Chapter 10: Opportunity (3)

Chairman Cho Tae-Soo of Taejung Industries was a big figure in the business world. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the N0vᴇlFire(.)nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.With influential connections throughout society, he was known in business circles as the 'Man Behind the Curtain'.

In fact, before Park Han-jin staged his coup, they were close friends, supporting and promoting each other.

That's how wide and deep Cho Tae-Soo's network was.

Recruiting him would secure not only the necessary funds but also many useful connections.

So, I thought about people who might be connected to Cho Tae-Soo.

However, only one person came to mind.

"President Cho? This is Lee Sung Joon speaking."

Indeed, I decided to use Cho Joong Dong, the president of Koryo Ilbo, as my messenger.

Of course, I only gave him a vague reason for wanting to talk with Tae-Soo, saying I wished to consult an 'Experienced Businessman' about future career paths.

That was how my appointment with the business tycoon was set up.

Our meeting would occur in the Taedonggang bar, a famous pup in downtown Pyongyang.

Interestingly enough, when I arrived at the bar, the place was deserted.

The bar was large enough to accommodate at least 500 people in the hall, but seeing it empty gave me an eerie feeling.

As I stood in the hall, a man in a suit approached and said,

"General Lee? The Chairman is waiting for you."

Following the man who appeared to be a secretary, I went to the VIP room on the second floor.

Inside the VIP room, sat a hard-looking old man who appeared to be in his early 60's.

At a glance, I could perceive that his entire look reeked of 'Traditionalism'.

As the chairman gestured, the secretary respectfully withdrew.

Considering both age and social standing, it seemed necessary for me to show respect first.

"I am Lee Sung Joon, an officer working for the Policy Research department."

"...Cho Tae-Soo, Chairman of the Taejung Industries. General Lee, You're both a royal and an accomplished officer, please speak comfortably."

"Please, this is comfortable for me."

In truth, I have grown so used to Lee Sung Joon's formal manners, that being forced to talk 'informally' felt completely uncomfortable, especially when I was trying to get his support for a coup.

To sell a product, the salesman needs to consider the customer's mood and preferences.

"Haha. Do as you please then. Now, could you tell this old man the reason why a 'Famous' General wanted to meet me?"

As expected of his no-nonsense vibe, Cho Tae-Soo didn't waste time with pleasantries.

Was this his manner of saying that his time was too precious to 'beat around the bush'?

The mood was somewhat off.

What should I do...

Well,

In case of doubt...Always borrow the power of the Buddha!

So, I decided to speak in a Zen-like manner that most old men liked to use.

"Before telling you my reasons, Chairman Cho,  I'd like to ask you a question of my own. How do you view this country?"

At those words, CHo Tae-soo made a 'huh' sound.

"What's great about this Nation? This place is filled with frogs thinking they are the king of the hill when those fools haven't even left the well. They are simply overconfident because they haven't found a stronger opponent...But that may change in the future."

This old man...

Is he crazy?

Doesn't he fear the military?

But on the other hand, things started to make sense now.

It's because he's such a stubborn and balsy old man that he's now at odds with Park Han-Jin.

"Unfortunately, your predictions may be correct, Chairman."

The time when Nations could freely squabble against each other is over.

Now, if you wage war, you must be mindful of the great powers in this world.

"I see. May I presume, you're interested in the frogs' actions?"

"Indeed."

"Why? You might have Royal Blood, but you're not in a position of responsibility in this country, are you?"

Cho Tae-soo urged me to cut out the roundabout talk and get to the point.

Ha. There's no choice.

I decided to make a bold bet, trusting the fact that Cho Tae-Soo was on the opposite side of Park Han-jin.

"From what I understand, Park Han-Jin wasn't in such a position in the beginning as well."

"What do you mean?"

For the first time, a light of interest flickered in Cho Tae-Soo's eyes.

"I wish to try it too. I desire to save this nation, to right Park Han-Jin's wrongs."

Immediately after saying these words, Cho Tae-Soo looked at me for a moment before bursting into loud laughter.

"Kuhahaha! Hahahahaha!"

As he laughed for a while, I couldn't help but ask.

