Survive as a World War II Soldier - Chapter 83



Only Noblemtl

#083

The second reason Guardia opposed the Newtown policy was because he was the mayor of New York City.

“Does the market think rural revitalization will help solve New York City’s problems?”

Guardia hesitated for a moment at my question.

“That, that···.”

The root cause of the overcrowding problems that major cities like New York are currently experiencing is actually linked to people leaving rural areas.

Where did all these people come from who started living in shantytowns in New York City’s proud Central Park?

“Rural areas and urban areas are not separate. They are closely connected. Solving one problem will provide a clue to solving the other problem.”

Of course, it wasn’t that simple of a problem.

And Guardia also seemed to have realized this, quickly straightened his expression and began to state his argument.

“I agree with the governor that if electricity and water are installed, life in rural areas will improve. Then, the number of people leaving rural areas will decrease. Yes, that could happen. But if we don’t solve the fundamental problem of agricultural product prices, wouldn’t there be a limit?”

It is good to create jobs by building power plants, laying power lines, and installing water and sewage systems in the name of rural modernization.

However, Guardia was right when he said that this was ultimately only a temporary expedient and that agriculture was ultimately the core industry in rural areas.

Frankly speaking, it is true that the Saemaul Movement modernized rural areas and improved the living standards of residents, but if you ask whether it effectively prevented rural migration from rural areas to cities…

‘That’s another matter.’

Of course, Korea and the United States in the 1970s were quite different, but in some ways they were also quite similar.

And as Guardia said, it wasn’t a problem that could be solved simply by laying the infrastructure.

“The mayor’s words are also right. Ultimately, the purpose of modernizing rural areas through the New Town policy is to revive agriculture itself.”

“but···.”

It’s not like the camp staff and I have been having fun for the past few months.

“For now, the problem of distribution channels for agricultural products has been resolved to some extent.”

“What is that···”

In 21st century Korea and 20th century America, the biggest food consumer was the military. In particular, after the Bonus Army incident, the US military, which was responsible for reeducating retired soldiers, was consuming a greater amount of grain than ever before.

“The Army said they could purchase this quantity.”

In 21st century Korea, it would be an uproar to see how things could be handled so ruthlessly, but fortunately, 20th century America was not that strict.

Above all, because the consumption volume was so high, it wasn’t to the point where it would be noticeable or anything if we bought more New York products.

“The Rainbow Foundation too···.”

The Rainbow Foundation, which operates dozens of free cafeterias, also needed a lot of grain.

finally,

“You can’t continue farming the old-fashioned way forever, right?”

The modernization of rural areas also included the modernization of agriculture.

Building various infrastructures in rural areas is merely a means to achieve this.

Ultimately, agriculture itself had to become a competitive industry.

There were various ways to prepare for him.

For example, allowing villages to purchase and rent agricultural machinery that used to be purchased individually, allowing them to grow crops that can fetch higher prices than wheat and corn, developing and disseminating advanced farming methods, etc.

How do you know so well?

Where do you think the Korean military provides the most support to the public in the 21st century? There is disaster relief, but the most common activity during normal times is, of course, helping out in rural areas.

And when those soldiers, who are like grandchildren, come, our grandparents will be so talkative…

If it was the job of the privates to provide labor and serve with their bodies, my main job as a non-commissioned officer was to face the excited peasants and relieve their frustration.

At the time, I thought it was just a useless noise, but I never thought it would be used like this.

In particular, the ones that can be used immediately are···.

“For example, if apples don’t sell, instead of burying them in the ground, why don’t you make something else and sell it?”

One of the most produced crops in New York State was apples.

In 21st century Korea, if you grow apples, you don’t just sell apples, you also sell apple juice, apple chips, apple jam, apple bread, and everything else that can be made from apples.

Because that makes more money.

“Are you saying we should process apples and sell them?”

“Yes. Apple juice, apple jam, apple pie, apple cookies, apple chips···.”

People who had initially smiled at the constant stream of apple-related products began to look astonished.

‘Hey, can you make all that?’

‘But if I think about it, it all works out.’

‘Can’t we make other things similar to apples?’

‘Hoo.’

What are the benefits of this type of food processing?

“For that, we’ll need a factory.”

We need factories, whether small or large, and we need people to work in the factories.

“That’s right. Instead of just processing apples like that, why don’t we process other crops in an appropriate way and sell them as well?”

If the preservation organs increase during the processing, it would be possible to export rather than domestically.

“What do you think? I have other ideas besides that.”

“What is it, Governor?”

“Please let me go quickly.”

Unlike Guardia, who kept his mouth shut as if he was speechless, the others were in an uproar, telling them to quickly come up with ideas.

“Would you like to see this?”

What I showed them was a bottle of alcohol.

“Isn’t it alcohol?”

“Johnny Walker. He’s a pretty good guy.”

I brought out the whiskey and showed it to them because it was the thing that best explained the brand to them.

“Not all whiskey is the same, right?”

“That’s a given···.”

“The price varies greatly depending on the bottle and label. Why is it okay for whiskey but not for apples?”

“!”

In the 21st century, apples sold in department stores cost more than ten thousand won apiece.

It’s not just apples that are like that.

Even for the same fruit, the price varies greatly depending on size, sugar content, and production location.

“Our New York apples are different from those of other places. So they are worth the price. Why not?”

“Hmm. Since the state guarantees quality, this looks good.”

“But to do it right···.”

Of course it won’t be easy.

