Free Web NovelThe spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately issued a statement opposing the announcement that a Russian naval base would be built in North Korea.
The remarks, delivered publicly from the mouth of the spokesperson known as the Chinese government’s blunt instrument, were steeped in rudeness and arrogance.
Russia did not back down in the face of China’s discourteous statement and fired back.
They declared that the construction of the gas pipeline connecting China and Russia would be temporarily halted and reviewed.
“How did they know in advance?”
After hearing the urgent report from his secretary, Jiang Zemin snapped his head toward Zeng Qinghong so sharply it almost made a swishing sound.
Under the ordinary-looking gaze, Zeng Qinghong merely shrugged.
“Didn’t I say so? If it were me, that’s exactly what I would have done. The China–Russia gas pipeline project wasn’t an achievement credited to President Hu Jintao, was it? It was announced under your name, Chairman. The moment it gets scrapped, the responsibility falls on you.”
Jiang Zemin’s face stiffened at Zeng Qinghong’s words.
Seeing his reaction, Zeng Qinghong continued calmly.
“It was unreasonable from the start. We could have simply left President Hu Jintao alone. The influence of the Shanghai faction has diminished somewhat, but even so, with more than half of the Politburo Standing Committee filled with our people, Hu Jintao’s room to maneuver was limited.”
The assassination attempt on Hu Jintao had instead handed him the perfect justification for a sweeping purge.
“It might have been different if it had succeeded. But since it failed, President Hu Jintao now holds the initiative. Even the elders who supported you are starting to read the room, aren’t they?”
Jiang Zemin’s power base was the Shanghai faction, but now that he had stepped down from all official posts, he could not check Hu Jintao without the support of the party elders.
“If the elders turn their backs as well, then there will be no future left for you.”
Zeng Qinghong spoke bluntly to Jiang Zemin without hesitation.
Jiang Zemin narrowed his eyes as he looked at him.
“So you’re telling me to ask Kim Muhyuk to mediate in the end?”
“That’s one option. Bo Xilai told me something about that man. Once he turns his back, he never looks back again. If you want reconciliation and his mediation, you’ll have to give up quite a lot.”
Jiang Zemin recalled the last phone call he had with Kim Muhyuk.
‘I intend to do whatever it takes to bring you down.’
At the time, he had dismissed the remark as mere bravado.
But looking at how things had unfolded since then, it clearly wasn’t.
The situation now was truly the worst possible.
Hu Jintao had survived, and the plan to pressure North Korea into surrender had collapsed due to Russia’s intervention.
On top of that, relations with Russia might also deteriorate.
“It’s all because of that bastard Jang Songthaek. If that bastard had come crawling to me and begged like Kim Jongil did, things wouldn’t have become this tangled.”
Jiang Zemin ground his teeth.
Back when he was in power, he had pressured Kim Jongil to repay war compensation for China’s support of North Korea during the Korean War, using it as leverage to prevent North Korea from approaching Taiwan.
Kim Jongil had responded by threatening to sell missiles to Taiwan to pay the compensation.
After that, China ordered its ambassador to prepare for withdrawal.
Relations between the two countries rapidly cooled, and in the end Kim Jongil unofficially visited Beijing and personally apologized to Jiang Zemin.
Jiang Zemin had expected Jang Songthaek to kneel before him the same way.
But things had not gone as planned.
“I’ll contact President Kim Muhyuk. Chairman, you should prepare another plan.”
“Another plan? What plan are you talking about?”
“What about overturning the North Korean regime? We restore Kim Jongil to power.”
“...Wasn’t that operation scrapped?”
When Jang Songthaek removed Kim Jongil and seized power, there had once been talk in China about restoring Kim Jongil.
But that operation had been abandoned when the United States and Russia recognized Jang Songthaek’s regime.
“Even so, there are still many people in North Korea who long for Kim Jongil and the Baekdu bloodline. If we use them, it might succeed. If Kim Jongil is too difficult, we could also use Kim Jongnam, whom we are currently protecting.”
Jiang Zemin fell into deep thought at Zeng Qinghong’s suggestion.
Not bad. If we restore Kim Jongil, he will be loyal to us.
Having reached his decision, he nodded.
