Empire of the Ring

Recently, China was dreaming of becoming Genghis Khan in the 21st century.

In the 13th century, Genghis Khan ran the first global empire in history. His Mongol Empire at that time held China, Russia, Persia, and Central Asia in its grasp, when China had never gone over the Tian Shan Mountains in the northwest and the Himalayas.

The reason why Genghis Khan was able to effectively dominate the large area was because of the fact that the intercontinental communication network, where he could deliver his orders effectively through horseback riders on the road like highways to other areas. He could deliver his message to Europe in a week to ten days.

Mongolians back then had their revolutionary communication methods of the 13th century, horses and road stations, as well as the road to deliver abundant spoils of conquests on carriages. It would not have been possible without the development of the road.

Current Chinese leaders wanted to manipulate the world just like Genghis Khan. They were working on a road project called, One Belt One Road. China was anxious to open a 21st-century land and sea-based Silk Road.

There was a route that was planned to get laid starting from Xi’an, China, through Xinjiang Uyghur and Kazakhstan, and get to Moscow, then to the Netherlands. Another route would pass Kazakhstan to Central Asia and Iran to reach Istanbul.

Both of the routes needed to pass Kazakhstan. The reason that Youngho was getting on China’s nerves boldly at the border was that he knew China needed Kazakhstan’s favor desperately in order to carry out its plan. If there was no agreement from Kazakhstan, China would have to travel through the sea or go to Europe via Mongolia and Russia.

Back in the 13th century, the great country, Mongolia had planted trees along the Silk Road to create shadows for merchants traveling the road and made stone pillars in barren areas where no trees could grow, as milestones. It was questionable whether China would be able to engage in such broad-mindedness and inclusivity for other countries that were involved in its road project.

The Chinese commander of the occupation forces in Xinjiang Uyghur sent a letter of protest to the defense minister of Kazakhstan. The content was about the forced detention of Chinese citizens in the transit camp and arbitrarily redrawing the border.

“Your Highness, it’s a message that they don’t want to make it big since they sent it through the commander of the occupation forces, not from the Chinese government.”

“Well, it shouldn’t be a big deal after all. We’re just removing illegal aliens and correcting the wrong border by scientific means. If China has a problem with it, it will be an infringement of sovereignty.”

Before sending the royal guards to the border area, the Kazakh government had sent a copy of the scientific data of the corrected borderline to the Chinese government. It was to let the Chinese government know about the corrected border and give it a chance to protest about the border, which it did not.

However, it was such a diplomatic discourtesy that the commander of the occupation forces was the one who sent a letter of protest. The Chinese government had ignored diplomatic procedures since it should have been done through the Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan. Such conduct was intended to threat Kazakhstan with China’s force.

“Summon the Chinese ambassador to lodge a strong protest against the diplomatic protest. Also, please let him know that we will continue with the border survey. If needed, we will have the Chinese side present when we have the survey.”

“What are we going to do with the illegal aliens at the camp?”

“The Prime Minister and the Cabinet should decide what to do with them according to the related laws.”

“I see. You’re trying to tame China on this occasion.”

“Well, China won’t get threatened, but it won’t be stubborn since we have the right cause.”

It was unbelievable that so many Chinese people were living in the valleys of Tian Shan Mountains. It could not be possible in a socialist country that so many people had crossed the border without the Chinese government pushing them in. So, Youngho did not want to hand over the illegal immigrants easily. He was going to interview them thoroughly to ask their personal opinions and decide whether to expel him.

***

Since the illegal immigrants were all captured, Park Jong-il had no reason to stay at the border. He returned to Astana upon Youngho’s call.

He was upset that he had to come when there were so many Chinese troops along the border.

“Do you know how many soldiers they have on the border?”

“About 60,000 people?”

“It’s three times more than our soldiers. They’re protesting against us to have called such many of them there now. Do you think the Chinese commander in Xinjiang Uyghur has the power to do so? The Chinese leadership must’ve ordered him to do that. Man, it’s a shame I didn’t do something about that at the border.”

“We have called in the Chinese ambassador to lodge a stern protest, so let’s wait. If they still don’t retreat the troops on the border, we’ll deploy self-propelled artillery and tank units.”

“You’re going to have a battle?”

“We’ll be protesting too with our armed forces. Then a special envoy will fly to Kazakhstan straight from the Chinese side.”

“How can you be so confident about it?”

