Chapter 458 Let's drag America into the quagmire too: I'm always doing this for your own good.

Gusinski disliked this feeling and believed he should fight for journalists' freedom: "Miss Wang, what is reported in the news depends on what the audience and readers care about."

He cannot compromise, otherwise he would become a puppet being manipulated in NTV's hit satirical comedy "Puppet".

An old-fashioned copper teapot sits on a cast-iron stove, gurgling softly. Tumbling tea leaves, pressing against the lid and carrying the aroma of jasmine tea, eagerly pour from the spout.

Lyuba carefully filters out the tea, then pours in pure milk, stirs it well, and when the aroma of milk and tea blends together and melts into a smooth, sweet fragrance, the most popular trendy drink in Moscow—jasmine milk tea—is born.

Wang Xiao gestured with his hand in an inviting gesture: "Gentlemen, please have a taste."

Seeing the two men accept the cups, she smiled and nodded to Gusinski, "My dear friend, I completely agree with you. Audiences and readers have the right to know what interests them."

Gusinski's expression softened somewhat; the aroma of milk tea seemed to have softened the air as well.

But Wang Xiao countered with a question: "Then, my friend, how many stock market investors are there in Russia?"

Gusinski was slightly taken aback.

From a theoretical perspective, since the spring of this year, Russia has been caught in a stock market frenzy. Anything with the word "stock" in its name is snapped up.

Then everyone in Russia should be investing in stocks.

In particular, Russia privatized Volkswagen in the past few years.

At the time, the government issued privatization vouchers to nearly 150 million citizens. The government repeatedly told everyone that they could exchange these vouchers for shares in specific companies or directly invest in privatization funds.

These people should all have become shareholders by now.

But in reality, everyone in the room knew perfectly well that over 99% of those securities had already been sold. Their original owners were certainly not ordinary shareholders.

“The main structure of stock market investors consists of wealthy residents of major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg, financial professionals, and insiders like us who profit from what is known as privatization.”

Wang Xiao sighed, "My dear friends, we can't make our surroundings our whole world. I estimate that there are probably only slightly over a million stock market investors in all of Russia; the rest are foreign investors. How much interest do the remaining Russians have in the ups and downs of the stock market?"

She shook her head. "China has been issuing stocks since the 1980s and has experienced several stock market ups and downs. But to be honest, even now, more than 90% of ordinary Chinese people still know nothing about stocks, let alone have any interest in them. Aren't they readers and viewers? If I have to see things that have nothing to do with my life every day, I will just switch channels or never buy this newspaper again."

Wang Xiao pointed to the sky outside the window. The sky was gray and seemed like it was about to snow at any moment. "In this kind of weather, in this long and unbearable winter, can't everyone watch some heartwarming news? Why do we have to watch these things that make us feel bad every day? People who aren't depressed before are going to become depressed from watching this."

Pusinski attempted to articulate his point of view: "Miss Wang, this is social news. We can't expect the public to watch meaningless content every day, just to laugh and joke around."

"Is social news only about the stock market?" Wang Xiao retorted. "Isn't there any heartwarming news that fills people's hearts with hope? For example, since last summer, 30,000 irrigation wells have been drilled and 67 irrigation canals totaling 20,000 kilometers have been excavated. Irrigated and drained land has increased from 10.19 million hectares to 11.36 million hectares. Thanks to favorable weather, this year's total grain output reached 113.3 million tons, even surpassing the level of 1992. With a little more effort, we can achieve the same level as the grain output of 1991."

If an outsider heard this, they would probably want to laugh.

After so many years, we've finally caught up with the old level. What's there to be proud of?

But that's just how agriculture is in Russia. According to records, there have only been 12 years in history when its grain output exceeded 100 million tons. Now it has become 13 years, and compared to 1996, it has increased by 63.49%.

“Isn’t this worth writing about, worth praising?” Wang Xiao couldn’t understand. “In such a cold and long winter, the news of a bumper harvest is so encouraging. Besides, the decline in our animal husbandry is slowing down, and even the number of livestock raised by residents as a sideline is increasing significantly.”

