Chapter 314: Silencing Critics with Power and Promises

Silencing those who cause trouble by sending them far away has always worked, but it’s not a complete solution.

“Hanseong Ilbo has plenty of replacements for us. That’s the strength of a company with a long history. Just because I break my pen doesn’t mean the blade will dull.”

The chief editor mentioned that the candidates waiting on the sidelines were also formidable, implying that dealing with one or two wouldn’t solve the problem.

“You said Hanseong Ilbo’s strength lies in its people, so we’ll make sure anyone who replaces you or the bureau chief also breaks their pen. Even if it’s dozens or hundreds of people.”

“How reckless. Don’t you think you’re mistaken in believing you hold all the power in Yeouido?”

The managing editor, who had been listening, chimed in.

“Do you think the only way to break a pen is with a carrot? There’s also the stick.”

I needed to shatter their illusions. Knees don’t bend before those who offer favors; they bend before those who inspire fear.

“I’m not a generous person. This is just a first-time offer with a carrot for negotiation. From the second time onwards, I’ll be wielding a stick and making threats. You two are lucky enough to be the first targets, which is why I’m offering you assemblyman positions.”

“And if we refuse that offer…?”

“Naturally, I’ll resort to threats.”

Only now did their voices begin to tremble.

“Could you elaborate on what that stick entails? As journalists, we have a natural curiosity….”

“Consider your candid autobiographies. You’d have a secret or two you’d want to keep hidden, perhaps even one that would bury you if it ever came to light.”

To make threats effective, it helps to reveal a secret that makes their hearts pound.

“Cha In-hae, Park Sun-mi. Bureau Chief, these names sound familiar, don’t they?”

Upon hearing the name of a reporter who quit the newspaper less than a year after joining, the managing editor turned pale.

“Having a child studying abroad who’s more into drugs and alcohol than their studies and is currently undergoing rehab needs to be concealed, but what’s more damaging is the tens of thousands of square meters of land gifted to that child without paying a single cent in gift tax.”

This time, the chief editor’s complexion changed.

“To enter Yeouido next year, these issues need to be cleared up. If you accept my offer, I’ll erase them completely.”

Whether it was the carrot or the stick, silence filled the room for a while.

After a long pause, the managing editor snapped back to reality and spoke.

“Even if we accept your offer, how can you guarantee the nomination?”

That was the question I’d been waiting for. The end of the negotiation was in sight.

“I’ve invited someone to join us for dinner. It’s someone you know well, so you won’t feel uncomfortable joining him.”

I pressed the call bell, and an employee rushed in.

“Ask the two gentlemen having dinner in the next room to join us. And reset the table.”

No sooner had the employee left than the two men opened the door and entered.

“Oh, it’s been a while, Bureau Chief.”

The two journalists seemed too surprised to even offer a greeting.

This was because the floor leader of the ruling party and an influential figure known to be close to a leading presidential candidate had appeared.

Once they exchanged greetings and the conversation around the table became more relaxed, I brought up the topic of nominations.

“Pyeongtaek is an automotive factory district, and Geoje Island is the headquarters of Soonyang Heavy Industries, isn’t it? If the ruling party’s name is attached and those two companies move, securing badges next year won’t be a problem, right?”

“Frankly speaking, even if you just plant a stick there, you’ll win by a landslide. The nomination practically guarantees the election.”

The ruling party’s floor leader spoke as if he had been waiting for this moment.

“So, will there be any difficulty in these two receiving nominations for the Pyeongtaek and Geoje Island constituencies?”

“Oh, what are you saying? They are the ones we want to serve.”

I spoke while observing the two men’s brightening expressions.

“Do you need more?”

I wasn’t asking because I needed their answer.

“Now, consider carefully whether you will work for the company or for yourselves.”

The word ‘yourselves’ included not only the two men but also me.

It’s only natural that they receive a proper reward for moving on my behalf. I trusted that these sharp-witted journalists understood that.

“Then, I’ll take my leave. Please have a good conversation amongst yourselves, as you will soon be part of the same family.”

As I pushed back my chair and stood up, the two pen-wielders from Hanseong Ilbo jumped up and bowed their heads.

They were clever and skilled at navigating the world.

“Offered them assemblyman seats to shut them up?”

“Not only did it shut them up, but they’ve also volunteered to be my hands and feet.”

“How many assemblyman seats are there that you’re giving them out so freely? Don’t you know that managing current assembly members is more important?”

Chairman Lee Hak-jae looked troubled. Company constituency assembly members were very important. The assembly members from the automotive and heavy industries districts were key targets for management, so the idea of replacing them brought about that expression.

“Take a look at this.”

I handed over the information sent by those who had turned into obedient lapdogs.

“Hanseong Ilbo is practically a private investigation agency. They were closely monitoring my uncle and Young-joon hyung. What other reason would they have for thoroughly checking our in-laws?”

Chairman Lee chuckled as he took the documents.

“Probably looking for any hidden illegitimate children. Since their daughter’s child should inherit Soonyang’s wealth.”

“If I throw this at Young-joon hyung or my uncle, they’ll be getting divorced that very day. Hehehe.”

“So? You’re thinking of destroying families?”

Chairman Lee’s gaze was disapproving.

“Who would benefit from that? Young-joon hyung has children. The moment he gets divorced, he’ll be celebrating his glamorous single life. Why would I do that?”

“My…. You sound a little envious. Do you miss your glamorous single life already?”

