Genius Grandson Of The Loan Shark King

The Chechen Republic was Russia’s headache.

Unlike most Russians, who believed in the Russian Orthodox Church, the Chechens followed Islam and always rebelled against Russia.

Their relationship was so hostile that they had fought two wars.

Among them, the Second Chechen War contributed immensely to Putin’s rise to the presidency.

If he had not led Russia to victory in that war, the Putin of today would not exist.

But even though the war was over, terror and slaughter still plagued the region.

For Russia, abandoning Chechnya was impossible. With oil pipelines running through it and the Caucasus rich in underground resources, there was no reason to give it up.

However, international criticism and Chechen rebel terrorism gave Putin constant headaches.

“This time, do not care about international opinion. Wipe them out completely. Mobilize the full strength of Russia’s military.”

Putin nodded as if my words were the correct answer.

It seemed he approved of how America had dealt with Afghanistan with zero tolerance.

“The United States has declared a war on terror. And Chechen rebels’ attacks on Russia are only getting worse. It would not be strange if a terror attack happened in Moscow tomorrow. Putin, this is the perfect opportunity to gain recognition from the United States and Western nations for the complete annexation of Chechnya.”

Putin gave no reply, but his eyes grew extremely cautious.

I kept pressing forward to persuade him.

“If you leave them as an autonomous republic, they will continue to claim independence. Even if moderates currently control Chechnya, they are not pro-Russian. The moment Russia shows weakness or falters, they will again raise the banner of independence and stir up conflict.”

“So you are saying we should drive out every Chechen?”

In time, Putin would find a way to install one of his own pro-Russian loyalists as Chechnya’s head.

But if this opportunity was seized, that time could be accelerated.

“No. I mean remove all of their leaders. Moderates, hardliners—it does not matter. Eliminate them all. Then place a Chechen who obeys you entirely as their ruler.”

“Hm.”

“If the United States and Western nations back you, no ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) country will dare criticize, no matter what you do.”

At the mention of the West, he twitched an eyebrow.

He had once withdrawn a Chechen ultimatum after being condemned by the United States and Europe.

Putin lifted his glass, drank, and shook his head.

“That is too weak.”

“······.”

It was about creating a justification to invade a sovereign republic. For the United States to turn a blind eye, Russia needed a convincing pretext.

Chechnya might have been a satellite state, but it was still officially a republic. It could not simply be struck without cause.

If Chechnya were tied to being the core of international Islamist terror organizations, then Russia would have grounds to act.

As I organized my thoughts, Putin’s eyes fixed on me—serious, but filled with desire.

Through that gaze, I understood he was thinking beyond merely subduing Chechnya.

“Putin, what more do you seek?”

“Well. What else could I gain?”

He flashed a sly smile.

That smile told me he had already made up his mind.

He wanted not only justification, but also the black gold—oil.

“I understand. Leave it to me. I will negotiate in a way that maximizes Russia’s national interest. And of course, Putin’s as well.”

“That would please me. But if the deal does not satisfy me, I will not accept it.”

“Of course.”

I answered with confidence. Finally, Putin nodded in satisfaction and raised his glass.

“By the way, Korea has a presidential election soon, yes?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

I clinked my glass against his as I replied.

“The candidate you support is Yoon Changho of the Centrist Party, right?”

“Yes. He is my political partner.”

“I see.”

He raised his glass, deep in thought. He stayed silent for a long while.

“I will lend him some support.”

“Putin? In what way?”

“The election is at the end of this year, yes? I will send Medvedev as a special envoy to meet President Kim Hakgwon and your candidate. That should serve as good publicity.”

Politics always shifted like a tide.

Even a candidate riding a massive wave of public support could plummet overnight, while an underdog could suddenly surge to victory.

That is why people said politics was a living creature.

Public sentiment was unpredictable.

Yet no matter how uncertain, there were always major currents.

If Medvedev, Russia’s second most powerful man, came to Korea and met not only President Kim Hakgwon but also Yoon Changho, it would add fuel to the idea of inevitability.

“Thank you for the consideration.”

“For something this small? I too prefer your candidate becoming Korea’s president. There are many things Korea and Russia must do together.”

“Indeed. I want Russia to grow stronger. Strong enough to once again balance the United States, as the Soviet Union once did. No matter how much China rises, it cannot check the U.S. as the Soviet Union did. They are too narrow-minded.”

“Haha! This is why I like you, Muhyuk. You speak as if you read my mind.”

Putin disliked China. No—he despised it.

Only someone like Putin could reveal that so openly.

“Still, always be cautious in your moves. The European nobles have gone too quiet. After what you did to them, they will not stay still.”

“With Bush in power, their influence in America has plummeted. Neocons and they are opposites, are they not?”

“True, but international relations are not driven by emotions.”

Where else could I hear such concern from the Tsar of Russia, Putin himself?

I did not add much to his words, only nodded quietly.

“I will keep it in mind.”

“You have better instincts than I, but if anything happens to you, I would be saddened. So take care.”

“Thank you.”

I answered with a bright smile. Putin, too, broke into a rare smile.

“When do you return to Korea?”

“Next week. President Bush will visit Korea, and I plan to meet him to negotiate.”

“I hope it goes well. Enough of the complicated talk—let us drink. Let’s call in Medvedev as well.”

“Gladly.”

Putin soon summoned Medvedev, and the three of us drank together for the first time in a while.

“Ah······ my head.”

When I opened my eyes, dizziness struck. I held my pounding head as I sat up, the white ceiling spinning.

Feeling around, I grabbed the water at my side and drank, then checked the time. It was already past noon.

I pressed the bell at my bedside, and Manager Ma entered.

“You are awake, sir?”

“Manager, when did we return home?”

“We left after dawn.”

“My head hurts······. I hardly remember how much I drank last night.”

“President Putin asked me to tell you that he had a wonderful time.”

Thankfully, it seemed I had not made any grave mistakes.

Shaking my head lightly, I told Manager Ma:

“Bring me some hangover medicine. And something with a hot broth. If we brought ramen, just cook that for me.”

With my stomach churning, I thought of Grandma’s bean sprout soup back in Busan.

Since I could not have that here, ramen would have to do.

“I will prepare it.”

“Yes, I will wash up and then head out. Please have it ready.”

After Manager Ma left, I stripped off my clothes and stepped into the shower.

I deliberately turned the water cold and let it pour down on me. My mind cleared instantly.

The conversation I’d had with Putin flashed through my mind.

‘First, eliminate Mogilevich. And then...’

After the cold shower, my headache had eased a little.

I changed clothes and stepped out, where Manager Ma handed me hangover medicine.

I washed it down with water and asked,

“Where’s Igor?”

“He left early this morning, saying he was going to meet Usoyan.”

“Ah, really?”

I chuckled as I emptied the glass in my hand. No wonder he hadn’t been around—he’d been working hard.

“Yes, he said he got a call requesting a meeting.”

“That’s good. I wanted everything settled before returning to Korea.”

Muttering to myself, I sat down just as Manager Ma brought over a steaming bowl of ramen and set it down.

With my stomach uneasy, I only sipped the broth before standing. Still, the warmth spreading inside made me feel a little alive again.

“That’s better. Let’s head to the office.”

Taking a fresh coffee along, I walked with Manager Ma to the office.

As soon as I sat, I shared yesterday’s conversation with Putin.

When he heard that one of Russia’s nuclear weapons had slipped into the North, Manager Ma’s face hardened.

“There’s still no word of Jang Songthaek being reinstated. We’ll need to wait and see. If he comes back, we’ll use him to drag Kim Jongil down.”

“I think the same, Boss.”

“For now, Mogilevich is the priority. Igor had better negotiate well.”

Just then, a phone buzzed inside Manager Ma’s suit pocket.

He turned slightly and answered,

“Yes, speaking. Igor?”

It was Igor. A few short exchanges later, he handed me the phone.

— Boss, it’s Igor.

“Igor, how did the negotiation go?”

— He wants to meet you in person. I’m bringing him now, if that’s all right?

“That’s fine. Bring him.”

— Understood. It’ll take about an hour.

“I’ll be waiting.”

I ended the call and handed the phone back to Manager Ma.

To his expectant look, I gave a short explanation.

“He’s bringing Usoyan here.”

“Sounds like the negotiation went well.”

“Maybe. Or maybe he wants to see me before deciding. After all, the man who plotted to kill me is now proposing a deal. Either way, it means we can move quickly.”

An hour later, Igor arrived with a burly man at his side.

I rose from my seat and stepped toward Usoyan. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

“Pleasure to meet you. I’m Kim Muhyuk.”

“······I’m Usoyan.”

Surprised at how young I was, his reply came a beat late.

I only smiled smoothly and gestured.

“Let’s sit first.”

Igor and Usoyan both sat down. Once I saw him seated, I spoke.

“You tried to kill me?”

Though I wore a smile, my voice was cold.

Usoyan’s face stiffened as he answered slowly.

“······That’s right.”

“Why? Were you afraid I’d join hands with Mogilevich?”

“Yes. Mogilevich’s influence is already overwhelming, and if he allied with you, it would grow even stronger. Most organizations are already folding under him.”

Yet Usoyan’s own faction wasn’t small. It seemed strange he’d resort to terror for that reason alone.

“As far as I know, your relationship with Mogilevich isn’t so bad.”

“On the surface, it has to be.”

“Just maintaining appearances?”

“······Our plan to kill you was a mistake. I apologize.”

“Well, it’s not like you ever could have killed me. What didn’t happen isn’t worth worrying about. Let’s forget the past and talk about the future.”

At my casual words, surprise flickered across his face.

“What? Did you think I’d hold a petty grudge over something so small?”

His hesitation told me that’s exactly what he’d feared.

And yet he’d come to me of his own accord. That meant he had guts.

“Yes. It’s just surprising. We Russians, when someone targets our life, we vow revenge until one of us is dead.”

“I’m letting it go because it’s nothing. If your plan was so sloppy it was exposed, could you really have carried it out?”

“······.”

It was insulting, but true. I could see him bite down hard on his lip.

“But understand this—it will be the last time. There won’t be a second chance. If it happens again, then one of us really will have to die.”

I erased the smile from my face and said it flatly. Usoyan swallowed dryly.

To shift the heavy air, I picked up the teapot and poured into the cups.

Sliding one toward him, I said,

“Do you enjoy tea? Try this. A fine Darjeeling. Grown high in India. Better than China’s Qimen in my opinion.”

When I lifted my cup, Usoyan, still stiff, followed suit.

He cautiously inhaled the aroma, sipped, and then let out a sound of wonder.

“This is truly delicious. I do enjoy black tea, and the fragrance and flavor are excellent.”

“I’ll send one with you when you leave.”

With just a cup of tea, the frozen air began to thaw.

Usoyan’s lips finally loosened.

“Thank you. I should refuse, but I can’t. This is too fine a tea to turn down.”

Watching him jest lightly, I smiled gently.

We continued with small talk, opening a more comfortable atmosphere.

Once the tension was gone, it was time for the real subject.

“Enough chatter. Let’s talk business now. Usoyan, join hands with me and let’s eliminate Mogilevich. What do you say?”

At those words, his shock was so great he dropped the cup he was holding.

The sound of shattering porcelain filled the quiet office.