I Became a Black Market Tycoon with an Inventory - Chapter 225

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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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225 – Emergency Military Supply Cooperation Program
225.
Upon arriving in South Korea, we headed straight to Cheongwadae.
Fortunately, President Kim Min-su
agreed to meet with us despite our sudden request.
The office door swung open,
and the President rose from his seat.
“Welcome. I’ve been expecting you.”
“It’s been a while. How have you been?”
“I’ve been well, thanks to you.”
President Kim Min-su answered with a smile.
We exchanged a light handshake and brief pleasantries.
But I hadn’t come here today for social niceties.
I had business to conduct.
I got straight to the point.
“I’d like to purchase weapons.”
“I’m sorry?”
President Kim Min-su’s ears momentarily doubted what they’d heard.
It was an utterly nonsensical statement by any reasonable standard.
Purchase weapons?
Did he mean to buy weapons?
Had he heard correctly?
The weapons he knew about?
Buying weapons?
These were words that would never ordinarily come from a normal person’s mouth.
There was no circumstance in life where ordinary people needed weapons.
If truly necessary, perhaps a few self-defense firearms at most.
Gong In-bae had always been prone to saying things that surprised people.
But this was on an entirely different level.
Weapons, of all things.
This was absolutely unacceptable.
It far exceeded the bounds of what could be helped through personal connections or goodwill.
He could ask for help earning money instead.
If he asked for help starting a company, that could be arranged.
Just as I’d approved an insurance product in a single day last time.
I could apply regulations flexibly from an administrative standpoint.
Honestly, Gong In-bae deserved that level of favor.
What he’d done for South Korea was remarkable.
He’d resolved the maritime insurance crisis that nearly left us isolated without ships,
and he’d established a hotline with Wei Zhonglin,
He had given me the status of an eternal friend.
With that much goodwill, I could certainly help his business ventures.
I could help him make money.
South Korea had become a new cornerstone nation in maritime reinsurance,
and improving relations with China was an achievement beyond any monetary value.
It was only natural to help Gong In-bae, who had made all this possible, earn money.
Last time too, when Japan tried to manipulate insurance, President Kim Min-su had prepared favors.
But instead of accepting benefits,
Gong In-bae had called Wei Zhonglin and suggested they share a meal together.
Thanks to that, relations between the two nations grew even stronger.
South Korea’s standing rose tremendously.
I wanted to help with anything Gong In-bae asked for.
But this was different.
Entirely different.
This wasn’t something President Kim Min-su could simply decide to do.
This was handled by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, not the President.
Weapons exports were subject to international law controls.
Strict. Sensitive.
“I mentioned that I wish to purchase weapons manufactured in South Korea.”
Gong In-bae spoke again.
My ears hadn’t deceived me.
It was indeed about weapons purchases.
There was no need to hear more.
Yet I couldn’t cut him off sharply.
Gong In-bae was not someone to be treated that way.
Perhaps… perhaps it was something trivial.
It could be just a few self-defense pistols.
With pistols, I could find a way.
I could list them for decommissioning and process them as scrap metal.
Then sell that scrap metal to civilians.
The way Russia had done it.
“What weapons are you referring to?”
President Kim Min-su asked very carefully.
Hoping it would be pistols.
I pushed the tablet I had prepared toward President Kim Min-su.
The screen displayed the list I needed.
A very long list.
K-9 self-propelled howitzer.
K-2 main battle tank.
K-21 infantry fighting vehicle.
Cheonmu multi-stage rocket.
Hyungung anti-tank missile.
Cheonkung medium-range air-to-ground missile.
Air defense system.
Massive quantities of ammunition and support equipment as well.
President Kim Min-su’s eyes widened.
This wasn’t a simple weapons list.
It was enough materiel to wage an actual war.
President Kim Min-su set down the tablet and looked at me.
“···. This is..”
President Kim Min-su couldn’t find his words.
I nodded.
“These are the weapons I need.”
President Kim Min-su shook his head side to side.
“It’s impossible. This cannot be done.”
“Why?”
I asked curtly.
“First, the quantity is far too large. Getting approval for this volume is nearly impossible. At this scale, it appears you’re preparing for war.”
“You’ve assessed the situation correctly. That’s exactly where I stand. I’m on the brink of war.”
I spoke with complete composure.
President Kim Min-su stares at me.
He realizes I’m not joking.
He spoke slowly.
