It ant that to reinstate Wen Jiabao, who had already been dismissed, sothing Jiang Zemin wanted had to be offered in return.
Because Deng Xiaoping had seen through Jiang Zemin’s greed for power, Jiang had no choice this ti but to hand the presidency over to Hu Jintao.
During the ten years of Hu Jintao’s rule, the two n engaged in an invisible power struggle, constantly keeping each other in check.
As a result, Xi Jinping of the Princeling faction—not of the Communist Youth League nor the Shanghai faction—erged as the new alternative.
After so thought, I spoke.
“Summon Chen Liangyu to the central governnt. In return, request Wen Jiabao’s reinstatent.”
“······.”
Hu Jintao didn’t respond right away. He sipped his tea quietly, just listening to .
“If you call Chen Liangyu into the central governnt, Jiang Zemin will agree to Wen Jiabao’s reinstatent. What he wants is to raise his own successor.”
“······And why should I do that? Explain your reasoning.”
“Can you check Jiang Zemin and the Shanghai faction without Wen Jiabao’s help? There’s no one in the Youth League who can protect you.”
Though called one of the three main factions in the Chinese Communist Party, the Communist Youth League was the weakest.
The Princeling faction, inheriting enormous influence and wealth from their predecessors, wielded imnse power in both politics and business. The Shanghai faction, led by the formidable Jiang Zemin and backed by Shanghai’s unique status, held deep influence even in Beijing.
Among the three, the Youth League had the largest number of mbers—but ironically, the weakest power base.
“You’re telling to raise Jiang Zemin’s successor just to save Wen Jiabao? Do you think that makes sense?”
Hu Jintao’s tone naturally turned sharp.
“In exchange, I’ll beco your partner. During your tenure, I promise to make large-scale investnts in China.”
“Hmm······.”
To persuade the still-hesitant Hu Jintao, I continued speaking.
“Later, Chen Liangyu can be taken down for corruption, just like Vice Premier Wen Jiabao once was, can’t he?”
“Chen Liangyu isn’t such a greedy man. He’s careful, humble, and passionate. Frankly, if he were openly greedy like Jiang Zemin, it might actually be better. Raise such a man, and he’ll eventually succeed .”
Hu Jintao glared at coldly.
So Chen Liangyu isn’t yet intoxicated by power, is he?
In the end, he would be purged under multiple corruption charges by Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao themselves.
“How long do you think a successor of the Shanghai faction can stay cautious? Even if he himself is clean, his relatives and close aides will face endless temptation. Eventually, he’ll be tainted too.”
“As long as Jiang Zemin backs him, it won’t be easy to remove Chen Liangyu.”
Hu Jintao countered with a still negative tone.
“Then we just need to make it unavoidable.”
“You have a thod?”
“I’ll weaken the Shanghai faction’s influence in Shanghai. While Wen Jiabao consolidates power in the central governnt, I’ll keep investing in Shanghai. In the end, the Shanghai faction’s strength will wane. Don’t look at this short-term—think long-term. You must see the distant future.”
Under Hu Jintao’s leadership, China would achieve unprecedented economic growth.
I planned to contribute to that—and expand my own influence through it.
“You can truly promise to keep investing?”
“Yes. I believe China will overtake the United States as the second largest economic power.”
Hu Jintao let out a small sound of admiration.
As expected of a Chinese man, his pride in his country ran deep.
Perhaps pleased by my words, a faint smile appeared on his face.
“However, if the Communist Party begins to reject foreign capital, I’ll have no choice but to leave China.”
Of course, I didn’t forget the warning.
I made it clear that if they ever turned against , I would withdraw my investnts without hesitation.
“There’ll be no rejection. Even if policies change, during my term I’ll protect every cent you invest.”
“I will trust the Vice President.”
Hu Jintao set his teacup down. The sharpness that had filled his eyes earlier had now softened.
“After Wen Jiabao’s reinstatent, what should I do next?”
“You already have a plan, don’t you?”
No matter how indecisive he was, this was the man who had overco Jiang Zemin’s opposition and eventually beco president.
He wouldn’t have sought out without a plan.
“I simply wanted to hear your opinion, President Kim.”
Though I disliked being tested, I replied calmly.
“Until President Jiang fully transfers the chairmanship of the Central Military Commission to you, endure and bide your ti. anwhile, grasp the Shanghai faction’s weaknesses and gradually take over the Party. Once you’ve received the chairmanship, slowly push Jiang out of power.”
“You think I can do that?”
“The Shanghai faction’s key figures didn’t rise from the bottom—they ca from state-run enterprises. They understand economics, but that also ans they’re vulnerable to corruption. Finding leverage won’t be hard. Jiang Zemin knows that too—that’s why he never lets go of military control.”
Hu Jintao nodded and smiled faintly.
It seed he liked that my answer matched his own thoughts.
“You’ll be appointed General Secretary this November, correct?”
“Yes. I’ll beco President next year. There’s no definite date yet for when Jiang will yield the military chairmanship.”
So nothing major had changed. Apart from Wen Jiabao’s purge, events were unfolding exactly as I rembered.
Then the door opened, and hotel staff and Hu Jintao’s attendants set the dishes of the ordered room service on the table before leaving.
“You must be hungry, being called so early in the morning. Let’s continue our talk over breakfast.”
Hu Jintao stood first, and I followed him to the dining table.
As soon as he sat down, he picked up his chopsticks.
Even while we ate, we continued our conversation.
After the al, we returned to the sitting area and drank tea while talking further.
Hu Jintao checked his watch. It seed his schedule was calling.
