The Magician’s Memorial - Chapter 233



Only Krnovel

233. An unexpected gift (2)

The day after the US presidential election.

I did not receive a phone call to thank anyone from President Bush’s campaign.

It was a busy time, so I wasn’t paying much attention to it. But I never thought I would receive a thank you through a personal message.

Chris, the U.S. Ambassador to Korea, came to see me.

Since it was not an official meeting, we were contacted through the secretary’s office and met in a quiet place.

“I was very surprised when you suddenly contacted me. I heard that you were dispatched to Korea in September of this year, but the greeting was delayed.”

“It’s up to me to say hello. President Bush asked me to say he’s sincerely grateful.”

I can’t believe I received a thank you message through an ambassador.

It made me smile with satisfaction because it meant that I had contributed greatly to President Bush’s re-election.

“You can tell me over the phone, but please come and visit me in person. Thank you very much.”

“President Bush also told me to help Taewoo Group and Vice Chairman Kim Min-jae with anything. If you need anything, just let me know at any time.”

I can’t believe I heard these words from the American ambassador.

Of course, the U.S. ambassador was not a very high rank.

In the case of Korea, a ministerial-level person is dispatched as ambassador to the United States, but the United States appoints a first-class civil servant, an assistant minister, as ambassador.

But what does title matter?

No one could ignore the U.S. ambassador because he was a first-class civil servant.

The American ambassador was a person representing the United States, so what he said meant the will of the United States.

“What can I ask you for? I’ll just visit you often and say hello.”

“I would be grateful if you would do so. I will enjoy my quiet life in Korea. He also told me to tell him that there is no need to worry about matters related to the double eagle.”

“It was a bit of an unreasonable request, but I really appreciate it.”

The double eagle represented the emblem of Russia.

The U.S. ambassador personally conveyed his intention to condone the bringing of Sukhoi fighter jets to Korea.

“It’s possible for Vice President Kim, but if someone else had asked me this, I wouldn’t have even bothered to listen. Well, Vice President Kim is also an honorary citizen of the United States.”

“We will never allow anything to harm America’s national interests. Taewoo Group and I will work to ensure that Korea and the United States grow together.”

“I will make sure to convey that to the President. Then, let’s go. I can’t keep someone who is busy for long.”

I get tired when the United States picks on others for no reason.

That is why I supported President Bush and did not create an awkward situation.

* * *

The problem between the United States and Russia has been resolved.

I explained this situation to my grandfather in detail.

“Hehe, I thought Chairman Jang Young-joo was the most reckless person in my life, but that wasn’t the case. You are a step more sophisticated than Chairman Jang.”

“I just thought about the best way to achieve my goal and put it into practice.”

“Who else in the world could think like that but you?”

Although the tone seemed to be harsh.

The grandfather’s face was full of smiles.

The grandfather couldn’t hide his smile because the Air Force’s problem, which seemed to have no breakthrough, was almost solved.

“The US-Russia issue has been resolved, so now only negotiations with the Korean government remain.”

“I will try to persuade the Korean government. I will meet with the Minister of National Defense, meet with the President and his close associates, and persuade them.”

“I was still young, so I didn’t have the confidence to meet and persuade Korean high-ranking officials.”

In Korea, age was still important.

Even if we said the same thing, there was a big difference between what I said and what my grandfather said, and in particular, the words of my grandfather, who could be said to be the biggest elder in the business world, had a special weight.

“The United States and Russia have agreed, so there is no reason for the Korean government to refuse, right? But has it decided where to build the new headquarters?”

“The Korean government will have to decide where it wants to be. In my personal opinion, the KEPCO site is larger than the Charlotte Group site, so it looks good there.”

“That’s not the end, is it?”

My grandfather looked at me intently and said.

The look in his eyes told me to spit out all the remaining words in my heart.

“I would like to obtain permits for both sites. I would like to build two high-rise buildings at the same time, so that one can be used as Taewoo Group’s new headquarters, and the other can be used by companies related to us.”

“You are so full of greed. As expected, you are my grandson. Just trust this gift. I will make your greed come true with just two inches of my tongue.”

Who is speaking to whom?

To satisfy my grandfather’s greed, a site for a new headquarters was secured.

But my grandfather said it was to satisfy my greed.

“Well, you can use me as an excuse. But will people believe it? They will think it’s my grandfather’s greed, not my greed.”

“Hehehe, I guess so. What does it matter what other people think? What’s important is that Taewoo Group can own two skyscrapers.”

“That’s right! So, please make sure to convince the government and military.”

“Don’t move right now.”

Grandfather jumped up from his seat.

The grandfather walked out of the chairman’s office with such confidence that one could believe he was 20 years old, and his back felt even bigger today.

* * *

While my grandfather was engaged in intense negotiations with the government.

I focused on the company work that I had neglected for a while, and only after reading all the reports piled up like a mountain did I head to Captain Kang’s office.

