Chapter 420 I Will Never Back Down: Women Must Speak 200% to Be Heard

Berezovsky felt a long-lost dizziness.

Here it comes again.

The strongest impression he got of Wang Xiao was that he was extremely contradictory.

When she's rational, it's frighteningly so. No matter how dire the situation or how complex the environment, she can unravel the complexities, quickly grasp the key points, and then immediately solve the problem.

But once she gets emotional, she becomes completely unreasonable, to the point of being nonsensical.

But she's incredibly eloquent; she can easily draw people into her logic and leave them completely bewildered.

So Berezovsky had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "Miss Wang, is there some misunderstanding? Who would bully Ivan? We all like Ivan, don't we?"

Upon hearing this, some of the oligarchs nodded, while others watched the spectacle, but none of them clenched their fists and cheered.

What does it have to do with them? Anyway, they never intended to compete for the position of vice prime minister.

Government officials are no longer the party and government cadres of the Soviet era; the tycoons who have made achievements may not even look down on them.

Wang Xiao sneered: "You haven't bullied me yet? You're sticking together, always excluding Ivan. I won't mention the past ones, lest you say I'm petty and always bringing up old grievances. And this time? When recommending the vice prime minister, why didn't anyone consult me ​​or Ivan?"

Her eyes, sharp as awls, carved from millennia-old ice, pierced fiercely at the person opposite her. "When I said before that the Soviet Komsomol selected you to do business, it was precisely to push ethnic minorities out to deal with crises, to push you to the edge of an unseen precipice, so you could take the blame at any time. Once the crisis was over, they would kick you out. What?"

A mocking smile played on her lips. "Now you're trying to do the same to us? Do you think you can just throw away the bridge after you've crossed it? Gentlemen, please don't do something so unwise!"

Berezovsky felt like his head was about to explode, but he still forced a forced smile: "Miss Wang, no, really no."

Why didn't he inform Wang Xiao beforehand? Because he simply didn't realize that Wang Xiao would be interested in this kind of thing.

Otherwise, he had to admit that deep down, Wang Xiao meant trouble, and unless absolutely necessary, he didn't want to bother talking to Wang Xiao.

Wang Xiao showed no intention of backing down; instead, he pressed on, "Then tell me, why can't Ivan? What's wrong with him?"

Her gaze locked onto Gusinsky: "Sir, do you think Ivan can't?"

Gusinski almost burst out laughing on the spot. As long as the excitement doesn't happen to him or the people he cares about, everyone is eager to watch the drama unfold.

He's got nothing better to do than undermine NTV's major shareholder.

Moreover, this major shareholder genuinely provides money and resources, neither interfering with NTV's work nor meddleling with it, but actively helping and connecting people. Where can you find a shareholder like this?

Gusinsky then stated his position without hesitation: "I have no opinion."

The light from the crystal chandelier, like molten gold, flowed over every dish on the intricately carved silver plate.

The freshly roasted lamb chops glistened with caramel-colored oil. When the knife and fork fell, you could hear the crispy skin cracking softly. The moment the juices overflowed, the aroma of rosemary exploded in the air.

The finest caviar is served in an ice-sculpted container, its black pearl-like granules shimmering under the light, while a seashell spoon placed beside it gleams with a warm, pearly sheen.

The succulent foie gras lay on a bed of fig jam, its edges slightly charred, like a piece of amber kissed by the setting sun.

In front of Wang Xiao, the plate of thinly sliced ​​pork was the most eye-catching. The pinkish meat was wrapped in crystal jelly, and it had a translucent color under the light. Next to it was a small dish of vinegar—Zhenjiang vinegar.

Good heavens, who dares to ignore her?

To entertain this distinguished guest, they didn't even bother with the head chef from the Great Wall Hotel, because the scallion oil chicken they made last time clearly didn't please her.

They were chefs specially invited from the Chinese Embassy, ​​who were skilled in authentic Huaiyang cuisine. Even the ginger shreds in the vinegar dish were cut as fine as hair, showing a silent attempt to please the customer.

Even so, Wang Xiao did not let them off the hook, scanning them one by one and questioning them by name.

Even Yura, an observer, couldn't take it anymore and whispered to Punonin, "Why did he suddenly decide to make Ivan the deputy prime minister?"

Good heavens, he really hadn't heard a thing before.

Punonin remained unmoved: "She probably just heard about this. You know her well, she'll definitely turn on anyone who dares to leave Ivan out of the picture."

