"I'm sorry, but… what do you mean?"
Did he say his name was Yasumoto?
He replied that he had never seen me before.
But soon, as if something came to mind, he carefully opened his mouth.
"Oh, maybe I seem familiar because I'm a Zainichi…"
Zainichi means he's a Korean living in Japan.
Right at that moment, the word "Zainichi" brought back a scene from my memory and unfolded it before my eyes.
"Jenjang…"
It was the day I visited Chairman Dazai's house.
I vaguely remember seeing a man muttering to himself in Korean as I passed through a wide hallway.
It was just a fleeting moment.
Why do I even remember it?
It was because I felt a similar emotion that day.
Because of his familiar appearance, I probably greeted him first.
But no name came to mind.
"Looks like I mistook you for someone else."
I must have just turned away like that.
That's why I remembered that day, even if only vaguely.
"If you're a Zainichi… do you have a Korean name?"
"Yes."
His mouth movements became noticeably awkward, as if he wasn't fluent in Korean.
"Yan Ugg Gwanuh."
"Yang Eok-gwan?"
"Yes, that's right."
Ha!
No wonder you looked so familiar!
I asked one more time, just in case.
"Where is your hometown?"
"I heard it's Daegu."
That's right!
The investment genius of IT startups.
Japan's wealthiest man!
The early investor in Yahoo and Alibaba, and the man who funded Korea's X-Pang, famous for fast delivery, and the largest shareholder in the semiconductor company Architecture.
But by now… shouldn't Yang Eok-gwan already be a billionaire?
So why?
'There's no way history has changed because of me….'
…right?
It's understandable for Yoo-geon to change.
'Since we live in the same house, he could be influenced.'
But the only connection I have with Yang Eok-gwan is that I visited Chairman Dazai.
That's hardly enough to change history….
Scratch, scratch.
'I don't know!'
Let's just focus on the situation in front of me for now.
I asked for a professional manager recommendation, and the Warren Buffett of Japan shows up out of nowhere.
'This is a windfall for me!'
So, with a beaming face, I said,
"Instead of talking here, how about we move to another location?"
***
Hannam-dong office.
"This is a really nice office."
Yang Eok-gwan looked around as if fascinated.
It's not a particularly large space.
But students from Seoul National University's Fine Arts Department had worked together on the interior, so…
The atmosphere must definitely feel different.
After a while, I checked the documents he brought and said,
"So, you've been in the software distribution business."
"Yes. Mainly handling games and computer-related books."
He's even from the same industry.
There's no better person to handle my work in my place!
I could sign the contract right away.
"...."
But honestly, there was something that bothered me.
'What if history really has changed?'
What if, by some chance, Yang Eok-gwan had changed in a negative way?
That would only hurt me!
I shook my head.
'Right, they say even if you cross a bridge, you should check it first.'
There's money on the line, so if I have any doubts, I should clear them completely.
So, I decided to ask a simple question.
"Have you ever thought about the relationship between Korea and China?"
"Pardon?"
Since he was born in Japan and studied in the U.S., he must be well-versed in both countries.
In contrast, he would likely have less interest in Korea and China.
If he can talk about Korea-China relations without hesitation under those circumstances…
'There would be no reason to doubt his abilities.'
I continued speaking with confidence.
"Since this company is based in Korea, we have no choice but to closely monitor the situation in China."
A question disguised as a test.
Yang Eok-gwan seemed to catch on, as he adjusted his posture.
"Korea and China will maintain a good partnership for a certain period."
"What do you mean by a certain period?"
"Until China attains the same level of technology as Korea."
Hmm.
"The moment they think they've caught up with Korea, China will close its doors. It's the natural course of action. Every country does it."
So far, this aligns perfectly with the future I had foreseen.
"Unless you become a country that is irreplaceable, you'll eventually be dragged along."
"An irreplaceable country is…"
"The U.S. is a prime example."
That's correct.
Even if China challenges the U.S. for global dominance in the future, they would still line up to buy Apple products.
The 'best' image Apple holds is something China can't obtain.
"How far do you think China will grow?"
"Economically, they'll grow enough to threaten the U.S."
"Do you think they could surpass the U.S.?"
Yang Eok-gwan paused briefly at this point to choose his words.
"If certain conditions are met, they could aim for global dominance."
"What conditions would those be?"
"The first thing that needs to happen is extreme conflict. For example, war…"
Did he think his words were too dangerous?
Yang Eok-gwan took another pause before continuing.
"China has no desire for an all-out war with the U.S. That scenario isn't even considered. However, they would welcome war in other countries. Especially if oil-producing nations get involved and international oil prices fluctuate… that would present an opportunity for China."
An opportunity.
"Right now, oil can only be traded in dollars, so the dollar's dominance is maintained. But under rapidly changing circumstances, if, say, a country like Saudi Arabia starts accepting the yuan…"
"The dollar's dominance would be shaken."
