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61.28% Genius Grandson of the Loan Shark King / Chapter 429: Chapter 429: Tear Each Other Apart

Chương 429: Chapter 429: Tear Each Other Apart

Huh Tae-min arrived at Song Chan-hyeok's officetel in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province. When he pressed the bell, Song Chan-hyeok opened the door himself.

Huh Tae-min entered alone without any aides.

Inside, there was no one else except Song Chan-hyeok.

After scanning the interior for any other presence, Huh Tae-min confirmed they were alone and finally extended his hand.

"Good to see you Candidate Song Chan-hyeok."

"Likewise, Candidate Huh Tae-min."

Song Chan-hyeok returned the greeting with a smile and shook his hand.

After the greeting, Song Chan-hyeok led Huh Tae-min to the living room.

Instead of sitting down, Song Chan-hyeok went to the kitchen to brew coffee.

Huh Tae-min watched with curiosity. Did he send away all the staff for this?

"You even brew your own coffee? That's unexpected."

"Haha. Just because I'm from a chaebol doesn't mean I leave everything to the staff, Congressman. One should do what they can do themselves. I brew coffee and cook my own meals too."

Song Chan-hyeok skillfully brewed the coffee and brought the cups to the table.

As he set a cup in front of Huh Tae-min, he said,

"Though I made it myself, the aroma is quite good. Please try it."

"Coffee brewed by Candidate Song Chan-hyeok himself – I'm honored."

Song Chan-hyeok sat down and lifted his coffee cup first, savoring the aroma before taking a sip.

Huh Tae-min followed suit and lifted his cup. After just one sip, he set the cup down and wiped away his friendly smile before speaking.

"Let's get to the point. We're not people with time to spare, are we?"

Though the atmosphere changed instantly, Song Chan-hyeok simply nodded as if nothing was amiss.

Setting down his cup, he met Huh Tae-min's eyes.

"Very well. Let's hear why you proposed this secret meeting, Candidate Huh Tae-min."

"Don't pretend you don't know. At this rate neither of us has any chance of winning, do we?"

"I wouldn't know about that."

Growing impatient with Song Chan-hyeok's continued feigned ignorance, Huh Tae-min spoke up.

"Look here, Candidate Song. Let's have an honest discussion. There's no time for games. We have less than a month left."

Huh Tae-min was desperate.

Now that Yoon Chang-ho had claimed the initiative on separating ruling party and Blue House power, they couldn't take control of that issue even by copying his platform.

Moreover, Huh Tae-min absolutely did not want to give up his party authority.

"Then concede to me."

Song Chan-hyeok spoke calmly. He already knew Huh Tae-min was the desperate one.

"Look here, Congressman Song."

"Unifying behind me gives us the best chance of defeating Candidate Yoon Chang-ho. You know this too, don't you?"

What unfounded confidence, honestly. While internally clicking his tongue, Huh Tae-min maintained his poker face as he spoke.

"Do you think the public will quietly watch a chaebol become president? Don't be fooled by the approval ratings. It's all an illusion. Didn't Chairman Song run for president trusting only in the polls? You know well what happened after that. Surely you don't want to follow the same path as him?"

The moment Chairman Song Young-ju was mentioned, the smile disappeared from Song Chan-hyeok's face.

"Choose your words carefully, Congressman Huh Tae-min. Why bring up my father's name here?"

"I say this out of concern. Politics isn't something that can be led by approval ratings alone. Even if you were elected president, what could you accomplish without the National Assembly's support?"

Though it sounded like concern for Song Chan-hyeok on the surface, contempt lurked beneath.

"Do you think you have the capability to gain support from the Moderate Party like President Kim Hak-gwon? That would be hard to guarantee. But I can do it. That's political skill. Candidate Song, right now you're so intoxicated by approval ratings that you can't even see what's right in front of you."

"…Never mention my father again. The moment you bring up my father's name one more time, this deal is off. Understood?"

But Song Chan-hyeok seemed to hear nothing, only glaring at Huh Tae-min.

Reading the anger in Song Chan-hyeok's eyes, Huh Tae-min raised both hands.

"Calm down. I said it out of concern for you, so don't get excited. Anyway, you can't deny what I'm saying is true. Answer me. Can you gain the Moderate Party's support?"

"Whatever you can do, I can do too. There's no reason I can't."

Song Chan-hyeok spoke confidently, and Huh Tae-min shook his head.

"Me stepping down would require our party members' understanding. And they won't understand."

"Then let's forget about unification. I see no reason to unify. There's still a month until the election and no one knows the outcome, right?"

