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Pauline added: ‘But until the North Koreans agree to the ceasefire I suggest you throw everything you’ve got at them.’
He brightened. ‘Very good, Madam President.’
Jacqueline said: ‘Chen is on the line.’
Pauline picked up. After brief courtesies she said to Chen: ‘The North Korean attack on South Korea has been defeated.’
Chen spoke through the interpreter. ‘The aggression of the Seoul authorities against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is unwarranted.’
Pauline was taken aback. Last time they spoke he had been reasonable. Now he seemed to be parroting propaganda. She said: ‘All the same, North Korea lost the battle.’
‘The Korean People’s Army will continue to energetically defend the Republic of Korea from American-inspired attacks.’
Pauline put her hand over the phone. ‘I know Chen. He doesn’t believe any of this crap.’
Gus said: ‘I think the hardliners are in the room with him, telling him what to say.’
Several people nodded agreement.
This made it awkward, but she could still deliver her message. ‘I believe the people of the United States and the people of China can find a way to end the killing.’
‘The People’s Republic of China will, of course, give careful consideration to what you say.’
‘Thank you. I want a ceasefire.’
There was a long silence.
Pauline added: ‘I would be grateful if you would pass that message to your comrades in Pyongyang.’
Once again there was no immediate reply, and Pauline imagined Chen holding his hand over the phone and talking to the old Communists who were with him in his lakeside palace at Zhongnanhai. What were they saying? No one in the Beijing government could possibly want this war. North Korea could not win it – the events of last night had proved that – and China did not want to embroil itself in armed conflict with the US.
Chen, playing for time, said: ‘And can you assure us that this proposal will be accepted by President No in Seoul?’
‘Of course not,’ Pauline said immediately. ‘South Korea is a free country. But I’ll do my damnedest to persuade her.’
After another long pause, Chen said: ‘We will discuss this with Pyongyang.’
Pauline decided to push him. ‘When?’
This time his answer came without hesitation. ‘Immediately.’ That was Chen talking, Pauline guessed, not his minders.
She said: ‘Thank you, Mr President.’
‘Thank you, Madam President.’
They hung up. Pauline said: ‘There’s been a change in Beijing.’
Gus said: ‘Once the shooting starts, the military assert themselves – and the Chinese military is run by hardliners.’
Pauline glanced at Bill and reflected that most soldiers were hardliners.
Pauline said: ‘All right, let’s talk to Seoul.’
Jacqueline said: ‘I’ll get President No on the line.’
The switchboard got through to Seoul and she picked up. She said: ‘This has been a terrible day for you, Madam President, but South Korean troops have fought bravely and have defeated the aggressors.’
She pictured President No, her grey hair pulled severely back from a high forehead, her dark eyes piercing, the lines around her mouth suggesting a history of conflict.
