CH77 | MCT

Negotiating with the President (1)

Tae-soo was startled to see a man dressed in hanbok standing before him.

"What brings you all the way here?"

"Just running an errand."

The man continued to feign loyalty to Jang Mal-dong, keeping up his act.

Tae-soo played along without hesitation.

"Well, you’ve come at the perfect time. I was just wondering about the situation in Korea."

A favor for a favor. Kindness is met with kindness, hostility with hostility.

And deception? Tae-soo answered it with deception.

‘Ahn Jung-woo… So, you intend to keep hiding your true identity until the very end. Fine. I’ll pretend not to know, too.’

Tae-soo had known exactly who he was from the start.

Before Tae-soo even joined the company, Jang Mal-dong had been wiped out by the 8.3 Debt Freeze Policy. Tae-soo had only ever known of him through Cheongil Group’s documents.

But this man was different.

‘I once captured this man with my own hands and handed him over to the KCIA.

At first, Tae-soo hadn’t recognized him—his face was supposed to be covered in severe burn scars.

But there was one thing that never changed.

His voice.

This man was Ahn Jung-woo.

A descendant of a long line of independence fighters, now operating as the real power behind a hidden arms dealer.

He had spent his life in the shadows, working to eradicate pro-Japanese forces.

‘Life is unpredictable. In my past life, he was my enemy. But in this one? An ally.
To take down Han Cheong-ho, we now stand on the same side.’

Tae-soo’s actions had already begun altering the course of the future.

‘Because I warned Jang Mal-dong about the 8.3 Debt Freeze, he didn’t go bankrupt.

Instead of disappearing into obscurity, he emerged in the financial world and founded Jangsu Bank.

Now, rather than a fallen figure, he was one of my strongest allies.

And that wasn’t the only change.

‘In my past life, this man should have suffered horrific burns during the Middle East war. But here he is—standing before me, completely unscathed.’

Back then, when the 8.3 Debt Freeze wiped out their funds, they had been desperate.

Which is why he threw everything into the Middle East war, bringing his men to fight as mercenaries.

That decision cost him not only his soldiers but his own face too.

‘But this time, the situation changed.’

Since Tae-soo had expanded arms distribution into Saudi Arabia, Ahn Jung-woo never needed to enlist as a mercenary.

Even better—his men didn’t have to either.

‘Instead of throwing them into war, I set up a private security firm and brought them to Saudi Arabia.’

Now?

They weren’t dying on battlefields.

They were working as laborers on the highway construction project.

And Tae-soo was making good use of them.

Ahn Jung-woo spoke.

“The elder asked me to deliver this.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a letter.

It was from Jang Mal-dong.

<Thank you for introducing me to such excellent clients. Thanks to you, I made a fortune.>

Since he had secretly been preparing for war, he managed to monopolize military supplies.

And a monopoly? Always lucrative.

<I made a nice sum through short-term investments in oil company stocks. Thanks for the tip.>

It was all part of the setup to take down Choi Moo-ryong.

But European oil companies had genuinely been thriving, so Jang Mal-dong ended up making real investment profits.

<I’ve successfully cornered Choi Moo-ryong. I threw a rat onto a sinking ship.>

Tae-soo smirked. “Well done. So Choi Moo-ryong took the bait.”

Choi Moo-ryong was a highly suspicious man.

But in the end, he got caught by his own paranoia.

<That bastard lost a significant amount of money. With this war causing crash after crash, the damage is enormous. Even his bank is struggling.>

Choi Moo-ryong was Han Cheong-ho’s financial lifeline.

If he collapsed, Han Cheong-ho would stumble too.

“So Jang Mal-dong can swoop in and devour his bank now, right?”

Surprisingly, Ahn Jung-woo shook his head.

“No.”

Tae-soo’s head snapped toward him.

“What do you mean?”

“He barely escaped—by the skin of his teeth.”

This wasn’t just about good luck.

Han-soo had been working tirelessly on Wall Street, manipulating the market.

And Jang Mal-dong had moved accordingly.

Market insiders spread rumors, and Jang Mal-dong’s investments sent a clear message.

“How did Choi Moo-ryong manage to escape?”

“A variable.”

A variable?

What kind of unexpected factor had saved him from a sinking ship?

What had kept Chomyung Bank from outright collapsing?

“Han Cheong-ho of Cheongil.”

Tae-soo’s eyes narrowed.

“Han Cheong-ho saw through our plans?”

“No.”

“Then how did Han Cheong-ho get involved?”

“He suddenly needed a large amount of U.S. dollars.”

Now it all made sense.

To bribe Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Finance and Minister of Construction.

To secure the Jubail Industrial Port construction contract.

“So he pressured Chomyung Bank to cough up the dollars.”

“That’s right.”

“Did Choi Moo-ryong just hand over the money? He must’ve been blinded by oil company stocks.”

