Chapter 174 Trying to have your cake and eat it too?: Do I look stupid?
Wang Xiao immediately perked up and asked the lawyer in detail: "What exactly happened?"
The lawyers and accountants had been waiting for more than half an hour, which meant they had been watching the drama unfold for about the same amount of time.
It's not that they have a strong voyeuristic desire to pry into other people's privacy.
It's not about asking the government for money; even Russians, who are generally known for being quiet and reserved, will find someone to yell at and try every possible way to get the money.
So both the lawyer and the accountant heard it clearly.
It's not a big secret.
In recent years, the users of this rare earth plant's products have been mainly concentrated in the various independent republics of the former Soviet Union.
The factory is now out of money, and production has stopped.
Last month, the Ministry of Economy stated that it would provide the company with 2.2 billion rubles to restore the production of three rare metals, including lithium.
Ahem, the reason it's three is because Wang Xiao only understood the Russian word for lithium. The other two metals are too obscure and beyond Wang Xiao's Russian vocabulary, so he can only wait.
But that didn't stop her eyes from lighting up instantly. She even interrupted the lawyer before he could finish speaking: "The Ministry of Economic Affairs didn't give us the money?"
The accountant gave a wry smile: "My God, 2.2 billion rubles. The Ministry of Economy makes countless promises, but how many of them can actually be fulfilled?"
Ivanov raised an eyebrow slightly at his partner, signaling with his eyes: Interested?
Seeing her nod slightly, he turned around and whispered a few words to his subordinate before continuing to walk towards the government building.
Actually, he wasn't particularly attached to rare earth elements.
Yes, rare earth elements are a good thing, but Russia has plenty of good things right now, so it doesn't need rare earth elements. It's not like it absolutely has to acquire them.
He made this request purely out of trust and support for his partner.
It's only 2.2 billion rubles, not 2.2 billion US dollars.
Sigh, the thought of the investment amount that a 30% stake in an oil and gas field project meant weighed heavily on his mind.
It felt like playing with fire; if I didn't reach out, I'd be missing out. But if I did, it would be too hot.
The lawyer was delighted with the outcome and sincerely praised his employer, saying, "You are such a good person."
As far as he knew, in the year or so since the collapse of the Soviet Union, his employer had managed to keep at least three large factories afloat by leveraging his personal connections and funds.
He spared no expense in this endeavor, practically a walking money-spraying machine.
The claim that the money-spraying machine was a huge misunderstanding of Ivanov's identity is clearly widespread.
Because when they entered the office and, accompanied by government officials, discussed the transfer of 15% of the oil and gas field project shares with representatives of the oil company, the company representative simply gestured to Ivanov as a token gesture.
When he spoke, Ivanov paused for a moment, instinctively turning his gaze to the government official beside him.
The official in a suit and tie immediately raised his hand, beaming: "You can talk it out yourselves. Please believe me, our government will not interfere in any business activities. This is the era of market economy."
Ivanov shifted his gaze back to the oil company representative's face, and asked expressionlessly, "How much?"
"20 million US dollars, that's a very big project."
Ivanov was so angry he laughed, and then a huge sense of humiliation quickly overwhelmed him.
And yet Russia still insists they're trying to attract foreign investment? Are they trying to rip people off?
He even began to regret coming to negotiate with Wang Xiao this time. It was such a disgrace to air one's dirty laundry in public; it was an utterly ridiculous disgrace.
Nothing in the world could be so terrible and absurd!
Wang Xiao wasn't surprised at all.
There are countless companies like oil companies that make money through subcontracting; it's normal for a project to change hands five or six times. Each time it passes through a layer above, it has to be passed on to the next higher level.
Why don't the people who do the work last just become the first contractors?
Nonsense, do you even deserve to be in there?
Turning the normal rights of citizens into the privileges of a small number of people, and then profiting from them, is what bureaucratic capitalism, which uses the banner of collectivism, is best at.
It emphasizes procedural justice.
Without saying a word, Wang Xiao stood up and called to Ivanov, "Let's go, don't waste time."
Ivanov reacted quickly and got up without hesitation, taking a step forward.
The oil company representative was taken aback by their reaction, and his voice trembled as he asked, "Hey, sir, you don't want the 15% stake anymore?"
