Masterminded by the Dragon
All the corruption surrounding Seoul Mayor Im Tae-hyuk, the current holder of the office, was laid bare through The Times. The Blue House had convened to neutralize the unexpected assault, but Secretary Cha returned with yet another needless worry strapped to his back. Min-ho's intelligence network was more formidable than even Cha had anticipated, though he'd had some inkling of its reach.
Propping his chin on his hand, he sank into deep contemplation, racking his brain for answers—but nothing clicked.
How the hell did he gather all that intel?
The empty envelope had exceeded expectations. The blank space fueled Cha's imagination, which snowballed into mounting anxiety. If he reneged on this deal, his own downfall would be swift.
If... if that envelope opens, it'll be more than I can handle...
Finishing his report preparations, Secretary Cha rose with a grim resolve and headed to the president's office. Having sacrificed one of his own limbs to sever the leash, President Kim Dong-il was brimming with anticipation. He greeted Cha with eyes alight with expectation, well aware of the man's negotiating prowess.
"I was just about to summon you. Perfect timing. Have a seat here."
"Yes, sir."
Unlike his usual composure, Cha's face was etched with profound worry. Eager for results, President Kim opened the conversation.
"It went as expected, I presume?"
"My apologies, sir. I failed to deliver the outcome you anticipated."
"Even with all the leverage I provided... Very well, walk me through it from the beginning."
Straightening up, Cha haltingly recounted the details from Soseonjae. Even President Kim couldn't feign surprise at the claim that Min-ho knew every dirty secret about his inner circle and government officials alike.
"Did you receive the envelope?"
"No, sir. It was incinerated on the spot."
"So, appoint Chairman Kang's son as Seoul mayor in exchange for his silence? That's the demand?"
"Yes. And he tacked on a condition for exclusive domestic sales rights to his bottled water."
"Exclusive rights... And if we don't honor the deal?"
"Pandora's box opens, and your approval ratings will plummet before we can react."
Already irked at being jerked around by a grandson-aged upstart, and now saddled with this extra burden, the president—momentarily forgetting his dignity—slammed his palm on the table.
Memories flashed by like a montage. Regret was pointless now.
"Back then... I never should have taken that political funding..."
"With all due respect, sir, without JK Group's support, you'd have been giving a concession speech. As bitter as it is, we have no choice but to accept."
"Now Chairman Kang's brazenly demanding his slice of the pie. Isn't there any way to block him?"
"I've considered every scenario. My judgment is we can't win—not right now."
One empty envelope from Min-ho had the Blue House swaying like leaves in the wind. Frowning deeply, the president pondered, but no alternatives emerged. He gulped down some water, as if his insides were aflame, then sighed.
"Get the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs on the line."
"You're granting his demands?"
"When your foot's on fire, you put it out first, don't you?"
"Understood. What about the Seoul mayor appointment?"
"We'll gauge public opinion on that. And soon, that arrogant JK Group will get a big gift from us..."
"You don't mean you're playing that card?"
No room for choice, but he couldn't keep being dragged along. A faint smile crept across his face, hinting at a scheme.
"I can't just sit idle. If they strike, we strike back twice as hard—that's only fair, isn't it?"
***
JK Group Chairman's Office.
Hearing Min-ho's account, Chairman Kang couldn't hide his satisfaction. He burst into laughter that shook the room.
"Aigoo, the old folks said too much laughter's bad for your health—and now I get it."
Clutching his aching stomach, he reached out. Moon Sang-oh swiftly handed him a tissue.
"I'm laughing so hard tears are coming. So, you really gave Secretary Cha an empty envelope?"
"Yes, Grandfather. That amusing?"
"Of course. Haven't laughed this hard since your grandmother passed—probably the first time."
"It wasn't an unreasonable ask. I expect it'll go smoothly."
Quenching his laughter with water, Chairman Kang said,
"My meticulous grandson wouldn't go in empty-handed. What gives?"
"I planned to hold off until after the mayor's dismissal, but this opportunity rolled in unexpectedly. No reason to kick it away."
"Exactly. No preparations, so you waved the empty envelope."
"Not knowing what's inside made it even more effective. And I burned it right in front of him."
"Here I am, the old man, learning from my grandson. Brilliant stroke."
Stroking Min-ho's head at length, his grandfather gazed at him warmly and continued.
