Chapter 114
Chapter 114
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: Connecting the Pacific and Indian Oceans (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
‘I already know that you, Prime Minister, view the Kra Canal merely as a MacGuffin.’
MacGuffin.
A device that isn’t truly important but draws the audience’s attention as if it were.
To the power holders gripping the megaphone behind the flashy theater stage, the Kra Canal was nothing more than a MacGuffin for something else.
For the Korean president, it was a tool for electoral victory; for the Thai prime minister, a means to prevent a coup.
That was why my words must have been most welcome to Prime Minister Ing Tak, who sat in the hospital room with an awkward expression, glancing at me nervously.
‘Hahaha… Thank you for understanding even that part, Chairman.’
‘Any head of state, anyone aware of the southern Thai secession issue, would see the Kra Canal as an empty cry.’
‘This is… truly embarrassing.’
The Kra Canal project hadn’t even been considered feasible from the start.
That was why Prime Minister Ing Tak seemed to feel some guilt toward me, adopting a slightly more humble posture.
Not only had I opened the path to controlling the military through the Hawkeye system, but I had also saved his life.
‘So, originally… once the task of tying down the military hardliners was complete, I planned to halt construction. Including lawful compensation for Ammunition Group, of course.’
‘Compensation.’
Contrary to the original plan, the hardliners had pushed through with the coup, rendering the Kra Canal MacGuffin—meant to serve its purpose earlier than expected—obsolete ahead of schedule.
From his position, he couldn’t ignore me, left stranded alone on the theater stage.
Resting his chin on his interlaced hands, Prime Minister Ing Tak continued as if he had made some resolve toward me.
‘I’ll even take Korea’s political circumstances into account. Will you decide the timing for halting the Kra Canal construction, Chairman?’
‘Hmm…’
In this negotiation, I held the advantageous position right now. Thus, it wasn’t yet time to reveal the cards I wanted.
I would simply let them stew a bit longer, waiting for them to open the cards laid on the table first.
Without answering, I applied a bit of pressure with a glance, and Prime Minister Ing Tak, somewhat cowed, pulled out an additional condition.
‘Of course, beyond the compensation stipulated in the contract… other business rights in Thailand will follow as sufficient recompense, whatever you desire. Just say the word.’
The sincere goodwill transmitted through his eyes. Of course, that goodwill would also involve some murky calculations.
Foreign capital he needed but couldn’t bring in due to public opinion. Clearly, Prime Minister Ing Tak intended to assign that role to Ammunition Group.
However…
‘The recompense I want. Are you sure I should voice it?’
‘Of course. Absolutely. Please feel free to speak.’
If I had come here like other foreign firms just to grab distribution rights or feed, it would be the height of foolishness.
The reason I had stepped into Thailand’s political arena, even risking my life.
It was to secure something irreplaceable that I—and Ammunition Group—would hold exclusive rights to for the next several decades.
‘From the Bangkok tourism infrastructure development project to the next-generation national telecommunications network construction—everything. You needn’t worry about any of it, Chairman.’
That was why I could turn away from the sweet honey Prime Minister Ing Tak dangled.
Leaning forward in my patient gown, my body slightly uncomfortable, I finally reached my decision and flipped over the cards on the table.
‘I don’t need other business rights.’
‘You don’t need them…?’
Prime Minister Ing Tak stared at me with wide eyes, making no effort to hide his surprise.
At the unexpected response, he cautiously adjusted his posture and asked back.
‘Chairman, what do you mean?’
‘Personally, I don’t favor leaving unfinished business dangling.’
Prime Minister Ing Tak now had a large question mark hovering over his head.
I proposed rewriting this play’s scenario for him. Elevating what had been a mere MacGuffin to the starring role.
‘The Kra Canal. Let’s keep it going. I’ll bring a plan soon to deal with the southern secessionist warlord factions.’
* * * *
“So that’s how you sorted it out nicely, huh.”
Uncle Kim Won-cheol, having heard the full story with Prime Minister Ing Tak, wore an expression like a lightbulb had just lit up over his head.
Was it because a flood of information had suddenly poured into his mind?
He picked at the various snacks spread out on the table. His response came only after time to fully mull it over.
“Kuh, our Chairman’s skill at extracting compensation is something to behold. I oughta tell Ammunition Insurance to blacklist Han Seo-jun’s name from now on.”
Uncle Kim Won-cheol, granting me the honor of being blacklisted as a customer at my own affiliate company.
Well, if the Kra Canal became a new international logistics hub upon completion, it was a bargain for a few light concussions.
“It really worked out well. That Prime Minister Ing Tak, that sly fox, agreeing to it is the surprising part.”
“If it were Prime Minister Ing Tak’s usual temperament, he wouldn’t have agreed.”
Whiskey filled to the brim in a glass tumbler. Seeing it ripple, I recalled Prime Minister Ing Tak’s face.
