Golden Spoon Investment Portfolio - Chapter 447

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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447. The more money you spend, the more money accumulates.

[USD/JPY : 139.87
(󰀺1.54)]

A spacious President’s Office with thick carpeting covering the floor.
Seok-won sat alone at an L-shaped desk positioned where sunlight streamed in, dressed in a white dress shirt and a Gucci silk necktie.
His gaze remained fixed on the stock price charts and exchange rate graphs displayed across multiple monitors.
As the yen exchange rate, which had been declining, appeared poised to break through and climb past 140 yen per dollar, Seok-won stroked his cleanly shaven chin with one hand and muttered to himself.

“If the psychological Maginot Line of 140 yen breaks, fear will grip the market even more intensely.”

As fear took hold, the attacks by forces that had shorted the yen would only intensify.
Despite the Japanese Government’s desperate efforts to prevent yen depreciation and the United States’ own discomfort with the weak yen, the exchange rate continued to soar—partly because Russia was beginning to falter.

“The economic crisis shows no signs of abating and appears to be spreading beyond Asia into Russia. It’s only natural that the psychology of withdrawing funds and shifting them to safe-haven assets is strengthening.”

Normally, the yen, which belonged to safe-haven assets, should have shown strength alongside the dollar.
However, the aftermath of the bubble collapse and the massive non-performing loan problem amounting to tens of trillions of yen had emerged.
As Japanese financial institutions faced cascading bankruptcies and crisis, the yen could no longer serve as a safe-haven asset.

“Instead, it became a target for short-selling.”

Given this situation, the won exchange rate, which had been gradually stabilizing after recovering foreign investor confidence through the gold collection campaign and successfully extending short-term external debt, was also affected and struggled to fall below 1,300 won.

“If it just continues to trade sideways, that would be fortunate. The problem is that as Russia’s situation deteriorates, it keeps trying to creep upward.”

This was because the U.S. dollar was showing far too much strength compared to the won.
Shifting his gaze to the KOSPI index displayed on the monitor right beside him, Seok-won’s expression grew regretful.

[KOSPI : 384.71 (▼ 32.11)]

“The index that surpassed 550 has collapsed like this in less than four months. The retail investors must be getting decimated.”

Investors who saw the stock index climbing steeply had borrowed heavily to purchase shares, buoyed by expectations that the market would recover and rise again after weathering the IMF crisis.
As a result, this decline would prove far more painful than the previous crash, and the magnitude of the fall would be correspondingly severe.
While I gazed at the KOSPI index with a heavy expression, the vibration alert on my mobile phone, which lay on one corner of my desk, suddenly rang.
Seok-won checked the name displayed on the screen and immediately answered the call.

“Did the transaction conclude successfully?”
[Yes. I’ve just finalized the contract to purchase 470 tons of gold bullion held by the Russian Central Bank for 4.5 billion dollars.]

At Landon Shore’s words from Moscow, a satisfied smile played across my lips.

[Within a week, we’ll make the final payment and have the gold bullion loaded onto a special transport aircraft bound for Korea.]
“Well done.”

Landon hesitated briefly, then continued with careful deliberation.

[I’ve purchased the gold bullion as instructed, but this means the Russian government will secure a substantial amount of dollars they desperately need. Won’t this work against us, given our short positions on their government bonds?]

Unlike Landon, who expressed his concern, I leaned back in my chair with composure.

“Even if they hold cash in their hands, they’ll squander it like sand slipping through their fingers soon enough. There’s no need to worry.”

At my confident tone, Landon refrained from pressing further.

[In case any issues arise in the interim, I’m planning to remain in Moscow until the special transport aircraft departs.]
“Do that.”

Then I suddenly recalled something and asked.

“Oh, and what about the separate instructions I gave you?”
[You mean regarding Yuri Mikhailov, the First Deputy Chief of the Presidential Administration?]
“That’s right.”
[As you instructed, I delivered a gift along with fifty thousand dollars in cash.]
“Good work.”
[He appears to enjoy considerable trust from President Ivanov, but still—he’s merely the First Deputy Chief of the Presidential Administration, hardly a major political figure. Is there a particular reason you’re taking such care with him?]

As Landon posed the question with a puzzled expression, a meaningful smile crossed my face.

“He may be just a deputy chief now, but there’s no guarantee he’ll remain so forever. So I’m making an investment in his future, so to speak. Besides, the position of First Deputy Chief of the Presidential Administration isn’t exactly a lowly post.”
[Well, I suppose that’s true…]

Though his doubts weren’t entirely resolved, Landon Shore decided Seok-won must have his reasons and let the matter drop.

“Just make sure you wrap things up cleanly and come back.”
[Yes. Don’t worry. I’ll contact you again if anything changes.]
“Sounds good.”

After setting down his phone, Seok-won broke into a broad grin, flashing his teeth.

“If I told anyone that Yuri Mikhailov would become Russia’s second president after serving as Prime Minister and Acting President in succession just a few months from now, nobody would believe me.”

It was only natural—he was a figure never mentioned as a candidate for the next presidency, neither abroad nor within Russia itself.

“He’s certainly a remarkable man, seizing power in an instant while the regime descended into chaos, then wielding absolute rule for decades afterward, manipulating this vast Russian state like a puppet master.”

