Empire of the Ring

In downtown Astana, people bearing the national and the royal flags welcomed Youngho’s group despite the cold weather.

Watching their diplomacy trip through the news, people realized that the world had finally changed for Kazakhstan. It was because broadcasting companies of the world rushed to air every move of the royal family. It was quite surprising how Youngho single-handedly dealt with many issues.

Kazakhstan had never been the world’s news focal point. Turkish people’s hospitality was also remarkable.

Kazakh people were exuberated that their Queen was greeted with such a warm welcome as if she was the queen of Turkey.

Not only the public of Kazakhstan but the senior officials including Prime Minister stood in line along the road to welcome the cars that the Queen, royal family, and other ministers and officials were on.

“Mr. Prime Minister. Don’t tell me you mobilized people on this cold day.”

“Hahaha… I only informed them of the time of the Queen’s arrival at the airport.”

In Astana, the daytime temperature was minus 20 degrees Celsius, but citizens did not seem to care about the cold.

“They must have been standing in this cold for a long time. I feel sorry for them. I would like to offer warm tea or snack for all of them. Can we arrange that?”

“That shouldn’t be difficult. I’ll contact the police chief to make sure that he supplies it free of charge at the teahouse or restaurant downtown.”

“The cost will be paid by the royal family.”

“Your Highness, we’ve got enough government budgets.”

“They came out to see the Queen. We’ll pay for it today.”

Those who came out to take a good spot to see their Queen better must have come out early. They would be tired and hungry to have borne the cold for so long, and most people were not well off that even buying tea was a burden. Warm tea was perfect to warm their bodies.

“Your Highness, I’ve heard the explanation over the phone, but can we really resolve the old problems of Turkey and Kurds? Rather, I’m afraid we’ll get a backlash for this.”

“It looks like a difficult job, but Jelyan’s existence will be our great help. Our role is to arouse the Kurdish people’s feelings. If we can give them a little hope, that will be a success.”

“I see. Then the key would be how the Kurds will accept Princess Jelyan.”

“Hopefully, their national sorrow will ease a little bit through Jelyan. I hope the Kurds will be proud of her.”

“You’ve got a strange connection with the Kurds.”

“I’d like to meet the leader of the Kurds living in Kazakhstan. Could you arrange that please?”

“I’ll send the Kurdish leader to the royal territory immediately.”

“Hurry up, please. Even now, the Turkish air force is attacking northern Syria day after day, and the situation is getting worse. At this rate, Kurds will be wiped out without a trace.”

The Turkish government’s attacks had led to civilian casualties, and the situation must be stopped as soon as possible. As long as the Kurds in Syria decided to move to Kazakhstan, the Turkish government would also refrain from attacking.

In the past, Youngho met Jelyan when he went to survey the railroad site at the border of Iran and Iraq. He took her in after seeing her focusless eyes from war trauma. He just could not forget about her eyes.

As he took care of her as an adopted daughter, she became his beloved child just like Leon.

He had no intention of using Jelyan for a political reason, but he just wanted to give the Kurds some hope by informing them that Jelyan was a Kurd as well.

If Kurdish fighters moved to Kazakhstan, they could be a strong supporter of the royal family. He also had a vague expectation that they would fight for the royal family if the royal family was in a critical situation, at least to protect Jelyan.

***

Prime Minister Kasim immediately sent the Kurdish leader to the royal palace.

Zagros, a man in his 50s and a third-generation resident of Kazakhstan, was the leader of more than 10,000 Kurds living in Kazakhstan.

“Thank you for coming a long way.”

“It’s an honor to see you, Your Highness.”

After shaking hands, they had a casual conversation before talking about the urgent matter.

“Can you reach the Kurds living in Syria?”

He seemed to be briefly embarrassed when Youngho asked bluntly.

“Did you already know that?”

Youngho looked at him with a questioning look, and he continued, “The Kurds who live abroad have been providing military funds to the Kurdish militia. The same thing applies to the Kurds in Kazakhstan.”

“Oh! I see. So you mean you have contacts with them?”

“Of course. I can contact them right away.”

People of many ethnic minorities of the world did not hesitate to send money to their own country in difficult situations. For example, Armenia was one of the most prominent countries where it was sustained mostly by the money sent by its people overseas.

Somehow, Kurds living abroad were also helping Kurds who were fighting scattered in different countries.

“As government officials have told you, the Kurds in Syria are in critical condition. The way to stop the Turkish government from attacking them is for them to disarm or leave Syria. They must choose between the two.”

“We’re sorry about that, too, but they’re not going to make any choice because they’re prepared to die.”

“Wouldn’t it be any different if there was a way to live without making any more sacrifices?”

At this point, Zagros almost forgot that he was in the royal palace. He sat close to Youngho and then backed down in surprise. He was eager to hear how the Kurds could survive.

“Your Highness, if there is any way, please let me know. I’m going to run to Syria and persuade them right away.”

“Please persuade them to come to Kazakhstan. It’s a peaceful place without ethnic conflict.”

“Would you approve of the Kurdistan Regional Government?”

Youngho had no intention of accepting an autonomous government.

All ethnic groups were equal and should live only as ordinary people. They also should be loyal to the royal family.

