Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 108

108. What Cannot Be Severed (5)

Jang Mal-dong and Ahn Jung-woo exited the Geumsan Hotel suite where Rachman was staying.

Ahn Jung-woo’s expression wasn’t good.

“Those people who followed Chairman Jang in earlier, they were the president and vice president of Geumsan Construction, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“Didn’t you say the vice president was causing trouble behind the scenes?”

“I did.”

It was a background check that Tae-soo had requested in advance.

From the moment they decided to jointly bid for the Jubail Industrial Port project with Geumsan, Tae-soo had been paying attention to Geumsan Construction.

“I have a bad feeling about this.”

The vice president’s face as he entered the hotel room with a meaningful smile kept bothering him.

“Tell them to bring all the collected data.”

Jang Mal-dong went down to the lobby and handed a bill to the counter.

“Let me use the phone.”

Surely, the kid wasn’t predicting this whole situation and preparing for it in advance, was he?

Jang Mal-dong’s gaze subtly turned upwards.

Towards the suite where Tae-soo was.

* * *

Lee Moon-bok was very pleased with the current situation.

Specifically, the situation where Geumsan’s bulldozer, Jang Joon-yong, was helpless and flustered.

A thrill coursed through his entire body.

‘Shall we start slowly?’

Lee Moon-bok had attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the Cheongil Hotel.

As he was about to leave, Han Cheong-ho grabbed his arm and spoke to him.

-I have a very good proposal. Would you like to hear it?

That’s how the conversation between the two began.

There were a total of three things Han Cheong-ho had instigated.

1. Drive a wedge between Geumsan and Taeyang to make them split.

2. Brand Geumsan’s image as the worst to the Saudi prince.

3. Ruin the Jubail Industrial Port project bid.

If he could accomplish just these, many things would change.

Han Cheong-ho promised Lee Moon-bok a surprising reward.

1. The position of president of Cheongil Construction.

2. Political sponsorship and the formation of a private organization.

3. 300 million won in cash.

4. Women.

It was an offer he couldn’t refuse.

Han Cheong-ho of Cheongil, known for his wide reach from the political world to low-level public officials.

He coveted the title of being a talent backed by Han Cheong-ho, who was famous for his good judgment.

He hinted that he would actively support Lee Moon-bok and nurture him as a political rookie.

‘In this day and age, what is a chaebol [large Korean conglomerate]? It’s a world where they have to prostrate themselves and bow their heads with just one flick of the president’s finger. I’m done with selling my pride to sell things.’

A man with big dreams had been dreaming of politics since his 30s.

Lee Moon-bok was confident.

‘I can finish all three things Chairman Han Cheong-ho requested at once. And even get my personal gain. By appealing to the Saudi prince in front of him.’

Was it heaven’s help?

He had half given up, thinking he would never have the chance to meet the Saudi prince, but Jang Joon-yong of Geumsan was bringing him before the Saudi prince himself.

‘I was just licking my lips because the chances of success were low. If I miss this opportunity, I’m not a man.’

That was the reason Lee Moon-bok made up his mind.

Lee Moon-bok confidently argued in front of Rachman.

[Geumsan can proceed with the Jubail Industrial Port project on its own. Geumsan built a shipyard and has maintained numerous ports on the West and South Sea coasts. And that’s not all!]

Lee Moon-bok clenched his fist and passionately appealed.

[We built bridges, laid roads, maintained naval bases, and built Geumsan Port, where oil tankers come and go. Geumsan Construction did all of that.]

The second way to appeal his competence, listing his achievements!

[Geumsan Construction has been collecting data in various fields for a long time to win the Saudi Jubail Industrial Port project. How can we make it the best eastern port in Saudi Arabia? How can we create a beautiful port?]

The first way to appeal his competence, persuading him in detail!

[Our Geumsan Construction values the harmony between nature and humans. What is needed to pursue human convenience without destroying the marine ecosystem? Yes, technology is needed.]

