As always, Godell took me to the balcony overlooking the beach.
He settled under the parasol, so I mixed a Jack and Coke and handed it to him, then sat beside him.
"Thank you for the gift. It was a wonderful ship."
I greeted him first.
Thanks to him, I managed to get six ships at a bargain price.
"Why do you live so diligently? You could just live comfortably with what you have."
Godell said with a nonchalant chuckle while sipping his Jack and Coke.
If I sold all the ships he had given me, I could live comfortably without working for the rest of my life.
"I'm trying to become even wealthier."
"Come on, how rich do you want to be?"
"It's time to measure that. I have a favor to ask."
"Just say the word. I'll grant it."
His tone was casual but confident.
It was very Godell-like.
"I'd like to bring some war scrap from Vietnam. Be it broken jeeps, drums, or unusable metal, I'll take anything. I'll pay the international scrap metal price."
"Why? Are you planning to build a tank?"
"Not yet. I want to build ships first."
"Really? Well, if you're paying a fair price, who am I to stop you? I'll give you priority. Just submit an application."
"Thank you. I won't forget this favor."
"I'd love to give you exclusive rights, but as a general at the Ordnance Office, I don't think that's appropriate. I'm no longer a colonel, you know?"
Godell shrugged, showing the star on his shoulder.
"Haha, even if it's just a priority, if I sweep it all up first, it's practically exclusive rights."
"Anyway, I'll leave it to Kim. He'll take care of it."
It seemed my father was recognized as a capable man even by Godell.
"Sure. Thank you."
"Work hard."
"Wouldn't you feel unsatisfied with just one star? Aim for two or three. Aren't you curious how far you can go?"
"What nonsense. I don't waste my efforts. Surviving here in the Vietnam War is the best I can do. In other words, one star is my best."
Godell might seem carefree, but he had a good eye for the situation.
If history followed its original course, Godell would be a hundred percent right, but since I intervened, another scenario could be possible.
"Really? If we connect Quinhon, Taiwan, Okinawa, and Korea, wouldn't we need a Supreme Commander for the Asia-Pacific? What do you think?"
"Supreme Commander of the Asia-Pacific?"
"We draw a very strong free-world red line from the Malacca Strait, the South China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, to the Korea Strait."
When I drew the line in the air, Godell's expression became peculiar. It was a look that said it would be exciting to imagine, but could it be possible?
"It's easy to say, but it's difficult to draw such a big picture. The current US is debating whether to exclude the Philippines from the existing red line."
Historically, the US gradually reduced its direct military support to the Philippines.
By the early 90s, when Southeast Asia was economically completely subordinated to Japan, the US military withdrew entirely.
"I'm not talking about the Philippines. What if there's something worth protecting in Vietnam?"
"The Vietnamese government is so corrupt. I can't be sure the US will stick it out here."
The US didn't come here for Vietnam. They came to protect the interests of the free world.
I just need to make that concrete.
"What if a large oil field is discovered near Quinhon? If Quinhon turns into an impregnable fortress, wouldn't it be hugely profitable to protect it?"
"What? A large oil field?"
"I found out while developing the port that the continental shelf structure around here has a high possibility of discovering oil or gas fields. No, I'm confident they will be discovered."
"....Whether it's oil or gas... as long as something comes out, it would be profitable to protect Quinhon."
"Combining Indonesia's oil fields with Vietnam's oil fields, the US would have a firm grip on Asia's energy supply. Isn't that enough justification?"
It's a stake significant enough to justify creating a Supreme Commander for the Asia-Pacific.
Frankly, with the current chaotic state of the Vietnamese government, if the oil fields are developed, the US could take it all. I just need to hold some shares.
"That's an attractive idea. If large oil fields are discovered off the coast of Vietnam, we could anchor the red line. But oil fields don't just appear because we want them to, do they? Unless CS is certain...."
"Godell, can you hold out for just a year? I'll handle the urgent matters and definitely discover a gas field here. You need to stay in place until then."
If Godell got transferred somewhere else, things would get complicated.
Without Godell, even if the gas field was developed, I might not be able to secure my share fully.
