Chapter 61 : Party Convention (2)
Chapter 61: Party Convention (2)
"Being a Member of the National Assembly is an extreme job. It’s already past midnight again."
Standing in the living room, Woo Ah-mi shook her head as she looked at me coming in.
"I stopped by the local office to hear civil complaints, so I got held up."
"You work too hard. It feels like you're doing everything alone."
"That’s not true. The staff are working hard too. By the way, I’ve got good news and not-so-good news. Which one do you want to hear first?"
"It’s not bad news, is it?"
"No."
I sat down on the sofa.
Woo Ah-mi handed me a glass of water.
"I want to hear the good news first."
"The international school invitation is underway."
"Already?"
Woo Ah-mi’s eyes and mouth widened simultaneously.
"The new administration is interested, and the District Mayor is actively working on it, so it’s progressing quickly. By the end of the year, we’ll designate a preferred negotiation partner."
"Wow! That’s really fast. You’re amazing."
"I was just lucky. With the new administration in place, they want to produce results."
"Still, that’s like roasting beans over a lightning bolt."
"The local residents' complaints helped too."
"What about the school?"
"An educational foundation in Manchester is quite enthusiastic. I met the chairman’s son back when he was running a business, and when I cast the bait, he bit right away."
Woo Ah-mi was genuinely delighted.
"Once On-chan grows up, we can send him there. But is it a well-known school?"
"It’s a prestigious high school. The agency isn’t coming— the chairman himself will come to our country for an on-site inspection. Since the location is good, they’ll be eager."
"Competition would be nice."
"Of course, it will be."
"Really, you’re amazing. You’re like a bulldozer. But what’s the not-so-good news?"
Woo Ah-mi pouted her lips.
"It’s not bad news, just not good."
"What is it?"
"I’m going to run for Supreme Council Member."
"Huh?"
Woo Ah-mi pinched her ear with her finger and asked again.
"Did I hear that right? What did you say?"
"I’m going to run in the Supreme Council Member election."
"You? It hasn’t even been a year since you put on the badge."
"Challenge is what matters."
"Isn’t this too hasty?"
"Even if I fail, I’ll learn something. It’s not a losing deal."
"Will you be alright?"
Woo Ah-mi furrowed her brows with a concerned look.
"You’re already this busy. How will you manage a campaign? The Party Convention is a big event."
"Once the Interpellation Session ends, I’ll have time. And my aides are outstanding."
"Still, I can’t help but worry."
"You’re not against it, right?"
"If you believe it’s the right path, then you have to go. I’ll always support you. Is there anything I can do?"
I didn’t want to burden her.
"This is an internal party election, so I’ll handle it."
"Then I’ll grill eel tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?"
Woo Ah-mi’s gaze looked slightly sultry.
"Come home early tomorrow. I’ll put On-chan to bed early too."
"Huh? Oh."
"When you make that innocent face, what am I supposed to do? You make me look like a weird woman."
"Huh? Haha."
I laughed awkwardly, but I was already beginning to dread tomorrow evening.
National Assembly Main Building, Press Center.
I was waiting outside for Member of the National Assembly Namgung Oh-seong.
As a first-term lawmaker, he was in the middle of a press conference urging the swift implementation of the pledge for halved university tuition fees.
Having come to the National Assembly after a long career in civic activism, he was a reformist figure. Since he didn’t belong to any faction and had a strong character, I planned to ask for his support.
A short while later, he came out.
"Assemblyman."
"Huh? Assemblyman Kang."
"Could I have a moment of your time?"
"Have you been waiting?"
"Just a moment is enough."
"Alright."
I guided him to the end of the hallway where there were no people.
"I know your time is limited, so I’ll get straight to the point. I’m planning to run for Supreme Council Member. I’d appreciate your support."
"Assemblyman Kang, you’re running for Supreme Council Member?"
He didn’t seem too surprised.
"First-terms should also challenge themselves."
"I was hoping one of the younger first-terms would step up. That’s great. I’ll support you as a fellow first-term."
"Thank you so much."
"I’ll also look for more allies. Any other lawmakers on board?"
"Assemblywoman Lee Ga-gyeong has agreed to help."
"Really? That’s excellent."
Assemblywoman Lee Ga-gyeong, who had ties with Hyeon Se-ung, also decided to join the camp.
That brought the number of supporting first-term lawmakers to four so far.
"Assemblyman Kang, I have an appointment with the reporters, so let’s talk more later."
"Thank you. I’ll do my best."
"First-terms have to stick together. Take care."
Namgung Oh-seong left with a bright smile.
Since morning, I had met with several first-term lawmakers— two had been successes, three were not.
In the afternoon, I had to meet Member of the National Assembly Jeong Nak-dong, considered the elder statesman of the southern region.
I headed toward the Members’ Office Building.
"Assemblyman Kang Cheonmyeong!"
I turned at the voice calling me from the right.
It was Reporter Yoon Da-rae from the Hangang Newspaper. She was known for hustling around energetically as the youngest member.
"Reporter Yoon, it’s been a while."
"I heard you’re running for Supreme Council Member."
"Who said that?"
"Assemblyman Seong Chang-rae said so?"
"Ha."
He really nailed it in.
Since I had already made up my mind to run, I didn’t care if a reporter heard.
"Anyway, that old man is always trying to tie me down."
"When will you hold the press conference?"
"Tomorrow morning."
"Are you confident? You’re a first-term, and there must be a lot of handicaps. I’m worried whether you’ll even pass the cut-off."
"Worrying is my job, not yours, Reporter Yoon."
