Chapter 121
Chapter 121
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 121
Chapter Title: Retaliation Game (1)
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The safe house in Gungjeong-dong, connected to the Blue House by a secret passageway.
Amid tight security, the room shrouded in thick curtains echoed repeatedly with the clack of ivory Janggi pieces striking the wooden board.
"General."
"Hoo... I can't see any escape route worth crying foul over, sir."
"It's a chokehold, of course. Go ahead and make another move if you think you can."
"Aigoo, I surrender. I really can't beat you at all."
Policy Secretary Park Dong-hee, raising both hands and feet in exaggerated surrender today of all days.
The president seemed to find the sight quite amusing, letting out a hearty, unreserved laugh.
"You and your antics again. What, imitating a puppy flipping over on its back?"
"A hundred games, no, a thousand games, and I'd still never catch up to Your Excellency the President. How do you have such a broad view of the board...?"
The president enjoyed all kinds of board games but favored Janggi over Go.
A game focused solely on protecting one's own king and capturing the opponent's.
Beyond petty political maneuvering and calculations, it suited his style of pushing major issues forward with one decisive blow.
"To play big politics, you need to see the big board."
"Your words are spot on, sir."
"Exactly. And to do that... reviewing the game afterward is essential."
The president swept both Chu and Han pieces toward his side.
He seemed to have memorized every move of the game. With a crisp snap, an ivory piece struck the board forcefully.
"So, that Thai warlord down by the Kra Canal. It'd be wise to review that from the start as well."
He picked up a Han soldier piece engraved with red ruby and advanced it one space.
As if starting anew, the light move brought a matching air of casual tension hovering over the board.
Stroking his prickly chin beard with his palm, his eyes gleamed.
"It started off nothing special. Han Seo-jun, that pup, dared to growl at a tiger. Without a care for his own life."
Among the many pieces, the president selected an elephant and lifted it upward.
The piece with the widest range of movement. The stagnant power balance on the board shifted in an instant.
"At that time, Chairman Han Seo-jun... truly lacked discernment, sir."
"Right. So I tested him. To see how the pup would react to my moves."
The sound of the piece base hitting precisely filled the room.
After several green and red pieces traversed the board, suddenly a cannon flew from the corner to position itself before him.
"But it was quite entertaining."
A faint chuckle escaped.
As if savoring the thrill of replaying an unexpected move, the president's lips twitched.
"You blasted away Yoon Hak-gil guarding the palace and cornered me so I couldn't budge. Remember?"
"Sir..."
"That fellow Han Seo-jun played bold moves. Not just here in Korea, but even in a distant land like Thailand. So."
The reviewed game had become a tangled mess.
With an enigmatic smile, the president reached out and picked up a Chu piece from the opponent's palace.
As if determined to turn even the enemy's king into one of his own pieces.
"He's worth keeping close for the long haul. Han Seo-jun has plenty of utility value. Wouldn't you agree?"
"Absolutely right, sir. How could one not admire Your Excellency's vision, even embracing an insolent novice!"
"Heh heh. You really know how to tie my hands."
Policy Secretary Park Dong-hee, possessed by the god of flattery, proclaiming himself a fully automatic human bidet. It was as effective as any proctologist's prescription.
Even if mere lip service, it evidently pleased the ear. The president waved it off outwardly while inwardly beaming.
"Enough, enough. It's about time anyway—tell the staff to set up some proper drinks beforehand. Make it lavish."
"Yes...?"
The president was famous for abstaining from alcohol save for a bit of grape wine. Yet today, he hinted at some serious drinking.
A large question mark hovered over Policy Secretary Park Dong-hee's head at this uncharacteristic behavior.
Seeing it, the president hummed cheerfully, as if anticipating something, and replied.
"You've got to go big with drinks when dealing with promising talent."
* * *
"You summoned me, Mr. President? What's this about?"
The interior of the unassuming residential safe house in Gungjeong-dong was fortified like a military bunker.
After winding through narrow, elongated corridors several times and passing dozens of doors, one opened to a spacious room.
There sat the president before an already prepared table of drinks.
"You're a bit later than expected. Even so, as president, you think I'd just sit here waiting without a second thought?"
The president tossed me a mischievous jab.
