CH36 | MCT

Using the President to Set the Stage (4)

Park Jung-hwan turned to Han Cheong-ho.

"Chairman Han, Cheongil will have to step up this time."

Han Cheong-ho quickly protested.

"Your Excellency, this is unfair. Samwon Construction took on the overseas project, and I merely used my connections to help them secure the bid with good intentions. As you know, Cheongil is already facing significant difficulties because of this matter."

He continued.

"Samwon Construction irresponsibly abandoned the project, and now Cheongil Refinery is taking the heat. We've been flooded with complaints, and there are even threats to cut off our oil supply. This has become a serious headache for us."

Though he was exaggerating a bit, his words were not entirely false.

If the Saudi royal family had gone so far as to send a letter of protest to President Park Jung-hwan, it was only natural that they would also be pressuring Cheongil Group, which had introduced Samwon Construction to them.

"Then Cheongil should step in and complete the road construction. That would solve the problem, wouldn’t it?"

"Your Excellency, this was Samwon Construction’s responsibility. Cheongil has nothing to do with it."

Han Cheong-ho cautiously shook his head.

There had to be a reason why Samwon Construction abandoned the project and fled.

The Bedouin tribal conflicts were truly dangerous.

Tae-soo saw through Han Cheong-ho’s intentions immediately.

'He has no intention of risking losses to clean up this mess. That’s why he’s being so cautious.'

Han Cheong-ho sighed.

"Cheongil is already suffering losses. And now you’re asking us to take responsibility as well? That’s too much."

"Isn’t Cheongil’s refining and petrochemical business heavily reliant on Saudi Arabia? If the Saudi royal family turns its back on you because of this, Cheongil will suffer serious consequences. Are you really going to sit back and do nothing?"

"That’s exactly why I’m pleading with Your Excellency to consider Cheongil’s situation. If I had known this would happen, I would never have helped Samwon Construction expand overseas in the first place. I already reported this issue to you before."

Park Jung-hwan had received a significant contribution from Han Cheong-ho during that report, making it difficult for him to press further.

Sensing the opportunity, Kim Jung-rim quickly interjected.

"That’s right, Your Excellency. Cheongil has suffered massive damages due to Samwon Construction’s irresponsible actions. The blame should fall solely on them. They must be held accountable."

"Now that I hear it, that does make sense."

After all, Park Jung-hwan had received substantial political funds from Han Cheong-ho during the elections.

And after his victory, he had even been gifted multiple boxes of premium apples as a congratulatory gesture. He couldn’t completely disregard Han Cheong-ho’s position.

Han Cheong-ho pleaded.

"For the sake of Cheongil, for the sake of the Saudi royal family, and for the sake of South Korea, I implore Your Excellency to resolve this matter swiftly."

Tae-soo smirked.

'In other words, he’s saying it’s not his problem and someone else should clean up the mess.'

Park Jung-hwan turned to Jang Jun-yong of Geumsan Group.

"There’s no other choice. Geumsan Construction, which has solid technology and financial resources, will have to take on this Middle East project."

Jang Jun-yong quickly withdrew.

"Your Excellency, my apologies. Right now, we are entirely focused on the shipyard construction project."

He was afraid of getting caught in the crossfire.

After all, the Geumsan Shipyard was a massive construction project that Park Jung-hwan himself had ordered.

As part of his heavy industry development policy, Park Jung-hwan aimed to establish shipyards in South Korea to dominate the global shipbuilding industry.

Without spending a single penny of his own, he pressured Jang Jun-yong into securing foreign loans for the project.

"Your Excellency, you know how many years I traveled abroad just to secure funding for the shipyard construction. Only recently was I able to secure financing from the Middle East. Because of that, we must complete ship construction within this year. That was the agreement."

"Hmm."

Park Jung-hwan groaned and nodded.

He had forgotten about that.

Jang Jun-yong had borrowed funds from Middle Eastern royalty in exchange for a contract, which required them to deliver ships to the royal family by the end of the year.

