Chapter 833
He felt responsible for what had started with him.
And there was another thing.
‘I still haven’t convinced Ilsung Semiconductor.’
Hyun Jin-geon Gun had stepped up to solve the server chip production problem, but he hadn’t even set a schedule yet.
It was because President Choi Minyong had drawn a line with the excuse of reviewing a large-scale communication chip production request.
And the client for that request was Huawei.
If he left it like this?
Ilsung Semiconductor would become the base for Huawei’s communication chip production, and get caught up in the US-China trade war.
He needed to dig into Huawei’s situation to prevent this, and to secure the server chip production.
Clank.
He ended his worries with the sound of the door closing.
Vice President Woo Jungcheol handed him a new teacup with a light expression on his face.
Thud.
“This is the tea I only serve to special guests. It’s better than coffee.”
“Thank you. I’ll enjoy it.”
The scent of pu’er tea was quite strong.
Did he bring it directly from China?
It felt different from the ones he had tasted in Korea.
Vice President Woo Jungcheol smiled softly.
“What kind of experience can I share with you that would help you?”
“Actually, we didn’t install any Huawei equipment in our new data center.”
“None at all?”
He pretended not to know, even though he knew.
Yoo-hyun, who hid his smirk, continued calmly.
“Yes. They don’t allow Huawei equipment in the US. We were aiming for the world, so we were careful in advance.”
“Oh, that’s a clear misunderstanding.”
“Is it?”
When Yoo-hyun asked, Vice President Woo Jungcheol spat saliva in his mouth.
“Of course. If there was really a problem, how could Huawei become the world’s number one company? Even in Europe, where they have a rival company like Ericsson, they use Huawei equipment the most.”
“Now that I think about it, you’re right.”
“I used to do a lot of business with Huawei. I know their skills and reliability better than anyone.”
Look at this guy.
He’s openly siding with Huawei now.
Yoo-hyun engraved the patient man in his mind and responded appropriately.
“They’re also cheap.”
“It’s 30 percent, that’s a huge difference. But do you know why they’re so cheap?”
“Why?”
“Because they supply a huge amount of equipment based on the Chinese market and then enter the global market. There’s no additional cost because it’s all verified. And…”
Vice President Woo Jungcheol rambled on as if he was Huawei’s spokesperson.
He thought the atmosphere was getting settled and threw a bait.
“Do you know about JK Communication?”
“Of course I do. They’re the real protagonist of the Unique Myth. Especially the chip they released this time, which combines AP and modem, was a huge hit. It crushed Qualcomm.”
“Yes. That company recently entered the server market.”
“Aha! Server.”
“Yes. But the server is so high-spec that it needs ultra-fast network to perform.”
He didn’t even need to bother fishing.
He leaned forward and bit the bait himself.
“By the way, Huawei has a new ultra-fast communication equipment. If you match the base station and the core equipment, the speed is more than three times faster than the normal equipment.”
“But I have to trust that. I need verification…”
“You can test it. If you need it, I can connect you to Huawei’s headquarters.”
“Are you sure? I heard you moved to a Chinese battery company.”
When Yoo-hyun pushed him, Vice President Woo Jungcheol immediately put his hand down.
“Hey, I have to do that for you. Data centers are the future of the nation. How can I rest when you’re doing such a thing?”
“I hope I didn’t bother you.”
“Not at all, not at all. It’s an honor for me to help River’s development in any way.”
He spat out a nauseating remark and glanced at Yoo-hyun.
It was obvious from his expression that he had fallen for it.
Vice President Woo Jungcheol cheered inwardly.
What’s going on?
It was the time when Huawei’s headquarters ordered him to monitor River’s movements.
He thought it wouldn’t be easy because he looked wary, but what?
At this rate, he could not only get the equipment contract, but also tie up JK Communication, which Huawei was eyeing.
It was only a matter of time before he was recognized by Huawei’s headquarters.
Then Yoo-hyun said the words he wanted to hear politely.
“Then I’ll ask for your support, sir. I’m sorry to bother you.”
“Sure. Anytime.”
It was a job that didn’t even pay for the airfare.
But Vice President Woo Jungcheol agreed willingly.
Yoo-hyun chuckled at him, who had deep wrinkles in his eyes.
You’ll see later.
It wasn’t just to settle his old grudge.
He had to show him a proper example to deal with the industrial spy who sold out his company and country.
‘Well, anyway.’
Yoo-hyun nodded and looked at Vice President Woo Jungcheol in the eye.
Squeak.
The smiles of the two men with different thoughts crossed sharply.
Yoo-hyun went to a nearby bar with Manager Kwon Se-jung after he came out.
As they sat face to face in the dark space, old memories came to mind.
It was fun.
Manager Kwon Se-jung gave him a suspicious look when he felt Yoo-hyun’s gaze.
“What are you looking at?”
“Just. I thought you’ve grown a lot.”
“Funny guy. Why? Are you trying to say you raised me?”
“Not exactly.”
Yoo-hyun laughed and Manager Kwon Se-jung handed him a glass.
Clang.
“Well. You did lift me up, what are you talking about.”
“What’s going on? You’re saying that with your own mouth.”
“You have to admit what you have to admit to grow. I’ve been feeling your absence a lot lately.”
“Why are you like that when you’re doing well.”
