Brilliant New Light (Chance Lyon military adventure series Book 3)

by Van Torrey

  *

  The next day Secretary Randolph and Ambassador Bledsoe arrived at the Foreign Ministry at precisely one P.M. to confer with Foreign Minister Yang.

  “Gentlemen, I have spent considerable time discussing yesterday’s meeting with the Premier. You may be pleased to know he understands your government’s position completely and is in sympathy with your desire to get answers to the important questions you raised. He would appreciate you making President Hunter aware of our government’s desire to cooperate on this important matter.”

  Secretary Randolph spoke up in reply. “Minister, that is very good news for us. I shall pass the Premier’s thoughts on to President Hunter personally. But to the moment, how can we work together to get answers to the questions we raised yesterday?”

  “Mr. Secretary, I will be flying to Pyongyang in two days to make a personal visit to General Fhang Jhai. We have had no high level contacts with the DPRK since his assumption of power there. It is time we established a formal relationship with his government. During this visit it will be my intention to understand the General’s ideas on relations with his immediate neighbors and his more global views on foreign policy. As you know the People’s Republic of China shares a long border with them, and we have ongoing issues in that respect. I’m sure the issues of his attitude toward the United States will also come up. I hope to explore that subject in detail and will discuss this with Ambassador Bledsoe immediately upon my return. Hopefully, we will know more in one week’s time.”

  As the two Americans made their way to the Beijing airport, Ambassador Bledsoe summarized his thoughts to Secretary Randolph. “That’s better than I expected, sir. I can well imagine the previous regime in the PRC simply saying they didn’t want to be involved with America’s difficulties with China’s neighbors and we should go it alone. President Hunter can surely stall for a week until we get more answers.”

  *

  General Fhang Jhai was in an ebullient mood as he addressed General Kim when they met privately in his large executive office. “Imagine General Kim, the Chinese Foreign Minister has requested a meeting and is coming to Pyongyang tomorrow. This is a sure sign of recognition of the Brilliant New Light. It also portends a future where North Korea, soon to be a united Korea under my leadership, will partner with the People’s Republic of China to be the dominant force in all of Asia and, perhaps, the World. The traditional Western alliances will then collapse under the inevitable disintegration of common purpose. Korea and China will soon to be the new Grand Alliance as Winston Churchill once wrote after the Great War. It shows you, General Kim, how far a small country can come in such a short time when it has firm and visionary leadership. The Brilliant New Light will show my people, and the rest of Asia, the way!”

  General Kim, in his few months as General Fang Jhai’s Military Attaché and de facto Chief of Staff, had become indispensable to General Fhang and his delusional quest for parity with his greatly advanced Asian peers. Fhang ignored the fact that North Korea was still a backwater, third-world country short on resources and experienced leadership. North Korea was held together by a corrupting combination of a military strong in number, but weak in equipment, logistics, and leadership, and the calculated largesse of her neighbor, China. Fhang ruled his people with the same cruel iron fist as the Chongs before him. He justified his reign of domestic terror by saying these policies were needed until his revolution rooted out the last vestiges of counter-revolutionary reaction to the Brilliant New Light.

  The protocol for the meeting with Foreign Minister Yang provided it be held in the main conference room of the Communist Party Headquarters in Pyongyang. Those present were to be Fhang, Foreign Minister Yang, and the respective Chinese and Korean Ambassadors. Fhang requested his Chief of Staff, General Kim also be present. Such a triviality was ignored by the Chinese Minister because he intended to do all the talking.

  *

  The meeting started with Fhang effusively welcoming the Chinese Foreign Minister and telling him of his plans for unifying the two Koreas and partnering with China in dominating the economic and political culture of all of Asia. General Kim noted that Fhang appeared to have had quite a lot to drink the night before and his breath still reeked of alcohol. He was sure this was not lost on the Chinese Foreign Minister who sat directly across from the blustering Fhang.

  Foreign Minister Yang listened politely for nearly thirty minutes as General Fhang continued his monologue, extolling the virtues of the new DPRK and going into great detail about the potential of the Brilliant New Light soon to illuminate all of Asia while bringing his long downtrodden people into sharing the prosperity of an emerging Asian economy.

  “We will soon eclipse our brothers in the South economically, and,” he paused, “militarily.” They will soon demand of their misguided leaders to give up their infatuation with Western ways and unify with us against America.”

  It was now Foreign Minister Yang’s turn to speak. “Yes, General, a very impressive and, may I say, ambitious, plan you have laid out. Achieving this will take visionary leadership, a great deal of financial capital, and cooperation with your allies and geographical neighbors. You will not be able to afford distractions and unintended diversions of focus.”

  “Of course, Minister. We will be counting on our historical and ongoing friendship with the People’s Republic of China to be a beneficial resource of counsel and economic trade.”

  “Yes, of course.” remarked Minister Yang offhandedly. “General, I would like to request that you and I have a private conversation. Could we excuse everyone else so that we may speak alone? I have brought along my own interpreter who speaks your language perfectly. It would be just the three of us.”

