Chapter 99

The Bear Republic is Now Mine Chapter 99

099 Belarus's Dream / The Envelope of Money

President Lukashenko of Belarus, who had met with the presidents of 13 independent countries, had a serious expression on his face.

He knew that Russia was changing rapidly, but he didn't expect it to be to this extent.

After watching the weapons demonstration and falling into deep thought, he discussed the matter with his close aides and then visited the Kremlin.

President Zakhhar, looking puzzled, asked Lukashenko:

"What brings you here?"

"It's about the deputy minister who helped us before."

"You mean the $1 billion?"

"Yes. It's a large sum, but it wasn't enough to revitalize the Belarusian economy."

"That's understandable. I see."

While $1 billion might be a significant amount for an individual, it's not that much for a country.

As Lukashenko said, what can be done with $1 billion is limited.

Zakhhar and Nikolai, who were well aware of this fact, empathized with his words.

"Since the visa-free agreement with Russia, Belarusians have been able to stay for a year and have been working here a lot."

"I know that."

After complaining for over 20 minutes about the difficult economic situation in Belarus, Lukashenko finally got to the point.

"I discussed this with President Dudayev of Chechnya. Of course, I also discussed it with government officials."

"…?"

"So, what I'm saying is… Belarus hopes to become a republic of Russia, like Chechnya."

When Lukashenko finished speaking, President Zakhhar straightened his body, which had been sunk into the sofa.

Sergei, the chief of staff, looked shocked.

However, Nikolai remained calm, pondering the true meaning behind these words.

'Lukashenko has been a dictator for almost 30 years.'

He's the kind of person who could teach Putin a thing or two about dictatorship.

And yet, this person wants to join Russia?

On the surface, it seems like a very good thing, but how often are things in international relations that simple?

Nikolai thought more deeply about Lukashenko's true intentions.

But there was nothing particularly suspicious.

Well, there was one strange point.

'Why now?'

If he had made the decision, he could have done it in 2000 or 2001.

It wouldn't have been a big deal if it was delayed by a year or two.

Yet, Lukashenko came to the Kremlin at the end of December 1999.

This timing was what caught his attention.

President Zakhhar, now settled, asked:

"Have you really discussed this with government officials?"

"Yes. There was some resistance, but we decided to join."

"What was the decisive reason for this decision?"

"There are several reasons, but the recent weapons demonstration had the greatest impact. The weapons I saw were on par with, and in some areas even superior to, those of the United States."

His words were accurate.

When the Soviet Union collapsed, Yuri, following Nikolai's advice, bought most of the bankrupt defense companies and turned them into subsidiaries of the Unicorn Group.

This prevented the outflow of skilled personnel abroad.

From then on, they began to pour in enormous amounts of money.

When Zakhhar became president, he put even more effort into improving the performance of weapons.

With the government and private companies investing together, the performance of weapons improved to a level that was incomparable to the Soviet era.

Nikolai's various ideas also contributed to this.

These results instilled a sense of fear in Lukashenko, which then spread to the Belarusian government officials.

This fear ultimately led Lukashenko to the Kremlin.

"We have invested a lot in improving the performance of weapons. If the Chechen War had started a few years later, we might have won by force."

This indicated his confidence in Russian weapons.

After further discussion, Nikolai asked about the timing.

"Is there a reason you decided at this time?"

"At this time…?"

"You are facing a presidential election in mid-next year."

"Oh, I see what you mean."

What if President Zakhhar doesn't win re-election?

Why not wait until after the election results are in?

Wouldn't it be more stable to negotiate with a new president?

"If the results were already in, I judged that President Zakhhar's interest in Belarus wouldn't be much different from before."

Conversely, if he gives this gift to Zakhhar before the election results are in, the treatment after re-election would be different.

This was similar to the situation when Yeltsin faced impeachment, and Yuri, following Nikolai's advice, boldly took a risk.

'Lukashenko, this man has a mind that can sustain a dictatorship for nearly 30 years.'

He realized the limitations of building Belarus through his own efforts and the possibility of Russia advancing with military and economic power, leading to a quick decision.

In a way, this showed his excellent judgment.

However, Russia had no intention of advancing by force.

Lukashenko, a former military man, was simply scared by the Russian weapons.

Fear starts as a small sprout but grows exponentially over time, eventually overwhelming even a military expert like Lukashenko.

"Thank you for believing in me."

"Who else would it be if the president doesn't win re-election? I believe in you, Mr. President."

"Your trust gives me even more strength. We should start with the practical discussions on the republic's integration."

"When would be a good time to announce it?"

Thinking for a moment, President Zakhhar slowly replied:

"The opposition is fielding a single candidate, so everything will likely be decided in the first round of voting."

