Financial freedom starts with smiling at life

Shin Dong-bin was merely pandering to the Korean Peninsula authorities by having director Na Hong-jin add elements that disgusted Dongda University to a film invested in by Lotte Entertainment. He never expected that this action would send the entire crew to the park.

What I never expected was that I would have to spend $1500 million to save the crew.

This cost is a bit too high.

The Xin family isn't short of money, but it seems like it's not worth spending it on Luo Hongzhen and his family.

If it weren't for the immense public pressure, Shin Dong-bin would never have even considered saving people.

Out of consideration for the face of the peninsula conglomerate, they sent their subordinates to devise a way to rescue the people.

SSG Military Security Company quoted 30 million RMB for a light equipment contract and over 100 million RMB for a heavy equipment contract.

Shin Dong-bin had no choice but to renew the contract.

The Xin family didn't have the resources to acquire weapons and equipment, let alone send them to the Golden Triangle.

"Sign the contract and tell the security company that not a single person can be missing," Xin Dongbin emphasized.

More than the money, what Xin Dongbin really wanted to know was who was behind the Xin family's actions.
Is it the forces on the peninsula?

Aside from the other major conglomerates, who else would dare to touch the Xin family?

The chaebols on the Korean Peninsula share common interests and would not resort to such underhanded tactics.

Could they be from Tokyo University?
Impossible. The film hasn't even been released yet. Where did the University of Tokyo get the information?
Without concrete information, the University of Tokyo wouldn't have reacted so strongly.

Shin Dong-bin couldn't figure it out.

This must be the most humiliating time he has been played since taking over Lotte Group.

Reality was even more dramatic than he had anticipated.

……

We stayed at a hotel in Jiangbei City and rested.

Chen Xingfu and SSG executives held an impromptu video conference.

It could also be described as a war council.

As soon as the Xin family's money arrives, SSG will attack the Tachileik Fuxing Industrial Park.

They may also engage in direct combat with Commander Nam Wa Wei's 171st Brigade.

The goal was to seize control of the Tachileik territory.

Jiang Beicheng asked curiously, "What was your offer to the Xin family?"

Chen Xingfu smiled and said, "1500 million US dollars."

Jiang Beicheng also laughed.

While it cannot be denied that attacking the park is a high-risk mission, given the limited security forces at Fuxing Park, it would be as easy as an ant attack.

The difference in individual soldier skills, weaponry, and equipment is too great.

If North Wa and the Shan people cooperate to put pressure on Commander Wei in South Wa, and Commander Wei voluntarily gives up his protection of the park, the park will surrender immediately in less than half a day, or even after an armed intimidation.

Jiang Beicheng told Chen Xingfu about the King's attitude during their visit to the Grand Palace that day.

The Thai king subtly expressed his support for SSG's operation to seize Tachileik.

"Leader, the King of Thailand has made a statement, so we no longer need to worry about the two forces in the north. As for the Burmese government army, we may need to smooth things over," Chen Xingfu said.

Jiang Beicheng understood what Chen Xingfu meant.

The situation in northern Myanmar is basically out of control.

The government forces also don't want to get involved in this mess.

As long as it's acceptable on the surface, it's enough to nominally acknowledge that the government has jurisdiction over this area.

With proper care, they won't interfere.

Jiang Beicheng said, "You can handle it as you see fit."

He didn't care about the money at all. He created this security company, which had military expenditures of five or six hundred million yuan a year. The losses far exceeded the profits, but he never thought about how much money he could make from the security company.

What's needed is deterrence and a sense of oppression.

"Leader, wait for my good news," Chen Xingfu said confidently.

Jiang Beicheng withdrew from the video conference first, refusing to participate in their military operation deployment.

……

Tachileik, northern Myanmar.

Fuxing Industrial Park.

Boss Afu asked his subordinates, "Any news from SSG? Did the plan to extort the Xin family succeed?"

Afu had no idea he'd been tricked.

They thought that SSG, this new force in the golden triangle, was making friends with people on a whim, cooperating in the act, and waiting to get a share of the profits.

Then he would offer tribute to the two protectors behind him, the nephew of the North Wabau Commander and the South Wawei Commander.

When Afu brought Luo Hongzhen and his crew back, he went to tell his two masters the good news: it was a big job.

It's not even in the same league as those kidnapping cases that cost hundreds of thousands.

Several days have passed, and I still haven't received a reply.

Even if he can wait, Commander Wei might not be able to.

Don't end up paying money out of your own pocket to Commander Wei; that would be a huge loss.

The subordinate truthfully replied, "It seems the Xin family has already signed a contract with SSG."

Afu: "How much?"

Subordinate: "1500 million US dollars."

Ah Fu smiled and said, "Even if we get 30%, it'll still be 5 million US dollars."

"Boss, North Wales has decided to temporarily terminate its cooperation with us."

