For Bo Xilai, who would now lead Shanghai—the center of China’s economy—major business figures of the city also delivered congratulatory speeches in his honor.
Finally, artists from the cultural world took the stage, adding brilliance to the atmosphere with elegant music and dance.
After the preliminary ceremony ended, Bo Xilai at last stepped up to the podium and took hold of the prepared microphone.
“Respected and beloved compatriots, and everyone who has joined us here today, I greet you all. I am deeply grateful to have been entrusted, starting today, with the new responsibility of serving as Party Secretary of Shanghai. I understand that this is a heavy responsibility given to by the people, and I will do my utmost to fulfill it.”
Speaking in a firm voice, Bo Xilai paused briefly to steady his breath.
“We are currently facing many changes and challenges. Across the fields of economy, technology, environnt, and society, we are undergoing significant transformation. I believe in the strength and unity of our people. China has, throughout its history, always overco crises and continued to develop······.”
Bo Xilai read a rather lengthy address. He even brought up past examples to explain the current situation.
“Shanghai has recently endured a major trial due to corruption allegations against the forr Party Secretary. As a result, trust in Shanghai and its international standing have suffered. Shanghai is the heart of China’s economy. If Shanghai falls, China falls. We must move toward a better future. Therefore, I believe fundantal change and reform are necessary.”
By invoking Chen Liangyu’s corruption charges, he emphasized the need for change and reform, and went on to foreshadow a large-scale audit.
“We must strengthen economic cooperation with our friendly neighbor, North Korea, and promote regional stability and prosperity. North Korea desires peace and is pursuing policies for its people through economic cooperation with South Korea. As their ally, China must assist North Korea. Accordingly, I intend to visit North Korea after taking office.”
He continued reading his inauguration speech, even touching on economic cooperation with North Korea.
‘Anyone would think this is a presidential inauguration.’
Listening to the grand rhetoric, I let out a quiet, inward chuckle.
“We will ensure that investors from all over the world can trust and invest in Shanghai. To that end, I will maintain a good relationship with a businessman in Korea and utilize his capabilities and experience to further strengthen economic cooperation between Shanghai and Korea.”
At that part, I couldn’t help but be startled.
He didn’t ntion my na directly, but it was clearly about .
I hadn’t expected him to publicly declare cooperation like this in such a setting.
Jiang Zemin’s face stiffened as he realized who was being referred to.
He, too, seed not to have expected Bo Xilai to openly announce that he would join hands with in a place like this.
No—he probably hadn’t even considered the possibility.
Perhaps he had assud, on his own, that Bo Xilai disliked . After all, I had dealt him a heavy blow once before.
That would also explain why Jiang Zemin hadn’t strongly opposed entrusting Shanghai to Bo Xilai.
The mont I turned my head toward Jiang Zemin, he turned as well and looked at .
Seeing his rigid expression, I let a victorious smile spread across my face.
At that mont, Jiang Zemin made an unexpected move.
“W-Where are you going, Chairman?”
Han Zheng, who was sitting beside him, tried to stop him in surprise, but Jiang Zemin ignored him and left.
The festive inauguration was suddenly doused in cold water, and confusion spread in an instant.
People from all walks of life seated behind Bo Xilai, as well as those gathered below the stage to celebrate him, could not understand what was happening.
But Bo Xilai was different.
As if he had already anticipated Jiang Zemin’s behavior, he showed no sign of panic and continued reading his speech until the very end.
“We will now unite as one and, through economic developnt, improvent of people’s livelihoods, political stability, and international cooperation, make Shanghai even more prosperous. Together, we will make China stronger and more prosperous. Thank you.”
After finishing his speech, Bo Xilai stepped aside and gave a deep bow to the audience.
At the sa ti, dazzling fireworks filled the sky.
The inauguration continued afterward. It was a festival for the citizens of Shanghai.
Bo Xilai spared no expense, preparing food and inviting singers.
The citizens enjoyed the extravagant inauguration in their own way.
Separate from that, however, the truly important party was held elsewhere.
