CH30 : Quy Nhon

"It's unfair. A businessman talking about soldiers and the motherland."

"..."

Van Flint adjusted his posture, putting out his cigar.

The fragrant cigar smell tickled my nose.

He was a symbol of wealthy America.

To me, Van Flint was the same.

"Tell me. Where are the other two places where American soldiers should be stationed?"

"Can you show me the draft of the memorandum?"

I had to revise the memorandum myself.

It wasn't something to be left to a diplomat from the 60s.

"Don't tell me you intend to revise the memorandum. That's overstepping your bounds."

"Isn't it overstepping your bounds for a general to hold a memorandum that should be discussed by foreign ministers?"

"Ha... You speak well."

Van Flint smirked and pulled out the memorandum, handing it over to me.

He even handed me a fountain pen as if to say I could change it as I pleased.

He was a general who had once decided everything according to his will.

- The U.S. government will bear the costs of the deployment.

- Supplies and services for Korean troops stationed in Vietnam will be procured from Korea as much as possible.

'As expected.'

It was just as I thought.

With such poorly drafted clauses, Japan, which hadn't sent a single combat soldier, had been able to scoop up all the military procurement contracts.

Scratch, scratch.

- The U.S. government will bear the costs of the 'equipment and finances of the Korean troops' for the deployment.

- Supplies and services for Korean troops in Vietnam will be procured from Korea as much as possible. 'Military supplies for U.S. troops in Vietnam will also be purchased from Korea in the form of special contracts as much as possible.'

- Korean companies will be given priority in various relief and construction projects conducted in Vietnam.

I inserted the missing parts.

With these revisions, Korean companies would be able to take the lead in military procurement and construction/service projects.

"Hmm, isn't this too favorable for Korea? Can Korea really procure military supplies?"

"That's why I included the clause 'as much as possible.' If it doesn't meet U.S. specifications, you can refuse the delivery."

But it wouldn't be easy to refuse the delivery.

Because of the special contract clause, they could directly push it to the front lines.

In other words, it wouldn't have to pass the U.S. Army Material Command's specification tests.

"Alright, if it's that much, I can persuade them. Now, shall we talk about the ports?"

Van Flint spoke in a somewhat threatening tone.

With this level of clause revision, it was only right to tell him.

But only one of the two places first.

"It's Cam Ranh. Located 100 kilometers north of Saigon, the capital of Vietnam, it borders the Tuy Hoa Plain, the largest rice-producing area in Vietnam, on land, and can occupy the archipelago in the South China Sea by sea. It's a military strategic point, surrounded by two peninsulas, safe from typhoons, and deep enough for a military port."

"Is that reliable information?"

Of course, it's reliable information.

I had visited every international port in Southeast Asia. Whether it was Cam Ranh or Quy Nhon, in the 21st century, they would become famous as international ports and summer resorts.

"It is reliable. Even during the Russo-Japanese War in the early 1900s, the Russian Baltic Fleet stopped there while sailing to the Far East."

It was more than reliable; it was a place filled with haunting memories for me.

The sea around Vietnam wouldn't yield a drop of oil no matter how much you dug, and the South China Sea was always embroiled in territorial disputes, never quiet for a moment.

Despite being in charge of an oil exploration project, I eventually gave up after frequent visits to government offices.

I had sworn never to even relieve myself in that direction again, yet here it was proving useful.

Life is indeed full of twists and turns.

"The Baltic Fleet also stopped there? Alright, I'll trust you."

"Are you going to send an inspection team? If I'm lying, feel free to kill me."

"Alright, you're quite confident. So, where's the other place?"

"..."

I didn't answer his question.

From here on, I had to be greedy.

"Where is it?"

"Promise me first. Promise that you'll entrust me with the handling and construction work of the fourth port I'm about to tell you."

"Handling and construction? Do you have the capability for that?"

"I'm not crazy enough to gather all this information about Vietnamese ports without the capability. I'm a businessman, I do things that make money."

I clenched my fist.

For me, port construction was a piece of cake.

I didn't necessarily have to go to Vietnam, but the situation had come to this.

Van Flint also changed his expression to one of acknowledgement, as if he came to make a deal because he knew I was capable.

Honestly, the fact that I had information about Vietnamese ports itself was extraordinary.

"Alright, I'll negotiate to make a priority contract with your side. If we station Korean troops there, it will naturally resolve itself."

'Nice!'

As expected of General Van Flint.

He quickly made a decision.

"The last port is Quy Nhon."

