Chapter 48: When Money Chooses Sides

The president of U-Gwang Construction raised his voice even more.

"Is it true that Cha Yoonseong, the president of Taeseong Construction, has been running around trying to sell land to the bank presidents? I hear their domestic construction projects are way behind schedule, and even the Taeseong Construction apartments are at a complete standstill."

The U-Gwang Construction president shouted with confidence.

"With construction halted, once those promissory notes come due, Taeseong Construction will topple in an instant. In the end, even if they win the Line 2 subway project, they might not be able to proceed for lack of funds!"

He pumped both fists as he spoke.

"Excluding Taeseong, the only construction company capable of easily carrying out the Line 2 subway project is us—U-Gwang! These days, U-Gwang apartments are selling like hotcakes! That’s why our finances are robust and healthy!"

Someone snorted at the president’s boast.

"The Line 2 subway project is a massive undertaking; without solid underground civil engineering expertise, it’s hard even to get started."

"Unlike Taeseong, U-Gwang has little experience in underground civil engineering and construction."

The U-Gwang president shouted confidently.

"Lack of technology and experience doesn’t mean we can’t do it. If there’s no path, we make one. Skills can be learned, and experience can be gained. U-Gwang has more than enough capability!"

Grandfather let out a hearty laugh.

"If you’re that capable, why did you propose a joint bid to me?"

"Th-that was just… the intention was for future in-laws to join forces and accomplish something grand together…"

Was there ever such a thing?

That was news to me.

Which made it all the more infuriating.

‘A joint bid? Who’s supposed to benefit from that? I’ve been backing the Line 2 subway project specifically for my father.’

But I was just a seven-year-old child.

If Grandfather and Father decided to team up with U-Gwang, there was nothing I could do to oppose them.

‘Just what did the U-Gwang Construction president use to entice them?’

My mind started racing.

I imagined the sorts of proposals U-Gwang’s president might have offered.

Most of them seemed trivial.

‘But what if he threatened instead of offered a carrot…?’

Grandfather and Father were both men who valued family.

If the U-Gwang president tried to blackmail them using our family, it might have worked.

Worried, I glanced at Grandfather and Father with anxious eyes.

"Our Taeseong will not do a joint bid! We’ll bid alone!"

But Grandfather declared it boldly and decisively.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Taeseong has signed a technical agreement with the Japan Transportation Bureau and Japan National High-Speed Transport Agency! We can apply advanced civil engineering technology to the Line 2 subway project!"

People’s eyes widened.

Taeseong was already evaluated as being several steps ahead of U-Gwang in underground civil engineering technology, experience, and performance.

Now, with an advanced technology agreement with Japan, the technical gap was even greater.

At last, I smiled serenely.

‘That’s how it should be. Why else would I have given the bribe ledger in advance?’

I’d handed it over for precisely this purpose.

If it was Secretary Kim, I trusted he’d use the bribe ledger to decisively pin down the opponent.

‘But for U-Gwang’s president to be so confident, could it mean he might try to secure a separate agreement with the Japanese?’

Would Secretary Kim have just stood by and watched?

‘If we’ve already signed the technical agreement, he should have made the Japanese return home quickly. He didn’t just let them contact U-Gwang, did he?’

If so, that would be a real disappointment.

Did I overestimate Secretary Kim?

The U-Gwang Construction president, undaunted, shouted again.

"The technical agreement is a matter subject to the Korea-Japan Technical Accord. If U-Gwang wins the subway project, we can get Japanese cooperation as well!"

"Those Japanese said they’d never have anything to do with U-Gwang and spat as they left. Your company’s vice president heard it himself—why not ask him?"

Without realizing it, I let out a hollow laugh.

‘He’s utterly failed, so where does he get off making such a big fuss? Unless he has something up his sleeve…’

The hollow laughter stopped short.

‘Something up his sleeve?’

Just from his appearance, the U-Gwang president looked sly and cunning.

A man who isn’t stupid always has his reasons for boasting loudly.

