Capítulo 624: Chapter 624: I Didn’t Expect to Be Disrespected Like This
Even though Bechtel and Halliburton have a close relationship with the Republican Party, they're still separate companies.
So, it was only natural for a fierce battle of wits to unfold between the two companies over who would gain the most benefit.
I intended to dig into that issue.
"Chairman Bechtel, am I wrong? If Halliburton is awarded all the mining rights, then I would inevitably have to secure various projects that Bechtel should lead. Well, I don't mind either way," I said.
"Hmm…"
As Riley Bechtel pondered, Tim Burton spoke up urgently.
"Chairman Riley! Didn't we agree from the start? That Bechtel would take all the rights to the oil fields and all the rest from the beginning of the Iraq War?"
It seemed they had planned their share from before the war.
Afghanistan was a war sparked by retaliation against terrorism, entered without any preparations—just pure angry invasion.
But, Tim Burton's words made it clear that the Iraqi invasion was a meticulously planned war.
"Back then, Dream High hadn't interfered. But now, the situation has changed, Chairman Tim Burton."
"Chairman Riley, what on earth are you talking about? Do you really think you can handle that statement now?!"
I crossed my arms, subtly stoking the flames of their dispute.
This is quite entertaining. As I enjoyed the scene with an intrigued gaze, I locked eyes with Henry Kissinger.
He didn't say a word, but just by looking into his eyes, I could sense what he wanted to convey.
'What a cunning fox.'
Who knew he'd fall for such a minor provocation?
I mirrored his thoughts with a smile, keeping silent as I watched the verbal duel between the two.
"Handle? Did you just say handle? Do you think you can contend with us at Bechtel? Tim Burton, do you think I'm just a corporate manager? I'm the head of the Bechtel family!"
Riley Bechtel reacted too strongly to Tim Burton's dismissive comment.
"Sitting at the same table doesn't mean we're on equal footing. You better speak properly. As an agent, you should only say things you're responsible for. Understand, Chairman Tim Burton?"
"Agent, you say? I am the chairman of KBR!"
"Ha! You're just a glorified messenger for Neocons."
"Hey! Chairman Riley!"
Just as their argument escalated, Caspar Weinberger slammed the table hard.
"What are you two doing right now?!"
Both Riley Bechtel and Tim Burton flinched at his sudden action.
"Did I come here to watch you two bicker while dragging this aching body? What are you doing! Especially in front of us!"
Riley Bechtel quickly lowered his head.
"I'm sorry."
Tim Burton also hurriedly bowed his head.
"I apologize, Director Weinberger."
After casting a disapproving glance at them, Caspar Weinberger turned to me.
"Hey, young businessman."
"Yes, what is it?"
"I'm not well, so I can't be here for long. Let's keep it straightforward. What do you really want?"
Truly a former Secretary of Defense, he grasped my intent perfectly.
Now that I think about it, his life might be running out soon.
Whether his claim of being unwell was true or not, illness was evident on Caspar Weinberger's face.
When I stayed silent, he opened his mouth again.
"By the way, Forbes was going to release an article about the major shareholder of Dream High, but it was blocked by the White House, so it never came out."
"…"
That's when I first learned of your existence. Quite interesting. To think someone as wealthy as you could be ranked first in the world with just the property that's known.
"Director, what's the reason you're bringing that up now?"
"Just mentioning something that happened."
Was he threatening me by saying he could make Forbes publish an article about me?
Yet, there was no hint of such intent in his eyes whatsoever.
I figured there was no need to overreact, so I carefully spoke up.
"By the way, I heard you quit as Secretary of Defense to take the chairmanship at Forbes. That explains your knowledge."
Caspar Weinberger nodded with a smile.
Whether he was just buttering me up or trying to keep me in check, I still couldn't quite discern his intention.
I looked him straight in the eyes and said, "But there must be someone with more money than me."
"That's why I used the term known wealth."
Caspar Weinberger, who chuckled, steered the topic back to the main point.
"Now, what does Dream High really want? Speak up."
I was at a loss regarding what to do.
Should I keep driving a wedge between Bechtel and KBR, or should I reveal my true intentions?
"Dividing areas to split the rights is very cumbersome. Right?"
It appeared that Caspar Weinberger noticed my hesitation first and spoke up.
"Let's skip the small projects and look at the big picture. We can divide it into housing and transportation infrastructure, water and wastewater treatment, energy infrastructure, security and IT, power, and healthcare and other infrastructures, right?"
Caspar Weinberger laid out the projects for the Iraq reconstruction in respective categories.
I nodded in agreement, acknowledging that what he said had merit.
"It makes perfect sense that Halliburton should take the energy infrastructure as planned. There's no room for negotiation on this matter."
Caspar Weinberger laid it down firmly, as if he wouldn't entertain any counterarguments.
"So, it wouldn't make sense for Halliburton to take on other ventures, correct? Right, Tim Burton?"
"Yes, Director."
In Caspar Weinberger's low voice, there was an implicit warning sent to Halliburton.
He was signaling Halliburton not to push their luck outside of the energy infrastructure subset.
"So, if we exclude the energy infrastructure, the rights that Dream High could take would be…"
Caspar Weinberger trailed off, tapping the table lightly.
After a moment, he opened his mouth again.
"How about taking on the housing and transportation infrastructure rights? That seems quite fair, don't you think?"
"The housing and transportation infrastructure rights?"
Those were among the more significant projects in the Iraq reconstruction effort.
Accepting those would be akin to receiving more than our share.
Director Weinberger," I called out.
Realizing that, Riley Bechtel urgently called out to him.
"Those are too big for Dream High to handle. Do you really think we can manage that? If we struggle to deliver on those projects, it will disrupt the entire reconstruction effort."
