Empire of the Ring

The economic reforms proposed by Youngho were implemented immediately.

There was no reason to hesitate because it was intended to make economic development.

As the United States and China were snarling as if they were about to start a trade war, Kazakhstan needed to act fast.

When the giants of the world economy were frozen in a trade war, there would be disruption in exports of raw materials. Who would buy raw materials when goods exports were sluggish and the economy was shrinking?

In this case, Kazakhstan must take preemptive action by actively engaging in commerce with other countries.

Just as it happened, the railway line to the Persian Gulf and the line connecting Georgia to the Black Sea were completed, and a ceremony was being held in Baku.

The construction of the section leading to the Persian Gulf was completed because Azerbaijan and Iran went all out. Iran, which had been suffering from economic difficulties due to economic sanctions, had also actively sought to avoid losing its chance.

The use of existing routes was another factor that allowed the construction time to be shortened.

There were not many logistics to the Persian Gulf at the moment, but informing that a new trade route connecting Central Asia and the neighboring countries of Caucasus was most necessary to let the world know that a new possibility was open in the age of uncertainty.

If making a foray into the Persian Gulf was a strategic point of view, the Georgia route was a guarantee of stable logistics.

Up until now, Russia’s Volga-Don Canal was the only way to go to the Black Sea, but as another route was open, Russia would not be allowed to fool around taking advantage of the canal’s existence.

At Baku Station, President Aliyev and other ministers of Azerbaijan, the king, and his wife, and numerous citizens were present to celebrate the opening ceremony.

Many of the residents had come to see the Kazakh royal family.

President Aliyev had a big smile on his face as he was very happy to see such a big crowd.

“Your Grace, this opening ceremony will be remembered in history. Who would’ve dared to complete this epic?”

“Everything was possible because of your determination, Mr. President. Now Baku will be the logistics hub of the Caucasus and Central Asia. Congratulations on the completion of the railway.”

“What do you mean? It was all possible because you were in the lead, Your Grace.”

“I am more proud than ever that we are brotherly countries. Would there have been a day like this if you hadn’t pushed it?”

Sitting on the stage, Youngho and the President were busy flattering each other.

There was no such thing as ‘too much use of rhetoric’ on a day like this.

“I’m most pleased to see how the opening of the railway brings the two countries closer. But I’m afraid that Russia is going to try to get a free ride…”

“Russia won’t be the same as before. Wouldn’t it have to comply with us if it wanted to make it to the Persian Gulf? We’ve got a weapon to deal with Russia.”

“I’m more than happy that we’ve got a great ally, Kazakhstan, against Russia.”

Azerbaijan also seemed to maintain a secret relationship with Russia, but the problem was that the majority of its people disliked Russia. Since Youngho used to live in Baku, he knew all about it very well.

“If Russia continues to stick to its southward policy, we will have to face it. But if it is just trying to secure a trade route, it will be most desirable for our coexistence.”

“It is dreaming of its past glory. I’m not sure if it will stay quiet.”

“It can’t act easily since it needs our help. And aren’t we a free democracy? The West is holding behind us, so it will have to be careful.”

At the mention of democracy, Aliyev went silent.

Azerbaijan was a democratic country, but dictatorship had been going on for generations. It was awkward for him to call it a democratic country.

In any case, free and democratic countries that kept a close relationship with Russia were only a few, including Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. It would be foolish of Russia to turn back against the two countries.

If Putin dreamed of Tsar, he would never achieve his dream by just trying to absorb neighboring countries. Only when Russia showed its effort to co-exist with neighboring countries, it would be able to regain a part of its past glory.

***

“I don’t think these people are here to celebrate the completion of the railway but to see Your Highness and Her Majesty.”

“Oh, Prime Minister’s popularity was no less than ours. I guess the Caucasian countries indeed like people who used to be soldiers.”

“What’s the charm of an old soldier?”

“Well, your power played a huge role in developing Kazakhstan. You convey the image of an honest and trustworthy soldier. It’s a great blessing to have someone like you in Kazakhstan.”

“What are you saying? I’ve done nothing. I only walked on the carpet you laid. It’s Kazakhstan’s blessing to have met someone like you, Your Grace.”

The two were complimenting each other excessively, but such praise was not too much today because the enthusiastic response of Baku’s citizens was proving that.

The crowd of Baku was more enthusiastic about the Kazakh royal family than President Aliyev.

