Chapter 46

EP 9 - Jininsa Daecheongmung (盡人事待天命) (2)

Society can never be peaceful. That's why we stuffed all conflicts into one place to prevent mutual destruction.

That place is the National Assembly, a pit for fighting dogs.

And democracy is a system that selects fighting dogs to represent the people. But what would be the point of democracy if there were no fights in the pit?

In other words, if the National Assembly is peaceful, the country is doomed.

"Merger? Do as you please! I will found a new party! Never! Never! I cannot recognize this conspiracy!"

The dogfight begins.

* * *

I shook off the MPs who had grabbed me, their faces pale with fear. My face was flushed as I swung my cane and shouted.

"Let go of me!"

"Han Seung-moon MP!"

Forgetting I was in front of the cameras, voices of protest erupted from all directions.

"Han MP! Are you crazy!?"

"Whether it's the Democratic Party or the Republican Party, they are all unnecessary! Is this what I am?"

It is often said that in politics, there is a line that should not be crossed.

"I cannot recognize the merger! How can a one-party dictatorship be achieved in a democratic society!?"

But there is no good in this world.

"I will found a new party, a party that looks only at the people!"

So I decided to draw a line. I shouted with a red face and a hoarse voice.

"April general election! April general election! We must follow the will of the people! I will fight for the people!"

The more chaotic the National Assembly, the more peaceful the country.

"I will open a new era of politics against the old ways!"

I draw a line.

"I will found a new party!"

Silently.

On a large, white sheet of paper.

I draw the line.

As I left the press conference, I briefly made eye contact with Yang Pan-seok.

*

The country was engulfed in anger.

Anger moves people.

[MP Han Seung-moon has reported the formation of the 'People's Party' preparatory committee to the Central Election Commission.]

And when the flames are gathered, history is made.

[Jeju Governor Jeong Jung-yeop, former Democratic Party floor leader Kim Jo-in, Seoul Deputy Mayor Woo Jeong-hwan, and others from various fields have expressed their intention to participate in the party formation-]

Unrelated to existing vested interests, those who had bad relationships and were ignored reached out.

The Jeju Governor, who had been away from central politics, despite being a member of the Republican Party.

Former big shots who had been treated like cold leftovers.

Many politicians in Seoul who had no constituencies but were supported by refugees.

It was a natural development that people aiming for the April general election gathered around me. After all, it was a calculated move.

In any case, that's how I gathered forces.

The problem was money.

To establish a central party, dozens of provincial and municipal parties, and numerous lower-level organizations, at least 60 billion won is needed, and considering the current prices, it could be hundreds of billions.

I originally intended to use the chaebols.

Before the Gate incident, the reason chaebols could act like kings was because politicians fought among themselves. This situation proved that when the political sphere unites, they lose their power.

Therefore, in terms of desiring a two-party system, they share an interest with me.

However, the concern was that the political burden would increase if I embraced the chaebols, as they were no better than the current politicians.

[In particular, GS Group CEO Cheon Geum-soon's participation as a founding member has become a topic of discussion.]

Geum-soon boldly contributed 250 billion won.

[MP Han Seung-moon stated that the funding for the People's Party would come solely from voluntary donations from the people, but there are concerns about the start of money politics-]

Click.

Wonyok-bun turned off the TV.

"The power of words is truly terrifying."

She placed the remote control down with a twisted smile. Seeing that the news was criticizing me without offending public sentiment, it seemed Wonyok-bun was deeply hurt.

"I did ask you to bring her over once, but I didn't expect it to be like this..."

"Isn't everything a matter of fate?"

"Ah, hello......"

I went to see Wonyok-bun with Cheon Geum-soon.

She maintained an unreadable expression, but her pale eyes betrayed a subtle displeasure.

She brought up the topic with a dubious look.

"I heard you're merging. With the National Defense Party or something......"

The People's Party, the Republican Party, and the Democratic Party. Amidst the nationwide cry for the April general election, a three-party structure was formed.

Naturally, the People's Party is the only one that can win.

The frame of regime change and clearing away the old is always effective. Especially in tough times like now, it's even more so.

They have only one way to survive.

"Ultimately, a merger, huh......"

"I heard you're founding the National Defense Party. Anyway, didn't MP Han push it this far?"

"I had a hunch." The National Defense Party against the People's Party.

They will likely continue the three-party structure and merge dramatically during the April general election. It's obvious.

"Hmm......"

