Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 126

126. A Gathering of Stars (3)

Han Cheong-ho prostrated himself.

“I’ve secured about 10,000 pyeong [approximately 8 acres] for the Cheongil Apartment site. But more than that, there’s the issue of the undesirable facility in the middle…”

Why wouldn’t Park Jeong-hwan know about that?

Park Jeong-hwan looked at Tae-soo.

“Kang Tae-soo, drop the new project you were planning in Jamsil.”

It was a project to convert sewage into agricultural fertilizer.

If that went in, the apartment wouldn’t sell, and the residents would be up in arms.

Han Cheong-ho had told Park Jeong-hwan in advance and gotten him to agree.

“I’ll revoke the business approval under the guise of considering the public interest.”

“Understood.”

If that was the President’s will, it would be done. No matter how much Tae-soo struggled, he wouldn’t be able to overturn the President’s will.

“Cheongil has decided to build an apartment in Jamsil. Do you understand what that means?”

Park Jeong-hwan’s gaze towards Tae-soo was overbearing.

“You’re telling me to give up my land for Cheongil.”

“That’s right.”

Only then did Han Cheong-ho puff out his chest, full of triumph.

He had a reliable backer, so he had been so firm with Tae-soo.

It was just as Tae-soo had expected.

‘There’s no way Park Jeong-hwan doesn’t know what’s going on.’

The reason he gathered the four of them under the guise of developing Gangnam apartments was also clear.

It was to pressure Tae-soo.

“Your Excellency, I was planning to build Taeyang Land on that land. That’s why I’ve been buying up land in Jamsil for a long time.”

“I know.”

As expected.

Park Jeong-hwan knew that Tae-soo had been buying up land in Jamsil.

That meant he acknowledged that Tae-soo had been eyeing it first.

“The land I currently own is larger than the site Cheongil bought to develop the apartment.”

“I know.”

Even so, Park Jeong-hwan was saying.

“I told you to build an apartment. We need to develop Gangnam.”

“Even if Taeyang builds an apartment in Jamsil?”

“No.”

Park Jeong-hwan glanced at Han Cheong-ho.

“It’s something I’ve already approved. You’re not suggesting I go back on my word, are you?”

The President’s intention to have Cheongil build an apartment in Jamsil was firm.

Park Jeong-hwan said nonchalantly.

“Cheongil has been advertising it all over the place with newspaper ads. I’ve been encouraging the development of Gangnam apartments. So, you step back.”

He was telling Tae-soo to give up his land.

“It’s unfortunate, but you don’t have a choice.”

“Alright.”

Tae-soo readily nodded.

“If that is Your Excellency’s wish, I will give up the Jamsil land.”

“Hmm?”

Everyone in the room was surprised.

‘He secured the site longer and more extensively than Cheongil, but he’s backing down like this?’

‘He did a proper land grab. If they can’t secure that land, the Cheongil Apartment is a lost cause. But so easily? If he held on more stubbornly, he could get a better price.’

It was clear that Park Jeong-hwan would turn a blind eye to that.

In any case, he couldn’t tolerate going back on the words that came out of Park Jeong-hwan’s mouth.

So, Han Cheong-ho was in a position where he had to take the blame, even while shedding tears of blood.

Jang Jun-yong from Geumsan glanced at Tae-soo.

“Are you serious? Why would you…”

“I’m serious. I can’t let Your Excellency lose face. I’ll have to bear the loss.”

“You…”

“I have it here.”

Tae-soo took something out of his pocket.

“The land deed and house deed in question.”

Everyone was shocked.

To take out a land deed from his pocket.

“Don’t tell me you knew this would happen and brought the land deed in advance?”

Tae-soo handed the land deed and house deed to Park Jeong-hwan.

“This is the land Cheongil wanted. I’ll give it up.”

A moment of silence filled the VIP room.

Everyone’s eyes were glued to the land deed in Tae-soo’s hand.

‘Finally!’

Han Cheong-ho clenched his fists, overwhelmed with joy.

‘See that! Didn’t I tell you! Keep your eyes open! His Excellency is taking your land and putting it in my hands!’

Park Jeong-hwan would clear all the obstacles in front of Han Cheong-ho.

Everything was going as Han Cheong-ho intended.

‘Did you see that, Kang Tae-soo! This is something Kang Tae-soo can’t do, but Han Cheong-ho can!’

That was moving Park Jeong-hwan according to his will!

Instead of enduring humiliation to get the land he had grabbed, he could move a powerful figure to take it away.

