The Unwanted by the State (1)
In that instant, Jo Cheong-woo dropped the chocolate he had been halfway through eating. It hit the table with a soft thud, rolled off onto the floor, and left three distinct marks like teardrops. Jo Cheong-woo wept internally.
"Waaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!"
As if that scream were a signal, the study door swung open, and the housekeepers began carrying in stacks of books. One, two, three, four... By the time they reached a height similar to the piles from the European trip, Jo Cheong-woo sighed and steeled his resolve. But the books just kept coming, forming yet another tower beside the first.
"Y-Yoon-gi?"
Yoon-gi didn't answer, merely offering a bright, mischievous smile as the books continued to pile up. "Yoon-gi, what on earth is this..."
The books kept accumulating. It was to the point where it felt truly absurd. Only after ten towers had been erected did the housekeepers finally stop, and Yoon-gi spoke.
"These are the books you need to memorize this time."
"No, Yoon-gi. There’s a limit to what’s humanly possible, even by common sense..."
"I have no choice. We need to establish a PMC."
"Ah..."
At the mention of a PMC, a groan escaped Jo Cheong-woo. Setting up a Private Military Company meant that bloodshed could occur during operations. Given that YK Group was now essentially a multinational corporation, he had to meticulously review the laws of every country involved and draft internal regulations. Furthermore, he had to check the legal feasibility of every operational plan against those nations' statutes. In short, a murderous workload awaited him.
"Korea, the U.S., the Soviet Union, and even Africa. That’s why the volume is a bit high this time."
'Ah, I really want to hand in my resignation.'
Jo Cheong-woo genuinely considered quitting. No matter how carefree he usually was, the sight of the books piled before him made his head spin.
Yoon-gi turned his gaze toward the door, prompted by Choi Deok-bae’s sudden voice echoing in the air. Naturally, Jo Cheong-woo’s head followed suit.
Creak—!
The door opened, and Choi Yoon-ja appeared. "Yoon-gi, the housekeeper said you were in here, so I came in. Is that okay? Oh! I should have knocked, but I forgot. I'm sorry, Yoon-gi. Should I do it again?"
Yoon-gi shrugged at his third aunt, who wore an apologetic expression. "Eh, people make mistakes."
"Ahahaha..."
Choi Yoon-ja was genuinely flustered. After all, the luxurious life she and her husband, Jo Cheong-woo, enjoyed was entirely provided by Yoon-gi. A five-story building on prime Seoul real estate and a massive country estate with a three-car garage packed with imports were not luxuries just anyone could enjoy. Since this was a pure gift, separate from his salary, Choi Yoon-ja held Yoon-gi in very high regard.
"It’s really fine. Come to think of it, did you receive the gifts?"
The gifts from the school trip. Aside from the chocolate, Yoon-gi had prepared somewhat expensive gifts for his family that he’d bought at the airport.
"Yes! I was so grateful I came to thank you, but I didn't know my husband was here too."
Choi Yoon-ja clapped her hands together. "That’s right! So, is my husband doing something big again this time?"
She naturally looked at the books on the table. At the same time, her eyes transformed into '$' shapes. Seeing that, Jo Cheong-woo was horrified.
"Honey, you can do it, right?"
At Choi Yoon-ja’s words, Jo Cheong-woo nodded while weeping internally. "Y-yeah... of course I can."
"Hmm~"
As if unsatisfied with the answer, Choi Yoon-ja stepped closer to Jo Cheong-woo. She lightly tugged on his ear and whispered something. Walls have ears, and Choi Deok-bae hears everything. Thanks to that, Yoon-gi could roughly guess what the aunt had said to her husband.
'They’re still quite the young couple.'
Yoon-gi shrugged lightly and watched them with a smile.
"Honey, I’m going then. Yoon-gi, I’m sorry for taking up more of your time, so I’ll leave now. Work my husband as hard as you like!"
Choi Yoon-ja winked and vanished. Jo Cheong-woo’s face crumbled into a mask of despair.
"You can do it, right?"
At Yoon-gi’s subtle prodding, Jo Cheong-woo had no choice. Choi Deok-bae was reminded of Hwang Hui, who was worked to death by King Sejong.
After receiving authorization to establish the PMC, Yoon-gi was incredibly lucky to secure a meeting with Ronald Reagan. It was entirely thanks to Guster’s influence. Guster had suggested that while it was fine to communicate through him as an intermediary, it wouldn't hurt to meet his grandson in person, and Reagan had accepted.
From Reagan’s perspective, there was no reason not to meet Yoon-gi, who would bring him immense benefits in his future Soviet policy. From Yoon-gi’s perspective, he had a favor to ask regarding the PMC establishment. It was a meeting both parties desperately wanted.
"Mr. President, your granddaughter's husband has arrived."
"Oh, tell him to come in."
