Chapter 45

EP 9 - Jininsadaecheongmyeong (盡人事待天命) (1)

As each command was given, the warships were linked together with flags and sails, moving back and forth like a flat road.

Cao Cao, after inspecting the training, was greatly pleased and boasted about Fang Tong's strategy in the camp. Zheng Yu and Xun Yu addressed Cao Cao:

"Prime Minister Cao, by tying the ships together and floating them on the Yangtze, the naval battle has turned into a land battle, which we have already anticipated."

"But if they attack with fire, how can we avoid it?"

Cao Cao replied:

"The southeast wind isn't blowing, you brats."

From the Pansori Jeongbukga

* * *

"We don't die alone. Remember that. We already know everything about each other, don't we?"

"Are we strangers? No one can stay clean, so it would be troublesome to act without loyalty."

As the panicked legislators foamed at the mouth and turned into mad dogs, Yang Panseok began to calm the situation.

"Alright, everyone, calm down first. Let's start by dealing with the situation. Whether we use smoke screens or convene the Ethics Committee..."

"Ethics Committee?"

'The Special Ethics Committee.'

A special committee that can strip a legislator of their badge by reviewing their qualifications.

"Hey, Legislator Yang! Are you saying you're going to cut us off! ? We're all going to die together—"

"Let's drag this out for about a month by deciding whether to convene the Ethics Committee. Then, while the committee is in session, we'll drag it out for another month to gauge public sentiment and the political situation."

[If we drag it out, it will calm down.]

"Ah, ah...! Ahahaha! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I got too excited!"

"Of course, when the head gets hot, it doesn't work well. Calm down. Let's put our heads together calmly. After all, the social elite are united now, aren't they?"

[After all, we've shared so much, how can the government not cover for us?]

No one who couldn't think clearly would have a gold badge. As Yang Panseok calmed the situation, everyone seemed to cool down.

"First, how about framing the audio recordings as being tampered with?"

"Who would believe that?"

"Supporters need an excuse, not a reason. Once the tampering allegations arise, the country will be divided."

Serious discussions began.

"The country is focused on the southern region. The elderly population is significant. Wouldn't this give us an advantage in forming public opinion?"

[With so many young people dead and only the elderly left, wouldn't it be easy to incite them?]

Na Yunhee, the Republican Party Policy Committee Chair, frowned.

"No, I think we need to be very cautious and take a very careful approach. The public sentiment is very sensitive..."

[Parents who have lost their children are angry. They won't support us.]

"I also think we need to observe the public sentiment more carefully."

[Agreed] At this point, it might have been reasonable to suggest cutting losses before the wound festered, but with so many people involved, it was impossible to act individually.

They knew each other's weaknesses too well. In the Republic of Korea, it was almost impossible to do politics without getting dirty.

Money politics, party power struggles, media manipulation, collusion between politics and business, standing committee budget allocation, constituency management, primary massacres, presidential election fund raising, etc.

Naturally, they all got dirty. They didn't kill each other because they could kill each other.

If one were cut off, they would all die.

Therefore, they had to hold on to their wounds and fight.

"First, let's check the situation with local governments and investigative agencies within our reach."

[My brother-in-law is the head of the National Election Commission. I'll straighten out the media, so raise your hand at the next meeting.]

"I'll look into Honam."

[The mayor of Gwangju is someone I put in place when I was governor.]

"Hmm... I'll make a few calls to the prosecution."

[The prosecution is under my control.]

"Um, who is the current head of the National Election Commission...?"

[Legislator Yang. The current head of the National Election Commission is Justice Lee Joo-hyung. Didn't you put him in place when you were a justice? Tell him to pay back the favor.]

"Well, it might be good to listen to the opinions of the bureaucrats, but first, how can we...?"

[Now isn't the time for that, you brats.]

Yang Panseok cut off the conversation.

To hold on to their wounds and fight, they first needed to stop the bleeding.

The former highest-ranking member of the Democratic Party supported Yang Panseok's opinion.

"I agree. The public sentiment against the political sphere is very strong.

Think about when Legislator Han Seung-moon entered Apgujeong. How many... Ah! I'm sorry for bringing up a bad incident. Legislator Han."

