Ding ding ding
"Everyone, gather around."
"Come here, everyone. The boss wants to speak."
As the bell rang from the temporary tent, the employees gathered. I climbed onto a rock and grabbed the megaphone.
Sam-bok whispered if it was okay to announce this suddenly, but I patted his back, assuring him it was fine.
The employees had now seen a bigger world.
"Listen carefully, everyone. I have to return to Korea unexpectedly."
I didn't mention it was urgent because it always was.
"Are you going back permanently?"
"I'll go directly to Korea from here and won't be able to return to Vietnam for a long time."
"What about us then?"
"You can stay here or return with me. However, the important thing is that you must decide here and now."
The employees were startled, but I had no choice but to say this because I couldn't stay and ensure their safety.
They would understand what I meant.
"Boss, may I ask something?"
My father, representing the employees, spoke up.
"Go ahead."
"May I ask why you're suddenly returning to Korea?"
"It's because my country needs me... no, because I have something important to do."
Though I wasn't a nationalist or a patriot, I wanted to change the Korea-Japan agreement.
"Just one more question."
"Go ahead."
"Will it help you if we go with you, or if we stay here and make money?"
His words moved me.
Asking how they could help me without knowing exactly what it was I had to do.
"Both will help. If you want to keep making money in the current way, it's better to stay here. If you want to learn a new way to make money, return with me. Both staying here and starting a new business in Korea are important."
"If we earn money here and send it to you, will it make your job easier?"
"Yes, it will."
The employees murmured, looking at each other. Some whispered about whether to go, while others stared at me with stern expressions. But the time to choose wasn't long.
"I'll return to Korea. I'll stick with the boss."
"I want to work here for three more years if that's possible."
"I'll get my certification at the repair base and join you later. Please include me in your work."
Though their choices were different, their determination to live well was the same.
I looked around at everyone and nodded.
Should I feel relieved?
My father said he would work here for three more years.
I needed someone I could trust and rely on.
"That's fine. Do as you wish. Wherever you work, you are Daese employees."
"Waaaaah!"
"I should announce the delayed promotions."
Though it was a sudden announcement, the employees soon understood the significance. I had to establish at least a minimal work system to avoid confusion.
"Wow, a promotion. A promotion."
"Daese Industries, Textile Division, Vietnam Branch Manager, Kim Wandeuk."
"What, me?"
"Waaaaah! Wandeuk is a manager now."
He was a former middle school math teacher, meticulously managing the ledgers for military supplies imports and exports. He would do well in his role.
"Daese Industries, Lumber Division, Vietnam Branch Manager, Jo Dalbong."
"Wow, wow!"
A former national orchestra member fluent in English and sociable, he was instrumental in handling the lumber business. He would do well.
"Daese Industries, Construction Division Manager, Kim Chun-seok!"
"What!"
"Wow, from section chief to manager!"
"Congratulations, Manager Jin-dal-rae!"
I appointed my father as the manager of the Construction Division.
Called KIM by the U.S. soldiers, he had been a reliable representative for the employees.
He would complete the port and runway construction well.
Three years here, as my father wished, would be enough to do everything. Please take care.
"Manager Kim, I trust you. In Saigon, always move with the Tiger Division and the Blue Dragon Division, and never stray from the safe areas."
"Thank you. I'll do my best."
Though he tried to look composed, my father seemed moved.
This showed that Daese had become a valuable company to him as well.
"Those returning to Korea, board the communication ship. We'll enter the Saigon camp first, then go to Hong Kong and Tokyo before arriving at Gimpo."
"Waaaaah! We're going to Gimpo. Gimpo."
"We're taking a plane. Wow."
Once the decision was made, we had to leave quickly.
There might be a sudden parliamentary ratification of the Korea-Japan agreement. Though unlikely, it was a possibility.
As soon as I finished speaking, the employees boarded the communication ship. Of course, Sam-bok was with them.
"Hey, CS. Are you really going back to Korea?"
It was Sergeant Mark.
"Yes, I have to go. Something urgent came up."
"Congratulations. There's nothing better than leaving a war zone and returning home. It's sad, but I must let you go."
