Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 152

152. Eye Contact (1)

Tae-soo said,

“Over the past two years, Chairman Jang has proven himself with his performance as the Chairman of the Hankyung Business Association [a powerful business lobby]. Unlike some, he doesn’t seem likely to protect his own faction and cause trouble.”

That was the biggest concern if Han Cheong-ho became the chairman.

It was also the reason why Jang Joon-yong was blocking Han Cheong-ho from taking the next chairmanship.

“I heard Cheongil regularly delivers apple boxes?” [A common euphemism for bribes in South Korea.]

Han Cheong-ho frequently bribes those in higher positions.

Everyone knows that this isn’t just a rumor, but a fact.

“But if Chairman Han becomes the Chairman of the Hankyung Business Association, we need to clearly mark the affiliation on those apple boxes before sending them. Is it Cheongil or the Hankyung Business Association? I’m worried he might get confused.”

Everyone looked at Han Cheong-ho.

Their eyes were cold.

This is because they suspect that Han Cheong-ho might lobby for Cheongil’s interests while using the Hankyung Business Association’s funds.

“Kang Tae-soo! Don’t slander and insult me and Cheongil!”

“Why? Did I hit a nerve? I guess I dug up too much truth.”

Han Cheong-ho received the same words he had used to target Park Tae-jong.

Yet, Han Cheong-ho had no choice but to be outraged by the same words.

“It’s speculation and slander! Don’t frame me!”

“It’s a valid question. Didn’t Chairman Han say it himself earlier? That these kinds of questions are *dangyeonhi* [naturally, of course] acceptable during the candidate verification period.”

It was what he had said himself.

Tae-soo smiled and looked around.

“There’s another problem. If Cheongil’s Chairman Han becomes the next chairman, where will we meet?”

Wherever they meet, they won’t be able to enjoy hotel luncheons like they do now.

Until now, the Hankyung Business Association has provided the meeting place.

This is because it has a strong character as a closed-off, chaebol [South Korean conglomerate] secret private gathering.

“As you know, the Cheongil Hotel is not yet completed. Until then, we’ll have to wander around Cheongil’s headquarters office and the cafeteria for drivers. Oh, excuse me. Is Cheongil going to use the company cafeteria?”

It’s a blatant jab.

Park Tae-jong couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

He felt so relieved.

“Cheongil Hotel will be completed soon……!”

“So, until then, are you going to use the driver’s cafeteria instead of the Cheongil company cafeteria? And how long has it been since Cheongil Hotel started construction? When will it finally be completed?”

The completion of Cheongil Hotel was continuously delayed due to lack of funds.

Wasn’t that why Cha Ki-beom didn’t deliver a warning?

‘Han Cheong-ho is getting back the method he used to attack Park Tae-jong by mentioning the driver’s cafeteria.’

‘Honestly, everything he’s saying is true.’

Han Cheong-ho glared fiercely at Tae-soo.

“Kang Tae-soo, why are you interfering when it’s not even your business! Why are you maliciously inciting public opinion?”

“Interfering? Maliciously inciting public opinion? You’re misunderstanding.”

Tae-soo shrugged.

“I just recommended Chairman Jang because I like the food made by the head chef at Geumsan Hotel.”

“…What?”

“I was just hoping we could meet at Geumsan Hotel next time too. Can’t I make a recommendation for that reason?”

“…….”

Everyone chuckled.

‘Kang Tae-soo and Han Cheong-ho are said to be enemies.’

‘They say he’s the only one with the tongue to beat Han Cheong-ho?’

Park Tae-jong laughed loudly.

“If Geumsan’s Jang Joon-yong is willing to run for the next Hankyung Business Association chairman, I’ll give up the next chairmanship. I’m too lazy to come to Seoul every month for two years.”

Park Tae-jong cleanly gave up the next chairmanship.

‘He’s an interesting fellow.’

Lee Byung-chun of Samcheong was looking at Tae-soo with interested eyes.

The same was true for Koo Ja-gyeom of Lucky Seven.

‘He’s a bold guy. But I like him.’

A mere 27-year-old was cutting off Han Cheong-ho’s momentum very skillfully.

Lee Byung-chun of Samcheong and Koo Ja-gyeom of Lucky Seven had the same thought at the same time.

‘I also have a lot of complaints about Cheongil.’

‘Geumsan is better than Cheongil.’

That’s why.

Lee Byung-chun of Samcheong subtly added a word.

“We’re not at the level where we should be going to company cafeterias or driver’s cafeterias, are we?”

His intention to support someone is clear.

Han Cheong-ho wasn’t stupid either, so he looked back at the members he had *miri* [in advance] secured and said with his eyes.

‘Don’t be shaken by something like this! Remember that I have your ledgers!’

