Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 36

36. Using the President to Set the Stage (4)

Park Jeong-hwan looked at Han Cheong-ho.

“Chairman Han, I need you to put in some effort at Cheongil.”

“Your Excellency, I am wronged. When Samwon Construction expressed their intention to bid overseas, I connected them using my network with good intentions. As you know, Cheongil has faced considerable difficulties because of that.”

Han Cheong-ho said.

“Samwon Construction is irresponsibly abandoning the project, and the fallout is affecting Cheongil Oil. Protests are pouring in daily, and we’ve even received threats to cut off oil supplies. I’m also having a headache.”

It was an exaggeration, but it was also true.

The Saudi royal family had sent a letter of protest to President Park Jeong-hwan, so how could they not protest to Cheongil Group, which had introduced Samwon Construction?

“Then Cheongil should step in and finish the road construction. That would be a good thing.”

“Your Excellency, this is Samwon Construction’s business. It has nothing to do with Cheongil.”

Han Cheong-ho cautiously shook his head.

Why else would Samwon Construction abandon the project and run away?

The Bedouin tribes’ fighting is truly dangerous.

Taesu immediately saw through Han Cheong-ho’s intentions.

‘Han Cheong-ho has no intention of finishing the project, even if it means taking a loss. That’s why he’s being so cautious.’

Han Cheong-ho sighed.

“Rather, Cheongil is a victim. But you’re saying we should take responsibility? That’s really too much.”

“Cheongil’s oil refining and petrochemical industries rely heavily on the Saudi kingdom. If the Saudi royal family turns its back because of this, Cheongil will suffer a great blow. Are you just going to stand by and watch?”

“That’s why I hope Your Excellency will consider Cheongil’s situation. If I had known this would happen, I wouldn’t have helped Samwon Construction with their overseas expansion. As I reported before.”

Park Jeong-hwan, who had received quite a bit during that report, couldn’t push Han Cheong-ho any further.

Kim Jeong-rim seized the opportunity and quickly interjected.

“That’s right, Your Excellency. Cheongil is suffering enormous damage due to Samwon Construction’s irresponsible actions. Samwon Construction should bear the responsibility alone. You should hold them accountable.”

“Now that I hear it, that’s true.”

Park Jeong-hwan had run his election with a large amount of political funds from Han Cheong-ho.

After the election, he had received several boxes of apples as a congratulatory gift, so he couldn’t ignore Han Cheong-ho’s face.

Han Cheong-ho pleaded.

“For Cheongil’s sake, for the Saudi royal family’s sake, and for the sake of the Republic of Korea, I hope Your Excellency will resolve this matter quickly.”

Taesu smirked.

‘In short, he’s saying he’s not at fault, so someone else should solve this problem.’

Park Jeong-hwan turned to Jang Jun-yong of Geumsan Group.

“It can’t be helped. Geumsan Construction, with its reliable technology and capital, should take over this Middle East project.”

“Your Excellency, I’m sorry. We are currently staking everything on the shipyard construction.”

Jang Jun-yong quickly backed away, fearing that the sparks would fly his way.

Geumsan Shipyard was a massive construction project personally ordered by Park Jeong-hwan.

It started with Park Jeong-hwan’s ambition to build a shipyard in Korea as part of the heavy chemical industry promotion policy and to dominate the overseas shipbuilding business.

Park Jeong-hwan didn’t put up a single penny but pressured Jang Jun-yong to bring in overseas loans.

“Doesn’t Your Excellency know? I’ve been traveling overseas for years to raise funds for the shipyard construction. Only recently was I able to secure funds from the Middle East. So, we must build a ship this year. That was the promise.”

“Hmm.”

Park Jeong-hwan groaned and nodded.

He had forgotten that fact.

Jang Jun-yong had secured a contract by borrowing shipyard construction funds from the Middle Eastern royal family.

And he had to deliver that ship to the Middle Eastern royal family this year.

Park Jeong-hwan now turned his eyes to Park Tae-jong.

It was like passing a bomb.

“Your Excellency, I have to build a steel mill. Because the steel mill construction is so time-sensitive and dangerous, I subcontracted the road to that friend over there.”

“That friend······.”

Park Jeong-hwan’s eyes fell on Taesu, who was sitting at the lowest seat.

Park Jeong-hwan looked at Taesu and smiled.

“Even so, it would be too much to ask a young man who has just started a construction company to go to the Middle East.”

Even if there was no one else to go.

Park Jeong-hwan sighed softly.

“Look, are you just going to keep passing the buck like this? I called you here to come up with a solution, not to make each other blush.”

Jang Jun-yong quietly shook his head.

“Please consider our situation, Your Excellency. It’s not that we’re deliberately trying to avoid it, but we can’t move because of the steel mill and shipyard that need to be built right away.”

Park Tae-jong glared at Han Cheong-ho.

“Cheongil guaranteed Samwon Construction. What is a guarantee? It means you’ll take responsibility if something goes wrong, doesn’t it? Cheongil Construction can take responsibility.”

“What did you say? Do you think words are cheap?”

“Isn’t that the truth? You shouldn’t have guaranteed it if you weren’t confident. Isn’t that so?”

“Park Tae-jong, you’re going to come at me like this? Your Excellency has already acknowledged and moved on, yet you keep nitpicking and bringing it up!”

Park Tae-jong and Han Cheong-ho glared at each other as if to show off.

The two, who were the same age, had often clashed since long ago.

Their personalities didn’t match, their values were different, and everything from one to ten didn’t align.

Park Jeong-hwan frowned and raised his hand.

“What’s the use of raising your voices in front of me? Stop it.”

Park Tae-jong and Han Cheong-ho turned their eyes away from each other.

