Genius Grandson of the Loan Shark King

Don't be so excited

In the aftermath of Leakgate, President Bush's approval ratings have fallen sharply.

Although it was led by the neocons, the public perception that President Bush and the neocons were one and the same inevitably led to a drop in approval ratings.

But as the saying goes, "give flesh and take bones," and President Bush was satisfied with the weakening of the neocons.

President Bush was dealing with current affairs in the Oval Office when he was visited by John Negroponte, the Director of National Intelligence.

"Mr. President, I request a private meeting."

At those words, President Bush put down the papers he was looking at and dismissed everyone else.

"Director John. What's going on? Why did you come here without saying anything?"

"I'm sorry. It's so urgent."

"Sit down first. Tell me. If Director John came in such a hurry, it must be something unusual."

Director John bowed his head and sat down, handing over the documents he had brought to President Bush.

"Unusual military movements have been detected in North Korea."

"what?"

A startled President Bush hurriedly lifted the papers in front of him.

"The movements of the armored brigade within the 5th Army Corps have been detected, and the movements of troops from the Pyongyang Defense Command have also been detected."

Even as President Bush handed over the documents, Director John continued his explanation.

"But the CIA isn't giving us any information."

At those words, President Bush frowned and put the documents down.

"What? You're saying that intelligence cooperation with the CIA isn't going well? What on earth are they thinking?"

President Bush clicked his tongue and picked up the extension phone next to him. Then he immediately gave the order to call in the CIA director.

"There is a tendency to ignore the DNI position, which is considered to be a position without real power. Not only the CIA, but other agencies as well."

"······They asked me to create an organization for cooperation, so I created it. But I didn't give them any real power on the ground."

"That's the problem. After all, information is something that is collected in the field and turned into a meaningful flow. Since we can't intervene in the field, we can only collect the information that they select and give us."

I knew there was a lot of power struggle between intelligence agencies, but I didn't think it would get to this extent.

Bush shook his head and opened his mouth.

"Huh······. Let's talk about that later. So what do you think of this unusual North Korean military movement? Is it another coup?"

"I'm not sure about that, but······."

Director John trailed off for a moment and then said.

"According to Director Jessica's judgment, it is highly likely that it is related to Kim Moo-hyuk, who is visiting North Korea."

President Bush cocked an eyebrow at the familiar name.

"Kim Mu-hyeok? Oh, you said that guy was visiting North Korea. Are you saying that you're going to arrest him?"

"The 5th Corps is a corps located behind the Kaesong Industrial Complex. As such, it would be difficult for it to advance to Pyongyang and cause a military coup. If there is another purpose, it is right to assume that it is related to Kim Moo-hyuk."

"There is no reason for Jang Song-taek to abandon his friend. We must assume that it was the forces that disliked the rapid changes in North Korea that made the move."

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"Yes, we think China is behind it. However, the information is still limited, so it is just a guess."

All circumstances pointed to one person.

President Bush tapped the arm of the sofa thoughtfully.

'It's not good for me to leave him to die like this······.'

The soft sound echoing inside the quiet Oval Office stopped.

President Bush looked at Director John and asked.

"Is there any way we can help Kim Moo-hyuk?"

"Wouldn't Russia be faster than us? Kim Moo-hyuk and the Russian president have a relationship that is more than just friends."

"Russia······."

Just then, the door to the Oval Office opened and the CIA Director came in.

He paused for a moment when he saw Director John.

"Director Goss. Welcome."

President Bush greeted him with a bright smile, and Director Porter Goss smiled back and said:

"Mr. President. Have you called?"

"Okay. Take a seat first."

Director Goss sat across from Director John.

The two men exchanged glances, glaring at each other.

Even though he had read the sharp mood, President Bush pretended not to notice.

"Director Goss. The reason I called you here is because I heard that information sharing with the DNI isn't going well."

"······."

"The CIA has left the field work to the existing intelligence agencies, just as they want. So the DNI just collects information from each intelligence agency and compiles it. But if information isn't shared, the DNI is as good as dead."

Director Goss coughed slightly at the calm reprimand.

"It's because I'm not used to it yet. As soon as I get things sorted out······."

