Chapter 50

Chapter 50

Mayor Gu’s Proposal

President Oh of Hyunmu Construction smiled gently.

“I don’t know how much our Hyunmu Construction struggled looking for apartment sites. In the midst of that, you sent a person to me and handed over the Suseo-dong land. I’m thinking of it very gratefully.”

Father looked at President Oh of Hyunmu Construction with a peculiar expression.

He would have confirmed that the balance was all deposited into the Taeseong Construction account anyway.

The Suseo-dong apartment site was definitely handed over to Hyunmu Construction.

“Since I received goodwill, I have to repay with goodwill. Compared to your goodwill, my goodwill of just introducing the Seoul mayor is not particularly a big deal.”

“No. It seems it will be a great help.”

“Fortunately, I and Mayor Gu can be said to have quite thick personal friendship, so I’ll subtly assist from the side.”

It was reliable support.

Originally, it would have been a matter that Grandfather covered, but Grandfather is busy now having to meet people who want investment as well as Chairman Kim of U-gwang Group.

Since President Oh of Hyunmu Construction volunteered to fill the gap that arose like that, this was clearly goodwill and repayment.

* * *

“Mayor Gu.”

At President Oh of Hyunmu Construction’s call, a middle-aged man dressed neatly looked back.

“Oh, President Oh. This year-end night event is much flashier than usual. You must have worked hard preparing.”

“Can we talk for a bit? Regarding the Subway Line 2 construction.”

“Subway? That’s good.”

At Mayor Gu’s gaze, the ruling party assemblymen who were exchanging conversation slightly stepped back.

“Hmm, but the friend next to······.”

“The youngest son of Chairman Cha of Taeseong Group. You heard earlier? He’s a friend who will become the next president of Taeseong Construction. Greet.”

“How are you, Mayor Gu. I’m Cha Seong-jun.”

“I hear Chairman Cha entrusted the Subway Line 2 construction to you?”

“Yes, please take good care of me from now on.”

“If it’s Taeseong Construction, it’s a solid construction company that has to take a large axis of Gangnam development. Shall we shake hands once with the meaning of doing well from now on?”

Mayor Gu held out his hand and requested a handshake.

Father firmly held hands.

President Oh of Hyunmu Construction added.

“This friend is a skilled person with ability in his own way.”

“Is that so?”

“The Taeseong Hotels and resorts built in every corner of the country are also this friend’s skill.”

“He was the hidden contributor of the Taeseong Hotels and resorts that entered only scenic and good-location places in the provinces.”

“Not only that. Taeseong Construction successfully advancing to the Middle East is also all this friend’s skill.”

“Is that so? The construction of constructing a city whole in Saudi that Chairman Kim mentioned earlier. What construction in which area was that?”

Mayor Gu looked at Father with great interest.

“Ah, perhaps is it a question that becomes rude if asked? If it’s a top-secret matter with a confidentiality clause attached, I won’t ask anymore.”

“No. The relevant city is the nearby area where the Jubail industrial port enters. Taeseong took charge of basic civil engineering as well as roads and water pipes and drainage maintenance and cleaned the city division. It’s the work of constructing a new city.”

“You took charge of quite a thick construction at a young age.”

Mayor Gu slightly smiled.

“Can I look forward to this Subway Line 2 construction bidding too?”

“Of course.”

“Subway Line 2 is different from the above-ground Subway Line 1. Because it has to pass under the downtown, underground tunnel construction is very important.”

“Taeseong boasts the number one technical power in South Korea in the open-cut earth retaining method. In addition, this time we introduced the NATM (New Austrian Tunnelling Method) method and TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) method from Japan. So underground tunnel construction will also be no problem.”

“Yes, Taeseong was certainly contrasting with U-gwang struggling. Somehow it already seems trustworthy.”

“Taeseong has sufficiently secured investment money so the construction funds are also very ample. If you just entrust it, we’ll do our best and construct diligently.”

“Good, good. I very like young friends with this kind of active attitude.”

Mayor Gu burst into a hearty laugh.

“His Excellency is also showing great interest in this Subway Line 2 construction.”

Subway Line 2 was a matter that was promoted according to the Blue House’s will.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have poured such an enormous budget of 180 billion in this era.

“There’s not a single subway penetrating Seoul’s downtown. Seoul City’s population has already exceeded 7 million. With only road traffic, it will gradually become difficult to transport commuting people on time.”

That was the reason Mayor Gu strongly pushed the Subway Line 2 construction.

“For us, it’s an important national project that we devote our heart and blood to.”

“I’ll keep it in mind.”

Mayor Gu downed the champagne in one gulp and said.

“I couldn’t help but be disappointed seeing the Subway Line 2 route map that former Seoul Mayor Yang Taek-seok drew. I thought I had to completely revise the subway route so I drew a route map separately······.”

Mayor Gu slightly groped in his bosom.

It seemed he was about to take out the new route map, but for some reason he stopped for a moment.

“Hmm, this suddenly makes me curious about Taeseong’s opinion?”

Mayor Gu took out the hand he had put in his bosom.

It was an empty hand.

“How about it? Won’t Taeseong also draw a Subway Line 2 route map once and show it to me?”

“Yes?”

Father had a bewildered expression.

“President Cha, one week will do, right?”

Father couldn’t confirm.

“Lightly conceive once and send it. I’ll reference it.”

Instead of Father, President Oh of Hyunmu Construction shouted angrily.

“Is the subway construction a child’s play? To a person busy writing the subway construction bidding estimate and construction plan now······.”

“It’s not that I’ll give a disadvantage. Rather, I’m trying to give bonus points. This is an opportunity.”

Mayor Gu looked straight at Father.

