‘And politics is the avoidance of risk,’ Kong countered.
Kai decided it was time for him to speak. ‘May I make a suggestion?’
‘Of course,’ said Chen. He smiled at Jianjun. ‘Your son’s suggestions are often useful.’
Jianjun did not really agree. He bowed his head in acknowledgement of the compliment, but said nothing.
Kai said: ‘There is one thing we could try before sending Chinese troops into North Korea. We could propose a reconciliation between the Supreme Leader in Pyongyang and the ultras based in Yeongjeo-dong.’
Chen nodded. ‘If the regime and the rebels could be reconciled, the missing half of North Korea’s army could be deployed.’
Jianjun looked thoughtful. ‘And the nuclear weapons.’
That was a problem. Kai added hastily: ‘The nuclear weapons don’t have to be used. The mere fact that they became available to the government in Pyongyang should be enough to bring the South Koreans to the negotiating table.’
Chen thought of another snag. ‘It’s hard to imagine the Supreme Leader sharing power with anyone, let alone people who tried to overthrow him.’
‘But if he faces a choice between that and total defeat . . .’
Chen considered this. After a minute or two deep in thought, he said: ‘It’s worth a try.’
Kai said: ‘Will you phone Supreme Leader Kang, sir?’
‘Right now.’
Kai was satisfied.
General Huang was not. He did not like talk of compromise: it made China look weak. President Chen had been a disappointment to him. Huang and the old guard had backed Chen’s rise to power, believing that he favoured orthodox Communism, but in office Chen had not been as hardline as they had hoped.
However, Huang knew how to accept defeat and limit the damage, and now he said: ‘We can’t afford any delay. If Kang agrees, president, I suggest, if I may, that you insist he approach the rebels with this offer today.’
‘Good thinking,’ said Chen.
Huang looked mollified.
The group had circumnavigated the lake and was now almost back at Qinzheng Hall. Jianjun spoke quietly to Kai at a moment when no one else could hear. He said: ‘Have you spoken to your friend Neil recently?’
‘Of course. I speak to him at least once a week. He’s a valuable source of insight into White House thinking.’
‘Hmm.’
‘Why do you ask?’
‘Be careful,’ said Jianjun.
They all went into the building and climbed the stairs.
Chen said to an aide: ‘Get Kang on the phone.’
They took off their coats and rubbed their cold hands. A servant brought tea to warm them up.
Kai wondered what his father had meant. The words had sounded ominous. Did anyone know what he and Neil said to one another? It was possible. They could be bugged, despite all the precautions they took. Both Kai and Neil routinely reported their discussions, and such reports could be leaked. Had Kai said anything culpable? Well, yes, he had told Neil how weak North Korea was, and that revelation might be considered disloyal.
Kai felt uneasy.
The phone rang and Chen picked it up.
They all listened in silence as the president ran through the points that had been made in their discussion. Kai paid attention to Chen’s tone. Although all presidents were theoretically equals in status, in reality North Korea was dependent on China, and this was reflected in Chen’s attitude, which was that of a father speaking to an adult son who might or might not obey.
There followed a long silence in which Chen listened.
Finally he said one word: ‘Today.’
Kai’s hopes lifted. That sounded good.
Chen said insistently: ‘It must be done today.’
There was a pause.
‘Thank you, Supreme Leader.’
Chen hung up and said: ‘He said yes.’
*
As soon as Kai got back to the Guoanbu, he put in a call to Neil Davidson. Neil was in a meeting – about Korea, Kai guessed. He tuned in to South Korean television news, which sometimes reported developments first. The North seemed even weaker, firing few missiles, most of which were intercepted, while the South Koreans were energetically clearing rubble and reinforcing bomb-damaged buildings. There was nothing new.
At midday General Ham called.
He spoke quietly, and evidently had his mouth close to the phone, as if he was afraid of being overheard. ‘The Supreme Leader has fulfilled all my expectations,’ he said.
It sounded like praise but Kai knew it was the opposite.
Ham went on: ‘He has completely vindicated the decision I made all those years ago.’