Empire of the Ring

“There was a protest from the Chinese government. They want us to figure out how to deal with the pollution from Central Asia being brought into China.”

“China and we’re blocked by the Tian Shan Mountains. That’s nonsense.”

“They say that the pollution is being carried in by the westerly wind.”

Youngho was dumbfounded when he was briefed by Prime Minister Kasim.

If that was the case, what would China say to Northeast Asian countries suffering from heavy metal fine dust mixed with yellow dust originating from China? Instead of appreciating Kazakhstan’s efforts to reduce pollution, China was trying to take advantage of the current situation.

“I think it’s a protest against the fact that we drove out the Chinese company before when other multinational companies were warned by us first.”

“Ha! China should be lucky that we didn’t sue them for the damage its oil-producing facilities caused. It’s annoying us because Kyrgyzstan became a federal state.”

The economy of Kyrgyzstan had been completely subjugated by China, but now it was taken away for good as it became a federal state of Kazakhstan. Of course, the Chinese government was not happy about it.

When Kyrgyzstan was incorporated into Kazakhstan, China began pressuring the Kyrgyz government by demanding to repay all of its loans at once, so Youngho warned China that Kazakhstan would lock up all the pipelines leading to China.

The reason for such a strong gesture was because it was ambiguous to call all of the money a loan. China’s investment in the construction of One Belt One Road was included in the money China was saying was a loan. As a result, China stopped pressuring Kyrgyzstan since oil supply was important.

However, now that Kazakhstan was troubled by lawsuits of multinational countries that caused pollution in the country, China began insisting that polluted wind was flying to China through the west wind.

“Tell them to come up with evidence and cite specific damage cases. Pollutants don’t only come from Kazakhstan but also from Europe and Russia.”

“Shouldn’t we just ignore it? China is making an unreasonable demand to see our reaction.”

“If we don’t respond, it’s like admitting it to them. In the meantime, the pollution emitted by Chinese businesses operating in Kazakhstan has also damaged us. Gather up our cases of damage. China’s self-made pollution is huge that it’s considered as the world’s chimney; we won’t let this go easily either.”

There were not many factories in Kazakhstan, and it was unreasonable to think China was polluted by winds blown from Kazakhstan. The polluted regions were only nearby where the factories were, so Youngho was confident that Kazakhstan could easily win against China’s almost unreasonable protests.

“China is acting this way because it is still looking down on us.”

“Hearing your words, I’m convinced that we can’t just leave it alone. We will actively deal with China.”

“Regardless of China’s protests, the eastern atmosphere is very bad because of the semi-deserted areas in the West and Central regions, so we have to take countermeasures. If we leave it as it is, the desert area will get wider and wider. Ask the cabinet members for advice on whether they have a good plan about this.”

Youngho had ordered the Minister of Environment to undertake a large-scale arbor project starting from next year, but turning such a vast area into grasslands or woods would take more than decades. It was questionable if securing water supply was possible in those regions.

No matter what, this should be stopped at any cost for Kazakhstan’s future.

His head was throbbing as he thought about it. It was because even a hundred years did not seem enough.

***

-Duke, Putin called to see you in Moscow to discuss the Volga-Baltic expansion. Can you make time?

Yaniv called in a voice full of excitement.

“I thought I’d take a break, but I guess it’s not the time. He must’ve decided to leave the management to the consortium.”

-It’d be strange if he refused when the Kazakh royal family is taking the lead.

“Is Putin going to take a step in the Volga-Baltic Waterway, too?”

-Of course, I mean why not? It’ll be easier to talk that way.

“I also wanted Putin to step in. You must join us too, Mr. Yaniv.”

-I’m good with the Volga-Don Canal. It’s not great for a former mafia to get involved in too many government projects.

“It’s a great opportunity that global companies participate. Don’t just give me the mafia title, but take this opportunity to bring Sergey to the front this time. I’ll support you.”

-It’s the limit of being a mafia. In that sense, Sergey is not free either. I shouldn’t have dragged him in. He would have been better off being a professor in a university or something.

“Why do you say that? No matter where you come from, you’re a businessman who supports the Kazakh royal family from behind. If Russia mistreats you, please come to Kazakhstan. I’ll give you a nobleman title.”

