Chapter 364 One for One: He Arrives Riding on Auspicious Clouds
The bearded leader, standing opposite her and looking down at her, remained silent.
But as long as he didn't interrupt, Wang Xiao continued to escalate the situation.
“I am one of the top businessmen in Moscow. I have a transportation fleet, planes and trucks, and I can transport supplies to Chechnya. I have container markets, shops and farms. I can transport all kinds of logistical supplies, including food, drinks, clothing and daily necessities, to you.”
She emphasized earnestly, "There's a Chinese saying: 'An army marches on its stomach.' To put it bluntly, war is all about logistical support. Why couldn't Germany defeat the Soviet Union? The fundamental reason was that its logistics couldn't keep up."
Before the bearded leader could lose his temper, she pointed to the vendors in the canteen and said, "And these people, each of them will become your supplier. Since you want to be independent, you should be prepared for a protracted war. You need a constant supply of resources."
The second sister reacted the fastest, immediately emboldening herself to chime in Russian: "Yes, yes, we can also give money to support your independence cause."
Other quick-witted traders chimed in, "That's right, that's right! We'll provide you with supplies! Just make a list of what you want, and we'll ship it to you."
Tax police Major General Punonin, standing outside the canteen, was at a loss as to how to handle such a thorny hostage situation, as there were no precedents of this scale in the world to refer to.
The Chechen militants in the canteen were also dumbfounded. The hostages were reacting too enthusiastically, and even began to plan for them how to secretly transport the supplies that might be embargoed by Russia to Chechnya.
They've never encountered anything like this before.
The second sister, being eloquent, continued to persuade them: "Don't feel pressured. Even during wartime, people still have to make a living. Look at Yugoslavia, they fought against other countries, but it didn't stop them from having clothes, shoes, food, and daily life."
Her words strangely eased the tense atmosphere in the cafeteria. The merchants, who had been sobbing in fear, were still hesitant to speak to the Chechen kidnappers, but their fear had dissipated considerably.
Yes, those who fight are also human.
Every human being needs to eat, drink, and relieve themselves.
Romanian traders dared to do business on the battlefield in Yugoslavia; it's not like they couldn't. Fortune has always been found in danger.
If it weren't for the bloodstains left by the police on the marble floor still emitting a bloody smell, this would look like a large-scale trade fair.
More and more people were speaking, and the conditions they offered became increasingly tempting, making it seem like the kidnappers were losing their grip on the situation.
Finally, the bearded man who was leading the group spoke up: "Why should we believe you?"
Oh dear, anyone who asks a question is a potential customer.
The second sister immediately patted her chest: "I'll write you an IOU right away. We business people value our reputation the most. As long as you have the IOU, we'll definitely honor it."
As a result, a simple-minded Kazakh man, seeing that things were about to get serious, blurted out in fear, "I have no money! My business is not doing well! I have no money!"
Without saying a word, the people next to him slapped him to the side.
You scoundrel, your head is just for show!
Who in the world least wants you to die? Your creditors. You owe them money, and what they fear most is that you'll kick the bucket and be unable to repay it.
"Borrow! Go out and find a way to borrow! Write it, quickly write an IOU!"
Wang Xiao gestured to the bearded man leading the group: "Could you all pick up some paper and pens? We'll write IOUs right now."
The former Chechen gang member who led his accomplices to the container market couldn't stand this upside-down turn of events and shouted, "I can't trust them. They're incredibly cunning and good at sweet talk. One minute they're all smiles, the next they're plotting against us!"
The second sister glared at her: "You have the nerve to say that? Who's really breaking the rules? When you first started collecting money here, you agreed to pay once a month, but you practically come every day. What kind of logic is that? What country governs like this? Is this what the Quran teaches you?"
The bearded leader shouted sternly, "Enough!"
For Chechen militants today, their most awkward point is their identity.
They called themselves revolutionary fighters, warriors who fought and bled for the independence of their country.
However, the federal government insisted that they were a mafia, classifying all military operations in Chechnya as anti-mafia operations. They also presented a series of pieces of evidence against them.
Now this clueless guy is bringing up his past in the gang, as if he's afraid people won't label them as gangsters?
