Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 68

68. Rahman’s Gift (2)

Samwon Construction had lost so much trust that the Saudi royal family even sent an unofficial letter of protest.

Consequently, they ultimately failed to win the road construction bid in ’72, which was instead completed by a local Saudi construction company.

And with the agreement of both countries, Samwon Construction’s involvement in the ’72 road construction project was buried in history.

However, in June of the following year, ’73, Samwon Construction once again secured a road construction bid in Saudi Arabia.

Moreover, they joined hands with their local partner, Shobok City, once again!

‘Shobok City is a western city development construction company created by Rahman. But Rahman was held responsible for the construction failure and was ousted. So, that means the new city developer and Samwon Construction joined forces.’

The questions piled up.

‘The Saudi royal family accepted Samwon Construction again, despite their loss of trust. Then who was the successor, and who pushed Samwon Construction?’

And another thing.

‘Judging by Park Jung-hwan’s personality, it’s only natural that he would retaliate against Samwon Construction for damaging his reputation. Yet, Samwon Construction survived Park Jung-hwan’s wrath. Who is backing Samwon Construction?’

A sudden thought struck him.

‘Why did Han Cheong-ho connect Samwon Construction to the Saudi royal family in the first place? And then, why did he cut them off like a lizard’s tail?’

The picture is emerging.

The backer of Samwon Construction is faintly beginning to appear.

At that moment, Rahman interrupted Tae-soo’s thoughts and said,

[The Khaybar-AlUla highway construction project will be announced for bidding in June. And the contract will be notified in August, and construction will commence in December.]

Everything went the same way in his past life.

This hasn’t changed.

[I planned this road construction, and I’m also the one reviewing the bids. The contract will also be signed by my hand.]

Rahman twirled the pen he had signed the contract with.

[Kang Tae-soo, this construction will proceed with a sole bid from Taeyang Construction.]

The difference is this.

In his past life, the Khaybar-AlUla highway construction project had a massive international bidding competition.

The winner was Samwon Construction.

Tae-soo looked up from the documents.

[A sole bid? You mean you won’t issue a bid announcement?]

[Formally, we will. We’ll announce it very small in the corner of the official gazette [a government publication], just for half a day or so.]

[Can you do that arbitrarily?]

[We’ve followed all the formalities, so there’s no problem. Let them challenge it if they want. I don’t know who would dare to challenge me with such a small construction project.]

This time, they won’t make a large-scale international bid announcement.

Certainly, a minor future has changed.

Because of Tae-soo.

[How is it? Do you like the gift I prepared?]

[I like it.]

[You have a limestone mine, a cement factory, heavy equipment, and Bedouin [nomadic Arab] workers, so you shouldn’t have any difficulties. Just think of it as continuing to build roads.]

Tae-soo will be in charge of all the highway construction along the Red Sea.

The Yanbu-Umluj highway construction.

And the Khaybar-AlUla highway construction.

Rahman rubbed his palms together and sparkled his eyes.

[Now, Kang Tae-soo, shall we open the gift you prepared?]

It was Tae-soo’s turn.

Tae-soo took out a business card from his pocket.

Rahman reached out, but Tae-soo pulled the business card held between his fingers back.

[Before I give you the business card, I have a question to ask.]

[What are you hesitating to ask?]

[Did you convey the message I gave you to my father?]

Tae-soo said to Rahman.

-I have something to tell you. This is information that not Rahman, but your father, Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, should know.

-There’s news that Egypt and Syria are buying massive amounts of weapons from arms dealers.

-Why don’t you suggest to your father to secretly investigate the illegal trade with arms dealers?

Rahman chuckled.

[It was an important matter that my father should also know.]

That means he told his father, Khalid, the Saudi Minister of Defense.

[How did your father take it?]

[He readily started an investigation. And recently, he confirmed that it was true.]

[Then I can give you this.]

Tae-soo smiled and finally handed Rahman the business card.

[Whose business card is it that you’re being so cautious?]

[It’s a matter of life and death. I can’t just hand over someone else’s life carelessly, can I?]

Rahman received the business card.

It was written in large English letters.

The front of the business card had instructions on how to make contact.

The back had detailed information on the types of weapons they handled and their prices.

Rahman’s face changed.

[This is······.]

[I found out the contact information of the arms dealer who is supplying weapons to Egypt and Syria.]

Rahman clenched his fist.

‘To find out the contact information of the arms dealer that my father hasn’t even been able to find out so easily······.’

He took another look at the man sitting in front of him.

He found out the contact information faster than the Saudi Minister of Defense, how amazing is that.

[Your father will be very happy if you bring this to him.]

He probably will be.

His father heard that Egypt and Syria were buying weapons in large quantities.

He heard that he was busy reorganizing the military, checking weapons, and reviewing the budget these days.

To prepare for the upcoming war.

[The prepared quantity will probably be sufficient. Your father won’t have to go through the trouble of working so hard.]

This is truly a grateful thing to reduce his trouble.

[According to the arms dealer, the war is about half a year away. It seems like it won’t exceed a year.]

The clock is ticking.

It was information more valuable than gold.

Rahman couldn’t stand it and jumped up.

[Is that really true?]

[I met him in person and heard it.]

That’s why I got that business card.

After flying all the way to Korea.

[If that’s true, I don’t have time to be here right now. Kang Tae-soo, I will definitely repay this debt later.]

Rahman hurriedly prepared to leave.

Tae-soo grabbed his arm.

[There’s no need to repay the debt later.]

Rahman looked down at Tae-soo’s hand grabbing his arm.

