Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 179

179. Life’s a Gamble (1)

Ahn Jung-woo chuckled.

“How can one become president without a political base?”

He would gradually increase his recognition, starting as a member of the National Assembly.

After that, he would seize key positions in state affairs and secure power within the party.

The final destination of such a political career was the presidential election.

“Park Jung-hwan has amassed a force while committing the four major corruption scandals with Kim Jong-pyo, hasn’t he?”

The Republican Party.

The force that Park Jung-hwan had created with enormous kickbacks to solidify his regime remained intact.

Taesu shook the South Korea-Japan agreement document regarding the 7th mining zone.

“As Park Jung-hwan left this behind when he died, they are now in a desperate situation. Why would Kim Jong-pyo want to have this?”

They would be worried about being implicated in treason charges along with Park Jung-hwan.

They were anxious that their corruption cases and political maneuvering might surface.

“Kim Jong-pyo will try to control them while covering up this matter, to become president.”

“That can’t happen. It’s something that should never be covered up.”

“Are you going to stand by and watch as the actions of a traitor who sold the country for a mere 5 billion dollars are buried in history?”

Ahn Jung-woo downed his drink in one gulp.

“There are prominent figures in the opposition party. Kim Young-sam, who became a young member of the National Assembly at the age of 25, and Kim Dae-jung, who is raising his voice with him as a political comrade.”

They were people who had already visited Taesu.

“The ruling party forces created by Park Jung-hwan are enormous. For the opposition party to overturn this, one person must concede, like in the 1971 presidential candidate race.”

In the 1971 presidential election, Kim Young-sam won the first vote in the New Democratic Party’s presidential candidate race.

However, Kim Dae-jung, who brought in Lee Seung-cheol, who was the third-place candidate, won the second vote.

Kim Young-sam accepted the result and actively helped Kim Dae-jung’s election campaign.

“They already have a history of joining forces once. Perhaps it will be the same this time.”

“That was when there was a huge enemy called Park Jung-hwan. Now that Park Jung-hwan is dead, there is no suitable candidate in the Republican Party.”

Park Jung-hwan would not have left someone powerful enough to keep him in check in the ruling party.

The Republican Party, united by loyalty to Park Jung-hwan and the crumbs that fell from him, was showing signs of splitting apart.

“There is only one presidential seat. Wouldn’t even those who didn’t have ambition before become tempted? But are there any politicians without a desire for power?”

In his past life, Roh Tae-woo gained such an unexpected benefit.

In a situation where the opposition parties held a majority, if the two Kims joined forces, their presidential election was guaranteed.

However, the two candidates split over the presidential seat and did not join forces.

It was because of greed.

“My friend, even if that were the case, you’ve bet on the wrong person. I don’t have the power to win over the Republican Party.”

“Why not?”

Taesu grinned.

“You obtained the account book through Chomyung Bank, didn’t you?”

The ledger regarding the bribes and money laundering that Han Cheong-ho and Choi Mu-ryong had given to Republican Party members during their time together.

Han Cheong-ho had been in charge of cleaning up after Park Jung-hwan, and Choi Mu-ryong had helped with money laundering through private loans.

That was why Choi Mu-ryong was able to survive the private loan freeze.

“Account book?”

“Oh, you haven’t heard about that yet. I asked your daughter to secure it in advance.”

At that moment, the paper door slid open, and Ahn So-jeong entered.

She handed the account book to Taesu.

She also brought a ledger that compiled the weaknesses of the Republican Party members that she had gathered by mobilizing information brokers.

“The Republican Party members’ leash.”

Taesu placed the bundle of account books in front of Ahn Jung-woo.

“Are you still not confident after seeing this?”

Before Ahn Jung-woo could answer, Taesu placed one more on top.

*Tak.*

The secret agreement regarding the 7th mining zone was placed on top of the account book.

“Even with this?”

Taesu drove the wedge in.

*Tak.*

The record of the wiretapping of the Cheongil Hotel VIP room was placed on top of the 7th mining zone secret agreement.

“I asked Lee Se-hoo, the head of the Joint Investigation Headquarters, to hold a press conference. In that place where the entire nation is focused, I will make you a superstar.”

“A superstar…….”

“An independent activist who dug up the corruption of the traitor Park Jung-hwan. Do you like the title?”

“…….”

