Since the dramatic compromise with China, relations between the two countries had been experiencing an unseasonably springy wind.
What immediately stood out was the resumption of operations by Chinese merchants in the streets of the largest market in Almaty. They were the ones who had disappeared as Kazakhstan police narrowed their investigation to arrest organizations that trafficked young Kazakh women. When Chinese merchants returned, soaring prices began to settle. Without Chinese manufactured goods and daily necessities in Central Asia, including Kazakhstan, the working-class economy did not work.
Without Chinese goods, the economy would be paralyzed immediately. Countries were subjugated to China’s economic sphere that they could not exclude China even if they wanted to. This economic structure must be stopped if Kazakhstan wanted to stand alone.
In Astana, there was a heated debate among cabinet ministers.
“We rely too much on Chinese goods. But we can’t build a factory for the limited number of consumers, can we? Self-production is not the only solution. Import goods from countries with low production costs is a natural phenomenon.”
“If we continue to use Chinese goods, all the small factories will have to be closed. But at the same time, if China does not export, our economy will be paralyzed. Companies that produce essential daily necessities or manufactured goods, even with subsidies, should be protected.”
“How about this? We should assign each region the items that it should produce, and we’re going to make it mandatory. Then we’ll be self-sufficient as much as we need.”
“The government’s artificial intervention distorts the market. We have to leave it to the market economy to improve its competitiveness.”
“We’re a country with only 19 million people. There should be at least 100 million people in order to make a self-sufficient domestic market. Rather than using money to set up factories and run them, we should use that to import. We need to diversify our import lines, not just using China’s goods.”
“How can you diversify our imports when there’re no goods as cheap as Chinese products? You don’t mean we should bring expensive European products, do you?”
“There are Southeast Asian countries?”
“They’re too far away. You have to think about logistics costs.”
“There’s a simple solution if we use the Trans China Railway.”
“Is it China again? Isn’t it like we’re exposing our weakness to China? What if China doesn’t give us customs clearance?”
“Why do you think only of Trans China Railway? There is also a shipping company that belongs to the royal family. I’ve heard that it will open the Indian Ocean route soon, although it’s only traveling the Atlantic and Arctic Seas now.”
“You have to have a sense of shame. How long are you going to lean on the royal family?”
“We can’t afford to do so on our own. We’ve got no other option. We can pay back to the royal family if the state finances becomes better later.”
Prime Minister Kasim did not feel comfortable listening to the conversation. This was because of the royal family had done so much for Kazakhstan, and yet, without its help, any business in Kazakhstan did not work properly.
On the other hand, he had a deep trust in Youngho since he had shown tangible results with huge businesses in Kazakhstan. For example, the railway line through Baku to the Black Sea and through Iran to the Persian Gulf would be completed within a few years, and it was all done with the royal funds.
“Oh! Are you saying that our ministers said that?”
“I’m shameful, but I also have a tendency to lean on the royal family.”
“What are you ashamed for? The royal family didn’t just fall from the sky. It is there because people supported it. I’ll give everything for the benefit of Kazakhstan.”
“We are grateful for your generosity.”
“This is for the well-being of both the royal family and Kazakhstan. I can’t be stingy on this matter.”
“There are only a few merchant ships belonging to Arirang Shipping that goes across the Atlantic. Will you be able to turn them around?”
“Even if we can’t use our ship, there’s nothing to worry about. There are a lot of shipping companies that are idling because they don’t have a lot of cargo to transport.”
“Still, I’m worried about logistics costs because of the long transport distance. Some suggested that we should use the Trans China Train. What do you think about that?”
“The best way is to use the Trans China Train through the Chinese Port, but it’ll be like giving China more power and control. We can use the Russian canal right now, so don’t worry about it. Sooner or later, we’d be receiving icebreakers from Denmark. A route to the Arctic Ocean will be open in the near future.”
“Isn’t it inadequate with our icebreakers?”
“Oh, I haven’t told you yet. My shipyard in Denmark is now building several large icebreakers. I personally ordered one of them, but my friends also ordered several vessels. We arranged that Arirang Shipping would be in charge of operating them all.”
“When did you make such preparations?”
“A merchant must always look forward to the future. In the Arctic Ocean, there will soon be a day when our ice breakers will guide commercial vessels from each country. Look forward to it.”
***
When Park Jong-il was told to pioneer the Atlantic route, he was exuberated. He said that it was finally time to go out to the ocean.
“Are the Atlantic and Arctic seas not the oceans, but the seas of the neighborhood?”
