Chapter 417: Chapter 417: It Seems They Needed Justification More Than Money
Park Young-geun managed to pass his desired bill but had to step down from his position due to strong opposition from the business world.
The government used Park Young-geun as a scapegoat to appease the business sector's resentment.
In the end the reforms had to stop.
His radical changes had created many enemies.
However since he had worked with integrity and never accepted bribes he faced no investigations after his retirement.
Park Young-geun said he felt relieved but since his retirement wasn't voluntary there seemed to be some lingering regret. I had tried to create a position for him at Jungwoo Group.
I dropped the idea when he refused saying it would set a bad precedent if he joined a major corporation after stepping down.
"With these documents we can really shake things up."
Fire flashed in Park Young-geun's eyes as he took the documents.
Even a saint would harbor revenge against the business world that ruined decades of their public service career.
"Excellent. I've been wanting to see the Chairman's sword dance and now I'll get the chance."
Park Young-geun smiled brightly at my playful response.
The Grim Reaper of the business world had been revived and now wielded the Fair Trade Commission as his sword.
Things were about to get interesting.
The smile never left Park Young-geun's face even as we wrapped up our conversation and stood to leave.
I couldn't help but smile too watching him insist on paying for his own meal.
The next day.
Chairman Yoo Sung-jin came to Pyeongchang-dong.
He bowed deeply as he entered my study.
I put down the newspaper I was reading and got up to approach him.
"Welcome Chairman Yoo. The meeting must have been tough but you did well."
"I didn't do much. Everything went according to your wishes Boss."
A hint of pride seeped through his calm words. I patted his shoulder lightly and sat down on the sofa.
"Haha well done anyway. Ussoyan was quite something wasn't he?"
"Yes. He looked down on everyone. I'd noticed it during our phone calls but meeting him face to face made it even more obvious. He was an arrogant man who stepped on others to elevate himself."
"Your eye for people has improved Chairman Yoo. You assessed him perfectly."
Since I knew Ussoyan's personality well I could easily guess how much stress Chairman Yoo had endured.
"Yes. He was being difficult during the meeting too. But then you called at just the right moment Boss and everything went smoothly after that. It was clear he feared you."
"That's because I created his position. Without that he'd be suffering in prison right now. Though he's arrogant he's still capable so make sure to handle him well and put him to good use."
"Yes I understand."
So Ussoyan had been causing trouble. Judging by his lack of further comments Chairman Yoo must have already handled the discipline issue.
"So what's Yamamoto up to?"
"He seems to be in frequent contact with his subordinates in Japan. But he's frustrated since he has no immediate way to return to Japan. Even with other organizations offering help his influence is limited while he's not in Japan. Realizing there's nothing he can do right now he's been drinking constantly."
"Hmm… What's your take on Yamamoto Chairman Yoo? Is he trustworthy?"
While I'd been receiving reports direct interaction naturally led to different impressions. That's why I'd called Chairman Yoo.
I was curious about his thoughts.
"He's somewhat frivolous. But he's definitely submissive to those he's surrendered to. He even bows to me now after kneeling to you that time Boss."
"Definitely submissive you say. Couldn't it be an act? A performance to overcome his current crisis?"
After a moment's thought Chairman Yoo slowly shook his head.
"Yamamoto is simple-minded. Given that he knows what was discussed at this meeting he has no room for other thoughts. Korea Russia and China have allied. If Yamamoto harbors any other intentions he'd have to fight all three organizations simultaneously."
"That's true isn't it? If that's your assessment I'll trust it."
I adjusted my posture and continued.
"The Japanese government will soon lift Yamamoto's wanted status."
"Pardon?"
Even Chairman Yoo who rarely showed surprise was taken aback enough to ask for clarification.
"They're lifting his wanted status? Given the Japanese government's current stance I thought they'd never allow it."
Chairman Yoo's surprise was understandable. All the recent chaos in Japan had started with the war between international criminal organizations and the Yakuza.
Of course he wouldn't understand since he didn't know it all began with my agreement with Koizumi.
"That's just how it's going to be."
"Yes I understand."
Though he must have had many questions Chairman Yoo didn't ask further.
It was a natural response since my words had never been false.
"However since he entered illegally he can't enter Japan through normal channels. You'll need to prepare a smuggling vessel to get him into Japan."
"I understand I'll make the arrangements."
"And relay to Yamamoto what he needs to do when he returns to Japan."
I took out a paper envelope and handed it to Chairman Yoo.
"I've outlined Yamamoto's tasks upon returning to Japan in there. Tell him to follow it exactly."
Watching Chairman Yoo pocket the envelope I continued.
"Tell him not to try anything foolish and just focus on gathering the scattered Yakuza organizations. He's currently the only boss-level figure not on the wanted list."
That was essentially Yamamoto's greatest asset.
Legitimacy? Force? Such things held no meaning in current Japan.
Who would dare use guns under the police department's fierce surveillance?
Japan's entertainment districts were literally unclaimed territory now.
With the Yakuza gone disputes between civilians had increased. The crime rate had actually risen.
The side effects of removing the underworld's masters appeared quickly.
