Empire of the Ring

Construction work of semi-airports was being carried out in various parts of Kazakhstan following the introduction of a cargo turbo propeller. Although the runways for light aircraft had been built, the construction to equip them with sturdy runways and access roads for cargo planes to land and take off.

Even small cities would be equipped with an airport to fly and land flights.

This included the intention to have fighter jets used in case of emergency.

Uzbekistan was also active in Kazakhstan’s proposal for air logistics since it would greatly decrease the transfer time of logistics. Besides, Uzbekistan was not in a position to refuse Kazakhstan’s proposal.

Uzbekistan had actively cooperated with China’s One Belt One Road business, but was distancing itself from China under pressure from Kazakhstan. The Chinese government put economic pressure on Uzbekistan, so it was in desperate need of help.

Without economic aid from Kazakhstan, the nation would face a national bankruptcy, so there was no reason not to cooperate.

As the production infrastructure of two or four-seater light airplanes and mid-sized propellers with 16 or more passengers and 32 or more were already in operation, the cargo plane prototypes were coming out next month.

As it was being processed quickly, it was now imperative to train pilots.

It was decided to build pilot schools that had been only built in the royal territory, Almaty, and Astana, the capital, in Aktau and Atyrau in the west, in the southern largest city of Shymkent, and in Pavlodar in the northeast.

The light aircraft pilot training was only about a month, but in order to fly mid-sized cargo planes, pilots must complete about a hundred hours of training in total including three months of theoretical training and simulation training. This was a short period either, but it would be enough as the opportunity would be only given to those who already had a pilot license.

Their training was different than military pilot training, but in an emergency, they could receive intensive training to fly jets as well. So they were potential strength to the national defense.

As the pilot emerged as a new high-income job, young Kazakh people were busy applying to enter flight schools.

The qualifications to be admitted to the pilot school were high. They needed to speak English and Russian, which was the official language of Central Asia. There were also physical and mental requirements as they needed to have normal eyesight and physical strength and no mental history.

The royal territory was crowded with young people, who came to apply for the pilot school.

In particular, Kurdish young adults’ interest was quite explosive. However, since they could not speak Russian, let alone English, they were trying to get a license to fly a light airplane first.

“Your Grace, I think the pilot school is receiving too much attention.”

“Don’t set the standards too tight, but accept qualified young people first. You can use them as civilian aircraft and fighter pilots later on. If they have qualifications, it would be a good idea to send them to the Air Force Academy. If they’re good enough to get a light plane license, that’s a possibility.”

“You have a point, but we need a fundamental solution. Why don’t we take this opportunity to set up an aviation university with full-time flight training?”

“University of Aeronautics?”

“I’m talking about the University of Aeronautics, where you can train not only aeronautics but also pilots and technicians and flight attendants.”

Youngho was stunned to hear Kim Chun’s suggestion.

He had only thought of the training of pilots but not the training of aviation engineers.

It was not just an issue to let go of when aviation-related technology could rapidly develop if young people could receive education at the private level.

***

“Erickson. I need some help from Sweden.”

Eriksson was also pleased to hear that Youngho wanted to create an aviation university.

“I know a professor of aeronautics at the Malmo University in Sweden. I’ll try to get some advice and see if he can come to Kazakhstan.”

“We are planning to create the best aviation university in Central Asia.”

Malmo University in Sweden was a famous university in Europe for aeronautics. If only a few influential professors could be invited, it would be a windfall for Kazakhstan.

“I intend to upgrade it to a Royal university if necessary.”

It would be very meaningful if a royal family name was given to the university, so Youngho wanted to make it special to attract great professors.

“It’s a big surprise if it will be a royal school. I’ll contact him right away. Shall we call Saab, too? I’m sure some of its executives and employees are qualified as a professor. You know, practice is as important as theory.”

“Agreed. The theory is important, but it would be okay to advocate an aviation university that prioritizes practical education.”

Rather than teaching only theory, it was realistic to study under a professor who was both practical and theoretical. That was because Kazakhstan needed people who could be put in the front line of the flying business right after graduation.

The establishment of the Royal Aeronautics University in the royal territory again stirred the nation.

Even Prime Minister Kasim called to check if this was serious.

-Your Grace. I should’ve talked to you in person, but I’m calling because I’m in a hurry. It’ll be a great development for Kazakhstan, and I admire you for thinking about such an idea, but I had one concern. Are you going to fund it all on your own without government support? Don’t you think the cost of building a school will be burdensome for you right now? Aviation is a special university that is needed at a national level. Why don’t you get the education department’s support out of its budget?

“I know the financial situation of the government, so how can I receive such money? If it’s what it takes to train talent, I’m not afraid to spend money.”

-If it is a special university, I think it would be better to make it a national university. It’s also a matter to discuss with the Ministry of Education.

“I see. I guess I’ve just missed the basic procedure because I was in a hurry. We will be recruiting new students from September of this year, so please proceed with the establishment process and related procedures.”

Kasim made the call because he feared that the royal family would process the admission on its own. Although the royal family was the absolute power of the nation, the establishment of schools and recruitment guidelines for new students must be approved by the Education Ministry under the current law.

-It’s an educational project that will promote the national well-being. I’m sorry that I’m being stubborn with procedures when we can’t give you budget support.

“No, Prime Minister. I almost made a big mistake if you didn’t call me. If I’m going to be too motivated to ignore the procedure in the future, please remind me. You have to keep the law no matter what.”

-Thank you for your understanding, Your Grace.

***

“A total of 703,000 people moved in yesterday, Your Highness.”

“Now it’ll be over with 300,000 more.”

“But the intelligence department says there’s a chance the Kurds, who decided to remain in Syria, might move in additionally as well.”

Suh Min-seok was reporting on the situation involving Kurdish migrants, saying that there was likely to be additional migration.

“Why?”

“I think they’re very insecure about the escalating Syrian civil war and the addition of Turkish troops at the Turkish border. There was a sudden increase in the number of immigration applicants.”

“They were determined not to come, but I’m glad to hear that they changed their mind.”

If more Kurds were willing to come, it was good news. There was no sign of an increase in the population in Kazakhstan, no matter how much effort was put in, so Youngho was glad to hear that the people who were loyal to the Kazakh royal family would be coming in.

There would be a problem of having to build additional settlement villages, but it was only a matter of doing so. No matter how many more people would move in the future, there was enough land to spare.

“Min-seok, can you send an official letter to the European Union?”

“What should I write?”

“Tell that Syrian civil war created additional refugees and ask if EU is willing to receive them.”

“Okay.”

Since the European Union had been suffering from Syrian refugee troubles, it would probably suggest to financially supporting the Kazakh royal family under the condition that it would take the refugees as it had done before. This was a win-win business as Kazakhstan would increase its population, and Europe would have fewer refugees in Europe.

“Do you have any idea how many more migrants there will be?”

“If you look at the number of applicants now, there will be at least 100,000.”

“Please set a time limit and for applications. That way, we can buy time to prepare.”

“The Syrian civil war is not going to end easily, and even the hard-liners, who dreamt of becoming Kurdistan, will lose power. I guess most of the Kurds in Syria will come. That’s my personal opinion.”

Although Suh Min-seok humbly said it was an individual opinion, it was an obvious conclusion. What kind of country would they build on the battlefield between the government forces and rebels? If either side won, would they ever try to recognize the autonomous government of Kurds?

There would be another war waiting for them, let alone the pressure from Turkey.

The hard-line Kurdish militia, which insisted on staying in Syria, would deepen its woes.