Empire of the Ring

“Afghanistan’s civil war is spreading because of divisions within the political force. Civil war is killing about 10,000 civilians a year. The damage is particularly severe in the north, so people there need to be evacuated immediately.”

“Did you say that all of Afghan Kazakhs wanted to move here?”

“Yes, Your Highness. They seemed to be desperate to request for their migration.”

“Does the leader of the ethnic Kazakh in there know me?”

“Of course. They seemed to have a very good grasp of the situation here.”

“How is the leader’s character?”

“He looked like a scholar to me. And it’s my subjective judgment, but I felt like he was a moderate.”

“In what way?”

“He was a very serious man. His eyes were also very clear. The Kazakhs living in northern Afghanistan have a strong respect for him. I think he won’t hurt us.”

“How are they armed?”

“There was nothing remarkable, but their will to protect their villages was strong. They all know how to handle weapons, both men and women.”

The head of the intelligence agents deployed in Afghanistan had returned to the royal territory and was reporting to Youngho about the situation in Afghanistan.

The Afghan Kazakhs could not withstand the civil war anymore and requested for migration, so agents had been sent to find out what was going on in North Afghanistan.

“What do you think, Director Park? If we’re going to bring people from where the civil war is going on, we’re going to have to send troops. Would the Afghan government allow it?”

“It’s possible if we go through the U.S. government. If we say we’re going to send troops, the U.S. government will take the lead in helping us with anything.”

“Which would be more efficient, to approach from Uzbekistan or Tajikistan?”

“It’s better to approach from Tajikistan. It’s only a day’s ride from Kyrgyzstan. We will be able to evacuate all the Kazakh people within a month.”

“We’ll have to hurry to get them all before it gets cold. Call the Army Chief of Staff and tell him to prepare.”

“Is the Kazakh Army going to be mobilized this time?”

“No, I’m talking about the Kyrgyz Army. They’ve been idling around the Chinese border these days. Let’s make them work out at this opportunity.”

“Give Her Majesty’s directive. Then I’ll make an order right away. The Chief of Staff of the Kyrgyz Army would be excited.”

“I’m going to have to call Chief Michael after a long time.”

“Just ask for a lot of money for the troop dispatch.”

“They’re only staying there for a little while. How can I charge them for the Army’s stay?”

“What do you mean? While they’re there, they’ll have to work as a peacekeeper.”

“What? Why would we involve in another’s civil war?”

“That way, we’ll have a reason to keep our troops in Tajikistan. Are you going to throw that away?”

Tajikistan was a poor country and the Kazakh government had been providing some loans, grain, and daily necessities since the new government.

Tajikistan stretched over 3,000 meters above sea level, and its farmland was absolutely scarce due to 93 percent of its territory being mountainous.

Although the world did not pay attention to the country, it was where a lot of earth resources such as gold, silver, coal, and aluminum were and was a very important place in geopolitics. That was why the Kazakh government had been working on it.

On the east side, it was bordering China’s Xinjiang Uyghur and Afghanistan on the south, so Kazakhstan was helping it as a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

On one hand, it was also aimed at keeping a close eye on China who was eyeing Tajikistan as well.

“Are you trying to transfer the country into a federal state?”

“It’s a matter of choice for the people of Tajikistan, but it’s a very important strategic place. So why not? We have to take control of the Pamir Plateau to pressure China.”

“I’ll have to talk to Michael. He ordered us not to provoke China…”

“We don’t have to be wary of China because the Afghan civilians and the hard-line Islamic groups are looking over Tajikistan.”

***

Youngho immediately called Michael in the United States.

-Are you saying you’re going to send troops to Afghanistan?

“Yes, Chief. We plan to stay there only until the Kazakh people withdraw, so will it be possible?”

-Then we’ll have to cooperate. We will persuade the Afghan government, so if you want to send troops, make them work as a peacekeeping force in Afghanistan for a while. That’ll be a breather for our intelligence service. What do you think?

“We’ll also consider a long-term occupation on the Tajikistan border as long as the civilians are safely withdrawn from Afghanistan.”

