Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 78

78. A Face-Off with the President (2)

The president’s office at Chomyung Bank in Jongno, Seoul.

Choi Mu-ryong frowned at Han Cheong-ho’s unexpected visit.

“What brings you here?”

“Cheongil Oil is in trouble. I need your help.”

“I’m in dire straits myself. I don’t think I can help you.”

Han Cheong-ho didn’t hide his displeasure. He was the one in need now, and he needed Choi Mu-ryong’s money.

“I’m asking you for a favor.”

“You know how Chomyung Bank is doing these days, right?”

“Are you talking about the losses from buying European oil company stocks?”

With the money he got from selling Cheongil Oil stocks, Choi Mu-ryong had made some bad investments.

Han Cheong-ho had been furious when he heard the news from Secretary Park and had thrown an ashtray in his office. But he didn’t show it in front of Choi Mu-ryong.

“If you know, then I guess I don’t need to explain further. I don’t have any money.”

“I know you have a lot of money stashed away. Give me some more Cheongil Oil stock. Lend it to me.”

“Hmph!”

Choi Mu-ryong scoffed, glaring at Han Cheong-ho and twitching his lips.

“Why didn’t you help me like that when Samwon Construction was in danger?”

“What?”

“I have ears too. I heard you cut me off, saying Samwon Construction and Cheongil have nothing to do with each other?”

Han Cheong-ho raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence.

“Why are you silent about the fact that I suffered because those Samwon Construction thugs abandoned the construction site and ran away?”

“Are you talking about the Saudi royal family’s complaints? What do you expect when the construction site became a battlefield?”

“Why are you blaming me for your failure to manage your subordinates? You should have flown to Saudi Arabia yourself!”

“If Cheongil Construction had helped a little, things wouldn’t have gone this far.”

Choi Mu-ryong gritted his teeth.

“Park Jeong-hwan [South Korean President] dismantled Samwon Construction. All our guys were dragged to the National Intelligence Service [South Korean Intelligence Agency]. Those guys who used to be so close have become enemies and are sharpening their knives at each other.”

He felt resentful, regretting bidding on the Saudi construction project at Han Cheong-ho’s instigation.

“Those guys are in jail now. They were shaken down so badly that I almost got caught. And what now?”

“Then why did you do bad things even in Saudi Arabia? Why are you blaming me for Park Jeong-hwan’s anger when he heard about it?”

Choi Mu-ryong squeezed out his last bit of patience.

“They are the ones who worked hard to launder slush funds and create political funds. Get them out.”

“I can’t right now.”

“Are you really going to do this?”

“Cheongil Oil is about to collapse!”

Choi Mu-ryong turned his back.

“Show our guest out! Escort him out!”

“Hey, Choi Mu-ryong! Are you really going to do this?”

“Let’s talk again after you get our guys out.”

Choi Mu-ryong’s men approached Han Cheong-ho.

Han Cheong-ho glared at Choi Mu-ryong and turned away.

“Think carefully. Do you think Chomyung Bank can survive without my help?”

“Please leave.”

“If Cheongil Oil falls, you won’t be unscathed either.”

*Bang.*

Han Cheong-ho slammed the door of the Chomyung Bank president’s office.

* * *

Khalid’s mansion in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.

Khalid was meeting with Tae-soo in the drawing room.

“[I have so much to thank you for,]” Khalid said, his face full of smiles.

Thanks to Tae-soo, Khalid had defeated his political rivals and seized power.

“[In addition to completing the road construction successfully, you have been recognized for your contribution to the construction of the logistics base and the supply of military supplies. Rahman will be assigned as the head of the eastern city development.]”

“[That’s good news.]”

“[It means he will be in charge of the Jubail Industrial Port construction.]”

That’s not all.

“[My brother Abdullah has been appointed as the Minister of Industry from the commander of the National Guard in the Ministry of Defense.]”

“[Congratulations.]”

“[It means he can help with the Jubail Industrial Port construction.]”

Khalid was faithfully keeping his promise to Tae-soo.

“[I cut off the oil supply to Cheongil Oil.]”

“[I heard that Cheongil Oil is wandering around various countries in the Middle East thanks to you.]”

