Chapter 1765 Golden Rice Bowl in Hand
Russia should never be poor because they have a 'golden rice bowl'.
It is well known that most of Russia's land is subject to harsh natural environments, with a considerable portion located within the Arctic Circle. This has created considerable challenges for the country's development, but this harsh environment has also created many opportunities for the country. They have abundant energy reserves.
But Russia's 'golden rice bowl' does not refer to the energy buried underground, but... the Arctic!
Maritime transport remains the world's predominant mode of transportation, long relying on the Panama Canal and the Suez Canal to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. For example, cargo shipped from Shanghai to the Port of Amsterdam requires a standard route south through the Strait of Malacca, across the Indian Ocean, to the Red Sea, through the Suez Canal, across the Mediterranean, through the Strait of Gibraltar, into the Atlantic Ocean, and then north through the English Channel to Amsterdam. This trip takes at least thirty hours, requiring 24/7 travel. Furthermore, there's the added risk of pirates: the Malacca Strait, the Indian Ocean, and Somalia are all areas prone to piracy.
And then there are the shockingly high tolls – sailing through the Suez Canal is not cheap.
Is it possible not to go through the Suez Canal?
That's fine, we could go around Africa, which would take another seven or eight days, and we would have to be careful of the huge waves around the Cape of Good Hope and the pirates in the Gulf of Guinea...
Some have since set their sights on the Arctic, discovering it's the shortest route connecting East Asia and Europe. Similarly, a route from Shanghai to Amsterdam, via the Bering Sea and Siberian territorial waters, can shorten the journey by at least a third, saving hundreds of tons of fuel.
In fact, Russia is really lucky: the so-called "Arctic Route" is actually composed of three routes, namely the "Northwest Passage" in northern Canada, the "Central Passage" passing through the central Arctic Ocean, and the "Northeast Passage" along the Siberian coast of Russia.
Of these three routes, the Central Passage is currently unavailable due to climate and ice conditions. Canada's Northwest Passage, while offering much better natural conditions, is also characterized by small islands, making navigational safety a significant concern. The most suitable route for development is the Northeast Passage: East Asian cargo ships would need to transit the Bering Strait, passing through the Chukchi Sea, the Novosibirsk Sea, the Laptev Sea, the Kara Sea, and the Barents Sea to reach Europe.
However, this route also has its drawbacks: its strong seasonality meant that even in the summer, it was not always accessible. At that time, crossing Novaya Zemlya from Murmansk was practically impossible. However, just two years later, coupled with global warming, the Northeast Passage has rapidly become a bonanza for Russia: virtually the entire Arctic route lies within Russian territorial waters, and the tolls alone are generating substantial profits for the Russians.
It is no exaggeration to say that this is a waterway that can change the world pattern. This is the 'Ice Silk Road' of cooperation between the two countries.
In order to ensure that this waterway is available at any time, Russia has designed the world's most advanced new nuclear-powered icebreaker, the 22220 type. The first "Arctic" has been officially commissioned, and several more are being built at the same time. The task of these nuclear-powered icebreakers is to help passing fleets break the ice and open the way.
When it comes to icebreaker technology, Russia can proudly say, "I'm not picking on anyone; everyone here is trash." They're the undisputed leader in this technology. The Americans? Their last icebreaker was built over half a century ago...
Of course, there is a charge for using nuclear-powered icebreakers to open the way, but even so, it is definitely much cheaper than traditional routes: this route saves time and fuel, does not have to worry about pirates, and can reduce costs. Only a fool would not choose this route.
This "Polar Silk Road" isn't just about shipping through the Arctic Ocean; it also encompasses resource development, infrastructure development, tourism, scientific research, and more. The Sabetta Port was established within this context, and the number of such Arctic ports is expected to increase in the future.
This is currently a key development project in Russia! There absolutely can't be any mistakes! That's why Gregory is so worried.
But what about Xiao Peng and Ka Xin? They were still eating without a care in the world!
Kasin suddenly turned around and asked, "Gregory, didn't you say there's a 'bride market' here? When does it open? After we've had enough food and drink, take us there to see it!"
Gregory was stunned: "Aren't you not interested in women and gambling?"
Kaxin coughed twice and said, "We're not gay, so how could we not be interested in women? I tell you, we just have high standards... Aren't all the girls in your bridal market of this quality?"
He pointed at the two women competing in a "butt slapping" contest. They weighed at least 500 kilograms combined. If the bride market was this high, Kasin would probably be in shock.
If Gregory had heard Xiao Peng say this just now, he would probably be very happy, after all, it meant a commission, but now his mind was not on the money at all: he was worried that the matter would get out of hand and involve him - after all, Xiao Peng and the others were brought here by themselves, and if they had not been brought here, this would not have happened.
He now wanted to abandon Kasim and the others and run away, but where could he escape to now?
Kasim patted Gregory on the shoulder. "Gregory, what are you worried about? If the sky falls, only tall people can hold it up! If this matter really gets out of hand, it will be us who will be in trouble, not you. What are you worried about? You can come to us to broaden your horizons! Okay, okay, you just want a commission, right? Here!"
Kasim took out his wallet from his pocket, pulled out a five-hundred-euro note and handed it to Gregory: "This money should be enough for you to take us to see the world, right?"
Five hundred euros is more than 40,000 rubles! This is almost as much as his monthly income!
Being able to make money is better than anything else!
Gregory took the money and put on a smile. "You're in luck. There's going to be a high-end 'bride auction' soon, only available to premium members. The brides there are all top beauties, but that's a place only premium members can go. You're not premium members... but you can buy tickets, but they're too expensive."
"Quite expensive? How expensive is it?" Kasim asked.
Gregory said, "Fifty thousand rubles! Oh, actually, I've never been inside. It's too expensive! But I heard that there are the most beautiful girls in there!"
Ka Xin smiled and said, "Okay, I'll take you to open your eyes today!"
"What should we do with him?" Gregory pointed at Jin Wuzhi who was still unconscious.
"It won't die, just leave it here."
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