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Chapter 24 – There’s still one move left.
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After the meeting with Chairman Lee Hwan-geon, I went to a hotel instead of the villa.
It was a hotel with standalone accommodations, not just standard rooms.
I rented two standalone accommodations.
Most hotels in Seoul don’t have standalone accommodations. Typically, they are large buildings with rooms and amenities like swimming pools.
The cost was slightly expensive, but the advantage was that it was quiet.
This was ideal for security as well.
“Boss, should we pack your things from the villa?”
Im Kang-min asked.
“No. If I need anything, I’ll just ask the hotel to get it.”
As long as I provided my clothing sizes, they could handle everything from underwear to suits.
“I’ll retrieve any essentials later, so just wait a bit. I’ll transfer the villa ownership to you.”
“Were you serious about giving me the villa?”
“Yes. I said it in front of Chairman Lee Hwan-geon. Didn’t all your employees hear it too?”
“Well, yes, but…”
“I don’t go back on my word once it’s spoken. Think of it as a bonus.”
“But it’s worth over 1 billion won.”
“Keep it safe. I might buy it back from you someday.”
“Of course.”
That villa holds memories from my childhood.
I didn’t want a place filled with good memories to be ruined by other matters.
It was also about keeping my word.
“So, what’s the plan?”
Im Kang-min had been present during my conversation with Chairman Lee Hwan-geon.
“We’ll renegotiate with the government.”
“Do you think the government will easily agree to renegotiate?”
“All we have to do is show them that refusing to renegotiate would hurt Korea.”
Im Kang-min clasped his hands together.
“Boss… Can you just tell me? Please, don’t leave me hanging.”
“It’s not certain yet.”
Not certain?
It’s absolutely certain.
“Understood, boss.”
“I’d like to rest for a bit. Station two guards at the entrance, and you should rest in the neighbouring unit.”
Im Kang-min realized that I was planning to do something alone.
It was something he wasn’t supposed to hear.
“Got it.”
Im Kang-min left discreetly.
I picked up my phone.
It was to call Ambassador Petrov from the Russian Embassy.
***
After the call with Ambassador Petrov, I was resting when the doorbell rang.
If it were Im Kang-min, he’d just come in.
If not…
Ding-dong.
The doorbell rang again.
Someone was here.
“It’s still early.”
I had planned to have dinner here with Ambassador Petrov.
I went to the intercom.
I saw Im Kang-min.
“What’s the matter?”
“Deputy Director Kim Yeong-do from the NIS is here to see you, boss.”
I had forgotten.
When Chairman Lee Hwan-geon came to the villa, I had said it would take about 30 minutes.
But I left for the hotel before Deputy Director Kim arrived.
“Let him in.”
Im Kang-min and Deputy Director Kim entered together.
“Sorry, I completely forgot.”
At my words, Deputy Director Kim replied as if it were no big deal.
“It’s fine.”
“But you found out quickly that I’m at this hotel.”
“That’s the power of the NIS.”
The NIS had set it up so that any use of a card under my name would notify them immediately.
Whether it was withdrawing money or buying an airline ticket, they’d know.
I was both a protected individual and someone under surveillance.
“I had a good conversation with Chairman Lee Hwan-geon. There was no need for you to come.”
Deputy Director Kim tilted his head slightly.
“Did you really have a good conversation? It sounds like sarcasm.”
“I rejected Chairman Lee’s proposal, so yes, it was a good conversation.”
“Definitely sarcasm. If you rejected him, Chairman Lee might retaliate further.”
I couldn’t help tilting my head this time.
“Are you here because you’re worried about me?”
“Yes.”
At some point, Deputy Director Kim began to treat me with utmost respect.
“Members of both the ruling and opposition parties, the Prime Minister, and the Minister of Economy and Finance are all insisting that this negotiation needs to be revisited.”
Clearly, those people were being influenced by Chairman Lee Hwan-geon.
As expected of the number one conglomerate in Korea.
He could move both the ruling and opposition parties.
“They claim that the 1.47 billion dollars’ worth of weapons are too expensive. For example, they argue that the Minsk Aircraft Cruiser should only cost scrap metal value. They also say that we could take advantage of Russia’s current unstable situation to gain more benefits.”
A surge of anger rose within me.
If that’s the case, I’d like to say, “Why don’t you go negotiate yourselves?”
