Chapter 445 That's Another Price: Those Who Create Wealth Are the Noblest
However, Tang Yicheng was still thinking too simply.
When the nest is overturned, how can the eggs remain safe?
When a giant ship is swept away by a flood and sinks to its hull, no one on board can escape death.
Whether you're huddled in the hold, carefully maintaining a little space to survive, or standing at the bow admiring the scenery and surveying the landscape, it doesn't matter.
They're all the same.
After leaving the hospital, Wang Xiao did not go straight back to the hotel, but instead took an airbus to a well-known Thai restaurant.
Because of her trip and fall, everyone was starving and circling around her. Now that they've confirmed she's alright, she definitely deserves a good meal.
But the best restaurants are often not the most luxurious ones, and the airbus can't drive directly there. They have to get off the helicopter beforehand and then walk for about ten minutes.
Wang Xiao sprained her ankle and has difficulty walking, so she can only use a wheelchair.
July in Bangkok is like a giant steamer.
As soon as Wang Xiao got off the plane, he felt like he had been steamed alive. Only with his foodie enthusiasm was he able to keep asking Liu Ba to push him toward the century-old shop.
As they passed the securities trading center, everyone subconsciously turned their heads to take a look—they really couldn't resist; it was so lively and bustling inside, even more so than a seafood market.
Someone was clutching a crumpled report, staring blankly at the large screen without saying a word.
Someone was screaming into their phone, pacing back and forth in the lobby like a caged animal.
Some people were running through the crowd, shouting something.
The electronic door opened, and the data on the screen in the lobby became clearer. It wasn't just the Thai baht exchange rate that was plummeting, but also the densely packed stock charts.
If a breach is made in the dam, the floodwaters will surge and engulf everything.
Suddenly, the closed electronic glass door was violently flung open again.
A man in his thirties was shouting and ran into the road.
Just as everyone was worried that he would run into traffic, he suddenly stopped and took something out of his pocket.
Then Wang Xiao heard a "bang" sound.
Having spent so much time in Russia and South Africa, she could clearly recognize that it was gunfire.
Almost the instant the gunshot rang out, all the bodyguards surrounded her wheelchair, and Lyuba even hugged her tightly.
So even though the Bangkok sun was high in the sky, all she could see was darkness, and she could only hear screams, roars, the thuds of heavy objects falling to the ground, and noisy footsteps.
The Bangkok sun was so intense that it quickly evaporated all the smells, and Wang Xiao could smell the blood permeating the air.
"Quickly!" Tang Yicheng was the highest-ranking person present besides the boss, and he made a decisive decision: "Let's go, let's leave quickly."
Holy crap, this guy actually shot himself in the temple! Anyone who saw that would be scared out of their wits.
So the wheelchair was lifted up, and Wang Xiao subconsciously turned around, only to see a hand hanging down in the gaps of the surging crowd.
Sunlight fell on his limp wrist, and the dial of his Rolex gold watch reflected a blinding light, like a fallen Buddha statue.
Wang Xiao involuntarily looked up. The temple spire, decorated with gold leaf, glazed tiles, and porcelain shards, shimmered under the summer sun.
94% of Thailand's population is Buddhist, and Buddhist shrines can be seen everywhere on the streets of Bangkok. It is said that the city has 399 temples alone.
But is the light shining on the gold watch on that drooping hand truly the light of Buddha?
The crowd quickly lifted the wheelchair and escorted the boss into the century-old restaurant next door.
The translator, still shaken, sat down, unable to believe his eyes: "Mr. Prachak actually committed suicide! He was a billionaire, incredibly wealthy. He was a stock market prodigy, he made a fortune investing."
It's clear that just that one Swiss gold watch represents a fortune that many people couldn't earn even if they didn't eat or drink their entire lives.
Tang Yicheng also remembered this person: Prachak was involved in real estate in addition to financial investment, and he had some properties he wanted to sell.
But given the current market conditions in Thailand, those who made a lot of money in the past are now suffering huge losses, some even losing twice their initial investment.
He couldn't help but sigh: "Having money doesn't help either; the rich suffer even more."
He wanted to say a few more words, but glancing at Wang Xiao, he sensed the boss's unpleasant expression. Before he could finish, he abruptly changed the subject: "Hey, let's not talk about that. Let's see what we're having for dinner today?"
Wang Xiao had actually lost her appetite; she felt a persistent smell of blood lingering in her nose.
On Sakhalin Island, the blood from the bear she had hunted reappeared before her.
She had to pick up a glass of mango juice and gulp it down to calm the churning in her lungs.
Thank goodness, she didn't understand Thai, so she could pretend that the hotel guests weren't talking about the suicide that had just happened outside.