"Director Goss. I'm not here to hear excuses. I appointed you against the wishes of many to normalize the CIA, which has been suffering from measles due to the recent leak of information about the Flame. And now you betray my trust?"

Bush faced strong opposition to appoint Republican House Representative Porter Goss as CIA director.

The only time a member of the House of Representatives was appointed CIA director was during the tenure of President Bush's father, former President George W. Bush.

"President Bush, I don't know what Director John did to try to sow discord between us, but I have never done anything that was detrimental to you."

Director Goss glanced at Director John and continued speaking.

"The DNI's overreach is too much. They are forcing us to hand over information that has not yet been verified. In particular, Director John, the Director of National Intelligence, is demanding that we report on covert operation programs in advance."

"Isn't that what the CIA asked for? They said they couldn't give the Director of National Intelligence control of the field. That's why it became a half-assed agency. Instead, they have to report."

"You can report secret operations to the President as well."

The CIA's covert operations could be carried out at the CIA Director's sole discretion, without White House approval.

It was clear that he did not want to lose even a single piece of power.

"Huh······. Okay. We'll discuss that later."

President Bush took a deep breath.

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The CIA and DNI's power struggles have been a story since the agency was created.

Since there was no way to solve the problem by pressing on here and now, I had to deal with the important issues first.

"I have received reports that unusual military movements have been detected in North Korea. Please share the information that the CIA has obtained."

"······."

"Goss. This is an order. Bickering is meaningless in the face of America's national interests."

Director Goss opened his mouth with a trembling expression.

"An armored brigade under the 5th Corps has moved."

"I already know that."

"The commander of the armored brigade is the closest associate of General Political Bureau Director Choe Ryong-hae."

"Choi Ryong-hae? So you're saying that guy is trying to stage a military coup?"

Director Goss shook his head.

"The 5th Corps Commander is Jang Song-taek's closest confidant. It would never succeed if only the armored brigade moved. However, if the Pyongyang Defense Command moves, the probability······."

Director Goss revealed information gathered by CIA intelligence officers.

"······And it has been confirmed that former Chinese President Jiang Zemin is behind Choe Ryong-hae. Their target is believed to be Kim Moo-hyuk."

President Bush slurred. Director Goss, Director John, and the heads of both intelligence agencies all determined that the target was Kim Moo-hyuk.

"Kim Moo-hyuk is a person who is deeply involved in the North Korean regime. Jang Song-taek and Kim Moo-hyuk are not just helping with economic cooperation, but are considered to be partners in the regime. If Kim Moo-hyuk is removed, Jang Song-taek's grip on power will weaken."

"So what's the point? Has Kim Moo-hyuk been arrested? Or is he dead?"

When President Bush urged him, feeling frustrated, Director Goss shook his head.

"There is no sign of that yet. However, satellite images show that there has been fighting between the two sides."

"Could he be dead?"

"If he was dead, there should have been some special activity in Pyongyang. There hasn't been any activity yet, so we're using satellites and CIA agents in South Korea to dig up information."

President Bush's sigh grew deeper.

"······So you're saying that nothing is certain."

"Mr. President, how about we use this opportunity to mobilize the US military in Korea? We can use it as an excuse to protect Kim Moo-hyuk."

"what?"

The first person to react to Director Goss's words was Director John. He screamed in surprise.

"Director Goss! Are you crazy? No matter how hard-line you are toward North Korea, how can you think of moving the US military in Korea?"

"I'm not suggesting that we start a war. All we have to do is rescue Kim Moo-hyuk. Using our CIA agents······."

"Stop! Stop!"

President Bush slammed his desk hard and raised his voice.

"We must never move the US military in Korea. If we do, the Chinese military will move too. We must never move first."

"This is your chance to boost your approval rating, Mr. President."

President Bush shook his head firmly.

"No. We need to warn the Chinese government from the White House to prevent their military from intervening."

"Mr. President."

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"Director Goss. No US troops in Korea."

Director Goss called out as if he was still feeling foolish, but President Bush was firm.

"If a military coup occurs in Pyongyang, let's discuss it again then. For now, think of a way to save Kim Moo-hyuk."

It was a chance to pay off Kim Moo-hyuk's debt. With his approval ratings down, President Bush had no intention of missing this golden opportunity.

"Can we infiltrate CIA agents and special forces into the North?"

