CH103 | MCT

Taeyang Group (6)

Rahman greeted Park Jung-hwan with the elegance befitting a Saudi royal.

"I am Rahman bin Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The twelfth son of Khalid, the Minister of Defense of Saudi Arabia, and grandson of His Majesty Abdulaziz Al Saud, the founding King of Saudi Arabia."

They took great pride in honoring their ancestry, proudly reciting their lineage along with their names.

However, to those unfamiliar with Saudi customs, it was a bewildering experience.

Who would have thought it would take so long just to say one’s name?

"Ah, so you’re the nephew of the current Saudi King and son of the Defense Minister. Pleased to meet you. I am Park Jung-hwan, President of the Republic of Korea."

Park Jung-hwan spread his arms wide to welcome the distinguished guest.

"What brings a Saudi royal to these parts?"

Park Jung-hwan had received no prior notice from the Saudi royal family.

He certainly hadn't extended a formal invitation as a state guest.

"I came to your country on a personal matter. Upon hearing that the Taeyang Group was launching, I traveled here to celebrate my friend’s special day."

A Saudi royal, indeed.

Not just any royal—he was the grandson of the founding king, the nephew of the current monarch, and the son of the Saudi Minister of Defense, who had solidified his power through the recent Middle East conflict.

"Kang Tae-soo, you have quite an extraordinary friend."

"Indeed. Not only my father but even His Majesty the King has taken a keen interest in him."

Tae-soo hadn’t even caught a glimpse of the Saudi King yet.

Rahman winked at Tae-soo.

"Would the King have granted five oil supply certificates in his honor if he hadn’t done something truly exceptional? No other nation supporting the Western powers has managed to obtain even one."

Oil supply certificates.

During the Middle East war, oil-producing nations in the region refused to supply oil to countries backing Israel.

Saudi Arabia, in particular, had been at the forefront of denouncing Western forces and advocating for resource nationalism.

"Wait, there were oil supply certificates issued by Saudi Arabia?"

"Come to think of it, I did hear that five major corporations didn’t have any oil supply issues."

"So that’s how it happened."

The prominent figures from the political and business worlds attending the Cheongil Hotel groundbreaking ceremony nodded in understanding.

Park Jung-hwan glanced at Tae-soo, then addressed Rahman.

"It seems a bit excessive to grant such certificates to someone merely involved in a small highway construction project in a western Saudi city. What kind of merit did he achieve to deserve such a reward? I truly can't fathom it."

Park Jung-hwan's voice turned cold.

There was no doubt in his mind—someone must have handed over his weakness to the Saudi Minister of Defense and received those certificates in return.

That was Han Cheong-ho's claim.

On the other hand, Kang Tae-soo insisted he had earned the certificates through personal merit.

Yet it was Han Cheong-ho's words, not Tae-soo’s, that shook Park Jung-hwan’s belief.

“Didn’t this friend of mine already explain?”

Rahman turned to Tae-soo in amazement.

“Thanks to him, the Middle East war that could have dragged on endlessly was brought to an early end. In just three weeks.”

“What?”

Park Jung-hwan immediately looked at Tae-soo.

His eyes, rarely shaken, now trembled visibly.

Even Cha Ki-beom—ever stoic—widened his eyes and clenched his fists tightly.

“He ended the Middle East war early...?”
“If that’s the kind of achievement we’re talking about…”
“Then those oil supply certificates make sense.”

Everyone turned to Tae-soo, their jaws dropping in astonishment.

Tae-soo let out a quiet chuckle.

“So that’s why Rahman winked at me.”

What Tae-soo had whispered to the Saudi Defense Minister hadn’t been anything grand.

“A Middle East war is likely to break out soon. Saudi Arabia should secretly stock up on military supplies in preparation.”

“I never gave them a strategy to end the war early. I just told Khalid how to use the war to his advantage—and what he could gain from it.”

That insight had earned him the oil supply certificates.

But Rahman had gone all in on exaggeration.

