I kept thinking about it. Whether to abandon Yoo Seongjin... or save him.
“It’s been a week. We et again.”
At the embassy I had returned to, the Chinese ambassador smiled when she saw .
I returned the smile outwardly, but inside I barely suppressed the murderous intent boiling up within .
“Please connect .”
“Yes. Of course.”
She picked up the phone and contacted soone.
Once the call connected, she handed the receiver and left the room.
― Hoho. I didn’t expect you to use up the entire week. So then, have you made your decision?
Without even exchanging greetings, Jiang Zemin went straight to the point.
The mont I heard that relaxed voice, it felt like the top of my head was about to explode.
“......Yes. Chairman. I’ve made my decision.”
― Oh! Then will you co to Beijing? I recently received a fine bottle of liquor as a gift. Why don’t we have a drink together and talk about the future?
Jiang Zemin spoke down to , as if it had never even crossed his mind that I might reject his offer.
“No. The day I sit across from you and drink together will never co.”
For the past week, I had thought about it endlessly.
I told Han Kyungyeong about it, and even asked Eva for her opinion while she was on vacation.
Han Kyungyeong said I should follow my heart.
Eva said she would support whatever decision I made.
In the end, I decided to abandon Yoo Seongjin.
The reason I had been pushed this far was because I had tried to use both sides without fully siding with either.
Whether it was Hu Jintao, Jiang Zemin, or soone else entirely—I should have chosen.
If I had taken soone’s hand and pushed them forward from the beginning, this situation would never have happened.
If I had made them feel we shared the sa fate, they would have protected when sothing like this occurred.
In the end, everything was my fault.
― What do you an by that? It sounds like you’re rejecting my proposal.
Jiang Zemin’s voice lowered.
“That’s right. I will not accept your proposal. And I intend to do whatever it takes to bring you down.”
Although I decided to abandon Yoo Seongjin, that didn’t an I was giving up on him completely.
Even if he was sentenced to death, I could still save him before the execution.
“There are many things I could tolerate and compromise on. But touching my people? Chairman, you made a serious mistake.”
― So the rumors about you valuing your subordinates weren’t true after all.
“It’s because I value them that I’m doing this. Your hunting dogs must have already told you—Chairman Yoo Seongjin said I should abandon him. So I decided to do just that. But instead, I plan to make the people who pushed him to that point pay the price.”
Simply rejecting Jiang Zemin’s proposal was not enough.
From this mont on, Jiang Zemin was my enemy.
And today was the day I declared war on him.
“Look forward to it. To how far I can go. Whatever you imagine... you’ll experience sothing far beyond that.”
― ...You’re more insane than I thought. Just a vulgar businessman who plays with money! And you dare threaten ?!
“You’re the one who made like this, Chairman. Or would you release Chairman Yoo Seongjin right now?”
― Ha...
Jiang Zemin sighed as if dumbfounded and continued.
― President Kim. How lightly must you think of to behave like this? I extended my hand to you.
“And you’re not threatening by wagering my subordinate’s life? Enough. I don’t wish to continue this conversation.”
A conversation should be between people.
Not with trash like this.
― If you hang up now, you’ll never be able to do business in China again.
“Do as you please. And if you’re counting on Europe, you’ll regret that decision even more. Sothing interesting will happen today. And it’s all thanks to Chairman Jiang Zemin. Goodbye.”
Last ti, Jiang Zemin had hung up first.
But this ti, I hung up first.
I didn’t leave imdiately.
Instead, I waited for the Chinese ambassador.
Soon, she ca in, her face pale.
“W-What on earth have you done?!”
Unlike before, there wasn’t the slightest hint of a smile on her face.
I stood and walked toward her.
“What have I done? Did you think I would beg like a dog caught in the rain?”
“What are you talking about? He was trying to help President Kim’s business—”
Running your mouth because you have a hole for one.
I frowned and cut her off.
“Do you really know nothing? Or are you pretending not to?”
“What do you an...?”
Judging by her reaction, she really seed to know nothing.
She was nothing more than a disposable pawn used to contact .
“Ha... so that’s it. Discarding the hunting dog after the hunt. Well, if you don’t know, it’s better that you keep not knowing. But ignorance doesn’t an you’ll be forgiven for everything. I haven’t forgotten the rudeness you showed . Look forward to what happens next. You’ve heard the rumors about what kind of person I am, haven’t you?”
“......”
At my indifferent words, the ambassador’s already pale face turned even whiter.
“Make sure you keep your ambassador position for a long ti. Otherwise...”
I deliberately left the sentence unfinished.
But as if she could guess the rest, the ambassador collapsed onto the floor.
I looked down at her with cold eyes, then walked past and left the embassy.
* * *
At the sa ti Kim Muhyuk declared war on Jiang Zemin.
Jang Songthaek halted the Sinuiju developnt project that had been entrusted to China.
“Chairman! What is the aning of this?!”
As soon as the Sinuiju project was halted, the Chinese ambassador in Pyongyang rushed to et Jang Songthaek.
“What do you an what? Isn’t this what you wanted? China was the one who broke faith with our Republic first.”
“That’s a misunderstanding. What exactly—”
The ambassador tried to explain, but Jang Songthaek cut him off and raised his voice.
“A misunderstanding? Did you just call this a misunderstanding? Didn’t you try to pressure our Republic using the aid you promised us as leverage?”
“That is—”
“Ambassador, you know better than anyone. I was considered pro-China, even before I took power. Yet your country behaved worse than Russia, worse even than South Korea and Japan, who have long opposed us. Why should our Republic continue tolerating that?”
