The Genius Grandson Of The Cash King Becomes A Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 131

The golden sand glittered in the afternoon sun.

Jeong-hun stood with Lee Su-hong, the president of Shinhwa Construction, overlooking the Geum River.

The sparkling waves were beautiful.

He envisioned developing this place into something equally beautiful.

“It’s too beautiful to develop, Chairman,” Lee Su-hong commented.

“Then we should develop it beautifully,” Jeong-hun replied.

“It will cost a lot of money.”

“I don’t care how much money it takes. Have you seen the movie ‘Bugsy’?”

“Are you referring to the story of Bugsy Siegel, who created Las Vegas?”

Jeong-hun nodded.

Lee Su-hong studied Jeong-hun, the setting sun casting a warm glow on his face.

He sensed the young man’s ambition, no, his grand ambition [daemang, a Korean term for great aspiration], radiating from his flushed cheeks.

The sheer scale of the dream, unimaginable to most, overwhelmed Lee Su-hong.

‘How did he envision such a thing here? Is he laying the foundation for an empire?’ he wondered, truly in awe.

He felt a strong desire to contribute to the construction of this empire.

“Chairman, I have a request.”

Jeong-hun turned his gaze to him.

“I would like to invite world-renowned architects. I want to help create a dream city.”

His heart pounded with excitement.

A man building his empire in the 21st century.

Who else on Earth was doing that right now?

Lee Su-hong felt the same way.

He was betting his life on this venture.

He might not be Jeong Do-jeon [a prominent figure in Korean history who helped establish the Joseon dynasty’s capital, Hanyang, now Seoul], but he wanted to etch the name of Lee Su-hong, president of Shinhwa Construction, onto this massive civil engineering project.

A sudden wave of anxiety washed over him.

What if the administrative complex city wasn’t built?

What if the government offices that were supposed to occupy this empty space didn’t move in?

He looked at the chairman with a worried expression.

“Don’t worry. If all the plans fall through, Shinhwa Group can move in.”

Ulsan Metropolitan City was known overseas as Yeongsan City, not Ulsan.

This was due to the numerous Yeongsan Group affiliates located there.

If all of Shinhwa’s companies were relocated here, there wouldn’t be a problem.

It was an unnecessary worry.

“By the way, how are the Dongdaemun R&D Center and Pangyo Techno Valley projects progressing?”

He was curious about the projects Shinhwa Construction was currently undertaking.

“Both are nearing completion. The Techno Valley has also completed its sales, and each company has begun constructing its office buildings.”

“That’s faster than I anticipated. What about the Shinhwa Group headquarters?”

“All groups will be able to move in next year.”

Jeong-hun nodded.

“Finish it well until the end.”

“Yes, sir.”

Jeong-hun shared a meal of famous spicy fish stew noodles with Lee Su-hong at a nearby restaurant before they parted ways.

Driving back to Seoul, he scanned the newspaper for updates on the Dragon Motors sale plan.

Dragon Motors was the only SUV-specialized automobile company in Korea.

It had been acquired by Sunjae Group, but was now being put back on the market due to the group’s dismantling.

It was an attractive company, but everyone hesitated because of its astronomical debt and powerful labor union.

These two significant hurdles gave Jeong-hun a headache.

‘I must have it… Once it catches the afterglow of Musk and Apple, it will take off…’ he thought.

It was currently operating at a loss, but he was confident he could turn it into a highly profitable venture.

Merging Dragon Motors with Tesla in the United States was also a viable option.

He didn’t need to ponder this alone.

Jobs would be arriving in Korea soon.

He also called Musk and invited him to Korea.

***

Apple’s R&D center had been developed under strict secrecy.

Everyone was curious about the massive circular building under construction in Dongdaemun, but its owner remained a mystery.

Rumors circulated that it belonged to a Shinhwa Group affiliate.

The completion ceremony finally commenced.

A large number of reporters, brimming with curiosity, attended the event.

Jeong-hun had also invited foreign journalists.

Then, Jobs walked onto the empty stage.

“Oh, it’s Jobs.”

“Is that Apple’s Jobs?”

The situation was perplexing.

“Today, we are opening Apple’s R&D Center in Dongdaemun. To commemorate this occasion, we are releasing the iPod Limited Edition.”

The reporters were stunned by his sudden appearance and the announcement of a new product.

They quickly regained their composure and began flashing their cameras.

After a while, he delivered a flawless presentation to the reporters from around the world.

Next, Jeong-hun took the stage.

His handsome features, tall stature, and perfectly tailored suit made him shine under the spotlight.

“Technology will dominate the future… The world’s best technology will be developed here. Now, this place will be the future of Apple and Shinhwa.”

