Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 186

186. Reunion (2)

Taesu closed his eyes.

He thought of Rahman, who had moved up the Jubail Industrial Port development plan by a year for him.

Taesu, who kept his faith with Jang Junyong despite the 1 billion dollar project.

Rahman had grumbled, calling him a ‘romantic man’.

At that time, Taesu asked Rahman.

-Do you regret taking my hand?

-Not at all. I trusted you, so I shared life and death with you.

-Didn’t you say there’s no loyalty in this business? That there are no more useless words than loyalty and trust? Then why are we together?

-Well… because I trust you.

Rahman answered and chuckled.

-Friend.

That’s what Rahman called Taesu.

‘The situation has changed from before.’

At the time, Taesu was a businessman subcontracting for a highway construction project in Saudi Arabia, and Rahman was the city development manager.

Rahman’s position was very narrow, so he had to succeed in the highway construction.

Taesu and Rahman became allies with a common goal.

They also had a common enemy named Han Cheongho.

But now Taesu has come to Saudi for oil development.

‘Now the common goal has disappeared. Nevertheless, does Rahman still think of me as a friend?’

* * *

Jubail, Saudi Arabia.

The construction of a huge 1 billion dollar oil industrial port.

He looked around the industrial port, which was gradually taking shape.

“Chairman, you’re here?”

A man tanned by the hot Saudi sun.

It was Kim Woojin, who was in charge of the Jubail Industrial Port construction.

“It’s been a while. The Jubail Industrial Port construction, which I expected to take three years, is already taking shape.”

“Those three years were based on advanced country standards, not Korean standards for completion. I won’t let it take more than a year until completion.”

“I like your confident answer. Is it possible?”

“We have to make the impossible possible. Otherwise, how can we move forward? Don’t worry.”

Kim Woojin glanced at Taesu.

“So, I’m asking for support with heavy equipment and manpower.”

“Okay. I will provide additional support for Taeyang Heavy Equipment and recruit more overseas dispatch personnel from Korea.”

Taeyang Construction’s unrivaled construction speed in the Middle East is well-known.

No, the world was surprised.

“I feel reassured that the Chairman is supporting us.”

“Why didn’t you ask for support sooner if you needed it?”

“It’s because I’m being greedy to increase the construction speed, but the group’s support itself is sufficient.”

Taesu liked Kim Woojin’s passion.

His gaze towards Kim Woojin was gentle.

“You want to 확실히 [clearly] appeal Taeyang Construction to Middle Eastern countries.”

“I thought the Chairman would understand my intentions.”

Kim Woojin smiles brightly.

Taesu nodded.

“Advanced countries like the United States and Europe can’t meet the completion date within the time frame. On the other hand, we invariably complete it several months ahead of schedule. This alone is competitive.”

“The Chairman is right. Korean construction companies can definitely sweep up money in the Middle East. This is an opportunity.”

In fact, Korea benefited a lot when the Middle East construction boom occurred after the oil shock.

When the export market for manufactured goods was almost blocked due to expensive oil and lack of technology, Middle East construction earned most of the foreign currency.

‘Korea achieved the second-highest market share in the Middle East construction market after the United States.’

Now the Middle East construction boom was starting to heat up.

In this case, fast-moving companies that enter the market in advance sweep up money.

Taeyang Construction is currently monopolizing almost all Saudi construction projects.

At the forefront was a remarkable man named Kim Woojin.

“I heard that Director Kim participated in construction bids in between 진행하는 [progressing] the Jubail Industrial Port construction.”

“I just grabbed a good opportunity when it came. Fortunately, Middle Eastern oil money poured in, so construction orders also poured in.”

Kim Woojin said with a smile.

“We already have a track record, and Taeyang Construction, backed by Saudi’s local company Shoboksi, 아니 [no,] Saudi Prince, is strong.”

Rahman, who is in charge of the western city development of Saudi Arabia, is there.

It’s safe to say that Rahman fed him the construction project.

Knowing that, Kim Woojin couldn’t 생색을 내다 [take credit].

“Director Kim, let’s go back to Korea after finishing this construction.”

“Yes?”

“Successfully completed a 1 billion dollar construction project. He was recognized for taking on major construction projects in Saudi Arabia and was promoted.”

