Empire of the Ring

There was a reason why Youngho was so confident.

This was because the laser gun that had been developing in the Arirang royal territory was now complete.

Currently, it was at the level of what the U.S. and Russia already had, but there was a high potential that it would be an unprecedented attack weapon if it was further improved.

Combining South Korea’s new technology, the laser gun could shoot down missiles or stealth fighters flying at supersonic speeds.

According to a research, it was expected to attack a target beyond the horizon if it could be improved to have more than 100 kilowatts output.

Currently, the laser gun developed in Kazakhstan had a range of 4 kilometers with a 30 kilowatts output, which had also drastically reduced the size of the power generation equipment compared to the existing laser gun.

Reduced size of equipment meant that it was also portable, which meant it could also be deployed in the Tian Shan Mountains near the border with China.

It was not a weapon with a wide range of destructive power, but it was a great defensive force with its high precision.

Having such a secret weapon, Youngho had nothing to fear against China’s threats.

“You’re too confident, aren’t you? The gun’s performance hasn’t been proven yet.”

“It’s made after dozens of failures. From now on, all there’s left is to increase the range and the destructive power.”

It was a project that had been developed for more than three years and had been invested for more than five years in terms of the preparation period.

There were tactical nuclear weapons, but those could not be used unless Kazakhstan wanted a world war to break out, which was not welcome whatsoever.

That was why Youngho put all his energy into the development of laser guns.

Meanwhile, Youngho bought state-of-the-art fighter jets and attack helicopters with the aim of showing off to the outside world and powered multi-purpose landing ships with the help of the U.S. as well as Aegis destroyers and nuclear submarines.

Such efforts were a warning to neighboring countries not to misjudge recklessly.

“Then we should place a bunch of laser guns in the front.”

“Of course. If necessary, I’m planning to deploy it closely, even with reduced performance. They are the best for defense.”

“It will devastate the Chinese Navy struggling in the Indian Ocean.”

A laser gun was an intangible weapon with no sign of an attack.

It could fly at the speed of light to shoot a target without any error, and the shooters did not even have to worry about how many shots were left since it used electricity, which was also cheap.

Like the villains who had interesting toys on their hands, Youngho and Jong-il were even warming up over where to place them on the border with a map.

“It’s a shame that the range is only 4 kilometers.”

“It is a great achievement for our technology. We will improve it little by little.”

“The problem is ballistic missiles. They fly hundreds of thousands of kilometers and fall vertically. Even if we can take them down in the air with our laser guns, the aftermath of their explosion will be enormous.”

“Our tight air defense network is in place, so we can deal with it. Also, we’re going to accelerate the laser’s performance and turn it into an unprecedented weapon. So don’t worry and use it as a bargaining chip against China.”

“Then are we in charge of collecting bonds?”

Kazakhstan was not taking the money it lent but was in the position of acting on behalf of Azerbaijan.

The fighter jet contract between China and Azerbaijan stated that the contract could be withdrawn in the event of a natural disaster or a corresponding situation, and there was no provision for a penalty or forfeiting the deposit accordingly.

However, China was pressuring Azerbaijan to choose between fulfilling the contract or paying a penalty for the withdrawal of the contract, claiming a peace treaty with Armenia was not equivalent to a natural disaster.

“The two countries, which have been at war for decades, have signed a peace treaty. Of course, it is equivalent to a natural disaster…”

“What are you worried about? From our point of view, it was a huge event like a natural disaster. No one expected peace to come to the Caucasus. It wouldn’t be strange if there was a war right now, but peace came at once. That’s a natural disaster. Besides, I’ll finally visit China after all these years, of course, China should be thankful. I mean after you visit China first, Jong-il.”

“Oh, well. I will visit China for you, but I doubt that the Chinese government will thank you.”

If the Duke of Kazakhstan visited China, China would use it as a tool for promoting its regime.

Such matters were not Youngho’s concern.

Kazakhstan’s next move was up to how the Chinese government would react toward the royal family’s visit.

The fundamental purpose of his visit to China was not to improve relations but to inform the people of the Kazakh federation of the behavior of Chinese political leaders.

“One way or another, we’re not going to lose anything. So, be confident.”

“Man, I’ll be drinking quite a lot of mao-tai.”

“Don’t drink too much and ruin all things before we even get to visit.”

“You know Chinese officials like to be competitive in drinking. I’ll never lose to that! There is no defeat in this Park Jong-il’s dictionary especially when it comes to drinking.”

