The Inspector Is Getting Promoted! [EN]: Chapter 267

Prosecutor, You’re Going Places! – Episode 267

Taming (5)

***

-Are you really going to help me?

Park Chang-shik’s voice on the phone wasn’t just trembling; it was filled with desperation.

He had no choice.

The government had been consistently silent until just now, when they announced they would release an official statement from the Blue House [the executive office and official residence of the President of South Korea] following the Gyeonggi Province Governor’s press conference.

The content would undoubtedly be about ousting the corrupt Minister Park Chang-shik from the cabinet.

Even if they didn’t say it so bluntly, they would certainly convey the same message in a roundabout way.

In that situation, my help would be a ray of hope, a beacon of light.

Yes, of course, I had to help.

I had been planning for this day for so long.

“Yes, Minister. Just trust me.”

-Do you have a plan?

Park Chang-shik even cracked his voice while speaking.

That meant the situation was urgent, and he was cornered.

I replied with a confident voice.

“Yes. I didn’t think you would ever engage in speculation, Minister, so I personally gathered materials to prove your innocence. Don’t worry.”

-That’s right! I bought the land without any inside information, and my only crime is that it happened to be designated as a new city construction area. Some guys are just destined to succeed, but these damn reporters…

He realized he was too agitated and stopped talking with a ‘ahem’.

-Then, what can I do to help?

“Just keep insisting on your innocence until the end. I’ll take care of the rest.”

-Is that really all I need to do?

“Yes. That’s enough.”

-Thank you. Thank you so much, Chief Prosecutor Choi. I won’t forget this once this is over.

“It’s nothing. It would make me happy if you would just continue to work hard for the people in your position, Minister.”

Minister Park Chang-shik seemed touched by those words and couldn’t continue speaking.

“Then, I’ll proceed with the work and report the progress as quickly as possible.”

-Okay, thank you. Really.

“No problem. Just avoid contact with the media for a few days.”

As I hung up, the corners of my lips lifted slightly.

Yoon Seol-ha, who was sitting in a corner of the office listening to the call, smiled brightly and asked.

“Should we move right away?”

“No. Please wait a little longer.”

“Won’t it be harder if the media attacks even more?”

“The more Minister Park Chang-shik suffers, the better.”

“Ah…”

“It’s not hell yet. I need to save him right before he falls through the abyss and faces the fires of hell to completely win his heart.”

“I see.”

“Turn on the TV. We can just watch the Blue House’s announcements and eat popcorn for a couple of days.”

***

“Hello, this is Blue House Spokesperson Jung Saeng-moon.”

The reporters’ flashes went off incessantly.

As expected, the number of reporters was enormous, probably because it was the topic of greatest interest to the public recently.

I wondered if there were so many reporters covering the Blue House.

“I will now address the Blue House’s position on the land speculation using the construction of the new city in Gyeonggi Province, which has recently become a hot topic.”

He pulled the microphone closer and opened his mouth.

“The Blue House is currently aiming for a ‘clean and trustworthy government.’ Therefore, regardless of the truth, we deeply regret that such allegations that break trust with the public have arisen. However, we cannot handle administration like flipping a palm [easily changing one’s stance] based solely on allegations. Therefore, after the definite facts are revealed, we will make a fair judgment accordingly.”

The spokesperson looked at the camera and continued.

“In addition, investigations into the cabinet are, in principle, conducted through internal investigations. However, since the prosecution was the first to uncover this case and a prosecution investigation is already underway, we will trust the prosecution and wait for the results. After that, the Blue House will handle those involved in this new city land speculation case according to the results of the prosecution’s investigation.”

In short, the Blue House would not intervene in this case.

They were telling the prosecution to handle it since it was the Minister of Justice’s issue.

This would have been the best option for Sung Tae-hyun.

It would be ridiculous to directly step in and abandon Minister Park Chang-shik, but he couldn’t just protect him either.

“That’s all.”

The reporters raised their hands and shouted, but the Blue House spokesperson did not continue speaking, only bowed and left the press conference.

***

Two days had passed since the Blue House spokesperson’s announcement.

However, I still hadn’t moved, and all I did was drink coffee in the office and worry about when the rainy season outside would end.

Minister Park Chang-shik must be getting anxious now.

As if on cue, my phone started ringing violently.

I leisurely took another sip of coffee and slowly answered the phone.

“Yes, hello?”

-Oh, Chief Prosecutor Choi. It’s me, Park Chang-shik.

“Yes, Minister.”

-I’m sorry to call you when you’re busy. I’m just so anxious waiting.

He asked cautiously, as if not wanting to upset me.

-Is the work going well?

“Well…”

I let out a deep sigh.

Then, pretending it was difficult to say, I opened my mouth.

“I’m sorry.”

-Why, why? What’s wrong? Did something go wrong?

Minister Park Chang-shik’s voice was filled with urgency and anxiety.

“It seems like those bastards at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office are tampering with the data.”

-What?

“I initially secured evidence from the Gyeonggi Provincial Office that Goyang City was added much later due to the National Sports Festival when selecting the new city construction project, but these guys changed that information.”

-These, these sons of bitches!

His anger erupted.

But he quickly regained his composure.

-I’m sorry. I, I’m not in my right mind right now… I shouldn’t be angry at you.

“It’s okay. I fully understand your feelings, Minister.”