Interpretation: Seung-moon...

"No, no, it's fine."

"Ahem. Anyway, the whole nation is looking for someone to blame. Will they listen to our excuses? That's what I'm saying."

Interpretation: Seung-moon...

"Then, what about issuing a joint statement of condemnation?"

Interpretation: Seung-moon...

"It will backfire."

Interpretation: Seung-moon...

"Me, really..."

Interpretation: Seung-moon...

Everyone glanced at me while continuing the conversation. A desperate emotion could be felt in the brief eye contact of about 0.3 seconds.

Although they trailed off, it seemed as if the rest of their words could be heard.

"Whether we make excuses or apologize, the first priority is to calm the public sentiment..."

And I'm the only one who can do it.

"It's too big to just let it go. The National Assembly needs to come forward with an explanation. The problem is political trust..."

The trusted one will hold a press conference to resolve the situation.

"First, let's put out the urgent fire..."

They want me to put it out.

I made a bewildered expression, looked around in confusion, and stammered.

"Ah, no, th-that..."

"Legislator Han." The Republican Party Policy Committee Chair, known as the queen of negative campaigning, firmly grabbed my hand.

"First, we need to announce the National Assembly's position. Can you add a little to it?"

"..."

"Divisive politics is not beneficial to the Republic of Korea. Legislator Han, you know that, don't you? Although you are much younger than me, you are a friend I always learn from. I believe you understand what I mean."

"..."

"Shouldn't the National Assembly unite to overcome the difficulties?"

"Ah, th-that... Yes, yes. Ah, I understand."

*

Legislator Han Seung-moon!

This is KBC Woo Jung-young!

This audio recording!

This is SBM Lee Jae-pal!

The intentional exclusion of proportional representation candidates in the National Assembly!

"Ah, no, one at a time—"

The postponement of the April general election!

Legislator Han Seung-moon!

Please answer!

Is it true that you excluded them!

The power monopoly of the National Assembly!

This is JTBN Kim Hyun-jung!

"Ah, one at a time, please..."

Legislator Han Seung-moon!

The power monopoly of the National Assembly!

Collusion!

Is it true!

This is YTM Kim Bong-joon!

Legislator Han Seung-moon!

Did you participate!

Is the audio recording true!

"Wait, wait. I'll pass."

Legislator Han!

The dictatorship of the National Assembly!

Did you participate!

Please give us a statement!

Legislator Han Seung-moon!

Political collusion!

What do you think!

"That, that point. I can't—"

Did you participate in the collusion of the vested interests!

This is Y, YTN Kim Bong-joon!

Was it agreed upon by all legislators!

The opinion that the National Assembly has betrayed the people!

"That, that, that's..."

The exercise of the people's right to vote!

The candidates chosen by the people's vote!

The legislators who should represent the people!

To monopolize the National Assembly!

By deliberately and unjustly exerting pressure!

Did you block them!

"Our Democratic Party, of course, and the Republican Party, are dedicated to the people..."

Legislator!

Political collusion!

Please answer!

Did you participate!

"Now is not the time for divisive and hateful politics. We need to work together through cooperation..."

This is the Korea Herald, reporter Jang Chul.

Are you talking about a merger?

"Ah, ah, a merger?"

Is it true that the Republican Party and the Democratic Party have decided to merge!

"That's not it. Cooperation—"

Have the ruling and opposition parties decided to merge!

Legislator Han Seung-moon!

The birth of a dictatorial major party!

The opinion that the distinction between parties is meaningless!

Is it a merger!

"For the people—"

Is it a merger!

Is it a merger!

Republican-Democratic merger!

"That's not it, but in times of national crisis, we need to reduce partisan conflicts—"

Was a de facto merger actually achieved behind the scenes!

"That's not it. The talk of cooperation—"

How is that different from collusion!

"There was definitely talk of not being bound by party lines."

When did the merger become a reality! Is there any meaning to democracy! Legislator Han Seung-moon! Do you recognize the merger! This is YTBC Lee Jun-seok! Please answer! Is the postponement of the April general election the result of collusion! Was the exclusion of proportional representation candidates the result of secret negotiations! Have you betrayed the people!