Director Goss's face lit up at President Bush's question.

"Yes, we can deploy right away. One day is enough."

"Then let's just wait and see."

"Yes, Mr. President."

"Keep it safe. If this gets out, not only me, but Director Goss, your head will be in danger."

President Bush gave instructions to the CIA director, who then gave instructions to the DNI.

"Gather all information from each intelligence agency and share it with the Russian and South Korean governments."

"Yes, I will do that."

Director John answered with a face full of complaints.

"Go out there and plan your operation and report back. Now!"

The two men stood up and left the Oval Office.

President Bush picked up the phone next to him and called the Secretary of Defense.

The same thing was happening not only in the White House in the United States, but also in the Kremlin in Russia and the Blue House in South Korea.

* * *

When I last contacted Medvedev, he told me that he would be stationing Russian troops at the border.

At the same time, he received a promise to give all possible support to Igor and the mercenaries so that they could cross the border.

The car I was in had been driving on an unpaved road for over an hour.

The military vehicle that had been following us from the escort headquarters stopped following us at some point.

There were three vehicles in total that crossed from South Korea to North Korea with me.

One car I was in and two cars with bodyguards in them.

Even by simple calculation, it was a force that was no match for the other. If this could even be called a force.

"Where is this place?"

Manager Kim answered while checking the map.

"It seems to be near Wonsan."

The travel time was long because we only traveled on Class 2 roads or lower, avoiding highways and Class 1 roads where surveillance was obvious.

"How long will it take to get to the spiral?"

"We still have a long way to go. The road conditions are so bad that it would be dangerous to increase our speed."

I clicked my tongue without realizing it. If I escape safely this time, I'll have to dig up all the roads in North Korea.

"Move as unnoticed as possible."

I finished my order and fiddled with my satellite phone.

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'The US military or the Korean military won't cross the border, right?'

Depending on who crosses the border first, the future political situation will change completely.

Just then, the satellite phone rang. I quickly picked up the phone.

"This is Kim Mu-hyeok."

- boss.

It was the familiar voice of Director Ma.

"Sir."

Hearing his voice brought me a deep sense of relief.

Before I could say anything, Director Ma asked in a rare, urgent voice.

- Are you okay? What happened?

As Director Ma was asking about my well-being, I heard someone else's voice next to me.

- Sir! Me. Please change me.

It seemed like Myeongsu had come to see Director Ma. As I heard familiar voices one after another, I felt my tension ease a little.

"It's okay. First, please change the number."

- Boss, I should have gone with you.

"Don't worry too much, I'm fine. Just change it for now."

As soon as Director Ma handed the receiver over to Myeongsu, Myeongsu's voice was heard.

- Hey, hey! Are you alive? Are you okay?

"Oh. I'm alive so I'm talking to you like this. Don't be so excited."

- What are you talking about, you crazy idiot? What a big fuss. Even the Blue House is turned upside down. This is the first time that the US has shared information so well.

"Did the information come from the United States?"

I never thought America would move this quickly.

- Oh. Our government didn't even know about it properly, but the US military in Korea shared information. They said they were trying to arrest you. I heard there was a fight.

The United States had a pretty detailed picture of the current situation.

"For now, I'm driving towards the Russian border. So tell them not to worry. Make sure no Korean or American troops cross the border."

― That······. President Yoon Chang-ho has already issued an emergency standby order to the military. If things continue like this, they're about to cross the border?

To that extent? This is quite touching.

But emotion is emotion, and we should never cross the border first.

"No. Be sure to tell President Yoon Chang-ho. I will somehow get to Russia safely, so don't do anything rash."

―······Okay, I get it. Are you really okay?

"Would I die easily? Don't worry too much, and don't ever tell grandma."

- No. Is there anything you can do to get behind Grandma?

When I heard Myeongsu's voice, my anxiety went away a lot. To the point where I found myself smiling without realizing it.

"Now, give me Director Ma. I'll contact you when I arrive in Russia."

- Okay. Come back safely. I'll be waiting.

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As soon as Myeongsu passed the receiver, Director Ma called me in a low voice.

- boss.

"Don't worry too much, sir. The Russians and Igor are on the move."

At this rate, it seemed like Igor would arrive first.

< Don't be so excited > End