But the bearded man abruptly changed the subject, full of suspicion: "You only wrote one piece of paper. What will you do if you deny it later?"
The second sister slapped her thighs and cried out, "My God, big brother, where did we get the guts? What if we deny it and you shoot us again?"
Wang Xiao nodded in agreement: "The fact that you were able to get to Moscow so quietly proves your capabilities. Don't worry, no one dares to renege on the debt of the strong."
It's unclear whether the Chechen militants were pleased by the strongman's assessment, or whether the merchants at the container market offered so much that they felt it would be a waste to give it up.
In the end, they actually took the paper and pens used for bookkeeping in the kitchen and gave them to the merchants to write IOUs.
These days, those who owe money are the bosses.
Once the IOU was written, the atmosphere in the cafeteria became even more harmonious.
Merchants who were previously ordered to squat with their hands on their heads, or kneel if they couldn't squat anymore, can now sit cross-legged on the ground.
The second sister seized the opportunity to boast: "We really have no hostility towards you. The hospital in our market is also open to Chechens. When we were captured and taken to the concentration camp, our doctors even delivered babies for pregnant Chechen women."
The others chimed in with assurances: "It's true, we're not kidding you."
The bearded man was so dizzy from their noise that he felt like there were thousands of ducks quacking in his ears.
He had a real headache, so he waved his hand and said, "Alright, alright."
He hasn't heard so many people say so much in a month.
The bearded leader turned his head and nodded to Wang Xiao: "Alright, we don't need you for now. Let's give four gifts to the Russian children first."
The Russians, who had been excitedly being dragged out, forgot their terrible fate the moment the excitement was interrupted.
Now that the kidnappers have brought up the old story again, they are all trembling with fear, and Lyuba, quite appropriately, covers her face with her hands.
Wang Xiao frowned and shook his head: "No, sir, you are a smart man. Otherwise, you couldn't have brought so many troops and so many weapons to Moscow. A smart man shouldn't do things that are meaningless."
She pointed at the four hostages, "For example, what's the point of killing them now? To show the Russian government your resolve? But you just killed a policeman, which is enough to demonstrate your attitude."
She earnestly advised, "I understand you. You simply want national independence and hope to gain the support of countries around the world. You are not killing for the sake of killing. Therefore, you must be even more careful."
She pointed towards the window. "The world can understand you targeting the police, because the police are a violent institution, armed personnel. But if you target the police and then turn on civilians, what will the world think?"
Money is really very useful.
Once a financial relationship is established between two people, everything can be discussed properly.
At least the bearded leader didn't immediately turn hostile and could still argue with Wang Xiao: "But the Russian government still hasn't agreed to our demands, which proves that the gifts we offered weren't substantial enough to move them."
The curtains were all drawn, letting in no light at all. The only light in the cafeteria was the pale fluorescent light shining on people's faces, making them look bloodless.
Wang Xiao, his face pale, frowned slightly: "Sir, you should give them time. Who is the highest-ranking commander downstairs? Just a major general in the tax police. Who can he represent? What right does he have to declare Chechen independence? He must consult the Kremlin."
The bearded leader sneered, "How far is the Kremlin from here? Your president could crawl here even if he had to. It's because our gifts weren't substantial enough that we failed to impress him."
With that, he waved his hand, and the four Russians were dragged to the window.
They wanted to give Russia a shock in front of the military and government officials and onlookers.
“No!” Wang Xiao made a crossed-out gesture of refusal. “Don’t you know His Excellency the President of Russia? He likes to drink. A drunk person can only be sobered up gradually; there’s no way to wake him up immediately.”
Because of the influence of Islamic religious culture, Chechens generally don't drink much alcohol, so the bearded leader immediately showed a look of disgust: "Russia is full of drunkards."
He paced back and forth impatiently, his growing anxiety fueling his murderous intent. He simply couldn't bear to wait any longer for the drunkard.
Perhaps the stimulation of more bloodshed can sober up an old drunkard sooner.
Wang Xiao quickly emphasized, "Sir, this is your opportunity. With the president drunk and no one in the Russian government daring to stand up and take any rash action, you should explain the Chechens' position to the world and express that you are forced to do this, and that you have no ill intentions towards civilians."
