New Employees With an Annual Salary of 1 Trillion Won - Chapter 6

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 6. Why Does It Work? (1)

 

 

 

Perfect harmony.

The harmony that emerges when multiple gears mesh together precisely was flowing from the blueprint.

I brought it out to share the harmony I had created with my colleagues, and watched them appreciate it.

 

“Oh! This time it’s a Bluetooth headset?”

“That’s right. It’s an idea that came to me while thinking about MP3 phones. If we apply wireless headsets, we can save even more space, and we can conveniently download audio files via Bluetooth.”

“Bluetooth technology doesn’t have established standards yet, so I wonder if it’s okay to create it already.”

“I understand that the standard will be decided in July this year.”

“How about registering the patent after the standard is established? That way we can prevent the mishap of doing the work twice.”

 

The Department Manager’s words made sense too.

But my intuition was telling me that now was the optimal timing.

The gears of the patent I created were spinning intensely.

 

“Once the standard is established, patents will spring up like mushrooms after rain. So we need to secure our position in advance. And since it’s a patent made in the optimal way, it won’t differ much from the standard.”

“What’s the reason for such confidence? It hasn’t even been decided which frequency will be the standard yet? The patent Employee Lee made uses 2.4GHz frequency.”

“The 900MHz band is used for American cordless phones, but compatibility is poor. And the 5.8GHz band has high chip development costs, so ultimately there’s nothing that can be used as a global standard except 2.4GHz. Moreover, 2.4GHz is free. Anyone can use it for free without needing to obtain a separate license.”

 

I wasn’t simply creating patents based only on blueprints that popped into my head.

The blueprints were just devices that organized the knowledge in my head, and the gears served as guides that directed the knowledge I possessed.

 

Of course, through the movement of the gears, I could easily perceive which method was the best.

That’s why I was confident that the patent I created now would be almost identical to the standard.

 

“Hmm, since Employee Lee is this confident, we should move too.”

“Wireless headsets and earphones are one thing, but what’s this noise cancelling technology? Isn’t this technology applied to headsets used by aircraft or helicopter pilots?”

“I modified the existing noise cancelling technology a bit. Especially since headsets with noise reduction principles applied only have wired patents, adding noise reduction functionality to wireless Bluetooth earphones makes patent registration easily possible.”

 

As if getting interested, all the department members gathered around to examine the blueprint.

 

“You’re using dual microphones?”

“I implemented it so that noise can be easily removed by using separate microphones for external noise collection and voice transmission.”

“Why is the wear detection sensor included?”

“Rather than pressing the power button every time it operates, I included the sensor so that Bluetooth automatically connects and the noise reduction function activates when worn. It can save power and is also convenient.”

 

We exchanged explanations for quite a while.

The Department Manager smiled brightly and clapped lightly.

 

“Well done! With wireless headsets and noise cancelling technology, we should get at least 4-5 patents, right?”

“It’s definitely differentiated from existing patents. There won’t be any problems with creativity and originality either.”

 

Assistant Manager Oh, who holds a patent attorney certification, gave a definitive answer.

This could become a patent of a different dimension from the patents created so far.

If previously 3-5 gears spun vigorously, this patent had over 10 gears spinning.

 

The number of gears might not directly mean money.

But it still meant excellent technology, so it wasn’t completely unrelated to money.

If it’s more than twice the value of previous patents, couldn’t I receive compensation exceeding 4 billion won?

Of course, that wasn’t something I could control, and it was a matter for the Branch Manager to decide.

 

“Let’s go work. Employee Lee, leave early today.”

“It’s fine. I still have many ideas related to Bluetooth wireless devices left, so I’ll work more.”

 

I still wanted to savor the exhilaration more.

There were various gears waiting for me in the Patent Team Office, and I wanted to combine them to create even more perfect harmony.

 

“Education is also an extension of work. You’re scheduled to receive C Language education starting today, so go to Korea University. Professor Park’s lecture time is over now, so don’t keep him waiting, and the Branch Manager agreed to support the education costs.”

“The education costs will be supported from the fund?”

“Of course it should be. What company would burden employees with education costs? And for outstanding talent like you, we should provide high-quality education even if we have to scrape together money we don’t have.”

 

I felt like I was being treated well.

Previously, I had hardly ever received proper education.

Of course, it was thanks to producing results in patents, but receiving company-supported education like this felt special.

 

“I’ll work hard so that the company’s support won’t be wasted.”

“When your perspective broadens, won’t new ideas spring forth too? C Language isn’t something you can learn overnight, so take the long view. And if it gets too difficult, you can quit anytime.”

“I’ll do my best.”

 

Since the company is providing support, I can’t do it half-heartedly.

And if I learn C Language, I’ll definitely be able to create more gears.

If I create a more magnificent gear structure than now, what beautiful sound would it make?

For greater exhilaration, I could give up the small exhilaration of right now.

 

***

 

Professor Park Gwang-il of Korea University.

What kind of teaching method would this person, called a pioneer of Korea’s IT industry, use?

With an excited heart, I entered Professor Park Gwang-il’s office.

 

“Nice to meet you. I’m Employee Lee Jung-hoo, introduced by Department Manager Cha Ik-hyeon.”

“Ah! So this is the person Department Manager Cha bragged about so much. There’s quite an age difference, so is it okay if I speak casually?”

