Chapter 321: Shall We Begin the Countermeasures Meeting?

When I arrived at the National Intelligence Service safe house at the appointed time, I ran into an unexpected development.

I had assumed NIS Director Om Giyeon had gone to the airport in person to greet Chairman Zhen Weiliang and Vice Chairman Wei Chen.

But for some reason, he was there to meet us himself.

After warmly greeting CIA Director Griffin, Reconnaissance General Bureau Deputy Director Jo Ilcheol, and the others who had already arrived, I asked him,

“Director Om, where are Chairman Zhen Weiliang and Vice Chairman Wei Chen?”

“They’re on their way here now.”

“Weren’t you going to meet them personally?”

“They came on a regular commercial flight, so I couldn’t go to the airport myself.”

NIS Director Om Giyeon was a public figure whose face frequently appeared in the news.

If he personally showed up at the airport just to meet Chairman Zhen, it would inevitably spark unnecessary rumors and speculation.

Apparently taking that into account, he had sent NIS operatives to the airport instead.

I asked if my guess was correct.

“Director Cha, you’re absolutely right.”

“I see. When will they be here?”

Knock, knock, knock.

At that moment, someone knocked on the door. An NIS operative opened it, stepped inside, and handed Director Om Giyeon a note.

After unfolding and reading it, he nodded in understanding.

“The guests from Hong Kong have just passed through the main gate. Let’s go downstairs and meet them.”

The moment we stepped outside, a luxury sedan pulled up in front of the building and came to a stop.

An NIS operative opened the door, and Chairman Zhen Weiliang, Vice Chairman Wei Chen, and Director Pan Kai stepped out one after another.

Representing our side, I approached Chairman Zhen and greeted him.

“Chairman Zhen, welcome to the Republic of Korea.”

“Director Cha, please forgive me for dropping by without prior notice.”

“Not at all. There’s nothing to apologize for. And this is the man who heads Korea’s National Intelligence Service...”

After the brief introductions were finished, we went upstairs and proceeded to the conference room set up on the basement level.

Taking the head seat, NIS Director Om Giyeon moistened his throat with mineral water and addressed Chairman Zhen Weiliang.

“There were too many unnecessary eyes around, so I couldn’t meet you at the airport myself. Please accept my apologies.”

“I understand perfectly well that you had your reasons. Don’t give it another thought.”

“Thank you for understanding. May I ask the reason for your sudden visit to Korea?”

“Didn’t Vice Chairman Wei tell you?”

“This is the first I’ve heard of it.”

As it turned out, Chairman Zhen Weiliang had been having breakfast with his family when Vice Chairman Wei Chen called him.

Wei said he was taking a morning flight to Korea and suggested that Zhen come along.

Naturally, Chairman Zhen asked why he was going.

Wei Chen hinted that a massive scandal involving Politburo Member Liu Peiqi and Deputy Secretary Zhang Jinan was very likely to erupt.

He also mentioned that Cha Jiham was convening an emergency meeting and that Chairman Zhen was supposedly on the invitation list as well.

So Chairman Zhen hurriedly packed and boarded a flight to Korea.

Director Om Giyeon listened to the whole story without interruption.

“...And here I thought Vice Chairman Wei had informed you.”

At that moment, everyone present, myself included, turned their gaze toward Vice Chairman Wei Chen.

Feeling our eyes on him, he immediately spoke up.

“Chairman Zhen often said he wanted to visit Korea. I thought this would be a good opportunity, so I brought him along. I didn’t tell you in advance because I wanted it to be a surprise.”

“I see. However, Vice Chairman Wei, wasn’t Chairman Zhen supposed to sell the gold to Deputy Secretary Zhang Jinan?”

Vice Chairman Wei Chen shook his head and answered NIS Director Om’s question.

“Zhang Jinan won’t be able to buy Chairman Zhen’s gold anytime soon.”

“Is there a reason?”

“He boarded a flight to Manila this morning.”

“Could it be...”

