Go back in time and be a chaebol

Chapter 2720 Entomologist (Third update, please subscribe)

Human Genome Project.

The announcement of this plan naturally caused a sensation around the world!
Any scientist or scholar with even a modicum of foresight is well aware of the significance of this project. Although its future applications are uncertain, it is, after all, humanity's first comprehensive exploration of the mysteries of humankind itself.

This plan has not only received a response from major countries, but has also attracted unprecedented attention in the academic circles of small countries, including South Korea.

"This is the Human Genome Project, unlike any previous scientific research undertaking. This is the first time humanity has comprehensively explored the mysteries of itself..."

At the Department of Biology at Hanyang University, several professors were discussing the Human Genome Project.

Their expressions and tone were very excited.
"The key is to get involved. If South Korea can join this program, our life science research will achieve unprecedented breakthroughs."

"The most important thing is learning. We can improve our life science research level through learning and communication."

"But this kind of research requires a lot of money."

"Yes, not only do we need a lot of staff, but we also need the best laboratories, and all of these require funding."

Is there any way to gain the support of the Blue House?

"If professors from several universities were to join forces and submit a report to the Blue House, there might be a chance."

"That's not something that can be done with just a little money."

"You should always give it a try."

"Oh dear, it's a pity we have no connection with the Blue House."

At this point, a professor said with some annoyance.

"In this respect, our President is not as good as you. Look at Dr. James Watson, who requested an audience with you in the morning and was received by you in the afternoon. Soon after, you made the decision to support the Human Genome Project."

But what about our President? Have you heard of him meeting even a few scientists?

He just laughed at the other professors. Then, shaking his head rather helplessly, he said...

"Well... you are a scientist yourself, and one of the best."

At this point, they naturally brought up Your Excellency's Nobel Prize in Physics again, and the topic seemed to shift once more.

While the professors were having a lively discussion, Zhao Shichang, who had been tidying up their offices, took his leave after finishing his work.

After leaving the teaching building, Zhao Shichang couldn't help but let his mind wander as he thought about the conversation the professors had shared.

"If the Blue House approves South Korea's participation in the Human Genome Project, then I might have a great chance to enter the laboratory and participate in this project."

In fact, what Zhao Shichang cared about was not the participation in the Human Genome Project itself, but rather the opportunity it presented.

This plan was initiated by the SEEA. South Korea is very backward in the field of gene research, and even if it is fortunate enough to participate, it needs to send people to the SEEA for learning and exchange. In this process, there may be an opportunity to settle there.

"If I could settle down in Chang'an, I would definitely be the object of everyone's envy and admiration—"

Thinking of this, Zhao Shichang's gaze fell on something not far away.

Not far away, a beautiful girl came into view.

It's Shin Jae-soon, she's the campus belle of Hanyang University!

She is the goddess in the hearts of all the male students at Hanyang University.

She was also Zhao Shichang's goddess. He fell for her the first time he heard her sing at a school party.

"Oh dear, maybe I'll have a chance to be with her when that time comes."

Looking at Shen Caishun in the distance, Zhao Shichang couldn't help but let his imagination run wild.

Of course, most of it is just fantasy.

In fact, Zhao Shichang knew that he was just thinking about it.

After all, girls who are beautiful and have great voices are very popular.

Luxury foreign cars would often come to pick her up at the school gate.

But who will pick her up?
Just as Zhao Shichang was thinking this, Shen Caishun was already walking towards the teaching building with a smile on his face.

For students at Hanyang University, it was just another ordinary day.

However, just as Shen Caishun reached the teaching building, someone rushed over to her and said that someone was calling her. After receiving the call, Shen Caishun asked the school for leave, saying that a relative was sick and she needed to visit him.

Afterwards, Shen Caishun left the school, got into a black BMW sedan, and left the school.

……

October 26th was just an ordinary day for many people, but for Kim Jae-gyu it was an extremely unlucky day.

For the entire day, Kim Jae-gyu stayed in his office at the Central Intelligence Agency, sitting in a large leather swivel chair, his fingertips unconsciously tapping lightly on the desk, his face as gloomy as the sky outside the window—today, from the moment he woke up, everything was going in the direction he hated most.

The morning news broadcast footage of the President attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the completion of the Chakyo River seawall. The President appeared dignified, surrounded by a group of officials, but notably absent was the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

As the head of the intelligence department, it was his duty to accompany the president to relevant events, but when he volunteered, he was flatly rejected by Cha Ji-cheol, the head of the Blue House Security Office, over the phone.

Kim Jae-kyu closed his eyes, the arrogant and rude tone of Cha Ji-cheol on the phone echoing in his ears again. In South Korea, a country where seniority and hierarchy are ingrained in people's bones, even those in high positions must use respectful language when addressing seniors and elders.

