Empire of the Ring

Chapter 602: New Silk Road (2)

A celebration banquet for the completion of the railway was held at Baku’s presidential palace.

Iran and Georgia, two interested parties, were unable to attend this time due to domestic circumstances. Domestic circumstances were only an excuse for them. The real reason behind was that the railway construction costs were mostly paid by Azerbaijan and the Kazakh royal family, it was like other people’s party for them.

President Aliyev, who kept his satisfied smile throughout the banquet, flattered Youngho by openly saying that Zeynep Wine was the official banquet drink.

“Long time ago, Duke had brought me the wine from the first produced batch as a gift. I thought it was just one of the common wines, but now it became a global brand and promoted Baku to the world as well.”

“Thanks to you, Mr. President, because of you we are now in the ranks of premium wines. Please continue to love our products.”

“Of course. It’s one of the few specialties that shines our country. Our people are also very proud that the Kazakh royal wine is being produced in Baku.”

It was not just a made-up story since Zeynep Wine actually boasted of its great quality.

The Caucasus Mountains were the first place to make wine, which prompted curiosity among European wine lovers. It was also famous for its unique taste and aroma, as it was cultivated without spraying pesticides and naturally matured deep in caves which maintained a constant temperature and humidity.

Zeynep Farm was also equipped with an oak-cask manufacturing factory. As oak barrels were changed frequently, the wine gave much more luxurious taste than wine from other vineyards.

“Your Excellency, will it be wine alone? Any business in Baku that went through the hands of the Duke ended up being successful.”

“I’m sure Minister Sevan is right. Baku is a blessed place.”

Sevan, who was listening to the conversation, interrupted.

Sevan, the Chief of the Main Police Department, had now been promoted to the Minister of Home Affairs in Azerbaijan.

Although he may have excellent work skills, his friendship with Youngho had a lot of influence on his promotion.

“I’m flushing because of your compliments. My business success is all because of Your Excellency and the Minister’s help in various ways. That’s why I’m still keeping my status of the honorary Baku citizen.”

“The Kazakh royal families are actually citizens of Azerbaijan. If you’re here at the time of the election, you can exercise your voting rights.”

Sevan even encouraged Youngho to come to the vote.

This meant that the Kazakh royal family and Azerbaijan were inseparable.

“Hahaha… How dare would I think to vote? The fact that Baku is home to all members of the royal family is important enough. You know how just hearing about your hometown makes you excited.”

“Yes, this is the home of the Kazakh royal family. In particular, the Crown Prince was born here and is a resident here forever. Wouldn’t that be why the Kazakh Royal Navy is protecting our coast?”

Even the president stepped up to stress Azerbaijan’s close ties with the Kazakh royal family, calling Baku Leon’s home. He was happy that the Royal Navy was protecting the waters off Baku.

The Caspian Sea had been dominated by the Russian Navy, but it slipped back when the Kazakh Royal Navy deployed about 50 warships, including large and small missiles and patrol ships. Russia’s economic difficulties had made it difficult for its navy to keep its force in the Caspian Sea.

“Do you have any plans to build up your naval capabilities?”

“Your naval forces alone fully guarantee the safety of the Caspian Sea. I won’t be able to help it if you give up off the coast of Baku.”

“I’ll be sorry to give up on the shore of my hometown. In order to protect the logistics to and from Baku, the Royal Navy should act as police in the Caspian Sea.”

“That’s why we focus on fostering economic power rather than defense since we trust the Royal Navy.”

President Aliyev’s trust for the Kazakh Royal Navy was a high strategy.

As he thought of protecting the sea was overwhelming, he fully entrusted it to the royal family. This was only possible because he had faith in the Kazakh royal family that it would never betray Azerbaijan.

“It’s hard to deal with other powers alone. It would be less burdensome for us if Azerbaijan put a little effort into its national defense. If we can add our forces together, we can have enough deterrence, Your Excellency. If you would consider that, we’d like to supply high-tech fighter jets and armored vehicles.”

Youngho was not going to demand a share of defense costs, but if Azerbaijan provided a certain amount of force, it would give some leeway to the Kazakh Navy.

“Do you mean it? Would you hand over high-tech weapons produced in your home country?”

“It’s about sharing the burden, so supplying high-tech weapons is not a problem. We’d only be able to take a sigh of relief if Baku, the logistics hub, is safe.”

