Chapter 167: Are They Alive?

After asking Wen Jiabao to look into Jang Dae-ho’s family, I’d heard nothing from China for months.

‘Is it possible they really have no news… Could he be dead?’

Just as dark thoughts began to take root, I finally received contact from China.

— Boss Kim, it’s been tough.

“You’ve worked hard. Did you find them?”

— Yes. However, North Korea has conditions for us. Can you come to China?

“More importantly, are they alive?”

— Yes, the children are alive, but the wife has already passed away.

It was sad news about his wife, but the good news was that the children were still alive.

While it mattered to help Jang Dae-ho, I wanted to assist because I understood the kind of person he was.

“Got it. I’ll leave tomorrow.”

— Then I’ll see you tomorrow.

After ending my call with Wen Jiabao, I stood up from my seat.

I still didn’t know what conditions North Korea had put forward, which made my heart race.

“Manager, contact the airport so I can leave for China tomorrow.”

Manager Ma followed me and asked back.

“Boss, are you talking about China?”

“Yes, they said they found Jang Dae-ho’s family. North Korea has made some demands, so I think I need to go and hear it out.”

Manager Ma, who had been following me, suddenly stopped.

His rare behavior made me pause, and when I looked back, his face was filled with worry.

“North Korea is dangerous, Boss. If news gets out that you met North Korean officials in China, it could put you at risk.”

“Are you worried about me?”

I asked with a forced smile, but Manager Ma’s tense expression didn’t relax.

“I understand what you mean. But you also know we have to bring Jang Dae-ho’s family back, right?”

“Then I’ll go separately.”

I knew exactly what he was worried about.

With the historic first summit coming up this year, the inter-Korean relationship was warming up, but North Korea remained the main enemy regardless of what anyone said.

Though the National Security Law provided a premise for enemies to attack me, still, going personally was the right choice.

“No way. I need to go myself since we don’t know what they’ll demand.”

“But…”

“Let’s meet first and then worry about the rest.”

As I started walking again, Manager Ma caught up to me and said.

“Just in case, you might want to inform the U.S. about it.”

“Ah…”

I let out a quiet sigh.

Manager Ma had pointed out something I hadn’t considered.

“Alright, I’ll take care of that.”

“Yes, Boss.”

The U.S. was probably monitoring my every move.

But if I went to meet North Korean officials in China without a word, it could become quite a headache.

Recently, I had also been troubled by what Secretary Rubin had said after resigning from the treasury.

‘Boss Kim, the U.S. government is preparing to apply pressure on you. It seems to be influenced by the Jewish community.’

I had expected the U.S. government would not always be friendly towards me, but them already trying to keep me in check this soon, even before the regime change…

‘Things are turning out to be more interesting than I expected.’

I smirked faintly.

The next day, as part of my morning routine, I stopped by to see my grandfather before calling Han Gyeong-yeong.

— Oh, Mu-hyeok.

“Hyung, are you busy? It seems a bit noisy around you.”

— No, I’m at a party but stepped outside to take your call.

“It looks like I’ll be heading to China today to meet North Korean officials. Could you give a heads-up to the U.S. government?”

— What?”

His astonishment was clear; I could hear the agitation in his voice through the receiver.

“There are some people I’m bringing back from there. They suggested we meet and discuss conditions directly. We’ll have to see.”

There was a long pause before I heard a response. I could clearly picture Han Gyeong-yeong’s worried face.

— Ha… This is crazy. Do you have to go?”

“It’s necessary.”

— Just know that getting involved with them is different from Russia or China. It could be your downfall.”

His warnings mirrored Manager Ma’s concerns.

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“That’s why I want to notify the U.S. ahead of time. They’re probably already aware that I’m making moves.”

— Fine, I’ll let you know. The Secretary of State is here at the party, so I’ll casually mention it to him.”

“The Secretary of State is at the party?”

He had complained about how parties never seemed to end, but it sounded more like a social gathering today.

— With the presidential election coming up, I’m dragged around everywhere. Today I’m at a Democratic Party party. Tomorrow will be Republican. Oh, I have something to report to you, by the way.”

“What is it?”

— It’s not a short story, so I feel it’s better to talk after you return from China.”

“Got it. It’s nothing urgent, right?”

— Not urgent. I’ll head back inside now, Mu-hyeok.”

