Free Web NovelI nodded and answered Hu Jintao’s question.
“Very well. But as I told Vice Chairman Bo Yibo, if China removes Kim Jongil, then I will withdraw from this matter entirely.”
“Hm...”
Hu Jintao hesitated, unable to answer directly.
“If there is no clear response, then there is no reason for us to keep talking today either. China no longer has any justification to oppose the sanctions. You may get away with blocking it once, but not twice or three times.”
“...What is it you want?”
Meeting Hu Jintao’s eyes, I spoke firmly.
“What I want is for China to never intervene in North Korea. Whatever happens, let it be resolved inside North Korea. Leave it alone. Do not force any artificial intervention. That is better for North Korea and better for China.”
“I would also prefer that... but since the Elder says it will be the last task of his life... well, what can I do.”
“It’s vanity. Living quietly and leaving behind the dignity of restraint would be remembered far more honorably.”
“President Kim.”
Hu Jintao’s voice sank low.
“Do not speak of the Elder in such a tone.”
“If he refrains from unnecessary greed, I would have no reason to oppose him.”
Bo Yibo was one of the Eight Elders, but not many people even knew his name.
Living as though present yet absent—that was his entire political career.
For him to suddenly try leading something at his age was nothing but vulgar ambition.
Still, I needed to show China that I was willing to give something in return.
“Then how about this—let Elder Bo Yibo lead the negotiations for the oil pipeline construction? It would be a respectable final achievement for him.”
This was the last compromise I was willing to offer.
“That would be acceptable?”
“Yes. All I need is the profit. I will complete all negotiations in advance. Vice Chairman Bo will only need to visit Russia later and sign the agreement. The arrangement will be ready for him. A little media polishing, and it will look very good.”
“Oh... Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, what do you think?”
Hu Jintao turned to Wen Jiabao, who had been listening silently.
“I also think it is fine. The Elder will understand. Didn’t he become quite angry at dawn?”
“Yes. He was furious indeed. Haa...”
Hu Jintao rubbed his brow and sighed. Wen Jiabao’s face also didn’t look good.
‘So they reached a conclusion at dawn.’
I could roughly deduce it from their exchange. It seemed they decided not to accept Bo Yibo’s proposal.
Of course. Bo Yibo was treated with respect as an Elder, but that did not mean everything he wanted could be executed without question.
This was China—unless Mao Zedong returned from the dead, no one would ever possess absolute power again.
I cut in.
“So the conclusion has already been reached.”
“Yes. We will not intervene in North Korea. Whether a coup occurs or a popular uprising occurs—it is their internal matter. Naturally, we will station troops at the border, in case the situation spirals.”
That was expected.
If a coup failed and civil war erupted, crowds would flee toward the Chinese border.
From their perspective, they needed to be prepared.
“I understand. But under no circumstances should your troops cross the border. That would give the United States the justification it wants.”
“Hm... since yesterday, I’ve sensed this—President Kim, you are betting on Kim Jongil being removed, aren’t you? Am I right?”
“That’s correct. My bet is that Kim Jongil will be ousted inside North Korea. By whatever method. But not by China or the United States—only through North Korea’s internal corrective mechanism.”
I didn’t need to reveal everything, but I had to show sincerity.
“The best scenario is Jang Sungtaek taking power.”
“That would be good for us too. But why would that man risk so much? He is effectively the second most powerful figure in Kim Jongil’s regime.”
“It doesn’t have to be Jang Sungtaek. Anyone would govern better than Kim Jongil.”
Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao exchanged glances.
They clearly had the same thought.
“China is also trying to maintain good relations with the United States, isn’t it? North Korea should maintain at least that minimal level of stability. So leave it alone.”
“Hm...”
Hu Jintao swallowed, wearing an unreadable expression. But I couldn’t explain further.
“Wait here for a moment.”
Hu Jintao stood and stepped into an adjoining room.
As soon as he disappeared, I moved to sit beside Wen Jiabao and spoke quietly.
“Prime Minister.”
“Yes, President Kim Muhyuk.”
“It seems matters have become complicated. You haven’t spoken to anyone about this, have you?”
“Of course not. Fewer people knowing is better. I did not speak a word of it to anyone—not even family. Only the President is aware.”
Wen Jiabao also looked troubled.
“When did this conversation begin?”
“After the nuclear test. In the full meeting, Elder Bo Yibo and Jiang Zemin introduced the proposal first...”
Wen Jiabao explained the background. With that, everything became clear.
Jiang Zemin’s strongest supporter was Bo Yibo. Naturally, their opinions aligned.
“And what was the final decision?”
“Fortunately, the proposal was ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) rejected. The Party will not intervene. And we will support the sanctions. That was decided at dawn. Elder Bo stormed out angrily, but... the decision stands.”
“And then suddenly North Korea informs you they launched a missile?”
Wen Jiabao swallowed dryly and nodded.
“Yes. The notice arrived just as all meetings were concluding. So we decided to seal the border. Not a single person from the DPRK will be allowed to cross.”
“The border will be sealed? President Hu didn’t mention that earlier.”