A man who dreamed of ideals but always settled for reality. One who would never venture into what he deemed a gamble unless his life hung in the balance.
Gulping it all down, I wiped my mouth with my sleeve cuff and continued.
“He already rolled the dice once on that political adventure he hated so much by thwarting the coup. He’s not the type to do it twice, up to handling the southern warlords.”
“Yeah. So what’re you really planning? You got a way to wipe out those southern Thai warlords and clean up afterward?”
“Who knows. I haven’t sketched out a clear blueprint yet. I just made the first move.”
Fortunately, there was no need for immediate action.
The time Prime Minister Ing Tak had given me extended to this time two years from now. If I brought a plausible idea before then, half of all the interests related to the Kra Canal would go to Ammunition Group.
“For now, time’s on our side. We’ll gather intel slowly. And there’s still one external variable left to come into play.”
“External variable?”
In truth, subduing the southern Thai secessionist warlord factions wasn’t all that difficult.
With the weapons produced by Ammunition Group—especially precision-guided munitions linked to the Hawkeye system—the rebel leadership could be taken out anytime.
However… the international situation etched in my memories from before the regression.
“I plan to watch how China moves first.”
China, having just wrapped up its factional struggles with a new regime in place. The dragon slumbering in the hinterlands would emerge, clutching the pearl of ambition.
The pearl called ‘Belt and Road Initiative,’ vividly outlining its grasp for hegemony.
And… undoubtedly, the first place that Chinese dragon would rear its head would be their own backyard: Southeast Asia. At its center would be the Kra Canal.
“It’ll involve some complicated calculations. Maybe even enough to stake Ammunition Group’s entire fate on.”
* * * *
Southern Thailand.
This region, far closer to Malaysia than to Thailand’s capital Bangkok, was dotted with Islamic mosques everywhere.
A main building topped with a white rounded dome, surrounded by four sharp minarets.
People halting their daily work at the call to prayer, prostrating on prayer rugs.
—Allah is the Greatest! I bear witness that there is no god but Allah!
Inside the mosque, in the deepest chamber.
As afternoon prayers ended, the men rose from their spots.
Amid them, with complex expressions, one man still hadn’t lifted his palms from the rug on the floor.
A black-skinned man in a turban. Grinding his teeth with a fierce scowl, he muttered to himself loud enough for his subordinates to hear.
“I hope Allah has heard my prayers. I hope those infidel central government bastards’ movements mean nothing.”
The Islamic rebels, on edge from the central army’s large-scale training in the south lately.
A single misstep could turn it into a purge disguised as drills, so their eyes were always fixed on the central forces.
“Being yoked to the same nation as those filthy infidels was the problem from the start. They’ll suffer God’s curse…!”
Was it because his mood was so foul?
No one around him dared approach easily.
That heavy atmosphere broke when someone appeared.
“Good grief. Hassan, you’re grinding your teeth again, aren’t you?”
“Imam, you’ve come?”
An elder emerged through the hesitant subordinates, chewing a leaf cigarette.
With his unassuming demeanor, he approached the man called Hassan as if it were routine and spoke.
“Yes, yes. Fortunately, it seems Allah has heard your prayers, Hassan.”
“What do you mean, Imam?”
“I mean it exactly as I say. Those movements from the infidel central government you were so worried about? They’ve concluded to have nothing to do with us.”
Thud. A newspaper casually placed before him. The Thai-language paper featured news from yesterday’s Kra Canal groundbreaking ceremony coup.
“This is…”
“The central army’s southern training wasn’t aimed at us—it was to thwart the military hardliners’ coup. That Ing Tak fellow used his head for once, uncharacteristically. Of course.”
A black-and-white photo on the front page. Hassan’s eyes narrowed as if beholding something repulsive.
The military hardliner faction, bound like salted fish, after suppression was complete.
Their fate, surely to become morning dew on the execution ground, wouldn’t differ much from the rebels’ own.
And as if reading Hassan’s mind, the imam continued the halted sentence.
“But there’s no guarantee we won’t be next.”
“……”
Rebel leader Hassan clenched his fist.
Gazing at the arabesque patterns inside the mosque, he vowed with even firmer resolve than usual.
No matter what, for the day of liberation from those infidels.
“Ahem, speaking of which, I have something to discuss, Hassan.”
Intent on some secretive talk, the imam promptly cleared the room.
Only after the underlings had all left did he cautiously open his mouth.
“There are… outsiders who want to talk with us.”
“Outsiders? Have our fellow Islamic brother nations finally extended a helping hand?”
Hassan couldn’t hide his joy at the aid he had so desperately hoped for.
But the imam wore a troubled expression, unlike him. Shaking his head side to side, he replied slowly.
“No, not that. Not fellow Islamic nations.”
Hassan’s head drooped in disappointment.
But his dejected look swiftly turned to shock at the imam’s next words.
Completely unexpected—the intervention of a third force, prompting him to calculate a complex game of wits.
“China. They from China want to arrange a meeting.”