Chapter 116
Chapter 116
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 116
Chapter Title: A Belt and Road That Started a Little Early (1)
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Where large capital flows in and out, traces are always left behind.
Like the footprints of a giant stamped into a mud-covered tidal flat, no matter how quietly they come and go, it's hard to hide their presence.
And that was no exception in southern Thailand, where the Kra Canal project was underway.
"These Chinese folks sure do everything big."
"Yeah, must be because their country's so vast. Anyway, it's great that Mr. Lee Tae-gyu is out there pounding the pavement. Heh heh heh."
Lee Tae-gyu, the former president who had switched careers to become an informant. I flipped through the stack of photos attached to the report he sent, commenting as I went.
"This... judging by the scale, it doesn't look like just financial support."
"If things go south, they could set up a puppet government on the spot. Too big for a single company, so it looks like some Chinese government agency has a foot in the door."
Photos of a quiet harbor near the separatist warlord stronghold, devoid of even a single ship. And contrasting that, images of the same harbor suddenly bustling with massive cargo volumes.
Ships marked with boldly scrawled Chinese characters in brush script were repeatedly unloading and loading large-scale goods.
"And there... trash dumps in the nearby area suddenly have more food packaging waste. Like rice noodle bags stamped 'Made in China.'"
"Local residents' clothing has changed too. A lot of used military uniforms flooding the civilian markets."
"That means fresh military uniforms are pouring into the rebel bases. Those jjajangmyeon kids are like a giving tree, no holding back."
Across the entire region, supplies had become plentiful overall. And it was obvious they were being rapidly supplied from outside recently.
Kim Won-cheol picked up a Polaroid photo of the ships with his fingers and spoke to me.
"Still, these guys don't seem like a professional intelligence outfit. See here—there are some sloppy parts."
"Ship management in particular."
"Yeah. Kind of half-baked. The ship numbers with the cargo—they didn't even bother falsifying them."
Ship numbers checked through Ammunition Shipbuilding & Marine's intelligence network.
Every vessel docked at the harbor belonged to the same shipping company. Obvious at a glance who was backing them.
"Shanghai Marine Union. Registered in Macau... but the major shareholder list is interesting."
On my desk, an investment program used by professional institutions.
With just a few clicks, it displayed each company's shareholdings—and it was blaring an alert at me.
A feral hyena that had been licking its wounds in a corner was baring its claws at me again—at the Ammunition Group.
-[Shareholdings]
[Shanghai Capital] 92%
5%
3%
"These bastards are just relentless. How do we keep getting tangled up like this?"
"Tell me about it. Same as always, past or present."
Before the regression, [Shanghai Capital] had devoured the prime subsidiaries of the airborne-disintegrated Ammunition Group.
After that, with wings on their backs, they flew high without knowing their limits, trumpeting their victories noisily—not just in China or Korea, but along sea routes worldwide.
"I think they started with small countries like Sri Lanka or Pacific island nations back then..."
Belt and Road.
At the vanguard of that operation—also called China's overseas colonial expansion—was undoubtedly [Shanghai Capital].
The problem was whether history had changed, or if the fuse was already burning starting from Thailand's Kra Canal.
"Huh? What?"
I must have looked strange propping my chin on my hand in thought. Kim Won-cheol hovered above me with a question mark practically floating over his head.
"There's a thing. Anyway, if those guys are moving, we need to act fast on our end."
"Yeah, true. But these punks have the Chinese government backing them outright—who knows if there's even a way."
"[Shanghai Capital] is obviously beyond talking. That's why preconceptions are scary. We need to shift our thinking a bit."
Kim Won-cheol fell into a strange silence at my words.
Normally, the first move would be to engage in negotiations or threats—some tug-of-war with [Shanghai Capital].
Warlords were the type you didn't approach lightly; they weren't proper partners for deals.
"Uh... so, Chairman? You mean find someone we can actually talk to and deal with them directly?"
"A chaebol chairman is a businessman at heart. If we know what they really want, there's nothing we can't buy or sell."
Thud. A stack of documents placed on the table. I'd just secured presidential cooperation for this Kra Canal deal.
Not just financial perks like Export-Import Bank interest reductions—but authorization to tap into parts of the National Intelligence Service's network.
A man named Hassan, with dark skin and a somehow impoverished look.
Gazing at the personal details of the 'Muslim Independence Struggle Group' leader in the file, I continued.
"So, the net profit on this item will be pulling the southern separatist warlords to our side."
Creating something entirely new that never existed in history. No—forging a whole new history linking the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
For a project this massive, this level of risk was more than bearable.
