Chapter 409: You’re Misunderstanding

In the depths of night under a waning crescent moon.

A man stepped out of his car.

After glancing around he pressed the doorbell beside the hanok's main gate.

Shortly after a middle-aged woman in an elegant hanbok opened the door.

"Welcome. You must be Secretary General Lee Myeong-su?"

She greeted Lee Myeong-su with a practiced smile.

"Yes I have an appointment here. Perhaps…"

"Indeed. They're already waiting for you. I'll escort you personally. Please follow me."

The middle-aged woman took the lead with Lee Myeong-su following close behind.

As they walked Lee Myeong-su carefully observed the hanok's interior.

Who would've thought such an old hanok still existed in the heart of Seoul?

The traditional building showed signs of meticulous maintenance.

Along their path lay a well-maintained pond surrounded by ancient statues.

'How charming.'

If not for business he would've liked to explore the place further.

Moving silently without a sound the middle-aged woman stopped and gestured toward a door with both hands.

"This way please. They're waiting inside. If you need anything just ring the bell."

Her destination was a modest separate building located far from the main house.

"Thank you."

"My my it's been a while since someone thanked me. Hoho thank you."

She covered her mouth with a brief laugh then slid open the door.

"Please go in."

Lee Myeong-su gave a slight nod before stepping inside.

As the woman had said there was already someone inside.

"Ah Secretary Lee! Come in come in."

A white-haired elderly gentleman who'd been drinking alone rose and extended his hand.

"This must be our first private meeting?"

"Yes senior it is."

"Haha what's with 'senior'? I'm just a has-been now."

The man shook Lee Myeong-su's hand warmly and patted his shoulder.

Though his manner was clearly that of addressing a junior Lee Myeong-su maintained a gentle smile.

"But what could you possibly want to discuss with this old man? I can't begin to guess."

"Let's sit first Mr. Chairman."

The man before Lee Myeong-su was Yu Nak-hyeon former Speaker of the National Assembly.

Though he referred to himself as a has-been or old man Yu Nak-hyeon remained a prominent figure in political circles.

"Hehe yes let's sit."

Yu Nak-hyeon laughed good-naturedly and lifted the pitcher toward Lee Myeong-su.

"Here have a drink."

"Thank you."

Lee Myeong-su carefully held out his glass with both hands.

After receiving a full pour he turned slightly aside to drink then picked up the pitcher.

"Now let me pour one for you Mr. Chairman."

As Yu Nak-hyeon drank he studied Lee Myeong-su's face.

Though his expression remained relaxed his eyes were sharp.

Setting down his empty glass he spoke.

"It's quite remarkable. How did you manage to become Secretary General of the ruling party right after entering the Assembly? Pardon my rudeness but it's unprecedented and I had to ask."

"Haha well Chairman Yoon Chang-ho has always been generous with me. That's why he entrusted me with the Secretary General position. Though managing party finances is quite the headache. I'd appreciate your guidance."

"Hehe you know how crucial money is in party politics don't you? Yet here you are acting humble before me? Besides is that position just about managing money?"

After lightly chiding Lee Myeong-su's modesty Yu Nak-hyeon continued.

"It's not just about managing finances but also wielding the Chairman's power over nominations. The Secretary General investigates and vets candidates. Their reports determine who gets nominated. The position might be challenging but it's closest to real power. You surely know its influence… You're quite the politician now your acting skills are impressive."

Though critical his face bore a playful expression.

"You're giving me too much credit. How many people can the Chairman really trust in politics? That's why he brought me over from the Prosecutor's Office and put me in charge."

"Look at you still acting humble. Alright have it your way."

Yu Nak-hyeon pouted slightly while pouring himself another drink.

Lee Myeong-su smiled awkwardly and changed the subject to lighten the mood.

"But Mr. Chairman how did you know about this place? I had no idea such a place existed in Seoul."

"What? This is your first time here?"

When Lee Myeong-su nodded slightly Yu Nak-hyeon burst out laughing.

"Haha I take back what I said earlier. You still need more seasoning. This high-end yojeong has been around since Japanese colonial times. The woman who guided you is the owner. All others have closed leaving just this one."

"…Is there a specific reason such a place still exists?"

"Sometimes it's necessary for politics. Some things don't change despite the times. These days don't politicians frequent room salons or something? Well it's similar."

Lee Myeong-su recalled hearing that politicians had abandoned traditional yojeongs for upscale entertainment districts after Gangnam's development.

Though a politician himself Lee Myeong-su frowned slightly as he replied thinking of the politicians who loved to party causing him headaches.

"Yes that's common nowadays."

"Why that expression? Pretending you don't go to such places?"

"Ah sorry. I just don't particularly enjoy those places."

"My friend can you only go places you enjoy in politics?"

Though Yu Nak-hyeon's patronizing attitude was irritating Lee Myeong-su maintained his composure and replied politely.

"That's why I didn't say I don't go. While I don't enjoy it my position as Secretary General often requires it."

"True enough. But old folks like me prefer places like this. How quiet is it? We can drink peacefully just the two of us without any disturbance."

Yu Nak-hyeon smiled as he raised his glass.

"You're right it's quiet and nice."

"Yes hardly anyone comes anymore. The owner struggles but continues operating wanting to preserve tradition."

Lee Myeong-su nodded slightly. They hadn't encountered anyone else and most rooms were dark.

A fading yojeong preserving tradition. Somehow it overlapped with the man before him.

