Chapter 474: If You Touch What’s Mine, We’ll Have to Fight

The documents Manager Ma brought contained extensive details about Zhou Yongkang.

I silently read through the contents spread across several pages.

"What an interesting character."

I tossed the documents onto the table with a smirk.

"What do you mean sir?"

"There are many suspicious aspects. Someone with no prior record suddenly gets appointed as Minister of Land and Resources in 1998 then keeps getting promoted. Before long he becomes the top figure in national security. Take a look."

Following my instructions Manager Ma began reviewing the documents.

As I'd told Manager Ma Zhou Yongkang's background was peculiar.

His notable positions until now totaled just three.

Starting as China's Minister of Land and Resources in 1998 he served as Sichuan's Party Secretary before being directly appointed as Minister of Public Security.

Even for China where politics revolved around Guanxi the speed was absurd.

In just four years he'd risen to within the top twenty ranks.

When stepping down Jiang Zemin appointed Zhou Yongkang as Minister of Public Security one of China's most crucial positions.

This showed just how much Jiang Zemin trusted him.

Moreover Jiang Zemin didn't just make him Minister of Public Security but also gave him concurrent positions as Politburo member Central Secretariat Secretary Deputy Secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission and State Council member.

He'd essentially created a monster of a Public Security Minister.

'So that's why Xi Jinping removed Zhou Yongkang on corruption charges to weaken Jiang Zemin's influence.'

Though he'd eventually be purged on various corruption charges until then he wielded absolute power.

Someone like that couldn't have just appeared out of nowhere.

I'd requested his information thinking understanding his past would make it easier to predict what happened.

But besides graduating from a petroleum institute and working in the oil industry Zhou Yongkang had no remarkable background.

Yet such a person suddenly made a grand debut in central politics.

No matter how I looked at it something wasn't right.

Manager Ma carefully placed the documents back on the table.

I asked him:

"What do you think?"

"With this level of rapid promotion he must have had Jiang Zemin's deep trust. Otherwise such a sudden rise in rank wouldn't be possible."

"Right? It's not normal."

Manager Ma nodded and pointed out the same thing I'd been thinking.

"Yes. Looking at his past tells us everything. He was someone who worked in petroleum with no political connections. While his background might explain becoming Minister of Land and Resources the Sichuan Party Secretary position is strange. It's practically an instant promotion in rank."

So it is strange. I looked at Manager Ma and shared my theory.

"He probably created slush funds for Jiang Zemin while working in the oil industry. Nothing else explains it. We should investigate that angle."

"Yes Boss. I'll contact the U.S. right away."

Contacting the U.S. now would take quite some time to get new information. Well that's if we use official channels.

We'll need a different card for this.

"No this time we'll need to get information through a friend's help. That should be faster."

"Understood. We'll do that."

Manager Ma bowed his head in response.

"Still contact the U.S. and get information on everyone within the top 100 ranks of the Chinese Communist Party. Everything from birth until now."

"Getting detailed information on that many people will take considerable time Boss."

To properly support Hu Jintao and get my preferred successor in place I needed to start preparing now.

"That's fine. We have plenty of money and manpower. Tell them to use everything they've got. No matter how long it takes."

"Understood."

"Go make those calls. I need to phone America."

As Manager Ma stood up I picked up my phone.

The call rang for a long time with no answer.

Just before it would have cut off it finally connected.

"Jessica. It's been a while."

―...

There was no response. I called her name again.

"Jessica?"

― Ugh what do you want now.

Jessica's venomous tone made me chuckle involuntarily.

― Why are you laughing?

"Jessica your reaction is unexpected. Why so sharp?"

"― You have some nerve! Because of you I…"

Watch your mouth. I corrected her words in a cold voice.

"Let's speak properly. Did you receive any disciplinary action? As I understand it you were actually recognized for the intelligence I provided. We also prevented a terror attack. Isn't that enough? When both parties benefit from an exchange that should be sufficient. Someone might misunderstand and think I only cause you trouble."

I couldn't understand Jessica's reaction.

Our relationship was mutually beneficial.

It made no sense for her to be so hostile when neither side lost out.

"Am I wrong? If so I can look for someone else."

― …No.

Her voice came back somewhat subdued.

To Jessica I was like a golden lifeline.

― I've been on edge because of Iraq. I'm sorry.

"Iraq? Haven't you already captured Hussein? His sons are dead too. What problems could there be in Iraq?"

― Saddam Hussein's followers just killed the brother of the person who informed on Uday and Qusay. Plus suicide attacks keep happening here and there.

I'd seen this in the news too. Though they'd captured Hussein and brought him to America his followers were still resisting across Iraq.

― Thanks to that we're on high alert. The informants and their families received U.S. citizenship and live here now but who would trust us if they die on American soil? On top of that Shiites and Sunnis are fighting among themselves. *sigh*…

I silently listened as Jessica vented her frustrations.

After rambling alone for a while Jessica finally spoke in a calmer voice.

"Feeling better now?"

― Sorry. I showed an unsightly side.

"It's fine. I understand. The end of a war doesn't mean everything's resolved."

This chaos was inevitable from the moment they invaded Iraq and captured Hussein.

The divide between Shiites and Sunnis ran deeper than we could imagine.

Hussein's dictatorship had at least kept that in check but now even that was gone.

The Shiites who opposed Sunni Hussein now held power with U.S. support.

The Sunnis wouldn't just sit quietly and accept this.

