Free Web NovelAt my words that I would block Tencent’s app registration, Li Yanhong looked startled and asked,
“Isn’t the App Store a platform where anyone can upload an app?”
“It is.”
The App Store was an ESD where even individual developers who were not in a cooperative relationship with Apple could freely upload programs.
“The fact that anyone can freely register an app is the core of the App Store. But there are plenty of ways to block an app from being listed. In the end, it can only be registered after passing Apple’s review process. We can delay the review as much as possible, or reject it by attaching all kinds of reasons.”
At the moment, Apple was letting most apps pass review unless there was an obvious issue.
But as time passed, they would begin rejecting anything that rubbed them the wrong way under the pretext of security.
Given the iPhone’s nature of prioritizing security above all else, once they used that as the reason, there was little room for protest.
“I’ll handle that part myself, so please focus on developing the messenger.”
“Understood. I’ll return home and hold a meeting with the developers.”
“Good. Then share what happened in your meetings with the telecom companies.”
I had asked Li Yanhong to make preliminary contact with all three of China’s major telecom carriers.
“I conveyed all of Apple’s conditions. None of the three companies seemed particularly enthusiastic.”
That was already what I had expected.
All three mobile carriers were state-owned enterprises.
From their perspective, there was no real reason to compete.
“Was there anyone who showed a favorable reaction?”
“The most favorable response came from China Unicom. Though even calling it favorable is generous. And the gap in market share between them and the number one company, China Mobile, is too large. If we distribute the iPhone through China Unicom, the synergy effect won’t be strong.”
China Mobile, the number one player, held more than sixty percent of the Chinese market.
It was disappointing that they had shown no reaction.
“What did China Mobile say?”
“They rejected every condition Apple presented. The tone was that it wasn’t even worth looking at.”
“That bad?”
“Yes.”
Then there was no room for negotiation at all.
“What about China Unicom? How did they respond?”
“I already knew Chairman Xiaobing personally, so at least the conversation flowed. They said most of the other conditions were acceptable, but they were negative about the clause requiring a portion of revenue from service plans to be given to Apple, as well as Wi-Fi support.”
“There’s no room for negotiation on giving Apple a fixed share of plan revenue.”
At my words, Li Yanhong nodded with an awkward expression before replying,
“Of course, I conveyed that as well. So he said he wanted to meet you personally, boss. He wants to negotiate face-to-face.”
I had only just returned to Korea, and now it looked like I would have to leave again.
Slowly stroking my chin, I asked,
“What about China Telecom?”
“They didn’t seem interested in introducing it at all.”
“So in the end, only China Unicom showed any interest. Understood. Good work.”
“Are you planning to meet Chairman Xiaobing?”
“I have to. That’s what he wants.”
If it really came down to it, I was even considering moving the Chinese government itself.
“Good work. I’ll handle the rest. Do you have Chairman Xiaobing’s contact information?”
“As it happens, I brought his business card.”
Li Yanhong took out his card wallet, rummaged through it, and handed me a card.
After checking it, I nodded.
“This is enough. I’ll make sure the iPhone gets distributed in China, so please move quickly on the things we discussed earlier.”
“Yes. Don’t worry about that.”
After sending Li Yanhong away, I called in Chief Ma.
“Chief, please look into this person.”
What I handed him was the business card I had received from Li Yanhong.
* * *
A few days later, the file on Chairman Xiaobing landed in my hands.
I carefully read through every page.
“Hm... this man is Taizidang too.”
After reading it all, I set the papers down.
“What about Ye Xiaotong’s movements?”
More than half of the intelligence personnel we had in China were watching Ye Xiaotong’s movements.
“Nothing unusual. After returning from Korea, she met with Xi Jinping several times...”
Chief Ma spent a while reporting Ye Xiaotong’s recent activities.
For someone who usually stirred up storms wherever she went, the calmness of her recent movements felt strangely unsettling.
“There’s nothing suspicious, so why does this still feel off?”
I tapped the desk lightly as I sank into thought.
I found myself wondering whether I should go to China or not.
“What do you think, Chief Ma? Is it safe to enter China?”
“If it’s Beijing, it should be safe. Of course, we’ll need to be even more careful than usual with security personnel.”
