Genius Grandson of the Loan Shark King

It's true that I had the same thought

After meeting with Obama, I went back to the hotel and fell asleep.

Perhaps because of accumulated fatigue, I woke up early in the morning. I barely managed to get up, sat on the edge of the bed, and fell into deep thought.

I don't know how far he'll go, but... maybe one strategic nuclear device will fall on Washington.

After gathering my thoughts, I picked up my phone and called Han Kyung-young.

After a long period of ringing, Han Kyung-young's mumbling was heard.

- Uh······. Moohyeok.

It was a sleepy voice, as if he had been awakened by my phone call.

"Can I talk to you? Or should I call you later?"

- No, it's okay. I have to get up now. Just a moment.

The rustling sound of the blanket being swept away could be heard briefly over the phone.

Soon after, a sound like a curtain opening was heard, and Han Kyung-young opened his mouth.

- Oh, it's dazzling. Okay. Go ahead. How's it going? How's the work going?

"Oh. I think it'll probably work out the way we think."

― But does it really have to be that guy? There are two Democratic senators who would listen to us. No, if it's this big, any Democratic senator would jump in and do it?

As Han Kyung-young said, for politicians, such scandals were an opportunity they could not afford to miss.

If you make a good impression at the hearing, you can make an impression on the public and become an overnight star.

Even though we supported the Republican Party in this presidential election, we did not neglect the Democratic Party either.

So there were a few people in the Democratic Party who would listen to Han Kyung-young's request. However, it had to be Obama.

"Well, I plan on raising that person. First, that person will contact you. When he contacts you······."

I summarized my conversation with Obama and explained it to Han Kyung-young.

― Hmm······. Is Flame going to quit the CIA? From what I've heard from him, he doesn't seem like the type of person to do that.

Anyway, in his previous life, Flame endured and endured until he eventually came out of the CIA.

All I want to do is reduce that time.

"That's the problem he has to solve, you just have to make room for him."

- That's not difficult.

"When did you sign the investment contract with the New York Times?"

― We decided to meet sometime next week, once things are sorted out. Are you going to come with me?

"No, now it's up to you, hyung. I did everything I could."

- Yeah, right. Are you going to Korea?

"That's right. Now is the time for North Korea to take action······."

The Japanese Prime Minister will visit North Korea next week. I have been receiving reports from time to time, but before that, I needed to go in and see the internal situation with my own eyes.

"I'm going back to Korea to check the plan. My brother is also preparing."

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- Okay, boss.

"After this work is over, let's all go on vacation together."

- Be sure to keep that promise!

"Okay, brother. Good luck. I'll hang up now."

After finishing my call with Han Kyung-young, I got up from bed.

As I came out of the bedroom and into the living room, Director Ma was waiting for me.

"Are you up, boss? Would you like some coffee?"

"Yes. I'd also like something simple to eat."

Director Ma bowed his head and left the room.

I sat down on the sofa and sunk deep into my body.

It seemed like I had almost accomplished everything I wanted to do in America.

Most of the time, it wasn't something that would produce results in a short period of time, but the blueprint for what I wanted to do was basically complete.

"It wasn't a bad trip to America."

I looked at the newspaper on the table.

Most of the newspapers were there, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal.

Among them, I picked up the Wall Street Journal, which had a large picture of Rufus Murdoch on it.

His face, which took up one page, looked incredibly happy.

This page contains an interview with Rufus Murdoch.

As I was about to turn the page, Manager Ma came back in with coffee and a sandwich.

After taking a sip of the coffee that Director Ma handed me, I started reading the newspaper in earnest.

[Murdoch, the future he dreams of.

Rufus Murdoch, chairman of News Corporation, succeeded in acquiring Dow Johnson, which owns the Wall Street Journal.

The issue of Murdoch's acquisition of the prestigious paper has been a source of much controversy among Wall Street Journal reporters, including me.

The biggest concern was that Murdoch's past behavior toward the media would lead to this paper being reduced to a yellow paper.

Most of Murdoch's popular newspapers are entertainment-oriented, but this one has serious editing and fact-based articles.

Accordingly, this reporter decided to have an exclusive interview with the new owner of this paper, Rufus Murdoch.

Q: Congratulations on your acquisition of The Wall Street Journal. Can you explain what led to the acquisition?

A: I have had a dream for decades. I would create an authoritative paper like the Wall Street Journal, one of the most prestigious economic papers in the United States. But reality was not so easy, and I ended up acquiring the Wall Street Journal to make my dream come true.

Q: Tell me about the acquisition process.

A: Oh, there were so many things. Among them, I was in a difficult situation because of Sulzberger Jr. who suddenly jumped into the acquisition battle. But I had no intention of giving up. So I took a gamble that was almost like a gamble, and eventually succeeded in the acquisition.

Q: Most of us, including myself, at the Wall Street Journal are concerned that Murdoch is turning the Journal into a yellow journalism paper. Do you have any comments on that?

A: I know what you're worried about. But I never intended to turn the Journal into a mass media outlet. If I had, I would never have bought the Journal.

Q: When you took over the New York Post, which was once a orthodox newspaper, you pledged to "maintain the current policies and traditions." But you soon made a sharp turnaround and became a popular newspaper rather than a high-quality one, and the New York Post lost its authority. If it did that once, wouldn't it be possible for it to happen again?

A: I've made a lot of mistakes. But not the New York Post. Most people read the New York Post more than the New York Times. There's a gap between the popular and the high-brow, and I've always shown what the public wants.

