Chapter 368 East Wind and West Wind Catching Insects: The Great Escape of Foreign Capital

The days of recuperating from injury can only be described as tedious.

The more wonderful the Moscow summer, the more tragic Wang Xiao's life became; she couldn't even see a beautiful body anymore.

After all, she had just solemnly expressed her strong possessiveness towards Ivanov in front of the president, and then immediately started indulging in debauchery and dating other men; that would be too much of a moral fall from her character. She wouldn't make such a low-level mistake.

So what could Wang Xiao do when she was bored? She read the news. In this beautiful season, everyone was busy enjoying the gifts of nature, but when she was unhappy, reading about other people's misfortunes was good for her mental and physical health.

Tsk, if you ask who the most unhappy person this summer is, it has to be the President of the Kremlin.

Although the hostage crisis on Children's Day was successfully resolved, it did not garner him more voter support; on the contrary, it triggered a career crisis.

The story begins with a newspaper article.

The author accused the president of being in Moscow on the day of the hostage crisis, yet he never showed his face, which was completely inconsistent with his usual persona of a "warrior" and "willing to take responsibility for the most unpopular decisions," and clearly showed him to be a coward.

This report was actually nothing special; which politician hasn't been criticized?

One of the key demands of those who actively promoted the disintegration of the Soviet Union was the freedom to criticize the government and the head of state.

The people are simply enjoying the freedom they fought for.

But the president’s supporters immediately broke down and wrote a counter-argument in another newspaper, emphasizing that the president’s absence on Children’s Day was not because he was drunk or cowardly, but simply because he was unwell, and appealed to the public for understanding.

However, this report is essentially a low-level attempt to be complimentary while actually being sarcastic or malicious.

After the news broke, public opinion immediately shifted in another direction. People began to focus on the president's health.

Even Wang Xiaoren, who was recuperating, heard rumors that the president's heart condition was very serious and that he was at risk of sudden death at any time, and might collapse one day.

It's not a curse on him, but he didn't show his face on Children's Day because he was undergoing emergency treatment at the time.

This rumor is really going to be the president's death.

While countries around the world are concerned about the health of their leaders, Russians would undoubtedly rank among the top three on this list.

Why? Because the Soviet Union suffered losses in this regard.

In the 1980s, the Soviet Union experienced frequent changes in leadership.

In November 1982, Brezhnev died, and Andropov succeeded him, but he died in February 1984. Chernenko was then elected leader, but he also died in March 1985.

Two leaders died without warning, which led to the rise of the Soviet Union's gravedigger in his prime, who then effectively ended the Soviet Union.

Russians really don't want to experience another political upheaval caused by the sudden death of a leader.

This mentality has seriously affected the president's approval rating, because people want a healthy head of state.

Wang Xiao sighed as he listened to the news. Actually, this matter was very easy to resolve, and the president didn't need to take it seriously at all.

The Kremlin could simply issue a brief statement saying that the president's absence on Children's Day was due to proper rescue arrangements and that he had full confidence in the capabilities of the on-site commander.

But just as all those in power struggle to face their own aging bodies, especially when facing younger, more capable successors, the president was clearly reluctant to specifically mention Punonin's name at this time.

After all, Punoning is popular now.

On the day of the hostage crisis, he was photographed by a photographer as the on-site commander.

In the photo, Punonin himself stands beside an armored command vehicle, his face resolute, his brows furrowed, gripping a walkie-talkie tightly, his sharp eyes scanning the canteen, his forehead covered with fine beads of sweat that glistened under the police lights like tiny diamonds.

After seeing this photo, Wang Xiao had to praise the photographer for his exceptional composition and angle selection, deeming it a masterpiece.

This tough-guy image is particularly popular in Russia; to put it boldly, it appeals to everyone from eighty-year-olds to eight-year-olds!

And unlike Ivanov's videos with their large areas of exposed skin, which only evoke romantic notions, this photo of Punonin conjures images of resilience, courage, reliability, and responsibility.

And that's how Punonin became famous.

Even without the sensation caused by the 1991 president standing on a tank, addressing the citizens of Moscow, and calling on everyone to defend Russia's image.

At the very least, this photograph helped him establish a positive first impression on ordinary Russians.

