Chapter 430 It's all Old Six: The wool comes from the sheep's back

Wang Xiao made a quick decision and summoned Lao Zhang: "Put everything else aside and start following up on the companies that Taiwanese businesses in South Africa are selling off. We'll buy them as soon as they're dumped."

Before selecting a site to build the commercial city, Manager Zhang also conducted a comprehensive and systematic investigation of Chinese enterprises in South Africa.

His logic was simple: they were all one family, and if Hong Kong and Taiwanese businessmen could do well, it meant there was a market for them in South Africa, which meant he could sell the same goods.

When his boss suddenly called him, Manager Zhang had a lot of questions.

But Wang Xiao didn't have time to deal with him right now; she had to call Ivanov: "Listen, Ivanov, there's a good opportunity right now. Taiwanese businesses are trying to withdraw from the South African market and put pressure on the South African government. We can take over all these companies."

Ivanov was certainly aware of South Africa's decision to establish diplomatic relations with China. If politics failed, economics would be the solution; using economic means to exert pressure was very much in line with Taiwan's consistent policy of monetary policy.

So he wasn't surprised at all by this. What surprised him was: "That's all? You can decide for yourself. You know I trust all your judgments and decisions."

Wang Xiao disagreed: "No, it's one thing for you to believe in me, but you need to know that making your own decisions is another. Because you're not a mascot, you're my guardian angel."

Moscow in December is so cold and dark. The sun only peeks out briefly before eagerly hiding back down.

But in that instant, Ivanov felt the South African summer sun shining on him through invisible microwaves, and he was radiant: "I will serve you faithfully forever, my great Queen."

Wang Xiao chuckled, “Then my general, listen carefully to what I have to say and write it down. The reason I chose to take over these Taiwanese companies is because they already have mature markets. For example, textile and garment factories have long exported their products to Europe and America, and plastic product factories are also competitive here. They are eager to sell and want to appear unwavering, so given the current environment in South Africa, they can only sell at a low price. It’s very cost-effective for us to acquire them now.”

Another reason she didn't say was that the fact that Taiwanese businesses withdrew while she took over was a shot in the arm for the South African authorities, telling them: you made the right choice.

Given the scale of the business, even from a purely economic perspective, your choice is correct.

Ivanov dutifully repeated it, then assured him, "I've got it."

Wang Xiao smiled and said, "Alright, you go ahead and get busy. Finish your work early and get some rest. Don't stay up late."

Ivanov smiled and agreed.

Manager Zhang barely speaks Russian, and almost no one speaks Russian, whether in Romania or South Africa.

So he could only seize the opportunity when his boss hung up the phone to quickly ask the question on his mind, afraid that he wouldn't have another chance to ask later: "Boss, do we take over all the businesses that Taiwanese business owners have set up here? That's no small number. And we can't handle all of them."

There are barriers to entry in terms of technology and the market.

“Take them all.” Wang Xiao nodded without hesitation and said meaningfully, “As for those companies that can’t be managed, leave them as they are, and someone will naturally take them over.”

Manager Zhang looked bewildered: "Boss, are you going back to China to attract investment?"

There might be some hidden talents in China who are actually capable of taking on the task.

Wang Xiao shook his head immediately: "No, go back to where you came from."

Perhaps, as Manager Zhang said, there are indeed people in China who can take over the work, but so what?

Being able to take on the task and being willing to take on the task are two different things. Investing overseas inherently involves huge risks. Can Wang Xiao guarantee that people who come to do it will definitely make money?

She can't guarantee it, and besides, what makes her think she can guarantee it?

Encouraging enterprises to go global and enter international markets is the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, and is the government's job.

How could she overstep her bounds and do it for her?

All she has to do is manage her own little corner of the world: "No need for so much trouble, just solve the problems where they occur."

She pointed out the window, where a white man with worn-out shirt elbows stood under a jacaranda tree, holding a statue-like object and trying to sell it to tourists.

This is the typical image of a poor white man in South Africa.

Just as Central Asian countries and Ukraine tried to expel Russians from their companies after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Black Economic Revitalization Act in South Africa has led to unemployment for many white people after the new government came to power.

In addition, many of the original white business owners sold their assets and moved to Europe and the United States to settle and develop their businesses, leaving the white engineers and senior technicians who worked in these companies unemployed along with other workers.