-Then, is there no way? Really, now…

“Well, actually…”

I carefully opened my mouth.

“There isn’t no way.”

He asked with a delighted expression.

-What is it?

“I’ll meet this prosecutor in charge directly.”

-You’re going to meet him?

“Yes. So, I’m going to take a gamble.”

-Do you think that’s possible? I heard from the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office that he’s a crazy bastard who rushes in without looking back…

“That’s why I’m going.”

I lowered my voice as if making a really difficult decision.

“He’s been acting recklessly, so he’ll slowly come to his senses and see his surroundings. He’ll know that he’s in danger after the case is over if he continues like this.”

-That’s right.

“I’ll use that to make a deal.”

Minister Park Chang-shik swallowed hard and said.

-I’m begging you.

I replied with a determined voice.

“I’ll definitely make it happen and contact you.”

I ended the call with those words.

Acting skills that even Han Ji-yoo would be surprised by.

Later, when my wife sees this, she’ll praise me for improving so much.

I picked up my phone again and called Prosecutor Park Ki-won of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office.

“Hey, Prosecutor Park.”

-Yes, Chief Prosecutor. How have you been?

“Yeah. I’m going to the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office now. I’ll be there in 10 minutes, so adjust the Deputy Chief Prosecutor’s schedule.”

-Understood.”

***

The Supreme Prosecutors’ Office.

A distance that can be reached by crossing the street from the High Prosecutors’ Office.

After finishing the call with Prosecutor Park Ki-won, I immediately drove my car and parked it in the parking lot near the entrance.

How long did I wait?

About 3 minutes past the agreed time, Prosecutor Park Ki-won came out to the entrance with the Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office.

Even though it was a bit late, this was excellent.

I naturally got out of the car and headed to the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office.

After moving a few steps.

“Oh, hello!”

Prosecutor Park Ki-won greeted me with a loud voice.

“Oh, it’s been a while.”

I greeted him and then belatedly nodded to the Deputy Chief Prosecutor.

He only nodded and then moved his feet while talking about something with Prosecutor Park Ki-won again.

The reason for coming here is, of course, to meet Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook, the executioner.

However, Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, Min Ho-sun, is for another reason.

He might pass it off as nothing now, but he’ll be surprised when he looks back after the land speculation case of Minister Park Chang-shik is over.

Minister Park Chang-shik, who seemed like he was about to collapse completely, suddenly comes back to life after going through a suspicious process, and on top of that, he starts to favor me?

That alone would be enough to realize that I was involved in resolving the case.

Of course, it would be enough to infer that the person named Choi Seo-joon is not ordinary, but also has power.

It would be enough to infer that I single-handedly took control of Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook, who didn’t listen even when he was told not to take on the Minister of Justice case, and closed the case.

Of course, that doesn’t create meaningful results right now.

However, in order to rob an empty house [take advantage of a vulnerable situation], Deputy Chief Prosecutor Min Ho-sun must be made my ally next year.

It’s a stepping stone for that time.

What you see and experience with your own two eyes remains in your subconscious, even if you forget it in your head.

It may not be a big deal now, but it will definitely help when making big decisions later.

It’s refreshing, but I planted Prosecutor Park Ki-won in the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office because I knew he was good at talking and maintaining relationships with superiors, but it’s definitely shining because it’s used in this way. I think it was a divine move [an excellent decision] to select both Prosecutor Nam Min-je as the successor to Director Ha Jang-young and choose both of them as my people, rather than abandoning the rest.

Perhaps he brought up something serious and impressive when he called out Chief Min Ho-sun, but the reality is that it’s nothing.

Well, there’s no need to worry about this.

Right now, I just need to put on a ‘show’ of contacting the executioner.

I entered the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office and headed straight to the office where Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook was.

“How can I help you?”

The investigator of Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook’s office stopped me.

Only he knows that the executioner is related to me, and the people around him don’t know, so it’s a natural measure.

“I’d like to talk to Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook.”

“He won’t talk to you if you haven’t talked to him in advance. Please go back.”

“Don’t you know who I am?”

“Still, it’s not possible. The case he’s in charge of right now is so big and it’s a hot topic…”

When I deliberately raised my voice, Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook came out of the office.

“What’s all the commotion… Oh, Chief Prosecutor Choi Seo-joon?”

“Prosecutor Gong, I apologize for the intrusion, but can we talk for a moment?”

“What’s the matter…”

He frowned and guided me.

“Let’s go in for now.”

“Yes.”

Acting in preparation for the investigators to talk among themselves and leak it out after Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook finishes the case.

It’s to show that we don’t know each other in advance.

After closing the door tightly, Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook bowed his head to me at a 90-degree angle.

“It’s been a while, Chief Prosecutor.”

“You’ve lost more weight in the meantime.”

“I’ve been quite stressed these days…”

He chuckled and pointed his finger up.

Even if public opinion has turned away, he’s the Minister of Justice, so there must be a lot of pressure from the executives of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office.

“You’ve worked hard so far.”

“Can I hand over the case now?”

“Yeah. Settle the case today and transfer it to the Special Investigation Department, and you can submit your leave of absence.”

“Understood.”

“Then, let’s meet at the High Prosecutors’ Office in 6 months.”

I patted him on the shoulder and said.

“Our future Director of the Inspection Department.”

The corners of his lips went up uncontrollably.

“I will give my all, Chief Prosecutor!”