"I don't think my words were that funny, Chairman Cho, care to enlighten me on what was so amazing?"

"Ha...Hahaha...Apologies, General. But I can't help it...You see, Park Han-Jin said those exact same words to me a while ago."

As he spoke those words, Chairman Cho's eyes became eerily calm.

"Five years ago, Park Han-Jin came to me...Begging for me to fund his little coup."

Even though I knew the answer, I asked him.

"Did you accept that proposal?"

"Hah! If I had, He wouldn't be in his current position now. From the very beginning, I thought that bastard didn't have what was needed to lead a Nation. He isn't someone capable enough."

"I am different."

Chairman Cho shook his head.

"They all say those words. 'I'm different', 'I will change this country'...But once they grasp power, they all end up corrupt. Tell me, General, you're are a soldier. How would you be different from Park Han-Jin?"

"I have a vision for this country's future."

"Let me guess...You just need the money to realize it?"

Cho Tae-Soo was cynical.

He precisely poked at the vague areas I was trying to gloss over with sweet talk.

"Heh...Indulge me, General, if you seize power, can you reduce the military budget?"

I can't.

The officers who sympathized with my vision ultimately sided with me for a 'better future'.

But if I recklessly cut military spending, their future disappears.

What would they gain for supporting me?

If I were to do it, I'd need to prepare alternatives for their livelihoods first.

As I couldn't answer, Cho Tae-Soo chuckled.

"At least you're not lying about that part, General Lee."

"......"

"I don't believe in your ideals, General. I also don't believe you're purely seeking power for the future of the Korean Empire."

Of course not.

Only a fool would believe that.

"Nevertheless, I can see how you're better than Park Han-jin."

"Why?"

Cho Tae-soo placed a cut-out newspaper article on the table.

It showed a picture of me wearing a monocle, personally inspecting the front lines and encouraging soldiers.

"You are a diligent General, who is beloved by his soldiers."

Honestly, it was a bit shameful to have the actions I took to build up my image come back to me in such a way.

"You flatter me, Chairman Cho."

"In any case, since Korea is at war, someone who actually understands the military should sit at the head of the Empire."

Cho Tae-Soo words's started to give me a bit of hope.

"Be honest with me General, should you become the ruler of this country, can you save Korea from war?"

"That's uncertain, Chairman Cho."

I couldn't promise anything.

While you can start a war whenever you want, ending it is a whole nother problem.

That's why war was frightening and terrible.

"If you can't lead the Empire to victory, is there any other reason for you to take Park Han-Jin's seat?"

"I'm not the one responsible for leading this country into war."

"Responsibility, huh."

"We have many difficult times waiting for us, and before it gets worse, we need to wrap up this war. To do that, we need to remove Park Han-Jin and his war hawks from their seats of power."

I brought up the idea of purging the current military.

"Will this 'purge' be limited to just the Military?"

Chairman Cho was sharp indeed.

Of course, I had no intention of purging only the military.

I planned to carry out purges across the entire Empire.

The reason was simple.

That's how I could protect the power base acquired through the coup.

It's an inherent nature of power.

"We'll purge as much as needed."

"I see. I fully understand your intentions, General. I know you want power, and I see you have your own ambitions. With that determination, you're unlikely to lose power once you've gained it. Very well, I'll bet on you. Whatever amount you need, I'll cover it."

I stood up abruptly and bowed.

This old man...

He was very skilled at 'push and pull' negotiations, wasn't he?

"Thank you, Chairman."

"However, there's a condition."

As expected.

"Please state your terms."

"I want in on the Military Arsenal business."

Well, while this was unexpected, I couldn't call his desire an excessive one.

After all, Cho Tae-Soo was also betting his own future with me.

"Agreed. I was planning on making certain sectors of the military arsenal business private anyway."

In 21st-century Korea, privatization might bring to mind the harmful effects of neoliberalism, but it was different in this Korea.

Here the military had too much influence and wealth.

Cutting off some of that fat and letting the private sector take a share would be far more beneficial for the economy.

Of course, certain 'merits' could also be given to some companies...

As such, in the VIP room of a popular bar.

Two co-conspirators plotted their plan to overthrow the country.

***

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