In truth, Yuri Mikhailov’s leadership and personal abilities were exceptional, but fortune had played its part as well.
After Yuri Mikhailov consolidated power, the IT bubble brought global prosperity, and the age of soaring oil prices arrived.

“When you think about it, Russia’s current economic crisis stems largely from the oil price collapse.”

As the financial crisis spread from South America to Asia, crude oil demand plummeted dramatically.
In this environment, a market share war erupted between OPEC members Venezuela and Saudi Arabia, leading them to pump oil recklessly and delivering a catastrophic shock to international oil prices.
With demand shrinking and production cuts necessary, they instead increased output—prices had no choice but to crash.

“And Russia, sitting idle, took the shrapnel from that explosion.”

When international oil prices plummeted from the $20s per barrel to $10 in an instant, Russia’s crude export revenues were slashed in half.
Moreover, Russia’s oil production costs were far higher than those of Middle Eastern nations like Saudi Arabia, so the actual losses exceeded fifty percent.

“Already drowning in fiscal deficits, with crude oil and natural gas revenues—their largest revenue source—drastically shrinking, Russia’s economy would be functioning abnormally if it were working properly at all.”

Then, as Venezuela—the nation that had triggered the market share competition—halted production increases and began cutting output from year’s end, international oil prices hit bottom and began climbing again.
Russia too saw its petroleum and natural gas export revenues increase, providing a foundation to rise once more.

“Without the oil price surge, even Mikhailov couldn’t have revived Russia in such a short time.”

For over eighteen years, international oil prices had remained below $30 per barrel no matter how high they climbed; now they were surging sharply to $100 over a decade—and Russia, an oil-producing nation, found itself sitting on a mountain of wealth.
Restored to strength, Russia would eventually turn villain and wreak havoc, but that was a story for the distant future.
Seok-won’s intention in cultivating a relationship with Mikhailov was to ride the coattails of the international oil price surge and secure a substantial fortune for himself.

“The Middle East and other oil-producing nations are already firmly controlled by the established powers, leaving no room for me to wedge myself in. Russia, still essentially an empty house, is what I need to seize first.”

Beyond crude oil and natural gas, Russia possessed abundant mineral resources that could generate wealth, and to my eyes, the nation gleamed like a treasure island buried in gold.
As I contemplated how to insert my straw into Russia’s coffers and extract its riches, a knock sounded from outside, and Na Seong-mi entered carrying an armful of documents.

“This is the report regarding Digital Wave’s additional exports and the documents requiring your approval today.”

Na Seong-mi set down the document folder before my desk as she spoke.

“Ah, I see.”

I straightened my upper body and picked up the topmost document, unfolding it.
Then I lifted my gaze to look at Na Seong-mi standing across the desk and spoke.

“By the way, you chose the flower basket you sent to the hospital last time very well. My sister-in-law said it’s exactly the kind of flowers she usually likes, and she was quite pleased.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Na Seong-mi wore a satisfied expression, having carefully selected it herself.

“And I’m curious about something. Does our company provide any support when employees have children?”

At the somewhat abrupt question, Na Seong-mi tilted her head and answered.

“I’m not entirely sure, but as far as I know, there isn’t any special support like that.”
“There’s no maternity leave or anything like that?”
“There is, but hardly anyone uses it.”
“Why is that?”

Na Seong-mi’s expression turned slightly bitter before she quickly composed herself.

“Most female employees have to resign upon marriage, so there’s rarely an opportunity to use it.”
“Ah, I see.”

Recalling that it was 1998, I nodded in understanding.

“Understood. You may go now.”

Na Seong-mi bowed her head briefly, then turned and left the room.
As the door closed, Seok-won smacked his lips thoughtfully.

“Come to think of it, back then female employees would resign immediately upon marriage, so they never even had the chance to use maternity leave.”

Even if women continued working after marriage, the company atmosphere made it difficult to broach the subject of taking maternity leave for several months.
As a result, they naturally had no choice but to quit their jobs, and when they wanted to return to work after raising their children to a certain age, hardly any companies would hire them.
Male employees faced similar challenges—not only were they ineligible for maternity leave, but as childcare costs mounted with each passing year, they had to bear the burden alone, forcing them to have fewer children.

“It’s fair to say the birth rate problem began right here and now.”

I had no grand ambitions to solve the birth rate crisis that would only worsen in the future, but it felt wrong to simply turn a blind eye and walk past it.
Normally, I wouldn’t have given a second thought to something so far in the future, but perhaps it was different now that there was a child in the family.
Watching my sister-in-law and my newborn nephew, I naturally found myself growing interested in issues related to childcare and childbirth.

“It would cost quite a bit, but money is something I have in abundance.”

The company had generated enormous profits, and the taxes owed to the nation were substantial—if those were redirected to welfare benefits, it would boost the company’s reputation and raise employee morale, making it a worthwhile investment.
Tapping my fingers against the desk in contemplation once more, I made my decision.
Reaching out to press the intercom button, Na Seong-mi answered immediately.

[Yes. What can I do for you, sir?]
“Contact Yoon and tell him to come here right now.”
[Understood.]

Leaning back against the plush chair, I gazed up at the ceiling.

“Money isn’t meant to be hoarded—the more you spend it, the more it multiplies.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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