Chapter 322: The Perfect Crime Is Impossible

I openly told everyone at the emergency meeting what Politburo member Liu Peiqi was plotting.

Whenever my explanation was insufficient, Vice Chairman Wei Chen and Deputy Director Jo Ilcheol stepped in and filled in the gaps.

“...Politburo member Liu Peiqi has decided to eliminate Deputy Secretary Zhang Jinan.”

“Hmm, well I'll be!”

As though he could hardly believe what he had just heard, Chairman Zhen Weiliang let out a heavy sigh and stared into space.

The others present looked at him with equally astonished expressions.

Meanwhile, Director Griffin broke the brief silence and addressed me.

“Department Chief Cha, do you truly believe Politburo member Liu will try to eliminate Deputy Secretary Zhang?”

“If he eliminates Deputy Secretary Zhang, he gains three benefits.”

“Tell us what those benefits are.”

“The person closest to securing a seat on the Politburo Standing Committee is none other than Deputy Secretary Zhang Jinan. If he dies, there is a very high chance that Politburo member Liu Peiqi will take that seat.”

I paused briefly to catch my breath before continuing.

“In addition, by eliminating Deputy Secretary Zhang, he can get his hands on more than thirty tons of gold. If that happens, he won't even need to buy gold from Chairman Zhen to secure the precious metal he needs for his offering to Chairman Xi.”

“Hmm, that certainly makes sense. And what's the third benefit?”

“He can recover the three billion dollars and four and a half billion dollars he borrowed from Vice Chairman Wei Chen and Personal Secretary Deng Zhiping.”

“You mean he'll sell the gold he takes from Deputy Secretary Zhang and use the proceeds to repay his debts to those two?”

As expected, Director Griffin's quick mind had long surpassed the capabilities of an ordinary person.

“That's exactly right, Director Griffin.”

“I understand your reasoning, but can he really eliminate Deputy Secretary Zhang?”

“He knows perfectly well what consequences would follow if Deputy Secretary Zhang were eliminated clumsily. That's precisely why he'll strive to commit the perfect crime. But a perfect crime is fundamentally impossible.”

“Why are you so certain?”

“Because we know every detail of his plan.”

“Hahaha!”

As though he had read my mind, Director Griffin burst into delighted laughter.

Naturally, the others at the emergency meeting joined in with equally genuine laughter.

After waiting for the laughter to die down, I continued.

“Now I'll explain my ideas for crushing Politburo member Liu's schemes. If anyone has any comments or suggestions while I'm speaking, don't hesitate to voice them.”

“Agreed.”

The loud, confident voices of the meeting participants filled the room.

“To win this war, we need to keep a precise watch on the enemy's movements.”

“We're watching their every move.”

Vice Chairman Wei Chen was the quickest to respond.

“I know. But you don't know exactly what they're saying to each other, do you?”

“Ah, well... that's true.”

Vice Chairman Wei Chen nodded and fell silent.

“The key figures in Deputy Secretary Zhang's elimination are Director Liu Shen and Public Security Bureau Chief Pu Zhenghua. Director Griffin, please make arrangements so that we can listen in on their phone conversations.”

“I'll have their calls intercepted by tomorrow at the latest.”

“Excellent. Politburo member Liu will wait until Deputy Secretary Zhang completes his gold purchase from Chairman Zhen, then take everything from him.”

“That is most likely what he'll do.”

“He'll order Bureau Chief Pu to follow Deputy Secretary Zhang...”

Goosebumps rose across Director Griffin's skin.

If Cha Jiham's plan was carried out without a hitch, Politburo member Liu Peiqi would never achieve his goal even if he died and came back to life.

More than that, once he fell into the trap Jiham had dug for him, he would find himself on the brink of life and death.

And for the United States, it would become the perfect opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.

As Griffin shook his head in amazement at Cha Jiham's profound and masterful calculations, the discussion gradually drew to a close.

“...Every detail has to mesh like the teeth of gears, and everyone's actions have to be perfectly coordinated.”

“Of course. That's how it has to be.”

“If you have any questions about everything I've just explained, ask them now.”

As though he had been waiting for precisely that moment, Vice Chairman Wei Chen spoke up.

“Department Chief Cha, what if you leave the elimination of those bastards to us?”

