A Political Promise
"Alright, how did it go?" At Han Ho-jun's question, his secretary began to relay the details of the conversation with N.
"He said that if the compensation is sufficient, he will actively cooperate with this matter."
"Even though it means turning against the President?" Despite Han Ho-jun's sharp observation, the secretary's expression remained unchanged.
"According to the assemblyman, there is currently widespread dissatisfaction toward the President even within the 'Hana-hoe.' They say that because he favors YK too much, he doesn't know how to value his own inner circle."
"Well, I suppose that's true, considering two of the 'Three Heos' have already been discarded. It’s enough to make the Hana-hoe nervous."
The Hana-hoe, a military faction that monopolized power in South Korea until the 90s by historical standards. If YS hadn't launched a surprise forced dissolution of the Hana-hoe, South Korea might have remained under a military dictatorship well into the 2010s. That was the extent of the immense power they boasted. JD had been a figure with enough capability to become the head of that Hana-hoe, but it was also true that he had been losing popularity lately.
"That's right. To discard his inner circle so easily... that’s not a decision to be made lightly. They are probably starting to feel anxious about when their turn will come."
As Yang Yi-yun chimed in, Park Hae-chan added his own thoughts.
"Come to think of it, the presidential election is not far off. Perhaps the Hana-hoe wants to elect a new leader?"
It was a dangerous statement that could get them dragged off by the ANSP if they weren't careful. However, the three chairmen and the one secretary present had decided they could trust each other implicitly, so they revealed their true intentions without hesitation.
"As Chairman Park said, the possibility of the Hana-hoe siding with the President doesn't seem very high. In truth, while the number one wants to continue his dictatorship, aren't the people beneath him waiting for their own turn?"
"That's true. Honestly, if P had just stepped down when his turn was up, he probably wouldn't have died in Gungjeong-dong."
At Park Hae-chan's joke, both Han Ho-jun and Yang Yi-yun burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha! That is a very accurate point. Businessmen like us can maintain our position as number one until we die, but for a political leader, as long as the concept of 'elections' exists, there is no justification for holding onto the seat."
Having said that much, Han Ho-jun looked back at his secretary.
"By the way, how did he say he wanted the money?"
"He refused. He said that even if he has influence, he cannot guarantee the outcome on his own, so he asked us to visit the assemblymen individually and deliver the money."
"Oh, is that really true?" It was welcome news, so Han Ho-jun leaned closer to the secretary. Thanks to that, the light from the lamp reflected off Han Ho-jun's bald head, and the secretary instinctively took a step back. Of course, Han Ho-jun didn't know why he had stepped back.
"Yes, that is correct. I even probed him by saying, 'Wouldn't it be more convenient for you to receive it all at once?' but he still shook his head."
"N is certainly a man of his word." Han Ho-jun wore a satisfied expression. In fact, the most burdensome part of executing this plan had been the method of delivering the money. If N betrayed them after receiving the money in bulk, just as they had been burned by Chairman Jung Woo-ho, there would have been no way to stop him. Yet, they couldn't bypass N either. If they didn't persuade N, who held the most influence in the current ruling party, the money distributed to other assemblymen would have little effect.
"I'm so relieved. I think we can finally breathe a sigh of relief." At Park Hae-chan's words of relief, Yang Yi-yun nodded and asked the secretary.
"According to what you've said so far, the ruling party is done, but what about the opposition?"
"The opposition side is also complete."
At the secretary's words, which brought nothing but good news, all three chairmen smiled and thought to themselves.
* * *
The National Assembly vote on the amendment took place much faster than expected. JD had lost money, so he needed to secure public opinion, and the assemblymen also needed to push it through quickly since they had agreed to receive money from the chaebols. However, a very interesting thing happened during the vote.
Overwhelming approval from the ruling party, and overwhelming opposition from the opposition party. Even though the chaebols, led by Han Ho-jun, had bribed all the assemblymen, the ruling party had voted in overwhelming favor. Since the ruling party already held a majority of seats, and not all opposition members had voted against it, the amendment passed.
"I heard Chairman Han grabbed the back of his neck in shock."
At Yoon-gi's villa, Yoon-gi and N were enjoying tea time together.
"Is that so?"
"Of course. After Chairman Jung Woo-ho gulped down 110 billion won, the amendment passed even after he poured massive funds into the assemblymen." N's face was filled with a smile, half of which was mixed with mockery.
