Wall Street, New York.
Korea Society.
Despite its ordinary signboard, those who understood the nature of this street would tilt their heads in confusion whenever they passed by.
They wondered why a company with the name of an underdeveloped country was situated in an area that only prestigious financial and lobbying firms could afford.
Based on its name alone, it appeared to be a non-profit organization fostering Korean-American friendship.
Click, click.
"I'm here to see General Van Flint."
"Do you have an appointment?"
"If you tell him Nancy is here, he'll let me in."
A well-dressed woman confidently approached the front desk, asking for Van Flint.
Instead of using his official title of Chairman, she referred to him as General.
Ring.
"Chairman, a woman named Nancy is here to see you..."
"Yes, sir. Ma'am, you may go in."
"Thank you."
Nancy headed straight for the elevator without hesitation.
"Could it be... Nancy Silverstein? The woman rumored to be involved with Secretary Kissinger?"
The front desk clerk stared at Nancy's back in disbelief.
She was indeed a beautiful blonde of Jewish descent.
Before the elevator doors closed, she gave a casual wink, exuding confidence.
"That's her, Nancy J. Silverstein from the Department of Defense's International Affairs Office!"
The clerk quickly erased his shocked expression and pretended to look at the guestbook. There was no benefit in drawing attention to her presence.
Known as the mad dog of diplomacy, the black hand of Wall Street, the tall witch, the older woman addicted to younger men, and the master of revenge, her nicknames were anything but pleasant.
Those who crossed her either left the political scene or became her followers—there was no middle ground.
---
Click.
"Welcome, Nancy."
"Van, what's going on? Why did you call for me?"
"It's nothing major. Didn't you once express a desire to meet CS if the opportunity arose?"
"Is that man coming to America?"
Nancy perched on the edge of his desk, ignoring the chair.
"Of course, it's not solely because of your family. He mentioned having something to sell to the Department of Defense. Since it concerns your work, shouldn't you take a look?"
"I clearly asked you to keep my brother away from that guy. Are you suggesting I meet him?"
"Everything CS did in Vietnam was legal. In fact, it was always the JPA side playing dirty tricks. You should recognize that CS's actions were beneficial to our national interests."
"The Department of Defense's strategy doesn't change that easily. Japan comes before Korea in all matters—diplomacy, defense, and economy."
Nancy snatched the cigar Van Flint was holding and extinguished it in the ashtray. It was a clear provocation, but Van Flint remained unfazed. Her antics were well-known.
"The Department of Defense is irrelevant. I'm asking for the Silverstein family's opinion. It seems at least one person has decided to support CS."
"If you drag my brother into any more trouble, I won't stand for it."
"What do you mean by trouble?"
"Van!"
Nancy's face twisted in frustration. Despite his fatherly age, she wasn't intimidated by Van Flint. After all, Nancy Silverstein was a prominent member of a lobbying family that wielded significant influence over American politics and finance.
The Silverstein family profited by selling information on upcoming legislation to investors and engaging in obstruction to prevent certain laws from passing upon clients' requests.
Simply put, the Silversteins made their fortune through connections and lobbying.
Thunk.
"Instead of getting angry, take a look at this first."
Van Flint tossed a performance verification report for Kabla onto the desk.
"What's this piece of cloth?"
Nancy picked up the sample on the desk instead of the report. It seemed like a fabric used in the latest Audrey Hepburn fashion trend. However, upon closer inspection, she noticed subtle differences.
It wasn't the pale golden color seen on color TV but a more vivid golden hue.
"It's called Kabla. The strongest bulletproof material on earth."
"What did you say? Bulletproof material?"
"That's right. It blocks bullets. It's cutting-edge technology that would be immediately classified as a national secret if the Department of Defense knew about it. The problem is, it was created by the Korean you dislike."
Nancy skimmed through the Kabla performance verification report, astonished by the claim that incorporating this material into bulletproof vests and helmets could increase the combat survival rate of American soldiers by over 20%.
"Van, is this statement really true?"
"It's a reliable document. I vouch for it."
"Then it makes even less sense. Why haven't you reported such critical information to the Department of Defense? Are you insane?"
"I'm a civilian. My client's request comes before reporting to the Department of Defense."
"Client's request?"
