Empire of the Ring

Barbed wire fence was only used to mark territory, not as a defensive means.

However, it would be enough to embarrass the Chinese side.

This was the reason why Youngho wanted to install the fence, to put psychological pressure on the Chinese forces. No country would cross a border easily unless it intended to invade the other country.

The Tajikistan militia welcomed the idea of installing a barbed wire fence on the border. The militiamen all agreed that China would not have made a reckless move if there were any signs marking the border in the first place. The border had been unclear so far because Tajikistan did not mark its territory due to the lack of economic ability.

Youngho was discussing this matter with the commander of the Tajik militia.

“Your Highness, installation of the barbed wire is a great decision for Tajikistan. The government had been neglecting it so far because of its cost.”

“Has there been an attempt to mark the border?”

“Of course. I’ve requested several times to build a stone wall and make a boundary, but unfortunately, the government has not been able to afford it.”

“Don’t worry about that anymore. I ordered barbed wire, so all the materials will be here soon. When the weather clears up, we’ll mobilize workers and start right away.”

“Can’t we do it right away?”

“How are we going to do it in this cold?”

“We are the militia, aren’t we? This cold is nothing to us. And if you called workers from outside, most of them will not last long because they can’t adapt to high acidosis.”

“Still, I don’t think it’s wise to start it in this weather…”

“We can do it during the daylight hours. It’s embarrassing enough for us having nothing to do while still receiving paychecks. Please allow us to work.”

“What do you mean? Fighting is not the only duty of a soldier. Standing by in the rear is also your mission.”

“I’m afraid that we might lose the chance by waiting until spring. What if China decides to cross the border when the weather is warmer? You know well that there is a huge difference between having the fence and having nothing.”

Even the commander of the militia, who was born and raised in Pamir and had not seen the outside world, knew the symbolism of barbed wire.

If there was barbed wire on the border and even a single guard post, people would not dare to cross it without some courage. Barbed wire was a psychological Maginot line since crossing the drawn boundary meant that you were going to go to war.

“Would you be able to work now if I provide barbed wire?”

“Any of the militiamen who had been living in Pamir can do so.”

The militia leader was right. It was for the better when the process of marking the boundary was hastened.

“I’ll pay bonus payments if the militiamen take part in the work.”

“Your Highness, we’ve already been paid by you. Besides, it is our duty to establish the border as Tajik citizens. If you pay us for this, we’ll be ashamed.”

“It’s the money I was going to spend anyway. Don’t turn it down because it’s for the struggling militia.”

“I’m just grateful for your consideration, Your Highness. We’ll complete it as fast as we can. We will mobilize all men in the rear.”

***

The work on barbed wire was proceeding fast as even heavy equipment was used.

It was convenient to move such heavy equipment and materials, thanks to the mountain road that the Chinese government made as part of its One Belt One Road project.

The Chinese troops, who backed down, were not yet aware of what was happening in Pamir. Since the withdrawal, even Chinese border guards had left the area, so it was not guarded.

This was the evidence that the Chinese side was underestimating the Tajikistan and Kazakhstan allied forces. The Chinese authorities would never imagine any of them would provoke China first. When the fencing work was completed, China would feel like it was back-stabbed by the Kazakh and Tajik allied forces.

Youngho was secretly hoping that China would provoke Kazakhstan over this incident. If that happened, only the Kazakh royal family, which solidified the border, would appeal to the Tajik people. Then, it would serve as an opportunity to move closer to the goal of merging Tajikistan into Kazakhstan.

The sudden withdrawal of Chinese troops had led to unscheduled barbed wire work, but so far it had been moving as he intended. Youngho was much more relaxed now because if nothing terrible happened, the wire work could be completed roughly during the winter.

He had only one concern. If China overly reacted to this underestimating Kazakhstan. Given that the U.S. or Russia could not intervene recklessly, China’s overreaction was likely to happen.

“I hope China responds as we expect…”

Jong-il spoke to Youngho as the two were talking about the barbed wire project at Pamir.

“The Chinese side won’t just watch the new boundary. It will probably carry out a full military action.”

“If China responds too aggressively, we won’t be able to handle it alone. So why don’t we sign a military agreement with India? If we hold out on our way to the Middle East, China will wince. Wouldn’t it be burdensome to turn us into enemies?”

