Empire of the Ring

After working-level officials from the U.S. company, Cessna, visited the royal territory, Douglas, the company’s CEO visited. It was because the Kazakh royal family wanted to contract hundreds of propellers, which was a lot more than the company originally thought.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, the Duke of Kazakhstan. I should have visited you earlier. Please forgive me for coming to see you this late.”

“I thought I was a customer of your company, but I’m afraid I was not. I was thinking of contacting Honda in Japan because I wanted to make a decision quickly.”

“Your Highness, if you’re disappointed, please forgive us.”

Douglas’ humble behavior in front of Youngho was not because of Youngho’s position, it was because he was a rich customer. A multi-billion-dollar project was just around the corner. It was a business norm to be humble before a customer for even a snobbish U.S. company. In a world where jets were a general trend, it was a rare chance to sell hundreds of propeller-driven airplanes.

“Honda can’t even dare to compare with our company in terms of workmanship and technical know-hows. I’d like to make it up to you by building an assembly plant right away.”

“I feel like I’ve forced you too much.”

“It’s been decided. We just took some time because we needed to coordinate with the major shareholders with this decision.”

“So, does that mean we can have a technical partnership?”

“Of course, the craftsmanship of the propeller is now universal, so there’s nothing special about it. The key is how much more sophisticated parts you can make.”

“If so, is your company supplying all the special parts, and we’ll be only assembling them here?”

“No. We’ll open up all the transferrable technologies for the new assembly plant. However, our company has to supply special parts that are directly related to the safety of the airplane.”

“All right. Let’s talk more about that part in detail as we proceed with the plan.”

There was no reason to insist on using Kazakh products as Kazakhstan did not have the ability to supply parts. Besides, Youngho had other requests to ask while Douglas, the CEO of Cessna, was there.

“Your company is planning an assembly plant in China, too. I heard that any mass production model will be made in China, is that right?”

“Those are only plans, and they haven’t been materialized yet.”

“If Kazakhstan offers better conditions than China, are you willing to produce mass production here?”

“I just told you I’d build an assembly plant here.”

“That’ll only produce supplies for Kazakhstan. Do you know what the economic situation is like in China?”

“I’m afraid we’re planning a mass-production plant for Chinese rich people regardless of China’s economy.”

“Even if those rich people could soon lose their ability to buy a plane?”

“Are things looking that bad?”

Youngho had heard that the Chinese government had gone to great lengths to attract Cessna. The remote areas of the Chinese continent were hard to reach, so the government had also decided to use light aircraft than to drill roads. However, Cessna must have been planning to make an assembly plant in China to target China’s wealthiest people regardless of the Chinese government.

Youngho did not mean to take away China’s business, but if China jumped into the production of a light aircraft, there was a risk that the whole Central Asian market, as well as the Caucasus market, could be controlled by China. Any business that China got involved in moved the world market. For example, China, a latecomer to the drone industry, now controlled more than 90 percent of the global drone market. It was advantageous in many ways for Kazakhstan if Cessna’s factory plan in China was scrapped.

***

When Fatima heard that women of Kazakhstan were sold to China for prostitution under the pretext of marriage, she was pretty upset. Youngho proudly told her that the Kazakh government sent a letter of protest to China, but she scolded him for not doing more for the women. When he heard Fatima’s serious concern, he came to his senses.

He had been too careless about the Kazakh women’s business since they were not his family members or friends. It would have been different if his relatives were sold as prostitutes abroad. It seemed that a more stern and serious gesture should be made to resolve this issue.

So, he asked what Fatima would do.

“What would you do if you were me?”

“Is it true that Kazakhstan and China have established formal diplomatic relations?”

“Of course, we have exchanged ambassadors.”

“Call in the Chinese ambassador right away and tell him to find out the whereabouts of the missing Kazakh girls. And we should send our police officers to China to find them too.”

“I can grill the Chinese ambassador, but it’s not going to be easy to send our police in another country.”

“I heard diplomats have immunity.”

“So?”

“What’s wrong with finding the whereabouts of the daughters of Kazakhstan in China if you’re a diplomat?”

