017 : Abandoned Factory
similar perspective.
Singapore, Adelphi Hotel.
“How did it go?”
Razak asked his right arm urgently.
“I wired the additional order telex, and also made sure the bank confirmed the deposit.”
“You mean you placed an additional order at the existing price?”
“Yes that’s right. I placed an additional order before receiving the goods, so I will not raise the unit price due to trade customs.”
“Good thing. thank god.”
Razak let out a sigh of relief.
“Lazak, no matter how much terrorism has occurred in Vietnam, I think you are overdoing it. It’s better to reduce the quantity even now…”
“If you reduce it, even if you increase it, it won’t be enough. Do you think you could get such superlative fabric for 65 cents a yard?”
Lazark smiled as he pointed to the fabric samples Daese Unemployment had sent by air.
“That’s not what I said. No matter how good the quality is, you have to sell it to make money. With an additional order of 300,000 yards, operating funds could dry up. At least after selling the first batch…”
“No, this is a heaven-sent opportunity. Sooner or later, Vietnamese fabrics will disappear from the market. The price is sure to skyrocket. In the meantime, if you hold the fabric of the general unemployment, it will sell even if you call for a dollar a yard. You have to scrape together as much as possible.”
“Vietnamese fabrics are disappearing. It is not yesterday or today that the situation in Vietnam is unstable. Sooner or later things will come loose again.”
The secretary expressed concern.
Obviously, a terrorist attack on the US embassy is a big deal, but it was common in Vietnam.
“Sounds incomprehensible. The U.S. Army is now going into an all-out war. It is obvious that they will control all import and export of Vietnam. Then, the Vietnamese merchants who have been smuggling Japanese yarn to make fabrics have all gone bankrupt.”
“!!!!!”
I heard and saw it.
It seemed that the smuggling trade, which was rampant throughout Southeast Asia, would be weakened as much as in Vietnam.
The US Navy could not tolerate smuggling ships.
It could be military supplies to the Viet Cong, so all merchant ships will be closely monitored.
“That’s how things happen because of the US embassy attack.”
“Yes, if you want to run a business, you shouldn’t take anything for granted. You have to predict! Faster than others!”
“I will keep that in mind. old man.”
“Honestly, this issue surprises me too. Obviously, Mr. Wu looks like a kid, but his skills are amazing and even follows his luck.”
“Mr. Wu will never be seen as empty.”
“Of course. We must be part of his business. Whatever it is.”
“Yes, old man.”
“Phew, I guess I can be happy now that I got things sorted out.”
Unlike usual, Razak took out a cigar and put it in his mouth.
It was something I did when I was in a good mood.
“Congratulations in advance for becoming richer.”
The secretary lit a fire and filled her champagne glasses.
“Yeah, crack down on high street retailers. Wouldn’t the guys who ordered additional unemployment following me make some money?”
“I will collect taxes in moderation.”
The secretary’s words made Razak feel even better.
‘It is possible to at least double the net profit, and even triple it at the most.’
It seemed that there would be no problem in dominating the Southeast Asian apparel market once the fabric of the general unemployment was secured.
If I had been 10 years younger, I would have had the music on and danced with my wife all night long.
***
next day,
I dressed neatly and headed to the Peninsula Hotel.
I stayed up all night thinking about this and that.
I felt like the Vietnamese special was coming, but the feeling is just a feeling. I had to fact check.
“David!”
“Welcome, Mr. Wu.”
David was waiting in front of the office.
Since it is not the 21st century, it is more accurate and faster to check politically sensitive issues such as the US embassy terrorism through political figures such as David than through newspapers.
“You must be busy, but thank you for taking the time.”
“What are you saying? I wanted to meet you before I returned home, but I’m glad I got in touch just in time.”
“You are returning home. Congratulations.”
It seemed that he was returning home in a hurry.
Looking at your expression, you feel like you’re going to win?
“thank you. In any case, the important thing now is that Mr. Wu’s prediction was correct.”
“Did my predictions come true?”
I asked with a slightly surprised expression.
“Didn’t you say that the US would end up in an all-out war in Vietnam?”
“It was.”
“Yesterday there was a bombing at the US embassy in South Vietnam. Hundreds of Americans died, including diplomats. Now the US can no longer stand by and see Vietnam.”
