"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"I would like to send you abroad to the United States so that you may further develop, but in this Blue House, there is no one who can speak out with correct analysis such as you, Seongsu. So, next time, when I have the opportunity, I will send you. But Seongsu."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Who should I send first?"
"I think it would be a good idea to send the student body presidents of each university who cooperated actively in the protests against the previous deployment of troops abroad to study abroad."
This is a president whose impression is again scrunched by my words.
"Seongsu, to some extent they are anti-government figures."
This is what I think because I oppose the Yushin system.
"So wouldn't it be better to send it out?"
Because he is a careful president who also considers things beyond the Yushin Constitution during demonstrations against sending troops, I believe my words will be accepted should I speak like this.
'Even after you die.'
Economic development should be realized in South Korea.
'Although!'
Another military coup will take place.
I believe that talent must be created. In the end, the people of the Republic of Korea will achieve democracy.
And would it be wise to only achieve democracy?
South Korea must take the path to prosperity.
"So you're sending it out?"
He is a president who responds immediately.
"I will persuade them to think about the future of the country."
But if you visit the US or Europe, you might turn into an anti-government leader."
"Your Majesty, even if I get scolded by you, I really want to tell you this."
"What is it?"
"That student body president, even though less than Your Excellency, would also want the Republic of Korea to prosper as well."
The president stared at me intensely with my words.
"That's true. Perhaps protesting and making a scene in the nation won't do any good for the Republic of Korea whatsoever, so Seongsu, as you've suggested, letting them go abroad to study might not be a bad idea."
sopping wet!
Then a knock was heard.
Lee Jae-gyu, 3rd Corps Commander, entered along with the Chief of Staff to the President.
"Loyalty, Commander of the 3rd Corps, I have rushed here at Your Majesty's bidding."
"Sit down, comrades. Hahaha!"
As the President addressed the 3rd Corps Commander, the 3rd Corps Commander cast a look in my direction who was sitting facing the President.
'There must be something to hear.'
Based on what I've heard, the opposition as well as the pro-democracy camp are rebuking me as a young viper wrapped around a dictator.
* * *
"Commander of the 3rd Corps, no, special envoy."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Lee Jae-gyu, who had been named special envoy to Iran by the president, was unable to contain his expression of surprise.
"I won't look down on Secretary Lee Seong-su and take his advice."
The president barely ever spoke casually to other government officials.
"Yes, I'll try my best to remember it, Your Majesty."
"Hahaha, Seongsu, that man is Zhuge Liang, Zhuge Liang!"
Last time, you referred to me as Jang Ja-bang, but this time the president is likening me to Zhuge Liang.
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'They are both emperors.'
Zhang Zifang's lord was also the emperor, and Zhuge Liang's lord was also Liu Bei, the emperor of Shu Han.
'Do you think of yourself as an emperor?'
I think that it could be like that without my realizing.
"Hey, special envoy."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Just remember that the future of the Republic of Korea depends on the shoulders of the special envoy."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Lee Jae-gyu immediately replied only because the president told him to do so.
* * *
The following day, in the Daehyun Group chairman's office.
When I introduced myself as being from the Blue House, I proceeded directly to the office of Chairman Wang of Daehyun Group.
Daehyun Group Chairman Wang stared at me in front of him with an earnest expression on his face.
"Did Your Majesty send it?"
"Your Majesty has granted me permission to visit here."
The reason to visit here is to raise money for the French Duke and offer seed money to my own investment.
Naturally, the president instructed the heads of the conglomerates not to spend the provided funds on private purposes.
If there isn't such a benefit, then I don't need to go running around.
"You just gave permission?"
"Yes, sir, that is the case."
"Why did His Majesty send you here?"
"Whatever I'm going to explain to you now has nothing to do with you, Your Majesty."
If the President claims to have permitted me to meet with Chairman Wang of Daehyun Group and denies it later, will it cease to matter?
'No.'
Chairman Wang is the chairman of a conglomerate, so he can't help but be anxious.
"Even if you say it like that, it doesn't sound like that."
"I know you will. So I'm sorry."
"Your name is Seongsu, right? His Majesty told me you were his special assistant."
"Yes, that's right."
"Then what do you want to say to me?"
"I think the chairman is a wise businessman before he becomes the group leader."
"Hahaha, it's been quite some time since I've heard from a businessman."
"I apologize if I was rude."
"No, so what did you come here with Your Majesty on your back to trade?"
This is Chairman Wang of Daehyun Group, who is able to read my motives.
"Aren't you also producing cars in collaboration with Ford?"
"so?"
"You have obtained the technology to produce cars, so shouldn't you now produce ships?"
"ship?"
