Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 230

230. Sun’s Reign

January 2020, TaeYang High School in Daechi-dong.

It’s Korean Modern and Contemporary History class, a required subject for the university entrance exam.

“Attention. Today, we will learn about the ‘Miracle of TaeYang,’ a crucial part of Korean development history that always appears on the exam.”

The teacher placed the textbook on the desk.

“In the 20th century, Korea was exploited by Japan, suffered through the Korean War, and then struggled as a developing country dependent on foreign aid. It was poorer than some African countries.”

Until 1975, foreign loans amounted to $6.8 billion, and the GDP per capita was less than $1,000.

“However, in 1976, TaeYang Group succeeded in developing oil in the 7th mining sector of the continental shelf, making us the world’s second-largest oil producer after Saudi Arabia.”

Students diligently took notes.

“Now, a question. Does anyone know the current gasoline price in 2020?”

“290 won per liter.”

“TaeYang Group’s greatest achievement is controlling oil prices.”

“Huh? That’s not right.”

Students began to murmur.

“Teacher, even if it’s not oil, TaeYang Group has introduced many world-first technologies, right?”

“That’s right. The world’s first semiconductor, the world’s first computer, the world’s first internet, the world’s first mobile phone, the world’s largest online market.”

“It’s like anything new that comes out is all TaeYang Group technology.”

As the students buzzed, the teacher slammed the history book on the desk.

“Attention. Who doesn’t know that TaeYang Group is currently number one in the world in all fields? Since the 2000s, even the Rockefeller family, the 19th-century oil tycoons, can’t hold a candle to TaeYang Group.”

Only then did the students quiet down.

“I’m telling you that even South Korea, now the world’s strongest nation, used to receive aid from the United States. Chairman Kang Tae-soo of TaeYang Group spearheaded that era.”

Students quickly began taking notes.

You need to focus because it’s a frequent topic on the university entrance exam.

“Chairman Kang Tae-soo focused on the oil business. Based on oil, Korea’s future changed. The remarkable national development in the 1980s was unparalleled worldwide. It achieved the feat of becoming an advanced country in the shortest period.”

Afterward, developing and developed countries flocked to Korea to study it.

“Starting with President Ahn Jung-woo in 1976, he purged pro-Japanese factions and declared war on crime, eradicating organized crime and drugs. Afterward, he implemented free public education, school lunch programs for all schools, and a national health insurance system.”

President Ahn Jung-woo retired with an unprecedented approval rating of 91%.

“One genius changes the world. It is no exaggeration to say that Kang Tae-soo, the outstanding genius of TaeYang Group, is leading the world economy and politics. It is a blessing for Korea.”

Everything was achieved exactly as Tae-soo had planned.

“Thanks to the success of each ‘National Development Five-Year Plan’ jointly presented by the President and TaeYang Group. As of 2020, TaeYang Group and the Korean government have established an inseparable, close cooperative relationship. It is the world’s only successful example of maximizing the synergy of a technological alliance between the political and business circles.”

That’s because Tae-soo’s influence on Korean politics and economy was absolute.

“High-caliber national talents from the scholarship foundation sponsored by TaeYang Group were responsible for national technology, and Korea’s electronic product technology is recognized as the world’s best.”

Based on that, TaeYang Group is breaking its own world-first records every year.

“From the TaeYang school district in Daechi-dong, which provides the world’s best education in all fields, to TaeYang University, TaeYang Group created an educational city that produces a large number of Nobel Prize candidates.”

The students taking classes here now were the talented individuals gathered from all over the country and the world.

They will join TaeYang Group in the future and be responsible for the future of Korea.

“You all know that talented people from all over the world are flocking to enter TaeYang University, right?”

“Yes!”

“You must also work hard to not fall behind them. Do you understand? You are the proud geniuses of TaeYang High School.”

“Yes, we understand.”

Afterward, they studied the modern and contemporary history of Korea for quite some time.

That was also the history of TaeYang Group.

* * *

27th floor, TaeYang Group headquarters in Daechi-dong, Chairman’s office.

A shining nameplate gleamed on the desk in the office.

An elderly man with a cane, but with a robust physique that made it hard to believe he was in his 70s.

Kang Tae-soo stood with his back to the office desk, looking out the glass window.

His low, sunken eyes were cold.

“Chairman, was my son’s warning so lightly dismissed?”

In front of the desk was a person kneeling, completely covered in a protective suit.

The Chinese President trembled slightly and lowered his head.

He pleaded in awkward Korean.

