Chapter 331 We Can Also Have a Television Station: People Can Have More Choices

However, the middle of the night is really not a good time to talk about things.

Wang Xiao herself can be a night owl, but she can also inhumanely drag Ivanov to work the night shift.

But since the war hasn't started yet, if she wakes up her assistants and managers in the middle of the night, their resentment could kill her from afar.

So Wang Xiao simply sent Ivanov back to his room to sleep.

As for why she doesn't share her own bed?

Nonsense! She had no intention of sleeping with Ivanov, so why would she let him into her bed?

Everyone went back to their own rooms and slept in their own beds.

Ivanov wanted to dawdle, but since he was already awake, his treatment had to be drastically reduced.

Wang Xiao simply kicked him out of the room and that was the end of it.

The bodyguards in the other rooms, who had been listening intently with their doors slightly ajar, silently withdrew their gazes, closed the doors, and went to bed as well.

I slept soundly until dawn.

After brushing their teeth and washing their faces, the group gathered around the large dining table downstairs to eat.

Although the ancients said, one should not speak while eating or sleeping.

But whether in China or abroad, the dinner table is always a good place to discuss matters.

After finishing a bowl of tomato and egg noodle soup, Wang Xiao got straight to the point: "Um, has everyone heard about what happened in Chechnya?"

The housekeeper turned on the TV immediately: "Of course, they talk about it on TV every day."

Wang Xiao subconsciously looked up at the Toshiba color TV from Japan, and after seeing the image on the screen clearly, she was dumbfounded: "Wait, they're reporting on this too?"

What's playing on TV?

The Kremlin's raid on Chechnya has failed. Twenty-one fighters were captured by Chechen President Dudayev's army and are now appearing on television.

Ivan couldn't help but want to cover his face; it was too embarrassing. This was Russia's military operation.

He instinctively said, "Of course, the people have the right to know everything."

"Alright," Wang Xiao interrupted him directly. "I won't interfere with your political beliefs, but I have to tell you, dear Ivan, don't switch careers to politics. Just stick to your business. Your political apathy is just too strong."

"This news should never have been made public, let alone promoted so ostentatiously on television."

Wang Xiao couldn't help but complain, "Has the Kremlin gone mad? What does it mean to report this so openly? Are they afraid they haven't lost enough face, afraid the people don't know that besides being a complete mess with the economy, their government is also terrible at military operations?"

"Is he out of his mind? Since the original plan was to carry out a secret operation, if it failed, so be it. Instead of trying to suppress the matter, he's making a big fuss about it. Is he out of his mind? Chechnya is Russia's Chechnya, not America's. Does he want to start a world war?"

Wang Xiao even wanted to pinch his philtrum.

Every single time the Russian Federation government acts, it refreshes her understanding of the makeshift organization.

Seriously, it's like this huge group of people, mostly highly educated, are trying to put together a group that can't even think straight.

Ivanov, looking rather listless, managed to utter a dry, curt statement: "NTV is an independent television station, and Gusinsky didn't listen to the Kremlin."

How interesting! The president of this country can forcefully pull out the cannon and bombard the parliament without any negative impact. He is a typical hardliner.

At the same time, he was terribly weak, and was helpless against a businessman and an independent television station.

Frankly speaking, given Gusinsky's behavior, it's not surprising that the president suspects he wants to support the mayor of Moscow as the new master of the Kremlin.

But Wang Xiao wasn't interested in the banker's true political stance. Her eyes lit up like the rising sun: "Ivanov, this is a great opportunity for us. We can also have an independent television station."

Offering reporters cheap apartments to gain their favor is certainly a good option.

However, owning your own television station means having your own voice and being able to do many things.

To put it simply, it's equivalent to having Youku, iQiyi, Tencent Video, and Mango TV in 30 years, without Bilibili, Kuaishou, Douyin, and Hongguo competing with it.

Wang Xiao began by promising a glimpse of the future: "If we build up the TV station and attract viewers, then NTV's influence will decrease significantly. No matter what it says about Chechnya, its reach will be limited."

