Free Web NovelI kept thinking about it. Whether to abandon Yoo Seongjin... or save him.
“It’s been a week. We meet again.”
At the embassy I had returned to, the Chinese ambassador smiled when she saw me.
I returned the smile outwardly, but inside I barely suppressed the murderous intent boiling up within me.
“Please connect me.”
“Yes. Of course.”
She picked up the phone and contacted someone.
Once the call connected, she handed me the receiver and left the room.
― Hoho. I didn’t expect you to use up the entire week. So then, have you made your decision?
Without even exchanging greetings, Jiang Zemin went straight to the point.
The moment I heard that relaxed voice, it felt like the top of my head was about to explode.
“......Yes. Chairman. I’ve made my decision.”
― Oh! Then will you come to Beijing? I recently received a fine bottle of liquor as a gift. Why don’t we have a drink together and talk about the future?
Jiang Zemin spoke down to me, as if it had never even crossed his mind that I might reject his offer.
“No. The day I sit across from you and drink together will never come.”
For the past week, I had thought about it endlessly.
I told Han Kyungyeong about it, and even asked Eva for her opinion while she was on vacation.
Han Kyungyeong said I should follow my heart.
Eva said she would support whatever decision I made.
In the end, I decided to abandon Yoo Seongjin.
The reason I had been pushed this far was because I had tried to use both sides without fully siding with either.
Whether it was Hu Jintao, Jiang Zemin, or someone else entirely—I should have chosen.
If I had taken someone’s hand and pushed them forward from the beginning, this situation would never have happened.
If I had made them feel we shared the same fate, they would have protected me when something like this occurred.
In the end, everything was my fault.
― What do you mean by that? It sounds like you’re rejecting my proposal.
Jiang Zemin’s voice lowered.
“That’s right. I will not accept your proposal. And I intend to do whatever it takes to bring you down.”
Although I decided to abandon Yoo Seongjin, that didn’t mean I was giving up on him completely.
Even if he was sentenced to death, I could still save him before the execution.
“There are many things I could tolerate and compromise on. But touching my people? Chairman, you made a serious mistake.”
― So the rumors about you valuing your subordinates weren’t true after all.
“It’s because I value them that I’m doing this. Your hunting dogs must have already told you—Chairman Yoo Seongjin said I should abandon him. So I decided to do just that. But instead, I plan to make the people who pushed him to that point pay the price.”
Simply rejecting Jiang Zemin’s proposal was not enough.
From this moment on, Jiang Zemin was my enemy.
And today was the day I declared war on him.
“Look forward to it. To how far I can go. Whatever you imagine... you’ll experience something far beyond that.”
― ...You’re more insane than I thought. Just a vulgar businessman who plays with money! And you dare threaten me?!
“You’re the one who made me like this, Chairman. Or would you release Chairman Yoo Seongjin right now?”
― Ha...
Jiang Zemin sighed as if dumbfounded and continued.
― President Kim. How lightly must you think of me to behave like this? I extended my hand to you.
“And you’re not threatening me by wagering my subordinate’s life? Enough. I don’t wish to continue this conversation.”
A conversation should be between people.
Not with trash like this.
― If you hang up now, you’ll never be able to do business in China again.
“Do as you please. And if you’re counting on Europe, you’ll regret that decision even more. Something interesting will happen today. And it’s all thanks to Chairman Jiang Zemin. Goodbye.”
Last time, Jiang Zemin had hung up first.
But this time, I hung up first.
I didn’t leave immediately.
Instead, I waited for the Chinese ambassador.
Soon, she came in, her face pale.
“W-What on earth have you done?!”
Unlike before, there wasn’t the slightest hint of a smile on her face.
I stood and walked toward her.
“What have I done? Did you think I would beg like a dog caught in the rain?”
“What are you talking about? He was trying to help President Kim’s business—”
Running your mouth because you have a hole for one.
I frowned and cut her off.
“Do you really know nothing? Or are you pretending not to?”
“What do you mean...?”
Judging by her reaction, she really seemed to know nothing.
She was nothing more than a disposable pawn used to contact me. freewebnσvel.cøm
“Ha... so that’s it. Discarding the hunting dog after the hunt. Well, if you don’t know, it’s better that you keep not knowing. But ignorance doesn’t mean you’ll be forgiven for everything. I haven’t forgotten the rudeness you showed me. Look forward to what happens next. You’ve heard the rumors about what kind of person I am, haven’t you?”
“......”
At my indifferent words, the ambassador’s already pale face turned even whiter.
“Make sure you keep your ambassador position for a long time. Otherwise...”
I deliberately left the sentence unfinished.
But as if she could guess the rest, the ambassador collapsed onto the floor.
I looked down at her with cold eyes, then walked past and left the embassy.
* * *
At the same time Kim Muhyuk declared war on Jiang Zemin.
Jang Songthaek halted the Sinuiju development project that had been entrusted to China.
“Chairman! What is the meaning of this?!”
As soon as the Sinuiju project was halted, the Chinese ambassador in Pyongyang rushed to meet Jang Songthaek.
“What do you mean what? Isn’t this what you wanted? China was the one who broke faith with our Republic first.”
“That’s a misunderstanding. What exactly—”
The ambassador tried to explain, but Jang Songthaek cut him off and raised his voice.
“A misunderstanding? Did you just call this a misunderstanding? Didn’t you try to pressure our Republic using the aid you promised us as leverage?”
“That is—”
“Ambassador, you know me better than anyone. I was considered pro-China, even before I took power. Yet your country behaved worse than Russia, worse even than South Korea and Japan, who have long opposed us. Why should our Republic continue tolerating that?”
