Chapter 743: It’s Probably Still Alive

There’s a saying that the pen is mightier than the sword.

It means that the media is important. Public opinion tends to sway depending on the articles the media publishes.

That’s why those in power want to control the media.

A prime example of this is China. I planned to use this opportunity to expose the ugly side of China, which they’d concealed through control.

Even as Murdoch busily worked to acquire the Wall Street Journal, he did not disobey my orders.

He began to use his yellow press to publish articles about the corruption of high-ranking Chinese officials, one by one.

The first thing Murdoch released was an article about the corruption of the Shanghai faction’s powerful figures.

Although newspapers in the UK, Australia and the U.S. published the articles, not a single line appeared in the Chinese media.

“Hmm.”

I let out a sigh as I looked at the articles from Murdoch’s media companies online.

“The Chinese media is still silent, isn’t it?”

“Yes, Boss.”

“I expected it but it’s still surprising. If I were Hu Jintao, I wouldn’t let this opportunity slip away.”

There was a reason why I released corruption articles about the Shanghai faction’s high-ranking figures first, out of the Shanghai faction, the Princelings, and the Communist Youth League.

It was to incite internal conflict between them.

I thought they would at least leak the articles through smaller news outlets.

“No matter how much I think about it, I can’t shake the feeling that something is happening where I can’t see it.”

Even if China is reckless it’s not like them to act this way. Could my involvement really have warped history this much?

“What is it? Why are they doing this?”

It felt off to dismiss it as just an attempt to tame Korea. It was a clear attack on me.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve felt like this.’

Like being in a fog, where nothing is clear.

Leaning back on the sofa, I tapped the armrest as I sank into thought.

I was the one who helped them build the gas and oil pipelines between Russia and China, which was their long-cherished project. I was also an investor who had made massive investments in China.

There was no real reason for them to be hostile towards me.

Since this didn’t happen in my past life, all I could do now was speculate.

“Has Black Bear reported anything else?”

“Yes. They’ve mobilized all available personnel to gather information about China, but they haven’t found much.”

If even Black Bear, who can find out anything, said there was nothing, then there really was nothing.

“Well, it’s hard to get close to the top echelons of China. It would be difficult to get information easily.”

The reason why I knew exactly what Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao wanted and what their weaknesses were was because of my memories from my past life.

But, because of me, many things had changed and now things I didn’t know were constantly happening.

“Is the surveillance on Wen Jiabao still in place?”

“Yes. After Black Bear tracked the surveillance team, they sent a report that they’re presumed to be agents from the State Security Department.”

When I last talked to Wen Jiabao, he told me that the surveillance on him had intensified.

So, I instructed Black Bear to find out who was watching Wen Jiabao.

“As expected. That explains why Wen Jiabao is being so cautious.”

They probably don’t intend to get rid of Wen Jiabao. This must be an extreme measure to prevent him from helping me.

“And it’s reported that several informants and HUMINT agents sent by Black Bear have been arrested.”

Manager Ma reported this while slightly lowering his head. Hearing that, I unknowingly narrowed my brow.

“Weren’t their identities kept top secret? How did they find out?”

“They haven’t figured that out yet. They’re just presuming that one of the HUMINT agents may have betrayed them.”

When it comes to gathering information, people were the most accurate source.

That was why Black Bear had created an extensive human network in various parts of the world to obtain information.

Unlike national agencies, Black Bear, as a PMC, was able to move more freely.

“Since they’re structured as a cell network, it’s unlikely that the network will collapse, but they’ve asked to inform you that their activities are restricted. Therefore, they said the burden is heavy as the personnel deployed to China are also creating new networks in addition to collecting information.”

“This is more complicated than I thought.”

I didn’t know it’d be this frustrating when things didn’t go the way I wanted.

“A force that would be hostile to me…”

Suddenly, an organization popped into my head.

Valtiche.

If it was them, who suffered massive losses because of me, they could have orchestrated all of this.

China must be working with them. If it was Valtiche, they were more than capable enough to fill the void I left.

“Contact Lorenze Medici. We need to know Valtiche’s movements. It seems they are behind everything.”

“Understood, Boss.”

If Valtiche teamed up with China, the U.S. wouldn’t dare to move recklessly either.

* * *

Jiang Zemin was meeting with the French Ambassador to China at his residence.

“Chairman Jiang Zemin. It’s been a long time.”

“Yorris. I heard you’ve come as the ambassador to China this time. It’s been years since we met in Shanghai, hasn’t it?”

Jiang Zemin greeted Yorris with a smile.

The two had met when Jiang Zemin was the Party Secretary of Shanghai, and they had maintained a pretty good relationship.

“I’ve come this far thanks to you.”

“Thanks to me? I’m just a has-been now.”

“What are you saying? I’ve come here to help with what you’re doing. I’m their messenger.”

Jiang Zemin’s eyes flickered at Yorris’s words.

“To replace the French ambassador to China in one go, and send their messenger? They’re capable.”

Jiang Zemin had also known about Valtiche’s existence for a long time.

If they hadn’t approached him, he wouldn’t have thought of attacking Kim Mu-hyeok, let alone trying to tame Korea.

“As promised, if all the investment funds related to Dream High are withdrawn due to this, they said they would take it all on. And they would invest more money in China.”

“That’s good news. But why are they making such a proposal now? I’ve been requesting investments from various European countries, but they’ve all been rejected.”

“Back then…”

Jiang Zemin asked as if he was truly curious, but Yorris swallowed nervously.

He was one of those who was against it, so if he were to be questioned, he’d have nothing to say.