-I’m happy just to hear that. I’ll discuss it with Sergey, but it’s not an easy decision. Putin might start to hate me if I step in because his portion will be decreased when I do.

“Worry about that later and get involved first. Russia’s canal should be supported by Russia’s businessmen. If only foreign companies are involved, public opinion might become negative.”

The reason that Youngho was trying to get Yaniv involved was that he needed someone to calm Putin’s greed. There must be someone to clean up traffic in such a big business.

Even Putin, the most powerful ruler, would step back in front of a mafia because, in Russia, politicians and the mafia were inseparable. After all, there were even worse people than the mafia among the powerful people in Moscow. Compared to them, Yaniv was more like a gentleman. Of course, he had been nice to Youngho only.

-Putin was so happy that he didn’t know what to do. He said that the Duke scratched his itch spot right away.

“Oh, tell him to thank Russia’s ancestors. Thanks to the people who built the canal in difficulties. I’m also benefiting from the canal.”

-He seemed relieved to have you on his side. When the Kazakh government changed, he was a little nervous, but you’re a much better neighbor than he thought.

“I guess he was concerned by Kazakhstan.”

-Of course. The Commonwealth of Independent States was in a state of disintegration when the former Kazakh president disappeared, so he barely managed to sleep back then.

“So please warn him a little. Tell him that I’m someone who will take reckless actions when I get upset.”

-Hahaha… You can be reckless sometimes. You must be the only businessman who shot mafias in Vladivostok.

In the early days of the warehouse business in Vladivostok, Youngho had to protect the complex from native mafias or thieves with a gun.

Back then, he was fearless and trusted the power of the ring, but if someone told him to do the same, it would be hard to decide easily since he had so many things to protect now.

“I did it because you had my back.”

-Putin already knows the nature of the Duke of the Kazakh royal family. He said that you’re a difficult person to deal with because you’re fearless in front of Russia.

“Well, I’m only relying on you, Mr. Yaniv. How would Britain and the U.S. help us from afar when there’s an emergency?”

-Putin had been having a hard time after taking the Crimea. He won’t do any reckless thing for the time being.

“You mean he’s going to do it one day.”

-Would you stay still when you dream of becoming Tsar? But I don’t think he’s going toward Central Asia.

“If he’s not interested in Central Asia, he’s interested in the Baltic, and that’s a big deal. If things went wrong, there will be World War III.”

-Let’s hope he can be wiser than that.

Although Yaniv said that Putin would not be interested in Central Asia, Youngho did not believe it. It was because the Baltic was too dangerous to touch, as the world would try to stop Russia from taking over the region.

Central Asia was not at the center of the world’s attention, but it was so important geographically. Since it was not in the spotlight, Putin would try to prey upon it when the world was not paying attention. Russia would not easily give up Central Asia for its abundant resources and geographic advantage.

Russia was crying like a crocodile, but the tears of a crocodile should not be taken seriously. Russia was only crying because it could not digest the Crimean Peninsula now.

When a crocodile ate its prey, it shed tears because the nerves in its tear glands and the nerves in the mouth were connected. It was not because it was sorry for the prey.

“Well, I hope he really doesn’t care for Central Asia. By the way, when does he want to meet?”

-Can you come to Moscow later this week?

“Can I meet him officially now?”

-It’s open to the public now, so you won’t have to keep a low profile. He must be anxious to show off to Russian people. He wants to sign a memorandum of understanding as soon as possible.

“The sooner the better. I’ll see you in Moscow in three days.”

-Great. I like how easy going you are. I’ll bring Sergey with me.

“Are you going to put him at the front this time?”

-Didn’t you say you’re going to back us up?

“Of course, if it’s Sergey, he’ll be a great partner.”

-I don’t have many funds now. Can you lend us money this time? I heard your wife’s family is very rich.

“I’ll lend you as much as I can if Sergey is in charge.”

It would be a lie if the godfather of the Southern mafia was out of funds. Yaniv was trying to keep each other tied up.

Youngho had just made sure that Sergey’s connections surpassed that of Yaniv. He would be a good ally as Yaniv was to Youngho.