Chapter 223 Explosion: Auto Securities

Yura finally got tired of arguing and, belatedly realizing what was going on, denied it: "That's not true. Doing that would be going against the world's will. Ha, James and his bunch of Americans would cause a huge uproar. The United States would be the first to disagree."

“American capitalists and the American government are two different concepts.” Wang Xiao felt like she had become a kindergarten teacher; she was so patient.

"Whether American capitalists cause trouble or not has nothing to do with the US government. Yes, the US government is controlled by capitalists, but not everyone can sit at the table and eat."

"Those who were eating had already completed the harvest of the Soviet legacy when the ruble exchange rate fell to 1,000."

"There's a basic principle in the investment world: don't try to make the last 10 dollars. If you have 100 dollars worth of wealth, and you pocket 90 dollars, then you should leave the table. That way, you're elegant and don't look bad. The remaining 10 dollars can be used to make those who aren't qualified to sit at the table fight each other to the death, which also diverts the world's attention."

"The U.S. government has no reason to stop Russia's privatization policy adjustments."

"The whole world is saying that the collapse of the Soviet Union was an American conspiracy. And now, as you would say, the specter of the Communist Party is still haunting us. So the United States has to work even harder to show its mask of freedom and democracy."

"It has already taken 90 dollars, so it doesn't need to bother with the remaining 10 dollars."

"By not intervening, it can show the world: Look, you all say I caused the collapse of the Soviet Union just to reap its wealth. But open your eyes and look carefully, what did we take from the Soviet factories, land, and forests? We didn't touch anything."

"Clearly, the death of the Soviet Union has nothing to do with us, the United States. Why would we do something that doesn't benefit us?"

"The death of the Soviet Union was entirely a failure of communism, and it was the Communist Party's own fault. The chaos and poverty in Russia are also the aftereffects of socialism. Facts have proven that only by embracing us can we move towards a new life."

Wang Xiao sighed, "That's why they say the US government is miles ahead of the Soviet and Russian governments in terms of political wisdom. Look at them, they reap the most benefits without shedding a drop of blood, and they don't get a single bit of the bloodshed."

"Not only internationally, it presents itself as a benevolent nation. Even domestically, by not intervening in the lives of small and medium-sized capitalists who can't even afford to eat, it showcases the so-called American spirit to its citizens. It makes Americans believe that America is truly just, not a robber. They can always be proud of their country."

"This might be a bit complicated, so let me give you another example. What kind of people distrust the government the least? It's not the lower classes, but those who enjoy privileges. For example, you and Ivanov don't trust the Soviet government. Because as third-generation Red Army descendants, you actually enjoy privileges that are completely inconsistent with the propaganda of 'socialism where everyone is equal.' So you clearly know that slogans are one thing, and reality is another."

"But you're the ones who sit at the table to eat, not the ones who order the food. The presidents of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus were the same; they didn't like the menu being in the hands of the Soviet president, which is why the Soviet Union collapsed."

"Those who have never sat at a table to eat cannot imagine what things can be made into dishes and shared freely by those at the table. Without knowing the specifics, anger cannot be grounded in reality, and hatred is superficial and cannot find a foothold."

"Only those who sit at the table to eat can see these things and be dissatisfied with them."

"Whether they wanted to be the ones ordering the food so they could get more, or were simply angry at the greed of those who shared the spoils; so the Soviet Union's second and third-generation elites united and killed the Soviet Union."

"If you had never enjoyed those privileges, you might have believed the Soviet slogans."

"The same principle applies in the United States now."

Wang Xiao sighed deeply, "So, it's not surprising that you lost. The United States can even reuse the corpses of the Soviet Union. Compared to the political wisdom of the Americans, you are really far behind."

She smiled. "So go ahead and carry out your plan to protect national assets without worry. The US government will not interfere. Of course, I believe the Moscow government is well aware of this."

Yura's face was so gloomy it looked like it could rain.

He suddenly understood why Vladimir wanted to bypass Ivanov and cooperate with this Chinese woman.

It wasn't simply to sow discord; perhaps Vladimir really needed such a strategist.

But clearly, she wasn't interested.

Wang Xiao raised his hands: "Don't look at me like that. If you know a little about Chinese history, you'll find that five thousand years of Chinese history has already written everything down. Now, anything that happens in any country in the world can be found in Chinese history books. You can find references to see what consequences it will cause."

She looked at Yura calmly. "I'm just a businesswoman. I just want to do business properly."

Yura pursed her lips tightly, as if she were caught in a fierce internal struggle.

