Free Web NovelThe military alliance card that Medvedev brought up was completely unexpected.
It was something he had never mentioned even once during our previous conversations.
I believed that simply building a naval base in Rason would be sufficient, and that was exactly what I had proposed.
But Russia had gone a step further and brought up the military alliance treaty that had once been abolished.
“Chairman. The benefits gained from a military alliance may seem very large right now.”
Jang Songtaek nodded in agreement.
Looking straight at him, I spoke firmly again.
“But in the long run, it will never be a good choice. Not for North Korea—and not for Russia either.”
Hearing my confident words, Jang Songtaek tilted his head slightly.
“Why are you so certain?”
“Because unless national power is equal, North Korea will inevitably end up being dragged around by Russia. You can see that clearly just by looking at China’s behavior.”
When Jang Songtaek carried out his coup, the greatest concern had been that China might intervene using the Sino–North Korean treaty.
Not only that—China had continuously shaken the North Korean regime under the pretext of aid.
There had even been a humiliating moment when Kim Jongil had gone to China and effectively bowed his head.
“I agree with breaking the treaty with China. But forming a new military alliance with Russia is absolutely not a good choice.”
At that moment, Medvedev, who had been listening quietly, spoke.
“That’s unexpected, President Kim Muhyuk. I thought you would welcome it. I must say I’m a little disappointed.”
Disappointed.
Knowing that he had carefully chosen his words, I gave a small smile.
“Please don’t misunderstand. I am a friend of Russia. I’m saying this precisely because it would not be a good choice for Russia either. A military alliance with North Korea would strongly provoke the United States.”
“That may be true, but...”
“The best option is to station the Pacific Fleet in Rason. A military alliance is still too early.”
If North Korea formed an alliance with Russia, there was a high chance its economic plans would immediately be constrained.
North Korea’s development was only possible under the tacit approval of the United States.
America would never quietly watch an enemy state grow stronger.
And in the future, if Russia were to act recklessly, North Korea could easily become trapped by the shackles of an alliance and suffer sanctions as well.
“I agree with President Kim Muhyuk to some extent. Very well. Let us discuss the alliance between Russia and our republic further before making a final decision.”
At Jang Songtaek’s words, Medvedev showed a hint of disappointment.
“Then will you permit the construction of a Pacific Fleet base in Rason?”
Jang Songtaek looked toward me.
I gave a small nod.
Russia could never abandon the chance to build a naval base in Rason, an ice-free port.
And from North Korea’s perspective, it was becoming difficult to continue refusing it.
If the construction of the naval base were announced as a response to Chinese provocation, it would be possible to suppress both domestic dissatisfaction and international criticism.
“In return, once the lease period ends, the naval base must be transferred to our republic free of charge. And the development of Rajin Port and Seonbong Port must also be completed quickly.”
“You need not worry about that. Within a few years we will turn it into the finest port.”
Although it was only a verbal promise, Medvedev seemed satisfied with that alone.
He likely believed there was no need to continue pressing the military alliance issue and provoke resistance.
‘Well, they are finally obtaining the ice-free port they have long desired.’
Russia had several ports in Primorsky Krai, but none were completely ice-free.
Medvedev then turned to me.
“If we bring in the construction companies of South Korea, who have mastered large-scale port construction, the timeline could be shortened. Do you have any company you would recommend, President Kim Muhyuk?”
This was an unexpected gift.
Winning the contract for port development would naturally bring enormous profit.
Without hesitation, I answered immediately.
“Then I would recommend Daehyeon Construction.”
“Very good. I will report it to the president that way. He will be pleased. Though I must admit, I expected you to recommend Joongwoo Construction, not Daehyeon Construction.”
Rason was a strategically vital location.
As long as the Russian navy was stationed there, China could not attempt any provocation.
Because of that, the base needed to be established as quickly as possible.
But Joongwoo already had too many responsibilities.
“Joongwoo Construction needs to focus entirely on the development of Nampo City right now, which is why I recommended Daehyeon Construction.”
“Focus entirely, you say. So it’s only a matter of time.”
