The Conglomerate Family Became A Villain [EN]: Chapter 242

242. Beyond the Cold War (5)

If the first problem was solved with Nintendo’s console game, how would the second problem be solved?

Robert was curious about Jung Hyun-woo’s answer.

“I understand that the first problem can be solved. But the second problem won’t be easy.”

If the second problem couldn’t be solved, the U.S. government might only get what it wanted and not get what this side wanted.

“I think we should meet with the CIA.”

“Now, you mean?”

Jung Hyun-woo nodded.

“Isn’t the CIA in Washington too?”

To be precise, the CIA wasn’t in Washington, but in Virginia, which was close to Washington.

Of course, people didn’t pinpoint the exact location of the CIA.

“We can get there in an hour. But is it okay to visit without an appointment? I can’t guarantee that the person in charge will be there.”

Jung Hyun-woo gestured to Luna that he needed a Motorola cell phone and answered Robert’s question.

“Since we’ve come all the way to Washington, I think it’s good to meet if we can.”

He decided to try to meet them first, rather than going back to Boston and making another appointment.

‘If it doesn’t work, I can give up then.’

It wasn’t a particularly risky choice.

“Here, here’s the phone.”

Robert frowned as Jung Hyun-woo handed him the cell phone.

“Am I the one calling?”

“Wasn’t collaboration with the CIA the CTO’s job?”

Jung Hyun-woo was right.

Collaboration with the CIA was the CTO’s role.

‘Ha… It’s my fault for thinking it was a simple business trip.’

Robert took the cell phone with a long sigh.

Two hours later.

Jung Hyun-woo and Robert were able to visit the CIA headquarters.

“Charlie, Robert, welcome.”

The person smiling brightly, mentioning the two people’s first names rather than their last names, was Tabo Dew, the director of the CIA’s Directorate of Science and Technology.

“I’m sorry for calling you so suddenly.”

Director Tabo Dew laughed at Robert’s apology.

“Hahaha, it’s okay. Aren’t we brothers?”

Director Tabo Dew was a cheerful-looking middle-aged man with a half-bald head.

“I’d appreciate it if you thought so.”

Jung Hyun-woo had several meetings with him in the early days of cooperation with the CIA.

‘He seems bright and kind, but he’s a thorough person who keeps the line perfectly.’

You couldn’t get to a key position in the CIA with just positive energy.

“Let’s go inside.”

Jung Hyun-woo entered the CIA headquarters building with his entourage.

The CIA headquarters building was larger than Yankee Stadium in size, so it took a long time to get to the Science and Technology Bureau conference room.

Squeak.

Director Tabo Dew opened the wide door wide.

“Let’s go in.”

Inside, the core staff of the Science and Technology Bureau were seated.

Director Tabo Dew and his staff had thoroughly prepared for this matter during the two hours that Jung Hyun-woo was coming here.

‘As expected, Tabo Dew. I can’t let my guard down.’

He, Robert, Luna, and the entourage sat side by side.

However, the bodyguards did not enter and stood outside the door.

The first to speak was Director Tabo Dew.

“We are well aware of the problems Victoria Corporation is experiencing.”

Since they had advised the State Department first, they couldn’t not know about this issue.

“Then the story will be quick.”

It was Jung Hyun-woo who represented Victoria Corporation.

“Charlie, it’s difficult to approach this emotionally.”

Jung Hyun-woo responded to his words in the softest tone possible.

“If I had approached it emotionally, I wouldn’t have come here like this.”

Director Tabo Dew thought it was a lie.

‘Are you saying that you didn’t visit to protest after hearing from the State Department that we had expressed our opposition?’

He and his staff saw this visit as a protest visit.

“Not emotional… Then you want advice?”

Jung Hyun-woo shook his head and replied.

“Rather than advice, I wanted to know the CIA’s concerns clearly.”

Director Tabo Dew nodded twice at his answer.

“You mean you need to know the problem accurately to come up with a solution.”

Jung Hyun-woo acknowledged him, and he also acknowledged Jung Hyun-woo.

‘Charlie Jung is not just a computer genius.’

The ability to manage a company and the decisiveness he showed when negotiating with a large bank like JP Morgan were enough to be called a leader.

“Okay. Then Henry, let him tell you the problem.”

Director Tabo Dew passed the baton to his staff.

“I understand.”

The person named Henry, who received the baton, was an engineer who had been with the CIA for a long time. He said in a low voice.

“Mr. Jung, the biggest problem we are worried about is that if we trade software with the Soviet Union, they will be able to access Victoria Corporation’s network system.”

If Victoria Corporation’s network system was hacked, the U.S. financial system could be paralyzed at once.

“If the biggest problem is network system access, what is the next problem?”

Rather than talking about countermeasures right away, Jung Hyun-woo asked about the second problem.

Director Tabo Dew listened to his question and thought that he might have really visited the CIA to find out the problem.

