Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 188

188. A Lavish Birthday Party (1)

Tae-soo gazed at the lush green leaves in the garden and began to speak.

“I don’t know if you’ve heard from Rahman, but I’ll tell you why I came to Saudi Arabia.”

“You came for the oil, right?”

“Yes.”

“I heard Rahman explained the situation well.”

As a public official, as a Saudi royal, and as a friend.

Khalid stared intently at the garden and said,

“Just wait five years. Once the equity is sorted out, I can provide assistance. But as for the technology…”

“OPEC.”

Tae-soo looked at Khalid.

“Could you secure a place for South Korea in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries [an intergovernmental organization of 13 countries that coordinates and unifies the petroleum policies of its member countries] ?”

Tae-soo’s request was unexpected.

However, considering the influence and territoriality of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, it was a necessary step.

There were many oil-producing countries that couldn’t join OPEC.

And those countries, despite having oil, didn’t wield much power in the international community.

‘A united interest group is strong. Especially when they possess an absolute resource like oil.’

That’s why Tae-soo was meeting with Khalid.

“You want to be protected by OPEC?”

“If you consider the countries surrounding South Korea, you’ll understand why I’m doing this.”

“Japan, China, North Korea, the Soviet Union. And even the United States exerts influence.”

“Especially with Japan, things are complicated. Japan has capital and technology, and they voice their opinions in various ways in the international community, which is troublesome.”

“Alright.”

Khalid readily agreed.

“I promise as the King of Saudi Arabia.”

Saudi Arabia wields the greatest influence in OPEC.

Furthermore, as the international community’s resource dependence on oil increases, OPEC’s status and influence also rise.

‘Good.’

Now, only one thing remained.

A place that could provide the technology for oil extraction.

‘If only I could meet with oil company officials…’

The Taeyang Group would get its hands on oil.

* * *

Khalid left.

Tae-soo, left alone in the garden, sat on a bench, lost in thought.

‘Five years…’

Could he wait for Saudi Arabia’s assistance?

Tae-soo shook his head.

Even in the 1980s, the international community would apply strict standards to economic waters.

In that case, disputes with Japan could make the project itself difficult.

It was an issue that couldn’t be delayed.

‘The World Banks acquired with the money stolen from Park Jung-hwan and the Saudi Minister of Finance. Wouldn’t it be possible to scrape together funds through them?’

Tae-soo stroked his chin.

‘Even if I somehow manage to secure the funds, the technology is another matter. I have to somehow obtain technical cooperation.’

South Korea still lacked too much technology.

Even if Tae-soo searched for experts, the situation would be the same.

‘Rockefeller.’

The oil tycoon who monopolized 90% of American oil and further dominated 95% of global oil in his young 30s.

The man said to have possessed the most wealth in world history.

‘Will the Rockefeller family respond to Rahman’s invitation?’

Rockefeller was born in 1883, a 19th-century man.

He lived to the age of 97 and died in 1937.

The world’s greatest tycoon, who gained even more wealth after splitting Standard Oil into 34 companies.

‘Rockefeller’s grandson, Nelson Rockefeller, served as the Governor of New York and is currently the Vice President of the United States.’

In short, they were a wealthy family that dominated American politics and economy.

‘What future information would be tempting to Rockefeller?’

Tae-soo closed his eyes and pondered what useful information he could offer.

* * *

Khalid’s mansion in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was truly a grand residence.

77,000 square meters of land, 31,000 square meters of total floor area.

775 bedrooms and guest rooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, 178 bathrooms.

Swimming pools, movie theaters, operating rooms and jewelry workshops, costume production rooms, etc.

As he was the Saudi Minister of Defense, it was fully equipped with a large training ground and training facilities.

The people invited here were amazed.

“So this is the Saudi King’s house I’ve only heard about.”

“It seems even larger than the Saudi palace in terms of scale, doesn’t it?”

“It’s the home of a general who valued security and safety, so it hasn’t been open to the public until now. It’s a feast for the eyes today.”

It was a grand mansion that had rarely been open to the public, but today was an exception.

It was because Rahman, the successor to the Saudi King, was holding a grand 27th birthday party.

