Genius Grandson of the Loan Shark King

The axe you trust will cut off your instep

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

The public statements coming out of the mouth of the Chinese government's so-called foul-mouthed spokesperson were full of rudeness and arrogance.

Russia did not back down from China's rude statement and struck back.

It was a declaration that construction of a gas pipeline linking China and Russia would be temporarily suspended and reconsidered.

"How did you know in advance?"

After hearing the secretary's urgent report, Jiang Zemin turned his head sharply and looked at Zeng Qinghong.

Zeng Qinghong shrugged his shoulders at the casual gaze.

"Didn't I tell you? If it were me, I would have done it. The construction of the China-Russia gas pipeline was not an achievement of President Hu Jintao, but was done in the name of the Chairman. The moment it is canceled, it will be the Chairman's responsibility."

Jiang Zemin's face hardened at Zeng Qinghong's words.

After seeing Jiang Zemin's reaction, he continued speaking.

"It was impossible from the beginning. President Hu Jintao could have just been left alone. The Shanghai faction's influence has diminished to some extent, but now that more than half of the Standing Committee members are our people, there are limits to what Hu Jintao can do."

The assassination attempt on Hu Jintao only served to give him a powerful excuse to carry out a purge.

"If it had been a success, that would be different, but now that it has ended in failure, President Hu Jintao is in control. Aren't the elders who support the President slowly starting to take notice?"

Jiang Zemin's power base was the Shanghai faction, but now that he had stepped down from all public office, it was difficult to check Hu Jintao without the help of the elders.

"If even the elders turn away, then there is no future for you, Chairman."

Zeng Qinghong did not hesitate to speak frankly to Jiang Zemin.

Jiang Zemin squinted his eyes and looked at him.

"So are you saying we should ask Kim Moo-hyuk to mediate in the end?"

"That's one way. Boshirai said that once a man turns away, he won't have any more regrets. If you want to reconcile and let him mediate, you'll have to give up a lot."

Jiang Zemin recalled his last conversation with Kim Moo-hyuk.

'I will do anything to bring you down.'

At the time, I thought that remark was just a simple quibble.

But when I looked back, I could see that it wasn't that. The situation was the worst.

Hu Jintao did not die, and efforts to pressure North Korea into surrender were thwarted by Russian intervention.

In addition, relations with Russia may also deteriorate.

"It's because of that bastard Jang Song-taek. If that bastard had come and begged like Kim Jong-il, things wouldn't have gotten this messed up."

Jiang Zemin ground his teeth.

During his time in power, he pressured Kim Jong-il to collect war reparations from China for its support of North Korea during the Korean War, in order to pressure North Korea to approach Taiwan.

In response, Kim Jong-il threatened to sell missiles to Taiwan in return for compensation, after which China ordered the ambassador to stand by.

Relations between the two countries cooled sharply, and Kim Jong-il eventually made an unofficial visit to Beijing to apologize to Jiang Zemin.

Jiang Zemin hoped that Jang Song Taek would also kneel before him in the same way, but it did not work out as he had hoped.

"I will contact President Kim Moo-hyeok. Your Majesty, please prepare another plan."

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"Another plan? What plan are you talking about?"

"How about overthrowing the North Korean regime? Restoring Kim Jong-il."

"······Didn't that operation get scrapped?"

When Jang Song-taek ousted Kim Jong-il and took power, there was talk in China of restoring Kim Jong-il to power.

However, the operation was abandoned when the United States and Russia recognized Jang Song-taek.

"However, there are still many people in North Korea who miss Kim Jong-il and the Baekdu bloodline. If we use them, we may succeed. If Kim Jong-il is having a hard time, using Kim Jong-nam, who we are currently protecting, may be another way."

Jiang Zemin fell into deep thought after hearing Zeng Qinghong's advice.

'Not bad. If we restore Kim Jong-il, he will be loyal to us.'

He nodded after making his decision.

"Okay. I'll find out the plan secretly. Vice Chairman, contact Kim Moo-hyuk immediately."

"Let's do that."

Zeng Qinghong stood up from his seat, bowed his head slightly in greeting, and then turned around.