With many businesses closing down, these engineers and skilled workers faced immense difficulty finding suitable employment. Prolonged unemployment naturally led them to become impoverished and white.

Don't ask them why they don't go to Europe and America. Didn't their ancestors come from Europe and America?

Are you kidding me? Are visas for Western countries really that easy to get? If we open our doors to them, how will these countries guarantee their citizens' employment rates?

Which country doesn't have unemployment problems?

Besides, if you really want to immigrate overseas, don't you first need a house to live in? You need to set up a new family. A poor family needs a rich traveler; this is no small expense.

Even if you've found a job overseas, if the income is even slightly lower, you won't be able to support yourself and your family's new life.

Therefore, most ordinary white people could only struggle after losing their jobs. Without the protection of segregation, life would teach them a lesson.

But this is good news for Mr. Wang.

“These people are readily available intellectual resources. Look around, there should be some among them who can be used by us.”

Manager Zhang was still worried: "What if we can't find a suitable person among them either?"

He needs to find out everything before he can proceed with the next step.

Otherwise, if he can't finish halfway through, and his boss says, "Why didn't you think this through sooner?", how should he respond?

Wang Xiao laughed: "You don't need to worry about that. The person who sold the factory will take it back on their own."

The world is bustling with activity, all for the sake of profit; the world is in turmoil, all for the sake of gain.

When Taiwanese businessmen first arrived in South Africa, they built a business in a completely unfamiliar place. Was it something that could be accomplished with a single breath? No, their success was soaked in blood and sweat.

The Taiwanese authorities are hoping to intimidate the South African government by using the tactic of businessmen withdrawing their investments.

However, the resulting losses must be borne by the merchants themselves in real money.

In this world, a cold political climate coupled with a hot economic climate is quite normal. Your Taiwanese authorities' desire to sever ties with South Africa doesn't affect Taiwanese businesspeople continuing to do business in South Africa.

Once the initial excitement wears off, they'll realize they've made a huge mistake: leaving South Africa and their familiar surroundings, where will they go to earn money?

Wang Xiao explained to Manager Zhang step by step: "Moreover, the Taiwanese side will regret it themselves. They just want to put pressure on the South African government, not that they want businessmen to actually withdraw from the South African market. On the one hand, with weakening political ties, economic ties must become closer, otherwise Taiwan will have even less of a presence in South Africa. On the other hand, businessmen making money in South Africa are also developing Taiwan's economy."

What will be the consequences of this?

That is, after the large-scale sell-off, the merchants began to buy back and return to the South African market.

Wang Xiao laughed: "When we sell in large quantities, it's one price. If they want to buy it back, it's another price. So, we still make a profit."

Upon hearing this, Manager Zhang slapped his thigh and exclaimed in admiration, "Boss, you're amazing!"

The essence of a businessman is to buy low and sell high! That's making money twice from one person—a true master!

He sighed, "Compared to you, boss, all our brains are just for show."

He hadn't even thought of that!

Wang Xiao waved his hand: "No, don't underestimate yourself, you're very smart."

Upon hearing the compliment about being smart, Manager Zhang almost wanted to kneel down on the spot and swear an oath to heaven.

Heaven bears witness, he is now truly behaving himself.

By mid-September, the account books he handed to his boss were already properly prepared.

When it came time to keep accounts later, he only gave himself a one-point deduction, which is a well-known and very honest practice among overseas business owners.

If it's any less, it will be very troublesome for him to win people's hearts and manage relationships with all parties.

Seeing his pained expression, Wang Xiao chuckled and said, "I'm genuinely praising you. Your idea of ​​adapting to local conditions and turning South African itinerant merchants into vendors with fixed rental stalls is a rare and clever approach. Many big bosses can't do that."

Most of the big bosses in the retail industry today made their money in China and then expanded into overseas markets by simply replicating the domestic small commodity markets abroad, while still recruiting merchants in China.

Don't you think about it? Domestic merchants have worked hard to save up some money, but they know nothing about the foreign market you're talking about. Why would they risk bringing their entire fortune to come here and try to make more money?

It's normal to have trouble attracting investment.

For a place to make someone willingly part with 10 yuan, they must first earn 5 yuan there.

If you earn 10 yuan and pay out 5 yuan, it will be faster.

This is business thinking.

Don't be fooled by the fact that many bosses make a lot of money; they're actually just pigs on the wind, blown to the sky by the wind.