“Cocoa taxis have begun to be serviced not only throughout the metropolitan area but also in some metropolitan cities.”

“The response is very good. Thanks to the active promotion on CocoaTalk, the number of subscribers is increasing day by day.”

“As the region expands, problems will arise in various places.”

“There are no major problems yet. Even in areas where the service is not yet available, both customers and taxi drivers have been inquiring about Cocoa Taxi’s expansion.”

The taxi industry was one of the places where rumors spread quickly.

So, it was natural that the news that taxi drivers’ sales in the metropolitan area had increased significantly compared to before would have spread to taxi drivers across the country.

“If you expand too quickly, accidents are bound to happen. Try to expand slowly, even if it is a little slow. This is a structure where competitors cannot emerge anyway.”

“I think it’s really great that there are no competitors. You might think of call companies as competitors, but the age groups that use them are completely different, so it doesn’t feel like much of a competition.”

It was Captain Kang who spoke with a big smile.

I’ve had Captain Kang by my side for a long time, but this is the first time I’ve liked him as much as I do now.

Well, I spent a long time in the military, and even after I was discharged, I lived a life similar to that of the military.

This was my first time running a proper business, so everything felt fresh and fun.

“If we continue to operate as well as we are now, Captain Kang will have a monopoly on all taxi companies across the country within a few years.”

“By the way, CEO, during a meeting with the employees under me, something came up. How about running a business not only for taxis, but also for designated drivers and rental cars? I think we can expand our business area by making a few changes to the current system. .”

It was a sharp business plan.

Most of the employees working under Captain Kang were talented people who were considered elite in the military.

Unlike today, they were talented people from a time when many elites supported the military, so they definitely had a sharp edge.

“It’s not a business to make a lot of money. I started the taxi business to secure data. And if there’s too much work, won’t it become too difficult for Captain Kang? Or are you thinking of taking this opportunity to become a full-time businessman? ”

“That’s not true! There is no change in the fact that we prioritize the CEO’s instructions over any other business. If the CEO wants, we can close the taxi company right now!”

It was Captain Kang who lowered his head and spoke.

Seeing him looking like a high treason criminal made me think that I had spoken too harshly.

“Why are you taking it so seriously? Try entering the designated driver and rental car business. It will be quite helpful in collecting data, and it will also be helpful in collecting other information.”

“Oh, no. I’ll settle for a taxi company.”

“We need to use this opportunity to increase Captain Kang’s power. From security companies to taxis, rental cars, and designated drivers. At this level, we will be able to supplement competent personnel without difficulty.”

“…Thank you. I will conduct business while keeping the line to the point of never being excessive.”

It was a word with multiple meanings.

It contained the intention not to expand the business unreasonably, nor to pursue unreasonable profits.

“You can make a certain amount of profit. That way, you can take care of the salaries of your employees. Of course, it will be difficult to make a profit now, but I will take care of that.”

“I will always remember to be grateful.”

“Don’t be too stiff. If you need anything, let me know at any time. Don’t suffer in your head for no reason. As I’ve said before, the easiest thing is something that can be solved with money.”

“I’ll keep that in mind!”

Captain Kang was very stiff.

I didn’t really scare you, but I don’t know why you got so scared.

You have to think it’s because they’re too loyal.

* * *

There are only a few days left in 2004.

I visited the Defense Science Research Institute in Daejeon at the invitation of General Lee Ho.

General Lee Ho himself was waiting for me at the main gate of the research institute, and armed soldiers were on tight guard from the entrance.

“I thought it would feel different from the military since it is a research institute, but it seems like the security is stricter.”

“It is not like this in normal times. We are on stricter guard than usual to protect the gift given to the air force by Taewo Group.”

This was the reason I came to the Agency for Defense Development.

Three Sukhoi units that departed from Russia had already arrived in Korea.

It was General Lee Ho who invited me to the National Defense Research Institute to come and see the actual Sukhoi fighter jet, which had been dismantled for each part, as the assembly had been completed.

“I don’t know if it’s a model I like. It’s probably a model that falls short of new fighters.”

“Don’t say things like that! It’s not that I like it, but I almost fainted with the vulgar language. I feel like bowing in the direction of Taewoo Group’s headquarters.”

Was General Lee Ho a person who made such a fuss?

I was the one who signed the contract for Sukhoi fighter jets in Russia.

We were able to obtain two old Sukhoi fighters that were out of date and one fighter jet manufactured for experimentation.

Is it because the Air Force only possesses F-series fighter jets?

Actually, the Russian-made fighter jet is an unfamiliar model to the Republic of Korea Air Force, so they may be making more of a fuss.

“I’m so glad you were satisfied.”

“Rather than explaining it a hundred times, you should see it for yourself. I can’t wait to show you what a great job Vice Chairman Kim has done.”

It was General Lee Ho, who was still making a fuss and guiding me to the security area.

The moment I saw three fighter jets from Russia there!

I realized that General Lee Ho’s actions were not a fuss.