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93.71% Genius Grandson of the Loan Shark King / Chapter 656: Chapter 656: No Means or Methods Will Be Overlooked

Chương 656: Chapter 656: No Means or Methods Will Be Overlooked

I couldn't just intervene in this matter without the permission of the U.S.

To be precise, I could, but the losses would far outweigh any potential gains.

— Charlie, are you serious?

It was only natural for Jessica to be surprised and ask when she saw my interest in this situation.

"Yes. Given that our government is in a difficult position, I think I should take the lead in negotiations."

— No… Why in the world should you, Charlie? This won't benefit you at all.

"Because my grandmother asked me to."

— …Huh?

Jessica asked back in a dazed voice, as if she couldn't believe what she heard.

— You're just stepping in because your grandmother asked you to? Of all people, you, Charlie?

Everyone sees me as a heartless monster.

I chuckled softly and firmly replied again.

"That's right. My grandmother called and asked me personally. When she asks, I want to help, regardless of any profits or losses involved."

— I can't believe this. You're not Charlie, are you?

"Don't pretend you don't know. You're all aware by now, aren't you? There's no way the U.S. isn't aware that my grandmother comes first for me."

The U.S. must have found my weakness long ago.

They would have dug through my past and present, scrutinizing every little detail.

But to act so oblivious like that… Jessica didn't hide her response anymore.

— Of course, I know you care about your grandmother. I've seen you do things for her before. Still, I didn't expect you to get involved in something like this simply because she asked.

"If the U.S. government is against it, I won't push forward. But doesn't the U.S. sometimes break its principle of never negotiating with terrorists? Through unofficial channels, of course."

Even the U.S. doesn't solely resort to hardline tactics.

If there's a chance to resolve things through dialogue, they would often prefer that option.

Especially during special periods like presidential elections, they had a tendency to handle matters quietly.

"So, can I proceed?"

— I can't give you a definitive answer. I'll report to my superiors and get back to you… By the way, are you considering the use of force?

"I won't hesitate to use whatever means necessary. Although, I'd prefer if a gentle approach works instead of a heavy hand."

— Understood. Please wait for now. I'll be in touch.

Jessica ended the call with a request to wait.

I fiddled with the disconnected phone, deep in thought.

'As much as I want to fulfill my grandma's request… I absolutely cannot interfere without the U.S's consent.'

The U.S. was a country that, despite having a friendly relationship, could turn on a dime.

Just look at the Iraq War as an example.

They waged war under ridiculous pretenses to topple a dictator they didn't like.

While plans to put him on trial in the U.S. were abandoned, it was still true that the decades-old Hussein regime fell due to the U.S.'s will.

I had no desire to wade into that quagmire.

I wanted to take what I could gain while leaving the rest for the U.S. to handle.

* * *

In the conference room of the Department of Homeland Security.

All the heads of agencies holding U.S. security and intelligence gathered there.

Of course, John Negroponte, who was appointed as the new Director of the National Intelligence Office, along with the Director of the CIA, the National Counterintelligence Center, the State Department's Intelligence and Research Bureau, the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, DIA, and the NSA were all present.

This was the first time the heads of all intelligence agencies came together.

In the U.S., considerable responsibilities that could be handled by a few military and governmental agencies were dispersed among far too many intelligence organizations.

In some ways, it was inefficient, and in others, it could be seen as a dispersal of intelligence power.

Jessica stood right in the middle of that fierce political arena.

She swallowed hard as she prepared to disclose the information she had obtained from Kim Mu-hyeok.

'This is my chance.'

Jessica aimed to rise higher through this opportunity.

To resolve the chronic conflicts among intelligence agencies, Washington created a new position called National Intelligence Director, which reported directly to the president.

The Senate had already passed the bill regarding the National Intelligence Office, poised to be established.

Today, the gathering of all intelligence agency heads was a kind of inaugural ceremony.

Though they were meeting in the Department of Homeland Security building, where the National Intelligence Office had not even been set up yet.

Jessica's suggestion transformed that formal event into a practical meeting.

In a nutshell, it was an excellent opportunity to make a good impression.

"Hello, everyone. I'm Jessica from the Department of Homeland Security."

Jessica introduced herself to everyone.

"Wasn't today just a casual talk?"

Porter J. Goss, the new director of the CIA, felt uneasy.

This was because the former director lost his job for opposing the establishment of the National Intelligence Office.

Most of the work the National Intelligence Office would handle had previously been the CIA director's responsibilities.

