Youngho bought an additional 2,000 acres of hillside land near Zeynep Farm.
The national land price was only 700 dollars per acre. The reason for its low price was that it was also a barren hilly area, but it could not be used for anything other than farmland or agricultural cooperative facilities.
The reason why he purchased more land was to prepare for a possible situation. He had to think of the worst case, where the residents of the autonomous state have to flee from Kazakhstan.
Azerbaijan was the only alternative if the autonomous state went awry.
So far, the population of the autonomous state was approximately about 9,000 people in 1,600 households. So, they would be able to spread into different land sites that Youngho owned if they came to Baku.
Zeynep Wine now had 3,900 acres of giant vineyards, including Zeynep Farm and Charles Farm.
Youngho intended to stay in Baku for the time being to think about the political situation in Kazakhstan. This was because while he stayed in Kazakhstan, he could not think of it objectively. Also, he was also waiting for the intelligence equipment that the British Intelligence Service would be sending in. With such equipment, he would be able to tell whether or not President Nazarbayev had sincere intention.
The aviation industry intended to take the time under the pretext of technology acquisition and research personnel, and the armored vehicle production plant would be built in an industrial city of Kazakhstan although it was originally planned to be built in the autonomous state. The plan was changed to see how the president would react to the change and to earn some time until Youngho found out about the president. He did not want to give the president a reason to attack the autonomous state.
Kim Il-kwon’s family also left the Charles Farm and nestled at Zeynep farm. He hurriedly moved in, thinking that he should protect Fatima and her children by staying near them.
The Charles Farm had only 300 acres of land, so Il-kwon did not have to stay there as it could only be left to the workers.
“Your parents must be sad to leave their old home.”
“They were rather happy that they’re moving to Zeynep Farm where there are more people. They’ve been feeling lonely.”
“It’s a good thing your family adjusted well to living in Baku.”
“Yes, my parents now feel comfortable living here. These days, they frequently go to the downtown.”
“Good news. There’s also a kindergarten here, so your kids will love it, too.”
“My wife was also excited about that. She feels that it’s time for our kids to make friends.”
Il-kwon’s family seemed to have settled down here as well. They escaped from the political prison camp in North Korea and nestled in Baku, and at first, they could not even leave their home because of the anxiety that North Korean spies would come in to get them at any moment. They could not even look people in the eyes, but they were different people now.
“When can we bring in the new wine production facility?”
“The equipment company is free because it is off-season. They’re working on the framing now, so we’ll be able to bring it in soon.”
“If we operate an extra facility, we’ll have twice as much production as we have now. I’m sure Sergey would love to hear that.”
“Frankfurt branch has also complained that it’s short of wine.”
“I guess people are all sipping wine in their house because they can’t go outside for terrorism.”
“Well, there’s nothing like alcohol when you’re frustrated.”
“Speaking of that, I’d also love to drink. Shall we have a drink today?”
“Would you like some barbecue too? I’ll get some meat from the Serbian ranch.”
“Catch one that doesn’t have a heavy odor.”
“We don’t have Korean Soju anymore on the farm.”
“Are you still drinking Soju? The lamb is a good match for vodka, too.”
Although it was winter, Zeynep Farm was always open for a barbecue party.
The thought of drinking vodka on lamb already made Youngho’s mouth water.
***
Nikolay’s family was staying at the Arirang Hotel in Baku.
They left Siberia and came to spend the winter in Baku since it was too cold in Siberia.
He bought a hotel near the Arirang Hotel, and it was currently under remodeling before it could reopen.
Since it had been a while that Youngho had met him, he invited Nikolay and his family to the farm for the barbecue party.
“You seem to be everywhere. You are such a busy man.”
“I knew you were staying at our hotel, but I couldn’t even say hello to you.”
“Oh, don’t feel bad. Thanks for even thinking about me when you’re this busy. Sevan from the Main Police Department told me there was a dinner at the Presidential Palace.”
“Yes, the president was there for my brother-in-law’s wedding, so I visited him to thank him.”
“I am extremely envious of you in that regard. I’ve spent my entire life making money, but I had not thought about interacting with politicians.”
“When an entrepreneur mixes with politicians, usually his ending is not very good. You know how the political world is. It changes so much and so often. If you’re an entrepreneur, you’d better focus on your business alone. Sometimes, you realize that you’ve been prey for the most powerful people.”
Youngho regretted coming this far sometimes. Although he benefited excessively from his friendship with the most powerful people, the problem was that they were not the people who acted without any benefit in return or a scheme in their mind.
“Have you had any bad news lately? It sounds like something has happened to you.”
“I’m just saying so. The politicians are the ones who shouldn’t be near or far away.”
“Baku’s politicians must be different, right?”
“Azerbaijan is a relatively good place in that regard. It’s a very friendly place for businessmen. Next time I have an appointment with the president, I’ll introduce you to him too.”
“Oh, that’s only going to be a burden to me. I want to live the rest of my life quietly. I don’t want to be greedy for more money. I think being an owner of a vineyard would be a perfect life for me.”
“After hearing from you, I feel like everything’s pointless. These days, I think I can barely afford to keep the autonomous state.”
“You’re still young. It’s great that you have a vision.”
“I’m just afraid if I achieve something, I’ll want to protect it for my children no matter what.”
“Isn’t that natural? Who wants to lose what he achieved in life? Passing down your accomplishments and wealth is what everyone does.”
Nikolay said that inheritance was natural.
It must be the same for President Nazarbayev.
If he considered Kazakhstan as his property, not a country for Kazakh people, he would want to inherit it to his children. If none of his children became the next president, his and his relatives’ corruption would be revealed eventually. He would choose his security rather than the future of Kazakhstan. It was better to maintain the current regime, rather than take any risks. If this was the case, Youngho would indeed have to doubt the president’s intention.
“I see what you mean. A businessman can’t pretend to be a philanthropist.”
“There are sainted people who give their money to society, but those people would have been determined to do that from the beginning.”
“How do you think about the political leaders of the Caspian coast?”
“They’re greedy people who pretend to be nationalists. Ignorant people follow them just because they’re living a little better than Soviet times. President for life in the 21st century is ridiculous.”
“Good grief, I shouldn’t have asked. We should be careful about what we say. There are many ears hearing us.”
“I’m sure here is better than Russia. The media here is at least alive and more trustworthy. I feel like the president here cares for the people. I’m very jealous of the social security service system here.”
“I see. I guess the president won’t be changed unless the resources are dried up. He will probably pass down his position to his son, too.”
“That’s not strange here.”
“That’d be good for businessmen.”
“That’s a good thing?”
“Of course. There’s nothing to worry since policies won’t change.”
“…”
***
Youngho could not shake the feeling that the whole thing was like hitting a rock with an egg. Sacrifice was inevitable if he tried to maintain the state.
There was no guarantee that the autonomous state would be safe either.
If President Nazarbayev’s family maintained the regime, the future was already set. Kazakhstan would be sliced into pieces soon. The central north and eastern north regions where there were overwhelmingly many Slavic Russians and Ukrainians lived, would fall into Russia’s hands, and the southeastern region would be interfered by China.
Minorities in the eastern mountainous region and south regions would demand autonomy.
Since the west region was full of oil resources, Russia would also want to take over the region. Of course, the autonomous state would have been gone after becoming a political victim.
The only way to survive was to attack the president first. However, Russia would not stand a force of coup since President Nazarbayev was pro-Russia.
Youngho’s worries deepened.
Eriksson said that he would find an alternative for the autonomous state, but he could not leave the destiny of the state to Eriksson only.
So, he quickly went to the CIA’s European chapter in Frankfurt. It was to move Michael.
“What brings you here?”
“Chief, I’m here to give you a New Year’s greeting.”
“Oh, come on. I know you’re not here to just say hi. We don’t even have a meeting today. What is it?”
“I wanted to discuss the political situation in Kazakhstan. It looks very serious.”
“Is there a sign of a coup or something?”
“Yes, there is. I think I’m going to start a coup.”
“You are out of your mind.”
“President Nazarbayev looks like he’s going to hand over the power to his daughter.”
“That’s ridiculous. Kazakhstan won’t last if that happens.”
“I’ll be fine with that but the autonomous state will break down with Kazakhstan.”
“I see. That must be stressful. So, that’s why you’re talking about a coup?”
“That’s for both the existence of the autonomous state and the interests of the United States. Would you just watch Kazakhstan being swallowed by Russia?”
Michael’s face turned serious. It was obvious that the whole of Central Asia would shake if Kazakhstan faltered.
“What are you thinking?”
“I almost thought about giving up the autonomous state, but then the U.S.’s bridgehead will be lost. Now, you don’t want to lose a critical starting point, do you?”
“The state is a bridgehead to the CIA but the U.S. government doesn’t think that way.”
“By the time politicians are ready to decide what to do with the autonomous state, the state will be gone. President Nazarbayev is going to make our state a scapegoat.”
“What?”
“The autonomous state is the prey to hide his daughters’ corruption.”
“Keep going on.”
Michael’s face turned totally distorted.
Any dispute in Kazakhstan was a big issue since Kazakhstan was the leading country that supported the whole of Central Asia. And the country was surrounded by two big powers, Russia and China. If a regime without legitimacy took over the country, Kazakhstan would divide into pieces.
The ethnic minorities that had been calm under President Nazarbayev’s strong rule would voice themselves claiming independence, and Russia would deploy its troops to seize this opportunity. By the time the situation was stabilized, the autonomous state would have been sacrificed already.
If the Arirang Autonomous State, was Michael’s established bridgehead—was lost, his whole career would leave a stigma of failure.
“This is big trouble. Why would he want to pass down his power to his daughter?”
“So as Azerbaijan.”
“But Azerbaijan still goes through the democratic electoral process.”
“Oh, I’m moved right now. Chief, are you worried about me?”
“Stop kidding. You’ll be alright. What about my career?”
“Huh, you’re worried about yourself? What about the people of the autonomous state who could lose their homes?”
“Why would they lose their homes? They would be left alone in the land. You’d have to escape the land and run for your life.”
“They only look up to me. I can’t abandon those people by just giving up.”
“Think of an alternative way, rather than thinking of a fight that sheds blood.”
“It’s not that there’s no other alternative, but I won’t give up the autonomous state so easily.”
“I don’t want to lose a foothold in Central Asia, either. I just thought about the worst.”
Michael could not hide his perplexed look.
Confusion in Central Asia was directly linked to the interests of the United States.
“The people of the autonomous state only follow me. That’s the problem. I’m just saying that if they rise up to defend the state, I won’t be able to stop them.”
“Are you blackmailing me now?”
“How dare can I do that? It’s just my will.”
“That means you intend to fight anyway. Do you know what that means? It’s a civil war. And that would make Russia happy.”
“That’s why I thought of a coup. If we quickly replace the regime and go through an election, Russia won’t have time to slip in.”
“It’s easier said. Remember that the regime that was achieved by a coup had an unhappy ending.”
“It would be different If the U.S. supports us.”
“What are you talking about? When did the United States jump into other countries’ matters?”
It would be a blind lie if the U.S. had not involved in other countries’ disputes.
“Okay! I’ll pretend that such a thing never happened. So, I’m asking the U.S.’s intervention in Central Asia. It’s better than Kazakhstan getting torn apart by Russia and China.”
“That can’t happen. But what if I get you the support of the U.S? What are you going to give us?”
Michael was going to try any political maneuvering. If the US CIA was involved, it would be much easier to clear up Kazakhstan’s situation.
“It’s funny to say this when I haven’t taken over Kazakhstan yet, but I will guarantee that our state will always agree with the policies and direction of the U.S.”
“You came here already determined.”
“No, I just thought of it now. Also, I’ll promise that there won’t be any obstacle for U.S. companies making a foray into the country.”
“I see. You are going to open resources to U.S. companies.”
“I want to change the whole Russian weapon system in Kazakhstan. Please introduce me to an American defense company.”
“And?”
“Are you trying to make Kazakhstan the territory of the United States?”
“Hahaha… You have to know nothing’s free in this world.”
“Kazakhstan has to exist for the sake of the interests of the U.S. as well as the peace of the world.”
“The autonomous state can be the sea of fire that will lead to a lot of bloodshed.”
“I’m prepared.”
“Are you sure that your information is accurate?”
“I’ll tell you what Nazarbayev has suggested to me.”
The US CIA, which had already helped in the process of establishing the autonomous state through Youngho, was already involved in Kazakhstan. The U.S. would have involved in this matter even if Youngho did not ask for it.
Youngho did not mention anything about the role of Information Agency and the British Secret Intelligence Service in his decision to overthrow the government.
As Youngho continued his story, Michael was impressed. His eyes were widened when Youngho said that the president had offered a billion dollars to invest in the development of weapons.
Their conversation continued after they moved to Youngho’s hotel room. As they drank together, Michael started to give him some pieces of advice.
“You’ve already made a deal with the president.”
“What? No!”
“It’s like you sold the autonomous state at a billion dollars. How much have you invested in the state so far?”
“Roughly less than 400 million dollars. I’m getting my investment money back because the state is now making money and doesn’t need my support anymore.”
“You are a real merchant since you’re making money now.”
“Well, the autonomous state is not a business place for me. It’s now a home for the residents who worked to establish it. It is the home of their children for generations after generations.”
“It’s only a small city to the Kazakh president. A city where Serbian minority lives.”
“Is there a reason for the president to wipe out our state?”
“He must have seen greed in your eyes, which will be an obstacle for his daughters’ future. Maybe he’s hoping for you to learn how he feels now quickly.”
“If I was a stumbling block, why wouldn’t he just get rid of me? It won’t be so difficult to kill someone in silence.”
