Empire of the Ring

“Why would they want to join the ranch all of sudden?”

“A while ago, I shared the news with some of the other descendants of the kingdom. Now, they know we found the Archduchess, and they want to serve the Archduchess here as well. I am not sure what we should do though.”

Whether Youngho accepted them or not, they would insist in joining and serving the Archduchess.

“We should definitely accept them, Niksic. They must have lived a very difficult life with the distance. Besides, you already know that you cannot stop them.”

“You are correct. Some must be already on their way here with all of their belongings.”

Niksic seemed to be regretting what he did.

“I am afraid that we might have way more people than the people living around the ranch. The news will travel fast.”

Youngho freaked out for a little while. How could he handle these many people in the middle of winter?

Fatima’s presence changed the lives of the descendants. Fatima was like a savior who gave them a reason to live. Their faces now looked hopeful. In addition to that, their physical lives had changed as well. Children started having their education inside a warm building while adults did not have to roam around in the winter snow to survive. They did not have to scatter around since sturdy and warm houses were being built around the ranch. Youngho and the villagers were able to handle this much. Now an unknown number of people could possibly join the land in the middle of the cold winter.

Youngho had an idea and asked Niksic if it would be possible for the extra descendants to temporarily stay in apartments downtown. But Niksic did not want them to stay away from the Archduchess. As a result, Youngho had to let the security crews move to apartments in Baku’s downtown. The crews were more than glad to do so. They had nothing to do but study foreign languages or train in the middle of the mountain near the ranch. But now, they could enjoy a relatively modern life. Meeting beautiful women in Baku’s downtown would be great for them. Realizing that, Youngho felt sorry that many of the security crews were not able to enjoy their days off since they had been living at the ranch. Living in distant places would have been stressful for them. It would be better for them to stay in apartments downtown.

Unlike Youngho’s stressful situation, Leon was growing well without any trouble. He could now recognize his dad, even knowing how to ask him for hugs. Youngho wanted to stay home with Leon all day long these days. However, Fatima pushed his back to get him out for work. As soon as Fatima kicked him out of the house, the phone rang. It was Michael.

“Good morning, Michael.”

“Are you still at home wasting your time?”

Youngho had a bad feeling about this phone call because of how Michael sounded like. He quickly changed his voice to his serious and humble tone.

“No, Chief. My child tried to stop me but I stood strong and left the house a moment ago. You don’t sound well…. Did something happen?”

“Not at all. I just wanted to see how you are doing. I haven’t had enough sleep. Everyone is bothering me all of a sudden. Did you feel something fishy when you met President Aliyev the other day?”

“What do you mean?”

“He seemed to be less interested in expanding oil pipelines. The CIA’s headquarters gave me an order to find out what’s happening.”

“I see. I’ve heard that he is hesitant to be a part of the construction for the oil pipeline expansion because the oil price is dropping. He was worried about losing money. It doesn’t look like he’s going to take part unless some sort of loan is given to him.”

It looked like President Aliyev backed out of the oil pipeline expansion business because of Youngho’s suggestion regarding the solar energy industry. Youngho made up the story of the loan to sound more realistic.

“What the heck are you talking about? Most of the construction is paid by major companies.”

“I guess he is not sure about the oil anymore. Didn’t I tell you that he wanted alternative energy technology? I connected a Korean Solar energy company with Azerbaijan as an agent.”

“Is that so? It doesn’t make sense to me. Solar panels don’t even produce that much electricity. You know what, take a visit to the president today. Tell him we might give him some loan for the alternative energy industry.”

The U.S. was one of the countries that imported energy from foreign countries and kept their own resources for the future. Azerbaijan was one of the countries that the U.S. was importing oil from. The loan would be quite beneficial for Azerbaijan’s economy which would be beneficial to Youngho as well.

“I don’t think he would listen to a common businessman.”

“Tell him to request a loan for alternative energy development to the U.S. government. You can wing the rest of the story.”

The U.S. was willing to give a loan in exchange for using the resources of the Caspian Sea.

***

Youngho requested an emergency visit to the presidential palace, and he was able to meet the president in the middle of night. It was all up to Youngho at this point. Youngho needed to present this issue subtly to protect his identity.

