Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 86

86. The Victor of Negotiation (2)

That day, after a private meeting with Park Jeong-hwan, Han Cheong-ho told Tae-soo,

“You’ll only get garbage, Kang Tae-soo.”

“You’ll regret this moment. I won’t be easily defeated.”

“So, you just hold onto it and die together.”

Han Cheong-ho must have already planned to say those words.

Tae-soo had anticipated that Han Cheong-ho would act this way.

So, Tae-soo said,

“What you value, what you don’t want to lose, I will take those things away from you.”

“So, you can call it garbage if you want.”

He actually thought it didn’t matter even if he sold off everything from Cheongil Oil Refinery and it became an empty shell.

Because Tae-soo could still profit significantly from it.

However, Jang Joon-yong couldn’t understand.

“You deliberately provoked Han Cheong-ho? Hoping he’d pull off such dirty tricks? What nonsense is this?”

“The dissolution of Cheongil Oil Refinery has been decided from above. Han Cheong-ho is in a position where he can’t refuse it.”

“That’s right. The President himself gave the order.”

“Han Cheong-ho is being forced to give up Cheongil Oil Refinery, which he doesn’t want to lose. So, he’ll be spiteful and come up with every possible means of retaliation, racking his brain.”

That greedy, vindictive, and unpleasant man wouldn’t just hand over Cheongil Oil Refinery willingly.

“If you were in Han Cheong-ho’s position, Chairman, what would you have done?”

“Hmm. I wouldn’t have gone this far. I would have just given it away. Struggling against something inevitable doesn’t suit my temperament.”

Jang Joon-yong said,

“If the President had told me to give up Geumsan Oil Refinery, I would have asked for something else in return.”

“What would you have asked for?”

“For example, tax cuts, other business rights, lifting of greenbelt [protected environmental area] restrictions, or permission for land reclamation projects?”

Clearly, Jang Joon-yong and Han Cheong-ho are different types of people.

“It’s better to give up what the President wants and instead profit from other lucrative businesses.”

“That’s the difference between Han Cheong-ho and you, Chairman.”

It’s also why Tae-soo joined hands with Jang Joon-yong of Geumsan.

“Han Cheong-ho will lose a lot from losing Cheongil Oil Refinery.”

He even resorted to petty tricks in the process.

If he had just handed over Cheongil Oil Refinery in good condition, he wouldn’t have lost things he didn’t need to lose.

Han Cheong-ho brought it upon himself.

“First, he lost his reputation and trust.”

The image of the brand was a big reason why Cheongil was able to grow so much.

Cheongil Apartments became ‘the synonym for the most luxurious apartments in Gangnam [affluent district in Seoul],’ giving wings to Cheongil Construction.

Cheongil Land established itself as the representative amusement park for children’s dreams and hopes, contributing to the top-tier brand image.

Cheongil Steel Mill, in conjunction with Cheongil’s heavy industry, electronics, and chemicals, created tremendous industrial synergy.

Thanks to that, wasn’t Cheongil Group recognized as Korea’s top comprehensive heavy chemical industry conglomerate?

“By losing Cheongil Oil Refinery, Cheongil no longer has a top-tier brand to strongly promote.”

Instead of a top-tier brand reputation, it will gain a different reputation.

-Intentionally bankrupted the company and harmed the socio-economy.

-Has no business ethics.

-Engages in garbage-like behavior.

-If you acquire Cheongil, you’ll suffer such terrible things.

These facts will be deeply ingrained in the minds of companies.

When Cheongil is in trouble, no one will try to acquire it.

“Building trust is like rolling a snowball. It takes a long time to build, but it shines later on. Trust adds significant weight to every future move of the company.”

Tae-soo smiled.

“On the other hand, destroying trust is very easy.”

With just one such garbage-like petty trick, the trust that Cheongil had built for over 30 years crumbled.

In fact, the trust they’ve built is insignificant now.

Han Cheong-ho grew the company by clinging to the regime, not by becoming a conglomerate based on trustworthy management.

