Chapter 61: Toast

The President asked.

“The reason you were invited as a state guest by the Saudi royal family.”

“I was in charge of the Saudi road construction and saw it to completion. In the process, I happened to achieve a small feat.”

“A feat?”

The President showed interest.

One of the President's favorite words was ‘enhancing national prestige.’

After the Korean War, when the nation was divided, all the profitable industries like factories and mines were left in North Korea, and South Korea was left with a land in ruins and half the population.

When the President seized power through a military coup, Korea was being ridiculed like this.

-The country poorer than Africa!

-A nation that will starve to death without aid from the US and the West!

-A country with a per capita national income of only 150 dollars!

The President grit his teeth and dedicated himself to economic growth.

But because the country was so poor, there was no choice but to be obsessed with bringing in foreign aid and loans.

No one in this world would give away their money so easily.

It was the same for organizations and countries, not just individuals.

To borrow money, you had to set aside your pride and face.

-Even if we take loans and aid, I don't want to be seen as a humiliating and servile President!

That was why the President was extremely sensitive about national prestige and dignity.

It was also the reason why he could not tolerate corruption and bribery that was out in the open.

It was why he poured everything into economic growth, shouting, “Only exports can save us!”

It was why he was so adamant about anti-communism, rooting out armed guerillas, and strengthening self-defense.

He never wanted to be treated as the President of a weak, poor, hopeless, answerless nation at international summits.

“It must not have been just an ordinary feat.”

The meaning was clear: such meager achievements would not merit royal treatment as a state guest.

“I was lucky enough to capture a traitor.”

“A traitor?”

“Yes, do you recall the Saudi king’s assassination a few years back?”

March 25, 1975.

Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, third son of the founding King Ibn Saud and the third King of Saudi Arabia.

He was assassinated by his nephew, Faisal bin Musaid, who suffered from mental illness.

“Right after the assassination, I was able to discover the armed rebel forces that were set to revolt, and I was recognized for rooting out the traitors.”

“What?”

The President raised his eyebrows.

He looked as if he’d just heard something preposterous.

I felt the same way.

‘What?’

I’d heard from Mother that Father went to the Middle East to pave roads and work on construction, but I never imagined he’d accomplish such a thing!

‘Wait, there wasn’t even a single line about this in the Taeseong Group report!’

The Taeseong Group report had only a few lines about Father.

Just things like “died young in an accident,” or “after the youngest son died, Taeseong began to decline.”

‘Father, what on earth were you doing in Saudi Arabia?’

I was starting to get very curious about his past.

It looked like everyone gathered in this room felt the same.

Even the President couldn’t hide his interest, leaning forward slightly and focusing on Father’s words.

“Tell us in detail.”

“I’m sorry. I can’t disclose anything more.”

Father continued, calm and unruffled.

“If a disgrace like treason within the royal family is exposed to the outside, it would be a tremendous embarrassment. I gave my word to keep it quiet and covered up.”

The President clicked his tongue softly.

“At the very least, you could have brought back a medal?”

“Instead, I left a favor owed by the Saudi royal family.”

Warmth began to spread across the President’s face, replacing the chill from before.

“What are you planning to get from Saudi?”

“Wouldn’t it be better for Your Excellency to receive it than for Taeseong to take it? If you wish, I’ll gladly offer it up.”

“A patriotic young man, I see.”

The President’s smile grew deeper.

“It’s no good if the nation snatches away the merits of an individual. I’ll accept the sentiment alone.”

The President, holding a cigarette between his fingers, extended his glass.

Chororok.

The Blue House Chief of Security rushed over and filled the President’s empty glass.

At the President’s gesture, he also poured drinks for Mayor Goo and for Father.

The President lifted his glass.

“This is an achievement too precious to just let go.”

“Yes, you’re right. Now that I see it, this young man has raised the status of the Republic of Korea. What could be more delightful or proud than this?”

Mayor Goo also raised his glass, laughing heartily.

“And on top of that, you offer this achievement to the nation. You’ll be a model for patriotic youth. Hahaha.”

“You flatter me.”

“A toast.”

