108 : Demolition Expert
“Is there any way to make this a reservoir? Countless people have thought of digging a canal here. However, they all surrendered in front of this valley.”
Of course it was.
The Arava Valley here is a grand canyon with a depth well over 200m. Because it is a precipitous cliff, it is difficult to properly build an access road even with heavy equipment.
“If you are Korean, it is possible.”
“What level is possible? France asked for 3 billion dollars for the construction.”
In the meantime, the cost of constructing the main aqueduct here varied widely.
Knowing that this was Jordan’s long-cherished project, not one or two construction companies set out to get a share.
I went on a field trip thinking that a few hundred million dollars would be enough for the construction of a water canal in the desert, but when I looked at the valley here, the construction cost rose vertically to billions of dollars.
“The total construction cost will be calculated by BR, and our general trend is to build pump facilities and reservoirs within two years. We want to help Jordan more than money.”
I’m in a situation where I have to pay lip service.
When BR calculates the construction cost, David will lend the loan accordingly. There was absolutely no reason for me to step out and make a deal.
“Two years?”
King Hussein was taken aback.
“Are you late? Uhm, then let’s finish the first reservoir within a year. Instead, desalination of the reservoir should be discussed with BR.”
I pretended not to understand what he was saying and pushed the schedule. In the Middle East, where there is no culture quickly, a reservoir within a year would not have even been expected.
‘CS, too much promise…’
‘David, don’t worry. I’m Korean.’
Fortunately, David nodded at my words.
He knows what kind of people Koreans are.
“Can you keep that promise?”
“If we cannot build a reservoir within one year, we will reimburse twice the construction cost. Instead, we need to receive at least $30 million in start-up costs.”
At $30 million, short-term net profit remains after excluding labor and material costs. If you use the profits to build a shipyard, the job will be much easier.
“The start-up cost is 30 million dollars…”
The plane was already near the Dead Sea, but it was still hovering.
It meant that the words King Hussein wanted did not come out. There must be a reason why you fly the plane yourself.
“When it comes to money, don’t worry. I’ll lend you enough construction costs with the ADI loan. Instead, it is a condition that you sign a permanent peace agreement with Israel.”
“It is permanent. Israel is not a reliable opponent. A provisional peace agreement is best.”
King Hussein stressed that it was a truce.
David frowned.
A provisional peace agreement was just a waste of money.
It was my turn to step out once more.
“Your Majesty the King. A permanent peace agreement with Israel can be made on the condition that it neatly relinquish its rights to the disputed West Bank.”
The West Bank, inhabited by Palestinians, was Jordan’s hidden card.
“Are you asking me to give up the territory?”
King Hussein gritted his molars.
“Peace in the Middle East cannot take a single step forward without that level of determination. Isn’t His Majesty well aware of that?”
Whether it is Israel or the United States, they must have that much interest to hold Jordan’s hand.
“We are not a defeated nation.”
A real loser.
So, this is your chance.
Israel is at odds with Egypt, but it hurts the back of the head. I was afraid Jordan would stick a knife in my back.
“So, you have to threaten Israel. Let’s join hands at this opportunity mediated by the United States. If you refuse, you will never get another chance.”
“!!!!!”
At my words, King Hussein’s body trembled slightly.
There is a world of difference between signing a peace agreement by being on the defensive politically and signing a peace agreement by threatening the other side.
In a word, attitude comes out internally and externally.
King Hussein’s desire to protect the royal family is a million times greater than war.
“Mr. Wu is not a Jordanian citizen.”
“So I can speak more objectively. Don’t fight with guns, fight with money. If you turn the land flowing with blood and tears into a land flowing with milk and honey, you will win. We’re here to help. Let’s go together.”
I know.
That King Hussein wants permanent neutrality.
In this way, a third party can make a decision if they say something that agrees with their thoughts.
“Can you keep your word?”
“I already told you that I would make a reservoir within a year.”
Does it look ridiculous when a construction company representative from an underdeveloped country says something like this?
If you ignore my words, you will regret it for the rest of your life.
I said it with all my heart and with my eyes.
“Hold on tight, everyone. I’m going to dive!”
“Huh! uh uh uh.”
“Well??”
Whoops!
“Oops!”