Ivanov paused for a moment, then asked, "So what kind of programs will our television station be broadcasting?"

Prior to this, they did indeed have close ties with television stations. For example, they would broadcast Hong Kong TV dramas and movies to advertise Huaxia Clothing.

But these are all actions taken by the second party. If you were the first party, there would be too many things to consider.

At the very least, your show must be able to retain viewers.

NTV's success stems from its political satire, particularly its hit puppet show "Dolls," which loves to make jokes about presidents and their associates.

This clearly suits the tastes of the Russian people now.

So, if we were to start a television station now, what trump card should we launch?

"Entertainment programs, purely entertainment programs, entertainment programs that have nothing to do with politics."

Wang Xiao emphasized, "Your stance has always been neutral. Since you don't favor the president or the mayor, it's the same now."

“Our television station cannot be associated with politics, otherwise it will definitely be biased. So we must completely depoliticize it and only talk about entertainment.”

The air was filled with the aroma of breakfast: hamburgers, French fries, and fried chicken nuggets—all foods that the housekeeper considered unhealthy.

But young people love to eat them, and they are indeed very delicious.

Ivan swallowed the hamburger in his mouth and expressed his doubt: "Will anyone watch this? With the Kremlin making such a mess in Chechnya, no Russian will be indifferent to the situation in Chechnya and the Kremlin's reaction."

Wang Xiao countered, "So, during the Afghan War, were you and those around you constantly concerned about the situation on the battlefield, and did you discuss the Afghan War every day?"

Well, this is really not a pleasant memory.

The Afghan War directly shattered the pride of the Soviet Union, and the Soviet army withdrew from the Afghan battlefield in a disastrous manner, achieving nothing.

Ivan remembers that at that time, television, newspapers, and radio rarely mentioned Afghanistan.

They could only learn bits and pieces from retired soldiers.

“No,” Wang Xiao answered for him first. “After a while, everyone gets tired and bored, and prefers to watch light and enjoyable programs.”

Ivan asked doubtfully, "Make another 'Doll'?"

"No, no, no!" Wang Xiao emphasized again, "It has nothing to do with politics, it's purely an entertainment program."

Ivanov had finished his rice porridge and asked hesitantly, "What kind of entertainment could possibly interest everyone?"

Frankly speaking, if you're making a TV program these days, digging deep into the Chechen conflict is the fastest way to attract public attention.

Everything else needs to be separated by a layer.

"We'll make a talent show," Wang Xiao said seriously. "A super impersonation show, giving ordinary people the chance to appear on television and become the center of attention. The show will air weekly, selecting a weekly champion, who will then compete for a monthly champion, and finally an annual champion. The weekly, monthly, and annual champions will receive different prizes. Hmm—"

She thought for a moment, "The prize for the annual champion could be a Moskva car, and also the opportunity to release an album and become a singer."

Everyone present immediately became interested.

Each of them could afford a car, but the prospect of appearing on television as a singer was equally tempting for them.

Ivanov wondered, "What about people who can't sing well? Not everyone wants to be a singer."

Ouch!

That's something only someone who never experienced the era of talent shows would say.

Talent shows involve the entire population, and the people standing on the stage carry the dreams of their supporters.

“In addition to professional judges, we also need public judges. Whoever gets the most votes—you see which newspaper you have the best relationship with, or you can simply acquire one, print the ballots in the newspaper, and then have everyone fill them out and send them to the TV station.”

Wang Xiao also gave fans a treat: "The final winner will personally draw one lucky viewer from among their supporters to receive the same level of prize."

Suddenly, a collective gasp filled the dining room.

If this is the case, both those who can sing and those who can't will have a chance to win a Muscovy car.

A person who has traveled back from the era of entertainment explosion, his first attempt is a game-changer: "In order to increase the show's appeal and discover hidden gems, those contestants who did not win the weekly championship will have a chance to be revived. Each month, the person who receives the most public support votes can also participate in the monthly championship competition."

She only provided the most basic information.

Other methods will be put aside for now.