“Vice Chairman Tang Guochang doesn't know who you really are, Vice Chairman Wei.”

“Ah, right. That is a problem.”

“Since we're on the subject, Vice Chairman Wei, I have a favor to ask.”

“I'm listening. Go ahead.”

“We're planning to leave on a business trip to Beijing the morning after tomorrow.”

“In that case, you can stay at our hotel.”

“The thing is, not only us, but Director Om, Director Griffin, and Director Nevers all need to go to China as well.”

NIS Director Om Giyeon seemed to have figured out what Cha Jiham was planning.

For Vice Chairman Tang Guochang to successfully carry out his coup, the first thing he needed to do was sever Chairman Xi Jinping's loyal arms and legs.

Politburo member Liu Peiqi and Deputy Secretary Zhang Jinan would be eliminated by their own hands.

In such a situation, Vice Chairman Tang Guochang would be reaping the benefits without dirtying his own hands.

And the reason Cha Jiham wanted to take them to China was precisely so that Tang would credit that favor to Jiham.

Having understood his move, how could Om pretend he hadn't noticed?

“Vice Chairman Wei, Department Chief Cha is right.”

“I was already considering a business trip to China myself.”

“Me too.”

Director Griffin and Director Nevers, who had also figured out my intentions, added their voices.

Smirking, I continued speaking to Vice Chairman Wei Chen.

“Vice Chairman Wei, if those three stay at an ordinary hotel, unexpected complications could arise. So please arrange accommodations for them somewhere that won't attract unnecessary attention.”

“I'll take care of everything.”

At that moment, Chairman Zhen Weiliang, who had remained silent until then, spoke up.

“Department Chief Cha, what should I do about Deputy Secretary Zhang?”

“Inside, he's almost certainly extremely anxious and on edge.”

Chairman Zhen Weiliang seemed to understand the implication behind Cha Jiham's words.

Deputy Secretary Zhang Jinan had to be beside himself with fear that Politburo member Liu Peiqi might beat him to the punch and present gold to Chairman Xi Jinping first.

Wanting to confirm his suspicion, he cautiously asked Jiham.

“You're absolutely right, Chairman Zhen. There's a very high chance Deputy Secretary Zhang will try to act in haste in order to seize the strategic advantage.”

“That's probably true. But tell me, can the price of gold really break through the one-hundred-thousand-dollar mark?”

“I've been wondering about that too.”

Following Chairman Zhen Weiliang, Vice Chairman Wei Chen also spoke up.

At present, international gold prices were hovering around ninety-three thousand dollars.

Chairman Zhen Weiliang planned to sell gold to Deputy Secretary Zhang the day after tomorrow at a price of one hundred thousand dollars.

Taking the discount into account, global gold prices would need to rise to at least one hundred and five thousand dollars.

By asking the question, both men were expressing doubt that the price could climb that high.

“At present, KBH Investment, Bongard Investment Group, Korea Investment, and Hangang Group have poured astronomical sums into the gold futures market to drive up the price. So breaking through one hundred thousand dollars will be child's play.”

“I see. Still, how much of a discount should I give Deputy Secretary Zhang?”

“One hundred thousand dollars is the absolute floor. Whether you manage to get more than that depends entirely on your skill, Chairman Zhen.”

“Hahaha! Understood. This time, I'll skin that bastard three times over.”

Chairman Zhen Weiliang displayed unmatched confidence.

At that very moment, Director Nevers asked with a puzzled expression.

“Department Chief Cha, where do Deputy Secretary Zhang and Politburo member Liu keep their gold?”

“I don't know about Politburo member Liu, but we'll be able to find out where Deputy Secretary Zhang keeps his.”

“How?”

“He'll buy the gold from Chairman Zhen and gather everything in one place.”

“Well, of course. But what if he keeps the gold in a bank?”

“Director Nevers, may I answer that in his place?”

Vice Chairman Wei Chen beat me to it.

“Of course. Go right ahead.”

“Our people overheard a conversation between Director Liu Shen and Bureau Chief Pu Zhenghua. During that conversation, Director Liu told Bureau Chief Pu that Deputy Secretary Zhang doesn't keep his gold in a bank at all, but somewhere else entirely.”

“Ah, now I understand.”

Leaving Director Nevers's response behind, Vice Chairman Wei Chen turned to me again.

