Chapter 130: Everyone Seems to Be Too Greedy

I met with Boris Berezovsky, Yeltsin’s daughter, and the head of the Kremlin’s administration.

Yeltsin’s daughter, Tatyana Dyachenko.

Valentiy Yumashev, the head of the administration.

These two were the hidden powers of Russia.

If Putin was the future power, these two were the present ones.

Although their power was waning, they were still the ones pulling the strings in Russia.

“Hello, I’m Kim Mu-hyeok. I’m honored to mee you.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Dyachenko.”

The atmosphere was quite amiable.

However, knowing their ugly desires, I wasn’t very pleased with this meeting.

We exchanged pleasantries and took our seats, hiding our true intentions.

The first to speak was Head of Administration Yumashev.

“So you want to invest in Russia?”

“Yes.”

“You’re different from the other investors. They’re all pulling out of Russia, yet you want to invest. That’s interesting.”

I could sense his desire from his gaze.

“Opportunity only comes at the end of a crisis, doesn’t it? After all, this vast empire isn’t going anywhere. It’s only experiencing a temporary liquidity crisis. I believe in Russia’s future.”

“Hahaha. Such nice words!”

It was a meaningless conversation.

I wasn’t considering a large investment in Russia right now.

I was merely here to establish a connection with Putin, but I couldn’t leave without showing some goodwill first.

I had to make it look good for Berezovsky’s sake.

“First, let’s discuss bonds.”

“Bonds?”

The current Russian bonds on the market were basically worthless pieces of paper that no one wanted to buy.

Despite the fact that Dream High was competing with some other power for them, they were still trading at around twenty percent of their original price.

So, it wasn’t strange that Yumashev was surprised when I asked him to issue bonds.

“The last time a bond was successfully sold was, what, one point two billion dollars? I think it was about that much. It was before Russia declared a moratorium, two months ago.”

Two months before Russia declared a moratorium.

A grand party was held at the Moscow Federation Headquarters under the supervision of Goldman Sachs. It was attended by many former and current high-ranking officials, including the former president of the United States and the prime minister of Russia.

The last issuance of Russian bonds was also successfully conducted at that party.

Although Goldman Sachs expected ten billion dollars’ worth of bonds to be sold, bonds worth about twelve point five billion dollars changed hands.

However, when Russia declared a moratorium two months later, the bonds from that issuance became worthless pieces of paper.

Now, I was the one bringing up the issuance of bonds again.

“Well, yes, but…”

Yumashev’s voice trailed off.

Did he think that issuing bonds wouldn’t benefit him?

It seemed he only thought of his own profits, not Russia’s economy.

Just then, Dyachenko, who was talking with Berezovsky, spoke up.

“How much are you considering for the bond issuance? We’re in quite a hurry here.”

“The bonds have no buyers. I can only underwrite them myself, so let’s go with two hundred million dollars.”

Dyachenko widened her eyes.

“You’ll be underwriting two hundred million dollars all by yourself?”

“Yes. I can handle that much myself.”

Surprise spread across the faces of everyone, including Dyachenko.

Berezovsky intervened.

“You’re not lying, are you?”

“Do you think I would give a fraudulent amount to people like you?”

Berezovsky’s gaze was that of someone who had just found a juicy target.

Feigning a smile, I spoke to Dyachenko again.

“I can handle it myself since I don’t need an underwriter like the American investment banks. Make the interest rate fifty percent for the five-year term.”

“Fifty percent?”

“That shouldn’t be too much of a demand.”

While this was an investment to gain favor, I had no intention of taking a loss.

As the interest in bonds rose, their market price dropped.

Russia went so far as to raise short-term rates to one hundred fifty percent, but it still couldn’t reverse investors’ sentiment in the international market.

Considering that South Korea’s five-year government bonds had an interest rate of fifteen percent, something that was quite modest given their lack of abundant underground resources, this was a ridiculous number.

It was proof that the financial market didn’t believe in Russia.

“This isn’t beneficial for us…”

Dyachenko said bluntly.

“There’s no fee for the bond issuance. I heard that the fee for Goldman Sachs is fifty million dollars…”

Dyachenko seemed to have figured out the hidden meaning behind my words.

“I can see that you’re a reasonable person. I’ll be in touch. It was a good time.”

Dyachenko and Yumashev got up from their seats as if they had finished what they needed to say.

“I’ll be waiting for good news.”

After seeing Dyachenko and Yumashev off, I began to talk to Berezovsky again.

I secretly laughed at how different the atmosphere was around Berezovsky now compared to when we first met.

“Don’t you have any interest in Russian companies?”

Was he planning to dump all of his companies on me?

“Not yet. I don’t know enough about Russia to make a rash investment. I’m only considering investing because they’re government bonds. Even if they declared default, I didn’t think they would isolate themselves from the international community… not unless they wanted to go back to what they were like during the Soviet Union.”

Who does he think I am?

If Putin cleaned up the oligarchs after he came to power, I could acquire their companies then. There was no need to acquire them right now.

“…”

Berezovsky stroked his chin and hesitated, perhaps due to my firm tone.

“Is there anything urgent? I might as well… I might know some companies you like once you know more about Russia. Chairman Berezovsky would also like to become friends with you.”

“That’s a shame. There are so many good companies out there. I could take my time to pick one.”

He was licking his lips in regret.

“Russia has plenty of potential for growth.”