She became visibly excited, even forgetting to pet the two adorable little pandas, and started counting on her fingers, "A bountiful harvest and thriving livestock—that's a symbol of a prosperous family. Who wouldn't praise it as full of life?"

Farming novels! Farming novels will always have a large following. Returning to the countryside to farm, raise poultry and livestock is an instinct etched into human genes.

Wang Xiao earnestly advised, "There are also farm enterprises; our farm enterprises are also emerging. They provide a large number of jobs for farmers, meeting their livelihood needs."

Berezovsky had been sitting and watching the whole time, and apart from drinking his milk tea and complimenting it on its unusual taste, he hadn't said anything else.

Hearing this, he couldn't help but laugh: "Miss Wang, you should have said so earlier. You just wanted to praise Ivan, right?"

Listen to her passionate pronouncements; aren't these all Ivan's achievements?

He smiled outwardly, but inwardly he sighed.

Good heavens, this guy is incredibly lucky! Last year there was a huge crop failure, but this year the weather has been perfect, and thanks to God, the crop yield has soared, which is why he's become so popular.

Wang Xiao nodded seriously and said frankly, "Yes, it's good. Of course, it should be praised, commended, sung, and widely known."

Gusinski was dumbfounded and in his heart he called upon God: How could this be?

Yes, yes, it's right for a wife to praise her husband, but that's something to say behind closed doors, maybe a few words of praise among close friends.

No one is as eager as Miss Wang to announce it to the whole world.

Aside from his grandmother's blind boasting about her grandson, he had never seen anyone so extravagant.

Wang Xiao, however, remained unfazed: "Then please report on it properly. Ivan has worked so hard, and their achievements deserve to be seen and praised. These are all matters related to the quality of everyone's meals, so who wouldn't care? This is what television viewers and newspaper readers care about every day."

Gusinsky, who had been both amused and exasperated, instinctively pursed his lips and remained silent upon hearing this.

Wang Xiao's gaze locked onto him, and she reached out to scoop up a small panda, placing it in her arms to pet it.

As she continued to stroke it, the other red panda, which had been amusing itself, sensed the danger and came over to rub against the back of her hand, so she gave it a perfunctory pat on the head.

Wang Xiao laughed: "Mr. Gusinski, are you trying to buy at the bottom? The more the stock price falls, the higher the chance of buying at a bargain."

Ordinary stock market investors don't think about this. When stock prices plummet, everywhere you look, there's despair. People even worry that the stock market will completely collapse and never recover.

But the situation in Russia is different.

It wasn't until 1995 that people truly grasped the concept of stocks. Back then, when shares of power and telecommunications companies were put up for auction, nobody wanted to bid.

The value of a stock can skyrocket in an instant.

Countless people regret that they focused only on oil fields and minerals and did not participate in the auctions of companies such as power companies.

Wang Xiao looked at Gusinski with a smile: "Sir, you didn't participate in the privatization auction in 1995, which must be a regret for you. You want to make up for that regret now, right?"

Gusinski was a little embarrassed and subconsciously took a sip of milk tea.

It may not be the most dignified thing to say, but who wouldn't want their assets to increase twenty or thirty times in a short period of time, or even 100 times in a few years?

This is a wealth secret even more terrifying than turning lead into gold!

Wang Xiao nodded. In her mind, not refuting, or not vehemently refuting, was tantamount to acquiescence.

“My friend, this is only human nature, and there is nothing wrong with it.”

She suddenly changed the subject and asked the other person seriously, "But have you ever thought about this? It is true that if you spread negative rumors and other investors are afraid to enter the market, the stock price will plummet. But at the same time, a bleak and gloomy stock market will also make your investors hesitate to invest."

Gusinski held the cup, remaining silent.

Wang Xiao looked up at the window and sighed, "The global stock market is in a complete mess right now. Experts say this is a once-in-a-decade cycle, a major stock market crash like the one in 1987. Everyone's busy running out of the market. Who dares to buy at the bottom? Who knows if they'll be the one who gets bought at the bottom?"

"Are your investors really as steadfast as you think? Will they consider the return on investment and cost recovery period? And who will foot the bill? A Spanish telecommunications company?"

