The Inspector Is Getting Promoted! [EN]: Chapter 173

Prosecutor, You’re Moving Up in the World! – Episode 174 (173/341)

A New Game (1)

“Euhahahahahat!”

The laughter of myself, Go Seong-tak, and Seong Tae-hyun, who has ascended to the position of the new Mayor of Seoul, echoed non-stop throughout the room.

Having finally put an end to the election that we had been preparing for over six long months, I kept drinking with the thought that we should drink until we pass out today. I was already quite drunk.

In the middle of our drinking, Go Seong-tak clapped his hands and took out a large bottle from his bag.

“I almost forgot I brought this.”

“What is that?”

“Peach wine.”

“Oh, this is my first time seeing wine made from peaches.”

“My mother made it herself, and because it contains peaches, the aroma is amazing… Kheu.”

He raised his thumb and continued.

“It’s not just peaches, but also pine mushrooms and blueberries. When these aromas combine… Ooh, it’s no joke. Plus, it even has saw palmetto leaves, which are good for men, so if you drink this, *bokbunja* [Korean raspberry wine] is nothing!”

Seong Tae-hyun’s eyes sparkled as he accepted the peach wine.

“If you say that, how can I not look forward to it!”

“That’s right.”

Go Seong-tak opened the peach wine and poured a glass for each of us.

Even though only half of the soju glass was filled, the fragrance spread so richly that it made me feel good.

“Wow, the aroma is no joke?”

“When you drink it, there will be a riot in your mouth.”

Go Seong-tak raised his glass with a satisfied expression, then wiggled his eyebrows as if he suddenly remembered something.

“Now that I think about it, there are three of us and peach wine, so isn’t this like the Peach Garden Oath [a reference to the historical novel *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*, where three heroes swear brotherhood in a peach garden]?”

“Oh, that’s right!”

Seong Tae-hyun wiggled his eyebrows and looked at me.

“Isn’t this all thanks to Prosecutor Choi?”

“Hahahaha, it’s because everyone is a good person that we joined hands.”

“Still, since Prosecutor Choi is at the center, you should be Liu Bei [the leader of the three sworn brothers], and I’ll be Zhang Fei [one of the brothers known for his bravery].”

“Hey, Mayor Seong should be Liu Bei.”

Seong Tae-hyun raised one corner of his mouth and lifted his glass.

“If we go by age, that’s right. Then I’ll be Liu Bei, so let’s have a grand toast.”

After toasting with the three of us, Go Seong-tak emptied his glass and stood up.

“I’ll be back after using the restroom.”

“Yes.”

After Go Seong-tak left, Seong Tae-hyun cautiously opened his mouth.

“Prosecutor, you’ve worked hard.”

“What hard work are you talking about?”

“It’s all thanks to you that I was elected.”

He crinkled his nose and leaned towards me.

“By the way, that friend, Producer Go.”

Seong Tae-hyun lowered his voice and continued.

“Are you going to bring him into the Line [a faction or group within an organization]? He doesn’t seem to know much about the Line yet.”

“No. Go Seong-tak is just joining hands with the three of us, and I have no intention of connecting him with anyone else.”

I smiled and said.

“That way, he will only trust and follow us.”

It’s the same as when dealing with Deputy Chief Lee Doo-hyung and other junior prosecutors.

The more choices he has, the more likely he is to have strange thoughts.

Moreover, Go Seong-tak is someone Choi Gyu-hyun coveted, so there is no doubt about his competence.

Many people will surely covet him.

Also, although I was practically two-timing in the 2nd Line, I only moved behind Seong Tae-hyun’s back and never showed my face there.

To control the Line, I need to make it seem like I was the only one who contributed, rather than sharing the credit with Go Seong-tak, so that my abilities will stand out more.

“Continue to keep quiet about the Line. Even if he figures it out on his own, we don’t need to be the first to tell him.”

“You’re reducing his options so he can’t have other thoughts.”

He nodded and replied.

“I understand.”

Instantly, I felt a strange energy in Seong Tae-hyun’s eyes.

A bizarre feeling I’ve never felt before.

Am I too drunk?

“By the way, Prosecutor.”

When I heard his voice and looked up, Seong Tae-hyun was smiling warmly as usual.

“I’m okay, but are you going to be alright? The head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, Chief Prosecutor Han Dong-min, is Choi Gyu-hyun’s man…”

The biggest concern while preparing for this case was that part.

Chief Prosecutor Han Dong-min holds the key to my promotion.

However, Chief Prosecutor Han Dong-min is not simply Choi Gyu-hyun’s man.

Minister Kim Seok-won is also involved in the connection between him and me.

Therefore, no matter how much Choi Gyu-hyun pressures him, he won’t be able to easily reach out to me.

Above all, judging from his personality, he will never turn me into an enemy.

The motto of his life is not to make a big splash, but to go long and thin [avoiding risks and seeking stability].

He will probably try to arrange a meeting with me soon.

It won’t be too late to decide then.

