The Magician’s Memorial - Chapter 376



Only Krnovel

376. Reach out your hand (1)

Russia’s economic situation was getting worse.

It couldn’t be good since the financial, military, and even grain industries were under sanctions.

In this situation, I called David to Korea, and he came back with a lot of news from the White House.

“Boss! There is a lot of news on Wall Street that financial towers are siphoning off money. Some large-scale hedge funds have even asked to connect with financial towers in order to join them.”

“Not just anyone can accept it. In the future, in order to move into a financial tower, a majority of financial companies affiliated with the financial tower must agree.”

It was a situation where several financial companies were requesting favors.

Among the financial companies affiliated with the financial tower, they were attempting to insert small and medium-sized financial companies that were close to them into the financial tower.

That’s why we created this policy.

After evaluating various aspects, the plan was to grant permission to move into the financial tower.

“As a person and as a company, I think we should take advantage of opportunities. If we had made a request before the financial tower was built, we would have been able to get in without difficulty.”

“That’s the way things are. But what’s the atmosphere like in the White House?”

“Public opinion is not very positive. There are many voices saying that the White House is responding too passively to the Crimea incident. So I think additional sanctions may be imposed.”

“You mean to completely strangle Russia.”

In fact, there was no need to impose sanctions.

If oil prices begin to fall sooner or later, the Russian economy will automatically freeze.

If oil prices fell along with economic sanctions, Russia would have to worry about default.

“It appears that sanctions will be applied until Russia’s credit rating falls to junk level.”

“You said that time is important for everything, right? Just as companies that requested to move into financial towers are benefiting now when they are having a hard time, wouldn’t we be able to benefit a lot if we reach out to Russia now?”

“That’s true, but I don’t think the United States will just sit back and watch. Of course, if I coordinate well, we can resolve it without any major problems, but it will be difficult to maintain a good relationship as before.”

What do you mean by helping Russia now?

It was similar to the intention to turn the United States and the Western world into enemies.

Although we may not have any major problems thanks to the trust we have built so far, we did not want to lose the trust we have worked hard for over 10 years.

“So we have to proceed quietly. And it’s not like we’re going to help Russia. We’re just going to use them.”

“Is there a way to move quietly?”

“We are planning to host a charity match in Korea by inviting several EPL teams.”

“Are you suddenly holding a charity match?”

“When we invite a team, sometimes the team owner comes along.”

“Ah! You’re thinking of bringing Roman to Korea to talk.”

Roman was a high-ranking person in the Russian government.

He even served as governor, and was also a businessman whom Putin cherished.

And since he was also the owner of an EPL team, it was great to make a cause.

“I have already finished talking with Roman. He will be coming to Korea in the middle of next month.”

“Then what can I do?”

“All we have to do is go to China and oil it up. This matter needs to be brought in to China as well.”

“If it’s Russia, it’s a little bit difficult, but if it’s China, it’s okay. I’ll go and oil it up very neatly.”

Relations between the United States and China are still smooth.

Although there was some friction, David felt more comfortable working in China than in Russia because the situation was before the conflict between the US and China began in earnest.

* * *

EPL team’s tour of Korea.

It was an event that started in Korea and went all the way to Japan.

The Korean event was handled by Taewoo Group, and the Japanese event was handled by Miura Securities.

This was the only way to avoid suspicion.

It was not a Korea-only event, but a Japan-linked event.

The main event location was Japan, and the visit to Korea was more like a practice match.

That’s how the event began.

The match between the Taewo Group soccer team and the EPL team was held at the Busan World Cup Stadium.

I watched it from the VVIP seat, and Roman, the owner of the EPL team, was next to me.

“It’s very difficult to talk face to face. We spent over 10 billion won on this event. If I have to spend 10 billion won every time I see club owner Roman, I feel burdened.”

“In that case, how about taking over an EPL team? Then, wouldn’t we be able to meet naturally?”

It’s been a while since I’ve seen Roman, and his appearance has changed a lot.

In the past, because he was in the position of governor, he had the scent of a politician, but now he looks very free.

“You look better than when you were governor.”

“Politics is not my aptitude. There is nothing good about having enemies for no reason. Running a business and watching soccer is much more suited to me.”

“The Russian economy is not doing well these days. Are you okay?”

“······Is there anything we can do? It is a decision made by the Kremlin, so there is no other way than to accept it.”

Roman, an entrepreneur.

From his perspective, the Crimea Peninsula was not important.

The loss of profits due to the Crimea incident was a bigger problem for him.

“Sanctions are likely to last for quite some time.”

“I think it will last at least three years. In fact, I don’t understand why the Crimea Peninsula was occupied. It is an occupation with absolutely no benefit.”

“It is a problem that we have been subject to economic sanctions due to the Crimea incident, but maintaining the Crimea requires enormous costs. In particular, energy that used to be supplied by Ukraine must now be supplied by Russia.”

Responsibility for the Crimean Peninsula has now passed to Russia.

