Chapter 838: An Unexpected Ally

Before long Myeong-su delivered the materials, he had organized them meticulously.

“Public opinion polls among party members show Seok in the lead.”

“By a significant margin?”

“About 5%?”

“That’s quite a bit. Is he still running as an independent?”

Myeong-su nodded.

“I don’t think any major factions have sided with Seok yet. If the Conservative Party factions join him, his lead could grow.”

“So the primaries are tough?”

Seok’s reputation was higher than I anticipated. Myeong-su seemed to share my sentiment, his eyebrows furrowing slightly as he spoke.

“It might be different if President Yoon Chang-ho intervened even indirectly, but he’s declared he won’t interfere in the primaries.”

He had told me the same.

Whatever he discussed with Woo Young-shik, the President had told me he wouldn’t intervene in the primaries.

Part of it might be to avoid leaving any openings, but there was likely a larger intention at play.

“He’s giving Woo Young-shik a chance. Survive on your own. If you survive, then help me.”

“It feels wrong to abandon the easy path for a more difficult one.”

“Still, combining your forces with President Yoon’s puts you in a dominant position, right?”

“True. For now I’m focusing on Woo Young-shik. Once he announces his candidacy, our candidate will declare support for him and withdraw a few days later.”

Myeong-su’s plan was rational. Despite his earlier complaints about Woo Young-shik, it seemed he was fully committed to supporting him.

“What about the party leader’s candidate?”

“Initially they planned to drop out mid-race, but since the Blue House declared non-interference, they’re aiming to go the distance.”

“Isn’t he dead last in the polls? That’s some excessive ambition.”

“Isn’t that just how politicians are? They only see what they want to see.”

After a moment’s thought I called for Manager Ma.

“Manager Ma. What about Seok’s movements?”

“He hasn’t made any significant moves yet.”

“Really?”

“Yes. However, tomorrow a reservation has been made under his aide’s name at the Oebaek Restaurant in Yeouido.”

“That’s when Woo Young-shik is holding his press conference, right?”

Manager Ma nodded silently.

“Make a reservation for us at the same time. The room next to the one Seok reserved.”

“Yes, Boss.”

After Manager Ma left I turned to Myeong-su.

“Clear your schedule for lunch tomorrow too.”

Without needing further explanation, Myeong-su quickly grasped my intentions.

“You’re going to meet Seok directly?”

He’s gotten pretty sharp. I nodded with a satisfied smile.

* * *

Seok paused momentarily when he saw me.

I rose from my seat, deliberately taking slow steps towards Seok.

I had never met Seok before.

He was a member of the Conservative Party, but not part of the mainstream, so he was far removed from my blade of revenge.

After the Conservative Party collapsed, Seok resigned and announced his retirement from politics, further removing any connection to me.

“You’re Kim Mu-hyeok, right?”

“Yes, Assemblyman.”

Seok looked back and forth between Myeong-su and me before speaking again.

“Sit down.”

As soon as Myeong-su and I sat facing each other, he spoke.

“How did you know to find me here?”

The question implied he suspected I had been monitoring him. Myeong-su chuckled softly and replied.

“Come now, Candidate. There are no secrets in Yeouido. Everyone in the political sphere here knows you’re here.”

“······.”

“It just shows how closely everyone is watching your every move. You could say you’re the eye of the political storm.”

“You don’t seem to like me very much.”

“I neither like nor dislike you.”

Seok’s brow furrowed.

He seemed displeased with the young Myeong-su’s unwavering, point-blank responses.

“Secretary General Lee. A politician must be humble. The riper the grain, the lower the head bows. If you keep your head so high with your political elders, you won’t last long.”

A flicker of boredom crossed Myeong-su’s face before he responded with a faint smile.

“As you know, I entered politics to do what I wanted. I won’t suppress what I want to say just to grab onto the coattails of power like others do. And Candidate. Isn’t it time to pass the torch to your juniors? A senior who truly cares for his juniors would do so.”

