The young waitress, elegantly dressed in a modern hanbok, brought over the ssanghwa tea.
Deputy Director Liu Sang-fu took a sip and, seemingly satisfied, spoke.
"The aroma is quite unique."
"It's a traditional tea called ssanghwa tea, made with medicinal herbs like ginseng, jujube, cinnamon, and ginger."
"No wonder it has such a strong herbal scent."
"It's often enjoyed in winter, as it helps prevent colds and restores energy."
"I see. The nuts floating on top are a bit unfamiliar, but the subtle sweetness isn't bad at all."
With that, Deputy Director Liu brought the teacup to his lips again.
Just then, waitresses knocked and entered, setting tableware on the table and serving cold appetizers along with thick pumpkin porridge.
"Please, enjoy."
"Yes."
Deputy Director Liu responded, picking up his spoon.
After quickly finishing the small bowls of pumpkin porridge and cold appetizer, the next dishes arrived—grilled abalone on a hot stone, infused with a rich smoky aroma, and a refreshing seafood sashimi soup.
Thin gold flakes, sprinkled elegantly over the fresh seafood, shimmered beautifully and caught everyone's attention.
True to his fondness for gold, Deputy Director Liu let out a gasp at the sight, prompting Seok-won to speak with a gentle smile.
"I prepared this hoping that today's gathering will be remembered as a time as precious as gold."
"I see."
Deputy Director Liu Sang-fu showed a satisfied expression and gave a thumbs-up.
"This is the most meaningful and joyful time since I came to Korea."
"That's a relief to hear."
The two continued their meal in a warm and pleasant atmosphere, exchanging lighthearted conversation.
They talked continuously without interruption until the main dishes—grilled Korean beef and yanggomtang—were finished, and finally the dessert of rice cakes and fruit was served.
After cleansing his palate with sweet rice drink, Seok-won subtly turned his head to look at Deputy Director Liu's aide standing by the door, accompanied by Assistant Manager Han Ji-sung.
"I need to speak quietly with Deputy Director. Please step outside for a moment."
Seok-won deliberately spoke in English, and Assistant Manager Han immediately bowed his head.
"Yes, sir."
Noticing that Seok-won preferred a private conversation, Deputy Director Liu also nodded toward his aide with a gesture.
The aide then bowed slightly and left the room with Assistant Manager Han, clearing the space.
Once the two were alone, a brief silence fell.
Seok-won looked across at Deputy Director Liu and spoke in a somewhat subdued voice.
"I think the two of us have become old friends—'lao pengyou'—with hearts that can share freely. What do you think, Deputy Director?"
"Of course, I feel the same."
Deputy Director Liu nodded seriously.
"The real reason I arranged this meeting today is to quietly inform you of something."
"What is it?"
Expecting something important, Deputy Director Liu asked with eyes shining.
Meeting Liu's gaze, Seok-won calmly began to speak.
"You must know Chairman Zhang Daming of the Haian Group."
"Of course."
It was hardly surprising; Zhang Daming had risen from rural poverty to become the richest man in Fujian Province, known as a self-made tycoon.
"Soon, a special investigation team will come down to Beijing for a sweeping purge."
"...!"
At the chilling word "purge," Deputy Director Liu Sang-fu's face immediately froze.
Then, leaning forward in his seat, he asked in a firm voice,
"What do you mean by that?"
Seok-won calmly met the wide-eyed gaze of Deputy Director Liu and spoke.
"Since 1991, Chairman Zhang Daming has been secretly smuggling all kinds of goods—cars, cigarettes, oil, electronics—and evading nearly two billion dollars in taxes."
Liu's eyes violently shook as if a bomb had exploded in his mind.
"Y-you're saying Chairman Zhang Daming has been doing something like that?"
Struggling to speak with disbelief, Liu faltered, but Seok-won nodded resolutely.
"Not only that, but Zhang built a separate seven-story red building in downtown Fuzhou equipped with spas, secret rooms where women entertain guests, and other entertainment facilities. There, he entertained Fujian Province officials, high-ranking party cadres, and military generals while handing out huge bribes."
"Hmm."
If he had indeed evaded taxes on nearly two billion dollars worth of smuggled goods over almost ten years, it would have been impossible without powerful backers protecting him.
Sensing instinctively that this was no minor matter, Deputy Director Liu let out a low moan without even realizing it.
Though he never voiced it, Liu had heard rumors about the so-called "luxurious palace" that Zhang Daming operated.
In fact, he had once been invited by Chairman Zhang, but felt uneasy and kept his distance due to Zhang's reckless flaunting of connections and arrogant behavior. Thinking back, he felt immensely fortunate.
The next part of Seok-won's story stopped Liu from drifting into further thoughts and made his heart suddenly sink.
"I heard that Chairman Jiang Zhenzhong of Beijing, enraged by the news, personally ordered the Central Party Discipline Inspection Commission to conduct a thorough investigation. They were instructed to root out and severely punish every involved person, regardless of whether they belonged to the party, government, or military—no exceptions."
Hearing that the party's most feared disciplinary committee—the Central Party Discipline Inspection Commission, essentially the Reaper—was in motion, all color drained from Deputy Director Liu's face.
No matter how high-ranking a position he held as Fujian's deputy director, or how firmly backed by the so-called "princeling faction" (Taizidang) made up of revolutionary elders' descendants, if the Central Party Discipline Inspection Commission was involved, it was over immediately.
Even if Deputy Director Liu had no direct connection to Chairman Zhang Daming's massive smuggling and tax evasion scheme, that was irrelevant.
Swallowing dryly, restless at the thought of being implicated unfairly, Liu suddenly looked up, his mind racing, and stared at Seok-won sitting across from him.
"I had no idea about this at all. How on earth did you find out?"