Russia had to take responsibility for various welfare issues, including energy and food, and had to endure enormous costs.

“The Russian economy is also a problem. If all foreign companies leave, the Russian economy will collapse in an instant. The ruble is still falling, and even after a year at this rate, the ruble will be halved.”

“I already asked to see you about that problem.”

“Is the Taewo Group also trying to escape Russia? Huh, if Taewo Group also leaves, the fall of the Russian economy will accelerate further.”

Although many foreign companies have entered Russia.

There was no company that built factories and built infrastructure as aggressively as Taewoo Group.

That’s why Roman looked at me with a sad expression.

“I’m thinking about it. If we lobby American politicians, we can somehow remain in Russia. But the problem is that we have to take on a huge deficit.”

“If necessary, I will give you more shares in the Russian natural gas company. As long as Taew Group promises to remain in Russia, I will take responsibility for persuading the Kremlin.”

Russia was desperate.

In fact, the Western world’s economic sanctions were a manageable problem.

It is said that the ruble is plummeting and the stock prices of Russian companies are falling by more than 20%.

Because it had abundant natural resources, it could recover at any time and had sufficient funds to run the country.

The problem was infrastructure.

The moment all foreign companies leave, industries, including heavy industry, will return to the previous era.

Therefore, it was hoped that as many companies would remain in Russia and support the industry.

“Under the current circumstances, if I acquire more shares in Russian natural gas, won’t the West also impose sanctions on Taewo Group?”

“······Do you want something else? If it is Chairman Kim’s request, I can accommodate any request, even if it is unreasonable.”

It was Roman who was impatient.

This meant that the Taewo Group had penetrated deeply into the Russian economy.

Now that the initiative has passed to me, I can get to the point with ease.

“We cannot take direct advantage. And Russia is in a difficult situation, so how can Taewoo Group only take advantage?”

“It would be great if both Taewoo Group and Russia could benefit together. But is there a way to do that?”

“Taewoo Group has invested a lot in the development of natural resources in the Mongolian region. But as you know, isn’t Mongolia blocked by China and Russia? So, we hope to transport Mongolia’s natural resources through Russia.”

Natural resources could be exported to Europe through Russia.

Although the purpose of developing Mongolia’s natural resources is for Taewoo Group’s self-reliance.

Since Taewo Group could not use all of the natural resources, most of them had to be exported to other countries.

And Europe was a very good market.

Using Russian shipping routes opens the fastest way to export to the European market.

“I can accommodate such a request as much as I want. But wouldn’t Russia have to take full responsibility for building a passage connecting Mongolia and Russia?”

“How could you ask for such a request? Taewoo Group will provide the full amount. To be precise, we want to create a consortium and create a road connecting Mongolia and Russia through investment by foreign capital.”

The name of Taewoo Group had to be hidden as much as possible.

Therefore, a consortium had to be created, and it was not a task to create a multinational consortium using only financial tower financial companies.

“It’s not that difficult if you ask me that much.”

“But we plan to open three passageways instead of one.”

“It doesn’t matter how many roads there are. It will also help Russia’s economy, so it’s okay to open 10 roads instead of 3. No, please make as many roads as possible.”

Although it is said to be just a passing street.

In the process of moving, decent profits are generated.

So, from Russia’s point of view, there is absolutely no reason to refuse, but if another country gets in the middle, the situation is completely different.

“I would like one of them to go through China to the Vladivostok port. It is the shortest route to transport Mongolia’s resources to South Korea without going through North Korea.”

“Are we finished talking with China?”

“We haven’t had a full conversation yet, but I think we can get permission without difficulty.”

“Then wouldn’t it be better to transport it through China? Wouldn’t Mongolia’s resources be transported to Korea more quickly if we use China’s Dalian or Qingdao ports?”

It was a sharp point.

It was also a plan already in progress.

“We also plan to create a transportation route through China.”

“Then why do you want to use the Vladivostok port?”

“This is in case the relationship with China breaks down. If it is a business involving Russia, why can’t we do it in China as well?”

“I guess that’s true. But will the relationship between China and the Taewoong Group worsen? I don’t know about other companies, but doesn’t the Taewu Group have a very good relationship with China?”

“It’s about preparing for just in case. Wouldn’t the more roads be better?”

This was because we had to prepare for Hanhanryeong.

The relationship between Korea and China is still amicable, but after the deployment of THAAD, the relationship deteriorates.

Creating a multinational consortium was also to prevent China from using Hanhanryeong as an excuse to interfere with transportation.

“Good. As soon as this event is over, I will return to Russia and report to the Kremlin. Permission will probably be granted. No, I will definitely obtain permission.”

“I will only trust club owner Roman.”

We joined hands with desperate Russia.

In the West, Russia was called the devil for robbing the Crimea by force.

For the benefit of Taewoo Group, I was ready to join hands with the devil at any time.

And for Taewoo Group’s sake, he could have cut off the hand he held with the devil at any time.