CH71 | MCT

Discussing War Before the Minister of Defense (3)


Chomyung Bank in Jongno

In the office of Chomyung Bank, Choi Mu-ryong furrowed his brows.

"Are you sure? Jangsu Bank received a large-scale investment proposal from an American investment firm?"

A man known as the "Woodpecker of Jongno" stood by.

Choi Mu-ryong’s right-hand man spoke up.

"The rumors are spreading like wildfire."

"How reliable are they?"

"The information brokers say it's unconfirmed, but more and more people are asking about it."

That meant the rumor was undoubtedly spreading beneath the surface.

Reports continued to come in, indicating that the speed at which the rumor was circulating was unusual.

Already on high alert due to the movements of his rival, Jang Mal-dong, Choi Mu-ryong now felt a pang of jealousy at the investment news.

"The deal isn’t finalized yet, but the investment amount is beyond imagination."

"How much are we talking about?"

"About 1.9 billion won."

"What? 1.9 billion won?"

(In 1970s terms, this amount would be roughly 1/30th of its value in 2020.)

Choi Mu-ryong couldn't contain himself and shot up from his seat.

"They’re investing that much money in Jangsu Bank? Why?"

"It seems Jang Mal-dong secretly connected with American investors. The U.S. investors reportedly made an undisclosed agreement with Jangsu Bank to facilitate money laundering."

"Money laundering? What kind of agreement?"

"They promised to provide investment funds on the condition that Jangsu Bank buys stocks under its name. Apparently, the American investor is making similar moves elsewhere."

Choi Mu-ryong let out a groan.

"So they asked Jangsu Bank to hold proxy shares?"

"That’s what it looks like."

"And Jang Mal-dong’s response?"

"He’s practically drooling over the opportunity. He says it’s a golden chance to boost returns."

That was typical of Jang Mal-dong.

He wouldn’t let a good opportunity slip away.

"Not only is he using the investment funds, but he’s also emptying his own pockets to buy up stocks."

"Stocks? Personally? He’s investing separately beyond the proxy shares?"

"Of course. If I had this kind of information, I’d jump on it too. Besides, all the stocks involved are blue-chip, and their prices are skyrocketing day after day. Jang Mal-dong can’t stop grinning."

Choi Mu-ryong, always skeptical, wasn’t so easily convinced.

"Send people out and gather every detail about these rumors."

"Yes, sir."

"Find out exactly how much stock Jang Mal-dong is buying. Bribe some guys in the securities industry if you have to."

"Understood."

"Also, track how much the stocks he bought have risen."

"Yes, sir."

Choi Mu-ryong then asked,

"By the way, which stocks is Jang Mal-dong buying?"

"European Oil Company Stocks, Apparently."

Right now, Western Europe is experiencing an unprecedented economic boom, fueled by the cheap oil from oil-producing nations.

Even without Jang Mal-dong’s involvement, oil company stocks continue to soar, rising day after day.

Choi Mu-ryong stroked his chin.

"So, European oil company stocks, huh…?"

It piqued his interest.

***

Tae-soo’s second war sent shockwaves through the hearts of Khalid and his son, Rahman.

[Are you satisfied with the current situation, Khalid? If so, feel free to disregard this war.]

For the first time, Tae-soo shook his head.

[No, this is a family matter, and I hesitate to meddle in such affairs. I'd rather not say anything at all.]

Rahman spoke cautiously.

[Father, wouldn’t it be wise to at least listen?]

[Hmm…]

Khalid hesitated.

To be honest, who could possibly be satisfied with the current situation?

Right now, Khalid was being squeezed from all sides, under constant threat from his own brothers.

[Father.]

[Very well, I’ll listen. It won’t be too late to decide after hearing what you have to say. Now, tell me your plan.]

[If that is your wish, I shall explain.] Tae-soo began.

[As I mentioned earlier, if war breaks out, Khalid’s influence as Minister of Defense will increase significantly. This presents a golden opportunity to extend your power within the Saudi royal family.]