In Moscow's high society, everyone knows that Wang Xiao is mostly mild-mannered, but when it comes to Ivan, she really won't give anyone any face.

There are advantages to being crazy. Most people don't dare to mess with a madman, especially if he's cunning and resourceful.

Even though the oligarchs who were being pressed for answers felt that Ivanov becoming deputy prime minister was too far-fetched, they also felt there was no need to offend Wang Xiao to his face.

After all, harmony brings wealth. It's not like they're the ones who are going to be the vice prime minister, so why should they risk their lives for someone else?

One by one, the people expressed that they had no objections; they had absolutely no objections.

Yura looked at Ivanov, who was sitting next to Wang Xiao with a slight smile, accepting everything calmly. The intense sense of absurdity in his heart almost swallowed him up.

He opened his mouth, completely bewildered: "Why did he become the vice prime minister?"

Is this a good way out?

In 1986, fresh out of university, he had absolutely no interest in becoming a party or government official in the Soviet Union.

In 1996, he actually remembered that he wanted to become the vice premier!

Punoning said casually, "So what if I take it? It's not like I'm going to hell."

Yes, in Russia, deputy prime ministers are always the ones who take the blame.

But so what if he took the blame? Gaidar founded the Russian Institute for Transitional Economy, and Chubais is now actively returning to politics.

When Ivan arrived—

"At worst, if he can't continue, he can just quit and go back to doing business."

Punoning smiled slightly, "President Wang won't let him go hungry."

He kept a close eye on everyone's reactions, ready to help if Wang Xiao couldn't hold on any longer.

Ivan is the deputy prime minister, both for public and private reasons, and he has to keep him in this position.

Because Russia is a special country.

The Soviet Union is history, and its five-year plans are no longer applicable here.

Unlike the United States, which has two major political parties, the Democratic and Republican parties, for hundreds of years, the country's general policies will not change regardless of who comes to power.

It's like a clueless child who's put on roller skates for the first time. Which direction will it rush off to during the long winter? It has no idea.

This dictates that the Russian heads of state must reach a tacit understanding and work together in one direction.

Otherwise, if you take office today and do this, and he takes over tomorrow and does that, the country will be in complete chaos.

Wang Xiao took Ivanov to his study to discuss how to become the vice prime minister. Rather than seeking his advice, it was more like he was giving him a heads-up.

Both sides need to communicate in advance about the subsequent policies and strategies in order to carry out the work together.

This is undeniably tragic, that national affairs must be maintained by personal feelings.

But isn't this also a kind of luck?

At least they can still use this method to continue doing things, instead of like in the Soviet era, when Khrushchev came to power and made Stalin seem worthless, and then when Brezhnev overthrew Khrushchev, all sorts of low-brow rumors about the latter circulated in society.

Punonin stared for a long time, but never got a chance to show his skills.

After pressing him for answers, Wang Xiao politely nodded to Potanin, "Sir, I have no objection to you. But I cannot give in on this matter."

Potanin lowered his head slightly and remained silent, as if he were a competent tool.

Berezovsky's face flushed red and then turned pale; no matter how smooth he was, he couldn't suppress his anger.

He believed he had not offended Wang Xiao and Ivanov, but the two of them repeatedly and deliberately went against him.

He even suspected that Wang Xiao had started with Gusinski at the end of April, forcing them to promise one by one that they would not enter the government, just for this whole thing.

Seeing the atmosphere become tense, Tyachenko quickly stepped in, forcing a smile at Wang Xiao: "Darling, shall we talk?"

Wang Xiao gave the president's daughter considerable face and nodded, "Okay."

The two most powerful women present left the banquet hall hand in hand and headed to the adjacent living room.

The door closed, and Diachenko finally couldn't hold back: "Your Majesty, why? You said before that none of you were interested in politics, and that Ivan's goal was at most to become a member of parliament."

Wang Xiao thought to himself, "I didn't know that the position of Deputy Prime Minister in Russia was so easy to obtain."

What truly fueled her ambition was the president's easy signing of an executive order that allowed them to issue new shares in Siberian Oil Company and Shurgut Oil Company, thus completely taking over both companies.

That time, she truly witnessed the resilience and power of authority.

Ambition grew wildly in her heart, like weeds.

Then, the Russian Communist Party's accusations that Jewish bankers were greedy vampires directly fueled this ambition.

She decided at that time to put Ivan in power.

