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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 offertoday.’

‘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.’

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