‘After becoming a conglomerate, reputation and trust become important factors. Han Cheong-ho just hasn’t realized that yet.’

That’s why he played such petty and dirty tricks.

In the end, Han Cheong-ho suffered a great loss again.

“When everyone is struggling due to the oil crisis like now, the weight of trust and reputation will be felt even more. To survive, the only place to choose is a trustworthy one.”

So, all Cheongil can reap is an empty shell.

“Second, the stock prices of Cheongil Group will plummet across the board.”

Cheongil Oil Refinery is the core of the heavy chemical industry.

Everything starts with oil.

Cheongil has lost its oil supply source.

Unlike before, it means they have to buy oil from other companies.

Unlike when they brought in oil cheaply, they have to pay a premium with added margins to bring in the necessary oil.

“Cheongil’s heavy chemical industry will slowly begin to collapse. As time goes on, the deficit will noticeably accumulate.”

This is the predetermined course from the moment they lost Cheongil Oil Refinery.

“How long can Cheongil, which can’t exert its power in the heavy chemical industry, last in the conglomerate world? Will people even treat Cheongil as a conglomerate?”

It means Cheongil’s influence is weakening in various ways.

“Third, they couldn’t sell the land and core facilities that Cheongil Oil Refinery owns. In other words, the real estate is intact.”

The harbor and pier, oil storage facilities, and oil refining facilities cannot be moved or sold.

Even if you make Cheongil Oil Refinery an empty shell, isn’t it just the cars, office supplies, or employees that are considered movable property?

All of which Tae-soo can easily replace.

“Cheongil spent a lot of money to build Cheongil Oil Refinery in particularly prime locations. Places where oil tankers can easily come and go, not far from factories, flat and convenient for logistics.”

That’s why Tae-soo is smiling.

“I’m getting all of that cheaply. If I had to make it all from scratch, I wouldn’t have enough with the Cheongil Oil Refinery acquisition funds. And what about the time it would take?”

However, Jang Joon-yong sighed.

“Everything you say is right. But what about the deficit that Han Cheong-ho passed on? Besides, the Cheongil Oil Refinery acquisition funds won’t be insignificant either. If you take all of that on, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages.”

Han Cheong-ho drained the water from the bottomless pit and instead filled it with sewage.

No, it would be more accurate to say he released poison.

To kill Tae-soo.

“If you, who haven’t yet reached the ranks of conglomerates, could sink along with Cheongil Oil Refinery.”

That’s why Jang Joon-yong was worried.

‘I see. Jang Joon-yong doesn’t know that I have a lot of hidden funds stashed away.’

He diverted funds prepared by selling a whopping 100 million barrels of oil to an American investment company.

No one knows that Tae-soo is unshaken by such things.

‘Besides, I have no intention of taking on Cheongil’s deficit.’

Tae-soo grinned.

“Just watch. See how Han Cheong-ho reacts. It won’t go according to his plan.”

Tae-soo was confident.

“Han Cheong-ho will sign my contract, not the one prepared in advance by Cheongil.”

Jang Joon-yong glanced at the envelope Han-soo was holding.

But it doesn’t seem likely that the great Han Cheong-ho would sign that contract.

“Well, I don’t think Han Cheong-ho will go down that easily.”

Jang Joon-yong knows Han Cheong-ho well.

He can be sure because he has clashed with him for a long time.

But Tae-soo doesn’t try to persuade Jang Joon-yong further.

Instead, he brings up something else.

“Wanna bet?”

This works much better than persuasion for those who don’t believe.

He already tasted oil quite lucratively with Rahman.

* * *

Han Cheong-ho arrived at the Geumsan Hotel.

There was a crowd of reporters in front of the Geumsan Hotel’s main entrance.

Camera flashes were going off everywhere.

“What are your plans to resolve Cheongil Oil Refinery’s first default?”

“Is it true that Cheongil Oil Refinery will be acquired by another company?”

“There are rumors that the entire Cheongil Group sold off Cheongil Oil Refinery’s shares and intentionally bankrupted it by pouring all the deficit into it. Please comment on this!”

