Chapter 773: A Meeting with Zheng Qinghong

The spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately issued a statement opposing the announcement that a Russian naval base would be built in North Korea.

The spokesperson known for his harsh rhetoric, openly made remarks that were filled with arrogance and disrespect.

Russia did not back down from China’s disrespectful statement. They responded in kind.

They declared a temporary halt to the construction of the gas pipeline connecting China and Russia and announced a reevaluation.

“How did they know about this in advance?”

After hearing his secretary’s urgent report, Jiang Zemin turned his head so fast it made a sound, staring directly at Zheng Qinghong.

Zheng Qinghong, unfazed by his intense gaze, shrugged and said,

“Didn’t I tell you? If it were me, that’s what I would have done. The Sino-Russian gas pipeline construction isn’t an achievement of Chairman Hu Jintao but goes under your name, doesn’t it? The moment it’s scrapped, it becomes your responsibility.”

Jiang Zemin’s face hardened at Zheng Qinghong’s words.

Seeing Jiang Zemin’s reaction, he continued to speak.

“It was unreasonable from the start. We should have just left Hu Jintao alone. Although the influence of the Shanghai faction has diminished somewhat, we’ve still filled more than half of the Standing Committee with our people. Hu Jintao’s actions would have been limited.”

The assassination attempt on Hu Jintao only served to give him a solid reason to launch a purge.

“If it had succeeded, that would have been one thing. But now that it’s a failure, Hu Jintao has the upper hand. Even the old guard who support you are starting to watch which way the wind is blowing, aren’t they?”

Jiang Zemin’s power base was the Shanghai faction, but now that he had stepped down from all official posts, it was difficult to keep Hu Jintao in check without the help of the old guard.

“If even the old guard turns their backs on you, then you’ll have no future.”

Zheng Qinghong spoke bluntly to Jiang Zemin without hesitation.

Jiang Zemin narrowed his eyes, staring at him.

“So, are you saying we should ask Kim Mu-hyeok for mediation?”

“That’s one way. Bo Xilai said that man doesn’t look back once he’s turned away. If you want to reconcile and have him mediate, you’ll have to give up a lot.”

Jiang Zemin recalled his last phone call with Kim Mu-hyeok.

‘I’m willing to do anything to bring you down.’

At the time, he thought it was just a fit of bravado.

But after assessing how things were going, he realized that wasn’t the case. The current situation was truly the worst.

Hu Jintao hadn’t died, and the plan to pressure North Korea into surrender was thwarted by Russia’s intervention.

On top of that, their relationship with Russia might also be on the verge of collapsing.

“It’s all because of that Jang Seong-taek bastard. If that bastard had come and begged like Kim Jong-il, things wouldn’t have gotten this tangled.”

Jiang Zemin ground his teeth.

During his time in power, he had pressured Kim Jong-il to accept compensation for China’s support of North Korea during the Korean War, using it to put pressure on North Korea’s approaches to Taiwan.

In response, Kim Jong-il threatened to sell missiles to Taiwan, after which China ordered the evacuation of its ambassador.

Relations between the two countries rapidly cooled, and eventually Kim Jong-il unofficially visited Beijing to apologize to Jiang Zemin.

Jiang Zemin had hoped that Jang Seong-taek would kneel before him in the same way, but it didn’t go as planned.

“I’ll contact President Kim Mu-hyeok. Please prepare other plans, Chairman.”

“Other plans? What kind of plans are you talking about?”

“What about overthrowing the North Korean regime? Reinstating Kim Jong-il.”

“……Wasn’t that operation scrapped?”

When Jang Seong-taek ousted Kim Jong-il and seized power, there had been talk in China about reinstating Kim Jong-il.

However, that plan was scrapped after the U.S. and Russia recognized Jang Seong-taek.

“Still, there are many people in North Korea who long for Kim Jong-il and the Paektu bloodline. If we use them, we might succeed. If Kim Jong-il is difficult, using Kim Jong-nam, whom we are currently protecting, is also an option.”

Jiang Zemin sank into deep thought at Zheng Qinghong’s advice.

‘Not bad. If we reinstate Kim Jong-il, he will be loyal to us.’

Having made his decision, he nodded.

“Alright. I will look into that plan secretly. Vice-Chairman, you should contact Kim Mu-hyeok right away.”