Wang Xiao solemnly reminded the silent Gusinski, "My friend, you'd better be careful. Don't let them drag things out until the board of directors approves before they can give you the money to use during the auction on July 25th."

Gusinski finally couldn't sit still any longer.

The failure of the bidding for the telecommunications investment company on July 25th was a lifelong regret for him.

Although Wang Xiao later mediated and raised $2 billion, he successfully acquired 25% of the telecommunications company's shares from Potanin.

But countless times in the dead of night, he couldn't help but regret that if the Spanish telecommunications company's investment had been in place, there wouldn't have been the subsequent setbacks, and he wouldn't have owed someone a favor for nothing.

He came over as soon as Miss Wang called, wasn't it because of this favor?

Wang Xiao hugged the other panda cub to his chest, frowning as he said, "My friend, you're only thinking about driving the investors away, just like in 1995 when you drove out all the foreign capital and monopolized all the privatized shares. But have you ever considered that in 1995, you drove them away; in 1997, they came back. But in 1997, they left and never came back. What then?"

Seeing that Gusinsky and Berezovsky both looked slightly surprised, Wang Xiao made a gesture, "Let me finish. Right now, investors all over the world are busy retreating and transferring their assets to places they consider safer. Including the United States, which is generally recognized as a safe investment market, stock investors are selling their stocks and putting their money in the bank or at home."

"What's more, what about emerging investment destinations? Once hot money has withdrawn, the chances of it coming back are very small. They will most likely look for the next emerging investment destination and flock there."

Wang Xiao sighed, "Foreign capital left in 1995 and returned in 1997 because the president won the 1996 election, and the inflation rate was brought under control in the second half of the year, creating conditions for hot money to flow into Russia, thus winning the opportunity. Hot money is leaving this year, so what will be the next opportunity to attract them?"

Her gaze shifted between Gusinsky and Berezovsky's faces. "Gentlemen, can you tell me the answer?"

Seeing that they were both speechless, she didn't let them off the hook. "This money will likely become a conservative investment, or even be left uninvested and just sitting there. Of course, some people will choose to take risks and continue investing. But after the Asian financial crisis, who wouldn't want to bring capital back? They are experienced in this area and know how to tickle investors' sore spots. My dear friends, are you sure you can compete with them?"

Gusinsky gripped his teacup tightly, his chest heaving with turmoil.

He was originally a theater director, but later became a media mogul and even started his own bank.

However, Russia's environment means that even bankers don't have much financial knowledge, especially international financial knowledge.

The hot money that suddenly appeared in their lives just ran up to them on its own; they didn't need to rack their brains to attract it at all.

Wang Xiao turned his head to look at Berezovsky, his tone already tinged with reproach: "Hey! Boris, aren't you friends? How could you not remind your friend? Mr. Gusinsky didn't participate in the 1995 privatization auction, didn't experience the hardship of raising funds, and doesn't understand. You should have experience, you suffered quite a bit of injustice."

Berezovsky gave a wry smile: "Miss Wang, you know I'm very wronged."

He orchestrated the privatization of Siberian Oil Company, but his efforts to raise funds in the United States were thwarted. Even Soros, fearing political risks, refused to contribute a single dollar. Consequently, he lacked sufficient funds to participate in the auction on time and ultimately handed Siberian Oil Company over to Wuzhou.

Wang Xiao nodded seriously: "So people can't keep falling into the same pit, you have to stop."

Gusinski took another sip of milk tea, feeling suffocated, and couldn't help but complain, "Miss Wang, you really went to great lengths for our friend Ivan."

After all this talk and so many excuses, isn't it all just about using the media tools at their disposal to exaggerate Ivanov's abilities?

Wang Xiao wasn't ashamed at all, his face completely calm: "Then tell me, is what I said reasonable or not? Right now, everyone is adrift in the storm, and we must hold the helm firmly, otherwise we will all capsize."

She laughed and said, "Besides, you are my friends too. Don't I think about my friends? Capital is running away. If you want to attract them back, you have to find something that will make them want to take another look."

"So what is this point? It is abundant natural resources, cheap and well-educated labor, convenient transportation, and a stable social environment."

She held up one finger at a time, looking at the media tycoon sitting across from her. "We are all businesswomen. We all like stable environments, and we all like hardworking workers."

