Genius Grandson of the Loan Shark King

There must be no armed conflict

I had lunch and chatted with Lee Sang-geun.

"I'm going up to Pyongyang today."

I put down my chopsticks and continued talking.

"Cheonha Group is quite noisy."

Lee Sang-geun also put down his chopsticks and picked up his glass of water.

"I have received reports that there is a conflict between the Yang Woo-guk faction and the Im Hwa-su faction."

"How could things turn out like this in such a short period of time without Chairman Yoo Seong-jin?"

Lee Sang-geun put down his glass and made a bitter expression.

"Because that's our limit. No matter how neatly they wear suits and sit in fancy offices, gangsters are still the type that talk with their fists. Unless you suppress them with more force, this kind of thing will continue to happen. That's why I recommended Im Hwa-soo."

It started out as a gangster group, but eventually gangsters from all over the country came together to form the current Cheonha Group.

"Sir, stagnant water eventually becomes turbid. The monopoly of the Dongsu faction, which has continued from Dongsu hyung to Yoo Seongjin, will inevitably lead to internal discontent."

"Will they really be willing to give up their initiative?"

"Wouldn't that depend on what choice the CEO makes? Without the tacit approval of public authorities, Cheonha Group would not be able to survive."

If it were at the current level of Cheonha Group, the police and prosecutors would not be able to barge in without any evidence.

However, I played a big role in helping Cheonha Group establish itself.

If it weren't for my help, the police wouldn't have condoned Cheonha Group's unification of the underworld.

"After all, they are just the boss's hunting dogs. You can get rid of useless hunting dogs that disobey their master's orders and raise new ones."

Lee Sang-geun was right. Cheonha Group was created in the first place to easily manage the underworld.

But I felt bad because there were some areas where opinions differed.

I thought of Chu Dong-bin as the next chairman, and Lee Sang-geun thought of Im Hwa-soo as the next chairman.

"Do you think Chu Dong-bin is lacking?"

"It's not that it's lacking. It's just a matter of mindset······. When I spoke to him a few days ago, he was already thinking about retirement."

"Huh? Aren't you old enough to retire yet? You're already thinking about retirement."

Lee Sang-geun said with a bitter smile.

"It seems like Chairman Yoo Seong-jin feels responsible for his mistakes."

"He's a nice guy."

Even the Peace Commissioner would just let it go if he didn't like it. He had no intention of holding on to someone who wanted to retire.

"Then I guess I'll have to talk to Director Ma again."

I called Chief Ma, who was waiting outside.

"Sir, please sit down and listen."

After confirming that Director Ma was sitting next to Lee Sang-geun, he opened his mouth.

"I think we should make Im Hwa-soo, not Chu Dong-bin, the next chairman."

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"Understood, boss. I will do as you say."

Director Ma answered right away. Lee Sang-geun smiled at the sight of him following along without even asking why and explained the reason.

"You're still the same, Director Ma. Chu Dong-bin has retired······."

Director Ma nodded after listening to Lee Sang-geun's detailed explanation.

"Chairman, please help the director to finish it up. This schedule in North Korea is scheduled to last a week, so it will probably take some time."

"Yes, I will do that."

"I feel bad for making you do this after having such a hard time getting out of that situation."

"Let's speak sincerely," Lee Sang-geun said, waving his hand and laughing.

"No. It's true that I'm halfway through it anyway. I need to take this opportunity to make sure I get it sorted out."

"I appreciate your consideration. Then please."

After that, we talked for about an hour about how to proceed with the work.

"Boss, it's time to go now."

At Director Ma's words, he checked his watch and stood up from his seat.

"Then let's go and see."

After shaking hands with Lee Sang-geun, he moved to go to Pyongyang.

* * *

It's been a long time since I visited Pyongyang.

After touring the construction site of the newly built Ryugyong Hotel after its demolition, I went straight to meet Jang Song-taek.

"President Kim Mu-hyeok! Welcome!"

"Yes. It's been a long time since I've seen your face like this."