Medvedev nodded slightly, clearly understanding the meaning hidden in my explanation.
I nodded as well and continued.
“Yes, exactly. It would also be best to announce the construction of the Russian naval base in Rason as quickly as possible.”
The moment the agreement between North Korea and Russia was announced, China would have no choice but to react violently.
They were already displeased that the development of Rason had fallen into Russian hands.
Announcing the construction of a naval base there would be impossible for them to accept.
“If the Sinuiju development stops and the construction of a Russian naval base in Rason is announced, the hardliners will take a major blow.”
Medvedev responded to my words.
“If China protests, we could use that as an excuse to halt the gas pipeline and oil pipeline projects currently under construction.”
“That’s not the only card. The northeastern provinces of China—Jilin and Heilongjiang—depend entirely on the ports in Rason. They cannot easily sever relations with Russia.”
Northeast China had no major ports.
Jilin and Heilongjiang together had a population of more than 50 million people.
For them, Rason was like a lifeline.
Cutting off access to Rason would be equivalent to squeezing their throats.
China would feel enormous pressure.
Medvedev turned to Jang Songtaek.
“Chairman, even if we do not form a military alliance, if China crosses the border into North Korea and your government requests assistance from Russia, we will do everything we can to help.”
“Thank you for your goodwill.”
North Korea could not refuse such an offer.
To ease the pressure on Jang Songtaek, I also added a few words.
“This looks good. I will also help in any way I can.”
The conversation continued for a long time in a warm atmosphere.
* * *
As soon as the announcement was made that Russia and North Korea had agreed to build a Russian naval base in Rason, China immediately erupted in protest.
“What?! That madman Jang Songtaek... Is he trying to pick a fight with us?!”
Jiang Zemin grabbed the ashtray on the table and hurled it at the television broadcasting the breaking news.
The heavy ashtray smashed the screen.
“Contact the military and ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) tell them to cross the border! Tell them to seize Rason immediately!”
As Jiang Zemin shouted, everyone around him lowered their heads.
“That bastard Jang Songtaek! If he can’t crawl like Kim Jongil, how dare he bare his teeth at us? Bring me that bastard’s head immediately!”
“Chairman, please calm down. If we move the military now, we may end up at war with Russia. That was never our plan.”
Wu Bangguo hurriedly tried to calm him.
Jiang Zemin glared at him.
“Then what do you suggest we do? Just sit and watch them build a naval base there? Do you have any idea how important Rason is?”
Of course Wu Bangguo knew very well how important it was.
“No matter how important the region is, President Hu Jintao already agreed to concede the development of Rason in exchange for Sinuiju. We have no justification to block it now.”
China had originally agreed to Russia leasing Rason for 50 years in exchange for leasing Sinuiju.
But Jang Songtaek had unilaterally halted the Sinuiju development.
“Where is Hu Jintao? Have you still not found him? Luo Gan, have you still not found him?”
At Jiang Zemin’s shout, Luo Gan lowered his head even further.
“I’m sorry. We still haven’t confirmed his location. But we know he is alive...”
“Nothing is going according to plan. I don’t even know where things started going wrong.”
Only bad news kept coming.
Jiang Zemin pressed his temples and sighed.
After calming down somewhat, he looked around the room with narrowed eyes.
“If Hu Jintao returns to Beijing, everything we’ve done will come back to us like a boomerang. Does anyone here have a solution? Anyone speak. We can’t just sit here and take it.”
The people gathered there were all core figures of power.
Six of the nine members of the Politburo Standing Committee were present.
Along with them were other Shanghai faction members of the Politburo.
“What if we prevent him from returning altogether?”
Wu Bangguo’s suggestion made Jiang Zemin frown.
“Wu Bangguo. Do you think that’s possible? If we go any further, we won’t survive either. Do you understand what that means?”
“But if Hu Jintao returns, he will strike back. I’ve already heard that the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection has started moving.”
“...Even so, we can’t go any further.”
The Central Discipline Commission was China’s highest anti-corruption investigative body.
