Chapter 53: The Architect of the Future

Gu Mayor fell deep into thought, as if chewing over Father’s words.

"Yeongdeungpo Station already has the underground Line 1 tracks running beneath it. With Korea’s current civil engineering capabilities, it’s nearly impossible to dig a tunnel through the underground of an existing station..."

Father added, "For geological and geotechnical reasons as well, I’d recommend Sindorim. There, it’s possible to build the station just slightly offset from the existing one."

"That makes sense," Gu Mayor nodded.

"It might be difficult with just Taeseong’s cut-and-cover retaining wall method, but what if we utilize the NATM or TBM techniques we just imported from Japan? Would even those not suffice?"

"It would still be difficult, but with enough trial and error, construction could be done somehow. But when you factor in cost and safety concerns, is there really a need to push things that far?"

Father spoke firmly. "In short, it’s a matter of practical choice. If you force through such a dangerous underground tunnel project and there’s a big loss of life, both Taeseong and you, Mayor Gu, will be in trouble."

"Hmm..."

Gu Mayor was a man with political ambitions. After becoming Mayor of Seoul, his driving force behind the Line 2 subway project was, more than anything, to secure a shining track record.

But if he ignored the warnings of the contractor and pushed forward, and there was a major accident?

Gu Mayor would have to take all the blame.

It meant he’d be carrying a heavy political burden for a long time to come.

"To be frank, Taeseong wants to avoid Yeongdeungpo Station since we’d have to shoulder a massive construction cost. That’s why we’re proposing an alternative."

"I see. It’s a project that needs to be completed within a fixed budget and schedule anyway—if you can avoid risk and extra cost by adjusting the plan, there’s no reason to burden yourself unnecessarily."

Gu Mayor nodded again.

"Sindorim. It’s certainly the most efficient and reliable option. I acknowledge that."

Gu Mayor quietly murmured in admiration.

"You’re truly remarkable, young man. You managed to pinpoint things even I overlooked."

He looked quite satisfied.

"No one has ever understood my intentions this clearly before. Even His Excellency only told me to take charge of the Line 2 project, he never showed much interest in my actual urban planning."

Gu Mayor repeatedly glanced at the subway Line 2 route map, chuckling softly.

"By the way, how did you come up with such a plan? It’s as if you can see right through me."

The look of subtle dissatisfaction that always appeared when he looked at Father had vanished.

Now, that place was filled with joy, excitement, anticipation, and interest.

"Since we’re on a roll, may I ask you one more thing?"

"Of course."

"When I first presented this loop line plan, I called in the City Planning Director, the City Planning Section Chief, and the Head of the Subway Construction Office—they all voiced a certain concern. I’m suddenly curious how you’d solve that problem."

Gu Mayor’s expression and even his voice grew lively.

"Typically, subway lines are built radially, connecting the city center to the outskirts. Only when the city center becomes overcrowded do we develop sub-centers and build a loop line. But you..."

"You’re asking why Taeseong prioritized the loop line, correct? It’s simple. I was inspired by your Three-Core City Theory, Mayor."

Gu Mayor’s Three-Core City Theory asserted that Seoul should be made up of three city centers: inside the Four Main Gates, Yeongdeungpo, and Gangnam.

"This issue can be solved by adding radial trunk lines to support the loop. That’s why I’ve also drawn up plans for Line 3 and Line 4."

"What? Not just Line 2, but Lines 3 and 4 as well?"

Gu Mayor couldn’t hide his shock.

Father, on the other hand, calmly pulled out a yellowed Seoul city map.

"Here are the route maps for Lines 3 and 4. It’s a way to fill the gaps the loop can’t cover."

"Let me see that, right now!"

Gu Mayor couldn’t contain himself and snatched the maps.

He stared at the subway route maps with wide eyes.

His pupils shook as if in an earthquake.

"Th-this is absurd...!"

Gu Mayor let out a scream-like gasp.

"Even I haven’t finished working out these plans yet! But how did you organize what I only vaguely imagined, so clearly? Th-this is truly...!"

