Genius Grandson Of The Loan Shark King

Wen Jiabao drew in a shallow breath but said nothing.

Silence hung over the line. I opened my mouth and shattered it.

“Isn’t sworn brothers practically the same as being brothers?”

— President Kim Muhyuk.

Wen Jiabao tried to speak, but I cut him off without hesitation.

“If that isn’t the case, then I’ll treat it that way as well.”

It wasn’t a suggestion. It was a notice.

If he refused to treat me as a brother, then I would do the same.

When dealing with China, losing the thread called Wen Jiabao would certainly complicate my future plans. He and Hu Jintao were running mates. The two of them would lead China for at least the next eight years.

That was why I built personal ties with Wen Jiabao. I had supported him financially and politically in more ways than one.

But I would not stand by and allow them to treat me like a chess piece because of it.

— Are you saying you’re cutting ties with me, President Kim Muhyuk?

“Let’s speak accurately. It wasn’t me who cut the tie. It was you, Premier.”

His tone turned cold, but mine sharpened even further.

Wen Jiabao paused before speaking again.

— President Kim Muhyuk, you are a businessman, aren’t you? Why involve yourself and take losses in something that does not require your intervention? Matters between the Korean government and the Chinese government should be resolved between governments. If this were an issue directly tied to your personal safety, I would help you by any means necessary. Because we are sworn brothers. But this matter is different, is it not?

“It is true that it started because of me. I never expected ethnic Koreans from China to enter Seoul and do what they did, but the chain of events began with my plan. As a result, the Chinese government began pressuring the Korean government. And if I do not mediate, that pressure will only escalate.”

Wen Jiabao responded, sounding puzzled.

— As far as I know, this arose from internal strife within Heaven’s Church.

“I induced that strife. The situation happened because Han Hyunsoo returned to Korea alive. If Han Hyunsoo had died, there would have been no bloodshed in Seoul.”

— Han Hyunsoo? Who is that? You’re saying this crisis erupted over someone I don’t even know?

“He is the second leader of Heaven’s Church. Han Hyunjin and Han Hyunwoo brought in the ethnic Koreans from China. They’re Han Hyunsoo’s older brothers. And the ones who blocked them were gangsters hired by Han Hyunsoo.”

Wen Jiabao said nothing, quietly listening.

From his reaction, it seemed he had only been briefed superficially.

Understandable. Even for China or Korea, the full details would not be easy to grasp.

The ethnic Koreans might have testified that they were on their way to kill Han Hyunsoo, but even they likely did not know that Han Hyunjin had ordered it. Kim Minwoo would have coordinated and gathered them in the middle.

“I didn’t intend for things to spiral like this, but they did. Morally speaking, I should be the one to clean it up.”

The small stone I threw had created massive ripples.

In my previous life, this never happened. Han Sungjin was never arrested. After his death, Heaven’s Church fractured quietly without major incident.

But after I intervened, the church that fell into Han Hyunsoo’s hands never knew a moment of peace. freewebnovёl.ƈom

— I understand your position. However, this is not something I can stop even if I step in.

“I understand. If Jiang Zemin is moving behind the scenes, it would be difficult for you to block it. But speaking as if this were someone else’s problem—that crossed the line. We’re sworn brothers, aren’t we?”

What I was doing now was essentially gambling.

I was turning the pressure Wen Jiabao tried to apply on me back against him.

But with the ethnic Koreans already inside Korea, this was the only way.

Chunha Group could manage the bloodshed.

But if President Yoon Changho suffered serious damage because of this, then I would bear responsibility.

— That... I apologize.

In the end, Wen Jiabao apologized.

“If we were merely business partners, I wouldn’t feel slighted. But when you were in danger, I helped you without regard for means or methods. That is why you are sitting where you are now. If I had not intervened, would President Hu Jintao have saved you? What you just said was drawing a line between us.”

When Wen Jiabao had been detained under Jiang Zemin’s pressure, I met Hu Jintao and revealed corruption within the Shanghai Clique.

As a result of political compromise, Wen Jiabao was released and later able to assume the premiership.

That was why I could press him like this.

— You’re right... you are correct. I made a serious mistake. I sincerely apologize once more.

A Chinese man—and not just any Chinese man, but the third-ranked official in the Chinese Communist Party—was apologizing politely.

Chinese officials rarely apologized. The fact that he did meant he valued our relationship.

Pushing further would be foolish.

“I will accept the apology.”

The battle of wills finally ended, and we returned to the main issue.

“If Luo Gan is moving, then this isn’t something you can stop. It must have been decided by the Standing Committee.”

— That is correct.

“How are they planning to apply pressure?”

— First, they will likely attempt to repatriate our people back to China. After that...

Perhaps my warning had worked. Wen Jiabao began releasing high-level information.

— That is the likely course. Only Luo Gan would know the detailed plan. President Hu Jintao has granted him full authority.

“Does Hu Jintao think the same way?”

If Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao were aligned, there would be no stopping this.

Not Wen Jiabao. Not even Wen Jiabao’s grandfather could stop it.

Well, perhaps if Deng Xiaoping rose from the grave.

— No. President Hu Jintao simply does not wish to bear political burden. He chose not to restrain their actions. I already reported that this appears to be connected to you, President Kim Muhyuk.

I see.

I could sense Hu Jintao’s thinking.

“So all I need to do is stop Luo Gan?”

— I do not know how deeply Jiang Zemin is involved, but likely not extensively. Luo Gan is leading the operation. If he is blocked, it should prevent major escalation.

