“Dang, Baku is spring compared to this.”

s.h.i.+vering in cold, Jong-il was stepping out of an airplane.

Today was an expanded board meeting at the autonomous state, so Cha Insoo and Kim Il-Kwon joined Youngho and Jong-il.

“It's because of the wind. It would be more tolerable if there was no wind.”

Youngho, who agreed with Jong-il, also s.h.i.+vered.

Atyrau, Kazakhstan had a north lat.i.tude of 48 degrees, which was eight degrees higher than Baku and seven degrees higher than Korean Paektu Mountain. Inevitably, winter here was bound to be severe.

As December began, rivers began to freeze, and fis.h.i.+ng was stopped.

Ice on the river could be broken with a st.u.r.dy and powerful car ferry, but having learned from last year, Youngho already prepared everything ahead. For the factories near the wharf, Youngho had stored parts and materials ahead of time when it was still warm, so they could still produce, regardless of the outside weather.

Also, in case that solar power generation was disrupted by the winter's wet season and electricity reserve was insufficient, each factory was equipped with its own power generator.

The wet season was not truly wet in Kazakhstan. The precipitation was only about a hundred millimeters from January through March, but since most of the rain in the country rained this time, it was called the wet season.

Having spent the harsh and severe winter once, things were prepared for any emergency at the farm, and it felt quite cozy. If there was no wind, the winter could be more tolerable, but unfortunately, because of the cold weather that went below negative four degrees in Fahrenheit, people had to stay inside until spring.

The underground gym built underneath the sheep ranch was the only place where people could go to do indoor activities and exercises. Despite all of the facilities, the coldness was hard to bear for Serbians since they had lived their entire lives in the warm Balkan Peninsula. It seemed that they needed more time to adapt to the new environment.

“We concluded to send ten men from Countryside Force with H Corporation's construction survey team. If there are no other inquiries or requests, today's meeting will be dismissed.”

A team of H Corporation's staffs came to Kazakhstan before beginning the highway construction and the team needed security guards around the vast land of Kazakhstan. It was only a simple job of guarding, but because Countryside Force was being sent out of the farm for work, it needed to be reported to the Kazakh government. Although Countryside Force would majorly work at the farm, they technically belonged to the Kazakh Army. Any activity outside the farm should be reported and approved by the Ministry of National Defense. The Kazakh government wanted to have strict control over the farm's force.

“Commander Cha Insoo, you're aware of the fact that you need to report to Ministry of Defense tomorrow, right? When you're there, you also need to report the arms and equipment our men will carry with them. I'm not sure if they will be approved though.”

“Private firearms will probably be approved. I'm also going to ask for the approval of light-armored vehicles as well, this time.”

French anti-tank missiles and ground to air missiles would stay hidden from the government, but Turkish light armored vehicles, Russian armored vehicles, multiple rocket launchers, and portable rocket launchers that were taken from Armenia would be reported. The government might have a question when the farm purchased such weapons, but it would not be a big matter, because now they were there to strengthen the country's defense.

The government requested the farm to come up with patrol boats on its own, which meant that, it intended to strengthen national defense.

Seven armored vehicles, twenty-seven light armored vehicles, and two multiple rocket launchers were a great strength added to Countryside Force.

The light armored vehicles were used most of these days, so it would have greater firepower if they could have multiple rocket launchers on. The light armored vehicle could seat ten armed men. Its four-wheel-drive top-of-the-line tactical maneuver function showed off the best engine in vast plains and mountainous areas of Kazakhstan. The vehicle itself proved its worth when used around the farm in the meantime, So Youngho ordered ten more of them from Otokar, the light armor vehicle company, in Turkey.

He planned to give them away to the Kazakh military as a celebratory gift for the farm's elevation of the status as an autonomous region.

One reason was to earn favor from the military. Countryside Force would be under the Kazakh military's control anyway, and Youngho thought that the best strategy for the farm was to make the military on its side. There was another reason as well. It was to let the Kazakh military turn its eye on defense equipment from other countries, rather than only relying on Russian companies. There was no reason for the government to insist on Russian products when there was a great quality of foreign military products.

Cha Insoo came back from Ministry of Defense with an approval letter for ten Countryside Force soldiers and three light armored vehicles to leave the region for the first time.

One might ask why a survey team for road construction needed armed men and vehicles, but he would soon find out if he stayed in Kazakhstan for a few days. Wild animals appeared night and day, and since many regions did not even have roads, regular vehicles were not much of help. Moreover, robbers and bandits frequently appeared in remote places. If the team was not armed, its members would risk not only their belongings but also their lives in many cases.

A lot of supplies were needed for the survey team, so one of the vehicles was filled with gas and camping supplies only. Despite the tight preparation, the team would only be able to sustain their expedition when receiving a supply of goods once in every week from the farm. Since the team needed to endure the severe continental cold during their expedition, the preparation did not seem sufficient. Thus, Youngho did not forget to slip a note to the Kazakh government that any support needed for the survey team's convenience would be done as occasion arose.