It seemed the people of Azerbaijan thought of the royal family as their own. It was natural as they thought the roots of the royal family were Baku. It was safe to think so, as the royal villa was still located in the northwestern part of Baku, and Zeynep Farm and Serbian ranch were still alive and well.

“I hope Mr. Aliev doesn’t misunderstand this.”

“I sure hope he doesn’t. You have made his regime more stable. Your quick investment has turned Baku into a logistics hub resulting in increased public support. He should be grateful.”

“It won’t hurt to be careful, though. It is not desirable for the people of Azerbaijan to look up to our royal family too much. Besides, I have no desire to take over Azerbaijan.”

“It’s natural to lean toward power when you’re tied up with an economic belt. You don’t have to feel too much pressure if you’re not going to take over Azerbaijan.”

Youngho felt burdened because Fatima and Zeynep were especially in love with Baku.

After leaving Istanbul’s difficult life, they found stability in mind as living like a human being in Baku. Thus, Baku was a place full of affection for them.

Although they were now based in Kazakhstan, they frequently said that they missed life in Baku. If Baku were to suffer unhappiness, they would not sit still.

“It’s a big burden for me that the Queen, even Princess Jelyan are too much in love with Baku.”

“How can I not understand the feelings of the Queen and princesses? It’s their home. I’m sure they want Baku to stay successful and safe.”

“So I wish Azerbaijan would be more successful. We need to empower the Azerbaijani government if necessary, but I’m afraid people will say that I protect dictatorship.”

“How can the people don’t know your generosity over Kazakhstan? I don’t think it should be your concern. We are trying to deal with the threat of the great powers together and co-exist for the future, not for a specific regime. And it’s also encouraging to see the progress of democratization. In that sense, the people of Baku will have to thank the Kazakh royal family.”

It would be best if everyone thought so, but the problem was that President Aliyev’s regime thought that it had the royal family on its back.

Now was not the time to be considering such things. Since the new Silk Road was now wide open, the key was how to use this line.

“Your Grace, wouldn’t there be a trouble to use the railroad right now, even though Russia didn’t block the canal?”

“Right. Although the railroad is completed, it doesn’t mean that the shipping route to Georgia or the Persian Gulf will not change right away. It’s an emergency exit. It will be the most efficient to use the sea route through the Russian canal for large amounts of logistics anyway.”

“In order to recover our investment, the railroad would have to become popular…”

“There will be enough logistics to recover our investment, so don’t worry. The volume of logistics in the Caucasus is also very heavy.”

“But shouldn’t there be a lot of supplies going to the Persian Gulf?”

“Even if the operating profits from the Persian Gulf route are small, there will be a profit because we can sell our resources to the Middle East or Southeast Asia.”

“Oh! That’s what it’s going to be. Finally, there’s a way to export it directly, not through intermediary trade agencies.”

“Of course. Our shipping company will move our resources directly now. But there is something more important than that. The Royal Navy will be stationed in ports in the United Arab Emirates and Iran.”

For any ship, it would quite a great deal if it could confidently travel to India and Southeast Asia under the protection of the Royal Navy.

Although their waters were not too dangerous, it would be most effective if countries or shipping companies could mobilize warships directly without borrowing the strength of other countries’ navies when danger occured.

The most dangerous place was around the Gulf of Aden, where the navies of each country were constantly guarding it, but they were still under constant attack from pirates.

However, as pirates were also along the coast of West Africa, it was difficult to expect effective security as warships from each country were dispatched scatteringly.

It had been revealed that there was a limit to the task of the naval forces of each country dispatched to the far waters.

It was nonsense to send one or two warships to guard the vast waters.

However, the Royal Navy would block such problems from the source as it would be stationed in both the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea as its base ports would be right there.

“Your Grace, I can’t stop admiring your foresight.”

“I’m happy to hear that from you, Mr. Prime Minister. Even I think it was a very good decision.”

“Hahaha…”

Listening to Prime Minister Kasim’s pleasant laugh flattered him.

“Wait and see. You’ll see that it was a great decision to deploy the Navy. The Arabian Sea will soon become the most competitive place.”

“So that’s why you put an astronomical amount of money into the naval power.”

“It’s just the beginning. From now on, we need to put in more money than we’ve ever put in before to take the lead.”

“Do you plan to take outside security jobs?”

“I won’t hesitate if other countries ask for help. The United States is a big police force in the world but it will still have to pay to be guarded by us.”

If any country requested coast guarding as a member of the United Nations, Kazakhstan Navy should have to deal with it, but if the individual request was made, the Navy would ask for a charge. After all, nothing came free in the world.