章 650: Chapter 650: It’s Difficult, But I Can Do It
I summoned Congressman Hong Jin-woo to my office in Myeong-dong.
"He should be arriving soon," I thought.
As the appointment time approached, I turned off my computer and moved towards the window.
Below the spacious window, Myeong-dong's streets were clearly visible, bustling with people and a steady stream of cars. I found myself lost in thought.
'Will Hong Jin-woo truly surrender? Or will he cling to his pride until the end…?'
If he were to declare his surrender, I would find it quite disappointing.
The reason I made a bold request of Jessica was that I couldn't find a significant weakness to shake him.
It wasn't exactly pleasant to think that a politician who had pushed me to this point would kneel before me because of his son.
Well, I'd be even more disappointed if he abandoned his son…
My thoughts were interrupted by Manager Ma.
"Boss, he's here," he announced.
"Ah, really? Tell him to come in. I heard Congressman Hong likes Pu-erh tea… didn't it just arrive recently? Prepare two cups with that."
Once Manager Ma stepped out, Congressman Hong Jin-woo entered soon after.
"Welcome, Congressman," I greeted him with a smile, though his face was etched with worry.
In this situation, smiling wouldn't exactly be sane. I naturally took my seat at the head of the table and gestured for him to sit.
"Please, have a seat for now."
Hong Jin-woo glanced around my office before settling into a chair.
Surprisingly, his first words weren't about his son.
"This is unexpected."
"What do you mean?"
"Your office location and decor are quite sophisticated for someone so young."
"Ah, it used to be my grandfather's office. I just haven't felt the need to change it."
"So this was the place used by Chairman Cheontae?"
I looked around my office, which still bore traces of my grandfather, and nodded.
"Everything started from my grandfather's time. Like him, I began as a loan shark and have come this far."
Hong Jin-woo nodded, curious.
"Is that so? I hear you operate quite a few lending businesses."
"Looks like you've done your research. Indeed, I haven't forgotten my roots."
But why the grandiose introduction? What serious matter was he dancing around?
I continued answering his queries while subtly observing Hong Jin-woo.
He didn't falter under my gaze, continuing to speak.
"The loan sharks I know are ruthless, yet the loan business connected to Kim Mu-hyeok controls over 90% of our industry without seeming unfair. You've even prevented Japanese lenders from making significant moves."
Just then, Manager Ma entered through the door again. Hong Jin-woo glanced at him and fell silent.
Manager Ma set a teapot and cups on the table, then stood behind me.
I poured Pu-erh tea into an empty cup and pushed it toward Hong Jin-woo.
"I heard you like Pu-erh tea. This was a gift from a Chinese friend. Try it; there's no better tea for calming your mind."
Hong Jin-woo stared at the cup, but didn't lift it.
He looked calm but lacked ease.
I raised my steaming cup and said, "Please, finish your thoughts."
At that moment, Hong Jin-woo hesitated, glancing at Manager Ma.
"It's fine. Just consider him a non-entity."
Apparently, he recognized who I was but didn't grasp who Manager Ma was.
I couldn't help but wonder how he'd react if he realized the information he gathered about me was merely crumbs I had purposely scattered. I chuckled softly as I brought the cup to my lips.
Savoring the pleasant aroma of the Pu-erh, I waited for Hong Jin-woo to continue.
After a moment, he finally spoke again.
"I've come to doubt my understanding of Kim Mu-hyeok."
"Doubt? What do you mean?"
"I used to think you were cold-hearted, devoid of empathy. Everyone who knew you seemed to fear you."
If he's interacting with known figures, then…
It would make sense that only those I have leverage over would fear me. After all, they had every reason to be afraid of me.
"But the more I find out about you, the more I feel you're not that ruthless."
This introduction is lengthy. I lowered my cup and asked, "Congressman, what exactly do you want to say? I'm not a fan of beating around the bush."
"…"
99% of what politicians say is a lie.
Out of a hundred words, they might only express what they truly want to say in one. Last time we met, he got straight to the point, but now he is playing it long because he's in a tough spot. Just like any politician.
"It's not like you called me here just to tell me what sort of person I am. You don't seem in a hurry. If you need more time, feel free to come back later."
"…I wanted to express that I see you as a rational person, Mr. Kim. Very well. I'll ask directly without sidestepping anymore."
At last, we were getting somewhere. I nodded for him to continue as he swallowed hard.
"Can you save my son?"
"To save your son…"
Rather than provide an outright answer, I trailed off, causing Hong Jin-woo to rush to clarify.
"What I mean is, can everything that has transpired be reversed?"
"Well, it really depends on what you do."
"Mr. Kim, please don't dodge the question…"
"I heard the Department of Homeland Security has stepped in. That'll require quite a bit of convincing from my end. Money isn't the issue. I have more than enough to spare, even billions. But to persuade the Department, I might need to yield some things. I may need to make significant concessions."
"From what I'm hearing, it sounds like you're implying it's difficult yet possible to change things back."
Of course, he knew. I shrugged and replied, "It's challenging, but I can make it happen."
My indifference seemed to stiffen Hong Jin-woo's demeanor.
"…Is this all part of your plan? To ensnare me?"
He said it with his own mouth but couldn't quite believe it, which only made me chuckle.
He must think I'm making absurd claims.
"You think I could be the one moving the Department? President Yoon Chang-ho would struggle with that. It's too far-fetched, Congressman. While I do have some connections with the head of this case, it's no more than acquaintanceship."
"…"
"So you think I instigated the Department to corner your son?"
Hong Jin-woo, who had been grinding his teeth, silently nodded in response.