“I will do so.”

Zheng Qinghong rose from his seat and bowed his head slightly before turning around.

After closing the door, Zheng Qinghong rubbed his chin and thought,

‘Jiang Zemin has gotten old. His judgment is too slow.’

Zheng Qinghong was the eldest brother figure of the Princelings. The Princelings did not have the power to seize control on their own.

So, he joined hands with the Shanghai faction, acting as Jiang Zemin’s strategist, and grew his power.

His goal was to ensure that the Princelings would take over after Hu Jintao.

‘I need to move differently too.’

But he would only act after Hu Jintao returned.

He decided he would wait to see how the political situation developed before deciding on his next move, then he left.

* * *

Several days passed.

As planned, the Sino-Russian gas pipeline construction was suspended, and relations between the two countries rapidly cooled.

To discuss countermeasures, Medvedev expedited his schedule and quickly returned to Moscow, while I spent my time in Pyongyang, visiting Nampo City and the Kaesong Industrial Complex.

“President Kim. Vice-Chairman Zheng Qinghong has contacted us, requesting a meeting with you.”

This was said during dinner with Jang Seong-taek.

“Zheng Qinghong? Isn’t he Jiang Zemin’s right-hand man?”

Jang Seong-taek nodded, bringing his wine glass to his lips.

“He is also the man who built up the Princelings into a faction. And he is good at walking a tightrope.”

“Why does he want to meet with me?”

“He must have realized that you are behind this. He has a sharp mind.”

I was lost in thought for a moment.

The Zheng Qinghong that I knew was the one who had played a crucial role in the Princelings gaining power by taking advantage of the intense power struggle between Hu Jintao and Jiang Zemin.

“What did they say? Is he planning to visit Pyongyang?”

“Yes. He has notified us that he will arrive tomorrow.”

“Notified us huh? It seems like they still haven’t learned their lesson.”

“Haha, it’s alright. Vice-Chairman Zheng Qinghong is someone you can have a conversation with.”

Jang Seong-taek seemed to want me to meet with Zheng Qinghong.

“Do you want me to meet him?”

“We can’t keep antagonizing China. Whether we like it or not, our Republic shares a border with China. You don’t have a reason to hate China, as long as it’s not Chairman Jiang Zemin, do you?”

He wasn’t wrong. In time, China would become a land of gold.

“That’s true. China is a good investment destination after all.”

“If we can drive a wedge between Jiang Zemin and Zheng Qinghong, Jiang Zemin’s influence will drop by half or even less. Zheng Qinghong played a big role in securing the old guard’s support.”

“Alright. I will meet him tomorrow.”

“Good choice. Shall we move and continue our conversation?”

The dinner naturally turned into a drinking session.

Seeing Jang Seong-taek hurriedly lift his glass, I carefully asked,

“How is the military atmosphere?”

Jang Seong-taek gave a bitter smile at my question.

“Fortunately, it has improved somewhat. However, there are still complaints coming from within the military.”

“You need to strengthen your surveillance of the military even further. If I were Jiang Zemin, I would consider planning a coup as a last resort.”

Jang Seong-taek chuckled, as if to say, ‘Surely he wouldn’t go that far.’

“You must not let your guard down. Jiang Zemin is someone who is capable of anything. When Hu Jintao returns and starts wielding his knife, Jiang Zemin’s options will be limited. He might try to use North Korea to overcome the crisis.”

If I were Jiang Zemin, I would use pro-China factions to destabilize North Korea.

He would try to overcome the crisis by creating chaos in North Korea by ousting Jang Seong-taek.

“There are more than enough reasons. There are many options. He could reinstate Kim Jong-il or try to support Kim Jong-nam.”

Jang Seong-taek’s face grew serious. But then he shook his head.

“Jong-nam is staying in Beijing under China’s protection. I don’t know his exact location. But Jong-nam wouldn’t try to oust me.”

Jang Seong-taek had taken care of and raised Kim Jong-nam. It was Jang Seong-taek who had him protected by China for his safety, as he was as good as a bastard.

That was why he thought of Kim Jong-nam like a son.

“You can be backstabbed by those you trust the most. They say that power is not even shared between parents and children.”

“Even so, Jong-nam would never….”

“I understand what you mean, but there is no harm in preparing. No, you have to prepare, no matter what.”

