World Domination through Planet Development - Chapter 69



Only Noblemtl

Episode 69. Chairman Daehyun Jang’s Visit

[ITGil]

Yonggil attending the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, USA.

“This time, it’s a Korean brand. We’ve come to the Ace Automobile exhibition hall.”

People were crowding around where Yonggil was walking.

“I was here at CES last year, too. I remember there was a unique concept car there. That’s the UV lineup that will be released this year.”

(screen edit point)

Yonggil was standing in front of the vehicle that came out as a concept car.

“Actually, there are many improvements to be seen in this concept car, and there are also quite a few things worth noting in terms of practicality. But don’t you all know the mood these days?”

These days, electric vehicles are being divided into whether or not you should buy one.

“It’s the battery issue. This is a huge issue with electric vehicles right now….”

While Yonggil was giving his explanation in front of Ace’s concept car, someone approached him.

“Oh, are you an Ace employee?”

Yonggil faced the approaching Ace Motors employee.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“That’s great. Then, can I ask you something?”

“Yes, please tell me.”

Yonggil looked at the camera and asked cautiously.

“The UV lineup that was shown at CES last year is scheduled to be released this year.”

“Yes.”

“What’s the status of the battery problem that goes in there…?”

The Ace staff member must have heard this question countless times because he naturally blurted out a prepared line.

“Oh, many people have been asking questions about the battery, and that’s why the release has been delayed. The relevant department is working hard on it, and the official results will come out soon, so for now, we can only ask our customers to be patient and wait.”

“Huh? Does that mean that going in itself is a certainty?”

“That… I won’t comment.”

“Isn’t it like saying no comment isn’t acceptable?”

“… … .”

In response to Yonggil’s nagging, the Ace staff member responded with an awkward smile.

“As there is talk of whether the new Edison model that I just saw can go 3,000 km, if it is said that it can’t even go 1,000 km on a full charge, consumers will inevitably have different thoughts.”

“I guess so.”

“Plus, they say that PDC’s motor increases efficiency by 30% to as much as 50% compared to existing models?”

The video ended with the employee nodding with a businesslike smile in response to Yonggil’s continued questions.

The person watching the video on his smartphone was none other than Chairman Jang of Daehyun Motors.

As usual, I was looking into public opinion through YouTuber review videos.

In fact, in the current situation, his continuing to watch these videos was a kind of denial of reality.

I was looking for a video because I thought that some people might not necessarily care about battery capacity.

But unfortunately, there was no other way out. The performance difference was too great to be simply a matter of taste.

Now it was time to make a decision, at least until the competing vehicles came out with PDC batteries.

Chairman Jang hesitated as he picked up his cell phone, then got up from his seat. He grabbed his coat and went outside.

* * *

The place where Chairman Jang arrived after moving in a hurry.

It was the Daehyun Battery Development Research Center.

The director of the research center rushed out to see Chairman Jang, who had come to visit without any prior notice, leading his secretary.

“Chairman Jang. What’s going on…?”

Chairman Jang looks a bit impatient.

“I came here to see how the PDC battery research was going.”

How long has it been since I started researching and it’s already like this? At the very least, it would take a year to produce any results that could be called results… .

“Well, there are no results yet. Since it is not a conventional lithium-based battery, we need to approach it from a completely different direction to develop it ourselves. We need to conduct a little more research.”

“I understand that, and what I mean is possibility. Is it possible to catch up?”

“If you ask whether it is possible… I think it is possible given enough time.”

The center director gave a somewhat unconfident answer.

“Two years. Can you do it in two years? I don’t even expect the same performance. All we have to do is develop it using the same materials as the battery of this PDC.”

The center director’s eyes widened at the mention of two years.

Even if you were really lucky and did well, it would take at least 5 years.

However, I couldn’t speak frankly right away because of Chairman Jang’s glaring, expectant look.

“Write… It might be a bit difficult, but I was able to find a few papers on similar forms of this new material in Nature and AM journals. I can’t guarantee that it came from those papers, but if I proceed with the research based on those, I’ll be able to complete the research as soon as possible…”

The center director was giving a long-winded explanation.

Chairman Jang’s patience ran out and he cut him off.

“Stop talking nonsense and tell me whether it’s possible or not!”

The center director was surprised and embarrassed by Chairman Jang’s pressure, but soon his expression hardened as if he was offended.

No matter what, he was not the kind of person who deserved to be treated like this.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Chairman… but it’s absolutely impossible to bring in anyone other than me within two years.”

At the center director’s firm answer, Chairman Jang also realized his mistake for a moment and avoided his eyes.

“Yeah, I guess so… I’m sorry. It was my mistake.”

“…no.”

Chairman Jang closed his mouth for a moment in the heavy atmosphere, then gathered his thoughts and spoke.

“Let’s put the project on hold for a while.”

After saying those words, Chairman Jang left the lab.

Although Chairman Jang mentioned that it was on hiatus, in reality, it was now a business that was uncertain what would happen.

