We Do Business In Full Auto [EN]: Chapter 51

Full Auto Business Chapter 051

Salvage Operation (1)

Whoosh!

The cold wind seeped into my collar.

I might have frozen to death in this cold snap if I hadn’t worn a perfectly cold-proof functional parka, layered with several layers of clothing inside, and crammed in fifteen mini hot packs.

An enormous crowd had gathered at Jangmun Port, all shivering but holding their ground.

If the harbor is this cold, it must be even colder in the middle of the sea.

I’m glad I listened to my wife. She packed too many clothes, which felt cumbersome, but now I see they’re a lifeline.

The President was supposed to arrive around 1 PM, but it’s already 30 minutes past.

I could feel irritation slowly rising.

But I couldn’t express my annoyance to government officials or H Group people. You never know when they might become customers.

Besides, reporters were densely packed around. With national attention focused here, naturally, many reporters had come chasing an exclusive.

And that’s not all.

History students from academia and ordinary citizens had gathered, even pitching tents in this freezing weather and staying up all night.

Vehicle traffic was already being controlled, and there was no room to set foot in this area.

“Hoo.”

As I exhaled, white breath puffed out.

It’s so cold, I need to smoke a cigarette.

Click.

Secretary Oh Sang-shik, who was standing by my side, lit it for me.

After lighting mine, he put a cigarette in his own mouth.

“I’m sorry, Team Leader.”

“What are you sorry about?”

“His Excellency kept pushing, so I couldn’t help it. I advised him to come when the salvage was underway, but…”

“Now that public opinion has turned, he’s trying to capitalize on it. Isn’t it ultimately a political stunt?”

“I’m sorry.”

It’s completely a political stunt.

The only reason so many people are gathered and waiting in this cold weather, cold enough for snot to freeze instantly, is that the President said he would arrive by 1 PM.

It’s incredibly cold, but still bearable.

The President is the head of state. There’s no harm in the President taking an interest in me. It would likely lead to greater business success.

So, I can endure this level of cold.

Thud thud thud!

“The President is arriving!”

“Ooh!”

Mutter mutter.

A helicopter with the words ‘Republic of Korea Government’ emblazoned on it was flying in.

It’s already freezing, and the President’s helicopter landed not far from here. The people were glaring at the President as if they wanted to kill him because of the spinning propellers. They couldn’t understand why he had to come on this freezing day and cause such a nuisance.

That’s what the people here were thinking, and since the majority of the public would highly value the President’s attention, it wouldn’t be a politically problematic event.

I quickly stubbed out my cigarette.

I couldn’t shake hands with the President while smoking.

“Oh, Team Leader Lee!”

The President greeted me as if he were seeing a decade-long friend as soon as he spotted me.

For a moment, I almost felt genuinely fond of the President.

Anyone who meets the President will feel goodwill. Regardless of his national administration skills, his popularity stems from this.

He has a friendly face and is quite handsome. Thanks to that, he garnered female votes and was elected. If the President’s nose had been just a bit lower, he would have been defeated.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Mr. President.”

“Oh, what are you saying? It’s my honor to meet a national hero.”

“That’s an undeserved compliment.”

The President’s words contained something like magic that blurred people’s wariness.

It’s not real magic, but rather a friendly demeanor honed over decades in the political arena that naturally inspires goodwill.

I don’t know what he’s like behind the scenes, but right now, he exudes the impression of a neighborhood uncle.

Flash! Flash!

Adding to this, there was even a flash of camera flashes.

The President had to put on a political show, so he couldn’t miss this historic moment of raising a heritage that might be designated as National Treasure No. 1 in the future.

Thanks to that, I was dying.

‘This is dangerous.’

I’m worried that my employees (?) will be exposed.

Of course, it’s thoroughly concealed, so it won’t be easy to reveal that they are Undead, but it becomes problematic if the President takes an interest.

Like now.

“I heard that divers are going in to use new technology this time. Could we see those glorious faces?”

“Ah, that’s because it’s related to the new technology, so they can’t take off their diving suits.”

“Hahaha. Is that so? I heard it’s a technology that uses a kind of magnetic field and salt water to block currents… I’m ignorant of science, so I can’t quite grasp the principle. Could you briefly explain it to me?”

“That is…”

If he weren’t the President, I would have liked to smack him on the head.

Why does he only pick out such difficult questions?

He’s asking me to explain the correlation between the magnetic field and salinity, and how it stops the currents… There’s no such technology.

I didn’t expect any more questions than this. I vaguely brushed it off as confidential, but now that the President is talking about it, I don’t know how to answer.

Just as I was feeling troubled, a relief pitcher appeared.

It was Director Han Cheol-soo.

“Oh, Your Excellency!”

“Oh, my. The pillar of the business world is here!”

“The pillar of the business world? I don’t know what to do with myself.”

He must have honey on his tongue, saying such cheesy things without a second thought. Is that what experience is?

Han Cheol-soo explained about my technology.

