Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 147

Mining Tycoon and Construction Conglomerate – Episode 147 (147/230)

147. The Last Puzzle (4)

Ahn Jung-woo shows interest.

“I’d like to hear in detail what you’re planning to do.”

“Dongbang Ilbo [a fictional Korean newspaper]. It’s right here.”

Tae-soo placed the stack of documents he received from Kim Sang-min on the floor.

“Dongbang Ilbo? Are you perhaps suggesting using the newspaper to shake up Park Jung-hwan?”

One word is enough.

“Is this a gift, or a deal?”

“It’s a partnership proposal.”

Tae-soo put a lot of effort into acquiring the newspaper.

Even if they are allies, he can’t just give it away.

“A partnership?”

“Let’s share Dongbang Ilbo.”

If it becomes known that Taeyang Group acquired Dongbang Ilbo, it will become awkward in many ways.

But Tae-soo needs to print a secret newspaper at Dongbang Ilbo.

“I’ll be the investor, and you, sir, will be the president of the newspaper.”

Ahn Jung-woo stroked his chin.

“Is there a need to have you as an investor? I have that kind of money too.”

“If you don’t like it, then don’t. I’m the one who acquired Dongbang Ilbo. I can always make the Dongbang reporters work and print the newspaper myself.”

“I suppose so. Dongbang Ilbo is already a well-functioning newspaper, and you acquired it as is.”

Ahn Jung-woo asked subtly.

“But why did you come to me with a partnership proposal?”

Tae-soo doesn’t act without a reason.

“You have an information merchant, sir.”

The leaflet Tae-soo intends to publish will deal with very confidential information.

The data collected by Dongbang Ilbo in the open is not enough.

On the other hand, the information merchant has a considerable amount and quality of information collected since the late Joseon Dynasty [1392-1897, the last dynastic kingdom of Korea].

“Also, you can use the newspaper to voice your opinions to the world, sir.”

Ahn Jung-woo laughed.

“You mean to increase my power through public opinion.”

“Sir, this is not the Japanese colonial era [1910-1945]. Times have changed.”

Tae-soo’s words resonated with Ahn Jung-woo.

“What can be done in the shadows can shine even brighter in the light. Supporters who sympathize with your intentions will gather around you, sir. Influence is power.”

As a patriot, he finds it appealing.

Ahn Jung-woo looks at Tae-soo with curious eyes.

“Okay, I’ve heard why you brought Dongbang Ilbo to me. But I haven’t heard the more important reason.”

“What are you curious about?”

“The reason you’re trying to acquire Dongbang Ilbo.”

The biggest reason is of course.

‘To fill the lack of information power of Taeyang Group.’

That’s the main reason Tae-soo is acquiring Dongbang Ilbo.

‘I can’t keep relying on your information merchant, sir.’

Hol쭉이가 [name of a character] is in charge of the public relations department and is running the informants.

But it’s still terrible compared to the information merchant.

‘Newspaper reporters are excellent informants. They are high-class informants who can show their credentials with confidence.’

Why do chaebol [large South Korean business conglomerates] companies secretly run information departments?

Because information is money and power.

It’s hard to talk about politics without business, let alone small businesses.

The other party’s information determines the advantage in negotiations.

‘I can’t just say that I’m going to run my own informants.’

Tae-soo gives another reason for acquiring Dongbang Ilbo.

“There are about four reasons for acquiring Dongbang Ilbo.”

“You have four purposes?”

Tae-soo’s actions are always carefully considered.

Whenever he starts something, he proceeds with several things in mind.

“First, in many ways, it’s a waste to lose Dongbang Ilbo as it is.”

It is a newspaper with a strong base of supporting readers.

The system is firmly established, and the quality of the employees is good.

The existing newspaper sales distribution network is solid, and the printing facilities it has are also satisfactory.

“Second, it is necessary to create public opinion for this event.”

“Public opinion…”

“What else is there besides public opinion that can move the absolute power holder, Park Jung-hwan?”

“That’s true.”

