Chapter 177.1: I Feel Better Now (2)
It was hard to predict what on earth this sly snake was up to.
Informed of their destination upon getting in Lanok’s car, Kang Chan couldn’t help but be dumbfounded. After going through a bunch of complicated procedures, they headed into the Blue House.
Moon Jae-Hyun entered the meeting room and held out his hand to Lanok.
“Nice to meet you,” Moon Jae-Hyun said.
“Thank you for agreeing to talk with me in private, Mr. President,” Lanok said.
With a notepad in hand, the female interpreter relayed what Lanok was saying.
“Have a seat.” Moon Jae-Hyun gestured at the chairs, and they all sat down almost at the same time.
“I heard that you enjoy smoking cigars. It’s been a while since I last had time to smoke leisurely,” Moon Jae-Hyun commented.
An employee approached them and put cigarettes, cigars, and an ashtray on the table.
Click.
They stopped talking for a moment to light up their respective cigarettes and cigars. Afterward, Lanok looked at Kang Chan, seemingly able to understand why Kang Chan couldn’t smoke.
“Let’s have tea.” Moon Jae-Hyun offered. He was the first to take a sip.
“Mr. President, this is an unofficial meeting, so with your permission, I’d like everyone, including the interpreter, to leave this room,” Lanok said.
Moon Jae-Hyun looked around them. He seemed to have expected Lanok to say that.
Click. Click.
The employees left the room, closing the two doors behind them.
“Mr. Kang Chan, will you interpret what I say from here on out?” Lanok asked.
Kang Chan passed on to Moon Jae-Hyun that Lanok had asked him to interpret.
“China will execute Assemblyman Huh Sang-Soo at four in the afternoon today in Korean time,” Lanok said.
That was unexpected news.
Kang Chan and Moon Jae-Hyun both looked dumbfounded.
“Even though he’s a criminal now, Huh Sang-Soo is still a member of South Korea’s National Assembly. If China executes him, Korea and China’s relationship will deteriorate,” Moon Jae-Hyun said.
After Kang Chan passed on what Moon Jae-Hyun said, Lanok gave Kang Chan a meaningful look. He then said, “Yang Bum hopes to get that exact result.”
Damn it!
As Kang Chan passed on what Lanok just said, he promised never to act as an interpreter again.
“Yang Bum is fighting from both within and outside China to seize the real power in their country. Within China, he plans to centralize his power using Huh Sang-Soo’s death penalty. Unfortunately, he’s having trouble with his schemes outside China because they’re not proceeding as planned,” Lanok continued.
Even after Kang Chan told him what Lanok said, Moon Jae-Hyun remained calm and collected. It seemed he was already well aware of what was going on outside China.
“North Korea is also suffering due to a similar problem. The forces that supported Huh Geuk, who’s now deceased, are openly preparing for an armed provocation. Wui Min-Gook was one of the prominent figures who supported Huh Geuk,” Lanok added.
I didn’t know there’s this kind of inside story in executing Huh Sang-Soo.
Kang Chan drank all of the tea in his cup, taking his frustration out on it.
“North Korea is also nervous right now because they still haven’t taken care of Jang Kwang-Taek, their current Minister of Defense and the figure of authority who sent North Korea’s special forces team down to Wui Min-Gook,” Lanok said.
“Can’t China help North Korea with that matter?” Moon Jae-Hyun asked.
Kang Chan passed on Moon Jae-Hyun’s question to Lanok.
“China is having difficulties meddling with the Korean Peninsula’s political situation right now. Yang Bum will soon try to absorb the opposing parties by taking care of Huh Sang-Seo and dealing with the inevitable disgrace that will be caused by reversing their economic sanctions on South Korea and the consequential loss of prestige from what happened with the airport. They’re in a rush to unify the forces inside China by arousing hostility with South Korea, so they won’t be able to do anything about the power struggle inside North Korea,” Lanok said.
“Mr. Kang Chan, can you ask the ambassador what he wants?” Moon Jae-Hyun asked.
Kang Chan passed on Moon Jae-Hyun’s question to Lanok.
“Please dispatch South Korea’s special forces team. South Korea will get three benefits from taking Jang Kwang-Taek out of the equation: the stabilization of North Korea, revenge for General Choi Seong-Geon, and an important North Korean military stronghold will become South Korea's.”
Unlike Kang Chan, Moon Jae-Hyun looked as if he completely understood what Lanok was saying.
“Can’t France provide direct help?” Moon Jae-Hyun asked.
“If we do, then we’ll be giving the United States a reason to interfere. Russia will also be put in an awkward position. South Korea will likely find all of that to be very uncomfortable.”
“Even if we only send our special forces team, there is still a chance that the United States will interfere.”
It was Kang Chan’s first time seeing this kind of look in Moon Jae-Hyun’s eyes—it was soft but sharp at the same time. His gaze right now was similar to Lanok’s, but it clearly harbored a different kind of danger.
