The Viper
In the car heading to the meeting spot with Minister Kim Dae-geun, the viper, Chairman Kang sat in the back seat, poring over the anonymous letter. Moon Sang-oh, stealing glances at the chairman's mood through the rearview mirror, ventured a subtle opening.
"Chairman, may I ask one question?"
Chairman Kang removed his glasses and nodded.
"That letter... are you planning to bring it to the negotiating table?"
After staring out the window for a long while, Chairman Kang replied.
"You seem inwardly worried. What do you think?"
"It's a delicate matter to answer, but dredging up something so old could prove quite difficult."
"Let's hear your reasons."
"If Kim Dae-geun were powerless like before, it might be different, but now he holds a ministerial post."
"When the dog you've raised grows too big, what choice do you have but to feed it more power?"
"If he plays his worst card, there's no way to stop it—at least not currently. That's the only one."
Moon Sang-oh carefully laid out his opinion. He wasn't wrong. It was something Chairman Kang had already recognized.
"Truth be told, I've been worried about that myself. If that bastard pulls out the land expropriation plan, I truly have no counter to play."
"But a letter like this holds no legal weight as evidence."
"It may lack force, but it's plenty to grab him by the throat. It's a game where even if you try to lose, you can't."
Chairman Kang's eyes returned to the note. Just tossing out the suspicion of nomination trading at JK would unleash chaos—he could foresee it all too clearly. It was such a powerful card that he seemed resolved to use it.
Moments later, they arrived at the secluded mountainside rendezvous. Moon Sang-oh stepped out and opened the rear door. Chairman Kang emerged, surveying the surroundings with a relaxed expression before heading to the negotiation table. Moon Sang-oh led the way, a few steps ahead.
They soon reached the room where Minister Kim waited. As the door opened, the anxious minister shot to his feet in greeting.
"Chairman, you've arrived?"
Chairman Kang eyed the man bowing at a perfect ninety degrees.
"You're a minister now—enough with the excessive formalities."
"No, sir. My parents gave birth to me, but you raised me. I haven't forgotten that grace."
"You're as steadfast as ever, from back then to now—it's a pleasure to see. A fine marketeer, too. Sit, sit."
"Yes, Chairman."
By the current situation, Chairman Kang held the clear upper hand with the land in his possession. Still, they couldn't entirely rule out Minister Kim pulling his final card.
The minister nodded to his waiting aide. Soon, a lavish spread of delicacies filled the table.
"I've prepared your favorites, Chairman: grilled deodeok, hanwoo yukhoe, and scallops stir-fried with button mushrooms."
"You still remember that after all these years?"
"Of course. I even know the brands of cigarettes you smoke by the year."
Despite the feast laid out, Chairman Kang didn't touch his utensils. Instead, he lit a cigarette and cut to the chase.
"It's been about thirty years since I last saw you."
"I still haven't forgotten that first visit to the Myeong-dong office."
"People... you really should forget the past sometimes. Look ahead and live—never look back."
"I'll keep that in mind, Chairman."
Still ignoring the gourmet spread, Chairman Kang exhaled a plume of pale smoke.
"So, how does it feel sitting in that high chair?"
"At first, I thought it was a dream, but after a few months, it's starting to sink in."
"That's how people are—it takes time to get used to, but then you lift your head and eye even higher places. Enough greetings; let's get to what you have to say."
Taut with tension, Minister Kim wiped the sweat beading on his forehead with a tissue and broached carefully.
"How did you acquire that land? No one knew Line 7's station was going there."
"No one... You made one mistake."
"Pardon? I don't follow."
"You should've cut me out entirely. Including me is what caused this mess."
He was never a match for Chairman Kang to begin with. Money? Words? Nothing compared.
Minister Kim's shirt, already damp with nerves, soaked through faster.
"Chairman, I'm truly sorry, but I'll compensate you as generously as I can. How about handing over the land?"
"Even in old age, those ears of yours stay sharp. Go on."
The minister pulled out his prepared documents, placing them deferentially before Chairman Kang, and continued.
"Details on the land compensation. I've made it more than fair. Please review and approve."
Chairman Kang didn't touch the papers, glaring at the minister with deep displeasure. Oblivious in his haste, Minister Kim rushed into explanations.
"Amounts vary by area, but we've set it at least double what you paid—especially in Nowon-gu..."
Chairman Kang shifted his gaze from the documents to the minister. Then, the unbelievable happened.
He flicked his lighter and held the flame to the edge of the papers. Smoke rose; soon, he tossed them to the floor.
Unable to grasp what Chairman Kang wanted, Minister Kim could only stare in stunned bewilderment as the documents burned.
Gazing at the flames, Chairman Kang shifted his eyes and began.
"Dae-geun..."
"Yes... Chairman."
"Do you think I bought that land just to pocket pocket change like this?"
"Never... It was no slight against you, sir. I simply prepared the most satisfactory compensation possible."
After staring long at Minister Kim, Chairman Kang got to the point.
"What do you think I want?"
"I know it's not money... but I truly can't guess."
"Cut the fluff—straight to it."
Swallowing hard, Minister Kim fixed on the chairman's mouth.
"Hand the second mobile telecom license to JK."
"What do you mean?"
"You heard right. Do that, and I'll hand over the land at whatever price you want. Promise."
Stunned by the unforeseen demand, Minister Kim was at a loss.
It was beyond his power. Nearly choking up, he wiped his brow and replied.
"As you know, Chairman, I'm with Construction. I have no authority over that. You know this."
"Prime Minister Min Pil-muk does."
"Please reconsider, Chairman."
"If I'd thought it over multiple times, I wouldn't be here. That's my one demand."
"Chairman! I beg you."