A thunderous applause erupted.

Following the new product announcement and center introduction, a simple banquet began.

Jeong-hun asked Jobs.

“Do you like it? Was it built as you imagined?”

“Of course. Everything in my head has come to life. Thank you, Mr. Yoon.”

Jobs was visibly excited.

“That’s good. How are the iPod sales doing?”

“Unbelievable. I couldn’t have achieved this success without you, Mr. Yoon.”

He was already aware of the iPod’s success.

He had invested heavily in marketing to maximize its impact.

As a result, it was twice as successful as it had been in the original timeline.

“The employees worked hard.”

“I think we can sell 100 million units this year as a baseline. The 4.5th generation released this time is also performing well.”

“Please send only 200,000 units to Korea. I would like to give them as gifts to Shinhwa Group employees.”

“Yes. I will prepare the latest model.”

Jeong-hun, after quenching his thirst with champagne, posed a question to Jobs.

“What are your thoughts on car companies?”

After a moment of consideration, Jobs responded with a question of his own.

“…Are you talking about self-driving cars?”

“As expected, you immediately understood what I was thinking. Apple is also preparing for this, right?”

“Yes. A secret project is underway.”

“I’m thinking of acquiring a car company this time. Would you like to take on the challenge of developing the next-generation self-driving car?”

“There’s no reason not to. If we have a car company, we can test our technology quickly, which is a great advantage. Of course, mass production would also be easier.”

“Then please spearhead the project at Apple. Isn’t your software expertise the best in the world?”

Jobs smiled pleasantly at Jeong-hun’s compliment.

“I will do my best.”

Just then, Musk shouted at Jeong-hun from a distance.

“Hi, Mr. Yoon. How have you been?”

His voice was cheerful.

“Yes, is business going well?”

“Of course. You’ll be surprised when you find out what we’re developing.”

“Isn’t it a self-driving electric car?”

Jobs, who was standing next to him, said nonchalantly.

“Oh? How did you know?”

“The rumors are already widespread in Silicon Valley.”

“It’s an honor that Jobs is paying attention… I’m Musk.”

“I’m Jobs. You’re more normal than I expected.”

The two geniuses shook hands in front of Jeong-hun.

A clash of titans.

They could become friends, but not yet.

A hierarchy needed to be established.

The younger person always makes the first move.

“We are already so far ahead that Apple can’t catch up.”

Jobs looked at him and smiled slyly.

“What you’ve created in the lab isn’t a car. It’s just a toy. We’re going to acquire a finished car company soon.”

“What?”

Musk was startled.

He thought he was ahead, but…

Owning a finished car company was a completely different ballgame.

With a finished car company, you could accelerate mass production significantly.

“But we have a lot of geniuses. When Apple fights with money, we will fight with technology.”

“Hmph, our technology will be overwhelming too.”

Jobs sneered at him.

Musk’s face began to flush red.

It was time to put an end to this.

The collaboration between the two was crucial.

“Now, stop it and cooperate with each other.”

“Cooperation?”

“I’m asking as the owner of Apple and a major shareholder of Tesla.”

Jobs and Musk were taken aback.

“When did you acquire Apple?”

“When did you invest in Tesla?”

The two questioned Jeong-hun with disbelief.

“Well, when the price was right.”

There was nothing more to say. And it was the truth.

It’s always best to buy low.

“I hope that Tesla and Apple will collaborate to create a great self-driving electric car in the future. What do you think?”

“There’s no reason to refuse.”

Tesla, with its strengths in electric vehicles and self-driving technology.

Apple, with its unparalleled software technology and user experience.

And Dragon Motors, which manufactures robust cars.

It was the moment when the triangular alliance of Tesla, Apple, and Dragon Motors, which Jeong-hun would soon control, was formed.

After the completion ceremony concluded successfully, Jobs called after returning to the United States.

“Did you receive it well? How are the design and performance?”

“It’s the best.”

The 200,000 iPod Limited Editions received from Apple a few days ago would be distributed to employees today.

Jeong-hun first summoned all the employees of the computer room to his office.

“Boss, what’s going on?” Cha Young-mi asked.

“It’s a gift.”

“Huh, is that the limited edition that came out this time?”

Natural joy was evident on Cheon Jin-hyeok’s face for some reason.

It was clear that he had been practicing a lot.

“Yes, that’s right. There’s also an autograph on the box. Keep it as a family heirloom.”

“Thank you, Boss.”

“Thank you, Boss.”

“Everyone looks happy.”

“Well, it’s not perfect, but it’s still a little comforting that the boss broke Cheon Seong-han’s knees,” Cha Young-mi said regretfully.