“How did Luo Gan become so close to Jiang Zemin?”

— Originally, he belonged to Li Feng's camp. But when Li Feng lost the power struggle and Jiang Zemin consolidated control, he shifted sides. He is not from the Shanghai Clique, but he is pro-Jiang.

Li Feng's face came to mind.

Once closer to power than Jiang Zemin, only to fall from Deng Xiaoping’s favor and be pushed aside.

— Even so, he was loyal. He remained with Li Feng's faction until the very end of Li Feng's tenure. Only afterward did he become Jiang Zemin’s dog.

“Does he have any weaknesses?”

— He is Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission. He oversees the judiciary and public security apparatus. He is lowest in ranking among Standing Committee members, but his authority is significant. Digging into him would be burdensome even for us.

“Isn’t the Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission Hu Jintao’s man?”

— Even so, it would be difficult. If we strike Luo Gan, we would bleed heavily. He holds many of our weaknesses as well. We cannot move directly.

Even though Hu Jintao controlled the Discipline Inspection Commission—the body most feared by high-ranking officials—it was not as simple as arresting the Secretary of Political and Legal Affairs.

If the Discipline Commission moved, the Political and Legal Commission would retaliate.

If they aimed guns at each other, victory would not be victory.

That was why Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao refrained from pointing barrels at one another.

A monster would appear ten years later who ignored such lines.

But for now, Chinese politics still observed boundaries.

“So President Hu Jintao wants me to move first and attack for him.”

— ......

Wen Jiabao neither confirmed nor denied.

“President Hu Jintao is quite an interesting man.”

— ......

He remained silent.

There was nothing more he could offer.

“I understand the situation. Even so, please exert some effort. I will try contacting Luo Gan’s side separately, but if you move as well, perhaps the pressure level will decrease somewhat.”

— I will try.

A conventional answer. I could not demand what he could not do.

“I’ll be in touch again.”

— Very well.

The long call ended.

I handed the phone to Manager Ma and frowned.

“This is why it’s hard to like China. The difference between what’s shown on the outside and what lies beneath.”

Manager Ma took the phone.

“Didn’t go well, Boss?”

“Jiang Zemin’s side is moving. Hu Jintao doesn’t want to bear political risk—might even agree with it. Wen Jiabao... doesn’t seem capable of much.”

I considered mobilizing the Princelings, but compared to the Shanghai Clique and the Youth League faction, their influence was limited.

And the real elders with actual power would almost certainly support pressuring Korea.

“Korea is the victim, yet China protests as if it’s the one harmed...”

“That’s China’s true nature, isn’t it, Boss?”

Frustration simmered, but I couldn’t withdraw all business from China over emotion.

Knowing full well that China’s economy would soon chase the United States, refusing to invest would be stupidity.

“I feel sorry toward President Yoon Changho.”

Domestic backlash could be managed with a public address.

But if China escalated like this, it would be a headache.

“Times like this, the Kremlin looks like an angel.”

When I was in danger in Japan, Russia sent troops without hesitation.

It could have escalated into war. Reckless.

But the master of the Kremlin granted my request.

“First, we need detailed intelligence on Luo Gan.”

“I’ll contact Black Bear.”

“Have them send over everything we ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) already have. Then dig deeper. Family. Weaknesses. Everything.”

“Yes, Boss.”

After Manager Ma left, I sat alone.

The situation had grown too large.

Korea, China, Japan—three Northeast Asian powers entangled in this mess.

“Did it really have to grow this big?”

A hollow laugh escaped me.

Letting go was not an option.

I organized my thoughts and stood.

* * *

I remained in constant contact with Lee Myungsoo, checking domestic conditions and the intensity of China’s pressure.

Once facts were verified, President Yoon Changho addressed the nation.

He promised a thorough investigation and vowed to bring all responsible parties to justice. He also declared his intent to investigate Heaven’s Church.

The church’s followers reacted violently, but no one defended them.

The media, almost as if coordinated, began publishing articles exposing Heaven’s Church.

Domestically, the situation was manageable.

But China’s pressure increased daily.

The Chinese government demanded that all ethnic Koreans be handed over to China. A government spokesperson openly criticized Korea before the press.

Han Hyunsoo contacted us on the day Heaven’s Church faced a search and seizure.

He reached out through the mercenary captain to Manager Ma.

— Please save me.

I let out a faint laugh.

“Just endure it. It’s grown too large.”

— Heaven’s Church will collapse at this rate.

“Perhaps it’s not a bad time for rebirth.”

— President Kim Muhyuk...

When the state decided to tear something apart, even a religious organization would not survive intact.

And President Yoon was determined to shift domestic opinion.

Investigating Heaven’s Church—the root of the bloodshed—was inevitable.

— People will die. Most of the cleanup is already done. But...

“As long as it doesn’t touch you, that’s enough?”

— Yes. That’s correct.

“Then accept some sacrifice. I’ll exert some pressure.”

— Thank you. Thank you.

His voice was pathetically servile.

“Comply with the search. After that, I’ll handle it. Do not resist. Don’t mobilize followers to block it.”

— ...Understood.

After ending the call, I dialed a familiar number.

— Hey, Muhyuk.

“Hyunwoo. You’re handling the Heaven’s Church case this time, right?”

— What? How do you know that? No... wait. You’re the one who passed it to me, aren’t you?

I had ensured that Oh Hyunwoo would be assigned the Heaven’s Church case.