Chapter 133
Chapter 133
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 133
Chapter Title: A Grand Welcome
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[All passengers for American Airlines flight 708, please proceed immediately to…]
A few days later, CEO Ahn Si-hyun and I arrived at the airport.
Our first destination was Saudi Arabia.
Since we were traveling to resolve such a critical issue, the working-level delegation numbered nearly thirty people, prompting the government to charter a private plane.
“Alright, is everyone here?”
The man in charge of the delegation was Lee Hoon-jae, the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
He had secured his position in a recent cabinet reshuffle. Historically, a man named Lee Hoon-jae had never become the foreign minister, so his appointment had come as quite a shock to me.
More than anything, it meant that predicting the changes in history had become far more difficult than before.
“Are you only just arriving now?”
Minister Lee Hoon-jae’s tone seemed barbed as he finally noticed me.
It felt like an expression of displeasure—how dare I make a minister wait?
On the off chance I was mistaken, I glanced at my watch, but far from being late, we had arrived a full thirty minutes ahead of schedule.
“That man is now…”
CEO Ahn stepped forward, voicing his displeasure toward the minister, who was turning to walk away.
Having once been a minister-level public official himself, he couldn't help but be angered by the unwarranted rebuke.
But I immediately raised a hand to stop him, and CEO Ahn finally vented his frustration in a low voice.
“That man is acting all high and mighty, expecting the royal treatment just because he’s a minister.”
“Just ignore him. You’ll always find one of his type wherever you go. Besides, his pride must be seriously wounded right now. After all, we, as civilians, are the ones leading these negotiations.”
“Then he should be even more apologetic to you, Chairman. It’s not right for him to act like this when he’s dragging us along because he’s not capable enough.”
CEO Ahn’s last words were spoken in a much louder tone.
As if he wanted the minister to overhear.
Sure enough, Minister Lee Hoon-jae, who had been walking ahead, paused for a moment and glanced our way.
“Now, now, let’s go wet our throats in the VIP lounge first.”
Sensing the tense atmosphere, a Foreign Ministry employee quickly guided the minister away.
Minister Lee Hoon-jae’s face was beet red, but he couldn’t seem to utter a single word in response.
It was likely due to the pressure of being called out by a former director of the National Intelligence Service.
“CEO Ahn, you should calm down now, too.”
I soothed the still-agitated CEO Ahn and walked ahead.
Honestly, did he think I didn't understand the minister's intentions?
I was only staying quiet because playing along with his childish behavior would just tire me out.
Still, it was truly unimaginable that the man responsible for a nation’s foreign ministry could be so lacking in judgment.
This is why discipline among overseas diplomats is so lax, and why they fail to handle the same diplomatic disasters time and time again.
It had reached a point of national disgrace, where they were sexually harassing locals instead of protecting their own citizens.
When I thought about it, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of this era was nothing short of a total mess.
“Do we really have to step in when we’re being treated like this?”
CEO Ahn, matching my pace, complained once more.
I stopped for a moment, looked him straight in the eye, and said.
“I don’t think that’s something for you to say, CEO Ahn.”
“…”
“You were once the head of this country’s intelligence agency, after all.”
“Well, yes, but…”
“Frankly, I’m holding back right now, too. This situation stems from Minister Lee Hoon-jae’s arbitrary attitude, not the government’s official stance. And I’m of the mind that if you’re going to make someone indebted to you, you should do it properly. That way, we’ll have leverage over the government later on, won’t we?”
“Still, couldn’t we at least get some proper respect while we’re at it?”
“No, I have no need for the empty formalities I’d get from someone like Minister Lee Hoon-jae. You’ll soon see what real respect looks like, so there’s no need to be so disappointed.”
“…”
CEO Ahn looked at me as if I’d said something completely out of the blue.
Just as I smiled and patted his back, a commotion erupted ahead of us.
“What do you mean? We can’t enter the VIP lounge?”
The voice belonged to Minister Lee Hoon-jae.
Puzzled, I looked over to see the minister protesting to a man who appeared to be an airport employee. The employee stood before him like a mouse before a cat.
“I apologize, Minister. The VIP lounge is currently under construction and is unavailable for use.”
“That’s what I’m asking. Why is the VIP lounge, which was perfectly fine yesterday, suddenly under construction?”
The minister’s shouting drew the attention of the people around us.
No matter how I looked at it, he seemed to be a man utterly devoid of thought.
I immediately approached him and spoke in a whisper.
“That’s enough. There are too many people watching.”
“…”
The minister shot me a sideways glance.
His eyes were full of distinct wariness.
I didn’t know why he was so wary of me, but I had no desire to get involved.
“Or would you prefer I turn around and go back to my company?”
“…”
“Let me be clear. I have no intention of condoning your actions, and I want to avoid having my face show up in the papers alongside yours. Especially if it’s a situation that could tarnish Jaewoo’s image.”
At my words, the minister’s face flushed a deep red.
His pride was clearly wounded, but unfortunately for him, I believe that if you’re going to crush someone’s pride, you should do it thoroughly.
“What are you doing?”
The minister asked, watching me take out my phone.
What do you think I’m doing?
I’m going back because I can’t stand to watch your condescending act any longer.
“It seems I’ll have to turn back. In that case, I should at least explain the situation to the Blue House, shouldn’t I?”
*Wince!*
His face contorted in an instant.
But he didn’t look like he intended to stop me.
My words hadn’t been an empty threat, so I immediately pressed the call button. In that moment, the minister’s expression changed completely, and he grabbed my hand.
“That’s enough. I understand what you’re saying, so let’s just get on the plane.”
