Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 39

39. Three Cushion Shot in One Go (1)

Han Cheong-ho’s study door was tightly shut.

Secretary Song, standing outside, squeezed his eyes shut.

Beyond the door, the sound of furniture breaking echoed continuously.

Crash!

Bang, bang!

Clang!

After a while, the study became silent.

“Come in.”

Secretary Song carefully opened the door and entered the study.

The study was, as expected, a mess.

Han Cheong-ho handed the golf club he was holding to Secretary Song.

“Replace everything in here.”

“Understood.”

“What about what I asked you to look into?”

“It’s clean.”

Han Cheong-ho stroked his chin.

“Clean? Are you sure?”

“Yes, there is absolutely no animosity between the young man Kang Tae-soo and the executives of Cheongil Group.”

Han Cheong-ho stared out the window for a moment.

“Isn’t it strange?”

“What do you mean?”

“There must be a reason for him to act like that. What could it be?”

“I don’t know.”

“Yeah, I can’t figure it out either.”

Han Cheong-ho fell silent for a moment.

Then, he pondered deeply.

Soon, he began to speak.

“Could it be because of that rascal Il-kwon?”

Given his son’s behavior, he could have secretly incurred someone’s resentment.

However, the problem is that not many who resent Il-kwon are still walking around unscathed.

Han Cheong-ho chuckled.

“Whatever. That arrogant bastard will pay dearly for acting up in front of me.”

Han Cheong-ho laughed quietly.

“If he goes to the Middle East this time, he won’t be able to return for at least three years. Do you think Samwon Construction ran away for no reason?”

Otherwise, would the mighty Han Cheong-ho have cut his losses by scattering money envelopes? [A euphemism for bribery or making under-the-table deals.]

“Let’s see if your mine can remain intact for the three years you’re gone.”

I should send that arrogant bastard a gift before he goes to the Middle East.

I can’t postpone making him pay for messing with me for three years.

* * *

Tae-soo’s mother was startled.

“You’re going to the Middle East?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, dear, how did you end up going to such a faraway country?”

“I got a road construction project in the Middle East. I’m going to earn a lot of foreign currency this time.”

“You’re already making a lot of money with the mine, aren’t you? Do you really have to go?”

“I need more money to build the apartment complex.”

His mother was beside herself with worry for her son.

His father, as if thinking of a cigarette, fumbled at his chest.

“Mother, don’t worry too much.”

Tae-soo said, holding his mother’s hand tightly.

“I’ve received plenty of support, so I’ll be back soon.”

“I wonder if you really have to go this far. What’s so important about an apartment complex….”

“The Director-General asked me personally, so it’s hard to refuse.”

“What? The Director-General?”

His father’s eyes widened, and he sat closer to Tae-soo, urging him to speak.

“How did you meet the Director-General? Tell me more.”

“Well, you know I’m building a school in Pohang, right? He saw that and….”

Tae-soo omitted the details of the intertwined interests and briefly explained how he got the job.

Each time, his father clapped and rejoiced.

“The chairman of Geumsan Group? The chairman of Cheongil Group, the Chief of Staff to the President, and even the Chief of Security? They all recommended you with one voice?”

“Yes.”

“What is all this? Our Tae-soo being recommended by such great people. It’s an honor to the family! Hahaha!”

Tae-soo’s father was so proud he didn’t know what to do.

‘In reality, it was a troublesome task they were passing on.’

But it was a great thing for Tae-soo’s parents.

They were people who would never have the chance to see a conglomerate chairman face-to-face or meet the president and his aides in their lifetime.

They were overjoyed to hear that he had met high-ranking officials doing national work.

“It’s truly an honor! If that’s the case, you should definitely meet their expectations with all your might!”

Excited, his father rolled up his sleeves.

“Should I go to the Middle East with you and lend a hand?”

“No, you need to stay here and protect the mine and Mother while I’m gone.”

“Alright, trust me. I’ll protect this mine well while you’re gone. And of course, my wife too.”