I spoke firmly to Jang Seong-taek, who was hesitant to commit.

“It’s better to prepare thoroughly than to get caught off guard without any preparations. Even if it turns out to be pointless, it’s good if nothing happens, right?”

“I understand. I will keep a closer eye on the military and discuss countermeasures.”

Finally, I received a satisfactory answer. Nodding my head, I brought up another potential risk.

“What is Kim Jong-il doing these days?”

“He’s just whiling away his time at his villa.”

“Who visits him frequently?”

“I know that Choi Ryong-hae, the head of the General Political Bureau, visits him often.”

“The head of the General Political Bureau?”

Choi Ryong-hae, the one who had been the first to urge Jang Seong-taek to kill Kim Jong-il, was now visiting him often?

“That’s strange. Wasn’t Choi Ryong-hae the one who was making a fuss about killing Kim Jong-il? Could there be another reason?”

I didn’t trust Choi Ryong-hae.

I had left him alone only because Jang Seong-taek trusted him, but I had never trusted him even once.

He had even tried to use me to kill Kim Jong-il, and he was someone who was more hungry for power than anyone.

In my past life, he had been blinded by power and had even taken the lead in purging Jang Seong-taek.

“It’s probably for surveillance. I know better than anyone how much he hates Kim Jong-il.”

“Don’t trust him too much. He’s someone who would do anything to gain power.”

Despite my serious warning, Jang Seong-taek just laughed loudly.

“It seems like Choi Ryong-hae has really gotten on your bad side, President Kim. It’s alright. He won’t betray me because of his ambition for power. Let’s stop talking about such headache-inducing topics and talk about something more exciting. Nampo City….”

Jang Seong-taek changed the topic to the development of Nampo City, and I played along with his wishes.

The next day in the afternoon, Zheng Qinghong arrived in Pyongyang.

I greeted him when he arrived at the Pyongyang Hotel, where I was staying.

“It’s nice to see you, President Kim Mu-hyeok.”

“This is our second meeting, isn’t it? Vice-Chairman Zheng Qinghong.”

“This is the second time we’ve shaken hands, but I’ve seen you about four times.”

Zheng Qinghong joked with a friendly smile.

I nodded and released his hand.

“Did you meet with Chairman Jang Seong-taek?”

“No. I came to Pyongyang not to meet with Chairman Jang Seong-taek, but to meet President Kim Mu-hyeok.”

For Zheng Qinghong to come to see me first was a great disrespect to Jang Seong-taek.

How could he so casually disregard diplomatic courtesy? Perhaps because I frowned, showing my displeasure, he added,

“It’s agreed upon with the Chairman.”

“Is that so? Then that’s a relief, but it still bothers me.”

No matter how good my relationship with Jang Seong-taek is, and no matter how much he prioritizes me, I was against damaging his authority.

I’ll have to talk to him about this later.

“I’ll keep that in mind for next time.”

“Good. Please take a seat.”

After guiding Zheng Qinghong to a seat, I cut to the chase.

“So, what is the reason for wanting to meet with me? I have nothing to discuss with you, Vice-Chairman.”

“It is to mediate between Chairman Jiang Zemin and President Kim Mu-hyeok.”

“Ha….”

I couldn’t help but chuckle. It seems I’ve been greatly underestimated.

“Jiang Zemin and I cannot go down the same path. That man has held my people hostage and used them to threaten me.”

“I am aware of that as well. Just so you know, I was against that plan. Anyway, if you’re willing to reconcile with Chairman Jiang Zemin, then Chairman Yoo Sung-jin will be released immediately.”

“The die is cast. Whether Yoo Sung-jin is released or not is not a condition for negotiation.”

Now that I’ve decided to give up on Yoo Sung-jin, he’s no longer a bargaining chip.

Thinking of Yoo Sung-jin, who asked me to give him up, my mouth went dry, and I clicked my tongue without realizing it.

“Hmm.”

Zheng Qinghong hummed, observing me carefully.

“As Vice-Chairman, you must know that I wouldn’t accept your offer. Tell me your real objective.”

Zheng Qinghong raised his eyebrows at my words.

The excuse of mediating between Jiang Zemin and me was just a pretext. There was clearly another reason why he came to find me.

“Say what you want. I don’t like beating around the bush.”