Chapter 186: Who Is the Key Figure?

Ring-ring-ring!

Vice Chairman Tang Guochang, who had been sleeping like the dead, fumbled for the cell phone on his bedside table.

After checking the caller's number, he sat up in bed and answered.

"Commander Wang Dazhong, what happened at this hour?"

"Vi... Vice Chairman, we... we have a disaster!"

"I can't understand a word you're saying! Stop stuttering and tell me clearly what happened!"

"It's... There was a massive explosion at the Northern Fleet's ammunition depot in Dalian."

"What the hell are you talking about?!"

Vice Chairman Tang Guochang shouted into the phone in shock.

"...Commander Wang, report the extent of the damage immediately."

"The weapons stored in the depot are detonating in a chain reaction. We can't even get close."

In other words, it was still impossible to assess the exact losses.

"How many weapons were stored in that depot?"

"Enough supplies to sustain the fleet stationed in Dalian for 120 days of independent operations."

"This is insane. I can't even think straight! How the hell were you storing the ammunition?!"

"None of the weapons could have exploded on their own without some kind of external cause."

"Are you saying someone infiltrated the depot and planted explosives?"

"There's no other way to explain the current situation."

"How dare they. Even a mangy mutt would be ashamed if it couldn't guard its own yard, and you!.."

"...I have no excuse. Ah, excuse me. An emergency report just came in... What?! Oh, no..."

"What happened now?"

Tang Guochang shouted anxiously into the phone as he heard Commander Wang Dazhong swearing while listening to another report.

"Th... this..."

"Stop mumbling! Tell me what happened!"

"Haaa... We've received a report that the warships moored in the harbor are exploding one after another."

"Whaaat?!"

"I'll report back as soon as I have the exact details."

Click.

Overcome with panic, Commander Wang Dazhong simply hung up.

Vice Chairman Tang Guochang immediately dialed another number and gave an order.

"Prepare a plane immediately!"

***

At the same time.

I was speaking on the phone with Vice Chairman Wei Chen.

"Department Director Cha, the operation to destroy the naval base has just been successfully completed."

"I can't wait to hear what's happening there right now."

"According to our man planted inside the base, eight warships have already run aground."

"Then the Composition H6 planted by the Triad members detonated without any problems?"

"Exactly, Director Cha."

"What about the torpedoes launched from the stealth submarine?"

"We've received word that four submarines were also hit and sunk."

"Haha. Understood. By the way, were the crews aboard the ships and submarines?"

"Since the vessels were moored in port, almost all personnel were ashore."

'Whew... At least we got lucky there.'

"Vice Chairman Wei, you've done an enormous amount of work."

"Haha. No need to thank me."

"Shouldn't you leave Dalian, just in case?"

"We'll handle that ourselves, so there's no need for you to worry, Director Cha."

Wei Chen's answer was clearly a refusal.

Since he himself was refusing, it would have been tactless to keep pressing him.

"Understood. In any case, be careful."

"By the way, Director Cha, when are you planning to come here?"

I had entered China through Dalian International Airport disguised as a tourist.

Accordingly, to avoid arousing the Chinese government's suspicions, I needed to leave through the same airport.

Vice Chairman Wei Chen understood that perfectly well, which was why he'd asked.

"I'm planning to fly out tomorrow morning, but I need to watch the situation a little longer."

"We'll wait for you here, so contact me before you arrive."

"Is there any need to wait for us?"

"There's something important I'd like to discuss with you, Director Cha."

I knew perfectly well what Wei Chen wanted to discuss.

No matter how you looked at it, the Triad deserved most of the credit for destroying the naval base.

Knowing that, he was undoubtedly expecting a reward commensurate with his contribution.

It would have been negligent of me to read his intentions and pretend I hadn't noticed.

"I understand what you mean."

"Now let's talk about something else. Have you figured out how to set Deputy Secretary Zhang Jinan and Politburo member Liu Peiqi against each other?"

"I've got a pile of unresolved problems on my hands, so I haven't had time to think about that yet."

"I have an idea for how to put those two in their place. If you'd like, I can tell you."

As curious as I was, this wasn't the best time.

That was only natural. Of the six planned operations, only two had been completed.

"Vice Chairman Wei, things are completely chaotic over here. Could we discuss it tomorrow when we meet?"

"As you wish, Director Cha."

At that moment, Director Griffin's number appeared on my phone screen.

Knowing why he was calling, I apologized to Vice Chairman Wei Chen and switched to the new call.

"Director Griffin, I'm listening."

"May I ask who you were just speaking with?"

"Vice Chairman Wei Chen."

"My guess was right. Have you already heard the results of the operation from him?"

"Of course. Eight warships were hit first and ran aground..."

"Wait a minute."

The stealth submarine had launched four torpedoes at targets moored at the Chinese naval base.

That meant at most four ships or submarines should have been hit.

But the moment I mentioned eight ships, Director Griffin interrupted me.

I waited a little, and soon his puzzled voice came through the phone.

"I'm not sure I understand what you're saying, Director Cha."

"Didn't Vice President Cayman report what happened to you?"

"If he had, would I be asking you?"

Director Griffin gave a sensible answer to a stupid question.

"Lieutenant Colonel Holland decided that four torpedoes wouldn't be enough to completely destroy the naval base."

"Ah, is that why he requested another thirty Composition H6 charges?"

"You're absolutely right, Director Griffin. He handed the thirty Composition H6 charges over to Vice Chairman Wei Chen, and..."

To make the situation easier for Director Griffin to understand, I gave him a detailed account of my conversation with Wei Chen.

"...And the stealth submarine launched its torpedoes at four submarines."

"I see. Now tell me the final results."