"Ah…"

"About 20 days before the first round of voting would be good."

20 days before is just right.

Russia had embraced Chechnya without major bloodshed, and Belarus would be the same.

This would instill hope in the citizens that the remaining 13 independent countries could also join Russia.

This hope would significantly influence the election results.

President Zakhhar, already confident of re-election, decided to add an extra safety measure.

Nikolai also agreed, so the negotiations proceeded quickly.

While the government focused on the integration of the Republic of Belarus, Nikolai, who had grown closer to Alona, headed to the Gobi Desert.

The Gobi Desert, which is 13 times the size of South Korea, is indeed a desert, but it's not a desert now.

Every day, 30,000 to 50,000 people, except on weekends, continue to plant trees.

On average, 500 trees per person per day.

This human wave tactic finally overwhelmed the Gobi Desert, which had endured for thousands of years.

The Gobi Desert, now shedding its desert appearance, is being dressed in a new green outfit.

"To think this is possible with human effort…"

Alona's golden hair, shining in the desert sun, and her moist, green eyes, reflecting the oasis, sparkled.

"I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes."

Seeing Alona's amazed expression, Nikolai smiled and said:

"People in African countries also survive by farming small plots in the desert. That's where I got my confidence."

That the desert could be changed.

He had seen many such videos on YouTube.

Specifically, he gained confidence from the cities built in the desert by the Gulf states and Las Vegas.

"Having confidence is one thing, but not everyone can do this. What's that over there?"

Alona pointed to a massive pool-like structure being built.

It was about the size of 10 football fields.

"That's a reservoir."

"…You're going to store water there?"

"Exactly."

Such reservoirs were being built simultaneously in various parts of the Gobi Desert.

"Would you like to see one that's already built?"

"Yes, I'd like to see it."

"We were already on our way there."

The two boarded a train moving workers to the site and arrived after about 30 minutes.

This railway line would eventually connect to the Trans-Siberian Railway.

"Wow…!"

Alona couldn't find any other words to say.

To see so much water in such a vast area.

"How deep is it?"

"About 30 meters."

The bottom and sides of the reservoir were lined with cement.

While the technology to use desert sand for construction hasn't been developed, it was possible to mix sand with cement for the sides and bottom.

"I'm scared someone might fall in by accident."

"Haha, there are safety zones inside the reservoir, so it's fine."

There were also fences around the reservoir to prevent people and animals from approaching.

"Oh, that's a relief."

Nikolai found Alona's curious, childlike demeanor amusing.

"How do you fill such a vast area with water?"

"The reservoirs are all located where groundwater is pumped from the aquifers."

"Oh, so the water is all groundwater?"

"No. The water is brought from the river through underground channels. Do you see the large holes on the sides of the reservoir?"

"Yes."

"Water from the river flows in through those holes. We need to minimize the extraction of groundwater."

The reservoirs were all connected through these large holes.

They receive water from the river and, if necessary, from groundwater.

When it rains, they also collect rainwater.

Then, a few trucks approached and stopped nearby.

The trucks were loaded with blue plastic balls the size of volleyballs, which the North Korean workers unloaded.

One of the men, seeing Nikolai, said:

"Sir, these are great for water play."

"You can't use them to play in the reservoir. Understand?"

"I won't play."

The man said this and carried the items toward the reservoir.

"What are those?"

"If we leave the water as it is, it will evaporate quickly. So, we're floating these plastic balls on the water."

This would significantly reduce the rate of evaporation.

Moreover, when it rains, the water can seep through the gaps between the balls.

Most importantly, these balls are made from recycled plastic, significantly reducing material costs.

"How many such reservoirs are there in the Gobi Desert?"

"Once they're all built, there will be over 1,000."

"There won't be a shortage of water, then."

"Yes. Water was the biggest concern, but we've invested a lot in it."

When water comes to the Gobi Desert, life will sprout, and so will the love between Nikolai and Alona.

The two boarded a train to return to the tent village.

Looking at the many people planting trees in the desert heat, Nikolai asked:

"Alona, what did your mother say?"

"…?"

"Did your mother say anything when she met you?"

She knew that Alona's mother had met her, but neither of them had mentioned it, so he asked.

"She gave me an envelope."

An envelope?

Nikolai suddenly remembered the TV show 'Couple Clinic: Love and War' he had seen several times during his journalist days.

'Did her mother give her an envelope of money…?'

It was unlikely, but he had a slight suspicion.

"Why did your mother give you that? Was there money in the envelope?"

In her blue eyes, Nikolai saw himself.

"Yes…"

Oh, no.

Her mother wouldn't do that.

"How much was in it?"

Nikolai's question made Alona smile slightly, forming a small dimple.