It's easy to imagine how unwilling the current president is to mention Punonin in public, fearing that it will attract more public attention.

However, without finding a suitable excuse and lacking public relations skills, the president naturally faced increasing public scrutiny regarding his health.

It's a classic case of either the East Wind prevailing over the West Wind, or the West Wind prevailing over the East Wind. As voters' support for the president declined, the other, formidable candidate, Zyuganov, naturally became even more popular.

Many people have started buying stocks, confidently predicting that the next president to win the Kremlin will inevitably be the Communist Party of the Russian Federation chairman who regards Jesus Christ as his predecessor and has promised that the Communist Party will not implement the atheistic policies of the Soviet era after it regains power.

Wang Xiao stroked his chin, enjoying the spectacle: "I estimate that next year's presidential election will be very competitive."

There's no worry about running out of entertainment.

She tapped the table and instructed her assistant, "Is our Major General going on vacation with his family? Remember to take some photos of him bathing at the beach, showing off his muscular physique. Make sure it looks natural, not greasy, and gives him a husbandly vibe."

After World War II, the Soviet Union had more women than men, and the same is true in post-collapse Russia. Female voters are crucial to this country. Details that only women pay attention to are often key to winning elections.

Ivanov was puzzled: "Why take these kinds of photos? Wang, didn't you say that next year is not the right time? Vladimir needs more time to solidify his image in the public eye."

Besides, 42 years old is too young. Gennady Zyuganov, who ran for president this year, is 51 years old, which is the age that Russians find most acceptable.

He couldn't help but wonder, "Hey! Wang, you don't just want to see Punoning's muscles, do you?"

Good heavens, he's really saying he's jealous! Is he not in good shape? Doesn't he have muscles?

Ivanov was injured in the leg, but that didn't stop him from taking off his T-shirt with ease and puffing out his chest: "Watch me."

Wang Xiao almost facepalmed: "Put your clothes on!"

What a bad habit! In Moscow, the highest temperature in summer is less than 30 degrees Celsius. Is it really necessary to expose your chest and belly?

Ivanov insisted, "Mine is prettier, and you can even reach out and touch it."

As he spoke, he even struck a pose like a bodybuilder.

Wang Xiao was both amused and exasperated: "Don't try that on me. Taking pictures of Vladimir on the beach is to strengthen his persona and deepen his impression on the Russians."

She raised her left hand. "Now is certainly not the time for him to run, but he needs to gradually build up his influence. That way, when the official election comes next year, his support will be of great significance to both sides."

Only influential supporters can be called supporters; the rest are just ordinary voters.

Supporters, on the other hand, can get more from the people they support.

The more supporters one gains in the final, crucial moments, the more generous they will be to him.

If Punonin wants to take over the Kremlin, inheriting political resources from his predecessors is essential.

Ivanov wrinkled his nose, clutching the T-shirt in his hand without pulling it over his head, and said sourly, "Your Majesty, I'm jealous. You're so good to Vladimir. You're so considerate."

Wang Xiao looked at him and smiled: "My friendship with him is fake, but my friendship with you is real. Without our Major General provoking the President, when would we have ever acquired Siberian Oil Company?"

The president ordered a halt to the plan to supply oil and gas from the Sakhalin 1 oil and gas field domestically, but that is not enough, far from enough.

The Siberian Oil Company, which includes Russia's largest and most advanced oil refinery in Omsk and the oil production base of the Siberian Production Association, is a piece of fat meat that has come to Wuzhou's mouth; but as long as it hasn't been swallowed, Wang Xiao will not be satisfied.

She will gradually increase the pressure so that His Excellency the President can make a decision sooner.

Ivanov shrugged, reluctantly accepting, "Okay."

He decided to resume upper body training starting today, otherwise, if his legs healed and his six-pack abs turned into one, he would have nowhere to cry.

Wang Xiao patted him on the shoulder reassuringly, offering his encouragement: "Keep it up!"

Men should have this kind of ambition.

The assistant knocked on the door and came in to report: "Mr. Watanabe Taketa from the Mitsui Group has arrived."

Ivanov waved happily: "Please invite him in. Perfect timing, I have good news to tell him."

