Chapter 17 - The Finance Minister

AUTHOR'S REQUEST: PLEASE SUPPORT THE NOVEL FOR WFP 31 BY VOTING WITH POWER STONES. HELP ME WIN!

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Shin Hyun was beaming at the cameras as he posed with the children. He was carrying out his regular ministerial duties at the national hospital and had just inaugurated a new children's ward.

Reporters were chasing him, clicking pictures as Hyun posed with the sickly children, giving them gifts.

"And how are you feeling today, young man?" he gently asked a seven year old boy who was admitted there.

"A little better, mister," the boy chimed. Hyun laughed and patted his back before moving on to another patient.

"Sir, please tell us about your experience with this new project!" one reporter requested.

"As a family man, you must love children a lot!"

Hyun smiled and turned to the cameras. "As the Finance Minister, it is my duty to carve a legacy for our children," he said. "I want to be remembered as the man who had paved a bright future for the country's children. This hospital ward is just a small contribution. There's more to come!"

The reporters clapped in appreciation and kept on tailing him all throughout the hospital. Hyun kept up his polite front, smiling and waving at the cameras.

Once the program was over, his security team led him to his car. The reporters were still following him but he politely refused anymore questions and got into his posh car. His secretary, Ong Kyung, was sitting inside. In his early forties, Kyung was highly efficient and had been with the Finance Minister for nearly a decade.

As soon as Hyun entered the car, his polite façade was replaced with a cold sneer.

"Bloody reporters!" he muttered. "Won't even let me breathe in peace!"

"Sir, you have to attend one more event today," Kyung stated. "A talk show tonight where you will be debating an aspiring politician on your current fiscal policies."

Hyun snorted. "Give them a few books and a degree and the youth nowadays think that they're the next generation of politicians!" he mocked. "Don't they know how they'd have to dirty their hands? One hit of reality and they go back to their mommas!"

Kyung did not respond. Hyun was scowling at the thought of being interrogated by a fledgling. It felt like an insult to him. As a senior politician, it was beneath him to interact with newbies with idealistic views. He had seen many such 'future leaders' and from his own experience, he knew one could not survive in the world of dirty politics without sullying their hands.

Just then his phone rang up. He took it out and the color from his face faded. Kyung noted his boss' mood had dampened further upon seeing the name of the caller. He tried to sneak a peek but Hyun moved his phone away.

"Hello," Hyun greeted curtly. He listened to the caller carefully before replying, "Alright."

He hung up the phone and turned to Kyung.

"Cancel the bloody talk show," Hyun instructed. "Something came up."

"But sir, we need the publicity!" Kyung protested.

"Just do as I say!" Hyun snapped. "Cancel the darn show!"

Kyung lowered his eyes and said, "Yes sir."

"Also, I will be taking this car," Hyun stated. "You and the driver can get off at the intersection ahead."

Kyung did not question him. He knew very well that like most politicians, his boss was also dealing with criminal activities. The less he asked and knew, the better off was his life.

"Alright sir," Kyung said, slightly bowing. The car stopped at the intersection and Kyung got out of it alongside the driver. Hyun took the wheels and drove off, leaving his subordinates behind.

He kept on glancing at his phone in fear. The person who called him was a dangerous ally but if everything went according to his plans then he would get his hands on some very rare drugs. It would fetch him millions of dollars and he could secure funding for the next election where he was planning to contest.

Hyun drove the car towards a secluded part of the docks where there were large empty containers for cargo. There were less people in that area since it was where ships' equipment were built and repaired.

He got out of the car and stood beneath the hot sun. Squinting his eyes to see better in the sunlight, he saw a young yakuza member approaching his way.

The boy was probably in his late teens and despite his age, was well built and tall. He eyed the well dressed old man with suspicion.

"I'm here to meet Kirishima Hou," Hyun said.

"ID," the boy demanded.

"Tell him the Finance Minister is here," Hyun frowned.

"ID," the boy repeated. "No ID, no entry."

Hyun sighed and handed him the ID. The boy checked it before motioning Hyun to follow him. The minister let him lead the way.

The boy led him inside one of the containers. As soon as they entered, the door was shut behind them.

The room was dark and cold except for a single bulb which was hung right in the center of the room. Hyun could see the silhouette of someone sitting in the darkness.

"Welcome, Minister."

A sleazy voice welcomed him, causing Hyun to wince. The speaker came into the light to reveal a Japanese man in his mid forties. There was a large scar over his left eyes while his hair was tied into a ponytail. The man had an extremely large build and he was eyeing Hyun with interest.

"You called for me, Kirishima," Hyun nodded. The man named Kirishima laughed.

"I just wanted to check up on you," he said. "To ask if you alright."

Hyun did not buy that. Kirishima was most feared Yakuza lords in recent times. The man was notorious for his ruthlessness and hot temper. One night, he had killed a man because the man had delivered the wrong cake to his doorsteps. He led his men like a tyrant, torturing them like a mad man.

"I believe you have news for me as well," Kirishima stated

"I told you that the drugs will be going through the Northern route just like we had planned!" Hyun exclaimed. "Just wait until the cruise!"

Kirishima studied him for a moment. Hyun had thought that Kirishima had probably decided to wait.

CRASH!

Kirishima hurled the table against the wall with his brute strength, breaking it to pieces. Hyun cowered at his nasty temper and backed away but the yakuza men blocked his path.

He could hear the footsteps of the man approaching his way. Hyun was shaking in fear as he turned around. Kirishima grabbed his neck and slowly held him up in the air by the neck, choking him.

Hyun wheezed in pain, his eyeballs almost about to pop out as his throat was being tormented.

"Don't try to double cross me, Minister," Kirishima said in a soft tone. "Otherwise, the consequences will not end well for you and your family."