Still, I Will Live As The Son-In-Law Of A Conglomerate [EN]: Chapter 24

24. 7th. The 300 Million Dollar Task (3)

I stopped chuckling and straightened up.

“Uncle, come and see.”

“What is it?”

“I’ve caught a big one, hehe.”

“I don’t know what’s so great about this…”

Sun Hae-chul looked at me, tilting his head, but still came to my side and looked through the binoculars.

“Huh? What’s that?”

“What is it, Hyung-nim [older brother or respected male figure]?”

“Come and take a look.”

Sun Hae-chul gestured to Park Tae-jin, clicked his tongue, and looked at me.

“How did you know that?”

“What can our construction companies do? They just want to get past the warranty period, right?”

Whether it’s a chaebol [large South Korean conglomerate] or a small to medium-sized enterprise, the construction industry, regardless of size or amount, is a place where easy money is scattered everywhere.

From the initial contract to the subsequent subcontracts, even the lowest-level labor offices and material suppliers all take a cut, don’t they? I don’t know if they’re bribing public officials to win contracts or colluding with them because it’s easy to embezzle money.

“Hooh… Anyone would think you’ve been rolling around in a construction company for about 20 years?”

I’ve been rolling around for a little over 20 years. Not in a construction company, but like a dog in Shinseong Group.

I wanted to say that, but I shrugged and replaced my answer with a smile.

Sun Hae-chul, who was grinning at me, suddenly snapped his fingers.

“This is no time to be spacing out. We need to call Myung-jin and show him.”

“You’re saying we need an expert’s verification?”

Sun Hae-chul nodded vigorously at my question.

“Of course. Your uncle graduated from architecture and even got his architect license, hehe.”

In addition, Lee Myung-jin was also knowledgeable in metallurgy and mechanical engineering. I believed that such a person would quickly verify how dangerous that problematic bridge was.

“Regardless of the contractor ranking or whatever, if we blow that up, Hae-dong Construction’s stock will hit the upper limit [daily price ceiling on the stock market]. I’ll bet all my money and my hand on it, hehe.”

Sun Hae-chul couldn’t hide his smile, as if he was just thinking about it, but my thoughts were different.

“Uncle, come on… We just need to show that Hae-dong Construction is a company that does its job well. Even in construction alone, our family members hold 21 percent like steel, cement, and heavy industries, Mulsan holds 30 percent, and current and former CEOs hold 10 percent. We should concede the stock gains to the shareholders.”

This matter had to be handled carefully. If we rushed in to make a quick buck, we could be accused of stock manipulation, so we had to eliminate even the slightest suspicion.

Sun Hae-chul, who had been chuckling, gave an awkward smile at my words.

“I’m just kidding, you rascal. Let’s show it to Myung-jin and talk about it, hehe.”

Sun Hae-chul quickly called Lee Myung-jin, and Lee Myung-jin arrived where we were in less than 30 minutes.

“What’s going on, Hyung-nim? You’re going to solve the Gangnam Terminal construction bid in one shot?”

“Your only nephew found something good. If we blow this up, Gangnam Terminal is not the problem. It’s a case where Hae-dong Construction will hit the upper limit, hehe.”

Lee Myung-jin wore a puzzled expression as Sun Hae-chul laughed.

“Upper limit? What are you talking about?”

“Look at that first.”

Lee Myung-jin looked at the binoculars that Sun Hae-chul pointed to, and his face hardened.

“Hyung-nim, I’m about to die gathering people from affiliates and cutting prices and adjusting the construction period because of the Gangnam Terminal. Even if Father solved the money problem, I don’t have time to leisurely look at binoculars or…?”

Lee Myung-jin, who was speaking sternly, stopped talking when he saw Sun Hae-chul looking at him and moving his finger from the binoculars to the bridge.

“Let’s talk after you see it.”

“Yes…”

Lee Myung-jin put his eyes to the binoculars and let out a bewildered voice as soon as he saw the bridge.

“How could this be…?”

“Got it? Raise your head quickly.”

Lee Myung-jin’s face, who raised his head, was filled with mixed emotions. As expected of Hae-dong Group’s technology expert, he quickly realized that the bridge was in bad condition.

“What’s wrong, Myung-jin-ah? If we destroy that, Hae-dong Construction will rise to the top in one shot, right?”

“Hyung-nim is right, President. Isn’t this an opportunity for Hae-dong Construction to rise to the top, not just Gangnam Terminal?”

Even though Sun Hae-chul and Park Tae-jin urged him, Lee Myung-jin was still silent.

“What’s wrong, Uncle?”

“You know that Donghwa Construction built that bridge, right, Hyung-nim?”

Sun Hae-chul blinked at Lee Myung-jin’s question.

“Donghwa Construction? They built the 63 Building and are laying the Great Man-Made River in Libya, right?”

Donghwa Construction was the parent company of Donghwa Group, with Donghwa Life Insurance, Donghwa Fire Insurance, and Donghwa Transportation as affiliates. But why?

