Empire of the Ring

Sometimes it was better to choose to become an ally instead of choosing neutrality.

It was easy to be targeted by two opposing sides if one stayed neutral but an ally could protect him. It was a statement from Machiavelli's 'The Prince.'

If one wanted to stay neutral, it would have to become an unchallengeable force.

Switzerland was this case. The country was located in the central part of Europe. It could stand alone as a country because it armed the whole nation and maintained its neutral policy against other countries that coveted its beautiful natural environment.

Other countries could not dare to invade Switzerland because of the people of Switzerland, who armed themselves to protect their country, and its natural environment acted as a natural bunker. There were no leaders who would want to waste their time on taking over a small country over other bigger regions.

As for the Arirang Autonomous State, it was like it had allied with Kazakhstan. Since the autonomous state depended on Kazakhstan's state of success and failure, Kazakhstan's peace was the autonomous state's peace.

That was why Youngho was trying hard to attract foreign investments to the country. Although he was asked to become an agency for American corporations, Youngho had doubts. There was no guarantee that those corporations would build decent factories in the country. Even if he successfully attracted American corporations, he would get criticized if they made poorly-built and poorly equipped factories in Kazakhstan.

Youngho was going to take his followers around and train them for this job.

Once he met with representatives from American corporations, they would support him and see if he had missed anything. Seeing how business in action was done would be a great experience for Suh Min-seok and Kim In-hwa.

Ever since they met Smith, they began looking at Youngho as if he was someone who came from another star. They did not understand why U.S. diplomats in Georgia and Kazakhstan treat Youngho so respectfully.

"Excuse me, Mr. CEO. If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you something."

Suh Min-seok finally opened his mouth but knowing what he was going to ask, Youngho quickly drew the line.

"Whatever that is, it'll be rude, so don't say it."

Then, Kim In-hwa interrupted.

"But, how are we going to introduce you to other people when we don't have information about you?"

"You two don't know things about me? I'm sure you do. I have a few shop-store businesses, and I'm a husband of an Archduchess. You know it all."

"We don' get why U.S. diplomats are so polite to you."

It was understandable since there was no reason for U.S. diplomats to act respectfully to a mere businessman.

"Oh, they just want to take advantage of my connection to the president."

"It didn't seem like they were trying to lobby you though…"

Youngho ignored the confused couple. He would be able to tell them the truth in the future once he could already trust them.

Leaving Jong-il and other intelligence agents in Almaty, Youngho and the follower couple left to Astana with Smith.

Now that American corporations had decided to make investments in Kazakhstan, what Youngho had to do first was to tell the news to the president. He did not know exactly what business category those American corporations would want to be involved in, but Youngho wanted to hear the president's opinion first.

It would be a good thing for Kazakhstan to receive foreign investments, but Youngho did not want Kazakhstan to sign a disadvantageous deal with them. He wanted to make sure that the Kazakh government was benefited by the new business partners from America.

***

"We've got plenty of mineral resources here. If they want the resources in exchange for their business here, there's no reason for us to refuse them."

The president welcomed the news that American corporations were interested in Kazakhstan.

"I'm going to meet our American friends in Frankfurt during this weekend. I'll try to avoid any business that would cause pollution in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan had already suffered greatly from heavy pollution because of the factories and nuclear experiment facilities built by the Soviet Union in the past."

"I'll establish an environmental office this time. Do you want to be in charge of that?"

The president was so excited to hear about foreign investments that he even made a joke to Youngho.

"Sir. I'm pretty sure that they'll want to build a factory in a declining industry. I'm introducing these corporations to the country, but I don't want to see Kazakhstan's natural environment getting contaminated anymore."

Youngho was speaking his heart.

The reason why 60 percent of Kazakhstan's territory turned into a desert was due to the Soviet Union's expansion of food production policy in the past. Moreover, the level of pollution in the earth and air in Kazakhstan's big cities was at the worst.

"You've almost become a native Kazakh now. What an impressive patriotic you are!"

"Mr. President. My friends and I settled down here. Of course, we should be loyal to Kazakhstan."

"I know what you're concerned about, but Kazakhstan doesn't have many infrastructures. We even have to rely on imported goods for our daily necessities. Our light industry lags behind other countries by far. I don't care what business it is. I'm not at a position to decline any businesses."

"…"

Since the president was speaking the truth, Youngho could not say anything back.

"But if we are able to establish factories, I'll ask the corporations to find a way to reduce pollution as much as possible. That's all we can ask for now."

Youngho felt sorry that the president could not ask much from foreign investors.

"They'd want mineral resources in exchange for building factories, and I'm willing to give that to them. We won't be able to use them all with our little population that is not even 20 million. If necessary, let them take it."

"But it'll be necessary to limit the period of collecting mineral resources."

"The gap between the rich and the poor is too big and the unemployment rate is too high in Kazakhstan. I can't hesitate because our people need jobs right now. Bring anybody who wants to build factories in our land."

The president touched his head as if he was getting tired. His secretary who had been standing next to him for the meantime quickly gave him an ice pack.

