Chapter 731: What Do You Have To Worry About?

The words that came from Luo Gan’s mouth were not the answer Li Peng wanted.

“It’s impossible to stop now. No matter how much you tell me to stop, Prime Minister, it can’t be done.”

Completely taken aback by this unexpected response, Li Peng felt momentarily speechless.

“Prime Minister, for the sake of China, this is our only chance. If we fail to bring Korea to heel now, it will be even more difficult later. Now is the perfect time.”

Luo Gan avoided eye contact with Li Peng.

Even as he spoke, his gaze remained fixed on the teacup placed on the table.

Silence fell after Luo Gan finished speaking.

But it was a brief silence. Soon Li Peng burst into loud laughter.

Startled, Luo Gan abruptly raised his head, only to see Li Peng laughing even harder.

“Good! That’s the spirit. It’s not good for you to just follow my orders all the time. Luo Gan, you’ve become a politician now.”

“Thank you.”

“However…”

Li Peng, adjusting his glasses that had slipped down his nose, crossed his arms.

As if he had never laughed, he spoke with a chilling expression.

“You are aware that there won’t be a place for you next time, right?”

“…”

“Neither Jiang Zemin nor Hu Jintao can remove the regulations set by Deng Xiaoping. No matter how much you live as Jiang Zemin’s troubleshooter.”

Luo Gan had to step down in the next election. This was due to the rules established by Deng Xiaoping.

Deng Xiaoping limited the term of all party positions to 10 years and stipulated that no one over 65 could take on a new party position.

This was to minimize one-person dictatorship and interference from senior figures, and to ensure a smooth generational shift.

Since Deng Xiaoping himself adhered to these principles, no one could object. At least, that’s how it appeared on the surface.

Deng Xiaoping effectively ruled China until his death without holding any official party position.

However, thanks to Deng Xiaoping’s efforts, the power succession from Jiang Zemin to Hu Jintao was achieved with minimal disruption.

Luo Gan would be forced to step down from his position as a standing committee member and all party positions in the next election due to the age restriction.

“I am aware.”

“I predict that Jiang Zemin will be pushed out in the next election. No matter how powerful Jiang Zemin is, he can’t maintain his influence without a party position.”

“…”

“It’s said to dig multiple rabbit holes. Don’t be so quick to make such a promise.”

“I apologize.”

The resolute air from before had vanished; he bowed his head to Li Peng, seeking advice.

“What should I do? Should I stop at a reasonable point?”

“No. We can’t yield to threats. Pressure Korea even harder.”

Luo Gan’s eyes widened, and Li Peng smirked.

“Did you think I would yield to some measly threats?”

“This may not be the end.”

“I’m already waiting for the day I die. I have no reputation left to protect. I’m already known as a butcher; what would change if I were butchered even more?”

His tone was self-deprecating, but his expression was as proud as ever.

“Pressure the Korean government harder. I’ll support you from behind. What does Jiang Zemin think?”

“The elders want to negotiate to a certain extent.”

Li Peng clicked his tongue and shook his head.

“No, that’s not enough. They won’t back down that easily. We need to be more aggressive. For example… like imposing import and export restrictions.”

“That will be difficult.”

“It’s difficult, but not impossible, right? That much should be enough to surprise the man who gave me such a ridiculous threat, don’t you think? If the entire situation is too difficult, it can focus on companies related to Kim Mu-hyeok.”

“I will look into it.”

With a satisfactory response, Li Peng finally nodded.

“Yes. You’ll need your own achievements for the future. You can’t be dragged around by the elders and Jiang Zemin forever, can you?”

“…”

“You should go now. I’ve kept such a busy man for too long.”

Li Peng stood up and bowed.

“I will visit again.”

Li Peng nodded instead of replying. Luo Gan bowed once more and left the study.

Li Peng remained alone in his study, silently gazing at the door Luo Gan had exited through.

* * *

I left my Myeong-dong office and arrived at our meeting spot.

Following my manager’s guidance, I entered a room where Oh Hyeon-woo was waiting.

“It’s been a while. I mean, since we last saw each other in person.”

“Yeah, let’s try to see each other more often.”

