The Magician’s Memorial - Chapter 445



Only Krnovel

445. Utilization of Regulations (5)

President Trump was elected.

Now it was time to pull out the cards we had prepared, so we called David.

“Start investing in the U.S. shipping industry.”

[Are you finally going to spend money? I really like spending money.]

“Acquire large numbers of American shipping companies and buy up all the ports and harbors.”

[The contract has already been signed. All that needs to be done is the final signature.]

It was one of the gifts to Trump.

He planned to use $5 billion to support the American shipping industry to show that his promises were not false.

Of course, they say it’s for the benefit of the American shipping industry.

Buying shipping companies and infrastructure through fintech banks was ultimately for the benefit of Taewoo Group.

“The inauguration ceremony is on January 20th next year, so you have to finish it before then.”

[We can easily finish it this year. And the Trump campaign asked me to make sure to thank the chairman. They also said they would definitely repay him.]

“Have you ever seen politicians keep their promises? If it’s mutually beneficial, they join hands. If it’s not, they let go.”

[But wouldn’t they have joined hands with Taewoo Group under the same conditions? It’s a small compensation compared to the amount invested by the boss, but the boss hasn’t wanted anything more than that up until now.]

It would have been enough if we had not just turned the US government into an enemy.

And that’s when the trade dispute between the US and China really begins.

Taewoo Group was able to rise to a position where it could engage in dialogue with the United States on an equal footing.

“It’s good to keep that distance. If the relationship gets any deeper, it’ll just be a headache.”

[What do I know? Oh! And Apple contacted me. They asked me to attend the completion ceremony of their new headquarters.]

“Apple’s new headquarters will be completed soon. Of course, I should attend in person.”

[It took quite some time to complete because the design changed several times. But the building was built very nicely. I saw it a few days ago while riding a helicopter and couldn’t help but be impressed.]

Taewoo Group has continued to maintain a good relationship with Apple.

Of course, there are fewer instances of direct ideas being provided, like when creating the iPhone or iPad, but we still continue to share ideas with each other.

Is Apple someone else’s company?

As Apple’s largest shareholder, it was natural that I would pay a lot of attention.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen Steve’s face.”

[There is news that he is not in good health, but he says he will definitely attend the completion ceremony.]

“I should prepare a nice gift for Steve.”

It was Steve who was living a different fate than before his regression.

He was supposed to die from pancreatic cancer in 2011, but he was still alive.

This was possible because I was deeply involved.

Originally, he was a person who hated hospital treatment.

But I continued to recommend hospital treatment, and thanks to that, I’m not sure if it’s because of that, but he’s still in good health.

***

A few days after the US presidential election.

A large-scale event was also planned for the Taewoo Group.

Semiconductor City Groundbreaking Ceremony.

Although some construction work had already begun, the official groundbreaking ceremony began today.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by President Choi Jae-seok, many business leaders, and foreign political and business figures, adding to the occasion.

“Chairman Kim, you are truly creating a semiconductor city. I have met many politicians and businessmen, but I have never met someone with such great action as Chairman Kim.”

“We were able to start construction quickly thanks to the government’s generous support and assistance.”

“Don’t worry too much about the remaining land. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is in the process of purchasing the land. And I think I’ll be able to give you some good news soon.”

Is it because you became president?

President Choi Jae-seok seemed to have a much stronger energy than before.

They say that a place makes a person, and he was overflowing with leisure from all over his body.

“If you say good news, can you tell me what kind of news it is?”

“We are implementing various policies to develop the semiconductor industry in Korea. One of them is a tax reduction measure limited to new semiconductor factories. This policy will benefit not only Taewoo Group, but also Samjin Electronics and other semiconductor companies.”

Tax breaks.

What beautiful words.

It felt even sweeter, especially because we were able to generate huge sales from semiconductors.

“I really didn’t expect it. If you do that, I think the Korean semiconductor industry will grow even faster.”

“China has also begun to seriously develop semiconductors. In order to not be caught up, shouldn’t we provide support at the national level? It may be difficult to provide large amounts of support like China, but we should at least provide tax breaks.”

The tax cut was not an easy decision.

In particular, since it was an area that could potentially touch public sentiment, it was difficult for the political world to touch it.

Fortunately, however, China had started to dig into semiconductors first, and there were even media reports that the Korean semiconductor market might catch up, so it became possible to implement a tax reduction policy.

“I understand that relations with China are deteriorating.”

“We are trying to resolve it somehow, but it is not easy. If we withdraw the THAAD deployment, our relationship with the United States will worsen, so we are in a situation where we cannot do anything.”

“Won’t it get better with time?”

“Well, that’s fortunate. Hehe, this kind of talk came out at a good place. Congratulations again. It’s no exaggeration to say that the future of the Korean semiconductor industry depends on the semiconductor city.”

It started with a greeting from President Choi Jae-seok.

I had to greet guests for over an hour, and only when my wrists started to go numb was I able to greet the last guest.

“I never imagined that Mr. Lee Kang would come and visit me in person.”

“They say that relations between China and Korea are not good, but don’t we need to be like that?”

Li Gang, the rising star of the Crown Prince Party.