‘What could it be? What is U-Gwang’s president counting on? Judging by the atmosphere, it’s not U-Gwang Group Chairman Kim.’

Even with the Japan agreement in shambles, he still dares to boast.

Even after proposing a joint bid, he acts so brashly.

That made me curious.

At that moment, high-ranking officials from politics and business let out low chuckles.

They were people who’d been burned after taking bribes from U-Gwang.

"U-Gwang not only lacks technology but has also managed to make enemies."

"Can’t even manage their ledger or their subordinates. What sort of technical negotiations did they have with Japan for it to turn out like this?"

"Even if U-Gwang wins the subway contract, they won’t be able to break ground with no civil engineering technology!"

U-Gwang’s president ground his teeth.

"Japan’s not the only country with underground civil engineering technology! We’ll get it from Europe, from the US—wherever! But money’s another matter! Does money just fall from the sky?"

"You haven’t heard yet? Our Taeseong has a backer now."

People nodded in agreement.

"They say someone invested thirty billion in cash?"

"Thirty billion? That’s still not nearly enough for a project of this scale! Meanwhile, U-Gwang—"

That was when it happened.

"Thirty billion! I’ll invest it in Taeseong Construction!"

It was my mentor.

Someone recognized my mentor and shouted.

"It’s the Myeong-dong Falcon!"

"The investment genius who bought up all the prime Gangnam apartments?"

"They say he’s a legend in the underground finance world—never lost money in a single venture. Wasn’t that just a rumor?"

That was my mentor’s reputation and the credit he’d built.

-The investment genius’s chosen destination: Taeseong Construction!

This was why I’d asked my mentor to play the frontman.

Fanning himself with his folding fan, my mentor spoke.

"Instead of asking for shares or high-interest loans, if I’m given the reserved lands for this Line 2 subway project, I’m willing to invest even more. Maybe another twenty billion. So, fifty billion in total!"

Since there was no contract, my mentor would want to make it official.

This was exactly the situation I’d hoped for.

Another reason I’d deliberately left no trace of under-the-table dealings.

The one in need is always the one who works harder.

"Reserved lands?"

"Right. If Taeseong Construction wins the subway project, they can cover the shortage of construction funds with reserved lands."

"That means those reserved lands are all near subway stations?"

People’s eyes sparkled.

Wherever the subway went, the land value soared—several times, sometimes even dozens of times higher compared to places without a subway.

They had already seen the jackpot from the reserved land project for Subway Line 1.

‘If it’s easy to get land where a subway station’s going in, who wouldn’t be tempted?’

Not just the real estate speculators, but even politicians looking to launder political funds, all turned their heads.

Business leaders wanting to build and sell shops near subway stations, high-ranking officials hoping to fill their private safes without the mess of bribes—all pricked up their ears.

"If we invest in Taeseong Construction, do we get reserved lands?"

"Reserved lands are priced based on cheap land value. Once buildings start going up near the subway stations, the land price will skyrocket."

"That sounds way more profitable than buying Gangnam apartments or land in potential development areas!"

Maljukgeori Horsehead raised his hand high.

"I’ll invest fifty billion too!"

If he put up the investment, the interest on his gambling debts would be waived, so he jumped at the chance.

Secretary Kim had swept through the gambling dens, hauling in thirty billion in cash from their vaults!

The remaining twenty billion was in the form of gambling debt notes and all the real and personal property tied to those houses.

"I don’t need any reserved lands! Just give me plenty of interest!"

He was asking for generous interest.

With an exorbitant annual loan rate of 67.8%, it was a vicious private loan.

People gasped as they looked at Horsehead.

"Even Maljukgeori Horsehead?"

"I heard that guy never loses a bet when there’s real money at stake…"

"Even turning down the gambling den’s loan and dumping his money into Taeseong Construction’s Line 2 subway project?"

"Heh, that’s a bold bet. Will Taeseong Construction really win the Line 2 subway contract?"

People’s eyes sparkled even more.

Everyone wants to be on the winner’s side, to share the spoils.

They could already smell the crumbs Taeseong would scatter when they landed the Line 2 subway contract.

