097 : all or nothing
Integrated Steelworks Promotion Committee.
“Chairman, did you have a good vacation?”
“Yes, I had a good rest. The work has been…”
“I will report on securing the factory site you mentioned. We have secured the target of 3 million pyeong.”
As soon as I returned to the committee, Director Seok presented me with the documents.
“…have you reached your goal?”
“Yes that’s right.”
It was a surprise. No matter how secretly the land was purchased, is that possible?
Even Director Seok’s voice trembled as he reported the unexpected incident.
“What happened?”
“Deputy Minister Yeom’s power was great. The place I expected the most difficult was the convent that runs the orphanage, and he persuaded me by going to work there every day.”
“Ha ha ha, it was nothing. I just paid the land price a little more than the market price and introduced a land that is convenient for the children in the orphanage to go to school.”
It seems that Assistant Minister Yeom showed his unique affinity.
In fact, this nobleman is round and has no corners, so he has the ability to assimilate with the people around him before he knows it.
In addition, it seems that they actively adopted the know-how of the Ulsan Industrial Complex, which not only provides land prices but also places to move to.
“When the convent, which was respected by the surroundings, moved, the villagers decided to move at once, so the work was very comfortable.”
There were only 1,200 civilians near Yeongil Bay. The speculators do not cling to it and deal with it in utmost secrecy, so this is how it works.
There was no problem at all in the extent to which the land price was higher than the market price in exchange for moving the site.
“No one guessed that there would be an integrated steelworks there.”
“Yes, you might think of it as a farmland improvement project promoted by the government.”
“We can report to the Blue House and start construction.”
“Yes, you have to decide which design to do. Both Bechtel and JG submitted technical service plans for the integrated steelworks.”
Director Seok handed out documents about two proposals. Again, both submitted mimetic drawings, not formal blueprints. It was obvious that it would take a lot of hard work to introduce the source technology.
“Which is the opinion of the promotion committee?”
“They are both tight. The price is cheap, but will it depend on Japanese technology? The price is high, but will you combine Western technology by field? while doing it.”
“After all, that means you have to make a political decision.”
Civil servants tend to operate under the concept that once a strategy is set at the top, tactics are used at the bottom.
“Yes that’s right. His Excellency said that when the chairman returns from vacation, he will meet with him right away.”
It’s like Korea Corporation.
A loan of 30 million dollars came in from Japan.
You will want to discuss the interests of who will allocate that money to which factory will be built first.
“I’m coming.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
I stopped at the house on the way and took a copy of Wöst’s plans and headed to the Blue House.
It’s not like there are only two options.
When faced with a choice, the third, completely different option is usually best.
**
Blue house.
“Did you call, Mr. President?”
As soon as I arrived at the Blue House, I nodded as if I had answered the call.
“So, did you go abroad?”
“Yes, I have been to Australia for a while. It was to purchase iron ore for Incheon Iron & Steel at a low price.”
“It goes through a general trading company in Japan, why are you signing a contract directly? Your price negotiating power will decrease.”
“I have a boat, because it’s a little cheaper to buy one myself when considering the fare.”
“Hmm, if the merchant has even a penny left over, that’s what he should do. Have a drink.”
The president offered me makgeolli.
Maybe it’s because it’s not yet in the 70’s, but it hasn’t gone from makgeolli with potato pancakes to yangju with fruit snacks.
Of course, Cheongwadae Makgeolli was rice makgeolli.
Rice makgeolli was banned by law due to lack of rice, and then the Blue House received rice makgeolli as a delivery.
I thought it was a drink symbolizing this era where everything is forcibly put together.
For whatever reason, rice makgeolli, which is so delicious, will continue to exist in the 21st century, so is it fortunate?
“Japan gave me 30 million dollars. The promotion committee should start with the order. Either way the design is.”
“Yes. For now, 30 million dollars will be used for ground leveling and port construction. After that, it would be appropriate to use it for road, electricity, and industrial water projects.”
If you use it like I said, you don’t have to spend national taxes.
It can satisfy all the basic conditions set out when recruiting US investors.
“I understand the owner’s intentions, but you can’t just hate politics. You can’t even stay away from Japan. It’s a pre-processing facility, so you’ll need it anyway, so even if it’s expensive, take advantage of it.”
“President…”
“Japanese money is also money. Thanks to the owner, it’s enough if I don’t say sorry and get the money.”
The president filled my glass as if he understood my feelings. Well, objectively, this is the wisest choice. If you need a pretreatment facility.
“President, this is a secret between me and you. I have a state-of-the-art blueprint that does not require a pretreatment facility.”
“… Imja, what are you talking about? Are you drunk with a glass of makgeolli?”
