Chapter 56

Bear Country is Now Mine Chapter 56

Chapter 056: Acquisition of Oil Development Rights / One Month Later, Four Major Events

Chechnya, Russian territory, but a place that had been off-limits.

Nikolai had arrived here with his bodyguards.

"Aren't you scared?"

"Of what?"

"Look at the bodyguards. They're all tense."

In response to Sasha's words, instead of looking around at the bodyguards, Nikolai gestured to them.

Twenty-five bodyguards, maintaining their distance, slowly approached. They were the president's bodyguards.

Because Nikolai had come with the president's full authority, they were treating him with the appropriate respect.

"Is there something you need to say?"

Just as the team leader asked, large trucks began to arrive.

These were the goods prepared by raiding the Unicorn stores in the region closest to the Chechen Republic.

"Once all the trucks arrive, unload the goods."

"Excuse me?"

"I said, unload the goods."

"What... Our job is to protect Mr. Nikolai."

"What are you going to protect here? If Dudayev wanted to, he could blow everyone here away with tanks."

The team leader, seeing the tanks rumbling in the distance, looked flustered.

"I'm worried the soldiers might mishandle the goods. Just supervise to make sure they unload carefully."

"..."

The team leader's expression suggested this was the most absurd situation he had ever encountered in his career.

"Since the negotiations went well, you can relax. If I thought it was dangerous, I wouldn't have come here."

The team leader's expression softened at these words.

This was in front of Dudayev's house.

He used to rotate his residences across the Chechen Republic to spread the risk, but now there was no need.

In front of the house, soldiers provided by Dudayev were gathered.

Squeak.

Thirty large trucks circled and began to back in, drawing curious looks from the soldiers.

"Hey, mister with the gun. Can't you see the trucks backing in? Move to the side quickly."

"Sorry, I've never seen anything like this before..."

As the soldier, embarrassed, moved to the side, the team leader began giving orders to the agents.

"Everyone, take off your jackets."

Dudayev, who had gone inside for a moment, came out with a smile.

"I didn't expect you to send so much."

"Time was short, so this is all I could prepare. When I return, I'll send more trucks to the entire Chechen region."

"I'm truly grateful."

Dudayev was genuinely thankful, but Nikolai felt a bit awkward.

After all, he was the one who had blocked all supplies from entering Chechnya.

"But what do you plan to do with the rebels?"

"I'm also struggling with that. There are just so many of them."

"How many are there?"

"Even after excluding those who simply followed orders, there are over 500 people involved."

The second-in-command, 'Miron,' who had directly led the attack, and his close associates had already been executed.

"I'm considering sending them to Russian prisons."

That's not a good idea.

The taxpayers' money would be wasted on their food and clothing.

"I have a better idea."

"…?"

"In Russia, serious criminals are sent to Siberia to work as lumberjacks. The service period is 10 years, extended by one year for each incident."

"That's a good idea. Can it be done today?"

"Yes. With the recent rise in timber prices, more workers are needed. It seems like good timing."

"Hehe, I'll leave it to you, Mr. Nikolai. Please handle it well."

It was the day the second batch of Siberian lumberjacks was decided.

"If it weren't for Mr. Nikolai, I, my family, and the many comrades who followed me would have lost our lives. The future of our Chechen Republic would have been even darker."

"I'm glad it was resolved well."

"Ha, he was like my right arm... I've been reminded again how terrifying human greed can be."

Traitors always come from close quarters.

Most often, it's someone you never thought would betray you.

That's why historically, those who ascended to the throne often purged or exiled their founding ministers.

Li Seong-gye of Joseon and Zhu Yuanzhang of Ming are prime examples.

"Thank you for trusting me."

"To be honest, I had no choice but to trust you. If the Russian government wanted to get rid of me, they wouldn't have given me such information."

"You're right. We wanted to work together."

"Even animals repay those who save their lives, so it's only natural for humans to do the same. I also didn't want the war to drag on."

Dudayev had decided to clean up the complex internal affairs of Chechnya and remain a republic of Russia.

But about repayment.

Nikolai thought of 'repayment' a bit differently.

