The Source of Funds (3)
"W-what did you say?" N began to cycle through every possible scenario he could imagine in an instant. And then, the worst-case scenario surfaced: that after handing over Oh Jeongsu, someone would report to JD or JSD, 'N is harboring Oh Jeongsu instead of offering him to the President.' But no matter how he looked at it, N felt that couldn't be right. After all, his relationship with YK wasn't exactly great, but it wasn't bad either. His own relatives had businesses inside the YK Department Store, and he had never acted out of line when meeting Chairman Choi Ki-hyun or President Ryu Geun-tae. Furthermore, since he had never voiced complaints to JD, he saw no reason for the grandson of Samwoo standing before him to be hostile.
"What on earth is your reason for trying to hand Oh Jeongsu over to me?" Finally, the moment arrived for N to ask Yoon-gi directly. The initiative in the conversation had shifted entirely to Yoon-gi. And so, Yoon-gi brought up the real agenda.
"Does the President have about two years left in his term?" At Yoon-gi's words, accompanied by a sly grin, N realized that what he had thought was 'absolutely impossible' was, in fact, the very purpose of today's meeting.
"Th-that... is true, isn't it?" There is something everyone who enters politics dreams of. It is none other than the presidency. Countless assemblymen receive party nominations to run for president, but only one person per party gets that choice, and among them, only one becomes president. Because of this, N had effectively given up on his own presidential ambitions. Because standing before him were the 'Three Hurs' and JSD. Of course, he thought he had a better chance than JSD. After all, JSD was the Director of the ANSP, so his popularity with the public was truly at rock bottom. But the 'Three Hurs' were different. It was clear that when JD's term ended, the person tapped as the presidential candidate would be one of the Three Hurs, not him. Of course, by 1987, when JD's term would end, the public popularity of the Three Hurs would plummet through the floor and into the basement, but this was future information N could never know. It was such high-level intelligence that even Yoon-gi only knew it indirectly.
"I suspect, Mr. N, that you will be greatly disappointed by the year after next—no, by next year. If only he hadn't made that seven-year promise, he could have easily served consecutive terms. What are your thoughts, sir?"
"Hmm..." N still couldn't reveal his inner thoughts. A final seed of doubt sprouted in a corner of his heart. It was the judgment that JSD might be somewhere in this house, and that JSD might be trying to eliminate him, a rival for the next presidency.
"In my opinion, the President will absolutely not be able to serve consecutive terms. If that happens, you know better than anyone what kind of situation will unfold."
"Hmm..." N still didn't answer.
"Even if the people don't pass judgment, this time, three 'Jaguars' will be born. The reasons will be different from the original Jaguar, but the result will be the same... that kind of situation."
For a moment, N's body began to tremble. No matter how close he was to JD, and even as the leader of the ruling party, what was being said right now was the ultimate taboo. One wrong move, and he could find himself facing JSD.
"You... are you saying this because you trust JSD? Even if it is JSD, it will be hard for him to forgive such remarks. JSD's loyalty to JD is 'the real deal'."
Yoon-gi smiled faintly as he listened to N's somewhat trembling voice.
"Of course, I know that. But shouldn't I show you my true intentions to earn your trust, sir?"
"Mmm..." The seed of doubt that had been sprouting in N's heart began to rot away. For doubt to rot meant that only trust would remain in his heart. And so, N asked Yoon-gi somewhat indirectly.
"It seems you should be visiting one of the Three Hurs, not me..."
Yoon-gi shook his head without a second of hesitation.
"I have no such intention. I have already set my heart on you, sir."
N laughed a little to himself. Choosing him instead of the Three Hurs. It feels truly good to be chosen by someone. In fact, Yoon-gi knew this better than anyone.
'It's obvious if you think about when the popular kids at the playground pick their teammates by rock-paper-scissors.' There is no humiliation like being picked last when choosing teams. This is the same for children and adults alike. In that sense, the fact that he came to find N meant he already valued N more than the Three Hurs, and this alone could be a great, silent compliment. However, Yoon-gi deliberately diluted the meaning of the compliment slightly.