“Just. It’s hard to keep up with the changing situation. Especially China.”
Kwon Se-jung, the head of the strategy department, casually brought up his worries after emptying his glass.
When Yoo-hyun asked him for a favor, he didn’t ask too many questions.
He only dug deeper because he thought there might be some issues as the head of the communication department.
It was the same after he heard the conversation he had with Vice President Woo Jung-chul.
He was more concerned about Yoo-hyun’s well-being than trying to find out more.
Yoo-hyun knew that it was his way of caring for his colleague.
Chirp.
Yoo-hyun filled his glass and asked him quietly.
“What’s bothering you?”
“No, it’s nothing. I’m just feeling a bit frustrated.”
“Are you trying to keep it all inside again?”
“What? When did I ever do that?”
“Maybe when we drink together like this?”
It was about his work at the mobile phone strategy team.
-But I’ve been following you for so long, don’t I deserve to know? I can’t go on without knowing what’s going on.
Kwon Se-jung’s face turned red as he remembered the time he revealed his hidden feelings.
“Hey, that was because I was drunk.”
“Anyway. I feel like I didn’t tell you enough back then.”
“We’re not even in the same company. Why are you saying that?”
“It’s not my business.”
It wasn’t just about the Huawei issue.
As the relationship with China would determine the rise and fall of not only the company but also the country, Yoo-hyun had a deep discussion with Chairman Shin Kyung-wook about this matter.
Was it because he agreed with Yoo-hyun’s words?
Chairman Shin postponed or canceled the schedules of the Hansung factories that were planned to enter China.
It was a sudden decision that even Kwon Se-jung, who had a strategic vision, had a hard time following.
It was enough to shake the innovation strategy office, let alone the affiliates.
He had to get his bearings at this point.
Hansung was his partner that he would go along with in the future.
Yoo-hyun asked Kwon Se-jung, who would play a pivotal role in Hansung in the future, a question.
“Se-jung, what do you think the situation in Northeast Asia will be like in the future?”
“What do you mean by Northeast Asia out of the blue?”
Kwon Se-jung opened his eyes wide and Yoo-hyun calmly explained.
“Strategy is not something you use only for internal politics. You have to look beyond the competitors and see the countries.”
“Why do I have to do that?”
“You moved to the strategy general department. You have been given a lot of authority, so you have to broaden your perspective.”
Kwon Se-jung, who felt the pressure of his increased authority, muttered.
“Well, that’s true.”
Yoo-hyun challenged him as he hesitated a bit.
“Look further. Wasn’t your goal to reach the top of Hansung?”
“Did I ever say that?”
“I can tell by looking at you. Come on, tell me. You have a good eye.”
“…”
Yoo-hyun was always like this.
He didn’t give the answer right away, but made him think twice or thrice.
He praised him for having a good eye and a good sense, and gave him the opportunity to find the answer himself.
The reason he could do so well in the company that others would envy was because of Yoo-hyun’s teachings.
Snicker.
Kwon Se-jung remembered the old days and racked his brain.
“What if China’s power grows? Will there be a problem?”
“What kind of problem?”
“Like raising the labor costs or being abusive.”
“That could happen. Half of it is right.”
“The other half is…”
Should I tell him at this point?
As Yoo-hyun was pondering, Kwon Se-jung opened his mouth.
“Is it because the US is restraining them? Then it seems like there will be a problem for us who are stuck in the middle.”
“Go on.”
“Um, I don’t think we need to build factories in places where problems are expected. We might end up in a situation where we can’t do anything.”
It would start with the suffering from the THAAD deployment issue a year later.
After that, South Korea would go through a difficult time balancing between the US and China.
Especially after the Huawei issue exploded and the trade war began, the companies that entered China would suffer a fatal blow.
Yoo-hyun knew this future, but Kwon Se-jung didn’t.
Still, he came up with an answer close to the truth.
“As expected…”
“Right?”
“I don’t know if it’s right or wrong, but there’s a chance.”
“I see. So is that why you’re going to China this time?”
He was pretty good at guessing.
But it was such a sensitive topic that he couldn’t say it.
“Kind of.”
“I guess you have some difficult circumstances. It must be a tough job.”
“Right. I have to face it.”
Clang.
Kwon Se-jung clinked his glass with a smirk.
“Is there anything I can help you with? I don’t think you’re going to leave Vice President Woo alone.”
“Creepy.”
“Don’t talk nonsense, just tell me. What do I have to do?”
Somehow, he felt that his colleague would make him set an example sooner than expected.
“Then check on Vice President Woo before he leaves for China. What it is…”
Yoo-hyun told him what he had been preparing.
It was not for personal feelings, but for Hansung and the country.
Yoo-hyun’s choice made him go to China.
Hyun Jin-geon, who heard the news in the A1 conference room, turned pale.
“Ha ha! That’s an excellent choice. How nice it would be to go together.”
Was Hyun Jin-geon such a cheerful person?
The guy who hated traveling and everything else because he was buried in work?
“That’s right. Wow, we’re going to China. I’m excited, so excited.”
I joined him in cheering.
It wasn’t a trip, but a job to inspect the communication equipment at Huawei’s headquarters.
It could be dangerous, but the two geniuses were excited as if they were children going to an amusement park.