124 : open the water
“Then the inauguration ceremony of the commander-in-chief will also be held in Quy Nhon. At that time, I will come with a wonderful congratulatory gift.”
“Haha, don’t expect it. But why are you here now? Surely you didn’t come here just to take a look?”
Gothel and I left the harbor and sat down on a bench under a palm tree to continue our conversation.
“I am concerned about my employees. Anyway, it was said that it was an all-out offensive by the North Vietnamese, but I wondered what to do if anyone was injured.”
“Ah, can that be? I’ve been guarding it like crazy Of course, the Tigers and Blue Dragons did use some strength. Thank you.”
“I’m glad no one was hurt.”
If Godel became the commander-in-chief of Vietnam, it seemed that he would become even closer with the Korean army.
“I have another good news! Quite a few broken and broken things this time. I’ll take care of it, so send me another boat.”
“Thank you very much.”
“Compared to the information value of CS, that much is nothing. I don’t know how you linked the armed communist invasion of the South to the North Vietnam Offensive. No, is that normal?”
If you think about anything later, you can see a causal relationship, but it is not easy to predict in advance.
Gothel would also have come to his senses when I warned him and set up an impenetrable defensive posture.
“I’m worried about the staff, but in fact, I came here because I had another request.”
“Huh, then it is. just talk about anything I will listen to you!”
Gothel smoked a pipe and shrugged. He seemed to boast that he could grant my wishes if he became a high-ranking general in the U.S. Army.
“Hasn’t our generation received surplus supplies from Quy Nhon? It is something like that.”
“It sounds like you have more to take from here. tell me what you want But don’t forget that I have to make as many stars as I take away.”
At that, I shrugged my shoulders.
I was as confident as that.
Gothel’s political power and my knowledge of the future go hand in hand, so even three stars wouldn’t be impossible.
“So it is. This time, I want to get an M16 rifle.”
Since the M16 could not become a surplus, he said to dispose of it, but it was the same as wanting to steal it.
“A M16 rifle? That’s right, Korean troops are already being supported. What do you mean by disposing of it?”
Currently, only Soldier Powell is being supported.
I want to bring it to Korea as well.
“I want to be supported more vigorously. There is also a reason. You must have secured evidence that the M16 flowed toward the North Vietnamese or the Viet Cong in this offensive.”
“Yeah, that’s right. Sooner or later, those involved in Vietnam will be punished. The U.S. Army will also be held accountable.”
“Will it be eradicated like that? If it is a weapon that the Vietnamese army will steal, please give it to me.”
“Hmm, that’s not a very outlandish request. At least CS won’t steal weapons from the enemy.”
The South Korean military is also secretly stealing M16 rifles back home.
If I can definitely increase that volume, I can buy some time from the government.
If Godel turns a blind eye to it, he can steal about 10% of the rifles supplied to the South Vietnamese army, and at that level, it is no different than creating a defense industry.
“By the way, why would you bother stealing an M16 rifle? It probably won’t be of much money to you.”
“As you know, armed communists attacked Seoul, the capital. Rifles are the first step toward self-reliant national defense.”
Godel is also a soldier, so he must be well aware of the weight of self-defense.
“okay? If that’s the case, it won’t be possible to steal a few boxes of M16s, right? How about buying in bulk at a low price? Don’t steal it out of shape.”
Buying in bulk at a low price?
“Buying in bulk at a low price, you know that’s not as easy as it sounds.”
Arms purchases are a key issue between countries.
Once it is decided, it cannot be changed in any way, and it is an item with national security at stake, so even though it is very expensive, there is no choice but to cry and eat mustard.
“Of course it is not easy. But, I think it’s possible now. Originally, M16 was owned by a company called Cooper-McDonald’s, but that ends in the first half of this year. They say the Ministry of Defense takes over the copyright.”
Well? Isn’t the M16 made by Colt?
Was there a separate vendor called Cooper-McDonald’s?
It’s not my field, so I didn’t know the details.
“McDonald’s owns the rights?”
“It’s not that McDonald’s that sells hamburgers. Anyway, it’s a very disappointing thing for a seller. They whined to increase the stock before the copyright expired.”
“You’re telling me to attack McDonald’s.”
“That’s right. Call those merchants and order 10 years worth of supplies at once! It’s the last valid contract, so I’m sure you’ll accept it even if you hit the price.”
“It’s a great strategy.”
“ha ha ha! I know how to use my brain just as much as you do.”
Gothel trembled as if he was in a good mood.
Ooh, that was very good information.
If McDonald’s was used well, the M16 license was worth trying.