[Hmm…]

[I am aware that many factions seek to keep you in check, Khalid.]

His most prominent political rivals were the fourth son of the founding king, who served as Minister of Construction, and the ninth son, the Minister of Finance.

They opposed Khalid at every turn, gradually eroding his influence.

Meanwhile, their own factions continued to grow stronger by the day.

[That is precisely why Rahman was driven all the way to the western city—forced out over a mere highway construction project, as if his entire fate depended on it.]

That was the truth.

Due to the interference of the fourth son, the Minister of Construction, Rahman had been demoted.

Accusations were fabricated, and his achievements were stolen.

It had happened time and time again.

Eventually, Rahman had been unfairly exiled to the western city.

It was a deliberate move to sever Khalid’s loyal supporters.

[But if war breaks out, everything will change. In times of war, the power of the Minister of Defense can surpass even that of a king.]

Khalid knew this all too well.

War was both a crisis and an opportunity.

It was a chance to achieve military success, to gain recognition, and to share glory with his men.

In other words, it was the perfect moment to expand his influence within the royal family.

Rahman, unable to hold back, spoke up.

[Father, how much longer will you keep yielding, stepping aside, and giving in to your older brother?]

Rahman recalled his own brothers who had been sacrificed along the way.

[And did our uncle and his brother ever show you any mercy? Don’t you see it now? The only thing waiting at the end of this path is a cliff. And I am standing right at its edge.]

Khalid had already been pushed to the very brink.

[Next, it will be your right-hand man, Commander Abdullah of the National Guard. Will you still stand by and do nothing?]

At Rahman’s desperate plea, Khalid closed his eyes.

[Father, isn't that what politics is? The winner takes all. The victorious enjoy power, while the defeated lose their lives.]

Politics is war.

A brutal battlefield where, instead of guns and swords, people fight for survival, power, and position.

[If you fall, we all fall with you. Like a line of dominoes.]

Khalid could almost see the dominoes collapsing before his eyes.

His influence was already precarious.

Khalid turned to Tae-soo.

[What do you think? How should I act?]

[You must employ deception. The best time to prepare for war is when no one expects it.]

Khalid’s mind rippled with unease at Tae-soo’s words.

Rahman pressed on.

[Father, your enemies are sharpening their blades, aiming for the throne. How much longer do you think His Majesty the King can protect you?]

Even the King’s protection had its limits.

That was why Khalid was being pushed into a corner.

Khalid turned to Tae-soo again.

[Do you share the same view?]

[Everything will proceed as you wish, my lord. I simply follow orders.]

Tae-soo’s words were firm.

It was clear he had no intention of getting entangled in the politics of the Saudi royal family.

[Father, destiny is shaped by choices, not chance. It is not something you wait for, but something you seize.]

Rahman’s words stirred something inside Khalid.

[Instead of relying on the mercy of the strong, it is better to become strong yourself and carve your own path.]

Khalid, too, had ambition.

An ambition he had long suppressed.

[Are you saying…]

[Use this war to reclaim your rightful place, Father. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to turn everything around.]

Rahman’s eyes burned with desperation as he looked at his father.

He had been driven to the farthest reaches of the western city, teetering on the brink of exile.

"Yes… I almost lost Rahman to my brother’s treachery."

Hoping that kindness would be met with kindness had been a mistake.

"Rahman is right. I keep yielding to my brother, but he keeps driving me into a dead end."

Khalid had already lost three sons.

"I cannot lose Rahman, my heir. I must survive."

Until now, he had thought of this as a family matter.

A large one, certainly, but still a family affair. His brothers and relatives held key positions in the Saudi royal court, governing together.

That was why he had believed in unity.

He had thought that only by working together could they achieve greatness.

"How naive I was… like a fool. My enemy holds a blade to my throat, yet I still believe him to be my brother."

Khalid slowly nodded, his mind made up.

[You are right. We must prepare for war—silently, without anyone knowing.]

His resolve was set.

In his past life, Khalid had only made this decision after shedding tears of blood over the loss of his heir, Rahman.

