Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 201

201. Favoritism (3)

The political and business figures entering the Geumsan Hotel lobby were visibly surprised.

Jang Jun-yong, the owner of Geumsan Hotel, was equally stunned, his mouth agape.

“What on earth is going on here?”

For a moment, he thought he’d wandered into a resort.

The lobby of Geumsan Hotel buzzed with murmuring people.

Jang Seo-yeon, who was working busily, looked up and recognized Jang Jun-yong.

“You’re here? As you can see, it’s a bit hectic right now. The hall upstairs isn’t quite ready yet. What should we do?”

“The hall upstairs?”

“Chairman Kang of the Taeyang Group said he was bored waiting and asked us to prepare the hall upstairs. Please wait a moment.”

‘Why is Chairman Kang of Taeyang Group suddenly involved here?’

“Chairman Kang Tae-soo of Taeyang Group has rented the entire Geumsan Hotel for several days.”

“Kang Tae-soo rented the entire hotel? For several days?”

“He said the Rockefeller family would be staying at our Geumsan Hotel while they’re in Korea. So, we had to clear out the hotel…”

“So that’s what happened. The security guards, the guests, and the hotel patrons…”

Now he understood.

That’s why an unexpected refund frenzy had broken out.

“You made a difficult decision.”

Jang Seo-yeon recalled Tae-soo’s proposal.

-How about enhancing the Geumsan Hotel’s brand image by leveraging the Rockefeller name?

-Opportunities to gain the reputation of being Korea’s best hotel are rare.

As soon as she heard that, Jang Seo-yeon saw it as a golden opportunity.

So, she agreed to empty the hotel for the Rockefellers, even at a financial loss.

But she didn’t regret it.

“The credibility of Geumsan Hotel, or being Korea’s top hotel used by the Rockefeller family… I chose reputation.”

With this, Geumsan Hotel would truly earn the reputation of being Korea’s finest hotel.

After all, it was the hotel chosen by the global conglomerate, the Rockefellers.

“I’m going to make the Geumsan Hotel’s brand even more luxurious than it is now. I want to seize the title of Korea’s best hotel.”

Jang Seo-yeon replied firmly.

“Instead, we’ve thoroughly apologized to the guests for the inconvenience today and compensated them beyond their losses.”

“What’s hard to build is trust. And what’s even harder than trust is not upsetting the guests.”

Jang Jun-yong sighed.

“Once feelings are hurt, they don’t change easily.”

“Don’t worry. Chairman Kang Tae-soo of Taeyang Group has taken care of that part perfectly.”

“Chairman Kang?”

“Chairman Kang stepped in to apologize to the guests himself and compensated them for their losses.”

When Jang Seo-yeon was flustered and confused, Tae-soo stepped in and neatly resolved everything.

The guests were satisfied with the quick and courteous response.

“Why is Taeyang Group so involved in something that happened at our hotel?”

“I asked the same thing. And I got a very simple answer.”

Jang Seo-yeon smiled, thinking of Tae-soo.

“Because we’re allies.”

Under the banner of alliance, Tae-soo brought the Rockefellers to Geumsan Hotel.

Taeyang Group had deployed numerous security personnel for the Rockefellers’ thorough protection.

Moreover, they took on all the problems arising from emptying the Geumsan Hotel.

‘The name of alliance is truly weighty and passionate.’

Her heart was pounding.

Jang Jun-yong had no choice but to nod.

“That’s just like Kang.”

Even with a $1 billion bid in front of Rahman in the past, Tae-soo didn’t betray his trust.

“I think we’ve definitely made a good impression thanks to Chairman Kang.”

“Made a good impression in what way?”

“The level of response from Geumsan Hotel and Taeyang Group, and the perception that we never cause losses to our guests, even when problems arise. Not to mention the enhanced reputation and brand image.”

“You’ve gained a lot.”

‘How should I repay this gratitude?’

‘I owe that friend Kang Tae-soo several times over.’

“We can’t cause trouble to Taeyang Group because of Geumsan Hotel’s issues. Geumsan will take care of all the compensation that Chairman Kang offered. Keep that in mind.”

“I already said the same thing.”

“Well done.”

Just then, the person who had been waiting opened the lobby door and appeared.

“Charter buses have arrived!”

“Everyone, please move to the parking lot. It’s close by.”

Then the guests waiting in the lobby gathered their luggage.

Jang Jun-yong was bewildered.

“They’re chartering buses to move people? Where to?”

“To Samcheong Hotel. Chairman Kang said he’s already spoken to Samcheong.”

