Hyunwoo didn’t say that to them. He would keep the outcomes of Duyoung’s research secret until the completion of a factory and the production of new green oil products.

Hyunwoo laughed pleasantly as if he was imagining something interesting.

“Haha, it would be so nice if I could realize that. But I can reassure you it has real business value. If I build a factory, I can make huge profits. By the way, are there any other factory site near the port of Daesan?”

“If that’s the case, I’m willing to find one even by reclaiming land from the sea.

The mayor of Sosan showed active interest in it. He presented not only his opinion about the factory site but also various programs to financially support the factory construction. He was determined to invite Hyunwoo’s new plant on gree oil in Sosan.

But there was one obstacle.

“By the way, I wonder if we can hire people if I build the factory in Sosan. As you know, Sosan is such a small city.”

In fact, the mayor of Sosan seemed to be worried about that. He could invite outside investment, but it would be hard to invite potential workers to a factory in Sosan. He couldn’t invite seniors who used to be farmers to the factory.

The mayor of Seoul’s face was not bright.

“How many employees do you think you need?” he asked.

Hyunwoo said the factory site should be as large as at least 50,000 pyong (17 ha), with over 500 employees.

Nodding his head lightly, the mayor said, “Over 500 employees? A lot more than I expected. But you don’t have to be pessimistic. There are lots of ways to invite people. For example, if we provide good education and transportation can attract them in the future…”

The mayor mentioned about how to invite more people from outside Sosan.

But what really mattered to Hyunwoo was the here and now, not the hereafter. Sosan was lacking in such conditions and it was not clear when the city could be competent enough to attract factories.

But the mayor continued, “As you know, Haenim School is supposed to be built in Tapgokri. Due to a rapid increase in the volume of transported goods in Daesan Port, I am also considering connecting the Dangjin-Daejeon Expressway to Daesan Port. If STM is built in Sosan on the close heels of Haenim School’s move to Sosan, the construction of that expressway will gain momentum.”

In other words, what the mayor said was he would try to make the conditions for the attraction of STM rather than wait for the conditions to be arranged in time.

Hyunwoo nodded his head.

“Okay, then. I think I have to start building a small factory with 100 employees. If that’s not a big problem, let me try to set up a business plan that contains the details on expansion later.”

The mayor responded favorably.

“I’ll do my best to secure the budget of the new expressway. Good transportation seems to be a must to invite more people to STM.”

***

Several days later, Hyunwoo got a call from the mayor.

“I checked out several factory sites for STM. I’ve sent you an email on that, so confirm it.”

“Thanks, Mayor.”

Hyunwoo checked his email on the computer. There was a total of three candidates for the factory site.

Had they read each other’s minds?

In fact, Hyunwoo gathered lots of tips on the potential factory site of STM. Fortunately, the mayor’s recommended three places were also included in Hyunwoo’s wish list.

The analysis of the merits and demerits of the site candidates was also similar to his.

Hyunwoo favored the 30,000-pyong (9.9 ha) site near the dock. He thought he would start building a small factory because of the difficulty of hiring people and expand it later when it was running normally.

After thinking about the mayor’s recommendation, Hyunwoo came to the conclusion. His father could design an appropriate factory when Hyunwoo selected the factory site.

He called the mayor of Sosan.

“Mayor, I’ve chosen the site near the dock.”

“Got it. Let me contact the management office of the industrial complex and give you as many benefits as possible.”

After the call, Hyunwoo clenched his fists.

It’s finally starting. I can do it.

***

Late evening, Munsik was sitting in a high-end bar, which was the most luxurious bar in the posh area of Kangnam, south of Seoul.

A little later, a young and tall Westerner gentleman and a Korean youth who seemed to be the same age as he came in. The Korean seemed his interpreter.

But Munsik didn’t need an interpreter.

Munsik conceitedly stood up and greeted the man in English, holding out his hand. Though his pronunciation was not good, he could carry on in English to make himself understood.

“I’m Munsik Choi…”

The Westerner shook hands with him.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Hamilton with OneStar. I didn’t expect I would meet the chairman of Singyong in person like this.”

“As you have taken over Bando Oil, you and I are the representatives of the oil industry, aren’t we? Let’s get along well between us. Haha,” said Munsik, with a hearty laugh.

Hamilton also laughed then asked bluntly as if he wanted to get to the point.

“By the way, how come the chairman of Singyong like you wants to see me?”

