Chapter 173 Excited Muscovites: Shall we make a bet?
As soon as the car drove out of the airport, Wang Xiao realized something was wrong.
It's so lively!
The streets were packed with people; it was a sea of people.
It's not that this city shouldn't have so many people. Moscow is a well-known international metropolis with a population that has long exceeded ten million. The city's residents are more than the total population of Hungary.
Besides, it's already April, the spring breeze is about to blow into this northern land, the snow has almost melted, and the streets are sparsely populated.
What's unusual is that as the crowd gathered, some people were holding megaphones and shouting passionately.
As for what she was shouting, Wang Xiao didn't dare roll down the bulletproof car window for fear of being shot by the mafia, so she couldn't hear clearly.
However, she could still recognize the faces in the photos held up by the crowd.
Even though most Russians look the same to her, this one, even thirty years from now, would be a laughing stock if anyone said they didn't recognize him.
Stalin, known as the loving father and the little father of all Slavs.
Wait, no, just over a year ago, burning Stalin's portrait in Red Square was a very fashionable and politically correct thing to do.
How long has it been? Less than two years, and the Russians are already raising Stalin's banner again?
By the way, what does that flag say? Soviet Union?
Wang Xiao suspected that she had misspelled the Russian words and was a little confused about what was going on.
Ivanov, on the other hand, was instinctively annoyed. Just then, the car stopped at a traffic light, and he asked irritably, "What are they up to now?"
“Protest, campaigning.” Ivan was quite enthusiastic, pointing to the two bosses, “This is the Workers’ Russian Party, their ideology is Stalinism.”
Even if he didn't explain, the bosses in the car already understood.
The car had just stopped at a red light, and the shouts of the marchers—even through the bulletproof windows—were clearly heard by them.
"Return to the glorious days of the great Stalin!"
Ivanov frowned immediately and said irritably, "What are they doing? Electing another new Tsar for themselves? How foolish! Haven't they tasted the bitter fruit of personality cults enough? Do they have to repeat the same mistakes to be happy?"
Ivan is a man of principle, which is evident in the fact that even if the one yelling is his boss, he will still speak up for his beliefs: "This is Neo-Dalinism, and now we believe in Neo-Dalinism."
Ivanov sneered: "What does adding the word 'new' mean? It's still essentially a foolish personality cult."
Ivan retorted, "Aren't Marxists also involved in personality cults?"
Poor Ivanov was speechless, his fingers trembling: "You...you...you..."
Wang Xiao was truly filled with sympathy for his partner.
It's really quite normal for someone with confused beliefs, who can't even explain the definition of a Marxist, and who keeps switching between being a Marxist and a capitalist, to be rendered speechless on political issues.
Ivan had no sense of knowing when to stop; his revolutionary fervor was boiling, and he was fearless.
After criticizing the male boss, he enthusiastically boasted to the female boss: "Look, these are all Neo-Dalinists. Everyone is on our side. This time we will definitely be able to oust that damned drunkard in the referendum."
Wang Xiao's eyes were still fixed on the scenery outside the car window, and he politely replied with a perfunctory "Oh."
Although people may gain weight but not lose their youthful vigor, revolutionaries are forever young. The passion of the young revolutionaries made Ivan grumble in dissatisfaction: "Miss Wang, don't you believe we will win? Our strength is great, everyone is on our side. We are very united, and most of the delegates in my Supreme Soviet have voted to impeach that stupid drunkard."
The light turned green, the car started moving again, and Wang Xiao turned his gaze away from the window and looked at Ivan's face, only giving a casual "Oh?"
The change in symbols deepened Ivan's discontent, and he almost protested: "Hey, Miss Wang, you'll soon see our victory. Victory belongs to the great Stalinists."
But Wang Xiao didn't seem to care at all whether it would anger him; she just smiled and shook her head.
Ivan's face turned red, and his voice was urgent: "You don't believe me?"
"Of course!" Wang Xiao said with a matter-of-fact expression. "Most people in your Supreme Soviet already support impeaching your president, so why bother with a national referendum? Isn't that just like taking off your pants to fart—completely unnecessary?"