"Please take care of my employees. And their certifications too."
"If you're asking a favor, you should buy me a Jack Coke."
"Let's meet in America someday in good health. I'll treat you then."
"Great. Great. I love it."
Mark patted his sturdy belly, pleased.
The idea of meeting in America in good health seemed to resonate with him.
"See you next time."
Before leaving, I had to meet Major Kim of the Blue Dragon Division to finish the engine work.
Other than that, there was nothing left to handle in Vietnam.
I had to leave the telex for contacting the remaining employees. The B Zone helicopter engines and surplus items could be slowly brought into Jinhae.
It was a bit disappointing not to say goodbye to Silver, but we would stay in touch due to the remaining construction work.
"Ah, Colonel Godell wants to see you. Seems he has something to say."
"Colonel Godell?"
"Go quickly, he's waiting in the helicopter."
Right, I should say goodbye to Godell.
Whether it's military supplies or lumber or surplus materials, the work must continue.
***
"That was a very impressive speech."
"Were you listening?"
"With such a loud announcement, how could I not? I understand quite a bit of Korean now."
What impressive speech? I just promoted some people.
But it was nice. Despite his initial image, I now found Godell's bluster quite endearing.
"If fate allows, we'll meet in America. By then, you'll be a high-ranking officer."
"Thanks for the well-wishes, but it's you who needs luck, not me."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you remember Major Smith? When we interrogated him, he said something interesting."
Godell had a peculiar expression, a cigar in his mouth.
"Something interesting?"
"Yes, the JPA guys were targeting you. Some of our people took bribes and plotted a bit. And this wasn't the first time. They probably wanted you to die from a stray bullet."
"So they wanted me dead?"
"Yes. But don't worry, I'll find an excuse to cut off those involved. You just take care of yourself."
I had nothing to say.
It all made sense now.
"So that's how it was."
"You look like you expected this. Is that why you're rushing back to Korea?"
"Yes."
Indeed, in this era, running a business in Korea without getting entangled with the Japanese was impossible.
These jerks, they should compete fairly.
Come to think of it, most of the people playing tricks with commercial loans in the Korea-Japan agreement were JPA guys.
I'll step on them little by little.
"Let's end the farewell here. Take this."
"What is it?"
"What else? A gift for your return."
It was a cigar box.
The luxurious gold-edged ribbon suggested it was no ordinary gift.
"I don't smoke."
"Just accept it. It's Cuban cigars! Do you know how hard they are to get?"
It was a gift from Godell's heart. Americans hated Cuba but loved Cuban cigars.
Typical capitalists.
"Thank you. I'll keep it well."
"Don't just keep it. Smoke one."
"I will."
"A man should smoke a cigar at least once in his life. Don't rush the LST matter. I need to get promoted to get you some new ones."
"Thank you. I trust you."
"Oh, and one more thing, I told the LST to return to Korea immediately. Staying here isn't beneficial. Right?"
Major Kim probably asked Godell to move the engine to Korea quickly. Smart guy.
"Ha ha. Right."
"Let's definitely meet again. Good luck with whatever you do."
"You too, Colonel Godell."
"Colonel, ha ha."
Godell laughed heartily and patted my shoulder.
It was time to leave.
"Let's return to our families, everyone!"
"Waaaaah!"
"Boss, fighting!"
"Fighting!"
"Departure!"
"Departure! Waaaaah!"
I don't know why I stretched my arm out like a cult leader from the deck.
But the employees all followed, so my embarrassment disappeared.
"Chan-soo, did you go around like this in Vietnam? You look so cool. Man, I'm so jealous."
"If you're in a war zone, everyone becomes like this."
Is this something to be jealous of?
"Boss, have a beer. It's refreshing."
"Everyone, have a drink."
"Waaaaah!"
We had a beer party on the communication ship heading to Saigon. It seemed this would be the end of my memories of the Vietnam War.
'Don't be afraid. You can change it. You must do it. You can do it. Think. And think again.'
***
Tokyo,
Japan, Keidanren Hall.