Before ending the eting, I threw out one last topic.
“Vice President, what do you plan to do about North Korea?”
“North Korea? Why ask that?”
“You broke the reconciliatory mood between the U.S. and North Korea by abstaining from the UN Security Council resolution on the U.S. invasion of Iraq, didn’t you? I was curious what China was thinking when it made that choice.”
Surprise appeared on Hu Jintao’s face.
“Huh······. How did you know that? Not many people in our governnt are even aware of it.”
“It’s not difficult to deduce if you think about it a little. May I ask what you intend to do?”
After a long silence, Hu Jintao finally spoke carefully.
“Our governnt’s stance is simple. North Korea must remain a buffer state. There must be no unification between South and North Korea. For that, we will use any ans necessary.”
He answered with disarming honesty.
As expected, China would never welco Korean unification.
If North and South Korea were united, U.S. forces would eventually be stationed just beyond their border—sothing they would never tolerate.
Russia thought the sa. Even as Putin’s friend, there was nothing I could do about that.
“Hmm······.”
“President Kim, if you were a politician, you wouldn’t be hearing such words from .”
Although he had spoken frankly, Hu Jintao added cautiously, perhaps worried about repercussions.
I understood completely and only nodded.
“Yes. I understand your position. By the way, I’ve heard reports that Jang Songthaek has reappeared in Pyongyang. Are you aware of this?”
“Your intelligence is faster than most countries, President Kim. Yes, he’ll likely reerge in politics soon. That’s why Wen Jiabao has beco even more important—his friendship with Jang Songthaek runs deep.”
So Jang Songthaek’s return was practically confird.
If both China and Russia turned a blind eye, his rise to power would likely be accepted without issue.
Still, Hu Jintao wasn’t soone I could fully trust. Wen Jiabao’s reinstatent ca first.
“I see. Thank you for your honesty.”
“Haha. We’re comrades in the sa boat now, aren’t we?”
As Hu Jintao laughed heartily, I handed him a prepared sheet of paper.
He accepted it with curiosity.
“What’s this?”
“A Swiss account containing ten million dollars. It’s been fully laundered, so there won’t be any problems.”
“Hmm······.”
Hu Jintao let out a soft sigh and looked at silently.
He seed to be wondering what I ant by it.
“There will be many expenses in reinstating Wen Jiabao. Think of this as an investnt toward that. I apologize if it offends you.”
“No, I’m not offended—just surprised. You offered such a large sum so casually that it startled .”
Satisfied with that answer, I watched as Hu Jintao set the paper down.
“Thank you. I’ll make good use of it.”
Smiling kindly, I rose from my seat.
“It was a good eting today. I’ll be going now.”
Hu Jintao also stood and extended his hand.
We clasped hands firmly.
“President Kim, I hope we can continue this relationship for a long ti.”
“I feel the sa. I look forward to working together.”
“Oh, and regarding the companies you’ve invested in—I’ll keep an eye on them personally.”
“Thank you.”
Both of us were smiling.
I had gained the backing of Hu Jintao, who would rule China for ten years, and his running mate Wen Jiabao.
At least for the next decade, I would face no major restrictions in operating within China. It was only natural that I felt pleased.
Hu Jintao, too, must have been satisfied—he’d just secured a proven businessman who could help solidify his political base.
We shook hands several more tis, exchanging looks of mutual understanding.
* * *
A week passed since my eting with Hu Jintao.
“We’ve received the production rights from JC Entertainnt.”
I nodded at Manager Ma’s report.
After Lee Songhee’s arrest, the film that had been in production starring Cheon Jiyoung beca the target of public outrage.
Filming was completely halted, and JC Entertainnt quickly transferred the production rights to us to distance themselves from the scandal.
“Transfer the production company under Chunha Group to Jiyoung’s agency. Make sure she gets full production support and funding.”
“Yes, understood.”
“While we’re at it, separate her agency entirely from Chunha Group. We can’t risk any potential problems later. Handle all the arrangents yourself.”
“Yes, boss.”
After Manager Ma left, I took out my phone and called Cheon Jiyoung.
— Yeah. Oppa······.
Her voice was weak.
“What’s wrong with your voice? You’re eating well, right?”
— Yeah. I’m eating fine.
“Is it because the film production got suspended?”
— I just feel bad, like it all happened because of ······.
Even after being wronged so much by Lee Songhee and the others who followed her—still so soft-hearted.
I shook my head and continued the call.
“You didn’t do anything wrong, so stop thinking like that. That nonsense ends here. The role Lee Songhee had will be recast, and production will resu soon. Just take care of yourself—I’ll check later.”
— Huh? Really?
Her voice jumped an octave over the receiver.
“Yeah. We’ve acquired «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» the production rights. I’ll be providing even more funding this ti, so don’t worry. JC Entertainnt’s also sending staff for support.”
— That’s a relief······. Thank you, oppa.
Cheon Jiyoung finally sighed in relief. She must have been torturing herself, thinking the halted production was her fault.
Just then, Manager Ma knocked and reentered the office.
He had only been gone for a mont. Curious, I glanced up.
Must be sothing urgent. I told Jiyoung I’d call her later and ended the call.
“What is it, Manager Ma?”
“There’s a call from Black Bear headquarters.”
“Eric?”
“Yes. He’s asking if he can visit Korea. What should we do?”
So it was sothing too sensitive to discuss over the phone.
“Tell him to co.”
“Understood. I’ll coordinate the schedule.”
Eric’s visit could only an one thing—
the Iraq War was about to begin.
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