Yu Nak-hyeon refilled his glass and spoke again.

"Let's end the small talk here."

The smile vanished from Yu Nak-hyeon's face.

"The presidential election is approaching. There must be a reason why the Moderate Party's Secretary General seeks out this old backroom player. Perhaps you're here to invite me to join the Moderate Party? If so it's futile. I have no intention of leaving the Conservative Party."

"How could I make such a request? How could we recruit someone known as former President Kim's closest confidant?"

"Is that so? Then why have you come to see me?"

Lee Myeong-su didn't answer immediately taking a drink to buy time.

"Mr. Chairman I'd like to merge the Moderate Party and Conservative Party."

"What…?"

Yu Nak-hyeon's eyes widened clearly caught off guard.

"As you know the Conservative Party is on the brink of collapse. It's uncertain if they can even field a presidential candidate and even if they do…"

Lee Myeong-su couldn't finish. Yu Nak-hyeon cut him off with a sharp voice.

"Stop. That's the most absurd thing I've heard all year. Don't you know how the Moderate Party was formed?"

"I do. It was created to break the two-party system between the Conservative and Progressive parties. But reality differs from ideals."

"Right. Elections ultimately come down to how many organizations you control."

Yu Nak-hyeon's words rang true. Lee Myeong-su calmly pressed into the opening.

"But Mr. Chairman the Moderate Party became the majority party. You know what that means don't you?"

"…"

"We'll preserve the Conservative Party's values that have endured for decades."

"Yoon Chang-ho Kim Hak-gwon's faithful dog? Even a passing mutt would laugh."

Yu Nak-hyeon sneered but Lee Myeong-su continued undeterred.

"The Conservative Party might not fall easily. But there are precedents aren't there? You yourself joined the Conservative Party through a merger and eventually became Assembly Speaker."

"Huh… Are you trying to lecture me now?"

Yu Nak-hyeon's face turned cold. The friendly atmosphere vanished replaced by the gravitas of a veteran politician who'd survived the political arena.

"How dare I lecture you? That wasn't my intention."

The atmosphere grew icy. After glaring at Lee Myeong-su for a while Yu Nak-hyeon spoke.

"Secretary Lee."

"Yes Mr. Chairman."

"Could you choose a path of temporary survival that leads to eternal death? I cannot."

Yu Nak-hyeon quoted his former president's words as his answer.

"Clinging to a collapsed party will leave nothing as time passes. A party that can't field a presidential candidate has no reason to exist Mr. Chairman."

"If you keep talking about…! Who said such…! Are you saying we can't field a presidential candidate?"

Yu Nak-hyeon finally raised his voice grinding his teeth.

"Whose idea is this?"

"It's Chairman Yoon Chang-ho's intention."

"Not Yoon Chang-ho but Kim Mu-hyeok. Your friend Kim Mu-hyeok."

Lee Myeong-su's face hardened at the mention of Kim Mu-hyeok.

"Think I don't know? That the Moderate Party is practically Kim Mu-hyeok's puppet? How can politicians aspiring presidents let themselves be led around by a mere money handler?"

"Mr. Chairman please maintain your courtesy."

"Courtesy? Did you say courtesy? And your merger proposal shows courtesy?"

Yu Nak-hyeon trembled with anger. He drained his glass with shaking hands.

Setting down his glass with a loud clank he spoke coldly.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear this. I don't want to spend my remaining years as Kim Mu-hyeok's puppet."

"Mr. Chairman you're misunderstanding."

Yu Nak-hyeon's lips twisted.

"Misunderstanding? My friend I've spent decades in Yeouido. I was Assembly Speaker – you think I don't know the atmosphere even after leaving? This is deception."

"How could I deceive you? You misunderstand about Mu-hyeok. He has little interest in politics."

"You. Until the end…"

Though Yu Nak-hyeon's face reddened like a vengeful spirit Lee Myeong-su continued calmly.

"True he was heavily involved in founding the Moderate Party. But he hasn't interfered with party affairs since."

"Bullshit. Who doesn't know the Moderate Party acts like the ruling party under Kim Hak-gwon's alliance all on Kim Mu-hyeok's orders? People in Yeouido have the sharpest ears."

"…Is politics about opposing everything just because of different ideologies and parties?"

Yu Nak-hyeon fell silent at Lee Myeong-su's pointed question. After glaring silently he shook his head.

"Enough. Whatever you say there will be no merger so abandon false hopes. Let's just drink."

Lee Myeong-su released a deep sigh he'd been holding.

He knew it wouldn't be easy.

But Yu Nak-hyeon's complete refusal to even discuss was frustrating.

"Will you truly become a sinner of history?"

"Sinner? Did you just call me a sinner?"

"Will you just watch as the Conservative Party of fifty years vanishes into history? Let's create a new fifty years together Mr. Chairman."

Yu Nak-hyeon remained silent continuously draining his glass.

"I know why you followed the President and merged with the Conservative Party. To catch a tiger enter the tiger's den. But you failed to clean up the past and got caught didn't you?"

"If you keep bringing that up I'm leaving."

Yu Nak-hyeon shot up from his seat.

At that moment the firmly closed door opened.

Both Lee Myeong-su and Yu Nak-hyeon turned toward the opened door.

"Speaker Yu Nak-hyeon I'm Kim Mu-hyeok."

The person who opened the door was Kim Mu-hyeok.