Genius Grandson of the Loan Shark King

Just live like a dead rat

Before returning to Korea, I went to meet Kim Jong-il.

"It's been a while."

"It's been a while, Kirae."

Kim Jong-il looked at me with displeasure, but did not refuse to meet me.

"You look healthy."

It wasn't an empty remark, but he looked much better than before when I saw him after a long time.

"It's all thanks to President Kim. Don't you think so?"

Kim Jong-il replied with a sarcastic tone, but I just smiled back.

"You won't even give me a cup of tea?"

"He gave me a car because I thought it was pretty."

"Hahaha. Are you still angry?"

Kim Jong-il clicked his tongue as she smiled and joked.

"Oki! Bring me two cups of coffee."

"Yes, General."

As Kim Jong-il shouted, his secretary and mistress, Kim Ok, who had been staying far away, entered the villa.

I asked her as I watched her disappear.

"Is your wife still not feeling well?"

Kim Jong-il's wife, Ko Yong-hui, was receiving treatment in France due to rapidly deteriorating health.

I already knew about her health condition, but I pretended not to know and asked.

"Why are you asking when you already know everything?"

Kim Jong-il said bluntly, as if he thought I was already monitoring Ko Young-hee.

This was also one of the differences from her previous life. Originally, she was Ko Young-hee who should have already died.

Whether it was because Kim Jong-il had stepped down from power or for some other reason, she was still alive.

Of course, it wasn't very healthy.

"Health is the most important thing, Mr. Chairman."

"Enough with the nonsense. Why did you come looking for me? There must be a reason why you, who never paid any attention to me, came looking for me."

Kim Jong-il looked at me with his eyes half-open.

There was an unconcealed distrust and suspicion in those eyes.

"I came to see you before I go back to Korea."

"We're not the type of people who would meet each other for no reason."

At that moment, Kim Ok poured two cups of coffee, placed them on the round table, and stepped back again.

Kim Jong-il nodded slightly and lifted the coffee cup to his lips.

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"Hear. My brother-in-law gave me some good coffee beans. They smell good, Kirae."

I too followed him and lifted my glass. As he said, the fragrant aroma of coffee rose, as if it were good beans.

I took a sip of hot coffee and opened my mouth.

"Don't think of useless things, Chairman."

Kim Jong-il's hand, which was holding the glass, stopped.

"The reason Chairman Jang Song-thaek did not kill the Chairman is because he believed that the Chairman was no longer a threat to him."

"······."

"If there is a threat, not only the chairman but also his family will be in danger."

"Mr. Kim. What are you talking about?"

"I already know that Choe Ryong-hae and Kim Yong-chun visited. Chairman Jang Song-taek also knows."

Kim Jong Il said nothing and just looked into my eyes.

"I don't know what offer he received, but he must have been lured by the promise of a lottery ticket. Am I wrong?"

Kim Jong-il's expression did not change. Instead of answering, he moved his hand again and took a sip of coffee.

I also didn't say it with the intention of hearing an answer, so I continued talking.

"We already know that Choe Ryong-hae and Kim Yong-chun are plotting to oust Chairman Jang Song-thaek. They are also thinking of putting the Chairman back in office to gain legitimacy."

"I don't know what President Kim is talking about."

"Yes. Don't keep ignoring them. If you have given them a definite answer, it will be difficult to get over it. Close your ears and just go fishing or something. That's the way to enjoy life."

I finished drinking all the coffee in my hand and put the cup down.

"This is a warning. I still haven't forgotten what the chairman did to my person. Chairman Jang Song-taek wants to keep you alive, so he's leaving you alone. So don't cross the line."

No matter how much Jang Song-taek was prepared, the moment Kim Jong-il took action, the military might not follow Jang Song-taek's orders.

Because the results of the brainwashing that Kim Jong-il had continued since Kim Il-sung still remained throughout North Korea.

So I came to him to warn him directly.

"Think of your son in Switzerland, and of your children who are staying here. You have already lived long enough, but not your children."

"President Kim······."

Kim Jong Il's voice trembled slightly as he called me.

He seemed to have guessed what would happen if an unexpected event occurred.