In the end, the two major forces that had dominated South Korea for decades united. Even if they wobbled, decades of concrete are not easily shattered.

Republican Party supporters cherished memories of economic growth, and Democratic Party supporters held the passion of the democratization movement in their hearts.

To hardcore supporters, politics is not a choice but a part of their lives.

While I am currently receiving about 81% support in public opinion polls, politics can be unpredictable.

'A power-hungry demagogue is manipulating a conspiracy to divide the people.'

'The country must not be divided in this way.'

'Putting aside political logic, we must unite for the sake of national defense.'

It's a pretty good slogan.

If the public opinion calms down a bit, and trusted elders and MPs not mentioned in the recordings come out to speak, it will be effective. Since it's still early January, anything can happen.

And people believe what they want to believe.

There will certainly be those who waver.

Wonyok-bun brought up her old statement.

"I said it wouldn't be good to be too aggressive. I did."

"......"

I calmly closed my eyes and sipped orange juice, while Wonyok-bun stroked the scar on her face and rested her chin on her hand.

Of course, I could never ignore the acting president.

"Hey, MP Han-"

"Please take the mediator position."

I am in a position of power now.

I can confidently say that there is no more threatening politician in South Korea than me. I conveyed my demands to Wonyok-bun.

"You won't gain anything by getting involved in the National Assembly fights."

It's necessary to separate the National Assembly from the government.

"I won't ask you to join the People's Party. It's impossible to break a tightly linked chain."

Wonyok-bun, as a key figure in the established parties, cannot break the connections.

Instead.

"I hope you will make the April general election happen."

"......MP Han, are you giving me orders?"

"Among the MPs who only engage in reckless brawls, I hope you will firmly take the center of the country."

[You like the concept, right? Listen to me.]

After all, Wonyok-bun needs the support of the people, not the National Assembly.

"With public opinion, you won't just hold the general election in April, right?"

The fateful April is approaching.

The day of destiny when the president and MPs are elected simultaneously. The general election plus the presidential election. I plan to make it happen.

"Are you not running for president?"

Wonyok-bun remained silent. This is the time to make a sweet offer.

"You must have two major headaches."

I held up two fingers.

"Economy. Media."

The economy is in chaos. The media, eager for revenge, is waiting for an opportunity.

"I will solve them."

"......"

Wonyok-bun began to ponder.

I nudged Geum-soon's ribs with my elbow, and she pushed the investment and development proposal to Wonyok-bun.

It's a very favorable contract for the government.

In other words, a visible achievement.

"This is a light down payment. I will explain the real solution now."

In exchange for solving the media and economy issues, I will make the April general election happen. I opened my mouth to explain the method.

"First-"

"No."

Wonyok-bun interrupted.

"Explain that later."

"What?"

"Why are you doing this?"

While I was momentarily taken aback, the seasoned politician began a cautious interrogation.

"MP Han Seung-moon. If you wanted power, you could have just waited. It would naturally be your turn when you're older."

The veteran prosecutor hit the core of the crime.

"Are you trying to start a coup with the Hunters and split the country into pieces?"

Well.

"If I were you, I would have done the same."

She began the interrogation with a twisted expression.

Speaking in a hoarse voice, she continued,

"If you use the Hunters as assassins, there will be no evidence. If a pen floats and pierces the brain, who would know who killed them?"

The content was very aggressive.

"Explain your reasons."

"......"

"Did you think I gave you half of the National Intelligence Service for this?"

Half of the National Intelligence Service.

The head of the Anti-Terrorism Security Bureau.

Survivors of the experimental subject overdrive.

People who participated in the biological experiments.

People loyal to Cha Jae-geun in the National Intelligence Service.

They are now under my command.

While it was necessary to continue researching the results of the dirty biological experiments, Wonyok-bun did not want to bear that burden.

I received them during the process of dealing with the remnants of the National Intelligence Service, as compensation for sending Cha Jae-geun away.

And the investment in cultivating superhumans.

It was also a weakness I created for myself.

"MP Han, do you want to die?"

Wonyok-bun grabbed my collar and warned.

"The punishment for treason is not light."

Silence fell for a long time. Wonyok-bun glared at me with burning eyes, and I calmly sipped orange juice.

She's reacting more harshly than I expected.

I need to adjust my strategy.

From now on, I'll push hard. I'll accelerate.

"......Do you think I'm fighting to win, Acting President?"

