Empire of the Ring

Youngho spread the rumor that Kazakhstan would hold arms industry exposition and waited to see the reaction of international opinion. It turned out that the reactions of each country were generally ignorant. It was ridiculous that Kazakhstan, which had no prominent defense industry, was holding a military fair. Despite the circumstances, the countries that had a connection to Youngho actively responded, regardless of Kazakhstan’s capabilities. Military companies in Sweden, the U.K., and Turkey said they would participate since they already agreed to provide arms and have technical ties with Kazakhstan.

The U.S. and South Korean defense companies also expressed their intention to participate. The U.S. was almost an ally because Youngho was a former US intelligence agent, and South Korea was excited as if it was being held in its country.

As some of the most prominent countries in the defense industry said that they would participate, it was setting a good foundation for Kazakhstan’s conference.

In order to preempt a good position in the exhibition hall, companies must diligently arrange their plans with the host country because where their stalls were set up mattered. They would also have to upgrade their existing weapons to participate in the fair. This was because the weapons presented at the fair became a barometer of each company’s technology and its country’s armed forces.

Korea contacted the Kazakh government to inform that not only all of its defense companies would participate in the fair but also the government would help Kazakhstan prepare the fair.

“Your Highness, the Korean government has informed us that it will send a working group for the fair.”

The Korean government must be trying to impress Youngho knowing that he had been intentionally distancing himself from the South Korean government. The Korean government’s active involvement changed Youngho’s mind. There was no reason to refuse the voluntary help of the Korean government since Korea had more experience in holding international fairs.

“I know Korea has a different view of us, but I’m a little hesitant to take its offer.”

“There will be no harm to take advantage of Korea’s special perspective on us. It’s your home country anyway. No one’s going to think it’s weird.”

“Listening to your words gives me a little relief, Prime Minister.”

Youngho did not want to be seen as favoring Korea since Kazakhstan was a multi-ethnic country because that could hinder national reconciliation.

“South Korea and Kazakhstan have been engaged in economic cooperation for a long time. It’s not a country that has been highlighted by your existence. Also, because the Asians are the same as us, people see it as a friendly country as well.”

“I know that, but the royal family must stay as neutral as possible in terms of ethnicity.”

“The people boast that your home country is the economic powerhouse of Northeast Asia. Also, they are rather enjoying Korea’s interest in Kazakhstan now.”

“If it is helpful to our people, we’ll keep our cultural exchange with Korea, but I’m afraid Korea’s dark cultures will also flow to our country at the same time.”

“That’s been a problem in any multi-ethnic country. We should discuss it with the Congress and set strict standards.”

“Terrible night culture of Korea is already thriving in Almaty. I’m afraid that businesses like that which kills beautiful and fine customs of Kazakhstan will negatively influence our people’s view of Korea. Such business owners are the ones who abuse the blind spots of related rules even in Korea.”

“We’ll be extra cautious so that what you’re concerned about won’t happen in Kazakhstan.”

Korea’s nightlife business owners had settled in Almaty a while ago. The Korean song room culture had turned into an illegal prostitution business here, which became a huge social issue. The song rooms that had been luxuriously built were having a blast at the moment. Although they were legally licensed businesses, Youngho was going to stop them forcibly. He was determined not to let Korea’s bad night culture take root in Kazakhstan.

***

“Your Highness, China’s envoy wants to see you.”

“What does that mean? There are the Prime Minister and Cabinet members. Doesn’t it seem to be ignoring our government?”

“It doesn’t seem like that. I think he wants to deliver a personal letter from the Chinese president.”

“If it’s a personal letter, it’s even more suspicious. It’s funny that the envoy is going to ignore the government and deal with the royal family primarily.”

“I think the Chinese government has in mind the fact that the royal family will be maintained even if the government changes one day.”

“Well, we can’t ignore the envoy that brought a personal letter. I will meet him, but our government should protest strongly against the Chinese government’s disregard for our government.”

Youngho was upset about China’s behavior. It had been ignoring the current government after the revolution, and now it reluctantly sent an envoy because it had trouble with Kazakhstan for the border area issue.

“We already have, but I don’t think the Chinese government cares about it too much.”

“That’s very disrespectful of China. Then why don’t we disregard the envoy too?”

“But he’s the special envoy of the Chinese president. Also, China may have ignored our government, but it’s not such a big disrespect. The constitution states that the monarch represents the country.”

“The monarch’s presence is nothing but symbolic. I don’t understand why the Chinese President wants to talk to us personally.”