  Fhang was not a seasoned diplomat, but was anxious to show a cooperative spirit to the Chinese Foreign Minister. Although he was not especially at ease with the situation, he quickly acquiesced. After a short lunch break, the two men and the Chinese interpreter met privately in a small conference room at Party headquarters. The Chinese Foreign Minister began.

  “General Fhang, I wish to bring up the subject of North Korea’s relations, or lack thereof, with the United States of America and the enmity that apparently exists between the two parties. I’m sure you are aware these contentious feelings have recently found their way into actions resulting in the deaths of many Americans, including their President. These actions produce consequences that are not limited to the parties directly involved.”

  “Excuse me, Minister, but you speak of multiple deaths of Americans. I am not aware of anything of that magnitude. There was of course the unfortunate incident that occurred in your country, sir, where the U.S. President was attacked...”

  “...assassinated, General,” the Foreign Minister interrupted icily.

  “As you wish...of course, he was murdered, and regretfully so by rogue officials from my country. But I had no complicity in this tragic event and did suffer an embarrassing personal loss as a result, which we have put behind us, as we look forward,” concluded General Fhang evenly.

  “And what of the incident in the Caribbean this month? Many Americans died in this terrorist attack, and the Americans are worried that there may be more terrorist cells waiting for authorization for a subsequent attack.”

  A look of surprise and incomprehension shown on General Fhang’s face as he arose from his chair in disbelief.

  “Surely, sir, you do not think that North Korea was complicit in that attack. This is the first I have heard any mention of North Korea being involved,” he said, his voice rising. “This is outrageous that the Americans are accusing us of such a thing!”

  The Chinese Foreign Minister remained calm and with a level voice, continued, “I have it on impeccable authority that many North Koreans participated in this attack, and many died thereafter. Some of the terrorists survived and are providing evidence that this was a premeditated act planned, financed, and set in motion by the government of North Korea. There has been a thorough inves
tigation and North Korea has been implicated,” he concluded.

  General Fhang’s mind was racing with questions, doubt, and feelings of losing control as the Foreign Minister continued to speak.

  “....can imagine what a difficult position this puts the government of the People’s Republic of China in...” the Foreign Minister was saying.

  Fhang heard only bits and pieces of the Minister’s accusations through the crisp intonations of the female interpreter as he fought to understand what he was hearing. What had begun as a triumphant diplomatic meeting was deteriorating into a nightmare of accusations about something he knew nothing about. Surely the Chinese Foreign Minister would not come to Pyongyang to make such a judgment without solid evidence. But what evidence? Had the Americans and the South Koreans conspired with the Chinese to put an early end to his revolution by trumping up ridiculous charges of terrorism in the American Hemisphere? Was he suddenly alone and vulnerable, fighting for his life and the life of the Brilliant New Light? Fhang’s world was crashing, and he had to regain control...or lose everything he had worked for.

  After several moments of silence after the Foreign Minister had finished, General Fhang stood, straightened his military tunic adorned with many medals, and looked directly at the Foreign Minister. “Sir, I know you would not confront my government about anything this serious without facts, but I must respectfully suggest that the facts you have are false and, rather, are invidious fabrications meant to provide a pretext for continued attacks against the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea by America and her clients. I stand before you to categorically reject these heinous lies.”

  Minister Yang thought for a moment before answering. “General, I cannot judge what you are telling me. If that is your position, so be it. If you have been watching the international news you will know that the Americans have not made public any mention of the nationality of these terrorists. Perhaps this is a strategy they are using to justify restraint on the part of their leadership.”

  “The Americans are led by a woman!” Fhang spat out. “This is something she is imagining from her former role as an American spy! She is a screeching hyena.”

  “As I was saying,” continued the Foreign Minister evenly, “perhaps this is their strategy, but these facts I have just presented will soon become public. The government of North Korea will be in the international spotlight - once again for the wrong reasons. I will conclude my remarks today with two thoughts, General. If these facts you categorically reject are indeed true, I have to tell you, as philosophically in synch as our two countries are in some respects, China will not be in a position to support you for committing acts of terror anywhere. That dynamic has been rejected by the entire civilized world, and the Chinese culture is nothing if not civilized. Finally, if there are additional terrorist cells in place anywhere, particularly in the United States, I strongly urge you to have them stand down immediately.”

  General Fhang had gained some measure of self-control. He was now pacing the room, thankful that no one else from his staff had heard these serious accusations. How do I manage this? How do I deal with the Foreign Minister? I am a soldier, not a glib, prancing, diplomat, he thought anxiously.

  “Minister, I was hoping we could get beyond this ridiculous charade on the part of the Americans who are obviously trying to place a wedge between our two great countries.”

  “I am afraid that will have to wait for another time, General. I must return to Beijing and my other duties. And by the way, General, you have a long way to go before the DPRK is a Brilliant New Light in the eyes of some of the world.

  In less than one hour, Foreign Minister Yang was airborne from Pyongyang headed for Beijing, contemplating what he would tell his Premier, and, of course, Ambassador Bledsoe, the latter being over single malt scotch as a catalyst for producing the elusive matter known as truth.