“We’ll be blocking the 21st century Silk Road that China dreams of.”

“I see. That’ll do it. If we close the border, there’s no way China will have that thing called, One Belt One Road project.”

It was unprecedented that a weak country like Kazakhstan would be warned by an ambassador from a powerful country such as China. However, on the news, a video footage of a Chinese ambassador leaving Kazakhstan’s Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry building with an embarrassed look.

Soon after that, the Chinese army was pulled out from the border area. China decided to take a step back for its One Belt One Road plan.

Kasim government protested under international law and even received an apology from the Chinese government. Something that could not happen in Northeast Asia just happened in Central Asia.

Youngho, who received the phone call from the government administration, was a little relieved. China must be gnashing its teeth inside, but its grandiose Silk Road project was more important.

“Your Highness, are we not going to participate in the Silk Road project?”

“What do you mean? Of course, we should. That way Almaty will become a major transit point.”

“But I’m a little nervous because we’re getting on China’s nerves too much.”

Eriksson, as a European, apparently felt uneasy about confronting China, which was a giant nation.

“Well, if we treat China in a soft way that the former regime had treated it, we’ll be completely ignored.”

“Are you doing this to emphasize that we’re a different country now?”

“Yes, if China doesn’t change its high-minded attitude, then we won’t open the way for it.”

Since China needed Kazakhstan’s approval, it could not do anything about Kazakhstan’s resistance now. China had invested heavily here and there in the hope of achieving the One Belt One Road project.

***

“You want to hold an arms industry exposition?”

“Why are you so surprised?”

“It’s just weird to hold it in Kazakhstan, not Europe.”

“That’s why I’m asking for your advice, Eriksson.”

“It won’t be easy even if you use your connection to the U.S.”

“Wouldn’t companies that are interested in Kazakhstan’s resources come if we promote it properly?”

“Then it’s going to be a little different. There are many companies that will be interested in Kazakhstan’s resources.”

There was a reason why Youngho wanted to have an arms industry exposition.

So far, he had been secretly contacting related companies to bring in weapons, so he did not have any opportunity to compare products from other companies. Youngho was convinced to hold such an event after his conversation with Prime Minister Kasim.

In order to buy weapons publicly, he would have to visit different companies and their expositions, unless he was going to buy things through connections. If he had to that anyway, it was better to hold a military industry fair in Kazakhstan.

“Your Highness, do you know how expensive the exposition is?”

“Of course it will cost a lot. But it’s not like we’re going pay it all. We’ll retrieve some of the costs.”

“Of course, participating companies will pay their fees, so you’d make profits. And it will also have economic ripple effects because there will be many buyers coming to Kazakhstan to attend the event.”

“I’d like to hold it every year. What do you think?”

“If we can repeatedly use the convention facility, it’s not difficult to recover the cost of investment. But the problem is how many companies will be responding to our call.”

“We can discuss the matter of attracting companies. Isn’t finding the venue and building the convention center should be our priority? We will advertise it in each country while we’re working on the building.”

“I think Almaty is the best fit. Holding it in the largest city in Central Asia has a symbolic meaning to it, and since the city is well-known for tourism, there will be other ripple effects. By the way, is there any special reason that you want to hold it in Kazakhstan? I’m sure you’re not just holding it to buy weapons.”

“We’re protesting against Russia and China. We’ll let them know that Kazakhstan has developed a lot of weapons, enough to hold the arms industry exposition.”

“How many weapons do you have to show?”

“We’ll display as many weapons as possible even sloppy ones. If other countries want to buy them, we’ll say that it’s not possible because they’re strategic weapons.”

“Hahaha… You’re planning to display fake weapons. But who’s going to trust us if we don’t even demonstrate their performance?”

“My strategy is to be seen as secretive.”

Youngho told the press that he would hold an exhibition of the arms industry.

He was trying to see the reaction of other nations. Although it would take about two years to complete the convention center, spreading rumors in advance was intended to attract attention from defense industry companies in each country. Since Kazakhstan was where other industries were not developed well, they would be intrigued to hear that it was holding an arms industry exposition.

It was also an opportunity to meet well-known defense industry companies. If the exposition was to be held, many companies that were interested in it would contact Kazakhstan in advance. There were many things to organize and arrange before the facilities were ready. Two years seemed to be a long time, but many companies would visit Kazakhstan within that time frame. To think about meeting them, Youngho was rather relaxed. Then he started making a few phone calls.