“You’re a public figure now. He won’t dare to make such a suspicious move. He will want to make a perfect reason to drive you out of the country with his plot.”
“That’s why I’m going to build a weapons production plant in another city, not in the state. Also, I’ll tell the president that the aircraft development will take time due to the technology transfer delay.”
“That’s just a temporary measure.”
“Well, that’s what I’m aiming for.”
Michael was escorted to his house with a limousine that was provided by the Arirang Hotel. Youngho recalled what he just said.
“Don’t mean to invest more for the autonomous state for a while.”
“…”
“You might have to think of leaving the state if things don’t look good.”
“I can’t possibly leave the residents behind.”
“Well, if they want to follow you all the way, you can, but people will be safe in the state. They are still a great asset to the Kazakh government. In a worst-case scenario, you will have to think about a temporary step down and a return in the future.”
“I see exactly what you mean.”
“I’ll visit the mainland soon and see if I can get the U.S. intervention in any way.”
“Thank you, Chief. I’ll be expecting good news.”
“Move any important valuable to Baku for now. That’s to get ready for just in case.”
The Kazakh government would not touch the residents but it would not leave the state’s economic system that ensured high return pay alone. The Arirang Autonomous State did not require any indirect tax other than the income tax, so residents received a lot of share in return. It would not be easy for them to live under the regular Kazakh system.
***
Zeynep Wine’s European distribution store was located near the Central Station. It was already over eight o’clock, but the light was still on in the second-floor office. There must be a lot of work until now.
As Youngho walked through the store door, several employees were either working on the computer or speaking with other people. They roughly nodded to greet Youngho and went back to their work.
Youngho went up to the second-floor office where Cho Sang-chun was supposed to be working. It was empty. There were documents all over his desk. After a while, he could hear someone coming down from the third floor where Sang-chun’s family’s private home was located.
It was Sang-chun coming down with a tray of cup noodles on top.
“What is it? A night snack?”
“Oh! When did you come? I thought you’d come later.”
“Well, my friend got drunk so fast, so I didn’t even get to drink as much. When will you be done?”
“I’ve almost finished. I brought some snacks for the employees.”
“How’s living without your wife and children?”
“I’m gaining weight because there’s no one who gives me an earful when I eat too much.”
“Your kids are missing their dad. Why don’t you come to Baku on the weekends?”
“It’s not so fun flying every weekend. I’ll see them when the terrorism dies down.”
“Finish quick and let’s have some drink. I’ll make some snacks.”
“Okay, wait for me up upstairs.”
Youngho and Sang-chun finished a vodka bottle in just a flash.
As Sang-chun was getting drunk, his voice was getting higher.
“You’re adding 2,000 acres to your farm? Wow, how many more bottles is that?”
“We will produce an additional 5 million bottles. In total, we’ll make about 800 million bottles in Zeyenp Farm.”
“That’s great. The importers have been asking for more wine.”
“We shouldn’t expect much this year. Starting next year, we’ll be able to produce more bottles.”
“Tell your employees to collect any grape from nearby farms. Does it make sense that we can’t sell because we are short of wine? It’s been so stressful.”
“You should take it easy. Hire some more staff and work less.”
“Okay, I will. Hey, why did you come to Frankfurt all of a sudden?”
“There’s an issue. The autonomous state will be in trouble for a while.”
“What’s going on? Is there going to be a war in Central Asia?”
“I’m afraid that our state will have to demand independence soon.”
“That Kazakh president is so generous. Is he going to allow it?”
“It’s a little complicated.”
“Did you do something wrong?”
“Why would I?”
“Whenever you’re in trouble, you come to me. Don’t you remember when you entered the strange unit, right after joining the Navy? The whole family flipped because of that and I was the one who had to explain everything to your family.”
“For the hundredth time, it’s not a strange unit. It’s the Special Forces! And you didn’t go to my parents’ house because of me. You went there to see Yun-suh. I told you that Yun-suh is a handful, but you went head over heels for her and married her in the end!”
“Oh, please. I was into Yun-suh after your parents passed.”
“Phew, alright. Anyway, I’m just giving you a heads-up. There might be bad news soon, but don’t worry about it.”
“Youngho! Our lives are already better here. Don’t overdo it. ”
“I’d love to, but now it’s irreversible. I’m responsible for this.”
“Man, it might have been better for us to stay in Korea. We didn’t have much but it was not so hard.”
“Let’s just think that this is our fate. I have no regrets.”
“Dude, do you know how you look today? You look liked you lived all of your life already. What’s up?”
“How do I look?”
“I just told you. You look completely exhausted. Why do you live such a hard life?”
“Sang-chun, let’s just drink. I’ll tell you all about it.”
