New Employees With an Annual Salary of 1 Trillion Won - Chapter 94
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 94. The Architect (4)
Karl Rove, the architect of the Bush Election Campaign.
Many stakeholders tried to meet him, but those actually qualified to have a conversation with him were limited.
Simply having a lot of money wasn’t enough.
And Karl Rove was someone difficult to meet even with just a high reputation.
However, Tiger Fund satisfied both conditions.
They had both the reputation of Chairman Robertson and fifty million dollars in funds.
“It’s really been a long time. This is the first time since the gubernatorial election season, so it’s been six whole years.”
“I’m glad to see you too. I get to meet the busiest person in the United States.”
“For Chairman Robertson, I have to make time even when I don’t have any. But who is the person next to you?”
“This is Mike General Manager, who will take over Tiger Fund after me.”
“Nice to meet you. It’s an honor to meet the smartest person in the United States.”
The greetings ended there.
To avoid wasting each other’s time, they quickly got to the main point.
“I heard from Director Oliver that you can sponsor up to fifty million dollars including unofficial support?”
“That’s correct. We can sponsor through a non-profit organization.”
“Hmm, of course this wouldn’t be sponsorship without any purpose. What do you want?”
Karl Rove’s eyes changed.
As someone who designs elections, he had to control all variables and react sensitively to what variables Tiger Fund might throw.
“Do you know about the Korean construction company that suffered major losses after entering Iraq construction projects?”
“Several companies suffered losses due to the Gulf War. But is that some kind of problem?”
“Tiger Fund has purchased the nine hundred million dollar Outstanding Receivables bond that Daehyeon Construction couldn’t collect from Iraq.”
“Hmm, you’ve made a very risky investment.”
Iraq and nine hundred million dollars.
Karl Rove involuntarily frowned at the appearance of a larger variable than expected.
“We’d like you to open a path so we can recover the Outstanding Receivables.”
“That’s a difficult matter. As you well know, not only the Republican Party but also the Democratic Party are strongly advocating for economic sanctions against Iraq.”
“We’re absolutely not asking you to lift the economic sanctions. We just need enough of an opening to recover the Outstanding Receivables.”
Lifting the economic sanctions would be impossible even with five hundred million dollars in sponsorship, not just fifty million dollars.
However, opening a small gap to collect nine hundred million dollars in Outstanding Receivables could be done without much difficulty.
“It doesn’t necessarily have to be 900 million dollars in cash, does it?”
“Gold is fine, oil is fine, or even buildings or land would be acceptable. As long as we can somehow recover the outstanding receivables, we’re okay with receiving it in any form.”
“If the presidential candidate wins the election, we can open up that kind of opportunity for you. But as you know, this election is running so close that we might not be able to keep our promise.”
Karl Rove didn’t give any assurance.
While 50 million dollars in donations was an enormous amount, this matter could affect national governance, so he couldn’t make promises.
“Tiger Fund is a member of Wall Street. We believe the Republican Party will develop Wall Street going forward.”
“You don’t need to worry about that. We’re preparing various campaign promises for Wall Street’s development.”
“So we’re thinking of donating an additional 50 million dollars.”
“What do you mean? Are you saying you’ll donate a total of 100 million dollars?”
This was General Manager Kang Dong-ju’s hidden card.
The 50 million dollars was just bait to draw out Karl Rove, and the final blow was 100 million dollars.
Candidate Bush’s presidential campaign total fundraising was around 200 million dollars.
When Tiger Fund said they would donate 100 million dollars, which was 50% of that amount, Karl Rove’s expression completely changed.
“We’ll donate 100 million dollars through a non-profit organization.”
“Even if you recover the outstanding receivables, wouldn’t it be difficult to make a profit of over 100 million dollars?”
“It’s not because of the outstanding receivables. We want to support the Republican Party for Wall Street’s development. The additional 50 million dollars we’re donating is a decision made for America with no conditions attached.”
A total of 100 million dollars in donations.
With this money, a more abundant election campaign would be possible.
And since it was money coming in unofficially, Karl Rove couldn’t refuse because he could use it in the direction he wanted.