"Mr. President. Are you feeling alright?"

"I just got a headache when I'm stressed. I'll feel better soon. No need to worry about me."

The president looked terrible. It got Youngho worried. The president was the one who had to stay in power as long as possible to keep the autonomous state's status.

"We've got several acknowledged doctors in the autonomous state. I'll call them to come tomorrow. You should let them check your body."

The president had his own doctor, but his doctor must not be as great as doctor Kim Dong-sung, who was an elite doctor from Korea.

"Forget it. I know my body."

"I'm worried about your health sir, but you also have to stay healthy for me. I need your support as long as possible. Please let me help you see a doctor."

Youngho tried hard to convince him since his health would play a critical role in the autonomous state's existence. He was also worried about the old president's health.

The president, who was still holding the ice pack against his head, chucked at Youngho's remark. Whatever the reason for Youngho's concern was, he felt good that someone cared about him.

"Hahaha…"

***

Youngho's followers waited for about an hour at the waiting area in the presidential palace, and when Youngho showed up, they huddled around him like little chicks.

"Mr. CEO, what did the president say?"

"Nothing special, you know. Why are you all pale?"

The two must have thought that Youngho must be in trouble for meeting the dictator-like president for almost an hour since they had no idea about Youngho and the president's relationship.

"He was a pretty scary guy when we checked him out on the Internet…"

"He's just like a warm Korean neighborhood grandpa. He treats me like I am his grandson."

"See? I told you. Boss and the president are pretty close to each other."

'Look at these kids. They are calling me their boss now.'

"Why do you two call me 'Boss'?"

"Well, you are a friend of a mafia boss and we're in a foreign country now. I think it's natural to call you 'boss'."

"Oh, please don't call me that. Not you two. I'm going to get a headache."

Youngho hated to be called 'boss' but the follower couple thought that it was cool to call him that.

The followers looked proud on their way back to their hotel.

By just making a single phone call at the hotel, a vehicle from the presidential palace came to take them, and they were also escorted back to the hotel the same way. They had never experienced such honorary service.

"Suh Min-seok, tomorrow, a special military plane will land at the autonomous state. Inform Commissioner Kim about it."

Youngho was thankful that the expansion of the autonomous state's runway was completed already. Now was its time to shine.

The two was dumbfounded when Youngho mentioned a special military plane.

"…"

"Head doctor Kim and his staff will come to Astana tomorrow for the president's health checkup. We'll also return to the autonomous state on a special airplane the day after."

"Oh, okay, I'll do that. Do you have any other request?"

"We'll head to Frankfurt immediately after we land at the autonomous state. Get prepared for that."

The two were happy to hear that they would be traveling to Germany. Getting away from Kazakhstan to a well-known city in Europe was quite exciting for them.

"We'll be meeting American businessmen in Germany. You should prepare all the business statistical data for Kazakhstan. Also, you can look for what kind of factories will benefit the people of Kazakhstan."

"Yes, Mr. CEO."

Youngho was satisfied to see the excited faces of the two. They seemed to have the future of the autonomous state on their shoulders.

"Doctor Kim. How's the president's health?"

Youngho was on his way back to the autonomous state after the old president's checkup was finished. With the medical equipment brought from the autonomous state and the ones that were already in the presidential palace, the doctor thoroughly checked the president's body.

"His overall bodily function has declined due to his age. His blood pressure and blood sugar levels are a little high, but you shouldn't be concerned about this. He also has a little cardiovascular disease, so I told him not to drink or smoke. Since he has a strong constitution, he will be fine if he exercises regularly."

The president and his entourage were relieved to hear an expert's opinion.

The president's team was also happy to hear Doctor Kim's promise that he would come to the presidential palace immediately when necessary.

"I'll arrange a jet so you can travel to the presidential palace more conveniently from now on, Dr. Kim."

"This military plane is still quite impressive. Are you trying to spend that much for a jet?"

"It's just that you can't fly this far with a light airplane and I think we need one for the autonomous state. It'll be great to serve VIP guests of the state."

Kim Dong-sung did not say much since he could see why Youngho was trying so hard. Youngho was going out of his way in establishing the autonomous state's reputation. He had arranged the head doctor of the state to check the president's health even though he did not show any terrible symptoms of being ill.

Kim Dong-sung felt sorry for Youngho since he was going above and beyond to maintain a good relationship with the president and his team.

"Mr. Lee. I will make sure to monitor the president's condition and check with his doctor frequently. Don't worry so much about it."

"Oh, Dr. Kim. If you could do that, I'll develop a gold mine just for you."

Dr. Kim reacted to Youngho's words quickly.

"Are you serious?"

"How can I lie in front of the head doctor of the autonomous state?"

Hearing about the gold mine, the follower couple interrupted the two.

"Mr. CEO, what about us?"

"You will need to escort the doctor anyway. You guys are automatically in it."

"Whoa!"

They were so happy like they were little kids.

It was a little bit concerning since Korean people had a tendency to go crazy when gold mine was being mentioned. It would be great if he could find a gold mine in the autonomous state's territory.