The Inspector Is Getting Promoted! [EN]: Chapter 97

Clam and Plover (3)

-Oh, Prosecutor Choi. What’s going on?

“It’s nothing much, but I have something important to tell the Prime Minister, so I was hoping to see him briefly.”

-You want to meet?

Prime Minister Choi Gyu-hyun seemed to contemplate for a moment before speaking in an apologetic voice.

-I’m really busy these days. You know, the People’s Party is surging, and it’s driving me crazy.

“That’s why I’m asking to see you.”

I immediately added.

“In relation to that, the Democratic Party contacted me. I’m calling to inform you of that fact and to request a meeting in person.”

-Hmm…

Perhaps it was unexpected, but he couldn’t hide his surprise for a moment.

-Just a moment.

He paused and asked.

-Why did the Democratic Party approach you, of all people?

“I think they’re convinced that I’m helping the Korea Party in this matter and that I’m one of your people, Prime Minister.”

I subtly appealed without panicking, and he immediately agreed.

-Well, you’ve done a lot of work this time.

The first start is good.

At this point, I was certain that I had a significant influence on this presidential election.

“I’d like to meet as soon as possible… When would be a good time for you?”

-Then come to the Blue House [the executive office and official residence of the South Korean president] right now. I’ll talk to them and set aside some time.”

“Understood.”

A smirk crept across my face as I hung up the phone.

Come to the Blue House, he says.

He’s certainly enjoying his time as the acting president.

Well, he already has ambitions for the next presidential election, and he’s been enjoying power in the Blue House as the acting president for nearly half a year, so his desire is bound to deepen.

I immediately got into the car in the parking lot and called candidate Gyeong Dong-su’s burner phone [a disposable phone used to avoid tracking] this time.

-Yes, Prosecutor Choi.

“Mayor, the Prime Minister has something to convey regarding the election.”

-Convey?

He asked, startled.

-Has my connection with you been discovered?

“No.”

I twisted my lips and continued.

“He said that he thought I was the most trustworthy and discreet person directly connected to Prime Minister Choi Gyu-hyun, so he asked me to approach the Democratic Party.”

Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief and burst into laughter.

-Choi Gyu-hyun really picked the right person.

“I guess so, haha.”

-But what’s the matter…

“Hasn’t the People’s Party’s power grown too much while Candidate Nam Mun-seok and the Mayor are fighting so fiercely?”

-Ah, that’s right. From three days ago, the Korea Party is no longer in second place; the People’s Party is chasing right behind me.”

“So, he wants you two to join hands this time.”

Gyeong Dong-su couldn’t hide his surprise.

-Are you talking about a unified candidacy?

“No. That’s not it.”

-You startled me.

If they were to unify the candidacy, winning the presidential election would be certain, but it would literally be combining the heads of two parties, so even if they were elected, there would be serious problems in running the country.

-Then…

I closed my eyes.

I took a deep breath and spoke calmly, without showing any signs of nervousness.

“Rather, he suggested that you refrain from any negative campaigning, such as slander or criticism, until the presidential election.”

-Only between me and Candidate Nam Mun-seok?

“Yes. It seems that the idea is to prevent the People’s Party, which has been quietly waiting, from gaining power by default, as one of you two must be elected.”

Even as I spoke, I was struggling to hide the trembling in my voice.

This was the last resort I had in mind.

The idea was to tell the Korea Party that the Democratic Party had proposed not engaging in negative campaigning, and to tell the Democratic Party that the Korea Party had proposed it.

It was clear that both parties wanted it, but knowing that their pride would prevent them from proposing it first, even if I persuaded them, I was trying to get them to conclude a truce by making it seem like the other side had conveyed the message through me.

If this were to be discovered, it would mean that I had conveyed false information to both sides, as well as being caught by Choi Gyu-hyun for having a foot in both camps, which would literally be the end of me.

It was a matter of taking on a huge risk.

However, with the thought that the People’s Party might really seize power if things continued like this, I was determined to make a gamble.

Of course, I was 90% or more certain that both sides would accept it, but since you never know what might happen, I couldn’t help but feel nervous.

The things I had pulled off to get to this point were all things I was 99% or 100% sure of.

-Hmm…

Gyeong Dong-su thought for a long time before coming to a conclusion and cautiously asked.

-If I accept, how reliable is it?

He was probably worried that they would make a truce in front of me but secretly slander me behind my back through a third party, making it seem like the Korea Party wasn’t doing it.

The more this is the case, the more certain I have to be.

“It’s 99%. You can assume that they won’t stab you in the back.”

-If Prosecutor Choi judges so… I understand. I’ll agree to it.

Yes!

I clenched my fist.

The Democratic Party is okay for now.

Of course, the fact that he entrusted it to my judgment at the end meant that if the other side betrayed him, all responsibility would fall on me.

It was quite chilling to think about that situation, but I just had to resolve it so that the aftermath itself wouldn’t arise.

It was definitely possible if I coordinated well.

“Yes, then I’ll convey that.”

-Yes. I’ll keep that in mind. Does the agreement start right now?

“Please wait a little while as I need to convey the message. I’ll meet with Prime Minister Choi Gyu-hyun right now and then call you.”

-Understood. Thank you for your hard work.

“Let’s keep fighting for the remaining period.”

I hung up the phone and let out a deep sigh of relief.

One of the two is okay for now.

However, the problem is that the remaining one is a much more difficult target, but I had a feeling that it would be possible enough.