“Tae-soo was instrumental in the early resolution of the Middle East war. Saudi Arabia recognizes his contributions and has granted him the oil supply certificates.”

“How on earth is he planning to deal with that claim?”

The lie was outrageous in scale!

Yet Rahman continued his tale with a straight face.

“Otherwise, would His Majesty the King have revoked his own decree that banned oil supplies to nations aiding Western powers, and granted an exception?”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

The Saudi King’s words carried immense weight.

Park Jung-hwan looked at Tae-soo with a strange new expression.

“So… that’s what really happened?”

Kang Tae-soo’s claim—that he had rendered “personal service to Saudi Arabia”—was proving to be entirely true.

Park Jung-hwan shot a sharp glare at Han Cheong-ho.

Then, turning to Tae-soo, he softened his tone.

“If something like that happened, you should have told me.”

“It wasn’t anything that grand. What matters is the result, not the process.”

What Tae-soo had brought to the table was oil supply certificates.

And he was subtly making a point: rather than how he obtained them, the real question was what he had delivered to Park Jung-hwan in return.

Park Jung-hwan turned to Rahman.

“This humble friend of mine didn’t fully explain the circumstances, so I had no idea.”

“That’s likely the case. He’s always been too modest for his own good. Not like someone whose mouth never stops running, who’s always sowing discord and wouldn’t hesitate to betray others at the drop of a hat.”

Rahman’s sharp gaze landed squarely on Han Cheong-ho.

“Did you know? That man, Han Cheong-ho, almost ruined the exclusive diplomatic ties between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and South Korea.”

Another one of Rahman’s bold exaggerations.

“He ignored Samwon Construction and blindsided Rahman, sure… but that was hardly enough to break diplomatic ties.”

Still, Rahman spoke with full intention and unwavering resolve.

“Most of you probably aren’t aware of how much trouble he caused the Saudi royal family. But if no one else knows, I’m sure the President does.”

Of course he knew. How could he not?

The Saudi royal family had sent unofficial letters, pressing Park Jung-hwan relentlessly.

Things got so tense that he had to personally take the chairmen of Geumsan and Cheongil to Pohang Steel.

And it was Tae-soo who had stepped up to resolve the issue.

“Right… that did happen. I had completely forgotten.”

Blinded by suspicion, Park Jung-hwan had failed to see the good that Tae-soo had done.

He now gazed quietly at Tae-soo.

The man stood silently with a calm expression, saying nothing in his defense.

“He must have felt so wronged… yet he never once spoke up.”

No matter how many times Tae-soo had requested a meeting, Park Jung-hwan’s side had always turned him away.

And that too had completely slipped Park’s mind.

Then Rahman spoke again.

“It’s a tremendous honor to have met the President of your country so unexpectedly. However, I’d prefer not to remain here another moment, so I must now take my leave.”

“Didn’t you come all this way because you had other business here?”

“No, I simply came to see it with my own eyes.”

Rahman glanced around at Han Cheong-ho and the others.

“In these difficult times brought on by the oil crisis, I wanted to see how this country rewards those who gave up personal gains to contribute to the nation. That is all. And now, I have seen it clearly.”

His gaze turned to the heads of the major conglomerates.

“Among you, I’m certain there are companies that purchased and transported oil from Saudi Arabia using the oil supply certificates granted through this friend of mine. Yet not a single one of you attended the launch ceremony of Taeyang Group.”

A few executives and business leaders bit their lips under Rahman’s pointed stare.

Jang Joon-yong of Geumsan, standing nearby, quickly raised his hand.

“That’s not true. I was there, wasn’t I?”

“Ah yes, Geumsan did show up. But the other three companies most certainly did not. When I return home, I will report exactly what I saw today to His Majesty the King.”

The faces of the conglomerate leaders visibly changed.

“Those oil supply certificates—are they already nearing expiration? Would he really retract them? The future is much longer than the past.”

It was a stinging warning that Saudi Arabia wouldn’t supply oil so freely in the future.

