CH90 | MCT

Cheongil Heavy Equipment (1)

Tae-soo headed toward Myeong-dong.

He parked his car in front of Jang Mal-dong’s house.

“Hyung, why are we here? Weren’t we going to Cheongil Heavy Equipment?”

“I need to meet Elder Jang Mal-dong. I’ll stop by Cheongil Heavy Equipment and join you later.”

He was telling Han-soo to go meet Jang Mal-dong alone.

Han-soo let out a dry laugh.

“What would I meet Elder Jang Mal-dong for? I don’t really have anything to say to him.”

“There’s plenty to say. You need to report on the current status of the laundered investment funds.”

“Ah…”

The money from weapons sold in the Middle East was being funneled through Han-soo’s investment company in the U.S. and into Jangsu Bank.

Sometimes, with mutual agreement, the money would also be rerouted into stock investments or other facility investments.

“Ask the elder to prepare the list for me in advance.”

“List? What list?”

“A list of promising companies.”

“Promising companies? Why that all of a sudden?”

“The money we set aside for acquiring Cheongil Refinery is still available, right? I’m planning to use it to buy out other companies instead.”

Thanks to Han Cheong-ho pulling his petty tricks, the funds Tae-soo had prepared for a fair acquisition were left untouched.

“Might as well bulk up while we can.”

These days, even solid companies were terrified of going bankrupt.

It was all due to the oil shock triggered by the oil-producing nations in the Middle East.

With oil prices suddenly soaring, many businesses were suffering unexpected downturns, facing the threat of going bankrupt despite technically staying in the black.

“I’m planning to cherry-pick only the promising ones.”

Having sold 100 million barrels of oil, Tae-soo was flush with cash and had nothing to fear.

There was no way he’d miss this golden opportunity to acquire healthy companies at dirt-cheap prices.

“Tell the elder. He’ll pull up a whole list of companies without breaking a sweat.”

After all, he was a professional information broker.

On top of that, he was a financial giant in Myeong-dong, running both private loans and a bank — no need to say more.

He probably knew the financial status of many companies like the back of his hand.

“Got it. I’ll take care of it.”

“Just have him pull the list first. Then we’ll go through it together and pick which ones to buy.”

“Okay.”

Just bringing it up made it feel like he could already smell the money.

An event as global as the oil shock only became an opportunity for those with deep pockets.

A lavish, cutthroat corporate acquisition party was about to begin.

“By the time I get back from Cheongil Heavy Equipment, Han-soo will probably have a rough outline in place. The guy’s got a decent eye — I’ll let him handle it this time.”

That was why Tae-soo had bothered to ask Han-soo in advance.

“One more thing.”

Tae-soo stopped Han-soo just as he was about to get out of the car.

“Ask the elder to look into Han Cheong-ho’s movements.”

That look in his eyes back at the Geumsan Hotel banquet hall still bothered him.

Han Cheong-ho’s gaze had changed after his meeting with Park Jeong-hwan.

‘Whatever he’s scheming, Jang Mal-dong’s information network will get to the bottom of it soon enough.’

Tae-soo started the car engine.

It was time to head to the president’s office at Cheongil Heavy Equipment.

‘I need to hurry before Han Cheong-ho storms in — before he has time to destroy all the evidence.’

There were still quite a few things Han Cheong-ho hadn’t had time to clean up when he hastily abandoned Cheongil Refinery.

Those remnants had been temporarily moved to Cheongil Heavy Equipment, the closest office to the refinery.

And since he hadn’t had time to prepare that either, there were bound to be traces left behind.

That was exactly why Tae-soo had specifically chosen to acquire Cheongil Heavy Equipment.

Meanwhile, Han Cheong-ho and Secretary Park exited the hotel.

Even though Jang Jun-yong from Geumsan and his secretary Kim had tried to stop him, Han Cheong-ho had brushed them off coldly.

Once in the car, he asked the driver:

“What’s the closest bank around here?”

“Daeseong Bank, sir.”

“Let’s go.”

Then he turned to Secretary Park.

“While I’m meeting with the bank president at Daeseong Bank, you start calling the heads of the other banks. Tell them Han Cheong-ho of Cheongil wants to see them. The meeting place is Daewoon-gak in Seongbuk-dong.”

“What time should I schedule the meeting for?”

“Thirty minutes from now.”

That was cutting it close.

Even if they left immediately, it was questionable whether everyone could arrive on time.