Since he was about to lose nearly all of his functions, it was hard for him to be in a good mood.

"Director Goss. Let's at least hear what's going on."

National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice calmed Goss down.

With the presidential election expected to lead to Bush's victory now, the influence of Rice, who was a strong candidate for the next Secretary of State, was significant.

"Ahem…"

Well aware of this, Goss cleared his throat in response.

"Jessica, explain. What's so important that we need a briefing today of all days?"

Even Rice found Jessica's actions today difficult to understand.

After exchanging glances with Rice, Jessica opened her mouth.

"It's about our four citizens who are currently kidnapped in Iraq, along with one Korean."

When she spoke about something everyone present already knew, Goss retorted curtly.

"Why is the Department of Homeland Security concerned with that? We're already taking care of it."

Calmly, Jessica answered Goss's question.

"The Korean side reached out to me, expressing a desire to negotiate with the kidnappers."

"What? Why would they contact you? Isn't that the official position of the Korean government?"

"Not at all. This is on a private level…"

"What? Private? Are you seriously stopping these busy people for a civilian negotiation right now? What are you trying to do?"

Before Jessica could finish, Goss raised his voice.

Ignoring Goss's escalation, Rice asked.

"Jessica, if it's on a civilian matter, are you referring to the company where the Korean citizen being held works?"

Jessica shook her head in response to Rice's question.

"No. It's a proposal from Black Tiger."

Black Tiger.

That was the code name assigned to Kim Mu-hyeok.

"Black Tiger…?"

Rice tapered off her words.

Most of the people here knew who that code name referred to.

This was because far too many entangled situations had linked them to him, whether directly or indirectly.

However, there were also agencies that didn't know Kim Mu-hyeok.

"Black Tiger?"

The head of the Naval Intelligence Service murmured the code name and then asked.

"Who in the world is that person?"

The reactions of those who knew and those who didn't were dramatically different.

Jessica explained about Kim Mu-hyeok for those who didn't know.

"He's a businessman and lobbyist in Korea, as well as a major player on Wall Street. He is also the de facto owner of the private military company, Black Bear."

Just as she was opening her mouth to provide more details about Kim Mu-hyeok, Rice cut her off.

"You mentioned it's a proposal from Black Tiger, did he say he would negotiate with the kidnappers himself?"

"Yes, he asked for our opinion."

"Hah, you must be joking. When has he ever acted with our permission?"

Rice scoffed. The idea of that arrogant man seeking permission was absurd.

I could vividly imagine that young businessman, who wouldn't hold back even in front of President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, speaking his mind to them.

"It seems that he is aware of our stance of not negotiating with terrorists. He said he wouldn't proceed without our approval."

Afterward, others who knew about him began questioning Jessica, and she answered with sincerity.

Of course, she tactfully omitted the fact that this matter had started from her grandmother's request.

"Hmm…"

While all the heads of intelligence agencies were lost in their thoughts, John, the appointed National Intelligence Director, asked.

"If negotiations occur, what are the chances of success?"

Everyone turned their attention to Jessica.

"Fifty percent."

"That's higher than I expected."

"Black Tiger has not only wealth but also considerable military strength, and his intelligence capabilities are estimated to be on par or even superior to those of the intelligence agencies gathered here."

"What did you say!"

Aside from the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, all the other intelligence heads reacted with anger.

"What nonsense is this? A private individual has better intelligence capabilities than our U.S. intelligence agencies?"

Calmly, despite the backlash pouring in, Jessica looked at John and said.

"The one who reported the identities and locations of the terrorists involved in the recent Spain incidents was him. Every piece of information Black Tiger has provided us has been intel that the CIA and other intelligence agencies were unaware of. That allowed us to prevent the attack in advance and to capture the terrorist leaders."

John nodded.

He too had learned of Black Tiger's existence when he received his position as National Intelligence Director by President Bush's request.

If it had been someone other than President Bush sharing this info, it would have been an incredulous story.

"I've heard enough to fill in the blanks. So Jessica… Is your name Jessica?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Are you close enough with him that Black Tiger would personally reach out to you?"

"We see each other as business partners. I can't divulge further details here."

Just exposing an informant was a great risk in itself.

John nodded, as if to show his understanding, and then posed another question.

"Jessica, do you believe we should entrust the negotiations to him?"

Without realizing it, Jessica swallowed hard.

This was the crucial moment. Even if she was recommended for an executive position in the National Intelligence Office, making an impression on her own was a different issue.