Normally, Ivan would have been amused by this Chinese proverb, but now, he was filled with anxiety: "No, it's just that we in Russia don't have a precedent for impeaching a president, so we..."
"So all you've been doing for nothing has come of it," Wang Xiao couldn't help but complain. "Good heavens, I have absolutely no idea what you're doing. I've never seen such hypocritical and pretentious people. Do you even understand what you're doing? Comrade, my comrade, this is a political struggle, a life-or-death political struggle. All this whining and wishy-washy behavior shows absolutely no decisiveness."
She rolled her eyes without hesitation. "So what if there's no precedent for impeaching a president? We've come this far, can't we be the first to try something new?"
The same thing happened on August 19th two years ago. The Soviets were clearly in the lead, but none of them were willing to be the first to act. No one wanted to take responsibility and only wanted to follow behind and reap the benefits. As a result, your president was unarmed and could stand on a tank and give a speech in the street with a megaphone.
If anyone had fired a shot back then, things wouldn't have turned out like this.
Now that things have come to this point, you are repeating the mistakes of the August 19th incident.
The outcome is pretty obvious, isn't it?
Ivan's mouth gaped open for a long time before he emphasized, "That's different."
"OK!" Wang Xiao smiled slightly. "Can you tell me what's different?"
She now truly understands why, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, despite the economic hardship, countless Russians longed to return to the Soviet era but never actually did so.
They're hopeless; none of the leaders of these political parties that wave the Bolshevik banner can carry the torch.
Their supporters, after repeated disappointments, gave up the resistance.
Ivan spent a long time trying to explain why he was "different," but he couldn't come up with anything convincing. He could only dryly emphasize, "But even if it's a referendum, or even a referendum by all the members of the people, we can still win."
To increase the credibility of his statements, he once again pointed out the car window and said, "This is the voice of the people."
Wang Xiao absentmindedly uttered an "oh," then squinted her eyes indifferently, as if she would fall asleep any second.
Her attitude was so dismissive that Ivan wanted to shake her awake, to truly persuade her, but he didn't dare.
After all, she's the boss, and a lady at that.
He could only shut his mouth in frustration.
Ivanov couldn't help but speak first: "Your Majesty, do you also think they will lose?"
The word "also" came out of his mouth with a hint of ambiguity, because deep down he did not want Ye to remain on the presidential throne and continue to poison the unfortunate Russians.
Wang Xiao immediately perked up and became very interested in chatting with them.
After all, from the beginning of their business partnership until now, she has always been able to maintain the position of the decision-maker in the partnership. This is certainly related to Ivanov's personality, but what really plays a decisive role is her hard power - she can always make accurate predictions.
Don't underestimate this point. Real big shots don't roll up their sleeves and get to work—that's the job of professional managers, or high-level employees.
The real experts are only responsible for determining the direction; once the direction is right, everything is OK.
Although this was because she benefited from the transmigration story, Ivanov and the others didn't know that.
They would only think that she was insightful and had excellent judgment, and they would trust her completely.
In order to maintain this trust, Wang Xiao must constantly reinforce his image as a prophet.
She continued to squint, replying in a light, airy tone, "Of course."
Ivan pressed on first, "Why? We have everyone's support."
Wang Xiao clenched his right fist and covered his mouth, yawned, then half-closed his eyes again: "Everyone? Everyone?"
“Yes!” Ivan gestured out the window. “Look, at us, all of us.”
Outside the car window, those holding banners, waving flags, and shouting loudly were his comrades.
"Not necessarily." Wang Xiao's eyes widened slightly as she pointed behind the crowd. "Are those people there too?"
It's highly unlikely.
Standing at the back of the crowd were citizens queuing to buy bread and milk.
Compared to the impassioned marchers, their faces were noticeably colder and more silent, as if the spring breeze of April was not enough to dispel the indifference of winter.
Wang Xiao said slowly and deliberately, "They are the silent majority, the iceberg below the sea level."
Ivan paused for a moment, then instinctively emphasized, "They wouldn't be supporters of alcoholics. If they weren't damned alcoholics, they wouldn't spend all their savings just to buy a piece of bread."
Wang Xiao yawned again.
