Chapter 146: New Testing Ground (1)

Alexander Rockefeller felt interest rise within himself without realizing it as he watched me, as I used a way of speaking that was much more mature than my age.

Not wanting to get caught with that emotion, he needlessly lifted his teacup and covered his mouth.

He forcibly suppressed the laughter that almost leaked out.

“Ahem. Participating in the bid is a good idea. However, isn't your HJ Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering not on the U.S. Navy procurement list yet? Was it the CAGE code? I understand that it was revoked.”

He spoke as if it were a pity, but his eyes alone sparkled with curiosity.

I let out a short laugh.

“You are correct. It was valid during the Daehan Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering days, but as the corporation changed during the acquisition process, the qualification disappeared automatically.”

Alexander looked at me for a moment and then smiled as if it were interesting.

“Surely you are not suggesting that you want to do business with me right now without the qualifications?”

It was a gaze as if he were dying of curiosity about how I would solve this problem.

However, I merely smiled leisurely.

“Well, that is the case for now. However, having no qualification is only based on the current standard. What is needed is not to create a new one, but can we not just hold hands with someone who already has it.”

“Hmm, let me ask one thing before that. What exactly is that CAGE code? What is it that makes it so difficult to obtain?”

I put down the teacup for a moment and spoke calmly.

“CAGE is an abbreviation for Commercial and Government Entity. To put it simply, it is like an entry pass number for supplying to the U.S. government or military. This number must exist to be registered in the U.S. Navy or the General Services Administration system, and bidding or contracts are only possible with that code. The U.S. does not allow any company to approach for national security reasons.”

“Then it is like a kind of identification card.”

“Exactly.”

Alexander raised his eyebrows and admired.

In fact, he had asked because he thought I would not know.

However, admiration flowed out due to the too-clear explanation.

“How do you know such things so well?”

I smiled.

“Because one must know the basics to do business. Haha.”

Alexander liked that answer.

Even though I was at a young age, the snake-like aspect made me look like a seasoned entrepreneur.

“Good. Then you mean you will hold hands with a company that has the qualifications. Whom are you going to do it with?”

I pretended to hesitate on purpose.

“Well. I am slightly worried about whether I should tell you this.”

“Wow, your roundabout way of talking has increased further in that short time.”

Alexander laughed and shook his head.

“If you age just ten more years, you will become more devious than me.”

I lifted the teacup, took a sip, and continued speaking.

“It is Taeseong Heavy Industries. Taeseong already maintains DFARS (Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement), namely the U.S. Department of Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement certification. Furthermore, they are also listed on the U.S. Navy cooperation list. HJ Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering will be in charge of the MRO technology and maintenance system, and Taeseong Heavy Industries is a structure that provides the official certification instead.”

If the basic procurement law used by the entire U.S. government is FAR, DFARS is a procurement regulation supplement applied only to military-related contracts among them.

To deliver military supplies, everything from security, place of production, to financial transparency must be verified, and companies that maintain this certification are practically treated as defense industry companies recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense.

Alexander asked while scratching his chin.

“Then, are you doing it in the form of a consortium?”

“To be precise, it will be a more flexible structure than that. We will bid under the name of Taeseong, but we will take charge of the actual design and operation. If we do it this way, there is nothing for the U.S. government to find problematic.”

Alexander burst into laughter.

“I knew this would happen. To think you acted as if you were in a difficult spot after having done everything.”

“When did I act as if I were in a difficult spot?”

When I countered with an innocent face, Alexander clicked his tongue.

“Ugh, why does this guy get more and more annoying!”

It became quiet again.

Alexander stayed still for a while and then muttered while touching his chin with his finger.

“Good. If it is Taeseong Heavy Industries, it is fine. But isn't that one thing still insufficient?”

His gaze became sharp again.

“Holding hands with a qualified partner is only the beginning. Once the U.S. market trusts you, it lasts a long time, but the first impression is that harsh. If it were me, I think I would have prepared something certain?”

He laughed as if he were giving a test.

I smirked inwardly and thought.

‘How annoying. I do not know who is more annoying. Is he naturally born with a talent for teasing people?’

On the outside, there was no change in my expression.

I continued speaking while composedly putting down the teacup.

“Of course. We also did not come empty-handed. We are not simply holding hands with Taeseong Heavy Industries. We are already preparing MRO and ABS preliminary certifications related to several defense equipment. This bidding will not be a mere participation, but it will be a stage to prove how much technical capability we have.”

Alexander became even more amused after hearing those words.

“Can I believe those words?”

“Believe it entirely.”

My voice lowered calmly.

“We have come after preparing firmly. What the U.S. wants in this project is not a simple shipyard, but a partner who will take responsibility even for maintenance and repair. That is also the field we are most confident in.”

Alexander stared at me intently for a long time and finally nodded.

“Good. At least it does not seem like empty words.”

I laughed while leaning my back comfortably against the sofa.

“You can look forward to it.”

“You are indeed an interesting fellow the more I see you.”

Alexander also leaned his back against the sofa and slowly tapped the armrest with his finger.

“Then what should I do now?”

I smiled in an instant.

‘Now you are entering the main point.’

