This Is How I Became a Chaebol

140 : polite people

“Imja, good job.”

The President tapped me on the shoulder and said.

You must have already heard enough reports through the Ministry of National Defense.

“I just did my job.”

“I never imagined that the owner would go to Indonesia. To choose a dangerous place where a coup took place.”

“Rather than just obtaining information from Israel, I thought it would be better to bring the real thing, even if it was a bit risky. Fortunately, Daese International’s business partner had a tether to the military, so we were able to get help.”

At my words, the president nodded his head.

“The US military is also very interested in missile information. The US Navy actively participated in the armed demonstration at the military demarcation line. As they sprayed Chaptan and fired cannons, the North Koreans couldn’t even stick their nose out and were trembling.”

It was a natural reaction.

The US military would not have been able to reject South Korea’s request because it would have to know information about the Styx missile.

“The kidnapped sailors will also come back.”

“Yeah, that’s also thanks to Imja. The US military will actively negotiate. It looks like our sailors will return with the crew of the Pueblo.”

The president tapped the back of my hand repeatedly.

“As it is a top military secret, either Israel or the United States must sell the information for what it is.”

“of course. By the way, since it’s a top secret, I’ve obviously oiled it a lot, so how much can I keep?”

It was a little awkward to get the words out of my mouth, but I asked as if it were natural.

He was also a seasoned politician.

“We need ten million dollars. It attracted a Singaporean tycoon as a middle bridge, and the Indonesian military handed over information even while pretending to be with the Soviet Union, so it needed a price.”

“Ten million dollars? It’s amazing.”

“I put all the money I made at the Mexico Olympics into it. I had no time to think about the amount because I thought national security was the top priority.”

Major Yoon had only received 4 million dollars, so it wouldn’t be a problem even if the total cost was 10 million dollars.

And since it was related to Indonesia’s military, the president was fully aware that the money had to be finalized.

“Is it worth 10 million dollars to hand over missile information to the US? Make sure you get it.”

“You can’t be satisfied with that. You must ask for defense technology comparable to missiles in exchange.”

“Defense technology, good idea. What skill would you like?”

“I think the navy has already reported it, but the Indonesian military wants a coastal patrol ship. Corvettes are also needed by our military, so how about requesting technology for them?”

Because the U.S. military pursues a naval strategy centered on giant ships, it has been relatively tolerant of technology transfer for high-speed boats.

It was worth a try.

“Umm, I was thinking of entrusting three ships to Daesae Chosun, but importing high-speed boats from the US would be a way.”

“The Indonesian military wants 3 ships, and our navy needs 3 ships. If we place an order with the US all at once, we do not have to pay any design costs, and if we receive a subcontract from our major shipbuilding company in exchange for missile information, we can get technology and even earn money.”

If this happens, the absurd thing that the government will pay me only 50% of the cost of building the warship while ordering three high-speed boats will not happen.

I’m the only one subcontracted, because price negotiations have to be done with the US. Did you hit the US at half price?

“What a wonderful idea. To make money by introducing technology.”

“At this time, you are also promoting diplomatic relations with Indonesia. Isn’t it clear that sooner or later the US will give national approval? It is a country that is rich in timber and oil, so there will be many businesses worth jointly establishing diplomatic ties with.”

“The ripple effect of this work is more than I thought. I mean, even considering establishing diplomatic ties with Indonesia. It’s all because the owner risked his life to handle the job well.”

“It seems that the road was opened fortunately through trade with Southeast Asia. I am also happy that it has helped the country.”

Well done, lip service.

The first start of this sad month was because the EPB tripped over me, right?

I’ll have to take a chance and step on it.

“At the end of this month, there is a completion ceremony for the Pohang Steelworks hot-rolling plant, so attend even if you are busy. Honestly, isn’t Pohang Iron and Steel started thanks to you?”

Is this a reward of some kind?

Are you trying to give me strength in front of people from the EPB?

Rather, has the Pohang Steelworks hot-rolling plant already been completed?

Well, if you import slabs and produce hot-rolled steel sheets before operating the blast furnace, you can make up for the construction cost even a little bit.

Although it is regrettable that Japan is the only place that can realistically import slabs.

“All right.”

“Okay, go and see the work.”

