Chapter 103
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: #Influence, Fort Roberts (2)
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Min Wan-gi spoke up.
“This is perfect for putting on a show, as expected. Ah, of course, we’ll set aside the key positions separately. The Americans must have handed this over expecting as much.”
Then he turned to Winter.
“What do you think, Leader? Which ones should we take and which should we share?”
There was a hint of testing in his intent. Winter sensed a touch of intellectual vanity from him. It was everyday-level, a flaw anyone could have. Nothing unpleasant about it.
There was one criterion for taking and sharing. After sorting it out in his mind briefly, Winter replied.
“Isn’t the important thing influence? Direct benefits come last.”
Jang Yeoncheol pondered, while Min Wan-gi nodded. Looking at the two, Winter continued.
“This is just my opinion, so take it with a grain of salt. I think we should ditch the Distribution Bureau first. Managing essentials like food, clothing, and hygiene supplies—it’s the kind of role that draws suspicion and resentment from everyone. Especially now, when everything’s scarce. Even within the faction that takes it on, there’ll be complaints.”
Corruption among executives was always a possibility. Empty stomachs would fuel suspicion. As the saying went, suspicion bred rumors.
‘Emotions come first, and reasons are found later.’
This was how people Winter knew behaved. In a way, it aligned with Min Wan-gi’s cynical view of humanity. But Winter also believed people could be better. Or at least, he hoped so. In the afterlife, all that remained was the heart.
Jang Yeoncheol agreed.
“You’re right. On the surface, it looks like the biggest prize, but it’s really a poisoned apple.”
“Yeah. There’s nothing to gain. Better to give this one away. It sows division. On that note, how’s the thing you said you’d try last time going, Chief Jang? It’d be great if we could use it now.”
“Last time? Ah, that.”
Around the time the snowflake knot was first made as the Winter Alliance’s symbol, ahead of Christmas, Jang Yeoncheol had said he’d try splitting other Korean organizations. Stirring up internal injustices in trashy groups like the Korean Patriots Association or Damul Prosperity Society, building secret networks.
Looks like he’d gotten serious about it. Jang Yeoncheol quickly rattled off brief profiles of a dozen or so people from various organizations. But he added a negative note at the end.
“I wouldn’t really recommend them. They’re all just full of grudges, so their hearts aren’t pure. Not that they’re rotten to the core, but they’ve got a lot of built-up resentment... Hmm, how to put it. You know how it is—people who’d overthrow the organization but keep the corruption the same... Revolutionary dictators? Nah, that’s too grandiose...”
His words were vague, but the meaning was clear. Winter got it.
“I see. Better to leave them as is?”
“Exactly. If victims and perpetrators just swap places, nothing really changes, right? And I haven’t forgotten what you said before, Chief Min.”
Mentioned by name, Min Wan-gi looked puzzled.
“Hmm. What did I say? Getting old... memory’s fuzzy.”
“Weak and good aren’t the same, and watch out for underdog mentality.”
“Ah, that? Yeah, it connects.”
Min Wan-gi smiled contentedly. Jang Yeoncheol, embarrassed for some reason, turned his head slightly and scratched his scalp.
“Assuming we toss the Distribution Bureau, where do you think we should take? You said influence matters.”
The conversation resumed with Min Wan-gi’s question once more. Winter’s answer was ready.
“Inspection Bureau first. You think the same, right, Chief Min?”
“I’m always amazed by how young our Little Leader is. Even teaching students, there were occasionally surprising ones. Haha.”
Adjusting his glasses habitually, the middle-aged man laid out his thoughts maturely.
“Exactly. By its nature, the Inspection Bureau will have ongoing ties to every other department. Best spot for wielding influence. Sure, normally there are limits, but with you here, Little Leader, assuming normal is pointless. Even giving up Distribution Bureau, we won’t lose out. Who’d dare discriminate against us?”
This was also the boy’s intent. Originally, Colonel Rapplin had recommended the inspection committee role to the boy officer in this very context. Winter said.
“Better to let others handle the dirty work, even if done well. Best for the alliance too. Think of Yoo Jaehyung. How many people will demand we feed ourselves first?”
Ugh, Jang Yeoncheol made a sour face.
“He’s still going around like that. Not shouting it openly, but whining to his close circle about unfair treatment from you, Leader. Steals someone else’s dog and acts all righteous... And yet some pity him. I just don’t get it. No wonder you’re worried, Leader.”
Min Wan-gi commented.
“That type’s always around. Selfish patriots.”
Winter mulled over the words. People who emphasized belonging to justify protecting their interests. In a confined society like the refugee camp, every type showed up.
Min Wan-gi shifted his posture.
“Anyway, where to throw the Distribution Bureau? Best bait catches the biggest fish. Sure, lots of spots, but managerial roles are few.”