King Hussein plunged the plane straight into the Dead Sea as if to discourage us.
David and Sambok hugged each other and swallowed their screams. Even I, who had been on a crane for a while, was dizzy.
It was only before it was plunged into the water that it quickly leveled itself and landed like a swan.
Shoot aaa…
“Did you enjoy the flight?”
“Yes, it was very enjoyable.”
‘Oh, if I had fun twice, people would die.’
I helped the distraught Sambok and got off the plane.
A luxury yacht belonging to the Jordanian royal family was already moored in the nearby waters. I climbed onto the boat between the bodyguards standing in a row.
“Say hello.”
“You are from Korea? This is Defense Minister Dahad.”
“It’s Daesei Construction, it’s called CS Woo.”
All sorts of high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Commerce, etc. were gathered on the yacht.
If we didn’t like the king on the plane, we wouldn’t have met them.
“From what I heard from Director David, I heard that we have decided to provide military supplies as well.”
The Minister of Defense suddenly spoke up.
As the Minister of National Defense, it seems that he was more interested in Kablar than waterways.
“Could you please bring our bags?”
At my words, the bodyguards brought a bag from somewhere.
After all, he followed suit by plane.
The sample was taken out by opening the carrier.
It was the world’s best military product that was verified during the Vietnam War.
The only thing that has changed is that jungle boots have been changed to desert boots.
“It’s not a regular military uniform.”
“The military uniform is a polytechnic. It blocks sunlight and provides good ventilation, so it will greatly help improve combat power.”
The Minister of Defense rolled up his sleeve and put the sleeve on his arm, and was impressed at once. You have a good eye for it.
“But, you’re not trying to deliver such a thin vest as a bulletproof vest, are you? Do I need to put bulletproof material separately?”
“It is a finished body armor. It is a Kevlar product that Korea and the United States have defined as strategic materials.”
“This one?”
The Minister of Defense put on a puzzled expression.
Where would you have seen a 21st century bulletproof vest?
Even though it looks thin, it is a body armor made by stacking 12 layers of Kablar fabric with different grains. It blocks all bullets.
“Hey bodyguard, would you like to shoot me?”
I hung my body armor on the railing of the yacht and said.
“Are you going to shoot me?”
“Come on. It looks thin, but it’s a bulletproof vest.”
Did DuPont say that it would cooperate with royalties? It is a luxury among luxury goods.
“What are you doing, shoot!”
King Hussein must have been frustrated, so he took a pistol from one of the bodyguards and fired at the bulletproof vest.
As a former British sergeant, he hit all three shots.
clap clap clap
“You are wonderful, Your Majesty the King.”
I applauded heartily.
To be honest, no matter how close the target is, it’s not easy to shoot that accurately.
I came with a kablar body armor.
As I shook my body armor in front of everyone, the bullets fell to the floor. It looks like the body armor is torn, but it doesn’t break through.
“Even though I was hit by a bullet, it was this much, so if I got hit by a shrapnel bullet, it would be like a bruise, right? Since wearing these vests in Vietnam, fighters’ shrapnel death rates have been reduced by nearly 70%.”
“Huh, is that true?”
A 70% reduction in shrapnel death rate means that you will not die unless you are hit by a shrapnel bullet or unluckily hit in the face by a shrapnel bullet.
“Let’s try shooting this helmet as well.”
Bang bang bang!
This time, as soon as I hung my helmet on the railing, I fired my pistol.
There was a hole where it was hit straight, but only scratches where it was hit incorrectly.
Even the punctured bullet did not penetrate.
“Amazing. To think such a protective gear exists.”
“If the negotiations go well, this product will be delivered to the Jordanian army along with the Korean and US military.”
The eyes of the Minister of Defense and even the bodyguards twinkled. Life is precious to everyone.
“If you’re talking about negotiations, you’re talking about waterway construction, right?”
“of course. If the negotiations are concluded, we will cut 10% from the price of the US military. It is an offer that will not come again.”
I put an accent on the word no again.
‘King Hussein, declare here the decision you made on the plane. There’s no chance again.’
I pretended to cut it a lot, but since mass production started in Ulsan, even a 10% cut was enough for me to make a profit.
