Chapter 363 |
We gathered in the Golden Gate branch manager's office and watched President Vysotsky's announcement.
Media outlets worldwide rushed to publish articles.
[Breaking News: Professor Petrov's Team Succeeds in Traveling Wave Reactor Experiment!]
[Is the Era of Safe Nuclear Power Dawning?]
[What is the Future of the Energy Industry Envisioned by OTK Company?]
[What Will Happen to South Korea's Nuclear Phase-Out Plan?]
[Concerns Grow Over Export Setbacks for South Korean Nuclear Power, Lagging in Technology]
[Saudi Nuclear Officials Contact Rosatom, South Korean Nuclear Exports Face Mounting Difficulties]
[Greenpeace Emergency Statement! There Is No Such Thing as Safe Nuclear Power...]
“That’s incredibly fast. Is this some kind of speed war?”
If they had tried to conduct the experiment in Korea, it probably would have taken years just for site selection for the reactor experiment and gathering residents' opinions.
Even considering that the groundwork was already finished, this was beyond imagination.
Hyunju-noona said while sipping her coffee.
“It just shows how desperate Russia was too.”
Europe is also actively proceeding with nuclear power plant construction.
From Russia's perspective, having gained the TWR key in addition to their natural gas pipelines, they could use it as leverage to lift economic sanctions.
Ellie sighed.
“Thanks to Jin-hoo, we’re the ones who are going to get busy again.”
As expected, the financial markets reacted immediately.
Oil and natural gas prices plummeted, while stocks of related companies soared on the expectation that nuclear power plant construction would increase.
Although hurdles remained for commercialization, the prospect that TWR would become the mainstream in the future nuclear power market became clear.
Hyunju-noona looked at me over her glasses.
“Did you expect it to turn out like this?”
“Of course. I invested because I expected it to go well.”
“When I first heard about it, I worried you might be investing on a whim… but that was clearly needless worry.”
Taekgyu nodded.
“Right. You shouldn’t worry about Jin-hoo.”
If there are 100 investors, there are 100 ways to invest.
Some trust financial statements, some trust people. Some make decisions based on thorough analysis, some based on gut feeling.
Japan's most famous investor, Chairman Masayoshi Son of Softbox, is famous for making investment decisions in a short time.
He met Alibaba CEO Ma Yuan for a meal and immediately decided to invest $20 million on the spot. According to Masayoshi Son later, the investment decision took less than 30 minutes; the rest was just eating time.
The result, as everyone knows, was a jackpot beyond imagination.
Whatever the investment method, as long as the result is good, that's what matters.
***
The US-China trade war, which had shaken the world, ended in China's complete defeat.
China accepted most of the US's demands, agreeing to lift regulations and reduce the trade deficit.
China had countless precedents of enacting trade retaliation against countries that displeased them, but they were helpless when the same was done to them by the US.
Surprisingly, the start of all this was Kang Jin-hoo.
He had exposed the fact that Zhou Auto had stolen CarOS's autonomous driving technology using spy chips, sending the entire United States into an uproar.
When tracing the cause, China was clearly responsible. After initially feigning ignorance, a cornered China eventually admitted that the allegations raised by Kang Jin-hoo were true, apologized, and paid compensation.
China gritted its teeth, but busy concluding the trade dispute with the US, they had no capacity to retaliate against South Korea.
However, despite the official announcement, Chinese media outlets told a completely different story.
They claimed Zhou Auto never copied CarOS's technology but was forced to admit it due to US pressure. And a significant number of Chinese people believed this.
Chinese consumers sporadically boycotted South Korean products, and state-run media outlets poured out criticism of Kang Jin-hoo whenever they had the chance.
[What is the Negative Impact of Financial Speculator Kang Jin-hoo on the Global Economy?]
[OTK Company is a Hotbed of Illegality and Tax Evasion]
[A Speculator Backed by the United States...]
[Kang Jin-hoo's Physiognomy is Like that of Mang, Tak, Jo, and Ui...] (Note: Historical traitors/villains in Chinese history)
Amidst this ongoing criticism, President Vysotsky's announcement came out. Then, the atmosphere subtly changed.
A key part of China's recent energy policy is increasing nuclear power plants. Indeed, they had been investing heavily in nuclear technology for this purpose.
