CH445 | Heir

Trump had been elected president.

Now it was time to play the card we had prepared, so I called David.

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

[So we’re finally throwing money around? I must say, I do enjoy it when we spend.]

“Acquire as many American shipping companies as possible, and buy up the ports and harbors as well.”

[We’ve already signed preliminary agreements. All that’s left is the final signatures.]

It was one of the gifts prepared for Trump.

To prove that his campaign pledge wasn’t an empty promise, we planned to inject five billion dollars into the U.S. shipping sector.

Of course, while we claimed it was for America’s shipping industry—

In reality, we were acquiring companies and infrastructure through our fintech bank, so it all ultimately served Taewoo Group’s interests.

“His inauguration is on January 20th next year, so make sure everything is wrapped up before then.”

[We can finish it all before year’s end. Oh, and Trump’s campaign staff asked me to pass along their thanks to you. They also said he’s determined to repay the favor.]

“Have you ever seen a politician keep his promises? They shake hands if it benefits them, and let go if it doesn’t.”

[Even so, given equal terms, wouldn’t they be more inclined to side with Taewoo Group? It may be a modest return compared to the scale of your investment, boss, but you’ve never asked for more than that anyway.]

It was enough as long as we didn’t turn the U.S. government into an outright enemy.

And once the U.S.–China trade conflict began in earnest, Taewoo Group would be in a position strong enough to negotiate with America as an equal.

“Maintaining just that level of distance is best. Get too close, and it only becomes a headache.”

[What do I know? Ah! And Apple reached out. They want you to attend the completion ceremony for their new headquarters.]

“So Apple’s new campus is finally ready. Naturally, I’ll attend in person.”

[They had to revise the design multiple times, which delayed completion. But the building turned out beautifully. I flew past it by helicopter the other day, and I couldn’t help but admire it.]

Taewoo Group had continued to maintain a strong relationship with Apple.

True, we no longer provided as many direct ideas as we once did when the iPhone and iPad were being developed, but we still exchanged ideas regularly.

And besides—was Apple really someone else’s company?

I was its largest shareholder, so of course I paid close attention.

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

[I heard his health hasn’t been great, but they say he’ll definitely attend the completion ceremony.]

“Then I’ll have to prepare a fine gift for Steve.”

Steve was living a fate different from before my regression.

In the original timeline, he was supposed to die of pancreatic cancer in 2011.

Yet he was still alive.

That was possible only because I had intervened.

He was a man who disliked hospitals.

But I had consistently urged him to seek treatment, and perhaps thanks to that, he was still managing to stay healthy.

***

A few days after the U.S. presidential election,

Taewoo Group had a major event scheduled.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Semiconductor City.

Some construction had already begun, but the official groundbreaking started today.

Attending the ceremony were President Choi Jae-seok, numerous corporate leaders, and influential figures from overseas politics and finance, all adding prestige to the event.

“Chairman Kim, you’re really building a semiconductor city. I’ve met many politicians and business leaders, but I’ve never seen anyone as decisive as you.”

“Thanks to the government’s support and assistance, we were able to start construction quickly.”

“Don’t worry about the remaining land either. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport is handling the acquisition. And I believe we’ll have some good news for you soon.”

Was it because he had become president?

President Choi Jae-seok exuded far more presence than before.

They say the position shapes the person, and he radiated confidence and composure in every movement.

“What kind of good news are you referring to?”

“We’re implementing several policies to promote the development of semiconductors in Korea. One of them is a tax reduction for new semiconductor factories. This benefits not only Taewoo Group but also Samsung Electronics and other semiconductor companies.”

A tax reduction.

What a beautiful phrase.

Especially sweet considering the massive revenue that could be generated through semiconductors.

“This is completely unexpected. If you can do that, Korea’s semiconductor industry could grow even faster.”

“China has also begun its semiconductor drive in earnest. To avoid falling behind, the state must support our industry. We may not be able to provide as much funding as China, but at least tax reductions are feasible.”

Implementing tax reductions wasn’t an easy decision.

It was a sensitive issue that could potentially affect public opinion, making it politically difficult.

Fortunately, with China taking the lead and media reports suggesting Korea’s semiconductor market could be overtaken, the government was able to introduce the tax reduction policy.

“I understand relations with China are deteriorating.”

“We’re trying to ease the situation, but it’s not easy. If we withdraw THAAD deployment, relations with the U.S. worsen, so we’re stuck between a rock and a hard place.”

“Will it be alright with time?”

“That would be fortunate. Ha ha, I suppose such discussions shouldn’t happen in a setting like this. Again, congratulations. It’s no exaggeration to say the future of Korea’s semiconductor industry rests on Semiconductor City.”

The greetings with President Choi Jae-seok began.

We had to meet and shake hands with the guests for over an hour, and only when my wrists started to go numb was I able to greet the last visitor.

“I never imagined Mr. Li Gang would visit in person.”