“Chairman, your jokes aren’t that funny. And you don’t need to worry too much about the constituency assembly members. Politics is a living, breathing thing. Nobody knows what will happen before next year’s general election. The only ones who think they have a guaranteed seat are those two.”

“This guy. You never intended to give them those seats from the start.”

“It’s easier to handle guys who believe they’re smart. I’ll have things sorted out before the general election, so rest assured.”

Actually, the information they provided is quite useful. If they continue to bring such data, I might even consider giving them a proportional representation slot.

“Take a look at the people my uncle has been meeting with recently. Don’t you see any signs?”

Chairman Lee flipped through the documents, checking the list of names.

“He’s trying to give a final gift to this administration. He’s meeting with most of the government officials.”

“Which also means the only place he can rely on is the government. The private sector is just waiting for our fight to escalate.”

“He knows he’ll lose in a money fight, so he’s siding with the government.”

His face hardened slightly.

“Even after the succession is complete, we need to secure public institutions as reliable friendly shares. Aren’t you underestimating the private sector shares too much? There’s no contact at all.”

I calmed Chairman Lee, who kept muttering while looking at the list.

“Let’s wait a bit longer. If Kyung-joon hyung finds out anything, he’ll let me know.”

“Alright. I’ll also put out some feelers.”

Chairman Lee’s uneasy expression was still bothering me. Did he notice something strange in the list of people my uncle contacted?

“Bureau Chief Cho, what are you doing? Didn’t you filter this?”

The managing editor of Hanseong Ilbo had to pick up the newspaper that had been thrown to the floor as soon as he entered the chairman’s office.

“I approved all of these articles, but is there a problem…?”

“What? Are you pretending not to know?”

Bureau Chief Cho was more concerned about Hong So-young, the chairman’s daughter, sitting next to Chairman Hong, than about the chairman’s loud voice.

“We’ve been taking a hardline stance for several days, so we’re just taking a breather. It’s a planned article, a follow-up report concept….”

“Bureau Chief Cho, are you trying to teach me something?”

Bureau Chief Cho, who had the patience to endure the complaints of temperamental reporters, found it hard to bear this time.

No matter that she was the owner’s daughter, how could a young bitch who was far younger than him interrupt adults speaking, and in informal language at that!

Becoming the daughter-in-law of a chaebol had made her completely arrogant.

Bureau Chief Cho spoke to the chairman without looking at Hong So-young.

“We’ll be publishing a follow-up article using the analogy of Japanese capital dominating Southeast Asian industries. It will be effective to cast the shadow of Japanese capital over American capital.”

As soon as the managing editor finished explaining, Hong So-young slammed the table and shouted.

“Is that your excuse? Bureau Chief Cho, who do you take me for? This isn’t taking a breather; the tone is completely different! Today’s article can even be interpreted as Miracle helping the Korean economy. Where is Park, the chief editor who scribbled this nonsense? Did he even come to work?”

‘This bitch, I should rip her mouth apart!’

Although he didn’t say it out loud, he couldn’t hide his expression. Chairman Hong spoke as Hong So-young glared at his distorted face.

“Bureau Chief Cho, leave and bring Chief Editor Park back here, even if you have to drag him by the collar. Why did you make such a mistake when you always followed company policy so well? Make sure tomorrow’s morning paper is solid. Stop making ridiculous excuses about taking a breather.”

Bureau Chief Cho bowed his head and left the chairman’s office.

He knew why Chairman Hong had rushed to send him away. He was preventing a situation from escalating due to his daughter’s harsh words.

Bureau Chief Cho realized another truth.

Humans are truly fickle.

How many times had the owner’s family scolded or criticized him?

Each time, he tried his best to correct his mistakes and never got angry. It was exactly the mindset of a servant.

The fear of making a bad impression, or of being targeted and having his promotions blocked or being removed from important positions, was the only feeling that filled his mind.

How many times had Hong So-young, the owner’s daughter and the daughter-in-law of a chaebol family, stormed into the office and hurled harsh words?

Each time, he had bowed his head. He was always anxious not to upset her, as she wielded immense power.

But once a new path appeared and he made the decision to walk it, Hong So-young, whom he had only looked up to, was nothing more than a spoiled rich daughter, and Chairman Hong, whom he had deeply respected, was clearly just a greedy old man trying to please his in-laws and steal money.

When you like someone, even their messy eating looks cute, but when your feelings change, even the way they use their spoon becomes annoying.

Bureau Chief Cho couldn’t suppress the rising irritation.

If he had gone to the National Assembly with their support, wouldn’t he have been a slave for life?

Of course, if he entered the National Assembly with Jin Do-jun’s power, he wouldn’t be able to avoid being his subordinate.

Since he was going to be someone’s subordinate anyway… wouldn’t Jin Do-jun, a scion of the Soonyang family and the rising star of the business world, be better than a media mogul?

Returning to the newsroom, Bureau Chief Cho secretly called a few veteran reporters from the social affairs desk.

“Hand over your current assignments to the junior reporters. From now on, we’re focusing on one thing.”

The reporters’ eyes lit up. They thought he had uncovered something huge or that it must be Chairman Hong’s instructions.

“You all know Hong So-young, right?”

“Of course, we know Hong So-young. There’s only one Hong So-young we know, isn’t there?”

“Right. Dig into that bitch. Mobilize all police contacts and call all the seniors and juniors. Hire a skilled mole and stick them on her tail.”

Bureau Chief Cho bit his lip in front of the reporters who were so shocked that their mouths were hanging open.