Ahn Jung-woo’s expression became quite serious.

“Life’s a gamble.”

On the other hand, Taesu had a relieved expression.

Taesu left Ahn Jung-woo behind and got up from his seat first.

“I’ll pave the way for you, sir.”

Taesu strode over and closed the paper door.

Ahn So-jeong followed behind him.

Ahn Jung-woo, left alone in the Daewoon Pavilion room, began to drink silently.

As if he were going to stay up all night.

* * *

“Cut!”

At that sound, CP [Chief Producer] Go Seok-man was the first to raise his fist.

“That was great!”

The drama ‘Burning Like a Flame,’ which TBS Dongin Broadcasting and Taeyang Construction had created together, filmed its final episode.

The actors and staff hugged each other and cheered.

“It’s over!”

They had finished a long journey of eight months.

The series, which had started smoothly from its first broadcast, ended up breaking Dongin Broadcasting’s records one after another.

-Record for the fastest time to reach number one in viewership ratings!

-Record for the fastest time to surpass 40% viewership ratings!

-Record for the longest time to maintain number one in viewership ratings!

-Breaking the all-time highest viewership ratings for Dongin Broadcasting!

It was remembered by viewers as the drama that heated up the first half of 1975 the most.

Thanks to this, the salaries of the actors who appeared in the drama and the advertising fees attached before and after the drama skyrocketed.

The additional allowances and performance bonuses for the broadcasting staff were a bonus.

“Thank you for your hard work!”

“You’ve worked hard!”

As they enjoyed the joy of the final filming, CP Go Seok-man shouted loudly.

“There’s a wrap-up party after this! No one can run away because it’s the last wrap-up party!”

The actors and staff cheered.

“Wrap-up party! Wrap-up party!”

“What are we eating?”

“Beef! Beef!”

CP Go Seok-man playfully passed the baton to Taesu and Lee Geon-hoo.

“We don’t decide the menu. That’s up to Director Lee Geon-hoo and the chairman of the Taeyang Group.”

Wasn’t it the final filming?

Taesu and Lee Geon-hoo also watched the finale together from behind the studio.

Taesu responded with a smile.

“How about beef ribs?”

“Wowwww-!”

“Beef ribs! Beef ribs! Taeyang Group is the best!”

Taesu took out a thick wallet from his pocket and held it out.

“Please use this to pay. I would like to support the actors and staff’s wrap-up party.”

The sponsor was decided in that way.

Secretary Song Chang-joon took Taesu’s wallet.

Lee Geon-hoo smiled.

“Thanks to Chairman Kang, our broadcasting station staff will be living in luxury. I would like to express my gratitude and pour a drink for the largest investor in the series.”

Lee Geon-hoo indirectly suggested that Taesu join him at the wrap-up party.

Upon hearing those words, all the unmarried young women became of one mind.

They all desperately wanted Taesu to participate.

‘I hope he comes with us…….’

‘I wish I could casually strike up a conversation with him…….’

‘Now that the filming is over, it will be difficult to see him again. Please…….’

Wasn’t it the actors and staff who had been glancing at Taesu’s appearance as he commanded the construction site for the past eight months?

Quite a few women secretly harbored feelings for Taesu.

The same was true for the rookie actresses who had emerged as the troika of the 70s through this drama.

Jung Yoon-ah, Jang Mi-hyun, and Yoo Ji-yeon were also subtly holding hands and looking only at Taesu.

“No. I don’t want to disturb the last time that the Dongin Broadcasting staff is enjoying together.”

However, Taesu smiled and politely declined.

The disappointment was clearly visible on the women’s faces.

“Investors should push from behind. It will be uncomfortable if they come forward.”

He had been responsible for the broadcasting station’s wrap-up parties from time to time for the past eight months.

However, Taesu had never shown his face at the wrap-up party.

Lee Geon-hoo smiled gently and suggested once more.

“Why don’t you come with us? Isn’t it the last time?”

CP Go Seok-man and the directing director and others joined in, sensing the situation.

“We’ve been through thick and thin for eight months, so it would be too sad to part like this.”

“Thanks to the chairman’s support, we were able to film without any difficulties. We should at least say thank you.”

“Let’s say our final goodbyes properly and have a farewell drink.”

Repeated requests from the actors and staff.

Lee Geon-hoo was encouraging the staff’s requests.

Taesu chuckled.