Originally, Chinese nuclear power companies were scheduled to conduct joint experiments within China in cooperation with America's MegaPower, but this fell through due to the trade dispute. Additionally, the US banned the export of experimental equipment, technology transfer, and acquisitions of US companies.
With their hands tied, China had no choice but to shift direction towards strengthening nuclear cooperation with Russia. But then, Professor Petrov's research team, funded by OTK Company, succeeded in the world's first TWR experiment!
The state-run media, which had fiercely criticized Kang Jin-hoo just days before, suddenly poured out articles with the exact opposite tone.
[The 21st Century Zhuge Liang Who Succeeded in TWR Investment!]
[An Amazing Investor with Insight Like Zhang Liang!]
[Kang Jin-hoo, Revealed to be a Descendant of Jiang Taigong (Jiang Ziya), Famous Prime Minister of the Zhou Dynasty and Founder of Qi]
[China Needs Investors Like Kang Jin-hoo Too...]
Korean netizens who saw the articles reacted with disbelief.
- Wow! Kang Jin-hoo got upgraded from Mang Tak Jo Ui to Zhuge Liang!
- Why bring up Jiang Taigong? Just because he's a Kang, they just slap it on?
- Ah! That's actually true. Kang Jin-hoo is from the Jinju Kang clan, and they venerate Jiang Taigong as an ancestor.
- Sudden U-turn now that they're in a tight spot.
-ㅋㅋㅋ The true media of the mainland!
- Looking at this, Kang Jin-hoo really is amazing. OTK Company footed the entire bill for the TWR experiment, didn't they?
- Frankly, Chinese nuclear power is meaningless except for being cheap. Efficiency is low too. Lucky if it doesn't explode.
- Will China cooperate with Russia for TWR commercialization?
- What on earth is Korea doing?
- Don't talk to us. We're busy phasing out nuclear power.
***
I first spoke with Professor Petrov on the phone.
“Congratulations.”
Professor Petrov said with a laugh.
[It's still just validation of the theory. The real work starts now. We plan to proceed immediately to the next stage in cooperation with Rosatom personnel.]
Even if he says that, successfully completing the experiment means half the hurdle is already cleared.
If the Traveling Wave Reactor, known as the dream reactor, is commercialized, the global nuclear power market will face a boom.
Next, I had a video call with President Vysotsky.
Judging by the broad smile covering his face, things must be going very well for him. Well, after groaning under Western sanctions, this provides a turning point.
As the conversation was nearing its end, President Vysotsky brought up another topic.
“Last year, China's Standing Committee member Li Huoning stepped down. Are you aware?”
“I believe I heard about it.”
The Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party has seven members in total, including President Zhang Pinghua. They are the leadership that guides the vast continent of China.
“The ostensible reason was deteriorating health. But I heard recently there was another reason.”
He's saying it like it's no big deal, but if it's about a key Chinese politician, it's no ordinary matter.
Who did he hear it from? The KGB?
Every country gathers various information through its intelligence agencies. As everyone knows, he is ex-KGB. As such, it's known that he receives direct reports on important intelligence from the KGB Director.
“It’s not entirely unrelated to you. Would you like to hear about it?”
“Me?”
President Vysotsky began his story, and soon, my expression gradually hardened. Even after he finished talking, I couldn't say anything for a long while.
President Vysotsky burst out laughing.
“Haha! Don’t make such a scary face.”
“Ah…”
Trying hard to fix my expression wasn't easy. A slight twitch ran through the corner of my mouth. I wasn't sure what kind of expression I was making right now.
“I thought I should tell you. I hope it’s helpful.”
“Thank you.”
Does this mean I owe him a debt?
An invitation arrived from Beijing.
The Chinese government was inviting South Korean business leaders to promote bilateral economic cooperation. Not only OTK Company but also Seosung, Eunsung, CL, and others received invitations.
Taekgyu asked.
“Are you going?”
“I have to. Chairman Im Jin-yong and everyone else are going.”
Even if China's economic growth rate has fallen, it's still overwhelming compared to other countries. Thanks to the US-China trade dispute, regulations have eased, and since China is actively attracting foreign companies, global corporations are increasing their investments in China.
Sino-Korean relations cooled after the Zhou Auto incident, leading to damages for Korean companies. The government must also feel a heavy burden.