“France has already sent over an aircraft carrier. With your permission, we can have it on standby in international waters. If we do, China and Russia will follow suit, ordering their respective aircraft carriers and warships to remain on standby in the international waters of the Korean Peninsula,” Lanok said.
Moon Jae-Hyun’s expression hardened upon hearing what Lanok said from Kang Chan.
“Don’t worry. We have no intention of starting a war on the Korean Peninsula. On the contrary, this will suppress the military operations that Jang Kwang-Taek of North Korea may inadvertently cause. Moreover, it will also prevent the United States from interceding into this operation,” Lanok added.
“How will France, China, and Russia benefit from doing all this?” Moon Jae-Hyun asked.
Lanok drank some tea before answering. “This operation will allow China to display its military might, ultimately helping them repair their damaged prestige and regain some of their lost honor. As a result, they will also achieve unity within their country. Russia is planning to move forward with giving South Korea oil field development rights, so they want to take this opportunity to earn the right to speak in the Korean Peninsula. As for my country…”
Lanok looked at Kang Chan. The sly snake could still make other people curious about what he was going to say next despite requiring an interpreter for his remarks to be understood.
Kang Chan met Lanok’s gaze after passing on everything that Lanok said. When he did, Lanok continued, “Economically speaking, my country wants North Korea’s minerals. We also want to build a solid trust with the South Korean government.”
“I see.” Moon Jae-Hyun nodded. He then said, “I doubt trading for North Korea’s minerals will be easy, though, considering the economic sanctions.”
“Exceptions are made for simple trading.”
Moon Jae-Hyun nodded, then said, “Mr. Ambassador, we have had close ties with the United States for a long time in terms of politics, economics, and security. We can’t just destroy all of that just because we are going through a rough patch right now.”
The difference between politics and information warfare was that in politics, politicians exchanged information to settle political issues behind closed doors.
Kang Chan felt as if he was studying about the real reason why information warfare was needed. At that moment, he realized that Lanok asked to come with him today on purpose as well.
“The United States can’t strain their relationship with South Korea because of this matter. On the contrary, I’m certain that they’ll end up yielding more things. After all, if the United States severs its relationship with South Korea right now, other countries will be able to exert their influence. My country will be the first to, followed by other countries, including China and Russia,” Lanok explained.
Moon Jae-Hyun’s expression already showed his answer.
Afterward, they talked about related matters for about twenty minutes, but it didn’t make that much of a difference.
“Mr. Ambassador, I want to get some fresh air. If it’s okay with you, I’d like to go for a walk with Mr. Kang Chan for a moment,” Moon Jae-Hyun said.
Lanok extended both of his hands as if he had been waiting for Moon Jae-Hyun to say that. He then expressed that he would follow Moon Jae-Hyun’s wishes.
“Kang Chan,” Moon Jae-Hyun called. When he stood up, Kang Chan followed after him.
The two left the meeting room and went out to the back of the Blue House, arriving at a trail that led around the mountain.
From far away, Kang Chan could see security guards in suits walking in pairs.
“Do you really have to go there yourself? I’m not saying that our soldiers’ lives are not important, but I’m worried that you’re interfering in something too dangerous while the Eurasian Rail, a national undertaking, is still incomplete,” Moon Jae-Hyun said.
Kang Chan understood what Moon Jae-Hyun meant. However, for them to go on an operation like this, they needed at least Cha Dong-Gyun or Choi Jong-Il.
Kang Chan did cheer them up in the restaurant, but they didn’t have a commander that they could trust and follow yet. If they went on an operation in this state, then not only would they inevitably fail, but it would also be no different from sending them to their deaths.
When Kang Chan didn’t respond, Moon Jae-Hyun looked at the mountain at the back.
“The United States always dispatches their best agents, especially if they think the operation has a low chance of succeeding. I know it’s hard for you to reply to what I said. After all, it’s our fault that we don’t have anyone who can replace you. We’re not that strong yet,” Moon Jae-Hyun added.
Is he giving me permission to go?
Moon Jae-Hyun bitterly smiled when he saw Kang Chan looking at him.
“The National Intelligence Service will erase the identities of all the soldiers who will be joining this operation. Even their resident registration will disappear. If the operation fails or if one of the soldiers dies, it will seem like they weren’t born in South Korea.” Moon Jae-Hyun looked at the sky while inhaling loudly. “I hope you work hard enough so South Korea’s intelligence bureau can become stronger once you return. If the President takes charge of politics, as you’ve seen a moment ago, then I hope you’ll mediate for South Korea’s opinions and benefits.”
Moon Jae-Hyun lowered his gaze and looked at Kang Chan.
“I want to witness South Korea become a strong country where everyone is well off so you can represent a country that can never be overpowered even by strong countries. I also wish we had someone similar to the figures that Russia, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, China, and Germany send on the frontlines. ”
This gentleman was strangely adept at making everyone else feel his sincerity.
This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