  CHAPTER 27

  TWO INTERROGATIONS - ONE TRUTH

  “...but in the end, truth will out.”

  Shakespeare (The Merchant of Venice)

  *

  General Fhang was drunk and getting drunker. So-song cowered in fear as the North Korean leader alternately cursed and hurled insults at his diminutive companion for reasons completely unclear to her. This morning he had been happy and enthusiastic about the scheduled visit of the Chinese Foreign Minister. He had seen this visit as a sign of respect for the Brilliant New Light and his personal leadership. “The Chinese government was always uneasy about the agenda of the Chong family, and relations were always tense. But now they will see there is indeed a Brilliant New Light and they will be enthusiastic about joining me in my vision for a united Asia,” he had told So-song.

  Now everything had changed in just twelve hours and Fhang Jhai was angry about events of the day, taking his anger and frustration out on a confused and defenseless So-song in the privacy of their personal residence. What had been a refuge for So-song from the poverty of her childhood, a palace decorated with deep-pile Oriental rugs, exquisite Chinese vases and sculpture, and hand-carved furniture upholstered in fine pastel silk fabric imported from China and other Asian countries over the years by the defunct Chong family, had become a virtual prison where she was routinely emotionally tortured by the psychotic rages of General Fhang.

  “My General,” she asked softly when he had taken a brief rest from his latest outburst, “I am afraid. Have I done something to upset you? I wish for you to be happy with me, not angry. Please tell me what I can do to calm you.”

  Fhang drained his glass of the fine Russian vodka he kept in abundant supply and threw the heavy cut crystal glass in the general direction of So-song. She cringed in fear as the glass shattered in fragments against the magnificent stone fireplace behind her. “Calm?!...calm?...I will give you calm, you stupid wench! Fix me more of the only thing good coming out of Russia these days, and I may let you live to see another sunrise!” Fhang bellowed drunkenly.

  Knowing he should have no more, but fearful of admonishing the general and maddening him further, So-song poured the vodka nearly to the brim of another ice-filled glass and dutifully took it to Fhang, offering it to him like a frightened dog begging for mercy after having being beaten by its owner.

  The excessive consumption of alcohol had moved the General from an agitated state of aggressive anger to that of passive aggressive, semi-depression. He clumsily took the glass from So-song and walked unsteadily to his favorite chair and sat down heavily, breathing deeply, looking vaguely at nothing in particular.

  “Have a drink, So Song! Drink to my so-called revolution,” he slurred. “Do I always have to drink alone?”

  “The...the vodka you like is too strong for my taste,” she said carefully. “Perhaps I will have a little wine.”

  “Wine!...Yes, wine. Perhaps I will make grapes the national crop of Korea. Then we will be like the French, pissing in their pants whenever anyone mentions Germany, except in our case it will be our brothers to the south, or the decadent Americans with their Hollywood whores. Tell me, So-song; if you were in American Hollywood, would you be one of the Hollywood whores?”

  “No, my general, I would still be So-song, loyal only to you,” she answered softly.

  General Fhang sighed deeply and slumped back in his chair, now completely under the influence of the strong Russian vodka flowing through his veins like a river, poisoning his body, mind, and spirit as he tried to understand the events over which he had no control, standing in the way of his revolution.

  “So-song, if you are loyal only to me, then you are the only one,” he continued cryptically and with uncharacteristic softness. “There are those who seek to undermine me and my revolution, but I will smoke them out and kill them. I tell you tonight, here and now, if my revolution cannot succeed, and I am faced with death, I will take all of Korea and the decadent Americans who support them with me, even you and your brother. Our small peninsula will be but a burned-out cinder of radioactive rock, uninhabitable for a thousand years, ev
en for the roaches!”

  *

  The next morning a hung-over and unsteady General Fhang called General Rhee and General Kim into his office. “Gentlemen, yesterday was the most humiliating day of my life. This was intended to be a time when I would try to persuade the Chinese government that a new and positive era had dawned in the DPRK. Instead I stood accused and ridiculed for crimes which neither I, nor any citizens of North Korea over whom I had authority, had any involvement. The Chinese Foreign Minister and I went over nothing of substance for me. Unless and until we can get to the bottom of these ridiculous fabrications, I cannot meet with this man, who represents the country that is so important to our future, and look him in the eye with mutual respect.”

  Fhang spent the next thirty minutes reprising yesterday’s meeting to the two men in detail, expressing his frustration at the accusations and his displeasure at the outcome. At the end he said, “All of this said, gentlemen, we cannot deny the events in China concerning the killing of the American President, for which we have paid a heavy price in humiliation by the Americans. As much as I do not want to believe the story of the terrorist attack in the Caribbean, I doubt that the Foreign Minister would have made a personal visit to confront me about this if he didn’t have substantial evidence. Therefore, privately, in this room, I am reluctantly inclined to believe there must be a shred of truth to this unfortunate business of terrorism on a cruise ship. Can either of you shed any light on this?”