But Han Cheong-ho didn’t care in the slightest about their circumstances.

“Tell the ones who are late to handle it however they want. Also, let them know I’ll be reporting their names directly to His Excellency.”

“Chairman, His Excellency had already instructed the banks to stop extending credit to Cheongil quite some time ago…”

“The Cheongil Refinery acquisition wrapped up earlier! This time, they're saying it’s because of His Excellency’s push for the soccer stadium construction! Whatever the reason, all you had to do was get the bank presidents together!”

Han Cheong-ho, already furious because of Tae-soo, exploded.

Had Secretary Park at least managed to seize the film, things wouldn’t have spiraled this far.

Just seeing Secretary Park’s face made Han Cheong-ho boil with rage.

“To think a bumbling idiot like this is the Chief Secretary… Tsk.”

If it had been Secretary Song, he would’ve taken the initiative and handled everything smoothly without needing detailed instructions.

But Secretary Park lacked presence, wasn’t nearly as sharp as Secretary Song, and his ability to manage affairs didn’t compare in the slightest.

Moments like this made Han Cheong-ho realize just how irreplaceable Secretary Song had been.

“If you keep disappointing me like this, you won’t keep your position for long. Keep that in mind.”

“…Yes, sir.”

Secretary Park lowered his head.

“When we’re done here, we head straight to Cheongil Heavy Equipment.”

There was something there that needed to be retrieved.

* * *

President’s Office, Cheongil Heavy Equipment.

The president of Cheongil Heavy Equipment and the president of Cheongil Refinery were sitting on the sofa, sipping tea together.

“Things didn’t work out for Cheongil Refinery.”

“What’s this? You’re actually worried about me now?”

“We’re from the same class. If I don’t worry about you, who will?”

The two were the same age, both in their late 40s, and had joined the company at the same time. After catching Han Cheong-ho’s eye, they had rapidly climbed the corporate ladder in fierce competition with each other.

“All the employees from Cheongil Refinery don’t even have desks assigned yet, so they’re relying on Cheongil Heavy Equipment. Can’t help but worry, can I? The lobby’s swarming with them like it’s a train station.”

“I knew this would happen.”

But despite their shared history, the two were notorious for snapping at each other every time they met — classic frenemies.

“Oh, come on now. I welcomed the refinery staff with good intentions. Ours is the closest facility in the group to a heavy industry setup, after all.”

The truth? It was an order from the chairman, so there had been no room for protest.

As a result, Cheongil Refinery’s employees had temporarily set up offices inside the Cheongil Heavy Equipment building.

“Did the chairman say where he plans to reassign everyone?”

“All he said was that there would be a major personnel reshuffle soon.”

He hadn’t specified any exact locations — there simply hadn’t been enough time to properly dismantle Cheongil Refinery.

Because of that, the employees from Cheongil Refinery were left floating in limbo, unsure of where they belonged.

“Why don’t you end this refugee lifestyle and come over to Cheongil Heavy Equipment? I’ll keep a seat warm for you.”

It sounded generous, but the real intent was obvious.

He wasn’t about to give up his president’s chair — the offer was to bring him in as a subordinate, under his command.

“I’m sure the chairman has it all figured out. Once the reshuffling starts, this whole mess will be over.”

“Oh please. Cheongil Refinery’s gone down in flames. What decent position could possibly be left for you? You don’t even have a desk to sit at.”

The president of Cheongil Refinery’s gaze sharpened.

He was already seething inside as it was.

“By now, the merger negotiations for Cheongil Refinery are probably in full swing at the Geumsan Hotel conference room.”

Before long, Cheongil Refinery—once under his command—would be in someone else’s hands.

But the president of Cheongil Heavy Equipment couldn’t have cared less.

“You blew your chance with Cheongil Refinery. You should just be glad you’re not out of a job.”

“If I do get fired, it’ll be by the chairman, not you. Mind your own business.”

“Why so prickly? I’m offering a hand here—don’t act like you're too good to take it.”

The president of Cheongil Heavy Equipment chuckled faintly.

“I’ll make room for you in the executive lineup. Not as a managing director—too low. How about senior executive director? Sound good?”

Executive? Senior executive director?

I was president of Cheongil Refinery, and now you’re trying to dangle a measly senior director post like it’s a favor?

“Give me a break.”

“Whoa, no need to be rude.”

“I’d rather crawl somewhere else than work under you.”