“Oh, come on. Don’t be so impatient. Let’s have a drink first.”

“In fact, I’m not that free. I have to handle lots of things with respect to Bando Oil. I want to thank you for inviting me here, but I’m afraid I can’t stay here long.”

Hamilton dampened the atmosphere.

Munsik looked cold as if he felt slighted by Hamilton’s remarks. But he had to put up with it if he meant to do business well. Holding back the feelings of humiliation for a moment, Munsik reluctantly smiled and said, “Haha, I understand. Looks like I invited you at the wrong time. I wish I had invited you when it was dark.”

But Hamilton didn’t respond as if he wanted to know what business brought Munsik here.

Only then did he have a serious look on his face and said, “Wasn’t it the purpose of OneStar to buy Bando Oil cheap and sell it high? If that’s the case, you have to financially stabilize Bando Oil as soon as possible, so let’s find a way to do that. Don’t you think our world will be brighter when we help each other?”

Saying so, Munsik expected that Hamilton would chime in because that’s the standard way OneStar or DonStar used to take over companies and sold them at a high price later.

Hamilton admitted and said, “Yes, that’s true. So far, OneStar has bought insolvent companies cheap and sold them high after putting them back in financial stability. That was our management method.”

While talking with Hamilton, Munsik felt something strange. When Hamilton talked about the management method of OneStar, he used the past tense, not the present tense.

As if to clear Munsik’s doubt, Hamilton quickly continued, “But we won’t deal with Bando Oil like we did before.”

Munsik’s eyes opened wide with surprise. He felt some sort of uneasiness. He felt like OneStar would stab him in the back.

“The purpose of OneStar’s takeover of Bando Oil is to grow it as the best oil refinery company in Korea.”

Munsik’s face was distorted when he heard Hamiltion’s bombshell statement.

There was a reason why Munsik helped OneStar take over Bando Oil by mobilizing even mean and dangerous methods.

It was because he didn’t want to see the creation of a burdensome rival. If Ohsung Group, not OneStar, had taken over Bando Oil, it would have emerged as the most powerful rival to threaten Singyong.

And Munsik now began to realize OneStar was the same threat to Singyong.

“What’s the reason? How come you suddenly…?” he asked as if he wanted to argue with Hamilton.

But Hamilton reacted in a very cool manner. He seemed to expect Munsik would create this kind of atmosphere.

“The reason is simple. Bando Oil has great business value.”

Munsik suddenly had a throbbing headache. He was just freaking out when he thought that Singyong might have to compete against OneStar with tremendous capital funds.

Hamiltion continued to shock him, “We have already secured 500 billion won to support gas stations across the country. We’ll lend 80% in loans to the applicants when they want to open the gas stations of Bando Oil. I think our loan condition is good, with 6% yearly interest rate and a ten-year repayment period.”

This was a clear provocation to Munsik. OneStar threw down the gauntlet.

There was no more reason to talk.

As if he felt the same way, Hamilton stood up first.

“Sorry, I’m miles behind with my work. If you don’t have any more to say, may I leave now?”

And then he stood up and turned.

He looked back at Munsik as if he recalled something to say.

“Oh, I forgot to express thanks to you. Thanks for getting rid of Ohsung Group and Assemblyman Chulmo Kim on behalf of us. We have several pieces of evidence that show that Singyong was responsible for the recent scandal involving Yonji Choi, but let us keep them under wraps as we appreciate your help.”

That was Hamilton’s final statement to Munsik.

Left alone in the bar, Munsik was trembling with embarrassment and shock.

He couldn’t hold back his anger. He felt he fell a victim to OneStar’s wicked trick.

While he was restless, thinking about the future of Singyong, he heard a knock on the door.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me, the manager of the intelligence team.”

“Come in.”

The manager cautiously reported, “It seems that Duyoung has succeeded in the experiment on green oil and he is planning a new business. According to our informant, he is gathering experts in oil refinery.”

Munsik opened his eyes all of a sudden.

This was a golden chance for him. If Duyoung really developed green oil and Singyoung could secure it successfully, he would not have to worry about OneStar any more.

Biting his lips, Munsik instructed, “Steal that secret on his green oil research. You have to steal it by all means.”

“Got it.”

Munsik clenched his fists. Given his expression, it looked like he already had that stolen secret in his hands already.

In fact, he thought as if he achieved the goal already.

“Done! I can make it.”