Just as Wang Xiao finished her mango juice, the sound of an siren finally rang out outside; she couldn't tell if it was a police car or an ambulance.
It's more likely the former, because the latter is probably meaningless.
Half of his head was blown off; what good would it do at the hospital?
Several white men walked into the restaurant. Judging from their attire, they seemed to be tourists, and they were carrying bags.
They walked along discussing the suicide that had just happened outside.
One of the men, his face covered in freckles, shook his head as he spoke: "God, what do they know about finance? They're making a complete joke of themselves."
His companions burst into laughter and nodded in agreement: "What do Asians know?"
Next, those sitting in the empty seats began to discuss critiques of the Asian economy and the values of Asia as a whole.
Who says that Westerners are all silent and as quiet as the dead in restaurants? Bullshit! Ignorant chatter exists everywhere.
Wang Xiao had no interest in listening to their conversation, which consisted mainly of racial discrimination, cultural superiority complexes, anxiety and jealousy about the rise of the Asian economy that are so prevalent in Western societies today.
These intertwined emotions further exposed their ignorance and absurdity.
But as they talked, the white male backpackers became increasingly outrageous.
One of the men, wearing a Hawaiian shirt, was spitting as he spoke: "Look at this godforsaken place! I told you, these Asian countries are nothing but a bunch of arrogant, uncivilized monkeys! Corrupt, stupid, inefficient, crony capitalism, and they actually dare to dream of becoming developed countries? It's laughable! See, I told you long ago, their collapse was inevitable, it's a gap in civilization! Inferior races running inferior economies!"
Others echoed this sentiment, saying that Asians lack creativity and leadership, are only good at copying, and work in sweatshops.
Asian values, my foot! It's all a joke.
They simply don't understand that modern success can only be tied to liberal democracy, individualism, and the rule of law.
The differences between races are naturally there!
These people were talking loudly, which drew the attention of everyone in the restaurant.
English is not an official language in Thailand, but many of the diners there understand English.
Even the hotel staff understood what the group of white backpackers were saying, because Bangkok's tourism industry is so developed and it receives a large number of foreign tourists every year.
But they dared not speak out against their anger; they were furious but could only endure it.
Wang Xiao didn't want to endure it; she had never been the type to be patient or tolerant.
"Gentlemen, you sound very proud of your country. May I ask where you are from?"
The man in the Hawaiian shirt glanced at her, making no attempt to hide his pride: "America, we are Americans."
Wang Xiao nodded: "Oh, no wonder, you're right, we are indeed different. After all, the people who live on this land under your feet don't go across the ocean to Africa to sell black slaves, drag them to America like livestock to grow cotton, and accumulate their so-called 'first pot of gold' through generations of unpaid enslavement and bloody exploitation."
The restaurant fell into a deathly silence, with only the creaking of an old-fashioned electric fan audible.
Some people instinctively wanted to clap and cheer, but after looking around and not finding any companions, they instinctively lowered their hands.
Wang Xiao smiled mockingly: "The people living on this land will not do what you do, usurping the nest, slaughtering the indigenous people, seizing their land and resources, and then building your own home on that blood-soaked land, calling it 'divine destiny'."
She shook her head as she spoke, “We are different. The people living on this land are not robbers. We create wealth through our own hard work, sweat, and even blood.”
Her gaze was icy as she swept a mocking look across the table of American men. "We are indeed different, and our values are different. In our view, every penny earned by those who create wealth, every penny soaked in sweat, is the cleanest and noblest. And those who create this wealth are always the highest class. Anyone else, especially those who rose to power through plunder and enslavement, has no right to laugh at them!"
“You bitch!” The man in the Hawaiian shirt stood up abruptly, his face flushed red, clearly offended, and he cursed loudly.
"You robber!" Wang Xiao retorted, turning back to yell, "What? Was anything I said a lie? Why are your horror movies afraid of featuring Native Americans? Don't you have any self-awareness? It's because you're guilty, because you know your ancestors' hands were stained with blood, full of sin! And instead of feeling ashamed, you're proud of it, showing no remorse whatsoever. You are inheriting this sin and carrying it forward!"
Loud slogans erupted from inside the restaurant. The Thai diners, who had been holding back their excitement, finally burst into cheers and applause, while some whistled loudly in the direction of the Americans.
Even at this point, Wang Xiao didn't let them off the hook: "Mind your own business! You keep talking about environmental pollution in Southeast Asia, but if you had used less defoliant in Vietnam back then, the environmental pollution wouldn't be this serious!"
Enraged, the group stood up and tried to approach, but Tang Yicheng and his bodyguards also stood up.