That was what Han Cheong-ho was good at.

Han Cheong-ho and Tae-soo’s eyes met in the air.

Tae-soo was smiling.

‘You’re so full of yourself. From now on, I’ll show you what Kang Tae-soo can do, but Han Cheong-ho can’t.’

Tae-soo knew better than anyone that Han Cheong-ho would pressure him from the top with bribes and lobbying.

So, wasn’t he anticipating all of this and setting a trap?

‘Han Cheong-ho, I told you before. Park Jeong-hwan will take your land and put it in my hands.’

Han Cheong-ho was triumphant, thinking he had won.

Tae-soo watched him with a meaningful gaze.

‘Now that Park Jeong-hwan has come out like this, Han Cheong-ho can never back down. So, the result is set. It’s finally the edge of the cliff.’

It was the edge of the cliff he had climbed onto himself.

Tae-soo just had to push him off lightly.

‘I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time.’

Han Cheong-ho sneered at Tae-soo.

“Didn’t I tell you before? To give it up when I’d give you three times the price. That was your last chance.”

Han Cheong-ho barely suppressed his unbearable laughter and reached for the land deed.

“Cheongil will make good use of this land, so don’t worry…”

“I didn’t say I’d give it up for free.”

Tae-soo grabbed Han Cheong-ho’s wrist as he reached for the land deed.

Instead, he pushed the land deed deeper towards Park Jeong-hwan.

“I’m offering it to Your Excellency, not Cheongil. Because Your Excellency mediated.”

“Hahaha.”

Park Jeong-hwan looked at Tae-soo with an interesting expression.

“You always surprise me with new methods.”

Park Jeong-hwan smiled as he looked at the land deed.

“You said you wouldn’t give it up for free. What do you want?”

Park Jeong-hwan received the land deed.

“You offered the land deed to me according to my mediation. So, there’s something that needs my mediation.”

He understood immediately.

Park Jeong-hwan had set the stage.

Tae-soo quickly said.

“I want to exchange the land deed for a land deed.”

He had come all this way to say these words.

He had cornered Han Cheong-ho with the land and house he had grabbed, and even with newspaper ads.

It was why he had driven Han Cheong-ho into a situation where he could never refuse.

Park Jeong-hwan asked with an intrigued expression.

“Alright, what do you want to exchange it for?”

“Euljiro. I want to exchange it for the remaining commercial site near the Cheongil Hotel.”

The Euljiro commercial site was a prime piece of land measuring 3,200 pyeong [approximately 2.6 acres], stretching along the main street.

Han Cheong-ho, who had been kneeling, foamed at the mouth and stood up as if he had been thrown.

“No way!”

How much was that land worth?

Even now, Euljiro was one of the busiest downtown areas.

“That’s where a shopping center and duty-free shop will go to become Cheongil Town!”

Han Cheong-ho screamed and wailed.

“Are you saying you’ll exchange that prime land for a farmhouse in Jamsil?”

Absolutely not!

This was land he could never exchange!

Han Cheong-ho remembered what Tae-soo had said outside the door.

-I’ll be watching closely too. I’m looking forward to the moment when His Excellency takes your land and puts it in my hands.

-Shall we bet? On who will be smiling when we leave this VIP room today. I’ll be the one smiling again this time.

There was a reason why Kang Tae-soo was so confident.

Han Cheong-ho clenched his fist.

“Kang Tae-soo!”

“I didn’t have a choice, but I’ll give Chairman Han Cheong-ho a choice.”

Tae-soo shrugged.

“Decide. Whether you’ll give up the Euljiro land or give up the Cheongil Apartment. I’ve already given up my land like this.”

“Kang Tae-soo!”

Han Cheong-ho gritted his teeth.

Tae-soo looked at Han Cheong-ho with a cold gaze.

“That land wasn’t yours from the beginning anyway. You just stole the land that was supposed to go to Charlotte. So, what are you so attached to?”

Originally, it was the site where Charlotte’s Charlotte Hotel Seoul was supposed to be built.

It was where Charlotte’s shopping center and duty-free shop, which would become the Future Department Store, and various luxury stores were located, becoming Charlotte Town.

Cheongil had stolen it.

“You have choices. So, just choose one. Cheongil Town or Cheongil Apartment. It’s not that difficult of a choice, is it?”

“Kang Tae-soo! You thieving bastard!”

At that moment, Park Jeong-hwan raised his hand.

“Stop.”

Han Cheong-ho shut his mouth.

