“The video call with the district head is ready.”
“Put it on.”
A large video channel opens in front of .
Initially, I didn’t want to bother with such an interaction out of sheer annoyance, but I changed my mind.
Why? Because I’d been inford that the Namdong District Head was not so young, refreshing, and pretty woman but a middle-aged, rather unimpressive individual.
Why should I bother visiting her or having her co to ?
We could just exchange the necessary points and move on. My schedule is tight as it is.
Fwooosh!
The screen connected, revealing a plump middle-aged woman seated in a chair.
She was apparently taking the call from her office, seated in what’s often referred to as a “boss chair.”
Her slightly arrogant expression, bare face untouched by anti-aging treatnts, and the fullness of her figure didn’t exactly make for a pleasant first impression.
“It’s a pleasure to et the renowned young master. I’m Ye Chaerin, the district head of Namdong.”
“Go Muyeol.”
We exchanged brief introductions.
From the look of things, she didn’t seem to be particularly fond of either.
“I have a rough idea of why you’re calling. I understand you’re planning to develop the Namdong Industrial Complex.”
“It’s good that you’re already aware. It’ll save us ti. My intention is to reclaim the lost lands and restore the rightful rights of Incheon’s citizens.”
“It’s touching to see how deeply you care about the safety and rights of Incheon’s citizens, young master, but I can’t help but suspect a hidden motive.”
“Hidden motive?”
Ye Chaerin smirked.
Combined with her unimpressive looks, it made feel even more uncomfortable.
“I hear you’ve been in contact with Assemblywoman Kim Eunji. It seems like you’re trying to gain a lot through the feeble Public Safety Restoration Committee.”
“The Public Safety Restoration Committee is responsible for Incheon’s security. Assemblywoman Kim Eunji just happens to represent Namdong District A, where the industrial complex is located. Is there an issue with that?”
“Not an issue, per se, but there’s plenty to nitpick.”
Ah, damn it.
Why do these political types have to be so slippery?
This is why I hate dealing with politicians.
Just get to the point already.
“Young master, Assemblywoman Kim Eunji’s Better Future Party is a detrint to this nation. And the Equality and Freedom Constitutional Party? A joke of a political group. In fact, the only proper party in Incheon is our Progressive Innovation Party.”
When she started spouting nonsense, I cut her off sharply.
“I have no interest in political factions. What I need right now is to get answers through this negotiation. Can you assist with cleaning up the gangs in the Namdong Industrial Complex? If so, to what extent? Will you support the comprehensive redevelopnt of the complex afterward? And what kind of tax benefits or conveniences can you provide for corporations and individuals moving into the area? That’s what I want to know.”
“You’re quite direct.”
“Well, if you’d visited earlier, we could’ve had a more relaxed conversation over coffee.”
“I’m a busy person, young master. I can’t just drop everything for you. As for your questions, I’ll provide answers after thorough discussions with the relevant departnts.”
“I’d prefer to get an answer right now.”
“Well, that might be… a bit difficult due to administrative procedures. Even if your requests are urgent, young master, this country operates within the frawork of proper legal procedures—”
Before she could finish, I raised my hand to cut her off.
“Then give a definitive answer on this first.”
She frowned montarily but quickly regained her composure.
“On what matter?”
“The rightful landowners of the Namdong Industrial Complex. Before it beca a gang-ridden slum, there were legitimate owners. There must be docuntation proving their lawful ownership. Acknowledge those docunts. It’ll make the redevelopnt process smoother.”
“Hmm~.”
She made a peculiar expression, then stretched her lips into a smile that reminded of a giant toad.
Her visuals were honestly unpleasant.
Couldn’t she at least do so anti-aging treatnts? What is this?
Is this one of those naturalist groups that align with so garbage eco-citizen political party?
These are the people who reject all genetic editing and implants.
A variant of the PC culture that ruined Europe. And now it’s infiltrated Korea to the point where one of their kind has beco a district head.
