Free Web NovelEvery newspaper and broadcasting outlet owned by Murdoch’s News Corporation exploded with reports about the allegations surrounding Wanda Group.
The news breaking all at once shook the entire world.
Not only reputable papers but even tabloids no better than rumor sheets kept pouring out articles.
“How did this happen? What is all this? You didn’t know?”
China was a country that valued face above all.
To have such a scandal spread abroad—Jiang Zemin’s expression had hardened to the extreme.
Zhou Yongkang bowed his head before Jiang Zemin.
“I only learned of it yesterday. We hurried to discuss countermeasures, but it was impossible to stop.”
“What are you going to do about it? Even now, all operations in Shanghai have come to a halt. Are you going to take responsibility? You must have forgotten why I put you in that position!”
“N–No, sir.”
Zhou Yongkang kept bowing nonstop, but Jiang Zemin’s sharp tone did not cool easily.
“I appointed you despite everyone’s opposition. I strengthened the power of the Minister of Public Security despite criticism for doing so. And this is the result? Why! Why did you let foreign media publish something like this?!”
Jiang Zemin flung the newspaper in his hand.
Zhou Yongkang carefully picked up the paper that had fallen near his feet and opened his mouth.
“...I also heard that they are preparing something related to Bo Xilai.”
“What? Bo Xilai? These bastards!”
Unable to contain his fury, Jiang Zemin hurled his teacup.
It brushed past Zhou Yongkang’s ear and shattered against the wall, but Zhou Yongkang didn’t move.
If he flinched or dodged, it would only provoke Jiang’s fiery temperament.
“They’re going after Bo Xilai too? Who is it! What bastard is doing this?!”
“President, please calm down for a moment—”
“You bastard! Calm down? Calm down?! You call that talking? This isn’t about factions! This is an attack! A Western attack on our Communist Party! You still don’t grasp how serious this is? This isn’t just about Wanda Group!”
“...”
Jiang Zemin’s reaction was far more explosive than Zhou Yongkang had expected.
As Zhou considered how to speak, Jiang caught him hesitating and clicked his tongue.
“There’s more, isn’t there! What is it that you’re shutting your mouth about?”
“...I believe we must begin an investigation into Wang Jianlin.”
“What? You think the Princelings will sit quietly? If you investigate that bastard Wang Jianlin now, you think the Princelings will obediently accept it? What if they link up with Hu Jintao? Are you ready to deal with the fallout?”
Jiang Zemin’s voice turned icy.
“We cannot show any weakness to Hu Jintao. Not if our Shanghai Clique wants to survive. Understood?”
The Shanghai Clique lacked legitimacy. In the Communist Party, legitimacy was everything.
The political order was:
Princeling Faction → Communist Youth League → Shanghai Clique.
Jiang Zemin was always uneasy.
He had risen to mainstream politics through enormous capital—meaning his power could vanish the moment conditions changed.
“If the Party Elders side with Hu Jintao, it’s over. We’ll be pushed aside like old relics!”
“President, I have already spoken with Bo Xilai.”
“What? When?”
“Last night. I visited his house late and settled it. The Princelings agreed to turn a blind eye.”
Hearing Zhou Yongkang’s calm explanation, Jiang Zemin’s expression softened just a little.
“Hm...”
“Wang Jianlin isn’t even at the core of the Princeling Faction. He has simply received far too many privileges because he was considered a close ally of Bo Xilai.”
Jiang Zemin let out a small sigh and sank back into his chair.
He tapped the armrest with his finger—his habit when deep in thought. Zhou Yongkang knew this and pressed his advantage.
“It would be best if you, President, personally take the lead in condemning Wang Jianlin. Now is perfect—Hu Jintao still does not know that we have reached an agreement with the Princelings. This is an opportunity to show that even high-level figures will be punished if they break the law.”
“And what do I gain? Even if the Princelings agreed, they still won’t like it, will they?”
“What if Wanda Group ends up in your hands?”
A spark lit in Jiang Zemin’s eyes. Encouraged, Zhou continued.
