026 : sudden acceleration
“Let’s start with the highway, shall we? Where do you think?”
Van Flint asked for a puzzle and changed his tone. It meant acknowledging it as a negotiating partner.
“Your Excellency, (May I answer?)”
“Let the owner take care of it.”
When I slightly lowered my head, President Park folded her arms and went into spectator mode.
It was an attempt to believe in me.
Alright, you just have to keep your head up.
“You must use Korean-made asphalt, right?”
“Are there Korean-made ones?”
“Joint Venture with Ulsan Galfsa and Korea.”
You can set up a joint venture to make asphalt.
In the original history, there was a joint venture as a result of the Korea-US summit. In this history, the branch manager of Galfsa will also actively step forward, so there is no problem.
“A joint venture, okay. Then, do you have the technology to build highways in Korea?”
“Korean construction companies have also built runways for the US Air Force several times. It’s about the highway, so I close my eyes.”
Entrusting it to Hyeonsan Construction was enough.
I’m not going to do highway construction and apartments.
The technical barrier is not high, but there are many variables outside of construction than expected, so it is likely to be in the red.
More than anything, I did it to the point of being sick of it in the latter half of my previous life.
“Hmm, good. We procure asphalt from Ulsan and give Korean companies a chance to bid. So where is the highway located?”
“This is the connecting section between Pattani and Narathiwat, Thailand! It is a transport corridor that pierces the side of Vietnam National Highway 1. The Thai border is relatively safe, and it is optimal in terms of securing land transport corridors throughout Vietnam.”
The Thailand Pattani-Narathiwat connection section was the first large-scale construction project that Hyunsan Construction has entered overseas.
It was only in the media that the Thai government made noise, but the actual ordering body was the US military.
Van Flint closed his eyes for a moment and seemed to recall a map.
After a while, he opened his eyes and smiled with satisfaction. Have you memorized all the geography of Southeast Asia around Vietnam?
“That’s a good idea. Then, I must have roughly calculated the construction cost.”
“It is a two-lane round trip, 100 kilometers long, and the total construction cost is 6.5 million dollars. Air should be about 36 months.”
25% compared to the original history was inflated.
This would be the normal price and normal construction period that American companies think.
If you win an order under this condition and shorten the construction period, you can receive a premium.
“For a rough estimate, it’s very specific.”
“It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a long time.”
At my words, Van Fleet looked at me with a serious expression.
Could it be that he had been paying attention to the Vietnam War for a long time? Think whatever you like.
“… like. Then, where would be a good port?”
“You promise to use Korean cement for the construction of the port, provide steel bars and other materials free of charge from the US military, and lease construction equipment free of charge. Of course, I want a Korean company to handle the unloading of munitions.”
“That’s all we need to support. Instead, the work order is from the American construction company.”
“I see.”
To be honest, the US will be very grateful later if a Korean company takes over the subcontractors in bulk.
Because the diligence of Koreans is unmatched.
“Where is the port?”
“First of all, we need to build logistics ports in Saigon and Da Nang, which are easily accessible. Of course, the U.S. Army must have fully expected it.”
“For now… does that mean we need more logistics ports?”
“Isn’t it obvious? We need at least two more. In particular, isn’t it a big deal if heavy oil storage is built in Saigon or Da Nang? You will never be safe from the Viet Cong’s terror.”
“Where is it, a safe place?”
Excited, Van Flint didn’t even ask where my information came from.
That’s also true, because what I’ve said so far is top-secret in the munitions procurement plan set up by the US military intelligence department.
It was information I could never extract, so I believed I had arrived at the same result as US military intelligence by sheer reasoning.
“This is it.”
“So far?”
“Your Excellency, from now on, the memorandum should take precedence. If a memorandum is agreed upon between the Korean and US governments, we will post an official report through the Economic Planning Board.”
I spoke as if I were a state secret agent.
“Of course it should.”
“President Park, we decided to complete the consultation today…”
“General Flint, let’s do this for today. I think the first thing to do is to discuss the memorandum with the working-level officials.”
The President directly postponed the negotiations.
He was talking like a project manager of a 21st century construction company, not the president.
“If the President says so, yes.”
“General Flint, are you comfortable where you are staying? Do you like Korean food?”
