The next morning, Guangzhou, China, a Chinese-style mansion near the city.
Pikal greeted the incoming person in Chinese.
“Welcome, Standing Committee Member Wang Qing.”
Wang Qing was a man in his mid-fifties, one of those people you would see on the street in a suit.
A wide forehead exposed over gold-rimmed glasses, wrinkles drooping and crumpling, and a bulging stomach.
However, he was a person who could never be easily treated.
It was because he was one of the seven members of the Standing Committee, including the President of the State, the highest power that runs the Chinese Communist Party.
To put it simply, he is the second or third person in China.
Wang Qing took Pikal’s outstretched hand, shook hands briefly, and smiled.
“I saw her not too long ago, but when I see her again, I really envy her appearance. He is very handsome.”
“My wife won’t.”
“Ha ha ha, okay. If you deny it, who dares to be called handsome and handsome?”
By the time he let out an exaggerated laugh.
Pikal guided us to the seat, and hand-carried along.
Wang Qing smiled and raised his voice as he accepted the teacup.
“Your tea ceremony is also excellent. There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with it.”
“I’m glad it looks like that.”
“Where did you learn the tea ceremony?”
“You should know. I came to China, but should I not know Chinese culture?”
“also… Great. You get the sense that you’re from a royal family. It seems that noble royal blood still flows in your body.”
Wang Qing praised excessively.
Not only was he not an ordinary person, but he was also responsible for the unsavory incident last night.
To be precise, there was a mistake in failing to properly catch the US special forces infiltrating Hong Kong, let alone detecting the invasion in advance.
Even though Pikal informed us quickly, nothing was properly dealt with.
All they found were traces left on the mountain.
It didn’t matter either.
It’s just evidence that someone stayed and moved.
There was nothing in it that had anything to do with the US, let alone US special forces.
The four-wheeled ATV pulled out of the ground was a civilian vehicle with a Japanese brand, the signal flares that lured the attack helicopter were made in China, and the camouflage tarp covering it was made in Russia.
In other words, there is no American name.
It is said that the US did a good job cleaning up after the infiltration, but that could not be an excuse.
Because it’s all gone anyway.
In particular, Pikal was a guest of the tin.
One of the few white Europeans who are hostile to the United States, with great wealth and personal connections.
At this, Wang Qing pretended to be nonchalant and smiled, but inwardly he couldn’t help but notice.
‘Is it correct that I called you for the Duchess? I don’t know what’s inside. I don’t have the attitude to make a problem about yesterday… … .’
Then, Wang Qing suppressed the thoughts that rose up in him and calmed them down.
I met Pikal’s eyes, but it was because I was nervous inside.
To be precise, there was something like intimidation.
It’s as if you’re facing the president, the absolute power of China.
‘… I thought it would get better the second time, but apparently it wasn’t. It seems that the energy is not normal.’
Around the time when Wang Qing remembered his first meeting with Pikal, which was short-lived.
Suddenly, Pikal’s mouth opened.
“That’s too much praise.”
“It could be. I am serious.”
“If you look at it like that, I will thank you again.”
“Ha ha ha, thank you… Shouldn’t I give thanks? It’s the Pikal ball that helps… … .”
Suddenly, Wang Qing let go of his luck and looked at Pikal.
I also wanted to hear the story of the Central United Front Work Department, which had been talked about, and was trying to blur the somewhat burdensome atmosphere.
Pikal met Wang Ching’s eyes and nodded.
“It’s not much help, but I’ll fill up the teacup and tell you.”
After that, Pikal filled up the tea again, and Wang Qing waited with a false smile.
Pikal pulled something out of his bosom.
It was an ordinary envelope with nothing special about it, but Wang Qing hesitated at the words that followed.
“Those inside will be eliminated for three days from today.”
“… … ?”
He paused for a moment, wondering what he was talking about, and quickly opened the envelope, but his pupils immediately shook.
It was because what was in hand was the personal information of Taiwanese factors.
They also had serious anti-Chinese tendencies, so they were listed as targets for management by the Central United Front Work Department.
There were people Wang Qing didn’t know well, but he didn’t bother to ask.
You’ll know right away when you go back and check.
The problem was Pikal’s words.
eliminate.
meant to kill.
“You mean Lord Pikal will have blood on his hands?”
“That’s right.”
“Um, that’s something we’d be happy to do, but… Why?”
“These are people managed by the Central United Front Work Department, so this is to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.”
That was right.
If the Taiwanese who are being managed as people of interest die, there will be an uproar in the Central United Front Work Department.
However, that was not what Wang Qing wanted to ask.
“No, not that… Why is Lord Pikal doing it? Have you consulted with the chieftain?”
“It wasn’t an agreement, but we agreed.”
“Oh, what does that mean?”
Wang Qing asked with a curious face.
It was because he only knew that he was a guest of the president, but did not know exactly what happened between the two.
And if possible, you should know.
If done well, Wang Qing’s success could depend on it.
After waiting for a while, Pikal replied.
“I am trying to organize the biased world order created by the United States and put it on the bookshelf. It has been open for the past hundred years, so the pages must not have been badly damaged.”
Wang Qing reflexively nodded his head, followed by a deep, calm voice behind him.
“Moreover, not only did I take it out and read it, I even rewrote it hundreds or thousands of times at my convenience. It’s time to publish your new book. As they say, the world needs order.”
