121 : The tiger that repays the favor
“Yes, if my car were to fall, the people here would have a hard time. I’m not going to stay… no. You can’t disturb busy people. You’ll have to vacate the entire dorm for security reasons. I have to go up.”
There are times when the reaction is somewhat unexpected.
“Then please wait a moment. Even if the tide comes in, the wheels won’t come off if you sprinkle gravel on the road.”
“Yes, do it. It will be less of a hassle than staying here.”
“Secretary Ki, go to Deputy Director Dan and tell him to throw gravel on the way out of town. Even if the tide comes in, I can endure it for a while.”
“Yes, I understand.”
To be honest, even at high tide, there was no problem with safety as the access road was flooded with water, but the staff would overreact because it was related to the president.
Dump trucks and several bulldozers would take a good couple of hours.
If it took roughly that much time, it would be impossible to reach Seoul by dawn, and on the way up, you would hear the news that the armed communists had been subdued.
“Then, go ahead and do your work. I will go up to Seoul as soon as the road is clear.”
“Yes, Mr. President. Take a look.”
I politely saw off and headed to the site.
When my thoughts were complicated, it was best to use my body on set.
***
the next morning.
I stayed up all night almost awake.
Armed communists would never come down to Ulsan, but I couldn’t sleep at all.
Why aww.
Sure enough, a siren sounded from somewhere, followed by urgent voices.
＜Fellow Koreans, An armed North Korean guerrilla attack has occurred in downtown Seoul. As our armed forces have killed most of the armed communists and are chasing remnants, I urge the people to strengthen their vigilance and listen to the radio. I’ll let you know once again. now…＞
When I turned on the TV, a large-scale battle broke out about 300 meters from the Blue House, and dozens of armed communist fighters were killed and several friendly soldiers were reported to have been oxidized.
Udangdangtang.
“president. It’s a big deal. War, war broke out!”
Staff, including the deputy manager Dan, came pouring in.
“Calm down, calm down. It wasn’t a war, but rather armed communist troops.”
“Did you not hear the breaking news? Didn’t you say that you came to pick the president’s head?”
“Kim Il-sung, this bastard is crazy. Ugh.”
The staff panicked.
At this time, people’s reaction was like this.
It was only natural to be agitated when sirens blared from all sides, and TV and radio said our military and police were on emergency deployment.
Well, my heart fluttered at the uneasy sound of the siren.
“Your Excellency are you all right?”
“You will be fine. You must have been on the road going up to Seoul until dawn this morning.”
It is fortunate that there are no highways at this time.
Since there was an emergency and the subjugation of the remnants had begun, the vigilance around the president would have been extremely strengthened.
“Boss, can we do this?”
“What is it? Isn’t it said that the armed forces are chasing the remnants of armed communists? All we have to do is trust the Armed Forces and work hard. Let’s have breakfast and go to work.”
I tried to comfort the staff and drove them to the hamba house.
Fortunately, the ladies who cook were anxious but prepared hot soup and side dishes, so I ate as much as I could and went out to the scene.
“Boss, shall we look for a ship going to Japan right now?”
“Secretary Ki, what are you talking about?”
“If there is a war, what is the use of money? You have to evacuate first.”
After eating, secretary Ki asked me about my intentions with a firm expression.
It was embarrassing, but I also understood.
At that time, people couldn’t forget the trauma of war. It was not a category that I, a post-war generation, could understand.
“It will never happen. Rather, if there are people who are agitated, tell me in a tingling way. there is no war Don’t be upset!”
“Yes, boss.”
I said it with all my might, but Secretary Ki’s uneasiness remained.
I went straight to the office and decided to take a lap around the site.
Woongseongdae deliberately asked the staff if they ate well, checked the situation at the site, and marked ‘I am here at the site’.
After that, I found a seat in the telex room and sat down.
I don’t know anything else, but I had to hit a professional in Quy Nhon.
“To. General Godel」
“Today there was a massive provocation by North Korean armed communist forces infiltrating South Korea. This is probably a diversionary operation by the communist camp aimed at the US government’s lame duck period. Sooner or later, there may be a massive offensive from the North Vietnamese in Quy Nhon, so it is judged that preparations are necessary. I would appreciate it if you would do everything possible to ensure the safety of General Gothel and our staff.”
“To. Quy Nhon Governor」
“Today, an armed communist infiltration incident occurred in Korea. Refrain from logistical transport as much as possible until safety is confirmed. Request protection from the Tiger and Blue Dragon units.”
