Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 82

The room was thick with cigarette smoke.

Park Jeong-hwan and the heads of other chaebol [large business conglomerate] groups were smoking.

The acrid smell was enough to make one’s head spin.

Jang Jun-yong of Geumsan was the first to greet Tae-soo.

“Why are you so late? You should have come straight up here.”

“I apologize.”

Tae-soo didn’t offer any excuses.

There was no need to mention the snow in Gangwon-do or being mistakenly directed to the lower floor by an employee.

Those trivial matters weren’t important now.

Park Jeong-hwan stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and said,

“You know why I’ve called you and these gentlemen here together, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

They were the ones who would benefit from the oil supply rights.

Tae-soo looked at the heads of the chaebol groups, seated in pairs on either side of Park Jeong-hwan at the head of the table.

‘Lee Byeong-chun of the Samcheong Group.’

The Samcheong Group was the leading conglomerate in South Korea in 1973.

The son of a landowner, he had achieved great success in every business venture he undertook.

Moreover, he had succeeded in various fields.

‘Gu Ja-gyeom of the Lucky Seven Group.’

The Lucky Seven Group was the second-largest conglomerate.

As the eldest son of Gu In-ho, the founder of the Lucky Seven Group, he had inherited the group a few years after his father’s death.

Lucky Seven had grown its business by excelling in chemicals such as toothpaste and cosmetics, and it was maintaining its position as the leader in petrochemicals, being the first in Korea to manufacture plastics.

Furthermore, it was persistently pursuing the oil refining business and focusing on white goods and heavy chemical industries.

‘Kim Dong-jo of Korea Oil Corporation.’

Established in 1962 as a joint venture between the Korean government and Gulf Oil of the United States.

It was also the oldest oil refining company in Korea.

As a public corporation operated with state capital, Park Jeong-hwan’s influence was significant.

‘And Geumsan as well.’

Jang Jun-yong of Geumsan had lent an oil tanker to send water to Saudi Arabia.

Was there any need to say more?

‘A gathering of prominent chaebol group leaders.’

Park Jeong-hwan raised his hand.

Then, Cha Gi-beom placed documents in front of each of the group leaders.

It was the oil supply rights certificate that Tae-soo had presented to Park Jeong-hwan.

“What is this?”

“Oil supply rights certificate?”

“It’s stamped with the Saudi royal family’s seal.”

Everyone flipped through the documents with interest.

Then, they chuckled at the postscript.

“The Cheongil Group must have been blacklisted by the Saudi royal family.”

“What does it matter to us? Chairman Han of Cheongil will surely take care of it.”

Everyone pretended not to care, but they couldn’t hide their smiles.

They were grateful that a competitor like the Cheongil Group was being eliminated.

Then, the group leaders noticed that a certificate was also placed in front of Tae-soo.

“But who is this young man?”

“Why is he sitting with us at a meeting to discuss oil rights?”

Natural questions followed.

Park Jeong-hwan said nonchalantly,

“He’s the one who brought that document to you from Saudi Arabia.”

The tone was casual, but the content carried a weight that couldn’t be ignored.

The group leaders all turned to look at Tae-soo.

“And he presented those rights to me.”

The words that followed were even more astonishing.

In this situation, such rights could be exchanged for a mountain of gold.

Park Jeong-hwan took out another cigarette and put it in his mouth.

“He’s planning to start an oil refining company this time.”

“An oil refining company? In this situation?”

‘When someone’s going to ruin, what can’t they do?’

Originally, the oil refining business had enormous initial facility costs, making it a money-guzzling ghost.

But to start a new oil refining business at this time when there was a commotion due to the oil crisis…

Should it be called overflowing with ambition, or a reckless act without a plan?

“I told him to just put up a new sign in the place where the Cheongil Oil sign was removed.”

It meant that he would let Cheongil Oil go bankrupt as it was.

And he was going to give it to this young man.

‘Good heavens.’

‘Han Cheong-ho of Cheongil is being abandoned.’

‘Park Jeong-hwan has taken this young man’s hand instead of Han Cheong-ho.’

The group leaders all turned to look at Park Jeong-hwan.

They somewhat guessed the meaning of Park Jeong-hwan’s words.