“Don’t worry.”

I smiled leisurely and added.

“There will be no problem with my promotion.”

***

-So you’re saying you can’t do it?

Chief Prosecutor Han Dong-min sweated as he replied to the yelling over the phone.

“No, Assemblyman. That’s not what I mean…”

-Find a way to screw that bastard over! Otherwise, I’ll never see you again. Don’t even think about showing your face in the Line.

Assemblyman Choi Gyu-hyun added in a murderous voice.

-This is not a suggestion, it’s an order. Do you understand?

“Yes, I understand. Assemblyman.”

-Make the right choice.

Before he could even reply, Assemblyman Choi Gyu-hyun hung up the phone.

“Hoo.”

As Chief Prosecutor Han Dong-min covered his face with a deep sigh, Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jo Deok-ho, who was sitting right in front of him, carefully asked.

“Are you alright, Chief Prosecutor?”

“That old man Choi Gyu-hyun must be really angry.”

He shook his head and put down his phone as if throwing it away.

“He’s telling me to get revenge on Choi Seo-jun no matter what, but how can I touch that bastard?”

“That’s right. Seeing how Choi Seo-jun made the Mayor this time, it’s certain… If we’re not careful, there might be a problem with your promotion, Chief Prosecutor.”

Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jo Deok-ho is a figure riding Han Dong-min’s Line.

If Han Dong-min’s path to promotion is blocked, it’s like a death sentence for Jo Deok-ho, so he had to find a way out for him no matter what.

“If we only think about Choi Gyu-hyun, we might ruin things.”

“That’s right. Even if Assemblyman Choi’s power is strong, turning the Mayor of Seoul into an enemy is too terrible to even imagine.”

“That’s right. Moreover, the loyalty between Mayor Seong Tae-hyun and Chief Choi Seo-jun has been going on since a long time ago, so if we give them a disadvantage, the fire will surely fall on us.”

At his words, Chief Prosecutor Han Dong-min sighed and swept back his hair.

“Besides, that bastard Choi Seo-jun has already taken down two Seoul Central District Chief Prosecutors, two. If you include the High Prosecutor, it’s three.”

He shuddered as he recalled the faces of the three people who met a miserable end.

“A Chief Prosecutor took down those big shots. I’m scared to make enemies with such a monster, but if I stay still, Choi Gyu-hyun will definitely make a fuss. This is a real headache.”

Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jo Deok-ho nodded.

“That’s right. Moreover, it’s not just about dealing with Choi Seo-jun, but the Choi Seo-jun squad is still intact, isn’t it?”

The Choi Seo-jun squad.

A word referring to prosecutors including Deputy Chief Lee Doo-hyung, in short, it means prosecutors on Choi Seo-jun’s Line.

“You saw what happened when Chief Kang Joong-sik, the viper, was taken down, right? Seeing how he eventually saved Chief Prosecutor Choi and took revenge in that cornered situation… Ooh.”

“He just sold his friend to survive.”

“Didn’t you see Shin Yong-ho being released?”

“Ah… that’s right.”

Choi Seo-jun himself was a monster, but the Choi Seo-jun squad supporting him was not only competent but had already occupied key positions in the Central District Prosecutors’ Office.

Although Choi Seo-jun directly inserted them, they were occupying key positions such as Deputy Chief Prosecutor of major departments, so they could not be ignored.

On the other hand, Chief Prosecutor Han Dong-min came here from the provinces via the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, so the only reliable support in the Central District Prosecutors’ Office was Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jo Deok-ho in front of him.

If he clashed with Choi Seo-jun, he would definitely be the one to bleed.

That wasn’t all.

He couldn’t tell others, but Minister of Justice Kim Seok-won was firmly supporting Choi Seo-jun from behind.

If he touched him, he would be summoned by Minister Kim Seok-won and scolded.

Then he would never be able to enter the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office again in his life.

Han Dong-min’s heart grew more complicated in this situation where he could neither go forward nor backward.

“Chief Prosecutor.”

At that moment, Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jo Deok-ho carefully opened his mouth.

“I think it’s more dangerous to turn Choi Seo-jun into an enemy.”

“So you’re saying we should ignore Assemblyman Choi Gyu-hyun’s words?”

“Isn’t that also dangerous?”

Han Dong-min said irritably.

“Then what do you want me to do?”

“Let’s just cover our eyes and pretend in the middle.”

Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jo Deok-ho smiled and continued.

“Let’s catch both of them. However, let’s talk to Choi Seo-jun in advance and get insurance.”

At those words, a good idea came to Han Dong-min’s mind.

It was a choice he could make because he had some friendship with Chief Prosecutor Choi Seo-jun and Minister Kim Seok-won was in the middle.

“That’s right, Choi Seo-jun would understand that I’m watching Choi Gyu-hyun’s every move.”

“That’s right.”

Han Dong-min tapped the armrest and slowly nodded.

“Then make a meeting with Choi Seo-jun. I need to meet him in person and talk.”