“The chairman there is Joo Tae-yeon, and he’s my friend.”

Damn it, the chairman of Donghwa Group was this guy’s friend?

If they collapsed the Seongsu Bridge built by Donghwa Group, it would be like stabbing Joo Tae-yeon in the back. Given Lee Myung-jin’s personality, he would never do something that would stab someone else in the back, even if he was stabbed in the back himself.

In the midst of great disappointment, Lee Myung-jin wore a faint smile.

“But that’s in the past tense. Now he’s like an enemy.”

“Yes?”

I wondered what he was talking about. A friend is like an enemy?

“Seong-min-ah, do you know how people who went to prison because of Father or me and couldn’t become executives live?”

At this time, I was so focused on Shinseong Group that I didn’t know about Hae-dong Group’s internal practices.

“No. I don’t know that well…”

“They live by running cement or rebar dealerships or labor offices for our group. There aren’t enough executive nameplates to take care of everyone. It’s a tradition that has been passed down since your late grandfather’s time.”

Any group has to provide that level of compensation to avoid any repercussions. I nodded and silently stared at Lee Myung-jin’s serious face.

“But that guy went bankrupt on those people. Three years ago.”

“Bankrupt?”

Donghwa Construction, a large company, went bankrupt… I couldn’t believe it and blinked my eyes. Lee Myung-jin spoke calmly to me.

“It was an affiliate that didn’t use the name Donghwa, and it went bankrupt for 5 billion won [approximately $3.75 million USD]. We covered it with our slush fund because we didn’t want to ruin our relationship over petty money, but he tried to do it again last year, so we cut him off.”

5 billion won is money that my grandfather or Lee Myung-jin could have written off, even if I don’t have it now. Lee Myung-jin was clearly disappointed in Joo Tae-yeon’s character.

Sun Hae-chul’s expression brightened at Lee Myung-jin’s angry appearance.

“Then…?”

“That bridge’s bridge rating is DB-18 [design load rating], but there’s a ready-mixed concrete factory nearby, so it’s become like that. It should have been built to DB-24 standards… As far as I know, the repair work was also done poorly.”

I don’t know what he’s talking about, but I had a good feeling when he was talking.

“Joo Tae-yeon, that bastard, gave that bridge for free and acted like he was doing us a huge favor. Our nephew gave us the source, so now we have to see that bastard wailing, hehe.”

Our uncle, as expected of grandfather’s son.

###

That day, we immediately went to Samcheong-dong and reported our plan to grandfather.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, Father. I’m sure.”

“Hmm…”

Lee Myung-jin said in an earnest voice as grandfather made a sound of contemplation.

“I went into the bridge railing and checked, and the steel frame was corroded, and there were cracks in the concrete. If it’s a bridge that has to be torn down anyway, wouldn’t it be better to tear it down without anyone getting hurt? Our Hae-dong Construction has never done any shoddy construction, so it will be an opportunity to prove our capabilities as Seong-min said, Father.”

Grandfather, who had been silently listening to Lee Myung-jin’s appeal with a stern face, nodded.

“Start.”

***

Jang Ho-gun, who was in Seonguiwon [traditional Korean house], was doubting his ears at Lee Soo-han’s report that had just come in.

“Is that true, Chief Lee?”

“Yes, Chairman. This is information that has just been confirmed. They are currently parking trucks at both entrances of the bridge and are setting up tents inside the bridge with Hae-dong Construction executives and employees and staging a protest. Also…”

Jang Ho-gun tilted his head, hearing from Lee Soo-han that empty dump trucks were driving around in the center of the bridge.

“Lee Myung-jin isn’t the type to do such a reckless thing… Did he eat something wrong?”

“I’m also not sure about that part. Should we call Shinseong Mulsan’s President Park and ask him?”

“Park Byung-joon?”

“Yes. He has a lot of construction experience, so it would be good to get his opinion and make a decision.”

Lee Soo-han picked up his cell phone and made a call when he saw Jang Ho-gun nodding, and the intercom rang in less than 30 minutes.

[Chairman, Shinseong Mulsan’s Construction Division President Park Byung-joon has arrived.]

“Tell him to come in.”

The door opened and a middle-aged man entered.

“Did you call for me, Chairman?”

“Ah, President Park. It’s been a while. Let’s sit down and talk.”

Jang Ho-gun sat Park Byung-joon on the sofa and sat in the seat of honor himself.

“President Park, have you heard the news about Hae-dong Construction?”

“Hae-dong Construction…?”

“It just happened, so you don’t know. Chief Lee, tell him.”

Lee Soo-han, who was behind him, stepped forward and retold the story he had told Jang Ho-gun, and Park Byung-joon’s expression was full of ridicule.

“It’s impossible, Chairman. Even if construction companies act as slush fund channels, they do construction while maintaining a minimum line. Chairman Jang took a hit from the Gupo Station accident, but our Mulsan is different.”

