Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 137

137. Three Matters (2)

“I’m entrusting my affairs to you,” Tae-soo said solemnly.

Jang Mal-dong and Ahn Jung-woo’s laughter ceased as if it had never been.

“What does that mean?”

“I plan to move my family abroad to prevent them from getting involved. I ask that you erase their traces.”

Ahn Jung-woo possessed both the power to protect Tae-soo’s family and a discreet route to smuggle them out of the country.

He also had the skills to erase traces and remain out of the spotlight, a consequence of operating in the shadows.

‘The scale of the wedding disruption is extraordinary, so he can’t help but worry about the aftermath,’ Tae-soo thought.

Ahn Jung-woo asked, “Why don’t you do it yourself?”

“I’m asking because I don’t think I can.”

If Tae-soo got caught up in it, escape might prove difficult.

It was easy to dig into Tae-soo’s background, but exceedingly difficult to uncover Ahn Jung-woo’s.

“What on earth are you planning?” Ahn Jung-woo placed a hand on Tae-soo’s shoulder.

“If you consider me an ally, a comrade, if you trust me enough to entrust your family, I think I deserve to hear why you’re taking such a risk.”

Tae-soo hesitated for a moment.

Finally, he spoke. “I plan to cause a stir at the wedding of Jeon Doo-ho and Han Cheong-ho’s families.”

“What?”

“Jeon Doo-ho, Park Jung-hwan, and even Han Cheong-ho. I plan to create a complete mess involving everyone.”

Ahn Jung-woo’s expression shifted dramatically at Tae-soo’s words.

“Are you out of your mind?”

The question struck like a bolt from the blue.

“What exactly are you planning to do? Are you going to run away with Han Cheong-ho’s daughter or something?”

“Of course not.”

‘I wouldn’t want Han Cheong-ho’s daughter even if you gave her to me in a truck!’ Tae-soo thought derisively.

Tae-soo gave a bitter smile. “Han Cheong-ho and I are irreconcilable enemies. What will happen if Jeon Doo-ho, who is connected to Han Cheong-ho through marriage, seizes power? Jeon Doo-ho is someone who favors his own people.”

Otherwise, how could Ohsung Group have grown so large?

Others may not know, but Tae-soo did.

He knew what Jeon Doo-ho had done in his past life and how he protected his acquaintances.

‘Jeon Doo-ho is the kind of guy who ruined a chaebol [large family-owned conglomerate] group just because they refused his offer to buy his father-in-law’s land at an inflated price. If Han Cheong-ho becomes Jeon Doo-ho’s in-law…’ Han Cheong-ho’s specialty is leveraging political power.

Even now, Han Cheong-ho is considered a chaebol who made his fortune through bribes and lobbying, not through legitimate business practices.

It’s obvious how much benefit Cheongil Group will receive if Jeon Doo-ho and Han Cheong-ho join forces.

‘On the other hand, the future of the Taeyang Group, which Jeon Doo-ho has marked as an example, is bleak.’

That’s why Tae-soo was willing to take the risk.

“There are other ways to ruin a wedding. Like an affair, or a new woman.”

“It’s not easy to ruin a political marriage based on mutual interests. Jeon Doo-ho’s power and Han Cheong-ho’s money. They won’t give up their alliance easily.”

Moreover, the two families favored by Park Jung-hwan were uniting.

For Tae-soo, it was necessary to scatter these powerful enemies before they could consolidate their strength.

“I don’t have a woman to give to Jeon Doo-ho’s younger brother, and Jeon Doo-ho will value a big shot like Han Cheong-ho more than me.”

Han Cheong-ho’s Cheongil Group was currently ranked 13th in the business world.

In contrast, Tae-soo’s Taeyang Group was only around 200th.

“Then how are you planning to ruin the wedding?”

“I plan to turn it into a power struggle.”

“Hmm?”

“What’s the best way to break up a relationship based on mutual interests?”

Tae-soo grinned.

“Change the entire landscape of those interests.”

“How?”

“Park Jung-hwan, Jeon Doo-ho, Army Chief of Staff Lee Se-hoo, and even Cha Gi-beom. I need to exploit the power dynamics between them. And Han Cheong-ho can’t be left out.”

“Park Jung-hwan and Jeon Doo-ho, Lee Se-hoo and Cha Gi-beom have a delicate power relationship. The power dynamics are so complex, it’s like a soap opera.”

“I know. That’s why I’ve already made some moves.”

Cha Gi-beom would have welcomed the generals Tae-soo sent with open arms.

Ahn Jung-woo couldn’t fully grasp Tae-soo’s plan.

But he seemed to understand one thing.

“You’re trying to do something reckless. It’s too dangerous.”