“Fine. I’ll quietly look into that plan. Vice Chairman, contact Kim Muhyuk immediately.”
“I’ll do that.”
Zeng Qinghong stood up, bowed slightly, and turned away.
After stepping outside and closing the door behind him, he rubbed his chin in thought.
Jiang Zemin has grown quite old. His judgment is far too slow now.
Zeng Qinghong was regarded as the elder brother figure of the princelings.
The princeling faction did not have enough power to seize authority on its own.
That was why they had joined hands with the Shanghai faction and grown their influence while acting as Jiang Zemin’s strategist.
And his long-held ambition was to ensure that after Hu Jintao, the princelings would seize power.
I’ll have to move differently as well.
But any move would have to wait until Hu Jintao returned.
Once Hu Jintao came back, he would observe the political winds and decide his next course of action.
With that thought, he left.
* * *
Several days passed.
Just as I had planned, the suspension of the China–Russia gas pipeline project rapidly cooled relations between the two countries.
To discuss countermeasures, Medvedev moved up his schedule and hurried back to Moscow.
As for me, I remained in Pyongyang, spending time touring Nampo City and the Kaesong Industrial Complex.
“President Kim. I’ve received a message saying Vice Chairman Zeng Qinghong would like to meet you.”
The remark came during dinner with Jang Songthaek.
“Zeng Qinghong? Isn’t he Jiang Zemin’s right-hand man?”
Jang Songthaek nodded and brought his wine glass to his lips.
“He’s also the man who turned the princelings into a unified faction. Quite skilled at walking the tightrope.”
“Why would someone like him want to meet me?”
“He probably realized that you were behind this whole affair. He’s a sharp man.”
I fell into brief thought. freewebnσvel.cøm
The Zeng Qinghong I knew had played a crucial role in allowing the princelings to seize power by exploiting the fierce struggle between Hu Jintao and Jiang Zemin.
“What did he say? Is he coming to Pyongyang?”
“Yes. He notified us that he will arrive tomorrow.”
“Notified us, huh. Seems he still hasn’t come to his senses.”
“Haha. It’s fine. Vice Chairman Zeng Qinghong is someone who can be reasoned with.”
It seemed Jang Songthaek wanted me to meet him.
“Do you want me to meet him?”
“We can’t keep sharpening knives against China forever. Whether we like it or not, our republic shares a border with China. And you have no reason to hate China itself, do you? Only Jiang Zemin.”
That wasn’t wrong.
Given time, China would become a land of gold.
“That’s true. China is a good place for investment.”
“If we can drive a wedge between Jiang Zemin and Zeng Qinghong, Jiang Zemin’s influence will drop by half. No—perhaps even less. Zeng Qinghong plays a major role in securing the elders’ support for him.”
“Alright. I’ll meet him tomorrow.”
“A wise decision. Shall we move somewhere else and continue the conversation?”
The dinner naturally turned into a drinking session.
Watching Jang Songthaek raise his glass somewhat hastily, I cautiously asked,
“How is the mood in the military?”
At my question, Jang Songthaek smiled bitterly.
“Fortunately, it has improved somewhat. But there is still dissatisfaction within the military.”
“You should strengthen surveillance over the military even further. If I were Jiang Zemin, I might consider planning a coup as a last resort.”
Jang Songthaek let out a laugh as if to say that was impossible.
“You mustn’t let your guard down. Jiang Zemin is exactly the kind of man who would do that. Once Hu Jintao returns and begins swinging the blade, Jiang Zemin’s options will be limited. He might try to use North Korea to overcome the crisis.”
If I were Jiang Zemin, I would use pro-China factions to destabilize North Korea.
He would try to remove Jang Songthaek and plunge the country into chaos.
“The pretexts are plentiful. There are many options. He could restore Kim Jongil or push forward by supporting Kim Jongnam.”
Jang Songthaek’s expression turned serious.
But soon he shook his head.
“Jongnam is currently under China’s protection in Beijing. Even I don’t know his exact location. But Jongnam would never try to remove me.”
Jang Songthaek had raised and protected Kim Jongnam.
It had been Jang Songthaek himself who placed him under China’s protection for the sake of his safety.
So he thought of Kim Jongnam almost like a son.
“A trusted axe strikes the instep. They say power is not shared even between parents and children.”