The sound of words filled the drawing room like a calm tide.
Soon after, Wang Qing nodded.
“… What a good analogy.”
A tone that seemed to be thrilled.
Wang Qing responded with applause.
It was thanks to Pikal’s way of speaking, atmosphere, and facial expression that he was a great speaker.
To the point where Wang Qing might have been crying if her hormones had changed when she was older.
And I realized
‘This man really wants Taiwan unification.’
While smiling, Wang Qing hesitated.
The papers of Taiwanese key figures in his hand caught his eye.
Then, the words of ending the world order of the United States and writing a new order came true and woke him up.
“Hey, since they said they would die in three days from today… Do you want us to embark on the task of reunification in the near future?”
It was something I was asking just in case.
It was because Taiwan unification was in progress, but the time to implement it had not yet been determined.
However, Pikal nodded.
“That’s right. There may be other times, but now is the right time.”
“A red flag? Midterm elections are just around the corner. Even if you hear the first letter of Taiwan unification, it is sure to make a fuss while accusing us of social evil… … .”
“Don’t you wish for a quick reunification, too?”
“But you know very well that you can’t help it because the situation is unavoidable. You know what Americans say in the media… … .”
“So, we must cross the sea using anti-American public opinion as our oars and sails.”
Wang Qing hesitated at Pikal’s distinctive deep voice and cool analogy, but shook his head.
“Our public opinion is already perfect, the important thing is… … .”
“Europe will be quiet.”
“Even with one-on-one, we are not fully pushing forward. There are many countries that oppose it, but how… … .”
A skit took place in which Pikal continued to push forward with more appearance than the Chinese, and Wang Ching, who was actually Chinese, showed concern.
I couldn’t help it.
He is also a person who wants Taiwan unification more than anyone else, but it was because he could not easily decide from a position where he had to start a war.
Above all, the situation in which he had to convey his words to the commentator.
If he made a mistake, there was a possibility that he would be stigmatized by the chairman and kicked out not from the Central Committee of the Communist Party, but from one position.
It would have been better if it was a single job.
Perhaps neither the mouse nor the bird will die.
Even if there was no war, they could have been stamped to death in the preparation process.
I continued to deny this, but Pikal shed a soft smile as if reassuring.
“Some European countries will be quiet, I guarantee you.”
“How do you mean?”
“As you said, I come from European royalty. There is some left to interfere with the various countries.”
“You mean that much?”
“America is also a midterm election, so I won’t really try to stop it. I have to stir up public opinion, so I’ll just pretend and let it go. What is needed is not the cover required for elections, Taiwan’s freedom. In the process, they will try to encourage South Korea or Japan to conduct a war of attrition, but that is not enough to worry about.”
“No, it’s not that I don’t know that either… … .”
By the time Wang Qing was talking again.
As if he couldn’t help it, Pikal brought out the most important word.
“If you’re really worried, you can tell the chairman that I’m acting as a ram for a ship going to Taiwan.”
“yes? Dear comment… … ?”
The moment I hesitated because I was confused whether I was going to take responsibility or passing it on.
Pikal said directly.
“That’s right. This was the answer that Joo-soo had longed for.”
“ah… … .”
Unlike when Wang Ching entered, he was looking at Pikal with a completely low profile.
It was because his words, actions, atmosphere, and even the contents of the conversation were all overwhelming him.
‘I must report soon… … .’
If the president accepted this, a unification war would indeed break out.
The Chinese army will advance and step on Taiwan’s soil.
Wang Qing shuddered as he recalled the unfulfilled longing he had only imagined.
Then Pikal appeared again.
It wasn’t a royal family that was spoken of as a compliment, but a king who could really rule people or a country.
‘It’s worth standing shoulder to shoulder with the tin… … .’
* * *
The long time to come to the United States via Hong Kong, Macau and Europe is over.
As soon as he got off the plane, José spread his hands and cheered.
“Wow, now I’m going to live. It’s like f*cking China… It was the most f*cked up place I’ve ever been to.”
“That’s right, I thought the surgical site would get worse.”
Marcus, who had become calm before he knew it, answered, but the atmosphere was not so good.
It was because on the way back he announced his retirement to everyone.
“Damn it… Think again, Marcus. After treatment and rehabilitation, if that doesn’t work… … .”
“I was already in bad shape. I just pretended to hold on well.”
At that, Jose closed his mouth.
They probably knew each other well, so there was nothing to say in return.
I also guessed the meaning of the word ‘pretending to hold on’ to some extent.
It was because everyone had minor injuries as well as mental aftereffects and difficult family affairs.
In the past, I heard a little bit about why I was not selected by the Foreign Cooperation Bureau.
Therefore, it was said that this operation was a retirement operation for Marcus.
I’m sorry, but Marcus tapped me on the shoulder.
“Thank you so much, Lee.”
“What are you thankful for… … .”
“Thanks to you, I endured like this. If not, I would have retired a long time ago. Worse injured or come back dead… Anyway, thanks to you, I have lived many times and had experiences that I will never have again in my life.”
Then, Marcus, who was smiling, looked at Jake, who was quiet.
“And the chief.”
Jake looked at him for a moment before Marcus stomped his stamp.
“My successor is Andrei.”