WeTried Translations
Translator: Coughing Baby
Editor: Coughing Baby
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
Chapter 321: Return (4)
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Even after the senator, new appointments kept piling up. Everyone who wanted to make an impression on the new base commander had something they wanted from him. Many were openly asking for favors. Thanks to that, Gyeoul learned in advance just how much authority he would be handling.
To state the result first, it far exceeded Gyeoul's expectations. At least within this refugee zone, he could almost be called a martial law commander. As the military government office's regional administrator, he held a position that involved both administration and the judiciary.
'The San Ardo Oil Field...'
Baek San-ho, the tumor Min Wan-ki had once tried to deliberately cultivate, brought up the distribution of fuel, gas, and other supplies from the oil field near the base. He claimed the current method of dividing everything among the residence districts strictly by population ratio was wrong. His argument went like this.
"Shouldn't contribution be taken into account?"
"Contribution?"
Apparently taking Gyeoul's question as interest, Baek San-ho explained eagerly.
"Yes. The degree to which they have contributed to America's security and the development of the local community. It isn't only the number of troops sent to the front. Their combat achievements are on a completely different level too. Ah, of course, that is all, yes, all thanks to Lieutenant Colonel Han, but in any case, what matters is the result. The result. There is no progress if everyone is treated the same. Think about why communism collapsed."
"So what are you proposing... that supply amounts should vary by district?"
"For now, yes."
"For now?"
"This is a prediction I make as a businessman, hm, as a businessman. Free relief like this cannot last long. Look, Lieutenant Colonel. This place has already become a city."
At that point, Baek San-ho spread his hand toward the brightly lit street.
"More people are being sent out on assignments, and quite a lot of money is circulating through the streets now that people are doing business with the U.S. military as well. So administration will soon move toward normalization, won't it? Proper taxation will have to happen here too. Rights come only after duties are fulfilled."
"In other words, set different supply prices by district?"
"Excellent!"
He was openly advising Gyeoul to discriminate by residence district, which in practice meant by the refugees' backgrounds. The refugees had no freedom to move between districts.
'Absurd.'
Still, it was difficult to drive them out at once. The people standing behind Baek San-ho like a folding screen called themselves a federation of business managers. Judging by their attitude, Baek San-ho was their spokesperson, or something close to their representative. Even Min Wan-ki had mentioned their speculation during an earlier call, so it was fair to assume they had built up some influence.
Of course, if Gyeoul decided to crush them, that influence would mean nothing. But as someone responsible for managing the entire community, he needed to be more careful. Even if he stepped on them, he had to do it after sufficient review.
Baek San-ho was quick to catch the reaction that came before words.
"You do not seem very inclined."
"Honestly, no. There are public security issues too."
"Ah, public security! Public security! Of course. You have a broad view."
After the meaningless flattery came what he really wanted to say.
"But leaving things as they are isn't good for them either. If they get full bellies and warm backs by free-riding without making any real effort, what motivation would they have? Do they intend to remain refugees forever...? For people to become diligent, their circumstances must be harsh. They need to lack many things. That is even more true for Chinese people, who are lazy by nature."
"..."
"And that is the only way we can take control of this city's economic power. In truth, even this is only the first step."
"We?... First step?"
As Gyeoul tilted his head, Baek San-ho asked a loaded question.
"You met Senator Talton Brennan a little while ago, did you not?"
"I did."
"Excuse me, but did you not receive some kind of proposal from him?"
"...What do you know?"
"Ha ha, there is no need to be wary. For people like me, all sorts of news naturally flows in along with money. I absolutely did not have anyone eavesdrop or anything of the sort."
Baek San-ho laughed smoothly and waved his hands, but before the partially opened 「Threat Level」, his forehead gleamed with sweat. Gyeoul sighed and asked again, rephrasing the question.
"The senator said he had a proposal, but we agreed to meet separately later and discuss the specifics. So tell me. What do you know?"
"Goodness, is that so? It seems I brought this up too early."
As Baek San-ho wiped his sweat, Gyeoul made a smile that was not quite a smile.
"Are you going to make me ask three times?"
"...Uh, I apologize. The news I heard was, hm, about the sale of state-owned assets. I thought at least one of the senator's proposals must be that."
Asset sales? The moment Gyeoul heard that, something came to mind.
"Do you mean the California state government is selling private assets with no known next of kin?"
"Exactly!"
Baek San-ho put on a flattering expression and hurried on.
"Until now, the problem was too many disaster refugees, but from now on, the problem will be a lack of people. How could they possibly fill the void left by more than ten million people? Repairs will be necessary, of course, but houses, farms, workshops, cars and farming machines, yachts, fishing boats, light aircraft that have lost their owners are overflowing!"
Being the sort of person he was, his fervor over money made him forget the tension from moments before.
"There is a limit to how much debt the state and federal governments can take on. They are in a position where they must create demand somehow! Especially for real estate! Without demand, real estate falls without ever finding the bottom! That is bad news for the disaster refugees who need to make a new start too! I guarantee you, the state government will not want to turn LA into Detroit!"
"..."