The majority support Han Cheong-ho with their eyes.

However, a few members who are greatly influenced by Samcheong watch their expressions and then join in one by one.

“The head chef at Geumsan Hotel definitely cooks well.”

“It’s also nice to have a drink at the Geumsan Hotel bar after it’s over.”

“What’s there to say about Chairman Jang’s skills?”

Even Koo Ja-gyeom of Lucky Seven opened his mouth.

“It seems like we’ve had a comfortable two years without any trouble while Chairman Jang was in charge. I hate things getting noisy again.”

Even Koo Ja-gyeom is openly saying that he supports Jang Joon-yong.

As Samcheong and Lucky Seven took Geumsan’s side, public opinion began to stir.

It was then.

Someone walks in from the entrance of the banquet hall.

“Is the chairman election already over?”

It was a cold voice.

As soon as the Hankyung Business Association members recognized him, they all stood up from their seats.

“Chief of Staff Cha Ki-beom?”

There’s a saying that the more time you spend face-to-face with the president, the greater your power.

The President’s Chief of Staff and the President’s Chief of Security are key figures in the Park Jung-hwan administration.

“I’m not too late, am I?”

The first person to reach out and greet Cha Ki-beom as soon as he entered the banquet hall.

That person is not Jang Joon-yong, the owner of this Geumsan Hotel and the current chairman of the Hankyung Business Association.

It’s not Lee Byung-chun of Samcheong, who is ranked first in the business world.

It wasn’t even Park Tae-jong, who was known as Park Jung-hwan’s confidant.

“Chairman Kang, congratulations on becoming a new member of the Hankyung Business Association.”

It was Kang Tae-soo, the head of the Taeyang Group.

‘Taeyang Group’s Kang Tae-soo and Cha Ki-beom?’

‘They were that close?’

‘What would have happened if we hadn’t accepted Kang Tae-soo as a new member?’

Everyone in this place looked at Tae-soo and Cha Ki-beom, who were greeting each other happily, with surprised eyes.

Jang Joon-yong asked with a bewildered expression.

“Chief of Staff Cha Ki-beom, what brings you here again?”

“I came because it was worth coming.”

Cha Ki-beom looked around the crowd with cold eyes.

“Did my warning sound like a joke?”

He glanced over them and lingered his gaze on the faces of a few members.

They were startled and hurried to avoid his eyes.

“I told you not to give military funds.”

These are the companies that secretly gave military funds to Chun Doo-hwan [a former South Korean dictator].

Everyone is slowly looking around.

Jang Joon-yong said cautiously.

“Chief Cha, now is the time to elect the next chairman of the Hankyung Business Association…….”

“His Excellency was curious about who would become the next chairman.”

That means Park Jung-hwan sent him.

“Please sit here.”

Who would go against Park Jung-hwan’s will?

As soon as he finished speaking, Jang Joon-yong gave up his seat.

The best seat became Cha Ki-beom’s.

“Proceed with the meeting.”

It’s like sitting on thorns.

‘Until now, Chief Secretary Kim Jung-rim would come and observe, but suddenly Chief of Security Cha Ki-beom is observing.’

‘The atmosphere is too fierce.’

Someone carefully raised their hand and asked.

“Um, is there a special reason why Chief Cha came today instead of Chief Secretary Kim?”

Cha Ki-beom smiled coldly.

“As of today, Chief Secretary Kim Jung-rim has been dismissed.”

What is this again?

It was shocking news.

‘Then does that mean that the most powerful person next to His Excellency right now is Cha Ki-beom?’

The more often you are seen by the president, the stronger your power.

That means that one of the powerful powers represented by the Chief Secretary and the Chief of Security has disappeared.

‘No matter who becomes the next Chief Secretary, they won’t be as strong as Chief of Security Cha Ki-beom.’

‘*Teotsae* [turf war] is scary. There’s no way Cha Ki-beom won’t keep the new Chief Secretary in check.’

At that moment, Cha Ki-beom glanced around and said.

“But you know what? Can you say you can’t send military funds to your in-laws? If even one *won* [Korean currency] flows that way through the Hankyung Business Association, the Hankyung Business Association will get involved too.”

It was an extremely clear intention.

Cha Ki-beom stares at Han Cheong-ho with cold eyes.

Han Cheong-ho closed his eyes tightly.

‘He’s telling me not to become chairman, openly *gosa-reul jinaenun-guna* [performing a ritual to ward off bad luck].’

Why did that human even show up at the Hankyung Business Association chairman election!

Why did he *ppatteuryeo koreul* [ruin everything] in the already cooked rice!

‘I have to accept Cha Ki-beom *jjigeo nureuneun geoseul* [suppressing me] without making a peep.’

Jang Joon-yong, Han Cheong-ho, Lee Byung-chun, Koo Ja-gyeom.

