1953 Bare-handed Tycoon - Chapter 411



Only Krnovel

411 – Taking care of your partners

After concluding the oral contract, Richardson left the hotel.

There was no word for a while about Kijo being put in charge of the CIA’s air transport business without any contract.

Frank, who was looking at the keynote speaker with a complicated look on his face, spoke up.

“Your salary will be paid in cash every month. It will probably be delivered to you in a C-ration box.”

Even when the topic of money was brought up, Kijo’s face did not brighten up much.

“Is there something on your mind?”

“No. I’ve been thinking about how to convey the message to President Cho Joong-hoon. I don’t think it will be difficult.”

Kijo smiled and took a sip of the cold coffee.

“Good job, Keynote. You passed the CIA’s stress interview.”

“Is this a stress interview?”

“Joko was testing you. The CIA evaluates people by coaxing, cajoling, and even threatening them. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you in advance.”

“What do you mean, Frank, you should do that.”

The smiling Kijo spoke as if he had just remembered something.

“Come to think of it, I think there was a test like this when I first met you.”

“I remember. Haha.”

Keynote and Frank reminisced together about the New Year’s morning in 1954 when they first met.

At first, Frank didn’t like the idea of ​​running a brickyard. He wanted to work in a construction company with a lot of money involved.

Then, Kijo said that he would show his ability if given a $100 project, and he proceeded with the Han River flood control project.

Instead of taking on construction work cheaply, the business made a profit by making cheap bricks with dirt dug up from the Han River and selling the aggregate it extracted.

Frank could trust Keynote after seeing the idea and its results.

Frank thought that it had already been ten years since he had met Gijo.

The assessment of the keynote speech made in 1954 remains the same today.

Smart but not cunning, a businessman but without a hint of greed.

The young brick factory owner, who was only 24 years old at the time, is now 33 years old and runs one of the most prestigious companies in Korea.

“You’ve really grown a lot.”

Frank, overcome with emotion, spoke as he looked at the keynote.

“Who? Me? You?”

The keynote speaker asked with a smile.

“Of course, we both grew up. I grew up in the shade and you grew up in the sun, like sunflowers.”

The keynote speaker burst into laughter at Frank’s words.

I was grateful to Frank for helping me for 10 years and for being a strong friend.

Frank said as their feelings for each other were conveyed telepathically.

“I think Joko liked you. I didn’t know he would set the conditions so high.”

Kijo, who had been exhausted from arguing with Jocko, felt energized by Frank’s words.

“You will like it more in the future. You will wish you had left it to the Koreans a long time ago.”

“Haha, I think I know what you mean. It was the same during the Korean War. At first, I didn’t trust the Korean military and Korean laborers, but later on, their true value was revealed.”

The two nodded to each other and then went into more depth about the CIA’s transportation business.

After finishing the story, Kijo parted ways with Frank and went straight to find Jo Joong-hoon.

When I told him the general story about ‘special air transport’, Joong-Hoon asked in surprise.

“You’re giving me that much?”

Joong-Hoon said, admiring the conditions that Ki-Jo had created.

“As expected, America has a lot of money. They don’t spare any money on war. Hahaha.”

Kijo gave a warning to the satisfied Joong-Hoon.

“As you may have noticed, this is not an ordinary civilian transport. You must keep this a secret for at least 20 years.”

“I know what you mean. Didn’t the US military operate something like the Kelo Unit during the Korean War? It was probably something like supporting irregular units.”

Although he didn’t say it was CIA work, Joong-Hoon seemed to have a rough idea.

The advantage of the people of that era was that they were quick to understand the war because they lived through the Korean War.

*KLO Unit – A special unit comprised of North Koreans during the Korean War that infiltrated North Korea and carried out operations. Although they were affiliated with the US military, they were not legally managed and participated in combat as civilians.

“That’s right. That’s what happens.”

“I’m tight-lipped. Don’t worry about that. You know what happens if you open your mouth. The Korean government won’t be able to protect us either.”

The keynote speaker nodded and said.

“But there is a condition.”

“What conditions? Tell me quickly.”

“They demanded capital increase, saying that Air Korea is small in size.”

“how much?”

“I would like to double the current amount.”

“Twice as much?”

Then Joong-Hoon expressed his discomfort.

“Oh no, where can I get that money right now?”

“Can I participate in the capital increase?”

Joong-Hoon was delighted by the keynote speech.

“You? Is that what you call it? If you provide the capital, I’ll be the one to take the credit. How many times have we been in business together? Hahaha.”

Joong-Hoon laughed heartily and patted Ki-Jo on the shoulder.

