The Chaebols Are Back

"500 million barrels this year."

The jaw of Iranian Prime Minister drops in shock on hearing my declaration.

'Did I overstep the mark?'

Can Iran at all mine 500 million barrels with its mining capacity?

But having done so, you must do it in bold style.

For negotiations normally start after the bargain is struck.

'Wonderful?'

As I can remember, South Korea's imports of oil in 2023 were around 1.9 billion barrels. Naturally, most of that was refined and exported.

But now that it is January 1972, even 100 million barrels is a staggering number.

'What if it's 500 million barrels?'

That is a billion dollars in value.

The credit that the United States had chosen to lend freely was worth half a billion dollars.

That is, we must raise $500 million. Naturally, we can raise that $500 million by re-exporting petroleum.

'One thing is certain.'

On January 20, 1972, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries increased the price of crude oil by 10%.

That is why you must have a good memory.

Yes, we cannot import 500 million barrels in a short period, and even if we import it, there is no Korean warehouse to store them. So the transaction has to be like this.

'So what do I have to do when I go to Korea now?'

Of course, we would establish a shipping company and enter into an oil shipment contract with the Korean government.

Since I am not able to do this myself, I have to find the pants manager.

My dad is looking for the right people to be the president of such a company.

"I want to make it clear that any contract that is being signed now with him is, inshallah, an impeccable and unbreakable contract created by the will of Allah."

If the Shah of Iran repressive-mindedly has a change of heart and withdraws from a long-term supply contract, he will be an immoral king who has abandoned Allah's will.

And that would later serve as a motivation to negotiate with Khomeini, who would be ready to become Iran's supreme leader after the Iranian revolution had ended in failure, and who was immersed in Islam itself.

'I guess I've finally realized I've been tricked.'

The King of Iran?

No, he is the Iranian Prime Minister.

But the Iranian prime minister is not going to say anything more either.

why?

Because nobody can deny Allah now.

And I think he's thinking about how he can use me.

"Yes, I am the king of kings who spread Islam in Korea, an Islamic wasteland. Hahaha!"

dripping!

Then there was a knock on the door.

Special Envoy Lee Jae-gyu visited the office along with the Iranian King's chief of staff.

"I am Lee Jae-gyu, special envoy entrusted with all powers by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Korea and the President of the Republic of Korea's brother."

I introduced the special envoy to the King of Iran for the first time.

"The President's brother?"

In constitutional monarchies or monarchies, the president might be considered like a king.

"Yes."

Special Envoy Lee Jae-gyu was even more surprised at my sentence.

"If the brother of the Korean president came all the way to Iran just to meet me, then I must entertain him with a great banquet. Hahaha!"

If you like something, you will like anything else.

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"I am ashamed, Your Majesty."

Special Envoy Lee Jae-gyu said he was surprised without knowing English at all.

"I will discuss serious matters at the banquet I am hosting with the special envoy of the Korean president, so go back and rest for a while."

"I am ashamed."

Special Envoy Lee Jae-gyu appeared as soon as he stepped into the Iranian king's office.

Special Envoy Lee Jae-gyu appeared and saw me.

"What happened?"

Special Envoy Lee Jae-gyu addressed me in a low voice.

"The Shah of Iran has accepted to supply Iranian oil at $2 a barrel for eight years."

"Really?"

"Yes, that's right."

"How did you do it?"

"In the Quran, it is written that the devil smiles and gets in wearing the same clothes."

I identified myself as a devil.

"What does that mean?"

"The devil's lips are as sweet as honey."

I gave the information to Special Envoy Lee Jae-gyu upon my return.

Special Envoy Lee Jae-gyu's mouth gaped open.

"All this will be owed to the special envoy."

"Seongsu, you did everything and now you take credit to me?"

"Special envoy, I am still young. Even if this is my success, my status will not grow much. But Special Envoy, you can take off your military uniform and step into the Blue House."

With my words, Special Envoy Lee Jae-gyu fixed me with a keen gaze.

"I respect you, Mr. Special Envoy."

At a time like this, you just have to laugh.

"You're asking me to become your comrade."

"I know it might be presumptuous of you to say so, but even you and I are just rolling stones from the Blue House's point of view."

For me to be stronger, I need to eliminate the stones planted in the Blue House.

We have to put someone in a position to offer good advice to the president.

'The president is not assassinated.'

What will be done if I resign?

Because the future of the Republic of Korea will definitely change.

'however!'

Can we achieve safe democracy?

Therefore, we first have to come up with a mechanism to prevent a military coup.

'Or what?'

My face frowned unwittingly.

'father!'

I had a terrible idea because of that.

"Hahaha, then now I just have to pull out the stuck stone."

Now, limitless ambitions will be brewing in Lee Jae-gyu's mind.

'This is why I am a devil.'

why?

Because the devil has ultimate greed that no one can refuse.

* * *

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Chairman Kim Byeong-cheol's home study.

We have rented six 300,000-ton tankers from Mitsubishi Marine for six months on a contract."

Chairman Kim Byeong-cheol utilized all the relationships he had built while maintaining close relationships with Japan when establishing the fertilizer business to carry out the president's order.

"How much did you purchase it for?"

"I just managed to sign a contract by paying 10% more than the original fare."

"Okay.

"But why did the President suddenly ask this from the Chairman?"

"It must be because of the special envoy to Iran."

It had been Chairman Kim Byung-chul who had spoken to the president of the concerned company, but the special envoy he had been talking about was not Special Envoy Lee Jae-gyu, but Lee Seong-su.

'There's something definitely different, something special.'

Lee Seong-su definitely was the kind Chairman Kim Byeong-cheol had dreamed to be different.