Geumsan Construction’s history is 30 years, but the technology accumulated while undertaking large projects is top-notch.

[Did you look around Seoul on your way here? We share the history of Korea’s industrial development. It was our Geumsan Construction that rebuilt Seoul, which had been reduced to ashes by the ravages of war.]

Geumsan Construction’s contribution to the construction of downtown Seoul is clearly significant.

[You must have crossed the Han River bridge, right? You must have used Seoul Airport, where planes take off and land, right? The road leading to Geumsan Hotel? This luxurious hotel? Geumsan Construction built all of it.]

He was as eloquent as could be.

Jang Joon-yong grumbled anxiously.

“I’ll let you go this far. No more. So just say one thing. That you want a joint bid!”

Lee Moon-bok didn’t let go of his meaningful expression.

Tae-soo’s expression sank.

‘Lee Moon-bok is determined today.’

He wouldn’t do this unless he was crazy.

But if he wasn’t crazy, that was the problem.

‘Judging from the reactions of the others, it wasn’t planned in advance. What’s the reason for betraying at this point, unlike what was planned?’

Lee Moon-bok was a quick-witted and cunning man.

Tae-soo knew very well that such a man wouldn’t create this situation without calculation.

‘What does Lee Moon-bok gain from this?’

Looking at the current situation alone, there was no gain, only loss.

‘He’s acting arbitrarily in front of dignitaries and causing trouble. Will Jang Joon-yong of Geumsan let this go? No. Dismissal, demotion, transfer, disciplinary action, pay cuts, etc., are the predetermined steps.’

Lee Moon-bok, who couldn’t possibly not know that, was deliberately interrupting Jang Joon-yong’s words and speaking in English.

It was meant for Rachman to hear.

That intention, that malice, couldn’t be seen favorably no matter how hard he tried.

‘It means he abandoned Geumsan. If he’s giving up everything, even the plan to overthrow the president that he’s been preparing for, and choosing betrayal…’

Lee Moon-bok’s purpose was clear.

Ruining Geumsan’s reputation, making a mess, creating discord, etc.

Tae-soo thought of the person who had lured Lee Moon-bok.

‘Han Cheong-ho.’

He’s been working fast in a short amount of time.

‘The groundbreaking ceremony of Cheongil Hotel.’

He had a sense of how things were going.

‘The Geumsan chairman’s reputation is in tatters.’

The current situation was created half by Lee Moon-bok and half by Rachman.

From the beginning, Rachman wanted to exclude Geumsan and give the Jubail Industrial Port bid to Tae-soo.

‘The original intention was to appeal to the vice president, a young talent from Geumsan Construction. He must have brought them here because he was impatient after seeing Rachman’s attitude earlier. But that was a misstep.’

He almost felt sorry for Jang Joon-yong, who was about to die of frustration.

The meaningful smile on Lee Moon-bok’s face.

Betrayal in such a critical situation.

‘It’s the worst timing.’

It was a pity.

Lee Moon-bok was caught in Han Cheong-ho’s trap.

Lee Moon-bok sneered at Tae-soo.

[Geumsan Construction is the best construction company in Korea, which that kid can’t even dare to covet. I don’t know about Saudi Arabia, but here, Taeyang Construction is unheard of…]

Lee Moon-bok was now using Tae-soo as a sacrifice to promote himself.

Tae-soo cut him off in the middle of his sentence.

[Geumsan Construction wasn’t built by you. And you certainly didn’t raise it. The owner of Geumsan Construction is right next to you, so why are you acting like the owner?]

Tae-soo didn’t even give Lee Moon-bok a chance to speak properly.

Tae-soo smiled and said to the president of Geumsan Construction.

“President of Geumsan Construction, would you please remove your subordinate so that we can continue the conversation smoothly?”

“Of course! It’s the job of the superiors to control their subordinates! You’re dead, you son of a bitch!”

A sturdy physique from his military background.

