Empire of the Ring

Wheat was being harvested with a loud noise by Russia’s enormous combine harvesters.

Yellow-throated buntings, which were the size of sparrows, gathered to pick up missed grains wherever the combine harvesters passed. It was a great view.

Youngho wondered where all of the birds came from in this deserted region.

The large combine harvesters were made in many countries now, but it was first introduced to the world by America in the 19th century. Ever since the machine that would do a work of hundreds of men was invented, large-scale farming had been possible.

It was said that the world’s hunger was greatly reduced because of the U.S. and South America. They had acted as the world’s granary since the 19th century.

“We should get some shotguns. The meat of buntings is a good snack in Kazakhstan.”

Kim Chun said as he smacked his lips.

It was a snack for him but it was something to go with a drink for Youngho.

“I saw those birds in Korea during winter. I guess they are migrating birds.”

“They say that when our ancestors were forcefully relocated to Central Asia, they cried so much because those birds reminded them of their hometown. Those birds were considered as resident birds in both Korea and Kazakhstan.”

The yellow-throated bunting spent the summer around Central Asia, Mongolia, and Lake Baikal. It would move to a warmer place in the south when it became cold. It was a common migrating bird.

The bird meant a lot to Koryoins because the Koryoins were also forced to relocate to Kazakhstan because of unfortunate events.

Youngho was lost for words when he heard that Kim Chun wanted to eat those birds.

“Why are you going to hunt those birds? They’re not harmful to us.”

“Those birds are commonly hunted in here. Our Koryoin ancestors also caught them when they didn’t have food to eat.”

“But, I don’t want to eat them now that I know about Koryoins’ history with the bird.”

“You know, the Koryoins only felt sentimental towards the birds when they first got here. They’re so great as a snack that it’s hard to find them because people always hunted them down.”

Youngho had never thought of catching such small birds for snack. When he was in Korea, those birds were only pretty to look at. Korea was a lot more advanced than Kazakhstan. This made him think about how the Koryoins’ life must have been in the past.

The harvest would not end in several days because of the size of the farmland.

Youngho called his family from Baku because the harvest was the biggest event in the autonomous state. The celebration would not be fun if the Archduchess did not show up.

Everybody came except for Szechenyi and Zeynep who were in Frankfurt. Zeynep had left already because her classes from Goethe University would start soon.

Jelyan had filled Zeynep’s empty spot. However, she was not very noticeable because of her quiet personality. She only got chatty when she was with Leon.

Youngho went out to the field holding Leon and Jelyan’s hands on each side. Since Youngho only visited Baku once or twice a week, they were excited to spend time with their dad. Jelyan told everyone she met in the field that Youngho was her dad.

The girl who had shut her heart because of the trauma of war two years ago had now become a perfect member of the family.

Jelyan believed that Youngho and Fatima were her parents. She might have wiped her painful past from her mind by choice. It was said that many children would try to forget their painful memories, but she was a rare case since she had completely forgotten about her past.

Jelyan’s case was an effect of post-traumatic stress disorder. She suffered from a topical memory loss, but it did not bother her daily life.

It was not known whether that was good for her future, but anyway she still was a girl who needed lots of love and care. After all, she had just become eleven and still was a child.

The wheat field close to the towns was scheduled to be harvested last. The scene of the wheat field moving around by the wind was amazing.

Kim Chun was the one who delayed harvesting the field close to the towns. It was to let the visitors of the state enjoy the view.

Some of the visitors who saw the wheat field were quite surprised.

It was because such a wheat field was hard to find in deserted areas. Developing a farmland in a deserted field was not an easy task. All sorts of equipment were needed to draw water from the land.

***

“Whoa, Leon is asleep.”

Leon, who ran around empty fields all day, must have been exhausted that he fell asleep in Youngho’s arms on the way back home.

Fatima put Leon into his bedroom. She then began to talk about what she heard from the women in the towns as she gave snacks to Jelyan.

“It looks like the women in the towns want to modernize the carpet factory.”

Youngho could not believe what he just heard because he had asked to modernize the factory multiple times before, but those women rejected his offer.

“What? They never said they wanted it.”

Youngho tried to convince them before since the process of cleaning wools and making them into threads was a difficult process if done by human hands. He told them that with modernized facilities, the time for those processes would be shortened to a great extent. Not to mention, the quality of the products would be better. Moreover, women would not be so tired after working with advanced looms.

“Well, they’re just realizing that now. They’re becoming more ambitious since they are making a lot of money from carpets.”

The carpets were so popular that they were sold out as soon as they were out in the market. It was not just a market, but a luxury carpet market. As the situation was like this, more women wanted to join the production of carpets. Thus, they now needed a bigger workroom. They also wanted to increase the production rate by using more efficient equipment.

“The carpet business is doing as well as the drone factory. Mustafa keeps asking me if I can send more carpets.”

Fatima was intrigued when Youngho mentioned Mustafa.

For her, Mustafa was someone whom she could never forget since he was like her savior.

“What? I want to see Mr. Mustafa. Can you invite him over here? I want to treat him a nice meal.”

