CH51 | MCT

Invitation from the Saudi Royal Family (3)

Tae-soo was relaxed.

It was the complete opposite of Rahman’s tense demeanour.

[There’s no need to worry about losing face. I’m here to ensure the road construction is completed on time.]

[That’s impossible in the current state.]

[It can be done. The Republic of Korea believed it was possible, which is why they sent me here. There’s still time left before the deadline, and construction has resumed. No one can use this as an excuse to pressure you, Mr. Rahman.]

[…Hmm.]

Rahman gazed intently at Tae-soo, trying to grasp his words.

Tae-soo did not avoid Rahman’s gaze.

[The western city’s development will not be halted by a minor issue like this. The highway, which will serve as the logistical artery of the western city, will open on schedule, just as you planned. I will illuminate the path ahead for you.]

Naturally, Rahman scoffed.

[Hah! I can’t trust you people anymore. Even Han Cheong-ho from Cheongil made grand promises to me at first. And what happened? He cut me off like a lizard shedding its tail.]

Rahman made a chopping motion with his hand as if severing his own arm.

Tae-soo smiled gently and extended his hand.

[I am not Han Cheong-ho. And unlike him, I am the one extending my hand to you first. I will pull you up. No matter what happens, I promise that the road construction will be completed.]

Rahman simply stared at Tae-soo’s outstretched hand.

He neither accepted it nor pushed it away.

Tae-soo smiled.

[It would be unreasonable to demand your trust upon our first meeting. However, I speak the truth. That is why I have a proposal for you, Mr. Rahman. Would you care to make a bet with me?]

Convincing a distrustful person is no easy task.

They shut their ears and wait for an opportunity to find fault.

That is why Tae-soo chose a different approach—

A bet.

[A bet? Did you just dare to suggest a bet to me?]

Rahman’s eyes widened in surprise.

He looked utterly confident.

‘Still the same. He can never back down from a direct challenge.’

Prideful and fiercely competitive.

Highly capable, well-resourced, and bold enough to go all-in if he calculates a win.

‘He loves betting because it lets him crush his opponent’s pride while securing his own gains.’

That’s why Tae-soo proposed the bet—

Because he was certain it would work.

‘You won’t be able to refuse this wager. It will sound entirely in your favor.’

Tae-soo spoke.

[If I fail to complete the road construction within the deadline, I will forfeit 70% of the $12.5 million owed to Samwon Construction—that’s $8.75 million.]

[What did you just say?]

Rahman’s eyes widened in shock.

[You’re saying you’ll complete the construction without taking a single cent? Are you insane?]

Tae-soo shrugged.

[That’s the nature of a bet. Winner takes all.]

Rahman looked at Tae-soo with newfound interest.

The hostility from earlier had completely faded, and now he was solely focused on Tae-soo’s proposal.

It was that bold of an offer.

[I give you my word. If I lose this bet, I will return to Korea without taking a single cent. And of course, I won’t file an international lawsuit either, so you can rest assured.]

Rahman stared at Tae-soo with a bewildered expression.

[Alright. But if you win, what do you want from me?]

[Pay for the construction with crude oil.]

Saying that Tae-soo had come all this way for oil wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

He had taken on this ordeal in hopes of striking it big during the oil shock.

So he had to extract as much oil as possible from someone who could provide it.

[At the current oil market price, you must provide me with $8.75 million worth of crude oil whenever I request it.]

[$8.75 million worth of crude oil at the current price? How much would that be?]

[I believe oil is currently priced at around $2.80 to $2.90 per barrel.]

[Then...]

[That would be approximately 3.02 to 3.12 million barrels. And please waive any tariffs and fees. It already stings that I have to complete the construction without receiving a single cent upfront.]

Tae-soo grinned.

[You can manage that, right?]

Settling the payment in crude oil instead of cash? Of course, that was possible.

[Hmm... I must say, I quite like the idea of paying in oil.]

Saudi Arabia had an abundance of oil but a shortage of U.S. dollars.

Buildings had to be constructed, and goods had to be imported—all of which required dollars.

So from Rahman’s perspective, Tae-soo’s proposal was incredibly favorable.

‘Very good. I like it.’

Rahman’s mood improved.

[If you complete the construction within the deadline and I can pay in oil, I’ll be generous and round it up to 3.5 million barrels.]

[I would certainly appreciate that.]

[That much, I can arrange without issue.]

Only then did Rahman stroke his chin in satisfaction and smile.

[But this is supposed to be a bet. Why does it feel like everything you’re proposing is in my favor?]

[Well, isn’t it obvious?]

[A favor? A bribe? A political maneuver? A tribute? Hahaha, you do know your way around these things. If that’s what it is, then you’ve secured it at a bargain.]

Rahman laughed heartily, clearly pleased.

Tae-soo smirked.

‘You’re laughing now because you think you have the upper hand. But there are only about six months left until the Middle Eastern war. When the first global oil shock hits, oil prices will quadruple in just three months. Will you still be laughing then?’

But no one knew an oil shock was coming in half a year.

Only Tae-soo did.

‘This is why I risked everything and flew here from Korea—to make this deal happen.’

Saudi Arabia was the leading oil-producing nation in the Middle East.

And when the war broke out, the oil-producing countries would impose an export ban, triggering the oil shock.

Securing a promise that oil would always be available was absolutely essential.

[So, what do you say? Will you take this bet?]

[Of course! A bet like this—I’ll gladly accept. Hahaha!]

Rahman’s eyes gleamed with excitement.

[Alright, can we put this bet into a contract? If we’re going to do this, we should make it official.]

Tae-soo wasn’t naïve enough to miss Rahman’s sly attempt to secure a favorable bet.

