Chapter 366: Are You Saying He Has Someone to Rely On?

A Czech Air Force base on the outskirts of Prague.

Hangang Group Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun and his companions were waiting for the arrival of Chief of Staff Tomas Holes and his delegation.

At that moment, Hangang Engineering President Ahn Jeongguk, apparently having a question, turned to Yoon Sanghun.

"Vice Chairman, why do you think the Czech government asked us to land at an air force base instead of a civilian airport?"

"Because Chief of Staff Holes is planning to make a secret visit to our country."

"Do you know why he's visiting us in secret?"

"Mr. Ahn, you know perfectly well how persistent and relentless our media can be."

"Ah, now I understand."

Leaving President Ahn's response at that, Yoon Sanghun turned to Vice President Jeong Sunho.

"Vice President Jeong, what's the real reason Holes is visiting our country?"

"Didn't Chairman Yoon tell you anything?"

Yoon Sanghun recalled the events of the previous day.

He had been discussing the supply of HBM semiconductors to Endivia with Hangang Electronics executives. In the middle of the meeting, he received a call from Chief Secretary Song Doseok, who informed him that a high-ranking Czech government official was planning to visit Korea. He immediately conveyed an order: Yoon Sanghun was to depart for the Czech Republic at once, accompanied by President Ahn Jeongguk and Vice President Jeong Sunho, to personally escort the guest. Sensing that the matter was serious, he had hurriedly completed his preparations and flown here.

"We left so suddenly that I simply didn't have time to ask."

"The Czech government has decided to build four nuclear power units, but they're having difficulty securing the necessary budget."

Vice President Jeong Sunho explained in detail the true purpose of Tomas Holes's trip.

"...Director Cha invited Chief of Staff Holes to our country to discuss providing a loan."

"Ah, so that's what this is about. But wait, couldn't the KBH investment consortium lend the money to the Czech government itself?"

"I was curious about that too, so I asked Director Cha. He said he was doing this because he had too much spare money."

"Just how much spare money does he have to be making offers like that?"

"I don't know the details."

"Fair enough... Forget I asked."

At that moment, President Ahn Jeongguk, clearly itching to speak, joined the conversation again.

"Vice President Jeong, there must be a reason why I was required to accompany the Vice Chairman, right?"

"Let's suppose Director Cha lends the Czech government the money. In that case, the KBH investment consortium is guaranteed to secure the contract to build the nuclear power plant."

"Then..."

As though he had realized something extraordinary, Ahn Jeongguk left his sentence unfinished.

"You're thinking along the right lines, Mr. Ahn."

"My goodness, I had no idea there was such a far-reaching plan behind all this."

"My advice is that when you meet Director Cha, you should make sure to express your sincere gratitude."

"Of course! I wouldn't dream of doing otherwise. Well, I won't interrupt you any longer. Please continue your conversation with the Vice Chairman."

Having satisfied his curiosity, Ahn Jeongguk stepped back, and Yoon Sanghun resumed his questioning.

"Vice President Jeong, why is Defense Minister Ales Maceu flying to our country with him?"

"Director Cha plans to export high-performance Korean weapons to the Czech Republic."

"Exporting weapons requires overcoming an enormous number of obstacles and obtaining all sorts of approvals... Is that really possible?"

"Director Cha wouldn't even waste his time on something that couldn't be accomplished."

"Are you saying he has someone he can rely on?"

"You're absolutely right, Vice Chairman Yoon."

Some time later, a limousine and a small minibus approached and came to a stop nearby.

Yoon Sanghun and the others straightened up, preparing to welcome their guests. Vice President Jeong Sunho approached the limousine and courteously opened its door. Chief of Staff Tomas Holes and Defense Minister Ales Maceu stepped out of the vehicle one after the other.

"Mr. Holes, it's a pleasure to see you again."

"The pleasure is mine."

Holes gestured toward the man standing beside him and continued.

"This is the man responsible for our country's defense, Defense Minister Ales Maceu."