“I understand.”

***

“Oh, Prosecutor Choi is here?”

Chief Prosecutor Han Dong-min greeted me very happily, raising his hand.

“Hello, Chief Prosecutor.”

As expected, he approached me first.

Looking at his expression, it didn’t seem like he made this meeting to just convey Choi Gyu-hyun’s words.

“Sit down. Let’s have a drink.”

“Yes.”

He filled my glass and casually asked.

“How is the 2nd Line? Are they all welcoming you kindly?”

“I haven’t participated in the Line meeting yet, so I don’t know. I’m planning to go soon.”

I crinkled my nose and added a word.

“With Mayor Seong.”

“Ah, Mayor Seong Tae-hyun!”

Chief Prosecutor Han Dong-min clapped his hands slyly and said.

“Tell him congratulations on his election.”

He smiled awkwardly.

“I can’t contact him because I’m watching the people above. You know the personalities of our Line people, right?”

“Of course, I know very well.”

“Yes, yes.”

He smiled awkwardly and carefully asked.

“By the way, was this move planned in advance?”

“Of course. I’m not someone who would move without certainty, am I?”

“Of course, of course. Our Chief Choi is never like that!”

Chief Prosecutor Han Dong-min laughed heartily and continued to ask only superficial questions without getting to the point.

Seeing him laying the groundwork before talking about the main story, it didn’t seem like he was planning to turn me into an enemy.

Since I knew he was friendly to me, there was no need to step forward first.

The thirsty person seeks the well [the one in need takes the initiative].

I leisurely answered his questions and slowly emptied my glass.

After drinking about three or four glasses like that.

Eventually, he became impatient and opened his mouth first.

“By the way, I’m getting a lot of pressure from Assemblyman Choi Gyu-hyun…”

Chief Prosecutor Han Dong-min raised both hands as if he was afraid I would misunderstand.

“Ah, I’m not trying to scare you.”

I scoffed.

“Do you think I would be scared by that?”

“That’s right, that’s right!”

He smiled awkwardly and slipped a piece of tuna belly sashimi onto my plate, lowering his posture.

“Let’s just talk frankly.”

“Yes, please speak comfortably.”

“I have to stay in the 1st Line, but I don’t want to turn my back on you. Chief Choi is such a good person and does his job well…”

I smiled at him as he added a few compliments.

“Oh, thank you.”

Then I immediately lowered my voice coldly.

“However, I don’t want you to postpone my promotion.”

“Ah, of course not!”

He waved his hand and continued.

“If you’re okay with it, I’m going to lower your evaluation score… Ah, of course, the promotion to Deputy Chief Prosecutor will proceed without any problems.”

In short, he was saying that he couldn’t push me properly because he was watching Choi Gyu-hyun’s every move, so he would only give me a promotion score that would allow me to barely pass.

He meant that he would pretend to block my promotion on the surface to appease Choi Gyu-hyun’s anger.

It was a choice that was just like Chief Prosecutor Han Dong-min.

He carefully looked at me and asked.

“Would that be okay?”

I crossed my arms and closed my eyes.

I was only pretending to worry with the intention of making him anxious.

In fact, I was already thinking of saying okay.

I didn’t want to make enemies with someone who was a Chief Prosecutor again, and above all, Chief Prosecutor Han Dong-min was Minister Kim Seok-won’s man.

That meant I didn’t have to worry about being backstabbed.

Moreover, if I moved to the 2nd Line because of this, the relationship with the 1st Line prosecutors would become awkward, but if Chief Prosecutor Han Dong-min took my side in the center, it would be easier to take control of the Central District Prosecutors’ Office.

Also, as long as there was no problem with my promotion, the score didn’t mean much to me.

I was already going to be the youngest Chief Prosecutor, let alone the youngest Deputy Chief Prosecutor, so there was no way I couldn’t become a Chief Prosecutor just because the score was low.

However, I pretended to be troubled, stroking my chin, and asked.

“In the end, how are you going to explain it to Assemblyman Choi Gyu-hyun when I become a Deputy Chief Prosecutor?”

“I pushed you too much before the election this time, and the scores of the other Chiefs were low, so I can just gloss over it appropriately. There are still half a year until next year, so it won’t be as sensitive as it is now, right?”

That’s right.

After some time, unlike now when he was backstabbed, he wouldn’t act driven by anger while losing his reason.

I slowly nodded.

“I understand. Let’s do that.”

At my words, Chief Prosecutor Han Dong-min burst into a bright smile.

“As expected, it’s good to talk to our Chief Choi!”

He smacked his forehead and continued.

“Ah, should I call you Chief Choi now?”

“There are still 6 months until the promotion. I’m still comfortable with Chief Choi.”

“In my heart, you’re already a Chief!”

Chief Prosecutor Han Dong-min raised his glass with satisfaction.

“If it weren’t for that old man Choi Gyu-hyun, I would have teamed up with you and swept the board… It’s a shame, a shame.”