He was older and more experienced than Che Zhiche, but in that phone call just now, Che Zhiche didn't use a single honorific, and the contempt and offense in his tone made him feel humiliated like never before.

Mixed with long-standing resentment, it grew wildly in his heart—Cha Ji-cheol was just a security chief, but relying on the president's favor, he became increasingly unscrupulous and did not take him, the intelligence minister, seriously.

"Does the President really allow such scoundrels to be appointed?"

Thinking of this, Kim Jae-kyu frowned deeply. At this moment, the American's hint resurfaced in his mind once again. He had previously dined with the American ambassador, during which the American had implied to Kim Jae-kyu that Park Jung-woong could leave the scene, and that the United States would tacitly approve of this action.

The United States' move is likely due to Washington's dissatisfaction with Park Chung-woong's move to fully align with the SEA.

The American's suggestion sparked a fanatical idea in Kim Jae-kyu's mind.

Upon returning to the Blue House and entering the President's office, Cha Ji-cheol smoothly recommended Jeon Il-hae, the Army Security Commander, to Park Chung-woong to take over as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

Park Jung-woong had always had a good impression of Jeon Il-hae, believing him to be loyal, brave, and capable enough to serve as the head of the intelligence department.

Regarding the issue of replacing Kim Jae-gyu, Park Jung-woong had long harbored the idea: he had considered replacing Kim Jae-gyu for some time. Firstly, Kim Jae-gyu had recently frequently clashed with him politically; secondly, Kim Jae-gyu and Cha Ji-cheol were irreconcilable enemies; and thirdly, and most importantly, Kim Jae-gyu had been in charge of the intelligence department for many years, and his influence was deeply entrenched, making him difficult to control.

This is a taboo that no one in power can tolerate.

Although he had already planned this out, Park Jung-woong did not make a decision immediately. He knew that Cha Ji-cheol and Jeon Il-hae had a close personal relationship. If Jeon Il-hae were to take over as the head of the intelligence department, the two of them would control the intelligence department and the presidential security office, two key departments respectively, forming a coalition. This would undoubtedly violate the taboo of the balance of power.

Moreover, Kim Jae-gyu holds too many state secrets, and if he is replaced rashly before his future is decided, it may cause some unnecessary trouble.

Seeing the president remain silent in thought, Cha Ji-cheol quickly pressed his advantage and said:
"President, Kim Jae-gyu knows too much inside information, and his men are all ruthless criminals. If we don't take action against him soon, he will become a major threat in the future."

Knowing that the President had long harbored intentions to influence Kim Jae-gyu, Cha Ji-cheol assumed that his persuasion would convince the President. However, to his surprise, Park Jung-woong impatiently waved his hand, interrupting him and ordering:

“Give Minister Kim a call. Let’s have dinner in Gongjeong-dong tonight and ask him to find some pretty girls to keep us company.”

Cha Ji-cheol was stunned. He never expected that the President would make this suggestion at this time.

Gungjeong-dong is the location of the Central Intelligence Agency, and there is a very secret, luxurious place there called "Safe House." Since his wife's assassination five years ago, he has gone to the Safe House in Gungjeong-dong to rest and relax when he is tired and bored. Kim Jae-gyu is very understanding of his lonely state of mind, and every time he goes there, he makes some extra arrangements for him to entertain and relax.

Seeing his bewildered expression, Park Jung-woong impatiently added:

"Let's reconcile the two of you. We can't keep making trouble like this."

Since the president has said so, what else can he say?

At 3 PM, in Gungjeong-dong, Seoul, the phone rang suddenly in the office of the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Kim Jae-gyu picked up the phone and listened to the notification from the Blue House security office—that the President, Cha Ji-cheol, and the Secretary-General would be attending a banquet in Gungjeong-dong that evening, and he was instructed to make proper arrangements and ensure that several beautiful women accompanied them.

After hanging up the phone, the office fell into a deathly silence. A cold smile slowly appeared on Kim Jae-kyu's face, a smile devoid of any joy.

He looked up and gazed out the window; the Gongjing Cave was shrouded in autumn mist, utterly serene. At that moment, only one thought remained in his mind—it was today, it was tonight!
What a golden opportunity!

This is my own territory!

"If we miss this opportunity, they'll make their move on us! There's no time to lose!"

Kim Jae-gyu clenched his fists, and all the humiliation, anger, and fear he had accumulated over the years erupted at that moment. He knew perfectly well that the President had long harbored suspicion towards him, and that it was only a matter of time before he was replaced, while Cha Ji-cheol was determined to kill him.

Rather than sit back and wait for death, it is better to take the initiative.

Once upon a time, there was only one sun in his heart, but now? For this entomologist, that thought has long since disappeared.

"This is the only chance, just this one chance... If we seize this opportunity, we can save the entire country!"

After making up his mind, he stood up and paced back and forth, and then he began to plan...

(End of this chapter)