“We are compiling all materials from Public Security and State Security. We have confirmed evidence of tax evasion, illegal foreign remittances, and suspected illegal gambling involving Wang Jianlin and Wanda Group. Additionally, they cooperated with the Triads in real estate projects, extorting and threatening citizens—and even evidence of murder.”
Jiang Zemin’s voice shot up.
“What? They extorted and killed citizens?!”
“They didn’t do the killing directly, but it seems the Triads handled matters for real-estate development. Whether Wang Jianlin ordered it or not doesn’t matter. I’ll make it so.”
Zhou Yongkang spoke with full confidence.
Once the leadership approved an investigation, nonexistent crimes could be created as needed.
As long as the political side was clear, they could strip everything clean.
And the scraps that fell along the way would end up in his own pocket.
“I will clean everything up neatly and place Wanda Group in your hands. Of course, publicly it will appear as if someone else becomes the new owner, but everything will actually belong to you.”
Jiang Zemin nodded without hesitation.
He had already made up his mind the moment Wanda Group was mentioned.
“Fine. What do you need?”
“Just negotiate with President Hu Jintao so the investigation can proceed. President Hu likely won’t oppose this matter.”
“How can you be sure?”
“...All of this was orchestrated by CEO Kim Muhyuk.”
“What? What do you mean?”
Zhou Yongkang confessed everything except his own corruption.
“Heh! This is insane. So you’re telling me he’s targeting Wanda Group just because they tried to kidnap his family? That guy’s completely out of his mind.”
Jiang Zemin snorted, clenching his fist.
Seeing this, Zhou hurriedly explained.
“He says he has no interest in Wanda Group itself. He just wants to see Chairman Wang Jianlin fall.”
“Unbelievable... Are you saying we are dancing in CEO Kim Muhyuk’s palm right now?”
“That is not the case. It is not bad for you either, President. You can take Wanda Group without suffering any blow...”
“Zhou Yongkang.”
Jiang Zemin called him in a low, heavy voice. Zhou immediately bowed.
“Yes, President.”
“You think Wanda Group can even be compared to the Communist Party?”
The cold tone made Zhou gasp.
“This is a matter of face. The whole country is stirred up because of one Korean businessman? Arrest him immediately! Show them China’s power!”
Zhou Yongkang panicked.
“But he is protected by President Hu Jintao. And diplomatically, this could cause issues with Korea—”
“That can be handled later. I’ll negotiate with Hu Jintao myself. Ignore Korea. A small country like that is in no position to complain to us.”
Jiang Zemin spoke decisively. He clearly had no intention of reconsidering.
If things continued like this, Zhou’s own crimes might be exposed, and he could be drawn into a war he could never win.
He grew desperate.
“President, the moment we arrest CEO Kim Muhyuk, every foreign investor in China will pull out at once.”
“What? Nonsense. Even if Dreamhigh Investment leaves, the amount they invested is tiny compared to the whole. You think China will stagger because that much money leaves?”
“Dreamhigh’s influence is far greater than you assume. They invested first—because they invested, foreign capital rushed into China. If Dreamhigh withdraws, other companies will follow like dominoes.”
Seeing Jiang Zemin listening silently, Zhou pushed on confidently.
“China will plunge into chaos. At a time when the economy is growing explosively, if foreign capital withdraws all at once, chaos beyond imagination could erupt.”
“...Is it that serious?”
“Yes. Why else would I come to you like this, President?”
Jiang Zemin’s anger finally began to cool. Zhou handed him a note.
“And CEO Kim Muhyuk, perhaps out of apology, passed along an investment opportunity that can yield massive profits in a short time.”
“He gave you an investment?”
Jiang Zemin glanced between Zhou and the note.
“Yes. CEO Kim Muhyuk gave it to me personally.”
Jiang unfolded the note, read it, and raised an eyebrow.
A satisfied smile soon spread across his face.
“He said it was a gift to preserve your dignity, President.”
“He considered my face.”
“Exactly. He understands how much weight your personal involvement carries.”
“Contact Naspers. Tell them to invest in this.”
