Free Web Novel“President Kim. It’s even better seeing you here.”
“I didn’t expect Medvedev to come along as well.”
“I was supposed to stay in Moscow, but the President suddenly asked me to accompany him. Given the nature of the matter, I suppose he needed someone he could trust.”
Someone he could trust. I nodded at Medvedev’s words and asked,
“Medvedev. How much did the President share? And how many people in Russia know about this?”
“Fewer than five, including me.”
I had already confirmed with Yoon Changho and Lee Myungsoo—they hadn’t told anyone.
There were no visible traces of contact with the United States when I checked the movements of those close to them either.
That meant the number of possible leak sources was down to three.
China, Russia, and lastly North Korea.
But North Korea could be ruled out.
“Five people. Are they all trustworthy?”
“Of course. They’re trusted aides—that’s why the information was shared. But what happened? Why are you asking?”
“The United States has obtained the information.”
“The United States?”
Medvedev repeated the words in disbelief. I nodded.
“They seem strongly opposed to this project.”
“What reason would the United States have to oppose it?”
“That would be...”
“Ha, I get the general idea.”
Letting out a small sigh, Medvedev smirked.
“They’re always the same.”
He clearly didn’t like the United States.
Then again, it was rare to find a Russian who did.
“So what are you planning to do?”
“Well. I have no intention of abandoning a project I want to pursue just because someone pressures me. Still... I’ll need to think it over. Most of my assets are invested in the United States, after all.”
No matter what anyone said, the center of the global economy was the United States.
The railway project had enormous potential, but pulling out of existing U.S. ventures would bring consequences that couldn’t be ignored.
“Hmm... Once they get you to yield, they’ll keep pulling you along. I respect your judgment, President Kim, but I hope you’ll think carefully.”
“I will. More importantly, could you quietly look into whether the information leaked from Russia?”
Medvedev nodded, and after that, he went on at length about Russia’s internal analysis of the railway project’s feasibility.
“The railway linking South Korea, North Korea, and Russia has already begun. The United States has no grounds to oppose that.”
“Yes. They haven’t interfered on that front.”
“But the moment China joined, everything changed. If the entire Eurasian railway network—connecting West Asia and Southeast Asia—is completed, the profitability increases dramatically. That’s Russia’s assessment.”
“I’ve heard the same.”
As I nodded calmly, Medvedev continued in a more serious tone.
“It could even extend to Africa.”
“Africa?”
“The Middle East is the issue, but even so, I think it’s possible. Of course, it would take a long ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ time.”
At that moment, it clicked.
So that’s why the United States is opposing this so desperately.
After air transport became dominant, the importance of railways declined significantly.
But if every region except the American continent were connected by rail, the United States’ influence would inevitably shrink.
So that’s why Chief of Staff Joshua came at me so aggressively.
“Wow... that’s a bit terrifying.”
“Haha. The great President Kim is scared?”
Medvedev laughed loudly before continuing.
“For Russia, this is something that must be done. We couldn’t do it before—but now we have you. If you can coordinate Russia, China, and Korea, it’s achievable.”
“Is that the President’s view?” frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
“Yes. But he says he’ll decide after hearing your answer.”
“I see.”
At that moment, someone knocked on the door. A familiar aide called out to me.
“President Kim Muhyuk. The President is calling for you.”
“I’ll be back.”
“Alright. I’ll be waiting.”
After greeting Medvedev, I followed the aide to where Vladimir Putin and Hu Jintao were.
“Welcome, Muhyuk.”
Putin greeted me with a warm smile.
After embracing him, Hu Jintao extended his hand with a smile.
“Welcome, President Kim.”
Once the handshake was done, the two of them sat down first.
They were facing each other, which left only the seat of honor empty.
I couldn’t exactly sit beside one of them instead.
As I hesitated, Putin chuckled.
“Muhyuk. Sit there.”
He pointed to the empty top seat.
“Wouldn’t that be inappropriate?”
“Let’s not fuss over protocol between us. Chairman Hu, is that alright?”
Hu Jintao nodded readily.
“Of course. What matters isn’t where someone sits, but the substance.”
With even Hu Jintao saying that, I couldn’t refuse.
I sat down with an awkward smile.
“This feels a bit strange.”
We spoke in English without interpreters.
“So, have you two discussed things already?”
“We’ve talked about everything else. But the Eurasian railway requires you, Muhyuk, so we haven’t started that discussion yet.”
“You haven’t discussed it at all?”
Putin nodded.
“What do you think, Mr. President?”
“Well. I don’t particularly care whether we do it or not.”
That was completely different from what Medvedev had said.
He was clearly trying to gain leverage in the negotiation.
I picked up on it and played along.
