"There is no reason to be so happy for what should have been done already. Pamir was not something that China should have been claimed in the first place. Whatever China does, the fact that I don't trust China will never change."

Youngho could hear Michael's moaning from the other end of the line.

-Oh, you're just a stubborn child. I'm warning you. Don't underestimate China, or you will get hurt.

"So I'm going to build more naval power. Help me build three Aegis destroyers and one large multipurpose landing s.h.i.+p."

-What are you going to do with all that power? Are you trying to push into Northeast Asia and try to compete with China?

"That's not true. Wouldn't it be less tiring for the U.S. if Kazakhstan's naval power in the Middle East is reinforced? "

-Well, of course, we'll appreciate that.

"It's not a joke. We have to do it for the sake of the security of the Middle East."

-It's good to see you on the U.S. side, but I don't know what the government will think because it has a track record of breaking the balance in the region. You know, the Chinese Navy doesn't have an Aegis destroyer. By the way, where are you planning to station those?

"Our navy will be mostly active around the Arabian Sea. We can't just stand by when the Chinese Navy will be stationed in Pakistan's port of Gwadar. I know the U.S. Navy is there, but I'm sure it will not protect other countries' cargo s.h.i.+ps or vessels including Kazakhstan's. Isn't that correct?"

Michael was silent.

The U.S. Navy, which operated in the ocean, had its own mission, and it was impossible for the U.S. to escort s.h.i.+ps from other countries unless they were in danger.

"We need military power to keep peace in the Middle East and China's progress in check. Please help me purchase the Aegis radar system and missiles. We'll order three s.h.i.+ps altogether, so I'd like to lower the price a little bit."

-I'll talk to the relevant department first. Since it is for the purpose of arming our allies, exporting equipment and weapons won't be hard, but I cannot guarantee the price issue because it is decided by individual companies.

"In that case, we'll be in direct contact with the price issue."

-I can't help you with that from the governmental level, but I'll personally help you.

"Don't do that. You might get in trouble for that later."

-Oh, you don't need to worry about that. I'm a great lobbyist, you know.

"If you say so, you're always welcomed. You know there's room for your family at the villa we're building in Kyrgyzstan, right? You can use it anytime."

- Anything else but a boarding pa.s.s?

"What about the knighthood given by the Kazakh Royal Family?"

-I don't want to be on the news.

"Hahaha..."

Michael's active involvement in preparing equipment and weapons systems that were applied to Aegis destroyers would speed the process. Now, the key was whether the design capability of the Danish s.h.i.+pyard could handle such high technology.

***

As Michael a.s.sured, the Chinese military also pulled its troops back completely from the Pamir Plateau.

China had made quite a concession but Kazakhstan could never let its guard down against China for pulling back troops deployed on the border. According to satellite data, the troops retreated only about 50 kilometers from the border, which was a distance of only a day's walk.

"What is this situation? They were acting like they will attack us at any time, but now they all fell back. We prepared everything for them. It's like we've been dancing for them."

"It's a blessing in disguise because we've been able to pull Russian troops out of Tajikistan and deploy our forces."

"Chinese troops just stepped down temporarily because of internal Chinese affairs. It's not a complete withdrawal since they are only 50 kilometers away. They're stepping down because they realize the winter's harsh weather is too extreme to bear. We'll see, but I'm sure they'll definitely make another provocation when the weather clears up."

"Let them come all they want. I'm confident that I can handle any number of them."

"Whoa, it seems that the head of the Royal Guards has somebody behind him. Did you receive many Kurdish applicants?"

"Yup. We've got more than 5,000 people already. I'm confident that we can fight against China here only with the number of soldiers in the royal territory."

Youngho, Jong-il, and Chul-hwan were chatting about Chinese forces' withdrawal at Pamir.

Everyone felt a little out of place as it was so sudden and they actually wanted a battle at heart. It was frustrating to see that nothing happened while they were fully prepared.

There would be casualties and economic losses in the event of a battle, but there was a reason to take it nonetheless.

Youngho had intended to impose restrictions on imports of Chinese goods, citing border disputes, but the excuse for that was now gone. And another reason was that it was a good opportunity to integrate Tajikistan into a federal state.

"Everyone, listen. Since China has withdrawn, let's put a barbed wire there and mark it as Tajikistan's territory, what do you think?"

"Are we trying to provoke China in reverse?"

"What kind of provocation is that? I'm just trying to clarify the border section."

"Will China stand still?"

"We will proceed no matter what."

"Are you serious? Let's hear what the h.e.l.l you're thinking."

"If we want to take Tajikistan early and create an opportunity to drive out Chinese goods out of the nation, we have to force a dispute with China."

"We're finally going to do it."

"Yes, the U.S. intervened, but it's only a stopgap measure because they only pulled out about 50 kilometers back. I'm saying, let's get China when its guard is still down."