"Quy Nhon? Does such a place exist?"

Quy Nhon was entirely unexpected.

So, Cam Ranh was on the review list?

It made sense that no one in the U.S. military would think of Quy Nhon until the war progressed to a certain extent.

At this time, the U.S. military didn't know how difficult it would be to transport strategic materials to each front line.

Although the U.S. military had experience transporting supplies across the Alps and the Sahara Desert, they had no experience transporting supplies through tropical jungles.

"Quy Nhon is exactly midway between Saigon Newport in the south and Da Nang Port in the north. It's a place where the Viet Cong infiltrate via land. It's a route that must be blocked, and there will be fierce battles to secure the high ground. A large logistics port needs to be established to support this."

"The Viet Cong infiltration route... You mean a military strategic point to cut off the so-called Ho Chi Minh Route."

As expected of a general, he knew the Ho Chi Minh Route.

The Ho Chi Minh Route was a military supply route that started in North Vietnam, passed through Laos and Cambodia, and reached South Vietnam.

It wasn't just a network of tunnels and paths but a corridor equipped with roads for military vehicles, refuelling facilities, and supply depots.

The U.S. and its allies couldn't completely cut off the Ho Chi Minh Route as they couldn't bomb beyond the borders of neutral countries.

Even if I couldn't reveal the outcome of history, I could certainly point out key points.

"That's correct. It's optimal for a logistics port."

"Quy Nhon... Quy Nhon..."

Van Flint was already pulling out a military map and searching for Quy Nhon.

He traced his finger along the coast until he found Quy Nhon and raised his eyebrows.

As soon as he saw it, he realized it was a crucial supply point.

His eyes told me that.

"It's an incredible place. Whoever controls this place will have the upper hand in supplies."

"The waves are minimal, and the coastal ground is mostly sand, not mud, making it ideal for port construction. Any inspection team will give it a passing grade."

"Good. Very good."

"Then I'll take it as a promise to give me the port handling work."

I extended my hand.

If it were this man, a verbal agreement would be enough to cleanly fulfill the promise.

"Before we shake hands, one question. How did you know I was here?"

"The Haya Ria Camp operates LSTs (Landing Ship Tanks) and controls the 6th pier of Busan Port, right? To transport Korean combat troops and military supplies to Vietnam, you would naturally seek the cooperation of the Haya Ria Camp."

Although LST ships were for transporting tanks, they also served as transport ships when necessary.

"You deduced my location by predicting my movements? So that's how it happened."

Van Flint finally grasped my extended hand.

He confirmed that I had come here based on my deductions, not someone else's information.

"Sir, what can I get for you?"

The bartender asked me to choose a drink.

He knew that my official conversation with Van Flint was over. Now it was personal time.

More important time, perhaps?

"A Jack and Coke, please."

"An excellent choice."

A Jack and Coke is a cocktail made by mixing Jack Daniel's whiskey with cola. It's simple yet has a popular taste, representing America, and is enjoyed by soldiers.

"Do you like Jack and Coke?"

"Yes. That's right."

"Any particular reason?"

"Jack and Coke never fail, no matter when or where."

"Hahaha! Drink up."

Van Flint and I gulped down the Jack and Coke.

In the 60s, Jack and Coke were truly delicious.

To think there are things better than in the 21st century.

"Ah, the taste is amazing."

I gave the bartender a thumbs-up.

"One more thing before we part. Why are you going to Quy Nhon, the most dangerous place?"

"If someone has to go, it's better if it's someone more prepared, like me."

High risk, high return.

If I were to go to the battlefield, it had to be to the most lucrative, large-scale logistics port. But that didn't mean I lied to Van Flint.

"When do you depart?"

"They said to depart within a month. Although it's nominally an inspection team, once I go, I won't be back for at least a year."

"I'll tell the commander here to give you the best ship from the Haya Ria Camp."

"If possible, please also provide a few large military trucks and about a hundred hydraulic jacks. I'd like to try handling too."

"I'll connect you with the engineering corps here. Load up as much as you want on the LST."

"Thank you."

"If you need my help, contact me here. I'll help you as much as I can."

Van Flint handed me a business card.

It wasn't just a business card listing his titles.

It had his contact information! It was a lifeline and a money source.

"I'll come back alive. Please have another Jack and Coke ready for me when we meet again."

"Haha, you're really a pleasant fellow."

That's how Van Flint and I were connected.

***

A few days later,

Pier 6 of Busan Port.

It was an exclusive pier for the U.S. Haya Ria unit, so there were hardly any people except for dockworkers.

