Chapter 411: Do Whatever You Want

Myeong-su continued his power struggle with Yu Nak-hyeon for quite some time.

I stayed out of it though, content to watch their battle of wills while nursing my drink.

'I can't keep coddling him forever.'

Sure I could step in and make things move faster and smoother.

But if that became a pattern Myeong-su would end up just another puppet following my orders without any initiative of his own.

I needed a friend to stand beside me not a puppet to control.

"I understand what you're saying Director Lee but you're overlooking something. The Conservative Party was founded right after Korea's establishment. Before Kim Hak-gwon became president every president came from our party. Fifty years of Conservative Party history won't disappear so easily."

"..."

"And you're saying a party that's barely gotten started wants to swallow us whole? The math doesn't add up."

Myeong-su let out an obvious sigh at Yu Nak-hyeon's words.

"Chairman aren't you satisfied with just the party presidency?"

"Ho ho a presidency in name only won't satisfy me. I need real power. Or are you planning to replace me during the general election?"

"..."

"Haha! So that really was your plan?"

Though he laughed heartily Yu Nak-hyeon's eyes had grown cold.

"The general election is still two years away. It's too early to discuss that. But this situation will cost quite a few seats so…"

Yu Nak-hyeon raised his hand cutting off Myeong-su.

"Your calculations are wrong I tell you. The nomination rights for by-elections alone won't cover the costs. Most of the by-election districts are Conservative Party strongholds. We'll win whoever we put up."

"…Alright let's wrap up for today. Further discussion seems pointless."

Myeong-su made a show of taking a step back.

But Yu Nak-hyeon wouldn't back down. He waved his hand dismissively and continued.

"No Director Lee that's not it. We need to set some terms. Otherwise this will all fall apart. Give us exactly half the nomination rights for the general election in two years. Then I'll personally deliver the Conservative Party."

Myeong-su stared at Yu Nak-hyeon with a nauseated expression.

"…Your greed is showing."

"Greed? Didn't I tell you? We're talking about consuming the legitimate Conservative Party that's lasted decades. At that price you're getting a bargain."

"Promising half the nomination rights is beyond my authority. And honestly I don't want to push for a merger at that cost."

Nomination rights were the core of party politics.

The first reason faction politics became inevitable in Korean political history was the practice of sharing nomination rights between factions.

Representatives who needed nomination rights couldn't defy their bosses. That's why nomination rights equaled power and weapons.

This old man in the back room is too greedy. Knowing the importance of nomination rights Myeong-su could only shake his head repeatedly.

Yu Nak-hyeon then turned his gaze toward me.

"What do you think? Half the nomination rights! Just promise that and we're done."

I set down my empty glass. Seems he's switched targets since Myeong-su won't listen.

"Not interested. Work it out with Myeong-su."

"Director Lee says he doesn't have the authority. But you could make that decision couldn't you?"

"Well the Conservative Party's downfall was largely due to how they wielded nomination rights wasn't it? They created endless loyalty competitions with them. As a result your fifty-year-old party got pushed down to third place. Why should we give you nomination rights?"

"…Look here that's Korean politics."

If that's Korean politics… I pulled up one corner of my mouth.

"If that's Korean politics then giving you that power makes even less sense."

"You…"

"Chairman you really don't understand anything. Those who understand nothing can't see the big picture. Earlier you said you were afraid of Choi Seon-man? That man's already a kite with cut strings. His hands and feet are bound he can't influence the Conservative Party anymore."

"…What do you mean?"

Yu Nak-hyeon's eyes widened.

"To be so greedy while knowing so little. I'm deeply disappointed. Find out the rest yourself. I'm leaving. Came just to say hello but witnessed quite an ugly scene."

I stood up first brushing off my seat.

"You're staying right? Call me when you're done."

Myeong-su nodded.

"It was nice meeting you Chairman Yu Nak-hyeon."

I gave a small bow and turned without hesitation.

I waited for Myeong-su in the main building for about an hour.

"You're here?"

"How'd you know I was here?"

Myeong-su asked as he entered the room where drinks were set up.

"This is one of Grandfather's connected places. I stopped by on some business and heard you were here so I thought I'd check in. Was it a waste?"

