Chapter 410: New Wine Must Be Put Into New Wineskins

The woman who opened the door to the VIP room recognized me and her face lit up with delight.

“It’s been a while.”

“Boss Kim! It really has been ages. I haven’t seen you since Chairman Cheon’s funeral.”

Yeon-hong the third owner of the VIP room had ties with my grandfather.

Perhaps that’s why her face radiated such genuine warmth. I returned her smile with a gentle one of my own.

“I’ve been quite busy lately. Business still slow as usual? You should really think about taking it easy.”

“Hoho what’s there to take easy about when I’m still in my prime? You know this isn’t just about making money.”

Yeon-hong naturally extended her greeting to Manager Ma.

“Long time no see Seok-dae.”

“Yes Sister it has been a while.”

“There you go with ‘Sister’ again. I told you to just call me Noona.”

Though she seemed to be scolding Manager Ma a smile lingered on her lips.

“I’m getting too old to call you that now.”

Yeon-hong sighed at Manager Ma’s gruff response.

“Ah… you were no fun even when you were young and you haven’t changed a bit. Boss Kim must have his hands full with you.”

“It’s fine actually. That’s what makes him reliable.”

Yeon-hong came from the same orphanage as Manager Ma. Her connection with my grandfather started back then.

“Follow me. Myung-hoon oppa is waiting.”

We followed Yeon-hong into the main building. Ha Myung-hoon had arrived earlier and was waiting for me.

“Boss you’re here?”

Ha Myung-hoon stood and bowed deeply as I entered.

“Chairman please don’t be so formal.”

“I’m more comfortable this way. I apologize if it makes you uncomfortable.”

Ha Myung-hoon hadn’t changed with time. Perhaps Manager Ma’s stiff personality came from Myung-hoon’s influence?

After brief greetings I took my seat at the head of the table.

Ha Myung-hoon and Yeon-hong sat together on the left while Manager Ma took his place on the right.

Despite Yeon-hong’s obvious signals Myung-hoon remained deliberately oblivious.

“Why haven’t you two gotten married?”

“…”

“I’d like to see Chairman and Sister Yeon-hong happy together. I’m sure grandfather would have wanted this too.”

Yeon-hong’s face turned bright red. Myung-hoon glanced at her briefly before speaking.

“Thank you for your concern. We’ll discuss it between ourselves.”

I nodded quietly accepting Myung-hoon’s curt response without pressing further.

Setting aside the small talk I got down to business.

“Chairman tomorrow Eva will transfer about 20 billion to Taesan Bank through a secret account. It’ll arrive properly laundered so please handle it accordingly. Have it ready in used bills. I’ll send Manager Ma and staff after business hours.”

“Understood. I’ll give direct instructions to the bank president.”

The presidential election season is here.

Presidential elections were essentially a battle of securing campaign funds.

While there were legal limits on campaign spending that amount was far from enough.

As a result chaebols were routinely squeezed for money during election season.

Though they called it squeezing money it was really about owing favors to the chaebols.

This created a vicious cycle where presidents elected this way ended up being pulled around by chaebols to repay their debts.

“Twenty billion won’t be enough that’s for sure. This only covers immediate needs. We’ll probably need to prepare about the same amount again. When you think about it it’s a small price to pay for making Yoon Chang-ho president.”

“Yes we’ll help in any way we can.”

“Ah Chairman Yoon will soon apply for a loan at Taesan Bank for campaign funds. It’s for official campaign expenses so make sure the loan approval goes smoothly.”

“Understood. I’ll personally oversee that matter.”

We spent more time discussing directives and economic matters.

By the time the once-hot tea had completely cooled I rose from my seat.

“Look at the time. I should get going.”

Everyone stood as I got up. Yeon-hong asked with a faint smile.

“Boss you’re leaving already?”

“We’ve covered everything we needed to. Staying longer might be inconsiderate to you two.”

“Hoho you’re too kind. Thank you for your consideration.”

Yeon-hong gave a small smile then suddenly remembered something and spoke in a low voice.

“Ah right. Your friend is in the guest house right now.”