Now, faced with Tyachenko's doubts, Wang Xiao unhesitatingly shifted the blame to his opponents: "Because they went too far! I was involved when it came to doing the work, but when it came to getting paid, I was not?"

Dyachenko was startled and tried to reassure her: "Your Majesty, actually..."

"I know what you want to say, but I can actually say it properly."

Wang Xiao raised his hand and gave a wry smile. "Tatiana, do you know what kind of environment I grew up in? I'm the daughter of a big factory worker. My parents were both employees of a very large steel factory."

Of course, Tyachenko knew that she was interested in Wang Xiao herself and naturally had ways to understand her growth trajectory.

Wang Xiao continued, "You know, China is a socialist country, very similar to the Soviet Union in many ways. Employee housing is allocated by the work unit. When I was a child, I noticed something: for employees with the same length of service and the same rank, the factory always gave priority to male employees when it came to housing allocation."

Dyachenko did not ask why, because the same situation existed in the Soviet Union.

Wang Xiao sighed: "Back then, some female workers in the factory were called shrews. They would fight with the leaders when it came to allocating housing, and some would even run to the leaders' houses with their children to sleep, forcing the leaders to solve their housing problems. It's not respectable, and people would point fingers at them, but they always managed to achieve their goals."

Wang Xiao smiled wryly, "So I discovered a rule of social operation from a young age: a woman's voice has to be 200% louder than others' for anyone to listen to what she has to say. If you express your demands normally, people will just pretend they don't hear you."

She shook her head, her tone helpless. "Is this the first time something like this has happened? No, last time they published a joint statement in the newspaper behind my back, and I was furious. And now they're doing it again. They won't change, they never will. Those who benefit from the system never change. You have to yell at them again and again, shout at them like an unreasonable madman, before they might reluctantly relinquish a little bit of the rights that should rightfully belong to you, as if they're being magnanimous, like a real man who won't stoop to your level."

Tyachenko's face showed sadness as he listened, and he reached out to hug her: "I'm sorry, darling, I didn't know they hadn't discussed it with you beforehand. I was mistaken, I should have asked more questions."

Lezovsky dared to bring this up directly at the victory celebration today, so he must have consulted her beforehand.

But she assumed that Wang Xiao and Ivanov had already withdrawn from the competition, so she didn't ask at all.

Wang Xiao sighed with a wry smile, looking intently into Tyachenko's eyes: "Tatyana, you don't need to apologize. This is probably the difference between us women and men. When anything doesn't go perfectly, we women subconsciously look for the cause within ourselves, thinking we didn't do things better. But in reality, what does it have to do with us?"

As a recent college graduate, Tyachenko knew that Wang Xiao had specifically mentioned the crazy woman in the factory to evoke her empathy as a woman.

But at this moment, when Wang Xiao mentioned that women like to reflect on themselves, she was truly moved.

It seems that women are indeed more cautious than men.

“Because we have so few opportunities,” Wang Xiao sighed. “So we have to seize every opportunity and do our best, otherwise it won’t be our turn next time.”

She gave a bitter laugh. "It's like now, the election is about to be over, and everyone thinks that I, this damned, annoying woman, have finally lost my last bit of value and can be kicked out of the game openly."

A thought stirred within Tyachenko; she thought of herself.

Her father's presidential election was her first appearance in politics. She also had no idea what her father's plans were for her after the election.

Yes, yes, everyone knows that the father dotes on his youngest daughter.

But how many people know how disappointed the father was when he found out she was a daughter?

If she were a son, she would be at least 80% certain that her father would do everything he could to raise her well.

It seems everyone assumes that all of the parents' resources, including political resources, will be inherited by their sons.

When it's a daughter, everything is different.

Guided by these subtle emotions, Dyachenko even developed a shared sense of righteous indignation with Wang Xiao.

She frowned slightly and asked, "So what do you plan to do now?"

"Fight to the end," Wang Xiao comforted her. "Don't feel pressured. You didn't break your promise to Berezovsky; he deliberately concealed it from you first."

The living room door opened, and the men outside were practically stretching their necks out in anticipation.

Some are waiting for the final verdict, while others are anticipating the excitement to come.

The delicious food on the table has long since gone cold, but who cares?

Berezovsky couldn't wait to speak up: "How about this, we vote, one person, one vote?"

He knew all too well how oppressive Wang Xiao was, so he emphasized, "To ensure that everyone can make a sincere choice, we will vote anonymously."

