Free Web NovelI called it a rumor, but nothing had actually leaked to the public yet.
“Ha! And where did you hear that? Did [N O V E L I G H T] Medvedev tell you?”
I shook my head.
“No. I didn’t hear it from Medvedev. I just move around a lot, so I end up hearing many things.”
“Besides the Japanese government, only a few people negotiating under the table know about it...”
I pretended not to notice his mixture of curiosity and admiration.
I simply knew the future.
So they were negotiating under the table.
It ultimately fizzled out, but since I knew it had gone nearly to the signing stage, I threw it out there—and of course, I was right.
“So why bring this up out of nowhere?”
“I don’t know what conditions Japan offered, but is there any reason for you to proceed with them?” freeweɓnovel.cѳm
“Given that North Korea’s situation could change at any time, I couldn’t keep delaying East Asian pipeline projects. But today you brought something completely unexpected. And Japan’s conditions are just too good.”
“May I ask what they are?”
“What’s difficult about that? Prime Minister Koizumi visited Moscow personally to make the proposal. They’ll import one million barrels of crude a day. And beyond that, they’ll invest in developing East Asian oil fields. Total investment around seven billion dollars.”
It seemed the Japanese government itself stepped forward with a shocking proposal. From Russia’s perspective, there was no reason not to negotiate.
“So you’re thinking of moving forward?”
“Everyone advising me says I should accept Japan’s offer. But I don’t like it.”
“Why not?”
“In the end, the pipeline stops at Nakhodka, next to Vladivostok. Meaning, it won’t run all the way to the Japanese mainland. The time and money poured into it will be huge, and in the end we’d still have to export crude to Japan by ship.”
“You could build an undersea pipeline and connect the line.”
“The cost-benefit doesn’t work. Japan knows that, which is why they proposed building only up to Nakhodka. That’s why I’m torn.”
He refilled my glass and continued speaking.
“But didn’t you just bring the solution to that dilemma? If North Korea is handled well, there’s no reason to agonize over this.”
In terms of construction cost and stability, nothing else compared.
“Is the Far East pipeline Japan proposed starting from the Angarsk oil field?”
“That’s right. A 3,800 km pipeline connecting Angarsk to Nakhodka. There’s nothing you don’t know, is there?”
“If it’s not too small and still closest to East Asia, Angarsk is the only oil field that fits. Construction costs must be astronomical.”
“We estimate around five billion dollars. Transport capacity will be between one million and 1.5 million barrels a day.”
It seemed the Russian government had already done full feasibility analysis.
“And Japan would import all of that. The project seems fully viable.”
“Exactly. That’s why I’m torn.”
China and Japan were both deploying their top leadership to secure energy.
China’s oil consumption was skyrocketing with economic growth, so securing crude supply had become a matter of survival.
Japan, needing to counter China, had to attract the East Asian pipeline even at the cost of bleeding heavily. They likely wanted mining rights via oil field development too.
But Korea was blocked by North Korea and unable to do anything.
“Personally, the Far East pipeline looks like something worth accepting.”
“Really? That’s unexpected. Doesn’t Korea oppose everything Japan does?”
“It’s not bad for me.”
Later, I could build a line connecting the already-constructed pipeline to North Korea.
“But instead of Japan, how about proceeding with me?”
“With Korea?”
I shook my head.
“I’ll proceed exactly according to Japan’s proposal. Not Korea—me.”
“...Putting this all in the hands of one person carries too much risk.”
“Of course I won’t take it all alone. I’m simply asking for the authority to choose which countries and companies participate.”
Since he seemed uncertain, I added:
“Yukos’s oil fields are under my authority, but I have no authority over the others. A lot of the benefit will go to you, Mr. President. I’ll make sure of it. And isn’t it better if fewer people know about something like this?”
A project like this would never come without reward.
“Hm... I’ll think about it.”
He sounded hesitant, but he wouldn’t reject my proposal.
That was most of what needed to be discussed.
“Let’s stop talking about complicated things now.”
“Sounds like you’ve said everything. Hahaha.”
“There’s plenty I want to say, but today isn’t the only day.”
“Good. Let’s talk about other things then.”
He held out a vodka glass. I lifted mine as well and tapped it lightly against his.
The clear clink of the glasses echoed in the room.
I drank with him and talked until sunrise.
I didn’t wake until the afternoon.
“Ugh, my head. I’m dying.”
My head throbbed like it was splitting. Drinking with Russians always ended like this.
I grabbed the water bottle next to me, emptied it in one go, and got out of bed.
Leaving the bedroom, I went downstairs to the first-floor living room.
“You’re awake?”
“Did Kyungyeong -hyung leave?”
Manager Ma, who had been waiting alone in the living room, jumped up.
