The Anointed Ones (4)
The year after World War II ended, the Japanese government halted all withdrawals from personal bank accounts nationwide. The next measure was asset seizure. Depending on the amount in each account, they forcibly confiscated anywhere from a minimum of 20% to a maximum of 90% of people's deposits. The official justification was to curb inflation, but after the policy, inflation only worsened. Why? Because they used the seized funds to pay off government bonds. Even back then, most Japanese bonds were held by ordinary citizens, so the government had essentially robbed the people to erase its own debts to them. Of course, those close to power had secretly withdrawn their own funds first.
That's why older Japanese people to this day obsess over private safes. During the Tohoku earthquake that wrecked Fukushima, countless safes washed up on the beaches—clear evidence of it. Foreigners who didn't know the history just found it bizarre, but for those who lived through it, it was hard-earned wisdom for survival.
'The funny part is that the government scooped them all up again.'
The Japanese government collected all those safes from beaches and ruins en masse. When owners came to claim them, officials demanded, "Prove you're the owner." Knowing the combination lock wasn't enough; there had to be something inside proving identity. So anyone whose safe contained only cash and precious metals lost everything. After three months of legal holding, all unclaimed safes became government property. At minimum, it amounted to tens of billions; at most, trillions in windfall gains.
I find it truly astonishing how Japanese society tolerates such government behavior—their civic mindset, and how favorable the business environment must be for politicians. In any case, Deputy Director Zhang Tailong knew the story and cited it as proof that the same root anxiety was spreading across society. The expressions of the other two deputy directors grew even heavier. Here was the opening for persuasion.
"Well said."
I tapped the table with my fingertips to draw the three men's attention.
"The key is anxiety. The more suspicious the times and precarious your position, the greater comfort secret assets provide. Lately, you've all felt that need acutely, I'm sure. Yuan is less reliable than dollars; dollars, less than gold."
Their focus sharpened. But, I continued,
"When true crisis strikes, something more valuable than gold is a peaceful refuge. A single bill stashed safely is worth more than endless riches amid spreading flames, and that bill is worth less than a human life. Even if I'm ready to face fire and die, every head of household wants to send parents, spouses, and loved ones somewhere safe first, don't they?"
A superficial understanding for me, without family. But even that was enough leverage to move others.
"In that regard, your superiors lack wisdom. They squirrel away family and slush funds for themselves while demanding underlings stake everything on a last stand. What could possibly come of that? As renowned strategists from ancient times have pointed out, a demoralized last stand is nothing but mass suicide."
At that point, Hushan Liang clenched his fist, licked his lips, and asked,
"So your proposal, Vice President, is to send our families somewhere safe?"
"I'm a smuggler."
"Pardon?"
"My company doesn't buy or sell people, but we can transport them. From danger to peace. Without anyone noticing."
"……."
"Give your family everyday life as a patriarch should. A new home and identity. Funds and accounts free from pursuit. Life without surveillance, communication without wiretaps."
I gestured to myself with an open hand.
"Procure all that from me. I'm a decent enough guy."
The deputy directors would know this offer was a poisoned apple. Forged identities and accounts tied to them became vulnerabilities—family effectively held hostage. No real danger unless they betrayed me, though.
'Valid at least until China stabilizes.' And that would suffice. The odds of China finding peace before London's Round Table fell were slim. If not, I'd adapt then. No asset in the world is 100% safe forever.
The three pondered darkly over cooling food. I ate a little alone, giving them time, then swallowed some water and spoke.
"Wasn't it just half a century ago that Red Guards ran rampant here? And behind the Black Sea Party and peasant rebels lurk mad Maoists dreaming of that era's return. For high officials who lived through the frenzy of people's tribunals in their youth, there are good reasons to evacuate family early."
No one wants to see loved ones stoned to death, after all.
"……You're right."
Zhang Tailong broke first.
"I'll give my all for the Party and country, but if my family comes to harm, I couldn't endure it. If order fully collapses and they're captured by rebel scum…… better to die than that fate. Just for being a public security officer's kin……."
It had landed perfectly. I felt a small surge of accomplishment. People's tribunals might be jokes to foreigners, but to Chinese, they're visceral threats.
Zhang Tailong fixed resolute eyes on me.
"Truth be told, Vice President, you've already helped this country more than most. Without needing to hide your identity, you'd be a people's hero or honored as 'An Old Friend of the Chinese People' by now. Why would I hesitate? I heard you're older than Master Seo Gapsu despite appearances, so from today, I'll serve you as ganbu."
"Thank you."
Ganbu (godfather) surpasses gan xiongdi (sworn brothers)—the pinnacle of guanxi. Not blood father, but treated as such. Age matters little; you wouldn't call someone younger ganbu, but the real divide is hierarchy. In Chinese thinking, betraying that bond was inhuman. And he'd declared it publicly among peers.
'Alone, he could've played dumb later.'
This was another last stand. At stake: his face as a man. No matter how impressed he'd been, calling me ganbu now couldn't be pure sincerity—yet time would fix that.
I nodded slowly.
"The first to commit deserves reward. Let's start with…… a million USD."
"Pardon?"
"Money for your family's fresh start. Separate from safehouse funds, deposited in secret accounts. How's that? Decent first gift for a jizi."
"Thank you, ganbu-nim!"
"No need for such thanks. I'll supplement living expenses as needed, so your family lacks nothing. Only with personal and family affairs stable can you serve the nation fully, right?"
Now be a patriot at ease.
Finishing, I thought my words sounded like the devil's whisper—and felt an odd sense of déjà vu.
I clarified the million was just the start. Promises of living expenses meant more based on performance—serve well, get paid. Zhang Tailong feigned deep emotion.
"Serving you is serving the country—what hesitation? Just guide this jizi well."
"Not 'guide'—we help each other. Keep calling me Vice President outside; slips could happen."
"Ah, yes! Understood."
I turned to the other two.
"And you two?"
The answer was predetermined. By secretly seeking me out together, none could face Gao Xusen squarely. Individual action impossible: all in or all out. Their position made all-in inevitable. Their hesitation stemmed from Zhang Tailong crossing the line first—their internal guanxi boundary. They'd come for secret ties and gain, but swearing me as yifu was another level.
But……
'Too late for second thoughts.'
A brief cynical wait.
"I'll serve you as ganbu too, Vice President."
Hushan Liang surrendered after delay—
"As the old saying goes, 'Under heaven, no parents without flaws; in the world, nothing rarer than true brothers.' Today I gain both. A joyous day."
Panhai Shan exaggerated false delight. Now all three were aboard.
I nodded.
"From Zengguang Xianwen."
"Oh, you've read it?"
"Of course."
Zengguang Xianwen is the Chinese Talmud. Not hard reading; skimming it enriches negotiation speech—useful for dealmakers like me.
"I'll deposit eight hundred thousand USD each for you two first. Separate from safehouses, enough for families to settle abroad."
Zhang Tailong's lip twitched—he'd gained two hundred thousand extra for quick action. Hushan Liang and Panhai Shan looked subtly envious.
'If only we'd moved first……'
Futile regret, but left unchecked, it'd erode gratitude. I shifted topics calculatedly.
"Any destinations in mind for your families?"
Their faces changed.
"Where can we send them?"
Hushan Liang asked. I shrugged.
"Anywhere you want. Take a few days to think. The safest, most satisfying home for your families."
Not easy. Politically stable, low conflict risk, mild natural threats from awakened flora and fauna, low anti-Chinese sentiment. Immersed in that, regrets would fade. Vivid imaginings would make backing out harder.