Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 104

104. What Cannot Be Severed (1)

The open space in front of Tae Yang Heavy Industries, the venue for the Tae Yang Group launching ceremony.

Employees finished their meal and enjoyed fruits, coffee, and other refreshments for dessert.

“To think a conglomerate’s launching ceremony would end so shabbily.”

“Knowing the chairman, it wasn’t an event he paid much attention to. We, who prepared it, know that better.”

“But it’s so anticlimactic that it ended so emptily. It feels like we’re being ignored for no reason.”

Just like how a principal’s morning assembly is better the quicker it ends, company events are also better when they are short.

However, even though the meal was satisfying, the employees’ faces were clouded after the group launching ceremony ended so abruptly in just five minutes.

It was because they saw Taesu following the Central Intelligence Agency agents who had barged in.

“Will our chairman be okay?”

“No matter how you look at it, it doesn’t seem like a minor issue……”

“Not a single figure from the political or business world, let alone reporters, showed up at the conglomerate’s launching ceremony.”

The employees sighed at the unprecedented cold treatment Tae Yang Group received.

The employees’ morale is at rock bottom.

Then, the miners clicked their tongues.

“Do you think this is a funeral home? Why is everyone so down over such a trivial matter?”

“I know, right? As if there’s no one else to worry about, they’re worrying about our president, no, our chairman?”

“That guy could sweet-talk his superiors and get work even if he were dragged into the army, not just the Central Intelligence Agency.”

The miners, laughing heartily, seemed so carefree.

The employees who used to belong to Cheongil Oil & Refinery and Heavy Industries clicked their tongues.

“They’re saying that because they don’t know how scary Chairman Han of Cheongil is.”

“There’s a reason he’s called the Tiger of Cheongil. There wasn’t a single company that didn’t go bankrupt after he set his mind to stirring things up.”

“It’s to the point where people say he became a conglomerate through bribery and lobbying, not through legitimate business.”

The employees who belonged to Cheongil had seen and heard a lot.

However, the miners clicked their tongues at them instead.

“You’ve been under our chairman for half a year and still don’t know anything.”

“Didn’t the news spread that even that scary Chairman Han of Cheongil was publicly humiliated in front of our chairman?”

When the vice president of Cheongil Chemical acted violently at Taesu’s mine, the miners personally grabbed their shoulders and roughed them up.

After that, they heard about Taesu’s achievements during the acquisition of Cheongil Oil & Refinery and Heavy Industries.

The miners, who had watched Taesu closely for a long time, had great faith in him.

“Just you wait and see. Our chairman will not only come back safe and sound but also return in triumph.”

On the other hand, the employees who belonged to Cheongil shuddered at Han Cheongho’s notoriety.

“You don’t know what happens when you incur the displeasure of the Cheongil Group……”

The employees who belonged to Cheongil couldn’t finish their sentence.

A massive procession of cars was entering in droves.

“What? What on earth is going on?”

“What else could it be? Our chairman has returned. The prince who went with the chairman is also back.”

They immediately recognized the ten taxis among the procession of cars.

They were the taxis that the wealthy Rachman had chartered.

Vroom. Screech.

Taesu’s vehicle is also visible among the procession of cars.

“Oh? It’s real?”

“What are all these cars? They didn’t even show their faces at the launching ceremony.”

Taesu got out of the car.

He is not only safe and sound but also has the same confident expression as ever.

“Did everyone enjoy lunch?”

“Chairman!”

“I’m so sorry. It looks like we’ll have to start the ceremony we just finished again.”

The employees welcomed Taesu.

“You said you were going to a hotel event in the next neighborhood. How did that go?”

Judging by Taesu’s demeanor, it seemed like things went well.

“I didn’t intend for this to happen, but somehow, I ended up bringing a string of guests.”

“Yes?”

This is all thanks to Rachman’s excessive meddling and bluffing.

Taesu turned around and said.

“His Excellency the President will be giving a congratulatory speech at the Tae Yang Group launching ceremony. Everyone, let’s hurry.”

“Yes? His, His Excellency the President?”

Among the cars lined up in a black row, there were also processions with the Korean flag.

Rachman and Park Jeonghwan got out of the car.

In other cars, Chief of the Presidential Security Service Cha Gibeom and Chief of Staff Kim Jeongrim, followed by a cloud of bodyguards from the Security Service, poured out.

The employees’ mouths dropped open.

“Is it really?”

