novelraw Chapter 55 : You’ll Have to Find Your Own Means and Methods
Chapter 55 : You’ll Have to Find Your Own Means and Methods
Chapter 55: You’ll Have to Find Your Own Means and Methods
“Now, now. Don’t stay out here in such a shabby place. Please, come inside.”
Park Jeong-su guided us into a small reception room at the back of the office.
Contrary to the plain exterior, the reception room was quite elegantly furnished with luxurious Western-style furniture. It seemed the messy, worn-out front office was just for show.
Once seated, he gave us a friendly smile and asked,
“So then, what brings you here today?”
“Mr. Yang told me to pay you a visit.”
“Mr. Yang, you say?”
Instead of answering, I simply nodded. After a moment of thought, he spoke again, his smile suggesting he was trying to read my intentions.
“He didn’t give you any specific instructions?”
“No, none.”
He nodded slightly before asking again,
“So, you’re looking to purchase some real estate, I presume?”
“Yes. For now, do you happen to have any good listings in Seongbuk-dong?”
“Seongbuk-dong? Hmm…”
He stood up, walked over to his desk, and returned with a thick file.
“I’m not sure what price range you’re considering, but as it happens, there’s a well-built Western-style house on a 300-pyeong plot. The market price is around 40 million hwan, but…”
Trailing off, Park lowered his voice.
“I could pull some strings and get it down to 28 million hwan. You won’t find another deal like this again.”
“Who’s the original owner?”
“Let’s just say he’s a former high-ranking official.”
“And yet you’re lowering the price that much?”
“Well, that’s how life works, isn’t it? He’s in a hurry to sell because of some urgent circumstances. And since you’ve come through Mr. Yang’s introduction… well, it’s the least I can do.”
I laughed inwardly. Whoever the original owner was, he was probably one of those purged during this change of administration.
No one would want to buy a property tainted with such a backstory, so this man was trying to unload it under the guise of a bargain.
I was beginning to get a clear picture of what kind of person he was.
“Fine. I’ll take it.”
At my unhesitant answer, Park’s eyes widened.
“You’ll decide just like that, without even taking a look?”
“It’s Mr. Yang’s recommendation. You wouldn’t try to scam me, would you?”
“Ah… well.”
He coughed awkwardly. We hadn’t spoken much yet, but I could already tell—he had the instincts of a con man.
But con men had their uses; it was all a matter of how to make use of them.
“And tell me, do you have any quick-sale properties in Myeong-dong or Hannam-dong?”
At my follow-up question, Park’s expression shifted slightly.
Buying a building worth nearly 30 million hwan without hesitation was one thing, but asking for more properties on top of that? It must have confused him—he had no idea how deep my pockets went.
“Heh, of course. Lately, with the government’s anti-Chinese sentiment, many Chinese residents are feeling uneasy and selling their assets at bargain prices before leaving.”
That was when I realized the true reason Yang Sobo had sent me to this man.
It wasn’t purely to help me.
He wanted me, a non-Chinese, to buy up all the prime properties that Chinese owners were desperately trying to unload.
That way, Yang Sobo could safely liquidate the assets of the Chinese people under his influence.
‘He really doesn’t do anything that doesn’t profit him, does he?’
Unaware of my thoughts, Park eagerly brought out more listings and explained them to me.
“There’s a three-story commercial building right in the heart of Myeong-dong on a 50-pyeong lot for 35 million hwan. And in Hannam-dong, there’s a huge 1,000-pyeong plot for 70 million hwan. Both are priced well below market value.”
A Myeong-dong commercial building—now that was prime real estate. Even with money, such properties were hard to get.
And that 1,000-pyeong plot in Hannam-dong would soon skyrocket in value—it was golden land.
“Hmm… Excellent. I’ll buy all of them.”
“P–pardon? You mean the Seongbuk-dong house, the Myeong-dong building, and the Hannam-dong lot—all of them?”
The sly smile that had been plastered on Park’s face cracked at last. My willingness to buy over 100 million hwan worth of property without even seeing it must have stunned him.
Enjoying his reaction, I added as though I’d just remembered something.
“Oh, and Mr. Park. Do you happen to have any land south of the Han River for sale? Somewhere around the Yeongdong area, perhaps?”
“The Yeongdong area?”
Park couldn’t hide his puzzled look.
“Sir, that area’s nothing but pear orchards and sand fields right now. When it rains, it turns into a swamp—you can’t even walk there without boots. What on earth would you do with such a wasteland?”
