Chapter 23: The Minister’s Gambit
“You may also use Osan Air Base.”
Although I had expected that Jeong Han-jin’s father or someone from Daejeong Energy might come looking for me, the appearance of the Minister was unexpected.
I wonder if my parents were startled by the sudden cordoning off of the area from the general public.
How did they even decide to send the Minister?
Even now, with my ordinary mindset, it’s still overwhelming to grasp the movements of those celestial beings, like chaebols.
But I had no reason to be intimidated.
After all, if the Minister came to see me personally, it must be because of Victor.
That means the one holding the reins isn’t the Minister, but me.
If the Minister had come as Daejeong’s spokesperson, I wouldn’t have had a word to say.
Yet, the Minister hit me where it hurt.
“Didn’t you develop Victor back when you were at Seong-ha Chemical?”
Indeed, perhaps because of his status as Minister, the weight behind his words was different from when Jeong Han-jin’s father had said the same thing.
Industrial secrets leaked? That was an immensely frightening phrase.
But I couldn’t just admit to it.
Even if he was a formidable opponent who made it harder to just brush off his accusations as I had with Jeong Han-jin, I had no other choice but to show some semblance of sincerity—even if it was a lie.
“I did develop the 11% Additive back when I was at Seong-ha Chemical, so it’s understandable to be suspicious based on the circumstances. But what can I do if it’s not true? I wasn’t allowed to use Seong-ha Chemical’s facilities, so I had to go over to a friend’s company in the U.S. and develop it using their equipment.”
I lied without even wetting my lips.
I’d practiced this part many times; the words came out smoothly.
The reason I practiced was simple: It was true that I developed it at Seong-ha Chemical. But I was willing to let Victor die rather than admit it and hand the rights over to Daejeong.
“Can you prove it?”
“Why should I have to prove it?”
“……”
“Isn’t it common sense that the side claiming I developed it at Seong-ha Chemical should provide the evidence? Whatever Daejeong Energy claims, they have to prove it. I’m curious why the Minister came all the way here personally, but isn’t it probably for reasons similar to why you’re holding back your words?”
Did my last sentence cross the line?
I felt a slight twitch of reaction.
Well, it was only natural to be offended when I suggested that perhaps I was here on Daejeong Energy’s lobbying.
“…… So it’s just Daejeong’s claim.”
“Yes.”
“If they file a lawsuit, the government could issue an Exit Ban Order against you, Jung Seong-ha.”
Was it my turn to twitch now?
This was no small matter.
But if I faltered now, there would be no answer.
“If the government sides with Daejeong Energy without any evidence, then I can consider the government as being one with Daejeong.”
“What do you mean?”
“That means they are the same enemy to me. Just as I cannot give Victor to Daejeong, Victor cannot enter Korean soil either.”
Daejeong Energy could not prove it.
That was the one thing I was confident about. After all, I had left the company with what feelings—I wouldn’t have left any excuse behind.
Yet, an Exit Ban Order?
Not a single Victor was allowed in Korea.
The Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy must know what my words imply and the position Korea would find itself in going forward.
The color drained from the Minister’s face.
Then, with difficulty, he said,
“…… Jung Seong-ha, you are Korean.”
“That’s right. But the Korean government is hostile toward me?”
A government hostile to its own citizens?
If such a government exists, the contract between nation and people can be broken at any time. I’m a devotee of Contract Theory, after all.
Eventually, our Minister backed down.
“The Korean government has no intention of being hostile toward you. On the contrary, we must actively protect you.”
“That’s a relief. Although I’ve established a company in the U.S., that was an unavoidable circumstance, and I’m still Korean.”
I emphasized the “unavoidable circumstance.”
It was impossible to undo what had already happened.
“Understood. I hope next time we can discuss this in a more proper setting.”
A better setting?
Indeed, even though the Minister had come, without the Handsome Wall Uncle persistently hovering around me, perhaps the conversation would have taken place somewhere more secluded.
Anyway, after those words, the Minister and his entourage left on their own feet, while Jeong Han-jin’s father stomped and yelled as he was pushed out.
Later, Tom told me I could use Osan Air Base.