“I will make sure to get revenge when the opportunity arises.”

“Yes, Boss. I’ll be waiting.”

Cha Young-mi’s eyes were filled with anger, as if she wanted to tear Cheon Seong-han apart and kill him.

“Well, I gave you a gift today, so shall we have a company dinner for the first time in a while?”

“No. I have a prior engagement tonight.”

“I’m not feeling well today either…”

“Okay.”

‘Ha, the chairman of a large conglomerate, the boss, is asking to have a company dinner…’ he thought.

He should have refrained from suddenly proposing a company dinner.

He just looked like a *kkondae* [a Korean term for an older person who is condescending or acts superior].

Jeong-hun realized.

It wasn’t age, but the position that made people *kkondae*.

Jeong-hun took an iPod and went down to the first floor.

He went to Ji Hyun-bok in the management office.

“Chairman, what brings you here?”

“I got something good. It’s a gift.”

“What is it?”

“Use it when you listen to music. You like music.”

“Yes?”

‘How did he know my hobby? Maybe… Is his taste that way? This is embarrassing,’ Ji Hyun-bok thought.

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Ji Hyun-bok was flustered by the unexpected gift.

Jeong-hun knew that he loved music.

He had seen the expensive speakers in his house when he visited before his regression.

“It’s nothing. But how long are you going to stay here? Is it because of Cha Young-mi?”

“There are many things to resolve with each other. She’s still uncomfortable.”

Ji Hyun-bok belonged to the computer room, but he continued to refuse the personnel order.

Suddenly, the door opened and Cha Young-mi walked in.

She looked surprised by Jeong-hun’s unexpected appearance.

“Boss.”

“What’s going on?”

“Oh, I have something to say to Ji Hyun-bok.”

“Then, I’ll leave you alone so you can talk.”

“No. I just have to say one thing. I’m higher in rank than Ji Hyun-bok, right?”

“Yes.”

Jeong-hun nodded as if it were obvious.

“Then, Ji Hyun-bok, come to the computer room to work starting tomorrow. Don’t forget to come the earliest in the morning and clean because you’re the youngest.”

“Yes?”

Ji Hyun-bok’s eyes widened.

“What? The youngest, how dare you not understand what the team leader is saying? Should I say it again?”

“Ah, no.”

“What did you say to do tomorrow morning?”

“Clean… you said.”

“Cleaning is?”

“Cleanly!”

Cha Young-mi had caught the legendary Black Agent like a rat.

As expected, position changes a person.

Even the legend had become *sunhaejyeotda* [docile or obedient] as he became the youngest.

Maybe Ji Hyun-bok had figured out Cha Young-mi’s personality?

Was that why he had been avoiding her?

Questions lingered in Jeong-hun’s mind.

***

There was something that needed to be resolved before acquiring Dragon Motors.

A prerequisite for the acquisition.

There was no point in acquiring Dragon Motors without this person.

Jeong-hun traveled to Germany to meet him.

He disembarked at Hanover Airport and drove 70km east.

He arrived in Wolfsburg, Germany’s number one automobile city, which attracts 2 million visitors annually.

Autostadt [German for “Car City”].

Ultra-modern buildings were scattered throughout, creating a contemporary atmosphere.

An automobile theme park established by the world’s largest automobile company.

People purchased cars here and picked them up directly.

You could also tour the car factory.

Jeong-hun visited the Car Towers, glass car towers that were a highlight of Autostadt.

400 cars awaited their owners in the 48m-high towers.

Customers watched their cars arrive from the factory.

It was a novel and enjoyable experience for them.

Admiration came naturally.

Jeong-hun also vowed to build a similar center in Korea someday.

He glanced at his watch.

There was still plenty of time before his appointment, but Jeong-hun decided to go and wait.

After settling into a seat at the cafe, he took a sip of the coffee in front of him.

He reminisced about the achievements he had made before his regression.

The cars that had passed through his hands at Ahyeon Motors, which was acquired by Youngsan Motors, were released.

As sales soared, the stock price jumped tenfold.

A genius had revived a failing company.

Since then, Ahyeon Motors had sparked a design craze and was evolving into a global automobile company.

It had also swept awards at various design competitions.

-Ting.

The door of the quiet cafe opened.

A tall German with blue eyes blinked and scanned the room.

Peter Glayder, Chief Designer of Volkswagen Audi.

He entered the cafe.

Jeong-hun was determined to bring him to Korea by any means necessary, whether it required *samgoryeochyeo* [a Korean idiom referring to repeated efforts to persuade someone] or even kidnapping.