The bearded leader grew increasingly anxious: "But they don't agree to a global live broadcast and they don't want to let reporters in."
“I can arrange it,” Wang Xiao said, patting his chest confidently. “I own a television station, and I have shares in MTV.”
A minute later, Wang Xiao was pushed to the window, holding a megaphone and shouting outside: "Back up, back up, everyone back up!"
Ivanov, his eyes bloodshot, shouted at Punonin, "Don't fire! Tell them all not to fire! Your Majesty, don't be afraid, I'm here."
The last rays of the setting sun had not yet faded, shining obliquely on the cold metal surface of the container, reflecting leaping, broken spots of light, like dying eyes.
Wang Xiao didn't look at Ivanov, but instead shouted at the top of his lungs through the megaphone: "Reporters, I need MTV reporters to come and interview us, we need a global live broadcast."
Without hesitation, Punonin replied, "Reporters are fine, but global live streaming is not."
Ivanov grabbed him by the collar and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Say yes! Say yes right now!"
He looked at his friend sadly, "Vlamikil, if you still consider me a friend, say yes to her right now."
Punoning was stunned for a moment, then nodded subconsciously: "Okay."
He didn't know what to do either.
The phone kept ringing at the Kremlin, but there was still no word from the president.
The Prime Minister is not in Moscow, and it's unclear when he will make an appearance.
The remaining defense minister and others all tried to hide as quickly as possible, and when they finally showed their faces, they would only use the excuse that "the president has full authority to order you to decide."
Punoning was truly exhausted.
It was like a torrential downpour; everyone ran to find shelter, leaving him all alone.
But he had no way to back down.
What could be done? Wasn't one Ministry of Internal Affairs policeman with all his arms broken enough? Should all 1,200 hostages be killed?
If that were the case, how would he explain it to the world? So many ambassadors and counselors are standing outside the command vehicle, calling on Russia to resolve the issue peacefully.
Punoning shouted into the loudspeaker again: "Okay, we'll arrange for reporters to be included. As for the global live broadcast, that requires equipment setup and will take time."
Although the bearded leader was dissatisfied with the Russians' dragging their feet, their willingness to compromise was the first step towards Chechnya's victory.
He simply said, "Do it now."
Then, dragging Wang Xiao away from the window, they drew the curtains back up.
Taking advantage of the situation, Wang Xiao made a demand: "Sir, you should now show your sincerity. Release the women to demonstrate that you have no ill intentions towards the hostages."
Seeing that the bearded leader's expression was about to change, she immediately emphasized, "Don't worry, I won't leave. I will always stay with you, even if it's to Chechnya."
The bearded man's expression softened slightly, but he still refused without hesitation: "That's impossible. We can't release hostages without a reason."
Wang Xiao shook his head again: "That can't be done, sir. Negotiation is a two-way street. If the other party meets one of your conditions, you have to make a corresponding concession; otherwise, the other party will not be willing to meet your next condition."
But for Chechen kidnappers, hostages are their trump card and their only protection. Each fewer hostage means one less weapon they can use to threaten the Russian government.
Wang Xiao had no choice but to concede: "How about this, we won't reduce the number of hostages, we'll exchange one for one."
She clapped her hands and, under the suspicious and wary gazes of the kidnappers, announced loudly, "From now on, your husbands can go into the cafeteria and exchange you if they wish."
Many vendors in the container market are husband-and-wife teams. However, when it's time to eat, the couple can't both come to the canteen; one of them has to stay behind to watch the shop. Customers who eat in the canteen then pack the leftovers to take home.
Therefore, these kidnapped women were basically all trapped alone in the cafeteria.
They looked at each other, unable to believe their ears.
The bearded leader frowned and immediately refused: "No way!"
Everyone knows that men are generally stronger than women.
If they release these female hostages, leaving only men, the risk will increase significantly, because men are easier to manage than women, and they are likely to riot.
Wang Xiao raised his eyebrows in surprise: "But you have guns. Who would dare to make a move under the gun?"
Her gaze swept around the room, and she said meaningfully, "There are probably several hundred men in the cafeteria, what are they doing? Oh, someone pushed me, a woman, out of the picture."