Compensation.

As the saying goes, 'If a man draws his sword, he must cut something.' If he came to Chechnya, he should get something personally.

Sasha, supervising the soldiers, shook her head when she saw Nikolai's lips curling up slightly.

Here we go again.

"Chechnya has quite a few places where oil is found, doesn't it?"

"There are many places where you don't have to dig very deep to find it."

"I understand there are also many mineral resources?"

The Chechen Republic is rich in resources, including oil, tungsten, and uranium.

"During Soviet times, many places were explored for oil and mineral resources, and factories were built. But most were destroyed during the war."

Nikolai suddenly called over a soldier carrying a box, opened the lid, and drank a 'Retsvi Canned Coffee.'

It was a habit to calm his racing heart whenever he discovered important food.

Spouting Korean when in a hurry was a similar habit.

"Can you entrust this to me?"

"What do you mean?"

"The development of oil and mineral resources. I can make it as profitable as Gazprom."

"Hehe, I'd be grateful if you took it on, Mr. Nikolai."

"Thank you. I'll ensure the Chechen Republic's revenue continues to grow."

The Chechen Republic is right next to Europe.

Connecting pipelines from here to Europe would be cheaper and significantly reduce construction time.

That would also fatten Nikolai's bank account.

"If you entrust the civil engineering projects to me, I'll build something that surpasses Vladivostok."

"Hehe, that's great. I was going to ask you anyway. The cities are in ruins, so they all need to be rebuilt."

A good opportunity.

If the cities are planned and built from scratch like new towns in Korea, Chechnya could become a beautiful city, rare even in the world.

With the abundance of resources, the costs for various projects would be reliably covered, allowing for confident construction.

'I've found a cash cow.'

While Dudayev was satisfied with the goods, Nikolai's mind was racing.

"Let's contact the Kremlin first and then have a meal together."

"Agreed. I hope all the Chechen Republic's affairs are resolved as well as today's."

They will be.

With money, what can't be done?

I'll turn the Chechen Republic into the world's most beautiful tourist destination.

Nikolai planned to completely transform this war-torn place into a top tourist spot.

"By the way, this might be presumptuous, but can I say something?"

"Now that we're not strangers, there's no need to be formal. Go ahead."

"Many soldiers and civilians lost their lives in this war."

"Hmm... Yes, that's true."

Those who lost their lives due to the war have no homes and no means to live.

It would be wrong to leave them behind.

"Don't you think we should provide a living foundation for the families of the fallen soldiers and civilians?"

"I'd like to, but we don't have the money right now."

"Don't worry about that."

"How can you not worry when there's no money?"

"I'll lend you the money."

"Excuse me?"

This is the best way to tie someone down.

Compared to the money that will be earned from Chechnya in the future, lending money is nothing.

"I'll take payment in oil when the extraction starts. Receiving mineral resources is also fine."

"Considering the significant amount of money needed... Are you sure about this?"

"However, there is a condition."

If this condition isn't met, I won't lend the money.

"We'll handle the compilation of the victims' list and the distribution of the money."

"…!"

"Don't misunderstand. I suggest this to reduce the negative feelings Chechen people have towards Russia."

"Hmm. You mean the money will be distributed by the Russian government?"

"No. We'll say it was raised by both sides working together."

Although I'm lending the money, I need to show the Chechen people something.

"Do it that way. But please distribute the money as quickly as possible."

"I'll start as soon as I return. Once Chechnya provides the initial list, we'll verify it and distribute the money immediately."

"Indeed, Mr. Nikolai, with your experience in successful businesses, you handle things very accurately and quickly."

The faster, the better, as money will start coming in.

"I'll do my best to handle it without mistakes. By the way, the Russian government plans to give houses to the war heroes. What about Chechnya?"

"Houses as well as money?"

"If they don't have houses, they'll spend all their money on buying one."

"Hmm. Since we're rebuilding the cities, we can give new apartments to all citizens."

"Good idea. Those who sacrificed their lives for the country deserve such compensation."

"You're right. If we don't, who would step forward when the country is in danger?"

"You're right."