Now, Park Jung-hwan turned his gaze to Park Tae-jong.

It was like playing a game of hot potato.

"Your Excellency, I need to focus on building the steel mill. The project is both time-sensitive and high-risk, so I subcontracted the road construction to… that guy over there."

"That guy…?"

Park Jung-hwan’s eyes landed on the lowest-ranking person at the table—Tae-soo.

Looking at Tae-soo, he chuckled.

"No matter how desperate we are, sending a young man who just started a construction company to the Middle East is too much, isn’t it?"

Even with no one else stepping up, this was a bit extreme.

Park Jung-hwan let out a small sigh.

"Are we just going to keep passing the burden around? I called you here to come up with a solution, not to fight amongst yourselves."

Jang Jun-yong shook his head.

"Your Excellency, please consider our situation. It’s not that we’re deliberately avoiding responsibility, but with the shipyard and steel mill projects pressing down on us, we simply have no room to take this on."

Park Tae-jong turned his gaze toward Han Cheong-ho.

"Cheongil vouched for Samwon Construction. And what does vouching mean? It means taking responsibility if things go wrong. So Cheongil Construction should take care of this."

"What did you just say? You think this is just a matter of words?"

"That’s the truth, isn’t it? If you weren’t confident, you shouldn’t have vouched for them in the first place. Am I wrong?"

"Park Tae-jong, so this is how you want to play it? Even after His Excellency has acknowledged the situation, you’re still nitpicking?"

The two men glared at each other, their hostility obvious.

They had always clashed.

Not only were they the same age, but their personalities, values, and perspectives were completely incompatible.

Seeing the situation escalate, Park Jung-hwan frowned and raised his hand.

"Raising your voices in front of me—do you think that’s appropriate? Enough of this."

Park Tae-jong and Han Cheong-ho turned their gazes away from each other.

Jang Jun-yong of Geumsan quietly asked,

"Then, Your Excellency, what do you intend to do?"

"Someone must complete this task."

"You mean to say that, since an important figure from their royal family is in trouble over this, you’re considering their honor?"

"Exactly. And it's not just anyone—we’re talking about Khalid’s son. Do you know who Khalid is? He’s a direct member of the Saudi Arabian royal family and currently serves as their Minister of Defense. He’s one of the most powerful figures in the kingdom. Ignoring him isn’t an option."

"Then why not return to Seoul, gather the top 100 business leaders, and ask for their opinions?"

"Ahem."

Park Jung-hwan cleared his throat, dismissing the suggestion outright.

It was clear he wasn’t interested.

Sensing this, Han Cheong-ho spoke up.

"Your Excellency, is there really a need to involve the top 100 companies?"

Han Cheong-ho had hit the exact point that Park Jung-hwan wanted to hear.

Through flattery and well-placed bribes, he had cultivated a close relationship with the president.

"Do you have a better idea?"

Han Cheong-ho smirked and pointed at Tae-soo.

"Isn’t the very man you praised earlier sitting right here? While touring the steel mill and the village, didn’t you compliment his wide, well-built roads?"

"He's just a rookie who only recently started a construction company."

"He may lack experience, but from what I see, he’s more than capable. Why not send him?"

If there was anyone in Korea who could judge people accurately, it was Han Cheong-ho.

Now, with him openly endorsing Tae-soo, Park Jung-hwan narrowed his eyes and gave Tae-soo another look.

"Hmm, do you truly believe he’s capable of handling this?"

"Absolutely. I’m certain he’ll handle the Middle Eastern construction issue flawlessly."

At that moment, Han Cheong-ho shot Tae-soo a sharp, piercing glare.

Tae-soo immediately understood what was going on.

‘So, his plan to take the molybdenum mine from me has just gone up in smoke before his eyes. No wonder Han Cheong-ho is fuming. He’s dead set on sending me to my doom.’