Tsk, this is practically accusing Wang Xiao of forcing others to say things against their will in public.

Before Wang Xiao could sneer out, and before Punonin could stand up and speak, a voice rang out at the table: "No one is threatening me, and I am not threatened by anyone. I choose Mr. Ivanov."

It is Nizhny Novgorod Oblast Governor Nemtsov.

After his words surprised everyone, he nodded to Ivanov and smiled.

He knew Ivanov didn't like him, which was normal.

Young, beautiful, and capable women are never short of suitors.

In a sense, he admired Wang Xiao and had a good impression of her, which was perhaps a kind of mutual respect between him and Ivanov.

Moreover, putting aside personal matters, from the perspective of national interest, he also supported Ivanov becoming the deputy prime minister.

It's not that he had a keen eye, able to see through appearances to the essence, and could immediately recognize that Ivanov, who had never been involved in politics, was exceptionally talented and capable of taking on the important role of deputy prime minister.

Rather, he simply didn't want Berezovsky's schemes to succeed.

As a true reformist liberal, he fundamentally disliked oligarchs because they were typical of robber capitalism, not the people's capitalism he desired.

They're only temporarily working together to ensure the president wins re-election.

Nemtsov has no desire for oligarchs to join the government, as they could potentially seize control.

Yes, strictly speaking, Wuzhou Group is also a typical oligopoly. But no matter how large it is, it only has one person, Wang Xiao.

Moreover, Wang Xiao has fallen out with other oligarchic groups, which means she will have to fight alone from now on, and her influence over the government will naturally decline significantly.

When it comes to influence, Nemtsov has to be wary.

Through this year's election, he has come to fully realize the power of the media.

It can create a god, or it can completely destroy a person.

Channel 1's coverage area is so vast that MTV and NTV need to join forces to compete with it.

The fact that Wang Xiao and Berezovsky are now at odds is actually a godsend for the Russian federal government.

Nemtsov would never let such a golden opportunity slip by unless he'd been out of his mind.

He smiled and nodded, repeating once more: "I think Mr. Ivanov is good. He has extensive experience and outstanding achievements in industry, especially in organizing production."

Berezovsky instinctively retorted, "Mr. Potanin is also in business, and he has achieved similar success."

Nemtsov simply laughed and said, "Sorry, I don't know much about the mining industry. I've only been paying attention to a few factories so far."

Good heavens, Berezovsky, that old fox, isn't he ashamed to say such things?

Potanin was involved in real business; he used customs funds to buy a nickel company. The company was already there, and the customs funds were also readily available.

Besides creating the chartered banking system and equity-for-loans, what real business did he actually do?

No matter how unremarkable Ivanov may seem, at least he made his fortune through genuine private trade and raised funds from small merchants to explore deep-sea oil and gas fields on Sakhalin Island.

Such boldness and courage better fit Nemtsov's definition of a businessman.

So after he finished laughing, he nodded to Potanin with a hint of apology, and then fell silent.

Punonin seized the opportunity and spoke up: "I also support Ivanov. I have no reason to oppose someone who pays taxes diligently."

These words already hinted at the sentiments of the business tycoons present. Tax evasion is commonplace in Russia, and the tycoons were not keen to meet Punonin's gaze.

But the tax police major general did not let them off the hook. Instead, he took the opportunity to lobby them, saying, "If you are not clear about how to pay taxes, then our tax department can send people to your company to ensure that you pay taxes reasonably and legally."

Yura, worried that the atmosphere would become even more tense, quickly added, "I also support Ivan."

God, when he said those words, he felt as if his whole body was being torn apart.

The feeling of panic made him feel as if the entire banquet hall was a giant stage where everyone was performing with ulterior motives.

With three people already having voiced their opinions, Wang Xiao went straight for the kill: "So what about you, Mr. Gusinski? Do you need an anonymous vote?"

Gusinski smiled wryly: "No, no, no, as a journalist, I publicly state my position: I abstain. Both gentlemen are very capable, and I believe they will do a good job whoever takes the position of deputy prime minister."

Berezovsky really wanted to punch this treacherous and cunning fellow to the ground.

He had previously issued a statement indicating that he would never become a government official; he had already been betrayed once.

Now that he has made this statement, what will other banks do if they want to join in?

As expected, under Wang Xiao's gaze, the remaining oligarchs announced one by one that they were abstaining.

The main strategy is to avoid offending anyone.

Even Chubais, who was about to return to politics, shook his head and said, "I abstain."