“It seems you’ve secured quite a number of those land docunts, young master. Judging by your remarks.”
“I won’t deny it.”
“Well, very well. Those docunts do hold validity. To disregard them now would cause unnecessary chaos and backlash. We’ll officially acknowledge them.”
One mountain climbed.
If she’d rejected the docunts outright, despite all the effort I’d put into acquiring them, it would’ve been a massive headache.
But with the district head’s acknowledgnt, the entirety of the Namdong Industrial Complex was now officially my land.
“However, I’d like to propose that we use a portion of the land for the district office’s needs.”
“What?”
“I need to secure so level of symbolism for myself. If I’m to assist, there has to be so tangible result. Perhaps a new district office could be built there.”
“…We can discuss that later. The district office could acquire appropriate land docunts as well. Is this really sothing that warrants a quid pro quo?”
“Every task involves effort, young master. I wouldn’t call it a trade-off. Think of it as a reasonable ‘cost.’ As for the district office acquiring its own land docunts… perhaps, but that seems unlikely given the vast area you’ve secured.”
“…”
So, this is what dealing with a politician entails.
An unnecessarily sharp instinct.
Or maybe it’s just rumors spreading.
After all, Soo-ah hasn’t exactly been discreet.
The negotiations with the district head continued after that.
Though she seed evasive at tis, she made promises to provide so assistance and support. However, she kept dodging any definitive answers regarding the redevelopnt plans.
For things to proceed smoothly, Kim Eunji’s committee and the district office needed to work together to finalize the developnt plan. But this toad-like woman kept deflecting.
If this continued, I’d have no choice but to have Kim Eunji’s Public Safety Restoration Committee draw up the plans and impose them on the district.
Of course, that would require significant political effort and could lead to resistance.
‘Damn, this toad.’
Honestly, I felt like screaming at her to just comply, but she was a seasoned politician.
If it were my grandfather or aunt, maybe they could muscle through, but I wasn’t in a position to act so recklessly.
I was only able to even face her like this because I was the young master of the Koryo Group.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have even entertained the idea.
‘Should I just bulldoze ahead without her? This woman seems intent on holding out until I give her what she wants.’
Through the conversation, I got a rough sense of what she and her party desired.
If I agreed to their demands, they’d likely cooperate enthusiastically.
But as the grandson of the Koryo Group, could I really publicly sponsor and endorse a group of purists who reject anti-aging technology, life sciences, and implants? Absolutely not.
‘At least I got her to officially acknowledge the validity of the land docunts. And I secured military support.’
Yes.
I couldn’t achieve everything in one go.
I’d settle for today’s accomplishnts and revisit the developnt plans later.
After ending the video call, I called Lee Na-eun.
She had just assud her new role as the special prosecutor for the “Serious Cris in Namdong Industrial Complex” investigation and was in the process of establishing her base in Namdong District.
Thanks to the collaboration with Kim Eunji’s Public Safety Restoration Committee, the operation had grown exponentially.
Public interest was high.
The prosecutor who led the investigation into the entertainnt industry’s corruption was now spearheading a new investigation in Namdong.
And this ti, it was targeting the infamous Namdong Industrial Complex.
“Incheon’s famous landmark(?), Namdong Industrial Complex, is about to undergo a major operation, drawing considerable attention already.”
“Status update.”
“No issues, master~. The committee mbers are diating actively, and coordination with the police departnt is progressing smoothly.”
“Good to hear.”
The operation was already halfway underway.
Before word reached the inside of the industrial complex, a siege had to be established.
“Starting tomorrow, the dia will begin full-scale coverage. I’ll also start my dia campaigns. Be fully prepared.”
“Yes, master. You don’t have to worry.”
After hanging up, I sent Lee Na-eun so draft articles.
She’d arrange for the proper narrative and proceed with tightening the noose around Namdong Industrial Complex.
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