Chapter 84: Those Damned Costs of Stationing American Troops

A heavy, oppressive silence settled over the reception room inside the American embassy.

It was hardly surprising. The bomb that Department Head Cha Jiham had just dropped was powerful enough to shake the entire negotiation.

Deep in thought, Advisor Joel Graff finally broke the silence and addressed the others.

“Director Glenn Nevers, what do you think of the conditions Department Head Cha proposed?”

“If we withdraw our troops from Korea, our ability to monitor China will undoubtedly weaken,” the FBI Director replied with a frown.

“Are you saying the American forces stationed in Japan wouldn't be sufficient?”

“As Department Head Cha correctly pointed out, the forces in Japan have very limited capabilities when it comes to monitoring China's activities.”

Director Glenn Nevers had barely finished speaking when Ambassador Tony Goodwin immediately joined the discussion.

“The withdrawal of our troops from Korea could trigger tremendous upheaval throughout Northeast Asia.”

“Why do you think so?”

“Our country insists that Korea keep its distance from Beijing under the banner of our alliance. But if we withdraw our troops, the Koreans will gladly accept China's outstretched hand. And once that alliance begins placing pressure on Japan, the entire geopolitical situation in the region will become a raging current that no one can control.”

“Hmm... That's certainly a plausible scenario,” Graff admitted.

“I firmly believe we cannot withdraw our troops, even if it means making concessions to the Korean government.”

Advisor Joel Graff felt increasingly uneasy.

If they managed to wipe out the American branch of the Triad and its associated drug network in one stroke, President Melvin Douglas's approval ratings would soar.

And if that were followed by news that the exclusive high-bandwidth semiconductor joint venture had been brought to the United States, his victory in the next presidential election would be virtually guaranteed.

The road to reelection was practically wide open.

Yet those damned military stationing costs had them tied hand and foot.

Douglas's pride would surely explode the moment anyone even suggested reducing the defense payments.

“Ambassador Goodwin, is there any way to obtain the intelligence without reducing those expenses?”

“What if we offered the Korean side other concessions while freezing the current military cost-sharing arrangement?”

“Excellent idea. What alternatives could we offer them?”

“I believe we'd be better off hearing what the Korean government itself wants.”

“Let's do that. Call Chief of Staff Lee and ask what they have in mind.”

Ambassador Goodwin immediately dialed Lee Jihun's number, briefly explained the proposal, and requested the Korean government's counteroffer.

“I'll report the Ambassador's proposal to the President,” came the reply.

“I'll look forward to good news.”

***

Click.

The moment Lee Jihun hung up, President Cho Seokchin asked curiously,

“So, what did Ambassador Goodwin say?”

“They're proposing to freeze the military stationing costs while offering other benefits in return.”

“Hmm...”

President Cho thoughtfully rubbed his chin.

Fortunately, he didn't deliberate for long.

“Personally, I'm inclined to accept the American proposal. What does everyone else think?”

“Our original objective was to freeze those costs anyway, so I believe it's a good proposal,” Lee Jihun agreed.

“I share Chief of Staff Lee's opinion.”

“So do I...”

Everyone present, from Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong to Chairman Park Yeongil, expressed essentially the same view.

At that moment, President Cho's gaze fell upon Cha Jiham, who had been quietly sitting off to the side.

“And what do you think, Department Head Cha?”

“I agree with everyone's decision, Mr. President, but one point concerns me.”

“Go on.”

“President Douglas strongly insisted on substantially increasing the defense payments. Now they're merely being frozen. That alone will be a serious blow to his pride. Under those circumstances, will he really be willing to approve any of our alternative requests?”

“Hmm... That's a very reasonable concern. So what should we do?”

At that moment, a brilliant idea occurred to Jiham.

After quickly estimating the chances of success, he realized they weren't particularly high.

Still, it was worth trying.

He turned toward Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong.

“Do you have the list of politicians and influential figures who were on the Triad's payroll?”

“Give me a moment.”

Choi Dongyeong pulled out his phone and hurried into the adjacent room.

Watching him leave, President Cho asked with growing curiosity,

“Department Head Cha, have you thought of something?”

“We know for certain that the Triad spent enormous sums bribing influential politicians and members of the elite in order to strengthen its position in the United States. I want to see whether any of those people have close ties to President Douglas.”

“Ah... Now I understand your plan,” the President said with a smile.

Buzz.

At that moment, Jiham's phone vibrated briefly on the table.

Already knowing who had sent the message, he quickly glanced at it.

“Mr. President, Clark Bongard and Chairman Gomez have already arrived at the secure location.”

“Let's go welcome them.”

The moment they stepped outside, a luxury limousine and a minivan pulled up and stopped in front of the building.

A presidential staff member opened the limousine's door, and Clark Bongard and his companion stepped out one after another.

Lee Jihun formally introduced the guests to President Cho Seokchin, after which the entire group moved into the reception room to discuss the urgent matters before them.

As he settled onto the sofa, Bongard noticed a faint shadow on the Korean President's face.

“President Cho, you don't look well. Has something happened?”

Cho Seokchin inwardly flinched.

Apparently, his concern over the military cost-sharing issue had shown more clearly than he'd realized.

Naturally, he had no intention of admitting it.

“Everything is fine.”

“At my age, the only thing I've truly perfected is reading people's expressions,” Bongard chuckled. “Does this have something to do with our country?”