Almost on cue, Gold Tooth of Jongno and Madam Bang of Ggachisan joined in.

"I’ll invest thirty billion! I just hope the subway passes near Jongno."

"I’m in for twenty billion! But I want to pick my favorite among the reserved lands, okay?"

These were prearranged investments.

Five billion per subway station.

Gold Tooth and Madam Bang had already promised information on six and four subway stations each.

"Even Gold Tooth and Madam Bang?"

"The giants of Korea’s underground finance world are the first to jump in and invest?"

"This can’t be! Every time I went to borrow money, I had to swallow my pride and crawl on my knees, but now others are racing here saying they don’t even need high interest!"

People looked at Grandfather and Father.

Father was smiling happily, albeit a little bewildered, and Grandfather, cheeks flushed, clenched both fists tight.

"Father, the investment total is one hundred eighty billion won!"

"Yes! This is as good as it gets!"

The presidents of Taeseong Group’s affiliates, who’d gathered around Grandfather, couldn’t hide their joy.

"Chairman, this is wonderful!"

"It’s as if Heaven itself is helping Taeseong!"

"To attract such massive investments!"

Grandfather murmured in disbelief.

"Now we can do the subway project without worrying about money. Things are going so smoothly, I can hardly believe it. Could anyone be this lucky? It feels like I’ve been possessed by a spirit."

But with a sour expression, the U-Gwang president shouted angrily.

"Who let those loan sharks in here! Since when did the Year-End Night become a den for back-alley moneylenders!"

A chill immediately settled over the hall.

At the U-Gwang president’s irritable gesture, the musicians stopped playing, and the invited singer’s performance was halted.

Gold Tooth of Jongno chuckled.

His yellow gold teeth, packed like corn kernels, gleamed under the lights, making for a disturbing sight.

"What a thing to say. We were invited here, you know. Isn’t tonight’s Year-End Night a charity bazaar for helping neighbors in need? Why shouldn’t we be invited?"

Madam Bang of Ggachisan chimed in.

"That’s right. Are we short on money, people, or ability? We know how to help the needy too, you know?"

Horsehead curled his lips and stepped forward.

"Hey, what the hell’s wrong with you? Got no manners or what?"

He was rolling up his sleeves, ready to flip tables and start a ruckus at any moment.

I clicked my tongue softly.

‘That temper of his, really… If he loses his cool here and starts a scene, things are bound to go south.’

It’s fine if they invest in Taeseong or cause a minor commotion.

But if a fight breaks out, that’s another story.

People will question how these uninvited troublemakers managed to get in.

That would put Hyunmu Construction’s President Oh, who overlooked it, in a tight spot.

If they received invitations, Taeseong would be blamed as the culprit who ruined Year-End Night.

"Secretary Kim."

"Yes."

Secretary Kim immediately strode over to Horsehead.

Horsehead was about to pick up a chair when he spotted Secretary Kim.

"Korea Racing Authority, Ttukseom Seoul Racecourse, bank branch manager."

"…!"

At those three words from Secretary Kim, Horsehead immediately calmed down.

He dusted off the cloth on his chair and cleared his throat.

"Ahem!"

A faint, almost imperceptible whispering began.

The U-Gwang president snorted.

"See? These moneylenders don’t know where they don’t belong. Really. Now we’ll be lumped in with them and our reputation will suffer."

Gold Tooth of Jongno snorted back, and Madam Bang waved her invitation.

"Does it matter if it’s a white cat or a black cat, as long as it catches mice? White money or black money—as long as it’s good donations, who cares?"

"We got invited and brought money. Why are people who aren’t even the hosts telling us off? Some money counts and other money’s trash?"

The U-Gwang president burst out laughing.

"No matter how much money you have, there are places you just can’t be. What are the hotel security doing? Throw those people out, now!"

At that moment, Hyunmu Hotel’s owner and Hyunmu Construction’s President Oh picked up the microphone.

"Anyone who came in with an invitation is my guest. Please show some manners, President Kim."