“Your mind is fine. If this blueprint is followed, a 1 million-ton steel mill can be built with only US investment. If you spend $30 million in Japanese loans on utilities, you don’t have to pay taxes.”
I laid out Wöst’s blueprints on the table.
Even if you are not an expert, there is something that can be felt by anyone who sees this level of design.
Isn’t it only the painters who are moved by Michelangelo’s paintings?
“Where did you get these blueprints…?”
“I got it by accident while searching all over the world to save Incheon Steel. Indeed, heaven is helping our country.”
This is my honest feeling.
I didn’t know that the Wöst family had blueprints for the integrated steelworks.
“There really is no preprocessing process in the blueprint. You mean this is a feasible blueprint?”
“Yes that’s right. It is a method of extracting molten iron by directly reducing iron ore in a fluidized furnace instead of an existing blast furnace. Due to its extremely high efficiency, it will become an overwhelmingly competitive steel mill in terms of construction cost, material cost, and operating expenses. It easily beats Japanese steel mills that talk about being cutting-edge.”
I went through each part of the blueprint by hand, explaining the main concepts.
“Hmm… I want to trust the owner, but if that fails, it’s not something I can shake off my hands and start over as if nothing happened.”
“Incheon Steel will conduct a preliminary verification. Honey, please wait until the end of this year.”
Since the blast furnace was brought in from Samhwa Steelworks, molten iron should be drawn within this year according to Böst’s blueprint.
“Until then, let’s just pretend to review it? Is that what you mean?”
“Yes that’s right. You can see the results verified by Incheon Steelworks and make your final choice. Whether to try a high-tech steel mill for the first time, or to endure technology subordination and receive proven foreign technology.”
“Well, we, who have never experienced the traditional method, are the first to try the cutting-edge method… is that possible?”
“Either you learn a skill by sticking to it, or you head it from the ground, but it’s just as difficult. But the results will be vastly different.”
“……”
Even I can’t be 100% sure of this.
To be honest, the steel mill is something I have never done before.
You will have to go through countless trials and errors.
No one teaches skills easily.
Empty!
“The answer is obvious, but are you asking me to choose!”
He was frowning at my words, and then suddenly struck down the drinking table.
“Sorry, Mr. President.”
I jumped up and bent my back 90 degrees.
Also, he was a seasoned politician.
It was about looking at me and choosing myself.
Precisely, it meant that no matter what you chose, the result would be good. If the result is good, the president will have chosen that option.
empty!
“If you pretend, you don’t have the taste of pretending. I will do only what I am told to do.”
“I will make things work. But I think we can do better if we just block those who flinch.”
“Are you flirting?”
“Yes, if the promotion committee tries to do anything, whether it’s purchasing equipment or spending money, they’ll just die from all over the place, asking them to give me this kind of data, give that kind of data, thank you, investigate the expenditures… and so on.”
I had a preview of what was about to happen.
What are you doing? Please hand over the map.
“I guess there’s only one or two people trying to put a spoon on it?”
As if he understood, the president walked over to the desk and scrawled something.
「All tasks related to the integrated steelworks are responsibly decided by the promotion committee. Even if it is a private contract, the government guarantees it.”
Under the memo, President Park personally signed it.
It was a paper mape that I had only heard about.
There was a lot of power in the handwriting.
It was a gamble for both the president and me.
“If you’re squeamish, show me this. Go ahead according to your convictions.”
If the results are bad, I’m dead, but until then I’ve been entrusted with full power.
As long as you have a map, you can do crazy things to your heart’s content.
“Yes, Mr. President. The steel mill will be built in Pohang. What can I name you?”
“What, Pohang?… Kuh-hum, then go with Pohang Steelworks.”
Why do you look like that? Push and go according to your convictions.
“Yes, Mr. President.”
I haven’t reported that I’m reviewing Pohang yet, but I just have to take responsibility for the results.
Since the land compensation contract had already been executed, there was nowhere to back down.
**
As soon as I got out of the Blue House, I called the committee.
“The president tells Pohang to start civil engineering in secret. The final design was to be verified and executed by Incheon Steelworks in advance.”
＜Waaa!＞
Cheers were heard over the phone.
“Director Seok Ki-hoon, along with the technical committee members, go to work at Incheon Steelworks tomorrow.”
＜Yes, Chairman.＞
The time has come to prove your skills.
***
one month later,
「The location of the integrated steelworks is still unknown?」
「Comprehensive steelworks, where is technology introduced?」
「The biggest project since Dangun lost her way」
「Final bankruptcy of Korea Shipbuilding Corporation. There are hundreds of people involved in corruption.”
Before washing my face, I checked the newspaper.
The first side was plastered with the case of the integrated steelworks.
