Chapter 775: The Kingmaker’s Game and Shifting Alliances

My meeting with Zheng Qinghong was incredibly fruitful.

After talking with him, I finally understood how he had become such a powerful kingmaker.

While his parents were indeed key members of the early Chinese Communist Party, their influence was comparatively weaker than other prominent members.

However, Zheng Qinghong leveraged his parents’ reputation to frequently meet with the elders, cultivating good relationships to offset any weaknesses.

In short, his power stemmed from these elder statesmen.

He was also the one who ensured Jiang Zemin had the support of the elders.

“I hear Chairman Hu Jintao has arrived in Beijing.”

Zheng Qinghong left immediately after our meeting.

News had broken that Hu Jintao had returned to Beijing.

“I heard that as well. Next time, though, the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission should meet him first. It’s a diplomatic discourtesy for someone of the Vice Chairman’s stature to visit North Korea and then meet with the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission only later.”

Jang Seong-taek nodded with a faint smile.

“He visited Pyongyang to meet Boss Kim. I understand. By the way, what do you think Chairman Hu Jintao will do next?”

“He won’t retaliate immediately. Though, he probably already arrested everyone involved in the assassination attempt.”

“I received a report that he met with Prime Minister Wen Jiabao first. Has Boss Kim heard from him yet?”

I had heard that Wen Jiabao was released, but there had been no contact from him yet.

I shook my head slightly and continued.

“Not yet.”

“Hmm. Chairman Hu Jintao won’t stay idle, will he?”

“I don’t know. I can’t even begin to guess what he’s thinking. Eventually, we will have to reach some sort of agreement… I don’t know where it will end.”

Jang Seong-taek sighed softly and spoke with concern.

“It’s not good for this kind of atmosphere to continue. I’ve received reports that more and more of our citizens now see China as a bigger threat than South Korea.”

Like Jang Seong-taek said, many North Koreans were starting to envy and resent China.

China and North Korea had maintained ties as comrades for a long time.

However, after China adopted reform and opening up and started to see success, both the North Korean people and the government began to compare themselves to them.

On top of that, more people were beginning to express their dissatisfaction with the military provocations disguised as military exercises.

“I see. It’s worse since we’re right across the border with just a river separating us. Plus, South Korean companies have been very helpful to North Koreans.”

“We will continue to reduce our dependence on China, but we cannot completely cut ties.”

The situation was clearly giving him a headache, as Jang Seong-taek massaged his temples and muttered to himself.

“Are you having a hard time?”

“It would be a lie to say I’m not. Just this morning, people came in droves demanding that I restore relations with China…”

Jang Seong-taek trailed off, looking dejected.

Most of the people he appointed when he came into power were pro-China individuals who shared his views.

But now that Jang Seong-taek had changed course, continuing his business with South Korea to reduce their dependence on China, they had begun to pressure him.

Though displeased, I could fully understand how they felt.

New changes threatened the vested interests of those already in power, inevitably leading to power struggles.

“Well, their very survival depends on it.”

Before Jang Seong-taek came to power, the numerous trading companies he managed had been earning a lot of money by actively trading with China.

Whether they liked it or not, they had no choice but to trade with China, as China almost monopolized North Korea’s trade.

They were also the ones who managed Jang Seong-taek’s money, so it was difficult for him to keep refusing their demands.

“I did issue orders to move all our trade from China to Russia, but there’s bound to be chaos for a while, which is a big problem.”

“So, you do want to normalize relations with China.”

Jang Seong-taek nodded slightly.

“To be honest, yes. I wish Chairman Hu Jintao would take the initiative to restore relations.”

The border blockade with China had been my request.

He had done his part well; now, it was time to give him some breathing room.

“Then, let’s decide after we see what Chairman Hu Jintao does. I also think it’s not good for either side to maintain this tension for too long.”

Jang Seong-taek nodded and then sighed deeply before asking.

“Did you have a good talk with the Vice Chairman?”

“Did he say anything?”

I heard that Zheng Qinghong had had a brief meeting with Jang Seong-taek before he left.

“He just said that they had a good conversation. For the sake of restoring relations with the Republic.”

“Yes. I’ve decided to work with Zheng Qinghong.”