“Because Russia is already proceeding with its own projects, right?”
“Exactly. There’s no need to take unnecessary risks.”
“I see. Chairman Hu believes the project is only viable if Russia participates as well. Isn’t that right?”
Hu Jintao nodded.
“It would be burdensome to proceed without Russia. We would strongly prefer your participation.”
“Then how about Russia and China each proceed separately?”
“That would make it a half-measure. If we do this, we do it together. Otherwise, we don’t do it at all.”
Hu Jintao clearly needed Russia.
“Then President Putin’s decision is crucial. Please join us.”
Even after that, Hu Jintao continued persuading Putin.
“Mr. President, I share Chairman Hu’s view. But there is one major issue.”
I decided to share the warning from the United States.
“The United States is opposing this project. They summoned me separately to warn me. The problem is, we don’t know where the information leaked from.”
Putin frowned. Hu Jintao’s expression hardened as well.
“In Korea, only three people know: myself, the President, and my friend Lee Myungsoo. I’ve already confirmed—they didn’t tell anyone.”
“So you’re saying it’s either me or Chairman Hu?”
“Yes. That’s how I see it.”
As I nodded, Hu Jintao immediately denied it.
“That’s impossible. Only two other people know besides me—my secretary and Premier Wen Jiabao. Even he only learned about it a few days ago.”
“It’s the same on our side. Only about five of my closest aides know.”
“If it’s neither China nor Russia, then it would have to be North Korea—but that’s unlikely. North Korea is even more closed off than the rest. It’s not possible.”
If the leak didn’t come from North Korea, then information would continue to leak as the project progressed.
“Even if we proceed, we need to identify the source of the leak first.”
Realizing the seriousness, both men fell into deep thought.
At least they had limited the information to their closest aides. That made the traitor easier to find.
If we didn’t want constant interference from the United States, we had to root out the leak.
“Anyway, let’s agree on the broad framework today—and first catch the one selling information to the United States.”
Both of them nodded.
“Mr. President, this project must proceed—for Russia, and for you personally. Invest in the new corporation as an individual.”
“As an individual?”
“Yes. Regardless of how the shares are divided, the project will be carried out by that corporation. That way, no one else can insert themselves. If China and Russia stand behind it, other countries won’t be able to object.”
Both Putin and Hu Jintao nodded.
“Russia 25%, China 25%, and I will take 50%. Initial capital will be contributed proportionally.”
“How much do we need, Muhyuk?”
“I haven’t calculated exactly, but at least several hundred million dollars.”
“Several hundred million?”
Putin’s eyes widened.
“Yes. I’m thinking around one billion dollars for initial capital.”
“A billion? Is that necessary? This is ultimately a national project—the countries building the railways will fund it.”
“China and Russia might manage, but other Asian countries won’t have sufficient funds. We’ll finance them—and take operational rights.”
“Ah. I see.”
Putin nodded in understanding.
“That makes sense.”
“If needed, we’ll use loans—funded through Russian and Chinese banks—to support those countries.”
“Good. Then Russia needs to prepare 250 million dollars.”
“Not Russia. Individuals—including you, President Putin.”
“Haha. Same difference.”
Putin treated himself and Russia as one and the same.
I turned to Hu Jintao.
“The same applies to you, Chairman Hu. Of China’s share, 15% will be yours, and the remaining 10% will go to the next leader.”
“Ten percent?”
“Yes. The next power holder. If my prediction is correct, this project won’t fully take shape until the end of your term. The next leader must carry it forward.”
“Hmm.”
Hu Jintao looked dissatisfied. Greedy, as expected.
“Don’t be stingy. Fifteen percent is not small.”
“Well... if Russia participates, I’ll accept it.”
He finally agreed.
I turned back to Putin.
“Will Russia participate?”
“We will. The fact that the United States opposes it makes me want to do it even more.”
“Thank you, Mr. President.”
With Putin’s participation confirmed, the real discussion began.
Putin and Hu Jintao agreed to divide regions and negotiate with world leaders.
I would control South Korea and North Korea—and block interference from the United States and Japan as much as possible.
It wouldn’t be easy to launch this project.
We talked late into the night.
* * *
The next day.
Hu Jintao dropped an unexpected bomb.
— I intend to push forward the Eurasian railway. To do so, I will pursue summit talks with every leader across the Eurasian continent.
It was a statement never agreed upon.
Its impact completely overshadowed all APEC outcomes.
Domestic media and international outlets alike focused entirely on Hu Jintao’s announcement.
Leaders of countries unrelated to the Eurasian railway expressed regret over the unilateral declaration.
But countries directly or indirectly tied to the project remained silent.
“Ha... this guy is impossible to predict.”
Watching the news, I pressed my fingers against my forehead.