What a joke! How can you turn your back on someone so soon after starting to talk?
But Wang Xiao himself embodies this principle.
She turned around coldly and sneered, "Twenty million US dollars? Whoever wants it can take it. Sir, you don't actually think there are people who have money but can't find projects to invest in, do you? There are plenty of cases where oil and gas field development ends in nothing, do you really think it's some kind of hot commodity?"
She said this without the slightest hint of guilt.
With 20 million US dollars, even if you don't go to Hong Kong to make quick money in the real estate market, buying a courtyard house in Beijing would be a sure thing.
As long as it's not gambling, drugs, fraud, or arms trafficking, the money earned is neither noble nor lowly.
How could she be so desperate as to raise such parasites?
Woodworms are the common enemy of working people all over the world!
The oil company representative panicked and frantically chased after them all the way to the corridor outside the office, repeatedly shouting, "You really don't want it anymore? Then we'll sell it to an American company."
"Whatever." Ivanov turned around, even smiling, his tone sincere. "I hope you get a good price."
With that, the group strode forward.
Ivan couldn't help but complain, "I want to see if the Americans are happy to give them $20 million."
"No need," Wang Xiao smiled, her tone sarcastic. "They might even be happy to offer a discount."
Ivan's face instantly turned as red as a ripe tomato, he was furious: "These bastards, they're so obsequious to Americans, they have no backbone at all."
Before they knew it, they had reached the main gate.
Just as everyone was about to get into the car, a man and a woman suddenly ran in through the gate.
The woman with long brown hair in front was holding a microphone with the TV station logo, while the tall, burly man behind her was carrying a camera; they were clearly a reporter and cameraman from the TV station.
The woman's eyes quickly locked onto the Asian faces present, and with barely concealed excitement, she handed the microphone to Wang Xiao: "Madam, who do you think will win this election? Currently, both the US President and the British Prime Minister are firmly supporting His Excellency the President of Russia."
Tsk, is this emphasizing the support of the international environment?
Before Wang Xiao could react, Ivan, who was in a highly flammable and explosive state, was the first to explode.
He abruptly snatched the microphone, his voice laced with sarcasm: "Since both the US President and the British Prime Minister consider our President to be an excellent national leader, they would surely welcome him to serve as President or Prime Minister in the US and the UK. Those are positions more suited to him."
Ha, do the Russians need the Americans and British to help them elect a president? Russia isn't their colony!
Wang Xiao silently opened the car door and prepared to get in, having no intention of getting involved in this mess.
But the reporter was only briefly shocked before quickly turning the microphone back to Wang Xiao: "So what do you think, ma'am?"
Seeing that he couldn't avoid it, Wang Xiao stopped running away and simply recited the standard answer into the microphone: "Our Chinese diplomacy has always adhered to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. We never interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, nor do we meddle in their internal affairs. I believe the Russian people will make the right choice and find a path suitable for their country's progress. I sincerely wish Russia all the best."
The car door closed, and Ivan said angrily, "Miss Wang, is the right path you're talking about continuing to support that damned drunkard?"
Wang Xiao stared at the bustling parade in the street and repeated, "This is the choice of the Russian people themselves, and all anyone else can do is respect and offer their blessings."
What she didn't say was that the new political party, which claims to restore the glory of the Salim era, is more dangerous than the current government.
Just by listening to their slogans, she could tell that they were more like democrats or populists than communists.
This is nothing surprising.
When the economy is in a downturn, looking for external enemies has always been a pretty good way to divert attention from internal conflicts.
Treating patriotism as a business is a phenomenon that has existed throughout history and across the world.
For Wang Xiao, a foreign investor in Russia, this was clearly not good news.
Ivan muttered, "Miss Wang, do you also hate Stalin? He's not Khrushchev, he didn't do anything to betray China."
Wang Xiao chuckled inwardly. Stalin betrayed the entire international communist movement for the benefit of the Soviet Union. How worthy he was!
But she still said in a gentle tone: "He was a great leader, I really mean it. He pointed out the way for the Soviet Union's future development, it's just that you didn't listen."
