Hong Kong: Rise of the Kings

After the December 12 coup, Chun Du-gwang did not get promoted, but pushed Lee Hye-seong, acting director of the Central Intelligence Department, to replace Jeong Seung-hwa (Army Chief of Staff and commander of martial law).

On February 6, 1980, Jeong Seung-hwa was indicted for aiding in civil strife. In March, Chun Du-gwang was promoted to lieutenant general. On April 14, Chun Du-gwang was appointed by Choi Kyu-ha as acting director of the Central Intelligence Department (because active military personnel cannot be ministers, they are given the title of "acting").

So far, the two major intelligence departments of South Korea, the Central Intelligence Department and the National Security Command, were both controlled by Chun Du-gwang.

Although Chun Du-gwang controlled the military power, he did not completely seize the political power. At this time, South Korea had just been freed from the dictatorship of Park Chung-hee. A large number of democratic figures were released, and democratic forces were in the ascendant. The so-called "Seoul Spring" situation appeared. The three most active politicians were the Republican Party President Kim Jong-pil, the New Democratic Party President Kim Young-sam and the democratic movement activist Kim Dae-jung, who were called the "Three Kims". Various student and worker movements also sprang up like mushrooms after rain.

The democratic forces pointed their spearheads directly at the leader of the new military department, Jeon Doo-gwang. On May 15, 1980, a student rally and demonstration movement took place in the Seoul Railway Station Square, demanding the dismissal of Jeon Doo-gwang and the lifting of martial law before May 19. However, due to Kim Dae-jung's advice to act cautiously, the demonstration was cancelled on the same day, which was called the "Seoul Railway Station Return".

On this day, Jeon Doo-gwang's party also proposed the "National Discipline Disruptor Search Plan" and the "Power-based Illegal Wealth Management Plan", intending to suppress the democratic movement, take over the government in an all-round way, and rebuild the military dictatorship of Park Chung-hee.

The first meeting room of the Blue House was full of flowers and green bamboo. In front of the magnificent painting of Mount Paektu, Quan Duguang convened the first "Korea and International Economic Situation Seminar" of the Republic of Korea.

In addition to Quan Duguang presiding over the meeting, bigwigs from all walks of life in Korea attended the meeting, including political, military, business and so on.

In addition, in order to highlight the international nature of this meeting, Quan Duguang also specially invited many foreign entrepreneurs to attend the discussion, including business people from the United States, Britain, France, Germany, and Japan, Thailand, Singapore and other countries in Asia.

Among them, the American who was invited seemed to be an official with a big background. He was arrogant. Even Quan Duguang and others were respectful to him. The British and French also flattered him.

As a representative of Hong Kong, Du Yongxiao was also invited to attend this meeting and sat in the guest of honor position very close to Quan Duguang, second only to the business bigwigs from the United States and Britain.

The slogan of this meeting is "In line with the international situation, follow the economic route of the Republic of Korea!"

The meeting listened to the Minister of Industry and Commerce of South Korea on the comprehensive rectification and orderly development of state-owned resources, discussed and approved in principle the "Notice of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce on the Comprehensive Rectification and Standardization of the Order of State-owned Resource Development", and made clear restrictions on the development and exploitation of land, minerals and other resources under the monopoly of South Korean chaebols.

In order to ensure the smooth passage of the decision of this meeting and to deter the chaebols, Quan Duguang specially recommended General Lu Taiyu as the inspector of this movement. Anyone who violates the rules will receive severe punishment from him.

In other words, Quan Duguang inherited Park Chung-hee's high-pressure dictatorship policy, relying on the army to control domestic resources and not giving those chaebol rats any opportunity to embezzle.

As Quan Duguang's best partner and close comrade-in-arms, General Lu Taiyu not only has a high prestige in the army, but also has a better reputation among the people than Quan Duguang.

Unlike Chun Doo-gwang, who disdains democracy, Roh Tae-woo has reservations about democracy and freedom in South Korea, which also provides a buffer between the military and the democratic class, laying the foundation for the future development of democracy in South Korea.

The next meeting also discussed the food crisis and unemployment rate, which are the most urgent issues in South Korea.

As we all know, South Korea's geographical environment makes it difficult to produce a lot of food here. In many cases, it relies on imports of rice, cotton, wheat, etc. to maintain a balance.

The current international situation is grim. Europe and the United States have begun to export food to Africa. The price of South Korea's food imports has continued to rise. At the time when Park Chung-hee was assassinated, the international food price had reached an astonishing price.

Chun Doo-gwang asked the visiting Americans, British, French and other European and American countries in an earnest tone to lower the price of food, and it would be best if the food aided to Africa could be sold to South Korea.

