Empire of the Ring

The Kazakh royal family’s visit to Washington was kept secret to the media.

The U.S. and Kazakhstan did not have to make it known that they had a secret relationship because it was a sensitive time.

Youngho felt so comfortable without the reporters following him around. He could easily attend individual invitations from influential politicians who controlled U.S. policies, and no matter where he went or whoever he met, there was no political burden.

Since he was not exposed to the media, he did not have to attend formal events either. Visiting National Cemetery and attending official dinners were usually routines for state visitors, but all of which were ignored. Instead, the consultations on practical affairs were arranged continuously, so he was constantly busy. He did not even have time to look around the capital city with Fatima, so he advised Fatima to look around the country separately. Since it was their first time to visit the U.S., Fatima and children excitedly toured around the city accompanied by an entourage.

“Why didn’t you go with them, Suh Min-seok?”

“Your Highness, I’ve already taken a backpacking tour of the United States before. And where would I go when I have to accompany you?”

“I’ll be alright, you can move with our government officials. I’m worried that they’re not good at English.”

Most of the government officials of Kazakhstan who followed Youngho this time did not speak English. In Kazakhstan, only Russian was required as a second language, not English.

However, now officials were forced to learn English because Kazakhstan was now making frequent contacts with Western countries.

“But I’m glad at least English has been a compulsory education in the royal territory.”

The schools in the Arirang royal territory had been teaching both English and Russian to students as basic languages on top of each people’s ethnic languages. Since the people of the Arirang state lived in Kazakhstan as immigrants, young generations would forget their own language, so learning their ethnic language was a way to respect their ethnic identity and culture.

In the administration office, various documents were set aside for each language. It was intended to have a sense of pride in their languages. One day, they would visit their motherland, but if they did not speak their own language, it would be funny.

Because of this, there had been many happenings among children. The children of the state mixed different languages to communicate, which made outside visitors perplexed often.

There was a time when Youngho could not understand Leon when he was talking since he used different languages that he learned from friends in Kindergarten.

Although it was a bit confusing, it was a good thing for the future of the children that they could speak a variety of languages.

So, from this year, every school in Kazakhstan would get assigned English teachers and English would be a required course for any graduate.

“I felt it while I was doing an interpreter’s job at the meeting yesterday, but our officials were also very good at negotiating. They engaged in intense negotiation, and they didn’t give an inch to U.S. officials.”

“I guess they’re following my direction well. I told them not to give in because the U.S. absolutely needs us.”

“The retiring fighters of the U.S. Air Force are still more powerful than Russian fighters if they’re rearranged. Isn’t it a little too much to ask for them for free?”

“They are already old fighters that the U.S. is trying to replace. It’s nasty of the U.S. if it tries to charge its ally for such fighters. So, our officials said that they’re not buying them, right?”

“That’s right. The U.S. officials were also frustrated by the stubbornness. They then offered lower level fighter jets that couldn’t be sold overseas, so our officials got up and left the table immediately.”

“Hahaha…”

“Your Highness, I don’t think you’re in a position to laugh. I’m afraid this will break the deal.”

“Who looked more urgent at the meeting yesterday, Suh Min-seok?”

“I thought it was American officials.”

“That’s what I’m saying. Even though it’s just an assembly plant, we can produce Gripen fighter jets in our royal territory. We can invest more to make more Gripen jets, so what’s all the worry?”

The F-22 Raptor, the latest U.S. fighter jet was known to be the world’s best.

It also had stealth functions and precision exploration capabilities, so it was not a waste to use such a title. However, its price was so high that the U.S. only had deployed187 jets in total. Instead, it was focusing on F-35 production, which was considered as a model below one step.

Youngho expressed his intention to buy the F-22 Raptor through Michael, but the U.S. government’s stance on it was so stern that the deal was yet to be reached. So, he had educated the Kazakh government officials in advance to put pressure on the U.S. officials.

He had decided to buy it unconditionally because he was compelled to do so when he heard that 12 stealth fighters shot down 108 enemy planes in an air warfare simulation. Fully armed stealth jet would cost nearly 200 million dollars per unit, but having about 20 in Kazakhstan would keep Russia and China at bay. If the officials could not convince the U.S. government, he planned to pressure the U.S. by any other means.

***

“If we reinforce our forces at Kyrgyz Air Force base, the F-22 Raptor battalion should be deployed. Or you can sell it to me.”