"Could you say a few words about your candidacy?"
Her eyes sparkled like a deer’s— I felt I had to toss her something.
"Are you going to run it as an exclusive?"
"If I publish it before the other reporters, it becomes an exclusive. My team leader’s always on my back. Please, just help me once."
"You seem to have a lot of interest in me."
"You’re the most talked-about politician among the first-terms."
"Me?"
"You have full support among the junior reporters."
"Cut the flattery. Emulate the old, Create the new (법고창신)."
"Excuse me?"
Yoon Da-rae blinked, not understanding.
"It means creating something new by using the past as a foundation."
"Are you referring to the retreat of the Mainstream’s second line?"
"Write it however you want. See you around."
Yoon Da-rae froze like ice on the spot.
A first-term holding the existing leadership accountable was a juicy story.
The phrase Emulate the old, Create the new could be interpreted in many ways— the retreat of the Mainstream, or inheriting the spirit of the Mainstream.
NCND (neither confirm nor deny).
For now, I would hide my claws by neither affirming nor denying.
By the time I arrived at the home of Assemblyman Jeong Nak-dong, the sun was already setting.
Pyo Dong-ho, the secretary seated in the driver’s seat, gave a word of advice.
"Assemblyman, Jeong Nak-dong is a politician who hides nine tails. You must hide your true intentions."
"I should keep at least one card hidden too. I’ll do that."
"Please be careful with anything that could be used against you."
"Of course."
I got out of the car and stood before the mansion.
Even though it was in a rural area, the house was palatial.
When I pressed the doorbell mounted next to the large iron gate, a voice came through.
— Who is it?
"This is Assemblyman Kang Cheonmyeong. I came to meet the Assemblyman as scheduled."
— Please come in.
There was a loud noise as the iron gate opened, and I stepped inside.
Following the stone steps upward, a man who looked like a secretary greeted me.
"This way, please."
I followed him.
On the right was a three-story house with floor-to-ceiling windows, and on the left stood a square-shaped two-story building.
He turned left.
I asked,
"Is that where the study is?"
"Yes, it is."
We walked along a straight stretch of asphalt, then entered through the front door.
Contrary to the exterior, the interior was finished in hinoki wood, giving off an elegant and classical ambiance.
Assemblyman Jeong Nak-dong was seated on a sofa, reading the newspaper.
"Good evening. I’m Kang Cheonmyeong."
Jeong Nak-dong turned his head to look at me.
"Come in."
"Thank you."
The secretary withdrew, and I took a seat across from him.
On the table was a cup of tea, still steaming.
"You must be tired from the long trip."
"It wasn’t that far."
"There must be a reason you came all the way to see me. I read the article."
I didn’t know what he meant.
"It was in a breaking news update just now. That you’re running for Supreme Council Member. Quoting Emulate the old, Create the new (법고창신)."
"The press conference is scheduled for tomorrow morning."
"Isn’t it too early? There’s a saying, A sweet well dries up first. Have you heard it?"
"It means a well with sweet water dries up quickly."
"Ha ha. I heard you went to a village school, and you do know a lot of Chinese characters. When you’re talented, you fade early. Even steel must wait until it’s red-hot before being hammered to become strong— that’s the way of the world."
Assemblyman Jeong Nak-dong.
Im Seong-chan said he supported Yeon Han-gil, who was running for Party Leader.
The purpose of my visit was to win over at least part of the votes he controlled.
What mattered now wasn’t the process, but the outcome.
"I believe reform is necessary for the Party. At this rate, we can’t be confident about the next presidential election."
"Is that what Emulate the old, Create the new means?"
"Just like how birth pains are needed for a new life to emerge, I believe our Party must go through such a process."
"You know who I’m backing, don’t you?"
"I also support Assemblyman Yeon Han-gil."
"Do you?"
Jeong Nak-dong sipped his tea and gazed deeply into my eyes.
"For reform, it’s good to maintain balance. A young first-term can make the Party’s image more dynamic."
"So you’re here to ask for my vote?"
"Please help me get past the cut-off. I know it’s realistically difficult. If you support me, I will work hard for the reform of the Party."
"Reform is necessary. If nothing changes, nothing changes."
Since he wasn’t wary of me, he couldn’t read my true intentions.
"I’ll think about it. We don’t know yet how many will run for Supreme Council Member."
"Thank you. I’ll do my best."
"The new leadership must value unity. If multiple voices arise in a defeated Party, it’s like sailing without a captain."
"You’re absolutely right."
For a moment, I considered getting on my knees— but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
When Mom knelt before the homeroom teacher, begging for leniency, I made a vow.
‘I will never show a pathetic side of myself.’
Even if I must be cunning, I will never live in disgrace.
Jeong Nak-dong checked the clock on the wall.
"It’s about time for dinner. What a shame. I have another appointment."
"I’ll treat you next time. Thank you for meeting with me."
"I like that you’re confident, Assemblyman Kang. Let’s build a great Party together."
He smiled and extended his hand. I grabbed it firmly.
"I’ll work hard."
For three years it neither flies nor cries.
A tale of King Zhuang of Chu, who spent three years indulging in wine and women to weed out loyalists from flatterers.
When a loyal retainer asked what kind of bird neither flies nor sings for three years, King Zhuang answered:
‘If a bird has not flown for three years, it will surely soar to the heavens. If it has not cried for three years, the world will be startled by its call.’
While King Zhuang sought loyal retainers, my goal was different.
I would hide my true heart until I had built power.
For now, I had to wait for the right time.