Empire of the Ring

Michael rejoiced at Youngho’s words.

He repeatedly made sure Youngho’s decision to destroy the fence at the Pamir Plateau as he could not believe it.

-Duke, are you serious about that?

“Yes. Wouldn’t the replacement of the barbed-wire fence attract the Chinese side?”

-It’ll be a tempting offer for China. Do you know what China cares most about? It is the barbed wire fence.

“For us, removing the barbed wire is a huge burden. It’s like disarming ourselves.”

-That’s not true. The barbed-wire fence had been putting a political strain for China and if you remove it, China will naturally agree to recognize the buffer zone. If nomads would be allowed to travel around the area freely, it would be enough to quell any internal complaints.

“If China builds a wall, we have to make sure that it’s out of the buffer zone.”

-Don’t worry. With your promise, the biggest stumbling block is gone, and China won’t overdo it either.

“It’s a matter of waiting. I don’t believe in China’s promise.”

-Nobody believes in promises in international relations. It’s important that we earned justification.

“I think money is more important than justification.”

China responded immediately to the U.S. mediation.

The proposal to discuss easing tensions in the Pamir Plateau was good news for the Chinese government.

For the Communist Party of China, which had been criticized as an incompetent government that seemed powerless in cyber-attacks, it was a golden opportunity to divert public attention.

The border dispute on the Pamir Plateau had been also viewed negatively by the Chinese people, out of concern that it might further intensify Uyghurs’ struggle for independence.

That was why the Chinese government was not able to use force against the troops in the Pamir Plateau. On the other hand, it could not ignore the Kazakh military’s air defense network.

Although it would not escalate into an all-out war, the damage on both sides would be inevitable due to the fierce intensity of firepower for the local war.

If that happened, Kazakhstan would immediately block its oil exports, and the next step would be blocking the railway to Europe, making it difficult for Chinese logistics to move.

China could not give up its economic gains just to have a piece of land as good as a wasteland.

The negotiations went smoothly.

The area, which each side claimed to be its own, was to be remained as the Demilitarized Zone, and it was discussed that nomads would be allowed from both sides to enter and exit freely.

“Are you saying we should replace the fence right now?”

“The U.S. says it’ll be in charge, so we should trust it.”

“Oh, we worked so hard in the winter, and now we’re going to get rid of that precious thing?”

“What should I do when our chief of Intelligence Service wants us to chicken out?”

“Hey, hey! I didn’t say that. What I meant was to take some time to catch our breath before starting to fight such a high wall.”

“That’s the same thing.”

“Man, you’re turning me into a coward.”

The concession was not made just because Jong-il said so.

It was done so because now was the time to build strength.

The impact of China’s trade volume on the Kazakh economy could not be ignored, either.

Military power that was not based on economic power was like a house of cards.

All fields must be developed evenly to ensure that even quality munitions were properly supplied.

“Because we’re trying to buy time, we need to show a big concession.”

“Alright, if we can’t help it, we can’t help it. After all, it’s not a concession because it’s a restoration since there was no fence in the beginning. So, why don’t we take time to remove the fence? I feel like it’s a waste to just step back.”

“What mischievous work do you have in mind?”

“I’m going to hide my ace in the hole for the sake of the future.”

“What are you going to do when you can’t use it anyway?”

“This is going to be a place where only nomads will come in and out. So, why don’t we build secret defense facilities while removing the barbed wire fence.”

“One shot of bomb, everything will go away. Leave it alone.”

“I’ll take care of it myself.”

“Let’s go to the Pamir Plateau first. We have to convince the Tajik militia anyway.”

***

There was no difficulty in removing the fence which was set up on columns and was put on frozen ground.

Youngho and Jong-il also watched the removal of the barbed wire fence.

Construction of a stronghold was also in full swing at the place where China claimed its ownership.

“What’s the point of making a stronghold on the ridge?”

“It’s a defense facility.”

“The Chinese military is looking down everything with satellites, man.”

“Oh, Youngho. That’s exactly why we’re making it. This is proof that Tajikistan effectively controlled this place rather than China. We’re making a new history.”

“What’s that?”

“We’re going to get rid of the anti-tank mines. If I knew this would happen, I wouldn’t have ordered to put the mines.”

“Why did you bury the mines? The artillery units in the rear and air defense units are enough to clean up the Chinese mechanized units that enter the open space.”

“It says in the battle code that the mines are more frightening. Imagine a mine buried in this large area and how long it would take to get rid of them all? No matter how tough the Chinese army is, they won’t be able to move forward in this area recklessly. It’s a pre-modern way, but it’s a real drag for the enemy.”