And Jessica didn't want to miss the opportunity that was presented to her.

"Yes. I believe he can successfully bring the hostages back. Whether through negotiations using his resources or through a rescue operation utilizing force."

With Jessica's affirmative answer, John slowly nodded.

"You're confident. What does Advisor Rice think?"

John turned to Rice, who was next to him.

"Um…"

Advisor Rice swallowed hard and avoided responding.

She wished to avoid comments that would hold her responsible.

"The U.S. does not negotiate with terrorists or kidnappers. That is our principle. You surely know that as well?"

Seizing the moment of silence, Director Goss pressed sharply.

Jessica replied casually to his question as if unfazed.

"That's why we should let him handle it instead of doing it ourselves. After all, he will bear all the responsibilities in the end."

"Isn't it important that we gave our approval?"

"But just recently, an innocent civilian was killed in Iraq. That video went live online in real-time. The domestic atmosphere is tense. If we give up another citizen…"

As Jessica continued to explain the necessity for some time, the door suddenly burst open.

Jessica narrowed her eyebrows as she glared at the man who had walked in.

However, she had to quickly compose her expression at the remark that came from his mouth.

"Right now, Al Jazeera is airing footage of the kidnapped individuals in Iraq."

The already heavy atmosphere in the meeting room felt like a bomb had dropped.

* * *

"Boss. It seems Al Jazeera has released footage of Kim Mugil. Here…"

A full day had passed since I received Grandma's call.

I took the laptop that Manager Ma handed me and played the video.


Chương 657: Chapter 657: This Just Got Complicated

The screen displayed several men kneeling before masked figures.

The men, clad only in their underwear, were trembling and crying.

My gaze was fixated on one particular Asian man among them.

Soon, the men began to speak their demands in English.

Although they wore masks, their accents betrayed their Arab origins.

Among their demands was a request addressed to the South Korean government.

"- If you want to save this man, the Korean government must immediately withdraw its troops and evacuate all businesses from Iraq."

Their demands were straightforward.

The immediate withdrawal of soldiers and businesses currently in Iraq.

After the initial footage of the hostages ended, individual videos of Americans were released one by one, capturing their desperate voices.

The recordings were heart-wrenching.

"President Bush, please withdraw the troops. I want to live."

"Mr. President…"

The sight of them pleading to their own president was pitiful.

Clearly, they had endured multiple beatings, their faces swollen and their bodies bruised.

Then, a video of Kim Mu-gil began to play.

"The invasion of Iraq is a war without justification. These individuals are not terrorists; rather, it is the U.S. and George Bush who are the real terrorists. They invaded Iraq for oil, and no weapons of mass destruction have been found…"

Kim Mu-gil criticized the U.S. and the Western world in English.

"I like the Iraqi people. They have always welcomed me and treated me kindly. But the Americans I've met have always dismissed me. They invaded Iraq twice; they are warmongers."

Watching his video, I frowned.

"There's nothing to gain from provoking the U.S."

His criticisms of America were being broadcast worldwide.

I had to negotiate under the U.S.'s tacit approval to rescue him.

The more he criticized the U.S., the less reason they had to rescue him.

Even if the kidnapped man's words were meant to ensure his safety, broadcasting the content critical of the U.S. was a burden for them.

As a citizen of an allied country supplying the U.S. military, Kim Mu-gil's criticisms would only increase political pressure on America.

Throughout the interview with the terrorists, Kim Mu-gil condemned all the allies involved in the Iraq war.

After the interview ended, he turned to the camera and spoke in Korean.

"President Yoon Chang-ho, I want to live. I want to return to Korea. All Koreans must leave Iraq. Please, I beg you. I want to live, Mr. President. To my fellow citizens watching this in Korea, please save me. Move the president to have Korean soldiers leave Iraq. Protect your lives and mine."

Kim Mu-gil couldn't contain himself and cried out.

I could see tears streaming down his face. His distress came through clearly in the video.

He genuinely wanted to live and was truly terrified.

"This just got complicated."

With Kim Mu-gil's video, the broadcast from Al Jazeera came to an end.

This video would surely spread rapidly on the internet.

Being such a heartfelt plea, its impact would be even greater.

No matter how I thought about it, it couldn't be stopped.

Sure enough, as soon as the broadcast ended, my phone began to ring.

"Yes, Mr. President?"

"Kim, can you come to the Blue House now?"

"Is this about the Kim Mu-gil kidnapping?"