As she said this, she gave the fat, white man a disdainful look.
The Chechen kidnappers present all showed expressions of contempt.
In almost all cultural systems, the elderly, the weak, women and children are assumed to be protected.
A man who hides behind a woman will be looked down upon by everyone.
But the fat, white man acted like a dead pig that wasn't afraid of boiling water, and didn't even blush.
Wang Xiao withdrew his gaze and turned to look at the bearded man: "Are you afraid they will riot?"
The bearded man had received formal military training and was a veteran of countless battles. He wouldn't be swayed by a few words; he was rationally assessing the feasibility of the matter.
Wang Xiao watched him sizing up the men present and sighed softly, "You don't need to worry too much, because not many men will be willing to risk themselves to exchange for their wives."
She spread her hands and said, "You gave them a chance, but unfortunately they don't have good taste in men. So even if something goes wrong, you shouldn't be blamed."
After weighing the pros and cons, the bearded man finally made up his mind: "Okay."
Men understand men best.
There probably aren't many men who would risk their lives for their wives.
Sure enough, there were over four hundred female vendors in the cafeteria, but after the announcement was made over the loudspeaker, only a few dozen men stepped out and headed towards the cafeteria entrance.
Many people stepped back or avoided eye contact, looking down and not daring to look in the direction of the cafeteria windows.
Suddenly a man shouted, "Oh no, oh no! What bad luck! How could I have married such a woman? She's a jinx!"
He spoke harshly, but no one criticized him because he truly sacrificed himself for his wife's freedom.
His words seemed to resonate with many people, and dozens of others followed him.
However, they did not march with great fanfare as if going to battle; instead, they all hung their heads and looked lifeless.
Who can calmly risk their own life?
Someone swapped his wife out and kept nagging, "If I die, you can find another one, but you're not allowed to find a gigolo. Those gigolos only know how to spend money, not how to make it. If you find a gigolo, you'll ruin my son's life. I'll haunt you even when I become a ghost."
His wife burst into tears: "No, if anything happens to you, I'll protect you for the rest of my life."
"Go to hell, stop talking nonsense, I don't believe your lies! I really mean to go back and take good care of my son."
In a different setting, most people who saw this scene would likely be moved to tears.
Unfortunately, everyone present was filled with mixed emotions and trembling with fear, and no one cared about the life-and-death separation of the couple.
One after another, the cooks were replaced, and every woman leaving the canteen was crying her eyes out.
Even if a couple usually argues from one end of the bed to the other, speaking to each other as if they were stabbing each other in the back, at this moment, all their quarrels disappear, leaving only reluctance to part.
As Paul Korchagin said: "The most precious thing a person has is life."
Amidst the sobbing and shouting, a woman suddenly cried out, "You're not my man! What do you want?"
The man standing in front of her, who was about to replace her, slapped her across the face: "What's wrong with you? Do you think I want to exchange my life for yours? How old is the kid? I'll definitely remarry if you die. I'm never home, and my stepmother bullies him, but there's nothing I can do. I still have to live my life. Get out, get out of here, you're annoying."
Without saying a word, her second sister dragged her outside, saying, "You talk too much and always ask for a beating."
While she was speaking, her second sister covered her mouth.
The woman whimpered and screamed until she was dragged out, still staring with wide eyes and insisting, "He's really not my man."
But her second sister just glared at her fiercely: "Shut up! If you don't want to die, sew your mouth shut."
I've never seen such a stupid woman. No wonder she gets beaten by men all day long, yet she refuses to leave.
You brainless idiot!
The woman was frightened and covered her mouth, afraid to make a sound.
Ivanov walked past them and hurried to the canteen entrance: "I'll change, I'll change my wife out."
The kidnapper guarding the gate glanced at him and refused outright: "No, not Russians."
A Russian is as big as two Chinese, so they wouldn't put a group of burly Russians in there.
They even carefully checked the hands of every Chinese person who went inside, fearing that professional soldiers might infiltrate and cause a riot.
Ivanov tried to plead again, but Yura ran over, grabbed him, and dragged him backward forcefully: "Are you crazy! Ivanov, don't act rashly. If you don't trust the government's capabilities, at least trust Vladimir."
