Chapter 70

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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“Well if it isn’t our land baron Jeong Jin-ho.”

“Did you hear about it too, hyung-nim?”

“Who in Korea doesn’t know Dongtan land prices are piercing the sky?”

Dongtan, which used to be sparsely populated with few cars.

That place suddenly became a dream city.

“So, did you sell the land?”

“No. Actually I wasn’t even paying attention to it. Busy with work.”

I didn’t buy land in Dongtan for speculation purposes.

I just bought land wherever my intuition hit while looking for places to realize my dream.

This was my mistake.

I should have realized when my intuition hit.

I just tried to quietly make a landmark where I could comfortably play with guild members and family, but I seemed to have wrongly bought prime land.

“Ha ha. They say someone meant to succeed makes gold even falling backward. Wait, so you really bought it purely to build a building without speculation purposes?”

“That’s what I said. Did hyung-nim really think I made connections with people from the current administration and deliberately speculated?”

“No, the timing is subtle. How do all the lands you bought become gold nuggets?”

It was sufficiently misunderstandable.

One fortunate thing is that I started purchasing land from January last year.

“But you also bought other places besides Dongtan.”

“Yes. Looking for relatively quiet places not far from Seoul..”

The places I mainly purchased land were Dongtan, Hwaseong, and Giheung.

Moderately quiet places with no people.

“How much did you put in?”

“Adding it all up, it’ll probably be 50 billion won.”

“50 billion? No. What land did you buy for 50 billion? Aren’t Hwaseong and Giheung land prices cheap too? Wait no. For you, 50 billion isn’t that expensive anymore.”

My assets also swelled to hundreds of billions, and since I’m constantly handling amounts in the trillions at work, my sense about spending 50 billion seemed to have dulled.

I just bought land and left it carelessly thinking I’ll eventually build a building on one of these to make a landmark.. And this happened.

“This is why Korea’s real estate never fails. Dongtan land prices already rose 5 times. Then lots of things will come in around the building where you’re doing interior now?”

“The area around there is okay because I own the land, but even slightly outside, apartments and shops are already preparing to come in.”

With Dongtan new city development, numerous construction companies were already desperately trying to enter there.

The quiet atmosphere Dongtan I wanted is now goodbye.

Land prices rose, but rather than feeling good, I feel like something was taken away.

“So what will you do? What about the building being completed now? Just proceed as is?”

“I should complete what’s being made. But I’ll look at Giheung and Hwaseong again. Dongtan prices are skyrocketing, but those two places’ land prices are actually falling.”

Giheung and Hwaseong were places where land prices don’t rise well because there are many factories.

“But won’t those places also suddenly have land prices rise insanely like Dongtan?”

I shook my head smiling.

That won’t happen.

***

“What? Rejected?”

“Yes. Gwangwoon rejected all our meeting proposals.”

Tony Huang grabbed his throbbing head.

Amvidia, boasting a $60 billion market cap, humbled their pride and extended their hand to meet directly.

But the returning answer was rejection.

What could this mean?

“Seems like they’ll really go all the way?”

Gwangwoon is really thinking of crushing TSNC with this opportunity.

But do they think that’s truly possible?

Even if TSNC collapses like that, do they believe Kangsung can handle all that overflowing demand?

“But TSNC is clearly in danger now.”

“What’s the Taiwan government doing? TSNC is a very important company to Taiwan too. Isn’t it a national industry?”

“Until the last administration, yes. The problem is they got off on the wrong foot from the start with the current Taiwan administration. The current administration strongly denies One China. But TSNC, supposedly the nation’s representative company, joined hands with the Dragon Sea Alliance and contributed to killing Taiwan shipping.”

Dragon Sea Alliance.

These bastards were the problem from the start.

Chinese conglomerates joining hands to suppress Gwangwoon Shipping, which was growing exponentially, was fine, but they got too greedy.

They tried to take Tianjin Port and gradually sink Gwangwoon Shipping.

Whether there were Chinese high officials mixed behind Gwangwoon, this turned into a political fight and Tianjin Port flew away, and all related personnel were dragged somewhere with unknown life or death.

“The Dragon Sea Alliance disbanding is probably fine. But shouldn’t they clean up afterward? What do we do if they start business then don’t care? Plus why did TSNC bastards join hands with such people.. Tsk.”

That was why the current Taiwan government didn’t view TSNC favorably.

Because TSNC joined hands with the Dragon Sea Alliance deeply related to the Chinese government and contributed to destroying even the remaining shipping companies in Taiwan.

And that snowball rolled here.

“They dug their own grave.”

But it’s troublesome if they actually enter that grave.

Making and sending semiconductors is possible, but with almost no raw material imports, making semiconductors itself is impossible.

Then the current administration should step forward to help, but they’re rather having a pride fight.

Truly frustrating.

“Can’t help it. Even if costs are high, we must send ships through Rusk.”

Now can’t let this go even from spite.

