Genius Grandson of the Loan Shark King

It's like leaving the fish in the hands of the cat.

Meeting Zeng Qinghong was a very fruitful experience.

Talking to him, I could see how he became a kingmaker.

Although his parents were among the early core members of the Chinese Communist Party, their influence was weak compared to other prominent members.

However, Zeng Qinghong used his parents' halo to meet with the elders often and to build good relationships with them, thereby compensating for his weaknesses.

In other words, it could be said that the power he possessed came from the elders.

He was also the one who helped Jiang Zemin gain the support of the elders.

"I heard that President Hu Jintao has arrived in Beijing."

Zeng Qinghong went back immediately after meeting me.

This was because news came that Hu Jintao had returned to Beijing.

"I heard that too. More importantly, from now on, the State Council Chairman should meet first. It would be a diplomatic discourtesy for someone of the vice-chairman level to visit North Korea and meet the State Council Chairman late."

Jang Song-taek nodded with a faint smile.

"That person visited Pyongyang to meet with Chairman Kim. Let's do that next time. By the way, how do you think President Hu Jintao will act?"

"We won't launch an immediate counterattack. We'll probably arrest everyone involved in the attempted assassination."

"I was informed that you met Premier Wen Jiabao first. Did you hear from President Kim?"

I heard that Wen Jiabao was released from custody, but I haven't heard anything yet.

He continued speaking, shaking his head slightly.

"Not yet."

"Hmm. There's no way President Hu Jintao would act like this, right?"

"I don't know. I don't know what he's thinking. In the end, we have to come to some kind of agreement… I don't know where it'll end."

Jang Song-taek let out a small sigh and spoke with concern.

"It is not good for this atmosphere to continue. I have received reports that even among our people, there are many who now perceive China as a greater threat than South Korea."

As Jang Song-taek said, there are many North Koreans who are jealous of China.

China and North Korea have had a long-standing relationship and a sense of camaraderie.

However, seeing China, which followed the same socialist path, making great strides after implementing reforms and opening up, North Korean citizens and even the North Korean government began to compare themselves to China.

In addition, the number of people expressing dissatisfaction with the military provocation under the pretext of this military training has increased.

"I see. Isn't that even more so, since the border is only separated by a river? Companies coming from South Korea are also providing a lot of help to North Korean residents."

"We will continue to reduce our dependence on China, but we cannot completely cut off the relationship."

Jang Song-taek muttered, pressing his temples as if the current situation was giving him quite a headache.

"Are you having a hard time?"

"I would be lying if I said it wasn't difficult. Even this morning, there were people who came rushing in and insisted on restoring relations with China······."

Jang Song-taek, who had been speaking gloomily, trailed off.

Most of the people he appointed when he came to power were pro-Chinese people who shared his views.

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But when Jang Song-taek changed course and continued to do business with South Korea and reduce dependence on China, they began to pressure Jang Song-taek.

Although I wasn't happy about it, I could fully understand how they felt.

The new change shook the vested interests of those in power, and a power struggle was bound to occur in the process.

"Well, it's their survival."

Before Jang Song-taek took power, numerous trading companies managed by him were actively trading with China and making a lot of money.

Like it or not, China had a virtual monopoly on North Korea's trade, so it had no choice but to interact with them.

Since they are also the people who manage Jang Song-taek's money, it was difficult for Jang Song-taek to continue to reject their demands.

"For now, we have ordered all trade transactions to be shifted from China to Russia, but the confusion is likely to continue for some time, which is a big problem."

"I guess you want to normalize relations with China."

Jang Song-taek nodded slightly.

"To be honest, yes. I wish President Hu Jintao would step forward and bring back the relationship."

Closing the border with China was an action taken at my request.

He had done his job well enough, so it was time to give him some breathing room.

"Then, you should wait and see what President Hu Jintao does before you decide. I also think that continuing to maintain tension like this is not good for either side."

Jang Song-taek nodded and then let out a deep sigh and asked.

"Did you have a good conversation with the Vice Chairman?"

"Nothing special?"

I heard that Zeng Qinghong had a brief meeting with Jang Song-thaek before leaving the country.

"I just said we had a nice conversation. I was trying to get our relationship with the Republic back on track."