Park Jeong-hwan glared at Han Cheong-ho coldly.

“Kang Tae-soo is right. Han Cheong-ho, choose. Euljiro or Jamsil?”

“Y-Your Excellency!”

The Park Jeong-hwan he had believed in wasn’t taking his side.

“Choose.”

Park Jeong-hwan’s pressure was intense.

Han Cheong-ho bit his lip tightly.

Tae-soo looked at Han Cheong-ho with a cold smile.

‘Han Cheong-ho, the only choice you can make was always just one from the start.’

No matter how precious the Euljiro land was, he would have to give it up.

What if he gave up the Cheongil Apartment instead of the Euljiro land?

He would be damaging Park Jeong-hwan’s reputation.

Hadn’t Park Jeong-hwan made it clear to Tae-soo from the beginning?

-It’s something I’ve already approved. You’re not suggesting I go back on my word, are you?

-Cheongil has been advertising it all over the place with newspaper ads. I’ve been encouraging the development of Gangnam apartments.

-So, you step back.

That was why Park Jeong-hwan had pressured him, even though he acknowledged that Tae-soo was targeting Jamsil first.

Even though he knew that Tae-soo had more land,

Even though Tae-soo said he would build an apartment in Jamsil instead.

The reason why Park Jeong-hwan was insisting on having Cheongil build the apartment was one thing.

-I will not go back on my word.

It was Park Jeong-hwan’s stubbornness and pride.

It was because of his belief that the words of the nation’s top leader should always be weighty.

‘Han Cheong-ho, can you crush Park Jeong-hwan’s pride head-on?’

Absolutely not.

So, from the beginning, Han Cheong-ho’s only choice was one.

-No matter what, make the Gangnam apartment a success.

It was just to follow what Park Jeong-hwan said.

Han Cheong-ho was bursting with frustration.

‘If I give up the apartment because I can’t bear to lose the Euljiro land, I won’t have another chance. If I fall out of Park Jeong-hwan’s favor, it’s over. This is so frustrating!’

Han Cheong-ho closed his eyes tightly.

‘A dead end. A checkmate. There’s no way out. To have the Euljiro land taken away with my eyes open.’

But there was no other way.

His lips trembled with how unfair it was.

“E-Euljiro land. I-I’ll give it up.”

“Good. Take this.”

Park Jeong-hwan threw the land deed and house deed that Tae-soo had handed over at Han Cheong-ho’s feet.

The land deed fell, hitting Han Cheong-ho’s leg with a thud.

Han Cheong-ho had made a request, and Park Jeong-hwan had kept his word.

“Cheongil Apartment, start construction tomorrow.”

“…Yes.”

Park Jeong-hwan turned to Tae-soo.

“You won’t be able to build Taeyang Land. I’ll keep this in mind.”

It meant that he felt a sense of debt to Tae-soo.

“The loss you’re bearing, the face you’ve saved for me, all of it.”

Han Cheong-ho felt like his insides were turning upside down.

‘What loss is Kang Tae-soo bearing! I’m bearing all the losses, and I’m the one who’s forced to save his face!’

It was enough to make him grab the back of his neck.

But Tae-soo was shamelessly nodding.

“Thank you.”

That was how he exchanged 1,800 pyeong [approximately 1.5 acres] of wasteland in Jamsil for 3,200 pyeong [approximately 2.6 acres] of land in Euljiro.

Tae-soo looked at Han Cheong-ho, who was trembling with anger.

‘The place that was Charlotte Town in the past life, the place that was almost Cheongil Town this time, I’ll make good use of it as Taeyang Town.’

How much was 3,200 pyeong [approximately 2.6 acres] of land in Euljiro worth?

He had obtained that bonanza land that had been the reliable source of funds for Charlotte, encompassing department stores and luxury stores in the city center.

‘Soon, I’ll nibble away at the Cheongil Hotel too.’

Tae-soo was smiling.

He was the victor of today’s land war.

* * *

Park Jeong-hwan waved his hand.

“Everyone except Han Cheong-ho, leave.”

It meant that he had something to say to Han Cheong-ho alone.

‘Does he have something to say to Han Cheong-ho separately about the Gangnam apartment development that ended with Tae-soo’s complete victory?’

‘Given Park Jeong-hwan’s personality, he won’t comfort Han Cheong-ho.’

He’s not the type to comfort anyone, but rather to scold them.

Han Cheong-ho also wasn’t in a position to dare to ask Park Jeong-hwan for comfort.

‘What could it be?’