I asked Godel and our staff to increase their vigilance informing them of the infiltration of armed guerrillas.
Since I couldn’t directly mention the Tet Offensive, I could only do this much, but Gothel is also a soldier, so I won’t overlook the term diversionary operation.
Both Gothel and the branch staff had to prepare.
As in the original history, in a situation where the US Embassy is attacked and some of the defense lines collapse, if only Quy Nhon manages to defend safely, Godel will be promoted to another level.
The U.S. government will extensively publicize the impenetrable defense of Quy Nhon in order to defend against anti-war public opinion and media attacks.
Then, the possibility that Quy Nhon will become the Hong Kong of Vietnam will definitely increase.
“president! It’s a big deal.”
“What happen?”
As soon as the professional was blown, the staff came running.
“The Blue House… There was a call from the Blue House.”
I pulled out a long wire and brought it in front of me.
The siren was still sounding, so it was clear that he was embarrassed.
“Yes, I received a call from Woo Chan-soo.”
＜It’s me.＞
“Are you okay, Mr. President?”
＜It’s okay. Did you hear the news?＞
“Yes, I heard you. I’m glad you’re okay.”
＜Thanks to you, I saved my life. They say that even a tiger repays the favor, but if you are the president, can you not make a phone call to the person you owe your life to?＞
He must have lived in the first place, but it seems that he was grateful that he was far from the Blue House thanks to me.
“no. I didn’t really do anything.”
＜No, thanks to you, I’m only an hour late. If I left as it was, I don’t know when and where I would have encountered the armed communists. I’m not in a hurry right now, so I’m just calling, but I’ll definitely pay you back for this. promise.＞
“It just happened that way. Be at ease.”
＜Heaven was moved by the sincerity of the ruler.＞
What kind of sincerity, even the sky was touched… I was embarrassed.
I just didn’t want the butterfly effect.
＜By the way, think about how to argue with the US. The president of an allied country has been threatened with assassination, so be careful! How can you say such a thing! damn it.＞
Unable to contain his anger, the president inevitably grinded his teeth into the phone.
What would be the reaction of the US president who fell for lame duck? The U.S. aircraft carrier will be mobilized to put pressure on North Korea only after the hijacking of the USS Pueblo takes place.
Now, the biggest question is how to hold the upcoming presidential election.
What does it matter whether the president of an underdeveloped East Asian country is threatened or not?
From the standpoint of the United States, unless a war breaks out and reunification is achieved, the only thing left is to establish a pro-US government again.
“Yes, I understand. President.”
＜I’m not talking nonsense. Heaven tells us to do self-defense. I’m thinking about what to do with the defense industry. okay?＞
“Yes! President.”
＜Enter!＞
“Yes.”
Took.
The president hung up the phone, referring to the defense industry.
The president was so furious at the end that I had no choice but to be the yes man.
That’s why the reaction from the United States must have been very lukewarm. In words, it’s an alliance or something, but I had no intention of even warning North Korea.
‘The U.S. reaction will change 180 degrees if the Pueblo is hijacked, so they’ll be more furious then, right?’
Phew, really the times were pushing me out of my mind.
I thought the defense industry would have been planned from this time, but it was undoubtedly correct.
Rather, the president’s reaction was much more intense than expected, so it seemed difficult to postpone the start.
First of all, the shipbuilding industry comes first.
Being the number one candidate in the defense industry is a good thing, but the problem is that there is not enough manpower and time to cover that.
It might be best to say that sooner or later, we will bring international students back to Korea for a while to form a research team for the defense industry.
“Deputy short circuit commander! Dan conductor!”
I decided to stop thinking and deal with what was right in front of me. I had to take care of the overseas trainees.
I opened the office window and looked for the deputy conductor.Read at noblemtl
Just then, the conductor Dan, who was nearby, ran up.
“Yes, boss!”
“Have the 2nd trainees been sorted out? Have your passport and visa been issued?”
“Yes. You’ve done all the selection and preparation, but why are you doing that? We still have a month left to start.”
“I have to leave immediately tomorrow. I’ll leave the country with you while I’m on my way to Jordan, so prepare them.”
“Yes? Are you leaving tomorrow?”
In the original history, this incident led to the creation of a local reserve force, the designation of defense companies, and the establishment of prohibited areas in the metropolitan area, etc. All kinds of regulations and anti-communist education were strengthened.
Most unfortunate of all, regulations on overseas trainees are also being strengthened.
