Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 41

41. Three Cushion Shot in One Go (3)

Jang Mal-dong quickly racked his brain.

He tapped his fingers as if calculating on an abacus [a traditional counting tool], smacking his lips.

“It’s exactly the kind of sign I wanted.”

Jang Mal-dong groaned.

He seemed quite troubled, but not entirely displeased.

“If you don’t like it, don’t do it.”

“Let me think about it. What’s the rush? Shouldn’t I tap my abacus a bit too?”

“An elder who can arrange a marriage, the most important event in life, in just three days, is making a fuss about setting up a simple company?”

“Ugh.”

Jang Mal-dong was speechless, having been caught by his own words.

But it wasn’t an easy decision to make.

The man in the hanbok [traditional Korean clothing] smiled gently.

‘He certainly knows how to handle Jang Mal-dong. But a manpower agency, hmm.’

His eyes flashed for a moment.

Then, he nodded very slightly.

Jang Mal-dong glanced sideways and then slammed the low table.

“Alright, I’ll give it a try. It won’t be as difficult as setting up a bank.”

“Great. Then I’ll give your manpower agency its first job.”

“But the company isn’t even established yet? What job are you talking about giving to a company that hasn’t even been created?”

“I felt bad that I couldn’t offer much help when you were setting up Changsu Bank. I’ll be disappointed if you refuse my goodwill.”

Jang Mal-dong replied uncomfortably.

“How kind of you. I heard you were short on hands; are you really that short on manpower these days?”

“Yes, so I’d be grateful if you could lend me some for a while.”

“Until when?”

“I’ve put out a recruitment notice for workers. Please help me until I fill the quota.”

The man in the hanbok nodded.

Jang Mal-dong sighed.

“Alright. I don’t have any debt to collect, so I’ll lend them to you. My boys have been feeling cooped up lately anyway, so let’s just say they’re getting some fresh air.”

“Thank you. I’ll make sure they get plenty of fresh air. Trust me.”

“Alright.”

Suddenly, Tae-soo grinned.

“The flight is at 8 a.m. tomorrow. Just send them to the airport. I’ll make sure they get a good dose of exotic fresh air.”

“What?”

Jang Mal-dong was startled.

“Didn’t you say you’d just borrow them for a bit since you put out a recruitment notice?”

“Yes, I’m a bit short on workers to send to the Middle East. Let’s borrow them temporarily while we recruit workers from Korea.”

“……”

Jang Mal-dong’s mouth dropped open.

He was about to send his loan sharks to the Middle East as laborers.

“Then I’ll trust in your promise, Elder.”

“……”

“Thank you so much for readily offering your men.”

“……”

‘I’m doomed.’

Jang Mal-dong squeezed his eyes shut.

The man in the hanbok couldn’t help but shrug his shoulders, trying to suppress his laughter.

‘Hehehe, I really can’t beat him. Jang Mal-dong has been completely defeated again.’

The card Jang Mal-dong played was marriage, but it was crushed in an instant.

But every card Tae-soo played worked against Jang Mal-dong.

‘I really want him. I’m not just saying it; I really don’t want to let him go, hmm.’

The man in the hanbok looked at Tae-soo with longing eyes.

“Th-th-this! Isn’t this a scam!”

“A scam? I clearly answered you properly. I even gave you your first job, didn’t I? It’s not a scam, it’s goodwill.”

“You damn bastard!”

Jang Mal-dong’s expression twisted.

He slammed his fan on the low table in a fit of pique.

“Alright! Either way, I must keep the promise I’ve already made! I am Jang Mal-dong!”

“As expected, your integrity is amazing.”

Tae-soo gave him a thumbs up.

‘I came here with three goals in mind.’

First, an alliance.

Second, securing manpower.

Third, purchasing goods.

‘In my past life, Jang Mal-dong went bankrupt due to the 8.3 loan freeze [a government policy]. Afterward, he disappeared without a trace, leaving a gap in Cheongil Group’s information.’

Jang Mal-dong’s hidden other face.

That trace that disappeared even more thoroughly with Jang Mal-dong.

Tae-soo was aiming for that now.