“You’re right. I didn’t think of that before, but it’s also not going to be so simple.”

“Don’t you have our government officials at our embassy in China. You can send more officials to the embassy if the number of people who can work there is not limited. The Chinese government won’t have authority over them.”

Youngho had a few words with Fatima, and he quickly got an answer.

If an employee at the embassy was looking for a missing person, the host country should cooperate. The reason ambassadors or consuls in other countries were placed was to do the work of the nation as a substitute, but there was also a duty to protect the lives and properties of their countrymen.

“I feel like I should’ve talked to you sooner. My chest is lightened.”

“Get rid of the old idea that women are just going to be simple. We are as smart as men.”

“Oh, Fatima, I knew you were as smart as me. That’s why I married you.”

***

“Your Highness, the Chinese government has informed us that it will conduct an all-out investigation of the missing women.”

Prime Minister Kasim was excited that the Chinese government was finally moving actively.

It seemed that China was forced to raise a white flag because of the Kazakh people’s protest against the Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan.

“Still, please send the international crime investigation unit of the Kazakh police to China and some military investigators as diplomats. We can’t just rely on China to keep our back.”

“Would it be late if we waited until the Chinese government shows tangible results?”

“We have to show a firm will. We need to let them know that the new government will take a serious stance in regards to the safety of its citizens.”

“It is never desirable to maintain tension with China over these issues. Why don’t you keep an eye on the situation for a while?”

“It doesn’t matter if it turns into a diplomatic issue. Our people will only trust the new government when we brought back the missing women from China.”

Youngho once watched a documentary on television. It was about the U.S. government spending a huge amount of money to find the remains of its soldiers killed during the Vietnamese War. Although the remains were just a few pieces of bones, the government showed the highest respect for the veterans.

The officer’s journey of bringing the remains of a dead soldier with the utmost sincerity was enough to touch every viewer’s heart. The country of different races and birth was unified as one in the name of the U.S. Even though the documentary probably was directed to look that way, the U.S. showing responsibility to its citizen to the end was enough to arouse loyalty to the country. Americans’ love for their country was not just created. As he saw that the U.S. took responsibility for the families of deceased veterans, it was quite impressive to Youngho. He wanted to create that environment in Kazakhstan as well.

“Your Highness is trying to save the innocent girls, and I’m just ashamed that we haven’t been paying more attention to them.”

“Well, you didn’t know what was going on. Now that we know it, the nation should show a sincere attitude. That way, Kazakhstan will stick together.”

Since many ethnic groups were gathered together in Kazakhstan, it was hard to find a proper view of the nation among people. They were just living in Kazakhstan because they were. It was changing since constitutional monarchy was adopted.

The Queen of immigrants now served for the poor, and the government dared to flush against China to find the whereabouts of the missing women. It was something unimaginable before the revolution. It became a moment of awareness that they were one nation.

“The sacrifice of countless soldiers to save one soldier might seem foolish, but it could bring a greater victory in the end. Our later generations will be the one to judge if pressuring the Chinese government to save some women was the right thing to do.”

“You don’t even have to go that far. The public poll is already proving that you’re right. People’s trust in your Highness and the new government is reaching the sky.”

“How did the poll come out?”

“Would you believe it if I tell you that their support for the royal family and the new government exceeded 90 percent?”

“Wow. That’s an unbelievable approval rating.”

“That’s a fair amount of approval rating. The amount of money the royal family has spent on Kazakhstan’s well-being is tremendous, and people are well aware of the fact that you did it for the people of Kazakhstan.”

The media and people did not tend to give power to the government in the early days of the new government, but if the figure was over 90 percent, it was due to the previous administration’s mismanagement, which was why the new administration looked like it’s doing well.

“Don’t be too conceited. Public opinion can change quickly.”

“I’m very encouraged by the result. The steady approval rate for the royal family meant that Kazakhstan had become one finally. People’s absolute trust and respect in the royal family shows that they’re proud of Kazakhstan.”

“That’s quite flattering to hear.”

“You deserve it. I also believe that I was lucky to have met you, Your Highness. Kazakhstan is blessed because of you.”

“Now you’re overdoing it.”

“Hahaha…”