Maybe one of the agents spoke Korean well, as he seemed sensitive to the mention of the exit ban.
This is Korea.
If the government truly exercised its authority, there would have to be restrictions on them. So if a real Exit Ban Order were issued, the plan was to make a quick escape.
But was Osan Air Base open even to civilians? And to Koreans, no less?
I poked Tom’s side and asked,
“Wasn’t that place only for military planes?”
“No. U.S. Forces Korea soldiers and their families use Osan Air Base when traveling to and from the United States.”
“Then that doesn’t apply to me, right?”
It was a place used by U.S. nationals with American citizenship.
And no matter how much they protected me, if they ignored the Korean government’s Exit Ban Order and took me against the rules, that would mean braving a conflict with the Korean government.
“Haha! If the government deems it necessary, they might even have Air Force One on standby. Just to take Jay.”
“……”
I expected Jeong Han-jin’s father’s appearance.
But the sudden visit from the Minister was unexpected and, thanks to that, a standoff broke out between the Minister’s staff and the Handsome Wall Uncle.
Even though it was quieter after the graduation ceremony, the Main Engineering Building area was never empty, so it was hard to avoid drawing attention.
In such a situation, it felt shameless to leisurely look for a Chinese restaurant, so I told my parents to just go home and order something delicious instead.
Our family’s go-to Chinese takeout was usually jajangmyeon and tangsuyuk, but today we splurged on yangjangpi.
After eating until my stomach was full and lying on the bed, I received a call.
It was Linden.
It was 3 p.m. on my watch, which meant 10 p.m. in San Francisco. Still working late?
“Linden, you’re not at the office, are you?”
“I just finished work.”
“Feels like I’m a cruel boss.”
—The term ‘cruel boss’ is used when the compensation doesn’t match the work. If the pay is sufficient, it doesn’t apply. On Wall Street, there are people who work over 60 hours a week, but I’ve never heard them complain.
Not true.
In movies, everyone says they’re dying.
I was about to argue.
—Of course, this is about people who receive millions in bonuses annually. Not everyone.
It seemed like someone was reading my mind.
Even stealing the timing to argue.
“Are you saying I should get a bigger bonus?”
—I’ll make sure you do.
Words win over arts and humanities every time.
Linden was probably arts and humanities too.
“I give up. But is something wrong? Calling me at 10 p.m. like this?”
“Well, we got license applications from China and Japan.”
“……”
So that was why Linden was working late.
Probably because he expected that the Asian licenses would be granted to Korea. After all, I’m Korean.
It seemed the conversation I had with Minister Son Sung-yoon hadn’t reached Linden’s ears yet.
—We’re reviewing the terms proposed by both sides, but it’s probably best to reject them, right?
“No. Just say it will take time to decide the licensed countries. It’s not decided yet anyway.”
“Understood.”
I paused for a moment at the mention that Korea might be excluded, then responded.
“But did we get an application from Korea?”
—Yes. We received it earlier.
“Why were China and Japan late? It’s been over three months since Victor’s announcement. Copycats again?”
—Yes. They probably analyzed the components to see if they could make it themselves. Especially China, no need to say more.
I heard China sends the most industrial spies to the U.S. That’s why STA automated most of its processes and restricts access to almost everyone.
Linden had put in a lot of effort, and the U.S. government, treating STA almost like a defense contractor, had directly stepped in.
They had strict internal and external security, with eight security teams stationed alongside CCTV surveillance, worried that the synthesis formula might leak.
The process was simple, and the materials easy to acquire. So they worried.
But it was needless worry.
I wouldn’t be fooled twice.
Not only was copying impossible, but even if they stole the manufacturing process, they couldn’t just press ctrl+v and produce it the same way.
Head Researcher Kang Se-ho said that Daejeong Energy’s researchers couldn’t even analyze the chemical formula of the 11% Additive.
To be precise, they couldn’t figure out the process by which the materials reacted to become the Additive. Extracting the chemical formula alone wouldn’t be impossible.
Because without understanding EP’s involvement, the principles can’t be explained. They can’t determine the quantities, mixing order, or treatment methods at each synthesis step.
So they fail at copying and then request licenses.