As though realizing something, Director Om Giyeon cut himself off halfway.

“Exactly what you’re thinking. Chairman Zhen informed Politburo Member Liu Peiqi of Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui’s death. And Liu, wanting to rub salt into Zhang Jinan’s wound, personally passed the news on to him.”

“You mean Zhang Jinan went to the Philippines to transport Chen Zhihui’s body?”

“That’s what I believe.”

Leaving Wei Chen’s answer at that, NIS Director Om Giyeon turned to me.

“Director Cha, shouldn’t we confirm this with Director Santiago?”

“Yes, of course.”

After giving a short reply, I dialed Director Santiago’s number.

After several rings, his tired voice came through the speaker.

[Director Cha, I’m listening.]

My conscience wouldn’t let me jump straight into business without any preamble.

“I heard you launched a large-scale operation to wipe out the drug-trafficking syndicate. How did it go?”

[Because Commissioner General Angelo leaked the information, most of the leadership managed to escape.]

“I see...”

[But we arrested or eliminated most of the rank-and-file fighters, so there isn’t much to regret.]

“Didn’t you just say you failed to capture the leadership?”

[The bastards who escaped will need at least four or five years to rebuild the distribution network.]

“What a shame. If not for Commissioner Angelo, you could have wiped them out completely.”

[Exactly. Anyway, tell me why you called.]

The timing couldn’t have been better. I had been waiting for the right moment to get to the point.

“I heard Deputy Secretary Zhang Jinan arrived in the Philippines.”

[He entered our country half an hour ago to meet with me.]

“The reason for his hurried visit is connected to Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui, of course?”

[You’re right, Director Cha.]

“And what are you planning to give as the cause of Chen Zhihui’s death?”

[If we tell him the truth, the situation will turn into a complete deadlock.]

“Of course.”

[How about saying he was killed by an artillery blast when our Air Force bombed the Abu Sayyaf base?]

Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui had died on the spot after Wei Chen shot him directly through the heart.

An autopsy would have no difficulty revealing the true cause of death.

And if that happened, there was a very high chance Director Santiago’s lie would be exposed.

I told him my concern directly.

[Hmm... You’re right. Then what should we say killed Chen?]

“How about simply saying he was shot by armed robbers?”

[Do you think Zhang Jinan will believe that?]

“Chen Zhihui’s close associates have all been eliminated, so there are no witnesses left.”

[Hmm... That does make sense. Still, how should I treat him while he’s here?]

“He’s in shock and deep grief right now. There’s no point getting on his nerves unnecessarily.”

[Then I’ll receive him with full state-level courtesy.]

“If you do that, he’ll only be pleased.”

[Ha ha! I understand what you mean.]

“Zhang Jinan has to buy Chairman Zhen’s gold, so try to send him back as soon as possible.”

[Wasn’t Politburo Member Liu Peiqi the one buying Chairman Zhen’s gold?]

Liu Peiqi had his own scheme—to seize by force the gold intended for Zhang Jinan.

Naturally, I had no intention of explaining every detail of those intrigues to Santiago.

“Liu Peiqi couldn’t come up with enough money for the purchase.”

[Ah, I see. Understood. I’ll send Zhang Jinan back to China tomorrow.]

“I’d be very grateful.”

Click.

After ending the call with Director Santiago, I gave Director Om Giyeon and the others a detailed account of the conversation.

“...Zhang Jinan will return to China tomorrow.”

“He’ll have to deal with Chen Zhihui’s funeral, so I doubt the gold can be sold this week.”

“I’m of the same opinion, Director Om.”

At that moment, Chairman Zhen Weiliang joined the conversation, indicating that he had something important to add.

“Director Om, Zhang Jinan knows very well that Liu Peiqi intends to present the gold to President Xi Jinping. So he may move much faster than we expect.”

“There’s some truth to that.”

Bzzzz—

Chairman Zhen Weiliang’s phone began vibrating on the table.

He picked up the smartphone, glanced at the screen, and raised his eyebrows in surprise.