The four of them looked back at Tae-soo at the same time.

‘This can’t be a coincidence.’

‘He shook up the *pan* [game/situation] of the chairman election.’

‘*Giga chaneun-gun* [I’m speechless].’

Tae-soo, who created the *pan* like this, was just calmly drinking water.

Cha Ki-beom’s urging fell.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you electing a chairman?”

Of course, Jang Joon-yong received a unanimous vote and was re-elected as the chairman of the Hankyung Business Association.

Cha Ki-beom, who had achieved his purpose, left leisurely as soon as the chairman election was over.

* * *

Han Cheong-ho was the first to storm out of the Geumsan Hotel banquet hall.

Watching his *dwitmoseup* [departing figure], Park Tae-jong clicked his tongue.

“What a temper. He’s got a *baendaengi sogaltakji* [a petty and narrow-minded personality].”

“Just leave him alone. He must have been so eager to become the next chairman.”

Lee Byung-chun of Samcheong approached Tae-soo.

“It’s been a while. Thanks to you, we were able to get through the oil shock smoothly. Thank you.”

Wasn’t Lee Byung-chun the one who readily took on the recommendation of a new member of the Hankyung Business Association because he hadn’t forgotten that debt?

“Have you been well?”

“I heard our third son is indebted to you?”

If it’s the third son of the Samcheong Group, it’s Lee Geon-hoo, who will become the next head of the group.

“*Sinse-neunyo* [You’re too kind].”

“Don’t be modest. Our child is burning with enthusiasm after meeting you, which is very nice to see.”

Lee Geon-hoo, who is in charge of Dongin Broadcasting, is *yojum muri olratda* [at his peak] these days.

The daily drama ‘Burning Like a Flame,’ which Tae-soo produced with him, is breaking viewership records every day.

In addition, the new entertainment program ‘Comedy Manmanse,’ which Lee Geon-hoo newly planned, is also *seungseungjanggu* [doing very well] in anticipation.

Thanks to this, TBS Dongin Broadcasting Station was praised as having the best performance ever this year.

“I heard our child and you discussed innovation.”

It was a word that Lee Geon-hoo was *kkochin* [obsessed with].

Lee Byung-chun also heard that word from his son’s mouth.

“I heard the Taeyang Apartment model house is that great?”

“*Gwachanisipsida* [You flatter me].”

“Our son was *yeolbyeoneul tohamyeo* [speaking passionately] and excited as soon as he came. It’s been a long time since that calm child raised his voice like that.”

It was unimaginable that Lee Geon-hoo would do that.

“Come to think of it, my wife heard about the new home appliances from Taeyang Electronics at a *jaebeol samo* [chaebol wives] gathering. What was it, several refrigerators, freezers…….”

“Are you talking about the wine refrigerator, kimchi refrigerator, and flash freezer?”

“Yes, that’s it.”

Lee Byung-chun asks, shining his eyes.

“Samcheong Electronics is also making refrigerators. But even though we have the technology, we haven’t even thought about making them separately with specific uses in mind. Isn’t this innovation?”

The reason why Lee Byung-chun was interested in Tae-soo was because of the new type of home appliances.

“I plan to lead our Samcheong Electronics into a global company.”

I know.

In his past life, Lee Byung-chun put the most effort into Samcheong Electronics and Samcheong Corporation.

“I’m very interested in your innovative products. So I’d like to visit Taeyang Electronics sometime…….”

Lee Byung-chun is subtly revealing his *yoksim* [greed/ambition].

But Tae-soo doesn’t need to be afraid of that *yoksim*.

Rather, he welcomes it.

Isn’t this the perfect opportunity to *baka jul* [implant/show] the technological prowess of Taeyang Electronics into his mind?

“Come anytime. I’ll guide you.”

“Hahaha, thank you.”

Lee Byung-chun was very pleased and patted Tae-soo on the shoulder.

“Is innovation your company goal?”

“No, it’s not.”

“Hmm? Then what is the one word that brought you to this place?”

Revenge.

But I can’t say that honestly.

‘Instead, I know what that man has *saegyeo dugo* [etched] in his heart.’

*Era, moreugetda* [Oh well, whatever].

Tae-soo recalled the words that Lee Byung-chun had secretly emphasized to Lee Geon-hoo in his past life.

“There is no waste in any life. The problem is how you use that experience.”

“……!”

“I just overcame the failures of the past.”

“……!”

Lee Byung-chun’s pupils shook violently.

Tae-soo’s words made him feel *eoreulhaejineun gibuni deureotda* [a numbing sensation].

“You……!”

It was shocking.

I couldn’t believe it.

Lee Byung-chun lightly patted Tae-soo on the shoulder and then grabbed it tightly.