Empire of the Ring

Michael’s face turned totally distorted.

Any dispute in Kazakhstan was a big issue since Kazakhstan was the leading country that supported the whole of Central Asia. And the country was surrounded by two big powers, Russia and China. If a regime without legitimacy took over the country, Kazakhstan would divide into pieces.

The ethnic minorities that had been calm under President Nazarbayev’s strong rule would voice themselves claiming independence, and Russia would deploy its troops to seize this opportunity. By the time the situation was stabilized, the autonomous state would have been sacrificed already.

If the Arirang Autonomous State, was Michael’s established bridgehead—was lost, his whole career would leave a stigma of failure.

“This is big trouble. Why would he want to pass down his power to his daughter?”

“So as Azerbaijan.”

“But Azerbaijan still goes through the democratic electoral process.”

“Oh, I’m moved right now. Chief, are you worried about me?”

“Stop kidding. You’ll be alright. What about my career?”

“Huh, you’re worried about yourself? What about the people of the autonomous state who could lose their homes?”

“Why would they lose their homes? They would be left alone in the land. You’d have to escape the land and run for your life.”

“They only look up to me. I can’t abandon those people by just giving up.”

“Think of an alternative way, rather than thinking of a fight that sheds blood.”

“It’s not that there’s no other alternative, but I won’t give up the autonomous state so easily.”

“I don’t want to lose a foothold in Central Asia, either. I just thought about the worst.”

Michael could not hide his perplexed look.

Confusion in Central Asia was directly linked to the interests of the United States.

“The people of the autonomous state only follow me. That’s the problem. I’m just saying that if they rise up to defend the state, I won’t be able to stop them.”

“Are you blackmailing me now?”

“How dare can I do that? It’s just my will.”

“That means you intend to fight anyway. Do you know what that means? It’s a civil war. And that would make Russia happy.”

“That’s why I thought of a coup. If we quickly replace the regime and go through an election, Russia won’t have time to slip in.”

“It’s easier said. Remember that the regime that was achieved by a coup had an unhappy ending.”

“It would be different If the U.S. supports us.”

“What are you talking about? When did the United States jump into other countries’ matters?”

It would be a blind lie if the U.S. had not involved in other countries’ disputes.

“Okay! I’ll pretend that such a thing never happened. So, I’m asking the U.S.’s intervention in Central Asia. It’s better than Kazakhstan getting torn apart by Russia and China.”

“That can’t happen. But what if I get you the support of the U.S? What are you going to give us?”

Michael was going to try any political maneuvering. If the US CIA was involved, it would be much easier to clear up Kazakhstan’s situation.

“It’s funny to say this when I haven’t taken over Kazakhstan yet, but I will guarantee that our state will always agree with the policies and direction of the U.S.”

“You came here already determined.”

“No, I just thought of it now. Also, I’ll promise that there won’t be any obstacle for U.S. companies making a foray into the country.”

“I see. You are going to open resources to U.S. companies.”

“I want to change the whole Russian weapon system in Kazakhstan. Please introduce me to an American defense company.”

“And?”

“Are you trying to make Kazakhstan the territory of the United States?”

“Hahaha… You have to know nothing’s free in this world.”

“Kazakhstan has to exist for the sake of the interests of the U.S. as well as the peace of the world.”

“The autonomous state can be the sea of fire that will lead to a lot of bloodshed.”

“I’m prepared.”

“Are you sure that your information is accurate?”

“I’ll tell you what Nazarbayev has suggested to me.”

The US CIA, which had already helped in the process of establishing the autonomous state through Youngho, was already involved in Kazakhstan. The U.S. would have involved in this matter even if Youngho did not ask for it.

Youngho did not mention anything about the role of Information Agency and the British Secret Intelligence Service in his decision to overthrow the government.

As Youngho continued his story, Michael was impressed. His eyes were widened when Youngho said that the president had offered a billion dollars to invest in the development of weapons.

Their conversation continued after they moved to Youngho’s hotel room. As they drank together, Michael started to give him some pieces of advice.

“You’ve already made a deal with the president.”

“What? No!”

“It’s like you sold the autonomous state at a billion dollars. How much have you invested in the state so far?”

“Roughly less than 400 million dollars. I’m getting my investment money back because the state is now making money and doesn’t need my support anymore.”

“You are a real merchant since you’re making money now.”

“Well, the autonomous state is not a business place for me. It’s now a home for the residents who worked to establish it. It is the home of their children for generations after generations.”

“It’s only a small city to the Kazakh president. A city where Serbian minority lives.”

“Is there a reason for the president to wipe out our state?”

“He must have seen greed in your eyes, which will be an obstacle for his daughters’ future. Maybe he’s hoping for you to learn how he feels now quickly.”