Really Dynamic Korea was the best in the 60s.

While I was busy with various things, the Pohang Iron and Steel Works progressed quite a bit. Deputy Minister Seok Ki-hoon must have put in a lot of effort.

***

After leaving the office of the President, Major Yoon Tae-yang was waiting at the entrance.

It seems that there is a meeting with the president.

I wonder if I can wear a medal for this.

“Major Yoon. Thank you.”

“He says everything. Thanks to President Woo, the Navy soldiers will come back, and it is rightfully our Navy to give thanks.”

“How many are returning?”

“All 20 of them are coming back. Although 8 martyrs martyred, they will be buried in the land of their homeland. Our Navy will never forget their courage and dedication.”

It was like a soldier.

I didn’t even ask about national veterans.

No matter what kind of compensation you do, you can’t compensate for a young life.

“If the abducted soldiers or the bereaved families of soldiers who died in the country want to, we will prepare a suitable place in the Daesae. Please do not hesitate to tell me to visit.”

“thank you. It will be a great help to the family.”

“Of course, Major Yoon’s seat is also prepared. If you are willing to change seats, come anytime.”

You don’t need to explain how great it is to occupy a place in the mainstream in this era.

We are the best in the industry and treat our employees the best.

“The president’s position is the mainstream, and my position is the navy. I will return to my place.”

“…would you like to?”

“Take a look. Victory!”

“Victory! I wish you the best of luck.”

I reacted unconsciously to Major Yoon Taeyang’s modest salute.

Major Yoon This man is real.

It was like a romantic era.

I’ve seen people who don’t sell their mission for money.

***

A few days later, Seongsu-dong headquarters

“I have an urgent call from the boss.”

“What happened?”

Suddenly, Bill Bain reported.

Her expression doesn’t look urgent at all.

I have to go to Jordan soon, so I shouldn’t be in a hurry.

“General Van Flint is said to have visited Korea.”

“Oh, is it?”

It’s not urgent, it’s surprising.

The nobleman who grumbled that his knee hurt when he was called to Jordan once, came on his own even though he wasn’t invited?

“I think it was because of the information the boss brought me.”

Well, since the president also has connections with Van Flint, it seems that he turned this information over to the US and made him an intermediary.

Information fees would have to be negotiated, but BR was the right company to place an order while obtaining technology for the US military corvette.

“Where did you say you were staying?”

“This is the Peninsula Hotel. I got a call saying that I would like to meet the president before I can digest the schedule.”

Well, it looks like an informal visit.

Well, isn’t it natural that you’re not going to talk to the neighbors just because you’re coming to get information on missiles?

“I see. thanks.”

I headed straight to the Peninsula Hotel.

It’s a pleasure meeting Van Fleet.

Originally, I was going to invite you when I completed the customer-only hotel in Ulsan, but the construction hasn’t even started yet.

***

Peninsula Hotel.

“CS, where are you going? This way, this way!”

I was about to go to the Sky Lounge, but I heard Van Flint’s voice from the wrong place.

He was sitting on the sofa in the trend exhibition room in the lobby and calling me.

“No, General. Why are you here? I thought you would be drinking whiskey at the Sky Lounge.”

“There’s more to see here than the Sky Lounge.”

“Haha, of course it is.”

Our trending exhibition room is decorated with an atmosphere like a luxury shop in a 21st century department store.

With daylight lighting and ample space to display products, it even felt like a gallery.

“By the way, there are a lot of really cool things. In particular, bulletproof vests and bulletproof helmets are luxury items.”

It was like a director of the military-industrial complex to praise bulletproof vests and bulletproof helmets aside from the most glamorous gold skin.

“It’s all thanks to the general’s help. Starting with military supply in Vietnam, we have advanced to the Jordanian military, so orders have recently been coming in from all over the world.”

“The business is really good. This Styx missile was completely unexpected. Yeah, what do you want in return?”

“The price has to be paid by the government. Why me?”

“That’s it. Tell me. It would be good to know in advance.”

He said it as if he knew that I had discussed the price with the president.

Well, it’s strange that you didn’t expect it.

“We need at least $10 million in information fees. And Indonesia is requesting a corvettes, so I would like you to transfer technology to Korea. Of course, I want it to be based on the US Navy’s Patrol Ship Multi Mission (PSMM).”

