The Magician’s Memorial - Chapter 153



Only Krnovel

Episode 153 Friend or Foe (2)

The reason I came to the United States wasn’t just to check out the Trade Center.

He also came to the United States to recruit people who were essential to the future of Taewo Group.

“You said you got in touch with the professor I mentioned earlier, right? “When can we meet?”

“I made an appointment to meet you today. “I am teaching at the University of Toronto in Canada, so I have to make a new appointment today.”

David was in charge of recruiting talent.

This time too, David had made an appointment.

“If I can meet you today, of course I should.”

“Then let’s make arrangements so we can have lunch together today.”

I went to a nearby restaurant with David.

Due to the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the restaurant was quiet, and we were able to meet in a quiet atmosphere.

“Nice to meet you. My name is James Hinton. “I wonder why you want to meet me.”

“This is Kim Min-jae, Vice Chairman of Taewoo Group. “He was always very interested in the professor’s research.”

Today, I am not the CEO of SAVE Investment Company.

It was attended by Taewoo Group Vice Chairman.

Because we wanted to recruit Professor Hinton to Taewoo Group.

“What research are you interested in?”

“I am interested in the field of deep learning through algorithms. However, I heard that deep learning research is not being conducted these days.”

“Are you interested in deep learning? That’s very surprising. “It’s not research that large corporations would be interested in.”

Dr. Hinton would be called the godfather of AI.

He was a pioneer in the field of deep learning, the central axis of artificial intelligence, and it would not be wrong to say that AI development was possible because of him.

“If deep learning can be developed, it can be used in a variety of fields. “Artificial intelligence technology is essential for all affiliates owned by Taewo Group.”

“Thank you for your interest. But I have no intention of continuing deep learning research right now. “I still have projects I’m working on, and I have no intention of leaving my teaching job and going to work for a company.”

Professor Hinton was skeptical about the development of deep learning technology.

It was worth it. At this time, companies were unaware of the need for AI technology.

They probably did not want to research deep learning technology because it was a technology that was ignored, let alone funded.

“It’s okay for you to keep your teaching position. “And our company will cover all penalties for discontinuing the project we are currently working on.”

“I guess you really liked me. But I have no plans to develop deep learning. Deep learning is a research that requires a lot of money and time. “They say they are interested now and will apply, but it is clear that interest will cool down in two to three years and they will stop applying.”

I guess I’ve been hit multiple times already.

Professor Hinton was a man with a tight wall in his heart.

But wouldn’t the wall in your heart be broken if you offered money you couldn’t refuse?

“We will provide a lump sum of $500 million in research funds and $100 million as a down payment to professors. And we will even sign a contract to provide research funding of more than $500 million every year. “If you still don’t believe me, I will place a deposit at the bank.”

“Hehe, that’s a very interesting offer. However, I understand that Taewo Group is a company located in Korea. “How can I trust a Korean company?”

“SAVE Investment Company jointly provides research funding. “This is a study that not only Taewoo Group but also SAVE Investment Company is interested in.”

I guess Korea is still far away.

Korea’s share of the world was still not large, and it had to be suspected simply because it was a Korean company.

But the moment you bring up the story of SAVE investment company.

Professor Hinton’s face changed instantly.

“So this is a joint project with SAVE Investment Company. Then of course you should do it.”

“Are you sure?”

“Actually, my son was going to work at the World Trade Center. If SAVE Investment Company hadn’t done the remodeling project, I may have never seen my son again. “I didn’t know how to express my gratitude, so I even gave coffee to SAVE Investment Company.”

“Was that you, Professor?”

The saying that you never really know what will happen to a person’s work is exactly right.

I never expected that the World Trade Center remodeling would snowball like this.

“I finally have a way to express my gratitude to SAVE Investment Company.”

“The company in charge of the remodeling was Taewoo Construction. “Thanks to good early response, we were able to reduce the damage.”

David scratched the itch.

It was David who slyly told Professor Hinton what I could not bear to say, and Professor Hinton’s expression changed once again.

“That company was Taewoo Construction. “I have one more reason to take on the project.”

“The contract said research funding would be around $500 million, but you can spend as much money as you want. You can hire as many people as you want and buy as many supercomputers as you want.”

“Is it really okay to buy and use a supercomputer?”

“We will add a new item called supercomputer support to the contract.”

“I am very motivated to hear that they are even providing support for supercomputers worth over $100 million apiece!”

Are supercomputers that expensive?

Well, as long as I could satisfy Professor Hinton, I was willing to spend 1 billion dollars instead of 100 million dollars.

“And we will hire and send employees with artificial intelligence-related talents from Taewoo Group.”

“It would be great if you would do that.”

Thanks to an unintentional event, I was able to recruit the godfather of AI.

Everyone was caught up in the madness of war, but we were preparing to pioneer a new future.

***

next day.

I was preparing to return to Korea.

