Chapter 1764 Maybe They Are Not as Good as You
Xiao Peng took a bite of the German sauerkraut on the plate. This kind of German sauerkraut tasted slightly sweet, more refreshing and not too salty, so it could be eaten directly as a dish.
"Actually, different countries have different cultures. Just like sauerkraut is a dish for Germans, but in our country it's just a pickle, something we eat for fun. But it's different in Korea! It's everything to them! 365 days a year, they eat it almost every day!" Xiao Peng said, "That's their soul!"
Gregory blinked. "Like our Russian pickles?"
Xiao Peng snapped his fingers. "That's pretty much it. You see, in our country, if there's an event that requires guests, from big things like getting married and having children to small things like getting together with friends, whether in the city or the countryside, everyone has to eat together and have a lively meal. Our country has a strong food culture because of this custom. But if someone treats you to kimchi at a formal dinner? I'm sure your friends and family would just flip the table and walk out! It's basically an insult—what do you think I am? Serving us kimchi? Anyway, to us, it's just an appetizer on the table, the kind that has to be removed when the main course is served. But in Goryeo, even when Dangun, who lived in 1908, came to visit, he was served kimchi! So the environment is different, and the perspective on things is different." Kashin, do you remember Desarev's 'Samogon'? Have you ever had samogon?"
Kashin nodded and said, "Of course I have. How many Russians who drink alcohol haven't tried Samogon? Oh, except for the rich. That's the liquor of the working people. The rich drink vodka, and the working people drink Samogon. This is common sense in Russia."
Gregory's eyes lit up when he heard this: "Do you want to drink Samogon? I brew Samogon myself. If you want to drink it, I can sell it to you at a lower price."
Xiao Peng shook his head after hearing this: "I want to ask Kaxin, do you still drink 'Samogon' now?"
Kasim's head shook like a rattle.
Gregory was disgusted after hearing this: "You actually betrayed 'Samogon'? Are you still Russian?"
Kasim said, "My boss once said something that makes perfect sense: 'It's easy to go from frugality to luxury, but difficult to go from luxury to frugality.' Why would I drink that damned 'Samogon' when I have good wine to drink now?"
Xiao Peng laughed and said, "That's it. A wealthy family like you wouldn't feel bad if they lost a bottle of 'Peter the Great' (the name of vodka), but if Gregory lost a bottle, it would be a huge deal. It's the same reason why thieves want to steal everything they see in our country. To put it bluntly, they think everything is good because they don't see it."
"You don't know how shameless the Koreans are. If this was just a public outcry, it would be fine. But their officials actually proposed asking our country's officials to change the name of kimchi, saying that we are trying to steal their culture. I'm really impressed by their ability to put the blame on others! Moreover, these thieves may not even know that there are Koreans in our country! 'Oranges grow in the south of the Yangtze River, and tangerines grow in the north of the Huai River.' How could such a good nation become like this after arriving on that small island? And they even ask us to change the name? Why do we need your approval to eat a home-cooked meal from our brothers and sisters' homes? And how many kinds of kimchi are there in our country? Sichuan kimchi, Yangzhou pickled vegetables, Guizhou pickled sauerkraut, Beidu pickled vegetables, Shanghai dried radish, Chongqing Fuling pickled mustard greens... Basically, every place has its own special kimchi. Even 90% of the kimchi their people eat is imported from our country! Such a narrow vision in a place no bigger than a city. Han Feizi said, "Those who are rude and insult their larger neighbors, greedy and stubborn and clumsy in their relationships, are doomed to perish." They embody this kind of virtue.
After hearing this, Kasin suddenly laughed: "I suddenly remembered what Bruch said."
"Bruch? What did he say?" Xiao Peng asked puzzledly.
Kasin said, "Bruch said that when he followed you to Daxia, he was stunned as soon as he got off the plane. He said he had never seen such a luxurious airport in Europe. When he arrived in the city, he was even more shocked: How could it be so prosperous?"
Xiao Peng smiled and said, "Well, I understand what you mean. Those Koreans are just like that. They're shortsighted, as the saying goes. Look, Bruch's been around a lot, seen the world, and yet he's like that. And what about a bunch of Koreans who've probably never left Korea? It's only natural they're shortsighted. Back in the day, our country was poor, and any foreigner who came here lived better than we did, and we were all envious. But now think about it: who knows which foreign village they came from? Take Bruch, for example. I've been to his home, and let me put it this way: I'm from a mountain village too, but the standard of living there ten years ago was higher than theirs is now! Gregory, don't think anything's wrong. Why is Vorkuta experiencing such a severe population loss? Isn't it because your young people feel there's no room for advancement here, so they're leaving to pursue their dreams elsewhere? After all, maybe these Koreans haven't made it as far as you have here in their country, so they're just trying to show off. Don't take them seriously! There's no need."
After hearing Xiao Peng's comfort, Gregory was at a loss whether to laugh or cry: his words seemed to make sense, but when he thought about it carefully, it was simply nonsense!
Judging from their attire, these Koreans were clearly not ordinary people, and they were also related to the Vorkuta Coal Company Ltd. Could they be clients of the Vorkuta Coal Company Ltd?
There are reports that these Koreans are here to discuss coal procurement with the Vorkuta Coal Company Limited. It is said that once the deal is concluded, a coal-carrying fleet will enter the "Port of Sabetta" via the "Northeast Passage" to transport coal.
Coal fees, waterway usage fees, port usage fees, plus icebreaker rental fees... My God, those Koreans are really not the kind of people who can't make it in their own country as Xiao Peng said!
"Xiao, Kasim, don't underestimate these Koreans. If they really come here to discuss coal procurement, this is really not a trivial matter. It will affect our country's development policy. If you mess things up... you will bear the responsibility!" Gregory said earnestly.
Kasin was stunned. "Our country's development policy? Are you sure? How come I don't know about it?"
Xiao Peng rolled his eyes at him. "You really should check your brain. What will your country rely on for future development? Have you heard of the 'Ice Silk Road'?"
Kasim shook his head.
Xiao Peng pointed outside and said, "That's the Northeast Passage!"
"Oh, that's when I see it!"
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