The ambassador’s eyes darted around awkwardly under Jang Songthaek’s sharp words.
“There has been a misunderstanding. It’s not that we intended to stop the aid. We only wanted to adjust the schedule slightly—”
“Those few days could have meant our people starving to death. Or freezing to death. Because of just a few days.”
“That is an excessive interpretation. China and your Republic are blood allies, are we not?”
Jang Songthaek snorted mockingly.
“Blood allies! Blood allies, you say. It seems the meaning of that phrase is very different for you than it is for me.”
The Chinese ambassador fell silent.
In truth, he himself had opposed this decision.
But the central government had ultimately decided to pressure North Korea, and he had repeatedly asked Jang Songthaek for understanding.
“Japan and Russia have already agreed to provide even more support than China offered. We will hand the Sinuiju development over to Japan.”
“That makes no sense—”
“Why does it make no sense? Whoever develops it doesn’t matter, as long as the development proceeds quickly.”
“If that happens, we will not be able to remain idle.”
Jang Songthaek raised one eyebrow and leaned toward the ambassador.
The normally gentle man now looked thoroughly displeased.
“So you cannot remain idle. Are you threatening me?”
“A small country defying a great power is unacceptable. I am speaking for your sake, Chairman—”
“That’s enough.”
Jang Songthaek had decided to abandon any expectations of China.
The courtesy he had been maintaining vanished entirely as he stared coldly at the ambassador.
Then he spoke in a flat, icy voice.
“Leave. I no longer wish to speak with you. I would rather not stain the friendship we have built any further.”
“......”
“A small country... I did not realize that was how you viewed our Republic.”
“The Premier will be deeply disappointed.”
The ambassador tried to hide behind the Premier’s authority.
Jang Songthaek chuckled.
“I haven’t been able to reach Premier Wen Jiabao. Whether he is avoiding me deliberately or simply unable to respond, I cannot say.”
“......”
“When the situation becomes unfavorable, you fall silent. That seems to be your habit. Please leave.”
“Chairman.”
Just then, someone knocked on the office door.
“The Russian ambassador has arrived.”
The Chinese ambassador’s face flushed red.
To be told that the Russian ambassador had arrived while he was still present—this was blatant humiliation.
“I have another appointment now. Would you mind leaving?”
The humiliated ambassador stood up, biting his lip.
“Think carefully. If this continues, relations with my country will become irreversible. The Chairman will—”
“Is that President Hu Jintao’s position? Or former President Jiang Zemin’s position? Did I guess wrong? I believed you were President Hu’s man.”
At the mention of Jiang Zemin’s name, the ambassador inhaled sharply.
“There’s no way President Hu Jintao ordered our Republic to be treated like this. I’m not blind or deaf. If China ever extends its hand again, I am willing to grasp it. Tell President Hu that.”
“......”
“You may go now. It would be a diplomatic discourtesy to keep the Russian ambassador waiting.”
Jang Songthaek’s tone had returned to its usual gentleness.
But somehow, it felt like an even higher wall had been erected.
The Chinese ambassador clenched his lips until they bled and spoke through his teeth.
“...I will visit again. Please reconsider.”
After bowing, the Chinese ambassador left.
Soon afterward, the Russian ambassador entered.
Unlike before, Jang Songthaek welcomed him warmly.
“Welcome, Ambassador Sergei.”
“Haha. I appreciate such a warm reception.”
After shaking hands and exchanging an embrace, the two men sat down.
“I saw the Chinese ambassador leaving just now. Did he come because of this matter?”
Jang Songthaek nodded and frowned.
“He tried to threaten me, saying a small country should not defy a great power.”
“Hmm. For him to commit such discourtesy... the Chinese ambassador must be quite desperate.”
“There is also much dissatisfaction internally regarding this decision.”
Sergei nodded in agreement.
“That is only natural. You have depended heavily on China for a long time. But diplomacy where one side is dragged along is never good.”
“That’s true. If ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) we were as strong as your country, they would not treat us like this.”
Jang Songthaek sighed.
Only now did he understand Kim Jongil’s efforts to keep some distance from China despite receiving its aid.
“So please help us greatly, Ambassador Sergei.”
“My country has always been the Chairman’s friend. We will never betray you.”
“Thank you. Speaking with you has lifted my mood somewhat. I have some excellent black tea—would you care for a cup? I’ll prepare it myself.”
“Oh! I look forward to it.”
Jang Songthaek stood and began preparing the tea himself.
Watching him, Sergei thought quietly to himself.
Kim Jongil was definitely different from this man.
Kim Jongil would never have done such a thing personally.
“Please.”
Jang Songthaek handed him the tea with a smile and sat down.
“Has Moscow contacted you?”
“Yes. The promised support will begin arriving sequentially starting tomorrow.”
Jang Songthaek’s face brightened noticeably.
“Thank you. I will never forget Russia’s help.”
“There’s nothing to thank me for. It is simply an agreement between our countries.”
Jang Songthaek spent a long time speaking with the Russian ambassador.
* * *
North Korea’s sudden suspension of the Sinuiju development project became major news in South Korea.
It sparked widespread debate, with some even speculating that economic cooperation with South Korea might also be canceled.
“Boss. Everything is ready.”
“Is that so?”
I set the newspaper down and looked at Chief Ma.
“Just give the order and the operation will begin immediately.”
“It must look like an accident. Under no circumstances can it be traced back to us.”
“Yes. We’ll stage it as a hit-and-run and escape along the prearranged route.”
This was a warning to Jiang Zemin.
I planned to kill the son of the Chinese ambassador who had shown me such disrespect... and make it look like an accident.