“Chairman, please forgive me just this once. I will do everything I can to prevent this situation from escalating as soon as I return.”

“Too late.”

Tae-soo did not hide his anger.

“I will hold you accountable for this coronavirus outbreak.”

PANDEMIC.

A state in which an infectious disease is prevalent worldwide, corresponding to the highest risk level in the World Health Organization’s infectious disease alert phase.

The pandemic was declared because of the coronavirus outbreak in China.

“If you had taken the initial measures properly according to the manual sent by TaeYang Pharmaceutical, you could have prevented it.”

Tae-soo’s anger was understandable.

However, the Chinese President felt wronged.

“No matter how great TaeYang Group is, you cannot predict the future, can you? It was a speculative warning more absurd than a shaman’s words!”

December 1, 2019.

A formal letter from TaeYang Group was sent to the Wuhan administrative office in China.

The same letter was also sent to the Chinese President.

“What is the population of China? To blockade the entire country for just one viral cold! To enforce mandatory mask-wearing and self-quarantine for all citizens?”

It was an impossible order.

Even if it was a warning from TaeYang Group.

“It is clear that forces checking China are playing tricks! We did not develop biochemical weapons! This is the United States laboratory framing our China…!”

“Stop.”

I don’t want to hear any more.

I don’t have time to waste on a guy who still hasn’t come to his senses.

“Drag him out.”

According to Tae-soo’s order, TaeYang Group security guards bound the Chinese President.

While being dragged away, the Chinese President cried out.

“Chairman, I was wrong! Please give me one more chance! I will do anything…!”

“Shut him up, it’s noisy.”

“Oop! Oop!”

Tae-soo got up from his chair.

Below the large glass window, the incredibly developed 모습 [image] of Seoul could be seen.

Seoul in 2020 was at a 천지개벽 [earth-shattering transformation] level compared to when it was completed in 1975.

‘You didn’t even listen to the warning. Because of the foolish guys blinded by their own selfish desires, the future hasn’t changed.’

After the Chinese President was dragged away, a middle-aged man in his 40s, who had sprayed disinfectant all over his body, entered the chairman’s office.

“Father, what are you going to do about China?”

“Issue a blockade order for China first. Block all roads and transportation facilities, including airplanes, ships, railroads, and buses. Start with mandatory masks and self-quarantine.”

Despite the first patient being discovered, the Chinese government tried to conceal all information.

But they underestimated TaeYang Group’s intelligence capabilities.

TaeYang Group had already completed the development of vaccines and treatments related to the coronavirus.

As soon as the coronavirus broke out in Wuhan, they immediately collected the virus and began producing vaccines and treatments.

“The incompetent ones need to be replaced. I’ll leave this to you now.”

Tae-soo took out a USB from the drawer and handed it to his son.

“This will allow you to remove Chinese government officials all at once.”

As time passed and technology developed, the list of those to be killed and the ledger of secrets could be delivered so easily.

The Vice Chairman of TaeYang Group, Tae-soo’s son, accepted the USB.

Instead, he handed Tae-soo the approval documents.

“This is a report from TaeYang Pharmaceutical. The delivery of coronavirus vaccines and treatments to hospitals around the world has been completed.”

“A little late. It took a month. Even though it was something we had been preparing for seven years.”

“Wasn’t the task to find a virus that exactly matched the coronavirus that Father described?”

That’s because the novel coronavirus was first discovered as a strange disease in Wuhan in December 2019.

Even the most capable TaeYang Pharmaceutical researchers found it difficult to find the virus.

But hadn’t they been studying numerous variant coronaviruses for as many as seven years?

As soon as they found the Wuhan virus from China, they immediately began developing vaccines and treatments.

They had already finished clinical trials on similar viruses long ago.

“But the price of the vaccine and treatment is…”

“Distribute it for free.”

Astronomical amounts of money were invested in research related to the coronavirus.

However, Tae-soo’s son, who had guessed that his father would do this, smiled.

“I never thought I would see my father so easily throw away an opportunity to make a fortune. Don’t you smell money?”

“I do.”

Why wouldn’t I smell money?

Even if we received only 2,000 won [approximately $1.50 USD] per vaccine, how much would that be?

Unlike in the previous life, the Korean population now exceeds 150 million.

This was thanks to the early encouragement of childbirth and the government’s efforts in childcare and education policies.

“What is the reason for distributing it for free? There are no families among Koreans who cannot afford to buy the coronavirus vaccine and treatment.”

“There is nothing more precious and expensive than human life in the world.”