"When Chairman Han's side gave the money, didn't they ask for a promissory note or something?"
"I already anticipated that. So, I told the other assemblymen to write the notes in 'block letters' when they signed them. That way, there wouldn't be any noise about handwriting issues later."
Han Ho-jun had also laid out double and triple safety measures in his own way. However, most of them were crushed by Yoon-gi, and the final remaining handwriting evidence was finished off by N. If the assemblymen hadn't kept their promise, he intended to detonate a bomb using the handwriting as evidence, but even that had failed.
"Well, they would have been body-searched before meeting, so it would have been hard to carry a recorder."
In the 2010s, technology had advanced so much that recorders could be hidden in suit buttons, but in this era, that was impossible. If you touched various parts of the body, a recorder would inevitably be discovered.
"To be honest, this bill was impossible to pass. If it weren't for YK, that is." At N's words, Yoon-gi smiled.
"Politics and management cannot be separated. This is something proven by other countries and history. That is why, if other assemblymen had proposed this amendment, it would have simply been buried."
In short, it wouldn't even have been put to a vote. But this time, the amendment was put to a vote.
"YK, no, your financial power is truly incredible. To think it's at a level where you can bribe most of the ruling party assemblymen..."
"No. It is the result of your leadership shining through, Assemblyman."
"Don't be so humble. There is no one in Korea right now who has as much personal wealth as you."
If you compare it to the 2010s, there are several Koreans with more money than Yoon-gi. But by the standards of this era, there is no Korean with more money than Yoon-gi.
'It only worked because it's the 80s. It's fortunate that the bloodlines of chaebols and politicians don't overlap much yet.'
As time passes, the bloodlines of chaebols and politicians increasingly overlap. Why else would there be a saying in the 80s that 'you become a son-in-law to a chaebol family just by passing the bar exam'?
Until the 70s, Korean chaebols achieved great growth with P's support, and in the 80s, the grown chaebols used their financial power to bribe politicians. That continued for decades, becoming the collusion between politics and business of the 2010s. However, Yoon-gi used his financial power to stop that collusion. No, he delayed it. Surely, as time goes on, they will eventually become intertwined, but at least he now had the power to delay it.
"But are you really going to be okay?" At N's sudden concern, Yoon-gi looked slightly puzzled.
"What do you mean?"
"No matter how great your financial power is, it seems difficult to guarantee the election campaign funds or the retirement of hundreds of assemblymen. No, setting aside the difficulty, that money can't be something you don't care about losing..."
At the words mixed with genuine concern, Yoon-gi smiled.
"Because I can just earn more money."
Hearing this, N burst into laughter.
"Truly, that is something only you would say."
Yoon-gi guaranteed the assemblymen's election funds, political activity funds, and retirement, and in return, the assemblymen promised Yoon-gi their votes in the National Assembly. This agreement was only possible as long as Yoon-gi continued to support them. In particular, the assemblymen accepted Yoon-gi's proposal because the amendment itself could gain the power of public opinion. N's instructions, Yoon-gi's proposal, and the bribes from chaebols like Han Ho-jun. A miracle made possible because these three factors overlapped.
"They say politics is a living organism, right? If I don't keep my promise, the assemblymen will quickly return to the chaebols."
"And the chaebols will have no choice but to accept the assemblymen, too."
The political world, where you cannot be enemies forever just because you hate someone, and you cannot be friends forever just because you like them.
'I need to work hard to earn money.'
As Yoon-gi made up his mind to maintain his influence for a long time, Choi Deok-bae chimed in.
* * *
Due to the 'eat-and-run' of the ruling party, along with Chairman Jung Woo-ho, the cash-mobilizing power of the chaebols led by Han Ho-jun was shattered. Of course, it wasn't as if they had lost all their assets. The chaebols of this era held a significant amount of their own company's stock, and they also owned real estate. However, losing all their available cash was a huge blow to the chaebols, so the war between YK and the chaebols entered a temporary lull.
Chairman Han Ho-jun was hospitalized, Chairman Park Hae-chan was holed up in his home, and Chairman Yang Yi-yun was the only one acting as a focal point for the other chaebols, but because the other chaebols didn't follow him well due to the successive failures, YK was able to enjoy a relatively very comfortable time. Just like now.
"Ah, Aunt, Uncle, welcome."
At Yoon-gi's words, Choi Yu-jeong and Jung Woo-ho gave awkward smiles.
"It's a bit embarrassing to have you call me 'Uncle' so soon..."