Seems like Kangsung is trying to dominate the foundry market by joining hands with Gwangwoon, but he had no intention of just watching this.

Plus Tony Huang hasn’t had good feelings toward Korea since before, so TSNC could dominate the market rather than Kangsung becoming a monopoly.

“Eventually as time passes, it’s a fight we win.”

Right now Gwangwoon may dominate shipping.

But eventually even that will naturally have pie taken away as time passes.

Especially with Rusk eyeing opportunities to take Gwangwoon’s pie. They also heard about this conflict and separately proposed contracts to Amvidia and TSNC. In other words, the longer time passes, the more advantageous it becomes, not for Kangsung’s side.

“Once this situation calms down, I’ll cut off all remaining contracts with Kangsung too. Look for other companies meanwhile. So we can switch immediately.”

Arrogant bastards.

But being able to act high-handedly like that won’t last much longer.

If ships are sent through Rusk and semiconductor production speed increases, normalization will happen quickly.

“Try begging to meet when that time comes. Let’s see if I meet you.”

Isn’t there such a saying?

Repay kindness twice over.

Repay revenge 10 times over!

***

Semiconductor and graphics companies’ stock prices that rose loftily with the Bitcoin craze.

But stock prices that seemed to fly to Mars suddenly started fluctuating.

It wasn’t the usual adjustment time.

“Now everyone who needs to know has found out. That TSNC can’t produce, so graphics cards aren’t coming out newly.”

News that was spreading only among industry people was now transmitted to everyone.

As news spread that new product launch schedules were disrupted and furthermore existing products also couldn’t be produced anymore, stock prices were falling.

“Since the stock price is falling too scarily, Tony Huang personally came out to explain. That they’re already cooperating with Rusk Shipping to supply raw materials to TSNC, and will produce semiconductor chips soon to normalize things.”

Tony Huang also seems to be grinding his teeth firmly.

Not bluffing, he was actually cooperating with Rusk to send all raw materials that couldn’t reach TSNC.

“Tony Huang quite caustically mentioned and criticized Kangsung and our Gwangwoon, saying it’s ungentlemanly. The funny thing is thanks to that becoming a topic, Kangsung Electronics’ stock price rose 15% today.”

Tony Huang strongly criticized us two companies.

But there was nothing particularly damaging to us.

Rather Kangsung was benefiting.

“What about other places?”

“Like Amvidia, all other places are also getting smashed. Because Tony Huang came out and stated his position, they’re getting more smashed. Because TSNC said they’ll receive raw materials and produce Amvidia semiconductors first. Then other places can’t know when completion will be.”

As a result, AMC’s $2 barrier, which had high dependency on TSNC like Amvidia, collapsed.

“At this rate, there’s high possibility they can’t defend even the $1 line. The problem is if it gets more serious from here, panic selling continues, and then the exchange might stop trading then proceed with forced delisting.”

That would be troublesome.

No matter how cheaply we target the company, if delisting happens, there are far more disadvantages.

“Since the stock price keeps falling, the Saudi side contacted us saying they’ll sell all shares below $1. Other institutions also seem to want to throw it away as soon as possible.”

AMC is a company with deep history.

But right now, acquiring that company’s management rights would probably only cost hundreds of billions of won. The company was financially ruined to that degree.

“There’s also debt tied to this company, and looking at potential future, it’s too lacking compared to Amvidia. Even though the CEO there is capable and innovative, that could actually work as a risk.”

“Are you saying Manager thinks not acquiring AMC would be better?”

“Yes. Looking at data, that’s right. But how dare I second-guess the president’s investment? I’m just stating the indicators.”

I also have eyes, so even if AMC’s price is cheap now, I knew entering there was suicidal.

Not simply an acquisition problem, but because the investment amount after acquisition is unpredictable.

Nevertheless, my intuition was strongly insisting on AMC, not Amvidia.

Also, every time I looked at CEO Lisa Su managing AMC’s profile photo, tremendous aura burst out from behind her.

‘How can I not invest with this?’

So despite employees’ concerns, I decided to invest following my intuition.

“What about the next agenda items?”

“Yes. Since our exchange is doing so well, they say additional server expansion is needed. We thought the investment sentiment would shrink with this financial regulation, but rather even more people are flocking.”

Bitcoin’s growth momentum is scary.

After the Korean government slapped on financial regulations and the kimchi premium dropped, it seemed to rebound as if nothing happened and was trying to break through the high point.

“…”

I examined materials sent from KW Exchange thoroughly.

Server expansion, workforce expansion, new system introduction, UI convenience patches, etc.

All were necessary work.

While examining agenda items like that.

“..?”

One place caught my eye.

[Introduction and Update of New Security System]

At first it was full of red color, then not long after, a form like devil horns sprouting above it was created.

I was startled and quickly opened the next page to examine that content.

“…”

The content was quite complex and long.

“You probably don’t need to worry much about that agenda. Seems they did it preventively, but rebuilding the security system is more costly and complex than expected.”

