Chapter 106: Trust Me

The *Goryeo Daily* was first established during the Japanese occupation by pro-Japanese figures.

While the owners were collaborators, the reporters and editors below them aspired to turn it into an anti-Japanese nationalist paper.

After several changes in ownership due to oppression from the Japanese Government-General of Korea, the paper eventually fell into the hands of the pro-Japanese leader, Go Eung-soo. It nearly disappeared from history but was quickly revived.

Afterward, by supporting figures like Kim Gu and the Korean Provisional Government, it rapidly distanced itself from its collaborationist past.

Although it struggled to grow due to the proliferation of media outlets, it rapidly rose to prominence during the 3rd and 5th Republics by aligning closely with the ruling powers, becoming the largest newspaper in Korea today.

"Something interesting, huh? Now you've got me curious."

Go Ho-seon, sitting across from me, was the eldest son of Go Eung-soo and someone who could sway public opinion in Korea with just a word.

"Yes, fortunately I acquired it before someone else did. Otherwise, you might have found yourself in a difficult position, sir."

At that, Go Ho-seon's expression changed.

"It's something related to me?"

I silently placed a small envelope filled with photos on the table and slid it toward him.

"Why don't you take a look first? Then we can talk."

"Hmm…"

Go Ho-seon picked up the envelope.

After quickly scanning the photos inside, his jaw began to tremble.

"What are you trying to pull here?"

I answered calmly.

"It's not just photos. There's a video too. If someone else had gotten their hands on it, even you wouldn't have been able to stop it."

"I wouldn't have been able to stop it? Do you think there's anything in Korea that I, Go Ho-seon, can't control? I could turn the President into a nobody with a single article. You're making a mistake."

Despite his anger, his voice remained eerily calm.

"True. But if this had ended up with *Hanminjok Daily*, could you have stopped them? Isn't that the one newspaper *Goryeo Daily* can't stand?"

During the media consolidation under the 5th Republic, *Hanminjok Daily* was forcibly seized by *Goryeo Daily*. After the fall of the military regime, *Hanminjok* was re-established and has been a thorn in *Goryeo Daily*'s side ever since.

Though their influence is smaller, they've always been a nuisance, publishing articles with the exact opposite stance of *Goryeo Daily*.

"*Hanminjok Daily*? Ha!"

Go Ho-seon scoffed, slamming the photos onto the table.

"So, why show me this? You must want something if you're here."

"I'm going to dismantle the *Cheongpung Group*."

Go Ho-seon looked at me like I'd lost my mind.

"You? Take down *Cheongpung*? You really think that's possible?"

"Absolutely."

"You're young, so I suppose confidence comes easy. But *Cheongpung* isn't some small-time group. Even in our newspaper, their mouthpieces are everywhere. And not just here—most media outlets in Korea are in their pockets."

He waved his hand dismissively, as if my words were nothing but a joke.

His reaction revealed just how far-reaching *Cheongpung*'s influence was.

But I wasn't fazed.

"*Goryeo Daily* can change its editorial stance with just a word from you, can't it? Whether you help me take down *Cheongpung* or watch *Goryeo Daily* fall first is entirely up to you."

"That's absurd. I must've misjudged you. Even Chairman Cheon never tried something like this with me. Did you think showing me these photos would make me squirm? I'm Go Ho-seon!"

Go Ho-seon had too much faith in his own power.

Then again, with *Goryeo Daily* under his command, it wasn't surprising.

"Because of the relationship you had with my grandfather, I'm approaching you first. But if you refuse, we won't be having this conversation again."

"Are you trying to threaten me? With a few photos and a video?"

Go Ho-seon's face twisted with anger.

"Don't you think you'll fall before I do? I could have your identity printed on the front page of tomorrow's paper. Don't test my patience. Hand over the photos and video now."

Seeing him try to turn the tables on me, I dropped the smile I'd been holding.

"Mr. Go, this is your last chance. Will you help me destroy *Cheongpung* or will you fall with them? Do you really want your granddaughter's face plastered all over the country? These photos are just the beginning. The video… well, let's just say it's not pleasant to watch. It's like something out of an animal documentary."

I grimaced as if the memory disgusted me, and Go Ho-seon shot up from his seat, shouting.

"Are you asking for death? How dare you bring Mi-joo's name into this?"

His lips were trembling.

But I wasn't the least bit intimidated.

"Expose my identity? Go ahead. See what happens. As soon as you do, the ads will stop. Maybe you're not afraid of big corporations, but you clearly underestimate Myeong-dong. Go ahead, try it."

Go Ho-seon flinched at the mention of cutting ads.

I turned my gaze away, disgusted by how the threat to his granddaughter bothered him far less than the mention of lost revenue.

"First, *Jungwoo Group* would pull their ads. And with the stakes I hold in other major corporations, it wouldn't be hard to cut off the rest. You know what kind of leverage I have. I could derail any succession plans at a moment's notice. Want to test it?"

Go Ho-seon said nothing.

"If *Goryeo Daily* falls, then I'll go to *Jungshim Daily*. If not them, then *Dongseong Daily*. And if they turn me away, I'll go down the line until I find someone willing to listen. Do you really think every newspaper in Korea will refuse me?"

Though *Goryeo Daily* was the biggest, the other major papers were always in its shadow, stuck in second place. They might see this as a chance to rise.

Of course, it would be in my best interest to partner with *Goryeo Daily*. After all, there's a reason they're number one.

"I think I've explained everything clearly. Now, make your choice. I can't give you more time to think."

