Empire of the Ring

If Kashgar was to be an outpost of Kazakhstan, the discord within its society was not to be neglected, or it would be like providing an excuse for China.

Kashgar was not an independent country, but a self-governing republic of China.

If internal conflicts occurred, China would try to interfere, and that was why Kashgar could not be solely left to the Uyghurs at this point.

Understanding the situation from Youngho’s explanation, Park Jong-il no longer resisted.

“Okay, I’ll get the intelligence service involved, but we need something to appease the hard-line militia leader.”

“If they want to create a political party, tell them you’re going to fund it.”

It should be seen that the Uyghurs were leading and shaping Kashgar.

In order to do so, the Kazakh government must provide them with political funds and let them melt into the desired system.

“Okay, Kashgar will be taken care of that way, but what about Tibet? Don’t you really care about it anymore? Geopolitically, it’s important, too.”

It seemed Jong-il thought it was a shame that Kazakhstan was only focusing on Kashgar, not Tibet.

If it contributed to Tibet’s independence, it should receive some benefits in return, but there was no action.

“You don’t have to worry about it like Kashgar. When the exile government comes in, the Indian government will take care of it. I’d like to get our hands off Tibet at the right time.”

“Are you kidding me? After all the hard work, we are giving the credit to the Indian government?”

“India is our ally and it will do well on its own. I’d like to make the Kunlun Mountains a joint security zone and share the burden.”

Even though Ngari Prefecture had less than 100,000 people, the border to defend was very long.

It was also difficult to station troops to most of the area due to the high altitude of over 4,000 meters.

And Kazakhstan would not have to be involved anyway, as it would be symbolically dominated by the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

If it existed only as a buffer zone with China, it would not be a waste to pass it on to the Indian government unless it was in a grave danger of being captured by China again, but China also seemed to be not interested in the alpine region.

For China, it would be more efficient to focus on Kashgar than to deploy forces to recapture a useless place.

And because of its geographical location closer to India than Kazakhstan, it was right for the Indian government to look after it.

“It’s like giving away your hard-cooked meal to a dog. India had no role at all, but you’re not just throwing it away, are you?”

“We won’t have any benefit for keeping it under our control. Even the Indian government is only interested in it for Pakistan and China. It’s a burdensome place.”

“You really don’t seem to care about it.”

Park Jong-il, who was deep in thought for a long time, asked to entrust this matter to him.

“Let’s talk to the Indian government first. The Indian government will have interests in this matter, too. I need to get something out of it.”

“The moment the Indian government takes a part in Tibetan issue, there will be a lot of political burden. We’re in fact tossing the burden to it. What are you going to get out of it?”

Since India was in a conflict with China over the border, the Tibetan issue could become a source of trouble. If the Indian government would still take care of Tibet with such a burden, Kazakhstan would have to thank it.

“What do you mean? India will gain a buffer zone because of Ngari Prefecture, and it will occupy a position to pressure Pakistan from the side.”

There was a variable called Pakistan.

India’s help in Ngari Prefecture, Tibet, would have the means to pressure Pakistan, which was most cooperative in China’s One Belt One Road project.

Kazakhstan could also press the project if it expanded its territory a little further from Kashgar.

“Then contact the Indian government immediately. If necessary, mobilize Chairman Mittal.”

India’s steel king, Lakshmi Mittal, would cooperate if he heard about this.

“Hahaha… Now you’re talking.”

Park Jong-il rushed out of the office with a creepy smile on his face.

***

As expected, Mittal flew to the Arirang royal territory at once.

He excitedly shook Youngho’s hand as if it was already confirmed.

“Your Royal Highness, on behalf of India, I thank you first.”

“Chairman Mittal, aren’t you getting ahead of yourself when we haven’t even consulted with the exile government yet?”

“Your will is the most important. The Dalai Lama will also be pleased with it. Ngari Prefecture is a sacred place for Tibetans and for Indians. Giving such a place unconditionally is a big gift for Tibet and India.”

“The Tibetan militias wanted to go after it first. There have been many sacrifices to capture the area. Their sacrifice wasn’t in vain.”

Youngho did not say it to show off the role of Kazakhstan.

It was a relatively easy occupation, but it was also true that there were many sacrifices during the battle.

