CH79 | MCT

Negotiating with the President (3)

At Han Cheong-ho’s words, Park Jung-hwan put down his pen.

"Exactly. You, of all people, should know how much effort I’ve put into fostering the heavy industry sector. And yet, you've let things turn into this mess."

"Your Excellency, please give me just one more chance. Cheongil Refinery cannot end like this."

Han Cheong-ho continued,

"Oil isn't only found in the Middle East. There’s the U.S., the Soviet Union, Brunei, Kuwait, Venezuela, the UAE, Algeria, Nigeria, Ecuador, Angola... Cheongil will find a way."

And that’s not all.

"Kim Bong-nam from Cheongil Chemicals is personally stepping up. That guy will definitely secure oil."

Kim Bong-nam had a knack for exploiting weaknesses and negotiating deals.

"All our subsidiary presidents have been sent overseas for negotiations. It’s only a matter of time before we secure a new oil supply. So please, Your Excellency, just grant us that time."

Cheongil Refinery must survive at all costs.

"This is an opportunity to diversify our oil supply sources. If another Middle Eastern war breaks out, Cheongil Refinery will still stand strong."

“Hmm…”

Diversifying oil sources was an enticing prospect.

"Will this country really be shaken just because of an oil crisis from the Middle East? Will Your Excellency’s long-cherished vision crumble like this?"

That was unacceptable.

"Please give Cheongil Refinery some time. I will make sure Your Excellency's trust is rewarded. I, Han Cheong-ho of Cheongil, swear it. Please trust me just this once."

If Han Cheong-ho was being this assertive, it meant he was confident.

Finally, Park Jung-hwan spoke.

“Fine. Now leave.”

It meant he would turn a blind eye—just this once.

Han Cheong-ho quickly bowed his head.

"Thank you, Your Excellency. Truly, thank you."

He pushed the two boxes of apples toward Park Jung-hwan.

"You won’t be disappointed."

He had just bought some time.

* * *

Leaving the Blue House, Han Cheong-ho hurried into his car.

As he loosened his suffocating tie, he spoke to Secretary Park.

"Call all the banks. Set up meetings with the bank presidents."

The oil shock was burying Cheongil Refinery in massive debt.

The company was barely surviving by pouring profits from other subsidiaries into it.

At this rate, it wouldn’t last a few more months before collapsing.

"This has His Excellency’s silent approval. For anyone unwilling to cooperate—let them know."

"What exactly should I tell them?"

"That they'll witness something ugly."

Han Cheong-ho had their dirty secrets in his hands.

That’s why Cheongil Group had its own intelligence division.

"Cheongil Refinery will not fall."

***

At the airport, someone was waiting for Tae-soo.

It was Captain.

They had formed a strong bond when they took down the assassins Han Cheong-ho had sent in Saudi Arabia.

"Mr. Kang Tae-soo, it's been a while."

"Captain, it has. How have you been?"

"Thanks to you, I received a double promotion. Just as you said, the type of medal changed."

That meant Cha Ki-beom had put in a special effort on his behalf.

"Is Director Cha doing well?"

"Of course. Director Cha is expecting you."

"Let’s go."

Captain took Tae-soo’s luggage and placed it in the trunk of the car.

As he helped Tae-soo into the car, he smiled.

"Director Cha has already spoken with His Excellency and arranged a meeting."

"I’m truly grateful to Director Cha."

"Let’s have dinner together. It would be my honor to treat you."

Vroom.

The car carrying Captain and Tae-soo set off.

* * *

Daewoon-gak (大雲閣), a high-class establishment in Seongbuk-dong, Seoul.

With a sprawling 7,000-pyeong estate and over 40 buildings, it was one of the most prestigious venues of the 1970s.

It was a favorite haunt for politicians, businessmen, and high-ranking figures, known for its discreet and confidential discussions.

"Director Cha has brought His Excellency here. Please, go inside."

"Thank you."

Captain guided Tae-soo to the entrance.

Standing before the door, Tae-soo waited as one of the establishment’s hostesses gracefully opened it.

Click.

As the door swung open, Tae-soo stepped inside.

At that moment, Park Jung-hwan turned his head, holding a glass of cheongju (clear rice wine) in his hand.

"Your Excellency, it has been a while. I am Kang Tae-soo."

"I’ve been expecting you."

Park Jung-hwan gestured toward a seat across from him.

Tae-soo strode forward and sat down heavily.

"You handled the Saudi project brilliantly."

"It was all thanks to Your Excellency’s unwavering support."

Park Jung-hwan gazed at Tae-soo.

"Because of you, my face was gilded with gold through Geumsan Oil Tankers.
And you cleaned up the mess of those fools who abandoned the Saudi project, saving me from disgrace.
How could I possibly forget such merit?"

Park Jung-hwan nodded at Cha Ki-beom.

Cha Ki-beom pulled out an envelope from his briefcase.

He slid the envelope across the table to Tae-soo.

"A gift from His Excellency."

Opening it, Tae-soo found documents related to the acquisition and merger of Samwon Construction.

"Just sign it, and it's done."

"Thank you, Your Excellency."

"You’ll also take over the business they were handling."

"You’re giving me that as well?"

"Director Cha made sure to take care of that separately, so just know it’s already settled."

Tae-soo glanced at Cha Ki-beom.

But Cha Ki-beom remained silent, his expression stoic as ever.

"I heard those thug bastards raked in a ton of public works contracts. Roads, rivers, village halls, apartment complexes—take over all of them and make sure they’re completed."

Public works contracts were highly coveted.

They were hard to win, but once secured, they were guaranteed money—no risk of payment defaults, no annoying interference.

It was a sweet deal.

Coincidentally, the school construction project commissioned by Pohang Steel had just been completed.

