Chapter 30: The Wolf of Wall Street (4)

Actually, the outlook for Japanese semiconductor companies wasn’t good from the start.

This is because the balance in the semiconductor market between the US and Japan, which had been tense, collapsed around 1985, causing significant damage to the US semiconductor industry.

Faced with the imminent collapse of the market, the US government, which had been watching from the sidelines, finally took action, and the US-Japan Semiconductor Agreement was signed in 1986, resulting in Japanese semiconductor companies losing their competitiveness in the US.

“It’s natural, since the US, feeling the crisis, actively imposed regulations. Thanks to that, our Daeha Electronics benefited greatly. The news released this time dealt a final blow to them.”

After quickly leaving school on Friday and going to Daeha Securities, I began to explain in detail to my followers.

Since Daeha Electronics is now a matter of concern for everyone in Daeha Group, they would already know the gist of it.

“…So, you’re telling us to prepare for a short sale. Hmm, but why not do it directly…?”

One of the Daeha Securities employees asked. She was a female secretary who sometimes helped me when Sihyeon wasn’t around.

Besides her, there were a few others around me. All of them were Daeha Securities employees, a kind of team formed from particularly intelligent and trustworthy people.

They knew the minor details of what I was doing, but due to their limited experience, they didn’t fully understand my goal.

Perhaps only Ha Jusung understood my purpose.

“Ah, why didn’t you short sell under Daeha Securities’ name? Because it’s illegal, for one thing.”

“…Since when did you care about such things, missy.”

For a moment, I felt a suspicious gaze.

Hmph, I’ll let it slide because it’s the truth.

“There are several reasons. There are complicated tax issues… and it’s easy to be found out. Everything we’ve done so far has been kept secret from the family.”

That’s why I only entrusted it to reliable people. It wouldn’t have been possible if I wasn’t the heiress of a chaebol.

That’s why power is important. While it’s not impossible to buy trust with money, it takes a long time and effort.

I cleared my throat and tapped a world map with a stick. The letters “New York” were clearly written where I pointed.

“And more importantly, the main battlefield isn’t here. I won’t waste opportunities. The main stage is Wall Street in New York. We shouldn’t forget that.”

Countless transactions need to take place in a split second, and short selling in Japan and then transferring the money to the US is incredibly inconvenient.

Therefore, I need to use someone else.

“…So, you used President Ha’s connections. Wow, you’re amazing. You said you were going to repay your debt, but you used him again, didn’t you?”

One employee, who was quite clever, opened their mouth in admiration. He was in charge of contacting fund managers at the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

I gave him orders to pass a message on Ha Jusung’s behalf.

-‘Since I owe you a favor from the Plaza Accord, I’ll give you some good information. There will be a major setback in the Japanese semiconductor market soon.’

That was the meaning.

In other words, I made the Japanese securities market directly short sell the Japanese semiconductor market.

Considering that short selling by foreign forces is subject to stricter regulations… there was no better way to shake the Japanese stock market.

Since it’s not my money, but someone else’s money, there are no restrictions.

‘If they think the Nikkei index fell by several tens of percent because of my short selling, it’ll be troublesome.’

I smiled and shrugged.

“Why? It’s profitable for them as well.”

“…That’s true. If their domestic stock market collapses, it’s only natural to take advantage of the short sale.”

Trust is incredibly important even in the financial world, where no one can be trusted. The weight of words becomes even more crucial, especially if it’s not an official contract.

A simple truth.

To maintain relationships, there must be giving and receiving.

“That’s how human relationships are. Good relationships aren’t one-sided, they’re win-win.”

I’ve used Ha Jusung’s connections a lot, and in return, I provided him with appropriate information.

Well, this time, it will ultimately be the most beneficial for me.

After a while, information from the Tokyo Stock Exchange began to appear on the monitor in real-time.

Real-time stock charts.

This system is almost nonexistent now unless it’s a large securities company like Daeha Securities.