"Yes. I have decided to join hands with Zeng Qinghong."

"Not President Hu Jintao?"

"I intend to join hands with both President Hu Jintao and Zeng Qinghong. I don't know how Hu Jintao will react though."

"If he's the vice chairman, he's on good terms with everyone. He's someone who had enemies in the Crown Prince's Party, the Shanghai faction, and even the Youth League when he was young."

Even the princeling faction had to join and participate in the public hearing group from a young age in order to pursue a career in public service.

"That's the best weapon."

"But you are known as Jiang Zemin's right-hand man. Is that okay? Could it be a trap?"

Jang Song-taek asked with concern, and I answered with a smile.

"I did think about that too. But if I gave him what he wanted, he would never betray me. And as a token of my trust, I put Jiang Zemin's weakness in my hands."

"Is that true? You brought up Jiang Zemin's weaknesses?"

Jang Song-taek asked again, surprised, and I nodded.

"What he brought was a list of pro-Chinese figures within North Korea."

"······I was pro-China to begin with. Can you call that a weakness?"

Jang Song-taek said with a slightly disappointed tone. You have to listen to the Korean until the end.

"To be exact, they are not pro-China people, but people who receive support from Jiang Zemin."

"Yes? Can you share it with me?"

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"sure."

I took out the paper that Zeng Qinghong had taken out from my bosom. Before handing the paper to Jang Song-taek, I spoke in a firm voice.

"Instead, please answer one question clearly. Can you eliminate them all?"

"Let's check the list first."

Although it wasn't an answer I liked, I handed the paper over to Jang Song-taek.

Jang Song-taek's eyes grew twice as big as they did when he unfolded the paper and checked the list.

"Is this a definitive list?"

I chuckled because I understood his reaction.

I too was surprised when I checked the list that Zeng Qinghong had given me.

At the top of the list was the name of Choe Ryong Hae, whom Jang Song Taek believed in so much.

"Unless Zeng Qinghong handed over a false list. However, I am certain that the list is real."

Choe Ryong-hae played a big part in making it possible to be certain that the list was authentic.

I knew better than anyone how obsessed with power Choe Ryong Hae was.

Because he is a person who will betray even his closest people for power.

"Choi Ryong-hae, this bastard······!"

Unlike me, Jang Song-taek's reaction was intense. Perhaps because he had been stabbed in the back by someone he trusted, he did not hide his emotions and showed them openly.

"Zeng Qinghong said that Jiang Zemin was going to move them to plan a coup."

"This is crazy!"

The General Political Bureau was the party's military leadership and supervision organ, and its authority was enormous.

So Jang Song-taek appointed his trusted Choe Ryong-hae as the director of the General Political Bureau and entrusted him with monitoring the military.

"Did you give instructions to Choe Ryong Hae to strengthen military surveillance?"

Jang Song-taek answered in a voice full of anger.

"Yes. After hearing Chairman Kim's story, I instructed Choe Ryong Hae to strengthen surveillance of the military."

"It's like leaving the cat in charge of the fish."

"Just in case, I entrusted the Minister of the People's Armed Forces with monitoring Choe Ryong-hae······."

Jang Song-taek muttered in a uncertain voice.

The list also includes key figures within the Ministry of People's Armed Forces, so it was inevitable that they would react that way.

Jang Song-taek, who had been grinding his teeth, spoke in a cold voice.

"We must arrest him immediately."

If things were left as they were, a coup d'état could have occurred.

"Let's just leave it alone for now."

"What do you mean? If they move the army and we can't suppress them quickly, we don't know what will happen!"

"That won't do. When Jiang Zemin gives them the order and they all gather together, then we have to attack."

If we were to organize all the people on the list now, we would not be able to catch Jiang Zemin.

Jang Song-taek, who understood what I meant, chewed his lips and suppressed his anger.

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"The security forces are all controlled by the State Affairs Commission Chairman's close associates?"

"Yes. The State Security Department and the Security Bureau are both staffed by my close associates."

When Jang Song-taek staged a coup, he first took control of the General Political Bureau, the Security Bureau, and the Ministry of State Security.

The Security Bureau was an organization that served the same purpose as the Military Intelligence Command in Korea, and was essentially an organization that monitored the General Political Bureau.