But before that…
“Deputy Director, are you sure it’s okay to tell me this information?”
Deputy Director Kim gave an awkward laugh.
“No, it’s not.”
If it became known that he had leaked this information to me, at minimum, he’d be suspended.
He might even have to resign.
“Still, I thought you should know. That way, you won’t give up and will continue with the weapon import negotiations.”
“To be honest, I’ve considered proposing the deal to another country if the negotiation approval takes too long.”
That would undoubtedly cause political damage to Putin.
He had entrusted this matter to me, a Korean, rather than a Russian.
But what could I do?
If the South Korean government didn’t want to proceed, I could just sell the deal to another country for more than 1.47 billion dollars.
I could probably get around 2 billion dollars.
That way, Putin’s losses would also be recovered.
“What are you saying? That’s absolutely unacceptable.”
He was agitated.
“The Ministry of National Defense and the NIS support your negotiation plan. Please wait just a little longer. We plan to prove that the Minsk Aircraft Cruiser is worth more than 1.47 billion dollars.”
“Calm down. I only said I’d thought about it, not that I’d do it.”
“Oh! I see. Thank you.”
“I think it’s too early for thanks. But Deputy Director, what will you do if you actually lose your position?”
It was a joke.
Kim Yeong-do, a major figure in the NIS, wouldn’t easily lose his position.
Kim Yeong-do glanced at Im Kang-min.
“How about creating a position for me at Super Guard?”
Then he turned back to me.
“Or perhaps at B.B. Industry?”
“My company?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Why not? Isn’t your company working for the benefit of Korea? My lifelong goal is to strengthen Korea. That’s why I joined the NIS.”
“Ah… I see.”
It felt a bit burdensome.
Having an NIS deputy director as an employee.
He could end up being more of a superior than an employee.
“Mr. Lee Seon-su… No, CEO Lee. I wasn’t joking earlier. And if I do join your company, I will work with absolute loyalty.”
“Did my expression seem strange?”
“To be honest, yes. It looked like you didn’t trust me.”
I still need to work on controlling my expressions.
“We can discuss this later. Thank you for going out of your way to check on me today.”
“It’s my duty. Also, Chairman Lee Hwan-geon of Samdo Group seems to be preparing something else.”
“What is it?”
“He’s planning to contact Russia directly to purchase $500 million worth of weapons.”
What a cunning old man.
While extending one hand forward, he’s preparing something else behind his back.
“Looks like I really need to recruit you if you get fired.”
“That might happen, so I’m counting on you.”
It was clear that Chairman Lee Hwan-geon wouldn’t like Kim Yeong-do.
Because he wasn’t on his side.
I started to think the NIS might push out Kim Yeong-do since he was on my side.
“I’d like to have dinner together, but I have a prior engagement today.”
“With Ambassador Petrov?”
“Are you bugging me?”
“I can’t confirm that.”
So they don’t deny it.
“At least, this information won’t reach Samdo Group.”
He meant that Chairman Lee Hwan-geon wouldn’t find out.
If he’s helping me this much, I should seriously consider creating a position for him if he gets dismissed from the NIS.
“Then I’d like to quietly gather supporters for this negotiation.”
Kim Yeong-do’s eyes sparkled.
“May I ask why?”
“To propose a stronger plan of support.”
“In that case, I’ll proceed quietly.”
Kim Yeong-do was curious about what I might propose.
But that curiosity would have to wait.
“I’ll be in touch soon.”
“Alright. Thank you.”
“I’m the one who’s grateful, CEO.”
After bowing politely, Kim Yeong-do left.
Im Kang-min then asked, “Is Ambassador Petrov coming?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll prepare things discreetly.”
“That’s unnecessary. Just check for any bugging devices in this room.”
“Understood.”
Since this was a sudden visit, it seemed unlikely there would be any bugging devices.
But it never hurts to be cautious.
***
No bugging devices were found.
I had a simple meal with Ambassador Petrov in the suite.
And I received a positive response from him.
Well, since Ambassador Petrov is set to become an executive at B.B. Industry, he’ll do his best.
A few days later, at around 11 p.m., NIS Deputy Director Kim Yeong-do visited again.
He wasn’t alone.
***
Accompanying Kim Yeong-do were Lee Han-se, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, newly appointed Minister of National Defense Kang Baek, and NIS Director Kim Seong-woong.
“Pleased to meet you. I’m Kang Baek.”