As soon as the President spoke, everyone simultaneously drained their glasses.

“This is what it means to enhance national prestige.”

The President lightly clapped his palm.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

The ministers joined in, applauding.

Clapclapclapclap!

Father bowed deeply to the President, looking troubled.

“It’s too much.”

“No need for such excessive humility. You’ve raised the stature of the Republic and earned recognition from a foreign royal family. You deserve praise.”

“Thank you.”

The President leaned back into the sofa, looking very pleased.

“I look forward to Taeseong’s future.”

The President gestured.

“Everyone, let’s sit and have a drink.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency.”

The ministers standing by the wall immediately bowed in response.

“Just remember, it’s all thanks to this fellow.”

The meaning was clear: since Father had elevated the prestige of the Republic, the President was in such good spirits that everyone would get a drink.

The ministers each found a seat, passed around empty glasses, and filled each other’s drinks.

“To receive three glasses from His Excellency…”

The Blue House Chief of Security murmured quietly, looking down at Father.

The way he lifted just one corner of his mouth, it was hard to tell if he was mocking Father or intrigued by him.

“What’s the situation in the Middle East?”

Ah, the President’s business wasn’t finished yet!

At last, the final anticipated question I’d been expecting was coming.

What the President was really curious about probably wasn’t how Father became a state guest of the Saudi royal family.

-What effect will the situation in the Middle East have on the Republic of Korea!

That must be the real reason the President called Father to this private drinking session.

‘When you go back and forth between countries in the Middle East, winning big construction contracts and working on site, you inevitably form close relationships with the locals.’

You have to source labor and materials locally, and deal with low-ranking civil servants.

‘Wherever money changes hands, real information changes hands too.’

What the President wanted was the lowdown from the ground.

‘You can’t neglect the Middle East situation. That’s where the oil comes from.’

It was the mention of the foreign minister and the embassy staff from the Middle East being invited that clued me in.

“Currently, the entire Middle East is extremely turbulent, both domestically and internationally.”

“Foreign Ministry.”

At being called, the Foreign Minister set down his glass and straightened up.

“Currently, in the Middle East, oil money is being used to foster key industries, build social infrastructure, and develop cities—”

“That’s enough.”

The Foreign Minister immediately shut his mouth and bowed his head.

“What do you think?”

“I think it wouldn’t be surprising if the Second Oil Shock breaks out any time soon.”

The President’s expression changed.

He didn’t care about city development in the Middle East, but a new oil shock from there was a top priority.

“The Second Oil Shock?”

Just a few years ago, the First Oil Shock that started in the Middle East sent the global economy reeling.

Korea was no exception.

‘During the First Oil Shock, when Korea’s industry was still mainly labor-intensive light manufacturing, we suffered less than the advanced nations, but the plan to nurture heavy and chemical industries almost collapsed.’

Fostering heavy and chemical industries was the President’s most ambitious national policy.

But because of the oil crisis, the inflation rate, which had been only 3.2% in 1973, soared to 25% per year through 1974 and 1975.

Naturally, the country was in mourning everywhere.

For the President, the mere mention of a Second Oil Shock was a very sensitive matter.

“If a second oil shock hits, the Republic of Korea will take a far worse blow than before. In just a few years, the proportion of heavy and chemical industries has increased dramatically, and dependence on oil has become severe.”

Oil production cuts kept pushing oil prices up.

Korea was currently taking that blow head-on, suffering under the trap of high prices.

“Particularly, Iran’s movements in the Middle East are very worrisome.”

The second oil shock began with the Iranian Revolution and swept the globe.

That’s why I had confidently highlighted Iran as the third anticipated answer.

“Foreign Ministry.”

“In Iran, public dissatisfaction with the Pahlavi dynasty has peaked. The wealth gap is so severe, it’s like a powder keg ready to explode.”

Because of the First Oil Shock, Iran’s per capita income rose sharply from $570 to $2,300.

But all that national wealth concentrated in the royal family and the elites.

That was the reason for the Iranian Revolution.

The fear of the Islamic Revolution that started in Iran spreading across the Middle East paralyzed the world economy.

That was the Second Oil Shock.