"Mr. Maceu, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Jeong Sunho, Vice President of the KBH investment consortium."

After greeting the minister, Jeong Sunho introduced Yoon Sanghun and the other members of the delegation. Once the brief introductions were complete, they climbed the boarding stairs and entered the private jet.

A waiting flight attendant offered Holes and his companions welcome drinks. Holding a glass in his hand, the Chief of Staff settled into the seat indicated to him. After taking a refreshing sip, he addressed Yoon Sanghun in a friendly tone.

"Vice Chairman Yoon, I'm sincerely grateful to you for making these arrangements."

"Not at all. There's no need to thank me."

"Still, you could have simply sent the aircraft. There must be a reason why you came personally."

Yoon Sanghun's true objective was to secure the nuclear power plant construction contract. However, reasoning that stating this outright might cast doubt on the sincerity of their intentions, he decided to give a different explanation.

"Cha Jiham, CEO of KBH Investment, personally asked me to welcome and escort you and Minister Maceu."

"The CEO of some investment company asked you to do that?"

Before Holes could fully process what he had heard, Defense Minister Maceu spoke up. To gauge how much his guests knew, Yoon Sanghun addressed Holes.

"Director Cha Jiham is far from an ordinary CEO. Mr. Holes, haven't you told Minister Maceu who Director Cha is?"

"To be honest, I know very little about him myself."

Yoon Sanghun thought for a moment, deciding how best to approach the conversation, then spoke slowly.

"KBH Investment was established jointly by Hangang Group, Korea Investment, and Bongard Investment Group."

"I'm aware of that."

"In that case, there's no need for me to explain what KBH Investment is."

"No, I suppose not."

"Director Cha is not only the CEO of KBH Investment but also the officially recognized successor to Korea Investment."

"I understand the part about KBH Investment, but I'd like to know more about Korea Investment. What kind of company is it?"

"It's an investment company specializing in stocks and futures. Its assets amount to approximately 200 billion dollars."

"That's a much larger scale than I imagined."

"At the beginning of the year, its assets stood at 400 billion won, but Director Cha has increased that amount tremendously over the course of this year."

Chief of Staff Holes considered Yoon Sanghun's words an obvious exaggeration.

The stock and futures markets were teeming with seasoned, shark-like investment firms. He simply couldn't believe that anyone could increase their assets fivefold in just eight months in such a fiercely competitive market.

He directly asked Yoon Sanghun what he thought of his skepticism.

"I understand your doubts, but it's the absolute truth."

"Can you provide evidence that would convince me?"

Yoon Sanghun found himself in an extremely difficult position.

If he failed to dispel Holes's doubts, he would be regarded as a liar. And that could deal a fatal blow to their chances of securing the nuclear power plant construction contract being put out to tender by the Czech government.

'Hmm, what should I do?..'

At that very moment, the Hangang Group aircraft, having completed its takeoff preparations, began moving smoothly along the taxiway.

Yoon Sanghun welcomed the unexpected respite and addressed Holes.

"I'll provide you with evidence as soon as the aircraft reaches cruising altitude."

"As you wish."

A few minutes later, Hangang Group's business jet lifted off the runway and soared into the clear blue sky.

As soon as the aircraft reached its cruising altitude and the Fasten Seat Belts sign went out, Holes spoke up as though he had been waiting for precisely that moment.

"Vice Chairman Yoon, you can provide the evidence now."

"There are too many witnesses here. This isn't the most suitable place for a confidential conversation."

"Are you suggesting we move somewhere else?"

"Exactly. There's a conference room at the rear of the aircraft."

"Very well. I accept your suggestion."

Yoon Sanghun and his companions moved to the conference room at the back of the jet and took their seats around the table.

After taking a sip from a bottle of mineral water, he began calmly.

"Mr. Holes, everything we discuss here must remain strictly confidential."

"You needn't worry about that."