“We welcome it, then. We’ll deal with the details at the summit meeting tomorrow.”

***

It would have been impossible to set up a bridgehead to advance to the Persian Gulf this time without Iran’s cooperation.

The reason Iran, called the heresy of the Arab world, had joined Youngho for the railroad project because it was so thirsty for economic development. Iran, which had been in hostile relationships with its neighbors, needed a breakthrough to break away from international isolation.

The reason for Iranian government officials not being able to attend the completion ceremony was that it paid fewer construction fees, but it was also because it was uncomfortable to bring their faces to the international community.

As the development of nuclear weapons, which had been pursued to gain hegemony in the Middle East, began to take a full swing, the international community was at odds with Iran to prevent it, making it isolated.

That was why it had to suffer from long-term economic sanctions. With its great oil exports, it once seemed to enjoy the old Persian Empire’s glory, but now it had just turned into an indifferent country.

Iran’s oil reserves were the world’s third-largest, amounting about 138.4 billion barrels, and its one-day output was 3.97 million barrels, the fourth-largest in the world. This was such a huge output that it ranked second in output within the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

However, most crude oils were exported only through the sea, so if the sea road was blocked, the export route would disappear.

Youngho had been eyeing such a structural problem and was planning to lure Iran into the Caucasian belt.

If the oil delivery line was connected only to Baku, there was a way to export crude oil to Europe without having to go through the sea.

This was because the BTC pipeline from Baku to Turkey was already connected.

Kazakhstan also carried crude oil to Baku by an oil tanker, but it planned to build an undersea pipeline soon, so it was not far away from exporting crude oil or gas to Europe without going through Russia.

With this in mind, the railway connection with Iran was just a small starting point.

Iran, with its pride, had once reigned over the world as a Persian Empire and had endured international economic sanctions, but now it was anxiously awaiting someone’s hand as the government could not stop the people’s democratic fervor.

However, as China was digging into that gap, Youngho was quick to step up.

It was his idea of a new Silk Road.

The next day, Youngho did not attend the bilateral summit at the presidential palace.

Representing the Government of Kazakhstan was Prime Minister Kasim’s party, not the Queen or the Duke. Instead, he decided to deal with the delicate issue that he could not address at the summit with President Aliyev in an exclusive meeting later.

Aliyev’s father also served as a president, so his son became a president with overwhelmingly support. He was running a state-run oil company when his father was a president and was appointed as the prime minister. Later, he was elected president in 2003 and still in power.

Although his long-term rule was undemocratic, he was a figure who was still receiving great public support through fair income distribution policies, solving poverty problems, and increasing social welfare.

In a large reception room at the fancy Presidential Palace, only the two men, Youngho and Aliyev, were left.

“I admire your bravery, Mr. President.”

“There’s a lot of oil in Iran, and I can’t miss it.”

“I’m sure the Iranian government will appreciate your decision.”

“The question is whether we can afford to build a pipeline.

“Since the pipeline route to Baku is relatively short, why don’t you and I pay for the construction and take care of it with crude oil instead of money?”

This would not be a bad deal for Iran.

There was no reason to oppose the opportunity to sell overflowing crude oil and gas by land.

The cost of the pipeline and its interest would be paid with oil and gas, and Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan could make future transportation fee revenues as well.

“Duke, I only have one concern. Won’t we have to make a Western oil company join us to be safe? I’m afraid Iran wouldn’t want to agree with your plan.”

“You don’t have to worry about that. I’ll tell you why.”

Youngho explained in detail his involvement in the recent territorial dispute between the United Arab Emirates and Iran and the process of developing the port of Chabahar, which was linked to the Gulf of Oman. He also did not forget to say that he dreamed of an oceanic navy.

“No way, you’ve been planning all this all along? Then it would be rather strange for Iran to reject your offer.”

“I luckily happen to have the opportunity to reconcile the two parties.”

“It’s not luck, it’s your excellent bargaining power. And Iran must have been in such a hurry if the port was opened as a military port.”

“Well, I just added a hand to what the Indian government does. Since the Arabian Sea is a dangerous place, we decided it’s better to have our forces stationed in the Persian Gulf. It will be a middle place where products of Central Asia and Caucasia will pass in order to reach the world.”

“I am most grateful to you for taking care of Azerbaijan as well.”

“Oh, that’s nothing. Don’t you think the powerless countries should unite?”