The birthday boy was dressed in even more extravagant attire than usual.

It was dazzlingly shiny, whether viewed from afar or up close.

“Happy birthday, Rahman.”

“Happy birthday, Rahman.”

“Thank you for inviting me.”

Distinguished guests from all over the world congratulated Rahman on his birthday.

The spacious parking lot, where military transport trucks used to come and go, was filled with luxury cars.

Several helicopters landed on the helipad, and several light aircraft landed on the runway.

‘It’s even grander than the party I held in Dubai.’

Even Tae-soo was taken aback.

Tae-soo had received countless invitations since Cheongil’s leap into the world’s top 200 companies.

But he had never been to a party as luxurious as this in the 1970s.

‘It must be because he’s the son and designated successor of the Saudi King. Most of them are flies drawn to the smell of money and power.’

The smell of money permeated from all directions.

It meant there were many tycoons around Tae-soo who exuded the scent of money.

“Happy birthday, Rahman.”

Tae-soo offered his congratulations.

“The birthday present isn’t much.”

“You can come empty-handed.”

Tae-soo gestured, and Kim Kwang-rok and the Taeyang Group bodyguards unloaded items from the truck.

Rahman showed curiosity.

“What is this?”

“It’s a wine refrigerator. I brought enough to put in Rahman’s house, official residence, and Khalid’s mansion.”

“A wine refrigerator? Is there such a thing?”

“It’s a refrigerator dedicated to wine that maintains the optimal temperature for drinking. It’s a new product made by Taeyang Electronics this time.”

“You make all sorts of things. A wine refrigerator in a world where even regular refrigerators are rare.”

“You’ll probably find the satisfaction different once you use it. Given the Saudi climate, it’s not easy to maintain the temperature even if you set up a wine cellar underground.”

Wine is an alcoholic beverage sensitive to temperature.

Red wine was the only thing Rahman liked in both his past and present lives.

“I hope you enjoy the wine you sparingly drink.”

“Good, I like it.”

Tae-soo now looked in another direction.

The things the servants were carefully carrying out were the red wines that Tae-soo had bought in various types.

“Romanée-Conti, Domaine Georges Roumier Musigny Grand Cru, Domaine Georges Jayer Echézeaux, Romanée-Leroy Chambertin, Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair La Romanée, Screaming Eagle, La Tâche, Pétrus, Domaine Leroy Richebourg.”

The most expensive wine brands flowed from Tae-soo’s mouth.

The more he did, the wider Rahman’s grin became.

“Put it in the wine refrigerator and drink it ‘secretly’. It’ll be even harder to find in Saudi Arabia as it is.”

Basically, Saudi Arabia is a dry country [a country where the sale of alcohol is prohibited or heavily restricted].

Bringing in alcohol is no easy task.

“Now that I see it, you’ve prepared a whole set. Kang Tae-soo, you’re the best. Hahaha.”

Rahman was swallowing saliva as if he wanted to drink it quickly.

He couldn’t take his eyes off the wine.

* * *

Pop- Pufferpop- Pop-

Confetti flew everywhere, and fireworks exploded in the sky.

Rahman’s birthday party was truly lavish.

World-renowned singers also performed congratulatory performances.

The people gathered around the stage responded enthusiastically.

They were all people who had gathered to celebrate Rahman’s birthday.

‘So many people gathered. It’s like seeing peak time at the biggest club in Gangnam [a wealthy district in Seoul, South Korea].’

At least 3,000 or 4,000 people seemed to have gathered.

Young people were talking to each other, drinking beverages, laughing, and chatting.

On the other hand, Tae-soo was drinking red wine on a quiet rooftop, looking down at the stage on the first floor.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve had a drink so comfortably.’

Ever since his regression, he had always been busy.

The reason Tae-soo drank was mostly to plot things.

He had to examine the other person’s intentions, express his own, and encourage them to join him.

‘I was always busy working in my past life, and I’ve lived that way even in this life. I’m really something.’

He chuckled.

In his past life, it was to grow Cheongil, and in this life, it was to grow the Taeyang Group.

He ran to get revenge on Cheongil, and he ran to succeed.

‘This time, it’s for oil. I haven’t kept any of my promises to live slowly and enjoy life.’