“Chairman…….”

“Isn’t this enough to return home in triumph? Don’t you miss your family?”

Kim Woojin turned to Taesu with a slightly dazed face.

It was an unexpected answer.

‘I didn’t expect the Chairman to still remember my wish.’

He lost Daewoon Construction, which he had मुश्किल से [barely] managed, in an instant.

Due to Han Cheongho’s machinations, bank loans and investments were all blocked, and he couldn’t last even three months.

Unable to withstand the threats against his family, he handed over Daewoon Construction to Han Cheongho.

He started living with huge debts and being chased by debt collectors.

On the other hand, he heard the news that Taeyang Group had launched and 울컥해서 [overwhelmed] visited Geumsan Hotel.

Wasn’t Kim Woojin the one who criticized Taesu without hesitation when he met him there?

-Hey, your chairman? Is that kid so great? A guy younger than me is already the head of a group! The world is so unfair!

He was drunk and 술주정을 부렸었다 [was ranting drunk].

-I want to return home in triumph. I want to succeed again overseas.

That’s how Kim Woojin joined Taeyang Group.

‘Thanks to taking care of the family I left behind in Korea and giving me a generous salary, I was no longer harassed by debt collection.’

He could breathe.

He just 열심히 [diligently] did the given construction work without thinking about anything else.

In the meantime, an opportunity came, so he just 달려들었을 뿐이다 [jumped at it].

Like Kim Woojin usually does.

‘I just did what a salaried employee should do. But…….’

Taesu smiled gently.

“You’ve worked hard.”

Somehow Taesu’s words didn’t feel like 빈말 [empty words].

What was that one word?

The hardships of the past year feel sweet.

The sweat 흘렸던 [shed] while facing the sandstorm in the hot Saudi sun was not in vain.

“I just did what was natural.”

So Kim Woojin smiled.

* * *

Kim Woojin’s report continued.

Following the construction status of the Jubail Industrial Port, the status of construction bids won in Saudi Arabia, the progress level, the expected completion date, and the construction status of neighboring countries, etc.

“Jangsu Bank has started banking services in Saudi Arabia. In addition, the construction of the Jubail 병참 [logistics] base and the construction of the weapons factory are also in the completion stage.”

These were the things he had asked Rahman to do, bringing Ahn Jungwoo and Jang Maldong.

“The political situation in the Middle East is unusual after the Middle East war and the oil crisis. The power of the country has become stronger by driving out Western capital forces, but there are signs of internal division.”

Taesu listened to Kim Woojin’s words.

“While the dictatorship is raising its voice, the internal conflict in Iran is particularly serious.”

It was interesting.

‘The second oil shock that occurred in December ’78 was launched by Iran. But Kim Woojin is already sensing the signs.’

Isn’t he a man busy working on construction projects in Saudi Arabia?

But he was 속속들이 [thoroughly] grasping what was happening inside Middle Eastern countries.

Taesu listened to Kim Woojin’s report on international affairs for a long time.

It was a very satisfactory report.

“You know the parts I’m interested in well.”

“I have to be able to confidently report to the Chairman later. I paid a little attention.”

Was this a level that could be covered by paying attention?

“When you go to Korea, you will be assigned as an executive of Taeyang Construction.”

“Thank you. I will work harder.”

President Park Cheolwan will be in charge of the oil extraction construction.

“President Park Cheolwan of Taeyang Construction will have to cover most of the domestic 관급 [government-funded] construction projects, starting with Taeyang Apartment.”

“I’m confident in that.”

Kim Woojin was a resourceful and 과감한 [bold] man.

In his previous life, Kim Woojin had 활발한 친교 [active social interactions] with world-class figures.

‘He was also close to Libya’s dictator Gaddafi and won the Libyan construction project.’

That was the reason why Daewoon Construction hit it big in Middle East construction in the 80s.

Based on the Middle East construction project, Kim Woojin raised Daewoon Group to 4th place in the business world in just 10 years.

Since then, Daewoon Construction has 승승장구하게 [been on a roll], standing out in heavy industries such as shipbuilding, automobiles, and electronics.

‘I have to put Kim Woojin at the forefront and eat up Cheongil [a rival company].’

