Chapter 225 Of course I need to lay low: a strategic retreat

Ivanov changed into a thick set of pajamas and walked toward the reception room while drying his hair with a towel.

Hmm, this makes it look more like a bear.

"I'm asking you, are there any factories that are up for auction?" Wang Xiao set the scope, "Hmm, not too big, not too many people. Hmm, not too remote, and the factory's situation shouldn't be too complicated."

Ivanov put down the towel and laughed: "That's asking for too much."

Wang Xiao shrugged: "Otherwise, we wouldn't be able to cover it up."

Ivanov called out, and his assistant came over carrying a thick stack of documents.

Anyone with even a modicum of knowledge from any other country would be furious upon seeing this scene.

Are you kidding me? Are you treating the country's factories like dishes, just putting them on the table for people to order?

But in Russia, it's not unusual at all.

The factories here are generally either shut down or operating at a loss. At least from the official financial statements, there is no other way but to auction them off as soon as possible and get rid of the burden.

In many people's eyes, they have even become a hot potato.

The third sister's Russian is quite good, and with an assistant helping to explain, she can at least understand the gist of it.

Goodness, these factories are terrifying; each one has tens of thousands of employees.

She didn't even dare to look at it; to put it bluntly, she wouldn't accept it even if it were given to her for free.

Otherwise, with so many employees, she wouldn't know where to conjure up the money to pay them each month.

This car factory is quite good; she thinks people still buy cars.

Unfortunately, the factory is too big and has too many employees, so it's probably incredibly expensive, and you wouldn't be able to buy one even if you wanted to.

And once the factory is bought, how will it be managed?

The Russians themselves can't even manage their own factories, let alone outsiders.

Wang Xiao laughed: "If one person can't afford it, it's better to get a few more people to buy it. Actually, the current international trend in investment is not to manage it yourself. Find a professional manager, and let professionals do professional things."

She went on and on, and finally, the third sister took the initiative to suggest that Wang Xiao set up a bank for them, otherwise it would be too troublesome to transfer money if they wanted to invest later.

Wang Xiao immediately called a halt: "Don't think too much, don't think too far ahead. It's still unclear how privatization will actually be implemented in Russia. If you're really interested, ask a few more people, and do it all together. Otherwise, it'll end up in pieces, and you'll have to start all over again and go through the same old trouble."

The third sister's blood boiled a little.

But her desire to invest grew even stronger.

Look at Wang Xiao, that's the kind of person who's serious about doing things. He's always full of concerns and never brings anyone into the venue unless absolutely necessary.

That's true; who would be willing to share the benefits they can monopolize?

Third Sister nodded: "Alright, I'll ask them later. Sigh, you just don't invest in stocks, otherwise we would definitely buy your company's stock together."

Wang Xiao shook his head vigorously: "I don't touch things I don't understand. Sigh, I don't understand banking either. If I really want to get involved, I'll have to find a way to poach people. It's a headache."

The third sister chuckled and said goodbye, "Then I'll be going now, you go ahead with your work."

Wang Xiao quickly tried to persuade him to stay: "Hey, it's already this late. Let's eat, let's eat before you leave."

The third sister shook her head vigorously: "No, no, I'm going on a diet, my waist has gotten thicker. When I went to order a dress for the New Year, I said I wanted the same size as last year, but they were very serious and suggested I take my measurements again."

Wang Xiao laughed and said, "What are you afraid of? This is called good fortune. You must not lose weight casually, or you'll regret it when you lose money."

The third sister insisted that she had enough and did not want to increase her waistline.

She sighed: "You know, Moscow is poor, and it's true that there are beggars and street performers everywhere in the subway stations, but there are more and more rich people, and they are all willing to spend money."

She had this thought because when she went to order a brocade dress, she was surprised to find that the orders were already booked until next summer.

Good heavens, that's Yun brocade! Even a native Chinese like her would only be willing to make one set a year.

Legend has it that the supposedly dirt poor Russians would order something without batting an eye.

Wang Xiao was also surprised: "Business is so good! I didn't know. I've been so busy that I haven't had time to ask in a long time."

“Exactly!” Third Sister clapped her hands suddenly. “I just didn’t understand what they were thinking.”

After seeing her third sister off to the car, the assistant turned back and tentatively offered her analysis: "It's probably because people like handmade things these days."

Well, things are valued for their rarity.

In the era when everyone wore handmade clothes, machine-made clothes were considered good.

But when it comes to mass-produced products, labor becomes valuable, and handcrafted goods become desirable.

Previously, a European luxury brand advertised in Moscow, emphasizing that its shoes were all handmade by old artisans from shoemaking families.