“Then first, let’s talk to the Chinese government—” ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
Just then, my phone rang.
When I checked the caller ID, it was the Presidential Chief of Staff.
I answered immediately.
Before I could even greet him, he spoke first.
— President Kim, please listen carefully and don’t panic.
The rigidity in his voice made my confusion impossible to hide.
What in the world had happened for him to sound like this?
“Yes, go ahead.”
— ...While Secretary General Lee Myungsoo was on an African diplomatic tour, a coup has reportedly broken out in Guinea.
What kind of nonsense was that?
I shot to my feet in shock.
“What? What did you say? Guinea isn’t even a country we have diplomatic relations with. Why would the secretary general be there?”
— Negotiations to establish diplomatic relations with the Guinean government were underway. So the President appointed Secretary General Lee Myungsoo as a special envoy and sent him there.
“What the hell is this... Please explain in detail. What happened?”
— Well...
The Chief of Staff spent a long time explaining the situation.
Apparently, the President of Guinea had prepared a military parade to coincide with the special envoy’s visit.
But during the march, the presidential guard suddenly turned their rifles toward the president.
Thankfully, no one had died, but the president had been seriously injured, and the survival of the envoy delegation—including Myungsoo—could not yet be confirmed.
“Their survival can’t even be confirmed...”
The absurd news made my voice tremble.
At the same time, anger surged up.
“And that’s what the government is telling me right now? You can’t even confirm whether the delegation is alive, and what exactly am I supposed to do with that?!”
— We can’t reach them at all. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is using every possible channel, but nothing is getting through.
Helplessness bled through the Chief of Staff’s voice.
The moment I heard it, I understood.
They were so desperate because they had no way forward that they had contacted me.
“...What about the United States? Are they saying they know nothing too?”
— The U.S. is also still trying to assess the situation.
“So you don’t even know who led it?”
The Chief of Staff didn’t answer.
Which meant they knew nothing at all.
“This is insane. Fine. I’ll look into it myself and contact you.”
I hung up abruptly and agonized over who I should call.
But my mind wasn’t moving fast enough.
“Boss. What happened?”
At Chief Ma’s voice, I suddenly remembered that he had once worked as a mercenary in Africa.
“Chief, do you know anything about Guinea’s political situation?”
After thinking for a moment, Chief Ma spoke.
“I don’t know Guinea well. But I know someone in Sierra Leone. I’ll contact them.”
“Are there rebels in Guinea too?”
“In Africa, it’s easier to find a country without rebels.”
I let out a low sigh and continued.
“The government says the president’s guard forces staged the coup. Find out Guinea’s exact situation immediately.”
“Yes. I’ll find out right away, boss.”
Chief Ma took out his phone and stepped outside as he called someone.
Even though he said he would look into it, I couldn’t just sit here and wait.
I immediately pulled out my phone and made another call.
The other side answered before the signal had even rung several times.
— Yes, boss. Eric speaking.
“Eric. Do we have any mercenaries deployed in Africa?”
— Africa? Why Africa all of a sudden...
“I’ll explain later. Do we have any teams operating there?”
— Please give me a moment.
I could hear the sound of typing through the receiver.
— Boss. We have a military advisory team deployed in Sierra Leone.
Chief Ma had mentioned Sierra Leone too.
Now that I could finally see a possible breakthrough, it felt like the fog in front of me had lifted.
“Eric. What’s the relationship between Guinea and Sierra Leone?”
— As far as I know, it hasn’t been bad since the Sierra Leone civil war ended.
“There’s been a military coup in Guinea. We still can’t grasp the situation, so contact Sierra Leone and find out what’s happening inside Guinea. This is urgent.”
— Understood. I’ll look into it immediately and get back to you.
After ending the call with Eric, I found another number and dialed.
This one was answered quickly too.
“Jessica.”
— Charlie. What’s wrong?
“Have you heard that there’s been a coup in Guinea?”
— Guinea? That’s not my area, so I don’t know... Wait, there’s really been a coup?
“Yes. A coup broke out while one of our National Assembly lawmakers was visiting as a special envoy, and we can’t confirm whether he’s alive. I need detailed information before I can move, but what we have is too limited.”