"Do you think Chairman Jang Song-taek will fight me if I kill them? No. He will never abandon me. I will make Jiang Zemin, who made you kneel, kneel before me."

"Why are you doing this to me? I'm not greedy anymore."

"Because the Chairman is not greedy, others won't leave him alone. If you don't like that, there's only one way······."

I deliberately left my speech unfinished, because I think Kim Jong-il knows exactly what I'm going to say.

'It'll end only when I die.'

Unlike other communist countries, North Korea was nothing more than a dynastic state ruled by the Kim Il-sung family.

As such, there were bound to be people who would continue to try to exploit him until he died.

That was also the reason why those who usurped power killed their predecessors.

"Don't take advantage of Chairman Jang Song-taek's goodwill. I chose him as my partner, and if he is in danger, I will do everything I can. Even if the coup succeeds and the chairman returns, nothing good will come of it. At that time, Russia, China, and even South Korea will all move toward North Korea."

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Kim Jong-il's hand holding his coffee cup trembled, either out of anger or because he felt insulted by my words.

No, nothing. Kim Jong-il opened his mouth with anxiety in his eyes.

"Mr. Kim. Protect Jeong-nam. He's in the hands of those vile guys."

"······."

"I didn't say anything the other day. But didn't those bastards say they were going to use Jeongnam?"

It seems that they took Kim Jong-nam hostage because I didn't respond. It was expected.

"Even if we protect Kim Jong-nam, this vicious cycle will not end."

"If you want to leave the Republic and live, you can. So protect your family. If you keep doing this, we'll all die."

Kim Jong-il shuddered as the trembling that started in his hands spread to his body.

The dictator who had killed so many people was trembling with fear.

'This man who killed countless people is also very protective of his own bloodline.'

I thought about it for a moment, then nodded.

"You can't kill Kim Jong-nam. I'll make it happen."

I already knew where Kim Jong Nam was staying.

Since he was not locked up but was being watched under the pretext of protection, he could have been taken out at any time.

"So promise me just one thing. Don't seek power anymore, no matter who tries to shake you up, Chairman. When this is all over, I will give you every convenience. I will buy you a nice mansion in Europe and let you live there."

There would be no reason to kill him if he left North Korea.

"If the military moves, please step forward and give strength to Chairman Jang Song-taek."

Kim Jong-il nodded his head with difficulty.

I was quite upset by the sight of him looking particularly weak today.

"I'll go now. Before I go, I'll see my children. I need to warn them too."

"······."

No answer came back.

I got up from my seat and walked towards the villa.

"Take good care of the Chairman. Are Kim Jong-chul and Kim Yo-jong inside?"

"······."

I asked Kim Ok, who was standing in front of the villa, but she didn't answer.

Ignoring her, I went into the villa.

Then the sound of Kim Ok's shoes running towards Kim Jong Il was heard.

As soon as I entered the villa, I saw the living room, and Kim Jong-chul and Kim Yo-jong were sitting on a large sofa in the living room.

Kim Yo-jong, who still has a childish side, was seen tightly holding Kim Jong-chul's hand while looking at me anxiously.

"We're old friends, right?"

Kim Jong-chul nodded, holding Kim Yo-jong's hand tightly.

"Do you know who I am?"

"······."

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"Don't be so scared. I'm here to tell you not to fall for anyone who tries to lure you. You need to know that every action you take can end the lives of not only you but everyone involved. Do you understand?"

Kim Jong-chul nodded and avoided my eyes.

Kim Yo-jong hid half of her body behind Kim Jong-chul because she was so scared of me.

Suddenly, I remembered Kim Yo-jong from her previous life. Her sharp tongue and her youthful appearance overlapped with her current appearance.

Even that crazy woman was quite innocent when she was young.

"If you don't get greedy, your uncle will help you live comfortably. But that's it."

As I slowly approached, I saw Kim Jong-cheol swallowing hard.

I walked right up to him, who was cowering in nervousness, and whispered softly in his ear.

"Never be greedy. If you do, you will die. You will not be able to live the way you have lived until now. Your father does not have that power anymore. Of course, you do not have it either. So just live like a dead mouse."

I lightly patted Kim Jong-cheol's stiff shoulder and helped him sit up.

