Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 30

30. Came from Chungil Group (3)

Song Jin-gu handed over a bundle of documents from his inner pocket.

Tae-soo smiled contentedly.

“Indeed. Elder Jang Mal-dong is a man who repays favors for sure. Thanks to you, I’ve saved some trouble.”

The gift Jang Mal-dong sent to Tae-soo was land deeds.

It was repayment in land for identifying the traitor within the family and recovering the private loans to avoid bankruptcy.

‘Jang Mal-dong is quite the character. His business skills are excellent, and his work is thorough.’

He sent what Tae-soo needed most right now, giving him strength.

Tae-soo opened the land deeds he received as a gift.

“10,000 *pyeong* [approximately 8 acres] of land in Daechi-dong. Very good. It’s the land I was planning to buy anyway.”

“Huh, you haven’t even heard what I have to say, and you’re already reciting the Elder’s words verbatim?”

Tae-soo simply smiled.

“There must be one more thing the Elder told you to say, right?”

“How did you know that again? It’s driving me crazy.”

“How long did he say you could be borrowed for?”

“Cough! Don’t tell me you can read minds?”

At this point, Song Jin-gu stuck out his tongue.

“Six months.”

That’s the period Jang Mal-dong is lending his services.

It must have been a big decision for Jang Mal-dong.

“Just send the money. No need to bother coming and going from Gangwon to Seoul. I’ll buy land in Gangnam and send it to you on your behalf.”

“Please tell the Elder that I will use it gratefully.”

“How did you know all that? Was there still a traitor inside?”

Song Jin-gu muttered to himself, glaring.

Tae-soo chuckled.

‘Jang Mal-dong is only giving Song Jin-gu the necessary information.’

He didn’t even tell Song Jin-gu the reason for sending the gift.

But Song Jin-gu knows exactly that I’m secretly buying up land in Daechi-dong, and even the scale of it.

‘Then there’s a reason why he gave Song Jin-gu that information. It means he sent Song Jin-gu to buy the land in Daechi-dong.’

The reason is simple.

‘Jang Mal-dong deliberately had Song Jin-gu bring the Daechi-dong land documents all the way to Gangwon-do to make sure I got the message. He wanted to make sure I understood his intentions clearly. I understand that well.’

Tae-soo smiled brightly and said goodbye.

“You’ve delivered all your messages, and it seems like you’ve given all the gifts. Have a safe trip back to Seoul.”

“Damn it. How did you know that was all I came for? You really figure everything out. I give up.”

Song Jin-gu shook his head and stood up.

Tae-soo looked at the pile of documents in his hand and smiled.

‘I didn’t expect Jang Mal-dong to push me from behind like this. It was already difficult to travel back and forth between Seoul and Gangwon-do.’

It was the best gift.

Moreover, Song Jin-gu, the Myeongdong Hyena, who is famous for his business acumen in the private loan industry, has joined as a helper.

He will probably use every possible means to get the Gangnam land Tae-soo needs.

‘Thanks to Jang Mal-dong, I got the help I needed at the most opportune moment. Things will proceed smoothly from now on.’

Tae-soo looked at the map of Seoul hanging on the wall.

‘Step by step, I’ll move forward. To Gangnam. Starting with Daechi-dong.’

He couldn’t be more pleased.

* * *

A shout erupted from the Chungil Group Chairman’s office.

It’s all because of molybdenum.

“It wasn’t this difficult to get molybdenum even when the molybdenum mine was on the other side of the world! How are you doing your job!”

“I’m sorry. I have no excuse.”

“You know better than anyone how many factories will have to stop production immediately without molybdenum!”

Han Cheong-ho threw whatever he could grab at Kim Bong-nam.

It was an ashtray.

Scattering cigarette ashes everywhere, the ashtray hit one wall and shattered.

Kim Bong-nam wiped the cold sweat with a handkerchief.

‘They’re selling that molybdenum just fine to other companies without any fuss. They’re just not selling it to us. Deliberately!’

Kim Bong-nam swallowed the words that were up to his throat.

‘Since I don’t know the reason why they’re not selling it only to us, I can’t dare to open my mouth and report it rashly.’

Sometimes, it’s better to keep your mouth shut and not report at all.

Not knowing the reason why Chungil Group is deliberately not being sold molybdenum proves incompetence.

Then, instead of an ashtray, a kettle full of water will surely fly.

‘No matter how crazy he is, unless he’s an enemy of Chungil Group, there’s no reason for him to be so reckless.’

He had already thoroughly investigated the young mine owner after feeling frustrated.

‘There’s no connection with Chungil Group at all, so how would I know?’

The more he thinks about it, the more unfair it feels.

‘Why would a crazy person not be crazy? It’s crazy because it doesn’t make sense. It’s unpleasant and dirty to have to go and persuade him to sell every day against a crazy person. What’s the point of being a president, ugh.’

Since he can’t say that honestly, his heart is frustrated as if he’s suffering from a silent fever.

Kim Bong-nam kept wiping his cold sweat.

Since he doesn’t even make excuses properly, Han Cheong-ho is furious.

“I hear Park Tae-jong is making a fortune by producing chromoly steel and stainless steel with molybdenum! Why can’t we do what Park Tae-jong did! Open your mouth and make some excuses!”

Crash.

This time it was a flowerpot.

It was an expensive Japanese *Cymbidium goeringii* [a type of orchid] flowerpot that was received as a gift from a Japanese company and cherished.

‘The chairman is so angry that he’s lost it. He never touches the Japanese *Cymbidium goeringii* flowerpot that he cherishes so much.’

Kim Bong-nam wiped and wiped the cold sweat that was pouring down like rain in the middle of winter.

It’s a living hell.

‘What can I do? To keep this position, I must not be seen outside the chairman’s eyes, even if it’s unpleasant and dirty. I have to be patient.’

What’s the point of being a president?

In front of the chairman, he’s just a salaried employee after all.

Han Cheong-ho, who had been panting for a while.

He hurriedly drank cold water until it made a loud noise.

Finally, Han Cheong-ho’s eyes calmed down.

The long time of venting anger is over, and now it’s time for conversation.

“So, what have you been doing while not being able to win over a young punk? Tell me in detail, you frustrating friend.”

Kim Bong-nam, who had been watching carefully, answered cautiously.

“Chairman, I’ve done everything I can. I’m driving a truck to the mine twelve times a day.”

“You went empty-handed, so you’re coming back empty-handed.”

“I wouldn’t be crazy enough to go empty-handed when the situation is so urgent. Of course, I went with a thick envelope.”

“Then the money must be insufficient. There’s no place that can’t be opened with money.”

Kim Bong-nam shook his head.

“Don’t even mention it. It’s more difficult than giving political funds.”

“I’ve opened the Blue House [South Korea’s presidential residence] and the military unit with money. Don’t say in front of me that there’s a place that can’t be opened with money.”

“Even the low-level employees are rejecting all the money envelopes.”

My brother touched the accountant’s butt, so she glares at me and runs at me with a pickaxe.

If I say this, my brother will be fired immediately, so I can’t say it again.

Han Cheong-ho clicked his tongue.

“Reflect on your poor eloquence for not being able to seduce them properly even with a wad of money.”

“They’re making a fortune with molybdenum right now, so how could that petty money catch their eye?”

“Even big-shot politicians who act stiff as if they have a cast on their necks come out barefoot and grab your hand when you bring them a box of money.”

“They turn their heads away even if I bring them a box.”

“They refuse even a box of money?”

Han Cheong-ho was lost in thought for a moment.

“If money doesn’t work, try attaching a woman.”

“Have I not tried attaching a woman? It doesn’t budge.”

“I heard that’s Gangwon-do? The pretty ones don’t go because the road is rough? Attach the best ones. Like singers or actresses. You know, the good-looking ones.”

“I brought all the singers, actresses, models, and announcers. They all got splashed with water and went back crying.”

At this point, even Han Cheong-ho was speechless.

“Didn’t you say that the mine owner is a vibrant man in his 20s?”

“He’s not married either. But he doesn’t even blink an eye once.”

“Is that bastard impotent?”

“I strongly suspect that too.”

Han Cheong-ho stroked his chin.

Kim Bong-nam is quite resourceful.