"Why would I move if you're promising me more stars? Besides, I really like it here in Quinhon. I'll hold out for a year or two, so go ahead and drill."
Godell raised his glass for a toast.
"To the new red line!"
"To the future Supreme Commander of the Asia-Pacific."
"Hahaha! Sounds great."
The conversation with Godell ended on a very pleasant note.
***
I headed to Zone B after being seen off by Godell.
In the distance, I could see a bonfire on the beach. The silhouettes of the employees preparing for the party looked very friendly.
Although the US engineers, including Mark, were not here, our number of employees had increased.
Clang. Clang.
Feeling proud as I watched the employees, I opened the surplus goods warehouse.
Piles of rebar and steel plates greeted me.
This was my hidden card, and surprisingly, there were also large quantities of steel pipes and H-beams piled up on one side.
It was an enormous amount that I hadn't expected.
"President, is it time to move these?"
My father had approached from behind without me noticing.
"I thought of selling some to raise money, but what's with all these steel pipes? There's so much of it."
"It's surplus materials from Da Nang and Cam Ranh. Those ports were designed to be constructed with steel pipes and H-beams for docking facilities. But since both ports used our caisson method, these materials became completely surplus."
So, they had acquired all the materials from two ports.
No wonder it was piled up endlessly.
With this amount, it seemed suitable to use for the construction of Pohang Steelworks. In the original history, the materials for Pohang Steelworks were all standard US military supplies, so there was no difference.
"Great. Keep the rest as is, and let's move the steel pipes and H-beams to our country. I'll send a ship."
"Are we finally moving it with our company's ship? I heard it's a very large ship."
"It's a ten-thousand-ton cargo ship, so load all the steel and timber we need and send it over."
"Wow, a ten-thousand-ton cargo ship? That's impressive."
We could designate Daese 3 as the ship for Quinhon.
It could move more cargo than the Jinhae LST and make a profitable trip by stopping at Singapore along the way to pick up additional cargo.
It almost felt like Quinhon port was built just for me.
Moreover, if we strike oil off the coast here, Quinhon will truly become a goose laying golden eggs.
Just a little to the southeast from here is the White Tiger oil field and the large gas field known as Block 11.
With reserves of over 1.4 billion barrels, even 60s technology could make it profitable.
If we succeed in commercializing the East Sea gas field and use that achievement to secure exploration rights in Vietnam, the game is over.
Since I know the exact location of the oil field, I just need to pretend to explore here and there before drilling at the right spot.
With no failures in oil exploration, my profitability would surpass other companies, and I just need to use Godell to maximize my stake in the rights.
"And since General Godell has granted permission, gather and ship the war scrap as well."
"War scrap... Ah, scrap! That's great. The Tiger and Blue Dragon Divisions have collected tons of engines and parts but didn't know what to do with them."
"Purchase everything at the domestic scrap price and pay in dollars. Ensure the payment goes to the individual soldiers who worked hard."
"Yes, President."
When I return, I'll send official documents to the Blue Dragon and Tiger Divisions. I need to seek cooperation from their commanders to avoid any noise or corruption in the scrap purchase.
These soldiers came to a dangerous war zone for their country.
They deserve to earn money for their hard work.
"President, welcome!!!"
"Everyone, fill your glasses! The President is here!"
"Wow! Play the music."
"Hahahaha."
Talking with my father, I soon arrived at the beach. The employees noticed us and started popping open beers and slicing meat.
"Cheers!"
"Long live Daese Construction!!"
"Long live the President!"
My father made a Jack and Coke for me, and the employees kept cheering.
It was the best Jack and Coke I've had recently.
"Everyone shout. We will be rich!"
"We will be rich!!!"
"Yaaaay!"
In the past, I just followed along, but now I was enjoying it.
They seemed to have a firm belief that they would become rich.
Unlike when they first arrived in Quinhon, their livelihoods had improved, and they were starting to have expectations for the future.
Just hang in there a little longer.
Our business is heavy industry, so it's tough to get started. But once we get going, we can
go all the way to Mars.