What, you want to fight?
"Go outside and fight," Tang Yicheng emphasized in his broken English, "but don't damage their property."
As he spoke, he clenched his fists so tightly they made a cracking sound, in the style of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan.
So the backpackers cursed and ran off in a flash.
The people in the shop burst into laughter and whistled loudly to drive them away.
Get out, get out as soon as possible, the farther the better.
On behalf of the people at Wang Xiao's table, the translator apologized to the restaurant: "Sorry for taking up your business. We'll order a few more dishes, and if we can't finish them, we'll take them home."
"No, no, no." The restaurant owner came out happily, "This table of yours is on the house."
Seeing the boss shake his head, the translator quickly declined, saying, "No need, we should pay what we owe. Everyone in business earns their money through hard work."
However, the restaurant still gave them two of their signature dishes and a dessert that they hadn't ordered.
Wang Xiao ate the "ruby" made from water chestnuts, tapioca flour, coconut meat, and coconut milk. She thought it was quite delicious, cool and not too sweet.
Zhou Liang looked at his boss with barely concealed surprise.
His boss is really different from other bosses.
In 1995, during the 327 Treasury bond incident, his boss told him to never forget to think from the perspective of ordinary people.
Now, his boss is telling him that the most noble people are the laborers who work hard and are covered in sweat.
These people, in the eyes of other bosses and other well-dressed VIPs, are clearly poor bastards, not worthy of being on the same level, and only fit to stay in the shadows.
A surge of emotion welled up in Zhou Liang's chest, and he couldn't taste the Thai food at the century-old restaurant.
He thought he had truly met a socialist entrepreneur, an entrepreneur completely different from other bosses.
Wang Xiao enjoyed her meal quite a bit. After finishing a bowl of Ruby, she ate quite a few other dishes on the table. Full, she boarded the air bus and returned to the hotel contentedly.
Once inside the room, she turned to Zhou Liang and said, "The overall situation is now settled, so let's not drag this out any longer. We need to wrap things up in Southeast Asia by September."
Zhou Liang was still reeling from the shock when he was struck by this devastating blow.
He suddenly realized—his boss was a businessman, and a major short seller who was targeting the Thai economy and shorting the Thai baht.
She also intends to continue shorting Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore.
Haha, he's really overthinking it. A boss is a boss, one thing at a time.
It's true that she stands up for Southeast Asians; it's also true that she wants to short sell and make money off them.
Tang Yicheng had no unrealistic fantasies about his boss, so he didn't show any emotional fluctuations whatsoever.
He was only curious about one thing: "Why the rush? Will the Thai baht rebound so quickly?"
It shouldn't be that bad. Thailand's problems didn't arise overnight; it would be a real miracle if the economy recovered this quickly.
Wang Xiao smiled but did not answer his question.
Tang Yicheng, struck by a sudden inspiration, eagerly asked, "Are you changing battlefields? Where to next?"
He swore it was true; he hadn't invested a single penny in the Thai baht market and was just waiting to make a small profit in other Southeast Asian countries.
But making money through investing is addictive; when the boss is eating meat, he wants to drink the soup too.
Wang Xiao fiddled with the flowers in her hand. Thai people love to worship Buddha and offer flowers, so Bangkok's flower markets are very lively, with all kinds of flowers in full bloom.
A vase filled with fresh flowers is a miniature garden.
She laughed and said, "Guess."
Tang Yicheng racked his brains for a moment and immediately came up with an answer: "South Korea!"
The reason he made this guess was because when he met with Mayor Huang before, his boss suggested that the mayor send a team to South Korea for an inspection.
This is not a baseless claim.
Moreover, he knew that his boss had been working on chips and LCD screens, racking his brains to bring in technology and talent.
Unfortunately, South Korea is doing quite well in these two areas right now.
It's perfectly normal to be targeted by your boss.
Wang Xiao smiled and pointed at Tang Yicheng, reminding Zhou Liang, "Look, this is your brother Tang. Learn from him; there are many good things you can learn!"
Tang Yicheng quickly waved his hand: "No, no, if I'm going to learn, I'll learn from you, boss. There's just one problem, is South Korea not doing well now? I really haven't noticed any major problems with it."
South Korea has long been considered the best example of the Asian miracle. On December 12th last year, it joined the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), becoming Asia's second industrialized nation. It has also surpassed Japan to become the world's largest shipbuilding nation, the largest DRAM chip producer, the world's sixth-largest steel producer, and the world's fifth-largest automobile producer and exporter.
Considering South Korea's land area and population size, what else could it be but a miracle to have achieved such results?
