Chapter 44

Bear Country is Now Mine Chapter 44

Chapter 44: Bonus Party / Yeltsin's 4-Year Term?

Gazprom, on the eve of the new year in 1996.

The employees here looked different from usual.

Until last year, they had barely managed to survive each day with no hope, but this year, even in the freezing cold, there was a warmth that filled the air.

When dozens of large trucks arrived in front of U-Mart and started unloading goods, the employees looked on with eyes full of anticipation.

Mothers returning home with their children and men passing by also lit up at the sight.

"Is the employee gift set coming this time?"

"Yeah, the boss said he would give a gift set to all employees from this year."

"I've worked at several companies, but I've never seen a boss who cares this much about his employees."

"Me too. The boss has always cared about his employees, even before the gas and oil boom, so it's genuine."

"My wife says that although it's cold here, her heart feels very peaceful. We plan to move into a 55-pyeong apartment in March next year and want to continue living here with my parents."

Like Ussuriysk, there were a total of 5,000 households here.

82㎡ (25 pyeong, single), 115㎡ (35 pyeong).

148㎡ (45 pyeong), 181㎡ (55 pyeong).

The units were built in these sizes, and the occupancy conditions were determined based on the number of family members.

During their employment, they only had to pay a very small amount of rent and management fees.

Once the first phase was completed, the second phase would be built nearby.

"Oh, they're putting the items in early."

"The exterior is still a bit unfinished, but I heard they're starting to display items today because the building is complete."

"Then when can we start using the mart?"

"From the 20th. They're opening 5 days early because some people celebrate Christmas in the Western style these days."

"Mom, is this U-Mart the same as the one in Moscow?"

"Yes, the boss here built it the same way."

"Wow! I'm so excited. So they have everything, right?"

"Everything. If you wait 10 days, you can have whatever you want, so you have to listen to Mom, okay?"

"Okay!"

At that moment, Nikolai and his group arrived at the mart.

The manager of the Moscow No. 1 branch looked at the items being brought into the mart and reported.

"The vegetables will be brought from the greenhouse complex the day before opening, and the rest will be as usual."

Greenhouse complex.

This refers to the futuristic greenhouse complex that Nikolai had newly introduced.

Although called a greenhouse, it wasn't made of plastic.

He decided to build such complexes in all cities nationwide, and this one was built as a pilot project in the Sakha Republic.

The biggest problem in the cold weather was heating oil, but since this place was rich in gas and oil, that problem turned into an advantage.

Using the heat from the 24/7 central heating, the crops grew vigorously.

The vegetables grown here were sold at U-Mart.

"Please bear with it for three months. I had to entrust this to you because you do the best job."

"Don't worry. I will take full responsibility for training the manager of the Sakha Republic branch."

"I trust you. And please open one of the gift sets."

Following Nikolai's instructions, the manager of the Moscow No. 1 branch nodded.

Then, the manager of the Sakha Republic branch quickly opened a three-tier gift set.

The gift set contained cooking oil, mayonnaise, tuna, spam, toothpaste, shampoo, and conditioner.

This was specially made at the Ussuriysk food industrial complex at Nikolai's request and supplied to U-Mart at a reasonable price.

"How is it? Do you think the employees will like it?"

"They won't just like it. Since this is the first time they're receiving such a gift, they'll be extremely happy."

As if to prove this, the women gathered around exclaimed in admiration.

"Oh, it's really well-packed. They're giving one of these to each person?"

"Since it's sold at U-Mart, I should buy a few."

Nikolai smiled in satisfaction, having heard the women's whispers.

* * *

A few days later, Nikolai's voice came over the company's intercom.

-Thank you all for your hard work. I hope you have a good New Year and look forward to seeing you healthy on the 11th.

Although it was a short and simple message, it sounded even more impressive to the employees.

Thunderous applause echoed throughout.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

This was inevitable because the employees had received year-end bonuses that were not just generous but almost overwhelming.

"To give a bonus equivalent to two years' salary. The boss's generosity is top-notch. I was so surprised that I almost wet my pants a little while ago."

For the employees who had endured for nearly six years, the bonus was equivalent to two years' salary.

For three years, it was 1.5 years' salary.

Although there were differences, even employees who had worked for less than six months received a bonus equivalent to half a year's salary.

"My wife will treat me like a king when I get home. But why am I scared of the night...?"

"Did the company sell a lot of gas and oil?"

"I heard they sold to not only Russia but also to the independent states. Once the pipeline being built reaches Germany, it will spread throughout Europe."

"Then how rich is Nikolai's boss?"

"I don't know, but he's definitely incredibly rich."

That day, the entire Sakha Republic was in a festive mood.

With their pockets full, people filled their carts to the brim at U-Mart.

"I've only seen the Moscow branch on TV, but wow, to see it in person!"

"There's really nothing they don't have."

"Dad! Buy me Lego and a robot. Artem keeps teasing me."

"Mom! I want that doll."

"Okay. I'll buy them all, but please be quiet. Oh? They're having a sale on pork belly and vegetables? Should we buy some? For the New Year with our relatives."

"Of course. Didn't you try the pork belly at the last company dinner?"