Wuzhou Airlines' passenger planes carry both passengers and cargo, so there's no first class. Even if she were the boss, she'd still have to endure eight hours of travel with no comfortable sleeping space.
With the added effect of jet lag, she's really sleepy right now.
So she spoke in a lazy tone: "I've heard that the Russian people call the Tsar 'Little Daddy,' is that right?"
Ivan was speechless again, and reluctantly admitted, "There is such a saying."
Wang Xiao yawned repeatedly, his voice slightly muffled: "Russia didn't go through a full capitalist stage; it was almost like it transitioned directly from the Tsarist era to the Soviet era, wasn't it?"
History cannot be altered, and Ivan could not deny it. He could only subconsciously emphasize: "Comrade Stalin is not the same as the Tsar. To say that he is the new Tsar is a slander against the great Comrade Stalin."
Wang Xiao shook his head: "No, that's not what I meant. I was reminded of a statement made by a representative of the Black Hundred: 'You Bolsheviks don't understand the soul of Russia. The people need a strong father to lead them. If only Stalin hadn't been a Bolshevik.'"
Even as she said this, Wang Xiao admired herself.
Before she transmigrated into the book, she did learn a little about the history before and after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the mentality of the people of Russia and Ukraine because of the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, but it was really just a little bit, not a huge amount.
At that time, she had never even heard of the Black Hundred, let alone its representative, Shulkin.
But now she knows.
In order to earn money and to better understand her God, she even memorized famous quotes, which shows that she deserves to earn money.
Ivan opened his mouth, wanting to emphasize that Comrade Stalin was a selfless Bolshevik.
In fact, he was. Given his prestige and control over the Soviet Union at the time, he was perfectly capable of becoming Tsar.
Good heavens, Ivan felt confused.
How could he think that way? Doesn't thinking that way mean the Russians welcome a new Tsar?
However, he could not deny that Stalin sacrificed the international communist movement for the national interests of the Soviet Union, and even betrayed the French Communist Party, the Italian Communist Party, and the Greek Communist Party in a certain sense. In fact, the Chinese Communist Party probably also wanted to roll its eyes at Stalin.
The more he thought about it, the more confused he became.
Fortunately, Wang Xiao was too tired, so he didn't have more time to continue the chaos.
She continued in a soft, gentle tone, "The Russian people prefer a strong leader. Do you agree with that statement?"
Ivan grunted in agreement.
This is obvious.
Otherwise, why are neo-Talinist parties emerging now instead of Leninist parties? The latter clearly have higher prestige, and Lenin's Mausoleum remains a sacred site for people to visit to this day.
It's precisely because Comrade Stalin has a more assertive image.
Wang Xiao chuckled softly and asked again, "What is the most classic image of your current President Ye?"
Without hesitation, Ivan replied, "A drunkard."
Wang Xiao dismissed it: "Does Russia lack alcoholics?"
Ivan was speechless. Russians are known for their love of alcohol; almost everyone enjoys a drink or two.
So much so that although everyone understands the principle that excessive drinking leads to mistakes, Russians are not actually so strongly opposed to heavy drinkers.
People can always easily forgive themselves for all their faults.
As a native Russian, Ivan naturally understood this principle, and he could only grit his teeth and emphasize: "If it weren't for him, Russia's economy wouldn't be in such a mess now, and the people's lives wouldn't be so impoverished."
Wang Xiao remained nonchalant: "It seems the Russian Prime Minister is in charge of the economic reforms."
Dear friend, he is not directly responsible, and the people's hatred will not fall directly on him.
Someone is holding the line.
Ivan said angrily, "He's a weak and laughable beggar."
Wang Xiao, impatient with people's evasive answers, retorted directly: "Even if he fawns over Western corporations, his ultimate goal is to obtain more loans and economic aid. As a national leader, this is perfectly understandable."
She yawned, interrupting Ivan's pointless slander. "In fact, most Russians' impression of President Yevgeny is probably that during the August 19 Incident, he broke through the obstruction of a group of mentally challenged Soviet high-ranking officials, rode in a tank, and delivered a passionate speech on the streets of Moscow with a megaphone."
The Soviet Union's weakness, incompetence, and tendency to shirk responsibility only contributed to his heroic image of courage and fearlessness in the face of power.
