## Chapter 151 – 15. As Planned
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“Video call with the District Head is ready.”
“Put it through.”
A large video channel opens in front of me.
Originally, I was feeling resentful and didn’t want to do any video calls, but I changed my mind. It’s because I received a report that the Namdong-gu District Head isn’t some young, fresh, and pretty woman, but just another mediocre middle-aged person.
Is there really a need for me to visit or for that person to come see me?
We can just talk about the parts we need from each other. My schedule is tight.
*Fwoosh!*
As the video connects, the image of a plump, middle-aged woman sitting in a chair appears before my eyes.
She seems to be receiving the call from her office, sitting in what they call a CEO chair.
Her somewhat arrogant expression, her face untouched by anti-aging treatments, and her plump figure don’t make for a pleasant first impression.
– It’s a pleasure to meet the famous young master. I’m Yeo Chae-rin, the District Head of Namdong-gu.
“Go Mu-yeol.”
We exchange simple greetings.
Judging by her expression, she doesn’t seem to be particularly fond of me either.
– I have a rough idea of what brings you here. I hear you’re planning to develop the Namdong Industrial Complex.
“Since you’re aware, it’ll be a quick conversation. I intend to reclaim the lost land this time and restore the legitimate rights of the citizens of Incheon.”
– It’s touching that the young master cares so much about the safety and rights of the citizens of Incheon, but I can’t help but consider the hidden intentions behind it.
“Hidden intentions?”
Yeo Chae-rin smiled wryly.
Combined with her unattractive appearance, it made me feel even worse.
– I heard you contacted Assemblywoman Kim Eun-ji. It seems you’re trying to gain a lot by borrowing the power of the Public Safety Recovery Committee, which is quite insignificant.
“The Public Safety Recovery Committee is the standing committee in charge of restoring security in Incheon, and Kim Eun-ji happens to be the assemblywoman for the Namdong-gu Gap district, where the Namdong Industrial Complex is located. Is there a problem with that?”
– There’s no real problem, but there are plenty of corners to pick at.
Ugh, seriously.
I don’t know why she has to be so sly and roundabout.
This is why I hate talking to politicians.
So, what do you want?
– Young master, Assemblywoman Kim Eun-ji’s Better Future Party is destroying this country. The Equality, Freedom, and Constitution Party is just a bunch of insignificant nobodies that don’t even resemble a real political party. In fact, the only real political party in Incheon is our Progressive Innovation Party.
I cut her off sharply as she started spouting nonsense.
“I’m not interested in political factions. What I want to do right now is get answers through a negotiation with you. Can you help clean up the gangs in the Namdong Industrial Complex? If so, on what scale can you assist? And after that, are you willing to support the full-scale development of the Namdong Industrial Complex? To what extent can you provide tax benefits and various conveniences to corporations and individuals moving into the area? That sort of thing.”
– You’re quite impatient.
“You should have come last time; we could have had a relaxed conversation over coffee.”
– I’m quite busy, you see. I can’t just make time for the young master. I’ll give you an answer after sufficient discussion with the relevant departments.
“I’d like to hear the answer now.”
– …That… might be a little difficult procedurally. Even if it’s an urgent request from a young master, there are proper procedures in this country—
I raised my hand to cut her off before she could finish.
“Then at least give me a definite answer on this.”
She, who had briefly shown an unpleasant expression, asked back with her expression returning to normal.
– On what?
“The landowners of the Namdong Industrial Complex. There were owners before the current gang slum was established. There should be documents for that. Land deeds proving their legitimate ownership. Acknowledge those. It’ll make the development easier to push forward.”
– Hmm~.
She makes a strange expression.
Then she stretches her mouth and smiles, looking like a giant toad, which isn’t a great visual.
Couldn’t she at least get some anti-aging treatments? What is this?
I heard there’s a political party in the political world that’s linked to some shitty, moronic, naturalistic civic group. Are these those guys?
Pure idealists who reject any kind of genetic editing or implant insertion.
They’re a type of PC-ism variant that ruined Europe. They’re quite something. And that kind of thing has seeped into South Korea and taken over even the District Head position.
– It seems you’ve secured quite a few land deeds, young master. That’s what it sounds like when you say that.