When it comes to business acumen, Lao Zhang, you're way better than them.

Manager Zhang was so flattered that he felt like he'd drunk a jar of premium Moutai; he was completely dizzy and lightheaded.

Oh my god, the boss praised him! He even said he's more capable than other big bosses!

Hehehehe! So many people work for the boss, how many of them has the boss ever praised?

He felt a surge of excitement, as if he could go out and conquer an empire right now.

The bodyguards beside him all kept their eyes down, seemingly oblivious to their surroundings. Haha, another month of being urged by the boss to go to the battlefield.

That makes sense; the boss can't stay in South Africa forever.

If the general guarding this area lacks confidence and dares not fight, how can the market be expanded?

We need to give him a pep talk, make him believe in himself, so that he can expand his territory.

The boss is best at this.

Look at Mr. Ivanov, who used to avoid politics. He was even forced to run for Moscow city councilor by the pressure at the time.

And now? Mr. Ivanov is doing quite well as Deputy Prime Minister now.

From August to December, several months have passed, and he hasn't been ousted, which shows how well he's doing.

What they didn't realize was how heavy-hearted Mr. Ivanov was now, while they were laughing and joking in South Africa.

After hanging up the phone with Wang Xiao, Ivanov finally let out a long sigh of relief.

Honestly, if he didn't hang up the phone immediately, he was afraid he would beg, "Wang, please, come back, I can't take it anymore."

Moscow winters are cold, dark, and long, much like the country itself, where one must walk alone through the winter nights.

In November, the president finally decided to have heart surgery.

Yes, his heart condition was very serious, and the doctors had long advised that he might be able to undergo surgery.

But now that it's been delayed, it has become an extremely complex surgery with skyrocketing risks.

If the president needs surgery, he will risk his life.

But if he chooses conservative treatment, his aging and weary heart cannot be delayed any longer.

This election prematurely depleted his vitality.

The president hesitated for a long time until Prime Minister Chernomyrdin publicly stated that he would never run for president and complained that being president was an extremely difficult job. He said that anyone who thought being president was easy should try it and it would definitely take half their life.

With this public promise as a guarantee, the paranoid master of the Kremlin finally made up his mind and underwent heart surgery in November.

This is a public matter; as the head of state, he couldn't possibly have such a major surgery done in secret.

As everyone expected, although the public would be unhappy, especially voters who had previously discussed his relationship with Zyuganov, they would inevitably feel deceived.

But what's done is done. They voted for the president hoping for national stability and to avoid unrest, so they were essentially already on the president's bandwagon.

Now, to prevent the ship from capsizing and the country from falling into turmoil, everyone can only pray that the president's surgery goes smoothly.

Many people even wrote to the president's wife, sharing their experiences of undergoing similar surgeries, especially their experiences with postoperative recovery.

Whether it was due to everyone's prayers or not, the president emerged from the operating room without incident and even passed the most dangerous post-operative period.

But just when everyone breathed a sigh of relief, yesterday, a problem arose: the president fell into a coma again.

It wasn't that the surgery went wrong, but rather that he unfortunately contracted pneumonia.

Good heavens, this is perfectly normal. Moscow has a long, cold winter, and pneumonia is common there, especially for an elderly man like him who is frail and has just had surgery.

Unfortunately, pneumonia is an even more devastating blow to patients who have just undergone heart surgery.

This time, however, the news of the president's critical illness had to be kept secret. Only a select few within the Russian Federation knew.

Ivanov has been staying at the hospital since last night. Well, in December in Moscow, there's not much sunshine anyway.

He couldn't see the sun rise for so long; the anxiety and despair he felt were something only those who experienced it firsthand could understand. He couldn't tell anyone yet, not even the King.

He so wished he could talk to Wang more; she always gave him support and energy.

But he knew it wouldn't work; Wang had things to do, and he had to hold on by himself.

Ivanov didn't know how long he had endured it, but finally a doctor in a white coat came out of the intensive care unit and informed them that the president's condition had stabilized and he had woken up.

He saw the president slightly open his eyes through the glass, then waved to him to indicate that they were there.

Ivanov suspected that the president couldn't see the person outside the glass at all, because the latter was unresponsive, lying there exhausted, as if his life was flowing out of his body with the beeping of the instruments.

The liquids that were being desperately poured into his body were just cold medicine, unable to bring in any life force.