"Yes. This has become a tricky situation. I intended to handle it quietly, but I never expected such a public broadcast. I've instructed the Foreign Ministry to formally protest to Qatar."

Al Jazeera was based in Qatar.

It had gained international prominence by airing videos from Osama bin Laden, the head of Al-Qaeda.

Some criticized it for being biased towards terrorist organizations.

However, it was a station that presented both sides' views without bias towards either the Western world or terrorist groups.

"It might be pointless. If Al Jazeera hadn't aired it, it would have ended up online anyway."

"That's true. But we need to do something. Everything has been laid bare. There's no turning back now. We need to discuss a response… Can you come in right away?"

"What can I do? This is a government matter that requires direct involvement."

"Kim, don't you know? We can't meet their demands. We shouldn't discuss this over the phone, just come in."

The urgency in President Yoon Chang-ho's voice was palpable.

Given the recent rampant discussions about Korean troop deployment in Iraq, it was no surprise he felt this way.

"When should I come in?"

"Come in right away. I've summoned Secretary Lee Myeong-su as well; he'll be arriving soon."

"Okay. I'll head out and should be there in about an hour."

"Got it. I'll be waiting."

After finishing the call with President Yoon Chang-ho, I instructed Manager Ma.

"Manager, please cancel all today's appointments. I'm heading directly to the Blue House, so please make the necessary arrangements."

"Understood. I'll get that done."

While Manager Ma stepped out to prepare, I checked my laptop screen again.

The image had stopped at a close-up of Kim Mu-gil's injured face.

#

On the way to the Blue House, I called Grandma.

"Mu-hyeok."

"Yes, Grandma."

"Did you find out? What happened?"

"I have some information. I don't know all the details yet."

Fortunately, it seemed Grandma was still unaware of the video's existence.

"Is that so? It hasn't made the news, so I wonder how it turned out."

"They're probably negotiating quietly, that's why it hasn't been reported. We don't need to cause unnecessary panic while they're negotiating. Please don't worry too much and just wait. I'll find out more."

As I spoke with Grandma, I arrived at the entrance of the Blue House.

"Grandma, I have to go work now. Don't stay up all night watching the news; just wait for me."

"Oh dear, okay. My dear little puppy, take care."

After hanging up, I went through a light security check and entered the Blue House.

The Chief Secretary was already waiting for me. I was guided to the President's Office.

In the office, President Yoon Chang-ho and Myeong-su were having a discussion.

"Mr. Kim!"

Upon my arrival, President Yoon Chang-ho's face brightened, and Myeong-su's expression also lifted.

"It's been a while, Mr. President."

I slightly bowed my head to greet him, exchanged nods with Myeong-su, and took a seat.

No sooner had I sat down than President Yoon Chang-ho dove straight into the topic.

"Mr. Kim, how much do you know about this situation?"

"I know about as much as you do, Mr. President."

President Yoon Chang-ho let out a deep sigh before nodding.

"That's a relief. We won't need a lengthy discussion then."

"What's the Foreign Ministry's response?"

Myeong-su answered in place of the President.

"For now, we've mobilized embassy staff and the Zaytun Unit in Iraq to establish a line of communication with the kidnappers."

"That's a good start, but establishing communication won't be easy. They won't want to expose their position needlessly."

"We can't just sit back and do nothing. We have to try something. What will we say to the citizens if we neglect them?"

Myeong-su had a point. With the video now public, it was unacceptable to do nothing.

"Have you identified the terrorists?"

"They identified themselves as belonging to a group called The Monotheistic Group and Holy War. They proudly announced it on Al Jazeera."

"So, they didn't know until then?"

"Those crazy bastards didn't even inform the embassy about the kidnapping for over two weeks. They were trying to solve it independently by hiring local Iraqis to seek a resolution."

Seeing the intensity of Myeong-su's anger, it was clear he was extremely upset.

"Are you talking about the company Kim Mu-gil worked for?"

"Yes. It's all because of the idiot who runs Cheongseong Trading. It seems they initially demanded a ransom from the CEO, but when that moron attempted to lower it, this disaster happened instead."

It appears they had indeed demanded a ransom. Unlike KBR, who promptly informed the U.S. government, Cheongseong Trading's antics caused a delay in acquiring information.

"So, it wasn't The Monotheistic Group and Holy War who kidnapped him. It seems they took him from someone else. They definitely have ties with Al-Qaeda and are not a group that would demand money."

"What? Al-Qaeda?"

Yoon Chang-ho jumped, startled.

