I emphasized it once more to dvedev.
“Please, do not move.”
That monster in the Kremlin was not soone who acted according to common sense.
Still, I never imagined he would even consider moving the military.
— Understood. I will relay it to the President. Then what about the Zaslon unit? Do we send them ho as they are?
“Yes. Since things have gotten tangled, they need to leave all the more. If the U.S. or China finds out that Russia was involved in this, matters will beco complicated.”
— That’s true. If new information cos in, I’ll contact you again.
I ended the call with dvedev.
A pointless irritation welled up inside . Dealing with Jang Songthaek alone was already a headache, and now Russia was talking about preparing to move troops.
As I frowned, Manager Ma brought over a glass of ice water and spoke.
“Are you all right, Boss?”
I took the glass and slowly shook my head.
“Things have beco troubleso. It looked like everything would proceed according to plan, but a variable popped up. I didn’t realize Jang Songthaek was this weak. No—weak isn’t the word. Maybe I should say he has resolve.”
Drinking the cold water with ice seed to clear my head a little.
Setting the glass down with a sigh, I spoke.
“Manager. Try contacting Igor.”
Manager Ma used the satellite phone Jang Songthaek was carrying to make the call.
— .......
The line connected, but there was no sound.
I took the receiver and called out to Igor.
“Igor?”
— Yes, Boss.
Only after confirming my voice did Igor respond.
“Is there anyone with you?”
— No. I’m alone.
“What’s the situation outside?”
— Director Jang Songthaek rushed into the room where Kim Jongil is and hasn’t co out yet.
Jang Songthaek was undoubtedly explaining everything that had happened so far and trying to persuade Kim Jongil.
That Ri Ulsol had joined hands with him to plot this, ignored the summons, and instead moved the military.
After a brief hesitation, I opened my heavy mouth.
“......Igor, from this point on, do not relay the orders I give to any other rcenaries. I’m issuing a direct order to you alone.”
— Yes. Give the order.
“If Jang Songthaek fails to subdue Ri Ulsol, kill Kim Jongil. Not only Kim Jongil, but everyone in his family who’s there as well.”
If the first thod had gone awry, the second had to be used.
Ri Ulsol had moved the military under the pretext of saving Kim Jongil.
And if Ri Ulsol won the fight against Jang Songthaek, he too would need Kim Jongil alive.
— You’re telling to kill everyone?
“Yes. Kill them. Kill everyone, then withdraw together with the rcenaries.”
— .......
“It’s a precaution. I also hope it won’t be carried out.”
— Understood. I will do so.
Igor accepted my order.
“Now destroy that satellite phone. Cut all ties to . We’ll et again later.”
The connection with Igor was severed.
* * *
After hearing Jang Songthaek’s words, Kim Jongil flew into a rage.
“So that bastard Ri Ulsol really did that?”
“Yes.”
“Hah...... senile old fool. I knew he would. He’s moving the Pyongyang Defense Command troops and heading here right now?”
“Yes. If you don’t step in, Chairman, a civil war will break out. A civil war between those aligned with and those aligned with Ri Ulsol. You’re the only one who can stop it.”
At Jang Songthaek’s words, Kim Jongil curled the corner of his mouth upward.
“What is this? You’re telling to act like your scarecrow?”
“Chairman. Do you truly want mutual annihilation? I promised to keep you alive, but do you think Ri Ulsol will do the sa?”
Kim Jongil furrowed his brow.
“You’re saying that senile old man would actually kill ?”
“Yes. Do you think he would stop with just you? Jongnam, Jongchul, and Jongun as well...... everyone who carries the blood of the Kim family would be killed.”
“What? What kind of bullshit is that?”
Kim Jongil still replied dismissively, but Jang Songthaek continued in an even tone.
“Ri Ulsol doesn’t have long to live. Even now, his hearing is so bad that he can barely hold a conversation without relying on a hearing aid. Why would soone like that move the military and co here?”
