Chapter 26

The Bear Country is Now Mine Chapter 26

026 Three Clauses of the Negotiation / The Mastermind Behind Ecos

Yuri Yusupov met Makar, the chief of staff, again at the same cruise ship restaurant where they had met before.

Since this was their second meeting and they both knew they were on the same boat, their conversation was warm, as if they were old friends.

"Thanks to the chairman's acquisition of the bankrupt banks and companies, the national economy is stabilizing."

"...."

"Although there is still a long way to go, it is certain that the economic indicators are improving day by day. Isn't the situation now better than China's? The president is also very satisfied."

Makar, the chief of staff, looked much brighter than the last time they met.

Although he seemed to have worked hard, with quite a bit of white hair, it did not detract from the overall bright atmosphere.

"As I mentioned before, I am a citizen of Russia first and foremost. I thought it was necessary to save the country first. There were certainly some risks involved."

He humbly placed himself behind the giant name of Russia.

However, he subtly revealed that this decision was not easy for him.

"The president is well aware that you have taken on this challenge despite the risks. That's why he wants to help as much as possible."

"I am always grateful."

After taking a sip of tea, Makar, the chief of staff, began to get to the point.

"After talking to the chairman, I consulted with experts, and they said it would be difficult to lay the cable network nationwide."

"I agree. So, I thought we could start with Moscow first."

"Hmm. I understand what you mean, but... the government has many urgent issues, so we don't have the funds to invest in this. If possible, wouldn't it be better if the Unicorn Group took it on?"

The chief of staff expected him to accept, but Yuri's answer was a firm refusal.

"In the long run, it must be initiated by the government."

"Even if that's what the chairman thinks, the government is focusing on other areas. The president also believes that Unicorn is the right choice."

In fact, Makar, the chief of staff, had doubts about the utility of this project.

He didn't fully understand the role of the internet, and the biggest problem was that it would take too much time.

Even if President Yeltsin won a second term, his tenure would end in eight years.

Experts said that eight years would not be enough, so he was not enthusiastic about it.

"If Unicorn takes it on, there will be talk of monopoly and other issues. Given that, it's not worth taking the blame... We also need to consider the company's image."

"The government discussed it after the chairman proposed it, but concluded that it would be difficult. If Unicorn doesn't take it on, the project will have to be abandoned. I'm sorry."

At that moment, Yuri Yusupov felt a tingling sensation as if electricity was running through his body.

Everything is going exactly as planned.

Isn't this like reading someone's mind in advance?

Yuri couldn't help but swallow hard, as the situation was unfolding exactly as Nikolai had described.

"...If that's the government's position, we have no choice. We'll take it on."

Unicorn had no intention of taking on this project.

He needed to emphasize this point.

It was as if the government had forced it on them, despite their objections, for the sake of the country and its people.

Yuri repeatedly emphasized this point.

"I'm sorry we can't help."

"Since it's a long-term project, there will be significant costs, but for the sake of the country and its people, we must endure them."

Nikolai had said that this project wouldn't take long to complete.

He had compared it to a "golden goose."

Although Yuri didn't know why Nikolai was so confident, given the results so far, he had to agree.

There's a huge difference between someone who is starting from scratch and someone who has experience with an established system.

Even if someone is completely unfamiliar with the field, if they have the right direction and financial backing, the development speed will be much faster.

"Indeed, the chairman is different from greedy businessmen who prioritize their own interests."

Pursuing profit is a natural virtue for a businessman.

Yuri Yusupov also prioritized it, but he didn't show it.

Even though they were on the same boat, trusting a politician 100% was foolish.

He was careful with both his words and actions.

When the chief of staff mentioned that he had been invited to the Kremlin with Nikolai, Yuri didn't go.

Since one can never know what might happen, he avoided frequent visits to the Kremlin.

Yuri moved on to the next plan.

"However, there is one thing I would like the government to do."

"Please, go on."

"After a long time, if this project gets on track, there might be attempts to halt it by claiming monopoly or other issues, as you mentioned earlier."

"That can't be completely ruled out."

"That's why... I would like the government to grant Unicorn Group a legally protected monopoly in this project."

Here, Yuri Yusupov's experience shone through.

He didn't say "ADSL business rights" but "Unicorn Group."

This meant that any future actions by Unicorn Group would be exempt from antitrust laws.

"Hmm..."

Makar, the chief of staff, was a seasoned politician and understood the implications.

However, he didn't think about what would happen in eight years.

Solving the immediate problems was already a headache; why worry about the distant future?

That could be left to the next administration.

"Do you mean you want it to be stipulated in the law?"

"Yes."

"Since the president already wants Unicorn to take it on, it can be passed through the parliament as a special privilege."

"If it passes, we'll take it on."

"Understood. I'll contact you soon."

Now, all they had to do was wait.

"Also, regarding the proposal to repay the Soviet Union's loan in kind."

"Yes, have you reached a conclusion?"

"After discussions with the Korean government, we agreed to repay with weapons and natural resources. The two countries have named this project 'Bear Country.'"

Bear Country.

This project refers to the arms procurement deal that arose when Russia repaid the Soviet Union's debt to South Korea in kind.

The official name is "Agreement on Military-Technical Cooperation in the Field of Defense Industry and Military Supplies between the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Government of the Russian Federation."

Through this project, Russia proved that it was the successor to the Soviet Union.

"Very well."

"During this negotiation, we also finalized the first three clauses out of the fifteen."

"First, second, and third clauses...?"

Yuri Yusupov recalled the three clauses in his mind.