As a member of the Silverstein family, Nancy instantly reacted to the mention of a client's request. In fact, her position in the Department of Defense was also to cater to clients effectively.
"My client, CS, wants to elevate Korea's strategic position—economically and politically."
"That's absurd! The fundamental premise is that Korea's role in East Asia should gradually diminish. It can never change."
"I'm not asking for the Department of Defense's opinion. I'm asking for the Silverstein family's opinion."
Van Flint lit a new cigar, taking a deep drag and exhaling slowly.
"The Silverstein family's opinion?"
"He's a promising individual. I'm asking if you're willing to invest in him."
Van Flint handed over a telex message with a smug expression.
"Dear General Van Flint,
Please join me.
I need help with short-term foreign debt and the Korea-Japan agreement.
You won't regret it.
December 10th, Delmonico's,
from CS Woo."
"Delmonico's? A Korean knows this restaurant?"
Nancy was taken aback. Delmonico's was a place known only to a select few New Yorkers, yet this man from an East Asian developing country knew it.
"He's never been to New York, yet he knows Delmonico's and that I like it."
"Are you saying his information-gathering and utilization skills are impressive?"
Nancy's expression changed slightly. Seeing her interest piqued, Van Flint felt he had made the right decision to involve her.
There was no way the Silverstein family wouldn't take an interest in someone with such adept use of information.
Nancy was the best choice to fulfill Woo Chan-soo's request. She was the best in politics, diplomacy, and finance.
"It seems he's not an amateur. Let's meet him in person. What do you think?"
"I'm intrigued. But today is difficult. I haven't even done my makeup."
Nancy tried to excuse herself, using her lack of makeup as an excuse. She couldn't meet someone new under Van Flint's lead without sufficient information.
"Do you really need makeup? The top beauty of the political world?"
Van Flint was in a hurry. Time was Woo Chan-soo's biggest weakness. He didn't have the luxury to prove his worth at a leisurely pace. Especially if he wanted to gain an edge over Japan, he had to involve Nancy.
"You always use that sweet talk with that expression. That's why I keep you as a friend."
"Whether you join me for dinner is up to you. Can you wait in the car for 10 minutes?"
"Ten minutes? How can I do my makeup in 10 minutes!"
"Ten minutes."
Van Flint stood up and left the room without another word.
"Hmph! That's why you're not popular with women in society!"
"I don't care. One woman is more than enough for me."
Whirr!
Van Flint entered the elevator without delay and closed the doors.
Thunk!
Nancy hurriedly caught the closing elevator door with her shoe.
As the doors reopened, she swiftly stepped inside.
"You're not a gentleman. That's your problem!"
"At my age, it's more problematic to be kind to a young beauty."
---
Long Island, Manhattan, New York.
"Manhattan was already bustling in the '60s."
I got out of the car and leisurely enjoyed the city.
Long Island is a fascinating place. In a vast country like the United States, why would they cram so many buildings onto this narrow sandbar?
Of course, iconic buildings like the Empire State Building are impressive, but the city's unique congestion can feel suffocating.
"Still, I get to visit Delmonico's in the '60s."
When in New York, you might save on hotel expenses, but you must visit a restaurant like Delmonico's at least once.
In 21st-century Korean YouTube videos, it's often introduced as the best fine dining entry point. Despite its exorbitant prices, reservations are tough to secure.
It wasn't as famous in the '60s.
Booking a reservation for my desired time through telex posed no difficulties at all.
Delmonico's.
I entered the restaurant, marked by a sign with a stylish chef's hat.
"Sir, do you have a reservation?"
"Yes, I'm Woo Chan-soo."
I handed over a business card printed in English.
"Ah, you're a VIP. This way, please."
'A VIP?'
I hadn't booked a VIP seat.
A person who appeared to be the restaurant manager personally escorted me. We took a small elevator up to the rooftop.
There were tables on the rooftop?
It was decorated like a greenhouse.
The heaters were cranked up so high that it was warm despite the winter chill.
"Enjoy your time."
The manager guided me and then immediately left.
There was no need to place an order.
Van Flint and a woman in her thirties were already seated at the table, and the finest wine and steak were set up.
It seemed like a private room for VIPs, requiring no further service.
"Welcome, CS."
"Nice to see you, Van Flint."
I gave
General Van Flint a light hug.
