Free Web NovelSilence settled over the room.
I lifted my half-filled glass, inhaling the scent of the whiskey as I studied the two men’s faces.
Wen Jiabao sat with his eyes closed, absently rubbing the rim of his glass as if lost in thought, and Jang Songthaek looked as if he were barely holding onto his sanity.
I drank the cold whiskey and decided to give them plenty of time to think.
By the time the ice had melted completely, I set my glass down and called out to him.
“Vice Director Jang.”
“Ah······ yes. President Kim Muhyuk.”
“You must do this. If a nuclear bomb goes off in the middle of Pyongyang, I do not need to tell you what will happen. We cannot move until we know the exact location of the weapon.”
Since the end of World War II, a nuclear weapon had never been used again.
If it detonated now, it could trigger a Third World War.
“Even if the location is confirmed, how do you expect us to secure it? The moment we raid the site, the Leader will hear of it immediately. Then it is over.”
He hesitated, then spoke with unexpected firmness. At least he did not say it was impossible.
“We will secure it.”
At that moment, Wen Jiabao interjected.
I turned to him. His expression had hardened completely.
“If I personally visit Pyongyang, I can bring security personnel. Even Kim Jongil cannot prevent that.”
I had not expected Wen Jiabao to volunteer himself.
Did he consider Kim Jongil having a nuclear bomb that dangerous?
But I could not entrust something so critical to China.
“No. Russia must handle this.”
“Come now, President Kim. If Russia becomes involved, matters will become even more complicated. We will secure the bomb and transfer it to Russia.”
Even after I spoke with clarity, Wen Jiabao continued.
I simply watched him.
“If Russia intervenes, the United States will intervene as well. Then your plans will crumble. So we should—”
This is exactly how the Chinese always behave. I cut him off coldly.
“I already told you. The fact that a Russian nuclear weapon ended up in Kim Jongil’s hands is a secret among us. I told you not to try to profit from it politically. And now China wants to secure the bomb?”
“President Kim.”
“Are you certain, Prime Minister? That you will hand over the nuclear weapon to Russia with no conditions whatsoever? This is the Soviet Union’s disgrace—and Russia inherited that disgrace. And China wants to ‘fix’ it? Do you think Russia will tolerate that?”
Wen Jiabao opened his mouth to speak, but I continued without giving him the chance.
“Let us not do this. Otherwise, I may regret trying to save your position. The men in this room are those I trust and intend to act with as long-term partners. Yet you attempt to use this incident for your country’s gain—or your personal benefit.”
“······.”
“And since you mentioned American intervention, let me ask: do you truly think this can succeed without their approval? You know international politics better than I do. Why are you being so short-sighted?”
Even if a coup succeeded, without U.S. approval it would only be a half-success.
The United States had been closely monitoring North Korea for years, preparing operational plans for sudden changes.
Whether uprising, coup, or assassination—if Kim Jongil died or lost power, the U.S. had a plan to march troops stationed in South Korea and Japan straight into Pyongyang.
“America must approve. They must recognise Vice Director Jang. Without that, even with support from China and Russia, it will be a half-regime. Another Kim Jongil.”
A second Kim Jongil would not help me at all.
“I will secure permission from the United States and Russia. So do not think of anything else. Otherwise, you may let go of the hand I extended.”
“······I became a bit emotional.”
Wen Jiabao backed down. I warned him calmly.
“I understand your position, Prime Minister. You thought this was a chance to gain diplomatic leverage over Russia. But frankly, right now Russia is more important to me than China or North Korea. So for my sake—put aside those ideas. Otherwise I cannot continue our association.”
If political self-interest intruded upon this, everything would become harder.
This was already a difficult plan; I had no intention of letting it become more complicated.
Wen Jiabao fell silent. I turned back to Jang.
“Let’s end this topic here. Vice Director Jang, if the location is confirmed, Russia will handle the rest.”
“Has this been discussed with the Kremlin?”
“Not yet. But if they can retrieve the nuclear weapon, they will recognise you. So first, identify the possible hiding place. And prepare a list of those who may raise a rebellion once Kim Jongil is eliminated.”
“Please tell me the detailed plan.”
Still uneasy, he asked again.
Instead of explaining further, I reminded him of his role.
“For now, use your slush funds to win over as many people as possible. We will discuss the detailed plan afterward. When the coup succeeds, bring in those who will support you.”
“That will not be difficult. The recent purge has eroded much of their trust in the Leader. No one dares say it openly, of course—saying it means death.”
“And with the failure of the ration system and years of famine, public sentiment must also be poor.”
He nodded heavily.