If he had to choose between the two, from a personal perspective, he would lean more towards Ivanov.

Because the equity-for-loan scheme was actually proposed by Potanin. He successfully persuaded the cabinet, and then Chubais took over the implementation.

In the end, Potanin made a fortune, while Chubais was accused of selling state property cheaply and left the White House in disgrace.

Now Chubais is willing to accept defeat, but while he doesn't hold a grudge against Potanin, he also has no reason to support Potanin's rise to power.

Besides, doing so would offend Wang Xiao.

Wang Xiao smiled slightly at Berezovsky: "Boris, you're so smart. If you had voted earlier, we wouldn't have wasted everyone's time."

Berezovsky was so angry he was about to vomit blood. He could only say with a livid face, "Fine, then submit the names of both men. As for how to arrange things, we'll leave it to the President's decision."

Even now, they still haven't given up their wicked intentions.

Wang Xiao suddenly clapped his hands, feigning sudden realization: "So you could nominate two people? That's why you didn't say anything at the beginning, or before the vote, but only after the voting results came out."

She sneered, "What, you think I'm a fool?"

Tyachenko watched silently from the side, but she couldn't help but think of what Wang Xiao had said in the living room earlier—that a woman has to yell at them like an unreasonable madwoman before they might reluctantly give up a little bit of the rights that should rightfully belong to her, as if they were being magnanimous and that men wouldn't stoop to her level.

Doesn't the current situation prove Wang Xiao's words true?

The president's daughter glanced at Berezovsky subconsciously, her brows furrowing slightly, clearly her patience was about to run out.

Berezovsky felt a sudden panic. To put Potanin in power, he first needed to gain Diachenko's support.

“Alright, Miss Wang.” Berezovsky made a pleading gesture to Wang Xiao, “Perhaps we can talk and clear up the misunderstanding. I swear, I have always greatly admired you and Ivan.”

Perhaps because he adopted a humble attitude, Wang Xiao did not refuse outright. Instead, she nodded, which was unusual for her, and said, "Okay, let's go talk over there."

The living room door opened, then closed, and five minutes later, it opened again.

Wang Xiao, who stepped forward first, was full of fighting spirit, while Berezovsky, who followed behind him, looked dejected.

He didn't meet Potanin's gaze, but only looked at Diachenko: "Alright, since it's decided by vote, then I respect the result. It's Mr. Ivanov."

Everyone in the banquet hall was shocked and wondered if he was possessed by a demon, wondering why he had suddenly turned against them.

The oligarchs' suspicious gazes involuntarily drifted toward Punonin. They strongly suspected that this powerful tax police major general had caught Berezovsky red-handed, for example, in cases of tax evasion, forcing Berezovsky to change course.

Yura glanced at his old friend instinctively, while Punonin shook his head and whispered, "I don't know anything."

He did indeed have serious irregularities and under-the-table dealings during the investigation by the internal affairs department into the equity-for-loan auction.

But this was part of his work, and it was highly confidential. He couldn't possibly share it with Wang Xiao, as if the other party were using it to threaten him.

Yura couldn't understand: "Then why did Berezovsky suddenly change his expression?"

This old fox is a cunning and sly one; he's never been an easy target.

Punonin shook his head: "I don't know."

He didn't care.

All he needed to know was that Wang Xiao had won, securing the vice-presidential position for Ivanov.

Ivanov, on the other end, greeted Wang Xiao with the same joy as Liu Shan welcomed his returning prime minister, and whispered in Wang Xiao's ear, "It seems he also knows that the credit should be taken by himself."

Wang Xiao happily grabbed his hand and praised him with a smile, "My Ivan is still the smartest."

Indeed, in the living room, she only said one sentence to Berezovsky: "Sir, are you planning to claim credit for one thing at multiple times? You'll use the credit on Potanin, but not on yourself."

Don't forget that in last year's equity-for-loan auction, Berezovsky was outmaneuvered by Five Continents and left empty-handed. He was hoping to get more benefits from the president after his successful re-election.

With only this one achievement, are you really going to use it to push Potanin to the top?

Get this straight, buddy. Potanin acquired Norilsk Nickel and Cidanco Oil Company, both with annual profits of several billion US dollars, last year, making the biggest windfall from the equity-for-loan scheme.

Do they need you, who have gained nothing, to lend them a helping hand?

Are you overly compassionate and overthinking things?

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[It's] Monday again!