It would be impossible to bring in a license from the beginning, but in exchange for a large order, wouldn’t it be possible to make a special agreement to subcontract the production of even some parts?
Colt, the production company, will say what they are talking about, but McDonald’s will try to stick to the special agreement as it is their last chance to make money.
It is not something to be taken lightly as parts subcontracting.
Because the beginning of anything is important.
It seems that it will be possible to localize them one by one, led by Shim Jae-hong.
Then the M16 project can grow into a business that is helpful to me, not just a simple cotton.
As a subcontractor for Colt, you can sell tons of parts all over the world.
Dollars earned from subcontractors do not change the value of money.Read at noblemtl
Just imagining it made my heart swell.
It seemed that the rest of the work could be passed on to the government and looked at leisurely.
If the government steps in, won’t the timing of obtaining the M16 license be shortened?
Even in the original history, the M16 production license was obtained in the mid-70s.
With the handling of this matter, the relationship with the president, which has been one-sided so far, needs to be raised to even a little bit.
If I open up the water, the government will negotiate diplomatically, and I will eat the fruit.
“thank you. I will definitely repay you for this.”
“Well, to this extent, however. They’re whining so much that I’m telling you.”
“Anyway, thank you for being grateful.”
I don’t know what to say, but I know.
Giving this level of advanced information means that Gothel considers me a comrade.
good. Let’s do our best in the future, General Gothel.
“Of course, it would be nice if you would do me a favor.”
“Tell me anything.”
“It is not a difficult request. Bring someone with you.”
“A person? Who are you talking about?”
“Someone knows CS. Corporal Mark… Ah, now promoted to sergeant! Take him.”
“Mark, Mark?”
Wasn’t Gothel’s favorite right-hand man?
“He got hurt a little in the last fight.”
“Is Mark hurt? How about saying that now!”
“Ahh! calm down. It’s not even a matter of shouting. It’s just that the butt is torn off a bit. It’s because running is kind of hard, but I don’t have any problems with girls. As long as a man does that, there is no problem in living life!”
“… uh… ah…”
I didn’t really have anything to say in response.
“So it is. Originally, it would have been a few years, but he has already become a pension recipient.”
If you get injured, it seems that the retirement period is a bit delayed.
“In other words, it is time to live a second life outside the military. Honestly, he wouldn’t give a star like me just because he puts a stake in the army. is not it?”
“I will take responsibility.”
“As expected, the words flow well.”
Originally, the US military could receive a pension after serving 20 years, but most of them voluntarily discharged that year.
If you are not going to serve for 30 years, the pension amount is fixed at 50% of your annual salary, so you are discharged as young as possible and re-employed at a private company.
“Even if it’s catering, I’ll have to go through an interview. Where is Mark now?”
“I will guide you. I just want to have a glass of whiskey.”
Do you mean to share whiskey with the patient?
Gothel strode towards the ward.
As expected, it seems that he was hospitalized in Quy Nhon Ward.
Although it is smaller than Saigon, it has a good reputation because it has abundant medical supplies like a logistic base.
***
Quy Nhon Ward,
“Hey, Mark.”
Gothel flipped back the curtain on the bed by the window and went inside.
It was the best seat in the ward.
“Ah, General.”
“Ah, just lie down. Hey Surgeon! Bring what I’ve been keeping. Disinfect here.”
“An old story!”
The army doctor quickly brought whiskey and peanut snacks.
Watching it from behind the screen, it was ridiculous.
“Hey, Mark. You will be surprised to find out who is here.”
“Yes?”
“Mark, long time no see.”
“CS!”
“You said you were hurt, how are you feeling?”
“That’s about it, well, it’ll be easy if you rest a little.”
“Look, I said I was fine!”
The three of us toasted each other with a glass of whiskey.
“For Mark’s recovery!”
“for!”
“Hey, hey Mark. I know you’re lucky. I met a boss like me and made my military life easier, and I get a pension quickly with a slightly crooked butt! Besides, you just got a job at the most famous military-industrial complex in Korea.”
“Yes? Do I get a job?”
Godel defined the trend as the military-industrial complex.
At first glance, considering the future expansion, it was right.
“My salary is $20,000.”
“I’m no construction expert…”
“This time, our company will also expand its business a bit. I want Mark to serve as technical advisor for the military supply and defense industry. We will be of great help to each other. What do you think?”
I asked for a handshake instead of a contract.
Mark held my hand with both hands.
“I will work hard. If you do like Koreans, you will die working, but you will be better than most Americans.”
“If you don’t work hard, I will cut you off. It’s executive level.”
“Oh, be scared. I still can’t go Isn’t the salary exorbitant?”