Ivanov was getting impatient: "Alright, Yura, that's enough, that's all. I'll do my business, you guys do your official duties, and stop interfering with me, okay? We're friends, and I don't want to lose you and Vladimir."

Yura tried to emphasize: "It's precisely because we're friends that..."

“So don’t interfere with me,” Ivanov said seriously. “I have my own principles.”

"What are they doing over there?" Wang Xiao abruptly interrupted them, pointing curiously out the car window. "Are they selling some in-demand supplies again?"

Honestly, a year ago, this kind of thing would have been very common, with lines of people everywhere.

But in Moscow now, there is no shortage of supplies. You can buy almost anything in the shops, as long as you have money.

Therefore, she couldn't imagine what people would be queuing up to buy right now in the Manege Square hall next to the Kremlin.

Is it a big sale or discount?

“It’s All-Russian Automobile Union securities,” Yura finally spoke, his expression somber. “That Berezovsky guy wants to build a new factory in Tolyatti with an annual production capacity of 300,000 cars, which requires an investment of $1.5 billion to $3 billion. He hopes to raise $300 million by selling these automobile securities, with the rest coming from his foreign partners.”

Ivanov shrugged and said cryptically, "Very ambitious."

As Yura looked at him, he earnestly emphasized, "I'm serious. In Russia, anyone willing to do real business has ambition."

Yura then snorted softly, looked away, and his expression darkened again: "He's really clever. He doesn't spend his own money, but makes the people pay for the car factory he builds."

Ivanov scoffed softly, "What else did you think? Three billion US dollars, do you think it's easy for you to come up with?"

"Does he still need money?" Yura retorted. "He made a fortune as a dealer for UAZ cars; it's pocket-sized."

Everyone knows that being a car dealer is profitable because before price controls were lifted, car manufacturers received government subsidies, so the factory price of cars was very low, but they could be sold at a different price on the market.

Adding to the problem was the subsequent plunge in the ruble's value. By the time the cars were sold and payment was due, the ruble had depreciated to less than one-tenth of its original value at the time of signing the contract. Even so, sales agents would still try to extend the payment period as much as possible, hoping the ruble would fall even further and they would have to pay less to the car manufacturers.

That's why Ivanov was so welcomed by the car factory when he took US dollars and supplies directly from the factory in exchange for cars. Some workers even spontaneously organized to help cover it up and prevent the Mafia from causing trouble.

Well, like anywhere else that can generate profit, car factories are rife with the mafia. They, like the managers, believe that the cars the workers produce are theirs for the taking.

Therefore, when Yura mentioned car dealerships, Ivanov immediately understood the intricacies involved.

The bribery there doesn't even involve mentioning the amount of money. Instead, it involves stacking US dollars and judging the thickness of the stack.

Hmm, this contract is 5 centimeters. That contract is 7 centimeters.

Ivanov shrugged: "Maybe he hasn't earned enough. 3 billion US dollars is no small sum."

Yura started snorting again: "So, he took money from someone else's pocket."

Ivanov stared at the long queue outside: "It's really interesting that so many people are buying into his schemes."

The assistant finally seized the opportunity to demonstrate his value and quickly explained to his boss, "He promised to offer 100,000 WAZ cars as a lottery to securities holders."

"Ha!" Ivanov laughed. "I thought he was going to put the People's Car up for the lottery. Well, who knows when the production line will be built, or when the People's Car will be ready to roll off the assembly line? The UAZ car that we can actually see is much more appealing."

Wang Xiao suddenly spoke up: "Is it possible that there will never be a People's Automobile? He never really considered building a factory to produce People's Automobile?"

Yura, who had just been mocking car dealers, now stood firmly on the side of his compatriots, directly refuting Wang Xiao: "What nonsense are you talking about? Berezovsky issued securities to raise enough funds to produce People's Cars; he wants to build his own car factory. The president already signed an order at the end of the year granting the All-Russian Automobile Union a substantial tax reduction for the next three years. Why can't he build a car factory?"

As he spoke, he also mocked Wang Xiao, "Do you think Russia is like you? You can only produce cars through joint ventures."

That was a real blow to my heart.

Wang Xiao's smile remained unchanged: "He wants to own his own car factory. Isn't there an existing car factory? The WAZ automobile factory. I remember that in a 1991 research report by Bear Stearns on Wall Street, it was written that the car factory was three times the size of the average American car manufacturing plant, with an annual production of 740,000 cars. That's much more attractive than his People's Automobile with a production capacity of 300,000 cars."

She knows so much because they've been in the car business like crazy.