An answer that Youngho wanted to hear came out of Michael’s lips.

Michael seemed to think that there was a good justification for stationing troops in Tajikistan.

-It’s not going to be so effective if you’re stationed only in the border area. I’d like you to have some presence in Afghanistan as well.

“That won’t be so difficult. We’ll actively review it.”

-Great! The Duke of Kazakhstan is finally saving my face.

“I’ve been indebted to you every time. I’m glad that I can pay you back.”

-Then I will consult with the government to fully cover the cost of stationing troops in Afghanistan.

The U.S. and Britain were the only countries to send peacekeeping troops to Afghanistan, and it had been getting out of their hands. Due to such a situation, Michael was happy to hear that Kazakhstan was going to deploy troops as well, so he was luring Youngho by saying that the U.S. would cover the expense.

The fatigue of U.S. forces there must be high. In Afghanistan, U.S. soldiers may be targets of attack, but there was no force to take hostile action against Kazakhstan.

So Michael’s suggestion was intended to promote the safety of U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan as well.

“Chief, even if our troops are deployed, we won’t be out of the North.”

-Let’s have that discussed later. I’ll visit the royal territory soon with good news.

“You’re always welcome here. First of all, could you make an arrangement to ensure the safe evacuation of the Kazakh people in Afghanistan? We are planning to send escort troops through Tajikistan. I’d like you to open up some borders there.”

-I’ll call the Afghan government in advance. Do you need anything else?

“Is there any way to stop the fighting between the rebels and the government for the time being? I’m afraid civilians will get hurt while they’re on the move.”

-We can’t guarantee that because the North is beyond our control. I’ll ask the Afghan government to cooperate, but it won’t be easy because the fighting forces are so furious.

“It’ll be helpful if the word could be spread out that the Kazakh Army is escorting overseas Kazakhs.”

***

While Youngho was still discussing with Park Jong-il at his office after he was done talking to Michael on the phone, Cho Chul-hwan stepped in to discuss the royal bodyguards as Youngho ordered to pick some to be deployed in Afghanistan as well before.

“Did you pick the royal bodyguards who will be stationed in Afghanistan?”

“Don’t tell me. All of them are fighting over about who gets to go. So I’ve formed three squadrons. We need to deploy one squadron in the area where the Kyrgyz Army is stationed as well. They’re so excited to think it’s an opportunity to build their hands-on experience.”

“Tell them not to underestimate Afghanistan. I’m sure they’ll get caught up in the fighting, so make sure to train them strictly before you send troops.”

“I think I’m going to go there too. What do you think?”

“What? You think it makes sense that the commander of the Royal Bodyguards is going to vacate his authority?”

“I need to learn how the situation is like there. I’m quite worried.”

Cho Chul-hwan and Park Jong-il tried to get out of the royal territory whenever they had a chance because they hated sitting at their desks as the head of each department.

It was the same with Youngho, but since it would be risky if the chief executive was exposed to danger, he was holding back as much as possible.

“Is your body getting itchy now?”

“I’m not suitable to be a head person.”

“Oh, you think someone is born to be that person? You two still want to be on active duty even though you’ll turn 40 soon. Know your age, dudes. And also, think about your family waiting at home.”

“I’m just going to take a breath of fresh air there and come back. I’m the captain of the Royal Bodyguards. I should know the local atmosphere where my underlings are deployed.”

“Then contact the Kyrgyz forces in advance and move with them. Don’t linger there but come right back.”

“I won’t stay long. I’m just going to check the route where the migrants will be using and return. I’m honestly worried that there are battles going on everywhere.”

Both the decision to send troops to the disputed area to escort the civilians and the reason for making an obvious movement was part of the strategy for national reconciliation. What would the majority of Kazakhs think of the royal family and the government if they were to take risks and pursue overseas Kazakhs in Afghanistan?

In line with changing the name of the nation, the national opinion would be unified, and trust in the royal family and the government would soar.

It was a risky operation but also necessary for national harmony and a golden opportunity to win the hearts of ordinary people.