Chapter 98

**Chapter 98: The Bear Republic is Now Mine**

**Chapter 098: Mongolia, Yes! China, No! / New Weapon Demonstration**

October 11, 1999.

In 1999, South Korea experienced many significant events.

The world-end prophecy by 'Nostradamus.'

The dawning of the new millennium and the fear of Y2K.

The IT industry's growth, spurred by Nikolai's advice to the South Korean government.

The year saw a flood of legendary online games: "Dark Legend," "Mir's Legend," "Lineage," "Hero Gate," and "Wind Country."

The StarCraft craze that spread from PC rooms.

The birth of professional gamers and e-sports stars like Lim Yo-hwan (the Emperor of Terrans), Lee Ki-seok (Samjang), Lee Yoon-yeol, Park Jeong-seok, and Hong Jin-ho.

The first-ever reorganization of the Korean professional baseball league into the Magic and Dream Leagues.

The year when Hanwha, which had been 7th for two years, and Lotte, which had been 8th for two years, won their first Korean Series championship.

The debut of popular TV shows like "Gag Concert," "Happy Together," "Challenge Golden Bell," and "Section TV Entertainment News," which ended in 2020.

"Kukjinibang" and "Pokémon Bread."

"Shiri," "Gas Station in Town," "No Mercy."

"The Matrix," "The Mummy," "Notting Hill."

"Good Doctor," "Wangcho," "100 Minutes Debate," "Couple Clinic: Love and War," "School."

"See you in four weeks" - Shin Goo.

"I'll beat just one" - Yu Oh-seong.

"Oh, how nice~" (Love Letter).

"Ula Ula~" (Crayon Shin-chan).

"Of course."

Haha.

GG.

In 1999, these were the events in South Korea.

Russia, however, was very different.

In the original history, the Second Chechen War broke out on August 26, 1999.

Officially, 25,000 Chechen civilians were killed by Russian forces, but it is estimated that the actual number was between 150,000 and 250,000.

Given that Chechnya's population was 1.1 million, this means that 22% of the population was massacred (the casualties of the Korean War were about 3% of South Korea's population).

However, with Nikolai informing the Chechen vice leader about the plan to assassinate President Dudayev, the war did not happen.

Nikolai saved nearly 250,000 lives.

Additionally, Russia gained a new piece of history.

The Trans-Siberian Railway (TSR) line connecting the Korean Peninsula.

This railway line, starting today, will become the backbone of the Eurasian route, extending from the Korean Peninsula to Europe and Central Asia.

The Trans-Siberian Railway route:

**Busan - Incheon - Pyongyang - Vladivostok - Moscow**

If the route is further expanded, it will connect to Mongolia and the entire European continent, creating a true dream route.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held in Vladivostok.

Two hours before the ceremony began, a CNN reporter thanked Nikolai.

"Didn't you say I would get a promotion?"

"Did I?"

"Yes. It's all thanks to you. You always called me for important events, like today."

She pointed to her right.

"The person with the camera also got a promotion."

"Congratulations."

"Thank you. I hope we can continue to work well together!"

"We help each other."

While the two were talking about the event, President Zakhart was meeting with Chinese President Jiang Zemin.

Jiang Zemin, who was not invited, expressed his dissatisfaction.

"The $10 billion loan is being used effectively. I thank you for that."

Although he said "thank you," Jiang Zemin was not genuinely grateful.

The loan was being used to build facilities in China, but all the labor was provided by Russians.

Thus, the money was flowing back to Russia.

When the loan was taken, it was known that Russian labor would be used, but the extent of its importance was not anticipated.

"I'm glad to hear it's being used effectively."

President Jiang Zemin, suppressing his frustration, explained the reason for his visit.

"Why is China not included in the 'Trans-Siberian Railway Expansion Plan'? Mongolia is included."

"Hmm. Geographically, Russia and Mongolia are connected, but China is further south, making it difficult."

Part of the route was designed to pass through the Gobi Desert.

The plan was to simultaneously construct two routes: one through Russia and one through Mongolia.

"Can't the route be extended to China by connecting the North Korea and Ussuriysk lines, passing through Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan?"

"Unlike China, Russia has many mountainous areas. Using the existing railway would be better."

President Zakhart recalled his discussion with Nikolai when they started the project.

"The Trans-Siberian Railway must never be extended to China."

"Is there a special reason?"

"Didn't China and the Soviet Union have a mutual distrust since the Soviet era, even if it wasn't openly shown?"

"Yes."

"If China's economy, with over 1.2 billion people, revives, Russia will suffer the greatest impact."

This was true in the original history.

During the Cold War, the Soviet Union was the only country that could rival the United States.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the emergence of Russia, China became the world's factory in the late 1990s, while Russia's economy plummeted.

Of course, even with the vast natural resources, Putin failed to revitalize the manufacturing industry.

"Therefore, we must continuously weaken China's power and make their economy dependent on us. If China, which possesses nuclear weapons, also gains economic power, it will be difficult for us to handle."

If China's economy becomes dependent on Russia, there are other benefits.

President Jiang Zemin will have to focus on internal affairs and will not be able to look outward, as in the original history.

North Korea will have to cut economic ties with China and only interact with Russia, as it does now.

In other words, Russia will have a firm grip on both China and North Korea.

Thus, the Trans-Siberian Railway must never be extended to China.

Despite President Zakhart's explanation, President Jiang Zemin did not back down.

"If you were going to use the existing railway, why would I be here at an event I wasn't invited to? Please include China in the route."

"I'm sorry, but that seems difficult."

Despite President Jiang Zemin's repeated requests, President Zakhart did not agree, so Jiang Zemin tried another approach.