“All good. The Korean bulgogi I had for lunch today was very delicious. It would have been nice to have enjoyed it with this champagne.”
After that, the two of them hooked up like politicians and changed the subject, and continued talking nonsensically day and night.
A boring time passed.
It was a long time since I was able to enjoy decent champagne, and I felt good too.
***
“Imja, I was surprised earlier.”
“sorry.”
When Van Flint left the Blue House, the second round with the president began.
“I’m sorry… that’s right. The loan minister negotiations broke down because of you, so I have to pay the price?”
The president said half-jokingly and half-seriously.
He was well aware that it would be much more beneficial for Korean companies to modernize the armed forces and for domestic companies to participate in procurement projects for the US military than receiving a memorandum from a lump sum loan.
Even in the original history, this negotiation received quite a few American tanks and fighters.
“Just drop the order. I will work and pay it off.”
That’s why the president said that, of course.
It meant that I had something to do.
“I hope everyone understands the language as well as the owner. Yes, just ask one thing. How big should the Ulsan petrochemical complex be built? I will negotiate directly with the President of the United States.”
“It’s simple. It just needs to be 10 times larger than the size suggested by the World Bank delegation.”
“Ten times?”
In the petrochemical industry, the bigger the better, and even considering that it was in the 1960s, it should be built on a scale of one million tons of naphtha.
Currently, Galf’s naphtha capper is about 90,000 tons a year, so it needs to be 10 times larger than it is now.
“Yes, ten times.”
“Does it make sense? No matter how much the United States would make such a large-scale investment?”
“Bring in a loan of 150 million dollars from the US government and implement a strategy to attract oil and chemical companies such as Galfsa and Dow Kerning (Company D) into the joint venture.”
“You’re the Vice Minister of Commerce!”
When asked to bring in a private company, the president immediately thought of the Vice Minister of Commerce.
“You must do that. Economies of scale need to be promoted to such an extent that prices can be competitive internationally and products can be exported.”
“Economies of scale?”
“Yes, as production increases, unit prices tend to drop. For petroleum products, if you increase production by 10 times, the unit price will drop by 50%.”
No other industry works better with economies of scale than petrochemicals. From construction costs to maintenance costs, it’s no joke.
“If you build a large factory, you can make products at half the price. Exports will increase, and profits will increase.”
“Not only that. Power plants and water and sewage facilities will have no choice but to be built at the same time, which will improve the standard of living of the people nearby.”
“power plant! It gets bigger too!”
The president reacted the most to the word power plant so far.
At this time, the power situation is really the worst.
To be honest, I was also surprised when I went through the 60s.
It was not enough to do a campaign to turn off the lights at each house, and even in Seoul, the capital, hourly electricity transmission restrictions were imposed.
Not to mention the neon signs, all the streetlights were turned off, and even the product display window had only one fluorescent light turned on.
It was one of the reasons why I couldn’t go through the night construction because of safety in Ulsan.
“I must definitely grow it 10 times. If so, will the US accept it?”
“I accept it. Isn’t Mr. Van Flint in charge of munitions? We will invest in Ulsan for now, thinking about gasoline for military vehicles, heavy oil for warships, and asphalt for highways.”
I said very confidently.
It’s because starting a business is difficult, but once you start, it will prove that demand forecasting is not excessive.
“Push with confidence, then accept them even if you need them. does this mean?”
“Yes, unless you want to see Japan supplying gasoline and asphalt, you have to push.”
“Japan? That’s never going to happen! How much did those bastards suffer from the Korean War!”
President Park stamped her feet and raised her voice.
The Vietnam War is our business, that’s it.
good attitude
“There are essential provisions when setting up a joint venture. Foreign companies and shares should be divided 49:51, and the Korean government should have management rights.”
“Good point. Even if you do business in our land, you have to follow our country’s laws.”
“Yes.”
I knew that if I handed over management rights, the joint venture would act extrajudicially. The conversation was loose.
If history goes like this, the contract I signed with Galf will be a jackpot among jackpots.
If I monopolize 900,000 tons of naphtha per year, I can send Japanese companies down at once.
Even on an international scale, about 300,000 tons per year is A grade, and 900,000 tons per year is S grade.