Although Kazakhstan made huge funds from trading their excessive underground resources, the country welcomed any foreign investments, as there were many occasions to spend money as a developing country. Especially, if they came from a third country instead of Russia or China, where the government did not have any conflicts with, was more convenient for the country.

The old president made Youngho excited as he gladly approved Arirang Farm's autonomous status. The reason that Youngho suggested H Corporation build highways in the country was to show appreciation to the Kazakh government. It was also to keep the promise that he would spend money that was earned in Kazakhstan, for Kazakhstan only.

The old roads that were used by merchants who crossed Kazakhstan on horsebacks and camelbacks during the time of the Silk Road still remained in the country. This meant the road conditions were extremely bad and rough.

If the government refused to invest in the road construction project, he was going to do it all by himself, but it seemed unlikely since there were staffs from another Korean construction company in the survey team along with the staffs of H Corporation. This meant that he did not have to worry about investing in the construction anymore.

Youngho did not mind this at all since he could simply invest in other places with the money now. He was attached to Kazakhstan more than Baku, Azerbaijan since Baku was already a stable city. Kazakhstan was a land of opportunity in his eyes.

The deserted land could be turned into rich soil if it was well-taken cared off, and there were so many ways it could be developed into.

It was breathtaking when the government asked for the development of a vast tract of land over 247 acres under the condition of the autonomous state's existence, but it was not a terrible condition.

If the water of the Ural River was drawn and supplied and the underground water resource was developed smoothly, the land could possibly be turned into mega farmland.

When Youngho and Park Youngsun scanned through the new land on an airplane, they could spot a few lowlands.

Park Youngsun slapped his lap immediately. He thought of an idea to not only plating windbreak, but also set them in a way that pools of water would be formed in the lowlands.

He meant to create some kind of oasis.

It was such a great idea that Youngho was taking another tour around the land with Jong-il, Insoo, and Il-kwon.

“Man! This is all ours? How big is it anyway?”

Jong-il exclaimed. It was indeed a breath-taking view of the vast land.

Youngho was worried to think about how much money would be invested here from now on.

“This is a little bit bigger than Seoul. I'm scared that the government might toss more land to us when this is all developed.”

“If the authorities give us more, just take it. I'll take a shovel to give you a hand.”

“Man, that's cute. Let me give you a hug, man.”

“Get off your disgusting hands, dude! You want to hug me whenever I'm off guard. I hate it.”

Il-kwon who was flying the airplane took a turn.

“Boss. I think we should land there.”

“Why land in this coldness? Let's take another round and return to the farm.”

“I think I saw some frozen ice. I should go check.”

“What? Did you say ice? That means there's water.”

It was unprecedented to say that there was water in a place that was a half-deserted region. Youngho had flown around the place for several times but saw dried up land only.

As an experienced pilot, Kim Il-kwon found a flat ground and successfully landed the four-seater Cessna airplane. The landing was somewhat rough, but his skill was great enough to bring up everyone's thumb.

“You'd make quite of money when you become a professional pilot.”

“Hyung, how dare can I compare to you? You usually fly longer than I do.”

“A competent pilot like you also approve of my skills, but he always complains whenever I land. He's so stingy with compliments.”

“Somebody with Boss' skills is allowed to complain to you.”

Jong-il and Il-kwon's conversation seemed to compliment and mock Youngho at the same time.

“Hey, you two! Why are you having that conversation in front of me? Hurry and get off the plane now!”

What Kim Il-kwon saw from the sky was a little pond and there was a little pastureland and little bushes spa.r.s.ely formed around the pond.

It could be only spotted because the frozen water reflected the sunlight, but the size of the pond was so small that it would not have been recognizable if there was no ice. The existence of the pond was surprising. It was not possible if there was no stream of water. It recently snowed and rained a little bit since it was the wet season, any water was dried up immediately due to the dry wind. Thus, it was such a valuable discovery.

“This is kind of an oasis but I don't see any useful trees but some thin bushes.”

“The existence of water itself is amazing. I think there might be a stream somewhere. I should get Dr. Park here right now. If there was a living vein of water formed here, this might be better than a vein of gold.”

If the underground vein of water was found in a place that was 20 kilometers away from the farm, the cost of irrigation ca.n.a.l construction would be saved and the place around the water could be developed as farmland.

“Il-kwon hit a home run today.”

Water was the most valuable and cherished in Kazakhstan.

Any place where people resided together had to have a source of water.

The discovery of a stream gave new hope. There might as well be other water ponds around the area. A thorough survey of the land was needed now. If there was enough water, there would be nothing to worry about.

So, groups of people of the farm on light armored vehicles were sent to different sectors of the new land to find water. Youngho even put reward money for any group that found water, so many farmers were eager to find it. They would gladly do the job anyway for the farm, but since there was a reward, people were enjoying their mission, despite the bitter weather.