21st century Goguryeo

Chapter 320

September 13th, 2023, 20:30 (Turkish Standard Time 13:30)

The presidential palace (The White Palace) in Ankara, Turkey (foreign guest room)

The Turkish presidential palace, also known as the White Palace, was built by the 12th Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, who wanted to be the modern Sultan (the ruler of the Islamic kingdom). Controversy ensued when the construction of the lavish palace surpassed the initial budget of 964 million Lira by 1.5 times (1.37 billion Lira, equivalent to 66.6 million dollars). The presidential palace was built over a 200,000 square meter property in the Seljuk style. Based on the Turkish press’ report, the palace had about 1000 rooms, a large hall, atrium, park, and an underground bunker.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-hee was being treated with great hospitality at the White Palace’s presidential palace for her unofficial visit to Ankara, Turkey.

This April, the Corean government’s official support of the Republic of Kurdistan’s independence with its financial and military aid had soured the relations between the two nations. There could be only one reason why Minister Kang Kyung-hee was being greeted in the presidential palace instead of Turkey’s ministry building.

Turkey’s ruling party and the opposing party were both making anti-Corean statements and many people agreed, but the 20-year long alliance between these two countries had made the Turkish government treat the minister with the utmost respect.

President Abra Evren, Minister of Foreign Affairs Rishuti Jenkin, Prime Minister Hakan Jan, and Minister of Defense Volcan Setin were at the guest room to discuss the diplomatic issues between the two nations caused by the independence of the Republic of Kurdistan. The men seemed to be in high hopes that the meeting would solve the issue between their nation and Corea.

The blood alliance between Corea and Turkey was important for Turkey’s future as well, for Corea had now become the global power that surpassed America. That was why the Turkish government had set aside their political conflict and showed great hospitality towards Minister Kang Kyung-hee and attempted to solve the diplomacy issue between them.

“Thank you for your hospitality,” Minister Kang Kyung-hee bowed and thanked the government officials.

“There’s no need, minister. We are an allied nation bound by blood, it’s the least we can do for the minister of foreign affairs’ visit.” President Abra Evren shook both of his hands.

“Thank you, Mr. President! The Corean government and our president wanted to formally apologize for causing troubles in our relationship from the Republic of Kurdistan’s independence.”

“Hmm, our government also feels sorry about that.”

“That is why our government wanted to make an offer to make amends. That’s the purpose of my visit today.”

“I see. Let’s hear it then,” Prime Minister Hakan Jan, who was seated across Minister Kang Kyung-hee, answered her. The person who was being pressured most by the diplomatic issues was him, not President Abra Everen. He didn’t seem to be in a good mood.

“Yes, the Corean government wants peaceful independence for the Republic of Kurdistan. To do so, we need Turkey’s support...”

“Minister Kang! That’s something we cannot allow politically, nor will the national sentiment support it,” Prime Minister Hakan Jan, who was hot-tempered, interrupted her.

President Abra Everen stopped him and intervened, “Prime minister! Why don’t we hear what Minister Kang has to say first?”

“Ah! Sorry, sir. I was being too hasty.” Prime Minister Hakan Jan bowed.

“Yes, we are aware. The history between the Turkish and Kurdish people. The Corean government does not want official support from the Turkish government for nothing. If the government is willing to hand off the eastern territory the Republic of Kurdistan is requesting, then our government would build a 24GW class plasma power plant and free electricity for the next 100 years for Turkey.”

“Is this true?” Minister of Foreign Affairs Rishuti Jenkin asked with wide eyes.

“Yes, of course. It will all be free. Also, we will give the proprietary rights to the nation after 100 years.”

Minister Kang Kyung-hee had thrown in the first bait and looked at the four men seated across from her.

Minister Rishuti Jenkin, whose face remained calm, asked her a question, “Then, you want our government to hand off the eastern territory to the Republic of Kurdistan for the plasma power plant?”

“Yes, exactly. I won’t beat around the bush.”

As soon as Minister Kang Kyung-hee finished, Prime Minister Hakan Jan responded negatively, “That is not enough for us to go against the national sentiment and hand off our territory to the Kurdish government. Also, our nation has two nuclear power plants and is scheduled to build an additional one in 2028.”

Prime Minister Hakan Jan, who used to be the minister of foreign affairs, was no pushover.

“Prime Minister Jan! The plasma power plants are absolutely safe compared to nuclear power plants in case of earthquakes or other disasters. Also, a 24GW plasma power plant’s output is four times greater than a nuclear power plant consisting of four reactor cores. It will be able to save the cost of building over 15 nuclear power plants and receive free energy of that magnitude. Finally, a plasma power plant cannot be built no matter how much money a nation has. Based on Corean laws, it is only operable domestically and cannot be exported anywhere. Our government is willing to amend that law, so we could provide it to our ally for free.”

Minister Kang Kyung-hee looked at Prime Minister Hakan Jan’s face. However, it was the same as before.

“Minister Kang! How much would it cost to build a 24GW class plasma power plant?” President Abra Everen seemed to be pleased.

“A 24GW class power plant will cost 12 billion dollars.”

