030 : Jackcock and Jackpot
“It is a foul. A merchant talking about soldiers and country.”
“……”
Van Flint put out a cigar and straightened himself.
The smell of fragrant cigars tickled his nostrils.
It was a symbol of rich America.
Van Flint did the same to me.
“Tell me. Where are the other two places where American troops should be stationed?”
“Could you show me the draft of the memorandum?”
I had to amend the memorandum myself.
It was not something that could be left to diplomats in the 1960s.
“Could it be that you are going to amend the memorandum? That is an overreach.”
“Isn’t the fact that the general has a memorandum of consultation between foreign ministers overstepping his authority?”
“Oh… you’re good at talking.”
Van Fleet smiled and took out the memorandum from his bosom and held it in front of me.
He handed over a fountain pen as if he wanted to fix it.
He was like a general who once decided whatever he wanted.
– Expenses incurred in dispatching troops shall be borne by the U.S. government.
– Supplies and services for Korean troops stationed in Vietnam are procured from Korea whenever possible.
‘As expected.’
It was as expected.
Since the memorandum clause was made in such a clumsy way, Japan, which had not sent a single combat soldier, put a spoon on the munitions procurement business.
Swipe.
– The US government will bear the ‘equipment and finances of the Korean army’ following the dispatch.
– Supplies and services for the Korean military in Vietnam are procured from Korea as much as possible. ‘We also purchase munitions from the U.S. forces in Vietnam in Korea in the form of special recruitment whenever possible.’
– Prioritize Korean companies to participate in various relief and construction projects in Vietnam.
I have inserted the missing part.
If this is modified, Korean companies will be able to take priority in procurement of military supplies and construction/service business.
“Hmm, isn’t it too advantageous for Korea? But, is it possible to procure military supplies in Korea?”
“That’s why I added a clause saying ‘as far as possible’. If it does not meet the US military specifications, you can refuse to deliver it.”
Still, it won’t be easy to refuse delivery.
This is because they can be directly pushed into the front-line units based on the item called special recruitment.
In other words, you don’t have to pass the Army Materiel Command’s spec test.
“Yes, I can convince you that much. Shall we tell you the port now?”
Van Fleet said in a threatening tone.
If there is a change in the provisions of this kind, of course you should tell me.
First of all, just one of the two.
“It’s crazy. It is located 100 kilometers north of Saigon, the capital of Vietnam, and is a military hub that borders the Tuy Hoa Plain, the largest granary in Vietnam by land, and occupies the South China Sea archipelago by sea. Surrounded by two peninsulas, it is safe from typhoons and is deep, making it the best place for a military port.”
“Is this information clear?”
Of course, that’s solid information.
I am a person who has been to all ports called international ports in Southeast Asia. In the 21st century, whether it is Cam Ranh or Quy Nhon, it is a place that is famous as an international port and a summer resort.
“I am sure. During the Russo-Japanese War in the early 1900s, the Russian Baltic Fleet made a call while en route to the Far East.”
I’m not sure, but it’s a place full of jingling memories to me.
No matter how much you dig into the waters around Vietnam, not a single drop of crude oil comes out, and the South China Sea has never been quiet due to territorial disputes.
Even though I was in charge of an oil exploration project, I ended up giving up after going in and out of government offices.
It’s a place where I said I wouldn’t pee there again, but I never thought it would be so helpful.
After all, life is new.
“The Baltic Fleet also called in? Okay, trust me.”
“Wouldn’t you send an inspection team? If it’s false, kill me early.”
“Yeah, you’re confident. Then where is the other one?”
“……”
I didn’t answer his question.
From here, I had to fulfill my greed.
“I asked where you were.”
“Please keep your promise. The port loading and unloading and construction services for the fourth port I am talking about are left to me.”
“You’re going to take care of unloading and construction? Are you capable of that?”
“How could I have collected information on Vietnamese ports like this when I was neither crazy nor capable? I am a merchant, a person who makes money.”
I clenched my fists.
Really, the construction of the port was chewing gum to me.
I didn’t have to go all the way to Vietnam, but the situation turned out like this.
Van Flint’s expression changed to that he must have come to make a deal because he has the ability.
To be honest, the fact that I had information on Vietnamese ports was an extraordinary ability.
“Hmm, good. I’ll arrange to make a number contract with you first. It is also a problem that will naturally be solved by stationing Korean troops there.”
‘nice!’
It was also like General Van Flint.
concluded at once.
“The last port is Quy Nhon.”
“Kwyonyeon? Was there a place like that?”
I mean, I didn’t expect it at all.
Are you saying that Kamran was on the review list?
In fact, no one in the US Army would have thought of Quy Nhon until the war had progressed to some extent.