Oh Hyeon-woo grinned first, and I couldn’t help but smile back.

As I took a seat, the meal arrived, and we ate while sharing casual conversation.

“How is your wife doing?”

“Wife? What wife? Well, she’s the same as always. She’s even more of a workaholic than I am. She’s getting a lot of recognition for it though… You know how people gossiped when I married Min-gyeong, right?”

“Those kinds of people would have done that no matter who you married. Jealousy and envy are everywhere. Don’t worry about it.”

Oh Hyeon-woo nodded slightly and extended his glass. We lightly clinked our glasses and downed our drinks.

The potent Andong Soju burned its way down my throat.

“I know, I know. But I feel like I’m working even harder because of those words, and I wonder if I’m becoming an obstacle in Min-gyeong’s future…”

He’s not the kind to get drunk after just one shot, but he was strangely talking like he was drunk. I laughed and asked.

“Are you and Min-gyeong having problems?”

“No. That’s impossible.”

“Then what is it? Is Min-gyeong having a hard time?”

“No.”

“Then why are you being so gloomy? Just ask her directly. If you’re going to worry and fret alone, then why did you even get married? You have to move forward together. Right?”

“I know, but…”

“Min-gyeong is strong. You know that better than anyone, right?”

Oh Hyeon-woo gave a bitter smile as he filled the empty glass with liquor.

“She is strong, and she smiles a lot. But the problem is, I can’t tell if her smile is genuine anymore. I wish she would tell me if she’s having a hard time.”

“She’s always been like that. If you want to change it, you need to keep communicating. So you can rely on each other.”

“I will.”

We talked about various things while we ate.

We talked about how we’d been doing and what had been happening, all sorts of things. Except for work.

After roughly filling our stomachs, we started drinking and talking about work more seriously.

“How is the Heaven Church case going?”

“It should be mostly wrapped up by next week. All the charges against Kim Seon-ja have been dropped, and arrest warrants have been issued for Han Hyeon-jin and Han Hyeon-woo. Han Seong-jin will be summoned for questioning soon. And it’s already been decided internally that Han Hyeon-soo will be indicted without detention.”

“Is there any pressure from above?”

Oh Hyeon-woo smirked at my question.

“Who would dare to do that to me? Besides, the President’s will is too strong. Is Yoon Chang-ho just any president? He’s a president loved by the people. As you know, a politician’s approval rating is like a weapon. Even though the recent bloodshed caused his approval rating to drop, it’s still over 50%. Half of the nation still supports him. I think he might maintain it even when he retires.”

So that’s how the world views Yoon Chang-ho. I felt a strange sense of novelty as I spoke.

“I’ve heard there are many complaints within the Prosecutor’s Office?”

“Wow, you know everything? Of course, there would be complaints. You know his background too. However, it’s impossible to revolt because everyone knows who sits where in the President’s camp. Who’s going to bell the cat? Even I can’t do it.”

Yoon Chang-ho declared a reform of the Prosecutor’s Office after taking office.

The people welcomed it, and reforms were being carried out one by one.

The first thing they did was downsize the Special Investigation Department.

“And you? You aren’t affected?”

“Me? I’m just following orders. What power do I have?”

President Yoon Chang-ho’s reforms were just for show.

The authority of the downsized Special Investigation Department was transferred to the Central District Prosecutors’ Office, and the authority of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office was also significantly transferred to the Central District Prosecutors’ Office.

It was a sign that they intended to control both the Supreme and Central District Prosecutors’ Offices.

“Quit your complaining. What do you have to worry about?”

It was a distant issue for Oh Hyeon-woo.

“I’ve also heard about the Senior Civil Servant Corruption Investigation Unit?”

“That’s the biggest problem. It’s about creating an institution that can investigate judges and prosecutors, of course, there are a lot of complaints. President Yoon Chang-ho is so tough.”

“What about you? What do you think?”

Oh Hyeon-woo shrugged.

“Well… I’m a bit… President Yoon Chang-ho is fine. But who knows who the next president will be? Who knows if they might abuse that power for their own benefit?”

“So, you don’t see it positively either.”

“Prosecutors can’t help but be negative about it. Politicians are always singing about it though.”