It wasn’t because of the center director’s incompetence. As Chairman Jang, it was Daehyun Motors’ exclusive battery business that he had been researching for several years with a capital of several trillion won.

It is not something that can be decided on a momentary basis whether to disband or not.

The gist of the story was that batteries centered around new materials would eventually dominate the future battery market, and Chairman Jang could understand that.

But if that’s the case, doesn’t that mean the existing lithium-based battery market will be completely destroyed?

The battery research project that was being carried out now meant that it had to be completely re-researched, even if it wasn’t 100% complete. It was enough reason to consider discontinuing the project.

Now, Chairman Jang, who has no other choice, has moved somewhere again.

* * *

Surprisingly, the place that Chairman Jang Woo-seon walked to was PDC. Jeong-woo happened to be at the company and was able to greet him.

Because it was Chairman Jang’s sudden decision, Sarah was only able to hear about it when the car navigation system was activated. Jungwoo also found out just a moment ago.

“Nice to meet you. My name is Jang Woo-seon.”

“Yes, hello, Chairman Jang Woo-seon. But what brings you here…?”

Two people sitting across from each other in the office.

Chairman Jang Woo-seon slowly looked around as if his mouth was not opening easily, and after a while he began to speak.

“Hmm… I completely understand that Representative Chun has negative feelings toward our Daehyun.”

Although they didn’t go into detail, they knew what each other was talking about.

“… … .”

Sir, it’s not Daehyun that I have ill feelings towards, it’s you. You need to be precise.

“I know it may seem shameless, but I came here to ask you a favor.”

Even if I die soon, the words “I’m sorry” will not come out of my mouth.

“Please… Should I listen to it first?”

I thought it would be interesting to hear what kind of suggestions there were, since there was nothing to lose by listening.

“I hope that Daehyun Motors will also sign a PDC battery sales contract.”

As expected, it was a request I expected. I don’t know if it was the right request though.

“What are the conditions?”

“I can’t propose conditions first from the position of a requester. If there’s anything that Representative Chun wants, I will accept it all.”

“Really? Do you know what conditions I’m going to set…?”

Just when Jeong-woo was taken aback by the unexpected attitude of telling him to just say anything, Chairman Jang intervened again.

“But since I’m already being facetious, let me be a little more brazen. Although I’m in a position to ask for favors, I would appreciate it if you could understand that there are some suggestions that I clearly cannot accept.”

“Wow, you really are shameless.”

This wasn’t a thought. It was actual words coming out of Jungwoo’s mouth.

You said you would accept everything, but you’re saying you’re accepting everything except the ones you can’t?

“Haha. Isn’t that how all businesses work?”

But rather, as if he was expecting such a reaction, the corners of Chairman Jang Woo-seon’s mouth slightly go up.

I’ll give you anything you ask for… except the ones I can’t.

What this means is that I will refrain from harming myself, but I will give you one thing that we can resolve between the two of us.

Does that mean Kang Bae-deok? At least, that seemed to be the only scapegoat that Jeong-woo could think of at this point.

“Would you please sell Daehyun R&S?”

Daehyun R&S, currently run by Kang Bae-deok, nodded in satisfaction when those words came out of Jeong-woo’s mouth.

“Whether it’s a sale or something else! I don’t think Representative Chun will be disappointed.”

I don’t know exactly what they’re going to do, but I understand their intention to completely get rid of Kang Bae-deok.

But it wasn’t enough to balance the scales.

“But I don’t think I can just give you that much. The contract date will be at least half a year later, and I won’t charge the same price as other companies. It won’t be burdensome.”

In fact, delaying the contract date does not mean imposing any penalty on Daehyun, but rather to purchase as many shares as possible.

If news of PDC’s battery introduction is announced, the current PDC purchases and stock price will rebound in an instant.

“Khuhmm… .”

Chairman Jang frowned, seeming not to be convinced.

“I also know that you have been spreading malicious content about the PDC through the media. You don’t think I don’t know, do you?”

Chairman Jang showed a puzzled expression for the first time.

“Huh, I thought you didn’t know anything, but I guess you have broader feet than I thought.”

“… … .”

When he was attacked unexpectedly, Chairman Jang also showed a look of surprise.

Although his direct tone seemed to belittle Jeong-woo, it was pure admiration to Chairman Jang. It had been a long time since he had felt such shame towards someone else.

“Okay. It would be ridiculous to go back on a promise that has already been made. Let’s do that.”

Chairman Jang returns after wrapping up the negotiations so neatly.

I really can’t figure out who’s listening.

However, what was clear was that Chairman Jang was unaware that PDC was still targeting Daewoo Motors.

This means that you don’t even have an inkling of it. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to act so confidently.

Chairman Jang, who has always solved everything the way he wants. That must be the source of my confidence.

“Now it’s time to let them know that their own house will collapse too.”

My family. And now even Kang Bae-deok, who used to be my slave.

If you can destroy someone else’s house so easily, it’s time you realized that your own house can be destroyed too.