Free Web NovelThe welcome banquet moved along quickly.
After the two leaders exchanged formal greetings and gave their toasts, the event officially began.
An hour flew by in no time, and one by one, various people approached the table where Yoon Changho and Hu Jintao were seated, exchanging brief conversations before leaving.
But real diplomacy never happens in public.
Before long, Yoon Changho and Hu Jintao each disappeared into separate rooms attached to the guest hall.
Everyone’s attention shifted toward those doors.
A private meeting—an opportunity to obtain what each side truly wanted. That was the real purpose of the banquet.
“President Kim Muhyuk.”
One of Hu Jintao’s aides approached my table.
“It’s been a while. Have you been well?”
“Thanks to you. The President is asking for you.”
I nodded, stood up, and spoke only to Kim Byungwoo.
“I’ll be back.”
Glancing at the other tables, I saw Myungsoo also getting up after speaking with the Blue House Chief of Staff.
We exchanged a look and nodded.
“Let’s go. He’s waiting.”
I headed toward Hu Jintao’s room, while Myungsoo went toward Yoon Changho’s.
* * *
Lee Myungsoo entered the room where Yoon Changho was waiting.
“Come in, Representative Lee.”
“It’s been a while, Mr. President.”
“It’s not a good thing if we’re meeting often. Sit.”
Unlike before, Yoon Changho’s tone was noticeably more formal.
“I couldn’t even send a congratulatory message after you became floor leader. I wasn’t exactly pleased.”
“I understand.”
“What’s the rush? Why are you so desperate to seize power?”
“...You already know the answer.”
Yoon Changho let out a low hum. Of course, he already knew.
“If your goal was just to bring down those who slandered you, I would’ve helped. But you already have enough power. If you go further, it might look like you’re challenging me.”
Yoon Changho had already passed the midpoint of his term. Normally, a lame-duck phase wouldn’t be surprising.
But his approval ratings remained high, and his control over the party was still strong.
“I’m sorry about that. But I believed that if I didn’t use what I had, people would keep attacking me. That’s why I stepped forward.”
“...Where does it end?”
“I have no intention of fighting you. Nor of challenging you. I will support you until your term ends.”
Myungsoo spoke calmly.
Yoon Changho decided to ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ test him.
“I heard you agreed to pass the labor bill proposed by the opposition.”
“Yes. To drive a wedge between the Progressive Party and the National Alliance.”
“What if I veto it?”
“A veto?”
The president had the authority to veto legislation passed by the National Assembly—his strongest tool to check it.
If the bill returned to the Assembly, there were only two options: discard it or pass it again.
But re-passage had never once happened in Korean history.
“If I veto it, can you kill the bill?”
Myungsoo fell into thought.
What did the president really want? What answer was expected?
As if reading his mind, Yoon Changho pressed him.
“You said you would support me.”
“But if we break our agreement with the Progressive Party, relations will freeze.”
“That’s the Assembly’s problem. I can’t accept that bill.”
Faced with his firm stance, Myungsoo sighed.
“If you want it, I’ll discard it. But I’d prefer you not to use the veto.”
Only then did Yoon Changho nod with a satisfied smile.
“I’ll trust you.”
“Yes, Mr. President.”
“And if you try to use Chairman Kim to change my mind...”
“I have no such intention. Please don’t place me and Muhyuk on the same line.”
“I’ll trust that as well. You may go.”
At the dismissal, Myungsoo stood without hesitation.
After he left, Yoon Changho emptied his glass in one go.
Lately, his thoughts had been growing heavier.
He stared silently at the door long after it closed.
* * *
When I entered the room, three people were waiting:
Hu Jintao, Wen Jiabao, and someone I didn’t recognize.
“Chairman Kim, welcome.”
Hu Jintao stood and extended his hand.
“It’s been a long time.”
“Haha. Circumstances made it difficult. You’ve greeted Premier Wen, I assume?”
“Yes, briefly earlier.”
“Then...”
He gestured to the man beside him.
“He insisted on meeting you.”
The man stepped forward.
