Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 74

74. Master and Disciple (2)

Secretary Song was startled and quickly bowed his head.

[Yes, Khalid.]

[You have just been spared from death thanks to Kang Tae-soo. I also respect his wishes and will release you unharmed.]

[Th-Thank you! Thank you so much for saving me!]

Secretary Song bowed deeply.

Tae-soo also bowed.

[Thank you, Khalid. But I don’t think you should let him go so easily.]

[Hmm?]

Secretary Song was shocked.

But Khalid chuckled.

[Very well. I’ll help with the play as much as you want.]

Khalid readily agreed to Tae-soo’s request.

[I’ll send a subordinate to bring the trunk from the hotel. Ah, just leave the items brought at the hotel. It’s not good to be suspected unnecessarily.]

One word was enough.

Khalid spoke, and Tae-soo understood.

[It seems the person carrying the bribe to the Minister of Construction should be this person himself.]

[Perhaps the bundles of money weren’t satisfactory, so he was turned away. It would be enough to just hand the box to the gatekeeper.]

[Then that’s even better. Should we send a telegram too?]

[Of course. Something like, ‘Successfully delivered to both ministers. I will return on the next flight.’]

Khalid turned to Secretary Song.

[Then what should we do with this person?]

[What else can we do? We should send him to the desert as Khalid said. After taking pictures, of course.]

[Hahaha, even in this situation, you don’t make my words empty. Good.]

That night, a gruesome photo was taken in Khalid’s basement.

The terrible and brutally staged photo of Secretary Song would soon be sent to Han Cheong-ho along with his belongings.

Along with a letter containing Khalid’s warning.

“Secretary Song, what would be good as a memento to send?”

“My memento should be my watch.”

Secretary Song took off his watch from his wrist.

“Han Cheong-ho gave this to me directly, so he will recognize it.”

“That’s an expensive luxury watch. Are you sure you don’t mind? It will be inconvenient without a watch.”

“This must be returned. That’s the only way my family will understand my intentions.”

It seemed Secretary Song had made some arrangements.

He placed the watch on the floor, smashed it with a hammer, and deliberately smeared blood on it.

He turned the stopped hands of the watch to a specific time.

‘It seems he has something in mind. How thorough. He’s still the same as before. Not changed at all.’

Secretary Song hurried.

After being turned away by the Minister of Construction and sending a gift box to the gatekeeper, Secretary Song received two large trunks.

Moreover, Khalid turned to Secretary Song and asked.

[If you want, I can provide a car and a guide to the desert. You can send them back after going where you want.]

Secretary Song looked at Tae-soo and cautiously asked.

“I don’t know anything about Saudi Arabia. Is there any place you would recommend? I think I need to hide somewhere until my family comes to find me.”

Coincidentally, there was a Bedouin village in the middle of the desert.

The desert, which is difficult for outsiders to enter freely, would serve as a shield.

Moreover, the villagers were all renowned desert warriors.

There was no safer place than that.

“There’s a village near where I’m doing construction. It’s a perfect place to hide.”

“I feel like I’m causing you a lot of trouble. Are you sure it’s okay?”

“It’s okay. It’s better than a foreigner wandering around alone and getting into trouble.”

“Thank you. I really don’t know how to repay this grace…”

Tae-soo looked at Secretary Song and smiled.

“Don’t worry about it. Secretary Song, you gave me something first.”

“Pardon?”

Secretary Song was puzzled.

No matter how much he searched his memory, he had no connection with Kang Tae-soo.

‘I still remember the teachings you gave me, Teacher.’

It was a favor he had received without expecting anything in return when Tae-soo had nothing.

That favor became a grace, and it made Tae-soo who he is today.

* * *

Tae-soo, Rahman, and even Secretary Song.

The royal plane that departed from Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, arrived at the airport.

At the airport, a servant came to pick up Rahman, and Second Secretary Song Chang-joon was waiting to pick up Tae-soo.

[It’s time to part ways.]

[Thanks to you, Rahman, I enjoyed a luxurious stay.]

Thanks to going to a wealthy friend’s house, he was able to rest comfortably for a few days.

He was late returning home every night because he was having strategy meetings with Khalid.

[My father is even sending an engineering unit, so the construction of the supply base will be quite fast.]

[I’ll do my best to help.]

The Bedouins who received the telegram were already speeding up the construction.

[Kang Tae-soo, I’m getting a lot of help from you in many ways.]

[Aren’t we allies? We should help each other.]

[My father knows very well that your contribution was very significant in making a political decision. I will never forget this favor.]

[Then I’m grateful. I won’t refuse that sentiment.]

[Good, then I’ll go first.]

Rahman got into the car and left first.

Second Secretary Song Chang-joon cautiously approached.

“You seem to have become quite close. That picky royal doesn’t seem to be frowning.”

“Do you know him?”

“Of course. Isn’t his father the Minister of National Defense? The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of National Defense are very close, so our ambassador is always on edge.”

The three departments that send goodwill to Korea were the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Construction.