Public opinion is the only thing Park Jung-hwan cares about.

“Third, I plan to infiltrate our people into the wedding as reporters.”

“Infiltrate under the pretext of covering the event?”

“Yes, it is a celebration between the Army Security Commander and a family ranked 13th in the business world. How strict would the security be?”

It is not easy to break through strict security.

Since the president will be attending the wedding, all the guests will be powerful people.

“Won’t they block the entry of the press for security reasons?”

“Rather, Han Cheong-ho will welcome them with open arms. Han Cheong-ho wants to let the world know that he has Jeon Doo-ho’s power behind him.”

Han Cheong-ho has great desires for showing off and power.

Why did Han Cheong-ho choose Jeon Doo-ho?

He will want to clearly show people the combination of Jeon Doo-ho and the Han Cheong-ho family.

“So he will want the wedding to be more grand and known to many people. He is not a guy who will refuse the press.”

“Very good. Then I will save the trouble of disguising my identity and infiltrating.”

The last reason.

“Fourth, it is to plan for what happens after the event.”

“After the event?”

“Why are we doing this event?”

Tae-soo prepared for the event to remove obstacles that hinder the future.

But Ahn Jung-woo is planning the event to eradicate the military dictatorship in this country.

“We plan to have Park Jung-hwan and Jeon Doo-ho kill each other at the wedding. I’m going to let the public know about this.”

“With a newspaper…”

“Yes, shouldn’t the people know how the military dictatorship collapsed?”

“Very good. We must satisfy the people’s desire for the overthrow of the military dictatorship and democratization.”

Tae-soo entrusted the promotion of dramas and Taeyang Apartments to Jungse Ilbo, a Samcheong affiliate.

But there is no need to hand over such a good opportunity to Samcheong.

‘With this incident, Dongbang Ilbo will become the best newspaper in Korea.’

That’s why Tae-soo decided to not just cooperate with the newspaper company, but to acquire it altogether.

Ahn Jung-woo is very satisfied.

“You probably have eavesdropping devices among the weapons you sell, sir?”

“Eavesdropping device? Of course, I have it.”

“Please support that too. If possible, we should install eavesdropping devices to get proper evidence.”

“Hahaha!”

“Let’s get irrefutable evidence with eavesdropping and broadcast it on newspapers and broadcasts. Let’s make a lot of money this time.”

Why not?

It will be huge news that will shake the entire Republic of Korea.

I can already vividly picture the scene of newspapers running out of stock at newspaper stands.

“How about it? Would you like to acquire Dongbang Ilbo together?”

“I have to!”

Ahn Jung-woo replied cheerfully.

Only then did Tae-soo open the door himself and say.

“Dongbang Ilbo’s president, please come inside now. I’ll introduce you to a new job.”

“You even brought the president of Dongbang Ilbo with you?”

Ahn Jung-woo laughed even louder.

‘A thorough guy. I can’t beat him at all.’

That’s why I like him.

Ahn Jung-woo smiled at Tae-soo.

“Put my share of Dongbang Ilbo in Ahn So-jung’s name.”

Ahn So-jung has a 30% stake in Taeyang Insurance and Taeyang Securities.

But this time, she will own 50% of the newspaper company’s shares.

* * *

On the way to Geumsan Hotel late at night.

Kim Kwang-rok, who was driving, looked back at Tae-soo through the rearview mirror.

“Tae-soo, you seem a little different from usual today. You seem excited?”

They discussed the publication of the leaflet and the revitalization of Dongbang Ilbo.

Even moving the Dongbang Ilbo office and holding meetings on coverage and newspaper sections.

It was fun to discuss things with people who shared the same ideas.

“Did you have a drink?”

“I didn’t.”

Of course, I received an invitation to drink.

-Let’s have a drink to commemorate the new partnership together.

-How can you plan the future with the president of Dongbang Ilbo without alcohol?

-You drink well. I have a lot of good alcohol prepared.

I know how great Ahn Jung-woo’s drinking capacity is because I’ve experienced it.