“He put up Cheongil Refinery’s shares as collateral.”

The divide-and-conquer strategy planned by Tae-soo and Jang Joon-yong from Geumsan had ended up saving Choi Moo-ryong.

Chomyung Bank was struggling, but it had survived.

***

Cheongil Refinery’s CEO Office

It was a disaster.

Han Cheong-ho, the chairman of Cheongil Group, had stormed in.

He roared, “Where’s the news on the oil supply contract?! You went all the way to Libya, and you came back empty-handed?!”

“I apologize.”

“The factory is about to shut down because we have no oil! Do something! Get it from anywhere!”

“Sir, oil-producing nations have officially announced an export ban…”

“Which is exactly why you should be out there hunting for oil! The whole world is desperate right now! Are you just going to sit on your hands?!”

They had searched across the Middle East.

But every single country refused to sell oil to Cheongil Refinery.

“Why are you still here? Why did you even come back to Korea? If you want to keep your job, get out there—right now!”

“…”

The CEO clenched his eyes shut.

‘Bribes didn’t work. Lobbyists couldn’t sway them. No matter what we tried, oil-producing nations flat-out refuse to sell us oil.’

‘What the hell did we do to get blacklisted like this?’

He had no idea.

‘Should I turn to the U.S. or the Soviet Union? Maybe Brunei? Even Bahrain refuses to sell oil to anyone except Geumsan…’

The CEO was at a loss.

Han Cheong-ho slammed his fist down.

“Don’t even think about coming back to Seoul without an oil supply contract! I don’t care if you die out there—just get the contract!”

“Chairman, it’s impossible. I can’t do it alone…”

“I don’t want to hear excuses! Get to the airport—now!”

Without waiting for a response, Han Cheong-ho stormed out of the CEO’s office.

His secretary, Park, quickly followed.

“Chairman, Cheongil Refinery’s stock is in freefall. If we don’t act fast, we’re in trouble.”

Han Cheong-ho gritted his teeth.

“Khalid… That washed-up old man got lucky because of the Middle East war.”

A toothless tiger had suddenly grown wings.

Cheongil Refinery was on the brink.

“Get me a meeting with Chomyung Bank. I need to see Choi Moo-ryong.”

***

Tae-soo listened intently as Ahn Jung-woo relayed the situation in Korea.

For a moment, he fell into deep thought.

“So, you’re planning to take down Cheongil Refinery.”

Ahn Jung-woo saw right through him.

“You already knew?”

“Why Cheongil Refinery, of all things? Han Cheong-ho has plenty of subsidiaries.”

“Because Han Cheong-ho can’t secure oil from any of the seven Middle Eastern oil-producing nations.”

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defense, Khalid, had seized control and kept his promise.

“So, this was your doing.”

“Do you really think I have the power to influence seven oil-producing nations?”

Feigning ignorance, Tae-soo played humble.

“He brought this upon himself. I heard Han Cheong-ho made enemies with Saudi Arabia’s top officials.”

“You don’t have to pretend with me. I know you moved the Saudi Minister of Defense.”

After all, Ahn Jung-woo was also an information broker.

More than that, he was a powerful arms dealer deeply involved in the Middle Eastern war.

‘A sharp man. He couldn’t have known about the secret deal between me and the Saudi Minister of Defense…’

Yet, he had pieced it together in an instant.

‘He’s neither a soldier nor a politician, but he has the decisiveness of both.’

In his past life, Tae-soo had never spoken to Ahn Jung-woo.

He had simply laid a trap and captured him.

“Cheongil Refinery is crumbling. Isn’t everyone eager to seize an opportunity?”

“And what do you plan to do after shaking it up?”

“Destroy it completely.”

His intent was clear.

Ahn Jung-woo smirked.

“What do you want out of this? Revenge? Power? Wealth? Pride?”

“I plan to take it all. Will you help me?”

Ahn Jung-woo deliberately hesitated.

His eyes gleamed with interest.

“Why did you choose to ally with us?”

He already knew why.

Tae-soo and Ahn Jung-woo shared a common enemy—Han Cheong-ho.

“I intend to crush Han Cheong-ho and his Cheongil Group.”

“Why them, specifically?”

“Two reasons.”

The first was the real reason.

“Let’s just say Han Cheong-ho and I are mortal enemies. By now, I’m sure you’ve figured out who’s backing me, so I won’t waste words.”

Ahn Jung-woo couldn’t deny it.

His pride as an information broker wouldn’t allow it.

In truth, Tae-soo had no backer.

His only advantage was knowledge of the future—and an unquenchable thirst for vengeance.

“The second reason— I refuse to stand by while pro-Japanese traitors like Han Cheong-ho amass wealth and power.”

This was the reason Ahn Jung-woo could never ignore.

Tae-soo knew exactly which strings to pull.

“Korea may have gained independence, but its failure to purge pro-Japanese forces left deep scars.”

