CH68 | MCT

Rahman’s Gift (2)

Samwon Construction had lost the trust of the Saudi royal family to the point where they had even received an unofficial letter of protest.

As a result, the highway project they bid for in 1972 ultimately failed and was handed over to a local Saudi construction company, which completed it.

By mutual agreement between the two nations, Samwon Construction’s involvement in the 1972 project was erased from the official records.

Yet, in June 1973, just a year later, Samwon Construction secured another highway contract in Saudi Arabia.

And once again, they partnered with Shobokshi—their previous local partner!

"Shobokshi was a western city development company established by Rahman. But Rahman had been ousted, held responsible for the failed project. That means Samwon Construction must have aligned with his successor instead."

Questions piled up in Tae-soo’s mind.

"The Saudi royal family had already lost trust in Samwon Construction, yet they accepted them again. So who was Rahman’s successor, and who vouched for Samwon Construction?"

Another thought struck him.

"Knowing Park Jung-hwan's personality, it would have been only natural for him to retaliate against Samwon Construction for embarrassing him. And yet, the company survived under his watch. Who was backing them?"

Then, a chilling realization hit him.

"Why did Han Chung-ho personally connect Samwon Construction with the Saudi royal family? And after doing so, why did he later sever ties with them, like cutting off a lizard’s tail?"

The pieces were falling into place.

Tae-soo could finally glimpse the hidden forces behind Samwon Construction.

Just then, Rahman interrupted his thoughts.

[The bidding announcement for the Kaiba-AlUla Highway will be made in June. The contract will be awarded in August, and construction will begin in December.]

It was unfolding exactly as it had in his past life.

That much hadn’t changed.

[I was the one who planned this highway project, and I will also be the one reviewing the bids. The contract will be finalized under my authority as well.]

Rahman twirled his pen between his fingers, smirking.

[Kang Tae-soo, this time, Taeyang Construction will be the sole bidder.]

That was the difference.

In his previous life, the Kaiba-AlUla Highway project had been an intense international bidding war.

And the victor? Samwon Construction.

Tae-soo looked up from the documents.

[A sole bid? Are you saying there won’t be an official bidding process?]

[Technically, there will be.] Rahman chuckled.

[I'll post a tiny announcement in an obscure corner of the official gazette—for half a day, at most.]

[Can you really get away with that?]

[The formalities will be met. If anyone wants to complain, let them. But I doubt anyone will challenge me over such a ‘minor’ project.]

This meant there would be no large-scale international bidding process.

The future had shifted.

And it was because of Tae-soo.

[So? Do you like the gift I’ve prepared for you?]

[I do.]

[You already have a limestone mine, a cement factory, heavy equipment, and Bedouin laborers at your disposal. It shouldn’t be too difficult. Just think of it as extending the road you’re already building.]

Tae-soo was now solely responsible for constructing the entire coastal highway along the Red Sea.

The Yanbu-Umluj Highway Project.

And the Kaiba-AlUla Highway Project.

Rahman rubbed his hands together, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

[Now then, Kang Tae-soo, isn’t it time for you to reveal the gift you’ve prepared?]

It was Tae-soo’s turn.

He pulled out a business card from inside his jacket.

Rahman reached out to take it, but Tae-soo quickly pulled it back, holding it between his fingers just out of reach.

[Before I hand this over, I have a question for you.]

[What could be so important that you’re making such a show of it?]

[Did you deliver my message to your father?] Tae-soo asked.

He had once spoken to Rahman with a serious expression:

"I have something important to tell you. But this isn’t for you, Rahman—your father, Prince Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, needs to hear this information himself."

"There are reports that weapons dealers in Egypt and Syria are stockpiling a massive amount of arms."

"Perhaps you should suggest to your father that he secretly investigate their black-market dealings?"

Rahman smirked.

[It was certainly something my father needed to know.]