The police's capabilities were limited. Eventually someone was needed to manage the underground.
In such circumstances having Koizumi's backing created legitimacy where there was none.
"Tell him not to think about using violence unnecessarily. Especially warn him that the moment he uses firearms his advantage disappears."
"I'll relay that message."
Now that Yamamoto was sorted let's hear the proper meeting results.
"I've received rough reports. Was the Japanese underworld organized as discussed in the meeting?"
"Yes China will handle drug sales in Kansai and Russia in Kanto. However Yamamoto will manage the Tokyo area including the Kanto region."
"It passed exactly as planned. Ussoyan must have objected but you handled it well. I was right to trust you with this."
Even combining Kansai and Kanto regions couldn't match the Kanto area.
One-third of Japan's population lived in Kanto and it could be called the world's largest economic zone without exaggeration.
"That's right. Ussoyan strongly objected. But we reached an agreement when Hao Xun and Yamamoto offered to give up the weapons trafficking business."
"Oh…"
I let out a small exclamation.
Hao Xun and Yamamoto made a bold decision. At the same time I thought Ussoyan used his head well. The weapons trafficking business in Japan was essentially worthless now.
Without war between criminal organizations there was no need for weapons trafficking nor anyone to buy them.
After dividing territories and reaching agreements weapons trafficking wasn't worth giving up the Kanto region.
"They needed justification more than money it seems."
"That's right. Ussoyan isn't stupid he already knows weapons trafficking isn't worth giving up the Kanto region. He just needed justification to explain to the mafia bosses in Russia."
The Russian mafia's relationships were quite different from other criminal organizations.
They took the form of an alliance of various Bratvas.
The largest organization was responsible for everyone's safety and received 10-20% of all income as protection money.
They held meetings under the supreme boss called the Krestniy Otets and the meeting results influenced Russian mafia actions.
The land was too vast for one organization to manage all areas and all the mafias under former Soviet influence had grown into a network structure.
But no matter how you dressed it up they were still criminal organizations.
When decisions went against their interests they had no hesitation in using violence even if it meant disobeying meeting decisions.
They used violence far more than Japan Korea or China.
That's why justification was important.
The justification of showing how hard he worked for their benefit.
It was just a ploy to demonstrate that.
"Ussoyan is clever indeed. Was he satisfied with just that?"
"No there were several other discussions."
"But since you're not mentioning them I assume everything was resolved well."
"Yes most decisions went according to your wishes Boss."
"That's good enough then."
Since things went as desired there was no point in hearing more.
"Contact me if there's anything beyond your capabilities Chairman Yoo. Otherwise handle everything as you have been. I'll send instructions if there's anything specific I need."
"Yes I understand."
"Also have the Heavenly Group receive 20% of the profits from Yamamoto's organization."
"Pardon? What do you mean… At this meeting we secured Korea's independent ecosystem in exchange for not entering any business in Japan…"
I cut off Chairman Yoo's words. I understood his concern.
"It's fine. We said we wouldn't enter any business not that we'd give up profits. Yamamoto will accept it if he's not stupid."
The profits from Japan's Kanto region couldn't be matched even by combining all of Korea.
It would be a waste to just hand that over to Yamamoto.
Besides no one could predict what thoughts Yamamoto might harbor once he started making money.
"I'll relay that message for now."
"Don't just relay it Chairman Yoo will collect it and push it to the Heavenly Group. There must be some internal dissatisfaction right? That Korea alone gained nothing from this deal."
"We have no complaints at all."
Chairman Yoo's immediate response made me laugh. He really was like Park Dong-su in these moments.
"Of course you personally have no complaints. But there might be dissatisfaction internally. So please handle it well. There's a lot to do from now on."
Recently the Pangyo New City development was announced.
The real estate market which had been depressed by the foreign exchange crisis began to overheat as the economy recovered and the government announced the Pangyo New City plan ahead of schedule.
Knowing this in advance I had bought up land in Pangyo as soon as the IMF crisis hit.
I focused particularly on buying land in the Samcheong-dong area of East Pangyo.
When the administration changed I planned to immediately secure permits for a techno valley and attract Korean IT companies there faster than originally planned.
Of course I'd also bought plenty of land in West Pangyo where I planned to develop luxury residential complexes.
But like all redevelopment projects things couldn't proceed purely by legal means.
It was obvious that everyone and their dog would come running with their spoons out for the various rights and interests in the redevelopment project.
The Heavenly Group's power was essential to control this and ensure smooth progress.
Sometimes showing that fists were more effective than laws proved much more efficient.
"The Pangyo redevelopment project will bring huge profits to Jungwoo Construction. So the Heavenly Group needs to provide full support."
"Yes. We've already established dozens of service companies. We'll proceed by making companies disappear immediately if problems arise."
Chairman Yoo explained his approach before I could even ask. As expected he handled these matters better than I did.
I nodded quietly and continued.
"Ah and Il-seong Group's subsidiaries will soon hold shareholder meetings. Prepare professional meeting disruptors."
We'll create quite a scene.
I smiled slyly pulling up one corner of my mouth.
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