Chapter 504

I met President Im Soo-mi, who had come over to Beijing.

"Mrs. Kang is always worried. She asked me to tell you to call more often."

"I should visit her as soon as I get back."

I felt like an unfilial son.

"I've prepared what you asked for."

She handed me a small shopping bag.

"Do you think she'll like it?"

President Im Soo-mi nodded confidently.

"She will definitely like it."

She probably has a better eye than I do, so I can trust her.

I put it in my pocket and asked.

"I was surprised to hear you were coming yourself. You didn't come all the way to China just because of me, did you?"

"I had work anyway. I had to come once because of the duty-free shop opening at the Beijing New Airport. Thanks to you, business in China has become much easier."

With the expectation of JN Battery mass production, Seosung SB's stock price hit the upper limit day after day, and its market capitalization nearly tripled.

Ceylon Hotel, an affiliate of the Seosung Group, was also rising smoothly due to expectations for the construction of the Saemangeum integrated resort.

"Is Chairman Im Jin-yong doing well?"

"Of course."

Chairman Im Jin-yong played a big role in this matter.

Thanks to that, a green light has also been turned on for future trials. Although the law must be enforced fairly according to principles, there is such a thing as the discretion of the court. It will be difficult to ignore public opinion, so the possibility of finding a reason for a reduced sentence and releasing him on probation in the second trial has increased.

Well, if he gets detained again, it can't be helped.

"Are you returning to Korea tomorrow?"

"Yes."

President Im Soo-mi smiled.

"It's been a while since you returned. A lot has happened in Korea while you were away."

I was able to hear about what happened in Korea from her.

***

When Kang Jin-hoo announced the lunar resource mining plan and poured all his wealth into defending the global economy, many people cheered him on with one voice.

If he fails, the Korean economy will also collapse.

No one wants the company they work for to go bankrupt or the value of the house they live in to plummet.

Now, only Kang Jin-hoo could save the collapsing Korean economy. Therefore, even conservative media outlets were cheering for Kang Jin-hoo this time.

However, not everyone wanted Kang Jin-hoo to win. Some groups with a deep-seated grudge against Kang Jin-hoo held protests, hoping he would go completely broke this time.

Pastor Bang Jeong-hoon gained fame in this protest. Although he called himself a pastor, he was far from a religious person and made a name for himself as a far-right political activist.

"The moon is God's sanctuary! To dig up such a sanctuary and mine resources is something only commies or devils would do!"

The plan was first established by the United States, and it was being pursued by SpaceX, an American company, but that didn't matter much.

"Since I was anointed, the Republic of Korea revolves around me! Being with me is the way to protect the Republic of Korea!"

Groups like the Parents' Federation, Parksamo (Park Si-hyeong Supporters' Club), Mom's Volunteer Brigade, and the National Salvation Soldiers' Association gathered at the rally hosted by Pastor Bang Jeong-hoon instead of holding sporadic protests.

As their numbers grew over time, the media paid attention, and A-Tubers also came to cover them.

But during the protest, a strange scene unfolded.

"Hallelujah! The happiest time of today's event has returned. It's offering time! Everyone, please empty your pockets and participate in the glory of God."

Offering boxes circulated among the protesters.

Pastor Bang Jeong-hoon encouraged offerings.

"It rained a lot during the last protest, so I went bankrupt! All the offerings are used for the protests, so take out every coin and every bill. If you skimp, you'll go to hell."

People who didn't want to go to hell emptied their pockets to make offerings.

As the launch of the Fat Phoenix approached, Pastor Bang Jeong-hoon held protests even at dawn. Since dawn protests are illegal, it was nominally a group dawn prayer meeting.

When the Fat Phoenix exploded in mid-air, everyone shouted at the top of their lungs.

Pastor Bang Jeong-hoon shouted excitedly.

"Everyone! Justice has prevailed! God has punished those who coveted the sanctuary with divine retribution."

The protesters also raised their arms and shed tears of emotion.

"Waaaaah!"

"We won!"

"Finally! Finally, Kang Jin-hoo is ruined!"

But everyone fell into shock and fear at the news of the launch of Chang'e 8 that followed immediately.

"Wait, what's going on?"

"Just like a pro-North Korean commie, did he join hands with the Chinese commies this time?"

"Why didn't anyone stop that?"

Pastor Bang Jeong-hoon vented his anger.

"This bastard used such a trick!"

Fortunately, it wasn't over yet. There was no guarantee that Geratinium could be found on the moon.

"From today, let's start an all-night prayer meeting to protect the sanctuary! Let's all pray together without anyone missing! First, let's collect the offering! Hallelujah!"

The protesters gathered in one place every day and prayed with their hands together. Had they ever wished for something so earnestly in their lives?

However, Chang'e 8 returned safely to Earth with Geratinium. When this news became known, the people who were praying and protesting collapsed to the ground as if their legs had given out.

"Uwaaaah! This can't be! This can't be happening!"

"Oh my god! Heaven is indifferent!"

"What happened? Does this make sense?"

"What's the use of protesting for a hundred days?"

"We come out here rain or shine and suffer like dogs!"

"How is it that the more we protest, the more that commie bastard's wealth increases? Why?"

"Does it make sense to make hundreds of trillions by speculating in a warm room?"

"Justice is dead in this land!"

Some people couldn't contain their anger and burst into tears like children, and some people went up to the podium and protested to Pastor Bang Jeong-hoon.

"You said it would work if we prayed?"

"Give back the money we offered!"

"Give me back my 23,000 won!"

Flustered, Pastor Bang Jeong-hoon looked up at the sky and shouted.

"We prayed so hard, what is this? God, freeze! God, if you mess around, I'll kill you!"