“Seems like a waste of effort.”
—That wasteful effort is probably something almost every country does. Since there’s no patent application, it must be a huge temptation.
“That’s true. Maybe even our partners are trying it.”
We’re talking about the Supermajors who invested in STA.
Would they be any different?
In fact, they are the ones with the easiest access to STA’s production sites. It would be strange if they weren’t tempted.
—Maybe they’ve already failed and keep pushing for patent applications. Knowing the mixing ratio is random, their mental state might have collapsed like mine.
“That’s why you said patents aren’t really necessary.”
On the surface, it seems random.
Of course, there are rules, but finding them would take decades even with a supercomputer. The variables are more than in a password you tap out on a keyboard. How could they find it?
Even if patents were filed, there are plenty who would secretly make and use it. So they hid the process itself.
A very wise choice.
Even if by chance someone cracks the secret, whoever it is, they’d just be a precedent.
What happens when 33% Victor Version 2 comes out?
Anyway, they can’t keep delaying the patent application just because of licensing.
“I’ll decide when I’m in the U.S.”
“Yes, then that’s all for the report.”
“Thank you for your efforts.”
I thought the call would end there, but Jay added a word.
—And Jay, congratulations on your graduation.
“Thank you.”
—Are you flying tomorrow evening as planned?
“That’s the plan, but not certain.”
“Did something happen?”
“The government came looking for me.”
Linden went silent.
I wonder what he was thinking.
“Don’t worry. If I have to go, I’ll go. They said they’d prepare Air Force One if needed. What could go wrong?”
—Understood.
I don’t know what he meant by that, but I quickly ended the call.
Just then, a friend called.
—Still at home?
“Our appointment’s at six. Heading out already?”
So now that you’ve graduated, you don’t have to hear people nag about getting a job, so you’re relaxed, huh? Hurry up and get out.
“You crazy bastard! I left early on purpose so I wouldn’t have to hear your nagging.”
—Hehe. Jung-hwan’s out too. We’re the Sillim crew.
“Oh! Double crazy bastards. Wait up.”
—Come to the main road, at Ediya.
I jumped out of bed and changed clothes.
Only when I’m with those guys can I be normal. I don’t know how precious these moments will be, so I had to get out quickly.
“Wesley, no progress yet?”
“I apologize.”
Wesley Norman.
Current CEO of ExxonMobil.
Among global oil companies, the term Supermajors refers to only seven.
The CEO of a Supermajor should be someone few in the American business world would dare to look down on, even among the many billionaires.
Yet now, Wesley Norman was bowing his head—not anywhere else, but in his own office.
There was a reason.
People know that Standard Oil, which once controlled 90% of U.S. oil sales until it was broken up into five companies by the 1911 Antitrust Law, is a thing of the past.
So it’s normal now to only pay attention to the Supermajors who survived through mergers and acquisitions.
But is the truth the same as the public perception?
The answer is no—and it can’t be.
The reason they didn’t merge was to avoid the fate of Standard Oil, but the major shareholders of the three U.S. Supermajors maintain a firm cooperative structure.
The conclusion?
Although ExxonMobil is increasing investment in oil wells, Chevron and ConocoPhillips are expanding their shares in eco-friendly energy businesses, the three companies’ management policies differ greatly, but their major shareholder groups share a strong common denominator.
Wesley Norman bowed his head now because the young Irish woman before him was part of that group.
“Hmm, I guess they were confident the process’s secret couldn’t be cracked. That’s why they haven’t filed any patents until now.”
“There are about ten materials involved, but it’s difficult to distinguish which are main ingredients and which are catalysts. They’ve only noticed that a catalytic reaction occurs but don’t know which materials react. They even put equal amounts of all materials into the process, seemingly to cause confusion.”
About ten materials go into the process.
But all materials are in equal quantities.
The multiple synthesis reactions taking place repeatedly are so complex that even expert researchers can’t determine how each material acts.
It was easy to understand their strong confidence that they didn’t need patents.
“I think I need to meet this Jay person.”
“Miss Edwards suggested it.”
“Yes. The Korean government has noticed. Soon the whole world will know. We have to meet before the treasure gets tarnished.”