At that time, even the military government hadn’t drafted any concrete development plans for Gangnam. No one paid attention to land south of the Han River.
But for me, it was the perfect time—and the greatest opportunity.
“Besides, without a ferry, you can’t even get to Myeong-dong or Hannam-dong from there…”
“I just thought it’d be nice to move somewhere quiet someday, maybe farm a bit when I get tired of city life.”
There was no need, nor any reason, to explain the truth to him. I replied nonchalantly and asked again,
“So, is there any land available?”
Though still looking at me as if I were incomprehensible, Park didn’t refuse a client’s request. He took out an old notebook from his pocket and began flipping through it.
A con man, yes—but a competent one.
“There is, actually. Some government-issued land in the Yeongdong area. It’s been left unsold because it’s so useless. Roughly ten thousand pyeong.”
He got up and brought over a large map hanging on the wall.
“Here, and here.”
I looked at the spots he pointed to—and couldn’t help cheering inwardly.
Apgujeong, Cheongdam, Sinsa.
The very places that would one day become the most expensive land in all of Korea.
“To be honest, I wouldn’t recommend it. Except for Yeongdeungpo, all areas south of the Han River are practically worthless as real estate. Especially here—around Siheung-gun and Gwangju-gun—it floods every time it rains.”
“Perfect. What’s the price?”
“It’s listed at 100 hwan per pyeong, but…”
He trailed off again, clearly wondering if I was seriously going to buy such defective land.
I grinned at him.
“I’ll take it all for 70 hwan per pyeong.”
“Sir, this is government-issued land. The price isn’t negotiable…”
“I’ll give you an extra 10 hwan per pyeong for your cut, Mr. Park. As long as you can make sure I get it for 70.”
At my audacious offer, Park’s eyes gleamed with greed.
To him, I must have seemed insane—but if it meant profit, there was no reason to refuse.
“So, can you make it happen?”
“I’ll do my best—no, I’ll make it happen. I’ll make sure the deal goes through, sir.”
Even after receiving Park’s enthusiastic promise, my finger continued moving across the map.
“In Siheung-gun, Shindong-myeon Jamsil-ri, and in Gwangju-gun, Eonju-myeon Sinsa-ri—focus on the hilly areas there. Also, the sandy land in Banpo-ri, Shindong-myeon, where they say farming is impossible because of too much sand. And finally, the grassy fields in Seocho-ri. For all four of these areas, if the owners are willing to sell, buy them all—without hesitation.”
“W–wait, sir! You mean you’re buying even more land? Those useless wastelands?”
Park Jeong-su stared at me, his mouth agape.
His suspicion was only natural. This was an investment far beyond simply buying golden land in Myeong-dong—utterly irrational by common standards.
My specific demands alone were enough to arouse doubt.
“Did you perhaps hear something? Some kind of development information?”
“No. It’s simply an investment for the future.”
“Ha… I truly can’t understand.”
Park muttered in puzzlement, but I met his gaze firmly as I spoke.
“I’m not asking for your understanding. Isn’t it your job, Mr. Park, to simply broker the properties your client requests?”
“But… how could I possibly handle such an amount? It’s not an easy matter!”
“You’ll have to find your own means and methods. Must I really teach you every single step?”
I deliberately said it more sharply.
At my words, Park’s expression stiffened. His pride must have been wounded; his eyes turned cold and hostile.
But he quickly regained his composure and replied,
“Well… if real estate could be bought simply because someone wanted to, life would be easy, wouldn’t it? Deals happen only when buyer and seller align. That’s why people like me exist.”
“If Mr. Yang went so far as to introduce you, that must mean you’re the best in this business. And yet you’re whining over something this trivial?”
“What did you just say?”
From the beginning, I’d been someone well-versed in buying and selling land.
In my previous life, before Gangnam’s development, I had already purchased numerous plots under Jeong Tae-soo’s orders.
Which meant I knew full well that everything he was saying now was mere bluff.
“When farmers complain about how hard the soil is, you sweet-talk them. If someone’s desperate for money, you pay a few hwan above market price—that’s how this business works, isn’t it? If you’re only going to broker properties that are already up for sale, then what use is a man like you, Mr. Park?”
“……”
“Will you do it, or won’t you? If you can get it below market price, I’ll pay you an extra ten hwan per pyeong, no questions asked. Naturally, brokerage fees are separate.”
Park pondered my words for a moment, then asked one final question for confirmation.
“Do you really have the funds? If I find sellers and you end up without money, it’ll be my credibility that’s ruined.”