"Look here, Congressman Song."

Though Huh Tae-min called out in frustration, Song Chan-hyeok calmly corrected him.

"Presidential candidate. Candidate Huh Tae-min."

"Right, Candidate Song. Let's not be like this and reach an agreement. Public opinion polls and party member votes – let's split it fifty-fifty."

"Talk sense. If we hold a party member vote, I'm guaranteed to lose, aren't I?"

Song Chan-hyeok scoffed at the transparent suggestion. Though he had founded the party, it was barely established with just the basics in place.

"Then what do you suggest? Should we just lose to the Moderate Party like this?"

"Let's do public opinion polls. I'll accept that."

The current gap between Song Chan-hyeok and Huh Tae-min's approval ratings was about 5%. Of course, Song Chan-hyeok was ahead.

Determining unification through polls would definitely disadvantage Huh Tae-min.

"What nonsense! Leaving it entirely to polls? That's unprecedented!"

The two men held firm to their positions as negotiations continued intensely.

After about two hours of parallel discussions, Huh Tae-min was the one who finally backed down.

"We can't let our country fall into the hands of a loan shark. You agree with that, right?"

"Are you referring to CEO Kim Mu-hyeok?"

"That's right. That man is truly frightening. He understands and uses the law better than anyone. On top of that, he's not afraid to use violence when the law doesn't work."

Song Chan-hyeok remained silent.

"Daehyeon Group would know better, wouldn't they? Originally after Chairman Song Young-ju passed away, the siblings should have split up the affiliates and divided the company. But what's happening now? Chairman Song Chan-woo has a tight grip on Daehyeon. And CEO Kim Mu-hyeok is backing him up."

"Let's stop this discussion. It's irrelevant to the matter at hand."

Though Song Chan-hyeok cut him off firmly, Huh Tae-min continued undeterred.

"Look here, Candidate Song. Don't turn away from reality. The more I know about that man, the more frightening he becomes. We absolutely cannot let Yoon Chang-ho take power. If that happens, no one knows where Korea will end up."

"…You seem quite afraid of CEO Kim Mu-hyeok."

"Even that fearsome former President Choi Seon-man was trapped because of Kim Mu-hyeok. Even President Kim Hak-gwon is moving according to his wishes."

Song Chan-hyeok let out a long sigh and looked at Huh Tae-min.

"Then what are you suggesting?"

"Let's unify. And let's win. I'll concede. I'll accept unification based solely on polls. But regardless of the outcome, whoever wins must pursue a party merger."

Song Chan-hyeok asked with a surprised expression.

"You're really saying you'll proceed with polls alone?"

Huh Tae-min nodded. Then leaning forward and lowering his voice, he continued.

"However…"

* * *

After listening to all the recorded content, I snickered.

"Huh Tae-min, that fellow is plotting something interesting."

Manager Ma, who had removed the CD from the player, came and stood beside me.

"Haha, seems Congressman Huh really dislikes me. Did I do something to offend him?"

"Indeed. Nothing good will come from leaving him be."

Song Chan-hyeok eventually agreed to Huh Tae-min's proposal to secretly investigate me, regardless of who becomes president.

Then came the secret deals.

If Huh Tae-min becomes president, he'll help Song Chan-hyeok take control of Daehyeon Group.

If Song Chan-hyeok becomes president, he'll guarantee Huh Tae-min's nomination rights. Of course, Song Chan-hyeok's shares would also be guaranteed.

Though unification through polls seemed advantageous to Song Chan-hyeok at first glance, the ultimate winner was Huh Tae-min.

"What should we do…"

I had already used up the leverage I had on Huh Tae-min.

I could use it again, but that would cause backlash.

Those who'd had their weaknesses exposed by me might make desperate moves.

So I couldn't use it again. A promise had to be kept.

If that trust broke, it was obvious no one would deal with me anymore.

"Edit only the parts where my name appears and leak it to the press. They'll announce the unification tonight. Let them dream happy dreams for a few days. When news of their backdoor deals starts breaking, they'll be busy tearing each other apart. The unification will be nullified. Two days later would be good."

"Yes, I'll do that."

Drumming my fingers on the table in thought, I added,

"Make it look like Song Chan-hyeok's aide leaked it to progressive media outlets, and like Huh Tae-min's aide leaked it to conservative outlets."

Tear each other apart.

Kill each other.

And fall into the abyss.

They might have been better off dying now.

Because hell would await them once the presidential election ended.

A sinister smile had crept onto my lips without me realizing.

News of Huh Tae-min and Song Chan-hyeok's successful unification negotiations shook the presidential race.

