We Do Business In Full Auto [EN]: Chapter 53

Full Auto Business Chapter 053

Buying a Deserted Island (1)

Jang Mun-hang cleaning site.

H Group had leased the entire Jang Mun-hang and decided to proceed with cleaning and restoration in the seafood warehouse there.

Since the sea breeze was strong and the Turtle Ship, with its great historical significance, could not be exposed to the outside temperature for long in the middle of winter, repairing it there was the best option.

The salvage ship arrived as carefully as possible and was docking to move the Turtle Ship.

Dr. Oh Hye-soo, having regained consciousness, urged the workers on.

“Be careful! Be very careful!”

Clunk!

“Heok! That thing is worth more than your life! Be careful if you don’t want to end up dead!”

“……”

I’m glad I’m not one of those workers.

Getting involved with that woman would obviously lead to trouble.

Now, there was an official press conference. Since the Turtle Ship had been salvaged, my mission was complete. The restoration process wasn’t something I needed to worry about.

It would be disappointing if politicians were missing from this historic moment. Besides, there were even people from the Blue House [the executive office and official residence of the South Korean president] here.

A significant number of local government officials, including the Mayor of Geoje and the Governor of Namhae, had gathered to make an impression on the President.

The President delivers a passionate speech like a martyr of the independence movement.

“I think it is an honor to be a part of this historic moment. The symbolism of the Turtle Ship is beyond words. If there had been no Turtle Ship, how would history have changed? It might not be the same as it is now. We have been working hard for decades, and we have finally done it.”

He gives a lengthy speech for a full 10 minutes.

Just as I was about to yawn, the President asked me.

“Here is Team Leader Lee Yoo-sung, who made the biggest contribution today. If it weren’t for Team Leader Lee, the Turtle Ship would have been forever submerged in the sea. Team Leader Lee, do you have anything to say?”

“Yes, I do.”

I stepped forward in front of the reporters.

The reason I was able to discover the Turtle Ship wasn’t because I was outstanding. It was because the spirits of our ancestors endured tremendous hardship while exploring.

If I had not encountered the ancestors on Daebumbeok Island, this Yi Sun-sin project would have failed.

“I believe that the spirits of our ancestors led us here. It would never have been possible without their guidance.”

People nodded.

No one really believed that ghosts had literally told them the location, so they were able to find the Turtle Ship. This is just a metaphorical expression.

But I really owe a debt to my ancestors. This is a definite fact.

“I would like to hold a memorial service to honor them.”

“Are you saying you want to hold a memorial service?”

“Yes. They must have been in considerable pain being submerged in the sea.”

“That’s a really meaningful thing to do!”

No one objected.

If anyone opposed holding a memorial service for the sailors who were drowned during the Imjin War [Japanese invasions of Korea in the late 16th century], they would immediately be branded as traitors.

A reporter would have to quit their job from that day on, and a politician would see the end of their political career.

I said that a memorial service should be held to help the soldiers pass on to the afterlife, but each person did not object for political reasons. Rather, they were passionately offering to contribute even their own money.

How many hours has it been on the ship already?

President Lee Han-jin thought that political performances were also quite difficult.

As CEO Lee Yoo-sung suggested, they are moving to Daebumbeok Island. Various foods for the memorial service were loaded here, and even the personnel to perform the memorial service were on board.

The temperature rose a little in the afternoon, but it was still quite stinging to the skin.

“Director Lee.”

“Yes, Mr. President.”

“How is the commendation medal coming along?”

“It’s being made. It will be delivered along with the plaque of appreciation as soon as it’s completed.”

“And see if there’s any way we can help that friend. CEO Lee Yoo-sung is a national hero right now.”

“Of course. I will look for a way.”

If helping CEO Lee Yoo-sung can raise approval ratings, they will certainly do so.

Even if it’s not for political reasons, it’s not a bad thing to build a friendship with such an outstanding individual.

“By the way, that friend knows a bit about politics.”

“I agree. I was quite surprised. A memorial service. I never even thought of it.”

“I was surprised too. To think of a memorial service. I still have a long way to go.”

Lee Han-jin clicked his tongue.

He should have been the first to mention the memorial service. Of course, the truth was that he hadn’t even thought that far.

The memorial service began.

The memorial service was meant to comfort the souls of the dead, but I made it a little different.

It is similar in nature to a rite of passage, which has the characteristic of transitioning from this world to the afterlife.

It may have just seemed like a political performance on the surface, but through this ceremony, I hoped that the souls of my ancestors would properly pass on to the afterlife.

Swaaaa!

The gate of heaven was seen opening.

When I didn’t have the Eye of Spirits, I simply thought these rituals were useless.

I didn’t believe in the existence of souls, and I thought there was no afterlife. But after the Eye of Spirits opened and I saw ghosts, I learned a lot about strange phenomena that ordinary people cannot see.

One of them is the rite of passage.

The souls of my ancestors gather around me.

-Thank you so much, descendant!

-Thanks to you, descendant, we are ascending in peace!

“You have worked hard so far.”

Warm energy was seen flowing from the gate of heaven.

This is the first time I’ve seen such a sight.

Is the gate of heaven opening because they fought for the country and died?