“[I have received confirmation from a total of seven countries, including Saudi Arabia. I have also contacted small and medium-sized oil-producing countries that have joined OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries). I don’t think there will be many countries that will ignore my intentions.]”

Han Cheong-ho must be sweating.

This is very good news.

“[You secured a total of 60 million barrels of oil this time, right?]”

“[Yes, that’s right.]”

“[I will get permission from His Majesty the King to fill in the rest.]”

Khalid held out one finger.

“[100 million barrels.]”

That’s a huge amount. Moreover, the price of oil has nearly quadrupled in the last three months.

“[Thank you so much.]”

Tae-soo carefully brought up the subject.

“[I plan to completely bankrupt Han Cheong-ho’s Cheongil Oil this time.]”

“[Hahaha! That’s a plan I really like!]”

Khalid was the one who was grinding his teeth at Han Cheong-ho. He welcomed Tae-soo’s plan with joy.

“[I’m going to bankrupt Cheongil Oil and create Tae Yang Oil.]”

“[You’re saying you’re going to swallow Cheongil Oil at a bargain price.]”

“[That’s right. So, can you help me, Khalid?]”

“[What do you need help with?]”

Tae-soo said, “[I’m going to return to Korea for a while. To meet President Park Jeong-hwan.]”

He had an idea.

“[You mean you want to bring a gift that President Park Jeong-hwan will like.]”

“[That’s right. I want to exchange it even if it means reducing my oil a little.]”

“[What is it?]”

“[It’s a certificate of oil supply rights.]”

A total of seven Middle Eastern oil-producing countries, including Saudi Arabia, have declared a ban on oil exports to Western forces that help Israel.

South Korea shares the same position as the United States, so naturally, it became difficult to import oil.

“[Certificate of oil supply rights? What does that mean?]”

“[I hope you will lift the oil supply restrictions for companies that bring that certificate. At least in Saudi Arabia.]”

Thanks to the oil supply restrictions, the domestic crude oil import price has already tripled. President Park Jeong-hwan’s ambitious heavy chemical industry development policy is on the verge of failure.

Even the inflation rate, which was 3.2% in 1973, will skyrocket to 25% per year in 1974 and 1975. Korea is now desperate to get oil.

“[Is there really a need to do that?]”

Tae-soo’s 100 million barrels of oil would be worth a lot of money. Even if he had to give up some of that money, he wanted the certificate?

He was curious as to why Tae-soo wanted this.

“[President Park Jeong-hwan and Han Cheong-ho have a strong connection. I want to shake things up between them this time.]”

Khalid understood Tae-soo’s intentions.

“[You mean Park Jeong-hwan will step in and revive the dying Cheongil Oil.]”

“[He has to abandon Cheongil Oil. To do that, he needs a reason to change his mind.]”

If that’s the reason, he could give it to him.

“[Okay. I’ll give you the certificate. I will supply oil to those who bring it.]”

But there was a condition.

“[But the period is six months, and only five companies will be allowed. Furthermore, if it is discovered that the oil is brought in and resold elsewhere, the oil supply will be suspended.]”

“[Thank you.]”

That was enough. It was the bottom line that Khalid could negotiate with the king.

‘I wonder what will happen if I take this to Korea.’

That was why Tae-soo could smile so leisurely.

Tae-soo bowed to Khalid.

“[I have one more favor to ask.]”

“[What is it?]”

“[I hope you will write a letter to Park Jeong-hwan.]”

“[A letter?]”

“[Saudi Arabia is the only country that has diplomatic ties with South Korea. President Park Jeong-hwan wants to be a strong friend of Saudi Arabia.]”

“[So?]”

“[I was wondering if you could send a gift to Park Jeong-hwan. This gift will be enough.]”

Tae-soo handed over a torn piece of notebook paper from his pocket. It was a document written in Korean.

“[What is this?]”

“[It’s something that Han Cheong-ho’s secretary coughed up last time.]”

Khalid laughed loudly.

“[What will happen if it gets into President Park Jeong-hwan’s hands?]”

“[Han Cheong-ho will be terrified.]”

“[Why is there only one piece? Where did the rest go?]”

“[Unfortunately, this is the only one.]”

In fact, there is more, but if he reveals everything at once, there will be more harm than good.

