Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 124

124. A Gathering of Stars (1)

Geumsan Hotel.

Today marks Geumsan Group’s 30th-anniversary celebration, held right here.

People from all walks of life, having received invitations, were arriving in a steady stream.

Chairman Jang Jun-yong and his wife greeted guests in the main hall.

“Welcome.”

“Thank you for inviting us.”

Tae-soo appeared in the main hall.

“Oh, the Taeyang Group is here.”

Heavy Industries CEO Lee Chang-won, Oil Refining CEO Noh Il-guk, and Construction CEO Park Cheol-wan.

The trio from Taeyang’s affiliates closely followed Tae-soo.

Behind them were the CEOs of the remaining 13 affiliates and their executives.

At the very back was Kim Kwang-rok, a towering figure of 2 meters [approximately 6’7″], standing out from the rest.

“Congratulations on Geumsan’s 30th anniversary.”

“Thank you. Please, come inside.”

When the Taeyang Group contingent appeared, everyone in the hall focused their attention on them.

“Look over there. It’s the Taeyang Group.”

“It looks like all the affiliate CEOs and executives have come together.”

“They’re a young bunch. They seem at least 10 years younger on average than other *chaebol* [large family-owned conglomerate] groups.”

Tae-soo and Park Cheol-wan are in their 20s.

Heavy Industries and Oil Refining CEOs are in their 40s, having risen through the ranks at an unprecedented rate.

The average age of the other affiliate CEOs is also quite young, in their 30s and 40s.

Considering that the average age of executives in other *chaebol* affiliates is over 50, this is an unusual occurrence.

“There have been articles about the Taeyang Group pouring out every day recently.”

“That ready-mixed concrete truck they came out with is a real hit. They can’t keep up with demand.”

“I heard that Taeyang Apartments are going up at an almost insane speed? How can they build so fast?”

Articles about the Taeyang Group are flooding the newspapers daily.

This is largely due to the explosive interest generated by the apartment construction articles.

From oil refining, heavy industries, electricity, electronics, elevators, and oil boilers to individual electric meters, Taeyang’s reach is vast.

Thanks to this intense interest, *Dongbang Ilbo* [a fictional newspaper] has even published a special feature article on the Taeyang Group.

At the center of it all was Kang Tae-soo, the young *chaebol* leader in his 20s.

“Isn’t the man at the very front the youngest group chairman?”

“He started with a single mine and became a *chaebol* in just 2 or 3 years.”

“The newspapers are going crazy these days. He landed a huge construction project in Saudi Arabia, received a medal, and is building the largest apartment complex in Korea. Isn’t that amazing?”

“Should we try to talk to him?”

People’s murmurs can be heard.

‘The atmosphere is very different from the launching ceremony of Geumsan Shipbuilding & Heavy Industries last year.’

When Tae-soo handed over his invitation then, the usher guarding the entrance mistakenly took him to the floor where the children’s gathering was being held.

There, he met Han Il-kwon and his gang, and a fight broke out.

The first thing they said then was this:

-Does anyone know someone called Taeyang Construction?

Most of them laughed, treating him like some unknown nobody.

No one recognized Tae-soo.

But what about now?

It’s a world of difference.

“Shall we go over there and talk?”

Jang Jun-yong of Geumsan takes Tae-soo to the inner part of the hall.

Naturally, the Taeyang affiliate CEOs also subtly dispersed.

Jang Jun-yong said.

“Everyone has been talking about you since before you arrived. The interest is very high.”

That can’t be.

“Haven’t you heard the rumor that the *madams* [wealthy, influential married women] of the *chaebol* families are eyeing you as a prospective son-in-law these days?”

Families joining forces through marriage to increase their power is a basic principle.

Until just last year, Tae-soo was someone who couldn’t even present his business card with any real weight.

They would consider family background, wealth, education, and connections.

No matter how they looked at it, Tae-soo wouldn’t have been a desirable son-in-law.

“How could I, who has only just entered the ranks of the *chaebols*, be worthy of their attention?”

Tae-soo didn’t believe it.

“Even Kim Woo-jin of Daeun Construction collapsed at once in this industry. They probably think I’ll also disappear after a brief flash.”

“You and Kim Woo-jin are very different. First of all, Kim Woo-jin got married before he became successful.”

Jang Jun-yong glanced around.