It was great to be able to work with Kijodo Junghoon and Air Korea on business in Vietnam.

“Brother, I want to buy a helicopter with the money I invested.”

“A sleeper plane? There probably aren’t many pilots in the country who can fly that.”

“They said they would take the pilot to the US and even provide training.”

“Really? Then we should do it. I think helicopters are perfect for the environment in Vietnam. It’s easy to transport materials and personnel.”

“Right? I think so too.”

The keynote speech was already looking ahead to the end of the Vietnam War.

When South Vietnam became communist in 1975, Korea had no helicopters and had difficulty evacuating its citizens and embassy staff.

When we asked the US, they did send helicopters, but not in sufficient numbers.

This time, Kijo wanted to mobilize a helicopter to help with the withdrawal.

And helicopters would prove useful even during wartime.

While conducting business in Vietnam, if any of our employees were to become isolated or require an emergency evacuation, we wanted to use Air Korea’s helicopters to quickly rescue them.

“But the price of a helicopter won’t be cheap… … I know because I bought an airplane in the US.”

“Don’t worry about that. They said they’d get you two.”

“Really? That’s really great! I think we’ve got the water supply down. Hahaha.”

Joong-Hoon was very satisfied with the business that brought in at least $1 million a year.

* * *

The next day, Kijo attended the opening ceremony of the Vietnam Liaison Office of the Cheongsan Consortium.

To save money, we didn’t purchase a separate building.

It was decided to open a liaison office for the liquidation consortium inside Shinheung Trading’s building and hang a signboard side by side with Shinheung Trading’s.

Korean embassy staff also attended the dedication ceremony.

They even held a ritual to pray for the smooth progress of business by placing a pig’s head in front of the building.

The keynote speaker put a dollar in a pig’s mouth and bowed, praying that no one would get hurt.

After the exams were over, everyone who attended the dedication ceremony took a photo in front of the building.

Ambassador to Vietnam Shin Sang-chul stood in the center, and Ki-jo, standing next to him, looked around at the people around him.

Everyone had a smile on their face.

Keynote also prayed in his heart that none of the people taking the photo with him would die or be injured in Vietnam.

After the commemorative photo shoot, the keynote speaker took Ambassador Shin Sang-cheol to the empty lot in front of the Shinheung Trading Company warehouse.

In the warehouse yard, a model of the accommodations for workers dispatched to Vietnam was set up.

The only accommodations were military tents.

Western companies offered to provide two-story wooden barracks, but they could not afford them yet.

And since the construction site had to be moved every few days to build accommodations, military barracks that could be quickly set up and dismantled were the best option.

The ambassador and the staff inspected the worker accommodations that Hyundai Construction employees had built as a model.

Since they had used military barracks as workers’ quarters in the early days of the Cheongsan Brick Factory, Gijo, Ma-ryang, and Seo-gwang were familiar with military barracks.

“So 15 people stay in one barrack?”

Ambassador Shin Sang-cheol looked at the field beds and asked.

“Yes.”

A Hyundai Engineering & Construction employee answered.

The keynote speaker also asked Hyundai Construction employees.

“Could you please bring electricity to the barracks? It seems to be hot inside the barracks, so I would like you to turn on the fan.”

A Hyundai Construction employee looked at Chung Ju-young in surprise at the keynote speech that he would provide fans.

Then, Chung Ju-young approached Ki-jo and whispered.

“The company doesn’t need to provide fans. If you treat them too well from the beginning, they won’t keep crawling up. We’ll make them suffer a little and install them one by one. That way, they’ll know you’re grateful.”

Kijo nodded in agreement with Chung Ju-young’s words.

In any case, Hyundai Engineering & Construction was the main driver of road construction, so it had to be left to Chung Ju-young’s methods.

His approach seemed harsh, but I thought he said that because he had the know-how he had acquired over a long period of time.

Ambassador Shin Sang-cheol asked how meals are provided to workers.

For Koreans, wherever they go, food is the most important issue.

“I think we can serve better food than in Korea. We plan to serve meat at least three times a week.”

Ambassador Shin Sang-cheol was very pleased when a Hyundai Construction employee who had even completed a local price survey answered.

“Meat side dishes three times a week! That’s really great treatment. I’m satisfied that my fellow countrymen who are working hard in a foreign country can eat meat while working.”

There was a time in Korea when it was difficult for ordinary people to eat meat.

Chung Ju-young, who was standing next to him, stepped forward.

“Of course, in this hot country, if you work without eating meat, you won’t last a week. Dogs, chickens, pigs, cows, anything with four legs will be killed. Hahaha.”

