Chapter 48

The Bear Republic is Now Mine Chapter 48

048 2nd Place Zhuganov/5 million

Makar, the chief of staff, entered Yury Yusupov's study and only came out two hours later.

In the living room were Sergei, Ivan, Yegor, Olga, and Nikolai, and his gaze stopped on Sergei.

"Mr. Chief of Staff is here as well?"

"I came to pay my respects, as we are in-laws."

"To think that someone who should be assisting the president is here at the house of someone supporting another candidate…."

"…."

"I was just saying. Since Minister Zahar and we are in the same boat, it doesn't matter."

With a meaningful smile, he turned to leave, but then looked at Nikolai, who was at the end.

"Oh, you're Mr. Nikolai, right?"

"…?"

"The grandson Mr. Chairman mentioned before."

"Yes."

"I've only seen you on TV, but seeing you in person today, indeed…."

Indeed, what?

He scanned him from head to toe and then greeted Yury again.

"Then, I'll trust Mr. Chairman and leave now. I'll see you again next time. Goodbye."

After Makar left, everyone, starting with Yury, sat on the sofa.

"Father, what did the chief of staff say?"

At Ivan's question, Yury's lips curled up.

"He said they would not spare support. They have certainly felt it. The gap with Zhuganov is not that big."

Kennadi Andreyevich Zhuganov.

A soldier, teacher, and leader of the Russian Communist Party (Central Executive Committee Chairman) of the Soviet Union.

He led the far-left forces centered around the Communist Party and was the most critical figure of the Yeltsin administration.

He campaigned for the presidential election with the slogan of a 'more stable society.'

However, Yeltsin was countering with a negative campaign to make the people fear the Communist Party's control of the government.

Thus, Yeltsin and Minister Zahar's political tendencies could be said to be similar.

Of course, most of the words coming out of Zahar's mouth were from Nikolai.

"It seems to be going according to our plan."

In the actual historical context, the difference in the first-round voting rate between Yeltsin and Zhuganov was less than 3%.

With the signs pointing to such a result, Yeltsin's campaign team was on high alert and came to see Yury.

However, now there is a new variable with Minister Zahar of the Ministry of Justice.

"Don't worry too much about it."

Sergei said nonchalantly in response to Yury.

"I know what kind of person the chief of staff is. More importantly, you said that former General Secretary Gorbachev visited yesterday?"

"He also said he would register as a candidate this time."

In the actual historical context, Mikhail Gorbachev's first-round voting result was 0.5%, and he disappeared into the annals of history with his dignity completely shattered.

"Can he make a comeback when the people's hearts have already left him?"

At Sergei's question, Yury's expression turned complicated as he recalled the past.

His reaction was due to his deep connection with Gorbachev.

"It will be tough. But it seems his close aides are not sitting idly by."

"If he has made the country this way, he should reflect and live quietly…."

"Once you taste power, it paralyzes your reason, doesn't it?"

"That seems to be true."

"By the way, Ivan has prepared the campaign headquarters, so you can use it."

Yury nodded, and Ivan spoke.

"I set up a headquarters using one of the GUM department stores."

"Thank you. Father will be very pleased."

"It's also our business. Don't worry about other things and take care of your health. You'll need to travel the country after registering as a candidate. I'll also tell my wife to visit her parents often."

Although Ivan and Sergei were close, they were not meeting personally, and Yury was also present, so they maintained their formalities.

"Thank you. But how many signatures have you received so far?"

"According to Nikolai, it has surpassed 800,000. Is that correct?"

Nikolai shook his head at his father.

"No."

"Didn't you say it had surpassed 800,000?"

"That was three days ago. It has increased by 100,000 since then, surpassing 900,000."

"Really, already?"

"It will take at least 20 days for all the mail from across Russia to arrive, so it will increase even more."

"Father, can we start preparing for the candidate registration?"

"What good will it do to register early? You'll only be restrained. It's best to follow the original plan and do it the day before. Pass that message to your in-laws."

"I also think the same as Mr. Chairman. The day before seems best."

Nikolai agreed.

At that moment, Olga, Nikolai's aunt, spoke with a troubled look.

"Father, I have a question."

"Go ahead."

"President Yeltsin has been supporting us well so far, but what if he changes his mind after being elected?"

Olga, who had not heard the overall conversation, knew the election situation and seemed anxious.

"Hmm…."

"Father, you know the current situation. Do you really think Minister can defeat President Yeltsin and candidate Zhuganov?"

"Do you think I pushed my in-laws without confidence?"

"I have eyes and ears too."

"Let's stop this talk. It won't help now."

"Father."

Despite Olga's words, Yury did not respond further, greeted the others, and went back to his study.

Yury Yusupov was already confident after having many conversations with Nikolai and had a plan in place.

* * *

When Yegor returned home that day, he asked his two sons.