"And if not?"
Minister Kim's true goal wasn't the ministry. Unspoken to anyone, he eyed higher still.
If Line 7's groundbreaking stalled because of Chairman Kang, his path ahead was thorns—he knew it well.
Like a condemned man hearing his sentence, he clutched his large face with both hands, agonizing. Then, drawing a deep breath as if delivering a verdict, he spoke.
"Chairman... corner a rat, and even it bites the cat."
"I get it—you're the rat, I'm the cat. But how will you bite?"
"You've supported me materially and morally to get me here. But without cooperation, I'll have to draw my blade too."
Cornered, Minister Kim bared his fangs without hesitation.
"I knew your hand was on the hilt... That's why they say never adopt a black-haired beast."
"Approve it. I'm begging one last time."
"You know damn well what'll come out of my mouth—why ask?"
"Then I have no choice. I'll proceed legally."
"Pulling the land expropriation plan?"
"Forgive me, but I must."
The card was set from the start, as expected: the land expropriation.
Staring piercingly, Chairman Kang spoke heavily.
"Die one way or the other—death's death."
"If Line 7 doesn't break ground as planned, you know what happens to me?"
"I know... all too well. How could I not?"
Normally, Chairman Kang would've erupted in fury without doubt. Not this time. In his pocket lay the solid card from Min-ho.
Far from anger, he bellowed a hearty laugh before speaking.
"Park Kyung-tae 300, Jo Won-cheol 500, Lee Ji-seop 200—good lord, this one's eaten plenty. Im Tae-woo 1500."
Familiar names spilled from Chairman Kang's lips. Minister Kim's face twisted in terror, as if facing a mountain tiger head-on.
In that split second, Chairman Kang read the truth in the man's expression—this anonymous letter rang true.
Suppressing a sly upturn of his lips, he rattled on relentlessly.
"Jeon Un-woo 500... Park Ha-jae 800..."
"I... what does that mean, Chairman?"
Pretending ignorance, but his body shook like an aspen.
The balance, tipping toward expropriation, swung back to Chairman Kang.
"Our Dae-geun's done mighty fine business—huge profits. I'm impressed."
"How... how did you know?"
"More importantly, what should you do now?"
Unlike the fidgeting minister, Chairman Kang smiled leisurely, popping yukhoe into his mouth.
"Yukhoe's best here, isn't it?"
To Minister Kim, it was incomprehensible. His past, thought secret from all, lay exposed by Chairman Kang without a single error.
He shook his head in denial, but defeat's shadow loomed—he sensed it.
Chairman Kang set down his chopsticks. Glaring like at a blood enemy, he rose slowly. Without a hint of hesitation, he flipped the table.
A crash filled the small room. Priceless dishes scattered across the floor.
Ignoring them, he sat back down.
"A table, Dae-geun... if it doesn't suit, flip it and set another. You bring a starved wretch to the master bedroom, lay out a spread, and he fusses over the side dishes."
No longer mere master-servant. Knowing the nomination trading scandal precisely, Chairman Kang wielded not a leash, but power over life and death—like a god.
Having spent long years with him, Minister Kim knew what judgment awaited.
To fall from such heights? Unjust. He wanted to live. That alone consumed him.
Only one way to quell the chairman's wrath. Frantically, he stripped. In nothing but underwear, he shuffled pitifully forward and knelt with grim resolve.
"Forgive me!! Chairman! Spare me this once!!"
Eying Kim Dae-geun with contempt, Chairman Kang slowly spoke.
"You know what they call me?"
"Yes... I'm sorry to say, but they call you the Mingdong Viper."
"A viper... its fangs never dull from birth or age. It can kill vermin like you anytime. I spared you because you were useful, and now you grab for my topknot."
"Forgive me. I must've lost my mind. Please, I'm truly sorry."
Lighting a cigarette, Chairman Kang eyed the letter.
"This deal... you're the bagman, obviously. Who’s at the end?"
Deep ties to politics, Chairman Kang grasped the scandal's core. This was why Min-ho sent it anonymously. The shrewd chairman wouldn't miss it.
"Dae-geun, when you were supreme councilor, who was party leader then?"
A name never to utter. Meant for the grave, but with cold steel at his throat, he stammered it out.
"Min... Pil-muk, the prime minister."
"Could a mere councilor run deals without the leader's nod?"
".............."
Chairman Kang patted the naked, kneeling minister's cheek.
"Age brings a gut like that—manage your body. Ugly sight; get dressed."
"Yes, Chairman!"
He scrambled into his sweat-soaked clothes, roughly straightening them. Tense, he sat again.
"Pil-muk's your regional senior? I knew you had connections."
"Same hometown, high school, university."
"Perfect. Tell Pil-muk: want to live? Review the licensee selection."
"Understood. I'll stake my life on it."
Rising, Chairman Kang said,
"Don't rush with that heavy body—bring results. Then I'll gladly hand over all this land at your price."
"I'll remember, Chairman."
"We'll dine properly next time, in good spirits."
As Chairman Kang exited, Minister Kim bowed till his head nearly touched the floor.
"Safe travels, Chairman!"
Back in the car to Seongbuk-dong, Chairman Kang said, satisfied.
"Don't know who sent it, but this one note smoothed everything. Sang-oh, I'm starving. Hurry a bit."
"Yes, Chairman."
Home, dinner done, Chairman Kang stepped out for his unfinished stroll. Moon Sang-oh seized the moment, lifting the receiver.
"Young master, Moon Sang-oh here."
"How'd it go?"
"Time's short—conclusion only: success. What now?"
"The bag in the study—plenty?"
"No worries there."
"Prep three sedans, trunks stuffed with cash."