Empire of the Ring

As expected, China had begun pressing Russia to reconsider its nuclear-powered submarine sale. It even threatened to withdraw various joint projects with Russia, but Youngho countered it by saying that the Kazakh royal family could replace any joint venture that Russia had with China.

Putin also knew from several experiences that it would be better for Russia to be with the Kazakh royal family than to have a joint venture with China since the Kazakh royal family had proven to be useful in attracting global companies' investments.

On top of that, it not only improved Russia's image due to the involvement of Western companies in Russian projects but also helped in increasing public support for the government. Even though Putin was a dictator, he could not completely ignore the public approval rate for the government.

Thus, the sale of a nuclear-powered submarine was processed despite China's intervention.

Youngho hurried to Moscow for a nuclear submarine deal at Putin's request.

The visit was an informal one, so there were no noisy ceremonies.

Upon arriving at the Kremlin, Youngho had a chat over tea after signing a submarine acquisition contract at Putin's office.

Both were much more relaxed because the contract was already closed.

"I had to hurry because China was starting to pressure us. The deal came sooner because of public opinion fearing that China was interfering in domestic affairs."

"Thanks to your courage, Mr. President."

"It's because our people love the Kazakh royal family. The public opinion favors Kazakhstan, and it helped to ease the burden on our government."

"President Putin, I brought the funds I've prepared separately. I wanted to add more, but I was just showing a little bit of my sincerity because I thought it might be misleading."

"Duke, I don't know what to say. Thank you so much."

The envelope Youngho gave contained 50 million dollars in U.S. government bonds.

This amount was a huge amount of money for personnel management, but it was not a waste because it acquired a nuclear submarine at an affordable price.

The cost of building a new Oscar-class nuclear submarine was around 1.8 to 2 billion dollars, but the latest acquisition of the Omsk submarine was only 700 million dollars.

The Indian government was also trying to buy a Kiev-class nuclear submarine that it rented from Russia, but it was rumored to be priced at 600 million dollars.

Kiev was only about 8,000 tons while the Oscar was about 15,000 tons.

It was a gain of more than 30 million dollars after giving 50 million dollars in the back.

The Kazakh royal family was not the only one benefiting. Putin also had the cause of helping the blood alliance.

"Mr. President, I need to ask you a favor. We need a weapon that can be mounted on the submarine, but Kazakhstan's technology is so simple that there's none we can do."

"Don't worry about that. If it's not a nuclear warhead, I'll give you as much as you want. As you know, we can't just give them to you for free because of our economic situation these days… But I want to stress that our missiles are almost flawless once-equipped, so they are semi-permanent."

The strength of Russian weapons was well known as they were famous for cost-effectiveness. Third World countries were eager to buy Russian weapons.

"I won't question the cost. I would just be happy if I could use the nuclear submarine to the best of its capabilities."

"You are our blood alliance, so we'll give it to you at the factory cost."

"Thank you. Mr. President."

Putin readily accepted Youngho's request.

"By the way, I'd like to know how you're going to cope with a vacancy of the nuclear submarine when it goes under regular maintenance repair."

It was not that Putin was worried about Kazakhstan's military strength. This remark was intended to encourage more purchases.

Putin then continued.

"Why don't you take another one now that the whole world knows about your purchase of the nuclear submarine?"

Youngho was surprised by Putin's honesty.

"Two submarines will be burdensome…"

"Duke, I know your strong financial power. We'll offer it cheaper than the Omsk submarine. We've got many just rotting in the harbor. We've made so much in the Cold War era that we can't deal with them."

"Then how much…"

"What if I offered it at 500 million dollars? Would that be a burden to you?"

Putin was asking for only half the price of an Aegis destroyer.

No matter how used it was, it was a strong nuclear submarine that could be used for another 20 years or so.

"I'm thrilled to hear your advice."

"Then, shall we decide right here? You only need to fill in the additional details on the contract we just signed."

"Very well. I'll buy one more."

Although it was forced a little bit, it was a chance to get another nuclear submarine, so Youngho did not hesitate.

***

Kazakhstan's military was stunned when it was reported that Youngho had signed two nuclear submarines.

In particular, the Army argued that ballistic missile operations personnel should be put on board a nuclear submarine with a reason that the Army was the main body for long-range missiles.

The Kazakh Army was operating a ballistic missile with a range of 5,000 kilometers, which was deployed from the Soviet era to pressure China.

Russia's continued presence in Central Asia, including Kazakhstan, since independence, was due to a border dispute with China, but after it withdrew, the Kazakh Army took over and had been managing long-range ballistic missiles.

The Army, which had such weapons, was insisting that the submarine must be equipped with ballistic missiles to pressure China.

With the latest acquisition of a nuclear-powered submarine, Kazakhstan's military morale was sky-high. In particular, Commander Jun of the Navy welcomed it the most.

"Your Highness, not one, but two nuclear-powered submarines are the forces that will reshape the governance of the five oceans."

"Aren't you exaggerating that a bit too far?"

"No, sir. Once the nuclear submarine is completely ours, it's quite possible."

"Putin urged me to sign the contract, but I couldn't tell if it was the right decision."

"It will soon prove to be an excellent decision. China is already alerted by it."

China was eager to nullify the nuclear submarine deal itself. It was insisting that Kazakhstan did not have the skills and abilities to operate nuclear submarines to the whole world.

"The Chinese leadership has not yet figured out the nature of Putin. If you hurt Putin's pride, he won't stand you."

"If the deal is already in effect and Russia will have to pay double the contracted cost if it can't implement it. In either way, we won't be harmed."

"Your Highness, we can't leave China alone like this. It's humiliating Kazakhstan and the royal family."

"Hahaha… You mean how it's saying we're not good enough to use a nuclear submarine? It's not even funny."

"It's not a matter to be looked over. That's how Kazakhstan is portrayed to the world, which means it's looking down on the whole of Central Asia."

"Don't worry. I'm not going to let it slide. Let China pay the price for what it says."

"Your Highness, we need to get an apology from China even with a show of force."

"A show of force is not going to help our economy either. There are countless ways to scare China. Look forward to it."

***

In order to come up with measures against China's nonsense, Kasim and the foreign minister were called to the royal territory.

Kasim, coming from a military background, wanted to show a strong action.

"Your Highness, this is the time to stop China's nonsense."

"You don't mean to invade China."

"The military is ready to take a swipe at the border if you allow it. I think we need to take strong action for the morale of the military."

"In this situation, we need to be reasonable and cool-headed. If we were strong, would China have provoked us like this? It's because it underestimated us. We have no choice but to build our strength. I'm sure we'll make China regret doing so one day, so let's try something else now."

"Your Grace, why don't you close the border and stop Chinese logistics?"

"Then, we'd lose a lot of money because our freight rates will decrease. We also have to take into account the backlash from European countries doing business with China. Even when we were in a border dispute with China, we didn't stop it because of its impact on our economy."

"Your Highness, how about this? We should summon the ambassador to China and expel the Chinese ambassador from Kazakhstan. It will be the strongest diplomatic means of protest."

The Minister of Foreign Affairs made a fairly plausible proposal.

"That's a good idea. What do you think, Prime Minister?"

"It's a message as powerful as a show of force, but you've never heard of countries expelling ambassadors even during a war…"

"Then let's first summon the ambassador to China and embarrass China."

In protest against China's denunciation of Kazakhstan, the Kazakh ambassador in China was summoned and the Chinese ambassador in Kazakhstan was expelled.

China tried to put out the fire, saying the military's remarks were reported in the media without any filter, but the Kazakh public already was agitating and arguing that Kazakhstan should cut off diplomatic relations with the country.

The media had begun to report every illegal activity the Chinese companies had engaged in Kazakhstan.

Public opinion was even mentioning the pride of Central Asia and encouraging neighboring countries to respond although except for only the two countries, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The entire Central Asia had already responded.

Then, Uzbekistan responded immediately.

There was a separate reason for Uzbekistan's quick response.

Uzbekistan was in a state of anarchy, but the Kazakh royal bodyguards were stationed in the border city to protect the gold mine.

Thus, the Uzbek government feared that the Kazakh royal forces would take over the power. With anti-government rallies by democratic groups, the Uzbek government had almost lost its power already.

Pro-Chinese political party trying to get close to China and was leaving Uzbekistan one by one.

Therefore, the government had no choice but to lean on the Kazakh royal family for survival.