“Yes, I’m Lee Seon-su.”
“Many people wanted to come, but I’m here on behalf of the military to represent them. The military supports you, CEO Lee.”
That was a somewhat intimidating statement.
“Thank you.”
“It’s been a while. The NIS also supports you, CEO Lee.”
Even NIS Director Kim Seong-woong was making such statements.
Anyone would think we were planning a coup.
If you have intelligence and force in your hands, it’s possible.
But it’s something you can’t actually hold onto.
“Sorry about this. I thought it would end quickly, but it’s taken more time than expected.”
It was Foreign Minister Lee Han-se.
“Redoing a negotiation that’s already been concluded is a diplomatic discourtesy. Why can’t they see that?”
Minister Lee seemed frustrated.
“I know. Someone’s greed is likely the reason.”
There was no need to name Chairman Lee Hwan-geon—they all knew.
Then Defense Minister Kang Baek spoke.
“What kind of disgrace is this at his age? Chairman Lee Hwan-geon’s greed seems endless.”
He was a former soldier, so his words were blunt.
“Let’s save the complaints about Chairman Lee Hwan-geon for later. Right now, we need to listen to CEO Lee Seon-su. Time is running out. Even our control has its limits.”
It was NIS Director Kim Seong-woong speaking.
“Let’s do that, CEO Lee?”
As expected from someone handling diplomacy, he was quick to take the lead.
“Yes, let me explain. But first, may I ask—does B.B. Industry’s status as a defense contractor remain unchanged?”
Minister of National Defense Kang Baek answered, “It’s unchanged.”
“Then, how would it be if Korea acquired another aircraft cruiser?”
“……”
Minister Kang Baek’s jaw dropped, and the others looked similarly stunned.
“Oh! Of course, it won’t be free.”
“Free? Our military never assumes that. But the price…”
I raised my hand, showing all five fingers.
Seeing this, Foreign Minister Lee Han-se spoke up.
“Five hundred million dollars?”
This was the same price quoted during the Minsk Aircraft Cruiser negotiations, so it seemed like a natural assumption.
Minister Kang Baek interrupted.
“Even if it’s five hundred million dollars, we must buy it. This would make us a country with two aircraft carriers.”
Minister Kang Baek looked directly at me.
“Would it also come with VTOL jets?”
“As long as the price is right, I can procure more.”
This would be an easy discussion with Putin, who was eager to sell weapons. There were still many unused VTOL jets lying idle like scrap metal.
“In that case, it’s worth pushing forward.”
Minister Kang Baek was visibly excited.
However, Minister Lee Han-se shook his head.
“There are already plenty of people who think we’re overpaying for the Minsk Aircraft Cruiser. Some even argue we could get it at half the price.”
NIS Director Kim Seong-woong interjected.
“The idea that it could be bought at half price originated from Samdo Group. It’s an unfounded claim being used as leverage.”
“Even so, we can’t entirely dismiss those arguments, which is the problem, Director.”
Everyone was busy voicing their opinions, creating quite a commotion.
But at the core, they all seemed to agree on wanting another aircraft cruiser.
“Excuse me for interrupting the discussion.”
The room fell silent.
“I never said the price was five hundred million dollars.”
Minister Lee Han-se asked cautiously.
“Then, how much is it?”
“Fifty million dollars.”
“……”
This was one-tenth the price of the Minsk Aircraft Cruiser. Naturally, they were shocked.
After a brief moment of surprise, Minister Lee Han-se wore a concerned expression.
“That price is appealing, but… it might raise questions about why the Minsk Aircraft Cruiser wasn’t acquired at the same cost.”
That was a valid concern.
“It’s not a Russian vessel. It’ll be sourced from another country—though it was originally built in Russia.”
“Which country?”
“Ukraine.”
This was the reason I had spoken with Ambassador Petrov earlier.
Ambassador Petrov had strong ties with Ukraine.
And then I delivered the real hook—the one that would force their hand.
“If we don’t acquire this aircraft cruiser from Ukraine now, China will.”
Historically, China had indeed purchased an aircraft cruiser from Ukraine as scrap metal. They didn’t dismantle it and instead utilized it.
Of course, this happened in the future. For now, it hadn’t been sold as scrap metal yet.
A Chinese company was already negotiating for it.
As expected, everyone’s faces hardened.
Now, what’s your decision?
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