Chapter 749: I Wish I Could Dream Too

[Even the Wall Street Journal Ends Up in Murdoch’s Hands]

Media mogul Rupert Murdoch finally took control of the ‘Wall Street Journal’.

······Meanwhile, some voices are expressing concern that Murdoch has trampled on editorial independence.

According to the New York Times, the elders of the Bancroft family, who have led the Wall Street Journal for over 100 years, reportedly opposed the sale, fearing that it could tarnish the Wall Street Journal’s reputation. However, the sale was pushed through by the strong arguments of younger members. A source criticized that ‘The Wall Street Journal has succumbed to money’.]

[Rupert Murdoch, Dreams Come True]

Rupert Murdoch finally acquired the financial newspaper ‘Wall Street Journal’, which he had long coveted.

The Bancroft family, the major shareholder of the parent company Dow Jones, agreed to sell Dow Jones after several months of negotiations.

There is talk that Murdoch’s status will change through the acquisition of Dow Jones.

Murdoch owns more than 100 newspapers large and small around the world, but he is considered to lack political, economic, and social influence because he does not own an authoritative publication.

By acquiring the ‘Wall Street Journal,’ Murdoch and his family have grown into one of the leading families in the American media business, following the Sulzbergers, who own the New York Times, and the Grahams, who own the Washington Post.]

All of the media in the U.S. covered Murdoch’s acquisition of the Wall Street Journal.

Most of them published articles with a critical tone about Murdoch’s acquisition of the Wall Street Journal.

But whether the American media did so or not, we celebrated our victory with a party.

“Hahahaha.”

Murdoch kept laughing loudly as if he were drunk.

“I, I! Finally got the Wall Street Journal in my grasp! My dream has come true.”

“Congratulations.”

Gyeong-yeong and I congratulated Murdoch several times.

“I finally achieved something I’ve been dreaming of for more than 20 years. It’s all thanks to you two.”

Murdoch, flushed with drink, kept pouring drinks and talking.

“Now, no one will be able to ignore this Murdoch.”

Looking at Murdoch, who was still talking about his dream even though he was over seventy, I was reminded that age is just a number.

“I wanted to become someone like Henry Luce, who had influence even after death. Do you know him, Charlie?”

I nodded and held out my glass.

“Of course. How could I not know him? Isn’t he the founder of Time magazine?”

I also knew Henry Luce.

“That’s right. Time was just the beginning. He also founded Fortune and Life. At first, everyone laughed at him. But he eventually did it. He created not one, but three of the most influential magazines in the world.”

Murdoch clinked his glass with mine before downing his drink.

“I wanted to be like that person.”

“The day will come when Chairman Murdoch is recognized even more than him.”

“Haha. It’s nice to hear, even if it’s just empty words.”

Murdoch refilled his empty glass.

“People call News Corporation, Time Warner, and Walt Disney the three major media groups.”

I nodded.

“I’m looking at a higher place than them. A unique media empire that no one can ever challenge, even after I die.”

Murdoch’s age was now entering its twilight.

“If only I had met Charlie sooner…”

Murdoch was regretting that he had met me only after getting old.

“It’s not too late.”

“I’m over seventy now. I’m at an age where it wouldn’t be strange for me to die anytime.”

Murdoch’s eyes regained their vitality.

“I’m going to see it through to the end.”

“I support Murdoch’s dream.”

“I support you too, Chairman Murdoch.”

My, Gyeong-yeong’s and Murdoch’s glasses clinked in the air.

“I should get going now.”

Soon, Murdoch emptied his last glass and got up from his seat.

“I have interviews tomorrow and a lot of work to do. Look forward to it. I will shake China using everything I have.”

“I will look forward to it.”

After Murdoch left with a hearty laugh, Gyeong-yeong and I remained and continued our drinking session.

Gyeong-yeong murmured while looking at the door where Murdoch had disappeared.

“I wonder if I will be able to dream even when I reach Murdoch’s age? When I see Murdoch, I sometimes wonder. It’s not easy for someone who already has enough money to keep striving for their dreams. Am I being complacent?”

“You can’t retire even if you want to. I won’t allow it.”

“What? Why are you doing this to me?”

“Don’t even think about retiring before me. I’ll keep you working until you die.”

“Sigh…. I shouldn’t have met you.”

“I was the one who went to find you, what are you talking about?”

Gyeong-yeong and I reminisced about when we first met while drinking.

“Thinking about how I ran away from you because I thought you were a debt collector is still funny.”

Gyeong-yeong chuckled and shook his head. He’s going to drop his glass like that.

“Who knew that I, who was hiding in a motel room, would become this successful?”

“I knew.”

Then Gyeong-yeong straightened his back and asked.

“While we’re on the topic, how did you find me? Back then, I was nobody. What did you know about me?”

“Well, to be honest… it didn’t really matter if it was you or not?”

“What?”

Gyeong-yeong looked at me in disbelief.

I laughed, but dropped the joking tone and spoke seriously.

“How would I know if you had that kind of ability? There were probably a lot of people like you back then. But reliable people were rare.”

“You met me for the first time back then, what are you talking about? How could you trust me? Sigh….”

Gyeong-yeong was also emotional, probably because he was drunk.

“I knew whether someone was trustworthy or not just by looking at you. You know my gut feeling.”

“Ha, it’s not like you came from the future. Where does that confidence come from?”