At this time, Nikolai was meeting with the South Korean president and Chairman Kim to discuss the construction of oil and gas pipelines passing through the North Korean coast on the East Sea to the waters off Goseong, Gangwon Province.

Smiling with satisfaction at the positive outcome, Nikolai was approached by President Jiang Zemin.

"Here you are. There's still some time before the ceremony starts, right?"

"Yes, but what's the matter?"

"Can you include China in the 'Trans-Siberian Railway Expansion Plan'?"

Knowing this would happen, Nikolai feigned ignorance and said naturally,

"That's something the president opposes, so I can't do anything about it."

"You are the chief advisor, right?"

"Even so, I can't act against the president's wishes."

"Is it really that difficult? Is there no way?"

"I'm sorry."

"Ah…"

President Jiang Zemin, unable to win against the poker game set up by President Zakhart and Nikolai, had no choice but to give up and leave.

The ceremony began as all preparations were completed.

Nikolai hosted the event, while a CNN reporter continued her commentary from a distance.

"The Trans-Siberian Railway is expected to connect Busan via Pyongyang in about two years. This means it will be operational by December 2001 at the latest."

South Koreans will be able to travel to Europe via Pyongyang and Moscow by land starting two years from now.

This is possible due to the mutual visa-free agreement (2 months) between Russia and South Korea.

However, the train will pass through Pyongyang without stopping.

South Korea wanted to stop in Pyongyang, but North Korea strongly opposed it, and Russia's final approval reflected this.

"A new railway line will be laid separately from the existing one in both South and North Korea. Initially, there won't be many passengers or cargo, but it will increase over time, so the new line is being laid from the start."

To complete the project within two years, a massive workforce and equipment will be deployed.

The workforce will be entirely provided by Russia, but the heavy machinery will be supplied by both Russia and South Korea.

North Korea, with its malnourished population, cannot provide any labor or heavy machinery.

Even now, North Korean residents are continuously entering the Gobi Desert, collapsing.

"The world hopes that the Trans-Siberian Railway will accelerate the unification of the Korean Peninsula, and they have inscribed their names on the railway."

The camera showed the nationalities and names of people from around the world inscribed on the railway.

"Jose Luis from Mexico, Mohammed bin Salman from Saudi Arabia, Fatma from Turkey, Zhao Zemin from China, Julia Roberts from the United States, Nguyen from Vietnam, Daina Glenn from Australia, Natasha from Russia… HOT from South Korea, Tanaka from Japan…"

The camera displayed the names and nationalities for about five minutes.

At this early stage, only a few names are inscribed, but as the railway is laid, the names of millions of supporters will be added.

The event concluded successfully and was featured in news reports around the world.

* * *

Four days later, the Russian weapons demonstration.

The Russian Ministry of Defense showcased new weapons.

In the presence of President Zakhart and the presidents of 14 independent states.

The event officially announced the comprehensive improvement and enhancement of weapons used by the Soviet Union, including fighter jets, tanks, self-propelled guns, and rifles.

As the demonstration of the new fighter jets began, the expressions of the independent state presidents grew increasingly serious.

The climax was reached during the demonstration of military drones.

"Can military drones drop bombs? How do they find their targets so accurately?"

In response to President Lukashenko of Belarus, the Defense Minister answered,

"Drones can do this because they have the capability to detect signals in real-time from military satellites."

"If that's the case, it won't be like the past where tanks indiscriminately attack…"

"Each shell can precisely target a tank, maximizing efficiency."

"How many such drones do you have?"

"We currently have 10,000, but with recent production increases, we can produce 20,000 per month."

"Ah…"

This was a comprehensive introduction of drones, an idea proposed by Nikolai.

Having seen Ukrainian soldiers use drones to destroy Russian tanks during his war reporting, Nikolai recognized the high cost-effectiveness and efficiency of drones.

While a tank typically costs between $3 million and $5 million, a drone costs around $500 to produce.

The price difference is incomparable.

Thus, mass production began.

Nikolai believed that this weapon would eventually bring victory to Russia.

When smartphones and camera technology advance, drones will be further upgraded.

By then, other countries will find it difficult to catch up due to the significant technological gap.

The faces of the 14 independent state presidents, who moved to the newly built shipyard in Vladivostok, hardened again.

"Does Russia have the technology to build such aircraft carriers and submarines?"

"It's a collaboration between Soviet-era engineers and those from the shipyard (Daewoo Shipbuilding) acquired from Korea. The Korea Defense Science Research Institute also provided significant support."

"Ah, I see. So, that's a nuclear submarine…?"

"Of course."

President Zakhart and Nikolai were satisfied with the two-day demonstration.

However, the presidents of the 14 independent states returned with serious expressions.

According to intelligence, the presidents of the independent states held a serious meeting to discuss the weapons they saw at the demonstration.

Of the 20 fighter jets sold to Indonesia, only four used ones have been delivered after two years.

* * *

President Zakhart, concerned about the high accident rate due to vodka, took drastic measures.

**"The alcohol content of vodka will be reduced by 3 degrees annually, ultimately reaching 40 degrees."**

Currently, the sale of vodka with over 60 degrees alcohol content is too high in Russia.

It's no exaggeration to say that former President Yeltsin died due to vodka.

If the president was affected, it's even worse for ordinary people.

In the past, vodka was consumed to warm the body in the cold, but now there are many ways to avoid the cold.

Thus, President Zakhart, anticipating some resistance, boldly implemented the measure.

By December 1st, as the Gobi Desert was connected by pipelines, Christmas carols occasionally echoed through the streets of Moscow.

With ARM's research institute moving to Russia, Nikolai spent the year-end with Alona.

He began a relationship he never dreamed of during his journalist days.

His mother, Maria, met Alona separately, sensing the relationship.

And on December 5th,

President Zakhart heard a historic statement from President Lukashenko of Belarus.