I arrived at Washington airport.
As always, David greeted me, and we quickly got into the armored vehicle and started talking.
"The White House seems desperate. They're even sending an SOS request to Taewoo Group."
"I heard very few groups received such an SOS request, including Taewoo Group. It seems they asked us because we had been investing in the shale gas business for a long time."
They wouldn't entrust just anyone with the shale companies.
Shale gas was a resource responsible for America's future, so they had to rely on American companies or trustworthy firms.
Among foreign companies, Taewoo Group was probably the most trusted.
Even the former U.S. president vouched for us, and we had invested huge amounts in Texas shale gas development.
"Hearing the American ambassador, I got the sense that the shale companies' situation is worse than it seems. How serious is it?"
"Not just the shale companies but also oil companies are in chaos. It's no exaggeration to say it's like oil companies going through another Lehman Brothers crisis."
It hadn't even been half a year since the oil war started.
But with the situation unfolding like this, shales companies as well as the White House must have been alarmed.
"They must not have expected collapse in less than six months."
"They probably believed the shale companies could endure even in a low-oil-price era. But prices dropped faster than expected. And since prices kept falling, they couldn't hold on."
"We'll see what kind of assets the White House has prepared when we get there."
"I heard there are quite a few good assets. And rumors say they might be able to get assets not even officially up for sale."
Actually, buying any assets now would be profitable.
Even if the U.S. government forgave some debts, we could double our profits in a few years.
But getting only double profits wasn't enough to satisfy me.
"This is going to be fun shopping. But what's happening with the Saudi royal family situation?"
"We're getting information from all over. From politicians, entrepreneurs, and even former employees of the royal family."
David's network was beyond imagination.
He had over 20 staff dedicated solely to managing his network schedules.
Including staff handling gift preparations, event management, and those working as lobbyists, David led an organization of around 200 people.
Especially since the lobbyists who followed him also managed their own personal teams.
Counting all those numbers, more people worked under David than in most companies.
"You know we have to move without drawing too much attention, right?"
"Boss! I've lived this life my entire life. Do you think I'd make such a basic mistake?"
"I say that just in case. But you must be very busy these days. The White House, the Saudi royal family, and Novo Nordisk issues—all going on simultaneously. You could use two bodies."
"I'm having a lot of fun, especially with the Novo Nordisk work. We've placed people holding 30% of the board seats and successfully persuaded another 20% of the board."
The prey mistakenly thought to be a wild beast.
Novo Nordisk was blatantly aiming for Centurion and AI.
While they were doing this, we had already deeply infiltrated Novo Nordisk.
"If a majority of the board members speak with one voice, it won't be hard to force them to abandon the new drug."
"The rumors are already spreading. Skepticism about the new drug is slowly rising, and there are even talks of reducing staff related to it."
"We should visit Denmark soon."
"I'll make sure the groundwork is solid before you go, boss. You'll just need to come in and pull out the drug approval rights."
While we spoke, we arrived at the hotel.
I took a full day's rest to recover from jet lag.
Shopping was more physically exhausting than I imagined.
It's no wonder people collapse after a day at the department store.
Besides, instead of shopping at a department store, I'd be shopping at the White House, so I needed to recharge even more energy.
***
The next day.
From early morning, a vehicle sent from the White House was waiting for me in front of the hotel.
A black armored vehicle and dozens of bodyguards escorted me along a complicated route to the White House.
I was starting to feel tired even before the shopping began.
But when I arrived at the White House and saw President Obama waiting for me, all my fatigue vanished.
"I apologize for contacting you so suddenly. How have you been?"
"Thanks to you, Mr. President, I have been well. It is truly an honor to meet you."
I greeted President Obama with as much courtesy as possible.
But President Obama, who didn't like formalities very much, waved his hand dismissively.
"Let's not be too formal between us. I understand from the U.S. Ambassador that you have a rough idea of the situation."
"I've heard that many shale gas companies are at risk of bankruptcy."
"The low oil price situation is expected to continue for a long time. Reports say that if this situation lasts just one year, over 30% of shale companies will go bankrupt, and if it lasts more than two years, over 60% will."
Shale was an industry on which America's future depended.
So the U.S. government had to step in and shoulder the risks of shale companies.
And as some of the reasons for the low oil price era were the U.S. government's responsibility, they couldn't just stand by.