"Are you saying they are remnants of Al-Qaeda?"

"Yes. The Monotheistic Group and Holy War is a subsidiary of Al-Qaeda. The U.S. arrested their leader, but they managed to survive and orchestrate this situation."

"So, the U.S. knows of their existence?"

"Wouldn't it be odd if they didn't know? Are they not properly exchanging information with the U.S.?"

President Yoon Chang-ho spoke in a somber tone.

"We are only just now discussing a response. We hadn't been in proper contact with the U.S. until now. We only knew a few days ago."

"The U.S. absolutely will not negotiate with terrorists or hostage-takers. They won't even like it if our government tries to negotiate alone."

Yoon Chang-ho frowned and nodded.

"I called you in precisely for that reason."

"Me?"

"Can you persuade the U.S.? We need to ensure our government can negotiate without issues."

Yoon Chang-ho's request for me to convince the U.S. made me look him directly in the eyes.

"Are you thinking of saving Kim Mu-gil?"

"That's the plan."

"You could face criticism from the international community."

"Still, I want to save him. I cannot simply watch as a citizen is killed by terrorists. If the state cannot protect its citizens, what reason is there for its existence?"

President Yoon Chang-ho spoke resolutely.

Even if it drew criticism from the international community, he felt it was his duty to protect the citizens.

"Hmm…"

I had already spoken to Jessica about the matter, but I pretended to ponder as I swallowed my words.

"Mr. Kim, can you make it happen?"

Both Grandma and President Yoon Chang-ho were pushing me.

Perhaps Kim Mu-gil was destined to survive.

"For now, I've already contacted the U.S. to ask for permission to negotiate directly."

"What? Why are you only mentioning this now? Are you serious about taking the lead?"

Yoon Chang-ho's eyes widened as he criticized me.

It was more annoyance at me not telling him sooner than concern.

"I learned that it was the son of someone I know. So I contacted the U.S. side just in case. However, if the U.S. opposes, I will refrain from getting involved. The risk of proceeding without their approval is too great."

Given the U.S.'s principle of not negotiating with terrorists, it was uncertain whether they would acquiesce to this incident.

Thus, I candidly expressed my thoughts to Yoon Chang-ho.

"I will help in any way I can. Your involvement would ease my burdens."

"Just because you step in, there's no guarantee that he'll be saved. It's merely an attempt to intervene."

Listening to me, Yoon Chang-ho let out a sigh of relief.

"If it's you, you'll surely find a way. Have you ever failed at anything you set your mind to? You've accomplished everything to this point."

Despite his insistence, I wasn't a superhero.

Considering my past achievements, I could understand his belief.

But I couldn't predict the outcome of this particular situation.

"Once again, I want to make it clear that I cannot guarantee success. The Middle East is not a place where logic applies. Moreover, Islamic extremists are particularly illogical. They are far more likely to seek to identify their location and commence a rescue operation rather than engage in dialogue."

"What method we use doesn't matter. If we can ensure the citizens' safety, that's what counts."

I closely observed Yoon Chang-ho as he spoke firmly.

I wanted to gauge whether his concern for the citizens was genuine or if he feared the backlash it might bring to him.

However, he looked at me with unwavering eyes.

While there may have been some political motivation, he seemed to genuinely care about rescuing the citizens.

"Time is of the essence. It's a matter of weeks at best; otherwise, they will behead him. The more time passes, the harder it becomes to resolve situations like this. The best time to act is immediately after a kidnapping occurs."

"I will not forgive the owner of Cheongseong Trading. The person responsible should prioritize employee safety…"

At my words, President Yoon Chang-ho trembled with rage.

Cheongseong Trading was doomed. The authorities, from the National Tax Service to the police and prosecutors, would thoroughly investigate; that company wouldn't survive.

Now that I had decided to take action, I had to move swiftly.

"I'll be departing for Iraq tomorrow. I'll wait there for contact from the U.S. to gather information."

"You're planning to go yourself?"

Hearing the concern in Yoon Chang-ho's voice, I simply smiled quietly.

"Ah… Is that not too dangerous?"

"Don't worry. The Black Bear's mercenaries are already there, and I plan to bring in a team resting in Russia."

I intended to call in Igor's team, who had just finished a North Korean infiltration operation and were enjoying a long break.

That Igor's team, who had managed to execute a challenging mission successfully, would be dependable in this matter.

If I could identify the kidnappers' location, the chances of them leading a successful operation would be high.


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