Chapter 138
Chapter 138
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 138
Chapter Title: A Call to China
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Blue House.
President Jo Won-hoon rubbed the corners of his eyes after wrapping up his conversation with Yoo Chan-seok.
"That crafty bastard. I thought he was just some reckless thug swinging at monsters left and right."
Most hunters were like that. They didn't usually scheme or stir up trouble for some hidden agenda.
And even if they did have ulterior motives, they wouldn't escalate things to this level.
"He's no ordinary fellow."
He was sharp. Asking for cooperation to take down Gonsalok wouldn't move Korea, so he'd maneuvered things to make Gonsalok strike first.
In a situation like this, Korea had no choice but to support the headhunter-led subjugation of Gonsalok.
"If it has to be done, then it'll be done."
He didn't like some lone hunter trying to jerk Korea around. But he couldn't let personal annoyance ruin the bigger picture.
At the very least, a national president had to act accordingly. On top of that, while Jo Won-hoon was irritated by Yoo Chan-seok's scheming, he was quite pleased with the outcome it would produce.
That's why he'd settled for a simple warning.
Jo Won-hoon tapped the table thoughtfully, then picked up the receiver from one of the hotline phones on the desk.
"Get me General Secretary Li O-jun."
There was a brief hesitation on the other end before a response came.
—May I ask what this is regarding?
"No, you may not. Just connect the call."
Even if it was a provisional government, it was still a head of state. Basic courtesy was expected, and Jo Won-hoon usually observed the minimum.
But this time, President Jo Won-hoon had no intention of showing any such courtesy. After a short wait, a voice came through the receiver.
Li O-jun. The man holding the position of General Secretary in the People's National Salvation Party, which ran China's provisional government.
—President Jo Won-hoon. What is this sudden call about?
"General Secretary Li O-jun. Korean hunters are planning to subjugate Gonsalok in Beijing. Cooperate."
It sounded polite, but it was effectively an ultimatum. There was a long silence on the other end. Then Li O-jun responded.
—Hold on, President Jo Won-hoon. You plan to drop this on us over the phone?
"What, should I hop on a plane and fly over there myself?"
Li O-jun shot back immediately.
—Isn't that the proper protocol? This is Beijing's Erosion Core. You can't just announce out of the blue that 'Korean hunters will subjugate Gonsalok, so cooperate' without any prior notice or coordination!
"Are you getting angry right now?"
Jo Won-hoon's single remark silenced the other end instantly.
—No, that's not it. But this isn't something to settle over a phone call.
"What's the problem? We're both busy, aren't we?"
This wasn't diplomacy or negotiation. Jo Won-hoon hadn't called Li O-jun for that.
"Around 30,000 hunters will be mobilized for this subjugation. The provisional government needs to handle supplies, logistics, accommodations, and all other support."
The Korean government had no intention of providing any of that. They planned to dump it all on China.
—30,000? Wait, we can't handle that many hunters!
It wasn't just about provisioning for 30,000 people. These were hunters. You couldn't stick them in shoddy temporary shelters or feed them moldy rations that reeked.
They needed proper accommodations and quality supplies.
—Covering all that would make life even harder for the Chinese people.
Jo Won-hoon let out a small scoff. Hilarious. It wouldn't hardship the people—it'd pinch the party members of the People's National Salvation Party.
"General Secretary Li O-jun. Since when have you cared about the people's livelihood? I didn't know you were such a patriot."
Jo Won-hoon knew exactly what that fancy-named provisional government was up to.
Even with the country in ruins, Li O-jun and his People's National Salvation Party cronies were focused on lining their own pockets.
"Rebuilding China" was just an empty slogan. Having seized power amid the chaos, Li O-jun and his gang had no interest in grand goals.
Stuffing their bellies was enough for them.
—In any case, that's impossible. We can't do it.
"Of course, you're free to refuse. The Republic of Korea respects the sovereignty of neighboring nations as much as our own."
Li O-jun let out a sigh of partial relief at Jo Won-hoon's words.
"However, we'll issue a full recall for all Korean hunters currently operating in China, including those in Nanning."
—What?! Hold on, what's your justification for that?
Jo Won-hoon replied curtly.
"We've received intelligence that Beijing's Gonsalok is highly likely to attack Korea. Protecting our own comes first."
If all Korean hunters working commissions in China pulled out, it would punch massive holes in the frontlines currently defended by the provisional government.
Japan at least had some domestic hunters, even if they were subpar. But China's provisional government didn't.
They relied almost entirely on Korean hunters for protection.