If Han Cheong-ho had handed out a bribe, then he had to get something in return—if not the molybdenum mine, then something else of equal value.

Park Tae-jong scoffed internally.

‘He’s shaking in his boots, trying his hardest to avoid calling the kid talented. He just wants to ship the young man off to the Middle East no matter what.’

The construction site in the Middle East was bound to be a bloodbath.

That’s why even Samwon Construction, a company hardened by years of construction experience, had fled, and why Geumsan, Pohang Steel, and even Cheongil were all passing the burden around like a game of hot potato.

Park Jung-hwan turned his gaze to Tae-soo.

"Have you heard of Cheongil’s Han Cheong-ho?"

"Of course."

"They say he has the best eye for talent in all of Korea. And now, he has called you a promising young talent. What do you think of that?"

"Since Cheongil personally vouched for me, denying it would hurt their reputation. I suppose I’ll just go ahead and polish my own name. After all, I am now the talent officially endorsed by Chairman Han Cheong-ho himself."

"Hahaha!"

Park Jung-hwan burst into laughter, while Han Cheong-ho’s expression soured slightly.

Tae-soo had cornered him with words.

—The talent endorsed by Han Cheong-ho, Kang Tae-soo.

Han Cheong-ho frowned.

At this point, he couldn’t take back what he had said.

Tae-soo grinned inwardly.

‘Everything is falling into place just the way I wanted. Maybe I should take this opportunity to milk Han Cheong-ho dry?’

Tae-soo looked around at the gathered individuals and spoke.

"When we call someone talented, it usually means they can accomplish the work of ten people. So, let me ask again—if my construction company were to head to the Middle East right now, could we perform better than Samwon Construction? Assuming I can work ten times as hard, of course."

"Hmm."

Tae-soo wasn’t pointing out individual capability—he was highlighting the difference in scale between the companies.

"A small construction firm that’s been around for less than half a year versus Samwon Construction, which has been eyeing international projects for years—that’s quite a gap, wouldn’t you say?"

Park Tae-jong nodded and added,

"That’s true. A newly established small firm and a mid-sized construction company that has spent over a decade growing through government contracts—there’s no real comparison."

"Hmm."

"Available capital, workforce size, heavy equipment, technical expertise, past achievements—there’s no end to the differences. As things stand, it’s simply impossible."

Everyone in the room was already well aware of this fact.

Tae-soo nodded.

"Exactly. It’s not about personal capability; the fundamental size and capacity of the companies are vastly different. Unless someone helps bridge that gap, I don’t see a way forward."

Han Cheong-ho frowned.

"Bridge the gap? What are you suggesting? You’re not asking us to invest in your company, are you?"

Tae-soo grinned.

"I’m not asking you to grow my company to Samwon Construction’s level. I’m just requesting a certain level of support."

"Support?"

"Yes. Everyone gathered here has the power to lend a hand in some way. If I receive the necessary backing, then why not? I’ll take on the challenge."

After all, this was a room filled with the president, his closest advisors, and the heads of Korea’s largest conglomerates.

As soon as Tae-soo expressed willingness, the atmosphere shifted.

It was already a burdensome issue no one wanted to deal with.

If they could pass the bomb to someone else, they’d gladly do so.

"So, if we provide support, you’re saying you’ll take on the Middle East project?"

"The young CEO has guts. That’s the kind of spirit we need."

"Now that’s good to hear. Hahaha."

The room quickly became filled with murmurs of approval.

At that moment, Park Tae-jong deliberately put on a troubled expression and shook his head.

"I think this is just the reckless bravado of a young man. There’s a reason why even a giant like Samwon Construction fled. It’s because a conflict has broken out among the Bedouin tribes."

"Hmm, that is the real problem."

"The Bedouins are an exclusive people. They won’t simply stand by and watch an outsider wandering through the middle of their conflict. Ordinary support won’t be enough."

In other words, an enormous amount of backing would be required.