"Just, it was just a conversation, I don't know much about it!"

Thirty-Six Stratagems

Stratagem of Combined Warfare

Stratagem 27

Feigning Stupidity but Not Madness

: Pretend to be foolish but not mad

Within just two days, the legislators gathered again.

"What are you doing! Legislator Han!"

Public sentiment is going crazy. The collusion of the legislators has become a fact. Demands for explanations are raining down.

The right of the people to vote in the general election.

The proportional representation candidates chosen by the people.

The legislators who represent the people.

Blocked.

But this is the truth. They even fed on it to the point of disgust.

With several bombs exploding simultaneously, articles about the动摇 of the foundations of democracy are pouring out like bamboo shoots after a rain.

Naturally, the legislators' criticism was directed at me, who had triggered it by 'mistake'.

"You can't just make a slip of the tongue! Are you trying to get rid of us on purpose!"

"Ah, no..."

"Are you kidding!?"

"I'm sorry."

"You brat! Really!"

Because he was the most exposed in the audio recording, the most endangered legislator, with bloodshot eyes, foaming at the mouth, and tearing into me.

Yang Panseok restrained him.

"Calm down. What kind of disgraceful behavior is this?"

"Hey. Now I see, the one who leaked the audio recording, wasn't it Legislator Han? No, it was you, Yang Panseok!"

"Ah... You're blind. You're blind."

He even untied his tie and threw it on the floor. Anger and venom poured out of his face, which was red even to his ears.

"Damn! Are you trying to kill us all!?"

"Where are you shouting from!"

"Damn...!"

He threw his wristwatch on the floor again. The glass and small parts shattered and scattered.

"Hey! Han Seung-moon! What are you going to do about this!"

"Why, why are you doing this!"

"Are you asking because you don't know? You brat. You're trying to kill someone!"

"Let go!"

He grabbed me by the collar. Being a big man, he lifted me up by the collar.

He leaned his face close to mine and lowered his voice. As a former public prosecutor, his voice was a bit intimidating.

"Hey, you brat. Do you want to die?"

"Ch...! Cough...!"

I was held by the collar in an awkward position, facing the middle-aged man's half-flipped eyes.

"Is it you? You?"

Yang Panseok, unable to bear it, approached and grabbed the wrist that was holding my collar.

"Yoon Jae-sang."

The collar grab that was shaking me stopped.

"I don't talk with my tongue."

"..."

"Try holding on for a while. See what happens."

The hand that was holding me let go. I coughed and sat down, wiping away the tears that had trickled out.

He returned to his seat with heavy steps. The sound of his boots hitting the floor echoed.

Silence fell among the legislators.

Someone muttered weakly.

"First, the careless remarks made at a drinking party have caused concern to the people. We plan to convene the Ethics Committee and announce the holding of the April general election. Let's all apologize to the people."

No one opposed.

It was the only way left.

"Whether we drag out the Ethics Committee or prepare for the election... first, the people..."

"..."

"Huff... Everyone, prepare for the press conference."

*

A new press conference day dawned. Eleven legislators stood in a row on the podium.

It must have felt like standing on a gallows.

More accurately, I was the one who stood.

The noisy shouts of the reporters. The citizen groups trying to throw something but being stopped.

They endured all the anger and humiliation. Perhaps because they were hit by eggs on the way to the press conference, the front of my hair was damp.

The person involved in the audio recording grabbed the microphone.

The camera shutters clicked loudly, and flashes burst from all directions.

"Hello, everyone. I am legislator Yoon Jae-sang."

The press conference began, but instead of quieting down, the noise increased.

We went out into the hallway, stood in a row like children, and bowed silently.

"Society is in chaos. Divisive politics and politics of hatred should no longer exist."

At that moment.

I untied my tie and threw it on the floor.

Then I walked down from the podium.

"First, I apologize to the people. Ah, Legislator Han Seung-moon. What are you doing—"

"I oppose the merger!"

"..."

"I cannot recognize it! I oppose the merger!"

Thirty-Six Stratagems

Stratagem of Combined Warfare

Stratagem 28

Removing the Ladder After Climbing to the Roof

: Once on the roof, remove the ladder.