Thus, Nikolai deeply embedded himself in the Chechen Republic and returned to Russia.

* * *

Moscow, Kremlin.

President Zakhary, who had heard about the events in Chechnya, looked satisfied.

"I trusted you to handle it well, but I didn't expect you to do it so perfectly. You did an excellent job."

"We also need to properly compensate the soldiers."

"Do as you suggested. Give them apartments in their home cities."

"But we need to build apartments nationwide simultaneously. It will cost a lot of money..."

"Don't worry. There's the money Yeltsin left behind."

"Can we use that?"

"That money belongs to the people, not the government. So you can use it freely for such matters."

"Really build them nationwide?"

"Do it. I also need to gain popularity for my re-election. Hehe."

President-elect Zakhary was not a man driven by greed.

His wife had passed away long ago, and he was not young. He had decided to dedicate his remaining years to the country.

"I'll proceed with the Chechen issue as discussed."

"Do so."

"Also, about the dollars we discussed before."

"Isn't the state bank continuously buying them?"

"Yes. We've accumulated enough to handle any issues, but it's only enough to defend Russia."

In the original history, the Asian financial crisis affected not only Russia but also most East Asian countries.

Korea had to accept humiliating terms from the IMF due to a lack of dollars, and other countries faced significant crises due to foreign speculative capital.

Since Russia had attracted most of the foreign companies that were supposed to go to China, China would also be at risk this time.

Knowing this, Nikolai thought he should invest more in dollars.

"Keeping dollars in domestic banks will make the ruble too strong. I thought we could buy them through Blackhole Investment in the UK."

"Would that be a problem?"

"No. If there's an issue domestically, we could even make money by hitting the foreign speculative capital hard."

The U.S. government has always done this.

When the U.S. economy is in trouble, they play with the dollar to shift their problems to other countries.

This time, we won't be caught off guard.

We won't be caught by the U.S. government or their speculative capital.

'I'll be waiting. Come and I'll strip you bare.'

After the state-related conversation, Nikolai brought up business.

"By the way, it's time for the '2nd Unicorn Miss and Mister Contest.'"

"Already?"

"This time, we'll do it a bit earlier. People's morale was low due to the war. I want to boost the mood with this event."

"Sounds like a good idea."

"But I want to expand the eligibility to include independent countries. What do you think?"

"What does it matter what I think? If you think it's good, go ahead. I don't care, so proceed."

"This 2nd contest will be worth watching. Look forward to it."

Nikolai, coming out of the Kremlin, told Ilya to start the advertising.

[2nd Unicorn Miss and Mister Contest]

Eligibility: All countries of the former Soviet Union.

Prizes: 35-pyong apartments near the winners' residences (10 men and 10 women per country).

As Nikolai prepared to advertise on the internet, TV, and newspapers, Sasha asked.

"I want to develop the entertainment industry."

"Entertainment? Like movies and singers?"

"Something like that. If the company grows, Russian entertainers will gain popularity worldwide."

The company will make significant investments in global blockbusters.

"The winners will start their careers domestically and, if the opportunity arises, abroad."

"Oh, that's why they often appear on TV. They've been very active lately."

To make the most of the selected beauties, they were working hard every day.

"With people from independent countries participating, we'll have over 100 men and women this time?"

"Probably. This is your chance. If you like any of the winners, let me know. I can arrange a meeting."

"You'll handle the rest?"

"How can I create feelings between a man and a woman? If she doesn't want to, even I can't do anything."

Ilya, posting the ad, chuckled and covered Sonya's ears.

Sonya, confused, tilted her head.

* * *

A month quickly passed, and several important events were planned in Russia.

The first was the inauguration of President-elect Zakhary.

The second was an event to honor those who lost their lives or were injured in the Chechen War, providing them with cash, apartments, and job benefits for their children.

The third was the [2nd Unicorn Miss and Mister Contest].

The last was the start of sales for the Russian lottery, 'World Ball.'

All were important, but the most attention was on the presidential inauguration.

The inauguration was attended by leaders from various countries, including South Korea, Japan, and China.

Nikolai decided to seize this opportunity given by heaven.