Empire of the Ring

As the plan was set, the construction of the Meltemi Island facility proceeded very fast.

First of all, the construction of the runway, desalination facilities, and accommodation began.

Large cargo would have to be moved by ship, but it was more efficient to use airplanes as much as possible. Just like in Central Asia, Youngho was planning to open the era of propeller planes in the Aegean Sea.

In the islands of the Aegean Sea, ships were the only means of transportation, and it was very inconvenient for the residents of the islands with a small population because they did not even have a ferry.

Because the Arirang royal territory produced its own light aircraft, passenger and cargo twin-motored aircraft, it was possible to supply the necessary planes at any time.

The sky path connecting the Aegean islands was perfect for a propeller plane with a short take-off and landing distance.

The existing port village, which was mostly used by residents, would be made into a small town for residents and workers who would reside there, while the western port on the Mediterranean side would be built with military-related facilities such as a military port and a ship repair shop.

The work was getting bigger as various facilities were planned to be made to use the most area of the island.

“You want to build a tourist accommodation on an island?”

“The Arirang Island is small in size and has a royal villa, so it won’t be suitable, but the Meltemi Island is much larger, so I figured we can build such a facility there.”

“Commissioner, that’s the Kazakh Navy’s strategic base. But if tourists come in and out, they will reveal our military secrets to the whole world.”

“The purpose is to make it available only to our people. That way, the people on the island assimilate with the mainland without feeling isolated.”

It was a plausible but unacceptable plan for now.

The presence of the Kazakh Royal Navy base in the Aegean Sea was not yet known to the world, except for a few countries, including Greece and Turkey.

One day, it would be known, but it was not Youngho’s intention to spread it to the whole world now.

Kim Chun mentioned tourist accommodations, but Park Jong-il made everyone laugh when he suggested installing a cable car linking the island to another island.

Such various suggestions from people were their proof of interest in the island.

It was a new territory in the Mediterranean, out of the mainland. The Aegean Islands were enough to excite the leaders in the Arirang royal territory.

It was so because Kazakhstan was in a geopolitical position where people could enter the Caspian Sea only through the Volga-Don canal.

People paid high fees to Russia to use the Volga-Don canal, but now the royal family had an island that was exposed to the sea, and the navy could be in and out at any time without reporting it to anyone.

Youngho wanted to buy all the islands off the Aegean Sea, but he suppressed his desire as he did not want to get suspected by the Greek government. Its cooperation was absolutely necessary because this was within Greek territorial waters. He was contemplating a plan to tie down the Greek government.

“Jong-il. I think you should visit Greece.”

“What’s the problem?”

“We intend to completely tie down Greece in case the territorial issue will come up in the future.”

“It’s still us who persuaded Turkey to supply oil to Greece. Is there a bigger weapon than that?”

“Oil and gas can be brought in from the Middle East without our help. We need to come up with something else to make us irreplaceable to Greece.”

“What about us playing the role of a buffer from Turkey’s provocations?”

“If the two countries suddenly decided to reconcile, our naval base could be uncomfortable to both. What if Greece asked us to shut down the military facility when we were supposed to use both islands forever as a naval base?”

“That’s true. Is there a good solution?”

“I intend to take over the Port of Piraeus, Greece’s largest port.”

“What? Who’s going to sell it to you?”

Greece was privatizing state-owned companies to prevent national bankruptcy.

The privatization also included the Port of Piraeus.

“Eriksson brought some information.”

“Really? What do I have to do?”

“Make a higher offer than China.”

The Port of Piraeus was Greece’s largest logistics hub port, west of Athens.

It was also one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean.

It connected North Africa with Europe and the Balkan Peninsula, and it was the gateway to the Black Sea, where all kinds of logistics were concentrated.

According to Eriksson’s information, a Chinese state-run shipping company was eyeing the port.

The Greek government was trying to sell its 67 percent stake in the port of Piraeus for 430 million dollars, but only China was interested in it. China was about to win the bid.

There was still an opportunity left for Youngho as further steps such as shareholders’ agreement and the approval of the Hellenic Parliament did not take place yet.

So Youngho planned to intercept the purchase.

If the port had the largest logistics hub in Greece, it would be also useful as a bargaining chip to pressure the Greek government in the future.

Youngho intended to suggest 500 million dollars as a purchase price to beat China.

This was his second clash with China after the Uzbek gold mine, but Youngho did not intend to give up the island because if the port of Piraeus was taken over by China, it would be like giving up its waters. And the Port of Piraeus was also a major hub for Arirang Shipping, so if China held managerial rights, it could expose the Aegean Sea’s bridgehead to China.

***

-We got it.

“What do you mean?”

Youngho knew what Jong-il meant, but he asked again since he wanted to enjoy this moment.

-You know what I mean. That means we’re the owner of the Port of Piraeus.

“Whoa, tell me all about it.”

-The port sale just passed the Parliament

Youngho almost screamed, but he suppressed it because Min-seok, who came to get Youngho’s approval for a document, was staring at him.

“How did the Chinese react?”

-They were not happy about the decision.

Even if the Kazakh royal family offered the same price, the Hellenic Parliament was in a position to support the Kazakh royal family.

If the port was bought by China, Arirang Shipping may leave the Port of Piraeus, but Arirang Shipping accounted for a significant portion of the port’s revenue sources.

-I’m glad we got it, but I feel uneasy about the reaction of the Chinese.

“What are they going to do?”

-I think they might take it out on something else.

“Are we the only country in the world to win a bid against China?

-I’ll finish things up here and be back soon. Anyway, be careful. I have a bad feeling about this.

“Don’t worry about me. Just finish it well.”

-The border area is already prepared, so I don’t worry about that, but I’m afraid something’s going to happen in the wrong place. Just listen to me and tighten up on the palace security.

“Why are you scaring me?”

-The Chinese were furious. It’s like we ruined their food when everything was ready for eating. They were already chosen as a negotiating partner, but we suddenly showed up and offered a higher amount of money.

“They must’ve thought that we interrupted them on purpose.”

-Yeah, and the Chinese corporate officials have already left Greece. It’s weird that they gave up so easily and left.

China could hold a grudge especially if the opponent was the Kazakh royal family.

Not only did China lose Uzbek gold mines to the Kazakh royal family but also its influence on Uzbekistan. There was a high possibility that there would be retaliation in any way, whether immediately or later.

Park Jong-il was worried, but Youngho was fully prepared to counter any provocation, and the only place for provocation was the Pamir Plateau. China was bound to be deeply ashamed if it approached the place thinking it would be easy since Tajikistan militiamen had set up shelters everywhere and even prepared a secret strike as the snow melted. To get through it, China would have to deploy several mechanized divisions.

By taking over the Port of Piraeus, the uncertainty about the two islands, Arirang and Meltemi, was completely eliminated.

The two islands, owned by the Kazakh royal family, could be considered harmful to Greece and the Greek government might demand the withdrawal of troops in the future, so the Port of Piraeus would be the royal family’s hostage as a safety device.

In other words, it was insurance against the change of government in Greece and when an unpredictable figure became its leader.