Bolt from the Blue
Min-ho's plan was proceeding smoothly. The news was flooded with stories about the hot topic of the second mobile carrier licenses.
[Over twenty groups, including Seonyeong Group, have applied for the second mobile carrier licenses.]
[Prime Minister Min Pil-muk stated that the selection process for the carriers will be conducted with complete fairness and transparency, without a shred of suspicion...]
The news about the carrier selection was gaining rapid momentum. Choi, who had been quietly watching the TV, spoke up.
"Young master, please hear me out without misunderstanding."
"Worried because of the news?"
"Yes. The review process has already begun, and an announcement will come no later than this week."
"You're saying the cards are already on the table—how could they flip them now?"
"Yes. I can't imagine it happening."
"If you haven't glued them down, you can always pick them back up. By the way, isn't it time for the real estate team to arrive?"
Choi pulled back the curtains and checked outside before replying.
"They're just coming in now."
"Good thing they're not late."
"You don't plan to send them to Pocheon, do you?"
"I wouldn't do that, and how could I to people who've worked so hard? I need to send them off with generous gifts."
No Jun-hwan and the ten members of the real estate team opened the door and entered. They bowed deeply toward Min-ho and greeted him politely.
"Young master, we're back."
"You all worked hard. Come in and have a seat."
"Yes, sir."
No Jun-hwan entered the living room and immediately pulled out a massive stack of registry extracts, placing them on the table before reporting.
"Not only did we acquire the land as instructed, but we've also completed the transfer into the chairman's name."
Choi the lawyer checked the extracts and gave the all-clear sign. Min-ho reviewed them once more, nodded, and said,
"As expected from professionals. I didn't think you'd pull it off in just a week."
"You're too kind."
"Acquiring that land couldn't have been easy. Any difficulties?"
"Buying designated land isn't hard. And with ample funds, everything went smoothly."
They had executed Min-ho's orders with perfect precision, without a single deviation. Yet the real estate team hung their heads like defeated soldiers, thoroughly dejected.
"What's wrong with everyone? Why the long faces?"
After a long hesitation, Vice President Park Ji-wook replied.
"As you know, our office is in Tokyo, but honestly, we have nothing to do even if we go back."
"That includes fears of job loss and being dragged off to Pocheon, right?"
"I can't deny it. It was our mistake, so if the chairman decides that, we've all resolved to accept it."
It was a heavy burden for them, but to Min-ho, it was as light as a feather.
"Don't worry. Thanks to you all, this has gone perfectly. I'll make sure you don't end up in Pocheon."
The entire real estate team jolted in surprise and looked up at Min-ho.
"Young master... really?"
"Erase it from your minds. I have a few requests—mind if I ask?"
"Of course. We'll do our absolute best, whatever it is."
To explain his future plans, Min-ho drew a simple outline of Line 7 on the whiteboard.
"President No, what do you think this white line is?"
"It looks like the Line 7 we just wrapped up."
"Exactly. But do you think Line 7 ends there? What do you say?"
"It's far in the future, of course, but the line could certainly extend further. The key is where it will go."
Min-ho drew a crooked line in the corner of the board.
"Suppose Line 7 extends. Would it go off in the opposite direction like this?"
"No. Subway and transport infrastructure are built strictly according to traffic plans. It couldn't veer off like you've drawn."
"Right answer. Line 7 will keep going, of course—along with the other lines."
Currently, only Lines 1 through 4 existed, but traffic measures were being planned alongside the first-phase new town developments.
"As you know, this government is pushing hard on the first-phase new towns. Last year alone, 460,000 units, and including those set for completion this year, it's 750,000. Next year, even more houses will go up."
"Yes. Just the populations of Bundang, Ilsan, Jungdong, Pyeongchon, and Sanbon will be enormous, as you say."
"Apartments will keep sprouting up all over Seoul and Gyeonggi. So, I suspect it'll end up something like this."
He drew the existing subway lines in different colors. Then he added the ones in his mind—Line 9, the Bundang Line, and more—filling the board.
Once the route map was complete, Min-ho asked Section Chief Song,
"If the subways get this complex, what would you do?"
"Line 7 is about to break ground, and I know Line 8 is planned after that."
"In summary?"
"If it follows the route you've drawn... this is a golden map."
Min-ho gave a thumbs-up and nodded.
"I plan to keep you all on as the real estate team."
"You really mean that?"
"Of course. I'll double your salaries. But you have to handle it precisely like this—no single mistake allowed. What do you say? Your choice."
It was an offer no one in their position could refuse.
They all nodded in agreement.
"President No, find a decent office in Yeouido."
"Understood."
As the meeting wrapped up, the staff began gathering their things to leave. They were now key players in Min-ho's plans, so he couldn't send them away empty-handed. He pulled out prepared envelopes and handed them over politely.
"Thank you for wrapping this up so cleanly. This is a small token from me. Please accept it—no refusals."
"May I ask... what is this?"
"Same amount for everyone, no differences."
"No, we don't deserve this."
"You absolutely do. Take it."
Min-ho pulled out one more yellow envelope and placed it in President No's hand.
"I was too busy to prepare food. It's not much, but go have a good meal somewhere nice."
"No need, young master."
"It's my gesture. Please."
"I never expected this much. Thank you so much."