“If I was a stumbling block, why wouldn’t he just get rid of me? It won’t be so difficult to kill someone in silence.”

“You’re a public figure now. He won’t dare to make such a suspicious move. He will want to make a perfect reason to drive you out of the country with his plot.”

“That’s why I’m going to build a weapons production plant in another city, not in the state. Also, I’ll tell the president that the aircraft development will take time due to the technology transfer delay.”

“That’s just a temporary measure.”

“Well, that’s what I’m aiming for.”

Michael was escorted to his house with a limousine that was provided by the Arirang Hotel. Youngho recalled what he just said.

“Don’t mean to invest more for the autonomous state for a while.”

“…”

“You might have to think of leaving the state if things don’t look good.”

“I can’t possibly leave the residents behind.”

“Well, if they want to follow you all the way, you can, but people will be safe in the state. They are still a great asset to the Kazakh government. In a worst-case scenario, you will have to think about a temporary step down and a return in the future.”

“I see exactly what you mean.”

“I’ll visit the mainland soon and see if I can get the U.S. intervention in any way.”

“Thank you, Chief. I’ll be expecting good news.”

“Move any important valuable to Baku for now. That’s to get ready for just in case.”

The Kazakh government would not touch the residents but it would not leave the state’s economic system that ensured high return pay alone. The Arirang Autonomous State did not require any indirect tax other than the income tax, so residents received a lot of share in return. It would not be easy for them to live under the regular Kazakh system.

***

Zeynep Wine’s European distribution store was located near the Central Station. It was already over eight o’clock, but the light was still on in the second-floor office. There must be a lot of work until now.

As Youngho walked through the store door, several employees were either working on the computer or speaking with other people. They roughly nodded to greet Youngho and went back to their work.

Youngho went up to the second-floor office where Cho Sang-chun was supposed to be working. It was empty. There were documents all over his desk. After a while, he could hear someone coming down from the third floor where Sang-chun’s family’s private home was located.

It was Sang-chun coming down with a tray of cup noodles on top.

“What is it? A night snack?”

“Oh! When did you come? I thought you’d come later.”

“Well, my friend got drunk so fast, so I didn’t even get to drink as much. When will you be done?”

“I’ve almost finished. I brought some snacks for the employees.”

“How’s living without your wife and children?”

“I’m gaining weight because there’s no one who gives me an earful when I eat too much.”

“Your kids are missing their dad. Why don’t you come to Baku on the weekends?”

“It’s not so fun flying every weekend. I’ll see them when the terrorism dies down.”

“Finish quick and let’s have some drink. I’ll make some snacks.”

“Okay, wait for me up upstairs.”

Youngho and Sang-chun finished a vodka bottle in just a flash.

As Sang-chun was getting drunk, his voice was getting higher.

“You’re adding 2,000 acres to your farm? Wow, how many more bottles is that?”

“We will produce an additional 5 million bottles. In total, we’ll make about 800 million bottles in Zeyenp Farm.”

“That’s great. The importers have been asking for more wine.”

“We shouldn’t expect much this year. Starting next year, we’ll be able to produce more bottles.”

“Tell your employees to collect any grape from nearby farms. Does it make sense that we can’t sell because we are short of wine? It’s been so stressful.”

“You should take it easy. Hire some more staff and work less.”

“Okay, I will. Hey, why did you come to Frankfurt all of a sudden?”

“There’s an issue. The autonomous state will be in trouble for a while.”

“What’s going on? Is there going to be a war in Central Asia?”

“I’m afraid that our state will have to demand independence soon.”

“That Kazakh president is so generous. Is he going to allow it?”

“It’s a little complicated.”

“Did you do something wrong?”

“Why would I?”

“Whenever you’re in trouble, you come to me. Don’t you remember when you entered the strange unit, right after joining the Navy? The whole family flipped because of that and I was the one who had to explain everything to your family.”

“For the hundredth time, it’s not a strange unit. It’s the Special Forces! And you didn’t go to my parents’ house because of me. You went there to see Yun-suh. I told you that Yun-suh is a handful, but you went head over heels for her and married her in the end!”

“Oh, please. I was into Yun-suh after your parents passed.”

“Phew, alright. Anyway, I’m just giving you a heads-up. There might be bad news soon, but don’t worry about it.”

“Youngho! Our lives are already better here. Don’t overdo it. ”

“I’d love to, but now it’s irreversible. I’m responsible for this.”

“Man, it might have been better for us to stay in Korea. We didn’t have much but it was not so hard.”

“Let’s just think that this is our fate. I have no regrets.”

“Dude, do you know how you look today? You look liked you lived all of your life already. What’s up?”

“How do I look?”

“I just told you. You look completely exhausted. Why do you live such a hard life?”

“Sang-chun, let’s just drink. I’ll tell you all about it.”