After our last meeting on Sakhalin Island, everyone was filled with anxiety, fearing that the Sakhani 1 project, having narrowly escaped a major geographical earthquake, would then face a major economic one.

Thank God, the crisis is over.

He greeted Watanabe Taketa with a smile as he entered the room: "Mr. Watanabe, Mitsui doesn't need to worry about the oil and gas supply. Our supply will continue as per the contract."

Watanabe Taketa, dressed in a suit and tie, took off his hat and nodded simply to express his approval: "Sir, this is really good news."

Wait, something's not right!

Ivanov straightened his back, and the smile on his face faded slightly.

True joy shouldn't be so restrained.

Sure enough, the next second, the head of the Mitsui Group's East Asia Affairs Department started dropping bombshells.

“I’m sorry, Miss Wang, Mr. Ivanov, I’m here on behalf of the Mitsui Group to announce a new decision of the group—we have decided to suspend the Sakhalin refinery project.”

These words were far more powerful than the hand-thrown grenade dropped from the second floor of the container market canteen on Children's Day.

If it weren't for his leg injury, Ivanov might have jumped up.

"Why?" He stared wide-eyed. "Mr. Watanabe, the project is progressing so well. Why are you suddenly saying such things? Shouldn't Mitsui give us a reasonable explanation?"

Watanabe Taketa glanced at him, even more surprised than him: "Reason? Mr. Ivanov, do we need a reason? What will happen once the Communist Party comes to power and nationalizes all enterprises in Russia again?"

When that day comes, won't all the money and effort they've put in over the long term be wasted?

The world has not forgotten how powerful the Soviet Red Army was, and Japan remembers it all too well.

Therefore, Mitsui Group must reassess the feasibility of the Sakhalin refinery project.

A bolt of lightning struck from the blue, leaving Ivanov dizzy and disoriented.

The Japanese, who hadn't been scared away by the Sakhalin Island earthquake and insisted on partnering with them to rebuild the oil refinery, have suddenly made a 180-degree turn and are now withdrawing.

The summer sun in Moscow seemed to be suddenly overshadowed by gloom.

Ivanov could no longer laugh and quickly reassured the other party: "Mr. Watanabe, you don't need to worry. Zyuganov can tolerate even God, let alone the property of a citizen."

This refinery is crucial to their future business plans, and Wuzhou Group must retain it.

As a result, Watanabe Taketa had had enough of Russia's fickle policies. Contrary to the usual Japanese caution, he directly complained: "Russia has made so many promises that we've forgotten what they actually promised."

He turned to look at Wang Xiao, his expression serious. "Miss Wang, I regret to inform you that the group must reassess the oil refinery project."

His regret was genuine; he missed out on the Sakhalin Island oil refinery project, and he himself didn't know if he would ever get another opportunity of equal value in his future career.

Wang Xiao was staring at the lawn outside the window, where people were playing tennis. Her eyes were burning with desire, and she felt itchy to join in and swing her racket.

Although she doesn't usually like playing tennis, isn't that human nature? The more you can't do something, the more you crave to do it, to the point that your arm starts to itch.

Hearing Watanabe call her name, she reluctantly turned her gaze away from the tennis ball and smiled at the representative of the Mitsui Group: "Mr. Watanabe, have you forgotten that I'm from Beijing?"

Watanabe Taketa was taken aback, not understanding why she would suddenly bring this up.

Wang Xiao's smile deepened: "Since you haven't forgotten, then why are you so afraid of the red flag flying again in the Kremlin? You should know that the five-star red flag in Tiananmen Square has never fallen. Has the Mitsui Group given up its investment in mainland China?"

Watanabe Taketa's face flashed with embarrassment as he blurted out, "That's different. China is different from the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union really would confiscate all the companies."

Ivanov thought to himself, "Come on, it's clearly because the Soviet Red Army captured you Japanese devils and threw you into Siberia to grow potatoes back then, which made you afraid."

The Chinese are too easy to talk to; they even fed the prisoners better than their own people. So you've forgotten the pain once the wound has healed.

Wang Xiao smiled and reminded Watanabe Taketa: "No, no, Watanabe-kun, after 1949, China also nationalized all enterprises through methods such as public-private partnerships and buyouts. The re-emergence of private enterprises occurred after the reform and opening up in the late 1970s."