At their dawn press conference, they declared they would leave their fate in the hands of the people.

From morning, everyone from suited office workers to laborers in work clothes buzzed with discussion about it.

The news that Huh Tae-min had conceded in the unification negotiations greatly improved his image.

Yoon Chang-ho offered no opinion on the matter, simply continuing his scheduled activities as usual.

He didn't say a single word about their unification.

And afterward.

Starting with the Goryeo Daily, the dirty backdoor deals they'd made at the negotiating table were exposed.

An hour after the article was published, Party Leader Yoon Chang-ho held a press conference.

– Respected citizens, this is presidential candidate Yoon Chang-ho. Everywhere I went yesterday, people asked me what I thought about the two candidates' unification. I thought I should simply continue on my path and respected the two candidates' decision. But after reading today's Goryeo Daily article, I made a resolution. I will not stand idly by. If these dealings are true, there could be no greater corruption than this. This is a behind-closed-doors collusion that goes against both history and the people.

Yoon Chang-ho held a press conference as if he'd been prepared, and didn't hesitate to make strong statements.

However, Huh Tae-min and Song Chan-hyeok had no time to worry about Yoon Chang-ho.

The most problematic statement was that if unified under Huh Tae-min and he won, he would use investigative agencies to help Song Chan-hyeok take control of Daehyeon Group.

This meant public power would be used for private gain.

This was absolutely something a presidential candidate should never say.

The two began attacking each other. The unification fell apart and they were busy criticizing one another.

Amidst the chaos, Yoon Chang-ho stopped speaking about this issue.

Even in TV debates, while Yoon Chang-ho didn't bring up this matter, Huh Tae-min and Song Chan-hyeok continued to attack each other.

The day before polling was banned, most published polls showed Yoon Chang-ho's support exceeding 50%.

In some polls it approached 60%. This was an impossible approval rating in Korea where regional sentiments and progressive-conservative divides were clear.

Time passed and election day arrived.

Early in the morning, I arrived at the polling station with Manager Ma.

"There aren't many people here."

Since it was still early, except for a few elderly people, there weren't many voters.

After showing my ID and receiving my ballot, I entered the curtained voting booth.

On the ballot listing several candidates' names, I stamped next to Yoon Chang-ho's name.

After inserting my ballot in the box, I left the polling station.

The morning sun was slowly rising. I left the polling place with a smile on my face.


Chương 430: Chapter 430: I Don’t Trust Him Completely

If revenge ended with Il-seong Group's downfall, my plan began with making Yoon Chang-ho president.

No matter how favorable Kim Hak-gwon had been toward me he couldn't compare to having a president I put in power myself.

This would completely change the history I knew.

But I feared that if I didn't intervene in the original timeline political power could take everything I had at any moment.

So I decided to change everything.

And today was finally time to see the results.

Winter nights come early. The sun had already set and in 30 minutes the exit polls would be announced.

"Nervous?"

Han Gyeong-yeong who'd arrived in Korea a few days ago asked.

"There's no way we can lose this election. So why would I be nervous? I'm just keeping an eye on the vote count since we'll need to adjust our plans based on that."

"Oh look who's confident!"

Thanks to Han Gyeong-yeong's playful comment some of the tension eased away.

"If Huh Tae-min and Song Chan-hyeok had managed to unite maybe but right now their votes are split. There's no way we can lose."

If they'd united they might have rallied their supporters together but now Huh Tae-min and Song Chan-hyeok were at each other's throats trying to destroy one another regardless of the election outcome.

Yoon Chang-ho's victory in the presidential election was already a foregone conclusion.

I was focused on the results because depending on how many votes he got we could use that momentum to push through constitutional reforms.

Han Gyeong-yeong nodded in agreement.

"You mentioned you're thinking about constitutional reform?"

I nodded while picking up the glass from the table.

"You think that's possible? A parliamentary system in Korea… Public approval of members of parliament is so low do you think people will agree?"

"We'll make them agree."

"You usually accomplish whatever you set your mind to but politics has so many variables. Even I'm not sure about this one. Can you really do it?"

"We have to try."

While we were talking the voting period ended and the exit poll announcement was approaching.

Finally the time came and the exit polls conducted by the three major networks were announced.

The smile on my face grew wider.

* * *

5 PM. Everyone was gathering at the Moderate Party headquarters in Yeouido.

The entire party leadership had assembled starting with the floor leader along with presidential campaign officials and people who'd defected from the Conservative Party were starting to arrive one by one.

Behind the television they were watching broadcast cameras were lined up with reporters from most media outlets standing behind them.