Gyeong-yeong shook his head again. He was swaying, clearly drunk.

“Do you know you make my heart drop every time? I’m going to die young because of you.”

“Isn’t it about time you adapted? You’ve gotten much bolder than you used to be.”

“If only you couldn’t talk…”

Gyeong-yeong couldn’t continue and collapsed on the table.

I raised my hand and called Manager Ma.

“Tell them to take him up to his hotel room. I’ll stay and drink a bit more.”

“Yes, Boss.”

A subordinate, having received the call, helped Gyeong-yeong up while Manager Ma silently stood behind me.

“Manager, have a drink with me.”

“No, thank you. I’m fine.”

I laughed at Manager Ma’s unchanging behavior while taking another sip of my drink.

“I wish I could dream too.”

I’ve been running only for revenge, and after I finished my revenge, to have the power to protect my people.

Wouldn’t it be okay to dream for myself now?

It was a night that made me think a lot, watching Murdoch, who was running towards his dreams without stopping.

* * *

The New York Times, a competitor of the Wall Street Journal, was publishing editorials every day criticizing Murdoch’s acquisition of the Wall Street Journal.

While pretending to criticize Murdoch, it didn’t hesitate to subtly find fault with the Wall Street Journal’s fairness.

That wasn’t all. Across the ocean, the UK’s Financial Times also published an editorial criticizing that Murdoch would interfere with editorial rights and ruin the Wall Street Journal’s fairness and accuracy.

The two media outlets’ reports seemed to advocate for freedom of the press, but most reporters did not see it that way.

“We can’t just sit here.”

The reporters of the Wall Street Journal swarmed the editor-in-chief’s office to protest.

“We also opposed Murdoch’s acquisition, but we cannot tolerate anything that tarnishes the name of the Wall Street Journal.”

The editor-in-chief, seeing the reporters who had gathered in his office, frowned and sighed.

“I feel the same way. So, what do you want to do?”

“We have to fight back.”

“Are you saying we should criticize Murdoch too? With our own hands?”

The editor-in-chief felt like a headache was coming and covered his head with one hand.

“How about we publish our reporters’ thoughts through a cartoon?”

“I’m already preparing a letter from the publisher. Having the reporters join in is crossing a line.”

“Editor-in-chief. This is the newspaper we have created. Reporters also have the freedom to express their thoughts.”

“Sigh….”

The reporters who had gathered did not back down in front of the editor-in-chief.

“Just give us one slot.”

“Does it really have to be like this? Even though it’s an acquisition, he drew the line that there would never be any restructuring.”

The editor-in-chief also didn’t like Murdoch.

However, while rival newspapers like the New York Times and Washington Post, as well as most newspapers, were restructuring, Murdoch promised employment guarantees to all the editorial staff and reporters.

“The fairness of the Wall Street Journal is more important than our livelihood. Editor-in-chief. Please.”

Dozens of reporters bowed their heads at the same time.

“Sigh… Do as you please. I’ll give you a spot in the opinion section. But Murdoch’s name can’t be there.”

The reporters’ faces brightened.

“Don’t worry. Who do you think we are? We can write sufficiently without mentioning his name openly.”

“I’ll talk to the publisher myself. Now, everyone go back to your places and work!”

“Yes, Editor-in-chief!”

The reporters saluted the editor-in-chief playfully before leaving the editor-in-chief’s office.

“They’re all the same.”

The editor-in-chief chuckled in disbelief before picking up the receiver.

“Yes. I’ll go up now. I need to convey the reporters’ demands.”

As the editor-in-chief, he had to convey the reporters’ demands to the publisher.

After checking his clothes, he moved to the office where the publisher was staying.

At that time, 70 members of the Dow Jones Union, mainly composed of Wall Street Journal reporters, were demonstrating in front of the main gate of the Dow Jones building with picket signs.

“Rupert is rich! He bought a newspaper with money! And he’ll probably throw it in the gutter! But who are the ones holding the pens? That kangaroo-like guy should be worried about getting stabbed by our pens!”

A song mocking Rupert Murdoch could be heard all day.

Murdoch’s acquisition of Dow Jones was demanding change in the American media.

* * *

I headed to the meeting place to meet with Joseph Wilson and Valerie Plame.

Both of them had already arrived and were waiting for me. The meeting place was a restaurant that I had rented out for the day.

After greeting each other, we had a meal while continuing our conversation in earnest.

“Do you know who I am?”

It was an abrupt question, but Plame answered immediately.

“Kim Mu-hyeok, a Korean national…”

He recited my personal details without stopping.

He was a secret agent for the CIA, so he seemed to know a lot.

“It seems like you know me well, so it’ll be easier to talk.”

“I know who you are, but I don’t know why you wanted to meet.”

“I asked to meet you to help you both.”

Plame smiled as if he found it interesting.

“Help us? Why? What benefit would that bring you?”

“Isn’t it said that the enemy of my enemy is my friend?”

Then, Wilson, not Plame, spoke.

“Unlike my friend here, I don’t know much about you. I’d like to hear more details about what you’re talking about.”

“I plan to shake the New York Times and undermine its credibility.”

“……Do you think that’s possible?”

“It’s impossible, isn’t it?”

I also didn’t think the New York Times would collapse just like that.

“But we can still damage it. If you two help me, we can do it.”