Chapter 117: Do you have plans to enter politics?

An old castle in Germany.

“How many years has it been since we all gathered like this?”

Five elderly men were seated around a large round table, chatting among themselves.

“Not since the Gulf War, I imagine.”

The old men nodded slightly and sipped from their teacups.

At first glance, it seemed like a peaceful, mundane gathering, but that was far from the truth.

“We need to get Bill to sign off on repealing the banking regulations before he leaves office.”

“Of course. That’s why we put that brat in the White House to begin with.”

These old men spoke with pride about how they had made the president of the most powerful nation on Earth.

“Because of the Glass-Steagall Act, we can’t do things the way we want. This time, we have to get it repealed.”

The Glass-Steagall Act, enacted in 1933, was a law reflecting President Roosevelt’s strong resolve after the Great Depression, believing that reckless commercial banking had caused the stock market crash.

The law was aimed at reforming banks and regulating speculation, strictly separating the activities of commercial and investment banks.

Commercial banks were limited to deposits and loans, while investment banks were restricted to handling investments.

“Nais, why are you so quiet? Do you think silence will get anything done?”

“David, Bill is just our puppet. What’s there to worry about?”

“You’re always so relaxed. This is why I can’t stand Jews.”

Nais and David locked eyes, tension crackling between them.

“Come on now, knock it off. Why is it that every time the two of you meet, it turns into a fight? You’re both old enough to know better.”

Another elderly man stepped in to calm them down, and they both turned away in unison.

“Once we repeal that law, we’ll gain even more power. Just like the old days. We’ve waited for this moment for so long. What’s the point of fighting amongst ourselves now?”

“Alright, alright, Marx. You never change w with your nagging, even at your age.”

The heated atmosphere gradually cooled down.

“David will handle the repeal, so leave it to him. But have you all heard the rumors about some Asian kid playing Wall Street for fools?”

All eyes turned toward the man who had spoken.

“I did hear something. Was it Charlie? They say he made a fortune during the East Asian financial crisis.”

“Apparently, he’s only in his twenties.”

David picked up the conversation, and soon the others began murmuring about Kim Mu-hyeok.

“A talented young man, it seems. Is he from a noble Japanese family?”

“No, I heard he’s Korean.”

Marx made a dismissive f face.

“Korea? Where’s that again?”

“It’s next to Japan. Not a well-known country, but certainly not one to be underestimated. It’s a sizable market.”

“Whatever. So what about this Asian kid?”

The man who had brought up the topic finally spoke again.

“He’s still small-time for now, but looking at his moves, I have a feeling he might cross paths with us someday.”

The other four old men erupted in laughter.

“Lorenze, are you losing your mind? Why are you saying such nonsense with a straight face?”

Marx laughed the loudestst.

“Some nobody from a country I’ve never heard of? A single person, no less? There’s a better chance of Hitler coming back from the dead.”

The others nodded in agreement, but Lorenze shook his head.

“It’s never wise to be too complacent. We’re entering a new age, one unlike anything we’ve seen before. Just look at how much the world has changed in the past decade. We need to be prepared.”

“Lorenze, you’re not still spooked by what happened back then, are you?”

“Marx.”.”

Lorenze’s face darkened.

“Ah, sorry. I didn’t mean to offend. Back then, it was just the Medici family, but now we’ve banded together. Who could possibly stand against us? Don’t be so jumpy.”

The others chimed in with agreement.

“Lorenze, you’re too cautious for your own good. Marx is right. Unless sosome lunatic like Hitler shows up… Actually, even if Hitler came back, he wouldn’t be able to oppose us.”

“…Fine. But I’ll still keep an eye on him, just in case.”

“Do as you see fit. Now, let’s talk about Russia. Smells like an opportunity, doesn’t it? Yeltsin’s health is failing, and their economy’s in shambles.”

These elderly men were the ones pulling the strings behind the scenes, controlling the world from the shadows.

The Rothschild family, with its reach extended across the globe.

The Medici family of Italy.

The Rockefeller family of the United States.

The Wallenberg family of Sweden.

