Episode 1520. Private Military Company (PMC)
Incheon City Library.
People were gathered together in front of a large electronic display board next to the library watching the news.
Yeon Jeok-ha thinking it was another rehash tried to ignore it and passed by but inadvertently turned his head.
However seeing that the broadcast screen was unfamiliar it seemed like it was new news.
After pausing for a moment Yeonjeokha walked towards the electronic display board.
Then I took out my cell phone and launched the real-time interpretation app.
The news anchor continued speaking with a flushed expression.
-Yesterday strange creatures came out of the Black Sphere in Seoul Suwon and Chuncheon. But that didn’t just happen in Korea. Coincidentally the same thing is said to have happened in cities along the same line as Cadarache France. ‘If that’s true the possibility is raised that the same thing could happen in Black Sphere in other cities in the future.’ UN Secretary-General Alejo Casas declared that the Black Spear is a serious threat to humanity and said that governments around the world must have the means to effectively deal with the invasion of strange creatures. In line with this private military companies (PMCs) in the United States and Europe announced that they would ‘organize a rapid response force dedicated to monsters with mutants.’ Former Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral Samuel said ‘As the role of mutants becomes more necessary the Korean government will also have to take steps to foster private military companies.’ In Korea as it is difficult for civilians to possess weapons private military companies are also unable to operate properly. So until now the stage for Korean private military companies had to be overseas. I don’t know if Korea’s regulations on swords and guns will be relaxed due to the Black Spear incident. We will invite Kim In-sik CEO of the National Safety Forum to hear his opinions on private military companies.
After that the conversation between CEO Kim In-sik and the anchor continued for a long time.
The question was ‘Is it right to foster private military companies now?’
Yeon Jeok-ha who had been listening intently because it was someone else’s business perked up for a moment.
This is because CEO Kim In-sik suddenly mentioned China.
The anchor who had been listening quietly asked back with a surprised face.
―I knew that Russia’s private military companies were very famous but is it true that China was fostering private military companies?
-That’s right. China has long operated private military companies disguised as multinational corporations overseas. Even though the United States knew that the actual owner of the company was the Chinese government it did not spare financial support to meet their immediate needs.
―No then didn’t the United States help China increase its military power?
-you’re right.
―It is truly unexpected that the United States supported a multinational private military company despite knowing that it was China.
―To that extent you can think of it as ‘Private military companies are a world where identification of allies is meaningless.’ Nationality is not necessary for money. In any case China and Russia are relatively well prepared for Black Spear. China has been restricting even its mutants from leaving the country since October of last year.
-Is that so?
―Yes compared to that it is too late for Korea. I believe that the government should now take an active role in fostering private military companies. As we saw in Seoul Suwon and Chuncheon tank and missile bombings must be avoided as much as possible.
―The effect is excellent but the damage to the city is too great right?
-you’re right. If you use such a weapon you will end up losing the fight even if you win. Tweezers are required to fight against strange creatures. And the only thing that can make that possible is a private military organization made up of special forces or mutants. The United States and Europe as well as China and Russia are already doing so. Korea also needs to foster private military organizations to survive international competition. The world’s investment capital will head to the safest countries. Politicians must also realize that fostering private military organizations is now a necessity not an option.
It was only after registering that I could understand why China’s departure procedures were so difficult.
‘phew! ‘If I were a mutant I’d be in trouble.’
Since ancient times if you want to sleep comfortably at night you must not be at odds with the government.
When I saw the same story repeating itself on the news I walked to the library.
***
It’s been a week since Yeon Jeok-ha started attending Korean language school.
In the meantime I learned all the Korean letters that I could learn.
While living in the same house with Yeon Jeong-un’s family his Korean skills improved dramatically.
This is because he wasn’t originally smart and his intelligence increased as he became retarded.
Although he still relied on the help of a mobile phone interpretation app at important moments he rarely used the interpretation function in his daily life.
Then one day.
To be exact Yeon Jeong-woon called Yeon Jeok-ha out of the house on Seok Kyeong-jang’s day off.
“why?”
“You’re the head of the recruiting club right?”
“yes.”
“I came here last night and had a meal. Hum hum.”
Yeon Jeong-woon cleared his throat for a long time as if it was difficult to speak.
“What did Manager Gu say to your uncle?”
“I want to invest in Seokgyeongjang.”
“Yeah? “What are you looking at?”
“Maybe it’s something like the possibility of a restaurant business?”
“Uncle I know because I watch the news. Now is not the time to invest in a restaurant business. “If you want to invest you have to do it in something like a private military company.”
Yeonjeokha shook his head excitedly.
Now the whole country is clamoring to foster private military companies but what about the restaurant industry?
After the monster invasion incident a culture of going home after work emerged.
Thinking about that the future of the restaurant industry seemed dark even to an outsider like me.
“What do I know? “I think it’s because there are people who want to invest.”
“Is it because you’re having a hard time?”
“Of course.”
Yeon Jeong-woon surprisingly readily admitted it.
Even if you don’t pay rent for a store the cost of living in Korea is so high that it can be considered crazy.
In such a situation the very existence of Seokgyeongjang with monthly sales of around 300 was a miracle.
“You know that the former manager is a triad right?”
“You know.”