"A perfect, absolute success."

"Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha!"

Director Griffin suddenly burst into loud, booming laughter.

How could he not be delighted when twelve warships and submarines belonging to his country's greatest enemy, China, had been reduced to scrap metal?

I waited until his laughter died down before continuing.

"No matter what anyone says, the Triad deserves most of the credit for destroying the naval base."

"I completely agree with you on that, Director Cha."

"Vice Chairman Wei hinted that he's expecting a generous reward."

"Tell him I've prepared a fat wallet for him."

"Haha. Understood. When we meet, I'll find out exactly what he wants and contact you immediately."

"I'll wait for your call. Director Nevers wants to speak with you. Hold on."

A second later, Director Nevers's voice came through the phone.

"Director Cha, how is the operation to capture First Deputy Director Pak Jongchon and President Lee Hyeoksan progressing?"

"I tipped off the Dandong Public Security Bureau that First Deputy Director Pak is inside the Choson Trading office. However, we haven't received any news yet that they've dispatched officers to arrest him."

"Why are they taking so long?"

"It seems they considered the anonymous call unreliable."

"That's understandable. What do you plan to do now?"

At that moment, Vice President Fries opened the conference room door and shouted,

"Director Cha, the police just headed toward Choson Trading!"

I nodded to show that I'd understood and continued speaking with Director Nevers.

"Did you hear Vice President Fries's report just now?"

"Of course."

"Things are getting tense, so I'll call you back as soon as the operation is over."

Click.

After hanging up, I resumed my conversation with Vice President Fries.

"How long will it take the police to reach Choson Trading?"

"The roads are empty at this hour, so even allowing some extra time, they'll be there in about fifteen minutes."

"Understood. Call President Lee Hyeoksan immediately."

***

First Deputy Director Pak Jongchon glared sternly at President Lee Hyeoksan and began speaking.

"President Lee, why isn't Golden Trading supplying the TEL components?"

"Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui and Vice Chairman Wei Chen have started a war over the position of supreme leader."

"You're saying their power struggle has left them incapable of arranging the transportation of the TEL components?"

"According to Golden Trading's representative, that's exactly the situation."

"What if Choson Trading transports the components itself instead of relying on them?"

"The TEL components are too large. Transporting them is impossible without the Chinese government's tacit cooperation."

Brrrr...

At that moment, Lee Hyeoksan's phone, which was lying on the table, began vibrating violently.

Glancing at the screen, he saw an unfamiliar number.

Given the seriousness of the situation, he had no choice but to reject the call.

But only a couple of seconds later, the same number called again.

Sensing that something was wrong, he reported it to First Deputy Director Pak Jongchon and answered the call, speaking in Chinese.

"Choson Trading, Lee Hyeoksan speaking."

"I'm Yang Zhiliang, Senior Inspector with the Dandong Public Security Bureau. Incidentally, I work for Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui."

"May I ask why you're calling?"

"We've received a tip from North Korea that First Deputy Director Pak Jongchon has entered our country."

President Lee Hyeoksan thought it was a bluff.

First Deputy Director Pak Jongchon had arrived in Dandong under the strictest secrecy aboard a small submarine.

"Senior Inspector Yang, is what you just said true?"

"You sound as though you don't believe me. Am I right?"

"Well, I won't deny it."

"You'll find out whether I'm telling the truth in ten minutes."

"What do you mean?"

"Police units have already been dispatched to arrest First Deputy Director Pak. That's all."

Click.

The other man rudely hung up.

President Lee Hyeoksan briefly relayed the substance of his conversation with Senior Inspector Yang Zhiliang to Pak Jongchon.

"...They say the police are already on their way here."

"Damn it, what a nuisance. Hurry, lead the way!"

"There's a strong possibility that it was a fake call."

"And what if it wasn't?! What are you standing there for?!"

"Follow me."

Obeying Pak Jongchon's furious shout, Lee Hyeoksan immediately sprang into action.

After descending the fire escape to the first floor, Pak Jongchon sensed that something was wrong.

The Reconnaissance General Bureau agents responsible for their personal security had disappeared.

"Where the hell are those idiots?!"

Woooo! Woooo!..

The moment Pak Jongchon lost his temper, the sound of sirens came from the distance.

Realizing that things were going badly, President Lee Hyeoksan hurriedly spoke to him.

"First Deputy Director, this is becoming dangerous. Perhaps we should look for the guards later?"

"We have no other choice. Which way?"

At that moment, a passenger car sped toward them and slammed on the brakes.

Pak Jongchon and Lee Hyeoksan jumped inside with lightning speed.

"Choi, get us to the safe house!"

The driver immediately took his foot off the brake and floored the accelerator.

Once the car had gotten some distance away from the Choson Trading office, Lee Hyeoksan breathed a sigh of relief.

"First Deputy Director, that was a close call."

"And what would've happened if we'd dismissed that call as fake?"

"I have no excuse."

Pak Jongchon suddenly sensed that something was wrong.

The driver pressed the brake and began bringing the car smoothly to a stop.

Unable to contain himself, Pak Jongchon shouted at the driver.

"Why are you stopping?!"

"The light is red."

"What?! Do you even understand the situation we're in?!"

The driver didn't answer. Instead, he pulled something from inside his jacket and turned toward the men in the back seat.

The next moment, Pak Jongchon and Lee Hyeoksan nearly fainted from terror.

And no wonder—the driver was holding a silenced pistol.

Both men froze in fear, but it was already too late.

Pfft! Pfft!

Each was hit with a tranquilizer dart. Pak Jongchon and Lee Hyeoksan struggled against the drowsiness for a few moments before immediately losing consciousness.