Chapter 7 - How to Catch This Guy (4)

The stock market is full of lies.

Ordinary investors, hoping for a quick fortune, jump into the market unprepared.

Most do so during a market boom.

But now, the market was screaming at its peak.

In 1994, it surpassed 1,100 points,

and in 1996, it reached 990 points, with people inflating hopes that it would rise even more steeply, calling it an adjustment period.

In this era, the standard strategy was to ride the bull market.

Buy stocks in a bear market?

If it were 2022, people would rush in, seeing it as a golden opportunity, but in 1996, it would be a laughing matter even for a passing dog.

Those who tasted beginner's luck during the boom gradually fell into the trap as they studied complex terms.

Technical analysis, future value, and so on.

People who entered the stock market began to discover and believe in techniques within the complex world of finance.

They believed these techniques contained secret information, almost like a religion.

But there's nothing to it.

All the techniques flying around in the stock market are just traces of the past.

No one knows what the future holds, yet they believe it will happen just like before.

A stock that rose to the third wave in the past will do so again this time.

A so-called well-studied retail investor will safely ride the first wave, jump into the second wave, and secure the third wave.

However, they will inevitably see a graph plummeting without wings.

After tasting failure, the retail investor will desperately search for another mysterious analysis technique, like a thirsty deer looking for water.

And eventually, the tabloids will come to them.

As if a benevolent sky is sending them a revelation.

Tabloids.

In front of the temptation of secret information, they will readily hand over their hard-earned money.

How absurd.

Ordinary people will fall for such nonsense, and the forces will take advantage of their naivety to make huge profits.

Jaejun felt a pang in his chest at this reality.

In a future where the internet is advanced, such things would be impossible, but in 1996, they were happening in broad daylight.

Wastewater treatment equipment development?

A few clicks could verify the truth.

A scheme?

Who would fall for such a scheme?

But here they are.

From 1995 to 1997, when information was not transparent, there were particularly many stock schemes.

Kang Byung-gu and No Gyeong-beom. Minnows.

Daring to shake the market using the current securities!

Jaejun barely suppressed his rising anger, then opened the English materials and felt annoyed again.

What, this is basic English?

Do I really have to translate this?

It will take more time to type it out.

After about an hour of translating and organizing the English materials into a document, Jaejun printed it and handed it to Kang Byung-gu, who was focused on his monitor.

"I'm done."

Kang Byung-gu, who was deeply concentrated, looked annoyed when Jaejun handed him the document.

"Already? Did you do it half-heartedly?"

Kang Byung-gu snatched the document and scanned it, his eyes widening at the neatly organized content.

'Look at this guy.'

Kang Byung-gu, tilting his head at the document Jaejun handed him, tapped it and said, trying to pick a fight.

"Hey, newbie. Did you understand and translate all the technical terms here?"

What? Such a pitiful guy.

"Technical terms?"

"Here, this one."

Kang Byung-gu pointed to the word "Recycling."

No way.

Is recycling a technical term? Is he serious?

Recycling? It's middle school level English.

Or is it? Maybe in this era, 'Anabada' is more appropriate.

That makes sense.

Use less, share, change, and reuse. The 'Anabada' movement was a government environmental policy, so that term would be more familiar.

On the other hand, it's possible to see recycling as a technical term, but to point it out as such is ridiculous.

Even for a college graduate.

Did Jaejun's bewildered expression give it away?

Kang Byung-gu's next actions were a sight to behold.

Kang Byung-gu pointed to the tiny English text next to the machine diagram and pressed Jaejun.

"Do you know all the technical terms written next to the machine?"

Jaejun, looking at what Kang Byung-gu pointed to, felt a surge of frustration.

This guy, his purpose isn't to learn English but to torment me.

Jaejun, realizing Kang Byung-gu's intention, deliberately answered loudly.

"Sir, those are not technical terms. They are just words like bolt, nut, engine, and belt."