Han Cheong-ho kept his mouth shut and remained silent.

Secretary Park and the driver hurriedly made way.

Han Cheong-ho broke through the reporters and entered the Geumsan Hotel lobby.

His expensive suit was crumpled due to the brief scuffle.

Han Cheong-ho brushed off his suit and said irritably,

“Who called those guys?”

“I did.”

Geumsan’s Jang Joon-yong was waiting for Han Cheong-ho in the lobby.

With a smile on his face.

“Why is Chairman Jang here at this hour?”

“It just so happens that such a big event is being held at our Geumsan Hotel. Cheongil Oil Refinery is being handed over, so I should see it off. A splendid farewell.”

He called a bunch of reporters to give him a splendid public humiliation.

Han Cheong-ho frowned.

“Looks like you’re free these days?”

“No, I’m extremely busy these days. We don’t have any problems with oil supply. We’re so busy running the factory as soon as we bring in crude oil that even two bodies wouldn’t be enough.”

He took the time out of his busy schedule to come all the way here.

“I heard that Cheongil Oil Refinery employees are losing their jobs and have nowhere to go. Will Geumsan Oil Refinery take them in?”

He pours oil on Han Cheong-ho’s already burning heart from losing Cheongil Oil Refinery.

“Enough with the nonsense. So, what do you want to say? You must have a reason for coming all the way here?”

Jang Joon-yong tilted his head.

“You’ve done some garbage-like things.”

“Mind your own business.”

“Does the President know about this?”

Han Cheong-ho laughed at Jang Joon-yong’s jab.

“I told the President I would hand over Cheongil Oil Refinery, but I didn’t say I would hand it over ‘nicely’.”

It meant he had already made up his mind.

Jang Joon-yong clicked his tongue.

“Tsk, tsk, a conglomerate chairman is acting childishly towards a young punk. It’s embarrassing for me to watch from the sidelines.”

“Then why doesn’t the generous Geumsan hand over Geumsan Oil Refinery to that bastard!”

Han Cheong-ho deliberately bumped into Jang Joon-yong’s shoulder as he passed by.

“You son of a bitch!”

Geumsan’s Secretary Kim stopped the enraged Jang Joon-yong.

“Chairman, calm down. A generous chairman like you should be patient. What’s the point of fighting with a petty person and grabbing each other’s hair? It’s beneath you.”

Cheongil’s Secretary Park, who was provoked, turned around.

But he made eye contact with Geumsan’s Secretary Kim.

Secretary Park had no choice but to bite his lip and follow Han Cheong-ho.

Behind them, Geumsan’s Secretary Kim comforted Jang Joon-yong.

“You have to understand this time, Chairman. He’s losing Cheongil Oil Refinery right before his eyes, so how much must his heart be aching? And you’re rubbing salt in the wound, so how painful must it be?”

“I can’t stand it anymore.”

Secretary Park turned around and glared.

“He’s going to be shedding tears of blood coming out of there anyway, so don’t make him cry before he even signs the contract. People will point fingers at you for making a poor guy cry. Stop it.”

Secretary Kim, who was trying to stop him, was even more annoying.

* * *

Tae-soo had arrived first and was waiting in the conference room prepared for the merger.

“You’re a little lacking in punctuality.”

Han Cheong-ho was deliberately late.

Negotiation is a battle of wills.

The one who waits becomes more anxious and thinks more.

The more important the person, the later they arrive to show off their presence.

‘It was a tactic that Putin and Trump used to enjoy. Even though the outcome is already predetermined, Han Cheong-ho is racking his brain as if it’s a negotiation.’

Han Cheong-ho’s trick was obvious.

How could Tae-soo, who is worn out in this industry, not know that?

‘The young punk is pretending not to be shaken, and he’s quite good at it.’

For some reason, Tae-soo, who took his seat first, is much more relaxed and leisurely.

As if the owner is treating a guest.

“Please, sit down.”

Tae-soo doesn’t even get up from the sofa and offers the seat opposite him.