Chương 273: Chapter 273: What Do You Know So Far?
The U.S. was currently the most powerful nation in the world. With the fall of the Soviet Union, no one could challenge America's dominance.
They pressured other countries with the Dollar, teaming up with the hyenas of Wall Street. If that didn't work, they had no qualms about using military force—truly the world's police as well as its bullies.
It's hard to believe that a senior official from an intelligence agency tied to such a proud nation would wait a whole week just to meet me.
I couldn't even imagine how twisted Jessica's pride must have been.
Even when I was dismissed in the parking lot, she wore an expression of utter disbelief.
With her pretty looks, impressive credentials, and firm grip on power, she must have held herself in high regard.
Yet, she didn't show it. Instead, she smiled and spoke to me first.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Jessica."
Jessica greeted me in halting Korean. I responded in fluent English.
"If you set a proper appointment, I won't turn you down. Just don't repeat the rudeness from last time."
I let go of her hand, chuckling lightly. It was a subtle warning, but she brushed it off and continued our conversation.
"I didn't expect someone like you."
"Someone like me? Let's sit down first."
I took the lead and sat down, gesturing for Jessica to join me. As she settled into her seat, I locked eyes with her and asked,
"What did you really think of me to say something like that? Do I look like someone who tolerates rudeness? Or one who's just idle enough to meet unannounced?"
"I figured you'd be awake since you're a young entrepreneur. But I must say, you're surprisingly rigid."
Jessica's bold response, even after being rude, made me laugh out loud.
"It's a matter of courtesy. Jessica, no matter how nice someone is, anyone who acted as you did that day would have earned my ire."
"…"
"What? Do I seem like just a businessman from South Korea who doesn't know his place and dares to challenge America?"
It was clear what Jessica was thinking.
She was likely someone who took pride in being a citizen of a superpower and viewed it as a reflection of her own strength.
"I'm not disregarding the U.S.; I'm dismissing your rude behavior, Jessica. Don't equate your nation with yourself. You might provoke a bigger disaster than you can handle."
Despite my provocation, Jessica still wore a smile.
She seemed to only laugh, showing no other signs of emotion. After a moment of searching for words, she finally spoke.
"That was rude of me. I admit I made a mistake that day. But Charlie, I just wanted to come across as friendly."
"Hmm… friendlier, huh?"
"Of course, friendly. What can I do about my personality?"
Watching Jessica laugh out loud made me shake my head slightly.
I had to give her credit for her sheer mental fortitude.
"Alright, since you say you wanted to be friendly, I'll let that slide. And I understand your need to monitor me. From the U.S.'s standpoint, I'd be a person of interest. But please, don't make it obvious. Being monitored isn't exactly a pleasant experience."
"I'm sorry about that. I was just wondering if I could help in any way…"
"And one more thing; don't lie to me in front of my face. What help can you offer when you already know everything? Were you trying to use my weaknesses against me?"
As I interrupted her with a cold tone, Jessica fell silent.
Where could she possibly be spouting such nonsense? She didn't need to help me at all.
The commotion from the warehouse was already handled. A few bodies turned up, but I had cleaned up the mess thoroughly.
There were a few Japanese nationals involved, which posed potential issues, but I'd heard they'd decided to wipe out the injured ones as well.
So, bringing this matter to light wasn't an offer to help; it was clearly a means to pressure me.
That was like a warning to watch my back in case this information reached Japan.
"You can inform Japan, or the government of my country. I won't be affected at all. I was merely present during the incident."
"…"
"Let me say this again: don't lie or make excuses in front of me. Don't think you can feel me out with clever words. I believe trust is vital between people. If that's broken, there's no reason left for us to converse."
Jessica, who had been biting her lips, finally nodded. I decided not to press her any further.
"So what brings you here? It must be urgent if you sought me out right after returning from Busan to Seoul."
"That's correct. I came at the order of Washington. I've recently faced criticism from the administration over this matter."
A hint of darkness shadowed Jessica's face.
"Washington wants to know about the ongoing proceedings regarding the task they assigned."
"What do you know so far?"
The level of Jessica's insight regarding the secret negotiations between North America would gauge her trustworthiness. Seemingly having sensed this, she flashed a broad smile.
"I know most of it. Kim Jong-il, peace, intervention."
She cautiously mentioned just the keywords, but those few words contained all the key points.
That meant she had access to all the information. It was equivalent to being close to the core of the Bush administration.
"This is such an important matter that I was ordered to meet you in person. Phone calls could be monitored at any time. In your home, we don't have to worry about eavesdropping, do we?"
I nodded slightly. Given the circumstances, if we were listened in on, it would be disastrous.
"So, I've come to meet you directly. We also made quite the concession. We could have visited Busan, but given the events in Pyongyang, I felt it would be rude to approach someone still recovering."
How ironic it was that someone who knew about manners could ruin a first meeting like that. I smirked internally.
"There's been no progress. I only encountered intriguing events while there to negotiate in Pyongyang."
"I heard you spent the whole day with Kim Jong-il."
"Yeah, it just happened that way."
"Can you share the details? What did you discuss with Kim Jong-il? His expressions, his actions… every detail related to him."
"…"
Her audacious request left me speechless as I stared at her.