The Chinese envoy brought a lot of presents.

Youngho was not surprised because he was familiar with Chinese gifting culture. He brought truck-full valuable items such as high-quality chinaware and decors made out of jade. He had never received such many gifts in his life. The special envoy’s attitude toward Youngho was also quite respectful.

“Thanks for coming all the way. I hope you didn’t have any problem during your trip.”

“It is the honor of the house to meet the renowned Highness.”

“I haven’t been able to pay respect to neighboring countries after the new government and royal family was established in Kazakhstan. I hope the Chinese government understands us with a generous heart since we still make a lot of mistakes and have room to grow.”

“Thank you for welcoming me like this. To celebrate the launch of the new royal family, I brought small presents.”

“If you bring so many gifts, what should I give you in return?”

“Although the administration has changed, we’d like to maintain a strong relationship with Kazakhstan as before. That will be your gift in return.”

“Of course, we should maintain a friendly relationship. Aren’t we neighbors after all?”

“There’s been some unpleasantness at the border, but it’s just a small happening that frequently occurs in countries that share a border. Our government wants to have a friendly relationship no matter what.”

It seemed that the Chinese government wanted to pretend that the border issue did not happen at all.

***

There was not much written in the personal letter.

Chinese President wanted to maintain good-neighborly relations between the new royal family and the Chinese government in the future and keep various contracts based on the agreement with the former administration. It was a natural request from China’s perspective.

Youngho had to take action as the royal family since China had sent a special envoy, but he did not know what to do. He decided to listen to various opinions, so he called for a meeting with the Cabinet.

“There’s not much written in the letter. Rather, the special envoy’s remarks regarding the border issue as a “happening” should be taken more seriously.”

“It’s ridiculous that the Chinese government sees it as a happening. We took action as a sovereign state. How can this be a happening?”

“Let’s just not make an issue out of it since China is not making a problem out of it. We are here today to decide whether to return the envoy’s visit or just ignore it.”

“A special envoy is just a special envoy. We don’t have to respond.”

“What do you mean? A response is needed so that China doesn’t think that we’ve ignored it. Do you think China sent a special envoy for nothing? They’re building their cause.”

“Why is China building a cause?”

“China is the country that prides itself on being a great nation. Sending a special envoy means that China has bent its pride for once. Since China had reached out to us first, we should also respond to its gesture positively. Aren’t we going to get involved in the Silk Road project too?”

“The envoy is not to be related to the Silk Road project. The envoy was sent because of the border issue. That’s why we should just ignore it.”

“That can be a justification for China. If there is a rumor that a huge project involving many countries around the world is hindered because of us, we could be isolated internationally.”

“Oh, they can isolate us. All the countries that joined the project are weak. We are self-sufficient having our allies in Europe, America, and East Asia.”

“But it’s a neighboring country. We have no strength to win against China. It’s a tactic to maintain a proper relationship with it.”

Although there were various opinions, the main argument was not to be swayed by China.

It was not that Kazakhstan should not participate in the One Belt One Road project since Kazakhstan would benefit from participating in the project too. Thus, the Cabinet all agreed to send a special envoy to China in return for its special envoy’s visit. It was because China had a reason to have sent a special envoy. There was no reason to be hostile against China when it wanted to maintain an amicable relationship.

If One Belt One Road project was completed, Kazakhstan would be in the passing route of the road and railroad. The railroad and the road through Southern Kazakhstan were already underway, and construction materials were already delivered. There was no going back now.

The problem was that Kazakhstan was only lending its land and China was in charge of the construction. The investment should be discussed now in order for Kazakhstan to make revenues out of shipping and transport charges in the future.

“I’ve heard the opinions of the Prime Minister and the various ministers. The contracts made between countries are a bit unreasonable, but they cannot be broken at the moment. Instead, we’ll ask for changes in some of the clauses.”

“Your Highness, what do you mean by some of them?”

“We should pay the cost of the road and railroad construction. That way, we’ll be able to have a say in the project and make profits later.”

“How can we cover all the construction costs when the national budget is so tight?”

“The royal family will pay for it.”

“Your Highness, do you intend to completely empty the royal wealth? The royal family has paid an astronomical amount of military equipment costs so far.”

“Can the royal family lend funds to the government? In a few years, the government’s finance will be making a surplus.”

“I don’t know what to say. It’s just a shame that the royal family is paying for so many things for the country.”

“I was a businessman before I was the Duke of Kazakhstan. I don’t do any loss-making business. Let’s get involved in the Silk Road business with the royal funds.”