Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 180

Mining Tycoon and Construction Conglomerate – Episode 180 (180/230)

180. All In (2)

‘All in, huh? He says that, but there’s no way Samcheong Group would go all in.’

They must have contacted Kim Jong-pil, Kim Young-sam, and Kim Dae-jung, who are currently preparing for the presidential election.

I also think they would have offered a good deal to Lee Se-hoo, the martial law commander.

‘But Samcheong has to bet big once. A neutral stance that is neither here nor there is bound to be pushed down the priority list. That way, they can’t maintain their top position.’

It’s just surprising that the bet is on TaeYang Group, not a politician.

But it doesn’t matter.

‘It’s better to have Samcheong on my side than to have them turn into an enemy.’

Tae-soo decided to clarify one thing for sure.

“Is this Director Lee Geon-hoo’s personal opinion?”

“It is the will of the entire Samcheong Group.”

‘He’s not in a position to discuss the will of the entire Samcheong Group,’ Tae-soo thought.

Lee Geon-hoo confidently pulls out a blue business card from his pocket.

It was similar to his father Lee Byung-chul’s, but slightly different.

“As of today, I have resigned from my position as director of TBS Dongin Broadcasting. I will be reporting to headquarters from tomorrow.”

“Headquarters? Then… congratulations.”

“Thank you. I have been promoted to Vice Chairman of Samcheong Group this time. So, this final farewell also applies to me.”

The business card Lee Geon-hoo handed to Tae-soo read:

It was the new business card of the group’s vice chairman.

‘It’s different from my past life. Lee Geon-hoo was in charge of TBS Dongin Broadcasting and became Vice Chairman of Samcheong Group in 1979.’

After that, he became the group’s chairman in 1987, when his father Lee Byung-chul passed away.

‘But already? It’s too early.’

Lee Geon-hoo said.

“My father said he was thinking of waiting at least 5 or 6 more years to decide on the group’s successor. He said a man needs to be forty years old to have weight.”

That would have been the case.

In his past life, Lee Geon-hoo became the Vice Chairman of the group at the age of 38.

Even then, Lee Byung-chul was worried that the succession of management rights was too early.

But this time, Lee Geon-hoo is taking over the management rights at the young age of 34.

It was a decision that was different from Lee Byung-chul’s usual intentions.

‘Why this change…….’

Tae-soo realized.

‘It’s because Park Jung-hwan died. Unlike my past life, the Park Jung-hwan regime ended early, and Samcheong also moved up the timing of the successor’s management succession.’

The change in history that Tae-soo started led to changes within Samcheong as well.

But Lee Geon-hoo says something else.

“The changing times also played a part, but my father said he made up his mind after meeting Chairman Kang.”

“You met me?”

“He said that a young president at the age of 27 is a breakthrough in itself. Innovation that can be attempted because he is young, challenges that can be tackled because he is young, and the spirit that can be unleashed because he is young. He valued that very much.”

Tae-soo recalled Chairman Lee Byung-chul asking for a handshake first.

“He regretted that he had underestimated my potential due to prejudice, even though Chairman Kang is leading a chaebol [family-owned conglomerate] group well at a young age. Thanks to that, I was able to seize the opportunity.”

Lee Geon-hoo reached out his hand first.

The image of Lee Byung-chul, the president of Samcheong Group, overlapped in that figure.

“My father told me to take charge of Samcheong’s innovation. I look forward to working with you, Chairman Kang.”

The word ‘innovation’ that Tae-soo taught was deeply engraved in Lee Geon-hoo’s heart.

Tae-soo took his hand.

“I look forward to Samcheong’s future.”

In his past life, Cheongil and Samcheong competed for first place in the business world for a long time.

Lee Geon-hoo shook Tae-soo’s hand.

At that time, Secretary Song Chang-joon quietly approached Tae-soo.

“Chairman, the TaeYang Apartment construction is approved.”

The news I had been waiting for came quickly.