“Yes. He left an hour ago.”
“Was it six o’clock?”
“That’s what I heard.”
I checked the clock. Just past three.
“It’s about time to get ready.”
“What about food?”
“Well. Didn’t they say there’s a party after the contract?”
“Yes, I confirmed it.”
“Then no need to eat. Just bring me a hangover cure. I’ll wash up.”
“Understood.”
I turned around to go back to the bedroom, then stopped.
“Oh—what about Igor’s side?”
“They arrive tomorrow.”
“Good. Then I’ll wash up.”
I returned to my room and took a shower. The warm water eased things a bit.
“Boss, coming in.”
Manager Ma opened the door.
I tossed the hangover pills he handed me directly into my mouth.
“Let’s head out soon.”
It took about an hour to reach Yukos headquarters. freewebnøvel.com
I got out at the entrance and went straight up to the conference room. When I opened the door, a lot of people were already gathered.
Many reporters with cameras too.
There he is.
Han Kyungyeong was surrounded by people. He saw me first and nodded. I smiled back.
“President Kim Muhyuk.”
I turned my head to see Medvedev standing there.
“Oh, Chief of Staff.”
“Haha. Long time.”
“It’s been a while.”
The moment I took his outstretched hand, he leaned slightly toward me and whispered:
“There’s still time. Let’s talk privately.”
I nodded and followed him. There were about thirty minutes before the event started.
Medvedev guided me into a nearby office.
“Chief Ma. Don’t let anyone in.”
“Yes, sir.”
Manager Ma stood guard beyond the door. It closed behind us.
Inside the office was a small table and chairs.
Medvedev sat first and gestured for me to sit. I sat across from him.
“I heard you visited the Kremlin yesterday.”
“I was there until dawn. My stomach still feels queasy. It was intense, seriously.”
When I shook my head, Medvedev laughed in sympathy.
“Anyway, this morning he told me to assist you in everything you’re doing. He said the details should come from you.”
I nodded.
“I’d like to build a camp near Vladivostok where mercenaries can train in secret.”
“A camp? All of a sudden...”
“For the mercenaries we’ll send to North Korea.”
Medvedev nodded strongly, as if everything made sense.
“So that’s why we received orders to prepare around a hundred Zaslon operatives from SVR.”
“The orders already went out?”
“Yes. They said they’d explain in detail later. Recruitment for the detachment should already be underway.”
“I plan to send one hundred Black Bear mercenaries and one hundred Zaslon operatives—two hundred total—into North Korea.”
“Is Kim Jongil the target?”
“Yes. We intend to help Jang Songthaek seize power.”
“You’re pushing yourself quite hard this time.”
At his worried remark, I only smiled.
“Can you prepare things?”
“Yes. But it’ll take a few days.”
“That’s fine. Gathering the mercenaries and getting them into Russia will take time anyway.”
Medvedev nodded.
“And do you also take command of Zaslon?”
“Probably? They told me to sort out the hierarchy myself. I plan to send Igor as commander.”
“So Igor is going. But Zaslon will be on a completely different level from other units.”
“We’ll have to trust Igor and the mercenaries.”
I was worried too, but I didn’t show it.
“Have you heard about the pipeline between China and Russia?”
“I’ve heard the basics. They said to discuss details with you.”
“I heard negotiations with China are difficult. I plan to coordinate, forming a consortium where Chinese companies handle the Chinese side and Russian companies handle the Russian side.”
Medvedev smiled knowingly.
“And you decide everything?”
“Yes. I want it to proceed quickly. I promised the Chinese government. The center of this contract will be Voivoy.”
“Voivoy? That old fox wants to leave his name behind before he dies.”
As soon as he heard Voivoy’s name, Medvedev understood the entire situation.
“I heard President Hu Jintao visited the Kremlin recently and discussed various matters. Didn’t they announce it as the foundation of Russia–China energy cooperation?”
“That happened, yes.”
“Yukos signed a long-term oil supply contract with China. I’ll be inheriting it. I also need a pipeline going into China.”
“Let’s discuss this later. It’s difficult to give an immediate answer.”
“I understand. But you must do it.”
I spoke with him until time was almost up.
Medvedev nodded throughout. He truly seemed to have been told to support me fully.
“Let’s go. It’s time to sign the contract.”
Returning to the conference room, I saw a banner hanging behind the table. The president of Yugansk and Han Kyungyeong were seated side by side.
I found my seat and sat down. Soon the ceremony began.
This was all just a formality anyway. All negotiations were already done.
The long, dull event finally ended with handshakes.
Reporters fired their shutters nonstop. Many foreign correspondents were present as well.
And that was how Yugansk came completely into my hands.