Jang Jun-yong looked at Lee Byung-chun, the head of Samcheong Group, and Lee Byung-chun looked back at his son.

Lee Geon-hoo, the vice president of Samcheong Group, nodded.

“I received the call. So that’s why. We’ve already made arrangements to accommodate all the group guests.”

“Kang Tae-soo’s handling of things is quite impressive. He’s experienced.”

Lee Geon-hoo was greatly surprised inside.

‘My father is praising him? That’s really rare.’

Lee Byung-chun, the head of Samcheong Group, is notoriously stingy with praise.

Moreover, he tries to keep talented people under him and rarely acknowledges those who are equal to him.

‘But my father couldn’t help but acknowledge that man.’

Lee Geon-hoo was considered the most outstanding of the second-generation chaebols [family-run conglomerate heirs].

But whenever Lee Geon-hoo thought of Kang Tae-soo, he felt himself shrinking.

Kang Tae-soo is seven years younger than him and a self-made man who created a chaebol company without any backing.

‘To be standing shoulder to shoulder with the president and chaebol heads at that age… I still have a long way to go compared to him.’

Lee Geon-hoo clenched his fist.

Jang Jun-yong smiled and bowed to Chairman Lee Byung-chun.

“We’re imposing on Samcheong.”

“Don’t mention it. Thanks to you, the hotel is full, so isn’t it a good thing for each other?”

“Is that so? Hahaha. I will definitely repay this debt someday.”

Jang Seo-yeon approached.

She had become more relaxed as the guests moved in large numbers by chartered buses.

She pointed to the hall upstairs.

“Shall we go to the hall upstairs? They say it’s ready.”

“The hall? Oh, Kang instructed it.”

“Food, drinks, and alcohol are prepared in the hall. It may be lacking as it was prepared in a hurry, but it will be better than the lobby.”

Everyone nodded at Tae-soo’s thorough preparation.

Jang Jun-yong asked slyly.

“Seo-yeon, where is the person from the Rockefeller family?”

“They went up to the hotel bar.”

“Then I’ll go there for a moment. I have to say hello.”

He would make a solid impression.

Isn’t this a rare opportunity?

But Jang Seo-yeon shook her head.

“They ordered not to let anyone in. You’ll be in trouble.”

“Ugh. I’m greeting them to gain favor. I can’t afford to make a bad first impression. Fine. I’ll wait in the hall.”

‘Then our Tae-soo will introduce me to the Rockefellers.’

‘Surely he wouldn’t try to avoid letting me say hello.’

At that moment, Kim Jong-pyo came forward.

“You said someone from the Rockefeller family is in the Geumsan Hotel bar right now? I should go up and check it out first.”

The U.S. Ambassador to Korea was on Kim Jong-pyo’s left, and the Japanese Ambassador to Korea was on his right.

They had started talking to Kim Jong-pyo as soon as they saw him in the parking lot, and the conversation had become lengthy, so they had only just entered the lobby.

Kim Jong-pyo announced.

“I’ll be accompanied by the ambassadors from both countries. Lead the way.”

Jang Seo-yeon looked troubled by the peremptory demand.

Then Jang Jun-yong stepped in front of his daughter.

He had a smiling face.

“Acting President Kim Jong-pyo, please come up to the hall with us.”

“I’m going to the bar. I need to meet the Rockefellers first.”

“We have alcohol prepared in the hall as well. It’s the perfect time to enjoy it with food. I’ll offer you a drink first.”

It would be troublesome if the Rockefellers held them responsible for not blocking the uninvited guest.

It would be over if the Rockefellers left the hotel immediately because they had an unpleasant experience.

So, Jang Jun-yong had no choice but to block Kim Jong-pyo.

“I don’t have time to waste with you. I’m a busy man.”

“I know. Who doesn’t know how busy the Acting President is in this situation? I’ll let them know upstairs that the Acting President has arrived.”

“It sounds like you’re going to block me to the end.”

Kim Jong-pyo frowned openly.

“Are you trying to act like the owner in front of me right now?”

“Act like the owner? Someone else has rented the entire hotel. How can I act like the owner?”

“If not, move aside.”

Kim Jong-pyo ignored him and moved forward.

But Jang Jun-yong naturally followed a step and blocked his path.

He still had a smiling face.

“Why would you want to upset the Rockefeller family? They ordered not to let anyone in. You’ll have a hard time if you go in recklessly.”

Did Kim Jong-pyo not know why Jang Jun-yong was speaking so indirectly?

He would have known and laughed it off in the past, but it was different now.