"No, I have no connection to your son's situation whatsoever. I have only done one thing: prevented this crisis from leaking to the media. One of the projects in my pipeline is the reconstruction contracts in Iraq. But if it's exposed that the son of a prominent opposition figure, particularly one with significant influence, is embroiled in drug crimes and is connected to a terrorist organization like Al-Qaeda, there's bound to be issues for my business. It could even harm diplomatic relations between Korea and the United States."
I paused for a moment, locking eyes with Hong Jin-woo.
Hearing about drug crimes and Al-Qaeda sucked the color from his face.
"If that got out, my plans would be jeopardized. It could even damage diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Korea. So I stepped in to persuade the person in charge to prevent any media leaks. But I don't know how much longer I can keep that up; the person in charge is already under significant pressure."
After finishing, I lifted my cup to hide my smile.
Honestly, it's a rushed operation and has several gaps in it.I was fortunate thanks to Jessica's diligent help to navigate this safely…
But even if Hong Jin-woo caught wind of this opportunity and tried to poke at me, I doubt he could escape the pit I dug deep.
"…What must I do? How can you save my son?"
"Does your son have worth to violate your beliefs for?"
"There's a saying, 'To cultivate oneself is to govern the family, to govern the family is to rule the nation.' It prioritizes taking care of oneself and family before politics. I will not abandon my family for my political ambitions."
Look at that? His words made me chuckle unexpectedly. Although calm, they hinted at his aspirations.
He doesn't want to remain just another ordinary politician; it seems he dreams of becoming president.
"What must I do to save him? Do I need to kneel before you, Mr. Kim?"
Hong Jin-woo stood, almost as if he were going to kneel right then and there. Although it sounded like a declaration of surrender on the surface, it was anything but.
His voice cracked bitterly, sounding torn between anguish and determination, each glance sharper than ever.
"You're too agitated, Congressman. Relax with a cup of tea."
"…"
"Come on. If you talk while agitated, it'll ruin everything. Let's finish that cup of tea before we continue our discussion."
Reluctantly, Hong Jin-woo lifted his cup at my insistence.
I poured another cup for myself while observing him drink the cold tea.
During the brief moment it took him to drink, I collected my thoughts on what to do next.
He must also be clearing his jumbled thoughts just like I am.
I soon rested my empty cup down and locked eyes with Hong Jin-woo.
"Congressman, I will be asking you three questions. There's no option to refuse. And you mustn't lie."
The biggest issue was not just about the drugs. It was the accusation of being a money source for a terrorist organization.
Regardless of its truth, it didn't matter. If Jessica got involved, a guilty verdict was inevitable.
She wasn't someone who would carelessly plan something with foreseeable losses.
That meant I had to extract information from Hong Jin-woo myself.
"Do I just need to answer your questions?"
His voice trembled, strange with anxiety as I nodded and said firmly, "Don't lie. If there's any falsehood in your answers, there will be no salvation for your son. Keep in mind that lying will earn you nothing in our deal."
"…"
He didn't respond, but I shot my question at him.
"Is becoming president your goal?"
I was curious to know his ultimate ambition.
Hong Jin-woo furrowed his brows, paused for a moment, then replied.
"Is there a politician who wouldn't dream of becoming president? Yes, that's my dream. Whether that opportunity will come, I don't know. Is that a sufficient answer?"
It's a tired answer, yet certainly, it's the dream of every politician.
Nodding slightly, I then asked my most burning question.
"What's the reason behind your animosity toward me?"
Seemingly expecting it, he answered without hesitation.
"As I mentioned last time, I think you, Kim Mu-hyeok, are a danger to Korea. You might be a help in the short term, but if you persist in being an influential authority behind the scenes, it won't be beneficial to the country's interests. You skillfully balance between carrots and sticks. Even if I were to attain power, I'd refuse to be your puppet."
Ah, now I see. It's clear why he harbors hostility toward me. He's afraid that if he ever becomes president, I could manipulate him like a puppet.
He has big dreams but is also quite deluded. Simultaneously, it was evident he views himself like a frog in a well.
I've never considered Yoon Chang-ho my puppet. I helped him become president merely because we saw eye to eye. Our business relationship remains sound even now.
This meant that if our ideals aligned, I wouldn't mind seeing Hong Jin-woo become president either.
"Final question. If you become president, will you consider changing the ownership of Hoseok Construction?"
I watched as he inhaled sharply at my question.
While he easily answered the previous questions, this one seemed to leave him stuck in hesitation.
"Is this question exceptionally challenging for you? You swiftly answered whether you wished to become president and why you oppose me, yet you can't respond to this? Is this one tougher for you than the previous two?"
Despite my prodding, Hong Jin-woo only continued to mull over his response and remained silent.
He was probably hesitant because I had said not to lie to me.
He might not fully trust that he was only telling the truth, but he definitely wouldn't lie about his son.
So, this silence stemmed from his careful consideration.
After contemplating for a long while, he finally tossed a question back at me instead of answering.
"…Can I ask why you think that?"
"Because if I were you, I would choose to be the owner of a strong company like Hoseok Construction rather than just being a politician. Especially since your eldest son, Hong Jin-seong, isn't exactly competent. Yet you seem to act as if you've completely given that up, almost wanting someone to think you have no interest in Hoseok Construction. That puzzled me. Why would a politician based in Honam want to distance himself from Hoseok Construction?"
A politician of the Progressive Party based in Honam would be foolish to forsake the benefits that come with Hoseok Construction's prestige.
The company's executives, as well as those connected to it, would surely support him.
Yet Hong Jin-woo's actions suggested the complete opposite, and that struck me as curious.
I continued to watch the still silent Hong Jin-woo.
"Are you perhaps intending to destroy something because you feel I could take it from you?"
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