Zhou seized the opportunity. If he kicked away the meal Kim Muhyuk set for him, who knew what would happen.
“President, then we need to redirect the funds originally intended for Tencent.”
“Do it. A company CEO Kim Muhyuk pointed out will make more money, won’t it?”
Jiang was one of the people keenly aware of Dreamhigh’s track record.
“Yes. Dreamhigh’s investment ability is famous even on Wall Street.”
“Withdraw the investment in Tencent and distribute it here instead. Handle all the arrangements yourself.”
“Yes. I will.”
A gift should be repaid. Jiang tapped the armrest again before speaking.
“Make it so Wang Jianlin never breathes outside air again. But stop right there. Do not let the investigation spread further.”
“Yes. I agree it would be impossible to push beyond that. If we go any higher, we don’t know who we’ll expose. We will limit the investigation to Wanda Group and Wang Jianlin.”
Jiang Zemin nodded.
“I’ll take care of what I can. As for the political matters... I leave them to ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ you, President.”
“Very well. I will negotiate with the Princelings and the Communist Youth League. You just handle things cleanly as usual.”
“Yes, sir.”
Zhou Yongkang rose and bowed.
As he backed out of the office, Jiang Zemin placed a call.
— President Jiang Zemin.
“President Hu Jintao. It’s Jiang Zemin. Something urgent has come up. Are you available right now?”
— Right now?
“It is urgent. Even if you’re busy, make time. I’ll come immediately. That’s all—goodbye.”
Before even hearing a reply, Jiang hung up and smiled.
His gaze did not leave the note Kim Muhyuk had handed over.
* * *
The car carrying me and Cheon Jiyoung arrived at Nansa Pier.
People who had been contacted in advance spotted us immediately and guided us toward the warehouse.
When the warehouse doors opened, several trailer vans parked neatly in rows came into view.
“How is it? Pretty good, right?”
“Wow...”
Cheon Jiyoung let out a small gasp. She dashed toward the trailer vans.
I followed behind at a slower pace.
She opened one of the doors and went inside. After a long look, she stepped back out.
“Where did you get this? It’s hard to obtain, isn’t it? Even with money, it’s not a brand you can just buy.”
“If money can’t fix it, then you need to consider whether you have enough. I took over a contract someone else had. I wanted to custom-order it with your preferences, but it would’ve taken too long, so I had no choice. Sorry.”
Cheon Jiyoung shook her head vigorously.
“No, it’s perfect! I love it, Muhyuk oppa.”
She really was delighted. Smiling brightly, she inspected the van again.
“And I didn’t expect you to bring not just one, but several. Thank you so much.”
“It’ll still be less comfortable than a hotel or a house. Will you be okay?”
Even as I tried to scare her a little, Jiyoung answered confidently.
“This is basically a hotel. People are going to be so jealous.”
“You can use one alone, and the rest are for your staff and managers. That’s why I prepared several.”
To replace the injured staff, new managers and bodyguards from Korea were scheduled to arrive.
“Filming resumes in a month, right? You heard?”
“Yeah. I heard the director and the entire crew are being replaced. The schedule changed a lot. So I’m planning to go back to Korea for a bit.”
Seeing whether she knew I had replaced the director and crew, she glanced at me.
“Good thinking. Let’s go together.”
“When?”
“Hmm... probably sometime this week?”
“Okay. Then I’ll go with you. I’ll look around a little more.”
After briefly gauging my reaction, she returned to the trailer van.
Seeing her enjoy it made me satisfied. At least the suit I gave her was worth it.
At that moment, Chief Ma, who had been on a call near the entrance, approached with a stiff expression.
I erased the smile on my face.
“What’s wrong? Judging from your call, your expression didn’t look good.”
“...Boss, Vice Chairman Seo Jaehun attempted suicide.” frёeωebɳovel.com
“What? Who attempted suicide?”
Seo Jaehun attempted suicide?
But I immediately shook my head.
A human piece of trash like Seo Jaehun would never willingly give up his own life.
He treasured his own life more than anyone.
My surprise lasted only a moment; I steadied myself internally and quickly organized my thoughts.