“You’re determined to drain me here.”

“I’m asking you because you’re the director of the U.S.”

“The politicians think that the Middle Eastern situation is more important that Kazakhstan’s situation. They think it’s in the interest of the United States to deploy the latest jets over there.”

“Are you being lobbied, too?”

“Why are you saying that?”

“I’m sure so, but the U.S. politicians are caught up with the Middle East that’s not so important at the moment and ignoring Central Asia. It doesn’t make sense. I’m sure someone’s trying to lobby the politicians.”

“To the U.S., the Middle East is a place that can’t be compromised.”

“That’s because the lobbyists are shaking American policy. Are you sure there is no lobbyist who wants to keep the Middle East safe?”

“Huh! Be careful with your words.”

“The fact that American politicians are being swayed by Jewish lobbyists is not an old idea. Why are you overreacting? It is already an open secret that Middle East policy is dominated by the U.S. politicians who are lobbied.”

“Regardless of that, it doesn’t look like it’ll be easy to sell stealth fighters.”

“All right. The U.S. government will be in trouble if I keep insisting. Instead, you’ll have to give me the retired airplanes for free.”

“I told you we’ll reinforce the strength of the U.S. Air Force in Kyrgyzstan. That’s enough to deter war.”

“If the U.S. is going to deploy a few fighters to save its face, it’s better not to have them all. That way, we’re not going to rely on the U.S. military power.”

“How much does Kazakhstan need to be armed? Wouldn’t it be better to spend the defense budget on economic development?”

“What if the U.S. decides to pull out all of a sudden? We’re not ready for anything.”

“Kazakhstan is as important as the Middle East. It’s never going to happen. We can sell the F-35 model as many as possible instead of F-22.”

“If we decided to buy F-35, would you give us retired fighters for free?”

“I’ll try to make that happen somehow.”

Having F-35 in Kazakhstan would secure the strongest air force in Eurasia. Youngho decided to step back since Michael was in trouble and it was something that Michael could not decide.

“Thank you. And I’ll empty the guesthouse. I don’t think there’s any more reason to put you in trouble.”

“Oh, this guy really came with a plan.”

Although it had not been five days yet, Youngho moved out of Blair House to a nearby hotel. It was a kind of demonstration.

He was upset that the U.S. was reluctant to promise any retired fighters even if he bought the latest jets. Since fighter jets were not produced only in the U.S., but they could be produced in the royal territory too, Youngho had pride.

Crucially, he felt bad because the U.S. government treated Youngho as if he was a great visitor, but the U.S. was still trying to sell stuff to Kazakhstan and make profits from it even though Kazakhstan was a country that directly dealt with China and Russia.

As the Kazakh royal family emptied Blair House, the U.S. government officials were flustered since there was no such case before.

“Your Highness, if you leave the guesthouse suddenly, you will have problems with your security or protocol.”

“I moved to the hotel for the U.S. government’s sake. Wouldn’t it be a problem if a less important visitor broke the rules and stayed for five days in the guesthouse?”

“That is not true at all, Your Highness.”

The face of the Assistant Secretary for European Affairs turned pale. It was the first time that a state guest left the guesthouse without prior consultation.

“If there was any inconvenience, please tell me. We’ll take immediate action.”

“What inconvenience would be there for a private visit? I’m afraid our busy assistant secretary will miss out on important issues. You can send a director or chief of staff instead of coming to us directly.”

“Kazakhstan is the head country of Central Asia. No matter how busy I am, I should definitely come to see the Kazakh royal family myself.”

“I came to America for a family trip. When the Queen gets back from New York, I’ll leave to Kazakhstan right away, so don’t worry about us too much.”

It was an official visit, but the Kazakh royal family’s visit to the U.S. was also very important to the U.S. But Youngho was saying that he would leave with any conclusion yet.

Assistant Secretary of State for European affairs felt that something was terribly going wrong.

Although Kazakhstan was in Central Asia, it was classified to be part of Europe as well, and it was in a very important geopolitical position as well. It was more important than Britain for the Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs.

He thought that if he let the Duke go like this, the U.S. could have a strained relationship with Kazakhstan.

“Your Highness, did anything happen? If there’s anything I can help, please feel free to tell me.”

“I don’t think there’s anything you can do to help me.”

“I know the importance of Kazakhstan better than anyone else… and it is also related to U.S. national interests.”