“We’ll gratefully accept it. And let’s create many campaign promises that will help not only with the outstanding receivables issue but also Wall Street and Tiger Fund going forward.”
“You don’t need to go that far. Just know that we donated with good intentions for the success of the Bush administration.”
“Please wait here for a moment.”
Karl Rove suddenly went outside.
Leaving customers behind was against etiquette, but when the door opened again, I immediately understood why he had acted this way.
“Nice to meet you! I heard Tiger Fund donated a large amount with very good intentions this time. Thank you very much. Chairman Robertson, it’s been such a long time.”
“I didn’t know the candidate would personally come to greet us like this. Heh heh heh. I can’t tell you how fortunate I am to meet the candidate like this before retiring.”
“Are you retiring?”
Chairman Robertson and Candidate Bush seemed to already have a friendship.
Chairman Robertson naturally shook hands and introduced Mike General Manager to Candidate Bush.
“This is Mike General Manager who will lead Tiger Fund in my place going forward. Please take good care of him.”
“I should be the one asking for favors. It’s a pleasure to meet you like this.”
“It’s truly an honor to meet you. I’m Mike from Tiger Fund.”
It was the power of 100 million dollars.
Not only did Candidate Bush show up in person, but he even made a promise.
“I’ll keep a favorable eye on Tiger Fund from now on.”
“That alone is more than enough. Thank you so much.”
“If you face any difficulties in the future, feel free to come to us anytime. Advisor, please maintain regular communication with Tiger Fund as well.”
“I’ll set up a direct line.”
Donating 100 million dollars just to collect outstanding receivables was excessive.
But investing 100 million dollars to establish a connection with someone who would become president was by no means an excessive amount.
“I have another appointment, so I should get going. And I will never forget today’s support.”
“Thank you. I’ll pray for the success of the Bush administration.”
“Calling it an administration is a bit much when I haven’t even been elected yet. Hahaha.”
Candidate Bush left with a smile.
Advisor Karl Rove followed behind and gave one last word to General Manager Kang Dong-ju.
“I won’t forget either. I’ll make sure to work on resolving the outstanding receivables issue one way or another.”
“If there’s anything I can do for the success of the Bush administration, please contact me anytime.”
“I’ll contact you after the election is over.”
General Manager Kang Dong-ju clenched his fist.
He had achieved results beyond what he had planned.
Of course, he had used the enormous sum of 100 million dollars, but if Candidate Bush won the election, he could get back dozens of times more.
***
Tiger Fund Korea Branch already maintained deep relationships with Korean Government organizations.
Especially after having a private meeting with the President and obtaining the Chief Secretary’s direct number, and I was qualified to use that number too.
Through a call with the Chief Secretary, I conveyed our desire to acquire Midopa Department Store.
A meeting was arranged with Bank President Park Su-deok of Industrial Bank, which could be considered the center of Midopa Department Store’s creditor group.
“You’re meeting for the first time, right? This is Bank President Park Su-deok of Industrial Bank, and this is Deputy Manager Lee Jung-hoo of Tiger Fund. Please greet each other.”
“Nice to meet you. It’s an honor to meet you like this.”
“Hehe, I’ve heard many stories about you, Deputy Manager.”
We exchanged awkward greetings with each other.
Before the handshake was even finished, the Chief Secretary immediately got straight to the point.
“Tiger Fund hopes to acquire Midopa Department Store – what do you think?”
“If the conditions are right, there’s no reason not to sell.”
“I see. What are Tiger Fund’s conditions?”
Is this what a real power broker in the administration is like?
The proceedings were not just fast but downright aggressive, and I presented the conditions I had prepared in advance.
“We want to acquire all of Midopa Department Store for 180 billion won.”
“That’s too little. Midopa Department Store’s corporate value exceeds 900 billion won. The real estate value alone is estimated at 200-300 billion won.”
“Branch Manager, don’t lowball us too much – be reasonable.”
The Chief Secretary narrowed his eyes.
Perhaps because it was the gaze of someone with real power in the administration, it felt like my skin might be cut just from looking at it, but I continued speaking without backing down at all.
“It’s absolutely not a small amount. Midopa Department Store’s debt exceeds 600 billion won. So the real value can never exceed 200 billion won.”