However, they initially chose Lada, Volga, and some Muscovites; they never actually made a UAZ car.

It's not that I think UAZ cars are bad; in fact, UAZ cars are quite popular in Russia, and their red, aggressive aesthetic has a large market.

However, there were simply too many gangs around the car factory, and the sounds of gunfire and explosions outside the factory were constant as they fought over the cars. The situation inside was too complex for outsiders to easily intervene.

Therefore, Ivanov gave up immediately.

Yura's expression changed again, and the veins on his forehead throbbed, making Wang Xiao worry that his blood pressure was about to spike.

Ivanov couldn't help but worry about his old friend: "Alright, Yura, relax. You don't care about industry, do you? God, this kind of thing happens in every corner of Russia. Don't push yourself too hard."

“But he’s taking money from the pockets of Russia’s poor people and then using despicable means to steal state assets!” Yura’s nostrils twitched like a bull’s, completely ruining his handsome face.

For the first time, Wang Xiao found this person to be quite pleasing to the eye.

Yura muttered a series of sentences rapidly: "Yes, that must be it. He has connections at the WAZ factory. He uses securities to take money from people's pockets and then buys WAZ cars at low prices. That's it, that despicable scoundrel, he won't even touch a penny of the money he stole before. Damn bastard, thief! Despicable fellow!"

Wang Xiao couldn't help but feel sympathy.

If you can't even swear properly and just keep repeating the same few words, how frustrating must your life be?

Furthermore, given how obvious this is, if ordinary people don't know the background of the leader of the All-Russian Automobile Union, does the Moscow government not know either?

It makes it seem like they genuinely expect the People's Automobile to be manufactured.

Yura had originally planned to go with Ivanov to his suburban villa for a good rest.

But now, he felt like his bottom was on fire and he couldn't sit still no matter what.

"Stop the car, Ivanov, I need to get back to my office."

Ivanov frowned: "Stop making a fuss. It's just a matter of turning around. Why are you stopping the car?"

Yura was very annoyed: "No need, I'll take a taxi home myself. I need to be alone."

Ivanov, however, didn't mince words: "Absolutely not, my God. If you calm down, you'll only get more confused. Really, the king is right, maybe you could take a look at Chinese history. Let me tell you, I've read about the Hundred Days' Reform, the Taiping Rebellion, the Boxer Rebellion, and so on, and I feel I've benefited immensely from it."

“Shut up!” Yura yelled at him. “Don’t try to fool me with that.”

Ivanov glared angrily, his eyes widening. "You're so heartless! I'm just sharing my thoughts with you. It's so hard for me to finish reading a book, a history book!"

The driver had no choice but to pull over and wait for his boss's next instructions.

Ivanov yelled at him, "I'm the boss, don't listen to his nonsense, drive him back to his office. Really, what a good public servant of our people."

Just as Yura was about to argue with him again, a car horn sounded outside.

The car next to them rolled down its window, and Daniel smiled at them: "Hey! Is that you, Ivanov? Is there something wrong with your car? Need any help?"

Yura stopped making a fuss, opened the window a little, revealing only half her face, and replied, "It's okay, we're just turning around."

“OK!” Daniel nodded. “If you have any trouble, feel free to contact me.”

With that, he waved, rolled up the car window again, and the car continued driving forward.

Ivanov added, "What's he doing there? Shouldn't he be at his club having his afternoon tea?"

Yura said irritably, "He has to go to work, he has to go to work in the afternoon, he's not the kind of person who can just lie around counting money."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Nikola, sitting in the passenger seat, suddenly shouted, "Lie down!"

Before Wang Xiao could even react to what was happening, Lyuba had already shielded her with her body.

Then she heard something crash to the ground with a loud thud, followed by a tremor that seemed to shake the earth, accompanied by someone's exclamation: "God!"

Yura shouted, "Daniel!"

Only now did Wang Xiao understand what had happened.

It exploded! The car exploded.

It wasn't their car, nor Daniel's car, but an inconspicuous black sedan parked by the roadside, looking quite dilapidated.

Just now, after Daniel's car brushed past Wang Xiao and his group's car, it passed by the black sedan parked on the side of the road.

For some unknown reason, the black sedan suddenly exploded, and the huge shockwave flipped Daniel's car to the ground.

The screams Wang Xiao heard came from pedestrians on the roadside, because the aftershocks of the car explosion had affected people waiting for the tram at the station.

The whole street was in chaos, and even the windows of the buildings were shattered.

Yura struggled to get out of the car so she could check on Daniel's condition.

Ivanov hugged him tightly, trembling with tension: "Don't move, gunman, there might be other gunmen watching us."

