Empire of the Ring

It was generally said as a federation when two or more autonomous countries coexisted under one political ideology.

On the basis of the federal constitution, the central government and its subordinate governments must govern together to become a real federation. This was because only the central government exercised external sovereignty such as diplomatic and military power. In that sense, Commonwealth countries that had its own diplomatic and military power were not exactly federal states; they were rather similar to a national union.

If Kyrgyzstan was likely to continue to be given diplomatic and military status, there was no reason for Kazakhstan to make it a federal state.

Youngho’s concern was how much power should Kazakhstan grant Kyrgyzstan when it became a federal state. So, he was discussing the matter with Eriksson, the brain of the Kazakh government.

“Do you have any more ideas?”

“The central government has to decide everything. The immediate cost of reconstruction is not going to be a loan but given freely. It is a regular move to a single system in which the central government exercises the right to nominate prime ministers and control diplomatic and military power.”

“Now, political leaders in Kyrgyzstan are betting their lives on the vote for a federal system. Of course, we’ll accept this because we have the upper hand, but I wonder if they’ll even call a referendum if we hold the power to nominate the prime minister. Would this be so attractive to the Kyrgyz government anymore when the federal system will take away its political life?”

“But we can’t loosen federal law. You have to close your eyes and just push it.”

Eriksson was stern that the whole Kyrgyz government should be shuffled since the royal family would be generously providing free aids to Kyrgyzstan. It was because the government officials could change their mind to overthrow the federal system once they were well off.

He said that the monarch should appoint the prime minister to form an administration and other Congress members should be voted by the public to check the administration, just as in Kazakhstan. However, Youngho thought differently. Since Kazakhstan would have the diplomatic and military sectors, it did not matter who would nominate the Kyrgyz Prime Minister. It was because no matter who became the prime minister in a country with a population of just over five million, the government would need to lean on the Kazakh government and royal family in order to survive, anyway.

“Let’s give the people of Kyrgyzstan a choice. Wouldn’t it be a desirable democratic system if the prime minister was nominated from a majority party that was elected by the people?”

“Okay. I guess we can only hope for a wise choice from the people of Kyrgyzstan. However, the nomination system for Congress members must be carried out.”

What Eriksson meant by the nomination system for Congress members was a system that the royal family nominated one-fifth of all Congress members whereas the rest of the members would be elected by Kyrgyz people. It was brought in as a safety tool to check Congress members since if they wanted to write new constitutional amendments, there was no way to stop it, and the amendment could be written against the federal system.

Of course, this should also be passed by a referendum, but it was to prevent the nation from getting chaotic in the future. People would adopt the federation system gladly because the country was in bad shape, but there could be some forces that instigated confusion by promoting nationalism over the years.

“Isn’t the royal family having too much of power?”

“The royal family is paying a huge amount of reconstruction money. We should definitely take something in return.”

“Is there a guarantee that the people we appoint support the royal family?”

“We’ve given them a stable job. If they want to keep their positions, they’ll have to support the royal family.”

“It feels like we’re doing business.”

“State management is also a kind of business. Once you’ve started, you’ve got to do a profitable business.”

“Hahaha…”

***

After many twists and turns, a referendum was held in Kyrgyzstan.

The referendum on adopting the federal system was passed with an overwhelming turnout of the voting rate of 83 percent and an approval rate of 97 percent.

Generally, turnout in Central Asian countries was close to 90 percent, as those living in mountainous areas had not been able to vote. But 97 percent of the votes represented how passionate the people were.

A referendum on the federal system went into effect immediately as well as the federal law, but the Kazakh government decided to have a transitional government system where the current Kyrgyz president be the prime minister for the time being.

The plan was to improve the insufficient part of the federal system and give the incumbent government a chance to make up for itself for one year. After a year, there would be a general election in which people would vote for their prime minister and other Congress members.

“Your Highness, congratulations.”

“Mr. Prime Minister, it’s all because of your hard work.”

“Oh, I was just watching from the back. I owe it to you and to the queen.”

“You’re right. We’ll have to give the credit to the queen. I didn’t even think that she would be so active in Kyrgyzstan.”

“In that sense, the prince also played a big role.”

“He’s got into a lot of trouble that my face was burning in shame many times.”

“Hahahaha… The whole world knows about Prince’s free spirit. Because of him, the royal family could have been recognized as friendly.”

Prime Minister Kasim laughed to think about what Leon had done.