‘Lee Geon-hoo must have something to say to me separately.’

Finally, Taesu nodded his head.

“Let’s do that.”

As soon as Taesu finished speaking, the women’s cheers rang out particularly loudly.

* * *

Nearby beef rib restaurant.

Lee Geon-hoo and Taesu, as well as CP Go Seok-man, the directing team director, and the screenwriter, etc., received a separate table.

Lee Geon-hoo poured a drink into Taesu’s glass and said.

“Thank you for investing in our TBS series all this time. Thanks to you, we were able to complete the series filming safely.”

Taesu also filled Lee Geon-hoo’s glass with alcohol.

“Thank you for TBS Dongin Broadcasting’s active support. Thanks to you, inquiries about Taeyang Apartment sales have been endless.”

They continued to have a pleasant drinking party, praising each other.

As a thank you, as a farewell.

In particular, the women were eager to give Taesu a drink, lining up.

As everyone urged him to drink, Taesu drank quite a bit.

Lee Geon-hoo was also drinking until his face turned red.

Taesu got up from his seat and said goodbye.

“I’ll head in first.”

“Then I should go now too.”

Lee Geon-hoo got up as if he had been waiting.

As the two got up, everyone who had been enjoying the drinks and food began to get up from their seats.

Lee Geon-hoo stopped them with both hands.

“Isn’t this the last wrap-up party? Let’s eat and drink as much as we want today. I’ll take responsibility for the rest.”

Lee Geon-hoo also took out a wad of money from his wallet and handed it to CP Go Seok-man and put on his shoes.

Lee Geon-hoo stopped even the director and CP Go Seok-man, who were trying to follow him out.

Taesu and Lee Geon-hoo left the beef rib restaurant.

“Would you like to have a dessert coffee?”

Lee Geon-hoo offered a dessert coffee.

Taesu silently drank the coffee.

“You didn’t bring me all the way here to have trivial small talk.”

“As expected, I knew you would notice.”

“Let’s end the final farewell here and get straight to the point.”

“Good.”

Lee Geon-hoo nodded obediently.

“I’ll ask you directly. Who are you planning to give that to, Chairman Kang?”

As expected.

It was as he had guessed.

“Samcheong Group’s intelligence is impressive.”

“It’s a matter of the group’s survival. Since the 5.18 Cheongil Hotel disaster [likely a fictional event referencing political instability], meetings have been held every day at the group level.”

Who will be the next president?

It was a big deal that would determine the future of the chaebol group [a large South Korean business conglomerate].

“Who is Samcheong Group’s choice?”

This was unexpected.

To put aside presidential candidates such as Kim Jong-pyo, Kim Young-sam, and Kim Dae-jung and choose Taeyang Group.

“Samcheong wants to go with Taeyang. That’s why I came to you, Chairman Kang.”

Samcheong Group Chairman Lee Byung-chun entrusted that important task to his third son, Lee Geon-hoo.

‘Samcheong Group would reach out to Taeyang Group first. And even send the group’s successor.’

It was a statement that they would recognize Taeyang Group’s political influence.

Lee Geon-hoo looked straight at Taesu and said.

“Samcheong Group will lend its strength to the path that Chairman Kang is taking.”

“How do you know who I’m going to pick?”

“Whoever Chairman Kang picks, the item will go to that person. Moreover, if Taeyang Group and Samcheong Group push with all their might?”

The sound of Ahn Jung-woo’s winning rate soaring could be heard.

“I’ll bet without asking any questions. I’m sure you’ve chosen well.”

“Aren’t you going to regret the decision to support Taeyang Group without even knowing who it is?”

“Life is originally a gamble.”

To call for gambling while betting on the Samcheong Group.

Yet, he was a strange man who inspired trust.

“Samcheong Group cannot be ambiguous. If it’s neither this nor that, there’s more to lose than to protect. Only a choice made properly with definite information and judgment can protect this position.”

Lee Geon-hoo declared generously and smiled.

“Honestly, isn’t it more certain to trust Chairman Kang’s skills than to trust a politician who changes his words if things go wrong?”

Lee Geon-hoo slyly took out a blue business card and said.

“Chairman Kang, why don’t you use a business card this time?”

Taesu had business cards from Samcheong, Lucky Seven, Geumsan, and Korea Petroleum Corporation in his pocket.