The Magician’s Memorial - Chapter 310



Only Noblemtl

310. Recombination (4)

Every effort was being made to build electric vehicle infrastructure.

Not only was he moving the local government and political circles, but he was also using all of Taewoo Group’s assets.

“Chairman, we have concluded discussions with Taewoo Oil. We have decided to install electric vehicle charging stations or chargers at all gas stations owned by Taewoo Oil.”

“What’s going on with rest areas? If you want to drive long distances with an electric vehicle, electric vehicle charging stations must be installed at highway rest areas.”

If there was no charging station at the rest area, driving long distances was considered impossible.

Since electric vehicles cannot just be driven in the city, electric vehicle charging stations had to be installed at all rest areas.

“In the case of rest areas operated by the Korea Expressway Corporation, if the government issues a policy, it must be followed unconditionally. Since more than 80% of the rest area buildings are operated by the Korea Highway Corporation, there is no major problem. However, in the case of private rest areas, the company that operates the rest area “We are currently meeting and negotiating.”

“Private highway rest areas are decided through public bidding, right? How many years are contracts signed?”

“It’s every five years.”

“If negotiations do not go well, Taewo Group should win all the bids in the next public bidding.”

If it doesn’t work, you can just push it away with money.

Even if excessive money was spent on highway rest area bidding, it was not a loss-making business.

Since it was a highway rest area that was said to be a golden egg business, it was possible to at least make a profit.

“We will proceed that way. We are also talking to rest areas located on national highways. In this case, I think Taewoo Group will have to provide full support.”

“The rest areas on national highways are not operated by large corporations, so of course we should provide support.”

“We are also discussing with large parking lots. We will be able to install electric vehicle chargers in large private parking lots, mainly at major tourist destinations.”

Building infrastructure was not an easy task.

They were literally pouring money into it.

The burden would be reduced if the government provided subsidies, but since that would not be possible until at least next year, for now it had to be resolved only with Taewo Group’s funds.

“If the funds from Taewoo Motors and Kai Motors are not enough, you can use the group’s in-house reserves.”

“The funds from the two automobile affiliates are sufficient. If it is insufficient, we will use the funds from Taewoong Oil.”

“I will contact Aramco.”

Taewoo Refinery was a joint venture between Taewo Group and Aramco.

Therefore, we could not use the funds as we pleased, and we needed Aramco’s consent.

Aramco mainly produces oil.

So, you might think that they would naturally be against electric cars.

Rather, Aramco was showing great interest in the electric vehicle business.

Saudi Arabia is always looking for future food sources because oil cannot sustain its wealth for 100,000 years.

“It is surprising that Aramco is friendly to the electric vehicle business. Aramco also gave immediate permission to build an electric vehicle charging station at a gas station owned by Taewoo Oil Refinery. And Aramco even showed its intention to support part of the charging station installation costs.”

“It is to reduce our dependence on crude oil exports. We are trying hard to find new growth engines.”

Aramco could be seen as the world’s best company.

It was a company that earned close to 200 trillion won in operating profit per year.

Of course, it was difficult to see it as a company. Since Saudi Arabia owned 100% of the shares, it could be considered a part of the country.

What if you could receive support from Aramco?

We were able to accelerate the construction of electric vehicle infrastructure around the world by several steps.

“I need to visit Saudi Arabia within the next month. Please make an appointment.”

“We have already received a call from Saudi Arabia saying they are waiting for the Chairman to visit. We will try to schedule a visit as soon as possible.”

* * *

Before going on a business trip to Saudi Arabia.

I visited the Taewo Group computer security team for the first time.

We confirmed that cryptography experts who had been brought in to create Bitcoin were located there.

“Is Professor Hal Finney here too?”

“Huh? Chairman, what are you doing here?”

“Why is someone who should be teaching students at IIT in the IT team?”

“I spend every spare moment teaching students here developing anti-hacking systems. Using cryptography, I am creating an impenetrable defense wall.”

It was Professor Hal Finney, who looked happy.

He was the first person to create the concept of Bitcoin and was a person with great skills in cryptography and mathematics.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t paying attention.”

“No. I heard from Team Leader Cheon that he would provide additional manpower and financial support. That alone is enough.”

There were many cryptography experts sitting next to Professor Hal Finney.

Bitcoin development was completely finished and there was nothing to improve, so they were wasting time on the computer team.

“Is the project with the pharmaceutical company going well?”

“We are proceeding with the project in a way that we provide assistance when a request comes in. It doesn’t take that long, so we spend the rest of our time working on the computer team.”

What I saw in Minjeong Cheon was seen in Professor Hal Finney.

Cheon Min-jeong enjoyed game development and competition preparation as if it were a hobby.

Professor Hal Finney enjoyed developing anti-hacking systems.

“Thank you for your continued support. I plan to add as many people as the professor wants. If you recommend a good student, I will hire him at any time.”

“I didn’t know you paid so much attention to security. Then, can we increase the size of the computer security team just a little bit? Of course, I’m not the head of the computer team or the head of the department, so I don’t know if I have the authority to do that.”