Myeong-su shook his head. A faint smile played on his lips.

Taking off his coat and sitting down Myeong-su said:

"No it was good you came. Thanks to you I learned what that guy's really thinking."

I poured a drink for Myeong-su who was massaging his neck and sighing.

"It's been a while since I've had a drink like this."

"What's with that way of talking? Where'd you pick that up?"

"Don't know it's all mixed up. With so many representatives from different regions in the party everything's gotten jumbled. I don't even know my own identity anymore."

When I lightly scolded him Myeong-su chuckled. He poured me a drink too and after a light toast continued:

"But why'd you choose Yu Nak-hyeon? He's already retired from politics."

"That's exactly why I chose him. Though I didn't expect him to be so greedy. I thought he'd readily accept the party presidency since he'd already been National Assembly chairman. But he turned out to be quite the tough opponent damn it."

"He spent decades under President Kim Man-sam. How could he be easy?"

"Ah… damn it."

Cursing Myeong-su poured another drink.

"That old snake's just too greedy. The general election's still two years away and he wants nomination rights? Half of them at that?"

"That won't work. But it's impressive you thought to offer him the presidency."

"There's no one else suitable. My faction is mostly first and second-term members. The senior members are too greedy… They don't have the gravitas for party presidency."

Being young was a weakness in Korean politics.

No matter how impressive your political debut or even with Chairman Yoon's backing.

They showed some respect to Myeong-su's face due to his authority but behind his back dismissal was common.

"Is that so? You'll figure it out."

Myeong-su sighed heavily again and thrust out his glass.

"By the way tell me about President Choi Seon-man."

I clinked my glass against Myeong-su's and took a drink.

Then I told him about meeting President Choi Seon-man adding and omitting details as needed.

After hearing my story Myeong-su's mouth fell open.

"I had a rough idea but you really… You're something else. How could you talk like that to someone as scary as Choi Seon-man?"

Shaking his head Myeong-su continued.

"Hearing what you said it seems we don't need to make concessions? If Choi Seon-man is completely tied up then President Kim Man-sam is the only remaining power player who could move the Conservative Party…"

I smiled quietly watching Myeong-su who kept muttering while fiddling with his glass.

Soon enough seeming to have organized his thoughts Myeong-su curled up the corners of his mouth.

It was somewhat touching to see Myeong-su reaching his own conclusion after getting hints from the Choi Seon-man story.

"Right I can take a stronger stance."

"Want me to break it down for you?"

"Huh? No it's fine. You already made dinner why should I ask you to spoon-feed me too? I'll handle it. If it gets too tough I'll let you know then. Until then don't step in okay?"

"You've grown up Lee Myeong-su."

When I spoke playfully Myeong-su shook his fist jokingly.

Then as if remembering something he put down his glass and spoke:

"Ah right. Do you talk to Grandma often?"

"Grandma? We talk every day. Why?"

"Really? She didn't say anything special?"

"Well Grandma's not the type to tell me every little detail. Just asks if I'm eating well tells me to take care of my health. That's about it."

"Hmm…"

Swallowing hard Myeong-su poured me a drink and said:

"Mom says she's gotten much weaker. She says she's not sick but… Anyway go visit her. It's been a while hasn't it?"

There had been no signs of illness in our phone calls and no reports had come up.

I should've paid more attention to Grandma but I've been so focused on external matters I've neglected her.

I unconsciously gripped my glass tightly.

"Tell me more. What exactly do you mean?"

"No she's not sick or anything. It's just given her age she's gotten much weaker they say."

"I haven't received any such reports…"

"How would the security guards know about something like that when she's not even sick? Only my mom would notice those things."

Myeong-su was right. In the end I need to look after my own people.

"Yeah I should go down once things settle."

"Do that. Given Grandma's age you know how suddenly elderly people's health can deteriorate. Don't have regrets later take good care of her. She goes around bragging about you everywhere you know. I heard she sent you health supplements this time too?"

Finally I could smile at Myeong-su's consolation.

Being with my people always made things easier and somehow lifted my mood.

And so we continued drinking and sharing stories we hadn't been able to tell until the morning sun rose.