With Yoon Chang-ho's seat left empty in the center Song Dae-chul who'd been appointed as the new floor leader during the merger talks with the Conservative Party sat on the left. The party leadership took their seats beside him.

Conservative Party members sat on the right. Yu Nak-hyeon the former National Assembly speaker who was designated as the new party president sat closest to Yoon Chang-ho's spot with other Conservative Party officials beside him.

But Lee Myeong-su was nowhere to be seen. Yu Nak-hyeon looked around curiously before turning to call Song Dae-chul.

"Representative Song."

Song Dae-chul who was having a quiet conversation with someone next to him turned toward Yu Nak-hyeon.

"Why isn't Secretary General Lee here yet?"

"I heard he's with the candidate. They planned to check the exit polls together over dinner at the candidate's home."

Yu Nak-hyeon finally nodded and smiled.

"Looks like Secretary Lee is quite the power player."

"Haha well they've been together since their prosecutor days. Of course the candidate would give him special attention. I hear he's close with the candidate's wife too."

"I see…"

Yu Nak-hyeon trailed off as he scanned the room. While the first row had an even mix of Moderate and Conservative Party members from the second row on it was mostly Moderate Party people.

Frowning at the stark power difference Yu Nak-hyeon whispered to Han Ji-ho beside him.

"The power gap is too wide. Can you navigate this difficult path?"

Han Ji-ho replied with a stern face.

"Once you take the party presidency Speaker we can change everything. All power ultimately flows to the president after all."

"That's true in theory but I worry if it'll really work out that way."

Yu Nak-hyeon thought Lee Myeong-su was the most dangerous figure even more than the key Moderate Party officials present.

The fact that he was meeting alone at the likely winner Yoon Chang-ho's house clearly showed where the real power lay.

But his thoughts were cut short as the exit polls began appearing on TV.

When the exit polls were announced everyone in the room jumped up cheering.

At that moment Yoon Chang-ho and Lee Myeong-su sat facing each other eating dinner at Yoon's home.

Yoon Chang-ho checked the clock on the wall put down his chopsticks and said.

"The exit polls should be announced soon."

"Are you nervous candidate?"

Lee Myeong-su asked as he set down his own chopsticks.

"The results are already in aren't they?"

"Yes. They should match our predictions shouldn't they?"

The outcome was clear even without seeing it. Both Yoon Chang-ho and Lee Myeong-su knew this.

"Yet I'm still nervous."

No matter how certain victory was it was natural to feel nervous.

As the exit poll time approached an increasingly tense Yoon Chang-ho repeatedly clenched and unclenched his sweat-covered fist.

But Lee Myeong-su remained calm. Taking a sip of water he continued.

"The results are already determined. What matters is how overwhelming the victory margin is. That will determine whether we can proceed with our plans without issues."

"You don't seem nervous at all."

Yoon Chang-ho shook his head at Lee Myeong-su who spoke as if this were someone else's business.

"By the way is it alright to hand over the party presidency to Yu Nak-hyeon? When I leave for the Blue House most of my allies will follow me there."

"We'll revise the party platform and policies while changing the party name and adjust the party constitution and regulations too. We'll also distribute some of the concentrated power from the president's position. No need to worry too much."

Though Lee Myeong-su spoke firmly Yoon Chang-ho still looked at him with worried eyes.

"Yu Nak-hyeon isn't an easy person to handle. The party might end up under his control instead. You know that right?"

"I do. I felt it more than anyone while directly handling the merger negotiations."

"And you're still confident?"

Lee Myeong-su replied with a confident voice.

"I am. Once you become president we'll already have won half the battle."

"If you're this confident it must be possible. Let's start moving."

"Yes candidate."

They moved to the living room sofa. Yoon Chang-ho called out to his wife in the kitchen.

"Bring two cups of coffee and join us in the living room. Let's check the exit polls together."

"Alright I'll bring them."

Yoon Chang-ho and Lee Myeong-su sat side by side on the sofa. Yoon Chang-ho pressed the remote to turn on the power.

He tuned to KBC's election broadcast and unconsciously swallowed.

Before 6 PM the announcer began the broadcast.

― Ladies and gentlemen fellow citizens. The 16th presidential election to choose the leader who will guide our Republic of Korea for the next five years is coming to a close. At exactly 6 PM we will announce the results of our network's exit poll.

Kim Mi-seon brought two cups of coffee to the living room. As soon as she set them down Yoon Chang-ho grabbed her hand.

"Sit here with us."

Kim Mi-seon sat beside Yoon Chang-ho her hands trembling slightly. Sensing her anxiety Yoon Chang-ho held her hand tightly and turned his attention to the TV.