“My wife is also making a fuss. She says that when she goes to the *madams’* gatherings these days, everyone is talking about you.”

Even now, the women were buzzing as soon as Tae-soo appeared.

“To become a *chaebol* leader at the age of 20. Isn’t that amazing?”

“He’s not married yet, is he? No fiancée either. With that appearance, wouldn’t women be lining up for him?”

“There’s only one spot for a wife anyway.”

These are the young ladies who used to only watch from afar.

But as Tae-soo became the group chairman and emerged as a top candidate for a husband, they are subtly approaching, looking for a chance to say even a word to him.

At that moment, Jang Jun-yong gestures towards the young ladies.

“Seo-yeon, come here.”

It’s Jang Seo-yeon, Geumsan’s precious daughter.

The young ladies simultaneously look at Jang Seo-yeon.

‘The chairman of Geumsan is introducing her himself.’

She was a stunning beauty.

She lived up to her reputation as the top beauty among the *chaebol* families.

She was also the woman Han Il-kwon desperately coveted.

Toc, toc.

She approaches.

She was a woman who instantly captivated people’s attention.

She felt pure and elegant, like a lily.

“Hello. My name is Jang Seo-yeon. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you.”

I heard she majored in ballet or dance.

Every gesture subtly drew attention.

‘This is the first time I’ve seen her this close. She’s definitely a great beauty.’

I had always seen her from afar.

Han Il-kwon was very wary of Tae-soo and didn’t allow him to go near her.

She was a flower on a cliff.

“I’ve heard a lot about you from my father. Starting with Secretary Kim, who went to Gangwon-do, and my father, who went to Pohang, they both mentioned you. I’ve been hearing about you for quite a while. I think it’s been about 2 years.”

Jang Seo-yeon looks at Tae-soo.

“A young man I’ve never met, whom the other young ladies don’t know at all. It was the first time my father praised someone so much.”

Tae-soo also looked at Jang Seo-yeon.

“I was always curious. What kind of man you were.”

I realized where Jang Seo-yeon’s interest started.

“It’s really nice to meet you like this.”

It was the same thing she said when we first met.

But somehow, it doesn’t sound like just a formality.

Unlike before.

“Hmm?”

Suddenly, everyone starts buzzing.

Tae-soo turned around.

‘Park Jung-hwan, Cha Ki-beom, Shin Ji-soo, Kim Jae-guk, and even Jeon Doo-ho?’

The powerful figures who strongly support Park Jung-hwan have appeared.

‘Shin Ji-soo, the current Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.’

In December of ’63, at the young age of 36, he became the Prosecutor General, and after being recognized for his contribution to the election of President Park Jung-hwan, he became the Minister of Justice.

Later, he was involved in the Yushin Constitution [a series of amendments to the Constitution of South Korea in 1972 that centralized power in the presidency] and rose to the position of Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency in ’73.

‘Kim Jae-guk, the Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.’

When Park Jung-hwan was the commander of the 5th Division, his chief of staff was Kim Jae-guk, a graduate of the Military Academy.

He formed a relationship with Park Jung-hwan, who entered the Joseon Defense Academy as a classmate in ’46, and after the 1.21 Incident [a North Korean commando raid on the Blue House in 1968], he reorganized the counterintelligence unit and became the first commander of the Security Command.

‘Jeon Doo-ho, the current Commander of the Security Command.’

Jeon Doo-ho, who was recently promoted from the commander of the 1st Infantry Division to the commander of the Security Command.

‘All of Park Jung-hwan’s key figures have gathered.’

They were entering the Geumsan Hotel.

Park Jung-hwan glanced around and said.

“Everyone who received my invitation, come up to the 7th floor.”

Park Jung-hwan goes up to the 7th floor without looking back.

The stars follow behind him.

Jang Seo-yeon smiled at Tae-soo.

“The President is calling you, so you should go up.”

Tae-soo took out the invitation from his pocket.

It’s an invitation with a gold border.

“I’ll guide you to the 7th floor.”

* * *

When I went up to the 7th floor, it was already full of people.

‘Are these all the people who received the President’s invitation?’

There are too many.

Jang Seo-yeon whispers softly.

“Almost no one here has received a gold invitation like you.”

“Then these people are…”

“They must be people who are curious and snooping around. You know.”

Park Jung-hwan seems to have already entered the VIP room.

Cha Ki-beom and Jeon Doo-ho were outside.

