Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: The Palo Alto Proposition
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“Ha. Good grief, what could a kid that young possibly know….”
On the way to the airport.
My mind was completely consumed with thoughts of Prince Halman.
He was only fifteen years old.
And yet, his unusually strong interest in national defense meant he knew everything about Jaewoo and was interested in most of the weapons we produced.
“…”
That wasn’t the only bewildering part.
It was that young boy who had insisted on acquiring the K9 in the first place.
It was something I could never have imagined, so I couldn't even utter a word at the time.
-I hope we can continue to have a good relationship in the future.
His demeanor, so unlike that of a child, was downright chilling.
It was as if he already knew his own future.
His way of thinking felt entirely different from that of Western boys or the students in our country.
‘Is it because of the nature of the royal family?’
Perhaps.
It’s not well-known, but the power struggles within the Saudi royal family were said to be comparable to those of our Joseon Dynasty.
Since their lives are fundamentally different from those of ordinary people, it wouldn’t be strange if he had learned about the ways of the world at a young age.
*Ring!*
Just as my thoughts deepened, my phone rang.
A quick glance showed an unfamiliar number pattern.
I had called Ryan as soon as I landed at the airport yesterday; this was probably the call with the results of my request.
-Hey, Hyun-seung.
My guess was spot on.
Hearing his voice, still brimming with energy, I let out an involuntary chuckle.
[How did it go?]
[What’s so hard about finding someone? The man you mentioned, Eberhard, is listed as residing in Palo Alto, in western California.]
It was genuinely surprising.
I had only made the request two days ago.
Considering his profession had nothing to do with finding people, this was excessively fast.
With this, his considerable abilities could no longer be denied.
[But why are you looking for this Eberhard guy, anyway?]
[He might just be the man who changes the world.]
[…]
Ryan fell silent, clearly surprised.
Knowing my style of not joking around, it must have been a shock to him.
When he spoke again, his high energy had noticeably dropped.
[I don't know what it's about, but for you to say something like that, he must be no ordinary person. So, are you planning to go see him in person?]
[I’ll have to.]
[When are you coming?]
I mulled over his question for a moment.
Technically, there was no immediate reason for me to meet him right now.
Especially since the solid-state battery had yet to become a reality.
But as I considered postponing it, a source of anxiety surfaced.
History was constantly twisting.
I had no way of knowing how it might change again in the meantime.
‘The problem is, it would be a disaster if I lost him…’
I needed him for two reasons.
First, he was a man who already had the fundamental development direction of the electric vehicle market mapped out in his head.
And second, I had a desire to develop a truly high-output motor through him, because unfortunately, finding an engineer of his caliber in this era was not easy.
[I’ll head over there directly from here.]
The moment my thoughts reached that point, I made my decision.
[You’re flying straight to the US from Saudi Arabia?]
A flustered Ryan immediately pulled all the strings he could to arrange for my entry, and I decided to postpone my flight to Korea and stay a few more days at a hotel near the airport.
-Chairman, why the sudden change in schedule…
Secretary Kim sounded quite bewildered by my abrupt change of plans.
Then again, this was a first.
Moreover, since I hadn’t revealed a clear purpose, she must have been even more perplexed.
*Knock, knock!*
While I was on the phone with Secretary Kim, someone knocked on the hotel room door.
“Chairman, Crown Prince Hassad is here.”
What followed was the news of Hassad’s visit.
It seemed he had already heard the rumor that I had delayed my return to Korea.
[What brings you here?]
[I heard you’d be staying in Saudi Arabia for a few more days and came to see you. I was feeling uneasy about sending you off so hastily, so I was wondering if we could have dinner and continue our conversation.]
[…]
*******
[Is something troubling you?]
Hassad gently inquired, noticing me picking at my food with my fork.
My mind had been completely filled with thoughts of Eberhard.
Realizing my lapse, I managed an awkward smile. He smiled back warmly and continued.
[By the way, since you’ve already set foot in the Middle East, why not visit the UAE as well? It’s not as if Jaewoo has no ties there, and I thought it would be better than making a separate trip later.]
[A visit to the UAE is already scheduled for the end of the year. The final delivery date for the HVP is around then, so I thought it would be best to go then to check on its operational status.]
[I see. In that case, you should prepare yourself thoroughly.]
[Prepare myself?]
I tilted my head at his last remark.
