CH56 - Farewell

Southeast Asia was a major target for Japanese trading companies.

There was no way the managers of these companies wouldn't know about the Mekong River.

The Mekong River formed the border between Laos and Thailand and flowed through Vietnam into the South China Sea, making it a lifeline for the people of Southeast Asia.

Especially, the delta formed near Saigon by the lower reaches of the Mekong River was a large-scale granary that Vietnam prided itself on.

The land was so fertile that it didn't need fertilizer, and planting rice seeds alone could yield three harvests.

"As you all know, the Mekong River has a high riverbed, making it difficult for large ships to navigate without dredging."

"That's right. The lower Mekong River is serpentine and the waterway is difficult, making the insurance premiums for merchant ships entering Saigon high."

"And the U.S. military's dredger was attacked and sunk by the Viet Cong in the Mekong Delta."

"Gasp? Is that true? Then neither merchant ships nor warships can enter, right?"

"Exactly. Whether it's the South Vietnamese government forces or the Viet Cong, the Mekong Delta is a food warehouse, and the U.S. military has essentially lost control of the area."

The U.S. control came from the Navy.

If LSTs or patrol boats couldn't approach the Mekong Delta, their control would inevitably weaken.

"It's an emergency."

"Now I understand. You're thinking of passing the dredging work to that Korean."

"That's right. Isn't it using a thief to catch a thief? The Viet Cong would desperately try to eliminate anyone attempting to resume dredging."

"If that guy doesn't die this time..."

"Even if, by some miracle, he survives, he won't be able to carry out the dredging. Then he'll face severe repercussions. Failing to secure a food warehouse for the enemy with a mere dredging project? It's a disgrace."

"So, in the end, he'll be expelled from Vietnam. That's when we step in."

"Ha! Brilliant. This time, he won't escape."

Everyone clapped, and the atmosphere heated up.

"We've struggled until now, but in business, the ultimate winner is the true victor, isn't it?"

"That's right. This time, we'll definitely send Woo Chan-soo to his doom."

"Hahaha, are we supposed to root for the Viet Cong's victory? Leave Saigon to us at Toyota."

"Washington is ours at Itochu."

They clenched their fists with determination.

There seemed no chance for a single Korean to survive, let alone succeed, in a place where even the U.S. military had lost a dredger and retreated.

"For the prosperity of Northeast Asia."

"For prosperity."

The five conglomerates joined hands once again.

They were more tenacious about money than anyone else.

Daese Shilup's growth rate was terrifying.

After conquering the Southeast Asian market with tricot fabric and polytech, they seized almost all the special needs of Vietnam.

Both were practically Japanese strongholds.

*****

Pleiku, Mangho Division.

<Bombing 12 scheduled. All personnel in the Pleiku SSE sector evacuate. Repeat, bombing>

Sirens blared and warning broadcasts echoed.

Soon, yellow smoke grenades were dropped far from the base, and a swooshing bomber appeared.

The medium bomber could fly at low altitudes, so it accurately bombed where the yellow smoke grenades rose.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

"Wow, bombing is really something."

At first, I was too scared to even look, but now I was at the stage of watching the bombing with binoculars.

"Mangho, you can start the transport now."

"Thank you as always. Escorting us and even arranging the bombing requests."

Whenever we came and went to the Mangho Division, we always contacted Quy Nhon for bombing support.

Thanks to that, the Viet Cong attacks had disappeared.

"It's the least we can do for handling the supplies."

"It's my job, after all. I'll send a separate truck to retrieve the broken bulldozer. Please use the new one in the meantime."

"Got it. Mangho!"

With the runway laid around the company base, heavy equipment could come and go easily.

Thanks to that, the Mangho Division soldiers quickly turned the jungle into rice fields, and we easily transported logs.

Soon, Quy Nhon would transform into a vast granary comparable to the Mekong Delta, and the Viet Cong would naturally disintegrate as their hideouts disappeared.

Above all, it was great that the Mangho Division continued to break heavy equipment while clearing the jungle.

The only regret was that there were no more crashed helicopter wrecks to salvage.

"Let's go, Sajangnim. There's a farewell party soon."

"Indeed. Let's go."

We quickly left the Mangho Division of Pleiku.

It was once a fierce battleground, but now it had turned into plains with rice fields.

Even the sight of egrets made us forget, if only for a moment, that we were in the midst of a war.

*****

"Congratulations on your return! Live well."

"Make a lot of money. We'll work harder in the U.S."

Farewell greetings were in full swing everywhere.

Although there were only seven people in the return procession, it seemed like all the Koreans in Quy Nhon had gathered.