Afu instantly snapped out of his reverie and immediately made a phone call to Commander Bao's nephew.

"Commander Bao, the money will arrive soon. We've been cooperating for so many years, and we've never been shortchanged on your share, Commander Bao..."

Afu thought it was Bao's nephew trying to scare him, urging him to quickly offer sacrifices and immediately explain.

As soon as SSG wires the five million US dollars, we'll send it to him immediately.

“Ah Fu, that money is a hot potato. The news has reached my uncle, and it was his idea to cut off all ties between us.”

The nephew of the Bao family kindly reminded him: "Considering how much respect you have shown the Bao family over the years, I will give you some pointers."

They immediately shut down the industrial park and found their own way out of the Golden Triangle.

"Commander Bao, I didn't understand what you meant. Given the current situation..."

Before I could find out what happened, the other end of the phone had already hung up.

Afu looked puzzled.

He sat in his seat, pondering the words of Bao's nephew.

Does this suggest there are even bigger interests at play?

Could it be that this incident is not a conflict between SSG and the Shin family, a conglomerate in the Korean Peninsula?

Rather, it is a conflict between a more powerful force and the Korean Peninsula conglomerates.

No, no, no, it's not just that.

Ah Fu continued to think. The fact that Commander North Wabau personally ordered his nephew not to get involved in Tachileik's affairs showed that North Wabau was also wary of this force.

Could the Thai military also be involved?

Afu didn't have time to speculate any further and quickly called Commander Wei in Nanwa.

Currently, the only safe haven available to him and the Fuxing Industrial Park is Commander Wei's 171st Brigade stationed in Tachileik.

"Ah Fu, what's the matter so late?"

Commander Wei answered his call.

I think Ah Fu is a fairly righteous person, and he has never been stingy with his offerings.

Occasionally, they'll secure a big order and are willing to share it.

"Commander Wei, there's something I need to discuss..."

He recounted how Bao's nephew had told him to shut down the park and run away.

It is impossible to run away.

All his belongings are in the industrial park.

You can't just shut down these forces in the Golden Triangle or the local armed groups in northern Myanmar with a single sentence.

Commander Wei has not yet spoken.

Even in the worst-case scenario of being isolated and helpless, the park still has its own armed forces.

We definitely have to do it.

Before anything is done, who knows what the outcome will be? Commander Wei frowned slightly after hearing this.

Besides Kokang, who else does the Bao family fear in North Wa State?
Thai military?

It's unlikely. If the Thai military intervenes, it would become a war between nations.

One can't help but speculate that it's related to SSG military security company.

He seemed to have already guessed that Afu had been tricked by this company.

However, this company seems to have a lot of resources at its disposal.

"Afu, hold on, I'll ask around," Commander Wei said.

Only after hearing Commander Wei's words did Afu breathe a sigh of relief.

"Commander Wei, the park's performance was good last quarter, so I've asked the finance department to transfer the money to your account."

At times like this, you definitely have to be sensible and quickly offer a token gesture.

……

Commander Wei did indeed find out about Jiang Beicheng, the VIP who was recently visiting Thailand.

I also learned about the royal family's attitude toward Jiangbei City and SSG Military Security Company through officials I knew in Thailand.

They treated Zhao Wei even better than Laos did.

This entrepreneur from the University of Tokyo is very powerful.

"Dongda" is also quite intimidating.

No wonder Old Bao from the north ran away so quickly; he didn't dare to mess with him.

However, Nanwa is different from Beiwa and Kokang, especially Tachileik, where Afu is located, which is the core area of ​​the Golden Triangle.

The University of Tokyo wouldn't overstep its bounds and cause trouble.

Therefore, Commander Wei believed that as long as the negotiations with Jiangbei City were successful, Tachileik would be stable and Afu's industrial park could continue to operate.

Commander Wei contacted Chen Xingfu, the head of SSG Military Security Company.

"Mr. Chen, I'm sorry my congratulatory call is late, I hope you won't mind..."

Commander Wei revealed his family background.

Chen Xingfu smiled. Instead of receiving a call from Afu, the owner of Fuxing Industrial Park, his backer called him.

This is because they have learned that SSG is preparing to take over Tachileik.

“Commander Wei, I’ve heard about this before. Your call comes at just the right time.” Chen Xingfu said directly, “The 171st Brigade has been acting as a protective umbrella for the Fuxing Industrial Park, which has made our boss very angry.”

Commander Wei was initially a little confused, but he quickly realized what was happening.

SSG sent the Korean film crew to Ah-fu with the intention of disgusting and blackmailing the peninsula's chaebol, but Ah-fu mistakenly believed that SSG wanted to befriend the park.

Jiang Beicheng used a trick of using someone else to do his dirty work.

In his eyes, the park was beneath him; he even saw him as a thorn in his side.