"Alright, lower it just like that. Just like that!"

"Are you sure we can stack it on top?"

"I said you could, didn't I? Just lower it like that."

The crane operator hesitated for a while but eventually started stacking the containers.

Watching the containers stack up like Lego blocks made me feel great.

"How's the quality of the containers?"

"Of course, they're good. They were made by Jindallae Ironworks."

I handed the container fee to my father.

"I'm embarrassed. Anyway, I'm glad you're satisfied."

"Honestly, I didn't expect to fill the container quota this quickly. The quality is impeccable too."

I was very pleased inside.

They were so well-made that they were close to 21st-century containers.

These containers would be a great asset to me.

They would make it easy to transport goods to the Vietnam site, and if necessary, they could be used as warehouses and temporary accommodations.

"There were so many people who wanted to take the test. The word about Daese Industries has spread nationwide. Moreover, the rumour that you can make a fortune just by going to Vietnam has attracted everyone who can work."

"Then it must have been difficult to narrow it down to 200 people."

"I selected and selected, and I managed to narrow it down to 250 people, but it's tough to reduce it further."

My father handed me the list of first-round passers. It was surprising.

It was natural to have many skilled welders and various heavy equipment operators, but there were quite a few unexpected passers.

There were school teachers, government officials, a national choir member, a novelist, and a pop music band member in the experience column.

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

But on second thought, I realized I had to take these people no matter what.

"Who are these people? Did they take the test? They need to know welding basics and handle various machines."

"I was skeptical too, but they did quite well. They were meticulous in their finishing."

"Do you mean they quit their stable government jobs?"

"They asked if the 80,000 won monthly salary with additional allowances and the promise of working for more than a year was true. If it was, they said they'd quit."

Quit? Was the government salary that low at this time?

Anyway, if they worked hard for just a year, they could earn ten years' worth of salary, so it was worth it.

"It is a sure promise. Then, did the local ironworks guys pass?"

They were people who had worked with my father for over ten years in my previous life, without any trouble, and were diligent and skillful.

They were proven in skill and would become my father's loyal subordinates, so I had to hire them no matter what.

"With difficulty, they made it into the 250. Whether they make it into the 200 remains to be seen."

Does that mean they are on the borderline?

Then that's enough.

"That's good enough. Bring all 250 of them."

"What? All 250? But their monthly salary is 80,000 won each."

"Aren't they the best workers from all over the country? It would be too unfair to drop them now."

"Thank you. Thank you."

Thank you? I'm the one who should be grateful. Dad.

Manage the 250 well. They will be your founding members for life.

"Now, let's prepare for departure. I'll allocate five containers for personal belongings for 250 people, so please label them with name tags and load them. The company will provide work clothes and toiletries, so there's no need to pack those."

"Should we load the welding machines with the personal belongings, or would it be better to load them separately?"

"The tools will be fully supported by the U.S. military. Don't waste money on those. Besides, we'll end up owning them."

"Owning them? How?"

"The U.S. military always has surplus tools."

"Oh!"

The U.S. military's supply was unimaginable in this era. Although weapons were considered U.S. assets, simple construction tools were given away for free to contractors.

"By the way, starting today, bring anyone who wants to work. We need to fill the containers now. There are plenty of materials to be moved, such as hydraulic jacks, rebar, cement, and steel beams."

"Are all these materials yours? You're really wealthy."

Only then did my father notice the materials piled up in the warehouse by the pier.

"They're not mine. They're all U.S. military's."

Even though it was just the advance party, the Haya Ria unit had provided an enormous amount of materials.

I had asked for an enormous amount of materials, thinking it wouldn't work if I didn't ask, but they had all been granted.

At this time, the U.S. was at its peak, accounting for 40% of the world's GDP.

But it would be exhausted after the Vietnam War.

"What's the daily wage?"

"I'll give you 450 won. If you manage the workers, I'll give you a fee of 50 won per person. How about that?"

"50 won per person? Of course, I'll do it. Of course!"

"Then bring them."

"Yes! I'll start right away."

My father left the pier excitedly.

Get rich. Be loved by Mom too.

Seeing my father leap with joy, I felt happy too.

"Huh?"

But just as my father was disappearing from sight, someone entered my view.

The person noticed me too and approached without hesitation.

"Are you President Woo of Daese Industries?"

"Oh, Chairman Wang... No, President Wang!"

"Do you know me?"

Who in the heavy industry doesn't know Chairman Wang?