Kapitel 637: Chapter 637: Don’t Forget My Warning
Myeong-su continued to pressure Han Ji-ho with his ever-present bright smile.
It seemed like Han Ji-ho had plenty weighing on his mind. This reaction was unusual for someone like him.
"Rejoining the party is not allowed. However, I can assist with a few ongoing investigations within my capability," he stated.
He wouldn't save everyone. Han Ji-ho sighed at that thought.
He needed to set an example, and he couldn't just spare every traitor.
With the media buzzing about their connections to real estate development projects, it was hard to justify letting them go. Someone had to take responsibility and face the consequences.
Even if Myeong-su asked him to save them all, he had no intention of doing so. Myeong-su was instead using the situation to appear generous to Han Ji-ho.
"Director, you…"
"Representative, everything I'm doing is for the party. With so much at stake, wouldn't you feel bad if I let one person go? I know how crucial it is to secure our seats by any means necessary. However, just because they survived the election, it doesn't justify rewarding those who deserted the party's fair nomination process. Bringing them back would be like killing our candidates twice—our loyal ones who fought under the party's name," he replied.
Han Ji-ho bit his lip, fully aware of what was at stake.
He knew his position was hardly defensible.
Lee Myeong-su realized he had the upper hand and was subtly indicating that he would only accept terms he found agreeable.
"This isn't about personal feelings. The party needs them right now."
"I know exactly what you're driving at. Even if we accept them out of necessity, allowing their return would dismantle our established system. The rules for candidate nominations are clearly outlined in the party's constitution. Helping those who left in defiance of those regulations would betray our loyal members. If we disregard our own laws, how can we claim to uphold the constitution and create laws? As long as I'm with the Moderate Party, I will adhere to our constitution. To face our members with integrity, that's the least I can do."
Myeong-su's tone was resolute. There was no room for negotiation.
"Hah…"
Han Ji-ho let out a deep sigh and shook his head.
Even amidst the tension, he glanced at me, gauging my response, but I remained stone-faced, simply observing their exchange.
"Representative Lee, I can compromise on everything else. However, anyone elected in this round must be exonerated. If you can't agree to this, I will take matters to the end."
Myeong-su frowned slightly, seemingly worried that Han Ji-ho might hold firm.
Not knowing what conversation I had with Han Ji-ho, Myeong-su probably assumed it was pointless.
Instead of explaining, I decided to see how Myeong-su would react.
"…Exoneration seems tough. But I can ensure no one loses their parliamentary badge."
This was a promise to conclude matters with a lesser penalty than losing their parliamentary seat.
Myeong-su turned toward me, asking,
"Is that feasible?"
It wasn't difficult. I nodded slightly.
"If you wish, I'll make it happen. I promise, Representative."
Seeing Han Ji-ho's expression harden further, I indicated my respect for Myeong-su's stance.
Myeong-su flashed me a confident smile.
Han Ji-ho, alternating his gaze between Myeong-su and me, groaned discontentedly.
"…Fine. Let's go with that. Now, tell me your terms."
Myeong-su paused for a moment, pretending to gather his thoughts.
After a brief moment, he finally spoke up.
"No member from the Conservative Party should throw their hat in the ring for this convention."
"What? What do you mean by that…!"
Myeong-su was laying down a surprisingly tough condition.
Party conventions are the heart of political parties. If the presidential election is like the World Cup, then electing party leaders and top members at a convention is akin to the Champions League.
How could he suggest they not participate? This felt like a death sentence.
Han Ji-ho clenched his fist tightly. This was a declaration of war against the Conservative Party faction, removing them from power entirely.
"Wow."
I couldn't help but gasp.
Whether he heard my reaction or not, Han Ji-ho turned to face me instead of responding.
He squinted as if trying to decipher my intent, but I simply shrugged.
With a grimace, Han Ji-ho suddenly glared at Myeong-su.
"…Are you telling us to relinquish our power and become mere puppets?"
"Not at all. Just stay out of the convention. I will concede a bit on controlling the position of the parliamentary representatives and party offices."
Excluding the parliamentary leaders, those working in the party's secretariat were mainly aides, devoid of actual authority.
"Hey, Director."
"Do you really believe you can cover that incident without these concessions? If it were up to me, I wouldn't want to make these deals either. But as you mentioned last time, politics is about making agreements. Hearing that, I've given it some thought, and I'm willing to negotiate something."
Perhaps wondering if his earlier words were the cause, Han Ji-ho clenched his fist but didn't speak hastily.
"Representative, I'm merely presenting the maximum compromises I can afford. Just give me a cause that won't break my principles. That's all I ask."
"Even so, there's no way you can avoid the convention. However, I will send a lesser-ranked member. That would naturally push them out. It wouldn't align with the identity of the Moderate Party if not a single person from us was part of the top committee. You understand that, right?"
"Hmm…"
"Just one person. I won't even demand the party leadership. Just one spot in the top committee would suffice. It'll provide me the necessary face, wouldn't it?"
Han Ji-ho had a valid point. He was the head of a faction leading over fifty current lawmakers.
If you included local party heads from areas outside the city, he commanded quite a significant force.
Moreover, he was more popular there than the president himself.
"Understood. Let's go with that."
Myeong-su nodded, accepting Han Ji-ho's proposal.
"…Thank you, Director."
"No, it's thanks to your generous concessions that we could reach this good compromise."
Myeong-su deflected Han Ji-ho's gratitude, which only made Han Ji-ho bite his lip in frustration.
By the time the two concluded their discussion, I finally spoke up.
"So, are we in agreement then?"
Both men nodded.
"Let's outline the terms. We will halt investigations on the elected members currently under investigation or ensure their sentences are not severe enough to revoke their parliamentary seats. In exchange, the faction of Representative Han Ji-ho will concede a party leader. Am I correct?"