Beyond Distribution, there were Transport Bureau, Military Service Bureau, Personnel Bureau, etc. Any would be a huge perk for refugees. But it was a cold, hungry season. Everyone would covet roles handling essentials.
Jang Yeoncheol cut in.
“Hey, how about giving to the Chinese first?”
Here followed his cautiously proposed idea.
“You know that secret letter before? From Su Bang Bang and Hwa Seung Hwa’s joint reps? Asked you to make their boss alliance leader or accept their faction into the alliance... How about wrapping that up now? Situation’s changed since then, thanks to you, Little Leader.”
The changed situation meant the police’s large-scale crackdown on Chinese gangs. The Chinese would see it as Winter flexing his power. Straight-line boss Sheng Xi Kui had targeted Winter for the hostage stunt too.
‘Above all, wouldn’t other Chinese worry like Ai-ling did?’
Yeoncheol pointed that out too.
“And the Chinese are really anxious lately. Already cornered with police crackdowns piling on—if we offer public office gigs, they’ll react great. At least won’t go wild for revenge. No chance going forward either. Eh, though it bugs me that you want to induce splits, Leader.”
Winter forced a smile.
“Don’t worry about that.”
“That okay?”
“Yeah. I want division for harmony. Right now, they’re too clumped by nationality, ethnicity, or organization. Means we gotta break that up somehow.”
“Ahh, got it.”
Yeoncheol’s face brightened. Min Wan-gi chimed in.
“I agree. Shame it’s all thugs we’re talking to. Could pick moderate Chinese, empower them, but people corrupt easy on power... And their culture makes it hard to distinguish.”
For someone like Li Chinjen, loyalty was just an excuse, but not for other Chinese. Blood ties, school ties, regional ties—any guanxi, they’d uphold loyalty. And demand the same back.
No empathy for outsiders.
They built fences called loyalty and relations, empathizing only inside. Outside, they obsessed over face. Which matched gang traits too. Just differed on violence.
Min Wan-gi’s point about hard to separate thugs from normals stemmed from that. Hard to split now, bound by loyalty in tough times.
“For Triad talks, recommend Li Ai-ling.”
At Min Wan-gi’s new proposal, Winter tilted his head.
“Not Li Chinjen?”
“That old man’s lost a lot of prestige. If his daughter gets a public post now, balance tips hard in the org. Would he allow it? No, too greedy to be sidelined. He’ll torment his kid subtly while pretending not to.”
“Really? Seemed to care for her.”
“Haha. Unrelated to affection. Tons of parents fight kids, even more kids rebel—think it’s lack of love? No. They have love but don’t know respect. Most parents struggle treating kids as equals. Natural, raised from babies, but turns serious when seeing them as property.”
Winter sighed.
“You’re right, Chief Min. Deep love without empathy is useless.”
He’d briefly mistaken, never having received love.
“Ahem, yeah...”
The middle-aged chief glanced at his counterpart before continuing.
“In China, they say women hold up half the sky, but that’s commie policy... Not enough to fix old minds like Li Chinjen’s. Why else orphanages overflowing with girls? Plus, he’s a criminal. Crime world’s male-dominated by default.”
“Yeah. Good point.”
China’s education stressed gender equality. Li Ai-ling got it too, but maybe crushed by family tradition. If so, resentment built up.
“Worst case, no loss. If even a speck of grudge forms in that girl’s heart, we profit. Personally, high success odds.”
“Got it. Was gonna meet Li Chinjen anyway—let’s go with your plan, Chief Min.”
Listening Jang Yeoncheol raised a concern.
“Li Chinjen’ll want the post himself. Will he accept?”
Winter’s reply was light.
“String him along. Say alliance leader won’t allow crime bosses, so pushing your daughter instead. This is already a stretch. What’ll he say? Storm the leader’s office?”
Post-reorg command structure at Fort Roberts killed old ties. Sheng Xi Kui treating Captain Markert like trash was proof. How would Li Chinjen verify? With crackdowns ramping, circumstantial doubt unlikely.
Might gripe about the stick after carrot, though.
The discussion continued in the same vein. With slots scarce and bribes needed, it took time.
============================ Author's Note ============================
#Q&A
Q. Gold Book Maker-nim: @Hey, writer buddy, any plans for SS?
A. ;;;
Adult content planned three times total in this novel. First done, second same as first to punch holes in readers’ stomachs, third real lovemaking but might skip depending.
Q. Ba Hoe-nim: @Read all chapters excitedly so far, but last one lingers... Reread carefully right away. Licking it... lick lick!
A. A relic who reads novels with taste buds. New relics always welcome.
Q. Toothbrush with Meals-nim: @Anti? What kind...?
A. Said title makes ‘em lose interest.
Q. Haros-nim: @Hope overflowing ‘cause no regular refunds... Fitting for one who learned innocence from Cthulhu.
A. Nope. Cthulhu learned innocence from me...