“Listen, everyone. We will conclude peace negotiations with Israel. Externally, I will advocate permanent neutrality.”
“Your Majesty, peace negotiations? What are you talking about? Whether it’s waterway construction or munitions, it’s a matter to think about once you receive it. Otherwise, Israel may refuse to negotiate, be branded as a traitor by neighboring countries, and the construction of the aqueduct may fail.”
High-ranking officials held up their arms and stopped them.
It was the scenario that King Hussein feared the most.
“Even if Jordan starts building the waterway independently, Korea will take over the construction.”
“The United States pays Jordan $50 million in emergency post-war recovery funds. You start construction and put pressure on Israel.”
“I can’t believe it. It will only cost the start-up costs and will stagnate in terms of waterway construction and peace agreements.”
“SB Lee, co-founder of Daesae, will remain to lead the construction. It is a project guaranteed by the Korean government to the extent that our president even sent a personal letter.”
“You’re going to leave your co-founder here?”
Sambok was my hidden card.
King Hussein made a satisfied expression.
‘What are you talking about now? bastard.’
‘Take care of your face. After 15 days, people will arrive by boat. I’ll be back at that time too, so take a good rest.’
When I left Korea, I selected skilled workers and sent them on a boat to Jordan. In the middle of the tour, I will stop by Quyenn, and a veteran will come with me. Sambok just needs to prepare to greet them here step by step.
‘Are you even selling your friends?’
‘It’s not about selling it, it’s about being treated as a state guest. I’m going to die of envy, Cyasha.’
The two of us looked straight ahead and chatted in whispers. King Hussein also shared whispers with high-ranking officials.
“I will stay with you. I will stand on the side of Jordan and bring the peace agreement with Israel to the end, staking the honor of the head of ADI.”
“Ohhh, David.”
Even David offered to become a pawn himself.
Sambok’s expression brightened as if he was relieved that David was staying with him.
Yeah, it’s nice to help each other out.
“Did you all hear? A friend came from afar, so let’s use this opportunity to threaten Israel.”
“That… But… Your Majesty! This…”
thud!
“Anyone who opposes should step down immediately. My country and people are more important to me than war. I will make a reservoir and make it a land flowing with milk and honey. There is no more blood and tears on this earth. That is the mission that Allah has given me. Everything according to Allah’s will!”
“Everything is as Allah wills.”
King Hussein stamped his feet and shouted loudly.
Everyone saluted by sticking their foreheads to the ground.
“Everything is as Allah wills.”
David only lowered his head, but I pulled Sambok and put my head on the floor after them.
When you come to Rome, you do as the Romans do.
“From now on, treat Mr. Wu and Mr. Lee as state guests.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Bring the contract, and I will carry out your promise and sign it myself.”
“As Allah wills.”
I politely handed over the contract.
Hussein I made a big decision.
****
Quy Nhon Port, Vietnam
Boo Woo Woo~
The atmosphere of Daesae No. 3, which arrived in Quyen with a whistle, was a little different from usual.
It was the same as unloading the military cargo shipped from Korea, but there were a lot of technicians on board and a lot of heavy equipment on the deck.
What the craftsmen were a little fooled about was the 4 golden bells they had hired from Jeonpo-dong a few days ago.
“Wow, that man must be the head of Daesae’s construction department.”
“Hey, they say it’s a legend in the construction industry. Even if you look at it, money flows all over your body.”
In addition, veterans of Daese Construction, including General Manager Kim Chun-seok, were boarding the ship.
There was an order from President Woo Chan-soo to pick up the veterans and head to Jordan.
“I have to hurry up and succeed like that.”
For the 4th Golden Bell, the 1st Golden Bell was an object of envy and admiration.
Aren’t they people who earned decades of salaries for ordinary people in just two years?
It was a privilege that only those who rushed to make money by going out to the battlefield could have it.
“What are you worried about! Do you remember what President Woo said to us when we came out of the curtain? You said that the place you are going to this time will be as good as Vietnam.”
“right! We can get rich if we go there too.”
“Okay, let’s go and get rich.”
The blasting technicians from Yangyang Iron Ore Mine clenched their fists and made a pledge.
I heard that people with experience in mining were selected from the general public, so I wanted to get a job at Incheon Steel, but they suddenly got on board.
