun-woo mentioned the stories covered in the yellow magazines [tabloid magazines known for sensationalism].

“Let’s just say we’re married.”

“Pardon?”

“I’m kidding.”

Sarah glanced at Jung Hyun-woo’s face and then turned her gaze back to the documents.

“Charlie is even worried about those stories?”

“I read magazines in my spare time.”

Jung Hyun-woo thought that it was important for a CEO to know public opinion and public interest.

“So, Charlie thinks those magazines are helpful in life?”

“It wouldn’t be helpful if you read it with an empty head, but wouldn’t it be helpful if you read it as a company CEO to know what people are interested in and what stories they know?”

Sarah put down the documents and sighed briefly.

“Hoo….”

Jung Hyun-woo raised his voice slightly.

“Is there something wrong?”

He thought she had found an error in the documents.

“There’s nothing wrong. But….”

“But?”

“When I see Charlie, I feel like I can’t beat him. Like the Soviet Union thing last time.”

Sarah thought that Jung Hyun-woo seemed to be living the lives of two or three people at the same time.

“Sarah, don’t praise me too much. There are many others who are more 뛰어난 [outstanding] than me.”

“I haven’t seen them?”

“Laura is already a Stanford professor.”

Sarah said calmly.

“My sister is just good at studying. She doesn’t have the ability to grow a company like Charlie. And there are hundreds of professors just at Stanford, but there are not even five CEOs like Charlie in the whole world.”

She sincerely thought Jung Hyun-woo was amazing.

“I’m embarrassed because Sarah says that.”

It was the moment Sarah was about to say one more word.

Ring. Ring.

Jung Hyun-woo’s phone rang.

Jung Hyun-woo got up from his seat and approached his desk. Then he picked up the receiver.

“Charlie here.”

The caller was John Pier, as expected.

“Charlie! It’s a disaster.”

“A disaster?”

John Pier shouted excitedly.

“It’s rising by more than 50% at the same time as it starts.”

50% of $2 billion was $1 billion.

‘Did I earn $1 billion with NTT?’

It was amazing to someone, but it was the same level as a year-end bonus for Jung Hyun-woo.

“That’s good.”

John Pier raised his voice slightly.

“Charlie? Is the result worse than expected?”

“I didn’t have any particularly expected results. I said it because I really thought it was good.”

“Is that so?”

“Do I sound like I’m lying?”

John Pier scratched his head and replied.

“It’s not that, but I feel like I’m the only one who’s excited about this.”

Jung Hyun-woo received his words in a dry voice.

“To be honest, I don’t think it’s something to be excited about.”

“……”

“Because it’s not even news that Japanese companies are doing well.”

Jung Hyun-woo had grown so much that John Pier was embarrassed. And apart from that fact, NTT (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation) repeatedly recorded unbelievable results.

By the second week of listing, NTT shook the Tokyo Stock Exchange, recording an increase of 180%.