Chapitre 508: Chapter 508: Just an Old Relationship
There was certainly someone among the key staff at the White House connected to Valtiche.
It's still just a hunch, but I felt confident about it. I just hoped it wasn't Bush.
"Valtiche? Why bring up that meeting all of a sudden?"
"So, you're aware of it?"
"How could I not be? They're money grubbers pulling the strings on Wall Street."
Bush summed them up perfectly with that term—money grubbers.
His expression was openly displeased.
But this man was a politician, one at the very top of Washington. Concealing his feelings was child's play for him.
"Money grubbers. I had no idea that such a simple expression existed."
Bush still looked puzzled.
I slowly continued.
"There must be someone close to you who either takes orders from Valtiche or at least collaborates with them."
"…Do you have any evidence? If not, it's an insult to our administration."
Bush furrowed his brow as he spoke.
But I didn't stop talking.
"I may not have physical evidence, but I have my doubts. Information from the White House was relayed to them within a day. In some cases, the White House's policies were aligned with their interests."
"Lobbying is common in the U.S."
Bush seemed to think it was no big deal.
"They could try to impede me in some way."
"Hmm."
"For them, my existence must be quite inconvenient. Dream High benefited the most from major events like the East Asian financial crisis, foreign exchange attacks on Japan, and the NASDAQ bubble burst."
They designed and executed those operations. Then I popped up out of nowhere, taking a significant portion of their expected gains.
That operation had the tacit approval of the Clinton Administration. No, it should be called complicity.
It wasn't hard to understand.
After all, it was beneficial for the U.S.
Starting from Mexico, moving to Southeast Asia, and then to Korea and Japan, finally reaching Russia. The U.S. subdued them with Wall Street's influence rather than through force.
"New faces have appeared on Wall Street, a domain that has lasted over a hundred years. And they devoured everything. For them, I must be a thorn in their side."
"That may be true. But we cannot avoid exchanging opinions with the staff for such trivial reasons. This is America. It's not a country I rule alone."
"I understand. But once I manage to persuade China and Russia to agree to an enhanced resolution, whatever happens afterward should remain a secret between just you and me."
"A secret between just the two of us."
"I, too, want your re-election more than anyone else. I'm preparing various gifts to make that happen."
Bush nodded thoughtfully.
"Alright. I won't make all our conversations public."
I smiled and nodded at the answer I wanted.
"By the way, do you know all the people linked to Valtiche?"
Bush shook his head.
"No, I never cared to know, and I don't know. Unless they were acting against U.S. interests, they have done nothing harmful to us so far."
It was vague, but it ultimately meant he didn't have a clear grasp of the matter.
However, I firmly believed that their influence had somehow intervened in this Iraq war.
After all, it aligned with their interests.
"Understood. I will consider that the President is not involved with Valtiche."
"Are you going to fight them?"
"Well, it seems inevitable. I'm practically an outsider on Wall Street."
"I need to look further into Valtiche. I must find out who they are. It's interesting. Do you know all the members?"
I shook my head.
"I may not have a precise count of everyone, but I am familiar with the key players."
"Oh?"
But Bush didn't ask who they were. He seemed confident in the capabilities of U.S. intelligence.
But can we rely on the U.S. to know what even Russia can't uncover?
I was a bit skeptical.
"Let's start wrapping things up."
Bush glanced at his watch and said.
I decided to share the reason for my visit to the U.S. one last time.
"President Yoon Chang-ho will be visiting the U.S. next month."
"Right. It's been in the works since he was the president-elect."
"There are many obstacles in the Korea-U.S. relationship. I came to the U.S. first to negotiate those, but suddenly North Korea decided to stir things up, shifting the order of events."
"I'll speak separately with Secretary Powell. I've been informed that the Secretary General of the ruling party has come as a presidential envoy to Washington. He's here to coordinate the schedule and agenda for President Yoon Chang-ho next month."
"Yes, that's correct. I will also be in attendance. Technically, I'll be there as the assistant to Lee Myeong-su."
Bush's expression brightened with interest.
"There's a rumor that you created President Yoon Chang-ho. It seems there's some truth to that."
"Don't say such a thing. It's just an old relationship."
"…The country of Korea is quite fascinating. How did such a figure emerge from such a small nation, especially after it has not been long since a large war?"
"It's thanks to the collective effort of the people."
Bush shrugged, indicating he wasn't saying it with any intent.
"I don't know what kind of issues will arise, but let's try to accommodate each other as much as possible. That will be beneficial for both parties."
