Power & Sex, and... 82
From early morning, floral wreaths lined up in front of the election strategy headquarters, and people bustled about busily. When he went up to the office, the desks that had been there were all cleared away, and the podium and folding chairs were perfectly set up. At 10 a.m., the launch ceremony would kick off, marking the start of their grueling 30-day campaign.
Entering the headquarters director's room, Han Seong-su, the assemblyman, along with the four other assemblymen who had visited the room with him last time, rose from their seats to greet Park Maru.
"You're all here early. There's still plenty of time left."
"Ah, I forgot something."
One assemblyman slid a document envelope toward him. Then the other four pulled white envelopes from their inner pockets and placed them beside it.
"What's this?"
"We haven't heard how the office operating expenses will be covered, so we prepared this in advance."
"But what about you assemblymen?"
"You're taking the lead anyway, Assemblyman Park. We can't add much strength, so we figured we'd contribute to the expenses."
"Han Assemblyman might have to since he's running, but I don't want to burden the rest of you. Please put it back."
"Assemblyman Park, when we pledged our loyalty to you, it meant we'd stick with you going forward. Big things require resources. Just take it."
After a brief refusal, he opened his mouth.
"For now, I'll use this money for office operations. Thank you."
He called in Kim Sil-jang, introduced him to Han Seong-su and the four others, and had them exchange greetings.
"He's my political mentor and someone I personally regard like an older brother."
Kim Sil-jang greeted each of the five assemblymen one by one, and they politely returned the courtesy. Park Maru then handed the envelopes on the table to Kim Sil-jang.
"Director, the assemblymen have contributed this for office operating expenses."
Kim Sil-jang's face lit up as he bowed deeply in thanks once more, then took the envelopes and left the room.
"You're entrusting all that money to him?"
"All office expenses go through Director Kim anyway. No need for me to hold onto it."
"Still, what if...?"
"Something like a delivery accident won't happen. I told you—he's like an older brother to me."
The five assemblymen still looked skeptical, but meddling in their inner thoughts wasn't his concern. They'd handed over the money, and he could use it to support their side's candidates in the party convention election.
"Assemblyman Park, could I ask a favor?"
"Of course. Go ahead."
Seong Chang-gi spoke up among the four.
"Is there room in the election strategy headquarters to dispatch a few of my secretaries?"
"Oh, that would be a huge help—like a clear sky after a drought. In politics, nothing's more vital than people, and sending over top talent? I'm grateful."
At Seong Chang-gi's words and Park Maru's ready agreement, the other three assemblymen decided to dispatch their secretaries too, suddenly swelling the headquarters staff. From his perspective, there was still ample space, and plenty of ways to utilize the dispatched secretaries—no reason to refuse.
Knock, knock.
"Come in."
"Assemblyman, Supreme Committee Member Kim Seong-gap is here."
Kim Seong-gap had arrived early at the headquarters. And behind him was Park Seong-hwan's face.
"When did you get here, Assemblyman Park?"
"Ah, just a bit ago. I heard you were in a meeting, so I waited."
"We're all in the same boat—should've come right in."
"No, I have something to discuss separately. I'll see you after Supreme Member Kim finishes."
Kim Seong-gap's early visit was about office operating expenses too. Though he'd suggested splitting it formally 1/n style, he called this separate, handed over 20 million won, and left. Park Maru had Kim Sil-jang take the money right in front of him. After Kim left, Park Seong-hwan dropped off an envelope with 10 million won and departed. Han Seong-su, not even running for party leader but for supreme committee member, had put up 20 million won—making him the biggest contributor. Add the 5 million won each from the four non-candidates, and Han's share hit 40 million won.
With 70 million won in unofficial funds so far, plus a bit from him, it wouldn't fall short for nationwide trips to meet delegates and district chairs—essential for organizational work.
The launch ceremony drew not just the 20-plus allied assemblymen but about two-thirds of the National Assembly Reform Alliance members and another 20 unexpected ones, making it a roaring success beyond expectations. Nearly half the party's assemblymen attended, so even if Moon Uiwon and the new assemblyman allied, it projected a formidable force without much burden.
That atmosphere had Kim Seong-gap beaming uncontrollably from the podium, while Jeong Sang-won, Park Seong-hwan, and Han Seong-su looked flushed with determination, pledging victory.
After the ceremony ended per schedule and the folding chairs were cleared, simple refreshments were set out, and attendees gathered around. Park Maru went around with the candidates, thanking the assemblymen who'd attended and shaking hands.
"Assemblyman Park, your capabilities are impressive."
"It's not me—it's our candidates' abilities."
"Anyway, we expect you and your candidates to revitalize the party."
"You'll have to help a lot, Assemblyman."
Exchanging well-wishes, he circled back to the center table for Kim Seong-gap's toast proposal, clinking champagne glasses in a warm, jovial mood as the launch wrapped up triumphantly.
"Assemblyman, sponsorship funds came in quite a bit."
"If even you call it 'quite a bit,' Director, it must be a huge amount."
"Yes. Way more than expected—over 50 million won."
"Really? That much?"
"Yes. Not just the assemblymen—most attendees sponsored."
In the end, sponsorships were a jackpot too. Assemblymen routinely gave 500,000 to 1 million won, but so many civilians sponsoring was unexpected. He gathered all four candidates together.
"Assemblyman Park, you worked hard today."
"What did I even do? It was all the staff outside."
"But what's the occasion?"
"To update you on sponsorships. Attendees today pushed it over 50 million won."
"That much?"
"Yes. Not fully tallied yet, but it'll exceed 50 million easily. So office costs can be handled cleanly without issues."
"Still, more money's always better for running things."
Kim Seong-gap, the most seasoned in elections, voiced mild concern at Park Maru's words. But he judged this sum, plus the morning's haul, sufficient to run the organization.
"So, Park Assemblyman, how much do we each need to cover?"
Jeong Sang-won spoke up. From the vibe, he seemed unwilling to spend beyond official costs. If so, it meant funding his campaign with Kim, Han, and Park's money. After some thought, Park Maru spoke heavily.
"For supreme committee candidates, 10 million won each. For party leader candidate Kim Supreme Member, 20 million won. That makes about 50 million won total."
"Didn't you say sponsorships exceeded 50 million just now?"
"As you know, Supreme Member Jeong, elections aren't just official expenses. Organizers traveling nationwide need lodging and meals. Meeting delegates and district chairs means buying drinks too. Can't cover that officially, right?"
"Still, just one month— isn't that excessive?"
Jeong Sang-won finally hooked in. Refusing voluntary contributions yet nitpicking during a 1/n split? It spelled headaches over money ahead. Kim Seong-gap, Han Seong-su, and Park Seong-hwan shook their heads at his words.
"Supreme Member Jeong, do you know how much rent for this office is per month?"
"……."
"Just monthly rent exceeds 5 million won. I'm planning long-term use, so it's discounted; otherwise, for the headquarters alone, it'd be around 10 million won. Management fees top 1 million won too. As I said, totaling 50 million won—but I've already spent over 10 million won personally on rent, fees, taxes, sofas like these, furniture, office supplies. Currently, 14 staff here: five from Han Assemblyman's camp, six from the assemblymen's (two each), three from mine. At just 6,000 won per meal for lunch and dinner, that's over 2.5 million won. Think you can run this camp for a month on the remaining 30 million won?"
"……."
"If it's a burden, step out now. We'll cover the shortfall with more from others or me, and run the election."
In the end, Park Maru issued an ultimatum to Jeong Sang-won. He held his weaknesses, so even if he left, he couldn't blab about this. No desire to keep a constant nitpicker around either.