Until then, the US Army did not know how difficult it would be to transport strategic materials to each front-line unit.
The US military had experience transporting supplies in the Alps and the Sahara Desert, but had no experience transporting supplies through tropical jungles.
“Quy Nhon is just halfway between Saigon’s Newport Port in the south and Da Nang Port in the north. This is where the Wolmaeng enter the land infiltration route. Since it is a route that must be blocked, a fierce high ground battle will take place. We need to build a large logistical port to support it.”
“It’s a military strategic point to cut the route called the Ho Chi Minh Route, the infiltration route of the Vietnam War.”
Like a general, he knew the Ho Chi Minh route.
The Ho Chi Minh route was a military supply route that started in North Vietnam and continued through neutral countries such as Laos and Cambodia to South Vietnam.
It was not at the level of a tunnel or trail, but a passageway equipped with roads for military vehicles, fueling facilities, and supply warehouses.
The United States and its allies were unable to bomb the borders of neutral countries, so in the end the Ho Chi Minh route could not be completely cut off.
Even if we can’t tell you the results of the original history, we can tell you about the main bases.
“That’s right. It is perfect as a logistical port.”
“Kwwi-nyeon… kkwi-nyeon…”
Before he knew it, Van Fleet took out a military map and was looking for Quy Nhon.
He twitched his eyebrows as he pointed his finger along the shore and found a place called Quy Nhon.
As soon as I saw it, I knew at once that it was a supply hub.
His eyes were telling me that.
“It is an amazing place. Depending on who occupies this place, the supply advantage will be determined.”
“There are few waves, and the shoreline is mostly sandy rather than muddy, so it is suitable for port construction. I will give you a passing grade no matter who you send to the inspection team.”
“great. very good.”
“In that case, I understand by the promise that you will provide port services to me.”
I asked for a handshake.
This nobleman would neatly fulfill his promise even through verbal agreement.
“Let me ask you one question before shaking hands. How did you know I was here?”
“Camp Hayaria operates an LST (tank landing ship) and holds the 6th pier of Busan Port, doesn’t it? If you want to transport Korean combat troops and military supplies to Vietnam, you will of course seek cooperation from Camp Hayaria.”
The LST ship was a landing ship that carried tanks, but it also served as a transport ship in case of emergency.
“You predicted my movement and found out my whereabouts? That’s how it happened.”
Van Flint finally took my hand.
I didn’t get information from someone, but I confirmed that I had come this far with my own reasoning.
“Mister, what would you like?”
The bartender asked me to choose a drink.
I was well aware that the public conversation between Van Flint and I was over. It was private time from now on.
Is it more important time?
“A cup of Jack Coke, please.”
“An excellent choice.”Read at noblemtl
Jack Coke is a cocktail made by mixing Jack Daniel’s whiskey with cola. It is a cocktail that represents the United States because of its simple yet popular taste, and even soldiers enjoyed drinking it.
“Do you like Jackcock?”
“yes. That’s right.”
“Is there any particular reason?”
“Jackcock never fails anywhere, anytime.”
“Ha ha ha ha ha! drink.”
Van Flint and I gulped down jackcocks.Read at noblemtl
Jackcock in the 60s was really good.
Oh my God, is there anything better than the 21st century?
“Keuuu, the taste is amazing.”
I gave the bartender a thumbs up.
“I have one more question for my friend Kim. Quy Nhon looks the most dangerous, so why do you want to go there?”
“Because if someone has to go, it would be better for me to go even a little more prepared.”
It’s high risk, high return.
If he went to the battlefield, he had to go to the super-large logistics port that made the most money. But that didn’t mean I was lying about what I said to Van Flint.
“When is the departure?”
“They told me to leave in a month. The name is the inspection team, but once we go, I don’t think we’ll be able to come back for at least a year.”
“I’ll tell the commander here to give me the best ship in Camp Hyaria.”
“If possible, please provide a few large military trucks and about a hundred hydraulic jacks. I also want to try unloading.”
“I will connect you with the Corps of Engineers here. Pick as much as you like and load it into the LST.”
“thank you.”
“If you need my help, contact me here. If it’s you, I’ll help as much as I can.”
Van Flint handed him his business card.
It was not the existing business card that only listed job titles.
Contact information was written! It was a lifeline and a moneyline.
“I will come back alive. When we meet again, please Jack Cock.”
“Hahaha, you are such a pleasant friend.”
Van Fleet and I continued like this.
***
a few days later,
Pier 6 of Busan Port.
It was a Budura dedicated to the US Army’s Hayaria Unit, and few other than stevedores were seen.
“Okay, let’s get down. as it is!”
“Can we really build on top?”
“Didn’t I say you could build it up? Take it down.”
