Empire of the Ring

“Hahaha…”

“I only suggested building a mere monument but H Corporation took it much more seriously than I thought.”

“I’m only including H Corporation in this because I liked it ever since it started the road construction project.”

“…”

“I was just so happy to hear what you’ve been doing. I just wanted to see you so we could talk.”

“Well, if you want to see a trick from me, I’ll do a trick for you.”

“Oh, that’s alright. I just feel like I get younger whenever I see you. Do you know why I have so many Koryoins around me?”

“…”

There was no way for Youngho to find out the secret past of the president.

“I received a lot of help from Koryoins when I was younger.”

He then began talking about his past.

When Kazakhstan belonged to the Soviet Union, its capital was Almaty. The old president was born in that city. He worked as a steelworker and earned his doctorate degree in economics. Ever since he became a secretary general when the Soviet Union fell, he had been a political figure all his life.

When he was terribly poor, he was motivated to study because of a Koryoin that was also the head of a collective farm that he worked at. It was not a special story, but the old president believed that the Koryoin head had the ability to foresee the future.

He said that the Koryoin head insisted that he should learn and become a more enlightened person no matter how hard his circumstances were. Without the Koryoin head, he would have stayed working as a laborer.

Interestingly, the Koryoin head of the collective farm predicted that Kazakhstan would become a country in the near future, and convinced him to study to prepare for the future of Kazakhstan. The Koryoin head also told him to help Koryoins once Kazakhstan became independent.

The president had laughed it out when he heard him back then but now that he looked back, it seemed like the Koryoin head must have known that the president would become a secretary-general and eventually the president of Kazakhstan in the future. At this point, Youngho was also shocked to hear this unusual story.

The president praised the Koryoins’ diligent characteristics and enthusiasm for education. He was certain that Koryoins had played an important role in Kazakhstan’s development. Kazakhs who had the laziness of nomads in their blood were influenced by the Koryoins’ diligence.

“I’ve always wanted to repay the Koryoins, but I would have never worked with them if they had been incapable workers. However, the Koryoins had never disappointed me, not even once. That includes you since you are from the same root.”

“I’m glad that you look at us that way. I hope that I’m not overdoing it.”

“No, I’ve been receiving reports about what had been happening in the autonomous state. Please keep on doing what you’ve been doing. The autonomous state could become a good role model for other regions in Kazakhstan. I will secure the autonomous state’s status forever by law as long as I’m still in power. I don’t care what your dreams are but Kazakhs need a role model like your autonomous state.”

Youngho was touched by the president’s words. He would establish the autonomous state’s status by law so its existence would not be threatened by anyone else in Kazakhstan.

The old president smiled as he saw Youngho’s expression.

“The only thing you should keep in mind is that every resident of the Arirang Autonomous State should be a complete Kazakh.”

“Of course, sir. We came from different places but we pursue the same thing. We are Kazakhs too.”

“Since that time you received naval families at the autonomous state, I knew that you don’t care about ethnicities or races. I like that attitude. I don’t have to worry about the autonomous state anymore.”

It seemed like the president had been watching the autonomous state all along. Since Youngho did not restrict visitors to the state, the president was able to send anyone to investigate what was going on in the state.

Receiving naval families at the state was a great decision.

***

H Corporation’s Kim Joo-hyuk was busy working on establishing the library and Korea-Kazakhstan’s technology cooperation center. He came to tell Youngho what he had discussed with the Kazakh government today.

“We’ll be building the library and the government agreed to let us rent a building to open the technology cooperation center. All we need to do now is to supply equipment. It cost much cheaper than what we expected.”

“Well, it’s just the first step. If you don’t continue to support Kazakhstan in the future and if this ends up as temporary support, people will criticize H Corporation for that.”

The library would need continuous updates with equipment and literature.

“Oh, that’s something we’ve been keeping in mind. We’ll hire a professional librarian and keep updating the materials. Also, we’ll be developing the technology cooperation center like KAIST of Korea. If we send the engineers that are already here now to the center, they’d make great instructors.”

If he would really keep his words, that would be very much appreciated.

Youngho did not want temporary support but continuous attention to the development of Kazakhstan. H Corporation would not do this forever, but Youngho was willing to take over when H Corporation was done with Kazakhstan.

“I should send the kids from our state to receive your education.”

“I arranged a few instructors only for the autonomous state. You shouldn’t have to do that.”

“Are you serious? When did you even think of such a thing?”

“I appreciate the help I received from you and the autonomous state. I shouldn’t miss out in supporting the autonomous state.”

Youngho had wished for a few acknowledged professors to come to the autonomous state, and it seemed like he was going to get help from an unexpected person.

“You’re being so considerate. How can I repay you, Mr. Kim?”

Kim Joo-hyuk waved him off and dragged his chair forward to get closer to Youngho.

“Oh, forget that. You know why I’m here in the first place. Would you please stop beating around the bush and tell me what happened when you met the president last time?”

“This is not confirmed yet. I’m not sure if I can tell you.”