Pastor Bang Jeong-hoon continued to hold protests and raise funds even after that.

"We are recruiting people who will jump into OTK Company and become martyrs, people who will give their lives! What revolution is there without bloodshed? I will die first!"

However, the number of people gathering for the protests decreased to less than a tenth.

Eventually, the Parents' Federation, Parksamo, Mom's Volunteer Brigade, and the National Salvation Soldiers' Association, which had lost their protest momentum, voluntarily disbanded, leaving their long history behind.

And Pastor Bang Jeong-hoon was sued by a civic group for violating the Donation Collection Act.

***

The entire nation was buzzing with the fact that Kang Jin-hoo was returning to Korea.

A single person had prevented a financial crisis and opened a new era. There has never been a single Korean who has achieved such a feat in the financial world.

It will be difficult to talk about the future global economy without mentioning Kang Jin-hoo.

Until now, the Liberty People's Party had always been at odds with Kang Jin-hoo due to the bad relationship that continued from former President Park Si-hyeong.

If it was something Kang Jin-hoo did, they unconditionally shouted opposition, even if it was helpful to the nation and consistent with the party's policies.

But the result was always disastrous.

Kang Jin-hoo now controls money more than twice the national budget of Korea at will, and holds the key to future industries.

If you have a moderate amount of money, you become the object of envy and jealousy, but with this much, no thoughts came to mind.

Anyway, former President Park Si-hyeong has been sentenced to prison, and Representative Yeon Nakyeong and the leadership who raised the anti-Kang Jin-hoo banner have all resigned.

The emergency committee, which came to lead the party instead of the leadership, judged that confrontation with Kang Jin-hoo was no longer meaningful. The Liberty People's Party lawmakers also turned to the side of acknowledging defeat and joining hands.

North Korea was also the same in changing its attitude in front of money.

Although the North Korean regime is a mess, it wasn't tactless. No, on the contrary, it could be said that they survived until now because they were quicker on the uptake than anyone else.

There were even rumors that the money Kang Jin-hoo made in a few months could buy North Korea entirely.

In fact, that money was more than enough to carry out civil engineering projects throughout North Korea.

Moreover, cooperation between South Korea, China, and Russia is being strengthened centering on space development. From the perspective of North Korea, which is in the middle, it was a golden opportunity to open up while seeking regime stability.

Messing with Kang Jin-hoo in the current situation is crazy. Rather, it was a situation where they had to beg for help.

When signs of economic cooperation falling through appeared, North Korea, which had been engaging in provocations by launching missiles and issuing statements, quickly changed its attitude and praised Kang Jin-hoo.

An announcer on Korean Central Television said in her unique way of speaking.

"CEO Kang Jin-hoo has dealt a shocking punishment to the wicked and evil capitalist bastards who meddle in other countries' economies and cause trouble. The sight of the American imperialist speculators running away with their tails between their legs after losing all their money was utterly ridiculous. The respected Supreme Leader of our Republic conveyed his words to CEO Kang Jin-hoo, saying, 'Congratulations on the great and complete victory of our nation.'"

***

I woke up at the sound of someone calling me.

The steward said apologetically.

"We have arrived in Korea."

"Ah, yes."

It seems I fell asleep without realizing it.

I'm not usually a heavy sleeper, but these days, I've been sleepy all the time, as if making up for the sleep I haven't had.

I was going to come with Henry, but I came back first because there was still work to be done.

I unfastened my seatbelt and stretched. I felt like I had returned from a long journey.

As I was about to get off the private jet, the steward looked like he had something to say.

"Do you have something to say?"

At my words, he said cautiously.

"If you don't mind, may I ask for your autograph?"

"Of course. It's not difficult."

I gladly gave him an autograph and took a picture with him while I was at it.

As I came out of the automatic doors, a blinding light welcomed me.

A huge crowd had gathered in the arrival hall, so much so that there was no room to step. Domestic and foreign media outlets were all gathered, and a photo line was even set up in front.

Airport staff were busy controlling the people.

Was my popularity this high?

I stopped at the photo line for a moment and received a camera flash shower. As expected, reporters pushed their microphones forward and poured out various questions.

As I answered them one by one, I made eye contact with someone standing behind the crowd. When I closed my mouth and fixed my gaze, everyone turned around.

People who saw her made way for her on their own. A small path was created in the crowd, and a woman walked in.

A slender figure and a small face that made you think she was a model. She had her long hair tied back and was wearing a pantsuit and a blouse. She looked like she had come straight from work.

I looked at her and asked.

"Did you take a day off?"

She smiled brightly.

"No. I just left recklessly."

"Won't you get scolded by noona later?"

"I wanted to see you even a little sooner, what can I do?"

I thought that my girlfriend is indeed the best.

I thought I had a lot to say when we met, but now that I see her face, I don't know what to say.

I touched the box in my pocket.

I was going to go to her company and do it, but I thought I could do it here for some reason.

I'm a little nervous because there are so many people, but...

I summoned up my courage and knelt on one knee. Ellie asked, flustered.

"What are you doing right now?"

Instead of answering, I held out the ring to Ellie.

"Will you marry me?"

At my words, Ellie couldn't say anything with her eyes wide open. Her brown pupils shook greatly, and it looked like tears were about to pour out of her big eyes.

"W-what is this? Doing this where there are so many people?"

"What's your answer?"

"Tsk, you already know."

"I'm not sure."

Ellie eventually couldn't hold back and burst into tears.

"Of course it's a yes!"

I put the ring on her finger.

Ellie wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me.

Is it okay to do this when others are watching?

...I thought for a moment, but I think it doesn't matter. We're getting married anyway.

People applauded and took out their phones to take pictures. Camera shutters went off ceaselessly from all sides.