If they make the show a hit, other TV stations will definitely imitate it.

To maintain their advantage, the show must be constantly upgraded.

Well, thank goodness she watched a lot of variety shows before she time-traveled. She managed to leave behind a lot of content for reference.

For example, with the collapse of the Soviet Union, many arts groups had to find their own way to make a living, and former stars faded into obscurity.

Those are the sisters who ride the waves and the brothers who overcome all obstacles.

For example, Japanese pop culture also has a market in Russia, and Guinness World Record-holding boy bands and Morning Musume have quite a few fans.

In the next few years, it would be fine to start boy and girl group auditions using the South Korean 101 model.

The core of it is the "milk-and-entertainment economy".

There's no shame in making money, no matter how you do it.

Wang Xiao also earnestly emphasized to Ivanov: "Hardworking people need comfort, and cultural export is also a way to strengthen a country. Look, Michael Jackson can hold concerts all over the world, and tickets are hard to come by. Russia can also produce world-class superstars."

Slavic peoples are known for their handsome men and beautiful women, so their looks are a strong indicator of their potential.

Whether he can truly become a world superstar depends on luck, and that's not the focus right now.

The current priority is to present a compelling plan to the Kremlin, one that resonates with the president, to ensure effective upward management, and to expedite the approval process for the television station.

Once a television station is established and attracts viewers, it becomes a goose that lays golden eggs.

Because they can sell advertising time, earning millions of dollars a year is not difficult.

Ivanov finished the rest of the rice porridge, wiped his mouth, and prepared to make a phone call to the Kremlin; he wanted to see the president.

Right now, perhaps nothing is more troubling for the president than the failure of the Kremlin raid.

Whoever can reduce the president's embarrassment will gain the president's trust.

Before Ivanov could make a phone call or even leave, the sound of car tires screeching against the ground could be heard outside.

Yura jumped out of the car, slipped, and almost fell flat on her face.

He had made a rather dashing appearance, but suddenly became utterly disheveled.

Punoning got out of the car and, seeing this, tried to reach out to help him.

Unfortunately, the two were out of luck. Yura stepped on the frozen, hard snow in the corner, knocking Punonin down with her.

Xiao Gao and Xiao Zhao couldn't help but burst out laughing, and quickly turned their heads away.

They couldn't not turn their heads. Seeing this, the two almost blurted out: "No, it's not the New Year yet, there's no need to rush to kowtow."

It's not appropriate to give you New Year's money, is it?

That's too mean, quickly turn your head away and stop looking.

Ivan quickly went over to help and pulled the two of them up.

Yura was quite considerate; even after tripping and grimacing, he didn't forget to ask Ivanov, "Has he left his room? Has he eaten?"

Ivanov then heard the noise, put down the phone he hadn't dialed, and peered out the window to see what was happening.

Seeing this, he was taken aback: "What are you doing?"

Yura brushed the snow off her clothes with annoyance: "God, you didn't drown in the wine barrel!"

There are far too many drunkards on the streets of Moscow; he doesn't want another one.

Punonin stomped the snow off his feet and nodded to Ivanov behind the window: "Welcome back to the human world."

He was relieved that his friend had not continued his decadent lifestyle.

But this sense of relief was short-lived; before his eyebrows could even fully relax, the distance between them shortened again.

Because the tax police major general saw Wang Xiao.

My God, this Eastern woman has had a tremendous influence on Ivan.

The person who was soaking in a barrel of alcohol yesterday is now full of energy, all because she's back.

Wang Xiao also gave Punoning a cold shoulder, or to be more specific, neither of the two uninvited guests received a warm welcome from her.

She posed a question to them: "Gentlemen, you've come at the right time. Could you please answer our questions and explain why the Kremlin would do such a strange thing?"

Yura was asking the housekeeper to serve him some hot soup, but even though it was a rare sunny day with the sun out, the northwest wind was still strong, and the short distance from getting out of the car to entering the house was enough to make him shiver.