“Hmm, that means we could save 8 billion dollars for the 3rd nuclear plant, and a free 12-billion-dollar plasma power plant will provide us with power worth 15 nuclear power plants... I suppose our government’s budget for power plants and energy won’t be a problem for the next 100 years.”

Minister of Defense Volcan Setin, who had been listening to the conversation this whole time, finally spoke up, “Mr. President! A power plant or the national budget can be changed by policy changes depending on the situation. A territory is something that we cannot reclaim easily once it is lost.”

Minister Volcan Setin also seemed to be against the idea like Prime Minister Hakan Jan.

“Minister Setin! The eastern region of Turkey is a barren and harsh mountainous region. If you hand off that area to the Republic of Kurdistan, the international community will praise the nation for its humanitarian efforts.”

“Minister Kang! We still cannot ignore the national sentiment. That could lead to anti-government riots.” Minister of Defense Volcan Stein was adamant.

“I guess I have to use my hidden card.”

As the Turkish government was more adamant than expected, Minister Kang Kyung-hee glanced at the briefcase she brought. After a while, she made up her mind and pulled out a stack of documents from it and placed it on the table.

“What’s this?”

When Minister of Defense Volcan Setin asked, Minister Kang Kyung-hee waved her hand as if to tell him to see for himself. It seemed Minister Kang knew it would be more persuasive for the men to see the contents rather than her telling them about it. It was a diplomatic tactic.

After reading over the documents Minister Kang handed to him, Minister of Defense Volcan Setin’s expression changed.

“Is, is this the rail gun tech’s blueprint?”

“Yes, it is. A part of it, but it is related to the development of rail guns.”

Prime Minister Hakan Jan, who was blank-faced the whole time, reacted to Minister Kang’s words. She took notice and knew her tactics had worked.

“Minister Kang, does that mean the Corean government will provide our nation with rail gun technology as well?” Minister of Defense Volcan Setin asked again excitedly.

“Yes, that’s right. We will provide the plasma power plant and the technology for rail guns.”

Only the U.S. and Russia had deployed rail gun tech to the field. The U.S. had developed the technology for over 20 years independently, but Russia with its 3rd strongest military in the world was able to do so after receiving the technology from Corea. Other nations in the world attempted to develop the technology on their own, but it was the latest tech and the development’s success was unknown.

Turkey had also started research and spent astronomical amounts of money, but the technology was still in its early stages.

The fact that Corea would hand them the technology made everyone excited. If Turkey could obtain the rail gun technology, then it would become the dominant military power over the snobby Europeans and the unstable Middle East.

“Can you promise us to give the technology in its entirety?” Prime Minister Hakan Jan, who had been adamantly opposing Minister Kang, seemed to warm up to her offer.

“Of course. Our government is not like others that will give a lower-end version, prime minister.”

When Minister Kang shrugged and spoke with a bright smile, Prime Minister Hakan Jan glanced at the president and nodded.

* * *

September 14th, 2023, 20:30 (Kurdish Standard Time 14:30)

The Republic of Kurdistan, West Azerbaijan, Maku, Azerbaijan park

The 1st reconnaissance platoon’s two armored vehicles were parked at the Azerbaijan park 2km east of Maku city to ensure the recovery of the bordering city of Iran and Kurdistan went safely.

The infantrymen who got off from the armored vehicles were on sentry duty at the temporary sentry post made of tires and sandbags.

“Argh! I think my head is going to burn through from the heat,” Private Gwak Young-hwan placed his hand inside his helmet and complained. It was painful to stand under the burning desert sun without any shade. Luckily, the protective suits helped them cool off from the heat, but their helmets were getting hotter.

“Take Private Youn back to the vehicle and take a break!” Sergeant Lee Jin-tae, the vice squad leader famous for doing everything by the book, gave some respite to his men.

“Huh! Sergeant Lee, sir, really?”

“Hey! Get moving before I change my mind! You have 20 minutes.”

“Yes, sir.”

Private First Class Gwak Young-hwan and Private Youn Ho-jin started to head towards the vehicle while whistling.

“Hey! What are you doing here?” The vehicle commander of armored vehicle 312 asked while leaning back on his chair.

“The vice squad leader told us to take a break, sir.”

“Sergeant Lee said that?”

“Yes.”

“Really? I wonder what’s gotten into him.”

“Exactly, sir. Sergeant Lee is the person that follows every rule in the book.” Sergeant Hwang Hak-sung, the gunner of the armored vehicle, turned around with a look of disbelief on his face.

“I’m not sure, sir. We’re just taking a break under our superior’s orders.”

“Yeah, take a seat and rest.”

“Yes, sir!”

As soon as the vehicle commander permitted them, Private First Class Gwak Young-hwan and Private Youn Ho-jin took off their helmets and sat down.

“Ah! Finally.” Private First Class Gwak Young-hwan scratched his head.

The air-conditioned interior of the armored vehicle felt like heaven. The platoon commander and the vehicle commander of the 711 armored vehicle’s voice came on the radio.

-Multiple unidentified vehicles have been detected from 3.5km! Everyone to battle stations!

“What! We just sat down a minute ago... Hey! Let’s go, private.”

Private First Class Gwak Young-hwan and Private Youn Ho-jin started to dart back to the sentry post. Six unidentified vehicles were approaching them from 3.5km away while kicking up dust.