Because it’s the 60’s now.
“great. You talk well. So, what do you want to be in charge of? is it a highway? Or is it a port?”
“Yes?”
What are you talking about?
Why did you go out well and fall into Samcheonpo?
highway? port?
Hey, I’m a petrochemical plant expert.
Dae-se unemployment, Dae-se chemical president.
“what? Did you speak so confidently without even thinking about going to Vietnam?”
“I am a merchant selling nylon fabric. I think it would be most efficient to take charge of military uniforms in the procurement of US military supplies.”
In the original history, in the Vietnam War, the construction side was mainly involved in the construction of the prefecture.
There was no need for me to intervene.
No matter how much I am a 21st century engineer, I lacked equipment and capital to enter the construction industry.
It was much wiser to raise capital from the petrochemical business and jump on the Middle Eastern construction boom of the 1970s.
Because it is more profitable and much safer.
The road to becoming a conglomerate is clearly in front of me, so why am I going to Vietnam?
“This is disappointing. If Korean companies don’t preoccupy Vietnam’s infrastructure business, Japanese companies will eat it. Are you telling me to watch it? As many Korean companies as possible should participate.”
“……”
Of course, it’s not a profitable business.
However, it is enough to participate in the US military supply project in Korea. Why do you intervene in the US military infrastructure project when you are not ready?
All I have is an extra $50,000 and only 200 people.
Even that is not the construction company’s manpower.
It is right to follow realistic goals rather than greed.
“It is the same as stealing quota from the Japanese side for the military uniform business. From next year, the US military uniform business alone will sell 250,000 suits a year.”
“… okay? Then we sell military uniforms and build.”
I was surprised to hear that 250,000 pieces are sold annually, but I did not cancel my words to go to Vietnam.
“Not only that. Exports of petrochemical products alone, such as jungle boots, sandbags, helmets, parachutes, insect screens, instant packaging materials, and jet engine fuel, are enormous. Let me focus on petrochemicals.”
“Do petrochemicals and do construction. Choose between the highway and the port. Where do you like?”
“dismissal! Get another builder. I…”
“I am the president. If you do, you should say that there is a reason and follow it. I mean, participate in the construction of the US Army. So, in the name of protecting the construction site, I want to deploy Soldiers from Powell. Then our soldiers will be safe! You don’t have to go to the front! Isn’t it!”
“Ugh!”
I wondered why you insisted, and that was the reason.
You sent as many Korean companies as possible to get a justification for deploying the armed forces around it.
It was very obvious after hearing it, but it was an idea that even I, who came from the 21st century, hadn’t realized.
“Are you going or not?”
He asked with a flushed face.
“……”
I knew the intention, but I didn’t have the courage.
Should I risk my life
The scariest thing in the world is a blind bullet.
bang!
“Answer me! It is an order!”
The president slammed the reception table in anger.
Well, in this era, there couldn’t have been a guy who refused to speak to the president this far.
I won’t be able to die for my name if I pick it up more.
“I will go. going. However, there are conditions.”
No matter what the president says, this life is entirely mine. I can agree with anyone’s wishes, but I make the final decision.
“Condition? Tell me!”
“There is a guy who covets my company. There was also a prosecutor who cooperated with him. Please destroy it.”
“okay? Very shattering.”
“There is one more condition.”
“one more?”
It looked like a look at this guy, but I couldn’t finish it with just one.
It was risking my life, and everything I had planned up until now was messed up.
There must have been a price to pay.
“Contracts with the US military are my sole responsibility. I will decide everything from creating a construction company, who to hire and how to do business. Please remove all government influence.”
“Would you like to withdraw from the government?”
“Yes, if there is anything I can do to cooperate with the government, I will do it. I am concerned that if a government official intervenes, he will be assisting politicians while earning dollars.”
“Are you going to focus on making dollars?”
“Yes, I have to earn as much as I can to go.”
Even if you go out a little hard, you should stay away from politics as much as possible. I shouldn’t have any more people who abuse me.
“great. A peculiar attitude. I’ll listen to everything, so get ready to leave the country right away in a month.”
“One… one month… you mean?”
what?
No matter how dynamic Korea is, isn’t it too much to go to Vietnam in a month?
What should I prepare in one month?