"Allow me to introduce Nancy Silverstein. She works as an international diplomacy expert for the Department of Defense."
"I'm Woo Chan-soo. It's an honor to meet you."
I kissed the back of her hand.
"I've heard a lot about you from my brother. He calls you a genius of the century."
"??"
Brother? Come to think of it, this woman is also a Silverstein.
Is she Silver's sister?
Indeed, there was a resemblance in their eyes.
"Silver has a knack for joking. We just had fun working together."
"You're not an uninvited guest, so there's no need to be wary. He's the best expert in short-term foreign debt and Korea-Japan diplomacy. There aren't many in New York who cover both Wall Street and politics."
Wait a minute, the flood of information was confusing.
Nancy Silverstein, an international diplomacy expert at the Department of Defense? A Jew? In her mid-thirties, covering both Wall Street and politics meant she was a lobbyist...
Could it be... the rumored lover of Secretary Kissinger?
The international playboy Kissinger's second wife was also Jewish.
She was a famous East Asia specialist and a tall blonde beauty... This must be her.
Wow. So, she was Silver's sister?
She married a man nearly her father's age but gained more fame for living well with him.
Considering her interest in the Jewish Holocaust, she's the perfect person to handle claims against Japan.
Now I understand why Van Flint brought her here.
"It's only natural. There are only a few who understand the importance of Asia in maintaining America's global dominance."
"Asia? Important to American hegemony?"
Nancy's eyebrows twitched slightly.
Even if she pretended otherwise, I wasn't fooled.
Nancy was renowned for using China as a lever in the US-Soviet power struggle with Kissinger.
Nancy and Kissinger were lifelong comrades, so to speak.
"How long will America continue competing with the Soviet Union in the Mediterranean and the Middle East? To defeat the enemy, we must avoid fighting where the enemy wants."
"Are you implying that America would lose to the Soviet Union?"
"General Van Flint, does the US Navy overpower the Soviet Navy in the Mediterranean? I'd like to know."
As I drew General Van Flint into the conversation, he responded with an amused expression.
"There are roughly 1,500 Soviet ships in the Mediterranean. The US Navy has 419, so they outnumber us by about three to one. In terms of tonnage, the Soviets have around 7.66 million tons, and the US Navy has 4.66 million tons, so the Soviets lead by 1.5 times. In a direct confrontation, the outcome is uncertain."
"Military power isn't everything."
Nancy retorted. Indeed, she emphasized the economic importance of Asia.
"Of course, it's not everything. But the Soviets can easily deploy ground troops in the Mediterranean and the Middle East. It's a burden for the US to engage directly."
"... We shouldn't engage. That's what the enemy wants."
Nancy repeated her refusal, narrowing her eyes.
As an expert on international issues, she knew well that the Soviet Union needed to be starved out.
She was the protagonist who starved the Soviet Union's finances to death in history.
"As you both objectively observe world affairs, America must shift its power competition to Asia. This way, the naval competition becomes absolutely advantageous, and ground troop involvement becomes feasible."
"I agree with CS. That's the fundamental reason America got involved in strange wars like Vietnam."
"Ugh! Aren't you being too overconfident in front of an international affairs expert?"
"You already think that way. There's no need to pretend otherwise to test CS."
Van Flint subtly praised Nancy.
He effectively declared that Nancy was already aware of Asia's importance. It didn't matter if she agreed or not.
"Alright, fine. I agree that America's power competition must move to Asia. But there's no reason to discuss it with a Korean."
"I don't understand America's strategy of placing Japan at the forefront as the spearhead in Asia. That's why I'm here to discuss it."
"Japan is the optimal forward base. Considering advanced technology, strategic bases, military power, economic power, and more, Japan is the best ally."
"Your view of history is astonishing. Defending Japan is like advocating for the Nazis to unify Europe."
"CS!!!"
Nancy's eyes blazed as I brought up the Nazis. As someone who dedicated her life to the revival of Jews in America with Kissinger, it was a natural reaction.
Without a word, I pulled out documents from my pocket and handed them to Nancy.
I had brought evidence for claims against Japan just in case, but I didn't expect to use it this way.
"What is this..."
Nancy was speechless as she faced black-and-white photos depicting the tragic past of our people, as horrific as the Jewish Holocaust.
TL/n -
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