Chapter 350: No Hidden Intent

President Kim Hak-gwon was well aware of Representative Heo Tae-min’s movements.

Even if he didn’t know about the relationship with former President Choi Seon-man.

“Is this about Representative Jeong Chan-seong?”

“That’s right.”

“Isn’t it possible to pass the arrest agreement just with the members from the Moderate Party? Why do you specifically need to meet with Heo Tae-min?”

“Mr. President, you know everything already, so please stop playing coy. Just arrange the meeting with Representative Heo Tae-min. If you ask, he won’t refuse, right?”

Kim Hak-gwon frowned as he fell into contemplation.

“What do you plan to discuss with Representative Heo?”

“I’m thinking of reestablishing relations with the Moderate Party alongside the passing of Representative Jeong Chan-seong’s arrest agreement.”

“Heo isn’t someone to be underestimated. Even I have trouble keeping him in check.”

“Nonetheless, if Representative Heo Tae-min steps in, the agreement should pass smoothly.”

“It’s uncertain if someone like you, who isn’t a politician, can truly satisfy Representative Heo Tae-min.”

“If you arrange the meeting, I’ll handle it. I tried contacting him separately, but he refused.”

“He’s not someone to be swayed by money. I understand.”

Kim Hak-gwon answered readily. Caught off guard by his unexpected response, I couldn’t help but hide my complex feelings.

“I didn’t expect you to agree so willingly.”

“Haha, is there a fee for merely setting up a meeting? Besides, I’m nearing retirement. Just tell Chairman Yoon that when he becomes president, I’d like to live my remaining days comfortably.”

He firmly believed that Yoon Chang-ho would become president.

Whether he was oblivious to Choi Seon-man’s actions from the shadows, or aware yet feigning ignorance, it was hard to tell.

To gauge his true intentions, I tried to address the situation indirectly.

“Mr. President, why did you pardon both presidents?”

“I wanted to end the historical pain before my term concluded. I believed we shouldn’t remain trapped in the past as it divides national sentiment. If I forgive and conclude it, wouldn’t everyone come to accept it? That’s why I decided on the pardon.”

I nodded in agreement. He was right.

Having suffered all kinds of persecution from the past military regime, Kim Hak-gwon could forgive them, allowing it to pass without significant backlash.

“Is that really all? Wasn’t there significant backlash just to erase the past with your own hands? Is there no other intention behind it?”

Kim Hak-gwon looked somewhat puzzled.

“What do you mean by that? What other intention?”

I carefully scrutinized Kim Hak-gwon’s expression, but I saw no signs of deception.

Yet, I couldn’t completely trust him.

After all, Kim Hak-gwon had been a cunning player in politics for decades.

“If there’s no other intention, then that’s a relief. I was just worried for you, Mr. President. Issues might arise after your retirement, you know.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“There’s no hidden intent. If there’s no other meaning behind their pardons, then there won’t be any problems.”

An awkward silence filled the office. The one to break the stillness was Kim Hak-gwon.

“You know, because of your behavior, you’ll eventually face a big setback. Don’t forget the words of an old man who lived for decades.”

“I appreciate the advice and will heed it thoughtfully.”

“…I’ll reach out to Representative Heo. I can arrange the meeting, but persuading him will be your responsibility. I’ve already distanced myself from the party.”

Though he claimed to have distanced himself from the party, many representatives still aligned with Kim Hak-gwon remained in the Progressive Party.

I could only smile at his subtle attempt to withdraw.

The old fox, having seen all sorts of dirty business, seemed keen to escape this situation.

Upon expressing my gratitude, Kim Hak-gwon nodded and checked his watch.

“How do you know Vice Premier Hu Jintao?”

“Well, I have a personal connection with Vice Premier Wen Jiabao, but I don’t have a direct link with Vice Premier Hu Jintao.”

“Hmm… He keeps saying he wants you there.”

“It seems like Chairman Han Gyeong-yeong has made considerable investments in China. That must be the reason.”

Perhaps thinking it plausible, Kim Hak-gwon smoothly shifted the topic.

“For the sake of relations with North Korea, we must maintain cordial diplomatic ties with China. I hope you can assist a lot.”

“I’ll do my best, as much as I can.”

“It’s so good to have someone like you by my side.”

However, I could sense a hint of sarcasm in his soft tone. I responded with a smile.

“I’ll be on my way now. Let’s meet at the guesthouse.”

I stood up, bowed my head slightly, and left.

As I stepped out the door, Secretary Ma, who had been waiting outside, came with Manager Ma to guide me to the guesthouse.

Upon arriving at the guesthouse, we waited in a small room.

I surveyed the room as I waited for Vice Premier Hu Jintao.

The wait was short. Soon enough, Hu Jintao’s party arrived at the Blue House.

A brief welcome ceremony took place on the first floor.

Staying at the back, I observed the welcome event without stepping forward while sizing up Hu Jintao’s companions.

I recognized several familiar faces. Jack Ma from Alibaba was visiting with Hu Jintao.

Come to think of it, I did receive notice about him visiting Korea to gain insights on the IT industry.

After the brief welcome, Vice Premier Hu Jintao and a few others moved into the conference room on the first floor.

The rest of us headed to the banquet hall.

The guesthouse’s first floor, beautifully decorated with hibiscus, symbolizing our country, was quite impressive as a venue for the banquet.

While the President and Vice Premier Hu held discussions, the rest of the party waited and engaged in light conversation in a relaxed atmosphere.

“Charlie.”

Jack Ma approached me while surveying the banquet hall.

“Jack Ma! It’s been a while.”

“Haha, indeed! It’s been a while.”

“I’ve heard your business is doing well. Your financial statements show you finally turned a profit!”

“Thank you. It’s all thanks to your unwavering support, Charlie.”