Being a layman in this area, I didn’t properly understand what the report was saying.

“Push everything else back, and do this security update first as top priority.”

“What? Ah.. Yes.”

But I definitely know something security update is needed.

If such an eerie form appears to this degree.

***

Amvidia’s counterattack is fierce.

Indeed is this the dinosaur dominating the graphics market?

Even Chairman Kang Seong-ho gradually felt thoughts like whether they’re wasting money and time.

Especially Rusk, second in world shipping rankings, joining was reviving TSNC.

At this rate, it feels like neither porridge nor rice will work.

But did they say heaven helps our country, long live our nation?

“How’s the damage situation? Is there a problem on our side too?”

“Fortunately Kangsung has no problems. This ransomware attack is intensively hitting Europe. Our side also had a few employee computers hit. But not to the degree of disrupting work.”

Last night.

A large-scale cyber attack occurred targeting a whopping 3 million computers in over 150 countries.

The so-called WannaCry ransomware.

Once infected by this ransomware, you can’t access computer files, and unless you send Bitcoin worth $1,000 to the hacker, you can’t unlock it. Because of that, companies infected with WannaCry ransomware were hit in succession, with company confidential files currently leaked or the system unable to operate at all causing computer paralysis.

“UK, Spain, Germany, Russia, China, Denmark, etc. Damage cases keep coming out from various countries, and also hackers downloading files scattered on the internet and spreading them elsewhere are gradually increasing, so damage keeps growing.”

“Tell all employees to be careful. Check files two or three times carefully.”

“Yes. We currently have an emergency notice down. But Chairman, interesting rumors are circulating now.”

A massive cyber terror.

What could be interesting in this situation?

“Currently the UK and Denmark sides were hit hardest, and especially there’s a place where all work itself stopped because everything got infected by ransomware.”

“Where is that?”

“Rusk.”

“Wait. Rusk? The Rusk I know?”

“Yes. That Rusk trying to push out Kangsung and Gwangwoon by joining hands with Amvidia. Their system is completely paralyzed now so they can’t transport at all.”

“!?”

Such luck exists.

Rusk was already a problem, but unknown hackers ended up helping Kangsung.

“But Chairman, isn’t the timing quite exquisite? That large-scale cyber terror happened at this important timing when Rusk was trying to help TSNC with a shipping operation.”

“What are you trying to say now?”

“Due to recent events, all graphics and semiconductor-related stocks’ prices plummeted. Targeting exactly that timing, Gwangwoon massively bought AMC stock.”

“AMC? Isn’t that the place with talk of delisting?”

“Yes. But they still secured management rights there.”

Kangsung didn’t plan this to oppose Amvidia.

After smashing TSNC, they tried to attract places that mainly dealt with them as customers.

So it was already uncomfortable that relations with Amvidia broke, but Gwangwoon acquired AMC, that competitor.

“Gwangwoon even opened a Bitcoin exchange under President Jeong Jin-ho’s command, didn’t they? Thanks to that, the Bitcoin craze blew strongly in our country too.”

The one who played a part in that trend by opening a large Bitcoin exchange that was difficult for Korean people to access until now was Jeong Jin-ho.

“So the semiconductor and graphics card market met great prosperity. Because of that, our Kangsung also needs to make a new semiconductor factory now.”

Building a new semiconductor factory was also this government’s will.

Designating Giheung and Hwaseong as an industrial belt to create an industrial complex there.

For that reason, Dongtan was selected as a new city this time and entered large-scale development.

“But do you know who owns the lands we marked?”

“Don’t tell me..”

“As you expect, it’s President Jeong Jin-ho. I heard he bought all those key sites from early last year.”

“Huh.”

How on earth did he know and buy those lands in advance?

Even Chairman Kang Seong-ho just learned about the industrial belt matter recently while discussing with the government.

“What will he do with that land?”

“Until before, we thought he purchased land for other purposes, but seeing this AMC acquisition, I’m certain. Probably President Jeong Jin-ho plans to form an alliance with our Kangsung to receive technical and labor support to reorganize the graphics market with AMC. If factories are built on those sites, they can easily receive our Kangsung’s help.”

If Jeong Jin-ho invests a ton of money into AMC and says he’ll become Kangsung’s customer, Chairman Kang Seong-ho had no reason not to help.

Because the two companies’ competing fields don’t overlap anyway.

Moreover, if he even bought land in advance to that degree, he must have planned quite long ago.

“This ransomware incident and the AMC acquisition too. When first blocking sea routes to dry up TSNC, we just thought he was trying to help Kangsung.. But actually President Jeong Jin-ho’s goal was separate.”

Only then did Chairman Kang Seong-ho also have the puzzle pieces fit together in his head.

What Jeong Jin-ho was targeting wasn’t TSNC.

That’s just small fry to lightly step on in passing.

The real target to take the head was in America.

“He was targeting Amvidia from the start!”