In the words of Chun Doo-gwang: "What is bought with money is always better than what you give out!"

This sentence is rough but true.

However, the reason why Europe and the United States aid Africa is for reputation, not all for money. But since Quan Douguang said so, both sides were willing to reach an agreement and re-examine food prices.

Regarding the unemployment rate in South Korea, Quan Douguang consulted the Korean chaebol bosses present and asked them if they had any way to recruit more people.

After the financial crisis, those bosses are now cutting costs, so how can they recruit more employees?

In the end, this question was thrown out, and the meeting discussed and decided to solicit opinions from the public.

In Quan Douguang's words, this is enough democracy and freedom!

His tone was full of ridicule.

Democracy and freedom mean unemployment and hunger.

The last thing to do was to listen to the research report of Hong Kong business representative Du Yongxiao on investing in South Korea and laying out the Korean economy.

Before the meeting, Quan Douguang contacted Du Yongxiao privately, told him the specific content of the conference, and begged him to make an important speech as a representative.

Du Yongxiao thought carefully and planned to use investment in South Korea and layout of South Korea's economy as the theme of the research. On the one hand, it was to whitewash his invasion of South Korea's economy, and on the other hand, it was also a little guidance for South Korea's future situation.

Du Yongxiao's research report avoided the main point and first tactfully described that he had a good impression of South Korea, which was why he invested heavily in South Korea's top ten groups, Samsung, Hyundai, Lotte, LG, etc.

In Du Yongxiao's words: "I can see the future. In the future, these companies will be South Korea's pillar industries and indispensable heavy companies. My investment in them is equivalent to investing in South Korea. I love South Korea, so I am willing to invest money."

Then Du Yongxiao made a shocking statement about the three major drivers of South Korea's economy.

He said that in the future, South Korea's economy will make great strides in semiconductor electronics, hotel tourism, and entertainment industries.

And South Korea will become an emerging tourism center and entertainment center in Asia.

Du Yongxiao's affirmative tone and firm attitude surprised Quan Douguang and others.

They couldn't figure out why Du Yongxiao was so sure?

Semiconductor electronics is not a big deal. After all, the global situation is there. All countries are vigorously promoting the development of semiconductors. Otherwise, Du Yongxiao would not have snatched Samsung Electronics from Samsung Group.

The problem is South Korea's hotel tourism industry and entertainment industry. How can this be explained?

South Korea's tourist attractions are unremarkable. Apart from Gyeongbokgung Palace and Jeju Island, who would come here to play?

It is right to say that Japan is the tourism center of Asia. After all, now when people all over the world travel to Asia, the first place they think of is Japan.

As for entertainment——

Jun Douguang and others don't know what to say. Korean movies, TV series, songs and dances, etc. are simply not up to standard. Where does Du Yongxiao get the courage to say such things?

Watching Du Yongxiao talking freely, Koreans who originally had no good impression of Du Yongxiao felt for the first time that Du Yongxiao was so friendly. In order to elevate South Korea, he even said such big nonsense as tourism center and entertainment center.

Du Yongxiao certainly knew what these people were thinking, but he knew that South Korea would indeed have a big explosion in the tourism and entertainment industries in the future.

A movie like "Autumn in My Heart" and "My Love from the Star", several girl groups and boy groups, have made the Korean Wave sweep the world, thus driving the Korean tourism industry and replacing Japan as the center of Asia.

Even if Du Yongxiao, the butterfly, appears and flaps his wings, he cannot change this fact.

Since it cannot be changed, Du Yongxiao will point it out and reap a lot of dividends.

So in the end, Du Yongxiao decided to invest money in Korean movies and TV series, and was ready to set up an entertainment company, recruit members of girl groups and boy groups, build tourist hotels, etc.

Du Yongxiao's words stunned the big guys at the scene.

No one expected that Du Yongxiao was not just talking casually, but really wanted to do it.

After Du Yongxiao finished talking about his investment plan, he asked other big guys at the scene who was willing to work with him.

Those Americans, British, and French guys immediately backed out.

They would not waste money.

Japan, Thailand, and Singapore directly took a wait-and-see attitude.

The big guys on the Korean side also shook their heads, saying that the risk was high and they dared not follow.

Only LG Group Chairman Gu Bonmoo chose to trust Du Yongxiao again and was willing to cooperate with Du Yongxiao.

LG's statement caused an uproar in the audience. I didn't expect that there were companies in South Korea that were not afraid of death.

No mistake, one post, one content, one 6, one 9, one book, one bar!

At this time, Samsung Group President Li Jianxi also raised his hand and expressed his willingness to follow Du Yongxiao on his behalf and invest in Korean movies, television, and entertainment industries.