1. WTO accession and signing of a Korea-Russia FTA.

2. Tariff application equivalent to a Korea FTA (automatically nullified upon FTA signing).

3. Mutual visa-free agreement (2 months) with Korea.

"WTO accession is welcomed by the West, so it should happen by early next year. We agreed to finalize the FTA with Korea by June. The mutual visa-free agreement was also finalized during the Bear Country negotiations and will be implemented next month."

Russia had never been this efficient.

During the Soviet era, such progress was unimaginable.

In other countries, it could take up to ten years, but Yuri had expected it to take at least three years for these three clauses to be implemented.

No, even three years would be fast.

To achieve such results in less than a year was surprising.

"I didn't expect the president to move so quickly. As you know, when the Soviet Union collapsed, the president received some support from the West."

"That's the West's perspective."

Here, agreeing would be foolish.

He had to emphasize that the president's power was the reason for his success.

Men feel the most satisfaction when they are recognized. Makar, the chief of staff, was no different.

Praising his leader made him feel good.

"So, I moved quickly to show something."

"Expanding the stage from domestic to international will create more opportunities, which is a good thing."

"I agree."

With this, 80% of the fifteen clauses would be achieved.

When he and Nikolai first drafted the fifteen clauses, he had doubts about how many would be realized.

But seeing the results in less than a year was astonishing.

After some small talk, Yuri had achieved his purpose.

He sipped some wine and said goodbye to Makar, the chief of staff.

"I'll see you next time."

"By the way, when can I meet your grandson?"

Is it getting too difficult to keep dodging this?

But I can't just agree to a casual request.

"My grandson has a long-term illness and can't go out much."

"I see. Please tell him to take care of his health. Goodbye."

Makar, the chief of staff, headed to the cruise ship dock.

Watching him go, Yuri smiled and went to the right shelf.

He moved a vase aside and took out something, activating it.

Click. Whirr~

-Thanks to the chairman's acquisition of the bankrupt banks and companies, the national economy is stabilizing.

Click.

"No one can be trusted. Even Yeltsin's closest allies for decades have betrayed him. I need to be sure."

If things continue this way, all the work done over eight years will be credited to Yeltsin.

If that happens, it might be difficult to expect anything after Yeltsin.

Yuri Yusupov did this risky thing as a form of insurance.

But he knew this insurance should never be used.

It should only be used if the family was in danger of disappearing.

Who would want to talk to a businessman who records conversations?

It's like how having nuclear weapons provides reassurance and security.

"If a dangerous situation arises in the future, I can play this. It will show that we never intended to take on this project."

If there are complaints despite the recorded evidence of their unwillingness, who could criticize them?

Yuri Yusupov held the recorder tightly and smiled.

"These will be a great help to Nikolai in the future."

* * *

At the construction site of the Moscow supermarket.

"You bought all the land around the supermarket, but isn't it too large? It seems too big even for a parking lot."

"It might look that way now, but you'll think it was a great buy later. Once this area becomes a bustling district, the land will be worth hundreds or thousands of times more."

In the future, Moscow would be known for its expensive land.

The supermarket location is slightly outside the city center, but that's by today's standards.

As time passes, this area will become the center, and land prices will skyrocket.

Nikolai had seen this happen in South Korea.

When large supermarkets and department stores opened, land prices in the area soared, so he bought the surrounding land in advance.

"Father, we need to increase the equipment and manpower, don't you think?"

"Do you mean here?"

"Time is money. The faster we build, the more money we make. Of course, we can't have any defects."

Ivan answered hesitantly.

"Alright, I'll increase the workforce."

"Whatever happens, we need to finish by November."

We must open by November this year.

We need to open in early November, fix any issues over the next month, and hit peak sales in December.

Ivan shook his head at the urgent request.

"Who did you inherit your impatience from?"

"Who else? From you, of course."

"Indeed. Let's try harder. By the way, we're distributing the chocolate pies from Vladivostok nationwide now."

"Will the chocolate pies really sell well as you said?"

"I've seen the pictures, but I'm not sure..."

Ivan had been in business for over twenty years.

But he didn't think a small, dark bread piece would sell so well.

"You haven't tried it yet."

"That's true. We're talking about 2 million boxes, 24 million pieces."

"Didn't you instruct them to let customers try it?"

"I did. But it doesn't feel like my blood. Maria is also more relaxed."

"I'll tell Mother."

At the mention of his mother, Ivan waved his hand.

"No, it was a mistake."

"If the sales are slow, I have a backup plan, so don't worry. It will work out as I planned."

"We'll see."

Just as Ivan was about to turn to supervise the site, he turned back.

"Oh, I almost forgot. I found a perfect place for the building you mentioned."

"For the IT company's office?"

"Yes, one of the GUM department stores is for sale. What do you think?"

"Wow! If it's GUM, there's no need to think. When can we move in?"

"If we completely renovate the interior, it will take about 3-4 months."

"That's fine."

"Shall we sign the contract right away?"

"Please do."

"Alright."

At that moment, Sasha, who had been investigating something on Nikolai's orders, returned.

Ivan, saying he needed to sign the contract, got into his car and left, and Sasha arrived at the site.

"How did it go?"

"I was shocked when I investigated Ecos. How could they...?"

"What's the matter?"

"You said Ecos seemed to know us well?"

"Yes, so?"

"...Ecos doesn't know us well; we know them very well. It's the opposite."

"What do you mean? Speak more clearly."

Sasha looked around and gestured with his hands.

There's no one within 30 meters.

"I'll speak clearly, so listen...