I had invested not just in Alibaba but also in tech giants like Tencent and Baidu.

Finally, the fruits of those investments were gradually beginning to show. Though still insufficient, they would ultimately dominate China’s information and communications industry.

Maybe that’s why a natural smile appeared on my face.

As we continued our light chat, Jack Ma briefly surveyed the surroundings.

Leaning closer, he whispered in a low voice.

“Wen Jiabao’s position faced some danger recently. Fortunately, Vice Premier Hu backed him up, allowing him to survive. Otherwise, my company could’ve been forcibly taken from me.”

With Wen Jiabao losing his power and now Jack Ma too, it seemed that Jiang Zemin was set on a course of action.

“It appears the target for Chairman Jiang is you and James. After all, you were Wen Jiabao’s steadfast supporter.”

“It’s been tough for you, hasn’t it?”

“Indeed, when doing business in China, one cannot help but remain wary of the Communist Party.”

A bitter smile surfaced on Jack Ma’s face.

Having abandoned the guaranteed success in the U.S., he returned to China, only to struggle in a wholly different atmosphere.

“I’m sure there will be good results.”

“Haha, it’s fine. I’ve established good ties with many party officials. Now that the business is on track, they likely won’t press too hard.”

Jack Ma spoke heartily with a smile, but I couldn’t feel reassured by that laughter.

I could only envision Jack Ma being ousted from the company he built simply because he angered the Party.

Of course, that was a distant possibility. This time, having taken his hand, I wouldn’t let him be driven out so easily.

As I chatted with Jack Ma, President Kim Hak-gwon and Vice Premier Hu Jintao entered the banquet hall after concluding their talks.

Everyone who had been conversing freely fell silent and took their seats.

Aside from the Blue House officials, I was the only one present here from Korea.

I sat among the Chinese entrepreneurs where Jack Ma was seated.

Following a brief conversation between Vice Premier Hu and the President, the banquet dishes were brought out to the table.

The two-hour banquet concluded in a relatively straightforward manner.

After telling Jack Ma I would see him later, I left the guesthouse.

At that moment, a man quietly followed me.

“Boss Kim.”

I turned to look at him. The man, keeping his head down, spoke quietly, just loud enough for me to hear.

“I am Li Pengru, Vice Premier Hu Jintao’s secretary. Could we have a word?”

Nodding, the man introduced himself as Li Pengru.

“He said to convey an invitation to have lunch together tomorrow.”

“Lunch?”

“Yes, he requested that you come to the hotel. There’s no time available in his schedule otherwise.”

“I see. Understood.”

“It’s at Goryeo Hotel.”

Li Pengru handed me a note detailing the room number.

“I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

As Li Pengru bowed his head and stepped back into the guesthouse, he disappeared from my sight.

I crumpled the paper with the room number and tucked it into my pocket as I left the Blue House.

The night breeze felt particularly chilly today.

The next day.

I visited Goryeo Hotel early in the morning.

Presumably because Vice Premier Hu was staying there, security at the hotel was tight.

I was checked at the entrance and lobby, and upon reaching the seventh floor where Vice Premier Hu was, I was checked again.

Only then could I approach the room where Vice Premier Hu was.

“He’s waiting for you.”

Li Pengru, who had handed me the note yesterday, was waiting outside the door.

“I’m sorry, but you need to go in alone.”

He said this while looking at Manager Ma.

As I nodded slightly, Manager Ma took a position beside the door.

Li Pengru opened the door, and as soon as I stepped inside, the door closed behind me.

Inside, I could see Vice Premier Hu Jintao gazing out over the skyline of Seoul through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

“Seoul seems to change every time I visit, which is quite fascinating. That shows just how quickly Korea is developing.”

Without turning, Hu Jintao spoke. I didn’t approach him but stayed in place and answered.

“China will develop rapidly too.”

“It should. There’s no other option here.”

Finally turning around, Hu Jintao wore a beaming smile.

“Alright, let’s sit down and talk.”

Hu Jintao took a seat first, and I followed suit.

He poured tea from the teapot on the table and offered it to me.

“This is Gimen tea. Please have a cup. I’m sorry for summoning you so early.”

I extended my teacup to receive the tea he poured.

“I truly appreciate what you did last time. If I had lost that child, the impact on me would have been significant as well.”

“…”

Casually bringing up Hao Xun while showing humility left me no choice but to keep my guard up.

Hu Jintao continued pouring his tea.

“You think I’m being criticized for shaking hands with the underworld?”

“Not at all.”

“There’s no avoiding criticism. I owe that child so much for helping me reach this position.”

Strangely candid. This side of Hu Jintao felt unfamiliar.

He had always been someone who concealed his weaknesses and hidden agenda to seek advancement.

Noticing my gaze, Hu Jintao smiled softly.

“Wen Jiabao told me what he thinks: that you can be trusted, Boss Kim.”

“…Is Vice Premier Wen well?”

As Hu Jintao set down the teapot, he nodded.

“He’s safe, yes. At least for now.”

Yet worry was etched on his face regarding a topic he previously abandoned.

I began to think that this may be a façade. His demeanor likely shifted between the presence and absence of Wen Jiabao.

“Is it not possible to bring him back?”

“Chairman Jiang is very hardline. If we trade with him, we’d have to give something in return…”

Hu Jintao hesitated. Deep in thought.

Can I really trust this guy? He’s a cold-blooded individual who wouldn’t hesitate to discard his own when he feels threatened.

“That means you need something to negotiate Wen Jiabao’s return.”

“Correct.”

Wen Jiabao raised his teacup, sipping tea while observing me closely.

His eyes seemed to say.

‘Can you save Wen Jiabao?’

After much contemplation, I slowly began to speak.