“Ah! You’re saying you’ll take on the debt too. Hearing this, Tiger Fund’s proposal doesn’t seem bad – what do you think, Bank President?”
“Still, 180 billion won is too little. We need at least 200 billion to convince the Creditor Group.”
A 20 billion won difference in positions.
I also had a card prepared that could narrow that gap.
“We can pay all 180 billion won in dollars as a lump sum. Wouldn’t that help somewhat with the dollar liquidity problem?”
“Dollars? As expected from a US financial company – you’re different. What will you do since they’re offering dollars?”
“Most Commercial Banks are experiencing dollar shortages, but it’s not enough of an issue to close a 20 billion won gap. In exchange for receiving dollars, we can go up to 190 billion won.”
The gap had narrowed to 10 billion won.
Then it was time to play a card they couldn’t even anticipate.
“I can add one more condition. But if this condition is accepted, we would have to acquire Midopa Department Store for 150 billion won, not 180 billion won.”
“What kind of condition would that be? Tell us.”
“Tiger Fund will help solve the Japanese loan shark market problem.”
“Why are you suddenly bringing up loan sharks? And how exactly will you help?”
After the IMF, Japanese Lending Companies flooded into Korea in large numbers.
They abandoned Japan with its low interest rates and flocked to Korea where there were virtually no restrictions.
This was causing the entire financial industry to collapse, and many citizens were falling into the swamp of high-interest loans.
“What if the Government, Commercial Banks, and Tiger Fund created a Mid-Interest Loan Product? Tiger Fund will invest 50% of the funds.”
“You’re saying we should create a product that can save people who use loan sharks?”
“That’s right. If we ease loan conditions and lower interest rates to less than half of what Japanese Lending Companies charge, wouldn’t we see definite results?”
Both the Bank President and Chief Secretary fell silent.
It was a completely unexpected proposal that left them deep in thought, and the Bank President was the first to regain his composure.
“Exactly how much are you planning to raise, and what are your interest rate plans?”
“If Tiger Fund invests 2 trillion won, Commercial Banks combine for 1 trillion, and the Government invests 1 trillion, we can create a large-scale loan product worth 4 trillion won. And wouldn’t an interest rate between 15-20% be appropriate?”
These weren’t randomly thrown out numbers.
I had already finished investigating all the materials, and these were figures that Fund Employees had worked hard to create.
“With that scale, can we sweep away the Japanese Lending Companies?”
“We need to nip this in the bud early. So far, 24 Japanese Lending Companies have implemented high-interest loans totaling 1 trillion won. The loan scale is gradually growing, but if we move now, we can sweep them away with 4 trillion won.”
“What do you think, Bank President?”
“Actually, it’s not a bad proposal. Due to Japanese Lending Companies, not only Korean Loan Companies but even Banks are suffering losses.”
The Chief Secretary was already smiling.
I had opened up an event that could be claimed as an achievement for this administration, so there was no reason to refuse.
“Let’s do that. Bank President, you take the lead in persuading the Creditor Group.”
“B-but 150 billion won really won’t work.”
“I’ll also have the full 2 trillion won deposited in Commercial Banks in Dollars. While interest will be divided according to investment amounts, the foreign currency reserves will increase significantly, so Commercial Banks can also benefit greatly.”
“There’s no better condition than this. Bank President, stop complaining and do as suggested.”
“…Understood.”
The Chief Secretary stood up from his seat first.
Since the contract was concluded, it meant no further conversation was necessary, and leaving only the Bank President deep in thought, I also left the Negotiation Room.
Annual Salary 1 Trillion New Employee Chapter 94
E-book Publication Date | 2025.11.27
Author | Seo Oh
Publishers | Heo Heung-beom, Park Geon-won
Publishing House | Poten
Address | [04783] 10th Floor, 8 Yeonmujang 11-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Phone | 02-6320-8500
Fax | 02-6320-8585
ISBN | 9791175305892
Price | 100 won
ⓒ Seo Oh 2025
This e-book is a copyrighted work protected by copyright law.
This e-book is published under contract with the author, and unauthorized reproduction, distribution, sharing, or copying is prohibited without written consent from both parties.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