They also paid attention to welfare so that career interruptions due to pregnancy and childbirth would not become a problem.

It is a golden generation that has not experienced economic repercussions such as the IMF [International Monetary Fund] crisis.

They have only tasted abundance from birth to the peak of South Korea’s growth.

As it grew into the world’s strongest nation, didn’t the per capita national income exceed $70,000?

“Not everyone in the world lives as well as Koreans.”

Tae-soo lightly patted his son’s shoulder.

“I will entrust TaeYang Group to you from now on. Take all of my shares and assets.”

“Don’t say that. Father is still healthy.”

“No. This is enough.”

Then Tae-soo’s son nodded.

“I understand. I will do that.”

Tae-soo puts his nameplate on the office desk in his bag.

Then he took a new nameplate out of his bag and handed it to his son.

“Take it.”

“Thank you.”

“Should I have given you the Rockefeller surname?”

“I’m not interested. That’s for my sister. Isn’t that what Mother wants too?”

“Yes.”

Ellis had her daughter in mind as the next head of the Rockefeller family.

As Tae-soo left the chairman’s office with his cane, his son asked.

“It’s still early to leave work, where are you going?”

“I’m going to the VIP ward of TaeYang Hospital.”

“Are you sick somewhere?”

“I’m fine.”

It is the result of putting much more effort into health management than in the previous life.

“It’s time to settle old scores.”

With an incomprehensible sound, Tae-soo left TaeYang Group headquarters.

* * *

TaeYang Hospital VIP ward.

The hospital director personally opened the hospital room door for Tae-soo.

Tae-soo said to the TaeYang Group security guards following behind.

“Wait here for a moment.”

“I understand.”

An old man in his 70s with various life support devices was lying on the hospital bed.

He trembled when he saw Tae-soo.

“Kang Tae-soo…!”

It was Han Il-kwon.

‘In the previous life, at this very time today, you and I met in this place.’

At that time, Tae-soo in a patient gown and Han Il-kwon in a suit with a cane faced each other.

And Tae-soo died at the hands of Han Il-kwon.

“Long time no see.”

“This wretched guy…”

It was a dying voice.

Han Il-kwon seemed to have difficulty even breathing.

“I heard you were hanging out with Chinese gangsters and caught the coronavirus. That’s a shame.”

“Are you going to get the coronavirus too…? Keu keu keu.”

“Haven’t you heard the news? TaeYang Pharmaceutical has long succeeded in developing the coronavirus vaccine and treatment.”

Han Il-kwon gritted his teeth.

“Damn it…! What grudge do you have against me…!”

Han Il-kwon failed miserably.

As Cheongil Construction went bankrupt, he had to run away from loan sharks.

He also had to watch the scene of red seizure stickers being placed all over his house.

He also had to watch Tae-soo personally demolish the Han Cheong-ho mansion with an excavator.

He received back exactly what Han Il-kwon had done when he smashed the TaeYang Apartment model house in the past.

“Thanks to you, I’ve been to prison several times…”

As Cheongil, who had been protecting Han Il-kwon, went bankrupt, victims came out from everywhere and dragged Han Il-kwon down.

In the end, Han Il-kwon, who had no backing, had to serve time in prison for the crimes he had committed.

“While you became the son-in-law of the Rockefeller family… I had to start a family with a drug addict woman…”

The Cho Myeong Bank, which he had trusted, also went bankrupt, and he had to live with that house’s daughter due to the pressure from loan sharks.

Everyone pointed fingers at this and said, ‘You reap what you sow.’

“It was a wretched bottom life… Hell is no different…”

Bank loans were blocked, and as a credit delinquent, he couldn’t use his card.

He couldn’t even get a decent job because of the red line drawn due to his prison life.

How many years did he live as a homeless person at Seoul Station?

It was a life of surviving on one meal a day with free meal service.

“Why do only I have to live like this…? It’s all because of you…! I was the head of Cheongil Group…!”

Han Il-kwon, who was crying out, coughed violently.

“You’re giving me a good show until the end.”

Han Il-kwon liked to say that he was ‘giving a good gift until the end’ to Tae-soo, who was dying.

In the previous life, would Cheongil Group, which Tae-soo had already grown into the No. 1 company in Korea, have devoured the Geumsan Group as planned?

Tae-soo looked down at Han Il-kwon, who was dying, with cold eyes.

“Farewell.”

Tae-soo turned his back.

Tae-soo is giving the send-off to the afterlife that Han Il-kwon had given in his previous life this time.

Han Il-kwon reached out his hand.