“Friend? I can’t think of anyone I know who would come here…”

I tilted my head at Yeon-hong’s words. She also looked puzzled.

“Didn’t President Lee Myeong-su tell you? I thought you knew they were coming.”

“Ah Myeong-su. Who’s he with?”

“He’s with National Assembly Speaker Yu Nak-hyeon. They seem to have arranged a meeting.”

Finally I understood why Myeong-su had come here.

It seemed he came to discuss the party merger.

“Speaker Yu is a regular here right?”

“Yes he’s been coming for years.”

“Well since I know now I might as well go say hello.”

Yeon-hong hesitated before responding. She seemed worried about having revealed her guests’ secret.

“Don’t worry I won’t cause any trouble for you Sister.”

“Alright I’ll show you the way.”

“You two stay here. This won’t take long have another cup of tea.”

I stopped Manager Ma and Ha Myung-hoon from following and moved toward the guest house with Yeon-hong.

“It’s over there.”

“I can manage from here. Head back to the main building Sister. The three of you must have a lot to catch up on.”

“Yes Boss. If you need anything just ring the bell. I’ll come personally not the staff.”

Yeon-hong bowed and backed away.

After confirming she was gone I slid open the door.

The atmosphere inside was tense.

Yu Nak-hyeon was standing and Myeong-su’s face was rigid.

I felt both their gazes turn to me simultaneously.

I casually greeted Yu Nak-hyeon.

“Speaker Yu Kim Mu-hyeok here.”

“…”

A moment of silence fell. Bewilderment filled Myeong-su’s eyes.

Moving only his lips so Yu Nak-hyeon couldn’t see Myeong-su mouthed ‘how did you get here?’

“…Did you call him?”

Yu Nak-hyeon frowned and turned to look down at Myeong-su.

Before Myeong-su could figure out how to respond Yu Nak-hyeon spoke first.

“Mind your manners President Lee. Meeting me in secret then inviting others? What kind of behavior is this?”

“Speaker Myeong-su didn’t know about this. It was my decision alone so please calm down. Let’s sit and talk.”

As I sat down next to Myeong-su Yu Nak-hyeon reluctantly returned to his seat.

“The air’s quite heavy in here befitting a room with political heavyweights.”

I poured drinks into fresh glasses making a joke to lighten the tense atmosphere.

“From what I see Myeong-su must have stirred up trouble again. He’s not great with words so he often causes misunderstandings. Please be understanding Speaker.”

I flashed a gentle smile at Yu Nak-hyeon who let out a disapproving snort.

“Speaker I can guess what you were discussing. But why do you think Myeong-su sought you out instead of Chairman Yoon? If you think about it the atmosphere shouldn’t be this heavy.”

“…What are you getting at?”

“If Chairman Yoon Chang-ho and President Kim Man-sam reach an agreement would there be any share left for you Speaker?”

Yu Nak-hyeon’s brow twitched but the old fox quickly masked his expression.

“…His Excellency left the party.”

“Does leaving the party diminish his influence? Most current members of parliament entered politics under his guidance including you Speaker. Could you refuse if President Kim Man-sam ordered a merger?”

I took out three fresh glasses and lined them up in front of me then opened a new bottle of liquor.

“Chairman Yoon tried to reach out to President Kim Man-sam. But Myeong-su here sought you out trying to secure your share. Honestly from the Moderate Party’s perspective the Conservative Party is like a chicken rib – neither worth keeping nor throwing away. So why try to embrace the Conservative Party?”

I poured drinks into the glasses. One for Yu Nak-hyeon one for Myeong-su.

“New wine must be put into new wineskins.”

I picked up my glass and spoke calmly.

“Political reorganization is inevitable. No one can stop that flow. The Conservative Party is shaking again first with the Cheongpung Group incident and now with the military faction issue. Merging with the Moderate Party is the Conservative Party’s only chance for survival. This is your last chance Speaker.”

After downing my drink I continued.

“Time will make this meaningless. Now is the perfect timing. Once Yoon Chang-ho becomes president there’ll be no reason or justification for a merger. You know this is when your value is at its highest Speaker.”