But this time, thanks to Tae-soo, he had reached his decision before losing Rahman.

"Brother Turki, I will no longer yield. I have too many people to protect."

There was no turning back now.

[This time, I will emerge victorious in the royal power struggle.]

[Father!]

Rahman was overcome with emotion.

He had waited far too long for this moment of resolve.

[I will become strong and carve my own path. I will protect my people.]

It was the turning point—the moment when the Defense Minister, who had been pushed slightly away from the center of power, would rise as the next King.

And the one who had guided him to this decision was none other than Tae-soo.

Rahman turned to Tae-soo, his eyes filled with gratitude.

Tae-soo simply gave a small nod.

[Now, onto the final battle. I would like to hear your strategy for this third war—one of victory.]

Tae-soo spoke.

[The third war I speak of is the Oil War.]

[The Oil War?]

Khalid’s eyes widened.

Saudi Arabia was one of the world’s leading oil producers, standing at the very top among oil-rich nations.

[Are you suggesting that Saudi Arabia wage an oil war against the other Middle Eastern oil-producing countries by taking advantage of Sadat’s war?]

[You have the wrong target.]

Tae-soo smirked.

[Why fight an oil war against fellow Middle Eastern nations? Instead, we should unite with them and drive out the real parasites.]

[You don’t mean…]

[The mosquitoes that have been leeching off Saudi oil, sucking it up at dirt-cheap prices.]

He was referring to the Western oil companies.

[A war is about to break out in the Middle East. When that happens, Saudi Arabia will enter a wartime state.]

It was inevitable.

Martial law would be declared, granting the government immense power.

Winning the war would be the top priority.

[The Sinai Peninsula will become a battlefield. That is when you must reclaim Saudi Arabia’s oil.]

In reality, when war erupted in the Middle East, six oil-producing nations united to declare an oil embargo.

That event became known as the First Oil Shock.

At that moment, Saudi Arabia ruthlessly expelled foreign oil capital that had been parasitizing its economy.

That was how Saudi Arabia reclaimed its oil and nationalized its resources.

Unable to contain his rage, Khalid leaped to his feet.

[Those parasites who fatten themselves off our kingdom’s oil as if it were their own!]

In the early days, Saudi Arabia had lacked the capital for oil extraction, allowing the Western powers to take control.

But enough was enough.

It was time to stop letting them grow rich off Saudi oil.

[This is the perfect opportunity to drive them out. A once-in-a-lifetime chance granted to our Saudi kingdom by the heavens.]

Khalid firmly grasped Tae-soo’s hands.

[For this, I cannot help but feel truly grateful to you. If we reclaim our oil, Saudi Arabia’s economy will stand on its own, and our people will never go hungry again.]

Even if they won the war in the Middle East, it would come at the cost of bloodshed and ravaged lands.

Even if they triumphed in the royal power struggle, there would still be brothers and relatives left in tears, forced into exile.

But the oil war—this was different.

If they emerged victorious, Saudi Arabia would stand tall in the world through its oil.

It was a golden opportunity to use the country’s resources to rebuild and strengthen the nation on their own terms.

[Thank you. No matter what, I will win the oil war.]

Khalid looked at Tae-soo with deep admiration.

"Meeting this man might have been the turning point of my life."

Perhaps it was true.

Ever since meeting Tae-soo, Khalid’s perspective had completely changed.

[For my country, for my people… I will win this war at all costs.]

He would claim victory in all three battles.

In the grand geopolitical gamble orchestrated by Egyptian President Sadat, he would ensure Saudi Arabia emerged as the ultimate winner.

[You have taught me how to win the wars I cannot avoid.]

The best way to counter deception was with even greater deception—a masterstroke reversal when the opponent least expected it!

[You have shown me what I stand to gain by winning these three wars.]

Honor. Power. And above all—oil.

Khalid’s eyes burned with newfound ambition.

[Tell me, how can I possibly repay you?]

Tae-soo had been waiting for this moment.