Influence, Fort Roberts (2)

Min Wan-gi spoke.

“As expected, this is something we should use to show off. Ah, of course, all key posts must be set aside separately. I’m sure the US military considered as much when they offered this.”

Then he asked Gyeo-ul,

“What do you think, Captain? What should we take, and what should we share?”

There was an intent to test Gyeo-ul. Gyeo-ul sensed a hint of intellectual vanity from him. It was at an everyday level—a flaw anyone could have. It was nothing displeasing.

There was only one criterion for what to take and what to share. After briefly collecting his thoughts, Gyeo-ul answered.

“Isn’t the key thing influence? Direct benefits should come last.”

Jang Yun-cheol pondered, and Min Wan-gi nodded. Seeing the two, Gyeo-ul continued.

“This is just my opinion, so please consider it with a grain of salt. I think we should abandon the Distribution Bureau first. The role of managing immediately needed items like food, clothing, and hygiene supplies will naturally make one a target of suspicion and resentment from everyone. Especially now, when every supply is lacking. There will even be dissatisfaction among those managing it.”

Embezzlement by executives was always a likely possibility. Empty stomachs would always breed suspicion—a classic case of emotions appearing first and reasons sought later.

‘When emotions come first, people find their reasons after.’

This was the kind of behavior Gyeo-ul was familiar with. In some ways, it even aligned with Min Wan-gi’s cynical view of human nature. But Gyeo-ul still believed people could become better. At the very least, he hoped so. In the aftermath, what was left was only the heart.

Jang Yun-cheol agreed.

“Now that I hear it, you’re right. It looks like the position with the most benefits, but in reality, it’s a poisoned apple.”

“Yes. There’s nothing to gain. It’s better to let someone else have it. It’ll encourage division. On that note, director Jang, what’s become of that matter you said you’d look into last time? It would be nice if we could use it now.”

“Last time? Ah, you mean that.”

Back when the snowflake knot first became the symbol of the Gyeo-ul Alliance, right before Christmas, Jang Yun-cheol proposed stirring up discord among other Korean organizations. He meant to provoke internal corruption in unsavory groups like the Korean Patriotic Society and Damul Development Society, and to build secret connections.

It seemed he had followed through. Jang Yun-cheol quickly listed a brief overview of a dozen personal records from multiple syndicates. However, at the end, he added a negative view.

“They’re not people I’d recommend. Honestly, they’re all just people full of grudges—people with flawed personalities. It’s not that their nature is bad, but rather that they’ve accumulated a lot of resentment… Hm, how should I say this? There are those who overthrow the organization only to keep the corruption intact… Revolutionaries destined to be tyrants? No, that’s putting it too strongly…”

Though his words were vague, the meaning was clear. Gyeo-ul understood.

“I think I get it. It’s better to leave them as they are, right?”

“Correct. If victims and perpetrators merely switch roles, nothing really changes, does it? And I haven’t forgotten what Deputy-Min said before.”

When his name was mentioned, Min Wan-gi looked puzzled.

“Hm. What did I say again? Maybe I’m getting old, my memory…”

“You said that being weak and being good are different things, and warned us to beware the underdogma.”

“Oh, that? That’s certainly related.”

Min Wan-gi smiled with satisfaction. Jang Yun-cheol, a bit embarrassed, turned his head and scratched his hair.

“If we’re letting go of the Distribution Bureau, what do you think we should keep? You said influence is important.”

Once again, Min Wan-gi reignited the conversation. Gyeo-ul’s answer was ready.

“We have to secure the Inspectorate first. Isn’t that what you think too, deputy-Min?”

“I’m always amazed by your age, little leader. Sometimes there used to be some surprising students back when I taught as well. Haha.”

He habitually adjusted his glasses and shared his composed thoughts.

“That’s right. Given its function, the Inspectorate interacts continuously with every other department. It’s the best position for exerting influence. Normally, there would be limits, but with you here, little leader, it doesn’t make sense to think within those limits. Even if we give away the Distribution Bureau, we’d lose nothing. Who would dare discriminate against us?”

This, too, was the boy’s intention. After all, colonel Laughlin had recommended the position of inspector to the boy officer for these reasons. Gyeo-ul said,

“It’s better to have others take the blame no matter how well you do a thankless job. This is the best for the Alliance too. Think of Yu Jae-heung. How many people would ask us to fill our own bellies first?”

Ugh, Jang Yun-cheol grimaced.

“He’s still at it. He doesn’t say it outright, but he tells those close to him that you’re mistreating him, Captain. I don’t know why he’s so shameless after stealing someone else’s dog… But then, there are some who feel sorry for Yu Jae-heung. I just don’t get it. No wonder you’re worried.”

Min Wan-gi remarked,

“There have always been such types. Selfish patriots, really.”

Gyeo-ul mulled this over. People who stress belonging only to justify their own interests. Every kind of group one would expect—even in a limited society like a refugee camp—was present.

Min Wan-gi straightened his posture.

“In any case, then who will you toss the Distribution Bureau to? The best bait should catch the biggest fish, but even with many slots, only a handful are actual management positions.”

Aside from the Distribution Bureau, there were other departments like Transport, conscription, personnel, and simply holding a post among the refugees was a huge privilege. But now it was a cold and hungry season. Everyone would clamor for the offices that handled the urgent needs.

Jang Yun-cheol interjected.

“How about giving it to the Chinese first?”

His opinion, carefully suggested, continued.