Park Cheol-wan would jump at the chance to take on these new projects.

"Understood. I’ll get started as early as tomorrow."

"I like that straightforward attitude of yours. Have a drink."

Park Jung-hwan lifted an elegant celadon liquor pitcher and filled Tae-soo’s glass.

"Thank you."

Tae-soo, following proper etiquette, emptied the glass in one go.

Park Jung-hwan watched him with satisfaction.

"Now that I see it, you can hold your liquor quite well. You drink with style."

"You flatter me, sir."

Tae-soo had been properly trained in drinking etiquette as well.

"So, what’s the reason you secretly requested to see me?"

"I have something for Your Excellency."

Tae-soo pulled an envelope from his inner pocket.

It was a letter from Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defense, Khalid, addressed to Park Jung-hwan.

As Park Jung-hwan read the letter, his expression softened.

The first letter was filled with gratitude and praise—a warm message from a friendly nation.

But the moment he read the second letter, his face hardened.

"This is…!"

With a loud thud, Park Jung-hwan slammed the letter onto the table.

His eyes turned fierce.

"Kang Tae-soo, do you have any idea what this is?"

"No, sir."

"Did the Saudi Minister of Defense say anything when he handed this to you?"

"No. He only instructed me to deliver it properly."

"I see."

Enclosed with the letter was a torn-out page from a notebook.

It contained damning secrets about Park Jung-hwan.

‘The covert operation carried out by Han Cheong-ho… The Saudi Minister of Defense knows everything?’

There was no greater humiliation.

To think that his secrets had leaked all the way to the Saudi royal family.

For such detailed information to have surfaced, there could only be two possible sources.

‘The one who delivered the money, or the one who received it.’

But the handwriting in the notebook was fluent Korean.

Even worse, multiple names of bribe recipients were listed.

The source of the leak was becoming painfully clear.

‘Han Cheong-ho… That bastard has no fear of heaven.’

Park Jung-hwan crumpled the letter in his fist.

Cha Ki-beom's expression also stiffened.

"Your Excellency, what is it?"

Park Jung-hwan raised a hand, silencing him.

Instead, he turned his gaze to Tae-soo.

"The letter mentioned that the Saudi Minister of Defense gave you a gift. What is it?"

"This."

Tae-soo pulled out another document from his coat.

Reading the title, Park Jung-hwan’s eyes widened.

"A petroleum supply rights certificate?"

"Yes. I made some contributions in Saudi Arabia, and they rewarded me with this."

"Impressive."

The certificate lifted the oil supply restrictions for five companies for the next six months.

It even bore the seal of the Saudi King.

Park Jung-hwan rubbed his chin.

"If I were you, I would have just asked for crude oil instead."

Right now, oil prices were skyrocketing.

If Tae-soo had taken the oil itself, he could have made a fortune.

"Currently, the Middle Eastern oil-producing nations have banned crude oil exports. I heard Korea is suffering because of it. So, I devised a little scheme to help the country instead."

Prioritizing the nation over personal gain?

What a beautifully phrased sentiment.

A small smile crept onto Park Jung-hwan’s face.

"Your Excellency’s industrialization policies must not be derailed by the oil crisis."

Park Jung-hwan downed his drink in one gulp.

"So, what is it you’re asking for?"

"I want to offer this to Your Excellency."

"What?"

Park Jung-hwan was taken aback.

"Are you saying… you’re giving me the oil supply rights? The authority to import oil without restrictions for six months?"

"Wouldn’t Your Excellency make far better use of it than a mere citizen like me?"

Tempting.

With this, South Korea could weather the crisis smoothly.

While other nations’ industrialization efforts would be derailed, Park Jung-hwan’s heavy and chemical industries policy would instead gain momentum.

"The chaebols will grovel at your feet for these rights."

"They already grovel, rights or not."

"I know. But wouldn’t it be far more satisfying if they bowed while offering a tribute rather than empty-handed?"

Enticing.

Politics was always expensive.

Those businessmen would come running with gift boxes full of money to secure their share of the oil supply rights.

And in return, they would jump at any order he gave.

'Now, who should I grant these rights to?'

Just as Park Jung-hwan was mentally calculating,

Tae-soo spoke up.

"Your Excellency, have you read the footnote on the certificate?"

"Footnote?"

Only then did Park Jung-hwan glance at the bottom of the certificate.

<However, Cheongil Refinery is denied oil supply.>

Park Jung-hwan smirked.

"The Saudi royal family must be furious."

Due to the road construction debacle, their rage was more than justified.

They had even sent an unofficial letter of complaint directly to him—the President of a sovereign nation.

One could only imagine how furious they must have been at Cheongil, a mere company.

Park Jung-hwan knew this well.

"Hmm… Even without Cheongil, South Korea has at least five other refiners. They’ve all been struggling to secure oil lately."

"If they receive stable oil supplies, our economy will breathe easier."

With skyrocketing oil prices, the economy was on the verge of collapse.

Inflation was out of control, and the heavy industry sector was drowning in daily deficits.

It was a crisis for livelihoods, exports, and national progress alike.

"Your Excellency, do you think Han Cheong-ho wandering from country to country begging for oil contributes more to economic growth—
or would securing stable supplies for five refiners be better for the nation?"

The answer was obvious.

"Fine. I will accept these rights. They will greatly benefit the national economy."

A proposal too good to refuse.

"Now, what do you want in return?"

Nothing came for free.

If Tae-soo was handing over such a valuable right, there had to be a request behind it.

"I want to establish Taeyang Refinery."

"That’s not difficult. Go ahead and do it."

"I want to take over Cheongil Refinery’s ruins and change the sign."

A request as weighty as the oil rights themselves.

Park Jung-hwan burst into laughter.

He liked it. He liked it very much.