Chapter 144: Invest in Me

"I plan to limit the political participation of the oligarchs."

I expected as much. That's as far as I got, though.

In his previous life, Putin had let only those who followed him keep their positions, seizing the properties of everyone else and either exiling or imprisoning them.

"Still, the influence of the oligarchs is considerable. No, to be honest, their money is what truly matters right now."

Putin sipped his black tea, his voice trailing off ominously.

"Then, out of the blue, you appeared in front of me as if you had been waiting for this moment. I won't ask how you know about me, but the price of the coffee you sent me was a bit excessive."

The amount of the anonymous bonds I gave him as the price of coffee during our first meeting was ten million dollars.

Putin's eyes shone with intrigue.

"I don't know how much your assets are worth, but all I know is that you own Dream High in the U.S. I suspect you also have several shell companies. What do you want from me?"

"I want… to be your friend. As I said."

"Let's cut to the chase. Only then can we become friends, can't we?"

That was classic Putin—direct and to the point.

It was the same expression I often saw in the media, and for some reason, I couldn't help but smile.

"Money is meaningless in the face of political power. You (pointing at the Prime Minister) will limit the political participation of the oligarchs once you assume power, and you will have to rein them in."

Putin nodded his head in agreement.

"I don't want to be beholden to political power. No, I want to be free of anyone's influence."

"So you picked me?"

I shook my head.

"It's not that I chose you. I just want to be a part of your future."

Putin's expression turned pensive.

"What can you do for me?"

"Invest in me. I can help you grow your money legally. Of course, I will be the only one who knows that this money belongs to you."

"…"

"Even if I funded your rise to the presidency, do you think you can get there without the oligarchs' help? Popular support is just an illusion. And in order to escape the influence of Chubais and Berezovsky, you need to be president first."

"I will soon be acting president because of Yeltsin's health, but I'll only be fulfilling the duties of president."

"Congratulations. But what you need is to win the presidential elections next year. To do that, you must defeat Zyuganov of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation."

Defeated by Yeltsin in the 1996 presidential elections, Zyuganov suffered a major blow to his political ambitions. He had support from those who were nostalgic for the days of the Soviet Union, but progress was slow.

However, he failed when he and Prime Minister Primakov attempted to impeach Yeltsin.

"What should I do?"

"For now, avoid antagonizing the oligarchs. You can use their media and money for the time being. Just give the Russian people what they want."

"What do they want?"

"A powerful Russia, one as strong as the Soviet Union. That's the easiest way to gain popular support. You can always purge the oligarchs after you become president."

A strong Russia. That's what I would describe Putin's regime in one sentence.

"To make a strong impression on the Russian people, attack Chechnya. That's how the populace can gain a strong impression of you as prime minister."

The First Chechen War was almost a complete defeat for Russia.

Yeltsin had to sign a humiliating peace agreement with Chechnya. As a result, he became the target of threats and sanctions from the Western European nations while waging war in Chechnya. The Russian people couldn't help but see it as a national disgrace.

It was only natural for the Russian people to see it that way.

"Do you think the Russian people will accept a war without a clear cause?"

"After the peace treaty, Chechnya got a little too quiet, but there's still a chance they will attack again."

In the aftermath of signing the peace agreement, Chechnya still hadn't attacked Russia.

"A reason can always be created. For example, a bomb could be made to explode in Moscow."

As the saying goes, creating a reason for war is easy. Both America and Russia have done so quite a few times in the past.

The logic of great powers. That was how the world worked. Even KGB veteran Putin understood it without me saying anything.

"Hahaha! What's your position, Boss Kim? Businessman or politician?"

Putin's hearty laughter resounded through the room.

"We're on the same page. I've also been thinking of attacking Chechnya. Putting my assets in your hands would also be a good idea."

"I can set up an asset management company in Hong Kong. Our company usually doesn't manage other people's money, but I can make an exception for you, Prime Minister."

"Not yet, though. I need to be elected president first."

"Tell me when you need my help, and I will always be there for you."

Looking at the wall clock, Putin chuckled.

"It's already this late. Let's talk again next time."

"Sure, Mr. Prime Minister."

As Putin got up, he reached out for my hand.

I shook his hand.

"Oh! Do be careful. You are being watched by the European nobles and the Jews. You aren't much of a threat to them yet, so they haven't moved against you. However, they will find a way to deal with you if you ever become a problem."

"Yes?"

That must have been what he wanted to tell me before.

I was shocked by his unexpected words and wanted to ask some more questions, but he kept silent.