No matter when I saw him, he was always consistently prickly. Even after proving my utility multiple times, he still tested my mettle at every turn.
"I am a little late, yes."
But folding like a whipped dog here would brand me spineless—like Policy Secretary Park Dong-hee standing by the screen.
'This guy's temperament...'
The president awaited my response.
Just then, my eyes caught an ivory Janggi set and wooden board tucked in a corner.
Positioned as if blatantly inviting me to notice.
I opened my mouth slowly, aligning with his intent.
"If you've yielded the first move, shouldn't the aesthetics of waiting follow?"
"Oh ho, does Chairman Han enjoy Janggi too?"
Pleased by the awaited reply, the president grinned like a mischievous boy.
I advanced, sat on the cushion, and received the traditional liquor he poured generously into my cup.
"I do like Janggi on a wooden board, but moving real people around is the most fun."
"Ha! You would've made a fine politician, Chairman Han."
"You're too kind."
"Heh heh. I haven't even gotten to the point, and you're calling it excessive already?"
He refilled the emptied cup with traditional liquor. The sweet grain aroma wafted to my nose, followed by a bittersweet slide down my throat.
But the lingering aftertaste, along with the buzz, vanished in an instant with his next words.
"The Kra Canal. You're dead set on building it, aren't you?"
"It's a venture tied to the group's fate, so success is non-negotiable."
"That's a heavy load on your shoulders. But you know, I've heard you work out, Chairman Han. Really into lifting iron, they say?"
Somehow he'd dug into my workout habits too.
Pointing at the muscles near my shoulder peeking from under my shirt, he continued.
"So, let me pile on one more weight."
"...You mean the congressional elections the year after next?"
"Just time it right. Doesn't have to be full opening—even a soft launch on some sections will do."
Evidently, the big favor from the last by-election had paid off handsomely. The president was making the first offer.
Of course, it wasn't a stretch for me either.
Construction would wrap in minimal time anyway, and even if delayed, boosting approval ratings with partial soft openings would suffice.
"Hmm..."
I deliberately dragged out the contemplation. Counting slowly from one to ten in my head.
Then, the moment a faint crease formed between his brows, I struck with perfect timing.
Implanting a firm bone into my words.
"If Your Excellency joins me in carrying the blank slate, wouldn't the load feel a bit lighter?"
Nothing comes free.
I had no interest in a one-sided relationship.
If the president sought symbiotic ties with me—with Ammunition Group—he'd need to offer something commensurate.
"Credit's built up, so I'll front you some advance payment this time."
"Advance payment...?"
Fortunately, he had a sharp business mind for such matters.
Had he anticipated this response and prepared?
Without turning his head, he called to Policy Secretary Park Dong-hee by the screen.
"Hey, Policy Secretary Park! Bring that over!"
"Yes, Mr. President!"
A hefty document briefcase fetched from somewhere.
Unlocking the zipper's combination lock, the president handed me a document stamped "Level 2 Confidential" in blue.
"See, I don't like it when someone eyes my marked prey. Especially."
A classified document bearing the National Intelligence Service's overseas operations logo.
It detailed recent power shifts in China's political sphere... and the ensuing maneuvers of [Shanghai Capital].
A mix of rivalry and fury blazed in his eyes as he growled, slamming the documents roughly onto the table before continuing.
"Especially when it's those incomprehensible foreigners who won't listen."
"This is..."
Interesting.
The [Shanghai Capital] crew, backed by the Chinese government... seemed to harbor sneakier schemes than expected.
"If those who got burned by the Kra Canal want to lob a fastball at you, Chairman Han, there's one easiest way."
Chinese local government personnel shifts. New ordinances and regulations. And... vague, catch-all rules that could snag anywhere, nose or ear.
Faced with what it all pointed to, I clenched my fist under the table.
Veins bulging on the back of my hand like they might burst. Looked like it was time to clash head-on with them again. Violently so.
"They'll gnaw at the thorn in their own backyard first. One they can't easily pull their foot from."
Pleased by my deduction, the president smiled.
The final nail in this situation slipped from his lips as he handed over the classified docs.
"Ammunition-Tiehua Semiconductors. The local facilities in China. Soon, they'll try to topple it somehow. Swinging their legal bat wildly."