“You have crossed the Rubicon.”
As expected, things happened.
It hadn’t been published in the national newspapers yet, but David said it, so it was clear.
‘That’s why the order went crazy!’
It was the real reason why additional orders poured in.
South Vietnam, which has been in the limelight as a fabric production center, will completely change its industrial structure.
Under the control of the US military, the textile industry, whose life is import and export, will die, and only military-related businesses centered on US military support will prosper.
“It’s a tragedy, but it can’t be helped. In any case, since the risk of an all-out war has become a reality, as you feared, inflation in the United States will soon become a reality.”
And that’s not all.
What is important to me is that in the aftermath of this incident, there will be a summit meeting between Korea and the United States, and that Korean troops will enter the Vietnam War in earnest.
How do you know so well?
As a result of the Korea-US summit in 1965, an enormous loan of 150 million dollars came in, and the Korean government put the money all-in to the Ulsan petrochemical complex.
Having worked in the plant industry in my previous life, I knew that much of the history. Indeed, the all-in loan to the petrochemical complex was a jackpot among jackpots.
“Have you forwarded the inflation report to the US government?”
“Sure. I sent it a month ago, but instead of encountering objections, it became like predicting the future. The US government is scolding you to return home quickly.”
David patted my hand as if thrilled.
Now, if you go to the mainland of the United States, you will not only be treated as a scholar, but you will also receive a huge love call from the political and economic circles.
“Congratulations. Then, who will take care of the World Bank delegation?”
“The successor will take care of it. However, there is more important news for Mr. Wu than that.”
“More important news?”
“The World Bank delegation is said to be joined by an East Asian vice minister from the US Department of Commerce.”
“!! That’s how it happened.”
Originally, in history, the US Department of Commerce sent a person in charge directly.
‘That’s why we were able to agree on a $150 million loan at the Korea-US summit.’
The fact that the U.S. Ministry of Commerce and Industry dispatched personnel meant that behind-the-scenes contacts between Korea and the U.S. were speeding up.
In a way, it was a natural development.
The United States desperately needed an ally to send combat troops to Vietnam, and South Korea had to do Powell not only to earn foreign currency but also to prevent the reduction of the USFK.
In such a situation, each working-level official had to discuss issues behind the scenes before the Korea-US summit and complete a preliminary field trip.
“Phew, it’s a bit unfortunate for Mr. Wu. If only the World Bank delegation had come as planned, I would have participated in the construction of the Ulsan petrochemical complex.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t.”
It’s a pity, what is it?
From the beginning, I had no intention of directly intervening in the petrochemical complex project.
No matter how much I am a plant expert in the 21st century, it is foolish to challenge the huge project of the Ulsan petrochemical complex without having anything.
It would have been best to use the World Bank delegation’s advisory role as an excuse to get a design service.
That would make some money, but it would blow up the opportunity cost. I had to approach it in a different way.
“Now that this has happened, I will build a bridge with the US Department of Commerce instead of the World Bank delegation.”
“Thank you very much, but I am a bit insecure. I don’t know if it’s a World Bank delegation, but politicians are cautious.”
Getting close to the political power of this era was a double-edged sword. As someone who can grow on her own, there was no need to take such a risk.
It was the biggest reason why I only care about exports.
It may not be possible to get away from the political world at all, but it was best to keep as far away as possible until you were big enough to withstand external pressure.
“Mr. Wu, the person dispatched by the US Department of Commerce this time is a very special person. He is a great businessman and might make a big investment for you.”
David really wanted to help me.
Thanks to me, the ransom price skyrocketed, but it seemed that he felt a sense of human intimacy with me.
“Investing through politicians is still burdensome. In return, can you build a bridge with Galpsa?”
I was a little shaken by the fact that he was a great businessman, but I got my mind back.
There was no need to create a variable.
Even if I went according to my plan, I could definitely become a chaebol.
“…is there a reason Galpsa is better?”
“I am a merchant who handles chemical fibers. The raw material for synthetic fibers is naphtha, and if the petrochemical complex grows, oil refining companies like Galf will dominate the naphtha business.”
“They’re aiming for the NAFTA license.”
“Yes that’s right.”
“It sounds like a business worth doing.”