Chung Ju-young also seemed to be favorable towards providing meat.

However, perhaps because they were afraid of the tiger-like President Chung Ju-young, none of the Hyundai Construction employees told them that the chicken ran on two legs.

If it had been a liquidation, the atmosphere would have been free and the employees would have quickly pointed out the problem.

The atmosphere of Cheongsan and Hyundai was that different.

The platoon also inspected the sandbags piled around the barracks.

It was a measure to ensure the safety of workers in case of a Viet Cong attack.

The keynote speaker made sure that his body was exposed above the sandbags while he lay down on the field bed. It seemed like he would be well protected while he slept.

Everyone looked at the sandbags with mixed emotions on their faces.

There was a growing sense of anxiety that the Viet Cong might attack the Koreans.

“Are the Viet Cong really going to shoot at us?”

Park Hee-jun asked.

Ambassador Shin Sang-cheol answered with a complicated expression.

“I think that could be the case. South Korea is an anti-communist country, so the Viet Cong won’t look kindly on it.”

Shin Sang-cheol bit his mouth tightly.

After completing the tour of the workers’ dormitory, the keynote speaker guided Ambassador Shin Sang-cheol to his office and asked for support from the Korean Embassy in Vietnam.

“Of course. Our companies came to Vietnam to make dollars, so we should help them. You are all patriots.”

Ambassador Shin Sang-cheol gladly accepted. As they were exchanging pleasantries, Ambassador Shin looked at Chae Myeong-shin and said:

“Chief Chae, would you like to observe the South Vietnamese Army’s guerrilla suppression operation?”

“Yes, Ambassador.”

“We can help you, Lieutenant Lee Dae-yong. You said you were friends with the division commander in Vietnam, right?”

The new ambassador asked Lee Dae-yong, who had come with him.

“Yes, I will help Director Chae Myeong-shin.”

The keynote speech was that Chae Myeong-shin’s inspection of the South Vietnamese army had been resolved, and it was decided to ask for Kim Jong-hee’s report as well.

“Sergeant Lee Dae-yong, President Kim Jong-hee of Korea Explosives also wants to see how the South Vietnamese military operates the ammunition depot and transports explosives. Is that possible?”

Kim Jong-hee of Korea Explosives supplied and stored dynamite for the US military during the US military government.

It was officially recognized as an explosives handling organization by the US military government and was subject to supervision by the US military command.

Kim Jong-hee was thinking of taking on the task of outsourcing the supply, transportation, and management of explosives to the Vietnamese and American militaries in recognition of his experience.

“Have you ever supplied dynamite to the US military?”

The new ambassador asked with interest.

“Yes, after liberation, I managed a gunpowder depot run by a Japanese company.”

“How did you deliver to the US military?”

“I just went to the American military base and said to the guard at the main gate, ‘I have dynamite.’”

“yes?”

The new ambassador asked in surprise.

“You didn’t get into trouble?”

“The black military policeman guarding the main gate of the unit asked me, ‘You have dynamite?’ I said, ‘Yes! Yes! I have dynamite, manny, manny.’ Then he suddenly pulled out his gun and pointed it at me. I almost died. I was so young and naive at the time, I didn’t know anything. I was searched and barely managed to get into the unit and meet an officer. Haha.”

“Of course. You went up to the guard and said, ‘I have bombs. There are a lot of them.’ The guard must have been surprised. Haha.”

Everyone laughed at the new ambassador’s words.

Kim Jong-hee was able to start a business with the US military after being mistaken for a bomber.

“I will also help Mr. Kim gain access to the Vietnam unit.”

“Understood, Ambassador.”

Although Kijo was the youngest among the businessmen, he led the Vietnam business like an older brother.

After the meeting between the members of Cheonwoohoe and Ambassador Shin, Ambassador Shin was about to return to the embassy when he called Kijo aside and asked him quietly.

“When will you return to Korea?”

“I have a lot of things to take care of in Vietnam. I think I’ll stay a few more days before I go.”

“I see. The Chairman asked me to ask that question, so I asked. Haha.”

Kijo replied that he understood when Chairman Park said he was looking for him.

After sending off the Korean embassy staff, Kijo decided to stay in Vietnam a little longer.

It was a time when those around Chairman Park were extremely sensitive because of the presidential election.

Kim Jong-pil and Lee Hu-rak were both very sensitive to who Chairman Park met and what they were talking about.

Kijo didn’t want to be subjected to unnecessary suspicion and jealousy.

I thought that if Chairman Park wanted to meet me, it would be better to make Chairman Park come to me in person.