"Yes, I came here to tell you how to acquire a shipyard that is capable of producing that ship using foreign capital, not Daehyun Group capital. If you are planning on building a shipyard, wouldn't it be profitable?"
"Thoughts become money?"
This is Daehyun Group Chairman Wang, appearing taken aback by my statement.
"I'm sure you'll think so."
"Aide Lee Seong-su."
"Yes, sir."
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"Are you a soldier now?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Are you interested in politics?"
Why would Daehyun Group's Chairman Wang suddenly ask me this question?
"I am not interested in politics."
If I were to become a politician after being discharged from the military, I believe the President would support me with all his energy.
"then?"
"I want to be a businessman like you, Chairman."
"Then why not come to me and learn after being discharged from the military?"
This is a scout offer.
'What if I take the scout offer?'
I could become an idiot.
"I'm sorry. I want to be a master like you, Chairman. I don't want to be a servant who works for the master."
"I don't like being a servant. Hahaha! Your ambition is great. Good. Then tell me what you think."
With the president supporting me, my opinions can only be worth something.
"I'll take it out."
I took my wallet out of my suit pocket immediately and pulled out a 500 won note. There is a turtle ship illustrated on the 500 won note.
The first ironclad ship in the world.
We are a country that has already constructed such ironclad ships ages ago.
"This is the chairman's shipyard."
Upon my words, Chairman Wang of Daehyun Group altered his expression into one of confusion.
'I stole your idea.'
It does not matter.
Now, Daehyun Group Chairman Wang would never have dreamed of it.
* * *
The same night, in the study of Chairman Eunseong Group's house.
"The President's special adviser is waiting outside?"
Eunseong Group Chairman Kim Byeong-cheol inquired of his chief secretary.
"Yes, that's correct. I'm young, but I told him I had to see the chairman at all costs."
"Is Your Majesty planning to abdicate now?"
Eunseong Group Chairman Kim Byeong-cheol scowled.
"yes?"
"It's time to get the money."
This is something you can remember like the Eunseong Group Chairman.
"You'll see it when you see it, so call me inside."
"Yes, sir."
"Save it in dollars."
"yes."
Upon answering the chief secretary, he stepped out of his personal study.
* * *
"Hello, my name is Lee Seong-su."
I greeted Eunseong Group Chairman Kim Byeong-cheol politely.
[Hahaha, it's a good plan, but at least one of them has to be tricked by me?]
This is Eunseong Group Chairman Kim Byeong-cheol, who glares at me when I greet him.
I recalled a dialogue I had afterwards with Chairman Wang of Daehyun Group.
'Money makes the better.'
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[I think that is up to the chairman's capability.] [To borrow money in the form of corporate bonds from the Bank of England, I'll need to receive an order from the Greek shipping magnate, and the Greek shipping magnate will likely provide me with the ship order on the condition that I borrow money to construct a shipyard, under the guise that he has trouble believing what I say.] [So, you have to bring this 500 won note along when you visit the Greek shipping magnate.] [This is my weapon?] [Yes. If you explain your dream by stating that our people have been constructing ironclad ships for 300 years, the Greek shipping magnate will be interested.] [But it looks like it would be futile effort.] [Did you try it?]
It would not be an overstatement to say that this is actually the sole prerogative of Chairman Wang of Daehyun Group.
[Hehehe, look at this fellow.] [Your Majesty believes that only the growth of heavy industry can develop South Korea.] [I believe so too.] [That's why I came here.] [Does coming here mean you're going somewhere else as well?] [Your Majesty is so poor, and South Korea is in dire need of special activity funds for national development.] [How much does it cost?] [It's 3 million dollars. I want a 5% stake in Daehyun Shipbuilding, the company that will be formed along with it.] [Is that Your Majesty's order?] [It has nothing to do with Your Majesty. Your Majesty only gave me permission.] [You're saying that Your Majesty has given you a 5% stake in Daehyun Shipbuilding, the company that I intend to form.]
And eventually, we will force the South Korean government to invest in the shares of big corporations.
'That's the Bank of Japan.'
Another reason why Japanese firms don't mind declining share prices is that the Bank of Japan is a big shareholder of the firms.
[You misinterpreted. I sold my idea to the chairman.] [Even if you mention it, it will sound otherwise to the listener.] [Don't you like it?] [I can't dislike it. Let's do that.] [Please put it in writing. Verbal promises are worthless.] [This fellow is intelligent. Then, I have a question. May I ask you?] [There is no free lunch.] [I will pay well.] [I will listen.] [I am considering going to the Middle East to do some construction work, but everyone in the group is opposed to it. So what do you think?] [Have you been to the Middle East?]