"Goal: detach them from China's embrace all the way to Kra Canal completion. All of it."
"Heh heh heh. When Headquarters Director Seong Won-sik and Vice President Yang Tae-su hear this plan, they'll faint again. Off throwing your life away recklessly."
Ever since the Thai military hardliners' suicide charge leader blew himself up, those two had been extra nagging.
The chairman's body wasn't just for one man—it was for the group; if it was for the group, avoid anything endangering your safety. Their words were already echoing in my ears.
"You two can be handled by Chief Secretary Kim. Then, I'll be off."
* * * *
Cheong Wa Dae annex.
A golden retriever with long golden fur whipping in the wind, tongue lolling out long.
A frisbee tossed into the sky spun and flew toward the lawn, and the dog bolted after it like an arrow.
"Doesn't it ever get tired?"
"Boksil only plays with other staff if the President isn't around."
"I've raised it from a pup, so that's to be expected."
The dog came bounding back from afar, frisbee in mouth.
The one called Boksil wagged its tail furiously and rubbed its face against the president's pants.
"Yeah, yeah. Good boy. Dad has work now. Got it?"
Was it just that clever?
It seemed to understand human speech right away, making a slightly dejected face.
But as if understanding its master's busy life, Boksil soon lay down obediently. Content just with a hand on its back.
"It might even be better than people, Your Excellency."
"If people were half as good, I wouldn't have to deal with Yoon Hak-gil. Or... am I wrong? Chief of Staff Park."
"H-Haha. Y-Yes... sir."
Policy Chief of Staff Park Dong-hee forced an awkward laugh at the president's pointed remark.
The president, seeing the awkwardness, lifted the corner of his mouth in amusement.
To thaw the frozen atmosphere, he deliberately let out a hearty laugh.
"Ha, our Chief Park freezes up the second Yoon Hak-gil comes up."
"N-No, sir."
"It's fine. Half of Boksil would do. If you can't be truly loyal, just deliver results. You know."
Stroking Boksil, the president cut in mid-sentence.
As if something amusing occurred to him, he wore an odd expression and continued.
"Like that Ammunition Group's Han Seo-jun, say."
"The Thai coup suppression and Kra Canal... is that what you mean?"
The president nodded silently.
He recalled the report from the National Intelligence Service.
He'd told them to request whatever they needed from government ministries in advance, but the Ammunition Group head had asked for utterly unexpected intel.
"Looks like he's aiming to scale up the board big time. Chief Park, you heard through the NIS director too, right?"
"I'm a bit worried it might poke China too hard."
"Ah, that Belt and Road plan."
China's outward expansion scheme was already known to the top echelons of government.
Though not yet fully visible, the president seemed to think some checking was necessary. Not direct or overt, but indirect and circuitous.
"It's fine for now. The Chinese are testing the waters through [Shanghai Capital] since starting directly themselves is iffy."
Basking in the muggy afternoon sun, fiddling with the frisbee in hand.
No loyalty expected, but a dog that reliably fetched results. For the president, that alone made it worth keeping close.
He gave Boksil one more pat, stood up, and continued.
"Then let's test the waters on our side too. Put forward our rook—Ammunition Group's Han Seo-jun."
* * * *
A sleepy rural village in southern Thailand.
A tiny harbor clinging to its pitifully small scale—not even worthy of being called a town—had lately been buzzing with unprecedented vitality.
"With all these goods coming in, life sure is better."
"Yeah, all Chinese stuff, but hey, beggars can't be choosers. In a backwater like this, it's a blessing."
Near the market. Hassan slowly made his way toward the village's central Islamic mosque, ears filled with the passersby's chatter.
Contrary to their positive voices, a sticky unease filled the depths of his heart.
"Have I... decided too hastily? Who knows what bill those guys will present later."
Yan Long of [Shanghai Capital].
The man's voice from their meeting in Bangkok days ago still echoed in Hassan's ears like a lingering aftertaste.
Polished speech laced with courtesy, and terms any member of the 'Muslim Independence Struggle Group' would find tempting.
Even before formal handshakes, their advance support had been too sweet.
"Whew, I need to discuss with the priest first and decide."
He had arrived at the mosque unnoticed.
Removing his shoes and entering, Hassan opened the wooden door at the far back.
"No...! You...?"
Where he expected only the priest, another man was there as well.
A fair-skinned, tall, neatly dressed East Asian man. He rose immediately and extended a hand to Hassan.
"Pleased to meet you like this. I am..."