‘Originally, fear comes from not knowing the bottom.’

Park Jeong-hwan will be worried about how far the problem has gone and how to stop it.

‘This time, it’s enough to shake up Park Jeong-hwan.’

The goal is to create a gap between Han Cheong-ho and Park Jeong-hwan’s strong relationship. Cronyism is a headache in itself.

“[Park Jeong-hwan has a sensitive and violent nature. You will achieve your goal with that alone.]”

Because he is sensitive, he is deeply suspicious, and because he is violent, he takes strong action.

Khalid also nodded.

“[Han Cheong-ho will be hated by Park Jeong-hwan this time.]”

“[Will you help me?]”

“[I’d be happy to do that. I can write two letters.]”

Khalid agreed.

“[While I’m writing, I’ll make the rights I gave you into a document. Wait a moment while I get the Saudi royal seal.]”

Khalid left the drawing room, fluttering his clothes. He was a truly reliable figure.

‘Now I’m going to Korea.’

It’s time to meet President Park Jeong-hwan.

* * *

Han Cheong-ho visited the Blue House [South Korean Presidential Residence], carrying two boxes of apples himself.

Chief of Staff Kim Jeong-rim said with difficulty, “The President is very busy right now.”

“I’ll wait.”

“There’s a lot of work at the end of the year. Please go back today.”

“I’ll wait. I’ll be happy to stay up all night if the President will meet me.”

Han Cheong-ho doesn’t move. Instead, he handed a thick envelope to Kim Jeong-rim from his pocket.

Kim Jeong-rim shook his head. “I can’t accept it this time. Do you think I haven’t mentioned it to the President?”

It meant that Park Jeong-hwan had already said he wouldn’t meet him.

“Please. I don’t want anything else. Please let me see the President’s face just once. I’ll take care of the persuasion myself, without any repercussions.”

Han Cheong-ho forcibly handed the envelope to Kim Jeong-rim.

Kim Jeong-rim was silent for a moment before saying quietly, “He’s in his office right now. I don’t know anything. I’m too busy to do anything.”

“Thank you.”

Kim Jeong-rim hurried down the hallway. His pace was fast because Park Jeong-hwan would be furious if he found out.

Han Cheong-ho ran to the office with the apple boxes.

*Knock knock.*

“Come in.”

Han Cheong-ho opened the door and came in.

Park Jeong-hwan frowned. “What? Who let you in?”

“Your Excellency, please help me!”

Han Cheong-ho bent over 90 degrees.

Park Jeong-hwan looked down at him silently while sitting at his desk.

“Please save Cheongil Oil.”

More than 10 minutes of silence passed.

*Deeng-*

The grandfather clock in the office rang. Finally, Park Jeong-hwan opened his mouth.

“What’s wrong with Cheongil Oil?”

“As you know, the Middle Eastern oil-producing countries have imposed oil export restrictions, so we are stuck. We just need to get through this crisis.”

“Is it only you who are having a hard time now?”

Everyone is trying to get oil at any cost, even if they have to pay a high price, but only Cheongil Oil is incompetent and cannot get oil. How should I accept this?

“There’s a bit of a misunderstanding with the Saudi royal family. I’ll take care of it. So please help me until then.”

Park Jeong-hwan snorted.

“What did you do when the Saudi royal family sent a letter of protest because of the Samwon Construction project?”

He pretended not to know and incited the officials to act as Cheongil’s shield, as if passing the buck. So it was Park Jeong-hwan who was in trouble.

Park Jeong-hwan pointed that out. “You reap what you sow. You have to solve the seeds you sowed yourself.”

“Your Excellency, I was wrong about that. But you can’t look at Samwon Construction and Cheongil Oil in the same light.”

In fact, Han Cheong-ho and Samwon Construction have nothing to do with each other. Park Jeong-hwan knew that, so he accepted the apple boxes and condoned Han Cheong-ho’s ignorance, didn’t he?

“Take care of your own business.”

Park Jeong-hwan turns his eyes to the approval documents.

Han Cheong-ho quickly approaches.

“The misunderstanding can be resolved, but are you going to throw Your Excellency’s heavy chemical industry development policy into the air like this?”