He hadn't even had a chance to take a sip of the soup when someone confronted him with a question, and he immediately retorted irritably, "You said it was the Kremlin's decision, how would I know what the Kremlin is thinking?"

God, can't he just have a quiet sip of hot soup?

Wang Xiao showed no intention of letting them off the hook: "So, you were completely unaware that the Kremlin sent a bunch of greenhorns and just dumped them in front of Dudayev as live targets?"

She pointed to the television, "These soldiers were recruited from the Internal Affairs Department's Kanjemiro and Taman Tank Divisions."

As she spoke, her gaze was already fixed on Punoning.

The latter removed his gloves with a displeased expression, his tone anything but gentle: "Madam, you seem to have forgotten what our job as tax police is. I can indeed mobilize the Internal Affairs Department, but their actions don't require reporting to me. Besides—"

He also pointed to the television, saying, "Even Polyakov said he had no prior knowledge of it."

Boris Polyakov, the leader of the Kandemiro Division, is being broadcast on NTV in his resignation statement, in which he says he was not informed of the attacks on Chechnya from beginning to end.

Wang Xiao watched the news on TV and wanted to facepalm again.

Good heavens! Is the Kremlin just going to stand by and watch? They actually let the TV station broadcast the resignation statement of the leader of Division Kandemirro!

Now, the attention of all Russians will be focused on this matter.

What about crisis management? Such a large government with so many officials, yet they have absolutely no awareness of crisis management.

No wonder the Soviet Union completely lost to the United States in the Cold War.

“Make a call,” she urged Ivanov. “Call the Kremlin right now and tell them you need a television station, a station that can divert the nation’s attention.”

Yura and Punonin, unaware of the background, asked in confusion, "What TV station?"

After hearing the whole story, Yura didn't even bother to drink her soup. She frowned and emphasized, "Hey! Madam, don't use the CCP's rhetoric on Russians. Freedom, freedom, Russians have the freedom to know everything about Chechnya. We need to know the truth."

"No!" Wang Xiao made a direct negative gesture. "The truth, amplified by excessive attention, will affect people's judgment."

Yura's nationalistic sentiments swelled: "I want to see us through your eyes. We Russians know what we are doing and what we want to do."

Listen to what people are saying.

If the government, as the representative of the nation, doesn't even know what it should be doing, it expects the people to understand everything on their own.

Wang Xiao shook his head firmly: "No, sir, do you want the Chechen situation to escalate and lead to a major war? If this matter hadn't escalated, the Kremlin could have maintained restraint and minimized the conflict, suppressing it completely. But now—"

She pointed to the television. "The television has reported it. Everyone knows about it. Everyone is paying attention to it. The Kremlin is now in a precarious position. It has no way to back down."

Yura opened his mouth, still insisting: "But the people should never be kept in the dark. It was precisely because we were deceived that we overthrew the Soviet Union."

The television news program has ended and been replaced by the "Dolls" program.

A doll dressed as the president, drunk and childlike, was being led forward by his Kremlin aides.

Unable to hide her disgust, Yura could only turn her head to look out the window.

I don't know when, but it started snowing again.

The snow in Moscow is just too much, one snowfall after another, as if it's going to crush the entire city.

Wang Xiao pretended not to see his pain.

Adults don't need others to constantly pay attention to their pain.

She said casually, "Yes, it's because the people have freedom. Russians have the freedom to follow the situation and the war in Chechnya, and they also have the freedom to enjoy leisure and entertainment."

Yura replied without hesitation, "That's war, a war that concerns the fate of the nation. How could the Russians not be concerned?"

“Just like you said.” Wang Xiao looked at him. “People have freedom. People can choose not to pay attention. You have to give them enough choices.”

She held up one finger, "We just want to give people more options."

The laughter that came with the puppet show on TV drifted throughout the room, and when it reached Yura's ears, it felt like needles pricking her.

He simply turned around and stopped watching TV altogether.

Wang Xiao also turned his head, targeting Punonin: "Major General, don't you feel any crisis? Such a large-scale military operation, and you know nothing about it?"