[A contract? Why not? Let’s do it. A man doesn’t go back on his word.]

[I like that. Good, let’s draft it right away.]

Tae-soo smiled inwardly.

‘How considerate of him—he’s doing the very thing I would have had to request. Without a contract during the oil shock? No matter how much I demand the oil, they’d just shut their mouths and hoard it.’

Rahman ordered his bodyguard to bring paper and a pen.

They agreed to draft the betting contract in English and keep a copy each.

As Tae-soo was writing the contract, he suddenly looked up.

[Let’s raise the stakes.]

His eyes were sharp and provocative.

Rahman wasn’t one to back down.

[That’s fine by me, but what more do you have to offer? If you run off back home empty-handed and abandon the road construction, I’ll be in trouble. Are you suggesting I should sue you internationally?]

Tae-soo smirked and pulled out a few documents from inside his coat.

[Do you know what these are?]

[Limestone mine rights? Do you own a cement factory too? And it even has the official seal of the Saudi royal family?]

Tae-soo glanced at the Corino chieftain standing in the distance.

[The Corino and Harkonnen chieftains lent me a hand.]

He hadn’t expected to use the freshly obtained official certification for this bet so soon.

He planned to make good use of it for his business in the Middle East and then hand everything over to them before leaving for good.

Rahman burst into laughter.

[You’ve really got some nerve. So you’re saying you’ve managed to snatch up Saudi land and resources?]

[I didn’t get them for free.]

Tae-soo gestured toward the Bedouins working at the port.

[Do you know whose money is funding the canals and roads?]

It was all Tae-soo’s money.

On top of that, he was paying the Bedouin's generous wages.

Tae-soo firmly believed that those who worked should be paid well, without a single cent being cut.

[As someone building a western city, you must have an idea of how much this construction is worth.]

Of course, he did.

It was Rahman himself who had calculated the total cost of this project under the direct order of the Saudi king.

Rahman had deliberately slashed the estimated cost in half.

[At the very least, it’s more expensive than the $12.5 million road project.]

[You think I wouldn’t notice? It’s a $25 million project.]

Tae-soo wasn’t easily fooled.

Rahman looked at him with newfound respect.

‘He’s truly remarkable. He’s a completely different kind of heavyweight compared to Han Cheong-ho.’

Rahman nodded in agreement.

[Then I’ll increase the oil.]

[It’s a limestone mine and a cement factory. You’ll get at least ten times the value of the road construction costs.]

Tae-soo grinned.

[Let’s see… that brings us to 3.5 million barrels.]

[Hmm… that’s quite a burden.]

This was the perfect time for provocation.

[If you’re scared, you can back out.]

[As if. That’s nothing.]

Rahman was already cornered.

The winner takes all.

It was the perfect statement for Rahman’s current predicament.

‘No matter the cost, the road construction must be completed. Otherwise, there will be no place for me in the Saudi royal court. I must return as a hero.’

Retreat was not an option.

Rahman nodded and signed the contract, sealing the agreement with his signature.

[You’ve got incredible guts. I can’t even begin to match it. I have no choice but to complete this impossible construction, and now, I can’t even use the bet as an excuse to interfere.]

[Think of it positively. Only someone with my level of nerve can finish this project within such a short timeframe, don’t you think?]

He wasn’t wrong.

[Your reputation, pride, future, and the entire western city development project all hinge on my road construction, don’t they? Even though this is a bet, you’ll have to support me as much as you can.]

[Yes, you’re right about that.]

Rahman let out a deep sigh.

[I truly hope you can complete the project within the deadline, just as you’ve boldly claimed. I’ve staked everything on this. I have no way out now. Keep that in mind.]

[That goes for me as well.]

[I suppose so. You came all the way here to a foreign land, running around without getting paid a single cent so far.]

In reality, Tae-soo’s pockets were quite full—he had been monopolizing cement sales.

But he kept a straight face.

[Then how about some support?]

[Just wait a little longer. The Saudi royal family isn’t planning to ignore this matter. They’re looking into subsidizing the project.]

That was great news.

[How do you know that so well? It’s as if you were the one who calculated the construction costs yourself.]

Rahman threw up his hands in surrender.

[Well, well… I really was dancing in the palm of your hand, wasn’t I? Yes, I was the one who calculated the construction cost. The total project cost is exactly as you said—$24.05 million.]

Tae-soo narrowed his eyes.

[So you knew the exact figure, yet earlier, you tried to cut it down to $12.5 million?]

[Seems like you forgot what I said at the start—I did say ‘at least’ $12.5 million.]

[Hahaha, that’s true.]

[I swear, you must have dozens of snakes in your belly. Or maybe hundreds of scorpions.]

Rahman was the first to extend his hand for a handshake.

[This is your last chance. Don’t let me down this time. You must complete the road construction within the deadline.]

Tae-soo grasped Rahman’s hand firmly.

[You won’t be disappointed.]

He smiled.

[You already know, don’t you? This may be disguised as a bet, but in truth, we’re allies.]

Rahman returned to his usual relaxed and confident demeanour.

[A bet and an alliance are completely different things.]

[Of course, they are. In a bet, the winner takes everything. But in an alliance, we share the glory of victory.]

Rahman smiled, satisfied.

[Are you suggesting we share the glory now? A proposal for an alliance…]

[As you can see, we’re already in the same boat. That’s undeniable.]

Tae-soo gestured toward the cruiser.

[Our goals are the same—we both need to complete the road construction, no matter what. The bet was only about the completion deadline, not about whether the project would succeed or fail.]

That was true.

If the bet had been about whether the road construction would happen at all, Rahman would never have accepted it.

[So, is there any reason we shouldn’t be allies? Let’s join forces.]

Why was this man always making offers that were impossible to refuse?