The Japan Business Federation, known as Keidanren, is one of Japan's three major economic organizations, along with the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Japan Association of Corporate Executives.
Established in 1946, it represents Japan's business world, and Korea's Federation of Korean Industries modeled itself after it.
Though it claimed to advocate for 'political-business cooperation,' it was essentially 'collusion.'
With its member companies being prominent businesses, they rarely gathered outside of the New Year's greetings, but today was an exception.
Presidents from Itochu, Gabone, Mitsui, Toyota, and Mitsubishi, all owning major general trading companies, were gathered.
"It's surprising that we're gathering for such a matter."
"Our subordinates caused quite a mess."
"It's a shame about the Vietnam War."
Several presidents sitting around the round table couldn't hide their discomfort.
Understandably, as their companies were all involved in military supplies for the Vietnam War, and the U.S. Army Logistics Office had suddenly revoked their military supply licenses.
Though it only affected clothing products and some small mechanical parts, the reason for the revocation was due to bribery from Japanese companies to the logistics officers, making it an unpleasant matter.
Though they pretended to be shocked by the news, the truth was, they were more frustrated that they couldn't handle this matter discreetly.
Earning a fortune from the Vietnam War, it was unthinkable for the executive office or the executives not to know about it.
In fact, when moving Washington, it was often led by the chairman's office.
"We need a solution. Cutting off the tail isn't enough."
Gabone's president, who suffered the most, had a significant look on his face.
His company's general trading revenue had dropped by 5%, and their main products' military supply to the U.S. Army was banned for three years.
Firing those involved in the illegal bribery case wasn't enough.
Even more shocking, the root cause was Daese Industries, a Korean company.
"At least it's fortunate that we managed to settle it by firing only the managers. We lost textiles and wood, but we kept machinery, automobiles, TVs, cameras, and aviation fuel."
Mitsubishi's president tried to calm the situation.
Though it was embarrassing since Mitsubishi led the initiative, their actual losses were the smallest.
"Mitsubishi is fortunate. Itochu is struggling to figure out what to do with useless military uniforms."
"Gabone has lost the entire Southeast Asian market. Do you call this fortunate?"
"Come on, let's not start this. I gathered you all here for a reason. To apologize for my subordinates' overreach and to inform you of an opportunity for recovery."
"An opportunity for recovery?"
"Is there a good business opportunity?"
"Yes, indeed. Since this issue started with Korea, we should recover from Korea. It's more like we're helping them. Haha."
The Mitsubishi president laughed exaggeratedly.
He wanted to change the cold atmosphere.
"Are you talking about the Korea-Japan agreement? The commercial loan..."
"Yes, that's it. It's an easy prey for us."
"Finally, it seems to be taking shape."
The atmosphere changed quickly.
"First, the $200 million grant aid will focus on agriculture and fisheries, as you know."
Since there was nothing to gain from the grant aid, it was decided to invest it in agriculture and fisheries.
The excuse that it was compensation for the sacrifices in rural areas during the colonial period was plausible.
In any case, the grant aid involved providing old agricultural machinery, fertilizers, pesticides, and used small fishing boats.
"Of course, we know that. The problem is the loans and commercial loans."
The loans were provided by the Japanese government, and the commercial loans were provided by Japanese companies.
Both were debts, essentially.
"The Korean government must be desperate for money. This is an opportunity to change the details to our advantage. For example..."
"For example..."
"Instead of agricultural machinery, Gabone can push their textile stock, Itochu can bring in the naphtha business rights, Toyota can handle the machinery subcontracting, Mitsui can take the shipping rights..."
"Ha ha ha... ha ha ha..."
"Of course, Mitsubishi is considering a joint venture for a fertilizer plant. If we divert about 10% of the investment fund for political donations, the land will be free national land, and electricity and water will be provided at a low cost. Moreover, there will be no taxes on the profit dividends."
"Ha ha ha! Did they offer such conditions? That's a very attractive business."
"We're not doing anything, and they're asking us to take the money. Refusing this would be foolish, right?"
Finally, the presidents' expressions brightened.
Whatever they lost in Vietnam, they could recover, or even exceed, in Korea.