Empire of the Ring

Victor Jun, a Kazakhstan’ naval lieutenant commander, came to visit Youngho’s office.

Youngho often ran into him at the state but he had never visited his office before. It made him curious.

“What a surprise, Lieutenant Commander. What brings you here?”

“Well, I came to ask you a favor. An oil carrier came to bring us oil but it had to leave only after emptying one-third of its tank. It’s because we don’t have enough oil storage units.”

“Oh, commander. What we already have is the amount that can cover more than a whole year’s oil usage for the entire state. It wouldn’t be reasonable to install more oil storage units. Don’t you think?”

The Kazakh government and the state had made an agreement earlier: The state would break the ice on the Ural River and around the Port of Atyrau during winter, and in exchange for that, the government would provide free oil for the state.

Since Kazakhstan was an oil-producing country, it was quite generous with the use of oil.

“But we need to think about the future, Mr. Lee. I’d store plenty of oil that would last more than a few years just in case for the future. Why would we let go of free oil anyway? Can we store the oil underground at the place where we emptied underground water?”

“Oh, I hadn’t thought of that. That area would store the amount of oil that could cover the whole state’s oil usage for a few years.”

It was a smart suggestion, Youngho thought.

There was a slight possibility that this could affect other underground reservoirs, but it was not an impossible story.

Many countries usually stored enough oil that could last them for three months to one year. It would be a wise move to store more amount of oil than them just in case something might happen to the oil provision line. Victor had an important point. The state was a safe place from the impact of earthquakes. Once they saved up enough oil, the state would be better off for a relatively long time.

Victor was not expecting to become an admiral because he was born as a Koryoin. There were still a lot of limitations for minorities in the Kazakh military. Youngho once asked Victor to be in charge of the state’s security if he did not get to become an admiral in the Navy in the future. Victor did not give a clear answer to that back then. But, now that he had moved to the state along with other present and former Navy soldiers, Youngho thought that Victor had grown fond of the autonomous state. Victor’s suggestion was also a sign that he cared about the state. He continued to suggest another idea.

“I think you should also store jet fuel underground as well. I’ve heard that the IS is planning on attacking enemies’ important facilities on the ground.”

“It looks like Kazakhstan is not a safe place anymore.”

Youngho did not tell Victor Jun about the recent abduction of the Korean road survey team by the IS organization. Although Victor was showing his favor of the state, he would be obliged to report the incident to the government as an active naval commander. Instead of reporting the truth, Youngho only told the government that the construction experts got lost and came back, so the state would not be exposed to the IS.

“The state had better be cautious about any outsiders. The Aktobe city bombing was definitely done by the IS. If you don’t have enough security guards, I will aid the state with naval soldiers.”

“Thank you for your consideration Lieutenant Commander but we will be fine. I’d rather not add more weight to the Navy.”

“Don’t worry about it. Families of navy soldiers think that they owe you for the jobs that the state had provided even for them. They would love to help.”

The underpaid navies and their families were financially doing better ever since they moved to the state because they were able to find jobs at the state. The state provided educational and medical benefits for the naval families, which were given to the residents of the state. There was no reason to not treat them the same as the residents since currently there were not many naval family members in the state and the navies would join the maritime police of the Countryside Force when they were discharged from the Navy.

“Since there are still several reporters and journalists in the state at the moment, let’s wait and see when we should work on your suggestion.”

“I know I am a Kazak navy, but I will also do my duty as a state’s resident. So, please let me know whenever you need my help.”

“I appreciate it.”

***

Park Young-sun agreed that it was a great idea to store jet fuel underground. He recommended two underground reservoirs that had been emptied in the beginning stages of the autonomous state.

“Dr. Park, is there any chance that this will cause the oil to slip into other underground reservoirs and end up polluting water?”

“I believe the chances are very very low. But I will get to work to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

It would be strategically valuable if it was possible to stably store oil without building storage units. So, Park Young-sun wanted to get to work immediately. This could be pointless in perspective of the Kazakh government since the country had an almost limitless amount of oil crude, but there was no harm in saving up the oil.

“If we fill up all the empty underground reservoirs with oil, we won’t have to worry about getting more oil in the future even if our population drastically increases.”

“I guess we’ll have enough oil for the next several generations.”

“Sure, if we keep storing up, the state will be just like an oil-producing country.”

The state used solar power for most of its heating, but quite a lot of oil was needed to run farming vehicles, cars, and ships. It was not necessary to store a large amount of oil, yet this was a good excuse to be greedy for oil.

“Who knows? Maybe we already have a lot of oil somewhere in the state. There is still a high chance since we are located in West Kazakhstan, which is geologically known to have oil resource. We just don’t know since we’ve never tried to find it.”

