"These days, a day feels like a week. I don't know how time is moving so slowly now. Man, if we're ready, why don't we just get done with it quickly? I'm so nervous and frustrated."

"Dude, wait a little longer. We're the only ones ready. We need soldiers to take over the ministry of defense, press, and telecommunications companies too. If we don't, it's like the Arirang Autonomous State is invading Kazakhstan."

Ahead of the operation, everyone gathered in Youngho's office for the final inspection.

They were shaking off their nerves drinking tea before the meeting began. Everyone had a bright look on their faces, but the weight of the revolution had been extremely stressful.

"Come on. Focus. Each of you has their own mission written on the handout on the table, so be well informed."

"What is it? It's only 2,000 troops are involved? And there's no soldier a.s.signed to us."

"Don't worry, they are an elite unit. This is a lot of soldiers mobilized to take over each target at dawn. I'm thinking about reducing the number of people."

"What? Do I only get to take control of the National a.s.sembly and the Integrated Government Building?"

Cho Chul-hwan complained that he was given easy work. Then Cha In-soo also complained.

"Are you kidding me? I understand the broadcasting stations and newspapers, but what is the information and communication company? It's not a kid's game. Is there more challenging work for me?"

"You're all talking nonsense. These are the first ones to take over when you revolutionize. We've got to stop them from sitting around and making rumors for the public."

"Can we leave the Ministry of Defense or the military headquarters in each region, and the Capital Garrison Command to the Kazakh revolutionary military forces?"

"I arranged that only because we might see some blood if we get in there. Since they're all Kazakh soldiers, they might be able to talk it through."

"Jong-il, you take control of the central bank and the headquarters of each bank in different regions. Also, unconditionally block foreign exchange transactions when you get there. I don't want any dollar to slip out of the country."

"Wouldn't there be a backlash from foreign companies and diplomatic missions?"

"We just have to freeze it for one day. Foreign companies should be relieved to see the revolutionary government's announcement. And put the president of the Senate and the speaker House under house arrest, and the prime minister and the deputy prime minister in custody."

"What? That's not written in our operation instruction."

Under the Const.i.tution of Kazakhstan—the president of the Senate could serve as acting president if the president could not do his duty somehow. After the president of the Senate, the speaker of the House of Representatives could serve as acting president.

"They are the ones who can serve as acting president. Once you've taken control of the National a.s.sembly and the administration, where will all the politicians who have nowhere to go gather? We should keep them away from the president of the Senate or the speaker of the House."

"Okay, heck, I'll do what I'm told."

"Also, you three can mobilize the Foreign Legion of the autonomous state to accomplish your tasks."

"But you're just going to take control of Astana and Almaty and leave the rest of Kazakhstan alone?"

"If we just take control of the administrative and economic cities, the rest will follow. What can other cities do if they don't have a centripetal point?"

"The Northern cities are going to be a problem."

"I'm going to meet with the Russian representative who is a member of the National Congress. I should decide what to do with the northern cities after making sure what the northern cities are after."

***

Youngho traveled to Astana to meet the Russian representative. His name was Romanova. Although he could not be considered to represent the whole Russian population in Kazakhstan—the reason that Youngho wanted to meet him was that he did not belong to the ruling party nor the opposition party.

"Duke. I'm sorry to ask you to come a long way. I just couldn't find time to travel so far."

"That's no problem. It makes sense for a young man to visit. I also had things to do in Astana, so please don't worry about it."

"I've heard that you do good things for the minority groups in Kazakhstan. I'm grateful that you're doing the job that our government has not been able to make it happen."

"I only helped with a business mindset. If minorities are well-off, the consumer market will grow. Isn't it good to have a win-win business?"

"Hahaha... you're as outspoken as I've been told. That's not too bad. You're not afraid to let it go, because you're not hiding anything."

Romanov looked healthy at the age of just over 60. He was not one hundred percent Slavic but slightly mixed with the East and the West. He had clear eyes. Although he was someone in a high position, he was authoritative at all just as Youngho thought.

"I've heard that Arirang is making aggressive investments despite the current situations in Kazakhstan. I wonder what you believe in when Kazakhstan's future is uncertain."

