Chapter 59: Shall We Begin for Real?

One of my greatest strengths is diligence. That was why I usually arrived at the office before everyone else. But today, to my surprise, Support Team Leader Heo Yeongjin was already at his desk.

Taken aback, I quickly walked over, gave him a polite bow, and asked,

"Team Leader, did something happen at the company?"

"Nothing happened."

"Then why did you come in so early?"

"Well, strangely enough, there wasn't a single traffic jam on the roads today."

Team Leader Heo Yeongjin lives in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. To get to the office, he has to take the Gyeongbu Expressway, which turns into one giant parking lot during rush hour. Unless the sun rises in the west, the odds of the Gyeongbu Expressway being completely empty are practically zero. He was obviously lying.

"You don't have to hide it. Just tell me what's going on."

The truth was that yesterday evening, Heo Yeongjin had received an utterly baffling order from Director Jeong Sunho. He had been instructed to send Cha Jiham home as soon as he showed up at the office. When Heo Yeongjin asked why, the director refused to explain and simply hung up. That was why he had rushed to work early—to question Cha Jiham himself. But worried that asking directly might cause unnecessary misunderstanding, he decided to ease into the subject.

"Why don't you tell me instead? Why are you wearing a suit again today?"

I was supposed to attend the negotiations between Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong of the National Police Agency and Deputy Secretary Zhang Jinan of China's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection in the capacity of a staff member. That was why I had put on a suit. But since the negotiations were classified, I had no choice but to keep the truth to myself.

"I have an important meeting this morning."

"Employees are supposed to report to their team leader whenever they're meeting with clients. You know that, don't you?"

"The thing is... it has nothing to do with our company, so it's a little awkward to talk about."

"Hmm... Could it have something to do with Korea Investment?"

I had never once mentioned Korea Investment in front of Team Leader Heo Yeongjin. Yet he had brought it up himself. Deputy Manager Woo Changhun must have told him about our conversation. In any case, he would have found out sooner or later, so I didn't make much of it.

"I won't deny it."

"Well, then there's nothing to be done. You'd better hurry."

Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong and Deputy Secretary Zhang Jinan were scheduled to resume negotiations at ten o'clock. We had agreed to meet in the conference room thirty minutes beforehand. If I left right now, I'd arrive a full hour early. But under the circumstances, I couldn't very well say that I planned to leave later.

"Thank you for understanding. Then I'll see you next week."

***

"What are you doing here?" Chairman Park Yeongil asked displeasedly as Chairman Yoon Jongu of Hangang Group took a seat in one of the empty chairs.

"Cha Jiham doesn't work solely for your company."

"Well, I can't argue with that."

"Rather than that, tell me what happened during yesterday's negotiations."

"They ended before they had truly even begun."

"And why was that?"

Instead of answering, Chairman Park Yeongil shifted his gaze toward Chief Secretary Kang Inhan. Instantly understanding the hint, the fierce-looking secretary began speaking without delay.

"In an attempt to seize the initiative during the negotiations, Deputy Secretary Zhang Jinan employed a strategy of deliberate delay."

"Ha! The man who's in the biggest hurry decided to stall for time? Does he even have a brain?"

"Exactly. But Commissioner Choi saw through his intentions, and..."

Kang Inhan proceeded to recount everything that had happened the previous day in chronological order.

"...In the end, the man underwent emergency surgery at the police hospital and is now resting in a hospital room."

"He simply fell on his own and ended up that badly injured?"

"They say that if someone falls completely unexpectedly, the injuries can be severe. The restroom floor was also tiled, which played a decisive role."

"Well, as they say, an unlucky man can break his nose on flat ground. So, is he trying to blame the hotel?"

"The evidence proving it was entirely his own carelessness is flawless. Even if he wanted to, he wouldn't be able to do anything."

"Good."

Chairman Yoon Jongu nodded before turning back to Park Yeongil.

"But knocking out eight teeth and breaking his nose... those are extremely serious injuries."

"I'd say so."

"And despite that, they're resuming negotiations today?"

"Zhang Jinan absolutely has to return to China no later than tomorrow morning."

"Ah, I see."

Knock, knock, knock.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door. The situation room door opened, and Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong and Cha Jiham walked in. Both chairmen rose to greet them.

"Commissioner Choi, where did you run into Cha Jiham?"

"We happened to meet in the lobby. By the way, Chairman Yoon, what brings you here?"

"Cha Jiham also works for the benefit of my company."

"Ah, it seems I asked a foolish question."

"Haha. Shall we sit down and talk?"

Once everyone had taken their seats, Chairman Park Yeongil asked curiously,

"Commissioner Choi, how is Deputy Secretary Zhang doing?"

"They say his condition hasn't deteriorated since immediately after the accident."

"That's good to hear. What do you intend to do about the cost of his surgery and hospital stay?"

"By regulation, we're required to bill him, but..."

Choi Dongyeong deliberately let the end of his sentence trail off, sounding out Park Yeongil's intentions. The seasoned veteran of the underworld immediately understood.

"I think spending our taxpayers' money on that man would be an unforgivable luxury."

"I understand. We'll make him pay every last expense, no matter what."

"I'm counting on your abilities, Commissioner Choi."

Buzz!

Just then, Superintendent Hong Ingi's phone received a message. After quickly reading it, he reported to Choi Dongyeong.

"Commissioner, Deputy Secretary Zhang will arrive in ten minutes."

"Well then, shall we tear him apart?"

Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong's voice was filled with confidence.

***

Something wasn't right.

