Chapter 380: No Need to Take Everything Away

Originally, the semifinals should have concluded with the defeat of the South Korean national soccer team—1-0, to be exact.

But things changed. Just past the midway point of the second half, Ballack scored the first goal, sounding all too familiar.

However, just three minutes after Ahn Jung-hoon was substituted in with about ten minutes left in the match, he scored the equalizer, and then shortly before the final whistle, he netted the winning goal.

“…Boss. Did you anticipate this?”

Kim Byung-woo asked, his expression bewildered as he stared at the screen.

I, too, was watching TV with a stunned look. It was completely unexpected.

“No, I thought it was over after the semifinals.”

It was hard to believe, but the sight of the German national team sitting on the ground in tears, paired with the South Korean team joyously hugging each other on the field, made the result unmistakably clear.

[Dreams ★ Come True.]

Like a card display crafted by the Red Devils cheering section in the stands, dreams had transformed into reality.

‘What has changed?’

Could it really be because of me again?

The only thing different this time was Ahn Jung-hoon’s form.

Thanks to my swift resolution of Ahn Jung-hoon’s team issues, he settled his nerves and scored two goals.

It all began from Guus Hiddink’s request.

The caring coach personally asked me to handle it, which I did promptly and efficiently.

Finally, Lee Sang-geun neatly took care of the trash agent who had been dangling Ahn Jung-hoon like a straw.

Who would have guessed that such a small action would lead to this outcome?

A minor change led to a significant transformation. I found myself muttering under my breath.

“This is interesting.”

Kim Byung-woo, who had been glued to the TV, turned his head at my remark.

“What?”

“Nothing. I’m just amazed at how our players made it to the finals. It feels like we need to give the team a bigger gift than what we originally prepared.”

“That’s right.”

“Double the cash bonuses. Don’t go through the Korea Football Association, but send it directly to the players. Who knows if the association might take a cut?”

“Do you really think they’d do something like that?”

Kim Byung-woo looked skeptical, but I was certain.

In the past, bonuses given to players and national contributions had often been reduced to less than half after passing through the association.

“Just do it.”

“The Soccer Association might complain about this.”

“Ignore them.”

“But it could negatively affect Jungwoo Construction’s team. The professional league can’t escape the Soccer Association’s influence.”

Kim Byung-woo continued with a worried expression.

“You can’t run a professional team without considering the Soccer Association. But opposing their wishes… would be…”

“I’ll communicate separately with Chairman Song Chan-hyeok.””

“Understood. But even if you talk to Chairman Song, it will be hard to control everyone below him.”

As I mentioned that I’d speak separately to Song Chan-hyeok, Kim Byung-woo finaaly seemed convinced.

But his lingering concern was odd.

“Really? Is that possible? I’ve heard that Song Chan-hyeok has significant inffuence in the Korean soccer scene.”

Even I, an outsider, knew that Song Chan-hyeok’s standing in the ssccer world was solid.

“That’s true. Being a FIFA vice president and also personally investing in the development of soccer gives him considerable sway. But you know how it is? It only takes three people to start faction fights in Korean society. Just imagine how much chaos occurs within the association. On top of that, the professional league, while affiliated, often feels like the association looks down on them.”

It was a well-known fact that Korean sports were riddled with factions and corruption.

Especially in cash-heavy sports like soccer and baseball.

Still, it seems to be even worse than I initially thought.

“Just follow my orders. And keep an eye out for anyone showing discomfort. If the Jungwoo Royals face any disadvantages, then I’ll figure out what to do at that time. If things get tough, we can always sell the team.”

“Understood.”

After wrapping up my additional instructions, I shifted my gaze back to the TV.

I caught sight of our players greeting the public at the Sangam World Cup Stadium.

* * *

As expected, the match between Brazil and Turkey concluded with Brazil’s victory.

I prepared to head to the finals.

On the 29th, the day of the semifinals, I boarded a private jet heading to Japan.

Now, I couldn’t predict the match outcome. A tiny flicker of hope emerged that maybe—just maybe—Korea could win the World Cup.

At the airport, Han Gyeong-yeong awaited my arrival.

Seeing the haggard look on Han Gyeong-yeong’s face, I couldn’t resist teasing him.

“Hyung, you look great.”

“Who are you trying to fool? Great? Don’t even get me started on how many times I met with the Japanese government officials. Ha, it’s almost like I want to flip the table and walk out.”

“Haha, you’ve done well. Let’s just head out.”

I hopped into the car I had prepared with Han Gyeong-yeong and headed to the hotel.

The World Cup finals would be held in Yokohama, but that was scheduled for tomorrow.

Today, I planned to meet secretly with Prime Minister Koizumi.

That was also the reason I booked accommodation in Tokyo instead of Yokohama.

Throughout the drive, Han Gyeong-yeong talked excitedly about the national soccer team reaching the finals.

““In my lifetime, I can’t believe I’m witnessing Korea reach the World Cup finals. This can’t be real.”

Han Gyeong-yeong made a joke, repeatedly pinching his cheeks. He’d mentioned being tired, but seemed to have enough energy to be a bit overdramatic.

Even so, I could see how happy he was, and it made me smile.

“It’s not a dream. It’s reality.”

“Honestly, when Mu-hyeok said you’d reach the semifinals, I didn’t believe it. I thought no matter how good you are, you couldn’t control the players.”

I nodded my head.

“But when you reached the semifinals, I was surprised. And when you beat Germany to reach the finals, it felt like I had everything! Why do I feel happier at this moment than when I made a lot of money?”

“Honestly, it’s a miracle. But this World Cup has had so many unexpected outcomes.”

“Oh, what do you mean? This is completely beyond expectations!”

I quietly listened to Han Gyeong-yeong until we arrived at the hotel. My ears were almost ringing.