The flight had to be postponed due to David’s sudden visit.

“Former Secretary of State George Shultz has requested a meeting.”

“We cannot refuse the request of the second-in-command of the Bush election campaign. Make an appointment right now.”

The first person to support President Bush was George Shultz.

He was a very powerful man in the Republican Party and one of the few people who could raise his voice even in the White House.

I headed to the outskirts of New York to meet him.

I was able to meet him at a steakhouse like you would see in a western movie.

“Hehe, you went through a lot of trouble coming to see the old man. “Please feel free to call me George.”

“Nice to meet you. “This is Kim Min-jae, Vice Chairman of Taewo Group.”

I greeted him politely.

George Shultz looked like a small, white-haired old man, but just by looking at his eyes, you could tell that he was not an ordinary person.

“Hehe, it looks like you appeared as the vice president of Taewoo Group today.”

“I guess you know.”

“As I listened to this and that, I also learned about Vice Chairman Kim’s story.”

It was George Shultz who knew that I was the real owner of the SAVE investment company.

Still, I wasn’t surprised. Because he was a man with enough power to do so.

“We are not disclosing it yet because it is not the right time.”

“There are no eternal secrets. “It would be better to reveal it slowly before it is revealed by someone else.”

“Thank you for the good advice.”

“I want to thank you. Thanks to this, we were able to significantly reduce the damage caused by terrorism.”

It was George Shultz who stood up and expressed his gratitude.

I felt like declining, but it didn’t seem polite to do so, so I just smiled.

“I received quite a bit. “It wasn’t my intention, but I feel fortunate to be able to repay the favor in this way.”

“If you are talking about the Super Section 301 bill, you don’t have to do that. This was done for the national interest of the United States. But what Vice Chairman Kim did was different. “This is something that saved thousands of American people and saved America’s pride.”

It was George Shultz who truly appreciated me.

I think the gift I prepared impressed the entire White House.

“Aren’t the United States and Korea a strong alliance? Although Taewo Group is a Korean company, it is capable of doing that much for its allies.”

“Aren’t you willing to become a member of the United States rather than just an ally? “We can make you an American citizen even today.”

“I haven’t thought about the citizenship issue yet.”

“I understand that you even graduated from Harvard. Is there any reason to refuse?”

“As I am leading a group in Korea, there are more things to pay attention to.”

“Hmm, that’s a shame. “Then we must express our gratitude in our own way.”

Does this mean that compensation is given?

Since it was a compensation prepared by the White House, it would not be a small compensation.

“It wasn’t something I wanted to receive compensation for.”

“Still, it’s something we can’t just ignore. “Because it’s a matter of American pride.”

“Since you say so much, I won’t decline.”

“The White House is planning to issue a statement of thanks to Taewo Group and SAVE Investment Company. We also provide active help with insurance premiums at the government level.”

It was a different reward than I expected.

Well, if they released a statement of gratitude, Taewo Group’s image would improve, so it wasn’t a bad compensation plan.

“thank you. Taewoo Group’s image in the U.S. will improve significantly.”

“And there is also an unofficial compensation plan. We will not raise anti-dumping issues only with Taewoo Motors. “This is not officially announced, so it would be difficult to use it for publicity.”

Anti-dumping refers to importing goods below their normal price.

It also meant that Taewoo Motors could sell vehicles in the U.S. market at a lower price than the normal price.

It was a compensation plan that could win the price competition.

It was also very good news for Taewoo Motors, which is aiming to expand the U.S. market.

“We will control Taewoo Motors so that it does not cause damage to American automobile companies.”

“I trust Vice Chairman Kim. Please keep in mind that if you go too far, we will have no choice but to scrap the disclaimer.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

I have no intention of killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.

Even if the anti-dumping exemption clause is used just to the point where it is not noticeable, Taewoo Motors can significantly increase its market share in the United States.

“And I plan to provide some help to Vice President Kim at the White House level.”

“What kind of help?”

“Information disruption and manipulation. We will help Vice Chairman Kim to continue his activities as Vice Chairman of Taewoo Group for the time being. But the moment our regime ends, the help will inevitably stop.”

The U.S. government is hiding my identity.

You can’t get this much help for just four years.

If President Bush was re-elected, he could gain eight years.

“Thank you. And there’s still a lot of time left, but if you need help with your re-election, please feel free to contact me. “I will actively support him as Vice Chairman of Taewoo Group and in other positions as well.”

“Hehe, I feel like I want to accept Vice Chairman Kim as a member of the Republican Party.”

We continued talking while eating.

George Shultz must have looked favorably on me, so he had a smile on his face the whole time.

When talking about the situation in the United States, things changed.

“The war with Al Qaeda will soon begin. “The war will not end until everyone who belongs to Al Qaeda is killed.”

“I will cheer for America’s victory.”

I was able to offer verbal support over and over again.

As long as Taewoo Group is not caught up in the vortex of war.