Deputy Secretary Zhang Jinan had suffered devastating injuries. He had lost eight teeth, broken his nose, and even cracked his skull. Logically, his face should have reflected unbearable pain.

Instead, he entered the conference room looking completely refreshed, as though nothing had happened.

Although, with the compression bandage around his forehead and the bandages covering his nose, he looked more like a living mummy.

While I wondered where such confidence was coming from, Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong addressed him with words of sympathy.

"Deputy Secretary Zhang, please accept my sincere condolences regarding your unfortunate accident."

"Thank you for your concern."

"Wouldn't it be better to entrust the negotiations regarding the repatriation of the Triad members to Director Wei Chen while you rest at the hotel?"

"As you can see, Commissioner Choi, I'm full of strength and energy."

"The effects of painkillers don't last very long."

At that moment, the true source of his confidence became clear.

He was simply heavily medicated.

"We'll have plenty of time to conclude the negotiations on repatriating our citizens before then."

"I'd like that as well, but I'm not sure it's possible."

"We don't have much time. Let's get straight to business."

"As you wish."

Taking his seat, Zhang Jinan spoke firmly.

"Our country has devoted tremendous effort to eradicating the Triad. Therefore, I have no objection to the Korean police dismantling this organization. However, I cannot accept the excessive force you employed in killing six people."

Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong had anticipated such accusations and had already prepared a flawless counterstrategy together with me and the others.

"We could have eliminated every single Triad member. Instead, we exercised restraint and eliminated only six."

"How dare you!" Zhang Jinan shouted furiously.

Naturally, Choi Dongyeong had powerful backing behind him, so he calmly continued.

"Three years ago, the Chinese police eliminated a Triad organization distributing narcotics in Macau. During that operation, your law enforcement officers killed all sixty-three gang members on the spot. Furthermore, two years ago in Beijing..."

Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong began listing one case after another in which the Chinese police had ruthlessly wiped out Triad organizations.

As Zhang Jinan listened to the translation, his face gradually turned ashen.

The Commissioner remained completely unfazed and confidently continued presenting his evidence.

"...Following that fierce gun battle, it was officially announced that one hundred and fifteen people had been eliminated. I'd like to hear why the Chinese police are permitted to eliminate gangsters, while we are not."

"Cough!" was all Zhang Jinan could manage, unable to find a rebuttal.

Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong could have crushed him even further, but chose to stop there.

After all, even a mouse cornered by a cat will bite.

"Before launching the assault, we repeatedly offered the Triad members the opportunity to surrender. Thanks to those efforts, thirty-nine people laid down their weapons and surrendered. However, six opened heavy fire and resisted fiercely. Once it became clear they had no intention of surrendering, we had no choice but to commence the operation."

After pausing briefly to catch his breath, the Commissioner continued.

"We believe we did everything humanly possible under the circumstances. What do you think, Deputy Secretary Zhang?"

"But everything you've said is merely the Korean police's one-sided account."

"If I show you video footage of us offering them the chance to surrender, will you believe it?"

"Cough... I don't think that's strictly necessary."

At last, Zhang Jinan backed down.

But all of that had merely been the appetizer.

Now it was time for the main course.

"May I interpret your words to mean that you no longer have any objections regarding the elimination of the Triad members?"

"...Let's say that's correct."

"Excellent. In that case, let's move on to our demands."

"Our demands?!"

"Several members of our police special operations unit were injured during the operation against the gangsters. We officially demand that the Chinese government fully compensate their medical expenses, along with compensation for moral damages."

Zhang Jinan found himself in an extremely difficult position.

He had endured agonizing pain and filled himself with painkillers solely to extract compensation from the Korean side for the dead gangsters.

Instead, Choi Dongyeong had not only completely neutralized his attack, but had also presented financial demands of his own.

Strictly speaking, Zhang Jinan was not present as an official representative of the Chinese government.

Accordingly, he had no authority to approve or reject such requests.

No matter how desperately he searched for an escape, only one remained.

"Commissioner Choi... I believe my painkillers are wearing off. My face feels like it's splitting apart. I think I need to return to the hospital immediately."

Choi Dongyeong saw straight through him.

Realizing he would never squeeze compensation for the dead gangsters out of the Koreans, the Chinese official had simply decided to flee the negotiations.

But the person who actually held the authority over the repatriation of the Triad members was Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui.

There was no reason to stop Zhang.

"Shall we suspend the negotiations until you've recovered?"

"That won't be necessary. I delegate full negotiating authority to Director Wei."

"I understand. Superintendent Hong, please escort Deputy Secretary Zhang back to the hospital."

"Yes, Commissioner."

Giving a crisp salute, Hong Ingi escorted Zhang Jinan out of the conference room.

Watching him leave, Choi Dongyeong smiled meaningfully before addressing Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui in English.

"Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui, it must have been difficult hiding your true identity."

"...How do you know my name?"

Completely caught off guard, Chen Zhihui asked in confusion.

"We know perfectly well that you're a senior Triad boss. We also know exactly what your relationship is to Deputy Secretary Zhang."

At that moment, Chen Zhihui seemed to realize who had leaked the information to the Korean police.

"Vice Chairman Wei Chen... If I let you live after this, then I'm no longer Chen Zhihui!"

Crunch!

Grinding his teeth in fury, he continued speaking to the Commissioner.

"I have no connection whatsoever to Secretary Zhang."

"I only need to mention one thing—that your wife's maiden name is Zhang. Isn't that correct?"

"..."

Realizing he had been cornered with irrefutable facts, Chen Zhihui fell silent.

"Well then..."

Choi Dongyeong smiled faintly.

"Shall we begin our negotiations for real?"