1953 Bare-handed Tycoon - Chapter 412



Only Krnovel

412 – Future Power

The keynote speech was to send the liquidation staff first and remain in Saigon to do more work.

Before leaving Saigon, I had to meet Nguyen Van Kieu.

Those who currently hold power in Vietnam were all set to be replaced in a coup on November 2nd of this year.

There was no real point in meeting them, it was more meaningful to meet Nguyen Van Thieu’s older brother, Nguyen Van Kieu, who would become the future president.

If his younger brother, Tiu, took power, he would emerge as the real power.

Like Kim Jong-rak, Kim Jong-pil’s third older brother.

Kim Jong-rak was currently serving as a director of the Korea-Japan Bank, having been recognized for his contribution to the May 16 coup and was enjoying various vested interests.

Nguyen Van Kieu was a man who would gain much greater power than Kim Jong-rak.

Kiwoo Kijo, whom I met at the hotel, handed me the booklet he had requested.

“I have included a brief introduction to the history and culture of Vietnam as requested, and have also added some simple Vietnamese conversations.”

The keynote speaker looked at a booklet written in English.

His meticulous personality could be guessed from the booklet that was produced with sincerity.

“That’s very good, Professor. I think it will be very useful for the employees in the company.”

The keynote speaker paid an additional $2,000.

Kiwoon, who received the envelope, expressed his curiosity about Korea.

“What is Korea like these days? Is there a severe left-right confrontation like in the Republic of Vietnam?”

“It’s been ten years since the war ended, and there is no more conflict.”

“I see. Korea is fast in many ways. I envy you. We are just getting started.”

As expected from a university professor, he boasted extensive knowledge of history.

He said that the reason Korea was able to quickly find stability was because the existing order was destroyed by the civil war.

“Vietnam is different. When it gained independence from France in 1955, it inherited the legacy of the corrupt Bao Dai Dynasty. There was no proper purge of people. Those who clung to the royal family and enjoyed vested interests were absorbed into the Republic of Vietnam. Korea’s dynasty collapsed early, right?”

“Yes, the dynasty effectively disappeared when it became a Japanese colony.”

“That is truly a blessing. The royal family is gone, and even the aristocracy is gone because of the war, so it is a great blessing for the common people. There must have been many casualties from the war, but I think I have only talked about the good side.”

“No. There is some truth to what you said, Professor.”

Kiwoo’s level of knowledge was amazing.

At that time, intellectuals in countries that had just emerged from colonial rule studied overseas cases to find a direction for the country’s development.

It was the same for Korean intellectuals.

We explored Korea’s development direction by examining cases from various countries.

Didn’t even Chairman Park and Kim Jong-pil learn from examples of coups in other countries and set the direction of their revolution?

In the 1960s, Asia, excluding Japan, was in a period of confusion about where to set its national course.

Fortunately, Korea’s society was relatively stable after the April 19 Revolution and the May 16 Revolution.

“There was a coup in Korea two years ago, right?”

“Yes.”

“I was worried when I heard the news, but I am glad that nothing bad happened after that. Am I too interested in Korea? It is natural because there are many similarities between Korea and Vietnam.”

“I’m just grateful for the interest. I’m just dissatisfied that there aren’t many people interested in Korea. Haha.”

As Kijo smiled and expressed his gratitude, Kiwoo continued to tell stories about Korea.

“Korea is currently in a more difficult situation than Vietnam, but I think Korea has a head start over Vietnam. The corrupt vested interests have been cleared out, and strong governance is being exercised, so there is a lot of room for development. Vietnam has a dark future.”

He seemed concerned about Vietnam’s future.

With the ruling class corrupt, the people divided, and the threat of war creeping in, they must have been envious of Korea, which had been hit first.

Kijo was glad that Kiwoo was an intellectual and very interested in Korea.

It didn’t seem like it would be difficult to strengthen my relationship with him.