Because of Fatima and Leon’s performance, the people of Kyrgyzstan gave absolute support to the federal system. Fatima—unlike the people of the European royal family—showed an unconventional move, ignoring the authority and dignity of a monarch. She met residents if they wanted to meet her regardless of their positions or status and cared for their pains.

During the month leading up to the vote, she relentlessly communicated with the Kyrgyz people, so the federal system was able to gain full support from the people.

“Why don’t we send a special envoy to the neighboring countries to let them know that Kyrgyzstan has become a federal state of Kazakhstan?”

“That is Kyrgyzstan’s choice. I’d rather have the Kyrgyz government do that to avoid misunderstanding. There is no reason to kindly explain the resolution between sovereign states to other countries. Rather, it may seem like we’re asking for recognition of a federal state.”

“Listening to you, I’m convinced that there would be some countries that might think that we are asking for their permission. Especially, powerful countries like China or Russia.”

It was customary to announce the birth of a federation to other countries. However, powerful neighboring countries like China and Russia had a tendency to think that they had a say in surrounding countries’ business. The problem was China since Russia was caught up in its economic difficulties.

“So I’m telling you since the referendum has passed, why don’t we exercise the military power under the federal law immediately? I would like to replace the border guards on the border with Uzbekistan with the Kazakh military and leave the Kyrgyz military only in charge of the border with only China. What do you think, Prime Minister?”

“That’s a good idea. The Uzbek and Kyrgyz armies have already been hostile to each other to the point that they need to be separated.”

“And I heard that Kyrgyz and China had border conflicts in the past. How did it end?”

“I heard that the Kyrgyz government has made concessions on some areas in exchange for China’s economic aid to Kyrgyzstan. But the main section is still undergoing a tense tug-of-war between the two countries.”

“I’ll have to visit there sometime.”

***

Kyrgyzstan was in a festive mood throughout the country.

And the reason they were so excited was that they were hopeful that they would be able to overcome their poverty.

The per capita GDP of the country was only 2200 dollars, which was only one-sixth of the GDP of Kazakhstan, and 39 percent of the population was in poverty.

But now that it became a federal state of Kazakhstan, people expected that the immediate problem of living would be solved which excited them.

Fatima, who was waving to Bishkek residents, turned to Youngho and blinked her eyes. It was her habit when she had something to say.

“What is it? Say it. Don’t just blink.”

“No. I don’t think I have to tell you now that I have money.”

“You are going to tell me to help the Koryoin people, right?”

“Oh, how did you know that?”

“That’s because you think any Asian-looking people here are all Koryoins.”

Most of the Kyrgyz people were ethnic Asians different from Uzbeks, so Fatima could not tell the difference between Kyrgyz people and Koryoin people. She thought everyone was Koryoin.

“They’re going to be a big help to Leon. We have to be nice to them.”

“You won’t have to anymore, so don’t worry. I already notified all Koryoins to return to their homeland.”

“Do you mean to have the Arirang royal territory be their homeland?”

“Well, it doesn’t have to be limited to the royal territory now.”

“I see. Wherever there is Leon, it must be the home of the Koryoins now. I’m planning on something, do you want to hear it?”

“What do you want to say?”

“I’d like to create a foundation to help Koryoin people. Would you join me?”

“People won’t like it if the royal family favored Koryoins only.”

“It would be a foundation that helps the minority groups, not just Koryoins. But we can give more preferential treatment to the Koryoin people when we lend people business funds or settlement funds.”

“How much amount of donation should I give so you can be satisfied?”

“As much as possible. Those who receive help from the foundation will be a big support group for Leon later on.”

“Man, either way, my money will be gone.”

“Do you have to spend more money?”

“Our government doesn’t have a lot of funds, so the royal family is going to provide the Kyrgyz government with a billion dollars for free aid.”

“One billion dollars?”

“It’s not that much money, considering the pressing economic situation in Kyrgyzstan.”

“I see. That’s a lot of money, but don’t think that it’s too much. It’ll all come back to Leon later.”

“Well, they’re our people now. I shouldn’t think it’s a waste. But I can’t just give them money, so I’m planning to take over a few gold mines.”

“Are there gold mines in Kyrgyzstan?”

“Of course. We never know how many are there in the Tian Shan Mountains. The place I’m going to take over this time is a private gold mine near the Uzbek border. If we get to find the original vein, it’ll be amazing.”

“What if you don’t?”

“That’s something I can’t help with. But if we could win the hearts of the Kyrgyz people with a billion dollars, we’ve done a very good business.”

“Oh, you’re sweet. It seems like you get more attractive every year.”

“Did you just notice that now?”