“Even so, Jongnam would never...”
“I know what you mean. But there’s no harm in preparing. No—preparation is absolutely necessary.”
I spoke firmly as Jang Songthaek trailed off.
“It’s better to prepare thoroughly than to be caught completely off guard. Even if those preparations end up being unnecessary. If nothing happens, that’s a good thing, isn’t it?”
“Understood. I will strengthen surveillance over the military and discuss countermeasures.”
At last I received a satisfactory answer.
Nodding, I pointed out another potential risk.
“What is Kim Jongil doing these days?”
“He’s wasting time fishing at his villa.”
“And who visits him frequently?”
“As far as I know, Director Choi Ryonghae of the General Political Bureau visits him often.”
“The Director of the General Political Bureau?”
The very man who had loudly insisted that Kim Jongil should be killed was now visiting him frequently?
“That’s strange. Wasn’t Director Choi Ryonghae the one shouting that Kim Jongil should be killed? Isn’t there another reason?”
I didn’t trust Choi Ryonghae.
I had left him alone only because Jang Songthaek trusted him.
But I had never trusted him once.
He had once tried to use me to kill Kim Jongil, and he was more power-hungry than anyone else.
In my previous life, blinded by ambition, he had even led the purge against Jang Songthaek.
“It’s probably just surveillance. I know better than anyone how much he hates Kim Jongil.”
“Don’t trust that man too much. He’s the type who would do anything for power.”
Even though I warned him seriously, Jang Songthaek simply laughed loudly.
“Seems like my friend Choi Ryonghae really got on your bad side, President Kim. Don’t worry. If anything, his desire for power means he cannot betray me. Enough of these headaches. Let’s talk about something more exciting. Nampo City...”
Jang Songthaek shifted the topic to the development of Nampo City, and I went along with him.
The following afternoon, Zeng Qinghong arrived in Pyongyang.
He came °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° to the Pyongyang Hotel where I was staying, and we greeted each other.
“Nice to see you, President Kim Muhyuk.”
“This is our second meeting, isn’t it, Vice Chairman Zeng Qinghong?”
“We’ve only shaken hands twice, but I’ve seen you about four times.”
Zeng Qinghong joked with an easy smile.
I nodded and released his hand.
“Have you already met Chairman Jang Songthaek?”
“No. I didn’t come to Pyongyang to meet Chairman Jang Songthaek. I came to meet you, President Kim Muhyuk.”
Zeng Qinghong seeking me out first was a serious discourtesy toward Jang Songthaek.
Perhaps noticing the displeasure on my face, he quickly added,
“This was agreed upon with the Chairman.”
“Is that so? Then that’s fortunate. Still, it leaves a bad taste.”
Even though Jang Songthaek prioritized me and maintained a good relationship with me, I did not want his authority undermined.
I would have to talk to him about this later.
“I’ll keep that in mind next time.”
“Very well. Please, have a seat.”
After guiding him to a seat, I went straight to the point.
“So why did you want to meet me? I have nothing to discuss with you, Vice Chairman.”
“To mediate between Chairman Jiang Zemin and President Kim Muhyuk.”
“Ha...”
A dry laugh escaped me before I could stop it.
Seems they really underestimate me.
“Jiang Zemin and I can no longer walk the same path. He detained one of my people and used him to threaten me.”
“I’m aware of that as well. Just in case, let me say this—I opposed that plan. In any case, if you are willing to reconcile with Chairman Jiang Zemin, Chairman Yoo Seongjin will be released immediately.”
“The ship has already sailed. Whether Yoo Seongjin is released or not is no longer a condition for negotiation.”
Since I had already decided to give up Yoo Seongjin, he was no longer a bargaining chip.
As I remembered Yoo Seongjin telling me to abandon him, a bitter taste filled my mouth and I unconsciously clicked my tongue.
“Hm.”
Zeng Qinghong quietly observed me.
“Vice Chairman, you already knew I wouldn’t accept that. Tell me your real purpose.”
At my words, Zeng Qinghong’s eyebrow twitched slightly.
Mediating between Jiang Zemin and me was merely a public justification.
There was clearly another reason he had come.
“Say what you really came to say. I don’t like conversations that go around in circles.”