"The decline of Russian industry has been ongoing for the past few years, with numerous large factories shutting down. We simply do not have the capacity to reverse this situation in the short term, and any investor with foresight can see that."

"In this situation, the quality and morale of the workers are the key factors in attracting foreign investment."

"Look, although our factory has stopped production and we can only give everyone one large loaf of bread a day, our workers are still loyal. They use their holidays to farm in the countryside and work in small factories on farms to maintain basic industrial production."

“Once workers in other places lose their jobs, they quickly become a source of social instability and seriously damage public order. But our workers are able to endure it and find ways to make a living on their own.”

"These workers are hardworking, honest, willing to help themselves, and well-educated, which is in stark contrast to the general primary school education level in Southeast Asia."

"Why aren't these their competitive advantages over us?"

Wang Xiao earnestly advised, "What we need to do now is to emphasize and highlight this advantage to foreign investors, so that even if they strategically withdraw, they can return as soon as the situation improves."

She sighed, "My dear friends, isn't this a win-win situation? I've never disregarded your interests!"

Gusinski began to feel fortunate that Miss Wang's empire was too large, so she had limited energy in every aspect.

Otherwise, if she puts all her effort into working in the media, what chance will he have?

She always manages to pinpoint what people really want, making you agree that what she says is the truth, something you subconsciously overlooked.

Berezovsky preemptively declared, "Alright, alright, we all know, Miss Wang, you're always working tirelessly for us. Don't worry, Channel One will be praising our dear Ivan today. My newspapers will be publishing a series of reports on him."

Yes, that's right. Only by making Russian industries attractive can this Kremlin official have more opportunities to obtain foreign funding.

Wang Xiao nodded, then waited for Gusinski to speak: "And my friend, what about you?"

Gusinski smiled wryly and raised his hand: "You know, Miss Wang, you always manage to convince me."

Wang Xiao, with a gentlemanly and open expression, said, "Because you are my friend, I have always been thinking of you. Let's get moving today. It's so cold, and we can't see the sun for a long time. Everyone really needs to have some hot spiritual nourishment."

Gusinski had just nodded when the telephone rang in the room.

The assistant held the phone and respectfully presented it to the boss, saying softly, "It's Ms. Tyachenko on the phone. You said we must answer it immediately."

The microphone was bent, clearly an attempt to please the president's daughter on the other end of the line.

But Tyachenko was not in a good mood at the moment. When she heard Wang Xiao's voice, her first reaction was: "My dear friend, can you come to my house? Come now, hey! I need you now, please come to my side."

She felt uneasy.

The White House officials, including the prime minister and deputy prime ministers, as well as Chubais, who had already arrived at the Kremlin but mostly acted as a liaison between the Kremlin and the White House, had just come to visit his father.

Her intuition told her that something big was about to happen.

She didn't know what it was, and her father hadn't let her into the study—well, actually, she didn't really want to go into the study either. It would be embarrassing if she were asked something she didn't know the answer to.

But Tyachenko was also unwilling to be excluded and waited alone.

After pacing around the living room twice, she made the call, pleading, "Please, my dear friend, come over."

She knew that Wang Xiao always kept a low profile in Moscow and would never show his face in public unless absolutely necessary.

But she had to call Wang Xiao over now, so that no matter what happened, at least there would be someone to temporarily stabilize the situation.

Wang Xiao sighed, "Okay, okay, but I have to wear a mask when I see you. I'm coughing, my friend, and it gets worse when it's windy."

After hanging up the phone, she looked apologetic at the two guests, "I'm sorry, my dear friends, Tatiana is in a great hurry, I need to come over right away."

Gusinski immediately stood up, put on his hat, and said goodbye: "Then I'll be going now, Miss Wang. I'll arrange for someone to compile the manuscript as soon as I get back."

Wang Xiao smiled and waved to him: "Thank you, my dear friend, I wish you all the best."

Russia's largest television stations are Channel 1, NTV, MTV, and Channel 3.

Channel 3 is a state-owned television station and has always sided with the government.

If she can persuade Channel One and NTV to cooperate, then the information that the Russian people receive from television, newspapers, and radio will be vibrant and full of hope.