“.......”
“He intends to hand this republic to his own bloodline. Just as the Great Leader handed power to you, Chairman, he intends to do the sa.”
Kim Jongil knew it as well. Unlike Ri Ulsol, Jang Songthaek was at least soone you could reason with.
If Ri Ulsol took control, it was obvious that even sitting down to talk would be impossible.
“......Would he really do that? Still, he was your father’s comrade. You’re saying he’d wipe out that entire bloodline?”
“Chairman, are you really saying that?”
Jang Songthaek sneered at Kim Jongil’s words.
“Are you mocking right now?”
“Do you not rember wiping out entire families when you purged others? Among them were even longti comrades of the Great Leader who couldn’t escape the blade of the purge. What did you do to their families then?”
“.......”
Kim Jongil said nothing, only glaring at Jang Songthaek.
“It’s not that I lack confidence. I could block a single Pyongyang Defense Command force with my own strength alone. I simply don’t want to spill blood unnecessarily.”
“Is that so? Then try blocking them.”
“I’ve already called in the 1st Corps and the 3rd Corps.”
“What? How dare you, without my orders—!”
“Is that really what matters right now?”
“Then what does matter?”
Jang Songthaek spoke in a voice utterly devoid of emotion.
“If we manage to stop them, then you, Chairman, will no longer be necessary. Just as you did when you seized power, I will begin a proper blood purge. Even I don’t know how far that blade will reach.”
“You double-crossing bastard! Are you threatening right now?”
Kim Jongil slamd the desk hard and sprang to his feet.
“Chairman!”
Jang Songthaek raised his voice without backing down.
“That is why I ask for your cooperation.”
Kim Jongil ground his teeth, glaring at Jang Songthaek with eyes blazing.
“I am giving you a chance, Chairman. Choose. Help stop Ri Ulsol, or.......”
Jang Songthaek let the rest trail off. Kim Jongil released a long sigh and sat back down.
“Jang Songthaek.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
“What do you want to do?”
Wearing the smile of a victor, Jang Songthaek told him what he needed to do.
The Pyongyang Defense Command forces led by Ri Ulsol arrived near the Yeohori villa.
But troops from the 1st Corps and the 3rd Corps had already arrived and were guarding the Yeohori villa like an iron fortress.
The mont the Pyongyang Defense Command began moving, Jang Songthaek had contacted the leadership of the 1st and 3rd Corps first and requested troops.
They were generals who had already been won over by Jang Songthaek’s bribes and sweet talk.
That was also why Jang Songthaek had chosen the Yeohori villa as the site for the operation.
Tanks from the Pyongyang Defense Command and tanks from the 1st and 3rd Corps faced each other, gun barrels aid directly at one another.
Then Ri Ulsol switched on the loudspeaker and shouted.
“This is Ri Ulsol! What are you all doing? You reactionary bastards! Are you really blocking when I’ve co to save the General? Are you all itching to die?”
But there was no response from the other side.
Just as Ri Ulsol was about to grit his teeth and speak again, a familiar voice ca over the loudspeaker.
“This is the Director of the General Political Bureau, Marshal Ri Ulsol.”
“Cho Myongrok! You too have beco Jang Songthaek’s lackey?”
“Have you gone senile with age? Why is Director Jang Songthaek even coming up? He has nothing to do with this incident. I ca here because I received the General’s summons.”
Nothing to do with it? Ri Ulsol’s eyes widened.
Kim Jongil had clearly summoned him, saying Jang Songthaek had staged a rebellion. Things were taking a strange turn.
Before he could gather his thoughts, Cho Myongrok continued.
“Director Jang Songthaek is with the General right now. So who exactly is the traitor here? Us, who are protecting the General? Or you, Marshal Ri Ulsol?”
“What nonsense are you spouting! I am Ri Ulsol! The shield that protects the Baekdu bloodline, Ri Ulsol!”