"The fruit I can gain by aligning with the Three Hurs is small. But the fruit I can gain by aligning with you, sir, is immense. Isn't that right?"
At Yoon-gi's sly grin, N felt slightly disappointed, but at the same time, he gained a sense of trust. The other party liked him blindly. This was impossible in N's philosophy of life. Since JSD and N had completely different philosophies, while Yoon-gi had gained JSD's trust by acting out pure loyalty, he gained N's trust by showing a rationalistic side.
"Certainly... But I have no chance. The next in line for the President is not me, but the Three Hurs. You've picked the wrong number."
Before he knew it, N had forgotten that he was talking to a minor and began to discuss adult matters.
"If I provide support, the story changes. I believe I can raise the probability to about 50 percent."
"Support...?" Although he had expected it to some extent, N pretended not to know and probed Yoon-gi. Of course, Yoon-gi matched N's intent for the flow of the conversation.
"Yes. If you form a bond with me here today, sir, I will support you with all my heart and soul in your bid for the next presidency."
The presidency he had half-given up on. He would be tapped as a candidate in two years, but since he didn't know that in the current situation, N was honestly greedy. 'YK supporting me...' YK, which was currently on an endless upward trajectory; Samwoo, which wasn't quite YK but could easily be called a major conglomerate; and Guster and Colson, the sturdy shields of the Yoon-gi standing before him. No matter how he looked at it, he didn't think he could find a better connection than this. If the Three Hurs hadn't existed, he would have trusted JD and not taken this lifeline. But with the Three Hurs standing strong, N knew he could never become a presidential candidate if he didn't grab the rope Yoon-gi was handing him.
'Yes, if a man is born, he should at least try to be president once before he dies.'
Instead of words, N extended his hand. Yoon-gi grasped N's hand in return. A smile toward each other. A moment later, when they let go, Yoon-gi spoke first.
"Even if you take power, sir, I will never bother you later."
"'The President,' you say... Hahahaha!" N's small eyes narrowed even further, creating an expression like a Hahoe mask. Perhaps judging that this place was safe, N laughed even though he knew it was flattery, and Yoon-gi immediately stated his purpose.
"I have no intention of bothering you here and there just because I supported you. That is not something I would dare to do. I have no interest in politics; I only care about economic gains."
"True... I suppose the reason you don't sponsor JSD is also because of the probability. You are truly... a businessman. You have certainly inherited your grandfather's blood."
The honorific for Yoon-gi had been upgraded to 'you' (jane). Yoon-gi nodded slightly in gratitude, then opened his mouth with a smile.
"After you take power, sir." Yoon-gi didn't even use the word 'if'.
"After I take it?"
"Please create just five bills that I want. They are not bills related to politics. Only bills related to the economy. You don't even need to include unconstitutional content; just enact five bills that will be helpful to YK."
Yoon-gi didn't intend to make YK a sanctuary with these bills. What Yoon-gi wanted was solely preparation for the confrontation with China, the final adversary in the capitalist market. He had other schemes to carry out through a spy related to Oh Jeongsu, but that alone wouldn't be enough to oppose them. A confrontation between the super-collective that is China and Yoon-gi as an individual was impossible by any means. To make the confrontation possible, it was essential to make 'nations' his allies. Among them, the thing that must be done by making Korea an ally: 'It would be best to block deals where only Korea loses unilaterally. If I make the bills before establishing diplomatic ties with China, it will be possible somehow. Assemblymen aren't diligent enough to immediately repeal a bill once it's made.'
If diplomatic ties with China begin in the 90s, Chinese companies will have no trouble making money in Korea. But Korea is different. For Korean companies to make money in China, they must 'pass through' a Chinese company. Since they can only own up to 49% of the shares, Korean companies that lose all authority—and literally 'everything' beyond authority—to Chinese companies will appear frequently in the future. As a time-traveler who had seen this with his own eyes, Yoon-gi wanted to stop this at all costs, no matter what.