‘Maybe he’s trying to solve the problems we mentioned so that there’s no backlash.’

If Jung Hyun-woo’s intention was really that, he had to mention as many problems as possible at this meeting.

“The second problem is manpower.”

“Manpower?”

“If one of the engineers trading with the Soviet Union is co-opted [bribed or persuaded to work against their own interests] by the Soviet Union, it could cause a serious problem.”

Jung Hyun-woo had also thought about this problem.

“You mean the company can’t prevent individual deviations, so you’re going to block the problem in advance?”

Henry nodded his head greatly.

“That’s right.”

Until this point, Director Tabo Dew was only listening. Of course, the same was true of Victoria Corporation’s staff, including Robert.

“What’s next?”

Jung Hyun-woo wanted to know everything the CIA was worried about.

“The next thing to consider is the increase in friendliness to hostile countries due to content imports.”

“Increase in friendliness to hostile countries?”

“That’s right. If the content imported from the Soviet Union is successful, public vigilance against the Soviet Union may be reduced.”

If the view of guarding against the Soviet Union disappeared, the State Department and the CIA, which were using huge budgets to block the Soviet Union, might be out of favor.

“Wasn’t the relationship with the Soviet Union improving since Secretary General Gorbachev took office?”

Director Tabo Dew intervened in Jung Hyun-woo’s question.

“The CIA believes that improving relations with the Soviet Union is one of the two-pronged tactics.”

It meant that the communist bloc’s gestures of reconciliation could not be trusted.

Jung Hyun-woo thought as he listened to his answer.

‘The Cold War is the Cold War.’

He knew that the Cold War would end in a few years, but no one would believe his story now.

“We will not import content that could reduce vigilance or increase friendliness toward the Soviet Union.”

This time, Director Tabo Dew asked.

“How can you guarantee that?”

Jung Hyun-woo answered his question.

“It’s just about acquiring the legitimate rights to the game that Americans are already enjoying.”

Director Tabo Dew narrowed his brow.

“You mean it’s already been imported?”

When he raised his voice, one of his staff approached him and whispered in his ear.

“Director, the game Tetris that Victoria Corporation wants to import has already been brought into the country through illegal copies.”

Before Director Tabo Dew could say anything, Jung Hyun-woo replied.

“Tetris is a game that many people are already enjoying. This game may have been installed on the CIA’s computers as well.”

Director Tabo Dew shook his head from side to side.

“Charlie, the Soviet game is installed in the CIA? You’re joking too much.”

The CIA was at the forefront of the anti-Soviet front during the Cold War. He could not accept the statement that a Soviet game might have been installed on the CIA’s computer.

“Please don’t get angry. This side is talking about possibilities.”

Director Tabo Dew coughed lightly.

“Hmm, hmm. I understand.”

He was thinking of Jung Hyun-woo not as the No. 1 rich man in the United States, but as an ally or friend of the CIA.

“Anyway, that game is already in the United States, and it has not had the effect of reducing vigilance or creating a friendly atmosphere toward the Soviet Union. That’s my conclusion.”

Director Tabo Dew thought he couldn’t raise his voice over just one game called Tetris. But he didn’t just cover up this problem and move on.

“Charlie, then you’ll have to promise this.”

“What promise?”

“Victoria Corporation will not import any other content.”

Jung Hyun-woo received his words in a bright voice.

“Of course, I can promise. Victoria Corporation will not import any content from the Soviet Union. I’ll make you one more promise here. Victoria Corporation will not import any data from the Soviet Union. That means floppy disks, magnetic tapes, hard drives, and even paper documents.”

Director Tabo Dew raised his eyebrows at his unconventional offer.

“Does the statement that you will not import anything mean the official import route?”

Jung Hyun-woo put both hands on the table and replied.

“No. Victoria Corporation will not bring anything from the Soviet Union to the United States. This means everything, including contracts.”

Victoria Corporation will not bring anything from the Soviet Union.

Director Tabo Dew sighed deeply at the answer he had never thought of.

“Hoo… Charlie, then what can Victoria Corporation get from the Soviet Union?”

Jung Hyun-woo said in a clear voice.

“What we want is the right to produce a regular version of the game being played in the United States.”

Software is not needed.

All you have to do is bring the right to make it.

He was answering like this.

Director Tabo Dew was an engineer, so he could accurately understand the gist of what he said.

‘If it’s just a rights contract, there will be no movement or contact of engineers, and no import of any goods, so the second problem will not occur, and there will be no need to worry about network system hacking for the same reason.’

He straightened his narrowed brow and said.

“Hmm, if that’s the deal, there’s definitely no problem with security.”

Jung Hyun-woo asked him.

“Are you allowing it?”

Director Tabo Dew did not give him a definite answer.

“Charlie, I can’t talk about whether or not to allow it at this meeting.”

Jung Hyun-woo nodded as if he understood.

“There will be more meetings and research on this issue.”

“That’s right.”