With such a social foundation, it is possible to move on to the next step.

Berezovsky, however, was unwilling to leave. He chuckled and said, "I also want to see Tatiana. I have something to say to her. Let's go together."

Xiao Gao, Xiao Zhao, and their bodyguards and assistants, who were listening nearby, were all speechless.

This gentleman truly lives up to his reputation as a famous "best man." Why does he have to meddle in everything and insist on making his presence felt?

Wang Xiao said indifferently, "Then let's go, don't keep Tatiana waiting."

Upon arriving at the villa arranged for the president by the state and meeting Ms. Diachenko, Lerezovsky learned from her that the cars parked outside belonged to high-ranking government officials and that the owners of the cars were meeting with the president in the study. Instantly, Lerezovsky forgot that he had come to talk to Diachenko.

He started to egg Wang Xiao on, saying, "Miss Wang, shouldn't we go in and say hello?"

Wang Xiao said in a serious tone, "My dear Boris, you go by yourself. I have a cough, and I don't want to infect others with my illness. That would be a real sin."

Berezovsky was instantly speechless.

Although he always boasted outside that he was the darling of the Kremlin, he simply couldn't muster enough courage to knock on the study door alone instead of following behind Wang Xiao.

The feeling that something was out of his control made him instantly anxious, and he found himself pacing back and forth in the room.

Even Diachenko, who was on good terms with him, couldn't help but frown and said tactfully, "Boris, would you like to take a walk in the garden?"

The person whose name was called plopped down, his eyes fixed on the direction of the study.

This left Jiyachenko at a loss for words. She had originally wanted to ask Wang Xiao to guess what the people inside were talking about.

But now she can't say anything, she can only listen to Wang Xiao continue to talk about agricultural business, how she farms in South Africa.

Later, she became really distracted, gave a perfunctory smile, and sighed, "South Africa is in its most beautiful time of year, the beautiful summer has arrived, and you actually returned to Moscow at this time."

She returned on October 25th, surprising everyone.

Wang Xiao smiled and said, "Ivan is working so hard. I can't help him with anything else, but I can at least keep him company."

Berezovsky felt as if the sofa had grown teeth and was biting his buttocks hard.

He couldn't stand those two women, always talking about such pointless things. Shouldn't everyone be more concerned about what's going on in the study right now?

Unfortunately, he didn't know a single word and couldn't eavesdrop by peeking through the study door.

The heavy door panels separated the study into two different worlds.

This small world in the study, a small world that can influence the larger world of Russia, is divided into two realms by the desk.

The president behind the desk looked somewhat tired—he had fallen ill again a week ago and had only recovered in the last couple of days.

He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over his prime minister and landing on the face of his young first deputy prime minister: "You are ready, fully prepared?"

Ivanov shook his head: "Without full preparation, sir, we can only do everything we can think of and do. Between two evils, we must choose the lesser. We cannot continue to stubbornly resist, otherwise, if our precious foreign exchange reserves are exhausted, we will have no way to turn back."

Another First Deputy Prime Minister, Soskowets, gave a dry report: "This year, we have acquired a large amount of grain reserves by substituting grain for rubles, and we have also imported a considerable amount of grain, enough to last until next autumn. We will provide subsidies to basic livelihood enterprises to maintain price stability."

Major General Punonin, the tax police officer sitting next to him, nodded and gave the president an affirmative answer: "By the end of September, the tax police force had been deployed to all energy companies and medium-sized and larger mining companies across the country."

This accounts for the majority of Russia's foreign exchange earnings from exports.

Chubais added, "While ensuring normal import and export settlement and maintaining smooth trade, a mandatory settlement policy will be implemented for energy and mining companies, requiring them to sell 70% of their foreign exchange earnings to the central bank to quickly replenish foreign exchange reserves."

Undoubtedly, the oligarchs will be the hardest hit by this move, as they control Russia's energy companies of all sizes.

It could easily cause a disturbance.

But Chubais didn't care.

He has broken ties with the oligarchs since late July when Berezovsky and Gusinsky launched a fierce attack on him for not favoring them or facilitating their acquisition of shares in the communications investment company.