Essentially, he was calling him a greedy old-timer.

I watched the exchange between Myeong-su and Seok with interest.

“You’re even more ill-mannered than I heard.”

“The seniors in the National Assembly say the same thing. They call me an ill-mannered brat. Every time I speak an uncomfortable truth, they try to shut me down with age.”

“······.”

“But I’m not rude. I’m just direct. I speak my mind even to the President. He values that quality in me.”

The contrast was stark between the smiling Myeong-su and Seok’s hardened expression.

Myeong-su, unfazed by Seok’s glare, paused for a moment.

“Candidate. Let me ask you one thing.”

Then he threw a heavy, straight jab. A question that was bound to sting Seok.

“Is your goal to be a National Assembly member, or is it the next presidency?”

“Why is that important to you?”

“I’m just curious why someone who’s already retired is back. I’m wondering what more you have to gain by declaring your return.”

Instead of answering, Seok chuckled dryly. But I could see the bulging veins in his tightly clenched fist.

“Myeong-su.”

I called Myeong-su to end the sparring match.

Myeong-su glanced at me, nodded slightly and stood up.

“I’ll be outside talking to some other old-timers. I’m particularly curious why party officials who should be neutral are here.”

Myeong-su bowed to Seok, then tapped my shoulder as he passed by.

“Come out when you’re done. I’ll take care of the others.”

I smiled faintly and nodded. After Myeong-su left, it was just Seok and me.

“You know who I am, right?”

“Of course. The man who shattered the Conservative Party. How could I not know?”

“Then I’ll be brief. I’d like you to drop out of the Jongno race.”

“What?”

“Withdraw from the Jongno election.”

Seok stared at me, dumbfounded.

“Are you seriously demanding I withdraw from the Jongno race?”

“Whether it’s a demand or a request is up to you, Assemblyman.”

“······.”

“Don’t entertain vain hopes. I have no intention of letting anyone who was ever affiliated with the Conservative Party become President.”

My tone was even, but perhaps he sensed the শীতল underlying it.

I could see Seok gulp.

“Settle for running for Mayor of Seoul in the next local elections. That’s the limit. That’s as far as I’ll turn a blind eye.”

“You two are really looking down on me.”

Gritting his teeth, Seok glared at me and continued.

“I’m Seok. I haven’t lived my life being mocked by young punks like you! So what? You’ll turn a blind eye to that extent?”

Seok’s voice rose, and he slammed his hand on the table.

“Do you think I’ll stake my political career on the likes of you? Go ahead, do as you please. I won’t back down either. I know your methods all too well. You either dig up someone’s weakness and use it to shake them or buy them off with money, right? And once they take that money, they’re leashed and can’t do anything.”

“······.”

“Do you know how I’ve survived the dirty backroom deals of Yeouido for decades?”

Seok’s political career was truly tumultuous. It was never smooth sailing.

Yet he survived because, unlike other politicians, he stayed away from the temptation of money.

For decades as a non-mainstream figure, he was often shunned by the mainstream, even losing his party’s nomination and having to run as an independent to get elected.

“Despite all the smears and condemnations, I persevered. And when the Conservative Party fell, I announced my retirement. Because for me, the Conservative Party was my only party.”

“I know. Personally, if I had to pick someone I respect, it would be you, Assemblyman. But our ideologies and paths are different. That’s why I don’t welcome your return.”

My candid admission made Seok flinch.

But Seok’s expression shifted subtly at my next words.

“Will you join hands with the specters of the Conservative Party again? With the very forces that persecuted you for decades?”

“That’s······.”

“I won’t stop you if you choose to abandon your convictions. But winning this primary won’t be easy. Secretary General Lee Myeong-su and I will make sure of it. High poll numbers among party members don’t guarantee victory in the primaries.”

“······.”

“We just need to change the primary rules.”

Seok looked utterly shocked as if he had heard something unbelievable.

“What?”

“We’ve already discussed it with the leadership. We’ll proceed with a national primary.”

“Ha······. Do you think that’s easy?”