At Reagan’s words, the door to the Oval Office opened, and Yoon-gi stepped inside. Among the ordinary(?) citizens of South Korea, had anyone ever entered the White House Oval Office? Certainly not. He was, quite literally, the first in South Korean history. However, this fact would not be reported in the newspapers. Even if it wasn't a secret meeting, it was unofficial, so it would be kept internal.
"It is an honor, Mr. President."
Reagan nodded with a smile at Yoon-gi’s polite greeting. "Ah, welcome. It’s been a while since the wedding."
"Thank you so much for attending back then."
Reagan, the president of American hegemony, naturally exuded the dignity of a superior from the start. Yoon-gi, for his part, didn't find this behavior offensive in the slightest. Reagan’s global influence was at least several times, no, dozens of times greater than Gorbachev’s. It wasn't just understandable; it was a matter of course.
"Thanks to you, it’s become so easy to draft my Soviet policy these days. Congress was skeptical about my change in direction, but since the results are all positive, they are actually praising my foresight."
Reagan was a Republican. The higher his approval rating, the higher the probability that a Republican candidate would win the next U.S. presidential election. Reagan was very pleased with his current trajectory. Peace with the Soviet Union—something no other American president had achieved. No, he was satisfied with putting a leash named 'peace' around the Soviet Union’s neck.
"Everything is thanks to your excellent decisions, Mr. President. I merely chose a path to make money, and you were the one who permitted it."
Yoon-gi’s response made Reagan feel even better. "Right, I hear you consider yourself both Korean and American?"
"That is correct. Half of my blood is American. And thanks to my maternal grandfather, I grew up without wanting for anything. Because of that, I have always felt a sense of gratitude toward the United States."
"Mr. President, I have something to tell you..."
Guster deliberately whispered a report to Reagan about what Colson had done while stationed in Korea. "Hahahaha! That can happen. Wasn't it like that in those days? Thanks to that, such an outstanding grandson was born, so that is also America’s blessing."
Since the U.S. was a nation where war supplies were rotting away in surplus anyway, Reagan could easily turn a blind eye to the past embezzlement of U.S. Forces Korea supplies. Especially in a setting like this.
"Now that I think of it, your wife is American now. How about going beyond a permanent resident card and getting citizenship?"
Yoon-gi feigned a moved expression at Reagan’s bombshell offer of special treatment. However, he quickly shook his head.
"I am truly grateful for the offer, but I think it would be better not to."
"Why is that?"
At Reagan’s puzzled expression, Yoon-gi quickly explained. "I am a businessman who currently makes a living off my image in Korea. If I were to acquire American citizenship, the public would begin to question my image. To remain a businessman, I must remain a Korean forever. It is... truly a regrettable situation."
Seeing Yoon-gi’s genuinely regretful expression, Reagan nodded, seemingly convinced. "I see. I suppose that can't be helped. Indeed, image is very important for a businessman."
Afterward, Reagan and Yoon-gi chatted about mundane topics for a while. As time passed, Reagan slowly began to broach the main subject.
"Come to think of it, you said you would arrange a summit with Gorbachev?"
Yoon-gi nodded. "Yes, I have received a positive response. Actually, rather than a summit, the purpose is to take a photograph. A photo of Gorbachev bowing his head toward you, Mr. President."
"Oh?!"
Reagan gripped the armrests of his sofa tightly. He wanted to jump up with joy, but the dignity of the presidency and the presence of a minor kept him in his seat.
This would surely add even more strength to Reagan’s hegemony. Furthermore, it would provide immense momentum for Reagan’s post-retirement activities.
"Are you pleased?"
At Yoon-gi’s words, Reagan nodded repeatedly. "Of course! It is the best gift imaginable. Hahahaha!"
Reagan then wore a slightly worried expression. "Where is the summit location?"
"It would be difficult for Gorbachev to visit the U.S. for now, so how about West Berlin? I think it would be best if the specific location is conveyed through the White House."
Reagan nodded, as if that was sufficient. "Yes, that should be fine. Good. Then, the reason I called you here has been resolved. Now, it is time for you to state the reason you came here, isn't it?"
Reagan looked at Yoon-gi with a grin. Yoon-gi, the South Korean minor who was contributing greatly to his approval ratings. There was no reason for Reagan’s gaze toward such an existence to contain anything other than goodwill.
"Yes. Actually, I would like to obtain your tacit approval regarding the PMC."
"Ah, now that you mention it, I heard you are establishing a PMC in the Soviet Union."
Yoon-gi could slow down the speed of information reaching Reagan if he wanted to. Since the U.S. intelligence community wasn't just the CIA, a total blockade was impossible, but a delay was certainly possible. Of course, it wouldn't be possible indefinitely, only a few times. However, Yoon-gi hadn't delayed all information yet. Everything should be done when necessary. Thus, Yoon-gi’s honesty brought Reagan a sense of trust.
"That is correct."
"Yes, what is it? What do you need my permission for regarding the PMC?"
At Reagan’s curious question, Yoon-gi spoke cautiously.
"I would like you to permit American veterans to be granted Soviet citizenship."