It was what Acting President Kim Jong-pil had promised.

It seems that it was completed quickly by taking advantage of the martial law.

Lee Geon-hoo, who was next to him, offered his congratulations.

“The TaeYang Apartment construction inspection, which had been delayed, has been passed. Cha Gi-beom, who died, was blocking the apartment construction, right? I know it was at Cheongil’s request.”

Samcheong Group’s intelligence is truly amazing.

Tae-soo nodded.

“That’s right.”

“Even if Cha Gi-beom died, the construction wouldn’t be approved this quickly. The higher-ups must be desperate to make a big hit. Who did you go through?”

There’s no way Samcheong Group wouldn’t know that information.

They must be trying to sound out the politician Tae-soo is supporting.

“It’s a 30 million won construction approval. It was cheap.”

Tae-soo smiled faintly.

Tae-soo gives instructions to Song Chang-joon.

“The TaeYang Group’s public relations department will have to be busy from tomorrow.”

“We will do our best to promote the TaeYang Apartment sales.”

“Put advertisements in the newspaper, increase the frequency of CF [commercial film] broadcasts, distribute pre-sale leaflets, and recruit promoters.”

Lee Geon-hoo, who was listening quietly next to him, muttered to himself.

“Promoters? Swindlers?”

“No, apartment sales experts. I’m thinking of creating a ‘떴다방’ (tteutda-bang) [mobile real estate brokerage].”

“Tteutda-bang? What is that?”

‘Tteutda-bang’ is a colloquial term.

It refers to mobile brokerage offices that gather like migratory birds around apartment sales sites.

Mostly, unlicensed brokerage offices set up temporary buildings or parasols near apartment model houses to attract customers.

These irregular transactions are subject to crack down as illegal acts since the ban on resale of pre-sale rights in 2003.

‘But now that the concept of a model house has not even been established, it cannot be seen as an illegal act.’

Tteutda-bang is one of the apartment sales strategies that dominated the 90s.

It was not a strategy that was highlighted in the 70s.

“Where there is a smell of money, flies gather, and speculators flock.”

So Tae-soo could be confident.

“I’m thinking of gathering sales experts from all over the country in one place.”

To do that, you have to create a smell of money.

Tae-soo gave instructions to Song Chang-joon.

“Give them plenty of sales commissions. Then, promoters will rush to chase the smell of money.”

“How much should we set the commission?”

“Add an extra 1 million won to the base.”

100,000 won now is about 2.5 million won based on 2020 [approximately $2,000 USD in 2020 value].

And he tells them to add another 1 million won per unit.

“That much?”

“That’s how they’ll be eager to sell apartments.”

“I think they’ll be happy if we just add 100,000 won per unit.”

Song Chang-joon’s expression clearly shows that he is reluctant even though it is not his money.

But he nods obediently.

“I will do that. I’m sure the chairman has something in mind.”

Song Chang-joon’s eyes were full of trust and respect.

Tae-soo gave Song Chang-joon a soft smile.

Lee Geon-hoo widened his eyes as he watched them.

‘It’s a very unique relationship. You can see that the secretary respects Kang Tae-soo. I think this is the first time I’ve seen this?’

Secretary Kim of Geumsan is an old friend of Jang Joon-yong, and often nags or sometimes looks at him with pity.

Secretary Park and Secretary Song of Cheongil were very afraid of Han Cheong-ho.

Secretary Choi of Samcheong cuts the line and never expresses emotions, but only follows instructions like a machine.

‘Has there ever been a president who is so respected by his secretary, who is closest to him and watches everything he does?’

No.

Lee Geon-hoo remembers the countless chaebol presidents and secretaries.

But there was no secretary who followed him wholeheartedly, armed with such respect and trust.

Lee Geon-hoo subtly asked Tae-soo.

“Why do you have to give them so much extra money? The TaeYang Apartment has such a good image thanks to the drama and advertisements that it seems like it will sell well enough without doing that.”

