Free Web NovelAt that moment, while we were talking in a room on one side of the grand banquet hall—
A knock sounded on the door, and Bo Xilai’s secretary entered.
He leaned in and whispered something into Bo Xilai’s ear.
After listening quietly, Bo Xilai nodded and turned to me.
“Premier Wen Jiabao has arrived. I’ll go greet him and bring him in.”
“Shall I come with you?”
Bo Xilai shook his head.
“Is that really necessary?”
He was clearly saying that today’s spotlight belonged to him. No need to take that away.
“Understood. I’ll wait here.”
After Bo Xilai left, I turned to Chairman Song Chanseong.
“It doesn’t have to be Shanghai Automotive, right? As long as the business ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ can proceed immediately.”
“Yes. Beijing Automotive is fine as well. But after establishing the joint venture, they’ve been far too passive...”
“What’s the biggest issue in their demands?”
The Chinese government, desperate to attract foreign factories—especially automobile plants that created massive employment—had no reason to stall without cause.
“...They’re asking for technology transfer.”
I couldn’t help but let out a dry laugh.
“So they want to siphon off your technology.”
“Yes. That’s a condition we can never accept.”
“But didn’t you say you’d localize parts production in China?”
“That can be handled by having all our partner companies build factories in China as well.”
A strategy to maximize profit while minimizing the risk of technology leakage.
Naturally, Beijing Automotive didn’t like that.
“So if that issue is resolved, you’re fine continuing with Beijing Automotive?”
“Yes. That’s right. What matters most is starting production as soon as possible. The partner doesn’t matter.”
“Understood.”
“Are you worried Premier Wen might oppose it?”
I shrugged.
“Well... Bo Xilai isn’t in a position to directly confront the central government yet. His power base depends on their support. That might change in a few years, but not now.”
“I see. I’ll trust you, President.”
After some time, Bo Xilai returned, having been gone quite a while.
“Haha. Sorry for the delay.”
He entered first with an awkward smile, followed by Premier Wen Jiabao.
I stood and approached him.
“Premier, it’s been a while.”
“Indeed, President Kim. It’s been quite some time since we’ve met face to face.”
After brief greetings, I introduced Kim Byungwoo and Song Chanseong in turn.
As soon as everyone sat down, Wen Jiabao spoke.
“I won’t be able to stay long. I have to return to Beijing at dawn.”
It sounded blunt, but it was understandable.
He hadn’t originally planned to attend the inauguration—he came because of me.
“How is the atmosphere in Beijing?”
“Not bad. Relations with North Korea have improved somewhat, and the gas pipeline project with Russia is back on track.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“It’s all thanks to you, President Kim Muhyuk.”
“Isn’t it simply things returning to their natural course? Projects that would’ve gone smoothly were disrupted by unnecessary interference.”
Wen Jiabao nodded quietly, seemingly in agreement.
Then, as if something had been on his mind, he cleared his throat.
“By the way, I didn’t see Chairman Jiang Zemin...”
Bo Xilai answered instead.
“He left during the ceremony.”
“Huh... What happened?”
“He announced plans to maintain good relations with Korea and attract significant investment. President Kim Muhyuk was present at the time.”
“Haha, I can imagine what happened. I wish I had seen Jiang’s face. But tell me—are you alright? This is his territory.”
Bo Xilai answered confidently.
“I’m aware. But I’m not Chairman Jiang’s puppet. I intend to run Shanghai the way I want and develop it further.”
“Good. Very good.”
Wen Jiabao seemed quite pleased.
“I trust you, Bo Xilai.”
“Please don’t worry. I will align with the central government and turn Shanghai into the greatest city in Asia.”
“Shanghai is one of the most important cities in mainland China. The more it grows, the stronger China’s economy becomes.”
“Yes. You can trust me.”
After watching him with satisfaction, Wen Jiabao turned to Kim Byungwoo and Song Chanseong.
“And what brings these two gentlemen here?”
“Chairman Kim Byungwoo is here for the inauguration. And Chairman Song Chanseong...”
I trailed off slightly, and Song Chanseong continued in fluent Chinese.
“I came regarding our factory in China.”
“Then you should be in Beijing. Why are you here? As far as I know, Daehyeon Motors already has a joint venture with Beijing Automotive.”
“...Progress has been too slow. That’s why I came in person.”
“Too slow? That’s strange. Shouldn’t things proceed according to the contract?”
That might be true in theory—but not in China.
“We haven’t even selected a factory site yet. Beijing Automotive is deliberately delaying.”
“Hmm...” freēwebnovel.com
Wen Jiabao glanced at his secretary, who quietly explained the situation.
Throughout it all, Wen’s expression remained unreadable.
“I see. Chairman Song.”
“Yes, Premier.”
“It seems there are differences in perspective. But why refuse technology transfer?”
“....”
“Isn’t Daehyeon Motors also a company that grew with transferred technology?”