The caller was none other than Zhang Jinan himself.

Gesturing for everyone to remain quiet, Chairman Zhen answered.

“Deputy Secretary Zhang, what brings you to the Philippines?”

[Chairman Zhen, how did you know that?]

“What an idiot.”

“The Philippines country code appeared on my screen. That’s all.”

[Ah, I see. I came to the Philippines on personal business.]

Naturally, Chairman Zhen Weiliang knew perfectly well the true reason for his visit.

But he had no intention of letting that show.

“I see. I doubt you called just to ask after my health. Is there something you need?”

[This morning I heard something strange from Politburo Member Liu Peiqi and wanted to verify it.]

“What did he tell you?”

[He said he plans to present thirty tons of gold to President Xi Jinping as a gift. Is that true?]

Chairman Zhen Weiliang saw straight through Liu Peiqi’s intentions.

Liu planned to seize Zhang Jinan’s twenty-five tons of gold by force.

If he succeeded, adding it to his own holdings would give him exactly forty-one tons.

That was why he had spread the rumor about giving Xi Jinping thirty tons.

“I believe it’s true.”

[I understand. I would like to present President Xi with even more gold than he does. Is that possible?]

“First, answer one question. How much gold have you managed to obtain so far, Deputy Secretary Zhang?”

[A little over nineteen tons.]

“So you need at least another twelve tons?”

[I won’t deny it.]

“Very well. I understand the situation. By when should I prepare the gold?”

[I’ll come to you in Hong Kong the afternoon after tomorrow.]

“Oh. That leaves very little time. I’m extremely busy right now, so I’ll have to end the call here.”

Click.

After hanging up, Chairman Zhen Weiliang relayed every detail of his conversation with Zhang Jinan to those gathered.

“...Zhang Jinan said he’ll arrive in Hong Kong the afternoon after tomorrow.”

“He’s rushing because he’s afraid Liu Peiqi will beat him to it?”

“I think so too.”

“But how do you plan to obtain the additional gold?”

It was finally my turn to enter the conversation.

“Director Griffin, why don’t you help Chairman Zhen?”

“How?”

“You purchased gold bars in Switzerland not long ago.”

CIA Director Griffin immediately understood what I was implying.

Kim Jonghun had once converted his secret funds into gold bars and hidden them in the basement of Kim Juchol’s house.

With my help and thanks to Saho, we had found twelve tons and seven hundred fifty kilograms of gold in the mansion.

The United States and Switzerland had purchased the cache in equal halves.

And now I was suggesting that Griffin resell the American share to Zhang Jinan.

“I understand what you mean, but...”

I knew exactly why Director Griffin hesitated.

He wanted to sell the bars for more than the price at which they had been purchased.

“I sold you the bars for eight hundred sixty thousand dollars per kilogram. Chairman Zhen plans to resell them to Zhang Jinan for one million dollars per kilogram. In that case, the United States’ net profit will be at least sixteen percent.”

“Will Zhang Jinan really agree to buy them at such an inflated price?”

“An operation is currently underway to artificially drive up gold prices.”

Cha Jiham’s words instantly dispelled all of Director Griffin’s doubts.

He knew Cha Jiham as an exceptionally rational and cautious man.

Cha would never have brought up the idea if he thought it was unrealistic.

Judging from his confident tone, he already had a perfect plan prepared.

In that case, what was there to worry about?

“Ha ha! I understand what you mean.”

“Can I take that as your agreement to help Chairman Zhen?”

“Of course. We’ll provide whatever assistance is necessary.”

At that moment, as though wanting to clarify an important detail, FBI Director Nevers spoke up.

“Director Cha, Zhang Jinan will need at least twelve billion dollars to purchase twelve tons of gold. Can he really come up with that much?”

“He wants, at any cost, to present Xi Jinping with more gold than Liu Peiqi.”

In other words, Zhang Jinan would move heaven and earth to scrape together the money by any means necessary.

“I understand.”

“Now then, shall we begin our countermeasures meeting?”