“Oh yeah? Got somewhere to crawl to? Because I was just about to ask the chairman to assign you under me.”

“I’d sooner hand in my resignation than let that happen.”

“Then go ahead. Who knows? Maybe after bringing in a bad apple like you, Cheongil Heavy Equipment will crash and burn just like the refinery did.”

That’s it! I’ve had it with this guy!

At that moment, the office door flew open—without even a knock.

The vice president of Cheongil Heavy Equipment burst in, face completely pale.

“P-President!”

“What is it?”

“He’s here, sir! The President!”

“Which president? Cheongil Chemicals’ president?”

“No, the president of Cheongil Heavy Equipment, sir!”

What kind of nonsense is this now?

“There’s more than one president at a heavy equipment company! Which company, which president?”

“Cheongil Heavy Equipment has been taken over! And the president who acquired it is right here, in this building—!”

“What?!”

A thunderbolt out of a clear sky.

“Why Cheongil Heavy Equipment? We just cleared all the accumulated deficits!”

“Th-the merger and acquisition—!”

“That was Cheongil Refinery! What kind of president doesn’t know about their own M&A deals? Get your facts straight. You scared the hell out of me.”

The president of Cheongil Heavy Equipment clutched his chest in relief.

Outside the office door, Tae-soo couldn’t help but smirk.

“This is unexpected. The presidents of Cheongil Refinery and Cheongil Heavy Equipment in the same office?”

He knew them both well.

When Tae-soo had joined Cheongil, these two were already leading the refinery and heavy equipment divisions, forming the backbone of Cheongil Heavy Industries.

“No wonder it’s noisy—Cheongil Group’s top rivals crammed into one room.”

These two were among the most capable executives in the Cheongil Group.

Before long, they would be known as the dual engines of Cheongil Heavy Industries—leading the group’s core industries together.

But the reins of such a powerful pair were notoriously difficult to control.

Han Cheong-ho himself was said to have broken out in cold sweats trying to mediate between them.

“Good thing I came today. I can find Han Cheong-ho’s secret ledger—and maybe even poach the talent that holds Cheongil together. Even better if they come willingly.”

Tae-soo’s original plan had been simple: crack open the filing cabinet and take the documents.

So his first step was to get whoever was occupying the president’s office to leave.

But now that he had encountered such influential figures—pillars of Cheongil’s future—he couldn’t let the opportunity go to waste.

“What will happen to Han Cheong-ho if he loses these two?”

The collapse of Cheongil Group would only accelerate from here.

And right now, Tae-soo desperately needed talent.

It would be a perfect two birds with one stone.

“But first, I need to establish dominance. If I let them think I’m a pushover from the start, they’ll be a constant headache.”

Tae-soo made up his mind.

“Just because they’re talented doesn’t mean I should humble myself. I’ll make sure they learn to submit first.”

As presidents of a major Cheongil affiliate, they were bound to be arrogant.

But Tae-soo was confident he could make them bow at a ninety-degree angle.

In fact, after Han Cheong-ho died, these were the very people Tae-soo had yanked from Han Il-kwon’s side and brought under his own control.

“The Cheongil Refinery M&A—go check on it. And this time, get it right. No more clueless babbling. Got that?”

Tae-soo marched boldly into the president’s office, raising his voice without hesitation.

“It’s you who needs to get a clue.”

Startled by his sudden appearance, everyone in the office turned to look at him.

“Some so-called president, sitting holed up in his office with no idea what’s happening outside. No wonder the company’s going to hell.”

Tae-soo clicked his tongue in disapproval.

“The sons flash their daddy’s business cards the moment they walk in the door and start throwing their weight around. The fathers are brawling inside the company like thugs. It’s a total mess in here—top to bottom.”

The president of Cheongil Heavy Equipment glared at him.

“You arrogant little punk! Who the hell let this brat in here?!”

“I’m walking into my own office. Who exactly would dare stop me?”

“Dare?! Who even are you?!”

“Your new boss.”

“Watch your damn—”

Tae-soo cut him off, cool and firm.

“That comment just earned you a one-rank demotion.”

“What?!”

Tae-soo smiled sharply.

“I’m the new owner of Cheongil Heavy Equipment. You were briefed earlier, weren’t you? Still can’t wrap your head around it?”

“…”

Both the president of Cheongil Heavy Equipment and the president of Cheongil Refinery froze, their expressions hardening on the spot.