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

Jang Song-taek was serving as the Director of the Security Department when he staged the coup.

"Just move them secretly and keep an eye on them. Then, when they all get together and plot, we'll arrest them."

The list that Zeng Qinghong gave me only contained the core members.

But it was impossible to successfully carry out a coup with just this many people.

Although they are not on the list, there must be people hidden there who share their views.

"If we're not careful, a civil war could break out. Didn't I tell you that there was growing discontent within the military?"

"So you're not confident? How much time has passed since you took power?"

"······How could that be?"

The answer came a long time later.

It was a minor provocation, but Jang Song-taek's pride seemed to have been quite hurt.

I lightly patted his shoulder and smiled.

"Then let's wait. Let's use this opportunity to clean up all the people who remain as a cancer in North Korea."

* * *

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

Kim Young-chun and Kim Won-hong were by his side.

"It's been a while, General."

Choe Ryong-hae had already visited Kim Jong-il several times, but this was the first time for Kim Yong-chun and Kim Won-hong.

"Girae."

Kim Jong-il put away his fishing rod, nodded slightly, and cast the rod again.

He didn't even turn his gaze towards Choe Ryong-hae and his party.

Choe Ryong-hae, who had been keeping his mouth shut for a long time, spoke.

"Recently, the relationship between China and the Republic has become so strained. If things continue this way, the Republic will likely perish."

Only then did Kim Jong-il turn his head and look at them.

"Why are you telling me that? Go find Jang Song-taek."

"I have said this many times, but Comrade Chairman of the State Affairs Commission does not listen to anything. All of this is the work of Chairman Kim Moo-hyuk."

Kim Jong-il looked at me with a crooked look in his eyes, smiling faintly.

"So. Why did you come to me?"

At his calm tone, Choe Ryong-hae slightly lowered his head.

"The general must step forward. The only one who can turn this around is the general. If things continue this way, Jang Song-taek is on the verge of handing over the entire republic to Kim Moo-hyuk."

"What? Choe Ryong-hae, are you crazy? You told me to go find a place to die. You're determined to kill me, Kirae."

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"Believe me, the two of us here and I have come together to restore the General. China will help us."

Choe Ryong-hae openly suggested staging a coup.

Kim Jong-il wiggled his eyebrows after hearing his suggestion.

"These reactionary bastards… Are they all crazy? Hey, Kim Young-chun! What is that so-called hero of the Republic doing?"

"General······."

"You shameless and treacherous bastard. You failed to protect me until the end when I stepped down, and now you're coming to me again to change your master!"

Kim Jong-il pointed his finger at Kim Yong-chun and shouted.

"I gave you many chances! I spared you when I purged all the Frunze Military University graduates. So what did you come back for? Betrayal! And now you're coming back to me and telling me to die. You're a piece of shit that deserves to be thrown in the cesspool!"

All sorts of insults poured out, but Choe Ryong-hae, Kim Yong-chun, and Kim Won-hong simply accepted Kim Jong-il's wrath without saying a word.

The coup forces, including Choe Ryong-hae, knew well that the best way to gain military support was to reinstate Kim Jong-il.

"You must stand up for the Republic, General."

"Is it for the good of the Republic to say that you will sell the Republic to China? That is what they call it now."

"We have no choice but to ask for China's help to put everything back in order. Please make a decision, General."

When Kim Young-chun bowed his head, the other two bowed their heads as well.

Kim Jong-il, who had been staring at the back of their heads for a long time, turned his head back toward the lake.

"I haven't heard anything from you today. Go back. I told you not to do anything stupid."

"General! The die has already been cast. Many people are already preparing to make you a new general. This cannot be stopped. If you do not step forward, civil war may break out."

Choe Ryong-hae spoke earnestly, but Kim Jong-il firmly refused.

"Didn't I say there was nothing to do? If you say anything more, I'll go see Jang Song-taek myself. Do you understand?"

"General! If you don't come forward, we have no choice but to bring Comrade Kim Jong Nam."

At those words, Kim Jong Il turned his head abruptly. His eyes, glaring at Choe Ryong Hae, seemed to light up.

"You dare threaten me?!

< It's like leaving the fish to the cat > End

< Just living like a dead rat >