Song Chanseong answered firmly.
“No. We did not receive full technology transfer.”
“Is that so? I heard your independent model came with Japanese assistance.”
“That’s a misunderstanding. There was technical cooperation, but not full transfer. After failing negotiations with Ford, we focused on developing our own models.”
“Hmm... So you refuse transfer and only want to build assembly plants...”
Wen Jiabao’s displeasure was evident.
Given that most foreign factories in China were merely assembly plants, his reaction was understandable.
But that didn’t mean I would side with him.
“Premier.”
I spoke calmly.
His gaze turned to me.
“I understand Beijing Automotive is currently in talks with Mercedes.”
He looked surprised and turned to his secretary, who nodded slightly.
“I wasn’t aware of that.”
“It’s not something that requires your direct attention. But from what I hear, they did not demand any technology transfer from Mercedes.”
“...Is that so?”
“Yes. And companies like Volkswagen and GM, which are already producing vehicles through joint ventures in Shanghai, were not forced into technology transfer either.”
Wen Jiabao fell silent.
“Why is it that only Korean companies are being pressured for technology transfer? Daehyeon Motors doesn’t plan to build just one or two factories. Isn’t that right, Chairman Song?”
Song Chanseong answered immediately.
“That’s correct. Starting with the first factory, we plan to build a second and third. Our initial goal is 2 million units annually.”
I continued.
“The automobile industry generates massive employment and economic impact. Daehyeon plans full localization—even parts production. Are you really going to give that up over technology transfer?”
“....”
“If you insist, Daehyeon will have no choice but to withdraw from the Chinese market. Is that what you want?”
Wen Jiabao swallowed, clearly troubled.
“If the same standard were applied to all companies, Daehyeon would accept it. But that’s not the case, is it?”
The implication was clear—Korean companies were being singled out.
“How should I handle this?” Wen asked.
“Allow the project to proceed quickly. Or transfer 50% of the Beijing-Daehyeon joint venture to Shanghai Automotive and let them proceed together.”
“...Have you already discussed this with Shanghai Automotive?”
“No. Nothing moves without government approval. Secretary Bo also said he cannot proceed without central authorization.”
Wen Jiabao looked at Bo Xilai, who nodded slightly.
“I had heard about it, but it was difficult due to the existing partnership.”
“I see.”
After a moment of thought, Wen spoke carefully.
“This isn’t something I can decide immediately. I’ll review it once I return to Beijing.”
“Thank you. Ideally, we’d prefer to continue with Beijing Automotive.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
He turned to Song Chanseong.
“Chairman Song, wait for the decision.”
“Thank you, Premier.”
After that, we continued talking for some time.
Eventually, his secretary spoke.
“Premier, it’s time to depart.”
“Oh, already? Time really flies when speaking with President Kim.”
“You’re leaving?”
He nodded, pressing his eyes slightly. He looked exhausted.
“I must. There’s an important meeting in Beijing this morning.”
“I see. It’s a shame we couldn’t even share a drink.”
“Haha. Then visit Beijing next time. I’ll prepare something good.”
Wen Jiabao stood.
He shook hands with Song Chanseong and Kim Byungwoo, then patted Bo Xilai on the shoulder.
“Bo Xilai. You must not make even a small mistake this time. You should enter the next leadership.”
Bo Xilai’s face brightened.
“Yes! I won’t disappoint you.”
“Good. I’ll pass word to President Hu Jintao.”
After seeing him off at the banquet entrance, we exchanged a few final words before parting.
Just as I was about to return—
“What the hell! Let go! I said let go!”
A voice in Korean rang out from one side of the hall.
It was familiar. A voice that shouldn’t be here.
I turned immediately toward the sound.
“Shut up! Who do you think you are, acting all high and mighty? Do you even know who I am?”
A man was gripping a woman’s wrist.
I strode over and twisted his arm hard.
“Argh!”
“O-Oppa.”
The woman he had been holding was Cheon Jiyeong.
“Why are you here? I told your agency to stop all China activities for now.”
I had done it to prevent exactly this kind of situation.
“Y-you bastard! Let go of my hand!”
The man screamed.
“We’ll talk later. Who is this bastard?”
“He’s been contacting me for a while, asking me out. I kept refusing, but when he saw me here, he suddenly...”
I figured as much. This was exactly why I had told her to stay away from China for now.
I released his arm and said coldly,
“You dare lay a hand on my little sister?”
Freed, the man pointed at me and shouted,
“Do you know who I am? Public Security! Where’s Public Security?!”
The surrounding guests turned to look.
“Who you are doesn’t matter. What matters is that you harassed my sister, Wei Zhengcheng.”
“You knew who I was and still twisted my arm? Do you have a death wish?”
The man barking in front of me—Wei Zhengcheng.
He was a friend of Bo Xilai and a member of the Princeling faction.