“Kazakhstan is a place where every ethnic group lives with its own traditions even without its own sovereign state. There’s no need to form an autonomous state. And there is also Princess Jelyan. The fact that Princess Jelyan is in the royal family will be a great power for the Kurdish group.”

“Your Highness, I didn’t mean it that way. We know better that this is a place where we can keep our people’s heart and soul together without a sovereign state, but I’m concerned about it because the Kurds living in Syria or Turkey may want autonomy because their dream is to become independent.”

“The Kazakh royal family accepts the Kurds on a humanitarian level. I want to make it clear that only those who want to live as a member of Kazakhstan to be loyal to the royal family will be accepted. And I’m not going to take anyone unconditionally just because he is a Kurd. The hard-line Islamic militant group or militia groups that want to base their armed struggle in Kazakhstan will have to stay where they are now.”

Zagros, who had long thought about Youngho’s words, answered cautiously, “I understand what you mean. We will take the lead in stopping what you’re concerned about. And most Kurds would be grateful to be able to move to Kazakhstan.”

“It would be better if the Kurds would come to the Arirang royal territory, where Princess Jelyan is.”

“To the royal territory? Are you serious?”

Youngho wanted to keep the Kurds near him in case of an emergency because they were trained warriors. They would be a great addition to the royal force.

“Your Highness, I’m very proud of Princess Jelyan for being a Kurdish-born princess.”

“I’m glad to be able to help the Kurds. Jelyan must be happy to hear that too.”

Zagros, who looked like a traditional Kurd with his blond hair and blue eyes, had tears in his eyes as he said it.

“Your Highness, the Kurds will be loyal to the royal family and Princess Jelyan for the rest of their lives. I’ll show you that the Kurds are a people who know grace and never know treachery.”

“Thank you. Please inform the Kurdish militia in Syria and persuade them to stop the armed struggle. It’s only if they don’t fight back that the Turkish attack will stop.”

***

“Chief, have you been at peace?”

-My, what’s the Duke of Kazakhstan calling for?

Michael answered the phone pretending to be relaxed even though he must have been stopping himself from calling Youngho first.

“Oh, I know you’re only bluffing. You answered the phone as if you’ve been waiting for it.”

-The Duke must have changed his job now and became a fortuneteller. Have you mastered a skill to read people’s mind?”

“How can I read your mind if I don’t get to see your face? I know you’ve been spying on my every move. Don’t pretend that you don’t know.”

-Oh, you think the U.S. CIA doesn’t have much to do? You’re far below our priority. By the way, have you had any success in your recent trip to Europe?

“I saved my face, but it was no better than my visit to the U.S.”

-Hahaha… Now you recognize the power of the United States.

“I admit that. But the Kurdish militia support wasn’t very smooth. You should have asked for the understanding of Turkey. The Turkish government is quite upset to think that the U.S. has ignored it. I wouldn’t have done that kind of amateurish thing if I was still with you at the European chapter.”

-Well, you’re blatantly criticizing me now. Turkey is overreacting.

“Chief, I have a good idea. Would you like to hear it?”

-I assume Turkey will step back.

He was fast-witted enough as the director of the U.S. Intelligence Service.

As Youngho traveled all the way to Turkey, Michael guessed that he might have had some in-depth discussion with the Turkish government. He must have already prepared a gift for Youngho if he could take care of the issue.

“I’ve spoken with the Turkish government. If the U.S. promised not to support the Kurds anymore, they will stop the airstrikes.”

-Jeez, what are you talking about? That can be promised only after the Turkish government stops its attack on the Kurds.

“I’m thinking about taking Kurds from Kazakhstan.”

-Did Turkey agree to your idea?

“It is not agreed upon yet. I was going to inform Turkey after talking with you.”

-Would they be willing to leave Syria that easily?

“We have to make them leave. We’ll be in contact with the militia, so could you please support us?”

-Turkey must like to hear it.

“Please tell the militia to refrain from counterattacks. Then Turkey won’t make the air raid too bad either.”

-We’ll be talking to Turkey. How about that?

“Do you want to steal our credit?”

-We’re in a bad place right now. You should take the brave warriors, and we should save our face.

“This is the time for Kazakhstan to shine.”

-Oh, please. We’ll make sure the Kurds go to Kazakhstan safely.

“All right, we’ll just have to notify the Turkish government.”

-Okay. I owe you this, so I’ll give you something great in return.

“Can I choose that gift?”

-Man, I shouldn’t have brought it up. Don’t even bring up a request that I can’t do.

“Can you exercise strong trade protectionism against China?”

-Wait a minute, did I hear you wrong? Are you talking about a trade war? Are you really saying this with a sound mind?

“The President opened the door to it already through public trade imbalance, didn’t he? Why don’t we move that forward?”

-Are you doing this to free the Uyghurs?

“Don’t expand this too much. China is developing too fast these days, and I’m afraid that if we leave it alone, it’s going to be dangerous for all of Central Asia. I want to slow it down.”

-It’s not that we didn’t discuss that, but we’re hesitating because we’re afraid of escalating tensions in Northeast Asia.

“If it’s not good enough, I have another option for my gift. Would you like to hear about it?”

-I’ve got a scheduled meeting, so I’ve got to go.

Michael hurriedly hung up the phone to think that Youngho would make an unreasonable demand. For now, that was enough for the U.S.

Now it was time to ask the Turkish government for cooperation.