“That’s right. Han Cheong-ho must pay the price for leading the pro-Japanese cause.”

Ahn Jung-woo’s very existence was proof of that conviction.

This was why he fought in the shadows.

Tae-soo had merely voiced the belief that had driven him all his life.

Ahn Jung-woo kept a calm expression, masking his emotions.

But Tae-soo knew he had struck a nerve.

Yet, his clenched fist trembled, veins bulging with tension.

“Your resolve to go up against Han Cheong-ho…”

From beginning to end, Tae-soo had never backed down.

Even knowing the path was treacherous, he refused to take an easier road.

“I acknowledge it.”

At last, Ahn Jung-woo nodded.

“I have a proposal.”

“What is it?”

“I’ll give you all of my Cheongil Refinery shares—11%.”

Ahn Jung-woo was certain.

Tae-soo wouldn’t refuse.

After all, he was after Cheongil Refinery.

“But there’s one condition.”

“What is it?”

“Become my daughter’s guardian.”

“Are you suggesting marriage?”

“Didn’t you already reject that? I mean exactly what I said—a guardian.”

His tone was firm.

“Jang Mal-dong is too old.”

Tae-soo chuckled.

“Is it really okay to refer to your elder like that?”

Ahn Jung-woo scoffed.

“Don’t act ignorant. I know you’re aware.”

“You knew?”

“That’s why I came to see you in person.”

Ahn Jung-woo locked eyes with Tae-soo.

“If you want Cheongil Refinery, take my hand.”

He held 11% of Cheongil Refinery’s shares.

“Aren’t we allies?”

“I never refuse an outstretched hand. After all, we are allies.”

Tae-soo gripped Ahn Jung-woo’s hand firmly.

But his next words were unexpected.

“However, I don’t need Cheongil Refinery’s shares.”

Ahn Jung-woo’s grip unconsciously tightened.

“What’s your plan? Without my shares, taking over Cheongil Refinery will be difficult.”

“You’re offering the wrong thing.”

Tae-soo was a father, too.

That’s why he couldn’t accept.

“What your daughter needs isn’t a guardian—it’s a father.”

Tae-soo smiled.

“I know what you’re planning. That’s why you came all the way to Saudi Arabia, worried about your daughter.”

Ahn Jung-woo’s eyebrow twitched.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Stop getting involved in dangerous matters. And stop provoking Moon Sae-gi.”

Ahn Jung-woo was planning the assassination of President Park Jung-hwan.

August 15, 1974.

During the National Liberation Day ceremony at the Seoul National Theater, an assassination attempt would be made.

However, the attempt would fail.

Instead of President Park Jung-hwan, the First Lady would be killed.

The main perpetrator? Moon Sae-gi.

But history would later reveal that Ahn Jung-woo was the mastermind behind it.

“You knew?”

“My backer has excellent intelligence. He’s keeping a close eye on you.”

“Hmph.”

Ahn Jung-woo closed his eyes.

For an operation where secrecy was vital, being exposed so early meant the outcome was predictable.

When he reopened his eyes, he stared at Tae-soo.

“A compromised plan is worthless. I’ll scrap it. Consider this intelligence debt repaid in another way.”

After all, the assassination was doomed to fail.

There was no reason to risk unnecessary danger.

“However, I’d still like you to accept my offer of becoming my daughter’s guardian.”

“If you’re truly thinking about your daughter, perhaps it’s time to stop these dangerous pursuits altogether.”

His daughter mattered, but not enough to outweigh his greater ambitions.

“Are you staying in Saudi Arabia to continue the construction project? At this rate, it’ll be hard to shake Cheongil Refinery properly.”

“I was planning to return to Korea soon anyway.”

Tae-soo lifted his gaze, looking in the direction of Korea.

“I intend to negotiate with Park Jung-hwan directly.”

But there was one place he needed to stop by first.

He had a request to make to Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defense, Khalid.

“I’ll return separately later. You should go ahead.”

Tae-soo grinned.

“See you in Korea.”

“Indeed.”

Ahn Jung-woo turned his back.

‘He’s not easy to deal with.’

The offer he had been so sure of had failed.

Yet, he couldn’t refuse Tae-soo’s proposal.

He had no interest in forcing an impossible mission.

‘This will be interesting.’

He was eager to see how Kang Tae-soo would take down Han Cheong-ho’s Cheongil Refinery.

After a few steps, Ahn Jung-woo spoke again—without turning around.

“Han Cheong-ho will go looking for Choi Moo-ryong.”

Most likely, he would.

“Something very interesting is about to happen.”

“Interesting?”

“Didn’t you just drive a wedge between the two?”

That wasn’t Tae-soo’s doing.

Yet, Ahn Jung-woo spoke as if it were.

‘I drove a wedge between Han Cheong-ho and Choi Moo-ryong?’

Tae-soo couldn’t help but wonder—

How had things ended up this way?