Even if Wang Xiao ultimately succeeds in mediating and everyone shakes hands in reconciliation, it will only be a facade; their hearts will not be at peace. He doesn't care at all how much economic loss the oligarchs suffer.

Moreover, in terms of losses, the biggest loser is undoubtedly their First Deputy Prime Minister Ivan. He owns three oil companies.

Ivan was the first person to propose this policy, and he gritted his teeth and endured it. Why can't the rest of you tolerate it?

Under everyone's gaze, Ivanov remained calm and composed: "Sir, we must take action. South Korea has been hesitant to take effective measures because it fears losing the election at the end of the year. We do not have such concerns; our politics are stable, and we will certainly be able to stabilize our economy."

The people in the study continued their conversation and discussion, trying to persuade the president.

Wang Xiao, who was outside the study, had already talked about the integrated economy of rice paddies and how to develop rice-fish farming.

"Raising ducks, loaches, and turtles are all good options," she said proudly, giggling. "Many restaurants like them."

Tyachenko felt he couldn't go on and wondered if he should just ask her to make desserts.

If her hands are busy, she can always stop talking.

Good heavens! Her hands are as white and delicate as jade carvings. Where did she get all this knowledge about farming?

Lyuba stood beside her boss like a shadow. She sighed inwardly, thinking, "Seriously, everyone should learn farming and memorize a whole host of agricultural knowledge."

In this way, when they don't want to talk to others, they can easily change the subject and make the other person feel embarrassed to get angry.

Is there anything more down-to-earth and practical for people's livelihood than farming?

Just as Tyachenko was about to suggest dessert, the heavy study door finally opened, and everyone came out one by one, heading towards the living room.

Ivanov looked exhausted. When he saw Wang Xiao, he showed a surprised expression, and then strode forward.

Wang Xiao stood up and was hugged by him with open arms.

Ivanov couldn't help but feel alarmed: "Why are you here?"

What is Diachenko trying to do? Good heavens, those who can't do anything should just stay put and not try to be clever and cause trouble!

Wang Xiao smiled and touched his face: "I've come to pick you up from get off work, let's go home."

This answer surprised everyone, even Ivanov was slightly taken aback.

On the contrary, Wang Xiao readily accepted his reaction: "What, haven't you finished get off work yet? Okay, I'll take you to work."

Ivanov fell silent, simply holding him and burying his head in her shoulder.

The people around him either smirked, ready to whistle at any moment, or simply turned their heads away, thinking, "God, I can't bear to look!"

A man in his thirties was actually acting like a child.

Miss Wang, however, seemed to fall for it. She patted his head and coaxed him, "Who bullied our Ivan? We won't play with him anymore."

Good heavens! Would you like to hear what you're saying?

The president also came out of the study, curling his lip in disdain: "Miss Wang, don't fall for his tricks, don't bully him, I didn't bully him."

Wang Xiao retorted confidently, "But sir, you could have treated him better. Our Ivan has never had to work this hard."

The president has a headache and doesn't want to see anyone right now.

His innate sensitivity to power told him that he was taking a risk, and that they were taking a huge one.

This upset him.

He prefers to be alone.

"Go, go, all of you hurry up and leave. I'm not planning to treat you to dinner."

Everyone laughed, as if that would lighten the atmosphere.

But as soon as they stepped out of the villa, the leaden sky pressed down heavily, weighing on everyone's hearts and preventing them from showing their smiles.

Chubais was even more anxious.

He was about to get into his car when he suddenly turned around, walked towards Ivanov, and said in a low, urgent voice, "Ivanov, we need to talk."

He didn't avoid Wang Xiao; he even hoped that the other party would take the initiative to join their conversation.

However, Wang Xiao adjusted her scarf and said, "I'll wait for you in the car."

Then he closed the car door.

It's clear they're avoiding any suspicion and trying to distance themselves from the situation.

Although Chubais was disappointed, he couldn't care less, because he suddenly realized that this matter was very urgent and important.

“Ivan, have you considered this? What if our finances collapse? I mean, what if we don’t get enough foreign exchange?”

Chubais even wanted to smoke.

Their economic reform plans, including the proposed devaluation of the ruble, all had a major premise: stable foreign exchange earnings.