Later, a comedy show on TV used this as a point of reference, essentially mocking another person, saying, "You're like someone on an assembly line, only fit to wear mass-produced clothes, a nouveau riche. Unlike me, I have dedicated artisans making things for me by hand, blah blah blah, that's what you call aristocrat."

Then the person being mocked turned around and used Yun brocade as an example, saying that what you have is nothing special, and that it takes a lot of manpower to make a dress made of Yun brocade to be considered to have true cultural heritage.

The show doesn't have a huge impact, but it still has an audience.

It's true that labor costs in Russia are not low.

In Moscow, it costs $20 to sew a dress. A woman's hair costs $6. Repairing the heel of a shoe costs $2.

Against the backdrop of such high labor costs, Yun brocade, which required a great deal of effort and time from professional weavers, became a model of luxury with historical significance.

Coincidentally, the gorgeous style of Yun brocade also aligns with the traditional aesthetic preferences of Russians.

It just got hotter and hotter without anyone noticing.

The assistant felt he was getting his $3,000 salary.

See, although the boss hasn't mentioned it for a long time, he knows that the boss's feelings for Yun Jin are special, so he keeps a close eye on the situation.

“They now have a town that specializes in making Nanjing brocade handicrafts, and they have taken on new apprentices.”

Wang Xiao nodded, feeling it was quite surreal. She really hadn't expected that brocade would become so popular in Moscow in this way.

That's good; everything needs a market to survive. Otherwise, relying solely on subsidies will eventually lead to its elimination.

Wang Xiao went back into the house, and Ivanov didn't go back to sleep either, but instead flipped through the factory documents in his hand.

Hearing footsteps, he looked up, his expression somewhat serious: "Your Majesty, this might be a bit troublesome. They won't allow foreigners to participate in the auction."

“I know,” Wang Xiao nodded. “So we won’t invest in the factory, we’ll invest in you. I’ll team up with Chinese businessmen in Moscow to invest in you.”

Ivanov stared wide-eyed, stunned for a moment, before slowly exhaling: "Do you really want to take over the car factory?"

“That’s right.” Wang Xiao nodded. “It doesn’t matter if we can’t compete with European cars, as long as we have a market in China.”

Ivanov covered his face with his hands and exclaimed, "Oh my God, they'll call you a traitor. Definitely. Because China has car factories, joint venture car factories."

Wang Xiao dismissed it: "Those factories claim to exchange market access for technology, but they'll never actually get the technology. If others don't give it to them, they won't be so insistent on having it. Those who have preferential policies and are living too comfortably are generally unwilling to make any changes."

Why did China later shift its focus to new energy vehicles? Simply put, it's because gasoline-powered cars didn't take off.

Well, that's normal.

How many people can truly rise above their ancestors?

She doesn't care about all that; she wants to make money first.

Ivanov smiled and nodded: "OK, OK, may God, oh well, wish us good luck."

He gestured, "However, Wang, you should go back to China first. Moscow is not safe now. I have a feeling that new chaos is coming."

Wang Xiao nodded: "Okay, but you'll come with me."

Ivanov instinctively wanted to refuse: "Your Majesty, I must stay."

“No!” Wang Xiao said firmly. “You should leave now. You just witnessed the bombing of Daniel, yet you still insist on staying in Moscow. What does that prove? It proves that you desperately want what they say they are willing to give you.”

She made a grasping motion, like grabbing air. "It's like grasping sand. The harder you try, the more sand slips away. It's better to relax and loosen up. Whoever can hold their breath will be the ultimate winner."

Of course, she was the same.

She had to maintain her usual aloof attitude when trying to get her third sister and others to invest, and she couldn't be too eager.

Otherwise, people will become suspicious and unwilling to invest money in it.

Ivanov remained silent, lost in thought.

When the housekeeper came over to invite them to dinner, he stood up and said, "I need to make a phone call first."

He called Yura: "Hey! My man, who is it? I can't sleep at all, who put down the bomb?"

Yura's voice sounded irritated and tired: "How should I know? The police station knows nothing and has no direction whatsoever. If Daniel wants to find the murderer, he might as well put a bounty on the door himself."

Ivanov keenly sensed that something was wrong with him: "Did you have a fight with someone?"

"No." Yura said impatiently. "If there's nothing else, I'll hang up now. I have other things to do."

With that, he actually hung up the phone.

Ivanov's eyes widened: "Ha! This guy!"

"You can fight him again tomorrow," Wang Xiao suggested, not forgetting to take a jab at Yura, "Him? He dares to fight one-on-one after arguing with someone? Seriously, who gave him the courage?"