"Yes, that's right."
"I will keep watch over the terms we agreed upon with my own eyes. Representative Han Ji-ho and Secretary-General Lee Myeong-su, please ensure you do not break this agreement. I ask for your integrity in holding to these terms."
Myeong-su and Han Ji-ho both nodded seriously. Although they didn't formally document it, this agreement would be upheld more adamantly than any contract.
I stood up and walked toward Representative Han Ji-ho, extending my hand.
"Thank you for coming all the way to Busan."
Han Ji-ho also rose and shook my hand. Our clasped palms were damp with perspiration.
As I shook his hand, I pulled him closer and whispered softly into his ear,
"Don't forget my warning. I'll let this slide because of Myeong-su, but next time, it won't end well. Don't provoke me by involving my people again. And… I will take care of Mayor An Yong-soo myself."
Han Ji-ho nodded quietly instead of replying. Only then did I release his hand and smile.
"I won't be seeing you off. Your aides should be nearby, right?"
"They're waiting downstairs. I'll be on my way now."
As Han Ji-ho indicated he would leave, Myeong-su also stood up.
"Representative, are you really going to leave already? Since you've come all the way to Busan, let me treat you properly."
Han Ji-ho shook his head. It was clear he was eager to exit the situation.
"No, I have another appointment and need to head back soon."
"That's a shame. I'll see you in Seoul, then."
After accepting Myeong-su's goodbyes, Han Ji-ho cleared his throat and left the hotel room with a reluctant expression.
The moment he vanished, Myeong-su burst into laughter.
The serious demeanor he maintained until now vanished like a mirage, reverting back to his playful self.
"Hahaha! This is insane! Hey, Mu-hyeok! What on earth did you do to make that sly fox so nervous?"
"I have no clue. I just told him to talk to you since he begged for his life."
I remarked cheekily, shrugging. I didn't mention that Han Ji-ho had threatened me; there was no need to create unnecessary guilt.
Bringing that up would likely make him feel sorry for something that wasn't his fault.
"You're so dull. Don't you have any liquor? It wouldn't be right to skip drinks at a time like this!"
Clearly, he loved his alcohol. Chuckling, I asked Manager Ma to arrange a drinking session.
After watching Manager Ma bow and exit, we settled back into our seats.
Relaxing, Myeong-su slumped back and sighed.
"Thank goodness. I was worried about how to justify sparing those old guys, but it seems I can extract those who have caused headaches for Hyeon-woo, right?"
"Yeah. But what reason do you have for insisting on making this a formal proclamation?"
At my question, Myeong-su grinned slyly.
"Do you really have to ask? I want them to realize who's in charge and to ensure they never get comfortable in politics again. I want them to feel the true powerlessness of being an independent member. I'll make them appreciate how valuable the Moderate Party is. Aren't you doing the same with those you're using as examples? They're weak individuals who shouldn't really pose any threat to us, yet they're the ones who caused all this trouble."
In our country, independent members hold no power whatsoever.
To even be relevant for a casting vote, you need at least twenty members to form a negotiating block.
If not, independent members and minor parties have little to no say in anything.
Right now, with the Moderate Party and Progressive Party making all the decisions, they could do nothing.
"You're right. They need to be shown a proper example."
In the past, I remember how easily they were intimidated by me. Now they seem to grasp my intentions.
Though, as Myeong-su pointed out, letting them linger would create unnecessary headaches while they banded together.
I understood that while I meant to set an example, being preemptive would make future tasks easier.
"I thought as much. But how did you manage to persuade Representative Han Ji-ho? That guy isn't easily shaken by trivial matters."
Just then, Manager Ma returned with ice and whiskey.
As I opened the bottle, Myeong-su filled his glass with ice.
Pouring whiskey into the glass filled with ice, he said,
"It seems they've had several connections with Representative Han Ji-ho. Perhaps there are ties I'm not aware of; he insisted that they must be spared, so he had to take risks. So, I asked him, 'Should I kill them instead?'"
"What? You're nuts. That's so cringe!"
Myeong-su burst into laughter, holding back a guffaw as he slowly turned his glass.
"You're quite the character. Even if he's beyond redemption, you can't overlook Representative Han Ji-ho's influence. And then you tell him you might kill his allies? Damn, I wish I had seen that! What a pity!"
Myeong-su looked as if he thought I was just joking.
But at that moment, I genuinely wished harm upon Han Ji-ho.
"So what happened next? Did he just submit immediately? He couldn't have easily given up his pride, could he?"
Instead of answering, I shrugged and took a sip from my whiskey glass.
Myeong-su seemed uninterested in pursuing further discussion.
"So, is the situation cleaned up? I was thinking of purging all Conservatives during this opportunity."
Myeong-su immediately dropped his humor, his expression turning serious.
"No way. Not yet, we haven't fully secured the TK region. If they break off or harbor different intentions, it'll become a real headache."
"Still?"
"Even if Han Ji-ho ends up in prison, his influence won't diminish. But I've secured enough support to completely rid us of Conservative ideals by the time the next presidential election comes around. Some of the representatives under Han Ji-ho still reach out to me."
It appeared Myeong-su was diligently working behind the scenes without letting on.
"Is there any way I can help?"
"No need. You've already set the table, now I'll eat it myself."
Lee Myeong-su had really grown. He now projected the image of a capable politician, worthy of respect.
I chuckled lightly, lifting my glass. Myeong-su smiled back and clinked his glass with mine.
Staring through the glass at Myeong-su's face, I took my time savoring the moment.
"Drinking whiskey in a hotel isn't quite right. How about we hit that place we used to go? It's tough to find a good eel place in Seoul these days."
"Yeah, let's go. It's been a while since I've been there."
We both threw back our whiskey shots and stood up.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein