Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: An Alliance, Not an Investment
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Bba-bba-bba-ba-bam.
A welcome ceremony was underway as soon as we arrived at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
It looked as if a state guest had arrived.
What was even more surprising was the sight of Prince Mohammed, who was holding a bouquet of flowers himself—a rather unfitting gesture.
[Welcome.]
[It's been a while.]
After a brief exchange of greetings, we got into the car.
We drove for a while, the dry wind blowing, until we reached our destination: the Burj Al Arab hotel.
Having opened just a year ago, it was the world's first and only 7-star hotel at the time.
[Here…?]
When I first saw the hotel, shaped like a sail, I couldn't help but wonder.
He had promised us the utmost hospitality, but could this really be where we were staying?
But the car did indeed pull into the hotel, and we were guided into the lobby by a waiting UAE government official.
“So this is what a 7-star hotel is like.”
The hotel's interior was the epitome of luxury.
Its modern design was so advanced that even I, who had returned from the year 2025, found it hard to adjust to.
Just as I was wondering where to even look, Prince Mohammed said something else that was just as astonishing.
[For security, I've had the entire executive suite floor cleared, so your party should be quite comfortable. Now, please settle in, and we'll meet again in about an hour.]
[…]
We followed our guide upstairs in a daze.
They called it an executive suite.
But the moment they saw the room, which was vast enough to be mistaken for a sports field, my companions gasped in unison. Secretary Kim, in particular, looked ecstatic, as if she had arrived in heaven.
“Money certainly is nice.”
Hmph.
I let out a dry laugh at her words and began to unpack.
My suit was wrinkled from the long flight, and I wasn't pleased with its condition.
The quick-witted Secretary Kim immediately excused herself.
“Shall we head down when you're ready, Chairman?”
I was enjoying the view from the window when Secretary Kim's voice urged me on.
As I snapped back to reality and turned to leave, I suddenly caught sight of a group of people approaching the hotel with a police escort.
“Who could that be?”
I watched curiously, but it was impossible to identify them.
The hotel's structure blocked them from view as soon as they reached the entrance.
Just as I was turning away, thinking it had nothing to do with me, I heard Secretary Kim's urgent voice from outside the room.
“Chairman! Crown Prince Hassad of Saudi Arabia just arrived at the hotel!”
“Who?”
Stunned, I immediately left the room.
There, I saw Secretary Kim standing with the UAE government official.
He was panting, as if he had rushed to deliver the news, and informed me in broken English.
[Crown Prince Hassad is waiting for you in the lobby with Prince Mohammed, Chairman Jin.]
[…]
This was a completely unexpected development.
The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia? Why was he here all of a sudden?
Even if their countries shared a border, it wasn't like he was just popping over to the neighbor's for a cup of tea…
******
[Oh! Chairman Jin, seeing you again here feels quite special.]
When I reached the lobby, Hassad was indeed there.
A quick glance at Prince Mohammed showed that he didn't seem displeased.
For a moment, my mind went blank, wondering if my memory was faulty.
*‘I thought Saudi Arabia and the UAE were close yet distant neighbors.’*
Although they were allies, their relationship was often strained by territorial disputes.
So I couldn't understand Hassad's attitude, visiting as if he were strolling into his own backyard, nor could I fathom Prince Mohammed's composure in accepting it.
[Haha, you seem quite surprised. I understand. After all, I've shown up here unexpectedly when we were scheduled to meet in two days.]
At his words, I glanced at Prince Mohammed again.
His expression was still devoid of any surprise.
It seemed there had been some prior discussion between the two.
[Actually, a few days ago, Crown Prince Hassad here reached out to me. He suggested that instead of making you go to the trouble of visiting Saudi Arabia, he could come to the UAE himself. I saw no reason to object, so I agreed.]
Our eyes met, and Mohammed explained the situation.
In that instant, I was struck by Hassad's shrewdness.
It occurred to me that this was a move to protect his share of the pie.
In other words, he had come because he was worried the UAE might invest more than he could.
[I'm grateful for your consideration.]
What puzzled me was the UAE's response.
If even I could figure it out, there was no way Mohammed hadn't seen through Hassad's intentions.
Yet, he had readily agreed to Hassad's visit, which was a little surprising.
*‘Then again, it would be harsh for neighbors who share a border to flatly refuse such a request.’*
[Well, let us have a meal first and talk.]
At Mohammed's invitation, we headed straight to the restaurant.
After we had eaten our fill and tea was served, Hassad casually broached the subject.
[I've done some research of my own, and it seems the institute you recently acquired under Jaewoo Holdings possesses an incredible number of material patents.]
I had expected the institute to come up.
It's standard practice for an investor to research their target, after all.
As I silently lifted my juice glass, Hassad continued.
[In fact, an institute that earns billions of dollars from technology licensing alone is practically unheard of anywhere in the world. No, forget the money—with that many patents, there won't be many companies in the materials sector that can afford to bypass Jaewoo. I can only admire your foresight, Chairman Jin.]
