Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 14

14. Pohang Steelworks Park Tae-jong (3)

Ushiroda, terrified, quickly shouted,

“President Park, this is a misunderstanding!”

Tae-soo scoffed.

“Still haven’t come to your senses, speaking so informally?”

“President Park, this is a misunderstanding!”

Ushiroda used honorifics in fluent Korean.

Park Tae-jong was dumbfounded.

“Now I see you’re quite good at using honorifics. Unfortunately, I’m only finding out about it after three years?”

“······.”

Ushiroda hurriedly regained his composure and shouted loudly.

“President Park, let’s clear up this misunderstanding!”

“How about a short trip to the Korean Central Intelligence Agency [KCIA, the former South Korean intelligence agency]? The misunderstanding will be cleared up immediately. I guarantee it.”

At Park Tae-jong’s words, Ushiroda hurriedly shook his head.

“No, absolutely not! Why would we go to the KCIA? Let’s resolve this among ourselves here. We’re building a steel mill together; there’s no need to get upset…”

“Why shouldn’t I be?”

Park Tae-jong asked back in a cold voice, as if he had made up his mind.

It seemed he was planning to properly break and subdue that fool this time.

Ushiroda was overwhelmed by Park Tae-jong’s overbearing attitude, which he was experiencing for the first time.

He sensed he had messed up.

‘I’m ruined. I should have been moderate; I went too far.’

It was his own fault.

“President Park, please help me just this once. I won’t forget this favor.”

The tables had turned.

“Please let it go this time.”

“It seems like I could just bring in another technical advisor instead of you. I don’t know if I can even get delay compensation from the Japanese government.”

“There’s no one else who can speak Korean as fluently as I can.”

“It doesn’t matter. I happen to be fluent in Japanese.”

“······.”

Park Tae-jong grinned.

The more he did, the more Ushiroda sweated bullets.

“Let’s say another technical advisor comes. What if he, like me, deliberately acts uncooperatively?”

At Ushiroda’s own confession, Park Tae-jong’s eyes sharpened.

“If the days continue to pass like this, and construction is delayed, and you know full well about the already insufficient funds, the Japanese government is clearly behind it…”

“The Japanese government instigated the construction delay from behind?”

Damn it! I don’t care anymore! I need to save myself first!

Ushiroda closed his eyes and shouted loudly.

“I will be different from now on! I can really pour my soul into building the Pohang Steelworks!”

“Hmm.”

“I will never interfere. I, Ushiroda Takeshi, pledge on my honor to cooperate with all my might! I am confident that there is no one more suitable than me!”

Park Tae-jong indifferently looked down at Ushiroda.

‘I never dreamed that the day would come when this unlucky Japanese fool would promise to build the steel mill with all his heart. I’ve been agonizing over this guy for three whole years.’

He had been helplessly taken advantage of every time Ushiroda nitpicked over trivial issues.

Because he clung to the fact that a Japanese technical advisor was essential for building the steel mill.

‘It feels so refreshing, like a bad tooth has been pulled.’

Park Tae-jong felt a little empty.

‘A dog leash, huh? I can’t help but be grateful to this young man who put it in my hands.’

He looked at Tae-soo, who had created this situation.

How did that young man know that Ushiroda was doing this behind the scenes?

Wasn’t Park Tae-jong the one who investigated Ushiroda?

Ushiroda’s name, accounts, and records were all clean.

Then Park Tae-jong chuckled.

‘Whatever. Ushiroda will actively cooperate in the construction of the steel mill, so it’s the best result. That’s enough.’

A satisfied smile spread across Park Tae-jong’s face.

“President Park, please save me just once! My family and I will die if this continues!”

“I’ll think about it based on what you do.”

“Th, thank you. President Park.”

Yes! I’m alive!

Ushiroda was overjoyed.

Ushiroda, who was about to turn around and run away from the spot, suddenly remembered something.

‘Wait a minute. Isn’t this all because of that arrogant bastard? I can’t leave like this.’

He suddenly turned his body back around.

And pointed at Tae-soo with a very aggrieved expression.

“President Park, in any case, isn’t that arrogant guy trespassing in a restricted area without permission?”

He was trying to cling to Tae-soo until the end.

Park Tae-jong replied firmly.

“He has permission.”

“No, when?”

“Just now.”

“······.”

Ushiroda gritted his teeth.

Tae-soo shrugged his shoulders, looking annoying.

Ushiroda wanted to slap that face, but there was no way since Park Tae-jong was taking his side in this situation.

“I’m the president here, and the security manager. Any complaints?”

“N, no.”

Ushiroda replied in a dejected voice.

“Then, I’ll be going······.”

“Going to run away to Japan?”

“No! I’m going to check the accident site and find a way to resume construction with high efficiency! That’s what I’m going to do!”

Ushiroda ran away with his tail between his legs.

