After the EPL charity football event ended,
I used the promotion of Chinese electric vehicles as an excuse to head to China.
David, who had already been busy "greasing the wheels" in China, came out to greet me.
"Did your lubricating efforts go well?"
"Thanks to continual greasing over the past ten years, there's hardly anything left that needs attention. I've arranged a dinner with former Standing Committee member Zheng Hongqin. He told me to expect a good guest introduction."
"I guess we'll see who he introduces us to."
We headed to the most exclusive restaurant in Shanghai.
From the entrance, a large number of security personnel guarded the building, and it wasn't unusual to see armed soldiers here and there.
"Zheng Hongqin's influence is still impressive."
"His connections haven't completely dried up yet. Even though the Princelings have taken the presidency, the Shanghai clique's influence remains strong."
Chinese politics were far more complex than in Korea.
The Shanghai clique, Communist Youth League faction, and the Princelings.
These three groups held the most sway.
Yet compared to the Shanghai clique or the Youth League, the Princelings were somewhat weaker.
That's precisely how they managed to seize the presidency in this administration.
People even joked that, amid the struggle between the whales, the shrimp managed to become president by being in the right place at the right time.
"Sir! It's been such a long time. I really should have visited and greeted you more often—my apologies."
"Everyone knows how busy you are, Chairman Kim. I feel so proud every time I hear your story on the news. And aren't you leading the Chinese electric vehicle market as well? Thanks to you, I can walk around with my head held high."
He wasn't wrong.
Whenever Taewoo Group entered the Chinese market, we relied on Zheng Hongqin.
Thanks to that, he became involved in many industries in China.
"Since I'm visiting after such a long time, I put a lot of thought into what gift to prepare. It's not much, but I hope you'll like it."
"Come now! What need is there for gifts between us? I'll graciously decline, so give your present to the guest I'm introducing today."
"I'm looking forward to meeting the guest you mentioned, sir."
While I was talking with Zheng Hongqin,
the guest he mentioned entered the restaurant.
"Let me introduce you. This is Governor Li Gang, the head of Zhejiang Province."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Minjae Kim of Taewoo Group. It's an honor to meet the governor who oversees Zhejiang Province."
China's administrative divisions were quite different from those of Korea.
Zhejiang is where the city of Hangzhou is located; in Korean terms, you might think of the position as similar to a provincial governor.
Of course, the sheer size of China's land and population made such a comparison imprecise.
Just Zhejiang alone had a population exceeding 50 million, and its territory was nearly as large as South Korea.
"Senior Zheng Hongqin was insistent that I come today—so it was to introduce me to Chairman Kim of Taewoo Group. It's a real honor to meet you. I must also finally express my thanks for your generous support of the Princelings all this time."
"The pleasure is all mine. Thank you for saying so."
"Words alone aren't enough. Let's see that gift you brought, Chairman Kim."
From the start, I had prepared two types of gifts.
One was intended for Zheng Hongqin, and the other for the guest I was to be introduced to.
Of course, Zheng Hongqin's gift was the more luxurious one, but the moment I realized the guest was Li Gang, I switched the owners of the gifts.
"This is such a precious gift. I'm not sure it's right for me to accept it."
"You can accept any gift from Chairman Kim. And my gift is yours as well. For flying all the way from Zhengzhou to Shanghai, this is the least I can do for you."
Li Gang, Governor of Zhengzhou.
There was a reason I showered him with expensive gifts.
He would eventually rise all the way to Premier of China.
He was one of the president's closest confidants and would remain at the core of Chinese power for at least the next 20 years.
Giving him everything I could was simply a good investment.
If Zheng Hongqin represented a fading power,
Li Gang was the new power on the rise.
"I hope you'll like the present."
"Considering all the help I've received from you, I should have prepared a present myself. But I departed in such a rush, I simply didn't have time."
"Heh, not all gifts need to be tangible, wouldn't you agree, Chairman Kim?"
As expected, Zheng Hongqin was shrewd.
Sensing that I had a different purpose for coming to China, he invited a key figure from the current administration to this dinner.
"What sort of gift can I give you? I genuinely wanted to repay your kindness, Chairman Kim."
"I think I'll take my leave now. If I stay, I'd only be in the way, wouldn't I?"
"Not at all. Weren't we all gathered here today to see you, sir?"
"No, no. I want the two of you to have this discussion. Let's share a drink another time, just the two of us."
Was he always this perceptive?
Zheng Hongqin discreetly excused himself, and after he left the restaurant, the mood became noticeably more relaxed.
"Please tell me—how can I help? All of the Princeling officials are ready to support you, Chairman Kim."
"I'm planning to launch a project. More precisely, I'm considering creating an international consortium to carry it out."
"What kind of project is it?"
"It's a project to develop infrastructure and transportation routes that would allow Mongolia's natural resources to be transported through China and Russia."
Li Gang's expression changed ever so slightly.
It was no exaggeration to say Mongolia's economy was dependent on China.