But the atmosphere between the two was unusual.

“Congratulations on your promotion to Commander of the Security Command.”

“Congratulations? I know you deliberately intervened. You’re quite shameless.”

Jeon Doo-ho is smiling, but his words are barbed.

“You went from the commander of the 1st Infantry Division to the Commander of the Security Command, which is just an empty shell. At this point, isn’t it a demotion rather than a promotion?”

At the time, the status and power of the Security Command were at their worst.

This was because the previous Commander of the Security Command was only focused on protecting himself.

“Why are you receiving the information reports that used to go directly to the President? Isn’t that overstepping your authority?”

This happened because the previous Commander of the Security Command was very uncomfortable with Park Jung-hwan.

However, Cha Ki-beom naturally stepped in, saying that he would also receive the reports from Jeon Doo-ho, the next Commander of the Security Command.

“The head of a powerful organization can wield tremendous influence if they frequently meet with the President and receive special missions. Are you afraid of me, Cha Ki-beom?”

Cha Ki-beom, who was dissatisfied with Jeon Doo-ho, blocked the reports in the middle.

Jeon Doo-ho was pointing that out.

“There’s a limit to exploiting someone’s authority. Cha Ki-beom, do you think you’ve become the President?”

“Watch your mouth.”

Cha Ki-beom sneered.

“You were appointed to a corps commander-level position commanded by a lieutenant general after only 1 year and 3 months of experience as a division commander. Your actual power is even greater. To be dissatisfied even after reaching such a position, your greed knows no bounds.”

The actual power ranking is as follows: Chief of the Presidential Security Cha Ki-beom, Chief of Staff Kim Jung-rim, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Shin Ji-soo, and then the Commander of the Security Command in 4th place.

A man with ambitions to control the military using that immense power.

Cha Ki-beom’s eyes were full of displeasure as he looked at Jeon Doo-ho.

“You’re the one exploiting someone’s authority, Jeon Doo-ho, not me.”

Invisible sparks flew between Cha Ki-beom and Jeon Doo-ho.

“There’s a limit to wielding full power with the President’s protection. What’s the intention behind creating a private organization in the military? Are you planning a coup? That’s treason.”

“Treason?”

Jeon Doo-ho, who was drinking, erased his smile.

The veins in his hand holding the glass bulged.

“You’re not such a fool as to think that the President doesn’t know about the *Oseonghoe* [a secret society or faction], are you? Treason? Who do you think the President will believe? Me? Or you?”

Jeon Doo-ho sneered.

“Cha Ki-beom, I know very well that you failed the Military Academy entrance exam and feel a strong inferiority complex towards Military Academy graduates. But you have to suppress your inferiority complex yourself. It’s unsightly to reveal it like this. Don’t you think?”

Cha Ki-beom failed the Military Academy entrance exam.

Later, he passed the Army Artillery Officer exam and began his military life.

During the 5.16 military coup [a military coup in South Korea in 1961], he actively participated in the coup as a captain in the Airborne Special Forces and gained the trust of Park Jung-hwan.

“Jeon Doo-ho. I heard you gathered Military Academy 16th, 17th, and 18th graduates belonging to the *Oseonghoe* in the Security Command to form your staff.”

Cha Ki-beom’s eyes were fierce.

“You appointed Colonel Heo Pyung-hwa, who has experience working in the Security Command, as your chief of staff, Colonel Heo Soo-sam as the personnel director, and Colonel Lee Bong-hak to the counterintelligence department for counterintelligence investigations. On top of that, you formed a five-member group with Colonel Jang Dong-se and Colonel Kim Young-jin from the Capital Defense Command, right?”

“Do I need to get approval from the Chief of the Presidential Security to form my staff? That’s overstepping your authority.”

Cha Ki-beom lifted his chin and looked down at Jeon Doo-ho.

“You ordered a ‘Study on Measures to Restore the Situation in the Event of Martial Law’ on how the Security Command can rectify and resolve the situation in the event of martial law. Why are you practicing for after the declaration of martial law?”

Cha Ki-beom threw a fastball [a direct and confrontational question].

“It’s as if you’re preparing for something to happen to the President.”

Jeon Doo-ho’s hand holding the glass trembled.

Cha Ki-beom looked askance at Jeon Doo-ho.

“Are you still going to deny that this is a conspiracy for treason?”