That meant he had passed the message on to his father, Prince Khalid, the Saudi Minister of Defense.

[And how did your father react?]

[He immediately ordered an investigation. And not long ago, he confirmed that your information was true.]

[Then I suppose I can give this to you now.]

Tae-soo grinned and finally handed over the business card.

Rahman glanced at it, intrigued.

[Whose card is this, that you’re being so cautious?]

[Because lives are at stake. I can’t just hand over someone’s life so carelessly, can I?]

Rahman examined the card.

Bold English letters were printed on the front:

"ARMS DEALER."

Below that, it detailed the method of contact.

On the back, a list of weapons and their prices was meticulously written.

Rahman’s expression darkened.

[This is…]

[I’ve acquired the contact information for the arms dealer supplying weapons to Egypt and Syria.]

Rahman clenched his fist tightly.

"Even my father hadn’t yet uncovered this information… and yet, he obtained it so easily?"

For the first time in a long while, he reevaluated the man sitting before him.

This was someone who had moved faster than the Saudi Minister of Defense.

An incredible feat, indeed.

[Your father will be very pleased to receive this.]

He most certainly would.

After all, Prince Khalid, the Saudi Minister of Defense, had recently learned that Egypt and Syria were stockpiling massive amounts of weapons.

Lately, he had been busy reorganizing the military, inspecting weapon supplies, and reviewing the national defense budget.

All in preparation for the war looming on the horizon.

[The stockpile should be more than sufficient. Your father won’t have to go through the hassle of scrambling for resources.]

This was, without a doubt, an invaluable favor.

[According to the arms dealer, the war will likely break out in about six months—definitely within a year.]

A crisis was imminent.

This was information more valuable than gold.

Rahman couldn’t contain himself—he shot to his feet.

[Are you certain about this?!]

[I heard it directly from the source.]

That was the whole reason he secured the business card—traveling all the way to South Korea just to do so.

Rahman quickly made up his mind.

[If this is true, then I have no time to waste here. Kang Tae-soo, I owe you a great debt for this.]

As he hurried to leave, Tae-soo reached out and grabbed his arm.

[There’s no need to wait to repay that debt.]

Rahman glanced down at Tae-soo’s firm grip on his forearm.

[What do you mean?]

[Isn’t this a matter of utmost importance? A potential war that could engulf the entire nation?]

Tae-soo made his intentions clear.

[I should go with you. It would be best to deliver this information in person.]

Rahman’s mind worked fast.

"Kang Tae-soo met the arms dealer himself. Whatever my father asks, he will have far more precise answers than I do."

The decision was easy.

[Very well. You’ll come with me to see my father.]

Rahman grabbed his coat and picked up the phone.

[Prepare my private jet. We’re flying to Riyadh. Inform my father that I will be meeting him immediately.]

A Saudi prince indeed—he even had a private jet at his disposal.

Kang Tae-soo was about to meet Prince Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud—the current Minister of Defense and future 4th King of Saudi Arabia.

Their destination: Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.

***

Loud noises echoed from Han Cheong-ho’s study once again.

Outside, Secretary Song closed his eyes in contemplation.

“What in the world happened at the Blue House luncheon to make him so upset?”

Secretary Song had no idea.

He had no way of knowing why Han Cheong-ho was so angry, especially after being publicly challenged by Jang Jun-yong of Geumsan during a high-profile gathering with prominent figures from the political and business worlds.

Secretary Song hadn’t been at the event, so he couldn’t know the details. He could only guess from the curses echoing from within the study.

“Ahh—! Jang Jun-yong, that damn son of a...!”

The cursing was all he could hear, and from it, he inferred that Han Cheong-ho had clashed with Chairman Jang of Geumsan at the luncheon.

After some time, the noise from the study subsided.

“Come in.”

At Han Cheong-ho’s command, Secretary Song carefully opened the door and entered.

As expected, the room was a complete mess.

“I can’t take this. I’m too on edge.”