The president of Geumsan Construction grabbed Lee Moon-bok by the collar and dragged him away.

Lee Moon-bok was greatly embarrassed.

He hadn’t even finished one of the things Han Cheong-ho had instigated.

[Huh? Uh? I still have something to say…]

He couldn’t even imagine being kicked out like this.

Jang Joon-yong shouted loudly.

“President Jo, shut that bastard’s mouth before you go!”

“Yes, Chairman!”

Oh, there’s something I forgot to say.

“You’re fired from tomorrow. So don’t even think about arguing with President Jo today. Instead, you don’t have to come to work from tomorrow!”

Lee Moon-bok couldn’t say a word and was kicked out as Rachman stood by.

Tae-soo looked back at Jang Joon-yong.

[Chairman Jang of Geumsan, do you agree with the claim for a sole bid?]

[I can’t agree. The opinion of Jang Joon-yong, the head of the Geumsan Group, is a joint bid.]

Tae-soo looked back at Rachman.

[Chairman Jang, the head of the Geumsan Group, and the vice president of the construction company have different opinions. Mr. Rachman, in this case, whose opinion should we accept as the will of Geumsan?]

Rachman rested his chin on his hand.

Thanks to Lee Moon-bok causing a ruckus, he was in a very favorable situation.

The matter was scheduled to be concluded with the conclusion Rachman wanted.

-If Lee Moon-bok insists on a sole bid, it will be approved. In the end, Taeyang Group alone will succeed in the Jubail Industrial Port project bid.

-If Lee Moon-bok and Jang Joon-yong cause friction, it will be taken as a problem. Because they can’t trust a place where the hierarchy is a mess, they will give the Jubail Industrial Port to Taeyang Group alone.

But Tae-soo, of all people, was stepping in to stop it.

[Why are you trying to change the direction of the stream that’s flowing so favorably towards you?]

[I know Mr. Rachman’s intentions well. I also know that you’re deliberately guiding the situation to be favorable to me. But it’s difficult if it’s being manipulated by someone else’s machinations.]

Tae-soo quietly shook his head.

[Mr. Rachman also knows why that guy is acting like a madman.]

Why wouldn’t he know?

Wasn’t Rachman the one who was using that situation?

[Kang Tae-soo.]

[The sediment of the finest red wine.]

Tae-soo firmly stated.

[I’m doing the work of filtering out the sediment now.]

Rachman laughed loudly at Tae-soo’s words.

[Hahaha, are you using the trick you taught me on Geumsan too?]

Tae-soo had once preached about red wine when he was invited to the luxury cruiser floating above the Saudi Yanbu Port.

-To properly savor the finest wine, you need time to sift out the sediment. You must have properly identified what the sediment is through this incident, right?

-You have to throw away the sediment and drink the clear, refined wine on top of it. That’s how you drink the finest wine.

Because of that incident, Rachman was able to create a list of people who needed to be discarded.

[Isn’t it a good opportunity? Moreover, aren’t they an alliance that’s promoting a joint bid with me? We have to do construction work with someone like that, how can things go smoothly?]

Rachman smirked.

[Did you see that? This is a man named Kang Tae-soo. If you were thinking of putting a talent comparable to Kang Tae-soo in front of me, you should have picked a better one.]

Jang Joon-yong bowed deeply.

[I’m really sorry for showing you such an unsightly sight. I have nothing to say. I’m just ashamed.]

[I know better than anyone why I did that, right?]

[I know. Not only Mr. Rachman, but I also know why Chairman Kang helped me. How could I not know his intentions?]

Jang Joon-yong also bowed lightly to Tae-soo.

“Thank you. You’re keeping the alliance’s loyalty and giving me various gifts.”

“You’re welcome.”

Tae-soo smiled and bowed back.

“I’ll make sure to throw away the dregs now, so don’t worry.”

“That’s a relief.”

Jang Joon-yong said in a solemn voice.

[Geumsan will withdraw from this Saudi Jubail Industrial Port project bid.]