“The Indian Ocean is the ocean of the Age of Exploration. You have to cross the rough Indian Ocean to be a true shipping company. Hey, I’d like to send our ships to the Indian Ocean, and use chartered ships in the Atlantic route. What do you think?”
“We put our ship on a dangerous route?”
“Would we like to put our ships on a safe route and let others go to the sea full of pirates? I don’t think ship owners will like to hear that.”
“Arirang Shipping won’t be defeated by some pirates, I’m confident. Our guards are from the Korean Navy Special Forces. If they can’t beat pirates, they’d have to go back to Korea.”
“Don’t underestimate them too much and give our guards a proper education.”
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“So, you’re okay about it?”
“Oh, like you’re going to listen to me, Jong-il. The company’s yours. Do whatever you like with it.”
“What are you talking about? Arirang Shipping should be owned by the Kazakh royal family. It belongs to the royal family, no one will treat it with ill intentions.”
“I’ve already left Arirang Shipping to you. What’s wrong with you?”
“I know what you’re thinking, but if Arirang Shipping is in the form of a regular company, we can’t do it outside the country. If you’re a member of a royal family, you can go in and out of any country’s ports honorably. Besides, they won’t make a problem out of bringing royal naval guards on board.”
“So, you want to take advantage of the title?”
“Of course. I should take anything I can get. There will be a day when Arirang Shipping will conquer all the oceans.”
“How can a country that has no contact with the ocean become a giant shipping company?”
“We still have the Mediterranean island.”
“What are you going to do with a tiny island?”
“It’s important that the island belongs to the Kazakh royal family. The Greek government must also like it that the Kazakh royal family is in front of it.”
Greece and Turkey had been at odds over ownership of a small island in the Aegean Sea. Compared to Turkey’s military power, Greece’s power was feeble.
“Greece will rather be reluctant because we’re a brotherly country to Turkey.”
“We’re pretending to be a brother just because Turkey sees it that way, but honestly we’re not a brotherly country to Turkey.”
“What do you want to say?”
“If we hold out in the Aegean Sea, Turkey will be less likely to start a dispute with Greece.”
“So?”
“How would Greece see us? It’d be grateful to keep the prick out of the way.”
Jong-il said that if only Kazakhstan could maintain a smooth relationship with the Greek government, it could even set up a fleet of ships at the Aegean Sea. Youngho wondered if that would be feasible.
The original plan was to use the island’s topography to hide warships. However, he wanted to officially put some guarding fleet for the Kazakh royal family there. If the royal family said that it would dock a few frigates there to protect ships of Arirang Shipping, the Greek government would not refuse it. The government would rather think about it as good protection against Turkey.
The fleet that will protect the Western or the Arctic Ocean can use Copenhagen, a country of in-laws, as a port. But to protect the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean, we needed a foothold in the Mediterranean.
It was the island of Greece.
It would be nice to have one, but if it is not coastal, warships from other countries cannot enter at all.
“Jong-il, why don’t you visit Greece this time?”
“As a special envoy again?”
“Yes. Go ask if the Greek government would let us use its port or allow us to dock warships on the island.”
“It may have worked in Korea, but I’m not sure if that will work with the Greek government.”
“You’re the head of the Kazakh intelligence service. The Greek government won’t make a mistake to mistreat you since you’re a practical power of Kazakhstan.”
“Man, you’re pushing it.”
“If the government is interested, tell that there’s a chance of buying a few more islands.”
Greece had thousands of islands but was just using them as a tourist destination.
As the government was now at the point of bankruptcy, which forced it to sell its own islands in order to survive, so it would readily accept the proposal of the Kazakh royal family.
“Negotiate with our natural resources too.”
“Why don’t I go as a royal envoy, not as a special envoy of the Kazakh government?”
“You think you’ll have more credibility if you go as Earl?”
“Yes, wouldn’t the Greek government think twice if I’m the Earl? I’m in the third-highest position in the order of the royal family after the Queen and the Duke. People in Europe are very sensitive about it. Since I became Earl, I’ve had quite a few writers who wanted to meet me here and there.”
“Okay, I guess that’s a good idea.”
“The question is, would it be reasonable to say we’ll be docking our warships to protect our royal-owned shipping company?”
“Well, it’s not completely convincing… Then how about suggesting to sign a currency swap agreement?”
“And what if Greece is really on the verge of bankruptcy?”
“If Greece doesn’t pay what it owes to us, then we’ll ask them to cede the right port to us.”