Without China, Mongolia had no way to sell its natural resources, so it had always handed them over at bargain prices.
But now—planning to sell those resources through another route?
That would mean stripping China of its advantage.
"I'd like to hear more. I trust China isn't being excluded from this project?"
"Of course not. The entire transportation process will be handled by Chinese logistics companies. In fact, I'd like the Princelings' help in appointing those companies."
"That sounds like a worthwhile venture. In that case, I have no reason not to help."
Even though this project would cut into China's advantage, it would bring increased revenue to the Princelings.
For a relatively small faction like the Princelings to expand, they needed plenty of funds.
Through the Mongolia transport project, Li Gang saw an opportunity to legally secure those finances, so he responded positively.
"And one of the transportation routes will pass through Vladivostok in Russia."
"So… it's a project that would involve Russia as well."
"Yes. It could become an opportunity for Russia and China to strengthen their relationship."
"We've already been cooperating a lot with Russia on the natural gas business."
"I don't know if it's my place to say this, but the President of Russia and the Chinese president share many similarities. I also believe China can evolve into a political model where long-term rule is possible."
The President of China and the President of Russia.
If you just considered the current situation, there weren't many similarities between the two.
The Russian president, seen as a dictator, had ruled Russia for a long time.
But the current Chinese president did not have the image of a dictator.
He had come to power with the help of the Shanghai faction.
To keep the Communist Youth League in check, the Shanghai faction supported the Princelings.
It was thanks to this "by chance" that the
Princelings were able to ascend to the presidency.
That's why the current president had a very gentle image.
He was seen as someone who harmonized the comparatively stronger Shanghai faction and the Youth League.
However, beneath the surface, he nursed ambitions for greater power and was looking to establish long-term rule, just like in Russia.
"Do you think Russia's long-term rule model could be applied to China?"
"I already believe China is moving toward a long-term rule model. And the likelihood of achieving it seems very high."
"I'm sure the president would be glad to hear that."
Those in power have a strong obsession with it.
Especially in communist countries, power was as vital as life itself, so this obsession was even more pronounced.
"If we start with the transportation corridor project and move on to the natural gas business, wouldn't that deepen the ties between the two countries?"
"Thank you for the suggestion. In fact, I was looking for a project to pursue alongside the natural gas business. Since we can involve a multinational consortium, there's no need to hesitate."
"My discussions with the Russian side are already complete."
"I'd heard that Chairman Kim was talented in business, but you're even more capable in action than in reputation."
For Li Gang, there was no reason to refuse such a project.
Relations with Russia were important, but even more crucial was the multinational consortium.
China also wanted more foreign companies to enter its market, so there was no reason for them to decline.
"And since we're signing contracts anyway, I'd like to propose a long-term agreement. That way, the Princelings could also secure sustainable revenue, wouldn't they?"
"How long of a contract are you considering when you say 'long-term'?"
"I'd like a contract of at least twenty years. Multinational consortiums hate unpredictability most of all. If we lock in a long-term contract, it reduces variables, and even more companies will want to join."
There was a separate reason I wanted a long-term contract.
Using the multinational consortium meant we could be free from the THAAD restrictions,
but considering the US–China trade conflict, a minimum contract term of twenty years was necessary.
"All right. I'll submit the proposal within this week. I'll do everything I can to make sure this deal goes through."
"Thank you. I'll do my best to make this a project where both Taewoo Group and China benefit."
After Russia, now China.
I had joined hands with yet another dictator.
That said, I was always ready to let go at any moment.
Especially with China, it was even more crucial since the US-China trade dispute was about to intensify.
When that time came, Taewoo Group would take the lead.
Right now, I was in a position to ask for favors,
but when the US-China trade conflict escalated, I would be on the opposing side.
***
I returned to Korea after finishing my schedule in China.
Meanwhile, the Finance Tower had been bustling, and President Han came to see me carrying a huge stack of reports.
"Did the work with China conclude well?"
"The plan worked out perfectly. But why did you bring so many reports? I've only been away a few days."
"Many things happened in that time. The EU, as well as Australia and Japan, have started imposing sanctions on Russia."
"So, this report shows Finance Tower is earning more money?"
"Yes. The revenue exceeded our expected yield!"
Who dislikes making money?
Especially a financial firm that looks at money all day, President Han wore an expression of pure happiness, like a child on Christmas morning.
"Aren't you enjoying this a bit too much? The real game hasn't even started yet."
"Are you referring to Saudi Arabia?"
"Exactly. If Saudi Arabia pursues its oil production increase policy, chaos far beyond what we've seen so far will erupt."
Chaos usually causes major problems.
But chaos that is anticipated and prepared for brings huge profits.
"I'll prepare the Saudi operation!"
"I plan to visit Saudi Arabia myself soon. Wouldn't I gain more information by seeing the situation firsthand?"
"I will trust only you, Chairman!"
Russia, China, and now Saudi Arabia.
Though my overseas schedule was nonstop, I was not tired at all.
Every time I boarded a plane, the profits I generated would multiply several times over.