“Are you sure it won’t collapse?”

“Yes, Chairman. I’m sure.”

Jang Ho-gun narrowed his eyes and looked at Park Byung-joon and said.

“I understand. You will have to take responsibility for that statement.”

“Of course, Chairman. I swear on my position.”

Park Byung-joon pounded his chest and left the room after making a bold statement, and Jang Ho-gun spat out a curse as he looked at the door he had left.

“That bastard, he was originally on Ho-min’s side, right?”

“Yes, Chairman. But if we hadn’t held on to that man, the money that side made in the Mulsan construction division would have gone to the vice chairman.”

“You’re right, but look at his attitude just now. Is that something he should do in front of me? Arrogant bastard.”

Jang Ho-gun admitted it, but he couldn’t stand Park Byung-joon’s arrogant attitude. How dare he in front of whom!

“There are too many bastards to get rid of. Damn it.”

Jang Ho-gun, realizing that there were still many internal enemies, not to mention his sister and brother, buried himself in the sofa and sighed.

***

Several days have passed since that day.

“This is KBC’s Joo Mi-na. President Lee Myung-jin, Hae-dong Construction has been illegally occupying and protesting the Seongsu Bridge for several days. Do you sincerely believe that the Seongsu Bridge will collapse?”

“The Seongsu Bridge is currently on the verge of collapse. As you can see from the photos and data we have shown you, the condition is very serious.”

Even in the midst of flashes bursting and people sent from the broadcasting station filming, Lee Myung-jin was speaking calmly but with a determined expression.

Unlike the neat broadcasting station reporter, Lee Myung-jin’s face was a mess. His hair, which had been oily from living in a tent for several days, didn’t need pomade, and his beard was growing around his jawline and mouth.

Moreover, he was wearing a field jumper, so if someone didn’t know him, he would look like a homeless person or a construction worker, but the living eyes couldn’t be hidden even in that state. Rather, it seemed desperate in contrast to that appearance.

“A bridge has never collapsed before. Don’t all bridges have cracks to some extent?”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about. The Seongsu Bridge’s bridge rating is DB-18, with a maximum load of 32.4 tons, but fatigue has accumulated due to the frequent passage of overloaded vehicles because there is a ready-mixed concrete factory near the bridge. If this condition continues, the bridge will collapse during traffic.”

As Lee Myung-jin refuted using professional knowledge, the reporter nodded and stepped back slightly.

More than an hour after the Seongsu Bridge was blocked, police buses arrived, and riot police wearing protective gear poured out of them and formed a line.

[Warning! If you do not disperse immediately, you will be arrested as a flagrant offender!]

“Please! This bridge must be destroyed for the safety of the people!”

Lee Myung-jin and the executives and employees also shouted and resisted at the warning of the commander with a megaphone to his mouth.

Despite repeated warnings, the riot police command frowned as Hae-dong Construction executives and employees refused to give way.

“What should we do, Battalion Commander?”

“What do you mean what should we do? Deploy!”

According to the commanders’ orderly instructions, the riot police slowly advanced, colliding their intimidating hobnail boots, batons, and shields.

On the other side, Lee Myung-jin and the Hae-dong Construction executives and employees swallowed dry saliva and shook their legs as they watched the riot police narrowing the distance between them, but they gave strength to the arm they had linked to each other.

“Waaaaa!”

The moment the riot police shouted and ran.

Kwarreung!

With a sound that hit the ears, the middle of the bridge broke and fell into the Han River, causing a splash. The riot police who saw the sight froze like ice.

Lee Myung-jin and the Hae-dong Construction executives and employees, who had been tightly closing their eyes, released the scrum and stared blankly at the middle of the bridge, which was split in two, contrary to the police. They knew it would collapse, but they couldn’t hide their embarrassment at the sight that happened in real time.

“What are you doing! Shoot it quickly!”

The cameras that had been focusing on Lee Myung-jin were busy taking pictures of the scene, flashing at the collapsed Seongsu Bridge.

In the meantime, the reporter who had interviewed him approached Lee Myung-jin with the cameraman.

“President Lee Myung-jin, what do you think about this situation?”

“It cannot but be a deplorable thing. Isn’t this all a major disaster caused by old practices? Hae-dong Construction will do its best to participate in the epochal task of creating a new Korea.”

As Lee Myung-jin answered as if defending the goal presented by the current government with a firm expression, the reporter asked again.

“Wouldn’t Hae-dong Construction, which has a long history, have followed the old practices?”

It was a somewhat provocative question, but Lee Myung-jin said without changing his expression, as if it were a pre-arranged play.

“Hae-dong Construction has been faithfully constructing without any shoddy construction so far. We will continue to build buildings that the public can trust and use.”

What Lee Myung-jin is saying now is a pledge to himself.

But it was his secret that he was determined to start building the Gangnam Terminal and raise the group and family with his family.