The Pohang Steelworks employees watched the scene from afar.

They had been tormented by Ushiroda so much that they felt relieved.

The employees secretly applauded.

Their favor for Tae-soo soared sky-high.

Park Tae-jong was no different.

‘The problem that had been giving me a headache for three years has been solved in one go.’

Not only that.

‘He put the leash in my hand, saved my face, and elicited the voluntary cooperation of that Japanese fool. In the end, he contributed to advancing the completion date of the steel mill.’

Park Tae-jong had initially glared at Tae-soo as if he were a spy.

But now, he looked at Tae-soo with eyes full of favor.

“Hey, since you just got your entry permit, why don’t we go to the president’s office and have a cup of tea together?”

“Sure.”

The skinny guy, who had been as quiet as a mouse, slyly raised his hand.

“Can’t we have alcohol instead of tea?”

“Hahahaha!”

Park Tae-jong couldn’t help but burst into hearty laughter.

* * *

Pohang Steelworks, President’s Office.

Park Tae-jong took off his hard hat and placed it on the desk.

Park Tae-jong extended his hand to Tae-soo and shook it.

“Park Tae-jong of Pohang Steelworks.”

“Kang Tae-soo.”

“Take this.”

Park Tae-jong handed Tae-soo a business card.

“I don’t have a business card to give back yet.”

“Well, you can just tell me. What company and what position are you in?”

“I’m currently waiting for permission from the authorities. I’m planning to run a mining and mineral trading company and a construction company. The names are Taeyang Minerals and Taeyang Construction.”

Park Tae-jong was surprised.

“Two at once?”

“It just happened that way.”

“Is mining your main focus, or construction?”

“For now, mining will probably be the main focus. But in the future, I plan to make construction the main focus.”

“You’re a young man living quite a busy life. Have a seat.”

At Park Tae-jong’s invitation, Tae-soo and the skinny guy sat on the sofa.

“Is whiskey okay?”

“I welcome it with open arms!”

The skinny guy welcomed it with open arms.

Park Tae-jong carefully examined Tae-soo.

“Did you really investigate that Japanese fool’s distant relatives, school ties, and regional connections? Did you search all over Japan?”

“Of course not. I’m not that free.”

Tae-soo said nonchalantly.

Park Tae-jong was puzzled.

He wouldn’t have been able to dig that deep with a half-hearted investigation, would he?

“Then how did you uncover his shady dealings? He seemed to have hidden them quite cleanly.”

“Shady things can’t be hidden cleanly in the first place.”

“Don’t you think I’ve investigated him?”

“Well, let’s just say this side’s investigation was a bit shadier.”

He had told Han-soo in advance to dig up dirt, focusing on pimps, gangsters, construction material suppliers, and labor agencies.

It was possible because he specified the people to investigate, the specific scope, and the direction to dig in.

Wasn’t Tae-soo the head secretary of the Cheongil Group, who knew everything related to important figures?

Tae-soo knew Park Tae-jong’s information like the back of his hand.

Originally, the Japanese guy would have been caught by Park Tae-jong for the same reason and scolded, even if it wasn’t for Tae-soo.

After being caught with a weakness by Park Tae-jong, he would enthusiastically participate in the construction of the steel mill.

It was a famous anecdote that the completion date was advanced by a whole month ahead of schedule thanks to that.

Tae-soo had simply brought it forward a little.

In order to lead the negotiations with Park Tae-jong favorably.

“What trick did you use?”

But Park Tae-jong, who didn’t know this fact, couldn’t stand being curious.

Tae-soo vaguely glossed over it.

“I got help from someone who is well-versed in this field.”

“Indeed, it was the work of an expert.”

“Of course.”

Park Tae-jong smacked his lips, unable to ask further.

“Introduce that expert to me next time. He’s a talent who will do great things for the country.”

“You’ve seen it accurately.”

“Pfft-!”

The skinny guy, who was drinking whiskey next to him, spat it out.

‘Didn’t you say you ordered Han-soo to investigate earlier?’

Tae-soo winked at the skinny guy.

Annoyance rose, and the alcohol was about to wear off, so the skinny guy poured in some more alcohol.

Park Tae-jong smiled contentedly, thinking of Ushiroda.

“Anyway, it was the best gift.”

“I’m glad it was helpful.”

“This integrated steel mill is a place filled with the wishes of the country and its people. Thanks to you, the construction schedule of the steel mill is likely to be advanced. I will never forget your contribution.”

“Good.”

Tae-soo grinned.

He could have said it was okay even if it was just a platitude, but he absolutely didn’t refuse.

“Come to think of it, you also saved Section Chief Kim’s life. I have quite a debt to repay.”

Park Tae-jong asked with a serious look.

“How should I repay you?”

Park Tae-jong took the bait!

And swallowed it whole!