“Oh. Don’t even think about it. Oil fields are everywhere around this region including Atyrau. We just don’t want to be part of that business yet.”

It would be a big problem if oil was discovered in the state somehow. It was because the government would claim the ownership of the oilfield. Oil exploration could wait until the state was powerful enough to ignore the country’s interference.

“Well, I thought about it already, but I wasn’t sure if I can handle the aftermath of the business.”

“Think of it this way. Wouldn’t it be delightful to imagine living on top of an oilfield?”

“Hahaha”

“You know, people who are filthy rich are the ones who own land.”

The truly rich people would be the ones who owned buildings and land. While the world population would increase, the available land for each person would decrease. Inevitably, property prices would only go up. This was the way how the world had been and would be.

Numbers of companies in the past eventually failed, while people with real estates stayed rich over generations. Youngho was into properties and hotel business for the very reason. The semi-deserted Arirang Autonomous State might not have much on its land, but it would surely show its true potential one day.

***

A lot of time in history, those who sought peace were made slaves, and those who prepared for war earned their peace.

This was the reason that Youngho ordered to build weapon research lab and a shipyard. He even tried to build a tank at the repair shop.

Some people might say that an effort of preparation from a small state would be pointless. But it did not mean that the state should just let others invade their land. The state needed both physical and political power. That was where the strings with the Danish royal family and the CIA came in. Without those strings, the state made up of a bunch of minorities would not last long.

The state’s existence was based on the attention of the world and the recognition of the countries like the United States and Kazakhstan. Today, Youngho was working to build a tie with Frankfurt.

“What do you think? Aren’t we almost like an independent country now?”

Upon meeting Michael in Frankfurt, Youngho bragged about the presidential banquet with Princess Isabella and the wedding news which had been featured by many European newspaper companies. In exchange, Michael joked to Youngho.

“Oh, you can shut up and leave my room if you are going to keep talking about the honorary citizenship nonsense.”

“You should’ve seen the royal guards. Has any agent made an in-law relationship with the Danish royal family?”

“The wedding hasn’t happened yet, which means you are not an in-law of the royal family yet.”

“You just can’t handle it because of you’re jealous, can you?”

“Hahaha… Okay, let’s just put it that way. Now, why don’t you go back to your position and send me some valuable information?”

“What more valuable information can I bring you other than this?”

“I am not blind. I’ve read all about it on newspapers already.”

The conversation was still pleasant because they had built up a faithful relationship over a long period of time. In addition to that, Youngho had become more of a partner to Michael rather than a mere agent.

“You are not even going to treat me with lunch or something? I’ve flown really far to see you.”

“I need to buy a meal for a millionaire?”

“Well, I once saved your life, remember? You would’ve been dead by now if you didn’t get the procedure.”

“Like I did not know I had to do it? I was just waiting for the right moment to get the treatment.”

“Whoa… You are such a gentleman.”

“Enough with the nonsense. Now, get out. I still have loads of paperwork to sign.”

Youngho had come to see Michael to discuss something. As he walked out of the door, he subtly said,

“Well, I guess I am cutting down trees by myself. Russia offered a logging business in Siberia.”

“Hold on! You didn’t even finish your tea. You’ve got to finish your drink if you are a gentleman.”

When Youngho started talking about the logging business that President Putin offered, Michael was suddenly interested in talking.

“So, he offered a logging business to you because he recruited an American company.”

“I guess I got famous for doing businesses in remote areas.”

Probably, President Putin offered it to Youngho since he wanted to continuously attract foreign companies.

“The fact that he offered the business to you is important. Logging business in Siberia has been exclusively offered to the president’s close connections.”

“I’m not sure if I should take it. Cutting wood and carrying them seems to be a complicated process.”

“Just do it no matter what. Don’t worry about the funds. I will get them for you.”

“I’ve got money. The issue here is that what Putin wants is continuous recruitment of American companies.”

“It doesn’t matter what his intention is. I will take care of it. Instead, find a way to buy some land.”

“What? I am not planning on running a farm there.”

Youngho was not sure why Michael was so eager to get land in Russia.

“Youngho, you don’t understand the importance of Siberia. Just do as I say now and think later.”

“What am I going to do in the land where winter lasts over seven months and people suffer from pests during summer?”

“The mountainous region won’t be a permafrost area. Besides, why are you into farming only? Siberia contains tons of underground resources.”

“Will the CIA support me with everything if I take it?”

“Of course. No American company was able to earn a favor from Russia. You’ve got a shot here.”

It would be a good opportunity, but it seemed like too much of a burden for Youngho. Although Yaniv would send mafias, no mafia would want to work in such a remote land. But, since Michael insisted, he thought maybe it was not a bad idea just to look around the site and make a decision afterward.

“Okay. I will go take a look at the site.”

“Great, I will make a report to the headquarters.”