Since the Chief of Staff had given his word, there was nothing to do but trust him.

"Excellent. Tell me, do you know Chairman Clark Bongard?"

"I've heard his name so many times I'm sick of hearing it, but I've never met him personally."

"I see. I'm going to call Chairman Bongard now."

"You know him personally?"

"Of course. I'll hand you the phone, and if you have any questions about Director Cha, you can ask him directly."

"I understand."

Without commenting further on Holes's response, Yoon Sanghun dialed Chairman Bongard's number.

After several rings, a surprised voice came through the speaker.

[Vice Chairman Yoon, it's been a long time since we last spoke.]

"Likewise, Mr. Chairman."

[It's the middle of the night in Korea right now, isn't it?]

"That's right. But at the moment, I'm aboard an aircraft escorting Chief of Staff Holes and Defense Minister Maceu from the Czech Republic to Korea."

[May I ask the purpose of their visit to Korea?]

[Director Cha invited them in connection with the nuclear power plant construction project initiated by the Czech government.]

[I see. Well then, I'd like to hear why you're calling me.]

"The thing is, Mr. Holes and Minister Maceu have quite a few questions about Director Cha."

[But couldn't you satisfy their curiosity yourself?]

"Our guests place much greater trust in your authority than in mine."

[Ah, now I understand. Put them on the phone.]

Yoon Sanghun briefly explained the gist of his conversation with Bongard to Holes and handed him the phone.

After exchanging greetings with the head of the investment group, the Chief of Staff moved on to the subject that interested him.

"Vice Chairman Yoon has just told me some absolutely incredible things."

[And what did he say?]

"According to him, Korea Investment, with Director Cha's help, has increased its assets more than fivefold since the beginning of the year. What do you think of that claim?"

[I don't know Korea Investment's exact figures, so I can't comment on its performance. But I can share our company's figures.]

"Is it really necessary for me to know the size of Bongard's assets?"

[Our company has received tremendous help from Director Cha on numerous occasions.]

"Is that so..."

[As a matter of fact, our group's assets have tripled since the beginning of the year.]

At that moment, Holes almost doubted his own ears.

Bongard Investment Group was widely recognized as the largest investment organization in the world. Consequently, the amount of assets under its management had to be astronomical.

And such an enormous empire had tripled its assets in just eight months?

Chairman Bongard's words carried far too much weight to be dismissed as an ordinary lie.

"Wow, that's incredible! My sincerest congratulations!"

[Ha-ha. Thank you. Our company merely followed Director Cha's instructions to the letter.]

"Are you saying Director Cha possesses phenomenal investment instincts?"

[Exactly. And I'd like to emphasize that investing is only one facet of his talent.]

"I have a couple more questions about Director Cha. May I ask them?"

[I'll decide whether to answer once I've heard the questions. Agreed?]

"Of course. Director Cha has offered to lend our country money from his personal funds. Just how wealthy is he to make such an offer?"

[His personal fortune amounts to at least 200 billion dollars. However, the funds he can mobilize are effectively unlimited.]

Holes frowned in confusion.

Bongard had just mentioned a figure of 200 billion dollars.

Did that mean the maximum amount Cha Jiham could mobilize was limited to those same 200 billion dollars?

But then why was Bongard claiming that his financial resources were unlimited?

He asked directly.

[If Director Cha asks, I'm prepared to make all of our group's assets available to him completely interest-free.]

"What?! Interest-free?!"

[Consider it a measure of just how highly I regard him and how much I value him.]

"Ah... I see."

[Do you have any more questions about him?]

"Just one more. I've heard rumors that even President Douglas feels intimidated and uncomfortable around him."

[Those aren't rumors. They're the absolute truth.]

"But why would President Douglas have to fawn over him?"

[Because without Cha Jiham's help, President Douglas simply won't be able to win reelection for a second term.]

"Oh..."

Chief of Staff Holes drew out the sound, feeling as though the pieces of the puzzle in his mind had finally fallen into place.