Oh no, this is terrible.
He was on a business trip in St. Petersburg today, but after hearing what happened in Moscow, he rushed back immediately, fearing that Vladimir would be overwhelmed and unable to stop Ivan, that madman.
Whenever it comes to the king, Ivan loses his mind.
Ivanov shoved him away forcefully and ran desperately in another direction.
Yura chased after him desperately, shouting, "What are you doing? Ivan, calm down!"
His intuition told him that this guy was going crazy.
Even though Yura had prepared himself mentally, he still clutched his heart when he saw Ivanov again.
"Stop!" Punonin roared. "Who let him go up there? Stop it right now!"
Where to go? To get on the excavator's bucket.
The container market has been expanding, and that's how excavators came about.
Ivanov stood on the excavator bucket, completely naked except for his boxer shorts, with his hands raised in a gesture of surrender, and shouted at the window on the second floor of the canteen: "Sir, please let me exchange my wife."
The curtains were pulled back slightly, and a dark gun barrel was pointed at him.
Ivanov was not afraid. The cool evening breeze in Moscow in early June gave him goosebumps, but he still insisted on shouting: "I am the boss here. I have money and I have a family to rely on. I can persuade my family to help lobby and achieve your goals."
The sun had completely sunk into the Moscow River, leaving only colorful clouds on the horizon.
He stood on the excavator's bucket, enveloped in the glow of the sunset, as if he were riding on auspicious clouds.
He raised his hands in front of him, indicating that he had nothing hidden on him, and pleaded with his eyes: "I am no threat to you. I have greater value to you. Please release my wife. She is just a weak woman. She has no connections in Moscow except for me. She is of no use to you."
People on the ground screamed and cried out, interspersed with Punonin's roar and Yura's pleading: "Come back! Ivan, come back and we'll think of something else."
Ivanov ignored him, staring intently out the window.
The curtains were finally drawn open, and one of the windows was pushed open as well.
Punonin shouted, "Don't move! No one is allowed to fire!"
Who made this madman risk his life?
The kidnapper's voice came from inside the window: "Climb in yourself."
Without saying a word, Ivanov climbed directly from the excavator bucket into the window.
Everyone was staring out the window, and some were even whistling.
Ivanov spotted Wang Xiao immediately, rushed forward and hugged her tightly, repeatedly reassuring her, "It's alright, you can go now. Don't worry, nothing will happen."
Wang Xiao touched his back; it was ice-cold.
She let out a long sigh: "You're such a fool."
Ivanov looked at her and smiled: "As long as you don't mind that I'm a fool."
He released his arm and firmly pushed her forward, saying, "Go out, don't worry, I'll be fine."
Just as Wang Xiao was about to lift her foot, the bearded man suddenly blocked her way: "I only agreed to let him in, I didn't say you had to leave."
Ivanov was shocked: "Sir, how can you break your promise?"
The bearded man sneered, "I said, only Chinese men can be exchanged for Chinese women; Russians are not an option."
He only has more bargaining power because he holds the hands of these two extremely wealthy bosses.
Wang Xiao anxiously took a step forward: "Sir, you are breaking your promise."
The bearded man turned his head away, refusing to acknowledge her.
But the next second, he felt a jolt in his chest, and then he looked down in disbelief.
Wang Xiao was holding a pen-gun, yes, the same pen-gun that KGB often used as an assassination tool.
She used the pen gun to fire another shot.
Almost simultaneously, the kidnappers holding guns felt a tightness around their necks as someone grabbed them from behind. Then, with a snap, the men who had come in to exchange their wives suddenly changed their expressions and broke the kidnappers' necks.
Wang Xiao, shielded behind Lyuba, sighed as she looked at the dumbfounded Ivanov, who was still confused about the situation.
What can you do? When you're in too much debt, the only way to relieve yourself of that pressure is to kill your creditors.
Who told her to promise in the IOU that she would give the Wuzhou Transportation Company's market and container market, as well as the Sakhalin Island oil and gas fields, to Chechen illegal armed groups?
She can't afford such a huge loss.
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[Let me see] Good morning! Surprised? Unexpected? [Covering face and peeking]
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