Chairman Gomez cautiously joined in as well.

Instead of answering directly, President Cho looked toward Lee Jihun.

Lee immediately understood the silent cue.

“According to our assessment, President Douglas will never accept a proposal to reduce the cost of stationing American troops.”

“That bastard!”

Chairman Gomez shot to his feet in fury.

Feeling everyone's surprised eyes on him, he awkwardly sat back down before continuing more calmly.

“Is Douglas really willing to sacrifice the destruction of the Triad and the entire drug network?”

“That's not the issue,” Lee Jihun explained. “Ambassador Goodwin proposed freezing the military costs in exchange for other concessions from our side. However, Department Head Cha believes Douglas's wounded pride will lead him to reject any of our counterproposals.”

“Knowing his enormous ego, that's entirely in character,” Gomez nodded.

Buzz.

Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong's phone vibrated briefly.

Recognizing who had sent the message, he nodded with satisfaction and gestured to an aide.

The aide immediately brought over a laptop and opened it.

Choi Dongyeong accessed his email, downloaded the attached file onto the desktop, and addressed Jiham.

“Department Head Cha, I have the list you requested.”

“Excellent. Thank you.”

Jiham turned toward the American investment magnate.

“Mr. Bongard, this file contains the names of American politicians and high-ranking figures who received financial support from the Triad. Could you please see whether any of them belong to President Douglas's circle?”

He turned the laptop toward Bongard.

Louis Williams, Bongard's Chief Secretary, immediately began carefully studying the list.

“Oh... Oh my...!”

Williams suddenly exclaimed, pointing at the screen.

Realizing something extraordinary had happened, Jiham immediately asked,

“Chief Secretary Williams, what is it?”

“Look here... California Governor Gordon Brant...”

“What?!” Bongard thundered, unable to hide his astonishment.

Everyone stared at the American billionaire, unsure what had happened.

Realizing everyone's attention was fixed on him, Bongard hurriedly explained.

“At present, Governor Brant is the most popular politician in our country. In the upcoming presidential election, he's considered the only candidate with a realistic chance of defeating Melvin Douglas.”

Bongard lowered his eyes back to the screen.

After several minutes, he slowly shook his head and addressed Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong.

“Brant is a seasoned politician. A single line in a list like this isn't enough to corner him. We need irrefutable proof that he accepted dirty money from the Triad.”

Without saying a word, Choi Dongyeong began typing while everyone watched in complete silence.

After a few moments, he turned the laptop back toward the American guests.

“I've pulled up photographs showing meetings between Triad Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui and Governor Brant.”

Bongard carefully examined every photograph, checking their authenticity.

Even so, he remained skeptical.

“Photographs alone don't prove that Brant protected a criminal organization.”

As though he had expected exactly that reaction, Choi Dongyeong pressed several more keys.

A clear voice immediately came from the laptop's speakers.

“Director Wu, one million dollars is an incredibly generous contribution. I'm deeply grateful.”

Choi paused the recording and explained,

“While operating in America, Vice Chairman Chen used the alias Director Wu Weiliang.”

“I see. Please continue the recording,” Bongard requested.

Choi resumed playback.

“The only thing I regret is that we couldn't stuff Governor Brant's pockets with even more money.”

“Oh, don't say that. What worries me more is that the gubernatorial election is only two months away. There's still an enormous amount of work to do.”

“Don't concern yourself with that. I've already prepared another ten large checks specifically for this occasion, so you can rest easy.”

“Director Wu, your preparations are always flawless.”

“If helping Governor Brant become President requires more funding, we'll find even more money.”

“Well said. I'm truly grateful.”

The evidence was overwhelming.

Bongard gestured for the recording to be stopped.

Then he turned toward President Cho Seokchin.

“Mr. President, would you mind if we invited Advisor Graff and FBI Director Glenn Nevers to join us for lunch?”

“I think that's an excellent idea,” President Cho replied.

Having obtained the Korean President's approval, Bongard immediately called Joel Graff.

After several rings, the Advisor answered in surprise.

“This is Joel Graff. Is there something you needed, Mr. Bongard?”

“I'm currently with President Cho Seokchin. As soon as we hang up, my secretary will send you the address. Come here immediately.”

“Is there a good reason?”

“We've uncovered someone of truly enormous importance among the Triad's protectors.”

“And who would that be?”

“Governor Brant of California.”

“What?!”

Graff shouted so loudly that everyone in the room heard him through the phone.

“Advisor Graff, a little quieter. You nearly burst my eardrums,” Bongard laughed.

“My apologies. I'm simply stunned.”

“Haha. I'm only teasing.”

“We're leaving immediately. Send me the address.”

“You'll have it in a moment.”

After ending the call, Bongard turned toward his secretary.

“Williams, send Graff our location.”

“Yes, right away.”

Williams quickly headed toward the door.

Watching him leave, Bongard turned back to the Korean President.

“Brant has always been the greatest obstacle standing between Douglas and reelection. The White House has long dreamed of bringing him down. If we properly pressure Douglas using the evidence obtained by the Korean police, he'll have no choice but to agree to reducing the cost of stationing our troops.”

“Do you really think he'll give in?”

“Believe me. I'll twist Douglas's arm if I have to, but I'll secure that reduction for you.”

At that moment, Clark Bongard's voice carried absolute, unwavering confidence.