I heard Han Gyeong-yeong speaking in English before he hurriedly hung up.

Looking at it, he seemed busier than I was.

I remembered him grumbling about having too much money with nowhere to spend it and smiled as I fiddled with my phone.

“Let’s head to the airport.”

“Yes, Boss.”

On our way to Gimpo Airport, I called Myeong-su.

“So it’s a solo meeting with Chairman Yoon today?”

— Yeah. We’re scheduled to meet shortly.

“Make sure to say you’ll definitely head into the district. If they say anything, just drop my name. That should get you most of the way there.”

Myeong-su sounded puzzled, as if he didn’t immediately grasp what I was saying.

— Don’t you think it would be more beneficial for me to support the election campaign while I travel around the nation?”

“That’s true for the Moderate Party, but it doesn’t really help you. You need to create your own faction by helping out people to get elected, not just supporting the Moderates.”

I took my time explaining it for Myeong-su, who was still relatively new to politics.

Those already politically established in the Moderate Party wouldn’t appreciate Myeong-su’s help.

Yet due to the party only being a year old, many newcomers were diving into politics for the first time.

If they could get reelected with Myeong-su’s help, it would become his asset in return.

“Focus on helping those likely to be defeated or first-timers to build your faction.”

— I understand now.”

“If you follow the plan I laid out, you’ll expand your faction in no time.”

— Got it. I should head in now. Let’s grab a meal after you return from China, Mu-hyeok.”

“Sure.”

I was already excited about what Myeong-su would look like in the future I was shaping.

Upon arriving in Beijing and stepping outside the airport, I found the people Wen Jiabao sent waiting for me.

“Is this Boss Kim?”

“Yes.”

“We’re here to escort you per the Vice Premier’s orders.”

As the group in black suits appeared, I felt the security team accompanying me tense up.

“Are we moving separately?”

In response to Manager Ma’s question, their expression remained stoic as they replied.

“We will have only one member escort you and will be moving separately.”

“… Manager, tell the security team to rest at their accommodation.”

“Boss.”

Manager Ma called out softly, but I shook my head firmly.

After all, Wen Jiabao wouldn’t dare take a swing at me.

“If Wen Jiabao sets his mind to it, no matter how many security teams China has, they won’t be able to resist. This is probably related to North Korea, and he wants to maintain silence.”

Wen Jiabao had no reason to want me gone.

In fact, if he tried to get rid of me, it would put him in danger.

I was the one laundering his slush funds and moving them to Hong Kong. Plus, if I disappeared, he’d also lose the political leverage I provided to Han Gyeong-yeong.

“Understood.”

Finally resigning, Manager Ma ordered the security team to wait at the hotel we had booked.

Only Manager Ma and I got into the vehicle prepared by Wen Jiabao.

After a drive of about two hours, we arrived at a villa on the outskirts of Beijing.

It wasn’t a traditional Chinese house but rather a European-style home likely built in the early 1900s, where Europeans might have stayed.

“Welcome, Boss Kim.”

As I was escorted inside by the men in black suits, Wen Jiabao greeted me.

“It’s been a while since we last saw each other.”

“Yes, it has been.”

Wen Jiabao smiled softly and gestured lightly.

“Let’s go in. Someone is waiting inside.”

“Yes.”

As we exchanged pleasantries, there was a man seated in the reception room.

Upon seeing my face, he immediately stood up.

But for some reason, his face looked familiar.

“Isn’t that Jang Seong-taek?””

He was a figure even more significant than I had expected.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Jang Seong-taek.””

“Yes, nice to meet you. I’m Kim Mu-hyeok.”

The handshake was conducted in Korean, not Chinese.

Unable to chat while standing, I quickly introduced myself and took a seat.

“Boss Kim, do you know Deputy Director Jang Seong-taek?””

At Wen Jiabao’s question, I nodded.

“Yes. Deputy Director Jang Seong-taek is quite famous eveen in the South. He’s known for being Kim Jong-il’s brother-in-law and for his significant political influence.”

“Haha, you seem quite well-informed. We’re close friends.”

Jang Seong-taek was famously pro-Chhina in North Korea.

Ultimately, he was purged by Kim Jong-un for allegedly having too much control over the North Korean economy.

Meeting him felt completely different from encounters with Putin or other power players.

“It’s the first time I’ve heard that you two are close.”