"Are you planning government support like the Lehman crisis?"
"We plan support even stronger than that. The Lehman crisis was the result of reckless financial companies' wrongdoing, but this situation is a misfortune caused by a power struggle with OPEC."
"Even with government intervention, they can't support all shale companies."
"That's why we invited Chairman Kim. Could you acquire shale companies?"
This was the best possible situation.
If I took the initiative to acquire shale companies, I would be a subordinate in negotiations.
But if the U.S. government first requested acquisition, I could negotiate as the superior party.
"We have already invested heavily in the shale industry."
"I know that well. I understand Taewoo Group has invested more than any other foreign company. But now is a time when acquisition, not investment, is necessary."
"I hear there are quite a few foreign companies targeting shale companies."
"We cannot entrust the industry that will lead America's future to just anyone. We make this offer because we trust Taewoo Group and Chairman Kim."
The trust built up with the U.S. had worked in our favor.
Because we poured massive lobbying funds, acquired American companies, and maintained them well, this best-case scenario became possible.
"Hm, there are two ways we can assist. One is acquiring shale companies within Taewoo Group's available capital limit. This would limit us to acquiring small to medium-sized shale companies."
"What's the other way?"
"Taewoo Group could lead the formation of a consortium or alliance to acquire large firms."
President Obama showed great interest.
He was already satisfied that I was positively inclined, and when I expressed willingness to acquire large firms, his expression brightened noticeably.
"Forming a consortium is good, but I don't trust foreign groups other than Taewoo Group."
"So we're thinking of limiting consortium participants to American companies only. We plan to form the consortium centered on Wall Street financial firms, U.S.-based banks, and American IT companies."
"If it's American companies, there's no problem. How much funding is possible?"
"Money is important, but more crucial is that the number of participants can vary depending on which company we acquire."
If we can't eat the whole pie,
We have to aim for the most delicious piece with the fruit on it.
"What companies do you want to acquire?"
"We want to acquire Hess and Chesapeake. Also, we want to acquire some assets from oil companies to improve liquidity."
"Chesapeake is a shale company, but Hess is more about offshore oil, isn't it?"
"Opening a consortium for oil business rather than just shale companies can attract more participant firms. I understand that not only shale but also oil companies are struggling."
President Obama nodded.
He knew oil company stocks were falling and debt ratios rising because of the oil war.
"Not a bad condition."
"Shale companies alone cannot survive. To firmly root, they must be linked with solid oil firms."
"Depending on the consortium's amount, the U.S. government can lead and help acquire Hess and Chesapeake. This includes acquiring assets owned by the oil companies."
Would the U.S. government move if the amount were insignificant?
They'd need at least a minimum amount to justify the government's movement.
"Taewoo Group plans to invest $25 billion alone. Forming a consortium could raise the limit to $50 billion."
"A much-needed rain for the shale industry. The U.S. government will take responsibility and help Chairman Kim acquire the desired firms and shares."
At least $50 billion.
Such a staggering amount of 60 trillion won was enough to give the U.S. government a valid reason to act.
The U.S. government also benefited by saving up to 60 trillion won in support funds thanks to us, making it a mutually beneficial negotiation.
"It will take at least one to two months to form the consortium. Only early next year can serious acquisition negotiations begin."
"Please expedite this as much as possible. If there's anything the U.S. government can help with, just say the word anytime."
Time was on our side.
By next month, oil prices were expected to drop to $60.
By early next year, prices would plunge to around $40.
Therefore, as time passed, the financial conditions of oil companies would worsen, and we would be able to negotiate acquisitions from a more advantageous position.
That said, we couldn't just drag out time endlessly.
Since oil prices might slightly rise in the first half of next year, we needed to aim for the perfect timing in acquisition negotiations.
"I'll first send you a list of the companies and assets we want to acquire through David."
"While the consortium is being formed, we'll have the White House initiate contact with companies. The moment the consortium is ready, you can acquire the companies and shares."
I talked with President Obama for over an hour.
It was rare for visiting foreign heads of state to have such lengthy conversations.
Sometimes meetings lasted less than a minute, and even on long occasions, they rarely exceeded an hour.
An ordinary group chairman having a one-hour conversation with the U.S. president?
If this became public, the media would be in an uproar.
Fortunately, this was an unofficial meeting but also a testament to Taewoo Group's growing presence.