Ivanov felt he should still support his friend a little, so he added, "He's actually considered quite the quarrelsome guy in Russia."

Wang Xiao chuckled and said sarcastically, "Then I'll wait until he wins the argument."

If that's the case, then the only thing that can be said is that the officials of the Russian Federation government are even more incompetent than she thought.

As it turns out, there are indeed some experts in the government. Well, not necessarily experts, since Wang Xiao felt that even starting with 0 frames wouldn't be a problem against a weakling like Yura.

Without a doubt, he lost the argument.

The next day, when Ivanov called him, this grown man almost burst into tears on the phone: "They said there was nothing they could do. The All-Russian Automobile Union securities are not illegal; the law allows them to be issued. Even when I told them that there would be no People's Automobile, that that damned car dealer just wanted to swindle money from ordinary people and then take over the WAZ automobile factory, they still said that the law allows the issuance of securities."

As he spoke, he began to curse, "Law, law, damn law, it has never done anything it should have done!"

Ivanov waited until he had vented before trying to comfort him: "Yura, it's not your fault, you know it's not your fault."

Wang Xiao, who was listening nearby, rolled her eyes.

Good heavens! Russians will regret their lack of political enthusiasm for generations.

Look at them, they're all such weaklings with negative fighting power!

She gestured to Ivanov to take the phone receiver.

Ivanov made a pleading look at her, saying that poor Yura was already pitiful enough, and she shouldn't provoke him any further.

Is he pitiful?

Wang Xiao rolled her eyes bluntly.

The people of this country, who are so ignorant yet self-righteous, are the ones who are truly pitiful!

Wang Xiao snatched the phone receiver and sarcastically remarked, "So, you just sit here and watch, crying and wailing, as ordinary people who have had the worst luck in eight lifetimes get scammed?"

Yura choked on his breath, unable to even muster the strength to roar: "I said, the law does not prohibit securities."

"My God!" Wang Xiao sneered, "Russia actually exists based on laws? Forgive my ignorance, but this is the first time I've ever heard of this."

Xiao Gao and Xiao Zhao lowered their heads, thinking of all the sad things in life, trying their best to suppress their laughter.

Oh my god! Their king really shouldn't lick his lips, or he'll definitely poison himself to death.

Yura was about to be poisoned, or rather, he was so angry that he fainted: "We Russians are a free and democratic country, so of course we have to do things according to the law."

He regretted it as soon as he said it.

Listen to this, how shameful! He's actually gone mad, spouting nonsense that even he can't hear.

He will be humiliated to death.

Fortunately, Ivanov felt sorry for his friend and limited Wang Xiao's performance: "Wang, don't provoke him."

Wang Xiao withdrew one of his statements, then added a positive tone: "Who provoked him? I was giving him advice. I was patiently guiding him, telling him that besides what is explicitly stated in the law, there are many other legally permissible ways to resolve the issue."

Ivanov laughed it off: "I know, you've always been this kind."

Oh my, that's hypocritical. Anyone who can keep saying that is a genius.

Wang Xiao chuckled and continued into the microphone, "In everything we do, we must grasp the principal contradiction and solve the main problem. What is the main problem you want to solve right now?"

Yura hated being called on by the teacher, but she had to suppress her temper and answer: "Prevent the sale of securities by the All-Russian Automobile Union."

My God, he's been driven to this point, what kind of life is he living!

Unfortunately, even though he had been holding back, Wang Xiao still wouldn't give him any face: "Wrong. The problem you need to solve now is to stop ordinary people from buying these securities."

Yura couldn't keep up the act any longer: "How can we stop this? They don't understand anything; they're completely blinded by advertising."

Wang Xiao thought to himself, "You talk like you know everything."

Who was it that boasted yesterday that People's Automobile would soon be off the production line?

The pot calling the kettle black; how dare you laugh so loudly?

Despite his inner turmoil, Wang Xiao patiently explained, "So you need to let the people know. Auto Union Securities is not the same as stocks. Tell the people all the potential risks. If you just say they don't understand, how will they know these things?"

"Use every means at your disposal—television, radio, newspapers—to remind the public of the risks associated with securities."

"Arrange interviews, interview your finance minister or other professionals, and have them explain exactly what these financial derivatives are, one by one, emphasizing the risks."

Yura couldn't help but argue, "Will it work? Will they believe it?"

Wang Xiao was very cold: "If you explain it to them in detail and they still don't believe you, then put aside your desire to help others and respect their fate. There's an old Chinese saying, 'Good advice is hard to persuade a damned ghost.' But please try to persuade them more. If the economy weren't so bad, the currency devaluation so severe, and people didn't feel secure in their lives, they might not have been so easily fooled."