"What?"

Kang Byung-gu quickly read the English and his face turned red.

'Ah... shit.'

"I know, man. I didn't mean that."

"Then what's wrong with it?"

Kang Byung-gu, speechless, felt people staring at him and waved them off.

"What are you looking at?"

People turned their heads back to their monitors with an expression of 'Here we go again.'

"Hey, Kang Byung-gu. Are you not properly training the new guy?"

A sudden shout made everyone turn to the door.

No Gyeong-beom, with a scowl, had entered.

Can a fund manager just barge into the analyst room and start shouting?

Jaejun also looked at No Gyeong-beom with a bewildered expression.

Firewalls are useless.

"Hey, senior. You're here?"

No Gyeong-beom grabbed Kang Byung-gu's arm, pulling him while alternately looking at the printout Jaejun made and Kang Byung-gu's face, silently mouthing.

'Are you crazy, making a new guy do this?'

Kang Byung-gu, with a downturned eye, silently mumbled.

'It's fine. I'll do the organizing.'

So, these two were planning to mix foreign materials and present them as something developed by Jae Kyung Machinery, all while scowling and mouthing.

Is this the era where such amateurish schemes work?

"Alright. You don't have time, so leave quickly."

No Gyeong-beom's sudden order made Kang Byung-gu look extremely reluctant.

"Senior, if I go at this time, I won't be able to return to Seoul today."

"Then, should I go? Or should I break the appointment?"

"Then, you shouldn't have assigned me this task this morning."

Kang Byung-gu pointed to his monitor.

Jaejun's gaze also fell on the monitor, where the Jae Kyung Machinery chart was displayed.

No Gyeong-beom, seeing Jaejun's expressionless face, shouted at Kang Byung-gu.

"Go now. Get it done."

"Really, I can't today. I'll reschedule the appointment for tomorrow."

"Hey, the manager is leaving for the U.S. tomorrow morning. It has to be today."

"I don't have time either..."

"Just go and get the materials. Come back quickly."

"It's not that important... Can't it wait?"

"It's really important."

Under No Gyeong-beom's pressure, Kang Byung-gu muttered to himself.

"Jae Kyung Machinery isn't even in Incheon..."

Jae Kyung Machinery?

To find out what these guys are up to, I need to go too.

Jaejun, looking at the scowling No Gyeong-beom and the dejected Kang Byung-gu, said.

"Seniors, if it's not important, I can go."

"You?"

"What?"

Both looked at Jaejun simultaneously, with Kang Byung-gu looking like he had found a savior and No Gyeong-beom glaring at him like a criminal.

"If it's just to get the materials, I can go."

"You? You... You! You can go. Right, senior?"

"Don't talk nonsense. You go."

"No, no. Think about it. It's just to get the materials."

"You go."

No Gyeong-beom, firmly, looked at Kang Byung-gu, raised an eyebrow, and left.

Hmm.

'Raising the eyebrow at the end was a signal to handle it myself.'

Kang Byung-gu nodded at No Gyeong-beom's departure, pulled out a memo, wrote something, and handed it to Jaejun.

"Go on a business trip and come back."

Jaejun, receiving the memo and seeing the address, was inwardly surprised but didn't show it.

Jae Kyung Machinery, Ulsan 301

Taepung Printing, Chungmuro 22-3

Ulsan?

Jae Kyung Machinery was in Ulsan?

It's not close, but Ulsan is quite far...

Maybe I can get some help from Manager Jeong.

Anyway,

I need to go to Jae Kyung Machinery.

But what's Taepung Printing?

Jaejun's curiosity was piqued.

In such cases, I need to see everything with my own eyes.

Kang Byung-gu, as if it was no big deal, said to Jaejun, who was staring at the memo.

"It's closer than you think. What's the problem? Just take a high-speed bus and come back quickly."

"..."

"And visit the printing shop early tomorrow morning. Don't be late for work. As the top new hire, you can handle that, right?"