After the ceremony ended, Bo Xilai led high-ranking Communist Party officials and figures from all sectors to a nearby Grand Hotel.
Located in the center of Shanghai, the Grand Hotel was one of the city’s most prestigious hotels, famous as a place where foreign businessn and politicians stayed when visiting Shanghai.
The inauguration party was attended not only by politicians, businessn, artists, and social leaders based in Shanghai, but also by high-ranking officials from the central governnt.
Yet nowhere could Jiang Zemin or the Shanghai faction be seen.
Even ambassadors from various countries attended, but not a single one of them ca here.
Throughout the hall, leaders shaping China exchanged opinions and discussed the country’s future.
“Congratulations. Should I now address you as Party Secretary?”
I approached Bo Xilai with a smile, raising my glass.
“Ah, President Kim Muhyuk! I finally get to greet you. I’ve been so busy.”
Bo Xilai, who had been speaking with the Russian ambassador, welcod warmly.
“Ambassador Sergei, it’s been a while.”
I nodded and greeted the Russian ambassador standing beside him as well.
“Yes, President Kim. It’s been a long ti.”
The Russian ambassador greeted with full courtesy. Knowing well my relationship with the master of the Kremlin, he seed uncomfortable around .
Bo Xilai turned to the ambassador.
“Let’s set aside so ti later to discuss economic cooperation between Russia and Shanghai, Ambassador Sergei.”
“Yes, of course. Then I’ll take my leave······.”
The ambassador withdrew without resistance, leaving only Bo Xilai and .
I glanced around. People were hesitating, unsure whether to approach him.
“It looks like quite a few people want to et you.”
“Haha, it’s widely believed that the Party Secretary of Shanghai is the closest position to the next Chairman. It’s no wonder Chen Liangyu acted so arrogantly.”
As Bo Xilai said, Shanghai was the second most important city in China after Beijing.
Of course, the Party Secretary of Beijing ranked higher in formal hierarchy, since the central governnt was based there.
But without real power, that ranking ant little—so in practice, the influence of the Shanghai Party Secretary was greater.
That was why people generally believed the Shanghai Party Secretary would beco the next Chairman.
“If you manage Shanghai well, becoming the next Chairman won’t just be a dream. This is all thanks to you, President Kim Muhyuk. Thank you again.”
I accepted his gratitude with a smile and raised my wine glass.
“That’s enough thanks. Let’s have a drink.”
Bo Xilai picked up his glass and clinked it with mine.
We took a sip and continued talking.
“Jiang Zemin left without a word. Are you sure that’s alright? This is the Shanghai faction’s stronghold, after all.”
I asked with a hint of concern, but Bo Xilai nodded as if it were nothing.
“I expected it. But the mont I let myself be dragged around by Chairman Jiang Zemin, I’ll be branded as part of the Shanghai faction. That must not happen. If it does, I’ll have no future. You’ve gone to great lengths for , President Kim—I can’t waste this opportunity.”
“Hmm······.”
“I don’t know how long Chairman Hu Jintao will maintain his grip on power, but I believe he’ll retain influence at least until the next leadership lineup is ford. And by convention, the next Chairman is decided at that ti.”
As he said, when Hu Jintao’s second term began, the successor would be designated.
In my previous life, Xi Jinping had been chosen and made a dazzling entrance into central politics.
But this ti, that role belonged to Bo Xilai.
Recalling how he had once been pushed aside by Xi Jinping, I smiled faintly.
“I think it’s entirely possible. Still, you mustn’t let your guard down. Once you enter the second leadership lineup, you’ll have to watch even the falling leaves.”
Being designated as the next Chairman wasn’t the end.
Holding onto that position until the very end depended entirely on Bo Xilai’s own ability.
“Haha. I know that better than anyone. I’ll have to be careful at all tis.”
“What about cleaning up your surroundings? Have you done it?”
“······I asked for a divorce, but she refused. So I plan to proceed with a lawsuit.”
Well, if it were , I wouldn’t want to leave Bo Xilai either.