Tae-soo’s mother also nodded.

“Yes, a man should associate with great people and do great things. Tae-soo, take care of yourself and come back safely.”

“Yes, I’ll finish the construction quickly and return soon.”

“I’ll prepare meals for the miners here with your father. I’ll think of it as feeding my son.”

“Take it easy and don’t overdo it. There are many miners, so don’t hurt yourself.”

Tae-soo’s mother hugged Tae-soo tightly.

Her son, who used to waste his youth fooling around, was now so dependable.

“Our son, when did you grow up so much? You’ve become a man.”

“Then, I’ll be going now.”

Tae-soo got up from his seat.

He had quite a few things to take care of before leaving for the Middle East.

* * *

Tae-soo’s office.

People had gathered in advance, waiting for Tae-soo to arrive.

Bang.

As Tae-soo entered the office, everyone stood up, cheering and clapping.

Clap, clap, clap.

Tae-soo chuckled at the enthusiastic welcome.

“Why are you all doing this suddenly?”

Holluck laughed loudly.

“I heard you got the Middle East construction project? I can’t believe Taeyang Construction is even taking on overseas construction projects! Tae-soo, you’re really amazing!”

Choi Il-gu, who used to be a limestone mine owner and is now the mine’s general manager, was also happy.

“I heard that the president is going to take on a project that even Samwon Construction couldn’t succeed in? Wow, building a highway in a foreign country!”

The accountant said, her eyes sparkling.

“When the president goes to the Middle East, can I come with you? As you know, I’m really good at attaching receipts!”

Tae-soo burst into a hollow laugh.

“I haven’t said anything yet, but you all know so well. Who leaked this secret?”

“It was me.”

A man hesitantly raised his hand from the corner.

He was Park Tae-jong’s son and the vice president of Taeyang Construction, Park Cheol-wan.

As soon as Park Cheol-wan heard the details from his father, he called the mine.

“It was such good news that I told the Taeyang Mine family first… Did I do something wrong?”

“···It’s not exactly wrong, but….”

Tae-soo awkwardly scratched the back of his head.

“I don’t know if this is something to be welcomed so enthusiastically.”

Muscular miners laughed loudly from one side.

They were the miners who had given the Cheongil Chemical vice president a hard time with their pickaxes.

They were people Park Tae-jong had sent separately.

It was when they were contracting for molybdenum [a mineral used in steel alloys].

Tae-soo said he was too weak to protect the mine and asked for protection, and Park Tae-jong granted his request.

“Thanks to you all, I was able to protect the mine well. I look forward to your continued support.”

The miners waved their hands.

Tae-soo chuckled.

“Let’s sort out who will go to the Middle East and who will stay, and then discuss what those who stay will need to do.”

Tae-soo and the others discussed the work ahead.

Tae-soo spoke to the general manager, who used to be a limestone mine owner.

“The departure procedures will be minimized. Put out a recruitment notice nationwide. Let’s gather as many people as possible.”

“Understood. I know quite a few companies. If you go ahead and look around the site, I’ll gather a bunch of workers and send them over in a few days.”

They discussed and decided on the minor details.

“I’ll also take some cement factory workers and veteran limestone miners to the site.”

The hour-long meeting came to an end.

“We will lay roads, demarcate cities, design apartments, build schools, and build shopping malls. We are going to the Middle East to make all of that a reality.”

Everyone looked at each other and nodded.

Tae-soo’s dream was the direction they needed to move forward.

“I’ll earn enough money to build the apartment complex and come back.”

Tae-soo smiled brightly and said goodbye.

“While I’m gone, I ask that you all stay here and do as well as you have been. I’ll be leaving for Seoul early tomorrow morning. I’ll be back as soon as possible.”

Then Holluck couldn’t stand it any longer and jumped up.

“Tae-soo, let me go too!”

Tae-soo looked back at his best friend, Holluck.

“Holluck, you have your grandmother. And she’s getting old.”

“If I don’t go, who will protect your back?”

Holluck shook his head firmly.