“Although relations between China and Korea aren’t great, there’s no reason for us to mirror that, is there?”

Li Gang, rising as a key figure in the Princelings faction.

That made it even more surprising that he came all the way to Korea for the groundbreaking ceremony.

But I couldn’t feel completely grateful.

It didn’t seem like he was there just to offer congratulations.

“Who is the person beside you?”

“I’ve brought someone who could become a very valuable connection for Chairman Kim. This is Chairman Zawei of Tsinghua Group, leading China’s semiconductor drive.”

“Chairman Zawei of Tsinghua Group—I’m meeting you for the first time, so please excuse me. I’ve been watching Tsinghua Group with interest for a long time. I was especially surprised to hear about your acquisition of YMTC.”

Tsinghua Group.

A semiconductor group focused on design and manufacturing.

Unlike ordinary companies, it was established by Tsinghua University.

How could a university create such a conglomerate?

Rumor had it that they received large-scale support because the current Chinese premier was a Tsinghua graduate.

“Thanks to the active support of the Chinese government, we’ve been able to come this far.”

“There’s even talk that the success of China’s semiconductor drive rests on Tsinghua Group. So I hope Chairman Kim can offer plenty of assistance.”

Li Gang had brought one of the latecomers to the semiconductor market before me.

It didn’t seem they had bad intentions, but the encounter was still a surprising one from my perspective.

“If the semiconductor market grows together, Taewoo Semiconductor will also benefit.”

“That’s why I wanted to make a formal request. We’d like to learn from Taewoo Semiconductor’s technology and know-how.”

“Excuse me—what do you mean by that?”

“Of course, we’re not asking to learn for free. We will pay a proper price.”

In a semiconductor group, know-how was everything.

In reality, facilities and manufacturing methods were already widely known.

The key was creating high-quality products using each company’s unique technology and expertise.

Yet here was Chairman Zawei, brazenly demanding that we hand over our technology and know-how.

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

“Please become a stepping stone for China’s semiconductor drive. If the drive succeeds, Chairman Kim will receive substantial rewards as well.”

Substantial rewards?

Asking us to sell our technology and know-how was no different from selling Taewoo Semiconductor to China.

And no matter how great the rewards, I had no intention of handing over a semiconductor business, which was akin to a strategic weapon.

“As you know, most semiconductor patents are held by the U.S. If we leak technology externally, we would face severe sanctions.”

“Then we can proceed discreetly. I’ll find the method—you just need to approve it, Chairman Kim.”

“That’s impossible for now.”

“Chairman Kim! This is a matter of a great nation. We ask for your full cooperation.”

“Chairman Zawei! Don’t pressure Chairman Kim so much. Today is a ceremony for greetings, not negotiations.”

Li Gang quickly intervened to calm Chairman Zawei.

But the words had already been insulting.

Because it’s a great nation’s business, a small country’s company must quietly comply?

“I will consider today’s request as unheard. I do not want to engage in matters that could become an international issue.”

“Chairman Kim, please don’t take it personally. We’ll arrange a meeting in China soon.”

Li Gang hastily escorted Chairman Zawei away.

I had a sense that my dealings with Chairman Zawei were destined to continue in a rather troublesome way.

***

A few days later, Center Director Cheon Min-jung came to see me after a long time.

Unlike usual, she appeared full of irritation, grinding her teeth as she delivered a report.

“Chairman, it seems there’s an industrial spy at Taewoo Semiconductor.”

“Why do you say that?”

“There are records of someone accessing critical information without the proper permissions. But we can’t identify who it was.”

Now I understood why Cheon Min-jung was so annoyed.

The existence of an industrial spy wasn’t the main issue for her.

Her pride was hurt because she couldn’t pinpoint who it was.

“If someone bypassed Taewoo Group’s advanced security, it’s impossible for an individual to do this alone.”

“It’s likely someone who knows the internal information well and has access to external assistance.”

“Do you have any suspects?”

“I compiled a list, but the number is too large.”

“How many people are we talking about?”

“...200.”

She lowered her head and pulled out the list.

Monitoring 200 people individually would be difficult.

But with my abilities, identifying the culprit among 200 could be done within an hour or two.

“Give me a little time. I’ll conduct a background check and pinpoint the culprit.”

“If it takes too long, critical information from Taewoo Semiconductor could be leaked outside.”

“It won’t take long. Rest in the lounge for a while. If you collapse here, the company will suffer a major loss.”

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

Leaving her like that would be dangerous for her health, so I laid her down in the lounge myself and returned to the office.

“So, there’s a mole among them.”

The list of 200 people given by Cheon Min-jung.

Fortunately, the list included photos.

I quickly flipped through the pages, examining the photos to check the details.

When I had gone through about half of them, I found something very unusual.

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

Two affiliations.

Taewoo Group forbade holding multiple positions.

Having two affiliations meant that this person was a spy.