“Everyone, stand up! This isn’t the time to be sprawled out and eating.”

The employees hurriedly got up and gathered in the open space.

They took out the chairs they had put away and quickly prepared for the event.

The speed at which they worked was astonishingly fast.

“The speed of work that has been honed by running around every day is shining here.”

“There are so many times when we have to work at full speed to serve our president, no, our chairman.”

“Tae Yang Group is a company where you can’t survive if you’re not quick-witted.”

The employees, who had been diligently trained under Taesu for half a year, had exceptional work skills.

The miners triumphantly shouted to the employees who belonged to Cheongil.

“How is it? Aren’t we right?”

“See, I knew it would be like this.”

The employees who belonged to Cheongil gave the miners a thumbs up.

At that moment, reporters cautiously began to bombard the employees with questions.

“I heard that Tae Yang Group’s chairman has made contributions to the early resolution of the Middle East war. I’m trying to cover what specifically happened. I would appreciate your cooperation.”

“I heard that the Saudi royal family even flew in on a private plane to congratulate their friend, Chairman Kang Taesu. Has there been frequent contact since before that?”

“I heard that Tae Yang Group’s Chairman Kang Taesu received the right to supply oil as an exception to Saudi Arabia’s oil export ban and delivered it to each conglomerate. I would like to know the specific instructions regarding this.”

The reporters’ questions poured out non-stop.

Not only the employees who belonged to Cheongil but also the miners and the employees who were acquired later.

Everyone opened their mouths in unison.

“Huh? Our chairman?”

“Oh my gosh. That guy went to Saudi Arabia and did such a thing?”

“Hahaha, that guy would do that and still have energy left. See, I told you he’s the kind of guy who gets work wherever he goes and returns in triumph!”

The Tae Yang Group employees all looked at Chairman Kang Taesu.

Taesu, very confidently, went up to the podium and turned on the microphone.

Taesu tapped the microphone and said.

“Ah, microphone test. What is everyone doing there? Aren’t you going to prepare for the event? Can’t you align the chairs properly? Are you going to leave the guests standing in the hot sun? Aren’t you going to prepare the food? Run!”

That pouring barrage of nagging!

‘Yeah, that’s our chairman.’

‘I feel refreshed.’

The Tae Yang Group employees left the reporters behind and rushed to prepare for the event.

The employees all had proud smiles on their faces.

* * *

The Tae Yang Group launching ceremony resumed and eventually ended.

The reporters kept flashing their cameras day after day.

Presidential Chief of Staff Kim Jeongrim said to the bodyguards.

“Shut the reporters’ mouths.”

“How far should we go?”

“Tell them to be prepared if they publish even a single line of what the Saudi royal family said. They should be satisfied with the photos they took.”

It would be problematic if what Taesu did in Saudi Arabia was revealed in newspapers and broadcasts.

The relationship between the two countries would worsen the moment the existence of the oil supply rights, which were concluded in secret, came to the surface.

Kim Jeongrim could not ignore Rachman’s warning.

“Understood.”

The bodyguards directly under the President turned around and approached the reporters.

In an instant, the camera flashes stopped all at once.

The reporters, who had been asking questions loudly, simultaneously closed their mouths.

They would not be able to ignore the warning from above.

“Everyone, please enjoy the meal prepared by Tae Yang.”

The famous figures from the political and business world who followed Park Jeonghwan also ate the lunch prepared by the Tae Yang Group.

Praise for the food prepared by the Tae Yang Group poured out one after another.

“The president’s office seems like a good place to discuss oil-related matters.”

Rachman, Park Jeonghwan, and the heads of the conglomerates headed to the president’s office of Heavy Industries.

Food, alcohol, and refreshments were already prepared there.

Rachman sat on the sofa and said calmly.

[Honestly, I don’t understand this situation. The country is blocking bank loans, demanding immediate repayment of debts that don’t even belong to you, and blocking investments. It seems difficult to do business here.]

It’s a polite and gentle way of criticizing.

It’s meant for Park Jeonghwan to hear.

It’s a disguised expression of displeasure at how Taesu was harassed with such tactics.

Park Jeonghwan quietly looks at Rachman.

Rachman, unconcerned, said to Taesu.

[Kang Taesu, Saudi Arabia has a surplus of dollars from selling oil. We will use this money to build cities, expand infrastructure, and develop the country. Won’t you come to Saudi Arabia?]

He openly reveals his intention to scout Taesu.