Taesu has a lot to do.

He can’t just 매달려 [rely] on Cheongil.

‘Still, it’s my job to pay back Han Ilkwon.’

Taesu will be responsible for Han Ilkwon’s end.

But Taesu is not 한가하진 [free] enough to take on all the petty fights.

Kim Woojin also has debts to repay to Han Cheongho and Cheongil.

‘I’m looking forward to Kim Woojin’s 수완 [skill].’

At that time, a familiar voice was heard from behind.

[Kang Taesu, long time no see.]

Taesu turned around.

A man against the sunset, with the sky turning red.

Rahman, a fashionable man wearing Saudi traditional clothes.

[Mr. Rahman.]

A friend he hadn’t seen in a long time was smiling there.

* * *

Rahman’s house located in downtown Jubail.

It was different from the house of Khalid, the Minister of Defense of Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.

The site and building size were smaller, but Rahman’s house was more luxurious and sophisticated.

It was a modern building.

[What about the official residence? Did you build a new house?]

[You want me to live in a shabby official residence for years?]

Rahman shudders as if he heard something terrible.

A fashionable man who likes fancy and 멋진 [stylish] things had the most luxurious room in Khalid’s mansion.

[Taeyang Construction builds houses well too.]

It seems to be Kim Woojin’s work.

[If I had known that I was commissioned to build Mr. Rahman’s house, I should have paid more attention.]

[How can you pay more attention here? I’m satisfied enough. The swimming pool and landscaping are especially artistic.]

The mansion was 번쩍번쩍 [glittering] with wealth according to Rahman’s taste.

The swimming pool was wider and more sophisticated than a hotel swimming pool, and it looked magnificent with well-maintained trees and grass.

[Thanks to the completion being moved up, I’m thinking of holding a party here instead of Riyadh. So Kang Taesu, I hope you will attend.]

If a party is held by a rich and capable young Saudi royal, people will flock like clouds.

Isn’t Taesu the type who doesn’t like such parties?

[Hmm, if it’s a party…….]

[It’s my birthday party. You didn’t know, did you…….]

Of course, he didn’t know.

When Rahman’s eyes were about to narrow, Taesu quickly cut off Rahman’s words.

[I will definitely attend.]

[Good, just like last time I was introduced to your allies, this time I’ll introduce you to my acquaintances.]

Rahman said, 아차 [oops], and then 못 박는다 [drives it in/makes it clear].

[Acquaintances. Not friends, acquaintances.]

You’re different.

Rahman tilts the wine decanter with red wine 찰랑거리는 [sloshing] and fills Taesu’s glass.

Taesu and Rahman held up their wine glasses.

[For a friend I met again after a long time.]

[Cheers.]

Clink.

It was a flavorful red wine.

Before Taesu could speak, Rahman opened his mouth.

[So, what’s the reason you came to me?]

[I’m going to extract oil in Korea.]

[Oil in Korea?]

Rahman’s eyes widened as if he had heard something he had never heard before.

It was a natural reaction.

[Doesn’t Korea have only 부스러기 [scraps] of underground resources even if you wash your eyes and look for them?]

[It’s true that it’s a country with insufficient underground resources. However, it seems that oil is buried in the continental shelf.]

[Continental shelf? Are you saying you’ve discovered an offshore oil field? Like our Safaniya oil field?]

[Yes.]

[Oil in Korea, I think I know why you came to me.]

Rahman 문질렀다 [rubbed] his chin slowly.

[Do you need help with technology or capital?]

[I need both.]

Rahman nodded.

[Well, if it’s an offshore oil field, it’s no ordinary task, from oil exploration drilling to floating oil extraction facilities and building a huge submarine pipeline connecting to the land.]

Saudi Arabia has the largest offshore and onshore oil fields in the world.

The Jubail Industrial Port, an oil forward base, was also built for that reason.

[Oil fields are 몰려 [clustered] in the vicinity of the Persian Gulf, west of Saudi Arabia.]

The fact that he was in charge of developing the western city, which is lacking in resources, after being in charge of developing the eastern city, means that he has 틀어쥐었다 [grasped] the core power.

[Kang Taesu, the answer as the person in charge of western city development, the answer as a Saudi royal, and the answer as a friend are different.]