Zeng Qinghong closed the door and came out, rubbing his chin and thinking.

'Jiang Zemin has aged a lot. He is very slow in judging situations.'

Zeng Qinghong was the eldest brother of the princelings, who did not have the strength to seize power on their own.

So, he joined hands with the Shanghai faction and served as Jiang Zemin's Zhang Zi faction, thereby increasing his power.

And his long-cherished wish was to make it possible for the princelings to take over after Hu Jintao.

'I need to move differently too.'

But the move had to come only after Hu Jintao returned.

After he returned, he left the place, thinking that he would have to decide his course of action based on the mood of the situation.

* * *

A few days passed.

As planned, the construction of the China-Russia gas pipeline was halted, and relations between the two countries cooled sharply.

To discuss countermeasures, Medvedev returned to Moscow ahead of schedule, and I spent time in Pyongyang, visiting places such as Nampo City and the Kaesong Industrial Complex.

"President Kim. Vice Chairman Zeng Qinghong contacted me and said he would like to meet with President Kim."

This was something that came out during dinner with Jang Song-taek.

"Zeng Qinghong? Isn't he Jiang Zemin's right-hand man?"

Jang Song-taek nodded and brought the wine glass to his lips.

"He is also the person who created the Crown Prince's Party into a single faction. He is good at tightrope walking."

"Why on earth does that person want to meet me?"

"I guess he realized that Mr. Kim was behind this incident. He's a smart guy."

I was lost in thought for a moment.

The Zeng Qinghong I know was someone who played a major role in helping the princelings seize power by interfering with the fierce power struggle between Hu Jintao and Jiang Zemin.

"What did you say? Are you saying you are visiting Pyongyang?"

"Yes. He notified me that he would be entering the country tomorrow."

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"Telegram. I guess you still haven't come to your senses."

"Haha, it's okay. Vice Chairman Zeng Qinghong is a person who can talk."

Jang Song-taek seemed to want me to meet Zeng Qinghong.

"Do you want me to meet him?"

"Can't we continue to fight with China? Like it or not, our republic shares a border with China. If it weren't for Chairman Jiang Zemin, wouldn't Mr. Kim have any reason to hate China?"

That's not wrong. Over time, China will become a land of gold.

"That's true. China is a good place to invest."

"If we can separate Jiang Zemin and Zeng Qinghong, Jiang Zemin's influence will be reduced by half. No, even less. Jiang Zemin has the support of the elders behind him because Zeng Qinghong played a big role."

"Okay. See you tomorrow."

"Good idea. Would you like to move and continue the conversation?"

The meal naturally led to a drinking session.

Seeing Jang Song-taek lift his glass a little too hastily, he asked cautiously.

"What is the atmosphere like in the military?"

Jang Song-taek smiled bitterly at my question.

"Fortunately, things have improved somewhat. However, there is still discontent within the military."

"You should strengthen your surveillance of the military. If I were Jiang Zemin, I think I might plan a coup as a last resort."

Jang Song-taek let out a hollow laugh as if to say, "Surely that wouldn't happen."

"We must not let our guard down. Jiang Zemin is a man who can do that. When Hu Jintao comes back and wields his sword, there are limits to what he can do. He may try to use North Korea to overcome the crisis."

If I were Jiang Zemin, I was sure I would use the pro-China faction to shake up North Korea.

They will try to overcome the crisis by ousting Jang Song-taek and creating chaos in North Korea.

"There are plenty of justifications. There are many options. They will either reinstate Kim Jong-il or defend Kim Jong-nam."

Jang Song-taek's face became serious, but he soon shook his head.

"Jeongnam is staying in Beijing under Chinese protection. I don't know the exact location. But I don't think he'll try to drive me out."

Jang Song-taek took care of and raised Kim Jong-nam. It was Jang Song-taek who placed him under Chinese protection for his safety, as if he were an illegitimate child.

So he thought of Kim Jong-nam like a son.

"The axe you trust will cut off your instep. It is said that power is not shared even between parents and children."

"No matter what, Jeongnam······."

"I know what you mean. But there's no harm in being prepared. No, you absolutely must be prepared."