"Did you pack the TV?"

"Of course. I even packed the radio."

"Play it once before selling it."

"I'm going to use the radio myself."

"Wow, you're rich."

Everyone carried mountains of luggage to the port.

Just like the dispatched soldiers, returning by navy LST meant customs exemption for up to 100 kilograms per person.

It was the Korean government's consideration for the dispatched technicians who earned dollars.

In a way, it was an extralegal matter, but it was the 60s, and if the president allowed it, so it was.

Or maybe it was possible because of the national sentiment.

'Should I return home this time? No, the money I earn here is too good...'

Everyone seemed to be thinking the same thing.

"Please take good care of my employees, Phil."

"There's nothing to ask. Just helping with the immigration procedures and finding a house."

"Thank you for saying so."

There were no issues with passports and visas.

The Korean government expedited the relevant measures, and the U.S. visa was easily obtained by attaching the U.S. military mechanic certificate and Godell's recommendation letter.

"We look forward to the completion of Daese's products."

"Alright, see you soon in the U.S."

Phil Knight finished the handshake and boarded the LST.

I didn't know how he cut it, but his bowl cut was trimmed short like a soldier's, looking good.

"I'll be back."

"Don't hurt yourself pretending to exercise and study hard in the library."

There was another changed person.

Professor Joo Young-gil, who had spent time with me, had a much different expression and tone. Though it was a short time, there seemed to be a mental change.

"Of course. Don't worry."

"Have you decided?"

"I'm going to the materials department at Missouri. In the Korean situation, materials come before machinery."

He considered changing his major but stuck to the original.

He even stayed at the same school where he got his degree.

Fortunately, his invention didn't seem to change.

"Then I can give you this."

I handed him a turbine blade I had taken from a helicopter engine. In an American university or research lab, it would be possible to analyze its components.

"You're telling me to analyze it."

"Imitation is the mother of creation. Start by analyzing existing heat-resistant materials."

"Imitation is the mother of creation, do you have any more advice? Technically speaking."

"Technical advice..."

"Anything you often think about, even if it's just a recurring theme."

Recurring theme? It seemed like Professor Joo really thought I was a genius. Something came to mind just in time.

"It's not a recurring theme, but something worth pondering."

"What is it? Please tell me."

"If it's a superalloy, don't you think it can't be made by melting it the usual way?"

"... Ah..."

Superalloys are heat-resistant alloys.

The idea of making a heat-resistant alloy that withstands a blast furnace by melting it in a blast furnace is strange.

"Isn't there a unique way to make superalloys? If you find that method, you could definitely make superalloys."

It's something you mentioned in class.

You said you suddenly thought of it during your research and were able to get ahead in developing superalloys because of that thought.

"Th... That's true. So what method is it?"

"I don't know."

I didn't hear that method.

When you were lecturing, the superalloy technology NASA developed was classified.

In the 21st century, the license might have been lifted, but by then, I was no longer interested in superalloys.

"Board now."

"Go on. People are waiting."

I sent Professor Joo up onto the ship.

"Sajangnim, can I really go to America?"

Mr. Jae-hong was the last of the group.

There wasn't much time for a long goodbye.

"Don't worry. You'll succeed."

"Thank you for the encouragement."

It's not just encouragement. It's a fact.

You can't help but succeed.

You won't forgive yourself for failing.

Such people are destined for 100% success.

"Believe in yourself. That's the priority."

"Yes. I'll remember that."

"Go! See you later."

I sent Mr. Jae-hong onto the LST as well.

"Loyalty!"

"Everyone, become rich!"

"Goodbye! Be sure to succeed!"

"Work hard and succeed!"

Both those leaving and those seeing them off wished each other luck.

*****

"CS, the colonel is calling for you."

As I watched the LST disappearing over the horizon, Godell's aide approached from somewhere.

"Why, is there a problem?"

"An urgent radio message came in from Saigon. The colonel wants to discuss it with CS."

"An urgent radio message?"

Why discuss an urgent message from Saigon with me? But there was no way I could refuse.

I headed straight to the command post in the aide's jeep.

*****

"Welcome, CS."

"What's going on?"

Contrary to expectations, Godell was not lounging on the beach.

He was sitting in the command post, dressed in regulation uniform.

He was smoking a cigar as usual, but his expression was rigid.

'Damn, this doesn't feel good.'

When someone around you starts doing unusual things, it means something bad is happening.

"The Viet Cong launched a large-scale attack in the Mekong Delta. The dredger ship Jamaica sank."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"We have spare dredgers only in Quy Nhon."