Why else would he turn a blind eye to even putting his troublemaker brother in the vice president’s seat?

He’s a capable guy who can be trusted and left alone, so this is the first time he’s been so helplessly defeated.

“How about stirring up the loan sharks? If he’s doing business, he couldn’t have borrowed a penny from loan sharks.”

“Why wouldn’t I have thought of that? He really didn’t borrow a penny from loan sharks.”

“He didn’t borrow from loan sharks? Then what about the bank?”

“He doesn’t have any bank loans either. He’s too clean.”

Han Cheong-ho opened his mouth wide.

“A guy who runs a mine doesn’t use loan sharks or bank loans? Is that even possible?”

“It’s impossible, but what can I do when that’s the truth?”

“Even I, a *chaebol* [family-owned conglomerate], use loan sharks and pull out as many bank loans as I can?”

Han Cheong-ho tilted his head.

“Is he a son from a well-off family? Like a hidden son of some *chaebol* or something.”

“Not at all. He used to live in a shanty town and was about to be kicked out on the street when his house was demolished for 100,000 won. It hasn’t even been half a year.”

It’s getting more and more absurd.

It’s a story of a dragon rising from a ditch.

Han Cheong-ho hardened his expression.

“Tell me in detail. Without leaving anything out.”

* * *

Han Cheong-ho chuckled after hearing the story about Tae-soo.

-He bought a *폐광산* [abandoned mine] that had been rolling around in gambling dens for 15 years for 100,000 won and found a molybdenum vein.

-He swallowed the lucrative Daeyang Tungsten and Daeyang Cement using the 8.3 private loan freeze.

-He became rich overnight with molybdenum after the US molybdenum precipitation suspension.

-He procured molybdenum smelting facilities and miners without any private loans or even bank loans.

He can’t help but chuckle.

“He’s either ridiculously lucky or has incredibly great abilities that make you shake your head.”

Otherwise, these achievements cannot be explained.

Han Cheong-ho eventually got up from his seat.

“I can’t do this. I have to go see him myself.”

Now that it’s come to this, I have to see him once out of curiosity.

That lucky molybdenum mine owner who is said to be impregnable, I will see with my own eyes and judge what kind of guy he is.

“Have the driver ready.”

The price for making me drive all the way to Gangwon-do, I’ll get it back properly.

* * *

Tae-soo smiled contentedly as he looked at the land deeds sent by Song Jin-gu.

‘He’s already bought 14,000 more *pyeong* [approximately 11.5 acres] of land in Daechi-dong. Song Jin-gu is definitely amazing. How long has it been since he returned to Seoul?’

Thanks to him, Tae-soo also had time to spare.

The peace of mind to enjoy the fact that molybdenum is selling like hotcakes was a bonus.

Knock knock.

“Yes, come in.”

A man in his 40s, neatly dressed in a suit, came in.

“I’m from Geumsan Chemical. Chairman Jang Jun-yong has sent his thanks.”

The man took out a business card from his pocket and handed it to Tae-soo.

It was a special business card with a golden sheen, and on the back, it was written in fountain pen:

“If you come with this, the chairman will grant you one favor.”

“I will gratefully accept it.”

Tae-soo was the type to not refuse good things.

He never even pretended to decline once.

The secretary, who handed over the business card, smiled slightly at Tae-soo.

‘He’s quite a generous person. Just by looking at his eyes, I can tell that he’s an extraordinary talent. Interesting. I think the chairman will be very happy to see him.’

The secretary liked Tae-soo very much.

“Chairman Jang would like to enter into a regular supply contract at this opportunity. This is a small token of appreciation.”

The man also handed over a thick envelope from his pocket.

“Chairman Jang will be very disappointed if you refuse. Please just accept it as a token of sincerity.”

“Okay. I will gratefully accept this too.”

But what’s this?

Tae-soo handed the envelope he received back to the secretary’s hand.

The secretary, who received the envelope back, was puzzled.

“You said you would gratefully accept it, so why are you doing this?”

“You came all the way to Gangwon-do on behalf of the chairman, so I can’t send you back empty-handed.”

“Huh, do you know how much this is?”

“I don’t know.”