With its abundant natural resources, Russia is a country that cannot be ignored.

Political turmoil and serious corruption involving the oligarchs and bureaucratic red tape, however, were Russia’s problems.

“What can you do?”

“Help me find a nice mansion. I think I’ll be coming to Russia quite often, so I can’t keep staying at hotels.”

“That’s true. I’ll find you a nice mansion.”

“Thank you.”

After some useless chatter with Berezovsky, we parted ways.

I watched as the car that was giving Berezovsky a ride disappeared from my view and went up to my hotel room.

“Hoo… Those greedy bastards.”

Sitting on the sofa, I loosened my tie and took it off.

Manager Ma, who took my tie, replied,

“Well, it’s no wonder our country is like this, considering that those in power are like that.”

“Our country is no different. Those in power are corrupt as well. Well, at least this makes it easy for me to conduct my operations.”

The more people with power are corrupted, the easier my work becomes.

How wonderful this world would be if everything was done within the bounds of the law…

But no such world exists.

“Get in touch with Korea. Ask about Jungwoo Motors.”

“Yes, Boss.”

Even though I was tired, I had to get things done.

“Boss, I’m connected to President Han.”

I took the phone, pressed it to my ear, and

“Hyung.”

Oh, Mu-hyeok? How’s Russia treating you?”

I didn’t come to Russia just for sightseeing.

“How are the Russian girls?”

I don’t even have time to meet anyone! Stop making small talk and tell me about Jungwoo Motors!”

Oh yes. I have already closed it. After the massive layoffs, we should discuss it with Il-sung Motors next..

You’re still allowing those bastards to talk?”

They’re demanding to see our financial statements and insist that they must get paid. Where did they get our financial statements anyway?”

Those fuckers really don’t know their place, do they?”

A big deal was being finalized under Kim Hak-gwon’s government.

If you fell out of favor with the government, it would be hard for even Il-sung Motors to survive. If they cut off our financing, that would be the end of it.

Just have to tell them to shut their mouths or give the government the right to negotiate on our behalf. It’s best that we deal with them before they try anything funny, which they’ll inevitably do. Tell them that if they keep this up, I won’t think twice before doing it myself.”

Got it. I’ll negotiate with them some more first.”

“Make sure you handle all of our subsidiaries that need to be disposed of in the same way as Jungwoo Motors. Don’t go easy on them. If you’re too nice, they’ll think it’s their right.”

Understood.

Nothing else?”

No… Oh, the Conservative Party contacted us and wants to meet. What should I do?”

The Conservative Party? Why?”

I don’t know. It’s probably better to meet and find out.”

During the last purge of the Cheongpung Group, the Conservative Party suffered irreversible damage. Many of its members were executed one after the other no one had the courage to speak up. Several high-ranking officials were also imprisoned. Choi Chang-geun, who had dropped out of the presidential race last year due to the Cheongpung Group’s influence, rose to the presidency of the Conservative Party, but he would also come to know the terror of those in power.

Find out what they want. I’ve got nothing to lose by meeting them”

Alright. I’ll listen to what they have to say. Are you planning to go back to Korea soon?”

Next week, maybe? If it’s late, it might take a little longer.”

Just don’t spend all your time on work. Make some time for the Russian girls, or you’ll die young.”

I shook my head and smiled wryly. “Goodbye.”

I woke up after taking a shower. I didn’t want to die early like Han Gyeong-yeong said.

* * *

After meeting Kim Mu-hyeok, Dyachenko and Yumahev went back to the Kremlin Palace and immediately instructed FSB Director Putin to come to the Kremlin Palace.

‘You called for me?”

Come to the office, Putin.”

Putin entered the office of Yumashev, who welcomed him with open arms.

Dyachenko merely nodded at Putin and crossed her legs, sitting back in her chair.

It’s been a while, Dyachenko,” said Putin, who greeted her before taking a seat.

Do you know a businessman named Kim Mu-hyeok who has recently coe to Moscow?”

Putin’s expression became a little more serious when he asked that.

Do you mean Kim Mu-hyeok?”

Yes. A few days ago, I met with him through the introduction of Chairman Berezovsky.”

Did you find his answer satisfactory?”

Putin asked Yumashev with an expression of approval on his face.

What does he want?”

He claimed to be a businessman but says he does not only do legal business and expects to need the FSB’s help often.”

Putin didn’t tell them that Kim Mu-hyeok had expressed his wsh to get close to him.

What else do you know about him?”

He’s from the Republic of Korea. He owns Dream High Investment in the U.S., and he also owns a mercenary company based in the U.S. called Black Bear.”

Dream High Investment?”

Yes. It’s a famous investment company on Wall Street. He made a fortune during the recent Asian economic crisis. The intelligence agency believes he also keeps a good relationship with the U.S. government.”

Crime, then.”

He seems to be wealthy enough for something to come up about him… Why?”

……”

If he is capable of investing in Russia, then that’s enough. That is what matters, isn’t it?”

Yes, it is. Monitor who he meets in Russia and report to me daily,” said Putin as he lowered his head to say goodbye and left Yumashev’s office.

Putin’s expression was grim as he walked out of the office of the FSB.

Only when he arrived at his office in the Security Bureau did he call Kim Mu-hyeok.

After a few rings, the call connected.

This is Putin. I have a message for you.”

Kim Mu-hyeok. Sleeping?”

His voice was sluggish, as if he was half-asleep, but that was not important.”