She looked at the other person with a smile, "If Mitsui Group dares to invest in China, why wouldn't it dare to invest in Russia?"

Watanabe Taketa paused for a moment. Indeed, if it was because of fear of the Communist regime, then clearly, the Chinese mainland, with its red flag flying high, made foreign investors feel more insecure than Russia, with its flag unidentified in the Kremlin.

It makes no sense for Mitsui to be so eager to withdraw from the Sakhalin Island refinery project at this moment.

But Watanabe Taketa quickly realized: "No, the same political party is different in different countries. Chinese people are more pragmatic, and the Chinese Communist Party is also pragmatic. Politics is politics, and economics is economics. Before the reform and opening up, you did a lot of business with foreign countries. The Soviet Red Army was no good; after they came back to power, they will only be more reckless."

Russia's economic situation has reached this point, and almost without a doubt, it will only get worse.

Otherwise, the current president's approval rating would not have continued to decline.

But can the Communist Party really improve the economy if it regains power? If the Soviet Union had that ability, it wouldn't have collapsed.

So how can the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, which is at a loss for how to implement economic reforms, divert the people's anger?

Nationalizing all enterprises, including foreign ones, and treating all capitalists and capitalist countries as enemies, giving the people a common object of hatred, is the simplest and only thing the Communist Party of the Russian Federation can do.

Ivanov was speechless.

Even when the Soviet Union was in power, Japan did a lot of business with it.

The infamous Toshiba machine tool scandal—isn't Toshiba a Japanese company?

You weren't afraid back then, but now you're afraid?

Taketa Watanabe shook his head again, emphasizing once more: "It's different. A regime that comes back to power is always more intense."

Because they feel that the other path is not easy to take, they become more determined and resolute in turning back.

Mitsui Group does not want to be used as a testing ground.

Ivanov didn't know how to continue persuading him; he had tried everything, from kind words to harsh ones, but the other person remained unmoved.

If I had known this would happen, I would have simply partnered with the Americans.

It was a waste of their time.

Watanabe Taketa stood up, preparing to put his hat back on and take his leave.

Wang Xiao shouted, "Watanabe-kun, have you ever thought about why China eliminated the private economy after 1949, but now it has changed its mind and started to allow the development of the private economy?"

She stood up, supporting herself on the armrest of the chair with her left hand, and walked up to the senior executive of the Mitsui Group. “I don’t know if you have noticed something, but although China’s reform and opening up began in 1977, it was not until 1992 that China formally proposed to take the path of a market economy.”

She looked him straight in the eye, a slight smile on her face. "Watanabe-kun, you're an expert on China, you should have considered why this is happening."

Watanabe Taketa's words were on the tip of his tongue, but he swallowed them back down.

What he originally wanted to say was that China realized that the planned economy was no longer viable, so it had to make changes. This is a global trend that no country can reverse.

But when he was about to speak, he always felt like something was missing, so the whole logic didn't flow smoothly.

Wang Xiao didn't beat around the bush: "Because in the early days of the People's Republic of China, a one-sided foreign policy was adopted. The socialist camp was strong enough that even if everyone was running state-owned enterprises and there was no private economy, economic activities within this circle could still continue. But—"

She sighed. "The Soviet Union collapsed, and the colors of the flags in Eastern Europe changed. The socialist camp weakened drastically. As a result, the remaining socialist countries had no other choice but to join the world's prevailing economic system."

“That’s true of China.” She curled the corners of her lips. “And it’s also true of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, which may regain power. It has no other way out; it must integrate into the world and follow the existing world rules.”

Watanabe Taketa looked enlightened and nodded politely to her: "Miss Wang, thank you for answering my question. But Russia's future may not be like China's; it could become another North Korea. Don't you think so?"

Wang Xiao really couldn't deny the possibility of this.

Everything that hasn't happened yet may happen in the future.

She nodded: "You're right, so please sign the contract and start the Sakhalin refinery reconstruction project immediately."

Watanabe Taketa suspected that the Chinese businesswoman in front of him had suffered a brain injury.

Otherwise, why would she be talking incoherently? He had clearly stated that the Mitsui Group did not want to risk losing everything.

Wang Xiao laughed: "The people who weave the bamboo baskets are from the Wuzhou Group. Even if it all comes to nothing, what does the Mitsui Group have to fear?"

She rubbed the arm brace on her arm, speaking casually: "After all, if we start rebuilding the refinery now, it might not be finished until at least this time next year. But by then, the presidential election results will be out. If Gennady Zyuganov of the Communist Party is elected, and you're worried about the refinery being confiscated, you can simply refuse to let the equipment in. You can also find new buyers for the technology and equipment."

She raised her eyes and looked at Watanabe Taketa: "So, please sign the contract as soon as possible. Watanabe-kun, this kind of good deal, where the partner assumes all the upfront risks, is not something you can come across every day."

Her gaze lingered meaningfully on him. "I really envy you, Watanabe-kun. You always seem to have such good luck."

Taketa Watanabe adjusted his glasses.

It has always been this way, and it has always been this way.

Every time he and the group made a decision, she always managed to persuade them to follow her way.

But the Soviet Red Army was like a nightmare, forcing Watanabe Taketa to repeatedly consider the cost-benefit ratio of this matter.

Wang Xiao laughed: "Watanabe-kun, are you afraid to take even this small risk? In fact, you have no risk; the risk is all on Wuzhou's side. Moreover, when everyone else is retreating, it is precisely the best time for us to advance. If we start pushing forward with the project now, we will have a year's advantage over others."

In the business world, a one-year advantage can be decisive.

Half an hour later, Watanabe Taketa, who had signed the contract on behalf of the Mitsui Group, put his hat back on, said goodbye, and left.

As Ivanov watched him walk away, he suddenly blurted out, "Your Majesty, do you think Zyuganov will be elected?"

The attitude of the Mitsui Group, to some extent, represents the attitude of the international community.

They even decided to abandon their plans for the Sakhalin oil and gas fields, demonstrating just how much they fear the return of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation to power.

No one fears things that are unfounded. Only things that are almost certain become increasingly frightening the more one thinks about them.

Zyuganov's popularity is truly high.

As a Marxist, Ivanov had to say that he had very mixed feelings about this situation.

Lofty ideals and a desire for wealth had become a tangled mess in his mind.

Wang Xiao interrupted his confusion and gave a firm negative answer: "No! The Communist Party's greatest strength is its communist ideology. It relies on unifying thought to guide the people. Ordinary workers, who do not own the means of production, are just a disorganized mess without this unified ideological guidance. No matter how many people there are, they are still weak."

Don't be fooled by the fact that Zyuganov seems to be the new president in all but name; that's because the oligarchs who control the country's resources haven't yet made their move.

Once they exert their influence, people who lack firm beliefs are easily swayed by the voices around them and can change their decisions in an instant.

To put it bluntly, people who have lost their firm beliefs are just a mob, lacking the ability to think independently and only able to parrot what others say.

She reached out and touched Ivanov's silent face, comforting him, "Alright, don't think about that anymore. Now we should call the president and remind him to start the auction process for Siberian Oil Company immediately. If we delay any longer, all his supporters will run away."

The withdrawal of Mitsui Group's investment in Russia is a major positive development for them.

This means that capital in developed capitalist countries, represented by it, will most likely refrain from participating in the auction and will not drive up the auction price.

Their retreat will further affect their support for the oligarchs.

Oligarchs without money are naturally not qualified to be rivals of the Five Continents at the auction.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Gao and Xiao Zhao couldn't help but show expressions of surprise.

In reality, they don't understand oligarchy; all they know is that these people who are traveling around trying to acquire Russia's most valuable companies are bankers.

Do bankers ever run out of money?

Are you kidding me?

When people swear, they often make sarcastic remarks like, "Oh, do you think your family owns a bank?"

It's clear how wealthy people who own banks are!

Seeing their expressions, Wang Xiao laughed: "If they were really rich enough, they wouldn't be going to such lengths to push foreign investment away."

It is precisely because they are fully aware that they cannot compete with legitimate international conglomerates that Russia's new elites have resorted to so many outrageous tactics.

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I just wanted to correct a typo, and now I can't publish it. [Eating popcorn] In 1995, the international community was indeed optimistic about Zyuganov coming to power.