Kim Joo-hyuk pleaded as he grabbed Youngho’s hands.

“Oh, come on! I need something to report to the headquarters.”

“Okay, the Kazakh government will soon announce this. The president said that he will consider making you in charge of some sections of the Kazakh-Afghan road and railroad projects. He’s a man who doesn’t say what he wouldn’t do. I’m sure you’ll hear good news soon.”

The Kazakh government would trust H Corporation that had partnered with the government already for the domestic highway construction project. Since Youngho was thankful for H Corporation’s investment as well, he had put some good words to the president.

***

Youngho’s followers appeared at his office.

Although they were not his followers anymore since they were now official residential employees of S Corporation’s autonomous state branch, he still liked to call them his followers.

“What is it? Do you already have the results?”

“We could finish this kind of job in two days. Researching and making business project plans were what we’ve been doing every day since we came to S Corporation.”

Youngho was not sure if they were bragging about their abilities or if they were complaining about being exploited by S Corporation back in Korea.

“Oh, yeah? Did your business project plan make it to the higher-ups?”

“Well, our supervisor fixed some phrases but yes it was delivered to the higher-ups without any major change.”

‘These guys are good.’

“Did you work with Miss. Kim In-hwa?”

“Yes, we worked together as a team. The completion was delayed because we had different thoughts and perspectives on the project.”

“Miss. Kim In-hwa, why are you so quiet?”

“Mr. CEO, it’s just that my colleague here had already said all I wanted to say.”

“Do you have any complaints about this job?”

“No, sir. You even gave us alluvial gold for free, how could I be so selfish when you asked for our help?”

It all boiled down to gold again.

“If I really like this plan, I’ll take only you two to the gold mine on my airplane. You can work for up to four hours there. Does that sound good?”

Kim In-hwa finally smiled because of Youngho’s offer.

“Thank you, Mr. CEO.”

Youngho thoroughly read the business plan for an hour.

It was somewhat wordy but a well-made report in general.

The report stated detailed analysis from the cost of the mill and vacuum-packing factory facilities to the cost of storing wheat until it was milled. What surprised Youngho the most was that the profit from selling whole wheat flour was about 50 times more than selling it in bulk without any process. A hundred grams of whole wheat was sold at 3,000 won, which was quite amazing.

It would cost him a lot to install the necessary facilities, but it was definitely worth to get them for the autonomous state. Youngho was in trouble since expanding the wheat field did not seem to be a good idea for now. However, if making a high profit with a small amount of produce would be possible, he would not have to develop more farmland but could turn the rest of the wasteland into a pasture. He could already imagine cows and sheep roaming around on the vast pasture field.

The leadership group of the autonomous state was gathered at the conference room in the administration building.

“Hey, little followers! I heard you guys had done something great!”

Jong-il said as he tapped their shoulders after being the last one to enter the room.

“…”

Not knowing that they were called ‘followers’ by Youngho and Jong-il, the people inside the conference room did not understand what Jong-il meant.

Jong-il quickly tried to redeem himself from his slip of the tongue.

“Oh, this is how we used to call new recruits in the Navy. It just means that you’re fresh and beloved.”

“Thanks, Mr. Park. We’re honored that you think of us that way.”

They had no idea that they were being teased.

“Alright! Everyone, please be seated. We need to go over the business project plan that S Corporation’s talented new recruits had made and discuss the matter.”

Kim Chun announced the beginning of the conference.

For the next 30 minutes, everyone listened to the briefing carefully without a word. They were surprised to learn that wheat could be sold in different ways.

“You’re saying that wheat is actually grains of gold. Who would’ve thought that selling processed wheat would make such a difference in our profit? Why did the others haven’t tried this before?”

Old Kim Sung-chan made a comment.

“The autonomous state’s climate is not ideal for farming. It costs much more to supply water than other places with great environmental factors and the amount of crop you get here is way lesser than other places. America, Russia, Ukraine, and even east regions of Kazakhstan would not have to process their wheat to secure their profit since they already make enough when they sell it in bulk.”

Everyone nodded at Suh Min-seok’s long but coherent analysis.

Impressed by Suh Min-seok’s amazing research content and briefing skill, Youngho almost hugged him.

“Mr. Suh Min-seok, can I ask how much you get paid yearly by S Corporation?”

“That’s something that I would like to keep for myself.”

“Have you ever thought of resigning from S Corporation and living in the autonomous state forever?”

“What?”

“We’ll give you a house and pay you more than S Corporation. How do you like that?”

“…”

“You do know that building a house here that’s as big as a residential house in Korea takes quite a lot of money, don’t you?”

Not knowing what to say, Suh Min-seok only blinked his eyes.

“Phew, are you trying to recruit such a talented person like him with such poor display of scouting skills? Do you think he’d be that easy? You should’ve said that you’ll find him a wife as well.”

Jong-il interrupted. Kim In-hwa suddenly screamed while he was listening to their conversation.

“No way!”