Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 146

146. The Last Puzzle (3)

Taesu said,

“It will be difficult to get another offer to acquire Dongbang Ilbo.”

He knew it all too well.

Park Jeong-hwan had swung a sledgehammer at Dongbang Ilbo.

So, they were afraid of being targeted along with Dongbang Ilbo and even hesitated to place advertisements.

Taesu took out a business card from his pocket.

He placed the business card on the table and slid it with his finger all the way to Kim Sang-min, the president of Dongbang Ilbo.

Kim Sang-min stared blankly at Taesu’s business card.

“I’ll wait for Dongbang Ilbo’s decision.”

With those words, Taesu got up from his seat.

Kim Sang-min asked with a determined look, bowing his head.

“If you acquire Dongbang Ilbo, what will happen to our staff?”

“I will help protect the safety of the president and reporters, the people who make Dongbang Ilbo, and even the spirit that led Dongbang Ilbo.”

“What about restructuring? Or downsizing?”

“There won’t be any.”

Kim Sang-min closed his eyes.

‘If things continue like this, I, the executives, and some reporters will be dragged to the Central Intelligence Agency [Korean Intelligence Agency] for interrogation. The newspaper will go bankrupt due to financial difficulties, the employees will lose their jobs, and I will be left with only debt.’

Taesu’s intention to acquire it after the closure meant that he would take over Dongbang Ilbo’s employees and debts.

‘The feeling of a captain steering a sinking ship must be like this.’

Taesu stared at Kim Sang-min for a moment before turning his back.

“I know it’s a difficult decision. I know why you’ve been struggling to resist the pressure from the regime.”

That’s why he had Dongbang Ilbo in mind.

“A typhoon is blowing. Stiff trees break, but soft grass is not uprooted. I hope you don’t regret losing your precious family while protecting your pride.”

What should he do to protect Dongbang Ilbo and its staff?

Just as Taesu was about to leave the president’s office,

Knock knock.

Kim Jae-guk, the deputy director of the Central Intelligence Agency, and Central Intelligence Agency agents were standing outside the door.

Taesu and Kim Jae-guk’s eyes met.

Kim Sang-min jumped up from behind Taesu.

“Oh, no, what brings the deputy director of the Central Intelligence Agency here?”

“Do you even need to ask?”

So, it has come!

Kim Sang-min closed his eyes.

“Wh-who are you here to take away?”

“The president, vice president, editor-in-chief, the reporter who wrote the article, and even the photographer.”

At Kim Jae-guk’s cold words, Kim Sang-min slumped down on the sofa.

“Take them away.”

Just as Kim Jae-guk was about to enter the president’s office of Dongbang Ilbo,

“Wait a minute. Let me ask you just one thing.”

Taesu blocked Kim Jae-guk with one arm.

“Deputy Director Kim, what does His Excellency [President Park Jeong-hwan] intend to do with Dongbang Ilbo?”

“Shut it down.”

It seemed that Park Jeong-hwan was determined to shut down Dongbang Ilbo.

Kim Jae-guk looked at Kim Sang-min coldly.

“Also, the person in charge must be taken to the Central Intelligence Agency. His Excellency has ordered it, so there is no way to escape.”

Kim Jae-guk ordered his subordinates behind him.

“Bring all the guys you’re going to take away here.”

“Yes!”

“Arrest Kim Sang-min.”

“Yes!”

Two Central Intelligence Agency agents bound Kim Sang-min from left and right.

Taesu said hastily.

“Deputy Director Kim, let’s talk for a moment.”

Taesu’s eyes were firm.

“Five minutes will be enough.”

“…Alright.”

Kim Jae-guk nodded.

“Shall we have a cigarette on the rooftop?”

Kim Jae-guk turned around and headed to the rooftop first.

As Taesu followed, Kim Sang-min shouted hastily.

“Chairman Kang!”

When Taesu turned around, he bowed politely at a 90-degree angle.

“I’m sorry that things have turned out this way.”

Taesu was blocking Kim Jae-guk for Dongbang Ilbo.

It was different from other companies that even withdrew their advertisements for fear of being affected.