Upon receiving my gaze, Jessica seemed to realize something, lowering her head slightly before adding,
"Currently, all information regarding Pyongyang has been blocked. Not just us, but even China and Russia have all their HUMINT cut off. That's why we need your assistance."
HUMINT, or intelligence from spies, provided the most accurate information available.
Regardless of how advanced science and technology become, they can never surpass human intelligence.
Kim Jong-il, requiring a blood purge, surely blocked off all information.
Additionally, whether they're pro-China or pro-Russia, no one is going to risk catching Kim Jong-il's ire right now.
In a situation where all information is blocked, no one knew more about Pyongyang than I, who had spent considerable time with Kim Jong-il.
"I don't see why I should tell you that. Unless there's some benefit to be gained from sharing it with you."
"Won't you ever need our help?"
"You won't convince me with an empty promise like that."
As Jessica appeared flustered, I casually picked up my coffee cup.
Deciding to bait her just a little, I tossed out some enticing bait.
"The negotiations with Kim Jong-il have essentially stalled. To be precise, while I conveyed the U.S.'s position, a coup happened before I could hear a response, rendering further discussions moot."
As I took a sip of my coffee and set the cup down, I felt Jessica's intense gaze on me.
"Is that so? That's unexpected. It seems Kim Jong-il is the one who's in a hurry. He cannot be unaware that the U.S. can create a justification for invading North Korea at any moment."
"For Kim Jong-il, internal stability takes precedence over negotiations with the U.S. I've already delivered all necessary information, so is there any point in hearing more?"
"Of course. I came to get precise information. So, please share. We can also provide you with a piece of information you want in return."
Having future knowledge at my disposal, I wondered what information she would offer. It must have taken considerable effort for her to make that decision, causing me to chuckle involuntarily.
And Jessica didn't miss it. A smile that had not left her face now faded away.
"Why are you laughing? Do you find me amusing?"
Her voice grew cold in an instant.
"I apologize. The suggestion that you'd give me what I want seemed rather odd. It sounds as though you're aware of my desires."
"…"
"It isn't a provocation. Let's hear it out. I'm equally curious about what I want. If it's credible information, of course, I'll tell you everything I know about Pyongyang."
I genuinely wondered what card Jessica was holding.
Her previously chilly demeanor transformed as confidence welled up within her.
"This should be the information you're most curious about. The whereabouts of Wen Jiabao, China's Vice Premier, and your friend. Would that be sufficient for a deal?"
"Wen Jiabao?"
The name, completely unexpected, slipped from Jessica's lips. I was indeed looking for Wen Jiabao, but it wouldn't be easy.
It might be due to not prioritizing it, but the reality was that I lacked adequate informants within China.
"Hmm."
Considering that the timeline, as I knew it, was completely unknown gave me pause.
Both Wen Jiabao's fall and the coup in Pyongyang were events resulting from the flow I altered, making them even more intriguing.
"Well?"
Jessica raised an eyebrow with a confident tone.
"I am interested, indeed. But I question whether the weight of the information regarding his whereabouts is equal to the value of what I already know."
"It's information only we can acquire. This is an event managed directly by the Chinese leadership."
"The highest leader? You mean Chairman Jiang Zemin himself?"
"If you want to hear about it, you need to make a deal."
"Hmm…"
I wasn't keen on her newfound confidence, but still, I wanted to hear more.
"Let's hear it out. If it satisfies me, I'll provide all the information I know."
Jessica flashed a playful smile and shook her head slowly.
"No way. Empty promises don't grant trust on either side. Give me a definite answer, and I'll tell you first."
She turned the tables on me; I had no rebuttal.
Letting out a light sigh, I nodded.
"Alright then. Let's exchange information."
"Okay. Charlie, you're good at making quick decisions."
Jessica clapped her hands, clearly pleased.
I wondered whether she had a reason to be this ecstatic, but I suddenly recalled that this marked the first time she'd shown me any sign of agreement.
"Wen Jiabao is currently under house arrest in a villa on the outskirts of Beijing. The charges against him are threefold: bribery, abuse of power, and leaking state secrets."
Bribery and abuse of power were good reasons for a purge.
While Chinese people don't consider it bribery, the unique cultural practice of Guanxi involves regular exchanges of favors, making it commonplace.
The higher up one is in the ranks, the more accustomed they are to such exchanges, and they're often cited during purges.
However, leaking state secrets was by no means a trivial offense. You cannot pin that charge without solid evidence.
"Leaking state secrets?"
"Yes, for sure."
Was Wen Jiabao meant to be thrown under the bus? The situation was beyond my ability to assist.
"What kind of state secrets could he have leaked?"
"Well, it's among the heart of it. Frankly speaking, it's about Chairman Jiang Zemin's intentions, isn't it? He's the one who directly ordered it, after all. Recently, traces of Wen Jiabao have been eradicated throughout China. You know what that implies, right, Charlie?"
"…"
In a communist nation, if they begin erasing all traces of someone, it indicates that the purge is nearing completion.
"Jiang Zemin's aim is clear. Before passing on the position to Hu Jintao in two years, he seems intent on eliminating all potential foes."
"So it's not just Wen Jiabao who's being purged?"
With a solemn expression, Jessica nodded.
"Suddenly, with Wen Jiabao's influence growing in Shanghai, alongside his close associates, and given Jiang Zemin's status as the head of the Shanghai faction, conflict was inevitable."
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