I let out a small sigh without realizing it.
They spoke with such bravado, clearly not even knowing how many construction companies I was affiliated with.
They didn't seem to grasp just how many construction companies I had ties to.
'Wow, who would have thought I would be treated with such disrespect?'
Riley Bechtel was looking at Dream High. No, he was viewing me on the same level as a simple investment firm on Wall Street.
But I was qualitatively different from those firms.
"That may be the case. Charlie, if we take on these rights, can we proceed without a hitch?"
I welcomed Caspar Weinberger's suggestion with open arms.
It was a venture that matched well with my existing companies and would synergize effectively.
Even if we took the reconstruction contracts for a divided area, we couldn't complete everything with just my owned companies alone.
But for housing and transportation infrastructure, it was a different story.
If Jungwoo Construction, Daehyeon Construction, and Pungsan Construction, which just acquired the construction sector of Il-seong Materials, formed a consortium, they could definitely meet the deadlines for the Iraq reconstruction.
"The founder of Daehyeon Group once said, 'Don't say you can't do it without trying. If you try, somehow, it will work out. That's Korea.'"
"Hey, Charlie. What do you mean by that?"
Riley Bechtel was about to say something, but I ignored him and continued speaking to Caspar Weinberger.
"The Daehyeon Construction, the Jungwoo Group's Jungwoo Construction, and Il-seong Materials… Oh, no, that's not right. They've changed names, so now it's Pungsan Construction. Those three construction companies will form a consortium to successfully undertake the Iraq reconstruction. Their construction capabilities rank among the top in the world. The only issue is their lack of PM results, but… That's not a concern since they've never failed to achieve results because of capability, rather it's simply that they haven't had a chance yet to prove it."
"Daehyeon Construction, Jungwoo Construction, and Il-seong Materials… I've heard of those companies before."
"In the 1970s and 80s, during the construction boom in the Middle East, they were the quickest and safest contractors to bring projects ahead of schedule. I assure you, their construction capabilities are unmatched."
At that moment, Riley Bechtel scoffed.
"Those three construction companies? You think they can form a consortium? That's ridiculous."
Finally, I turned to face Riley Bechtel.
"Why do you think that's ridiculous?"
"Those three companies are competitors. They've clashed fiercely while bidding for our projects repeatedly. You think they can just form a consortium?"
At his words, I raised an eyebrow, smirking at him. This was why if you just sit back, you only miss half of the fun.
"It's serious. You really don't understand the basics, Chairman Bechtel."
"What do you mean?"
"How can you hold negotiations without knowing anything about your opponents? This is ridiculous… I wonder what those high-ups at the White House are thinking."
As I dramatically sighed and shook my head, Riley Bechtel shot up from his seat.
"Hey, Charlie! There's a limit to how much a person can endure!"
How naive. It was laughable how easily he got upset over such a minor provocation.
Born into a wealthy family, never faced any opposition, now seated in high authority just based on his bloodline—he was just unacceptable.
Unlike those who crawled up from the bottom with grit and determination, he had it way too easy and was far too arrogant.
I glared at Riley Bechtel with a cold gaze.
At the sudden shift in my demeanor, Riley Bechtel flinched. I called him out in a steady voice.
"Chairman Riley Bechtel. Who do you think is the one who's being patient here?"
"What did you just say?!"
Perhaps feeling ashamed at having been intimidated, Riley Bechtel's face turned red.
"Since earlier, the adults in this room have been giving you hints. Are you clueless or just foolish? Do you even know who I am, what kind of person I am? No, you probably haven't tried to find out. If you knew who I am, you wouldn't dare speak as if you were so patient with me, would you?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"I'm not just a businessman… I'm a person who will do anything for my own benefit. I won't shy away from harming others. Do you even understand what that means? It seems you lack comprehension through words. Care to try and find out?"
"What, what? What should I try?"
As I glared icily, Riley Bechtel stumbled back slightly.
"Chairman Riley Bechtel. If you're an ignorant young master, just do as the adults in front of you say. That would be better for your pride and your Bechtel company as well."
"…"
"Do you really think there's anything good to come from recklessly intervening and ruining this negotiation? Do you really think Schultz or Weinberger, both of whom are smarter than you, would lead Bechtel towards ruin? I think this is just a young boy throwing a tantrum, but next time it won't end well for you. Don't raise your voice in front of me again. Do you understand, Chairman Riley Bechtel?"
Riley Bechtel trembled with his fists clenched tight. His face was flushed with humiliation.
Just as Riley Bechtel seemed about to say something, Henry Kissinger stepped in.
"Enough! Chairman Riley Bechtel, don't say anymore. I advise you."
With an expression of injustice, Riley Bechtel looked at Henry Kissinger.
But Henry Kissinger completely ignored him and spoke to me.
"And Charlie. You should stop too. This isn't a gathering for fighting. A young master, as you said, just needs a little explanation."
I lightly nodded at Henry Kissinger's intervention.'
There was no need to push any further now that he had said that.
Doing so would undermine his authority and could also harm my interests.
"Well, fine. Since Doctor Kissinger said so, I will stop here. The Jungwoo Group is owned by our Dream High. That means Jungwoo Construction is ours as well. We also hold a significant stake in Daehyeon Group. Thus, if we get involved, Daehyeon Construction will join the consortium. Pungsan Construction, which took over the construction division of Il-seong Materials, also holds significant shares and assisted during the acquisition. Therefore, Pungsan Construction will also participate in the consortium."
As my words continued, the color drained from Riley Bechtel's face.
Watching his waxy countenance turn pale, I couldn't help but grin.
"Now do you understand, Chairman Riley Bechtel? Why they're forming a consortium?"
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