Chapter 422: Chapter 422: Powerless Sympathy is Nothing but an Empty Cry
I sat alone in the empty sauna of Myeong-dong Hotel sweating it out.
I'd lost track of time when the glass door opened letting in a rush of cool air.
With a towel draped over my head I spoke without turning.
"Lee Myeong-su. Took you long enough."
"Whew this is the first time I've seen the sauna completely empty. Nice and quiet."
"Stop deflecting. It's better if we're not seen together that's why I cleared it out. Sit down."
Myeong-su walked over and sat beside me turning the hourglass as he spoke.
"Ah… finally feeling human again. I was drinking until 3 AM and thought I was going to die. Hope this lifestyle isn't ruining my health."
I couldn't help but smirk as he dramatically acted like he was on death's door.
"Want me to prescribe you some health supplements?"
"No thanks. Mom keeps sending them and they're just piling up in my fridge untouched. Want some?"
"I've got plenty too. Grandma keeps sending them."
"Your grandma and my mom… they must still see us as kids."
He really must have been drinking until 3 AM. The smell of alcohol grew stronger from his sweat as time passed.
"Hey go take a shower or something. Your sweat reeks of booze. I'm getting drunk just from the fumes."
"Stop talking nonsense. Say something that makes sense."
Myeong-su furrowed his brow making a sour face. His expression was so comical I burst out laughing.
Seeing me laugh he smoothed out his frown and joined in.
But he quickly wiped the smile away and got down to business.
"The rough negotiations are done."
I dropped my smile too and asked seriously.
"Really? What are the terms?"
"They want to keep nominating candidates in the TK region like before. They're also asking for a share in the PK region."
Their greed seems pointlessly excessive.
Their toxic mindset of wanting to maintain influence in TK and PK while only taking benefits was obvious.
The Conservative Party could put up a complete fool in the TK region and still win.
But since the Moderate Party was founded they'd been maintaining quite high approval ratings too.
If Yoon Chang-ho became president no one knew how things might change.
The Conservative Party knew this which is why they were so active in merger talks but still.
"You're going to hand that over?"
"I agreed for now. The presidential election is right around the corner we can't keep dragging this out."
"Hmm…"
Presidential elections required complete mobilization of support bases to win.
In the polls the Moderate Party's Yoon Chang-ho was leading followed by Song Chan-hyeok of the People's Assembly.
The Progressive Party's Huh Tae-min was close behind while the Conservative Party trailed at just 5% support in last place.
There were other minor candidates too but none showed meaningful numbers.
"Song Chan-hyeok's popularity is no joke. The World Cup fever hasn't completely died down yet."
Despite my advice Song Chan-hyeok seemed determined to enter the presidential race.
Though he hadn't officially announced his candidacy yet.
Breaking away from being independent he showed completely different moves like founding a new party called the People's Assembly.
"Chairman Yoon is comfortably ahead for now but if he stumbles even once there'll be no stopping that guy. That's why we have to make some concessions."
But giving such a big prize to the Conservative Party would be too costly.
Should I instead try to shake Song Chan-hyeok's weak points and force him to give up the election?
"Huh Tae-min is approaching Song Chan-hyeok. If those two unite we can't guarantee the outcome. That's why we need to secure the Conservative Party at least."
"Want me to take Song Chan-hyeok down?"
"Can you do that?"
"If you want I could."
I shrugged and Myeong-su grumbled with a horrified look.
"What are you some magic wand that spits out gold when waved? No wait you probably could make that happen."
But he quickly shook his head and continued.
"If Song Chan-hyeok falls it could backfire. Our analysis team concluded the Progressive Party's supporters would likely shift to his side. Though we'd gain something too…"
Kim Hak-gwon maintained 40% approval even near the end of his term.
But Huh Tae-min and the Progressive Party were polling less than half that at just under 20%.
The Progressive Party couldn't even fully inherit Kim Hak-gwon's support.
Instead Song Chan-hyeok's approval hovered around 28%.