[What do you mean?]

[Isn’t it an important matter? It’s a big deal that the country might be swept up in war.]

Tae-soo stated his intentions directly.

[I’ll go with you too. It would be better to meet in person and tell him.]

Rahman quickly turned his mind over.

‘Kang Tae-soo said he met the arms dealer in person. Whatever my father asks, he will be able to answer in more detail than me.’

The deliberation was short.

The decision was quick.

[You come with me to my father.]

Rahman grabbed his coat and picked up the phone.

[Prepare a private jet at the airport. We’re going to the capital, Riyadh. Tell my father that Rahman will be visiting.]

As expected of Saudi royalty.

They even have a private jet.

‘Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who will become the 4th King of Saudi Arabia. Rahman’s father and the current Minister of Defense, a powerful figure.’

He’s going to meet him.

With Rahman, to Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia!

* * *

Today, loud noises were heard again in Han Cheong-ho’s study.

Secretary Song, who was waiting outside the study, closed his eyes.

‘I wonder what happened at the luncheon at the Blue House that made him like this.’

Secretary Song didn’t know.

Why Han Cheong-ho was so angry.

The feeling of hearing a declaration of war from Jang Jun-yong of Geumsan in a place where famous figures from the political and business world were present.

Secretary Song could never know because he couldn’t be there.

“Ugh-! Jang Jun-yong, you damn bastard!”

He just guessed from the curses coming from inside the study.

‘It seems like Chairman Jang of Geumsan and he had a heated argument at the luncheon at the Blue House.’

After a while, the study becomes quiet.

“Come in.”

Secretary Song carefully opened the door and entered according to Han Cheong-ho’s order.

As expected, the inside was a mess.

“I don’t think I can be at ease.”

Han Cheong-ho growled as he roughly pulled off his tie.

“I need to pour more money into Saudi Arabia.”

“Into Saudi Arabia?”

“If I want the lifeline I’ve grabbed to not shake, I need to hang a weight on it.”

A solid weight in the name of money!

Han Cheong-ho turned to Secretary Song with bloodshot eyes.

“Prepare the money to send to the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Construction in Saudi Arabia.”

“How much should I prepare?”

“In dollars. One trunk each.”

A trunk much heavier than an apple box······.

Han Cheong-ho didn’t stop there.

“One more trunk so that we can grease the palms of everyone above and below the bidding manager and the eastern city development manager.”

Secretary Song’s eyes widened.

“Are you preparing that much?”

“It’s a big deal. It’s a construction project worth a whopping 1 billion dollars, 1 billion dollars!”

How much money did I spend to get that!

Han Cheong-ho slammed the desk with both fists.

“The reason why Jang Jun-yong of Geumsan is making such a big noise is because he has something to rely on! Maybe the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Construction have reached out to that bastard too!”

The suspicion took root in Han Cheong-ho’s heart as well.

“They must have sent a telegram to Geumsan too! How else would Jang Jun-yong know about that construction project! A construction plan that hasn’t even been announced for bidding!”

He’s angry.

He can’t just sit back and be pushed out like this.

Han Cheong-ho turned to Secretary Song.

“You fly to Saudi Arabia yourself!”

“Me?”

“Meet the Minister of Finance in person, meet the Minister of Construction, and feed the kids below plenty of money! Got it?”

“······I understand. I will go in person.”

Secretary Song bowed politely and retreated from the study.

Thud.

When the door closes, Han Cheong-ho’s devilish face is no longer visible.

Secretary Song’s back was soaked with cold sweat.

‘Is it my turn this time? Could it be······.’

He knows the end of the driver who handed money to the special agents.

He was the one who had been serving Chairman Han Cheong-ho for a long time.

Han Cheong-ho cleanly disposed of the driver, who could be said to be his confidant, without any hesitation.

The reason was to cut off the tail.

Such Han Cheong-ho ordered Secretary Song to deliver the money.

To win a construction project worth a whopping 1 billion dollars!

‘If I fail this time… what will happen to me?’

Anxiety and fear were growing in Secretary Song’s heart.

‘But I can’t not go. If I refuse the order, I’ll die miserably right away.’

He’s scared.

‘I know too many of Han Cheong-ho’s secrets.’

He seemed to know one thing for sure.

‘My turn is getting closer and closer.’

Secretary Song left Han Cheong-ho’s house with trembling legs.

To carry out Han Cheong-ho’s orders.

* * *

He arrived at Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, by private jet from the airport.

A Rolls Royce with a golden emblem was waiting at Riyadh Airport.

[We have been waiting. We will take you to your residence.]

Not long after the car started, a tremendously magnificent mansion came into view.

Rahman said proudly.

[That’s my father’s palace.]

[It’s very magnificent.]

You can guess the wealth and power of the homeowner by looking at the mansion.

When a country is founded, the most elaborate thing to decorate is the palace, and when officials get promoted the most, the first thing they do is decorate their mansion.

Isn’t it common to show off one’s wealth with the size and price of apartments these days?

Rahman proudly feigned humility.

[The Saudi royal family is more frugal compared to other royal families.]

If you go anywhere and say this building is frugal, you’ll probably get beaten to death.

[It’s true that it’s frugal, although the scale itself is enormous. Maybe it’s because my father is a soldier, but his tastes are very different from mine. You could say he’s too simple?]

Where is this simple?

It was a hateful humility.

That’s when it was.

[Welcome. Welcome to my home.]

Khalid, who had received Rahman’s call in advance and was waiting at home.

He welcomed Tae-soo with open arms.