“It means don’t set your sights on Cheongil Oil.”

Park Jeong-hwan sternly warned.

“If you try any funny business, you’ll pay dearly for the value of that certificate you received.”

No one could open their mouths.

With Park Jeong-hwan protecting him so much, how could they dare to extend their reach?

The plan to acquire Cheongil Oil at a bargain price if it went bankrupt was instantly abandoned.

Jang Jun-yong of Geumsan laughed heartily.

“Your Excellency, don’t worry. We have some decency too.”

Jang Jun-yong looked around at the other group leaders and said,

“We’re not so foolish as to forget who we owe this certificate to and not know where to extend our reach. Isn’t that right?”

Inevitably, the other group leaders nodded.

“We’re satisfied just to be able to receive oil without worry in this situation.”

“We don’t have any intention of taking someone else’s meal when we’ve gotten a free meal by chance.”

“And it’s a meal that Your Excellency is providing, so how dare we covet it? You don’t have to worry.”

The outside was getting noisy.

It was when the murmuring of people grew louder.

Bang.

The door burst open.

It was Han Cheong-ho.

Han Cheong-ho’s one arm was held by Park Tae-jong, and the other arm was held by Kim Bong-nam.

Through the open door, the figures of horrified people could be seen.

“Your Excellency!”

“How dare you!”

Cha Gi-beom rose from his seat.

He was frowning.

“Your Excellency, I will give up Cheongil Oil!”

Everyone’s eyes widened at the unexpected words.

When Park Jeong-hwan raised his hand, Cha Gi-beom stopped in his place.

“Enough.”

Park Tae-jong and Kim Bong-nam, who had been dragging Han Cheong-ho out, also released him.

Han Cheong-ho straightened his clothes and entered the room.

“Close the door.”

Park Tae-jong quietly closed the door.

Han Cheong-ho looked intently at Park Jeong-hwan with a determined face.

“Your Excellency, please dismiss the others. I would like to request a private meeting.”

Now that Han Cheong-ho had said he would give up Cheongil Oil.

So everyone understood even if Han Cheong-ho, who had not been invited to this place, acted recklessly.

Wasn’t it the situation where it had already been said that Cheongil Oil would be fed to another guy in his absence?

But only Park Jeong-hwan didn’t understand that.

“A private meeting? You insolent bastard.”

“Your Excellency, Cheongil Oil, Your Excellency knows well how much of a multi-billion dollar company it is. I will offer it to Your Excellency in exchange for a few words.”

How much were those words worth to make him come out like that?

But Han Cheong-ho, Park Jeong-hwan, and everyone here knew.

The moment Park Jeong-hwan turned away from Cheongil Oil, Cheongil Oil’s bankruptcy was confirmed.

And even its owner had been decided in advance.

Park Jeong-hwan didn’t have to bother listening to Han Cheong-ho’s words.

“Your Excellency, I don’t mind just saying it here. However, since the content is what it is, Your Excellency might be a little uncomfortable.”

It seemed that Han Cheong-ho had been driven to the edge.

To come out so boldly.

“Quiet.”

Park Jeong-hwan raised his hand.

‘He can’t let him talk about it in front of people.’

Park Jeong-hwan thought of the item sent from the Saudi royal family.

‘There’s something between the two of them that we don’t know about.’

‘Otherwise, Park Jeong-hwan wouldn’t be still.’

Normally, Park Jeong-hwan would have picked up the ashtray and thrown it as soon as such insolent words came out.

But strangely, Park Jeong-hwan was quiet today.

The four group leaders sitting in their seats had different expressions and different faces.

Among them, only Tae-soo was looking at Han Cheong-ho indifferently with a nonchalant expression.

Park Jeong-hwan stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray even though it was still long.

“Everyone, get out.”

As soon as Park Jeong-hwan’s words fell, the group leaders rose from their seats.

Jang Jun-yong of Geumsan, the owner of this hotel, was the same.

One by one, they passed Han Cheong-ho and left the room.

“Kang Tae-soo.”

Tae-soo heard his growling voice as he passed Han Cheong-ho.

“I will definitely repay this debt. I, Han Cheong-ho, will never die like this.”