I have only seen wandering souls, but seeing the process of ascending to the afterlife like this makes me wonder about the afterlife.

The Eye of Spirits allowed me to see a part of the afterlife, but that is only a small part. I could know what was happening on Earth, but I don’t know what happens after crossing the Samdo River [a mythical river in Korean folklore that souls must cross to reach the afterlife], the true afterlife.

One by one, the souls ascend, and finally, the soldier who helped me the most says goodbye.

-Descendant! I will be watching from heaven!

“Rest in peace.”

-Then goodbye.

Swaaaa!

All the souls ascend and the gate of heaven closes.

Chief Han Cheol-soo looked at me and smiled.

“Have you ever thought about going into politics?”

“You need to have some qualifications to be in politics.”

“You are a national hero. If you set your mind to it, there is nothing you can’t do.”

“I refuse. It’s hard for me to wear a hypocritical mask.”

“Haha. I think you would do well, why is that?”

“I’m a person who is obsessed with money. Isn’t politics a job that spends money?”

“Hmm. That’s true.”

“That’s why I don’t like it.”

“Ah, and by the way.”

“Yes?”

“Didn’t you say that you were going to buy a deserted island soon and build a factory there?”

“That’s right.”

“Since the President is here, you should quickly talk about the permit-related issues if he says he will do something for you.”

“Permit?”

“It’s about developing the entire deserted island and building a factory, so of course you need a permit. It shouldn’t be that difficult.”

“I understand.”

“It’s nothing much at the top, but if you don’t have connections, you might not be able to develop it at all.”

I hadn’t thought of that.

But I couldn’t ask for something first. I had to wait for the President to approach me first.

The memorial service is coming to an end.

I hoped that the President would ask me something.

I thought that he would give something in return since his approval rating had increased.

The memorial service ended, and just as I was about to return with a disappointed heart, Chief of Staff Lee Han-gyeol approached me.

It wasn’t the President, but the Chief of Staff of the Blue House could be said to have tremendous power.

“CEO Lee!”

“Yes, Chief of Staff.”

“You will be awarded a plaque of appreciation and a commendation medal this time.”

“Thank you.”

I said dryly.

The plaque of appreciation and the commendation medal were useless to me.

Isn’t the plaque of appreciation just a piece of plastic, and the commendation medal just a piece of paper? They don’t give me money, so what am I going to do with them?

Of course, it wasn’t right to refuse.

“And… It’s not much of a reward, but is there anything I can do to help? Ah, this is also the President’s intention. You have done so much.”

“You’re going to give me a reward?”

“I will try to grant you a request that is not difficult.”

“Oh, in that case.”

Han Cheol-soo definitely talked about the permit issue.

It may be easily processed, but the permit may not be issued at all. Deserted islands are places where nature is still alive.

Of course, H Group had already obtained development permits for the deserted island. However, that development permit was for development as a tourist destination, not a permit to build a factory.

H Group must have put in a lot of effort to develop it. However, since they were changing the permit to build a factory, it would be even more difficult.

“I am trying to build a factory to continue the family business this time.”

“A factory?”

“I am trying to build a kimchi factory and related salt farms and salted seafood factories on the deserted island.”

“You’re saying you’re building it on a deserted island?”

“Yes. I don’t think there will be any special emissions of fumes or pollutants… Can you help me get a permit for the entire deserted island development….”

“Hahaha! That’s not difficult.”

“Really?”

“Where is the deserted island located?”

“It’s a deserted island attached to Yeongjong Island.”

“I’ll talk to the Mayor of Incheon.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

It seems that this is something that the Chief of Staff can handle.

I finished the memorial service and prepared to return home.

Since I had finished my work here, there was no need to stay here any longer.

This is the area of restoration experts.

Oh Hye-soo will probably oversee the restoration of the Turtle Ship until the end. It was best to leave before getting more involved with that woman.

I returned to the hotel and was packing my bags when my cell phone rang.

Ding!

[Web발신]

농협 입금 2,500,000,000원. 11/14 14:20 094-01****81 H건설 잔액 3,322,451,281원

[Web 발신]

Nonghyup Deposit ₩2,500,000,000. 11/14 14:20 094-01****81 H Construction Balance ₩3,322,451,281

“Heok!”

“What’s wrong, Dad?”

Soo-jung toddles after me when I am surprised.

Then she checks my cell phone and her eyes widen.

“Wow!”

“What’s wrong, Soo-jung?”

“Dad is rich, Mom! H Construction gave him 2.5 billion won [approximately $2 million USD]!”

It was a huge amount of money.

The exploration and salvage costs came in all at once, and I didn’t expect them to deposit it on the same day as soon as the work was finished.

Of course, 2 billion won of this was going to be used immediately to purchase the deserted island, but I still felt good.

How many jobs can earn this much money in a few months? It was impossible unless you were running a large company.

Ding-dong!

At the same time, the bell rings.

Chief Han Cheol-soo came in person.

“Oh, Chief. Thank you. For depositing the money on the same day.”

“Hahaha! I’m just sorry I couldn’t give you more.”

“You’re saying too much. Where in the world would they deposit this much money on the same day?”

“The Chairman sent a helicopter. He told me to show you the deserted island and finalize the contract while I’m at it.”