From a theoretical perspective, as long as taxation is handled well and mandatory foreign exchange settlement is implemented effectively, achieving this goal is not difficult.

"We seem to have forgotten something that we can't reverse no matter how hard we try, and that is the fluctuation of international oil prices."

Chubais oversaw Russia's privatization, and before entering Russian politics, he was an economics scholar, so he naturally had a keen sense of what to do if international oil prices fell.

God, the thought of it sent chills down his spine.

People live off the land and water. Since the Soviet era, Russia's economic situation has depended on the level of international oil prices.

He said urgently, "I mean, what if OPEC increases production? They are very likely to do so. Because Venezuela has increased its oil production this year, OPEC might wage an oil war against it."

Good heavens, in the summer of 1985, Saudi Arabia, led by OPEC, engaged in a supply-side struggle with emerging non-OPEC oil-producing countries such as Britain, Norway, and the Soviet Union in an effort to regain market share, directly igniting a price war.

What was the result of this price war? A sharp drop in international oil prices.

Oil prices plummeted from $30 a barrel in November 1985 to less than $10 in July 1986, a drop of 70%.

As a result, everyone was caught up in it, and even oil-producing regions in the United States such as Texas and Oklahoma experienced severe recessions, with a large number of banks and oil companies going bankrupt.

Compared to this, the stock market crash is child's play.

Although Chubais firmly believed that the collapse of the Soviet Union was a step forward in history because the Soviet Union itself was an evil country.

However, as an economist, he had to admit that the collapse of the Soviet government was directly caused by the international oil price crash in 1986, which led to the eventual disintegration of the Soviet Union.

International oil prices are now trending downwards.

At the beginning of the year, oil prices had been climbing steadily, with Brent crude even approaching $25 per barrel. However, yesterday he checked the price and found it had fallen to $19, representing a drop of about 20% from its peak.

If OPEC increases oil production again in an effort to combat Venezuela, their situation will only worsen.

Chubais said urgently, "Ivan, I feel very uneasy. The Soviet Union has already collapsed, and Russia cannot collapse as well."

Ivanov looked at him and said seriously, "Then let OPEC not increase production. As long as it doesn't increase production, prices won't fall too sharply."

Qiu Baisi paused for a moment, then subconsciously turned to look at Wang Xiao behind the car window, blurting out, "You mean, Wang went to do public relations with Saudi Arabia?"

What a crazy idea! She can influence OPEC's decisions?

Even more astonishingly, Chubais found that his first reaction was: God help me, I'm saved!

How could she give him such strong confidence?

Ivanov neither nodded nor shook his head, and simply said goodbye: "Alright, Anatoly, I have to go back. The King has been waiting for a long time."

With a broad smile, Chubais pushed him forward without hesitation: "Go, go, serve the king well."

Oh my god!

Even the bodyguards couldn't stand it anymore; this man's tone was exactly like that of a male escort in a Sakhalin bar.

He wouldn't mind being forced to sell Mr. Ivanov in order to achieve his goal.

Ivanov wasn't angry. He nodded, turned around, and got into the car.

When he turned his head, his expression became blank.

Why try to persuade Saudi Arabia? It's disappointing; they still don't understand that the real power in OPEC is the United States.

Even in the first oil war in 1985, it was still the United States that manipulated Saudi Arabia.

So what if oil-producing regions like Texas and Oklahoma suffer severe economic blows as a result? Prioritizing the greater good over lesser interests, sacrificing certain regions for the overall benefit of the nation is not surprising.

Therefore, the key to stopping OPEC from waging an oil war still lies with the United States.

So, under what circumstances would the United States not want a price war to break out? When it is mired in a severe economic crisis.

As a major energy exporter, it will not easily allow international oil prices to plummet in order to maintain fundamental stability should a financial crisis break out.

Therefore, in order to maintain international oil prices and for Russia's basic fiscal and foreign exchange earnings, the United States must launch a financial crisis of sufficient scale and duration.

If not, then make one.

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[Hugs] Did any of you guess Wang Xiao's scheme beforehand? Yes, she's incredibly audacious; she's willing to do anything. If circumstances don't allow it, she'll create them herself.