“As for my country, Korea is currently focusing on industrialization. Among the projects I am promoting is a project to bring in foreign loans to build a comprehensive steel mill and produce 1 million tons of steel annually.”

“Is that so?”

Kiwoo showed interest in the steel mill business.

He was a man well-versed in current affairs and interested in economics.

When he was appointed as the Vietnamese ambassador to Korea in 1966, he took over a rolling mill in Yeongdeungpo and attempted to start a steel business in Korea.

It’s something I would never have done if I didn’t believe that doing business in Korea was better than in the chaotic Vietnam.

He wanted to invest $5 million.

The keynote speech was about KISA.

“By the end of this year, the international steel loan delegation, including companies from the U.S., Germany, and Japan, will decide on investment in Korea.”

“Is that so?”

“I am participating as the host on the Korean side.”

Kijo looked closely at Kiwoo’s expression.

If he had no interest in overseas investment, it wouldn’t have been noticeable, but his eyes were shining.

“Only steel companies can participate in KISA, right?”

“Yes, Professor. But the door is also open to ordinary investors. In Korea, there was a recruitment of investors for a general steel mill, and my sister-in-law also invested in it.”

“Oh, really? Your family is a business family.”

It may be a bit grandiose to call them a business family, but the entire Kijo family was in business. Pilgrimage’s maternal aunt’s family also ran a Cheongsan Trading Company.

It seemed like he took the words of his sister-in-law, who was raising the family, quite seriously.

It seemed like it was some kind of insider trading.

“Are you also recruiting foreign investors?”

“I haven’t done it yet, but I’m thinking about doing it since we’ve also opened a liaison office in Vietnam.”

“Then take this.”

Ki-woo returned the envelope containing the $2,000 he had received from Ki-jo.

“I will invest a small amount.”

The keynote speaker was reluctant to accept the $2,000.

“I will send you the official investment guide. You can read it and take your time deciding.”

“No, take it. I’ve already decided.”

It seemed like he was trying to throw away the additional case money he received from Ki-woo Kijo, pretending it wasn’t there.

Although the amount was small, it provided a link to Vietnam’s future power holders.

“Okay, I will gladly accept it. When I go to Korea, I will send you stock certificates worth $2,000.”

“Right. Haha. There are foreign investment laws in Korea too, right?”

“Yes, there are. The laws are better than before. After the revolution, laws were enacted to promote the introduction of foreign capital.”

“That’s good.”

Seeing Kiwoo looking satisfied, Kijo’s heart was also satisfied.

By the time the integrated steel mill is built in Korea, Nguyen Van Thieu will have seized power in South Vietnam, and his older brother Kieu will also be in power.

And as the construction of the integrated steel mill became more visible, Kiwoo was able to invest more money.

There was talk of closer relations between Korean steel mills and the Vietnamese government.

Although Korean-produced steel would be of inferior quality to Japanese steel, it would be far more competitive in price.

South Vietnam, busy with war, was more likely to choose quantity over quality.

“Vietnam and Korea have many similarities. I hope that the two countries will develop together.”

Kiwoo offered words of encouragement to the relationship between the two countries and agreed to the keynote speech.

Kijo, who concluded his Saigon activities by meeting Kiwoo, boarded a flight to Japan the next day.

* * *

After arriving at Gimpo Airport via Japan, Kijo was reunited with his family and the staff who came to greet him.

As soon as Kijo saw Youngsoo in his middle school uniform, he hugged him tightly.

The school cap that Youngsoo wore had a mark on it during the game.

“Father, I’m stuck.”

“Thank you, Youngsoo. You worked hard.”

Kijo was thrilled that his eldest son, Youngsu, had passed the first gate of life.

Just entering middle school was so amazing, it brought tears to my eyes.

“Brother-in-law, when he heard that I passed the college entrance exam, he immediately bought me a Gyeonggi Middle School uniform. The pillar of our family! Lee Young-soo!”