According to Stalin's idea, China, with its large population, limited land, and virtually no industrial base, was the best target for industrial transfer.
The Soviet Union's acquisition of advanced core technologies and the transfer of labor-intensive industries to China was the most advantageous development model for the Soviet Union.
And China will not reject this path of development. After the reform and opening up, relying on processing imported materials for foreign trade was precisely this approach.
Just as Ivan was about to speak, the lawyer in their car abruptly asked, "Are you really giving up the shares in the oil and gas field project?"
Wang Xiao's gaze fell on the parade outside the car window, and he said vaguely, "Trying to rush things won't make a profit. Just watch."
As for when we'll see? We'll have to wait until the election results are out on April 25th.
Wang Xiao emphasized, "We will never back down when it comes to interests."
Nobody's money grows on trees. Russia's business environment has deteriorated significantly, and it's becoming increasingly difficult to reap the benefits of past successes. Oil and gas fields are inherently high-risk investment projects.
Twenty million US dollars, there are so many good things to do with it.
However, with more than a week to go until April 25th, they couldn't just wait idly.
Firstly, time is money, especially for big shots.
Secondly, as long as they stay in Moscow, even if they do nothing, the oil companies will be convinced that they are lying in wait, and will be confident in continuing to extract kickbacks from them.
Therefore, after discussing it with Ivanov, Wang Xiao left without saying a word.
Where are we going? Back to Jiangzhimen?
That's absolutely not allowed.
A flight takes seven or eight hours, and it's uncomfortable to be stuck on the plane all day.
Besides, I'll be back soon anyway. Let's not waste plane tickets unnecessarily and interfere with the business of these professional traders.
After all, 2.2 billion rubles may not seem like a lot, but it is still real money.
Ivanov responded quite positively.
It wasn't that he suddenly realized just how precious rare earth elements were, or how rare a treasure they were.
Rather, it was his conflicted political beliefs that annoyed him whenever he saw a protest march.
He could tolerate seeing Stalin's portrait, but seeing the current president's bulbous nose would make him explode.
Ironically, this president is currently quite popular because he is very good at making empty promises to the Russian people.
He announced a series of new measures to protect and improve people's livelihoods.
For example, raise the minimum wage from 2,000 rubles to 4,500 rubles. Another example is raising student grants to the same level plus a regional coefficient, while postgraduate grants would be 1.5 times the former plus a regional coefficient.
What Wang Xiao found even more unbelievable was that Ye actually promised to stabilize prices in the new year, 1994, and restore Russia's consumer goods production capacity to 1985 levels.
She felt it was all so surreal. Was the Russian president seeking support for a national referendum? At first glance, she thought he was going to reorganize the Soviet Union.
Economic development is not that simple.
In comparison, the promise to abandon shock therapy is hardly a big deal.
Tsk tsk tsk, let's go, let's go.
Going to the mining area is good; at least you can get away from the hustle and bustle.
Unfortunately, politics is everywhere, and no one can escape it.
The unfortunate Mrs. Ivano had just arrived at the mining area and hadn't even had a chance to get out of the car to admire the beautiful scenery of spring arriving on the earth.
I bumped right into an old man dressed as a miner who was being interviewed by a reporter.
He spoke at length to the female reporter in the wool coat: "Of course, we are definitely better off now than in the Soviet Union. The Soviet government exploited all of us workers in the name of the collective, and we actually had no property. But now it's different. We formed a workers' cooperative, and my colleagues and I bought this mine together with vouchers. It truly belongs to us now. State property should be like this, belonging to every Russian!"
Ivanov turned his head away and muttered a curse under his breath: "Idiot!"
Then, with a stern face and angrily climbing back into the car, he said, "Let's go!"
The accompanying driver, bodyguards, and others were all baffled. Hadn't they agreed that they would get out of the car here, walk slowly over, and enjoy the scenery along the way?
After such a long journey, by train and car, everyone's buttocks are sore.
Wang Xiao cleared his throat: "Let's go, so they don't get impatient."
The general manager and others from the rare earth company were already waiting at the gate, extending a sincere welcome to them.
Nonsense, who in the world wouldn't welcome the God of Wealth, especially when they're down on their luck?
2.2 billion rubles could revive their company.