“What are you talking about? We should go over there to get treated by him. He’s gaining so much wealth because of us.”

The money Mustafa made as an agent for the carpet made him rich that he was doing so well now. Serbian women’s skills were very outstanding.

“But can you still invite him to Atyrau? I really want to see him.”

She indeed missed Mustafa, but she also wanted to show him how well she was doing.

“If that’s what you want. I’ll need his advice on carpets as well since he’s an expert.”

Youngho did not hesitate long and called him in front of Fatima.

“Brother, it’s me.”

“Hey, Lee. Are the carpets ready now?”

“No, I just called to say hi. Do you only think about carpets when you see me now?”

“What do you mean? You know I’ve been waiting for new carpets.”

“Are you busy this week? I’d like to invite you to Atyrau if you’re not. Please come and look around the carpet factory and give me some advice. I’d like to upgrade the factory a little bit.”

“Oh yeah? I should bring my modernized loom catalog. You know there’s a direct line to Atyrau from here. I can get there anytime.”

Mustafa was eager to visit the factory. The modern loom was not an automatized machine. It just had a few more functions for convenience. It could produce more to a tightened organization of threads, so it would improve the quality of carpets. Being an expert of carpets himself, Mustafa could not wait to share his insight with Youngho so that he could sell products of more quality at higher prices.

***

Fatima was in tears as if she was about to meet a long lost family member.

As Youngho and Mustafa just landed at the Arirang Airfield, Fatima caused a fuss when she finally met Mustafa.

Mustafa also seemed to be holding in his emotions as well. He had mixed feelings.

Kim Chun had no idea why Fatima was crying, but he treated Mustafa with respect as if he was the father of the Archduchess. Since he was too polite, Mustafa did not know what to do in embarrassment since the commissioner of the huge autonomous state was treating him that way.

They moved to the hotel, and Mustafa seemed to be confused. He looked around with his eyes wide open.

“Lee. How long did it take to build this city?”

“I only provided the place. Fatima’s people have made all this.”

“Wow, the world is indeed marvelous.”

The awful-looking little girl who was so skinny that her body was about to twist turned out to be an Archduchess. Mustafa was amazed as well about the fact that Youngho had found her at a flea market then married her afterward.

Youngho forcefully gave her a lot of money, but she refused. He then desperately looked for her and married her at the end. Youngho could see what Mustafa must be thinking.

“Brother. How do we look like as a couple?”

“Well, you two look so great together. I’m so happy to see you two happy.”

Mustafa immediately visited the carpet factory.

Mustafa said after looking around the place, “I feel like I’m in the medieval times.”

It was because of the old loom that was being used to make carpets, but it was also because Fatima was there. He saw how Serbian women treated Fatima. Youngho did not say much.

“It’s made in the traditional way, right?”

“You know, maybe the carpets of the Arirang Autonomous State are popular because they look like they are made by human hands. Perfect-looking products only look like they were made with automated machines, but your process is so inefficient. Old things are valuable, but we don’t have to exclude convenience from it.”

Mustafa suggested automatizing the process of cleaning wools, making threads, and dying and changing the looms into semi-mechanized ones. He also shared a lot of advice on the work environment. The carpet production that had started as a cottage industry was now changing into an official business.

Youngho had no idea what Kim Chun had said, but Park Youngsun, Kim Dong-sung, Old Niksic, Elder Kim Chan, all gathered at the reception hall of Arirang Hotel.

Poor Fatima had wasted her time preparing dinner for Mustafa, but she was fine with it since it was better to welcome him with a bigger group of people. Mustafa was someone who deserved to receive such welcome.

In the middle of the dinner, Jong-il came to join the party after running some errands in Baku. It got even louder.

“Brother. How can you do this to me? I’m closer to you than Youngho. If you came to Baku, I would’ve flown with you here. How is Youngho’s flying skill anyway? Is it terrible?”

“I’d rather fly on a plane that’s being piloted by Youngho than flying on a Boeing.”

“Man, he must’ve practiced quite a lot.”

As Jong-il began to chat in a friendly way, Mustafa seemed to feel comfortable with the people now. He asked a question to Kim Chun.

“Commissioner, I heard that the autonomous state has a restriction on alcoholic drinks. Does that apply to visitors too?”

Youngho had told Mustafa in advance to ask for Kim Chun’s permission to drink.

Kim Chun’s face changed a dozen times in a moment. It was obvious who had slipped the words into Mustafa’s mouth.

“How could we do that to visitors? This only applies to our Boss and a few other people here. The doctor said that Boss’ fatty liver index turned out to be high, and he shouldn’t be drinking so much.”

Youngho had gone crazy over his answer.

He made him stop drinking in the first place, and now he was making up lies about his health.

Youngho was excited to be able to finally drink with Mustafa, and his dreams all turned into bubbles. If Youngho tried to pick up his glass, Fatima and Old Niksic, who thought what Kim Chun had said was true, were completely appalled and would stop him in an instant.

Jong-il also could not drink anything. He blamed Youngho for that after their dinner was over.

Youngho was completely sober that day. He never knew how painful it was to be sober while others were getting drunk.