“Is Mr. Yang’s introduction not proof enough? Besides, just the properties I’m purchasing today already exceed one hundred million hwan. Do you really think the Yeongdong land would cost more than that?”
Each word was logical and firm. Park could no longer argue. As expected, men like him—greedy and self-serving—always bowed to strength.
“There’s one more important condition.”
I looked him straight in the eyes and spoke seriously. Park swallowed dryly, visibly tense.
“All the real estate we contract today, and all future purchases, must be under borrowed names. My name must never appear.”
“Borrowed names? That’s a complicated process, and the fees are much higher.”
“I know. You’ll handle all of it yourself, Mr. Park. I don’t care how high the fees are. Don’t worry about money. What I require is absolute confidentiality and perfect results.”
With a deep sigh, Park ruffled his neatly combed hair, strands falling across his forehead.
“Ha… Did Mr. Yang perhaps tell you about this beforehand?”
“No. He didn’t say a word. But since he sent me to you, I had my suspicions. That’s why I brought it up.”
“Heh, well, I suppose this is my area of expertise…”
“Is that so? Then I’ll count on you.”
“Very well!”
Park finally clapped his hands, as though making up his mind. Straightening his hair again, he spoke with renewed confidence.
“Since Mr. Yang introduced you, and after seeing how decisively you handle business, I must say—I like your style. It’s been a while since I’ve met someone so bold, and it’s truly refreshing.”
I gave a faint smile instead of a reply. The main discussion was over. Now, it was time to bring up the final, most important matter.
“And one more thing…”
From inside my coat, I took out the note and key Old Master Hwang had given me, and handed them to him.
“I’ll be buying this building as well.”
Park’s face showed visible surprise as he checked the note.
“T-this… this is the Japanese-style house Old Master Hwang personally managed! How on earth…?”
“Old Master Hwang handed it over to me himself. He said if you heard it was approved by him, you’d understand. Can the deal be done?”
“It’s possible, but… I’ll need to confirm it.”
“Is the note not enough?”
“Old Master Hwang manages the property, but the owner is someone else. I’ll have to speak with them, so it’ll take a few days.”
I frowned. That was troublesome. I needed to leave Seoul in just a few days.
“I’ll give you two days. Complete every transaction within that time.”
“But Mr. Baek! That’s physically impossi—”
“I don’t have much time. Please, I’m counting on you.”
I took out an envelope containing a cashier’s check worth two hundred million hwan and placed it on his desk. His eyes immediately locked onto it.
“Two hundred million hwan. That should more than cover everything—the Seongbuk-dong mansion, the Myeong-dong commercial building, the Hannam-dong and Yeongdong plots, and finally, this Japanese-style house.”
I didn’t know the exact price of the house Old Master Hwang had transferred, but considering its location and size, it was easily worth fifty million hwan.
Park Jeong-su checked the check and began jotting figures in his notebook.
“The Seongbuk-dong house, twenty-eight million… Myeong-dong building, thirty-five million… Hannam-dong land, seventy million… Yeongdong area, seven hundred thousand… and the Japanese-style house, roughly…”
After finishing his calculations, he put down the notebook.
“All in all, that comes to approximately one hundred ninety-seven million hwan.”
“Perfect.”
“That includes all brokerage fees and incidental costs. So, you’ll have about three hundred thousand hwan left.”
“Consider that three hundred thousand a small token of goodwill for our future dealings. This may be our first transaction, but I expect we’ll be doing much more together.”
At those words, Park sprang to his feet and bent ninety degrees at the waist.
“Oh! Sir! I, Park Jeong-su, will dedicate my life to serving you faithfully!”
Indeed, money was the answer. Just moments ago, he’d been testing me with subtle power plays—and now, his demeanor flipped completely, swift and flawless.
I stood up and said,
“I’ll return in two days to collect all the documents. I’m counting on you.”
When I extended my hand, Park grasped it with both of his, bowing deeply once more.
“It’s my honor, sir.”
With his overly courteous send-off, I stepped out of the office.
Outside, Lee Cheong-ho approached me.
“Have you finished the transactions?”
“Yes. I’ve agreed to buy several properties.”
Lee glanced briefly at Park Jeong-su, who was standing at the doorway seeing me off, then turned away without a word.
“This is the last one. Let’s go.”
“Let’s.”
“Goodbye, sir!”
With Park Jeong-su’s farewell echoing behind me, I walked on—to meet the final person Yang Sobo had introduced.