Everyone in the car was so nervous they could hardly breathe, and the driver instinctively wanted to step on the gas and leave.

This place is too dangerous; they should go to a safer place as soon as possible.

But Yura refused: "Put me down, Daniel! Maybe Daniel is waiting for us to save him!"

Wang Xiao admired his warm heart.

In fact, she had already sensed Yura's dissatisfaction at the club today. Daniel controlled the entire game, turning him into a laughable and dispensable lackey.

Surprisingly, even so, Yura was still willing to save him.

Ivanov had no choice but to accompany his friend, carefully getting out of the car surrounded by bodyguards.

Just as he was about to move, Wang Xiao grabbed his arm and shook her head: "Don't go. If you go, you might become the target."

Nikola and his team also said, "Boss, you're in the car. If there's another person, we'll need to divide our attention."

Ivanov then sat back down in the car seat.

Protected by her bodyguards, Yura ran to the car, which was already billowing with thick smoke. Her assistant, who got out of the car after her, immediately pulled the pin on the car's fire extinguisher and sprayed it all over the vehicle.

God, please don't let it explode again.

"Someone's moving!" Passersby on the street joined in, lifting the car with all their might.

Daniel struggled to climb out of the shattered car window.

His clothes were tattered, his head and face were covered in blood, and his thigh appeared to be injured, showing a twisted posture.

But he was already very lucky.

Because the driver, the secretary in the passenger seat, and the bodyguard protecting Daniel were all dead.

"Save me," Daniel groaned in pain. "Please, save me."

I don't know when the ambulance will arrive.

The phenomenon of hospitals delaying the payment of medical staff's wages still exists from time to time, and ambulances in Moscow are struggling to maintain operations.

No one dared to wait any longer, so Daniel was lifted into Ivanov's car and taken directly to the hospital.

No police officers appeared until they left.

Nikola also used the first-aid kit in the car to stop the bleeding.

Throughout the journey, Yura kept asking nervously, "Who? Daniel, who is he?"

“I don’t know.” Daniel was in so much pain that he couldn’t speak. He never expected this to happen. “God, I’m going to die, please save me.”

Ivanov opened a bottle of vodka for him, which temporarily stopped his groans.

Fortunately, Moscow's medical system is quite advanced, and the car only drove for about 10 minutes before arriving at a medium-sized hospital.

No one dared to waste any more time, so they quickly helped Daniel out of the car and handed him over to the doctor.

After a period of chaos, Wang Xiao clutched her chest and belatedly realized that her back was covered in cold sweat.

She slowly caught her breath, finally calming down. Looking up, she saw Nikolai's serious expression and asked curiously, "What's wrong, Nikolai?"

Xiao Gao explained in a low voice, "Daniel's bodyguard seems to be Nikolai's former colleague."

Wang Xiao fell silent.

She didn't know how to comfort Nikolai; at that moment, anything she said would seem pretentious.

Because it was obvious that the bodyguard died protecting Daniel.

But that is precisely his duty.

"Who else is in his family?" All Wang Xiao could do was, "We'll try to get more help for his family."

Nikolai sighed, "It's alright, I'll be fine after a while."

He hadn't seen his old friends in a long time.

Today was our first reunion after many years, but little did I know it would be our final farewell.

Moscow, chaotic Moscow, Moscow of constant explosions and shootings, when will peace be restored?

Outside the operating room, Yura was still babbling on and on: "Who? Who is it?"

Ivanov felt tired and annoyed, and said irritably, "You should ask the police chief about this."

All he wants now is to go home and take a nice hot shower.

But he couldn't just leave Yura there alone.

Moreover, leaving at this time would not only be a waste of their own time and effort, but would also offend Daniel, which would be extremely foolish.

Fortunately, it's winter, and Daniel's wife and children are in Moscow.

After receiving the call, his middle-aged wife, who had gained weight and whose eyes were red, arrived with their two children, and took over the decision-making work for Daniel's medical affairs.

Unfortunately, Ivanov still couldn't leave.

Before the surgery was over, neither he nor Yura wanted to leave this mess to the woman and child.

Yes, it is indeed a child.

Daniel's son is 17 years old and still a minor. His daughter is even younger, only 14 years old, and both are high school students.

Seeing Ivanov's serious expression, Wang Xiao teased him, "Aren't all fathers reluctant to let their daughters go out? Why is Daniel so eager to betroth his daughter to you?"

Ivanov forced a smile, but couldn't manage it, so he simply asked, "Your Majesty, why don't you go back to China first?"