“Of course. Please think of me as a student and be comfortable.”

 

The feeling was different from high school teachers.

A kind yet intense atmosphere. I definitely got the feeling that not just anyone can be a professor.

 

“You’re 20 years old? You’re already working at an age when you should be attending university. But have you ever learned C Language?”

“This is my first time. I use computers frequently and studied hardware, but I haven’t had the opportunity to learn C Language.”

“At least it’s fortunate that you’re familiar with computers. Whether I teach you the basics directly or you follow along with a book, it’s the same, so first read the book and learn from the basics.”

 

I received a book.

[The C Programming Language – Brian W. Kernighan, Dennis M. Ritchie]

 

“For a basic textbook, it seems to have quite a lot of content.”

“It’s a book made by the creators, so you absolutely must know it. And it’s only 300 pages. And up to page 200 contains only complete basics, so you’ll get through it quickly. All the freshmen at our university study with this book too.”

“But is this an English book by any chance? I’m weak in English, so I’m not sure if I can read it properly.”

“I’ve translated everything and added annotations, so it shouldn’t be too difficult. And it would be good to study English while you’re at it.”

 

This is a basic textbook?

Since the Professor said so, it probably won’t be too hard.

 

“Then, I’ll come back after I’ve finished reading this book.”

“You need to know at least that much before I can teach you. Don’t rush too much, take it slowly.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“And give my regards to Department Manager Cha.”

 

After a brief greeting, I first looked for a computer store.

To study C Language, I needed to buy a new computer first.

 

“Do you have any specific product in mind?”

“What’s the best laptop? I’ll buy the latest model.”

“There are products from Samjin Electronics that just came out, products from GL Electronics, and various foreign products as well.”

“I’d like specifications that can handle advanced work.”

“Does price matter? We have workstations dedicated to advanced work, but they’re more than twice as expensive as regular laptops.”

 

I had already made a spending plan.

Starting with studying C Language, I planned to spare no expense to handle various software.

 

Wasting time due to slow computer speed would be a bigger loss.

For time savings and optimization, I had no intention of saving money.

 

“I’ll buy the workstation. How much is it?”

“The HP product is about 8 million won, mostly used by engineers and designers. And Dell workstations range from 5 million to 10 million won. They’re mainly used by developers.”

“I’ll buy the Dell product.”

“For the Dell Precision product, the highest specification costs 10 million won. Is that okay?”

 

Ten million won for one laptop.

It was the limit of my spending plan.

 

“I’ll take it. I’ll pay by card.”

“Thank you! I’ll package it right away. And if you need any programs, we can install them for free.”

“Can you install Windows and C Language related programs?”

“Of course! But could we process the payment first?”

 

I handed over my card.

The employee briefly looked at my face, swiped the card, and when the payment completion message appeared, he showed a bright expression.

 

“I’ll call someone right away!”

 

Is this the power of ten million won?

The employee rushed into the store like he was sprinting, and people in work clothes came out in a group, took the workstation inside, and installed the programs.

 

“Installation is complete. Since it’s such a high-spec product, the installation finished quickly.”

“Ah! And I’ll also buy a washing machine. Please give me the best product.”

“Thank you!”

 

After ordering the washing machine as well, I returned home.

Since it was still early, no one was home, so I went straight to my room and started studying C Language.

 

“Hello, world! This isn’t difficult yet.”

 

The first example was simple.

There was indeed a reason why the Professor called it a basic textbook.

Just when I thought progress was easier than expected, I encountered a stumbling block.

 

“What’s wrong with this?”

 

The moment I fell into contemplation, familiar gears came to mind.

Like when repairing watches or computers, the wrong parts turned red, and I could easily correct them to create proper code.

 

‘Machine assembly and coding seem somewhat similar, don’t they? In the end, if you just assemble it properly, it works well.’

 

Thinking in correspondence with machine assembly, it wasn’t too difficult.

I could think of functions as parts – when input goes in, it gets processed and output.

That process was no different from blueprints of gears meshing and turning, so everything began to be understood in an instant.

 

‘I should think of variables as part positions, pointers as wiring, compilers as press machines? Debuggers would be like testing equipment.’

 

Every time I turned a page, it felt like one more gear was being added.

When I moved to the next chapter, one gear was added, and with tremendous sense of achievement, I couldn’t take my eyes off the book.

The same exhilaration I felt when creating patents embraced my brain.

 

“Hyung! Aren’t you going to work? What game are you playing that you’re still at it at this hour?”

“I’m busy right now! Let’s talk later.”

 

My younger brother’s voice suddenly interrupted.

I tried to ignore him and focus on the book again, but I had no choice but to put the book down at his following words.

 

“It’s 6 AM. Hyung, aren’t you going to work? I’m going to training now. Oh, and! Thanks for the baseball bat! Since it’s American-made, it feels different in my hands.”

“It’s 6 o’clock now?”

 

I turned around.

The sight of my younger brother clasping his hands together to express gratitude didn’t register in my eyes at all.

The living room clock pointed exactly at 6 o’clock, and morning sunlight was carelessly pouring through the window gap.

 

Crash!

I hurriedly got up from my seat.

Then I grabbed my bag and rushed out the door before my younger brother.

 

“I’m going first!”

 

This isn’t the time for this.

There are still plenty of patents I haven’t created yet.

And to maintain my morning routine, I had to move quickly.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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