In that instant, Ivanov's eyes welled up, and his shoulders hunched up instinctively, as if he were carrying a heavy load.

But behind him came the doctor's low voice that had greeted him earlier: "The most difficult stage is over. Fortunately, he had the surgery sooner."

Ivanov had no medical training and couldn't understand the complex mechanisms involved. He could only nod to the doctors and say, "Thank you for your hard work."

What should he do next? He didn't know; he had to follow Prime Minister Chernomyrdin's instructions.

God, he really wants to go back to the White House; he has so much work waiting for him to do.

The thick stack of documents, placed on top, detailed Moscow's network development.

He wants to fully utilize Russia's intellectual resources for software outsourcing, but infrastructure development must keep pace. Without a robust network, it's just a castle in the air, impossible to sustain.

He and Mayor Luzhkov had discussed this issue three times and finally reached an agreement—that Russia's information technology development should mainly rely on large cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Therefore, strong support from local governments is needed.

He plans to finalize the matter this month and get things moving as soon as possible.

Just as Ivanov was getting anxious, Diachenko came over. Her eyes were red and swollen, whether from crying or from staying up all night, it was hard to tell. Under the stark white lights of the hospital, she looked rather eerie.

She nodded to Ivanov and extended an invitation: "Let's go eat."

Ivanov actually had no appetite at all, but he didn't want to refuse, so he nodded and said, "Okay."

It wasn't mealtime, and the hospital cafeteria had long since stopped serving food. The only items still being sold were expensive sandwiches and hamburgers—these were unplanned foods and a remnant of the Soviet supply system.

Ivanov had no interest in sandwiches or hamburgers, so his assistant quietly brought him a thermos.

Upon opening the lid, the first aroma that wafts out is that of sesame oil. The dried lettuce, after being soaked and carefully tossed with sesame oil, becomes the perfect side dish.

The vegetable box, divided into four compartments, contained three other items: finely chopped celery with dried tofu, pork skin jelly, and thinly sliced ​​pickled cucumbers.

These are all side dishes, meant to accompany oatmeal porridge and steamed buns.

Ivanov noticed Diachenko's gaze drifting over and offered generously, "Would you like some porridge?"

Having endured this long, still eating dry sandwiches is pure torture.

The assistant borrowed a bowl from the cafeteria, and Ivanov gave her half a bowl of oatmeal porridge.

Then I buried myself in my food, first taking a couple of sips of porridge to wash away the bitterness in my mouth and open up my taste buds, and then eating steamed buns with side dishes, and all sorts of rich flavors filled my mouth.

At another time, Dyachenko might have teased him, saying that he had become a Chinese person and was eating Chinese food.

Oh, and by the way, he also single-handedly turned jasmine tea into a new fashion trend in Moscow.

Many people genuinely believe that drinking more jasmine tea can improve body odor, using it as a substitute for deodorants and antiperspirants.

Now, Diachenko didn't want to say anything. After taking a few sips of porridge and a bite of her sandwich, she suddenly spoke up: "Ivan, my friend, I'd like to hear your opinion. They, well, it's them..."

She hesitated for a moment, then changed the subject, asking Ivan, "What do you think of the position of vice president?"

The Russian Federation once had a vice president, Alexander Rutskoy, who was the country's first and last vice president.

Because of the constitutional crisis of 1993, the vice president sided with Congress, which led to the famous White House bombing incident, in which the president forcibly dissolved Congress and abolished the vice president's position.

Now that Tyachenko has suddenly brought up the vice presidency again, what can Ivanov think?

His only opinion was that the person had no self-awareness whatsoever!

But on the surface, a smile appeared on his face: "Oh, you want to run for vice president? That's a real test of my heart. Just thinking about having the box of nuclear buttons in my hands makes my blood run cold."

Ivanov was about to curse, because the question Dyachenko really wanted to ask was—what do you think of me as vice president?

It's not good, it's really not good!

Who are the "them" she's referring to? They're Chubais's group.

During a presidential election, they realized the powerful influence that Diachenko had over the presidency.

In order to gain greater benefits by closely aligning themselves with the president, they are trying to elevate Dyachenko to a high position and make him their spokesperson.

Even when there were no vacant senior positions, they dug up the dusty history of the vice president to use for their own purposes.

But they seem to have forgotten, or deliberately forgotten, how the prime minister should position himself if the vice president were to step down. Who is truly the most important person after the president?