“Thank you, sister-in-law.”

“Thank you. When Young-soo grows up, he should benefit from it. Young-soo, you should become a doctor or a judge. You don’t need money because your father earns a lot. Learn advanced skills. Advanced.”

“Yes, aunt.”

Yeongsu answered with a red face.

The keynote speech was given to Pilgrimage with a light hug.

“Did you worry a lot?”

“You weren’t at the water’s edge, were you?”

“I didn’t go. I was just in Saigon.”

Pilgrimage checked the news from Vietnam through the newspaper every single day while Gijo was away in Korea.

I was always worried that something might happen.

But now that her husband has returned safely, her worries are gone and her face is brighter than ever.

Sunyoung said to Yeongsu.

“Youngsu, tell your father what you want to eat. He’ll be so happy that he’ll buy us all a meal.”

When Youngsoo was worried, Sunyoung gave him the answer.

“Ask your father to buy you some US Army steak. Let’s all cut the 8th Army steak together.”

“Yes, Dad, let’s go eat steak.”

“Okay then.”

The keynote was to count the number of people at the airport. I saw the light.

Kijo approached Seo-gwang and asked cautiously.

“What happened to Youngbae…?”

“Ugh, that little punk, he failed the electrical test. He’ll have to retake the final exam. If he fails middle school, they’ll just teach him how to drive, you know.”

“It will definitely stick in the future, hyung.”

Kijo quietly comforted Seo-kwang and went inside the airport building to pick up the phone.

A permit was required to bring 18 people into the 8th Army.

With the pass that Kijo had, only family members could be brought into the compound.

When Houseman answered the phone, Kijo greeted him first.

“I’m back. Keynote. I’m back in Korea.”

-Oh, yeah. You’re finally back. How’s everything going in Vietnam?

“Yes, I’ve taken care of it. I’m calling because I have a favor to ask of you.”

-say it.

“I’m going to take 18 people to the 8th Army and eat steak.”

– Really? Okay. I’ll let you in. Do you have any other requests?

“That’s all.”

Houseman reacted indifferently to the keynote speech.

―Now you don’t even come to see me, you just make restaurant reservations.

“I’m sorry. I’ll have to see you separately, sir.”

-Okay. Are you sure there are 18? You’re not counting, are you?

“Oh! You didn’t count me. There are 19 of you in total.”

– Then that’s right. With a clear head. I’ll make a reservation for 19 people, so enjoy your meal.

“Thank you, Advisor.”

-See you later.

Only House hung up the phone.

Kijo headed to the Yongsan US military base with his family and Cheongsan clan.

As we passed through the main gate of Yongsan Base and entered the premises, Yeongsu was amazed by the exotic appearance that was different from the outside of the base.

Yongsan Base was like a small American town.

“Wow, this is really great. If you just go over the barbed wire, a whole new world opens up!”

Sunyoung was amazed by the scenery outside the bus window.

The bus passed through the main gate of the command center and headed to the 8th Army Club, which was the former residence of the Japanese military commander.

As they entered the club, the seats reserved by Houseman were waiting for them.

The keynote reminded him of the first time he met Hausmann there.

When I came out after my unpleasant first meeting with him, I remembered the children scavenging for food in the US military dump.

Now, there are Korean companies that specialize in processing US military food waste, so that kind of scene has disappeared, but there are still people who want to eat food discarded by US soldiers.

Kijo looked at Youngsoo, thinking of the children who put wilted pieces of lettuce in their mouths and licked chocolate wrappers with their tongues.

Youngsu, wearing his new school uniform, looked very neat and tidy.

Looking at such a leader, Kijo said to himself.

‘Youngsu, your father wants you to become someone who helps people in need.’

Yeongsu met Kijo’s gaze and smiled brightly.

Kijo smiled at Youngsoo and taught the pilgrim sitting next to him how to use a fork and knife.