"Mr. Chairman."

At this point, having waited patiently in attendance had been Secretary Kim Hak-su, and Chairman Kim Byeong-cheol called him.

"What?"

"There has been a blue house secretariat released outburst story."

"okay?"

"No.

Yes, if this happens to be true, would really be great."

"What is it?

The President had accepted a U.S. government grant with the stipulation that he send more Korean troops to the Vietnam War."

"Free loan?"

"Yes, amazingly, the amount is said to be 500 million dollars."

Chairman Kim Byeong-cheol opened his eyes wide upon hearing the report of Secretary Kim Hak-su.

"Why are you telling me now?"

"This is the news I just received. And the more surprising fact is···."

"Lee Seong-su?

"Oh, yes, it is said that this was done by the President's special adviser pressuring the US ambassador to Korea."

"You said 500 million dollars?"

"Yes, that's for sure."

"Then we should also venture into the semiconductor business."

"yes?"

"Business is conducted with the government's money, not my own."

"ah!"

"Chief Secretary."

"Yes, Chairman."

"When Secretary Lee Seong-su comes back from Iran, come and report to me at once."

"yes?"

"The one who can influence the president is Lee Seong-su. The president is dominated by Lee Seong-su, and that young man has performed miracles like a ghost."

"Yes, I know."

In South Korea, the Blue House is the place that must be kept completely confidential and protected, but the Blue House has already become the ears and mouth of the Korean conglomerates.

"By the way, does Daehyun Group know about this fact?"

"I do not think you would not know."

* * *

That evening, at a party hosted by the Shah of Iran.

It's really luxurious.

Also, there is a forbidden alcoholic drink in Islam.

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'By selling oil.'

It is only within the reach of the Iranian royal family and highest government officials.

Why do I think so?

Because still the common Iranians remain poor, rearing sheep.

'How much is the Iranian king's overseas secret fund?'

And how many slush funds did the Iranian Prime Minister own?

In fact, the good deeds of Korea up to now are simply too many. So, now I have to do good deeds that are good for me too.

"Lee Seong-su."

The Iranian Prime Minister, who had been gazing at me with an unwelcome expression in the Shah's office, approached me.

"It seems like a holy and beautiful night sent by Allah."

Abu Dhabi.

'Allah's ass.'

We well know that Korean sentiment and Islam are oil and water.

'of course.'

There are probably a lot of dumb men out there who feel Islam is fine because it does have polygamy, but if they had any idea they would have to provide four wives with equal dwellings and expenses and receive four times the amount of nagging, they'd be shaking their heads.

"There is an expression which says, 'A poisoned chalice'."

The Iranian Prime Minister speaks to me in a subtlety which is almost synonymous with a question mark.

'Why are you trying to run away from me?'

The tone that he continues to use in addressing me remains light red in shade.

"Me?"

"Do you not recognize yourself as a desert scorpion?"

"I do not see myself as a danger to Iran. I am one who will benefit His Majesty and Iran."

"You who have sown desire in His Majesty's heart, will it benefit Iran?"

The prime minister of Iran stared at me in shock.

"Didn't even the Prime Minister resist up to the last moment?"

"Did you do it yourself?"

When I was negotiating in person with the Iranian Prime Minister, Special Envoy Lee Jae-gyu, along with Iranian government officials, gave me a look.

'You're still tense, it seems.'

Because I'm the one who actually receives attention at this banquet hall.

"Then let's sit down and discuss quietly why you are particularly useful to Iran?"

Iran's top officials reveal bribes.

That's what I'm aiming for.

Of course, there is a strong possibility that that is not the case.

"Yes, that's right."

Actually, I was going to make a special request meeting with the King of Iran.

But the Iranian Prime Minister approached me first.

'They'll ask for a bribe.'

Because Middle Eastern countries have always been that way.

* * *

A hidden room in the Shah of Iran's palace.

I went into the secret room with the Iranian Prime Minister.

I checked the floor plan that shows the position around the room and there are no red dots.

'That means there's no one waiting or listening in.'

Who would be listening in and recording this secret room?

It's most likely the Shah of Iran, but there isn't a red dot at present. There is a red dot of the Prime Minister of Iran on the chair opposite me.

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"How much do you suppose your profit will be in the next eight years?"

I had anticipated that he would talk in circles and ask for a bribe, but he is blunt.

'It's really rotten.'

A rotten tree will sooner or later break.

'Iranian religious revolution!'

8 years left.

And I am going to actually insert a straw in the back of the Iranian government, the Shah of Iran, and ultimately the Prime Minister of Iran who came after me out of greed for all those eight years.

"The South Korean government will gain a profit of over $1 billion."

no.

It'll be well over $10 billion.

"But it doesn't help me in any way."

This is the same thing.

'I have 10 million dollars in my account.'

Depending on how you manage it in Iran, you could earn a 10% profit.

Of course, if this is to be possible, the cooperation of the Iranian Prime Minister is absolutely essential.

"What if it benefits you?"

If you want to get a bribe, you have to do special favors.

"I will send this to Your Excellency the Prime Minister."

The Iranian Prime Minister smiles at my words.

"His Majesty has approved all of this, so if there is something you desire that would be to your benefit, then let me know."

Is this something you're trying to say, hiding from everyone else's view and still having a clandestine conversation with me in the palace that the party is detailing for me?

No, that will not happen.

Your Excellency, I am an aide to the Special Envoy, but as an individual, I am an investor and businessman.

"Business? Investment?"

"I have an investment opportunity that will bring returns unimaginable. You wish to invest, Prime Minister?"

It is my time to act now.

"Tell me."

He expressed interest immediately.

"Korea investment."

"investment in korea?"