If those hunters withdrew en masse, monsters would swarm in like they were waiting for it, and the provisional government would be finished.
"Ah, but if you're open to cooperating, I have a proposal."
—Let's hear it.
Jo Won-hoon continued in a smooth tone.
"We'll lend the supplies for the dispatched hunters to your provisional government. Once things are wrapped up, repay us in Korean won for what we provide."
Not a gift—a loan. And repayment would be in cash. Of course, the supplies would all be consumed by Korean hunters.
—You're saying we take on debt for Korean supplies that Korean hunters will use? What kind of deal is this...
"As I said, the Republic of Korea respects other nations' sovereignty. The choice is yours."
Refuse, and every Korean hunter pulls out of China. Most hunter companies were headquartered in Korea anyway, receiving massive government backing.
Few companies could defy a Korean government order.
"Oh, and when repaying the loan, we'll value the supplies based on Chinese market prices."
Jo Won-hoon intended to saddle China's provisional government with an unpayable debt.
China's daily goods prices were insane. Valuing Korean-provided supplies at Chinese rates would produce absurd figures.
"Convince the Chinese people appropriately. Subjugating Gonsalok is one of your party's slogans, isn't it?"
Spinning this as an achievement wouldn't be hard.
Just claim the People's National Salvation Party persuaded Korea to launch the subjugation, omitting the details. No one in China would ever know about this conversation anyway.
—And if we can't repay it all?
"Pay with land. China has plenty of it. Slice off a bit and hand it over—no one would notice."
Jo Won-hoon scribbled on a notepad as he spoke.
"Hebei, Shandong, and Jiangsu should do it."
—That would include Shanghai and Beijing...
Jo Won-hoon chuckled heartily, then replied in a warm voice.
"No need to worry. When the time comes, if you're willing to pay a fair price, we can negotiate a return."
Li O-jun could only shake his head at Jo Won-hoon's words—not just keeping the land for years, but planning to sell it back for cash.
This was robbery without the gun. And Jo Won-hoon topped it off with a gem.
"China's a great power, isn't it? This deal benefits China too, so show us the magnanimity befitting a great nation."
A great power? Li O-jun grimaced involuntarily. Anyone could see who the great power was in this exchange.
Korea was taking everything it could grab, squeeze, and wring out, then saying, "You're a big country, right? Just let it slide~."
Li O-jun felt filthy, but he lacked the power to refuse.
"Ah, and feel free to use my last statement for your propaganda to the Chinese people."
Korea had called China a great power. It could soothe public discontent.
If they succeeded in subjugating Gonsalok, China would drown in debt. Fail to repay, and prime Chinese land would fall into Korean hands.
If the people rioted over it, use that soundbite to douse the flames in a pinch.
—Understood, President Jo Won-hoon. We accept the proposal.
"Good. We'll prepare the details and send them over."
Even after reviewing it, all China could do was sign. Jo Won-hoon wouldn't change a single clause, and Li O-jun knew it.
After hanging up, Li O-jun couldn't contain his rage and smashed an expensive porcelain vase on his ebony table.
"That fucking bastard!"
Staring at the shattered pieces, panting, he stormed toward the door—only for the phone to ring again.
It was President Jo Won-hoon.
Li O-jun's grim expression during the call brightened instantly.
"Yes, yes? Ah... I see. Understood. Sounds good."
The reason for Jo Won-hoon's follow-up wasn't anything crucial. He was just promising hefty personal kickbacks for cooperating on this.
Li O-jun, who moments ago couldn't hold back his fury, now struggled to contain his glee. Korea had pledged enough money to build 30 or 40 buildings.
Considering the land China would cede for those personal gains, it was akin to old France selling Louisiana to America.
No—even that sale had the excuse of handing it to Britain anyway. This deal was worse.
—And if the Gonsalok subjugation fails, the loaned supplies can be offset by ceding some mines in Guangdong, Fujian, and Zhejiang.
Li O-jun flinched. "Some" mines—who knew how many Korea really wanted.
"We'll do that."
But the hesitation was fleeting.
'China's done for anyway.'
You don't cling to a sinking Titanic. Li O-jun justified it to himself that way.
The important thing was not to miss this opportunity right in front of him.
As he approached the window, the slums sprawled beneath the high-rise came into view.
"I can't squeeze in among people boiling dried food waste powder and calling it a meal."
Li O-jun muttered to himself and turned his gaze aside. No attachment to a fallen nation. With that self-consolation, he accelerated his country's downfall even further.