“Oh, who can stop you? Is that mine going to explode even if people step on it?”

“It’s a new mine model, so it only responds to a ton of weight or more.”

In other words, it was not dangerous for people.

“Really? Then the nomads won’t be hurt if they step on it.”

“I guess it will withstand a decent-sized cart as well.”

The nomads, who raised livestock in the Pamir Plateau, did not use vehicles because they carried their belongings on carts and on the back of a bison.

In other words, there would be no problem if they left the mines under the ground.

“You know exactly where they’re buried?”

“I’ve marked them all on the military map, so feel safe.”

“Really? Then don’t remove them, just leave them alone, and let China know that the mines are buried.”

“…”

“Let’s say you’re having trouble locating them because we buried them randomly. That way, they won’t dare to move mechanized units around here in the future.”

“Oh! That’ll do it. That’s a brilliant idea.”

“If you’ve paid for it, you have to use it in any way.”

Youngho was going to tell the Chinese side that the anti-tank mines were buried out of fear of China’s advance.

He would also show images of the mine removal work and convince China that the Kazakh troops tried its best to remove all of the mines while kindly informing the detailed specifications of the new anti-tank mines.

Not knowing where the mines were buried, this news would be shocking to the Chinese military. However, it would not be able to protest against Kazakhstan.

In military operations, using anti-tank mines was not something to be criticized because it was one of the ways to slow down the advance of mechanized forces.

Jong-il, who thought he would be criticized for doing unnecessary things, was happy that this turned out to be a blessing in disguise after all.

“Isn’t this what foresight is all about?

“Oh, you want to take credit? Then, how about this? I’ll tell the Chinese military that it’s Park Jong-il’s work. The Chinese military will grit its teeth because of you.”

“But do you think they’ll trust us when we say we can’t locate the mines?”

“Say that the Tajik militia buried them recklessly. China also knows the poor level of Tajik militia very well.”

“Well, the militia is going to get blamed for nothing.”

“Inform the captain of the Tajik militia about this. This is part of an operation.”

“Great. He was upset that the mines were going to be removed. He’d rather love to hear about it.”

***

“Looking at them, it’s like they’ve built a wall against the modern world. They don’t seem to have any worries.”

“The only concern for nomads is the appearance of wolves and the decline of grass.”

Nomads’ only possession was livestock, and they were not greedy for other materials, so why would they worry about other things? Even basic supplies would be a luxury for them.

It seemed like they were living a very poor life, but they were not worried that much because the byproducts of livestock alone would supply everything they wore and ate.

“It’s a world that people go to the moon, but it’s quite amazing how they still hold on to life as it was hundreds of years ago. For them who think raising livestock is everything, what we’re doing must feel like a joke.”

“Well, we all have our own lives.”

“Don’t tell me there are spies in them.”

“Oh, please.”

The Uyghur nomads, who had been unable to enter the Pamir Plateau due to barbed wire fence, brought livestock immediately as if they did not want to miss the fields in June.

The buffer zone had yet to be fixed, but the animals were brought to the plateau when rumors surfaced that the fence would be removed.

The border meant little to nomads.

It was also a spectacular sight in the 21st century to see large yaks, tents, and groceries.

No matter how much civilization developed, this figure was bound to last for a while, or how would they climb steep mountain paths?

The roads to and from the Pamir Plateau were rough, but once they reached the Pamir Mountains, the land was almost flat, so there was no restriction on movement.

It was a difficult journey, but as there was plenty of high quality grass everywhere, people could stay in one place for a long time, which was a reason to visit Pamir.

However, it was a misunderstanding to think that all of Pamir was grassland.

There were also many barren areas where not a single plant could grow.

Still, the reason why they insisted on Pamir was that livestock that endured high-altitude areas were sold at higher prices as their meat was said to be better.

It was not too much to say that most of Pamir’s fields were herbs. They said that just three months of living here increased the meat of livestock more plump than anywhere else.

The nomadic tribesmen, who had been stocking on the Pamir Plateau every year, brought in more livestock this year as if to make up for last year’s failure to come to the plateau due to the deployment of troops from both sides.

Family nomads from Xinjiang Uyghur were installing yurts at a distance of several kilometers from each other.

They did not even care if the fully armed Tajik militiamen walked around.

This was because although the Uyghurs were Chinese, they thought of any people in Central Asia as their countrymen.

The nomads even provided freshly squeezed yak milk to soldiers walking by.

There was no guarantee that this peace would last for long, but with the negotiation with China this time, Pamir would find peace for the time being.