Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 204

204. Dreaming of Becoming Korea’s Rockefeller (1)

The hall on the 7th floor of Geumsan Hotel was bustling late into the night.

People eager to meet Rockefeller were discussing what had happened in the lobby.

-Rockefeller secured the oil development rights with just one brief meeting!

-He cornered Kim Jong-pyo in an instant and seized the business rights!

The shock was truly significant.

Lee Byung-chun sat in a corner, thinking,

‘Rockefeller is participating in the 7th mining zone oil development?’

It was possible.

The oil tycoon Rockefeller was known to fly to even the most remote parts of Africa if an oil field was discovered.

‘If it were certain that there was oil in the 7th mining zone, Japan wouldn’t be standing idly by like this.’

Japan had far superior capital and technology compared to Korea.

If there was oil in the 7th mining zone, Japan would have done whatever it took to exclude Korea and start oil extraction.

Surely, even the Japanese ambassador to Korea stated definitively that ‘there is no oil.’

‘Yet, Rockefeller is confident. Does that mean his intelligence and technological capabilities are superior to Japan’s?’

He knew it was a great family.

But he never imagined it would be to this extent.

His business acumen was also extraordinary.

‘He secured the oil development rights with just a few words.’

Looking at it now, everything was planned.

Lee Byung-chun had no choice but to pressure Kim Jong-pyo to avoid losing the oil supply.

But that action played a decisive role in Rockefeller securing the oil development rights.

At that moment, Lee Byung-chun realized his mistake.

That’s why he couldn’t say anything when Kim Jong-pyo handed over the oil development rights.

‘He used the heads of conglomerates to achieve his goal very easily. Who came up with such a plan? Kang Tae-soo? Or Rockefeller?’

He didn’t want to believe it.

But there was no way Lee Byung-chun, with his keen sense, wouldn’t know.

‘Just looking at how Taeyang Group brought in the Rockefeller family without giving up any shares, it’s clear. Kang Tae-soo, he’s truly an incredible guy.’

The Rockefeller family and Taeyang Group.

They ignored the one-sided power dynamic and made things happen.

The conclusion, no matter how he thought about it, was only one thing.

-Kang Tae-soo is wielding Rockefeller!

Otherwise, why would Rockefeller act like that?

Actively stepping up to secure the oil business rights for Taeyang Group.

The shock of everyone who witnessed all of that.

He could tell just by how everyone in the hall kept talking about it.

‘Kang Tae-soo, that resourceful guy, uses the power around him so easily. Even using me, Lee Byung-chun, so easily. Well, hahaha.’

He was used, but he didn’t feel so bad.

When he was backstabbed by Han Cheong-ho and lost his position as chairman due to the saccharin smuggling case, he laughed bitterly.

When Han Cheong-ho stirred up his sons and caused the Samcheong Group’s ‘Princes’ Revolt,’ he laughed with tears of blood.

But this time, it was different.

Honestly, this was the first time he had laughed so freely.

It was thanks to the words Tae-soo had left behind.

-Taeyang Group doesn’t eat alone.

-The chairmen who own oil refining companies will certainly not be disappointed.

-Everyone knows that this won’t end with just oil development, right?

-I plan to discuss it, so those who are interested, please stay.

How could he leave after hearing those words?

In an instant, people’s interest shifted from ‘oil development rights’ to ‘crumbs that will fall.’

Because one’s own immediate gain is more important than someone else’s business.

People’s dissatisfaction and worries soon turned into anticipation and hope.

‘Kang Tae-soo, that guy is truly something else.’

He admitted it.

Kang Tae-soo, that guy is really amazing.

Lee Byung-chun finally nodded.

“Ah! It’s Rockefeller!”

The entrance of the hall stirred, and people began to visibly move.

Lee Byung-chun also turned his head.

Tae-soo and Alice entered the hall as promised.

Toc, toc.

Alice and Tae-soo entered with upright and proper postures.

They were still arm in arm.

Tae-soo guided Alice to the VIP room that Park Jung-hwan mainly used.

Looking back, he said,

“The chairmen of Samcheong, Lucky Seven, Geumsan, and Daehan Oil Refining, please come inside.”

Finally, a meeting with Rockefeller.

* * *

Alice was still wearing sunglasses.

It was to hide her eyes.