“Mr. President, that young scientist is also a businessman. He’s asking about the businessman’s capital, so please understand [that he wants to keep it secret for business reasons].”

“Hahaha! Was that it? I’m sorry.”

The President even bowed deeply.

I also bowed in response.

The current situation is very uncomfortable. Uncomfortable to death.

Han Cheol-soo smoothly navigated the situation.

“Now we need to start the salvage operation. We are energized by the President’s support.”

“I would be grateful if you would take me along.”

“Excuse me?”

“Isn’t this the retrieval of the greatest relic in the history of the Republic of Korea? As a descendant, as the head of the country that he protected, I think it is proper to board the ship myself.”

“Ah, that’s…”

Han Cheol-soo also looked quite troubled.

How can the operation go well with the President watching? People tend to make mistakes when they are nervous.

“It’s cold, so from here…”

The President grabbed Director Han’s hand.

“Thank you! Then I will board.”

He was very headstrong.

Han Cheol-soo smiled calmly even in this situation. Perhaps because the cameras were taking pictures right in front of him and the situation was being broadcast live, his facial expression management was amazing.

Han Cheol-soo seemed to have given up altogether.

“Team Leader Lee.”

“Yes, Director.”

“Let’s go too. Now that the President is on board, it seems that even the slightest mistake cannot be tolerated.”

“Ah, of course.”

Everything, including my experience, career, and influence, was inferior to expressing dissatisfaction here.

In the end, I had no choice but to board with the President, which was uncomfortable.

Whoosh!

Stern of the salvage ship.

The ship that departed from Jangmun Port was moving to the waters where the Turtle Ship [a type of Korean warship] had sunk.

The historians did not predict that they would have deviated from the route in the middle of searching only the Jangmunpo and Chuwonpo areas.

The reason why President Lee Han-jin restarted the project that had failed twice was, of course, due to his approval ratings.

Now, the public needed an issue to focus on.

While searching for a universal and accessible issue, the President decided to re-promote the Yi Sun-sin Project [a historical project related to a famous Korean admiral] based on the recommendation of his staff.

The restart of the Yi Sun-sin Project, which ended with Colonel Hwang’s fraud.

Of course, public interest was high. Approval ratings rebounded slightly, and it seemed that there would be no problem in recovering approval ratings if things continued this way.

However, the H Group, which was entrusted with this project, caused an accident. To be exact, CEO Lee Yu-seong, a sole proprietor subcontracted by H Group, actually discovered the Turtle Ship.

When Lee Han-jin heard that fact, he almost fell backward.

“That friend is really amazing. He really found the Turtle Ship.”

“I was so surprised that I almost fell over. No, I momentarily collapsed.”

Presidential Chief of Staff Lee Han-gyeol recalled the thrilling moment and shook his head.

The Turtle Ship had too much historical symbolism.

“At first, I thought it was a scam.”

“I thought so too. But since it was stuck in a cliff crevice like that, it was definitely not a scam. They say that with the current currents, the Turtle Ship would be smashed if it went in like that.”

“Is that so?”

“The currents are different now than they were then.”

Due to global warming, the current currents and the currents at that time were naturally different.

At that time, the Little Ice Age was overlapping, and now the ice in the Arctic is melting due to global warming.

This situation has changed the currents, and the currents in the area where the Turtle Ship sank are so strong that exploration is originally impossible.

“How are the approval ratings?”

“They’ve risen by 5%.”

“They’ve risen by 5% in one day!?”

“Ahem.”

Lee Han-jin was so surprised that he shouted without realizing it.

Fortunately, the engine noise and the sound of the waves were so loud that the reporters didn’t seem to hear it.

“Yes. It’s 5%.”

“Could this surpass the previous approval ratings this time?”

“There needs to be more action.”

“Action?”

“For example, giving CEO Lee Yu-seong a national project or awarding him a presidential citation.”

“Oh, that’s a good idea.”

President Lee Han-jin was preparing to show favor to Lee Yu-seong. For purely political reasons.

Two salvage ships stopped in the middle of the sea.

The Turtle Ship is stuck on a seabed cliff here.

With the President, reporters, high-ranking officials from H Group, bodyguards, and police officers gathered, the final briefing had to be given.

My body was warm, but the wind was blowing so hard that my facial skin was stinging. Nevertheless, everyone had encouraging expressions on their faces.

‘Damn it. Couldn’t we have done the briefing inside?’

It was a very uncomfortable situation, but there was nothing I could do.

I pointed to the 3D map and explained.

“First, I can remove the currents. When the crane goes in like this, I will block the currents in the direction the Turtle Ship is moving.”

“Um… By any chance.”

“Yes, Mr. President.”

“Is there a way to perfectly lift the Turtle Ship stuck in the cliff without damaging it? Hahaha. I’m ignorant of science, so I’m just asking in case. Do you have such new technology?”

‘This guy is so annoying.’

This is something I should get extra pay for.

“It will be a very difficult and dangerous task, but… there is a way.”