Chinhut is Desh’s neighboring country in the Western hemisphere of Berth. Both the countries were paupers for donkey’s years. But now they were thought to be doing pretty well for the past decade or so. Both the countries followed socialistic idealism. Desh followed it under the garb of pseudo-democracy and Chinhut under the garb of one party rule (kind of group dictatorship- a group of few people at the helm of the affairs dictating their whims and fancies).
This socialistic idealism had created in Desh and Chinhut about 1% super rich leaving the rest 99% only marginally better and in some cases poorer than what they were before. GDP and per capita income figures often painted an erroneously rosy picture as if everyone was earning a very decent living. But it was not true most of the times for most of the countries. The story even in the countries where capitalism or monarchy was prevailing was no different.
Zintun, the prime minister of Chinhut belonged to the 1% club. He was on an official visit to Desh. He was in a private conference with Desh’s prime minister Lobhilal. The conference room was soundproof with the tightest security ever possible.
“Mr Lobhilal, unless you give me your company wholeheartedly I cannot continue this meeting,” Zintun took couple of sips of his whiskey.
“I am fully with you Mr Zintun,” Lobhilal assured.
“No. You aren’t. You are not drinking whiskey. You are holding a glass of that rotten fruit juice in your hand. That’s no company.”
“In our country drinking is considered an evil. My political career will be ruined if people see me drinking. But to tell you the truth right now I am drinking a cocktail of whiskey, brandy, and juice and that is stronger than your drink. Our public believes that I am a teetotaler.”
“That’s really smart. Now I know I am dealing with a seasoned politician.”
“Thanks for the compliments. They say everything is fair in love, politics, and war. I am just religiously following this important principle. Can we now proceed with our meeting?” Lobhilal suggested.
“First and foremost don’t get startled by what I am going to say next. I am not used to beating around the bush. Honesty is my best policy. So let me tell you upfront. I have decided to invade your country soon,” Said Zintun.
Before he could utter another word, Lobhilal cut him short by saying, “Sir, I’m still not drunk. I can’t accept it. I’m already mighty upset with your army infiltrating into our land every now and then. But our soldiers on the border post are far superior to yours. As soon as your army surreptitiously tries to occupy a piece of our land our soldiers block them and your army retracts.”
Zintun spoke quite firmly, “Well, that land does not belong to your country. Our records show it is ours. Your country wrongly grabbed it and we want it back. Now the war will decide its fate. But I do agree that your army is definitely superior to ours, perhaps the strongest army in the world. But I have a strategy up my sleeves to diffuse your army’s involvement in the war I am proposing.”
Lobhilal threw up a rejoinder. “No. The war at this time is just not acceptable to me; it’s out of question. You can’t do that to me. I am not ready to fight another war while we are already engaged in one war on our other border. You may be aware that our entire army is already busy fighting a ferocious war on our other border. You know who our enemy is on that side- that country Pashan and its prime minister Hayan backed by Bigland and its president Gushnell. We cannot let that country Pashan win the war. Our people are highly emotional about it. I will lose my job and my political career will be ruined if I let that country win the war. Winning the war against that country is a matter of pride, a matter of life and death for us. Now if you threaten me with another war, I am in no position to divert my armed personnel to fight another war on your border.”
Zintun heard Lobhilal quite patiently. Then he said, “My intelligence agencies tell me that the border area that we wish to include in our territory does not arouse many positive emotions in your people. The land is barren, not fertile. The region is fraught with water scarcity. No economic development, no jobs. So understandably the general sentiment toward it is one of indifference among your public. I’m very sure of that.”
“I too agree with your assessment,” Lobhilal said. Zintun continued, “Also, I know your compulsions about the need to continue deployment of your entire army on the other border. The people of your country and the opposition leaders of you parliament also concur with this view. And so they will condone your losing a piece of land in another simultaneous war at our border. Anyways the piece of land we want to grab is of no interest to your public and politicians. That’s why I am submitting this fine proposal for your consideration.”
Zintun paused for a long time before he spoke again, He said, “Look here I’m making my proposal to you in a very gentlemanly way as of now. I am just politely telling that I will invade your country from this border area while your army is busy in another war. You know my reputation. I’m not the one to make ordinary proposals.”
Lobhilal listened to Zintun very carefully. But he was not able to understand Zintun’s proposal in its completeness. He felt quite confused. Therefore Lobhilal took one big sip of his strong cocktail. He was nervous. He said, “Yes I am aware of your reputation. After all you have proved be the shrewdest politician of our times. In fact to tell you the truth you are my real guru. So I know you can’t make a proposal without some deep meaning in it. I am willing to listen to your proposal but I cannot commit anything right now. So tell
me what it is?”