But in order to succeed, isn’t it true that you have to be the first to take the path that others don’t take, rather than the path that everyone else takes?

“I don’t think it’s something that can be done in a short period of time.”

“Yes. But don’t you think the effect will be certain?”

“What is that···.”

Of course, my story was only a rough idea.

How much do I know about branding or quality certification?

It was just that people these days have experiences that they haven’t had, so they just talked about it and added some flesh to it.

But the original role of a leader like me is to provide direction.

The subordinates would take care of the detailed implementation plan.

Besides, isn’t it said that even a blank piece of paper is better if you hold it up?

The people gathered here will disperse to their respective regions and share the stories they heard today with those around them, and wouldn’t that naturally lead to more specific and better results?

It was quite encouraging to see everyone sharing ideas with those around them.

Among those people, Guardia was still glaring at me with a disgruntled expression.

‘Is this all there is to New York?’

Perhaps this is what Guardia’s gaze meant?

So I smiled and gave the answer back.

‘Of course. But with your mouth open?’

##

“shit.”

Guardia, who had attended the gubernatorial inauguration, swore with a very upset expression.

At the sight of Guardia like that, Mrs. Fisher took his coat and asked back.

“Why? What are you so upset about that you’re so angry?”

“Damn. I don’t like any of it.”

“Why? Is it not as good as Governor MacArthur expected?”

Fischer, who was originally Guardia’s secretary, had considerable political insight.

“No. You seem capable.”

“Then that’s fortunate.”

In the run-up to the gubernatorial election, Guardia’s greatest concern was the certainty of MacArthur’s election.

In the Army, MacArthur was always competent.

Whether as a division commander in Europe, as superintendent at West Point and reorganizing the military academy, as head of the Olympic team, or as Army Chief of Staff, MacArthur always displayed a competent, if irreplaceable, presence.

“But this is your first time as governor.”

People believed that since he had always been competent, he would do well as governor, but Guardia thought differently.

The army was a special organization.

The Olympic team, where he showed off his talents in the private sector, was just as special as the military.

Because both organizations were based on obedience to orders.

But this civilian was different.

Moreover, the field that gave MacArthur the reputation of being competent was none other than politics.

It was one thing to overthrow your opponent with a strategy, another to sway public opinion in your desired direction, and another to manage a week.

So how could he not be worried? In particular, what worried Guardia was the self-righteousness that successful people basically have.

“As far as I know, that gentleman has never had any particular experience of failure.”

“Yes. Well, he’s a very talented gentleman.”

There’s a nobleman who even has the president behind him…

Just looking at Hoover, who was ousted without being re-elected, doesn’t it clearly show how dangerous it is to put a self-righteous author in a high position?

When Hoover first became president, everyone thought he would do well.

He was a seasoned minister in the administration and had done a very competent job.

However, Hoover’s true nature revealed in the crisis was shocking, if not disappointing.

“If that gentleman had responded well in the beginning, the country wouldn’t have ended up in this state.”

What guarantee is there that MacArthur would be any different?

And MacArthur’s appearance at the inauguration ceremony today clearly showed that his worries were not wrong.

“Rural, rural, rural. A big city like New York wasn’t even in my sights.”

I know. The size of New York State is overwhelmingly large compared to other surrounding states.

Thanks to this, agriculture was actually a very important industry, contrary to what most people think.

His words that rural areas need to be revived in order to reduce the number of poor people flocking to cities were not wrong.

“How can you ignore the situation in New York like that?”

“Hmm.”

Fisher, who had been listening to Guardia’s complaints, looked at him for a moment and then opened his mouth.

“Did you ask?”

“what?”

“I asked if you had prepared anything for New York.”

“···”

Fisher sighed as she saw her husband keeping his mouth shut and looking in the wrong direction instead of answering her question.

“What’s so hard about asking?”

“but···.”

“You’re the mayor. Are you going to make things difficult for New York City because of your pride?”

But Fisher’s words ended up hurting Guardia’s pride.

What kind of place is New York City?

Although it was a very small piece of land compared to the entire state of New York, it had the symbolic significance of New York City.

It was a megacity with nearly half of New York State’s population living there.

But the look in Guardia’s eyes was fierce as he recalled MacArthur, who had never said a word about New York City and had never even reached out to him.

“Ha, I can do well enough without that guy’s help.”

And this wasn’t just mere greed.

Although Guardia is a Republican, he has a more objective view of the current situation in New York than anyone else.

Instead of ignorantly opposing the New Deal policies of the Democratic Roosevelt administration, he actively embraced them.

Guardia was also making his mark in New York City.

It was none other than the eradication of the mafia.

“Search and Destroy!”

Instead of giving his inauguration speech at his inauguration ceremony last year, Guardia gave a radio address.

In his inaugural speech, he declared war on the mafia that controlled the city’s underworld, starting a war on crime.

“When can we arrest Mafia boss Luciano?”

He issued an arrest warrant for Luciano to the police chief, reformed the police organization, kicked out the corrupt, and cracked down on illegal arcades run by the mafia. This was to cut off the mafia’s money supply.

And they even went out of their way to promote this on a large scale.

bang.

The performance involved destroying confiscated illegal arcade machines with a giant hammer.

If we catch that fucking Luciano soon, and get rid of the Mafia, and rid New York City of corruption…

It was Guardia who was spinning a circuit of hope that he would not fall behind MacArthur.

however,

“Sir, we’re in big trouble.”

“What?”

“It’s a riot.”

The White House’s Bad Boys