Punonin remained unmoved, slowly adjusting his gloves: "Madam, why do you always forget? I am a tax police officer, and my job is to crack down on tax evaders and ensure the country's fiscal revenue."

That's a veiled meaning in their words.

Wang Xiao, however, did not dodge or evade: "Sir, I think you've overlooked one thing, and that is the Kremlin's movements. The fact that you know nothing means only one thing: you are being marginalized."

In Moscow's winter, only snow lotuses bloom outdoors, but inside warm houses, pink crane flowers can also bloom brilliantly.

Prononin finally stopped adjusting his gloves, straightened his back, and looked at the woman beside the flowers: "What, you've changed your mind and are giving up on Ivanov right now?"

Yura glanced instinctively at the next room. Behind the door, his poor friend, unaware of his betrayal, was still obediently calling the Kremlin.

How unfortunate!

But a woman's heart is so fickle.

Wang Xiao shook his head and looked earnestly at Punonin: "No, you are Ivanov's friends, and I only hope that you will be better off."

Punonin shook his head in return: "Madam, please tell me the truth, I am not Ivanov, and I do not need your sweet words."

“But we need the information you provide.” Wang Xiao didn’t look away, but instead stared at Punonin. “Sir, this is very important to us. The long Chechen war, if we don’t have a sufficient understanding of the true situation, will seriously affect our orders.”

Yura, who had been quietly drinking his soup, couldn't help but exclaim, "Hey! What long war? If the Kremlin really wants Chechnya to take action, it will be a quick and decisive battle. A blitzkrieg, understand?"

Wang Xiao almost rolled her eyes to the sky.

You have the nerve to call it blitzkrieg?

How much electricity did your lightning leak out?

She had no idea whether the Russia-Ukraine war had ended by the time she traveled here.

Wang Xiao remained unfazed: "Back then, when the Soviet Union went to Afghanistan, they probably also wanted to strike with lightning speed. And what happened?"

Unable to contain her sarcasm, she said, "Hasn't this failed operation by the Kremlin woken you up yet? Dudayev is a Soviet major general, a Soviet war hero, and the Chechen army is the Soviet Red Army!"

Yura was quite taken aback, thinking that the Russian Federation's army was no less formidable.

But the Kremlin's recent blunder left him feeling insecure, and he could only mutter a resentful complaint: "This kind of thing should be done by the special forces."

Wang Xiao simply chuckled and said, "Mr. President, you should have faith in the special forces."

The renowned Alpha Group, which played a crucial role in protecting the safety of congressional leaders during the shelling of the White House a year ago.

"What order?" Punonin didn't join in on her and Yura's conversation, but instead pressed on to what she had just said.

“Military orders,” Wang Xiao said bluntly. “When the cannons roar, gold pours in; military orders are always the most tempting.”

Punonin seemed to have heard something out of the blue: "Madam, I must remind you, Russia lacks everything except weapons. Russia has a large number of military factories and does not need to place any orders with foreign countries."

He added, "I know that Gill Trucks manufactures military trucks. But other than that, everything on the battlefield has nothing to do with you."

"Really?" Wang Xiao shook his head. "I don't believe it."

She counted on her fingers, "First, the oil pipeline passes through Chechnya. If a large-scale war breaks out, won't it affect oil transportation? Don't forget, the Sakhalin project is also selling oil."

"Secondly, Russia certainly doesn't lack weapons. But don't these weapons, which have been in disrepair for years, need maintenance? Are the spare parts for the equipment guaranteed? Does it really not need foreign aid? If I remember correctly, most of the supporting factories have already gone bankrupt."

Punonin's gaze instantly sharpened like a hawk's, fixing on Wang Xiao: "Are you after the military orders?"

Just as Ivanov finished his phone call and came out, before he could even say goodbye and prepare to leave, he was yelled at by Punonin: "Ivanov, are you crazy! I think you've completely lost your mind, actually wanting this woman to get her hands on our Russian weapons supply!"

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Good evening! [Let me see] I've been following the India-Pakistan situation all day. The world truly is a giant makeshift operation.