Samsung's involvement directly pushed the scene to a climax.

This also surprised Du Yongxiao, and he had to re-examine Li Jianxi, the future emperor of Samsung, who was indeed very far-sighted, or in other words, he was a gambler like Gu Bonmoo.

And they were all betting on themselves to win.

The fruitful results of this meeting undoubtedly made Quan Douguang somewhat excited. At the end of the meeting, he immediately called Du Yongxiao, who was walking out of the meeting room side by side with Gu Bonmoo and Li Jianxi.

"Hello, Mr. Du." Quan Douguang smiled and used the most sincere tone when shaking hands with Du Yongxiao. After all, Du Yongxiao is the "leader" of Quan behind him.

Du Yongxiao showed a smile on his serious face, patted Quan Douguang's hand gently, and said with a smile: "General Quan's meeting was very successful this time, especially the series of policies you formulated are eye-catching!"

Quan Douguang smiled: "Alas, there is nothing I can do! I only knew how to carry a gun and fight in the past, and now I learn to govern the country. I don't know if the policy is good or not, but I am afraid that it will anger the people and lose the people's hearts."

Du Yongxiao smiled slightly: "Modest. General Quan is a genius, both civil and military, which is gratifying."

Quan Douguang smiled: "Whether it can succeed depends on the help of foreign friends like you, Mr. Du. The development of the Korean economy cannot be separated from your help. With you, it is like adding wings to a tiger!"

"No, no, no, my work is at most icing on the cake." Du Yongxiao said modestly.

As they were talking politely, General Lu Taiyu suddenly came over and whispered something to Quan Douguang, then looked at Du Yongxiao.

Quan Douguang looked a little surprised, and after listening, he looked up at Du Yongxiao and said, "Did Mr. Du notice Mr. Thomas in the United States during the meeting just now?"

Du Yongxiao nodded, "U.S. Deputy Secretary of Economics Thomas, right?"

"Yes, he is our special guest at this meeting. He wants to see you now..." He looked at Du Yongxiao carefully, trying to see what he was thinking.

Du Yongxiao nodded slightly, with a calm expression, not giving Quan Douguang any chance to "investigate", "It's okay to meet him! The deputy minister is also a moderate official."

Quan Douguang was stunned and didn't know what to say.

…

Following General Lu Taiyu, he turned a few corners in the spacious and gorgeous corridor, and finally came to the outside of a lounge. Lu Taiyu held the golden handle and pushed open the magnificent wooden door, but the others stayed outside.

Du Yongxiao knew that in South Korea, these Americans were actually the emperors.

Especially for a deputy minister of economics like Thomas, who was not very good in the United States, but when he came here he was the emperor of the emperor.

After all, South Korea's economy needs the support of the United States.

It is precisely because of this that Quan Douguang and Lu Taiyu are respectful to Thomas.

The lounge is spacious and solemn, with a black sofa that rotates in a circle. Thomas, the deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Economic Affairs, is sitting on the main seat, biting a cigar and looking at a document in his hand, with an attitude that is both arrogant and disdainful.

Thomas raised his head when he heard the sound, then pointed to the chair and said as a master: "Really Du? Sit down!"

With just such a sentence, the high profile of Americans in South Korea is undoubtedly revealed.

"Du, I'm curious, what is your purpose of investing in so many Korean companies?" After Du Yongxiao sat down, Thomas looked at Du Yongxiao with disdain.

It seemed that Du Yongxiao had influenced their business, and Thomas came to investigate.

Du Yongxiao doesn't care about him. Can only you and the United States eat the Korean pie, and I can't eat it?

Thinking this in his heart, Du Yongxiao did not dare to take it lightly and carefully considered his words, "I said it at the meeting just now. I love South Korea, so I invest in Korean companies."

"Hahaha!" Thomas laughed, his eyes full of sarcasm, "Du, you are a smart man, why do you use this trick to deceive children? Do you love South Korea? You are Chinese, and your country is at war with South Korea. It’s been less than thirty years since the war ended!”

Facing Thomas's sarcasm, Du Yongxiao just smiled and said: "At this moment, only I know whether I love South Korea or not."

Thomas glanced at Du Yongxiao for a few times and then smiled: "I have told a lie a thousand times and even I believe it. God, I don't know if I am an idiot or someone is mentally retarded."

Du Yongxiao: "I love South Korea, so I invested in South Korea. I also love the United States, so I also invested in the United States! For example, Phoenix Pharmaceuticals, Paramount, MGM, Coca-Cola, Microsoft, etc., the total capital is as high as hundreds. Billion. So--"

Du Yongxiao looked at Thomas who looked shocked: "Then am I mentally retarded or an idiot?"