Chapter 496: That’s How It Always Is When Making Decisions

The atmosphere in the meeting room grew heavy at Han Gyeong-yeong's declaration that there was no room for negotiation.

While everyone remained silent, only Andrei spoke up in agitation.

"Is this Dream High's official response? We won't budge a single dollar either."

"If neither side can compromise then this negotiation has failed. We've just wasted time. Advisor Andrei, is what you said the Kremlin's official position?"

"Yes, this is our government's official…"

It was then that Medvedev, who had been quietly listening, spoke up.

"Andrei."

At Medvedev's call, Andrei stopped mid-sentence and turned to look at him.

"Since when did your words become the Kremlin's official position? Are you the President? Or did you receive authority from the President while I wasn't aware? Answer me."

The meeting room's atmosphere shifted instantly at Medvedev's chilling question.

Caught in the icy atmosphere, even Andrei hesitated to respond properly.

"Why can't you answer? Here I thought you were someone who represented the government."

Medvedev finished speaking with a seemingly friendly smile.

But failing to notice the hidden dagger in those words, Andrei responded.

"That's not it. Since Dream High refused to compromise first, we also had to take a hard stance…"

"Why? What authority do you have to overturn this negotiation? Neither you nor anyone else here has the power to overturn this. Only He does. Am I wrong?"

"Y-you're right."

Medvedev's tone was calm, which made it all the more terrifying.

Cold sweat ran down Andrei's spine.

"I heard you said something similar a few days ago too. Something about government pressure on businesses potentially bringing great catastrophe?"

"…"

"I heard you criticized the extremely incompetent Russian authorities. Yet your statement today is different. Why are you trying to lead this sale while saying the government shouldn't interfere? Wasn't Minister Viktor put in charge of this sale?"

Medvedev patted Viktor's shoulder as he spoke while Viktor could only manage an awkward smile.

"B-but our economic experts believe Yugansk's sale should happen within Russia. You must accept critical perspectives for Russia to have a future. We shouldn't reject everything outright."

Medvedev nodded at Andrei's words.

"True, criticism is acceptable. But accepting it is the President's job and yours is to advise. Don't cross the line. This is a warning. Don't think I don't know about your alliance with the Siloviki. Take my warning to heart if you don't want to lose everything in an instant. I'm saying this because I care about you."

The color drained from Andrei's face.

Medvedev's warning about knowing his connection to the Siloviki was tantamount to a death sentence.

The Siloviki had asked Andrei to derail this negotiation. After all they wanted Yukos to be nationalized.

Seeing Andrei's pale complexion, Medvedev looked around and spoke.

"Let's end today's negotiation here. We'll meet again tomorrow to continue discussions."

"Agreed. The atmosphere suddenly became heated. Let's take time to gather our thoughts and meet tomorrow."

Viktor responded representing the officials and began organizing the documents on the table.

"Let's meet the Yukos executives here again tomorrow as well. No objections?"

"…Yes."

After making his announcement to the Russian side Medvedev turned to Han Gyeong-yeong.

"Representative James shall we have dinner together? Would that be alright?"

Han Gyeong-yeong nodded and instructed his staff.

"Return to the hotel first."

Dream High's employees and the Russian officials all left.

"Let's get going too."

Han Gyeong-yeong followed Medvedev out of Yukos headquarters.

* * *

"Hey the sun's high in the sky! Wake up."

Someone shook me violently while I was deep in sleep.

"Look at this stench of alcohol. Your friend is working hard while you're here drinking? You bastard."

Waking up from the commotion I squinted at who had disturbed me. Myeong-su stood there with a deeply furrowed brow.

When I opened my eyes Myeong-su yanked the curtains wide open.

Strong sunlight flooded the room. Instinctively frowning I asked Myeong-su.

"Hey Myeong-su… What time is it?"

"It's 2 PM 2 PM. Are you getting up or not?"

With him even slapping my back to hurry me I finally slowly sat up.

"Give me some water. I'm thirsty."

My throat felt completely parched after drinking.

Hearing my voice Myeong-su pursed his lips and tossed me a water bottle from the table.

"Hurry up and wash. We need to eat and get moving."

Only after emptying the small water bottle in one go could I finally gather my wits.

Checking the clock it really was 2 PM.

"When did you get here?"

"Just arrived. I called you but Manager Ma answered. So I came straight here. I'm hungry. Hurry and wash up. Hey by the way do you have any ramyeon? London food is so tasteless I don't know why."

I nodded and got up from the bed.

"The security team probably brought some. In England never go to British restaurants. You have to go to places with French chefs."

"Really? What do I know? I just went wherever they took me."

"Did work go well?"

With one foot halfway into the bathroom I asked and Myeong-su chuckled.

"Let's talk after you wash up. I'll boil some water. You go shower. Hey can we even cook here?"

"Probably? Ask Manager Ma. She'll make it happen even if it's not allowed."

"Got it. Go shower for now. I'll wait outside."

After Myeong-su left I headed straight into the bathroom.

A refreshing shower helped clear my head a bit.

When I came out in comfortable clothes the spicy aroma of ramyeon filled the air.

"Looks like cooking is allowed?"