"Whether in business, politics, or international relations, one side gives, and the other takes. That's the basic principle. So if we make concessions, the U.S. should also be willing to do so."
As I added those words as if to encourage a promise, Bush nodded.
"Let's call it a day for now."
"Understood."
Bush pressed the bell beside him to summon his staff again.
The office door opened, and those who had gathered before reentered.
At the same time, I rose from my seat.
"It was a pleasure to converse. I'll be on my way now."
I extended my hand first to Bush, who was getting up.
Bush took my hand easily.
* * *
Silence enveloped the office that Kim Mu-hyeok had just left.
"Bush, what exactly did you discuss?"
Dick Cheney broke the silence, questioning Bush.
"He said he'd help us out."
"Help us out?"
"We can't go on with the war, Dick. You may want the war, but I don't."
"I'm not looking for war. It's simply a last resort."
"Yeah, I know you're not a war-hungry man. But with elections next year, a new war is not on the table."
"So what? What do you want to do? Do you suggest a childish sanctions proposal like you mentioned earlier in the UN resolution?"
Dick Cheney voiced his discontent, and Bush chuckled.
"No, I'm going to propose much stronger sanctions."
"Stronger sanctions?"
"Right. We should completely economically blockade North Korea, preventing their ships from leaving while ensuring that no other nation's vessels can enter."
Powell interrupted with a worried tone.
"Mr. President, China and Russia will certainly oppose this. A mere passing of a resolution in the plenary session can't enforce anything on countries. That would only be a recommendation."
It was what I had expected.
Bush looked at Powell, his smile gentle.
"I know. But Charlie said he would take care of it. He claims he will persuade China and Russia by any means necessary."
"Charlie? Are you serious?"
The staff began murmuring in surprise.
"He said he would directly persuade China and Russia. If Charlie takes care of it, it will certainly be easier than us stepping in. Didn't he persuade Russia during the UN resolution regarding the Iraq war? The Secretary of State negotiated with him directly, right?"
"Yes, I met him directly to negotiate. Charlie kept his word."
"I had my suspicions, but it turned out to be a significant favor for us. It's been a while since the Security Council passed a resolution, hasn't it?"
Bush's smile deepened, possibly from just the thought.
"Bush, can we trust him?"
John Bolton interjected into their conversation.
"Trust him? What do we need to trust? It's a matter of exchange."
"So, what did you agree to give him? What kind of promise did you make? Are we to sacrifice everything again?"
Bush replied, seeming entertained by the question.
"John, this is your problem. Am I required to tell you everything?"
"Bush! We are comrades. You didn't become president by yourself. Don't forget how much we Neocons have supported you. Without us, do you think you would have become president?"
"…"
The atmosphere in the office grew tense.
Bush still wore a smile, but his gaze turned icy as he glared at John Bolton.
"So, must I dance like a puppet?"
"That wasn't the intent. We're comrades—it's a relationship of mutual assistance. But involving outsiders in such an important matter while excluding us, don't you think that's unreasonable?"
"Fine. Then I'll send you as the UN ambassador to persuade China and Russia yourself."
"Come on, Bush."
Bush's smile grew even broader.
"Then what's your alternative? You're suggesting war again? Do you plan to drive our youth into battle once more?"
"North Korea would be finished in a day! This is completely different from Iraq or Afghanistan. Just moving the U.S. troops in Korea and the aircraft carrier in Okinawa would be enough to end them!"
"And what, do you think China and Russia will sit idly by? Why do you keep repeating the same old arguments?"
"If I promise them a stake in North Korea…"
Bush firmly interrupted the excited words of John Bolton.
"How much money and resources have we spent on North Korea? Why should we give that to Russia and China? You're clearly not concerned about the elections next year."
"That's a guaranteed win. We will support you."
"Nothing is guaranteed. Have you not seen what happened during my father's time? Clinton said the problem was economic."
John Bolton retorted with an elevated voice.
"Economically, things are booming now."
"No, the oil prices are skyrocketing. It's a result of the war you desired in Iraq."
"This is not about the Iraq war; it's the madness of Russia. Don't blame us. Besides, did we want this? You wanted it too."
As arguments intensified and tempers flared, Dick Cheney stepped in.
"John, enough."
"No, Dick. You saw how Bush is right now…"
Dick shook his head, causing John Bolton to close his mouth. With a sigh, Dick said.
"Alright. If that's what you think, then let's do it your way. But if the resolution doesn't pass, we will have to proceed as we said."
"I said no war."
"But you just said we could. Let's go ahead and act on that. If we fail, it's straight to war. What, are you not confident?"
Dick Cheney said with a smirk.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone