Empire of the Ring

Ever since the autonomous state had become a special administrative region, its residents were distinguished from the regular Kazakh people.

The Kazakh police already set up a checkpoint near the entrance of the autonomous state. Because of that, the autonomous state had to also set up a checkpoint at its entry earlier than planned.

Policemen let people pass easily if they had a residential card of the state. Although they sometimes asked for a bribe from people who were passing by, they were now openly doing it rather than showing out of nowhere and asking for a bribe from people.

It was not likely that Kazakhstan's long-lived culture of bribery would be changed anytime soon. Bribery had become a way of living in the country since policemen and officials were not paid a lot by the government.

"When spring comes, we should build a decent checkpoint at the entry of the autonomous state."

Because the Kazakh police had set up a prefabricated checkpoint, the autonomous state hastily went ahead and set up a container as a temporary checkpoint.

"Only mineral transportation vehicles come and go these days, why would we need that?"

"H Corporation is trying to change the open-storage yard for minerals. It's because it'll be more economical for them to be in charge of transporting minerals to the Port of Atyrau."

"Hmmm. They must've had much inconvenience. We'd be thankful if they'll transport the minerals from the mine."

"When the mineral delivery truck drivers left, the lodging facility and the cafeteria at the wharf will be less crowded."

H Corporation had been using the open-storage yard at Arirang Wharf to store the minerals. Although the distance would be short if the mineral transportation trucks would drive across the state, it made a lot of dust. So, the trucks used to drive around the outskirt of the state to go to the wharf. From the wharf, the minerals would be loaded on freighters and transported to the next place.

Youngho could take that inconvenience, but when the winter came, the river would freeze and the state had to break the ice through icebreakers which were quite a job. The worst thing was that the entry and departure from the state had become a complicated process now that the state had become a special administrative region. The mineral truck drivers were mostly local Kazakh, and since they were not the resident of the autonomous state, they would have to go through a thorough documentation process when they came in and out of the state.

Ever since Youngho made the mineral open-storage yard, he had regretted it many times, but he could not tell that to H Corporation. He would be immensely thankful for H Corporation if it would use another port to store the minerals. If so, the bulk freighters that transported the minerals would have to travel for less distance, and the autonomous state would be free from metal dust.

The autonomous state had been earning money from the open-storage yard, but ever since the shipyard was made at the state, the yard had become an unwelcomed business.

It seemed that H Corporation's Kim Joo-hyuk had noticed that and decided to look for another yard at Port of Atyrau. Although the truck drivers would have to drive longer from now on, from the mineral mine to Port of Atyrau, it would be better for both parties this way in the long run.

As expected, Kim Joo-hyuk had come to discuss the new arrangement with Youngho.

"Mr. Lee. Congratulations. The autonomous state has wings now."

"We've earned some more independence, but we are still a member of Kazakhstan."

"But that is still special. It's like the same as an independent country."

"We don't have our own law written down, so we don't have any legal force yet. Once we make the law and submit them to the Kazakh government, it will have an effect."

"That's a simple step. From the perspective of a Korean company residing in Kazakhstan, the autonomous state is like a shelter."

"Well, that's great to hear. You're right the autonomous state has wings now."

"Since the state is becoming a better place, I've been thinking, Mr. Lee. I think it would be better for both of us to change the open-storage yard for the minerals. The minerals are polluting the air at the state with its dust when the state already deals with its own dust storms. I already found the site for the open-storage yard and the transportation route for that. If you agree, I'll go ahead and make arranges for the change."

Since Youngho already heard about this ahead of time, he did not say much.

It seemed that H Corporation had already decided to make the change.

"Well, the bulk freighter owners will love to hear that their traveling distance has gotten shorter now."

"I know it must've been inconvenient for you and you didn't say a thing. I'm sorry for causing such inconvenience.

"Actually, I was thinking about whether we should expand the wharf. Thank you for your company's consideration."

Youngho did not hide what he was thinking since he was happy that H Corporation was moving its open-storage yard.

***

Youngho was fishing as he faced the cold winds of early December at the river near the Arirang Wharf. As he was enjoying fishing for trouts, Kim Il-kwon called him.

"Boss. We've got enough now. Why don't we go back?"

"Do you think these are enough?"

"Only you and Jelyan likes to eat raw trout, so two would be enough for that, and we can make a soup with the rest of the fish."

"No, Fatima's into raw fish these days."

Youngho could not go to Baku last weekend, so Kim Il-kwon brought Fatima and his children to the autonomous state when he came. As soon as they came, Jelyan nagged for raw trout, and that was why Youngho and Il-kwon were fishing in the cold.

The trout from the Ural river had great taste and texture that everyone loved it. It seemed that his body had not adapted to the sudden cold yet. Youngho quickly packed everything to leave with Kim Il-kwon.

Il-kwon who was driving back to the city said as he saw the open-storage yard near the wharf that had been cleared out.

"The wharf looks empty now without the mountains of minerals."

"Hmmm, is there any way we could utilize that space?"

"Why don't we let it sit there empty for now? Don't you like to see an extra space?"

"What? Should we leave it empty like that?"

"Yes, we could use it in the future."

As soon as Youngho heard those words, it felt like fireworks just went off in his head. Those words had just shaken his fixed idea that he should fill up everything.

As he returned home, he repeated those words to have some extra room.

'That's right. I've been trying to fill up everything. Leaving it empty is a way to use a room too.'

Youngho had been rushing things lately, and Il-kwon's words had just made him recognize that.

As they got home, the follower couple and other little followers were playing together.

Hearing that the kids would be coming, Kim In-hwa must have dragged Suh Min-seok who must have been a couch potato at home. Jelyan and Leon were screaming as they played a video game with the two adults.

"Whoa, what brings you here on a weekend?"

"Jelyan and Leon told us to come."

Kim In-hwa then said as she smiled.

"Well, we actually came because Jelyan told us that you went trout fishing!"

"Oh, man. That's why you're here? We didn't catch a lot because it was too cold. Don't tell anybody that you had trout here, okay?"

There were many people at the state who would come running for a trout.

Youngho and Il-kwon drove Fatima out of the kitchen and took over the place to fillet raw fish and make spicy fish soup.

Suh Min-seok was sweating as he ate the spicy fish soup.

"Secretary Kim, this is so good. I should take you as my master to learn some cooking skills. How did you make this?"

Suh Min-seok had just finished his second bowl.

"Back in North Korea, there were not a lot of things to eat. I made soups out of many things until it tasted good."

"What? Secretary Kim, are you from North Korea?"

"Yeah, but I'm only a Koryoin here."

Looking at the follower couple's surprised face, Youngho made a joke.

"Oh, didn't I tell you? He used to be an intelligence agent from North Korea. I brainwashed him and convinced him to be a defector."

"…"

"Right. Boss made me a capitalist from a socialist. So, I become a nationless runaway."

Il-kwon also joined with a serious face.

"Oh my! This is like a story from a novel."

Kim In-hwa totally bought the story.

Then, Fatima sudden burst into laughter.

"Hah? Why are you laughing, honey?"

"Did you also tell her that you brainwashed me?"

"How could I do that? Meeting you was destiny."

"Bahaha…"

As the house was filled with laughter, Youngho's heart was at peace.

This was overflowing happiness, but he felt like he had been missing it for a while because he was too busy running toward goals.

***

For a long time, Youngho was busy protecting the autonomous state from an outside force. He put his best effort to establish its position and develop its environment so that the residents could live on their own. He also poured his money over the state's development.

As he had given his best to the state, everything about it was cherishable.

Finally, the Kazakh government had recognized his effort and accepted it as an independent entity, a special administrative region. It was not only the president's decision, but the Congress had also permitted it.

Youngho was extremely happy regardless of the government's intention behind its decision. He was relieved that the residents and his family now had a place that could be called their own forever.

Even if the world changed, and the state's status was canceled, there was a legal basis to fight for the land. In order to keep its status, the autonomous state needed to stay like a treasure of Kazakhstan. He began to brainstorm about what would imprint the minds of politicians and the Kazakh public. An idea that would make them believe that the autonomous state was a place that needed to be maintained.

Youngho visited the heavy equipment and farming machine repair shop after a long while.

The equipment that was exploited day and night from spring to fall were now being repaired and checked up throughout the winter so they were ready for the next spring again.

Even though it was winter, different kinds of equipment were still being used in the construction of a reservoir and different buildings.

The workshop used three warehouses, but there was not a lot of room to step in because parts that were disassembled from different machines were all over the place.

"Prince consort, what brings you here?"

Bobek, a Serbian manager in his 50s, greeted Youngho.

"Will the alcohol prohibition be lifted now that the state had become a special administrative region?"

Youngho did not see what becoming a special administrative region had to do with the alcohol restriction. It sounded a little pushy.

"Well, it's not alcohol prohibition. We're only trying to encourage people to drink moderately."

"Haha… To Slavs, a bottle a day is the same as alcohol prohibition."

The residents of the state were not happy to hear the restriction policy, but they willingly obeyed the new policy since they were determined to build a new city.

"Prince consort, would you like to have some coffee at my office since you came to visit me?"

Youngho was escorted to his office. After talking about how the lab was operating for a while, Youngho cut to the chase.

"Manager. That means if we have parts, we'll be able to make new farming machines or heavy equipment, right?"

"Of course. The core technology is in the engine, and we can make anything if we have the engine."

Youngho was glad to hear that. He quickly asked the question that was on his mind.

"Then, do you think we can make military tanks too?"