What if the Conservative Party couldn’t field a presidential candidate?

Or what if they somehow managed to field one but got low voter turnout?

Then they’d no longer be an attractive asset.

From the Conservative Party’s perspective they needed to sell while they still had decent packaging.

Setting down my empty glass I said.

“Honestly I don’t understand Myeong-su’s actions. Why he chose to seek you out Speaker when there was an easier path.”

Yu Nak-hyeon’s face hardened. He seemed to take it as an insult.

“Are you saying you didn’t orchestrate this?”

“Haha why would I? I neither manipulated him nor would I give such a trivial order as to seek you out if I did.”

“Listen here Kim Mu-hyeok you…”

I pulled up one corner of my mouth. His delusion was laughable.

The guard dog of a noble house thinking he was something special just because he got treated like a chairman in Yeouido.

“Speaker don’t misunderstand. We’re not doing this because we can’t merge without you. Myeong-su is just trying to look after you as his senior.”

Glancing slightly toward Myeong-su I saw him let out a low sigh.

Yet Myeong-su had completely drained the drink I’d given him.

‘Look at this guy.’

I just watched Myeong-su with an appreciative smile without joining the conversation.

His way of deliberately pulling things into his pace was quite impressive.

“No no. We should have a proper discussion. You should have put the bait on the negotiating table first. You still have much to learn.”

Yu Nak-hyeon seemed desperate to maintain control until the end.

“Not at all. You were so adamant I was thinking of looking for someone else. Come to think of it it doesn’t have to be you Speaker.”

Though their intentions were transparent the two politicians continued their power struggle for a while.

I leisurely sipped my drink watching them both.

“Think about it properly. Once Chairman Yoon becomes president there’ll be no reason or justification for a merger. You know this is when your value is at its highest Speaker.”

“…”

“I don’t want to get deeply involved in politics. I have no desire to either. Myeong-su didn’t even tell me he was meeting you here today. I just dropped by to say hello but look at this atmosphere. Were you planning to refuse?”

Myeong-su nodded slightly beside me.

Seriously what is this guy thinking? Trying to team up with a has-been who can’t even read the current political climate?

“…Well I won’t stop you if you want to leave and refuse. You’ll just be completely excluded from then on. The Conservative Party will eventually merge with the Moderate Party. I’ll make sure of that.”

“How arrogant. Think Choi Seon-man will sit still? Even with his hands and feet cut off he’s not someone to be taken lightly.”

“See? You know nothing at all.”

I turned to Myeong-su and asked.

“Why did you choose Speaker Yu as a partner? He knows nothing. Seems like someone who only sees what’s right in front of him.”

Myeong-su shrugged. Then continued nonchalantly.

“He’s my senior from school… and even though he’s Conservative Party his political color is somewhat similar to ours. What other reason would there be?”

“But still why go to such lengths?”

“I was going to offer him the party chairman position. But he’s like this before even hearing it out. Guess I’ll have to look for someone else. Come to think of it it doesn’t have to be the Speaker.”

Yu Nak-hyeon jumped into our conversation urgently.

“Wait a moment. You were going to offer the chairman position?”

Myeong-su replied with a puzzled expression.

“Yes. But you didn’t even want to talk right? So I couldn’t bring it up…”

“My good man! You should have led with that!”

“Well you just said your piece and tried to leave didn’t you? How was I supposed to say anything?”

Myeong-su spoke in a seemingly wronged voice. Yu Nak-hyeon thumped his chest.

‘Look at this guy.’

I just watched Myeong-su with a satisfied smile not joining their conversation.

His way of deliberately pulling things into his pace was quite impressive.

“No that’s not right. We need to have a proper discussion. You should have put the bait on the negotiating table first. You still have much to learn.”

Yu Nak-hyeon seemed desperate to maintain control until the end.

“Not at all. You were so adamant I was thinking of looking for someone else. Come to think of it it doesn’t have to be you Speaker.”

Though their intentions were transparent the two politicians continued their power struggle for a while.

I leisurely sipped my drink watching them both.