The common people need strong heroes.
“No, he’s not a hero.” Ivan raised his voice involuntarily, emphasizing excitedly, “He’s just a boastful liar who never kept any of his promises to the people. The people won’t be fooled by him forever. We Russians have awakened.”
"Is that so?" Wang Xiao smiled and changed the subject, "Then who do you plan to put on the stage to replace the Ye family?"
Ivan gave a name, emphasizing how popular this person was and how political parties were on his side.
Unfortunately, Wang Xiao coldly replied, "I've never heard of him. How many people in Russia know him? Is he as well-known in Russia as Ye?"
Ivan grumbled discontentedly, "This isn't a movie star selection where whoever is the most famous goes."
Wang Xiao smiled and removed the hand that was covering his eyes, saying with a half-smile, "Speaking of movie stars, I remembered a joke from when my aunt worked at the town's garment factory. It was in the 1980s, and there was a very popular movie star in China named Liu Xiaoqing. Their garment factory held a public vote to elect the factory director, and the name that received the most votes was Liu Xiaoqing."
Ivan's eyes widened: "What do you mean? Are you kidding me? What are they trying to do? No, this is different. We are electing national leaders, people who decide the fate of the country, not some factory manager for fun."
Wang Xiao shook his head and said, "No, for many people, there isn't much difference between the two. In fact, not as many people truly understand the meaning of their votes as we imagine. Many people are indifferent, and the political enthusiasm of the silent majority may not be high. Without a clear preference, they are more likely to choose a name they are familiar with."
Because, at least I know who he (or she) is.
Ivan found this explanation completely unacceptable.
Isn't this utter nonsense? How can a moment to choose the fate of the nation be treated so lightly?
The fate of the nation is also the fate of its people!
Ivanov's face was as long as a donkey's when he suddenly spoke up: "The moment that truly determined the fate of the country was when the Soviet Union collapsed, and I didn't see anyone stand up to resist then."
Conversely, when the Soviet flag was lowered, there were more people queuing up to buy things in their Chinese shopping district than there were people mourning the death of the Soviet Union in Red Square.
In fact, it's not that the people don't care about the fate of the country.
They were simply disappointed, so disappointed that they believed they could not control the fate of their country.
In other words, they no longer believe that they are the masters of this country.
Ivanov's gaze fell out the car window as the car passed the free market.
The streets are lined with stalls selling all kinds of agricultural products, including grains stored from last year, as well as homemade pickled cucumbers, salted fish and salted meat.
No matter who sits on the presidential throne, ordinary people are more concerned about what they eat and what they wear.
Ivan, unable to bear their pessimistic tone, angrily emphasized, "Even if the people are tired of politics, it doesn't mean they'll side with Yeltsin. The silent majority, ha, that's a great term. Their choice is at least 50/50. But we still have the support of political parties, and we still have the upper hand. The only democratic Russia that supports the drunkard has lost most of its supporters. Who told the government to do such a terrible job of reforming?"
Wang Xiao covered his eyelids again and asked lightly, "Where was His Excellency the President? Did he not react at all when you were giving speeches in the streets?"
“What can he do?” Ivan said dismissively. “Besides being a complete idiot, who would believe his nonsense?”
Wang Xiao laughed and said, "Who is this complete idiot you're talking about?"
"Who else could it be?" Ivan looked furious, pointing fiercely out the car window. "It's those idiots, ha, what artists. If you don't have a political brain, stay indoors and don't come out spouting stupid nonsense and harming people."
It turns out that after his rivals ousted all the political parties and forces with democratic and communist leanings, President Yeh set his sights on prominent figures in society.
He garnered the support of many renowned cultural workers, directors, actors, and singers.
Well, according to Ivan, these idiots have always favored even more foolish drunkards.
Ha, artists shouldn't interfere in politics.
Wang Xiao could understand the reaction of people in the Russian arts and culture circles.
Well, how should I put it?
Take the Chu-Han Contention as an example. Literary figures often sympathized with Xiang Yu, whose strength was unmatched, and despised Liu Bang, who feigned madness, even though the latter's political talent clearly surpassed that of the former.
