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CH36 | Heir
🕑 Added 2025-03-20 04:23:00 +0000 UTCI returned to the U.S. after a month.
From the Changwon parts factory to the audit team and the technology research lab—so much had happened that it felt like a year had passed. But in reality, it had only been a month.
I allowed myself a brief moment of nostalgia before heading straight to SAVE Investment Company, where Team Leader Han and Jeffrey were waiting for me.
"Jeffrey, what brings you here? Shouldn’t you be focusing on your startup? Why are you spending your time here?"
"My office is right next to SAVE Investment Company, so of course, I had to come. Our biggest investor is back in the U.S.—how could I not show up?"
Jeffrey had founded Amazon last year.
The internet was just beginning to go mainstream, making it a challenging time to launch an internet-based business.
Perhaps that was why he looked more worn out than when he was working at SAVE Investment Company.
"Running a business isn’t easy, is it?"
"It’s tough, but thanks to the support from SAVE Investment Company, I’m managing to keep things afloat."
In reality, Amazon functioned almost like a subsidiary of SAVE Investment Company.
SAVE handled Amazon’s administrative and legal matters—everything the young company lacked.
Of course, that was only natural, considering I owned 49% of Amazon’s shares.
"If you ever run low on investment funds, let me know. Don’t take money from questionable sources."
"The money is still sufficient. We secured a $100 million investment, so unless I blow it all in a casino, we should be fine."
"That’s a relief. Oh, and as I mentioned before, if you ever need to give shares to another investor, make sure you discuss it with me first."
"Of course. And I plan to hold onto as much equity as possible. A few investors have made inquiries, but I turned them all down."
In a few years, Amazon’s shares would surpass even the value of gold.
Both Jeffrey and I knew this with certainty.
Still, at some point, we would have to release some shares to other investors.
That was the only way to get them to fight for the company’s future.
"Alright, let’s get down to business. Team Leader Han, have the derivative contracts been finalized?"
"Yes. We secured $12 billion in cash, along with stocks from Apple and Ford."
"How much has the value of the derivatives increased?"
"Japanese stocks are hitting their lower limits every day. If we exercise our rights now, we can secure at least 1.5 times our initial investment."
The aftermath of the Kobe earthquake had left Japan’s economy in bad shape.
In just one month, the Japanese stock market had fallen by 6%.
And the worst part? This was only the beginning.
Over time, Japan’s stock prices would continue to plummet, and the value of the derivatives I had created would only grow.
"I suppose Japanese companies must be panicking by now. Are they flooding us with inquiries about terminating their derivative contracts?"
"The calls won’t stop—we might have to unplug the phone at this rate."
"Then they’re not that desperate yet. They haven’t come knocking on our door in person."
A 6% drop was still manageable.
But what would happen in a few months when Japanese stocks plunged by more than 20%?
At that point, the amount owed for the derivative contracts would have multiplied several times over.
"Still, a few companies that have grasped the seriousness of the situation have reached out, saying they’re willing to come to the U.S. to negotiate."
"Hold them off for a little longer. The more desperate they become, the easier the negotiations will be."
"Understood. Also, the professors are waiting for you in the conference room."
"We can’t keep such esteemed guests waiting."
I rushed straight to the conference room.
Inside were the professors to whom I had provided massive research funding.
These were the very people who would one day receive the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, so I greeted them with the utmost respect.
"I apologize for keeping you waiting. I’m Minjae Kim from SAVE Investment Company. Please feel free to call me Kim."
"Not at all. We just arrived. We weren’t expecting someone so young."
Professor Goodenough spoke on behalf of the group.
He was the professor who had laid the foundation for lithium-ion batteries, and despite his old age, his passion for research still burned brightly.
"It is truly an honor to meet you. Thank you so much for coming all this way."
"How could we not? You’ve invested half a billion dollars in secondary battery development. Besides, we have some research progress to share with you."
I had poured a great deal of money and time into secondary battery development.
High-performance secondary batteries were essential for the smartphones and electric vehicles I planned to create.
"I’ve heard that significant progress has been made. You’ve all worked incredibly hard."
"With the amount of funding we received, anyone could have made breakthroughs. It’s us who should be thanking you for waiting three years."
"But do you think the battery we’ve developed is ready for commercialization?"
"That’s something you should ask a secondary battery manufacturer rather than a research lab. But if the company has strong technical capabilities, commercialization should be feasible."
Technology only becomes valuable when it reaches commercialization.
However, since Taewoo Group didn’t yet have strong battery technology, I had already prepared an alternative plan.
"Would a company like Japan’s TDK be capable of commercializing it?"
"Of course. But have you already reached an agreement with TDK?"
"I believe we’ll be able to negotiate with them soon."
In reality, I had never discussed this with TDK.
TDK had only signed derivative contracts with SAVE Investment Company.