Although he backed down, his attitude was still full of resentment.
As he turned and walked toward the gate, his stride was as confident as ever.
I stared after him for a long while, puzzled by his inscrutable behavior, when CEO Ahn sidled up to me and spoke.
“That man isn’t backing down because he’s afraid of the Blue House.”
“What do you mean? How can a minister not be afraid of the Blue House?”
“In the current administration, there are two ministers who were appointed without the president’s blessing. One of them is Minister Lee Hoon-jae. Rumor has it that he’s close to the ruling party’s next presidential candidate and current party leader. That’s why the president doesn’t interfere with him unless it’s a major issue. To be honest, the current administration is on shaky ground, isn’t it? If the ruling party turns its back on them too, it would be an even bigger headache, so the Blue House’s hands are tied.”
I finally understood. No wonder he acted as if he had an ace up his sleeve.
In short, he couldn’t care less about a setting sun.
But if he was talking about the ruling party’s next presidential candidate, did he mean Party Leader Lee Pil-yong?
Another figure who, contrary to history, had recently emerged as the ruling party’s leading candidate—someone I hadn't been aware of at all.
If that was true, the government must have a lot on its plate.
If the people around a leading presidential candidate were of that caliber, it would be hard to guarantee they could continue to hold power.
“Tsk, tsk…”
******
*Fanfare!*
Crown Prince Hassad was at the Saudi airport to greet us upon our arrival.
He had even mobilized a military band, as if a head of state were visiting.
Startled by the sight, Minister Lee Hoon-jae wore a dazed expression the entire way down the stairs. The moment he spotted Hassad, he faltered, looking as though he’d lost his senses.
[Welcome.]
Hassad approached the minister and extended a hand.
Minister Lee Hoon-jae clasped it with the deference of a eunuch meeting a king. His lips moved as if to say something, but Hassad immediately bypassed him and walked toward me.
*Grab!*
As Hassad embraced me in a fierce hug, Minister Lee Hoon-jae’s jaw dropped once more.
I let out a silent scoff at the sight and patted Hassad on the back. A look of utter disbelief spread across Minister Lee Hoon-jae’s face.
It was as if to say, *how could you treat the future king of a nation with such an attitude?*
[It’s been too long, my brother!]
But Hassad paid my actions no mind, continuing his effusive welcome.
Thanks to him, the eyes of the Foreign Ministry staff were wide with astonishment.
They must be getting a clear sense of Jaewoo’s standing now.
[I am grateful that you came to greet me in person.]
[Don’t thank me for doing what is only natural. Chairman Jin and CEO Ahn, you don’t need to go with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Just come in my car.]
[Then the Ministry of Foreign Affairs…]
[The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be met by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I am here strictly to welcome my brother.]
As he finished speaking, I glanced at Minister Lee Hoon-jae.
I saw the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs approaching him just as a complex, subtle expression flickered across his face.
*Heh.*
“This is some welcome.”
CEO Ahn whispered, sticking close to my side as I walked ahead.
I gave him a quick look and said quietly.
“I told you, didn’t I? I have no use for empty formalities. This is what a real welcome looks like.”
“…”
*******
[Hahaha!]
Once again, Hassad held the banquet at his own residence rather than the royal palace.
There was an endless spread of food, more than enough for the thirty-some employees of the Foreign Ministry to eat and drink their fill.
For the ministry staff, who had never received such a lavish reception in their lives, their eyes remained fixed on me and Hassad the entire time.
[Did you know? The fund that Chairman Jin has been managing has seen returns of over 600% so far.]
As he handed me a glass of juice, Hassad suddenly brought up the future fund’s rate of return.
Perhaps due to the sheer weight of the number, the ministry employees all looked stunned.
[It’s around that much. But you’re well aware that it’s still too early to realize those profits, right?]
[Of course. I’ve never lost anything by listening to you, Chairman Jin, so naturally, I will follow your lead.]
[A wise decision. If you leave it as is, I can guarantee a return of at least 1,000% within three years, so please continue to trust me for the time being.]
Suddenly, Minister Lee Hoon-jae, who was sitting on the other side, shot his eyes wide open.
He had long since put down his utensils.
As I was chuckling to myself, Hassad spoke again.
[On that note, our sovereign wealth fund is looking to make an additional investment, and I’d like your opinion. The amount will be around 50 billion dollars.]
At those words, Minister Lee Hoon-jae’s body jolted.
But did he want to protect his pride at all costs? The moment our eyes met, he quickly looked away.
[An additional investment is fine, but that’s not why I came here today.]
[Ah! Right. Speaking of which, I’ve already had a discussion with the UAE regarding Korea’s crude oil supply issue.]
My gaze and Minister Lee Hoon-jae’s simultaneously turned to Hassad.
Finding our reaction amusing, Hassad smiled faintly, then held out his hand to a man standing beside him. The man promptly placed an envelope in his hand.
[This is a calculation of the volume and price of crude oil traded between Korea and Iran over the last ten years. The analysis shows that the price fluctuations were indeed not severe.]
[That’s because our relationship with Iran was quite good during that time.]
Hassad nodded at my words.
After silently studying the documents, he placed them back on the table with a soft thud and said.
[So, what would you have me do?]
[Well, I believe it would be more appropriate for you to discuss that matter with the Minister over there.]
I subtly tried to remove myself from the conversation.
No matter how much I disliked him, I had to prevent a minister of another country from being ignored in front of a foreign crown prince.
As if understanding my meaning, Hassad immediately looked at Minister Lee Hoon-jae, who blinked and stammered.
[Th-that part is something the two of you should discuss…]
[…]