Yeon Jeok-ha looked at Yeon Jeong-un with strange eyes.
The voice was somehow withered.
Has there been a change in his state of mind as he was wary of ‘once you get entangled with the Triads it’s not easy to escape’?
“What did he say? “I don’t think he just said he would just invest.”
This is the person who was crunching on the dish that Yeon Jeong-woon made.
If he said he would make an investment without any plan he should have refused.
“I want to create a high-end restaurant brand called Seokgyeongjang. We are the first and main branch. Are you planning to select chefs from Hong Kong to cook the food?”
“What about your uncle?”
“They say you should step away from cooking and run the business while receiving a salary.”
“I like that one.”
Yeon Jeong-woon’s eyebrows twitched as if she felt uncomfortable for a moment.
However because he also knew his problem he did not dwell on it.
“They said they would just borrow Seok Kyeong-jang’s name… Our Chinese restaurant is not famous… I don’t know if I can accept that offer.”
As Yeon Jeong-woon spoke he looked at Yeon Jeok-ha.
Manager Koo In-hoe did this because he thought it was ultimately to repay Yeon Jeok-ha for a favor.
“What do you want to do uncle?”
“What about me… I’d rather be out at the counter than in the kitchen.”
“Are there any other investment conditions?”
“doesn’t exist. Please let me use only the name and building Seokgyeongjang. Then they will take care of the rest themselves.”
“What if business doesn’t work?”
“But I plan on taking it for at least five years.”
“What about in five years?”
“If those people get out of hand and step down I can run it again. “They said they would cover the costs incurred so far and cover them as losses.”
“I fixed up the old building and paid my uncle a salary for five years but if the business goes bankrupt are you going to hand it all over and leave? “They’re angels not the Triads?”
“Are you saying you’re going to do that because of me? They’re all saying they’ll return the favor to you. “I’m just wondering if I can accept it… so I’d like to ask your opinion.”
“You can take it.”
“really?”
Yeon Jeong-woon looked at Yeon Jeok-ha with a surprised face.
I don’t know if he can enjoy the virtue of a distant relative whom he has only met for a short time.
“of course. Aren’t we family! The Triads are making such a suggestion because they have done all the calculations and think it would be a good idea. Pretend you don’t know and take it. Just in case check it carefully before signing the contract.”
“Okay thank you.”
“Thank you. “It’s not like I’m repairing the store or paying my uncle’s salary.”
“Still would Manager Koo have seen me and made such a suggestion?”
“Hey don’t say anything. If you really appreciate it please show me the family heirloom that you said you brought from China later. Let’s feel the breath of Seokgyeongjang’s ancestors.”
“I guess you heard it from Seoyeon. Are you interested in antiques?”
“Rather I was wondering if Seok Kyeong-jang was somehow different from the Yeon clan of Eonsa.”
“There is one thing that is decidedly different.”
“What is it?”
“Do you know that Seokgyeongjang branched out from Waryongjang which was located in the Yeon clan’s village of Eonsa?”
“of course. Seokgyeongjang in Hebi was famous for the Yeon clan of Eonsa.”
I chuckled when I remembered the elder of the Yeon clan who came to Hebi with the genealogy to be copied.
“There is a bronze mirror in Waryongjang that has been passed down as an heirloom. “It somehow got to Seokgyeongjang…”
“Your uncle has that?”
Yeon Jeok-ha who remembered the Nine Heavenly Wise Women Sutra said ‘gulp’ and drooled dryly.
“One day I urgently needed a lump sum of money so I got an appraisal. They called for three hundred. “Can you believe that old bronze mirror is only worth three hundred?”
“Who gets money for my uncle’s heirlooms?”
“It’s because you don’t look. “My father came all the way from China to Incheon holding that one mirror in his heart… but the moment he realized the value of that mirror he felt in vain.”
“Oh that’s not it.”
“Shall I show you?”
“yes.”
“If you look at it it won’t be anything special. “It’s just dirty.”
“But it was Waryongjang’s heirloom right? “I miss you.”
“Well I guess the Yeons of Unsa have only heard about it but haven’t seen it.”
“you’re right.”
“Speaking of which should I show you now?”
“Now? “Then I am grateful.”
Yeon Jeok-ha’s eyes sparkled brightly.
He thought it would take at least a few months but never thought he’d get the chance to see it in a week!
“Follow me.”
Yeon Jeong-woon who turned and walked a few steps suddenly looked back and said.
“really! “You must not tell your aunt and Seoin what kind of person Manager Koo is.”
“of course.”
When Yeon Jeok-ha nodded his head Yeon Jeong-un moved again.
Looking at the back of Yeon Jeong-woon’s head Yeon Jeong-ha muttered to herself.
‘If you feel that uncomfortable refuse it you bastard.’
As the popular saying goes in Korea there is no such thing as ‘naeronambul’ (if I do it if someone else does it it’s an affair).
Yeon Jeong-woon entered the house and stopped in front of the door at the end of the second floor.
“This is the room where my grandfather’s belongings are. There’s really nothing to see so don’t get your hopes up. “In particular the bronze mirror has a lot of rust stains on it… It’s not an antique it’s closer to a piece of junk.”
Although he said that there was very little strength in his shoulders.
This is because it is the moment when he reveals that he is a descendant who has not forgotten his roots.