“That’s actually a great idea. Even if China wanted to walk through Pamir’s barbed wire, it’s hard to act recklessly if they want to make it to the Middle East in the future.”

A military agreement with India would automatically resolve the issue of joint development in Chabahar. Iran’s port of Chabahar was controlled by the Indian government, which was the main developer.

The Iranian government had agreed in principle for the Kazakh royal family to use the port as its naval port. And, it would not be so difficult to form a military pact with the Indian government, as the Kazakh government had already agreed to cooperate with it to fight China.

“Don’t you think we should tell UK in advance? Military cooperation with the Commonwealth of England would also be sensitive to the British government.”

“Oh, right! There was UK. Why didn’t I think about it before? Hey, inform the British Intelligence Service about this right away and ask for its cooperation. UK will probably be more active than we are.”

Because India was a Commonwealth country, its military moved as part of the UK military.

Kazakhstan and Britain had already signed military agreements and had agreed to receive part of the British troops withdrawing from Germany in the future. Also, under the military agreement, the British defense industry companies had made into Kazakhstan and had been operating for a while.

“India is an independent country. Do you think the UK military will have influence over its decision?”

“I don’t know about anything else, but I know the Indian military has been working closely with Britain.”

Because of the support from Britain, the Indian Navy was able to have the aircraft carrier, which was the exclusive possession of a powerful nation. It was only possible because the British Commonwealth’s armed forces were thought to be part of Britain’s armed strength.

If Kazakhstan and India were to join forces in the Indian Ocean as a means of pressuring China, Britain would not hesitate to offer other assistance.

***

At the earnest request of the Tajik militia members, combat food was being distributed throughout Tajikistan as a substitute for winter food for their families.

However, a problem occurred when the combat food that was distributed free of charge was being traded at a high price. It was because the families of the militiamen did not eat combat food but sold it through wholesale and retail dealers.

“Your Grace, if they sell something that’s distributed for free, there’s no reason for us to supply it anymore.”

“Mr. Commissioner, if you want to take Tajikistan, you have to release more combat food. How would you look at Kazakhstan if you’re given the hope that you could eat such high-quality food at your heart’s content? You’ll feel the poverty of Tajikistan. That’s why we have to distribute more and more combat food.”

“That’s a little different from the way we took Kyrgyzstan.”

“While Kyrgyzstan had a problem of political instability, Tajikistan has a problem of poverty.”

Tajikistan was an extremely poor country.

Gross domestic product was only six billion dollars, and per capita GDP barely made 700 dollars. 60 percent of the total population was classified as poor, and there were no jobs enough for people as the unemployment rate exceeded 35 percent.

Despite this dire economic situation, the nation had been spending decades in civil war and power struggles. The people’s minds had been alienated from political and powerful figures.

“However, it would be too much for our economy to endure Tajikistan. Do you have any solution?”

“Do you know why China covets Tajikistan? Because Tajikistan has as much water power as Kyrgyzstan. According to the report, there is boundless potential for hydro-power alone, which is the eighth largest in the world. The infinite production of clean energy without the use of fossil fuels means you don’t have to worry about the future.”

“I suppose Tajikistan would be able to generate unlimited electricity if you block a dam-like one in Kyrgyzstan.”

“Yes. In the future, the Tian Shan Mountains and the water power plants of the Pamir Plateau will be our strategic assets.”

Another reason to embrace Tajikistan was that the border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan was too complicated. The complex border could become a seed of conflict due to the distribution of water resources. If Tajikistan was subjugated to China, it would also disrupt electricity production in Kyrgyzstan.

After listening to Youngho’s explanation, Kim Chun finally nodded.

“So I’m blessed to be living in Kazakhstan.”

“I’m grateful to the former president, Nazarbayev, for taking care of the economy and the Ministry of National Defense, even though his long dictatorship has regressed democracy.”

“I just can’t understand that Tajikistan is still so poor with that much potential.”

“Political leaders ruined everything while jostling for power. Tajikistan has been going backward rather than forward. Now, its name should be changed.”

“Do you plan to overthrow it by force?”

“It’s a country that will collapse even if it’s left alone. If China provokes us as intended, the Tajik people will give their entire country as a whole to us voluntarily. That’s why you need to diligently release the combat ration. Then they’ll come into our arms by themselves.”

“Then, I’ll turn the shipment to Siberia to Tajikistan first.”

“I guess you are becoming greedy too, Mr. Commissioner.”