What’s important about your position?

Professor Hal Finney had already proven his abilities, and he could have been relegated to his position at any time if he wanted.

“How about a position as an advisor to the computer team? And you can increase the size of the computer team as much as you want. It is clear that the importance of computer security will rise as time goes by. Shouldn’t we invest now to prevent major accidents?”

“Then, I will set up a computer team to suit my tastes. I would like to create a computerized security system at the Pentagon level. Honestly, from a company’s perspective, it is too much and costs a lot of money, but is it okay?”

“Taewoo Group has the scale to make that kind of investment. Don’t worry, just proceed with the computer security project.”

The computer team was entrusted to cryptography experts, including Professor Hal Finney.

Since most of them were also IT experts, Taewo Group would have a completely different computer security system.

* * *

Arrived at Riyadh Airport in Saudi Arabia on a private plane.

Perhaps thanks to my close relationship with the Saudi royal family, I was able to leave the airport straight away without going through immigration, and a car sent by the Saudi royal family was waiting in front of the airport.

And more than a dozen bodyguards protected the vehicle I was riding in and guided me to the residence of Governor Abdulaziz, Bin Salman’s father.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you. I’m sorry for not saying hello to you often.”

“Isn’t it okay to see your face like this? And I’ve been hearing great news about you. I understand that you have taken over AIZ, and this time, GM as well. I’m proud of you, perhaps because I’ve seen you since you were young.”

Governor Abdulaziz poured out praise.

Since it was a compliment coming from Saudi Arabia’s third-highest-ranking person and soon-to-be second-ranking crown prince, I accepted it with good humor.

“I couldn’t come empty-handed, so I prepared a small gift.”

“Hehe, what kind of gift is this between us?”

“We have prepared 500,000 doses of Tamiflu. We are sorry for not being able to prepare more.”

“Hehe, they say that finding Tamiflu these days is as difficult as picking up a star in the sky. It’s a gift more precious than any other gift I’ve ever received. I’ll tell you the details inside. And Muhammad is waiting for you with all his might.”

Muhammad bin Salman.

We cannot keep people waiting for the person who will succeed Governor Abdulaziz as ruler of Saudi Arabia.

I quickly went inside with Governor Abdulaziz, and bin Salman, now an adult, welcomed me with an awkward smile.

“I heard that you started your political career by helping the governor. You are doing great things as soon as you graduate from college.”

“It’s a shame. I’m just a burden to the side.”

We said hello awkwardly.

When I was a minor, I was able to live without any faults, but now that there were many eyes watching me, I had to be as polite as possible.

“First, please sit down. I know you came here to discuss Taewoo Oil Refinery. Please speak comfortably.”

“Taewoo Group is paying attention to the electric vehicle business. Taewoo Motors and Kai Motors are already producing electric vehicles, and we are planning to continue producing electric vehicles in the future.”

“It seems like they think electric vehicles will be commercialized. That’s why they’re planning to install an electric vehicle charging station at Taewoo Oil’s gas station.”

Governor Abdulaziz showed great interest in electric vehicles.

As he was the governor of Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, his power in Saudi Arabia went without question.

Therefore, I explained the vision of electric vehicles in more detail.

“Electric vehicles will not completely push out internal combustion engine vehicles, but we expect them to take a certain portion of the pie. We must make bold investments now to monopolize the electric vehicle market pie.”

“That’s a very good idea. Whether it’s a country or a company, wouldn’t it be possible to survive if we prepare for the future in advance?”

“I am confident that the day will come when electric vehicles will be welcomed not only in Korea but also in all countries around the world, including the United States, Europe, and China.”

Governor Abdulaziz is worried.

He looked at me again only after talking quietly with bin Salman, his son and aide.

“Actually, I don’t overestimate electric vehicles that much. But! Since this is a business you are leading, I can’t just ignore it. I know that not a single business you have pursued has failed so far.”

“Chairman Kim is the person who took the lead in creating the smartphone that everyone said could not be done. Electric vehicles may become the second smartphone.”

Bin Salman provided appropriate support fire.

Besides, there was nothing wrong with what he said.

Because the product that would shock the world as much as the smartphone was the electric car.

“If the infrastructure can be properly built, the size of the electric vehicle market can grow rapidly.”

“Are you asking me to help you with the infrastructure construction project?”

“This is not a one-sided help, but a request to be a business partner.”

“What if you are against it?”

“Then, we plan to do it with Taewu Group’s strength alone. If we invest all of Taewu Group’s in-house reserves and do not pursue new business for the time being, the amount is sufficient.”

No matter how much money Taewu Group had, it could not compare to Saudi Arabia.

There was talk about not showing off money in front of oil rich people, and this was also the reason why oil rich people were excluded from the rankings of the world’s richest people chosen by the media.

“That is a very attractive offer. Good. I will accept your offer.”

“thank you.”

“It’s still too early to give thanks. They didn’t say how much help they will provide in building electric vehicle infrastructure.”

Governor Abdulaziz smiles meaningfully.

An oil rich person makes an expression like that?

There was a high possibility that we would pour in more investment than we expected.