Read at noblemtl
Judging from the president’s reaction just now, the government’s response seems to be much quicker than I expected, so I had to leave the trainees tomorrow.
This is still the case, but if the Pueblo is hijacked, there will be even more uproar.
“Those who can’t do it tomorrow will be postponed to the next round, and we’ll leave the country together with those who can, so get ready right away.”
“Yes, boss.”
“And please gather all of them, including Manager Byun and the section chief. I’ll give you business instructions on what to do when I’m gone.”
“All right. president.”
Now that it’s time to take care of Jordan, I’ll have to leave the work here to them for a while and come back soon.
On the way back, you will have to meet Godel to find out how he prevented the Tet Offensive and take care of the governor of Quy Nhon.
If I’m lucky, it could be an opportunity to set up a logistics line connecting the Middle East, Vietnam, and Korea.
The shipbuilding industry is a business that forms organic relationships with ship owners, shippers, and shipping companies, so the logistics line will continue to give me money.
“First, increase the maximum weight of the Goliath crane and place an order again…”
I wrote a list of tasks to be directed on the board.
Conference attendees gathered from all directions.
***
A few days later, in Amman, Jordan.
I sent the trainees at the stopover and flew to Jordan alone.
“friend!”
“Boss, are you okay? I heard something big happened in Korea.”
Father worriedly asked, but Sambok accepted it as if it were a joke.
“Manager Kim, what are you worried about? This guy will dodge bullets. I came back alive in Vietnam.”
“Sir, I was in Vietnam too…”
“ah! okay.”
“As you can see, I’m fine, so don’t worry. You must be busy with work, so why are you meeting me? I will be on my way to Aqaba.”
“Not to meet you, but to take you to the palace.”
Sambok made a strange noise.
“Palace? why?”
“While you are gone, uh huh. Don’t talk. Even here in the Middle East, politics is ridiculous.”
“Boss, let’s get in the car first. I will explain as we go.”
“Change your clothes too.”
My father was in a hurry, so I hurried to the car, and Sambok handed me a Middle Eastern costume.
“Sambok, what the hell is going on?”
I asked while changing clothes in the car.
“As you said, we’ve drilled holes in the canyon pillars and cliffs, but the Jordanian royal family is preventing the explosives from detonating.”
“What are you talking about? This is a project approved by the Jordanian government. And materials that are difficult to pass through customs, such as explosives, were supposed to be provided by Jordan.”
“So we protested a lot. Then, he barely spoke his mind. It means that King Hussein must detonate the explosives.”
“What? The king himself?”
“Yes, the rock pillars in the canyon are called Solomon’s Pillars. That’s why only the King of Jordan can break it down. Besides, I wonder if the king originally came up with the idea for this project.”
A little awkward, but understandable.
Solomon is a king respected even by Muslims, so it would take a king to knock down the pillar that bears his name.
If possible, you would want to create a heroic story about destroying even an ancient legend in order to package well and create a reservoir for the people.
It is to come up with a scenario and ask us to work together.
Well, in the yard of defeat to Israel, we even signed a peace agreement and started construction, but this level of service should be done.
“It starts with the boss asking the king of Jordan to explode a bomb. what the.”
My father added the words while driving.
“I guess I came just in time.”
“Executive Director Lee was about to make a request via telex.”
“I knew. Let’s do what we do right now.”
We hurriedly headed to the Jordanian royal family.
**
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Jordanian palace,
“Tell the King that the time has come.”
We called the royal aides in front of the palace and politely requested.
He must have waited, but he immediately understood the words and brought us into the palace with courtesy.
“What is it, brother?”
“Peace be with the royal family of Jordan.”
When King Hussein appeared, we bowed our heads to the ground and greeted each other.
“According to the king’s will, we have installed explosives on Solomon’s Pillar. We do not dare to press the blast button, so the King please make a decision.”
“Umm…”
I took a step forward and recited the lines.
“Everything is as Allah wills.”
“The decision is according to the king’s will.”
Sambok and his father bowed their heads and put in the choo-im-sae that they had set beforehand.
It is a large-scale construction with annual sales of tens of millions of dollars.
“good night. I will make my decision. I will sever the glories of the past and move on to a better future.”
“Everything is as Allah wills.”
“Everything is as Allah wills.”
“Glory be to the royal family of Jordan.”
As if in admiration, I lowered my head to the stretched marble floor.
“Glory be to the royal family of Jordan.”
All the servants in the palace bowed their heads.
“Follow me!”
According to the script, King Hussein took the lead.