“Since this might be the last greeting, I can’t help but say it.”

If he was dragged to the Central Intelligence Agency like this, there might be no tomorrow.

So, he had to say it.

“Thank you. I’ll leave our Dongbang Ilbo family in your care. I will never forget this grace and will surely repay you.”

Kim Sang-min said with a determined look, prepared for the worst.

Taesu smiled and turned his back.

“I hope that feeling doesn’t change.”

Taesu headed to the rooftop of Dongbang Ilbo, following Kim Jae-guk.

* * *

Rooftop of Dongbang Ilbo.

Kim Jae-guk put a cigarette in his mouth on the rooftop railing.

As Taesu carefully took out a lighter with the Blue House [South Korean president’s official residence] mark on it to light it, Kim Jae-guk waved his hand.

“Where are you pointing such a precious thing? His Excellency would be furious if he knew.”

“This is the only lighter I have.”

“I have a lighter too. Put that back in.”

Kim Jae-guk rummaged through his pockets and took out a lighter.

Lighting the cigarette and taking a deep puff.

Whoosh – A sigh was mixed in with the exhaled breath.

“Why are you standing up for Dongbang Ilbo? If I hadn’t come, you would have been arrested by the Central Intelligence Agency without a word.”

“I stood up because you came, Deputy Director.”

Taesu smiled slyly.

“I also look at where I can lie down before stretching my legs [think before acting].”

Kim Jae-guk took a puff of his cigarette.

“Seeing you loitering around where His Excellency is wielding his sledgehammer, it doesn’t seem like you’re the type to find a place to lie down very well.”

“I came because of the acquisition of Dongbang Ilbo.”

“Hmm.”

Kim Jae-guk looked at Taesu with a strange expression.

“Give it up. Dongbang Ilbo is already out of His Excellency’s favor. Why don’t you look for another newspaper instead?”

It was a warning that the sledgehammer would fall on the Taeyang Group as well.

“If Dongbang Ilbo is forcibly shut down like this, public opinion will be stirred up. Think about why His Excellency pressured them with an indirect method of advertising suppression rather than forced repression.”

It was a valid point.

“Why does His Excellency use the Central Intelligence Agency to warn those in charge?”

It meant not to act rashly in the future.

“Dongbang Ilbo will be shut down as His Excellency wishes.”

“It should be.”

“Since the intended purpose of closing Dongbang Ilbo will be achieved, His Excellency will no longer make an issue of it.”

Perhaps that would be the case.

“So, can’t you spare the people?”

“Hmm.”

Kim Jae-guk exhaled cigarette smoke.

Taesu added a word.

“You are benefiting from Dongbang Ilbo, Deputy Director.”

“Me?”

“Think about it. Who tied up the young lady’s feet, and why did His Excellency call you to take charge of the Dongbang Ilbo case?”

The article that Dongbang Ilbo broke this time was the Choi Tae-moon fraud case.

But the newspaper headline was excessive.

The article focused on Choi Tae-moon’s fraud case, but the problem was that it involved Park Kyung-hye and stirred up aggro.

That was the decisive reason why Dongbang Ilbo, which was already critical of the regime, was subjected to advertising suppression.

Kim Jae-guk laughed.

“You’re right. Thanks to Dongbang Ilbo, I tied up the young lady’s feet. His Excellency has banned the young lady from outside activities until public opinion subsides.”

This is how he blocked the inheritance of the First Lady from flowing into Han Cheong-ho’s hands.

“Furthermore, His Excellency told me to submit a report on Choi Tae-moon again. By the way, I took over this case.”

That was why Kim Jae-guk came to Dongbang Ilbo himself with a happy heart.

Park Jeong-hwan called Kim Jae-guk and said he would receive a report, entrusting this matter to Kim Jae-guk.

“What do you want me to do?”

“I don’t want anything else. Please send the people you’re taking to the Central Intelligence Agency back safe and sound.”

That was not a difficult task.

“You should know that it’s fortunate that I’m in charge of Dongbang Ilbo this time.”

Kim Jae-guk smiled with a cigarette in his mouth.

