Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 106

106. What Cannot Be Severed (3)

Geumsan Hotel, suite room.

Lachman poured red wine into his glass and savored the taste.

[Thanks to you, my palate has become refined.]

Even the most expensive red wine offered by Geumsan Hotel didn’t seem to satisfy him.

[I shouldn’t have tasted that $40,000 wine. Once you know the taste, you can’t stop.]

Lachman licked his lips.

Even though he was a Saudi royal, it was impossible for him to drink $40,000 worth of fine red wine every day.

Even for Lachman, who had a notoriously extravagant taste among the Saudi royals.

[The reason I came to Korea this time isn’t just to celebrate the launch of your group.]

[Then, do you have other business?]

[The bidding date for the Jubail Industrial Port construction has been set. You’ll have limited time to prepare.]

[Already?]

That was fast.

The future information Tae-soo knew was different.

Originally, the Jubail Industrial Port construction bid was in ’75.

The person who won the bid was Jang Jun-yong of Geumsan, and the construction of the industrial port would begin in ’76.

[When is the construction bidding date?]

[August 30th of this month.]

About two weeks from now.

Lachman was saying the construction bidding date was a year earlier than in the future.

[I heard from my father. You said you wanted the Jubail Industrial Port bid?]

He had said that to Khalid, the Saudi Minister of Defense.

While discussing the Middle East war in front of him.

-You taught me what I could gain by winning in three wars. How should I repay you?

-I would like to be in charge of the Jubail Industrial Port construction.

-That’s not under my jurisdiction. I can’t give you a definite answer on that.

-The future is unpredictable. If the time comes and you can use your power, I will ask you then.

-I will do my best to help as far as my power reaches. Even if I can’t give you a definite answer, I won’t turn a blind eye.

Khalid had promised that.

And when they met again to obtain oil supply rights, Khalid said.

-Lachman will be appointed as the head of eastern city development. That means he will be in charge of the Jubail Industrial Port construction.

-My brother Abdullah has been appointed as the Minister of Industry from the commander of the National Guard in the Ministry of Defense. That means he can use his power for the Jubail Industrial Port construction.

Khalid was faithfully keeping his promise with Tae-soo.

‘It’s because I told Khalid that I wanted the Jubail Industrial Port. He must have been working behind the scenes to keep his promise with me.’

The future was changing little by little.

Just looking at Lachman in front of him, that was the case.

In his past life, he was a man who was kicked out of his position as the head of western city development and headed to Dubai.

But this time, he was recognized by the Saudi royal family and became the head of eastern city development in Saudi Arabia.

Right as the person in charge of the development plan for the Jubail Industrial Port construction.

‘I was relieved because Khalid will become the Saudi king in ’75. Unexpectedly, it has become difficult.’

If it flows the same as the future, Khalid will become the Saudi king in March ’75.

Because Khalid was the Saudi king, the Jubail Industrial Port construction was scheduled to be easily awarded to Tae-soo.

‘I have no connection with the current king. Moreover, even though their power has weakened, the Saudi Minister of Finance and the Minister of Construction are still in their positions. They are all connected to Han Cheong-ho.’

If the Jubail Industrial Port construction is bid when the current king is in power, what are the chances of Tae-soo winning?

[Lachman, aren’t you pushing the construction bidding period too hard?]

[I wouldn’t mind that much trouble for you.]

Ah, I’m so grateful that I don’t know what to say.

How can I say that?

How can I say to postpone it until your father becomes the Saudi king in a few months?

[The Kaiba-Al-Ula Expressway is almost finished already. I thought the Jubail Industrial Port construction bidding would be necessary before work starts to run out.]

Lachman’s eyes lit up, asking for praise.

[I’ve been enduring nightly overtime and overwork for that. I’ve also endured the resentment piled up from badgering and urging my subordinates every day. So, I brought the construction plan forward by a year.]

The Jubail Industrial Port construction is a large-scale project with a large amount of money equivalent to half of South Korea’s national budget.

One can imagine how much he suffered to bring forward such a large-scale project plan by a year.

Tae-soo couldn’t ignore that suffering.

[…You’ve worked hard.]

[I brought very good news, but you don’t seem very happy.]

[I am happy.]

Han Cheong-ho was attached to the Saudi Minister of Finance and the Minister of Construction.

There would be fierce bidding competition in the Jubail Industrial Port construction.

[It must be because of Han Cheong-ho, who is attached to my uncles, the ministers.]