“Yes. When I was sent to the provincial farm, I realised it. Things are not the same as before.”
“Then if you seize power and show a different face, resistance may be weaker than expected.”
Authoritarian regimes are always unstable. The future ‘Arab Spring’ would prove that.
Decades of rule through fear eventually produced anger, not obedience. Fear could only suppress the people for so long.
Jang would need to use that sentiment to secure legitimacy.
“But are you saying I must use my slush funds? You will not support me financially?”
“······Are you expecting me to?”
I was momentarily speechless.
“Was it not President Kim who proposed this plan? Then surely you should invest some—”
For a moment, I had forgotten who Jang Songthaek truly was.
A greedy man wearing the mask of an intellectual. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
“Vice Director Jang, are you asking for money knowing what I may demand in return?”
“You will demand something whether you give money or not.”
He clearly had not thought through what my conditions would be.
Well, no loss for me.
“Very well. I will support you financially. Right now, something else matters more than money.”
Money could always be thrown down. Buying influence was often the cheapest option anyway.
“What matters today is that we unite our intentions. What I asked of you—you must accomplish it. And Prime Minister, you must also prepare for your role after Vice Director Jang seizes power.”
If Hu Jintao used the excuse of North Korea’s instability to move troops across the border, everything would be over.
China could not cross that border under any circumstances. That was why I had brought Wen Jiabao into this.
“I know what I must do.”
Hearing his short answer, I nodded.
“When we meet again, everything must be ready. Only then can we draw up the next steps.”
“Will we be able to meet again? It may be possible for you and me, but Vice Director Jang—”
Jang had come to China under the pretext of attending Hu Jintao’s inauguration. Making an excuse would not be difficult.
“Time will take care of it. Ensure that the Six-Party Talks are held in Beijing. And insist that Jang Songthaek attend.”
“Demand his attendance?”
“Yes. If not, tell them China will refuse to participate. Or that China will cut off all aid shipments.”
North Korea was surviving on Chinese food aid.
If that supply stopped, Kim Jongil would be pressured severely.
The plan was complete. As long as no unexpected variables arose, everything would proceed smoothly.
As night deepened, so did our conversation.
With his schedule in mind, Jang Songthaek left first.
I stayed another hour speaking with Wen Jiabao, then rose to leave.
“Boss, we are being tailed.”
Not long after leaving Wen Jiabao’s residence, Director Ma turned and spoke quietly.
Kim Jongil’s paranoia was stronger than expected.
“Really? Most likely North Korean agents.”
“Yes. That seems right. They have been following since we left the Prime Minister’s house.”
“They want to know who I am. Can you shake them?”
If it became known that I met him, it would harm Jang Songthaek immensely.
“Yes. We prepared for this. When we enter downtown Beijing, another car will break the tail.”
“Good.”
Soon after—
As our car passed, several vehicles emerged from the outer road.
They immediately blocked traffic. The trailing car was stopped, and an argument broke out.
My vehicle slipped away from the chaos and entered Beijing safely. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
The next day.
I attended Hu Jintao’s inauguration ceremony.
In typical Chinese fashion, the grand ceremony lasted until evening.
“President Kim Muhyuk. Thank you for coming.”
“No, thank you for inviting me. It is my honour.”
Only late at night was I able to meet with Hu Jintao alone.
After the formalities, Hu asked directly:
“I heard you met Wen Jiabao and Jang Songthaek yesterday at Wen’s house. What did you discuss?”
Expected. I recited the prepared answer.
“It was simply old acquaintances sharing drinks and talking about the state of the world.”
“Is that so?”
He stared suspiciously, then slowly nodded.
“Wen said the same. But that is not why I called you separately······.”
Meeting Hu Jintao had not been part of my plan.
But near the end of the ceremony, his secretary located me.
Thanks to that, after everything was over, we found ourselves sitting alone like this.
“I do not yet hold full power. So I must ask you for a favour, President Kim.”
For a favour?
I hid my curiosity and waited.
“Tell me where my faction—and I myself—should invest our money.”
“······Investment?”
“Yes. In politics, one needs money. The Shanghai Faction became the mainstream faction of the Party because of money.”
The Shanghai Faction, based in Shanghai, had accumulated enormous wealth through China’s opening and reforms.
And they used that wealth to secure political influence.
They had given money to the elders and bought their support.
Hu Jintao clearly envied that. But I had not expected him to °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° ask so bluntly.
“I know President Kim has never failed in an investment. So please, help us. I will repay you for it.”
It was not a difficult request. The only question was how to use it.
But the hesitation lasted only a moment. A good idea flashed through my mind.
“There are many good companies in China. Would you like me to recommend a few?”