“Didn’t your current wife also marry you through a divorce lawsuit? It’ll leave quite a political scar.”
“Even so, it has to be done, doesn’t it?”
Once he learned what Ku Kailai would eventually do, he would be grateful I told him to divorce her.
“That’s right. I wouldn’t advise anything harmful to you. I’m suggesting this because it will benefit you. Do you still love your wife?”
“······No. Those feelings have long since faded. Now she’s just a political partner.”
“Then keep a close eye on Wang Lijun. There’s a high probability the two are having an affair.”
Bo Xilai looked shocked, as if hearing this for the first ti.
“You’re saying Wang Lijun and my wife are involved?”
“Most likely. That’s what our intelligence suggests. It’s not an absolute source, so I can’t guarantee it—consider it advice to investigate personally.”
“······If that’s true, that would be good.”
Hoping for his wife’s infidelity to be true. It seed he had already steeled himself.
I let out a small laugh and nodded.
“Get rid of both of them without exception. Who are you planning to appoint as the new Public Security Bureau chief?”
Originally, Wang Lijun should have followed him to Shanghai.
But this ti, he hadn’t brought him along.
“I’m still considering it. For now, I plan to take my ti before replacing him.”
“Public security and the ard police—those two groups must be filled entirely with your people. Even if Chairman Hu Jintao or Chairman Jiang Zemin demand otherwise, ignore them all. You must not be dragged around by anyone.”
“I understand. Of course.”
Bo Xilai nodded firmly, then glanced around before lowering his voice.
“······And regarding Chairman Yoo, I plan to release him on bail for now.”
“Will you really do that?”
“It’s already in trial, so I can’t just declare him innocent at will. But I’ve already made an arrangent with the court for an acquittal. And······.”
Bo Xilai went on at length, explaining everything in detail.
Seeing how much effort he was putting in to save Yoo Seongjin even before officially taking office pleased greatly.
If he was working this hard, I might as well let him benefit a little.
“Good. I’ll inform the head of Dream High. I’ll have him officially visit Shanghai—and submit a proposal promising massive investnt.”
“Really? Thank you! I will never forget this favor.”
For Shanghai, everything was about the economy—first and foremost.
Large-scale foreign investnt would beco his strongest weapon, greater than any achievent.
That was why he reacted with such delight.
After that, I continued giving Bo Xilai advice on various matters.
Combining mories from my previous life with the current situation, I offered the best guidance I could.
At that mont, Ma Yun approached us hesitantly.
“Congratulations, Party Secretary.”
Bo Xilai didn’t recognize him and responded perfunctorily.
“Ah, thank you.”
As Ma Yun hesitated, unable to continue, I caught him and introduced him.
“Party Secretary. This is the CEO of a company called Alibaba, which I personally invested in.”
“I see? Then you’re an important figure. My apologies. I’m Bo Xilai.”
Only then did Bo Xilai extend his hand.
Even with standing beside him, Ma Yun was visibly tense.
He grasped Bo Xilai’s hand with both of his, showing the utmost respect.
“Haha. With more excellent entrepreneurs like you, China will only grow stronger. Welco to Shanghai.”
Ma Yun could only nod, still dazed by the warm reception.
“Party Secretary, I’d like to have a separate conversation with ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) Chairman Ma Yun. Let’s speak again later.”
At my request, Bo Xilai nodded imdiately.
“Of course. I should greet the others waiting as well. Chairman Ma Yun, let’s have a al together soti.”
“Y-Yes! Of course!”
Bo Xilai patted Ma Yun’s stiff shoulder a few tis before moving away.
I watched him leave, a faint smile forming on my lips.
“Why so nervous? It’s not like you ca here to die.”
“Phew······. He’s a leading candidate for the next Chairman, isn’t he? If I get on his bad side, it’s over for .”
“Haha. Now that you’ve joined hands with , that won’t happen. I’ll make sure you never regret not letting go of my hand, no matter what pressure cos.”
The Chinese governnt had used all kinds of thods to shake Alibaba, yet Ma Yun had never betrayed .
Now it was ti to reward him.
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