Chapter 479: You Believe That? You’re More Naive Than I Thought

Department of Homeland Security.

Jessica strode into the office of the Secretary who commanded all of America’s intelligence operations.

Secretary Michael Chertoff glanced up from the documents on his desk, greeting her with a smile.

“Oh Jessica, what brings you here? What’s so urgent you had to cancel everything to meet?”

“Mr. Secretary, it’s truly urgent.”

Seeing Jessica’s rigid expression Michael let out a hearty laugh.

“Haha, it’s a first seeing our DHS elite Jessica this worked up. Well, let’s hear what this is about.”

Michael set aside his documents and rose moving to the central sofa while gesturing with his hand.

“Don’t just stand there, sit down and give me your report.”

Jessica gave a slight bow before taking her seat.

“Should I get you some coffee?”

“No thank you, this is urgent.”

“What’s going on? Don’t tell me there’s a domestic terror threat?”

“No, not domestic. We’ve received intelligence about a terrorist plot against the UN Iraq branch. We’re still verifying but it’s almost certain.”

Michael’s perpetual smile vanished as his face hardened. He leaned forward from his relaxed position toward Jessica.

“What? The UN Iraq branch? Which bastards? No one in their right mind would attack the UN. Who are we dealing with?”

“We’re still confirming the details. However the source isn’t one to make baseless claims. I’m almost certain about this.”

Michael stroked his chin thoughtfully with a grave expression.

“Who provided this intel?”

“Charlie.”

“I see. He provided crucial intelligence about another terror plot before didn’t he? Helped us prevent a major incident.”

“Yes that’s correct. It was during your predecessor’s time but he helped us tremendously.”

Michael’s brow furrowed at the mention of his predecessor.

“Tom Ridge that bastard could’ve at least mentioned these things before handing over the position. There’s nothing about his work I like.”

Knowing their relationship Jessica merely offered an awkward smile without further comment. Michael cleared his throat.

“That’s not important right now. If it’s from him the intel must be quite credible.”

“Yes. His intelligence has never been wrong. I believe this information will prove accurate as well.”

“A terror attack on the UN Iraq branch would be devastating for us too. Investigate this thoroughly.”

“Of course. However…”

When Jessica hesitated to continue Michael asked with a puzzled expression.

“Why the pause? That’s not like you. Don’t tell me there’s something even bigger?”

“Charlie made a request when providing the intelligence. It’s beyond my authority so I need your help Mr. Secretary.”

“Something you can’t handle? What could that be?”

“He requested files on former Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Public Security Minister Zhou Yongkang.”

“What?”

Michael’s jaw dropped in disbelief. Now he understood why Jessica had hesitated.

“I’ve compiled what we have in DHS but the CIA refused our request for cooperation. We need you to personally intervene to obtain those files.”

“Hold on, hold on. So you’re saying this Charlie wants the information and you want me to pressure the CIA? Is that it?”

“…Yes.”

Michael’s face flushed red.

“Do you realize how politically sensitive this is? Even for you there have to be limits.”

“I believe losing our connection to him would be the greater loss.”

“Just who is this person that’s so important?”

Jessica bit her lip before responding.

“He’s the owner of Black Bear and Dream High Investment. He’s a major shareholder in key American companies. Just maintaining good relations with him benefits us both politically and security-wise.”

“…The owner of Black Bear?”

“Yes he’s the actual owner. While he doesn’t interfere with Black Bear’s operations or pro-government stance that doesn’t change his ownership.”

After pondering Michael pressed a button on his nearby phone.

“Yes Mr. Secretary.”

“Bring me all files on Black Bear and this Charlie person.”

“Right away sir.”

He wasn’t going to rely solely on Jessica’s word; he needed to verify the objective documents.

After hanging up Michael asked Jessica.

“Why didn’t I know about someone like this?”

“Because you never tried to find out. He’s on the White House’s special management list.”

“…Did Tom know?”

“Secretary Tom was President Bush’s friend. You know Dream High contributed to President Bush’s election.”

“Of course I know…”

Michael felt uncomfortable being left out of such important information.

“From now on report anything about him directly to me.”

“Understood. So how should we handle this situation?”

“What’s there to handle? You already made up your mind before coming to me. I’ll deal with the CIA just get the files compiled and handed over.”

“Thank you Mr. Secretary.”

Michael sighed but Jessica beamed.

“It’s for national interests. We must prevent anything happening to the UN Iraq branch.”

“Yes I understand.”

“You can go now. I’ll have all files delivered to you within two hours.”

After Jessica left Michael picked up his phone again.

“Get me the CIA Director.”

“Right away.”

Shortly after it was only natural for Michael to personally request the files on Zhou Yongkang and Jiang Zemin from the CIA Director.

* * *

I left the hotel after receiving Hao Xun’s call.

As soon as I got in the car Manager Ma handed me the files on Zhou Yongkang.

“These are the files on Zhou Yongkang from Black Bear headquarters.”

“Impressive as expected from DHS’s elite. I asked for it just yesterday and it’s already in my hands today.”

I smiled as I took the files from Manager Ma and opened them.

“How long until we arrive?”

“About an hour.”

“Let me know when we’re close.”

“Understood.”

Manager Ma signaled the driver with his eyes and the car slowly pulled away.