It was Tae-soo’s advice.

-People instinctively perceive the strength of others through their eyes.

-It’s the same reason why drill sergeants in the military wear their hats low to hide their eyes from the trainees.

-If you underestimate the heads of conglomerates who have been through thick and thin, you’ll get a big surprise.

She thought it was right.

She was just barely an adult and a novice businesswoman who had just jumped into the business world.

No matter how excellent the education she received from Rockefeller, real-world experience was a very different realm.

So she tried even harder to maintain a poker face.

‘There isn’t a single person here who looks easy to deal with. Everyone is smiling calmly even in this suffocating tension.’

The atmosphere itself was very good.

But the eyes of the conglomerate heads were as sharp as well-honed blades.

It was as heavy as the aura that Rockefeller had seen from Joo.

Among them, Tae-soo stood out the most.

Lee Byung-chun opened his mouth.

[If Taeyang Oil Refining develops oil in the 7th mining zone, we will all have to give up our oil refining companies. Are you aware of that?]

[Are you afraid that I will monopolize the oil and wipe you out with price competition?]

A direct hit.

Everyone nodded because that was the truth.

[To be honest, I am afraid.]

[There’s no need to struggle against Taeyang Group. We plan to coexist with everyone.]

Coexistence sounds good, but it’s difficult to achieve.

Especially in a competitive relationship where they are fighting fiercely over the oil refining industry’s market share.

So Lee Byung-chun had to ask.

[How?]

[Taeyang Group will supply crude oil to everyone here at a price 15% lower than the international market price. Also, we will not interfere with Korean oil refining companies through price competition.]

It was puzzling.

If they monopolized oil development, it wouldn’t be strange to take excessive profits.

But Tae-soo was declaring that he would not take excessive profits.

[Why?]

[Because if we don’t live together, we will all die together. That’s why it’s coexistence.]

Tae-soo smiled faintly.

‘If they oppose the oil development rights, Taeyang Group won’t even be able to attempt oil development.’

Originally, if a cousin buys land, it hurts, and if someone else seems to be making a lot of money, you want to ruin it.

Because their immediate interests were at stake, there was a high probability that they would interfere with Tae-soo’s business.

‘Soon, the Second World Oil Shock from Iran will hit. To escape that vortex and seize opportunities, we must hurry with oil extraction.’

The oil shock launched by the Middle East will greatly shake the world economy.

At the time, Tae-soo used the oil shock as a stepping stone to become a conglomerate.

Tae-soo intends to use this Second Oil Shock as an opportunity to leap upwards once again.

‘Knowing that a global disaster-level event is about to happen, it’s an opportunity that must not be missed.’

In the future, there are only a little over 3 years left until the Second Oil Shock.

That’s why he is accelerating the development of the 7th mining zone.

There is no time to waste here with political infighting or the power struggles of the chaebols [large family-owned conglomerates].

[When I brought the oil supply rights from Saudi Arabia, we gathered here. Do you remember that time?]

How could they not remember that?

Park Jung-hwan called this very group and presented the oil supply rights.

It was a privilege he had received directly from the Saudi King.

[At that time, the world economy was shaken by the oil shock that broke out after the Middle East war. Korea, and the companies of the chairmen here, were in the same situation.]

The situation was very difficult worldwide.

The world was turned upside down when Middle Eastern countries simultaneously refused to supply oil.

In the midst of a global crisis, they made a lot of money and increased their power thanks to Tae-soo.

That was why they were still grateful to Tae-soo.

[Did I ask you for anything in return at that time?]

Surprisingly, Tae-soo did not demand anything in return when he presented the oil supply rights at that time.

That’s why the chairmen volunteered to offer their business cards.

They were even prepared to hand over a subsidiary if Tae-soo held out his business card and asked for one.

[It’s the same context. Let’s survive together.]

Tae-soo’s words sounded heavy to the chairmen.

Because Tae-soo had proven his intentions with actions in the past.

In the long silence, Lee Byung-chun opened his mouth.

[I know you are a trustworthy person. But one’s position changes one’s thinking.]

That was the problem.

Things are different when entering the bathroom and when leaving.

Things are different when borrowing money and when repaying it.

When the situation changes and interests differ, people change their attitude as easily as flipping their hand, don’t they?