“You shouldn’t be obsessed with small money.”

Tae-soo said firmly.

“Our goal is to sell out the apartments in the shortest period of time, at the highest price, and with the highest competition rate.”

There were as many as four conditions attached.

There are more basic conditions.

“It is Korea’s finest premium apartment. It’s about creating a brand properly, and it’s a difficult task of changing people’s perceptions.”

What Tae-soo wants to gain by giving an extra 1 million won per unit.

Apartments still have the image of chicken coops as a substitute for the housing of the poor.

Even if you add the image of a splendid chairman to the drama every day, is it easy to change the deeply rooted perception?

But there is one thing that has changed with the success of the drama.

“Everyone is paying attention. They are watching with skepticism whether TaeYang Apartment will sell.”

It’s a good sign that they’ve started testing the waters.

“There are not many wealthy people who can suddenly buy a luxury apartment. But since we have gained attention, the prospects are bright.”

Originally, people flock to places where attention is focused.

And where people flock, money naturally flocks.

“The success of this sale reserves the success of additional sales.”

The sales scale was reduced to match Han Cheong-ho’s Cheongil Apartment.

A broadcasting station filming studio and model house were built on the remaining vacant lot.

That’s how the sales schedule was brought forward.

“The best advertisement is the success record itself.”

That was why Tae-soo was betting his life on this sale.

“We must succeed in the first sale of TaeYang Apartment this time.”

Song Chang-joon smiles brightly.

“Yes. I believed that the chairman had a big plan. I understand. Please leave it to me.”

Song Chang-joon answered firmly and quickly took out his notebook and started writing.

It was to process Tae-soo’s instructions without missing anything.

Lee Geon-hoo smiled faintly as he watched the scene.

‘I think his respect has soared. He’s like a fanatic.’

I felt strangely envious.

I only resent Secretary Choi, who has already left work as soon as he finishes his regular schedule.

The image of Secretary Choi, who coldly ignored him if he made even a joke, let alone listened to Lee Geon-hoo’s words, comes to mind.

“Where did you get such a secretary?”

“From Saudi Arabia.”

“……?”

He got to know Song Chang-joon, who was a diplomat in Saudi Arabia, and Secretary Song devoted himself to education.

Lee Geon-hoo tilted his head and asked.

“Wasn’t he Korean?”

He speaks Korean very well for a Saudi Arabian.

* * *

Geumsan Hotel Conference Room.

Reporters flocked in.

Broadcasting station officials who will broadcast live across the country were all gathered.

“They’re not only doing television broadcasts, but also live radio broadcasts.”

“That’s not all? Newspaper reporters have come in droves.

Not only the political department, but also the social, economic, cultural, and international departments have all gathered.

“It’s not a normal thing.”

“Well, it’s a matter of national interest, so how could it not be?”

It is a press conference held by renting out an entire hall of the Geumsan Hotel.

“I heard that Lee Se-hoo, the head of the joint investigation headquarters, will make a major announcement?”

“He’s coming over there. Get ready.”

Lee Se-hoo, the Army Chief of Staff, Martial Law Commander, and Head of the Joint Investigation Headquarters for the Presidential Assassination, appeared at the entrance of the conference room.

Reporters simultaneously flashed their cameras.

Chwachwachwachwachwachwachwa [sound of camera flashes].

Ignoring the flashing lights from all directions, Lee Se-hoo went up to the platform.

He adjusts the microphone and looks around at the reporters.

Chwachwachwachwachwachwachwachwa.

“I am Lee Se-hoo, the head of the joint investigation headquarters for the presidential assassination. I would like to announce to the public a significant matter that I learned during the investigation.”

Chwachwachwachwachwachwachwachwa.

“First, let’s listen to the recorded voice.”

At Lee Se-hoo’s gesture, the chief of staff turned on the recorder.

The voice echoed throughout the Geumsan Hotel conference room through the speakers.

It was definitely the voice of the late President Park Jung-hwan.