Tang Yicheng was completely baffled: "South Korea's economic management should be fine, right? It's a typical government-guided economic framework and model."
Wang Xiao nodded: "They learned from Japan the most thoroughly and meticulously. However, there is something that many people may not know: Korean companies owe a lot of foreign debt, and even the Korean government does not know how much foreign debt they owe."
One peculiar thing about South Korea is that it's generally perceived as the entire country being one giant corporation. Therefore, South Korea's large conglomerates have effectively hijacked the entire nation.
Wang Xiao thought for a moment and gave an explanation: "South Koreans believe that the government will definitely not abandon large companies and will try every means to save them. As a result, company bosses act recklessly, tacitly assuming that the government and the state will bail them out."
Tang Yicheng immediately slapped his thigh: "Oh my, have you got it wrong? Does it think it's socialism? Even socialism can't cover this up!"
Otherwise, why is the government now focusing on large-scale projects and letting go of small ones? It's simply because they don't have the money to support them.
Wang Xiao nodded: "That's how it is. The South Korean economy is a typical case of a shiny surface but a whole host of problems inside. It can't withstand any slight disturbance."
How did she know all this?
Before she traveled through time, she watched a South Korean movie called "Bankruptcy Day," or something like that. It was about the South Korean financial crisis of 1997-1998.
Wait a minute, is she judging based on just one movie? Isn't she being too hasty?
She should have sufficient data to support her argument and rigorous analysis and reasoning!
Ah, but what good are all these things?
Today's English-language newspapers in Thailand also published a speech given by Michel Condessault, Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund, at the World Affairs Conference in Los Angeles, California on June 17.
He detailed the advantages of the Malaysian economy, praising it as a model country.
He highly praised the Malaysian government for its various measures to manage the pressures of high growth, and for its clear understanding of how to maintain a sound financial system amidst large capital flows and a booming property market.
Mr. Kantsu's information sources are extensive enough, and his team's analysis is comprehensive enough, isn't it?
Could he have imagined on June 17th that this financial crisis would soon spread from Thailand to Malaysia, dragging his nation's "unyielding and optimistic" representative into an economic quagmire?
The breadth and depth of this crisis are beyond what even George Soros, the spark that ignited it, could have imagined.
Wang Xiao wouldn't tell her subordinates all this. She only sighed, "The more hurried and eager the hot money comes in, the more panicked and impatient it leaves. To even think of it as a locust plague isn't an exaggeration in a sense."
Zhou Liang didn't quite understand, but he nodded obediently and asked again, "Boss, when are you going to South Korea?"
Since he was instructed to wrap things up, it means the boss can't stay in Thailand any longer.
The rainy season in Bangkok is hot and humid, which can be unbearable for those who can't adapt.
Wang Xiao shook her head: "No, I'm not going to South Korea. I have things to do back in South Africa."
What she meant by "something came up" was actually her comforting the working class.
She couldn't very well tell the workers in front of them: "Work hard and make money for your boss; your boss is going back on vacation now."
Even a cow or horse would want to chop someone up after hearing such mindless words, right?
She sighed, "You stay here and manage things yourself. If you have any problems, contact me anytime."
She couldn't stand it anymore; she needed to go to South Africa to soak up some dry, refreshing sunshine.
The air in Bangkok was sticky and heavy, making it hard for her to breathe.
This past month has already drained her of her energy and spirit.
She couldn't wait to leave; she needed to completely relax and rest.
The Boeing aircraft took off from Bangkok Airport, passed through Doha, and finally landed at Cape Town International Airport.
Ivanov craned his neck to wait, and when he saw her wheelchair, he immediately rushed forward, opened his arms to hug her, and muttered, "God, you really are something, I can't rest easy if I can't see you for even a minute."
Wang Xiao was being held so tightly by him that she had to pat his back: "Hey! It's just a sprained ankle, you don't have to make such a fuss."
Actually, she was already cured—the secret medicinal oil that Tang Yicheng provided was indeed quite effective.
She was just worried that the crowds at the airport might cause her ankle to injure again.
Ivanov ignored her, took the wheelchair, and pushed her outside. When they reached the ramp outside the airport, he simply picked her up and carried her all the way to the car.
Wang Xiao was genuinely surprised, and even poked his arm after getting into the car—July in Cape Town is a typical winter, but it's not cold when the midday sun is strong; a light jacket is enough.
"Wow, that's impressive." Wang Xiao exclaimed in admiration, "You even have time to work out? You're quite strong."
Ivanov whispered through gritted teeth in her ear, "You'll soon find out whether I have the strength or not."
Wang Xiao laughed out loud, fearless.