[In Saudi Arabia, the country won’t block your path. Rather, we will provide subsidies and give you the authority to develop the national base industry. We want capable people.]

Rachman scoffed, thinking of Han Cheongho.

[A rat like Han Cheongho is gnawing at the country. But everyone was swayed by his tricks and tried to crush you with one mind and one heart. Kang Taesu, you are too good to unfold your great ambitions in such a petty country.]

All eyes were on Taesu.

They are all people who have seen how Park Jeonghwan harasses Taesu.

So they know how sweet the Saudi royal family’s offer sounds to Taesu right now.

Park Jeonghwan was also quietly watching Taesu.

[Thank you for your words, but I must politely decline that offer.]

However, Taesu’s answer was already decided.

Taesu politely greeted Rachman.

[Why? Our Saudi Arabia can give you much more than this country.]

I don’t know why you’re trying to stick to this country while being treated like this.

[If you follow me to Saudi Arabia, wealth and glory will be guaranteed. I will personally pave the way for you, so you don’t have to walk this difficult, thorny path.]

A flower path paved by the Saudi royal family.

Every word reeks of fragrant money.

[It’s a 1 billion dollar offer. How about it?]

I admit it.

This much money smells so good that it’s dizzying.

For the first time in a long time, Taesu had to grit his teeth and try not to be distracted by the smell of money.

[If I only consider the pros and cons, there’s no reason to refuse Saudi Arabia.]

Hasn’t Taesu thought about that?

A capable person can unfold their ambitions anywhere, and Taesu is a capable man.

But Taesu chose this path.

[Does that mean you have another reason for choosing this path, even if you give up the pros and cons?]

Taesu smiled brightly.

[I have something to do here.]

Taesu doesn’t say anything else.

Instead, he only recommends something else to Rachman.

[This is Korean traditional wine made directly by my mother.]

It was makgeolli [Korean rice wine].

[Please try it.]

Rachman stared at Taesu.

[Don’t you know that Saudi Arabia prohibits alcohol? I’m a Saudi royal family member, even if I look like this.]

[Ah, then I will respect Saudi culture.]

[…Just know that I couldn’t ignore the sincerity because your mother made it herself. It’s polite to follow Roman law when you go to Rome [a saying meaning to respect the customs of a place when visiting].]

Rachman is awkwardly explaining why he, as a Saudi royal family member, is drinking makgeolli at a foreign official event.

But he didn’t act awkwardly with Taesu.

He didn’t bother to ask why since he didn’t bother to tell him the reason.

Instead, Rachman took the makgeolli bowl that Taesu handed him.

[I will respect your wishes. Cheers.]

When Rachman raised the makgeolli bowl, Park Jeonghwan and the heads of the conglomerates also raised their glasses.

* * *

The discussion on oil supply is over.

Unlike how he threatened in front of Han Cheongho, Rachman responded gently, and the conversation flowed smoothly.

He withdrew his intention to deliberately block the oil supply.

Park Jeonghwan got up from his seat.

[I’ll get up now.]

[I bid farewell to the highest authority in this country. I hope you have a good day.]

Rachman greets him splendidly.

Park Jeonghwan received the greeting by raising his hand.

When Park Jeonghwan turned around, Chief of the Security Service Cha Gibeom and Chief of Staff Kim Jeongrim also got up from their seats.

Taesu also followed Park Jeonghwan to see him off as the host.

“My mouth feels stuffy after the meal.”

Park Jeonghwan put a cigarette in his mouth in front of the stairs.

Cha Gibeom took out a lighter, but Park Jeonghwan stopped him by raising his hand.

Park Jeonghwan casually offered a cigarette to Taesu.

“Don’t you smoke?”

“I don’t.”

“Yeah, it’s better not to get involved in this kind of thing in the first place. I know it’s harmful in every way, but……”

Cha Gibeom handed the lighter to Taesu.

Taesu lit Park Jeonghwan’s cigarette.

Park Jeonghwan took a puff of the cigarette and looked down the stairs.

“Once you taste this, it’s hard to quit.”

Whoosh-

A sigh is invisible, but cigarette smoke is visible.

The cigarette smoke looked like Park Jeonghwan’s sigh.

“Power is like that too.”

Park Jeonghwan smiles with a cigarette in his mouth.

“Why did you reject his offer?”

It sounded very sweet.

Park Jeonghwan stared intently at Taesu.

“I’m sure you knew I was going to suppress you.”