According to Pi Chae-won,

Madmen who abandoned their conscience and brainwashed themselves with loyalty to the state.

I gave them a second chance.

"I'm fighting to fight, not to win."

"Explain clearly."

"To create a proper country, the division of the political sphere is necessary."

What is a proper country?

I don't know.

"You can think of it as avenging Vice Minister Cha Jae-geun."

"......You're not going to tell me, are you?"

How to create a proper country.

I don't know. Everyone is just looking out for their own interests.

But at least, the person who shed blood to kill all the monsters is now dead, so there's no one to shed blood anymore.

It's a bleak world.

There is a predetermined destruction.

When oil and ammunition run out, the country will fall.

Then who will save the country?

I feel it acutely.

Cha Jae-geun left me a huge burden.

"If you can read my mind, Acting President, you won't be able to stop me."

"Treason, the punishment, is not light! I said!"

Wonyok-bun and I only poured one-sided arguments at each other.

This was not a conversation.

"I have sacrificed a lot more than you think."

"Do you want to get shot? Do you think I only catch gangsters politely!"

Chicken game.

If one side doesn't stop, both will die.

"Make the April general election and the presidential election happen."

"Where do you get off giving orders to the president!?"

But I can't lose. She's a coward.

"And you need to cooperate in creating a new two-party system with the People's Party and the National Defense Party."

"I'm not the type to compromise even if gangsters draw lines! I am!"

The henchman of the Roh Tae-woo regime is still in politics.

"Otherwise, I will overthrow you."

"Stop threatening and persuade me."

In other words, she switched from Roh Tae-woo to Kim Young-sam.

"I already said, I will revitalize the economy and give you control over the media."

"......"

She was a conservative politician who became a minister in the Democratic Party government.

"If you don't accept my demands, I will charge in."

"......MP Han Seung-moon, are you this kind of person?"

She claimed to be neutral, but.

"If I charge in, it won't end as absurdly as Cha Jae-geun."

"Are you planning to start a coup or what!?"

In South Korea, political neutrality is impossible.

"If you think I'm putting on a show to gain power, you will deeply regret it."

"You, insane......"

Usually, those who are afraid of fighting become neutral.

"The Apgujeong Hunters. They've killed many people."

So.

"I hope you will remain neutral at this point, Acting President."

Cooperate. Coward.

Did the Apgujeong Hunters only hunt monsters in the first two weeks of the incident in Seoul?

When I first met them, organized human hunting using wolf monsters was taking place at the Apgujeong camp.

Even if it was self-defense against looters, they all, including Kim Chun-sik and Hong Seon-a, had a history of killing people.

"The world is full of crazy people. If you think I'm not one of them, it's a problem. I won't stop here."

Of course, if I ask, they won't kill people.

The important thing is that Wonyok-bun doesn't know.

In fact, Wonyok-bun suspected a coup first. She felt a more intense threat from my actions than I expected.

Therefore, between compromise and conflict,

The choice is clear.

"If I die, there are people prepared to set off bombs in my place."

I pushed this weak old woman.

"Let's not talk about politics among politicians who know everything."

I push hard.

"Let's do business instead of politics. Business."

"......"

"If you make the April joint election happen, I will revitalize the economy within a week."

An offer she can't refuse.

"And tonight, I will extend the media dictatorship's expiration date."

*

[Breaking news. At around 7:21 PM, MP Han Seung-moon was kidnapped by a terrorist group in Jeongseon, Gangwon Province.

They identified themselves as remnants of former Vice Minister Cha Jae-geun and posted a statement on the internet. Please see the footage.]

[The Gate incident is a natural survival competition between species. Humanity must evolve. We should not fear them by calling them monsters but emulate them.

Vice Minister Cha Jae-geun conducted research on the secrets of evolution using criminals who were eliminated from society.

We have already developed a drug to 'evolve' humans, but MP Han Seung-moon stole the secret of evolution and defamed it as 'monsterization' for political gain. We warn you.

To eliminate the fear of evolution, we will release the 'evolution' drug in three hours.]

[In response, Acting President Wonyok-bun expanded the state of emergency, which was only applied to the Seoul-Gyeonggi area, to the entire country......]

Thirty-Six Stratagems 三十六計

Stratagems of Attack 攻戰計

Stratagem 28

Borrowing a Corpse to Revive the Soul 借屍還魂

: Borrowing a corpse to revive the soul

: Using any means necessary