"Do you think Kazakhstan is not a good place to live like others?"

"No way. This is my hometown. I don't think I'll leave even if the situations don't get resolved any time soon."

"That's how I feel too. Kazakhstan is my second home. Even if the political situation is chaotic, I think we should still try our best to contribute to the development of Kazakhstan."

"That's an amazing idea. But I'm afraid we're the only ones who believe Kazakhstan is our home. To other people, you are only a stranger."

"I don't see it that way. Kazakh people occupy the third of the total population of the Arirang Autonomous State. They don't see Koryoins or Serbians as strangers at all."

"The state of Arirang has reclaimed the wilderness and is recognized for its rights, but we, Russians, are different. We moved here after Russia forcibly annexed Kazakhstan. Because of that painful past, Kazakh people don't regard Russians as neighbors."

"What do you mean? You're living well together now."

"But if you look inside, it's never been that great."

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Russians had been doing well in Kazakhstan, taking advantage of the superior status. As a result, the Russians were the ones who had been holding Kazakhstan's economy.

From the standpoint of laypeople, it was only natural to treat them as thieves who took what they were supposed to enjoy. Also, many Russians made money in Kazakhstan and spent it in Russia, which was unpleasant for many Kazakhs. Although Russians complained that they were being treated as strangers, they had also brought it to themselves.

So Youngho wondered if Russians really wanted to stay in Kazakhstan. The outcome of today's meeting would determine the fate of the Russians in the northern cities.

"When the former president declared martial law, I was surprised to hear that the northern cities claimed independence. Don't these cities have a high status in Kazakhstan? Do Russians want to return to socialism?"

"It has nothing to do with Russia. We're trying to find our own way of survival rather than living in a shaky Kazakhstan."

"You must have thought that was possible."

"I don't know why I should explain the issue of our own autonomy before we consider the impossibilities."

"I'm just wondering why the Russians in northern cities wanted to split from Kazakhstan when they are guaranteed a full life even if they remain a member of Kazakhstan. There are about 50 percent of the population of northern cities that are of Kazakh ethnicity, and I wonder if they'll just sit there and watch."

"The rest of the people living in the northern cities are not opposed to segregated independence. That's how much we're concerned about the future of Kazakhstan."

"What would you do if Kazakhstan transformed and improve a lot better than now?"

"Then we'll think differently. There's no reason to venture if the uncertainty is removed. How can we get through the tough international situation just in the northern cities?"

"You mean to remain a member of Kazakhstan?"

"Of course I want an autonomous republic, but I know it's hard to be realistic."

Youngho was stunned for a moment because of the unexpected answer.

If this statement was true, there was nothing to worry about. It also meant that the northern cities did not seek independence based on Russia's support.

It was a little bit suspicious that those cities asked for independence without any realistic measures, but it would be stupid to ask about details. Youngho decided to move on with the conversation for now since he had confirmed that there was no immediate obstacle for the revolutionary movement.

"If you only did it because you were worried about the future of Kazakhstan, I'm relieved."

"Why are you relieved? We don't have any relations.h.i.+p with the Arirang Autonomous State."

"I was planning to invest in the northern cities, but I was worried that the cities will claim independence."

"In the north?"

"Yes, I've always felt sorry for losing the market for daily necessities to both Russia and China. That's why I'm trying to build factories in minority communities."

"You're more than welcome to do that in our cities. There's no reason to refuse such an offer when we can secure a stable daily necessities supply."

"If you have any items you want, please let me know. We'll actively review it."

Once there was a clear need to appeal to the Russians, Youngho did not hesitate to make pork-barrel remarks. Although Romanova did not show all of his intentions to Youngho, he did not appear to be ready to be separated from Kazakhstan immediately.

Youngho had come to Astana with the intention of excluding the north cities if they were to become an obstacle to the revolution, but there was no need to do so. Since Romanova happily accepted Youngho's investment plan, this meant he would watch the situation for the time being.

It seemed that the northern cities would be stable for now. However, the problem was that it would shake Kazakhstan someday, as Park Jong-il was concerned.