“Not with Chairman Hu Jintao?”

“I plan to work with both Chairman Hu Jintao and Zheng Qinghong. Though I don’t know how Hu Jintao will react.”

“The Vice Chairman is generally good at maintaining relationships with everyone. He was part of the Princelings and the Shanghai Faction and was also a member of the Communist Youth League when he was younger.”

Even those belonging to the Princelings faction had to join and participate in the Communist Youth League from a young age to have a career in government.

“That is his greatest weapon.”

“But he’s known as Jiang Zemin’s right-hand man. Are you sure about this? Could this be a trap?”

Jang Seong-taek asked with concern and I replied with a smile.

“I have considered that possibility. However, if I fulfill his wishes, he would never betray me. And as a sign of trust, he also gave me Jiang Zemin’s weakness.”

“Is that true? You came away with Jiang Zemin’s weakness?”

Jang Seong-taek asked, surprised, and I nodded.

“What he brought me was a list of pro-China individuals within North Korea.”

“…Even I was pro-China. How is that a weakness?”

Jang Seong-taek said, sounding a little disappointed. You have to hear everything in Korean.

“To be exact, they are not just pro-China, they are people being supported by Jiang Zemin.”

“Really? Could you share that with me?”

“Of course.”

I took out the paper that Zheng Qinghong had given me from my pocket. Before handing it to Jang Seong-taek, I spoke with a determined voice.

“But in return, please answer one thing for certain. Can you eliminate all of them?”

“Let’s see the list first.”

Though it wasn’t the answer I wanted, I handed the paper to Jang Seong-taek.

Jang Seong-taek’s eyes widened twice as much as he read the list.

“Is this a reliable list?”

I chuckled, understanding his reaction.

I had been just as shocked when I had seen the list Zheng Qinghong had given me.

At the top of the list, the name of Choi Ryong-hae, whom Jang Seong-taek trusted so much, was clearly written.

“Unless Zheng Qinghong gave me a fake list. But I am sure that this list is real.”

Choi Ryong-hae himself played a big part in convincing me that the list was real.

I knew better than anyone just how power-hungry Choi Ryong-hae was.

He was someone who would betray even his closest friend for power.

“Choi Ryong-hae, that bastard…!”

Unlike me, Jang Seong-taek’s reaction was violent. As if betrayed by someone he trusted, he did not hide his emotions at all.

“Zheng Qinghong said that Jiang Zemin was planning a coup by manipulating them.”

“That crazy bastard!”

The General Political Bureau was the military leadership and oversight organization of the Party, giving it immense power.

That was why Jang Seong-taek had appointed the trustworthy Choi Ryong-hae as the Director of the General Political Bureau, tasking him with overseeing the military.

“Did you order Choi Ryong-hae to strengthen the military’s surveillance?”

Jang Seong-taek answered with a voice full of fury.

“Yes, I did. After hearing Boss Kim’s words, I ordered Choi Ryong-hae to strengthen surveillance of the military.”

“You’ve put the cat in charge of the cream.”

“Just in case, I also tasked the Minister of the People’s Armed Forces with overseeing Choi Ryong-hae…”

Jang Seong-taek muttered with an unsure voice.

The list also included key figures in the Ministry of People’s Armed Forces, so he could not help but react this way.

Gritting his teeth, Jang Seong-taek spoke in a chilling tone.

“I have to arrest them immediately.”

If they were left unchecked, a coup could very well happen.

“Let’s leave them alone for now.”

“What are you saying? If these people mobilize the military and we don’t suppress them quickly, who knows what might happen!”

“We can’t. We must strike when Jiang Zemin gives them the orders and they have all gathered together.”

If I had them all taken care of right now, I would not be able to catch Jiang Zemin.

Jang Seong-taek, understanding my intention, bit his lip, suppressing his anger.

“The Security Bureau is under the control of your close aides, right?”

“Yes, the State Security Department and the Security Bureau are all staffed with my confidants.”

When Jang Seong-taek staged his coup, he seized control of the General Political Bureau, the Security Bureau, and the State Security Department first.

The Security Bureau was an organization similar to South Korea’s Defense Security Command. It existed primarily to oversee the General Political Bureau.

And the State Security Department was North Korea’s intelligence and counterintelligence agency.