"Of course, the U.S. won't just sit back and watch. But if that day ever comes, Saudi Arabia's standing would rise considerably. Both the U.S. and China would be extending their hands to them."
Could this man have lived in the future?
Otherwise, how could he see the future so clearly?
"But Korea is not Saudi Arabia. The day will inevitably come when Korea is forced to choose between the U.S. and China."
"Is balanced diplomacy impossible?"
"For Saudi Arabia, it might be. They are one of the irreplaceable countries."
Yang Eok-gwan's argument was simple.
Irreplaceability!
The U.S.'s technological prowess and China's purchasing power are irreplaceable to each other.
That's why, even in the midst of their power struggle, they continue to make deals behind the scenes.
But on the other hand.
If a country is replaceable?
'They would only get beaten up between the great powers.'
It's a bitter but harsh reality.
But enough worrying about the country for now.
I focused on Yang Eok-gwan, who was sitting in front of me.
A man who can see the future clearly has come to run my company.
'Excuse me, sir…'
Instead of stressing over managing your own money, how about just working comfortably at our company?
Then you can enjoy life without any headaches…
Heh.
I know it's a vain hope.
Chairman Park Yong-hak is not someone who would work under anyone.
Yang Eok-gwan, like my grandfather, has the same temperament.
In terms of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, he is more of a ruler than a general.
It's a shame, but…
'The only thing I can do is maintain a good relationship with him while we're together.'
Anyway, by the time I graduate from high school, I'll be retiring too…
In any case!
I extended my hand to Yang Eok-gwan.
"Chairman Dazai has sent me a noble person."
"By that, you mean…"
"I'm looking forward to working with you."
***
Grandfather was deeply engrossed in the proposal that Yang Eok-gwan had brought.
A system that dramatically reduces communication costs.
Something about automatically finding and connecting to the cheapest line.
After checking with the engineers at Hyungang, the feedback was quite positive.
There's a similar system in the U.S., but in terms of efficiency and cost, this one was better.
"If it's that good, why didn't Chairman Dazai invest in it?"
"Who knows? Maybe it's because of his health issues? He once received a terminal diagnosis…"
"They say Japanese money is tied to life itself."
Grandfather shook his head as if he couldn't understand.
Still, with such a good background, similar expertise, and a great proposal…
Moreover, with Chairman Dazai recommending him, Grandfather would have no reason to reject him.
"Have you talked to him?"
"Yes, thoroughly."
"What did you think?"
"He's no ordinary person."
"You're entrusting your company to him. Think hard and long…"
Instead of launching into a long speech, Grandfather gazed out the window.
"They say it's a royal school."
"Yes."
"Do you really have to go?"
"I want to experience the bigger world."
"..."
A large full moon was hanging in the yard.
It was bright enough to clearly see the pond without any extra lighting.
"What will you do if you fail?"
"Pardon?"
"You said it's hard to get in. If you happen to fail, how about going to a science high school instead?"
And then, inherit Hyungang Motors?
Hmm.
It wasn't a scenario I liked.
But my grandfather had already compromised this much.
If I refused…!
"Okay. If I fail, I'll go to a science high school."
Just in case, I left out the part about the car.
Fortunately, it seemed my grandfather wasn't pushing that part either.
"When did you say your school interview is?"
"In two months."
"Make sure you hand things over properly by then."
"Thank you, Grandfather."
I bowed my head and left the study.
Before I locked the door, I caught a glimpse of my grandfather's back through the crack, and he looked oddly lonely.
'If you just don't mention inheriting the company… I could be a good grandson too!'
I steeled my resolve.
Click.
I quietly let go of the doorknob.
***
The handover wasn't that difficult.
When it came to work, Yang Eok-gwan's focus was unmatched.
He quickly reviewed various indicators, categorized them based on his own standards, and then presented improvement plans all in one go.
Given the circumstances.
'Is he even human?'
I couldn't help but be amazed every time.
Of course, there were also times when Yang Eok-gwan was surprised.
That mostly happened when he checked the company's performance.
"The returns on investment are beyond imagination."
"Really?"
"You bought in at the lowest points, and after that, you made unbelievable profits. The fact that you didn't sell means… you still see growth potential, right?"
"Something like that."
But there were moments when even Yang Eok-gwan showed confusion.
"…Hmm."
"What's wrong?"
"Every business is profitable, except for one."
He scanned the documents further and asked.
"Are you investing in soccer with a long-term perspective?"
"It's just a hobby."
"A hobby?"
"It's kind of the reason I make money."
"Seems like quite a bit of money goes into relieving your stress."
Maybe it was hard for someone like him, who's a "money-making machine," to accept it.
Not long after, he came up with an idea.
"I'm hesitant to suggest this regarding your hobby, but…"
"…?"
"There might be a way to make money from soccer as well."
Real estate profits from acquiring a football club?
But the investment genius Yang Eok-gwan seemed to have a different idea.
"How about bidding for broadcasting rights?"
TL/n -
Hey everyone!
From now on, there'll be regular updates — one chapter every day.
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