“If possible, it’s better to work with a construction company looking at the same goal, the same direction, and it’s better to hear the opinion of a construction construction expert even once more. It won’t be a bad proposal for you either.”

“Anyone who sees it is an unreasonable demand! In just one week······!”

President Oh of Hyunmu Construction was greatly flustered.

“Mayor Gu, think about it. It’s the work of making the Subway Line 2 route map. Would ordinary manpower enter?”

That was the reason President Oh of Hyunmu Construction was shocked.

“Experts all have to attach and look at topographic maps and cadastral maps of course, and also investigate the soil and rock etc. geology. Moreover, they have to consider all the nearby cultural properties and important facilities, and also······.”

“Stop, stop. Do I look like I’m doing this because I don’t know that?”

Mayor Gu waved his hand.

“Let’s not think difficultly.”

“How does the sound of not thinking difficultly come out while demanding a difficult matter!”

“I just became curious what kind of dream Taeseong is drawing for the Subway Line 2 construction, whether a more innovative plan than now can come out, suddenly that kind of thing.”

Mayor Gu said seriously.

“It’s a great construction that has to invest at least 180 billion. Just the construction period will take about 5 years roughly.”

“That’s why I’m saying!”

“Once starting to dig the underground tunnel, it can’t stop. Every time stopping and going back, enormous money will break. Of course, all those change costs will have to be borne by the construction company?”

The money that Seoul City pays is only the bidding price according to the construction estimate.

All costs that change according to the site situation become the construction company’s share.

So Father’s expression couldn’t help but harden more.

“A construction where it’s extremely hard to change the section and route, once started can’t be reversed. The reason the Subway Line 2 construction plan has to be more thorough and perfect is exactly this. Can’t waste money and time, and manpower in vain.”

“Mayor Gu, so even more carefully······!”

“Of course, I know well that Taeseong also didn’t jump into the Subway Line 2 construction with a light heart.”

Mayor Gu looked straight at Father.

“Administrative officials often push urban development plans that don’t work at all without knowing the site situation at all. It’s desk administration. Then when a problem arises, they transfer all responsibility and burden to the construction company.”

“Umm.”

“We just pay the bidding price as promised. On the other hand, no matter how much money breaks, the one who has to bring the originally planned result is the construction company. That’s the government construction contract.”

“······.”

“So it’s the proposal I handed. Rather, from the construction plan stage, the construction company actively participates and presents the opinion of a site expert, how about it? Somehow it seems trial and error will decrease a lot?”

President Oh of Hyunmu Construction couldn’t help but make a subtle expression.

He is also the head of a construction company that takes government constructions.

He knew the desk administration and the frustrating site situation according to it better than anyone.

“······Really no disadvantage, right?”

“Of course. As I said earlier, just giving bonus points is enough, what would I do giving useless disadvantage with this kind of matter? Anyway, I already drew the subway route map separately, right?”

Mayor Gu tapped the inner pocket of the suit.

It was clearly what he was about to take out earlier.

“The budget that the government can pay is fixed. If the plan that Taeseong draws is not innovative and outstanding? No choice but to follow the desk administration we planned. So I said it’s an opportunity.”

Mayor Gu didn’t forget the warning either.

“However, keep in mind that this is a national project related to national interest. It’s the sound of not putting unnecessary excess for private gain.”

Mayor Gu pressed Father’s shoulder firmly.

“Can we entrust a great construction where a budget close to 200 billion will be invested to anyone. This time I’m thinking of watching Taeseong’s ability once. No confidence?”

Father clenched his fist tightly.

It wasn’t a matter to spit out words full of spirit carelessly.

No matter how much Mayor Gu says not to think difficultly, would it not be difficult.

Taeseong’s elites have to attach and review the materials.

Just the expected bidding price 180 billion, at least 40 or more subway stations have to be decided from a blank slate within one week.

This was a matter that even the president of Taeseong Construction couldn’t easily guarantee.

Mayor Gu smiled.

“If no confidence, give up. But I’m about to hand the same proposal to U-gwang Construction too.”

“Mayor Gu, you really······!”

“Who knows? Unlike Taeseong, U-gwang Construction might submit a subway construction plan that fits my heart perfectly. We’ll know if we watch.”

“······I’ll do it.”

Finally, Father’s mouth opened.

“You said one week? Good. Taeseong will also plan and submit the Subway Line 2 route map.”

Clearly U-gwang will accept this proposal.

Anyway, they’ve been driven to the defensive as much as they can.

They’ll happily run quickly to the lifeline that the decision maker of the Subway Line 2 construction lowers.

In that situation, Taeseong can’t retreat like a coward.

“Let’s pull the most efficient route within the given budget range.”

“Good! As expected, a man who played in big water is different! I’ll highly regard Taeseong’s spirited activeness! There won’t be a disadvantage so don’t worry and try challenging once!”

“Yes.”

Father smiled confidently.

“I hope Mayor Gu likes Taeseong’s route map more. Then I’ll go now.”

Father politely greeted and turned.

But as if when did he act confidently, Father’s expression was heavy.

The form of groping his bosom looked like he desperately wanted a cigarette.

* * *

I cut off the field of view sharing with the underworld messenger.

“Uhu hut!”

A laugh leaked out without realizing.

‘It’s easy?’

Subway Line 2 route map?

If having to decide 43 stations and the route from a blank slate, it would be very difficult, but I’m a person who rode the already completed Subway Line 2.

‘They say the Subway Line 2 made by constructing Mayor Gu’s drawn subway route map as is. Ah, except that the Subway Line 1 transfer station was changed.’

How many boxes of gum did I sell on the subway in my prime.

‘It’s a matter of just drawing the Subway Line 2 I know as is? 3 minutes will do!’

So a laugh couldn’t help but come out.