Chapter 176: Two sides of the same coin>
Korean Business Agency office.
Choi Gichul stood in front of Woosung respectfully. Woosung tapped his desk with his finger.
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
“So you are late to work because you were out drinking late last night?”
“Yes, but I was working. I met with a new businessman to explain what our agency does. It was a meeting.” Woosung nodded for him to continue. “I actually met with someone who is planning on creating a business involving blockchain technology. I spent a lot of time with him last night and that is why I was late today.”
Choi Gichul was being monitored by Woosung’s bodyguards so he already knew this.
Woosung asked, “Did Jung Jinsup say he would make a blockchain related business?”
“To be exact, he wants to make a dealership using the technologies he learned from Bitmain.”
Choi Gichul ratted Jung Jinsup out. He looked expectant as he waited for Woosung’s praise.
“Jung Jinsup said that?”
“Haha, for sure. He wants to steal important technologies from Bitmain. I drank with him last night to find out more about it so I can report back to you.”
Woosung grinned. Earlier that morning, Jung Jinsup told him Choi Gichul seemed almost convinced. However, it appeared Choi Gichul had a different idea. This was funny.
“Really?”
When Woosung responded positively, Choi Gichul became excited.
He replied, “Jung Jinsup said he made a lot of money on bitcoins and that is why he wants to create his own company.”
“So what do you think? Do you think the dealership business has a future?”
“This industry has a future, but…”
Choi Gichul looked at Woosung. He wondered why Woosung was asking him such a question, but he couldn’t figure it out.
Choi Gichul quickly continued, “I think it has a great future. I researched about bitcoins and found that it is an impressive concept. I believe blockchain will be the future of the IT world.”
“Is your opinion based on your instinct or proofs?”
Was Woosung testing him? Choi Gichul wondered.
The truth was Woosung was asking these questions to learn about Choi Gichul. He was curious about how Choi Gichul’s mind worked.
Choi Gichul answered, “Instinct based on proofs.”
Woosung thought carefully. He had to get Choi Gichul to invest in bitcoins at the highest price.
“Jung Jinsup has left Bitmain as of yesterday, so your information isn’t new to me.”
Choi Gichul frowned.
‘Already?’
Woosung continued, “So what will you do?”
“P, pardon?”
“Even if you go into business with Jung Jinsup, you can’t neglect your duties at this agency.”
“Oh…”
“And your excuse for being late to work is ridiculous. If it was any other office, you would have been reprimanded.”
Choi Gichul bit his lips, but there was nothing he could do.
Woosung continued, “What would happen if I fire you for being late to work?”
Choi Gichul didn’t reply.
Woosung repeated in annoyance, “Did you not hear my question?”
Choi Gichul replied slowly, “It will break the contract with Daeyang and you will get my Daeyang shares.”
Woosung asked, “And?”
“You will refile the lawsuit against Daeyang and start airing the TV ads again.”
“And then?”
Choi Gichul was humiliated, but he had no choice but to answer. “Then Daeyang will be placed at a difficult position. Daeyang will lose many of its subsidiaries.”
“So you understand the situation, yet you are late for work? Then you give me an excuse that it was for work? Hahaha! Ridiculous.”
“…”
Choi Gichul reddened in anger and shame.
Woosung continued, “There is no excuse for a salaryman to be late for work. Do you understand?”
In his previous life, Choi Gichul treated Woosung like this. Woosung wanted to give it right back to him.
He raised his voice. “Did you hear what I said? Do you understand?”
“Y… yes, sir.”
“Answer me quickly when I ask a question. Why are you so slow?”
When Choi Gichul tried to answer, Woosung added, “Why aren’t you leaving yet? Do you have more to say?”
Choi Gichul left quickly.
***
Choi Taemin asked, “Are you sure?”
“Yes. He contacted us that he will open a new dealership with Jung Jinsup. He will borrow money using his Daeyang shares as collateral.”
“Not a bad idea. Maybe they can grow their company and take over Kang Woosung’s Bitmain.”
“Then I will let him know he can go ahead with it.”
Choi Taemin nodded. He picked up the report on his desk.
“I see our smartphone is still doing poorly.”
“The recent situation has affected our sales. Many of our customers are switching to Blue S, so we may have to develop a new line of cheaper phones.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“…”
“Cheaper versions?”
The assistant bit his lips. He was fearful of Choi Taemin and his unpredictable moods.
“Hmm…” Thankfully, Choi Taemin calmed down.
The assistant continued, “I will look into improving our designs and functions to increase sales.”
“As you know, ANIX took over Dobashita. Our electronics department is at risks. I also heard Kang Woosung is hiring the best semiconductor experts from all over the world. Do you know what this means?”
The assistant couldn’t answer.
Choi Taemin continued, “It means Kang Woosung plans on destroying our semiconductor department. You understand, right? Our smartphone business is a failure at this point. We can’t lose the semiconductor too. If we do, we can never recover.”
Choi Taemin had an accurate understanding of the situation. He continued.
“He is also involved in AI and blockchain. We need to rid of him so we could survive.”
“I will try to find his weaknesses.”
“We don’t have a lot of time. We may become the next Nokia. Remember that.”
The assistant nodded.
“Yes, sir.”
***
“Coconut Talk reaches 500,000 users.”
“30 million Blue S3s sold.”
“XFeed now owns 30% of the market.”
“Daenam Constructions to start Yongsan project.”
“Sungyong Autos to launch a new line of cars named ‘Line.'”
“Home Mart to have a new strategy.”
KND and Coconut stock prices continued to rise. Woosung was making tens of millions of dollars daily.
Woosung wanted to pursue other business projects. He visited England with Jang Gwangchul.
Woosung inhaled deeply. “Air in England feels different than in Korea.”
“Why?”
“It just feels gentler?”
At Woosung’s joke, Jang Gwangchul spilled his coffee, “W, what a lame joke!”
“Haha, it’s not a joke. As of yesterday, I am the richest person in the world.”
“…are you happy?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Haha, good job.”
“If we take over ARM, KND will be invincible.”
Jang Gwangchul didn’t argue. Woosung was always right.
Jang Gwangchul replied, “We have a busy schedule. We need to attend the Kang Woosung AI research center opening ceremony. Then we have to meet with English businessmen, we need to visit France and Germany too.”
The two entered the ARM headquarter. In Woosung’s previous life, Chairman Son Jungi invested 35 billion dollars in ARM for its potential. Woosung would offer one billion dollars today. It would be an excellent investment.