I smiled kindly as I watched him hanging his head without moving at all.

"But I can let you do whatever you want. Are you a fan of Eric Clapton? Do you want me to introduce you to him?"

At those words, Kim Jong-cheol raised his head, which had been bowed, and looked at me.

"When this is over, come to England. I will arrange for you to meet him. I will make an appointment."

"Really······?"

Perhaps because he felt awkward using formal speech, Kim Jong-chul belatedly raised his voice.

I thought you were all grown up, but you still have that childish side to you.

"Yes. It's not that hard, so I can definitely do that. Even your father can't do it, but I can do it."

I knew that Kim Jong-chul liked that guitarist.

And that guy was pretty close to Murdoch.

If I could win her favor with something so trivial, it would be great.

"So you have to listen to me carefully. Even if someone comes and shakes you up······. No, even if your uncle dies, don't be greedy. Do you understand?"

Kim Jong-chul nodded.

"Okay. I'll watch. I hope I can see you smiling next time."

I still smiled brightly as I looked at Kim Yo-jong, who was hiding behind Kim Jong-chul.

Then he turned around and left.

With this level of warning, they won't do anything foolish.

Although I trust Jang Song-thaek, he has shown weakness especially towards Kim Jong-il and his family.

'Now Jang Song-taek will figure out the rest.'

Now it was time to return to Korea.

* * *

After returning to Beijing, Hu Jintao continued his wild and aggressive actions.

After summoning all nine executive committee members, including himself, he announced that he would hold a plenary meeting.

No one objected. Hu Jintao decided to convene a plenary session within two weeks and warned Luo Gan.

"Luogan. Stop spying on me. This isn't a request, it's a warning. If you don't, you too could be involved in this attempted assassination."

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"······All right."

Luo Gan answered obediently. He knew very well that now was the time to bow his head.

The moment you stand up to Hu Jintao, who has the pretext in hand, it is clear that you will be the first to be purged.

"And the Central Military Discipline Commission has already instructed the People's Liberation Army to arrest all those involved in this attempted assassination."

Hu Jintao glanced at his secretary standing behind him.

The secretary who received the signal approached Luogan and handed him the document he was holding.

"Arrest all the people written there."

Luo Gan's face turned pale as he checked the list.

The paper contained the names of high-ranking officials and their crimes.

"There will be strong resistance during arrest."

"Arrest him anyway. This is an order."

Luo Gan looked at the other Shanghai faction standing committee members, but they all turned away from him.

Whether they were all arrested without any problems or they resisted, Luogan would be responsible for any resulting repercussions.

"······Understood, Your Majesty."

Luo Gan decided to go see Jiang Zemin separately and put the paper in his bosom.

"Don't even think about going to see Chairman Jang separately."

As if he had guessed Luo Gan's thoughts, Hu Jintao was the first to warn him.

"I'm telling you to think about who holds the pretext. Do you understand? I'm telling you to be faithful to your position as the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee, who oversees public security."

Hu Jintao was now giving Luo Gan a chance.

"Okay, I understand. But I can't stop other people from telling."

"Don't worry about that. No one will know except the people gathered here."

Hu Jintao looked at the remaining members of the Standing Committee one by one with cold eyes.

Several motions were brought up after that, but no one could object.

"Everyone, go out. Don't tell anyone what happened here today until the general meeting is called."

One by one, people got up from their seats and left the conference room. However, Zeng Qinghong did not leave until the end and remained in his seat.

"Vice Chairman. I see you have some business. Why aren't you getting up?"

"Your Majesty, I have something to tell you separately."

"I have nothing to say. Let's talk later."

After finishing his speech calmly, Hu Jintao stood up first.

It was Zeng Qinghong's words that stopped him from going towards his office.

"It's about President Kim Moo-hyuk."

Hu Jintao, who was holding the doorknob, turned around.

"President Kim Moo-hyuk? Come to think of it, I heard you went to Pyongyang to meet President Kim Moo-hyuk."

"It is something that will help the Chairman in what he wants to do."

Hu Jintao nodded after stroking his chin for a moment and thinking.

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"Follow me."

Hu Jintao entered first, followed by Zeng Qinghong.

The door soon closed.

< Just living like a dead rat > End

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