“Ask for transfer of PSMM technology?”

Van Flint stroked his chin.

It’s a bit perplexing, but it won’t be impossible. Corvettes are not a top-secret category that the U.S. military is trying to thoroughly protect.

“Isn’t the patrol ship outside the grand strategy of the US military? I don’t think there will be any big objections to technology transfer.”

There is even a saying that you can’t become an admiral in the US Navy if you prefer fast and small ships.

“Hmm, that’s not wrong.”

“We would like to place an order for 3 corvettes in Indonesia and 3 in Korea. If you subcontract to Daese Joseon, I will do my best.”

“Haha, now I know how you dealt. It sounds like you’re going to eat the design fee for free.”

“Free is always attractive to entrepreneurs”

These words were enough.

The detailed specifications will be taken care of by the government.

I will also contact Indonesia on its own.

“You put together a great scenario. Alright, it’s within the expected range, so it should be negotiable. Nancy is also coming out very favorably.”

“If it’s an expected category, why did you come directly? I was going to invite you to Ulsan when the time comes.”

“I stopped by with my friends. Because there is a Westinghouse problem.”

“Oh, Westinghouse…”

“Yes, I finally gave up on the seawater desalination plant. It seems that they decided that it was not profitable at all.”

How much were you trying to eat?

Well, would American engineers want to go all the way to the desert and build a plant? I don’t even have a chin for any amount of money.

“Are you here to talk about that with me?”

“right. As I said before, did you find out who will be in charge of desalination?”

“No, I didn’t have time for that. It was not something I could entrust to anyone else.”

I was thinking of doing it if the conditions were right.

“Good. CS Why don’t you do it. If our BR company handles seawater desalination patent issues and design, then Daesei Construction can do the construction. Workers are already dispatched to the local area.”

“I’ve been thinking about it, but it’s a little too soon. Although technical experts were brought in from France to teach special welding, only a few people are still being trained at the shipyard.”

Seawater desalination plants are facilities that produce fresh water by evaporating seawater, so they must be made of materials that have high thermal conductivity and are resistant to corrosion.

That is, the skill of welding technicians is absolutely required to use copper nickel alloy or titanium alloy in the heat exchanger.

If the welding part is corroded and falls off within the warranty period, you will not be able to afford the repair cost.

“If you’ve prepared that much, that’s enough. A hundred times faster than Westinghouse idlers. Special welding is often used to build high-speed corvettes, so I will send a technician.”

Unlucky! They use the corvettes as an excuse to dispatch technicians.

He is also the chairman of the Korea Society.

“What about original patents?”

“At this point, BR and Daesang said to purchase the Westinghouse patent at a 50-50 ratio. They will also sell it when I come forward.”

It was also clear that at that time, the market for seawater desalination facilities was not very large.

Sooner or later, the Middle East will get rich with petrodollars.

At that time, seawater desalination facilities will become the goose that laid the golden egg.

“You will have to use some force. I will only trust the general.”

“By the way, do you have any money? If you want to purchase a patent or do a seawater desalination plant, you must have a design fee and a bidding deposit.”

Van Flint took care of money for me because I had so much business.

“This time, the missile gun raised $5 million. Please make it work.”

“Five million dollars? Did you decide to take only 50% of the $10 million missile information fee?”

“That’s right.”

“It seems like such a desirable friend. You mean you only ate 50% of the money without any regrets?”

“Anyway, Nancy helped, so I didn’t think I should ask for excessive information fees.”

“I don’t know what to answer. Well, since it’s going to be a long time, it’s not bad to be polite like that.”

I didn’t hate it when you told me it was going to be a long time.

“So you’re going to do it for five million dollars?”

“great. do it Let’s make the design fee and the patent purchase cost 5 million dollars. The bid deposit will be returned later, so BR should pay it instead.”

There is no favor like this.

It was as if he had flown in to deliver a bag of presents.

Isn’t it like a declaration that we will continue to go along with the seawater desalination project in the future?

“You are a better person than I am. You paid 5 million dollars for the patent purchase and design costs.”

“Thanks to you, me and Nancy have saved face at the Pentagon. I should be polite to you as well.”