Line 7: The Ultimate Negotiation Card
In the late 1980s, to tackle the traffic woes in the densely populated northeastern corner of Seoul, the city government drew up a full-scale subway construction plan. With astronomical sums of money at stake, they had no choice but to proceed with utmost caution. Station locations remained undecided for ages, leaving nothing but rampant rumors swirling everywhere.
Even if decisions were made, it wouldn't matter. Soaring land prices? Irrelevant. Min-ho's aim wasn't mere speculation profits from buying and flipping land.
So what was Min-ho's goal? Simple: to hand Chairman Kang an enormous card.
The start and end points were fixed, but Min-ho alone knew the precise route at this stage. If he snapped up every key plot from Dobongsan Station to the National Gugak University entrance without missing a beat, Line 7's groundbreaking couldn't happen without Chairman Kang Jin-gwang's cooperation.
And that meant gaining a powerful bargaining chip with Seoul City—or even the government itself.
Oblivious to Min-ho's meticulous scheme, Chairman Kang peered at the red lines on the map and broke the silence.
"It looks like a train route at first glance."
"Exactly. A subway line will run along the path I drew. No need to explain the rest, right?"
Chairman Kang had been plotting a grand gift for his promising grandson, only to receive this bombshell proposal in return. Feigning nonchalance despite his shock at the unimaginable idea, he lit a cigar and fixed his gaze on the map.
Theoretically sound, but real-world hurdles couldn't be ignored. Chairman Kang was well aware.
"Preempting the land... a brilliant notion. But it only works if you know exactly where the stations will go."
"The start and end are set. Rail lines can't twist like noodles. And stations must go where the crowds are thickest."
"In other words... a site visit would confirm it?"
"We're not buying every inch. Just the critical land and buildings—a targeted strategy."
"Even if it flops... with all those people swarming the area, we could always resell."
As Min-ho explained, success promised massive upside, with risks next to nothing.
Nodding thoughtfully, Chairman Kang tapped the solid bridge one more time with his hammer.
"Word must be out among the land sharks by now, so prices have probably skyrocketed in spots. Got a plan for that?"
"We're not some small-time speculators scraping pennies off dirt deals."
Chairman Kang couldn't help but furrow his brow. Proposing to buy subway station land, only to dismiss profits now? Baffling.
"If not for quick flips... then why buy? Smells like you've got ulterior motives..."
"I'll deliver what you want, Grandfather. That's the goal of this plan."
The Mingdong Viper, Kang Jin-gwang. He had money to burn, but one unfulfilled dream lingered: transforming JK into a colossal conglomerate.
He had the vision, but government pressure stalled execution. Any expansion meant encroaching on rivals' turf. To check him, other chaebol heads lobbied relentlessly, funneling cash behind the scenes.
Thus, JK clung to a handful of affiliates, acquisition dreams gathering dust.
If Min-ho's plan panned out, they'd hold a government negotiation card. In other words, a shot at breaking into new waters.
His unachieved dream. Now cradled by his grandson.
Min-ho's grand ambition set Chairman Kang's heart racing like his youth.
Calculations complete, he masked his excitement with a swig of liquor and probed casually.
"What your old man wants... what do you reckon that is?"
"Turning JK from a mere money mill into a true powerhouse. With this card, you'll get exactly what you desire."
Admiration, awe, marvel—no word captured Chairman Kang's heart.
His children eyed only his fortune and the vacant vice chairman seat. Min-ho played on another scale entirely, incomparable.
Not currying favor, but pursuing the conglomerate vision Chairman Kang cherished most. Even the indomitable chairman was floored.
"Take this to Seoul City for negotiations?"
"Could be even bigger. Use this as the launchpad to leap into a major group."
"A masterstroke. If we lock down the land, they'd have to scrap a project worth hundreds of billions."
"Negotiating's cheaper than redesigning. And you'd be the one at the table, Grandfather."
"They couldn't refuse the deal."