“I won’t deny it.”
– Well, fine. They’re valid documents anyway. If we were to say they never existed now, there would be a lot of confusion and backlash. We’ll accept that part proactively.
At least I’ve crossed one mountain.
It would be a huge headache if, after securing all the land deeds, they came out and said, ‘We don’t recognize these.’
But since the District Head has acknowledged the ownership of the land deeds with her own mouth, the entire Namdong Industrial Complex is now officially my land.
– In return, I’d like you to allow our district office to use some of the land.
“What?”
– I need to secure some symbolism of my own, don’t I? If I’m going to help, there needs to be some achievement. For example, establishing a new district office there.
“…Let’s discuss that later. The district office might be able to secure suitable land deeds separately. It’s just proceeding according to the law and procedures in the first place, so why should there be a price for that?”
– All work requires effort, young master. It feels a bit strange to call it a price, so I’d like you to think of it as a legitimate ‘cost.’ And our district office might be able to secure land deeds… Of course, that might be possible. But I don’t think it’s likely. I have a feeling you’ve already secured a huge amount of land in advance.
“…”
So, she’s a politician through and through.
She has an unnecessarily good sense.
Or maybe rumors are going around?
Sua contacted more than just one or two people, so it wouldn’t be strange for rumors to spread.
The negotiation with the District Head continued after that.
She seemed to be backing away, but she readily made promises of help and support. However, she kept avoiding giving a definite answer regarding the most important development aspects.
Kim Eun-ji’s standing committee and the District Head need to be of one mind and establish a development plan that includes support for things to proceed smoothly. But this toad-like woman keeps slyly avoiding giving a definite answer.
If things continue like this, Kim Eun-ji’s Public Safety Recovery Committee will have to establish a plan independently and force it on the district. Of course, that would consume a significant amount of political power. There could be resistance.
‘Ugh, this toad.’
If it were up to my personality, I’d just shout, ‘You fucking bitch,’ and tell her to do as I say, but the other party is a politician with some clout.
Maybe if it were my grandfather or aunts, but I, who don’t have much of a foundation yet, can’t just act recklessly.
It’s only because I’m the young master of the Goryeo Group that I can even have a face-to-face meeting like this.
Originally, it would be out of the question.
‘Should I just skip it and proceed? This woman seems like she won’t help until I give her what she wants.’
After talking, I roughly got an estimate.
What this woman and her political party want.
If I say I’ll give it to them, they’ll probably actively accept my demands.
But how can I do the crazy thing of officially sponsoring a group of pure idealists who reject anti-aging and all life science technologies, and publicly support their political party? The grandson of the Goryeo Group? It doesn’t make sense.
‘For now… just getting her to officially acknowledge the validity of the land deeds is an achievement. And I also got troop support.’
Yeah.
How can I get everything in one go?
Let’s be satisfied with this for today.
I can discuss the development plan again later.
After ending the video conference, I called Lee Na-eun.
She had just become the new special prosecutor for the ‘Special Investigation into Major Crimes in the Namdong Industrial Complex’ and was setting up a base in the Namdong-gu area.
Combined with Kim Eun-ji’s standing committee, the Public Safety Recovery Committee, its size had grown enormously.
People’s attention was also focused on it.
Lee Na-eun, who directed the special investigation into the entertainment industry’s sex bribery scandal, was taking on another special investigation with only a few days in between.
And this special investigation was targeting the Namdong Industrial Complex.
As a large-scale operation was predicted for the Namdong Industrial Complex, a famous landmark (?) of Incheon, it was already a matter of great interest.
“Progress.”
– No problem, Master~. The people from the standing committee are mediating quite diligently, so the connection with the police agency is proceeding smoothly.
“That’s a relief.”
The operation has already started halfway.
We need to establish a siege before all the news gets inside the Namdong Industrial Complex.
“The reports will start in earnest from tomorrow. I’ll also start playing the media from tomorrow. Make sure you’re fully prepared.”
– Yes, Master. Don’t worry.
I ended the call and sent the articles about Go Min-ji to Lee Na-eun.
She’ll take care of organizing the formation and tightening the noose around the Namdong Industrial Complex.