As soon as we entered the suite, I took my seat.

“Hyung, let’s talk about work now.”

Han Gyeong-yeong wiped the smile off his face in an instant. With a serious expression, he began to speak.

““First off, we’ve scrapped the semiconductor sale to Ilseong Electronics. Toshiba is buying it, with the Japanese government providing funding.”

It seems they chose to support it just like my scenario predicted.

“Toshiba isn’t willing to concede easily.”

“That’s expected. When the government is backing it, they’re not just going to let it go. No one knows how far this chicken game will go.”

Han Gyeong-yeong made an unhappy face.

“They’re just greedy. They’re suffering massive losses from their current semiconductors, yet they want to eye Ilseong Electronics.”

“Good job stopping them. By the way, have you met with Prime Minister Koizumi?”

“No, I only negotiated with the finance ministry officials. Once they saw that we were merely pretending to buy yen, they immediately got in touch. They must have felt the heat.”

That was understandable. Dream High hadn’t yet joined the currency war.

“Depending on how Dream High positions itself, others may follow. I bet that was what they were concerned about.”

“Do you still think Japan will win? If we help even a little, wouldn’t the hedge funds win?”

“Yes. This time, the Japanese government has made it clear they won’t back down,” I replied.

“That’s probably why the finance ministry officials seem completely unthreatened. Even with the Prime Minister’s order, they’re showing tons of reluctance.”

“Japanese officials are famous for their ways. Our public servants do better in comparison. It’s no wonder they call Japan the land of bureaucrats.”

Han Gyeong-yeong nodded in agreement, then asked again.

“That’s true. So this time, are we not taking any positions? Can’t we just take the same position as Japan?”

“Even doing that won’t yield any significant gains. Furthermore, there’s no need to clash with the Wall Street old-timers, right? Let them battle it out and self-destruct.”

Seemingly satisfied with letting both sides clash, Han Gyeong-yeong didn’t argue further.

“The reason I told you to act was to provide Chairman Koizumi a rationale for postponing Toshiba’s support.”

“Okay.”

Han Gyeong-yeong made a circle with his thumb and index finger.

“Did you find anything out about Dae Dong-hui?”y?”

“Someone is heading to Japan. They should be arriving at the airport by now.”

“Jessica, right? The employee from the Department of Homeland Security. She’s proven to be quite resourceful in passing along info.”

To be precise, it was a trade. I corrected Han Gyeong-yeong.

“I made a deal for the information in exchange for what I know. It’s more important than Dae Dong-hui, so Jessica had no no choice but to accept. Plus, she did make a mistake with me.”

“She made a mistake with you? And she still sits in that position? If it didn’t happen to your liking, she would have done whatever it took to ensure it didn’t, right?”

What does she think I am? Rolling my eyes, Han Gyeong-yeong tried to avoid the conversation.

“Whatever, our conversations did click. If I give something, they’ll provide credible information back. Isn’t that more trustworthy than a flimsy relationship?”

“Oh? You’re complimenting someone else for a change.”

“Well, anyone who holds a position in the Department of Homeland Security at such a young age proves their capability, right? Keeping them in mind could benefit us in the long run.”

I lifted my coffee cup to my mouth and took a sip, letting out a deep sigh without realizing.

“Why the long sigh? Isn’t everything going according to plan?”

“I thought it was on the right track, but then unforeseen variables arose. Because of that, I haven’t been sleeping well lately.”

“Such variables happen often in work. You’re just too much of a perfectionist.”

“Is that so?”

Though it was a small consolation, it strangely felt comforting.

I finished my coffee and set the empty cup down.

Then, tapping the armrest of my chair, I organized my thoughts.

“How about the American semiconductor companies?”

“They’re starting to lobby in Washington. They won’t be able to hold out much longer.”

“Really? It’s a bit later than expected. The deadline should be by the end of the year, right?”

“That’s likely, yes. If the U.S. government launches its anti-dumping measures, it’ll be troublesome.”

The U.S. government wouldn’t idly watch its semiconductor companies collapse.

Once semiconductor companies started intensifying pressure on the government, the U.S. would inevitably take action.

At that point, the chicken game would have to come to an end.

“Before that happens, I need to get Ilseong Electronics in my grasp.”

“Is it finally beginning?”

“After the finals, you’ll go to the U.S. Buy all the stocks belonging to Ilseong Group affiliates that aree being held by Wall Street. No matter how much it costs, don’t hesitate—double if necessary. Once you finish purchasing, go straight into a public buyout.”

It was as simple as that. Han Gyeong-yeong nodded in agreement.

“Are you planning a hostile takeover? Do you really expect to control all of Ilseong Group?””

“There’s no need to control everything. The company is already on its last legs. I definitely want Ilseong Electronics, and I’ll gradually topple the rest since Jungwoo Group has already invaded all Ilseong Group’s territories.””

“Chairman Kim Byung-woo is indeed effective at his job, isn’t he?”

“He’s exceptionally talented. He knows how to pick people.”

“That’s why I recommended him.”

I spent about an hour strategizing with Han Gyeong-yeong.

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Manager Ma opened it.

Standing in the doorway was Jessica.

“Charlie, it’s been a while!”

Jessica beamed as she walked in.

I shook her hand as she extended hers, smiling back.

“Good to see you. It must have been tough coming such a long way.”

Jessica reached out her hand to Han Gyeong-yeong beside me.

“Are you James Han? Nice to meet you. I’m Jessica.”

“Nice to meet you, Jessica. You’re lovely. I’m James Han.”

“You’re too kind.”

Han Gyeong-yeong greeted her with a warm smile as he took her hand.

After the introductions, we settled in our seats.

“Oh man…I really had a tough time pulling this off.”

She grumbled as she opened the briefcase she brought with her.