“If you are a shield, then act like one and disarm. Is it proper behavior to aim your gun barrels at the place where the General resides?”
At those words, the soldiers of the Pyongyang Defense Command began to waver.
They had already lost the battle for initiative. Seeing the murmuring soldiers, Ri Ulsol swallowed his anxiety.
“This is my final warning. Disarm and pull your forces back.”
Ri Ulsol already knew that the longer this conversation went on, the more disadvantageous it beca.
He turned off the loudspeaker and issued an order to Park Giseo, the commander of the Pyongyang Defense Command, who was standing by.
“Vice Marshal Park Giseo. Those bastards can’t beat us. Suppress them all and save the General.”
“......Marshal. Didn’t we co here to save the General?”
“He’s already in their hands. Right now, eliminating them is what truly serves the General. Don’t you trust either?”
When Park Giseo continued to hesitate, Ri Ulsol spoke firmly.
“Vice Marshal Park Giseo. I am issuing this order as Marshal. Crush them all. Otherwise, I’ll execute you on the spot under military law.”
At Ri Ulsol’s threat, Park Giseo narrowed his eyes.
“We’re already in the sa boat. Do you think only I’ll die if this fails? You’ll die too, Park Giseo.”
“You said we were going to save the General......”
As Ri Ulsol and Park Giseo were arguing, a voice suddenly rang out from the loudspeaker.
— Soldiers of the glorious Korean People’s Army, Pyongyang Defense Command, listen!
Kim Jongil’s own voice bood through the loudspeaker.
Startled, Park Giseo and {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} Ri Ulsol looked at each other in confusion.
— In the na of the General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Chairman of the National Defense Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and Supre Commander of the Korean People’s Army, I solemnly order you: disarm imdiately and surrender.
The soldiers murmured at Kim Jongil’s voice.
“Hey, hey. That really sounds like the General.”
“I don’t know. What the hell is going on?”
— Marshal Ri Ulsol, Commander of the Guard Command, and Commander Park Giseo of the Pyongyang Defense Command abandoned their grave duty to protect my safety and were plotting a sinister sche.
Kim Jongil’s voice carried overwhelming authority through the loudspeaker.
— This is my final warning. Anyone who cooperates with Ri Ulsol and Park Giseo will be severely punished as a reactionary elent. I proclaim this in the na of the General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea!
Park Giseo asked Ri Ulsol.
“The General’s order has been issued. What shall we do now?”
“.......”
Ri Ulsol said nothing, biting his lip hard.
At that mont, a soldier rushed into the tent where Ri Ulsol and Park Giseo were.
“This is bad. A fighter squadron that departed from the 2nd Air Force Command in Hamhung is heading this way.”
“A fighter squadron? What are you talking about!”
“They took off from Deoksan Air Base and will arrive shortly.”
“......It’s over.”
Park Giseo collapsed to the ground, muttering in despair.
— Arrest Ri Ulsol and Park Giseo. Glory to the heroic soldiers of the Korean People’s Army!
After those words, the loudspeaker fell silent.
The tent was swallowed by stillness.
Neither Ri Ulsol nor Park Giseo said a word.
Then company-grade officers stord into the tent.
“You traitorous bastards!!”
They aid their guns at Ri Ulsol and Park Giseo.
Park Giseo snapped back to his senses and shouted at the top of his lungs.
“What do you think you’re doing? Are you disobeying orders right now?”
“Disobeying orders? To hell with that. At this rate, all of us will beco traitors who pointed our guns at the General. What is this? Arrest them imdiately!”
At the colonel’s order, the officers slowly moved toward Park Giseo and Ri Ulsol.
“Have you all lost your minds? What do you think you’re doing? Do you think you’ll survive after this?”
Unlike Park Giseo, who was screaming in rage, Ri Ulsol only stared blankly up at the ceiling with unfocused eyes.
The officers disard the two of them and placed them under arrest.
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