And…

“Why so quiet?”

“Nothing. Let’s begin.”

The man who had brought them all together.

He had mediated the conflicts between the families and forged an alliance.

The Habsburg dynasty.

Once the ruling family of Europe, now believed to have crumbled with the rise of democracy and the fall of monarchies.

But in truth, they had merely stepped back into the shadows, pulling the strings through other families.

A massive shift was already in motion, one that Kim Mu-hyeok was completely unawre of.

* * *

It had been a long time since the group of friends had all gathered in one place.

“How’s Busan?”

Myeong-su shrugged at my question.

“Same as always.”

“My grandma’s down in Busan now. Check in on her from time to time, will you?”

“Got it. So, did you wrap up everything you were working on?”

“More or less. Hyeon-woo must be swamped these days.”

Hyeon-woo, who had been talking to the others, turned to look at me.

“Thanks to you. I passed on your message to that bastard. His face turned pale.”

“Bae Beom-gyu?”

“Yeah, the guy was too cocky for his own good, so I knocked him down a peg.”

“Haha. You sure that was a good idea?”

“President Yoon ordered it, so it’s fine. I’m just a lowly prosecutor doing what I’m told.”

I chuckled at Oh Hyeon-woo’s attempt to lighten the mood.

“What are you two laughing about?”

Han Min-kyung asked, holding out her glass.

“Oh, you wouldn’t know. I’m talking about Prosecutor Bae Beom-gyu.”

“I saw the news.”

“That bastard dragged Mu-hyeok to the Prosecutors’ Office. I made sure to get payback.”

“What? Mu-hyeok, you got hauled into the Prosecutors’ Office?”

Han Min-kyung looked at me in shock.

I waved it off like it was nothing.

“No, it was voluntary. I went in for a bit and came right out. Hyeon-woo’s just exaggerating.”

“You should’ve called me first! I’m your friend, aren’t I?”

“It wasn’t a big deal. Nothing worth bothering you about. Hyeon-woo found out because he works at the Prosecutors’ Office, and Jae-ha was my lawyer…”

I trailed off mid-sentence.

Right. Everyone knew except Han Min-kyung.

I’d really messed up.

“I didn’t do it on purpose. You’ve been so busy lately.”

“That’s no excuse!”

“I’m sorry. Next time, I’ll report to you first, Judge Han Min-kyung.”

Still pouting, Han Min-kyung smacked me on the back.

“Next time, make sure you tell me. Don’t make me feel left out.”

“Alright, let’s all have another drink.”

We raised our glasses together.

“To our everlasting friendship!”

As the drinks flowed, the atmosphere grew livelier.

Everyone started chatting freely, catching up on each other’s lives.

I quietly called Myeong-su over.

“How’s life as a prosecutor?”

“It’s just like any other government job. After finishing my time as a military judicial officer, I got my first post in Busan thanks to you, and I’ve settled in well.”

“You’re going to be called back to Seoul soon.”

“Why?”

Myeong-su gave me a curious look, wondering why I was being so cryptic.

“Have you ever thought about going into politics?”

“Politics?”

Myeong-su’s face twisted in disbelief.

“Are you crazy? What the hell do I know about politics? That’s ridiculous.”

I smiled at his reaction and asked again.

“I’m serious. Have you ever considered it?”

“You’re the one who told me to be a prosecutor, and now you want me to go into politics? What kind of nonsense is that?”

The Busan accent, which had all but disappeared after his military service, slipped back into Myeong-su’s voice.

“Politics isn’t a game. What do I know about running for office? Why don’t you ask Hyeon-woo? He’s got the temperament for it.”

Oh Hyeon-woo must have heard his name because he glanced over, wondering what we were talking about.

I waved him off.

“Don’t worry about it. Just keep drinking.”

“You weren’t calling me over?”

Oh Hyeon-woo went back to chatting with Hyeon-seong.

“Keep your voice down. Did you swallow a megaphone?”

“Seriously, what’s with this sudden talk about politics?”

I glanced around at my friends, all engrossed in their conversations.

These were the people who would one day shape the future of Korea.