The crane driver hesitated for a long time before finally starting to stack the containers.
Seeing the containers piled up like Lego blocks made me feel very happy.
“How are you satisfied with the container quality?”
“Absolutely. It was made at Jindalrae Ironworks.”
I handed the container fee to my father.
“It’s embarrassing. Anyway, I’m glad you’re satisfied.”
“Honestly, I didn’t expect to fill the container stock so quickly. The quality is impeccable.”
I didn’t show it outwardly, but I was very happy.
It was so well made that it came close to being a 21st century container.
This container will be of great help to me.
You can easily move cargo to the Vietnam site, and if necessary, you can use it as a warehouse and temporary accommodation.
“Because there are so many noblemen who want to take the test. Rumors of mass unemployment spread all over the country. In addition, people from all over the country who said that they could make a lot of money just by going to Vietnam came here.”
“Then it must have been difficult to pick out 200 people.”
“I picked and picked and reduced to 250 people, but it’s a headache to cull more.”
My father handed me the list of successful candidates for the first round. It was amazing.
It was natural that there were many skilled welding technicians and people with experience in various heavy equipment, but there were quite a few rather absurd candidates.
In the career column, there were quite a few school teachers and civil servants, and there were even those who wrote that they were members of the national choir, novelists, and popular music bands.
I wondered if I should laugh or not.
No, thinking about it again, I wanted to take these nobles unconditionally.
“What are these people? did you take the test? Welding is basic, and you have to handle various machines.”
“I was dubious too, but he said he was good at where he learned from. I was meticulous and finished well.”
“Are you saying that you lost your stable civil servant position?”
“They asked me if it was right to work for more than a year with an additional allowance in addition to a guaranteed monthly salary of 80,000 won. If that’s right, I’ll resign.”
Are you writing your resignation? Was the public servant low-paid at that time?
Anyway, it’s like earning 10 years’ salary if you work hard for one year, so it’s worth trying.
“It is an unmistakable promise. Then, did the men from the nearby ironworks pass the exam?”
They worked together with their father for 10 years without any trouble in their previous life, and they were sincere and resourceful.
They had to be selected unconditionally because their skills were proven and they were noblemen who would serve as my father’s bodyguards.
“It was difficult, but I was among the 250. We’ll have to wait and see if we get in the top 200.”
Are you saying you’ve hit the cutoff?
Then what do you do about this?
“That was enough. Bring all 250 people.”
“Hey, are 250 people okay? Do you have a monthly salary of 80,000 won?”
“Isn’t it a gathering of people from all over the country who are doing some work? It would be too unfair to drop it now.”
“thank you. thank you.”
Thank you. I’m more grateful. father.
Take good care of 250 people. Because they are the founding members who will be the foundation of my father for the rest of my life.
“Now you are ready to leave. Personal items for 250 people will be assigned 5 containers, so please attach your personal name tag. Work clothes and toiletries are provided by the company, so you don’t have to bring them.”
“Should the welding machine be loaded with personal belongings, or would it be better to pack them together?”
“The tools are all supported by the US military. Don’t waste your money. And if you use it, it will be ours.”
“Yes? Will it be ours?”
“The US military is like that. There are tools left over.”
“Ugh!”
Since the supply of US forces in this era is beyond imagination, weapons were treated as US assets, but simple construction tools were distributed to service technicians free of charge.
“Rather than that, if you have someone who wants to work from now on, bring them. I need to fill up the container from now on. There are a lot of materials that need to be moved, such as hydraulic jacks, rebar, cement, and steel beams.”
“Are these all your materials? You are really rich.”
It was only then that my father was surprised to see the materials piled up in the dockside warehouse.
“It is not removed. All of these belong to the US Army.”
I’m simply going to the advance team, but the Hayaria unit gave me a lot of materials.
I stabbed him and said if it didn’t work, I asked for a huge amount of materials, but they all agreed.
At that time, it was possible because the United States accounted for 40% of the world’s GDP.
After going through the Vietnam War, I was completely exhausted, though.
“How much is your daily wage?”
“I’ll take care of 450 won. Mr. Kim, if you manage the workers, I’ll give you 50 won for each person as a labor cost. how about it?”
“50 won for two? All…of course. of course!”
“Then bring them.”
“Yes! I will do it right away from today.”
My father was excited and left the pier.
Be rich. Be loved by your mother too.
Seeing the back of my father as he jumped up and down the sky as he ran, I felt better too.
“uh?”
But when that father was out of sight, someone came into my sight.
He approached me without hesitation as if he had found me there as well.
“Are you the boss of the trending business?”
“Uh, Wang Hoi… No, Mr. Wang!”
“No, do you know me?”
Among those who did some heavy industry, who doesn’t know Chairman Wang?