Mark gladly joined.
If Mark comes, the US military supply will be certain, and wherever the US military can reach, it will be of great help in making a deal.
“Oh, look at this. Are you already negotiating your salary before being discharged? That’s what matters, too. Double employment is against the rules.”
Gothel joked.
The fact that his whiskey was here meant that Mark had been taken with him.
I asked for a favor, but since he took care of both me and Mark, he was a man with a clear business mind.
He was the perfect person to take on the role.
“Ah, then I will be discharged from today.”
“Oh yeah? Hey Surgeon! Let Mark go.”
“An old story!”
Seeing that the military surgeon brought crutches without saying anything, it seemed like it was really okay to leave the hospital.
“Let’s go to my beach. There’s Jackcock there too!”
“good.”
“Gogo!”
I picked up Mark and made my way to the beach.
***
“CS… No, boss. I think I need to spend some time in Quy Nhon for my body to fully recover, so I will try to pay for my annual salary before that.”
Maybe he thought about it as he walked to the beach, but Mark’s tone suddenly changed.
In English, there are nuances like banal language and honorific language.
“Oh, already?”
“Haha, General Gothel shouldn’t listen to this.”
“I won’t say anything, so fill up the whiskey first.”
Gothel sat lazily on a beach chair and enjoyed the atmosphere. We were already colleagues.
“This offensive took many M113 armored vehicles and military trucks. All of them came to the repair base in Quy Nhon, but they said there were very few useful ones. Unlike us, in Korea, you can fix it, right? I will take it out without cutting it, so take it to scrap metal.”
“Is Mark already paying for his annual salary?”
Originally, when a vehicle is scrapped in a military unit, it is cut like tofu around the engine part and sent out.
If you send it out without cutting it, if you combine it well, you can make an armored car or a truck!
“Mark! Why didn’t you wear that kind of hair when you were under me? Why are you pretending to be smart?”
Gothel pressed down on Mark’s stomach.
“Under the general, pretending to be smart doesn’t get you a lot of work, right? CS gives a lot of work to everyone, so you have to pretend to be smart and get a lot of money.”
“Hey, sir! You are so smart!”
“An old story!”
Eventually, Mark and Gothel started joking around, and I enjoyed watching it while downing a jackcock.
It’s time to talk about the big picture.
“General Gothel, my dream is to make Quy Nhon the Hong Kong of Southeast Asia. The general will be the head of the US branch in Southeast Asia.”
“Please make it so. I have about 10 years left until I get kicked out of the army, so I have to stay within that time.”
“No problem.”
“Congratulations. General Gothel.”
“Mark, you go and do well. You should become the vice president of the military-industrial complex. Like General Van Flint.”
“Yes, General.”
Godel and Mark also started to paint the big picture.
“Mark, send the president of McDonald’s to Korea.”
“Okay, boss.”
Mark was already like our staff.
“Cheers to our future!”
“Cheers!”
Is it because of this?
When I came to Quy Nhon, I felt like I came to my hometown.
***
Ulsan, Daese Shipbuilding construction site.
I stopped by the Quyenyeon Daesae branch to take care of people and work, and went straight to Ulsan via Busan.
It was a calculation that if the Blue House called, they could get away with talking about the M16 and the tank.
“How did you go?”
The deputy conductor of the short circuit welcomed me.
“sure. Foreign experts will come soon. By the way, the scene is okay, right?”
“Yes, it is going without a hitch. Part of the dock’s walls are now concreted.”
“It’s really fast. You did a really good job.”
We had a tight plan, but we did it well.
“It could have been faster, but the drizzling rain over the past few days has slowed the work. Perhaps because of the miracle in Jordan, it rained here as well, not snow.”
The miracle of Jordan, rumors spread quickly in the company.
“Rather than a miracle, it’s that our top employees are working so hard that even the heavens were moved.”
“We will work even harder to impress Yongwang.”
“Haha, see you tomorrow. I need to get some rest.”
I laughed at the wonderful answer.
It was late, so I wanted to take a break.
**
late night,
shoot it
It had been drizzling rain for a few days, so after washing and lying down, it began to rain in earnest.
The feeling of rain falling in the hot Middle East and cold rain like this was quite different.
It’s a bit dreary, but still, when it rains like this, it means that spring is quickly approaching.
I was so tired that I couldn’t sleep.
As I was trying to fall asleep listening to the sound of rain, a flashlight shimmered outside the window. I woke up to see what was going on, but people rushed in.
“president! president! It’s a big deal, a big deal!”
“what happened?”
“Dock! Second dock!”