The Magician’s Memorial - Chapter 291



Only Noblemtl

291. Give and Take (5)

I visited Gimpo Airport for a long business trip to the United States.

The reason I went to Gimpo Airport rather than Incheon Airport, which has the most routes, was because I was using a private plane.

“All preparations are complete. You can now board.”

“The process certainly goes by quickly. I think it took less than 10 minutes.”

He said, handing Captain Kang a travel bag.

Even if you were flying first class, it would take at least 30 minutes to check in at Incheon Airport.

However, in the case of a private jet terminal with few users, all procedures were carried out in one place, so it took less than 10 minutes.

“All preparations have been completed, including local vehicles and security in the U.S. All employees waiting in the U.S. are gathered at the airport.”

“If you go that far, is there really a need for Captain Kang to go to the U.S. with you? We also have to manage a company that operates in Korea.”

“Thanks to Taewoo Group’s excellent system, the company runs well even without me. And what could be more important than the chairman’s safety?”

Captain Kang must have wanted to get some air, too.

So, without saying anything more, I boarded the private plane with Captain Kang.

However, there was one person who criticized Captain Kang’s attitude.

“Does it make sense for someone who listens to the president to go all the way to America as a bodyguard?”

“But isn’t the boss the kind of person who listens to the boss?”

“My situation is different. I have to analyze everything that goes on, so of course I have to follow along.”

A CEO also chose to go to the United States with me.

I wanted to leave him in Korea, but since I didn’t know how things would progress in the U.S., I needed help from President Han.

“Don’t lose strength before you even arrive in the United States, settle down quickly and take a nap. There won’t be any time to rest once you arrive in the United States.”

“I am confident that I will fall asleep before the plane takes off. I stayed up all night analyzing and organizing the data until dawn today.”

“I will take care of the interior of the plane while you two sleep, just in case anything happens.”

Captain Kang was very active, perhaps because it had been a long time since he had worked as a security guard.

I wanted to say that there was no need to do that, but I was so tired that I just fell asleep.

* * *

Arrived at Washington Airport.

We went into the hotel we had booked in advance, took a cool shower, and rested lightly.

When I was completely tired, David came to the hotel.

“Boss! It’s time to go.”

“We can’t be late for the presidential inauguration. Come on! Let’s go.”

David, President Han, and even Captain Kang.

We moved to the presidential inauguration ceremony with the feelings of soldiers going to war.

Washington DC Capitol Outdoor Park.

More than 2 million people filled the park.

David and I were invited separately, so we went to our reserved seats.

“The interest level is very high.”

“Because it is the first colored president, the level of interest is different from other presidential inauguration ceremonies. Moreover, since yesterday was the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr., interest is bound to be even more intense.”

The inauguration ceremony was held with great interest.

The event begins with Vice President Biden’s oath of office.

Although he is now Vice President, he was President right before I returned.

Perhaps because he is nearly 20 years younger, Vice President Biden’s voice was much more powerful than I remember.

“The presidential oath of office begins now!”

Finally, it was the protagonist’s turn.

President-elect Obama concluded his oath of office by placing his hand on the Bible.

Soon after, President Obama’s inauguration speech began.

Although it was a huge amount of the inaugural address.

I listened intently to every word, and was able to condense the inauguration speech into one line in my own way.

Hope and change.

We must recognize and respond to the current crisis in the United States.

The message was to never give up hope and for the entire community to work hard for the development of America.

“This is an inauguration speech worthy of President Obama.”

“Although hope is emphasized, I can sense the will to fight for change.”

“You will soon find out how strong that will is.”

“There is no meeting with the president on today’s schedule.”

“Even if it’s not the president, a key member of the cabinet will be looking for us. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have told you to attend the inauguration ceremony.”

The inauguration speech has entered its final stages.

But suddenly, President Obama looked at me and finished his inauguration speech.

“In order to overcome the current crisis, we need to build international partnerships. Only through collaboration with excellent companies overseas and investment of foreign capital in companies at risk of bankruptcy can we quickly overcome the current crisis. U.S. market is still a land of opportunity. Don’t hesitate. The U.S. government will actively support you.

Are you saying this while looking at me?

Even if he said it without looking at me, it was clear that he said it with me in mind.

David must have sensed that, too, and quietly whispered to me.

“It seems like he is planning to hand over the American automobile company to his boss unconditionally, given that he openly made this statement in his inauguration speech.”

“Just wait and you’ll find out.”

There was no need to wait long.

As I expected, the moment the inauguration ceremony ended.

A person who appeared to be a secretary came to see us, and we whispered to him to see if he was acquainted with David.

“The Minister of Finance says he wants to meet quietly with his boss.”

“As expected, I thought so. Please ask if you can attend with President Han.”

David conveyed my meaning to the secretary in a whisper.

The secretary left for a moment, then came back and nodded.

“President Han also said that we could attend together. I think permission was given thanks to Taewoo Securities taking over AIZ.”

“President Han is no longer in a position to be outdone.”

I went to the invited location with a CEO.

It was only after we arrived that we realized where the place was.

“Chairman, isn’t this the Federal Reserve Board of Governors building?”

“It felt familiar somehow. I never thought he would ask me to meet him at the Federal Reserve building.”

“Perhaps because all the attention is focused on the inauguration ceremony, it is very quiet inside.”