“It’s not difficult. It just needs to be approved at the supreme council meeting. You’re hoping for internal party opposition, but it won’t be easy. Everyone will welcome it except you, Assemblyman.”

Unable to find a rebuttal, Seok could only gape.

“Even if President Yoon Chang-ho publicly declares non-interference, the public won’t separate him from his friend Woo Young-shik. In that case, you have no chance of winning the primary.”

“Then let it be. Why are you going through the trouble of coming to me to say all this?”

His sharp tone made me chuckle. I had already offered him a way out, but he was too agitated to catch it.

“Because it’s a waste. Didn’t I say it earlier? Just because our paths are different doesn’t mean we can’t walk together. That’s why I’m suggesting you run for Mayor of Seoul.”

The Mayor of Seoul was a crucial position, often called the ‘Little President.’

With ten million people residing in the heart of Korea, the Mayor of Seoul wielded significant authority.

“If you lose to Senior Secretary Woo Young-shik in the primaries, your political career is over. Who will remember? An old politician pushed aside by a political novice. So please take this offer.”

I don’t dislike Seok. I just feel惋惜 for him because our paths diverge.

But it would be a waste to discard such a good card so easily.

“I want Woo Young-shik to be nominated uncontested. If you concede, it can happen. What do you think? Of my offer.”

I doubt a man who dreams of the presidency can be satisfied with being Mayor of Seoul.

But it was the best carrot I could offer.

“······Mayor of Seoul, huh.”

“It’s not a bad ending for the politician Seok, is it?”

“How can you guarantee I can run as the candidate for Mayor of Seoul?”

“We’ll appoint someone you want as the head of the nomination committee for next year’s nationwide local elections. However, you can’t একক-handedly make nominations except for the Seoul mayoral candidate.”

Of course, even as head of the nomination committee, one can’t single-handedly decide all nominations.

Still, it was a position where one could, behind the scenes, push for a few desired individuals.

“You’ll give me the head of the nomination committee?”

“Yes. If you hold a press conference declaring your great sacrifice for your juniors, I promise. We can’t put it in writing, but I’ll stake my name on it.”

Seok let out a deep sigh. He even furrowed his brow in contemplation.

“If you reject this offer today, we’ll change the primary rules and proceed accordingly.”

To help him make a swift decision, I made my offer a bit more forcefully.

“Will you accept? Or refuse?”

He pondered a while longer before nodding.

“Alright. I’ll hold the press conference. Keep your promise.”

“It’s a wise choice. I didn’t want to see the respected Assemblyman fall into the abyss. It’s a relief. Thank you.”

I smiled contentedly and checked my wristwatch.

There’s just enough time.

“There’s a press conference scheduled in two hours at the National Assembly Communication Office under Secretary General Lee Myeong-su’s name. Let’s head there right away.”

“······You didn’t even consider I might refuse?”

Seok asked, looking utterly defeated at my implication that I had prepared in advance.

“If you had refused, that press conference would have become an announcement about changing the primary rules.”

When digging a trap, you need to dig two holes. Naturally, I had prepared for both possibilities.

“Ha. It’s only natural I couldn’t win against you.”

“Let’s go.”

Out of respect for Seok, I waited for him to stand first.

He nodded, rose from his seat and extended his hand.

I followed suit, stood up and shook his hand.

“I hope we can maintain a good relationship. I was one of those who disliked the Cheongpung Group. I couldn’t do anything about them due to my lack of power, but I was so relieved when you brought them down.”

Hearing the name Cheongpung Group after so long, I unconsciously curled one corner of my mouth up.

“Thank you.”

“Let’s go.”

“Please go ahead. I’ll stay a bit longer. If you talk to Secretary General Lee Myeong-su, he’ll guide you.”

“Sure. Let’s meet for a drink sometime.”

Seok left the restaurant first and I stayed a little longer before leaving.

Two hours later.

Seok held a press conference announcing his withdrawal from the Jongno race for the sake of his juniors.