— Damn. If it’s Africa, that can happen.
Right. Of all places, Myungsoo had to be in Africa when this happened.
Suppressing the sigh threatening to escape, I continued.
“The Korean government still doesn’t have a clear picture, and the Americans only said they’re still looking into it.”
— Hmm, I think I vaguely heard something about a Korean delegation heading to Guinea. Just wait. I’ll look into it and call you back.
“Please do it fast. The lawmaker who went as envoy is a friend who’s no different from family.”
— Oh no... I’ll call you back within thirty minutes, Charlie.
After ending the call with Jessica’s reassurance, I lowered my phone.
“This is driving me insane.”
A deep sigh escaped me.
No matter how bad the coup was, they couldn’t possibly kill Myungsoo, who was there as Korea’s special envoy.
But bullets had no eyes.
A stray bullet could have wounded him.
As I was organizing my thoughts, Chief Ma came back in.
“Boss. It’s true there’s been a coup in Guinea. The borders are currently sealed, and the president is reportedly in detention.”
“Really? The Blue House says the presidential guard staged it. Is that true?”
“Yes. It’s true. It’s said that Captain Camara of the presidential guard unit personally created by President Conté led the coup.”
“What about the Korean delegation’s location?”
“They don’t know. All communications in the capital, Conakry, have been cut.”
If we at least had an embassy, there would have been an emergency line left.
But Korea still had no diplomatic ties with Guinea, so there was neither an embassy nor a consulate.
“Boss, I believe China and North Korea both have embassies there.”
“Really? Then we’ll need to use them to get a detailed picture of what’s happening inside.”
I immediately called Premier Wen Jiabao.
He answered with a warm voice.
— Ha ha. President Kim, what a rare call.
“Premier, I’ll ask about your well-being properly later. I’m in a hurry right now. China has an embassy in Guinea, doesn’t it?”
Hearing the urgency in my voice, Wen Jiabao dropped the smile from his tone.
— As far as I know, there is an embassy in Conakry. Is this because of the coup in Guinea?
“Yes. A National Assembly lawmaker went there as a special envoy for diplomatic negotiations, and he’s a friend who’s no different from family. Could you find out what’s happening inside?”
— I’ll look into it and contact you.
“Thank you. Please get back to me quickly. I’m asking as a favor.”
After ending the call with Wen Jiabao, I tried contacting Jang Songthaek as well, but I couldn’t reach him.
“Chief. There’s no way to enter Guinea, right?”
“....”
“Chief.”
“Assemblyman Lee Myungsoo will be safe. If the coup forces want legitimacy, they can’t kill a diplomatic envoy.”
“I know. I know that, but they’re saying they can’t even confirm whether he’s alive. I still need to go there myself.”
At my words, Chief Ma urgently blocked me.
“That’s not possible. You could end up in danger too, boss. Once news of the coup spreads, rebel forces inside Guinea will move as well. It could turn into a civil war. It would be better to send mercenaries instead—”
“But I can’t just stay here and do nothing. I need to at least confirm whether he’s alive.”
Chief Ma shook his head, his face full of worry.
I knew he was worried about me.
But knowing Myungsoo was in danger, there was no way I could stay in a safe place ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) and wait.
“Chief.”
I called him softly, but with force.
In the end, Chief Ma reluctantly answered.
“They say Guinea’s borders are already sealed. To get in, we’d have to enter through a neighboring country.”
“We can still enter Sierra Leone, right?”
“That country’s security isn’t good either. The civil war only ended recently, and the regions bordering Guinea have both Guinean and Sierra Leonean rebel forces. Going through there is extremely dangerous.”
“Then we’re going to Sierra Leone first. Prepare immediate departure.”
“Boss.”
“Prepare immediately. This is an order.”
“...Understood.”
Even as Chief Ma went out to carry out the order, he kept looking back at me with concern.
I didn’t want to make him worry.
But I simply couldn’t endure doing nothing and waiting for news like this.
While preparations for departure were underway, reports started coming in from all sides.
But there was no good news.
From America, from China—everywhere, it was the same answer.
No one could confirm whether Myungsoo was alive.
A few days later, I arrived in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone.