“The stock prices of Japanese semiconductor companies are already looking unusual. Huh, but Daeha Electronics’ stock price isn’t changing that dramatically.”

Daeha Securities’ employees licked their lips, looking at the graph with red and blue lines. As those working in finance, they knew what it meant.

The stock prices of Japanese semiconductor companies were slowly falling.

NEC: -4.7%

Toshiba: -5.2%

“How much did Daeha Electronics go up?”

“About 2%? I think it will rise quite a bit by market close.”

Hmm, Daeha Electronics’ stock did go up. However, since it was already high, it didn’t rise that much.

I heard it was something called pre-reflection… probably because my great-uncle knew in advance and bought some stock.

Soon, the stock chart fluctuated a bit, then stopped at -5%. An employee familiar with the Japanese market glanced at his watch and said,

“It’s lunchtime. I guess it’s a market break.”

Perfect timing for a market break.

Chaos will now begin to erupt at the Tokyo Stock Exchange. All sorts of commotion will occur for an hour, and the securities company employees won’t be able to eat properly because they’ll be busy with meetings.

It’s a typical panic situation.

“Should we just monitor the situation…?”

I shook my head.

“Don’t worry about that for now. Let the other family members focus on it; we need to play in a bigger pond. I’ll be back after lunch; you guys eat as well.”

How ridiculous it would be if, after going through reincarnation, I’m squabbling in this small land. I planned to draw a bigger picture while the others in Daeha Group focused on that small issue.

“Yes, I understand, missy.”

The employees bowed at my gesture. Even without me saying it, one of them came forward to assist me.

Seeing the employees who now obediently followed my instructions, a smile naturally formed on my lips.

There’s nothing…

More satisfying than being above others.

***

Sihyeon came just in time for lunch, so we could eat together.

I enjoyed Japanese food at a tonkatsu restaurant, receiving Sihyeon’s service. It’s only proper to eat Japanese food at times like these.

“…Wouldn’t your conscience be bothered eating this together?”

Sihyeon grumbled but diligently cut the tonkatsu and put it in my mouth.

What a bothersome secretary.

“You’re faster at eating than me anyway. And eating a lot of this will make you fat.”

“…I don’t even know where to start complaining. Why are you worried about me getting fat, missy? You eat all sorts of things.”

I’m fine because I have the reincarnation perks.

“Hmph. Anyway, have you taken care of the aftermath in Japan?”

Sihyeon went to Japan to take care of some things on my behalf. It was mainly about disposing of real estate, and because it involved the yakuza, I sent Sihyeon because she needed protection.

“Ah, yes… I managed somehow.”

She frowned briefly. Her beautiful brow furrowed, and a slight hesitation appeared on Sihyeon’s face before disappearing.

“Did you… bury someone before?”

“…Phew, don’t say such gruesome things. You shouldn’t see or hear bad things. Especially since you’re still young, missy.”

I sneered at her words.

“I’ve experienced all sorts of bad things when I was little, so it’s fine. So, did you do it?”

Sihyeon stroked her arm, where the muscles were clearly visible, and nodded.

“Well, I did have some experience with the help of the chief of staff. But real life is different.”

“Good job.”

I knew she was quite good at fighting, but honestly, I was a little scared. She’s a woman, so there was a chance she could get hurt.

“…Yes. That’s why I’ve been having bad dreams lately. I’m sorry about the last time; I was a bit agitated… I overstepped my boundaries.”

“I know. But since I allowed it… hmm, I won’t hold you responsible.”

If a subordinate oversteps their bounds, they should be punished… but as a superior, going back on my words is also something I shouldn’t do.

Therefore, I didn’t plan to punish Sihyeon.

…Well, the lullaby wasn’t that unpleasant.

“I’ll give you some vacation time after this is over. Or is there anywhere you want to go?”

I smiled brightly and patted my secretary’s shoulder. Ordering someone to work too much will cause resentment, so I have to give them a break at the right time.

Just like now.

“…Vacation?”

Sihyeon looked at me with wide eyes, as if she hadn’t even thought about that.