“Are you going to break your promise to me? Kang Tae-soo and Holluck, we said we’d be together until we die, wasn’t that the truth?”

“Yong-shik.”

“You always call me by my name when you’re in trouble. Didn’t I tell you not to call me that name, just between us?”

Holluck hates his name terribly.

He says it’s the name his mother called him before she abandoned him and remarried after his father died.

“Holluck.”

“What time are you leaving?”

“My friend.”

“Hey, don’t try to stop me. As soon as I heard the news about you from Pohang, I already packed my bags.”

Holluck doesn’t avoid eye contact or smile.

Tae-soo chuckled.

“···Are you sure? Your grandmother doesn’t like you going far away.”

“Grandma pushed me out the door.”

“Your grandmother?”

Holluck nodded.

“A guy who takes care of his friend’s family first after making money is someone you can go with until you die.”

“That’s only natural….”

“A good friend is someone who stays by your side when you’re having a hard time.”

“Holluck.”

“I promised to protect your back whether you’re happy or sad.”

Holluck grinned.

“I always keep the promises I make. I’m definitely going to the Middle East.”

“Are you serious?”

“You can leave me behind if you want. Then I’ll just come find you.”

Tae-soo chuckled.

“I need to finish the construction quickly and come back so your grandma doesn’t worry. There’s another reason to hurry the construction.”

“I’m going with you, right?”

“Yeah.”

Only then does Holluck smile with a satisfied expression.

“It’s not right to part ways like this without a farewell party. We need alcohol at times like these!”

I was wondering why the talk of alcohol hadn’t come up yet.

“Then let’s do that. There are people who came all the way here from Pohang to discuss this, so we can’t just send them off empty-handed.”

As if they had been waiting for it, people took out various bottles of alcohol that had been hidden behind their backs.

The accountant quickly passed around the glasses.

In an instant, a farewell party table was set.

It was then.

Knock, knock.

Someone knocked on Tae-soo’s office door.

The excited people suddenly became quiet and focused.

“Who is it?”

“I’m coming in.”

Song Jin-gu came in and was startled.

“Whoa! Why are you all gathered here at this hour?”

People said in unison.

“It’s a farewell party!”

“It’s the president’s farewell party!”

“That’s good. I was just about to formally introduce him to our family.”

Tae-soo stood Song Jin-gu in front of him.

“You all know him well, right? He’s the one who’s been traveling all the way here from Seoul to buy up the apartment site for me.”

“We know him.”

“Why wouldn’t we? He comes and goes every week.”

Tae-soo chuckled.

“Since you’re here, why don’t you join us for a drink?”

“Sit down, sit down.”

Then, people rushed at Song Jin-gu, grabbing his arms.

Before he could say anything, Song Jin-gu was dragged over and plopped down on the end of the sofa.

“Have a drink!”

“One shot without asking!”

“It’s a shame to share, so one shot!”

Song Jin-gu ended up downing a shot of soju [a Korean distilled beverage].

He handed Tae-soo a document with a sullen face.

Tae-soo was delighted.

“How much did you buy this time?”

Song Jin-gu shook his head.

“This isn’t a land deed. The Elder sent it. He said it’s something you need to settle before going to the Middle East.”

Tae-soo’s expression hardened as he looked at the document Song Jin-gu handed him.

“This is….”

Tae-soo gritted his teeth.

“Why is everyone making such a fuss as if they had made a promise?”

As if once I go to the Middle East, I won’t be able to return for 10 years!

‘I’m just going to mediate the fighting between the Bedouin tribes and set up the workers, then come straight back to Korea.’

Everyone is overreacting.

‘I need to meet Jang Mal-dong directly and settle this.’

And the matter of the letter.

‘Because there’s something I absolutely have to buy from Jang Mal-dong.’

There’s something I must obtain before going to the Middle East.

Something that absolutely cannot be obtained now if not from Jang Mal-dong.

‘I’m going to Myeongdong [a district in Seoul, South Korea] tomorrow first.’