(syncopation)

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Now I have both a popular newspaper and an authoritative newspaper. They are completely different roles, and I understand that. I hope you understand my duality, and I have no plans to change the editorial of the Wall Street Journal. I swear it on my name.

Q: Can you talk about the future of the Wall Street Journal that Murdoch dreams of?

A: The Wall Street Journal boasts the highest authority as an 'economic paper', but it is lacking in other areas. I dream of becoming a national comprehensive elite newspaper like the New York Times. TV stations set their news direction based on articles in the New York Times, and local newspapers do the same. It is an unimaginable influence. I want to challenge that.

Q: The Wall Street Journal's basic premise is that it is an economics journal. Don't you think that if you try to do many things, that basic premise could disappear?

A: The Wall Street Journal has been trying to restructure itself for several years, reducing costs and opening a Saturday edition to attract more advertisers. But now that I've taken over, that won't happen. We'll expand the pages, and we'll expand the Internet edition to keep up with the times. And there will be investments for many years. I don't plan on making money from the Wall Street Journal. I'm willing to take losses for my dreams. I'm richer than I thought.

Murdoch is the king of media, who loves the media and uses the media to make money. Like him or not, Murdoch has a lot of influence in the media world. He has promised huge investments.

I hope his oath remains unbroken.]

I put down the newspaper and took a bite of my sandwich. As I swallowed the contents of my mouth, I couldn't help but smile.

"You can feel Murdoch's excitement in the writing."

After finishing a quick meal and reading another newspaper, I called Director Ma.

"Sir, I think I'll go back to Korea now."

"I'll be ready, boss."

"Is there nothing else to do?"

I asked that for no reason because I felt like I was missing something.

Director Ma thought for a moment and then shook his head.

"There were no further instructions given."

If there is no Director Ma, then there is no such thing.

"Then please prepare."

As soon as he finished speaking, my cell phone rang loudly.

I checked the caller ID and quickly answered the phone.

"Jobs. What's going on?"

- Hey, Charlie. How come you haven't contacted me since you came to America?

"Oh, I was so busy with something else that I couldn't pay attention. I'm sorry."

Let's apologize honestly, Jobs replied as if it was no big deal.

- Well, I guess that's understandable since you're busy. But you're going to stop by the Macworld Expo this time, right?

"Macworld Expo? When is that happening?"

- That's disappointing, Charlie. It opens in two days. Didn't you know that?

I was feeling a bit uneasy. I forgot about this.

"······Of course I know."

―······I didn't know. I'm really disappointed.

Jobs said bluntly. Are you mad?

"Haha. I've been so busy lately that I've been out of my mind. Sorry, Jobs."

- But isn't this a project that started from your idea? Can you just ignore me like this?

"My idea? They're all Jobs' ideas."

Jobs raised his voice as if he was upset by what I said.

- Charlie. Are you planning on turning me into someone who steals other people's ideas?

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"That's not true. I gave him a little hint, but it's true that Jobs thought the same thing."

My hint was crucial, but he would have figured it out anyway even if I hadn't given it to him.

― I thought about that too. But you gave me the concrete idea.

That's strange. He's not that kind of person, so why are you letting me ride on this plane today?

Jobs concluded by saying, "I wonder if he will ever answer my questions."

- Anyway, let's meet up and talk.

"Yes, let's do that."

After finishing the call with Steve Jobs, I called Director Ma.

"I guess I'll have to cancel my trip back to Korea, sir. It looks like Steve Jobs is finally going to unveil the iPhone to the world."

"Understood, boss."

"Please prepare me to go straight to Silicon Valley."

"Yes, boss."

The iPhone is released to the world more than two years earlier than in its previous life.

So what impact will this small change have on the future?

I was very curious about that.

* * *

George R. Moscone Convention Center.

It is the largest convention center in San Francisco, California, United States.

This is the place where many IT companies in Silicon Valley hold conferences as well as events such as trade shows and exhibitions.

Apple has long held the Macworld Expo at this location to announce new devices to the world.

As such, the Macworld Expo was an event that many people were looking forward to.

I arrived at the Moscone Convention Center where the event was being held.

I arrived a day early and met with Jobs, but he wouldn't show me the iPhone, telling me to come see it in person the next day.

I've seen it before, but I was confident it would be different.

"I thought you were really upset."

Even as I was explaining it to him, I laughed inside at how he looked annoyed that I had forgotten about the Macworld Expo.

I held back a laugh as I made my way to the Macworld Expo keynote address.

At the very front of the event, there were numerous reporters, and at the back, there were crowds of people who had come to watch the event.

We also saw founders of familiar IT companies.

That much shows how much of an authority Steve Jobs is in the information and communications industry.

I stood at the very back with Chief Ma and waited for the event.

I could hear the conversation between the two people sitting in front of me.

"Did you say Jobs was giving a keynote speech today?"

"Yeah. What exactly are they going to announce? They said that security is so tight that no one knows."

"Isn't that a revised iPod? You said you were refining the touchpad last year."

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"Well, I hear that Jobs isn't the same as he used to be."

"Jobs doesn't develop it himself, he just provides ideas."

"Still, I'm looking forward to it. Jobs is a genius."

From the conversation between the two, it was clear that no one knew about the existence of the iPhone.

That much anticipation has been generated.

'What will be their reaction when they see the iPhone?'

It's not that smartphones didn't exist.

But the world will be divided into before and after the iPhone.

Because it was like that in my past life too.

Not long into the event, the host called in Steve Jobs.

The lights dimmed at the venue and Steve Jobs appeared.

He coughed in vain, wearing a black T-shirt and jeans that were as good as any trade.

< It's true that I had the same thought > End

< The playfulness kicks in again >