Jang Seong-taek was in charge of the State Security Department when he staged his coup.

“Secretly have them monitor them for now. Then, let’s arrest them when they have all gathered together to conspire.”

The list that Zheng Qinghong gave me only contained the key members.

But a coup couldn’t possibly succeed with such a small number of people.

Though not on the list, there would be others hiding who shared the same views.

“If we are not careful, a civil war could break out. Didn’t I tell you that discontent was brewing in the military?”

“So, you don’t have confidence? How long has it been since you seized power?”

“…That’s not it.”

The answer came after a while.

It was a light provocation, but it seemed that Jang Seong-taek’s pride had been hurt.

I patted his shoulder lightly and laughed.

“Then let’s wait. Let’s take this opportunity to clean up everyone who’s a cancer to North Korea.”

* * *

Choi Ryong-hae visited the villa where Kim Jong-il was staying.

Kim Young-chun and Kim Won-hong were with him.

“It’s been a while, General.”

Choi Ryong-hae had visited Kim Jong-il several times already, but it was Kim Young-chun and Kim Won-hong’s first time.

“Yeah.”

Kim Jong-il, after reeling in his fishing rod, nodded slightly before casting it again.

He did not turn his gaze even slightly towards Choi Ryong-hae’s group.

Choi Ryong-hae, who had kept silent for a while, spoke.

“Recently, the relationship between China and the Republic has become severely strained. At this rate, the Republic will collapse.”

At those words, Kim Jong-il finally turned his head to look at them.

“Why are you telling me this? Go to Jang Seong-taek.”

“I have told him many times, but the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission does not listen at all. This is all Kim Mu-hyeok’s doing.”

Kim Jong-il smirked and looked at him with narrowed eyes.

“So? Why did you come to me?”

At his indifferent tone, Choi Ryong-hae slightly lowered his head.

“You must step forward, General. You are the only one who can reverse this. At this rate, Jang Seong-taek will hand the Republic over to Kim Mu-hyeok entirely.”

“What? Choi Ryong-hae, are you crazy? You want me to go to my death. You came here to kill me, didn’t you.”

“Please believe me. The two people here and I gathered to reinstate you. China will help us.”

Choi Ryong-hae blatantly proposed a coup.

Kim Jong-il’s eyebrows twitched as he heard his proposal.

“These rebellious bastards… are you all crazy? Hey, Kim Young-chun! You’re supposed to be a hero of the Republic; what do you think you’re doing?”

“General…”

“You shameless and treacherous bastard. You couldn’t even protect me until the end when I stepped down, and now you’re trying to change your master again and come to me!”

Kim Jong-il pointed his finger at Kim Young-chun and yelled.

“I have given you many chances! Even when I was purging all the bastards who graduated from Frunze Military Academy, I spared you. And what did I get in return? Betrayal! Yet you come to me again to ask me to die. You garbage bastard!”

Various insults were hurled at them. However, Choi Ryong-hae, Kim Young-chun, and Kim Won-hong simply endured Kim Jong-il’s anger without saying a word.

Choi Ryong-hae and the other coup forces knew very well that reinstating Kim Jong-il was the best way to gain the military’s support.

“You must step forward for the Republic, General.”

“Is selling the Republic to China a way to help the Republic? What are you even saying?”

“We have no choice but to receive help from China in order to restore everything to its rightful place. Please make a decision, General.”

Kim Young-chun bowed his head and the other two followed suit.

Kim Jong-il stared at the back of their heads for a while before turning his head back towards the lake.

“I didn’t hear anything today. Go back. Don’t you dare do anything foolish.”

“General! The die has already been cast. Many people are already preparing to reinstate you. This can’t be stopped. If you don’t step forward, a civil war could break out.”

Choi Ryong-hae spoke desperately, but Kim Jong-il refused firmly.

“Didn’t I tell you that it was none of my business? If you say another word, I will go directly to Jang Seong-taek. Do you understand?”

“General! If you don’t step forward, we will have no choice but to bring Kim Jong-nam!”

At that, Kim Jong-il whipped his head around. The fire in his eyes as he glared at Choi Ryong-hae was palpable.

“You… You treacherous bastard! How dare you threaten me?!”