Furthermore, Yoon-gi had another absolute task. That was to prevent the collapse of the middle class. Since Yoon-gi, not to mention Samwoo, wasn't very close to other chaebols, the individuals who would become his new subordinates in the future were likely to be middle-class or non-mainstream chaebols. So, naturally, from Yoon-gi's perspective, he had to prevent their collapse. What if he strengthened bills related to accounting, taxation, fraud, and real estate? He would clearly be able to delay the collapse of the middle class and income polarization to a degree that Yoon-gi would feel was significant. Of course, a modern president would never accept such a promise, but a president of this era could.
And so, N thought for a moment and nodded.
"Five... Good. I can certainly do that much. If circumstances allow, couldn't I do ten? Hahahaha!"
Yoon-gi smiled at N, who was now bursting into hearty laughter, and said,
"Five is enough."
"What will you do if I don't keep my promise?"
"I trust you, sir."
The blind trust in N that Yoon-gi showed for the first time. At the perfect timing, N raised his trust in Yoon-gi and nodded.
"Good... I will certainly reward that trust. Now then... where is Oh Jeongsu?"
As soon as the words ended, the door in front of N and behind Yoon-gi opened, revealing Oh Jeongsu, tied tightly with rope and fast asleep. Because he had appeared in the debate, N also knew Oh Jeongsu's appearance. At the same time, a deep smile spread across N's lips, and Yoon-gi succeeded in unlocking the final lock to N's heart.
"I will trust you."
"I, too, will trust you, sir."
Finally, N asked one thing.
"Chairman Choi... didn't manipulate this, did he?"
Yoon-gi's smile served as the answer. With that alone, N was convinced that he had grabbed the golden rope.
'Damn bastard.' Inside the car, Liu Chen toyed with the dagger hidden in his chest. If it were China, he would have just used a gun, but this was Korea. Since using firearms here carried a very high risk, he had decided to handle it quickly with a dagger. The target was, of course, Oh Jeongsu. Liu Chen was thinking that it was fortunate Oh Jeongsu had fled. It was obvious that the moment he was caught, he would spill everything about his relationship with China. Therefore, Liu Chen decided to dispose of Oh Jeongsu, who was coming to meet him. Dead men tell no tales.
'There's no way he won't come to meet me.' For Oh Jeongsu, the only person who could help him one last time was himself. There was no reason for him not to come.
Click-! As the car door opened, Liu Chen thought Oh Jeongsu had arrived and turned his head with a professional smile. But because the person who appeared wasn't Oh Jeongsu, Liu Chen pulled the dagger from his chest with lightning speed and aimed for the opponent's neck.
"Aaargh!!" It was Liu Chen, not the opponent, who screamed. Liu Chen dropped the dagger due to the pain that felt like his wrist was being shattered, and in an instant, he was pulled out of the vehicle.
"Where do you think you're pointing that knife, you bastard?" Cha Pil-gyu bound Liu Chen's hands—which were sprawled on the ground—with handcuffs and, while he was at it, used handcuffs on his ankles as well. Then, he sat him back in the car and closed the door.
'Wh-what. Why did a monster like that appear?' Liu Chen looked at Cha Pil-gyu standing outside the window with an absurd expression, as if he couldn't believe he had been taken down in an instant.
'I, I have to die!' Liu Chen, who was trying to die by hitting his head against the window, suddenly turned his head when the other car door opened.
"Ch-Choi Yoon-gi?"
At the appearance of a person he had never imagined, Liu Chen stopped moving without realizing it.
"Liu Chen, Director of China's South Korea Intelligence Department."
Yoon-gi closed the car door and, at the same time, turned his head to begin speaking to Liu Chen.
"H-how do you know that?"
Even at Liu Chen's counter-question, Yoon-gi's words didn't end.
"Born in Heilongjiang Province, you have a 35-year-old daughter, a 17-year-old granddaughter, a 14-year-old grandson, a 12-year-old granddaughter, an 11-year-old grandson, a 9-year-old grandson, and a 6-year-old granddaughter."
"H-huff-!"
Liu Chen's complexion turned a sickly blue, and his intent to commit suicide vanished completely. 'If I die, my family dies!' The thought in Liu Chen's head. However, at Yoon-gi's words that followed a moment later, Liu Chen's complexion turned completely blood-red.
"Former Director of China's North Korea Intelligence Department, Zhang Chen."