‘Unlike in my past life, Jang Mal-dong hasn’t gone bankrupt. I should be able to get the goods properly.’

This was why Tae-soo had deliberately sought out Jang Mal-dong.

Jang Mal-dong said, huffing and puffing.

“If you’re done here, get lost! What else are you trying to squeeze out of me that you’re still sitting here!”

“I have one more thing to discuss.”

“What? Again?”

Jang Mal-dong’s complexion turned pale.

The more he did, the more the corners of the man in hanbok’s lips turned up.

‘This must be the real reason he came here.’

Curious.

The man in the hanbok’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Seeing that, Jang Mal-dong couldn’t help but sigh.

He wanted to kick this crazy bastard out, but…

“Alright. Let’s hear what that matter is.”

Tae-soo grinned.

“I want to purchase the goods you’re secretly selling, Elder.”

“What?”

“Your business is already extended to the Middle East, isn’t it? You must be having quite a bit of fun.”

“Don’t tell me! How did you know that!”

Tae-soo grinned and pointed to the sky, no, the ceiling.

“The higher-ups? That backer of yours from back then!”

Jang Mal-dong’s face turned white as he bit his lip tightly.

“Who exactly is your backer?”

Tae-soo just smiled without saying anything.

Jang Mal-dong gritted his teeth.

‘That great backer that I can’t find no matter how hard I look! Who the hell is it!’

Jang Mal-dong had already been burned badly when he bought the information about the loan freeze.

After that, he searched with his eyes blazing, but he couldn’t figure out who it was.

‘Of course. Where would I get a backer who would give me that kind of information now?’

The future is my backer.

Over time, the Cheongil Group had diligently collected information that was revealed later.

The secret documents that Tae-soo was able to access as the head secretary of the Cheongil Group.

Jang Mal-dong’s documents were full of interesting information.

‘I know how Jang Mal-dong built the best underground financial power in Korea.’

Its foundation goes back to the independence movement during the Japanese colonial period.

‘There are several faces hidden behind the loan shark business. All the work is done in the shadows. One was to act as an information merchant to collect military funds and information, and the other was…’

Tae-soo nodded.

“Yes, that’s it. I want to get some supplies locally. Is that possible?”

“Are you really going to buy that?”

“I’m not just buying it, I’m buying a lot! I’m going to buy so much that your jaw will drop!”

Tae-soo grinned.

“The money I made from molybdenum, this is the time to use it.”

Tae-soo specified the items he needed, the delivery location, the time, and so on.

As Tae-soo had confidently predicted, Jang Mal-dong’s jaw dropped.

‘I’ve solved all three problems in one go!’

It was worth coming here.

* * *

After Tae-soo left.

The man in the hanbok couldn’t hide the corners of his lips from rising.

Before he knew it, the man in the hanbok was sitting in the master’s seat where Jang Mal-dong had been sitting.

Jang Mal-dong sat next to him and offered him a cup of freshly brewed tea.

The man in the hanbok picked up the teacup and savored a sip.

“The aroma isn’t very good. Was your heart wavering?”

‘Wavering’ is an understatement.

Every time I meet that crazy bastard, my insides get turned upside down.

Jang Mal-dong couldn’t say anything and just groaned.

“Don’t worry about it. He was too much for you to handle.”

It’s not like Jang Mal-dong didn’t know that.

Every time they met, he was at a loss for words.

“That guy is definitely something else.”

That’s why Jang Mal-dong was always pushed back.

He finally burst out laughing, having a hard time hiding it.

“Hahaha, everyone who went to find him is being played in the palm of his hand. Kim Jeong-nam, Kim Bong-nam, Han Cheong-ho, and even Park Jeong-hwan. Even those who are said to be the best!”

“Ugh.”

I guess I’m one of them, even though you didn’t mention it?

Jang Mal-dong could only groan.

The man in the hanbok just laughed loudly, enjoying it.

“A manpower business. It’s okay to take on government work, and it’s okay not to. An agency with a sign that just has workers to supply when needed. A sign like that is welcome, hahaha.”

“Is it okay? Haven’t you been living in the shadows all this time?”