Song Chang-joon looked at Secretary Song.

“Are you Korean?”

“Yes, nice to meet you.”

How could he bring a Korean with him after visiting the Saudi capital?

Song Chang-joon tilted his head.

Tae-soo firmly stated.

“He will be a guest of the Bedouins. He is also my guest.”

“Ah… He must be someone of unusual status to come on the Saudi royal plane.”

“As you can see, he is very reluctant to reveal his identity, so the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must never mention it. Do as you please if you are confident you can handle the aftermath.”

“The aftermath is always scary. I’ll keep it a secret.”

Song Chang-joon pretended to zip his lips.

Secretary Song looked Song Chang-joon up and down and cautiously said.

“You say you’re from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but you seem to have the posture of a secretary ingrained in you.”

“I haven’t been here long enough.”

“Even compared to your tenure, you are exceptionally skilled at serving your superiors. You don’t question anything, but you still ask what you’re curious about. You prepare everything and wait in advance.”

That’s what he does.

Taking pictures for the ambassador, sending telegrams, adjusting schedules, answering phones, and following the itinerary.

“You have a natural talent for being a secretary. Have you ever thought about learning this job properly?”

“…”

At the unexpected offer, Song Chang-joon lamented and said.

“Are you saying that my body is so used to miscellaneous tasks that you can tell at a glance?”

“That’s a talent. It seems like this is your calling.”

“I didn’t join the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to do this.”

Song Chang-joon glanced at Tae-soo and whispered in Secretary Song’s ear.

“If I learn properly, can I become that person’s secretary?”

The hidden ambition raised its head once again.

Secretary Song smiled.

“I think I can help you with that.”

He saw another way to repay Tae-soo’s kindness.

“Please teach me a lot. I will work hard.”

“Good. Then next time we meet, I’ll speak informally. As a teacher. Got it?”

“…”

Secretary Song glanced at Tae-soo.

Secretary Song was very respectful to Tae-soo, as if serving a superior. Not only did he not speak informally, but he used the utmost respect.

Secretary Song was a man who knew where to lie down and stretch his legs [knew his place].

* * *

They arrived at the Bedouin village.

Everyone was happy to see Tae-soo.

[You’re back sooner than I thought. Welcome back. Have dinner before you go.]

[What did you buy so much this time? Oh! This time it’s stationery and toys for the kids?]

[Chief, come out quickly! A distinguished guest has returned!]

The women gathered around and took the bundles of gifts that Tae-soo had brought.

Tae-soo subtly looked for Muhee.

Muhee was not visible.

‘It’s the same as last time. She doesn’t show her face for days.’

She was a mysterious woman.

It was as if she was the Saudi version of the Urung Gaksi [a Korean folktale character who only appears at night], who showed her face at night.

Holluk waved his hand.

“Tae-soo!”

“Hey, Holluk. You’ve worked hard.”

“What hard work? Is everyone doing well?”

“Of course. I even met Grandma. Read it later.”

Tae-soo handed Holluk the letter.

He handed Holluk the envelope with the film, which contained a lot of pictures of Grandma.

“Grandma is very worried about her grandson. She told me to tell you to boil alcohol and take care of your health.”

“Grandma is something. Is she worried about young me, or old Grandma?”

Holluk was thinking of his grandmother he had left in Korea.

The chief and elders came out to greet Tae-soo.

[Have you been well? We’ve been waiting for a long time.]

[I heard the construction is going well even without me. Thank you for your hard work.]

[That skinny guy is very good at his job. Besides, there were many things we discussed in advance before you left, so the construction itself was easy.]

[I want to know the progress so far.]

[Come in. I’ll report to you.]

Tae-soo entered the tent used as the chief and elders’ meeting room.

Secretary Song greeted Holluk.

“Hello?”

“Oh? You’re Korean? Did you come with Tae-soo?”

“That’s right. You seem to be very close to Kang Tae-soo?”

“I’m Tae-soo’s friend. Speak comfortably. You look like my father’s age.”

Secretary Song laughed at the good-natured words.

“Shall I? But did you come to the Saudi desert with your friend? That’s a great friendship.”

“If I were to say about myself, I’m someone who can protect Tae-soo’s back.”

Secretary Song hummed and looked Holluk up and down.

“You don’t look like a bodyguard type…”

“Our Tae-soo said that there are many people to entrust work to, but no one to entrust his back to?”

“Ah, then that’s a different story.”

That meant he was a trusted friend.

Secretary Song looked at Holluk and smiled slightly.

“Looking at the nasolabial folds [lines from nose to mouth] and wrinkles around your eyes, you laugh a lot, play well, get along well, and say a lot of silly things, right?”

“It’s true that I laugh a lot, play well, and get along well, but I don’t say silly things.”

He subtly looked at Holluk’s stomach.

“A skinny young friend already has a beer belly?”

“You don’t know, but there’s a king (王) hidden here [a Korean pun, referring to the shape of the belly resembling the Chinese character for ‘king’]?”