"You've decided on the bottled water business?"
"Yes. I sent President No Jun-hwan to Jeju to secure a factory site."
"Buying water... Smells like money already."
The bottled water market would surge past 250 billion won by 2000, hurtling toward 2 trillion soon after. With government backing for exclusivity, Min-ho would claim the whole pie.
"Local supermarket brands come from unpermitted makers—zero trust."
"Slap Athena's name on it for credibility? Using that exclusive position?"
"Sure, the monopoly ends when the regime changes, but lock in market share by then, and it'll be a golden goose affiliate."
"My sharp grandson's got it covered. Just an old man's concern."
What truly piqued Chairman Kang's curiosity was Beom-seong's mayoral appointment. Personnel authority lay with the president, but his appointee had been disgracefully ousted. Sensitive to public opinion, he had to react.
If Beom-seong hit roadblocks, approval-rating-obsessed President Kim would pivot to a safer, vetted alternative. Even clever Min-ho couldn't counter that. Chairman Kang was stumped too.
Puffing his pipe and exhaling smoke, he broached it.
"If it were a popular election, I'd flood it with cash. But presidential appointment? You really think your uncle can pull it off?"
"Yes. Im Tae-hyuk's fate will be decided soon. That makes three mayors all booted for corruption."
"Right. Every one of them stuffed their pockets fat."
"The public's convinced: politicians as mayor means trouble."
Grasping Min-ho's plan instantly, Chairman Kang beamed.
"Fish all look rotten, so eyes turn to the fresh one?"
"Then I'll float Uncle via media. Package him as the unsung hero of the financial real-name system. Gives the Blue House face too."
"Beom-seong's got no separate payoffs, so clean finances, and not a politician—fits perfectly."
Shaking public opinion was child's play for Min-ho. He replied with conviction.
"No one else checks every box. The public will love it."
"Leverage the JK halo right, and it's tailor-made."
"Put Uncle in, and we control most of Seoul's vested interests."
"Redevelopment zones citywide, even greenbelt releases—they hold that power. No need to belabor it."
Beom-seong followed his father's word like gospel—even if it meant molding dung into soybean paste. Climbing to mayor wasn't easy, but if he did, JK Group leaped ahead. A puppet mayor dancing to their tune. Min-ho chose him knowing this trait.
"If so... this old man might chew wild ginseng roots and hustle till the dust flies."
"JK Construction moves, heavy machinery and cement plants fire up naturally?"
"Yep. Pre-sales ads via Se-min Newspaper."
"Bonds through Credit Info, funds via Mutual Savings Bank—runs the whole affiliates."
"Gonna need big sacks and a bundle of shovels to haul the cash."
Failure? No sweat. Min-ho planned the unthinkable and made it real. His caliber was unmatched. Chairman Kang was plenty satisfied. A smile spread unbidden.
"How can this old man help?"
"Eat well, rest easy. I'll handle the tough stuff."
"I'm still spry. Call if you need me."
"Yes, Grandfather. Gotta head out early today—busy."
As Min-ho rose to leave, his grandfather caught his hand and brought up Eun-chae out of the blue.
"Why not seize this chance to set a wedding date with Eun-chae?"
Lawyer Choi smirked faintly behind them; flustered, Min-ho shook his head.
"It's not like we're really..."
"I know. Think I'd miss that?"
"We're not like that. It was just a hasty press conference line to smooth things over."
"She's flawless—looks, personality, no rough edges."
"I'll think about it. Too much on my plate now."
Undeterred, Chairman Kang seemed set.
"I've decided: Eun-chae's my granddaughter-in-law. That's that."
"Grandfather, this isn't the Joseon era..."
"You're busy—off you go."
His uncharacteristic firmness left Min-ho no retort. He bowed quietly and exited.
Standing by the window, hands clasped behind his back, Chairman Kang watched Min-ho's car depart. Smiling contentedly, he said to Moon Sang-oh,
"He gets the picture by now, right?"
"Yes. They say even brushing sleeves is fate—this is destiny."
Nodding long and hard, he spoke gravely.
"About Eun-chae's mother's case... Dig into who might join forces. Hate seeing her struggle alone."
"Understood, Chairman."
Back at Athena, Min-ho launched the full plan to install Beom-seong as Seoul mayor.