Kim Il-kwon's family also left the Charles Farm and nestled at Zeynep farm. He hurriedly moved in, thinking that he should protect Fatima and her children by staying near them.

The Charles Farm had only 300 acres of land, so Il-kwon did not have to stay there as it could only be left to the workers.

"Your parents must be sad to leave their old home."

"They were rather happy that they're moving to Zeynep Farm where there are more people. They've been feeling lonely."

"It's a good thing your family adjusted well to living in Baku."

"Yes, my parents now feel comfortable living here. These days, they frequently go to the downtown."

"Good news. There's also a kindergarten here, so your kids will love it, too."

"My wife was also excited about that. She feels that it's time for our kids to make friends."

Il-kwon's family seemed to have settled down here as well. They escaped from the political prison camp in North Korea and nestled in Baku, and at first, they could not even leave their home because of the anxiety that North Korean spies would come in to get them at any moment. They could not even look people in the eyes, but they were different people now.

"When can we bring in the new wine production facility?"

"The equipment company is free because it is off-season. They're working on the framing now, so we'll be able to bring it in soon."

"If we operate an extra facility, we'll have twice as much production as we have now. I'm sure Sergey would love to hear that."

"Frankfurt branch has also complained that it's short of wine."

"I guess people are all sipping wine in their house because they can't go outside for terrorism."

"Well, there's nothing like alcohol when you're frustrated."

"Speaking of that, I'd also love to drink. Shall we have a drink today?"

"Would you like some barbecue too? I'll get some meat from the Serbian ranch."

"Catch one that doesn't have a heavy odor."

"We don't have Korean Soju anymore on the farm."

"Are you still drinking Soju? The lamb is a good match for vodka, too."

Although it was winter, Zeynep Farm was always open for a barbecue party.

The thought of drinking vodka on lamb already made Youngho's mouth water.

***

Nikolay's family was staying at the Arirang Hotel in Baku.

They left Siberia and came to spend the winter in Baku since it was too cold in Siberia.

He bought a hotel near the Arirang Hotel, and it was currently under remodeling before it could reopen.

Since it had been a while that Youngho had met him, he invited Nikolay and his family to the farm for the barbecue party.

"You seem to be everywhere. You are such a busy man."

"I knew you were staying at our hotel, but I couldn't even say h.e.l.lo to you."

"Oh, don't feel bad. Thanks for even thinking about me when you're this busy. Sevan from the Main Police Department told me there was a dinner at the Presidential Palace."

"Yes, the president was there for my brother-in-law's wedding, so I visited him to thank him."

"I am extremely envious of you in that regard. I've spent my entire life making money, but I had not thought about interacting with politicians."

"When an entrepreneur mixes with politicians, usually his ending is not very good. You know how the political world is. It changes so much and so often. If you're an entrepreneur, you'd better focus on your business alone. Sometimes, you realize that you've been prey for the most powerful people."

Youngho regretted coming this far sometimes. Although he benefited excessively from his friends.h.i.+p with the most powerful people, the problem was that they were not the people who acted without any benefit in return or a scheme in their mind.

"Have you had any bad news lately? It sounds like something has happened to you."

"I'm just saying so. The politicians are the ones who shouldn't be near or far away."

"Baku's politicians must be different, right?"

"Azerbaijan is a relatively good place in that regard. It's a very friendly place for businessmen. Next time I have an appointment with the president, I'll introduce you to him too."

"Oh, that's only going to be a burden to me. I want to live the rest of my life quietly. I don't want to be greedy for more money. I think being an owner of a vineyard would be a perfect life for me."

"After hearing from you, I feel like everything's pointless. These days, I think I can barely afford to keep the autonomous state."

"You're still young. It's great that you have a vision."

"I'm just afraid if I achieve something, I'll want to protect it for my children no matter what."

"Isn't that natural? Who wants to lose what he achieved in life? Pa.s.sing down your accomplishments and wealth is what everyone does."

Nikolay said that inheritance was natural.

It must be the same for President Nazarbayev.

If he considered Kazakhstan as his property, not a country for Kazakh people, he would want to inherit it to his children. If none of his children became the next president, his and his relatives' corruption would be revealed eventually. He would choose his security rather than the future of Kazakhstan. It was better to maintain the current regime, rather than take any risks. If this was the case, Youngho would indeed have to doubt the president's intention.

"I see what you mean. A businessman can't pretend to be a philanthropist."

"There are sainted people who give their money to society, but those people would have been determined to do that from the beginning."

"How do you think about the political leaders of the Caspian coast?"

"They're greedy people who pretend to be nationalists. Ignorant people follow them just because they're living a little better than Soviet times. President for life in the 21st century is ridiculous."

"Good grief, I shouldn't have asked. We should be careful about what we say. There are many ears hearing us."

"I'm sure here is better than Russia. The media here is at least alive and more trustworthy. I feel like the president here cares for the people. I'm very jealous of the social security service system here."

"I see. I guess the president won't be changed unless the resources are dried up. He will probably pa.s.s down his position to his son, too."

"That's not strange here."

"That'd be good for businessmen."

"That's a good thing?"

"Of course. There's nothing to worry since policies won't change."

"…"

***

Youngho could not shake the feeling that the whole thing was like hitting a rock with an egg. Sacrifice was inevitable if he tried to maintain the state.

There was no guarantee that the autonomous state would be safe either.

If President Nazarbayev's family maintained the regime, the future was already set. Kazakhstan would be sliced into pieces soon. The central north and eastern north regions where there were overwhelmingly many Slavic Russians and Ukrainians lived, would fall into Russia's hands, and the southeastern region would be interfered by China.

Minorities in the eastern mountainous region and south regions would demand autonomy.

Since the west region was full of oil resources, Russia would also want to take over the region. Of course, the autonomous state would have been gone after becoming a political victim.

The only way to survive was to attack the president first. However, Russia would not stand a force of coup since President Nazarbayev was pro-Russia.

Youngho's worries deepened.

Eriksson said that he would find an alternative for the autonomous state, but he could not leave the destiny of the state to Eriksson only.

So, he quickly went to the CIA's European chapter in Frankfurt. It was to move Michael.

"What brings you here?"

"Chief, I'm here to give you a New Year's greeting."

"Oh, come on. I know you're not here to just say hi. We don't even have a meeting today. What is it?"

"I wanted to discuss the political situation in Kazakhstan. It looks very serious."

"Is there a sign of a coup or something?"

"Yes, there is. I think I'm going to start a coup."

"You are out of your mind."

"President Nazarbayev looks like he's going to hand over the power to his daughter."

"That's ridiculous. Kazakhstan won't last if that happens."

"I'll be fine with that but the autonomous state will break down with Kazakhstan."

"I see. That must be stressful. So, that's why you're talking about a coup?"

"That's for both the existence of the autonomous state and the interests of the United States. Would you just watch Kazakhstan being swallowed by Russia?"

Michael's face turned serious. It was obvious that the whole of Central Asia would shake if Kazakhstan faltered.

"What are you thinking?"

"I almost thought about giving up the autonomous state, but then the U.S.'s bridgehead will be lost. Now, you don't want to lose a critical starting point, do you?"

"The state is a bridgehead to the CIA but the U.S. government doesn't think that way."

"By the time politicians are ready to decide what to do with the autonomous state, the state will be gone. President Nazarbayev is going to make our state a scapegoat."

"What?"

"The autonomous state is the prey to hide his daughters' corruption."

"Keep going on."