David nodded.
It wasn’t something worth doing, it had to be done.
In the original history, Galpsa and Korea Development Bank invested in the construction of a naphtha plant.
Galfsa, which held the management right, sold the NAFTA business right to a Japanese company. The reason was that domestic companies did not have the technology to operate the naphtha business.
Because of that, Korea Development Bank became a dog chasing chickens, and they had no choice but to watch Japanese companies hit the jackpot by using naphtha to produce all sorts of petroleum products.
I have no reason to repeat that history.
If I swallow it, it will prevent the outflow of national wealth, and I will become rich, killing two birds with one stone.
“If you meet the Korean branch manager of Galfsa, you will be able to make a business proposal.”
“President Wu wants it. ah! There are good numbers. Ulsan City Hall holds a welcome party for the World Bank delegation, and Galpsa also attends. I’ll put Mr. Wu on the welcome list. Would that be okay?”
“I would really appreciate it if you would. thank you.”
“Thank you. I am returning home after being greatly helped by Mr. Wu.”
“You should have a drink before you go home. I have to pay back the $100,000 you lent me.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I will have time for that. Spend as much as you can, even $100,000, and pay it back when you can afford it. I will hand it over to the successor secretary.”
“thank you.”
David Lee, you seem to have really taken a great liking to me.
It’s unfortunate that I’m going back to the US, but thinking that I’m going to have a connection in the US mainland, it might be a good thing.
****
A few days later, Ulsan Industrial Complex
I handed over the work to Sambok and drove down to Ulsan with CEO Hwang Hye-seong early in the morning.
He also received an invitation to the World Bank delegation welcome party.
Before attending the welcome party, I planned to do a site visit. Because in order to seduce Galfsa properly, you have to figure it out on the spot.
If you look around the industrial complex while recalling memories from your previous life, you will immediately know where to build a naphtha plant is the most efficient.
“Hey, Ulsan is bigger than the Seongsu Industrial Complex. I was honestly surprised.”
President Hwang Hye-seong’s eyes widened.
He seems to have thought that Ulsan was a rural area.
“Most of the crude oil entering our country passes through this. It is nothing compared to the Seongsu Industrial Complex.”
“okay.”
Even in the mid-60s, Galpsa is running an oil refinery.
As the oil refining industry is a representative facility industry, it requires not only port facilities for oil tankers to dock, but also oil warehouses and various refinery-related factories.
It is a so-called mid-length industry.
‘This is what Ulsan looked like in its early days.’
For a different reason, I was also a little surprised.
At best, it is said that this place, which is all about dozens of shabby factories, will grow into Asia’s largest chemical industrial complex with annual sales exceeding 100 trillion won in the 21st century.
“Excuse me. Where is the Galfsa factory?”
“From the factory across the street, it is the Galfsa factory.”
“Yes? Are you talking about the abandoned factory over there?”
The factory across the street was not a factory.
It was an abandoned factory with a large X drawn at the entrance.
“Yes, I built a new factory on the port side and moved there, but that factory is also owned by Galp.”
“Ah, thank you for your words.”
A passer-by kindly replied.
“Should we go to the port?”
“No, Mr. Hwang. Let’s start with this factory.”
President Hwang Hye-seong tried to turn toward the sea, but I grabbed his arm and pulled him.
“Yes? Why are you looking at an abandoned factory?”
“Then you should go see it.”
I couldn’t control my pounding heart.
‘I never thought there would be a place like this.’
I was planning to build a factory first with investment from Galp, but if I do well, I can greatly reduce the effort.
It’s much easier to repair an old car than to build a new one.
If only the skeleton of the factory is intact, it will be a hundred times faster than building a new one.
“Ugh, there’s a hole in the plumbing.”
“I see.”
It was absurd that the oil refinery pipes were rusting.
However, my heart pounded even more.
Not all the plumbing was rusted.
「For Sale」
Upon entering, there was even a factory sales sign posted at the entrance. I wanted to dance the dance.
‘Great! oh my god! It’s really for sale!’
I didn’t feel good, so I got goosebumps.
Seriously, the 60s were fantastic for me.
In the 21st century, money was all over the ground. This abandoned factory felt like finding a copy of the Hunminjeongeum Haerye at a local used bookstore.