Suddenly, Gu Mayor grabbed Father’s hand.

"You’re a genius!"

Father flinched, choosing to stay silent, unable to move one way or the other.

"I have so many questions about your plan! Why you mapped Lines 3 and 4 this way, how it’s similar and different from what I was picturing, what kind of blueprint Taeseong is dreaming of—I just can’t wait! Do you have time right now?"

Gu Mayor, visibly delighted, started walking while holding Father’s hand.

Father could only follow with a bewildered look.

Hyunmu Construction President Oh and Secretary Kim hurried after them.

Gu Mayor was so excited, it looked as if steam would come out of his nose.

"President Oh, there’s still a room left in this hotel, right? Make it a suite, or a business room if that’s all there is! Just give me one!"

"What? Why do you suddenly need a hotel room?"

"I have to discuss the subway route plans with this friend all night!"

Gu Mayor didn’t even look back.

His steps, dragging Father along, only grew faster.

"No wonder President Oh praised you so highly! You really are amazing! Truly outstanding! I must take this chance to discuss Seoul’s urban development with you..."

"…Thank you, Mayor. But I’m afraid I can’t do it today."

"What?"

Gu Mayor stopped dead in his tracks.

So did Father, President Oh, and Secretary Kim.

Gu Mayor asked, "Why not?"

President Oh joined in, "Are you serious?"

"Yes. I’m sorry."

"This is a project worth 180 billion won. If you add Lines 3 and 4, who knows how big it’ll get. And you’re refusing? Why?"

"I promised to watch the fireworks with my son."

Everyone’s mouths dropped open at Father’s answer.

"Just for fireworks?"

"Hyunmu Chemical’s fireworks are quite the spectacle. It’s also the highlight of the year-end night event."

"Huh..."

President Oh’s lips twitched slightly.

"If it’s fireworks... I’ll order them to extend it by five minutes."

"Thank you. Thanks to you, it’ll be an unforgettable family memory."

Father bowed politely.

"Then, I’ll see you next time. I’ll be leaving now."

Father turned his back.

Gu Mayor burst out in hearty laughter.

"To think you even take care of your family in the midst of all this! That’s something even I can’t do properly. I can’t help but want to recruit such a principled and professional young talent. Hahaha! Take care!"

Gu Mayor respected Father’s choice all the more.

"Then come to City Hall tomorrow! I’ll be waiting for you in the Mayor’s office. That’s non-negotiable! Hahaha!"

President Oh hurried to catch up with Father, but Secretary Kim stopped him.

Secretary Kim slipped a folded note into President Oh’s hand.

"Hmm?"

Secretary Kim bowed and, without hesitation, followed Father.

Walking briskly down the corridor, Father spoke.

"Secretary Kim, there was nothing in the note but information about Line 2."

"I see."

"So I’ll need to study more about the subway plans, so that I won’t stutter like a fool when Mayor Gu asks questions tomorrow, so that Taeseong won’t be outmatched no matter how long the debate lasts, so that no one doubts Taeseong’s competence. I desperately need your help. Please assist me."

Secretary Kim’s eyes widened.

It seemed he hadn’t expected Father, who had been so stiff over the money envelope issue, to lower himself so much.

"Of course."

Secretary Kim nodded.

"I’ll reserve a room at the Hyunmu Hotel, so please come up after the fireworks."

"Thank you."

Father’s expression visibly brightened.

Meanwhile, Secretary Kim’s expression darkened slightly.

Was it my imagination?

---

"Heh..."

President Oh of Hyunmu Construction opened his palm.

"Th-this is...!"

It was the exact same handwriting as the note Taeseong Group’s security guard had delivered.



President Oh’s eyes widened.

"Well, now. Looks like I’ll owe Taeseong Construction again."

The Line 2 subway project involved massive underground and civil works, so the amount of explosives required would be staggering.

"Mayor Gu, I have a favor."

President Oh clenched his fist tightly.

"I want to leave a strong impression on Father this time. Can you help me?"

"On the Hyunmu Group Chairman?"