After shaking hands with Jang Song-taek, who welcomed me warmly, we sat facing each other.

"Are you feeling very distressed?"

"If I say there is none, it would be an empty promise. I never expected that China would move its military to put pressure on us."

I couldn't help but nod because it was something I hadn't expected either.

"Did you know that President Hu Jintao was under assassination threat? I heard he hasn't shown up in Beijing yet."

"Yes. We have been trying to find out through our agents in China, but we have not been able to find any information about his whereabouts. I am worried that he may have been detained somewhere."

"He will probably be fine. If he had died, all of Hu Jintao's associates would have been purged."

Jang Song-taek nodded and agreed with my opinion.

"We think so too."

"Is there still a Chinese ambassador in Pyongyang?"

"Yes. I called him several times and spoke to him, but he said he had no knowledge of this military action."

"They carried out the work without the knowledge of the ambassador in Pyongyang······. It seems that China really has no intention of shedding blood."

Fortunately, it didn't seem like they had any intention of starting a war.

If they were really thinking about war, they would have first brought back the embassy staff, including the ambassador, and then withdrew the Chinese citizens who had entered North Korea.

"How did the military react?"

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Jang Song-taek's expression darkened significantly.

"It's not good. It's a climate where hardliners are likely to gain power again."

"But there must not be armed conflict. That would be the end."

As China moved its troops, Jang Song-taek also moved the 8th Corps of the Korean People's Army toward the border with Sinuiju.

The 8th Corps in Chagang Province was stationed with war with China in mind.

Originally, North Korea had deployed most of its troops to the south of the ceasefire line with South Korea, but after the summit, it moved the units to the rear.

At the same time, Jang Song-taek reorganized the military and moved many units to the borders with China and Russia.

"I know. We have no intention of going to war with China. It would be difficult to win."

"Yes. As long as there is no preemptive strike, there is a reason for Korea and the US to help. So please do not launch a preemptive strike."

"Will America really help?"

Jang Song-taek asked with a suspicious look. He himself has said several times that he does not trust the United States.

"Because the benefits of helping are much greater than the benefits of not helping. If North Korea completely falls to China, the United States will not sit by and watch that happen."

Of course, the United States and South Korea were also keeping an eye on North Korea.

The Blue House was moving quickly, keeping a close eye on the rapidly changing situation in North Korea and cooperating with the United States.

Internally, we are already thinking about the worst-case scenario and creating scenarios.

"still······."

A look of anxiety crossed Jang Song-taek's face.

"I also don't trust the United States. It's not that I trust the United States, but that I trust the situation that has to be like this. Don't be weak. If the State Affairs Commission Chairman falls, North Korea will eventually fall."

Jang Song-taek nodded his head with difficulty as he was comforted with a soft voice.

Looking at the sunken bags under his eyes, it seemed like he had been in a lot of mental anguish for the past few days.

"Let's talk again when Chief of Staff Medvedev comes tomorrow."

"Yeah. I don't feel good about it."

Looking at Jang Song-taek's dark face, he changed the subject to change the mood.

"By the way, I noticed on the way here that the atmosphere in downtown Pyongyang has changed quite a bit."

"Right? We haven't completely stopped distribution yet, but the atmosphere is quite good since private property is recognized and wages are paid properly. It's only in Pyongyang for now, but I believe it can eventually spread to the entire republic."

It was impossible to abolish the rationing system all at once, because then countless people would starve to death.

It was good in the long run to slowly create jobs and thereby create a structure that made money roll in.

"You're doing well. I didn't expect you to do this well."

"Haha. It's all thanks to CEO Kim Mu-hyeok who sent people and helped us a lot. Let's move to a different place and have a meal. I prepared this because the CEO said he was coming."

We moved and talked long and hard until late at night.

The next day.

Medvedev made an unannounced visit to Pyongyang.

With military tensions running high with China, the fact that Russia's de facto second-in-command visited Pyongyang was enough to put pressure on China.

"Welcome, Chief Medvedev."

Jang Song-taek and Medvedev exchanged greetings first.