Let's meet next time.

I left the building as Medvedev quietly guided me out, unable to ask anything further.

"I have to go now."

After Medvedev sent me off, he reentered the building, and Manager Ma and Igor approached me.

"Boss!"

"Let's head to the mansion first."

Before we got into the car, I looked back at Putin's office, which was a little further along the corridor.

Putin was watching me from beyond the window.

I fell into deep thought as I slowly drove to the mansion.

Nobles in Europe? I thought all the aristocrats had died out.

I could understand Jews, but nobles?

"Boss?"

Manager Ma called me.

It looked like there was more news.

"I just heard from Wen Jiabao."

"What did he say?"

"He said he wants to meet you tomorrow. He thinks it will be a good time for both of you."

A good time for both of us… How nice.

I snorted.

"Set it up. If he is behind Mei Hong, I need to check him out personally."

The next day, I headed for the hotel where Wen Jiabao was staying.

Wen Jiabao arrived first and greeted me with a smile.

"I was taken by surprise yesterday. A friend of Prime Minister Putin…"

"The Medvedev you met exaggerates things."

"Well, I know Professor Medvedev a little, but he's not the kind of person to exaggerate."

"Never mind that. How do you know Mei Hong?"

"Let's work together. I can eliminate him for you."

That came totally out of the blue.

"What do you want me to work together with you on?"

"Something, isn't it? Come on, let's team up."

I narrowed my eyes at Wen Jiabao, who was grinning like an idiot.

"Are you kidding me? I will kill Mei Hong one day myself. There's no reason for me to team up with you while I'm at it."

"I'm not his backer. Whatever misunderstanding you have…"

What a classic Chinese response. Three major factions of the Communist Party—The Shanghai Gang, the Youth League, and the Chinese Communist Party—were in power since the late 90s, and Wen Jiabao was outside of all of them.

Wen Jiabao, with a serious expression on his face, continued speaking.

"He gets funding from Wang Gang and is managing the finances of Wang Jianlin's faction. Wang Gang is the current Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China, is he not?"

Was Wang Gang a part of the highest positions in the administration? This backer was far more senior than I had anticipated.

Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China? Now that was something… "Tell me what you want me to do."

"I want you to take care of the finances of my family."

"You want me to manage your money?"

"Yes."

I hesitated to agree to Wen Jiabao's direct request. I couldn't read his true intentions.

How ironic that Wen Jiabao—a man praised for his incorruptibility—was asking me to manage his family's money.

'These darn Chinese people are so fickle.' I inwardly scoffed.

"Why did you choose me?"

"At first, I did not know. But while I was investigating Wang Gang, I came across Kim Mu-hyeok, and I started lookng into you. You're quite an interesting person."

He continued, still sporting that innocent smile.

"People who could do things for their subordinates like you are rare, so I'm curious about you."

"Are you sure you can trust me?"

'He's claiming that he probably will put his family money on me because he is curious about me?'

"No, I cannot. But you seem to be above the influence of the Chinese politics, and that's why I would like to place my money in your hands. I'm sure the fact that you own Peregrine in Hong Kong also influenced my decision," said Wen Jiabao, who had been wearing an exacerbated expression as I stared at him.

Was that really the only reason?

"Are you going to kill Mei Hong for me or not?"

"No. You'll have to kill him yourself. Wang Gang and I will come to an agreement. There will be no interference from the Hong Kong authorities either. What do you think?"

Although this was a favorable offer, it would still be a restriction… I should be able to trust these darn Chinese people. I was only able to trust these darn Chinese people in the first place because I had used Wen Jiabao before. But the fact that Wen Jiabao knew that I had tried to kill Mei Hong transferred the treasure of my position from his hands and threw it into his bag. Just because it's beneficial to me doesn't mean I should fully trust it.

"That was just a warning!"

I ignored him, grinning widely. "That's good, but it's nice to find you."

I was about to reply when he smiled confidently.

Just as soon as I open my mouth, he suddenly has a question on his mind.

He might need my help, but I think it would be better not to meet him first.

I think it would be better not to meet him first. Wen immediately smiled at my reply here.

"You got that, right? I'll remind you again later. Just help me find the right time."

This has been going on for a while longer than what he actually needs. He told me something just as I was about to step on his neck and pack my stuff.

"Sorry, it's not there yet. I'll talk to them when the time's right."

I was early in the morning when I walked into his base of operations and followed the scent of purified black ebony. With a smile, I thought he was one of those in the know with my very large murderous scythe.