I immediately drove the car to the Blue House.

***

“…So, the Democratic Party proposed that.”

“They want to fight cleanly.”

“That’s right. Aren’t the wounds too big because the two of you are fighting so fiercely right now?”

“Hmm.”

Prime Minister Choi Gyu-hyun stroked his chin and said.

“But looking at the approval ratings right now, it’s not easy to steal votes without negative campaigning.”

I expected that he might be somewhat negative.

That’s why, unlike Gyeong Dong-su, whom I resolved over the phone, I came to see Choi Gyu-hyun in person to persuade him.

“Don’t you think so too? We’re in third place now, third place. We’re last.”

I expressed my opinion to persuade him.

“It’s a figure that we can definitely catch up with.”

“But it’s also enough to run away.”

“…”

“I’m not very happy about it. If the Democratic Party proposed it, wouldn’t it be because they’re confident they can win?”

He showed a very reluctant attitude.

If I were to draw the worst-case scenario in this tightrope walk, it would be a situation where Gyeong Dong-su said OK, but Prime Minister Choi Gyu-hyun opposed it.

Then I would be caught in the middle and self-destruct.

And now I was on the verge of that worst-case scenario.

If I stayed still here, it would literally be the end.

I would be directly hit by the huge risk I was carrying.

I hurriedly continued.

“Still, the Democratic Party has extended its hand first, even if it means losing face, so wouldn’t it be a bit much to refuse?”

“Whether it’s losing face or not, what’s important now is the presidential election. Is there anything more important than this?”

He was right.

While I was wondering how to say it, he added.

“In the current situation, we have to give it a reversal no matter what. If it goes smoothly, we’ll end up with nothing.”

“But…”

At that moment, Choi Gyu-hyun’s eyes flashed, and he leaned toward me.

“Prosecutor Choi.”

“Yes?”

“You seem quite drawn to the Democratic Party’s proposal.”

He stared intently into my eyes.

He was trying to see if I was hiding anything.

If I wavered even a little here, I would be shattered.

How could I turn his heart around while avoiding suspicion?

I had to find words that could achieve both at once.

I couldn’t take too long.

The longer I pondered, the thicker the suspicion would become.

Then, a thought flashed through my mind.

Wait a minute.

If there’s something I saw in the text message, I have to use it 100%.

Okay.

That’s how it should go.

After finishing organizing my thoughts, I immediately opened my mouth.

“Yes, I think this is a pretty good proposal.”

“Why?”

“We have to plan for the future, even if we lose.”

I looked straight into Prime Minister Choi Gyu-hyun’s eyes and continued.

“Our politics doesn’t end with this one time, does it?”

He raised the corners of his lips slightly, as if he was interested in what I was saying.

“You have to look far ahead. Even if we lose this time, we have to protect the image of the Korea Party. The Korea Party did show that it was self-correcting during the impeachment process, but it’s still not enough. If things continue like this, we’ll not only lose the presidential election with a shattered image, but we’ll also lose the presidency. That means the Korea Party will even lose to the People’s Party. Then wouldn’t the People’s Party try to take over the title of the first opposition party?”

Prime Minister Choi Gyu-hyun nodded.

“Even if we lose this time, we’ll protect our image and prepare for the next leap, is that what you mean?”

He understood my meaning exactly.

However, I knew that this opinion was far from enough to satisfy his desires, so instead of answering, I continued to speak.

“As you said, Nam Mun-seok is currently in third place. Frankly speaking, Nam Mun-seok is already as good as ruined. Unless the Democratic Party and the People’s Party withdraw their candidates, it will be impossible for him to be elected.”

“Then why did you say we should accept this proposal?”

His tone was sharp, but his eyes were shining brightly.

That was because he was also anticipating that I would say out loud what he had been longing for in his heart.

“If the Korea Party can avoid being completely branded as third place and collapsing through this, and if it can hold on to lay the groundwork for the next presidential election, then someone else will restore the pride of the Korea Party in five years.”

“Who is it?”

The answer was already determined.

I answered coolly, without the slightest hesitation.

“It’s Prime Minister Choi Gyu-hyun.”

The moment those words ended, the corners of his lips rose uncontrollably.

“Prosecutor Choi, aren’t you overestimating me too much?”

He didn’t mean it.

I know that the very fact that he pushed Nam Mun-seok of the Korea Party, not the Democratic Party, which had a high chance of being elected, was drawing a big picture for five years later.

Of course, I don’t know if Prime Minister Choi Gyu-hyun will actually be elected as the 21st president, but the fact that he is a presidential candidate of the Korea Party was a definite fact that I saw in the future text message.

If I had seen through his great ambition and if this was the conclusion I had reached after considering all of this, then he would not reject this proposal from the Democratic Party ‘to get Nam Mun-seok elected’.

From the very beginning, supporting the Korea Party, which had a high chance of losing, was for Choi Gyu-hyun’s own interests, not for the greater good.

It was Choi Gyu-hyun who ousted the president, whom he regarded as his top priority and right-hand man, for his own ambition.

He would never do anything that would be a loss.

He leaned back on the sofa as if he couldn’t win.

“Okay. If that’s what Prosecutor Choi thinks, I have to follow it.”

Prime Minister Choi Gyu-hyun looked at me with a smile on his face.

“Our Prosecutor Choi is expecting it, so I can’t disappoint him, can I?”

One of his eyes winked as he looked at me.

“Let’s join hands with the Democratic Party.”