They were all influential figures in politics, the military, and the business world.

No, it was a game involving those at the very top.

And Tae-soo was thinking of shaking the power dynamics between them.

“Planned risk is different from recklessness. I have to take this much risk.”

“Stop it. There’s no reason for you to deliberately take such a risk.”

Ahn Jung-woo shook his head.

“Leave the political power struggles to those guys. We can fight our own battles. You’re a businessman, not a politician or a soldier.”

‘Why wouldn’t I be?’

That’s what tormented Tae-soo.

“I wish I could.”

That was the problem.

“But the other side is trying to suppress me by wielding power.”

Han Cheong-ho’s specialty was using political power to crush his opponents’ businesses.

“If you go against the president’s word, a company can collapse overnight. No matter how good I am at business, even if I try not to get involved with the political world, I can’t avoid it.”

“Hmm.”

“Kim Woo-jin of Daeun Construction went bankrupt and fled overseas because of Han Cheong-ho’s schemes. The Taeyang Group was almost victimized in the same way.”

He stirred up Park Jung-hwan to block the banks from lending to Taeyang.

He also suddenly demanded a 1 billion won [Korean currency, roughly equivalent to $800,000 USD at the time] contribution, pushing them to the brink of bankruptcy.

At that time, Tae-soo exchanged Ahn Jung-woo’s 1 billion won for shares in the Taeyang Group and barely escaped ruin.

“Han Cheong-ho is trying to kill me with his power, and if I know his weapon but can’t defend against it, I’ll inevitably be helpless.”

Tae-soo clenched his fist.

“Getting caught up in Han Cheong-ho’s game and barely surviving is just breaking even. If I want to prevent him from wielding a knife against me in the first place, I need a more fundamental solution.”

“Hmm.”

“I need to take away Han Cheong-ho’s biggest weapon: his connection to the absolute ruler.”

Tae-soo looked straight at Ahn Jung-woo.

“To protect what’s mine, to block the opponent’s attacks, and to properly compete in business with other chaebols, I’m going to create a new playing field.”

Ahn Jung-woo was also looking intently at Tae-soo.

“I hope this fight of yours is your last political battle.”

“I hope so too.”

Ahn Jung-woo patted Tae-soo on the back.

He said calmly, “Let’s have a drink together.”

Tae-soo looked at Ahn Jung-woo.

Ahn Jung-woo was smiling kindly.

“You’ve finished all your business here, so let’s take a breather.”

He hadn’t received an answer yet.

“Let’s temporarily forget about being allies, comrades, and even mutual interests, and have a drink together as human beings.”

Jang Mal-dong quickly got up.

“I’ll tell them to bring in the drinks and snacks.”

Ahn Jung-woo turned to Tae-soo and said, “You can’t drink alcohol in a bank. How about we go to my house?”

“That would be good.”

The Myeongdong Jangsu Bank and Jang Mal-dong’s house in Myeongdong were only a 10-minute walk away.

Ahn Jung-woo nodded.

“Come to think of it, this is the first time I’m having a drink with you. I heard you sometimes have a drink with Chairman Jang of Geumsan?”

“We’ve had two drinks.”

The first time the alliance was formed, and when Lakhman came and gave up on the Jubail Industrial Port joint bid.

“Chairman Jang is too good at drinking.”

It’s nothing but torture.

Tae-soo had no choice but to drink heavily to keep up.

“I’m also pretty good when it comes to alcohol.”

It was a frightening sound.

* * *

Myeongdong, Jang Mal-dong’s house.

The reception room where he mainly met Jang Mal-dong, a wide table was set with food and drinks.

A woman in hanbok [traditional Korean dress] played the gayageum [Korean zither] and geomungo [Korean stringed instrument] from beyond the paper door.

‘It’s like a Joseon Dynasty [Korean kingdom from 1392-1897] gisaeng house [house of female entertainers],’ Tae-soo thought.

Tae-soo said calmly, “You said we were just having a drink, but you’ve prepared a feast.”

“Because it’s a gathering with a valued guest.”

The table seemed like it would break under the weight of the food.

Even a Jeonju traditional Korean restaurant isn’t set up this lavishly.

“I didn’t know what you liked.”

“It’s more surprising that you managed to do this in just 30 minutes.”

Between Tae-soo and Ahn Jung-woo moving from Jangsu Bank to this house.

While taking a short walk in the garden.

While talking to Song Jin-gu about the situation in Saudi Arabia.

They set up such a lavish table in that short amount of time.

Jang Mal-dong slyly interjected, “Our lady of the house is quite the cook. They say a pretty woman makes you happy for 3 months, a kind woman for 3 years, a woman who cooks well for 30 years, and a wise woman makes 3 generations happy. Our lady…”

“I’ll enjoy the meal.”