The general manager warmly embraced Ivanov, and the two instantly became like brothers who hit it off the moment they met.
The enthusiasm of his attitude and the nauseating sweetness of his words completely shattered the so-called aloof and taciturn persona of Russians; it fully proves that the first-rate "chameleon" characters in the works of Chekhov and other Russian writers were by no means an exaggeration by the writers.
Just when Wang Xiao was getting tired of listening, the brother who had hit it off with him finally got to the point.
"My dear Ivanov, please rest assured, we will make good use of these 2.2 billion rubles, and once our company resumes normal production, we will repay your generous donation in full."
Ivanov was still smiling, but his voice was anything but ambiguous: "When will that be?"
"Soon, very soon." The general manager gestured for him to look at the company's scale. "We are the only company in Russia that produces and exports rare earth elements. As soon as production resumes, we will immediately get out of this predicament."
“No, no, no.” Ivanov shook his head, smiling as he suggested, “Why don’t we just take the goods and return them, like the car factory did? You know, I’m under a lot of pressure too.”
He went mad; he lent money to the rare earth factory.
The triangular debt problem among major factories and companies in Russia is now more severe than in China.
Nearly 90% of businesses rely on government subsidies or mutual lending to survive in order to avoid bankruptcy and unemployment.
As for repaying the money?
I'm sorry, but Russia and China do have something in common in this respect—under a planned economy, being able to get money, whether borrowed or embezzled, is a skill in itself.
Nobody really took the repayment seriously.
If he dares to wait for the rare earth plant to pay him back, they'll make him wait forever, or until the ruble becomes cheaper than waste paper.
Ivanov's smile became more genuine: "Use goods as payment, and I promise I won't try to lower the price."
He has the means to sell his rare earths.
The general manager frowned in distress and spread his arms toward Ivanov: "My dear Ivanov, you know, we are not like the car factory. Rare earth exports are regulated, and we cannot give you rare earths directly."
Ivanov, seemingly exhausted from smiling, gave a perfectly executed, almost comical smile: "Really? But I heard that at least half of the rare earth elements didn't reach their intended recipients."
In this country, the illegal sale of state-owned property and raw materials is commonplace.
The general manager shook his head, speaking frankly: "This is not something we can control. We can only guarantee that the products are loaded onto the train. We can't do anything about what happens afterward."
The disagreement over the definition of 2.2 billion rubles arose from this.
The rare earth company wants to classify it as a loan, and pay interest as if it were a bank loan, but the repayment time is undetermined (even if it were determined, it wouldn't make a difference).
Ivanov didn't want to be taken advantage of; he considered the 2.2 billion rubles as payment for goods. Once in the Jinning market, there were plenty of Hong Kong and Taiwanese businessmen willing to sell.
If this deal is successful, it will be equivalent to developing a new business.
When neither side was willing to back down, Wang Xiao proposed a compromise: "Consider it an investment from us. We'll invest 2.2 billion rubles in your company and convert it into shares for us."
This is considered a significant concession on their part. Due to the failure of shock therapy, Russia's economy is currently in severe collapse, and many companies are eager to attract investment.
But the rare earth company still refused.
The reason is so simple it's almost absurd—the company has no right to do that.
According to the government's decision, the rare earth company belongs to all its employees, and the only way to privatize it is for the employees to purchase company shares with vouchers.
No matter how famous or wealthy Ivanov is, he is not a company employee and therefore has no right to own company shares.
"Please believe us, we will overcome this difficulty soon and repay the loan of 2.2 billion rubles as soon as possible."
Damn it, I don't believe you!
Only a fool would lend you money to throw away. Even the banks won't lend you money anymore.
Ivanov wanted to leave, but returning empty-handed would be too humiliating. Besides, going back to Moscow now would mean facing massive protests in the streets, which was really annoying.
He exchanged a glance with Wang Xiao, who cleared his throat and stepped forward to propose Option B: "Then let's transfer the shares. Your employees can transfer the company shares they purchased to us, and we'll buy the shares from you."
These words seemed to strike a nerve, and one of the workers' representatives, a middle-aged man accompanying the reception team, suddenly reacted violently, angrily waving his fist in Wang Xiao's direction: "Hey! Get out! Whether you're Chinese or Japanese, get out of our Russian territory right now! You despicable bastards, all you ever think about is plundering our Russian land and wealth!"