“Whenever I go to North Korea, or when Deputy Director Jang comes to China, we stay at each other’s homes.”

Wen Jiabao and Jang Seong-taek’s bond seemed even stronger than known.

It wasn’t surprising to hear that Jang Seong-taek earned a considerabble portion of North Korean political funds through trade with China…but..

I had a hunch about the reason for his purging.

“Then, why did Deputy Director Jang want to meet me?”

I asked Wen Jiabao, but the response came directly from Jang Seong-taek..

His Chinese was fluent.

“The Vice Premier praises you highly, which made me want to meet you. I also have some requests.”

“Is the Jang Dae-ho family alive?”

“Yes, I confirmed they are alive. They aren’t living well, though. Their family is being watched by the party due to their grey status.”

Grey status… It left a bitter taste in my mouth to refer to those who had abandoned North Korea to survive.

If wanting to survive is a crime, then everyone alive would be a criminal.

The real criminals might actually be those holding power in North Korea.

But I swallowed those thoughts and smiled.

“That’s a relief. They’re important people.”

“I looked into you, Boss Kim, and found you have no ties to North Korea. What’s your reason for searching for them?”

“It’s a personal matter. There’s no political intent whatsoever.”

I said firmly on purpose, but he still spoke with an enigmatic tone.

“It would be problematic to take them South, but that’s something the Chinese government can handle. It’s not difficult to bring people to China legally through a trading company. The only issue is the political aspect…”

As Jang Seong-taek glanced at Wen Jiabbao, his speech trailed off.

“I understand what you’re saying, Deputy Director. Please tell me your requests.”

Jang Seong-taek nodded and began too speak.

“First, please visit the North during this summit along with government officials.”

“To the North?”

“Yes. It’s a request from Chairman Kim Jong-il. The South Korean government has likely received a similar request.”

I nodded at Jang Seong-taek’s words..

Previously, the Kim Hak-gwon government had already inquired, but I had ultimately declined.

I thought it wasn’t the right time for me to get involved with North Korea.

“Yes. I received a request before but refused.”

“I know. That’s why I’m directly requesting again.”

“Can you tell me the reason?”

“I can’t say for now, but you’ll understand when you come to the North. You will have a secret one-on-one meeting with Chairman Kim Jong-il.”

Participating in the summit to meet Kim Jong-il in Pyongyang? The U.S. would go berserk.

I was worried Jang Seong-taek understood my conceerns.

“Don’t worry about the U.S. They’ll already know everything, including this meeting between us. They might not know the location, though.”

As he pointed out, a summit between the North and South wouldn’t be possible without U.S. approval.

But this atmosphere wouldn’t last, and things could easily turn icy again next year…

Deciding to hear out any other requests, I asked.

“What about the other matters?”

“The former request was from the North Korean government, but I have my own personal request separately. I would like you to move my slush funds to a safe location.”

What a crazy request.

I almost let out a curse.

“That’s absolutely impossible.”

“Why? Isn’t it something easy for you, Boss Kim?”

Though Jang Seong-taek said it nonchalantlly, it was a request I could never accept, no matter what.

“Besides, I heard the Vice Premier’s funds were also moved overseas.”

I turned to steal a glance at Wen Jiabao sitting at the seat of honor.

“Being like brothers, we often share various stories.”

Even under the scrutiny of my glare, Wen Jiabao shrugged off the tension with a nonchalant response.

This wasn’t something good to have too many people involved in.

“Vice Premier, it’s better for fewer people to know about such matters.”

“I apologize, Boss Kim. I didn’t think it through.”

He apologized, but not one trace of remorse showed on Wen Jiabao’s face.

I clenched my fists under the table due to his brazen attitude.

This is why I despised these Chinese pricks.

Yet the one in need was me, so I suppressed my anger.

I turned back to Jang Seong-taek and replied..

“China and North Korea have different circumstances. Just the rumor of me meeting with you could be a substantial blow to me. But to conceal the slush funds? If that news breaks, I wouldn’t even be able to operate my business in the U.S.”

There was no point in beating around the bush.

I drew a hard line with a firm tone.

“It’s not Chairman Kim Jong-il’s slush fund. It’s my personal assets.”

“To other nations, Chairman Kim and Deputy Director Jang are the same.”

The more I spoke, the more Jang Seong-taek’s friendly expressiion froze solid.