Lachman sighed.

[There’s nothing we can do about that. But I believe in you. No matter how much Han Cheong-ho relies on connections, how can he compare to your ability?]

It was a burdensome belief.

But wasn’t the Jubail Industrial Port construction won by Jang Jun-yong alone in the bidding competition?

Tae-soo didn’t think he would be pushed back in the competition against Han Cheong-ho.

‘Since when have I been looking for an easy path? If it’s a thorny path, I can just cut through it.’

He could just overwhelm them with his ability.

He just had to create a situation where things would work out.

What are connections? Such obstacles can’t stop Tae-soo.

[I won’t disappoint you. So, I’ve prepared this. Would you take a look at this for a moment?]

When Tae-soo opened the hotel door, three men who had been waiting in front of the door appeared.

They were the three presidents of Tae Yang Group affiliates.

[The first people I want to introduce to Lachman are the key executives who support Tae Yang Group. They want to hold a joint briefing on the development of Jubail Industrial Port.]

Tae-soo introduced them to Lachman one by one.

[I received the blueprint for the Jubail Industrial Port construction that Lachman sent me. Park Cheol-wan, the president of Tae Yang Construction, who has concretized the design drawings, construction process, and plan to realize it as it is.]

Park Cheol-wan greeted him, holding an office box full of rolled-up drawing paper.

[To speed up the construction, a large number of heavy equipment will have to be put in. Lee Chang-won, the president of Tae Yang Heavy Equipment, who will be responsible for supplying heavy equipment.]

Lee Chang-won greeted him, holding a catalog listing the types of heavy equipment he produces.

[To make Jubail Industrial Port a global oil base, oil refining facilities are essential. Noh Il-guk, the president of Tae Yang Oil Refining, who will be responsible for all matters related to oil storage facilities and oil tankers.]

Noh Il-guk greeted him, holding a drawing of the oil refining process facility.

[These three put their heads together and prepared. We will brief you on the related construction and development plans to make Jubail Industrial Port a global oil base.]

Lachman raised his red wine glass, very satisfied.

[I’m looking forward to it.]

The three presidents of Tae Yang affiliates began briefing in front of Lachman.

* * *

The briefing by the three presidents of Tae Yang affiliates was over.

Lachman couldn’t help but admire and applaud.

[Amazing. I didn’t expect to hear such specific and innovative detailed plans.]

Clap, clap, clap.

[The presidents of Tae Yang Group’s affiliates are doing a very good job.]

The expressions of the three affiliates brightened at Lachman’s praise.

They were only looking at Tae-soo, not Lachman.

They were curious about what kind of evaluation Tae-soo would give after listening to this briefing.

‘It seems okay.’

‘Everyone seems to have prepared well.’

‘Our chairman is so sharp and meticulous.’

How much did they each get grilled by Tae-soo to prepare for this briefing?

They shook their heads, saying that this was not an amount of work that could be prepared in a short time.

Every time, Tae-soo’s answer was always the same.

-You can do it.

-How can you not believe in your own abilities? You can do it. Believe in yourself and move forward.

-It’s not that you can’t do it, so you don’t do it. It’s that you don’t do it, so you can’t do it. Try it. I think you can do it.

-Will I wait for you? It doesn’t matter how slowly you go if you don’t stop.

But they really could do it.

They were grilled, squeezed, and wrung out.

They worked, burning their whole bodies and burning their souls white, and it worked.

-If you have a wider view, you will see other paths. How about this?

-Hmm, I’m curious about the reason why you made this decision.

-Are you sure? You can’t force others to understand something that you can’t understand yourself. Let’s go back to the beginning and go through it slowly.

If Tae-soo hadn’t helped them find the direction, they probably would have wandered around in a maze and given up.

Han Cheong-ho was different from Tae-soo.

He abandons them when they lose their way and wander.

He only talked about the results, only cursed, and only poured out blame.

They couldn’t expect any suggestions, praise, or sense of accomplishment about the direction they should go.

So, there was no present or future under Han Cheong-ho.

There was only the past.

-Good job.

It was to hear those words from Tae-soo.

The pleasure and sense of accomplishment that the small praise gave made their blood boil.

It was the reason and goal they could run here without stopping.

“Good job.”

Again, Tae-soo’s calm praise was heard without fail.

They couldn’t stop the pleasure that the calm word gave.

The three presidents of the affiliates clenched their fists with an unhidden sense of accomplishment.

‘I did it!’