Of course. The other ports were still in the early stages of construction.

We finished dredging a long time ago.

"Moving the dredger to Saigon is the solution. You need to discuss it with BR Corporation."

"Saigon wants dredging done. Specifically, they pinpointed you."

"There should be construction subcontractors there. If not, they can use Vietnamese workers."

Why should I go there?

If the dredger ship sank near Saigon, which is guarded by the U.S. military, the attack must have been massive.

I love money, but I'm not crazy enough to risk my life unknowingly.

"I also objected. But, there's talk going around. That you plan to earn a star by staying safely in the rear, avoiding dangerous places."

"..."

"They suggested I abandon Quy Nhon and set up a camp near the Mekong Delta."

"Abandon Quy Nhon?"

What happens if Godell abandons Quy Nhon?

A lucrative spot, if left unattended even briefly, gets snatched up immediately.

"Yes. They suggested I establish a base at the Mekong Delta. Since it supplies 50% of South Vietnam's rice, defending it is like cutting off the Viet Cong's supply line."

"Why should you, the colonel, go there when Saigon is already there!"

Bang!

"That's what I'm saying!"

Godell banged on the table in frustration.

Whoever it was, it was truly the worst.

It was like telling him to give up the well-nurtured Quy Nhon.

If Godell went there, my connection would be severed too.

Even if construction contracts proceeded as planned, military supply special recruitment, timber business, surplus materials, etc., would not be the same as before.

To Godell's competitors, I was a thorn in their side.

Moreover, Quy Nhon had the potential to become the Hong Kong of Southeast Asia if the Mangho Division protected it.

"Damn! Are you telling me to go?"

"If you don't go, I have to."

"Why does Colonel Godell have to go? You need to protect Quy Nhon."

"I need to earn a star too! What about the star!"

He didn't even hide his intentions in his urgency.

He was right. Sitting comfortably in Quy Nhon meant the star would fly away.

'Do I have to risk my life for you?'

I nearly said this out loud.

Bang! Bang!

It was my turn to bang on the table.

"Why me! Why do I!!!"

That was all I could say.

"If you don't go, I'll have to."

"Damn it!"

"Who's going? You or me!"

That was why Godell was in full uniform.

Godell and the reserve star at the headquarters were competing to strip each other of their uniforms.

The reserve star had bet everything on Godell not engaging in the Mekong Delta defensive operation.

He planned to advertise that he achieved the dangerous task Godell avoided and seized the star.

Petty, but no one would stop the fight.

The supreme commander had already decided to upgrade Quy Nhon to the Military Assistance Office, making a star position available.

Colonels were naturally competing for achievements.

"Why did Quy Nhon... Quy Nhon become a trophy?"

"You raised it too well. It's a star birthing spot."

I had painstakingly built up Quy Nhon!

If Godell lost this fight, the ownership of Quy Nhon would change.

Then I would be out as well.

The new owner of Quy Nhon would have no reason to keep me, who helped Godell.

"What's the construction cost?"

"Are you going then?"

"If I don't go, we'll have to give up Quy Nhon, right?"

Colonel Godell would go to the Mekong Delta himself to earn the star if I didn't.

Then I would certainly lose Quy Nhon and ruin my relationship with Godell.

"Are you really going?"

"How much is the construction cost!"

"Tell me! I'll handle it."

"5 million dollars. No, 6 million dollars!"

"9 million! I'll bet up to 9 million if not for CS, we wouldn't have come this far. I'll risk the colonel position for 9 million."

If the dredging ended in failure, not only I but Godell would be held accountable.

The impact would be greater on Godell.

"..."

Just for a single dredging project in the delta, 9 million dollars, I would normally jump for joy, thinking I hit the jackpot.

If he promised 9 million dollars... Damn it... How dangerous is it?

"I'll take a contact ship under the guise of a tugboat."

"Take it. Do you need anything else?"

"If I ask for combat troops, would you give them?"

"It's not that we won't; we can't. That's Saigon camp's operational area. Combat is Saigon's responsibility. Our order is just to build a camp."

"Really, damn..."

Originally, camps were set up to build supply ports in Saigon, Da Nang, Cam Ranh, and Quy Nhon.

Now, colonels were competing for achievements.

There was no way they would support troops.

"Help me, CS. Quy Nhon is ours."

Godell pleaded unusually.

"Who doesn't know that!"

I shouted with all my might at Godell and stormed out of the office.

TL/n :-

Namaste InkBound here 🙏

Please provide Power Stones and leave a review if you find the novel interesting only then I will keep updating otherwise I will stop ¯\_(ツ)_/¯