Ivan confidently assured them: "But all of this is futile and meaningless. This is a moment that will determine the fate of the nation, not a time to buy tickets to support a performance by some artsy star. The people will not be swayed by them."
Unfortunately, his assurances failed to sway Wang Xiao, who shook his head sadly: "You're wrong. The Ye family's choice of move was brilliant."
Because most people in this world are used to being in the role of a follower, and there are not many people who really want to be the one making the decisions.
Most people like to follow the crowd, to follow the strong or those in positions of power, because it makes them feel safer.
Especially when it comes to things that are far removed from their daily lives, many people have an indifferent attitude and are easily influenced by well-known figures in society.
As the weather warmed up in April, Ivan felt like he had a furnace under his buttocks as he sat in the luxury bulletproof car.
His nostrils flared, and he opened his mouth for a long time before finally expressing his dissatisfaction indignantly: "Miss Wang, you have made the same mistake as Soviet revisionists. You have underestimated the wisdom of the people. You think the people will not make the right choice?"
Wang Xiao shook his head, his expression serious: "No, I just think it's too far-fetched. It's like letting the workers elect a factory manager; they'll jokingly choose a movie star. But if you let them elect the foreman of their own production line, they'll guarantee to choose the one who best suits their interests and whom they know."
Ivan astutely caught the unspoken implication in her words: "So you think a referendum is stupid? Meaningless?"
Wang Xiao waved his hand, his meaning ambiguous, and said, "I've always believed that politics, business, industry, agriculture, and so on, are just professions. And as long as it's a profession, it means that everyone has their own area of expertise. Outsiders can hardly understand the professional skills of a profession; they can only act as social supervisors. Can a national referendum truly reflect the will of the citizens? I have serious doubts. From this perspective, I think the model of people's representatives is more in line with the needs of social development. At least when ordinary people choose their people's representatives layer by layer, the people they choose are people they know, people they can at least see."
Ivan fell silent.
The National People's Congress, well, the Soviet Union lasted for many years, but it eventually collapsed.
Ivanov abruptly broke the silence in the carriage once again.
He unleashed his sharp tongue, bluntly criticizing: "No matter what, it's all the same. It's just that the people have completely lost faith in the political situation and are disgusted by the dirty politics."
This is truly a sad thing.
Politics is inextricably linked to everyone's life. To shy away from politics means to relinquish control over one's own life.
The car was parked in front of the building.
Wang Xiao rubbed his face vigorously, trying to cheer himself up.
Theoretically speaking, she and Ivanov should first find a place to get a good night's sleep and adjust to the time difference.
But when it comes to making money, they are not willing to waste a single day; they must finalize the 15% stake in the oil and gas field as soon as possible.
The lawyers and accountants had already arrived and were waiting in the guardhouse at the front of the building.
Upon seeing their boss surrounded by bodyguards, they quickly came out to join him.
The group had only taken a few steps when they saw a middle-aged man in a black jacket angrily yelling at a group dressed as government officials: "When are you going to stop? The Ministry of Economic Affairs said last month that it would invest funds in us, and now it's already halfway through April."
Ivanov muttered under his breath, "They're all asking for subsidies. What else can they do besides ask for subsidies?"
He spent several months in China and found that, aside from state-owned enterprises, China's township enterprises were very flexible.
It is normal for companies to be eliminated by the market and go bankrupt.
In his view, many Russian enterprises also had no reason to exist. They couldn't produce the products that the people truly needed, and their only value was to receive subsidies from the state.
But the nation's wealth doesn't fall from the sky; it comes from taxes collected from honest people like them.
From another perspective, companies that exploit subsidies in this way are also bloodsuckers.
The lawyer glanced back and whispered, "The Transbeko rare earth mining and processing group isn't exactly getting subsidies; they're the only rare earth plant in Russia right now. If the funding doesn't come through, rare earth production will have to stop."
Ivanov didn't react much: "There are plenty of companies in Russia that have stopped production. One more or one less won't make a difference."
Wang Xiao was taken aback: "Rare earth elements?"
Wait, is this what she understands as rare earth elements?
Hey buddy, don't underestimate rare earth elements; they're important strategic resources.
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Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 2024-03-09 07:10:31 and 2024-03-12 20:37:34!
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