“You remember the guy who secretly sent a letter before. The proxy for both Shufangbang and Huashenghua? He wanted their Dragon Head or their faction to be admitted into the Alliance… I’m thinking, maybe we should just settle that matter now, since the situation has changed thanks to the little leader.”

By “changed situation,” he referred to the large-scale police crackdown on the Chinese gangs. The Chinese likely saw it as Gyeo-ul’s show of power. Head of Zhilidang, xiong Xigui, had even specifically targeted Gyeo-ul for his hostage scheme.

‘Above all, wouldn’t other Chinese also share Eye-rolling’s anxieties?’

Yun-cheol pointed this out as well.

“And lately, the Chinese have been very anxious. On top of the police crackdown, they’re surely cornered. If we offer them the chance to hold public office, I think they’ll respond favorably. At the very least, they won’t try to get revenge for what’s happened so far. I doubt they’ll get another chance either. Uh, though I am a bit worried since you said you wanted to promote division.”

Gyeo-ul smiled pleasantly.

“Don’t worry about that.”

“You really think that’s okay?”

“Yes. What I want is division for the sake of unity. Right now, people are grouped too rigidly by nationality, ethnicity, or organization. I meant we need to loosen that up somehow.”

“Ah, I see.”

Yun-cheol’s face brightened. Min Wan-gi added,

“I agree as well. It’s a shame all our counterparts are gangsters, though. We could empower some of the moderate Chinese, but I worry that people change quickly once they taste power… Their culture and mentality are unusual, so it’s even hard to tell them apart.”

Even if someone like Lichingen only valued loyalty for appearances, for other Chinese, it was more real. Blood ties, school ties, regional ties—the so-called guanxi. If a tie existed, they would try hard to be loyal. And they demanded the same from others.

On the flip side, they showed no empathy for outsiders.

They built fences in the name of loyalty and connection, empathizing only within. Outside those boundaries, saving face was everything. This matched the nature of criminal gangs—using or not using violence was the only difference.

It was in this sense that Min Wan-gi said it was hard to distinguish between gangsters and regular people. Those bound by loyalty in hard times became tough to separate, later, as well.

“In negotiations with the Triad, we should recommend Li Ai-ring.”

When Min Wan-gi made this new suggestion, Gyeo-ul tilted his head.

“Not Lichingen?”

“That old man’s reputation has greatly diminished. If his daughter gets a public office now, the balance of power within the organization would shift considerably. Would Lichingen accept that? No, he’s too greedy to be just a backroom old man. He’ll hassle his daughter in all kinds of sneaky ways.”

“Really? He looked like he cared about her.”

“Haha. That’s unrelated to affection. There are plenty of parents who clash with their children, and even more children who rebel against their parents. Is that all really because of a lack of love? No. It’s more about not knowing how to respect, despite the affection. Most parents have a hard time seeing their children as equals. It’s understandable since they raised them from birth—but treating children as their own possession makes things go awry.”

Gyeo-ul sighed.

“You’re right, deputy-Min. Even with love, if there’s no empathy, it’s useless.”

Perhaps because he had never really been loved, he had forgotten that for a moment.

“Yes, well… that’s it.”

The middle-aged deputy checked Gyeo-ul’s reaction, then continued.

“In China, they say women hold up half the sky, but that’s just the party line. Reforming the mindsets of Lichingen’s generation proved impossible. Why do you think there are so many girls in Chinese orphanages? And Lichingen is a criminal. In the underworld, male superiority is always rampant.”

“Yes, that makes sense.”

Chinese education emphasized gender equality. Li Ai-ring had probably been raised that way, too, though she might have grown up suppressed by family customs. If so, there would surely be lingering resentment.

“There’s nothing to lose. If a bit of resentment builds up in Li Ai-ring’s heart, it’s a win for us. Personally, I think there’s a high chance of success.”

“All right. I was thinking of meeting with Lichingen anyway, so let’s go with your suggestion, deputy-Min.”

Then Jang Yun-cheol voiced a concern.

“Wouldn’t Lichingen insist on taking the committee post for himself? Would he accept the offer?”

Gyeo-ul replied lightly.

“I’ll just make up an excuse. Say the regimental commander won’t allow the head of a criminal syndicate, but we’ll try to at least get his daughter in. Make it clear that even that’s pushing things. What could Lichingen do—barge into the regimental commander’s office?”

With the command structure at Fort Roberts reorganized, previous backroom ties had been severed. Xiong Xigui had dismissed Captain Markert as a washed-up figure—as proof. How could Lichingen verify the facts anyway? With police crackdowns on the rise, suspicion would be reasonable.

He might grumble about the unfairness, but so be it.

The discussion continued in the same vein. With so many recommendation letters to buy and blanks to fill, matching time was necessary.

—————————= Postscript —————————=

#Q&A

Q. Geumseojejak-in: @Hey, author, will there be any sex scenes?

A. ;;;

There are three mature-rated scenes planned in this novel. The first one already appeared, the second will, like the first, be meant to “make holes in the readers’ stomachs,” and the third will be a literal love scene, but depending on the atmosphere, it might be omitted.

Q. Bahoe: @I’ve found every chapter so far interesting, but the last one especially lingered in my mind… I even read it again just now, carefully, licking it up… lick lick!

A. I see you’re someone who reads novels with their taste buds—an old-timer with a new twist is always welcome.

Q. RiceNeedsToothbrush: @What do you mean by ‘anti?’ What kind of anti…?

A. Some say the title puts them off from reading.

Q. Haruos: @They’re so hopeful because it’s not a regular installment? As expected from someone who learned their innocence from Cthulhu.

A. Actually, Cthulhu learned innocence from me…

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep