Chapter 32 – Retribution (1)

“Hmm, as you said, it was more serious than I thought. It seems they siphoned off US military supplies and traded them on the black market. And one of our company’s employees seems to have helped them from behind. I am so angry that I cannot contain myself at how such a thing could happen.”

Sigh—

Chairman Han Chang-gyu sighed with an expression full of rage.

“Is that so? Who is the employee who committed such an outrageous act?”

Since it was expected to some extent, it was not very surprising.

“It is Executive Director Do Sa-hyeon. I cannot understand at all how that man could commit such a terrible act.

I brought in a guy who was begging on the streets without a single relative and made him a proper human being, and yet… he betrays his master like this?”

Chairman Han Chang-gyu was still unable to suppress his anger.

“If it is Executive Director Do Sa-hyeon…”

Since he had frequented the hospital, Kim Ji-hyuk was a person whose name he at least knew.

“Yes. He is doing the work of managing the supplies that enter the UN hospital. Through this fellow,

“there is almost nothing that Professor Jo Dong-ki has not touched, from the medicines entering the hospital, groceries, and even nutritional supplements. The two hit it off and committed a fraud scheme.”

“Even nutritional supplements?”

“Indeed. I never dreamed they would siphon off things this severely. That is not all. They even siphoned off the fabrics produced by our Hanchang Textile and sold them on the black market. The value of the goods siphoned off like that exceeds tens of millions of won. No, it could be more. Since siphoned items are constantly coming to light. Bastards who deserve to die!”

Chairman Han Chang-gyu bared his fangs in anger.

“So, what do you plan to do?”

Although it was an obvious question, Kim Ji-hyuk had his own thoughts.

“What do you mean, what do I do? Since we found out who the thief cats are, shouldn’t we burn them to death or beat them to death?”

“Forgive my intrusion, but Professor Jo Dong-ki is the only Korean professor inside the UN hospital. The hospital will also take this point into consideration, and besides, there is still no clear evidence that Professor Jo Dong-ki committed embezzlement, is there?”

“Whether he is a professor or whatever, this is theft! It is right to discipline a thief with a cane. As for evidence, we can just capture Do Sa-hyeon, grill him, and get a confession.”

Chairman Han Chang-gyu’s anger seemed to have reached its peak.

“No. Other than that, what is most important is that if we push them like this, we might be able to punish those people, but it will be difficult to recover the lost goods. Since that would be just testimony, not evidence. If that happens, it might instead end up buying time for Professor Jo Dong-ki.”

“Hmm, that makes sense too. Sigh, then what do we do?”

“I will find definitive evidence that cannot be denied. We must hold a doctor responsible as a doctor so that there will be no loophole for them to escape. If you give me a chance, I will make sure Professor Jo Dong-ki is made an example of as a doctor! So please leave Professor Jo Dong-ki’s matter to me.”

Kim Ji-hyuk persuaded Chairman Han Chang-gyu with a strong tone.

“Hmm, it feels like a threat rather than a request.”

Chairman Han Chang-gyu wore a faint smile.

“I do not care how you think of it. Anyway, leave everything to me. I will surely prove that justice is alive!”

“Are you asking me to pay the price for saving our granddaughter?”

Chairman Han Chang-gyu glanced sideways at Kim Ji-hyuk.

“Hehehe, because no matter how much I think about it, the calculation seems wrong. I think I need ten million won plus alpha.”

“Haha, this guy, you are practically a robber, just without a knife, aren’t you?”

Although it was absurd, since he saved his granddaughter who was more precious than his own life, how could he hate him?

Chairman Han Chang-gyu not only entrusted the matter of handling Professor Jo Dong-ki, but also promised to spare no support so that Kim Ji-hyuk could secure evidence and witnesses.

“Thank you, Chairman!”

“And this is a bonus.”

Chairman Han Chang-gyu lifted a black bag that was beside him.

“What is this?”

“What else? A honey pot.”

“…”

Kim Ji-hyuk tilted his head.

“It is money!”

Then, Chairman Han Chang-gyu smiled brightly.

“T-this is money?”

“Yes. Soon the war will end. Then the reconstruction work of South Korea, which has become a ruin, will immediately begin. When that happens, cash is absolutely king. Furthermore, if it is cash with public credibility, it would be even better, wouldn’t it? That is why this is indeed a honey pot.”

*Tap, tap.*

Chairman Han Chang-gyu tapped the money bag with his palm.

“Then?”

“Indeed. It is dollars, not won. In that bag, there is thirty thousand dollars in crisp bills.”

“Pardon?”

Kim Ji-hyuk’s eyes widened in surprise.

‘Thirty thousand dollars? Let’s see… How much is this exactly?’

Kim Ji-hyuk had an expression that seemed temporarily frozen by the unexpected fortune.

‘Wait, wait! I’m sure I read an article somewhere…’

Kim Ji-hyuk recalled a newspaper article he had seen before his possession.

“Why? Is it too little?”

“Ah, no. How could that be?”

‘Thirty thousand dollars in the 1950s… Since the federal minimum wage at the time was 75 cents, which is roughly 40,000 won, and a McDonald’s hamburger is 15 cents now, which seems to have been around 7,500 won in the 2020s! Then since it is about 50 times, it is 1.5 million dollars based on 2020 standards! Even if calculated at roughly 1,000 won per dollar, it is 1.5 billion won!’

It was a fortune so massive that Kim Ji-hyuk could not close his open mouth.

“It is clean money, so use it without any worries. Since I consider it a contribution to the medical development of this country.”

‘Although modesty is a virtue, there is no need to refuse it. I can just multiply it and use it for good purposes!’