It was a roundabout way of saying that it was not free.

Chairman Mittal quickly got a sense of what Youngho meant by saying this.

“I will never forget the sacrifices of countless people. Who would have done such a thing if it were not for the Kazakh royal family? That’s why I’m thanking you on behalf of India. I will be a messenger to convey your intention to the Indian government. I’m sure you’ll have a satisfactory result.”

At this level of reaction, there was nothing more to say.

The dice had already been thrown, so he just had to wait for the results.

Even if the results were not satisfactory, the Kazakh royal family would remain unique to Indians.

“I didn’t want to gain anything by helping them fight for independence. I just came forward because I couldn’t tolerate the inhumane actions China has committed against minorities, and the independence of Uyghur and Tibet was also a long-cherished desire of the Central Asian people. It’s a shame we couldn’t acquire it fully.”

“I understand the great cause of the Kazakh royal family better than anyone else. I admire you for that.”

A justified war could be praised this way even after many sacrifices.

Kazakhstan had gained both cause and practical benefits, although it did not jump into the struggle with a noble spirit without considering national interests.

“I am flattered. I had no choice but to jump in because we border China. We were lucky enough to occupy a small area and end it early, but it almost turned into a big war.”

Mittal, who briefly meditated on Youngho’s words, opened his mouth.

“I’d like to make a suggestion to Your Highness, would you like to hear it?”

He would not say it if Youngho did not want to, but Youngho wanted to hear even just for his curiosity.

“There’s nothing you can’t say between us? Don’t hesitate to speak.”

He was also Youngho’s business partner, so Youngho took it lightly.

“It reminds me of a way to make China quiver.”

He seemed to be telling the story that he had in mind for a long time because he thought it was an opportunity.

“I’ll listen.”

Since then, Mittal’s story continued for about an hour.

Whether it was his own idea or the Indian government’s internal policy toward China, Mittal delivered a surprising message.

Mittal’s argument was that the Chinese misunderstood that the Communist Party had unified China, but it was not true. He said that China was rather divided by the Communist Party.

The reason why Taiwan and Mongolia were separated was because they were difficult to be together based on the activities of the Communist Party of China, and the reason why the independence movement took place in Tibet and Uyghur, which had been under China’s umbrella, was also attributed to the tyranny of the Communist Party of China.

In this regard, the biggest culprit behind China’s division was the Communist Party of China.

He said that if Communist tyranny persisted, the future China was very likely to be divided.

He stressed that a split in public sentiment could soon lead to a division of territory, as shown in this example in Uyghur and Tibet.

“So I’d like to keep shaking China so that the Communist Party of China will keep its misadministration. What do you say?”

Although he talked long, the conclusion was to shake the Communist Party by alienating the public sentiment.

“Can the Indian government join us in shaking China?”

“Of course, we have to do joint operations, just like we do in the Indian Ocean.”

It was true that the Indian Navy was guarding the back when the Kazakh Navy was fighting against Chinese vessels.

In the end, he meant that large-scale troops could be sent to Tibet.

“For the time being, I was thinking of taking a break to accumulate power.”

As Youngho did not respond positively, Mittal immediately stepped back.

“I’m not saying that we should carry it out right now. It’s my personal opinion, so I have to ask the Indian government’s intentions and get the consent of the Dalai Lama, too.”

It was not the official position of the Indian government, but it would not refuse Mittal’s proposal.

“Okay, I’ll think about it if the Indian government will be responsible for Ngari Prefecture.”

If the Indian Army were to be stationed in Tibet, Youngho would gladly accept Mittal’s suggestion.

The presence of Indian troops in Tibet would be a crucial decision to risk a war with China.

“I knew you would agree.”

“Hahaha… Let’s wait for the Indian government’s decision.”

Youngho did not mean to maintain the status of half independence as it was now.

One day, the entire territory of Uyghur and Tibet would have to be restored, and Youngho was going to help.

The timing was uncertain, but today’s talks with Mittal seemed to bring the timing forward somewhat.

This would also encourage the Uyghurs living in Kashgar. There would be no Uyghurs who would be satisfied with where they were now.

He was worried if they ran ahead of their passion when they were not even ready, but if there was a powerful ally called India, there would be less burden.