"Keep what you just saw to yourself. In exchange, I’d like you to choose our Hyunmu Chemical as the supplier for the explosives for Line 2."

"Oh?"

Mayor Gu’s eyes narrowed.

Hyunmu Group’s holding company was Hyunmu Chemical.

Starting from chemicals, the group was expanding into heavy industry, and Hyunmu Construction was a relatively minor affiliate.

"A friend who never cared about these things suddenly makes a sharp proposal?"

Mayor Gu folded the map carefully, gesturing with his chin.

"Let’s discuss this in my room later. If possible, I’d also like to see a quote and a delivery plan. Would that be difficult?"

"You call that a simple request...?"

"Don’t think of it as too hard. I’ve received an appealing offer, so I’d just like to hear a concrete supply plan."

President Oh scrunched up his face.

"You’re making a difficult request, then telling me not to think it’s hard? It’s not something I can whip up on the spot, you know?"

"Taeseong drew up route maps for Lines 2, 3, and 4 in just thirty minutes."

"..."

"Is this harder than that?"

President Oh couldn’t hold it in any longer and let out the words that had built up in his throat.

"Damn it!"

He already looked like he had a pounding headache, as if he’d swallowed sewage.

Mayor Gu grinned slyly.

"What’s wrong? Not up to it? If you can’t do it, just give up. I’m planning to make the same offer to Daehan Chemical anyway."

"Fine! I’ll do it! Who says I can’t? If Taeseong can do it, so can Hyunmu!"

Growing anxious, President Oh dashed out in a hurry.

Left alone in the hall, Mayor Gu sipped his champagne.

His smile had been fixed for a while now.

"This is getting interesting. Looks like President Oh has finally resolved to step up."

His sharp political instincts, honed on battlefields and in politics, stirred.

A new wind seemed to be blowing from Taeseong.

"For something like this, I’m happy to help."

Mayor Gu raised his champagne glass.

It was a toast to a friend.

---

I severed my connection with the Grim Reaper.

‘Nice!’

I clenched my fist tight.

I hope that President Oh of Hyunmu Construction, who showed kindness to Father, can use this opportunity to get closer to Hyunmu Chemical.

It was a gesture of gratitude from me.

"Junghyuk!"

Father came running, his long coat flapping.

He was out of breath, and beads of sweat formed on his forehead.

Along with the scent of heavy, sophisticated cologne, a wave of heat washed over me.

"Dad!"

Bang! Pop-pop-pop! Bang!

Father grinned.

"I’m glad I made it in time. I kept my promise. Up you go!"

He hoisted me onto his shoulders.

"Wow!"

"Can you see better now?"

Higher than the heads of adults, I could see everything clearly.

Brilliant fireworks of all colors filled the sky, while colorful Christmas trees and lights sparkled on the ground.

My chest swelled for some reason.

"Yes, I can see very well."

Pop-pop-pop! Bang!

Now I understood why families came to watch the fireworks together.

I stretched out my hands as if I could catch the sparks and beamed.

"Hehehe."

Mother and Father both laughed with me.

‘I’m glad I came to the year-end night.’

After the fireworks ended, Secretary Kim slipped over and whispered quietly.

"Young Master, I would like to seek your guidance regarding the subway route map."

Ha, honestly. Father needs to get up to speed right away, so I can’t exactly just brush it off.

Secretary Kim probably knows plenty about Seoul’s urban planning in general.

It should only take about three minutes!

"Alright. Just follow me to the restroom in a bit."

"Thank you, Young Master."

For some reason, Secretary Kim gave a bright, relieved smile.

---

The next morning, in the chairman’s office of Woogwang Group.

A vase thrown by Chairman Kim of Woogwang Group whistled past the head of the Woogwang Construction president.

Crash!

The vase shattered, and water trickled down the wall.

Cold sweat trickled down President Kim’s back.

"Ch-chairman!"

"Shut your mouth."

Chairman Kim’s voice was cold as a northern wind.

"Chairman Cha might have let it go yesterday for my sake, but I won’t."