"Good morning", Hwang Yong-joon said.
"Ah!", Eldar Ayakkabay exclaimed, who had not realized about Hwang approaching, "Mayor Hwang, long time no see! I hope everything is fine at Jangju".
"Everything is fine, giving the circumstances", Hwang replied. "As usual, life in Jangju is not dull but certainly calmer".
"I understand", Eldar replied. "I introduce you my daughter Aina, I don't think you have met her".
"I may be wrong but I don't think so", Hwang replied. "It's a pleasure".
"Thanks, mayor", Aina replied, lightly bowing her head.
"Glad to see you again, mayor", Tieu said. "If you excuse me a minute".
"No problem", mayor Hwang replied.
"Good morning", Tieu said, as he approached two men who were talking, not too far from there"
"Good morning, Deputy First Secretary", Minister Kan.
"Hello",
Yohannes coldly replied.
"How is your family, Minister Kan?", Tieu asked.
"They are fine, as usual", Kan answered. "The boys are growing, just that. But as you may understand, to be honest, I have barely time to deal with family issues", he added with a smile.
"Oh, understandable", Tieu replied. "Yours is a very demanding ministry, after all".
"That's right", Kan replied.
"If you don't mind", Tieu added, "and if it doesn't matter that I steal you your time, I'd like to exchange a few words with Deputy Chairman Arendse in private. There is something important I need to communicate you, Deputy Chairman".
"Alright", Yohannes said, almost emotionless.
"Sure", Kan replied. "We may continue this conversation later".
"Indeed", Tieu said. "See you later, Minister".
"What's the problem?", Yohannes asked, once they were alone.
"Oh, nothing serious", Tieu replied. "We don't happen to meet very often, and I was curious to know about your opinion. If you don't mind, we can walk while we talk", he asked, as he did not wish to be interrupted.
"Why not", Yohannes said.
"How is everything at the State Department?", Tieu inquired.
"As usual", Yohannes answered. "As you may understand, we are having busier days these last days".
"Yes, understandable", Tieu replied. "I haven't seen General Chung in a lot time. I hope to see him later".
"We are rather busy in the Secretariat as well", Tieu continued, "obviously, giving the circumstances, preparing for a smoothly transition to the new presidency, as long as the official period of mourning is finished".
"Oh", Yohannes said, slighly confused. "Is that...was it already decided who will replace the President...?".
"Well, not officially", Tieu replied. "Obviously, it is not up to us, but to my understanding, there were already preparations in case of such a case like this tragic one...by both the Presidency and the Premier offices".
"I see", Yohannes replied. "Who will be, if it's not a secret?".
"Technically, it is", Tieu replied with a smile. "But even if confidential, I guess not exactly a secret...In my understanding, Premier Han will likely succeed the late President. Although it is likely that not immediately, he may be acting president still for a while. Such things need to be prepared, of course".
"I see", Yohannes replied. "Not a surprise, I guess".
"Not at all", Tieu replied. "While it is not still confirmed, I'd say it's our best choice. Premier Han is the most experienced official we have, and one that really understand what really is at stake in our republic. I don't think that sudden changes or dangerous reforms will happen under his leadership. As I pleasantly could realize during my stay in the White Tower, he really understand our nation and what's most needed".
"I'm glad to hear that...", Yohannes said. "General Chung also spoke me positively about the Premier in the past".
"There is no doubt about that...", Tieu said. "I'm personally convinced that was the case. However, to my surprise, it seems not everyone shares that opinion in our capital...".
"What do you mean?", Yohannes interrupted Tieu.
"Nothing really", Tieu answered. "But as Political Secretary Min just mentioned me a few minutes ago in our conversation", he explained, "while he has no doubt about the Premier's capabilities and leadership, he is slightly concerned about some ideas that the Premier Han expressed in private, about needed changes in the administration".
"What kind of changes?", Yohannes asked, curious about what it could be.
"This should be confidential and private, of course, between you and me...", Tieu answered, "but, for example, Min mentioned me about our old project about dividing the state and military agencies, including your own, obviously, which would be broken up in several state agencies, some under the control of the presidency and other ministries...".
"Why would Premier Han do such thing", a surprised Yohannes asked.
"Oh, I'm afraid I'm not familiar with that proposal", Tieu asked, "but I guess to have a more compact control and increasing political surveillance over internal operations. I'm not too familiar with that either".
"However", Tieu continued, "Political Secretary Min, although there is no doubt about his loyalty, seemed concerned that such project would not come in the right moment, in the current circumstances".
"Uhm...", Yohannes replied, "I'd say that the armed forces and our people wouldn't be too happy about that idea. I don't see the need".
"That could be the case", Tieu replied, "although if there is someone with the energy and the knowledge to bringe any change, that's the Premier, certainly. And you probably know General Chung better than myself, but you know how these things usually work".
"What do you mean?", Yohannes asked.
"Well", Tieu answered, "although I have no doubt about the judgement of General Chung, this is the kind of thing that's easily achieved through promotion. It's not difficult to imagine that the Chairman wouldn't see with bad eyes to be promoted to one of the big ministries. But of course, I can't judge his character, I don't know him that well...Excuse my indiscretion".
"I see", Yohannes replied, pensively.
"It looks like the convoy is coming in", Tieu said. "It's probably better if we come back".
"Alright", Deputy Chairman Arendse replied.