Chen Xingfu's tone was a reminder that the 171st Brigade should cut off contact with the Fuxing Industrial Park.

Commander Wei's ability to maintain his position as a leader of the local armed forces in the Golden Triangle region of northern Myanmar shows that he doesn't take the Myanmar government seriously, and he's not easily intimidated.

Maintaining a friendly tone, he smiled and replied, "Mr. Chen, how about we find an opportunity to sit down and have a big drink?"

Please assess my character first. If you think I'm a decent person, I hope you can help me get acquainted with President Jiang.

I have long admired General Jiang.

Chen Xingfu: "President Jiang will not see you."

Commander Wei's smile gradually faded, but his tone remained friendly, "President Chen, let's meet first and then talk. I'll arrange for someone to pick you up..."

Chen Xingfu: "President Jiang will not see you. In what capacity will you see President Jiang?"

Commander Wei's face darkened completely.

He certainly understood what Chen Xingfu meant: Jiangbei City had no interest in these illegitimate warlords in northern Myanmar.

If you were to meet with someone, it would be a high-ranking official in the regular military, such as a member of the Thai royal family or a cabinet official.

That's a bit insulting.

But I also understand SSG's attitude: harmonious coexistence is impossible.

Commander Wei even had a feeling that not only Tachileik in northern Myanmar, but also Zhao Wei's territory in Laos to the north, were being coveted by the SSG.

What do you mean?
Are they preparing to unify the Golden Triangle?

Isn't President Jiang overestimating himself?

Commander Wei had just come to his senses when Chen Xingfu had already hung up the phone.

Chen Xingfu truthfully reported Commander Wei's phone call to Jiangbei City.

Jiang Beicheng's first reaction was that quite a few officials in Thailand had been bribed.

They actually managed to find out about him.

On the surface, Thailand is distancing itself from the Golden Triangle and even adopting an attitude of attacking the park on the international stage. In reality, this is the attitude of the royal family and high-ranking officials.

Many of those local governments and officials are corrupt.

There's no way to completely sever ties.

Since we've already found out about him, let's just go for the brand name.

Jiang Beicheng decided to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the global headquarters project of SSG Military Security Company in person.

Originally, he wanted Chen Xingfu to go in his place, while he and the Jiang family would act as behind-the-scenes manipulators.

We should give due consideration to the image of "Dongda entrepreneurs".

It's estimated that his identity will soon spread throughout the Golden Triangle, so there's no need for him to stay behind the scenes.

By the way, I'll take this opportunity to give Zhao Wei, the current overlord of the Golden Triangle, a heads-up.

Jiang Beicheng only responded to Chen Xingfu with a single "Mm".

He approved of Chen Xingfu's approach.

I really have no interest in meeting Commander Wei.

It's easy to guess what will happen at the meeting; it's nothing more than the exchange of benefits.

Why would we care about the small amount of money our park makes?

Jiangbei City doesn't even look at it.

……

"Boss, we've received a letter from SSG, demanding the immediate release of the hostages."

Ah Fu finally received news from Chen Xingfu. He first called the finance department over and asked if SSG had transferred the money.

The finance department reported the facts truthfully, and there were no accounting transactions.

"Boss, SSG released a video on overseas media, take a look."

Afu glanced at it.

Momentarily confused.

Chen Xingfu released a mobilization video under the slogans of "Combating electric bombs" and "Rescuing hostages."

"Damn it, they're the ones who sent the people here, they're the ones who took the money from the Xin family, and now they're acting like they're on the side of righteousness." Afu said angrily, slamming his fist on the desk. "We prepared for the infamy and cooperated with their act, and we didn't get a single benefit from it, and now they're threatening us."

They won't release the person unless they pay them.

I called Commander Wei.

Afu called Commander Wei again.

Commander Wei already harbored resentment towards Jiangbei City. He originally wanted to make friends and curry favor with him, but not only did he fail to meet the person, he was also insulted by his "lackey" Chen Xingfu.

Ah Fu must be protected.

It not only relates to one's own interests within the park.

It also concerns Commander Wei's face and dignity in Nanwa.

Fighting is all too common in northern Myanmar.

"I'm issuing combat orders to the commander of the 171st Brigade," Commander Wei said.

He also wanted to see just how capable Jiangbei City really was. It was definitely not going to work that SSG alone could unify the Golden Triangle and subdue multiple local forces.

At least Nanva won't approve of him.

Afu immediately became excited: "Commander Wei, I will also immediately assemble all the armed forces in the park and fight them."

He hung up the phone and gave the order.

"Boss, what should we do with that Korean film crew?" the subordinate asked again.

As soon as Ah Fu got excited, he said directly, "Being a benevolent and righteous army isn't so easy. Bury them all."

With the hostage gone, SSG has essentially slapped itself in the face. I'd like to see how they explain themselves to the Shin family, the chaebol of the Korean Peninsula. (End of Chapter)