Just as the CEOs of Samcheong, Lucky Seven, and Korea Petroleum Corporation were about to speak up, Rahman raised a hand to silence them.

“I don’t trust words. What I believe in are actions—and results. And if you want your actions to speak, you’ll need to prove them with money.”

It was a lesson Rahman had taken to heart—one that Tae-soo had taught him.

Rahman then turned to Park Jung-hwan and offered a courteous bow once more, concluding with his lengthy formal name.

“…Son of [name], Rahman. It has been an infinite honor to meet the supreme leader of your great nation.”

The CEOs of Samcheong, Lucky Seven, and Korea Petroleum Corporation were visibly distressed.

“If he returns like this, Saudi Arabia and the other oil-producing Middle Eastern nations might cut off oil supplies again.”

The country was still reeling from the ongoing oil crisis.

Thanks to Kang Tae-soo, they had managed to import oil for at least half a year—but if the supply were cut now, the economic damage would be catastrophic.

Park Jung-hwan, seeing the implications, was forced to speak.

“Since we’ve met like this, why don’t you stay a little longer? I’d like to invite you to the Blue House for lunch.”

“I’m afraid I must decline the honor of a meal at the Blue House.”

Rahman refused firmly, with no hesitation.

Then he turned to Tae-soo and smiled brightly.

“Why do you think I came all the way to this faraway land? It was to celebrate my friend’s big day. I plan to have lunch at his event, so I’m afraid I must decline your invitation.”

Rahman had made it clear—he would be eating at his own event, not the Blue House.

“Well then, it's simple. Let’s all have lunch at Taeyang Group. We can talk about the oil matter there.”

“Ah, that’s a great idea. That works perfectly.”

“It’s the launch of a new conglomerate that will support this country. I’ve been feeling a bit guilty about only sending a congratulatory message instead of attending in person.”

At Park Jung-hwan’s words, Han Cheong-ho flinched.

“Mr. President!”

Park didn’t even glance in Han’s direction.

Instead, he smiled at Tae-soo.

“How about it? I know I’m a little late, but how would you feel about me giving the congratulatory speech for Taeyang Group’s launch?”

“I’d be honored. And lunch will be on me.”

Tae-soo grinned.

“My mother’s cooking is absolutely amazing. You’ll get to taste something very different from the Blue House chef’s fare.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it.”

Park Jung-hwan gave Tae-soo a friendly pat on the shoulder.

“Let’s head over.”

Naturally, the head of presidential security, Cha Gi-beom, and Chief Presidential Secretary Kim Jeong-rim followed suit.

So did the heads of the other conglomerates—who now faced the very real threat of having their oil supply cut off.

They rushed over to Tae-soo and began to speak.

“Would it be alright if I joined as well? I’ve been feeling bad about missing the launch ceremony, especially since I received an invitation.”

“Yes, I really should go and offer my congratulations, too. I do have a sense of decency. Don’t take today’s misunderstanding to heart.”

“Why don’t we discuss the oil matter over lunch? The nation’s economy depends on it.”

Tae-soo gave a calm smile.

“Of course. As long as Mr. Rahman has no objections…”

But before the translator could even finish, Rahman cut in.

“If my friend is fine with it, then so am I. Our royal family does not reject a hand offered in goodwill.”

Rahman gave Tae-soo a sly wink.

He had no intention of making Tae-soo a target of resentment among the corporate elite.

At that, the presidents of Samcheong, Lucky Seven, and Korea Petroleum Corporation quickly jumped on board.

“S-should we go too?”

“The groundbreaking ceremony’s done. That means the event is basically over.”

“I heard Saudi Arabia is making a fortune off oil these days. If he could help direct some investment into our bank, it would be incredible.”

Suddenly, the prominent figures began glancing at one another, and then, almost as if rehearsed, they all began to exit the venue en masse.

One by one, they rushed to their cars in the parking lot, heading toward the Taeyang Group launch ceremony.

In an instant, the bustling groundbreaking event for the Cheongil Hotel was left eerily deserted.