“Hello. I’m Chang Xiaobing.”
“Ah, Chairman of China Unicom.”
“You know me?”
“Of course. Though I didn’t expect to meet you here.”
“Haha. My apologies. I couldn’t wait.”
It wasn’t hard to guess why he was here.
“The iPhone?”
“Yes. We’d like exclusive distribution.”
I stayed silent for a moment on purpose.
As the pause stretched, Hu Jintao spoke.
“Let’s sit and talk.”
I took a seat.
“You’re not offended, are you?”
“Not at all. I had planned to speak with China Unicom anyway. I was just caught off guard.”
“I see. I’ve heard it’s quite an interesting device.”
He clearly had little interest in it.
But Chang Xiaobing looked visibly anxious.
“I only brought him to introduce you. The details can be discussed later. What do you think?”
Refusing wasn’t really an option now.
“Do you have time tomorrow?”
Chang Xiaobing hesitated, glancing at Hu Jintao.
“Clear your schedule. Meet Chairman Kim.”
“Thank you.”
“Then let’s have lunch and talk.”
“Thank you.”
Once we set the meeting, Hu Jintao dismissed him.
After he left, Hu Jintao turned back to me.
“My apologies. I hadn’t planned to arrange something like this.”
“It’s fine. He was one of the candidates anyway.”
“Still, wouldn’t China Mobile be better? Their subscriber base is nearly three times larger.”
“Subscribers aren’t that important. We’re not supplying only to the number-one carrier anywhere—not in Korea, Japan, or even the U.S.”
“I see.”
He didn’t pursue the topic further.
“Thanks to you, I was able to eliminate Jiang Zemin’s faction and solidify my power. I’m grateful.”
“I should be the one thanking you. You accepted a difficult request.”
“Then we are good allies, aren’t we?”
His tone toward me had grown noticeably more respectful.
I smiled.
“I’d appreciate it if you think of it that way.”
The conversation flowed across multiple topics.
“How was your meeting with the Korean government?”
“Just like before, he’s someone easy to talk to. I expect good results.”
“I see.”
“I’ll be announcing a joint statement tomorrow. It will include meaningful progress in China–Korea relations.”
“Understood.”
“Especially economically—we’ve agreed to deepen cooperation. I hope you’ll play a big role.”
“I should be the one asking for that.”
The atmosphere remained warm.
Then, as Hu Jintao glanced at his watch, I brought out my gift.
“I heard China has been aggressively acquiring mines.”
“You knew?”
“Of course.”
“It’s not easy. Valuable mines are already taken, and what’s left is overpriced.”
“That’s why I prepared a gift.”
“A gift?”
“I’ll help China secure several mines in Guinea.”
“Guinea...”
“Iron ore and bauxite. Essential resources, with solid reserves. I’ll ensure reasonable pricing.”
His face lit up.
“Is that possible? Our government tried, but the coup ruined everything.”
“I’ve arranged things through Black Bear. In exchange for stabilizing power, we secured concessions.”
“Ah...”
Relief spread across his face.
“This is even better than what we gained in Korea.”
He laughed loudly.
“I didn’t prepare anything for you. Is there something you want?”
“You’ve already given me enough.”
“The airport reception?”
“To me, Lee Myungsoo is like family. If you treat him as you would treat me—that’s more than enough.”
“Oh! I heard you were close, but not this close.”
“We’ve been friends since we were young.”
“Very well. I’ll put in more effort.”
“Thank you.”
Thirty minutes had already passed.
“I should go. I’ve taken too much of your time.”
“Not at all. One of my goals for this visit was to meet you.”
“Still, others are waiting.”
He nodded.
“Let’s speak longer next time in China.”
“I’ll visit soon.”
After leaving the room, Wen Jiabao followed me out.
“Would you be able to come to my hotel tonight?”
“Your room?”
“Yes.”
“When should I come?”
“I’ll contact you.”
“Understood.” freeweɓnovel.cøm
With that, he returned inside.
I watched him go, then looked around for Myungsoo.
He was standing alone in a corner of the banquet hall.