He would make you drink until you were completely soaked in alcohol, as if you were drowning in it.

I couldn’t come to my senses until the next day, so I couldn’t do my job.

‘I’m never drinking with that guy again.’

That was why Tae-soo quickly ran away.

‘Dongbang Ilbo, and the leaflet.’

Finally, I got the last puzzle, Dongbang Ilbo, in my hands.

Tae-soo clenched and unclenched his fist.

‘The necessary preparations are over. Now it’s time to slowly drive them.’

All that’s left is to take the time to work behind the scenes.

My blood was boiling.

‘I have to block them from escaping.’

I will tighten my grip.

* * *

Tae-soo’s room at Geumsan Hotel.

Knock knock.

“Tae-soo, I’m coming in.”

Hol쭉이가 came in and turned on the TV.

“Why the TV all of a sudden?”

“Didn’t you know that the Cheongil Apartment CF [commercial film] is coming out?”

“Cheongil Apartment CF?”

“Take a look. The feeling is completely different from our apartment advertisement.”

Hol쭉이가 turned the channel a few times.

Just in time, the Taeyang Apartment CF comes on.

“After this is over, the Cheongil Apartment ad will come out, right? The Cheongil Apartment CF always comes out after the Taeyang Apartment CF?”

As soon as I heard it, I knew Han Cheong-ho’s nasty intentions.

‘Han Cheong-ho must have pressured them to put the Cheongil Apartment ad after the Taeyang Apartment CF on purpose, so that it can be compared to the Taeyang Apartment CF. The main character always has to have the last word.’

It’s a trick that Han Cheong-ho used to use in his previous life.

How could Tae-soo not know that intention?

Hol쭉이가, who was watching the CF, made a fuss.

“Wow, our Taeyang Apartment CF is so well made no matter how many times I watch it. Isn’t Jung Yoon-ah really pretty?”

“I made a CF to promote Taeyang Apartment, not to promote Jung Yoon-ah.”

“Oh, it’s both. Jung Yoon-ah is pretty, so our CF is also popular.”

The image of a young and pretty female advertising model is superimposed on the image of Taeyang Apartment.

The prettier Jung Yoon-ah looks, the more Taeyang Apartment benefits from that image.

In the middle of the brightly lit apartment living room, Jung Yoon-ah, wearing a light dress, looks back.

She smiles prettily and whispers.

-I want to live with you. Here. How about it?

Hol쭉이가 smiles brightly and likes it.

“Pretty. If I could live with Jung Yoon-ah, I would buy an apartment right away.”

Tae-soo smiled at the very desirable reaction.

“It’s coming on! Tae-soo, it’s the Cheongil Apartment CF!”

Tae-soo also focused on watching the Cheongil Apartment CF.

“Is the advertising model Kang Bu-ji?”

“She’s the most popular star these days.”

Kang Bu-ji is a top star who appears everywhere when you turn on the television.

“Tae-soo, Cheongil must have spent a lot on advertising. Hehehe.”

In the middle of the kitchen where the food is being cooked, the plump 30s Kang Bu-ji is wearing an apron and even holding a ladle before looking back.

She bursts into an ajumma [a Korean word for a married or middle-aged woman] laugh and says friendly.

-Oh, let’s live together. Here at Cheongil Apartment. How about it?

They even copied the Taeyang Apartment ad copy, but how can the feeling be so different?

It’s very folksy.

The Cheongil Apartment advertisement, which claims to be a luxury premium apartment, smells like rural Cheonggukjang [a type of fermented soybean stew].

“…….”

Hol쭉이가 wiped his saliva while watching the advertisement.

“Tae-soo, I’m hungry. Shall we go out and have a bowl of Gukbap [rice soup] for a late-night snack?”

“…….”

What if a different kind of desire arises after watching a luxury premium apartment advertisement?

* * *

Han Cheong-ho’s study.

Han Cheong-ho turned off the TV in anger.

“What about the Cheongil Apartment ad!”