“I’ll talk to President Yoon Chang-ho about it.”

Oh Hyeon-woo shook his head.

“It’s okay. Why are you getting involved in something like this? Let’s keep talking about the Heaven Church case.”

Oh Hyeon-woo told me about the progress of the investigation.

His explanation was detailed and easy to understand.

“…So, that’s how I plan to end this. Do you have any other ideas?”

“Do what you think is best. I’m glad I trusted you with this. I only need Han Hyeon-soo to be released without detention, I don’t care about the rest.”

“Okay. I’ll wrap it up like this then.”

“By the way, you looked good on camera during the briefing.”

“I do have a bit of an edge.”

We were making silly jokes while clinking our glasses when someone opened the door.

Both my and Oh Hyeon-woo’s gazes shifted to the opened door.

“What? You’re already done? I thought I came early.”

Myeong-su grumbled as he entered the room.

I didn’t call Myeong-su. Just in case, I asked Oh Hyeon-woo.

“Did you call him, Hyeon-woo?”

“Yeah. I mentioned that I was meeting you and he said he wanted to come too. How could I stop him? You know that stubborn mule.”

Whether Oh Hyeon-woo was badmouthing him or not, Myeong-su grinned, patted my shoulder, and sat down next to me.

“Surprise! I told him not to say anything. Pour me a drink too.”

I chuckled at his teasing and poured soju into a new glass.

“Wow, Andong Soju? I guess I can only drink good liquor when I’m with Kim Mu-hyeok.”

Myeong-su chugged the liquor and shuddered.

“Ah! That’s good. It’s so sweet, I haven’t had liquor in a while.”

He’s become more slick while I wasn’t watching. I raised an eyebrow and said.

“Isn’t the party convention tomorrow?”

“It’s not like I’m running. Why should I care?”

“Living the good life, huh?”

“Whoever it is, the Secretary-General seat is mine, so I don’t care.”

Myeong-su said confidently. The internal arrangements were already finalized.

“That guy is more influential than you think.”

As Oh Hyeon-woo said, Myeong-su’s influence was growing with time.

In the political scene, Myeong-su, nicknamed the ‘little president,’ had the power to sway the results of the party convention with his choices.

Since the President couldn’t directly interfere in the party convention, Myeong-su’s importance became even greater.

“Influential, what a joke. I’m just cleaning up after the old fogeys. Let’s stop talking about politics. Why are we talking politics among friends? Let’s just drink. By the way, are you finished with everything?”

Myeong-su asked, extending his glass again. I nodded as I filled his glass.

“I wrapped things up and came back. My schedule ended up being longer than I expected, which is a big problem.”

“I’m glad it’s resolved. You were in Busan for a week, right? You turned off your phone and enjoyed your break. That must have been nice?”

“Yeah. It was nice to relax without thinking about anything for a change.”

“That’s good. You’re sometimes like a serious workaholic too. Grandma would have liked that.”

We started drinking and chatting.

We didn’t talk about complicated matters. We just talked about college days and our lives until late into the night.

The drinking session ended when it was nearly midnight.

“Hey! Kim Mu-hyeok!”

Myeong-su, whose face was flushed red, called my name before getting into his car.

“If you’re free tomorrow, come to the party convention.”

“Party convention? Why would I go there? I’m not even a member.”

“That’s why I’m saying if you’re free.”

“Why all of a sudden? Is something wrong?”

Myeong-su shook his head.

“No. Just show your face for a bit. The President will be there too.”

I didn’t know the reason, but I had to go since Myeong-su asked me.

“Okay, I’ll make time to go tomorrow.”

“Okay. See you tomorrow then.”

Myeong-su waved both his hands enthusiastically before getting into his car.

The car carrying Myeong-su quickly disappeared from view.

I asked Oh Hyeon-woo beside me.

“Is something going on at the party convention?”

“I have no idea.”

His words made me even more suspicious. He isn’t one to act like this if nothing was going on.

After sending off Oh Hyeon-woo, I got into my own car.

“Please make arrangements for me to attend the Moderate Party’s convention tomorrow.”

“Understood.”

Soon the car carrying me slowly began to move.