"Let's go together."
"Let's go together!"
"Yaaaay!"
"I love our company!"
Before I knew it, everyone was shoulder-to-shoulder, shouting and circling around the bonfire.
It was a dreamlike night.
The company party by the sunset beach was truly wonderful. The sea seemed more beautiful in the 1960s than in the 21st century.
***
New York, Wall Street.
"Hey, Van Flint."
"Nancy, aren't you dropping by my office a bit too often these days?"
"I'm here because I have work. Did this official document arrive here too?"
As soon as she entered Van Flint's office, Nancy threw a bundle of papers onto his desk.
"Are you talking about the documents CS sent to politicians and businesspeople? I didn't receive them, but I know they're planning a comprehensive steel mill."
"Don't pretend you're not interested."
"Steel isn't exactly my field. CS knows that well."
"When has a large military-industrial complex like BR Corporation ever been picky about fields? You swallow anything that makes money."
"If you want to argue, go talk to someone at the Department of Defense. Or the State Department or the Commerce Department. This is a private office unrelated to those matters."
Van Flint puffed his cigar deeply and blew the smoke towards Nancy. It was a gesture showing he found her annoying.
"Look at this paragraph in the report. I wonder who came up with this logic. If we don't build a comprehensive steel mill, South Korea will be outmatched by North Korea... Was it you?"
"Hmm, saying there's a significant difference in steelmaking capacity, 2.12 million tons versus 580,000 tons... Those are some serious numbers."
As Nancy pointed at the report, Van Flint stroked his chin, impressed.
Van Flint was a former soldier who despised cheap acting. There was no way his expression was a lie.
"Wow, did that Korean come up with this data and logic on his own? Impressive."
"Well, Korea lacks a comprehensive steel mill, so they're coming up with all sorts of logic. But lately, Korea feels more beneficial to the US than Japan. Vietnam War and all."
"Honestly, at this rate, Japan and Korea might have similar utility value. Especially with a comprehensive steel mill."
"A steel mill is still a tough task."
Van Flint didn't believe a comprehensive steel mill would succeed in Korea.
He had seen with his own eyes how devastated Korea was.
It was a country that needed to solve immediate survival issues by investing everything in light industries.
"Tough? Did you really advise CS? According to the Pittsburgh Steel Union, the basic plan for Korea's comprehensive steel mill is quite decent. They said they could start construction immediately if given the blueprints."
"The Steel Union is interested in Korea?"
"They asked if it was safe to invest."
"Invest? Those guys who only care about money?"
"CS plans to establish the comprehensive steel mill as a corporation. They promised to modify tax laws to offer the highest dividends, so everyone's showing immense interest."
"A corporation? For a 1-million-ton steel mill?"
The more he heard, the more unbelievable it sounded.
It was completely different from the investment strategies the Korean government had previously proposed. It was no longer about loans, but selling shares.
"Isn't it amazing? Just like they attracted loans for the petrochemical complex, they're offering dirt-cheap utility costs along with already low labor costs."
"That's possible in Korea."
"Many companies are asking if Korea is trustworthy. Among them is Westinghouse."
"Westinghouse?"
Originally a power plant company, they weren't on bad terms with BR Corporation, as they often invited each other to parties. But recently, they were dabbling in the defense industry, which was concerning.
Perhaps they were upset that Bechtel took over the power plant projects in Korea.
"I almost gave them a definite answer. If BR Corporation won't participate, I might bring in Westinghouse. What do you think? Will you join or not?"
"Damn, do I have to go as an uninvited guest?"
Van Flint expressed his willingness to participate.
He didn't like the idea of Westinghouse expanding its presence in Korea.
"If the invitation is a problem, you can come as my partner."
Nancy waved the invitation in front of Van Flint's face.
"While you're at it, bring Blaw-Knox Corporation too. It's not that we can't do steel mills, we've just chosen not to."
Van Flint included Blaw-Knox Corporation, which was friendly to BR Corporation.
"Do as you please."
The number of attendees for the Pittsburgh Steel Union meeting was increasing in real-time.