“Park Jeong-hwan has drawn his sword. Since he’s imposed a loan freeze, we can’t just hide behind the loan shark business, can we? We have to find another way.”

“You’ve established a bank, haven’t you? Is there really a need to create a manpower business as well?”

The man in the hanbok smiled and looked at Jang Mal-dong.

“Jang Mal-dong.”

“Yes.”

“I wouldn’t say you didn’t see what that brat saw, would you?”

“That’s…”

“Just proceed.”

“Understood.”

The man in the hanbok chuckled.

“Kang Tae-soo, he’s quite clever. I really like the way he uses his head.”

“He’s no ordinary person. Why else would I have picked him as our young lady’s spouse? After seeing him, I don’t even look at other guys.”

“You’re planning to serve him as your master yourself.”

“He has to be at least that good to be our young lady’s spouse.”

The man in the hanbok couldn’t help but smile contentedly.

“You make me even more curious when you say that. I’d like to hear a detailed report.”

“Of course.”

“Starting with Kang Tae-soo.”

“Yes.”

The man in the hanbok had been abroad on important business.

He had received important information by telegram, but he had not received a detailed report.

“There are three important pieces of news I received by telegram regarding Kang Tae-soo.”

First, Kim Jeong-nam, Kim Bong-nam, and Han Cheong-ho of Cheongil failed to purchase molybdenum in turn.

Second, Kang Tae-soo went to the Middle East to finish the construction.

Third, Park Jeong-hwan is supporting Kang Tae-soo in various ways.

“That was enough to convey by telegram.”

“I’d like to hear more details. Starting with Cheongil Group’s visit to the molybdenum mine.”

“Yes.”

Jang Mal-dong nodded.

Then, he reported on what happened at the molybdenum mine and Cheongil Group’s response.

The man in the hanbok smiled, raising the corners of his lips.

He especially liked the part where Han Cheong-ho returned empty-handed.

“Han Cheong-ho is quite skilled at coaxing and threatening, but he didn’t fall for it.”

“That crazy bastard’s guts are truly amazing.”

“He showed his claws to Cheongil in a big way. The reason?”

“I don’t know. No matter how hard I look, there’s no connection to Cheongil.”

“So that’s how you tested Kang Tae-soo?”

Jang Mal-dong sighed.

“I knew that cunning bastard wouldn’t easily reveal his true feelings, but he didn’t even change his expression and remained calm.”

He should have been flustered if he was caught off guard, but he didn’t budge.

He’s definitely not ordinary.

“I can’t even guess what’s inside that crazy bastard. He must have hundreds of water snakes inside him. A young man with eyes like a 70-year-old man. Ugh!”

“If we don’t know the reason, Han Cheong-ho wouldn’t know either.”

The man in the hanbok leisurely drank his tea.

“Han Cheong-ho must have been sweating bullets. Coaxing or eliminating? That guy is very extreme.”

“It seems both failed. Kang Tae-soo is still not supplying molybdenum to Cheongil, and Han Cheong-ho failed to retaliate.”

“Coaxing is one thing, but did Han Cheong-ho try to retaliate?”

“Yes.”

Jang Mal-dong said.

“On the way back from the mine, Han Cheong-ho went straight to the Blue House [the Korean presidential residence]. He met Kim Jeong-rim and handed him an apple box [a common way to offer bribes in Korea], and Kim Jeong-rim met Go Dae-woon of Daeun Joongseok that way.”

“He must have been planning to take the molybdenum mine.”

The man in the hanbok smiled bitterly.

“It wouldn’t have been easy to escape that kind of net. How did Kang Tae-soo defend the mine?”

“That guy is not ordinary. He had already received exclusive mining rights for the molybdenum mine from Park Jeong-hwan five months ago.”

“Hahaha! He’s resourceful! Who did he use as a connection?”

Kang Tae-soo doesn’t have a connection to Park Jeong-hwan yet.

It was a request that had to go through someone who was inevitably connected to Park Jeong-hwan.

The man in the hanbok’s eyes lit up.

“Kang Tae-soo, is that his backer? Have we finally caught a glimpse?”

Jang Mal-dong hesitated.

“There is one person who’s been caught, but…”

“Who is it?”