“I have some real grand plans for you. You will be one of the main beneficiaries of it. This disputed land on the northern border of your country about which we are discussing is a literal goldmine. It’s pity that none of our countries are utilizing it justifiably. It’s a big chunk of land in a scenic setup with excellent yearlong climatic conditions though suffers somewhat from water scarcity. Now I have decided to put it to some good use.”
“So are you seriously thinking of grabbing it?” Lobhilal became quite tipsy by now.
Zintun confirmed, “Yes, definitely. That would make me look like a messiah of my people. That image is very important for me. You are aware of my country’s population. We don’t have enough land to accommodate all of them. With this acquisition, I will be seen as providing additional space for our people. My people will admire me still more if I earn this extra piece of land in an aggressive manner, by way of a war. That’s why the drama of the war is essential.” Zintun had the capacity of holding alcohol without easily getting drunk. He was in his senses while unfolding his thoughts.
“How about me? I will look like a fool to my countrymena loser,” Lobhilal inquired.
Zintun replied, “No, I will take all the blame. My army will do the stealthy encroachment. The world knows about this habit of mine. You and your army will be taken by surprise. You told me earlier it is far more important for your army to fight your other enemy because your people hate that enemy country more than us. So we know fully well that the leaders of opposition in your parliament and public at large will support you in your decision of concentrating there. So your army will surrender to our army; you would have given such instructions to your army chief. Plus not many civilians live on that land. Whatever their number they will be killed in this war.”
Lobhilal still had one doubt in his mind. He asked, “But why do you think my army chief will listen to me? He is the strongest army chief my country has ever produced. Also he has built up a very strong army under him. And he knows about it. Frankly he is quite capable of combating two wars at a time with his existing army personnel and their arsenal. He is even capable of defeating your army if you go ahead with your proposed war on us. However everything depends upon his wishes. He is a very strong headed man.”
Zintun replied, “But I tell you your army chief will accept not to strike back. Every mortal can be bought if the price offered is tempting. My intelligence has researched him thoroughly. They tell me he is corrupt to the core. He makes tons of dough for himself in the purchase deals of armaments. So I’m offering him spoils that he cannot refuse. He will be the second highest beneficiary after you from the projects I have in mind for this land. The money that he makes through purchases of arms is pittance as compared to what he will get from me. For the next several generations you and your army chief and your families will bathe in diamonds and gold.”
Lobhilal poured more whiskey for Zintun and self. He smiled and then spoke out drunkenly, “Now it has started making some sense to me. It’s like game fixing or match fixing that is quite common these days in cricket, soccer, and other money spinning games. Isn’t it? So, OK, tell me what kind of projects you have in mind? Let me ask you unashamedly- how much will be my army chief’s and my share?”
Zintun assessed that he had pocketed Lobhilal. He explained in a relaxed way, “We will create a highland called Zintun highland on the property we grab from your country. To take care of its water scarcity problem we will divert water there from our flooding rivers. Zintun highland will cater to every conceivable requirement of a loaded tourist. It will have casinos, luxury hotels, classic restaurants, megaplexes, nightclubs, cabarets, bars, world’s top-notch entertainers, girls, massage parlors, and what have you. You and your army chief will have substantial shares in all of these. He gave the numbers. Of course I will hold the highest shares.”
“Brilliant! When will you strike?” Lobhilal blurted out. He couldn’t contain his exhilaration after he saw the numbers.
“Very soon. Don’t worry,” said Zintun. “Keep your army chief ready for a brilliant fake performance, what you mentioned earlier- yes, the match fixing. After the war is over, don’t forget to declare the dead soldiers of your army as true martyrs and reward them with the highest colors posthumously. That kind of thing doesn’t cost anything. But it is of the greatest importance to stir the right emotions among the public.”
“Don’t worry sir. I am very good at it already.”
Then Zintun and Lobhilal had many more rounds of some real strong drinks. It was time to celebrate. They raised a toast to their newfound friendship. A lavish dinner followed. The meeting ended with a colorful cabaret. Zintun liked it.
Newspapers, TV channels and online media gave a wide coverage to the meeting between the two prime ministers. They reported it in their breaking news as follows:
“Zintun, the prime minister of Chinhut and Lobhilal, the prime minister of Desh discussed a range of issues of mutual interest that would expand and deepen the strategic partnership between the two nations. They discussed ways to accelerate the economy to bring short-term and longterm benefits to both countries and the world at large.”
The citizens of both the countries believed what the media reported and their optimism to lead better lives took a fillip.
The meeting bolstered the share market sentiments. People with money traded in a huge way and made more money. It was their heyday.