And it was completely controlled by Hu Jintao’s Communist Youth League faction.
Jiang Zemin turned toward Luo Gan.
“Luo Gan. What about finding Hu Jintao’s weakness?”
“I’m sorry. Yoo Seongjin refuses to talk. We tried to arrest Hao Xun and raided his base, but he had already escaped.”
Although Jiang Zemin had handed the Discipline Commission to Hu Jintao, he had secured control of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, which oversaw the police and state security.
He had even forced the Standing Committee to expand from seven members to nine, inserting Luo Gan into the final seat.
“So there’s no way to trap him?”
“...There’s no evidence. We have strong suspicion, but without proof linking Hao Xun to Hu Jintao, we cannot strike.”
“Nothing is going our way.”
After the SARS crisis weakened the Shanghai faction’s power, they had formed a plan.
Assassinate Hu Jintao.
Then have Wu Bangguo, the second-ranked leader, take his place.
But just before the plan was executed, another idea emerged.
When Yoo Seongjin entered China, they would arrest him and force him to reveal the connection between Hao Xun and Hu Jintao.
Instead of killing Hu Jintao, they would put a leash on him and turn him into a puppet.
Jiang Zemin liked that idea.
It would not only control Hu Jintao but also force President Kim Muhyuk, who had always stood proudly before him, to kneel.
‘But everything failed.’ ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
Kim Muhyuk refused the proposal.
And Yoo Seongjin remained silent.
In the end, they returned to the original plan—assassinate Hu Jintao and move the military to force North Korea’s surrender.
“The plan to capture Hu Jintao and Kim Muhyuk using Yoo Seongjin failed. The backup plan to kill Hu Jintao also failed.”
Jiang Zemin looked around the room.
“We are going to lose a great deal.”
His voice had become cold.
Hu Jintao’s rise would inevitably mean the decline of the Shanghai faction.
“If you want to keep your heads, bring me solutions. None of us knows how far Hu Jintao’s blade will reach.”
At this rate, within a few years all power would pass to Hu Jintao.
Jiang Zemin could not simply watch that happen.
“Everyone leave. Only the Vice President will remain.”
At Jiang Zemin’s order, everyone quickly left.
Only Zeng Qinghong remained.
Zeng Qinghong was like Jiang Zemin’s strategist, a figure similar to Zhang Liang in ancient history.
He had influence in both the Shanghai faction and the Princeling faction, and many even called him Jiang Zemin’s successor.
That was why Jiang Zemin always discussed important matters with him.
“What do you think we should do?”
“I think we need to negotiate with Hu Jintao and give up some things.”
“What would we have to give for Hu Jintao to accept?”
“What if the Shanghai faction agrees to give up the next successor position? That’s probably Hu Jintao’s greatest concern.”
Jiang Zemin raised his voice.
“What?! What nonsense is that! It’s our turn next. Why should we give it up?!”
“Otherwise we may lose everything. This time you went too far.”
Zeng Qinghong had opposed Hu Jintao’s assassination from the beginning.
But Jiang Zemin shook his head.
“It’s already done. That’s impossible. Next, Chen Liangyu must take the position.”
“Then we should ask Kim Muhyuk to mediate. Right now in Pyongyang there are Medvedev, Jang Songtaek, and Kim Muhyuk—all three together. Do you think that’s a coincidence?”
“If it’s not a coincidence, then what is it?”
“Most likely, Kim Muhyuk is behind this entire situation.”
“Ridiculous!”
Jiang Zemin slammed the table.
The words he didn’t want to hear had come from his closest ally.
“A mere businessman moving both North Korea and Russia?”
“You may not want to admit it, but it’s the truth.”
Unlike Jiang Zemin, Zeng Qinghong acknowledged Kim Muhyuk’s ability.
With a serious expression, he continued.
“If I were him, I would use Russia to halt the gas and oil pipeline projects. That would be the most devastating weapon against us.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than the door opened.
Jiang Zemin’s secretary rushed in.
His face was pale.
“Chairman... Russia has just informed us that they are suspending construction of the gas pipeline and oil pipeline.”
