Chapter 787: A Tense Phone Call

“It’s been a while, Boss Kim Mu-hyeok.”

“Yes, it has been a long time since I’ve heard your voice.”

“Were you disappointed that I didn’t help you?”

“It would be a lie to say I wasn’t. If Chairman Hu had stepped in, my people wouldn’t have suffered like that.”

If Chairman Hu Jintao had taken the political risk to help me, I wouldn’t have faced those difficulties in China.

All of this started in China.

“The Vice-Chairman told me about it.”

“What’s the point of dwelling on the past? You also nearly died, didn’t you, Chairman?”

“Haha. I’m grateful you see it that way. I heard you had some trouble in North Korea, too, Boss Kim.”

“I was able to make it safely to Russia thanks to many people’s help. It’s something I never want to experience again.”

“You and I are people who have been through similar things. Let’s talk about the future now.”

It was a way of saying to forget the unpleasant past and plan for the future.

It was a brazen attitude, but I had no intention of dwelling on past events either.

After all, he didn’t directly harm me.

“What are your plans now, Chairman? I heard all the people who tried to assassinate you have been arrested.”

“That’s right. However, there isn’t enough evidence to take down Jiang Zemin. He’s a friend who was promoted at the same time as I was when I became the Chairman of the Military Commission. Ultimately, I cannot claim complete innocence either.”

Originally, it was supposed to happen later, but the attempted assassination of Hu Jintao happened in my past life as well.

The place and method were the same, but even back then, they couldn’t remove Jiang Zemin.

This time too, Jiang Zemin probably wouldn’t have left any evidence behind, so it was no different.

The one thing that was different this time was Zheng Qinghong switching sides to Hu Jintao which was a significant change.

“Wasn’t it Jiang Zemin who recommended Jang Dingpa, the Navy Commander, to the Military Commission?”

“That is true, but it’s not enough to establish a connection with Chairman Jiang.”

“Hmm… So, what are you planning to do?”

“I’ve called for a plenary meeting. There, I plan to replace the members of the Military Commission close to Jiang Zemin, and even the Vice-Chairman of the Military Commission.”

In China, seizing control of the military is equivalent to grasping the highest power.

That’s why Deng Xiaoping and Jiang Zemin never relinquished the position of the Military Commission Chairman.

“So you’re saying you’re going to increase your grip on power. That’s a good idea. The collective leadership system has its advantages, but it has its disadvantages as well.”

“I’m not denying the collective leadership system. What I dislike is people who hold no official title acting like shadowy figures simply because they are elders. I’m not doing this to monopolize power.”

“Whatever the reason, you are still monopolizing power.”

“Isn’t there a good way to catch Jiang Zemin? Some weakness he might have?”

A weakness of Jiang Zemin’s…

“I don’t have any information to bring down Jiang Zemin yet. However, there is someone who might know.”

I needed a sure card to completely bring down Jiang Zemin.

At my words, Hu Jintao asked in an excited voice.

“Who is it? Give him to me.”

“Are you familiar with Lai Changxing?”

“…Did you say Lai Changxing?”

“Yes. Jiang Zemin offered me a deal. He would hand over Lai Changxing in exchange for Chairman Hu Jintao’s weakness.”

“Is that true? Chairman Jiang made such an offer?”

“Yes. What I found strange was that he seemed more interested in securing Lai Changxing than obtaining your weaknesses, Chairman Hu.”

“That is indeed strange.”

Hu Jintao also thought it was odd.

“But, is Lai Changxing in your grasp, Boss Kim?”

“Yes. I approached him in Canada and provided him with a safe haven.”

“May I ask why? What’s your reason for providing him with a haven and protecting him?”

Like a cunning old fox.

I had prepared Lai Changxing as a knife to stab Xi Jinping if there were any signs of him becoming the next leader, just like in my past life.

But I had no reason to tell that to Hu Jintao.

“It’s an insurance policy I took out just in case. I hoped I wouldn’t have to use it, but I’ll use this opportunity to have him talk. I have already ordered him to be brought to Korea, and his family has been moved elsewhere for protection.”

I said ‘protection’, but in the end, his family was being held hostage.

“Hand him over to me. We will investigate him.”

“That would be difficult, Chairman.”

I couldn’t hand him over to anyone before I knew what he knew.

“…Why not?”

“I need to know what that man knows. I would be glad if it is just my guess, but wouldn’t it be possible for you to make a political agreement with Jiang Zemin?”

Hu Jintao didn’t bother denying my words.

He might forgive Jiang Zemin on the condition that he steps down completely.

“I want his complete downfall. If Lai Changxing knows Jiang Zemin’s weakness and if that’s the card to bring him down, then I’ll use it, no matter what. I can’t hand him over until then.”

“Listen here, Boss Kim Mu-hyeok. Politics isn’t like that. Even for me, it’s difficult to completely bring down Jiang Zemin.”

“Of course, I know. I know it’s difficult. That’s why I can’t hand him over. If his card isn’t enough to bring him down, then I’ll hand him over then.”

“…Can’t you just hand him over? It seems like things are going to get too difficult.”

Is Hu Jintao or someone related to him involved?

It should have been reasonable, but he kept asking me to hand over Lai Changxing, which was strange.

If it was a card to bring down Jiang Zemin, it shouldn’t matter whether I got the information or Hu Jintao got it.

“Is it possible that Chairman Hu Jintao is also involved with Lai Changxing?”