The countdown began on TV and finally the exit polls were announced.

The results shown graphically on TV were…

― 16th Presidential Election Prediction Results!

[Yoon Chang-ho: 59.7%]

[Huh Tae-min: 25.3%]

[Song Chan-hyeok: 9.7%]

KBC's exit polls showed Yoon Chang-ho approaching 60% of the vote.

Yoon Chang-ho's hands trembled and Kim Mi-seon held her husband's hand tightly as she cried.

"Congratulations President-elect."

Lee Myeong-su stood and bowed.

"Ch-check the other channels too."

When Yoon Chang-ho spoke with a trembling voice Lee Myeong-su sat back down and changed the channel.

The other networks' exit polls were similar.

Yoon Chang-ho's landslide victory. All three major networks predicted around 60% of the vote in their exit polls.

"Honey…"

Kim Mi-seon called out to Yoon Chang-ho in a tearful voice. Yoon Chang-ho closed his eyes and squeezed his wife's hand.

His hand trembled slightly.

Lee Myeong-su switched back to KBC where regional vote predictions were now being shown.

Huh Tae-min led in South Jeolla Province Huh Tae-min and Yoon Chang-ho were in a close race in North Jeolla Province and Yoon Chang-ho led in all other regions.

The temperature difference between the Moderate Party and Progressive Party was clear on camera.

One side cheered while the other hung their heads.

"Honey… you worked so hard."

Yoon Chang-ho opened his eyes again and spoke to Kim Mi-seon. She nodded repeatedly while crying.

Turning to Lee Myeong-su a faint smile appeared on Yoon Chang-ho's face.

"You worked hard too."

"Not at all. You worked much harder President-elect. Congratulations again."

"Haha this isn't the time. My phone…"

Yoon Chang-ho looked around for his mobile phone. Kim Mi-seon quickly found it and handed it to him.

After dialing Yoon Chang-ho made a call somewhere.

The phone rang and after a short while the other party answered.

Yoon Chang-ho called out to the other person with an excited voice.

* * *

As the exit poll results were announced a deep smile spread across my face.

"You won. Congratulations Mu-hyeok."

Han Gyeong-yeong raised his glass and I smiled while clinking my glass against his.

"With exit polls like that we're definitely getting over 50% of the vote. If we actually get over 60% we can push through pretty much anything."

I took a satisfied drink and set down my glass.

Just then my phone on the table rang. The number on the screen was familiar.

"It's Yoon Chang-ho."

I put my finger to my lips while looking at Han Gyeong-yeong. He shrugged and made a gesture of zipping his lips.

What a joker. I smiled and answered the phone.

"Yes President."

― Chairman Kim!

Yoon Chang-ho called out to me with a loud laugh. He must be in quite a good mood.

"Congratulations on your election."

― The results aren't even in yet.

"With predictions like that it's as good as confirmed. Congratulations."

― Haha it's all thanks to you. I never imagined I'd become president before. This is all because I met you. Thank you thank you so much.

Yoon Chang-ho kept expressing his gratitude in a trembling voice. I hope that feeling doesn't change.

"Where are you now?"

― I'm at home. Watching the vote count with Secretary General Lee. I thought of you right after seeing the exit polls. I figured I'd be too busy later.

"When do you plan to head to party headquarters?"

― After the vote count progresses a bit. I'm thinking around 10 PM. The reporters are already camped outside my house.

I laughed out loud at his words. What kind of reporter wouldn't wait outside the likely next president's house?

"Congratulations again."

― Let's meet up soon.

"No it's better if we limit our meetings from now on. I'll see you at the inauguration."

― But still… we should have a drink.

"We can have one when you're in the Blue House."

After my firm response Yoon Chang-ho replied with a somewhat disappointed voice.

― Alright. It's a shame though. Thank you again. For making me president.

"Not at all. I'll let you know through Myeong-su what position I want when you form the transition committee. Also please have the prosecutors begin investigating Seo Jae-hoon."

― Alright. I'll do that.

"Yes. Then I'll see you at the inauguration."

With those words I ended the call with Yoon Chang-ho. As I put down the phone Han Gyeong-yeong spoke.

"He seems really grateful to you. You don't think he'll change like Kim Hak-gwon did?"

"Yoon Chang-ho watched what happened to Kim Hak-gwon from the sidelines. He won't change easily. Still I don't trust him completely. Nothing's more foolish than trusting people. If he betrays me he'll learn what hell really is."

I raised the corners of my mouth as I brought the glass back to my lips.


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