The ambassador’s eyes darted around awkwardly under Jang Songthaek’s sharp words.
“There has been a misunderstanding. It’s not that we intended to stop the aid. We only wanted to adjust the schedule slightly—”
“Those few days could have ant our people starving to death. Or freezing to death. Because of just a few days.”
“That is an excessive interpretation. China and your Republic are blood allies, are we not?”
Jang Songthaek snorted mockingly.
“Blood allies! Blood allies, you say. It seems the aning of that phrase is very different for you than it is for .”
The Chinese ambassador fell silent.
In truth, he himself had opposed this decision.
But the central governnt had ultimately decided to pressure North Korea, and he had repeatedly asked Jang Songthaek for understanding.
“Japan and Russia have already agreed to provide even more support than China offered. We will hand the Sinuiju developnt over to Japan.”
“That makes no sense—”
“Why does it make no sense? Whoever develops it doesn’t matter, as long as the developnt proceeds quickly.”
“If that happens, we will not be able to remain idle.”
Jang Songthaek raised one eyebrow and leaned toward the ambassador.
The normally gentle man now looked thoroughly displeased.
“So you cannot remain idle. Are you threatening ?”
“A small country defying a great power is unacceptable. I am speaking for your sake, Chairman—”
“That’s enough.”
Jang Songthaek had decided to abandon any expectations of China.
The courtesy he had been maintaining vanished entirely as he stared coldly at the ambassador.
Then he spoke in a flat, icy voice.
“Leave. I no longer wish to speak with you. I would rather not stain the friendship we have built any further.”
“......”
“A small country... I did not realize that was how you viewed our Republic.”
“The Premier will be deeply disappointed.”
The ambassador tried to hide behind the Premier’s authority.
Jang Songthaek chuckled.
“I haven’t been able to reach Premier Wen Jiabao. Whether he is avoiding deliberately or simply unable to respond, I cannot say.”
“......”
“When the situation becos unfavorable, you fall silent. That seems to be your habit. Please leave.”
“Chairman.”
Just then, soone knocked on the office door.
“The Russian ambassador has arrived.”
The Chinese ambassador’s face flushed red.
To be told that the Russian ambassador had arrived while he was still present—this was blatant humiliation.
“I have another appointnt now. Would you mind leaving?”
The humiliated ambassador stood up, biting his lip.
“Think carefully. If this continues, relations with my country will beco irreversible. The Chairman will—”
“Is that President Hu Jintao’s position? Or forr President Jiang Zemin’s position? Did I guess wrong? I believed you were President Hu’s man.”
At the ntion of Jiang Zemin’s na, the ambassador inhaled sharply.
“There’s no way President Hu Jintao ordered our Republic to be treated like this. I’m not blind or deaf. If China ever extends its hand again, I am willing to grasp it. Tell President Hu that.”
“......”
“You may go now. It would be a diplomatic discourtesy to keep the Russian ambassador waiting.”
Jang Songthaek’s tone had returned to its usual gentleness.
But sohow, it felt like an even higher wall had been erected.
The Chinese ambassador clenched his lips until they bled and spoke through his teeth.
“...I will visit again. Please reconsider.”
After bowing, the Chinese ambassador left.
Soon afterward, the Russian ambassador entered.
Unlike before, Jang Songthaek welcod him warmly.
“Welco, Ambassador Sergei.”
“Haha. I appreciate such a warm reception.”
After shaking hands and exchanging an embrace, the two n sat down.
“I saw the Chinese ambassador leaving just now. Did he co because of this matter?”
Jang Songthaek nodded and frowned.
“He tried to threaten , saying a small country should not defy a great power.”
“Hmm. For him to commit such discourtesy... the Chinese ambassador must be quite desperate.”
“There is also much dissatisfaction internally regarding this decision.”
Sergei nodded in agreent.
“That is only natural. You have depended heavily on China for a long ti. But diplomacy where one side is dragged along is never good.”
“That’s true. If ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) we were as strong as your country, they would not treat us like this.”
Jang Songthaek sighed.
Only now did he understand Kim Jongil’s efforts to keep so distance from China despite receiving its aid.
“So please help us greatly, Ambassador Sergei.”
“My country has always been the Chairman’s friend. We will never betray you.”
“Thank you. Speaking with you has lifted my mood sowhat. I have so excellent black tea—would you care for a cup? I’ll prepare it myself.”
“Oh! I look forward to it.”
Jang Songthaek stood and began preparing the tea himself.
Watching him, Sergei thought quietly to himself.
Kim Jongil was definitely different from this man.
Kim Jongil would never have done such a thing personally.
“Please.”
Jang Songthaek handed him the tea with a smile and sat down.
“Has Moscow contacted you?”
“Yes. The promised support will begin arriving sequentially starting tomorrow.”
Jang Songthaek’s face brightened noticeably.
“Thank you. I will never forget Russia’s help.”
“There’s nothing to thank for. It is simply an agreent between our countries.”
Jang Songthaek spent a long ti speaking with the Russian ambassador.
* * *
North Korea’s sudden suspension of the Sinuiju developnt project beca major news in South Korea.
It sparked widespread debate, with so even speculating that economic cooperation with South Korea might also be canceled.
“Boss. Everything is ready.”
“Is that so?”
I set the newspaper down and looked at Chief Ma.
“Just give the order and the operation will begin imdiately.”
“It must look like an accident. Under no circumstances can it be traced back to us.”
“Yes. We’ll stage it as a hit-and-run and escape along the prearranged route.”
This was a warning to Jiang Zemin.
I planned to kill the son of the Chinese ambassador who had shown such disrespect... and make it look like an accident.
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