From the very beginning, when I designed the derivative products, I had considered TDK’s advanced battery manufacturing technology.
TDK’s expertise would soon dominate the secondary battery industry.
In the near future, companies manufacturing secondary batteries for smartphones and electric vehicles would have no choice but to pay TDK for its technology.
But I had no intention of letting that happen.
I planned to take TDK’s technology for myself.
TDK’s battery technology was a crucial piece of the picture I was painting.
And so were Korea’s leading battery companies.
"If we can gain access to TDK’s technology, commercialization won’t be difficult."
"We’ll proceed with commercialization as soon as negotiations with TDK are finalized. In the meantime, would it be possible for the research lab to produce a prototype?"
"Of course, we’ll produce prototypes. How many do you need?"
"The more, the better."
"With our current capabilities, we can produce about 30 prototypes per month at most. Since we need to continue our research as well, producing more than that would be difficult."
"That’s more than enough. And if you need additional personnel, feel free to hire as many as necessary. We will cover all costs."
As I always said, time was more valuable than money at this stage.
No matter how much it cost, we had to shorten the timeline to develop the world’s first foldable phone.
"We’ll recruit additional researchers specializing in prototype production. But while we appreciate your interest in secondary batteries, may I ask why an investment company is this deeply involved?"
"The era of investing in foreign exchange rates and stock prices is over. I believe the future belongs to investments in technology."
"That’s a great perspective. We’ll have the prototypes delivered by the end of the month."
Professor Goodenough gave a warm smile.
It was the kind of smile I imagined he might use when persuading undergraduates to join his graduate program.
"We will continue providing as much research funding as possible. Additionally, I promise you a stake in the patent rights."
"The research funding alone is greatly appreciated, but offering us a stake as well—thank you very much."
I promised the professors a 5% share.
It wasn’t a huge percentage, but it was enough to ensure their financial security in retirement.
"I’ve already taken too much of your valuable time. Next time, I’ll visit your lab instead."
"Haha, I think you seem busier than I am. We’ll take our leave now."
After the professors left the conference room, I called in Team Leader Han and David.
As always, David entered with his usual relaxed demeanor, but his face was clearly showing signs of exhaustion.
"Looks like you’ve been busy lately."
"I take at least 20 flights a month. And if you added up all the alcohol I’ve consumed, you could probably fill an entire office with it."
David was one of the key figures at SAVE Investment Company.
Maintaining good relationships with politicians and the professor I had just met was all thanks to David’s exceptional people skills.
"Our company runs smoothly because of David’s liver. That’s why I’m always grateful for his liver."
"My liver has worked hard this time, too. I’ve arranged a meeting with Steve Jobs from NEXT. I’ve even booked a restaurant for your lunch with him tomorrow. Just so you know, it’s a vegetarian restaurant."
If maintaining a good relationship with Steve Jobs meant eating vegetarian food, what was the problem?
After all, our ancestors in Korea endured 100 days on nothing but mugwort and garlic—we are the descendants of the bear-woman Ungnyeo.
***
The Next Day
Dressed sharply, I arrived at the vegetarian restaurant 15 minutes early.
Right on time, Steve Jobs walked into the restaurant.
"Nice to meet you. I’m Minjae Kim from SAVE Investment. You can just call me Kim."
"I heard you’re a major shareholder of Apple, which I founded. That’s why I’m here. I’m curious—why would you invest in a failing company like Apple?"
His tone was full of skepticism.
Being ousted from Apple must have left him bitter, even toward me, one of Apple’s largest shareholders.
"Why don’t we start with a meal and continue our discussion?"
"I’m not sure we have that kind of time. I value my time highly."
I needed to break down his walls first.
If I didn’t, whatever I said would go in one ear and out the other.
So, I decided to drop a bombshell from the start.
"I’ll help you return to Apple."
"…Do you even have the power to do that? You sound like someone who enjoys talking nonsense."
"It’s not nonsense. As a major shareholder, I see no other way for Apple to survive than to bring you back."
To be honest, I would have preferred to bring him into Taewoo Group.
But no amount of money could convince Steve Jobs to work under someone else.
So what could I do? I had to work with him and take control of the future smartphone market.
"Can you do that with just a 20% stake? The other major shareholders won’t want me back."
"It will take time, but I’ll convince them. And by the time I push for your return, I’ll hold an even larger stake in Apple."
"Anyone can say anything. Why don’t you just promise to make me the President of the United States while you’re at it?"
Words alone weren’t enough to convince him.
That’s why I had come prepared.
I pulled out a set of design sketches—various phone designs I had envisioned and Jonathan had refined.
"This is the future I want to create for Apple. Do I still seem like someone who just talks?"
But Steve wasn’t listening to me anymore.
His eyes were locked on one particular design—one that closely resembled the future iPhone.