Gum?

Gum, sure. If there was a KTX. In 1996, this is whale sinew gum, not chewing gum.

How long will it take by high-speed bus...

I'll see when I get there.

"Understood."

Jaejun, with a light smile, came out, and immediately called Manager Jeong.

Kang Byung-gu, watching Jaejun's back, smiled like a naughty cat tormenting a mouse.

***

On the rooftop of Current Securities.

Kang Byung-gu, who had rushed up to the rooftop at No Gyeong-beom's call, offered a cigarette and put one in his mouth.

From a distance, they looked like a clear superior and subordinate.

No Gyeong-beom, with a cigarette in his mouth, blew smoke into the sky, his face showing irritation and fatigue.

"Did you wrap it up well?"

"Of course."

"The printing shop?"

"I'll mix the translation and send it by email today. I plan to print it tomorrow morning."

"When will you go to Jae Kyung Machinery? You need to check the progress of the wastewater treatment equipment."

"Jae Kyung Machinery needs to be kept in a box, so I sent the new guy."

"New guy?"

"Yes, the new guy."

"Why did you send the new guy there?"

"The team leader said to send him, right?"

"Me?"

"Yes. You signed off on it with your eyes."

"Me?"

"Yes."

No Gyeong-beom, puffing on his cigarette, looked at Kang Byung-gu.

"Me?"

"Already on his way to Ulsan."

"Already?"

"Yes."

"Are you crazy? What if he causes trouble?"

"He's the top new hire, he'll do well."

"Top? Kang Ho-seok is also top. Have you seen him do well?"

"He does well. Kang senior has his own skills."

"Is that skill? A guy who doesn't produce results? In a securities company, results are what matter. Guys like Kang Ho-seok, who think they're great, will never produce good results. Remember that."

"Understood."

No Gyeong-beom nodded as if he understood.

"Call Jae Kyung Machinery first. Tell them not to make mistakes."

"Understood."

"Let's meet with the Myeongdong guys. We've decided on the next stock..."

Rrrrrrr.

The sudden loud helicopter noise made No Gyeong-beom frown.

"What the hell is that helicopter... Anyway, we've decided on the next stock."

"Already?"

"We need to do a few more while the momentum is high and then get out. We can't keep working under others forever. We need to be independent."

"Independence! I'm already looking forward to it."

Kang Byung-gu tried to light another cigarette, but the helicopter's wind blew it out.

"Really, that damn helicopter..."

"Here, try again."

No Gyeong-beom, lighting the cigarette, asked again.

"About the new guy. Will he cause trouble?"

"Cause trouble? A new guy going to a company? He'll be happy just to get treated and get his travel expenses."

"Travel expenses, sure. They're sweet."

"Sure, but I'll take them back before he gets a taste."

"You're really a scoundrel. Take them back."

No Gyeong-beom, pleased with Kang Byung-gu's scoundrel act, smirked.

"I hate guys who are good at studying. They're stuffy and inflexible. I'll make him suffer when he comes back from the business trip."

No Gyeong-beom, scowling, ordered Kang Byung-gu.

"Send him back to Kang Ho-seok. Let the smart guys figure it out."

"Let me push him around a bit first."

"No time for that."

"Come on..."

"No time."

"Understood."

"I'll tell Manager Seo Hyung-gil that the new guy is in the way. Send him to Kang Ho-seok."

No Gyeong-beom, thinking of Kang Ho-seok, bit his lip.

Kang Ho-seok.

A rival who always held him back, thanks to his natural talent.

No Gyeong-beom felt extremely bad whenever he looked at that guy.

His eyes, which seemed to lecture, "Don't live like that," were enough to make No Gyeong-beom angry.

At such times, No Gyeong-beom wanted to crush the smug Kang Ho-seok but held back.

He didn't want to ruin things with unnecessary emotions and believed there would be a chance eventually.

'I'll crush him with money.'