“Mr. President, have you made a deal with the U.S. government regarding the oil pipeline business?”

“How did you know, Mr. Lee? I’ve ordered all of the officers to keep their mouths shut.”

“You know there is no secret in the economic negotiation between countries. A German businessman I know from Frankfurt made a phone call today, and he mentioned it during our conversation.”

“Is that so? I told them I will sleep on it. I exaggerated a little bit about my concern for the oil price drop.”

“You made a good move ’cause you’re holding the stick now. The German businessman suggested that you should request a loan for the country’s alternative energy development to the U.S. government while keeping the pipeline negotiation going.”

“Why would he tell you that?”

“He’d make more profit if Azerbaijan’s economy gets better. He knew I had a connection with you.”

Youngho needed to make this happen to save his face.

“Hmm… I am not sure if the U.S. government would grant a loan. There are too many Armenian congressmen in the U.S.”

“You don’t need to worry about it. The U.S. government will take care of it. Maybe we should request a loan for alternative energy development and even for the transfer of U.S. technology. You have the stick, Mr. President. I believe this could be a great opportunity for us to request all we want from the U.S. government.”

“Hahaha…. You know what, let’s do this for the country’s sake. But you need to help me.”

“You can count on me, Mr. President. I will fly to Frankfurt and slip the information to all the businessmen there.”

Youngho needed to put on a show to fly to Frankfurt to make an impression to the president so he could look like he was a big part of the deal.

If things happened as he suggested, President Aliyev would trust Youngho more regardless of the amount of the loan.

Youngho had to fly to Frankfurt because of the promise he made to President Aliyev. Getting a loan would not happen within a few days. He still had to work diligently before the year ended because the descendants would rush in soon.

Youngho decided to include Szechenyi in this trip. Szechenyi would go to college next year, and he wanted to go to Goethe University. It seemed that the trip would be beneficial for him.

Since Youngho was used to visiting Frankfurt, the city was familiar to Szechenyi as well.

***

“Lee, it’s all because of you that I can save my face in the late years of my career.”

“Come on, Chief. I’m scared of your mood swings. I know you’d change your mind and will be grilling me soon.”

“Nonsense!”

Michael was in a good mood since Youngho successfully convinced President Aliyev to request a loan from the U.S. government as Michael had said. He asked him to go for a drink together, but since Szechenyi was waiting, Youngho refused. Not knowing that everything happened because of Youngho, Michael felt exuberant about how he got to keep the oil pipeline business going.

This would be reported to the CIA’s Headquarters as the European Chapter’s achievement. To be specific, it was Youngho and Michael’s achievement. As for Michael, he was put in a bad position since he did not react effectively to the previous terror attack in Frankfurt, but now he redeemed himself since he successfully convinced President Aliyev.

“I’m going to give you a reward. I won’t look for you until the beginning of next year. You can have a trip or you can spend time with your baby at home. Do whatever you want to do.”

“Do you know when I respect you the most? It’s when you give me a break.”

“People will think that I’m a terrible boss. I always say yes to your requests for personal leave.”

“You have selective memory, Chief. That’s convenient.”

“Come on, Lee. Anyway, keep watching the president until the deal’s sealed.”

Szecheyni could not keep his mouth closed looking around the Goethe University’s campus. It was way bigger than what he had in mind.

The institution had more than a hundred years of history and it had produced Nobel Prize winners and worldwide well-known intellectual figures. There were more than 40,000 students were enrolled and there were around 170 majors established.

“Hyung, I love this place! I feel like I’ll automatically become a doctor if I studied in here.”

“I’m glad you like it here. The doctorate students you met yesterday will help you a lot. They said they’ll be researching here for two more years. They can be your role models.”

“My only role model is you.”

“I meant study role models not business role models.”

As Youngho messed his hair, Szechenyi grinned. He was now a young lad and Youngho was satisfied with his growth. He was not the young boy that Youngho saw in Istanbul anymore. He had grown into a strong and diligent young man with a purpose. Youngho could entrust any of his businesses to him in the future.