Chapter 57

The Bear's Soup is Now My Pleasure 57

057 Matchmaking? / World Ball 1st Drawing

On August 9, 1996, President Zahar's inauguration ceremony took place.

Numerous congratulations were sent by heads of state and international organizations from various countries.

It was rare for leaders from both democratic and communist countries to gather in one place, creating a unique atmosphere.

"You don't look well. Is there something wrong with your health?"

President Clinton of the United States said, and President Jiang Zemin of China awkwardly smiled upon hearing the translation.

"I didn't sleep well last night, so I guess it shows. The flight was long, but you look good, being young and all."

"I don't skip my exercise even when I'm busy. If you exercise, Chairman, your health will improve."

"Hehe, it's good to be young."

Though it was just a greeting, there was a hidden sharpness in their conversation.

During President Zahar's inauguration speech, Nikolai also sat behind where the heads of state were seated.

"I can't believe I'm sitting in such a place."

Shasha looked around, overwhelmed with emotion.

"After the ceremony, follow me and get to know the faces of the people you'll be dealing with. They're all here."

"Am I already at that level?"

"Leaders of large intelligence organizations shouldn't be intimidated. Have confidence."

Nikolai pretended to be calm, but he was equally moved.

In his previous life as a journalist, he had never attended such a grand event.

Sitting right behind the heads of state made it even more surreal.

After the inauguration speech and the events concluded, the leaders moved to the Kremlin banquet hall.

Nikolai moved with them.

President Zahar introduced Nikolai to the heads of state while greeting them.

"Hello, I'm Nikolai."

"He is the economic advisor. He has been of great help to me."

President Zahar decided that 'economic advisor' was the most suitable position for Nikolai, allowing him to operate freely while being helpful to the government.

Nikolai agreed that it was a good decision.

"Economic advisor?"

President Clinton looked puzzled, and Zahar, knowing this reaction would come, said:

"Isn't it true that young people participating in national affairs make the country healthier?"

Clinton, being the youngest president in U.S. history, nodded.

"I will visit often."

"Whenever you come to the U.S., please visit the White House. I enjoy discussing national affairs with young people."

"Thank you, I will definitely visit."

Despite his first meeting with the U.S. President, Nikolai showed no signs of being intimidated.

After greeting Clinton, Zahar moved to Chairman Jiang Zemin.

However, as they left, the CIA director approached with a meaningful look.

"That man is the CEO of Gazprom. He is President Zahar's grandson and also the grandson of the chairman of the Unicorn Group, Yuri."

"…!"

"During President Zahar's campaign, he was the election strategy chairman. He is also the person who ended the Chechen War through negotiations with Dudayev."

"How could such a young man have such abilities, even if he is the president's grandson…"

Clinton looked at Nikolai, who was greeting Chairman Jiang Zemin, again.

"That's not all. He held 30% of the shares in Yahoo's IPO, which recently caused a stir in the U.S., as the representative of Blackhole Investment in the UK."

"Wow…"

"The CIA has been closely watching him. He has invested significant funds in companies representing the U.S., the UK, Germany, Japan, and other countries around the world. Whether by chance or not, he has always been involved in major events in Russia."

The CIA director's analysis was accurate.

It showed how deeply the U.S. intelligence organization had investigated Nikolai.

Clinton thought he must invite Nikolai to the White House.

Meanwhile, after greeting Chairman Jiang Zemin, Nikolai heard an unexpected request.

"Connect a gas pipeline to China?"

Most of the gas used in China was supplied by Russia.

Jiang Zemin wanted to receive the gas produced in the Sakha Republic directly through a pipeline, rather than by land, to get a cheaper supply.

In the original history, the pipeline was finally opened in December 2019, known as 'Power of Siberia.' Gazprom and China's 'China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC)' agreed on gas supply terms in May 2014 and began construction in September of the same year.

However, this request came 18 years earlier.

The current China was very different from the original history.

The people were still struggling with economic difficulties.

Nikolai, unable to respond immediately, promised to consider it.

"Can I get back to you after discussing it?"

"Yes, I hope it leads to a good decision."

"I hope the pipeline to China can be connected. I will contact you as soon as possible."

Since China had been receiving gas by land, connecting a pipeline wouldn't be a problem and could even be beneficial.

It could give Russia control over China, like it does with Europe.

'He can really get a grip on things.'

After finishing his greeting with Jiang Zemin, Nikolai saw familiar faces.

'President Kim Young-sam and National Defense Chairman Kim Jong-il?'

He thought about greeting them but decided it wasn't the right time and went to where President Zahar and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl were.

"Congratulations."

"Thank you for attending the inauguration."

"It was my duty."

After the greetings, the chancellor asked Nikolai:

"Is the pipeline construction going well?"

"Yes, it's proceeding without any problems."

"Many European countries attach great importance to this pipeline. We hope it will be completed as soon as possible."

"We will consider ways to expedite the construction."