“That must be ribs. You can’t get alcohol in Saudi Arabia, and you’ve been working hard because of the construction, but if it were normal, you would have lived with alcohol. Do you like alcohol?”

“Do I like it? I’m crazy about it.”

He also looked closely at Holluk’s face.

“Seeing how well your eyes roll, you must be good at using your brain, and you don’t show that you’re wary of people you meet for the first time, so you’re thick-skinned.”

“I hear a lot that I’m smart and have good skin.”

“You filter out what you hear appropriately. You have a talent for sales because you treat people with a smile even when they say unpleasant things. You’re perfect as a drinking companion.”
Holluk whispered the same thing in Secretary Song’s ear.

“Now that I see it, did Tae-soo bring a shaman [fortune teller]? Do you read fortunes?”

“What nonsense are you talking about? I’m pointing out the basis of my judgment.”

That was true.

“That’s what I do, so if I look roughly, I can get that much of an estimate.”

“What do you do?”

“Secretary. A secretary who rolls around like a dog under a boss with a bad temper and cleans up the mess.”

“…”

Secretary Song grinned.

“If a dog in a village school recites poetry in three years [an idiom for becoming skilled through long experience], I’ve been rolling under that damn human for 28 years. I survived for 28 years without dying.”

Was that all?

“I’ve taken care of all kinds of people while taking care of that human and his son, and I’ve met all kinds of terrible people to clean up the mess.”

The more he thought about it, the more he gritted his teeth.

“Hoo- What can I do if they tell me to do it from above? I have to do it. That human only has to give orders, but I have to do it myself. So I have no choice but to desperately turn my eyes and look for someone to work with.”

Thinking about the hard work of the past, he was about to cry.

“I chose the guys I needed from top to bottom like that. If they had even a little talent, I would coax them, fix their bad habits, teach them what they needed, and use them.”

So he could be confident.

“You have a talent for sales. I’m serious. If you develop that talent properly, you’ll be a plausible talent.”

Talent and experience nurture people.

He learned a lot from Han Cheong-ho, and he met more diverse people than Han Cheong-ho.

As a result, he had a good eye for people.

“Do you ever feel like you’re a little lacking compared to your friend? Do you?”

Holluk nodded as if possessed.

“Of course, why wouldn’t I? My friend is flying high, but I have to watch from behind.”

“I think I can fill in some of the parts you’re missing.”

“Really?”

“How about it? Do you want to learn?”

Holluk looked at the tent Tae-soo had entered.

“If I learn, can I become like Tae-soo?”

“Do you think that’s possible? Now that I see it, you have a very big dream.”

“…”

Fact bombing coming out in the open!

Holluk shook his head and quickly came to his senses.

“Is it impossible to become like Tae-soo?”

“Isn’t that person just close to a complete monster? A young man was holding the Saudi Minister of National Defense in one hand. Do you know how great that high-ranking person is?”

Holluk nodded.

“Kang Tae-soo, that friend is a big shot just by looking at him. He won’t be pushed even if he stands shoulder to shoulder with chaebol-level [family-owned conglomerate] chairmen? Just looking at one thing he does, he’s meticulous and experienced. I was so amazed.”

Even Secretary Song, who had worked next to Han Cheong-ho for a long time, admired Tae-soo.

“That’s not a talent you can covet, and it’s not a vessel you can catch up with.”

“Sigh, I know Tae-soo is outstanding.”

“There’s nothing you can do about it. But it’s too early to give up.”

Holluk’s eyes sparkled.

“Do I have potential too?”

“Of course. Instead, you have to become his hands and feet. Very capable and extraordinary hands and feet.”

“Capable and extraordinary… Those are words I like.”

“To keep up with that person, it’s hard for an ordinary person. You have to set your goal there.”

Holluk grabbed Secretary Song’s hand tightly.

“Teacher! Please take care of me! Please raise me!”

It was Holluk who claimed to be a disciple.

“That attitude of wanting to learn is very satisfactory. Excellent.”

Secretary Song found another way to repay Tae-soo’s kindness this time.

It was a way Secretary Song could do well.

* * *

The night was deep.

The long meeting was over.

Tae-soo, who came out of the tent, looked for Holluk and Secretary Song.

They were already gone.

‘Have they already become close? Anyway, Holluk, he really likes people.’

At that time, the chief’s wife was waiting for Tae-soo outside the tent.

She was also an elite of the tribe and could speak English.

[I was waiting because I had something to ask you for the first time.]

[What is it?]

[Could you please stop Muhee?]

[Muhee?]

[Muhee is said to be leaving early tomorrow morning. She’s been packing since earlier.]

The chief’s wife grabbed Tae-soo’s sleeve.

[Why is she leaving?]

[She says she’s going back to her hometown. She says the reason to stay in this village has disappeared now.]

[Hometown? Wasn’t she from this tribe?]

[Didn’t you know? She wasn’t originally from our tribe.]

Then why was she staying in the Bedouin village?

Even in a place where there was a tribal war due to drought.