“Don’t worry. As promised, the Dongbang Ilbo people will be given a cup of tea in the Central Intelligence Agency interrogation room and sent back nicely.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll take care of the report to His Excellency as well.”

“Thank you.”

Kim Jae-guk patted Taesu on the shoulder.

“I also prevented the First Lady’s belongings from falling into Han Cheong-ho’s hands.”

That was what Taesu wanted.

“Because of this incident, not only Choi Tae-moon but also Han Cheong-ho will have no choice but to be careful.”

Kim Jae-guk flicked off the cigarette ash.

“I’ll go in first, so you can come down later.”

It was Kim Jae-guk’s advice.

“There are many eyes watching. There’s no need to let His Excellency hear that you intervened.”

“Thank you.”

Kim Jae-guk waved his hand as he went down the stairs.

“Buy me a drink later.”

“I’ll treat you to a big one.”

“I’ll look forward to it.”

A drink for the lives of the Dongbang Ilbo people was a cheap price to pay.

* * *

The next day, Kim Sang-min, the president of Dongbang Ilbo, came to visit.

“I came to keep my promise.”

Kim Sang-min handed over the documents.

A thick pile of documents, including various rights certificates and employee lists related to Dongbang Ilbo.

“I’ll leave the Dongbang Ilbo family in your care.”

Kim Sang-min bowed at a 90-degree angle.

“I heard from the Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Thank you so much for your kindness. I will never forget it until I die, and I will definitely repay you.”

“What about the acquisition amount?”

“I owe you the lives of the Dongbang Ilbo family. So, I don’t have the cheek to ask for the acquisition amount.”

As Kim Sang-min was about to say goodbye and leave, Taesu said with a smile.

“Where are you going?”

Kim Sang-min chuckled.

“Now that I’m unemployed, I’ll have to look for a new job to make a living.”

“That’s a good thing. I happen to have a new job to introduce to you.”

“……?”

“Follow me.”

Taesu grabbed his coat and car keys and strode away.

Kim Sang-min followed Taesu with a dumbfounded look.

* * *

The place where Taesu and Kim Sang-min arrived was in front of a magnificent mansion in Myeongdong [a district in Seoul].

When Taesu knocked on the gate, Song Jin-gu opened it.

“Hey, long time no see. Elder Jang Mal-dong is at the bank.”

“I know.”

It was natural for the bank president to be working at the bank at this time.

He called earlier and spoke to him directly.

“If it’s not Elder Jang, then why? Don’t tell me you’ve come to see our young lady?”

“It’s Elder An Jeong-woo. He told me to see him at home, is he inside?”

“Huh? You’ve come to see our Great Elder, not Elder Jang?”

“Yes.”

Come to think of it, the Great Elder said something as he came in earlier.

-Let him in.

So, that’s what he meant.

“He’s inside. Follow me.”

Song Jin-gu guides Taesu to where An Jeong-woo is.

“Great Elder, Kang Taesu, Chairman of Taeyang Group, has arrived.”

“Come in.”

Creak.

Song Jin-gu opens the sliding door.

“Go in.”

Taesu stepped onto the wooden floor.

But after entering the room, he turned around.

“Please wait outside for a moment, Mr. President of Dongbang Ilbo.”

“Yes.”

Kim Sang-min nodded obediently.

An Jeong-woo, sitting on a silk cushion in a spacious 20-pyeong [approximately 710 square feet] room, asked.

“So, what is the reason for wanting to see me?”

“Elder, a good opportunity has arisen to come out into the light.”

There is someone else who is fit to take charge of Dongbang Ilbo.

A hidden power broker who has countless information merchants under his command.

A patriot who is still fighting a lonely battle in the shadows for the country and the nation.

And a reliable ally who has decided to join Taesu in the great undertaking.

“Elder, wouldn’t you like to shake Park Jeong-hwan with me?”

Taesu made a tempting offer.

“We must tear apart the close relationship between Park Jeong-hwan and Han Cheong-ho at this opportunity.”

An Jeong-woo’s eyes widened slightly.

“And turn the pro-Japanese bastards inside out while we’re at it.”

An Jeong-woo smiled slyly.

“That’s a very tempting offer.”