Combined they matched Kim Hak-gwon's numbers.
As public opinion split Yoon Chang-ho's support also dropped from 50% to 45%.
"Song Chan-hyeok is actually easier to deal with than Huh Tae-min. He has more vulnerabilities. But there's little dirt on Huh Tae-min. If we can just secure the Conservative Party we'll win regardless of who unifies."
Confidence shone on Myeong-su's face. I smiled watching him.
It seems like just yesterday he was whining about how scary politics was. He's grown a lot.
"It's not great for you to be too visible either. There's already some noise within the party."
"Really?"
"Yeah. So if you really need help I'll let you know. Until then just trust me and watch. Got it?"
I nodded slightly. I liked seeing him evolve from just following my orders to becoming a true political partner.
"Message received. But if it looks like we might lose I'm stepping in. You know how many years I've invested in making Yoon Chang-ho president right?"
"Of course. If it looks like we might lose we'll be the first ones grabbing your legs and begging for help. But Mu-hyeok this is a fight we can't lose. If we do everyone's out right?"
Instead of answering I just smiled. Myeong-su didn't seem to expect an answer either and continued.
"We're planning to announce the merger the day before candidate registration. That's how we'll dominate the narrative. Huh Tae-min and Song Chan-hyeok probably won't unify before then. They'll likely start unity talks after registering as candidates."
Myeong-su's using his head well. I nodded and followed up on his words.
"Announce the merger the day before registration the Moderate Party candidate doesn't register and Yoon Chang-ho steps down as party chairman with a new chairman taking over. That's the plan right?"
In Korean politics presidents typically held onto party chairmanship controlling both party and Blue House power.
But Yoon Chang-ho would differentiate himself by separating party and Blue House power.
This would create enough buzz alongside the official election schedule.
"Man you get it right away. Our old guys must have hardened brains it took all day to explain it to them."
Myeong-su let out a deep sigh. From the looks of it he'd struggled quite a bit this time too.
"The strategy looks solid. When the leading candidate makes such a move the Progressive Party will have to separate their power too. But will Huh Tae-min really give up party control?"
"He won't. He'd rather give up the presidential nomination to Song Chan-hyeok."
Song Chan-hyeok as president Huh Tae-min with party control… that's an intriguingly good fit.
"Ah! And the Chairman said thanks for the campaign funds. He said it's better if you don't contact each other for a while and asked me to pass that on."
Yoon Chang-ho needed to be careful of even falling leaves from now on.
Official campaign funds were loaned through Taesan Bank while unofficial funds were laundered before delivery.
"Yeah? Tell him if he's grateful he better win. And save the best seat at the inauguration."
"Haha of course. When Chairman Yoon becomes president people won't know it was all your doing right?"
"They'd get hurt if they knew dummy."
The sauna was starting to feel stuffy. I stood up first and said.
"It's hot. Let's go get some sikhye. The one here is pretty good. Not as good as my grandma's rice punch but still."
"Okay! Sikhye sounds good."
Myeong-su got up too. We took cold showers and left the bath area.
"Manager Ma bring us two sikhye please."
After roughly drying off we put on robes and sat on the wooden platform.
While Manager Ma sent someone to get the sikhye Myeong-su came out in his robe.
With a tired face Myeong-su let out an old man's sigh.
"Whew sweating it out and taking a cold shower really brought me back to life. I seriously thought I was dying earlier."
Myeong-su lay down on the platform and grabbed the remote turning on the TV. He switched it to a news channel.
"People are finally starting to react."
I shifted my gaze to the TV at Myeong-su's words.
The news was covering the story of two students killed by a tank.
The U.S. military took no responsibility for the incident. Though several people received formal disciplinary action.
But with jurisdiction in U.S. hands the verdict would likely be not guilty.
I knew the impact this would have. A not guilty verdict would spark anti-American sentiment and candlelight protests.
Whether intended or not the deaths of these two people would end up being used politically.
This incident would become a watershed moment in the presidential election.