Whenever Jong-il visited China, the one who he dealt with was the head of the Ministry of State Security, and the two always engaged in a war of nerves by showing off their drinking capacity to each other.

The Ministry of State Security was equivalent to Kazakhstan’s Intelligence Department and was a huge organization with 17 spy agencies and about 10 administrative support agencies.

It had a huge range of activities and capabilities to collect all information on the global community.

With its vastness, the organization ran its own companies and businesses.

“This time I’m going to ask the Queen to lend me her ring before I go, so I can beat the Chinese minister for good, and he won’t ask me to drink ever again.”

“Good idea. Never lose your face in the drinking contest.”

***

Upon hearing that the Queen and the Duke of Kazakhstan would visit China, the Chinese government welcomed them excitedly.

Whether Youngho’s visit had an impact or what trick Park Jong-il played was unclear, the issue of Azerbaijan’s fighter jet purchase cancellation ended with China’s return of the half amount of deposit. There was not even a mention of the penalty.

The visit of the Kazakh royal couple was more important for China.

China was urging the Kazakh royal family to visit the country as soon as possible, saying it could put off even a visit to the heads of state promised in advance.

Youngho did not want to ruin the Chinese president’s visit schedule, so he said he would visit after consulting fully, but the Chinese government insisted that there was no problem. It was because the Chinese government did not want to miss the chance and was worried that the royal family would change its mind if it took too long to arrange a visit.

However, in order to make an immediate visit, it would have to take the form of a working-level visit, not a state visit or an official one, according to diplomatic practice.

It was because a state visit was a visit as a big guest of the nation after a prior formal invitation was given, which required two countries’ full consultation and preparation in advance. It was quite complicated.

The easiest thing to do was to make a working-level visit for public affairs as its protocol process was not very difficult because it was equivalent to attending an international conference held in a particular country.

“Your Highness, we must have a sufficient preparation period and take the form of an official visit. If you visit now, it’s like a business visit. Your Highness and Her Majesty are not only heads of state in Kazakhstan, but also heads of state in the Federal Kingdom.”

Prime Minister Kasim urged that the royal family should not rush its visit to China just because the Chinese government rushed it.

“I’m rather targeting that. The Chinese government rushed to invite us because I expressed my intention to visit first. China has no time to look into protocol or courtesy why it’s in a hurry.”

“…”

“I’m trying to use it as an opportunity to sort out our relationship with China. If it is decided that we will have no future with China, I have no intention of pursuing an amicable relationship with it. It was very upsetting that the Chinese government requested Azerbaijan for a penalty knowing the Kazakh royal family is behind it. I can’t let it slip away.”

As long as China still considered Central Asia its own courtyard, there could be no equal partnership.

China had been spreading false rumors of the Kazakh royal family that it was encroaching on the surrounding area by force.

Youngho had been enduring such reckless actions, but now he had reached the limit to his patience.

“Your Highness, I don’t think it’s necessary to do that while diminishing the prestige of the royal family. Kazakhstan is not the same as before. We have the strength to deal with China alone.”

“It is essential to interact with neighboring countries. But the Chinese government is eager to suck our blood without treating us as we deserve. We can have a war against China with our military power, but Chinese people are still dominating our economy. Our economy is improving, but our money is still slipping away into China. We can’t stop China from rushing in the normal way. That’s why I’d like to approach it in a special way.”

Just because Youngho was trying to clean up the national relationship with China, he did not mean to be hostile toward it.

The move was aimed at preventing China from using Central Asia as a playground.

One of the reasons why Uzbekistan had yet to join the Federal Kingdom of Kazakhstan was because of China’s sabotage, although it was also being delayed as taking in Uzbekistan would be burdensome to Kazakhstan, with its enormous population of over 30 million.

However, China’s involvement in the affairs of Central Asia itself was not to be overlooked, so he was determined to fix it for good.

Youngho continued.

“It hurts my pride to force a good relationship with a country that is no help to us. China may have been enjoying this kind of situation so far, but I’m trying to create an opportunity to break that loop.”

“If that’s your will, I will help you to my best ability. If necessary, I’ll secretly create the public opinion.”

Kasim said he would not hesitate to manipulate public opinion.

“So, if we come back from a visit to China, we have to reduce exchanges with China in some way. Set up legal and institutional mechanisms to prevent any national wealth outflow.”