He spoke firmly to Jang Song-taek, who was trailing off.

"It's better to be thoroughly prepared than to be unprepared and just suffer. Even if it comes to nothing. If nothing happens, isn't that a good thing?"

"Okay, we'll take a closer look at the military and discuss countermeasures."

Finally, a satisfactory answer came back. He nodded and pointed out another risk factor.

"What is Kim Jong-il doing these days?"

"I've been fishing for years at the villa."

"Who visits him often?"

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"I understand that Director of the General Political Bureau Choe Ryong-hae visits frequently."

"Director of the General Political Bureau?"

Choe Ryong Hae, who was the first to suggest to Jang Song Taek that Kim Jong Il be killed, visits him often?

"That's strange. Wasn't General Political Bureau Director Choe Ryong Hae the one who was making a fuss about killing Kim Jong Il? Isn't there another reason?"

I didn't trust Choe Ryong Hae.

Jang Song-taek never trusted him, he just left him alone because he trusted him.

He is the one who tried to kill Kim Jong-il using me, and he is the one who is more lust for power than anyone else.

In his previous life, he was blinded by power and took the lead in purging Jang Song-taek.

"It must be for surveillance purposes. I know better than anyone how much he hates Kim Jong-il."

"Don't trust him too much. He'll do anything to get power."

Despite the serious warning, Jang Song-taek simply laughed loudly.

"It seems like that friend Choe Ryong-hae really hated President Kim. It's okay. He won't betray me for the sake of that power. Let's stop talking about painful things and talk about something more exciting. Nampo City······."

Jang Song-taek changed the subject to the development of Nampo City, and I went along with his ideas.

The next afternoon, Zeng Qinghong arrived in Pyongyang.

I greeted him when he came to the Pyongyang Hotel where I was staying.

"Nice to meet you, President Kim Mu-hyeok."

"This is your second meeting, Vice Chairman Zeng Qinghong?"

"This is the second time I've shaken hands like this, but I've seen it done four times."

Zeng Qinghong smiled kindly and acted coquettish.

I nodded and let go of his hand.

"Did you meet Chairman Jang Song-thaek?"

"No. I came to Pyongyang not to meet Chairman Jang Song-taek, but to meet Chairman Kim Moo-hyuk."

It was very rude of Jang Song-taek for Zeng Qinghong to come to me first.

He added, perhaps because I furrowed my brows and showed my displeasure, "You're committing a diplomatic faux pas so casually."

"This is something that was agreed upon with the State Council Chairman."

"Really? That would be great, but it still bothers me."

No matter how good my relationship with Jang Song-taek was and how much he put me first, I was against anything that would tarnish his authority.

We'll have to talk about this next time we meet.

"I'll keep that in mind next time."

"Okay, let's take a seat."

After guiding Zeng Qinghong to his seat, he got straight to the point.

"So why did you ask to see me? I have nothing to discuss with the Vice Chairman."

"To mediate between President Jiang Zemin and President Kim Moo-hyuk."

"under······."

I let out a laugh without realizing it. It looks like I was really underestimated.

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"Jiang Zemin and I can no longer go together. He grabbed my person and threatened me."

"I know that too. Just in case, I'm saying this, but I opposed that plan. Anyway, if you are willing to reconcile with Chairman Jiang Zemin, Chairman Yu Seong-jin will be released immediately."

"The ship has already sailed. There is no room for negotiation unless Chairman Yoo Seong-jin is released."

Since you've decided to give up on Yoo Seong-jin, he's no longer a bargaining chip.

When I thought of Yoo Seong-jin telling me to give up on myself, I clicked my tongue without realizing it because my mouth felt bitter.

"Hmm."

Zeng Qinghong swallowed his breath and looked at me like that.

"If you were Vice Chairman, you would have known that I would not accept it. Tell me your real purpose."

Zeng Qinghong wiggled his eyebrows at my words.

The external pretext was to mediate my relationship with Jiang Zemin, and it was clear that there must be another reason for seeking me out.

"Say what you want to say. I don't like conversations that go around in circles."

< The axe you trust will cut off your instep > End

< Let's have a proper, open conversation >