Han Cheong-ho growled, his hands angrily pulling at his tie.

“I’ll have to send more money to Saudi Arabia.”

“To Saudi Arabia?”

“If I want to keep the lifeline I’ve got, I need to add some weight to it.”

He meant adding the heavy weight of money.

Han Cheong-ho turned his bloodshot eyes toward Secretary Song.

“Prepare money for the Saudi Minister of Finance and Minister of Construction.”

“How much should we prepare?”

“In dollars. A trunk full for each of them.”

A trunk far heavier than a box of apples...

Han Cheong-ho wasn’t done yet.

“Prepare another trunk for the bidder and those in charge of the Eastern City Development project—both top and bottom. Make sure everyone gets greased.”

Secretary Song widened his eyes.

“Are we really preparing that much?”

“This is huge! We're talking about a $1 billion project, $1 billion!”

To secure this, I’ve already spent a fortune!

Han Cheong-ho slammed his fists down on the desk.

“The only reason Jang Jun-yong of Geumsan is acting so cocky is because he has something to back him up! Maybe the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Construction have extended their hands to that bastard!”

Doubt began to take root in Han Cheong-ho’s chest.

“I bet Geumsan has already sent a telegram! Otherwise, how would Jang Jun-yong have known about that project? The construction plan hadn’t even been announced yet!”

He was furious.

He couldn’t just sit back and let this slip away.

Han Cheong-ho turned to Secretary Song.

“You’re flying to Saudi Arabia!”

“Me?”

“Yes, you. Go meet with the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Construction, and make sure everyone under them gets a nice, fat bribe! Got it?”

“...Understood. I’ll go myself.”

Secretary Song bowed respectfully and left the study.

As the door clicked shut, the terrifying face of Han Cheong-ho disappeared from view.

Secretary Song’s back was drenched in cold sweat.

‘So, it’s my turn now. Could it be…?’

He knew the grim fate of the driver who had given money to special agents.

The man had worked as Han Cheong-ho’s driver for years.

He was one of his trusted subordinates—yet Han Cheong-ho had disposed of him without hesitation.

He’d cut the tail off, as they say.

And now, Han Cheong-ho was asking Secretary Song to deliver the money.

For a $1 billion project.

‘What will happen to me if I fail this time?’

Secretary Song’s mind was consumed with anxiety and fear.

‘But if I don’t go, what choice do I have? If I refuse, I’ll be dead on the spot.’

Fear washed over him.

‘I know too many of Han Cheong-ho’s secrets.’

One thing was for sure.

‘My turn is getting closer.’

Secretary Song left Han Cheong-ho’s house, his legs shaking with fear.

He had to carry out Han Cheong-ho’s orders.


***

They arrived at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, after boarding a private jet at the airport.

A Rolls-Royce, bearing a golden emblem, was waiting at the Riyadh airport.

“I’ve been waiting for you. I’ll take you to your destination.”

Not long after the car started moving, a magnificent mansion came into view.

“That’s my father’s palace.” Rahman said proudly.

“It’s quite grand.”

When you look at a mansion, you can usually guess the wealth and power of its owner.

When a country is founded, the palace is often the first place they invest the most in. Similarly, when officials rise in rank, their mansions are usually the first things they make extravagant.

It’s not much different now, where people often flaunt their wealth through the size and price of their apartments.

Rahman proudly feigned humility.

“The Saudi royal family is more modest compared to other royal families.”

If he said this anywhere else while looking at this building, he might get killed on the spot.

“It’s modest because of its scale, yes. My father’s a soldier, so his tastes are much different from mine. It’s almost too simple, you could say.”

Where’s the simplicity in this place?

It was an irritating form of humility.

Just then…

“Welcome. I am glad you’ve come to my house.”

Khalid, having received Rahman’s contact in advance, was waiting for them at the door.

He opened his arms wide to welcome Tae-soo.