Wasn’t Kim Jong-pyo someone who had tasted power?

There was no need or reason to endure.

“I’m Kim Jong-pyo, the current Acting President of this country.”

Kim Jong-pyo smiled coldly.

“I’m the one who declared a state of emergency after President Park Jung-hwan died. And as Acting President, I’m responsible for the overall affairs of this country.”

After Park Jung-hwan died, Kim Jong-pyo, who was the Prime Minister, received full power.

It was different from the past when Park Jung-hwan entrusted the practical work but took back all the real power.

Now Kim Jong-pyo had become the most powerful man in this country.

“I belong to the Republican Party, which is the majority party in this country, and I also have the authority to ‘select’ the delegates to the National Conference for Unification, which will hold the next presidential election.”

Park Jung-hwan amended the constitution to secure his presidential seat.

In doing so, the Republic of Korea’s election adopted an indirect election method in which elections were held through the National Conference for Unification, which consisted of only about 2,500 people.

Kim Jong-pyo has the authority to select those delegates.

“I want to be the next president. Do you know what that means?”

He openly hinted that he would be the next president with a very high probability.

Jang Jun-yong’s complexion darkened each time Kim Jong-pyo spoke.

The same was true for Lee Byung-chun, the head of Samcheong Group, and other chaebol heads who stood next to Jang Jun-yong.

“Jang Jun-yong, do you think I’m a joke? To presumptuously block my path repeatedly. How should I interpret this?”

Jang Jun-yong couldn’t say anything.

“Has the time come for Geumsan Group to have a tax audit?”

Tax audits were what business people feared the most and were also a means of pressure for those in power.

If the National Tax Service was mobilized for a tax audit, there would be more than one or two things that would be problematic.

There is no company that wouldn’t have something to hide if you investigated thoroughly.

“Has it been a while since you’ve seen a search and seizure warrant? Allegations of double books and accounting book manipulation would be a suitable justification.”

Kim Jong-pyo took a step forward.

But this time, Jang Jun-yong couldn’t block him.

Kim Jong-pyo smiled as he passed Jang Jun-yong.

“I’m different from Park Jung-hwan. I prefer to retaliate cruelly. There are no second chances once you’re marked. Keep that in mind.”

Kim Jong-pyo tapped Jang Jun-yong on the shoulder.

Jang Jun-yong clenched his fist tightly and bit his lip.

Since Jang Jun-yong, the 6th-ranked in the business world and the owner of this Geumsan Hotel, couldn’t open his mouth, no one could block Kim Jong-pyo.

“Well, shall we meet the person from the Rockefeller family?”

“You can’t.”

But there was someone who blocked Kim Jong-pyo’s path.

It was Kim Kwang-rok, a muscular giant of nearly 2 meters [approximately 6’6″].

“Please go to the hall upstairs. You can’t go to the bar.”

“How dare you block my path? Do you want to die?”

“It’s our Chairman’s order.”

“I’m the Acting President!”

“I only follow the Chairman’s orders.”

Kim Kwang-rok didn’t budge.

Kim Jong-pyo’s cheek twitched.

“The price for blocking my path is heavy. It won’t end with just your life.”

“Anyone who puts a price on life is trash.”

“What?”

“Oh, excuse me. My thoughts just popped out of my mouth.”

Unable to hold back, Kim Jong-pyo shouted loudly.

“Chief of Security!”

“Yes.”

“Break through!”

“Yes.”

He had been selected from the military and assigned to the security detail according to the law created by Cha Ki-beom.

But this time, as Cha Ki-beom died, the personnel belonging to the security office were largely replaced.

Fortunately, he was promoted to the Chief of the Presidential Security Service thanks to Kim Jong-pyo’s nomination.

He glared fiercely at Kim Kwang-rok.

“Hey, Lieutenant Colonel Kim. Move.”

He was also Kim Kwang-rok’s senior at the Korea Military Academy [ROKMA] and his senior in the military.

He was the one who had tormented Kim Kwang-rok, who had refused to take the oath of allegiance to Oseonghoe [a secret society within the military], to the point of near death.

“What’s with that rank.”

In the military, where hierarchy is absolute, he couldn’t even raise a flag once.

He had only accumulated years of resentment in his heart, and he was meeting that face here.

Kim Kwang-rok grinned, revealing his gums.

“They say enemies meet in front of the Geumsan Hotel elevator.”

Crack.

Kim Kwang-rok cracked his knuckles.

“The day we take off our ranks and fight is finally here?”

There was no one in the military who could beat Kim Kwang-rok in a one-on-one fight.