“Your Excellency, the second oil shock is not something we can ignore.”

The Blue House Chief of Staff spoke cautiously.

“What’s the likelihood of an oil shock?”

“Very high.”

“What’s your view, Foreign Ministry?”

“We agree. We think it’s very high.”

The President stroked his chin.

“Treasury.”

“Given the burden that would fall on the national economy, it would be wise to prepare for the worst. We’ll consider this carefully when allocating this year’s budget.”

“Ministry of Commerce and Industry.”

“If an oil shock hits, the price of raw materials will skyrocket. As it is, Korea’s industry is growing rapidly right now. The more raw materials we can secure, the better.”

The President turned to the Foreign Minister.

“Can this be resolved at the level of the Foreign Ministry?”

“Impossible. Not even the US or UK could easily manage this. Any intervention might be seen as meddling in Middle Eastern affairs.”

“Hm.”

The President nodded.

“If a second oil shock happens, and we try to claim the Saudi royal family's debt in oil?”

The Blue House Chief of Staff answered instead.

“It’s possible, but there are limits. Oil is the lifeblood of Saudi national wealth. No matter how good our diplomatic relations…”

“Not at the national level, but the private sector. What if Taeseong starts a refinery company?”

Huh?

At the President’s words, my eyes went round.

‘That’s exactly what I was aiming for!’

The huge acquisition opportunity that arose during the Second Oil Shock!

That was none other than the state-run Korea Oil Corporation.

When Gulf Oil, which held a 50% stake in Yuko, said it couldn’t hold out and wanted to pull out, the government decided to privatize the Korea Oil Corporation.

They offered to hand it over if someone could cover Gulf’s 50% stake.

The only issue was that acquisition funds amounted to a whopping 100 million dollars.

That was the reason I wanted to establish an investment company and had secured a company acquisition agreement from Grandfather.

* * *

The President wished to continue an in-depth conversation with the ministers about the Second Oil Shock, and Father was dismissed.

The Blue House Chief of Security closed the door and spoke.

“What’s your name?”

“I’m Cha Sung-jun of Taeseong Construction.”

“Cha Sung-jun of Taeseong Construction. I’ll remember it.”

The Blue House Chief of Security produced a card that gleamed golden.

“Take this. His Excellency has permitted it.”

“What is this?”

“An invitation to the Blue House New Year’s luncheon.”

“Excuse me?”

“It’s a meeting where business leaders discuss plans for the New Year. Consider it an honor.”

It was a place Father, merely the head of a construction company, would never normally be invited to.

Thud.

With that, the door closed.

Without any hesitation, Father turned and left the Hyeonmu Hotel bar.

“Sung-jun!”

Grandfather, who had been waiting by the emergency stairs, brightened and ran over when he saw Father.

“What took you so long! You weren’t severely reprimanded, were you—hm?”

Grandfather’s eyes widened.

“Don’t tell me you had a drink?”

“Yes.”

“One glass?”

“Three.”

“What? Three glasses?”

Grandfather was shocked.

“H-How could such a thing…!”

Then Grandfather noticed the card in Father’s hand.

“That invitation… Don’t tell me…!”

“Yes, it’s an invitation to the Blue House New Year’s luncheon.”

“What nonsense is this… Even among the heads of conglomerates, plenty haven’t received that!”

Grandfather cried out, almost shrieking.

“What on earth did you do in there to receive something like that?”

“I don’t know. I just answered based on the sample questions I was given.”

“Sample questions?”

“You know, that anonymous sponsor who said he’d support Taeseong. He sent a set of sample questions and answers as if he’d peeked right into His Excellency’s mind.”

“What?”

Grandfather’s mouth fell open.

“Is that even possible?”

“Exactly. It feels like I’ve been possessed by a ghost…”

“Told you, it’s not an ordinary person.”

“Who could it be? Why would someone help us like this? No matter how hard I think about it, I can’t figure out the reason.”

Father clenched his fist tight.

“I’ll have to ask Secretary Kim about this.”

“If you mean Secretary Kim, he’s right—hm?”

Secretary Kim had already slipped away and disappeared.