“I want to help you. I know all too well how much Gong In-bae has done for South Korea. But you’re asking me to exceed my authority by far. These weapons aren’t just numerous—they’re classified as strategic materials. Exporting such weapons requires an extremely complex procedure. And the Defense Acquisition Program Administration is handling it···”
I cut him off.
He’s spouting the obvious.
I looked directly into President Kim Min-su’s eyes as I spoke.
“Do I seem like someone who came here without knowing that?”
“I’m sorry?”
“I asked if you think I’m ignorant of the fact that these are strategic materials. Do I seem like someone speaking without knowing that weapons exports are complicated?”
“Well… then.”
“I know. I know the procedures are complex, that it takes time, that it’s not easy. And yet I came to you, Mr. President, for one reason alone. Because you’re the only person who can make this possible, the only one who can process this as quickly as possible.”
“It’s beyond my authority.”
President Kim Min-su shook his head.
“I’ll pay whatever you ask. You can overcharge me, add expediting fees—I don’t care. My only objective is to obtain these weapons within a short timeframe.”
President Kim Min-su fell silent for a moment.
Then he spoke very slowly.
“My heart wants to sell them to you. I want to help Gong In-bae. But that’s not something within my power alone. There are multiple hurdles to clear. South Korea has already signed the Arms Trade Treaty. And to export weapons, we need an End-User Certificate, which only the importing nation’s government can issue. That process is extremely complex and difficult. Sharp conflicts of interest are intertwined, making it hard to navigate.”
“So you’re saying you can’t sell to individuals?”
“Unfortunately, that’s correct.”
“Then is it possible with the Philippine Government?”
“I’m sorry?”
“I’m asking if exporting to the Philippines is feasible.”
“With proper consultation and procedures in place, it should be possible.”
I immediately picked up the phone and called Patrick, the Philippine President.
The call connected before the second ring had even finished.
“Yes, I’ve answered.”
Patrick picked up himself.
“Patrick. Send a weapons request to South Korea.”
There was silence on the other end of the line.
Of course there was.
A weapons purchase request between nations wasn’t something that could be handled with a single phone call.
The Ministry of National Defense and Foreign Ministry had to consult,
compile the necessary weapons list, and then draft and transmit official documents.
That process involved dozens, hundreds of reviews and approvals.
Just creating the list could take months or even years.
And becoming a defense industry partner meant far more than a simple exchange of goods.
An absolute ally.
It meant becoming a trustworthy partner.
Naturally, political, cultural, and economic cooperation followed beyond weapons trading.
There were no cases of buying and selling weapons without that foundation.
But moments later.
“It’s been sent.”
“Good. Thank you for your work.”
President Kim Min-su was taken aback.
He had expected refusals, objections, or complications.
Naturally, he thought excuses or explanations would follow.
Even with a close relationship with the President, this crossed that line.
This was a matter that determined a nation’s policy, future, and defense.
But Gong In-bae had ended it with a single phone call—no, a single word.
President Patrick hadn’t even asked.
He didn’t ask for reasons or circumstances.
He simply executed the order.
Only then did President Kim Min-su realize the truth.
The true ruler of the Philippines was the man sitting before him. Gong In-bae.
Or rather, Alex.
This man was governing the Philippines.
Everyone else was merely an agent executing his decisions.
.
.
.
The Secretary General knocked on the door.
“Mr. President. An urgent official document has arrived from the Philippine Government.”
President Kim Min-su received the document and quickly reviewed it.
Then he looked at me.
His expression clearly showed bewilderment.
The document’s contents were simple.
So simple, in fact, that it was virtually blank.
No itemized list, no quantities, no prices.
Only the Philippine Government’s signature existed.
The meaning was unmistakable.
It meant they were entrusting us with complete discretion—whatever weapons, at whatever price, in whatever quantity.
It was essentially a blank check.
Now it was time to get down to serious negotiations.
After reviewing the document, President Kim Min-su spoke.
“Since you understand the procedures, I’ll speak candidly. Weapons aren’t something we can simply sell just because we’ve agreed between ourselves. We need to consult with the United States, China and Japan will make noise about it, and the National Assembly won’t stay silent either. Even if we handle all that, it will take at least a year—no, ten months minimum.”
I responded immediately.
“That won’t work. The weapons need to arrive in the Philippines within three days. The situation is urgent.”
“Impossible.”
President Kim Min-su drew a firm line.
The room fell silent for a moment.
“Mr. President. Do you know why I came all this way? Why I came here ignoring procedures and skipping steps?”
“No. I’m not entirely sure.”
“My people died. They were killed by the enemy. So what should we do? Just sit idle?”
“···..”
The President said nothing.