“But I hope you don’t take too long. I hope it’s not later than Coca-Cola.”

Director Tabo Dew raised his shoulders and asked.

“Charlie, isn’t Coca-Cola a company that exports?”

Contrary to Coca-Cola, Jung Hyun-woo and Victoria Corporation wanted to import Soviet content.

Jung Hyun-woo answered his question.

“Tabo, we’re going to export too.”

Director Tabo Dew’s brow furrowed again.

“Didn’t you say a little while ago that Victoria Corporation would not have any engineer transactions?”

“That’s because we’re not exporting what we made.”

“Um, that means…”

Jung Hyun-woo cut off his words and said.

“We will export NES [Nintendo Entertainment System] made by Nintendo of Japan to the Soviet Union.”

Director Tabo Dew couldn’t help but pause when he heard that he was exporting Nintendo.

“You’re exporting console game consoles to the Soviet Union?”

He thought that exporting console game consoles itself was not a very attractive business.

‘What does that mean?’

Jung Hyun-woo smiled and replied.

“Even if Soviet adults don’t know, children won’t be able to escape Nintendo’s temptation. Tabo knows very well what will happen if children get hooked on computer games, right?”

Targeting teenagers, not adults.

In other words, it was about targeting the future of hostile countries.

This was also a tactic often used by the CIA.

Director Tabo Dew predicted that if Soviet children were addicted to games with Nintendo, the Soviet Union’s competitiveness could be weakened.

“Um, that sounds good.”

He nodded and thought.

‘If teenagers get addicted to computer games and stay away from their studies, the future of the Soviet Union will be bleak.’

In an instant, Director Tabo Dew envisioned a plan to actively support Victoria Corporation, going beyond allowing the export of Nintendo’s NES.

* * *

On the way back to Boston.

Robert asked Jung Hyun-woo.

“Charlie, how did you come up with that idea?”

Jung Hyun-woo turned his head and asked.

“What idea are you talking about?”

“The idea of destroying the future of the Soviet Union with games.”

Jung Hyun-woo looked around and replied.

“I don’t think I can destroy the future of the Soviet Union with games.”

Robert’s eyes widened at his answer.

“Yes? Then are you saying you lied to Director Tabo Dew?”

“I don’t think I lied.”

“Then what you said a little while ago was…”

Robert was confused.

Jung Hyun-woo knew what he was confused about.

“Robert, I just 맞춰 준 것뿐입니다 [matched my words to his expectations].”

He 맞춰 준 것뿐입니다 [He matched my words to his expectations].

Robert took a step and sighed deeply.

“Hoo… I don’t understand it well.”

Jung Hyun-woo added as if to explain.

“I don’t think computer games ruin teenagers. I also thought about becoming a programmer while playing games. But people like CIA Director Tabo Dew think differently. They regard games as a light drug or cigarette.”

He was serious about actively spreading console games to the Soviet Union, but he didn’t think it could ruin the future of the Soviet Union.

Robert nodded after hearing Jung Hyun-woo’s words.

“Hmm, that’s definitely true after listening to Charlie’s words.”

He was a person who loved games, but to government officials like Director Tabo Dew, computer games were an evil that ruined children’s studies.

“It’s okay if our thoughts are different but the direction we’re going is the same.”

Jung Hyun-woo didn’t try to change the minds of people like Director Tabo Dew.

‘It’s not the age to change your mind.’

Computer games are not bad.

He thought it was much better to work hard to develop more fun games than to launch this campaign.

“Anyway, it seems like half of it has been solved with this.”

Jung Hyun-woo said with a faint smile.

“I think it’s not half but all solved.”

Robert frowned and raised his voice.

“Charlie, nothing has been confirmed yet, has it?”

He thought that the CIA might come to a different conclusion.

But Jung Hyun-woo’s thoughts were different.

“No. That won’t be the case. The CIA will push this plan forward.”

“Even by persuading the State Department?”

“Maybe so.”

Jung Hyun-woo thought that he wouldn’t have to persuade the State Department separately.

‘The State Department listens to the CIA well.’

Since the State Department was in charge of formulating and implementing foreign policy, it often did not object and allowed it when the CIA had information and strongly persuaded it.

“All we have to do is go back and plan what kind of games to export to the Soviet Union.”

Robert asked with half doubt.

“Then what will happen to Tetris?”

“We brought NES to solve Tetris.”

It meant that securing the Tetris copyright was a matter of course.

Jung Hyun-woo walked ahead and said.

“Of course, not everything is over. There is still the highest mountain to climb.”

The highest mountain to climb.

Robert followed him and asked.

“Charlie, is that mountain the White House?”

Jung Hyun-woo answered his question without turning his head.

“It’s the Soviet Communist Party.”

The Soviet Communist Party.

That’s right.

The person who owned the copyright to Tetris was the Soviet Communist Party. If they said they would not sell the copyright to Tetris, everything agreed upon today would be meaningless.