It's not my fault, but I can't say I'm unrelated. If I go this time, eat with President Zhang Pinghua, shake hands, maybe the atmosphere will improve.
“Aren't you going to get caught by the public security and killed if you go to China?”
“No matter how reckless they are, would they really do that?”
“Isn’t China a country where anything is possible?”
“Still, there’s the tradition of not killing envoys, right?”
An invitation from the government implies they take full responsibility for security and safety. And if anything happened to me, the US wouldn't stand idly by.
“Well, it's not necessarily that I'm going for the sake of the country and the people, but we'll need to enter the Chinese market eventually, right?”
The technology CarOS possesses didn't just fall from the sky one day. In 2-3 years, Chinese companies will catch up to where we are now. With their huge domestic market, collecting data will also be easier for them.
The three largest single economic zones in the world are the US, Europe, and China.
After dominating the US market, we need to expand through exports, but Europe is currently struggling with even 1 percent growth. China, on the other hand, continues to grow at over 6 percent despite various setbacks.
Therefore, no company can afford to give up the massive Chinese market.
From China's perspective, they likely want to cooperate with OTK Company in various fields, including TWR. So they probably invited me to mend relations.
***
The chairmen flew to Beijing on their private jets or booked first-class seats.
I left the company in Taekgyu's hands and headed to Beijing on my private jet. No sooner had I unpacked at the hotel than Commerce Minister Li Xuewei arrived with an interpreter.
He grasped my hand with both of his and said,
“Welcome, Mr. Kang. We should have invited you to Beijing sooner, but the opportunity has finally arisen. It's truly a pleasure to meet you again here.”
He acted as if greeting a close friend after a long time. Despite the incident that occurred previously, he showed no sign of awkwardness.
“It's the first time since that incident last time.”
Commerce Minister Li Xuewei laughed heartily.
“Haha, but that incident led to you and I forming this connection, Mr. Kang, so isn't that a good thing? Zhou Auto apologized and paid compensation, and you accepted it, so I hope you can forget the past.”
“……”
Listening to him, you'd think the Chinese government had nothing to do with it.
“If you have time, how about we have some tea together?”
“Now?”
“Yes. Actually, there is someone who wishes to meet you, Mr. Kang. I sincerely ask this favor, for my sake. It won't take much of your time.”
Judging by his expression, it seemed I shouldn't refuse.
I nodded.
“Alright.”
We rode in the prepared car.
The small teahouse was entirely empty, and a man was already seated inside.
A familiar face. Probably everyone in the world knew his face, not just me.
Hearing Commerce Minister Li Xuewei's tone, I had wondered, and my guess was correct.
He rose from his seat and extended his hand.
“Nice to meet you. We meet again here.”
“It's been a while.”
He had the warm impression of a neighborly uncle and comfortable eyes, yet a natural sense of pressure emanated from him. Well, it was natural for the leader of 1.4 billion people.
Minister Li excused himself, and the interpreter who came with him remained. After we finished greeting each other and sat down, a staff member came and poured tea.
President Zhang Pinghua lifted his teacup and said,
“This is Houkui tea, made in Taiping County. I hope it suits your taste.”
“I will drink it gratefully.”
I slowly sipped and tasted it. It was probably expensive tea, but I couldn't really tell just by drinking it.
“Have you been to Beijing before?”
“I came here on a trip with a friend before. The air has improved a lot since then.”
The reason was that factories within Beijing had been moved to the outskirts. Thanks to that, the air within Beijing improved, but surrounding areas were blanketed in fine dust instead.
The problem was that this dust blew towards the Korean peninsula whenever the wind blew.
I hesitated for a moment, then opened my mouth.
“May I ask a question that might be impolite?”
“Hearing first that it’s an impolite question makes me curious about what it is.”
President Zhang Pinghua nodded, and I spoke.
“During the height of the dispute between CarOS and Zhou Auto, there was talk of arresting a certain Hong Kong person at the time. Is that true?”
For a moment, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.
But he quickly regained his composure and said,
“There are no Hong Kongers. There are only fellow Chinese.”
“Then let's say a Hong Kong resident.”
“Which Hong Kong resident are you referring to?”
Putting down my teacup, I said,
“Ellie Kim’s father.”