I pulled out the papers from the thick envelope.

The files were more detailed than expected complete with Zhou Yongkang’s proxy accounts.

“Right I figured as much.”

The US had already secured Zhou Yongkang’s proxy accounts from his time at the oil corporation.

I separated the pages containing account information from the rest of the files.

“Manager.”

“Yes Boss.”

“Look into these accounts thoroughly. Find out who really owns them and track the money flow.”

“Understood.”

After handing the account papers to Manager Ma I resumed reading the files.

I organized the information in my mind one by one.

‘So Zhou Yongkang was Jiang Zemin’s treasurer. He even lined his own pockets behind Jiang Zemin’s back. The question is whether Jiang Zemin knows about this or not.’

Confronting Jiang Zemin now would be risky even for me. It might become easier if Jiang Zemin abandoned Zhou Yongkang but their relationship seemed too close for that.

Jessica’s files showed that Jiang Zemin had made many concessions to Hu Jintao to secure Zhou Yongkang’s position as Public Security Minister.

If he took such losses to promote Zhou Yongkang it wouldn’t be easy to drive a wedge between them.

“Boss we’re almost there.”

Manager Ma’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.

I could see the ocean through the window.

“This is where they tried to kidnap Ji-young?”

“Yes that’s what we understand.”

This was a dock in Nansha District Guangzhou. Nothing stood out except for stacks of containers everywhere.

Nansha Maritime Bureau staff stopped us at the dock entrance.

Manager Ma got out and mentioned Hao Xun’s name. The guard radioed someone then waved us through.

We arrived at a warehouse tucked behind mountains of containers.

“We’ve arrived. Please wait a moment.”

Manager Ma got out first to survey the area.

Black Bear mercenaries from Russia and Korea quickly secured the perimeter as Manager Ma entered the designated location.

Manager Ma emerged from the warehouse with Hao Xun.

Hao Xun flinched at the sight of the mercenaries but quickly regained his composure.

When I stepped out of the car Hao Xun hurried over.

“Boss you’re here.”

“The Vice Chairman works fast. I’m impressed.”

“It wasn’t difficult. The fewer people who know about this the better. Though it might be different if the entire 14K were involved.”

I nodded.

“You said you captured both the leader and deputy?”

“Yes but as I mentioned earlier the situation is rather peculiar.”

“Let’s discuss while we walk.”

Hao Xun glanced nervously at the mercenaries.

“Did you bring them expecting a war?”

“They’re insurance. You might need to step away so I brought them. Does this make you uncomfortable?”

“Ah no not at all.”

“If you don’t have other thoughts they shouldn’t make you uncomfortable.”

“Other thoughts? No nothing like that.”

I smiled as if joking and started walking.

“Zhou Zhuhua knew nothing about this incident.”

“You believe that? You’re more naive than I thought.”

“The Zhou Zhuhua I know wouldn’t do something like this. He’s too much of a coward. If anything he’s overly cautious avoiding making enemies. He only cares about the casino business.”

What a comfortable assumption.

“There’s a saying: you can know what’s at the bottom of the deepest ocean but not what’s in a person’s heart. Don’t assume that’s all there is to him. Nothing is certain. Do you have any reason to think this way?”

“We separated Zhou Zhuhua and Gao Jun’er and verified their statements. Gao Jun’er claims Zhou Zhuhua ordered it while Zhou Zhuhua denies giving any such order.”

“Well aren’t they both just struggling to survive?”

Hao Xun spoke with a disgruntled expression.

“First I don’t understand why Gao Jun’er joined 14K at all.”

“Why? Who is he?”

“There’s a triad boss in Sichuan called Chairman Liu Han. Well Gao Jun’er is friends with Liu Wei Liu Han’s brother.”

We entered the warehouse as we talked.

Inside was chaotic with people kneeling while others threatened them with hatchets and large knives.

“It’s strange that Gao Jun’er came down to Guangdong Province instead of staying in Sichuan. His sudden appearance as 14K’s deputy leader is also suspicious.”

Liu Han…

Thinking I was listening Hao Xun continued more enthusiastically.

“Through other channels I learned the deputy position was arranged between Wan Kuok-koi and Liu Han. I suspect Liu Han Chairman is making moves to control the entertainment industry.”

“Liu Han Chairman would be the chairman of Han Long Group right?”

“Yes. You knew?”

“Roughly.”

How could I not?

When Zhou Yongkang was the Sichuan Provincial Committee Secretary his eldest son built connections with them serving as their backing.

I know this because ten years later these dark connections became the catalyst for Zhou Yongkang’s downfall.

“Let’s meet Zhou Zhuhua first.”

“Alright.”

I entered the warehouse office with Hao Xun.

A man sat there limply his face swollen and bruised.

Hearing the door open Zhou Zhuhua raised his head. Upon seeing Hao Xun he practically crawled over grabbing his legs.

“Vice Chairman I really don’t know anything about this. Why would I do such a thing? I know how Boss Wan Kuok-koi was arrested! I never did anything like that!”

Hao Xun looked down at Zhou Zhuhua like he was looking at an insect before shaking him off.

“Shut up. Your life isn’t in my hands it’s in this person’s.”

At those words Zhou Zhuhua looked up at me with confusion.

“Pleasure to meet you.”