A faint smile on his lips, he slowly set down the bread in his hand and looked me straight in the eye.
[Actually, Prince Mohammed has shown great interest in Jaewoo. Because of that, I have a feeling the UAE’s investment authority might make a formal investment proposal to Jaewoo Group soon. That’s what I mean.]
[…]
That was, in fact, a very real possibility.
The oil-rich nations of the Middle East were investing their overflowing oil money all over the world.
It would only be natural for a company with a high growth rate like Jaewoo to catch their eye and spark their interest.
Wait a minute, Saudi Arabia is an oil-rich nation too.
[So, what I’m saying is…]
Before my thought could finish, Hassad began to speak again.
Our eyes met, and with a meaningful expression, he said the exact words I had anticipated.
[How about giving us an opportunity to invest in Jaewoo as well?]
[…]
[As it happens, our Saudi Public Investment Fund, the PIF, has been looking for new investment opportunities recently.]
The PIF was one of the largest sovereign wealth funds in the world.
Its capital alone amounted to hundreds of billions of dollars.
Furthermore, given its nature as a sovereign wealth fund, it focused on long-term investments rather than short-term ones, so having it as an ally wouldn't be a bad thing.
[…]
But I couldn't make a decision right away.
It wasn't as if Jaewoo was facing any immediate financial pressure.
[Let’s discuss that matter over time.]
In the end, I deflected with a vague response.
Understanding my intention, a faint smile appeared on Hassad’s face, and he quickly changed the subject.
[Please don’t feel too pressured. I simply wanted to let you know that we could be of help if you find yourself short on funds while expanding your domain. By the way, I’m curious about your impression of Prince bin Halman, whom you met this afternoon.]
[…]
For a topic meant to lighten the mood, it was a heavy one.
And for me, who knew the future, it was a very disconcerting question.
Countless thoughts raced through my mind in an instant, and the conclusion I reached was to handle this issue vaguely as well.
[He seemed like a typical boy his age.]
[What do you mean…]
[Around that age, I was also very interested in things like tanks and self-propelled artillery. So much so that I had a mountain of plastic models at home.]
[…]
Hassad fell silent at my words.
Just as I began to wonder if I’d made a mistake, he let out a soft chuckle.
[Well, boys will be boys.]
*******
[Always doing things in a flash, aren't you?]
A few days later, Ryan was at the California airport to meet me.
My unscheduled visit had clearly made it difficult for him to adjust his own schedule, as his face was full of complaint, but he didn't seem entirely displeased.
[I’ll definitely buy you dinner.]
[You work me to the bone and think that’s all it takes to make it even?]
[If there's something else you need, just say it. How about I get you a new car while we’re at it?]
[Ooh!]
Ryan’s face instantly brightened as he took my bag.
From there, we headed to a modern mansion on the outskirts of Palo Alto.
According to Ryan's research, the blue-roofed house before us was Eberhard's home.
[What's the plan? We're here, but isn't it a bit much to just barge in unannounced? Besides, it’s the weekend, so his family will probably be home.]
Ryan said, his tone laced with worry.
To be honest, I wasn't thrilled about that part either.
But with no other connection to him, I had no other choice.
[Still, I have to meet him. You go first. A white man knocking on the door will likely arouse less suspicion than an Asian man like me.]
[Why are you suddenly making racist remarks? What does being Asian or white have to do with this situation?]
Ryan pouted as he retorted.
But upon considering the reality of the situation, he must have concluded it was the better option, as he walked ahead with a dejected look.
*Ding-dong!*
A response came just a few seconds later.
A young woman, who appeared to be his wife.
It was fortunate that Ryan had an elite air about him; as expected, the woman seemed quite startled by the visit from two strange men.
[Where are you from?]
[Ah, I’m…]
Ryan took out a business card and slid it through the crack in the door.
The woman, still looking tense, glanced back and forth between the card and Ryan for a long moment before suddenly flinging the door open.
[You don't mean you're *the* Ryan from Ryan Arthur Company? Ah! Now that I look, you seem familiar.]
[Huh? You know me?]
Ryan asked back, his face a picture of surprise.
Given that he wasn't a celebrity known across the United States, it was a natural reaction.
I, too, sensed things were taking a strange turn and watched her lips expectantly.
[I used to work at Michael Kopps Company.]
[Oh! Is that so?]
A conversation I couldn't follow unfolded between them.