Go Ho-seon's eyes wavered.

He stared at me for a long time before finally asking.

"Are you really confident you can take down *Cheongpung*? You know Japan is backing them, right?"

"Do you think Japan has the luxury to protect *Cheongpung* right now? They're too busy dealing with their own problems."

"…There's something more to this, isn't there? Fine, give me the photos and video. I'll think it over."

I shook my head, smiling.

You've got to be kidding.

"Give me an answer now. I told you I can't give you time. I'll cut *Cheongpung*'s throat in one strike. I won't give them time to fight back."

In the end, his choice was inevitable.

"…What do you want me to do?"

"Tomorrow, run a front-page article exposing *Cheongpung* for what they are. Make sure the headline stirs up public outrage. You've got enough material for that. Don't pretend you don't—I know what kind of person you are."

My words hit their mark. Go Ho-seon blinked in shock, staring at me like he was seeing a ghost.

"You have it, don't you? The list of *Cheongpung*'s core members. Isn't that right?"

"H-how could you possibly know…"

Not long ago, a list claiming to be *Cheongpung*'s membership went viral online.

No one could confirm if it was real, but rumors swirled that the source was *Goryeo Daily*.

"Let's start tomorrow. Just like Korea, Japan will be swarmed by vultures before they know it."

"…Hand over the photos and video."

I shook my head.

"Once the article is out, I'll burn them. No need to further taint your eyes."

"How do I know I can trust you?"

"Trust me."

After a long pause, Go Ho-seon finally nodded.

* * *

Meanwhile, following Kim Mu-hyeok's orders, Han Gyeon-yeong was meeting with people from Wall Street.

"We'll need to move up the timeline."

"I've heard from Washington. What's our next move?"

"Do what you always do."

"Japan's dollar reserves are on a different scale from other countries. It won't be easy to shake them."

George Soros was right. Japan's foreign reserves were no small matter.

"But they're not larger than the reserves of the UK, which you toppled."

Soros eventually nodded.

"And the funds for the attack?"

"We can launch the assault tomorrow if needed. Don't worry, George."

Han Gyeong-yeong spoke with confidence.

A moment later, Soros began outlining the plan.

"First, we'll use Moody's to downgrade their credit rating."

Just like in Korea, the credit rating agencies would lead the charge.

"Good. Let's begin."

"Next Monday, as soon as the Japanese market opens, we'll launch a full-scale attack."

Thus, the assault on Japan was set in motion.

A few days later, a small bomb dropped by Wall Street threw Japan into chaos.

It wasn't a physical bomb but a new kind of weapon—a credit downgrade.

Once a proud financial power, Japan found itself scrambling to respond to Moody's strike.

* * *

The real blow came on Monday, when U.S. Treasury Secretary Rubin made his statement.

"It's Japan's fault that the Asian economy, no—the global economy—is in danger. The Treasury is holding them accountable."

He blasted Japan's Ministry of Finance, accusing it of destabilizing the world economy.

Simultaneously, Wall Street's assault on the Japanese market intensified, causing their economy to spiral.

The yen, which had held steady at 100 per dollar, skyrocketed to 120 in a single day, sparking panic. The Nikkei plunged, ending the day in freefall.

The Japanese government held emergency meetings and contacted the U.S. White House repeatedly, but all they got in return was a demand for reforms.

"It's begun, Mu-hyeok."

― "You're doing well. Japan's economy is too large for the IMF to step in like they did with us. In the end, the Japanese government will have to negotiate with the White House. Until then, we need to weaken them as much as possible."

"New York is in full celebration mode."

Han Gyeong-yeong wasn't exaggerating.

Japan was such a massive prize that even sharing it among many would rival consuming all of Thailand.

Japanese securities firms and banks were on the verge of collapse.

Wall Street's gaze, once fixated on Korea, had now turned to Japan.

* * *

On the day Moody's downgraded Japan's credit rating, Korea was shaken by the front-page article in *Goryeo Daily*.

[*Cheongpung Group*: The Organization Behind Korea's Power Structure]

The detailed exposé on *Cheongpung* was enough to ignite public outrage.

A secretive organization filled with descendants of pro-Japanese collaborators and remnants of the military regime.

The people, who had been completely unaware, felt utterly betrayed. Wherever two or more gathered, they were discussing *Cheongpung*.

Once *Goryeo Daily* broke the story, other newspapers had no choice but to follow.

In no time, every newspaper began releasing their own exclusive reports on *Cheongpung* based on the materials they had.

"Now's the time to cut off Lee Yong-hyun's hands."

Not long ago, the *Loan Business Act* had passed, requiring all loan businesses to register with the government and operate legally.

*Rush & Money* had been aggressively offering loans at a 45% interest rate, targeting the working class.

Meanwhile, the loan companies under *Myeong-dong Capital* began undercutting them with lower rates, pressuring *Rush & Money*.

A game of chicken ensued: every time *Myeong-dong Capital* lowered their rate by 1%, *Rush & Money* followed suit, and then *Myeong-dong* would lower it further.

"Drop the rate to 20%. They won't be able to follow that far. And offer another 1% discount to anyone refinancing a *Rush & Money* loan."

The assault on Japan, *Cheongpung*, and the loan companies in Korea had begun all at once.

While I was making calls and issuing orders, Manager Ma arrived to report.

"We've captured him."

"Good. Let's go."

It was time to settle an old score.

After a long drive, we arrived at an abandoned factory.

The large metal doors creaked open. Inside was a man, bound and kneeling on the ground.

"Nice to see you again."