"I told you to drop the formalities. We're 'family' now, aren't we? First, sit down."
At Yoon-gi's bright smile, Jung Woo-ho sat down and scratched the back of his head.
"Honestly, I was very surprised. To think that the one who built YK until now wasn't Chairman Choi at Samwoo, but the Chairman Choi right in front of me..."
"Ssh!"
When Yoon-gi feigned anger, Jung Woo-ho was startled and spoke cautiously.
"Can I... really... drop the formalities?"
"I told you to. If you don't, I'll get scolded by my aunt."
"That's right, if you keep doing that, I'm going to scold Yoon-gi."
As Choi Yu-jeong laughed and glared at him, Jung Woo-ho nodded with difficulty.
"Umm, then, uh... okay."
The informal speech finally began. Since Yoon-gi didn't show any sign of being displeased, Jung Woo-ho let out a sigh of relief inwardly. In the life he had lived, he had seen quite a few cases where people were told to drop formalities, only to end up in trouble later.
"But, are you really not going to regret it?"
It wasn't Jung Woo-ho who answered Yoon-gi's question, but Choi Yu-jeong.
"You! Are you asking your uncle if he regrets marrying your aunt?"
At Choi Yu-jeong's sulky tone and the way she glared at him, Yoon-gi made an 'ugh' sound and looked flustered.
"No, that, that's not what I meant..."
"If anything, didn't I take the loss? My husband is in his 50s, and I'm in my 30s. With this age gap, 80 billion won is cheap."
It was a display of great confidence, but since it was all said to lighten the mood, both Yoon-gi and Jung Woo-ho laughed.
"And, I decided not to take the 80 billion won."
As she said this, Choi Yu-jeong cautiously watched Yoon-gi's reaction. This was because Jung Woo-ho had expressed his intention to offer the 80 billion won to YK. However, Yoon-gi nodded as if it were nothing.
"Of course. That's not my money. It's Uncle's money."
"It's my money? This man said he would give it to me."
"Is he a husband who gives you 80 billion won every month as a salary? Wow!"
Choi Yu-jeong's joke and Yoon-gi's response. Thanks to that, Jung Woo-ho couldn't help but feel flustered, regardless of how comfortable he felt.
"N-no, I can't bring 80 billion won every month..."
"I'm joking, I'm joking."
At Yoon-gi's grinning expression, Jung Woo-ho let out a sigh of relief without realizing it.
"Phew."
"I just told him to manage the 80 billion won himself. If he gives the 80 billion won to me, he might love me because the money is a waste, but if he holds onto the 80 billion won himself, it means he loves me even though he has 80 billion won, right?"
At Choi Yu-jeong's logic, which subtly made sense, Yoon-gi looked at Jung Woo-ho and added one more thing.
"Try harder so you can love her as much as 300 billion won."
"Uh... o-okay. Yes, 300 billion won...!"
Yoon-gi asked Jung Woo-ho, who was clenching his fists.
"By the way, what are you going to do? Chairman Kang Seok-ho from the previous life is currently working as my secretary and an executive at YK. Do you have any thoughts, Uncle?"
Jung Woo-ho shook his head.
"No, honestly, I don't want to do that. I've lived too hard until now. And that was for people I loved unilaterally. Now, I want to live with some leisure, loving the person who loves me. I already have more than enough money, don't I?"
The warmth of love was truly contained in Jung Woo-ho's eyes as he looked at Choi Yu-jeong.
"Even if I can't have 300 billion won, I will love you for the rest of my life like someone who has 300 billion won."
"Will you die if you don't keep that promise?"
Jung Woo-ho gave a bitter smile at Choi Yu-jeong, who was glaring at him.
"Really, how are your thoughts and actions exactly the same?"
"I heard that Aunt was quite a tomboy during her school days, too."
"Yoon-gi!"
Yoon-gi, the head of the number one company in the country, and Jung Woo-ho, the head of the number eight company in the country. They were truly giants of the business world, but the ones who could bend them with a single word were middle-aged women.
"Ah, come to think of it, there's something I want to tell you..."
Yoon-gi became interested at Jung Woo-ho's slightly changed attitude.
"What is it?"
"Chairman Kim Nam-ik of Daeyoung won't just sit still. I haven't faced him often, but if that person has joined the chaebol side this time, things wouldn't have been solved this easily."
Just as Jung Woo-ho said, Daeyoung was already on the move.