“Give me the treatment…! You said you succeeded in developing the coronavirus vaccine and treatment…?”

But Tae-soo didn’t care.

Only the sound of footsteps getting farther and farther away could be heard.

“Kang Tae-soo…! Come back…! I was wrong…! So please save me…! Cough…! Keuheuheup-!”

Tae-soo closed the hospital room door.

But the people who should have been waiting outside the hospital room door were not there.

A strange atmosphere permeated the hospital corridor, and not even the sound of a needle dropping could be heard.

The young man waiting for Tae-soo was wearing a black suit.

Dangling.

The sound of a bell that should not have been heard was heard.

Tae-soo stared intently at the man’s face.

It was definitely familiar, but he couldn’t remember who it was.

“General Shin said that you should do a business that touches dirt. Then you will become a person like the sun that will resound throughout Korea in the future, a 재벌 [chaebol – a large, family-owned business conglomerate] hunter who catches 재벌 [chaebol].”

I remembered.

“That shaman from then.”

He definitely died at the hands of Han Il-kwon.

As soon as he opened his eyes after seeing the panorama, this shaman was shaking a bell in front of him.

It was the same face he had seen in July 1972.

“How is it? Were you satisfied with your second life?”

Tae-soo had never revealed to anyone that he had regressed [reincarnated/time-traveled].

But the shaman spoke without hesitation about ‘second life.’

Tae-soo realized.

‘Now that I see it, he wasn’t human. Could it be…’

In the previous life, Tae-soo died right here today.

“Did you come to take me?”

“Not this time. There is someone else to take.”

He took out a notebook from his arms.

“This. After going around for a long time, it has returned to my hands like this. You have faithfully fulfilled your duty.”

It was a notebook that should have been sleeping in the drawer of Tae-soo’s study.

Tae-soo had been writing a memoir, looking back on his past life these days.

“I will take this as the price for living another life.”

He put Tae-soo’s memoir back in his arms.

“I’ll give you the title of your memoir. Um, let’s call it .”

“Ledger of Secrets?”

Why among so many titles.

Suddenly, the treasure that Han Cheong-ho had came to mind.

It was the source of Han Cheong-ho’s success and something he never showed Tae-soo until he died.

“Yes, I sent you to the past to recover this.”

He glanced at Han Il-kwon’s hospital room.

Han Il-kwon’s time was stopped as he was crying out.

“It was my mistake. As a result, these father and son stole your life and lived it, so it is only natural that you pay the price.”

“Han Cheong-ho and his son stole my life and lived it?”

“Then how else would Han Cheong-ho and his son have become 재벌 [chaebol]? Why would they have killed all of your family and friends? How did you know how to smell money? What tricks did they play to raise you as Cheongil’s dog?”

“But…”

“Is it still a coincidence that you sealed your ability to smell money because of the guilt of losing your younger sibling in the market? Who lured you out and kidnapped your younger sibling?”

He passed by Tae-soo and opened the door to Han Il-kwon’s hospital room.

Time had stopped with Han Il-kwon crying out as he was.

“Originally, you would have founded TaeYang Construction at the age of 7. You shouldn’t underestimate someone just because they’re young. Han Cheong-ho had to run around as your hands and feet instead of you, who was young.”

Tae-soo let out a bitter laugh.

In the previous life, Tae-soo ran around as Han Il-kwon’s hands and feet.

To repay Han Cheong-ho for paying off his debt and taking care of his family.

“Kang Tae-soo, what did you realize while living your second life?”

“There are two things.”

Tae-soo smiled at Han Il-kwon.

“Humans never change.”

Han Il-kwon did not turn over a new leaf.

Whether he lived as the head of Cheongil Group or lived a bottom life.

He consistently harmed people.

Also, Tae-soo was the same.

He lived obsessed with work just like in his previous life.

In the previous life, it was to grow Cheongil Group, and in this life, it was to grow TaeYang Group.

“But the situation can change as much as I do.”

But depending on what Tae-soo did, the future changed, the environment changed, and the people he formed relationships with also changed.

“The person I am has not changed, but thanks to meeting good people, I was happy in this life.”

He got a good wife, and he also got admirable sons and daughters.

Tae-soo’s parents lived comfortably and enjoyed their lives, and he enjoyed himself with Han-soo and Holjook.

The shaman nodded.

“Then that’s enough.”

The shaman grabbed Han Il-kwon by the collar and disappeared.

The stopped time began to flow again.

Beeeep-

Han Il-kwon died.

It was at the same time and place where Tae-soo died in his previous life.

-The End-