Jang Jun-yong of Geumsan quietly asked.

“Then what are Your Excellency’s plans?”

“Someone must complete this task.”

“A key figure in that royal family is in trouble because of this, so Your Excellency is going to consider their face.”

“Yes, it’s Khalid’s son who’s involved, no one else. Who is Khalid? He’s a direct member of the Saudi Arabian royal family and currently the Minister of Defense, a very influential figure. I can’t ignore him.”

“Then, how about going up to Seoul and gathering the heads of the top 100 companies to get their opinions?”

“Heh, um.”

Park Jeong-hwan cleared his throat and dismissed the idea.

It meant he didn’t like it.

Han Cheong-ho said to Park Jeong-hwan.

“Your Excellency, is it necessary to go as far as the top 100 companies?”

Han Cheong-ho quickly touched on what Park Jeong-hwan wanted.

He had a very close relationship with Park Jeong-hwan through flattery and bribes.

“Do you have a good idea?”

Han Cheong-ho smiled and pointed to Taesu.

“Isn’t the protagonist whom Your Excellency praised while touring the steel mill and the village here? You said he built the roads wide and remarkably well, didn’t you?”

“He’s just a fledgling who just started a construction company.”

“He may lack experience, but I think he’ll do very well. How about sending him?”

Han Cheong-ho is said to have the best eye for talent in Korea.

Han Cheong-ho openly and actively promoted him as a talent, so Park Jeong-hwan half-opened his eyes and looked at Taesu again.

“Hmm, do you think he’s a talent we can trust and entrust with the task?”

“He’s a talent. I think he’ll solve the Middle East construction problem excellently.”

Han Cheong-ho secretly glared at Taesu fiercely.

Taesu more than guessed his intentions.

‘My plan to snatch the molybdenum mine from me has fallen apart right before my eyes. Han Cheong-ho is furious. He’s determined to send me to my death.’

Once he had taken a bribe, Han Cheong-ho had to get something in return, if not the molybdenum mine, then something else.

Park Tae-jong also snorted inwardly.

‘I don’t want to call him a talent, so I’m shaking so hard. He’s trying to send the young friend to the Middle East by any means.’

The Middle East construction site must be very dangerous right now.

That’s why Samwon Construction, which had built its career in construction, ran away, and Geumsan, Pohang Iron and Steel, and even Cheongil are all refusing like they’re passing a bomb.

Park Jeong-hwan turned his eyes to Taesu.

“Have you ever heard of Han Cheong-ho of Cheongil?”

“Of course.”

“He’s said to be the best at recognizing people in Korea. He called you a talent. What do you think?”

“Since Cheongil directly guaranteed it, it would damage Cheongil’s reputation if I denied it. I’ll just gild myself. Let’s just say I’m a talent personally guaranteed by Chairman Han Cheong-ho.”

“Hahaha.”

Park Jeong-hwan laughed loudly, and Han Cheong-ho slightly frowned.

Taesu had nailed it down with his eloquence.

-Kang Taesu, a talent guaranteed by Han Cheong-ho.

Han Cheong-ho frowned.

He couldn’t deny it now.

Taesu laughed inwardly.

‘It’s going exactly as I wanted. Should I take this opportunity to rip off Han Cheong-ho?’

Taesu looked around at the people and said.

“Usually, a talent is someone who can do the work of ten people, so that’s why they’re called that. So, I’ll ask again. If I go to the Middle East right now with the construction company I run, can I do more than Samwon Construction? I’m saying this assuming I can do the work of ten people.”

“Hmm.”

Taesu was pointing out the difference in the size of the construction company, not the difference in individual capabilities.

“Now, a small construction company that’s less than half a year old and Samwon Construction, which is aiming to enter the Middle East, isn’t there quite a big difference?”

Park Tae-jong also nodded and added.

“That’s definitely true. A small construction company that just started and a mid-sized construction company that has grown in size for over ten years with government-funded projects. Can you compare the two?”

“Hmm.”

“The amount of capital that can be mobilized immediately, the number of employees, the heavy equipment, the technology and track record, etc. There’s no end to the differences between the two. It’s impossible as it is.”

Everyone here knew that fact.

Taesu nodded.

“That’s right. Regardless of individual capabilities, the basic level of the company is too different. If someone doesn’t fill that gap, I don’t have a particular method right now.”
Han Cheong-ho frowned.

“Fill the gap? What does that mean? You’re not saying we should invest in your construction company, are you?”

Taesu smiled.

“I don’t mean to ask you to grow my construction company as big as Samwon Construction. I’m just requesting a certain amount of support.”

“Requesting support?”

“Yes, aren’t the people gathered here all people who can help a lot? If you give me support, I’ll give it a try.”

Isn’t this a place where the president, his closest aides, and the heads of conglomerates are gathered?

The atmosphere changed in an instant when positive words came out of Taesu’s mouth.

It was already a difficult task to handle.

If they could pass the bomb on to someone, they would want to pass it on immediately.

“You mean you’ll do the Middle East project if you have support?”

“The young president has good spirit. Yes, you have to run and work when you’re young.”

“That’s the most welcome thing I’ve heard. Hahaha.”

The atmosphere was all in favor.

Then Park Tae-jong deliberately made a very troubled expression and shook his head.

“I think it’s just the recklessness of a young boy. It’s not for nothing that the big Samwon Construction ran away. It’s because a fight broke out between the Bedouin tribes.”

“Hmm, that’s the problem.”

“The Bedouin tribes are exclusive tribes. They’re not going to let outsiders loiter in the middle of a fight. So, ordinary support won’t be enough.”

In short, it means a lot of support is needed.