During the president's surgery in November, Prime Minister Chernomyrdin acted as president for those few hours.

If there is a vice president, shouldn't the vice president be replaced and the box containing the nuclear button placed next to him?

But can Vice President Tyachenko, on whom Chubais and others have placed high hopes, really shoulder this heavy responsibility?

Good heavens, are they drunk on vodka? Do they think just anyone can be Catherine the Great?

They seem to have forgotten something very important: Catherine the Great's crown was earned through her own struggles, not handed to her by anyone.

If it weren't for the blood staining the ground, how could the nobles of Tsarist Russia have allowed a foreigner like her to become the master of this country?

Why not try someone else? How about the Tsar putting his beloved youngest daughter on the throne?

The ordinary Russians might just watch the spectacle, but the nobles would definitely turn against them.

National affairs are not toys for an old father to play house with and appease his little daughter.

Moreover, this old father was already exhausted from suppressing various forces.

If Dyachenko's youngest daughter really wants to go to the high platform, she will face a fierce backlash.

That's right, maybe things would be much better if she switched genders.

Despite the apparent success of the Soviet Union in achieving gender equality, the reality was that men and women in that country were still far from true equality.

Leaving aside other people, let's talk about an old acquaintance—Korzhakov?

The former Chief of Staff of the Kremlin has expressed his dissatisfaction with Diachenko more than once, complaining that she is obsessed with politics and travels around campaigning for her father, neglecting her own family and forgetting her duties as a wife and mother.

If it were a man, no one would be blamed for this.

But as a woman, she has to bear this pressure, which comes from the majority of men in this society as well as a considerable number of women.

Can Diachenko withstand the pressure? Can he prove that he truly has the ability?

Sorry, at least so far, Ivanov hasn't figured it out.

If the president falls, Prime Minister Chernomyrdin can at least ensure that the country does not fall into chaos in the short term and can hold out until the next presidential election.

If it were Dyachenko instead, it would likely be a disaster.

How did she gain the support of the military and powerful departments?

There might still be a sliver of hope if Korzhakov hadn't been ousted from the Kremlin.

Because Korzhakov is the godfather of Dyachenko's son, Dyachenko could potentially use this relationship to make Korzhakov develop a similar mentality of protecting the young master.

My God, the King is right. The real enemy that the socialist countries that once existed had to defeat was never capitalism, but feudalism.

Unfortunately, the struggle for power is always ruthless, and Korzhakov had already been dismissed.

His former power has vanished, and he can no longer be an asset to Dyachenko.

Ivanov finished the last mouthful of porridge and wiped his mouth with a damp, warm towel.

He nodded meaningfully to the subtly expression on Dyachenko's face and said, "The vice president is not a simple position. If he is reinstated, it may not be easy to abolish him again."

Do you really believe you can hold onto the vice presidency? Aren't you afraid of being used as a pawn?

In fact, it's quite possible that they're just using you to persuade your father to reinstate the vice president. Once he's reinstated, who will actually take his place? That's hard to say.

Dyachenko's expression grew increasingly serious, and she even forgot to continue eating her sandwich.

Ivanov looked at her and sighed softly: "Be careful, madam. There are too many eyes and too many hands around you. Your status means that countless people will have designs on you. Be careful not to become meat on a chopping board."

He couldn't help but think to himself: "You should know better, ma'am!"

So many people are eyeing the presidency; power can drive people mad.

General Lebed, who had previously won third place in the primary election, began making outrageous remarks after the president's health deteriorated, implying that the president was no longer capable and that it was his turn to take charge.

Then in September, he was fired by the president and expelled from the Kremlin.

But while one General Lebed was kicked down, countless other Generals Lebed continued to climb up.

The emperor's throne rotates, next year it's my turn.

If even a family of patriarchal Tsars could be wiped out, what chance would the presidency of Russia have?

Sigh, I'm so tired. When will Wang come back?

She wrote to him saying that there were idiots everywhere, and that they couldn't understand anything even after you talked to them for ages; unlike him, who was very smart and always knew without you having to say anything.

He also wanted to tell her that there were a lot of idiots in Moscow, and dealing with them every day felt like it would shorten his lifespan.

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The comments by Korzhakov on Diachenko in the text are based on Korzhakov's memoir, "From Dawn to Dusk".