Thankfully, the bodyguard was very capable; otherwise, even if Wang Xiao didn't get punched, he would still have been sprayed with spittle.
The company boss was desperately pulling on the older worker's arm from behind, trying to calm him down: "Brother, my dear brother, calm down, let's talk this out."
At this point, what's the point of talking? The workers' representatives are adamant. The company belongs to everyone, to all the employees. Neither robbers nor labor thieves can take the company away from them.
When the topic of scabs came up, the worker representative glared fiercely at the general manager.
The latter exploded like a flaming volcano: "Who am I doing this for? It's not for the company, it's for all the employees. What am I after? Every day when I open my eyes, everyone in the company is asking me for milk, bread, clothes, and rubles. All you do is shout slogans and talk nice things, so why don't you just conjure up some rubles for me!"
Well, so this is supposed to be a negotiation? The second party is already fighting amongst themselves.
Ivanov offered a few token words of advice, listened to a cacophony of complaints such as "We're barely making ends meet by renting out trucks and warehouses," and then quietly withdrew amidst a fierce argument between company leaders and worker representatives.
Wang Xiao didn't utter a single word from beginning to end.
She was just a little puzzled: "We Chinese don't seem to have done anything wrong, so why does he hate us so much?"
Due to Moscow's special status, more than 90% of light industrial products on the Russian market are distributed from Moscow to various regions.
Of these 90%, at least 60% were shipped through Huaxia Commercial Street or Jiangzhimen Commercial City.
In this way, the quality of Chinese goods circulating in the Russian market is basically guaranteed. It is no exaggeration to say that compared with European and American goods, and even Turkish goods, Chinese goods can be described as high quality and low price.
The product has a good reputation, there's no reason why Chinese people should be hated so much.
If the Japanese are disliked by Russians because of the Northern Territories dispute, then what is the reason for the Chinese being disliked?
The lawyer's expression instantly became subtle: "According to the border agreement signed by the two countries on May 16, 1991, more than 2,000 islands and more than 1,000 hectares of land were transferred to Chinese ownership. Among them, the Binhai and Haba border areas strongly opposed this agreement, and their protests have never stopped."
Wang Xiao chuckled. "Doesn't everyone want to have a proper discussion about how much territory Russia actually seized from China? Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, Hailanpao, and so on—more than a million square kilometers of land. Don't you have any idea where that came from?"
If they really didn't know better, why would the Russians be so keen on celebrating the signing of the Treaty of Aigun?
What she hates most about Russia is this: taking advantage of your illness to steal your food, and then making smacking noises in front of you.
Seeing the situation was turning sour, Ivanov quickly changed the subject: "What do we do now? Go back to Moscow?"
He was unwilling, but continuing to waste time in the mining area seemed pointless.
The internal disputes within the rare earth company will not yield any results. Like other companies in Russia at present, they are like a quarrelsome couple, with management and employees full of complaints about each other, but in any case, they will not take the initiative to break up.
Wang Xiao rolled his eyes; "How is it meaningless? Let's investigate the market. There are so many workers in the mine, they need to eat, drink, and use the facilities—everything requires spending money!"
Ivanov was feeling guilty, so he didn't dare to show his teeth after being rebuked. Instead, he smiled broadly and said, "Yes, yes, we should actively expand the consumer market."
What if consumers don't have the money? They can use the company's products and equipment as collateral.
When the public ownership economy collapses, one of the most common ways in which public property is lost is through this kind of piecemeal selling.
Moreover, according to the current Russian narrative, those who steal can argue when caught: "Isn't the company supposed to be the property of all of us? What's wrong with me selling my own part of the property?"
After leaving the rare earth company, the group got back into their car and prepared to tour the mining area.
They had barely traveled two miles when a middle-aged woman wearing a headscarf suddenly rushed out from in front of them, shouting at their car: "Give him back! Give me back my grandson!"
The driver slammed on the brakes, and Wang Xiao was thrown off balance and hit his head.
She touched her head and looked out the car window blankly, wondering what was going on this time.
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