That is why, even though it was difficult for him to visit Korea, he came to the groundbreaking ceremony in person.

But I couldn’t just be thankful.

Because it didn’t look like he came simply to congratulate me.

“Who is the person next to you?”

“I have brought in someone who will have a great relationship with Chairman Kim. He is Chairman Jia Wei of Tsinghua Group, which is leading the rise of China’s semiconductor industry.”

“You are Chairman Jia Wei of the Tsinghua Group. This is my first time meeting you, so I didn’t recognize you. I have been watching the Tsinghua Group with interest for a long time. I was especially surprised to hear the news that you acquired YMTC.”

Cheonghwa Group.

It was a semiconductor group focusing on semiconductor design and manufacturing.

Unlike other companies, it was also a company established by Tsinghua University.

How could a group like this be created at a university?

There were rumors that the current Chinese leader was able to receive large-scale support because he graduated from Tsinghua University.

“I was able to get to this point thanks to the active support of the Chinese government.”

“There is even talk that the success of China’s semiconductor industry depends on the Tsinghua Group. So I hope Chairman Kim will provide a lot of help.”

It was Lee Kang’s growth that brought me to the semiconductor market’s latecomers.

It didn’t seem like they had any bad intentions, but from my perspective it was an awkward encounter.

“If the semiconductor market grows together, it will be good for Taewoo Semiconductor as well.”

“So, I would like to make this formal request. I would like to learn Taewoo Semiconductor’s technology and know-how.”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“Of course, I’m not saying I’ll just learn it. I’ll pay a fair price.”

For the semiconductor group, know-how was vital.

In fact, the facilities and manufacturing methods were known as much as possible.

The key was to create quality products using each company’s technological prowess and know-how.

However, it was Chairman Jiawei who made the absurd request to openly share technology and know-how.

“Know-how and technology are not commodities for sale.”

“Please be the nurturing force for China’s semiconductor industry. If the semiconductor industry succeeds, Chairman Kim will also be greatly rewarded.”

A lot of rewards?

What I mean is, sell your technology and know-how.

It was no different from telling Taewoo Semiconductor to sell to China.

And no matter how much compensation they were offered, they had no intention of handing over the semiconductor business, which was like a strategic weapon, to China.

“As you know, most of the patents for semiconductor technology are held by the United States. If we carelessly leak technology to the outside, we will be subject to strong sanctions.”

“Then why don’t we proceed secretly? I will find a way, so Chairman Kim, you just need to give your approval.”

“It’s difficult right now.”

“Chairman Kim! This is the work of a great nation. Please cooperate actively.”

“Chairman Zhaowei! Don’t pressure Chairman Kim too much. Today is a time for greetings, not negotiations.”

Li Gang’s growth quickly calmed Chairman Jiawei down.

But this was after the insulting words had already left his mouth.

Since it is a matter for a great nation, should small country businesses just quietly follow suit?

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear the story today. I don’t want to do anything that will become an international problem.”

“Chairman Kim, please relax. I will find a place for you in China soon.”

Li Gang-seong took Chairman Jia Wei out in a hurry.

Somehow I had a feeling that I would have a bad relationship with Chairman Jiawei.

***

A few days later.

After a long time, Director Cheon Min-jeong came to see me.

She appeared with an irritated look on her face, unlike usual, and gritted her teeth as she reported one thing.

“Mr. Chairman, I think there is an industrial spy in Taewoo Semiconductor.”

“Why is that?”

“There are records of people without access rights accessing important information. However, it is impossible to determine who accessed it.”

I understand why Cheon Min-jeong was annoyed.

The presence of industrial spies was not a big problem for her.

But her pride was hurt by the fact that she couldn’t identify who the industrial spy was.

“If they managed to break through Taewoo Group’s excellent security, it would be impossible for an individual to do so.”

“It is highly likely that this person will have a good understanding of internal information and will be able to receive help from outside sources.”

“Is there anyone you suspect?”

“I made a list of suspects, but there are just too many.”

“How many people are there?”

“… … There are about 200 people.”

She was the one who bowed her head and took out the list.

It was a difficult task to monitor 200 people one by one.

But with my abilities, I could have figured out who the culprit was among 200 people within an hour or two.

“Please give me a moment. I will investigate and identify the culprit.”

“If it’s too late, Taewoo Semiconductor’s key information could be leaked to the outside.”

“It won’t take long. Just rest in the break room for a moment. If you collapse like this, it will be a huge loss for the company.”

Cheon Min-jeong’s eyes were bloodshot like a rabbit’s.

I was worried that if I left her like that, she would have serious health problems, so I laid her down in the break room myself and returned to the office.

“You’re saying there’s a spy among them?”

A list of 200 people given by Cheon Min-jeong.

Luckily, the list had pictures attached.

I quickly flipped through the pages, checking the details through the photos.

When it’s past the halfway mark!

I discovered one very strange detail.

[Affiliation: Cheonghwa Group Planning Team, Taewoo Semiconductor Technology Development Team]

Two affiliations.

Taewoo Group prohibited holding multiple positions.

Having two affiliations meant you were a spy.