“…No, that’s not it. I have absolutely nothing to do with him.”

Hu Jintao denied it, but the slight delay in his answer bothered me. Well, if he isn’t involved, then someone else related to him might be.

“Then, is it possible that a big shot in your faction is involved?”

I heard a long sigh over the receiver.

“I’ll be honest with you. It isn’t just one or two people involved with Lai Changxing. Everyone from me, to the Shanghai Faction and the Princelings agreed that we wouldn’t stop him or arrest him from fleeing.”

I had no idea how deep Lai Changxing was involved.

This is a better card than I thought.

I continued speaking without wiping the smile off my face.

“I see. In that case, I should keep him even more. You can’t use that card easily. I’ll manipulate the information to my liking and hand it over to you. I’ll make sure to knead it enough so that the Communist Youth League and the Princelings won’t get harmed.”

“…Can I trust you?”

“Aren’t we going to work together from now on, Chairman and Vice-Chairman? I wouldn’t do anything that would be harmful to either of you.”

Chinese politicians are unpredictable and could stab you in the back any time.

Hu Jintao, Zheng Qinghong, and even Wen Jiabao, who I’ve known for quite some time, could betray me at any moment. I didn’t trust them at all.

However, if Lai Changxing held their Achilles heel, it would be like guarding against the betrayal I feared the most.

“Come to China sometime. The schedule to go to Russia has been canceled, so how about we meet and talk in person?”

Originally, we were supposed to meet in Russia. However, the assassination attempt has reset all plans.

“I’m still a little worried about going to China. I just experienced that in North Korea a few days ago. There’s no guarantee I won’t experience the same thing in China.”

“I will guarantee your safety. We are different from North Korea.”

“How can you say you’re different when there was an assassination attempt on you?”

“…That was an internal power struggle. We don’t want to fight with Russia.”

How pathetic.

“I’ll go when I’m sure I can trust you. Before that, please return everything to how it was.”

“If it’s about Yoo Sung-jin’s issue, it will take some time. We have our own procedures. We can’t release him right away when the article has already been released. It’s a huge issue, after all. Once the situation is settled at the plenary meeting, I will restore your business first.”

That’s a strange nuance. He can’t release Yoo Sung-jin right away.

“Then, when can you release him?”

“It’s possible once Chairman Jiang is out of the picture. Or, to be precise, it’ll be possible when we fill the position of the Shanghai Party Secretary with our person.”

“Didn’t I already hand you over the card to remove him through Zheng Qinghong?”

I reminded him about handing over evidence of Tian Liangyu’s various corruptions to Zheng Qinghong.

“Of course, it’s sufficient evidence. However, we can’t use that evidence until after the plenary meeting.”

They’re dragging their feet.

I had no choice but to wait. It was definitely more complicated than dealing with North Korea where Jang Seong-taek held power.

“Okay. I understand.”

“I have a meeting, so I’ll hang up now. Please make sure to get that card to hold Jiang Zemin’s leash.”

“Yes. I will enter Korea in a few days. I will start work immediately. Then, please go ahead. Oh, also, please send my regards to Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.”

“I will. I’ll hang up now.”

It was a long call, but it was fruitful.

“Let’s see just how big of a bomb this is.”

I immediately called for Manager Kim and Igor. The two, who were waiting nearby, immediately entered the study.

“Igor, please tell the Black Bear mercenaries to pay extra attention to Lai Changxing’s safety.”

“Yes, Boss.”

“Lai Changxing will be brought to Korea as soon as the situation in Korea is resolved. Manager Kim, please prepare a quiet and safe house in Korea where Lai Changxing can stay.”

“Yes, Boss. I will do that.”

They both nodded immediately without asking any questions.

“Let’s endure a little bit more. Once Chairman Hu Jintao monopolizes the power, then a flower path will open up for us.”

The end is slowly coming into view.

* * *

A big event was held at a hotel in Haeundae, Busan. It was because it was the day of the 80th birthday banquet of a former mob boss who had already retired before Park Dong-su integrated the Busan underworld.

The person celebrating his 80th birthday this time was a mob boss who was famous not only in Busan but throughout the entire nation. Not only did the elders from all over the country attend, but the board members of Heavenly Group were also present.

In response, the Busan police mobilized several police buses and waited around the hotel where the 80th birthday banquet was being held. Dozens of plainclothes detectives watched their movements in the hotel lobby.

“What kind of era is this. Geez!”

One detective complained, and a senior detective beside him scolded him.

“That’s how it is. Even though they’re gangsters, we can’t stop them from gathering for a banquet, can we? We have to do what they tell us.”

“That’s what makes me upset! My grandma’s 80th birthday banquet was held in some remote place…”

It was hard to compare an ordinary grandmother’s 80th birthday banquet with the 80th birthday banquet of a former mob boss. In reality, the scale of the banquet was just an excuse, they were just complaining about the extra work.

“Hey! At the time, look how much our elder was smiling! Why are you like that?”

“I’m just saying that! Does my senior always have to hit me with the facts?!”

While the two detectives were chatting, the event time was approaching.

From 4 p.m., two hours before the event started, the gangsters began to gather one by one.

Dozens of people lined up at the hotel entrance and bowed to the gangsters who came in.

“Welcome, director!”

The directors of the Heavenly Group were arriving an hour before the start.

There were people watching this scene from the rooftop of the building across the street. One of them pressed the transmit button on the radio and said.

“Target has entered the hotel.”

It was Manager Ma.