Yura wanted to continue, but Ivanov took the phone: "Alright, we don't have time for this. We're heading to China right away, just letting you know in advance."

The person on the other end of the phone was startled: "What are you doing? Hey! Ivanov, what are you doing? You haven't really gone crazy, have you? Are you trying to transfer your assets to China?"

"You're the one who's gone mad!" Ivanov exclaimed, bewildered. "What else can I do? Do business, of course. You dumped Kugang on me, so I have to find a way to do business."

Yura said in a cryptic tone, "Then you have to promise me you won't leave Russia."

"Nonsense!" Ivanov was utterly speechless. "I'm Russian, where else can I go?"

He sighed, "Yura, relax, don't push yourself too hard, don't put pressure on yourself."

Yura suddenly burst into tears: "Ivanov, were we wrong? We can never achieve what they did back then, right? We messed everything up."

Ivanov paused for a moment before realizing who they were.

In a different scenario, he would definitely answer "of course" without hesitation, and might even sneer, "Where do you get the audacity to compare yourselves to them?"

That was the Soviet Union, the Soviet Union created by the October Revolution, the Soviet Union that was not damaged or polluted by corruption and privilege, the Soviet Union that the world looked forward to and anticipated.

How dare you compare yourselves to them?

Mentioning it is an insult.

But he was, after all, Ivanov, the kind and soft-hearted Ivanov, and he could only futilely comfort his friends: "You didn't want this either, I know, you didn't want this either."

However, a gentleman judges by actions, not intentions; all of this has already happened.

Yura cried for a while before she could calm down, and then she made a self-deprecating joke: "Ha, that Chinese woman must be laughing at me."

Ivanov immediately retorted, "What nonsense are you talking about? She left right after she finished talking to you."

In fact, Wang Xiao left quietly after hearing Yura's crying.

Yura gave a vague hum, then warned her friend, "You can go out, but don't stay too long. Hmm, there will be news, at most a month, there will definitely be news and a decision will be made."

Ivanov didn't press for details, only humming twice: "I can't stay long, I'm worried about you all. By the way, what exactly happened with the explosion? Who did it?"

“I don’t know.” Yura was a little irritated again. “Daniel has already put a bounty on it, a million dollars. Aha, he’s really generous. Maybe soon someone will tell him the answer because of the million dollars.”

Ivanov was skeptical and simply replied, "I hope so."

He really didn't have time to continue chatting with Yura.

Since things are already like this, there's no point in talking about Russia's future.

Before heading to China, he needed to finalize the bank deal as quickly as possible.

From a theoretical perspective, opening a bank requires going through layers of approvals, and the process alone can be overwhelming.

Fortunately, Moscow not only lacks laws, but also has no rules or regulations.

The biggest rule here is that a phone call from the leader, followed by layers of bribes, and then the bank is established.

The message was circulated within the financial industry.

The manager of the bank they had previously worked with was particularly depressed, feeling that they had lost a high-quality, major client.

In an effort to retain customers, the manager even offered to extend their soon-to-be-expired six-month bank loans for another year, including principal and interest.

Ivanov was secretly overjoyed.

Good heavens, who would have thought that the ruble would remain stable until now?

It's already 2025, and the ruble hasn't plummeted; the exchange rate is stuck at 1200 rubles to one US dollar.

My God, how incredible.

Neither Wang Xiao nor Ivanov believed in such superstitions and were determined not to suffer this loss in silence.

Yes, they are not short of money now.

But which capitalist in the world would complain about having too much money, or wouldn't want to take advantage of banks?

They're determined to fight to the bitter end.

They really didn't believe that the ruble could continue to hold on like this.

They signed the contract, but they didn't forget to poach the manager, urging him to switch jobs.

Although the manager isn't a financial expert, his advantage lies in his experience; he can get right to work.

Moreover, Russia's financial industry doesn't need many experts; in fact, real financial professionals often feel lost here.

After all, you've worked hard all day, trying every possible way to attract deposits and racking your brains to select suitable lending targets.

As a result, your competitor simply invited his friend in the Treasury Department or some other powerful department to have a lavish time at the Metropolitan Hotel; the next day, hundreds of millions of dollars in deposits could end up in his bank account.

Modern Russia is feudalism disguised as capitalism. The Western financial theories don't work here.

“Listen, my friend, we don’t need you to achieve anything earth-shattering, we just need you to manage the money well. Understand?” Ivanov coaxed him. “You can ask for your salary, and we will definitely not let you down.”

The manager was stunned and didn't know how to respond.

Ivanov patted him on the shoulder: "You can consider it. I hope to hear good news from you when I return from my business trip to China."