While organizing the political situation in my head I thought of something good.

Since I'd be asking for something I should throw out some bait first.

"Jessica. Keep an eye on The Monotheistic Group and Holy War. They're likely already in Iraq expanding their influence."

― The Monotheistic Group and Holy War? You mean the terror organization led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi? We're already tracking them. But is it serious enough for you to mention it?

Jessica doesn't understand how dangerous that organization is.

Well it's natural that no one knows yet.

They'll eventually become an organization so infamous in America and the Western world that they'll put out bounties matching Bin Laden's.

The Monotheistic Group and Holy War will become a terrorist organization cursed by both Sunnis and Shiites.

I spoke in a firm voice:

"Jessica don't underestimate them. If you dismiss them as just another violent group you'll pay a heavy price someday."

― Alright. I'll watch them closely.

"They're probably planning to attack the UN special envoy right now. They're preparing to strike the UN Iraq branch so you'd better investigate that properly. Otherwise you'll see hell."

― What? H-how do you…?

Jessica asked in shock.

"I've given you the intelligence. Stopping it is your job."

― Wait… wait. So you're saying they're planning to attack the UN Iraq branch?

"You understand well. That's correct."

After confirming it again silence fell.

"Jessica for now focus on what I just told you. I called today because I need information about China."

― China? Why suddenly… Oh! You're in China now. I heard you'd attend Hu Jintao's inauguration.

"That's right. But we've run into some problems. I need help."

― Charlie we don't have much information about China yet either.

Playing coy now. I let out a small laugh and continued:

"Let's not play games. After the Soviet Union collapsed we both know America has its eyes on China as the new enemy. The preliminary work has already started."

Jessica drew in a sharp breath.

America needed an enemy. Both for politics and the economy.

"Just pass along the corruption files on Zhou Yongkang and information about his relationship with Jiang Zemin."

― Zhou Yongkang? Minister of Public Security Zhou Yongkang? Why him suddenly?

"He's trying to get his spoon in a company I invested in. I can't stand anyone sticking their spoon in my rice bowl. So I'm going to teach him a lesson. You'll share the information right?"

Silence fell across the line.

When Jessica spoke again her voice was filled with disbelief:

― For just that reason? You're going to punish China's Minister of Public Security? Are you insane?

"Even if someone has power high enough to shoot down birds with a finger if they carelessly touch what's mine we have to fight. That way no one will dare mess with me. So will you share the information? Or should I find another partner? The choice is yours Jessica."

I heard Jessica swallow hard at my cold words.

― …No. I'll prepare it. When do you need it by?

"Prepare it today and pass it to Black Bear. Then it'll be on my desk tomorrow."

― That's too rushed. It'll take at least a few days.

"Today. It must be in my hands by tomorrow without fail."

Jessica let out a deep sigh but didn't say it was impossible.

"I don't care if you report it up or whatever. As long as those documents reach my hands by tomorrow it's fine."

― Is it really okay to report this? Really?

My goal is information. I can handle some losses to get it.

To her suspicious voice I firmly replied:

"I said it doesn't matter. I hate repeating myself. Just make sure the documents reach my hands by tomorrow."

― …Then it's possible.

"Good. When I receive those documents I'll give you another piece of valuable intelligence. So I'm expecting quality information."

I'd thrown out the bait and Jessica had taken it beautifully.

― *sigh*… Alright. I'll meet with Black Bear today to hand it over.

"And keep in mind what I told you earlier. It's best not to create situations you'll regret later."

― Got it.

"Then I'll wait expectantly. Let's talk again soon."

I hung up and placed the hot phone on the table.

Manager Ma had been waiting for my call to end.

"Contact Black Bear again and tell them to send the documents coming today via secure email."

"Understood."

I checked the time on my wristwatch and stood up.

"How long from here to where Ji-young is filming?"

"First we need to fly to Nanning City then drive another two hours."

"That's far. What about hotels?"

"There are no suitable hotels for you except in Nanning City Boss. The filming location is quite remote…"

I nodded at Manager Ma's words.

"Let's depart. We'll arrive in the afternoon then. What about the Korean food and chefs?"

"They'll join us in Nanning City."

"Good. I hope Ji-young likes it."

Thinking of Ji-young's surprised face brought a natural smile to my lips.

We arrived at Nanning Wuxu Airport. Coming from Shenzhen we had to go through customs again before leaving the airport.

"Hello sir."

We met the Myeong-dong Hotel head chef at the airport entrance who had arrived earlier.

He bowed in greeting.

"Chef Kim Min-woo came personally."

"Ji-young loves my cooking doesn't she? That's why I came myself."

"Thank you. I'll make sure the staff with you receive generous bonuses so I'm counting on you today."

"Haha the staff will be pleased."

Kim Min-woo smiled with a hearty laugh.

Having served as Myeong-dong Hotel's head chef since my grandfather's time Kim Min-woo was part of the hotel's history.

Though he was reaching retirement age he still worked directly in the kitchen because he loved cooking so much.

"Then we'll head out first."

After the bus carrying Kim Min-woo and the hotel staff departed I got into my prepared car and we started driving.

After about an hour the paved road disappeared.

We drove another hour on rough unpaved roads before finally reaching near the filming location.

"Whew. This isn't really a livable environment is it?"

"Indeed. Are you alright Boss?"

The location we arrived at was so underdeveloped it was embarrassing to even call it countryside.

But something seemed off about the filming site's atmosphere.