The real estate team bowed politely and left. Unlike when they arrived, their faces were beaming on the way out.
After tidying up the living room for a while, Choi asked,
"Young master, that's 10 million won per person—a million total. Isn't it a bit excessive?"
"They're the hands and feet I rely on. Unlike Grandfather, I haven't spent time with them. Money's the only way to bridge that gap."
"So, you're buying loyalty with money?"
"You can't buy true loyalty, but you can buy their passion."
Choi nodded, then stared intently at the whiteboard before asking,
"Young master, do you really predict the Seoul subway will get this complex?"
Min-ho smiled faintly.
"It has to. But do you know what's more important?"
"Nothing comes to mind."
"All this visible land in Seoul and Gyeonggi—I'm going to make it mine. No question."
***
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Land Development Division.
Meanwhile, the ministry had no inkling of the nightmare descending upon them. With Line 7's groundbreaking just months away, the meeting room buzzed with the usual heated discussion.
"Handle land compensation as planned and make sure the owners don't make a peep—charm them properly."
"Yes, section chief."
"At this rate, groundbreaking by year-end. Kim, contact Seoul City Hall and confirm cooperation."
"Got it."
Tragedy always strikes when least expected. The meeting room door burst open.
In broad daylight, Section Chief Jeong Kyung-do stood there dazed, like he'd seen a ghost, clutching registry extracts with unfocused eyes.
Deputy Section Chief U Dae-hee scowled at the rudeness and snapped irritably,
"Jeong! What the hell is this? Don't you see we're in a meeting?"
"I... Section Chief... big trouble. This doesn't look ordinary."
"What nonsense is this, like banging on windows in your sleep?"
"You won't believe it... but all the Line 7 landowners have changed."
They were in the middle of discussing compensation fees. A sale at this stage would require an insane premium—impossible otherwise.
U took the extracts and checked.
"No Jun-hwan, Park Ji-wook, Song Chae-woo, Park Gyu-ro... What the hell? Yeouido people?"
"No idea. No changes until last week, but today's extracts show this."
Min-ho's plan advancing meant nightmares for them.
Good and bad news often come together. Now Agent Yang Tae-hoon rushed in panting.
"What now with you?"
"All the station site owners have changed too."
"Did you all eat bad mushrooms up the hill? What is this crap?"
U snatched Yang's updated extracts. The bolt from the blue left him speechless.
He rubbed his eyes and checked again, but Kang Jin-gwang glared back clearly.
"No... no way... this can't be..."
He shook his head in denial, but the damage was done.
Staring at the extract, U said in a trembling voice,
"Agent Yang..."
"Yes, section chief."
"Is the minister in today?"
"No special schedule that I know of."
"Request a meeting—run, hurry!"
"Yes, sir."
Meanwhile, oblivious Minister Kim Dae-geun lounged with his feet on the desk, smugly reading the newspaper. U knocked hastily and burst in.
"Anyone would think my wife's on the lam. What's so urgent you're making this fuss?"
"Minister, disaster."
"Come on, at your age, don't panic—speak calmly."
"This extract... care to check it?"
"What's this... what the hell happened?"
Kim stared at it, unable to accept the reality. He shook his head vehemently, but it only sharpened in focus.
"What the fuck is going on?"
"We're investigating. Nothing wrong a week ago..."
"Son of a bitch!!!"
Kim flung the documents into the air. He yanked off his tie irritably, but the choking felt all too real.
The opponent was none other than Kang Jin-gwang.
Kim's mind reeled.
Sensing the mood, U ventured cautiously,
"Minister... what if we switch to eminent domain?"
No one in Yeouido was free of the Mingdong Viper Kang Jin-gwang's money. It was a fatal weakness.
Irritating Kang with forced acquisition? Kim knew the backlash well. He wasn't fool enough for extremes.
"Hey, U—are you not only pouring oil on a fire but holding a ritual to burn the whole house down?"
"Sorry, not what I meant."
"It's Kang Jin-gwang. Know what happens if you poke him?"
"I've heard the rumors."
A tiger ahead, massive bear behind, wolves on both sides. Minister Kim was surrounded.
He tore at his thinning hair, but no solution existed.
"We got complacent and that viper bit us good. How did that crafty old man buy every inch of Line 7 land? Any leaks?"
"Impossible. We manage documents meticulously. If leaked, it'd have been out ages ago."
"Fine, get out."
"Yes, minister."
The box was in Kim's possession, but Kang held the only key.
Trapped, Kim paced like a hamster on a wheel, muttering like a drowned rat.
Money? No, that old man wouldn't do this for cash...
What then? Buying all this land means something big... mobile carrier? No way.
Even a broken clock is right twice a day; even a dull cow catches a mouse backing up.
Kim's analysis was spot-on. Kang wasn't after paltry compensation cash.
He was the scariest negotiator: one who needed no money.
Kim couldn't guess Kang's aim no matter how he racked his brain.
That was the greatest terror.
Silence filled the office. Then the shrill phone rang louder than ever.
Kim instinctively knew who it was.
He drew a deep breath to steady his pounding heart, set down his cigarette, and shakily lifted the receiver.
"Minister... Kim... Dae-geun..."
"Moon Sang-oh from Seongbuk-dong. The chairman wishes to meet."