“There was no reason to tell you.”
I had suggested the possibility earlier, but I didn’t actually expect them to go through with it.
It meant severing all links with North Korea.
“No goods will enter or leave North Korea. Nothing in either direction. So do not worry and simply complete the pipeline construction. If it fails... your influence in China will vanish entirely. Even I won’t be able to help you.”
I nodded. China was the challenge—not Russia. Russia would be easy to persuade.
“Do not worry. The pipeline is important for me as well.”
“That is good to hear. Then there won’t be problems. Your influence in China will rise as well. It will be advantageous for all your future business.”
“By any chance... has Jang Sungtaek contacted you?”
Wen Jiabao shook his head gravely.
“No. We have no real-time information from Pyongyang.”
“Is there no way to bring him into China?”
“It is unclear if they will send him so easily now. Today we will release an even stronger statement than before. After that, relations between the two countries will no longer be good. And even without that, it is clear that Kim Jongil no longer cares about our reaction...”
I needed to contact Jang Sungtaek somehow...
All I could do was hope he reached me using the satellite phone I gave him.
“I understand.”
I returned to my seat.
* * *
While Kim Muhyuk was speaking with Hu Jintao in Beijing, Pyongyang was in chaos.
Everyone who had gathered at the Party headquarters the previous day had been summoned to the Presidential Palace.
Kim Jongil looked around at the faces and spoke.
“Why are you trembling like animals about to be eaten? If you were that scared, you shouldn’t have gathered yesterday. Am I wrong?”
“General... spare me... please spare me...”
Kim Hyungseok was kneeling before Kim Jongil.
His head lowered, his voice shaking violently as he begged for his life.
“Director Kim Hyungseok. I didn’t know you cared so deeply for the Republic. If that was the case, you should have come yourself instead of sending Director Jang.”
“...”
“No need to be afraid. Who said I would kill you?” freewebnovёl.ƈom
“N-no, sir...”
“But the movements of the State Security Department troops are strange. I can’t understand it.”
Fear flooded Kim Hyungseok’s eyes as he lifted his head.
“W-what do you mean...?”
“The scattered State Security forces have been gathering in Pyongyang. Can you explain that?”
“It is a routine training exercise. You instructed us, didn’t you? To retrain the SSD troops who failed to respond properly when the reactionaries seized Pyongyang...”
“Right, right. I did say that. But why now?”
Suspicion glinted in Kim Jongil’s eyes as he looked down at him.
“It’s been scheduled for months. It is not the kind of insolence you’re imagining.”
“Oh? And how would you know what I’m imagining?”
“...”
Kim Hyungseok’s face drained of color. He shut his mouth tight.
“Director Jang Sungtaek.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
“From today onward, until a new SSD director is appointed, you will oversee the SSD.”
“...”
Jang Sungtaek looked at Kim Hyungseok but couldn’t bring himself to answer.
“Why aren’t you answering? Do you dislike my order?!”
“N-no. I will do as instructed.”
Kim Jongil nodded, satisfied.
“The first thing you will do as acting director is to find every person connected to this reactionary bastard. Then find his entire extended family and arrest all of them.”
“Yes. I will.”
“Good. I trust only my Director Jang.”
Kim Hyungseok looked up in shock.
“General! I truly did nothing wrong. I gathered them only for you and for the Party. The one with treacherous intent is—”
“Shut your mouth. If you speak again, I’ll have you executed right here.”
“...”
“Take him.”
At Kim Jongil’s order, Special Guard Bureau soldiers lifted Kim Hyungseok by the arms and dragged him out.
Cold air lingered in the office.
“Comrade Han.”
“Yes, General.”
“You were there as well, I hear.”
“Yes... Kim Hyungseok sent word saying it was your order. That we must find a way to persuade China.”
Han Jibyong of the Propaganda and Agitation Department immediately sold Kim Hyungseok out to save himself.
“He used my name?”
“Yes. How could we gather unless it was your order? When we arrived, we wondered why Director Jang hadn’t come, but everyone was already assembled.”
Kim Jongil turned to the others.
“So all of you gathered because that bastard called you? Saying it was my order?”
“Yes, General!”
A cold smile tugged at Kim Jongil’s lips.
“Listen well. If any of you look down on me, harbor other thoughts, or show even the slightest sign of rebellion—”
His gaze gleamed with murderous intent.
“I will wipe out your entire family. Understood?”
“Yes, General!”
They shouted loudly, desperate to show obedience.
“Good. Everyone except Director Jang leave. Go reflect on what you must do for the Republic.”
The office emptied instantly, leaving only Jang Sungtaek and Kim Jongil.
“Jang Sungtaek.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
“Do you know why I am giving you the SSD for the second time?”
“I do not.”
“Reactionaries are clearly aiming for my head again. Why do you think I spared those bastards?”
Jang Sungtaek stayed silent, but Kim Jongil continued.
“One of them is surely connected to China. So you will uncover who it is. I trust only you, Director Jang.”
He spoke of trust, yet watched Jang Sungtaek with eyes full of suspicion.