“Yes. Thank you. I will use it well for a good purpose.”

Kim Ji-hyuk accepted the money without declining.

“Yes, yes, of course you should do that.”

‘Just wait, Professor Jo Dong-ki! I will be coming to catch you soon!’

Kim Ji-hyuk clenched both fists tightly.

* * *

Hospital quarters.

Kim Ji-hyuk returned to the quarters after finishing his work.

“You said you have an acquaintance with Mr. Brown, right?”

When Yun-seok entered after finishing his work, Ji-hyuk asked him.

“Of course. As you know, I saved Mr. Brown’s grandson! Since then, Mr. Brown would believe anything I say, even if I claimed to make soybean paste blocks out of red beans.”

Yun-seok shrugged his shoulders and bantered.

“Heh, is that so? Then let me ask you just one thing. Did you say Mr. Brown supplies military goods to the US Eighth Army?”

“That’s right. He doesn’t just deal with military supplies, but handles overall daily necessities used by the US soldiers. In other words, for most American goods entering South Korea, not even a single tube of toothpaste can enter without going through Mr. Brown.”

“I see.”

Ji-hyuk nodded.

“Even so, he would need a Korean partner, wouldn’t he? Since he doesn’t know this region very well, like distribution or delivery.”

“Hmm, of course there is a Korean partner. Ah! Right. A-yeong, whom you took charge of! Her grandfather’s company, Hanchang Textile, is probably Mr. Brown’s Korean partner.”

‘Yes, yes. The outline is roughly coming together.’

“That is great. I would like to meet Mr. Brown, would that be possible?”

“Hehehe, why? Are you going to invest somewhere? Oh, did you by any chance know that Mr. Brown made massive profits by investing in military contractor stocks?”

Yun-seok’s eyes sparkled with interest.

‘He invested in military contractor stocks? This might make things go a bit easier.’

“Well. There is no reason why I couldn’t. Anyway, can I meet him thanks to you?”

“Of course! I will try contacting Mr. Brown.”

“Thanks!”

“Haha, if you are grateful, buy me a meal! A gukbap place opened at the intersection over there, and the broth was amazing.”

“All right. I will buy.”

*Tap.*

Kim Ji-hyuk lightly tapped Yun-seok’s shoulder.

* * *

A few days later, Mr. Brown’s residence.

In that way, Kim Ji-hyuk was able to face Mr. Brown through Yun-seok’s arrangement.

“Nice to meet you. I am Kim Ji-hyuk.”

“Hello. I am Brown. You are best friends with Doctor Kim?”

“Yes. We went to medical school together.”

“I see! Doctor Kim praised Ji-hyuk so much that even though I have never met you, it feels like I already know you.”

“Did he?”

“Indeed. By the way, I heard you wanted to see me?”

Mr. Brown asked curiously.

“Yes. If it is not rude, may I ask you one thing?”

“Go ahead. What are you curious about?”

“Well, from what I know, you are investing in military contractor stocks, Mr. Brown…”

“Hahaha, how did you know that?”

“Well. I just overheard it.”

“Yes. Currently, the Soviet Union and the United States are competitively pursuing arms expansion. Since this competition will become even more severe in the future, military contractors will achieve rapid growth hereafter.”

‘Half right, half wrong. Of course, that’s natural. Since the Cold War between the US and USSR will continue forever. While that’s true in the long term, it won’t be the case in the short term, will it? Let’s see… Since today is March 3rd, Stalin will die in just two days! When that happens, due to the mood of reconciliation, the stocks of US military contractors are bound to plummet in the short term. Since I will prevent your loss, you will have to grant my request as well!’

“I see.”

“It seems you also want to invest in military contractors, Ji-hyuk?”

“No! I am the opposite.”

“What? Opposite?”

Mr. Brown wore a surprised expression.

“Yes. If I were you, Mr. Brown, I would sell all the military contractor stocks I currently hold.”

“Nonsense! Do you know how much I made from military contractor stocks? Perhaps you cannot even imagine, Ji-hyuk.”

“No. While that might be true in the long term, a situation where a short-term plunge is inevitable will come.”

“An inevitable situation? Could you explain in more detail?”

Mr. Brown narrowed his eyes and stared at Ji-hyuk.

“A major event that will cause rapid changes in the global stock market will break out soon, Mr. Brown!”

At that, Kim Ji-hyuk’s eyes shone.

* * *

A few days later.

—Stalin of the Soviet Union has died!

—Now the Communist Party is completely ruined!

—Hurrah! Now the North Korean puppets will all withdraw, right? Now unification is not far away!

On March 5, 1953, Stalin died at the age of seventy-four.

At his death, Soviet citizens wept and mourned, and half-mast flags were raised on almost every building in Moscow.

While the entire Soviet Union was immersed in sorrow like this, his death also dealt a massive shock to the global stock market.

Because of Stalin’s death, expectations that relations between the United States and the Soviet Union would improve became dominant, causing military contractor stocks to plummet.

Kim Ji-hyuk’s prediction was exactly spot on.

Hahaha—

Mr. Brown’s laughter was loud enough to lift the roof.

Having accepted Kim Ji-hyuk’s prediction and sold all his military contractor stocks, Mr. Brown escaped the danger of what could have easily led to a major loss.

“I must meet Ji-hyuk immediately. Anderson! I am going to the UN hospital now, so get ready.”

“Yes, Mr. Brown!”

‘Both Doctor Kim and Ji-hyuk are truly remarkable people! I did not know such talented individuals were hidden in Korea!’

Mr. Brown got into the car heading to the UN hospital with a satisfied expression.