A debt?

If it’s a debt to repay, I have more than you.

It’s still a long way off.

Tae-soo smirked.

“Such a fuss over just Cheongil Oil.”

An invisible spark flew between Tae-soo and Han Cheong-ho.

Tae-soo passed Han Cheong-ho with a nonchalant expression and left the room.

Cha Gi-beom was standing next to Park Jeong-hwan for safety.

“You get out too.”

“Your Excellency, Han Cheong-ho’s demeanor is unusual.”

“Do I have to say it twice?”

“…I understand.”

Even Cha Gi-beom left.

Park Jeong-hwan placed the cigarette case on the table with a thud.

“What’s your business?”

* * *

When Tae-soo came out of the room, Park Tae-jong approached him.

“It’s been a while.”

“It’s been a while. Have you been well?”

Tae-soo greeted him politely.

“I apologize for not being able to attend the Pohang Steel Mill dedication ceremony.”

“I heard that the road construction that Your Excellency requested is now finished? I understand that the heavy responsibility and tight deadline must have been a hindrance.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

Jang Jun-yong of Geumsan smirked when he heard that story.

It was because he knew that he was the guy who came to Korea to put carnations on his parents’ chests on Parents’ Day [a Korean tradition].

‘He squeezed out time to come all the way to Geumsan, had a great time drinking, and went back. Right with me.’

Not only that.

Even though he had started a new road construction project in Saudi Arabia, he took a plane back to Korea to attend the Geumsan Shipbuilding & Heavy Industries launching ceremony.

Jang Jun-yong’s shoulders were raised next to Park Tae-jong for some reason.

“Cheongil Oil’s bankruptcy is confirmed. No matter what Han Cheong-ho says, Your Excellency will not budge.”

Park Jeong-hwan keeps the words he has spoken once.

That’s what he said in a place where there are prominent chaebol leaders.

The fact that he would give Cheongil Oil to Tae-soo would not change.

Tae-soo knew that too, so he wasn’t worried about that. However…

‘The feeling isn’t good. It wasn’t the look of someone in despair.’

In Han Cheong-ho’s eyes, a fierce poison was burning.

He must have had something in mind to come here at this time and ask for a private meeting.

Even while inviting disgrace in front of others.

It means that there is something he must say to Park Jeong-hwan.

‘What could it be? What is Han Cheong-ho plotting?’

Tae-soo was searching through his memories of his past life.

There’s nothing special.

‘Cheongil Oil and Cheongil Chemical were temporarily shaken due to the oil shock, but they easily overcame the crisis because they secured oil supplies from Saudi Arabia with their unique skills.’

But this time it’s different.

Tae-soo blocked not only the oil supply from Saudi Arabia but also the oil supply from other oil-producing countries.

Cheongil Oil will collapse unlike in his past life.

Tae-soo made it that way.

‘He said he would give up Cheongil Oil himself. It means he has already made up his mind…’

His thoughts didn’t last long.

Park Tae-jong handed him a glass of whiskey.

A note was hidden under the whiskey glass.

* * *

Han Cheong-ho said solemnly,

“Cheongil Oil is my loyalty to Your Excellency. Please know that much.”

Han Cheong-ho clenched his fist tightly.

“I don’t know why Your Excellency suddenly changed his mind. I can only guess that there must have been a great intention.”

‘He knows that someone has clouded Your Excellency’s eyes.’

‘He also guesses that that bastard is aiming for my Cheongil Oil and playing tricks.’

“If it becomes an obstacle to Your Excellency’s heavy chemical industry development policy, yes, I have to give it. Cheongil Oil, I will gladly give it to Your Excellency. Isn’t Cheongil Oil the one that Your Excellency has nurtured in every way?”

‘But I don’t know what tricks he used.’

‘I can’t collapse like this.’

“I’ve heard a few words. Get out now.”

Park Jeong-hwan said firmly.

If it were the usual Park Jeong-hwan, his mood would have softened greatly with these words.

But Park Jeong-hwan is still blowing cold air.

Han Cheong-ho inferred Park Jeong-hwan’s heart from that.

Something came to mind.

“Your Excellency, please look at this.”

Han Cheong-ho took something out of his pocket.