"Kirill."

"Yes, Father."

"Have you found out anything from hanging out with Nikolai?"

"About the election?"

"Also about business."

"I don't know much about the election."

After a moment's thought, Kirill continued.

"I've seen him having secret conversations with Sasha several times, but I don't know what they're about. Regarding business, I heard that they are connecting Gazprom's pipelines to Germany and then to other European countries."

"I know that."

Nikolai had demanded that Yeltsin connect Russia's gas pipelines to Europe.

Since it would not harm Yeltsin, he had activated diplomatic channels and completed negotiations with various countries.

"And I heard that the internet network has been laid across Moscow."

"Already?"

"Yes, they are now laying it in the regional cities. Once completed, they plan to expand to independent states."

"Considering the significant investment, I wonder if they can recover the money."

Yegor thought it was impossible.

Even if Nikolai said so, how many households have computers?

The government had placed computers in public offices and schools as Nikolai requested, but it was far from generating revenue.

"Do you know that Denis has set up an investment company in the UK?"

"I know. What is he doing?"

"He is investing mainly in IT companies."

"That guy must have some grudge against IT. I hope he doesn't lose all the money he made…."

"Father, with Gazprom, what are you worried about?"

"You're right."

Yegor frowned.

'Gazprom should have been acquired by me.'

What kind of luck does that guy have to succeed in everything he touches?

It felt like all the luck in the world was sticking to Nikolai.

"Did you hear anything, Dima?"

"I heard that Nikolai has secured shares in a broadcasting company."

"Broadcasting company? What do you mean?"

"I don't know the details."

"Hmm… anything else?"

"Apparently, a company Nikolai invested in the U.S. will soon go public."

"So he bought shares, not stocks?"

"Seems so."

"Which company?"

"I don't know."

"You're missing the key points. Nothing you've said is accurate."

Yegor was not expecting much from his sons, but he was frustrated and lashed out because he wanted to grasp something.

"Father, shouldn't we ask Grandfather about something?"

"What?"

"Why the companies are registered in Nikolai's name."

Yegor also wanted to ask Yury.

He felt a sense of crisis after Anton was forced to leave for Ukraine.

Still, he did not rush. He decided to wait for the right moment.

"I've been thinking about it. Let's wait a bit longer."

Kirill, frustrated by his father's perfectionism, did not ask further.

But the current problem needed to be addressed.

"What if Minister Zahar really gets elected? What will happen to us?"

Yegor shook his head confidently.

"That won't happen."

"If you think it won't, we need to have a plan. Even if Yeltsin is elected, he won't support us like before. We might lose everything. I find it unsettling that Grandfather is so confident."

"…Let's reconsider when the election campaign starts."

Yegor deeply pondered.

Whether to leave Russia for Ukraine, where his brother Anton was, or to go to another country.

* * *

15 days later.

All the mail from across Russia arrived, and the results were somewhat shocking.

"Only 5 million people support Minister Zahar…."

Sasha's expression hardened.

While it surpassed 1 million, it was only about 7% of the voting population.

"Nikolai, what does this mean?"

"…."

"Only 5 million people support the Minister. How can he win?"

Nikolai bit his lip, looking serious.

This was unexpected.

'This is too much.'

Without any foundation and before even registering as a candidate, 5 million people supported him.

The number would increase significantly once the campaign started.

Even without a proper start, surpassing 5 million was a great achievement.

"Great!"

"What's great?"

"The start is good. This is enough to create a sensation."

"Really?"

"Have I ever said something impossible was possible?"

"Well, not really…."

Everything Nikolai said would happen did happen. But he was a bit anxious.

"Everything you said would happen did happen."

"So trust me this time too."

"This is completely different from the previous times. The Minister must win. If not, everything you've built will be taken away, and you might…."

"Hey!"

"Or you might face a lot of difficulties. You know that, right?"

If Nikolai was wrong, Sasha would be finished too, so he was ready to pour all his energy into this.

"Stop saying useless things. Get the informants to monitor Zhuganov's movements."

Currently, the most likely candidates to win were Yeltsin and Zhuganov.

Even if Nikolai had a final move, he needed to use Zhuganov to achieve a perfect outcome.

Thus, he needed to closely monitor Zhuganov's every move.

"I'll meet the Minister for a bit. Get the informants ready."

That day, when Zahar heard from Nikolai that he had surpassed 5 million, he looked surprised.

"To be honest, I was worried if we could even surpass 1 million."

"Grandfather is almost a politician now. You declared your candidacy thinking you would barely surpass 1 million?"

"Hehe, is that how it sounds?"

"Even without starting, getting this far is a good sign."

* * *

March 24, 1996.

Minister Zahar of the Ministry of Justice completed his presidential candidate registration.

Now, Nikolai's relentless moves to undermine Yeltsin would begin.