"That's why I want to buy it."

"I'll buy toys with the kids, so you go. Oh, and buy some perilla leaves."

U-Mart was more than just a place for shopping.

It was a space where women could relieve stress and families could bond.

With the chance to meet familiar faces, the cafes and restaurants inside U-Mart were packed.

Nikolai was also on his way to Moscow with his group to celebrate the New Year.

* * *

More people gathered at Yuri Yeltsin's house in the new year than last year.

However, there was a slight difference from last year.

"Hello, Mr. Nikolai."

"Long time no see."

"Please make sure to supply our company's sunflower seeds to U-Mart."

"I've mentioned this before, but the hygiene conditions there are too poor, making it difficult."

"So we've completely renovated it. Please come and check it out when you have time."

"Then I'll have an employee inspect it first."

"Thank you. And this is a New Year's gift."

Many people came to see Nikolai.

In fact, most of the people who came to see Yuri Yeltsin also greeted Nikolai.

Because of this, Nikolai had to prepare a separate vehicle to transport the gifts.

"Sasha, distribute these to the Black Hole employees."

"Give all these expensive items away?"

"New Year's gifts are about sharing, regardless of price. So take a few for yourself and distribute the rest. No, give them to Ilya, and he'll handle it."

"Then I'll keep the alcohol."

There were over ten bottles of high-end alcohol, making Sasha's lips curl up.

As the sun began to set, the bustling house gradually quieted down as the guests left.

Yuri finally had a chance to give his family and relatives some long-awaited words of encouragement. However, the weight of his words was different from usual.

"As you all know, the Yeltsin family is enjoying its peak since its establishment. But even at such times, we must be cautious."

Yuri knew that this was a time of crisis.

While they could continue this momentum, they could also falter, so he had to be extremely careful.

He knew better than anyone that the family had been revived by one person's excellence but could also be destroyed by one person's mistake.

"Remember that each of you represents the family, and you must always be cautious."

There was a significant change in President Yeltsin.

He had recently started talking about money directly.

Yuri knew that this was a demand for election funds.

Although he had considered supporting him, Yeltsin's half-coercive approach made it difficult for Yuri to feel good about it.

"Especially, be particularly cautious about not getting entangled with politicians."

After a brief encouragement, all he said was to be careful.

This was evidence of how uneasy Yuri was feeling.

When all the relatives had left, Yuri called Ivan, Yegor, and Nikolai separately.

"What's the matter?"

In response to Ivan's question, Yuri frowned and said,

"Yeltsin is not only asking for election funds but also for war funds for Chechnya."

"War funds?"

"Yes. While I can understand the election funds, asking for money to kill people is not the Yeltsin I supported. He's completely changed."

Perhaps he was like that from the beginning.

"Yeltsin seems to view our family as a source of funds."

"President Yeltsin's heart seems to have changed. The gratitude he once showed is gone, and the same goes for the chief of staff."

Yegor, who had been listening quietly, spoke with a slightly angry tone.

"I've heard that Yeltsin broke the promise he made with Gorbachev. I never thought he would do this to us, who made him president again."

Yegor bit his lip tightly.

"I didn't fully trust Yeltsin, but I didn't expect him to turn his back on us so quickly."

"Should we continue to support Yeltsin?"

"If we support Yeltsin, he will become president again. I can say this with certainty. However..."

Yuri Yeltsin was having a terrifying thought.

The others also knew what would follow his unspoken words and looked shocked.

"Father."

Ivan's shocked voice echoed in the study.

"If you decide to follow your thoughts, you'll have to bet everything the family has again."

"That's what I have to do."

"Do you really intend to do that?"

"Or what? Should we provide funds for a war that will kill hundreds of thousands?"

"Should we tell President Yeltsin that we will support him in other ways instead of war funds?"

"I've already said that, but he shook his head."

"Why does he insist on war funds specifically?"

"Yeltsin seems to want to use the Chechen war for the election."

Fear politics.

Politicians often do this.

Instilling fear in the public to gain their support. A method politicians have used for a long time.

"And he seems to want to use our Unicorn's good image."

If a company with a good image like Unicorn supports war funds,

Yeltsin, who started the Chechen war, could dilute his image as a war-monger to some extent.

"Father, I will meet the chief of staff. I will ask him again to clarify President Yeltsin's intentions."

"The chief of staff said he won't meet me until he gets a response."

Thinking that if his father wouldn't meet, he should step in, Ivan asked,

"Is everything happening so suddenly all because of the election?"

"The election is in June, so he wants to win the hearts of the people by then. Therefore, he will push Chechnya even harder to achieve a perfect victory."

Yuri Yeltsin's prediction was correct.

President Yeltsin was using the war for the election.

To do this, he needed a huge amount of money, but the government didn't have enough, so he was pressuring the Yeltsin family.

"Perhaps our family is now..."

Yuri, as if making a decision, looked at the three men one by one and continued.

"We might become enemies with Yeltsin."

Instantly, Ivan and Yegor's eyes widened.

However, Nikolai smiled with satisfaction.

'He's digging his own grave. If he had just waited, he could have had four more years.'