“Department Chief Cha, do you really intend to let Politburo member Liu take Deputy Secretary Zhang's gold?”

“Why would I do that?”

“Then what are you planning to do with his gold?”

I knew that question was bound to come up.

“Wouldn't it be better to discuss that after everything is over?”

“I hope we'll get a share of the spoils too?”

“Of course.”

Vice Chairman Wei Chen's doubts vanished instantly.

Cha Jiham not only knew how to keep his mouth shut, but was also exceptionally generous.

Which meant the reward coming their way would be quite substantial as well.

“Haha, I understand.”

Knock, knock, knock.

There was a knock at the door, after which the chef entered the office and announced that dinner was ready.

NIS Director Om Giyeon nodded and said,

“Wouldn't it be better to continue our conversation over dinner?”

However, we barely managed to talk at all once we sat down at the table.

That was because Chairman Zhen Weiliang suddenly suggested having a drink to celebrate such a rare gathering.

As though he had been waiting for exactly that, NIS Director Om Giyeon immediately supported the idea.

Chairman Zhen, genuinely proud of his tolerance for alcohol, knocked back whiskey over forty percent alcohol as though it were water.

To keep up with him, we had to drink whiskey at a far faster pace than usual.

How could anyone possibly have a constructive conversation in an atmosphere like that?

***

Late at night.

Politburo member Liu Peiqi was drinking with Director Liu Shen and Public Security Bureau Chief Pu Zhenghua.

“Big Brother, Deputy Secretary Zhang Jinan left for the Philippines this afternoon.”

“I suppose he went to retrieve the body of the deceased Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui?”

“That's what I thought too.”

“Still, what was the real cause of Vice Chairman Chen's death?”

“Politburo member Liu, allow me to explain.”

Public Security Bureau Chief Pu Zhenghua spoke before Director Liu Shen could answer.

“Spit it out.”

“Late last Thursday night, the Philippine Air Force scrambled fighter jets and bombed the Abu Sayyaf base.”

“Is that so? And what was the result?”

“The Abu Sayyaf base was leveled to the ground.”

“I see. But what does the destruction of Abu Sayyaf have to do with Vice Chairman Chen's death?”

“Vice Chairman Chen was hiding right inside the Abu Sayyaf base.”

“Then...”

Bureau Chief Pu Zhenghua perfectly understood why Politburo member Liu Peiqi had left the sentence unfinished.

“Your guess is correct. Vice Chairman Chen died in the Philippine Air Force airstrike.”

“Hmm, so that's what happened. Then how do the Philippine authorities intend to get themselves out of this awkward situation?”

“The Philippine authorities surely know that Vice Chairman Chen was a senior Triad leader. They'll definitely counter Deputy Secretary Zhang by bringing up the deceased man's status.”

“Hmm... Now that I think about it, you're right. In any case, that's none of our concern.”

“Yes, understood.”

Ignoring Bureau Chief Pu Zhenghua's response, Politburo member Liu Peiqi turned to Director Liu Shen.

“Where the hell is Go Yeongjun hiding?”

Just thinking about it was enough to make Director Liu Shen's head throb.

The pursuit team had been stationed at airports and ports to prevent Go Yeongjun from leaving Mindanao.

They had even mobilized their own people to search for any trace of him.

And yet, over the course of ten days, they had failed to find a single clue.

“I have no idea.”

“Could that bastard have escaped Mindanao?”

“We should take that possibility into account as well.”

“Then there's nothing we can do. Recall the pursuit team back home.”

“But if we don't capture him alive, we won't be able to recover the gold bars he stole!”

“We'll recover what that bastard stole from us using the gold we take from Deputy Secretary Zhang.”

Director Liu Shen instantly understood Politburo member Liu Peiqi's plan.

At his country villa near Macau, Politburo member Liu had hidden 5,150 kilograms of gold bullion.

Go Yeongjun, in collusion with Deputy Secretary Zhang Jinan, had stolen every last bit of that gold.

And this time, Liu Peiqi intended to cover that loss simply by taking the gold Deputy Secretary Zhang had acquired.

“Ah, now I understand what you mean.”

“Still, where did Deputy Secretary Zhang get the money to buy gold from Chairman Zhen?”

After asking that question, Politburo member Liu Peiqi tilted his head in puzzlement and raised his glass to his lips.