I answered calmly.

“You do not need to worry about the technical part at all. Because that part is entirely our share.”

“Hmm, then me?”

“I would like you to grasp the movements of the major companies that will participate in this bidding. Especially which company is maintaining a close relationship with the U.S. Navy Procurement Office, and who is actually leading the project internally. I need that information.”

Alexander leaned his body forward closely and gazed at me.

Then he spoke in a low voice.

“In other words, you want me to pave the way.”

“One could put it that way.”

I still did not lose my smile.

“In a way, how to open the door is more important than shipbuilding technology in this project. Once the door opens, the rest will not be that difficult.”

The corners of Alexander’s mouth rose slowly.

“You make it sound very easy, but that door is not something just anyone opens. The U.S. Navy procurement line is complex and there is not just one key.”

I nodded and grinned.

“Is that not why I asked you?”

“Heh. Look at this person. He speaks very well.”

Alexander smirked and leaned comfortably against the sofa.

“Fine, I will look into it. However, there is a condition.”

“A condition?”

Alexander’s voice lowered.

“I am not a philanthropist. I would like you to clearly provide compensation for as much as I move for this matter. Whether it is money or shares, in whatever form. The calculation must be precise. Is that not right?”

I preferred it if he spoke clearly like this.

“Of course. I shall make the compensation certain for as much as you have done.”

Alexander changed as if he were satisfied.

“Good. Now each assigned role is clear. I open the door, and you grow the board inside it and we share the profits.”

“That is the most ideal.”

As I rose from my seat, Alexander also stood up.

I reached out my hand and spoke.

“This time we start with trust rather than money, but at the end, mutually satisfactory benefits will follow.”

Alexander smiled and grabbed my hand.

“Good, I like those words. That is what business is.”

Once Alexander left, I looked at the door he disappeared through for a moment and then let out a deep breath.

A brief silence flowed in the room.

Soon after, the door opened and Director Choi Seo-jun, General Manager Han Seung-woo, Advisor Baek Yu-jin, and President Yu Hyeon-seok entered.

Secretary Cho Hana organized the teacups placed on the table.

Choi Seo-jun asked first.

“Representative, did it end well?”

“Yes. He just went back.”

Advisor Baek Yu-jin pushed up her glasses and asked.

“What did Rockefeller say?”

I sat back against the sofa and spoke.

“He set a condition. He will probably do his utmost to achieve what we want.”

When General Manager Han Seung-woo tilted his head, I continued speaking.

“He decided to take charge of the under-the-table work toward the U.S. Navy side.”

President Yu Hyeon-seok’s eyebrows went up as if he were surprised.

“That is not an easy task.”

“Of course, it is not easy. That is why I left it to him.”

I smiled and continued speaking.

“Rockefeller has no choice but to work hard. Although he is currently designated as the successor, the successor can change at any time within the family. That is why he must continue to produce results to survive. If he only handles this matter well, he will probably make a proper impression.”

At those words, Choi Seo-jun crossed his arms and wore a satisfied smile.

“I knew it would be like that.”

General Manager Han Seung-woo asked.

“Seeing how you are very satisfied, Representative, it seems there is something else as well?”

“Does it look like that? Haha.”

I laughed awkwardly.

At that time, Cho Hana came in with a tablet and spoke.

“Representative, there is a meeting with Department of Commerce officials soon. The vehicle has arrived, so you can prepare and go out now.”

I glanced at my watch.

“Has time become like that already.”

Choi Seo-jun threw a light joke.

“The Representative is busy as soon as he comes to the U.S. You should take a breath.”

I snorted and picked up my jacket.

“Then if Director Choi goes out instead....”

Secretary Cho's gaze turned fierce.

At the look containing a warning behind the calm expression, I quickly put on the jacket and adjusted my tie.

“It is a joke, Secretary Cho. Now, let us go.”

Cho Hana followed behind me and spoke.

“The vehicle is waiting.”

“Yes, yes.”

As I, Director Choi Seo-jun, General Manager Han Seung-woo, and Secretary Cho Hana left the hotel, a limousine stood quietly before us.

Secretary Cho Hana opened the car door and got in first, and I, Choi Seo-jun, and Han Seung-woo climbed in after her.

Once the door closed, the interior was quiet.

Due to the cold weather, steam gathered on the windows.

Cho Hana checked the tablet and spoke.

“Representative, today's meeting is presided over by Director Michael Leonard of the Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce. The figures attending together include Senior Joanne Madison of the Defense Procurement Bureau and Dr. Alan Park belonging to the Navy Technical Evaluation Committee.”

I watched the street scenery of Washington faintly reflected beyond the window and nodded.

“Core figures from the U.S. Navy side are also attending.”

Cho Hana continued speaking calmly.

“The main gist today is the expansion of U.S. investment and industrial cooperation by Korean companies.”

I nodded and spoke.

“Stories about investment within the U.S. will be exchanged, but they probably have already made some agreement to some extent.”

“Correct. Especially seeing that Senior Joanne Madison is participating, it seems this meeting will be a discussion covering the overall industry, including defense, shipbuilding, semiconductors, and even the energy field.”