“Dialogue? Consultation? Negotiation? When my people are dead? Is that even possible?”
“I believe that to prevent greater casualties, such measures are one approach.”
President Kim Min-su spoke in a low voice.
“To prevent greater casualties… Our thinking is completely opposite. Those who get hit but don’t counterattack, who cower—they’ll get hit again and again. They’re seen as easy targets because they don’t fight back. But those who commit fully to retaliation, who accept the cost—they’re not easy to touch. If you’re not careful, you get hurt yourself. So you think twice before acting. Should I touch them? Like that. We want to show them. What happens when you touch us. We want to demonstrate that if you touch our people, we won’t hesitate to go to war. I believe that’s what truly prevents greater casualties.”
“That’s a difference in perspective, so I find it difficult to agree.”
President Kim Min-su said.
“I didn’t come here to get your agreement. I came to buy weapons. I need approximately 500 trillion won worth of weapons. It could also be quite the achievement for you, Mr. President.”
As those words left my mouth, President Kim Min-su’s eyes wavered.
500 trillion won.
South Korea’s annual budget is roughly 700 trillion won.
It was impossible to even imagine how many policies could be implemented with that money.
Many of the problems South Korea currently faces ultimately stem from budget constraints.
But 500 trillion won…
That was enough money to solve most of those problems.
My mind was a whirlwind of complexity.
Countless calculations spun rapidly through my thoughts.
President Kim Min-su paused to gather his thoughts.
“Through formal channels, it would be difficult. However, there is a method called the ‘Emergency Military Supply Cooperation Program.'”
“What is that?”
“We would need to link our country with the Philippine Government through a joint military project.”
“Then we can proceed that way.”
“However, to do that, we need justification. A reason for us to assist the Philippines. Someone must pose a genuine threat, or there must be a legitimate need for such weapons.”
I paused briefly before asking.
“Would a civil war suffice?”
“A civil war?”
President Kim Min-su’s eyes widened.
“Yes. If the Rebel Forces in the Philippines issue warnings and resort to military action against the government, would that be sufficient justification?”
“That would be sufficient.”
I picked up the phone again.
This time it was a three-way call with Simon and Patrick connected simultaneously.
“Simon. You understand the situation? The Philippines needs a plausible pretext?”
“You’re talking about the Philippines needing weapons?”
“Exactly.”
“You’re asking me to start a civil war.”
Simon spoke matter-of-factly.
“Precisely. You hearing this, Patrick?”
“Yes. Please proceed carefully.”
Patrick spoke with a smile in his voice.
“I’ll have some weapons fired near the waters off Zamboanga. I’ll kidnap a few foreigners too. But who should we target?”
“If South Korea is to provide weapons support, wouldn’t it be better to have South Korean citizens involved? That way, South Korea can justify active involvement.”
Patrick answered Simon’s question.
“Good idea. There are those Dae Yeon Development people there. Bring them along. They’ve been working hard lately and seem exhausted. Send them to a resort for a few days of rest. They deserve a vacation. I’ll mention it to Dae-hun.”
I brought up the Dae Yeon Development personnel.
“Okay. Let’s do it that way.”
“Then I’ll make the preparations.”
Everyone agreed.
There was no need to prolong the call further.
For President Kim Min-su, this meeting had been nothing but a series of bewildering moments.
Gong In-bae, whom he had been grateful to, suddenly appeared and asked him to sell weapons.
It made no sense from the start.
Naturally, he had refused.
But the amount they wanted to purchase was five hundred trillion won.
Packed completely with strategic materials.
Yet money had a way of making the impossible possible.
Five hundred trillion won was money of that caliber.
Money alone wouldn’t suffice.
Since justification was needed, I called the Rebel Forces and had them ignite a civil war right then and there.
They’d fire weapons near Zamboanga and kidnap foreigners.
To give South Korea a reason to participate, they’d kindly kidnap South Koreans as well.
Of course, in reality they’d be relaxing comfortably at a resort, but the conditions couldn’t be more perfect for South Korea to step in.
South Korea could provide massive military support under the pretext of rescuing hostages and aiding an ally.
This entire arrangement was settled in mere minutes.
These were matters that would be difficult to accomplish even with years of effort.
President Kim Min-su
wondered absurdly if time flowed differently in this room alone.
Otherwise, there was no way such a thorny problem could be resolved so effortlessly.
Watching President Kim Min-su, I spoke calmly.
“Now you have your justification. It’s your turn, Mr. President.”
President Kim Min-su looked at me for a moment,
then quietly nodded.

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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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