"Yeah come quick. Perfect timing. Manager Ma checked for us. Of course it would be allowed in a suite room. With these room rates."

Myeong-su placed a large pot on the dining table.

"Whew smells good. Really sobering me up."

I smiled and pulled out a chair to sit.

"Been a while since I've had ramyeon you made."

"Stop talking nonsense. Let's eat quickly. I'm starving."

Myeong-su lifted the ramyeon lid. The white steam and ramyeon aroma that burst out tickled my nose.

Maybe because I'd been drinking the night before but the ramyeon looked especially appealing.

I quickly took a sip of the broth first. The spicy soup seemed to naturally settle my stomach.

"Is it okay? Couldn't add eggs since there weren't any."

"Yeah your broth is always amazing Myeong-su really."

After heaping on the praise Myeong-su nodded with satisfaction.

Just then Manager Ma entered with a container of kimchi.

"Oh oh Manager Ma!"

Myeong-su made a fuss. He seemed more excited about the kimchi container than Manager Ma herself.

"Have you eaten Manager?"

"Yes I ate with the staff earlier."

After setting out the kimchi Manager Ma bowed and left.

Myeong-su and I inhaled the ramyeon without speaking. Though we'd cooked four packages they quickly vanished.

"Whew it's strange. Ramyeon tastes different when you eat it abroad."

Myeong-su put down his chopsticks and patted his stomach. I nodded with a smile too.

"They say you become patriotic when you go abroad."

"Want some coffee?"

Coffee after a meal of course. I nodded.

"Let's hear about yesterday while we have coffee."

Myeong-su who'd somehow gotten his hands on instant coffee mix made us each a cup.

We each took a paper cup and sat on the sofa.

"What did you talk about yesterday? Did everything go well?"

"Ah delivered the President's letter and talked with the Prime Minister and such."

"No major problems?"

"It was just a formality since everything had been coordinated beforehand. That's why I could fly here. Right now I'm more worried about the U.S. We have to handle both the President's U.S. visit schedule and underground negotiations simultaneously. There are just so many events…"

Myeong-su started complaining. Well working with the U.S. does require a lot of attention to detail.

I sipped my coffee and laughed.

"Did you think being the President's special envoy would be like a vacation?"

"No but still having schedules packed every single day for a week?"

Myeong-su kept grumbling. But I know him – despite all his complaints he always gets the job done properly when it matters.

Knowing this I just smiled quietly without adding anything more.

"The main issues are North Korea and Iraq troop deployment right? And you stopped by England briefly because of that too?"

While the Iraq War had ended the U.S. was requesting South Korea to send troops under the banner of peacekeeping forces.

"We've already sent engineering and medical support units but the U.S. is demanding combat troops. We're firmly against that. But if we don't do it the U.S. might step back on the North Korean nuclear issue so it's giving me a headache."

In the original history combat troops were deployed. This was a flow I couldn't prevent.

"You'll have to deploy troops right? That's the Blue House's position too."

Myeong-su frowned and crushed his paper cup.

"Right. I still don't understand why those young kids have to be sent to a battlefield. I can't even judge if this is right or wrong. The media is already reporting negative opinions…"

"But conservative media still supports it right?"

"Even conservative media is split between those actively supporting and those viewing it negatively. So you can imagine how the progressive media is."

I couldn't do anything about this either. There were limits to forcibly muzzling the press and it might only increase resistance.

With all public attention focused on combat troop deployment it was difficult to control the media now.

The fortunate difference was that unlike in my past life where the U.S. invaded unilaterally without UN approval this time they had UN backing and legitimacy.

Thanks to that domestic anti-war sentiment was somewhat less intense.

"While there are more benefits than drawbacks…"

It's about sending citizens to a battlefield. There's no way the decision-making position could be comfortable.

That showed clearly on Myeong-su's face and I patted his shoulder.

"That's how it always is when making decisions. You always have to agonize and worry while trying to achieve better results. But stay strong. I'll help you. Whatever decision you make I'll support you."

"We can't prevent deployment. I know that too. I just don't like the region the U.S. wants. They want our soldiers deployed to the fierce battle zones in the north-central region. We want the Kurdish autonomous region in the north where there's no fighting."

As expected Myeong-su's stance was to deploy but avoid combat.

But that wouldn't gain any benefits. The purpose of deployment was to help the U.S. assist in Iraq's reconstruction and gain economic benefits through reconstruction projects.

"That might be worse than refusing deployment. To gain economic benefits through reconstruction projects we need to go to the south if not the north-central region. Otherwise we should just drop the deployment decision entirely."

"I know. You think I don't understand that? It's just such a burden. In the end soldiers will die because of the government's decision…"

Myeong-su trailed off with a gloomy expression. Just then Manager Ma opened the door and entered.

"Boss. It's time to leave."

I checked the time. The game was approaching.

"I understand what you mean. But forget the complicated stuff and let's just enjoy the football today. That's why we came."

We left the hotel and headed to Leeds' home stadium Elland Road.

As we got closer to the stadium we could hear the crowd's cheering.

Even Myeong-su who had been gloomy started looking around getting caught up in the chants.

We got out of the car and entered the stadium.

"Charlie!"

"Roman."

The final opponent was Roman's Chelsea.