Tae-soo cut him off immediately.

Jang Mal-dong somehow subtly recommends marriage whenever he gets the chance.

Ahn Jung-woo held up a liquor bottle in a gourd.

“Have a drink.”

“Thank you.”

It was a lot stronger than he thought.

Roughly estimated, it was over 40 proof.

“It’s Okroju from Gunpo. The liquor is fragrant and doesn’t cause a hangover.”

Hosanchoon from Mungyeong, Sobaeksan Ojeongju from Yeongju, Bonghwaseonju from Bonghwa, Gyeongju Gyodong Beopju from Gyeongju, Jirisan Gukhwaju from Hamyang, Jinyangju from Haenam, Igangju from Jeonju, and Insamju from Geumsan.

They exchanged drinks for quite a while.

“You can drink quite a bit too.”

“…”

His head was spinning.

He couldn’t show a disheveled appearance at a drinking party, so he tried to straighten his body.

He looked fine on the outside, but his vision was already blurry.

Ahn Jung-woo asked subtly, “Tell me honestly. Why are you so sure that Jeon Doo-ho will seize power?”

That was the reason he deliberately got Tae-soo drunk.

They say truth comes out when you’re drunk.

Moreover, Tae-soo had already finished all his business and was relaxed.

Tae-soo answered in a slightly more languid voice than usual, “I just think there’s a high possibility, I’m not sure.”

The future has changed.

So, he can’t rashly assert that Jeon Doo-ho will cause the December 12th Military Rebellion [a real historical event in South Korea].

“Park Jung-hwan, Lee Se-hoo, and Jeon Doo-ho have a delicate relationship of checks and balances.”

“The reason Jeon Doo-ho can operate a private organization is to keep the Army Chief of Staff in check.”

“If Lee Se-hoo ousts Jeon Doo-ho, Park Jung-hwan will suspect Lee Se-hoo of treason.”

“If that weren’t the case, Ohsung Group would have been disbanded long ago.”

Ahn Jung-woo gave Tae-soo another drink and asked, “What about Park Jung-hwan removing Jeon Doo-ho?”

“That’s what will happen if Park Jung-hwan doesn’t collapse. The hunting dog is bound to be boiled in a pot after the hunt is over [a Korean proverb meaning someone is disposed of after they’ve served their purpose].”

Tae-soo put down the glass he had emptied again in one gulp.

“Jeon Doo-ho knows full well that Park Jung-hwan will eliminate him before he becomes the Army Chief of Staff, so would he just stand still? He will definitely make a move before that.”

Jeon Doo-ho’s use is to keep the Army Chief of Staff in check.

If Jeon Doo-ho becomes the Army Chief of Staff, Park Jung-hwan will be the one who has to fear when a rebellion will occur.

Ahn Jung-woo’s thoughts deepened.

“If Jeon Doo-ho seizes power, what will happen to this country?”

“Since he has no legitimacy, he will have to suppress it with force. Jeon Doo-ho will commit a massacre.”

The Gwangju 5.18 Massacre [a real historical event in South Korea] happened that way.

Although accurate statistics are not available, at least 5,000 people were killed or injured.

Far more bereaved families are suffering.

“He will silence the protesting people and turn everything upside down to wipe out Park Jung-hwan’s forces.”

Ahn Jung-woo’s eyes sank deeply.

“What if Jeon Doo-ho’s rebellion is suppressed?”

“Park Jung-hwan’s oppression will become more severe than it is now. He will try to eliminate all forces so that no one can rebel against him.”

“Only the people’s suffering will increase.”

Ahn Jung-woo’s expression became even more serious.

“Recently, Jeon Doo-ho has been frantically trying to recruit new members for Ohsung Group.”

Kim Gwang-rok refused to join Ohsung Group and was forced to take off his military uniform.

“Moreover, he has recently been stirring up the chaebols behind Park Jung-hwan’s back and raising enormous military funds.”

“He demanded 1 billion won from me too.”

“Now I understand why you made the wedding a battlefield.”

Ahn Jung-woo’s voice sank low.

“Military generals from all over the country are gathering, and even the president is in one place. It’s the perfect opportunity to plot a rebellion.”

Ahn Jung-woo gulped down the strong liquor.

He put it on the table with a thud.

“The event you’re planning. What’s the best outcome?”

“The best thing would be to completely cut off the pro-Japanese military dictatorship this time.”

“How?”

“Mutual destruction. The best thing would be for them to be annihilated together.”

Ahn Jung-woo grinned.

“That’s a very pleasing structure.”