Chairman Kang threw his head back in booming laughter. His long-craved plan could begin, and in Min-ho, he saw the heir he'd yearned for.
Twice awed: once for reading him perfectly, again for prioritizing the group over personal gain.
His face beamed with uncontainable joy.
"Name it—anything you need, I promise."
"Funds for land buys, and ten sharp, tight-lipped staff. I'll form a real estate team with them."
Chairman Kang nodded. "Smart ones, eh... Give me a week. I'll handpick them myself."
Min-ho smiled slyly and tossed out another request.
"One more thing."
"Sky's the limit—I swear it."
"Promise me any leftover profits from the real estate go to me."
With a faint smile, Chairman Kang exhaled smoke.
"Handing you the card, and now you want cash too?"
"Gotta make it worth my while in business."
"Fine, as much as you want—for the card alone. But you know this plan must succeed."
"Of course. I'll make it happen."
***
Chairman Kang chatted with his grandson late into the night. Even after Min-ho left, his pounding heart wouldn't settle. He sat by the window, cigar in mouth, sipping steaming coffee to calm himself.
He replayed Min-ho's plan. Low risk, sky-high potential. Success would lay the foundation to elevate JK beyond finance into a grand conglomerate.
A satisfied smile—like conquering the world—crossed his face as he turned to Butler Moon.
"What think you? I'd hear your thoughts."
Stood shadow-like in deference, Butler Moon replied cautiously.
"Considering Young Master's age, I expected a plea for a fancy foreign car."
"I figured the same. Part of me hoped otherwise, but chalked it up to wishful thinking."
"Young Master's plan is no empty dream. If it proceeds, JK advances another step—I judge."
"Indeed. Step by step as planned, and nothing more ideal."
Chairman Kang still marveled. Min-ho pierced his unspoken heart—something even Du-seong or Myeong-seon never dared attempt.
"Feels like our Min-ho crawled right into this chest and out. How does he know his old man's mind so well? Spoke like the tongue in my mouth."
"The surprises aren't few."
"How's a lad just past twenty craft such thoughts... Blood will tell."
"Even failure means resalable land. Done right, it's a massive negotiation card."
"No loss even in flop—that's what I want. A stumble? Fine. Experience breeds greater feats."
No mere property play. Min-ho dreamed big where others couldn't fathom, and Chairman Kang glimpsed the potential.
The heir's every virtue, embodied. Sure, recent shocks lingered, but he wasn't one for rash calls.
Mulling it over, both grandson and plan delighted him. His grin stretched ear to ear.
Exhaling thick smoke, he continued.
"Was gonna test him after Pocheon, but no need now."
"My thought exactly."
"A peerless prodigy. How'd he hide it—or did I just miss it?"
Butler Moon, yet to handle prior orders, checked.
"What of yesterday's directive?"
"You know office life. With smarts like that, what happens?"
"Most admire, but envy, jealousy, or needless rumors from some—can't rule it out."
"Right. Work hard, buy land, and gut aches follow from certain types."
"Any suspects, I'll clean house."
Chairman Kang shook his head.
"High chance, but I know nothing firm. Check it out—deal with any grumblers quietly."
"Understood."
Gazing at the study, Chairman Kang added.
"Grab a bag on your way. As grandfather, gotta boost morale. Shower the credit team with bonuses where Min-ho is, and stuff meat down throats till they can't complain."
"Got it."
"Who was Myeong-seon's chief deputy?"
"Deputy Manager Seo Gwang-hun."
"Put him up for exec review—dangle the possibility."
"Yes, sir."
One week—that was the promise. Time was ample, but Chairman Kang itched to move fast.
"Tokyo cleanup underway?"
"Yes, Chairman."
"Don't send 'em straight to Pocheon. Pick the sharpest few."
"Forming the real estate team at the Tokyo branch?"
"Use everything we've got. Prep the roster and put it on my desk."
"Understood."
"Dawn tomorrow, get 'em moving. Then you head to Myeong-seon's tomorrow."
"Yes, Chairman. Right away."