But none of them had any interest in politics.

“Are you still attached to your career as a prosecutor? Or do you just hate the idea of politics?”

“I became a prosecutor because you told me to. Honestly, I could quit tomorrow. But politics? That’s not something someone like me should get involved in.”

“Why not? What’s wrong with you?”

I hadn’t expected this kind of reaction from Myeong-su.

It was almost like he had a deep-seated aversion to politics.

“I’m serious, politics isn’t for me. You want to throw your friend to the wolves in that dirty world…”

“It’s because I don’t have anyone I can trust. Without trustworthy politicians, things get dangerous.”

I knew plenty of politicians and lawmakers who were tied to me through money. But they could turn on me at any moment.

This time, I realized how crucial it was to have a political force that would always stand by my side.

My plan was to have President Yoon run for president after his term as Chief Prosecutor ended.

Before that, I thought it would be ideal if Myeong-su could secure a seat in the National Assembly with Yoon’s backing.

“My parents’ revenge is complete. Now I’m living for myself. Right now, money is the ultimate power. Maybe it always will be. But there’s one thing that bothers me: if politicians turn on you, they can crush you whenever they want.”

Someone once said:

“Political power is fleeting, but wealth lasts a lifetime.”

But in Korea, politicians could decide to persecute even the wealthiest individuals.

Myeong-su scratched his head in frustration.

“Damn it… I worked so hard to become a prosecutor.”

“Which only makes it easier for you to transition into politics. You don’t have to rush into it—gain more experience in the Prosecutors’ Office first. I’ll set up the cases for you.”

“What are you two scheming?”

Yoon Jae-ha approached, holding his glass.

“Jae-ha, Mu-hyeok here wants me to run for office.”

“What? Myeong-su? Mu-hyeok, are you out of your mind?”

While the two of them argued, Myeong-su bristled.

“What’s with that reaction? What’s wrong with me, huh?”

“Come on, admit it. We just can’t picture you as a politician. Hey, guys! Mu-hyeok’s telling Myeong-su to run for office!”

Everyone turned to look at us, their faces full of disbelief.

Myeong-su jumped up, offended by their reactions.

“What’s so funny? What’s wrong with me?”

But everyone just ignored him and kept chatting.

“Mu-hyeok, are you drunk?”

“Yeah, Mu-hyeok. Maybe you should get some fresh air.”

“Stop picking on Myeong-su.”

Even Hyeon-woo, Min-kyung, and Hyeon-seong chimed in.

“You guys…”

Myeong-su, growing more and more frustrated, suddenly shouted.

“Fine! I’ll do it! I’ll run for office!”

“Whoa, don’t make such emotional decisions.”

“I can’t stand being mocked like this. How do I get started?”

I had prepared a speech to convince him, but my friends’ teasing had already done the job.

I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all.

Honestly, I could have turned anyone into a powerful politician.

But Myeong-su was the one I trusted most.

“We’ll talk specifics later.”

“Congressman Lee Myeong-su. Haha! No matter how I picture it, it doesn’t fit.”

“Yeah, it’s just too weird!”

Everyone burst into laughter, except for Myeong-su.

“Shut up, you jerks…”

After spending a lively evening with my friends, I headed home.

“Am I forcing my friends down a path because of my own ambitions?”

Manager Ma, sitting in the passenger seat, glanced at me.

“It’s only a problem if you’re leading them down the wrong path. If you’re walking it together, I’d say it’s fine.”

I looked out the window, thinking of the faces of those who had chosen to walk with me.

For some reason, the night felt strangely bittersweet.

Russia, in the midst of negotiations with the IMF, finally declared a moratorium.

Investors in the U.S., including Wall Street, who had bet on Russia’s future, were thrown into panic.

The grumbling of a sleeping bear had woken.

― Mu-hyeok. You need to come to the U.S.

“I was just about to.”

― I’ve sent the private jet to Korea. It’ll land at Gimpo Airport tomorrow. Take it and come over.

“Got it. See you in New York.”

It was time to fulfill the promises I’d made to pressure the government.

Of course, it was all part of the plan.