From what I could gather, it seemed they had worked in the same lobbying field.
I let out a sigh of relief, glad that we weren't just banging our heads against a wall.
[So, what brings you to our home, Mr. Ryan…? Did you come to see me, by any chance?]
[Ah! No, not exactly. My friend here has something he’d like to discuss with Mr. Eberhard, so we’ve taken the liberty of coming here unannounced.]
Her eyes widened as she turned to look at me.
Was it a lobbyist’s habit?
Her gaze landed not so much on my face but mainly on my clothes, watch, and shoes.
[Please, come in.]
She let go of her suspicion and opened the screen door.
She then hurried into the living room and shouted up toward the second floor. A moment later, a familiar face appeared.
[Who…?]
[It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Jin Hyun-seung, and I run a defense company in Korea.]
[Why would someone from a Korean defense company come looking for me?]
Eberhard, too, was wary at first.
As a result, I had to work up a sweat introducing myself for a while. In the end, what finally dispelled his suspicion were the photos I happened to have in my bag.
They were taken during my visit to the United States last year.
Photos of me with the US Secretary of State and other political figures.
Well, what do you know.
I never thought that leaving them in my bag out of laziness would turn out to be helpful in this way.
[These are from the US-Korea summit last year. I remember this. I was in Washington on business at the time as well. You’re more famous than I thought.]
After that, we talked for a long time.
And when the atmosphere had sufficiently warmed up, I made him a direct proposal.
[The truth is, I came here because I want to do business with you.]
[What do you…]
[I’m talking about the electric car development you’re currently working on. Let’s do it together.]
His eyes grew as wide as saucers.
But it was still too early to be surprised.
I told him about the existence of a 300-horsepower drive motor and the high probability of successfully developing a solid-state battery, then emphasized the potential for rapid success through our collaboration.
[What nonsense! Don't you know that solid-state batteries are still in the conceptual research phase? Are you trying to scam me?]
As expected, he didn't readily believe the truth.
The unfortunate thing was that I had come in such a hurry that I had no means of providing him with evidence.
In the end, I resorted to the only method I had available.
[What are you doing?]
[As you can see, I’m writing a check. If you take this to Citibank, you can withdraw one hundred million dollars from my account immediately.]
[One hundred million dollars?]
It was Ryan who screamed.
Eberhard merely stared at me with a calm gaze.
By now, he too must have been sensing that the situation was anything but ordinary.
[I plan to establish an electric car company in the United States with this money. If I were a con artist, do you think I would have a reason to invest such a large sum? Besides, what could I possibly gain by scamming you?]
He was silent for a while.
Bothered by his drying lips, he kept biting them. Only after a long moment did he finally speak.
[Alright, let’s assume you can really create a solid-state battery. Then why do you need me? If you've already secured the technology for a 300-horsepower drive motor and solved the battery problem, you should be able to create a prototype right away.]
[I want to buy your ability.]
[…]
[The ability to create a product that can be successfully commercialized, not just a car that runs. On that note, I plan to offer you a certain amount of equity and the position of Vice President.]
[…]
[Ah! I’m well aware that it will take quite a long time to produce a decent vehicle. There will be many problems to solve in the meantime. In particular, securing suppliers and other infrastructure requirements will be major obstacles when we enter mass production. To be honest, that will require the know-how of existing internal combustion engine car companies.]
[That’s…]
He mumbled, his lips moving uncertainly.
It was a point that he himself had been wrestling with.
[Therefore, I plan to acquire the infrastructure of an existing automaker within the next ten years.]
He looked at me in silence.
Just as I was wondering what he was thinking, he let out a long sigh.
[Do you really think you can handle that? It would require an investment several times the amount written on that check.]
To bring up the issue of funding meant he had already made up his mind.
In that moment, it felt as if a blockage had been cleared, and a smile naturally formed on my face.
[Then let’s plan on an additional investment of one billion dollars next year. How about that? Does that ease your concerns?]
[…]
[Oh! And for the record, whether we work together or not, it would be problematic if you were to disclose the fact of the solid-state battery’s development potential to outsiders. If you did, my friends outside would probably…]
His eyes wavered in an instant.
How much time had passed?
After repeatedly muttering, "A solid-state battery," an unexpected remark suddenly came from his lips.
[Alright. I accept your proposal. On one condition: I want to name the company myself.]
[…]