“I’m not blaming you. I was just curious. Don’t worry about it, and tell me.”

After hesitating for a moment at Jiang Zemin’s prompting, Yorris spoke.

“Because China now is different from what China used to be. Back then, we couldn’t trust them.”

Jiang Zemin raised an eyebrow and responded to Yorris’s words.

“Couldn’t trust them? That’s disappointing. So there was no trust in my relationship with you.”

“No, it’s not that I don’t trust you. You know how it is, don’t you? If you wanted to do any business in China, you couldn’t do anything without bribes.”

As if asking what the problem was, Jiang Zemin tilted his head in confusion.

“It’s a reality you can’t deny. It’s called Guanxi, but Guanxi can’t be established without gifts. Things haven’t changed much even now, but it is better than it used to be.”

“That’s a funny story. Well, it doesn’t matter.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

Jiang Zemin waved his hand as if he wasn’t moved. Then, he asked again with a serious expression.

“So what’s their message?”

Yorris took out a note from his pocket and handed it to Jiang Zemin.

“What is this?”

“The Chinese companies that Kim Mu-hyeok has invested in.”

After checking the names of the companies, Jiang Zemin nodded.

“I already know about these. But I can’t let all of these companies fail. You know the reason, right?”

“Yes, I know.”

The investment funds of the high-ranking officials of the Communist Party were also invested in the companies Kim Mu-hyeok had invested in.

“You just need to make it so we can take over the shares that Kim Mu-hyeok owns.”

“So that was the goal.”

Jiang Zemin’s lips curled up. Seeing this, Yorris shook his head slightly and continued.

“That’s just one of the goals. They want Kim Mu-hyeok to fall.”

“Hmm…”

Jiang Zemin stroked his chin and looked at Yorris.

“Europe is a better partner than Korea, isn’t it? Besides, the U.S. won’t interfere this time. There are people in the U.S. who are uncomfortable with Korea’s rising status as well.”

“What about Russia?”

“Over there…”

Valtiche had also invested money and people to exert influence in Russia.

But the owner of the Kremlin, who became president with the help of Kim Mu-hyeok, had purged all the people associated with Valtiche.

“Our relationship with Russia is more important than the distant U.S.”

“I know. I also know about the relationship between Kim Mu-hyeok and the Russian President. But they won’t be able to move rashly without justification either.”

He was right. The flow of the times naturally made each country keep each other in check.

Jiang Zemin, nodding slightly, put the note he was holding into a drawer.

“I’ll prepare so you can take over the shares if Kim Mu-hyeok withdraws from China.”

“Thank you, Chairman Jiang Zemin.”

“More than that…”

Jiang Zemin, who spoke with an unpleasant tone, showed displeasure on his face.

“European media are trying to degrade China’s national prestige.”

Yorris’s face hardened.

“I’m disappointed. How can you do anything with me if you can’t even stop that. Tsk…”

“European countries prioritize freedom of the press above all else. And the influential newspapers haven’t moved yet.”

“Rupert Murdoch. That old man is the vanguard.”

“Yes.”

“Is there no way to stop that old man? Deal with him quickly. You should.”

“We’re already preparing. Rupert Murdoch’s…”

Yorris opened his mouth and talked about what was currently being done.

* * *

“You can’t track down Lorenze Medici?”

“That’s correct. All communication lines with us have been cut off, and Black Bear hasn’t been able to find his whereabouts either.”

To have cut off all communications and go into hiding. There’s no way an ambitious guy would disappear like that.

“What about his businesses? And the Medici family’s movements?”

“His businesses are running smoothly. The Medici family hasn’t made any moves either.”

“What about his last known location?”

“Six months ago, he entered Austria, and after that, he vanished like a ghost.”

The head of the family has disappeared, but the family isn’t making any moves.

“Any signs of rebellion?”

“There were no movements to pick a new head of the family at all.”

This seems like my assumption is correct after all.

Lorenze Medici was suspected of having a relationship with me, and he cleverly avoided the traps they set up.

But once suspicion has been planted, it never goes away.

If they hadn’t suspected him, they wouldn’t have been watching him, but once they started suspecting him, they would have continued to watch him.

That was why I hadn’t contacted Lorenze Medici, and he hadn’t contacted me either.

“He’s probably still alive. He probably cut off communications with the outside world and proceeded with this plan.”

Because I couldn’t contact him, I became more sure.

Valtiche had definitely joined hands with them. If I were to withdraw from China, they would fill the void.

“I need to reconsider withdrawing from China.”

I couldn’t let them benefit from it. If I withdrew, they’d happily take over my shares.

Just as I was about to give Manager Ma instructions, my phone rang loudly.

“Older Brother. I was just about to call you…”

—A competitor has entered the Dow Jones acquisition!

Before I could even finish speaking, Han Gyeong-yeong urgently interrupted me.

“There’s always going to be competitors, but there shouldn’t be any place with a better offer than us?”

—The New York Times. That is the Sulzberger family has entered the acquisition.

“What?”

The Sulzberger family was a family that had managed the New York Times for over 100 years.

Along with the Graham family of the Washington Post and the Bancroft family of the Wall Street Journal, they were families that had a great influence on the American media.

But the current financial state of the New York Times wasn’t very good either.

If their financial situation was good, they would have made a proposal to acquire the Bancroft family before Murdoch approached them.

“They shouldn’t have the money either?”

—The New York Times has joined hands with George Soros.

George Soros.

A man who was once a Wall Street legend.

A man who lost money in a fight with us and then profited massively by attacking Japan with us.

And… a man who was also a subordinate of Valtiche.