What Tae-soo had fiercely protected was his family and revenge.

Now that he had destroyed Han Cheong-ho, the pillar of Cheongil, Cheongil would gradually collapse.

Han Il-kwon, who had no talent for management, would sit as the next CEO, so it would collapse even faster.

[Wow-!]

[It’s Queen!]

The cheers and applause of the people continued.

“They even called Queen? I didn’t expect to see Queen here. They managed to bring them.”

Tae-soo closed his eyes as he drank his wine.

It was to enjoy the music he heard.

And he realized that it was the first time he had properly listened to music since his regression.

‘I really lived without any leisure.’

Queen, a four-member rock band, was a globally successful group.

[Led Zeppelin!]

[Wow-!]

Following that, the stage of the four-member rock band Led Zeppelin continued.

They were one of the three major rock bands that led hard rock and heavy metal in the 70s, along with Deep Purple and Black Sabbath.

‘Certainly, young people like rock bands. Rahman has created a concert hall.’

People all gathered near the stage and cheered.

But even in this situation, there were many who were busily moving around the first floor hall, expanding their networks.

Talented and smart friends were moving busily to not miss the opportunity.

‘Rahman told me to make a lot of connections with famous people at the birthday party.’

On the other hand, Tae-soo was enjoying his leisure alone on the rooftop.

‘I, too, was busily running around like them in my past life. I didn’t have the luxury of having a drink so comfortably.’

The connections he had built up like that.

In the end, they were of no use to Tae-soo.

They were only good for growing the Cheongil Group, and they were people who were of no help or meaning to Tae-soo personally.

In the end, it was a shallow relationship that was formed and broken according to profit.

Rahman was better than a truckload of those people.

‘It’s common for business to be concluded at a drinking party. But I don’t feel like it today.’

Rahman’s birthday party lasts for three days.

The eve of his birthday, the day of, and the day after.

‘Good. I should build a swimming pool in my house next time.’

Tae-soo especially liked this rooftop swimming pool.

Splash.

It was cool.

Tae-soo coolly cut through the water and moved forward.

Pop- Pufferpop- Pop-

Fireworks were fired off from time to time.

After swimming, Tae-soo floated on the water and leisurely watched the fireworks.

The Saudi night sky was truly beautiful.

“Hmm?”

Tae-soo turned his head.

He wondered when she had come.

There was a woman looking down at Tae-soo.

With blonde hair, distinct features, and a slender figure.

She was a great beauty.

“You have good taste. You’ve secured a prime spot.”

Tae-soo stopped breathing for a moment.

‘An enormous smell of money.’

She was a woman who exuded the smell of money to the point where it was difficult to breathe.

The intoxicating smell of money, as if she had doused herself in strong perfume, made him dizzy.

Confidence and a sense of intimidation flowed naturally from her upright posture.

“I heard you’re desperately looking for someone from the Rockefeller family.”

‘Rockefeller?’

Tae-soo looked at the woman again.

So that’s why she’s exuding the smell of money like this.

“Are you from Rockefeller?”

“I’m Alice Rockefeller. A fourth-generation descendant of the oil tycoon.”

Splash.

Tae-soo came out of the swimming pool.

He tied a bath towel around his waist and approached her.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Kang Tae-soo.”

“I know. The man who summoned the Rockefeller family through the Saudi King. The birthday party’s host actively recommended a meeting with you.”

It meant Rahman had sent her up.

He realized why no one was coming up to the rooftop, the prime spot among prime spots.

“Were you displeased?”

“Not at all. However, depending on the story I share with you, whether I’m displeased or not will be finalized.”

A woman who would decide even the emotion of displeasure based on rational judgment.

She was quite a unique woman.

‘She’s bothered to come all the way to Saudi Arabia, but if she leaves empty-handed, she’ll be beyond displeasure and filled with anger.’

He didn’t want to send her back empty-handed.

Alice looked straight at Tae-soo.

“There’s no reason for Rockefeller to respond to the Saudi prince’s birthday or anything like that. But why do you think I’m here right now?”

Alice smiled brightly.

“South Korea’s offshore oil fields. A very interesting topic, isn’t it?”