Nikolai wanted to complete the pipeline construction quickly, but the long distance and massive scale of the project were challenging.

However, knowing how important this project was to Russia, he was increasing equipment and personnel.

Thanks to this, it would be completed faster than originally planned.

"Are there any complaints from Volkswagen, Mercedes, and BMW in St. Petersburg?"

The chancellor shook his head in response to Zahar's question.

"I've heard they are satisfied."

"That's good. I hope more German companies will come to Russia."

"Since car companies have already entered, I think more will follow."

Germany, a manufacturing powerhouse.

The biggest problem for advanced countries was neglecting manufacturing, but Germany maintained it.

Russia also aimed to become a manufacturing powerhouse by adopting Germany's strengths, so Zahar had a long conversation with the chancellor.

When he turned to greet British Prime Minister John Major, an unexpected person made a surprising proposal to President Zahar.

"Would you like me to act as a matchmaker with the royal family?"

The person who spoke was Tony Blair, the leader of the Labour Party, who would serve as Prime Minister from May 1997 to June 2007.

So, this person would become the new Prime Minister of the UK next year.

Zahar looked at Nikolai with surprise.

Nikolai smiled inwardly and politely declined.

"Thank you, but I have no plans to get married."

"Is that so? It would have been great for Russia and the UK to become family. If you change your mind, please contact us."

"I will. Thank you for considering me."

"You're too modest. Where else can you find someone like Nikolai? If I had a daughter, I would pursue you to the end. Hehe."

Nikolai, with red cheeks, quietly slipped away.

* * *

The inauguration ceremony concluded, and an event honoring those who lost their lives or were injured in the Chechen War began.

Military band music played as the parade ended, and President Zahar ascended the podium.

"Dear honorees, I sincerely thank you for your service to the country. While material compensation cannot erase your pain and suffering, as the President of Russia, I will provide appropriate compensation. Additionally…"

In short, the President promised to compensate the national honorees, not just with money but with benefits for their families and improved welfare for the military.

President Zahar shook hands with each injured soldier as he descended from the podium.

"Your left leg…"

Seeing a soldier with an amputated leg, Zahar couldn't finish his sentence.

However, the soldier, standing with a crutch, said firmly:

"I'm fine! It's not a problem now."

"I will work to prevent such painful events from happening again."

President Zahar genuinely comforted the soldiers.

This event included not only Russian soldiers but also soldiers from the Chechen Republic, who were once enemies but now shared the same nationality and were comrades.

If the Korean Peninsula could be like the current Russia, it would be wonderful.

Nikolai, thinking this, looked at Dudayev, who was sitting next to him.

* * *

After the event, the place they headed to was a typical Russian house.

"Is this really the right place?"

"Yes."

"Hmm… It seems President Zahar has taken action."

"Tanya has never earned money in her life. I couldn't leave her living in the house where Yeltsin lived."

They were in front of Tanya's house.

Dudayev, who had suffered a great humiliation from Tanya in the past, wanted to take revenge.

In the past, it was impossible due to Yeltsin, but now the situation had completely changed.

When the security guards surrounded the house, a middle-aged woman came out, sensing something was wrong.

It was Tanya.

"Are you well?"

"You…!"

At Nikolai's greeting, she bit her lip and trembled.

"How is your new house? Is it livable? Oh, I don't know if you remember this person."

Her gaze turned to Dudayev, but she didn't recognize him.

"Forget my face? I haven't forgotten since that day."

Dudayev, who had spoken softly to Nikolai, suddenly walked forward and slapped her face mercilessly.

Ugh!

Her head turned sharply, and she fell to the ground.

"Do you still not remember my face?"

She glared at Dudayev with a hateful expression, then hesitated and struggled to stand up.

"…You are Dudayev?"

She didn't recognize him because he wasn't in his military uniform and looked neater than before.

"It took you this long to remember. Consider yourself lucky to have just one slap. I wanted to shoot your head off, but this is the last respect for the deceased."

The fact that the leader of the Chechen Republic would go this far showed how much humiliation Tanya had caused him.

"Let's go."

Seeing her fall with just one slap, it was hard to imagine how formidable she had been back then.

Dudayev felt that one slap was enough to shake off all the resentment he had built up.

Now that he was no longer a soldier, further violence was unnecessary.

As they got into the car, Dudayev asked:

"What will happen to Tanya?"

"That woman will live a harder life than ordinary people. She has nothing left."

A woman who lived like a queen, now without money or people, how could she survive?

"That's good. Thousands of soldiers died for no reason because of her words."

Tanya, who once controlled Russia, disappeared into the back pages of history.

* * *

【2nd Unicorn Miss and Mister Selection Contest】

As the handsome and beautiful contestants from various independent countries gathered at Red Square for the contest, the first 'World Ball' sale finally began.

Thanks to the advertising support, it received explosive attention not only in Russia but also worldwide.

People had two main questions:

First, how much would the first prize be?

Second, would there