The design and site have not yet been officially revealed, causing a stir in all directions.
In particular, while the ruling party lawmakers, including Kim Joong-pil, were exerting tremendous pressure, Deputy Minister Yeom Won-cheol calmly handled it well.
Thanks to that, I can focus on my work at Incheon Steelworks.
“Chansu, let’s go.”
“Is it finally today?”
“Yeah, everyone is out of breath waiting.”
Actually, I delayed the initial exam twice because I was trying my best.
I couldn’t postpone it any longer.
***
Incheon Steel
“Is everyone ready?”
“Yeah!”
“Let’s start shouting together. safety! safety! safety!”
“safety! safety! safety!”
All were wearing heat shields.
Large amounts of support for Kavla in the midst of unemployment.
Sambok, Böst, Director Seok Ki-hun, technical committee members, and Incheon Steel employees all waited for this day.
“Manager Böst, have you checked the refractory material in the melting furnace?”
“Yes, boss.”
The melting furnace that caused the most problems was recycled Samhwa Steel’s blast furnace surplus and broken electric furnace.
The four blast furnaces of Samhwa Steel, where the molten iron was congealed, were cut and pasted to serve as the base, and the electric furnace with only the bottom melted was used as the top.
It was an idea that took too long to bring in a Coopers furnace, but it turned out to be a good decision.
The materials used were domestic iron ore and anthracite.
If molten iron is extracted with such a low-grade, non-grade product, if Australian limonite is put in, it will explode.
“Boss, please sing your name before the ceremony.”
The representative of Incheon Steel’s employees brought me a large brush and a can of paint.
He held the brush with a trembling hand.
“Let’s try.”
I wrote in the melting furnace that it was a great steel treasure.
“Waaa!”
When molten iron comes out of this melting furnace, Korea will climb another step.
‘Please, become a flame that doesn’t go out.’
I stroked the melting furnace with all my heart.
“It’s fire!”
“Waaa!!!”
“Gogo!”
Sambok raised his arms and cheered.
The soot couldn’t be erased from his face anymore.
An employee representative has made a torch on a long iron bar.
Once the furnace is lit, it must now operate 365 days a year.
Roaring.
“All employees, to their respective positions!”
“To the location!”
It was worth educating in a popular way for a month.
At my command, all the staff recited in unison.
“Oxygen valve on! 20 psi target pressure!”
“Oxygen on! 20 psi!”
It starts with pushing oxygen into the piping connected to the melting furnace. I’ve lit it, so if you put some anthracite in it, it will start to make a lot of gas.
“Rotation suit on! Dropping 2 tons of anthracite per minute.”
“throwing down! Two tons per minute!”
When the lever was pulled, lumps of anthracite coal poured into the furnace.
The furnace’s pressure gauge began to wriggle.
“Read the pressure gauge!”
“21 psi! 23! 25! It hits the spec limit.”
“No, until 27!”
“26! 27!”
“Breathe open!”
At 28 psi, or 2 atm, the furnace becomes dangerous.
In a plant, the risk of explosion increases rapidly when the internal pressure exceeds 2 atm.
“Breathe open!”
“You have to read the gauge!!!!!”
“26! 24! 22! It drops sharply.”
“Böst! Fluid flow No. 1! Ignite the bed burner! Target temperature 900 degrees!”
“ignition! Target temperature 900 degrees!”
Fluidized furnaces must be handled by experts like Wöst.
This is because in the 1960s, there were no gauges that read ultra-high temperatures close to 1000 degrees.
Even K-type thermocouples can’t stand it for a while in a fluidized furnace that operates all year round.
It controls the amount of oxygen by looking at the light emitted through the heat-resistant glass window.
Even in the 21st century, veterans judge with their eyes instead of infrared cameras.
Quarreureung…
Yudongro started to cry.
“Wust, wake up! mental!!!”
“Ugh!”
The plant must judge the situation holistically.
When Yudongro cries, we have to talk.
“Floor No. 1 Outlet Open! Ignite flow path 2!”
“Outlet No. 1 is open! Ignite flow path 2!”
Quarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrating!
“what are you doing! Pour more iron ore into flow furnace 1! He’s crying!”
“come out! They said pour cold water!”
When the panicked employee responded, Sambok suddenly ran and pulled the input lever.
He noticed the urgency in my tone.
Fortunately, iron ore poured into the fluidized furnace like crazy.
‘This is all or nothing!’
The reaction rate was insane.
Not the reaction speed I expected.
The Pyrex method, even if it’s fast, it’s too fast.
This is not a method for mini mills.
High Mill, a method of moving a huge whale.
“Two times, three times, four times! Fluid furnace continuous ignition!!!”