Deputy Director Liu asked with great caution.
Anticipating the question, Seok-won subtly raised one corner of his mouth but showed no outward expression, responding in a casual tone.
"I can't reveal who, but there are connections in Beijing."
"I see."
Deputy Director Liu nodded slightly and didn't press further.
Given the level of information, it was clear the source had to be one of the top ten powerful figures in Beijing, which made Liu's gaze toward Seok-won even more cautious and respectful.
Seeing this, Seok-won recalled a conversation he had with Section Chief Oh, whom he secretly regarded as a mentor, before his return.
~~~
"Oh, that was good. As expected, the best place to order jajangmyeon is here."
Section Chief Oh placed down his jajangmyeon bowl, tearing off a tissue to wipe his mouth as he said this.
Seok-won, sitting in the cramped shoe repair shop eating jjamppong with him, replied indifferently.
"You didn't come because the staff refused to have lunch together, right?"
"Hey! Who do you think I am? I'm Section Chief Oh from Yeouido, no way I'd do that."
"Why not? It could happen. You're such a strict old-school type, always talking about how things were back in the day."
"You little..."
Section Chief Oh's face flushed in mock anger.
"You know how the staff like me. They're always saying, 'Please buy us coffee, Chief,' and acting all cute."
"That just means you're a pushover..."
"What did you say?"
"Nothing."
"Seriously."
"Ah, yeah. Okay, I'll buy it."
Section Chief Oh pouted at Seok-won's indifferent response.
"Hey! Don't eat that—it's mine."
As he tried to grab the jjamppong bowl, Seok-won quickly turned away, blocking him with his back.
"Hey, come on. We're not kids—don't do this."
"Hmph."
"Chief, are you sulking?"
"Sulking, my foot."
"Hmm. They say when you hit middle age, female hormones kick in and your personality changes... Chief, your age is..."
"That's for real!"
When Section Chief Oh picked up his chopsticks stained with jajang sauce, ready to throw them, Seok-won laughed and said,
"Hahaha. Just kidding, just kidding."
"You've finally grown up, huh? Now we're even."
Clicking his tongue, Section Chief Oh habitually put a cigarette in his mouth and lit it.
"Phew. After a meal, there's nothing like a cigarette."
Then, his eyes caught an article in the newspaper about Liu Sang-fu becoming the national president.
Blowing out a puff of smoke, Oh said,
"Do you know how Liu Sang-fu, who was hardly ever mentioned until now, became China's number one?"
Just finishing his jjamppong, Seok-won put down his bowl and answered,
"That's because a strong candidate fell due to a corruption scandal, right? So he got the presidency by default."
"That's part of it, but the Chinese presidency isn't like a village chief's seat to be decided so easily."
"Then was there another reason?"
Oh flicked his cigarette ashes into his empty paper cup and lit it again.
"The original powerful candidate fell due to corruption. That was the official story, but the real reason was different. Anyway, that's what the Chinese people were told. Meanwhile, Liu Sang-fu promoted anti-corruption and anti-Japanese nationalism, earning significant internal support. So, to restore the Communist Party's damaged authority after the huge corruption scandal, there was no better figurehead than Liu."
Seok-won nodded while clearing the bowls.
"Now that you mention it, that makes sense. But was Liu Sang-fu really such an honest and clean person?"
"Who knows."
Section Chief Oh snickered.
"I can't say whether he's clean or not, but he sure got lucky."
"Why?"
"When Liu Sang-fu was acting governor of Fujian Province, a massive corruption scandal—called the Zhang Daming incident—broke out involving top officials in Fuzhou, Communist Party leaders, and military personnel. Hundreds of high-ranking officials were arrested, and fourteen were executed. Yet, somehow, Liu wasn't implicated in any of it. That's how he became known nationwide as an honest official."
"So that happened."
~~~
Thanks to their earlier conversation, Seok-won was able to learn more details about the Zhang Daming incident that had altered Liu Sang-fu's fate.
Breaking away from his thoughts and returning to the present, Seok-won looked at Deputy Director Liu, whose face was marked by a complex expression, and spoke in a gentle voice.
"There's a saying that crisis is an opportunity."
"...?"
"When the Central Party Discipline Inspection Commission starts its investigation, Fujian Province will face a tremendous storm of turmoil. But if handled well, this could be turned into a chance for reversal."
"What do you mean?"
Seok-won lowered his voice slightly as he replied to Deputy Director Liu's question.
"If, during the investigation, it's revealed that many high-ranking officials are involved in corruption but you alone remain untainted by scandal, wouldn't you stand out like a shining star?"
"But what if they grow suspicious and dig deeper, waiting for something to come up?"
It was natural for Liu to feel fearful since, although he had no connection to Chairman Zhang, no one in office was free from suspicion when scrutinized.
Seeing Liu's anxious and worried face, Seok-won spoke confidently.
"Given the huge corruption scandal that damaged the Communist Party's authority, they will need a figure to offset the public's anger and dissatisfaction."
At that, a spark of realization lit up in Liu Sang-fu's eyes.
"You mean me?"
"That's what we need to create from now on. First, when you return to China, check thoroughly if there's anything that could link you to Chairman Zhang and clean it up completely in advance."
"I understand what you mean."
Deputy Director Liu nodded and looked at Seok-won with eyes full of genuine gratitude.
"If I get through this well, Director Park, you will be like the benefactor of my life. From now on, I will treat you not just as an old friend but as a 'Xiongdi'."
'Xiongdi' (兄弟) refers to a bond beyond friendship, like family or being one body — the highest level of guanxi.
Hearing the answer he hoped for, Seok-won smiled faintly.
"If you ever need any help, just say the word."
"Just hearing that makes me feel reassured."
Thus, an opportunity arose for their relationship to grow closer and stronger.