Chapter 24
Chapter 24
The issuer of the Goldcoin is JWS.
Only Jérôme Musso knows that the main parties behind it are Jeong Jin-woo and JW Dive-in. Excluding Ko Yoon-seok, the vice chairman, and Oh Gong-tae, since they are not outsiders.
As Goldcoin settled into the global financial system, all gold mines, oil fields, rare earths, and precious minerals owned by the JW Group alliance could now be traded in Goldcoin. And at 0.3% cheaper prices.
Thanks to this, Goldcoin quickly became embedded in the global financial system, and other sellers of gold, gems, oil, rare earths, and precious minerals started trading with it too.
In less than a week, the transaction volume through Goldcoin accounted for roughly 10% of the global resource market. It was an absurd growth rate.
Right now, Jeong Jin-woo is eyeing the resource market based on the information Jérôme Musso provided.
He holds Goldcoins that have yet to be released to the market but will soon be distributed.
Historically, about 210,000 tons of gold have been discovered. About 50,000 tons remain unmined.
Converted into dollars, that amounts to $14.5 trillion.
Currently, only about $1 trillion worth of Goldcoin is in circulation. The optimal circulation is estimated to be at least $5 trillion.
That means Jeong Jin-woo can freely use about $1 trillion worth of Goldcoin from JWS as long as he keeps it discreet.
Jérôme Musso predicted that Venezuela and Guyana would go to war.
Yet no sign of war is apparent.
In Venezuela’s presidential election, the far-right candidate Chavez is in second place. Judging by the current situation, it seems almost impossible for him to become president. His support is less than half that of the moderate candidate Jose.
Why did he say a war would break out?
No matter how simulations were run, the most likely flashpoint was the Strait of Hormuz. Otherwise, it might be Kazakhstan, where large-scale rare earth and precious mineral excavation is ongoing.
Let's trust and see.
This will be the test. Jérôme Musso and the Rothschilds have no reason to spout nonsense. Trust is being built now.
Jérôme Musso also bought 5 trillion won worth of JW Dive-in stock. He moved because Jeong Jin-woo said the new industry would spark a revolution.
After hearing a rough outline of the business, he mentioned that American entertainment companies and Hollywood studios were already preparing copyright negotiations.
Vice Chairman Ko Yoon-seok is quietly stockpiling gold, oil, and rare earths. Between $500 billion and $1 trillion, he is working hard to accumulate it discreetly. If too much money moves at once, the international financial market would notice immediately.
While busy with company affairs and occasionally handling JW president duties, Jeong Jin-woo received a text message. He smirked at his phone.
[What are you doing? Your girlfriend is hungry. Shall we have boiled pork and soup tonight? I also have something to tell you.]
It was from Oh Se-eun.
[I’m super busy!]
[Really? You’ve grown so much in the meantime… Has your aura increased without me? Should I come visit your company? This teddy bear is mine! Should I declare it?]
“Huh!”
Jeong Jin-woo drew in a breath without realizing it.
Just the thought of Oh Se-eun coming made his hair stand on end.
He already knew why she was coming—probably to stage some outrageous drama.
Her personality was cute and beautiful, but the bizarre flash mobs she orchestrated were maddening when he became the victim. If he didn’t like her, he would have called the police long ago.
Oh Se-eun was wonderful, but the occasional melodramatic love-triangle antics were overwhelming.
[Fine, just this once. Next time, no threats!]
[Okay. Meet me in Jongno!]
He didn’t dislike it. Being with Oh Se-eun was genuinely pleasant. The problem was that refusing to meet her would make the aftermath miserable. He would have to address that as well.
“Surprised? You were surprised, right?”
“I’m not surprised!”
“Don’t lie! I thought you’d be shocked.”
“I said I’m not.”
Oh Se-eun studied him with amusement.
“Alright, alright! I’ll do it, okay?”
Jeong Jin-woo straightened his expression again.
“Huh! Wait, really… You’re Oh Se-eun, the only daughter of the Daebang Group? Isn’t that around the 11th richest family in Korea?”
“10th!”
“Anyway… hrrgh! I’m meeting Oh Se-eun, the only daughter of the Daebang Group, tall, slim, glamorous, and stunningly beautiful?”
“Why leave out smart?”
“Oh, sorry! Tall, beautiful, and smart, with an IQ of 152, right?”
“156!”
“Right, IQ 156. Oh Se-eun? My god… I almost fainted… Really?”
Jeong Jin-woo exaggerated his gestures and speech, and Oh Se-eun giggled.
She was still a kid, so he had to humor her while playing along.
“Ha ha ha… You’re still the teddy bear guy… hehe.”
They laughed over boiled pork and soup, and Oh Se-eun offered a shot glass.
“It’s amazing, you know.”
“What is?”
Clinking glasses, Jeong Jin-woo asked.
“You’re a fascinating person… Normally, I can’t say this to anyone. They start acting weird if I do.”
“Then why tell me?”
“To be serious, you have to know. It’s proper etiquette.”
“Serious?”
Oh Se-eun’s eyes twinkled as she smiled.
“But even if I tell you, you don’t seem fazed. Not surprised at all. I like that… it’s amazing. Is your family wealthy too?”
“No!”
“Even though you’re not rich… you’re so relaxed about the fact that my family is wealthy.”
“You knew some of it! You said you went on a Mediterranean yacht trip with your family when you were little? A Berber tribal chief guided your desert tour… If someone of that status personally involves themselves, your family’s background is impressive.”
“Oh!”
Oh Se-eun’s eyes sparkled.
“And crucially, your uncle once called me to threaten me!”
“Oh really… why do useless things like that?”
“It’s fine, it made me wake up.”
“Still… if he called me, he could at least have tried bravely…”
“What?”
“Just joking, just joking.”
Jeong Jin-woo knew she wasn’t a typical rich girl, but he hadn’t realized she was the only daughter of the 10th-ranked Daebang Group.
She had even attended elite parties before.
“I have something to say.”
After a brief pause, Oh Se-eun’s eyes sparkled.
“I’m starting a company!”
“What?”
Even if she was smart, a twenty-three-year-old starting a company?
“What kind of company?”
“A management consulting firm… maybe an investment firm later.”
“Will you have clients? Oh, you could take consulting orders from Daebang Group affiliates.”
“Ha…”
Oh Se-eun looked at Jeong Jin-woo, clearly bemused.
“You really underestimated me? You think I’m just someone making money with Daebang subsidiaries? Do I look like I’m only capable of that?”
Her words shocked Jeong Jin-woo. While he was living off luck and schemes, the wealthy Oh Se-eun didn’t even expect him to push her forward.
“Right now, the world is dynamic every second. I built networks in major countries while studying. I can analyze high-level information that private companies can’t access.”
He already knew she was intelligent and respected in the management field, but not to this extent.
“You’re not just pretty… you’re amazing, little one.”
“Ha ha ha! Now you know? You’re really lucky, having a beautiful, smart, and amazing girlfriend. My boyfriend… just older. Seems hardworking… tch. When will he succeed…?”
“Me?”
“Yes, you!”
Though she was seven years younger, it didn’t feel bad. Oh Se-eun was special to Jeong Jin-woo.
“I’ll let you know when I start my company.”
Oh Se-eun was no ordinary girl. Running a management consulting firm wouldn’t be easy, but she would show something.
Jeong Jin-woo’s gaze at her had changed.
Like looking at the captain setting out to sail across a vast ocean with towering waves. Truly remarkable. His gaze carried respect.
Chavez was elected president of Venezuela. Congratulations poured in from around the world.
Guyana’s President Rodrigo also issued a statement congratulating Chavez and calling for peace between the two countries.
Chavez declared, “Venezuela will be strong.”
Chavez claimed ownership of the Essequibo region, lost territory from Guyana.
Rodrigo of Guyana called Chavez a warmonger and said he would respond firmly to Venezuela’s threats.
Chavez put Venezuela’s military on high alert.
Rodrigo declared, “Essequibo belongs to Guyana. If Venezuela provokes us, we are ready for war.”
News poured in by the minute.
As Jérôme Musso predicted, Venezuela and Guyana were disputing the Essequibo region.
Jeong Jin-woo immediately texted Vice Chairman Ko Yoon-seok.
“Vice Chairman, how much gold and oil have we secured?”
“Just over $850 billion. Planning to purchase another $150 billion in oil today.”
“Act quickly.”
This dispute was already anticipated. On the surface, it was a territorial dispute, but in reality, it was over the vast oil fields beneath.
Even a war in a resource-poor country would spike gold and oil prices. Rare earths too.
Usually, the dollar also surges in such times. And indeed, after fluctuating, the dollar price started rising.
“Chairman, I don’t understand. Why not buy dollars? Just exchanging Goldcoin for dollars would bring huge wealth.”
Vice Chairman Ko asked.
“Leave only the minimum dollars needed for liquidity. Use the rest to buy gold, oil, and rare earths.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Understood, we’ll follow your orders, haha.”
Without complaint, Ko said he would follow instructions. He might keep extra dollars if needed. Normally, dollar prices rise during wars, a rule unchanged for nearly a century. Acquiring dollars is crucial to secure oil.
But now…
“Do not buy dollars!”
Jeong Jin-woo recalled Jérôme Musso’s words. He had some idea why.
Goldcoin’s share of resource market transactions was approaching 12%.
The new U.S. president wanted to boost U.S. trade. Strong currencies like the dollar would hurt exports; weaker dollars help. Other countries would hesitate to hoard dollars. Moreover, they had Goldcoin as a strong alternative currency.
“Wow… securing Goldcoin was smart. We’d be in trouble without it! Thanks, Jeong Jin-woo!”
He received a text from Lee Jin-ho. Four other conglomerates were likely in similar situations.
Thanks to joining the Goldcoin resource ecosystem, securing oil, gold, and rare earths became easier. How many modern products don’t use gold or rare earths?
“Chairman, you should know something.”
A message from Ko Yoon-seok came.
“What is it?”
“I just spoke with Chairman Shim in Myeongdong. Hyoyeon Construction is on the verge of bankruptcy and may be up for M&A.”
His head spun briefly. The word was unfamiliar yet familiar. Originally named Seyon Construction, it had been renamed Hyoyeon Construction after a merger.
It was a company tied to the blood, sweat, and shares of his grandfather Kim Kwang-duk, whom he met at the Gapyeong mansion. It had been a crucial core of the Seyon Group. How could it…
“The debt is around 150 billion, and they seem unable to pay.”
“A construction company from Hyoyeon Group for just 150 billion? A little help from the group could prevent this.”
“That’s why I’m bringing it up.”
“Investigate internally more.”
“Understood.”
Someone with $100 billion in ready cash would never let a company like his own “offspring” fail.
Moreover, they were about to participate in post-war reconstruction projects in Ukraine.