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"It's been a while. Chairman Jang Song-taek."

After shaking hands with Jang Song-thaek, Medvedev turned toward me and extended his hand.

"It's been a while, President Kim Mu-hyeok."

"It's been a while since I've seen you. Thank you for taking the time to come."

I also smiled and shook his hand. After shaking hands, we sat down.

"I have good news for you today."

As soon as Medvedev sat down, he opened his mouth.

"They say President Hu Jintao is alive."

"Is that true?"

"Is that true?"

Jang Song-taek and I asked at the same time. Medvedev smiled and nodded.

"Yes. Fortunately, I heard he is safe. I spoke with our president, so I am sure."

"Thank goodness. If President Hu Jintao is safe, things won't get any worse."

"Medvedev. Where on earth is Hu Jintao? What on earth is the reason for leaving this situation alone?"

Medvedev took a deep breath and answered my question.

"It is said that while inspecting the North Sea Fleet, they were suddenly attacked and hurriedly returned to the Qingdao base by helicopter. Afterwards, they moved to Yunnan Province because they thought it was too dangerous to return to Beijing."

"Yunnan Province?"

Yunnan Province was the most southwestern administrative region of China.

"The governor and secretary of Yunnan Province are said to be Hu Jintao's closest associates. So they moved to a safe place and are discussing countermeasures. They say they plan to return to Beijing in a few days."

"You've come a long way."

"That's how dangerous it was. President Hu Jintao was safe, but more than five people died. If we weren't careful, President Hu Jintao could have been among the dead."

At that moment, Jang Song-taek interrupted our conversation.

"Director Medvedev. How did he say he would fight back? He couldn't just sit back and do nothing, right?"

"I don't know about that. He didn't go into detail."

"Hmm. So, should we just hope that President Hu Jintao returns and withdraws the military?"

Medvedev's eyes narrowed as Jang Song-taek spoke anxiously.

"Well, there's a better way. Would you like to hear it? A way that will never allow Chinese troops to set foot on North Korean soil."

"What is that? Tell me quickly."

Medvedev didn't speak right away, but waited. He picked up the cup in front of him, drank some water, and then spoke.

"As we discussed before, we will station our Russian troops in Najin."

"······Didn't I say that wasn't possible?"

"Isn't the atmosphere completely different now than it was then? Let's take this opportunity to renew the Chosun-So alliance that had ended in vain."

"An alliance of ridicule?"

The North Korea-Soviet Alliance Treaty was a military alliance treaty signed between North Korea and the Soviet Union in the 1960s, which stipulated automatic military intervention in the event of a conflict.

During the Cold War, North Korea had military alliances with China and the Soviet Union and played a role in maintaining tensions with South Korea.

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However, when the Soviet Union collapsed, the then South Korean president personally visited Russia and demanded that President Yeltsin scrap the treaty.

Yeltsin had long had a negative view of North Korea, and accepted South Korea's demands to scrap the treaty.

"Yes. Let's use this opportunity to completely sort out our relations with China and sign a treaty with Russia. No matter how crazy China may be, they will not want to go to war with us."

"Isn't that the treaty you unilaterally broke? Are you telling us to make another treaty and trust Russia?"

Jang Song-taek frowned and asked. It was a treaty that was too advantageous to one side.

"We in the Kremlin now believe that we can form an alliance on equal terms."

The conversation was more unconventional than expected, so I had no choice but to intervene between the two.

"There should be no military alliance between the two countries."

Both people's gazes were focused on me.

"Station of the Navy in the special city of Naseon is not a big problem, but there is a great concern that the United States will strongly oppose the formation of a new military alliance. This will absolutely not have a positive effect on the development of North Korea that Chairman Jang Song-taek envisions."

It was good that the US, China, and Russia checked each other and helped North Korea.

"It will be an alliance that has more to lose than to gain, both for North Korea and for Russia."

I had no intention of sitting idly by and watching the military alliance between North Korea and Russia.

< There must be no armed conflict > End

< Because I have no choice but to be dragged around >