"Hey how is this acceptable? Why is the U.S. handling a trial for an incident that happened in our country?"
Myeong-su frowned and grumbled.
The Status of Forces Agreement SOFA.
It had many provisions but the core was that the U.S. held criminal jurisdiction and disciplinary rights over their military.
People hadn't paid much attention to this clause before but this incident brought focus and demands for revision.
But the U.S. had no intention of scrapping this agreement.
Though they could waive jurisdiction and transfer it to Korea they'd done so several times before.
However for incidents during military training like this one they'd never once transferred jurisdiction to Korea.
Two people died. Two middle school students. Such young lives lost.
"Have the Moderate Party take the lead on this issue."
Reality was cruel and politics had to be even more ruthless.
Myeong-su turned to me with shock on his face.
"Let's make SOFA revision a campaign promise."
"…But the U.S. won't agree to it."
"I'll handle that part. Just make sure the Moderate Party claims this issue before the Progressive Party does before the not guilty verdict comes out."
Myeong-su's brow furrowed.
"Two people died. Children. And you want us to use this?"
I firmly told him.
"Don't show half-hearted sympathy. If something bothers you think about changing it yourself. Powerless sympathy is nothing but an empty cry."
"…"
"You need to get tougher. Be ready to use even worse things than this. That's your job what you need to do."
Looking at Myeong-su's stiff face I continued coldly.
"Don't like it? Want to quit now?"
"…No you're right. I need to change things myself."
"Good. Steel your heart. The moment a politician shows weakness it's over."
"Alright. Can you really get it revised?"
"Trust me I'll figure something out."
Myeong-su is a good kid. But being just good won't let you survive in politics.
I'd wanted to tell him this someday but ended up saying it at such an unpleasant time.
The awkward atmosphere was getting uncomfortable but Manager Ma arrived with the sikhye right on time.
"Let's drink. This is really good."
I picked up my cup and took a sip. The sweetness lingering in my mouth and the perfectly chewy rice grains lifted my mood.
Myeong-su followed suit bringing his cup to his lips.
"Oh this is good!"
Myeong-su exclaimed with wide eyes and downed the sikhye in one go.
"Like you said it's not as good as grandma's but it's the best rice punch I've had in Seoul. I should come here for this sometimes."
"Right? The sikhye here is closest to Busan style. I'll let them know so come enjoy it sometimes."
I'd actually ordered it made this way when I became owner of Myeong-dong Hotel but no need to mention that.
But somehow Myeong-su caught on and smirked as he set down his cup.
"You had them make it this way didn't you?"
Sharp guy. Feeling awkward I just shrugged without answering.
We continued chatting but something seemed to occur to Myeong-su as he searched his robe pocket.
After a moment Myeong-su pulled out a memo and handed it to me.
"By the way why do you want Jinpyo's contact info?"
"Well…"
"He's having a tough life. It's because of me he ended up that way. Just leave him alone."
I smiled taking the memo. Whatever he thought it was he seemed to assume the worst.
"You're too soft."
If I hadn't come back Myeong-su would still be limping today.
But I changed the past and Hong Jin-pyo who should have been successful was now doing redevelopment work.
Even I was surprised when we ran into Hong Jin-pyo at a redevelopment site while visiting with Myeong-su.
"It's fine. It won't be bad for him so don't worry about it. But you've been in regular contact I see."
"Well I've kept in touch since then. We were just kids back then right? We've all grown up now. Who cares about childhood feelings? We worked it all out over drinks."
Watching Myeong-su dismiss it so casually I asked.
"If I didn't have power back then we'd have been the victims. Still feel the same?"
"What's the point of thinking about things that didn't happen? Anyway be nice when you meet him. Hyeon-seong and I worked everything out."
Seems they've met often without my knowledge. I nodded and called Manager Ma handing over the memo.
"Manager Ma contact him and set up a meeting."
"Yes sir."
Using an enemy to counter an enemy. I'll need to deal with the poison that entered my business with poison.
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