The Federal Reserve building is as quiet as a mouse.

There was a reason why the Ministry of Finance chose this place as the meeting place.

This was because the person appointed as Minister of Finance in this cabinet was the person who served as president of the New York Federal Reserve in the previous administration.

“Nice to meet you. This is Timothy, the nominee for Minister of Finance. I met you once during the last administration, right?”

“I wasn’t able to greet you at that time. I will formally greet you. I am Kim Min-jae, Chairman of Taewo Group.”

We exchanged greetings in a conference room with tight security.

I had met Timothy, the finance minister-designate, in negotiations with the previous government.

At the time, his presence was low because he had never made any particularly aggressive remarks, but perhaps because he had been appointed as finance minister, he was showing off a different presence than before.

“What did you hear about the inauguration speech? It was an inauguration speech that touched your heart, wasn’t it?”

“It was an inauguration speech that conveyed the message of unity and hope. Just looking at the composition of the guests, I could see that it was not just about harmony in words.”

“It seems like you were talking about me. I, who served as the president of the Federal Reserve under the previous administration, was appointed as finance minister.”

It changed from a conservative government to a progressive government.

Usually, when there is a change in government, the government tends to erase the previous administration, but it was the Obama administration that accepted people from the previous administration into the cabinet.

“I understand that not only Minister-designate Timothy, but also many people from the previous administration are included in the cabinet.”

“Shouldn’t the ruling party and the opposition party join forces to overcome the current economic crisis? And there was also a statement in the inauguration speech asking for international help.”

“Could it have been said with me in mind?”

“I guess that’s the case. How many investors have the ability to take over a large company on the verge of bankruptcy? Among them, Chairman Kim Min-jae is the most capable.”

Honestly, I didn’t feel bad.

How can you feel bad when the finance minister in the next cabinet praises you?

However, praise also comes with a price, and it was clear that this kind of praise was given because there was a lot to be desired.

“That’s too much praise. Ah! And let me introduce you to Han Jeong-hoon, CEO of Taewoo Securities.”

“Nice to meet you. I get to meet a famous person on Wall Street. I also heard that AIZ is stabilizing quickly. Isn’t it thanks to President Han’s ability?”

“I’m just a person who does what Chairman Kim tells me to do.”

“Hmm, I think that’s enough greetings. Can we get to the point?”

Minister-designate Timothy cleared his throat and attempted to change the topic.

President Han and I also sat down and waited for him to speak.

“You once said that you would no longer acquire financial companies, but that you would be willing to acquire manufacturing companies rather than financial companies, right?”

“Financial companies have said that because AIZ alone is overwhelming.”

“So I’d like to make a proposition: Buy one of the big three American automakers.”

I never thought it would come out so bluntly.

Although it was expected, looking at the mood of Secretary-designate Timothy, it was clear that the situation of the Big 3 automobile companies was more serious than was known.

“We appreciate the acquisition offer, but the American automaker in its current state is not worth acquiring.”

“Your words are a bit harsh.”

“I’m sorry if it sounded like that. But taking over an American automobile company means that the Taewoo Group will have to bear the deficit that has accumulated so far and the deficit that will accumulate in the future. If that happens, the Taewoo Group cannot be safe.”

Minister-designate Timothy made a bitter expression.

It was a reaction that came out because he was well aware of the chronic problems of today’s American automobile companies.

“If you acquire a car company, the U.S. government is willing to forgive some of your debt.”

“In addition to debt relief, the job bank system, strong labor unions, and factory relocation issues must be resolved.”

“You’re telling me to stab the voters who voted.”

“Citizens of Detroit and other Rust Belt regions will not like it.”

Rust Belt.

It was a name referring to an industrial zone representing the United States, and was a place where the automobile and steel industries developed.

An industrial zone also meant an area with a strong labor union.

Most labor unions supported the Obama administration, so if they agreed to the conditions I wanted, as Secretary-designate Timothy said, it could have been like stabbing a supporter.

“These conditions are too burdensome for VIPs. There are ways to prevent the bankruptcy of American automobile companies other than what Chairman Kim mentioned.”

“Of course, if the U.S. government pours in a huge bailout, it will be possible to prevent the bankruptcy of American automobile companies. However, in order to rebuild American automobile companies rather than simply prevent bankruptcy, the vicious cycle must be completely broken, and the president’s approval rating must be lowered. “Now is the time, when it’s high.”

Minister-designate Timothy sighed.

This was because it was a condition that could shake the Obama administration, which had not even started yet.

“I think I can give you an answer only after listening to the voices of the Treasury Department, the Federal Reserve, and all departments involved.”

“Of course I have to wait.”

“However, there will be quite a few opposing voices. In particular, there are quite a few people who pathologically dislike the idea of ​​an American company being sold to a Korean company. And there are also people who are skeptical about whether the situation will improve if the Taewoo Group acquires an automobile company.”

The automobile industry is called the pride of America.

Taewoo Group’s acquisition of an American automobile company could have hurt American pride.

“If you will allow me to attend the meeting, I can solve the problem.”

“Hmm, I understand. We will arrange a place for you soon.”

The first meeting ended here.

I had no intention of ending it from the beginning, and today was just a time to get to know each other.

This was my first time tasting the American regime’s liver, which was quite salty and tasted good.