‘Ah, I feel great!’

‘Yeah, that’s it!’

After getting to know Tae-soo, they inevitably suffer from overwork.

But the sense of accomplishment is at its peak every day.

They can fully demonstrate their abilities, and Tae-soo helps them in every way to do so.

That was the reason they trusted and followed Tae-soo.

[With this level of bidding plan, it seems like we’ve already won the Jubail Industrial Port construction.]

That was the reason Lachman was satisfied.

[No matter how much Han Cheong-ho grabs my uncle ministers and plays tricks, with this…!]

As expected, it’s Tae-soo.

[The preparation is thorough. Of course, this is Kang Tae-soo.]

Lachman was relieved.

He felt like the worries that had been hanging in the corner of his heart had disappeared.

[After working with you, I’m not satisfied with anyone else. It’s my sin that I’ve come to know the joy of working with you.]

The three presidents of Tae Yang affiliates, who felt Lachman’s words more desperately than anyone else, nodded vigorously.

Tae-soo said to the three presidents of Tae Yang affiliates.

“You’ve worked hard to prepare. Lachman seems satisfied, so you can go in and get some rest today.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you.”

The presidents of the affiliates smiled contentedly.

They felt like the accumulated fatigue was melting away.

It was refreshing and carefree.

“Or would you like to have a drink at the hotel bar here? I’ll buy you a drink. You can drink as much as you want today.”

When Tae-soo handed over the corporate card, everyone grinned.

It’s not that the presidents couldn’t pay for the drinks without a corporate card, but they felt great that Tae-soo was doing this.

“Okay.”

“I will.”

“Thank you.”

The three presidents of Tae Yang Group affiliates returned in a good mood.

Jang Mal-dong and Ahn Jung-woo were waiting in front of the door.

“You should have made a sound when you arrived. Have you been waiting long?”

“The guards wouldn’t let me in. Ugh!”

Lachman’s guards were guarding the hallway and the front of the door.

“Come in.”

The two followed Tae-soo in.

Tae-soo introduced the two to Lachman.

[You saw these two at the Tae Yang Group launch ceremony, right? This person has done quite a lot of money transactions with me.]

Jang Mal-dong raised his fedora and greeted him.

[You’ve seen this person a few times in Saudi Arabia. A weapons dealer. You know?]

Ahn Jung-woo, dressed in a hanbok [traditional Korean clothing], greeted him.

Everyone sat down in the seats that Lachman offered, and Tae-soo opened his mouth, pointing to Ahn Jung-woo.

[First of all, the matter to discuss with Lachman is a business related to this person.]

[What business?]

[He wants to build a weapons factory in Saudi Arabia. What do you think?]

[A weapons factory?]

Lachman was lost in thought.

[You must have felt it during this Middle East war. Didn’t you need a weapons supplier you could trust and trade with?]

Saudi Arabia, enriched by oil money, is one of the countries with the highest amount of weapons purchases in the world even in the 21st century.

It is the third largest in the world, following the United States and China.

This is because of its geopolitical location, which has a lot to protect and a lot of trouble because of oil.

Ahn Jung-woo said.

[I don’t mean to build a global weapons factory. It’s enough to have a scale that can handle Saudi Arabia’s demand. Secretly.]

Lachman’s worries deepened.

[I don’t think this is a matter I can decide. I’ll ask my father.]

Lachman’s father is the Saudi Minister of Defense.

Khalid also had the authority to decide whether or not to build a weapons factory.

[Now that the Middle East war is over, why are you only now hinting at me?]

[When you were building the Yanbu Port in western Saudi Arabia, a logistics base was built together. So, I’m suggesting that we build it together when we build the eastern port this time.]

[You’re going to build a weapons factory secretly when you build the Jubail Industrial Port? Even a logistics base?]

Lachman understands immediately if you just give him a hint.

[Even if it’s not a weapons factory, a logistics base seems pretty good.]

He was tempted.

Wasn’t Saudi Arabia the one who built a logistics base in Yanbu Port in the western city of Saudi Arabia and benefited greatly from it?

Coincidentally, Lachman is in charge of eastern city development, and Tae-soo is likely to build the Jubail Industrial Port under Lachman’s supervision this time.

[Kang Tae-soo has another reason to bid for the Jubail Industrial Port construction? Hahaha.]

Lachman laughs coolly.

Then he turns his eyes to Jang Mal-dong.

[Then why did you come to me? There’s no reason for a bank to come to me?]