"The scale of the assets is what it is, and if they release everything at once, the price will fall even further into the dirt... so the sales will take place over a considerable period of time. In step with reconstruction projects. In short, that means there is still time. Time to prepare the bullets!"
If Gyeoul accepted Baek San-ho's request, commercial power in the residence districts near Fort Roberts would concentrate in the Korean enclave. The basic costs would be different from the start. It would be a tilted playing field.
Gyeoul gave a slight nod.
"For now, I understand."
Baek San-ho and his companions brightened.
"Oh! Then will you review our earlier request positively as well?"
"No."
"After saying you understood, why..."
To the bewildered faces before him, Gyeoul said calmly,
"As base commander, I cannot discriminate against the refugees like that. I also have to consider the morale of soldiers from those districts... Above all, you're the only ones who benefit, aren't you? While pushing all the other burdens onto me, the person responsible."
Baek San-ho put on that habitual smile again.
"Oh dear, you have misunderstood."
"Didn't I understand you correctly?"
"Everything we do in business is thanks to you, Lieutenant Colonel. How could we possibly fail to show separate sincerity? I will speak with you seriously about rebates another time. There are many ways to ensure your honor is never tarnished. You will absolutely not be disappointed."
People saw only what they were inclined to see. Gyeoul was about to deny it again, then decided it might not be bad to let him misunderstand and closed his mouth.
'Department Head Min would find this funny.'
The Min Wan-ki Gyeoul knew was close to a mischievous child who did not trust humans.
Baek San-ho interpreted the silence however he liked and brightened even more.
"You have truly made the right choice. I will look forward to good news."
"I will discuss it."
"Discuss it?... Ah, of course you should. Please speak well of us to Department Head Jang Yeon-cheol too. He seems reluctant, saying we are too greedy, but this is all for our Alliance and our people. Money grows stronger the more it gathers. Isn't it only when those who can earn money earn first that they can spend and invest, allowing those around them to prosper together? And our Alliance's voice will grow stronger as well."
At the end, they handed over business cards, expressed hope for another meeting, and withdrew.
Since most meetings went like that, Gyeoul had no time to eat. Someone asked him to have their child commissioned as an officer, and someone else wanted citizenship.
There were also requests far removed from favors. An elder who said they had come from the Korean Association held Gyeoul's hand and cried helplessly for a long time. Before learning the background, Gyeoul wondered if they might be the family member of someone wounded in action. The joint funeral was scheduled for a few days later.
Only when the elder's tear ducts had nearly run dry did they manage to speak.
"Lieutenant Colonel... you saved truly so many people."
Deep emotion clung to the choked voice. Gyeoul wrapped the elder's dry hand in his and said,
"I am grateful for your words, but we could not have come this far if the whole Company had not worked hard."
"No. The role of a leader is like the water mixed into cement. No building can be raised without water. If not for your ability and sacrifice, ordinary people would have been nothing more than scattered gravel and grains of sand. Truly, truly, thank you."
Then the elder left this request.
"They say one must cultivate the self, regulate the household, govern the state, and bring peace to the world. Lieutenant Colonel, you are already governing yourself and those around you well, but even so, a man needs a woman and a stable family. Please marry and have children. Then you will be able to accomplish even greater things."
Gyeoul made a troubled expression.
"Wouldn't that still be too early at my age?"
"It would be early for an ordinary person. But you are not ordinary, are you?"
"..."
"President Park Chung-hee was also able to lead the country well only because First Lady Yuk Young-soo was by his side. Everyone in our Korean Association and Alliance sincerely hopes with one heart that Lieutenant Colonel will soon find a wise spouse."
Another elder accompanying them, likely around the same age, joined in earnestly.
"Do you know what a mess this refugee camp became when you were once reported missing during an operation, Lieutenant Colonel?... When a person has a family, their attachment to life grows stronger. Wouldn't you need a family not only for the sake of unworthy people, but also for your own sake? As it happens, there are many fine young women in the Alliance."
Gyeoul asked,
"Are you anxious that I might disappear again?"
"To be honest, yes... Everyone worries that perhaps you take even greater risks because you have no blood relatives left."
"I understand. Personally, I think that is for later, but I will at least remember that you are worried."
Gyeoul gently soothed the elders and sent them back. But the name Korean Association bothered him, so he sent a text. Jang Yeon-cheol replied. He said it was unrelated to the Korean Patriotic Association, one of the groups that had often caused friction in the past. However, the Korean Patriotic Association still existed in some form alongside the Damul Promotion Association and others.
It was almost nine when he met Kathleen again afterward. When contacted, she replied that she was at a place selling ho-tteok. The reason for the strange pronunciation became clear after he arrived.
"Is that good?"
At Gyeoul's question, the sheriff smiled while holding a hotteok.
"Very. It's one of my favorite snacks here."
"They must make it well. Could I have one too?"
The latter part was directed at the couple beyond the griddle. Yes! The husband and wife, full of fighting spirit, watched the sizzling flour dough with anxious eyes.
Sitting across from Gyeoul with a simple table between them, the sheriff asked about his business.
"Is there something you need to confirm with me?"
Footnotes:
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