The sky over Cape Town is so vast and boundless, a boundless, almost unreal, azure blue. Even winter cannot diminish its verdant beauty, and the sunlight is warm and gentle.
With something so wonderful, what is there to fear?
Ivanov lived a life of blissful luxury on his farm in the suburbs of Cape Town, at the manor Wang Xiao had bought.
His blissful time was interrupted a week later by a phone call from France.
When Ivanov answered the phone, his expression was not pleasant, and he spoke quite rudely.
He cut to the chase, immediately confronting the other party: "Mr. Chubais, I must remind you that according to Russian civil servant law, I am entitled to 35 days of paid leave. I have never taken time off in lieu of overtime, and no one can infringe upon my right to rest!"
He absolutely will not go back to work unless the Earth explodes!
Chubais quickly reassured him: "Oh God, what strange things are you saying, my friend? Vacation, of course you need a vacation, I'm on vacation too. I just have to remind you of one thing, don't be soft-hearted, don't pay any attention to Gusinsky and Potanin."
Why did he say that? It was because during Wang Xiao's absence from Moscow, Russia's economic environment underwent a dramatic transformation.
Simply put, a large influx of hot money has made Russian stocks very valuable.
The previously halted privatization process has been restarted.
As is well known, media mogul Gusinski did not gain any benefit from the 1995 privatization auction.
At that time, due to the Chechen crisis, his relationship with the president was in a terrible state, and he was not even on the list of those to share the spoils.
But he played a big part in last year's presidential election and was a hero, so he naturally deserved to be on the table. He hopes to make a fortune in the telecommunications industry.
So he painstakingly persuaded the military and smoothed relations with various departments to get these powerful entities to agree to the privatization of the communications investment company.
If it were 1995, then, according to the generally accepted rules, Gusinski, after all his hard work and effort, would have been able to secure a position with the communications investment company.
He would be presumed the winner before the auction even began.
But times have changed, and Gusinsky soon faced a challenger—Potanin.
Yes, it's Potanin, whom Berezovsky was eager to promote to the position of deputy prime minister last year.
He was also interested in telecommunications investment companies and wanted a piece of the pie.
Just when Gusinsky was in a state of panic, another piece of terrible news hit him – the new government decided to start a fair and open auction, with the sole principle being the highest bidder wins.
All those underhanded tactics of the past are relics of the past; Russia won't play those games anymore.
Pusinski and Potani had no choice but to temporarily set aside their dispute and fly to Nice, France, to find Chubais, who was vacationing there, hoping that he would reconsider his decision.
But Chubais firmly rejected them, insisting that new auction rules must be implemented, starting with the auction of the Communications Investment Company.
Chubais warned Ivanov: "I know you are soft-hearted and a good person, but at this time, please remember that you are the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia. You must safeguard Russia's national interests. Every ruble lost is a loss for the country."
Wang Xiao, who was listening nearby, wanted to roll her eyes. Couldn't everyone have some shame?
How did you sell off state assets at such a low price during the auction in 1995? Have you forgotten so quickly?
Even I, who benefited greatly from this deal, will never forget it!
So, she decided—
She gestured for Ivanov to hand her the microphone: "Alright, Mr. Chubais, may I join in? I'll participate in the auction too."
She chuckled, "Maybe I can't do anything else, but with me joining the fray, at least I can stir up the sardines and raise the auction price."
Chubais laughed along, "Welcome, a warm welcome, Miss Wang! I believe there is no auctioneer more popular than you."
Foreign investment is no longer an issue. Whether it was Gusinski or Potanin, the funds were raised from foreign investors.
What's the difference between two foreign countries?
Wang Xiao smiled and nodded: "OK, I'll start registering now."
It was just a matter of her saying a few words, but the butterfly effect set off a hurricane in Moscow.
Having just returned to Moscow and before they could even launch a new round of lobbying during the holiday season, Gusinsky and Potanin received devastating news as soon as they got off the plane: someone was trying to take over their communications investment company.
Both of them felt a sudden darkness before their eyes. If Miss Wang were to step down, then without a doubt, the telecommunications investment company would be hers for the taking.
Chubais would certainly give Ivanov face, and he also hoped to further win over Miss Wang.
The two men, no longer concerned with lobbying in Moscow, quickly formed a united front and eagerly flew to Cape Town.
When Wang Xiao heard the announcement, he raised his eyebrows with amusement.
Oh, these two are quite eager; they do seem very impatient.
Then she had to renegotiate the price.
If you want her to quit, you can't come empty-handed.
————————!!————————
[Let me see] Good morning! I don't have time to post the references yet, I'll post them in the next picture.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