[You're too kind.]
[It's not flattery; it's a fact. That being said, I have, to be frank, already decided to invest in Jaewoo Group.]
It was a rather direct declaration.
And one that could have easily offended Mohammed.
After all, he had also expressed interest in investing in Jaewoo for some time. Who would be pleased to be left out of the conversation?
‘…’
But when our eyes met, Mohammed's expression remained perfectly calm.
The thought crossed my mind that perhaps the two of them had already had some sort of discussion beforehand.
*‘Well, well...’*
Sure enough, after the two exchanged a look, Hassad spoke casually.
[The truth is, the two of us have already come to a preliminary agreement.]
[What kind of…]
[That our two countries will invest the exact same amount. There's no need to create a situation where one of us feels left out.]
Only then did the whole picture become clear.
In a nutshell, that was it.
Since both countries had decided to invest in Jaewoo, they agreed to keep things fair to avoid any resentment.
Indeed, that was the best way for them to avoid conflict, and it also lessened the pressure on me.
Basically, the two of them had already sorted out what I would have had to do.
[I have no reason to object.]
[Thank you for your understanding. Now, let's discuss the scale of the investment. For the record, we are prepared to acquire the largest possible stake, provided it doesn't interfere with your management rights. And we promise to be steadfast allies.]
Hassad pressed on, his eyes gleaming.
Feeling the conversation was straying from my fundamental objective, I immediately corrected their assumption.
[I'm sorry to have to say this, but I cannot offer either of you more than a ten percent stake.]
[…]
At my words, both men showed expressions of disappointment almost simultaneously.
And why wouldn't they?
I held nearly all of the holding company's shares, so giving up more wouldn't have been an issue.
[But why only…]
But that was a reaction born from ignorance of my true purpose.
And now, it was time to explain it.
Ssssk.
I handed a file to the two men, who were still blinking in confusion.
It contained a detailed plan for Jaewoo's future, outlining its expansion beyond the defense sector.
Among the contents was an explanation of our plans for the energy sector, utilizing all-solid-state batteries. As expected, their heads snapped up to look at me when they reached that part.
[What is this… Are you saying Jaewoo is researching a field that would cripple the oil industry? And you're asking us to invest?]
The first to react was Crown Prince Hassad.
He was quick on the uptake, as always.
I immediately added a clarification for him.
[Yes, it's true that the oil industry will be impacted to some extent if this becomes a reality. However, I want to make it clear that it won't be as dangerous as you might think. After all, petroleum isn't just used for energy.]
[Even so, the fact remains that our pie will shrink. Are you not asking us to shorten our own lifespans?]
[You're not shortening your lifespan. You're preparing for the future.]
[…]
In that instant, both of their eyes wavered.
[Preparing for the future?]
[That's right. You've enjoyed prosperity based on oil until now. I'm suggesting you invest in the next big thing to continue that prosperity. Surely, neither of you believes the oil industry will sustain your two nations forever, do you?]
At that, the two men looked at each other.
They realized I wasn't wrong.
This would have been particularly persuasive for the UAE, which was already developing Dubai precisely to prepare for a post-oil era.
[Hmm…]
As expected, Mohammed showed a sharp increase in interest.
Hassad, however, still seemed to be struggling to grasp the situation, his brow deeply furrowed.
[In that case, shouldn't we be securing an even larger stake in Jaewoo?]
After a long silence, Mohammed spoke up again.
He wasn't wrong.
The larger the investment, the greater the return, and a greater return means a more secure future.
But my advice wasn't intended to make them bet their entire future solely on Jaewoo.
I was simply suggesting they take the first step on that path with Jaewoo.
[I'm sorry, but that amount will be sufficient.]
[…]
[Jaewoo's future value will be incomparable to what it is now; frankly, even ten percent is generous. And you must understand, I am not seeking this investment because I am short on funds.]
[What do you mean… If money isn't the goal, then why are you accepting investments at all?]
Hassad, who had been listening, interjected, unable to comprehend.
In contrast, Prince Mohammed wore a deeply serious expression.
And soon, words that perfectly pierced through to my true intentions came from his lips.
[I see now.]
Hassad's gaze shifted to Mohammed at his sudden remark.
Just as he was about to tilt his head in confusion, Mohammed continued.
[To put it simply, Chairman Jin is proposing we form an alliance.]
[An alliance?]
Hassad asked back, his expression one of bewilderment at the out-of-the-blue statement.
A short sigh escaped Mohammed's lips.
[Frankly, if Jaewoo upends the energy storage market, we won't be the only ones to suffer. The Jewish financial powers, in particular, will be hit even harder. After all, they control nearly every major oil company in the world.]
[…]
[Therefore, he wants to form an alliance with us through this investment to protect Jaewoo from them.]
[…]