[Even if you try not to change, those around you won’t let you. Because companies pursue profits.]

Tae-soo looked around and asked.

[This time, I will ask. If Taeyang Group faces difficulties in oil development itself due to someone’s interference, what will you do?]

He meant what would they do if someone interfered with Tae-soo’s oil development business.

Lee Byung-chun answered.

[We will never interfere with you. Rather, we are thinking of actively supporting you.]

Others chimed in.

[Yes, why would we interfere when we can receive oil at a low price?]

[Moreover, you promise to continuously supply oil without starting a price war.]

[Besides, we are not taking any risks. It’s a structure where we only gain benefits, so why would we refuse your offer?]

Tae-soo asked.

[What about Kim Jong-pyo interfering?]

[Ah, that guy exists.]

[Today, we approved the oil development, but it’s clear that he will come up with a plan to interfere starting tomorrow.]

[He’s capable of that.]

What was Kim Jong-pyo’s nickname?

It was Park Jung-hwan’s bag of tricks.

He was famous for his dirty tricks and cruel retaliation.

[If Kim Jong-pyo becomes the next president, will he just let today’s events pass? Clearly, not only Taeyang Group but also you will be targeted for retaliation.]

From the moment Rockefeller declared a refusal to supply oil, they were already involved.

Now, the interests and goals of Tae-soo and the heads of the conglomerates have become the same.

The heads of the conglomerates looked at each other and nodded.

[I already had a heated argument with Kim Jong-pyo earlier. It takes a lot of effort and money to improve a relationship that has been ruined once.]

Not only that.

[Kim Jong-pyo, that cruel guy, will definitely retaliate.]

In order to remove the dangerous seed that will hold a knife to me.

He must never become the next president.’

[The next president is an important matter involving the interests and future of the company. It’s uncomfortable for us too if someone who is already out of favor becomes president.]

Lee Byung-chun looked at the heads of the conglomerates and spoke as their representative.

[We will take responsibility and get rid of Kim Jong-pyo.]

It was a decision made because their interests aligned.

It was a very satisfactory answer.

Alice looked at Tae-soo and admired him inwardly.

‘He’s getting rid of his political enemies in this way.’

Killing with a borrowed knife.

He created a situation where the heads of the conglomerates, not Tae-soo, would get rid of Kim Jong-pyo.

‘At first, he started the business with Rockefeller backing him, but in the end, this man used his skills to forcibly tie their interests together.’

From the beginning, Tae-soo made it clear that he would use Rockefeller’s name to his advantage.

‘He used the prestige of the Rockefeller family as a pretext to stimulate people and pressure his political enemies. Moreover, he even turned those who were upset about being used into his allies.’

It’s an amazing skill.

Looking at this man, only admiration came out.

She knew it and was prepared for it, but the feeling was new.

‘No matter how great a direct descendant of Rockefeller I am, I don’t have the decision-making power to refuse oil sales in the Korean market. So I was nervous, but that was just a pretext for blackmail from the start.’

However, even if it was just a verbal threat, it became a terrifying power because Rockefeller said it.

‘I thought it was an impossible threat because it didn’t make sense. But he used that as a weapon to make the situation make sense.’

The more she thought about it, the more amazing it was.

‘Is this the power of Rockefeller, or is it this man’s ability? Since it doesn’t actually harm the family, there’s nothing to blame.’

The man who leads the not-so-easy conglomerate heads and creates negotiations looks different.

‘I want to learn more. How to wield people with the power of the family behind you.’

Alice, who dreams of becoming the next head of the family, realized.

This was the most important part she had to learn.

Tae-soo was right.

‘I thought abuse of power was just the strong trampling on the weak with force, but it can also be used as a powerful negotiating card. If it weren’t for that method, it would have taken a really long time to secure the oil development rights.’

Power depends on how you use it.

Alice’s eyes looking at Tae-soo deepened even further.

Tae-soo didn’t stop there.

‘Kim Jong-pyo’s future is decided. While we’re at it, let’s clean up the next presidential election at once.’

Tae-soo said.

[You said you couldn’t trust just verbal promises. Then how about this? I will announce today’s promise related to oil as a presidential election pledge.]

Everyone was surprised.

[A presidential election pledge? Are you thinking of challenging for the presidency?]