Chapter 119: <National Core Technology>

After the meeting.

Lee Sunghyun murmured disappointedly, “If you had a good suggestion like that, I wish you would have told me in advance. I could have helped you in selling the idea…”

“This technology is very high level and innovative. I needed to keep everything a secret for security reasons. I’m sorry.”

“Well, I guess you’re right.”

Woosung changed the subject quickly. “I am especially sensitive because a Chinese company has already planted industrial spies in KND.”

“Industrial espionage?”

“That’s right. They must have wanted to steal our smartphone and Coconut Talk technologies. There are at least three spies I know of so far.”

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier? As a matter of fact, I could designate your company’s technologies as a national core technology so they can be protected by the NIS.”

“I didn’t want to bother you again. I have been getting so much help from you recently…”

“I understand that but…Well anyway, if you have a problem like that again in the future, please let me know. Losing such important technologies to other countries would be detrimental to Korea. Your company has tens of thousands of employees in Korea so far. Anything that affects your company affects our country’s economy. Don’t forget that.”

“Alright, and…”

Woosung hesitated. Lee Sunghyun understood immediately and replied.

“Ok. I will check it right away.”

After Lee Sunghyun left, Woosung got into his car and headed to the office in Sungleung where Park Jonghyun and Jung Jinsup worked.

***

Nuri Finances headquarter.

The general manager walked into Shin Semi’s office on the tenth floor.

“Advisor, Mayor Oh asked us to examine technologies called blockchain and S Coin. He also asked to check on the method of making payments with cell phones.”

“Making payments with cellphones? Blockchain?”

“That’s right. We are currently studying them at our own research facility and investigating about blockchain.”

These were new concepts to Shin Semi. Paying with your cell phone? Also, what was blockchain?

“Where did Mayor Oh hear about these technologies?”

“He didn’t tell us. He just mentioned making payments with your cell phone on the POS machine and getting a reward point called S Coin.” The general manager continued before Shin Semi could ask any questions. “And he also asked about the possibility of transactions without the VAN. I think he must be thinking about reducing the transaction fees as part of his campaign.”

“I can’t quite understand. Is he referring to something like mobile banking?”

“I asked that, but he said no. It sounded like something completely new.”

“So someone came up with brand new inventions and showed them to the mayor?”

Shin Semi thought carefully. She could guess who it was.

‘Now that I think about it, Lee Sunghyun is part of Mayor Oh’s election campaign.”

This also happened when Woosung returned to Korea. This couldn’t be a coincidence.

“Find out where KND’s Kang Woosung is right now.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

***

Bitmain office in Sungleung.

Park Jonghyun threw the report onto the desk.

“You call this a plan? I thought you graduated from the top university in Korea, yet this is the best you can do?”

When Seoul University was mentioned, Jung Jinsup glared angrily.

“I made the adjustments you requested from the last plan, so what is the problem?”

Jung Jinsup fumed at being in this situation. The only reason he was still working here was because he needed the money for his lawyer. He also needed the salary for his living expenses.

‘Dammit!’

He couldn’t understand how all this happened.

However, there was no use regretting the past.

The only thing he could do was to plan for a better future.

Woosung became the CEO of a successful company in only one year. He graduated from a mediocre university and used to work at Nuri Finances as a newbie developer.

Jung Jinsup would do the same.

Park Jonghyun threw the paper into the air and screamed, “Gosh, you still don’t get it! Just get out and start from the beginning.”

When Jung Jinsup turned around to leave, Park Jonghyun yelled again, “What are you doing? Pick up the paper first.”

Jung Jinsup gritted his teeth loudly. His whole body shuddered in fury. He wondered if he should just quit right now.

He had to sell his cars and smaller assets quickly and cheaply. He was kicked out from KYLO. His pride was damaged terribly.

Jung Jinsup started picking the papers up one piece at a time. Suddenly, another hand appeared.

It was Woosung.

“Sir, I will do it for you.”

Jung Jinsup’s eyes started to well up with tears. He had never been treated like this before.

“W…Woosung.”

Woosung glanced at Park Jonghyun and secretly gestured him to leave.

“I’d pick all of them.” Jung Jinsup closed his eyes tight. Woosung tried his hardest not to laugh at him.

He asked, “Are you okay?”

“Y…yeah. I’m okay.”

“Tell me if it’s too much. I will try to make it better.”

“No. I can do this.”

“Jonghyun is a bit aggressive, but I didn’t realize he is this forceful. I will talk to him, but I’m not sure if he’ll listen to me.”

Jung Jinsup looked at Woosung hopefully. “R…really?”

“Sure. Anyway, we need to talk. Let’s go into the conference room.”

Woosung, Park Jonghyun, and Jung Jinsup conducted a meeting in a private room. Woosung’s official title at Bitmain was the same as Jung Jinsup. Woosung explained his recent meeting with Oh Hoon and what he offered.

Park Jonghyun asked, “So the first project for this company is the S Coin exchange?”

“That’s right. I recommended this to the mayor and I think it will go through.”

Jung Jinsup already knew Woosung and Park Jonghyun were friends.

“S Coin? Woosung, are you referring to the blockchain…”

As soon as Jung Jinsup opened his mouth, Park Jonghyun glared at him.

“Show respect to Woosung! Watch your tone!”

Woosung replied kindly, “Haha, it’s ok. You can talk informally.”

Park Jonghyun added. “No. It doesn’t matter if you are friends. Inside the office, you need to always remember your position.”

Good cop and bad cop strategy.

This was exactly what Woosung asked Park Jonghyun to do.

Jung Jinsup glared angrily, but he needed the salary. He said weakly, “Well, I understand. It’s the rule here.”

Woosung’s eyes widened. Park Jonghyun did very well making Jung Jinsup meek.

“I suppose. Anyway, let’s get back to the business.”

Woosung estimated Jung Jinsup’s family’s current asset to be about 4 million dollars. However, it was decreasing fast due to the trial cost for his father.

Woosung smiled in satisfaction.

***

After the meeting, Woosung talked to Park Jonghyun in private.

“You are doing an amazing job!”

“I am being especially mean to that guy. I’m surprised he is still here.”

“Perfect! Keep up the good work.”

“So why do you hate him so much? I didn’t realize you like to treat people like this.”

“Hahaha, I have a good reason for it.”

“I asked Chanjong and he said he is not interested in working here. He likes working at a big corporation.”

“Alright.”

“And Yeoreum called.”

“Huh?”

“Some of us from the university created a chatroom to keep in touch. I’d let everyone know you are looking for a developer and she contacted me. She asked how you are doing.”

“Tell her I’m doing great.”

“I did tell her that.”

“Good. That’s it, then.”

Woosung clearly didn’t want to talk about her, so Park Jonghyun changed the subject.

“Oh, and can I attend our university’s job convention on the behalf of this company?”

“Job convention?”

“Yeah. We will need more people so this would be a good place to pick some good developers.”

“Well, if you find talented workers, then sure.”

“Good. I will take care of it.”

Woosung realized Park Jonghyun wanted to go back to their university and show off his new job.

He grinned and added, “Just keep up the good work.”

“No worries. I’m perfect for this job.”

Woosung was happy with him. Park Jonghyun was doing much better than he expected.